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This photo taken with a mobile phone shows civilians leaving areas in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo city, northern Syria, on Jan. 7, 2026. (Str/Xinhua)

RAQQA, Syria, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Eight years after being freed from the grip of the Islamic State (IS) group, the Syrian city of Raqqa is once again standing at a crossroads, with residents hoping that a fragile ceasefire will spare their war-weary city from another cycle of violence.

Raqqa was liberated from the IS control in October 2017 after one of the fiercest battles in Syria's conflict, marking a major turning point in ending the group's territorial rule in the country.

Yet for many residents, the fall of the IS did not bring immediate peace. The city later became a frontline in clashes between IS remnants and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and more recently, a focal point of tensions between the SDF and Syria's interim government.

Following recent developments that saw the interim government regain full control of Raqqa, many residents express their primary concern for security and hope that the current ceasefire between the SDF and the Syrian interim government will prevent their city from falling back into conflict.

"Security and safety are the first demand," said Thamer al-Ali, a Raqqa resident. "There is too much uncontrolled weaponry in the city. This is not normal. Weapons must be limited to the hands of the state so that security can return."

Al-Ali said residents are also looking to the newly appointed local authorities to focus on basic services. "We hope the new governor will repair roads, streets and bridges, and provide electricity as well as fuel."

His sentiment was echoed by taxi driver Ahmed al-Faraj, who underlined daily hardships caused by damaged infrastructure.

"The most important thing is security, and that we live under one state and one flag," al-Faraj said. "There is no good road left in Raqqa. We need road repairs and reconstruction so people can work and live normally again."

On Tuesday, the Syrian interim government declared a four-day ceasefire to support talks with the SDF over security arrangements and possible military integration.

A member of the Syrian security forces stands guard at the Al-Hol camp in the northeastern province of Hasakah, Syria, Jan. 21, 2026. (Str/Xinhua)

For many, the ceasefire is seen as a necessary step to protect civilians after years of bloodshed. "To spare the blood of citizens and protect the country, we support the truce," said Hamza, another resident. "But accountability is also necessary for anyone who harmed the Syrian people, whether Arab or Kurdish."

Meanwhile, others speak cautiously of a better future. "We support these decisions and we are always with peace," said Mohammad Aboud al-Assali, a resident of Raqqa. "We hope for a bright future for the city. Enough wars, enough conflicts, enough injustice. We want schools rebuilt, drugs and corruption fought, and a new generation raised on progress, not violence."

Despite some improvement in electricity supply, residents say public services remain largely absent, and fears of renewed fighting linger. Those fears were reinforced earlier this month when key bridges over the Euphrates River, the al-Mansour and al-Rashid bridges, were destroyed, severely disrupting transportation and cutting the city in two.

The explosions paralyzed movement across the river and triggered a full water outage after pipelines running along the bridges were damaged. Many residents have since been forced to cross on foot over rubble, a risky journey for the elderly, women and children, especially during harsh winter conditions.

Local authorities say emergency repairs have begun since government forces entered the city earlier this month. According to a Raqqa City Council official, partial filling of damaged sections is underway to allow limited humanitarian crossings, while preparations are being made for full rehabilitation once heavy engineering equipment arrives.

The bridges, both vital and symbolic, hold a special place in Raqqa's collective memory. The al-Mansour Bridge and the al-Rashid Bridge have long served as main routes connecting the city's southern and western countryside. Their destruction has underscored the scale of the challenges facing a city still recovering from years of war.

As security forces continue demining operations and service teams assess urgent needs, residents say what Raqqa needs most is time, and peace.

"This city has endured more war than any other in the fight against the IS," al-Ali said. "What we need now is stability, so Raqqa can finally heal."
DAMASCUS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A 24-truck humanitarian convoy reached the Kobani region of northern Syria on Sunday, even as a shaky ceasefire between the interim authority and Kurdish-led forces showed signs of strain.

The shipment, coordinated by Syrian authorities and United Nations agencies, delivered food, medicine, and relief supplies to the area, also known as Ain al-Arab. Local officials said the delivery was intended to meet "urgent humanitarian needs" in eastern Aleppo province.

The move follows the Syrian interim authority's decision to extend a nationwide ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for 15 days. Damascus said the extension aims to stabilize the north, facilitate aid, and allow for the removal of heavy weapons from urban centers.

However, the truce remains fragile. The SDF reported clashes in villages west and southeast of Kobani on Sunday, accusing pro-Damascus forces of attacking just hours after the extension was announced. Damascus did not immediately comment on the claims.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, confirmed that the UN convoy reached the outskirts of Kobani amid widespread shortages of power, water, and communications.

The delivery comes as Syrian security forces deploy further into the outskirts of Kobani, including the town of Sarrin, where the interim authority says its forces are resuming "government services" and establishing checkpoints.

Located directly on the Turkish-Syrian border in eastern Aleppo province, Kobani is a predominantly Kurdish city. Its proximity to Turkiye makes it a vital hub for trade and humanitarian aid. However, this also makes it a target for Turkiye, which views the Kurdish forces there as a security threat.

For the interim authority in Damascus, controlling Kobani is essential to restoring the country's "territorial integrity" and breaking the autonomy of the Kurdish-led SDF. 
This photo taken on Jan. 21 2026 shows a vehicle traveling on a road constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation in Rwanda's Northern Province. (Xinhua/Ju Yinhe)

KIGALI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- For years, the winding hills of northern Rwanda were as famous for their breathtaking beauty as for the long, arduous journeys on impassable roads. Today, the smooth asphalt of the Base-Butaro-Kidaho (BBK) road is changing that reality, bringing renewed hope, economic opportunity, and social transformation to communities across Burera District.

Constructed jointly by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and Rwanda's NPD Ltd., the 63-km BBK road has become a lifeline for residents, cutting travel times and unlocking the region's development potential.

"The project helped us. I can say it is a profit for us," said Seth Havugimana, a 30-year-old businessman and resident of Gitare Village in Burera, during a recent interview with Xinhua.

Before the road, reaching nearby towns was a daily struggle. "Sometimes we could not reach here at all because of the bad road," he recalled. What once took four hours to Musanze city now takes about an hour.

"These changes mean everything," he said. "Business can move and people can go from here to another place easily. We are very happy about this new road."

For Havugimana and many others, the BBK road has transformed livelihoods. Once limited to a single daily trip to Musanze to buy goods, he can now make more than four trips, cutting costs and increasing his income.

"Before, it was difficult to go outside and bring goods or materials here," he said. "Now, if someone tells me they need something, I can go and purchase it and bring it back directly."

The road has also improved access to essential services. Families can reach schools, hospitals, and markets with ease. "If someone in my family is sick, it is easy to take them to the hospital," Havugimana said. "Students can go to school easily. Before, it was not possible."

Jing Niu, acting project manager of the BBK project at the CRBC, explained that the company handled the 22-km Kidaho-Butaro section. Construction faced challenges, including steep and rocky terrain, environmental protection near Lake Burera, traffic management, and child safety. To address these, the company worked closely with local authorities and communities to conduct regular safety education and maintain road accessibility.

The BBK road's impact goes beyond individual lives, extending to the broader rural economy.

Thierry Muneza Kamuhanda, BBK project director, emphasized that careful planning focused on social and economic benefits. "We estimate around five million vehicles per year. Where there is traffic, there is economic activity," he said.

The project has also created jobs, with about 10 percent of the total investment allocated to labor, directly improving household incomes and local social conditions, he said.

"When a road is built, businesses are created along it," he said. "Petrol stations, coffee shops, and other services follow. Tourism will also increase, especially since the road runs along Lake Burera."

Bruce Semana, a local CRBC staff member who joined the project in 2022, highlighted the broader transformation. "This area was once among the poorest. Now, Burera District is one of the fastest-developing districts. Roads make the difference," he said.

Semana noted that the project brought workers, machinery, and new economic activity to the area, creating opportunities that never existed before. "It's not only the road itself, but also the people who came with the project," he said.

He also highlighted the valuable skills he gained through collaboration with the CRBC. "I joined as a young graduate with ideas but no practical skills," he said. "Everything I know is practically management, public relations, and working in challenging environments, which I learned through the CRBC."

The Kidaho-Butaro section is now largely open to traffic, with final works underway. The entire BBK project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year, promising to continue reshaping the future of northern Rwanda. 

Chinese engineer Zhou Chunyi (R) works with local colleagues along a road constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation in Burera District, Rwanda's Northern Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Ju Yinhe)

Local workers are in operation along a road constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation in Burera District, Rwanda's Northern Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Ju Yinhe)
CANBERRA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Secretary of the Department of Defense Greg Moriarty will be recommended as the next Australian ambassador to the United States, according to the country's Foreign Minister's media release on Sunday.

Moriarty has served as secretary of the Department of Defense since 2017, and he was ambassador to Indonesia from 2010-2014 and ambassador to Iran from 2005-2008, said the release.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also announced his recommendation of Moriarty while speaking on ABC News. The appointment came after the current Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd decided to resign a year before the end of his term. 
MELBOURNE, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Residents of small towns southwest of Melbourne in the Australian state of Victoria have been told it is too late to leave as a nearby bushfire threatens lives and homes.

An emergency warning issued on Sunday morning said that the out-of-control fire could impact the town of Gellibrand, 150 km southwest of Melbourne, at any time.

It said that residents of Gellibrand and the neighboring town of Carlisle River, which have a combined population of around 400 people, need to act immediately to survive.

"If you have not left, the safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately," it said.

The fire has been burning since Jan. 10 and was considered under control, but breached containment lines on Saturday as maximum temperatures across the state exceeded 35 degrees Celsius.

Chris Hardman, Victoria's Chief Fire Officer, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television on Sunday morning that the fire was "right on the edge" of Gellibrand.

Smoke from the fire spread to Melbourne on Saturday night, prompting air quality warnings.

Victoria's Environment Protection Authority rated the air quality in Melbourne's central business district as very poor on Sunday morning, and said it would remain poor or very poor through the day.

Authorities said that the smoke could aggravate existing heart and lung conditions and cause irritated eyes, coughing and wheezing. 
BOSTON  The Fiscal Year 2025 closeout supplemental budget includes a provision that protects federal workers in Massachusetts from evictions and foreclosures during a government shutdown.

This provision protects federal employees for at least 30 days after the end of a shutdown, unless the governor chooses to extend the pause to 75 days after the end of the shutdown. Gov. Maura Healey used this executive authority last fall to extend support for federal workers during the shutdown.
JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police said on Sunday that 25 body bags have been received by the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team following a landslide on Saturday in the Cisarua region of West Java province.

West Java Police spokesman Hendra Rochmawan said in a statement that as of 5:00 p.m. local time, 11 victims had been positively identified, while the remaining bodies were still undergoing post-mortem and ante-mortem examinations.

According to him, the identified victims consisted of 10 intact bodies and one body part. The identification is being carried out cautiously using forensic and scientific methods to ensure accuracy.

Search and rescue operations were temporarily suspended due to unfavorable field conditions, but are scheduled to resume on Monday, he added.

The landslide that struck the Cisarua region early Saturday was triggered by heavy rainfall following days of intense precipitation, causing extensive damage in the affected area. 
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Despite being born into a world of wealth and privilege, Lady Edwina Grosvenor has seen first hand the devastating impact of a childhood tainted by the stigma of crime.

She was just a teenager when she first started working with mothers at risk of losing their children on a work experience placement at a charity in north Wales.

The eye-opening experience came just a few short years after she was taken by her late father, the sixth Duke of Westminster and one of the richest men in Britain, to speak to two heroin addicts at a drug treatment centre in Liverpool. He wanted his daughters to understand the risks of taking drugs.

The transformative experiences  a world away from her life at the familys 11,000-acre estate in Cheshire  helped spark a lifelong passion for criminal justice reform.

By the time she returned home from travelling in Nepal, where she worked at Central Jail in Kathmandu, she had been bitten by the prison bug.

After completing an undergraduate degree in criminology and sociology, including a dissertation on babies born in prison who are removed from their mothers, she embarked on a career in prison reform and philanthropy  at times becoming a vocal critic of successive governments neglect of the justice sector.

Her pioneering womens centre, Hope Street, which opened in 2023, offers a groundbreaking alternative to help keep female offenders and their children out of prison. Its a blueprint she hopes the government will replicate across the country in its bid to reduce the number of women incarcerated.

Now she is determined to challenge the secretive and stigmatised reality facing young people who have grown up in the shadow of the justice system with a university scholarship programme.

Whether they were born to a parent in prison or have served time themselves, recipients will be supported to achieve a university education and, hopefully, a brighter future.

The children of prisoners are usually forgotten more than any other group I can think of in this country, and it's a complete scandal, Lady Edwina told The Independent.

I think it's difficult to find your tribe when you're a young person. I think we can all remember what that feels like, but then imagine living with the shame of a parent being in prison, or a brother or a sister.

It's like, how do you find the other people who've been through a similar thing?

open image in gallery Lady Edwina Grosvenor and her husband Dan Snow after the wedding ceremony of her brother, Hugh Grosvenor, the seventh Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral in 2024 ( Getty )

No official data is recorded on how many childrens lives are blighted by their parents time in prison. Many end up in care, and research shows that they have some of the worst educational outcomes of any social group in the country, with students less likely to attend and succeed at university than their peers.

Only 13 per cent of pupils who were looked after in care continuously for 12 months or more entered higher education, according to government figures, compared to 43 per cent of all other pupils.

Lady Edwina added: Wouldn't that be amazing if they could step out of the shadows and step out of that shame and just know somebody else who might be in the same boat, you know.

The first-of-its-kind project with Manchester Metropolitan University will also support young offenders who are virtually written off by society.

I feel like those children and young people have been constantly failed by adults, continued Lady Edwina, who also completed a master's in crime scene management and forensic evidence in her 40s.

So therefore, once they've served their time, once their sentence has finished, is it not the duty of educational institutions, and for us, adults who care to do everything within our power to make sure that they go on to lead a better life?

As well as financial support for nine students, the university will have a dedicated staff member to ensure the recipients and other students impacted by the justice system are supported during their studies.

She hopes the programme will simply offer young people a chance.

Just a chance to learn, you know, a chance to be educated, a chance to be able to walk into an educational institution without feeling like they have to hide something like they shouldn't be there, like they don't belong, she added.

You know, education should be there for everybody regardless They should just be able to walk into an educational institution and learn and have a good time. You know, it's as simple as that.

Emma, a current Manchester Metropolitan University student, struggled with a criminal record after growing up care "I was born into an at-risk family and spent most of my childhood in local authority care. Unfortunately, like many other care-experienced people, these adverse experiences, along with a lack of learned life skills at the times, contributed towards making some bad decisions that resulted in a lengthy criminal record. This criminal record became a barrier in just about everything I did, making it seemingly impossible to turn my life around. Eventually, realising the importance of education and how it can open doors to opportunities and better employment, I decided to return to study and was welcomed into The School of Sociology and Criminology at Manchester Metropolitan University. I had no idea how life-changing that would be for me. Desistence theory is the process by which an individual reduces their level of offending and eventually maintains a non-criminal lifestyle. This theory cites, among other factors, that having strong ties to a community, a sense of purpose, recognition of worth from others, and feelings of hope and self-efficacy, positively contribute to people successfully rebuilding a pro-social lifestyle away from crime. I found all of those things during my degree at Manchester Met, where I was surrounded by experts who were able to see beyond my past, and offered unwavering support throughout that transformative experience.

She believes that meaningful progress towards better rehabilitation for offenders is all too often hampered by an absolutely abject lack of understanding about the justice sector, and called for awareness to be taught in schools as part of the national curriculum.

This, she hopes, would help combat the misconception that people leaving prison are all high-end, dangerous, knife-wielding maniacs and give employers more confidence to recruit ex-offenders.

I think if that piece was done, then I think there would be more organisations and businesses and people who would feel braver, because I think they're scared, she added.

You know, I've worked for a long time, also in employment of people coming out of prisons, and there's a really interesting way of looking at it. And someone said to me, look, Edwina, if I hire from prison, I know who the man or woman is.

I know what they've done for the last few years. They can't hide from what they've done. I know so much about that person that I can make a real-life, authentic judgement, and it's going to go one way or another, right?

Or I could hire someone off the street. They could lie about their name. I do not know where they've been for the last few years. Yes, I could look at references. They could all be made up, you know. And I think that's a really nice way of looking at it.

Just because someone's been in prison or had a conviction does not mean to say that they are more risky than the person who walks off the street.

open image in gallery Lady Edwina and her husband, Dan Snow, at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan ( PA )

This knowledge gap even extends to many making policy decisions, who dont know very much about prisons and don't spend very much time in them.

I think that's a real weakness we have, she added.

Lady Edwina, who is married to the historian and television presenter Dan Snow, is reserving judgement on major justice reforms currently making their way through parliament  including plans for offenders to serve less time in custody and controversial proposals to scrap the right to a jury trial for some offences.

Words are words, she said. Until I see it happening on the ground, it doesn't really mean anything.

However, she hit out at news that the government is set to slash frontline spending on education courses by up to 50 per cent in some prisons, describing it as a real backwards step.

She said access to education is everything in prison and can be the difference between having a safe, calm environment, compared to one that is dangerous and out of control.

I'm not party to what goes on in the background, but justice is an unprotected department, she continued. So if the treasury are looking to cut anything anywhere, it's always going to be the unprotected departments. And who is fighting, you know, for the justice department in the way that you'd fight for education, in the way that you'd fight for health.

She described the prison system  which the Labour government say they inherited in crisis  as an expensive failure after decades of underinvestment.

People don't realise that, you know, if the prisons are unstable and dangerous, that does directly impact the person on the street, she said, because  aside from around 70 prisoners serving whole-life orders  everyone else will be released.

So actually, it is really important that our prisons work and that people are stable in there, because they will come out onto the streets to a place near you.

open image in gallery The Womens Justice Board is chaired by the prisons minister, James Timpson ( PA )

Professor Julie Scott Jones, deputy pro-vice-chancellor for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Manchester Met, said the Lady Edwina Grosvenor Scholarships are an exciting way to improve access to higher education for people whose lives have been impacted by the criminal justice system.

At Manchester Met, many of our students who have experience of the justice or care system go on to work in this field, driven by the desire to improve the system for others, she added.

Not only will these scholarships provide access to higher education, they have the potential to influence UK-wide policy by creating a pipeline of change-makers who actually understand how the system affects young people like them.

The partnership continues the Grosvenor familys long-held links with Manchester Met, where Lady Edwinas late father, Gerald Grosvenor, was chancellor from 1992 to 2005.

Current vice-chancellor, Professor Malcolm Press, said: The experiences young people have had should be no barrier to their future success in life, and the Lady Edwina Grosvenor Scholarships will provide the opportunity and support to ensure the talents of these young people can reach their full potential.

The first recipients of the Lady Edwina Grosvenor Scholarships will begin their studies in September 2026.
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Eighty-six people have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass following a protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London.

The arrests, confirmed by the Metropolitan Police on Saturday evening, followed demonstrators breaching the prison grounds while protesting in support of a Palestine Action prisoner on hunger strike.

Police reported that the group refused to leave the premises when ordered, allegedly blocked prison staff from entering and leaving, and made threats towards officers.

Furthermore, a number of those detained reportedly managed to gain entry to a staff entrance area of a prison building.

open image in gallery Crowds show support for Palestine Action in Trafalgar Square in 2025 ( PA )

It is understood the protesters did not get past security.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson described the incident as deeply concerning.

They said: The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable.

While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.

At no point was prison security compromised, however where individuals actions cause risk or actual harm to hardworking staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.

Prisoners are being managed in line with longstanding policy.

This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.

Footage shared on social media showed a group chanting outside the prison, with some holding signs.

At one point, the group can be seen moving towards a building  and one clip appears to show some demonstrators inside.

It is understood that they are holding the demonstration in support of Umer Khalid.

He is the last remaining participant in the Prisoners for Palestine hunger strike campaign, according to the group.
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A new national police force dubbed the "British FBI" will take over counterterror, fraud and criminal gang investigations as part of a major shake-up of policing to be announced by the home secretary.

The National Police Service (NPS) will fight complex and serious crime, such as terrorism, fraud, and organised crime in order to give overstretched local forces more time to focus on everyday offences, such as shoplifting and phone theft.

The NPS will combine the work of the National Crime Agency and regional organised crime units under one super-force.

Shabana Mahmood, who is set to reveal widespread reforms to policing in a white paper on Monday, said she will lure world-class talent to the force, adding: "The current policing model was built for a different century.

"Some local forces lack the skills or resources they need to fight complex modern crime such as fraud, online child abuse or organised criminal gangs.

The government is expected to radically reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales from its current level of 43.

open image in gallery Shabana Mahmood speaks with police officers during a walkabout in Lambeth, south London ahead of a major shake-up of policing in England and Wales ( PA )

The Home Office wants to launch a direct entry scheme into senior roles to persuade professionals in the tech and finance sectors to lend their skills to the police. Police forces are also expected to face new targets for crime fighting under the changes, with those performing poorly named and shamed.

Other police forces that will be part of the NPS include Counter Terror Policing (CTP), led by the Metropolitan Police, police helicopter resources run by West Yorkshire Police and the National Roads Policing.

Ms Mahmood added: "We will create a new National Police Service  dubbed the British FBI  deploying world-class talent and state-of-the-art technology to track down and catch dangerous criminals. In doing so, local forces will be able to spend more time fighting crime in their communities."

open image in gallery Mahmood during a tour of the Lambeth Central Communications Command Centre, south London. ( PA )

The NPS will be headed up by a national police commissioner who will become the most senior police chief in the country.

Once up and running, it will set standards and training for policing and buy new technology such as facial recognition on behalf of all police forces.

The service would share technology, intelligence and resources across borders and be created in stages, working alongside the NCA, CTP and regional organised crime units for the transition.

Backing the plans, former head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Neil Basu, said it will be "far more capable as one national security system dealing more effectively with major crime, organised crime and terrorism in all its forms".

It comes as officers in the City of London said they remained confident that they would keep their national responsibility for fraud under restructuring plans ahead of the announcement.

open image in gallery Mahmood is expected to cut the number of police forces and centralise counterterror operations ( PA )

Head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley has previously supported the idea of the national responsibility for counterterrorism being removed from his force.

In a joint statement from the Met, CTP and the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), they said they support a joint police service, but added: This transformation, however, must be delivered with care. Its success depends on maintaining strong connections with local policing and the communities we serve.

And Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, is also supporting the proposals. He said: "The overall policing system is out of date. Crime has changed, technology has changed, and how we respond needs to change.

"As part of reform, we need a single, stronger national law enforcement body, building on the NCA and others, to more coherently tackle organised crime, fraud, terrorism and the new international and online threats we face.

Ministers have already announced plans to scrap police and crime commissioners in 2028 to save at least 100m and help fund neighbourhood policing.

Instead, mayors and council leaders will take up the responsibilities of policing arrangements.
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Almost 150 flood alerts are in place across the country as the Met Office issued fresh weather warnings for heavy rain and wind after Storm Ingrid battered parts of the UK.

Parts of a historic pier crumbled into the sea in Devon, and a sea wall that protects a railway line in Dawlish was brought down as huge waves and heavy rain lashed the coastline early on Saturday.

The forecaster has warned that further volatile weather is on the way, with yellow warnings for southwest, southern and mid-Wales on Monday, extending to southern England on Tuesday.

The forecaster warned that homes and businesses could be flooded, some communities could become cut off, and power cuts are possible.

open image in gallery Flood alerts and warnings remain in place for Sunday ( Environment Agency )

The Environment Agency has issued 113 flood alerts, indicating flooding is possible, and 20 flood warnings, where deluge is expected, across England on Sunday. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued seven flood warnings and three flood alerts, while Natural Resources Wales has two alerts in place.

Outbreaks of heavy rain are expected to bring some transport disruption across the southwest of England, southern and mid-Wales, and some parts of the southeast of England. A yellow rain weather warning is in place across the region from 3pm Monday until midday on Tuesday.

open image in gallery The Dogger Bank wind farm vessel passes the damaged South Shields sea wall and pier ( PA )

Up to 30mm of rainfall is expected widely, with 50-80mm likely across higher ground, especially Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). With wet conditions before this period, the rain will fall on to saturated ground, accentuating flooding impacts in places. Strong southeasterly winds are also likely.

Another yellow rain warning is in place on Monday between noon and 6pm for County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry and County Tyrone across Northern Ireland. Heavy rain will move northeastwards across the area on Monday afternoon. Up to 20mm of rain is expected to fall widely, with 20-30mm in a few areas and as much as 40mm over high ground.

open image in gallery Weather warnings are in place for Monday ( Met Office )

This will become a rain and wind warning on Tuesday, from 2am until 10pm, as rain will also be accompanied by strong east to southeasterly winds, particularly in northern and eastern areas, where peak gusts of 40-50mph are possible inland and 60-70mph possible along some exposed coasts.

The southeast of England will also experience a downpour from midnight through to midday on Tuesday, with 15-25mm of rain expected to build up widely across the area. A few areas will potentially see 30-40mm of rainfall and as much as 50mm over some hills.

open image in gallery Three weather warnings are in place on Tuesday ( Met Office )

The wet weather continues after Storm Ingrid, so named by the Portuguese Meteorological Service, brought gusts of 45-50mph and wet weather, causing structural damage across vast coastal parts of the UK on Friday night.

open image in gallery A decommissioned Cold War nuclear observation post fell onto the beach after clinging perilously to the cliff face for the last month in Tunstall ( Getty )

On the Yorkshire coast in Tunstall, a decommissioned nuclear bunker crashed onto a beach as the cliff eroded, while waves lashed at the coast across the southwest of England, causing part of the historic Teignmouth Grand Pier to crumble into the sea in Devon overnight. On Saturday morning, the Teignmouth National Coastwatch Institution said they had never seen it this rough before even an hour before high tide.

Meanwhile, parts of a sea wall that protects the railway line in Dawlish just crumbled after a very dramatic night, resident Peter Large told the BBC.

The wall is now gone at either end," he said. I'm looking down at it now and there's a strip about 80 to 90ft long where the wall has just crumbled. The waves are still crashing over the railway line and over the wall.

open image in gallery Waves crash against South Shields lighthouse ( PA )

Met Office five-day weather forecast:

Today and tonight:

Cloudy for many with outbreaks of rain and heavy showers. Further hill snow is likely across parts of northeast Scotland. A few brighter breaks developing at times in the south. Lighter winds for most compared to Saturday.

Largely cloudy with patchy outbreaks of rain, generally easing. Wintry showers mostly in the northeast, with mist and fog patches developing in any cloud breaks in the southeast.

Monday:

Generally cloudy with further outbreaks of rain for northeast England and east Scotland, wintry over the hills. A band of rain and strong winds arriving in the west and spreading eastwards.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:

Remaining unsettled throughout, with rain, showers and possible hill snow moving across the country with strong winds, particularly on Tuesday when another deep area of low pressure arrives. Feeling cold.
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Controversial former home secretary Suella Braverman has become the latest ex-Tory right-winger to defect to Nigel Farages Reform.

After months of speculation, Ms Braverman, who was sacked as home secretary by Rishi Sunak and forced to resign from the same role by Liz Truss, joined her ally Robert Jenrick in switching parties.

She was unveiled on Monday at a Reform rally for veterans in London as the partys eighth sitting MP, having been a rare visitor to parliament in the last few months.

Labour said the defection proved Mr Farage is stuffing his party full of the failed Tories, while the Tories said the move to Reform UK was always a matter of when, not if.

open image in gallery The former Conservative said she felt like she had come home ( Reuters )

Ms Braverman, who once ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party and was a major supporter of Brexit, said: Today I am announcing that I am resigning the Conservative whip and my party membership of 30 years. And because I believe with my heart and soul that a better future is possible for us, I am joining Reform UK.

Telling the crowd that she felt like she had come home, the former home secretary went on to issue a series of attacks on the Conservative Party and the government, reiterating the Reform claim that Britain is indeed broken.

Immigration is out of control. Our public services are on their knees. People dont feel safe, she said, without backing up the claims.

Ms Braverman, the MP for Fareham and Waterlooville, was a controversial home secretary under Ms Truss and Mr Sunak in the midst of the small boats crisis, where she was criticised for her language about migrants, describing them as invaders.

She was sacked from Mr Sunaks cabinet in November 2023, when she was accused of inciting violent protests by far-right thugs at the Cenotaph after accusing the Metropolitan Police of bias in their handling of the pro-Palestine protests.

open image in gallery Suella Braverman told the crowd that Nigel Farage was the only man in UK politics who has been courageously consistent ( AFP/Getty )

She also made a failed leadership bid in 2022 following Boris Johnsons departure. By the time of the 2024 election humiliation for the Tories, her former allies had switched support to Mr Jenrick for his leadership bid, which saw him defeated by Kemi Badenoch.

After being welcomed to the stage by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Ms Braverman told the crowd that Mr Farage was the only man in UK politics who has been courageously consistent.

But two years ago, when she was home secretary, Ms Farage had described Ms Braverman as absolutely pathetic on immigration and stopping the small boats.

When asked about his previous comments after Ms Bravermans defection, Mr Farage told reporters on Monday: Utterly useless as they all were. They all were utterly useless, because they were stuck within the ECHR. So she found herself in this bizarre position . we were still stuck in the ECHR, which she opposed.

He added: The government was a failure, but shes now prepared to put her hands up and say, we got it wrong. And thats the first criteria.

open image in gallery Braverman was joined on stage by Farage, who two years ago described her as absolutely pathetic on immigration ( PA )

Ms Braverman then called the Conservatives current promise to leave the ECHR a lie.

Turning to her former party, she accused the Conservatives of having no backbone and said she was calling time on Tory betrayal.

When push comes to shove, they go awol. No courage, no backbone, no resolve, she said.

Im calling time on Tory betrayal. Im calling time on Tory lies. Im calling time on a party that keeps making promises with zero intention of keeping them, she added.

In a brutal statement which was later retracted with an apology, a Conservative Party spokesperson made a jibe about Ms Bravermans mental health.

They said Ms Braverman was trying her luck by defecting to Reform, claiming that the Conservatives did all we could to look after Suellas mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy.

They added: She says she feels that she has come home, which will come as a surprise to the people who chose not to elect a Reform MP in her constituency in 2024.

open image in gallery Farage greets the Conservative Party home secretary during a press conference in central London ( AFP/Getty )

They continued: There are some people who are MPs because they care about their communities and want to deliver a better country.

There are others who do it for their personal ambition. Suella stood for leader of the Conservatives in 2022 and came sixth, behind Kemi and Tom Tugendhat.

In 2024, she could not even muster enough supporters to get on the ballot. She has now decided to try her luck with Nigel Farage, who said last year he didnt want her in Reform.

Responding to the news of the defection, a senior Tory source said nobody is particularly surprised, while another added: She was hardly in Westminster anyway, so no great loss.

Meanwhile, Anna Turley, the Labour chair, said: Nigel Farage is stuffing his party full of the failed Tories responsible for the chaos and decline that held Britain back for 14 years.

Suella Braverman helped botch Brexit and got sacked as home secretary  her defection shows Farage is willing to accept the very worst of the Conservative Party and exposes his complete lack of judgement.

Meanwhile, former Brexit minister Lord Frost sparked off new speculation that he could defect with a tweet supporting Ms Braverman and a picture of the two holding light-blue ice creams in the colour of Reform.

He said: It was great to campaign with Suella back at the 2024 election. Weve always seen things the same way.

And speculation about rising star of the Tory right, Katie Lam, started up again, although she has denied she plans to defect.

Speculation had been rife about Ms Braverman joining Reform since her husband Rael became a member last year, but it cooled when the partys former chair Zia Yusuf issued a series of very personal attacks against her, which saw Mr Braverman quit the party in protest.

Following Mr Jenricks sudden defection, Ms Braverman appeared on a watchlist of 11 Tory MPs who were suspected of mulling a move to Reform, with party sources telling The Independent they were 100 per cent certain she would jump ship.

Mr Farage told reporters he had been talking to the former cabinet minister for just over a year about the possibility of defecting.
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Sir Keir Starmer has blocked Andy Burnham's bid to return to Westminster in a political gamble that risks sparking civil war within Labour.

The prime minister voted with other members of the partys powerful National Executive Committee (NEC) ruling body to reject his potential leadership rivals request to be allowed to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, by eight votes to one.

In a statement, the party said permission had been denied, in a meeting that lasted just an hour, to avoid an unnecessary election to replace Mr Burnham as mayor of Greater Manchester.

But the move sparked fury among many Labour MPs, who warned their leader that the decision, which ignored calls from senior party figures to allow Mr Burnham to stand, looked weak, would trigger bloodletting and would hasten your demise.

open image in gallery Andy Burnham has long been seen as a leadership rival to Keir Starmer ( Getty )

The decision prevents Mr Burnhams attempt to return to the Commons, at least in the short term, where many see him as the person who could replace Sir Keir in the event of a leadership challenge, as the party continues to trail behind Reform in the polls.

Responding on social media platform X, Mr Burnham criticised how Labour is being run under Sir Keir as he hit back at those supporting the decision, and claimed he found out he had been blocked through the media. Labour sources told Sky News this was categorically untrue and said they had attempted to call and email him.

He said he was disappointed by the decision, and added he was concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us.

To whoever is Labours candidate and to our members in Manchester and Tameside: you will have my full support and I will be there whenever you need me, he added.

Former Cabinet minister Louise Haigh said the decision was "incredibly disappointing" and called for the NEC to U-turn, otherwise I think we'll all come to regret this".

Suspended Labour MP Diane Abbott said blocking Mr Burnham made Sir Keir look weak, while the partys former shadow chancellor John McDonnell denounced the reason given as an insult to peoples intelligence as he hit out at the political cretins advising the PM, and predicted the decision would hasten his fall from power.

Karl Turner, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East, also told Times Radio: There'll be a lot of bloodletting in the Parliamentary Labour Party as a result of this decision.

And John McTernan, Tony Blair's former political secretary, told The Independent: "At a time when Labour are historically unpopular, it is a selfish error to block the most popular Labour politician in the country from standing. It leaves this by-election as a showcase for insurgent parties of the left and right."

There was also a furious backlash from Labour-affiliated unions.

open image in gallery Home secretary Shabana Mahmood abstained in the vote ( AP )

Andrea Egan, the new general secretary of Unison, one of Labours biggest backers, said: I know many, many trade unionists will be so disappointed and angry at local members not being given a say over who their candidate should be. This isn't the way any democratic organisation should be run.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) also called on the party to change course.

But allies of the PM hit back.

Housing secretary Steve Reed said voters had elected Mr Burnham to serve a four-year term as mayor in 2024 and "don't like'' mid-term elections.

"So we're not going to go back and ask the people of Greater Manchester, over two million of them who are entitled to vote, to elect somebody else to complete the next two (years), because we can select a different candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, and we will make the case for the Labour government," he said.

Rugby MP John Slinger said the quick and clear decision meant the party could move on from the damaging introspection and psychodrama of the last week and pull together behind the eventual candidate.

open image in gallery Housing secretary Steve Reed ( PA )

The Usdaw trade union also said it accepted the decision and a conclusion about the major disruption that would be caused by Andy Burnham abandoning his current role.

It called on the party to unite and focus on delivering the change that was promised and the country voted for.

Senior figures in the party, including Ed Miliband, Angela Rayner and deputy leader Lucy Powell, had publicly backed allowing Mr Burnham to run as an MP. But of them, only Ms Powell had a vote at the meeting.

She was defeated 8-1, as others, including the prime minister, lined up to vote against Mr Burnham.

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, abstained, which sources said was customary as she chaired the discussion. But being able to tell Labour MPs and members that she did not vote to block Mr Burnham will help her in what allies see as her own leadership ambitions. She had earlier called on her party to avoid Tory-style psychodrama over the row.

Before the decision, the wider NEC had called for a pause in the process over fears of a stitch-up, according to a leaked letter seen by the BBC.

Appearing on the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Mahmood was told the corporation had seen a leaked draft letter, written by the full NEC, that suggested any attempt to rule out certain candidates will be seen as undemocratic interference. It also said the current timetable should be paused so that the whole NEC committee should be included in setting out this timeline and this process.

Ms Mahmood hit back, saying the party was following normal practice for selection decisions. She also said it was not unusual for the party to have big rows over selection.

Overnight, Mr Burnham had faced a growing backlash from Labour MPs over his decision to throw his hat into the ring.

The Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid went public with her objections, warning of an energy-sapping distraction, which is why many of us would probably have preferred Andy Burnham to stay out of it.

Tom Rutland, the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, also tweeted: Those who chose to run for election in 2024 to different positions  with significant responsibilities and a mandate from their voters  should stay in them.
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Labours powerful ruling body has called for a pause in the decision on Andy Burnhams future over fears of a stitch-up, according to a leaked letter seen by the BBC.

As a civil war within Labour erupts over the Greater Manchester mayor, allies of Keir Starmer have already been warned not to block bid to return to Parliament, which could pave the way for a potential challenge to Keir Starmers leadership.

Ten members of a sub-committee of Labour's governing National Executive Committee (NEC) will meet today to decide whether to permit him to stand in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election after he threw his hat into the ring on Saturday.

open image in gallery A civil warhas erupted within Labour over the Greater Manchester mayor, seen as a rival to Keir Starmer ( Danny Lawson/PA Wire )

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary who chairs the committee, said he was an "exceptional politician" but the decision would be finely balanced for some members, because allowing him to stand risks triggering another election for a new mayor, at huge financial cost to the party.

Appearing on the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Mahmood was told the BBC had seen a leaked draft letter, written by the full NEC, that suggested any attempt to rule out certain candidates will be seen as undemocratic interference.

It also said the current timetable should be paused so that the whole NEC committee should be included in setting out this timeline and this process.

Ms Mahmood hit back saying the party was following "normal practice" for selection decisions. She also said it was not unusual for the party to have big rows over selection".

open image in gallery Shabana Mahmood said Mr Burnham was an exceptional politician but the decision would be finely balanced ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The row has erupted amid a growing backlash against Mr Burnham from Labour MPs.

On Saturday night the Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid went public with her objections warning of an energy-sapping distraction, which is why many of us would probably have preferred Andy Burnham to stay out of it.

Being mayor was a bigger job than being a backbench MP, she said. So either he's seeking a quieter life, or he's on manoeuvres. If it's the latter, it's the last thing we need in the run-up to the May elections.

Tom Rutland, the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, tweeted: Those who chose to run for election in 2024 to different positions - with significant responsibilities and a mandate from their voters - should stay in them.

Senior Labour figures, including Cabinet minister Ed Miliband and deputy leader Lucy Powell, have said local party members should have the option of whether or not they choose Mr Burnham.

The Gorton and Denton by-election was triggered on Thursday after the sitting MP, Andrew Gwynne, announced he was standing down on health grounds.

Getting permission to stand is far from the only hurdle Mr Burnham will have to clear. The NEC could still impose an all women shortlist, a mechanism designed to counter the fact that most Labour MPs are men, Ms Mahmood confirmed. However, she squashed suggestions of an all-BAME (Black and minority ethnic) shortlist, saying that was not allowed by law. The final decision on who they want as their candidate will then go to local Labour members.

Although Mr Gwynne won the seat with 51 per cent of the vote in 2024, Mr Burnham could still face a tough fight given Labour's collapse in opinion polls and the rise of both Reform UK on the right and the Green Party on the left.

If he was elected, Mr Burnham would be legally required to stand down as the mayor of Greater Manchester, triggering another by-election.
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces on Sunday killed three militants in an intelligence-based operation in the country's southwestern Balochistan province, the military said.

The operation was conducted in Panjgur district following reports about the presence of militants, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said in a statement.

The security personnel effectively engaged the militant hideout, resulting in an intense exchange of fire during which the three militants were killed, the statement added.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the site.

The militants were involved in multiple terrorist activities in the area, the ISPR added. 
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Labour has admitted Keir Starmers controversial Chagos Islands deal could collapse if Donald Trump refuses to tear up a 60-year-old treaty.

The legislation, which was set to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday, has been delayed amid warnings it could breach a treaty with the US that asserts the UKs sovereignty over the archipelago.

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 UK government says is necessary to secure the future of the crucial UK-US Diego Garcia military base.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer was blindsided by Donald Trumps comments on Chagos ( PA )

Ministers secured US backing for the deal last year. In February, the president even told Sir Keir during a visit to Washington that he was inclined to go with your country and that he had a feeling its going to work out very well.

But the US president dramatically U-turned earlier this week, using a post on his Truth Social platform to call it an act of great stupidity in a move that sent shockwaves through Downing Street.

Sir Keir hit back, accusing him of trying to pressure the UK to back the USs plans to take over Greenland.

The two leaders were also at loggerheads over accusations from Trump that UK troops avoided the front lines in Afghanistan, which the US President eventually rowed back on on Saturday.

open image in gallery The Chagossians were expelled from the islands between 1965 and 1973 to make way for the Diego Garcia base ( CPA Media Pte Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo )

In a letter sent on Friday evening, ministers conceded it would not be possible for the Chagos agreement to be ratified without US cooperation to overhaul the 1966 treaty, The Telegraph reported.

Lord Callanan, the shadow Foreign Office spokesperson in the House of Lords, had written to the government asking whether the Chagos deal would be legal if the 1966 treaty remained unchanged.

The Africa minister Lady Chapman replied, confirming that it would not be possible for the Chagos deal to be ratified "without the relevant domestic law and international arrangements in place", the paper said.

Meanwhile, Misley Mandarin, the first minister of the newly established Chagossian government-in-exile, is expected to fly to the US on Sunday to urge Mr Trump to halt the Chagos deal.

Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said her party had been engaged in "quiet diplomacy" with the Republicans, to "flag how this deal is a risk to national security".

The new delay in the House of Lords follows warnings that the handover of the islands could breach the 60-year-old treaty with the US that asserts the UKs sovereignty over the islands.

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 handover deal is necessary because international court rulings in favour of Mauritian claims to sovereignty had threatened the future of the facility.

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 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.

A government spokesperson said: 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.
Close Thousands protest against ICE in Minneapolis

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President Donald Trump said he ordered the Department of Homeland Security not to intervene in protests and/or riots in Democratic-led cities unless local leaders ask for help.

In a Truth Social post shared Saturday, Trump noted federal officers will still be very forceful in their protection of federal property amid protests against his mass deportation campaign, with anti-ICE rallies taking place in cities across the country.

State and local governments must use the word, PLEASE before asking for the federal governments help, he wrote.

Protesters stage a march calling for an end to taxpayer spending on ICE on Saturday in Minneapolis ( Getty )

Organizers said more than 300 ICE Out of Everywhere protests were scheduled Saturday as outrage grows over a surge of agents into Democratic cities and the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.Saturdays actions follow Fridays national shutdown event, in which organizers encouraged people to skip work, school and shopping in protest.

Saturdays demonstrations kicked off as a federal judge denied Minnesotas request to block officers from surging into the state while a closely watched legal challenge continues.

Meanwhile, Trump has labeled Pretti an agitator and perhaps, insurrectionist after the release of a video that shows a confrontation in the days before Prettis death between federal agents and the ICU nurse, who was shot dead by border patrol agents one week later.

Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alexs killing, Steve Schleicher, an attorney for Prettis family, told The Independent.
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The fatal shooting of a man in Minneapolis on Saturday added to a mounting death toll in U.S. President Donald Trumps intensifying immigration push this month, increasing scrutiny on the crackdown as backlash builds.

The incident was one of five shootings in January involving federal agents conducting immigration enforcement, including the fatal shooting of Minnesota woman Renee Good. At least six immigrants have died this month in federal immigration detention, an unusually rapid pace.

The Trump administration is dramatically ramping up immigration enforcement with $170 billion budgeted for immigration agencies through September 2029, a historic sum.

Minneapolis has become the focus of the Republican presidents crackdown this month, with some 3,000 agents deployed. Thousands of protesters took to the streets despite sub-zero temperatures on Friday to voice opposition to Trumps enforcement and demand he withdraw the agents, which Minnesota officials have called an occupation.

open image in gallery Alex Pretti was killed on Saturday ( AP )

Trump has argued the militarized operations are necessary to remove criminals from the U.S., but many of those arrested were picked up solely for possible civil immigration violations - the legal equivalent to a traffic violation.

Here is a closer look at the deaths from federal immigration enforcement and the often-conflicting accounts of what happened in each case.

Fatal shootings in Minnesota

The man killed in Minneapolis on Saturday was a U.S. citizen, identified in news reports as Alex Pretti, 37, a registered nurse and lawfully permitted gun owner.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said a Border Patrol agent fired at the man, who resisted agents' attempts to disarm him, but local leaders challenged that account.

In bystander videos verified by Reuters, agents are seen pepper spraying Pretti and other protesters as he films them with his cellphone. No weapon is visible. After multiple agents wrestle him to the ground, one draws his weapon and multiple shots can be heard.

The shooting followed Goods death earlier this month, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jonathan Ross fired into her vehicle.

Within hours of that shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called Good a domestic terrorist who tried to ram the ICE officer with her car, although the department has not presented evidence of a link to terrorism. Video shows Ross fired as Good's car moved past him.

Ice border patrol firing at suspects

Federal agents have been involved in three other shootings this month during immigration actions.

The day after Goods death, a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and wounded a Venezuelan man and woman in Portland, Oregon, after what DHS called a targeted vehicle stop.

open image in gallery Renee Good was killed earlier in January ( Roberto Scmidt/AFP via Getty Images )

DHS said the driver, Venezuelan immigrant Luis Nino-Moncada, attempted to run over the agents before the agent fired, wounding Nino-Moncada and his passenger, a Venezuelan woman.

The Justice Department later charged Nino-Moncada with assaulting an officer. His passenger, Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras, pleaded guilty this week to entering the U.S. illegally in 2023.

On January 15, an ICE agent shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg in Minneapolis after DHS said he fled authorities.

DHS said at the time that Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, and two other men hit an officer with a snow shovel and broom handle, prompting the shooting.

Court documents unsealed this week told a different story. An FBI affidavit said the ICE officers had scanned a license plate registered with a different person suspected of an immigration violation, leading them to chase the wrong person before the alleged assault and shooting.

Detention deaths rise

At least six people have died in ICE detention centers since the start of 2026, following at least 30 deaths in ICE custody last year, a two-decade high.

The death of Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos has received the most scrutiny after federal authorities provided shifting accounts of what happened.

ICE initially said Lunas died on January 3 at a Trump-era detention camp on the grounds of a U.S. military base in Texas after experiencing "medical distress."

After the Washington Post reported the death would likely be classified as a homicide by the El Paso County medical examiner, DHS issued a new statement saying Lunas tried to commit suicide and then resisted security officers and died.

The medical examiner released a report this week that found the death was a homicide due to "asphyxia due to neck and torso compression," the Post reported.

On January 14, two other immigrant detainees died: a Nicaraguan man found unresponsive in the military base site, called East Camp Montana, and a Mexican man found unresponsive in a Georgia detention center, according to ICE.

Both deaths remain under investigation, but ICE said the Nicaraguan man, Victor Manuel Diaz, was presumed to have committed suicide.

The other deaths occurred in Houston, Philadelphia, and Indio, California, ICE said.

Trump increased immigration detention to record levels, with 69,000 held as of early January, according to ICE statistics. Some 43 per cent of the detainees picked up by ICE had no criminal charge or conviction, the figures showed.
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Federal immigration officers have shot and killed another American citizen in Minneapolis, just three weeks after they fatally shot Renee Good in the same city.

The victim of the shooting was identified as Alex Pretti, 37. He was near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, filming DHS agents during an operation.

Open-sourced video capturing the incident shows Pretti moving to assist a pair of individuals on the sidewalk near the agents, who then began pepper-spraying the group.

The victim is tackled by a group of at least five agents and dragged to the ground. The footage shows the Border Patrol agents struggling with Pretti on the ground and striking him when a gunshot is heard. A moment later, an agent fires multiple shots while Pretti is down on the pavement.

Ten shots were fired within five seconds.

Immediately after the shooting, the agents back off from Pretti's body, and one officer  who appears to be holding a gun  runs away from the scene and hides behind a nearby car.

open image in gallery This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot by federal officers in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 ( AP )

In the wake of the shooting, supporters of Pretti raised over $1 million for his family through GoFundMe.

This fundraiser is intended to support the loved ones he leaves behind with immediate and ongoing needs, the intro to the page reads.

The highest contributor to the crowdfunding effort is billionaire philanthropist Bill Ackman.

Ackman has become a right-wing X influencer over the past year and is a vocal supporter of the Trump administrations deportation efforts across the country.

Earlier this month, Ackman donated $10,000 to a crowdfunding effort for Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who shot Renee Good dead.

The federal government  and President Donald Trump  claims that Pretti approached agents with the intent to carry out an attack with a pistol, which they claim was recovered from the scene of the incident.

They have not provided evidence he ever drew the weapon, and have declined to answer questions offering an in-depth timeline of how the confrontation unfolded.

Carrying a licensed handgun with a permit is legal in Minnesota.

What is known is that Pretti lived in south Minneapolis, he was born in Illinois and grew up in Wisconsin. His only criminal history was traffic citations, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara, Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry a weapon.

open image in gallery Federal immigration officers deploy tear gas at protesters after Prettis shooting ( AP )

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement claiming that Pretti was carrying two magazines' worth of ammunition on him and did not have an ID on his person.

Pretti's parents reportedly told the Associated Press that Pretti worked as an ICU nurse. He obtained a nursing license in 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and KARE11 confirmed that he had worked for the Department of Veterans' Affairs, which provides services, including healthcare, to U.S. military veterans.

He 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, Michael Pretti, Alexs father, told the Associated Press. He felt that doing the protesting was a way to express that, you know, his care for others.

open image in gallery This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot by federal officers in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 ( Associated Press )

Dr Dimitri Drekonja, an infectious disease doctor and professor at the University of Minnesota, said in a post on BlueSky that he formerly worked with Pretti at the VA. He said Pretti worked to help critically ill veterans and described him as having a great attitude, and recalled often discussing taking a mountain biking trip together.

"Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I [loved] working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these f****** executed him," Drekonja wrote. "White. Hot. Rage."

In an interview with People Magazine, Drekonja went on to describe Pretti as a very, very skilled nurse.

He was very capable. When he gave a summary of the shift  [he] had all the information at his fingertips. He would tell me how the family was doing. He was a very, very skilled nurse, the doctor said.

Whether it was a small task, whether it was patient care, whether it was, Hey, I can give you a ride over, we're gonna meet for drinks after work. He was just a really kind guy.

open image in gallery A person is tackled by federal agents amid protests following the shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was recording a Border Patrol operation on January 24, 2026. ( Getty Images )

WLUK reports that Pretti was a graduate of Preble High School in in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

According to the stations report, Pretti was a regular performer with the schoos choir and in musicals. In addition, he played football and baseball as well as runnign track. He was a Boy Scout who sang in the Green Bay Choir.

At the time of his death, he was mourning the loss of his beloved Catahoula Leopard dog.
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A doctor who said they tried to attend to protester Alex Pretti after he was shot in Minneapolis has said that federal agents were not attempting to give the 37-year-old medical assistance and were instead counting the bullet holes in his body.

As I approached, I saw that the victim was lying on his side and was surrounded by several ICE agents. I was confused as to why the victim was on his side, because that is not standard practice when a victim has been shot, the unnamed doctor wrote in a declaration added to a lawsuit challenging ICEs use of force in Minnesota.

Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice. Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds. I asked the ICE agents if the victim had a pulse, and they said they did not know.

The individual, who has lived in Minneapolis since 2024 for a pediatric medical residency, said Pretti had at least three bullet wounds in his back and they found more in his upper chest and neck when he was turned over.

I checked for a pulse, but I did not feel one. I immediately began CPR. Shortly after I started compressions, EMS personnel arrived and took over, the person said, adding that the scene had been chaotic.

open image in gallery A doctor who tried to attend to protester Alex Pretti after he was shot in Minneapolis has said that federal agents were not attempting to give the 37-year-old medical assistance and were instead counting the bullet holes in his body ( Getty Images )

Video of the incident showed Pretti attempting to help a female protester and filming federal agents before being thrown to the ground and then beaten before a gun shot is heard, followed by at least nine more.

In the declaration the doctor said they witnessed the incident and that from what they had seen there was absolutely no need for violence.

They also described how the agents on the scene initially would not let them through to attend to Pretti, repeatedly asking for a physicians license and eventually patting them down to make sure I didnt have a weapon.

open image in gallery Pretti was himself an ICU nurse, who had obtained a nursing license in 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, going on to work for the Department of Veterans' Affairs, which provides services, including healthcare, to U.S. military veterans ( Family Handout )

None of the ICE agents who were near the victim were performing CPR, and I could tell that the victim was in critical condition, the declaration said. I insisted that the agents let me assess him. Normally, I would not have been so persistent, but as a physician, I felt a professional and moral obligation to help this man, especially since none of the agents were helping him.

Pretti was himself an ICU nurse, who had obtained a nursing license in 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, going on to work for the Department of Veterans' Affairs, which provides services, including healthcare, to U.S. military veterans.

He 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, Michael Pretti, Alexs father, told the Associated Press. He felt that doing the protesting was a way to express that, you know, his care for others.

The doctor said that when they returned home they were extremely distraught and sobbing and shaking uncontrollably. While initially planning to stay at home, the doctor decided to leave after tear gas was deployed outside and began to drift into their home, at which point they decided to go and stay with a relative.

The doctor wrote: I am devastated by the killing of a Minnesotan by multiple federal immigration agents. From what I could tell, the victim was not actively threatening ICE agents or the public  he was just yelling at the agents because he objected to ICEs presence in our city. A person should not be shot and killed for lawfully expressing their opinions.

I am not sure when I will return to my apartment. I do not feel safe in my city. In less than one month, ICE agents have shot and killed two people for protesting and observing their actions. I worry that I or someone I love will be shot and killed for voicing their displeasure and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Independent has asked the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
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Federal immigration officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man in the frozen streets of Minneapolis, drawing more protests and fierce outrage from a city shaken by Donald Trumps weeks-long surge of agents.

Video footage from Saturday mornings scene appears to show several officers tackling a man who was filming officers in the street with other demonstrators. As agents wrestled with the man, at least 10 shots were fired within five seconds.

The man was identified by his family as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen and an intensive care unit nurse.

The latest fatal shooting in Minneapolis, roughly two weeks after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Renee Good, also follows widespread demonstrations and fierce resistance against what city officials are calling a federal occupation.

Minnesota officials have repeatedly urged the president to withdraw federal officers from the state, with Governor Tim Walz stressing that state and local law enforcement are doing everything they can to de-escalate while Homeland Security agents cause chaos and violence.

open image in gallery Footage from several bystanders shows the moments federal agents tackled Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and fatally shot him in the street January 24 ( Getty Images )

Meanwhile, Stephen Miller, deputy White House chief of staff and the mastermind behind Trumps immigration strategy, called Pretti a would-be assassin who tried to murder federal law enforcement without providing any evidence.

The surge is Homeland Securitys largest immigration enforcement operation yet, with officers accused of unlawfully targeting immigrants and citizens alike and facing off against protesters in violent clashes.

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

The Department of Justice, meanwhile, has launched a criminal investigation into Governor Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other Democratic officials in the state, which the Trump administration has accused of obstructing operations. Officials there have roundly rejected the allegations and defended their response to what the mayor has called chaos and danger brought on by the Trump administration.

How the shooting unfolded

Video footage from several bystanders at the scene shows a man whose parents said was Alex Pretti filming officers with his phone on Saturday morning with other protesters and observers.

On Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis, protesters were heard blowing whistles and shouting at agents.

Pretti is seen holding a phone, not a gun, as officers confront him.

In one video, Pretti can be seen in the middle of the street waving for cars to pass. An officer is seen shoving a person wearing a brown jacket, green skirt and black tights and carrying a water bottle. That person reaches out for a man believed to be Pretti and the two embrace.

An officer shoves a third person who walks towards them, sending the person to the ground.

Another officer fires a think stream of pepper spray at close range as Pretti approaches and tries to help the person up. Pretti is still holding his phone in one hand while he uses the other to shield himself from the pepper spray.

open image in gallery Immigration officers fired tear gas at demonstrators who arrived at protests shortly after news of the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis ( AFP via Getty Images )

The officer then drags Prettis arm and pull him to the ground. At least seven more officers surround him. One is on Prettis back and another appears to strike a blow to his chest while holding a canister. Several officers try to bring his arms behind him. The officer holding the canister then strikes the man near his head several times.

An officer is seen unholstering his gun, and another officer appears to be holding a pistol as he runs from the clash.

A shot then rings out while officers are still struggling with Pretti, who then collapses.

Its unclear which officer fired. The officers then back off after the first shot, and at least nine other shots are heard as Pretti lies motionless on the street.

A woman filming from the sidewalk in front of the agents screams out in horror and yells what the f*** did you just do? A voice from footage filmed behind a storefront window on the other side of the street can be heard saying, Not again. Are you f***ing kidding me? That guys dead.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the states chief investigative agency, said it was not allowed access to the scene.

Who was Alex Pretti?

Pretti worked as an intensive care unit nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis. He attended the University of Minnesota and was listed on LinkedIn as a junior scientist at the University of Minnesota Medical School starting in 2012.

He was issued a state license to be a registered nurse in 2021, and it remains active through March 2026. He reportedly graduated from Green Bay Preble High School in Wisconsin in 2006.

open image in gallery Pretti was an intensive care unit nurse at a local Veterans Affairs hospital ( AP )

His father Michael Pretti said in a statement: He 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 thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests.

open image in gallery Pretti did not have any criminal convictions and reportedly had a license to carry a concealed firearm, which is legal in Minnesota ( Associated Press )

He said he had warned his son to be careful while protesting. We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically. And he said he knows that. He knew that.

Pretti reportedly had a license to carry a concealed firearm and was apparently doing so at the time he was shot.

Michael Pretti said the family first heard of the shooting when they were called by a reporter for the Associated Press. He said: I cant get any information from anybody. The police, they said call Border Patrol, Border Patrols closed, the hospitals wont answer any questions.

While not identifying Pretti as the shooting victim, Walz said he was a Minnesota resident and all of us understand what happened this morning and the tragedy of it.

Moments earlier at a separate press conference, Gregory Bovino, who is leading Trumps surge into Democratic-led cities, claimed he wanted to do maximum damage to agents.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara described the victim as a 37-year-old white man and lawful gun owner with no criminal history and a record that only included some parking tickets.

DHS claims officer fired defensive shots as Trump uses shooting to rage at Democrats

In the governments initial statement, the Department of Homeland Security claimed Pretti was armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and two magazines of ammunition. Officials circulated a photo of the weapon to Fox News and then included the image in a press release.

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said officers fired defensive shots and after they attempted to disarm him but he violently resisted.

Federal officials have not specifically answered whether Pretti drew his weapon or explicitly made any vocal threats to officers before the shooting occurred. Video of the incident, while incomplete, does not show this taking place, and instead an agent appears to disarm the man before he is shot.

Bovino said an officer who fired his weapon is an eight-year veteran of Customs and Border Protection.

open image in gallery A photo of the 9mm gun allegedly held by Pretti, which Trump posted on his Truth Social account in his response to the shooting ( Department of Homeland Security )

The president responded on his Truth Social account with a rant accusing Democratic officials in the state of corruption and fraud.

Less than two hours after the incident, Trump posted a photo of the alleged gun carried by the victim. This is the gunmans gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go  What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why werent they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? Trump wrote.

He then raged at Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar and claimed that Minnesota has stolen billions of dollars from the federal government. We are there because of massive Monetary Fraud, with Billions of Dollars missing, and Illegal Criminals that were allowed to infiltrate the State through the Democrats Open Border Policy. We want the money back, and we want it back, NOW, Trump continued.

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

Last week, the Pentagon was reportedly preparing more than 1,500 troops for possible deployment to Minnesota following the presidents recent threats to invoke the Insurrection Act to suppress protests against his agenda.

Trump accused Minnesota officials of "insurrection" in his first response to Saturday's killing.

Minnesota readies National Guard and urges Trump to pull ICE out

The Minnesota National Guard, which has been on standby throughout the surge, will assist local police responding to unrest. Officials in the state have urged calm in the wake of the shooting as protests against the surge remain ongoing and fluid.

We want calm and peace and normalcy back to our lives. They want chaos, Walz said in remarks Saturday afternoon.

He called on Trump directly to remove this force from Minnesota and warned that law enforcement officials in the state are maintaining records of clashes for the future prosecution of ICE agents and the officials responsible for this.

Well keep the peace  and well see this occupation end, he said. Well continue to be the adults in the room, the decent human beings in the room, who keep the peace.

open image in gallery Another protester is arrested during demonstrations against the Trump administrations surge of federal officers in Minneapolis ( AP )

How many more residents, how many more Americans need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?" Mayor Frey said in a separate press conference Saturday. "How many more lives need to be lost before this administration realizes that a political and partisan narrative is not as important as American values?"

The states two Democratic U.S. senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith urged ICE to leave the state. Klobuchar said Trump and Republicans must Get ICE out of our state NOW.

How many people has ICE killed?

Federal immigration officers have fired on people more than a dozen times since Trump returned to the presidency last year, killing at least five people, including Pretti and Good.

open image in gallery Renee Good was shot dead in her car by an ICE agent on January 7 ( Roberto Scmidt/AFP via Getty Images )

At least seven people have been injured in shooting incidents over the last year, and in at least 15 other incidents, immigration officers held people at gunpoint but didnt shoot. There have been countless deployments of riot control weapons such as rubber bullets, pepper balls and chemical sprays, including at point-blank range.

The Independents review of federal records and an analysis from The Trace likely represent an undercount, as thousands of officers continue to surge into Minneapolis and other Democratic-led cities to support Trumps mass deportation campaign.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene has urged fellow MAGA supporters  and other Americans  to take off their political blinders over the death of protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, warning that they are being incited into civil war.

I unapologetically believe in border security and deporting criminal illegal aliens and I support law enforcement, Greene wrote on X Sunday, the day after the fatal shooting. However, I also unapologetically support the 2nd amendment.

Legally carrying a firearm is not the same as brandishing a firearm.

Despite video showing that 37-year-old Pretti was filming federal officers but did not have a weapon drawn, the Trump administration has claimed he had tried to assassinate agents in an act of domestic terrorism.

The incident was captured from multiple angles, including one that showed Pretti being sprayed with mace and wrestled to the ground while attempting to help a woman who had just been sprayed herself and had fallen to the ground. After being swarmed by around seven officers a shot rings out, followed by at least nine more, and Pretti falls still.

open image in gallery Marjorie Taylor Greene has urged Americans, including fellow MAGA supporters, to take off their political blinkers over the death of protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis ( Getty )

There is nothing wrong with legally peacefully protesting and videoing, Greene said.

The former Congresswoman asked MAGA to consider another scenario in which she replaced the protesters in Minnesota with those who supported the action on January 6, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.

We lost our minds when we watched Bidens FBI track down and aggressively carry out home invasions and arrest peaceful J6ers who walked in the Capitol through open doors, she said.

Imaging [sic] if one of our MAGA independent journalists or even just a MAGA supporter stood in the street outside a J6ers house while Bidens FBI carried out a law enforcement operation, home invasion, and arrest.

open image in gallery Despite video showing that 37-year-old Alex Pretti was filming federal officers but did not have a weapon drawn, the Trump administration has claimed he had tried to assassinate them in an act of domestic terrorism ( AP )

Then Bidens FBI goes to the MAGA guy videoing it all and shoves a woman with him to the ground and sprays them with bear spray then throws the MAGA guy to the ground as MAGA guy was trying to help the woman off the ground. Then Bidens FBI beats MAGA guy on the ground, disarms MAGA guy, and then shoots him dead.

What would have been our reaction? Both sides need to take off their political blinders. You are all being incited into civil war, yet none of it solves any of the real problems that we all face, and tragically people are dying.

Prettis death is the second fatal shooting to involve federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, following the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on January 7. Tensions and clashes between demonstrators have increased, as well as those between state and federal authorities.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said earlier Sunday that residents, as well as his own police department have had enough.

open image in gallery Prettis death is the second fatal shooting to involve federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, following the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on January 7. Tensions and clashes between demonstrators have increased, as well as those between state and federal authorities ( REUTERS )

This police department has only 600 police officers. We are stretched incredibly thin. This has taken an enormous toll trying to manage all of this chaos on top of trying to be the police department for a major city, OHara told CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday.

OHara noted that he has received no official information from the federal government related to Saturdays shooting. Even when our officers initially responded to the scene, our watch commander was not given even the most basic information that is typical in a law enforcement-involved shooting, he said.

While the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was blocked from the scene of the shooting Saturday by federal officials, they were allowed access Sunday to canvas for witnesses.

Greenes comments represent the latest instance of her breaking from MAGA orthodoxy. Previously a firebrand Trump loyalist, she has publicly broken from the president in recent months over issues including the Epstein files and foreign policy. She stood down from Congress earlier this month.
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A Minneapolis protester allegedly bit off a Homeland Security agents finger on Saturday, the same day a Border Patrol officer fatally shot ICU nurse Alex Pretti, Department of Homeland Security officials said.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin shared graphic photos on X showing the officers bleeding finger alongside the severed portion preserved in a jar.

In Minneapolis, these rioters attacked our law enforcement officer and one of them bit off our HSI officers finger, McLaughlin wrote. He will lose his finger.

She also posted images of two individuals allegedly involved in the attack, though their roles and identities remain unclear.

President Donald Trump reshared McLaughlins posts on Truth Social but did not comment directly on the incident at the time of publication.

open image in gallery DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin claimed Saturday that a Homeland Security agent will lose his finger after a Minneapolis protester allegedly bit it off ( Getty Images )

The incidents come amid escalating protests in Minneapolis following a series of violent encounters during federal immigration enforcement operations, which have already resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens. Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot and killed Saturday morning by federal agents during an immigration operation.

Pretti, a U.S. citizen with no criminal record beyond minor traffic offenses, had been taking part in protests against the federal crackdown when he became involved in a confrontation with multiple officers.

open image in gallery Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot dead by federal agents during an anti-ICE demonstration on Saturday ( AP )

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara confirmed Prettis identity and said he was a lawful gun owner with a carry permit.

Federal authorities, including DHS, claimed that Pretti approached Border Patrol agents armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and two magazines and violently resisted attempts to disarm him, prompting an officer to fire in what officials described as defensive action. Border Patrol leadership characterized the encounter as one in which the individual appeared intent on causing maximum harm.

However, local officials and bystander video present a more nuanced picture, showing Pretti being wrestled to the ground and struggling with multiple agents before he was shot. Questions remain about the precise circumstances of the shooting, including the presence and use of his firearm at the time.

Prettis death marks the second fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, following the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during a separate incident, and another man being shot in the leg while fleeing immigration officials days later.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats will oppose legislation to fund multiple parts of the government  risking a partial shutdown  if the spending package includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Schumer released the statement after Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old man, in Minneapolis on Saturday morning.

This comes as Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Trump administration has descended on Minneapolis ostensibly to conduct an immigration crackdown on the citys Somali-American community, but has also led to unrest and the killing of Renee Good earlier this month.

Whats happening in Minnesota is appalling  and unacceptable in any American city. Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no.

Earlier in the week, the House of Representatives passed a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security 220-213. All but one Republican voted for the bill and seven Democrats  all of whom hailed from districts that voted for President Donald Trumpsupported it.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that Democrats would oppose spending bills if money for the Department of Homeland Security is included ( AP )

The House and Senate have been in the process of passing appropriations bills to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year. So far, only eight spending bills have passed and only bills to fund the Departments of Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Homeland Security and Defense have remain.

The bill  partially negotiated by Democratic Appropriations Vice Chairwoman Patty Murray  includes some provisions to hold ICE and Customs and Border Protection accountable such as $20 million for body cameras that must be worn during operations, mandatory de-escalation training and an additional $20 million for mandated independent oversight of detention facilities.

But Schumer indicated Democrats would not support a mini-bus bill that rolls in all four bills unless money for the Department for Homeland Security is removed.

Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.

Democrats have said that ICE already has an exorbitant amount of money after Republicans passed the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act last year. That legislation, which passed with only Republican votes, included $29.9 billion for enforcement operations and an additional $45 billion for new detention facilities.

This would not be the first time that Democrats have threatened a government shutdown.

Last year, Democrats opposed a continuing resolution to keep the government open as Congress negotiated the appropriations bills because they wanted to include an extension of the expanded tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplace.

Republicans refused, which led to Democrats opposing the bill. The ensuing government shutdown became the longest shutdown in American history. A handful of moderate Democrats later joined with Republicans to re-open the government on the pledge for a vote on the tax credits.

So far, no bipartisan agreement has been put in place to pass an extension of the tax credits.

But even Democrats who voted to reopen the government the last time said they would oppose a spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security.

My personal guiding principle has always been agree where you can and fight where you must, Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada said in a statement. And I believe this is a time when we must fight back.

Democrats across the ideological spectrum have agreement that immigration agencies have run amok. Moderate Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, criticized the brutal crackdown in Minneapolis that led to another senseless killing.

I cannot and will not vote to fund DHS while this administration continues these violent federal takeovers of our cities, Warner said on X. In response, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a democratic socialist in the House, responded simply by saying Thank you.
Its hard to imagine how a single remark could unite a whole continent in one giant collective ICK. But Donald Trump seemed to have managed it this week when he told his Nato partners at Davos they should really be looking up to him and calling him Daddy.

Never mind that most of the European leaders in the room were more likely to view him as something closer to a rampaging toddler, grabbing at things that do not belong to him  like the entire nation of Greenland. Trump claimed hed been helping Europe and Nato, before veering off topic, claiming they loved me until he tried to annex Greenland, which he incorrectly then named as Iceland.

In a rambling aside, referring to an offhand remark by the secretary general Mark Rutte six months ago, he went on: They called me Daddy, right? The last time? [A] very smart man said: Hes our daddy. Hes running it.

He went on: I was, like, running it. I went from running it to being a terrible human being.

And it became clear: perhaps the US president was not so much addressing the global elite as performing for the spectre of his own father, whose winner takes all directives still seem to live rent-free in his head.

open image in gallery Ivanka Trump with her father, Donald, during Olympus Fashion Week in Bryant Park on 11 September 2006, in New York City. ( Getty )

Trumps vision is of a world in which he is the head of the household, footing the (defence) bills and therefore entitled to unquestioning loyalty and gratitude in return. Its tempting to add his call me daddy moment to the growing list of things you cannot believe have come out of his mouth and move on. But look deeper and it becomes clear that this was no throwaway remark. This is a role hes increasingly embracing and when you look at the psychological reasons behind it, it could offer a hint at why he behaves the way he does and the best way to handle him in return.

Trumps behaviour is rapidly becoming more authoritarian, and he seemingly regards attempts to appease him by European leaders as weakness. One glance at his so-called board of peace and he appears to be much more comfortable when in the company of autocrats, dictators and other so-called strongmen.

In adopting this role, Trump is copying the man who influenced his worldview and behaviour more than anyone else: his own father, Fred Trump Snr. And, given that others in the Trump family have described Fred as a high-functioning sociopath, perhaps we should pay closer attention as Donald adopts the role of the worlds daddy.

open image in gallery Donald Trump with his son, Donald Trump Jr, and Ivanka in 2005 in New York City. ( Getty )

As a psychology writer training in Gestalt psychotherapy, I appreciate that its never possible to diagnose anyone from afar. But, according to Trumps own niece, and Freds granddaughter, the clinical psychologist Mary Trump, Fred was a sexist tyrant who pitted his five children against one another.

In a portrait that may feel familiar, she has described how Fred held a starkly black-and-white worldview in which you were either a winner or a loser, while Trumps mother was often emotionally absent and did little to stand up to her husband.

Mary has also gone on to describe a heartbreakingly dysfunctional family in which Fred Snr mocked any sign of sensitivity among his children, particularly in her own father, Fred Jnr, the eldest son, who was expected to take over the family real estate business. Softness was unthinkable for Fred Trump Snr, according to Mary Trump in her book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the Worlds Most Dangerous Man.

open image in gallery Nato secretary general Mark Rutte jokingly compared Trumps intervention between Israel and Iran to a moment when Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop ( AFP/Getty )

Seven years younger and the next son in line, Donald had plenty of time to witness his older brothers humiliation at the hands of their father and work out how to avoid it by aligning himself with Fred Snr as closely as possible. Like many children in families with this dynamic, little Donny appears to have protected himself from shame by over-identifying with his father.

Donald stepped up to become his fathers protege and heir to the familys business, while Fred Jr turned to drink, became a maintenance man, and died of an alcohol-related illness in 1981, aged just 42. Meanwhile, although Fred Snr died in 1999 at the age of 93, his influence clearly did not.

As Tony Schwartz, who co-wrote The Art of the Deal with Donald Trump in 1987 and got to know him well, puts it: There are two Trumps. The one he presents to the world is all bluster, bullying and certainty the other, which I have long felt haunts his inner world, is the frightened child of a relentlessly critical and bullying father.

open image in gallery Donald Trump, Jr greets his father at Washington University on 9 October 2016 in St Louis, Missouri ( Getty )

For the most part, Trump usually praises his father as a hard-headed businessman, except for a rare moment of self-disclosure in 2008 when he is reported to have said: Thats why Im so screwed up, because I had a father that pushed me pretty hard.

From a psychological perspective, Donald Trumps relationship with his father appears central to how he understands authority, masculinity and legitimacy, says Tina Chummun, a UKCP-accredited trauma psychotherapist and founder of Care2Counse. By claiming the role of the authoritarian father, Trump is also signalling that he is not prepared to broker disagreement. What he says goes. Fathers are not expected to explain themselves. They Chummun says, are obeyed.

Trump began openly embracing the idea of being a Daddy figure to the world last June, after Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte jokingly compared Trumps intervention between Israel and Iran to a moment when Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop. It was a comparison Trump clearly enjoyed. Asked later at a press conference in The Hague whether he saw his Nato allies as his children, he appeared delighted by the framing, paraphrasing Rutte as saying, Daddy, youre my Daddy, even though that wasnt quite what Rutte had said.

No matter. Back in Washington, the White House quickly moved to capitalise on the moment, tweeting a montage of summit scenes with the tagline Daddys home, set to Ushers Hey Daddy (Daddys Home). Trumps official fundraising machine soon followed. The Trump National Committee Joint Fundraising Committee released a $35 T-shirt emblazoned with the word DADDY in bold black letters alongside his mugshot. And it seems there was no shortage of willing buyers, with Republican supporters breaking into chants of Daddy Don and Daddys home at rallies.

open image in gallery Donald stepped up to become his fathers protege and heir to the familys business ( Bernard Gotfryd/Library of Congress )

It helps, of course, that the nickname fits neatly with the strict father yes-sir ideal that underpins much conservative thinking in the US. The idea of Trump as Daddy works so well for his Maga base because it plays into traditional gender roles they love and the ideal of the authoritative male head of household, in a world that feels chaotically permissive to the American right.

Daddy has become shorthand for projecting Trump as the strong, disciplinarian father who will restore order and discipline unruly children, whether they are Democratic opponents, migrants, the LGBTQ+ community, or even Americas foreign allies.

Some right-wing supporters have dared to push it even further. Tucker Carlson and Mel Gibson have both introduced unsettling undertones by framing Trumps return to the White House as Daddy coming home with everyone who has misbehaved due to get their punishment. Speaking to Sean Hannity, Gibson said: Its like daddy arrived and hes taking his belt off.

So is it just a coincidence that the more Trump identifies as Daddy, the more authoritarian he becomes, with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers openly removing people they consider suspects from Americas streets? Or could it be that Daddy is on hand to sort out the mess, as his supporters want us to believe?

As his leadership ability comes under increasing doubt, reverting to the archetype of the unquestioned father may also help Trump feel that he is still in control. With a faltering economy at home, falling approval ratings and growing challenges to his authority, the role of the father who always knows best allows Trump to cling to certainty rather than face the pain of wondering whether he is getting it wrong.

For a leader identified by mental health professionals as showing signs of having narcissistic traits, Trumps need for admiration and authority is unlikely to fade. If anything, experts on this kind of personality type have found that these tendencies tend to become more pronounced, particularly when status, health or independence begin to decline.

open image in gallery There is also the possibility that Trump, now approaching his 80th birthday, may be grappling with his own mortality ( AFP/Getty )

Psychologists describe this as a narrowing of identity, where thinking becomes less flexible and a persons sense of self contracts down to a single, potent role.

Under stress, people can return to early relational dynamics, says Chummun. In moments of challenge, individuals may revert to identity positions that once offered safety or control. Here, the father role represents dominance, certainty and unquestioned authority.

There is also the possibility that Trump, now approaching his 80th birthday, may be grappling with his own mortality.

According to Dr Joy Conlon, a psychotherapist at Coyne Medical, ageing also tends to lead older people to think more about the legacy they want to leave behind. In highly visible leadership roles, this can intensify the need to be seen as purposeful, protective and historically significant, she says.

Seen this way, turning himself into Daddy may be Trumps most effective emotional defence against the shame of failure. By becoming Daddy, he becomes the invulnerable authority who cant be contradicted.

The problem for the rest of us is that what began as a little boys survival strategy to impress his scary father is no longer just his issue. Now that scared child has grown into the most powerful man in the world, what happened within those walls has started to carry real-world consequences for all of us.

Tanith Carey is the author of the Whats My Child Thinking? series of books with Dr Angharad Rudkin, published by Penguin DK
MOSCOW, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nonpublic working-level contacts aimed at resolving bilateral issues are helping bring Russian-American relations back to a more normal footing, TASS reported Sunday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

Ryabkov said Russia-U.S. relations are showing signs of normalization, citing expert-level talks held in Moscow and Washington. The most recent round took place in Washington, he said, though dialogue on key areas of friction has yet to produce tangible progress.

He described the continuation of the process as a positive development and said the discussions were conducted without publicity to preserve an appropriate working environment.

At the same time, Ryabkov said significant "stumbling blocks" remain in relations between the two countries despite recent steps toward improved dialogue. 
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The first few weeks of 2026 have felt like a lifetime. They follow a year of unprecedented global events, triggered by Donald Trumps foreign policy, that have rocked the world and the world order.

In less than a month, we have seen the US capture the president of Venezuela, threaten to bomb Iran, and vow to take over Nato partner Greenland, while briefly threatening sanctions on anyone who opposed that.

So what can the world expect as we move into the second year of Trumps second term in office?

How far does his America First policy go? What does his Donroe Doctrine mean for the direction of this new world?

And which crises and conflicts are likely to wreak havoc this year?

open image in gallery Protesters wave Greenlandic flags and hold banners as they march in Nuuk ( Getty )

Post-Nato Europe and the conquest of Greenland

The most immediate concern is Trump's determination to take over the mineral-rich, strategically important island of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the USs Nato ally Denmark.

Although he has stepped back from military action, his desire to own the piece of ice remains undiminished. During his speech in Davos, he insulted Europe  and its leaders  criticising them on migration and energy, as well as defence. The alliances most powerful member is not playing nice.

Rose Gottemoeller, who served as Natos deputy secretary general during Trumps first administration, told The Independent that Washingtons increasingly erratic signals, she said, raise doubts about its commitment to the US nuclear umbrella over Europe, which unofficial reports suggest includes around 100 warheads.

This, in turn, could trigger a new era of nuclear proliferation, something already being discussed in parts of Europe, including Germany.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska in August last year ( AP )

Ukraine and a never-ending war

Ukraine is at a critical juncture: there are desperate hopes that talks could bring peace, four years after Russias full-scale invasion of the country. Talks in Abu Dhabi between officials from the US, Russia and Ukraine have so far proved inconclusive as there is one large elephant in the room: the row over territory.

Trump is arguably the only ally of Ukraine with enough power to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and agree to a ceasefire that is not simply a dressed-up surrender for Kyiv. But increasingly, it feels as though Trump does not care enough about the outcome for the Ukrainians.

His America First isolationism, overtures to the Russian president over territory gains, public berating of Volodymyr Zelensky and apparent indifference to Ukraines concerns that a peace deal could lead to renewed war with Russia in the future do not bode well.

It is also concerning that the US is sending signals that sovereignty does not matter, as seen in the justification of the US capture of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro, and his hardline stance on Greenland.

It is creating a precedent that countries like Russia ... will take as affirmation, General Sir Richard Barrons, the former Commander of Joint Forces Command, said at a recent Chatham House event.

It smacks of a worldview in which superpowers simply carve up spheres of influence between them, he added.

The UK and its European allies in the Coalition of the Willing have stepped up, announcing this month that British and French troops would deploy to Ukraine as a security guarantee should a deal go through. But the question remains whether Europe on its own will be enough.

open image in gallery The US captured Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and took him to New York early this month ( Reuters )

Latin America and bombing his backyard

A telling warning was issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration on January 16 that airlines should exercise caution when flying over Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America such as Colombia, citing risks linked to potential military activities.

The warnings, which will last 60 days, come amid soaring tensions between the US and South American leaders following Trumps large-scale military buildup in the southern Caribbean, the attack on Venezuela and Trumps repeated threats of action in neighbouring Colombia, Cuba, and, most recently, against drug cartels in Mexico.

Perhaps the biggest shift in US foreign policy since Trumps second term began has been the elevation of Latin America to one of the highest priorities in the USs national security strategy.

This is all part of Trumps Donroe Doctrine  his personal retelling of the 200-year-old playbook of president James Monroe, aimed at restoring US pre-eminence over the western hemisphere, where powers such as China have gained increasing influence.

open image in gallery US officials apprehended a sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, which was operating in international waters and allegedly conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea ( X/@Southcom )

China is now Latin Americas second-largest trading partner after the US, and investment ties are growing.

This is clearly something Trump and his secretary of state, Mark Rubio, an American Cuban himself, are keen to halt.

Earlier this month, Trump warned the Cuban government to make a deal or face the consequences, without elaborating.

Trump has also engaged in a war of words online with the Colombian president Gustavo Petro, whom he unceremoniously told to watch his ass.

The White House depends on cooperation with Mexico to stem migration, and Mexico relies on the US as a major training partner. But Trumps recent comments about launching US strikes on Mexican drug cartels have already caused alarm.

Let us not forget Trumps original threats to annex the Panama Canal. Emboldened by his actions in Venezuela and driven by his ambitions over Greenland, nothing appears to be off the table.

open image in gallery Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea in October 2025 ( AP )

China and its eyes on Taiwan

The US intelligence position has long been that China is preparing its military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027. That is now only a year away. It feels closer still after Chinas live fire military drills around Taiwan at the end of last year, and Xi Jinpings vow to reunify China and Taiwan in his New Years Eve speech.

It might be why there is far more emphasis on Taiwan in Trumps national security strategy than under previous US administrations.

Protecting Taiwan from China is, according to the document, vital to maintaining American economic and technological pre-eminence, due both to its semiconductor production and its strategic location.

At the same time, Trumps approach to China remains transactional and ambiguous. He publicly cultivated a personal rapport with Xi Jinping and told The New York Times this month that he said it is up to the Chinese leader to decide Taiwans future.

Analysts see the Taiwan Strait as the most likely flashpoint for a conflict between the United States and China. The potential cost of war is extremely high.

open image in gallery Donald Trump with Tony Blair at the Sharm El Sheikh peace summit last year ( PA )

The Middle East and Trumps board of peace

At the start of 2026, the Middle East feels less of an urgent priority for a US president. That said, over the past year, he has joined Israel in bombing Iran, encouraged protesters to overthrow the government in Tehran, pushed through a truce deal for Gaza, and welcomed Syrias new president as an attractive tough guy.

Last week, he inaugurated his board of peace, which was nominally tasked with enacting his 20-point plan for Gaza after a devastating war with Israel. But according to leaked details of its charter  which the US claims nearly 60 countries have signed on for  it could have a much wider, UN-level scope, looking at conflicts well beyond that troubled region.

The indications so far suggest a US president who does not want a lot of boots on the ground in the region. He seems more energised by striking trillion-dollar deals with the Gulf states, acquiring glitzy new planes or describing real estate opportunities for the Gaza Riviera, or New Gaza.

That said, his claims on Friday that an armada of military ships is sailing towards Iran means nothing can be ruled out.
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Rome's outrage over the release of the owner of the bar where a deadly fire broke out on New Year's Day is understandable, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said Sunday.

But Parmelin added that magistrates act independently.

The blaze that erupted early on January 1 in a bar crowded with teenagers in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, killed 40 people, including six Italian nationals, and injured more than 100.

The tragedy has reverberated across Italy's media and public opinion.

The Italian Prime Minister's office on Saturday said the decision to release bar owner Jacques Moretti on bail was "a serious affront and a further wound inflicted to the families of the Crans-Montana victims and of those who are still hospitalised".

Jacques Moretti was detained on January 9 but released on bail on Friday ( AFP via Getty Images )

In comments to Corriere della Sera Sunday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged Switzerland to heed Italy's call to set up a joint investigative team.

Italy said it had instructed its ambassador to Switzerland to express its "deep indignation" to the chief prosecutor of the Valais canton and to travel to Rome to discuss further steps.

Italy formally protested the release on bail of the owner Saturday and recalled its ambassador to Switzerland, as the court's decision came under criticism in both countries.

Jacques Moretti and his wife Jessica, owners of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, are under investigation for negligent homicide and other crimes linked to the blaze.

Jacques Moretti was detained on January 9 but released on bail Friday.

RELEASE 'AN INSULT' TO VICTIMS' FAMILIES, PM MELONI SAYS

The Italian Prime Minister called his release "an affront to the memory of the victims of the New Year's Eve tragedy and an insult to their families".

Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani instructed Italy's ambassador to immediately contact the chief prosecutor in Switzerland's Valais canton to convey Italy's "strong indignation" over Moretti's release.

The Italian government said the court had made the decision despite the seriousness of the alleged crime, the risk of flight and the possibility of evidence being compromised.

"The whole of Italy is clamouring for truth and justice, and is calling for respectful measures to be taken in the wake of this disaster, which take full account of the suffering and expectations of the families," a statement said.

Meloni and Tajani also ordered Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado to return to Rome to determine what further action to take, it said.

A Swiss Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

Moretti was released under a bail arrangement that included a 200,000 Swiss franc ($256,377) payment and an order to report daily to a police station.

Lawyers for the victims of the fire and their families said they were struggling to understand the court order, adding that their clients were concerned about evidence disappearing.

The Morettis have both expressed grief over the tragedy and said they would cooperate with prosecutors.

In a statement following Jacques Moretti's release, their lawyers said they would both "continue to comply with all requests from the authorities".
The event reinforced Irelands growing reputation as an innovator

The worlds largest annual tech event  the CES 2026 conference  featured players from AI and computing, consumer electronics and devices, digital health and wellness, robotics and automation, entertainment and advertising, and automotive and mobility.

Irelands tech ecosystem was strongly represented at the Las Vegas event, with start-ups making ground-breaking announcements, securing major awards and contributing to high-profile discussions.

Enterprise Ireland hosted a reception for clients, venture capitalists, Fortune Global 500 leaders and buyers, letting Irish companies showcase excellence in femtech, medtech, consumer and food tech.

Their success reinforced Irelands growing reputation as a leader in user-centric innovations and spotlighted some of Irelands leading women entrepreneurs as global tech challengers.

A major highlight was Irish femtech company Peri, which officially began taking orders for its purpose-built wearable for perimenopause management.

Co-founders Heidi Davis and Donal OGorman announced the milestone at CES after five years of R&D.

Ireland is delivering meaningful solutions in health, wellness and sustainability

Previously known as IdentifyHer, Peri is an Irish-made perimenopausal health tracker. It earned a 2026 CES Innovation Award from nearly 3,500 submissions and won CNETs Best in Wellness award.

Dublin-based Coroflo made history as the first product to win five awards at a single CES. Founded in 2017 and led by Rosanne Longmore, its flagship Coro is a revolutionary breastfeeding monitor: a soft silicone nipple shield with a microflow meter measuring real-time breast milk intake to 0.01ml.

Data feeds to a smartphone app, with Apple Watch and Android integration planned. It is backed by Enterprise Ireland and EU funding and its awards included CNET Best of CES 2026  Parent Tech, Best of ShowStoppers  Gadgety, Tech Podcasts Network Best of CES, and Techlicious Editors Choice.

Swippitt, founded by Padraic Connolly and Karen Glynn, impressed everyone with its instant power system a cordless battery swap hub  earning a 2026 CES Innovation Award.

Praised by Mens Health magazine as Best New Charger 2026, it enables two-second swaps via a Smart Hub managing five batteries, eliminating cords and downtime in mobile charging.

Beyond products, Irish thought leadership shone through.

Dr Nora Khaldi of Nuritas joined a panel on food AI, detailing advanced models for ingredient discovery from natural sources.

And Irelands diplomatic voice was represented by Caitlin Higgins Ni Chinneide, consul general to the southwestern US, who spoke on the Innovation with Our Borders: The Global Policy Frontier panel, emphasising Irelands role as a trusted bridge for innovators, policymakers and markets.

Ireland was also recognised as a 2025 global innovation champion in the CES scorecard, evaluated on workforce skills, broadband access, entrepreneurship support, and openness to emerging technologies.

These accomplishments highlight Irelands vibrant start-up scene and its delivery of meaningful solutions in health, wellness and sustainability.

CES is a huge event, showcasing the convergence of technology across every aspect of life and business.

And as the 2026 event wraps up, Irelands multifaceted success signals strong momentum for continued global impact in transformative technology.

Aidan McKenna is Enterprise Irelands regional director for the Americas
Who won the battle for Greenland that never was? The EU appears flummoxed, amid accusations of how ineffectual European leaders are in the face of the combative and threatening negotiating style of Donald Trump.
Shares at Canadian mining company Group Eleven soar after spectacular silver and copper yield at Limerick prospect

Exploration drill on Limerick-Tipp border has caused a long-awaited flurry of excitement in sector

Group Eleven chief Bart Jaworski hailed the firms Limerick precious metals prospect as potentially a new Tara Mines-style zinc opportunity

Fearghal O'Connor Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 06:30

With geopolitical tensions increasing the focus on metals such as copper, new drilling results from an exploration prospect on the Limerick-Tipperary border have caused a long-awaited flurry of excitement in Irish exploration circles.
Your Questions Answered: I was sold a hypoallergenic mattress, but it irritates my airways. What can I do?

Do you have to pay to return goods to an online retailer, if they arent as advertised?

There is no standard definition of 'hypoallergenic' in EU or Irish law. Photo: Getty

Grainne Griffin Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Q I bought a mattress made with organic fibres in November, after looking for one that was hypoallergenic. However, soon after it was delivered, I noticed the mattress had a strong odour that irritated my airways.
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said the outbreak will have an impact on exports of cattle and sheep (Brian Lawless/PA)

An emergency meeting on the first detected case of the bluetongue virus in cattle in the Republic that was due to be held by the Department of Agriculture on Sunday has been rescheduled to Monday.

The single case was identified in a herd of cattle in Co Wexford in recent days. Blood sampling will now happen on the remainder of the herd where the affected animal was found and also in surrounding herds on neighbouring farms.

It is hoped results from those tests will be available to Department of Agriculture officials by midweek.

The virus, which causes severe discomfort to the affected animal, is spread by a type of midge. There have been recorded cases on mainland Europe and the UK, including Northern Ireland, but this case is the first one reported in the Republic.

It is understood that fears of it spreading at present are minimal because the weather conditions for the midge are unfavourable and three days of temperatures above 12 degrees Celsius are required for spread to happen.

A meeting on the matter that was due to take place on Sunday will now take place on Monday with all stakeholders involved.

The bluetongue virus does not affect the meat of the animal it infects but could affect the export of live animals, including cattle and sheep, to countries outside of the EU that require disease-free status.

This includes the UAE which requires 12 months disease-free before resuming imports from affected countries.

The sale of meat and dairy products to the majority of overseas markets will not be affected.

Minister Martin Heydon said the detection in Co Wexford came about as a result of routine surveillance, and that while the risk of spread now is low the risk will increase in the Spring when temperatures rise enough to favour the midge that spreads the virus.

The positive test was found in a sample taken from a slaughtered animal, said Mr Heydon, adding that good traceability meant the farm of origin could be located quickly.

Irish Farmers' Association Deputy President Alice Doyle urged farmers to be vigilant and check livestock on a regular basis for any signs or symptoms that might be related to bluetongue, and to contact their vet if in doubt.
Dont ask people to read something you couldnt be bothered to write Irish publishers warn authors over use of AI

Publishing houses have seen a growing number of submissions with tell-tale signs artificial intelligence

Dee Collins, head of books at Mercier Press

Gabrielle Monaghan Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Publisher Mercier Press is warning authors against using AI as you can tell straight away because theres no soul there.
I dream of a Trump Tower in Dublin, says Eric Trump as he reveals US President hopes to visit Ireland later this year

On a visit to Doonbeg, the US presidents middle son says his father will be here for the Irish Open

Eric Trump ready to make Doonbeg great again for Irish Open

Niamh Horan Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Eric Trump has at least one dream in mind for Ireland  to see a Trump Tower built in Dublin as a monument to his father.
WARSAW, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Poland's largest population genomics initiative, "Genomics for Poland," was launched on Saturday in Poznan, according to the Polish Press Agency.

Led by the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (ICHB PAN), the initiative brings together 12 scientific and research institutions from across the country.

The project aims to build a nationwide genomics research infrastructure, including a network of laboratories providing genome sequencing services and a central repository of genomic data managed by the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center.

Luiza Handschuh, director of ICHB PAN and head of its genomics laboratory, said the initiative is expected to contribute to broader use of genomics in scientific research, medicine and industry, particularly in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and information technology.

"Until now, genomics projects in Poland have been carried out in a scattered manner by individual institutions. We want to connect genomics laboratories into a single collaborative network using shared infrastructure," Handschuh said at a press conference.

"By studying genomes on a large scale, we can assess the risk of developing certain diseases, such as breast cancer or cardiovascular diseases. This is the future of medicine," she added. 
John Burns: If Elon Musk wants to get back at Michael OLeary, theres a simple way

Ryanair chiefs rejection of Starlink wifi may return to haunt him if it works for rivals

'It's unfair on chimps': Michael O'Leary responds to Elon Musk's online taunts

John Burns Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Elon Musk did the impossible last week: he got everyone in Ireland rooting for Michael OLeary.
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
Mickey Brady, who has died aged 75, was an Irish republican who served as Sinn Fein MP for Newry and Armagh between 2015 and 2024. He did not take his seat at Westminster, but he had earlier participated in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

From the 1980s, he had worked for Newrys Confederation of Community Groups, giving welfare rights and housing advice to some of its most vulnerable people, and he carried this on from 2007 as the constituencys MLA, and then as its MP.
Former MEP Brian Crowley, who has died at the age of 61, came from a family steeped in the Fianna Fail tradition. Despite being at odds with the party hierarchy over the years, he was a poll-topper and MEP for Munster and the South constituencies for 25 years, from 1994 to his retirement in 2019.

Confined to a wheelchair after an accident in which he fell off a roof at the age of 16, he had a long mane of thick fair hair that gave him a distinctive look. In his autobiography, Against the Odds, he recounted that when his father rang family friend Albert Reynolds to suggest the Taoiseach instruct his son to cut his hair, Reynolds replied: There are enough bald men in the party already.

The party hierarchy never knew how to manage him, yet he always got the better of them with electoral performances which far out-polled the party, wrote Irish and Sunday Independent political editor Mary Regan.

Crowley was the son of colourful west Cork TD Flor Crowley.

An auctioneer with political ambitions, Flor was elected to the Dail in 1965. He was a vociferous supporter of Charlie Haughey and, according to the Magill Book of Irish Politics, one of those most deeply involved in the plot to have Haughey elected as leader in 1979.

Brian Crowley was born on March 4, 1964, to Flor Crowley and his wife Sally Collins. He recalled a childhood steeped in politics, spending his weekends touring west Cork and sitting in pubs and hotels listening to his father dealing with the public at constituency clinics.

Party heavyweights such Reynolds, Brian Lenihan and Ray MacSharry were regular visitors to his family home during election campaigns, and he recalled Haughey giving him a 50p piece when the new decimal coinage was introduced in 1971. A regular visitor during his treatment in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire was the Fine Gael leader Liam Cosgrave.

Crowleys father retired from politics after losing his Dail seat to his Fianna Fail rival Joe Walsh and failing to be elected to the Seanad. He died in 1997, at age 62.

Brian Crowley MEP

Brians brother, also called Flor, a father of three, was killed in a car crash on his way to mass at Christmas in 2009 at the age of 42.

It was Reynolds who launched Brian Crowleys political career in 1993, when he appointed the 28-year-old to the Seanad. The then Taoiseach said he would be a glorious example to the youth of the country and to those with a disability.

In June 1994, he was elected to the European Parliament and resigned his Seanad seat. The following November, Reynolds coalition government collapsed after a disagreement with its Labour partners. Crowley would become one of Fianna Fails most prolific vote-getters, topping the poll in every European election he contested  in 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. With his personal touch and flamboyant style, he enjoyed huge personal popularity inside and outside Fianna Fail.

He wore out four sets of wheelchair tyres on the campaign trail in 1994

Described as a charismatic campaigner, he carried out extensive door-to-door canvassing, like his father, although it was more common for European candidates to address rallies and large gathering. He said he wore out four sets of wheelchair tyres on that first campaign trail in 1994. He topped the poll with 84,000, which he would not just repeat but surpass in the next four elections.

But his 25 years in the European Parliament was beset by tensions with the Fianna Fail hierarchy, which began in earnest during the 2004 European election campaign.

Party headquarters ordered him to carve up Munster and seek first-preference votes only in Cork  leaving the rest of the sprawling constituency of Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford to his running mate, party grandee Gerry Collins.

People should vote for candidates in order of preference and that is the only type of democratic electioneering I will participate in, he said, declining to bow to what was regarded as a Dublin diktat. In the event, Gerry Collins lost his seat  and Crowley became the Fianna Fail leader in the European Parliament.

In 2011, he stated he was seeking the Fianna Fail nomination to run for president in succession to Mary McAleese. But with Fianna Fail in tatters from that years general election, Micheal Martin declined to let the party run a candidate. Failing to get party backing, Crowley withdrew.

There was further muttering within Fianna Fail because Crowley missed almost two years in the European Parliament with debilitating leg sores associated with his paralysis, with long spells in hospital. But he still secured 180,000 first-preference votes at the next European election.

Then came a direct challenge to Martins leadership. Early in June 2014, when he was Fianna Fails sole MEP, Crowley switched from the partys chosen group in the European Parliament, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe (ALDE) to the European Conservative and Reformists (ECR).

Fianna Fail said that with this unilateral decision, Crowley had removed himself from the parliamentary party. At the end of June 2014, the party whip was removed, though he continued to claim that Fianna Fail had left him, rather than the other way around.

He achieved all this, as his book says, against the odds

There was further tension with the party leadership when Crowley refused to make his intentions clear in the run-up to the 2019 European elections, even though he had not attended parliament since 2014, owing to deteriorating health. He eventually announced his decision to retire in late January 2019, four months before the European elections.

As he bows out of politics, he can point to an exemplary record as a vote-getter who never allowed the limits of geography, his party or indeed his disability get in the way of his unrivalled popular support, wrote Mary Regan. He achieved it, as his book says, against the odds.

During his time in Europe, he was said to be less comfortable with the leadership of Bertie Ahern and Micheal Martin, compared with Albert Reynolds and Brian Cowen.

Paying tribute last Friday, the Taoiseach said: His vote was testament to the truly strong bond between him and the people he represented. Without question he was one of the great vote-getters of the modern political era. He had no equal, he said.

Brian Crowley, who was unmarried, died on January 23. He is survived by his mother Sally, his brother Niall and sisters Maeve, Deirdre and Fiona. His funeral will take place in Bandon tomorrow.

This article was amended at 3.45pm, January 25 to clarify Mr Crowleys death notice details
Ellie Cruz (7), right, from Dublin and Charlotte Bridget Collins (14) from Drumcondra at the launch of Dublin City Councils Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women 2026, see dublin.ie/brigit. Photo: Andres Poveda

Biddy up Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women returns from this Friday, January 30 to February 2, with a programme that features over 120 events, including the Brigit Parade on Sunday, concerts, storytelling events, talks and seminars, the Imbolc Fair on the bank holiday, walking tours and food trails. LH For more details, see dublin.ie/brigit

Pharma Plus Magnesium+, RRP 22.99, see pharmaplus.ie

NECESSITY

A seasonal boost If your January health kick is flagging, Pharma Plus has recently launched Magnesium+, a new supplement created in Ireland to reduce fatigue, with 200mg of elemental magnesium per 2 capsules. Each bottle contains 90 capsules. LH RRP 22.99, see pharmaplus.ie

395pp sharing room with one other of the same gender

NOTION

Unwind in west Cork Luxury wellness and connection is what the Tar le Cheile weekend on February 20 at The Jewel in Glengarriff, west Cork is all about. A two-day and night retreat for singles aged between 30 and 45, it will welcome 14 guests with a balance of genders, three meals per day included and activities such as yoga, meditation, sauna and cold plunges in their spa and evening social activities in their lodge. Express interest by emailing info@thejewel.ie and they will follow up with a phone call for further information. SC 395pp sharing room with one other of the same gender

For info on Laura Dowling's Love Your Vulva show, see nch.ie

NECESSITY

Vulva-fabulous Laura Dowling, the Fabulous Pharmacist is hosting her live show, Love Your Vulva, at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, with two appearances on January 31, at 1pm and 7pm. Guests include Deirdre OKane, sexologist Emily Power Smith, womens pelvic health specialist, physiotherapist Aoife Harvey, and Jennifer Rock of the Skin Nerd. LH See nch.ie

Remington Airvive Rotating Curler Wand, from 99.99, electrical retailers nationwide

NOTION

Lets do the twist If lack of skills has stopped you from investing in hair stylers, then the Remington Airvive Rotating Curler Wand might be the tool for you. Forget all that head-frying wrist turning  this wand turns for you. With three heat settings for looser or tighter curls and an ultra-smooth ceramic coating on the heated plates to reduce snagging or damage. SC From 99.99, electrical retailers nationwide

Multi-Way Eye Mask, 74.95, see mycomfort.ie

NECESSITY

Cool under pressure A lifetime enduring a rare type of migraine led Portlaoise woman Catherine Hearns to develop her own range of non-medicated pain relief products. The hero product in her MyComfort line-up is the Multi-way Eye Mask, made of ultra-smooth Econyl regenerated nylon in eight colours. It can be used alone as a black-out sleep mask, or with either a lavender Aromatherapy insert or a Cool & Calming insert that provides soothing, cooling pressure without need for refrigeration  because who remembers to do that before its too late? SC Multi-Way Eye Mask, 74.95, or 89.95 with one insert; additional inserts, 19.95 each, see mycomfort.ie

Paul Costelloe communion dress, 130, dunnestores.com

NOTION

Bless the dress The Paul Costelloe 2026 Communion Collection is now available in selected Dunnes Stores nationwide. It includes five dresses, 130 each, a coordinated range of accessories including veil, band, gloves, socks, bag and shoes, and several tailored options, including a three-piece look, and several trouser options. LH See dunnesstores.com

Smoky Sesame BBQ Magic Sauce, RRP 5.99, arankilkenny.ie

NECESSITY

Get saucy Michelin-trained, flavour-focused husband-and-wife team Bart Pawlukojc and Nicole Server-Pawlukojc run the much-loved Aran bistro and newly expanded bakery in Kilkenny. They recently launched Smoky Sesame BBQ Magic Sauce, a Korean-inspired companion to their existing Magic Sauce, with smoky soy, garlic, sesame and gochujang. Naturally, its on their menu, but also on shelves of selected stores nationwide. SC RRP 5.99, arankilkenny.ie
Review: Five stars for this classic compact family car which has returned with a glow-up, a battery and an Instagram account

Sometimes it pays to give old model a new look which says its ready for adventure - but does this classic car still have its original soul?

Geraldine Herbert test drives the new Renault 4 Iconic 52KWH. Photo: Paul Herbert-Kane

Geraldine Herbert Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 06:30

The sixties was the decade of new ideas, new industries and a more outward-looking future for Ireland. The arrival of television, via RTE in 1961, didnt just bring moving pictures into Irish homes; it ushered a world of miniskirts, moon rockets and protest marches directly into our sitting rooms.
Caitriona Perry: Recent history shows that any threat from President Donald Trump can no longer be written off as bluster

President Trump ended the week as he started it, vowing to have Greenland

Donal Trump is not giving up on his idea of taking Greenland

Caitriona Perry Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 06:30

A rupture, a big blow, a splinter, a gulf. Call it what you will, it is unlikely that European-US relations will ever be quite the same after the events of the last week.
John Downing: Americas military might is deeply embedded in European soil, and will require serious spade work to unroot

Donald Trump may have crossed the post-1945 rubicon, but uncertainty will keep us all guessing for a while yet

Events at the World Economic Forum show that nothing can be taken for granted

John Downing Sat 24 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Emmanuel Macron was mildly unabashed by being obliged to wear sunglasses indoors as he and fellow leaders faced into yet another Donald Trump-induced global crisis. Citing a benign and anodyne eye infection, which reddened one of his eyes, the French President joked about having the eye of a tiger.
Sarah Caden: How Brooklyns wedding bash led to fall of the House of Beckham

This may be the moment where David and Victoria have to relax their brands grip on the next generation for fear of a repeat

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham breaks silence over family feud with Instagram post

Sarah Caden Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 06:30

It could be that, five years post-Megxit, we have family-feud fatigue and indignation exhaustion, but the surprise twist in last weeks Beckham drama was how quickly we got a laugh out of it.
Elizabeth Berney unveiled the Min Park plaque with Richard Mulcahy, Cllr Garry Laffan Mayor, Borough District of Wexford and Tom Enright, CEO Wexford County Council, when she visited Wexford for the opening of the park in July 2021.

The remarkable Ryans of Tomcoole, Wexford are one of the most important families of the Irish revolutionary period, and the recent sad passing of Elizabeth Berney (nee Mulcahy) in Dublin and the glowing tributes which were paid to her, underlined that fact.

Elizabeth passed away peacefully on January 13 in her 105th year at the Orwell Private Nursing Home, Rathgar. Her funeral took place in Church of St. Therese, Mount Merrion. She was the daughter of Wexford woman Mary Josephine (Min) Ryan who alongside being a founding member of Cumann na mBan, acted as a courier to the GPO garrison during the 1916 Rising.

Her father was General Richard Mulcahy, a fellow hero of 1916, who following the death of Michael Collins in the Irish Civil War, succeeded him as Commander in Chief of the National Army and was also Chief of Staff. He went on to be a founding member of the Cumann na nGaedheal party and was later leader of the Fine Gael party.

Following the news of Elizabeths passing, Fine Gael Leader and Tanaiste Simon Harris paid tribute to her.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Elizabeth Berney today, he wrote. Elizabeth was the last direct connection to the founding of our State. Her life was woven into the fabric of Irish history.

She will be remembered not only for her contribution to our history but for her charm, her sharp mind and the warmth she showed to those around her. On behalf of Fine Gael, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to Elizabeths five children, her extended family and her wide circle of friends.

Elizabeth Berney (103), the daughter of the late General Richard Mulcahy and whose late mother was engaged to Sean Mac Diarmada, who was executed in Kilmainham in 1916 and whose body was interred at Arbour Hill - planting a tree with Governor Amanda Sutton and Sabina Higgins at Arbour Hill Prison as part of the 100 Million Trees Project. Photo: Fran Veale/Julien Behal

In 2021, Elizabeth, then aged 100, travelled down to the county of her late mother, to not only be in attendance for, but to speak at the opening of the state-of-the-art 4m Min Ryan Park. Elizabeth spoke about her mother and how all of the Ryans were strong and independent people who achieved great things in their lives. She said they were all highly educated and forged formidable paths in life.

Just last year, in May, Elizabeth joined then first lady Sabina Higgins at the grounds of Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin for a ceremony to mark the milestone of planting of the 600,000th tree in the 100 Million Trees Project.

Her connection to Arbour Hill was that her mother Min, was engaged to Sean Mac Diarmada, who was executed in Kilmainham in 1916 and whose body was interred at Arbour Hill.

Elizabeths passing not only severs a direct link to her mother and father, a man and woman who made a profound contribution to the founding of the state, but the end of a more than century long remarkable life.
ISTANBUL, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkish authorities have seized narcotics worth some 1.7 billion Turkish liras (about 39 million U.S. dollars) in nationwide coordinated operations at border crossings, seaports and airports, the Trade Ministry said on Sunday.

The operations were conducted at the Gurbulak and Kapikoy border gates in eastern Turkiye, as well as at the Edirne, Hamzabeyli, and Ipsala crossings along the borders with Bulgaria and Greece, the ministry said in a statement posted on the social media platform X.

The seizures also targeted Mersin Port in the southern province of Mersin, as well as Istanbul and Antalya airports, as part of the country's ongoing campaign against drug trafficking.

Vehicles and shipments identified as high-risk were subjected to detailed inspections using X-ray and other non-intrusive screening systems, supported by narcotics detection dogs, the statement added.

All confiscated narcotics were destroyed after the operations.

The ministry said that customs enforcement teams seized 33.6 tons of drugs worth 44.9 billion liras (1 billion dollars) last year and will continue operations against drug trafficking and organized crime. 
Archbishop Eamon Martin at the Seinn Songs of Praise service in The Church of the Holy Redeemer. Photo: Aidan Dullaghan/Newspics

Last Thursday over 1,000 students, along with teachers, parents and local clergy gathered in the Redeemer Church, Dundalk, to once again celebrate Catholic Schools Week with their Seinn, Songs of Praise service.
Sligo Councillors are hoping cannons from the Spanish Armada will be housed at the town's new museum when completed

An update was provided to members of Sligo County Council in relation to the development of a landmark museum, incorporating a heritage and visitor centre by Director of Services Emer Concannon who said a masterplan for the flagship tourism project will be completed by July.

Ms Concannon was speaking following a motion proposed by Cllr Marie Casserly who said she hoped the Spanish Armada story will be included in the Visitor Centre saying, It is of huge national and international significance, adding that the facility in Grange is not large enough to store all the artifacts.

The Spanish Armada of 1588 saw three ships destroyed at Streedagh during a storm resulting in the loss of over 1,100 men. The boats were lost under the sand at Streedagh until they were discovered in 1985. Three bronze cannons were discovered around this time while severe storms some 30 years later resulted in nine further cannons being uncovered.

Cllr Thomas Walsh gave his approval to the project saying, This is a great project, the money is in place.

Cllr Fergal Nealon also welcomed the update saying, It is great to see it is progressing. The cannons are on loan from the people of Sligo until we have an appropriate facility. There are a lot of historical artifacts that people have in their homes and it is important these are not lost.

Welcoming the update Cllr Edel McSharry asked, When can one expect construction to start?

In reply Ms Concannnon said, The masterplan will be completed in the middle of this year and a separate project commences then for the individual projects. She added, It is a continuous project.

Cllr Michael Clarke praised the ongoing work saying, Id like to pay tribute to the Chief Executive. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes. If we get those guns back to Sligo it will be the number one tourist attraction in the north west.

Cllr Donal Gilroy dampened expectations slightly when he said, The guns dont belong to us. He pointed out that the artifacts discovered from the stricken ships are owned by the Irish State under national monuments legislation.

The debate was concluded with Cllr Marie Casserly welcoming the update, saying, We dont even realise how significant this project is.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Patricia Keogh, Michael Breen and David French at the recent Tirlan business and market outlook meeting in the Riverside Park Hotel.

A group of suppliers listening to the presentations at the Tirlan Business and Market Outlook.

Tirlan co-ops farm family suppliers from Wicklow and Wexford turned out in large numbers, both in person and online, for the their business and market outlook for 2026, as management updated suppliers on the latest market outlook, priorities for the year ahead and beyond, and outlined the practical supports available as farm families prepare for spring.

Tirlan has two CountryLife stores based in Co Wicklow, located at Ashford and Rathdrum.

Speaking at the Information meeting in The Riverside Hotel, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Tirlan chairperson, John Murphy, said 2025 will go down as one of the best years for dairy farming, with strong milk prices, favourable weather, and milk volumes rising 7pc yearonyear.

John Murphy highlighted Tirlans pivotal role in securing the extension to the Nitrates Derogation, supported by extensive engagement with Irish and EU stakeholders and clear environmental progress on farms. He cautioned that 2026 will be a more challenging year on the dairy front, due to global milk supply and demand dynamics.

Tirlan CEO, Sean Molloy confirmed Tirlan farmers delivered record milk intake in 2025. The co-op placed an additional 40,000 tonnes of dairy ingredients on the market, and ended the year with nearrecordlow stock levels. He stated that despite volatility and tariff uncertainty, the coop closed 2025 in a robust financial position.

While the year ahead, particularly the first half, will bring its challenges, it is important to recognise that our markets are cyclical in nature and recovery will occur. Tirlan will also do all in its power to help our farmers during this period of market downturn. We enter 2026 on a firm footing.

Our priority remains to add value to each litre of milk and each tonne of grain. Efficiency and cost discipline remain a strategic priority for our management team. We will continue to pursue opportunities for our investment fund.

And above all, we will continue to build a co-op of the future that is progressive, financially strong and farmer-focused, a co-op that maximises total returns to our farmers and a business that is proud to speak out for our farmers, attract and retain the best talent.

Sean Molloy added Tirlan paid an average of 54.6 cent per litre including constituents for milk last year, as well as the agri-trade supports available and dividends from the co-op. When added together, Tirlan delivered an internationally leading total value return to members, he said. Milk leagues do not include all such payments and therefore, they are not an accurate reflection of the Co-op's actual returns to farmers.

Tirlan remains committed to delivering a strong milk price.

We have already committed to seasonality bonuses for December (5cpl), January (7cpl) and February (5cpl). And our intention is to shortly confirm equally strong support for next autumn and winter milk supplies, added Sean Molloy.

It was another strong year for Tirlan Agri, with over 500,000 tonnes of feed sold, major branch upgrades, and continued growth in horticulture and FarmLife categories. Farmers were also updated on a 5.5 million 2026 Agri Support Package, including feed (40 per tonne), fertiliser (20 per tonne) and calf milk replacer (60 per tonne) supports.

Milk supply was up to record levels last year. The co-op processed its highest-ever volume at 3.234 billion litres and a peak of 96 million litres per week in May.
Whoever is wealthier, they demand more money from them  Iranians told to pay up if they want their loved ones bodies back

Government officials tell families that protesters had actually been part of regime security forces

Trucks carry coffins during the funeral procession of those killed in the recent unrest in Iran. Photo: Getty

Akhtar Makoii Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Farhad was blinded by the gas canister that struck his face when a bullet pierced his neck. Iranian security forces had fired on him during clashes with anti-regime protesters on the streets of Tehran.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
Taipei 101

Image credit : Netflix | Alex Honnold is an American rock climber renowned for pushing the limits

The man behind the legend: Who is Alex Honnold?

ALEX HONNOLD AFTER COMPLETING HIS FREE SOLO OF TAIPEI 101: "Sick."





The 101 story climb took 1 hour and 35 minutes #SkyscraperLIVE pic.twitter.com/TIzeRqiUcM



 Netflix (@netflix) January 25, 2026

Why Taipei 101 was different

The Taipei 101

Image credit : Netflix | The Taipei 101 climb was unlike anything Honnold had attempted before

A live climb with no safety net

Reaching the top

Life beyond the climb

The Broadcasts Delay

High above the streets of Taipei, with wind rushing past glass walls and millions of eyes fixed on their screens, Alex Honnold began climbing upward, calm, focused, and completely alone. No ropes. No harness. Just his hands, his shoes, and his trust in years of preparation. This was Skyscraper Live, Netflixs daring broadcast that saw Honnold free solo, one of the tallest skyscrapers on the planet.Alex Honnold is an American rock climber renowned for pushing the limits of what humans can safely attempt. Born on August 17, 1985, in Sacramento, California, he began climbing as a child and eventually gravitated toward free soloing, climbing without ropes, harnesses, or protective gear. His name became globally known in 2017 when he completed the first-ever free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a nearly 3,000-foot vertical wall. The climb, later documented in the Academy Awardwinning film Free Solo, revealed Honnolds methodical mindset, intense preparation, and remarkable ability to remain calm under extreme pressure.climb was unlike anything Honnold had attempted before. Instead of natural rock, he faced glass panels, steel beams, and architectural features never meant to be climbed. Rising more than 1,600 feet into the air, the skyscraper also brought unpredictable wind conditions that could turn even a simple move into a dangerous gamble. Adding to the challenge was the fact that this climb was broadcast live, something Honnold had previously avoided due to the mental pressure it creates.Yet once he left the ground, the noise of the world seemed to disappear. Dressed in a red T-shirt, track pants, and his signature climbing shoes, Honnold moved methodically upward, carefully testing each hold. The ascent took close to 90 minutes, with every second carrying quiet tension. While Netflix built in a short broadcast delay for safety reasons, the climb itself remained completely untethered. If conditions became unsafe, Honnold had the option to stop, but history suggested he wouldnt.When Honnold finally reached the summit, the mood shifted instantly. Cheers erupted from the crowd below as he stood at the top, visibly exhausted but composed. He raised his arms, allowed himself a brief smile, and even paused to take a photo, an understated celebration of an extraordinary achievement.Despite the extreme nature of his pursuits, Honnold is not driven by spectacle. Off the wall, he is soft-spoken and thoughtful, and deeply committed to environmental advocacy through the Honnold Foundation, which works to expand sustainable energy access worldwide. He is also a husband and father, roles that have influenced how he approaches risk without dulling his passion.The high-stakes climb aired live on Netflix with a 10-second delay, after rain forced a 24-hour postponement from its original Saturday schedule, building even more suspense ahead of Honnolds ascent.
Image credit : X| @Becca_Love7000| Scene from video of Alex Pretti amid federal agent clash.

Image credit : X| Video still of Alex Pretti holding a phone during Minneapolis confrontation

Family rejects official claims as 'sickening lies'

Image credit : X| Alex Pretti seen near ICE agents before fatal shooting.

Statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, Alexs parents  pic.twitter.com/1EJzFAk7cY



 Keith Edwards (@keithedwards) January 25, 2026

Political fallout and public reaction

Image credit : X| Moment captured of Alex Pretti during crowded protest.

Alex Pretti, 37, was a intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital whose life and career were defined by compassion and service. Known to friends, family and colleagues as a caring and civic-minded man, he spent his days tending to critically ill patients and advocating for vulnerable communities. He had studied at the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in biology, society and the environment before pursuing nursing, and was respected for his empathy and commitment to others.On 24 January 2026, Prettis life was cut short in a confrontation with federal law enforcement during an immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. The incident occurred near a busy intersection when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents moved in on a target as part of a broader crackdown in the city, already tense after another federal shooting earlier that month.Video footage and eyewitness accounts of the encounter have become central to the dispute over what followed. Widely circulated bystander clips show Pretti holding a mobile phone and appearing to assist a woman who had been pushed to the ground, at times raising his hands above his head, a sequence that contrasts with official descriptions of the confrontation.In the wake of the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security and its secretary, Kristi Noem, said that Pretti approached federal agents with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and resisted efforts to disarm him. A senior Border Patrol commander characterised the situation as potentially dangerous, suggesting a threat to officers.Prettis family has forcefully rejected that version of events. In a statement released after his death, his parents described the official narrative as sickening lies and reprehensible and disgusting, asserting that video evidence clearly shows their son was not armed. They emphasised that he held his phone and used his other hand to attempt to protect a woman from harm during the encounter.The family described Pretti as a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his loved ones and the American veterans he served as a nurse. They urged authorities and the media to get the truth out about his final moments, insisting that his last act was one of protection rather than aggression.The contradictory accounts have sparked outrage across the United States. Footage shared online and reported by multiple news outlets appears to conflict with federal claims about the shooting, leading to questions from civil rights advocates, lawmakers and medical professionals. Some witnesses have stated under oath that Pretti was not posing a threat when he was shot.The killing of Pretti has intensified an already fraught debate over immigration enforcement, federal law enforcement tactics and transparency in the handling of such incidents. Protests have taken place in numerous cities, with demonstrators demanding accountability and justice. Calls have come from across the political spectrum for thorough, independent investigations into the circumstances of his death.Local officials, including Minnesotas governor and city authorities, have raised concerns over the federal account of events and urged greater cooperation in the inquiry. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has been drawn into the investigation, which has heightened scrutiny of how federal agencies operate in civilian settings.As Minneapolis and the wider nation grapple with these events, Prettis family continues to seek answers and honour his memory. They remember him not for the violence of his death but for the compassion he showed throughout his life and the final moments he sought to protect another person in need.
The Kano State House of Assembly has released the names of lawmakers who resigned their membership from the New Nigeria Peoples Party alongside the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The Assemblys Chief Press Secretary, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, released the list of the affected lawmakers in a statement released on Saturday evening.

According to the statement, those who left the NNPP with the governor include the Speaker of the House, Jibril Ismail Falgore, the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Bello Butu Butu, and the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussain.

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Also listed are the Deputy Majority Leader, Garba Shehu Fammar, the Chief Whip, Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki, along with other lawmakers representing various constituencies across the state.

The statement said a total of 22 members of the House were involved in the defection, cutting across constituencies such as Ajingi, Albasu, Bagwai/Shanono, Bebeji, Bunkure, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gabasawa, Garko, Gwale, Karaye, Kura/Garun Malam, Madobi, Minjibir, Rano, Tarauni and Wudil.

A total of 22 members of the House of Assembly resigned their membership from the NNPP in the State, the statement said.

It added that the Kano State House of Assembly had verified and authenticated the list of lawmakers as released.

The Assembly said the announcement was made to properly inform the public and clarify the political position of the affected lawmakers following the governors defection.

Kano State Governor, Kabir Yusuf had on Friday formally resigned his membership from the New Nigerian Peoples Party, citing deepening internal crisis and the urgent need to protect the broader interest of the citizens of the state.

Yusuf was said to have resigned along with 21 members of the State Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and the 44 local government council chairmen.

The current development is expected to further weaken the NNPPs influence in the state as more members of the party including government officials continue to realign with the Governors political direction.

The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim is among the top government officials that have so far announced their resignation from the NNPP membership effective from Friday, 23rd January 2026.
MOSCOW, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia carried out strikes on Ukraine's energy and military infrastructure across multiple regions, the country's defense ministry said Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said the Russian army targeted an energy facility supporting Ukraine's military-industrial complex, a production workshop, and storage and launch sites for long-range drones. It also struck temporary deployment points for Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 159 areas.

The statement also said that Russian air defense systems intercepted two guided bombs, 31 rockets from the U.S.-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, and 68 fixed-wing drones. 
Victor Osimhen has cemented his hero status among Galatasaray supporters after scoring his 50th goal for the Turkish giants, a milestone achieved in record time.

The 27-year-old reached the 50-goal milestone in just 59 games, making him the fastest player to reach 50 goals for Galatasaray since 2000, according to Transfermarkts database report on Saturday.

Although he failed to score in Galatasarays 11 draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, he didnt have to wait long to hit the milestone.

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Osimhen struck in the very next match, scoring Galatasarays third goal in a 31 win over Fatih Karagumruk, after Gabriel Saras first-half brace had put the team in control.

Osimhen enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals in 41 games, and he has continued his impressive form this season.

He reached the 50-goal mark after netting 13 goals so far in the current campaign.

Osimhen achieved the milestone 10 games quicker than Mauro Icardi, who sits second on the list.

Icardi, the current club captain, took 69 games to score 50 goals after joining Galatasaray in 2022.

French striker Bafetimbi Gomis completes the top three, reaching 50 goals in 74 games following his arrival from Swansea in 2017.

The rest of the top eight fastest scorers for Galatasaray this century are largely made up of homegrown talents, with Milan Baros the only other foreign player to feature prominently in the list.

Osimhens rapid rise and consistent scoring record continue to underline his importance to Galatasaray as the club pushes for domestic and European success.

The Nigerian striker, who joined Galatasaray permanently this summer following a highly successful loan spell from Napoli, is already adored by fans.

Tens of thousands of supporters flooded the streets of Istanbul when he returned to the club, celebrating the arrival of a player who had helped deliver the Super Lig title last season.
MINNEAPOLIS  Alex Pretti, the man fatally shot by Border Patrol on Saturday, was a local intensive care nurse dedicated to caring for veterans, according to his family, friends, and co-workers.

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, Prettis family said in a statement shared with the Washington Post. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world.

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Pretti, 37, is the third person shot by federal immigration officials in recent weeks.

He was shot outside a popular doughnut shop about a mile and a half from his home by U.S. Border Patrol, according to law enforcement officials. The shooting followed a scuffle between Pretti and Border Patrol agents, and Pretti was in possession of a 9mm handgun, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Authorities believe Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said during a news conference.

Trump officials, including Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi L. Noem, called Pretti a domestic terrorist.

Pretti came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation of federal law enforcement officers, Noem said.

In the statement, Prettis family called the administrations description of the shooting sickening lies and reprehensible and disgusting. The family said Pretti was trying to protect a woman who had been pushed down by immigration agents.

Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by [President Donald] Trumps murdering and cowardly ICE thugs, the statement said. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.

The shooting sparked protests and clashes between demonstrators and authorities near the scene, which state investigators said they were barred from accessing Saturday by federal officials.

Pretti had another physical encounter with immigration officers recently, according to a colleague, Joshua Green, who recalled him coming to work with a bandage on his eye. Pretti said he got a small cut after being struck by an immigration agent, Green recalled.

Pretti cared about human rights, Green said, and mentioned protesting in the wake of the shooting of Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Green said Pretti was not easily provoked or angry. He was a very calm, collected person and always had a good demeanor, he said. He always had a smile. This is quite the shock.

Aasma Shaukat said she hired Pretti for a research position at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System about a decade ago. Alex was the sweetest, kindest, gentlest soul you ever met, said Shaukat, now a physician and clinical researcher at the Manhattan VA Medical Center.

He was very bright-eyed, bushy-tailed. He wanted to get into the healthcare field, work with patients and be a nurse, she recalled. He did wonderful. Did his work really well, was a team player.

After finishing nursing school, Pretti returned to the Minneapolis VA as an intensive care nurse, she said.

He wanted to serve the veterans, just had a high sense of duty and thought they were a vulnerable group in the country who needed our help, she said.

Dimitri Drekonja, an infectious diseases physician at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, said he was impressed when Pretti secured a job in the ICU fresh out of nursing school. It is a testament to his abilities that he felt ready for it, that he was up for that challenge and wanted to help, said Drekonja, who worked with Pretti.

Pretti always greeted him by name, Drekonja recalled, and stood out from other nurses for his distinctive beard. They both loved mountain biking and often rode the same trails, he said.

They never spoke about immigration operations or politics at work, Drekonja said.

He was really someone that helped, Drekonja said. Its just impossible to imagine a negative interaction with him. And the fact that he was killed on city streets  as an employee of the U.S. government, by the U.S. government  its blowing my mind.

Pretti was a member of a local nurses union, and its sister union, AFGE Council 238, issued a statement that called his shooting appalling.

The murder of our union brother Alex Pretti is an unconscionable act of violence and a betrayal of the values federal workers are sworn to uphold, AFGE Council 238 President Justin Chen said in a statement.

Pretti was excited about his future, said Shaukat. Being an ICU nurse is tough  its pretty intense. But he was looking forward to getting a place, a car, Shaukat said.

The shooting feels so wrong, she said. Knowing Alex, he was probably trying to protect or help or shield somebody from the agents. He had not a single mean bone in his body; always spoke about doing the right thing.

His father, Michael Pretti, told the Associated Press that he had warned his son to be careful. We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically, Michael Pretti said. And he said he knows that. He knew that.

Pretti attended the University of Minnesotas College of Liberal Arts and graduated in 2011, a university spokesperson said.

Pretti lived in a quiet, tree-lined South Minneapolis neighborhood of single family homes and small apartment buildings, where neighbors gather in the street on lawn chairs with food during the warmer months.

Chris Gray, 41, a special education math teacher, lives in an apartment building near Prettis. Gray  who has been patrolling the streets as one of many local volunteers monitoring the federal immigration crackdown  said that while he did not know Pretti well, the shooting felt personal.

It feels like [these killings] are just what happens now, Gray said. That could have been me or anyone. Ive rarely felt that way, until today.
The killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis has scrambled Americas gun debate, another reflection of the bitterness and polarization that have engulfed the dispute over the national crackdown on immigration by federal agents.

Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was carrying a gun in or near his waistband when he was killed on Saturday, but videos show he had not drawn it and was disarmed before being shot multiple times. Local authorities believe he had a permit to carry the gun.

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With Americans split between those supporting the Trump administration and those backing anti-ICE protesters, multiple conservatives  including those strongly supportive of gun rights in the past  have justified Prettis shooting on the grounds that his carrying of a holstered gun showed he had violent intentions.

Asked if Pretti ever brandished his gun, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem said Saturday, I dont know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign. This is a violent riot when you have someone showing up with weapons and are using them to assault law enforcement officers.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R., Okla.) told Fox News, A deranged individual who came in to cause massive damage with a loaded pistol, with an extra mag that was completely loaded, was shot and killed. How much more does it have to go on before the Democrat leaders there take responsibility for their words?

Those positions are at odds with the usual stance of many gun rights supporters, who often defend the rights of Americans to carry firearms in almost all situations.

In 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse, a conservative 17-year-old from the Chicago suburbs, brought an AR-15 to a racial justice protest in Wisconsin, killing two people and injuring another. Liberals said he was obviously looking for trouble, but Rittenhouse, arguing he had acted in self-defense, became a hero to many conservatives and was later acquitted of murder.

In another episode that year, Mark and Patricia McCloskey waved guns at Black Lives Matter protesters, albeit from their front yard. They were celebrated by gun rights backers and invited to speak at the Republican National Convention.

Pretti is being framed very differently by many supporters of the Second Amendment.

Dont let the left kid you with this, that this is just a normal protest where people are peacefully protesting. No its not, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R., N.J.) told Fox News. Peaceful protesters dont have 9-millimeter weapons with two extra magazines.

Liberals, including gun control supporters, in contrast emphasize that Prettis legal possession of a weapon in no way reflects on his intentions at the protest, and certainly cannot justify his killing at the hands of federal agents.

The divide underlines how much American politics in the Trump era has departed from a debate over principles  to the extent that it was ever that  and has settled firmly into a battle of us-versus-them, where actions are lauded or vilified depending on who is behind them.

Rosa Brooks, a law professor at Georgetown University who specializes in national security, said there is a certain consistency to people insisting their side is always right, even if that involves shifting positions on some issues.

If your vision of the America you want to protect is My tribe wins, then its not hypocritical, said Brooks, who has served as a reserve D.C. police officer. Some would say I support the police when they are doing the right thing, which some people define really tribally.

Even so, some Democrats predicted that the unusually tough tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis and elsewhere will ultimately trigger a backlash against the Trump administrations tactics among conservatives. There are some signs that process has haltingly begun.

A faction of the conservative movement has long been suspicious of federal law enforcement, seeing it as a way for the government to oppress ordinary citizens. The recent emergence of an ICE memo instructing agents that they can enter homes without a judicial warrant, and now the killing of two protesters, could fuel that backlash, some Democrats said.

There is considerable blowback even among a lot of right-leaning folks at the image of federal agents in masks without cause or control, patrolling the streets of American cities and suburbs and pulling people out of their homes and cars more or less at random, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D., R.I.) told reporters recently.

Robert Spitzer, a professor emeritus and expert on criminal law and gun control at the State University of New York at Cortland, said the Minneapolis shooting highlights contradictions in the reality of the Second Amendment  specifically the argument that an armed society is a safe society.

This is another instance where slogans and ideology run smack-dab against reality, Spitzer said.

While the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the right of people to carry a firearm, Spitzer said there are virtually no instances where an armed citizen using a gun against the federal government would be viewed in court as lawful.

One reason some people acquire guns is in case they need to confront the tyrannical government. But theres a wealth of problems with that whole notion, not the least of which being that as soon as youre talking in that realm, youre brushing up against the edge of lawbreaking, Spitzer said. Thats because the whole idea of the American system is that its designed and structured to resolve disputes peacefully, not through arms.

Some Second Amendment activists did express concern about Prettis shooting, and especially the use of his gun possession as a justification.

When Bill Essayli, an assistant U.S. attorney in California, posted a message on social media appearing to broadly justify the shooting, he received pushback from unusual quarters. If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you, Essayli posted on Saturday. Dont do it!

The National Rifle Association hit back hard.

This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong, the organization said. Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.

That statement was all the more notable because the NRA earlier Saturday seemed to join others on the right in blaming Democratic leaders for the violence, saying their demonization of immigration agents had predictably violent results.

Unsurprisingly, these calls to dangerously interject oneself into legitimate law enforcement activities have ended in violence, tragically resulting in injuries and fatalities, the NRA said in its earlier statement about the Pretti shooting.

The NRA is not the only gun rights organization to challenge the rush by some Republicans to portray Pretti as a gun-toting firebrand agitator who, if he did not deserve what he got, at least had a hand in provoking it.

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus cautioned that an independent investigation has yet to be conducted, but it added that so far no evidence has surfaced that Pretti intended to harm the officers.

Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms  including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights, the Gun Owners Caucus said. These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed, and they must be respected and protected at all times.

For now, the deployment of federal agents into major American cities, including Minneapolis, Portland, Chicago, and Los Angeles, has produced open hostility between these largely Democratic strongholds and the Trump administration, with mayors and governors begging the federal agents to withdraw.

Gil Kerlikowske, a former commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said the federal agents are acting in unprecedented ways.

Its completely unheard of, said Kerlikowske, a former police chief in Seattle and Buffalo. They have jumped into these cities with no coordination, no communication, no joint command post. They are marching to rock music, wearing masks.  Their deployment has been horrific. And its been unsuccessful.
In investigations involving federal officers, the FBI and Department of Justice usually take the lead. Read more

In the 24 hours after an immigration officer fatally shot a protester in Minneapolis, the federal agencies that would typically be involved in investigating an officer-involved shooting have been on the sidelines.

Federal law enforcement leaders in Minnesota havent made public statements or appearances. FBI agents and prosecutors in the state are confused about what  if anything  their involvement will be in the investigation, according to multiple people familiar with the U.S. attorneys office in Minnesota, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation.

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In the apparent absence so far of the Justice Department, Minnesota authorities have vowed to pursue an investigation under state laws into the shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse. That has set up a potential legal clash between state and federal authorities. Already, the state has sued the federal government, successfully asking a judge over the weekend to ensure that federal law enforcement officials do not destroy evidence.

The Justice Departments apparent back seat in the investigation contrasts with how the agency has frequently handled similar fatal officer-involved shootings. Typically, federal investigators would take the lead, deploying FBI agents and Civil Rights Division prosecutors  the departments experts in investigating use-of-force cases.

That typical federal deployment of resources has not occurred in this case, according to two people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal decisions that have not been made public.

This is extremely out of the norm, said Bryna Godar, staff attorney for the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School, who has studied use-of-force investigations. Typically, whether or not a shooting is ultimately found to be justified, these types of shootings are taken very seriously.

Rather than the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security, of which the Border Patrol is a part, has taken the lead in the investigation, with the FBI assisting, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the matter.

That internal probe is at least in part examining whether Border Patrol agents adhered to protocol when Pretti was shot. Homeland Security doesnt have independent authority to prosecute crimes, but if its examination finds evidence of criminal wrongdoing, DHS officials could refer the investigation to the Justice Department, the law enforcement official said.

That typical federal deployment of resources has not occurred after the most recent shooting, according to two people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal decisions that have not been made public.

Justice Department officials have said in recent weeks that they only investigate police officers under the civil rights laws involving excessive force if they believe such a probe is warranted. The recent shootings by immigration officers do not necessitate federal criminal investigations, they have said.

Legal experts, however, have noted that while the threshold to charge a police officer is high, the only way to determine if a prosecution is warranted is for the Justice Department and FBI to conduct thorough investigations.

FBI Director Kash Patel, in an interview with Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, said he trusted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem and her agency to do the right thing.

I dont want to comment on their ongoing investigation, he said.

In the shooting on Saturday, federal agents wrestled Pretti to the ground and secured a handgun he was carrying moments before Pretti was shot multiple times, according to a Washington Post analysis of videos that captured the incident from several angles.

It is not clear from the video whether all the agents realized Pretti had been disarmed. Local officials have said Pretti had a permit to carry the weapon, and Minnesota law allows the open carrying of firearms.

On the day after the shooting, Justice Department officials sought to shift blame for it onto state and local authorities, who they assert have egged on protesters, and deferred the responsibility to investigate to other agencies.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared on Meet the Press Sunday and said the problem was that local police officers were not assisting federal law enforcement in the state.

Im very confused why the conversation is about what youre talking about instead of focusing on what really matters, which is why in one city, in one place we have these problems, Blanche told NBCs Meet the Press, suggesting that Minnesota officials had contributed to the tensions that provoked Prettis shooting.

The immigration crackdown in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region began in early January, despite protests from state officials. The deployment of thousands of federal and immigration agents to the Twin Cities has transformed the region into a center of resistance to the administrations deportation policies.

Those protests mounted after Jan. 7, when an Immigration Customs and Enforcement officer shot Renee Good while she was in her car. Good and her partner, who was outside the car at the time of the shooting, had been protesting the immigration crackdown.

The FBI briefly opened a civil rights investigation into the shooting of Good, but closed it and instead focused on investigating Goods partner and protesters, the Washington Post reported last week. The handling of that investigation prompted about a half-dozen experienced federal prosecutors to leave the U.S. attorneys office in Minnesota, leaving the office severely understaffed. The FBI agent who initially opened the investigation resigned, according to two people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matter.

In the days since, the department has focused its resources on investigating state and local leaders, challenging what Attorney General Pam Bondi has described as unprecedented judicial activism in court, and arresting demonstrators, including protesters who interrupted a Jan. 18 church service in St. Paul.

State and local officials have vowed to conduct their own investigation of both the Good and Pretti shootings, but said theyve been stymied by federal agents denying them access to the scenes.

Late Saturday evening, a U.S. district judge, acting on a request from the Hennepin County Attorneys Office, barred the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department, or the FBI from destroying or altering evidence related to the shooting.

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said his agency took the unusual step Saturday of obtaining a search warrant from a state court to access the shooting scene after initial efforts to respond were rebuffed. Federal agents ignored the warrant and continued to deny access to state investigators, he said.

In my 20-plus years at the BCA, prior to 2026, I had never encountered a situation in which federal authorities blocked BCA access to an incident where there is concurrent federal and state jurisdiction, he wrote in a declaration filed with the court Saturday night. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty took to social media urging anyone to submit footage theyd filmed at the scene.

Hurdles for possible prosecution

If state authorities determine the shooting was unlawful, they could seek to prosecute agents involved. But any attempt to do so would face stiff legal hurdles.

Any agent charged with state crimes would probably seek to move the case to federal court and claim federal immunity from prosecution.

Officers are shielded from prosecution for many actions taken in the line of duty. Federal officers facing state prosecution can claim immunity based on the constitutional doctrine of federal supremacy. Those protections only apply, however, if a judge deems the agents actions to have been authorized by federal law and necessary and proper in fulfilling their federal duties.

Local authorities do sometimes move ahead with cases against federal agents, including a recent instance in Virginia that underscores the extent to which such attempts can get bogged down in litigation spanning years.

In 2020, after the Justice Department declined to file charges, state authorities in Virginia secured involuntary manslaughter indictments against two U.S. Park Police officers who fatally shot an unarmed motorist in Fairfax County in 2017.

The case was tied up in litigation over the immunity question for years, and the charges at one point were dismissed by a federal judge. Local authorities were pursuing an appeal of that decision in 2021 when Republican Jason Miyares was elected attorney general. Miyares abandoned the effort in 2022.
Shoppers brave cold weather as they walk in the parking lot of a store during a winter storm Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. Read more

A massive winter storm dumped sleet, freezing rain, and snow across much of the U.S. on Sunday, bringing subzero temperatures and paralyzing air and road traffic. Power lines were draped in ice, and hundreds of thousands of people in the Southeast were left without electricity.

The ice and snowfall were expected to continue into Monday in much of the country, followed by very low temperatures, which could cause dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts to linger for several days, the National Weather Service said.

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Heavy snow was forecast from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast, while catastrophic ice accumulation threatened from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

It is a unique storm in the sense that it is so widespread, weather service meteorologist Allison Santorelli said in a phone interview. It was affecting areas all the way from New Mexico, Texas, all the way into New England, so were talking like a 2,000-mile spread.

President Donald Trump had approved emergency declarations for at least a dozen states by Saturday, with more expected to come. The Federal Emergency Management Agency prepositioned commodities, staff, and search and rescue teams in numerous states, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state was bracing for the longest cold stretch and highest snow totals it has seen in years. Communities near the Canadian border have already seen record-breaking subzero temperatures, with Watertown registering minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit and Copenhagen minus 49 F, she said.

An Arctic siege has taken over our state, Hochul said. It is brutal, it is bone chilling, and it is dangerous.

Storm knocks out power and snarls flights

As of Sunday morning, about 213 million people were under some sort of winter weather warning, Santorelli said. The number of customers without power topped 900,000, according to poweroutage.us, and the number was rising.

Tennessee was hardest hit with nearly 325,000 customers out, and Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi all had more than 100,000 customers in the dark. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses were without power in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, and West Virginia.

Some 11,000 flights had already been canceled Sunday and more than 13,000 have been delayed, according to the flight tracker flightaware.com. Airports in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey were hit especially hard.

At Philadelphia International Airport, inside displays registered scores of canceled flights and few vehicles could be seen arriving Sunday morning. At Reagan National in Washington, virtually all flights were canceled.

Bitter cold makes things worse

Even once the ice and snow stop falling, the danger will continue, Santorelli warned.

Behind the storm its just going to get bitterly cold across basically the entirety of the eastern two-thirds of the nation, east of the Rockies, she said. That means the ice and snow wont melt as fast, which could hinder some efforts to restore power and other infrastructure.

Along the Gulf Coast, temperatures were balmy Sunday, hitting the high 60s and low 70s, but thermometers were expected to drop into the high 20s and low 30s there by Monday morning. The National Weather Service warned of damaging winds and a slight risk of severe storms and possibly even a brief tornado.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people died as temperatures plunged Saturday before the snows arrived in earnest.

While its still too early to determine the causes of death, it is a reminder that every year New Yorkers succumb to the cold, he wrote on X.

The Democrat also announced that Monday would be a remote learning day for students in the nations largest school system. Other officials across the affected areas also announced that school would be canceled or held remotely Monday.

Coping with the storm

In Corinth, Miss., where power outages were widespread, Caterpillar told employees at its remanufacturing site to stay home Monday and Tuesday.

May God have mercy on Corinth, MS! ... The sound of the trees snapping, exploding & falling through the night have been unnerving to say the least, resident Kathy Ragan said on Facebook.

University of Georgia sophomore Eden England said there was a thin layer of ice on the ground of the campus in Athens and a mist fell as she walked with friends from the campus dining hall to her residence hall.

It is definitely a little deserted but plenty of people chose to stay on campus, England said.

Recovery could take a while

Nashville and the surrounding area saw ice accumulations of half an inch or more, with icicles hanging from power lines and overburdened tree limbs crashing to the ground.

In Oxford, Miss., police on Sunday morning used social media to tell residents to stay home as the danger of being outside was too great. Local utility crews were also pulled from their jobs during the overnight hours.

Due to life-threatening conditions, Oxford Utilities has made the difficult decision to pull our crews off the road for the night, the utility company posted on Facebook early Sunday. Trees are actively snapping and falling around our linemen while they are in the bucket trucks.

Tippah Electric Power in Mississippi said there was catastrophic damage and that it could be weeks instead of days to restore everyone.

The Tennessee Valley Authority provides power to some utilities across the region, and spokesperson Scott Brooks said the bulk power system remains stable but overnight icing had caused power interruptions in north Mississippi, north Alabama, southern middle Tennessee, and the Knoxville, Tenn., area.

Icy roads made travel dangerous in north Georgia, where the Cherokee County Sheriffs office posted on Facebook, You know its bad when Waffle House is closed!!! along with a photo of a shuttered restaurant. Whether the chains restaurants are open  known as the Waffle House Index  has become an informal way to gauge the severity of weather disasters across the South.
Parc on a sunny day in June 2025. Stephen Starr said he would never close the restaurant for foul weather. Read more

With a snowstorm bearing down, Philadelphia-area restaurant and bar owners spent Saturday weighing whether to stay open, limit hours, or close altogether  balancing safety concerns against the reality that snow days can sometimes drive business.

Heavy snow is historically a mixed proposition for the hospitality industry, especially in the city. After the 30.7-inch snowfall in January 1996, for example, The Inquirer reported that the chef at Moriartys restaurant slept overnight in a booth and awoke to record crowds, fueled by nearby hotel guests, hospital workers, and neighborhood regulars trudging through the drifts.

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Similar dynamics could still play out in dense neighborhoods, where many bar customers and employees live within walking distance  especially given the fact that Pennsylvanias Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores will be closed Sunday.

This weekends forecast, however, arrives at a sensitive moment. The storm threatens to disrupt Center City District Restaurant Week; of the 120 participating restaurants, most were counting on strong Sunday sales.

A spot check of local restaurants and bars shows a wide range of approaches. Ember & Ash and River Twice in South Philadelphia plan to close Sunday, as do Southgate, Wilder, and Leo in Center City and Fleurs and Ama in Kensington. Suraya in Fishtown plans to close for brunch but open for dinner. Gather Food Hall in University City will be closed Sunday and Monday. Others, including Uchi in Rittenhouse, and Hannah Ks in Point Breeze, were still evaluating conditions Saturday.

Stephen Starr said he expected his 19 Philadelphia restaurants to be open Sunday, though he planned to reassess conditions in the morning. Parc never closes, Starr said of his brasserie, a Rittenhouse Square stalwart. No matter what.

Matt Kuziemski said his newly opened Ponder Bar in Kensington would be open, in part because he lives nearby. Ill set expectations, he said. Come in for something simple  cozy up or grab takeout.

At the Little Gay Pub in Washington Square West, co-owner Dito Sevilla said the bar plans to open. We have done what we can to make sure staff has places to stay and can commute on foot for the next few days, Sevilla said. Weve got enough booze stored up for a storm or two.

Other operators are taking a wait-and-see approach. Dave Conn, chef-owner of Alice in South Philadelphia, said Saturday that he would decide Sunday morning. If its eight or nine inches or less [of snow], wed probably open, Conn said. Anything crazy where it might be unsafe for staff coming and going, wed probably close.

Hotel restaurants are more likely to remain open, largely because many are housing employees. About 30 staff members are staying overnight at the Logan Hotel, which houses Urban Farmer steakhouse and Assembly Rooftop Lounge, while roughly 20 employees are being accommodated at Hotel Palomar, home to Square 1682.

Aleks Alimpijevic of Restaurant Aleksandar in Rittenhouse said the restaurant would be open for lunch Sunday, serving its Restaurant Week menu, but would close for dinner and remain closed Monday, its normal day off.

In the suburbs, Sydney Grims of Fearless Restaurants said she was monitoring conditions but hoped to open Triple Crown at the Radnor Hotel and Rosalie at the Wayne Hotel. Our staffs safety is priority number one, she said, noting both properties have generator backup.

Justin Weathers, co-owner of several suburban restaurants, including Stove & Tap, said staffing decisions depend heavily on who lives nearby. If the snow starts to accumulate, then we cut third-party apps as well, he said.

Third-party delivery from companies such as DoorDash and Grubhub was not a thing in 1996. Philadelphias snow emergency declaration, issued ahead of the storm, does not automatically ban driving. A Grubhub spokesperson said the company may proactively pause deliveries in certain areas ahead of severe weather and continue doing so on a rolling basis to prioritize safety. If deliveries remain available and restaurants stay open, customers are encouraged to be patient, as delivery times may be longer.

Large-scale caterers face additional logistical challenges. Joe Volpe, owner of Cescaphe, said his company, which handles events at nine local venues, was relieved that the storm was forecast to begin late Saturday night rather than earlier. Cescaphe had four weddings and a 300-person anniversary party scheduled for Saturday, but only one wedding on Sunday.

Cescaphe is preparing extra food for guests who may arrive early or stay overnight due to travel disruptions, Volpe said, adding that safety remains the priority. Weddings, he noted, leave little room for rescheduling. Its rain or shine  there are no makeups, no do-overs, he said. Were going to be there, and well do everything possible to make it happen.

The storm is also rippling through the supply chain. Mark Oltman, chief financial officer of Foods Galore, said the South Jersey distributor urged customers to complete deliveries by Saturday for food needed through Monday. Most places are telling us they wont be open Sunday and possibly not even Monday, Oltman said. As much as we want to service our customers, were never going to put our people at risk.

Winter weather, he added, compounds an already slow season. January and February are tough, Oltman said. You finally get into a rhythm, and then winter shows up and wipes it out.

Still, some view snow days as part of the citys fabric. Bar-hopping during snowstorms in Philadelphia are great memories of mine, Weathers said.
Michael Coard, who was instrumental in creating the President's House slavery memorial, speaks at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Read more

Nearly a quarter century ago, Black activists fought relentlessly to memorialize the lives of nine people enslaved at the first presidential mansion. On Saturday, the leader of that decade-long battle rallied a new fight.

Michael Coard, an attorney and founding member of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), pledged to restore the slavery memorial at the Presidents House Site on Independence Mall and said his group will not concede on the exhibits location or its content, despite efforts from federal officials to sanitize and erase the outdoor museum.

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 READ MORE: The slavery exhibits at the Presidents House have been removed following Trump administration push

Our goal, first and foremost, is to remain at that site  intact, Coard told a roughly 60-person crowd at an unrelated event at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church. Theres only one first White House where Black people were enslaved.  There are no alternatives.

This week, the National Park Service dismantled all the educational displays and illustrations, including those titled Life Under Slavery and The Dirty Business of Slavery, at the memorial on the corner of Sixth and Market Streets. The site was the latest casualty in President Donald Trumps push to remove all displays and other content that he has said inappropriately disparage Americans past or living from federal land  what some have called an attempt to whitewash history.

 READ MORE: Here are the signs the Trump administration removed from Independence Park

While the sudden removal of the exhibits elicited shock from passersby and ire from local leaders and stakeholders, Coard said he saw it coming: This summer, 13 items at the site were flagged for review as part of Trumps executive order and federal authorities set a mid-September deadline to change or remove the disputed content at national parks nationwide. The September deadline passed and the site remained unaltered, but its fate was still in limbo.

 READ MORE: What just happened at the Presidents House?

Coard, whose group has been stewarding and championing the exhibits since 2002, said Avenging the Ancestors is mounting a multipronged response; he alluded to a legal strategy but would not elaborate. (Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration filed a lawsuit Thursday arguing that the removal of the exhibits is unlawful.)

There has been an outpouring of sorrow and appreciation for the exhibits and anger at Trumps administration. On Friday, small tokens  a rose, a bouquet of flowers, and a sign that read Slavery was real  were left at the site. A group of teachers on their lunch break taped up dozens of posters reading Learn all history and History is real. The signs were gone as of Saturday morning; by the afternoon, new tributes had spawned. One event promoted online encouraged Philadelphia artists to craft replicas of the removed displays.

We support and commend those who are doing something, Coard told The Inquirer after the event, which honored the inaugural graduates of Mother Bethels Freedom School, a 10-week course on African American history. If thats simply liking a social media post about resisting, do that. If its taking signs and other items down to the site, do that.  Stand up, fight back, and resist.

 READ MORE: Why was the slavery exhibit removed from the Presidents House? A historian gives context.

On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) took to social media to weigh in against the National Park Services dismantling of the exhibits, marking a rare break from Trump.

Our history is our history. It is our willingness to learn from it that makes America exceptional and the greatest country on Earth, on our journey to become a more perfect union, McCormick wrote on X, responding to The Inquirers reporting.

In the same post, McCormick said he also invoked this reasoning when he opposed renaming military bases, like Fort Bragg, after Confederate generals and the park services proposal (which was later retracted) to remove a statue of William Penn in Philadelphia in 2024.

Fort Bragg was named after Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg before former President Joe Bidens administration changed it to Fort Liberty. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth changed it back to Bragg, but in honor of Roland L. Bragg, whom the Defense Department describes as a World War II hero, NPR reported.

McCormick appears to be one of the first Pennsylvania Republicans  if not the only one  to weigh in against the exhibits removal. Democratic lawmakers across the region have also expressed their disapproval.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) called the NPS decision deeply wrong and misguided in a statement emailed to The Inquirer on Saturday.

America is the best country in the world. Our history is filled with the greatest sacrifices to the most awful chapters. Teach all of it, Fetterman said.

The erasure of the site  which captured the somber paradox of a young America that exalted freedom for some but deprived others of it  comes ahead of the countrys Semiquincentennial celebrations, when Philadelphia will be in the national spotlight.

The Rev. Carolyn Cavaness of Mother Bethel said it was a blow to her heart to see the exhibits removed. Mother Bethel is a hub for activism and the oldest church property in the United States to be owned continually by Black people. Bishop Richard Allen, the former slave, educator, and Methodist lay preacher who founded the church, was featured at the site.

Theres something about the full story being told, and for that piece of this story to just be ripped away, I think it even mobilizes  preserving, protecting, sharing our story and our contributions, Cavaness said. It just ups the ante.

 READ MORE: Independence Park employees are being told to give evasive answers after removal of slavery exhibits
Roughly 600 pieces of equipment, like this dump truck pictured Jan. 24, 2026, at a Streets Department yard in North Philadelphia, were deployed to help clear and salt the city's roads. Read more

The action inside the gates of a Department of Streets yard in North Philadelphia hours before impending snow looks like a ballet.

An ensemble of tri-axle dump trucks wait in the wings (behind an orange traffic cone). Center stage (a salt dome), the excavator scoops up tons of rock salt in its jaws. The first truck makes its entrance and pirouettes (a three-point turn), while the excavator stretches its long arm, unloading heaps of salt into the truck bed. Then, a trumpet (the beep of a car horn) ushers the dump truck off (out through the yards gates).

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This was the routine for hours at multiple city yards Saturday night into Sunday, and likely beyond, as Philadelphia confronted its biggest snowfall in five years. The sheer scale of snow  7.4 inches at Philadelphia International Airport as of Sunday afternoon  combined with the threat of sleet and plummeting temperatures posed a challenge for municipal workers, who are responsible for brining, plowing, then salting more than 2,500 miles of roadways.

 READ MORE: Heavy snow arrives, with ice to follow, and it all may stick around for a week, or more

This is a matter of life and death in some cases if we dont get this right, Carlton Williams, director of the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, said of the citys road operations at a news conference Sunday. Were fighting it continuously.

Tackling this snow event is a vast and complicated system, requiring a revolving cast of roughly 600 pieces of equipment and more than 1,000 employees, including contractors, and people and vehicles  like compactor trash trucks with plows attached  pulled in from other departments, officials said. It also calls for some improv, moving and adjusting with the ever-changing weather. This dance is sometimes more akin to organized chaos than choreography.

The curtain call time was 10 p.m. Saturday at the North Philadelphia yard for crews assigned to 151 different routes on the primary thruways, like Broad Street. At 11 p.m., the residential fleet  which handles 133 routes on smaller secondary and tertiary roads  clocked in. More staff were scheduled to arrive at staggered times throughout the storm.

 READ MORE: Getting ready for the snow and cold? Here are tips to prepare yourself, your house, and your car.

There are roughly a hundred back-end staff working behind the curtain: They are the choreographers, tasked with managing crews, inputting data, monitoring street camera footage, and responding to phone calls or issues. They are in it for the long haul, prepared to spend days in front of a computer armed with spare clothes, a stockpile of food, caffeine, and personal hygiene products.

The drivers are assigned routes and vehicles, then fill up with salt  of which there were roughly 30,000 tons, or more than 66 million pounds, in storage Saturday night. The trucks leave the yard and typically head to the top of their route and await the OK to start plowing.

According to Williams, crews had been clearing since 5 a.m. Sunday. Snow must be expeditiously removed from the streets before salt can be spread. And with this storm, there was limited timing to get that done before the precipitation turned icy and whatever was on the ground froze. Just after noon, the snow was seemingly over, giving way to sleet.

 READ MORE: The best sledding hills in Philadelphia, the suburbs, and New Jersey

Officials also deployed lifting operations Sunday afternoon to scoop up large snow piles amassed in the densest neighborhoods and deposit them elsewhere. One option was a trailer-sized snow melting machine, which liquefies 135 tons of snow per hour

As of Sunday afternoon, most streets under the citys responsibility had been recently plowed, a public streets department database showed. At about the same time, there were more than 20 public requests for plowing visible on Philly311s online portal.

We exercise patience, Williams said, I need our residents to exercise patience because this is a long, drawn-out storm.
Earlier this month, the owners of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced that the newspaper would close in May. Its demise should concern all who believe in a free and thriving press, writes Elizabeth H. Hughes. Read more

The news that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will soon cease publishing has, justifiably, sounded alarms across the media landscape. The end of a storied organization with deep local roots and a legacy of strong journalism should concern all who believe that a free and thriving press is fundamental to a functioning civic society.

Among the questions clamoring for answers in light of the news: What will fill the void in Pittsburgh? Will the deep pockets of the citys many notable philanthropies provide the funds needed to support a new news organization? Will the remaining media outlets  Pittsburgh is not a news desert by any stretch  have the capacity to grow and expand? And the existential question: Will the citizens of the Steel City see the need to support local news now that it is, to an extent, imperiled?

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As publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer, I believe that our own experience over the past decade offers a template for success. It was only a little more than a decade ago that we were a struggling news organization, with an impressive history of notable journalism, but beset by warring owners, threatened by bankruptcy, and, in May 2014, up for sale on the auction block.

Redemption began with a visionary philanthropist, H.F. Gerry Lenfest, who set out to save The Inquirer and provided the wherewithal to do it. He established the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, our nonprofit owner, and pursued an innovative tax structure that created a for-profit Inquirer with a separate board. Both are the indispensable keys to our stability and success.

Lenfests generosity planted the news philanthropy seed in Philadelphia and, through the institute, established a funding mechanism that supports our journalism. His donation, in cash, allowed The Inquirer to modernize and transform from a legacy print shop to a modern multiplatform news organization.

But we have also known that The Inquirers long-term stability  and the ability to consistently provide quality journalism  depended on building a successful and integrated business. And that meant forging a new identity through a modern brand campaign, developing a robust marketing strategy, engineering our own path to success by building our own products, and creating new and compelling opportunities for advertisers. Significantly, it also required meeting and convincing civic and business leaders that The Inquirer was a vital asset worth investing in.

There are 200 journalists in our newsroom, and the journalism produced every day is impressive and innovative, deep and local. In the end, that is what people will pay for. And the business results? The Inquirer in 2025 had its first year-over-year increase in revenue since 2004, and an operating profit of several million.

The majority of our revenue, 70%, comes from consumer marketing, which means people are paying for our journalism; 19% is from advertising, which signals that local businesses and institutions find merit in supporting us; and 5% from syndication and other partnerships. Philanthropy accounted for 6% of revenue in 2025, and we project donor contributions ranging from 6% to 10% going forward.

Lenfest, who died in 2018, was a successful businessman before he became an influential philanthropist. He left his mark on civic and cultural institutions throughout Philadelphia. But his last great effort was to save The Inquirer  to give it the runway it needed because he believed in the importance of local journalism.

There is much work to be done, and challenges to be met, but the lasting legacy of H.F. Gerry Lenfest is an Inquirer that is stable and succeeding as a business.

Elizabeth H. Hughes has been the publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer since 2020.
Federal immigration officers deploy tear gas after Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday. Read more

Terrible things are happening outside. At any time of night and day, poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes  Families are torn apart; men, women and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared  Everyone is scared  No one can keep out of the conflict  the end is nowhere in sight.

 Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

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Donald Trumps masked marauders murdered another U.S. citizen in Minneapolis on Saturday, a senseless killing in a senseless war playing out in broad daylight on Americas streets.

Cell phone videos showed one of Trumps immigration enforcement goons violently pushing a woman to the ground. As a man recording the agents tried to intervene, at least seven federal agents surrounded and dragged him to the ground as another beat him with a canister.

As the agents struggled to subdue the man, another agent appeared to remove a gun from the scrum. A Border Patrol agent then shot the man in the back from close range. A third agent pulled out his gun as nine more shots were fired within seconds.

Several agents scampered away as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen with no criminal record, lay motionless on the street.

After the shooting, a crowd of protesters shouted profanities at the federal officers, calling them cowards and urging them to leave. One officer mockingly responded, Boo-hoo.

Prettis killing came two weeks after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis killed Renee Good  a mother of three and a U.S. citizen  as she tried to maneuver her SUV out of the street. A week later, a DoorDash delivery driver was shot in the leg by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

After the two killings, Trump and his loyal lieutenants tried to blame the victims and local Democratic leaders. But cell phone videos showed the truth: Trumps jackboots have now plainly executed two U.S. citizens.

The American people can see the lawless mayhem with their own eyes.

 READ MORE: The killing of Renee Nicole Good and the moral rot of Trumps reckless immigration enforcement plan | Editorial

Trump has unleashed a paramilitary of ICE and Border Patrol agents into American streets with a license to arrest, confront, detain, beat, or kill anyone who gets in their way  even if it is an off-duty police officer or a 5-year-old boy.

Any pretense of federal investigations into abuses by ICE or others doing Trumps bidding is quickly compromised or shut down. Constitutional rights are ignored. The rule of law is now set by Trumps morality, which appears to thrive on cruelty.

Federal immigration agents must leave Minneapolis and end their vigilantism. But who will stop them?

There are no checks on Trumps power, as his administration is stocked with unqualified lackeys competing for his attention.

The Republicans who control Congress have abdicated their constitutional duty, while conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court continue to enable the president.

Sadly, justice left town after the U.S. Senate  including Pennsylvanias John Fetterman and Dave McCormick  confirmed Pam Bondi, one of Trumps personal lawyers, as attorney general.

The FBI has been decimated by Kash Patel, an unqualified incompetent, pushing conspiracy theories and vendettas. Kristi Noem has turned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security into a Bull Connor-like police force, led by Gregory Bovino in his greatcoat.

The architect behind the draconian ICE crackdown is Stephen Miller, an unelected and unconfirmed senior adviser and speechwriter with a history of white nationalist ties and bigotry.

 READ MORE: People are dying in Trumps squalid concentration camps | Will Bunch

Republicans enabled the surge in ICE man power and funding when they approved Trumps Big Beautiful Bill. If the GOP will not stop Trump, then voters must act come November.

ICE was supposed to go after the worst of the worst people who entered the country illegally. Instead, Trump and his lawless administration have occupied cities, caused civil unrest, and accomplished essentially nothing.

Tens of thousands of immigrants arrested have no criminal records. Others are collateral damage. After Good was killed, Trump said that things happen.

Pretti was among the best in America. He was a nurse in an intensive care unit that served veterans. He died trying to help a woman attacked by a masked thug.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked the question many want to know about the Trump administrations growing domestic war: How many more Americans need to die?
OTTAWA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday called for "buy Canadian" and "build Canadian" in response to a new tariff threat from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Carney published a pre-taped video on his personal social media account about buying and building Canadian to combat economic threats from other countries.

"With our economy under threat from abroad. Canadians have made a choice: to focus on what we can control," Carney said at the beginning of the video.

Though Carney did not mention the United States directly, the prime minister said: "We can't control what other nations do. We can be our own best customer. We'll buy Canadian. We'll build Canadian."

Trump on Saturday threatened to slap a 100 percent tariff on Canadian goods coming into the United States. 
Gov. Josh Shapiro revealed new details of what he described as childhood trauma, weighed in on President Donald Trumps facade of strength in U.S. and foreign policy, and promised to work to bring down the temperature of political violence in a wide-ranging interview with CBS News Sunday Morning.

Shapiro told CBS News Norah ODonnell that Trumps actions are making Americans less safe, and said he has plans in place should the Trump administration attempt a surge of federal agents here.

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I think what the president is trying to do is show that he can be the dominant figure, that he can dictate behavior, whether were talking about Minneapolis or Greenland or Venezuela, Shapiro said. This president wants to try and show what he believes to be strength  that I think is a facade of strength and ultimately a veneer of strength.

Shapiro, who has been promoting his new memoir, Where We Keep the Light, brought a CBS News producer to the synagogue hes attended since childhood, Beth Sholom in Elkins Park, to discuss his personal journey.

 READ MORE: Shapiro promises fair elections, condemned ICE at his book tour launch in Philly

He said he has never received therapy for harrowing experiences as a young boy, namely the fallout of his mothers unspecified mental health struggles, that shaped his path well into adulthood.

There were moments where a switch could be flipped and thered be a lot of yelling and a lot of chaos and a lot of tumult in the house, and you would just want to retreat to your room and try and escape it all, he said.

He added that the experience led him to public service: That constant desire to find a solution to someone elses problem, thats driven by childhood trauma.

The interview also touched on Shapiros vice presidential vetting, in which Vice President Kamala Harris presidential campaign asked him if he had been an Israeli agent. I thought some of the commentary about my wife was not OK, he said, and I thought asking me if I was a double agent for the Israeli government was offensive.

He said he called Harris campaign staffers after the interview to take himself out of the running.

And, he addressed the issue of political violence, including the arson attack on the governors mansion and the strange conversation with Trump that followed. [Trump] said, you know, being presidents a really dangerous job. And he rattled off other jobs that have a lower fatality rate than presidents. And he said its very, very dangerous. Just be careful.

Shapiro said the incident underscored the need for bipartisanship to bring down the temperature on all sides.

Neither Shapiro nor his interviewers made mention of his 2026 gubernatorial opponent, Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity. Instead, the conversation appeared to look ahead to 2028, and Shapiros potential as a presidential contender.

Still, Shapiro remains noncommittal about running. Thats a conversation for another day, he said.
WATER VALLEY, Miss.  A crowd turned out to hear a politician talk big about improving schools, but it wasnt a Republican railing about transgender athletes or school vouchers or any of the issues the GOP has used to put Democrats into a defensive crouch.

On this night, the politician taking questions was a Democrat  former Chicago mayor and President Barack Obamas chief of staff Rahm Emanuel  talking about reading. For the past several years, Republicans have dominated the education debate with a focus on culture war politics. Emanuel, who is exploring a 2028 presidential run, makes the case for returning to the education part of education: achievement and learning rather than book bans and gender identity.

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That would benefit students and, he says, Democrats, who have not led a national conversation about student achievement since Obama was president. Instead, Republicans have been able to make up ground, capitalizing on anger about school closures during the pandemic and heated fights over transgender rights, race and other subjects.

Emanuel talks about school achievement with a frequency and urgency rarely heard from Democrats in recent years. And he says both parties have wasted time on education culture wars.

This distracts us from the priorities of education, he said in an interview. Questions around gender identity, he said, affect less than 1 percent of the population and yet dominate 99 percent of the conversation.  You want to pick a pronoun? Great. Now can we focus on the other 35 kids that dont know what a goddamn pronoun is?

While a dozen or more Democratic presidential hopefuls scramble to carve out their identities in advance of the 2028 election, many of them better known than he is, Emanuel is betting that a renewed focus on education can fuel a Democratic victory  and more immediately, his own prospects.

As Chicago mayor, Emanuel successfully pushed several school reforms, including a longer school day, and saw graduation rates jump. But he had a contentious relationship with the teachers union and his tenure was marred by a seven-day strike. He also angered many Chicagoans by closing 50 schools. He says he has learned from his mistakes and hopes to take some of his successes national.

Emanuel traveled to Mississippi this month to examine and promote the states success in teaching reading. On fourth-grade tests, the state moved from 49th in the nation in 2013 to ninth in 2024 by focusing on whats called the science of reading  instruction built on sound-it-out phonics. The state combined that with increased funding, a heavy dose of teacher training and support, and a requirement that third graders pass a reading test to advance to fourth grade.

Emanuel argues that Washington should use federal dollars to incentivize other states to do the same. And he is proposing renewed federal standards and accountability, ideas that faded a decade ago.

At the town hall meeting in Water Valley, a tiny town in the north of the state, more than 125 people gathered. There were no questions about race, gender or culture wars, giving Emanuel space to drive home his central thesis.

Weve got a 30-year low in reading scores, he said. Has a single governor called for an emergency meeting of the governors association?

Left unsaid was that he might run against some of those governors in a 2028 Democratic primary.

Emanuel brought a film crew with him, and within a day of leaving the state, he had posted video from the visit to his social media accounts.

An education evolution

Emanuel likes to hark back to an era when education reform was in vogue. A national movement centered on standards and accountability began in the states and culminated with the bipartisan passage of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. Schools were required to make progress on annual tests or face escalating consequences.

Eight years later, Obama continued pressing for accountability with the Race to the Top competition that awarded states with extra federal money for adopting favored policies such as Common Core standards and using student scores to measure teacher quality.

But by the end of Obamas tenure, opposition had built to the high-stakes testing that the accountability system was built on. The Race to the Top program ended, and most of the requirements under the 2001 law were reversed. The bipartisan consensus collapsed, and soon the political parties gravitated to their partisan corners.

Democrats backed increased funding for public schools and racial equity initiatives. They adopted policies in support of transgender students. Today, most Democratic governors continue to focus on new funding  for prekindergarten, community schools, teacher pay, free meals, and other priorities.

Republicans promoted tax dollars for private school vouchers. During the pandemic, they blamed Democrats for keeping schools closed too long and for requiring measures like masks once school buildings reopened. Conservative parent groups that formed around pandemic issues soon used that momentum to build support for book bans and influence how educators address race and LGBTQ+ issues. GOP legislatures and conservative school boards passed laws and policies restricting how those topics could be dealt with in school.

Republicans began eating into Democrats commanding lead on education issues. In 2006, a Fox News poll found Democrats with a 17-percentage-point lead when asked whom they trust on education issues, though their advantage was not that big in other surveys. By 2022, Republicans had narrowed the gap significantly - som polls found the parties virtually tied. (Several newer polls have found that Democrats regained their advantage following President Donald Trumps election.)

In the wake of the pandemic, scores on national math and reading exams slid to a 30-year low.

The Trump administration repeatedly cites this data in making the case for closing the Education Department and for backing school choice policies. Now, some Democrats are arguing that their party needs its own response to the slide.

It is deeply frustrating to me as a Democrat that we completely ceded this issue, said Lanae Erickson, senior vice president for social policy, education, and politics at Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank. We have absolutely no ideas on the table.

In the 2024 presidential election, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who took his place on the ticket, put forward only vague education goals. One day before the election, the Center for American Progress, a leading Democratic think tank, published a set of education recommendations. Even then, there was not much about student achievement.

Jared Bass, senior vice president for education at CAP, said the group is now working on a new set of proposals that will squarely address academics.

Theres a real sense of humility within the party. We used to be the party that was trusted on education, he said. We need to get it right.

Even with a hunger for action among Democrats, Emanuels ideas are likely to face pushback inside his party and beyond. Many progressives argue that racial inequity and racism are to blame for the low achievement rates of many students of color, and they may resist leaders who want to pivot away from those topics. Teachers unions, who are active in the Democratic Party, strongly oppose the accountability systems that rely on standardized testing that Emanuel hopes to bring back.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers and a longtime power in the Democratic Party, said she would oppose a return to accountability systems that too often, in her view, devolved into blaming teachers. Still, she agrees that Democrats need a new vision.

Democrats are all too reactive and as a result they have lost ground on education, she said. Its very frustrating.

A new Race to the Top

Emanuel is betting that while other Democratic presidential candidates concentrate on standing up to Trump, voters will want a candidate more focused on their daily concerns.

On his trip to Mississippi, Emanuel toured an elementary school in Hattiesburg, crouching beside childrens desks to peek at their work and hearing from the principal about what has succeeded. And he met with Jim Barksdale, whose $100 million donation beginning 25 years ago set Mississippi on its path to a new reading program.

When do we get to geek out? he asked Barksdale as they took seats in his living room with a trio of people involved in education in Mississippi. He turned to the group and asked, simply, How did you do it?

After a long conversation about the reading program, Barksdale told Emanuel that a lot of people say they want to learn from Mississippis success. They say, Im all for it. Howd you do this? he said. And then they dont do it because it costs money.

It also costs guts, Emanuel replied.

Emanuel, long known as a partisan brawler, says he is ready to fight for this.

In an interview, Emanuel sketched the outlines of the federal program he would like to see. He suggested a new version of Obamas Race to the Top that would incentivize states to adopt science of reading curriculums  what Mississippi uses  and other policy changes.

The program, he said, also could encourage high schools to offer more college courses, and he favors a policy he advanced in Chicago requiring all seniors to have a plan for college, trade school or the military to graduate from high school. He also wants to incentivize states to replicate Chicagos promise of free community college for students who graduate from high school with a B average.

States would have to adopt these types of changes to get the new federal money, he said. He contrasted that approach with the unprecedented $130 billion in COVID funding that went to K-12 schools under the Biden administration, which Emanuel slammed as having too few requirements. For instance, the program was sold as a way to reopen schools, but districts were not required to reopen.

He argues that the No Child Left Behind system was too test-driven, but that the country overcorrected. The right answer, he said, lies somewhere in between.

As for the culture wars, he is trying to stay far away. He dismisses some of the racial equity efforts that swept through schools, mocking San Franciscos effort to rename schools, including one named for Abraham Lincoln.

He also opposes allowing trans athletes to compete in girls and womens sports, saying its not fair to other competitors. But he said he does not know whether he would, if elected president, pull federal funding from schools that resist, as Trump has done, and he said he is not interested in discussing the finer points of these policies. The entire debate, he said, has been a dead-bang loser  both politically and for the young people involved.

As Democrats begin to rethink their positions on education, they will need to weigh whether Emanuels prescriptions are the right ones and also whether he is the right messenger for them. For now, though, Emanuel is one of the few people making this case.

At the town hall meeting, a questioner asked what he had done right and wrong as mayor, and Emanuel replied that he mishandled his relationship with the teachers union at first, specifically by unilaterally canceling a scheduled pay raise.

It created a lot of animosity, he said, describing his first term as hand-to-hand combat. He said he should have tried to work with the union president to find a solution together.

You cant drive reform if people dont feel part of it, he said. Thats like 101, and I screwed it up  Mr. Smarty Pants over here. And I learned a lot.
The exterior of the three-bedroom home in the Naval Square community. Read more

It has a country feeling, said Sruthi Selvam, but if you walk out the gate, youre downtown in 10 minutes. And the landscaping is beautiful.

Selvam and her husband, Kamesh Arumuzam, spent three years in the three-bedroom, 2-bathroom end-unit condo in the Naval Square community.

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The couple bought the unit in 2022 while Selvam, a dentist, was in an international dental program at the University of Pennsylvania. Now the two, both natives of India, and their two young children have returned to California, where she is setting up a practice, and he is a software engineer.

The unit features a private terrace spanning the width of the property. On the first level, it has an open-concept living and dining area and a kitchen with Shaker-style maple cabinetry, stone countertops, a glass tile backsplash, Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring, and a half bath.

There is also a coat closet tucked under the stairs.

The second-floor primary suite includes an exposed brick wall, an oversized walk-in closet, dual sinks, a soaking tub, and a separate stall shower.

Two other bedrooms have French sliders that open to a covered terrace, a laundry area, front-loading washer/dryer, and shared hall bath.

The attached one-car garage has ample storage and an electric car charger, and there are dual thermostats and a Ring alarm system.

The water heater was replaced in 2022, the HVAC system in 2024.

Community amenities include a pool and fitness center, picnic areas, guest parking and a community room.

Naval Square is close to the South Street Bridge, the University of Pennsylvania, Rittenhouse Square, and Schuylkill River Park. It is also pet-friendly.

The unit is listed by Jocelyn Morris of Compass Realty for $749,000.
David Friedman (center) pulls his sons Noah, 5, (left), and Zachary, 3, along South Third Street in Society Hill. This was the heftiest snow since February 2021. Read more

Hours of percussive sleet layered a nasty icing on Philadelphias biggest snowfall in 10 years Sunday, and it may be some time before bare ground resurfaces in the region, if not normality.

Were going to have a rather glacial snowpack for the foreseeable future, said Alex Staarmann, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

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This is not the stuff of postcards.

Officially 9.1 inches of snow was measured at the unusually quiet Philadelphia International Airport, with similar amounts reported at some locations in the neighboring counties, as temperatures were stuck in the teens around Philly. Skippack, Montgomery County, reported just over a foot. For Philly, it also was a record for a Jan. 25.

Late in the morning, the snow flipped over to sleet, which continued in the evening and added to accumulations through the region, including an additional 2.5 inches at the weather service Mount Holly office.

Sleet  liquid that freezes before it lands  counts as snow in official measurements. In some places it fell at the rate of 0.5 inch an hour, the weather service said, an extraordinary rate for sleet.

And shovelers beware: That mess may weigh as much as a foot or more of pure snow. Besides, we may be out of practice. This was the most snow since the 22.4 inches of Jan. 22-23, 2016.

Along with sleet, some freezing rain  liquid that freezes on contact with a surface  was possible Sunday night, said Nick Guzzo, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

However, only scattered power outages, a function of the unusual behavior of a potent but peculiar storm that wrought a familiar set of disruptions and inconveniences.

At the airport, 651 of 672 flights were canceled Sunday, said spokesperson Heather Redfern, with the last departure at 10:30 a.m.

SEPTA suspended Regional Rail and bus service at 2 p.m. Sunday. Schools decided preemptively to close on Monday. Speeds were reduced on highways. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker advised everyone to stay in their houses and out of their cars.

Malls and other businesses called it a day. Blue Mountain decided to suspend ski operations until Monday at noon  and when was the last time a ski outfit shut down because of snow, of all things?

All things considered, a trauma-free day

For the abject unpleasantness of the weather Sunday, the region for the most part appeared to be trauma-free.

That probably had something to do with the fact that it was indeed, Sunday, and that the storm may have set an unofficial record for a pre-event drumbeat.

Computers had been on to something big happening for about a week, at one point suggesting historic amounts of snow for Philly. The anticipation and anxiety evidently were major boons to local supermarkets  where carb shortages and human stampedes were reported  and hardware stores.

In the end, the storm did unfold pretty much as the late-week forecasts suggested, with a thump of heavy snow in the morning with several inches accumulating.

One not-so-mild surprise was the cold, with temperatures during the day Sunday several degrees below forecasts.

The cold had a benefit: It resulted in a dry, powdery snow, said Tom Kines, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. That robbed the region of that postcard look as the moderate winds were able to shake it off the trees, but it also reduced the power-outage potential.

For those who have endured long power outages, it very likely was worth the aesthetic deprivation.

When the snow turned to sleet during the late morning, temperatures were still in the teens, and the ice balls accumulated on the snowpack, adding unwanted weight.

The ice also will add endurance to the snowpack, meteorologists said. Snowflakes can out-melt ice anyway. So forget the yard work for a while.

The sleet was likely to yield to freezing rain Sunday evening along and near the I-95 corridor, the weather service said, perhaps adding up to 0.2 inches of ice, especially south and east of the city.

The precipitation was due to shut off during the early-morning hours of Monday. Then, the melt is going to take its good old time.

Temperatures Monday are expected to be in the upper 20s.

Then, its going to turn colder.

Highs in Philly will struggle to reach 20 Tuesday through Saturday, with overnight lows in the single digits.

The next several days should be dry, said Kines. Some talk is brewing about a storm threat late next weekend or early in the week, but that can wait for another day.

Staff writer Michael Klein contributed to this article.
Protesters demanding the expulsion of Iranian diplomats gathered on Dublins OConnell Street on Saturday.

Roshin Farahani, organiser of the Iran Solidarity Protest, said: Why should they access the internet; and live in the free world; and live their luxurious lives in Dublin, or in Europe or the US or Canada, when people in Iran are dying.

Iran-wide anti-government protests started on December 28, triggered by the collapse of Irans currency, the rial.

People calling for a regime change in Iran take part in a protest on OConnell Street in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

The demonstrations were met with a brutal response by the countrys regime that left thousands of people dead.

Information has been scarce since an internet blackout was imposed more than two weeks ago.

Ms Farahani  who is originally from Tehran but has been living in Ireland for 15 years  said what is happening is a critical moment for the people of Iran.

Milad Mohebbi taking part in a protest on OConnell Street in Dublin calling for a regime change in Iran (Brian Lawless/PA)

She said: How could we stay quiet when this is a mass massacre? We are seeing a massacre by the regime of Iran.

The group of demonstrators, numbering a few dozen, stood by the spire with placards and Iranian flags. They chanted in Farsi and English, played music and delivered speeches.

Protester Milad Mohebbi said he had joined the demonstration as Iran is my homeland, but the Islamic regime is not, is not the government that should be ruling my country.

He said most of his friends at home had taken part in the protests and while he has managed to get in touch with some of them despite the blackout, he does not know if the rest are safe.
Donald Trump has said UK soldiers who fought in Afghanistan were among the greatest of all warriors after previously drawing criticism for his claims Nato troops stayed away from the front lines during the conflict.

The US president provoked outrage earlier this week when he told Fox News that America had never needed its Nato partners, adding that its allied troops had stayed a little back.

UK prime minister Keir Starmer described the remarks as insulting and frankly appalling, and officials confirmed he had raised the comments directly with the US president in a conversation on Saturday.

In a social media post shortly after their conversation, the US president praised the very brave UK soldiers in Afghanistan.

He wrote: The great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America!

In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors.

Its a bond too strong to ever be broken. The UK Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the USA!).

We love you all, and always will!

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had called Mr Trumps comments insulting (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Speaking in Downing Street on Friday, Mr Starmer had said he was not surprised that Mr Trumps remarks caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured.

Prince Harry weighed in on the comments and said the sacrifices of British soldiers deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Armed forces minister and former commando Al Carns, who served five tours in Afghanistan, described Mr Trumps comments as ridiculous.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trumps comments were complete nonsense, adding that it is a disgrace to denigrate the memory of British soldiers who died in the conflict.

On Saturday, she posted on X that she was pleased the president has now acknowledged the role of the British armed forces and those brave men and women who gave their lives fighting alongside the US and our allies.

She added: It should never have been questioned in the first place.

The UK suffered the second highest number of military deaths  457  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.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said how dare Mr Trump question the sacrifice of British soldiers and commented that the US president avoided military service five times.

Mr 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 doubt.
MOSCOW, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Saturday that U.S.-Russia-Ukraine trilateral talks will continue next week in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), TASS news agency reported.

"On Friday and Saturday, the United States coordinated a trilateral meeting alongside Ukraine and Russia, graciously hosted by the United Arab Emirates. Talks were very constructive, and plans were made to continue conversations next week in Abu Dhabi," Witkoff said in a post on the social platform X.

The meeting, held on Friday and Saturday in the UAE capital, is the first trilateral talks since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis in February 2022.

Although no concrete agreements or joint statements were announced following the two-day meetings, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as constructive in an X post. The Russian side has not yet officially commented on the outcome of these talks. 
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The people of Palestine are occupied by the Israelis. In my experience most Americans do not even know this basic fact. Ignorance of it makes it impossible to understand what is even going on in the Mideast, and I fear until recently most Americans did not.

I went to see the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab yesterday. The story of six-year-old Hind Rajab, murdered by the Israeli army in Gaza, is told here. It is heartbreaking because it is about the helplessness induced by occupation and the arbitrariness and impunity of the occupier. Occupiers are always arbitrary and unfair because they can be, since they have all the power, and because they feel they must act precipitately since they are the ones actually in danger.

It may help Americans to understand if they can see the similarities between Minnesota under Trumps ICE and Palestine (the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza) under the Israeli army. The logic of occupation is always the same. Coles Five Laws of Occupation are as follows:

1. Occupation ideology holds that the occupation is necessary to protect the majority population, since the people being occupied are inherently violent and irrational and any leniency in their treatment will simply allow them to kill and act savagely. Peter Beinart has pointed out that he grew up in South Africa hearing whites talk that way about the majority African population, who whites felt had to be kept down because if given a chance they would attack whites. Nelson Mandela disproved this thesis in the 1990s. Despite what white racists like Trump allege, whites in multi-cultural South Africa have prospered and have so far retained a vastly disproportionate share of the national economy. The thesis of the inherent, almost genetic, savagery of the occupied that necessitates their eternal occupation is a fallacy. Its falsity, however, does not prevent the implementation of occupation, since it is founded on an irrational conspiracy theory. Of course, the occupied population does commit some violence, since the unjust conditions of occupation are unbearable. But the violence isnt genetic, it is situational. That the occupied can be occupied in any case shows that they are the weaker and less dangerous population.

2. Occupation ideology holds that the majority population is fully human and fully citizens of the occupation state. The occupied minority is less than human, and does not have a right to live where they live  even if their families have lived there for thousands of years. They are not citizens, are stateless, and therefore have no state to protect them. US Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren defined citizenship as the right to have rights. Occupied people do not have rights, and they do not even have the right to have rights. They are lesser.

3. Any members of the Occupied population who somehow obtain citizenship rights in the majority state nevertheless are treated discriminitorily, as with the Israeli citizens of Palestinian ancestry. Their relatedness to the occupied population makes them suspect and authorizes forms of discrimination against them, including curbs on freedom of speech and movement.

4. Members of the majority who sympathize with or work for the occupied population are themselves stripped of rights and may be brutalized with impunity. In Jim Crow racist America, it was perhaps even worse to be a white person thought of as an N-lover than to be an African-American. The far Right in any society is dedicated to a vision of society as a racial and/ or religious hierarchy with themselves on top. One of the benefits for them of an occupied population is not only that they can lord it over them, but they can also cull from their own tribe anyone not on board with the racist vision, and lord it over them, too. They can in this way challenge an egalitarian and multi-cultural vision of the nation, and subvert it.

5. Occupation forces have impunity. They may kill without punishment. There is no such thing as a law-abiding occupation. The logic here is that since the occupier is pursuing occupation as a form of self-defense from barbarians, any killing undertaken by an occupation soldier or agent is actually a form of self-defense. Hence, such murders cannot be prosecuted. This logic is so powerful that Israels deliberate killing of tens of thousands of innocent, unarmed civilians in Gaza 2023-2025 was excused by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, by President Joe Biden, and by the Trump team as simply a form of self-defense. The civilians killed had to be murdered because they were in the line of sight to targeting the violent terrorists, who allegedly used them as human shields (they didnt).

The people of Minneapolis arguably have been occupied by some 3,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents. They did not ask for this occupation force  it was sent by Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, Gregory Bovino, and ultimately by President Donald J. Trump. The Trump administration allegation that Minneapolis of all places has a problem with undocumented residents is absurd on the face of it. The state only has 130,000 undocumented residents.

All sociological studies have demonstrated that undocumented people are much more law-abiding on the whole than native-born residents. Moreover, crime rates in the US have plummeted over the past 40 years, precisely the period in which immigration of all sorts has greatly increased. There are 24 major US cities that have worse crime rates than Minneapolis, and there is no reason to think what crime it experiences is because of immigrants. The murder rate in Minneapolis fell 16% in 2025. What is causing it to rise in 2026 is the murderousness of the ICE occupation.

ICE and BP obviously have orders not simply to kidnap law-abiding residents without documentation but to bully and brutalize any native-born Americans who object to their unconstitutional and illegal tactics. They have been encouraged not only to enter residences without a judicial warrant but seemingly to beat up and arrest native-born protesters and to have a low bar for simply killing them. They are after all N-lovers. We have seen two high-profile killings, which are almost certainly murders, just this month in Minneapolis  Renee Nicole Good and now Alex Pretti, who was protesting the killing of Good among other things. Pretti was a 37-year-old ICU nurse.

Do I need to spell out the way Coles Five Laws of Occupation apply to Minneapolis?

Law-abiding undocumented Americans are being made a pretext for the occupation of Minneapolis. These are stateless people treated as having no rights and no right to have rights. Somalis and Hmong who are American citizens have been illegally detained by ICE. And native-born Americans who defend them are awarded the same status, having their constitutional rights  of speech, of public assembly, of the press, of religious conviction, and even of life  stripped from them.

ICE and BP agents act with impunity, protected by the full-on fascist Department of Justice and FBI. This impunity underlines the white Protestant hierarchy, in which the favored population is above the law.

Hence, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti may have their lives taken without the killers being held responsible. Under the logic of occupation, any time an occupation soldier kills a native it is always a form of self-defense and therefore no culpability attaches to it.

The major figures and organs of the Trump administration smeared Ms. Good as a domestic terrorist, and they falsely accused Mr. Pretti of brandishing a gun at ICE agents; film shows him brandishing a smartphone at them to record them pushing a woman to the ground. He tried, as a nurse, to help the woman.. He did have a gun on his person, but he also had a license for it and did not ever draw it. On finding it, ICE opened fire on him. The logic of the occupation state, that all violence by its agents is a form of self defense against dangerous savages, cannot be overridden by the facts, since the occupation state controls the narrative and controls the prosecutors and courts.



Hind Rajab. Courtesy The Hind Rajab Foundation.

Thus, Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot down by an Israeli sniper, who certainly deliberately targeted her even though she had a big Press sign on her back. The sniper was never punished, likely because his superiors had ordered the hit. Occupation governance is always corrupt, since occupation officials authorize arbitrary killing as a way of underlining their power over the barbarians and their determination never to allow themselves to be attacked by them. Seeing the occupied population as intrinsically berserk and dangerous allows officials to configure peaceful journalists, ICU nurses, Christian poets and six-year-old little girls huddling among corpses in a car as dire threats that must be removed from the board.

The Republican-ruled states of Texas and Florida have 1.6 million undocumented residents each. The Trump administration is not causing trouble for Republican governors Greg Abbot and Ron DeSantis by sending in large numbers of ICE agents to those states. It is concentrating on a solid blue state to create an image of chaos so as to argue in the mid-terms that Democrats foment crime and disorder by coddling the undocumented population, which they falsely accuse of violent criminality. Since Republicans run on a fantasy of America under siege by rising crime rates, it is inconvenient for them that crime has decreased so tremendously in the past few decades. The pretexts for occupation, however, can never be interrogated, or the entire enterprise would collapse.
By Hassan Abo Qamar, Prism | 

On Jan. 1, Israel revoked the licenses of 37 international and local humanitarian organizations in Gaza, in an attempt to force them to end their operations in the region by March. While organizations are still operating for now, the move is affecting the groups access to supplies and is already impacting daily life in Gaza. Organizations that have provided the foundations of civilian survivalhealth care, food distribution, water and sanitation, shelter, education, and psychological supportare being treated by Israeli authorities as a threat, and aid is increasingly framed as a security issue. As a result, it can be blocked at moments of greatest vulnerability and need.

Israeli authorities framed the decision as an administrative measure, claiming that the organizations failed to meet new security and transparency requirements that demand detailed information about staff, funding, and operations. Aid organizations say it undermines their humanitarian neutrality and places local Palestinian staff at serious risk.

The ban on humanitarian organizations comes as President Donald Trump established a Board of Peace that is supposed to oversee reconstruction and governance in Gaza under phase two of the ceasefire agreement, though Israel has not met most of the conditions required under phase one. The boards senior members do not include Palestinians, and a copy of its charter viewed by media outlets suggests that Trump is aiming to establish a U.S.-led alternative to the United Nations.

Under international humanitarian law, parties must allow and facilitate rapid, unimpeded access for impartial humanitarian organizations to people in need. This obligation is neither optional nor contingent on political approval. Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated to ensure the protection and survival of the civilian population under its control and to allow humanitarian organizations to operate freely and impartially, facilitating access to food, medical supplies, and relief services, where it is unable to provide these itself. But in practice, humanitarian law is often treated as little more than ink on paper, allowing powerful states to act with limited consequences.

We see Israels recent restrictions on NGO registration as a clear attempt to undermine humanitarian work in Gaza, said Yousef M. Aljamal, Gaza coordinator at the Palestine Activism Program for the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). These measures go beyond reasonable regulation and aim to criminalize humanitarian organizations, weaken aid infrastructure, and further harm Gazas civilian population. They violate international humanitarian law and core humanitarian principles, such as independence and impartiality.

In response to the ban, AFSC decided not to comply with Israels registration requirements.

Following these requirements would put our staff and partners at risk and compromise our ability to operate ethically and independently, Aljamal said.

According to the latest U.N. data, Israel has killed 579 aid workersincluding nearly 400 from UNRWAsince Oct. 7, 2023. It has also killed more than 1,700 health workers, more than 140 civil defense staff, and 256 journalists. What many legal and human rights experts describe as Israels genocidal war has killed more than 70,000 people in Gaza, according to official tallies that experts say are severe undercounts.

Aljamal added that Israels new registration requirements create grave security risks by demanding sensitive personal information about staff and their families, which would weaken AFSCs ability to operate safely and independently.

Humanitarian work relies on trust, neutrality, and access, Aljamal said. When these are compromised, aid operations suffer, and staff and community partners face real danger, especially given that many aid workers have already been killed.

Aljamal rejected Israeli claims that AFSC failed to meet reasonable requirements, emphasizing that compliance would violate humanitarian principles.

AFSC already goes through thorough vetting under U.S. and international sanctions, and we operate in many restrictive environments worldwide, he said. Nowhere else do [international nongovernmental organizations] face such extreme and dangerous conditions.

The collapse of health care

Israeli restrictions seriously disrupt humanitarian operations. They delay or block the delivery of trucks carrying food, medical supplies, shelter materials, and other lifesaving aid, making it harder to respond to urgent needs.

Civilians continue to die from hunger, exposure, and treatable diseases, while trucks filled with food, medical supplies, and shelter materials are kept from entering, Aljamal said. These restrictions do not just hinder humanitarian organizationsthey result in civilian deaths and worsen an already-dire humanitarian crisis.

Health care has become one of the most affected sectors. The practical impact of the ban is especially severe for patients. Suspended organizations can no longer directly import medicines and medical consumables. Clinics that once treated hundreds of patients daily are now forced to turn most people away. Approximately 94% of Gazas hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, leaving much of the hospital infrastructure inoperable. What remains depends heavily on field hospitals and emergency facilities run by international organizations.

The health situation we are living through in Gaza is extremely baddevastating, honestly, said Hassan Al-Shafei, a nurse working at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and with Doctors Without Borders.

Al-Shafei described a system overwhelmed not only by war injuries, but also by disease fueled by displacement, poor water quality, malnutrition, and weakened immunity.

We are seeing many infections spreading because peoples immunity is low and the water is contaminated, he said, adding that there is also a sharp outbreak of severe influenza-like illnesses, including COVID-19. We have cases with temperatures of 39 and 40 degrees Celsius [102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit]. Some have entered intensive care. Controlling the spread is extremely difficult under these conditions.

Al-Shafei said that only one or two hospitals in Gaza are still partially functional, forcing medical workers to rely on field hospitals established by international organizations. He said if Israel heavily enforces its ban, the impact will be severe, particularly for vulnerable groups.

If the ban is fully enforced, the impact on health care will be massiveespecially for children, pregnant women, the wounded, and newborns. Maternity hospitals, surgical services, emergency careall of this will be severely affected.

Al-Shafei gave concrete examples of daily operational impact: Certain medical services have been scaled back, and health care workers have been dismissed to reduce staff.

Before, we were receiving hundreds of cases. Now, because of shortages, we can only receive dozens, Al-Shafei said. Since Israel began withdrawing licenses from humanitarian organizations, we are working under constant pressure. At any moment, an organization could be forced to stop operating, and we could lose our jobs.

Even basic logistics have been disrupted. Al-Shafei said some organizations have stopped transporting staff to hospitals due to fuel shortages and operational restrictions, leaving them to reach work at their own expense.

The crisis is also personal for Al-Shafei. His own child required a medical brace, known as an AFO, following tendon-lengthening surgery. Because of restrictions on medical imports, the device never arrived.

We were forced to improvise. We made a substitute using regular plaster casts, he said. We survive by adapting with whatever is available. That is how Palestinians live under siege. But this is not proper health carethis is survival with almost nothing.

International condemnation, limited consequences

Despite widespread international condemnation, no meaningful accountability has followed. Israel has continued to enforce restrictions while the international community looks on. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates released a statement in which it strongly condemned Israels decision to introduce the registration requirements for relief organizations, warning that the measures could halt lifesaving aid for hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza.

Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, the ministry said, noting that Palestinians welcome the work carried out by humanitarian groups.

At the same time, AFSC and other humanitarian organizations have sought to challenge the restrictions through collective international pressure, but they say there has been little concrete action from world governments.

AFSC is collaborating with United Nations agencies, humanitarian partners, and civil society organizations to demand the full removal of these restrictions, Aljamal said. We are pushing the international community to take real political and diplomatic action to ensure that humanitarian access to Gaza is unhindered.



Doctors without Borders / MSF HQ in Geneva. Public Domain. Via Picryl.com.

For two years, Israel has taken steps to further control and weaken the Gaza Strip, even during what critics describe as a nominal ceasefire. Aid remains conditional, and the threat of losing food and essential supplies for tens of thousands of civiliansand a return to faminegrows daily. At the same time, hundreds of aid workers who have devoted their lives to helping their communities face the risk of losing their jobs.

If Israel continues what rights groups describe as systematic, punitive violations of the ceasefire and international law in Gazaconverting legal obligations into discretionary privileges, jeopardizing lives, undermining humanitarian neutrality, and weakening the institutions that sustain Gazas populationthe consequences will become apparent as soon as the crossings reopen. Advocates warn that current policies are pushing many of Gazas residents toward forced or pressured migration.

Editorial Team:

Sahar Fatima, Lead Editor

Carolyn Copeland, Top Editor

Rashmee Kumar, Copy Editor

Prism is an independent and nonprofit newsroom led by journalists of color. We report from the ground up and at the intersections of injustice. www.prismreports.org.
The situation in South Sudan is heightening "the risk of mass violence against civilians", independent UN experts warned on Sunday as fresh conflict and violent rhetoric grips the country.

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan in a statement expressed "grave alarm" at fighting in Jonglei state north of the capital Juba, where witnesses have described civilians fleeing into swamps.

South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang later on Sunday told Jonglei residents to "immediately evacuate" areas controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and move to "government controlled areas as soon as possible".

Civilians "would be considered as legitimate military targets", the spokesperson added.

The world's youngest country has been beset by war, poverty and massive corruption since it was formed in 2011, with violence once again on the rise between rival factions.

A power-sharing agreement between the two main sides is all but dead after President Salva Kiir moved against his vice-president and long-time rival, Riek Machar, who was arrested last March and is now on trial for "crimes against humanity".

Their forces have fought several times over the past year, but the most sustained clashes began in late December in Jonglei.

Public statements by commanders encouraging violence against civilians, along with troop mobilisation, "represent a dangerous escalation at a moment when the political foundations of the peace process are already severely weakened", the UN commission said.

Army chief Paul Nang Majok on Wednesday ordered troops deployed in the region to "crush the rebellion" within seven days.

Local media have also quoted a senior army official as saying "no one should be spared, not even the elderly".

The UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it was "gravely concerned" about the public declarations.

"Inflammatory rhetoric calling for violence against civilians, including the most vulnerable, is utterly abhorrent and must stop now," said UNMISS head Graham Maitland.

Renewed fighting in South Sudan has displaced more than 180,000 people, according to the country's authorities.

Kiir and Machar fought a five-year war shortly after independence that claimed 400,000 lives. A 2018 power-sharing deal kept the peace for some years but plans to hold elections and merge their armies did not materialise.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Authorities confirmed Saturday that the man shot dead by U.S. federal agents earlier in the morning in Minneapolis, Minnesota was a U.S. citizen.

Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara said at a news conference that the victim was a 37-year-old white male and a resident of Minneapolis.

"We believe he is an American citizen," O'Hara said.

He said the man was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.

The police chief urged people to "remain peaceful."

"We recognize that there is a lot of anger and a lot of questions around what has happened," he said.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he had watched a video that appeared to show "more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents and shooting him to death."

"How many more lives need to be lost before this administration realizes that a political and partisan narrative is not as important as American values?" asked the mayor at a news conference.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement that "as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun."

"The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted," said the statement. "Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots."

Witnesses were quoted as saying by local media that the man was struck multiple times in the chest before being transported to a nearby hospital.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said on X that he "just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning."

"Minnesota has had it. This is sickening," said the governor. "The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now."

Following the fatal shooting, Walz authorized the activation of the Minnesota National Guard to assist local law enforcement at the request of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

"The state has the personnel to keep people safe -- federal agents must not obstruct our ability to do so," said Walz.

This incident marks the third shooting involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month. The first occurred on Jan. 7, when a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, Renee Good, was fatally shot by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. On Jan. 14, an ICE agent shot a Venezuelan national in the leg during an attempted arrest, according to the DHS. 






Saturday, January 24, 2026 - A senior Government official attached to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Anderson Chebii Kimutai, has been accused of neglecting his parental responsibilities.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Kimutai has allegedly failed to provide financial support for his children for the past two years, leaving their mother to raise them on her own despite his senior position in Government.

The childrens mother is said to have sought assistance from the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenyan (FIDA), but the matter has allegedly not been resolved.

Sources claim that the lack of support has resulted in mounting bills, difficulty enrolling the children in school, and challenges in meeting basic needs such as food.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 24, 2026 - Following public outcry from city dwellers over increased cases of mobile phone snatching and theft, a multi-agency team led by the DCIs Operation Support Unit (OSU) mounted an intelligence-led operation in various parts of the city.

During the operation, seven individuals suspected of masterminding the crime and trading the phones on the black market were arrested, and recoveries of 150 assorted mobile phones, 16 tablets, and six laptops from different locations across Nairobi were registered.

Among those arrested was Nambajwe Zaina alias Aisha Nalubanga alias Zainab, a Ugandan national arrested in Shauri Moyo, where detectives recovered 75 mobile phones packed in sealed boxes and two laptops from her residence.

Investigations established that she acts as the link between receivers in Kenya and buyers in Uganda, working closely with several accomplices, among them Kalyowo Sam, who was also arrested in Shauri Moyo.

Further arrests were made in the city centre, where James Mwangi Gachoka was arrested at his shop at Tusker House along Ronald Ngala Street.

Detectives recovered 16 tablets and 19 mobile phones from the premises.

At Kangemi Bus Station, Samuel Sifuna Simiyu, a loader at Starways Express, was also arrested for facilitating the movement of the consignments through selected drivers.

In Ngumba Estate, Abonyo Adhiambo Mourine was arrested with two phones and two laptops, while additional phone components were recovered from her shop, Jamki Accessories, along Tom Mboya Street.

In Thome Estate, Kelvin Kuria Wanjeri was arrested after 46 assorted mobile phones were recovered from his residence.

Meanwhile, Mike Ngugi Mwaura was arrested at a garage along Chogoria Road in the Industrial Area, where detectives recovered eight mobile phones and a laptop from his motor vehicle.

Notably, several recovered phones had their operating systems interfered with through flashing or factory resets, while others were dismantled and sold as spare parts.

Detectives have already traced one rightful owner, Edna Wambui, a resident of Ngando in Dagoretti, whose phone was stolen while she was serving customers at the market. She has since positively identified her device and recorded a statement.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling black-market networks and curbing phone snatching and related crimes across Kenyan towns.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 24, 2026 - A high school student has sparked a heated debate on school safety and bullying after he was caught carrying a knife concealed in his school uniform while on his way to school.

According to sources, the boy was stopped and searched after appearing suspicious, leading to the discovery of the weapon tucked inside his clothes.

When questioned, he claimed that he had been carrying the knife for self-defence, citing prolonged bullying by fellow students.

The boy reportedly told those questioning him that he had endured repeated physical attacks and intimidation from his peers.

Despite making several attempts to report the matter to a teacher, he claims no meaningful action was taken to protect him.

See photo.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 24, 2026 - The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has dismissed fears of a volcanic eruption on Mt. Longonot in Nakuru County following a fire outbreak on January 21st, 2026.

Panic spread among residents after thick smoke was spotted rising from the mountain, with some mistaking the incident for volcanic activity.

In a statement, KWS clarified that the blaze was human-induced, suspected to have originated from land-clearing activities on community land before spreading into Mt. Longonot National Park.

A wildfire broke out on 21st January 2026, originating from community land and is suspected to be linked to land-clearing activities. The fire spread into parts of Mt. Longonot National Park but was swiftly contained through the joint efforts of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), community guides, and local community members, the agency said.

The fire, which caused tension after encroaching on adjoining lands, was contained before it could cause extensive damage.

KWS assured the public that there was no volcanic activity associated with the incident.

We wish to inform the public that there is no volcanic activity or eruption associated with the incident, the statement added.

Mt. Longonot, a stratovolcano in Kenyas Great Rift Valley, last erupted in the 1860s.

While minor seismic activity has been observed in later years, experts confirm the volcano remains dormant.

: .   

A wildfire broke out on 21st January 2026, originating from community land and is suspected to be linked to land-clearing activities. The fire spread into parts of Mt. Longonot National Park but was swiftly pic.twitter.com/4MW5eCXF8k  Kenya Wildlife Service (@KWSKenya) January 24, 2026






Saturday, January 24, 2026 - A woman was found murdered in a guesthouse in Kapkatet Centre, Bomet County, on Wednesday evening, sparking a manhunt for the suspect who fled shortly before the discovery.

According to preliminary reports, a lodging attendant noticed something was amiss at around 6:00 pm.

It later emerged that the woman had checked into the guesthouse with a man who reportedly left the premises at about 5:00 pm, an hour before the body was discovered.

The suspect is said to have paid for the lodging via M-Pesa, with the transaction bearing the name Davis Chepkwony.

Authorities believe this name may help trace him, though investigations are still ongoing.

Below are photos of the suspect.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 24, 2026 - A new video circulating online has stirred fresh drama around the ongoing saga involving James Opande, the man accused of sharing an embarrassing clip of Marion Naipei online.

In the video, James Opande threatens Nairobi County official, Geoffrey Mosiria, for pushing for justice on Marions behalf.

Mosiria, who oversees citizen management at City Hall, has been vocal in condemning Opandes actions and has repeatedly called for his arrest.

Opande, who is based in the US and was briefly detained at JKIA as he allegedly attempted to fly out of the country, appears unfazed in the latest video making rounds on social media.

In the clip, a man alleged to be Opande is seen seated in a car alongside his wife in the US, boldly daring Mosiria to escalate the matter to President Ruto.

His tone and demeanor suggest little remorse, while his wife quietly watches and nods throughout the exchange.

The phrase peleke kwa Ruto, which he uses in the video, has become a popular online catchphrase - originally going viral after a driver assigned to Kibra MP, Peter Orero, defiantly told CNN journalist, Larry Madowo, when he recorded him driving on the wrong side of the road.

The driver was later charged in court and fined.

Despite the buzz, questions linger about the authenticity of the alleged Opande video.

Some netizens believe it may have been edited or manipulated to ride the wave of the trending controversy.

Watch the video>>> below.

James Opande, the man who allegedly posted the trending video of Marion Naipera



Is telling Geoffrey Mosiria to "take it to Ruto," "peleka kwa Ruto."



Addressed this while he was with his wife in the US.



Weuh    pic.twitter.com/hXb84x8DMC  DP  (@DanChepta) January 23, 2026

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 24, 2026 - Senator Jim Risch, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has urged President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Ugandan military leader, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, following reports of severe violence during Ugandas recently concluded 2026 General Elections.

In a statement issued on Friday, Risch called for a comprehensive reassessment of U.S.-Uganda security cooperation, citing what he described as rapidly deteriorating human rights conditions under President Yoweri Musevenis administration.

The Senators remarks came just hours before opposition leader, Bobi Wine, reported a violent raid on his home.

Wine stated that masked, armed soldiers stormed his residence around midnight, assaulting family members and isolating his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi. He said the intentions of the attackers remained unclear.

The diplomatic pressure follows the Electoral Commissions announcement declaring President Museveni the winner with 7.9 million votes, securing a contentious seventh term.

His main challenger, Bobi Wine, received 2.7 million votes and has rejected the results, alleging widespread fraud and intimidation.

Concerns have intensified after General Muhoozi publicly claimed responsibility for killing 22 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), labeling them terrorists.

In inflammatory online posts, he threatened further violence, including direct threats against Bobi Wine.

Senator Risch condemned the election as a hollow exercise designed to legitimize Musevenis four decades in power, drawing parallels with recent democratic backsliding in Tanzania.

He criticized the Ugandan Government for employing political violence, abductions, intimidation and misuse of state resources to maintain control.

The election period was marked by the arrest of more than 2,000 people and a nationwide internet shutdown on January 13th, which hindered independent verification of results.

Technical failures in biometric voter systems also forced manual voting, raising further questions about credibility.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, January 24, 2026 - President William Rutos nomination of Raila Odingas widow, Canon Dr Ida Betty Odinga, for a top diplomatic posting has stirred fresh political debate, with activist Nuru Okanga publicly urging her to decline the offer.

Dr Odinga has been nominated to serve as Kenyas Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), headquartered in Nairobi.

The appointment, announced on January 23rd, 2026 through Presidential Action No. III of 2026, positions Dr Odinga at the centre of Kenyas global environmental diplomacy. Chief of Staff Felix Koskei formally transmitted the nomination to the National Assembly for vetting.

However, Okanga has strongly opposed the move, warning that the offer may carry political undertones.

In a blunt Facebook post, he cautioned Dr Odinga against accepting the role, writing: Mama yangu, Idah Odinga, dont take that job, its a trap. Kaa mbali na Ruto, we still need you to save ODM.

His remarks reflect the heightened sensitivities surrounding the Odinga family following Raila Odingas death in October 2025.

ODM is currently navigating a delicate transition, and Okanga believes Dr Odingas presence is crucial to stabilising the party during this period.

Dr Odinga, a respected educationist and longtime advocate for democracy and womens empowerment, has held influential roles in civil society and business.

She founded the League of Kenya Women Voters and previously taught at Highway Secondary School and Kenya High School.

In 2018, she received the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.), Kenyas highest civilian honour.

If approved, her appointment will blend decades of public service with highlevel international diplomacy.

However, for critics like Okanga, the priority remains safeguarding ODMs future as Parliament prepares to vet the nomination.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the frozen Lake Ontario in Toronto, Canada. The City of Toronto issued an extreme cold warning from Friday to Saturday, with wind chill values ranging from minus 30 to minus 33 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People walk on a street in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 24, 2026. The City of Toronto issued an extreme cold warning from Friday to Saturday, with wind chill values ranging from minus 30 to minus 33 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A boat struggles to move on the frozen Lake Ontario in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 24, 2026. The City of Toronto issued an extreme cold warning from Friday to Saturday, with wind chill values ranging from minus 30 to minus 33 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People walk on a street in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 24, 2026. The City of Toronto issued an extreme cold warning from Friday to Saturday, with wind chill values ranging from minus 30 to minus 33 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the frozen Lake Ontario in Toronto, Canada. The City of Toronto issued an extreme cold warning from Friday to Saturday, with wind chill values ranging from minus 30 to minus 33 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People walk on a street in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 24, 2026. The City of Toronto issued an extreme cold warning from Friday to Saturday, with wind chill values ranging from minus 30 to minus 33 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A flock of Canadian geese rest on the frozen Lake Ontario in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 24, 2026. The City of Toronto issued an extreme cold warning from Friday to Saturday, with wind chill values ranging from minus 30 to minus 33 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
ATHY TD Mark Wall is urging the minister for education to make Curragh Community Colleges new school building a priority for the Department of Education and Youths implementation plan under the National Development Plan.

The new school building at Curragh Community College, based at Magee Barracks, has been confirmed to be at stage 3  tender action and award. Deputy Wall confirmed that the tender returns for the new school building have been received and are currently under review, but holds that the school should be made a priority by the Department of Education.

Deputy Wall recently visited the current school, located in The Curragh Camp, and met the principal of the school and members of the parents association.

He said: Following a recent visit to The Curragh Community College, I have raised the dire conditions students and staff are in with the minister for education and youth.

The number one priority is and remains a new school building for The Curragh Community College. I am shocked to see the conditions students and the staff team are having to learn and work in.

A number of classrooms are out of use due to health and safety concerns, radiators are not working, while there is mould and even fungus growth in classrooms. The current school building is no longer fit for purpose.

Deputy Wall explained that the school must be made a priority for inclusion in the National Development Plan  Implementation Plan for Education and Youth, which is expected to announce its first selected projects this January.

Anything short of this will leave students and staff in unsafe conditions with no help or support, said deputy Wall.

He added that emergency works to address the immediate health and safety concerns in the school should be made another priority through the emergency works scheme. A site visit was undertaken in December to assess the schools condition and an application for the scheme was recommended to the Department of Education.

I have again written to the minister to ensure that her department expedites this application, he said.

It is a testament to the pupils, their families and principal Nessa Doyle and her staff team that they continue to maintain a positive spirit in the face of such dreadful conditions. This is a great school who deserve more than they are getting at this time, he concluded.
A Kildare man, one of four men who burgled a house in Emo, was sentenced to three months in prison when he came before a recent sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said the incident happened at 7.10am on 14 April when a car carrying four men pulled up outside the house in Emo. Three of the men exited the car and jumped over the front wall, forced the front door and stole property from it.

He said the incident was captured on CCTV and that the man in court was the only one who had not been wearing a facemask at the time and, when arrested and interviewed, made no admissions.

He said the accused, Edward Connors, Moateview, Kilmeade, Athy, had one previous conviction for assaulting a garda and was due to be sentenced on that matter later this month.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the burglary charge in Emo.

Defending solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said that his client was 18 at the time of the offence and that the house had been unoccupied.

He was the only one identified through CCTV. He was hugely addicted to cocaine and tablets at the time, but he is now intoxicant free.

The issue was that he was moving in circles with more senior men and was simply desperate to get money to feed his habit. He is the only one being punished for this crime.

Judge Andrew Cody sentenced Mr Connors to three months in prison and commented: Discovering your home has been burgled is a very serious and distressing event.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
This photo taken with a mobile phone shows people attending a protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the United States, on Jan. 24, 2026. A man was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, on Saturday morning, authorities said. This incident marks the third shooting involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month. (Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A man was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, on Saturday morning, authorities said.

The incident marks the latest deadly encounter during an ongoing federal immigration enforcement operation in the city.

Witnesses were quoted as saying by local media that the man was shot multiple times in the chest before being transported to a nearby hospital.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement that "as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun."

"The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted," said the statement. "Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots."

The suspect had no ID, the statement added.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said on X that he "just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning."

"Minnesota has had it. This is sickening," said the governor. "The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now."

This is the third shooting involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month. The first occurred on Jan. 7, when a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, Renee Good, was fatally shot by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. On Jan. 14, an ICE agent shot a Venezuelan national in the leg during an attempted arrest, according to the DHS. 

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows people attending a protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the United States, on Jan. 24, 2026. A man was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, on Saturday morning, authorities said.

This incident marks the third shooting involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month. (Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows people attending a protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the United States, on Jan. 24, 2026. A man was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, on Saturday morning, authorities said.

This incident marks the third shooting involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month. (Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows people attending a protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the United States, on Jan. 24, 2026. A man was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, on Saturday morning, authorities said.

This incident marks the third shooting involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month. (Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows people attending a protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the United States, on Jan. 24, 2026. A man was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, on Saturday morning, authorities said.

This incident marks the third shooting involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month. (Xinhua)
LBC reports:

PC Cliff Mitchell applied to join the Met in 2020, but the vetting process flagged up a previous allegation of raping a child in 2017, and his application was rejected.

However, a vetting panel, made up partly of senior officers, overturned the decision because the force wanted to improve the number of officers from ethnic minorities.

PC Mitchell went on to carry out a campaign of rape against two victims, including a child under the age of 13, while he was a serving officer.
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Key Points

GE Aerospace is benefiting from a supply-demand imbalance in its industry.

GE Vernova is a clear leader in power equipment, with a rapidly rising backlog.

10 stocks we like better than GE Aerospace 

Are you interested in investing in one of the most storied companies in U.S. history? Well, you now have three choices. I'm talking about General Electric, the legendary company founded in 1892 by Thomas Alva Edison, the genius American innovator who invented the phonograph, electric light bulb, motion picture camera, and countless other devices.

Over its 133-year history, General Electric has been just as innovative. It created advanced technologies in hydroelectric power, aviation, energy grids, wind power, healthcare, materials science, and many other fields.

But the company's descent was just as dramatic. It fell apart like a slow-motion car wreck due to too much diversification, failed business strategies, and a disastrous foray into financial services. Losses at GE's financial unit almost sank the company during the Great Recession. The share price plunged more than 80% between 2007 and 2009.

The original GE split into three separate companies

The original General Electric was then split into three separate publicly traded companies beginning in 2021. One of them, GE HealthCare Technologies, makes equipment like medical imaging devices, X-ray machines, and ultrasound systems. It's been up and down over the past three years but is now up 25% since it was spun off from the original GE in late 2022. For comparison, the S&P 500 index is up about 75% over that time, so it has underperformed the market.

The stocks of the other two spin-offs, however, have fared much better. GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) makes jet and turboprop engines, among other aircraft components. And GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) makes power products that generate, transfer, orchestrate, and store electricity. The two split and began trading as separate public companies in April 2024.

Since the split, GE Aerospace is up about 100%, and GE Vernova has climbed 400%. The two stocks had a banner 2025. GE Vernova was up 95% last year, and GE Aerospace rose about 85%. That was in a year when the broader market gained about 17%, as measured by the S&P 500. Can they continue to outperform the market in 2026?

There's more demand than supply for aircraft and parts

GE Aerospace has huge upside due to a supply-demand imbalance in the aircraft industry. Demand for air travel is up, yet the aviation industry is not supplying the aircraft, components, or necessary maintenance to meet it. Commercial air travel grew more than 10% from 2023 to 2024 and is projected to rise by 4.2% annually through 2030.
SHREVEPORT, La.  The winter storm continues to impact the ArkLaTex on its second day with heavy ice accumulation and dangerous temperatures. 
Slow travel is shaping up to be one of 2026s defining travel trends, and not just because it could make for a cheaper vacation.

According to Vrbo, 91% of travelers say theyre interested in slower, simpler trips built around rest, reading, nature and meaningful experiences (1). Heres what slow travel looks like in practice.

Must Read

What is slow travel?

While it may be easy to assume slow travel means taking your time traveling from one spot to another, the term has more to do with the pace of activity during a vacation. Think longer stays in one destination, simplified itineraries with time to rest, and experiences centred on nature and routine.

For some, slow travel means a long weekend in a small U.S. city rather than a whirlwind tour of Europe. That was true for Farcia Harvey, whose 2024 birthday trip to Cincinnati  complete with free access to streetcars, local bakeries and riverfront walks  ended up being more memorable than past trips to Barcelona or New Orleans (2).

I think about that trip to Cincinnati genuinely all of the time, Harvey shared with CNBC. Its one of the best memories I have for my birthday, and its something that to this day, me and my friends still talk about.

Her viral social posts spotlighting hidden gem cities helped propel the idea that a meaningful journey doesnt have to require a passport stamp.

Farm stays, rural trips and readaways go mainstream

One of the clearest markers of the slow-travel boom is the explosion of interest in farm stays. According to data from Expedia, Vrbo and Hotels.com, CNBC reports that 84% of travelers say they want to stay on or near a farm in 2026 (2).

For Aricka Giglia, a 28-year-old based in Los Angeles, slow travel meant rethinking her bachelorette weekend. She booked a farmhouse outside Dallas, complete with a chicken coop, horses, a pond with paddle boats and a large kitchen for private-chef dinners.

Its this slow travel movement, says Melanie Fish, travel expert for Expedia, Vrbo and Hotels.com. People just want a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The financial upside of slow travel is another attractive perk, as Giglia estimates her guests spent about $250 each  a fraction of the cost for her husbands bachelor party in Los Cabos, Mexico, where guests paid about $800 each.
By Urvi Dugar

Jan 23 (Reuters) - India's Adani group firms shed $12.5 billion in market cap on Friday, after a U.S. markets regulator asked a court for help in serving summonses upon founder Gautam Adani and group executive Sagar Adani over alleged fraud and a $265 million bribery scheme.

Reuters reported the procedural request from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in the regulator's civil case against the Adanis, on Thursday after the Indian markets closed.

On Friday, the group's flagship company, Adani Enterprises, was the top percentage loser on India's benchmark Nifty 50. While the firm's shares fell 10.65% to 1,864.2 rupees, the Nifty declined 0.95% at close.

Group shares settled down between 3.4% and 14.54%.

U.S. authorities 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, a unit of the Adani group.

The SEC's civil case against Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani is separate from the U.S. Department of Justice's criminal indictment against the Adanis and several other defendants. The Justice Department case remains open, court records show.

U.S. law prohibits foreign companies that raise money from American investors from paying bribes overseas to secure business, and it also bars them from soliciting investment on the basis of false or misleading statements.

Serving a summons is often routine, but the SEC said India's government had refused two requests to have its summonses served on the Adanis.

The regulator asked a judge to instead let it serve the summonses on the Adanis' U.S.-based lawyers, and email copies to the Adanis.

U.S. civil procedural rules allow this method of service, the SEC said. "Given defendants actual knowledge of this litigation -- demonstrated by public statements, regulatory filings, and retention of U.S. counsel -- email service to their business addresses will provide effective notice," the SEC added.

Adani group has called the allegations "baseless" and said that it would seek "all possible legal recourse" to defend itself. In statements to Indian stock exchanges late on Friday, group firms referred to the same response from November 2024. Adani Green Energy, Adani Ports, Adani Total Gas and Adani Enterprises added that the companies are not party to the proceedings and that no allegations or charges have been made against them.

"Market participants assumed there's nothing pending and that the group has been cleared, so the SEC filing seems (to have come) out of the blue," said Ambareesh Baliga, an independent market analyst.
UPDATE: Man dies after standoff, shootout with Pa. police

Pennsylvania police shot a 27-year-old man who allegedly fired at them multiple times during a tense standoff in North Whitehall Township on Saturday, authorities said.

The victim, whose identity was not released, was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest following the 2 p.m. shooting. His condition was not immediately available on Saturday night.

Troopers were called to a home on the 2800 block of Rockdale Road just after 11 a.m. on a report of a man with a gun causing a disturbance, according to statement from the Pennsylvania State Police.

Police arrived and found a man in a 2009 Camry parked in the driveway and holding a gun, officials said.

Troopers said they established a perimeter and attempted to talk the man from North Whitehall Township into surrendering. However, he fired the weapon more than once, and pointed it at the troopers multiple times, the Pennsylvania State Police said in a news release.

The Pennsylvania State Police Emergency Team arrived and tried to negotiate a peaceful end to the standoff. But at approximately 2 p.m., the man discharged his firearm from the vehicle and was engaged by a SERT member who shot" him, the state police said.

Additional information on the incident was not available on Saturday night. A spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Bethlehem did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The shooting is being investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police Major Case Team and the Lehigh Valley District Attorneys Office.
UPDATE: North Whitehall trooper-involved shooting: Autopsy reveals cause of death

A man wounded during a shootout with Pennsylvania State Police troopers on Saturday has died of his injuries, authorities said.

The shooting followed an hours-long standoff outside a residence in Lehigh County.

Troopers were called to a home on the 2800 block of Rockdale Road in North Whitehall Township just after 11 a.m. for a report of a man with a gun causing a disturbance, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Troopers found a 27-year-old township man sitting in a car parked in the driveway, armed with a handgun, officials said.

Police tried to talk the man into surrendering, but he fired the weapon more than once, and aimed it at the troopers several times, police said.

The state police Special Emergency Response Team tried to negotiate with the man, but the standoff came to an end around 2 p.m. when police said he discharged his firearm from the vehicle and was engaged by a SERT member who shot the male.

The man was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, where he died shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday, the Lehigh County Coroners Office announced Sunday.

An autopsy is scheduled to be completed on Tuesday, authorities said.

The mans name has not been released.

The shooting is being investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Major Case Team, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office.
Water bills for 2.9 million New Jersey American Water customers could jump 12% later this year if regulators approve the utilitys proposed rate hike.

The utility announced Wednesday that it is requesting modest increases to water delivery and wastewater rates to help fund a $1.4 billion infrastructureupgrade plan.

The proposal would raise the average residential water bill by $10 per month and wastewater charges by $8 per month.

The request is part of the companys effort to upgrade about 120 miles of aging pipes and remove contaminants from the system, including PFAS, one of several forever chemicals.

As we continue to invest in our infrastructure, were strengthening our systems, enhancing reliability, and improving water quality from treatment to the tap for the communities that count on us, utility President Mark McDonough said in a statement.

If approved by state officials, monthly water bills will likely increase in the second half of 2026.

The increase would land just as Gov. Mikie Sherrill attempts deliver on her pledge to rein in utility costs. On Tuesday, she signed executive orders to address rising electricity costs.

The NJBPU said Thursday that a formal hearing, which would include feedback from the public, has yet to be scheduled.

The company is also asking regulators to allow it to extend monthly waterbill discounts to customers who already receive help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Universal Service Fund.

Both programs are used to help low-income households offset costs on electricity bills.

The utility also said it will seek to pass along refunds from the states gross receipts tax  a charge New Jersey collects on utility providers earnings  in the form of billing credits.

The company will first use refunds to cover regulatory expenses, then pass remaining amounts to customers.

This proposal will help ensure that customers benefit from tax-related savings, added McDonough. By passing back the GRT refund through our rates, were helping to keep water service affordable and fair for our customers.
In an act described as horrible by a judge, a man stole a supermarket worker's groceries the day before Christmas eve.

Micheal Dwane (43) of 31 Gort Na Noir, Abbeyleix, pleaded guilty to the theft of two shopping bags valued at 100 at Tesco in Portlaoise on December 23, 2025.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at 3.45 pm at the customer service area. The injured partys groceries were there until she finished her shift. He took the groceries and left the store, he said. Sgt Kirby said the groceries were valued at 100 and the defendant had ten previous convictions.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty and had brought a letter of apology.

It was a mean act, taking groceries on somebody who was finishing work, said Ms Fitzpatrick.

She said her client, who previously had a reliance on alcohol, had brought 100 to court. She said he had drink taken at the time and was now pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.

In the cold light of day he wouldnt have done that, she said.

Judge Susan Fay said this was a really horrible incident. She said supermarket staff provide an essential service which became clear during the Covid pandemic. They dont earn a huge amount of money, she said.

She ordered restorative justice and referred the man to the Alternative Project. She granted legal aid and remanded the defendant on bail to appear again before Portlaoise District Court for finalisation on May 11.
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A Kildare South senator has admitted she has been appalled by conditions at Curragh Community College, The Curragh, County Kildare, which she visited recently.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin (FF), speaking in the Seanad this week, told the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton that emergency works are required for the school, which remains heavily over-subscribed.

The Kildare South senator told the Minister that although works are progressing on a new school building in Kildare town, this project is at tender stage, and things had become very bad at the existing school building in the Curragh in the interim.

Curragh Community College, the senator stated, was originally built for 140 students, but currently has 300.

Things have gone from bad to worse, Senator O'Loughlin said, with the school now well over capacity, and almost 40 staff members now sharing a staff room that accommodates 10 people.

There have been numerous communications from the staff and many from students as well, Senator O'Loughlin added.

The week before last, I went to the school at the behest of some of the teachers and was appalled by what I saw. Three of the classrooms cannot be used because of damp and mould. The issue is that the roof has been leaking, so the school has made an application for emergency works for a new roof.

This absolutely has to be expedited as soon as possible.

READ NEXT: DART+ depot confirmed for Maynooth-Kilcock area of Kildare

According to Senator O'Loughlin, the school is at the moment shipping fifth and sixth year students to an alternative location a few miles away, in itself presenting logistical problems.

Some of these students have contacted Senator O'Loughlin directly on the matter, she said.

I particularly want to mention an email I received from Alannah Dunne, Ali McGannon and Libby Christie. They speak about neglect, broken promises and ongoing safety concerns.

As students, they say that everything about the place has declined rapidly. I want to be very clear. The staff of the school are excellent. The atmosphere of support for one another between the whole school community is top class.

The principal, Nessa Doyle, and her team are doing incredible work with students who now come from a much wider area. However, what they are going through at the moment is shocking. I hope the Minister can give us some up-to-date information on this.

When contacted by The Leinster Leader this week, the Department of Education and Youth stated:

With regard to the schools current accommodation, where unforeseen emergency conditions arise, the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is available. The EWS ensures the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.

An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.

The EWS operates on the basis of the minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides an interim solution until such time as a comprehensive solution can be progressed.

In the case of the school in question it should be noted that a site visit was carried out by a member of the Department's technical unit late last year in order to assist the school with guidance on how to address some of the accommodation issues the school faces.

The EWS team subsequently contacted the school patron with advice on next steps on how to apply for EWS funding to remediate the emergency issues, including advice on sequencing the works in a manner that ensures the affected classrooms can be brought back into use as a matter of urgency.
The Holocaust could very easily happen again, a survivor of the atrocity who lives in Dublin has said.

Suzi Diamond was speaking before a Holocaust Memorial Day event on Sunday.

She said occasions like the one at Royal Hospital Kilmainham which was attended by the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister for Justice are important as people dont think the past could happen again, but it can happen again.

It doesnt take any length of time for it to happen, the simplest thing, strike of a match, and something could blow up again, she said.

Born near Budapest in Hungary, Ms Diamonds father was taken away by Nazis during the war.

In 1945 she, her mother and brother were rounded up, forced onto cattle trucks and brought on a journey that ended at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

Her mother died of typhoid at the camp, shortly after it was liberated.

An Irish volunteer pediatrician, Bob Collis, brought two-year-old Suzi and five-year-old Terry to Ireland where they were adopted by a Jewish couple in Dublin.

Speaking on Sunday, Ms Diamond said: The past can actually happen again in the future, and you need events like this to bring it to peoples attention.

This week a survey by the Claims Conference, an organisation which negotiates compensation for Holocaust survivors, found 9% of Irish 18 to 29-year-olds believe the Holocaust is a myth and did not happen.

Almost a fifth (19%) said they believed it happened, but the number of Jews who were killed has been greatly exaggerated.

Addressing the findings at Sundays event, Micheal Martin said: I think we must be outraged and offended at that, and we must do everything we possibly can to combat that and to oppose that.

Theres an obligation on all of us, first of all, to oppose antisemitism wherever it manifests itself, and also to continue to educate generations to come in terms of what happened during the Holocaust.

He was asked if, in the light of the figures and recent controversy of the generation of AI images of sexual abuse on X, social media companies need to be held to account.

Mr Martin replied there needs to be a greater focus on equipping young people better on how we deal with social media.

The key is to educate, to equip young people with the tools to be able to interpret new media platforms, to have developed critical inquiry and to have those skill sets, he said.

Asked if the focus should be on social media companies, Mr Martin said: Absolutely.

But equally, we do need a parallel track, you need more accountability.

We need more protection for people, but we also need to work very hard to equip people to deal with it.

Speaking at Sundays event Irelands Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder said: The number 6 million is not just a statistic.



The Taoiseach referenced current global tensions in his speech saying: We are living in increasingly unsettled times where post World War Two norms of behaviour and language are being constantly undermined.

We are seeing growing incidents of people feeling comfortable expressing antisemitism, racism and intolerance.

The Claims Conference research also found half of the Irish adults it questioned did not know that six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust.

It speaks to how systematic and how comprehensive the Nazi attempt to murder an entire people was, said Mr Martin.

To play down that number is not just to play down the number of people that died, but its to play down the fact that this was a systemic attack, an attempt to systematically wipe out an entire people, and we cannot forget that.

He said there needed to be a greater emphasis on making sure education about history is accurate, and not just gleaned from education.

He also said: I think people try to avoid the topic of Holocaust education because of contemporary politics and we have to know that remembering the Holocaust is not conditional, is not contingent on anything going on in the world today.

Regardless of ones political ideology, the Holocaust is something that needs to be remembered, and lessons need to be learned.

Earlier in the day Simon Harris released a statement saying it is our great shame that the lessons of the Holocaust still have not been learnt.

He said: Rising antisemitism, in Ireland and around the world, is an attack on history. It is an attack on truth.

It is an attack on democracy and our democratic values.

It is evil personified in the way it erodes basic values of decency and respect for other people.

Mr Harris said: It is profoundly disturbing that there is growing evidence that increasing numbers of young people in Ireland and around the world have a basic lack of awareness and understanding of the Holocaust.
While most North American airlines have canceled flights due to the snowstorm that hit most of the East Coast, international carriers flying long-haul routes have rerouted and suspended flights over growing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that an American "armada" was headed to the country on Jan. 23 in response to the government crackdown on spreading protests, NBC News reported. As a result, aviation regulators in North America, Europe, and Asia instructed airlines to reroute away from Iranian airspace.

A senior Iranian official issued a statement saying that any U.S. efforts to interfere would be interpreted "as an all-out war against us," according to Reuters.

Dutch flag carrier KLM suspended all of its flights to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates until Jan. 26. Passengers on affected routes will not be rebooked until the situation stabilizes and it resumes flights. Travelers can either wait to be rebooked or request a refund from the airline through the KLM website.

"Currently avoiding the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Israel as a precaution"

"Due to the geopolitical situation, KLM is currently avoiding the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Israel as a precaution, as well as the airspace over several countries in the Gulf region," the airline said in a statement.

"This means that, until further notice, we will not be operating flights to Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam and Tel Aviv."

Related: A rising tourist destination just scrapped all visas for Americans

Air France, which is part of the same Air France-KLM umbrella, has restarted some service to Dubai International Airport (DXB) after suspending flights at the end of the week, due to similar concerns about U.S. escalation. The airline says it is "monitoring developments" in the region.

The three major American airlines of Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines already faced an ongoing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) order to avoid Iranian airspace, so any flights to the region run on different routes. The order has been in place since the 2019 shooting down of an American drone, The New York Times noted.

KLM had the largest number of flight cancellations due to the risk of escalation in Iran.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Flying to the Middle East? These flights are affected heading into week of January 26

British Airways and German flag carrier Lufthansa both also suspended flights to the region. The decision of the latter airline conglomerate also includes flights on subsidiary airlines such as Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Airlines.

Other airlines that made the call to either reroute or cancel flights include Luxembourg's Luxair, Italy's ITA Airways, Canada's flag carrier Air Canada, and Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air.
Chinese internet retail giant Alibaba Group (BABA) is reportedly planning to list its chipmaking arm. Founded in 2018, this business segment, T-Head Semiconductor, has been developing data center and artificial intelligence (AI) chips for IoT products across the full chip-design stack. Although the timing of the IPO remains unclear, the company plans to make the entity partly employee-owned before seeking a listing. Based on this news, Alibabas stock gained 5.1% intraday on Jan. 22.

Does that make BABA stock a buy here?

More News from Barchart

About Alibaba Stock

Alibaba Group, headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, is a multinational conglomerate that excels in e-commerce, retail, the internet, and cutting-edge technology. Its platforms enable seamless consumer-to-consumer, business-to-consumer, and business-to-business exchanges through expansive online marketplaces that connect sellers, brands, and shoppers globally.

Additionally, the company delivers cloud computing, logistics solutions, digital media, entertainment, and pioneering innovations, cultivating an integrated ecosystem that propels worldwide trade and digital evolution. The company has a market capitalization of $423 billion.

Alibabas stock rallied in the past year on optimism about AI breakthroughs and on President Xi Jinpings meeting with Chinese entrepreneurs, including the companys co-founder, Jack Ma. Over the past 52 weeks, BABA stock has gained 102%, while it has been up 42% over the past six months. Its shares reached a 52-week high of $192.67 in October 2025 but are down about 10% from that level.

BABA stock is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.96x, higher than the industry average of 20.52x.

www.barchart.com

Alibabas Latest Quarterly Earnings Showed Solid Cloud Growth

On Nov. 25, 2025, Alibaba reported topline growth for the second quarter that ended on Sept. 30, 2025. The companys quarterly revenue increased by 5% year-over-year (YoY) to RMB 247.80 billion ($34.81 billion).

The Cloud Intelligence unit reported revenue of RMB 39.82 billion ($5.59 billion), up 34% YoY, driven by public cloud revenue growth. Moreover, Alibabas AI-related product revenue delivered another quarter of triple-digit growth compared to the prior-year period.
Gardai deported 33 Polish and Lithuanian nationals on a specially chartered flight from Dublin on Sunday.

In a statement An Garda Siochana said the 31 men and two women ranged in age from their early 20s to their early 60s.

All had been convicted in Irish courts and received custodial sentences for their crimes.

The operation was carried out by the Garda National Immigration Bureau and saw 20 of the deportees brought to the flight directly from the prisons where they were serving sentences.

Gardai say the remaining 13 were arrested and detained from communities across Ireland and were lodged in prison prior to their removal.

Their convictions included sexual and domestic violence offences, drug crimes, organised retail and burglary crime and road traffic offences.

Under European law, EU citizens can be deported if it can be proven they represent a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society.

The 17 Polish and 16 Lithuanian nationals received exclusion orders banning them from re-entering the country for periods of up to 10 years.

The flight left Dublin on Sunday and landed in Poland before travelling onwards to Lithuania.

The Government signed a contract in November 2024 which allows charter aircraft for deportations.

The first flight was to Georgia in February 2025.
New Delhi: ACME Group, one of Indias largest solar platforms, has signed an agreement to build a $1.4 billion, or about 12,422 crore, plant in Odisha that will produce 200,000 tonnes of green methanol to fuel ships, according to a top official at the company.

Anil Taparia, chief operating officer (COO) at ACME Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Business Unit, said in an interview that the agreement for the greenfield plant has been inked with Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Ltd (IPICOL).

ACME is in talks with several global shipping lines to sign offtake agreements, with the green methanol project to be commissioned by 2029-30.

We are setting up multiple green hydrogen and ammonia projects around Paradip and Gopalpur for both domestic and export purposes," Taparia said.

Also Read | Green hydrogen infrastructure along highways is next on Indias transport map

ACME already has a green ammonia facility in Gopalpur, Odisha, which is operated through its joint venture with Japan-based IHI Corp. The greenfield methanol project will be adjacent to another project for 2,200-tonne green ammonia, the company is setting up in Paradip in the state under the 19,000 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission.

This comes amid growing demand for green methanol, a derivative of green hydrogen, as global marine fuel standards tighten, including the European Union's FuelEU Maritime Regulation and the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) targets. This, in turn, has attracted investments from AM Green, Adani Group, Reliance Industries Ltd, ReNew and Indian Oil Corp., and NTPC Green Ltd in Indias green hydrogen space.

The European Union's FuelEU Maritime Regulation and the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) call for net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in global shipping by 2050.

Sustainable fuels

Green methanol, green ammonia, and green hydrogen are considered sustainable green fuel options in the shipping industry. Green ammonia is produced from green hydrogen and nitrogen via the Haber-Bosch process, and green methanol is made by combining green hydrogen with captured carbon dioxide, according to The Energy Research Institute (Teri).

By 2030, the global green methanol market is expected to be driven primarily by shipping decarbonisation, with maritime demand estimated at 510 million tonnes per annum. According to industry estimates, Europe is expected to account for around 4050% of import demand, with additional interest from hubs in Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.

Given global demand projections, the government is looking to develop India as an export hub for green hydrogen and its derivatives, including green methanol, backed by large-scale renewable capacity, port access, and policy support under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Taparia added that the abundant availability of biogenic feedstock, supportive industrial policies, and a low-cost green power supply have created a robust ecosystem in Odisha for the production of green methanol at globally competitive costs. He also said that the project would be funded through debt, internal accruals, with an equity fund raise also on the agenda, but no final decision has been taken yet.

"Discussions with several global financial institutions are underway. IPICOL will largely play the role of a facilitator for the project," he said.

ACME Group has already set up a small-scale green ammonia project in Bikaner, Rajasthan. It is also developing a 0.1 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) green ammonia project in Duqm, Oman. By 2032, it aims to build a 10 MMTPA portfolio of green ammonia or equivalent green hydrogen.

Demand for green fuels

ACME has received six letters of award (LoAs) from Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) under the first tranche of the scheme for the supply of green ammonia to Indias fertilizer sector. Under the LoAs, ACME Group will supply 370,000 tonnes per year of green ammonia to some of Indias largest chemicals and fertiliser companies for 10 years.

The maritime sector is expected to be the primary sector requiring green methanol. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Shipping Corporation of India is working to retrofit a few ships to run on green methanol, green hydrogen, or other derivatives by 2027.

According to Teris November 2024 report on green hydrogen, the choice between fuel cells and internal combustion engines depends on vessel type and operational requirements. Two broad categories of shipping, short-distance and long-distance, demand different technological solutions. Short-distance shipping takes place on routes between nearby ports. The relatively shorter distances allow the use of cleaner energy, electric propulsion, and biogas," the report said.

While noting that hydrogen-powered engines for shipping are also under development, green ammonia and green methanol are currently more favourable options, as they can provide the required energy for long routes, the report said.
Meta has claimed for years that the conversations on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted and thus cannot be seen by anyone, including the platform itself. That claim, however, has come into question with a new lawsuit where an international group of plaintiffs has sued the company, alleging that it made false claims about the privacy and security of WhatsApp.

The lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court in San Francisco on Friday, alleges that Meta's privacy claims are false, according to a Bloomberg report. The plaintiffs argue that Meta and WhatsApp can store, analyze, and can access virtually all of WhatsApp users purportedly private communications.

Why is Meta being sued? The plaintiffs argue that Meta can access virtually all of WhatsApp users purportedly private communications. They also accused the company and its leaders of defrauding WhatsApp's billions of users worldwide.

They also claim that Meta stores the substance of users' communications and that its workers can get access to them. The plaintiffs from Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa cited whistleblowers as their source for helping bring this information to light.

The lawyers for the plaintiffs have requested the court to certify a class-action lawsuit.

Meanwhile, a Meta spokesperson, while reacting to the lawsuit to Bloomberg, called it frivolous while noting that the company will pursue sanctions against plaintiffs counsel.

Any claim that peoples WhatsApp messages are not encrypted is categorically false and absurd, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone told the publication. WhatsApp has been end-to-end encrypted using the Signal protocol for a decade. This lawsuit is a frivolous work of fiction.

Notably, Meta had also been sued in September last year by its former head of security Attaullah Baig who alleged that WhatsApp contained systemic cybersecurity failures that could potentially compromise user privacy.

Baig had also claimed that he discovered that approximately 1,500 WhatsApp engineers had unrestricted access to user data, including sensitive personal information. He also stated that employees could move or steal such data without detection or audit trail.

Meta had also drawn backlash last year after the company announced its plans to show hyperpersonalized ads to users based on their conversations with the Meta AI chatbot across WhatsApp, Instagram and its other apps. Meanwhile, the company has also begun showing ads to users on the status update on WhatsApp.
MUMBAI: JSW Steel, Indias largest steelmaker by capacity, is accelerating its expansion plans and now expects to reach around 56 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by FY31, overshooting its earlier guidance of 50 mtpa, according to the companys top executive.

The higher target comes as the company emerges from a period of weak steel prices and margin pressure, even as it steps up efforts to secure raw materials and looks for early signs of a recovery in demand.

The 56 mtpa target excludes the companys recently inked joint venture with Japan's JFE Steel Corp., under which JSW sold half its stake in subsidiary Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd (BPSL). Including BPSL, the company was likely to top 60 mtpa by FY31, said Jayant Acharya, joint managing director and chief executive officer, in an interview with Mint.

View Full Image Jayant Acharya, joint managing director and CEO of JSW Steel.

MUMBAI: JSW Steel, Indias largest steelmaker by capacity, is accelerating its expansion plans and now expects to reach around 56 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by FY31, overshooting its earlier guidance of 50 mtpa, according to the companys top executive.

The higher target comes as the company emerges from a period of weak steel prices and margin pressure, even as it steps up efforts to secure raw materials and looks for early signs of a recovery in demand.

The 56 mtpa target excludes the companys recently inked joint venture with Japan's JFE Steel Corp., under which JSW sold half its stake in subsidiary Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd (BPSL). Including BPSL, the company was likely to top 60 mtpa by FY31, said Jayant Acharya, joint managing director and chief executive officer, in an interview with Mint.

So we expect to bewithout the expansion of the BPSL joint ventureat 56 million tonnes by the end of (FY) 2031," Acharya said. Out of that 1.5 mtpa will be in the US, while the remaining 54.5 mtpa will be in India.

Also Read | What are the pros and cons of investing in JSW Steel?

In addition, the management sees further upside from BPSL, where capacity could potentially be expanded to 10 million tonnes from the current 4.5 million tonnes, although this will be pursued independently by the joint venture partners. That will be a parallel track which the joint venture partners will decide and then take on," Acharya said.

The company has also charted a plan to spend 1 trillion over the next four to five years for capacity expansion.

We will give you a break-up year-wise in our annual (and) fourth (quarter) results in May, but roughly four to five years, you can spread it equally. It will be a little higher in the next year, next two years, and then slowly go down," Acharya told analysts Friday evening during a post Q3 earnings interaction.

At present, JSW Steel has a capacity of 35.7 mtpa, including 4.5 mtpa of BPSL and 1.5 mtpa in Ohio, US.

Collectively, JSW Steel, Tata Steel, Steel Authority of India and AMNS India will add around 63.7 mtpa of capacity by 2031. Tata Steel is set to add roughly 13.4 mtpa, taking its capacity from 26.6 mtpa to 40 mtpa. SAILs expansion will contribute another 14 mtpa, with capacity rising from 21 mtpa to 35 mtpa, while AMNS is planning a sharp scale-up of 16 mtpa, increasing capacity from 9 mtpa to 25 mtpa.

Raw material push

Alongside capacity growth, JSW Steel is stepping up efforts to secure raw materials. Acharya said the company expects to meet around 50% of its iron ore requirement from captive mines by FY31, supported by 23 operating mines across multiple states.

On coking coal, the company is targeting 25% captive sourcing, which could rise to 33-35% once it completes the acquisition of a potential coking coal mine in Mozambique.

Looking ahead, after multi-year low steel prices and higher input costs weighed on earnings, Acharya said the current quarter is showing signs of recovery.

I think probably now with the rupee depreciation as well as some improvement in the domestic demand, I think the prices will come to more reasonable levels during this quarter," the chief executive said. While he could not give guidance on the extent of price rises, he said higher coking coal costs will also lead to an increase in prices.

"We estimate an impact of $15-20 per tonne from higher coking coal price in the current quarter, which we expect to mitigate through pricing and cost measures," he said.

JSW Steel reported a consolidated net profit of 2,139 crore for the quarter ended 31 December 2025, up from 717 crore a year ago. The profit beat the 1,406.7 crore consensus estimate of 13 analysts polled by Bloomberg.

The Mumbai-headquartered steelmaker reported an 11% year-on-year jump in revenue from operations to 45,991 crore. Adjusted Ebitda rose 22% on year to 6,620 crore, with an Ebitda margin of 14.4%.

For the December quarter, profit was boosted by a one-time deferred tax asset recognition of 1,439 crore linked to BPSL and an exceptional employee-related provision of 529 crore arising from changes in labour codes.

Excluding these items, profitability was lower sequentially due to weaker realisations and higher coal costs, although value-added products helped cushion the impact, Acharya added.

The adjusted Ebitda excludes unrealized forex gains and losses on long-term borrowings, net of unrealised forex gains and losses on intercompany receivables.

Regulatory scrutiny

On allegations of price collusion reported in the media, Acharya said he does not see any merit in the case and that JSW Steel remains compliant with competition laws.

JSW Steel remains fully confident in its compliance with all the applicable competition laws and the laws of the land," he said, adding that the product in questionthe TMT marketis highly price-sensitive and dominated by secondary players.

Earlier this month, Indias competition watchdog found that market leaders JSW Steel, Tata Steel, state-run SAIL and 25 other firms colluded on steel selling prices, according to a Reuters report citing a confidential document, potentially exposing the companies and their executives to hefty fines.
Global media giant Netflix's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Greg Peters rejected Paramount Skydance's $108 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), calling out that the offer being backed by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who is set to fund $40.4 billion in equity financing, reported the news portal Financial Times (FT).

Netflix's CEO said that without Larry Ellison's financial backing via independent financing, there is allegedly no chance that Paramount will be able to pull off the funding for the acquisition round.

Mint reported earlier that Larry Ellison has agreed to personally fund $40.4 billion in equity financing to support Paramount Skydances all-cash offer for the potential Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition. The Oracle co-founder is the father of David Ellison, who is also the CEO of Paramount.

Without Larry Ellison independently financing this thing, theres no chance in hell Paramount would ever be able to pull this off, Peters told the news portal.

The executive also called Paramount's offer pretty crazy, citing the rising debts of the rival and its need to finance its $30-per-share offer.

Paramount already is saddled with quite a lot of debt, he added, describing the additional leverage needed to finance its $30-per-share offer as pretty crazy.

He also claimed that a very small number of Warner Bros. shareholders have been in support of Paramount's hostile buyout offer for the entire company, according to the news portal's report.

Board rejects Paramount offer Mint reported earlier on 7 January 2026, Warner Bros. Discovery's board of directors rejected Paramount Skydance's $108.4 billion offer for the acquisition, citing concerns about the buyout plans and also urged the shareholders to reject the same offer.

In its filing, the company said that Paramount's offer remains inadequate, particularly given the insufficient value it would provide. The board also claimed that there is a lack of certainty in the company's ability to fulfil the offer, creating risk and costs for the shareholders.

The board unanimously determined that the Paramounts latest offer remains inferior to our merger agreement with Netflix across multiple key areas, Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr., Chairperson of Warner Bros. Discovery board, told the shareholders.

Also Read | Netflix refinances part of $59 billion loan as it seeks to acquire Warner Bros

Deal with Netflix On 20 January 2026, SEC filings showed that Netflix revised the structure of the potential acquisition deal into an all-cash arrangement in an effort to simplify the transaction structure.

The transaction continues to be valued at $27.75 per share of Warner Bros. Discovery shares, unchanged from the previous transaction structure. However, the only change has been that a deal which was previously set to be a combination of cash and equity will now only be an all-cash agreement.

In an interview with the news portal FT, Netflix CEO Greg Peters said the company is expecting to win the backing of the shareholders, adding that Paramount's offer doesnt pass the sniff test.
Global media giants Netflix and Paramount Skydance are competing against each other in efforts to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Although the final vote remains in the hands of WBD shareholders, both companies are making efforts to persuade their decision with adjustments to their original bids.

How do the bid numbers stack up? 1. Savings: According to a Reuters report, WBD shareholders will be saving $2-3 billion annually with Netflix's offer, while the combined business will execute more than $6 billion in cost synergies in the Paramount bid.

2. Per-share offer: Netflix's offer gives the shareholders a $27.75 per share all-cash offer, and Paramount's bid offers shareholders $30 apiece all-cash tender offer.

3. Share premium: Netflix's bid gives around a 121.3% premium to Warner Bros. shareholders as of closing price on 10 September, as per the agency report. While Paramount's bid gives around 139% as of the closing price on 10 September.

4. Closing: Netflix's offer closes between 12 and 18 months, while Paramount's offer stands for more than 12 months.

5. CEOs: Netflix's deal is led by co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, while Paramount Skydance's deal is led by CEO David Ellison.

6. Who will fund? Netflix's offer will be funded through a debt funding route of up to $59 billion from Wells Fargo, BNP Paribas, and HSBC Bank, along with cash on hand and equity.

Paramount's offer will be funded by Larry Ellison, equity capital from RedBird, and debt funding of $54 billion from Bank of America, Citi and Apollo. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Abu Dhabi-based Limad Holding Company PJSC, and Qatar Investment Authority are among the other financing partners.

7. Enterprise value: Netflix's offer comes with an enterprise value of $82.7 billion and an equity value of $72 billion. While, Paramount's offer comes with an enterprise value of $108.4 billion and an equity value of $74.35 billion.

8. Breakup fee: In Netflix's bid, the company will pay $5.8 billion, and Warner Bros. will have to pay $2.8 billion. While Paramount's offer will make the company pay $5.8 billion as a breakup fee.

9. Streaming subscribers: Netflix has a subscriber base of over 300 million, while Paramount has 79.1 million.

10. Assets in line: In the Netflix deal, the assets in line are Warner Bros' film and television studios, video game IP and developers, HBO network and its content library, and the HBO Max streaming service.

In Paramount's bid, all of Warner Bros Discovery, including film, television, streaming, gaming and cable television networks, including HBO and CNN, are in line for a takeover.

Netflix revises offer In an SEC filing on 20 January 2026, Netflix revised its original offer structure of the $82.7 billion acquisition deal, from a combination of cash and equity shares to an all-cash deal in an effort to make it simpler.

Despite making the change in the structure to an all-cash deal, Netflix continues to value the Warner Bros. acquisition at $27.75 per share, unchanged from the prior transaction structure.

This move comes as Netflix aims to simplify the transaction structure, while providing greater certainty for WBD stockholders in value terms, and to also expedite the path to a WBD stockholder vote on the offer.

Paramount's $108 billion bid Competing against Netflix, in an effort of a hostile takeover, Paramount Skydance bid $108 billion, looking to potentially acquire Warner Bros. Discovery via an all-cash deal.

Also Read | Netflix enters 2026 with challenge and opportunities  3 things to know

Mint reported earlier how the company offered $30 per share to WBD investors to potentially acquire all the outstanding shares.

In efforts to make the deal lucrative for the shareholders, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison's father and Oracle's Founder and billionaire Larry Ellison have agreed to personally fund $40.4 billion in equity financing to support Paramount Skydances all-cash offer.

However, in a recent interview with the Financial Times, Netflix CEO Greg Peters said that without Larry Ellison's financial support through independent financing, there is allegedly no chance for Paramount to pull off the funding for the acquisition round.
Jake Miller, founder of coffee accessory company Fellow, believes that one should do something they are passionate about. Speaking to Fortune about how he grew his company despite 73 rejections from institutional investors, the entrepreneur said the difficult times provided a litmus test: Does this career get me out of my bed in the morning without any pay?

For Miller (41), founding Fellow was that career path. Great entrepreneurs all think the same way. Nothing was going to stop me, he told the publication. The San Francisco-based company now has over 100 employees.

The report noted that from raising money through crowdfunding, the company has grown to attract $30 million in a recent Series B round from investors, including venture capitalist Peter Fenton (gave early funding for Yelp and Twitter  now Elon Musk's X).

About Fellow: From idea to entrepreneurship Miller had the idea for a minimalist, dual-purpose coffee steeper designed for both hot and cold brews while pursuing his MBA at Stanford University, as per the report. This has now grown into a company that retails a number of coffee accessories, including kettles, coffee grinders and coffee makers at Costco, Nordstrom and Target in the US.

Further, the company's official website also displayed option for a store in Thailand. It further showed that Miller began crowdfunding the coffee steeper, dubbed Duo through a campaign on Kickstarter in 2013.

It was very hard to convince people to see the future the way I did, Miller told Fortune, adding that he received 73 rejections from angel investors and small funds before he got success. He added that this did not deter him

Nothing was going to stop me. Each no was simply one step closer to the eventual yes, and if it would have only been nos, like, I would have figured out how to sell a kidney, he added.

Career path? Find what you are passionate about According to Miller, he started work in construction and found early success in the field but was not passionate about the job and walked away in 18 months. You have to wake up every day crazy-obsessed with what youre working on. I wasnt obsessed with constructionand thats how I knew it was the wrong category, he told the publication.

Later, when he worked marketing at 800-chain strong Caribou Coffee, Miller says he saw an equipment gap in the home-brewing market, and that got the ball rolling on his career change. He enrolled at Stanford for an MBA and founded Fellow.

Miller believes that great entrepreneurs all think the same way, they go full throttle ahead for their passion. The sentiment has been expressed by noted names such as Warren Buffett, Ray Dalio and others.
The calendar barely flipped to January and the retail sector already looks like it's in triage. Department stores are collapsing, coffee chains are trimming the fat, and pharmacy giants are quietly closing locations  all before Valentine's Day sales even kick in.

According to Daily Mail, which reviewed Coresight Research data, more than 8,000 chain retail stores in the U.S. permanently closed in 2025, a roughly 12 % increase from the prior year and the highest annual total on record.

Northwood Retail president Ward Kampf, told Daily Mail that "America has been overretailed," meaning the number of physical locations built over past decades now exceeds sustainable demand. Retail analyst Neil Saunders told Daily Mail that many companies are now pruning store networks to improve profitability and concentrate on stronger markets rather than chasing growth.

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Closures are hitting across categories. Department stores, mall tenants, party chains, and apparel brands are all pulling back. Macy's announced plans to shutter 14 underperforming stores across 12 states, calling it a strategic move to streamline its real estate footprint and focus on digital growth.

Even luxury hasn't been spared. Saks Global, parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this month. The company announced operations would continue at Saks, Neiman Marcus, and its other brands during restructuring, backed by $1.75 billion in financing.

Starbucks also began reworking its footprint after closing more than 400 locations last year. CEO Brian Niccol said the closures were tied to underperforming stores that weren't meeting customer expectations  part of a broader push to shift resources into high-volume formats like drive-thru and mobile order hubs.

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Other chains, including Party City and Joann's, slashed store counts after bankruptcy filings. GameStop and Foot Locker continue planned downsizing amid strategic pivots. CVS, Claire's and Torrid are scaling back, though not exiting entirely.

Meanwhile, some value-focused chains are still expanding. Dollar General plans to open 450 new U.S. stores this year, with a strong focus on rural areas. Walmart, which saw its stock climb 25%, continues to invest heavily in logistics and delivery. Analysts say low prices and a steady demand for essentials are helping these retailers stay ahead as others contract.
India is seeing a surge in private credit, and its flexibility compared to traditional bank loans is fuelling higher risk appetite in the country's deals environment, according to a top executive at a global investment bank.

"India's private credit market is booming," Manisha Girotra, chief executive of Moelis India, told Mint.

Since private credit is more flexible on the cap table, it can be structured to reflect individual risk appetites, she said.

"Banks, especially global ones, are competing very hard to fund mergers and acquisitions, but you will see more private credit come into the picture," Girotra added.

To be sure, compared with the rest of the world, India's private credit market is very small. According to S&P Global, the country's private credit market had estimated assets under management of $25-30 billion as of FY25-end, representing 1.2% of the overall corporate lending sector.

Girotra's bullishness on the private credit market can also be attributed to the fact that in India, private credit yields typically range from 14% to 22%. This is substantially higher than the average yield of 8% to 10% for banks and 10% to 13% for finance companies in India, according to S&P Global's 2025 report.

"These private credit players are offering real, huge flexibility," Girotra said, pointing to the example of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd.

When Adani's Mumbai International Airport first raised private credit in 2021 as a greenfield project, options were limited.

Four years later, as the project neared operation, it refinanced the $750 million debt facility for a second time with private credit lenders led by Apollo-managed funds.

Then, in June 2025, private equity giant KKR & Co. provided $600 million in financing to Ranjan Pai's Manipal group, marking the American firm's largest private credit investment in India. The capital was anchored by KKR's private credit and insurance platforms.

Tough competition

Private credit's competitive pricing has enabled it to establish a foothold in India's longer-term and higher-quality infrastructure assets, Girotra explained.

However, in recent years, competition with other forms of capital has intensified as equity market valuations have provided issuers with a cheaper alternative. Today, borrowers have multiple options for structured credit, like wholesale lenders, mutual funds, and finance companies. "Invariably, that has put demand for private credit and its yields under pressure, which in turn has led to an uptick in covenant-lite transactions," the S&P report said.

But Girotra remains bullish on private credit and expects its share of borrowings to rise. "I think you'll see it play a much larger role going forward," she said.

Prior to joining the India arm of New York-based Moelis & Co., Girotra was CEO and country head of UBS in India, where she managed its investment bank, commercial bank, markets, equity research and wealth management divisions. Before that, she was the head of Barclays Bank's north India business.

She highlighted how, over the last few years, investment bankers have noticed heightened competition between private capital and public markets.

"What makes our lives more challenging now is the fact that private capital is competing with public markets. With the number of initial public offerings (IPOs) that happened last year, and the valuation that public markets are offering, private equity [instead of credit] has had to become more competitive."

India's IPO market was one of the hottest global destinations in 2025, with over 350 companies raising more than 1.75 trillion. With increased competition between public markets and private equity, Girotra expects some amount of dual-tracking to also play out in the Indian deals ecosystem.

A dual-track process is a strategic path a company follows to raise funds when it is unsure of which way to go.

Girotra cited Manjushree Technopak's example from late 2024, where Advent International sold its portfolio firm to PAG after pursuing a dual-track strategy.

Mint had also reported in February 2025 that ITC had mulled acquiring Orkla India for $1.4 billion, seen as a pivot from the MNC's plans for its India listings.

Renewables, AI And Healthcare Bet

Girotra said that the 2026 deals environment will likely see heightened activity in the renewables and artificial intelligence spaces, including data centres.

Industry analysts believe that Indias data centre capacity will grow fivefold by 2030 to over 8GW, from current levels of around 1GW, according to a KPMG report from December 2025. This growth is expected to generate capital expenditure of over $30 billion.

This growth in the sector will ensure that buyers and PE-backed platforms continue to pursue targets in data platforms, AI-related infrastructure, and renewable power sources to feed these assets, Girotra said.

She also said that India will see significant activity in the coming months in sectors where the domestic consumer is the end user, such as healthcare services.

"The urban middle class is rising, and rural India is doing well again. So naturally, everyone wants to play to that market, and that is where the M&A appetite is going to be enormous," she explained.

The consumer healthcare space is currently on fire with deals like Manipal's $760 million acquisition of Sahyadri Hospitals and Torrent Pharma's acquisition of a controlling stake in JB Chemicals from KKR, she said.

Overall, in 2025, investment in India's pharma sector stood at $8.3 billion across M&A and PE/VC deals, with public markets adding another $1.5 billion through IPOs and $1.2 billion through Qualified Institutional Placements (QIPs), according to Grant Thornton Bharat data.

PE firms will continue to invest in single speciality formats, either directly or in platform mode, with focus on oncology, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), mother and child care, dialysis and eyecare, Grant Thornton added.

But healthcare, Girotra said, is just one of the many sectors that will play out.

"While the government has taken a leapfrog lead in infrastructure that private corporates haven't traditionally matched, other areas like semiconductors, rare earth minerals, cement, and paints are also going to see a lot of excitement," she said without giving details.
President Donald Trumps latest tariff threats may signal an early escalation in whats expected to be months of volatile posturing as the US, Canada and Mexico prepare to review their trade pact this year.

On Saturday, Trump criticized Mark Carney for expanding economic ties with China, saying the prime minister would be sorely mistaken to think the US will allow Canada to be a drop off port for Chinese goods. He threatened 100% tariffs on the northern nation if it reaches a trade deal with China.

Also Read | Trump says Canada will face 100% tariffs if it deals with China

Canadas minister in charge of US trade, Dominic LeBlanc, pushed back, saying there was no pursuit of a free trade agreement with China. Last weeks limited deal between Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping was about resolving tariff disputes, LeBlanc said, describing the US-Canada relationship as a remarkable partnership.

While Trumps remarks were ostensibly about Canadas tariff truce with China  and come as Carney draws international attention for his Davos speech about standing up to great powers  the salvo also portends a heated back-and-forth ahead of the US-Canada-Mexico Agreement review.

Most economists surveyed by Bloomberg still anticipate a positive outcome to those talks, but Trumps broadside injects fresh uncertainty.

This clearly adds downside risks to the upcoming formal trade negotiations between the US and Canada, Dominique Lapointe, a macro strategist with Manulife Investment Management, said by email.

Canada is particularly exposed because exports to the US represent an outsize proportion of its economy. Trumps sectoral tariffs on autos, steel, aluminum and lumber are badly hurting key industries, but many other goods remain tariff-free if shipped under USMCA.

That exemption is at risk as the agreement is subject to a mandatory review this year. Analysts warn that losing it would be devastating for Canada, pushing effective tariffs on US-bound exports well above the 5% to 7% rate currently estimated by most economists.

Earlier this month, Trump said theres no real advantage for the US to having the deal, which was one of his signature first-term achievements, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The pact spells out a range of negotiating paths as they approach the sixth anniversary of the agreement on July 1. Unless all three countries agree to extend USMCA by 16 years, they must hold annual reviews before the pact expires in 2036. The framework theoretically allows talks to proceed in any format the parties choose, and includes a withdrawal clause permitting any country to exit with six months notice.

Many US business groups  even those with grievances about USMCA  dont want to see the trade deal scrapped entirely. Several industries, such as auto manufacturing, have developed deeply interconnected supply chains across North America that would be upended if Trump terminates the deal.

Derek Holt, head of capital markets economics at Bank of Nova Scotia, said he isnt persuaded by arguments that USMCA will be torn up.

Hubris aside, that hasnt been the US attitude to date and the vast majority of US industries that testified at USTR hearings strongly supported the USMCA deal, he said in a report to investors published Friday.

Trade uncertainty is weighing on business confidence, complicating Canadas long-term struggle to attract capital. In a survey last week, the Bank of Canada said firms are holding back investment in expanding production, focusing instead on maintenance and replacement spending.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect investment in Canada to grow 1.3% in 2026, up from just 0.6% last year. But that forecast hinges on a USMCA deal lifting investment in the second half of this year.

This is just adding to the noise, but it was always going to be very noisy, volatile and uncertain, Randall Bartlett, deputy chief economist at Desjardins Group, said. It was never going to be a positive environment for business investment in Canada, particularly in the first part of this year.

We hope the two governments can come to a better understanding quickly that can alleviate further concerns for businesses who face the immediate consequences of torqued-up uncertainty, said Matthew Holmes, chief of public policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Still, Trumps reaction may also signal that Canadas outreach to China carries some advantage, Bartlett said.

It also gives Canada potentially a little bit of leverage in the negotiations as well. There are other major trading partners that want to work with us, he said.

When Carney and Xi struck their deal, Trump initially reacted positively. Thats OK, thats what he should be doing, the president said of Carney on Jan. 16. Its a good thing for him to sign a trade deal. If you can get a deal with China you should do that.

If Canada meaningfully diversifies away from the US, Bartlett said, its something that is going to lead to challenges for US businesses and consumers as well.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and slowing global growth, president Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said Indias economic momentum remains strong, underpinned by reforms, infrastructure investment and a renewed focus on self-reliance.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, Murmu said: India is the worlds fastest-growing major economy. Despite global uncertainties, India is recording continuous economic growth. We are moving towards achieving our goal of becoming the worlds third-largest economy in the near future.

She said Indias principles of swadeshi and self-reliance would continue to be channels of growth. By investing in the creation of world-class infrastructure, we are rebuilding our economic strength at a much larger scale. In this journey of shaping our economic destiny, aatmanirbharata (self-reliance) and swadeshi are our guiding principles, she said.

Indias nearly $4 trillion economy, despite challenges due to high US tariffs and other geopolitical headwinds, is expected to grow 7.4% in fiscal year 2026 (FY26) in real terms, according to the first advance estimates released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation on 7 January. The economy grew at 6.5% in FY25 and 9.2% in FY24.

Also Read | Sixteenth Finance Commission submits report to President Murmu

In his Independence Day address in August 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called upon citizens to promote the production and consumption of swadeshimade-in-Indiaitems.

President Murmu also said recent government reforms such as the goods and services tax (GST) rate rationalisation, notification of labour codes, as well as decriminalisation of obsolete laws and reduction of compliances have increased the ease of doing business in the country and will be growth engines.

Over recent months, the Centre has attempted to channel growth by pushing reforms in multiple sectors. These include passing of the Jan Vishwas Bill to decriminalise and simplify laws and increase the ease of doing business, reducing GST on a plethora of items to boost consumption, and notifying long-due labour code reforms to widen social security for millions of the countrys informal workers.

The recent decisions to make the GST system even more effective will further strengthen our economy, the president said. Four labour codes have been issued in the field of labour reforms. These will benefit our workers and will also accelerate the development of enterprises.

Murmu linked economic strength with national security, pointing to Indias growing defence self-reliance. Our self-reliance in the field of defence powered the historic success of Operation Sindoor, she said.

In May 2025, India launched an offensive against terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam the previous month, which had left more than 20 civilians dead. It turned into a nearly four-day long conflict between India and Pakistan.

The future of humanity can remain secure only if there is peace in the whole world. In an atmosphere marked by conflicts in many parts of the world, India is spreading the message of world peace, Murmu said.

She said the governments efforts for social welfare, especially under the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana for providing basic necessities of life, has reached about 810 million. Millions of our people who have been struggling with poverty for decades have been lifted above the poverty line. Efforts are also being made to ensure that they do not fall back into the poverty trap, she said.

Also Read | Nitin Pai: Do not burden the gig economy with constraints it may not survive

Echoing the prime ministers remarks on the same day, the president also said the countrys youth and startups will be drivers of growth in the future, and will lead the way to making India a developed country by 2047.

The impressive success demonstrated by start-ups in our country is mainly driven by our young entrepreneurs. The country's development will gain momentum through policies and programs focused on the aspirations of the younger generation. I am confident that the power of youth will play a leading role in the making of Viksit Bharat by 2047, said Murmu.

Indias digital payments infrastructure has allowed more than half of all digital transactions in the world to be done in the country, and women participation in voting and financial systems has increased considerably, she said.
NEW DELHI, Jan 25 (Reuters) - India plans to slash tariffs on cars imported from the European Union to 40% from as high as 110%, sources said, in the biggest opening yet of the country's vast market as the two sides close in on a free trade pact that could come as early as Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has agreed to immediately reduce the tax on a limited number of cars from the 27-nation bloc with an import price of more than 15,000 euros ($17,739), two sources briefed on the talks told Reuters.

This will be further lowered to 10% over time, they added, easing access to the Indian market for European automakers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

The sources declined to be identified as the talks are confidential and could be subject to last-minute changes. India's commerce ministry and the European Commission declined to comment.

Pact already dubbed Mother of all deals India and the EU are expected to announce on Tuesday the conclusion of protracted negotiations for the free trade pact, after which the two sides will finalise the details and ratify what is being called the mother of all deals.

The pact could expand bilateral trade and lift Indian exports of goods such as textiles and jewellery, which have been hit by 50% U.S. tariffs since late August.

India is the world's third-largest car market by sales after the U.S. and China, but its domestic auto industry has been one of the most protected. New Delhi currently levies tariffs of 70% and 110% on imported cars, a level often criticised by executives, including Tesla chief Elon Musk.

New Delhi has proposed slashing import duties to 40% immediately for about 200,000 combustion-engine cars a year, one of the sources said, its most aggressive move yet to open up the sector. This quota could be subject to last-minute changes, the source added.

Battery electric vehicles will be excluded from import duty reductions for the first five years to protect investments by domestic players like Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors in the nascent sector, the two sources said. After five years EVs will follow similar duty cuts.

Suzuki, local makers dominate market Lower import taxes will be a boost for European automakers such as Volkswagen, Renault and Stellantis, as well as luxury players Mercedes-Benz and BMW which locally manufacture cars in India but have struggled to grow beyond a point in part due to high tariffs.

Also Read | Has India stopped buying Russian oil? Bessent makes new claim amid tariff threat

Lower taxes will allow carmakers to sell imported vehicles for a cheaper price and test the market with a broader portfolio before committing to manufacturing more cars locally, said one of the two sources.

European carmakers currently hold a less than 4% share of India's 4.4-million units a year car market, which is dominated by Japan's Suzuki Motor as well as homegrown brands Mahindra and Tata that together hold two-thirds.

With the Indian market expected to grow to 6 million units a year by 2030, some companies are already lining up new investment.
Veteran Indian actor and filmmaker Prakash Raj sparked fresh debate within the film industry this weekend with a candid critique of mainstream Hindi cinema.

Prakash Raj talks about Bollywood Speaking at the ongoing ninth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) in Kozhikode, Raj expressed deep concerns over what he sees as a growing disconnect between Bollywood and its audiences, while praising the content and creative direction of Malayalam and Tamil films. His remarks have since become a topic of discussion among industry observers and fans alike.

Raj, who has worked extensively in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam cinema, said he feels that mainstream Hindi films have lost their roots and increasingly focus on surface-level gloss and commercial appeal rather than meaningful storytelling.

He made the comments during a session titled The Artist I Became, speaking to a large audience of writers, critics, and cinema lovers.

As per PTI, the actor said, In the present context, I feel Malayalam and Tamil cinema are making very strong films... Hindi cinema, on the other hand, has lost its roots. Everything looks beautiful, wonderful, like plastic, as you see in the Madame Tussauds museum. We (the South) still have stories to tell; the new young directors of Tamil are talking about Dalit issues. And that gives so much hope."

Raj also spoke about how the evolution of film distribution and exhibition has influenced the kinds of movies being made in Bollywood. He linked part of the industrys shift away from more socially grounded narratives to the post-multiplex era, when Hindi films began catering predominantly to urban and multiplex audiences.

He added, He added, After multiplexes, the Bombay film industry started making films only for multiplexes. Very cute films and things like that. Because they were running well. They went into that Page 3 culture, and with that lost touch with rural Rajasthan and Bihar Today, its all about money and appearances -- reels, page 3 coverage, and loud self-promotion. In the process, I feel the industry has lost its connection with the audience.

Prakash Raj's work front The actor was last seen in Tere Ishk Mein alongside Dhanush and Kriti Sanon. The film was directed by Anand L Rai.

The actor will next be seen in films like Adivi Shesh's G2 and Dacoit. He will be a part of SS Rajamouli's Varanasi. The film will also feature Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) Vedanta's iron ore mining arm, Sesa Goa, has urged the government to provide incentives for low-grade iron ore beneficiation, emphasising that targeted policy support and infrastructure investment are critical to make the processing economically viable and to expand the sector.

The low-grade iron ore beneficiation process enhances the iron content of low-quality ores by removing impurities like silica, alumina, and phosphorus, thereby making them suitable for steel production.

With India's steel demand projected to reach 300 million tonnes by 2030, unlocking low-grade reserves through beneficiation could boost domestic supply security, create jobs, and add billions to government revenues via expanded mining and exports.

Currently, higher-grade ore meets domestic needs, but low-grade stockpiles offer untapped potential, provided policy hurdles like duties and regulatory delays are eased.

"India sits on massive low-grade iron ore inventory  estimated at over 300 million tonnes at mine heads  that remains underutilised due to high upfront costs for beneficiation plants and supporting infrastructure," said Sesa Goa CEO Navin Jaju during an interaction.

Stressing the requirement for long-term investment to upgrade low-grade ore into higher-grade feedstock for domestic steel production, Jaju said, "There is a very urgent need to bring some kind of beneficial duty structure or incentive structure to beneficiate this material."

Jaju argued against export duties on low-grade ore, adding that "Export duty by far India does not need it... We have abundance of material."

He advocated for free pricing to encourage sector growth, noting that proper evacuation infrastructure would enable exports while prioritising domestic beneficiation.

The issue is a regular agenda item in industry ecosystems and associations, with calls for tax credits, subsidised financing, and relaxed policies to accelerate projects.

Steel majors, reliant on consistent ore supply amid global price volatility, see this as pivotal for Atmanirbhar Bharat in metals.
Engineers studying drone combat at one of Chinas top military-linked universities needed a way to simulate clashes between drone swarms in real time. They turned to nature for inspiration.

Observing how hawks select prey, they trained defensive drones to single out and destroy the most vulnerable enemy aircraft. On the other side, the attacking drones were taught how to dodge the hawk-trained defenders based on the behavior of doves. In a five-on-five test, the hawks destroyed all the doves in 5.3 seconds.

That research earned the engineers a patent in April 2024one of hundreds granted in recent years to Chinese defense companies and universities affiliated with the military for advances in swarm intelligence.

In the artificial intelligence Cold War emerging between the U.S. and China, military use of the technology has quickly become one of the hottest areas of competition. Its also one of the most hazardous, with the desire to gain an edge putting pressure on commanders to turn over more and more warfighting power to machines.

Patent filings, government procurement tenders and research papers reviewed by The Wall Street Journal reveal that Chinas military, the Peoples Liberation Army, is intensely focused on harnessing AI to deploy swarms of drones, robot dogs and other autonomous systems. The idea is that they could overwhelm enemies or erect impenetrable defenses against threats with minimal human input.

The AI era will usher in a new style of warfighting driven by algorithms, with unmanned systems as the main fighting force and swarm operations as the primary mode of combat," a group of Chinese military theorists wrote in October 2024. They likened AIs potential to transform the military to gunpowder, a technology invented in China but more effectively weaponized, many in China believe, by others.

Drones, for their part, have emerged as key weapons on the battlefields of Ukraine, where strategies and technology for their use have developed quickly under the pressure of real fighting.

Drone swarms can be used as decoys that can force an enemy to burn through munitions, as spies and as devastating weapons that can take out enemy soldiers and tanks in suicide missions.

Marrying AI with robots allows China to exploit its advantage in hardware, with Chinese factories already capable of pumping out a million or more cheap, capable drones every yearsomething the U.S. hasnt been able to do. With its weaker tech supply chain, the U.S. produces drones in the tens of thousands, and at prices many times higher.

Flaunting that advantage, Chinas state broadcaster in 2024 released footage of Swarm 1, a truck-mounted system capable of launching as many as 48 fixed-wing drones at a time. It said multiple trucks could be used to launch swarms of up to 200 drones capable of splitting up to carry out coordinated tasks, including reconnaissance, strikes and deception.

The Jiutian, a hulking mother ship drone designed to release swarms of smaller drones, completed its maiden flight in December, according to state media. That came after the PLA displayed a pack of robot wolves"bulked up, weaponized versions of robot dogsin a military parade in September. In an interview with state media, their maker, state-owned China South Industries Group, said the company is working on ways to link wolf packs with aerial swarms to create a new model of efficient collaborative combat."

Swarm intelligence also offers an enticing solution to a long-running concern for the PLA over the competence of rank-and-file soldiers and their commanders, who havent fought a war since the late 1970s.

At a tactical level, for concrete missions, theres a growing consensus [in Chinese military writings] that autonomous systems have the potential to perform better than humans," said Sunny Cheung, an open-source intelligence expert at the Washington think tank Jamestown Foundation.

Chinas Ministry of Defense didnt respond to requests for comment.

The approach comes with risks for China. PLA engineers could fail to get the technology to work in a real wartime scenario, making Chinas robot squadrons easy for enemies to pick off or disable. Or the AI could work too well, and make deadly decisions outside the understanding or control of human commanders. In fact, lessons from Ukraine, where signal jamming makes it increasingly difficult for human soldiers to control drones remotely, have reinforced for the PLA the value of drones that carry out orders on their own, Cheung and other military analysts say.

Robot armies

Militaries around the world are intrigued by the potential of advanced self-teaching forms of AI, like those that underpin ChatGPT, to improve everything from logistics to battlefield analysis and combat. Actual use of the technology by militaries is still in its infancy and is shrouded in secrecy.

Research papers, patent filings and military bid tenderswhich Chinese government agencies make public so companies can bid to supply themoffer a glimpse into how the PLA is seeking to deploy AI.

One bid tender posted to a PLA-managed procurement platform in 2024, among many acquired by Georgetown Universitys Center for Security and Emerging Technology, outlined a mobile cognitive warfare system with the ability to create AI-driven deepfake videos and broadcast them via laser onto buildings or other public landmarks.

The tender also requested robot dogs and drones for reconnaissance, along with a consciousness intervention system" mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle to blast targets with directed sound at decibel levels nearly high enough to rupture ear drums.

View Full Image Robot dogs being used in simulated urban warfare, shown a still from a CCTV video.

The tender for the mobile cognitive warfare unit reads like a fever dream" of Chinese military AI ambitions, said Sam Bresnick, a research fellow at CSET. The idea is, Can some company deliver this kind of thing and then can we produce it at scale?"

A tender being posted doesnt necessarily mean the PLA has acquired or will ever get the system described, but it does show what sort of technologies Beijing is interested in, Bresnick added.

Competition between the American and Chinese militaries over drone swarms dates back at least a decade. In 2015, a single pilot successfully controlled 50 drones at one time in a test at the Naval Postgraduate School in California, setting a world record. A state-run Chinese defense company broke the record the next year. The pattern repeated in 2017.

Those early demonstrations were rudimentary, with the drones able to fly together at a set distance and little else. For a time, the most exciting development in the field was the advent of light shows in which hundreds of preprogrammed drones created animations or formed corporate logos in the skies above major events.

Today, drones used on the battlefield in Ukraine and Gaza are faster, more maneuverable and more robust, enabling their operators to zip through a war zone as if in a videogame. They are also developing the ability to track and destroy targets on their own.

As drones have become cheaper and more capable, sci-fi visions of AI-powered robot armies clashing on the battlefield have inched closer to reality. A recent surge of research into drone intelligence is producing a stream of new or updated algorithms, many of them modeled on the behavior of animal groups, that theoretically give large numbers of drones rules for how to act and react in concert to carry out a mission.

The trick is getting those algorithms to work on actual drones in realistic battlefield scenarios, according to Justin Bradley, an expert in aerospace engineering at North Carolina State University who specializes in autonomous systems.

We dont have good-enough perception on these vehicles for them to know where each other are," Bradley said. Instead, current systems are forced to rely almost entirely on radio communication between drones that is easily disrupted by electronic warfare.

Advanced AI can mitigate that vulnerability by enabling drones to automatically track each other, as well as identify targets and spot obstacles to avoid. But finding enough data to train reliable models is difficult. So is combining a self-learning AI model with the human-designed systems that control other parts of a drone.

You cant just add in your own stuff and hope for it to be holistically robust," Bradley said.

View Full Image A Ukrainian serviceman launched a kamikaze First-Person View drone during a battle in 2023. Inna Varenytsia/REUTERS

Studying animal behavior

China is pushing ahead anyway. The hawk vs. dove simulationrun by researchers at Beihang University, one of the PLA-linked schools in China known as the Seven Sons of Defense"reflects what American drone experts say are the strengths and weaknesses of Chinas pursuit of swarm intelligence.

The research, detailed in an academic paper and a patent application, included more sophisticated modeling that reflects how drones actually fly, compared with other animal-inspired models that assume simpler styles of movement. As with a lot of Chinese work on swarm intelligence, it was a relatively minor advance thats unlikely to turn heads in the U.S., according to Bradley, but the simulation reflects the countrys practical focus on making swarm combat actually work.

What you can say is, Hey, look, China is thinking very seriously about developing the algorithms that it can use in a tactical environment to win at a specific game," he said. In this game, were talking about some kind of resource and aggressively defending or attacking it."

Beihang University didnt respond to a request for comment.

Other work by Chinese researchers takes a similar approach, tweaking algorithms based on the behavior of ants, sheep, coyotes and whales to eke out theoretical improvements in the ability of unmanned systems to collaborate.

Speaking at a drone conference in Beijing in July, the Beihang professor who led the universitys hawk-dove swarm simulation, Duan Haibin, said Chinese researchers were also trying to simulate the eyes of eagles and fruit flies in search of a solution to drones perception problems.

Since the start of 2022, Chinese defense contractors, military institutes and military-linked universities have published at least 930 patent filings related to swarm intelligence. There have been only around 60 such patents published in the U.S. over the same period, and at least 10 of those were filed by Chinese entities.

The discrepancy partly stems from the much heavier emphasis Chinese university science departments put on patent filings in judging academic performance. But it also reflects differences in approach, according to Stacie Pettyjohn, a senior fellow and director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security.

For China, which is home to factories that pump out more than 80% of the worlds small drones, it makes more sense to pursue swarms, according to Pettyjohn. China is very focused on figuring out ways to be able to deliver and employ a lot of smart, small drones just because that is something that is widely available to them," she said.

Chinas dominance of the drone supply chain makes it difficult for the U.S. to build its own arsenal of cheap unmanned systems, since reliance on affordable Chinese parts would make American drones vulnerable to hacking or supply disruptions.

The Pentagon is nevertheless striving to close the gap with China. It recently deployed a new long-range kamikaze drone that costs $35,000, a price point drone experts say is surprisingly affordable.

Western drone makers are also experimenting with swarms. Auterion, a startup with offices in Virginia and Munich, demonstrated its swarm technology on quadcopter drones during U.S. Army training exercises in Hawaii in November. At one point, the company launched seven drones simultaneously, with two peeling off in a simulated suicide strike using a technology known as pixel-lock to home in automatically on their targets.

California-based Anduril Industries says its autonomy software, Lattice, enables swarm coordination, though Navy tests of that system in May ended in failure.

View Full Image Attack drones at a base in the U.S. Central Command operating area on Nov. 23. CENTCOM

Despite those efforts, Pettyjohn said, the U.S. is more heavily focused on improving the autonomy of individual drones that can work in a team with human soldiers and pilots, which plays to strengths of the American militarys decentralized combat units.

Control from the top

Developing the ability to deploy platoons of robots that can carry out orders without hesitating also speaks to skepticism in Beijing about the reliability of PLA mission commanders.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has for a decade lamented what he calls the five incapables," a reference to commanders who cant assess a situation, cant make operational decisions, cant grasp superiors intentions, cant deploy troops effectively and cant handle unexpected situations.

Some military analysts attribute that lack of trust to Chinas rigidly top-down military command structure, which diverges sharply from the U.S. approach of training combat units and individual soldiers to make decisions on their own when necessary. The Communist Partys preference for centralized control makes AI all the more appealing as a way to engineer military operations from Beijing, they say.

The expectation of Chinese military theorists is that drone swarms will help the PLA overcome its lack of experience in combat by overwhelming even the most competent human commanders of an opponent.

Procurement documents posted to PLA-controlled platforms show an interest in bringing AI-driven drone swarms out of the lab. One bid tender posted in April 2024 sought to rent a drone equipped with radar-based mapping sensors to collect real-world training data for AI models that swarms can use to identify targets.

Assuming the PLA figures out the technology, one scenario in which Chinese drone swarms are most likely to be deployed is in a conflict over Taiwan, the self-ruled island democracy China claims as its territory.

After an initial rocket attack, the PLA could send swarms from 50 miles away to loiter in the airspace over the island and search for any remaining Taiwanese jet fighters or air defenses, according to Pettyjohn. They could then attack targets directly, or mark them for long-range missile attacks.

You could very easily have this dense amount of firepower up there just constantly scanning and searching and making it very hard for Taiwan to conduct defensive operations," she said.

Chinese research papers, patent applications and procurement documents also demonstrate a strong interest in counter-swarm technologyan indication Beijing is thinking about defense in addition to offense.

For militaries, the most fundamental concerns about AI stem from its mysterious decision-making processes and propensity to hallucinate.

Not only might autonomous systems make deadly mistakes, but the opacity of their calculations could provide cover for bad human decisions, Zhu Qichao, a technology strategist at Chinas National Defense University, wrote last year in an essay for the state-run magazine Peoples Tribune.

Once an artificial intelligence weapon system produces safety hazards, the algorithm black box may become a rationalized excuse for the relevant responsible parties to shirk responsibility," he wrote.

Governments, tech watchdogs and some of the people who build AI systems have called for global rules restraining use of the technology in warfare to avoid the various nightmare scenarios associated with automated killing machines.

Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the PLA, said both China and the U.S. will want to know what AI can actually do on the battlefield before agreeing to any limits. AIs military applications are burgeoning, so its consequences have yet to be fully discovered," he said.

Write to Josh Chin at Josh.Chin@wsj.com
President Trumps overtures about acquiring Greenland are now reviving questions among the U.S.s NATO allies over whether Europe can make enough of its own weapons to fight independently of America.

Defense analysts and lawmakers mainly conclude yes, but not just yet.

The continents once-sclerotic defense industry is churning out drones, tanks, ammunition and other weaponry at its fastest pace in decades as the region looks to rearm in the face of Russian aggression and divides with Washington. But there is still some way to go. The cost of replacing current U.S. military equipment and personnel in Europe would be around $1 trillion, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank. Some holes remain in the regions manufacturing capability, including stealth fighters, long-range missiles and satellite intelligence.

While Europe has increased its defense production in recent years, its fragmented industry currently lacks the capacity of its U.S. peers, which are financed by the worlds largest military budget.

Still, sharp increases in military spending across Europe and renewed efforts in research and development are bringing operational independence closerand in some cases it is happening surprisingly quickly.

In late 2024, Clemens Kurten started a company to sell drones to European militaries without a design or staff. Within a year the German company had sold hundreds of units.

There is growing urgency to find a response to what the U.S. intends to do, not just in Greenland, but with the broader security alliance that has bound it to Europe since the end of World War II.

If Americans will start to diminish their presence on the European continentof course, we need to start to plan how we shall build what we can call a European pillar of NATO," Andrius Kubilius, the European Union official in charge of revitalizing the defense industry said Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

That includes replacing so-called strategic enablers, like space satellites, that Europe currently relies on the U.S. for, he said.

Trump had already pushed Europe to spend more on defense. A U.S. increasingly focused on Latin America and Asia will likely redeploy American assets out of Europe. More recently, clashes between the White House and Europe over Ukraine and now Greenland have raised concerns that the U.S. could cut off the supply of American weapons and even stop Europeans from using those they own.

On Wednesday, Finlands President Alexander Stubb said in Davos that his countrys fleet of U.S.-made fighters cant fly long-term without U.S. spare parts and hardware updates.The country must instead trust that Washington will continue to help them fly, which he said it was in their interests to do.

Industry executives say the pivot toward a self-sufficient defense industry is well under way.

Kurten, CEO of Twentyfour Industries, said his Munich-based company was able to start production so quickly because European investors are now willing to finance defense companies and talent is willing to work for them, and because local government procurement agencies move quicker.

That wouldnt have been possible five years ago," said Kurten, who was a drone consultant when he and a partner founded the company.

The process is being lubricated by the biggest jump in European military spending since the Cold War.

Last year, Europe spent an estimated $560 billion on defense, according to analysts at Bernstein, double what it spent a decade ago. By 2035, its spending on equipment will be 80% of the Pentagons, up from less than 30% in 2019, Bernstein said.

This could have repercussions for the U.S. defense sector if the region turns to homegrown weaponry. Europe accounts for up to 10% of American defense manufacturers revenues, according to U.K.-based research group Agency Partners.

In a sign of what could happen, Germanys Rheinmetall has opened or is constructing 16 new factories since Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Italian defense giant Leonardo has increased its head count by almost a half to 64,000 people in just over two years.

By spring of last year, MBDA, Europes largest missile maker, could make 40 short-range Mistral air-defense missiles a monthup from 10 before Russias invasion of Ukraineand had doubled the production of antitank missiles to 40 a month.

Drone manufacturers, such as Twentyfour Industries, have sprung up across Europe. A global market leader in land drones is the tiny Baltic nation of Estonia.

In some cases, European production has surpassed the U.S.

Rheinmetall alone will soon be able to produce 1.5 million 155mm artillery shells a year, more than the combined U.S. defense industry.

Europe almost exclusively supplies its own armored vehicles, with Germanys Leopard the worlds most popular tank. The region also makes all its own ships and submarines, vessels that outsell their U.S. peers globally.

There are indications that some European countries are already choosing local rather than U.S.-made weapons. Between 2020 and 2024, 79% of Danish defense imports came from the U.S. Last year, as Trump ramped up pressure on Denmark to sell Greenland, over half of Denmarks weapon purchases came from Europe. Copenhagen has denied this is deliberate.

View Full Image (WSJ)

Still, a watershed moment where Europe moves away from the U.S. hasnt happened yet, said Pieter Wezeman, whose think tank, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, analyzes data on military spending.

Some European defense officials say European defense companies arent moving fast enough, particularly in aerospace.

Frances Dassault has a backlog of 220 Rafale jet fighters to make. Last year, it was delivering two a month, with each aircraft taking three years to make; deliveries will go up to three a month this year, the company says.

The fact that Poland buys arms from South Korea shows that Europe, along with the U.S., isnt ramping up defense production as fast as needed, Mark Rutte, the secretary-general of NATO, said at Davos on Wednesday.

Roberto Cingolani, chief executive of Leonardo, which makes military helicopters, radar systems and other military components, said that a barrier to speedy European rearmament is fragmentation.

Every country wants to have its own tank, its own aircraft, its own ship, and of course the dispersion in terms of investment, R&D [and] procurement does not favor" European rearmament, he said in an interview.

There are also capability gaps.

Europe is at least 10 years away from a locally produced stealth jet fighter. Meanwhile many of the 13 European nations that have either bought or ordered the U.S. F-35 continue to add to their fleets.

Europe lags behind the U.S. on satellite intelligence and is mainly dependent on U.S. companies for the cloud computing that manages battlefield data. Despite Germanys inventing the ballistic missile over 80 years ago, Europe has almost no production of this essential weapon or other types of very long-range missiles.

Americas long-range missile defense remains the system of choice for European nations.

While Ukraine has reduced its dependence on U.S. weaponry, American air defenses, such as Patriot batteries, are invaluable, and the country cant get enough of these systems interceptors, said Mykola Bielieskov, an analyst at a Ukrainian NGO called Come Back Alive, which helps fund weapons procurement for Kyiv.

Some European nations are now trying to address their shortcomings.

Several projects under way are aimed at producing missiles with a range of over 1,000 miles after 2030, and the U.K. recently established its own military satellite constellation after being reliant on the U.S. Other Europeans are sending more into space. French President Emmanuel Macron recently said that two-thirds of Ukraines satellite intelligence comes now from his country.

Could Europe arm itself? Yes, but over time," said Matthew Savill, a director at the Royal United Services Institute think tank. The volume is not there yet, and we need to accept that in some areas the stuff is not as good," he said.

Write to Alistair MacDonald at Alistair.Macdonald@wsj.com and Cristina Gallardo at cristina.gallardo@wsj.com
Israels reliance on new Palestinian militias in Gaza to target Hamas was on display earlier this month when Hussam Al Astal, the leader of one of the groups, boasted about the killing of a police official in Hamas-controlled territory and said more such attacks are planned.

We say to Hamas and everyone affiliated with Hamas: Just as we reached him, we will come for you, too," said Astal in a video message that showed him brandishing an assault rifle.

Israels support for these pop-up militias is extensive. It provides air support from drones, and shares intelligence, weapons, cigarettes and food, according to Israeli officials and military reservists. Some militia members have been airlifted to Israeli hospitals after sustaining injuries, the officials said.

This partnership, born out of a shared enmity for Hamas, is a useful tool for Israel. With its forces limited by the terms of a cease-fire with the militant group, the militias can get to areas of Hamas-controlled territory that are supposed to be off-limits to Israeli troops, including Al Mawasi, where Hamas said Astals men killed the police official.

His group includes dozens of gunmen living in an Israeli-controlled part of Gaza. Hamas described the team that killed the official as agents of the Israeli occupation."

The price of betrayal is heavy and costly," Hamas said Thursday in a threat to militias working with Israel.

Astal denied receiving assistance from Israel other than food, saying his forces targeted the police official themselves. He caused problems for people who wanted to come to us," Astal told The Wall Street Journal in a phone interview. He was harming usanyone who tried to reach us was shot at or arrested. Whoever replaces him will be killed."

Israel keeps close tabs on the militias activities and has stepped in to help or get them out of trouble in other cases.

When they are going and doing activities against Hamas, we are there to watch them and some of the time to help," said Yaron Buskila, who was a senior operations officer in the Israeli militarys Gaza division until the cease-fire came into effect in October. It means helping them with information and if we see Hamas trying to threaten them or come close, we are actively getting involved."

Buskila said he had no knowledge of the cooperation since he left that role. The Israeli military and Shin Bet domestic security agency declined to comment on cooperation with the militias.

In recent months, members of the Popular Forces, another Israeli-backed militia, were used to try to draw out trapped Hamas militants from tunnels inside Rafah, as Israel pumped explosives into the tunnels, a person familiar with the matter said.

Militia members have claimed responsibility for killing Hamas militants on social media, with graphic videos posted online. Others show militia members in Israeli tactical vests standing in formations and shooting rifles to upbeat music, as well as AI-generated drawings of a future Gaza. Some militias are recruiting new members in online posts.

An Israeli military reservist who was stationed in Gaza said he accompanied aid convoys supplying a militia in Rafah during the summer, which took place once a week late at night with the vehicle lights turned off. The aid and supplies included food, water, cigarettes and closed boxes with unknown contents that were placed in the vehicles by the Shin Bet security service, the reservist said.

Israel had to find other partners who work with them after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the war that he wouldnt replace Hamas in Gaza with the Palestinian Authority. Early attempts to work with Gazan clans to form independent governance options for the enclave were quickly snuffed out by Hamas, which assassinated some of those potential partners.

Members of some militias have proved their ability to survive Hamas reprisals, forming several small communities in areas of Gaza under Israeli military control. Their numbers range from hundreds to thousands of people, according to militia leaders and Israeli and Arab officials.

So far the militias havent been able to turn themselves into a viable alternative to Hamas.

Some were involved in looting aid during the war and have a history of criminal activities, which makes many Gazans wary of supporting them. Nor have the militias had much success limiting the reach of Hamas, which has been able to reassert control over the less than 50% of Gaza it controls and is working on rebuilding its military structure.

The militias are also viewed as collaborators with Israel by many in Gaza.

Working with such armed militias has backfired in the past, say military analysts. Most notably, Israels support for the South Lebanon Army, a Christian militia, turned deadly when Israeli forces left Lebanon in 2000. Many SLA members were killed or forced to escape to Israel.

Another concern is that militias could ultimately turn on Israel.

The interests of a militia are first of all to the militia, not to someone else. And it can turn on you," said Saar Tzur, a recently retired senior officer in the Israeli military who served during the recent Gaza war.

It is unclear what happens to these militias if Israel pulls out of the half of Gaza it currently occupies. The second phase of President Trumps peace plan calls for Israel to withdraw to a buffer zone around Gaza after Hamas is disarmed.

They may occasionally conduct a successful operation against Hamas," said Michael Milshtein, a former head of Palestinian affairs for Israeli military intelligence. But they may face a fate similar to Lebanon militias after the Israeli military withdrew, he said.

It is a matter of time. They will have to choose whether to stay and be executed or arrested, or escape and join the IDF," he said, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

Write to Anat Peled at anat.peled@wsj.com and Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com
India has backed calls for a balanced outcome on cotton at the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying issues such as domestic support, market access and development assistance need to be addressed together. India also reiterated that it already offers duty-free access for cotton imports from least-developed countries.

In contrast, major players including the United States and the European Union said any decision on cotton should be part of a broader agreement on agricultural reform, and not a separate one.

These positions were discussed during the 24th Dedicated Discussion on Cotton under the WTO Committee on Agriculture, held in November 2025 and formally reported by the WTO Secretariat on 21 January, as members intensified consultations ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) scheduled for later this year in Cameroon.

The discussions highlighted why cotton remains a sensitive issue in global trade talks, as it is a key livelihood crop supporting millions of small farmers in countries across Africa and parts of Asia. At the same time, it remains one of the most heavily subsidised agricultural commodities, mainly by large producing nations, according to a WTO paper reviewed by Mint.

Also Read | China seeks WTO panel against India, targets PLI local content rules

'Critical for livelihoods'

As per the WTO document, India told members that cotton remains critical for livelihoods and rural development in developing and least-developed countries (LDCs), and that progress on the issue has been limited despite long-standing mandates dating back to the Bali and Nairobi ministerial decisions. It highlighted that India provides duty-free access on all cotton tariff lines and covers 98.2% of tariff lines for imports from LDCs, while calling for sharper discipline on trade-distorting subsidies provided by major producers.

The development is significant as India is the world's second-largest cotton producer, accounting for around a quarter of global output, with the crop grown on about 13 million hectares and supporting nearly 60 million people.

Indias cotton production has seen year-on-year fluctuations in recent seasons. Total cotton output in the 2024-25 season was 29.4 million bales (170 kg each), lower than 33.6 million bales in 2022-23 and 31.1 million bales in 2021-22. Total cotton availability, including opening stocks and imports, was at 35.74 million bales up to the end of the 2024-25 cotton season on 30 September 2025.

Cotton exports for the 2024-25 crop year are estimated at about 1.8 million bales, reflecting relatively subdued overseas shipments amid tighter domestic supply and global market volatility, according to an India Brand Equity Foundation report.

Indias total cotton demand stood at 35.45 million bales in FY24 and declined marginally to 33.60 million bales in FY25, according to an estimate by the textiles ministry in March 2025.

Data presented by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) showed global cotton production in 2025-26 is projected at around 25.4 million tonnes, with China accounting for about 25% of output, followed by India, Brazil and the United States.

Also Read | India tells WTO it has withdrawn 49 quality control orders since July

US, EU opposition

While African countries pushed for a standalone cotton outcome at MC14, the US maintained that any agreement must be embedded in a comprehensive agricultural reform package, warning against piecemeal decisions. The EU echoed a cautious approach, urging pragmatism and consensus-based outcomes, even as it acknowledged the urgency of addressing cotton-related distortions, the WTO paper stated.

Trade experts said the debate on cotton at the WTO has emerged as a litmus test for whether the MC14 can deliver any meaningful outcomes for developing and least-developed countries.

Cotton is one of the few issues with a long-standing and explicit development mandate under the WTO, dating back to the Hong Kong ministerial and reinforced at the Bali and Nairobi ministerials. Even limited progress on cotton would signal that MC14 can address core development concerns instead of remaining stalled by wider disagreements over agricultural reform," said Abhash Kumar, a trade expert.

The MC14 is scheduled to take place from 26-29 March in Yaounde, Cameroon. The WTO is a multilateral organisation that governs the rules of international trade between countries. It currently has 164 member countries, representing over 98% of global trade.
Our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis suggests American Tower is undervalued by 32.8%. Track this in your watchlist or portfolio , or discover 872 more undervalued stocks based on cash flows .

Combining these inputs, the model arrives at an estimated intrinsic value of about $266.07 per share. Compared with the recent share price of $178.75, this implies an intrinsic discount of roughly 32.8%, which indicates the shares are trading below this DCF estimate.

Those yearly cash flows, including the ten year projections that range from around $5.27b in 2026 to $8.50b in 2035, are discounted back to today using a two stage Free Cash Flow to Equity model based on adjusted funds from operations.

Based on the latest numbers, American Tower is estimated to have generated last twelve month free cash flow of about $4.93b. Analyst inputs are used for the next few years, then Simply Wall St extrapolates further out, with projected free cash flow reaching about $6.82b by 2030.

The DCF model for American Tower looks at its adjusted funds from operations, projects those cash flows into the future, then discounts them back to what they might be worth in dollar terms today.

On Simply Wall St's 6 point valuation checklist, American Tower currently scores 6/6 . This sets us up to compare different valuation approaches next and then look at a more complete way to think about value by the end of this article.

Recent news flow around American Tower has centered on its role in the real estate and tower space, as investors reassess communications infrastructure exposure and interest rate sensitivity. This context has kept attention on how resilient tower owners may be compared to other real estate names.

At a last close of US$178.75, the stock has seen a 2.6% decline over the past 7 days, a 1.3% gain over 30 days, and a 2.3% return year to date, with returns around 0% over the past year and declines of 10.4% and 9.0% over 3 and 5 years.

If you are wondering whether American Tower's current share price lines up with its underlying worth, you are not alone. This article focuses on what the numbers say about value.

Story Continues

Approach 2: American Tower Price vs Earnings

For profitable companies like American Tower, the P/E ratio is a useful way to check how much you are paying for each dollar of earnings. It connects directly to what shareholders care about, which is the earnings that support dividends, reinvestment, and potential total returns.

What counts as a reasonable or fair P/E usually reflects how the market views a companys growth prospects and risk. Higher expected growth or lower perceived risk can justify a higher P/E, while lower growth expectations or higher risk often line up with a lower multiple.

American Tower currently trades on a P/E of 28.48x. That sits above the Specialized REITs industry average of 16.60x, but below the peer group average of 41.33x. Simply Wall Sts Fair Ratio for American Tower is 34.02x, which is its own estimate of what a fitting P/E could be, given factors such as earnings growth profile, profit margins, industry, market capitalization and risks.

This Fair Ratio can be more useful than a simple peer or sector comparison, because it tries to adjust for the companys specific characteristics rather than assuming all REITs or tower operators deserve the same multiple. With a current P/E of 28.48x versus a Fair Ratio of 34.02x, American Tower screens as trading below that Fair Ratio estimate.

Result: UNDERVALUED

NYSE:AMT P/E Ratio as at Jan 2026

P/E ratios tell one story, but what if the real opportunity lies elsewhere? Discover 1427 companies where insiders are betting big on explosive growth.

Upgrade Your Decision Making: Choose your American Tower Narrative

Earlier we mentioned that there is an even better way to understand valuation, so let us introduce you to Narratives, which let you attach a clear story to the numbers you are seeing on American Tower.

A Narrative is simply your view of the company written into the forecast, where you set assumptions for future revenue, earnings and margins, then see what fair value those inputs point to.

This links American Towers story, such as your expectations for tower demand or funding costs, directly to a financial forecast and then to a single fair value estimate you can compare with todays share price.

On Simply Wall St, Narratives live on the Community page and are designed so any investor can use them quickly, see how their fair value stacks up against the current price, and update their view as new earnings or news come through.

For example, one American Tower Narrative on the Community page might assume very cautious revenue and margin outcomes and arrive at a much lower fair value. Another might assume stronger fundamentals and support a higher fair value, which shows how investors can reach different decisions using the same tool.

Do you think there's more to the story for American Tower? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying!

NYSE:AMT 1-Year Stock Price Chart

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include AMT.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Each and every bank across India, including State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank and Central Bank, will be closed on Monday, 26 January, due to Republic Day celebrations across the country.

The bank closure tomorrow is a national holiday according to the RBI bank holiday calendar, which means all branches of every public and private lender will be closed for operations.

India will celebrate 77th Republic Day on Monday, 26 January, commemorating the historic adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950.

Republic Day is observed across the country with patriotic fervour, highlighted by the grand ceremonial parade, which, like every year, will take place at Kartavya Path in New Delhi tomorrow morning.

Bank holidays this month The RBI bank holiday calendar is curated based on regional and national holidays. On the national holidays, banks across India are shut including private and public lenders.

Overall, there were around 10 RBI-declared bank holidays in the month of January, most of which are already over.

Also Read | IndusInd Bank bets on small loans and retail deposits for recovery

This year, Republic Day falls on a Monday, which creates a long weekend. Since the nationwide holiday comes after the fourth Saturday (24 January) and the usual Sunday off, banks will remain closed for three days in a row.

When is the next bank holiday? The next official bank holiday will only come on 18 February, but a bank employees' union strike could disrupt banking operations on 27 January, 2026.

Bank employee unions have given notice for a nationwide strike on Tuesday to press for a long-pending demand for a five-day work week. If the strike proceeds, it will disrupt public sector banking operations across the country.

Most of the public sector banks have already informed their customers about the disruption in banking services if the strike materialises, mentioned a report by news wire PTI.

What to do during emergencies on bank holidays? If you are in urgent need to withdraw cash or send money on a bank holiday, you need not be worried, because digital banking services such as mobile apps and online banking remain available at all times.

ATM services are available 24x7 for cash withdrawals, getting a statement or any other requirement. To send money on a bank holiday, online banking services like NEFT, IMPS and RTGS can also be accessed by the users.
Bank holidays next week: Banks will be closed for at least two days next week due to occasions like Republic Day, which is a national holiday. The Republic Day bank holiday has led to the confusion if banks across India will be closed on the day.

To answer the question, it must be said that banks across India will be closed on 26 January, Monday, on Republic Day. This is because Republic Day is a national holiday and banks are closed across the country on national holidays.

Bank holidays may differ from region to region depending on the festival or other important events. They are determined by the Reserve Bank of India, which shares the dates in the RBI bank holiday calendar.

On national holidays like Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti and Republic day, a bank holiday is observed across the nation.

There were up to 16 bank holidays in January, most of which have been used up already. The 16 bank holidays this month includes weekends. The Republic Day bank holiday is the only national holiday in the January holiday calendar of the RBI.

Bank holiday on 26 January Banks will be closed across all states and Union Territories of India due to Republic Day. All private and public sector banks will remain closed on Republic Day as this is a national holiday. This means there have been three consecutive bank holidays on 24, 25 and 26 January due to the long weekend.

What is Republic Day? India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day on 26 January, Monday. On this day, people across India commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India, which occurred on January 26, 1950.

Celebrations across the country, including nationwide parades and flag hoisting ceremonies are common on Republic Day.

Is there a bank holiday on 27 January? Public sector bank operations may be disrupted in some parts of India as bank employee unions have decided to go on a nationwide strike on the day to demand a five-day work week.

Most of the public sector banks have already informed their customers about the disruption in banking services if the strike materialises, as per a report by PTI.

Currently, bank employees get the second and fourth Saturdays off each month, apart from Sundays. The strike may not impact functioning at branches of big private sector banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Apart from these two days, banks across India will be closed on 1 February as it is a Sunday.

It must be noted that only physical branches of banks will remain closed on these bank holidays. You will always be able to access internet banking/ATMs/UPI services, and others.
Toronto: On a rainy afternoon in Dublin, Bhagyalakshmi Barrett stood in the liquor aisle of Dunnes Stores, scanning a shelf full of Irish gins and British imports. One bottle carried a name she had chosen herself: Maharani Gin. Distilled in Ireland and infused with pomelo and cassia, it had just received a nationwide listing with one of Irelands largest supermarket chains.

For Barrett, who co-founded the brand with her Irish husband Robert Barrett at Rebel City Distillery, the listing marked a shift from interesting newcomer" to something closer to mainstream. We werent sure how Irish consumers would respond to South Asian flavour profiles," she said. But they embraced it."

Dai Bowes can attest to that. The bar manager at the Friary, a pub in Cork, Ireland, first became aware of Maharani Gin through local media coverage during the covid lockdown.

Soon after, the Friary contacted the Barretts, tasted the gin, and decided to list it. Bowes says Maharani is one of the few gins that I would drink just on its own with a bit of ice," noting that it is very smooth compared to much of the gin market. He likes the beautiful bottle," which looks very good on a shelf," and says the Indian influence became clearer after he learned more about the botanicals and flavour profile.

But, Bowes notes that drinkers who only prefer traditional brands such as Gordons or Bombay Sapphire may not gravitate toward Maharani Gin.

View Full Image Bhaghyalakshmi and Robert Barrett co-founded Maharani Gin in Ireland.

Like the Barretts, Indian-origin founders across North America and Europe are building alcohol brands inspired by Indian flavours and food cultures, but brewed or distilled outside India. These are not imports. They are locally made products, designed for restaurant tables, cocktail menus, duty-free stores and retail shelves.

Covid compulsions

In Portland, Maine, brothers Vanit and Sumit Sharma grew up observing their parents Indian restaurants, watching diners order Kingfisher beer with curry. During the pandemic, those imports became erratic. Containers arrived lateor not at all. Restaurants substituted whatever they could get.

Rather than wait for normalcy, the Sharmas built locally. Working with brewmaster Alan Pugsley, they developed Rupee Beera low-carbonation range brewed with ingredients such as basmati rice, designed to pair with Indian and spicy cuisine. If your mouth is on fire," Vanit Sharma said, you dont want a gassy beercarbonated beers enhance your tongues pain receptors when on fire from a spicy Indian curry."

View Full Image Vanit and Sumit Sharma.

On Canadas west coast, Vivek Taneja, co-founder of Baadshah Beer, saw the same gaps in the province of British Columbia (BC). Indian beer imports were inconsistent even before covid," he said. During covid, they practically vanished." Baadshah launched in October 2022 and now pours on tap in close to 100 Indian restaurants across BC, alongside canned sales through private retail.

Entrepreneurs say the post-covid world did not reset" to the old model. Importing beer remains expensive and volatile; it is a low-margin commodity that is heavy to ship. Local brewing helps in controlling freshness and supply and restaurants remain a reliable early distribution engine.

Rice flake beer

If the covid story is about vulnerability, Chandramohan Nallurs story is about turning jugaad into a viable business.

Based in Warsaw, Nallur is vice-president of the IndoPolish Chamber of Commerce and a business consultant. Alcohol was never part of his planthe man is a teetotaller. In early 2022, one of his Indian clients was stuck with a container of rice flakes (poha) after the RussiaUkraine war triggered uncertainty in shipping and currency markets. The buyer had backed out and storage costs were mounting.

We tried everything," Nallur recalled. Pet food companies rejected the flakes. Health bar manufacturers preferred oats. Then, a search result led him to a reference: rice-flake beer.

A local brewer confirmed it was possible, but the minimum order was 4,000 litresroughly 8,000 half-litre bottles. Nallur placed the order not to launch a brand but to move inventory. He distributed white-label bottles to Indian restaurants in Warsaw. Then restaurants began reordering.

European diners liked the beer, he said, because it felt lighter with Indian food and didnt bring the heavy burping" sensation people associate with gassier lagers. Women drank it," he said. And restaurants asked for more." That accidental experiment became Malayali Beer, now produced through contract breweries across five European countries and sold in 26 markets.

European diners liked the (Malayali)beer because it felt lighter with Indian food and didnt bring the heavy burping sensation people associate with gassier lagers.

By 2025, Nallur said, the product had already been sold in five countries, moving roughly eight containersclose to 500,000 bottlesusing distributor licences.

Malayalis manufacturing model is different: recipes and contracts are with the founder, the breweries are rented. Underutilized European breweries rent out capacity because they have fixed electricity and water commitments. If lines sit idle, base costs remain; renting tank-time helps them hit thresholds and earn revenue. Its a mutually beneficial arrangementfor a small brand, it is a way to scale without having its own plants.

Malayali Beers trajectory shows consumption goes well beyond the diaspora. Poland has 40 million people; Malayalis are just 5,000," Nallur said. Our consumers are Europeans who love Indian cuisine." Indeed, many Indian restaurants abroad survive on local regulars, not only on diaspora customers.

Arun Barot, owner of Mr India, a Warsaw restaurant he has been operating for 13 years, is a customer of Malayali Beer. He first tried the tipple around three years ago.

View Full Image Arun Barot, the owner of Warsaw restaurant Mr India.

Mr India serves both Indian diaspora customers and Polish clientele, and was among the first restaurant clients to stock Malayali Beer. Barot describes the brew as really very, very good" and says it stood out because it was distinct from the standard beers typically offered in Indian restaurants. Repeat customer requests were what initially surprised him and sparked deeper interest in the product. He continues to buy and serve the beer.

For diaspora founders, the incentive is clear: if Indian" now functions as a flavour categorylike Mexican, Japanese, Koreanthen a diaspora-made brand can win beyond diaspora consumers.

Made for the table

There is one common factor across brands: restaurant-first distribution.

Rupee Beer was built in dining rooms, where it could be tested against spice and heat. The brands early strategy became its distribution playbook: restaurants first, retail later. Restaurant menus function like high-frequency sampling. Diners try a beer in contextpaired with foodthen reorder it. Managers see it move, then restock. For us, restaurants were the market," Sharma said. Thats where the feedback loop is fastest."

Baadshah scaled through restaurant taps before cans. Once restaurants find something that works and is dependable," Taneja said, they dont go back."

Malayali moved through Indian kitchens before supermarket shelves. Maharanis discovery engine runs through distillery tours and cocktail menus, where Irish consumers encounter Indian spices as a craft story.

The restaurant-first strategy offers three advantages. Marketing is embedded: every table becomes a point of discovery. Trial is built in: diners sample the product as part of a meal. Feedback is immediate: restaurant owners are critics, because a pairing that doesnt work gets dropped quickly.

Incidentally, a striking number of diaspora alcohol brandsboth beer and spiritshave Malayali or Punjabi roots. Both communities have long-standing ties to restaurants, catering and food retail in global markets. That proximity functions as informal distribution infrastructure: early placements, early feedback and an existing customer base.

Pricing has also been a factor in these beverages gaining traction. For instance, Maharani Gin, retailing at about 35 in Ireland, sits within the countrys craft gin range of 25-45, competing with small-batch Irish and British gins rather than with mass-market labels.

Rupee Beers basmati rice lager, priced at $15.99 for a four-pack in the US, aligns with American craft beer norms, where consumers routinely pay $7-8 per pint or $14-18 for packaged craft formats.

In British Columbia, Baadshah Beer, positioned as a food-friendly strong lager, is priced at $7-9, within the range of Canadian craft offerings. Malayali Beer costs roughly double mainstream Polish beers but remains comparable with other Indian-branded imports in Europe.

Arrack no phobia

Arrack, one of the subcontinents oldest distilled alcoholic beverages, remains illegal or tightly restricted across much of India.

But in the West, arrack can be registered, taxed, audited and marketed as a spirit with a defined production processconditions that make investment and quality control possible.

John Xavier, the entrepreneur behind UK-based London Baron Ltd, and Abish Cherian, president and chief executive officer of Oxford Beverage Group, have built arrack brands within Western regulatory systems to commercialize what Indian law still treats as illicit."

Cherians arrack- and arishta-inspired spirits, including the Mandakini brand, draw on fermentation traditions that have existed for centuries but remain legally marginal at home. Selling abroad allows him to work within clear alcohol frameworks while preserving methods that would otherwise be confined to informal production. Youre not exporting alcohol; youre exporting knowledgehow its made, how its consumed," said Cherian. If you dont get the process right, branding wont save you. This is a technical product before it is a lifestyle product."

View Full Image Abish Cherian, president and chief executive officer of Oxford Beverage Group.

That technical emphasis shapes how these founders think about growth. Neither Xavier nor Cherian frame arrack as a fast-scaling consumer brand. Both stress patience, compliance and educationof regulators as much as drinkers. If youre chasing scale first, youre in the wrong business," said Xavier.

Cherian says the hard part is economics. People think alcohol is easy money," he said. They dont see the taxes, licensing, and the years before volume kicks in."

Mandakini, listed at CA$39.95 in Ontario, sits alongside premium heritage spirits, while Manavatty arrack, priced at 30 in the UK and 3,150 at Kochi duty-free, has positioned itself as a mid-premium brand.

Cherian said Mandakini came close to $1 million in business last year after export expansion. You dont make money domestically at first," he said. You survive until you do volume."

To be sure, not every Indian-origin entrepreneur has survived. In Krakow, Lijo Philip launched Kalikut 1498, a wheat beer inspired by Keralas spice routes, shortly before the pandemic. Restaurants were the only channel. When lockdowns hit, logistics froze. Philip shut down in 2021. Beer is a logistics business. When movement stops, everything stops," said the Malayali entrepreneur.

View Full Image Lijo Philip launched Kalikut 1498, a wheat beer inspired by Keralas spice routes, in Krakow shortly before the pandemic.

The India irony

Despite being the inspiration, India remains a complicated home" market for diaspora brands. Thats largely because importsof beer, for instanceare rarely viable outside duty-free shops or luxury hotels.

Malayali Beer sells at Kochi International Airport for 480 a cana price that reflects the cumulative effect of logistics, taxes and positioning.

In much of India, mass-market lagers are priced for everyday purchase, often in the 150-250 range, depending on state taxes and packaging.

Despite being the inspiration, India remains a complicated home market for diaspora brands. Thats largely because importsof beer, for instanceare rarely viable outside duty-free shops or luxury hotels.

Nevertheless, for Nallur, the clearest we have arrived" moment was walking through Kochi airport and watching strangers pick up his pricey cans and talk about them.

Its still early days for all these India-inspired alcoholic beveragesnone of them are runaway successes by any measure. But their creators have shown that cultural heritage can be distilled into a bottle, and served globally. Now, they await the high.
India-EU trade deal: India and the European Union are still ironing out the finer points of a trade deal just days before European leaders are set to arrive in India for the 16th EUIndia Summit.

The summit, scheduled for January 27, will focus on a long-pending Free Trade Agreement that has been under discussion for over two decades and remains challenging to conclude due to sensitivities surrounding agriculture, carbon border levies, services, and non-tariff barriers.

Market participants and investors are likely to closely monitor developments around the IndiaEU trade deal in the coming week, as it is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the direction of the Indian stock market.

On Friday, the Indian benchmark indices witnessed sharp selling pressure during the week, with the Nifty 50 declining more than 2.5% to settle at 25,048, while the BSE Sensex fell nearly 2.4% to close at 81,537.

India-EU trade deal: What do we know about the deal so far? The IndiaEuropean Union free trade agreement (FTA), slated for announcement on January 27, is expected to reduce costs and boost bilateral trade without undermining domestic industry, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), as quoted by the Times of India.

IndiaEU merchandise trade exceeded $136 billion in FY2025. GTRI noted that tariff cuts under the pact would mainly lower input costs, strengthen value-chain integration and lift trade volumestypical FTA benefits that support producers and consumers on both sides.

" The two are not rivals but partners operating on different rungs of the value chain," with India focused on labour-intensive and downstream production, while the EU supplies capital goods, advanced technology and industrial inputs. This structural complementarity explains why an India-EU free trade agreement is likely to lower costs and expand trade rather than threaten domestic industry," Ajay Srivasatava, GTRI founder, was quoted as saying by TOI.

Indian exports to the EU, such as smartphones, apparel, footwear, tyres, pharmaceuticals, auto components, refined fuels and cut diamonds, largely substitute the EUs imports from other countries rather than compete with European manufacturing, much of which has already been offshored. Meanwhile, the EU supplies India with high-end machinery, aircraft, key electronic components, chemicals, advanced medical devices and metal scrap.

Also Read | Why a handful of expensive stocks are holding up in the correction

India-EU trade deal: How it will impact Indian stock market, gold and silver prices? Indian stock market According to Sandeep Pandey, Co-founder of Basav Capital, the Indian stock market is likely to see a gap-up opening on Tuesday, January 27, highlighting that India-EU trade deal optimism is expected to fuel business volume of export oriented companies.

Pandey further explained that the trade deal is expected raise US dollar inflow leading to appreciation in Indian Rupee. The Rupee hit all-time low of 92 per dollar on Friday, however, recovered marginally to settle at 91.88.

The India-EU trade deal is also likely to benefit export oriented companies. This is expected to raise US dollar inflow leading to appreciation in Indian Rupee. So, export oriented companies are expected to report better earnings in upcoming quarters. Appreciation in rupee will fuel demand in consumer durable segment, Pandey said.

Also Read | Stocks to buy under 100: Sumeet Bagadia recommends 3 shares to buy on Tuesday

Gold and silver prices Meanwhile, gold and silver prices are likely to continue its bullish trend in the coming week, according to market experts.

Anuj Gupta, Director, Ya Wealth Research & Advisory, believes that both precious metals may witness a mild correction in the near term, but the broader outlook for both metals remains bullish over the long run.

 Gold is expected to continue its role as a key safe-haven asset amid ongoing global uncertainties, while silver demand is likely to stay resilient, supported by its dual appeal as both a precious and industrial metal, Gupta said.

On the technical outlook, Gupta said that Gold is trading with key support seen at 1,52,000 ($4,930), followed by a stronger base at 1,48,000 ($4,870). On the upside, immediate resistance is placed at 1,60,000 ($5,020), with a higher hurdle at 1,65,000 ($5,080).

Meanwhile, Silver has support at 3,25,000 ($98), with the next downside level at 3,15,000 ($93). Resistance for silver is seen at 3,40,000 ($105), and a decisive move above this could open the door toward 3,50,000 ($110).
The Indian economy is storming during the ongoing geopolitical hurricanes. These tests encountered a limited impact on domestic demand, which holds a healthy forecast of average real GDP growth of +7.0% in FY26 and FY27.

However, these are affecting the stock market, led by a rise in volatility trapping investors risk-taking appetite with a rise in global bond yields, upsides to geopolitical risk, and selling from FIIs who are already holding a sell-off strategy on India.

Also Read | Why a handful of expensive stocks are holding up in the correction

What's driving the Indian stock market? India began the new year by touching a new market high, but the gains were short-lived following the raid in Venezuela. This event caused bouts of volatility in oil prices and continues to be upbeat, though albeit at a slower pace, amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding other oil-producing nations, including Iran.

Despite this double whammy, the overall impact on the global oil market has been limited. Despite this dual risk, the overall impact on the global oil market has been limited, supported by lower output from both countries, ample global supply, and a subdued demand outlook.

Thus far, domestic unrest in Venezuela and Iran appears to be under control, aided by international intervention and support, which, if sustained, could restrict adverse spillovers into global markets.

This stability is supported by maintained high production from OPEC and the U.S., along with the probability of reopening of the Venezuelan market. Such a scenario is expected to benefit key importers like India and China in the long-term.

Another set of volatility to India was exposed when Trump signed the Russia Act to impose tariffs up to 500% on nations importing oil from Russia. For India, Russian oil was the biggest source of input in 2025, which lately has reduced but continues to be at a good rate estimated holding the third position.

This has affected the performance of the domestic stock market, as both domestic and international investors have been eagerly waiting for a US-India trade deal, which is probably getting extended given the USs high expectations to tap Russian oil, along with to increase access to domestic Agriculture and Dairy market.

The global geo-political risk further escalated during this week when Trump intended to expand his global rampage to buy out Greenland. Strong opposition from the EU led to Trump proclaiming a new tariff on the EU of up 10%, being used as a mass of weapons. Market concerns eased only after a more measured address by Trump at Davos and the subsequent withdrawal of this fresh tariff threats.

Despite the dampening of the geo-political risk standpoint, the texture of the global cooperation has been damaged. It has affected the overall strength and risk-taking appetite of global equities with an uprise in bond yields. Heavenly metals continue to trade at upticks, though volatility of price movement has increased due to constant uncertainty about policies. The global volatility index and the India VIX index are on rise.

This has enlarged the effect on India, which was already in a sell-off mode, especially for FIIs, due to low earning growth compared to high valuation and abbreviations in the US-India trade agreement. Hence, profit booking is encroaching at every higher level as overall sentiment remains cautious.

What should be your trading strategy? We advise investors to maintain a measured short-term outlook and avoid panic-driven selling during this volatile phase, as discussions between the U.S. and India continue with a constructive bias.

Additionally, progress on the EUIndia FTA represents a forward-looking development that could strengthen Indias negotiating position with the US and others. After the set of weak Q3 results by IT and Banks, there is an encouraging view that the next set of numbers will be better, led by consumer-led demand.
The last week, world witnessed one of the most volatile weeks in the recent past for trans-Atlantic relations, amidst the powerful conversations at annual World Economic Forum held at Davos. While the priority list got sidelined on the global stage, hopefully we will have better unfolding of Indias Union Budget 2026-27, expected to be presented on 1 February 2026.

Corporate India is hoping for clarity on taxes, reforms, and policy priorities that can unlock the next leg of economic momentum, and achieve the goal of a $5-trillion economy. Capex growth is expected to stay central on the agenda, but it is imperative to address opportunities of AI-led growth, digital infrastructure, manufacturing expansion and energy transition.

Why AIFs Matter to Capital Formation? Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) play a critical role in financing parts of the economy where traditional channels are less effective. Early-stage companies, infrastructure projects, stressed or transitional assets and MSMEs increasingly rely on patient, risk-tolerant capital.

Having been part of the investing ecosystem for over two decades and experienced the various market cycles, I see first-hand how investor appetite for alternative assets in India has evolved. Private equity, venture capital, private credit and real asset funds are no longer niche products; they are becoming essential components of long-term capital allocation. Yet, despite strong demand and a growing domestic savings pool, Indias AIF ecosystem remains constrained by structural and policy frictions.

Over the past few years, capital raising has become more challenging amid global tightening and higher risk aversion. This has made domestic policy clarity even more important. Investors committing capital to funds with long time horizons need certainty of a stable regulatory and tax framework throughout the life of the fund.

Steps Needed to Grow AIFs at Scale If India wants to meaningfully expand its alternative investment base, several targeted steps can make a tangible difference.

First, harmonising taxation across AIF categories should be a priority. A uniform and transparent pass-through regime would reduce complexity, align India with global fund jurisdictions and improve fund economics for investors.

Second, enabling broader domestic participation is essential. While investor protection must remain paramount, calibrated mechanisms such as regulated feeder structures or revised thresholds for sophisticated investors can deepen the capital pool and reduce over-dependence on a small set of institutional investors.

Third, strengthening the private credit framework can unlock significant growth. Credit AIFs are increasingly filling gaps in MSME and growth-stage financing. Policy support in the form of risk-sharing mechanisms, co-investment platforms or recognition within priority sector frameworks could materially scale this segment.

Fourth, improving operational ease would enhance Indias attractiveness as a fund domicile. Simplified compliance, digital reporting and faster approvals for cross-border investments would reduce friction and lower costs for both fund managers and investors.

Last but not the least is Strategic Focus on Growth Sectors to signal a clear policy emphasis on sectors like Technology and deep tech (AI, semiconductors, biotech), Renewables and transition finance, Logistics and supply chain infrastructure and Healthcare where AIFs can have transformative impact.

Incentives whether fiscal, regulatory or infrastructure-related can steer private capital into these strategic domains, accelerating innovation and competitiveness.

A Budget Signal Beyond Numbers From a fund managers perspective, the Budgets importance lies less in immediate inflows and more in the signal it sends to long-term capital. Alternative investments are built on trust - trust that capital can be deployed efficiently, returns realised predictably and policies applied consistently.

If the Budget can address core structural issues around taxation, access and regulatory clarity, it will reinforce Indias position as a credible and competitive destination for alternative capital. That, in turn, can support entrepreneurship, infrastructure creation and credit expansion without increasing the fiscal burden on the state.

What markets want is not dramatic reform, but thoughtful, durable change that enables confidence and long-term participation.
Theres a scene I often return to in Apur Sansar (1959), the third in Satyajit Rays Apu trilogy, thats an eloquent defence of ordinariness. Apu (Soumitra Chatterjee) is being gently pulled up by a friend for his lack of ambition. He ventures that hes writing a novel, and starts narrating the story: a boy grows up in the village, moves to the city, studies hard. We feel he has in him seeds of greatness, but... He doesnt succeed? the friend guesses. He doesnt, Apu replies. But to him this isnt a tragedy. He realises one must face reality. One must live!

Robert Grainier wouldnt be able to articulate this, but hed agree. Hes a young orphan at the start of Clint Bentleys Train Dreams, in a tiny town in rural Idaho. He quit attending school in his early teens, and the next two decades passed without much direction or purpose, the voiceover says. He becomes a logger, and though he works a few other jobs, thats the only real profession he has. Hes in his 80s when the film closes, and has lived most of his life in the same small town.

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An unremarkable life, and a mysterious, beguiling film. Adapted by Bentley and Greg Kwedar from a 2011 novella by Denis Johnson, its the antithesis of formidable making-of-America films like The Brutalist (2024). Bentley keeps the films world view as narrow as its protagonists. We hear nothing of world wars or quantum theory or talking pictures. All we see is whats happening in Grainiers life, which is barely anything. Whats going on in his head is a mystery too, thanks toa beautifully inward performance by Joel Edgerton.

This is Bentleys second film, following the 2021 indie Jockey. It premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, after which Netflix won the distribution rights. There have been comparisons to Terrence Malick, and while this is the fate of most nature-inclined American indies, it isnt inaccurate in the case of Train Dreams. Bentley is a fan, telling Screen Daily: I love his films deeply... Working with nature, it is hard not to be influenced. The bursts of violence amid bucolic surroundings certainly has a Malick touch. Theres also an echo of Days of Heaven (1978) in Grainiers rough, cosy homestead with his wife (Felicity Jones) and baby daughter, and in Will Pattons folksy voiceover (though Levon Helms narration in The Right Stuff [1983] might be an even better match, especially with the way Train Dreams ends).

Bentley does have his own voice, though, at once mystic and bracing. The first of Grainiers train dreams is brief and startling; only later do we realise it includes both memory and premonition. Cinematographer Adolpho Velosos clear, sharp shooting (a departure from the haze of Days of Heaven) doesnt allow nostalgia to intrude in a way that often happens with frontier films. Even the slow dissolves that punctuate the film have a stubborn, sad tinge to them, most often Grainiers pensive face carried over into the next scene, a man literally out of time. Theres a fantastic score by Bryce Dessner of The National, piano and strings, by turns driving, mournful and comforting.

Train Dreams isnt an overtly political film, but it has clear moral and philosophical concerns. I was struck by the films passionate environmentalism, which is modern in its articulation, though expressed through the homespun rambling of explosives expert Arn Peeples (William H. Macy). The other connection speaks to the present moment in America. As a young boy, Grainier sees the eviction of Chinese workers from the town, which haunts him. This is made worse when he witnesses the shocking killing of a Chinese man working with him on the railroad. Chinese labour was instrumental in building American railroads in the 19th century. The focus on violent expulsion of immigrants feels extremely relevant at a time when the same thing is happening in America again. (For a Chinese perspective on early America, Id recommend Warrior, a series based on an original treatment by Bruce Lee, about an immigrant martial artist in 1870s San Francisco. Its a pulpy, flamboyant action series, nothing at all like Train Dreams, but still a fascinating look at the early Chinese experience in that country.)

Because the film keeps such a tight focus on Grainier, its easy to not notice the decades rolling by. Whenever a major change is thrust upon the viewerpower tools being used to cut down trees, for instance, after so many scenes of Grainier with his axe and sawit feels like the film has lurched ahead in time, whereas its actually our protagonist whos stuck in his ways. When Grainier finally visits Washington D.C. at the end of the film, wanders the crowded streets and sees the ongoing space mission on TV, it seems impossible that this is the same film weve been watching. It ends on a remarkable grace note, as Grainier takes a ride in a biplane. This man whos been hungry for meaning through the whole film, finally, on that spring day, as he misplaced all sense of up and down felt, at last, connected to it all.

Train Dreams is on Netflix.

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Messy dining has arrived in a fresh avatar, served in buckets piled high with crab, prawn and mussels. The seafood boil, a concept born in the American South, is all about raucous communal dining. In India, it reflects a shift in dining formats, driven by pop-ups and experiential menus, favouring indulgence without stiffness. It strips away cutlery and elaborate plating, urging guests to roll up their sleeves and eat from a shared pile.

Historically, seafood boils in the American South grew within the fishing communities that cooked large catches in a single pot as a practical way to feed many, and slowly became a social ritual. It evolved with regional iterations, blending native American flavours and influences from the French-Acadian settlers. In Louisiana, it is a staple as crawfish is simmered in heavily spiced stock with corn and potatoes, drained and dumped straight on to newspaper-lined tables. Other regions put their stampOld Bay seasoning enlivened with celery salt and paprika in Maryland, and Vietnamese-Cajun mash-ups with lemongrass, chilli and garlic in Texas.

In India, the dining experience is reimagined with mud crabs instead of crawfish, Pan-Asian flavour twists and coastal ingredients. Instagram reels show buckets of seafood being placed directly in front of diners as they put on gloves and aprons to crack open crabs and shrimps.

One of the earliest champions of the format is chef Aashish Seth, who launched the gourmet delivery service Soul Food that hosted its first seafood boil in North Goa in 2023. The spread featured crab, prawns, lobster, mussels, corn on the cob and potatoes. It isnt just seafood, its the moment the bucket hits the table. The shells cracking, the laughter, and thats the joy, he says.

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Soon after, he began hosting more boils across Indias metros. Prices vary depending on scale and seafood selection. Seth experimented with flavours familiar with the local palate. Singapore pepper sauce became a favourite, followed by Thai-herbed butter. Sourcing, he admits, is the hardest part. Seafood is procured directly from local fishermen, particularly mud crabs, and the meat content fluctuates according to molting cycles and lunar phases. Over time, he has learnt to identify crabs with consistently high meat yield, an operational detail that matters when the entire meal revolves around one communal bucket. Seth has hosted a series of pop-ups in Mumbai at Kona Kona, Cafe Calma and HyLo, reflecting how the concept has travelled across various dining formats.

View full Image Chef Aashish Seth.

For restaurateurs, it offers a way to build community around food. Bengalurus Watsons bar joined the trend with a one-off pop-up in June last year. We promote ourselves as a community bar, and whats better than a communal dining experience? says founder Amit Roy. Priced from 2,000 upwards, the spread featured crabs, prawns, lobster, mussels, corn and potatoes bathed in chilli pepper sauces. Reactions ranged from curiosity to hesitation, but midway through the meal, even cautious diners warmed up. Some people made new friends literally over the meal.

Delhi, often seen as slower to adopt seafood-forward experiences, has its own interpretation. At the Naga restaurant Yongs Kitchen in Safdarjung Enclave, boils are a highlight of the menu. Theres also the South-East Asian restaurant Rude Chef nearby. Its co-owner Wunganing Raikhan says their boil-inspired seafood platter has been on the menu since the restaurant opened in 2022, driven by the lack of coastal food options in the city. Priced at 1,820 for a medium platter (serving two) and 2,860 for a large platter (serving four), it is one of their best-sellers. The theatre begins the moment the boil hits the table, says Raikhan.

In contrast to pop-ups and limited runs, some have taken a permanent approach. In Pune, the seafood restaurant and bar Coast & Co. introduced them in November. Although it was initially planned for a select time, it was extended after sustained demand. People kept telling us they would come back with friends and family, say co-owners Chetan and Pooja Chorge. Priced at 2,899 for two and around 11,000 for parties up to eight people, the restaurant offers a fixed seafood mix that includes prawns, squid, clams and crab, paired with sauces such as Goan recheado, Kerala pepper, butter garlic and kokum. Served with rice and amboli (fermented rice and lentil crepes) alongside sweet potato and corn, it is designed to feel familiar. Weve kept the roots intact, but adjusted the flavours for the citys palate.

The casual Indian restaurant Via Bombay in Mumbai launched the seafood boil last year as a regular menu offering. Founder Ashesh L. Sajnani believes it works because it doesnt feel imported. Eating with your hands, sharing food, bonding over a spread, thats what weve always done, he says. Priced at 2,500 for two, and designed for sharing within a table rather than with strangers, the portion size is scaled down for smaller groups while retaining the core principles of the concept. Diners can choose between a Kolhapuri masala or butter-garlic version. Many diners, he notes, describe the experience as liberating.

At its core, the seafood boil works because it taps into something instinctive. It prioritises sharing over sequencing and communal over curated, making a case for a dining experience that values participation over performance.

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Did you know that the lace trimmings you scour the lanes and bylanes of Delhi to embellish kurtas, saris, lehngas, dupattas or shirts arent just decorative pieces of textilethey are remnants of a 400-year-old exchange between France and India, set in motion when French missionaries established convents in south India? Even denim, a fabric of which India is now among the worlds largest producers, carries a French imprint: its name comes from de Nimes, referencing the city of Nimes where denim was first made.

Theres more. Soft Bengal muslin, the fabric behind Jamdani and Dhakai saris, was once favoured by French aristocracy for undergarments. After corsetry fell out of fashion, the fabric gained visibility as outerwear prized for its fluidity, reshaping ideas of elegance and comfort. Indian chintz and paisley textiles, most notably on handwoven Kashmiri shawls, were so coveted that French courts banned them between 1686 and 1759 to protect domestic wool and silk industries. Archival records detail how smuggling flourished in response, compelling French textile houses to create their own interpretations, an adaptation that eventually crystallized into what came to be known as French paisley.

These were some of the takeaways from a recently concluded month-long exhibition, Textile Matters: Woven Stories between India and France, in Paris. The show, which will travel to India next year, was perhaps the first of its kind to explore the creative ties between India and France through the prism of textiles. It offered insights into the history of fashion between the two nations through 60-plus archival garments, textiles and embroidered fabrics, and also showed how the nations continue to shape global fashion.

Another unique aspect about the show, curated by Mayank Mansingh Kaul, was that it stressed a contemporary approach related to fashion and textile with its curatorial stance, rejecting the oft-presented imagery of India (read maharajas, elephants, Kama Sutra, yoga, Bollywood, Himalayas).

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I was keen to challenge the stereotypical ways through which Indian textiles and fashion are often perceived in Europe and North America, says Kaul, who brought together the exhibition, spread across two floors of the Galleries of the Gibelins, part of the iconic Mobilier National building, in less than a year.

While Christian Louboutin was the creative director of the exhibition, overseeing the artistic direction and scenography, drawing from his own experiences of India, Kaul developed the conceptual narrative and the selection of the pieces on display. We know less about Indian textile collections in France, and thats a gap that I wanted to address, says Kaul.

The exhibition, divided into seven segments, looked at four centuries of artistic exchange, from the palaces of 17th century India to the 2025 Paris haute couture runway. Among the participating ateliers and organisations were Sutrakala Foundation, le19M, Lesage Interieurs, Pierre Frey, Perrine, Atelier 2M, Nila House and Villa Swagatam.

The denim-draped room, for instance, was not only a nod to the architectural elegance of an Indian salon but a reminder of how India became architect Le Corbusiers most important destination for his projects.

At the start of the exhibition, the French antechamber (a reproduction of a French 18th century apartment), draped in Indian textiles created using techniques such as block print and natural dyeing by artisans at the House of Kandadu, helped viewers understand how the textiles of the two nations were intersecting, diverging, and influencing each other. In keeping with the theme of showcasing a contemporary language through timeless embroidery techniques, fabrics, and textiles, the exhibition included works by couturiers Rahul Mishra, Gaurav Gupta, and Manish Arora, all three who have been part of the Paris Couture Week over the years.

Aroras work was a hand-woven brocade piece done in 2006-07 at the atelier of Hashim Mohammad in Varanasi, while Guptas Golden Ascendant referenced the drape of the sari. Mishras work, meanwhile, was a journey into the rich embroidery and surface embellishments.

The contemporary language of Indian couture designers was elegantly juxtaposed to feature a Christian Dior sari from the 1950s, a nod to what the label was creating back in the day, alongside another sari-inspired gown from the 1990s, drawn from the Saint Laurent archives.

Another tunic, in rich marigold colour (interestingly, a flower that feels so Indian but was introduced to India during the 16th century by European traders), was selected for the exhibition from Chanels 1968 haute couture collection.

The first floor also had a site-specific textile installation by designer brand Raw Mango that evoked the timelessness of the sari. Dressing the walls of the gallery on this floor, the tapestries titled The Flowers We Grew were created by Chanakya School of Craft in collaboration with Mumbai-based artist Rithika Merchant, Maria Chiuri and Christian Dior. Merchant drew on the stories of her ancestors, particularly the matriarchs, from Kerala.

In the fashion section, a hero work, as Kaul describes it, was the gold metallic corset and embroidered sari encircled by Saturn-inspired rings designed by Schiaparelli and Sabyasachi for Natasha Poonawalla for the Met Gala. It urged the viewer to think of fashion as nothing less than a sculptural work of art. When a version of this show comes to India next year, we will know whether to treat it as fashion, art or both.

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I am a US citizen and resident holding an OCI card. I am employed with a US-based technology company. Every year, I usually visit India for two to three weeks. This time, I plan to visit India in February 2026 for an additional 1520 days to attend a family function. However, during this visit, I will need to continue working remotely for my employer. Will this create any tax complications for me in India? - Name withheld on request

Given that your stay in India will be less than 60 days during the year, you are expected to continue qualifying as a non-resident for Indian tax purposes, including for FY26.

For a non-resident, Indian taxation is limited to income that accrues or arises in India, is deemed to accrue or arise in India, or is received or deemed to be received in India. Salary income is generally taxable in India if the services are rendered while the individual is physically present in India. Accordingly, since you will be performing services while in India, the income would ordinarily be regarded as having accrued in India and would be taxable in India, irrespective of where it is paid.

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However, Indian tax law provides a specific exemption for salary received by a non-resident foreign citizen from a foreign employer for services rendered during a short stay in India, subject to the following conditions:

(i) the employer is not engaged in any business in India;

(ii) the individuals stay in India does not exceed 90 days during the relevant financial year; and

(iii) the remuneration is not deductible from the employers income chargeable to tax in India, if any.

As these conditions appear to be satisfied in your case, the salary received from your US employer for the period you work remotely while in India should be exempt from Indian tax. Accordingly, the income earned during your February 2026 visit would not be taxable in India.

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I am a 60-year-old resident Indian and would like to gift approximately 30 lakh to my daughter, who is a non-resident Indian (NRI). I wish to credit the amount to her NRO account in India, as I do not want the hassle of foreign remittance. Is TCS applicable on this transfer?

- Name withheld on request

A gift transferred from your Indian bank account to your daughters NRO account would technically fall within the scope of remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). Consequently, the tax collected at source (TCS) provisions would become applicable.

Since the proposed gift of 30 lakh exceeds the prescribed threshold, the authorised dealer bank is required to collect TCS at the rate of 20%.

That said, in current practice, many banks are not collecting TCS on such rupee-denominated gift transfers. If TCS is nevertheless collected, it does not represent a final tax cost. The amount may be claimed as a credit against your tax liability or as a refund while filing your income-tax return for the relevant financial year, subject to your overall tax position.
Find your next quality investment with Simply Wall St's easy and powerful screener, trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide.

Why Lotus Resources is suddenly on radar for many investors

Lotus Resources (ASX:LOT) has drawn fresh attention after completing an 11.5 for 1 share consolidation, followed by a technical breakout supported by strong sector buying in uranium names.

This combination of a simplified capital structure and sharp price and volume moves has pushed Lotus into focus for investors who track both corporate actions and short term trading signals.

See our latest analysis for Lotus Resources.

Recent trading has been driven more by capital structure changes and uranium sector momentum than fresh operational news. A 30 day share price return of 21.62% contrasts with a 1 year total shareholder return decline of 11.76%, so short term momentum looks stronger than the longer term track record for now.

If moves in uranium stocks have your attention, this could be a good moment to broaden your search and check out fast growing stocks with high insider ownership.

With Lotus now trading at A$2.59, showing a recent 22% 30 day gain but a 12% 1 year total return decline and sitting below an average analyst price target of A$3.30, is there genuine value left here, or is the market already pricing in future growth?

Price to Book of 2.6x: Is it justified?

On a simple P/B yardstick, Lotus trades at 2.6x book value, which sits below its peer group average but above the broader Australian Oil and Gas industry.

The P/B ratio compares the market value of the company to its accounting net assets. It is often a shorthand for how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of equity. For an early stage uranium developer with limited revenue and current losses, book value can act as a reference point when earnings based metrics are not meaningful.

According to the data, Lotus screens as good value against its direct peers, with its 2.6x P/B ratio sitting well under a peer average of 10.2x. At the same time, the stock trades richer than the wider Australian Oil and Gas industry, where the average P/B sits at 1.8x, so the market is still assigning a premium relative to the broader group.

See what the numbers say about this price  find out in our valuation breakdown.

Result: Price to book of 2.6x (UNDERVALUED)

However, there are clear risks here, including ongoing net losses of A$13.76m and the inherent project, regulatory and country risks tied to African uranium assets.

Find out about the key risks to this Lotus Resources narrative.
What could go wrong if an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot is asked for the best restaurants in New Delhi"? At worst, you waste an evening. But ask the same chatbot for the best mutual funds to invest in", and the consequences can be far more seriousyour retirement, childs education, or long-term wealth goals could take a hit.

An AI chatbot is a computer program that uses artificial intelligence to understand what you type or say and tries to reply like a human. Popular examples include ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, etc.

Chatbots are fast becoming part of everyday life: from finding the best hotel, planning a three-day trip, to choosing the best TV, to self-help guides, AI has taken over the imagination of many households.

Money management naturally cant be too far behind. To understand the popularity, we asked ChatGPT how common investment-related queries from India are. The answer was predictable: given Indias high retail participation, investment-related questions rank among the most frequent and consistently high-engagement prompts.

While AI chatbots are a great tool to learn concepts, narrow down choices or even discover options, the risk lies in treating recommendations as advice. Action-oriented money decision-making driven by AI can be risky because chatbots have no accountability or fiduciary responsibility.

So when you ask your AI tool for the best mutual fund in the market, understand that the answer may be more a function of the fund's visibility, repetition and other factors rather than your age, risk profile or even your investment goal.

Read on to understand why your AI chatbot can be a great teacher, but not your financial adviser. Here, we are referring to publicly available AI tools and not custom-designed tools being used by financial professionals.

Also Read | Can AI really replace your financial adviser?

Rise in AI-led queries

Advisers say investors have already started exploring different investment queries like best mutual funds, best insurance etc. on AI chatbots. Clients are coming with AI Chatbot screenshots to us and discussing the suggestions given by these platforms, increasingly," says Akshat Garg, head - research & product at Choice Wealth.

Aditya Agarwal, co-founder, wealthy.in, says that sometimes clients have referred to the conversation that they had particularly with the popular ones  ChatGPT or Gemini.

Most commonly, investors bring screenshots of best mutual funds and best insurance according to these platforms and compare them with our recommendations," says Pramod Sharma, partner, Citrine Financial Services LLP. He adds that we had a few cases where investors performed how much SIP is required for X crores calculations on them, which were incorrect.

No doubt, AI chatbots are increasingly being used as decision companions, and companies and brands know it.

The new race: ranking inside chatbot answers

Most firms wont openly admit they are trying to rank inside ChatGPT answers. But the incentive is now too obvious to ignore. Most of this optimisation isnt illegal or secretive; it is simply marketing adapting to a new discovery channel.

Semrush, the international digital marketing platform, predicts that AI-driven channels could rival traditional search in economic impact by 2027, and notes that AI-powered visits convert 4.4 times higher than organic search.

View Full Image Graphic: Gopakumar Warrier/Mint

The shift is not theoretical in India. As reported in October last year, an NPCI-Razorpay-OpenAI pilot is enabling UPI payments within ChatGPT, pointing to a future where discovery and transactions happen inside chat interfaces. India is already at the centre of this change, accounting for 13.5% of ChatGPTs global user base, according to Mary Meekers Trends  Artificial Intelligence Report.

Big Tech is clearly betting on India: Google has offered its $400 Gemini AI Pro free for 18 months to Reliance Jios 500 million users, while OpenAI made ChatGPT Go free for a year in India, a plan earlier priced at $54. These India-only moves make one thing clear: brands will inevitably optimize to be the name that appears when users ask best X".

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How brands optimise for AI

Earlier users searched on Google. Now theyve started asking chatbots directly," says Goutam Singh, a Noida-based AI SEO and digital marketing consultant. That shift is pushing brands to optimize not just for clicks, but for mentions inside AI answers. This is where AEO/GEO comes in: Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) focus on shaping content so a chatbot is more likely to recommend a brand name when a user asks best X".

To get your name picked up by AI answers, you first have to build trust using Googles E-E-A-T Framework expertise, experience, authoritativeness and trustworthiness," says Singh. He adds that social presence should be visible, author profiles should be real, and names should repeatedly appear across reputed platforms.

Brands do this by moving away from long, messy blogs to clean site structure, fast performance, clear schema, and well-organised FAQs and comparisons  formats AI systems can easily read and trust. Repeated mentions act like a signal. So if a name keeps appearing for a keyword, the system treats it as important," says Singh.

The real danger

But the danger isnt that chatbots are deliberately misleading. Its that they are not designed to operate like fiduciaries.

For example, we asked base versions of ChatGPT and Gemini for the best mutual funds to invest in. While both platforms caveated the recommendations advising customers to seek professional advice regarding risk, goals, etc, the recommendations were similar.

The problem with AI is bulk data-based recommendations. AI will pick up products that rank high on the internet without any context to an investor's need," explains Ravi Handa, founder and creator of Handa Uncle, thats building an AI-powered personal finance platform.

While I think AI tools are far superior to commission driven intermediaries, they are no substitute to professional advice that contextualises advice based on a persons needs. AI tools like ChatGPT are already working on advisory models like ChatGPT for health, hopefully the same will happen for finance," he adds.

The Reserve Bank of India has already cautioned consumers in its report titled Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial Intelligence (FREE-AI)- August 2025": When AI is used to enhance engagement, it can subtly influence consumer decisions in ways that may not always align with their best interests."

Why money is the riskiest category

Finance is a category where a confident shortlist is often the most dangerous format. Investors must understand that if ranking is influenced by data availability, popularity, or marketing partnerships, unsuitable products can surface as best", even when they dont fit them," cautions Garg.

That is why, as per Agarwal, it is always highly recommended to check the sources of the answer and verify the output before acting on it."

But for many investors, that verification step never happens because chatbots sound authoritative. The danger is false confidence AI sounds convincing even when context is missing or outdated," says Garg. And he adds that first-time and DIY investors are more vulnerable to act on AIs advice without any research.

The issue becomes bigger because the questions being asked are not about definitions. They are about action. These are precisely the moments when emotion is high and errors are most costly.

The accountability gap

This is where another gap becomes impossible to ignore: accountability.

Unlike Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi)-registered advisers or regulated intermediaries, AI chatbots sit outside the traditional fence. Sebi has taken note of AIs role in financial markets. The regulators June 2025 consultation paper on responsible usage of AI/ML in Indian securities markets focuses on AI inside regulated entities  governance, controls, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms. Sebi has also discussed the need to assign responsibility when AI tools are used by intermediaries.

But who bears the responsibility if an AI chatbot suggests some funds or insurance, etc, that does not work in favour of the investor?

Today, the investor bears the risk," says Garg. AI Chatbots are not fiduciaries, not registered with Sebi and not accountable. Thats a major regulatory gap," he adds. The RBIs FREE-AI Report too warns of lack of clarity around accountability if an investor is harmed.

AI chatbots: Not substitutes for registered advisers

Experts believe an advisers technical input and behavioural handholding is still hard to replace.

The quality and timely handholding that an adviser/distributor provides to an investor is not replaceable," says Rushabh Desai, Founder at Rupee With Rushabh Investment Services, a Mumbai-based mutual funds distribution firm.

According to Agarwal, Genuine advice will always require many traits of the investors to be aware of which he himself is not aware of."

While Garg believes that final decisions must still go through a qualified adviser, he says those who still want to explore, should treat AI like Google informative, not decisive.

According to Pramod Sharma, investors can use AI to learn. It is okay to ask questions like what is mutual funds, what is SIP, old tax regime vs new tax regime etc They can even ask AIs to simplify newspaper articles or concepts to understand them with ease."

But, investors should strictly not ask AI chatbots to create an investment plan or portfolio allocation for them. It doesnt know your risk profile, goals, tax status, or liquidity needs. Hence, they cannot develop a reliable plan for you," says Garg.

Sharma says that answers from AI also depend heavily on the quality of prompts and the version you use. Suppose you want it to calculate how much you should invest monthly towards a goal, unless you write a clear prompt hinting it to use a particular formula, or may be using a paid version, the chances of getting wrong answers is high," he says.

If you are keen, says Garg, ask questions to AI; there is no harm unless you react to it. Andhe strongly urges investors to always verify recommendations, information, and data through a registered adviser or official scheme documents.
A fear of Chinese polio sneaking in has forced the apex drug regulator to slam the door on human trials of a paediatric vaccine, as it fights to preserve India's hard-won status as a polio-free nation.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has rejected Indian Immunologicals Ltd's request for human trials of a six-in-one vaccine, according to two officials and documents seen by Mint. CDSCO worries that an unintended leak of the polio strain could revive the crippling disease, which was banished from the country over 11 years ago.

Documents reviewed by Mint showed that the IIL product uses antigens (weakened viruses) from Sinovac, China's largest private-sector vaccine maker. Many vaccines use weakened viruses that prompt the body to create antibodies that defend against the real threat when it arrives. However, the difference here is that the Sinovac antigen uses a Chinese variant of the virus, which has never been used in any polio vaccine in India.

China's Sinovac has sold 10 million doses of the Sabin Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (sIPV) across China, Thailand and Pakistan, the only three countries where it is in use.

A green light for IIL and the ensuing approvals would have paved the way for the vaccines commercial launch in India, where tens of millions of infants and children are administered polio vaccine every year. Rejection of the trial proposal underscores the priority placed on public health security and biosafety, even as vaccine makers push for next-generation combination shots in a vast market.

What alarmed the committee

According to documents seen by Mint, the CDSCO's subject expert committee (SEC) for vaccines flagged potential "safety and containment issues" over the Chinese antigen. At its meeting on 22 December, the committee found IIL had not submitted post-marketing surveillance data, including real-world safety reports from the countries where its doses were distributed. The committee noted that no study was available on this specific hexavalent vaccine containing Chinese-sourced antigens in any population.

Moreover, Sinovac did not have approval under the WHOs Poliovirus Containment Certification Scheme (CCS), the committee added, concluding that a "considered decision cannot be taken at this stage" for the trials to proceed. The WHO scheme provides assurance through stringent biosafety, biosecurity and oversight mechanisms.

The CDSCO reminded IIL, a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), that South-East Asia, including India, has been certified polio-free since 2014.

What Indian Immunologicals says

However, according to IIL, Sinovac is not new to India and has been selling hepatitis A vaccine in bulk to an Indian company for nearly seven years. The Sinovac tie-up for polio vaccine was based on its superior safety profile," managing director Dr K. Anand Kumar said in an interview.

"Unlike the Salk IPV, which is derived from a wild virus, the Sabin version uses an attenuated form of the virus that is then inactivated, making it much safer from a containment perspective. Furthermore, these are not 'Chinese strains' in a proprietary sense. These strains are distributed and routed through the WHO and the Netherlands Institute. In fact, the Sabin IPV manufactured by Sinovac is already a WHO pre-qualified vaccine," Dr. Kumar said over the phone.

Lab leak fears

A 'lab leak' is another nightmare scenario for public health officials.

Polio viruses for research and vaccine manufacturing must be safely contained in certified polio-essential facilities, the expert committee said. It warned that ingestion is the natural route of transmission, and even fully vaccinated factory workers could become infected and shed the live virus into the community through wastewater, contaminated skin, or air.

Dr. Kumar said his company will meet all requirements.

We have already successfully completed all pre-clinical toxicology studies and have manufactured the initial batches. While the SEC has requested specific containment certificates from Sinovac, we have already communicated this to our partners to expedite the process. We will oblige and meet all requirements set forth by the SEC," Dr. Kumar told Mint.

Queries emailed to the spokespersons of health and family welfare as well as external affairs ministries and the DCGI on 15 January, and the Chinese embassy in New Delhi and Sinovac on 16 January remained unanswered. Queries emailed to Serum Institute, GSK and Sanofi on 15 January also weren't answered.

What health experts think

Preventing reintroduction of the polio virus is a matter of national security, health experts said. Even though the viruses are weakened, they can "revert" to more dangerous, virulent forms, leading to outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses, they said.

Dr. Naveen Thacker, executive director of the International Paediatric Association (IPA), a global non-governmental professional body representing over 1 million specialists, said, The proposal to use the Sabin strain, the same strain used in the oral polio vaccine (OPV), presents a unique challenge." If there is an accidental lab leak during trials and the virus revives, it would become hard to preserve India's polio-free status, Dr. Thacker said. "Conducting such trials is simply not possible without robust, WHO-certified facilities to manage the storage and handling of the materials.

He said the missing post-marketing surveillance (PMS) data was a red flag. What happened post-marketing? That data is only from Pakistan and China; that is not enough; so, we cannot risk that," said Dr. Thacker. "India is not currently facing a shortage that would justify taking such a risk. We have enough supply of the traditional IPV now. That was an issue a few years back, but now supply is not an issue."

Polio has varied strains and wild polio can still exist in some countries, said Dr. Sanjeev Bagai, senior consultant, paediatrics and chairman of Nephron Clinics in New Delhi.

Any additional strain of polio in the six-in-one vaccines must be compliant with all guidelines and regulations. The strain must have clinical real-world data validation of phased trials, which document the threshold of vaccine effectiveness. If the Chinese data is missing, then its best not to use that vaccine," he said, adding there was no need for compromise in India's infectious disease surveillance. The worst thing is to bring in a neurotropic unverifiable strain on Indian shores."

Pentavalent, hexavalent vaccines

Newborn babies are typically administered a single-shot pentavalent vaccine in India, which guards against five diseasesdiphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis-B, and haemophilus influenzae type b. In addition, polio vaccines are given as oral drops.

However, companies such as Serum Institute of India, Panacea Biotec, GSK and Sanofi make and sell hexavalent vaccines, which defend against polio as well. However, hexavalent vaccines are not part of the government's universal immunization plan. Also, none of the existing hexavalent vaccines use the Chinese antigen.

A spokesperson for Panacea Biotec, which makes EasySix, a hexavalent vaccine, said, The SEC outcome signals Indias regulator is aligning with WHOs Global Action Plan, making poliovirus facility certification non-negotiable. Manufacturers must demonstrate robust alignment with containment frameworks, proactively engage with National Authorities for Containment, and share broad international safety data to satisfy evolving global expectations on vaccine quality and biosafety."

"Poliovirus Containment Certification is a non-negotiable strategic biosecurity imperative. Safeguarding Indias hard-won polio-free status requires absolute assurance that no poliovirus can escape manufacturing facilities. This certification, per WHOs GAP-III, provides that assurance through stringent oversight, reinforcing confidence in our vaccine ecosystem," Panacea Biotec said.

Logical step?

According to Dr. Kumar of IIL, transition is a logical step for Indias public health. "The new combination offers significant advantages for a nation with an annual birth cohort of 27 million by reducing the burden on parents and simplifying the massive logistics involved in vaccine procurement," he said.

Although post-market surveillance data is being sought, it must be noted that the Sabin IPV programme is relatively new globally, with licences currently in China and sales in markets like Pakistan, he said.

"Ultimately, bringing more players into this space is essential for cost-competitiveness. Our programme is designed to support both the private market with single-dose vials and the governments Universal Immunization Programme with multi-dose formats, should they choose to transition to hexavalent protocols," Kumar reasoned.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for parts of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, warning residents of rain and snowfall as an intense Western Disturbance is forecast to affect the Western Himalayan region from 2628 January 2026.

In a X (formerly Twitter) post, the weather department said that light to moderate snowfall is expected at many places, with a few intense spells very likely over many parts of high hills and adjoining mid hills of the state on those days.

The official notice also warned of high possibility for light to moderate rainfall with few intense spells at many places over plains and adjoining mid hills of the state on January 27.

Which areas will be affected? The IMD has specifically issued an orange alert for heavy rain or snowfall at isolated places in Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts for 27 January, 2026 Hindustan Times reported.

Additionally, the MeT department has placed Una, Bilaspur, Solan and Sirmaur under a yellow alert for possible hailstorms at isolated locations on 27 January.

Also Read | Weather Today: IMD predicts rainfall from January 26 in these areas

Officials said several tourist hubs across Himachal Pradesh, such as Naldehra, Manali, Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Solang Valley and Sissu, are likely to witness moderate rain or snowfall with one or two intense spells expected during the day.

Heavy snowfall in Manali disrupt travel Heavy snowfall over the past 48 hours in Himachal hill station of Manali has led to widespread disruptions in the daily life of people residing in the region, along with leaving tourists stranded in the area amid freezing temperatures, according to multiple reports.

Continuous snowfall in the area has led to accumulation of close to one to two feet of snow, and dangerous black icing on roads, prompting closure of traffic movement on key stretches of the national highway, according to ANI.

Just a day earlier, on 24 January, over 600 roads were blocked due to heavy snowfall in Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu (includes Manali), Lahaul-Spiti and Shimla districts, as per the agency report.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 130th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, 25 January. This was first Mann Ki Baat addressed by the prime minister in 2026.

The prime minister began his address mentioning Republic Day (Monday) and the National Voters' Day being celebrated on Sunday.

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"This is the first 'Mann Ki Baat' of the year 2026. Tomorrow, on 26 January, we will all celebrate Republic Day. It was on this day that our Constitution came into force. The day of 26 January gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to the makers of our Constitution. Today, 25 January, is also a very important day. Today is 'National Voters' Day'. The voter is the soul of democracy," the prime minister said.

2016 Viral Trend PM Modi also mentioned the recent viral trend on social media about 2016 memories.

These days I am seeing an interesting trend on social media. People are reliving their memories of the year 2016. In the same spirit, today I too would like to share one of my memories with you, the prime minister said.

Ten years ago, in January 2016, we embarked upon an ambitious journey. We had realised then that even if it were a small one, it was very important for the future of the country for the young generation. Today, India has turned into the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. These startups are out of the box; they are working in sectors that were unimaginable even 10 years ago, he said.

Recently, a trend, called "2026 is the new 2016," took over social media feeds, with throwback photos of celebrities, friends, and personal memories taking center stage.

The trend emerged as many social media users reminisced about 2016, a year known for its iconic moments, memes, and music. People fondly recalled popular events from that year, such as the Mannequin Challenge, the musical Hamilton, and the scary clown sighting.

Some people even referred to 2016 as pre-Trump era. Donald Trump began his first term as president of the United States in 2017.

Prime Minister Modi said with India emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies and a thriving startup ecosystem, the time has come to prioritise quality and make excellence the national benchmark.

"AI, space, nuclear energy, semiconductors, mobility, green hydrogen, biotechnology, you name it, and you'll find one Indian start-up or the other working in that sector. I salute all my young friends who are associated with one startup or the other, or want to start one of their own. Let us resolve to improve the quality of whatever we manufacture. Be it our textiles, technology, electronics, or packaging, the connotation of an Indian product should become 'top quality'. Let us make excellence our benchmark," he added.

Here are some key highlights from PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat':

Benoy Das, a resident of Cooch Behar, West Bengal, has single-handedly worked to make his district green. Benoy Das ji has planted thousands of trees. He has often borne the entire cost of purchasing, planting, and caring for the saplings. Where necessary, he has collaborated with local people, students, and municipal bodies. Through his efforts, the greenery along the roadsides has further improved.

"Jagdish Prasad Ahirwar ji, from Panna district in Madhya Pradesh, serves as a beat-guard in the forest. Once he realised that information about many medicinal plants in the forest was not systematically recorded anywhere. Jagdish ji began identifying and recording medicinal plants. He identified over 125 medicinal plants. He collected photograph and information about name, usage and location of each plant. The Forest Department compiled the information and published it as a book."

Indian Festivals The family system in India is an important part of our tradition. It is viewed with great curiosity in many countries around the world. In many countries, such family systems are highly respected. Just a few days ago, my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, visited India. He conveyed to me that the UAE is celebrating 2026 as the Year of the Family.

View full Image Today, India has turned into the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, PM Modi said.

Indian festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy in every corner of the world. Our brothers and sisters of Indian origin, play a vital role in maintaining the cultural vibrancy of all kinds. Our Indian community in Malaysia is also doing commendable work in this regard.

There are more than 500 Tamil schools in Malaysia. In addition to teaching the Tamil language, other subjects are also taught in Tamil. Furthermore, along with Telugu and Punjabi there's also a lot of focus on other Indian languages.

AI Impact Summit "One society plays a major role in strengthening the historical and cultural ties between India and Malaysia. Its name is 'Malaysia India Heritage Society'...Last month, the "Lal Paad Saree" iconic walk was organised in Malaysia. This sari has had a special connection to our culture of Bengal. This event set a record for the largest number of people wearing this sari, which was recorded in the Malaysian Book of Records"

Let us resolve to improve the quality of whatever we manufacture. The connotation of an Indian product should become 'top quality'.

"Bhajans and kirtans have been the soul of our culture for centuries. Today's youth have incorporated the spirit of devotion into their experiences and lifestyles. Large numbers of the youth are gathering in different cities across the country. The stage is decorated. There is all the pomp and show, and the atmosphere is no less than a concert. But what is being sung there is a Bhajan. This trend is being called 'bhajan clubbing' today, and it's becoming increasingly popular, especially among Gen Z."

"The India AI Impact Summit is going to be held next month. Experts from across the world, especially those from the field of technology, will come to India for this summit. This summit will also highlight India's progress and achievements in the world of AI."
Manali weather update: Heavy snowfall over the past 48 hours in Himachal hill station of Manali has disrupted daily life in the region and stranded tourists amid freezing temperatures, according to multiple reports.

Tourists stranded due to a 7-8 km long traffic jam on the national highway were forced to trek 10-20 km for shelter without food, water and other facilities, ANI reported on 25 January.

The report added that continuous snowfall has led to accumulation of close to one to two feet of snow, and dangerous black icing on roads, completely halting traffic movement on key stretches of the national highway.

View full Image Vehicles buried under snow amid ongoing snowfall, in Manali on Saturday. ( ANI Video Grab )

View full Image A view of traffic congestion following heavy snowfall in Manali, in Kullu on Sunday. ( ANI Video Grab )

Tourists forced to trek 20 kms: What we know According to the report, the national highway has been at a standstill with around 7 to 8 kilometres blocked, forcing many tourists to abandon their vehicles and undertake treks through deep snow in order to seek shelter.

Many tourists, some stranded for over 24 hours, lefts their vehicles with luggage in hand and trekked 10-20 km to safety. The report noted that these included children and elderly passengers. Other travelers also spent the night inside their cars amid harsh weather conditions and a lack of basic facilities, it added.

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Speaking to ANI, Bunty, a taxi driver from Chandigarh explained that he and his passengers are helpless and stuck inside the vehicle for the past 24 hours without food or drinkable water. There is nothing here. We have been stuck in this traffic jam since yesterday, and the administration has not sent any JCB or other assistance. The administration should have cleared the roads when it started falling snow, he said.

Harpal Singh, a tourist from Gujarat said that he and his family spent the night in their car due to the traffic jam, adding: There is no food or public toilet facilities nearby, and we have moved just 200 meters since yesterday. The administration should do something.

Shivbiyas, a local from the area told ANI that tourists flocked to Manali despite the Met department's alert and have been affected by the adverse conditions. They spent the night in their vehicles. Many vehicles are stuck, and people are crying here. The weather department has also given an alert, but the tourists still came. The traffic has been jammed for more than 24 hours now. Many people are experiencing uneasiness due to the temperature, he said.

View full Image Tourists stranded in Manali walk past vehicles following heavy snowfall, in Kullu on Sunday. ( ANI Video Grab )

View full Image People walk past vehicles stuck in a traffic jam as heavy snowfall chokes highways and roads, leaving tourists stranded near Manali on Sunday, 25 January 2026. ( PTI Photo )

Efforts on to re-open roads: What measures have been undertaken? A day earlier, on 24 January, over 600 roads were blocked due to heavy snowfall in Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu (includes Manali), Lahaul-Spiti and Shimla districts, as per another ANI report.

Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh told the agency that the state received snowfall after a very long dry spell, which has brought happiness among farmers and orchardists.

He did however note that the snowfall also led to road blockages, adding, I am in constant touch with departmental officials. As per the latest information, around 600 small and big roads have been affected, including link roads and major district roads. We are making all efforts to open them at the earliest.

View full Image A long traffic jam of tourist vehicles formed on the Manali highway after it was closed due to snowfall, in Manali on Saturday. ( Ajay Kumar / ANI Photo )

According to Singh, the following measures have been implemented:

JCBs and Poclain machines are continuously engaged in clearing roads in hilly areas.

Snow-clearing machines have been deployed extensively, including within Shimla Municipal Corporation areas.

Some 350-400 snow-clearing machines have been kept on standby across divisions.

Snow blowers have also been deployed.

Tourists advised not to panic, maintain beauty of state There may be some inconvenience, but road clearance after snowfall takes time. I request everyone to maintain patience, Singh said.

He also appealed to tourists to keep patient and cooperate with authorities. I request all tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh to maintain the beauty of the state and not panic if there are temporary difficulties. The administration, police, PWD, and all concerned departments are working round the clock to ensure people reach safe places, he said.

View full Image People look on as a backhoe loader is used to clear a road after fresh snowfall, at Manali in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, Saturday. ( PTI Photo )

View full Image An aerial view of snow-covered vehicles stuck in a traffic jam amid snowfall, in Manali on Friday. ( Ajay Kumar / ANI Photo )
A CCTV clip emerged showing a man running across a foot overbridge at Malad railway station in Mumbai after a college teacher was stabbed to death in a crowded local train on Saturday, 24 January, according to a report by the Times of India.

Within 12 hours of the incident, the Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested the accused, 27-year-old Omkar Eknath Shinde, a daily wage labourer.

What is the incident about? According to the police cited in the report, Alok Kumar Singh, a 33-year-old professor at Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, was assaulted after a minor argument while getting off the Borivali-bound local train at Malad station around 6 pm.

Investigators said that the argument suddenly escalated, and Shinde allegedly stabbed Singh in the stomach with a sharp object on platform number 1, the report said.

The accused fled amid the rush at the station and left Singh bleeding on the platform. Singh collapsed on the platform, holding his abdomen to try to stop the bleeding, reported News18.

Singh was taken to Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital in Kandivali, but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

"CCTV footage showed a man panicking, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, fleeing across a foot overbridge shortly after the attack. Based on the footage and witness accounts, we identified and tracked the accused," a GRP official told TOI.

Police noted that several passengers in the train compartment observed the argument and the attack. Their statements are being documented as part of the investigation. CCTV footage from Malad station and earlier stations on the route is also under review.

Shinde, working as a metal polisher, has been arrested under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police are also investigating to determine the specific weapon used in the attack.
The Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian awards of India, are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, 25 January, to recognise exceptional service in various categories.

The awards are conferred in three categories such as Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a higher order; and Padma Shri for distinguished service across various fields.

Highlights of Padma Award winners  8:40 pm - People should work selflessly for society: Arunachal's Techi Gubin on getting Padma Shri

Arunachal Vikas Parishad president Techi Gubin, who was named for the Padma Shri award on Sunday in recognition of his distinguished contribution to social service, said people should work selflessly for the betterment of society.

Gubin is among 54 recipients named for Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award.

8: 10 pm - Ad icon Piyush Pandey honoured with Padma Bhushan posthumously

Adman Piyush Pandey, who passed away last year, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously, one of India's highest civilian awards, in recognition of his decades-long contribution to the Indian advertising industry of India.

7:30 pm - Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashoka Chakra

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been awarded the Ashok Chakra for his contribution to the space program Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).

7:20 pm - Mammootty, Alka Yagnik honoured with Padma Bhushan

Veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty and renowned Bollywood singer Alka Yagnik will be conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the country's third-highest civilian award, as the Centre on Sunday announced the names of the recipients of the coveted Padma Awards 2026 on the eve of the 77th Republic Day.

The awards will be presented later this year by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

6:52 pm - Padma Bhushan 2026 Awardees: Full list

Ms. Alka Yagnik  Art (Maharashtra)

Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari  Public Affairs (Uttarakhand)

Shri Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy  Medicine (Tamil Nadu)

Shri Mammootty  Art (Kerala)

Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu  Medicine (United States of America)

Shri Piyush Pandey (Posthumous)  Art (Maharashtra)

Shri S K M Maeilanandhan  Social Work (Tamil Nadu)

Shri Shatavadhani R Ganesh  Art (Karnataka)

Shri Shibu Soren (Posthumous)  Public Affairs (Jharkhand)

Shri Uday Kotak  Trade & Industry (Maharashtra)

Shri V K Malhotra (Posthumous)  Public Affairs (Delhi)

Shri Vellappally Natesan  Public Affairs (Kerala)

Shri Vijay Amritraj  Sports (United States of America)

6:32 pm - President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards  5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri.

6:24 pm - Singer Alka Yagnik, Former Uttarakhand CM Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Actor Mammootty to be conferred with Padma Bhushan.

Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy, Dr Nori Dattatreyudu, Piyush Pandey (Posthumous), S K M Maeilanandhan, Shatavadhani R Ganesh, Former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren (Posthumous), Uday Kotak, VK Malhotra (Posthumous), Vellappally Natesan, Vijay Amritraj to be conferred with Padma Bhushan.

6:09 pm - Late actor Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous) recognised with Padma Vibhushan in the field of Art.

5:25 pm - India to display military might, growth story at Republic Day parade

India will display its development journey, cultural diversity and military might, including newly-raised units and mock-ups of major weapon systems deployed during Operation Sindoor, at the 77th Republic Day celebrations on Monday.

4:40 pm - 45 citizens awarded Padma Shri in 'unsung heroes' category on Republic Day

A former bus conductor who set up the world's largest free-access library, a paediatrician who formed Asia's first human milk bank, and a 90-year old rare musical instrument player were among 45 individuals from across India chosen for the Padma Shri award in the unsung heroes category on the occasion of Republic Day.

4:15 pm - List of unsung heroes who win Padma awards this year:

1. Anke Gowda

2. Armida Fernandez

3. Bhagwandas Raikwar

4. Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda

5. Brij Lal Bhat

6. Budhri Tati

7. Charan Hembram

8. Chiranji Lal Yadav

9. Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya

10. Gafruddin Mewati Jogi

11. Hally War

12. Inderjit Singh Sidhu

13. K Pajanivel

14. Kailash Chandra Pant

15. Khem Raj Sundriyal

16. Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G

17. Kumarasamy Thangaraj

18. Mahendra Kumar Mishra

19. Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai

20. Mohan Nagar

21. Naresh Chandra Dev Varma

22. Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala

23. Nuruddin Ahmed

24. Othuvar Thiruthani Swaminathan

25. Padma Gurmet

26. Pokhila Lekthepi

27. Punniamurthy Natesan

28. R Krishnan

29. Raghupat Singh

30. Raghuveer Tukaram Khedkar

31. Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar

32. Rama Reddy Mamidi

33. Ramchandra Godbole and Sunita Godbole

34. S G Susheelamma

35. Sangyusang S Pongener

36. Shafi Shauq

37. Shrirang Devaba Lad

38. Shyam Sundar

39. Simanchal Patro

40. Suresh Hanagavadi

41. Taga Ram Bheel

42. Techi Gubin

43. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam

44. Vishwa Bandhu

45. Yumnam Jatra Singh

3:55 pm - Speaking on a diverse set of awardees, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, These are people who have dedicated entire lifetimes in service of Divyangjan, Women, Children, Dalits and Tribals - working in promoting Healthcare, Education, Livelihood, Sanitation, Sustainability, etc.

It added, From doctors working in local health challenges like Haemophilia to a neonatologist who set up Indias first human milk-bank  from preserving Indias indigenous heritage and promoting national integration in border States to promoting tribal languages and indigenous martial arts  from preserving dying arts and weaves to safeguarding the nations ecological wealth and championing swachta - this set of awardees truly epitomises everyday Indians silently going about their everyday lives, in service of Bharat Mata.

3:44 pm - Lauding this year's awardees, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, Continuing with the principle of celebrating Ordinary Indians making Extraordinary Contributions, this years Padma Awards recognise a wide spectrum of unsung heroes from across the length and breadth of India.

The ministry added, "Each has overcome tremendous personal hardships and tragedies to not just excel in their chosen mediums, but go further on to serve society at large. These include individuals from marginalised Backwards and Dalit communities, primitive Tribes and hailing from remote and difficult terrains.

3:34 pm - Dr Shyam Sundar from Uttar Pradesh will reportedly be conferred the Padma Shri 2026 in the field of Medicine, ANI reported.

3:24 pm - Mohan Nagar from Madhya Pradesh will be conferred the Padma Shri 2026 for his work in environmental conservation, ANI reported.

3:20 pm - Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai from Gujarat will be honoured with the Padma Shri 2026 in the field of Art, ANI reported.

3:12 pm - Anke Gowda from Karnataka and Armida Fernandes from Maharashtra were awarded Padma Shri in the unsung heroes category, PTI reported. Gowde is being recognised in the field of literature and education.

3:10 pm - Bhagwadas Raikwar from Madhya Pradesh, Brij Lal Bhat from Jammu and Kashmir, were awarded Padma Shri in the unsung heroes category, according to PTI.

3:08 pm - Budri Thati from Chhattisgarh and Charan Hembram from Odisha are among the Padma Shri awardees recognised in the unsung heroes category, the news portal reported.
NEW DELHI: In his first monthly radio address of 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that India is now the worlds third-largest startup ecosystem, urged manufacturers to adopt the zero defect, zero effect approach, and called on citizens to prioritize cleanliness and afforestation.

Ahead of the countrys 77th Republic Day on 26 January, and National Voters Day on 25 January, Modi said voters are the soul of democracy and urged people to celebrate first-time voters much like birthdays.

Also Read | For small businesses struggling with debt, some relief may be on way

India had more than 960 million registered voters for the 2024 general election, the largest electorate in the world, according to the Election Commission of India, including about 18.4 million first-time voters.

Modi said Indian startups are working across sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), space, nuclear energy, semiconductors, mobility, green hydrogen and biotechnology. Today India has turned into the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world, he said.

As of December 2025, India had more than 200,000 government-recognised startups, with about half of them in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The countrys high-value startup ecosystem has expanded from just four unicorns in 2014 to more than 120, valued collectively at about $350 billion as of January 2026, according to a government statement.

Also Read | Backronyms and NDA government's penchant for them in scheme names

At a time when global attention is focused on India, Modi said, the country must place greater emphasis on quality. Indias economy is progressing rapidly. The world is watching India. At such a juncture, we all shoulder a huge responsibility. That responsibility is to emphasize on quality.

Let our only mantra be quality, quality and only qualitythe connotation of an Indian product should become top quality, the prime minister added, referring to products ranging from textiles and technology to electronics and packaging.

The emphasis on manufacturing quality comes amid geopolitical uncertainty and tariff pressures on Indian exporters following steep US duties on Indian goods.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday that there could be scope for reducing the levy after India cut oil imports from Russia. US President Donald Trump had doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% from 25% in August 2025, citing New Delhis purchases of Russian crude.

From river clean-ups to bhajan clubbing In his address, Modi also cited community-led initiatives on cleanliness, pollution reduction and afforestation, saying Indians are finding solutions to long-standing problems through startups and collective action.

He pointed to efforts in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, where residents cleaned the Tamsa river and planted fruit-bearing trees along its banks, and in Ananthapura, Andhra Pradesh, where communities revived water reservoirs to mitigate drought. He also mentioned similar initiatives in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Chennai.

The prime minister highlighted the growing trend of bhajan clubbing among young people, describing gatherings that resemble concerts but feature devotional singing. This trend is being called bhajan clubbing today, and its becoming increasingly popular, especially among Gen Z, he said.
The government on Sunday announced Padma awards recognising a wide spectrum of unsung heroes from across the length and breadth of India.

As many as 131 Padma awardees from over 39,000 nominations were chosen of the coveted honours through exhaustive, rigorous and scientific process of multiple rounds of scrutiny, and extensive consultations, officials said.

Also Read | Padma Awards 2026: Dharmendra gets Padma Vibhushan

Officials told news agency PTI that the winners hail from every part of the country with 10 districts of awardees featuring for the first time since Independence.

The Padma Awards The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.

The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.

The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.

The 10 first-time districts The awards for 2026 were chosen in such a way that 84 districts were represented across 30 states and UTs  including 10 districts recognised with a Padma award for the first time since Independence which include Mandya (Karnataka), Betul (Madhya Pradesh), Parbhani (Maharashtra), Bageshwar (Uttarakhand), Ranga Reddy (Telangana), Dakshin Dinajpur (West Bengal), Nuapada (Odisha), Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), Eluru (Andhra Pradesh), and Deeg (Rajasthan).

"Padma awards go beyond just the big cities, into the heartland of India - to Alappuzha, Bhojpur, Cachar, Darjeeling, Goalpara, Imphal, Junagadh, Krishna, Mokokchung, Nuapada, Purba Bardhaman, Sri Ganganagar, and so on," an official in the know of development told the news agency.

Communist stalwart VS Achuthanandan (Padma Vibhushan) and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren (Padma Bhushan) were also included in the prestigious civilian honours.

"Continuing with the principle of celebrating ordinary Indians making extraordinary contributions, this years Padma awards recognise a wide spectrum of unsung heroes from the length and breadth of India," the official, who did not wish to be named, said.

The awards also recognised 19 inspirational women ranging from Mangala Kapoor, an acid attack victim who went on to become a music scholar teaching at Banaras Hindu University to Armida Fernandez, a neonatologist who served for nearly half a century in government hospitals, setting up Asias first human milk bank.

foremost homegrown defence manufacturers, Ashok Khade who fought poverty as a son of a Dalit cobbler and went on to establishing a cutting-edge offshore fabrication company contributing to strategic national infrastructure, and P L Gautam who rose from a modest agrarian family in Bilaspur to becoming one of India's foremost Plant Geneticists.

(With PTI inputs)
Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan's producer father, Rakesh Roshan, has sold his 1.09-acre land property in Pune, Maharashtra, for 15 crore, reported the news portal Times of India, citing documents collected by real estate analytics firm CRE Matrix on Sunday, 25 January 2026.

According to the news portal's report, citing the analytics agency, the 1.09-acre land is located in Lohegaon Village, Haveli Taluka of Pune, Maharashtra.

The news report suggests that the Deed of the Conveyance was drawn between Rakesh Roshan and CP Lands LLP, and registered on 26 December 2025, for which a stamp duty of 1.05 crore was paid for the property transaction.

Roshan family's property deals Mint reported earlier, citing SquareYards data, that Hrithik Roshan and Rakesh Roshan's company HRX Digitech LLP has purchased four commercial properties at Andheri West in Mumbai for a sum of 10.90 crore.

Andheri West has evolved into a lively, self-contained urban ecosystem. Ongoing metro and road enhancements continue to boost its connectivity, making Andheri West a dynamic, high-demand neighbourhood that blends convenience, culture, and strong real estate appeal, as per the press release.

The deal was to purchase four commercial units, and the transactions were executed in November 2025, and the same were also registered in the same period. According to the report, all the commercial units purchased were available in the Yura Business Park Phase 2, located at Andheri West, Mumbai.

The news portal's report also highlighted that in 2025, the Roshans have purchased 10 office units in Mumbai for 28 crore, according to Propstack data.

On the selling side, Hrithik Roshan and his father, Rakesh Roshan, sold three apartments in Andheri for nearly 6.75 crore, and the total area of those apartments was almost 2,000 sq ft.

Also Read | Man breaks furniture after wife buys 20,000 dishwasher without permission

Mint's previous report also highlighted that the Roshan family-owned entity, HRX Digitech LLP, was formed by filmmaker, producer, and former actor Rakesh Roshan and his son Hrithik Roshan.
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Skeena Resources (TSX:SKE) is in focus after the Tahltan Nation approved an impact benefit agreement for the Eskay Creek gold and silver project, clarifying economic, cultural, and environmental collaboration around this British Columbia development.

See our latest analysis for Skeena Resources.

The Tahltan agreement has arrived alongside a sharp shift in sentiment, with Skeenas share price at CA$43.0 and a 90 day share price return of 90.43%, while the 1 year total shareholder return of 202.60% points to strong momentum over a longer stretch.

If Eskay Creek has caught your attention and you want to see what else is moving, it could be worth scanning fast growing stocks with high insider ownership as a next step.

With the share price now at CA$43.0 and sitting slightly above the CA$40.47 analyst target, plus a very large intrinsic value discount estimate, investors face a key question: is there still a buying opportunity here, or is the market already pricing in future growth?

Preferred Price to Book of 61.1x: Is it justified?

On a P/B of 61.1x at CA$43.0, Skeena Resources looks expensive compared to both its peers and the wider Canadian metals and mining space.

The P/B ratio compares the market value of the company to its book value, so a higher figure suggests investors are paying a sizeable premium over the accounting value of its assets. For an explorer with minimal current revenue, a rich P/B often reflects expectations about future project economics rather than todays earnings power.

According to the data, Skeena Resources trades on a P/B of 61.1x against a peer average of 5.1x and a Canadian metals and mining industry average of 3.8x, a very wide gap that indicates the market is assigning a much higher value to its assets than is typical across the sector. At the same time, our DCF model points to a future cash flow value of CA$303.26 per share, which is very large compared with the current CA$43.0 price and suggests the SWS DCF model is embedding much stronger cash generation than the P/B comparison alone might imply.

See what the numbers say about this price  find out in our valuation breakdown.

Result: Price-to-book of 61.1x (OVERVALUED)

However, there are still clear risks, including potential execution setbacks or cost inflation at Eskay Creek, and the companys current loss of CA$115.727m weighing on sentiment again.

Find out about the key risks to this Skeena Resources narrative.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has appointed Tejashwi Yadav as the working president of the party at its national executive meeting in Patna today, 25 January 2026.

Tejashwi Yadav was named the RJD's working president in the presence of his parents and former chief ministers of Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi.

In a post on the social media platform X, RJD informed, Dawn of a New Era! Shri @yadavtejashwi Ji has been appointed as the National Executive President of Rashtriya Janata Dal!

Yadavs eldest sister, Patliputra MP Misa Bharti, who was rumoured to be eyeing a party position, also attended the meeting, PTI reported.

Tejashwi, a former deputy chief minister of Bihar currently serves as the leader of the opposition in the assembly.

He had appeared confident on Saturday of his elevation in the party, telling workers at the RJD office that he was considering revamping the party structure from the booth level, the news portal noted.

Yadav and his close aides, including Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Yadav, were strongly blamed by his elder sister, Rohini Acharya, for the disappointing election results. She also claimed that when she pressed for accountability, she was subjected to insults.
Singapores High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, won hearts online over the weekend after sharing his fondness for South Indian food, calling it a taste of home.

Taking to X, the diplomat posted photographs of a traditional South Indian meal, with appam taking centre stage. Alongside the images, Mr Wong wrote, Namaste India. Getting my weekend fill of South Indian food  appam. Can you name the dishes? Taste like home.

The post quickly struck a chord with social media users in India and abroad. Within hours, it clocked thousands of views, with users responding enthusiastically, many attempting to identify the dishes on the plate while others shared their own memories associated with South Indian cuisine.

Check out his post here:

Appam  known for its soft, spongy centre and crisp edges  is a staple in Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu, and is typically paired with coconut-based curries or stews. Over the years, the dish has also gained popularity across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, reflecting deep-rooted culinary connections shaped by migration and shared cultural history.

Also Read | 10 districts of winners feature for first time in Padma Award list

Mr Wongs remark about the meal tasting like home resonated with many, underlining how food often serves as a bridge between cultures. Several users commented on the similarities between South Indian and Southeast Asian flavours, while others welcomed the envoys evident comfort with Indian cuisine.

A user wrote, Good old kerala dishes. Chicken stew is the highlight.

Another user wrote, Good to see that you are visiting and exploring different states and their cuisines and cultures. Also, come to Odisha, India's best-kept secret. The hospitality, food, and culture will surely amaze you.

Good places in appam in Singapore too.. my favourite breakfast after a morning walk, the third user wrote.

Also Read | Bengaluru CEO praises Blinkit after midnight medicine order prompts doctor call

This is not the first time the Singapore envoys food posts have caught public attention. Earlier this year, when an unseasonal spell of rain and thunderstorms brought Delhi-NCR its first showers of 2026, Mr Wong marked the moment with another distinctly Indian ritual.

Sharing pictures from his rainy-day routine, he was seen enjoying chai and pakodas  widely regarded as comfort food during the monsoon. Celebrating first #baarish in 2026 with #chai #pakora. Come join me? he wrote, alongside images showing a steaming cup of tea, freshly fried snacks and a rain-soaked lawn.
The US has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), a year after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process.

The move deprives the global health body of its largest donor and deepens a funding crisis that WHO officials warn is already disrupting essential health services worldwide. Public health experts say the decision could weaken both global health security and public health in the US.

Mint explains what has changed, why it happened, and what it means.

What has happened?

The US announced on 22 January 2026 that it has completed its withdrawal from the WHO, a year after President Trump signed an executive order on 20 January 2025 directing the government to initiate the exit, a step he had also attempted during his first term in 2020 over the organizations response to Covid-19".

Also Read | India wants WHO audit of its drug regulation with an eye on quality

Over the past year, Washington has terminated all funding to the WHO, and US personnel and contractors assigned to or embedded with the agency have been recalled from WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and from WHO offices worldwide, according to a fact sheet released by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday.

Hundreds of US engagements with WHO have been suspended or discontinued, and the country has ceased official participation in WHO-sponsored committees, leadership bodies, governance structures, and technical working groups, the HHS said.

Why did the US leave?

The Trump administration said it withdrew from the WHO because of the organization's mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states," according to an HHS statement.

Also Read | Viral fear: Why a Chinese polio virus rang alarm bells in India

In a joint statement, HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and secretary of state Marco Rubio accused the WHO of not sharing critical information that could have saved American lives" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The administration has also argued that the WHO demands unfairly high payments from the US relative to other countries. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300% of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90% less to the WHO," the White House executive order of 20 January 2025 stated.

The WHO is funded mainly through assessed contributions  membership dues paid by countries as a percentage of their gross domestic product, as decided by the United Nations General Assembly  and voluntary contributions from governments and other partners. Assessed contributions account for less than 20% of the organizations overall budget.

What is the dispute now?

While the US has historically been the WHOs largest donor in both assessed and voluntary contributions, it has not paid its fees for 2024 and 2025, leaving $260 million in unpaid dues.

The WHO has argued that the US is permitted to withdraw only after fulfilling its financial obligations for the current fiscal year. The US State Department disputes this, with an official telling Reuters on Thursday that the American people have paid more than enough."

In recent years, US assessed contributions (mandatory dues) averaged approximately $111 million annually. In addition, the United States provided voluntary contributions averaging roughly $570 million per yearamounting to billions of dollars over timeoften exceeding the combined contributions of many other member states," the HHS said.

How will this impact the WHO?

In 2022-23, the US contributed $1.284 billion to the WHO, accounting for roughly 12-15% of the agencys total budget.

The loss of US funding has already pushed the organization into a financial crisis. The WHO projects its workforce could shrink by up to 22% by mid-2026, according to a Reuters report from November 2025.

The agency expects to cut 2,371 posts by June 2026 from 9,401 positions in January 2025, in addition to retirements and other exits. It also faces a $1.06 billion gap in its 2026-27 budget.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said in May that the organization is confronting the greatest disruption to global health financing in memory" as contributions fall across the board. In November, the WHO issued guidance for countries on coping with funding cuts that are disrupting the delivery of essential health services in many countries."

What do public health experts say?

Public health experts have condemned the US withdrawal, warning that it will weaken global health security and harm public health in the US.

A weaker World Health Organization means a less safe US," said Tom Frieden, former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and former New York City health commissioner, in a post on X, noting that the WHO is the only organization enabling global tracking of health threats.

Public health organizations have also cautioned that reduced coordination will leave all countries more vulnerable.

This decision risks undermining decades of progress...Without [the US], the organization's ability to address global health emergencies will be significantly weakened, endangering health everywhere," said Michele Bratcher Goodwin and Lawrence O. Gostin, co-faculty directors of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, in a statement.
A federal judge in Minnesota has issued a temporary restraining order against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), barring federal officials from destroying or altering evidence related to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026.

The order was granted late Saturday at the request of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Hennepin County Attorneys Office, which filed a lawsuit alleging that DHS mishandled evidence and blocked state investigators from accessing the crime scene.

Order aims to preserve evidence ahead of Monday hearing US District Court Judge Eric C. Tostrud  appointed by President Donald Trump  signed the temporary restraining order enjoining DHS and related federal agencies, their employees, agents and anyone acting on their behalf from destroying or altering any evidence connected to the shooting near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis.

The order is set to remain in place through Monday afternoon, when Judge Tostrud will hold a hearing on whether to extend the restraining order. Federal officials named as defendants include DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the US Attorney Generals Office.

State officials demand transparency Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison welcomed the judges ruling, saying it protects an ongoing effort for a full, fair and transparent investigation into Prettis death. Ellisons office has emphasized that state law enforcement should play a central role in gathering and reviewing evidence.

City and state officials have said that federal agents prevented state investigators from entering the scene even after a judgesigned search warrant was issued, raising concerns about evidence handling just hours after Prettis killing.

DHS claims The Department of Homeland Security has defended its actions, with officials asserting that Pretti approached Border Patrol agents armed with a 9 mm handgun and violently resisted efforts to disarm him. DHS has characterized the incident as a defensive response by federal agents.

However, legal filings and local officials dispute aspects of that narrative.

Also Read | What is Discombobulator, weapon Trump says US used to capture Nicolas Maduro
The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers, ICE, in Minnesota has intensified an already volatile standoff in Washington DC, bringing the United States closer to a fresh federal government shutdown and raising the spectre of military deployment under emergency powers.

A lede moment in a widening crisis The death of Alex Pretti, which occurred during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation on Saturday, has sharpened Democratic resistance to funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just days before a critical budget deadline.

Also Read | Minneapolis shooting: ICE agents kill another person

With US government funding set to expire on Friday, Senate Democrats are now under mounting pressure from their House colleagues and grassroots supporters to block appropriations for agencies overseeing immigration enforcement.

Immigration enforcement under scrutiny after fatal shooting Alex Prettis killing follows a series of controversial ICE actions in Minnesota, including the earlier fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis and a subsequent non-fatal shooting by immigration officers. Reports of agents detaining young children, arresting US citizens, and entering homes without judicial warrants have further inflamed tensions.

Also Read | Minnesota fights immigration enforcement one protest at a time | in Pics

House Democrats argue that continued funding without reforms would amount to tacit approval of what they describe as unchecked and dangerous enforcement practices. One of the most prominent voices, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, called for immediate action, posting: Senate Dems should block ICE funding this week. Activate the National Guard. We can and must stop this.

Budget deadline looms as Senate weighs DHS funding Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed a series of appropriations bills, including funding for DHS, which oversees ICE and the Border Patrol. The Senate must approve the measures in a consolidated minibus package to avert a shutdown, following a temporary funding deal that ended the previous shutdown in November.

Several Senate Democrats have indicated they are prepared to withhold support. Chris Murphy, the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee overseeing the DHS budget, renewed his demand that funding be tied to structural reforms. 1. ICE must leave Minneapolis. 2. Congress should not fund this version of ICE  that is seeking confirmation, chaos and dystopia, he wrote, adding later: The Senate should not vote to keep funding this rampage. We are not powerless. We do not need to accept this.

Other senators, including Elizabeth Warren, Mark Warner, Brian Schatz, Mark Kelly, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Jacky Rosen, have also signalled their willingness to block DHS funding.

Meanwhile, the odds of another US government shutdown by January 31 surged to 75%, per Polymarket.

View full Image The odds of another US government shutdown by January 31 surged to 75%, per Polymarket

Trump escalates rhetoric and hints at military deployment President Donald Trump has responded to Alex Pretti's fatal shooting by accusing Minnesotas Democratic leadership of fomenting unrest. The US President blamed Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for demanding that immigration agents withdraw from the city, writing: The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric!

The remarks fuelled speculation that Donald Trump may invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, a rarely used law that allows the deployment of active-duty troops within the United States. Two infantry battalions from the Armys 11th Airborne Division, based in Alaska and trained for arctic operations, were reportedly given prepare-to-deploy orders last week.

Earlier this month, Trump warned he would use the law if the corrupt politicians of Minnesota dont obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job. Although he later told reporters there was no need to invoke it right now, he added: If I needed it, Id use it.
US President Donald Trump has defended plans to construct a new ballroom at the White House, calling it a great, big, beautiful gift to the United States and blasting a lawsuit seeking to halt the project.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump said the ballroom  estimated to cost between $300 million and $400 million  would be built entirely with private funds and no taxpayer money.

This is a GIFT (ZERO taxpayer funding!) to the United States of America, Trump wrote, adding that the project is being funded with Great American Patriots money.

Desperately needed White House space Trump said the ballroom would address a long-standing need for a permanent, secure venue for large state events, noting that previous administrations had relied on temporary structures.

For over 150 years, previous Presidents and Administrations sought such a space, he wrote, arguing the White House should no longer be forced to use a cheap and unsafe tent for major state dinners, meetings, conferences, and future inaugurations.

He cited safety, security, and capacity concerns, especially given the weather-prone White House lawn.

Military, Secret Service involvement Trump said the project has been developed working closely with, right from the beginning, the United States Military and Secret Service, and claimed it had their design, consent, and approval.

He added that construction materials  including structural steel, bulletproof windows, anti-drone roofing, marble, stone, and precast concrete  have already been ordered, making it impractical to stop the project.

There is no practical or reasonable way to go back. IT IS TOO LATE! Trump wrote.

Lawsuit draws sharp criticism Trump lashed out at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has filed suit to block the project, calling it the Radical Left National (No!) Trust for Historic Preservation.

Why didnt these obstructionists and troublemakers bring their baseless lawsuit much earlier? he asked, claiming Congress never attempted to stop the project and that everyone knew what was taking place at the White House.

Trump argued that the East Wing had already been heavily altered over decades and bore no resemblance or relationship to the original building.

A president has never needed permission Trump said presidents have broad authority to modify the White House, citing its unique status.

Its a place that a President has never needed permission to change or enhance, he wrote, no matter how big (and important!) that enhancement may be.

He warned that halting construction now would be devastating to the White House, our Country, and all concerned, and said the lawsuit had already exposed what he described as a previously Top Secret security-related aspect of the project.

Lawsuit challenges Trumps White House ballroom project A preservation group has sued the Trump administration, alleging the president unlawfully fast-tracked construction of a new White House ballroom without required legal and environmental reviews. The lawsuit claims the project violates the Administrative Procedures Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues that all work should stop until formal design reviews, environmental assessments, public comment, and congressional deliberation are completed. It says projects of this scale must involve the National Capital Planning Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, and lawmakers.

The Trust said it warned federal oversight bodies on October 21, after demolition of the East Wing began, urging the administration to halt construction and comply with federal law.

Also Read | What is Discombobulator, weapon Trump says US used to capture Nicolas Maduro
View full Image People walk on a snow-covered street as a winter storm passes through the area in Kansas City ( AP )

A massive winter storm swept across the United States, dumping snow and freezing rain on New Mexico and Texas on Saturday. The storm, moving towards the northeast, has affected tens of millions of Americans.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that up to 240 million Americans could be affected by the storm.

View full Image People shop for supplies at Home Depot ahead of a massive winter storm that is expected to hit across much of the US with concerns about freezing ice and rain, in Falls Church, Virginia ( AFP )

After the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast huge snowfall in some areas and possibly "catastrophic" ice accumulations, shoppers stripped supermarket shelves.

View full Image Snow blankets the city in an aerial view from Pine Street and Denver Ave. during a winter storm in Tulsa, Okla. ( AP )

At least 16 states and the US capital Washington have declared states of emergency. "Take this storm seriously, folks," the NWS said on X, predicting an "astonishingly long swath" of snowfall from New Mexico to Maine.

The US federal government preemptively announced that offices in Washington would be closed on Monday.

View full Image A United Airlines plane taxis down a runway after a winter snow storm affected the area at O'Hare International airport in Chicago, Illinois ( Getty Images via AFP )

According to tracker FlightAware, more than 3,900 flights in and out of the United States were cancelled on Saturday alone, and more than 3,000 others were delayed.

View full Image Crews work to clear snow from a sidewalk during a winter storm in Kansas City, Missouri, ( Bloomberg )

Nearly 130,000 US customers were without power as of Saturday afternoon, according to tracking site poweroutage.us, with over 50,000 reported in both Texas and neighboring Louisiana.

View full Image Snow-covered vehicles during a winter storm in Kansas City, Missouri, US ( Bloomberg )

Snow also hit Oklahoma and Arkansas, where some spots already recorded six inches (15 centimetres) on the ground, the NWS said.

After battering the country's southwest and central areas, the storm system was expected to hit the heavily populated mid-Atlantic and northeastern states before a frigid air mass settles in.

Also Read | Mamdani says New York City schools won't have traditional snow day

View full Image Harrison Howard plays in the snow while sledding at Will Rogers High School during a winter storm in Tulsa, Okla. ( AP )

"The snow/sleet impacts will linger well into next week with rounds of re-freezing that keeps surfaces icy and dangerous to both drive and walk on for the foreseeable future," the weather service said.
A massive winter storm sweeping across the United States triggered widespread emergencies, power outages, and severe travel disruption, as dangerously cold temperatures, heavy snow and ice threatened to paralyse large parts of the country.

1. Emergency declarations across states President Donald Trump on Saturday approved federal emergency disaster declarations for South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana and West Virginia, calling the storms historic.

At least 17 states and Washington, D.C. have declared weather emergencies, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

We will continue to monitor, and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm, Trump said on Truth Social.

Follow US winter storm LIVE updates here 2. Extreme cold warning from authorities DHS Secretary Kristi Noem urged residents to take precautions, warning of prolonged extreme cold and disruptions.

Its going to be very, very cold, Noem said, encouraging Americans to stock up on food and fuel as utility crews worked to restore power.

3. Power outages mount nationwide More than 500,000 customers were without electricity as of Sunday morning (January 25), according to PowerOutage.us.

States with the largest outages included Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee, each reporting more than 100,000 customers without power. Louisiana and New Mexico were also affected.

4. Power grids under severe strain US grid operators stepped up emergency measures to prevent widespread blackouts as freezing temperatures strained generation and transmission systems.

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued emergency orders allowing grid operators to deploy backup generation resources.

5. DOE issues emergency grid orders The Department of Energy (DOE) issued emergency orders authorizing grid operators to deploy backup generation resources.

In Texas, ERCOT was allowed to tap backup power at data centres and major facilities

In the mid-Atlantic, PJM Interconnection was authorized to run specified resources regardless of environmental or state law limits

6. Energy and industrial disruptions Energy companies including Exxon Mobil and Celanese curtailed operations at Texas facilities due to freezing conditions.

The Houston Ship Channel was closed to vessel traffic as weather conditions deteriorated.

7. Crippling to catastrophic weather impacts The National Weather Service warned the storm was unusually expansive and long-lasting, affecting nearly half the US population, or close to 180 million people.

Forecasters predicted heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain across the eastern two-thirds of the country, with 1 to 2 feet of snow expected from Washington to New York and Boston.

Parts of the Southeast were forecast to receive catastrophic ice accumulation, threatening roads, trees and power lines.

8. Flights grounded nationwide Air travel was severely disrupted, with more than 13,500 US flights canceled since Saturday, including over 9,600 on Sunday, according to FlightAware.

Nearly 97% of departing flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were canceled.

9. Major airlines cancel thousands of flights American Airlines canceled more than 1,400 flights

Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines each scrapped about 1,000 flights

United Airlines canceled more than 800 flights

JetBlue canceled over 560 flights, about 70% of its schedule

Airlines warned passengers to expect further delays and cancellations as conditions evolve.

10. Cold to linger after storm exits Officials warned that frigid conditions would persist even after snowfall eases.
An Indian origin 28-year-old Vancouver resident, Dilraj Singh Gill, was shot dead in Canada's Burnaby last week, in a sign of escalating gang conflict in the country's British Columbia region. Gill was found alive but with critical injuries by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). However, he could not be saved.

According to reports, the Police also found a vehicle on fire near the shooting site and believe it was related to the crime. Experts suggest that setting fire to a getaway vehicle is a common tactic associated with organised gang violence in the province.

Also Read | 2 illegal Indian-origin truckers held with 300 pounds of cocaine in US

A History of convictions Reports suggest that Gill had a history of drug-related convictions, with the latest one being in 2021 when he was awarded concurrent sentences for trafficking offences stemming from a 2018 arrest in North Vancouver. Along with cash, Gill was found in possession of crack and a heroin-fentanyl mix.

He also had additional trafficking charges and some others like fleeing police, dating back to 2016.

Local media suggests that Gill's murder might be linked to the killing of Navpreet Dhaliwal earlier this month in Abbotsford. The 28-year-old was allegedly a member of the Brothers Keepers gang and was out on bail for murder conspiracy charges at the time of his death.

Gill, on the other hand, is being linked to the Kang/BIBO group, which has been in rivalry with the Brothers Keepers gang and has now been merged with the UN gang.

Rising gang conflict in the region There has been a rise in gang-related killings in the region. In December, Gurdeep Singh (27) and Ranveer Singh (18) were shot dead in Edmonton while they were heading to a party. Before that, Satwinder Sharma, a businessman, was shot in British Columbia. An Indian-origin gangster, Jiwan Fauji, who is allegedly a part of the Babbar Khalsa group, claimed responsibility for the killing.

Another businessman, MP Dhanoa, was also shot down in Ontario and the members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang reportedly claimed responsibility on social media.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang was also involved in several shootings in Canada, including firing at AP Dhillon's residence in Vancouver in September 2024 and Gippy Grewal's house in the same city in September 2023.

Also Read | Schizophrenic Indian-origin man beats father to death with sledgehammer in US

In September 2025, the Canadian government officially designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, citing its involvement in "murder, shootings, and arson" to extort South Asian businesses.
IndiGo on Sunday issued a travel advisory, alerting of cancellations and subsequent delays, stating that the airline's flights schedules are undergoing certain changes in view of the recent developments around Iran and with the country's rising tensions with the United States.

These disruptions come as the tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified, with President Donald Trump announcing that the US was moving naval warships closer to the region.

As a follow up to our first advisory, and in view of the recent developments around Iran, we are making certain proactive changes to our flight schedules as part of our continued focus on safety, IndiGo said on X (formerly Twitter).

Which IndiGo flights will be affected? The country's largest carrier has announced changes to several international flights due to the evolving security situation. The key updates are as follows:

 Flights cancelled on January 25, 2026

Delhi to Tbilisi (Georgia)

Mumbai to Almaty (Kazakhstan)  Flights that may take a halt for refuelling at Doha, Qatar, on 26 January 2026

To and from Tbilisi

To and from Almaty

To and from Baku (Azerbaijan)

To and from Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

The airline has advised passengers to check their flight status regularly and stay in touch with customer support for the latest updates. The flyers can also explore alternate options, including future available flights or a full refund on IndiGo's official website.

US-Iran tensions  what's happening? Iran and US have exchanged sharp warnings this week, fueling tensions between the two nations. This comes after Trump said that America was moving naval warships closer to the region just in case he decides to take action. He had earlier warned that an armada is heading toward Iran, raising fears of a possible military escalation.

In response to the threats, Irans Revolutionary Guard commander Gen Mohammad Pakpour said, The Islamic Revolutionary Guards and dear Iran stand more ready than ever, finger on the trigger, to execute the orders and directives of the Commander-in-Chief, reported Nournews, a local news outlet.

Meanwhile, Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has reportedly been moved to a fortified underground shelter in Tehran, sources told Iran International. As per the report, the shelter includes interconnected tunnels designed to withstand possible strikes.
Binance, the worlds largest crypto exchange, has established a presence in Greece as it seeks a license that would allow it to operate anywhere in the European Union.

The EUs Crypto-Assets Regulation, or MiCA, provides a framework for almost all aspects of centralised crypto asset trading. And it allows crypto companies that set up shop in one EU member state to market their services to consumers throughout the 27-nation bloc.

We have submitted our MiCA application and are actively engaging with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, a Binance spokesperson told DL News, referring to the Greek financial regulator.

We see MiCA as a positive and important milestone for the industry - one that brings greater regulatory clarity, stronger user protections, and a clear framework for responsible innovation.

Binance currently holds at least five licenses in EU member states, according to its website: France, Italy, Spain, Poland and Sweden. It had previously sought a German license but withdrew that application amid reports the country was expected to reject it.

If Binance were to acquire a MiCA licence, it would operate under those rules in EU member states, rather than the mix of regulations it currently faces.

We continue to operate in accordance with applicable local requirements under relevant regulations until these are superseded by the MiCA license, the spokesperson said.

Last year, Binance announced its global business had received approval to operate in Abu Dhabi, though the company still rejected the term headquarters, calling the concept symbolic and old-fashioned.

While Greece might not serve as Binances European HQ  the company already has a large presence in France, for example  the mediterranean nation is still an interesting place for Binance to establish its pan-European foothold. The country isnt known as a crypto hub.

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, the spokesperson said.

In 2023, Coinbase, one of Binances top rivals, chose Ireland as its EU access point.

Binances MiCA application was first reported by Greek publication D News.

Aleks Gilbert is DL News New York based DeFi correspondent. Have a tip? You can reach him at aleks@dlnews.com.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has pushed back against United States President Donald Trumps latest threat to impose 100% tariffs on the country over potential trade deals with China.

Carney on a video post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) urged citizens to Buy Canadian, adding that Canada will focus on what we can control.

The move is being viewed as major shift for Canada's economy focusing on local businesses rather than reliance on international trade.

Also Read | This Nvidia director is leaving board with stock gains of 22,000%

What did Canada PM Mark Carney say? In the video, Canadian PM Carney addressing citizens saying, With our economy under threat from abroad, Canadians have made a choice: To focus on what we can control. You are choosing to put your hard-earned dollars behind Canadian businesses and Canadian workers. Canada's new government is doing the same  with our new Buy Canadian policy.

He was referring to the Canadian government's Buy Canadian Policy implemented in December last year, aimed at strengthening the local economy and supporting homegrown industries.

Carney called it a mission to build big  from millions of homes that will improve affordability, to major projects that will transform our economy, to the new military hardware that will protect Canadians and our sovereignty.

Notably, Donald Trump has repeatedly (jokingly and otherwise) referred to the Canadian prime ministers  both Mark Carney and his predecessor Justin Trudeau  as Governors, implying that Canada could become the 51st state of the USA. There has been pushback on the narrative from the Canadian government. However, with Donald Trump pushing hard for Greenland, which is Denmark's territory, the message doesn't seem like jokes anymore.

Also Read | Nvidia's Huang may visit Beijing amid surprise customs block for H200 chip

WATCH: Canadian PM Mark Carney outlines strategy amid Donald Trump's 100% tariffs threat Carney has promised to build big using Canadian materials, including steel, aluminium and lumber, signaling a move away from reliance on international trade. He also emphasised move towards use of Canadian technology and with Canadian workers.

We can't control what other nations do. We can be our own best customer. We'll Buy Canadian, we'll Build Canadian. And together, we will build Canada strong, he stated.

Also Read | As Trump eyes Greenland, former aide pushes for AI data center in Arctic Island

Why did Donald Trump threaten 100% tariffs against Canada? Carney's message comes amid escalating tensions with the US amid Canada's outreach to China. On 24 January, Donald Trump warned that he would impose 100% tariffs on Canada if the country pursued economic relations with China.

If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a Drop Off Port for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken. China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life. If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the USA, Donald Trump threatened.

Prior to this, Donald Trump has also lashed out at Canada for opposing his so-called Golden Dome missile defense system over Greenland. Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada. Instead, they voted in favor of doing business with China, who will 'eat them up' within the first year! he said on Truth Social.

China is Canada's second largest trading partner after the US and Carney's recent visit to Beijing signaled a shift to reviving economic ties. Discussions during the trip included reduced tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports and Chinese electric vehicle imports, besides possible increase in Chinese investments in the North American country. Carney has also described China as more predictable and realistic and respectful.
A crude tanker chartered by Trafigura departed on Sunday from Venezuela's Jose port to Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), LSEG data and documents showed, the first cargo going directly to the U.S. as part of a 50-million-barrel supply deal agreed this month between Caracas and Washington.

This month, trading houses Vitol and Trafigura received the first U.S. licenses to load and export Venezuelan oil as part of the deal. They have since shipped cargoes to storage terminals in the Caribbean, and from there they have been marketing and selling the crude to refiners worldwide.

The Liberia-flagged tanker Gloria Maris, carrying some 1 million barrels of Venezuela's Merey heavy crude, is the first sent by the traders directly from Venezuela to a U.S. port since the deal began, according to the documents and data.

A smaller tanker, the Barbados-flagged Volans, also departed from Jose on Sunday carrying some 450,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude to the Bullen Bay terminal in Curacao, the LSEG data showed.

Also Read | US negotiating with oil firms for fast Venezuelan oil output: Report

The traders have shipped between 10 million and 11 million barrels of Venezuelan oil as part of the supply deal so far, according to shipping data. They are getting ready to begin exporting fuel oil as well, according to the sources and documents.
The public debate over the gig economy over the past week has centred around the tough working conditions and sharp management practices of the delivery-platform industry. Personal anecdotes and newspaper reports have highlighted how despite working hard and long to satisfy performance algorithms, gig workers earn just enough to eke out a living.

This was rebutted by one major platform with data that showed gig workers made a net income of around 21,000 in a typical work-month, and that delivery times were optimized by increasing store density, not by incentivizing risky riding. Still, after the Union governments intervention, platforms have stopped promising 10-minute delivery.

Unfortunately, the anecdotal and emotional framing of the debate does a disservice to the very cause it seeks to promote. Government intervention is not the answer: we are still trying to untangle the labour laws that prevent Indians from working in manufacturing industries.

Labour regulations tend to create more jobs for labour inspectors while employers replace labour with capital. Therefore, we must be careful what we wish for.

So, what is the public interest in the gig economy? There are three big issues: raising income levels, smoothening income volatility and addressing negative externalities. None of these calls for imposing regulations on the gig economy platforms, but rather implementing public policies that make everyone better off.

Lets consider each of these in turn. First, raising income levels. A recent study by Achyuta Adhvaryu and colleagues shows that compared to their Indonesian and Kenyan counterparts, gig workers in India (in 2024) were better off: working fewer hours, at higher efficiency levels, for better pay.

Now 27,000 per month for 58 hours of work per week is not a bad starting pay package for someone with just a basic education. However, for wages to rise, labour productivity must go up. This means that the worker must learn new skills.

Adhvaryus research shows that churn is high and around 50% of drivers reported earning more after leaving the platform, many moving into full-time employment. The good news is that gig work works as the first rung of the ladder. The Indian economy must create higher rungs and equip workers to climb them.

Also Read | Labour codes: The state must show commitment by doing its workers justice first

Second, smoothening the income flow, which can be quite volatile in the gig economy. As an employer, this sector itself is a financial safety net: the study shows that one in three drivers across countries relies on platform work during emergencies or slow periods in other work.

This suggests that the expansion of the gig economy from home delivery to domestic services is desirable, as workers will have more choice. State governments should create a conducive environment for innovation and growth in this sector.

As I have argued in previous columns, we will need new forms of social security for the gig economy. Creating a welfare fund by imposing cesses, as some governments have done, will not cut it.

A multi-contributor social security system, where governments, employers, customers, CSR and philanthropic funds can be mobilized in a manner that empowers beneficiaries is possible with the financial inclusion that India has achieved.

Gig worker unions can organize low-cost group insurance options, on top of improvements in public health, education and food security schemes that should be available to migrants as well as local residents.

Finally, there is the question of negative externalities; the most visible of which is risky driving on roads. My colleague Anupam Manur argues that this is mostly availability bias: bad driving is common across the board, but we tend to notice delivery riders because they are easily identifiable.

It may well be that delivery persons are unfairly maligned, but their behaviour does have an effect on road safety. Adhvaryu reports that 82% of Indian gig workers had valid licences, compared to 90% in Kenya and 97% in Indonesia. Further, the use of registration-free electric bikes has made it hard to trace and punish offenders.

Fixing negative externalities like these requires a cooperative approach by platforms, law enforcement personnel, local civic leaders and consumers. A local political leader in Bengaluru told me that he had a lot of public toilets constructed in his municipal ward because of the large number of taxi drivers who would rest in that neighbourhood.

Any new business model that becomes successful attracts both admiration and criticism, some of which tends to be over the top. Indias gig economy platforms have transformed the way Indians buy, eat and use services. They have made it possible for a high-school-educated person anywhere in India with a phone and bank account to take a train to Bengaluru, rent an electric scooter and start earning an honest wage from the very first day.

They have also shown that honest, hard-working people have a decent chance of making a life for themselves. Had it not been for the gig economy, I am pretty sure that politicians and well-meaning people would be making the case for an urban employment guarantee scheme.

The author is co-founder and director of The Takshashila Institution, an independent centre for research and education in public policy.
President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky met in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday to discuss an end to Russias war. No concrete plans were drawn up, but both leaders emerged optimistic about their progress. Attention should now turn to what peace might bringnot just for security, but for business. When the fighting stops, the most promising opportunities for U.S. companies wont be in Russia, but in Ukraine.

At first glance, Russia might seem the more attractive market. It has 140 million people, a $2.2 trillion economy, and vast natural resources. But even after hostilities subside, political and commercial risks will remain high and the range of investment opportunities therefore narrow.

Ukraines outlook is far brighter. In terms of real gross domestic product, Ukraines economy is still more than 20% below its prewar level. But once a durable cease-fire takes hold, it will become one of the worlds most dynamic emerging economies.

In the immediate aftermath of the war, Ukraine will become the site of the largest reconstruction project since World War II. The World Bank estimates more than $500 billion will be spent in the country over the next decade.

One of Ukraines strongest opportunities will be its defense technologyan area where engagement with Russia, which relies on China for its defense materials, offers little to the U.S. Ukraine has become a global model for defense technology innovation. Ukrainian firms are already partnering with U.S. companies to develop prototypes of one-way, long-range unmanned aerial systems.

Ukraines economic record after its independence in 1991 was arguably the worst of all the former Soviet Unions former member states. In 2013, before former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was removed from office, the countrys business environment was mired by complex tax and customs codes, byzantine laws, and regulations, poor corporate governance, weak enforcement of contract lawand official corruption," according to a U.S. Department of State report.

Ukraine has since made reforms to improve its investment climate. It restructured its banking system, closing banks that accounted for more than one-third of banking assets and recapitalizing others. Reforms to gas pricing and management resulted in the state-owned gas company, Naftogas, paying 1% of GDP into Ukraines budget in 2019. That helped reduce the governments stubborn budget deficit.

U.S. multinationals noticed. Their sales in Ukraine grew from less than $6 billion in 2014 to almost $11 billion in 2021, before Russias full-scale invasion. Meanwhile, their sales in Russia declined during that period.

Ukraine continued these reforms after Russias invasion. The governments Ministry of Digital Transformation launched new features on its mobile app, Diia, where business can be registered, foreign national business owners can pay taxes, and the government can provide business-related public services. The government passed a new public-private partnership law last year, which will streamline the process and expand allowable funding sources for rebuilding the country.

Its bid to join the European Union, which began just four days after the Russian invasion, will compel Ukraine to continue reforming. Since it applied for EU membership, Ukraine has climbed to 105 out of the 180 countries ranked in the Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index, above countries like Brazil and Turkey. Russia, by contrast, has dropped to 154th.

Even though it still is years away from joining the EU, Ukraine enjoys a comprehensive free trade area with the bloc. For U.S. companies producing goods in Ukraine, the free trade area means access not only to the Ukrainian market but also to the entire EUthe worlds second-largest economy.

The U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund formed last April may further support a wide range of natural resource-related investments. Jointly funded by the U.S. and Ukraine, the fund will receive royalties from new resource developments for reinvestment into Ukraine. Its investment targets include critical minerals, energy, transport and logistics, information and communications technology, and emerging technologies.

Even during the war, thousands of U.S. and other foreign businesses opened up in Ukraine. More are likely to come soon. CEOs and managers told the American Chamber of Commerce Ukraine in a recent survey that jumping into Ukraine before reconstruction started in full was important for gaining first-mover advantage.

Russia faces a grim economic outlook. Its wartime economy, highly distorted and slowing, has become more centralized and less productive. Its rule of law is weak, and it lacks reliable contract enforcement. It isnt clear that Russian leadership even wants to take on the monumental challenge of converting from a wartime to a civilian economy. Western sanctions are likely to continue for years, too. There are still business opportunities to be found in Russia, but are likely open only to the largest players who can bear high risks.

In contrast, Ukrainians have an optimistic future with the West. With U.S. and European support, Ukraine is poised to emerge as a secure sovereign state deeply integrated with the global economy. When that happens, it will not only be a symbol of resilience. It will be the business opportunity of the decade.

About the author: Howard J. Shatz is a senior economist at RAND and a professor of policy analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy.
Mumbai, Jan 25 (PTI) The MNS should have informed the Shiv Sena (UBT) about its decision to join hands with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation, a leader from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said on Sunday.

Yuva Sena secretary Varun Sardesai's remark comes days after MNS chief Raj Thackeray described the political situation in Maharashtra as a "market of slaves' while addressing an event with his cousin, Uddhav Thackeray, on stage.

"MNS is a separate party. I don't need to tell the (MNS) what needs to be done. I am saying this in the Kalyan Dombivli context. We had fought the polls together. If they had to make a different decision, they should have discussed it with us. There could have been a way out after the discussion," Sardesai told reporters.

This was our only expectation, he added.

He said the Shiv Sena (UBT) has 11 corporators in KDMC and the MNS five.

Amid the race for mayoral posts across civic bodies, a new political equation emerged in Kalyan Dombivli on Wednesday with five corporators of MNS offering support to BJP's ally Shiv Sena, led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Local MNS leader and former MLA Raju Patil had claimed the decision was taken for the sake of political stability following Raj Thackeray's permission.

In the 122-member KDMC, the Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party by winning 53 seats, while ally BJP stands second with 50 seats. With the support of five MNS corporators, there are now 108 members in the alliance.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday hailed the Language Martyrs of the state who sacrificed their lives during the anti-Hindi agitation in the past and asserted that there was no place for the language in the state forever.

Paying tributes on the occasion of Language Martyrs Day, the DMK President said, a state that loved its language like its life, unitedly struggled against Hindi imposition; protested with the same intensity every time it was imposed.

"Language Martyrs' Day of Glorious Tribute: Neither then, nor now, nor ever will Hindi have a place here!" the Dravidian party chief said in a post on X.

Stalin also shared a brief video of the history related to the anti-Hindi agitation, which peaked during 1965. The video has references to the 'martyrs,' besides the contributions of late DMK stalwarts, CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi in the language issue.

Anti-Hindi agitation Tamil Nadu, by leading the anti-Hindi agitation, "safeguarded the right and identity of various linguistic national races in the sub-continent," Stalin added.

"I pay my grateful respects to those martyrs who gave their precious lives for Tamil. No more life will be lost in the language war; our love for Tamil will never die! We shall oppose Hindi imposition forever. #LanguageMartyrsDay #StopHindiImposition," the CM said.

The CM also paid tributes at the memorial of Language Martyrs Thalamuthu and Natarasan, here. Further, he inaugurated their busts at the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) building in the city.

Language Martyrs Language Martyrs is a reference to those who had sacrificed their lives, mainly by self-immolation, during the anti-Hindi agitation across Tamil Nadu in 1964-65.

Till this day, the southern state follows the Two Language formula - Tamil and English, even as the DMK has been alleging Hindi imposition through the Centre's National Education Policy, 2020.

I pay my grateful respects to those martyrs who gave their precious lives for Tamil. No more life will be lost in the language war; our love for Tamil will never die!

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader Vijay also paid tributes to the Language Martyrs. "Mother Tamil is equal to our life," Palaniswami, also state Leader of Opposition, said in a social media post.
Ahead of the 77th Republic Day Parade 2026, Delhi Police have announced that it will be deploying AI-enabled smart glasses for improved threat detection for the first time. The Indian-made glasses are equipped with a facial recognition system and thermal imaging technology and will be deployed by the Delhi Police to maintain vigil during the Republic Day celebrations.

Also Read | Meta cuts off teen access to characters on Instagram and Facebook

How do the AI-enabled smart glasses work? The AI-powered smart glasses are said to be linked to a real-time police database of criminals, suspected criminals and proclaimed offenders. The glasses will then be used by the personnel on the ground to identify suspect individuals in crowded areas instantly.

The devices will show a green box to the personnel if a person has no criminal history and a red box if there is a criminal record.

Delhi Police Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla, while speaking to PTI, said, "The wearable devices will connect to mobile phones used by police officers, giving them access to the criminal database."

In a separate interaction with DD News, Mahla noted, If wanted individuals are detected or spotted, even if they are wearing makeup, a mask, a cap, or have a beard, our algorithm will identify them. This database has been trained using different algorithms so that it can identify a person regardless of how they look, whether its a photo from 20 years ago or a recent one, whether they have a beard or long hair, or even a cut on their face.

Meanwhile, the DD News report states that facial recognition system cameras and wearable glasses will operate as standalone systems which are not connected to the internet. Each device is said to carry its own encrypted database, which is stored locally on the mobile phones of the personnel that will be linked to the glasses.

The glasses are also said to feature thermal scanning to help detect concealed weapons or suspicious objects carried by people attending the parade.

Meanwhile, as per the PTI report, a security grid has been created which includes multi-layered barricading and six layers of checking and frisking. Thousands of CCTV cameras have also been installed in the New Delhi area.

Delhi Police is also conducting mock drills with multiple security agencies and a total of 10,000 personnel are said to be deployed in the New Delhi area alone.
While rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman may be touching an all-time high, it doesn't seem to be stopping their AI products from collaborating. Musk's xAI had introduced Grokipedia, an AI-generated encyclopedia, to take on Wikipedia last year and now the website has started becoming a source when searching the web via ChatGPT's latest GPT-5.2 model.

As per a report by The Guardian, GPT-5.2 cited Grokipedia nine times while responding to over a dozen queries. The chatbot took help from xAI's platform on issues like political structures in Iran, like salaries of the Basij paramilitary force and the ownership of the Mostazafan Foundation, to queries on British historian Sir Richard Evans.

Since its launch last year, Grokipedia has been accused of copying much of the information verbatim from Wikipedia and in areas where it doesn't, the AI encyclopedia has been accused of propagating right-wing propaganda and Elon Musk's personal views. The AI encyclopedia has earlier been found to spread lies about the 6 January incident in the US, gay marriage, and climate change.

Unlike Wikipedia where humans can edit any entry directly, Grokipedia uses a centralized AI-backed editing system where users can only suggest corrections through a feedback form but not make the changes themselves.

Although, the report notes that ChatGPT did not cite Grokipedia when asked to repeat the misinformation about the 6 January insurrection or media bias against Donald Trump. Grokipedia's information is said to infiltrate ChatGPT's responses on more obscure topics.

For instance, the chatbot repeated stronger claims about the Iranian government's links to MTN-Irancell than can be found on Wikipedia. It also asserted that the company has links to the office of Iran's supreme leader.

In another instance, ChatGPT took help from Grokipedia while repeating information about Sir Richard Evans work as an expert witness against Holocaust denier David Irvings trial.

OpenAI not alone in citing Grokipedia: While OpenAI's ChatGPT widely cited Grokipedia as the source, the AI startup wasn't the only one using the responses from Musk's encyclopedia. Claude AI maker Anthropic also cited Grokipedia when answering queries on issues from petroleum production to Scottish ales.

An OpenAI spokesperson responded to the controversy in a response to The Guardian, stating that the web search feature aims to draw from a broad range of publicly available sources and viewpoints.
RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Brazil's federal police on Friday served search and seizure warrants against Rio de Janeiro state's pension fund in the latest development tied to the collapse of lender Banco Master, three sources told Reuters.

The operation was part of an investigation into about 970 million reais ($183.56 million) in so-called financial bills issued by a private bank, the police said in a statement, without naming their target.

More from Yahoo Scout Why wasn't the pension fund covered by guarantees? What triggered the federal police search warrants? How much money did Rioprevidencia lose in Master? How will Rioprevidencia recover its invested funds?

Sources familiar with the matter said the probe was related to Master, which was shut down in November by Brazil's central bank amid a severe liquidity crisis and violations of financial-system rules.

The liquidation triggered the largest-ever payout by Brazil's private deposit guarantee fund, but the securities purchased by Rio de Janeiro state's pension fund Rioprevidencia were not eligible for coverage.

In a statement, Rioprevidencia said it is protected by a court ruling issued in December, which ordered the retention of roughly 970 million reais related to the invested amounts in order to safeguard the retirement assets of active and retired civil servants and pensioners.

"As a result, the investment is already being repaid through the retention of proceeds from payroll-deducted loans that would otherwise have been transferred to Banco (Master)," the fund said.

According to Rioprevidencia, this means the funds are available to the pension system's cash flow, and the investment is expected to be fully settled within around two years.

The pension fund added that all of its investments "strictly complied with current legislation and oversight rules."

($1 = 5.2844 reais)

(Reporting by Rodigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro and Lisandra Paraguassu and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; Writing by Isabel Teles; Editing by Gabriel Araujo and Chris Reese)
The Songbirds are a community singing group who came together in September 2023 to sing for fun and for general well being.

Hailing from Ballymahon and the surrounding areas and directed by Musical Director Angela Reynolds, the group is all female with the exception of the soundman Tommy Reynolds, affectionately known by the group as Thomasina! Rehearsals are creative and fun filled with a great sense of community and a shared love of music.

The group is supported by Ballymahon and Longford libraries and is sponsored by Creative Ireland.

PICTURES | 'The Songbirds' and Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan perform sweet tunes at lovely Longford concert

To celebrate St Brigids Day, the group will perform some of their favourite songs to raise money for Womens Aid.

Musical Director Angela Reynolds explained, We are looking forward to our St Brigid's Day concert in St Munis Church. Forgney. Because St Brigid is a woman, we decided to raise money for Women's Aid.

We have a wonderful line up of contemporary and old songs that our audience will surely enjoy. We also have some wonderful guest artists, the most famous being Charlie McGettigan who has been a great support to us from the start.

It sounds like an evening not to be missed so come along to St Munis Church at 4pm on Sunday, February 1, and were sure you will enjoy the event.

PICTURES | Lovely evening in Longford as Songbirds and guests perform at Bealtaine concert
Key Points

Investors are becoming pessimistic about this business due to falling same-store sales.

Chipotles cheaper valuation, growth potential, and profitability are key reasons to buy the stock.

10 stocks we like better than Chipotle Mexican Grill 

With its success at scaling the fast casual dining concept across the U.S., Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) is a trailblazer in the restaurant sector. But the stock is getting pummeled of late. It's trading 41% off its record high (as of Jan. 21).

Right now, shares go for well below $45. Is Chipotle a buy?

Image source: Getty Images.

Chipotle is feeling the macroeconomic pinch

When the business reports financial results for fourth-quarter 2025 (ended Dec. 31) on Feb. 3, Chipotle plans to post a same-store sales decline in the low single-digit range for the full year of 2025. Weaker foot traffic in an uncertain macro backdrop among lower-income consumers is the culprit. Market sentiment for the stock has made a negative shift, especially since Chipotle has typically operated from a position of fundamental strength.

Look past recent struggles with this stock

However, investors should still consider buying the stock. The valuation, which is more attractive now, is one reason why. Shares can be purchased at a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.9, near a five-year low.

Chipotle continues to expand rapidly. It's looking to nearly double the current footprint to 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada in the long run. This doesn't include the company's smaller presence in various international markets.

The business has brand recognition in the industry, and its scale has resulted in significant profitability. Patient investors will want to take a closer look at Chipotle stock while it's on the dip and trading below $45.

Should you buy stock in Chipotle Mexican Grill right now?

Before you buy stock in Chipotle Mexican Grill, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Chipotle Mexican Grill wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $464,439!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,150,455!*

Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 949%  a market-crushing outperformance compared to 195% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
The majority of flights out of most New England airports were cancelled Sunday afternoon due to the biggest snowstorm the region has experienced in years.

As of 3 p.m., 65% of flights out of Boston Logan Airport had been cancelled, according to FlightAware.com, a flight and airport monitoring website.

As of that time, 65% of flights out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire and 71% of flights out of Worcester Regional Airport had also been cancelled.

Bradley International Airport in Hartford said it was open Sunday afternoon, but that airlines had cancelled approximately 75% of departures and arrivals.

Anyone who has a flight scheduled for Sunday or Monday should check with their airline for updates, officials said.
More than 250 people packed the streets of Boston in 13degree cold on Saturday night, their shouts hanging in the frigid air.

It was just hours after federal agents fatally shot a second person in Minnesota during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. It was the latest escalation of violence from law enforcement in Minneapolis since Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent the first week of January.

Family members identified the man who was killed as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who had protested President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown in his city. After the shooting, an angry crowd in Minneapolis gathered and protesters clashed with federal immigration officers, who wielded batons and deployed flash bangs.

Trump weighed in on social media, sharing images of the gun that immigration officials said was recovered and said: What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why werent they allowed to protect ICE Officers?

A Republican, Trump said the Democratic governor of Minnesota and Minneapolis mayor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric.

In Boston, outside Park Street Station at 5 p.m., protest organizers called for a broader response to federal immigration enforcement from the city in response to the escalated violence, saying its time to act by organizing Minnesota-style general strikes.

The people in Minnesota were out in massive numbers yesterday in subzero temperatures, said Joe Tache, 30, of Roxbury, organizer for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which brought the protest together on Saturday.

We know that if they can be out there in freezing temperatures, we can do the same here, because its a moment where its very urgent to stand up for whats right, Tache said.

Protesters held signs that read MA stands with MN and Protesting ICE is not a crime. Another read, (expletive) ICE, (expletive) Trump, get out of Mass. If you poke a tiger, dont be surprised if you get bit.

Following remarks from several speakers, including Tache, the hundreds headed down the street toward City Hall, chanting as some passersby stopped to film.

At least one person walking by the protesters shouted, Thank you.

What we know about Alex Jeffrey Pretti

Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed going on adventures with Joule, his beloved Catahoula Leopard dog, who also recently died. He worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and had participated in protests following the Jan. 7 killing of Good.

He 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, said Michael Pretti, Alexs father. He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests.

This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot by a federal officer in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Michael Pretti via AP)

Pretti was a U.S. citizen, born in Illinois. Like Good, court records showed he had no criminal record and his family said he had never had any interactions with law enforcement beyond a handful of traffic tickets.

In a recent conversation with their son, his parents, who live in Colorado, told him to be careful when protesting.

Video shows officers, man who was shot

In a bystander video of Saturdays shooting obtained by The Associated Press, protesters can be heard blowing whistles and shouting profanities at federal officers on Nicollet Avenue.

The video shows an officer shoving a person who is wearing a brown jacket, skirt and black tights and carrying a water bottle. That person reaches out for a man, and the two link up, embracing. The man, wearing a brown jacket and black hat, seems to be holding his phone up toward the officer.

The same officer shoves the man in his chest and the two, still embracing, fall back.

The video then shifts to a different part of the street before returning to the two individuals unlinking from each other. The video shifts focus again and then shows three officers surrounding the man.

Soon, at least seven officers surround the man. One is on the mans back, and another, who appears to have a canister in his hand, strikes a blow to the mans chest. Several officers try to bring the mans arms behind his back as he appears to resist. As they pull his arms, his face is briefly visible on camera. The officer with the canister strikes the man near his head several times.

A shot rings out, but with officers surrounding the man, its not clear from where the shot came. Multiple officers back off from the man after the shot. More shots are heard. Officers back away, and the man lies motionless on the street.

Gregory Bovino of U.S. Border Patrol, who has commanded the Trump administrations big-city immigration campaign, said the officer who shot the man had extensive training as a range safety officer and in using less-lethal force.

This is only the latest attack on law enforcement. Across the country, the men and women of DHS have been attacked, shot at, he said.

Minnesota is a blueprint

Protest organizers, hundreds of miles away in Boston, said now is the time for people to intensify into sustained, broader collective action.

Minnesota has shown us a blueprint for the type of fight back thats necessary, Tache said, pointing to the one-day general strike where protesters across the state did not attend work, school or shop.

To me, thats a real glimpse of the true power that we have ... Were really encouraging people here in Boston, across the country, to think about how we can learn from the single-day strike that was organized in Minnesota yesterday and expand it to something even broader, he said.

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Massachusetts voters could face a decision this November over whether to abolish legal cannabis sales in the commonwealth. And if they do, voters can look to an out-of-state group as a primary reason why.

A national interest group based outside Washington, D.C., donated all of the $1.55 million raised last year by the Massachusetts campaign committee seeking to ban marijuana sales and reverse the 2016 ballot initiative for legalization, according to campaign finance records released last week.

The group, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, or SAM, is a leader of the anti-legalization movement and an active player in cannabis ballot initiatives in other states.

SAM has opposed legalization efforts in recent years in at least Arizona, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Ohio.

The organization had already declared its support for the 2026 ballot initiative in Massachusetts, which would repeal the state law that legalized marijuana sales in 2016 and established regulations and taxes for recreational pot.

SAM opposed President Donald Trumps executive order in December to push forward the federal reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

Kevin Sabet, SAMs president and CEO, responded by announcing multi-million dollar support for the ballot measure campaign in Massachusetts and a similar initiative in Maine.

You could already feel the quality of life strain across our country, as it is, he said, explaining his opposition to the proliferation of legal marijuana. Walk a busy corridor in virtually every major city and the influence and the smell of marijuana is inescapable.

While attempts to legalize marijuana have failed in some states, no state has passed a law allowing marijuana sales only to later roll it back, according to MJBizDaily, a cannabis industry publication.

While the proposed ballot measure in Massachusetts would eliminate recreational marijuana sales, it would keep the states medical marijuana law in place. Recreational pot shops would be able to apply for licenses to become medical dispensaries.

The petitions backers have said they are focused on eliminating recreational cannabis sales, not on targeting members of the public for simple marijuana possession.

Opponents have said the measure would prevent marijuana from being safely regulated by returning the market to the control of illegal drug organizations.

Campaign finance records show that the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, the campaign committee backing the ballot question, spent more than 92% of the $1.55 million it received from SAM last year.

The vast majority of its spending went toward signature gathering.

The proposal is not on the November ballot just yet. Its backers gathered more than 78,000 signatures, enough to send the measure to the State Legislature for consideration. If legislators do not act on the petition by May 5, the petitioners will have two months to gather about 12,000 more signatures and land the measure on the ballot.

Opponents of the ballot question had disputed the authenticity of the signatures. In a challenge filed earlier this month, they accused signature gatherers of deceiving the public by obscuring the true purpose of the ballot measure as they sought support.

The Committee to Protect Cannabis Regulation, a group opposing the ballot question, said signature gatherers told voters they were advocating for a petition that would help develop affordable housing, combat fentanyl or fund public parks.

However, the State Ballot Law Commission found Thursday that the committee had not presented sufficient evidence to back its claims.

Massachusetts voters legalized recreational cannabis through a ballot referendum in 2016, which passed with 53% of the vote.

The first pot shops opened in 2018. The industry has since vastly expanded across the state. Hundreds of cannabis businesses are in operation, logging nearly $8.9 billion in cumulative sales, including a record $1.65 billion in 2025, according to state data.
California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT) is included among the 14 Best Mid-Cap Dividend Stocks to Buy Now.

California Water Service (CWT) Moves to Take Full Control of BVRT in Texas Expansion Push

On January 8, California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT), which already owns a majority stake in BVRT Utility Holding Company LLC (BVRT) through its subsidiary TWSC, Inc. (Texas Water), said it has agreed to buy the remaining ownership interests in BVRT. If completed, the deal would make the company the sole owner of BVRTs seven water and wastewater utility subsidiaries serving the AustinSan Antonio corridor.

At the same time, BVRT has continued pushing further into Texas by pursuing new projects aimed at building and upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure across the region. Martin A. Kropelnicki, Group Chairman and CEO, made the following comment:

The BVRT team has been an excellent partner as, together, weve brought safe, reliable utility service to these dynamic, growing communities over the past five years. As we expand and enhance our investment, operations, and service in the region, we look forward to more fully integrating the BVRT team into Group and Texas Water while pursuing additional, strategic opportunities that enable Texas Water Service to provide the best-in-class utility service our customers have come to expect.

The Group said it expects to file a change-of-control application with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) in the near future as part of the process to acquire the rest of BVRT. The transaction still needs to meet standard closing conditions, along with approval from the PUCT and the Groups board.

California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT) operates as a holding company, providing water utility and related services across California, Washington, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Texas through its subsidiaries.

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READ NEXT: 13 Best Dividend Kings to Buy in 2026 and 14 Best Mid Cap Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None.
If youre heading to the White Mountains this weekend to hike or enjoy the winter weather, you should prepare accordingly or risk a bill for thousands of dollars.

New Hampshire is one of the few states where people who call for rescue while hiking, climbing or doing other outdoor activities face the possibility of being charged for the effort.

While it doesnt happen often  New Hampshire Fish and Game Colonel Kevin Jordan said they will only bill those who have been really outrageously reckless  it still serves as a deterrent for those who might otherwise leave home unprepared.

If you forget that outer heavy layer, were not going to bill you for it, Jordan said. If you dont have any equipment or any knowledge of what youre doing and you created a situation where everybody had to be put at risk to come and get you, then that is something that were going to bill for.

Jordan said the department typically conducts between 180 and 200 rescues each year, and of those, around 12 on average will end up with a bill.

The cost for a rescue ranges depending on the circumstances but often runs more than $5,000, especially if an airlift is required. Jordan said many who are charged end up paying less than the total cost through legal settlements, and the department knows most cant afford a sudden expense of upwards of $10,000.

State law provides no specifics on who can and cannot be charged for a search-and-rescue effort, stating only that those found to have recklessly or intentionally created a situation requiring rescue can be held liable for the reasonable cost of the rescue. If they do not pay, they might have any license, certification or tag issued by Fish and Game, or even their drivers license, revoked.

While many of the rescues performed last year involved injuries or unavoidable circumstances, even for experienced hikers, others were the result of hikers failing to bring the proper equipment, starting a hike late in the day so they got stuck in the dark, not researching their route beforehand or ignoring warnings about the difficulty of the trails they chose.

On Dec. 19, two Massachusetts teens were rescued from Mount Monadnock after they started a hike around 5:30 p.m., after dark, according to a news release Fish and Game published at the time. One of the two teens was heavily intoxicated and they both fell into a freezing-cold brook, the department said, and were billed for the effort.

Earlier in the month, a pair of hikers had to be rescued after leaving for a 9-mile trek at 1 p.m. without adequate clothing for the temperatures and navigating the trail with only a cellphone. They called for help when one of the hikers suffered a leg injury.

They lost their composure and would not listen to any advice being given to them, a department spokesperson wrote at the time. If hikers cannot adhere to the hiker responsibility code ... then they should consider staying home. Rescues of this magnitude and conditions put rescue personnel at great risk.

A sign at the top of Mt Lafayette along the Greenleaf Trail as pictured on Saturday, October 11, 2025 in Franconia New Hampshire. Sebastian Restrepo

Jordan said the most common issue he sees among unprepared hikers is a lack of headlamps or other light sources, generally because people dont expect to still be out in the mountains after dark. When the sun goes down, they end up having to rely on cellphone flashlights to see, and along with the cold temperatures, their device batteries run down quickly.

In general, unprepared hikers and climbers fail to bring the correct equipment for their trips, such as snowshoes or microspikes, food or just extra layers to protect from the cold. In warmer months, many dont understand that temperatures above the tree line are far colder, but in the winter, the situation can be even more dire.

Especially like this weekend, when youre going to have wind chills down into the 30-below mark, they dont layer up enough, Jordan said. They dont understand the concept of layered clothing and how important it is for your survival.

The issue is not limited to travelers from warmer climates, either. Jordan said they tend to rescue locals and people from out-of-state in equal measure.

People would like to say, Oh, its those people from down below that dont understand, he said. Well, thats not exactly true.

When New Hampshire lawmakers first passed the law allowing people to be charged for their rescue in 2008, many residents were concerned it would jeopardize safety by discouraging people from calling for help. But Jordan said that hasnt been the case. Sometimes, hikers will ask their rescuers when they reach safety if theyll be considered responsible, but hardly ever before.

If youre in a car accident, youre not worrying about what the ambulance is going to cost. If youre injured, you want the ambulance and you worry about (the cost) on Monday, he said. Its no different hiking.

One hiker, who was rescued in early 2025, told New Hampshire Public Radio at the time that he wasnt sure if he would be billed, but if he wasnt, he planned to make a donation to thank the rescue team for saving his life.

My answer was whatever you guys have to do, Bart Zienkiewicz, of Naugatuck, Connecticut, told the radio station. If I see a fine or a bill or whatever you need to call it, Im happy to be able to pay that bill versus not paying it, of course, if things had gotten really bad and they couldnt find us.

How to protect your wallet

Beyond simply being prepared for an excursion, the best way to avoid a bill in the thousands of dollars is to purchase a Hike Safe card, a voluntary, state-run program started to raise money for search-and-rescue efforts. The virtual card costs $25 for an individual or $35 for a family and protects the holder from liability for the costs of a rescue while they are participating in any outdoor recreation activities in New Hampshire for the calendar year.

Before the Hike Safe cards introduction in 2015, search-and-rescue was funded almost entirely by fees from hunting and boating licenses (which also exempt the holder for liability for rescue costs). But Jordan said most of the people being rescued were not the hunters and boaters who were funding the program, so Hike Safe was born.

In its first year, Hike Safe brought in more than $100,000, Jordan said. Last year, the amount was more than $300,000  not enough to fully fund the program, but a huge help that allows Fish and Game to purchase new equipment for rescue teams.

Technically, a Hike Safe card holder can still be charged if their rescue is caused by particularly egregious behavior, but Jordan said in more than a decade of the cards existence, that has never happened.

He said he didnt know how many of the 180 to 200 rescues each year involved people with Hike Safe cards, but estimated that it was a very low percentage of the total.

If people are going to buy a Hike Safe card because they feel like they want to contribute to the program, those are the people that are usually hardcore hikers, he said. Theyre prepared and I dont ever see or hear from them again.
Two people were killed and two others injured on Saturday night after a shooting at a childs birthday party in Carver and authorities arrested a man on murder charges.

Police arrested Nicholas Meuse, 23, in connection with the shooting at the Saint John the Baptist Club, located at 53 Silva St. in Carver.

Several people called 911 at about 7:20 p.m. about a shooting that injured multiple people at the club where a childs birthday party was being held, Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz and Carver Police Chief Marc Duphily said in a statement Sunday morning.

Several law enforcement agencies responded to the scene and found four victims, two of whom were pronounced dead.

Benjamin Cowart, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

Jalen Pina, 20, was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth and later pronounced dead, officials said.

A 28-year-old victim was brought to Tufts Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and a 32-year-old victim was taken to South Shore Hospital for treatment.

Police found Meuse down the street from Saint John the Baptist Club where they arrested him and brought him to the Carver Police Department.

Meuse is scheduled to be arraigned in Wareham District Court on two counts each of murder and armed assault with intent to murder and multiple gun charges.

Massachusetts State Police and Carver police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Le Revenue Tribunal Act 2025, entre en vigueur le 5 janvier 2026, marque une etape majeure dans le systeme judiciaire fiscal mauricien. Ce nouveau tribunal independant remplace lAssessment Review Committee (ARC) pour traiter les litiges lies a la Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) et au Registrar General.

Ce quil faut retenir de cette reforme :

Independance et Transparence : Contrairement a lARC, le Revenue Tribunal est une entite autonome avec son propre personnel, visant a renforcer la confiance des investisseurs et limpartialite des decisions.

Procedure Acceleree : La loi impose desormais des delais stricts : une audience preliminaire sous 120 jours et une decision finale au plus tard 90 jours apres la fin des debats.

Acces a la Justice Ameliore : * Le paiement initial de 5 % pour contester une taxe est desormais plafonne a 5 millions de roupies.

Les appels devant la Cour supreme peuvent maintenant porter sur les faits et les preuves, et plus seulement sur des points de droit.

Simplification pour les Contribuables : Les particuliers et petites entreprises (revenu < 10M Rs) beneficient de procedures allegees. Une option de mediation est egalement disponible pour resoudre les conflits a l'amiable. Efficacite Operationnelle : Le Tribunal limite desormais les renvois (ajournements) pour garantir un proces equitable dans un delai raisonnable, conformement a la Constitution. Composition et Pouvoirs Le Tribunal est dirige par des professionnels legaux assistes d'assesseurs experts en economie ou comptabilite. Il dispose de pouvoirs accrus pour convoquer des temoins et exiger des documents sous peine de sanctions.

English Resume

The Revenue Tribunal Act 2025, effective January 5, 2026, marks a major overhaul of Mauritiuss tax dispute resolution system. This new independent tribunal replaces the Assessment Review Committee (ARC) to handle litigations involving the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Registrar General. The Revenue Tribunal Act 2025, effective January 5, 2026, marks a major overhaul of Mauritiuss tax dispute resolution system. This new independent tribunal replaces the Assessment Review Committee (ARC) to handle litigations involving the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Registrar General. Key reforms include:

* **Independence & Transparency:** The Tribunal operates autonomously with its own staff, fostering investor confidence and impartial decisions, unlike the ARC.

* **Expedited Procedures:** Strict deadlines apply: preliminary hearings within 120 days and final decisions within 90 days of debate conclusion.

* **Improved Access to Justice:** The 5% upfront payment for tax challenges is now capped at Rs 5 million. Supreme Court appeals can now address facts and evidence, not solely points of law.

* **Taxpayer Simplification:** Individuals and small businesses (income < Rs 10M) benefit from streamlined procedures, with mediation available for amicable dispute resolution. * **Operational Efficiency:** The Tribunal limits adjournments, ensuring fair and timely trials in line with the Constitution. **Composition & Powers:** Led by legal professionals assisted by economic or accounting experts, the Tribunal has enhanced powers to summon witnesses and compel document production, with sanctions for non-compliance.
A Mayo student was among the high-achieving Leaving Certificate students honoured at the DCU Scholars Awards ceremony held at Dublin City Universitys Glasnevin campus on Thursday, January 22.

Beth Fair, a former student of St Marys Secondary School in Ballina, was recognised for achieving more than 600 points in her Leaving Certificate examinations. She is currently studying Common Entry into Engineering at DCU.

The awards ceremony took place in The U Student Centre and celebrated undergraduate students who excelled academically in last years Leaving Certificate.

READ NEXT: Mayo shop raises 4,525 for breast cancer research with community event

Award recipients hailed from 19 counties across Ireland and represented all five of DCUs faculties: DCU Business School, the Institute of Education, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science and Health, and the Faculty of Engineering and Computing.

Speaking at the ceremony, DCU President Professor Daire Keogh congratulated the students on their achievements and welcomed them to the university community.

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, he said. 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.

The DCU Scholars Awards aim to acknowledge and encourage academic excellence among incoming undergraduates. Further information on DCU scholarships is available on the universitys website.

READ MORE: ATU Mayo calls on Connacht teens to enter 2026 Poetry Pillar competition
An information board has been erected at Aglish Graveyard in Castlebar, drawing fresh attention to a historic burial ground where hundreds former patients of the Castlebar District Lunatic Asylum, later known as St Marys Hospital, are believed to be buried in unmarked graves.

The project has been delivered by Castlebar Tidy Towns in partnership with Castlebar Municipal District and the St Marys Historical and Heritage Society, following a surge in public interest in the site.

Chairman of Castlebar Tidy Towns, Gerard Deere, said the initiative grew from long-standing efforts to protect and improve the burial ground.

My neighbour is an elderly gentleman who was the land steward at St Marys Hospital for over 40 years. The burial ground is a passion of his and he wants the memory to be somewhere, Mr Deere said.

About 20 years ago he himself and the committee from the St Marys Historical Society cleared the area so much to put up a little headstone and put a path.

READ MORE: 477,000 in Arts Council funding confirmed for Mayo arts organisations

That pathway later deteriorated and was closed for safety reasons, leaving the site largely inaccessible.

He was very anxious to have some proper recognition but you couldnt get in and people didnt know about it, Mr Deere said. A few months ago he asked me could I help him out so I mentioned it to the Tidy Towns committee and they said just get involved in this.

Working with Castlebar Municipal District, the group created a new pathway, cleared overgrowth and improved visibility into the burial ground. As work progressed, local curiosity increased.

A lot of people were checking what was happening there. Most of them had never been down to see the plaque. [] We said look we need to do something about this, make people more aware of it, Mr Deere said.

The new information board details the history of the burial ground, which served patients of the former Castlebar District Lunatic Asylum from the late 19th century until 1922. St Marys Hospital opened on April 26, 1866 and will mark its 160th anniversary later this year.

The asylum was built following an 1817 report by the Select Committee on the Relief of the Lunatic Poor, which highlighted the lack of mental health facilities in Ireland.

Before the Castlebar hospital opened, Mayo patients were required to travel to the Connaught Lunatic Asylum in Ballinasloe, which opened in 1833.

Records show that patients who died in the asylum and whose families did not take their remains home were buried on the asylum grounds at Aglish.

Minutes from a Board of Governors meeting in December 1885 show that, with approval from the then Home Secretary Lord Balfour, the graveyard was formally established for the burial of Roman Catholic inmates.

Historical documents indicate the burial ground was in use between 1878 and 1922. A review of death and discharge registers shows that 1,956 patients died in the asylum between 1866 and 1922, with most deaths attributed to physical illnesses, particularly tuberculosis.

It remains unclear how many of those patients were buried at Aglish, as many were taken home by families where possible.

Burials at Aglish ceased in 1922 when the new cemetery at Lough Lannagh on the Westport Road came into use. Approximately 350 patients were later buried there in unmarked graves, with individually marked graves introduced from the 1990s onwards.

READ MORE: New TV documentary on Grace OMalley to showcase Mayo historical sites

Mr Deere said estimates suggest that well over a thousand people may be buried at Aglish.

Theres no proper estimates for the record as well theres no proper names of them, theres no names on headstones, he said. Theyre from all over Mayo people.

He said the aim of the project is to ensure the site is treated with dignity and respect.

I think its only right to have a dignified resting place and that people understand, he said.

Mr Deere said he has been surprised by the public response since the information board was installed, with many locals unaware of the burial grounds existence.

The project has also involved local schools, including students from St Geralds College, who planted daffodils and bluebells in the area earlier this year.

Looking ahead, Castlebar Tidy Towns plans further landscaping and maintenance in partnership with the St Marys Historical and Heritage Society, which holds extensive historical archives. Funding has been secured through Mayo County Council with support from councillors across the county.

Mr Deere acknowledged the support of David Mellette, Joe Mangan and Anthony OMalley from Castlebar Municipal District, and highlighted the historic significance of the surrounding old gaol wall, believed to be the last remaining section of the original Castlebar jail.

Theres a whole historical thing about the old gaol wall its the last remaining piece of the old jail, he said.

Local groups hope the new signage will continue to raise awareness of the sites social and historical importance while supporting efforts to develop a fitting memorial for those buried there.

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At a time when emigration once again dominates conversations in Irish households, Deborah Kilroys story is one at odds.

Originally from Charlestown, Deborah spent almost two decades building a life abroad before returning to the west of Ireland to relaunch Van Velzes Luxury Chocolates alongside her husband, Rob Van Velze, a master chocolatier.

Studying Hotel Catering and Management at DIT Cathal Brugha Street, Deborah always dreamed of owning a business someday.

In 2002, I moved to Australia because I wanted to travel and have some fun, she told The Mayo News. While working in Darwin, she met Rob, a Dutch chocolatier. After a brief return to Ireland, the couple moved to Amsterdam in 2004.

After four years, the couple opened Van Velzes Chocolaterie and Patisserie in the heart of the city in 2008. Here, the pair developed their passion for quality and a loyal customer base.

I spent most of my adult life in Amsterdam, Deborah said. We made lots of our connections in the Netherlands.

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Returning home

Even as business thrived, Deborahs idea of returning home never fully disappeared. After 18 years of experiencing city life in Amsterdam, the couple were eventually drawn back to the West of Ireland.

I knew I was going home to the countryside, which is a big challenge in itself, she said. I knew it would be hard.

When the couple returned to Mayo, they decided to take some time off and settle into their new environment.

We kind of acted like tourists for a while, Deborah laughed.

In 2023, the couple officially relaunched their business as Van Velzes Luxury Chocolates, operating from Ballinrobe. While they brought years of experience with them, Deborah admits the transition was still a learning curve.

I thought the business would be the same in Ireland as it is in Holland, but that was probably naivety on my part, she said. It was like starting over again. But I will say, it was easier than when we started in the Netherlands, because this time around, we really knew what we were doing.

Some of the differences were welcome. From the outset, the couple always concerned themselves with traceabilty and ethical sourcing.

Since we started the business in 2008, its always been very important to us to know exactly where our ingredients are coming from, Deborah explained. We can trace exactly where our chocolate has come from.

Being based in Mayo has allowed them to lean into local produce more than ever. Achill Island Sea Salt and Connacht Gold cream are now integral to their chocolates.

I love using local ingredients, Deborah said. When the ingredients are so close to you, it just makes sense.

Irish Dairy, she explains, has its own challenges and rewards.Irish cream is much heavier than Dutch cream, so of course, it changes the taste. The quality of the milk is much richer.

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Trial and error

Through years of trial and error, the couple has also learned that tastes differ across borders.

The Dutch prefer a richer chocolate, Deborah said. Irish customers tend to prefer a more milky flavour.

We use Achill Island Sea Salt and Connacht Gold Cream in the production of our chocolates. Irish cream is much heavier than Dutch cream, so of course, it changes the taste too."

The couple has trialled many different flavour combinations and has had plenty of practice over the years through trial and error.

The quality of the milk is much richer, and the cream is much heavier than in the Netherlands, she said.

However, the couple quickly noticed a difference in the Dutch and Irish palates.

The Dutch prefer a richer chocolate, whereas our Irish customers prefer a more milky flavour.

Today, Van Velzes chocolates are sold online through their website and directly from their production premises in Ballinrobe from Thursday to Saturday. Their products are also stocked in Foxford Woollen Mills, Fallon & Byrne in Dublin, and Market 57 in Westport.
U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) ends decades of partnership. This raises questions about global disease control and future health security.

Highlights: The United States officially left the WHO in January 2026 after a year-long withdrawal process

The exit ends U.S. funding and participation in key global health systems and initiatives

Health experts warn the move could weaken global disease detection, response, and vaccine coordination

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United States Completes WHO Withdrawal



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Frequently Asked Questions Q: When did the U.S. officially leave the WHO? A: The withdrawal became official on January 22, 2026. Q: Why did the U.S. withdraw from the WHO? A: Officials cited perceived failures in the COVID-19 pandemic response and political influence as the major reasons for the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO. Q: Will the U.S. ever rejoin WHO? A: The federal government says it has no current plans to rejoin the WHO. Q: Does the U.S. still collaborate with WHO? A: Limited cooperation between the U.S. and WHO may continue during the withdrawal process. Q: How could this withdrawal affect public health? A: This withdrawal may reduce access to global disease data and weaken outbreak response coordination.

United States Completes WHO Withdrawal - (https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/united-states-completes-who-withdrawal.html)

The United States has officially ended its 78-year membership in the, marking a historic break between the worlds largest public health economy and the global health agency.On January 22, 2026, the U.S. government confirmed that it had, ending cooperation in WHO governance, funding, and decision-making. Analysts say this move has far-reaching consequences for global and national public health systems, sparking debate among health experts and policymakers ().The decision dates back to January 20, 2025, when President Donald Trump signeddirecting the United States to withdraw from the WHO. Under the organizations rules, a member nation must give one years notice before exit is complete. The formal notice from Washington reached the United Nations, and the official separation took effect in January 2026.In official statements, leaders from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of State cited concerns over the WHOs handling of the, its resistance to structural reforms, and its perceived political influence as key reasons for the decision. The administration also announced it would no longer provide funding or participate in WHO leadership bodies.The U.S. governments official position was that the WHO had failed to act in ways that aligned with American public health interests. Officials argued that the WHO did not adequately manage global health threats and allowed undue influence from political actors. The Trump administration also criticized what it described as, asserting that U.S. taxpayers were overburdened relative to other nations.The withdrawal process also involved recalling U.S. personnel and ending financial contributions, which historically made the United States the single largest funder of the WHOs programmes and initiatives.The WHO expressed regret over the United States decision, emphasising the importance of global cooperation in health. The organizations leadership noted that its systems continue to operate in support ofaround the world.Global health experts and major public health bodies strongly criticized the withdrawal. Many argue that the move undermines international collaboration that is needed to detect and respond to health emergencies such as pandemics, vaccine development efforts, and antimicrobial resistance. Critics have described the decision asto both global and U.S. public health preparedness.One of the most significant concerns emerging from the withdrawal is the loss of U.S. participation in key international health systems. For example, the United States will no longer participate in the, which is crucial for tracking flu strains and helping shape the composition of the annual influenza vaccine . Health experts warn that this could delay access to crucial data needed to protect the U.S. population from seasonal and emerging flu threats.Without formal membership, the United States may also lose access to real-time global health data and WHO technical guidance that has supported disease preparedness and health planning for decades.The WHO has relied on assessed and voluntary contributions from member states for most of its budget. The U.S. withdrawal, along with the cessation of significant funding, has created aand led to major resource cuts within the agency. Some reports indicate staff reductions and scaled-back activities in parts of the organizations global operations. This has raised concerns about support for health systems in low- and middle-income countries that depend on WHO resources.In response to the withdrawal, the U.S. government said it plans to pursueand direct cooperation with other countries on public health initiatives. Authorities also mentioned working with U.S. agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to maintain influence in global health research and response.Some critics remain skeptical that such bilateral efforts can fully replace the collaborative framework that multilateral institutions, such as the WHO, provide when facing global health threats.Despite the federal withdrawal, some U.S. states are taking independent action. For example, California announced that it will join theas a member of the global health coalition, signalling that subnational actors may seek ways to remain engaged despite the federal governments stance.This state-level move reflects ongoing concern among public health officials about maintaining links to international disease surveillance and cooperation frameworks critical to national and global health security.Analysts warn that the U.S. withdrawal may weaken global coordination in responding to emerging health threats, slow down vaccine development and distribution, and reduce the overall effectiveness of international health programming. Emerging infectious diseases, climate-linked health challenges, and persistent chronic health burdens all require cooperation that a single nation, no matter how wealthy, cannot address alone.While the United States may remain an influential player through alternate channels, the gap left by formal WHO membership raises questions about future leadership and participation in global health governance.Source-Medindia
Can England finally end the cancer postcode lottery and give every patient equal access to specialist care?

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Government to end cancer postcode lottery for patients



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Cancer Care Inequality Leaves Rural and Coastal Patients at a Disadvantage

Increasing specialist training places for cancer doctors at NHS trusts in rural and deprived areas.

Working with Royal Colleges to encourage more doctors to specialize in oncology.

Investing in advanced diagnostic and treatment technology to be rolled out nationwide quickly.

to be rolled out nationwide quickly. Setting new national standards to ensure consistent cancer care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.

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National Cancer Plan Aims to End Location-Based Gaps in Care

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Cancer Charities Welcome Move to Tackle Health Inequality

Government to end cancer postcode lottery for patients - (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-end-cancer-postcode-lottery-for-patients)

The the long-standing geographical disparities in access to cancer diagnosis and treatment that mean patients chances of survival and care quality often depend on where they live ().Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that people living in rural and coastal communities will soon find it easier to see cancer specialists, as part of wider plans to make cancer care fairer and more consistent across England.Under current arrangements, many parts of the country  especiallyThis uneven distribution of services has been linked to worse outcomes for patients and an unfair postcode lottery in care.The governments strategy aims to directly address these gaps by: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, Streeting said, emphasizing the need for equitable care.TheseThe plan is designed to speed up diagnosis, improve survival rates, and ensure that location no longer determines the quality of cancer care a patient receives.Health officials also stressed the which could help spot cancer sooner and reduce the burden on specialist services.Cancer charities and clinical leaders have broadly welcomed the initiative, acknowledging that unequal access to services has contributed to significant health inequality across England. Many organizations argue that a coherent national strategy could transform patient outcomes and reduce regional disparities.However, experts have also urged that long-term consultant roles and retention incentives must accompany new training efforts to ensure that improvements are sustainable in communities with chronic staff shortages.TheBy addressing workforce shortages and expanding access to cutting-edge diagnostics, the government hopes England can become a world leader in cancer survival.Source-Medindia
By Divya Rajagopal

TORONTO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Canada respects its commitments and engagements under the United States Mexico Canada trade agreement, of not to pursue free trade agreements with non market economies, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday from Ottawa.

Carney was responding to US President Donald Trump's threat that US will impose 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China. Carney said that it has no intention of doing that with China or any other non market economy.

More from Yahoo Scout Why did Mark Carney visit China recently? What issues is Canada resolving with China? What did Canada commit to under USMCA? How did Trump threaten Canada over China trade?

But what Canada has done with China is to rectify some issues that had developed over last couple of years.

Carney said that Canada was "going back to the future" with respect to EVs, agriculture, fish products with additional protection.

Mark Carney visited China earlier this month in an attempt to diversify its trade and resolve tariff issues with the country's third largest trading partner.

(Reporting by Divya Rajagopal in Toronto, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
Venezuela is sitting on the planet's largest oil stockpile, some 303 billion barrels, yet major oil company executives are torn over whether the billions of dollars needed to revamp the country's oil infrastructure are worth it.

The debate: Up to $100 billion will be necessary to get Venezuela's oil industry where it needs to be. While the upside is massive, it may take years for companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil to get the returns they need to justify the expense. It would be a slam-dunk choice if those reserves were located elsewhere. But Venezuela has burned oil companies more than once, and most big players are justified in being gun-shy.

Quick fact: Venezuela's peak production totaled 3.75 millionbarrels per day. In 2025, it totals about 800,000, up from a low of about 350,000 in 2020.

Still, ExxonMobil's CEO has called Venezuela "uninvestable" under current rules.

Chevron, which still operates in the country to a limited extent, and energy service companies like SLB (formerly Schlumberger) and Halliburton, which are likely to get windfall business if big oil goes all-in, are more optimistic.

Chevron's Venezuela projects:

Petroboscan: A 39.2% interest in the Boscan Field.

Petroindependiente, S.A.: 25.2% interest in the LL-652 Field at Lake Maracaibo

Petropiar, S.A.: 30% interest in Huyapari Field within heavy-crude dominant Orinoco Belt.

Petroindependencia, S.A .: 34% interest in Carabobo 3 Project in Carabobo area of the Orinoco Belt (extra-heavy crude).

Ioran: 60% interest offshore in the Loran Field.

Source: Chevron.

They're apparently confident that the White House can build in the protections needed, clearing the way to a massive revamp of an industry that has suffered from underinvestment for decades.

Wall Street agrees, given investors have resoundingly backed oil stocks since last fall, driving share prices higher as tensions with Venezuela and the U.S. mounted ahead of Nicolas Maduro's pre-dawn capture in early January.

Major oil executives, including those at Chevron, put more color on the opportunity recently, suggesting what may happen in Venezuela next.

Venezuela's total petroleum and other liquids production and consumption has fallen sharply since 2014.U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics and the Short-Term Energy Outlook  U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics and the Short-Term Energy Outlook

Chevron looks to boost Venezuela production quickly

A large, comprehensive plan may take time to iron out, given that changes will likely need to happen to convince Big Oil that investments in Venezuela won't amount to tossing good money after bad.

For now, a different approach may be taking shape. Rather than a massive overhaul, more targeted projects may become the focus, rapidly boosting production back on wells considered most profitable, providing the cash flow necessary to convince players that the reward far exceeds the risks.
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is celebrating a significant milestone, announcing that it completed a record number of key element extractions integral to nuclear weapons testing and acceleration.

The NNSA announced Friday that there were 13 extractions of tritiuman isotope of hydrogen and key element in nuclear weaponsover a nine-month period stemming from Fiscal Year 2025 and into FY 2026. The previous extractions record was eight in 12 months, spanning FY 2022 and FY 2023.

Savannah River Tritium Enterprises (SRTE), operated by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) for NNSA, extracts the tritium. SRTEs facilities provide a unique capability to safely increase production and effectively execute tritium missions, according to the NNSA.

This record achievement in tritium extractions demonstrates what the Nuclear Security Enterprise can achieve when we operate with urgency and focus, NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams said in a statement. The successful delivery of tritium is essential to meeting the Department of Wars deterrent requirements and delivering President Trumps peace through strength agenda.

This accomplishment significantly strengthens our national security and reinforces the strategic readiness of our deterrent mission.

What Is Tritium?

Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that consists of one proton and two neutrons, with a half-life of approximately 12.3 years. It is one of the rarer Earth elements.

While it is often extracted to be used for nuclear weapons and reactors, it has other uses in everyday life that include acting as an energy source in watches radio-luminescent lights, firearm night sights, self-illuminating key chains, and is also found in various instruments and tools.

University of Tokyo radiologist Katsumi Shozugawa holds water containing tritium during an interview with The Associated Press, at the university in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

However, due to that half-life, tritium must be continually replenished in active nuclear warheads to, as the NNSA describes, maintain the integrity of the U.S. nuclear stockpile.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, man-made tritium was widely dispersed in the mid-1950s and early 60s during above-ground nuclear weapons testingpeaking in 1963 and steadily decreasing ever since.

SRNS is proud to build on its 75-year legacy of operational excellence in delivering nuclear materials to NNSA and the Department of War in support of our nations nuclear deterrent, Nick Miller, senior vice president of the NNSA Tritium Operations and Programs for SRNS, said in a statement. This accomplishment is only possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of the SRTE workforce.

FILE - Electrical power lines string across the landscape near downtown Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn, as Nashville Electric Service distributes power to surrounding communities and is supplied their electricity from The Tennessee Valley Authority. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

While tritium can be a gas, its most common form is in water because radioactive tritium reacts with oxygen to form water. It also emits a very weak beta particle.

Humans are exposed daily to small amounts due to its wide dispersal in the environment and in the food chain.

Tennessee Valley Authority Partnership

An NNSA spokesperson described the record number of extractions to Military.com as a big deal, resulting from hard work involving both federal officials and contractors to accelerate weapons production.

The increase was also attributed to a substantial increase in tritium production since 2019, credited to the NNSAs unique partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in which NNSA irradiates Tritium-Producing Burnable Absorber Rods in two units of the Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant in Tennessee. That ultimately produces tritium.

The TVA, according to its website, serves more than 10 million people across seven states. It is owned by the federal government but doesnt receive tax funding; rather, it uses revenue from energy sales to serve the region.

Design engineering, process improvements, and use of additional licensed reactor units has helped tritium production soar, NNSA officials added.
CLEVELAND  U.S. Coast Guard ships worked in icy waters on the Great Lakes on Jan. 21 to help large cargo boats that were stuck in ice.

Two Coast Guard cutters  the Mackinaw and the Neah Bay  broke ice so other ships could continue moving or reach safe harbor. The Mackinaw helped the Wilfred Sykes on Lake Huron and the Neah Bay helped the American Spirit on Lake Erie.

The Wilfred Sykes is a long freighter that was stuck in thick ice on Lake Huron. The Mackinaw broke through ice and freed the ship. After it was free, the Coast Guard cutter guided it into the Straits of Mackinac.

On Lake Erie, the American Spirit  more than 1,000 feet long  was having trouble moving through heavy ice. The Neah Bay broke ice around the vessel, allowing it to move again. The freighter later sailed on to Toledo.

These actions were part of two Coast Guard programs called Operation Taconite and Operation Coal Shovel. These missions focus on helping ships that are in emergency or hard-to-navigate ice conditions.

Operation Taconite works in areas like Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the St. Marys River. Operation Coal Shovel works on Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the rivers that connect the lakes, including the Detroit River area.

Lt. Cmdr. Jeremy Tyrrell, the commanding officer of the Neah Bay, said the Coast Guard crews have been working long days to keep the Great Lakes waterways open. He said breaking ice helps ships carry goods that support the regional economy.

Lt. Cmdr. Jason Radcliffe, the Coast Guards deputy chief for waterways management in the Great Lakes District, praised the crews. He said they have been very dedicated and professional in helping the shipping fleet.

Severe cold and heavy ice in January have made it difficult for vessels to navigate parts of the Great Lakes this winter. Ice coverage in some areas has been above normal for this time of year.

2026 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Saturday's killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), by one or more U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, Minn., represented the end of a life devoted to healing," according to his family, coworkers, and others across the health care industry.

The Jan. 24 shooting marked the third involving federal immigration officials in Minneapolis in January.

Pretti, 37, worked as a registered nurse in the ICU at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. He was fatally shot by federal agents near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue during immigration enforcement operations.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved outdoor adventures with Joule, his Catahoula Leopard dog who also recently died, according to the family. Pretti had participated in protests following Minnesota mother Renee Good's killing earlier in January.

State records show Pretti's nursing license was active through March 31, 2026. His license was issued Jan. 19, 2021.

A Caregiver for Veterans

Pretti obtained his nursing license in January 2021 and worked in the ICU caring for critically ill veterans at the Minneapolis VA.

He attended nursing school at the University of Minnesota and assisted on scientific research projects prior to moving to clinical work supporting critically ill veterans, according to reports.

A makeshift memorial is placed where Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer yesterday, in Minneapolis, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, chief of infectious diseases at the VA hospital and a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, described Pretti as an outstanding nurse deeply committed to patient care.

"He wanted to help people," Drekonja told Lawyer Monthly. "He was always asking what he could do to help."

Drekonja described Pretti as kind, hardworking and quick with humor, adding, "We'd chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together. Will never happen now."

What Happened

Bystander videos widely circulated on social media in the aftermath of the shooting show Pretti watching federal immigration agents operating in south Minneapolis the morning of Jan. 24. He appears to attempt to assist another bystander, a female, when multiple agents appear to pepper spray and tackle him. While on the ground, multiple shots were fired.

The Department of Homeland Security said shortly after the shooting that Pretti "approached" Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Officials did not specify whether Pretti brandished the weapon, and the gun was not evident in bystander footage.

BCA officers work on the scene where Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer yesterday, in Minneapolis, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Federal authorities characterized Pretti as someone looking to harm officers during an enforcement operation.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said Pretti was a Minneapolis resident believed to be an American citizen, with a permit to carry the firearm legally.

"We believe he is a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry," O'Hara said.

Police records show Pretti's only interactions with law enforcement involved traffic tickets.

'Be Careful Protesting'

Pretti's father, Michael Pretti, said his son cared deeply about people and was upset about immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.

He 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. - Michael Pretti in a statement first obtained by CNN.

In a recent conversation, Pretti's parents told him to be careful when protesting, according to CBS News.

"We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically," Michael said. "And he said he knows that. He knew that."

Family members said Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Minnesota. They said they had never known him to carry it.

Investigation and Response

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office is working with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and expects federal authorities to allow the bureau to process the scene.

Minneapolis police said DHS officials initially blocked local law enforcement from accessing the scene. O'Hara reportedly refused federal officials' orders attempting to dismiss local police from the area.

Within hours of the shooting, large groups of protesters gathered at the site. Federal agents deployed tear gas and stun grenades. The Minnesota National Guard was activated to assist local departments.

Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino said the agent who shot Pretti had served with Border Patrol for eight years and had extensive training. The shooting prevented a potential massacre of law enforcement, according to Bovino.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, rejected federal framing of accounts after reviewing video footage, calling the federal narrative "nonsense" and "lies." He said the federal government could not be trusted to investigate itself and insisted the state would conduct its own inquiry.

Context of Federal Immigration Operations

This is the third shooting involving federal immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis this month.

On Jan. 7, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Good during an immigration operation. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Good's death a homicide. A third incident involved a non-fatal shooting by federal agents.

Walz and others, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other local and statewide officials, have repeatedly called on ICE agents to leave the city and state.

"We stand by our immigrant and refugee communitiesknow that you have our full support," Frey said after Good's death.

Demonstrators hold signs during a protest in response to the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis earlier in the day Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Minneapolis Senate delegation members released a statement identifying Pretti and supporting his loved ones.

"While we wait for more details, we share our deepest condolences to Alex Pretti, his family and friends, and the entire community impacted by this violence. We pledge to do everything in our power to make sure that those responsible are held accountable," the statement read.

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus called for a full and transparent investigation by state and federal authorities.

"Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear armsincluding while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights," the group said.

Similar views were expressed by the National Rifle Association after First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, a top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, posted on social media that perhaps Pretti's shooting death was justified if he approached law enforcement with a weapon.

"This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong," the NRA wrote on X. " Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens."

Nurses 'Ethically Bound' to Counter Injustice

For colleagues at the Minneapolis VA and beyond, Pretti's death represents the broader loss of a dedicated health care professional who devoted his career to caring for veterans.

A nurse's job is to care for their patients, but they are also ethically bound to speak out in the face of injustice and human rights violations, the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) said in a statement. Alexdedicated his life to caring for military veterans and their families. A life devoted to healing was cut short."

A nurse's job is to care for their patientsbut they are also ethically bound to speak out in the face of injustice and human rights violations. Provision 8.2 of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses is clear: 'Where there are human rights violations, nurses ought to and must stand up for those rights and demand accountability.' That is exactly what Alex was doing. - ONA

Pretti's death is a "solemn occasion affecting us all," according to a statement issued by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) on Saturday that aligns with condolences expressed by fellow nursing and healthcare organizations.

"We also pause to reinforce that nurses advocacy extends beyond patients and patients families to work toward a society in which safety and well-being are the norm," the AACN statement reads. "AACN supports a complete and transparent investigation and urges that findings be made available promptly.

"In this moment, lets band together in our grief. We recognize that Alexs death is especially distressing among the nursing community. We encourage nurses to support each other and seek peer or professional counsel as needed. Our well-being is paramount to our ability to provide excellent care to patients and their families."

Legal Defense Fund (LDF) President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson called Pretti's death a "senseless loss of life" that falls on the responsibility of DHS and Trump administration immigration policies.

"DHS agents continue to unleash terror in neighborhoods, endangering families, elders, and children with devastating consequences," Nelson said in a statement. "This horrific killing is not an isolated incident but rather the predictable outcome of the persistent violence and other abusive and unlawful actions of federal authorities across the countrymost recently in Minneapolis, where DHS presence has surged.

"DHS officers are also punishing those who exercise their constitutional right to engage in lawful protest against this administration and in support of their neighbors."
Danish military veteran Martin Tamm Andersen nearly lost his life fighting alongside American troops in Afghanistan more than 15 years ago.

Andersen, a platoon commander, was leading his unit along with a group of U.S. Marines through the southern part of the country following an attack by the Taliban.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as Andersens vehicle maneuvered to the back of the column. Then, in a flash, all he could see was sand. Andersens body was thrust into the air. After he hit the ground, shaken, he felt for both his arms and legs to make certain they were still attached.

I had no idea what was going on, he told the Associated Press.

He looked around to see one of his troops bleeding profusely from the face. Another soldier had been blown off the vehicle, lying helplessly on the ground with a broken back. The bomb had ripped their vehicle into pieces.

Andersen radioed a unit of Marines that paused an operation against the Taliban to provide security, help the wounded Danish troops and prepare them for evacuation.

Martin Tamm Andersen, a Danish soldier and former platoon leader of the U.S. Marines, was injured when his Army vehicle was destroyed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Aug. 19, 2010.

Danes Feel Betrayed

In the post-9/11 wars, U.S. and Danish soldiers worked side-by-side, shedding blood and risky lives together. Thats why Andersen is stunned to see the current relationship between U.S. and Danish allies amid President Donald Trumps plan to occupy Greenland, a semiautonomous territory controlled by Denmark.

Trump believes the U.S. has to seize control of the strategically located island for security reasons and to take advantage of its minerals.

For Andersen, 46, the presidents postering and threats, feel like a slap in the face.

When America needed us after 9/11, we were there. 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. Its a betrayal of the loyalty of our nation to the U.S. and to our common alliance, NATO.

Andersen, who also served in Iraq, shared his story in Copenhagen at the Danish War Museum. The vehicle he was in that got hit by explosives in Afghanistan, an armored personnel carrier, is on display there.

He saw close buddies killed and maimed in both wars. The Danish veteran felt his commitment to help the U.S. was to preserve freedom and democracy.

With the U.S. continuing to push Denmark for control over Greenland, the initial shockwave spreading across Europe has turned into what Andersen calls sadness, fear and betrayal, and the feeling of uncertainty over what a move like this could signify for European security with Russia at war with Ukraine.

It would mean the end of NATO, said Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen.

For Denmark, Its Personal

Denmark has been a U.S. ally in NATO since 1949.

According to the AP, 44 Danish troops died in Afghanistanthe largest death rate, per capita, within coalition forces. Eight soldiers from Denmark were killed in Iraq.

It feels surreal. It feels like its a bad joke somehow. I mean, you cant really fathom that this is actually something that is being said out loud. It just seems too crazy.

Sren Knudsen, also a former Danish soldier, survived two tours in Afghanistan.

Knudsen was watching Fox News last year when Vice President JD Vance claimed Denmark was not being a good ally. Bolstering Trumps previous remarks, Vance said the U.S. must have more territorial interest in Greenland to safeguard national security. He said Denmark was not doing its job.

Knudsens jaw dropped.

Knudsen, 65, lives in Copenhagen. One of his most prized possessions is a photo of himself surrounded by Afghan children in Qalat. At the time, Knudsens mission was to protect the future of Afghanistans younger generation. When his second deployment was ending, U.S. troops gave him a gift  an American flag.

Knudsen was also given a U.S. Bronze Star, which he framed with the flag and proudly displayed in his home, along with additional service medals.

But Vances comments were the last straw. Frustrated, he took down both the medal and flag and stored them away, telling his wife he will display them once the U.S.-Danish alliance is whole again.

Danish veteran Martin Tamm Andersen served in Afghanistan with U.S. soldiers. (Submitted)

Along with Andersen, hes not the only Danish veteran who feels this way. As deputy president of the Danish Veteran Association, Knudsen talks with dismayed veterans regularly, believing America has turned its back on Denmark.

Many veterans who have wounds, whether on their souls or their body, certainly feel this as an offense straight to their heart, he said.

Invasion Would Be Sad

Danish veterans, feeling that Denmark is not the United States' to take in the first place, also feel anger over Trumps notion that the Scandinavian countryafter teaming with American forces in battlelacks the capability to provide security for the West.

While the veterans realize maintaining security in the Arctic region is vital, Andersen and Knudsen believe Denmark is ready to handle any threat to the NATO alliance.

Despite the current tensions between the two nations, both veterans maintain strong relationships with U.S. veterans they served with. Knudsens wife is from the U.S. and his brother-in-law serves in the Marines. They believe their one-time battle buddies dont share the Trump administrations beliefs about Denmark.

Danes argue that through a defense agreement signed in 1951, the U.S. has access to Greenland. Also, the Space Force already houses a miliary base in northwestern Greenland. In recent years, the U.S. has chosen to scale back its military operations on the island, but both Greenland and Denmark have stated they would be open to a beefed up military occupation.

Trump, however, said in a recent New York Times interview that ownership gives you things and elements that you cant get from just signing a document.

Invading Greenland would bring me to tears, Knudsen said.

I would be very sorry if it happened, because I would also see this as the final moments of the NATO alliance. 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," he added.
After serving his country in the Marine Corps, veteran Michael DAngelo has found another way to give back to the military community  making them laugh.

DAngelo feels right at home delivering punchlines in front of a couple hundred Marines at dusk, after theyve finished an intense training regimen and just want to relax because he remembers that life far too well.

He created the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, a nonprofit organization the delivers first-rate standup comedy to active-duty military members and first responders for free.

DAngelos amazing story is featured on the latest episode of the Tango Alpha Lima podcast, hosted by Adam Marr, Stacy Pearsall and Joe Worley. The Marine Corps veteran rose from a troubled youth in Las Vegas to become a combat veteran and is now one of the leading comics in the military sphere.

Michael D'Angelo (front row, middle) after a show on a military base with his Rapid Fire Comedy Tour colleagues. (Rapid Fire Comedy Tour)

Rough Childhood Leads to Marines

DAngelos childhood was anything but stable. Both parents struggled with addiction, and he was often left to fend for himself in dangerous neighborhoods. As he turned older, he began hanging out with gun-toting car thieves.

Then came a turning point  Fourth of July 2007.

DAngelo got mixed up in a street fight. Someone slashed him with a razor. He needed 32 stitches to repair his torn face. Several of his friends either went to the hospital or jail. DAngelo knew something had to change. He left high school in his junior year to sign up for the Marine Corps and earn his GED.

For most, Marine Corps bootcamp is grueling. Compared to what DAngelo was used to, it was relaxing.

It was the first time in my life that I was getting three meals a day, he said. I was sleeping eight hours a night.

DAngelo finally found structure in the military. Serving from 2008 to 2013, he learned to be calm under chaos, and developed a penchant for finding humor in the darkest situations.

Injury Changes Life

One of those challenging moments came when a severe back injury forced him out of the Marine Corps. Doctors told him to expect to be in a wheelchair by age 30. DAngelo wasnt sure what to do next. Physical labor was off the table, so he decided to give standup comedy a try.

His first open mic night both terrified and excited the young comedian. DAngelo moved to Los Angeles, where his car served as his home for four years as he scraped by, attending classes at the Comedy Store.

But as he honed his craft, he discovered a harsh reality. Not only was the L.A. comedy market fiercely competitive, but the audience also didnt get his brand of military humor. In 2018, he faced a revelation. He should be performing in front of a military crowd, his true audience.

He wrote 400 letters to Marine Corps units stating, simply, Im a Marine. Im a comedian. Ill come perform for free.

He received a positive response, and his career slowly started emerging. He worked a solo show in 2018, igniting kinship with his audience. Pretty soon, fellow comedians from Hollywood joined him. The group packed vans and drove to bases around the country to make troops laugh.

While making people laugh was its own reward, DAngelo discovered something unique after shows. Troops thanked him for turning around rough weeks by sharing laughs with their peers. Suddenly, troops that had been arguing with each other all week found cohesion.

DAngelo formed the 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019, branding it the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour. While the COVID shutdown of 2020 was a bump in the road, DAngelo rebounded, forming a partnership with VetTV. His shows are still free, raising morale and forging camaraderie.

A Navy hospital corpsman laughs during a recent Rapid Fire Comedy Tour Show. (Rapid Fire Comedy Tour)

Cultural Impact on Troops

DAngelo brings a blend of comedians on stage from diverse backgrounds.

Im exposing these servicemembers to culture and art, he said. Theyre watching comedians from different backgrounds and theyre like, This person is funny. Their story got me. Youre broadening peoples minds.

And it helps the comics test out material in a tough crowd of tired, worn-down Marines.

Once you perform for 200 Marines, you come back to L.A. and youre like, These crowds are a layup now, DAngelo said.

Soon, DAngelo would like to bring his comedy to American Legion posts, fire departments and VA facilities. But for now, hes content with helping military units form bonds through laughter.

Were boosting morale, were building camaraderie, were promoting troop welfare, DAngelo said. But were also exposing people to art and culture in ways they never would have experienced otherwise.
If you have not heard of the Military Womens Memorial and its historical repository, then today is the day to learn about this extraordinary tribute honoring all servicewomen who have answered the call to serve.

Approximately 3 million women have volunteered their service to the nation since the American Revolution spanning all branches. Despite this long history, womens service has often been underrepresented in historical narratives.

The latest available military demographics profile found in the Military OneSource report, indicates that 17.7 percent of active duty members are female. According to the VA, women veterans are the fastest growing group and projected to make up 18 percent of all veterans by 2040. With more than 2 million women veterans and roughly 200,000 serving active-duty today, their experiences and contributions convey a collective story of progress, patriotism, and courage.

Military OneSource 2023 Demographics Profile

Whats Inside

The Military Womens Memorial is located in Arlington, Virginia but also hosts a variety of online services. Its education center includes a research library of more than 2,000 publications about womens military service and other organizational contributions supporting wartime efforts. It includes 360-degree online tours, virtual exhibits, lesson plans, and in-person tours and exhibits.

Most impressively, it holds the largest known historical collection documenting womens service. The Oral History Collection contains more than 1,400 voices since World War I. There are 8,000 donations of photographs, military documents, diaries, film footage, uniforms, and other remnants of the past in the Memorial Collection. Since its public opening in 1997, nearly 308,500 stories have been preserved.

Personal narratives and firsthand accounts help us understand and truly see servicewomen as leaders who share in our nations sacrifice and commitment to freedom. The Military Womens Memorial serves as the nations hub for collecting and preserving womens stories and memorabilia.

From the left, Womens Army Corps veteran Marion Clift, Army veteran Betty Downs, Army veteran Sue Williams and veteran Army nurse Beverly Reno walk away from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, Sept. 22, 2015, in Arlington, Va. They are part of the first all-female honor flight in the United States. 75 female veterans from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War were in attendance, as well as 75 escorts, who were also female veterans or active-duty military. (U.S. Army photo by Rachel Larue/released, DVIDS)

Capturing Legacies of Military Women

Work remains to continue to gather the stories of military women. According to the Military Womens Memorials site, we still only have about 10 percent of women represented in the Register, which means a staggering 90 percent of women veterans have not registered to document their service. Servicewomen and women veterans are encouraged to join the Register for free by sharing HERstory, an account of their impact to the nation.

To support their National Registration Campaign, the Military Womens Memorial provides these simple steps to help share awareness and preserve the legacies of military women:

Download a graphic to use in a Facebook or Instagram post. Post the graphic you selected with this message: Dont forget to tag us in your post: @MilitaryWomensMemorial

Do you have a family member or friend who is a woman veteran? She deserves to take her rightful place in history. Without her story, our nations history is incomplete. Register her service for free at womensmemorial.org. #HerMemorial #HERstory

Without these stories, our countrys understanding of military history is incomplete. By recording and storing military womens stories, their contributions are added to the nations collective memory. Even more, we shape the future by showing the next generations of future military women how their predecessors made a significant difference.

See 7 Badass Women Who Made Military History for more powerful storytelling of how servicewomen shaped the nation.
Military spouses understand community differently from most people. We build it, lose it and rebuild it faster than feels comfortable. When I think about how my military spouse community has changed over the past 20 years, I marvel at how much I have changed as well.

Frequent moves, deployments and career disruptions can make lasting relationships feel just out of reach. And just when you find that community you have been waiting for, one of you will get orders.

Its important to remember that your friendships as a military spouse are often meant to be for a season. And its OK. We cant ever go back to the years we spent together at a duty station, and we also know that every friendship isnt going to last through moves and changes. So we dig in when we get somewhere, hold on when we can and appreciate the friendships we have in the moment.

1. Stay Connected, Consistently

Community doesnt last on good intentions alone; it lasts through consistency. Regular check-ins through texts, Marco Polo or virtual coffee dates can help relationships survive moves and deployments. Even quick messages or shared updates remind spouses they still belong, regardless of distance or time zone.

I have two military spouse friends who live elsewhere, and I communicate with them almost daily. One is primarily through Facebook Messenger and mid-afternoon phone calls, the other through Marco Polo and early morning FaceTime. She loves me so much that she gets up at 5:30 to make it work. And Ive managed to make the periodic trip to see each of them over the years.

Read More: Finally, a Transition Program Designed With Military Spouses in Mind

2. Engage. Dont Wait to be Invited

A strong community grows when spouses move from scrolling through online groups to participating in them. We already know that commenting on posts, welcoming new members and sharing helpful resources build familiarity and trust over time. This can get exhausting by the third or fourth move; however, we know it works, so its worth the effort.

When I moved to Florida, where we were only going to be for about six months, I used the local spouses' Facebook group to find a babysitter, a gym and a church. Then I sat back and watched the interactions in the group. I learned from others questions and posts, so I remained informed without being overly involved. It was perfect for that season.

3. Utilize the Spouses You Know

If the military spouse community has one thing going for it, it's that we are a massive network of get it done people. Moving to a random National Guard base? We know someone who knows someone there. On recruiting duty, weve got you covered. Plus, you know we love a challenge.

Thanksgiving 2020 found a friend of mine changing plans at the last minute, with two sick kids and a sick husband, so she didnt have any groceries in the house. So, what did I do? I reached out to my military spouse community and found someone who knew someone in her area willing to pick up groceries and deliver. The two women had never met, but the network prevailed and found some community for that young, exhausted military spouse.

Read More: How to Leave the Military Community Well

4. Prepare for Interruptions

The military spouse community requires flexibility and patience. Even when were all in the same place, we battle last-minute schedule changes, sick kids and work schedules when trying to make plans. And then, friends move, schedules change and availability shifts with seasons of life. Extending grace -- to others and to yourself -- creates space for relationships to grow over time. Strong communities are built through encouragement, understanding and shared support rather than constant presence.

Twenty years after I became a military spouse, and several years after my husband retired from the Army, I still rely on my military spouse community. They are the ones who get me. And when my life suddenly goes haywire, as it did four years ago, the people who gathered around me were the ones who have been a part of my life the whole time. Military spouses are some of the strongest people Ive ever known, and if you call one of them, its like calling all of us: Weve got you covered, minimal questions asked.

Want to Learn More About Military Life?

Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for fitness and basic training tips, or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox.
By Selena Li

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 23 (Reuters) - China's low-key approach in Davos this year could not have been more different to that of the United States, with some business leaders saying Beijing stands to benefit from the Trump administration's clash with Europe over Greenland.

Yet many challenges and implementation obstacles lie ahead for China if it is to become a trusted partner for the European Union as the 27-member bloc tries to reduce its U.S. reliance.

China is seen "controlling the dynamic through stillness", a senior global business leader told Reuters, a reference to a move from The Art of War, where you wait patiently for your enemy to exhaust themselves on the battlefield.

Beijing sent Vice-Premier He Lifeng to this year's World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss mountain resort.

His speech, which was brief compared with U.S. President Donald Trump's address to the meeting, underscored Chinas willingness to buy more goods and services from foreign companies, rather than seeking a trade surplus.

Yet China still ships its manufacturing over-capacity, predominantly in the electronic vehicle industry and other sectors, to foreign markets, for which there is no instant solution, the senior executive at a global bank added.

While Trump hosted dozens of global business leaders at a reception, China's lunch with Western executives was a more intimate affair and the message a simple "We are open for business", said a senior banker who was briefed on it.

"(It will) just watch all the chaos happening all over the world, and steer its own course, China will win," a global business founder told Reuters this week in Davos.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the world's second largest economy a "reliable and predictable partner" during his recent visit and in Davos encouraged EU leaders to seek investment from China.

Britain and China are working towards reviving the 'Golden Era' business dialogue during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit next week, Reuters reported, citing sources.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is also scheduled to visit China, with a business delegation spanning resources, manufacturing, resources and the food sector.

China has learned from the mistakes it made three years ago, when it a series of crackdowns on real estate, tech firms and education dampened confidence and has tried to be more steady and predictable, while the U.S. has become less so, said a senior executive running a multinational financial company.
Googles Data Centers Achieve Major Landmark in Water Preservation Efforts







(Googles Data Centers Achieve Major Milestone in Water Conservation Efforts)

We all recognize the internet runs on information. Yet where does all that information live? It lives in massive buildings called data centers. These centers utilize a great deal of power. They likewise need water to remain trendy. Google runs lots of data facilities around the globe. Recently, Google struck a huge objective. They utilized much less water to cool their data facilities than they put back right into nature. This is a massive action for conserving water. Lets look more detailed at what this suggests.

1. What is Googles Water Conservation Milestone for Information Centers? .

Google revealed something big. Their data facilities now return more water than they utilize. This is called water positive. It implies they return 120% of the water they consider their demands. Think of it like obtaining a cup of sugar. You borrow one cup, yet you give back one cup plus a little added. Thats what Google is finishing with water. They used concerning 5.6 billion gallons of water in 2015. Yet they helped restore or restore over 6.8 billion gallons. This happened in 2022. They achieved their goal ahead of timetable. Its a significant win for their water stewardship initiatives. This work concentrates on locations where water is scarce. They companion with regional groups. They money projects that put water back into rivers and lakes. They likewise boost neighborhood water supply. Their objective is to make an actual distinction where it matters most. Their information centers are key to this success. Much better cooling modern technology means they need less water. After that they can assist refill more water in other places.

2. Why is Water Conservation Essential for Data Centers? .

Data centers resemble giant minds for the net. They refine every little thing we do online. All that computing creates warm. Excessive warm damages the makers. So data centers have to stay trendy. Water is often made use of for air conditioning. It soaks up the warmth and lugs it away. Traditionally, lots of freshwater was needed. However clean freshwater is coming to be limited in several locations. Environment adjustment brings droughts. Growing populations need even more water. Information centers are expanding also. Extra internet usage suggests extra information facilities. This taxes regional water supplies. Utilizing less water is crucial. It assists protect neighborhoods and communities. Firms like Google see this obligation. They know their operations influence the setting. Conserving water benefits the earth. Its additionally great for business. It makes their data facilities extra resilient. It builds trust fund with individuals living nearby. Water conservation is no longer optional. Its a crucial component of running a lasting information center.

3. Exactly How Did Google Reduce Water Usage in its Data Centers? .

Google really did not simply purchase water credit scores. They actually transformed exactly how their information centers work. They focused on 2 major locations. Initially, they made their cooling systems much smarter. They utilize advanced systems that require very little water. One vital technology is using recycled water. Instead of always using fresh water, they cleanse and reuse water. They likewise use air cooling down regularly. They only activate water air conditioning when the weather condition is really warm. They collect climate information constantly. Their systems anticipate temperature levels hour by hour. This allows them use water only when absolutely required. They constructed very efficient cooling plants. These plants get more cooling from each decrease of water. The second huge area is finding new water resources. They utilize seawater where possible. They cleanse salty water to use for cooling. They also utilize treated wastewater from cities. This water is already cleaned. It doesnt require to be consuming high quality for cooling. Utilizing this water saves freshwater for people. They additionally save water throughout rainy times. They wait for usage during dry spells. All these steps accumulate. They let Google usage far much less freshwater than previously.

4. Where are Googles Water-Saving Methods Being Applied? .

Google is using these methods worldwide. They concentrate on locations facing water anxiety. Water stress and anxiety indicates there isnt enough water for everyones needs. Several locations in the United States face this trouble. States like Arizona, Nevada, and Texas commonly have dry spells. Google has information centers there. They use their smart cooling technology in these areas. They likewise companion with regional water teams. Outside the United States, water deficiency is a huge challenge as well. Places like Chile, India, and parts of Europe need water options. Google applies its approach globally. They check out each areas details water scenario. In some places, they help bring back marshes. Marshes imitate natural sponges. They hold water and filter it tidy. In other areas, they improve irrigation for farms. Better irrigation methods much less water thrown away. They could take care of leaky pipelines in a citys water system. Fixing leaks saves huge quantities of water. They choose projects that make the greatest impact locally. This guarantees their water favorable condition helps neighborhoods straight. Their information centers lead the way. Yet their water work prolongs far beyond their very own structures.

5. Frequently asked questions Regarding Googles Information Facility Water Initiatives .

Individuals usually have inquiries concerning this topic. Here are some common ones:.

Q: Does water positive indicate Google does not use any kind of water?

A: No. Google still makes use of water for cooling. But they use it a lot more efficiently. Then they sustain projects that recover or replenish more water than they use. This creates a net positive impact.

Q: What sort of tasks does Google fund for water replenishment?

A: They money many types. Examples include restoring rivers and wetlands. They assist farmers utilize water much more effectively. They support group that capture rain. They take care of old pipes to stop leakages in city water networks. Each project includes water back to nature or conserves water from being squandered.

Q: Is making use of recycled water secure for the environment?

A: Yes. Google uses high criteria. The recycled water or dealt with wastewater fulfills rigorous rules. Its just made use of for cooling systems. It does not touch drinking water products. Using this water actually safeguards the atmosphere. It saves fresh water for other requirements.

Q: Will other companies comply with Googles lead?

A: With any luck yes! Google shares several of their techniques. They desire the whole tech sector to save water. Various other big companies are starting similar initiatives. Conserving water is good for every person. It makes business feeling too.

Q: How can I find out more about Googles sustainability work?







(Googles Data Centers Achieve Major Milestone in Water Conservation Efforts)

A: Google releases thorough records. Seek their Environmental Record online. It covers water, power, and waste. They show their progress and future goals.
The Blue Jays have signed right-hander Connor Seabold to a minor league deal, according to the transactions tracker at MLB.com.

A third-round pick by the Phillies back in 2017, the 30-year-old Seabold made his big league debut back in 2021 and has collected 119 big league innings across parts of four seasons in the majors. Though he began his MLB career with two years in an up-and-down role with Boston, the majority of Seabolds time in the majors came as a member of the Rockies in 2023. The righty served as a swingman for the Rockies that year, and while he managed 87 1/3 innings of work between 13 starts and 14 relief outings, Seabolds numbers were far from impressive.

The righty struggled to a ghastly 7.52 ERA with Colorado. As if often the case when it comes to Rockies pitchers, that bloated ERA doesnt tell the full story. An elevated .338 BABIP and a strand rate of just 60.3% indicate that Seabold had some poor fortune when it came to batted balls and sequencing, though that hardly excuses a 16.4% strikeout rate and a 10.1% barrel rate. Those underlying numbers suggest severe deficiencies in Seabolds game even after accounting for bad luck, and thats backed up by his 5.75 FIP and 5.03 SIERA that year.

Seabold didnt appear in the majors in 2024, as he headed to the KBO to pitch for the Samsung Lions. He made 28 starts for the Lions and looked good doing it, with a 3.43 ERA in 160 innings. That allowed him to catch on with the Rays last year, and he appeared for seven appearances with Tampa and Atlanta. Unfortunately, this was more of the same for the right-hander. While he combined for a 4.35 ERA and 4.20 FIP this year, a 12.5% walk rate and a 15.6% barrel rate both suggested that he was fortunate to surrender so little damage. A lackluster 6.07 ERA at the Triple-A level between the Rays Durham affiliate and Atlantas Gwinnett affiliate only further underscores his struggles last year.

Of course, even with those flaws it still remains true that Seabold has only ever gotten a significant look at the big league level in the difficult pitching environment of Colorado. Perhaps hell find a way to earn a more significant role with the Jays this year, though hes surely being signed purely as a depth option given their wide array of starting options. Dylan Cease was signed to lead the rotation at the outset of the offseason. He and Cody Ponce will join existing starters Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and Jose Berrios in the mix of starts entering the year, with Bowden Francis, Eric Lauer, and Yariel Rodriguez among the organizations depth options. Top prospect Ricky Tiedemann could also break into the majors this year. Such a deep cache of starters could leave Seabold without a clear path to the majors this year without a large number of injuries or a move to the bullpen.
R. Eric Thomas Tribune Content Agency

Asking Eric

Dear Eric: We are seniors (ages 76 and 77) on a limited income. Our living expenses are high for medical reasons. As a result, we carefully plan our restaurant visits.

Although we do not and never have frequented very expensive restaurants, we do enjoy several in the $$ range, or an occasional $$$.

We all know prices have skyrocketed, but when we add the recommended 10 percent to 15 percent tip, restaurant dining becomes unaffordable.

On the other hand, many restaurants are struggling to keep customers and stay open! So, what is the better choice: tip less, or just not dine out and support these restaurants at all?

 Dining Dilemma

Dear Dining: I empathize with your concerns. The rising costs of food and overhead trickle down to the menu, making dining out a trickier enterprise, especially at a time when home budgets are shrinking. It makes for some difficult accounting.

However, the best solution is to treat yourself, while also not mistreating service staff. Consider your tip to be part of the cost of the meal and budget accordingly. This might mean that your total allowance for food goes down by 15 percent or 20 percent (the industry standard), which might translate to one less appetizer, one less drink, et cetera.

Tipping is a custom in America that has been built into the financial structure of the restaurant industry, which means that although its not required, to not tip means that someone else works for you for free.

Many diners complain that this isnt something that they chose and if servers wanted to guarantee an income, they should choose another profession. What those diners fail to realize is that by choosing to go to a restaurant with tipped servers, they are choosing to be a part of this financial arrangement. If they didnt want to be, theyd go to a buffet or a restaurant with no servers, or  the most ideal in my opinion  a restaurant that pays its servers a living wage and has built the costs of labor into their prices.

Most servers are being paid a rate of $2.83 an hour. More times than not, this gets completely eaten up by taxes, meaning that every time a server approaches your table, brings you food, explains the menu, makes a recommendation, prepares your cappuccino, or clears your plate, they are doing it for free. The same for the bartenders, whom the servers tip out, and the bussers. You deserve a nice night out, but they also deserve to pay their bills. You can budget in a way that serves both.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

2026 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
MISS MANNERS by Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am getting married in a traditional church ceremony. My father, who will be giving me away, has refused to wear a tuxedo on the grounds that it is a monkey suit, even though all of the other men in the wedding party will be wearing one.

I gave in, because I want him to be happy and comfortable. Now he says he will not wear a tie, either. My mother and I have tricked him into wearing a nice new silk jacket and havent mentioned anything about him wearing shoes other than sneakers ... yet. I would give in again if I thought he was actually going to be in any real pain, but I cant see how wearing a tie for an hour is painful.

The real problem is that he hates wearing formal clothes. I feel like his refusal to wear a tux or tie demonstrates a lack of respect for what is, to me, a deeply important formal ceremony. It feels like he cares more about not wearing formal clothes than he does about his daughter.

When I mentioned to my mother that I was unhappy about his decision, I was told an anecdote that implied that I cared more about clothes and appearances than about my father, who loves me, and that I should just take what I can get and let the rest go.

Am I really being that unreasonable?

GENTLE READER: The person who cares too much about clothes is your father.

He cares desperately about what he wears, to the extent of upsetting his beloved daughter on a unique and special occasion.

Like you, he considers formal clothes to be symbolic. But while you interpret formality as a show of respect and festivity, he believes it symbolizes snobbery. Your version is indeed the standard one, but his is typical of a (mostly male) minority.

Miss Manners agrees that one of you should put aside those feelings simply to indulge the strongly held feelings of the other, however wrong you consider them to be. Someone has to be the grown-up here. One would expect a father to do this for his daughter, especially for one hour at her wedding. But as yours refuses, you are stuck with rising above the childishness.

If guests are startled -- or, more likely, amused -- at your fathers being tieless and wearing sneakers, that is his problem. He may not care about their reactions, or he may take pride in defying the dress code.

You might, however, warn him that his act of rebellion might be interpreted as disapproval of the wedding.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
ST. JOSEPH, MI  If Old Man Winter were real, surely his face would resemble an icy lighthouse turret caked in frozen spray.

Thats what I found this weekend when I commemorated the Polar Vortex by visiting a free ice sculpture exhibit hosted by Lake Michigan.

The outer north pier lighthouse in St. Joseph looked like a grumpy old wizard  a frozen Gandalf guarding the pier in a stocking cap with a beard iced solid, shoulders hunched against the wind, silently judging everyone who ever ignored the weather.

(This would be a good place to note that I was wearing ice cleats).

Winter has been relentless this year, but ironically, Saturday, Jan. 24  a day marked by the coldest air weve seen in seven years  was the first real chance Ive had to hit the lake to see the ice.

In South Haven, a touch of sunlight penetrated the cloud cover when I arrived at 2:30 p.m. The temperature was 6 degrees and there was already a well-worn path across the frozen sand to an overlook carved out by the growing ice shelf, offering a clear view of the lighthouse.

The Black River was iced shut inside the channel, but the pierheads stood in near open water. A South Haven police officer was patrolling the pier entrance  a lake guardian of a different sort  shooing people away from the frozen structure and yelling at someone across the channel.

How long have you been standing there? I asked.

Long enough to watch those two across the river, he said, pointing across the channel at a couple exiting the north pier who had apparently disregarded the pier is closed due to dangerous conditions sign on the gate that threatens a $1,000 fine.

Are you going to chase them down?

Nope. But my partner is, he said. You cant outrun a radio.

One hour later and 25 miles away in St. Joseph, it was a different story. The sky was flat, dull and gray. There were no authorities preventing ice-gawkers from walking either of the piers.

The ice has grown significantly since my colleague Joel Bissell visited on Dec. 31. The north pier ice at Tiscornia Park had thankfully built-up into a kind of inward-sloping berm along the edge, meaning someone would have to be pretty reckless to slip into the river. Nonetheless, I was glad Id grabbed my ice cleats before venturing out and I wont pretend I didnt cringe at the guy taking selfies at the edge in street shoes.

I try to do this every year. Exploring the Lake Michigan ice growth is one of my favorite parts of winter. Seeing the beach transformed into a frozen wasteland is a uniquely Michigan experience. Theres a sense of temporal displacement thats hard to describe  seeing a place made for swimsuits and sunscreen rendered cold, dark and inert.

Ice like this is a sight to behold, but its worth remembering that this is supposed to be normal. Unfortunately, it seems to be getting less so. Great Lakes ice cover is on a long-term decline as climate change gradually warms deep water. Just two years ago, in 2024, we barely had any.

This season, ice cover across the Great Lakes has remained mostly below historical averages. Federal data shows it shot up significantly just this week. It hit nearly 37% total coverage across the basin on Saturday  more than doubling in a week. Lake Michigan cover grew by more than 7% between Friday and Saturday. If the cold snap holds, Lake Erie looks ready to hit total coverage. Its already at 92%.

A NOAA GLERL chart shows ice growth across the Great Lakes through Jan. 24, 2026. NOAA

Significant ice cover on the lakes is important for the region. Although it tends to make moving cargo difficult, ice inhibits shoreline erosion and stabilizes lake levels by reducing evaporation. That matters in harbor towns watching the lakes creep downward.

It protects the eggs of species like lake whitefish, which are struggling with population collapse in the lower lakes due to food web changes caused by invasive mussels.

And, if youre ready for a break from the snow, lake ice reduces moisture entering the atmosphere and quells the lake effect snow.

Ice is a good reminder that the lakes still run the show. They freeze and change at will and remake familiar places into something unrecognizable. The beaches turn alien and structures built to guide ships end up standing watch over people instead.

But its temporary. The wizards beard will melt and the lakes will return to pretending that theyre tame. But for now, they still put on their own exhibition each winter  no tickets required  and remind those willing to brave the cold whos really in charge out there.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor will welcome a new tiki bar in less than three weeks.

Huna will open its doors in the basement of Echelon Kitchen and Bar, 200 S. Main St., on Thursday, Feb. 12, according to Doug Zeif, founder and partner at Echelon.

I know Ann Arbor has a lot of winter, and so I wanted to create something that was like a vacation for people, Zeif, who resides in Florida, said. They can come in from nine degrees below zero.

Patrons will be transported out of Ann Arbor to the islands of their choice, Zeif said. Drinks will have an Echelon twist while respecting traditional and classic mixes.

For example, the bars mai tai will have a lilikoi, a Hawaiian fruit, foam on top.

Max Schikora, Echelon bar director, will be in charge of Huna. He joined the Echelon team last August to build the tiki bar.

Related: Hes been sober 5 years - and hes the pro behind the cocktails at swanky new Ann Arbor spot

Its a place where people can come and really just enjoy each other, enjoy just great hospitality, good drinks, Schikora, 45, of Ferndale said.

He said a lot of bars do not have care and genuine hospitality all the time, a priority for the tiki bar.

Rum will be a highlight of the bar menu, Schikora said.

Rum is a lost thing ... you can go anywhere in the world of rum, Schikora said. Its cool to be able to taste them and say, wow, this is the same spirit. It doesnt taste anything like any of the others.

Food items at the bar will include poke, bao buns, Galbi ribs, a peanut noodle salad and desserts, Joseph VanWagner, Echelon executive chef, said.

I really want it to be that oasis from everyday life, VanWagner, 40, of Westland said. I want it to be a place where people can go and relax and be themselves and be free.

Walking into Huna will be similar to entering a tropical paradise, a beach hut, VanWagner said.

The tiki bar will have a separate entrance from Echelon, about 100 feet from the corner of West Washington and South Main streets.

Huna will also have an area suitable for a private dining room for Echelon patrons. Up to 70 people can fit in the room, Zeif said.

Although construction began in May 2025, Huna has been in the works since Echelon was first conceived and the team learned about the basement, Zeif said.

He said he wanted to open the new spots in stages in order to make sure the finances at Echelon were dialed in.

I want it to be a spot where people can come and connect and people can come and hang out, Schikora said.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
The story has been clarified to note that the program could face severe limitations but is not under imminent threat of closure.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - The Washtenaw County Health Project helps about 8,000 uninsured residents obtain health insurance and access medical care each year.

But after cuts under President Donald Trumps administration to Medicaid and Medicare, the project faces severe limitations unless it secures $2 to $4 million within the next six months.

At this point, I dont know where (the money) will come from, Executive Director Jeremy Lapedis said.

The Washtenaw Health Project is not in danger of closing as an organization as a result of these cuts, Lapedis clarified on Monday, Jan. 26. We are, however, worried about our ability to meet the growing demand for services resulting from the federal cuts. If we do not receive more funding, we may not be able to help the people who need it, and we may have to place a limit on total enrollment in the Washtenaw Health Plan, which is a lifeline for people who do not qualify for any other affordable healthcare services. We would not, however, close the organization or the program.

In 2024, the nonprofit organization reported that more than one of three county residents struggled to have enough money to meet basic needs like health care, food and housing.

But Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law in July, reduces federal spending on health care and food assistance by more than $1 trillion over a decade and impacts Medicaid and Medicare, two of the largest health care providers for low-income and elderly Americans. This has left the Washtenaw County programs future at risk.

Lapedis said more than 15,000 county residents will potentially become uninsured within the coming months, and the Health Project does not have the means to support any more coverage.

The organization currently faces a financial deficit of $375,000. It will need the additional $2-4 million annually to continue the program, Lapedis said.

We are...projecting a huge need from people who are uninsured or need help navigating health insurance renewals and work requirements in the future, and will need more funding to meet that demand, Lapedis said.

Currently, the project receives funding from four major sources. Washtenaw County provides $850,000 annually from its general funding, which includes taxpayer money. The county contributed an additional one-time payment of $450,000 this year. Trinity Health and Michigan Medicine also partner with the organization, along with one anonymous donor who provides a few hundred thousand dollars out-of-pocket annually to cover residents medical expenses.

A Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson said while the department works closely with the Health Project, they dont provide the organization with any funding.

The nonprofit helps county and Southeast Michigan low-income residents establish a health care plan. Of the residents the project serves, around 3,500 are on the Washtenaw Health Plan, which provides doctor and clinical visits, outpatient labs and x-rays and emergency room visits. That coverage is available to low-income people living in Washtenaw County who are not eligible for any other health insurance and whose income level is 217% below the poverty line, $33,961 and $11,935 per additional person.

Lapedis approached county officials after Trumps cuts to discuss a path forward, requesting additional county funding while also exploring other sources of financial support.

Were going to need some sort of large source of funding that is likely either county funding, or state funding, Lapedis said.

Katie Scott, newly-sworn Washtenaw County Commissioner for District 9, smiles during a meeting of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in Ann Arbor on Jan. 9, 2019. Jacob Hamilton

Katie Scott, chair of the County Commission, is confident Lapedis and the county can find a path to viability.

One of my priorities on the board of commissioners, and as chair, is to make sure people continue to have healthcare access, said Scott, a Democrat representing District 9.

Scott told MLive that while the county wont be able to make up for all the projects financial shortfalls, shes hopeful the board will prioritize its future. The commissioners are set to meet at a retreat in February, when they will discuss financial prioritizations and the Health Projects fate.

The commissioner said a new tax has not yet been discussed. She said she is hopeful state and federal funding could be directed to the organization, though she is unsure whether that support will materialize. Washtenaw County residents have consistently paid taxes for various public services in the past.

I know people have millage fatigue, Scott said. But I also think about whats happened in this county when millages are put up about services, it seems like people put these values into action... I think people understand that millages for services are a necessary thing.

She expects the board of commissioners to have a clearer plan of action within the next three months.

I am hoping that were going to come out of that retreat and were going to have this renewed commitment to the Washtenaw Health Project, Scott said.
MECOSTA COUNTY, MI  Two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries after crashing into a delivery vehicle, Mecosta County sheriffs deputies said.

The collision was reported shortly after noon on Saturday, Jan. 24, in Chippewa Township.

Deputies were dispatched for a report of a two-vehicle crash near Chippewa Drive and Merritt Avenue.

Police say a delivery vehicle was stopped in the road with its hazards on when a passenger vehicle rear-ended the delivery vehicle.

Two passengers in the vehicle, a 63-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, received minor injuries. They were taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment.

The driver of the delivery vehicle was not injured.
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sought assistance from local law enforcement during the arrest of a suspect in a public parking lot in Holland Township.

The incident highlighted the protocol for inter-agency cooperation during confrontational situations.

In this particular incident, an Ottawa County sheriffs deputy was dispatched after a 911 call was made during the ICE arrest.

An ICE official could not be reached by MLive in seeking information about the arrest and any potential charges.

Here is a look at four key takeaways based on MLives original reporting:

1. Federal agents required help

The incident began when two ICE agents attempted to execute a federal arrest warrant in the parking lot of Family Fare on Butternut Drive in Holland Township. The suspect was described as combative, leading to a scuffle in the parking lot Monday morning. ICE sought help from local law enforcement.

2. A bystander was asked to call 911 for backup

The ICE agents who engaged in the struggle asked a witness at the scene to call 911. This action brought the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office into the incident.

3. The local deputys role

By the time an Ottawa County sheriffs deputy arrived, the ICE agents had already taken the suspect into custody. The deputys role on the scene was limited to verifying the identities of those involved in the incident. After confirming that the ICE agents had a valid federal warrant for the suspect and identifying all parties involved, the deputy cleared the scene.

4. The Sheriffs Office distinguished between backup and immigration enforcement

Ottawa County sheriffs Capt. Jake Sparks clarified the departments position on the matter, saying the deputy was not there to enforce immigration law. Rather, the response was standard procedure for any request from another law enforcement agency.

He said: If any officer from any department  federal, state or local  calls for assistance, we give them assistance, which framed the response as a matter of officer safety and inter-agency support rather than a joint immigration operation.
A Mixue boba shop mascot draws attention outside the company's store on Hollywood Boulevard on Friday afternoon. It is among the fastest-growing chains, with more locations than McDonald's globally. The store is known for its ultra cheap products, such as $1.19 soft serve cones and $4 boba. (David Butow / For The Times)

Chinas boba behemoth has landed in Hollywood.

Mixue, the fast-growing megachain that boasts a bigger global retail footprint than McDonalds, opened its first U.S. outpost on Hollywoods Walk of Fame last month, selling drinks for less than $5 and ice cream for about $1.

Mixue spokesperson Xu Ping said in a written statement in Chinese that the company chose Hollywood as its first U.S. location because the movie capital of the world attracts both international tourists and local consumers year-round.

The store, Ping added, aims to serve a diverse global consumer base and demonstrates the brand's commitment to the American market.

The Hollywood opening was followed in quick succession with locations in New York Citys Brooklyn, Koreatown and Chinatown neighborhoods. More Mixue stores are coming to California, Ping said.

The megachains entry into Los Angeles boba market comes at a time when local shops are struggling with rising costs driven by tariffs and economic uncertainty.

Mixue was founded as a shaved ice stand in 1997 in Zhengzhou, China, by college student Zhang Hongchao, who used money lent from his grandmother. The store's Chinese name, Mi Xue Bing Cheng, translates roughly to "sweet snow palace."

The store has more than 53,000 stores worldwide. The lions share are in China, but the company also has 4,700 locations across Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

By comparison, McDonalds has more than 44,000 stores worldwide, and Starbucks has more than 40,000.

Founder Zhang and his brother Zhang Hongfu, who control the company, have a combined fortune of $8.1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Mixue is a fast-growing megachain that boasts a bigger global retail footprint than McDonald's. (David Butow / For The Times)

Mixue is able to keep costs low because it is vertically integrated, said UCLA business administration professor Christopher Tang, a supply chain management expert.

Mixue owns the factories in China that produce its powders, syrups and fruit purees, giving the company greater control over pricing, Tang said. The store's grab-and-go concept means lower rent costs. Having most of its locations concentrated in Asia means lower transportation costs.

Tang said the chains U.S. stores may be operating as loss leaders to expand its global footprint, test the American market, and demonstrate growth to investors after its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange last year.

They can use the profit in China to subsidize the loss in the U.S. for the sake of expansion, Tang said. Once [they] get the traction in the US, they can grow a little bit further. Once it grows to critical mass they will be able to sustain the operations.
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI  La Colombe Coffee Roasters is planning a $479 million expansion in Norton Shores amid an economic growth spurt in Muskegon County.

La Colombe is a Philadelphia-based coffee company founded in 1994 by Todd Carmichael and JP Iberti. The company offers single-origin beans, ready-to-drink products, and operates around 30 U.S. locations, according to its website.

In 2015, Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani, purchased a share of the company. Chobani fully acquired La Colombe for $900 million in December 2023.

Just a few months before the Chobani acquisition, Keurig Dr Pepper announced it had invested $300 million in La Colombe in exchange for 33% ownership of the company.

Amid these high-profile investments, La Colombe has been rapidly expanding in Michigan. The company moved its canned coffee production to Norton Shores in 2016 and has continued growing there since. In August 2022, it announced a planned $1.75 million expansion including new production facilities in Norton Shores.

During this time, La Colombe has launched a handful of innovative products over the years. In 2016, it began offering a canned version of its draft latte, a cold-pressed espresso and frothed milk latte which was previously only available on tap in stores.

In 2020, La Colombe announced a new can of instant coffee with self-heating technology. The bottom of the can has a cap that twists and causes a chemical reaction that heats the beverage in just two minutes.

La Colombes latest production expansion, approved by the Norton Shores Planning Commission earlier this month, represents a $479 million investment.

The expansion is needed to support the increased production and distribution of La Colombe products nationally and internationally. It is expected to create approximately 100 new jobs, according to city records.

La Colombe has declined to comment about its plans in Norton Shores, but the expansion comes amid a period of significant economic growth in Muskegon County.

Paul Isely, associate dean and professor of economics at Grand Valley State Universitys Seidman College of Business, told MLive/the Muskegon Chronicle that Muskegon County saw about 2% job growth between November 2024 and November 2025.

Kent and Ottawa counties, meanwhile, saw less than 0.5% job growth during the same timeframe.

Muskegon is showing growth in manufacturing jobs, while Ottawa and Kent County are showing shrinking of manufacturing jobs, Isely said. On job growth, Muskegon is doing very well.

Muskegon County is doing well thanks to a strong aerospace industry, while Kent and Ottawa County are being hurt by a downturns in the furniture and automotive sectors, respectively.

The mix of things in each county is different, and that mix of things in Muskegon County is on an upswing, Isely said.

The aerospace sector is doing well thanks in part to the Trump Administrations defense spending but also because Boeing has gotten its house in order, after the 2024 Alaska Airlines door blowout forced it to ground all of its 737 MAX 9 aircraft, Isely said.

This aerospace boom is highlighted by GE Aviations $70 million expansion in the same industrial park as La Colombe. The company plans to add 16,000 square feet to an existing 101,000-square-foot facility at 6060 Norton Center Drive.

GE Aerospace expects to add 60 new jobs as a result of the expansion.

Additionally, new developments along the south side of Muskegon Lake are starting to bolster Muskegons tourism industry. Projects such as Adelaide Pointe or the Shaw Walker development replace or repurpose former industrial sites.

That sense of a place you want to be is growing in Muskegon, and thats going to lead businesses to think thats a decent place to go, because theyre going to be able to convince workers to be there, Isely said.

La Colombe also has the chance to fill in the void left by Coles Quality Foods last year. The maker of frozen garlic bread in September announced it would shutter its Muskegon facility, laying off 175 employees in the process.

While baking is not the same as beverage manufacturing, there is a chance that the 100 jobs promised by La Colombe will have some talent overlap with the jobs shed by Coles, Isely predicted.
SAGINAW, MI  Here are a few headlines from Saginaw County last week that attracted reader interest.

Michigan man at Minnesota rally violated judges travel order. Prosecutors want him jailed.

Michigan resident Jayden D. Scott violated a judges order not to leave the state when he was recorded at a Minnesota rally proclaiming we executed one of you the day after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good. In fact, he was supposed to be before a Saginaw County judge while he was in the North Star State.

He admitted as such a few days later when he Zoomed in for a hearing before a Bay County judge, claiming he was still in Minnesota and that unspecified work obligations would prevent him from returning home to serve a jail sentence.

Scott, 23, has now served his short sentence in the Bay County Jail but Saginaw County prosecutors are asking a judge to revoke his bond on unrelated criminal matters.

Read more here.

See the Saginaw County school districts with the most, least college grads

State data reveals a stark difference in college graduation rates among Saginaw Countys school districts for the class of 2018.

The analysis highlights significant gaps between the districts with the highest and lowest percentage of graduates who went on to earn four-year college degrees and places county trends in the context of statewide averages.

Read more here.

Your guide to Zehnders Snowfest 2026 in Frankenmuth

Zehnders Snowfest is returning to downtown Frankenmuth next week, bringing professional snow and ice carvers from around the world to Michigans Little Bavaria.

This years Snowfest marks the winter festivals 34th year and will take place from Wednesday, Jan. 28, through Sunday, Feb. 1, at Zehnders of Frankenmuth, located at 730 S. Main St., and throughout town.

Read more here.

After 5-year delay, trial begins for babysitter accused of killing Frankenmuth toddler

Ellie Ann Daniels would be turning 7 this June if she hadnt suffered a fatal head injury at just 17 months old. But five years since the Frankenmuth toddlers death, the babysitter prosecutors allege killed her is finally having his case heard by a jury.

His attorney, though, maintains there is no proof Ellie was the victim of a homicide, let alone that his client was the one who killed her.

The trial of Tyler P. Crockett, 34, began the morning of Thursday, Jan. 22, with attorneys delivering their opening statements. Crockett is charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse stemming from Ellies death in December 2020. Crockett was not charged until August 2023.

Read more here.

Saginaw man arrested after 2 years on run from federal prison

A few years ago, a Saginaw ex-con opted not to surrender to authorities to serve a five-year prison sentence for having a pistol. His time on the lam is now ended, but his sojourn is likely to net him a longer stay behind bars.

Michigan State Police troopers in April 2022 stopped motorist Colburn L. Wicker II. When Wicker could not provide proof of insurance, troopers searched his vehicle and found a Taurus 9mm semiautomatic pistol under the drivers seat and a drum-style magazine containing 15 rounds.

Wicker had been previously convicted of attempted armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm, thereby prohibiting him from having a gun.

Read more here.

This historic Saginaw theater is reopening with a nostalgic Valentines celebration

A Saginaw Choral Society performance will mark the grand reopening of the Court Street Theater in Saginaw next month, planners said.

Saginaw Choral Society Executive Director Tamara Grefe said the two-night Valentines Day weekend event will feature a musical celebration of 1960s and 1970s radio-hit chart-toppers.

Jukebox One-Hit Wonders: The Musical Misfits will carry audiences through a nostalgic journey across pop musics most memorable songs. The production will include songs such as To Sir with Love from 1967, You Light Up My Life from 1977, and The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia from 1973.

Read more here.

Indiana man convicted of jealousy-fueled execution of Buena Vista Township man

An Indiana man has been convicted of killing a Buena Vista Township man in a fit of jealousy. As a result, a Michigan prison will be his home for the rest of his life.

Jurors at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, delivered their verdicts in the trial of Zakeem F. Jones, finding the 26-year-old defendant guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and seven firearm-related felonies. A first-degree murder conviction mandates a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Read more here.

No charges in clash between off-duty Frankenmuth police officer, pro-Democracy protester

No criminal charges are forthcoming in a dust-up between an off-duty Frankenmuth police officer and a pro-Democracy protester.

Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Blair N. Stevenson confirmed his office opted against issuing charges against any participants in the October incident that involved pepper spray and a civilian being briefly handcuffed by police.

After reviewing video footage and witness statements, prosecutors were unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt who started the confrontation or that criminal intent was a factor. The parties can pursue civil remedies if they wish, Stevenson added.

Read more here.

Recall petition targeting Bridgeport-Spaulding school board president moves forward

A previously rejected recall petition targeting the president of the Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District Board of Education has been approved following an appeal by the recall sponsor.

The petition was filed by Bridgeport resident and district parent Megan Nobis. Nobis 10-year-old daughter is a fifth-grade student in the district, and two of her sons graduated from the district.

Saginaw County Circuit Court Judge Julie Gafkay approved Nobis petition during an appeal hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 20, according to court records. Nobis is now clear to begin collecting signatures supporting the recall effort.

Read more here.

Ex-substitute teacher gets probation, fined $500 for assaulting 6-year-old in Saginaw school hallway

A former substitute teacher has been fined and ordered to serve a probationary term for assaulting a 6-year-old boy in a school hallway.

Charline Bodiford, 72, wore a black medical mask and held a manilla folder apparently to shield her face from reporters as she appeared before Saginaw County District Judge Elian E.H. Fichtner on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Bodiford in December pleaded no contest to assault or assault and battery, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine. Prosecutors dismissed a one-year misdemeanor of fourth-degree child abuse.

Read more here.

Woman charged with breaking into neighbors home, torturing dog on Christmas Eve

A Saginaw woman is charged with breaking into a neighbors house and torturing their dog on Christmas Eve.

The evening of Dec. 24, 28-year-old Laura J. Voss was allegedly fighting with her boyfriend outside her home in the 2500 block of Deindorfer Street on the citys West Side. Voss 73-year-old female neighbor asked her if she was OK, prosecutors allege.

Voss appeared to be in an altered state, as she was acting manic and speaking gibberish, prosecutors allege.

Read more here.
BAY CITY, MI  Police reports allege that Bay City brothers confessed to shooting their father and staging a drive-by.

Meanwhile, a former Rite Aid site is being eyed as a new gas station.

Those headlines and more are included below in this weeks roundup of Bay County news you may have missed.

Police reports allege Bay City brothers confessed to shooting dad, staging drive-by

One evening earlier this month, Bay City police crossed paths with a bicyclist as he pedaled to the East Side apartment of his ex-wife and sons. Though he appeared heavily intoxicated, police allowed him to leave after they searched him for weapons and found none.

Less than an hour later, the same officers responded to a shooting at the bicyclists destination, finding him mortally wounded with a gunshot wound to his head. The scene was chaotic as officers tried piecing together what happened, interviewing the dying mans emotionally heightened relatives and scouring the area for a possible drive-by shooter.

Their investigation soon took a surprising turn, resulting in three of the victims sons being arrested before their father died in an area hospital.

Read the full story here.

Former Rite Aid site in Bay City eyed for gas station

A former Rite Aid drugstore on the citys Banks District is being looked at as a possible filling station and convenience store.

The Rite Aid at 3880 Wilder Road closed in 2024 as part of the companys Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan in which all Michigan stores closed. Nearly two years later, the site is being considered for a Fuel Center Convenience Store location, according to a site plan application submitted to Bay City in December.

According to the plans, a consultant working on behalf of Murphy Oil USA is reviewing the location for a potential $3 million project. The plans as they are currently written would involve removing the former Rite Aid building and developing a new building.

Read the full story here.

$2M makeover could be coming for obsolete property in Bay City

City commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday establishing 500 Salzburg as an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District, paving the way for a $2 million mixed-use development project.

SC Ventures Bay City, LLC plans to transform the 16,875-square-foot commercial building into a combination of office space, a rental hall and median-income apartments. The designation provides tax incentives under Michigans Public Act 146 of 2000, which encourages redevelopment of contaminated, blighted or functionally obsolete buildings.

The first floor will be converted to office space and a rental hall for graduations and family parties. The second and third floors will house 14 rental apartment units with 18 bedrooms in total.

Read the full story here.

Alcohol is no longer allowed at Bay Citys Battery Park, among other new rules

Bay City Commissioners on Tuesday, Jan. 20, voted 5-4 to update the citys parks rules and regulations to, among other things, add Battery Park to the list of city parks where it is prohibited to consume alcohol at any time.

This rule change came at the request of the citys public safety department, which responded to the park more than 20 times between May and October for calls ranging from fights, to larcenies, disorderly persons, threats.

The measure passed despite opposition from some.

Read the full story here.

Bangor Township Schools superintendent announces retirement

The superintendent of Bangor Township Schools will retire at the end of this school year, effective June 30, concluding a 30-year career in public education.

Matthew Schmidt announced the retirement in a Wednesday, Jan. 21, letter to the school community, describing the decision as a personal transition while emphasizing that the districts mission remains unchanged.

To have spent my final years of service leading this remarkable district has been the rewarding honor of my professional career, Schmidt wrote.

Read the full story here.

Bay City Public Schools approves demolition of former Dorland elementary building

The Bay City Public Schools Board of Education has approved contracts to demolish and abate the former Dorland Administrative Building, a property the district has deemed obsolete.

The school board voted earlier this month to hire Mead & Sons Contracting, a Saginaw company, for $124,300 to demolish the building at 910 Walnut. The structure previously served as both an elementary school and administrative facility in the 1980s.

The board simultaneously authorized a separate $457,000 contract with Quality Environmental, Inc. for property abatement. That contract includes a $50,000 allowance for miscellaneous items that may require abatement but cannot be anticipated in advance.

Read the full story here.

Bay City commissioners discuss process for finding next city manager

Bay City commissioners began discussing the process of finding a new city manager at their Tuesday, Jan. 20, meeting as current city manager Dana Muscott prepares to retire.

The commission gave directions to Muscott to move forward with issuing the requests for proposals (RFP) for search firms that would lead the search for the next manager while simultaneously exploring options for interim coverage.

I wanted to make sure were doing whatever we need to do to get the ball rolling regarding our search for the new city manager, 1st Ward Commissioner Laura Kubit said during the meeting. So, its my understanding, that we need to put out a request for an RFP in order to hire somebody to help us with that search. And now would be an appropriate time to make that request.

Read the full story here.

Bay City approves tax abatement preference for grocery stores near dense housing

Bay City has approved a resolution giving preference for tax abatements to grocery stores that open within walking distance of multi-unit housing developments, addressing what officials say is a shortage of food options near the city core.

The resolution, written by 4th Ward Commissioner Benjamin Tenney, targets the gap in grocery access as the Bay City Housing Commission constructs low-income and senior housing on Columbus Avenue. It was approved 8-1 at the Tuesday, Jan. 20, meeting, with 2nd Ward Commissioner Craig Kokaly being the lone no vote.

I just think that Bay City deserves so much better, Tenney said Tuesday, referring to what he called a lack of access to healthy food in the the city proper.

Read the full story here.
Michigan elected officials are speaking out after a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Alex Pretti, 37, was an intensive care unit nurse protesting President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown in Minnesota, according to the Associated Press.

Information about what led to the shooting was limited, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said.

We are witnessing unacceptable violations of Americans safety, rights, and freedoms. No one should accept this, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. The violence must stop.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said federal officers were conducting an operation and fired defensive shots after a man with a handgun approached them and violently resisted when officers tried to disarm him, according to the AP.

Rep. Shri Thanedar, representing Michigans 13th district, said the shooting was unjustified and alleged the DHS lied about what could be seen on video.

At no point do they claim that he pulled a gun or posed any imminent threat to ICE, which is the standard for lethal force, Thanedar said.

Thanedar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, representing Michigans 12th district, both called on congress to abolish Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).

This is part of a continued, coordinated assault on our Constitutional rights  with specific focus on individuals and groups who disagree with this President," U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) said.

The fatal shooting comes after Renee Good, an unarmed mother, was killed by immigration officer Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

ICEs Minneapolis operations are not protecting the residents of the city, but are instead causing chaos and fear, said U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI). Immediately, there needs to be a full and impartial investigation by local police into this incident, as well as the tragic death of Renee Good.

An F.B.I. agent investigating Goods death resigned after bureau leadership in Washington pressured her to discontinue a civil rights inquiry into Ross, according to the New York Times.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey demanded ICE leave the city after Goods killing.

As all Americans can see with their own eyes, ICE and those under their command are not acting as responsible law enforcement agencies, Slotkin said. They are recklessly inciting violence at the whims of the President. And they must be reined in before there is more killing.

Whitmer said Michiganders stand with the people of Minnesota as they exercise their First Amendment right to protest and make their voices heard peacefully.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the state will conduct its own investigation into Prettis killing, according to Axios.
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BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB) is among the overlooked penny stocks to invest in. On January 8, Todd Coupland, an analyst at CIBC, reiterated a Buy rating on BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB), with an unchanged $6 price target. As the highest 1-year price target, the reaffirmed stance reflects an upside potential of 57.89% from the current price.

On the same day, RBC Capital maintained a Sector Perform rating and a price target of $4.50 on BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB). According to the firm, the macroeconomic environment will likely be a growth headwind in the times ahead, mainly impacting its QNX business because of deferred projects and delayed platform launches. That said, the stock has declined by nearly 4% over the last six months.

7 Spin-Off Companies in 2025

Kritchanut/Shutterstock.com

RBC also highlighted that QNXs momentum has skewed towards the lower end of the companys long-term targets. If the midpoint of FY26 QNX revenue estimates of $263 million is considered, it falls near the bottom of the companys $260-270 million target range for FY26 set at the November 2024 investor day.

BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB) is a Canadian provider of intelligent security software and services to both enterprises and government organizations. Incorporated in 1984, the company operates through three segments: Secure Communications, QNX, and Licensing.

While we acknowledge the potential of BB 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.

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During one of the events, talking to the media and audience there, Prabhas shared a sweet childhood memory that instantly won everyones hearts.
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Republic Day 2026: These inspiring quotes and slogans will ignite patriotic spirit in you
Quote of the day by Captain Vikram Batra: "Either I will come back after hoisting the Tricolour, or I will come back wrapped in it, but I will be back for sure"
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) wil be inked by executives of Adani Defence and Aerospace, and Embraer in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on January 27 in the national capital.
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
In October 2025, the Council of the EU endorsed the new strategic EU-India agenda and its objective of further developing EU-India ties.

Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.
Costco's $4.99 rotisserie chicken has been a polarizing product based on its taste, not its price.

You can't argue the success of the product, as "the deli department mainstay has garnered a cult-like following, with Costco selling more than 100 million rotisserie chickens annually since 2020, according to Eat This, Not That!.

Some, however, myself included, find the chicken's taste less than appealing. That list includes celebrity chef David Chang.

I think the Costco chicken is the worst rotisserie chicken," he said on his podcast. "Theyre not good. Theyre not seasoned. The reason why its important to have it properly seasoned is, you might eat it the next day cold, and its got to taste good cold."

Taste, of course, is subjective, but what goes into the $4.99 chicken is not. The warehouse club now faces a lawsuit over what it may or may not put in its low-priced chicken.

Costco faces a class-action lawsuit

The label on every Costco chicken says the same thing: "No preservatives, MSG, gluten, artificial flavors, or colors.

That claim is the subject of a potential class-action lawsuit.

"A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed in San Diego federal court against Costco, which accuses the retail giant of falsely advertising that its Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken contains no preservatives, court papers revealed Friday (Jan. 23)," NBC San Diego reported.

The complaint, filed on behalf of Anatasia Chernov and Bianca Johnston, alleges that Costco's website and in-store signs state the chickens contain "no preservatives," despite the presence of additives sodium phosphate and carrageenan.

The lawsuit's claims include:

Neither plaintiff would have purchased the chicken or would have paid less if they had known the additives were present.

It also states that Costco has "systemically cheated customers out of tens  if not hundreds  of millions of dollars" through the alleged false advertising.

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"Consumers reasonably rely on clear, prominent claims like 'No Preservatives,' especially when deciding what they and their families will eat. Costco's own ingredient list contradicts its marketing. That's unlawful, and it's unfair," plaintiffs' attorney Wesley M. Griffith said in a statement.

Costco has not issued a statement on the lawsuit and has not publicly commented on whether its $4.99 chickens contain preservatives.
Costa expressed his happiness as he arrived in India.
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As of December 2025, SIP assets rose to Rs 16.63 lakh crore, accounting for 20.7 percent of the industrys total AUM. Participation from smaller towns has also increased steadily, with over 27 percent of retail mutual fund assets coming from B30 locations in November 2025.
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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Those talks also covered coordination on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, counter-piracy and protection of sea lines of communication and undersea infrastructure.
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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Swati Das is an independent journalist covering Tamil Nadu politics, and is based in Chennai.
Cotton futures were steady to 7 points lower in the front months on Friday, as March was 85 points lower this week. Crude oil futures were up $1.95 per barrel at $61.31. The US dollar index was down $0.871 to $97.305.

USDA Export Sales data showed 412,457 RB of cotton sold in the week ending on January 15, a marketing year high. Vietnam was the largest buyer of 220,700 RB, with 38,600 RB sold to Bangladesh. Export shipments were 187,776 RB, also a marketing year. The top destination was Vietnam at 62,300 RB, with 45,900 RB headed to Pakistan.

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Commitment of Traders data showed managed money in cotton futures and options adding 1,580 contracts to their net short position as of Tuesday, taking it to 51,952 contracts.

NASS Cotton Ginnings data showed 732,950 RB of cotton ginned from Jan 1 to Jan 15, taking the marketing year total to 12.695 million RB.

The Thursday online auction from The Seam showed sales of 62.43 cents/lb on 16,726 bales. The Cotlook A Index was unchanged on January 22 at 74.55 cents. ICE certified cotton stocks were unchanged on 1/22 with the certified stocks level at 10,422 bales. The Adjusted World Price was updated to 50.99 cents/lb on Thursday afternoon, down 18 points from the week prior.

Mar 26 Cotton closed at 63.81, down 7 points,

May 26 Cotton closed at 65.48, down 1 point,

Jul 26 Cotton closed at 66.97, unch

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
An Indian Soldier stands next to India's "Akash" missiles, mounted on a truck during a rehearsal for the upcoming Republic Day parade
Earlier this week, the New Delhi District Police rolled out comprehensive security and facilitation arrangements for the 77th Republic Day celebrations scheduled to be held at Kartavya Path on January 26.
In Thane, Shindes home turf, the Shiv Sena won 75 seats, improving on its previous tally of 67.
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Unlike conventional cruise or ballistic missiles, the LR-AShM follows a quasi-ballistic flight profile.
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Darren Walker has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Anonymous Content, the global media production and talent management company announced, marking a significant leadership transition for the film, television, and media production firm. Walker will operate out of the companys offices in Los Angeles and New York and will oversee all divisions of the organization.

Walker said the opportunity stood out because of the companys long-standing commitment to independence and artistic ambition. When I was approached about joining Anonymous Content, it became clear that this is a company defined by creative excellence, independent ownership, and the freedom to take long-term bets on artists and stories, Walker said. He added that the companys autonomy is especially important during a period of rapid change in the media landscape, noting, That independence, especially in a moment of profound change, uniquely positions Anonymous Content to shape culture for decades to come. Im ready to get to work and carry that legacy forward.

As CEO, Walker will guide all aspects of the companys operations, working alongside its existing leadership across film, television, talent representation, branded content, and international business lines. His appointment comes as Emerson Collective makes a significant investment in Anonymous Content to support its continued expansion.

As reported by Deadline, Michael Klein, speaking on behalf of the Anonymous Content board, expressed confidence in the transition. Anonymous Content has always been powered by exceptional people and a belief in creative independence, Klein said. We have deep confidence in the strength of this team and the companys direction.

Walker brings decades of experience from the philanthropic and cultural sectors. He previously served as president of the Ford Foundation, where he led one of the worlds most influential global institutions. During his tenure, Walker managed a $17 billion endowment and oversaw operations spanning 10 regions with a workforce of approximately 500 employees worldwide.

At Ford, Walker gained recognition for combining cultural leadership with financial discipline. His initiatives included launching a $1 billion social bondthe first of its kind in the United Statesto help stabilize nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also played a key leadership role in resolving Detroits municipal bankruptcy, the largest in U.S. history.

Walker additionally founded the JustFilms initiative, a documentary-focused film fund, and partnered with organizations such as the Sundance Institute Directors Lab and the Tribeca Film Institute to support emerging filmmakers.
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According to the CEC, elections conducted on the basis of these revised rolls proved historic, recording the highest voter turnout since 1951 at 67.13 percent.
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Amaan has been arrested in the case, while Ameena remains absconding.
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He further informed the House that raids have been conducted on 134 firms as part of the ongoing investigation.
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Chris, from Denver, took two big steps to try and change his life. His first move was buying a large home to "house hack," expecting rental income from the property to cover his costs. His second move was even bolderhe quit his engineering job.

The 37-year-old called into "The Ramsey Show" seeking a way out of the financial troubles caused by what he described as his two "major" mistakes.

"I quit my job because I was miserable there, thinking I had enough savings," Chris told personal finance expert Dave Ramsey. "So, I quit my job, and then I realized that I would not be making my mortgage if I were to do house hacking. So I pivoted and then started doing Airbnb."

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Chris said he put an additional $100,000 into renovating the home to make it suitable for Airbnb. While the short-term rental initially helped him break even on his mortgage, the numbers eventually turned negative, leaving him $10,000 to $15,000 in the red.

You've Made a Mess'

When Ramsey asked what was stopping him from selling the house, which had become a financial liability, Chris admitted he was likely caught in the "sunk cost fallacy" after investing so much money into the property over the years. He told Ramsey he bought the home for $650,000 with only 3% down and private mortgage insurance, but the property is now worth roughly $600,000.

"So, you invested $750,000 in a house thats worth $600,000, is that what youre telling me?" Ramsey said. "Youre in trauma. You need to sell this thing if you can. Youve made a mess, so youve got to get the shovel out. The barn is full of poop. Youve got a mess. Wow."

Trending: Blue-chip art has historically outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, and fractional investing is now opening this institutional asset class to everyday investors.

Making big money decisions on a whim, without a clear plan or guidance, can quickly land you in financial trouble that takes years to dig out of. Domain Money offers personalized, CFP professional-led financial planning for people who want to make smarter, more confident decisions about their money. This service is designed especially for professionals and households earning over $100,000 a year, who are ready to take their financial planning to the next level with personalized, expert guidance.
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The red coloring indicates the bar of ionized iron. (Image: R. Wesson)
A Hollywood bidding war with massive implications for Netflix (NFLX) stock is entering its final month. Paramount Skydance (PSKY) has extended the deadline for its hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to Feb. 20. The new deadline sets up a high-stakes showdown that could reshape the streaming landscape and determine Netflix's competitive position for the next decade.

The drama intensified on Thursday when Paramount pushed back its tender offer deadline while maintaining its $30-per-share, all-cash proposal to acquire all of Warner Bros. Discovery. The move came just days after Netflix sweetened its own bid to $27.75 per share for Warner Bros.' studio and streaming assets, excluding the cable networks that Paramount would absorb in its competing offer.

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Warner Bros. Discovery has repeatedly urged shareholders to reject Paramount's approach in favor of the Netflix deal. Notably, more than 93% of WBD shareholders have already voted against Paramount's offer. Warner Bros. Discovery emphasized that Netflix's proposal is superior and expressed confidence in securing regulatory approval despite concerns about market concentration.

The extended deadline suggests Paramount may be preparing an even higher bid, according to industry analysts. With billionaire Larry Ellison backing the Paramount offer and regulatory scrutiny intensifying around Netflix's market dominance, the next month will be critical for determining which media giant emerges victorious.

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Netflix Stock Is Down 38% From All-Time Highs

The ongoing acquisition war with Paramount and its less-than-impressive Q4 results have driven Netflix stock down 38% from all-time highs.
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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
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.
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A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model .

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of DEUTZ Aktiengesellschaft ( ETR:DEZ ) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Analyst price target for DEZ is 11.22 which is 28% below our fair value estimate

Story Continues

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 139m (1 + 1.6%)  (6.6% 1.6%) = 2.8b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 2.8b ( 1 + 6.6%)10= 1.5b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 2.4b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 11.1, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 29% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

XTRA:DEZ Discounted Cash Flow January 25th 2026

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at DEUTZ as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.193. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Check out our latest analysis for DEUTZ

SWOT Analysis for DEUTZ

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Machinery market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For DEUTZ, there are three important items you should further research:

Risks: Take risks, for example - DEUTZ has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does DEZ's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the XTRA every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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Diamondback Energy (FANG), which describes itself as a must own Permian Basin pure-play, could raise its dividend on Feb. 24, when it is set to release earnings. If it hikes what it calls the base dividend on that date, FANG stock could move higher. However, this article will show that shorting out-of-the-money put options might be a better play.

FANG closed Friday, January 23, at $154.02, still below its recent peak of $160.28 on Dec. 10, 2025. But it is still up from a recent low of $140.45 on Jan. 7, 2026.

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FANG stock - last 3 months - Barchart

Why Its Dividend Could Rise, Despite Headwinds

FANG stock now has an annual dividend yield of 2.60% ($4.00/$154.02). Last year, its average yield was 2.66% according to Morningstar, and 2.63% according to Yahoo! Finance.

So, it's not undervalued on a historical basis.

Moreover, Diamondback Energy recently reported lower average oil prices for the last three months. On Jan. 12, a Form 8-K reported that its Q4 realized oil prices were $58.00 per barrel, down from $64.60 in Q3. This was also similar to average hedged oil prices: $57.07 in Q4 vs. $63.70. In addition, its hedged gas price fell from $1.75 per Mcf to $1.03 in Q4.

As a result, investors might expect that the company's cash flow could be lower, depending on its capex spending, which is highly flexible, as well as its acquisition/disposal plans.

Nonetheless, Diamondback has a 7-year history of raising its dividend per share annually, according to Seeking Alpha.

Moreover, management made clear in its last shareholder letter, where it anticipated lower cash flow, that it prioritizes shareholder returns over capex spending. It may be willing to adjust its share buyback plans as well.

Where This Leaves FANG Stock

It seems reasonable, as a result, to expect a slightly higher dividend per share, say a 5% hike to $4.20, or $1.05 per quarter.

That would give FANG stock a forward yield of 2.73% (i.e., $4.20/$154.02 = 0.02727).

So, if FANG stock yields between 2.60% and 2.63% over the coming year, FANG stock could rise to between $159.70 and $161.54, or $160.62 on average:

$4.20/0.0263 = $159.70

$4.20/0.0260 = $161.54

Average Price Target: $160.62

That is +4.23% higher.

However, with a $4.30 annual dividend, FANG could average between $163.50 and $165.39, or $164.45 per share. That's +6.77% higher than Friday's close.

The bottom line is that investors might be able expect a rise in FANG stock.
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Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St.

If you are wondering whether Lloyds Banking Group shares still offer value after the recent run, this article will walk through what the current price might be implying.

The stock last closed at 1.02, with returns of a 0.4% decline over 7 days, 4.8% over 30 days, 2.4% year to date and 72.7% over the past year, as well as 126.0% over 3 years and 288.1% over 5 years.

Recent headlines around Lloyds Banking Group have focused on its position as a major UK retail and commercial bank and its exposure to the domestic economy. These themes help frame how investors think about both the upside potential and the risks that might be reflected in the current share price.

Simply Wall St currently gives Lloyds Banking Group a valuation score of 2 out of 6. We will break this down using different methods, then finish with a look at a more complete way to think about value that goes beyond any single model.

Lloyds Banking Group scores just 2/6 on our valuation checks. See what other red flags we found in the full valuation breakdown.

Approach 1: Lloyds Banking Group Excess Returns Analysis

The Excess Returns model looks at how much profit a company is expected to generate above the return that shareholders require, then capitalises those extra returns into a per share value.

For Lloyds Banking Group, the model starts with a book value of 0.77 per share and a stable book value estimate of 0.80 per share, based on weighted future book value estimates from 9 analysts. On that equity base, analysts see stable EPS of 0.11 per share, sourced from weighted future Return on Equity estimates from 10 analysts, which implies an average Return on Equity of 13.98%.

The required return for shareholders, or cost of equity, is 0.07 per share, so the excess return is put at 0.04 per share. By projecting these excess returns forward and discounting them, the model arrives at an intrinsic value of about 1.63 per share.

Compared with the recent share price of 1.02, the Excess Returns model implies Lloyds Banking Group is around 37.4% undervalued on this basis.

Result: UNDERVALUED

Our Excess Returns analysis suggests Lloyds Banking Group is undervalued by 37.4%. Track this in your watchlist or portfolio, or discover 872 more undervalued stocks based on cash flows.

LLOY Discounted Cash Flow as at Jan 2026

Head to the Valuation section of our Company Report for more details on how we arrive at this Fair Value for Lloyds Banking Group.

Approach 2: Lloyds Banking Group Price vs Earnings

For a profitable bank, the P/E ratio is a straightforward way to see what the market is willing to pay for each pound of earnings. It is especially useful when earnings are a key driver of shareholder returns, as they are for established lenders like Lloyds Banking Group.
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January 25, 2026

The MoA Week In Review  OT 2026-022

Last weeks posts on Moon of Alabama:



Other issues:



RIP Michael Parenti:

Empire:

SouthAm:

Syraqistan:

Zionism:

Europe:

Does Europe Need a Modern-Day Octavian Augustus? Lessons in Pragmatic Reform for a Divided Union  New Eastern Outlook

Use as open (not related to the wars in Ukraine and Palestine) thread 
1) (MCS)  Mount Carmel School, the only Catholic school in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, proudly announces the observance of Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 25 to 30, 2026, following a formal proclamation signing ceremony that was held on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Mount Carmel Cathedral. MCS photos

2) Gov. David M. Apatang waves to the MCS community.

3) Gov. David M. Apatang, Bishop Romeo Convocar and Mount Carmen School officials pose with the student body.

(MCS)  Mount Carmel School, the only Catholic school in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, proudly announces the observance of Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 25 to 30, 2026, following a formal proclamation signing ceremony that was held on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Mount Carmel Cathedral.

The proclamation was officially signed by Gov. David M. Apatang, declaring Catholic Schools Week throughout the Commonwealth. Bishop Romeo Convocar of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa was present to witness the occasion and offered the opening prayer, blessing the week and the Mount Carmel School community.

Also in attendance were the MCS student body and key members of the MCS leadership, including President John Blanco, Principal Filmah Buenaflor, Student Council President Seunghee Jeon, and Parent Council President Mai Mendiola, reflecting the shared commitment of the administration, students, and families to Catholic education in the Commonwealth.

In the proclamation, Governor Apatang recognized the long-standing presence and impact of Catholic education in the CNMI, tracing Mount Carmel Schools origins to Our Lady of Mercy Kindergarten in 1951, its establishment as Mount Carmel School in 1952, and the creation of a Catholic Education Office following the elevation of the Church on Saipan to a Diocese in 1985.

The proclamation further affirms the mission of Catholic schools, citing the National Catholic Educational Associations statement that Catholic education seeks to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel. It recognizes Mount Carmel Schools dedication to academic excellence, faith formation, moral development, and its commitment to providing a safe, structured, and caring learning environment that nurtures each students God-given potential.

Special recognition was also given to Mount Carmel Schools resilience in the face of adversity: from rebuilding after Typhoon Jean in 1968 to rising again after Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018. The school remains guided by the enduring mantra: With FAITH in God, HOPE for a better tomorrow, and LOVE for each other, we are KNIGHT STRONG. We are MARIANAS STRONG.

Throughout the week, each day of Catholic Schools Week will highlight a different dimension of Catholic education:

 Sunday, Jan. 25: Catholic Schools in Our Parishes

 Monday, Jan. 26: Catholic Schools in Our Community

 Tuesday, Jan. 27: Catholic Schools in Our Faculty, Staff, & Volunteers

 Wednesday, Jan. 28: Catholic Schools in Our Vocations

 Thursday, Jan. 29: Catholic Schools in Our Nation

 Friday, Jan. 30: Catholic Schools in Our Students & Families

Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate the role of Catholic education in forming students rooted in faith, values, family, and service. Through prayer, service activities, student-led events, and community engagement throughout the week, Mount Carmel School joins Catholic schools nationwide in highlighting the lasting contributions Catholic education makes to both Church and society.

The proclamation encourages parents, educators, and the faithful of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa to observe Catholic Schools Week in meaningful ways that promote awareness and appreciation for the enduring values of Catholic education. These values strengthen not only students, but the wider Commonwealth community as well.

For more information about Catholic Schools Week, contact CSW Co-Chairperson and Vice Principal Zeno Deleon Guerrero Jr. at [email protected] or call the main office at (670) 234-6184.

About MCS

Founded in 1952, Mount Carmel School is the CNMIs largest private K12 Catholic institution. Guided by its mission to educate the whole person to see with Christs eyes, the school provides a rigorous, faith-based education that prepares students for academic success, leadership, and service to the community.
Kimberlyn King-Hinds

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

& Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program or EVS-TAP was created to strengthen border security while supporting the CNMIs economy, according to the islands delegate to the U.S. Congress, Kimberlyn King-Hinds.

In a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, King-Hinds emphasized that EVS-TAP provides a controlled, pre-screened framework for visitors, addressing past security vulnerabilities while maintaining the tourism-dependent economy of the CNMI.

EVS-TAP reflects the determination that border security and economic stability in the CNMI can be advanced together, King-Hinds wrote, citing the programs origin in a 2019 Section 902 consultation during the Trump administration. The program was recommended as a replacement for discretionary parole for Chinese tourists, which had raised concerns related to birth tourism and other security issues. Implementation of EVS-TAP was delayed and finalized in late 2024 under the Biden administration.

King-Hinds noted that criminal cases cited in previous congressional correspondence involved visitors who entered under the interim parole system, not under EVS-TAP, and said it is inaccurate to attribute parole-era incidents to the program.

The CNMI relies heavily on tourism to sustain air service, hotel operations, employment, and public services such as healthcare and law enforcement, she said. EVS-TAP allows visitors from China, who historically made up a significant portion of arrivals, to enter the Commonwealth safely, ensuring sufficient volume to maintain economic and institutional capacity, she added.

Visitors from China historically provided a significant share of baseline volume. EVS-TAP preserves access to that market through a limited, controlled, and pre-screened entry framework that supports the economic scale required for the CNMI to operate as a functioning community, King-Hinds wrote. She added that the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation has recognized that EVS-TAP strengthens security while supporting local economic and social systems.

The letter also highlighted the CNMIs proactive steps to address birth tourism. Following recommendations from the 2019 Section 902 consultations, the CNMI Legislature adopted a joint resolution to amend local law and exclude tourist births from birthright citizenship, pending congressional approval. Since EVS-TAPs implementation, tourist births in the CNMI declined by 19% between 2024 and 2025, King-Hinds said.

She stressed the CNMIs strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region, noting that the territory contributes to regional stability and U.S. national security. She emphasized that federal engagement and targeted support are essential to addressing any gaps in enforcement, oversight, or screening.

The people of the CNMI are proud Americans. Our sons and daughters serve in uniform at some of the highest per capita rates in the nation, King-Hinds wrote. This responsibility requires a genuine partnership with the federal government to reinforce Americas Pacific frontier while preserving long-term economic and community sustainability.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
Elon Musks SpaceX has selected Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC), Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) for senior roles in what could become the largest initial public offering in history.

Wall Street Heavyweights To Lead Listing

According to the Financial Times, SpaceX executives have recently met with investment bankers as preparations accelerate for a potential public listing as early as this year. The group is currently conducting a sale of existing shares that would value it at around $800 billion, according to the report.

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SpaceX executives have held meetings with bankers in recent weeks as the company prepares for an IPO as soon as this year, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The group is currently conducting a sale of existing shares that would value it at around $800 billion, according to the report.

Potential Record-Breaking Raise

If SpaceX goes public, it could aim to raise tens of billions of dollars, potentially overtaking Saudi Aramcos $29 billion debut in 2019 as the biggest IPO on record. Other banks are also expected to land roles on the listing, the report said, cautioning that no final decisions had been taken and the situation could yet change.

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?

Goldman Sachs declined to comment. Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, and SpaceX did not immediately respond to Benzingas request for comment.

Timing And Market Impact

Freedom Capital Markets Chief Market Strategist Jay Woods previously told Benzinga that a SpaceX IPO might come in the second half of 2026. That could really open the floodgates. If this goes and goes well, the optimism that you see in historical bull runs will be at a new level, Woods said.

Read Next:

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Conor here: Its almost as if the US is run by a cabal of war criminals who are the biggest threat to everyone on the planet. Here are some other reactions before the main piece:

BREAKING The 2026 US National Defense Strategy, released late Friday night specifically mentions Canada and seems to suggest that if Canada doesnt do it part for National Defense they could be subject to actions, up to the Maduro treatment Read it for yourself: pic.twitter.com/04Quzr9jF5  Tablesalt  (@Tablesalt13) January 24, 2026

The US strategy as outlined in National Defense Strategy 2026 is to not defend Taiwan as that would mean getting into a war with China in the West Pacific and being defeated. Now the strategy instead is to milk Taiwan for what it is worth.https://t.co/4R3RxTZw4J  Ignis Rex (@Ignis_Rex) January 24, 2026

And then theres this ongoing narrative that the US is admitting defeat against China, as if trillions in war budgets and trying to kneecap Beijings trade partners, control shipping lanes, and topple Beijings energy suppliers means that China is not a priority:

Three takeaways: Total Colby L, Strategy of Denial in shambles US is formally admitting defeat against China Massive daylight between 2025 National Security Strategy & this National Defense Strategy These guys have no idea what they are doing lmfao https://t.co/wRL9LTiO3s  Soda (@fredsoda) January 24, 2026

Part of the new national defense strategy discusses supercharging the U.S. defense industrial base. Yet despite subsequent US administrations talking about firing up the great arsenal of democracy, its not happening. A Friday Defence Blog interview with John Borrego, Senior Vice President of Aerospace and Defense at Machina Labs, who has held senior technical and leadership roles at Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, Rocketdyne, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, describes the myriad issues the US is still running into:

Borrego said the most serious bottlenecks are structural, with tooling at the top of the list. Traditional tooling, he noted, can take years to design and qualify, making rapid scale-up or design changes difficult. Most legacy manufacturing processes were built for stable, predictable production, he said. When requirements shift, the entire system slows down. By removing tooling from the critical path and digitizing production, surge capacity can scale through machines and software, not timelines. He also identified persistent constraints in energetics, including propellants, explosives, cast-cure capacity, and strict handling requirements. Seeker and guidance electronics remain limited by microelectronics, radiation-hardened components, specialized sensors, and secure supply chains. Motors, casings, and specialty materials are constrained by long-lead forgings, castings, composites, and integrated structures. Single-source sub-tier suppliers present another risk, Borrego said, because many have fragile capacity and no business case for maintaining surge readiness. Testing infrastructure also delays output, particularly in thermal vacuum testing, vibration testing, ordnance trials, non-destructive testing, metrology, and calibration. Workforce shortages add to the problem, with a limited number of cleared and experienced manufacturing engineers, inspectors, NDT technicians, and energetic handlers, and critical knowledge often concentrated in only a few individuals.

By Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American political analyst who specializes in the global systemic transition to multipolarity in the New Cold War. He has a PhD from MGIMO, which is under the umbrella of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Originally published at his website.

This final Line of Effort underpins the preceding three regarding the Western Hemisphere, the Indo-Pacific, and burden-sharing, all of which are being pursued in furtherance of Trump 2.0s grand strategic goal of restoring the US predominant position over the world, including over China and Russia.

Trump 2.0 just released its National Defense Strategy (NDS) two months after its National Security Strategy (NSS), and as could be expected, they each preach the need to prioritize the Western Hemisphere. The Trump Doctrine thats discernable within both, which was analyzed here, aims to restore the US predominant position (unipolarity) over the Americas and then the rest of the world. Flexible, practical realism will explicitly guide the implementation of this grand strategic goal.

Instead of redundantly pointing out all the similarities between the NDS and the NSS, the present piece will draw attention to how the administration envisages applying the aforesaid realist approach. Four Lines of Effort (LOEs) are enumerated: 1) Defend the U.S. Homeland; 2) Deter China in the Indo-Pacific Through Strength, Not Confrontation; 3) Increase Burden-Sharing with U.S. Allies and Partners; and 4) Supercharge the U.S. Defense Industrial Base. Theyll now be briefly described in order.

The Department of Wars (DOW) primary tasks in the Western Hemisphere are defending the US borders, countering (Islamic and narco-) terrorists, building the Golden Dome, and ensuring military and commercial access to key terrain like Greenland, the Gulf of America, and the Panama Canal. The last-mentioned task is the essence of the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. The DOWs explicit goal in this LOE is described as restor[ing] American military dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

By way of comparison, its explicit goal in the Indo-Pacific LOE is peace through strength, which the DOW plans to pursue through strong denial defense in the First Island Chain. This will be carried out together with the US regional allies, which can be described as the AUKUS+ network, although that terminology isnt used in the NDS. The authors expect that this will create a favorable balance of power for achieving a decent peace that allows for mutually beneficial coexistence with China.

The third LOE embraces the Lead From Behind (LFB) concept that was described here in 2015 by incentivizing partners to do more to advance their shared regional interests with the US. The NDS earlier described Russia as a persistent but manageable threat in the sense that European NATO dwarfs Russia in economic scale, population, and, thus, latent military power. The aforesaid just have to be fully unleashed through US incentives and strategic guidance in order to more effectively contain Russia.

The last LOE underpins the preceding ones. Without Supercharg[ing] the U.S. Defense Industrial Base, the US cannot restore American military dominance in the Western Hemisphere, practice a strong denial defense in the First Island Chain, or LFB to contain shared adversaries like China (described as the most powerful state relative to us since the 19th century), Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This part ends with a call for military-industrial production comparable to the two World Wars and Cold War.

Therein lies the top takeaway from the NDS, namely that the US will resume World War-like levels of military-industrial production in furtherance of Trump 2.0s grand strategic goal of restoring the US predominant position (unipolarity) over the world. Although the US will try to avoid Great Power conflict with China and Russia, this will be very difficult to do given its attempt to establish strategic superiority over them through this new undeclared arms race, which risks a war breaking out by miscalculation.
UK police consider AI predictive policing, sparking fears of a surveillance state

UK police are testing AI to predict crimes by monitoring citizens.

This shifts policing from responding to crimes to treating everyone as a potential suspect.

Accountability vanishes as algorithms make unchallengeable decisions based on biased data.

The end goal is the total loss of public anonymity through permanent surveillance.

Once built, this surveillance framework can easily expand beyond targeting violent crime.

A quiet revolution is underway in British policing, one that aims to use artificial intelligence to monitor citizens and predict crimes before they happen. In a move straight out of science fiction, UK police are evaluating up to 100 AI projects, including "predictive analytics" designed to target individuals deemed likely to commit offenses. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood frames this as putting the "eyes of the state" on criminals "at all times." But critics warn this represents a fundamental shift from policing by consent to policing by omnipresent surveillance, treating every citizen as a potential suspect.

This push, detailed in a recent Telegraph interview with Sir Andy Marsh of the College of Policing, is being sold under the banner of innovation and efficiency. The proposed systems would analyze vast amounts of data to direct police resources. However, former police officer and counter-terrorism specialist Paul Birch argues this is a dangerous path. He contends that wrapping mass surveillance in the language of safety transforms the state's role from an upholder of law into a permanent overseer of public behavior.

The core injustice of pre-crime policing

The core principle at stake is the reversal of a foundational legal concept. In a free society, policing traditionally responds to crimes that have occurred or involves highly visible patrols as a deterrent. Predictive policing flips this logic. It directs state scrutiny at everyone, based on statistical guesses about what they might do. "This is not a mere technical adjustment to policing as some would have us believe," Birch states. "It is a complete change of emphasis to everyone being potentially guilty until proven innocent."

This system of mass surveillance would be imposed without charge, trial, or formal accusation. Liberty, Birch warns, is eroded wherever the state inserts itself permanently into a persons life. The knowledge that one's movements and associations are constantly logged and evaluated by the state acts as a form of soft coercion, creating an orderly society that is not truly free.

Accountability vanishes into the algorithm

A further critical danger lies in the evaporation of accountability. When policing decisions are driven by algorithms, responsibility diffuses. "Decisions that once belonged to identifiable officers will be attributed to the system or the programme," Birch explains. When inevitable mistakes occur, there is no human judgment to easily interrogate. An algorithm cannot be cross-examined in court or held responsible for its errors, leaving citizens in a legal limbo facing an unchallengeable digital process.

The claim of algorithmic objectivity is also a myth. These AI systems do not discover truth; they process historical policing data. This means they will inevitably solidify past errors and biases, enforcing them with a veneer of mathematical certainty. Historical mistakes in policing patterns thus become entrenched as future risk indicators, perpetuating and automating discrimination.

This technological shift did not emerge in a vacuum. In the United States, the adoption of AI in policing has rapidly advanced, offering a cautionary preview. Tools now exist that fuse data from license plate readers, social media monitoring, gunshot detectors, and facial recognition into single platforms. These systems promise real-time crime alerts and threat identification but have been criticized for amplifying bias and enabling indiscriminate surveillance.

Experiences with earlier predictive policing programs in the U.S. highlight the risks. In Los Angeles, a now-inactive program labeled people as "chronic offenders" and distributed their photos department-wide, subjecting them to heightened scrutiny even without recent arrests for violent crime. In Pasco County, Florida, a similar tool led deputies to repeatedly visit people on a list for minor infractions like overgrown grass, a program the sheriffs office later admitted violated constitutional rights.

A slope toward total identifiability

The endgame of this trajectory is the total loss of anonymity in public life. "Enshrining the use of artificial intelligence across UK law enforcement will abolish any anonymity in the public space and replace it with permanent identifiability," Birch argues. Every journey becomes traceable, every gathering recordable. While such monitoring occurs during specific investigations, applying it preemptively to the entire populace marks a radical departure from traditional policing by consent.

The infrastructure of surveillance, once built, never retreats. Today's target may be violent criminals, but the framework is easily redirected. As seen with the policing of social media and Non-Crime Hate Incidents, the scope of who is deemed a "problem" can expand at the whim of the political class. The public is left to trust that powerful, opaque technology will not be misused.

The drive for AI policing is ultimately a pursuit of efficiency, but it is a flawed one. Efficiency gained at the cost of liberty and justice is no progress at all. As Paul Birch concludes, this model is "policing by omnipresence." Unlike a troubling movie, however, citizens won't have the luxury of walking away if they don't like the show. The question for Britain is whether a high-tech panopticon is the future its people are willing to accept in the name of security.

Sources for this article include:

DailySceptic.org

BrennanCenter.org

TheMarshallProject.org
U.K. prepares for conflict as VETERANS called up to the countrys reserve forces

The U.K. is taking concrete steps to mobilize society for a potential large-scale conflict it hopes to avoid but sees as increasingly likely. This is part of a "whole of society approach" to an "existential crisis."

A central new measure is extending the "strategic reserve" to include veterans up to age 65, acknowledging a need to tap into experienced personnel and highlighting a shortage of younger, active troops.

The new rules also allow reservists to be called up not just for war, but for "warlike preparations," meaning they can be mobilized earlier during a phase of advanced readiness.

This drastic step is primarily driven by the war in Ukraine and the direct threat from Russia. It is compounded by fears that the United States, following President Trump's decision, might withdraw its security guarantees for NATO allies.

This policy, alongside a major pledge to increase defense spending, reflects a profound shift in the U.K.'s outlook. The government frames it as being "realistic," preparing for "wars of necessity" that would carry a devastating human cost, signaling a darkening national mood.

In a move that underscores a continent bracing for conflict, the British government has announced it will soon be able to call military veterans as old as 65 back into service. This significant extension, raising the recall age by a full decade, is a stark admission that the United Kingdom's conventional military forces are insufficient for the threats it now perceives on the horizon.

The policy, buried in dry legislative language, paints a picture of a nation quietly mobilizing for a war it hopes to avoid but increasingly believes is possible.

The upcoming Armed Forces Bill, set to take effect in 2027, will expand the pool of the "strategic reserve," a group of former service personnel and reservists who can be mobilized in a crisis. Currently, most veterans are free from recall obligations by age 55.

The new rules will keep them liable for an additional ten years, a change the British Ministry of Defense says is necessary to draw on "the most experienced" individuals as "global threats continue to grow." For the first time, the legislation will also allow reservists to be called up not just for war itself, but for "warlike preparations," lowering the threshold for activation from a state of direct national emergency to one of advanced readiness.

The image of veterans in their sixties being summoned back to uniform has cast a long shadow. It is a signal that the government is scraping the bottom of the manpower barrel, extending liability deep into an age bracket more associated with retirement than rifle drills.

While officials stress that those who have already left service will not be affected unless they volunteer, the new law creates a permanent, expanded pool of potential conscripts for any future crisis. The move aligns with a broader, grim trend across NATO, where European nations are scrambling to bolster their depleted ranks after decades of peace dividend cuts.

This drastic step is being driven by a confluence of alarming threats, each compounding the other. The primary and most immediate catalyst is the ongoing war in Ukraine. British officials have stated plainly that Russias aggression is the "most obvious and pressing example" of the new era of confrontation. The conflict has exposed critical shortages in ammunition, equipment and personnel across Europe.

With the "shadow of war knocking on Europes door," as Al Carns, the U.K.'s Armed Forces Minister, warned, the government is now engaged in what it calls a "whole of society approach" to prepare for a potential "existential crisis."

Downing Street worried about looming threats across the pond

Compounding this European insecurity is the looming political uncertainty across the Atlantic.

The explicit threat from President Donald Trump to withdraw American protection from NATO allies has sent shockwaves through capitals like London. This potential abdication of the United States traditional security guarantee has forced a fundamental rethink.

It has prompted the new Labour government to pledge a massive increase in national security spending, aiming to devote 5% of the UK's entire economic output to defense by 2035, a staggering financial commitment that speaks to the depth of the anxiety.

The government insists this preparation is not meant to scare the public but to be "realistic." Yet, the measures tell their own story: from the defense chief calling for the nation's "sons and daughters" to be "ready to fight," to plans for mobilizing the entire nation to support a military endeavor.

The expansion of the veteran recall list to include older citizens is a cold, logistical part of that realism. It is a preparation for conflicts described not as "wars of choice" but as "wars of necessity," expected to carry a devastating human cost. BrightU.AI's Enoch points out that the U.K.'s mobilization of British Army veterans into reserve forces highlights a desperate attempt to compensate for a weakened military plagued by equipment failures and dwindling troop numbers, reflecting broader Western decline.

As the age limit for service climbs, the mood in Britain darkens. The policy is a numerical adjustment with profound implications, a bureaucratic change that acknowledges a world where war is no longer a distant concept but a pressing contingency. The call to the veterans of past conflicts is a clear indication that the country worries that the soldiers of future wars may not be enough.

Watch this video to learn about Britain and France's promise to strike if Moscow breaks a ceasefire in Ukraine.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

News.com.au

Gov.uk

BBC.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Secret Service disrupts card-skimming operations, prevents $428 million in fraud

The U.S. Secret Service prevented more than $428 million in potential losses in 2025 by investigating about 60,000 payment terminals and removing 411 illegal skimming devices.

The agency conducted 22 outreach and enforcement operations across multiple cities, working with more than 9,000 businesses to combat ATM, gas pump and point-of-sale skimming.

Law enforcement reported a nationwide increase in skimming schemes, with criminals increasingly targeting EBT cards used by low-income families for essential purchases.

The Secret Service urged consumers to inspect card readers for tampering and to use chip-enabled cards or tap-to-pay options, especially in tourist areas commonly targeted by fraudsters.

Skimming devices can be installed in seconds, often paired with hidden cameras, allowing criminals to steal card data wirelessly and use it for fraudulent transactions.

The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) has prevented more than $428 million in potential losses in 2025 after investigating tens of thousands of payment terminals nationwide and removing hundreds of illegal card-skimming devices.

In a Jan. 16 post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the agency said it examined roughly 60,000 point-of-sale card readers and terminals in 2025, identifying devices used by criminals to steal payment card information. In a separate statement released Jan. 7, the USSS said it conducted 22 outreach operations targeting electronic benefits transfer (EBT) fraud and ATM skimming across multiple cities, involving more than 9,000 businesses.

Those operations led to the removal of 411 illegal skimming devices.

Card skimming occurs when criminals attach covert devices to card readers, ATMs, gas pumps or payment terminals. These devices capture sensitive information such as credit or debit card numbers, expiration dates, CVV codes and personal identification numbers (PINs), which can then be used to make fraudulent purchases or withdrawals.

The Secret Service said law enforcement has seen a "nationwide increase" in skimming schemes, with EBT cards increasingly targeted. Skimming operations were uncovered in cities including Los Angeles, Washington, Anchorage, Boston, Orlando, Charlotte, Buffalo, San Diego, New York, San Antonio, Baltimore, Tampa, Atlanta, Savannah, Memphis, Miami and Pittsburgh.

Moreover, EBT fraud disproportionately affects low-income families who rely on government assistance to purchase food and basic necessities.

"Each month, money is deposited into government assistance accounts intended to help families pay for food and other basic items. This enables criminals who steal card information to time their fraudulent withdrawals and purchases around the monthly deposits," it said.

Investigations were carried out in coordination with state, federal, and local law enforcement partners and focused on point-of-sale terminals, gas pumps and ATMs. Secret Service teams also distributed educational materials to businesses to help employees identify skimming devices. The agency also issued guidance for consumers, urging them to inspect card readers for signs of tampering, such as loose parts, damage, or anything that appears out of place.

Secret Service recommends chip and tap-to-pay use to combat EBT fraud and credit card skimming

In line with the investigation, the USSS recommended using chip-enabled cards or tap-to-pay options when available and advised people to be especially cautious in tourist areas, which are often targeted by skimming operations.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, chip-enabled cards are credit or debit cards that have an embedded microchip that stores and processes data securely. These cards are designed to reduce fraud by requiring a PIN or signature for transactions, unlike traditional magnetic stripe cards. Meanwhile, tap-to-pay options, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, use near-field communication (NFC) technology to enable contactless payments.

"The U.S. Secret Service is committed to combatting EBT fraud and credit card skimming throughout the country. These proactive operations are aimed at finding and removing devices before criminals can recover the stolen card numbers they contain," said Kyo Dolan, assistant director of the USSS Office of Field Operations.

Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that ATM skimming devices are often installed inside card readers or terminals and may be paired with hidden pinhole cameras to record PIN entries. Point-of-sale skimming devices, including those targeting EBT cards, are often mounted directly onto terminals and may transmit stolen data wirelessly in real time.

"It only takes seconds to install a skimming device. Fraudsters may seek to distract store clerks, such as by requesting items from behind the counter, to accomplish this," the FBI said.

Watch the video below to know how to stop your bank account from being hacked.

This video is from the increase channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

X.com

SecretService.gov

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
The Pediatric RICO Suit: CHD Exposes the AAPs Foundation of Fraud

Introduction: A Legal Bomb Drops on the Pediatric Establishment

A legal earthquake struck the American medical establishment on January 21, 2026. In a federal court in Washington D.C., Childrens Health Defense (CHD), founded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., filed a landmark lawsuit accusing the American Academy of Pediatrics of operating a decades-long racketeering scheme to defraud families about childhood vaccine safety. [1] This is not a minor medical dispute; it is a direct challenge to the perceived scientific authority of the institutions controlling public health.

CHD CEO Mary Holland framed the AAP not as a guardian of children's health, but as the central coordinator of a corrupt enterprise. 'For too long, the AAP has been held up on a pedestal, as if it were a font of science and integrity,' Holland stated. 'Sadly, thats not the case.' [2] The lawsuit represents a fundamental shift, moving the conversation from medical debate to allegations of criminal conspiracy, transforming pediatricians from trusted healers into alleged participants in a fraudulent system that prioritizes profit over safety.

The Central Allegation: A Decades-Long Racketeering Enterprise

The core of the lawsuit is a stunning allegation: that the AAP coordinated with pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer, Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, and Sanofi Pasteur in an 'association-in-fact enterprise' to systematically mislead the public for financial gain. [2] The complaint accuses the AAP of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a statute famously used to prosecute organized crime and, in a landmark case, the tobacco industry. [3]

Plaintiffs' attorney Rick Jaffe explicitly drew the parallel, stating this case follows 'the playbook that took down Big Tobacco.' He explained, 'The AAPs actions parallel those of Big Tobacco, which misled the public regarding the safety of its products. Tobacco created false uncertainty to manufacture doubt. The AAP did the inverse  it created false certainty to foreclose questions. Both used the trappings of science to prevent actual science.' [2] This legal strategy reframes the vaccine safety discussion from a difference of scientific opinion to a potential pattern of wire fraud and conspiracy, alleging the AAP concealed its financial ties to vaccine makers while making unqualified safety assurances. [4]

The 'Foundational Fraud': The 10,000 Vaccine Myth

According to the lawsuit, the entire edifice of the AAPs safety narrative rests on a 'foundational fraud' originating from a 2002 article by pediatrician Dr. Paul Offit. [2] In that article, published in the journal Pediatrics, Offit made a theoretical claim that an infants immune system could safely handle up to 10,000 vaccines at once. This claim was never based on clinical study of the cumulative vaccine schedule.

Nevertheless, the AAP incorporated this theoretical reassurance into its flagship guide, the Red Book, which pediatricians treat as their bible. 'Pediatricians learned to cite the 10,000 vaccines figure when parents expressed concern,' the complaint states. [2] This unscientific claim, the lawsuit argues, became a tool to dismiss legitimate parental concerns and block crucial research called for by the Institute of Medicine, which had concluded no studies compared the health outcomes of vaccinated versus unvaccinated children. [2] The result was a corrupted doctor-patient relationship where pediatricians were trained to parrot a corporate talking point instead of engaging in honest, individualized risk assessment.

Punishing Dissent and Silencing Science

The AAPs paradigm, the lawsuit alleges, operates by punishing any deviation and silencing scientific inquiry. This is exemplified by the professional destruction of pediatricians like Dr. Paul Thomas. In 2020, after Dr. Thomas co-authored research comparing health outcomes of vaccinated and unvaccinated children, the Oregon Medical Board suspended his license, labeling him a 'threat to public health' for deviating from AAP protocols. [2] Dr. Thomas described being 'forced to abandon my patients,' suffering 'economic damage in the millions and devastating stress.' [2]

Another plaintiff, Dr. Kenneth Stoller, lost his medical licenses in California and New Mexico after granting medical exemptions to vaccine mandates. [2] Attorney Rick Jaffe summarized the effect: 'AAP turned pediatricians into vaccine delivery systems and destroyed the ones who asked questions.' [2] This suppression creates a system where honest research is stifled, and physicians are transformed into compliant agents of a pharmaceutical agenda, undermining the very essence of medical ethics and the pursuit of truth. This pattern of suppressing competition and critical inquiry mirrors the 'aggressive and often unlawful efforts' documented in the pharmaceutical industry at large. [5]

The Human Cost: When Guidelines Lead to Tragedy

Beyond corrupted science and ruined careers, the lawsuit presents harrowing stories of children allegedly harmed by rigid adherence to the AAPs fraudulent safety claims. The complaint details the deaths of fraternal twins Dallas and Tyson Shaw, who died eight days after their 18-month vaccinations. Their familys physician, following AAP guidance that 'does not generally recognize family history of vaccine reactions,' dismissed the parents' warnings about a history of adverse reactions. [2]

In another case, one-year-old SaNiya Carter died of cardiac arrest after seizures following a 'catch-up' regimen of 12 vaccines. Her mother was told by healthcare workers that vaccinating a 'mildly ill' child was safe, according to AAP guidelines. [2] The lawsuit also describes the ordeal of 'E,' a high school student whose legitimately obtained medical exemption was revoked by a school consultant citing AAP guidelines. Forced to vaccinate under threat of expulsion, 'E' suffered a severe allergic reaction and was diagnosed with a joint disease linked to one of the vaccines. [2]

These tragedies illustrate the devastating human consequence when a one-size-fits-all, profit-driven paradigm overrides individual medical judgment and parental concern, treating children not as unique individuals but as uniform subjects in a lucrative schedule.

Conclusion: A Case That Could Reshape Medicine

The CHD lawsuit against the AAP is more than a legal battle; it is a referendum on institutional medical trust, informed consent, and the right to pursue health free from fraudulent corporate influence. A victory for the plaintiffs would force unprecedented transparency, expose suppressed science, and begin dismantling a paradigm that has protected a potentially harmful vaccine schedule for decades. [2]

This case arrives at a pivotal moment. Under the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the federal government has already begun reforming the childhood vaccine schedule, actions the AAP has aggressively sued to stop. [6] The lawsuit underscores a growing public awakening: that true health is found not in blind obedience to centralized authorities, but in nutrition, natural medicine, and the fundamental liberty to make informed choices for ones family. It is a bold stand for medical freedom and a stark warning that the era of unchallenged pharmaceutical dominion may be ending.

References
Gang violence triggers U.S. travel warning for Guatemala as police deaths mount

Coordinated gang attacks in Guatemala have killed at least 10 police officers.

The Barrio 18 gang seized three prisons and took guards hostage.

Guatemala's president declared a 30-day state of siege, deploying the military.

The U.S. designates Barrio 18 as terrorists and urges extreme caution for citizens.

The violence highlights deep institutional vulnerabilities to transnational criminal power.

A wave of coordinated gang violence has plunged Guatemala into a state of emergency, leaving at least 10 police officers dead and triggering urgent security warnings from the United States. The crisis, which began on January 17, saw inmates from the notorious Barrio 18 gang seize three prisons and take dozens of guards hostage, demanding greater privileges. In response, President Bernardo Arevalo declared a 30-day state of siege, mobilizing the army and police in a confrontation with groups the U.S. designates as terrorists.

The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, after initially ordering its own personnel to shelter in place, has lifted that directive but continues to urge extreme caution for American citizens. "The situation remains tense, with coordinated, armed attacks on police in several zones of Guatemala City," the embassy stated in a security alert. It advises U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of caution, monitor local media, avoid crowds, and keep a low profile.

This explosion of violence is not a random act of chaos but a calculated power play by some of the hemisphere's most dangerous criminal organizations. The riots were directly linked to the Barrio 18 gang, a group formally designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2025. The gang's leader, Aldo Duppie, known as "El Lobo," was at the center of the unrest. After security forces stormed the prison where he was held and returned him to custody, gang members launched retaliatory attacks against police across the capital.

A declaration of war

President Arevalo framed the attacks as an assault on the state itself. "These murders were carried out with the intention of terrorizing the security forces and the population so that we give up in the fight against gangs and their regime of terror. But they will fail," he said. His declaration of a state of siege grants security forces expanded powers to combat the gangs, a necessary but severe measure that underscores the gravity of the threat. The government also declared three days of national mourning for the slain officers.

The U.S. Department of States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs left no ambiguity about how it views the perpetrators. "These terrorists, as well as those who cooperate with them or are linked to them, have no place in our hemisphere," the department stated. "The security of the Guatemalan people and the stability of our hemisphere must prevail. We reaffirm our support for Guatemalas security forces to curb the violence."

A region on edge

For travelers and regional observers, this event is an unsettling reminder of the persistent security challenges in Central America. Guatemala is already under a U.S. State Department Level 3 travel advisory, meaning Americans are advised to reconsider travel due to crime. The advisory specifically warns against any travel to several regions, including parts of Guatemala City. This latest crisis validates those longstanding concerns and highlights how quickly a popular tourist destination can become a flashpoint for severe instability.

The incident also casts a troubling light on the power of transnational gangs within prison systems, a recurring weakness in the region's security architecture. The fact that inmates could simultaneously seize multiple facilities points to deep-seated institutional vulnerabilities. This follows a pattern seen in recent years, including a major escape of U.S.-designated terrorists from a Guatemalan prison, underscoring how prisons often serve as gang command centers rather than places of rehabilitation.

In the wake of the violence, Guatemalan authorities took the extraordinary step of canceling school classes nationwide as a precaution. National Civil Police director David Boteo had earlier advised all citizens to stay at home. While President Arevalo insisted the state of siege should not alter normal life, these actions reveal a nation grappling with a palpable sense of insecurity.

The state of siege provides temporary tools for a crackdown, but long-term security requires dismantling the financial and social networks that allow gangs like Barrio 18 to thrive. The U.S. has reaffirmed its support, but the fight is ultimately Guatemala's to wage on its own streets and in its own institutions.

What happens next in Guatemala is a test case for the hemisphere. It is a battle against groups that operate with military precision and a total disregard for human life, seeking to corrupt governments and control populations through fear. The deaths of these police officers are a tragic cost of that war.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FoxNews.com

Gt.USEmbassy.gov

Reuters.com
Photo Credit: iStock

Canada's recent trade agreement with China has major implications for the American EV market, according to The Independent.

Canada's government announced lowered tariffs on electric vehicles being produced in China. In exchange, China has pledged to lower tariffs on Canadian canola, a major export, and other agricultural products starting March 1.

This is likely to open the floodgates to affordable small and mid-sized electric vehicles coming into North America. It also runs counter to the American government's preference for big, gas-guzzling cars. Likewise, Mexico has held high tariffs on Chinese EVs in order to protect domestic production.

Experts are still reeling from Canada's move to allow Chinese EVs into the country, and are trying to assess the implications for the auto sector in the U.S.

"China has become this overwhelming machine making inexpensive vehicles. And the fear is that if you give them an inch, they're going to take a mile," said Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions, per The Independent.

"The other issue is technology. These vehicles are data centers... and the idea that a state-owned company in China could have access to where a high portion of drivers are going gives them leverage for all kinds of outlets."

Electric vehicles are cheaper to run and maintain than traditional cars  for one thing, no oil changes  but there are much bigger benefits than saving a few bucks. The widespread switch to EVs is an important step for reducing light-duty vehicle emissions. By going electric, drivers are able to improve local air quality and minimize atmospheric pollution otherwise generated by gas vehicles.

This pollution traps heat in the atmosphere, exacerbates destructive weather patterns, and incurs the costs of intense natural disasters on homeowners, farmers, and society at large.

While the advance of China-produced EVs seems nearly inevitable, experts are still advocating for security precautions before allowing them onto new shores.

"There are a lot of guardrails that have to be put up, but eventually they're going to make their way into all Western markets," said Fiorani, per The Independent.

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.
Wartime Homefront Essential Skills on BrightU: Experts discuss hydration tactics for plants and why your job is safe even with the rise of AI

In Episode 7 of "Wartime Homefront Essential Skills," Marjory Wildcraft focuses on permaculture water management, featuring a tour of Zaytuna Farm with Geoff Lawton to learn how simple tools like dribbler pipes and contour swales capture water to create drought- and flood-resistant food forests.

The episode teaches how to transform land into a self-sustaining "sponge," using designed systems to slow, spread and sink water, which builds soil health and enables diverse food production without heavy infrastructure.

In Episode 8, Wildcraft features AI expert Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, who argues that near-future AI is "narrow" and task-specific, not a general intelligence, but will still cause rapid, significant job displacement in repetitive or analytical fields.

The discussion identifies durable human skills, such as adaptability, physical work in unpredictable environments and deep human connection, as the most future-proof careers in an AI-driven economy.

Both episodes frame these skills as essential for resilience, connecting sustainable food production and community-building not just as hobbies, but as vital strategies for health, purpose and stability in a time of technological and climate uncertainty.

Brighteon University is streaming an episode a day of the re-run of "Wartime Homefront Essential Skills" by Marjory Wildcraft from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9, and a replay of all 10 episodes on Feb. 10. Register here to learn practical self-sufficiency in food, medicine and community living to build resilience for uncertain times.

What's in store for you in Episode 7

On Day 7 of "Wartime Homefront Essential Skills," slated for Feb. 6, Marjory Wildcraft features an exclusive tour of Zaytuna Farm with permaculture pioneer Geoff Lawton, where he unveils the clandestine water-capture strategies that are transforming arid landscapes into perpetually hydrated, flood- and fire-resistant food forests.

Lawton, described as "the premier permaculturist on the planet," reveals how unassuming tools like dribbler pipes, contour swales and "sponge" soil work in concert to create self-sustaining ecosystems. As noted by BrightU.AI's Enoch, dribbler pipes are part of a microhydro system that uses a whirlpool effect to generate energy; the eccentric motion of a component called a buhr holder shakes a trough to regulate the flow.

By slowing, spreading and sinking water into the land, these systems mimic natural hydrology, turning degraded soils into thriving edible jungles, without erosion, expensive infrastructure or constant maintenance. From covert pipes that keep spillways dry to gravity-fed irrigation that drought- and fire-proofs entire properties, Lawton demonstrates how to make living things feel secure so they positively interact. The result shows rice paddies flourish in unlikely places, food forests burst with global crops and wildlife becomes a partner in balance.

Viewers can expect to learn a lot of things from Episode 7, including the following:

A guided tour of Zaytuna Farm, a fully off-grid permaculture showcase, with Lawton as your rough-hewn but expert guide.

Close-up looks at "dribbler pipes," swivel pipes and other simple plumbing tricks that passively manage water flow and prevent erosion.

Real-world examples of "designed disturbance"using chickens and other animals to naturally fertilize, till and prepare land for planting.

How to create sponge soil that captures and holds water, making landscapes resilient to both drought and flood.

A walk through diverse food forests featuring turmeric, chia, mulberry, coffee and rare superfoods like molokhia (Egyptian spinach).

Practical tips for property selection and design, emphasizing water harvesting, contour-based earthworks and gravity-fed irrigation.

A vision of how these techniques offer a decentralized, sustainable alternative to large-scale water infrastructure and corporate agriculture.

As climate chaos intensifies, the ability to capture and conserve water becomes a survival skill. This episode pulls back the curtain on the permaculture design principles that can turn any property from a barren plot to a suburban backyard into a resilient source of abundance. It's a masterclass in seeing the hidden potential in land and harnessing the quiet power of water.

What's in store for you in Episode 8

In Episode 8, slated for Feb. 7, Wildcraft with Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, one of the world's foremost AI experts. Forget the hype from tech celebrities; Lee, with over 30 years at the forefront of the field, offers a clear-eyed, urgent and surprisingly hopeful perspective. The key to understanding our future lies in a simple agricultural analogy: the giant pigweed. Lee dismantles the myth of an imminent, all-powerful artificial general intelligence (AGI).

The AI that exists today, and will for decades, is "narrow." It excels in a single domain. Just like an AI trained solely to identify the invasive giant pigweed in a field cant suddenly recognize corn or your children, today's AI cannot leap beyond its programmed task. The true disruption, therefore, isn't from a conscious machine overlord but from these hyper-efficient "single-domain" systems automating any and all routine work.

This interview is a masterclass in future-proofing your career and your life. Lee maps out the coming tsunami of job displacement, predicting 30-45% of current roles could be affected in 15-20 years, and provides a pragmatic framework for navigating it. He explains why your job might be safer than you fear or why you need to start planning for a transition now.

Viewers can expect to learn a lot of things from Episode 8, including the following:

Why jobs requiring adaptability, physical dexterity in unpredictable environments (like plumbing or nursing) or deep human connection are the most durable. Conversely, learn why any repetitive, analytical or procedural task, from financial analysis to driving to customer service, is at high risk.

Why will this AI revolution hit faster than the steam engine or electricity, fueled by cloud computing and venture capital eager to fund displacement.

How AI threatens to drastically worsen wealth concentration and why social stability may hinge on addressing this collateral damage.

A hopeful vision of how narrow AI and robotics can make farming more efficient, less toxic and more sustainable, from smart weed targeting to robotic harvesters, empowering small-scale and backyard growers.

Lee's powerful personal wake-up call, following a cancer diagnosis, that redefined wealth as time with loved ones, health and meaningful work. He and Marjory explore how the deeply human acts of growing your own food and building community are not just hobbies but vital strategies for resilience, health and purpose in an automated age.

This isn't just another tech interview. It's a crucial roadmap for the seismic shifts ahead, blending cutting-edge economic analysis with timeless wisdom about what makes a life worth living. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged and your path forward clarified.

Want to learn more?

When the world gets unpredictable, the smartest move is to prepare. That's why "Wartime Homefront Essential Skills" by Marjory Wildcraft is back on BrightU. This is your second chance to catch the series that's changing how families think about self-reliance.

If you want to learn at your own pace and get access to 12 additional bonuses, you can purchase the Wartime Homefront Essential Skills Bundle here. Upon purchase, you will get unlimited access to all 10 "Wartime Homefront Essential Skills" videos and 12 bonuses, including 10 eBook guides and two homesteading videos.

BrighteonUniversity.com 1

BrightU.com

BrighteonUniversity.com 2

BrightU.ai
Putin offers $1B from frozen funds for Trumps Gaza peace board

Russian President Vladimir Putin offers $1 billion from frozen Russian assets in the U.S. to fund President Donald Trump's proposed 'Board of Peace' for Gaza.

Putin conditions the use of remaining U.S.-frozen assets on a finalized peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine, suggesting they could fund Ukraine's reconstruction.

The offer is seen as a strategic maneuver to engage the Trump administration and potentially avert further Western sanctions.

Only an estimated $4-5 billion of Russia's $300 billion in globally frozen assets are held in the U.S., limiting the immediate financial impact.

The proposal highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions, linking separate conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza through the lens of frozen state assets.

In a move blending diplomacy with financial statecraft, Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly responded to U.S. President Donald Trumps international peace initiative by offering to contribute $1 billion from Russian assets frozen in the United States. The proposal, made during a Russian Security Council meeting on January 21, directly ties the contested funds to support for Trumps proposed Board of Peace for Gaza and, conditionally, to future reconstruction in Ukraine. The offer represents a calculated attempt by the Kremlin to engage the new U.S. administration on its own terms while leveraging a financial tool long used as a penalty by the West.

The dual-purpose proposal

President Putin outlined a two-part plan for a portion of the roughly $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets frozen globally since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. First, he stated Russia could immediately direct $1 billion from funds frozen in the U.S. to Trumps Board of Peace, an envisioned international body meant to oversee Gazas transition following a ceasefire. Putin cited Moscows special relations with the people of Palestine as the rationale for this unilateral pledge.

Second, and more significantly, Putin suggested that the remainder of the Russian assets frozen in the U.S.estimated by reports to be between $4 and $5 billioncould be allocated to rebuilding war-damaged areas in Ukraine. This allocation, however, was set with a strict precondition: it would only follow the conclusion of a formal peace treaty between Moscow and Kyiv.

Strategic context and limited funds

The offer is widely interpreted as a strategic overture to the Trump administration, which has taken a different diplomatic posture toward the Ukraine conflict than its predecessor. By appearing to endorse a U.S.-led peace initiative for Gaza and nominally agreeing to fund Ukrainian reconstruction, Putin aims to foster dialogue and potentially stave off additional economic sanctions. However, the practical financial impact is limited by geography. The vast majority of frozen Russian central bank assets are held in European jurisdictions, not the United States. The $4-5 billion in U.S. holdings is a small fraction of the hundreds of billions of dollars estimated for Ukraines long-term recovery needs.

Linking global conflicts

Putins statement strategically links two major international crisesthe war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gazathrough the single mechanism of frozen assets. This framing allows Russia to position itself as a potential contributor to international stability while maintaining that any financial restitution for Ukraine is contingent upon a political settlement that meets its terms. The move comes as Trumps envoys were scheduled to visit Moscow, placing the asset issue directly on the bilateral agenda.

A history of financial warfare

The freezing of Russian assets marked an unprecedented use of financial power by the U.S. and its allies, intended to isolate Moscow economically. Putins counter-proposal turns this tool on its head, attempting to repurpose the immobilized funds as a diplomatic bargaining chip. The historical parallel lies in the use of economic statecraft as an extension of foreign policy, where control over capital is as potent as military posturing. The offer tests the Wests cohesion on maintaining the freeze and challenges the U.S. to consider a deal that would effectively release some funds under Russian-stipulated conditions.

A diplomatic test with billions at stake

President Putins conditional offer on frozen assets sets a complex diplomatic and financial puzzle before the Trump administration. It proposes a path to partially unlock a major point of contention but does so on terms that align with Kremlin objectives in Ukraine and seek influence in Middle East peace efforts. The proposal underscores how frozen state assets have evolved from a static sanction into a dynamic, if contentious, element of high-stakes international negotiation. The world now watches to see whether this gambit will open a new channel for dialogue or simply reinforce the deep financial and geopolitical divides that have defined this era.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

WIONews.com

TimesofIndia.com
Israeli TORTURE camps exposed as living hell in damning report

The "Living Hell" report by B'Tselem documents brutal tactics, including forced stripping, genital mutilation, electric shocks, dog attacks and anal rape with objects. Survivors describe starvation (one cucumber and rotten bread per day), severe dehydration (a bottle cap of water daily) and chemical burns causing permanent blindness.

Multiple testimonies detail sexual torture, including guards raping detainees with wooden sticks while laughing. One prisoner, Tamer Qarmut, recounted passing out from the humiliation.

At least 84 deceased Palestinian prisoners' bodies were withheld, many showing signs of organ theft (stitched incisions) and mutilation. Families receiving remains report deliberate disfigurement.

Israeli officials, including far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, openly endorse torture. The Red Cross is barred from inspections, and released detainees face threats of re-arrest if they speak out.

Western media ignores these atrocities while amplifying allegations against Hamas. U.S. funding and military aid continue despite evidence of genocide, apartheid and ethnic cleansing  exposing a hypocritical double standard in human rights enforcement.

Israel's leading human rights organization B'Tselem has documented systematic torture, sexual violence and inhumane treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention facilities in a damning new report.

The report titled "Living Hell" published on Thursday, Jan. 22, is based on testimonies from 21 released detainees. It reveals brutal tactics  including forced stripping, genital mutilation, dog attacks and anal penetration with objects  while Israeli authorities withhold the bodies of at least 84 deceased prisoners, many bearing signs of organ theft and mutilation. Despite its gravity, the findings have been largely ignored by Western media, raising urgent questions about international complicity in Israel's escalating human rights violations.

The testimonies paint a harrowing picture of life inside Israeli prisons, where detainees  many held without charge  endure starvation, electric shocks and psychological torment. Muhammad Abu Tawilah, a 35-year-old from Gaza, described being burned with cigarettes and hydrochloric acid, leaving him blind in one eye.

Another prisoner recounted surviving on a single cucumber and rotten bread per day while enduring relentless beatings. "For six days, I was given only a bottle cap of water a day to drink," he said. "I was beaten nonstop and occasionally given electric shocks."

Perhaps the most disturbing revelations involve sexual violence. Sami al-Sa'i, a father of six from Tulkarem, testified that three guards raped him with a wooden stick as they "laughed and jeered." Tamer Qarmut, abducted from a Gaza hospital, broke down while describing his own assault: "The insult was so powerful, I passed out."

Such abuses are not isolated, but institutionalized. Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has openly boasted about harsh prison conditions, while pushing legislation to execute Palestinian "terrorists."

Israel's war crimes go unpunished while the world watches

The report also highlights Tel Aviv's deliberate obstruction of accountability. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been barred from inspecting prisons, while released detainees face threats of re-arrest if they speak out.

"Israeli authorities threatened to re-arrest anyone who shared information about their experiences," B'Tselem noted. Meanwhile, Palestinian families receiving the remains of loved ones often find them disfigured  some with stitched incisions suggesting organ theft, as reported by Middle East Eye.

BTselem Executive Director, Yuli Novak, condemned Israel's prison network as "de facto torture camps," part of a broader campaign of "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza and the West Bank. Yet the international response remains muted. While Western media extensively covered allegations against Hamas, Israel's far more egregious abusesnow confirmed by its own human rights groupshave been met with silence.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that the West's silence on Israel's abuses signals tacit approval of genocide, emboldening further atrocities while exposing the hypocrisy of Western leaders who claim to uphold human rights. This complicity ensures the continued oppression of Palestinians, as global inaction normalizes their suffering under a system of apartheid and ethnic cleansing.

Historically, such systemic brutality recalls the worst excesses of colonial regimes and apartheid systems, where dehumanization paved the way for mass atrocities. Today, Tel Aviv's impunity underscores a global double standard. While Russia faces sanctions for war crimes, Israel receives billions in U.S. military aid despite evidence of genocide, torture and media suppression.

The report's conclusion is unequivocal: Israel's torture apparatus operates with full state approval, from politicians to prison guards. As Novak warned, "The international community continues to grant this regime full immunity." Without urgent intervention, the "Living Hell" endured by Palestinian prisoners will persist  a stark testament to the world's selective outrage.

Watch this clip that features testimonies about the sexual abuse and assault of Palestinian prisoners.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

PalestineChronicle.com

AlJazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Whistleblowers reveal secret UFO program at Maryland Navy base ongoing since the 1950s

Whistleblowers claim the U.S. Navy has concealed an "exotic vehicle of unknown origin" at Naval Air Station Patuxent River (Pax River) for decades, studying advanced non-human technology while keeping it hidden from the public.

Luis Elizondo, former head of the Pentagon's AATIP program, testified under oath that a newly built hangar at Pax River was designed to facilitate the transfer of extraterrestrial or advanced materials via air and river.

Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Bigelow Aerospace allegedly worked on reverse-engineering recovered tech, but a former CIA director reportedly blocked private access, preventing further study.

Mysterious "car-sized drones" were spotted hovering over military installations and Trump's New Jersey property, fueling speculation about classified aerospace programs and possible foreign espionage attempts.

Despite official denials, insiders like Elizondo and physicist Dr. Hal Puthoff insist the U.S. possesses recovered non-human craft, with contingency plans to relocate them if their location is exposed.

A shocking report has surfaced alleging that the U.S. Navy has been secretly housing an "exotic vehicle of unknown origin" at Naval Air Station Patuxent River (Pax River) in Maryland  potentially for decades  as part of a classified reverse-engineering program.

The claims, supported by whistleblower testimony and anonymous sources, suggest that the U.S. government has been actively studying advanced non-human technology while concealing its existence from the public. According to sources linked to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Pax River has long been the site of highly sensitive programs analyzing recovered "non-human craft." NAVAIR, headquartered at the Maryland base, oversees naval aircraft and weapons development, making it a prime location for classified aerospace research.

The Liberation Times reported that two types of aircraftChinese surveillance drones and unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP, the modern term for UFOs [unidentified flying objects])have been increasingly spotted near the base, possibly attempting to monitor its activities.

This aligns with sworn testimony from Luis Elizondo, former head of the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), who revealed in 2024 that a specialized hangar was constructed at Pax River to facilitate the transfer of extraterrestrial technology.

"These facilities included locations in the Las Vegas area and a newly built hangar at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station (PAX)," Elizondo stated under oath before Congress. "Specifically, the PAX River hangar was designed to facilitate the transfer of future materials via air and river."

Elizondo's testimony suggests that defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and the now-defunct Bigelow Aerospace were involved in studying recovered materials. However, anonymous sources claim that transfers were blocked by a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director of science and technology, preventing private companies from accessing the technology.

Dr. Hal Puthoff, a physicist who worked on government UFO and psychic spy programs, previously claimed on "The Joe Rogan Experience" that the U.S. has recovered more than ten spacecraft since the infamous 1947 Roswell incidentsome allegedly "gifted" by extraterrestrials.

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the 1947 Roswell Incident remains one of the most debated and scrutinized events in modern history, sparking decades of speculation about UFOs, government cover-ups, and extraterrestrial life. Officially dismissed as a weather balloon crash by the U.S. military, the incident has since evolved into a cultural touchstone for conspiracy theories, suppressed technologies and alleged alien recoveries.

Does Pax River hide extraterrestrial tech?

Despite official denials, Elizondo insists that the U.S. possesses advanced non-human equipment and has successfully reverse-engineered some of its capabilities. The claims coincide with reports of unexplained drone swarms over the East Coast in late 2024 and early 2025. Witnesses described "car-sized drones" silently hovering over military installations and even President Donald Trump's New Jersey property.

An unnamed private contractor later took responsibility, calling them "tests of advanced aerial craft," but their sudden appearanceand focus on sensitive siteshas fueled speculation about possible connections to classified aerospace programs.

The U.S. military has repeatedly denied possessing physical evidence of UFOs, yet whistleblowers like Elizondo and scientists like Puthoff continue to contradict these statements. Sources allege that the government has a contingency plan to relocate the alleged craft if its location at Pax River is exposed.

The implications of these revelations are staggering. If true, they suggest that the U.S. has been concealing advanced technologypotentially of extraterrestrial originfor decades, raising urgent questions about transparency, national security and humanity's place in the cosmos.

As public interest in UAPs grows, pressure mounts on the government to disclose what it knows. With whistleblowers like Elizondo breaking their silence and mounting evidence of unexplained aerial phenomena, the truth about Pax Riverand what may be hidden insidecould reshape our understanding of science, defense and reality itself.

For now, the secrets of Pax River remain locked away. But as more insiders come forward, the walls of secrecy may finally begin to crack.

Watch this video about the hidden history of UFO crash retrievals and secret space programs.

This video is from the Exopolitics Today channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

DailyStar.co.uk

Britbrief.co.uk

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Generally, when a single insider buys stock, it is usually not a big deal. However, when several insiders are buying, like in the case of Prestal Holdings Limited (ASX:PTL), it sends a favourable message to the company's shareholders.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality.

Prestal Holdings Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

The insider Paramdeep Ghumman made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for AU$131k worth of shares at a price of AU$0.088 each. That means that even when the share price was higher than AU$0.04 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels.

Prestal Holdings insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. The average buy price was around AU$0.053. I'd consider this a positive as it suggests insiders see value at around the current price. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

View our latest analysis for Prestal Holdings

ASX:PTL Insider Trading Volume January 24th 2026

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of undervalued small cap companies that insiders are buying.

Insider Ownership Of Prestal Holdings

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. It's great to see that Prestal Holdings insiders own 43% of the company, worth about AU$2.9m. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Prestal Holdings Insiders?

The fact that there have been no Prestal Holdings insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Judging from their transactions, and high insider ownership, Prestal Holdings insiders feel good about the company's future. While it's good to be aware of what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Prestal Holdings you should know about.
The 16th EU-India Summit in New Delhi is set to adopt a comprehensive strategic agenda to reinforce the bilateral partnership. Key discussions will focus on advancing free-trade agreement negotiations and enhancing security and defence collaboration. Regional and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, and the Middle East, are also on the agenda. The summit underscores the positive momentum and high-level engagement defining recent EU-India relations.

Leaders at the 16th EU-India Summit to adopt a comprehensive strategic agenda, discussing trade, security, and global issues.

New Delhi, January 25 A lot seems to be on the table as India is set to host the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27, with leaders expected to adopt a joint EU-India comprehensive strategic agenda and deepen regional and multilateral cooperation.

"At the summit, leaders are expected to adopt a joint EU-India comprehensive strategic agenda, to reinforce the strategic partnership and deepen cooperation which delivers stability and prosperity at home and beyond," the EU diplomatic service, European External Action Service - EEAS, said in a post on X.

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the EU at the 16th EU-India summit in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the summit, a statement by the European Council said.

The statement quoted Costa as saying, "India is a crucial partner for the EU. Together, we share the capacity and responsibility to protect the rules-based international order."

The summit will offer an opportunity to build on the EU-India strategic partnership and further strengthen collaboration across key policy areas such as trade, security and defence, the clean transition and people-to-people cooperation.

Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will also attend India's 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, as guests of honour.

The summit will take place against the backdrop of the positive momentum in EU-India relations in recent years and the sustained high-level engagement across all domains, as per the statement.

In October 2025, the Council of the EU endorsed the new strategic EU-India agenda and its objective of further developing EU-India ties.

Leaders will also discuss trade, in context of the ongoing negotiations on a free-trade agreement that started in 2007 (and was relaunched in 2022). Such an agreement would boost bilateral trade and investment ties and drive shared prosperity.

Leaders will also focus on the closer collaboration between the EU and India on security and defence matters, especially in the context of establishing a security and defence partnership.

As per the statement, the leaders will also discuss regional and global matters, in particular: the importance of an effective multilateral system, a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, Russia's war against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.

- ANI
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that 6.5 lakh people have registered under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme in the national capital. She stated the scheme, offering Rs 10 lakh coverage, was implemented on the first day of the BJP-led government eleven months ago. Addressing a Republic Day event at Chhatrasal Stadium, she highlighted several public welfare decisions taken by her administration. The Chief Minister also paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed for the nation.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announces 6.5 lakh registrations under Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme during Republic Day celebrations.

New Delhi, January 25 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said that Ayushman Bharat was implemented in the national capital on the very first day of the BJP government's formation, and that 6.5 lakh people have registered under the scheme so far.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta unfurled the national flag at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi during the Republic Day celebrations.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, "Ayushman Bharat, the country's and the world's largest health scheme, was implemented in Delhi on the very first day of our government's formation. Today, 6.5 lakh people have registered under this scheme, which provides life insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh to the beneficiaries."

She stated that over the last 11 months of the BJP government in Delhi, several decisions have been made for the public's welfare, aimed at bringing positive change to the lives of citizens.

"When our government took charge of Delhi eleven months ago, we faced numerous challenges, but the biggest challenge was the dust and obstacles that had accumulated on the system over the years. We have taken several meaningful steps to change this situation and give Delhi a new direction. Based on the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' of the Prime Minister, we have taken many decisions for public welfare during the past eleven months, aiming to bring real and positive change in the lives of the citizens," Rekha Gupta said.

The Chief Minister also paid tribute to freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the honour of the national flag.

"I pay homage to those martyrs who prioritised the nation above even their own lives for the honour of the tricolour and bequeathed us this republic, self-respect, and freedom. The Constitution is the soul of India. Over the past 77 years, India's Constitution has guided us as a beacon of light for justice, equality, and dignity. India remembers all the efforts, from the framing of the Constitution to nation-building," she said.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also reviewed the parade at Chhatrasal Stadium during the Republic Day celebrations.

- ANI
A new World Economic Forum white paper projects that Artificial Intelligence will profoundly reshape global labor markets by 2030. It outlines four potential scenarios, ranging from rapid innovation-driven progress to widespread job displacement and social instability. The report reveals deep uncertainty among business leaders, with a majority expecting job losses but few anticipating new job creation or higher wages from AI adoption. It concludes that strategic human capital investments, not technology alone, will determine whether AI leads to shared prosperity or increased inequality.

WEF white paper outlines four AI-driven job futures for 2030, from supercharged progress to widespread displacement, stressing critical human capital strategies.

New Delhi, January 25 Artificial Intelligence is set to profoundly reshape global labour markets by the end of the decade, with outcomes ranging from productivity booms to widespread job displacement, according to a new World Economic Forum white paper released this month.

In Four Futures for Jobs in the New Economy: AI and Talent in 2030, the Forum outlined four plausible scenarios for how AI advancement and workforce readiness could interact to transform jobs, value chains and economic growth. The report drew insights from the Forum's Chief Strategy Officers Community and global foresight experts.

Survey data cited in the paper highlighted deep uncertainty among business leaders. Around 54 per cent of executives globally expect AI to displace existing jobs, while only 24 per cent believe it will create new ones.

Nearly 45 per cent anticipate rising profit margins from AI adoption, but just 12 per cent expect higher wages, suggesting productivity gains may not translate evenly into higher wages for workers.

The Forum stressed that technology alone will not determine the future of work.

"The future of workplaces and value chains will not be defined by the technologies alone. Human capital strategies and investments prioritised today will determine how well societies and individual businesses can adapt to - and lead in - the new economy," the report read.

The four scenarios range from Supercharged Progress, where rapid AI breakthroughs fuel innovation and new occupations, to The Age of Displacement, in which automation outpaces reskilling efforts, leading to rising unemployment and social instability. Two other futures envision slower or more uneven progress: the Co-Pilot Economy, where AI primarily augments human work, and Stalled Progress, marked by skills shortages, patchy productivity gains and widening inequality

Across all scenarios, the report emphasised foresight as a strategic tool rather than a prediction exercise.

The white paper was part of the World Economic Forum's Scenarios for the Global Economy Dialogue Series, which aims to help decision-makers navigate complex global transitions through structured scenario analysis and cross-industry dialogue.

As AI moves rapidly from experimentation to integration, the Forum concludes, the choices made by businesses and policymakers in the next few years will play a decisive role in shaping whether AI becomes a driver of shared prosperity, or otherwise.

- ANI
Novak Djokovic has moved into the Australian Open quarterfinals without playing a match after his scheduled opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew due to a progressing abdominal muscle injury. Mensik expressed disappointment but cherished his first-ever run to the fourth round at Melbourne Park. Djokovic had earlier secured his fourth-round spot with a straight-sets victory over Botic van de Zandschulp, demonstrating his trademark composure. The Serbian legend now awaits the winner of the match between Lorenzo Musetti and Taylor Fritz in the next round.

Novak Djokovic advances to the Australian Open quarterfinals after Jakub Mensik withdraws with an abdominal injury. Details on the walkover and his next opponent.

Melbourne, January 25 Serbian legend and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic gets a walkover into the ongoing Australian Open quarterfinals after Jakub Mensik pulls out with an abdominal muscle injury.

Mensik, who had beaten Djokovic in the Miami Open final last year, cited the injury's progression over recent matches as the reason for withdrawal. Djokovic now faces either fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti or ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals.

"After doing everything we could to keep going, I have to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury that has progressed over the last matches," Mensik said. "Even though I'm disappointed, making the fourth round here for the first time is something I will carry with me for a long time," Jakub Mensik said as per the ATP tour website.

"I felt so much energy from the fans and the atmosphere in Melbourne was truly special," he added.

Mensik had beaten Pablo Carreno Busta in a five-set thriller in the first round and then dispatched Rafael Jodar and Ethan Quinn in straight sets to reach round four.

While Djokovic moved into the fourth round of the men's singles, defeating Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4), a match in which the Serbian legend showed his resilience and composure under pressure.

The 24-time world champion won the opening two sets easily before Djokovic was tested by the Netherlands' van de Zandschulp in the third set. During an intense tie-break, Djokovic held his nerve, and an unforced error from his opponent sealed his victory.

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami greeted citizens on National Voters' Day, emphasizing that an aware voter is crucial in determining the nation's direction. He specially appealed to youth who have turned 18 to register to vote and participate responsibly in democracy. The Election Commission of India also conveyed greetings, noting this year's theme is "My India, My Vote." President Droupadi Murmu will preside as chief guest at the national function, where new voters will receive EPICs.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami extends National Voters' Day greetings, highlights the power of an informed voter in democracy.

New Delhi, January 25 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday extended greetings to citizens on the occasion of National Voters' Day, emphasising the role of informed and responsible voting in strengthening democracy.

In a X post, CM Dhami said National Voters' Day is dedicated to the spirit of a participatory, aware and vibrant democracy. He highlighted that an aware voter plays a decisive role in determining the direction and condition of the nation through the right to vote, calling it the true foundation of strength and trust in a democratic system.

"Heartiest greetings to all of you on National Voters' Day, dedicated to the spirit of a participatory, aware, and vibrant democracy. An aware voter determines the direction and condition of the nation through their right to vote; this right is the true foundation of strength and trust in democracy," CM Dhami wrote.

The Chief Minister made a special appeal to the youth, urging those who have attained 18 years of age to ensure their names are registered in the electoral rolls.

"Youth who have completed 18 years of age are requested to ensure their names are registered in the voter list, exercise their right to vote responsibly, and become active partners in building a strong, aware, and progressive India," the post further read.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) also conveyed greetings to electors across the country on National Voters' Day.

"The Election Commission of India wishes all the electors of India a very Happy National Voters Day!" ECI's X post read.

India observes National Voters' Day on January 25 each year to celebrate democracy and empower every citizen to take part in the electoral process. The day marks the foundation of the Election Commission of India (ECI), which was established on January 25, 1950, under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, according to an official release.

As per a release, the ECI is a pivotal constitutional authority responsible for the control, supervision, and conduct of elections in the world's largest democracy. It has conducted 18 general elections and over 400 State Legislative Assembly elections to date.

According to ECI, the theme of this year's event is "My India, My Vote", and the tagline is "Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy". ECI said that President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the function as the Chief Guest.

As per the ECI, the convention includes the President addressing the event and presenting Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to newly enrolled young electors and honouring electoral officers for their phenomenal work.

- ANI
Bangladesh is confronting a complex set of strategic challenges as it prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country status in 2026. Domestically, a generational shift is driving demands for justice and economic equity, while governance deficits persist. Externally, the nation faces strained regional relations, the unresolved Rohingya crisis, and intensifying great-power competition in the Bay of Bengal. Experts advocate for proactive diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and improved internal coordination to safeguard national interests and prosperity.

As Bangladesh graduates from LDC status, it faces domestic reforms and geopolitical pressures. Experts call for proactive diplomacy and internal coherence.

New Delhi, Jan 25 Bangladesh is entering a new phase of strategic challenges and opportunities in the aftermath of the July 2024 upheaval, as domestic transformations and global geopolitical turbulence converge to reshape the nation's future.

With its scheduled graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026, the country is preparing for a reset in its external relations, demanding reforms in domestic policy and governance to match the evolving realities.

At home, a generational shift is redefining the political landscape, articulating demands for justice and an equitable economic order, The Daily Star newspaper reported. Analysts note that old mindsets and behaviours may no longer be relevant in navigating the complexities of the new era, the report said, citing an article by M. Humayun Kabir, who is the President of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) and served as Bangladesh's Ambassador to the United States from 2007 to 2009.

The entrepreneurial spirit of the people, the dynamism of youth and women, and the resilience of society remain Bangladesh's greatest strengths, though these have often been overshadowed by governance deficits and personality-driven politics, he wrote.

Externally, Bangladesh faces mounting geopolitical challenges. Strains with India are beginning to affect the broader regional balance, while the unresolved Rohingya crisis continues to raise alarms. Meanwhile, intensifying big-power competition in the Indo-Pacific is directly impacting the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, placing Bangladesh at the crossroads of global strategic interests. Effective management of these forces, observers argue, is essential to safeguard the nation's identity, security, and prosperity, it said.

To navigate this environment, experts recommend a multi-pronged approach. Proactive diplomacy is seen as a priority, with emphasis on reputation management, calibrated bilateralism, and strategic partnerships. Bangladesh must rebuild its global image by highlighting its contributions to non-traditional security issues such as climate change, disaster management, migration, and humanitarian initiatives. Equitable relations with neighbours, particularly India, are critical, based on principles of sovereign equality, non-interference, and mutual benefit.

Strategic partnerships with major powers -- including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the EU, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, and GCC countries -- are also vital. Bangladesh is encouraged to pursue "Open Regionalism," expanding connectivity across trade, energy, digital platforms, education, health, and climate cooperation. South-South collaboration could serve as a key driver in maximising collective benefits.

Multilateralism remains another cornerstone of Bangladesh's foreign policy. Supporting reforms in the United Nations and other global institutions, while engaging in mini-lateral and issue-based groupings, could help the country advance its national interests in uncertain times.

Domestically, strengthening coordination is imperative. The lack of synergy among ministries and between government and private stakeholders has long undermined Bangladesh's external outreach. Business leaders have voiced frustration over inadequate consultation, as seen during tariff negotiations with the United States in August 2025. Without internal coherence, experts warn, Bangladesh risks losing credibility and bargaining power on the global stage.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is urged to embrace new tools such as public diplomacy, economic diplomacy, digital diplomacy, diaspora diplomacy, and climate diplomacy. As the symbol of sovereignty and independence, MOFA must enhance professionalism, forecast risks, and prepare the nation to harness opportunities. Periodic reviews of its performance, coupled with reforms in engagement strategies, are seen as essential steps, the report said.

- IANS
BJP National President Nitin Nabin was given a rousing welcome upon his arrival in Noida as he began a day-long visit to Mathura-Vrindavan. His schedule includes offering prayers at the Shri Banke Bihari Mandir and participating in the live broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme. Following these events, he will pay a condolence visit to the residence of a local BJP MLA. Nabin will also undertake an official tour to West Bengal later this week for key organizational meetings ahead of the state assembly elections.

BJP National President Nitin Nabin receives a welcome in Noida, visits Banke Bihari Temple in Mathura, and participates in PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat broadcast.

Mathura, January 25 Bharatiya Janata Party's newly appointed National President Nitin Nabin received a rousing welcome on Sunday as he arrived in Noida. He is heading to Mathura to offer prayers at the Shri Banke Bihari Temple.

Nabin has embarked on a day-long visit to Mathura-Vrindavan, during which he will offer prayers at the Shri Banke Bihari Mandir and participate in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat'.

According to the BJP, Nitin Nabin will participate in the 130th edition of PM Modi's popular radio programme, "Mann Ki Baat", alongside party workers and locals at the Akshaya Patra Chandrodaya Mandir in Vrindavan at 11:00 AM tomorrow.

Following the broadcast, the BJP National President will visit Shri Banke Bihari Mandir at 11:40 AM to offer prayers to "Thakur Ji" and perform puja-archana.

The BJP stated that Nabin will later visit the residence of BJP MLA Shri Rajesh Chaudhary at 12:15 PM to express his condolences on the demise of the MLA's mother.

In addition to the Mathura-Vrindavan visit, Nitin Nabin will undertake his first official visit to West Bengal on January 27 and 28. During this trip, he will participate in a series of organisational meetings aimed at strengthening the party's grassroots network ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

In his visit, Nitin Nabin will chair a State Core Team Meeting in Durgapur on January 27, focusing on organisational strategy, political roadmap, and upcoming programmes.

On January 28, Nabin will attend the Bardhaman Bibhag Karyakarta Sammelan at Chitralaya Mela Maidan, Purba Bardhaman, where he will interact with party workers. Later in the afternoon, he will participate in the Asansol District Karyakarta Meeting in Raniganj, addressing organisational issues and guiding party workers at the district level.

- ANI
India's 77th Republic Day in 2026 marks a significant moment, celebrating 150 years of the national song 'Vande Mataram' and linking its legacy to the modern vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. The event will feature grand celebrations at Kartavya Path, including military displays and 30 cultural tableaux from across the nation. The theme connects the historical Swadeshi movement's call for self-reliance with today's push for indigenous production in sectors from semiconductors to defence. This year underscores the constitutional framework that empowers citizens and positions self-reliance as the contemporary form of patriotism and national strength.

India's 77th Republic Day blends 150 years of 'Vande Mataram' with the modern 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision, showcasing self-reliance from chips to missiles.

By Avinash Kumar, New Delhi, January 25 As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, the nation reflects on its journey from a dominion to a republic, blending its rich legacy with a modern vision for self-reliance and growth.

The Republic Day Celebrations 2026 at Kartavya Path is set to be a grand affair, marking 150 years of the iconic national song 'Vande Mataram'. The event will showcase India's military prowess and rich cultural heritage, featuring 30 tableaux from states, Union Territories, and ministries. The day highlights India's defence capabilities and honours citizens, including children, for acts of bravery.

The theme 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram' with special tableaux and a new musical rendition composed by MM Keeravani and sung by Shreya Ghoshal and 'Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat' will highlight India's journey towards prosperity and self-reliance.

By pairing the two, the government is signalling that modern technological self-reliance is the logical conclusion of the freedom struggle. It's the journey from "Self-Rule" (Swaraj) to "Self-Reliance" (Atmanirbharta).

You might wonder why a 150-year-old song is paired with Atmanirbhar Bharat. In 1905, Vande Mataram was the anthem of the Swadeshi Movement (the original "Self-Reliant India" movement).

The Government of India launched the Vande Mataram 150 portal for citizens to record their own renditions and download commemorative certificates.

Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 in Sanskritized Bengali. It first appeared in his 1882 novel Anandamath. Rabindranath Tagore first sang it at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.

It became a rallying cry against British rule, particularly during the 1905 anti-partition movement of Bengal, and was the anthem of the Swadeshi movement. It personified the nation as a 'Mother', demanding devotion and sacrifice. The Ministry of Culture tableau will be showcasing the original manuscript and its journey from 1875.

It was adopted as the National Song by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950.

While 1947 gave us our breath of freedom, 1950 gave us our soul--a framework that ensures every Indian is the master of their own destiny. This year is particularly special as we celebrate 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', the song that ignited the flame of revolution in the hearts of millions.

But a Republic is not just about its past; it is about its future. Today, we see an India that no longer just 'asks,' but 'provides.' From the indigenous BrahMos missiles and Tejas aircraft to being a global leader in digital payments and vaccines, our self-reliance--our Atmanirbharta--is our true strength. When we use a 'Made in India' product or support a local startup, we are practising the modern form of patriotism.

By early 2026, the first "Made in India" semiconductor chips will be entering the global supply chain. This reduces dependence on imports for everything from mobile phones to fighter jets.

Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) is built on five core pillars announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2020: Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography, and Demand.

Economy, not just incremental growth, but "Quantum Jumps,"; Infrastructure, symbolised by the PM Gati Shakti and the expansion of "Water Metros,": System, driven by 21st-century technology (e.g., UPI, which has now gone global). Vibrant demography by utilising our young population as "smart soldiers" and innovators, and Demand, making sure the "Power of India's Market" is met by "Made in India" goods.

This initiative aims to transform India into a global economic power, fostering self-sufficiency, boosting local production, and driving modernisation through technological advancements, supported by a 20 lakh crore package.

The Constitution acts as the "software" that runs the diverse "hardware" of India. True independence is achieved when a nation can stand on its own feet while keeping its head held high in the global community.

To truly understand why Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) is a centrepiece of the 2026 Republic Day, we have to look at the transition from "assembling for the world" to "inventing for the world."

In 2026, this isn't just a slogan; it is visible in the hardware rolling down Kartavya Path and the digital systems in our pockets. The parade will include performances by 2,500 cultural artistes, a display of India's defence strength, and a special tribute to the national song.

India's self-reliance has moved into "deep-tech" and "critical minerals." The DRDO is showcasing indigenous Long-Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missiles, placing India in an elite club of nations with this level of speed and precision.

The 2026 Tri-Services tableau highlights this operation, showcasing "Jointness" in which the Akash Air Defence System, BrahMos, and Rafale operate within a single, indigenous digital loop. Operation Sindoor and its success will be a central theme of the 2026 Republic Day Parade, where the Indian Armed Forces will showcase a special tableau and a "Sindoor" aircraft formation to highlight their jointness, military capabilities, and resolve against terrorism.

With over 300 private space startups, the 2026 celebrations highlight progress toward India's own Space Station and the successful testing of indigenous jet engines--a feat achieved by only a handful of countries.

The Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, a newly raised elite unit of the Indian Army, is scheduled to make its national debut at the 77th Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2026, marching down Kartavya Path in New Delhi.

The primary event of the day, the Republic Day Parade, will showcase the country's cultural diversity and military strength, highlighting the shift to indigenous defence platforms (ATAGS, Dhanush, and Shaktiban).

The event will be attended by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as chief guests, and will signal India's role as a bridge between the Global South and the West.

This is one of the highest honours India can bestow. It's a masterclass in "Soft Power" diplomacy. By inviting a foreign leader, India signals its strategic priorities for the coming year.

Republic Day is not just a holiday, but a moment to reflect on the resilience of Indian democracy and its ongoing journey towards progress and inclusivity.

India surpassed Japan to become the world's 4th-largest economy in 2025, with a GDP of over USD 4 trillion, driven by rapid digitalisation, robust manufacturing, infrastructure development, and structural reforms such as GST and IBC. This rapid ascent from 10th place in 2014 was anchored by strong domestic demand, a burgeoning services sector, and a young workforce.

India is recognised as the world's fastest-growing major economy, with real GDP growth averaging 6.5%+ in recent years, and is projected to become the 3rd-largest economy, surpassing Germany.

Though India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and republican state with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950.

While India gained independence on August 15, 1947, it was on January 26, 1950, that the country adopted its own constitution, replacing the British-era Government of India Act (1935).

The day marks the transition from being ruled by an external authority to being governed by a document that enshrines the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens.

January 26 was specifically chosen because it marks the anniversary of Purna Swaraj (Total Independence), declared by the Indian National Congress in 1930, which was celebrated for 17 years before 1947.

One of the biggest tests of the Indian democracy was the Emergency, a 21-month period (June 1975-March 1977) when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suspended democracy, citing internal instability. Under Article 352, fundamental rights were suspended, the press was censored, and opposition leaders were imprisoned. It is considered one of India's most controversial constitutional crises.

Over 100,000 people were imprisoned, including political rivals, and forced sterilisations occurred. Post-Emergency, the 44th Amendment (1978) restored judicial review and restricted the power to declare a National Emergency.

The 1975 Emergency remains a defining moment, highlighting the vulnerability of democratic institutions in the Republic when constitutional mechanisms are abused.

Beyond the history, Republic Day is a reminder that the Constitution is a living document. It's the day we celebrate the fact that the ultimate power doesn't reside in a monarch or a single party, but in "We, the People." It's the annual "software update" for the national consciousness, reminding every citizen of their Fundamental Rights and, equally importantly, their Fundamental Duties.

For every Fundamental Right we enjoy, we owe the nation a Fundamental Duty.

- ANI
Sunny Deol was joined by his step-sisters Esha and Ahana Deol at the Mumbai screening of his film 'Border 2', marking their first public reunion since their father Dharmendra's passing last year. The war film, inspired by the 1971 India-Pakistan War, has opened strongly at the box office, collecting Rs 32.10 crore net in India on its first day. In a poignant parallel, the Centre announced Dharmendra as a posthumous recipient of the Padma Vibhushan award. The veteran actor, who began his career in 1960, was celebrated for a prolific career that included a notable role in 2023's 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'.

Sunny Deol reunites with step-sisters Esha & Ahana Deol at 'Border 2' screening, their first public appearance since father Dharmendra's demise.

Mumbai, January 25 Bollywood actor Sunny Deol on Sunday met with his step-sisters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol at the screening of his film 'Border 2' in Mumbai.

Before entering the venue, Sunny, Esha, and Ahana happily posed for the paps. Here are some of the pictures the paps captured.

They all shared smiles, with Sunny standing between the two sisters, his hands resting gently on their shoulders.

This marks their first public appearance together since their dad, veteran actor Dharmendra, passed away last year.

Border 2, released in theatres on January 23, is inspired by the true events of the 1971 India-Pakistan War and showcases how the Army, Navy, and Air Force fight together as one force. It brings Sunny Deol back in uniform once again.

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 also stars Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh in key roles. It is produced by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with JP Dutta's JP Films.

According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the film has recorded one of the biggest openings in recent times. He also mentioned that the war drama has collected Rs 32.10 crore net in India on its opening day.

Meanwhile, the Centre on Sunday announced the recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards 2026, with Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, 2025, named as the honoree for the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour.

Born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village of Punjab's Ludhiana district, he was the son of Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, a school headmaster.

Drawn by his deep love for cinema, Dharmendra moved to Mumbai and made his film debut with the 1960 romantic drama 'Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere', directed by Arjun Hingorani. Although the film failed commercially, it marked the beginning of his journey in the world he had long aspired to be part of.

He got his first commercial success in 1961 with Ramesh Saigal's 'Shola Aur Shabnam', following it up with notable hits such as Mohan Kumar's 'Anpadh' (1962) and Bimal Roy's 'Bandini' (1963), the latter winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. In 1965, Dharmendra delivered another major success with Ram Maheshwari's 'Kaajal', co-starring Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar and Padmini.

His romantic hero image in the 1960s and early 1970s was defined by his striking looks, charming smile and expressive eyes, which resonated deeply with audiences. Films such as 'Aayee Milan Ki Bela', 'Ankhen', 'Neela Aakash', 'Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke', 'Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya', 'Mohabbat Zindagi Hai', 'Pyar Hi Pyar' and 'Mamta' showcased his ability to portray emotional depth, longing and tenderness with effortless ease.

In 2023, he surprised everyone with his stellar performance in Karan Johar's directorial 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. With his role, he literally proved that age is just a number. A much-discussed highlight from the film was his kiss with co-star Shabana Azmi, a moment that many hailed as a tender, progressive portrayal of love in later years, and one that took audiences pleasantly by surprise.

He was also seen in Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon's romantic comedy 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya', which reminded a new generation of his effortless charm.

His last film 'Ikkis' was released on January 1, 2026, days after his demise.

- ANI
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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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for a "buy Canadian" and "build Canadian" initiative in a social media video, urging economic self-reliance. The move is a direct response to a new threat from former US President Donald Trump, who vowed to impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian goods if Canada makes a deal with China. Trump claimed such a deal would allow China to use Canada as a "Drop Off Port" to the US, which would be devastating. Canada's trade minister, Dominic LeBlanc, has denied any pursuit of a free trade deal with China, stating recent talks only resolved specific tariff issues.

PM Mark Carney urges buying Canadian goods after Trump threatens a 100% tariff on all Canadian imports over potential China deal.

Ottawa, Jan 25 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday called for "buy Canadian" and "build Canadian" in response to a new tariff threat from US President Donald Trump.

Carney published a pre-taped video on his personal social media account about buying and building Canadian to combat economic threats from other countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

"With our economy under threat from abroad. Canadians have made a choice: to focus on what we can control," Carney said at the beginning of the video.

Though Carney did not mention the United States directly, the prime minister said: "We can't control what other nations do. We can be our own best customer. We'll buy Canadian. We'll build Canadian."

Trump on Saturday threatened to slap a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian goods coming into the United States.

If Carney "thinks he is going to make Canada a 'Drop Off Port' for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life," he said.

"If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the USA," he added.

Canada's minister responsible for trade with the United States, Dominic LeBlanc, pushed back against Trump's latest threat.

"There is no pursuit of a free trade deal with China. What was achieved was resolution on several important tariff issues," he wrote on X.

- IANS
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a prominent figure in Operation Sindoor, has been named a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honours list. President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous honours. The list features top awards like the Ashok Chakra for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Kirti Chakras for several others. In total, 301 military decorations and 98 Mentions-in-Despatches were approved for personnel across various operations.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a key figure in Operation Sindoor, is among 70 Armed Forces personnel receiving Republic Day gallantry awards from President Murmu.

New Delhi, January 25 Colonel Sofia Qureshi, who was a prominent face during the Operation Sindoor, has been named as a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honours list.

Sofia Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, shared day-to-day details of the strikes that were carried out during Operation Sindoor.

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel in recognition of their exceptional courage and sacrifice on the eve of the 77th Republic Day. The list includes six posthumous honours.

These include one Ashok Chakra; three Kirti Chakras; 13 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous; one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry); 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous; six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Among the awardees are Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth and several others from the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first India to visit the International Space Station (ISS) will be conferred with the Ashok Chakra, the coutry's highest peacetime Gallantry award.

Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Major Arshdeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba will receive the Kirti Chakra for their exemplary service. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth will be honoured with the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.

The President has also approved 301 military decorations for the Armed Forces and other personnel. These include 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Distinguished Bars to the Sena Medal, 43 Distinguished Sena Medals, eight Distinguished Nao Sena Medals, 14 Distinguished Vayu Sena Medals, and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals.

President Murmu has also approved 98 Mentioned-in-Despatches to the Armed Forces personnel, including five posthumous, on the eve of 77th Republic Day. These include 81 from the Indian Army - 17 for Operation Rakshak; 11 for Operation Snow Leopard; 11 for Operation Hifazat; five for Operation Orchid; two for Operation Meghdoot; one for Operation Rhino; two for Operation Sindoor; three for Rescue Operation; four for Operation Casualty Evacuation; one for Operation Soffain; 24 for Miscellaneous Operations, including three posthumous; 15 for the Indian Navy; and two for Border Roads Development Board personnel (posthumous).

- ANI
The Dalai Lama extended warm greetings to participants of the 2nd Global Buddhist Summit 2026, expressing his commitment to fostering relationships among Buddhists worldwide. He highlighted the growing interest in Buddhist principles from both the public and scientists, particularly regarding the mind and emotions. The spiritual leader argued that global challenges like conflict and environmental degradation require the cultivation of compassion and inner peace, not just technological solutions. The summit, organized in New Delhi, aimed to contribute to building a more peaceful and humane world.

The Dalai Lama extends greetings to the 2nd Global Buddhist Summit, highlighting compassion and inner peace as keys to solving global challenges.

Dharamsala, January 25 The Dalai Lama extended warm greetings to all participants of the 2nd Global Buddhist Summit 2026, which will see participation of delegates from across the world.

On the occasion of the Summit, the Dalai Lama said in a statement, "As you are aware, I have long been committed to fostering closer relationships with our Buddhist spiritual brothers and sisters, particularly in Asia, and I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had over the years to meet with them. Earlier this month, I was pleased to meet monks and spiritual brothers from six Asian countries participating in the Pali and Sanskrit International Bhikkhu Exchange Program. Such regular exchanges are truly heartening, and I offer my deep appreciation to both the participants and the organisers for their efforts."

He highlighted how there is a growing interest among many people in Buddhist principles, and within Asians themselves, as it forms an important part of their cultural inheritance. Scientists, too, are increasingly interested in Buddhist philosophy, particularly its insights into the nature of the mind and emotions, he said in the statement.

"Across the world, humanity faces serious global challenges conflict, inequality, environmental degradation and rising mental stress. These problems cannot be resolved through technology or material progress alone; they require the cultivation of a good heart. Compassion and kindness are not luxuries, but essential for human survival. This understanding is not confined to religious belief, and is supported by common sense, shared human experience, and scientific insight".

The statement further noted, "When we recognize that everyone seeks happiness and wishes to avoid suffering, a natural sense of closeness and responsibility toward others arises. This sense of universal responsibility is especially vital in our increasingly interdependent world. Lasting peace must begin within the individual. Inner peace develops through training the mind, reducing destructive emotions such as anger and fear, and cultivating patience, contentment, and self-discipline. Wisdom - particularly an understanding of interdependence -helps overcome narrow self-centred thinking and supports loving-kindness."

He said that the success of this summit can contribute to building a more peaceful and humane world for the well-being of all.

The two-day Second Global Buddhist Summit was organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on January 24-25. The Summit was attended by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, along with senior dignitaries, monks, scholars, and international delegates, the Ministry of Culture said in a statement.

- ANI
Delhi's air quality saw significant improvement, with the AQI falling to 150 in the "moderate" category following winter rainfall. The Commission for Air Quality Management has consequently revoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan across the Delhi-NCR region. Weather forecasts predict partly cloudy skies with shallow fog and surface winds, alongside continued chilly temperatures. Authorities have requested citizens to continue adhering to the guidelines under the earlier stages of GRAP to prevent any backsliding in air quality.

Delhi's air quality improves to AQI 150, "moderate" category, after winter rain. CAQM revokes GRAP Stage III restrictions across the NCR.

New Delhi, January 25 The deteriorating air quality of Delhi witnessed a significant improvement after the winter rain showered the capital city, with the Air Quality Index recorded at 150, in the "moderate" category at 8 am on Sunday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

Although the change in weather added to the chilly conditions, it brought a much-needed relief from pollution.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the Delhi-NCR will have a partly cloudy sky with surface winds reaching a speed of 10-15 km/h. There will likely be shallow fog during the night hours. The temperature stands at 7.4C.

As fog clears, the Taj Mahal in Agra continues to make for an iconic view.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR in view of the improvement in air quality and forecast trends.

While GRAP Stage III is being revoked, keeping in view the winter season when weather conditions may not always be favourable and in order to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further, citizens are requested to strictly adhere to the citizen charter under Stages II and I of the extant schedule of GRAP.

As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'.

Meanwhile, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked all Stage III actions across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect on January 22 in view of the improvement in air quality and forecast trends.

- ANI
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who are the Chief Guests for India's 77th Republic Day celebrations. The EU leaders were accorded ceremonial welcomes ahead of the 16th EU-India Summit, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host. The summit aims to strengthen the strategic partnership across trade, security, defence, and clean energy transitions. Key outcomes are expected to include a joint comprehensive strategic agenda and progress on long-pending free trade agreement negotiations.

EAM Jaishankar meets EU Presidents Costa & Von der Leyen, guests for Republic Day. Talks with PM Modi aim to deepen India-EU strategic partnership.

New Delhi, Jan 25 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday met European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who are the Chief Guests for the Republic Day ceremony, and expressed confidence that their upcoming discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will herald a new chapter in India-EU ties.

"Delighted to welcome President European Council President Antonio Costa and President European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to India. A great privilege to have them as Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

"Confident that their upcoming discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will herald a new chapter in India - European Union relations," he added.

Costa and Von der Leyen, who are the Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations, were accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour here on Sunday.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada welcomed Costa at the airport as he arrived for his state visit.

"India-EU : A partnership of Trust and Reliability. A cordial welcome to the President of the European Council Antonio Costa as he arrives in New Delhi for a State Visit to India. Received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry; and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

"President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen were accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour. Presidents Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen are the Chief Guests at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations. The visit is set to deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership," he added.

Costa stated that he is "honoured" to arrive in New Delhi for the 16th EU-India Summit on the eve of India's Republic Day.

"Honoured to arrive in New Delhi for the 16th EU-India Summit, on the eve of India's 77th Republic Day. Celebrating a strong and growing EU-India partnership-from trade and security to the clean transition and vibrant people-to-people connections," he posted on X.

Von der Leyen arrived in India on Saturday and was received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Prasada upon her arrival.

In a statement, the European Council stated that Costa and Von der Leyen will represent the EU at the 16th EU-India summit in New Delhi on January 27. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the summit. Ahead of his arrival in India, Costa said: "India is a crucial partner for the EU. Together, we share the capacity and responsibility to protect the rules-based international order."

The European Council, in its statement, said: "The summit will offer an opportunity to build on the EU-India strategic partnership and further strengthen collaboration across key policy areas such as trade, security and defence, the clean transition and people-to-people cooperation."

During the summit, the leaders are expected to adopt a joint EU-India comprehensive strategic agenda, which aims to increase strategic cooperation between the two sides in four sectors, reinforced by enablers across pillars: prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, as well as connectivity and global issues.

The two sides will also discuss trade in the context of the ongoing negotiations on a free trade agreement that began in 2007. During the summit, both sides will focus on closer collaboration between the EU and India on security and defence matters. The leaders will also discuss regional and global matters, especially the importance of an effective multilateral system, a free and prosperous IndoPacific region, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Middle East.

- IANS
Legendary British-born journalist Mark Tully, renowned as the BBC's "voice of India," has died at age 90 in a Delhi hospital due to multi-organ failure following a stroke. His illustrious career spanned three decades with the BBC, where he covered seminal events from the Emergency and Operation Blue Star to economic liberalization. Tully was a recipient of India's Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards and was knighted by the UK. He authored several books on India and remained a trusted voice for millions until his final broadcasts in 2019.

Padma awardee & former BBC bureau chief Mark Tully, famed for covering pivotal events in modern India, passes away in Delhi at age 90.

New Delhi, January 25 Legendary journalist Mark Tully passed away at the age of 90 at a private hospital in the national capital on Sunday, the hospital said.

The former BBC journalist had been admitted to Max Super Speciality Hospital in the south Delhi locality of Saket for the past week.

According to an official statement from the hospital, Tully passed away on January 25 at 2:35 PM.

"The cause of death was multi-organ failure following a stroke. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, loved ones, and all those affected by his passing," the statement said.

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera has also expressed condolences at the passing away of the Padma awardee journalist Mark Tully.

Khera recollected living in the same locality as Tully.

In a post on X, he said, "Many like me, grew up listening to his voice, reading his books. I ended up living in the very locality in which he lived for years and fell in love with. Travel well, Padma Shri Sir Mark Tully. RIP"

Tully was born in Calcutta in 1935 into a wealthy family of British settlers. His father was the director of a railroad and a partner in a holding company that owned a bank, an insurance firm, and tea plantations. After the Second World War, his parents sent him to boarding school in the United Kingdom. He later took theology courses at Cambridge University and then entered a seminary.

His career as a journalist brought him back to the land of his birth. In 1965, he was hired as an administrator by the BBC's New Delhi office. Tully returned to London in 1969 to head the Hindi service and then the West Asia service, for which he covered the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971 and the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Tully's coverage of India included the imposition of the Emergency in 1975, Operation Blue Star in June 1984, the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the same year in October, the killing of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, the economic liberalisation, the demolition of the Ram JanamBhoomi-Babri Masjid disputed structure in Ayodhya in 1992 and countless elections.

Tully, known as the BBC's "voice of India", was even expelled from the country in 1975 at 24 hours' notice for refusing to sign a 'censorship agreement' after the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, imposed the emergency. But he returned to the country after the end of the Emergency and has been in the national capital ever since. He was residing in Nizamuddin West, South Delhi.

Tully, the former Bureau Chief of the BBC, New Delhi, held the position for 20 years. He worked with the BBC for three decades before resigning in July 1994 for what he described as a "culture of fear" in the organisation under the then Director-General John Birt. But he continued to broadcast on BBC airwaves, notably as presenter of Radio 4's Something Understood show untill 2019.

The veteran journalist, who was a recipient of many awards, was also awarded the country's top civilian honours, the Padma Shree and the Padma Bhushan. He was also knighted by the UK government in 2002.

Tully has authored many books on India, including 'No Full Stops in India', 'India in Slow Motion', and 'The Heart of India'.

The UNESCO Courier describes Tully as a "radio legend in India."

"For over a quarter of a century, one of the most recognised and trusted radio voices in India was that of Mark Tully. This British correspondent for the BBC has covered all the momentous events that marked the country's recent history, until the mid-1990s. He is a living witness of the time when radio was the main medium to reach the masses, telephone communications were unreliable, and radio recordings were made on magnetic tapes that had to be physically sent to the editorial offices," it said.

- ANI
Akasa Air has announced that flights across its network are facing delays and cancellations due to dense fog conditions in Northern India, particularly impacting Delhi and Srinagar. The airline has apologized for the inconvenience and urged passengers to check their flight status online before traveling to the airport. The India Meteorological Department forecasts shallow to moderate morning fog is likely to persist in Delhi-NCR for the next six days. A drop in minimum temperatures is also expected over the coming days before a subsequent rise.

Akasa Air issues travel advisory as dense fog in Northern India causes flight disruptions. Passengers told to check status before heading to airports.

New Delhi, January 25 Akasa Air flights are experiencing delays and cancellations due to dense fog in Northern India, particularly in Delhi and Srinagar. The airline is advising passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

In a post on X, Akasa Air shared, "Due to fog in Northern India, some flights across our network have been impacted. We sincerely regret the inconvenience this may cause to your travel plans and appreciate your understanding during this time. Your comfort and care remain our priority. While the weather situation is beyond our control, our dedicated teams on ground and at our 24x7 Akasa Care Centre are always available to assist you and provide support through any changes to your journey."

"For the latest updates, please check your flight status http://bit.ly/qpfltsts before travelling to the airport. We truly value your patience and cooperation during these times as we navigate these weather challenges together," the statement further added.

After the Friday showers, the national capital and surrounding areas woke up to a thick layer of fog on Saturday.

Delhi-NCR on Saturday had a cloudy sky, moderate morning fog, and strong surface winds (10-20 kmph).

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi-NCR will have partly cloudy skies on January 25 and 26, 2026, and generally cloudy skies on 23, 24, 27, and 29, with shallow to moderate fog likely during the morning hours for the next 06 days.

A 5-6C drop in minimum temperatures is expected over the next two days, followed by a rise thereafter. Consequently, minimum temperatures are likely to be normal (-1.5C to 1.5C) during the next two days, above normal (1.6C to 3.0C) on 27 & 29.

- ANI
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is advocating a "Buy Canadian" strategy to shield the economy from external threats, emphasizing a focus on domestic control. This comes after former US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on all Canadian goods if Ottawa proceeds to deepen trade relations with China. Trump accused Canada of opposing his "Golden Dome" defense project while pursuing economic engagement with Beijing, which he claimed would "devour" Canada. Carney's recent visit to China resulted in a framework to lower tariffs on some Canadian agricultural exports and manage Chinese electric vehicle imports.

PM Mark Carney urges Canadians to focus on domestic economy after Donald Trump threatens 100% tariffs if Canada deepens trade ties with China.

Ottawa, January 25 Prime Minister Mark Carney is urging Canadians to "Buy Canadian" to protect the country's economy from global economic threats. This move signals a shift toward focusing on local business rather than relying heavily on international trade. This development comes in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump warning Canada against making trade deals with China.

PM Carney warned that Canada's economy is currently under "threat from abroad," advocating for a strategy where the country becomes its own "best customer."

"With our economy under threat from abroad. Canadians have made a choice: to focus on what we can control," Carney said.

He further added, "We can't control what other nations do. We can be our own best customers. We'll buy Canadian. We'll build Canadian. Together we will build stronger."

Carney's message comes amid escalating transnational tensions, particularly in North American trade relations and Canada's outreach to Asia.

On Saturday, Trump warned Canada and its PM Mark Carney against pursuing economic agreements with China, threatening steep trade penalties if Ottawa moves ahead with such deals.

Referring to the Canadian Prime Minister as "Governor," Trump said the United States would impose a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian goods should Ottawa deepen trade ties with Beijing.

In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, "If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a 'Drop Off Port' for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken."

Escalating his criticism, Trump added, "China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life. If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

The remarks followed an earlier attack by Trump on Canada, in which he accused Ottawa of opposing his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defence system over Greenland while simultaneously expanding economic engagement with China.

"Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada," Trump said, adding, "Instead, they voted in favor of doing business with China, who will 'eat them up' within the first year!"

Trump's comments came in the wake of Carney's recent visit to Beijing, aimed at reviving economic cooperation with China, Canada's second-largest trading partner after the United States. During the visit, Carney also criticised US and Western policies while addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The China trip resulted in an understanding to lower tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural exports and introduce quotas on Chinese electric vehicles entering the Canadian market. The framework could also open the door to increased Chinese investment in Canada.

Speaking earlier about the agreement, Carney appeared to allude to ongoing trade frictions with Washington, describing Canada's recent engagement with China as more "predictable" and characterising discussions with Beijing as "realistic and respectful."

- ANI
The World Economic Forum's latest survey finds that 53% of chief economists anticipate a weakening global economy in 2026, despite slightly improved sentiment from the previous year. Major risks include soaring public and private debt levels, geopolitical tensions, and potential asset bubbles in markets like US AI stocks. Global trade is fragmenting as countries pivot to regional agreements, creating winners and losers. While AI is seen as a long-term productivity booster, its adoption and benefits are expected to be highly uneven across economies and business sizes.

WEF survey reveals 53% of chief economists expect a weaker global economy in 2026, citing debt, geopolitical tensions, and uneven AI benefits.

New Delhi, January 25 The global economy is expected to face a challenging year in 2026, according to the World Economic Forum's latest Chief Economists' Outlook released this month. While confidence has improved slightly compared to last year, more than half of leading economists still believe global economic conditions will weaken in the coming months.

The survey showed that 53 per cent of chief economists expect the world economy to slow down, while only 19 per cent see stronger growth ahead.

"With 53 per cent of chief economists expecting global economic conditions to weaken, 28 per cent expecting no change and 19 per cent expecting a stronger economy, the prospects for the global economy tilt towards the negative in the year ahead, albeit with improved sentiment compared to last year's outlook," the survey report read.

Rising risks from high debt levels, inflated asset prices, and ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on the outlook. Trade disputes and shifting alliances are also reshaping global investment and supply chains.

Financial markets have remained strong despite these risks, especially in the United States, where stocks linked to artificial intelligence (AI) have surged.

However, economists are divided on whether these high valuations can last. Some warn of possible asset bubbles and sudden market corrections, while others argue that today's leading tech firms are more profitable and better funded than those during past market crashes. At the same time, traditional safe-haven assets such as gold have gained popularity as investors seek protection from uncertainty.

Debt has become a major concern for governments and businesses worldwide. Years of heavy borrowing have pushed public and private debt to high levels, forcing policymakers to make difficult choices.

Spending on defence, digital infrastructure, and energy is expected to rise, while budgets for areas such as education, social protection, and environmental programmes may face pressure, it said.

Global trade is also adjusting to a more fragmented world. Countries are increasingly turning to regional and bilateral trade agreements to secure access to critical resources and technologies.

As a result, some regions are expected to benefit, while others may struggle with protectionist measures and policy uncertainty.

Artificial intelligence stands out as both a major opportunity and a source of disruption. Economists expect AI to boost productivity over time, but the benefits will not be evenly shared.

Adoption is moving faster in advanced economies and large firms, while smaller businesses and developing regions may lag behind. The impact on jobs remains uncertain.

- ANI
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla addressed the state-level function for the 16th National Voters' Day in Shimla, emphasizing the need for public awareness regarding electoral roll revision. He praised the Election Department's successful campaigns to register youth and increase women's voter ratios in tribal areas like Shillai and Bharmour. The Governor highlighted the international recognition received by Chief Electoral Officer Nandita Gupta, who served as an observer in Moldova. The event included honoring state icons, releasing a coffee table book, and distributing Voter ID cards to new voters.

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla addresses 16th National Voters' Day in Shimla, praising election officials for boosting voter registration, especially among women and youth.

Shimla, January 25 Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Sunday emphasised the need to further increase public awareness about the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and said that special attention must be paid to ensure that people do not face any inconvenience during the process in Himachal Pradesh.

The Governor was addressing the state-level function organised on the 16th 'National Voters' Day' at the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla, where he attended as the chief guest.

Extending greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of the 16th National Voters' Day and Himachal Pradesh's Full Statehood Day, the Governor said that the Election Commission has decided the first line of this year's Voter Festival as 'My India, My Vote'. He called upon every citizen to celebrate the festival of adult franchise without any discrimination on the basis of religion, caste or sect, saying that this ensures people's participation in governance.

He said, "As a statutory institution, every citizen today feels proud of the Election Commission of India for maintaining democratic values, conducting elections with complete transparency and impartiality, and establishing a distinct identity in the world, and the Commission's work is appreciated globally."

The Governor appreciated the efforts of the Election Department in Himachal Pradesh for successfully running campaigns in government and private educational institutions to register youth as voters under the voter inclusion programme in 2025. He said that in the Shillai area of Sirmaur district, where the number of women in the electoral roll was minimal, women's registration has increased. Similarly, he noted that in the Bharmour tribal area of Chamba district, the women's ratio has increased due to a special campaign.

He also appreciated the Chief Electoral Officer and her department for their efforts in other districts to include youth, women and specially-abled citizens in the electoral rolls.

Governor Shukla said it was a matter of pride for the state that the Chief Electoral Officer, Nandita Gupta, was sent by the Election Commission of India in September 2025 as an international observer to oversee the electoral process during the national elections in Moldova, Europe. He said her work enhanced the prestige of both the Commission and the country.

Calling upon voters to actively participate in the democratic process, the Governor urged them to cooperate with the Election Commission by taking a pledge to strengthen India's democratic system so that the country continues to be recognised globally as a strong, empowered and inclusive democracy.

On the occasion, the Governor honoured State Icons associated with the Election Department's programmes, as well as officers and Booth Level Officers for their outstanding performance. He also released a coffee table book prepared by the Election Department, administered the 'Voters' Day' pledge and distributed Voter Photo Identity Cards to newly registered voters.

Earlier, Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Nandita Gupta, while welcoming the Governor, said that National Voters' Day is organised not only to honour voters but also to remember India's nation builders whose visionary efforts strengthened the foundations of democracy. She said the day provides an opportunity to honour voters from all sections of society and to acknowledge the services of officials and employees who have made special contributions to the democratic process.

She said that following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Election Department made sustained efforts to increase the number and proportion of women and youth voters. As a result, the proportion of women voters in the Shillai area of Sirmaur district reached 833, while in the Bharmour tribal area of Chamba district it increased from 930 to 948.

Gupta said that through the continuous updation of electoral rolls from January 6, 2025, a total of 91,949 voters were added, errors in the records of 1,49,328 voters were corrected, and orders were issued to remove 64,643 ineligible voters due to death, transfer and other reasons.

Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer of Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, presented the vote of thanks.

A message from the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, was also broadcast on the occasion. An awareness play based on the Special Intensive Revision (S.I.R.) and cultural programmes was also presented. Earlier, the Governor visited an exhibition organised by the Election Department.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dr Murari Lal, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Neeraj Chandla, senior state government officials and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

- ANI
For many Americans, a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World is a once-in-a-lifetime experience  because of budget, not desire. Between expensive hotel stays, food, flights, park tickets and souvenirs, a family adventure at a Disney park could easily run into the thousands of dollars.

While you shouldnt abandon all priceless experiences in your life in the pursuit of riches, the amount of money a Disney vacation costs does beg the question: If you invested the cost of, say, 5 Disney trips in Disney stock 20 years ago, how much money would you have today?

This thought experiment is not meant as a literal choice you should make, but it does highlight in black-and-white just how much in savings runaway discretionary spending can cost.

The Cost of Five Disney Trips

You could ask 10 different families how much they spent on their Disney trips and likely get 10 different answers. Variables like park choice, trip duration, family size, and travel style all play big roles in determining the size of the final bill.

However, a recent post from Disney-focused blog Magic Guides suggests that a typical weeklong trip to Disney World for a family of four in 2025 costs around $6,785. This cost includes:

Seven nights of accommodations

Six days of theme park tickets

Lightning Lane access

Seven nights of the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

Additional food costs of $20 per person per day

Important to note, however, is that this estimate does not include airfare to Orlando, a rental car or fuel. So, depending on your planning, a trip could likely cost somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000. For purposes of this exercise, a $7,500 estimate seems reasonable.

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The Cost of Disney Stock 20 Years Ago

According to Yahoo! Finance, the split-adjusted price of Disney stock was $19.97 on Dec. 5, 2005. If you invested $37,500  or the approximate cost of five trips to Disney  you could have acquired approximately 1,877 shares of Disney stock.

Disneys Current Share Price

As of Dec. 5, 2025, Disney closed at $105.30 per share, according to Yahoo! Finance. At that price, your 1,877 shares would now be worth $197,648.

What This Comparison Shows

If you had invested your Disney vacation money into Disney stock instead over the past 20 years, you could have more than quadrupled your original investment. And thats still not as well as you could have done.

Disney has been something of a stagnant stock over the past 20 years, with an average annual rate of return of about 8.67%, according to Calculator.net computations. If you had invested that original $37,500 in the S&P 500 index instead, for example, you would now have more than $300,000, thanks to the markets 10.5% average annual return.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a chorus of birthday greetings for Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, commending his dedication and grassroots experience. Senior BJP leaders including Union Ministers Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari extended their wishes, highlighting his role in the state's development. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also joined in, offering religious blessings for Saini's well-being. The Haryana BJP unit praised his visionary leadership and governance initiatives benefiting all sections of society.

PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and other BJP leaders extend heartfelt birthday wishes to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, praising his leadership.

New Delhi, Jan 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led a wave of birthday greetings for Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, praising his dedication to public service and crediting his grassroots experience with driving the state's steady progress.

In a message posted on X, PM Modi wrote, "Heartfelt birthday wishes to Haryana's dynamic Chief Minister, Shri Nayab Singh Saini ji, who is dedicated to public service. His grassroots experience is proving highly beneficial for the people of my state, like family. Under his leadership, our beloved state is steadily progressing on the path of development. May God grant him good health and a long life."

The Prime Minister's message set the tone for a series of tributes from senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and party units across the country, highlighting CM Saini's leadership and governance record since taking office.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his wishes, underlining the chief minister's role in advancing the state under the broader leadership of the BJP.

"Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri @NayabSainiBJP Ji. Under the leadership of Modi Ji, you are continuously advancing Haryana's prosperity, security, and heritage. I pray to God for your excellent health and long life," Shah said in his post (loosely translated from Hindi).

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari echoed similar sentiments, focusing on CM Saini's well-being and public life. "Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri @NayabSainiBJP ji. I pray to God for your excellent health, long life, and a blissful life," Gadkari wrote on X.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also joined in, offering religious blessings alongside his message.

"Heartfelt birthday wishes to the esteemed Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri @NayabSainiBJP Ji. May Lord Shri Krishna bless you with excellent health, a long life, and a life filled with glory," CM Adityanath said.

The Haryana BJP, in a detailed message from its official X handle, praised Saini's "visionary leadership" and governance initiatives.

"Your visionary leadership, unwavering determination, and dedication to public welfare have continuously propelled the state forward in the direction of development, good governance, and social justice," the party said, adding that welfare schemes under his leadership were benefiting every section of society. The message concluded with prayers for his health, long life, and continued service to the state.

- IANS
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Gujarat on January 27 to participate in a special religious programme at Ahmedabad's Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple. The event commemorates 200 years of the writing of the Shikshapatri, a key scripture of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, and is expected to draw a large gathering of devotees. Security and logistical preparations are being coordinated by the Ahmedabad police and the temple trust for the event. This marks Shah's second visit to Gujarat this month, following his participation in the Uttarayan festival celebrations.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah to attend a major religious ceremony in Ahmedabad commemorating 200 years of the Shikshapatri scripture.

Ahmedabad, Jan 26 Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Gujarat again on January 27, marking another significant engagement in his home state this month.

During this visit, Shah will attend a special religious programme at the historic Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple in Ahmedabad, where a grand congregation has been organised by the temple trust to commemorate 200 years of the writing of the Shikshapatri, a foundational scripture of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.

According to organisers, the event will be held at Parv Ground and is expected to draw a large gathering of devotees from across the country.

Shah will participate in the religious celebrations, offer prayers and seek blessings during the ceremony.

In view of the Union Minister's visit, the Ahmedabad city police and the district administration have begun preparations to ensure tight security arrangements.

Senior officials said coordinated measures are being put in place to manage crowd movement and maintain law and order during the event, given the anticipated turnout of devotees.

The Kalupur Temple Trust is also overseeing extensive logistical preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme.

Shah's participation is seen as significant from a religious standpoint, as he has frequently attended major events of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya in the past.

Sources associated with the temple said senior saints and priests of the sect are likely to formally honour him during the ceremony, in keeping with tradition.

This visit follows closely on the heels of Shah's recent stay in Gujarat earlier this month, when he was in the state from January 14 to 16.

During that trip, he participated in the Uttarayan celebrations in Ahmedabad, offered prayers at prominent temples, and met with local leaders.

He had also attended cultural and community programmes linked to the festival, underscoring his continued engagement with social and religious events in the state.

With the January 27 programme, Shah's second visit to Gujarat in the same month highlights a schedule that combines religious participation with public engagement.

Officials said further details regarding his itinerary and security arrangements would be finalised closer to the date of the event.

- IANS
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across nine districts of Tamil Nadu, driven by an easterly wave over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The affected districts include Chengalpattu, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Salem, Namakkal, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, and Ramanathapuram. Rainfall may be accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, raising risks of localized flooding and traffic disruption. While the intensity may reduce by Monday, warmer nighttime temperatures are expected across the state due to the absence of fog.

IMD warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall in 9 Tamil Nadu districts, with thunderstorms and flooding risks. Chennai to see moderate showers.

Chennai, Jan 25 The India Meteorological Department, Chennai, has forecast heavy rainfall across nine districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, warning residents to remain cautious as unstable weather conditions are expected to persist over the next two days.

According to an official statement issued by the Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre, an easterly atmospheric wave prevailing over the southwest Bay of Bengal is the key driver behind the current spell of rainfall. Due to this system, several parts of Tamil Nadu are likely to receive rain for at least two days.

The department has specifically cautioned that heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur during the day in the districts of Chengalpattu, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Salem, and Namakkal. In addition, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, and Ramanathapuram districts are also likely to witness spells of intense rainfall during the day.

Meteorological officials noted that the rain may be accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in isolated places, increasing the risk of localised flooding, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and disruption to road traffic.

Farmers and residents in vulnerable regions have been advised to take precautionary measures and closely follow official advisories.

For Chennai and its suburban areas, the weather department has predicted moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at several locations through the day. While widespread flooding is not anticipated at present, intermittent showers may cause temporary inconvenience, particularly during peak traffic hours.

Looking ahead, the IMD stated that moderate rainfall is likely to continue across Tamil Nadu on Monday as well, though the intensity may gradually reduce in some interior regions.

No fog conditions have been forecast anywhere in the state during this period.

Interestingly, despite rainfall activity, the absence of fog and cloud breaks during early morning hours is expected to push up night-time temperatures.

The department has projected that minimum temperatures across Tamil Nadu may rise by up to 3 degrees Celsius above normal, leading to relatively warmer nights.

Authorities have urged fishermen to monitor weather bulletins regularly, as sea conditions over parts of the Bay of Bengal may remain unsettled. The public is advised to stay alert and follow safety instructions issued by local administrations as the weather situation evolves.

- IANS
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that India's culture and philosophy can provide the right direction to a world grappling with violence and instability. He highlighted ancient Indian mantras as guiding principles being promoted by the Gayatri Parivar. Uttarakhand Governor Gurmeet Singh emphasized the national pledge towards the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal, suggesting India is poised to become a world leader. The event concluded with acknowledgments of the successful global participation in the spiritual program.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says India's culture offers direction to a world facing violence and instability at Gayatri Parivar event.

Haridwar, January 25 As the Centenary Year Ceremony 2026, organised by the Gayatri Parivar, concludes, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Saturday, stated that India's philosophies and culture can provide the right path to a world which is struggling with violence, uncertainty, and instability.

"There are uncertainties, violence, and instability across the entire world at present. Business is increasingly being weaponised. In such an environment, India's culture and philosophy can provide the right direction to the world... 'Athmabaddha Sarvbhuteshu', 'Vasudev Kutumbhkam', and 'Vishv Ka Kalyaan' are our top mantras, and the Gayatri family is putting efforts to inculcate these mantras into the society... Efforts of the Gayatri parivar and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will not only empower India but also take it towards world peace and development..." he said.

Furthermore, the Governor of Uttarakhand, Gurmeet Singh, said that the nation has pledged commitment towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, underlining that it was evidently obvious during the celebrations that India can become a world leader.

"This is not a closing ceremony but the beginning of a new era. Today was a day of great joy, as the entire Gayatri family, the whole of India, came together to take a collective pledge after 51 days of worship, penance, service, and acts of welfare. It truly feels like a new era has dawned. The main message was that if we change, the world will change. Today, we all came together and took a pledge to utilise the knowledge given to us by Gurudev and the blessings bestowed upon us by our revered Mataji, to achieve the goals that our nation, our family, has set for 2047: a developed and self-reliant India to become a world leader. Today, it feels like nothing can stop our nation from becoming a world leader. On this day, we have pledged to remain committed to our Viksit Bharat 2047 goal..." he said.

"There are uncertainties, violence, and instability across the entire world at present. Business is increasingly being weaponised. In such an environment, India's culture and philosophy can provide the right direction to the world... 'Athmabaddha Sarvbhuteshu', 'Vasudev Kutumbhkam', and 'Vishv Ka Kalyaan' are our top mantras, and the Gayatri family is putting efforts into inculcating these mantras into the society... Gayatri Parivar and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will not only empower India but also take it towards world peace and development..." he said.

At the conclusion of the programme, the Dev Sanskriti University Vice Chancellor, Chinmay Pandya, applauded the global participation of disciples.

"It was a matter of great fortune. This program, which began on the 18th of this month, was undertaken with a very serious purpose... It is a matter of immense good fortune that more than seventy thousand Gayatri Pariwar workers from over eighty countries successfully completed this massive programme so smoothly, without any disruption or problems. We don't view this merely as a celebration but as a demonstration of discipleship. To ignite the flame of knowledge that Gurudev entrusted to us and to spread it to others has been our long-held aspiration and resolution..." he said.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his Mann Ki Baat address to emphasize the integral role of India's family system in its tradition, noting global curiosity and regard for it. He specifically commended the UAE's initiative to designate 2026 as the 'Year of the Family', following discussions with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his recent visit to India. Separately, PM Modi announced the upcoming India AI Impact Summit in February 2026, which will showcase India's progress in artificial intelligence to global experts. The summit is structured around the pillars of People, Planet, and Progress, aiming to influence AI policy and implementation.

PM Modi highlights India's family traditions, commends UAE's 2026 'Year of the Family' initiative, and announces the upcoming India AI Impact Summit.

New Delhi, January 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted that "India's family system formed an integral part of our tradition" and said that many countries around the world hold such family systems in "high regard".

During his Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said, "India's family system is an integral part of our tradition. It is viewed with great curiosity in many countries around the world. Many countries hold such family systems in high regard."

Recalling the visit of the UAE President to India earlier this week, he praised the celebration of 2026 as the 'Year of Family' as a commendable initiative.

"Just a few days ago, my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, visited India. He told me that the UAE is celebrating 2026 as the Year of the Family. The aim is to strengthen harmony and community spirit among its people. This is truly a commendable initiative."

An official website of the UAE Government noted how following the directives of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and as part of the UAE Year of Initiative, 2026 has been designated as the Year of Family.

"This national initiative calls on everyone who calls the UAE home to celebrate the family as the foundation of a strong, united, and compassionate community. It seeks to deepen awareness of the importance of nurturing close family bonds -- the roots from which resilient communities grow -- and to uphold the enduring values of unity, care, and cooperation, ensuring these values are passed on to future generations", it said.

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.

PM Modi also spoke about the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit scheduled to be held next month will highlight "India's progress and achievements" in the world of AI.

Addressing the nation during the 130th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said, "The India AI Impact Summit is going to be held next month. Experts from across the world, especially those from the field of technology, will come to India for this summit. This summit will also highlight India's progress and achievements in the world of AI."

The summit, scheduled for February 2026, focuses on India's role in the global development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies.

The upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being hailed as a landmark event that will solidify India's position as a global leader in responsible and inclusive Artificial Intelligence.

The Summit is built around the three guiding pillars or 'Sutras' of People, Planet and Progress, with focused working groups or 'Chakras'. The discussions and outcomes from these groups are expected to influence AI policy, skilling strategies, and implementation across India and the Global South, the Ministry of Electronics & IT stated earlier.

- ANI
President Droupadi Murmu, in her Republic Day eve address, credited India's growing self-reliance in defence for the historic success of Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure. She highlighted the combat readiness of the armed forces, citing her experiences with the IAF's Sukhoi and Rafale jets and the Navy's INS Vikrant. The President also emphasized the strength of India's young population and their role in entrepreneurship and nation-building. Furthermore, she noted India's position as the world's fastest-growing major economy, moving towards becoming the third-largest.

President Droupadi Murmu's Republic Day eve address lauds India's military prowess, Operation Sindoor success, and the nation's youth-driven economic growth.

New Delhi, January 25 President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday emphasised the country's growing military capabilities, citing the Indian Air Force's combat readiness and the Indian Navy's indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. She noted India's precision strikes against terror infrastructure through Operation Sindoor last year.

In her address to the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, President Murmu said that during operation Sindoor , terror centres were destroyed and many terrorists met their end.

The President highlighted that India's self-reliance in the field of defence powered the historic success of Operation Sindoor. President Murmu said that based on the strength of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, people have complete trust in the country's defence preparedness.

In her address President Murmu mentioned her recent visit to the Siachen Base Camp, where she witnessed the bravery and preparedness of Indian soldiers in challenging conditions. Additionally, she highlighted her experience of flying in the Sukhoi and Rafale fighter planes, showcasing the IAF's capabilities

"Last year, our country launched precision strikes against terror infrastructure through Operation Sindoor. Terror centres were destroyed, and many terrorists met their end. Our self-reliance in thefield of defence powered the historic success of Operation Sindoor. At the Siachen Base Camp, I saw our brave soldiers fully prepared and motivated to defend the country even amidst extremely challenging conditions. I also had the opportunity to fly in the Sukhoi and Rafale fighter planes of the Indian Air Force. I saw the combat readiness of the Air Force. I witnessed the extraordinary capabilities of the Indian Navy's indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. I also sortied in the submarine INS Vaghsheer. Based on the strengthof the Army, Air Force, and Navy, people have complete trust in our defence-preparedness," she said.

In her address, President Murmu emphasised the importance of National Voters' Day, celebrated on January 25, and praised Indian citizens for enthusiastically exercising their right to vote

"The 25th of January is celebrated as 'National Voters' Day' in our country. Our adult citizens enthusiastically cast their votes to electtheir representatives. Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar believedthat the exercise of the right to vote leads to political education. Our voters, in line with Babasaheb's vision, are demonstrating theirpolitical awareness. The increasing participation of women in votingadds a powerful dimension to our Republic," she said.

President Murmu highlighted India's young population as a significant strength, with immense talent and entrepreneurial spirit. She mentioned initiatives like 'Mera Yuva Bharat' or 'MY Bharat', which provide a technology-driven learning mechanism to connect young citizens with opportunities in leadership and skill development. The President also noted that India's start-ups have demonstrated impressive success, driven mainly by young entrepreneurs.

"Our country has the world's largest young population. What gives usspecial pride is that our youth possess immense talent. Our young entrepreneurs, sports-persons, scientists, and professionals are infusing new energy into the country and making their mark on theglobal stage. Today, a large number of our young people are presenting impressive instances of success through self-employment. Our youth are the flag bearers of our nation's development journey. 'Mera Yuva Bharat' or 'MY Bharat' provides a technology-driven experiential learning mechanism to connect young citizens with opportunities in several areas, including leadership and skill development. The impressive success demonstrated by start-ups inour country is mainly driven by our young entrepreneurs. The country's development will gain momentum through policies andprograms focused on the aspirations of the younger generation. I amconfident that the power of youth will play a leading role in the makingof Viksit Bharat by 2047," she said.

Further, President Murmu stated that India is the world's fastest-growing major economy, moving towards becoming the third-largest economy in the near future. She emphasised the importance of Atma-nirbharata and Swadeshi in shaping the country's economic destiny. The President also highlighted the implementation of GST, which has established a system of 'One Nation, One Market', and the recent decisions to make the GST system more effective.

"India is the world's fastest-growing major economy. Despite global uncertainties, India is recording continuous economic growth. We aremoving towards achieving our goal of becoming the world's third-largest economy in the near future. By investing in the creation of world-class infrastructure, we arerebuilding our economic strength at a much larger scale. In this journey of shaping our economic destiny, Atma-nirbharata and Swadeshi are our guiding principles. The most important decision for the economic integration of thecountry after Independence, the implementation of GST, hasestablished the system of 'One Nation, One Market'. The recent decisions to make the GST system even more effective will further strengthen our economy. Four Labour Codes have been issued in thefield of labour reforms. These will benefit our workers and will alsoaccelerate the development of enterprises," she added.

She also emphasised the importance of protecting the environment, citing India's cultural tradition of living in harmony with nature. Murmu mentioned the country's message of 'Lifestyle for Environment' or 'LiFE', promoting sustainable development."Protection of the environment is a high priority today. I am proud thatIndia has steered the global community in many areas related to the environment. A lifestyle in harmony with nature has been a part ofIndia's cultural tradition. This lifestyle is the basis of our message tothe global community: 'Lifestyle for Environment', or 'LiFE'. Let usmake efforts to ensure that Mother Earth's precious resources remainavailable for future generations. In our tradition, we have been offering prayers for peace to prevail inthe entire universe. The future of humanity can remain secure only if there is peace in the whole world. In an atmosphere marked byconflicts in many parts of the world, India is spreading the message ofworld peace," she added.

The address was broadcast from 07:00 pm on the entire national network of Akashvani and telecast on all Doordarshan channels in Hindi, followed by the English version. The address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan is followed by broadcasts in regional languages on Doordarshan's regional channels. Akashvani will broadcast regional-language versions from 09:30 pm onwards on its respective regional networks.

- ANI
IndiGo has proactively cancelled its January 25 flights from Delhi to Tbilisi and Mumbai to Almaty, citing safety concerns due to recent developments around Iran. The airline also warned that flights on January 26 to several Central Asian cities may require brief refueling halts in Doha. This move aligns with actions by major international carriers like Air France and Lufthansa, which have also adjusted operations due to regional geopolitical tensions. Concurrently, the US Treasury has imposed new sanctions targeting entities and vessels in Iran's petroleum transport network.

IndiGo cancels flights to Tbilisi & Almaty, warns of refueling halts for other Central Asia routes due to Iran tensions. Major global airlines also affected.

New Delhi, Jan 25 Low-cost airline IndiGo on Sunday announced to cancel flights from Delhi to Tbilisi and from Mumbai to Almaty scheduled for January 25, including their return journeys.

The airline also said in a post on X that flights scheduled on January 26, 2026, to and from Tbilisi, Almaty, Baku, and Tashkent may experience brief halts at Doha for refueling.

"As a follow up to our first advisory, and in view of the recent developments around Iran, we are making certain proactive changes to our flight schedules as part of our continued focus on safety," said the airline on social media platform X.

"IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on 25 January 2026 from Delhi to Tbilisi and from Mumbai to Almaty and return have been cancelled. Please visit https://goindigo.in/plan-b.html to explore alternate options, including future available flights or a full refund," it said.

It further stated that "IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on 26 January 2026 to and from Tbilisi, Almaty, Baku and Tashkent may take a brief halt, for refueling, at Doha".

"Please keep a tab on your flight status. We continue to closely monitor the situation and will share further updates. We appreciate your patience and understanding," said the airline.

Several airlines have rerouted, delayed or cancelled flights that traverse Iranian airspace, amid the geopolitical tensions.

Major international carriers, including Air France, KLM and Lufthansa, suspended or scaled back operations to Israel and key Gulf destinations on Saturday, citing security situation.

Meanwhile, the US has announced a new round of sanctions targeting what it described as Iran's "shadow fleet," as Washington moved to further restrict revenue streams it says are being used to repress the Iranian people and finance destabilising activities abroad.

The Treasury imposed sanctions on eight entities and nine vessels involved in transporting Iranian petroleum and petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas.

- IANS
The Israeli Defense Forces have recapped significant operational achievements by its 7th Armored Brigade in southern Gaza over the past week. These include the completion of a year-long operation to destroy an extensive underground terror tunnel approximately four kilometers long, containing sleeping quarters and weapons. In separate activities, forces located five inactive rocket launchers and various other weapons and explosives following an engagement that eliminated six terrorists. The IDF stated its forces remain deployed in accordance with ceasefire terms and will continue to counter immediate threats.

Israeli military completes destruction of a 4km underground terror tunnel in Gaza, locates rocket launchers and weapons in recent brigade operations.

Tel Aviv, January 25 The IDF recapped the recent activities of its 7th Armored Brigade in the southern Gaza Strip including the destruction of an underground terror tunnel approximately four kilometers long and the detection of rocket launchers and provided videos of its actions.

Last week, after the exchange of fire in which six terrorists were eliminated, the forces searched the area and located equipment and weapons, including: explosives, cartridges and an instruction manual for preparing explosives.

In additional activities, the forces located five inactive rocket launchers and several weapons.

Also, the activity to destroy an underground route, which began about a year ago, in cooperation with (Diamond) Combat Engineers Special Forces, was completed, with a length of about four kilometers, in which several sleeping rooms and weapons were found.

"IDF forces in the Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the outline of the ceasefire agreement and will continue to act to remove any immediate threat," said the IDF.

- ANI
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a sharp public rebuttal to former US President Donald Trump's suggestion that NATO allies did not fully support the US in Afghanistan. Meloni emphasized that NATO activated its mutual-defense clause for the first time after 9/11, demonstrating unprecedented solidarity. She detailed Italy's significant military commitment, including leadership of a key regional command and heavy casualties of 53 soldiers killed. Meloni called statements minimizing allied contributions "unacceptable" and stressed that respect is fundamental to the Atlantic Alliance.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni strongly rejects Donald Trump's claims that NATO allies failed to support the US in Afghanistan, citing Italy's major role.

Rome, Jan 25 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has issued a strong public response after US President Donald Trump suggested that NATO allies had failed to fully support the United States during military operations in Afghanistan, remarks that have sparked backlash across Europe.

In a statement posted on X, Meloni said, "The Italian Government has learned with astonishment of President Trump's statements according to which NATO allies would have 'fallen behind' during operations in Afghanistan." She stressed that such claims overlook the unprecedented solidarity shown by the alliance following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Meloni recalled that "Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NATO activated Article 5 for the first and only time in its history: an extraordinary act of solidarity toward the United States." She underlined Italy's immediate and sustained military commitment, noting that Rome deployed thousands of troops and assumed leadership of Regional Command West, one of the most strategically important areas of the NATO-led mission.

"Over the course of nearly twenty years of commitment, our Nation has borne a cost that cannot be disputed," Meloni wrote, citing 53 Italian soldiers killed and more than 700 wounded during combat operations, security missions, and training efforts for Afghan forces.

She concluded that "statements that minimize the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially if they come from an allied Nation," while reaffirming the long-standing relationship between Rome and Washington. "Friendship requires respect, a fundamental condition for continuing to ensure the solidarity at the heart of the Atlantic Alliance," Meloni added.

Trump's remarks, made during an interview with Fox News at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday (January 22, 2026), triggered outrage and concern across the United Kingdom and other NATO countries the following day. "We've never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them," Trump said, referring to NATO allies. "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 also said he was uncertain whether NATO would support the United States if assistance were ever requested, comments that many European leaders viewed as dismissive of two decades of allied cooperation.

In October 2001, nearly one month after the September 11 attacks, the United States led an international coalition into Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaida and remove its Taliban hosts. Forces from dozens of countries participated, including NATO members whose mutual-defense clause had been invoked for the first time in the alliance's history.

- IANS
Japan's last two giant pandas, twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, are set to return to China from Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, ending a continuous panda presence that began in 1972. Their departure, while scheduled, is widely seen as reflecting the current strained diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries. China's "panda diplomacy" policy loans the animals as goodwill ambassadors, and their recall often signals cooling ties. Recent tensions have included statements on Taiwan and Chinese economic measures that have drastically reduced tourism to Japan.

Japan's last two giant pandas depart for China, ending a 50-year panda presence amid diplomatic tensions and economic measures between the nations.

Tokyo, January 26 Japan's last two pandas, twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, were seen by visitors at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on Sunday ahead of their scheduled return to China later this month, as reported by The Taipei Times.

Their departure will mark the first time Japan will be without giant pandas since 1972, amid tensions between the two countries.

The two pandas were born in 2021 at the Ueno Zoo, to mother Shin Shin and father Ri Ri. The parents were returned to China in 2024, a year after the twins' sister Xiang Xiang was also sent back.

Japan first received giant pandas in 1972 to commemorate the normalisation of diplomatic relations with China, CNN reported. Since then, additional pandas have either arrived from China or been born locally, becoming major attractions in the country.

Although born in Japan, the pandas remain the property of China under the framework of Beijing's "panda diplomacy," CNN reported

Under this policy, the Chinese government considers pandas as national symbols and goodwill ambassadors, loaning them to countries with which they wish to strengthen ties.

While the pandas' return to China had been scheduled in advance, their impending absence has been widely seen as mirroring a downturn in Japan-China relations in recent months.

Last year, China also recalled four pandas from a zoo in a Japanese town that depended heavily on panda-related tourism.

Taipei Times reported that last year in November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a military response from Japan.

Meanwhile, Beijing has responded with a series of economic measures, including reducing flight services and issuing advisories cautioning citizens against travel to Japan. As a result, the number of Chinese visitors to Japan fell by nearly half last month compared to a year earlier, declining to about 330,000, Tourism Minister Yasushi Kaneko said last week.

- ANI
BYD AUS CAN

In Australia, 41% of EV sales are from Chinese brands. Could Canada be next to see such a surge?

There are a lot of choices in Chinas car market, and nearly every one of them is desperately seeking a new home in some export market. Brands like BYD or Xiaomi may have strong sales and profitability at home, but thats the exception, not the rule. There are dozens of smaller players with big dreams and goals of seeing global domination outside of China, since, well, they just cant generate the local volume needed to hit profitability.

Often, these cars from lesser-known companies rely on exports to turn around dire profitability and sinking sales trends in their home country. Just look at Neta, a Chinese brand that has faced falling sales and financial woes in China as of late. It has hoped to find success by pivoting to markets like Thailand and Brazil. But the cars themselves dont seem like theyre as good as ones from bigger brands with more money, like Geely or BYD, nor do they have the same after-sales support.

As Canada gets access to Chinese cars, I cant help but wonder: Which brands come through first? And if they all run through the door at once, which ones actually pull this off?

If you go down under to Australia, you could start to see an answer.

BYD Australia Top

Chinese auto brands have made serious inroads into Australia in recent years, filling a vacuum as Ford and General Motors have given up on local production. The market share of Chinese brands in Australia is around 17% now, versus 1.7% in 2019. This is [tenfold] growth since COVID, in other words, said Mike Costello, an analyst with Cox Automotive Australia and New Zealand.

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Both countries are developed but sparsely populated, with similar colonial histories and a similar size on the global stage. Canada is the bigger country economically and by population, with the larger car market to boot. Over 1.8 million cars were sold in Canada last year, compared to 1.2 million in Australia.

Geographically and geopolitically, Australia is inherently closer to China. Chinese brands have been on the continent since at least the late 2000s, with Great Wall Motors launching in 2009, and later Chery in 2011. Chery exited Australia in 2015, partially due to poor quality and crash safety ratings, but would later re-enter in 2023 with significantly improved vehicles amid a growing desire for both affordable cars and electrified ones.

ORA Funky Cat First Edition UK-spec exterior front view driving

Now, that 17% does include the wide range of pure gas-powered and hybrid models sold from brands like Chery or Great Wall Motors. Yet, when we focus on EVs, its clear that Chinese contenders have huge appeal for Australians.
Leonardo DiCaprio has publicly expressed his disappointment that his "One Battle After Another" co-star Chase Infiniti was not nominated for a Best Actress Oscar. He praised her performance as the emotional core and "heart and soul" of the film. DiCaprio highlighted the difficulty of her role as a young actress carrying the movie's emotional weight in her first film. The film itself received 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for DiCaprio.

Leonardo DiCaprio says co-star Chase Infiniti was the "heart and soul" of their film after she was omitted from the Best Actress nominations for the 2026 Oscars.

Washington DC, January 25 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has reacted to the Oscars 2026 snub of his One Battle After Another co-star Chase Infiniti, saying he feels strongly that she deserved a nomination for her powerful performance in the film.

DiCaprio, who himself has been nominated for the Academy Awards eight times and won Best Actor in 2016 for The Revenant, spoke after learning that Infiniti did not make it to the Best Actress list for the 2026 Oscars.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 'Titanic' actor while speaking to the Associated Press, the actor made it clear that he believes Infiniti was the emotional center, the "heart and soul", of the movie.

He also added that the film would not feel complete without her role and said her performance was the main force that held the story together.

DiCaprio also spoke about how hard it is for a young actor to carry such deep emotional weight in a first film, calling the task almost "near-impossible." He added that Infiniti handled the situation with great strength and pride.

She was the fabric of this movie. She was the heart and soul," DiCaprio said. "There would be no One Battle After Another without the performance that she gave."

"A young actress coming in to fill a role that was her first film and carrying the entire emotional weight of this movie was a near-impossible task," DiCaprio said. "She should be so proud of herself and we're all so proud of her."

This year, DiCaprio is nominated for Best Lead Actor along with Timothee Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan and Wagner Moura. One Battle After Another also earned nominations for Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Supporting Actor for Benicio Del Toro. The film received a total of 13 nominations.

Many had expected Chase Infiniti to be nominated for Best Actress, but the final list includes Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve and Emma Stone. Film industry watchers also pointed out that several other actors missed out on nominations this year.

- ANI
Madras High Court Judge Justice GR Swaminathan lit a lamp resembling the controversial Deepathoon lamp at an awards event in Chennai. He made light-hearted remarks about his remaining service and not being suspended. His original judicial order to light lamps on the Deepathoon at Tirupparankundram temple had drawn criticism and an impeachment motion from INDIA bloc MPs. However, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court upheld his order, stipulating consultation with the ASI for the ritual.

Justice GR Swaminathan lights a lamp, jokes about tenure, and discusses his controversial Deepathoon judgment upheld by the Madras High Court.

Chennai, January 25 Madras HC Judge Justice GR Swaminathan, whose judgement to light lamps on the "Deepathoon" in Tirupparankundram temple sparked a controversy in Tamil Nadu, on Saturday, lit a look-alike lamp at the Dhara Divine Awards in Chennai.

While lighting the lamp, he jokingly said, "Is this not a survey stone right which I light right?"

Speaking about the event, he said, "I am so happy to participate in the programme. Everyone who got a prize today is great and excellent in their respective work. Particularly, Ilaiyaraaja's grandson, who is so humble and fell at our feet and got blessings."

He further jokingly said, "I have four and a half years' service and believe and hope I will not be suspended before my tenure."

"Today's programme gave me hope to strengthen Sanathana Dharma," he added.

Justice GR Swaminathan faced strong criticism from the ruling DMK government over his judgment to light the lamps on the "Deepathoon" in Tirupparankundram temple.

Over 100 INDIA bloc MPs from the Lok Sabha during the Winter session submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding an impeachment motion against Madras HC judge Justice Swaminathan

However, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on January 6 upheld Justice GR Swaminathan's order.

The bench, consisting of Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan, observed that the district administration ought to have treated the issue as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the communities through mediation.

It further held that, since the hill is a protected site, any activity there must strictly comply with the Act's provisions. The Court clarified that the lamp may be lit and the number of persons permitted can be fixed, subject to consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Petitioner Rajesh called the court's order remarkable, stating that the lamp should be lit on a Deepathoon and the temple administration should make the necessary arrangements for it. He said that the arguments presented by the state government into the matter were rejected by the court.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised environmentalist Benoy Das from Cooch Behar, West Bengal, during his Mann Ki Baat radio address. Das expressed immense pride that his hometown and his green efforts were recognized nationally by the Prime Minister. His initiative, which began in 2010, has successfully created five small forests through planting thousands of trees, often at his own personal cost. Das now aims to expand this model by creating similar green zones in every river basin area.

Cooch Behar's Benoy Das feels pride as PM Modi lauds his forest creation work in Mann Ki Baat. He has planted thousands of trees since 2010.

Cooch Behar, January 25 After Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday acknowledged his work during the 130th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Benoy Das expressed happiness and pride over the recognition.

Das said he felt honoured that his hometown, Cooch Behar, had been mentioned by the Prime Minister, calling it a proud moment for the entire city as people across the country came to know about their efforts. Speaking about his initiative, he said the project began in 2010 with the aim of gradually developing and expanding small forests. So far, he has created five such forests and plans to establish similar green zones in every river basin.

"I'm feeling very good. We live in a small city called Cooch Behar. This city has been mentioned by the Prime Minister of India. It's a matter of great pride for the people of Cooch Behar that the whole of India has seen this. We started this project in 2010. Our resolve is to gradually develop small forests and expand them. I have created five small forests. In the future, my intention is to create small forests in every river basin area," Benoy Das told ANI.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Mann Ki Baat address, praised Benoy Das of Cooch Behar, West Bengal, for his individual efforts to make the district greener.

The Prime Minister said Das has planted thousands of trees and has often personally borne the costs of purchasing, planting, and nurturing the saplings. He added that Das has also worked with local residents, students and municipal bodies whenever required. Owing to his sustained efforts, roadside greenery in the area has significantly improved.

"Benoy Das, a resident of Cooch Behar, West Bengal, has single-handedly worked to make his district green. Benoy Das ji has planted thousands of trees. He has often borne the entire cost of purchasing, planting, and caring for the saplings. Where necessary, he has collaborated with local people, students, and municipal bodies. Through his efforts, the greenery along the roadsides has further improved," PM Modi said.

- ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah marked National Voters' Day by calling it a moral responsibility for citizens to safeguard the voting system from external pollution. He emphasized that the constitution grants every voter equal power to direct the nation's path. Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across remaining states to ensure database integrity. The Election Commission highlighted its 2025 achievements, including training thousands of officers and launching digital voter service platforms.

Home Minister Amit Shah emphasizes moral duty to protect voting integrity as Election Commission announces new electoral roll revision.

New Delhi, January 25 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday extended greetings to the citizens on the occasion of National Voters' Day.

On the occasion, the senior BJP leader reminded the people of their moral responsibility to safeguard their voting system.

Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shah wrote, "Warm greetings to all our citizens on 'National Voters Day'. This day reminds us that our constitution has given every voter equal power, and the right vote can show our nation the right direction. It is our moral responsibility to safeguard our voting system and ensure that no external factor can pollute it. May on this day we recommit ourselves to the pledge to align the power of our votes to build a developed and powerful India."

The Election Commission of India was established on January 25, 1950, a day before Republic Day.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced on January 23 that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will soon be rolled out across all remaining states, marking a significant step toward ensuring the accuracy and integrity of India's voter database.

The Election Commission celebrated 2025 as a year of significant achievements and innovations. Among the approximately 30 major initiatives undertaken were capacity-building programs that trained more than 5,000 Booth Level Officers and supervisors from various states at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management in New Delhi.

Other key initiatives included the launch of the ECINet App, which consolidates all elector services on a single digital platform, the introduction of mobile deposit facilities at polling stations, and a decision to cap the maximum number of electors per polling station at 1,200 for voter convenience.

National Voters' Day has been observed annually on this date since 2011 to mark the foundation day of the Commission and encourage young voters to participate in the political process.

- ANI
The Tamil Nadu BJP has launched a statewide campaign on National Voters' Day 2026, urging responsible voting and a 100% turnout for the upcoming Assembly elections. Party spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad emphasized the role of voter education and cited the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of rolls as key to electoral integrity. The campaign, themed "My India, My Vote," includes outreach targeting first-time voters and youth through awareness programs. Prasad argued that such informed participation is essential to reject corruption and elect a development-oriented government.

Tamil Nadu BJP launches voter awareness drive for 2026 elections, emphasizing ethical voting, electoral roll integrity, and 100% voter turnout.

Chennai, Jan 25 Marking National Voters' Day 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday launched a statewide campaign in Tamil Nadu, urging citizens to exercise their franchise responsibly and work towards 100 per cent voter turnout in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The party said sustained voter education and electoral reforms were essential for strengthening democracy and ensuring people-centric governance.

In a statement, Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad said National Voters' Day - first observed in 2011 - has played a key role in raising awareness about voting rights, electoral integrity and the importance of informed choices.

He recalled that within a few years of focused voter education, the country witnessed a decisive shift in national politics, culminating in the 2014 general election that brought the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance to power.

Prasad said the 2026 observance has gained added significance in view of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which he described as a rigorous exercise to remove bogus entries and empower genuine voters.

According to him, the SIR has restored public confidence in the electoral process by ensuring that only eligible citizens decide election outcomes.

The BJP leader alleged that criticism directed at the Election Commission of India, the Prime Minister and the party over voter-roll reforms was politically motivated and had been countered by public support for clean elections.

He argued that similar awareness in Tamil Nadu would help voters reject corruption, dynastic politics and "anti-people" alliances in the 2026 polls.

Highlighting the theme for National Voters' Day 2026 - "My India, My Vote", with the slogan "Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy" - Prasad said BJP workers across the state were organising outreach programmes, especially targeting first-time voters and youth.

These initiatives include awareness meetings, voter enrolment drives and discussions on the role of ethical voting in development and welfare.

The statement also referred to greetings issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion, calling on citizens to treat voting as a sacred democratic duty.

Prasad said the party believes sustained public engagement, transparent elections and informed participation would pave the way for a stable, development-oriented government in Tamil Nadu.

National Voters' Day, observed annually on January 25, commemorates the foundation of the Election Commission of India and aims to reinforce the values of inclusive participation, electoral integrity and citizen-centric democracy.

- IANS
Polls are open across Nepal's seven provinces to elect 17 new members for the National Assembly, with vacancies effective March 4. The Election Commission has completed all preparations for the voting, which will be conducted by provincial assembly members and local government officials. One seat in Koshi Province was already filled unopposed by a Nepali Congress candidate. The vote weight for this election has been adjusted downward following the resignations of several representatives who are contesting upcoming House of Representatives elections.

Polls open across Nepal's seven provinces to elect 17 new National Assembly members. Voting by local representatives concludes March 4 vacancies.

Kathmandu, January 25 Polls are set to start from 9 AM to elect 17 new members for the National Assembly, which will fall vacant from March 4, 2026, according to the Election Commission.

The Commission said all preparations have been completed for the voting, which will take place from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm across all seven provinces.

Though 18 seats in the upper house of the Federal Parliament are set to be vacant, the one post under the Khas Arya category in Koshi Province has already been filled unopposed.

"Nepali Congress candidate Sunil Bahadur Thapa was elected without contest. It was unopposed," Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai told ANI.

Elected representatives from various bodies are set to vote to choose the remaining 17 seats.

The Election Commission has designated the Provincial Election Offices as the polling stations for all seven provinces. As per the Election Commission, polling stations have been set in Biratnagar, Morang (Koshi Province); Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Mithila Cultural Centre in Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City-4, Dhanusha (Madhesh Province); and Bhutan Devi Secondary School in Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City-4, Makawanpur (Bagmati Province).

Similarly, polling stations have been set up at the Provincial Election Office in Pokhara, Kaski (Gandaki Province); the Lumbini Province Employees' Meeting Centre in Ghorahi, Dang; the Provincial Election Office in Birendranagar, Surkhet (Karnali Province); and the Provincial Election Office in Dhangadhi, Kailali (Sudurpaschim Province).

For the National Assembly election, members of the Provincial Assemblies, mayors and deputy mayors, and chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of rural municipalities will be eligible to vote.

The Commission noted that the vote weight assigned to the election has been reduced following the resignations of several elected representatives who are contesting the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.

- ANI
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has sternly warned that no irregularities will be tolerated within the BJP under any circumstance. He stated that many people in Tripura still do not understand what the Bharatiya Janata Party stands for, but there is still time to learn. Saha highlighted the government's commitment to tribal development and fulfilling all tribal demands. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, citing Operation Sindoor and the vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Tripura CM Manik Saha issues strict warning against party irregularities and states many in Tripura still don't understand the BJP's power and vision.

Agartala, January 26 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha warned that "many in Tripura still do not understand what the BJP stands for," adding that "there is still time to understand the party."

According to an official release, the Chief Minister emphasised that no irregularities will be tolerated within the party under any circumstances, and necessary instructions have been issued accordingly.

Saha made the remarks while attending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat program at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Bishramganja in Sepahijala district on Sunday.

On the occasion, Saha said that everyone eagerly waits for the Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat program on the last Sunday of every month.

"Today was no exception. The Prime Minister spoke on various topics concerning the country and abroad. I am very happy that I have come to the Charilam Mandal together with you and listened to the Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat," he added.

Highlighting the BJP government's focus on tribal development, the Chief Minister stated, "All the demands of the tribals will be fulfilled. Many do not have the slightest understanding of the power of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government. Even after coming back to normal life from the underground, the mentality of many has not changed," Saha said, as per the release.

The Chief Minister asserted that "the more obstacles come, the stronger the Bharatiya Janata Party will become."

"Many do not have the slightest understanding of the power of our government. We want to be good with everyone, and we want to talk respectfully. We have made arrangements to bring those who were once underground into the mainstream. But the mentality they have after coming to normal life has remained the same. So I will tell them not to engage in too much trickery. We are still talking reasonably. One must remember that when you are going to throw stones from a glass house, you have to think at least ten times about where you are. So be very careful," he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that many people in Tripura still do not understand what the Bharatiya Janata Party is, the release said.

"So, from today's platform, I will say that there is still time to understand the Bharatiya Janata Party. No irregularities will be tolerated in this party under any circumstances, and necessary instructions are being given accordingly. We are talking about building a new Tripura, and that is only possible through peace, logic, and dialogue. If there is any greatest leader in the world today, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When someone attacks, he gives a befitting reply. The best example of this is Operation Sindoor. The Prime Minister is working toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047. For that purpose, we have also prepared the outline for a developed Tripura 2047," said Saha.

Saha further said that the tribals are now realising that no one will develop them except a national party like the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"So they should understand this. We all want to be together. This government is committed to the development of the tribals," said Saha.

The Chief Minister was joined by BJP Pradesh General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, Pradesh In-Charge of the Mann Ki Baat program Ratan Ghosh, Sepahijala District President Supriya Das Dutta, TIDC Chairman Nabadal Banik, Charilam Mandal President Tapas Das, and other party leaders and workers.

- ANI
Kailash Chandra Pant from Madhya Pradesh has been selected for the Padma Shri award in the Literature and Education category for 2026. He stated the honour is a matter of pride not just for him, but for everyone dedicated to these fields. Pant had previously received the Nehru Literacy Award from former President APJ Abdul Kalam. The 2026 Padma awards list includes 131 recipients, with notable posthumous Padma Vibhushan awards for actor Dharmendra and former Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan.

Madhya Pradesh's Kailash Chandra Pant reacts to his Padma Shri award in Literature & Education, calling it a collective pride for the field.

Bhopal, January 25 Kailash Chandra Pant selected for the Padma Shri award- one of India's highest civilian honours- on Sunday said that the honour was not only a matter of pride for him but also for everyone working in the fields of education and literature.

Pant from Madhya Pradesh will be conferred with the Padma Shri in 2026 in the category of Literature and Education.

Speaking to ANI, Pant said he had earlier received the Nehru Literacy Award from former President APJ Abdul Kalam in recognition of his contribution to education. He added that his literary work primarily focuses on critical essays, along with a few independent writings.

Pant said the Padma Shri recognition in the fields of literature and education reflects the collective efforts of all those dedicated to promoting learning and literary pursuits across the country.

"This honour received in the fields of literature and education is not only a matter of great pride for me, but also for all those who are working in the field of education and those who are deeply involved in literature. As far as my literary work is concerned, it is mainly based on critical essays, and I have also written some independent works... In the field of education, I received the Nehru Literacy Award in Delhi from the hands of then President Abdul Kalam," Pant told ANI.

For the year 2026, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday approved the conferment of 131 Padma awards for 2026, including two duo cases counted as single awards, and Bollywood actor Dharmendra Singh Deol and former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan as recipients for Padma Vibhushan posthumously.

The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards, recognising distinguished service across a wide range of fields.

Ninety awardees are women and the list includes six persons from the category of foreigners, NRI, PIO and OCI, and 16 posthumous awardees acording to a statemet from the governmnt.

The Padma Vibhushan awardees include actor Dharmendra Singh Deol (posthumous) for Art from Maharashtra; former Supreme Court judge KT Thomas for Public Affairs from Kerala; violin maestro N Rajam for Art from Uttar Pradesh; eminent Malyalam journalist P Narayanan for Literature and Education from Kerala; as well as veteran left leader and former Kerala CM Achuthanandan (posthumous) for Public Affairs.

Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The Awards are given in various disciplines / fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; 'Padma Bhushan' fordistinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

Acording to a statement by the Home Ministry, these Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March / April every year.

- ANI
Olivia Wilde's directorial film 'The Invite' premiered to a packed house and a standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival, moving Wilde to tears. The couples' dramedy features a cast including Penelope Cruz, Seth Rogen, and Edward Norton as new neighbors caught in chaotic scenarios. Wilde expressed her gratitude to the audience and paid tribute to the late Sundance founder, Robert Redford. The film is a remake of the Spanish movie 'Sentimental' and was among several well-received premieres at the festival.

Olivia Wilde was moved to tears as her directorial film 'The Invite' starring Penelope Cruz received a rousing standing ovation at Sundance.

Los Angeles, January 25 Hollywood actor Olivia Wilde has left fans and the audience at the Sundance Film Festival highly impressed, thanks to her latest cinematic outing, 'The Invite'.

Wilde, who directs and co-stars in the couples' dramedy, was moved to tears over the rousing response as the film was unveiled at the festival on Saturday, as per Variety. The house was packed with several industry stalwarts, who cheered loudly for the film, which also features Penelope Cruz, Seth Rogen, and Edward Norton.

Speaking at the screening, an overwhelmed Wilde told the crowd, "This was the dream, to premiere right here for you guys. We just dug into it with generosity and poured a spirit into it with personal ideas. The cast brought this creative energy every day."

As the credits rolled, the actor returned to the stage when she received a standing ovation, leaving her in tears. "I heard a wise person say, you're never as vulnerable as when you're laughing. And I think that the great thing about this group is it allowed us to take people on that journey, to let them laugh, let them relax, and then just gut punch them," she shared about her performance, as quoted by Variety.

While expressing her gratitude, Wilde also offered a nod to Sundance founder Robert Redford, who passed away at 89 last year.

'The Invite' follows the story of a resentful couple (Wilde and Rogen), who are hosting their new neighbours (Cruz and Norton). However, what follows is a series of madness, including aggressive standoffs, food allergies, tequila shots, and much more.

The film is a remake of the Spanish movie 'Sentimental'.

Besides 'The Invite', the festival also saw standing ovations gaining traction for films like Olivia Colman's 'Wicker', 'Fing!', and Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan starrer 'Josephine' following their screenings.

- ANI
Incheon International Airport set a new annual passenger record in 2025, handling over 74 million travelers. The surge was primarily fueled by increased demand for flights to Japan and China, aided by long holidays, a Chinese visa waiver, and a weak Korean won. While Southeast Asia remained the largest regional market, its share declined partly due to safety concerns following a South Korean student's death in Cambodia. The airport operator forecasts continued growth of 2-6% for passenger traffic in 2026.

Incheon International Airport served over 74 million passengers in 2025, a record high driven by increased travel to Japan and China.

Seoul, Jan 25 Passenger traffic at Incheon International Airport exceeded 74 million in 2025, driven by increased flights to and from Japan and China, the airport's operator said on Sunday.

A total of 74.07 million passengers traveled through South Korea's main gateway last year, marking the highest annual figure since the airport opened in 2001, according to Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC), reports Yonhap news agency.

The 2025 total was up 4.1 percent from 71.15 million passengers recorded a year earlier.

"In particular, travel demand to Northeast Asian countries surged on the back of unusually long Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, China's temporary visa waiver program, and the weakness of the won, which boosted demand for alternative destinations such as Japan and China," the IIAC said.

On international routes, Southeast Asia accounted for 26.7 percent of passenger traffic last year, followed by Japan at 25.1 percent and China at 16.7 percent, with the remainder on other routes.

The share of Southeast Asian routes declined from 29.6 percent a year earlier, amid rising safety concerns following the death of a South Korean college student in Cambodia last August in a suspected employment scam.

Overall freight volumes rose 0.3 percent on-year to 2.95 million tons last year, supported by increased belly cargo, which uses excess space on passenger aircraft to transport freight.

The IIAC said it expects passenger traffic this year to grow 2 to 6 percent on-year to between 75.54 million and 78.55 million.

Meanwhile, the remains of a late South Korean university student allegedly tortured to death by a criminal organisation in Cambodia returned home Tuesday, 74 days after he was found dead in the Southeast Asian country.

A Korean Air flight carrying the cremated remains of the 20-something student, surnamed Park, arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, a day after South Korean and Cambodian authorities conducted a joint autopsy on his body in Phnom Penh.

- IANS
Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HHH) is one of the best stocks to buy, according to billionaire Bill Ackman. In December, Reuters reported the company is poised to purchase specialty insurance firm Vantage Group Holdings.

Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (HHH) Expands Into Specialty Insurance with $2.1B Deal for Vantage Group Holdings

The $2.1 billion acquisition is part of the real estate firms bid to diversify its footprint beyond property development. Additionally, the deal is expected to transform Howard Hughes Holdings into a diversified holding company akin to Berkshire Hathaway, as Vantage boasts a diversified portfolio of property and casualty products.

The company is to fund the acquisition with cash and up to a $1 billion loan from Bill Ackmans hedge fund, Pershing Square. In return, it could buy back the stock from Pershing Square over seven years at a premium based on Vantages book value. The acquisition comes as the company increasingly buys controlling stakes in smaller businesses in other sectors as part of a diversification strategy.

Were following a playbook that worked for Berkshire Hathaway  starting with a core business and adding insurance to create a platform for long-term capital compounding, said executive chair Ackman in a statement.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the demise of veteran journalist Sir Mark Tully, praising his profound connection with India and enduring impact on public discourse. Tully, the former BBC chief of bureau in New Delhi, passed away at the age of 90 in a south Delhi hospital after an illness. During his 22-year stint, he reported on seminal events in South Asia, including India-Pakistan conflicts, Operation Blue Star, and the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. Born in Calcutta in 1935, Tully was a theology student who chose journalism, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in India throughout the late 20th century.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the passing of former BBC journalist Sir Mark Tully, a towering voice in Indian journalism.

New Delhi, Jan 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the demise of Sir Mark Tully, a towering voice of journalism.

The Prime Minister said that Sir Mark Tully's deep connection with India and its people was vividly reflected in his works.

He noted that Sir Mark's reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse.

The Prime Minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family, friends and admirers of Sir Mark Tully.

The Prime Minister wrote on X: "Saddened by the passing of Sir Mark Tully, a towering voice of journalism. His connect with India and the people of our nation was reflected in his works. His reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse. Condolences to his family, friends and many admirers."

Mark Tully, whose voice was one of the most famous in India throughout the latter decades of the 20th century as he reported on key political developments, passed away on Sunday. He was 90.

Tully, a former BBC journalist who covered India and South Asia throughout his career and was honoured by both the Indian and the British governments, was ailing for some time and was admitted to a south Delhi hospital, where he passed away.

Born in Tollygunge, Calcutta, on October 24, 1935, into a wealthy British businessman's family, Tully did his initial schooling in India, including a boarding school in Darjeeling, before returning to the UK at the age of nine. He studied theology at Cambridge and had planned a career in the church, but gave it up midway. He chose journalism instead, joining the BBC in 1964.

Tully moved back to India in 1965 to work as the BBC's India Correspondent. Soon becoming the service's chief of bureau, New Delhi, he, in his 22-year-long stint, covered all the major South Asian incidents during his tenure, ranging from the various India-Pakistan conflicts, Operation Blue Star, the subsequent assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the anti-Sikh riots, the Bhopal gas tragedy, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, and the Babri Masjid demolition.

- IANS
President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the 16th National Voters' Day celebrations in New Delhi. The event, themed 'My India, My Vote', will see the President distribute Electors Photo Identity Cards to new young voters and present awards for best electoral practices. The Election Commission will launch new publications and a video highlighting its global leadership in electoral management. Celebrations will be held simultaneously across the country, with Booth Level Officers felicitating newly registered voters at the local level.

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates 16th National Voters' Day, themed 'My India, My Vote', distributing EPICs and awards for best electoral practices.

New Delhi, Jan 25 President of India Droupadi Murmu will on Sunday kick off celebrations on the 16th National Voters' Day by handing over Electors Photo Identity Cards to the newly-enrolled young electors.

This year, the theme of the event is 'My India, My Vote' with the tagline, "Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy".

President Murmu will preside over the function as the Chief Guest and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal will be the Guest of Honour.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would be leading the event, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, said a statement issued by the ECI.

During the event President Murmu will distribute the Best Electoral Practices Awards in different categories including effective use of technology, election management and logistics, innovative voter awareness, implementation and enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, training and capacity building, along with other special awards and awards for the media.

The National Voters' Day will also see the launch of two publications - '2025: A year of Initiatives and Innovations' and 'Chunav Ka Parv, Bihar Ka Garv', a publication on the successful conduct of General Elections in Bihar.

A video reflecting the ECI's global leadership in electoral management and democratic development shall also be screened on the occasion, said the statement.

An exhibition showcasing various aspects of the elections, including preparation of Electoral Rolls and the Conduct of Elections, will also be organised. It will also highlight the recent initiatives taken by ECI for the benefit of the voters and the successful conduct of the Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections in 2025.

The NVD celebrations are also conducted simultaneously throughout the country at the State and District levels through the offices of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and District Election Officers (DEOs) respectively.

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) also organise events at their respective polling station locations and shall felicitate the newly registered voters and hand over the EPIC to the new electors, said the statement.

- IANS
The Union Agriculture Ministry has approved the procurement of 3.37 lakh metric tonnes of tur (pigeon pea) in Maharashtra at a Minimum Support Price, involving approximately Rs 2,696 crore. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized the government's commitment to farmer welfare despite the significant financial burden. He directed officials to ensure procurement is done directly from farmers to cut out middlemen and to use modern technology for transparency and registration. The high-level meeting was attended by state and central officials to coordinate the effort.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approves procurement of 3.37 lakh MT tur in Maharashtra under MSP, aiming for direct farmer benefit.

New Delhi, January 25 Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday approved the procurement of 3.37 lakh metric tonnes of Tur in Maharashtra, with an MSP amount of approximately Rs 2696 crore, under the Price Support Scheme.

At a meeting, Union Agriculture Minister discussed procurement arrangements with State Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal. He provided necessary guidance to NAFED, NCCF, and relevant state officials.

As per a statement from the Agriculture Ministry, Chouhan said that due to this decision of purchasing tur, the Central Government will have to bear a "huge financial burden", but despite this, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fully committed to the welfare of the farmers.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that it is crucial that procurement is done properly. Only by purchasing directly from farmers will the involvement of middlemen be reduced and the benefits will reach the actual farmers.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh said that NAFED and NCCF should conduct the procurement process in coordination with the state government, so that the benefits of procurement reach genuine farmers. Directing officials to ensure transparency through modern technology, Chouhan said that proper arrangements should be made for farmer registration using the latest and most effective technology.

Chouhan directed the officials to increase the number of procurement centres if required, so that farmers do not face any inconvenience and the procurement system remains transparent and effective.

The high-level meeting was attended by Maharashtra Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal, Union Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi and other senior officials.

- ANI
Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi greeted the people of Himachal Pradesh on its Statehood Day, calling it a prosperous "Devbhoomi." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his wishes, praising the state's contribution to India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu echoed similar sentiments for continuous development. The leaders all shared their messages on social media platform X.

Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi, Amit Shah, and CM Sukhu extend heartfelt wishes to the people of Himachal Pradesh on its 56th Statehood Day.

New Delhi, January 25 Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday greeted all the residents of "Devbhoomi" Himachal Pradesh on the occasion of Statehood Day.

Gandhi took to X, posting, "Heartfelt greetings to all residents of Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh on the occasion of Statehood Day. Himachal, brimming with natural beauty and cultural treasures, is a beautiful and prosperous state. I wish for the continuous success and progress of the state."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings to the people of Himachal Pradesh on the state's 56th Statehood Day.

"Heartfelt greetings on the occasion of full statehood day to all family members of Himachal Pradesh, the confluence of nature and culture. With their extraordinary talent and valor, they have always served Mother India. I wish for their bright future as well as the prosperity of this divine land," PM Modi said in a post on X in hindi.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also sent his greetings to the people of the state, expressing his wish for continuous development and prosperity of Himachal.

"Heartfelt greetings to the people of the state on the full statehood day of Devbhumi Himachal Pradesh. May Himachal Pradesh, enriched with natural beauty, spiritual consciousness, and cultural pride, continue to advance on the path of continuous development and prosperity--this is my prayer to God." Shah posted on X.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also congratulated people on the occasion.

"Heartfelt congratulations on the 56th Statehood Day of Himachal Pradesh. Statehood Day is a symbol of Himachal Pradesh's glorious journey, struggles, and collective unity. This day provides us the opportunity to reaffirm our resolve to build a self-reliant, prosperous, and green Himachal, drawing inspiration from our golden past. A developed and strong Himachal will be built with public cooperation," CM Sukhu said on X.

- ANI
Delhi-NCR's air quality significantly improved over the weekend, recording a 'moderate' AQI of 152 for the first time in weeks. This improvement is attributed to the highest single-day January rainfall in three years combined with strong north-westerly winds that dispersed pollutants. The India Meteorological Department forecasts continued cold wave conditions and has issued a yellow alert for more rain and thunderstorms. While providing a temporary respite, authorities warn that pollution levels could spike again if dry conditions return.

Delhi's AQI improves to 'moderate' after rain and strong winds clear pollutants. CPCB data shows significant drop, but IMD warns of possible future spikes.

New Delhi, Jan 25 Delhi-National Capital Region experienced a significant improvement in air quality over the weekend, thanks to rain, the highest single-day shower in January in three years, and strong winds on Saturday.

The combination of these weather events helped sweep away toxic smog and pollutants that had lingered over the region for weeks.

On Sunday morning, the capital's AQI settled at 152, marking the first time in weeks that Delhi recorded a 'moderate' air quality level, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) SAMEER app at 6.05 a.m.

Earlier on Saturday, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 192, placing it in the 'moderate' category at 4 p.m. By 10 p.m., the AQI had improved further to 163, as gusty winds continued to disperse airborne pollutants.

Almost all areas of the city reported moderate air quality, though a few pockets still recorded 'poor' AQI levels. Only one area of Delhi, NSIT Dwarka, fell into the below 100 AQI range, indicating relatively cleaner air. Authorities said the improvement is largely attributable to the combined effects of rainfall and strong north-westerly winds that have swept across the plains.

Cold wave conditions have returned to North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast minimum temperatures in the national capital to hover between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius.

Nighttime temperatures are expected to remain low until Tuesday, when the mercury may rise slightly to 8-10 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures over the next few days are expected to settle between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius.

The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for another spell of rain and thunderstorms in Delhi, warning residents to remain cautious. Meteorologists noted that while air quality has improved temporarily, the city may again face pollution spikes if dry conditions return after the rainfall.

With the weekend weather, Delhi breathed easier, providing a temporary respite from weeks of smog, but authorities emphasised that continued monitoring and pollution control measures remain critical to sustaining cleaner air.

- IANS
Andhra Pradesh surged to the top of Ranji Trophy Group A with an eight-wicket victory over defending champions Vidarbha, powered by Shaik Rasheed's unbeaten century. In other major results, Jharkhand inflicted a massive innings defeat on Uttar Pradesh, while Madhya Pradesh's spinners orchestrated a big win over Karnataka. Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Haryana also secured convincing victories, while Delhi fought back for a draw thanks to Ayush Doseja's twin centuries.

Andhra Pradesh ascends to the top of Ranji Trophy Group A. Recap of big wins for Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Haryana from the latest round.

Vizianagaram, January 25 Andhra Pradesh stormed to the top of Group A in the Ranji Trophy with a convincing eight-wicket win over defending champions Vidarbha on Sunday at Vizianagaram.

Shaik Rasheed starred with an unbeaten 132, guiding Andhra to a comfortable chase of 259. Ricky Bhui also contributed with an unbeaten 64, securing Andhra's place at the top of the group.

Chasing 259, Andhra resumed day 4 at an overnight score of 93 for one and completed the task in 56.1 overs. Nachiket Bhute was Vidarbha's lone wicket-taker in Andhra's second innings, claiming 2/83.

In Lucknow, Jharkhand handed Uttar Pradesh a massive innings-and-301-run thrashing. UP collapsed to 84 all out in their second innings. Jharkhand's strong performance left UP reeling, with the visitors piling on the pressure.

Saurabh Shekhar was the chief destroyer for Jharkhand, taking 5/16, with two wickets each for Jatin Pandey and Sahil Raj.

In Alur, Spinners Saransh Jain and Sagar Solanki were the masterminds behind Madhya Pradesh's convincing 217-run win over Karnataka, sharing six wickets between them. The duo's brilliant bowling display on the fourth and final day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B clash sealed MP's dominance, handing Karnataka a heavy defeat.

MP declared their second innings at 229/8, setting a target of 362 runs for Karnataka. The hosts in reply were bundled out for just 144 runs. Karnataka's Aneesh KV was the lone warrior in their second smashing 57 runs off 142 balls, including seven fours.

In Hyderabad, Mumbai posted a comfortable nine-wicket victory over the hosts.

Mumbai cruised to a comfortable nine-wicket win over hosts Hyderabad, chasing down the target with ease. After Hyderabad's first-innings lead was wiped out by Mumbai's big score of 560, the hosts were bundled out for just 302, posting a 10-run target for Mumbai.

Musheer Khan's brilliant five-wicket haul restricted Hyderabad to 302 in their second innings, with Chama V Milind (85) being the lone warrior for the hosts.

In Bengaluru, Delhi fought back impressively to draw with Chhattisgarh, courtesy of Ayush Doseja's twin centuries (104 and 129) in the match. The opener's heroics, combined with solid knocks from Priyansh Arya (82) and Ayush Badoni (68), helped Delhi overcome a 289-run first-innings deficit and grab a 133-run lead.

Chhattisgarh finished on 57-3 on the fourth and final day of the match, with Sanjeet Desai (22) being the top scorer. For Delhi, Money Grewal grabbed all three wickets in the fourth innings to close the match with figures of 3/27.

In Pune, Maharashtra, posted a commanding eight-wicket victory over Goa. Maharashtra chased down 108 against Goa with ease, courtesy of Jalaj Saxena's stunning all-round performance (6/79 & 5/81).

Ruturaj Gaikwad (66) and Saurabh Nawale (105) also chipped in with crucial runs in the first innings to get Maharashtra a decent first innings lead, while Arshin Kulkarni's fifty in the fourth innings helped Maharashtra to gun down 108 in 21.1 overs.

In Guwahati, Haryana defeated the host by nine wickets after chasing 170 with ease. Haryana stormed past Assam, courtesy of Anshul Kamboj's match-winning bowling (4/55 & 2/28) and Ankit Kumar's crucial knocks (74 & 50). Kamboj's spell was the difference-maker, while Kumar anchored Haryana's batting with two half-centuries, sealing a convincing win for Haryana.

- ANI
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated that the reasons given by the United States for its withdrawal from the global health body are untrue. He emphasized that the withdrawal makes both the US and the world less safe, while expressing hope for the US's future return to active participation. The WHO defended its COVID-19 response, stating it acted quickly and shared information transparently, while respecting national sovereignty. This follows the US's formal notification to terminate its WHO membership, citing bureaucratic inefficiency and pandemic mishandling.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus disputes US claims over COVID-19 handling, says withdrawal makes world less safe.

Geneva, January 25 After the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organisation, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said they hoped the US would return to active participation in the WHO in the future

In a post on X, the WHO Chief hailed the contributions of the United States, a founding member of the WHO, which played a significant role in many of the WHO's greatest achievements, including the eradication of smallpox.

He said on X, "WHO has always engaged with the US, and all Member States, with full respect for their sovereignty. Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue. The notification of withdrawal makes both the US and the world less safe. We hope the US will return to active participation in WHO in the future"

"Meanwhile, WHO remains steadfastly committed to working with all countries in pursuit of its core mission and constitutional mandate: the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people."

He also shared the WHO statement on the notification of withdrawal of the United States

The statement highlighted America's contributions to many of the WHO's greatest achievements, including the eradication of smallpox and progress against other public health threats, such as polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and more.

"In its statements, the United States cited as one of the reasons for its decision, "WHO failures during the COVID-19 pandemic", including "obstructing the timely and accurate sharing of critical information" and that WHO "concealed those failures". While no organization or government got everything right, WHO stands by its response to this unprecedented global health crisis. Throughout the pandemic, WHO acted quickly, shared all information it had rapidly and transparently with the world, and advised Member States on the basis of the best available evidence. WHO recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns. We supported sovereign governments to make decisions they believed were in the best interests of their people, but the decisions were theirs," the statement read.

This comes after on January 22, the United States of America came down heavily on the World Health Organisation, terminating its membership of the global health body, citing inefficient bureaucracy, mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and "failures" inflicted upon the American people.

In a joint statement issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Kennedy, it was mentioned that going forward, the US engagement with the WHO will be limited strictly to effectuate its withdrawal and to safeguard the health and safety of the American people.

- ANI
Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman has proposed capping the number of new U.S. citizens at 800,000 per year, warning that unchecked immigration threatens the nation's economic strength and political freedoms. He argued that current high levels of legal and illegal immigration, combined with birthright citizenship, risk permanently altering America's constitutional foundations. Grothman criticized the Biden administration for border policies and raised concerns about whether some immigrants share core American civic values. He defended his stance against accusations of racism by listing the diverse countries of origin for most new citizens.

A Republican congressman argues for capping new US citizens at 800,000 yearly, warning unchecked immigration threatens the nation's character and freedoms.

Washington, Jan 25 Warning that unchecked immigration could erode the nation's economic strength and political freedoms, a senior Republican lawmaker has said the United States should cap the number of new citizens at 800,000 a year, "or maybe even less."

Congressman Glenn Grothman told colleagues that allowing unlimited immigration would make the country "not only poorer, but America will become much less free."

Speaking on the floor of the US House of Representatives, the Wisconsin Republican argued that failure to enforce existing immigration laws risks permanently altering the nation's character and constitutional foundations.

In a 30-minute address, Grothman described immigration as "the most significant issue this Congress and next Congress and that this President and the next President is going to have to deal with," saying the outcome would determine "whether America fundamentally changes or not."

Grothman spoke about the current levels of legal immigration. "Right now in America, every year about 800,000 people are naturalised," he said, adding that this aspect of immigration receives little public attention compared with illegal border crossings.

In addition to those new citizens, Grothman said roughly 500,000 people enter the United States each year on work visas and another 500,000 on student visas. "People being what they are, many of these people on visas stay in the United States anyway," he said.

He also focused on birthright citizenship, noting that the United States is "one of the few countries in the world" that grants citizenship based on birth on US soil. Grothman argued that current interpretations of the law are "wrong," citing the example of foreign nationals who travel to the US to give birth and then return to their home countries.

Grothman said these factors explain why "today over 15 per cent of the people in the United States of America were born abroad," calling it "an all-time high." He warned that if Congress "does nothing," the share of foreign-born residents would continue to grow.

The lawmaker compared present-day figures with past decades, saying the number of people naturalised each year is "about four times what it was when I was a child in the 1960s." He insisted the country "has nobody to apologize to" for enforcing immigration limits, arguing that far more people are being admitted legally now than in previous generations.

Grothman accused the administration of former President Joe Biden of allowing "about 8 to 10 million people into the country," saying they crossed the southern border illegally. He said those arrivals came "in addition to all of these other people" entering through legal channels.

Raising concerns about civic values, Grothman questioned whether some immigrants shared the moral and constitutional commitments he described as necessary to sustain the American system. He said new arrivals "may not respect our Constitution" and asked whether they would support "the limited government that our forefathers felt that we needed."

Quoting John F. Kennedy, Grothman said the country needs citizens who believe, "Ask not what your country will do for you-ask what you can do for your country." He warned that expanding welfare expectations could shift elections toward demands for government benefits rather than restraint.

Addressing accusations of racism, Grothman listed the ten most common countries of origin for newly naturalized citizens, including Mexico, India, the Philippines, Cuba, Vietnam, China, El Salvador, Jamaica and Colombia. He argued it would be "odd for a racist country" to admit immigrants primarily from what he described as "people of color."

Grothman also criticized governors and mayors in states such as Illinois, Minnesota, New York and California, accusing them of resisting federal immigration enforcement. He warned that if migrants believed laws would not be enforced in certain states, "everybody will come here," effectively leaving the country with "no immigration law at all."

- IANS
Actor-politician Ravi Kishan has opened up about the intense hardships he faced in his early career in Mumbai. He recounted facing endless rejections, having no money, and literally walking the city's streets while waiting for work. Despite seeing his friends become superstars in the 90s, he maintained a positive attitude and struggled with a smile. Kishan will next be seen in the film 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain: Fun On The Run'.

Actor Ravi Kishan reveals facing endless rejections, having no money, and walking Mumbai on foot during his early struggle before finding stardom.

By Zoya Aziz, New Delhi, January 25 Actor-politician Ravi Kishan has opened up about the hard days of his life, sharing how years of struggle, rejection, and financial hardship shaped him before stardom finally came his way.

From walking the streets of Mumbai to waiting endlessly for work, Ravi Kishan said his journey was never easy. He spoke about how he faced many "rejections" and had times when he had "no money" and no work but still chose to move forward with a smile and hope.

While talking to ANI, the actor first spoke about how even small things once felt special to him. Remembering his early days, he said, "But that's the beauty of life.(If you get something without struggle, what's the point? Even when I used to eat vada pav, it felt like I was dining at a 5-star hotel like the Taj.

The 'Laapataa Ladies' actor shared how he had walked through Mumbai and seen the hardest side of struggle. Speaking about his mindset during those tough years, the actor said he always kept a "positive attitude". Recalling how, by then, many of his friends had already become superstars while he was still struggling to find work and facing rejections, he emphasized how he chose to see "positivity" in everything.

" That positive attitude that one day it will be mine.. 90s ke lot ke saare mere mitra aage badh gaye the. (I have walked through Bombay on foot. The struggle I faced was intense, but I always struggled with a smile, because I knew that one day it would be mine. That positive attitude, that one day it will be mine. All my friends had already become superstars. All my friends from the 90s had moved ahead.)

"Every day I had a smile on my face while struggling with rejection of films, not getting work, waiting, and not having money. I have no sobbing story," he added.

On the work front, Ravi Kishan will next be seen in 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain: Fun On The Run', which is set to release in theatres on February 6, 2026.

Actors Aasif Sheikh, Rohitashv Gour, and Shubhangi Atre will return in their popular roles. They will be joined by Kishan, Mukesh Tiwari, and Nirahua in the film.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sadness at the passing of legendary journalist Sir Mark Tully, calling him a "towering voice of journalism." Tully, the former BBC correspondent renowned as the "voice of India," died at age 90 in a Delhi hospital due to multi-organ failure following a stroke. His career spanned decades, covering pivotal moments in Indian history including the Emergency, Operation Blue Star, and economic liberalization. Political leaders from the BJP and Congress, including Hardeep Singh Puri and Pawan Khera, also paid heartfelt tributes to the Padma awardee.

PM Narendra Modi and leaders pay tribute to legendary journalist Sir Mark Tully, who passed away at 90. Remembered for his iconic reporting on India.

New Delhi, January 25 Hailing legendary Mark Tully as a "towering voice of journalism," Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed condolences to his family, friends and many admirers. PM Modi said Tully's "connect" with India was reflected in his works.

"Saddened by the passing of Sir Mark Tully, a towering voice of journalism. His connect with India and the people of our nation was reflected in his works. His reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse. Condolences to his family, friends and many admirers," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Legendary journalist Mark Tully passed away at the age of 90 at a private hospital in the national capital on Sunday, the hospital said.

The former BBC journalist had been admitted to Max Super Speciality Hospital in the south Delhi locality of Saket for the past week.

According to an official statement from the hospital, Tully passed away on January 25 at 2:35 PM.

"The cause of death was multi-organ failure following a stroke. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, loved ones, and all those affected by his passing," the statement said.

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also condoled the death of Mark Tully, crediting him with reporting some of the most defining moments in the region's history.

Earlier, Congress leader Pawan Khera had also expressed condolences at the passing away of the Padma awardee journalist Mark Tully.

Khera recollected living in the same locality as Tully.

In a post on X, he said, "Many like me, grew up listening to his voice, reading his books. I ended up living in the very locality in which he lived for years and fell in love with. Travel well, Padma Shri Sir Mark Tully. RIP."

Tully was born in Calcutta in 1935 into a wealthy family of British settlers. His father was the director of a railroad and a partner in a holding company that owned a bank, an insurance firm, and tea plantations. After the Second World War, his parents sent him to boarding school in the United Kingdom. He later took theology courses at Cambridge University and then entered a seminary.

His career as a journalist brought him back to the land of his birth. In 1965, he was hired as an administrator by the BBC's New Delhi office. Tully returned to London in 1969 to head the Hindi service and then the West Asia service, for which he covered the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971 and the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Tully's coverage of India included the imposition of the Emergency in 1975, Operation Blue Star in June 1984, the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the same year in October, the killing of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, the economic liberalisation, the demolition of the Ram JanamBhoomi-Babri Masjid disputed structure in Ayodhya in 1992 and countless elections.

Tully, known as the BBC's "voice of India", was even expelled from the country in 1975 at 24 hours' notice for refusing to sign a 'censorship agreement' after the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, imposed the emergency. But he returned to the country after the Emergency ended and has been in the national capital ever since. He was residing in Nizamuddin West, South Delhi.

- ANI
Americans love to eat chicken, and there are plenty of fast-food options for those looking for their fix.

Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Raising Canes, Churchs  again, its not hard to find chicken. But one restaurant you just dont hear mentioned in that discussion much anymore is Boston Market.

That might have something to do with the old, Out of sight, out of mind, saying because it is not easy to find a Boston Market these days. The restaurant, which began as Boston Chicken in 1985, and is headquartered in Newtown Township, Pennsylvania, had more than 1,200 restaurants at one point in the 1990s, according to The Street.

But the bottom fell out over the next couple of decades.

Boston Market was down to 300 stores heading into 2023, and The Street said that it shrank to fewer than 30 locations by the start of 2024. The Boston Market Wikipedia page says it currently has 22 stores left, but The Street said the actual number could be less than 20.

The outlet cited a report from Nations Restaurant News in 2023 that claimed that Boston Market owner Jay Pandya faced hundreds of lawsuits from vendors, franchisors, and employees regarding unpaid bills when he filed for bankruptcy on Dec. 8, 2023.

At the time, per the report, he cited $10-$50 million in liabilities.

But, The Street reported, that filing by Pandya and another attempt were each rejected by the courts.

So, what happened to Boston Market and its delicious rotisserie chickens to call such a fall off?

Restaurant analyst Aaron Allen told FCNews that the chain hurt itself by holding its costs down  a move that ultimately led to a reduction in quality, which only undercut it further.

Also, a big issue for Boston Market, per The Streets report, was the fact that grocery stores began offering rotisserie chickens.

The chain eventually saw the likes of Costco serve up the same things far cheaper, retail and restaurant expert Steve Feldman reportedly said.

And, because of that, it might be hard for Boston Market to pull itself back off life support.

Read the original article on pennlive.com.
The USS Cincinnati's docking at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base marks the first such US visit since the facility was renovated by Chinese state firms. The event coincides with a scheduled meeting between the head of US Indo-Pacific Command and Cambodia's Defence Minister. The visit has reignited regional concerns about potential exclusive Chinese military access to the base, claims which both Beijing and Phnom Penh deny. The Cambodian navy emphasizes the port is open to vessels from all nations, including the US, Australia, and Japan.

USS Cincinnati docks at Ream Naval Base, renovated by China, raising regional concerns over military access and alliances during high-level US-Cambodia talks.

New Delhi, Jan 25 As the USS Cincinnati, an American warship, docked at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base this weekend, the development created widespread ripples and triggered talks of fresh turmoil in the region.

The development assumes significance because this is the first docking by a US Navy warship at the Cambodian facility, after the renovation of this naval base by Chinese state firms, early last year.

Also, the US warship's visit coincides with a high-profile meeting, slated between the head of US Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo, and Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha.

The concern and consternation arose over concerns and reports that China, Cambodia's close ally and main provider of aid and investment, could have been granted exclusive access to the base. The Cambodian government has, however, denied any agreement for exclusive Chinese privileges.

The controversy began in 2019 when China and Cambodian governments reportedly entered an agreement for its use by the Chinese military for 30 years. Though the claims were rejected by Beijing, the Cambodian government has repeatedly denied any agreement for exclusive Chinese privileges.

Notably, the USS Cincinnati is an Independence-class littoral combat ship and can operate in shallower waters also.

Its crew of about 100 is scheduled to engage in sporting events and other activities in the nearby city of Sihanoukville during its January 24-28 visit, said a report by Wral news.

It said, citing the deputy commander of the base, "At this location, our government has worked very hard to build this port so that all foreign vessels that wish to dock in Cambodia can do so."

"We have succeeded in this effort, and we are open from this moment forward for all to enter," the deputy commander said. "Whether it is American ships, Australian, Japanese or any other ships that wish to dock in Cambodia, this port is ready for you," he further stated.

Also, a Cambodian Navy statement added that more than 37 US warships had made visits to Cambodian facilities, from 2003 through 2026 alone.

- IANS
A severe and widespread winter storm has caused massive disruption across the eastern two-thirds of the United States, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and grounding thousands of flights. The National Weather Service warns of dangerous travel, catastrophic ice accumulation, and long-duration power outages affecting millions. President Donald Trump approved federal emergency declarations as nearly 20 states declared weather emergencies. Officials are urging residents to prepare for extremely cold conditions and hazardous travel.

A historic winter storm leaves 850,000 without power, cancels 10,000+ flights, and affects 213 million people across the eastern US.

Washington, January 26 Nearly a million people across the United States are without power and more than 10,000 flights have been cancelled as a severe winter storm sweeps across the eastern two-thirds of the country, bringing heavy snowfall, freezing rain and dangerously low temperatures, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

On Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that sub-freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions could persist for several days, causing "dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts."

More than 850,000 customers were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us, with at least 290,000 in Tennessee and over 100,000 each in Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. Other affected states include Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama.

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of heavy snow from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast, while areas from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Southeast faced "catastrophic ice accumulation."

NWS meteorologist Allison Santorelli described it as "a unique storm in the sense that it is so widespread," affecting nearly 213 million people under winter weather warnings across a 2,000-mile stretch from New Mexico through Texas and up to New England.

"It was affecting areas all the way from New Mexico, Texas, all the way into New England, so we are talking like a 2,000-mile [3,220km] spread," reported Al Jazeera.

Calling the storm "historic", US President Donald Trump approved federal emergency disaster declarations as nearly 20 states and the District of Columbia declared weather emergencies. "We will continue to monitor and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Saturday.

Al Jazeera reported that more than 10,000 flights were cancelled on Sunday, with thousands more delayed, prompting major airlines to warn passengers to prepare for sudden schedule changes.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pre-positioned supplies and search-and-rescue teams in multiple states, while Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem advised residents to take precautions, saying, "It's going to be very, very cold. So we would encourage everybody to stock up on fuel, stock up on food, and we will get through this together."

The NWS warned that heavy ice could lead to "long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions", even in states unaccustomed to harsh winter weather.

- ANI
The BJP has constituted an 11-member State Sankalp Patra Committee to draft its manifesto for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National President Nitin Nabin, are scheduled for crucial visits to the state to hold organisational meetings and energise the party cadre. These visits highlight the party's intensified efforts to bolster its grassroots framework and political strategy. The BJP aims to become the single-largest party and end Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's long tenure in the state.

BJP announces 11-member manifesto committee for West Bengal elections. Amit Shah and Nitin Nabin to visit the state for key organisational meetings.

Kolkata, January 25 Ahead of the high-stakes Bengal legislative elections this year, Bharatiya Janata Party has announced the State Sankalp Patra Committee for the Assembly election on Saturday, with immediate effect.

According to WB BJP, the State Sankalpa Patra Committee comprises 11 members, with party leader Tapas Roy serving as the Chairman. Dr Ashok Lahiri, MLA, serves as the Convener and Agnimitra Paul, MLA, is the Co-Convener. The members are Dr Chittaranjan Mandal, Manoj Tigga, MP, Dr Swapan Dasgupta, Shishir Bajoria, Dr Amalkanti Ray, Vaishali Dalmia, Dr Anirban Ganguly, and advocate Debjit Sarkar.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah will visit West Bengal on January 30 and 31. During his two-day tour, Amit Shah is expected to hold important organisational and political meetings, further energising the party cadre and reviewing preparations for the upcoming political challenges in the state.

BJP's newly-appointed National President Nitin Nabin will be on his first official visit to West Bengal on January 27 and 28, during which he will participate in a series of key organisational meetings aimed at strengthening the party's grassroots framework ahead of the state assembly elections. Nitin Nabin will chair a State Core Team Meeting in Durgapur on January 27, focusing on organisational strategy, political roadmap, and upcoming programmes.

On January 28, Nabin will attend the Bardhaman Bibhag Karyakarta Sammelan at Chitralaya Mela Maidan, Purba Bardhaman, where he will interact with party workers. Later in the afternoon, he will participate in the Asansol District Karyakarta Meeting in Raniganj, addressing organisational issues and guiding party workers at the district level.

The back-to-back visits of senior BJP leaders underline the party's focused efforts to strengthen its organisation and sharpen its political strategy in West Bengal.

This comes as the BJP aims to emerge as the single-largest party in the upcoming West Bengal elections and end Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's 14 years of rule.

- ANI
Himachal Pradesh celebrated its Statehood Day on January 25, marking its formation as India's 18th state in 1971. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings, praising the state's spiritual heritage and the valour of its people. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister J.P. Nadda also conveyed their wishes for the state's continued development. The leaders expressed confidence that the people of Himachal would continue contributing to nation-building.

President Murmu and PM Modi extend Statehood Day wishes to Himachal Pradesh, praising its culture and valour. Amit Shah and JP Nadda also send greetings.

New Delhi, Jan 25 President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended their heartfelt wishes to the people of Himachal Pradesh on their Statehood Day on Sunday and hailed the traditions, culture and valour of the residents of the state.'

Himachal Pradesh celebrates its Statehood Day every year on January 25. This date marks the moment in 1971 when it became the 18th state of the Indian Union.

After initially being formed as a union territory in 1956 and undergoing expansion in 1966, this day commemorates the state's journey to achieving full autonomy.

Taking to X, President Murmu said, "On the occasion of Himachal Pradesh's Statehood Day, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the residents of the state. Due to its spiritual traditions, known as the Devbhoomi, and due to its tradition of valour, known as the Land of the Brave, the soil of Himachal is blessed with nature's boundless bounty, which creates an extraordinary attraction towards this state."

"I am confident that the diligent residents of Himachal Pradesh will continue to play an important role in nation-building and the security of the country. I extend my best wishes for a golden future for all the people of the state," she added.

Prime Minister Modi, wishing the people of Himachal Pradesh, wished for their bright future.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Heartfelt greetings on the occasion of full statehood day to all family members of Himachal Pradesh, the confluence of nature and culture. With their extraordinary talent and valour, they have always served Mother India. I wish for their bright future as well as the prosperity of this Devbhoomi."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to social media and extended heartfelt greetings to the people of Himachal Pradesh on the occasion.

"May Himachal Pradesh, enriched with natural beauty, spiritual consciousness, and cultural pride, continue to advance on the path of continuous development and prosperity," Shah posted on X.

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda, who has roots in Himachal Pradesh, also wished the people on their Statehood Day.

"On the Foundation Day of Himachal Pradesh, the Devbhoomi adorned with valour, prowess, and the expansive history of Sanatan civilisation, and enriched with divine natural beauty, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all residents of Himachal. I wish that Devbhoomi continues to progress steadily on the path of prosperity and advancement," Nadda said in a post on X.

- IANS
Kantha stitch artist Tripti Mukherjee expressed immense happiness at being conferred the Padma Shri, an honour she had awaited for years. She credited her parents entirely for her achievement, stating she learned the hand embroidery craft from her mother. Mukherjee has been practising the art for over four decades and has trained approximately 20,000 women across Birbhum district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all Padma awardees, praising their dedication and service to the nation.

Kantha stitch artist Tripti Mukherjee, awarded Padma Shri, credits her parents and mother's inspiration after 40 years of craft and training 20,000 women.

Birbhum, January 25 Kantha Stitch Artist Tripti Mukherjee, who will be conferred with the Padma Shri in the field of art, expressed happiness over the honour and said she had been waiting for this recognition for many years. She credited her parents for her achievement and said she learned the art of hand embroidery from her mother, from whom she continues to draw inspiration.

Speaking about her journey, Mukherjee said she has been practising the craft for over 40 years and has trained at least 20,000 women across Birbhum district. She added that she remains actively involved in her work to this day.

"I am very happy because I have been waiting for this for many years... I would like to give the credit for this to my parents... I learned this hand embroidery from my mother, and I have been learning it from her ever since. Have been doing this since last 40 years. I taught this skill to at least 20,000 women throughout my entire Birbhum district. I am still working," Mukherjee told ANI.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all the Padma awardees, asserting that their excellence, dedication and service across diverse fields enrich the fabric of the society.

"Congratulations to all the Padma Awardees for their outstanding contributions to our nation. Their excellence, dedication and service across diverse fields enrich the fabric of our society. The honour reflects the spirit of commitment and excellence that continues to inspire generations," PM Modi wrote on 'X'.

The Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian honours of India, are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day. The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of higher order and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field of activity.

- ANI
The contrast: The investor offered a harsh reality check for altcoins, which he dismissively refers to as "PooPoo coins."

O'Leary sold 27 positions in October, arguing that sovereign wealth funds and indexers only care about Bitcoin and Ethereum.

He claims these two assets capture over 97% of the market's alpha, making other tokens "worthless" to large allocators.

Despite hype around Solana, he views it as "just software" facing a "Sisyphean task" to catch up to Ethereum's marketing and adoption.

What comes next: No significant capital appreciation is expected for crypto until the "Clarity Act" passes, which O'Leary predicts will happen by mid-May.



He attributes the legislative stall partly to Coinbase's resistance regarding yield on stablecoins.

O'Leary argues it is "unfair" that banks can earn yield on deposits while stablecoin holders cannot, a disparity he calls "un-American."

He expects the bill to pass before the midterms because staffers are already dedicating the majority of their time to it.

Broader view: Large sovereign wealth funds are ready to pour billions into crypto, but only once compliance hurdles are cleared.


'Bharat Parv' to be held at Red Fort from Jan 26-31, see tableaux, perfomances

Last Updated: January 26, 2026, 00:15 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) The government will host the annual Bharat Parv, a six-day national cultural and tourism festival, from January 26 at the Red Fort lawns as part of the Republic Day celebrations, officials said on Sunday.

It will be inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the tourism ministry said.

Bharat Parv is the ministrys flagship annual event celebrating Indias rich cultural, artistic, culinary and spiritual heritage while promoting the national initiatives Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and Dekho Apna Desh.

Over the years, the festival has evolved into a major platform showcasing Indias unity in diversity and tourism potential, officials said.

The festival aims to highlight Indias diverse cultural heritage, encourage domestic tourism, provide a platform for artisans and states, Union Territories, promote tourism awareness, and strengthen national integration through cultural participation, they said.

Major attractions of this years festival include a display of 41 tableaux, various cultural performances, and shows by military and paramilitary bands, handicraft stalls and state tourism pavilions.

Bihar will celebrate the makhana industry through its thematic tableau, among other states. A grand food court with 60 stalls showcasing cuisines from across India and live cooking demonstrations is also a major attraction.

The event will see participation from states and Union Territories, over 25 central ministries and departments, and leading institutions and organisations from across the country, the ministry said in a statement.

The festival will be open to the public from 5-9 pm on January 25, and from 12 noon to 9 pm from January 27-31. The entry of visitors is free of cost, it said.

This years Bharat Parv holds special significance as it marks 150 years of Vande Mataram," the iconic song that inspired Indias freedom movement and symbolises unity, cultural pride and love for the motherland.

The theme reflects the constitutional spirit of unity in diversity and peoples participation, the ministry said.

Bharat Parv is expected to draw large public participation and serve as a vibrant celebration of Indias heritage, tourism potential and democratic spirit, it said. PTI KND RHL

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First Published: January 26, 2026, 00:15 IST

News agency-feeds 'Bharat Parv' to be held at Red Fort from Jan 26-31, see tableaux, perfomances

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Democracy deeply rooted in Nagaland's social fabric: official

Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 18:30 IST

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Kohima, Jan 25 (PTI) Democracy is deeply rooted in the social fabric of Nagaland, where decisions are traditionally taken through dialogue and consensus, state Home Departments Principal Secretary Abhijit Sinha said on Sunday.

Addressing the state-level programme on the 16th National Voters Day (NVD), he said the day serves as a reminder for citizens to renew their commitment to democracy.

He cautioned against decision-making imposed by a few, stressing that democratic governance must reflect collective thinking.

In a true democracy, everyone has a voice and decisions should emerge from discussion and consensus," he said.

Sinha said faith in democracy must be translated into practice through voting.

Congratulating newly enrolled voters, he urged them to exercise their franchise in every election and motivate others who feel their vote does not matter.

He said ballots should be cast without fear, inducement or pressure, warning against influences based on money, religion, tribe, community or region.

Chief Electoral Officer Bhagyashree Banayat said National Voters Day reaffirms Indias commitment to constitutional values of justice, liberty and equality.

Referring to this years theme, My India, My Vote", she said democracy flourishes through the active and informed participation of citizens.

Sinha administered the National Voters Day pledge and presented the Best State-level Booth Level Officer (BLO) award to Sentitula, a primary school teacher in Mongya constituency in Mokokchung district. PTI NBS NBS SOM

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 18:30 IST

News agency-feeds Democracy deeply rooted in Nagaland's social fabric: official

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He represents India's soul: Hema Malini on Dharmendra getting Padma award

Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 23:30 IST

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Mathura (UP), Jan 25 (PTI) Actor-turned-politician Hema Malini on Sunday lauded the governments decision to award legendary actor Dharmendra with the Padma Vibhushan.

Speaking to PTI, Hema Malini said, Dharmendra jee truly deserves the Padma Vibhushan. He was not just a legendary actor, but a living institution of Indian cinema." Remembering his contributions, Hema Malini said that for over six decades, he enriched the nation with timeless performances and that his contribution goes far beyond films.

He represents the soul of India, its emotions, traditions, and humanity. Honouring him with the Padma Vibhushan would be a proud recognition of an extraordinary lifetime of service to art and the nation," she said.

Dharmendra, who passed away in November 2025, was posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan along with four other names on Sunday.

Former Kerala chief minister and Communist leader V S Achuthanandan and Dharmendra are among the awardees to receive the second-highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, posthumously for 2026, the government announced on Sunday.

In a statement, the government announced 131 Padma awards for the year 2026, including five Padma Vibhushans, 13 Padma Bhushans and 113 Padma Shris, which includes two duo cases in which the award for two individuals is counted as one. PTI COR NAV MPL MPL

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 23:30 IST

News agency-feeds He represents India's soul: Hema Malini on Dharmendra getting Padma award

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Ice from winter storm leaves million customers without power in US

Last Updated: January 26, 2026, 01:15 IST

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Washington, Jan 25 (AP) A massive winter storm dumped sleet, freezing rain and snow across much of the US on Sunday, bringing subzero temperatures and paralysing air and road traffic. Tree branches and power lines snapped under the weight of ice, and about a million homes and businesses in the Southeast were left without electricity.

The ice and snowfall were expected to continue into Monday in much of the country, followed by very low temperatures, which could cause dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts" to linger for several days, the National Weather Service said.

Heavy snow was forecast from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast, while catastrophic ice accumulation" threatened from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

It is a unique storm in the sense that it is so widespread," weather service meteorologist Allison Santorelli said in a phone interview. It was affecting areas all the way from New Mexico, Texas, all the way into New England, so were talking like a 2,000 mile spread." President Donald Trump had approved emergency declarations for at least a dozen states by Saturday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency pre-positioned commodities, staff and search and rescue teams in numerous states, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.

New York Gov Kathy Hochul said the state was bracing for the longest cold stretch and highest snow totals it has seen in years. Communities near the Canadian border have already seen record-breaking subzero temperatures, with Watertown registering minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 37 degrees Celsius) and Copenhagen minus 49 F (minus 45 C), she said.

An Arctic siege has taken over our state," Hochul said. It is brutal, it is bone chilling and it is dangerous." In Corinth, Mississippi, where power outages were widespread, Caterpillar told employees at its remanufacturing site to stay home Monday and Tuesday.

May God have mercy on Corinth, MS!  The sound of the trees snapping, exploding & falling through the night have been unnerving to say the least," resident Kathy Ragan wrote on Facebook.

On the east side of Nashville, Jami Joe, 41, had power Sunday afternoon but she feared the juice might not last long as ice-heavy limbs from mature oak and pecan trees continued to crash around her house. Its only a matter of time if a limb strikes a power line," she predicted.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, officials say the weight of accumulated snow and sleet likely caused the collapse of an awning onto several houseboats. Six people were rescued and 22 were evacuated, Pulaski County officials said.

As of Sunday morning, about 213 million people were under some sort of winter weather warning, Santorelli said. The number of customers without power stood at about 1 million, according to poweroutage.us.

Tennessee was hardest hit with about 337,000 customers out by midday Sunday, and Louisiana and Mississippi all had more than 100,000 customers in the dark. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses were without power in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama and West Virginia.

Some 11,000 flights were cancelled Sunday and more than 14,000 delayed, according to the flight tracker flightaware.com. Airports in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, North Carolina, New York and New Jersey were hit especially hard.

At Philadelphia International Airport, inside displays registered scores of cancelled flights and few vehicles could be seen arriving Sunday morning. At Reagan National in Washington, virtually all flights were cancelled.

Even once the ice and snow stop falling, the danger will continue, Santorelli warned.

Behind the storm its just going to get bitterly cold across basically the entirety of the eastern two-thirds of the nation, east of the Rockies," she said. That means the ice and snow wont melt as fast, which could hinder some efforts to restore power and other infrastructure.

Along the Gulf Coast, temperatures were balmy Sunday, hitting the high 60s and low 70s, but thermometers were expected to drop into the high 20s and low 30s there by Monday morning. The National Weather Service warned of damaging winds and a slight risk of severe storms and possibly even a brief tornado.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people who died were found outside as temperatures plunged Saturday before the snows arrived in earnest, though the cause of their deaths remained under investigation.

The Democrat pleaded with New Yorkers to stay inside and off roads: We want every single New Yorker to make it through this storm." Two men died of hypothermia related to the storm in Caddo Parish in Louisiana, according to the state health department there.

Across the affected areas, officials announced that school would be cancelled or held remotely Monday.

In Oxford, Mississippi, police on Sunday morning used social media to tell residents to stay home as the danger of being outside was too great. Local utility crews were also pulled from their jobs during the overnight hours.

Due to life-threatening conditions, Oxford Utilities has made the difficult decision to pull our crews off the road for the night," the utility company posted on Facebook early Sunday. Trees are actively snapping and falling around our linemen while they are in the bucket trucks." Tippah Electric Power in Mississippi said there was catastrophic damage" and that it could be weeks instead of days" to restore everyone.

The Tennessee Valley Authority provides power to some utilities across the region, and spokesperson Scott Brooks said the bulk power system remains stable but overnight icing had caused power interruptions in north Mississippi, north Alabama, southern middle Tennessee and the Knoxville, Tennessee, area.

Icy roads made travel dangerous in north Georgia, where the Cherokee County Sheriffs office posted on Facebook, You know its bad when Waffle House is closed!!!" along with a photo of a shuttered restaurant. Whether the chains restaurants are open  known as the Waffle House Index  has become an informal way to gauge the severity of weather disasters across the South. (AP) SCY SCY

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First Published: January 26, 2026, 01:15 IST

News agency-feeds Ice from winter storm leaves million customers without power in US

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Padma awards: 10 districts of winners featuring for first time

Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 21:15 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) As the Padma awards were announced on Sunday, officials said the winners hail from every part of the country with 10 districts of awardees featuring for the first time since Independence.

The government has chosen 131 Padma awardees from over 39,000 nominations received by it which were evaluated through exhaustive, rigorous and scientific process of multiple rounds of scrutiny, and extensive consultations, they said.

The awards for 2026 were chosen in such a way that 84 districts were represented across 30 states and UTs  including 10 districts recognized with a Padma award for the first time since Independence which include Mandya (Karnataka), Betul (Madhya Pradesh), Parbhani (Maharashtra), Bageshwar (Uttarakhand), Ranga Reddy (Telangana), Dakshin Dinajpur (West Bengal), Nuapada (Odisha), Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), Eluru (Andhra Pradesh), and Deeg (Rajasthan).

Padma awards go beyond just the big cities, into the heartland of India  to Alappuzha, Bhojpur, Cachar, Darjeeling, Goalpara, Imphal, Junagadh, Krishna, Mokokchung, Nuapada, Purba Bardhaman, Sri Ganganagar, and so on," an official in the know of development said.

The inclusion of Communist stalwart V S Achuthanandan (Padma Vibhushan) and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren (Padma Bhushan) in the prestigious civilian honours shows Modi government continues its bipartisan approach in recognising leadership across party lines" with leaders from over 18 political parties and 22 states awarded through its 12-year tenure, the officials said.

Ashtalakshmi states have received unprecedented recognition as in the past 12 years, the eight Northeastern states have got over 40 per cent of all Padma awards," the official said.

Achievers and contributors are from all segments of society, including Dalit and the deprived  truly embodying the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, he said.

Continuing with the principle of celebrating ordinary Indians making extraordinary contributions, this years Padma awards recognise a wide spectrum of unsung heroes from the length and breadth of India," the official, who did not wish to be named, said.

The awards also recognised 19 inspirational women ranging from Mangala Kapoor, an acid attack victim who went on to become a music scholar teaching at Banaras Hindu University to Armida Fernandez, a neonatologist who served for nearly half a century in government hospitals, setting up Asias first human milk bank.

The awardees also included Shubha Venkatesh Iyengar, an aerospace scientist developing weather monitoring systems deployed across the nation for better visibility in fog and Russian Indologist Liudmila Viktorovna Khokhlova.

Among the Padma Shri awardees are Satyanarayanan Nuwal, one of Indias foremost homegrown defence manufacturers, Ashok Khade who fought poverty as a son of a Dalit cobbler and went on to establishing a cutting-edge offshore fabrication company contributing to strategic national infrastructure, and P L Gautam who rose from a modest agrarian family in Bilaspur to becoming one of Indias foremost Plant Geneticists. PTI ABS ABS KVK KVK

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 21:15 IST

News agency-feeds Padma awards: 10 districts of winners featuring for first time

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India Plans To Triple Exports By 2035 With Manufacturing-Led Reforms: Report

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 15:08 IST

India plans to triple exports by 2035 with deep manufacturing reforms, focusing on 15 sectors like semiconductors and leather, under the National Manufacturing Mission panel.

ndia Eyes Structural Manufacturing Reforms to Revive Export Growth

India is planning a fresh push to triple its exports by 2035 by focusing on deep structural reforms in manufacturing rather than large subsidy-led spending, according to government officials, as reported by Reuters.

The strategy marks the third major attempt under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the share of manufacturing in the economy and strengthen Indias export base.

Focus on 15 Key Manufacturing Sectors

Under the proposed plan, India will prioritise manufacturing in 15 sectors, including semiconductors, metals, energy storage and labour-intensive industries such as leather. According to Reuters report, the goal is to boost annual goods exports to around $1.3 trillion over the next decade.

Earlier efforts  including the 2014 Make in India campaign and a $23 billion production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme launched in 2020  failed to raise manufacturings share to the targeted 25% of GDP, as reported by Reuters.

A government official involved in drafting the policy said as reported by Reuters previous initiatives delivered only limited gains, highlighting the need for a more focused and coordinated approach to drive large-scale change.

Modest Funding, Structural Reforms at Core

Unlike earlier programmes, funding under the new plan will be limited. The government plans to spend about Rs 100 billion to develop infrastructure for around 30 manufacturing hubs. Additional grants of roughly $218 million will be allocated to advanced areas such as chips and battery storage.

Officials said the emphasis this time is on easing regulatory and compliance hurdles  widely seen as the biggest bottleneck for Indian manufacturing  rather than offering blanket subsidies.

National Manufacturing Mission Panel

A new framework, the National Manufacturing Mission, will oversee the initiative. A minister-led panel of senior bureaucrats will handle faster approvals, land clearances and access to cheaper financing.

The panel will also work with states to harmonise labour and business rules, address power supply issues and reduce red tape that raises costs for companies operating across multiple states.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 15:08 IST

News business economy India Plans To Triple Exports By 2035 With Manufacturing-Led Reforms: Report

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From 2016 Vision To Global Hub: PM Modi Reflects On Indias Startup Journey Over A Decade

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 12:22 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights India's rise as the third-largest startup ecosystem, praising young entrepreneurs and urging a focus on quality and excellence.

PM Modi Hails Startup Growth, Says Quality Must Define Indian Products

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reflected on Indias startup journey that began nearly a decade ago, saying the countrys young entrepreneurs have played a crucial role in reshaping the economy and putting India on the global innovation map.

Sharing a memory from January 2016, the Prime Minister said the government had then embarked on an ambitious mission to empower the youth through entrepreneurship, even though the idea seemed modest at the time. We realised that even a small step taken for young people would be important for the countrys future," he said.

India emerges as global startup hub

Highlighting Indias progress since then, the Prime Minister said the country has today become the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. He noted that Indian startups are no longer limited to traditional sectors but are innovating in areas that were unimaginable" ten years ago.

These startups are working across AI, space, nuclear energy, semiconductors, mobility, green hydrogen and biotechnology," he said, adding that almost every emerging sector now has an Indian startup making its mark.

He saluted young Indians who are already part of startups as well as those who are planning to launch their own ventures, calling them the backbone of Indias growth story.

PM @narendramodi urges industry and startups to focus on quality. Let excellence become our benchmark.#MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/mDTXrxuZKd PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 25, 2026

Quality must define Indias products

The Prime Minister also stressed the need to focus on quality across industries, saying this decade belongs to excellence rather than shortcuts. This is not an era of compromise. The responsibility today is to insist on quality," he said.

Whether it is textiles, technology, electronics or even packaging, the Prime Minister said Indian products should be globally recognised for top quality. Let excellence become our benchmark," he added, urging manufacturers and entrepreneurs to make quality their top priority as Indias economy continues to expand rapidly.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 12:22 IST

News business From 2016 Vision To Global Hub: PM Modi Reflects On Indias Startup Journey Over A Decade

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Boost For Bengaluru: Tunnels, Ring Roads & Mobility Grid On Shivakumars Wish List After Davos Trip

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 18:12 IST

DK Shivakumar said many top global companies are now seeking and pitching for two-tier and three-tier cities, pushing Indian states to widen the development map beyond metros

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Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. (Image: News18)

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, back from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, has doubled down on Bengalurus global pitch  saying the world sees India through Bengaluru  while signalling that Karnatakas next growth push must move beyond the capital and into two-tier and three-tier cities.

Shivakumar said many top global companies are now seeking and pitching for two-tier and three-tier cities", pushing Indian states to widen the development map beyond metros.

We have decided that with immediate effect, across the entire state, in every town and city, we will draw up a mobility plan for the next 25 years. It is compulsory that we plan ring roads to connect them. Time is money," Shivakumar said.

We will work on a grid plan, decide these peripheral ring roads, and connect them to two-tier and three-tier cities, so that new businesses will be brought into these towns," he added.

At the heart of his post-Davos plan is also his pitch for underground tunnels and mobility infrastructure  ring roads, grid planning and better connectivity to smaller towns  positioned as a long-term investment play for Karnataka.

The 2 challenges

Shivakumars Davos pitch appears aimed at solving two challenges at once: keeping Bengaluru positioned as Indias global innovation capital, while signalling to investors that Karnataka can offer new growth centres beyond the city.

But back home, the optics of global meetings will quickly give way to local tests  whether speed of doing business" translates into faster clearances, whether ring road and grid plans move beyond presentations, and whether the tunnel talk becomes a viable mobility solution or another headline that Bengalurus traffic swallows.

Shivakumar said investors were direct about what they wanted to know. Investors told us that Karnataka has water and power. During the discussions, investors asked about parking, urbanisation, and what we are planning for the next 25 years," he said, adding that companies even suggested solutions that can be implemented, including staggered parking.

Driving Karnatakas Success at Davos!Being in Davos at the World Economic Forum has been a valuable experience, representing Karnataka and India on a global platform. The conversations here reflect strong optimism about Karnatakas growing role in shaping economic and urban pic.twitter.com/eP2qiRNfHK  DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) January 23, 2026

On a question on pollution, and IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath saying pollution is a bigger problem for Indian investments than tariffs, Shivakumar reacted by saying, Karnatakas pollution is better."

But the major feedback, according to him, was on the states administrative speed. The investors said that in Karnataka, there is a need for ease of doing business, and that timeframes are a concern. So we have told them we will bring in the speed of doing business," he said.

Why tunnels are key

Shivakumar also spoke about learning from Maharashtras tunnel-building experience and his own travel from Davos to Zurich. Maharashtra also told us about their tunnel project. We will go and see it, and learn about the 16 tunnels they are building  the tunnel boring machines and how they are managing the work. We are building one, they are building 16. We will study the best practices and implement them accordingly," he said.

I travelled through several tunnels between Davos and Zurich, and later to Milan, and I was very impressed. Those were built 6070 years ago. There is a lot to learn," he claimed.

As a government, the Karnataka DCM said they chose not to sign MoUs at Davos, presenting the visit instead as a platform to showcase the states strengths in person when companies visit. We decided not to sign MoUs there. We want to show our strength  clean energy, our talent, our medical sector, youth strength. We must showcase what we have in AI as well," he said, adding that companies and governments will be visiting Karnataka.

Shivakumar repeatedly returned to selling Bengaluru and Karnataka as Indias global calling card, saying, World leaders are seeing India through Bengaluru  I would like to reiterate that." He cited the citys corporate presence, claiming Fortune 500 companies have their prime CEOs in Bengaluru, and said sectors like data centres, global capability centres, aviation and aerospace, food and beverages, renewable energy and electronics were in focus.

He also said Karnataka is a huge talent powerhouse. Bengaluru has 22 lakh IT professionals  what more do you want? We also produce the most doctors and nurses and other medical professionals," he said.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhis dead economy" comment  which has drawn sharp political reactions from the BJP  Shivakumar said, Dont create politics over it."

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 18:11 IST

News cities bengaluru-news Boost For Bengaluru: Tunnels, Ring Roads & Mobility Grid On Shivakumars Wish List After Davos Trip

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On Camera: 11-Year-Old Boy Dies In Open Drain In Ghaziabad, Triggers Anger Over Civic Lapses

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 16:25 IST

CCTV footage from the area shows Ahil losing balance and falling backwards into the drain

Screengrab of the CCTV video

An 11-year-old boy lost his life after accidentally falling into an open drain near his home in Ghaziabads Mazra Jhundpura village.

The child, identified as Ahil, was playing outside with other children at a spot around 50 metres from his house when he slipped and fell into the drain. The drain was about three feet deep and was overflowing at the time.

CCTV footage from the area shows Ahil losing balance and falling backwards into the drain. After the fall, he is seen lying inside the drain, unable to get up on his own.

Nearly two minutes later, family members and neighbours reached the spot and pulled him out.

He was rushed to Rama Hospital, in Pilkhuwa town of neighbouring Hapur district, nearly 15 kilometres from the village, but he was declared dead by the doctors.

The Pilkhuwa police handed over Ahils body to his family after postmortem.

The drain where the incident took place was left open, with no cover or boundary wall, even though children often play in the area. Locals reporredly expressed anger and blamed the authorities for failing to secure the site. Some residents claimed this was the second such incident reported in the city this month.

Earlier, on January 8, a five-month-old infant allegedly died after falling into an open drain in Momin Colony.

Residents have accused civic authorities of negligence, especially at a time when the death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, who drowned in a water-filled pit dug for construction work in neighbouring Noidas Sector 150, has sparked widespread outrage. The incident led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team and resulted in three arrests.

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Location : Ghaziabad, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 16:02 IST

News ghaziabad On Camera: 11-Year-Old Boy Dies In Open Drain In Ghaziabad, Triggers Anger Over Civic Lapses

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Mumbais Lifeline Turns Deadly: Professor Killed In Train Alighting Dispute, Suspect Held

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 15:37 IST

Mumbai Professor Alok Singh, who was killed in a minor tiff while alighting a local train at Malad railway station, was a polite man who stayed away from fights, say colleagues

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Mumbai train fight ends in stabbing: The clip from the CCTV footage that helped identify Omkar Shinde (right), who allegedly stabbed Alok Singh at Malad railway station.

The Borivali Government Railway Police (GRP) on Sunday arrested the 27-year-old daily wage labourer who allegedly attacked Alok Kumar Singh, 33, after a minor argument over alighting the train at Malad railway station.

According to the Borivali GRP, the accused, Omkar Eknath Shinde, was apprehended from the Kurar area of the western suburb within 12 hours of the murder on Saturday evening.

Shinde has been arrested under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway, he added.

How the minor argument escalated on Saturday

Singh, a math and statistics professor with NM College in Vile Parle, boarded a Borivli-bound local from Vile Parle on Saturday. As the train reached Malad around 6.30pm, an argument broke out between him and Shinde, a labourer engaged in metal polishing work, while alighting.

The accused stabbed him with a sharp object in the stomach, got off the train and fled," TOI quoted a police official as saying.

Despite his injuries, Singh managed to get off the train but collapsed on the platform.

Singh was taken to Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital in Kandivli, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The hospital authorities stated he had knife injuries in his abdomen.

CCTV footage helped in identification

The CCTV footage showed the man in a white shirt and blue jeans running across the foot overbridge (FOB) shortly after the attack.

He was identified and apprehended with the help of CCTV footage, the official said.

Calm and polite, never got involved in fights, say colleagues

Singh had joined the college in 2024. He was a very kind soul, very calm and polite and never got involved in any kind of arguments or fights. In fact, he used to help resolve fights. This is absolutely shocking for us," a teacher told TOI.

We have witnesses from the train compartment who saw the accused and overheard the argument on the day of the incident. We are quizzing them and recording their statements. CCTV footage from Malad and previous railway stations is being scanned for leads," the TOI report said.

He got married only a couple of years ago and lived in Malad East with his wife. His uncle was also a teacher. We are aghast at what has happened and want police to track down the culprit at the earliest," said the colleague.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 13:51 IST

News cities mumbai-news Mumbais Lifeline Turns Deadly: Professor Killed In Train Alighting Dispute, Suspect Held

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Harvey, the high-flying legal AI startup, has acquired Hexus  a two-year-old startup that builds tools for creating product demos, videos, and guides  as the company continues its aggressive expansion amid fierce competition in the legal tech market.

Hexus founder and CEO Sakshi Pratap, who previously held engineering roles at Walmart, Oracle, and Google, tells TechCrunch that her San Francisco-based team has already joined Harvey, while the startups India-based engineers will come onboard once Harvey establishes a Bangalore office. Pratap adds that she will lead an engineering team focused on accelerating Harveys offerings for in-house legal departments.

What were bringing to Harvey is deep experience building enterprise AI tools in adjacent problem spaces, Pratap said. This expertise helps Harvey move faster in a market thats becoming increasingly competitive.

Hexus had raised $1.6 million from Pear VC, Liquid 2 Ventures, and angel investors before the acquisition. While Pratap declined to share deal terms, she said the structure was aligned around long-term team incentives.

The acquisition comes as Harvey looks to cement its position as one of AIs hottest startups. The company confirmed last fall that its now valued at $8 billion after raising $160 million, bringing its funding across 2025 to $760 million. Andreessen Horowitz led that newest round, joined by new investors T. Rowe Price and WndrCo, alongside existing backers Sequoia Capital, Kleiner Perkins, Conviction, and angel investor Elad Gil. (It started the year with a $3 billion valuation after Sequoia led a $300 million Series D round in the company.)

Harvey now claims more than 1,000 clients across 60 countries, including a majority of the top 10 U.S. law firms.

When TechCrunch spoke with co-founder and CEO Winston Weinberg in November, he traced Harveys origin story back to a cold email sent to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Weinberg, then a first-year associate at OMelveny & Myers, and co-founder Gabe Pereyra, a researcher who worked at Google DeepMind and Meta and was Weinbergs roommate at the time, tested GPT-3 on landlord-tenant law questions from Reddit. When they showed the AI-generated answers to attorneys, two out of three said theyd send 86 of 100 responses with zero edits.

That was the moment when we were like, wow, this entire industry can be transformed by this technology, Weinberg said.

They emailed Altman on July 4, 2022, got on a call that same morning, and landed their first check from the OpenAI Startup Fund shortly after. According to Weinberg, the OpenAI Startup Fund remains Harveys second-largest investor.
BMC Mayor Suspense: Eknath Shinde Allies With Congress In Mira-Bhayander, MNS In Kalyan

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Last Updated: January 26, 2026, 12:10 IST

Will Eknath Shinde be with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbais Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)? What happened in MBMC and Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation?

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Mumbai: Eknath Shinde has been demanding the post of BMC mayor for 2.5 years. (PTI File)

After the Kalyan-Dombivli civic body shocker, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde has thrown another googly in Mira Bhayandar.

The Shinde-led Shiv Sena has joined hands with the Congress in the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC).

Will Eknath Shinde be with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbais Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)? What happened in MBMC and Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation?

What happened in Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC)?

Of the 95 seats in MBMC, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 78 seats, Congress 13, Shinde Sena 3.

In the 2026 municipal elections, the BJP secured a landslide victory, winning 78 out of 95 seats. Despite that, Shinde has forged a new opposition alliance, Urban Development Alliance, with the Congress. The move highlights the growing tension between the BJP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik clarified that this alliance is to stop local corruption and misuse of power. He said that 16 councillors have risen above party politics and taken this decision in the interest of the city.

ALSO READ | BJP Is Out Of Kalyan-Dombivli Mayor Race Despite 50 Seats, But MNS, With 5 Corporators, Isnt

Sarnaiks direct target is a local BJP leader, reported News18 Marathi. This front includes 13 Congress, 3 Shiv Sena and one independent councillor. With a total strength of 17 councillors, this group will now stake its claim for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Municipal Corporation. This is a preparation to curb the one-sided rule of BJP.

The BJP has criticised the move.

What happened in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC)?

In the KDMC, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which has 5 seats, extended its support to the Shinde Sena, which won 53 seats, followed by BJPs 50 seats. UBT won 11 seats in the 122-seat KDMC and was with the MNS for the civic elections. The KDMC mayor will have to be from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.

While the BJP has 50 corporators, it does not have a single member from the ST category. The Shinde Sena has two ST corporators and the MNS one, making both the parties contenders for the top post.

What is happening in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)?

While the BJP won 89 seats, Shinde Sena group won 29 seats. Both the parties together have crossed the majority mark of 114. But there is speculation of a split between the two parties.

Shinde first kept all his newly elected corporators at the Taj Lands End Hotel in Mumbai, who checked out only after the group was registered and Shinde and his representatives reached Delhi for talks with the BJP.

Even though Shinde has maintained Mumbai will get a Mahayuti mayor and he would not go against the mandate, he has been eyeing the post, saying it is the birth centenary of Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

Meanwhile, there is buzz about the overtures made by Uddhav Thackeray to keep Shinde out of the BMC, with Uddhav even saying that if God wishes, a Shiv Sainik may become the mayor.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 16:39 IST

News cities mumbai-news BMC Mayor Suspense: Eknath Shinde Allies With Congress In Mira-Bhayander, MNS In Kalyan

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Pre-Wedding Shoots, Viral Reels: Why NGT Says This Snowy Rajasthan Spot Is A Health Hazard

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 13:04 IST

Kishangarhs snow-like marble slurry dump yards show how beauty on a phone screen can mask serious environmental and health risks on the ground.

What began as an industrial waste site has gradually turned into an unofficial tourist attraction in Rajasthan's Kishangarh. (Instagram/@escapadestherebellion)

Kishangarh has always been celebrated as a school of Rajasthans miniature painting tradition, most famously the iconic Bani-Thani. But in the age of social media and viral content, the city in Rajasthans Ajmer district is drawing attention for a very different reason.

Set against the states otherwise arid landscape, Kishangarh has emerged as an unlikely tourist hotspot. Lured by viral Instagram posts, visitors now flock here to shoot reels, film music videos and pose for pre-wedding photographs, captivated by vast stretches of white terrain that create the illusion of a snowfield in the desert.

The snow-like" landscape is not snow at all. It is marble slurry waste, a byproduct of Rajasthans massive marble-processing industry, and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has flagged it for its potential health implications.

Dumping Yard Turned Into Tourist Spot

The viral white landscape is part of the marble slurry dumping yards in Kishangarh, one of Asias largest marble-processing hubs. Hundreds of marble units operate in and around the town, cutting and polishing stone for domestic use and export.

In the process, enormous quantities of marble slurry are generated every day. This slurry, essentially a fine powder mixed with water, is dumped in open yards once it dries.

Over time, these deposits spread across large tracts of land, forming a flat, chalk-white surface that visually resembles snow.

What began as an industrial waste site has gradually turned into an unofficial tourist attraction  one that lacks warning signs, access controls or health advisories, despite being surrounded by ongoing industrial activity.

Why Did The National Green Tribunal Step In?

The NGT took suo motu cognisance of the issue after media reports and petitions highlighted the unchecked dumping of marble slurry and its impact on the surrounding environment.

The Tribunal examined reports submitted by pollution control authorities and relied on scientific studies assessing air quality, groundwater contamination and health outcomes in the region.

In its observations, the NGT noted that the dumping of marble slurry has led to environmental degradation and raised concerns over potential health implications, particularly due to airborne dust and deteriorating groundwater quality.

These findings formed the basis for the Tribunal flagging the site as posing a health hazard, especially in light of unrestricted public access.

Picture-Perfect Health Hazard

Marble slurry may look harmless, but prolonged exposure to its fine particulate matter can have serious consequences. When the dried slurry turns into dust, it becomes easily airborne, increasing the concentration of particulate matter in the air.

Scientific studies cited before the Tribunal link long-term exposure to marble dust with respiratory ailments, lung diseases such as silicosis, and irritation of the eyes and skin.

Workers in marble units are particularly vulnerable, but the risk is not limited to them. Visitors who walk, pose or lie down on the slurry-covered ground, often without protective gear, are also exposed.

The Tribunal also noted groundwater samples collected from areas around the dumping yards showed high levels of dissolved solids and contaminants, prompting the observation that the groundwater is not fit for drinking without treatment.

Social Media Selling Health Risk

What makes the Kishangarh dumping yards particularly problematic is how they have been repackaged online. On Instagram, Youtube and other social media sites, people are promoting these dump yards as a unique visual experience  snow in Rajasthan"  without any reference to its industrial origins or the health risk it poses.

Pre-wedding shoots, fashion reels and travel content have helped normalise public access to what is essentially an industrial waste site. The absence of fencing, warning boards or safety protocols only adds to the illusion that the location is safe.

The NGT flagged this trend as deeply concerning, noting that pollution is being inadvertently glamorised and consumed as a tourism experience, exposing people to health risks without their informed consent.

Why NGT Did Not Order A Shutdown

Despite acknowledging the environmental and health concerns, the Tribunal stopped short of ordering the closure of the dumping yards. It recognised that marble processing is a major source of livelihood in the region and that some systems for the reuse of slurry do exist.

However, the NGT made it clear that existing measures are insufficient and that the current handling of marble waste cannot continue without stricter safeguards and oversight.

To reduce environmental damage and limit public exposure, the Tribunal directed authorities to strengthen dust control measures across industrial areas and dumping yards.

It called for better management of slurry water to prevent seepage into surrounding land and groundwater, structural safety checks of dumping embankments, and stricter regulation of excavation activity.

The NGT also pushed for the finalisation of long-pending national guidelines on marble slurry management, underlining the need for uniform standards across marble-producing states.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 12:38 IST

News explainers Pre-Wedding Shoots, Viral Reels: Why NGT Says This Snowy Rajasthan Spot Is A Health Hazard

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9 NTPC Officials, Engineers Leave Bangladesh Amid Attacks On Hindus | Exclusive

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 18:43 IST

Their absence was noticed during breakfast checks done by authorities

Bangladesh continues to grapple with a volatile security landscape as it approaches the national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026. (AP File for representation)

Amid the ongoing attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, nine senior Indian officials from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), who were deputed to the Rampal Thermal Power Plant operated by the Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), have abruptly left the site in Bagerhat, according to reports.

They left on Saturday without any prior permission or notice to plant authorities. Their absence was noticed during breakfast checks done by authorities. Later, it was confirmed they had exited via the Bhomra land port into India.

India has already declared Bangladesh a non-family station.

Indian intelligence sources said, These are sustained anti-Rampal campaigns supported by NGO networks previously active against other India-backed regional infrastructure projects. It is clear that a coordinated narrative is created against India than purely local environmental concern. Inputs indicate that any unrest in Bangladesh would have created disruption at Rampal and Indian government doesnt want any risk with its citizens or workers on deputation. Rampal was under threat from foreign agencies also, especially from rival powers."

The anti-Rampal movement in Bangladesh is a sustained campaign by environmentalists, activists, and citizens opposing the 1320 MW coal-fired power plant near the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Led by groups like the National Committee on Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, protesters argue the project threatens the ecosystems fauna and flora with pollution, coal spills, and land displacement.

Bangladesh crisis

A 25-year-old Hindu youth, Chanchal Bhowmik, was tragically burned to death in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, on Friday night. He was sleeping in a garage when the fire broke out, and CCTV footage suggests foul play.

Bangladesh continues to grapple with a volatile security landscape as it approaches the national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026. Amidst a ban on the Awami League and rising communal tensions, the safety of religious minorities has become a focal point of international concern.

Reports from human rights organisations and government agencies indicate a sharp rise in targeted violence against minorities since the interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, took power in August 2024.

The internal instability has triggered sharp reactions from the exiled leadership. In her first address to a gathering in India since she came to the country in the wake of violent protests in August 2024, former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina blasted the Interim Governments Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

With Agency Inputs

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 18:39 IST

News india 9 NTPC Officials, Engineers Leave Bangladesh Amid Attacks On Hindus | Exclusive

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Congress MP's Nephew Kills Wife, Ahmedabad Police Rules Out 'Accidental' Firing

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 09:09 IST

Yashkumarsinh Gohil, nephew of Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil, shot his wife in Ahmedabad before taking his own life, police said.

Yashrajsinh Gohil and Rajeshwari Gohil

Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohils nephew, Yashkumarsinh Gohil, allegedly shot his wife intentionally before taking his own life, police said on Saturday. The reason behind the extreme step is not known yet and the investigation is underway.

Initially, officials said that 35-year-old Yashkumarsinh had accidentally shot his wife Rajeshwari (30) at their home in Ahmedabads Bodakdev area on Wednesday night, and subsequently took his own life with his licensed revolver.

However, new evidence indicated that Yashkumarsinh intentionally shot Rajeshwari and then ended his own life using the same weapon, as per the First Information Report (FIR) filed on Saturday at Vastrapur police station.

The couple had got married recently.

We have registered an FIR against Yashkumarsinh Gohil for allegedly killing his wife before committing suicide. Investigation about his motives is underway," Assistant Commissioner of Police Jayesh Brahmbhatt was quoted as saying by PTI.

Yashkumarsinh, who was the nephew of senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, Shaktisinh Gohil, worked as an officer with the Gujarat Maritime Board.

As per the FIR, the angle of the bullet injury, the type of firearm, lack of mishandling signs, and the scene circumstances suggested an intentional act. The revolvers trigger required specific force to be pressed, ruling out the chances of accidental firing.

There could not have been an accidental firing as the revolvers trigger cannot be pressed unless certain kind of force is applied to it in a specific manner," a PTI report quoted the FIR.

The report added that the shot was fired from behind, with the bullet hitting Rajeshwaris head. The revolver had only two rounds, both used in the incident, reinforcing the theory of intentionality.

After the shooting, Yashkumarsinh called the 108 ambulance service. When the medical team declared Rajeshwari dead, he shot himself in the head in the same room, the FIR noted.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 09:09 IST

News india Congress MP's Nephew Kills Wife, Ahmedabad Police Rules Out 'Accidental' Firing

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EAM Jaishankar Discusses India-America Ties, Ukraine Conflict With US Ambassador Gor

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 14:47 IST

US ambassador Sergio Gor wrote on X: Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM Dr S Jaishankar...on ways to strengthen U.S.-India partnership...

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with the US Congressional delegation. (X)

US Ambassador Sergio Gor on Sunday met External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar with a delegation for what he called a productive discussion on ways to strengthen US-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies.

Along with the India-US ties, the topics of the good interaction" were Indo-Pacific and Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar confirmed in a post on X.

Gor wrote on X: Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM @DrSJaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen U.S.-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies."

Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM @DrSJaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen U.S.-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies. https://t.co/kHfdkhBFtn Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 25, 2026

Jaishankar wrote: A good interaction with US Congressional Delegation comprising @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith and @JimmyPatronis along with @USAmbIndia. Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship."

Recent talks with Marco Rubio, Steve Daines

This comes in a series of visits by US diplomats.

Jaishankar on January 13 held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and discussed a range of bilateral issues on trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence, and energy. He said that both sides agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on bilateral and international issues. Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues," Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The telephonic conversation was held just a day after US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, assumed charge in New Delhi.

Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio.Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues.    Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 13, 2026

Meanwhile, US Senator Steve Daines pushed for favourable provisions for pulse crops in any future trade deal with India during his visit from 17 to 19 January, stressing the need for stronger Washington-New Delhi trade ties, the US Embassy and Consulates in India said on January 20.

The visit included meetings in New Delhi with Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, members of parliament, and business leaders from both countries.

In a press release, the US Embassy and Consulates in India said that Senator Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, discussed a range of issues including US-India defence cooperation, secure supply chains, and a stable Indo-Pacific region.

#WATCH | Delhi: After assuming charge as the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor says,  No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each pic.twitter.com/0qY9AgRoHw ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026

No country is as essential as India for Washington: Gor

No country is as essential as India for Washington and both sides are actively engaged in firming up a trade deal, US ambassador Sergio Gor said in New Delhi on Monday.

Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end," he said in his arrival speech while referring to the friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. India is the worlds largest nation. So its not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there," he said at a ceremony attended by US embassy employees here.

ALSO READ | US Ambassador Sergio Gor: A Trump Loyalist Entrusted With Restructuring India-America Ties

And while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health," he said. I have travelled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real," he added.

Gor also announced that India will be a member of the Pax Silica alliance. I am pleased to announce that India will be invited to join this group of nations as a full member next month," he said.

The Pax Silica alliance is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, resilient and innovation driven silicon supply chain.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 14:34 IST

News india EAM Jaishankar Discusses India-America Ties, Ukraine Conflict With US Ambassador Gor

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IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Awarded Ashoka Chakra

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 20:00 IST

Group Captain Shukla made history by reaching the International Space Station (ISS) after being launched by SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Credits: PTI)

Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian ISRO astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as pilot, has been honoured with the Ashok Chakra, Indias highest peacetime gallantry award, for the historic space mission.

Additionally, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Shuklas backup crew member for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, and his Gaganyaan crewmate, will receive the Kirti Chakra.

President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards to 70 armed forces personnel, including six who would receive the honour posthumously.

These include one Ashok Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras (one posthumous), one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry) (five posthumous), six Nau Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Group Captain Shukla made history by reaching the International Space Station (ISS) after being launched by SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft from NASAs Kennedy Space Center on June 26, 2025. He became the first Indian astronaut to set foot on the ISS.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on being awarded the #AshokaChakra, the nations highest peacetime #gallantryaward. This prestigious honour stands as a testament to his exceptional courage, dedication and selfless service to the nation. pic.twitter.com/8Mal6uUD0N Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) January 25, 2026

The international crew included Slawosz Uznanski from Poland (European Space Agency) and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both as mission specialists. Group Captain Shukla joined them as the missions pilot  a role of high responsibility and precision. Shuklas 18-day expedition involved over 60 scientific experiments, including seven led by the ISRO.

Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla?

Hailing from Lucknow, Group Captain Shukla is an alumnus of City Montessori School in Aliganj. Commissioned as a fighter pilot in 2006, he has accumulated over 16 years of service and more than 2,000 flying hours.

He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 17, 2006, and described his career as a rollercoaster ride." He has excelled in his field, becoming a fighter combat leader and test pilot with experience in various aircraft, including the Su-30MKI, MIG-21, MIG-29, Jaguar, and Hawk.

He was selected for Gaganyaan in 2019, and trained rigorously at Russias Yuri Gagarin Centre.

The mission marked the first time an Indian entered the International Space Station and performed experiments in microgravity. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission was the fourth private astronaut expedition to the International Space Station.

The crew returned safely to Earth onboard SpaceXs Dragon capsule, Grace, on July 15, after it made the splashdown into the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego in Southern California.

Who Is Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair?

Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, who has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, is a distinguished fighter test pilot. He is among the four astronauts selected for Indias first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.

As an Air Force pilot, he has logged over 3,000 flying hours.

He also served as a backup crew member for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. Since 2019, he has been training in collaboration with ISRO under the Gaganyaan programme.

Nair is a recipient of the Sword of Honour and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 19, 1998.

(With inputs from agencies)

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 14:51 IST

News india IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Awarded Ashoka Chakra

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'Hinduism Not Worship System But Way Of Living': Mohan Bhagwat Reaches Out To Tribal Communities

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 05:08 IST

The RSS chief stated that while the Sarna faith is a distinct and respected 'form of worship', it exists within the inclusive ambit of Hindu identity

Bhagwat sought to bridge the gap between traditional tribal practices and the broader identity of Sanatan Dharma. (File photo)

In a significant outreach to Indias indigenous communities, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has underscored that Hinduism is defined by a collective way of living" rather than any singular ritualistic system. Speaking on Saturday, during a five-hour closed-door interaction titled Janjatiya Sanvad" in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Bhagwat sought to bridge the gap between traditional tribal practices and the broader identity of Sanatan Dharma.

Addressing approximately 500 representatives from various tribal groups, Bhagwat addressed the delicate debate surrounding the Sarna faitha nature-worshipping tradition followed by many Adivasi communities. The RSS chief stated that while Sarna is a distinct and respected form of worship", it exists within the inclusive ambit of Hindu identity.

Hinduism is not the name of a particular worship system, but a way of living together," Bhagwat stated. He argued that the core of Indian tradition teaches unity in diversity", where different paths of faith are valid and none is inherently wrong. By framing Hinduism as a civilisational ethos rather than a rigid religion, he aimed to counter narratives of division that he claimed allow external forces" to exploit and weaken society.

The dialogue was not limited to spiritual matters; it involved a deep dive into the socio-political challenges facing tribal populations in 2026.

Participants, including Neesha Oraon (daughter of Congress MLA Rameshwar Oraon), raised concerns regarding the newly notified PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) rules in Jharkhand. Critics allege these rules lack mention of customary laws and religious practices, which could lead to a loss of autonomy for tribal communities.

Bhagwat described the tribal communities as the trustees of forests and land", asserting that no state development should occur without their consent and accountability. He warned that uprooting tribal society would fundamentally weaken the civilisational foundation of the entire nation.

The meeting also touched upon the contentious issue of delisting"a demand to remove the Scheduled Tribe status of those who convert to other religionsas well as concerns over illegal land grabbing and substance abuse among tribal youth.

The timing of this visit to Ranchi is critical, as the demand for a separate Sarna Religious Code" in the national census remains a potent political issue in Jharkhand. By engaging with prominent tribal leaders like former Chief Ministers Arjun Munda and Champai Soren, Bhagwat is reinforcing the RSSs Vanvasi Kalyan" agenda, which emphasises the inseparable bond" between tribal culture and Indias national identity.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 05:05 IST

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IndiGo Cancels Flights To Georgia's Tbilisi, Kazakhstan's Almaty Amid Rising Tensions In Iran

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 19:48 IST

This follows a sharp rise in tensions between the United States and Iran after a violent crackdown on protests across Iran.

Representative image (PTI)

IndiGo on Sunday announced that it has cancelled its flight operations to Tbilisi and Almaty, adding that some services may make a refuelling stop at Doha on Monday due to developments related to Iran.

In a post on X, the airline said flights scheduled for January 25 between Delhi and Tbilisi in Georgia, and between Mumbai and Almaty in Kazakhstan, along with their return services, have been cancelled.

This comes as tensions between the United States and Iran have sharply increased following a violent crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran that reportedly left thousands dead and tens of thousands detained.

The unrest began on December 28 after Irans currency, the rial, plunged in value. What started as economic protests quickly spread across the country. Authorities responded with force, as Irans ruling system does not allow public dissent.

Former US president Donald Trump warned Tehran of serious consequences if it continued killing protesters or carried out mass executions of those arrested. In recent days, there have been no fresh protests reported. Trump also claimed that Iran had stopped executing around 800 detained protesters. Irans top prosecutor rejected the claim, calling it completely false."

Despite this, Trump signalled that military options remain on the table. Speaking on Thursday, he said any future military action would make last Junes US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites look like peanuts."

Amid rising tensions, the US Central Command announced on social media that Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets are now operating in the Middle East. The command said the deployment enhances combat readiness and promotes regional security and stability."

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 19:48 IST

News india IndiGo Cancels Flights To Georgia's Tbilisi, Kazakhstan's Almaty Amid Rising Tensions In Iran

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Jaish Commander Hid Inside House During J&K Operation, Took Family Hostage Before Being Shot

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 09:20 IST

Jammu and Kashmir police said three of the terrorist's hideouts have been busted so far, along with the natural caves he used while one was a manmade hideout

Jammu and Kashmir police said the operation and searches had been underway for more than a week. (Image: PTI)

A Jaish-e-Mohammed commander, who was gunned down in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district on January 23, took shelter inside a house during the operation and used that family as a shield before being gunned down by security forces.

The terrorist from Pakistan, identified as Usman, was shot dead in a high-stakes operation in Kathua districts Parhetar village.

The operation and searches had been underway for more than a week. The joint operation of J&K police, Indian Army and CRPF was started, today the situation was a hostage situation, but our brave police jawans rescued the civilians, and fierce gunbattle took place," Kathua SSP Mohita Sharma was quoted by news agency ANI.

Sharma said Usman had been active since 2024, and six terror acts were registered against him including the killing of civilians and security forces. Three of his hideouts have been busted so far, along with the natural caves he used, and one was a manmade hideout.

After the encounter, when he escaped, our search operation continued in this entire forest area. During this operation, there was a major contact with him, and three hideouts were also busted," Sharma said. Today, we received another specific input around 1 pm. It was from Parhetar village stating that he was in a house and had taken some civilians hostage. We immediately moved our party there, and our CRPF and army personnel were also with us, forming a cordon."

The SSP said the team first evacuated the civilians from there and then went into the house, snatching his weapon and shooting at him.

It did come to a full-blown combat situation, and he fired first from inside. As soon as we entered, our party displayed exceptional bravery  the kind of bravery for which the JKP (Jammu and Kashmir Police) is famous throughout the country and the world  in snatching his weapon and shooting him," the officer said.

The officer said Usman was a dreaded" terrorist, who was at the level of a commander in the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist. An M4 weapon was recovered from him, the officer added.

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Location : Kathua, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 08:30 IST

News india Jaish Commander Hid Inside House During J&K Operation, Took Family Hostage Before Being Shot

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Jaish Terrorists Trapped As Fresh Encounter Breaks Out In Kishtwar

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 23:44 IST

All the trapped militants are believed to be members of the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit.

The Indian Army and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Kishtwar reportedly managed to trap two to three terrorists in the area. (File photo)

A fresh encounter broke out on Sunday in the Singhpora area of Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, as security forces engaged with terrorists who had previously escaped during operations on January 18 and 22, sources told News18.

The Indian Army and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Kishtwar reportedly managed to trap two to three terrorists in the area.

All the trapped militants are believed to be members of the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit.

The operation follows a series of recent counter-terror efforts in the region. On Friday, a Pakistani terrorist associated with JeM was killed in a gunfight with security forces in the Billawar area of Kathua district.

Officials said the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs.

The Rising Star Corps of the Indian Army stated that a joint operation had been carried out by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the general area of Parhetar in Kathua district on January 23.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, confirmed that the neutralised terrorist, identified as JeM commander Usman, was a Pakistani national.

A substantial cache of arms and ammunition, including an M4 automatic rifle, was recovered from him.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 23:44 IST

News india Jaish Terrorists Trapped As Fresh Encounter Breaks Out In Kishtwar

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Americans have disasters on the brain  some real threats, and some imaginary.

For instance, more than one in 10 believe well eventually experience a zombie apocalypse, according to a 2025 survey of 1,000 Americans by Barter Insurance (1).

Must Read

Whether or not the prospect of a zombie apocalypse terrifies you, there are other pressing concerns, like unequivocal evidence that Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate, according to NASA (2). About one-third (35%) of adults worry about climate change weekly, according to the American Psychiatric Association (3).

And nearly half (46%) of Americans are worried that the U.S. could enter a nuclear war in the next decade, according to a YouGov poll (4).

And if youre wondering just how extreme their catastrophe thinking gets: Just a few years ago, four in 10 Americans told Pew Research they believed were living in the end times (5).

Would you live in a cave?

Whether its zombies, climate change or nuclear annihilation that keeps you awake at night, modern threats are driving recent interest in bomb shelters  a trend thats expected to grow until at least 2030, according to the market research firm Blueweave Consulting (6).

If that describes you, then you might be interested in a recently listed Arizona property.

Described as a crown jewel on Realtor.com, the property  on a hill overlooking the historic mining town of Bisbee, minutes from the U.S./Mexico border  is actually a former gold mining bunker.

While it may be a little rustic (it lacks a kitchen, bathroom, or running water), it can be hooked up to town water, electricity and sewer service, leaving the cave dwelling ripe for development. . The listing envisions the bunker as a wine cellar to a majestic castle, an entire mini home or a basecamp for outdoor enthusiasts (7). Or, of course, it could also serve as a bunker. Its also the centerpiece for 10 contiguous lots, six of which are leveled homesites, so the property could also anchor a gated community (8).

Living in a cave isnt as unusual as it might sound: Humans have lived in caves since prehistoric times, and still do in some parts of the world. For example, in Guiadix, Spain, 4,500 people live in caves. Its a good place to sleep: cool in the summer and warm in the winter, cave dweller Maria Carmen Lopez recently told German news station DW (9).
Ladakh Honours Kargil War Hero: Tashi Namgyal Gets State Award Posthumously

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 15:49 IST

Namgyals vigilance marked the opening chapter of Operation Vijay, turning the tide in one of Indias fiercest battles

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Tashi Namgyal has been awarded in the category of bravery for his heroic act. (News18 File)

In a poignant Republic Day tribute, the Ladakh administration has awarded the 2025 State Award posthumously to Tashi Namgyal, the Ladakhi shepherd whose sharp eyes and fearless spirit first alerted the Indian Army to Pakistans intrusion during the 1999 Kargil War.

Decades after his heroic act, Namgyals legacy of quiet patriotism has been finally recognised. Tashi has been awarded in the category of bravery for his heroic act.

In early May 1999, while trekking through the rugged Batalik mountain range in search of his missing yaks, the humble shepherd spotted six intruders dressed in Pathani attire. Without hesitation, he rushed to inform the Indian Army, providing crucial early intelligence that helped thwart the enemys stealthy advance along the heights overlooking the Srinagar-Leh highway.

In 2018, Tashi Namgyal told this correspondent that his bravery had never been recognised during an interview at his house in Garkhon, Kargil.

Namgyals vigilance marked the opening chapter of Operation Vijay, turning the tide in one of Indias fiercest battles. He passed away years later, without much spotlight for his selfless service.

Dolkar Aryan, his daughter, shared an emotional message on the honour. She said that, first of all, thank you to everyone who supported, guided, and stood by our family throughout this journey. Our fathers name has been announced for the State Award. Though he is no longer with us, his courage and service live on. During the 1999 Kargil War, he was the first to alert the nation about the presence of Pakistani troops, helping protect our country."

Dolkar added that, he never sought recognition, yet today his selfless work is being honoured. We are forever proud of you my beloved Papa, we love you and salute to you."

Tashi Namgyal passed away at the age of 58 in 2024. In January 2025, the Indian Army inaugurated a memorial in his honour in the Batalik sector to commemorate his vigilance and service to the nation.

Over two grueling months from May to July, Indian forces reclaimed the heights in Operation Vijay, at the cost of 527 brave soldiers lives, exposing Pakistans betrayal just months after the Lahore Declaration.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 15:49 IST

News india Ladakh Honours Kargil War Hero: Tashi Namgyal Gets State Award Posthumously

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Odisha: Koraput Administration Withdraws Order Banning Sale Of Non-Veg Food After Backlash

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 14:08 IST

Koraput district administration revoked its ban on non-vegetarian food sales for Republic Day after backlash and concerns over due diligence, restoring meat and egg sales.

Rapid Read

News18

After facing backlash, the Koraput district administration in Odisha has withdrawn an earlier order that prohibited the sale of non-vegetarian food, including meat and eggs.

Officials said the decision to revoke the order was taken after it emerged that the directive had been issued without due diligence. The withdrawal brings an end to the brief restriction imposed by the Collector of Koraput, restoring the sale of non-vegetarian food items in the district.

In continuation of this Collectorate Letter No. 93, dated-23.01.2026 regarding prohibition on sale of Meat, Chicken, Fish, Egg and other non- vegetarian food items on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day Celebration, 2026 in Koraput District, and whereas the said instruction was issued purely on the suggestion of the District Level Republic Day Preparatory Committee. Now, after due consideration, the aforesaid Letter No. 93 dated 23.01.2026 is hereby revoked with immediate effect," the order read.

In his earlier order, collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan directed all the tehsildars, block development officers and executive officers of the district to issue a notification prohibiting sale of meat, chicken, egg, fish and other non-vegetarian items on January 26 marking the Republic Day celebration.

The order did not spell out the reasons for banning the sale of non-vegetarian items and was also ambiguous on whether the restriction extended to eateries and hotels across the district on Republic Day.

The directive soon went viral on social media, triggering sharp reactions, with several users questioning how the government could impose restrictions on peoples food choices.

While speaking to mediapersons, Mahajan earlier said that the decision to impose the ban on non-vegetarian items on Republic Day was based on the demand of a larger section of people during the preparedness meeting. The administration has taken this decision in response to public demand," he said.

On January 7, public representatives and other participants unanimously resolved that the sale of non-vegetarian food should be prohibited on Republic Day in the interest of maintaining the sanctity of the occasion and upholding Gandhian ideals.

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Location : Koraput, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 14:08 IST

News india Odisha: Koraput Administration Withdraws Order Banning Sale Of Non-Veg Food After Backlash

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Pakistan Coerced Into Ceasefire: Report Details Indias Air Superiority During Op Sindoor

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Last Updated: January 26, 2026, 12:09 IST

Operation Sindoor: India emerged with a clear operational advantage, as it protected assets and degraded Pakistan's capabilities, while dictating escalation dynamics, says report

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Army officials with a tableau themed on 'Operation Sindoor' during the 78th Army Day parade in Jaipur on January 15. (PTI)

Indias air superiority during its 88-hour Operation Sindoor coerced Pakistan into a ceasefire during the May 7-10, 2025 conflict, according to a detailed European military analysis.

The report highlights how India emerged with a clear operational advantage, by protecting critical assets, degrading adversary capabilities, dictating escalation dynamics, and demonstrating credible deep-strike capability without crossing nuclear thresholds.

The report, titled Operation Sindoor: The India-Pakistan Air War (710 May 2025), is authored by Adrien Fontanellaz and was published last week by the Centre dHistoire et de Prospective Militaires (CHPM), an independent Swiss military history and strategic studies institution based in Pully, Switzerland. Founded in 1969, CHPM is not affiliated with any government and positions itself as a neutral forum for professional military research, force-preparation studies, and lessons-learned analysis. The publication carries institutional oversight, with a review committee including Joseph Henrotin, a Paris-based strategic analyst associated with European defence think tanks; Claude Meier, a retired Swiss Air Force Major General and former Chief of Staff; and Arthur Lusenti, a specialist in nuclear doctrine and arms control with experience at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

ALSO READ | Pakistan Begged US For Help As India Showed Its Might With Op Sindoor, Documents Reveal

According to the report, Indias response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack marked a deliberate shift from earlier crisis-management precedents. The political leadership led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorised strikes against Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba infrastructure deep inside Pakistani territory, while granting the armed forces freedom to manage escalation.

OP SINDOOR ATTACKS: REPORT SHOWS HOW INDIA DOMINATED THE AIRSPACE

The first wave of Pakistani attacks on the night of May 7-8, 2025 resulted in a second stage of Indian escalation, planned during the preparatory phase of Operation Sindoor. On May 8, the IAF launched its own campaign of air interdiction and air strikes against Pakistani air-defences. This operation, focused on border surveillance radars and long-range surface-to-air missile batteries, carried on until the evening of May 9. Eight air-defence sites were struck on May 8, and a further four the following day, resulting in the visually documented neutralisation of at least two early-warning radars at Chunian and Pasrur.

The IAF also claimed to have struck at least one HQ-9 battery, although the Pakistani side stated that their air-defence systems had shot down 25 drones on the morning of May 9. One of the IAFs S-400 batteries reportedly surprised the PAF, likely by lying in ambush near the border, and engaged an Erieye or electronic warfare aircraft orbiting well beyond. The IAF claimed to have destroyed the enemy aircraft at a range close to 300 kilometres.

The cumulative effect of these operations was a drastic reduction in both the extent and quality of Pakistani airspace coverage, as several radars that remained intact ceased emissions to avoid attracting enemy strikes, thereby facilitating the potential penetration of a further escalation stage by Indian aviation, according to the report.

HOW INDIAS CHECKMATE HURT PAKISTAN: WHAT THE REPORT STATES

The Indians detected preparations for the Pakistani attack scheduled on the evening of May 9 and opted for a quasi-immediate counterstrike. As soon as the Pakistani action had concluded, between 02:00 and 05:00 on 10 May, the IAF conducted a series of strikes using BrahMos, SCALP-EG and Rampage missiles launched from within Indian airspace by Su-30MKIs, Jaguars and Rafales. The missiles struck seven sites up to 200 kilometres inside Pakistani territory, including one surface-to-air missile battery and five air bases.

In north Pakistan, Nur Khan Air Base, near Islamabad, was hit by at least one missile, which destroyed a PAF command-and-control centre, while Murid Air Base, the hub of Pakistans MALE drone fleet, saw several hangars housing drones and a control centre struck. In central Pakistan, the small Rahim Yar Khan Air Base sustained several missile impacts on its runway, while the civilian airport terminal, which reportedly hosted a drone control centre, was also severely damaged. Rafiqi Air Base was also targeted, though the Indian side did not disclose specific objectives or damage inflicted. Finally, in the south, a hangar that housed drones and a radar at Sukkur Air Base were struck.

After having detected preparations for a PAF counterstrike, the IAF launched a second wave of attacks at 10:00 on 10 May, which employed the same munitions and the same tactics, but this time extending their targeting to manned aircraft, whereas the previous nights strikes had mostly been restricted to drones and their support infrastructure.

ALSO READ | Brought Them To Their Knees: IAF Chief On How Indias Strikes Forced Pakistan To Seek Ceasefire

In central Pakistan, Sargodha Air Base, home to multiple combat squadrons, was rendered inoperative by several missile impacts at the intersection of its runways. Indian strikes were even more destructive in the south. At Jacobabad Air Base, an F-16 maintenance hangar suffered a direct hit, while a radar was also damaged or destroyed, along with electrical and cooling facilities. At Bholari Air Base, another hangar housing one or more Erieye aircraft was severely damaged.

In total, the IAF assessed that at least four or five F-16s, one Erieye, one C-130 transport aircraft, several MALE drones, two radars, two command-and-control centres and one surface-to-air missile battery had been destroyed on the ground, at the cost of roughly fifty long-range munitions. The PAF, however, subsequently reported that the Erieye hit at Bholari was only lightly damaged and was quickly repaired, though five personnel were killed in the strike.

By noon on 10 May, Pakistani military authorities requested a ceasefire from their Indian counterparts. This was quickly accepted, as the political objectives assigned to the military, namely to conduct spectacular retaliatory strikes to deter JeM and LeT while countering the Pakistan militarys response, had been achieved. New Delhi thus claimed to have brought the conflict to a close, whereas other powers repeatedly get bogged down in the conflicts they initiate, said the report.

THE AIR BATTLE AND ITS IMPACT

Around 01:00 on the morning of May 7, Indian aircraft launched a series of longrange munitions against the complex that housed the JeM headquarters at Bahawalpur, roughly one hundred kilometres from the border. At the same time, another formation released a second salvo of guided munitions against the LeT headquarters at Muridke. One of the two Indian strike formations, composed of Rafale or Mirage 2000I aircraft, penetrated Pakistani airspace at very low altitude before executing a pop-up manoeuvre to release precision-guided bombs, continuing to guide them until impact. Pakistani ground-based radar and electronic listening stations, supported by an Erieye airborne early warning and control system, detected the approach of the IAF strike and diversion formations shortly after midnight. Over the following twenty minutes, they identified eight distinct groups of six to eight aircraft each, concentrated along four main axes, totalling 60 aircraft, including 14 Rafales, soon reinforced by a further dozen combat aircraft. The PAF, which initially ran three combat air patrols (two of four and one of two aircraft), scrambled 32 additional fighters (F-16s, JF-17s, and J-10Cs) on quick reaction alert, most of which concentrated in the east of Pakistans airspace, from Lahore to east of Islamabad. The Erieye continued to orbit at the rear, over the Peshawar region, facing the two largest Indian concentrations. The PAF thus established a locally less unfavourable force ratio, with 24 Pakistani fighters confronting 28 Indian aircraft.

ALSO READ | Pakistan Lost Over 100 Soldiers Along LoC, 12 Aircraft In Operation Sindoor: DGMO Lt Gen Ghai

The subsequent circulation of images of wreckage fragments on social media and in Indian and Pakistani media, however, confirmed the loss of at least one Rafale (serial number BS001), one Mirage 2000 and either one MiG29UPG or one Su-30MKI.

The IAF and the Indian government have neither confirmed nor denied losing aircraft during Operation Sindoor. Recently, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan admitted that unspecified" losses were sustained but stressed that all mission objectives were achieved. Director General Air Operations, Air Marshal A K Bharti, added that losses are part of any combat," while confirming that no pilots were lost and that Pakistans air force did suffer damage. In June, Indias Defence Attache to Indonesia, Captain Shiv Kumar, also referred to some aircraft" losses, attributing them to initial political restrictions on targeting Pakistani air defences.

Among the reasons the report quotes for the losses are Pakistans deployment reredeployment of a portion of its fighters to better cover the countrys coasts, aircraft near the Line of Control, Pakistani fighters switching off their electromagnetic emissions and by flying at low altitude, PL-15 missile and PAFs Link 17 data link.

IAF STRENGTH

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is presently the worlds fourth-largest air force in terms of size. New Delhi systematically uses major acquisitions to foster the development and consolidation of its domestic defence industry. Thus, by seeking to assemble part of the aircraft acquired by the IAF domestically while gradually increasing the proportion of locally manufactured components, India has achieved a measure of success. The IAFs sizeable UAV fleet is likewise largely composed of Israeli platforms, including the Searcher, Heron and Heron TP MALE drones, as well as Harop and Harpy loitering munitions. In addition, the IAF was able to acquire sophisticated equipment, often along with transfers of technology of varying depth, from countries such as the United Kingdom (Hawk trainer aircraft), France (Mirage 2000 upgrade and Rafale acquisition), and the United States (Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and C-130 and C-17 transport aircraft).

Beyond the BrahMos supersonic missiles, India has completed development of the Astra active radar-guided air-to-air missile, intended to replace the Russian R-27 and R-77 missiles. Besides, Indian engineers converted three Embraer 145 aircraft into AEW&C platforms, giving rise to the Netra system. By 2022, the IAF had received at least sixteen Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile batteries, along with several types of early-warning radars. The Indian armed forces also rely on a limited constellation of communication and radar reconnaissance satellites.

CONCLUSION: THE REPORT

Pakistan did not mount a response of comparable scale or depth, and the escalation cycle ended without external mediation.

The report concludes that India achieved escalation dominance by demonstrating both the capability and the willingness to impose higher costs while retaining control over further escalation.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 13:00 IST

News india Pakistan Coerced Into Ceasefire: Report Details Indias Air Superiority During Op Sindoor

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Tejashwi Yadav Appointed RJD's New National Working President

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 13:40 IST

The decision was taken at the RJDs national executive meeting held in Patna, where Tejashwi Yadav was unanimously chosen for the post.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav | File Image

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Assemblys Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has been elevated as the partys national working president, further consolidating his position within the Bihar-based outfit founded by his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav.

The decision was taken at the RJDs national executive meeting held in Patna, where Tejashwi Yadav was unanimously chosen for the post.

Party leaders said the move formalises a role he has effectively been playing for some time, as his influence in organisational and political decision-making has steadily grown.

Over the past few years, Tejashwi has emerged as the de facto leader of the party, with the national executive granting him powers last year to decide on ticket distribution and resolve disputes related to the partys symbol and flag.

His elevation is being seen as a step towards a clearer leadership structure as the RJD prepares for upcoming political challenges.

The appointment, however, comes amid signs of internal unease within the Yadav family.

Ahead of the national executive meeting, Tejashwis elder sister Rohini Acharya took to social media to launch a veiled attack on the party leadership, calling for introspection rather than what she described as evasion of responsibility.

In a post on X, Acharya said those genuinely committed to Lalu Prasad Yadavs ideology and legacy had the right to question the leadership over the partys current condition.

She alleged that the RJD was increasingly being influenced by infiltrators and conspirators" sent by ideological opponents to weaken the party from within.

Without naming Tejashwi directly, she warned that silence from those in charge would only fuel suspicion about their role.

Rohini Acharyas remarks come against the backdrop of the RJDs poor performance in the Bihar Assembly elections held last year.

Following the defeat, she had announced that she was stepping away from politics and had publicly criticised key aides of Tejashwi Yadav. Party insiders had also spoken of a bitter fallout between the siblings in the aftermath of the polls.

In recent months, other members of the Yadav family, including elder brother and former minister Tej Pratap Yadav, have also made indirect remarks blaming the party leadership for the electoral setback.

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Location : Bihar, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 13:33 IST

News india Tejashwi Yadav Appointed RJD's New National Working President

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UP Couple Jump From Second-Floor Pizza Shop After Being Accosted By Hindu Group

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 12:39 IST

The couple reportedly told police they had ordered instant noodles and were waiting for their food when the group started asking them personal questions.

AI-generated image | Representative

A young couple sustained serious injuries after jumping from the second floor of a pizza outlet in Uttar Pradeshs Shahjahanpur district, allegedly to escape harassment by members of a Hindu organisation, police said on Sunday.

The incident took place on Saturday evening at a pizza shop located on the second floor of a building near Bareilly Morh, under the jurisdiction of Kant police station.

According to police sources, a 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were seated together at the outlet when a group of people associated with a Hindu organisation arrived and began questioning them.

The couple reportedly told police they had ordered instant noodles and were waiting for their food when the group started asking them personal questions, including their caste.

After the two said they were Hindus, some members of the group allegedly began recording them on their mobile phones.

Police said the situation caused panic. In an attempt to flee, the young man allegedly pulled out a window grille and jumped from the second floor.

The woman followed moments later. Both suffered serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby private hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment.

Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said officers reached the scene soon after receiving information and have begun looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He added that no formal complaint has been lodged so far.

Once we receive a complaint, strict action will be taken," the SP said, adding that the matter remains under investigation.

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Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 12:39 IST

News india UP Couple Jump From Second-Floor Pizza Shop After Being Accosted By Hindu Group

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Shanaya Kapoor Channels Modern Glamour In Emerald At Tu Yaa Main Trailer Launch

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 11:18 IST

Shanaya Kapoor stuns in an emerald Silvia Tcherassi gown, embracing quiet luxury and sculptural elegance at the Tu Yaa Main trailer launch.

Shanaya Kapoor was styled by Manisha Melwani.

Emerald green has long been synonymous with power, poise, and quiet confidence, and Shanaya Kapoor tapped into all three as she stepped out for the trailer launch of her upcoming film Tu Yaa Main. Ditching excess in favour of restraint, the actor delivered a look that felt deliberate, directional, and deeply rooted in modern luxury.

Shanaya Kapoors floor-length emerald gown by Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi was a masterclass in refined sensuality. With its high neckline and long sleeves, the silhouette leaned into classic elegance, while its body-contouring fit brought a contemporary sharpness. The sculpted bodice traced clean lines, creating a statuesque effect that felt confident rather than overt.

A strategically placed side cut-out at the waist introduced a subtle disruption  just enough skin to elevate the gown from minimal to memorable. It was a reminder that modern glamour often lies in balance, not boldness.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shanaya  (@shanayakapoor02)

Crafted in a fluid, figure-skimming fabric, the gown fell effortlessly into a floor-grazing hem, elongating Shanayas frame. Soft ruching at the waist added depth and movement, while a slim gold-toned accent punctuated the monochrome palette with restraint. Rather than overpowering the look, the metallic detail acted as a quiet focal point, enhancing the sculptural quality of the design.

Styled by celebrity stylist Manisha Melwani, the look embraced a philosophy of less, but intentional. Shanaya wore her hair straight, centre-parted, and shoulder-length, allowing the clean lines of the gown to remain uninterrupted. Her makeup stayed soft and polished, with a focus on glowing skin and understated definition.

Accessories followed suit. Crocodile-inspired minimalist jewellery from Indinoor Jewellery nodded subtly to the thematic undertones of Tu Yaa Main without veering into costume territory. The result was cohesive, considered, and quietly impactful.

With this appearance, Shanaya Kapoor continues to carve a distinct fashion identity, which is rooted in confidence, restraint, and evolving sophistication. The emerald gown didnt just make a statement; it signalled a growing ease with high-fashion storytelling, where elegance is expressed through precision rather than spectacle.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 11:18 IST

News lifestyle fashion Shanaya Kapoor Channels Modern Glamour In Emerald At Tu Yaa Main Trailer Launch
Meet The New Indian Host: Curated Drinks, Elevated Food, And Personal Style

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Last Updated: January 30, 2026, 11:17 IST

Hosting at home in India is evolving. It is becoming less about excess, and more about intent, and drinks that reflect personal style.

Indians are redefining hosting in 2026.

Indias hosting culture has always been rooted in warmth. From Atithi Devo Bhava to Sunday lunches that stretch well into evening conversations, opening ones home has long been an act of generosity. Whats changing in 2026 isnt whether people host, but how they do it.

The home party no longer looks like a hurried playlist, melting ice, and a drink assembled from whatevers left in the cabinet. The shift has been quiet, stylish, and deeply intentional. Hosting today is less about drinking more, and more about drinking better.

This evolution reflects a broader change in how young Indians define success itself. No longer centred on one grand milestone, success is increasingly measured through everyday wins  late-night edits, creative breakthroughs, shared laughter, and the resolve to keep showing up.

From Milestones To Micro-Celebrations

Paras Maan, Chief Operating Officer, ADS Spirits, describes this as a generational reset.

Success looks different for everyone today. Its personal, chaotic, and ever-evolving. People are no longer waiting for one big moment to celebrate," he says.

This mindset is also changing how alcohol fits into daily life. Were seeing a clear move away from drinks being reserved for milestones. Theyre becoming companions to real stories and real connections. Consistency, authenticity and relevance matter just as much as whats in the glass," Maan adds.

Inside The Modern Indian Living Room

Across urban India, this shift is most visible at home. The at-home drinking experience is being reshaped through a series of micro-upgrades  small, thoughtful choices that together signal taste and confidence.

The bar corner as decor: Dedicated bar spaces are no longer hidden away. Whether its a full cabinet or a styled tray, the home bar now sits alongside art objects and coffee table books.

The return of the bar cart: The bar cart is back, but edited. Instead of excess, hosts are choosing a few dependable bottles that work for multiple occasions.

Signature drinks over menus: The modern host offers one or two drinks done well  a crisp G&T, a citrus-forward highball, a reliable whisky sour. Its efficient, elegant, and gives the evening an identity.

Details That Make The Difference

Ice has become an unexpected obsession, and for good reason. Larger, cleaner cubes melt more slowly and preserve flavour. Glassware, too, is doing heavier lifting than ever  highballs, coupes, and solid rocks glasses transforming simple pours into moments.

Mixers have matured. Sugary fizz is giving way to sharper tonics, better sodas, ginger ales, bitters, and cordials that add depth without overpowering the drink. Ready-to-drink cocktails have also found acceptance, valued for consistency and ease when hosting demands speed without compromise.

And because this is India, food still leads. Hosts are instinctively pairing Indian flavours with drinks  kebabs with whisky, spicy snacks with citrusy serves, chaats with spritzes that cut through heat.

A Home That Tells A Story

According to Sameer Mahandru, Founder & Managing Director, IndoBevs, hosting today is as much about expression as it is about service. If you look closely at how hosting has evolved in India, its no longer just about whats being served. Its about how the moment is being shaped," he says.

Indian homes, he notes, are absorbing global influences while staying rooted in storytelling and conversation. Objects are no longer afterthoughts; theyre part of the experience.

Indias at-home drinking revolution isnt loud. Its unfolding in cleaner ice trays, edited shelves, thoughtful glasses, and food-first thinking. In these small decisions lies a cultural shift  from consumption to curation, from quantity to character.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 14:50 IST

News lifestyle food Meet The New Indian Host: Curated Drinks, Elevated Food, And Personal Style
National Tourism Day 2026: History, Significance, And Top Travel Destinations In India

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 07:20 IST

National Tourism Day highlights Indias top travel destinations, tourism history, cultural significance, and ways tourism boosts the economy.

Celebrate National Tourism Day 2026 by exploring Indias diverse destinations, from Rajasthan forts to Keralas serene backwaters and Goas golden beaches.

National Tourism Day 2026: India boasts of a range of tourist sites that leave travellers spellbound. Be it historical landmarks like the Taj Mahal or scenic locales like Ladakh and Kochi, theres something to delight visitors of all kinds. Travelling also gives a huge boost to the nations economy. National Tourism Day is observed annually on January 25 to raise awareness about the importance of tourism for the country.

This day celebrates the tourism sector while also acknowledging its commitment to growth and sustainability. The occasion highlights how travel destinations need to focus on sustainable growth and benefit the local communities to manage the influx of visitors in a more coordinated manner.

National Tourism Day 2026: History

Soon after independence, the government recognised the importance of tourism to Indias economy and established a department for the same. The department was established with the goal of preserving the countrys national history and preserving tourist spots while making them more traveller-friendly.

National Tourism Day is marked to preserve culture and promote tourism. The day is crucial because it raises awareness about the value of tourism and its economic impact.

National Tourism Day 2026: Significance

India has a rich cultural and historical legacy. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the country features some of the most beautiful places to visit and delicious dishes to try. Every travel hotspot has something unique to offer visitors.

Tourism is one of Indias fastest-growing and most profitable industries and promotes economic growth, cultural interchange, and international cooperation.

National Tourism Day 2026: Top Travel Destinations In India

Rajasthan

The vibrant state of Rajasthan in northwest India is a popular destination for tourists due to its rich cultural heritage, spectacular palaces, and colourful traditions.

Cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer provide insight into the lavish lifestyles of the erstwhile royal families.

Rajasthan is a popular location thanks to its majestic forts, bustling bazaars, and camel safaris in the Thar Desert.

Kerala

Kerala, also known as Gods Own Country," remains a must-visit destination due to its quiet backwaters, lush green scenery, and tranquil beaches. The quiet backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom, the gorgeous hill station of Munnar, and the pristine beaches of Kovalam and Varkala provide a tranquil escape.

Goa

Goa, located on Indias western coast, is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches, relaxing environment, and vibrant nightlife. Tourists flock to beaches with golden sands such as Baga, Calangute, and Anjuna to rest, participate in water sports, and attend parties.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 07:20 IST

News lifestyle National Tourism Day 2026: History, Significance, And Top Travel Destinations In India
National Voters Day 2026: Theme, Significance And How Students Can Celebrate

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 07:15 IST

National Voters Day, celebrated on January 25, highlights the importance of voting, the ECIs role, and how citizens can participate in Indias democracy.

This year marks the 16th annual celebration of the National Voters Day. (PTI file photo)

National Voters Day is celebrated annually on January 25. 2026 marks the 16th edition, commemorating the foundation of the Election Commission of India (ECI), established on 25 January 1950. The day encourages young citizens to actively participate in Indias democratic process.

National Voters Day 2026: Significance

First celebrated in 2011 under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, National Voters Day aims to promote civic responsibility and pride in voting among young citizens. The day also honours the Election Commission, currently led by Gyanesh Kumar, which safeguards free and fair elections across India.

National Voters Day 2026 Theme

The 16th National Voters Day theme is My India, My Vote", highlighting the importance of every individuals right to vote and encouraging participation in democratic processes.

Importance of Voting in India

India is the worlds largest democracy, with over 96.88 crore registered electors as of 2024. Voting empowers citizens, preserves civil liberties, and ensures accountable governance.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw 64.2 crore voters, including 31.2 crore women, cast their ballots  a world-record turnout according to the Chief Election Commissioner.

Challenges and Awareness

While initiatives like National Voters Day promote democratic rights, reports highlight disenfranchisement risks. The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has raised concerns about potential exclusion of migrants, women, tribals, and minority communities from electoral rolls in certain regions.

How Students and Youth Can Celebrate National Voters Day

Voter Awareness Campaigns: Students can organize campaigns in schools and colleges to educate peers about the importance of voting, voter registration, and the democratic process. Posters, social media campaigns, and informative videos can help spread awareness. Essay and Speech Competitions: Participate in essay writing and speech competitions focused on democracy, the Indian Constitution, and civic responsibilities. Topics could include Why Every Vote Counts" or The Role of Youth in Strengthening Democracy." Mock Voting Exercises: Schools and colleges can conduct mock elections to familiarize students with voting procedures, ballot boxes, and electronic voting machines. This encourages practical understanding and readiness for future elections. Interactive Workshops: Host workshops explaining the Election Commissions role, the process of drafting electoral rolls, and the significance of National Voters Day. Invite guest speakers like local officials or civic leaders to inspire students. Debates and Quiz Competitions: Engage students in debates on civic issues or quizzes on Indian democracy, freedom fighters, and constitutional provisions. This can make learning fun and informative. Social Media Participation: Encourage youth to take pledges online with hashtags like #MyIndiaMyVote or #NationalVotersDay2026, sharing their views on democracy and encouraging others to register and vote. Cultural Programs: Organize patriotic skits, street plays, or poster-making competitions to celebrate Indias democratic journey. Students can highlight the importance of elections, citizen participation, and equality through creative performances.

National Voters Day is more than a celebration  its a call to action for students and youth to participate in the democratic process, spread awareness, and exercise their right to vote. Through active engagement, the next generation can strengthen Indias democracy and uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 07:15 IST

News lifestyle National Voters Day 2026: Theme, Significance And How Students Can Celebrate
People Are Being Murdered: Furious Olivia Wilde Calls ICE Hideous And Criminal At Sundance

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 11:19 IST

Olivia Wilde and Natalie Portman used Sundance to protest ICE after Alex Pretti's death, urging action and highlighting the contrast between film celebration and national tragedy.

Olivia Wilde Explodes At ICE At Sundance

Sundance is usually about indie buzz, red carpets and standing ovations  but this year, the conversations spilled far beyond cinema. Olivia Wilde arrived at the festival promoting two projects, yet chose to use the spotlight to make a strong political statement, wearing an ICE Out" pin and speaking out against what she called a deeply troubling moment for the country.

Wilde appeared on the red carpet for The Invite, the Seth Rogen comedy she directed, as news broke that Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, had been killed by ICE in Minnesota earlier on Saturday. Addressing the situation, the actor-director reflected on the contrast between celebrating art and confronting national tragedy. Were all here getting to celebrate something really beautiful and hopeful in film storytelling," she said. But the world is hurting right now, and this country is hurting. And its appalling."

Her criticism grew sharper as she continued speaking to reporters. Im appalled and sickened," Wilde said. We cant go another day just sort of accepting this as our new norm. Its outrageous. People are being murdered. And, I dont want to normalize seeing people being murdered on the internet. On film. Its. Its hideous. And so if we can do anything out here to support the movement to cast ICE out, to delegitimize this unbelievably criminal organization, then thats what we should be doing."

Wilde is also attending Sundance for her acting role in Gregg Arakis I Want Your Sex. She said the growing public response to ICE-related actions has been both visible and motivating. I think so many Americans are [speaking out]. I mean, you see the marches happening around the country. Americans are speaking up in huge numbers, and its dangerous to be a protester now and people are still going out to the streets, which is incredibly inspiring."

Earlier the same day, Natalie Portman also made a political statement at Sundance by wearing ICE Out" and Be Good" pins while promoting her film The Gallerist at the Variety Studio. Reflecting on the moment, Portman said, This is such a joyful community celebrating film here and were so excited to be showing The Gallerist, but were also at a moment in our countrys history that is quite devastating."

Portman echoed similar concerns about ICE, adding, Its really impossible not to talk about what is happening right now and the brutality of ICE and how it has to stop immediately. But also, theres a beautiful community that Americans are showing right now. Theyre showing up for each other, protecting each other and fighting for their freedom. Its a bittersweet moment to celebrate something were so proud of on the backdrop of our nation in pain."

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 11:19 IST

News movies hollywood People Are Being Murdered: Furious Olivia Wilde Calls ICE Hideous And Criminal At Sundance
Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) is included among

Dividend Contenders List: Top 20 Stocks.

Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC)'s Medium-Term Progress Supports a More Constructive Outlook, CIBC Says

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

On January 8, CIBC upgraded Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) to Outperformer from Neutral and lifted its price target to C$58 from C$50. The call reflects steady progress toward medium-term goals, room for upside versus current consensus estimates, and the possibility that the stock could trade at a higher multiple over time.

Manulifes core life insurance business continues to hold up well. Results have strengthened over recent quarters, helped by higher yields on longer-duration assets. As with other insurers, the company needs to align long-term liabilities with assets that generate cash flows over extended periods, such as bonds. In that context, lower yields, or even expectations that long-term rates may ease, have actually supported the outlook by improving asset-liability matching.

Beyond that, the wealth management arm is gaining momentum. Much of this growth is coming from Asia, where Manulife has been investing heavily, and that expansion plays an important role in the longer-term investment case.

Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) is a global financial services company offering insurance and financial advice. It operates under the Manulife brand in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and under the John Hancock name in the United States.

While we acknowledge the potential of MFC 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

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Mahhi Vij Gifts Rs 50 Lakh Mini Cooper To Daughter After Buying New House, Ex-Husband Jay Bhanushali Reacts

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 11:19 IST

Mahhi Vij buys a Mini Cooper for daughter Tara weeks after separation, while Jay Bhanushalis supportive reaction wins hearts online.

Jay Bhanushali And Mahhi Vij Announced Separation After 14 Years Of Marriage

Mahhi Vij recently brought home a brand-new Mini Cooper, weeks after announcing her separation from Jay Bhanushali. While the luxury car, reportedly worth around Rs 50 lakh, grabbed attention, it was Jays calm and supportive reaction after their divorce that stood out.

Mahhi shared a video on social media showing the Mini Cooper being welcomed home and celebrated with their daughter Tara. The clip soon went viral, with many appreciating the positive, peaceful moment at a time when celebrity break-ups are often noisy and bitter.

Jay Bhanushalis Reaction Stood Out

Soon after Mahhi posted the video, Jay reshared it on his Instagram story, congratulating Mahhi and their daughter. He also commented on her post with a simple but telling message: Congratulations." Adding to the moment, Jay later posted a picture of Mahhi and Tara standing proudly beside the new car, a gesture that many fans saw as a strong sign of respectful co-parenting.

Why Mahhi Bought the Car

Along with the video, Mahhi explained the deeply personal reason behind the purchase. She shared that when Tara was just four years old, she had once said she wanted a Mini Cooper. At the time, Mahhi neither had the means nor felt it was necessary to fulfil such a wish for a child. Years later, with the ability to do so, Mahhi realised it was never about luxury. This isnt about luxury at all. This is about her wish," she wrote, explaining that the car symbolises memories, time together and shared experiences rather than status.

She added, So here I am, giving my little girl her favourite carnot to spoil her, but to gift her a moment, a story, a memory that she will remember all her life. Our little drives together, our laughter, our time  this is priceless."

Separation, But a United Front as Parents

Mahhi and Jay announced their separation earlier this month through a joint statement, requesting privacy as they chose to move forward separately. The couple was married in 2011 and had been together for nearly 15 years. They are parents to three children  their biological daughter Tara, and foster children Rajveer and Khushi.

Mahhi Vij and Jay Bhanushali announced their separation earlier this month through a joint statement shared on social media. The couple requested privacy and understanding as they decided to move forward on separate paths after 15 years together. Married in 2011, Mahhi and Jay were long seen as one of televisions most stable couples. Despite the separation, they have made it clear that their focus remains on co-parenting their children  daughter Tara and foster children Rajveer and Khushi  with dignity and mutual respect.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 11:19 IST

News movies television Mahhi Vij Gifts Rs 50 Lakh Mini Cooper To Daughter After Buying New House, Ex-Husband Jay Bhanushali Reacts
Opinion | The Journey Of Bharat And The Challenges Ahead

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 19:39 IST

This 76-year journey of Bharat has been full of challenges, yet it stands as the story of a successful democracy

Rapid Read

The Government of Bharat has resolved to free the country from Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

On January 26, Bharat is joyfully celebrating the 77th year of its Republic. On 26 January 1950, Bharat brought its Constitution into force.

This 76-year journey of Bharat has been full of challenges, yet it stands as the story of a successful democracy. A significant contribution to this success has been made by the Constitution of Bharat.

The Constitution was dedicated to the nation by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. At that time, we reaffirmed our resolve to remain committed to delivering social, economic, and political justice through a democratic system. While following our respective faiths and beliefs, we pledged to preserve the unity and integrity of the nation through a spirit of fraternity. Referring to the distinctive features of our Constitution, African leader Nelson Mandela observed that, Indias Constitution has served as an inspiration for several emerging democracies, including South Africa, as it has taught respect within diversity."

On the occasion of this Republic Day celebration, it is incumbent upon We, the People of Bharat" to remain vigilant toward future challenges, overcome them with determination, and fulfil the Honble Prime Ministers vision of a Developed Bharat.

The Honble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in his call for the Panch Pran, has urged the people of Bharat to free themselves from all forms of slavery. Over time, certain foreign scholars, through a systematic approach, sought to instil a sense of inferiority within Bharatiya society regarding our institutions, history, great personalities, and cultural heritage.

As a consequence, sections of our society became afflicted with a sense of self-doubt and diminished self-esteem. Today, the nation finds itself in a state of uncertainty over fundamental questions: What constitutes the foundation of our nation, and upon which values should we chart our future course? Bharat is perhaps the only country in the world known by two names  Bharat and India.

This duality itself has been a source of several ideological and social debates. In this context, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, in his address to the Constituent Assembly, observed: Nationality depends upon the way of life that we have followed from time immemorial. This way of life is the distinctive possession of this country."

Similarly, Mahatma Vidura warned: In a state of confusion, the king, the people, and the entire nation meet their ruin." Therefore, on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day, let us recall the glory of Bharat, dispel all uncertainty, and resolve to awaken society by anchoring ourselves firmly in our cultural values.

In his address from the Red Fort on 15 August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the changing demographic patterns in the country. We have already witnessed the partition of Bharat, which occurred as a consequence of demographic imbalance. Even today, through a systematic and multi-pronged approach, efforts are being made to reshape Bharats demographic composition on religious lines. The consequences of a declining Hindu population can be observed through the daily incidents taking place in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, and Kosovo also stand as examples where ancient civilisations and cultures have diminished or disappeared due to demographic changes. Based on such historical experiences, the renowned sociologist Auguste Comte famously observed that, Demography is Destiny." It is, therefore, incumbent upon we, the people of Bharat, to recognise these emerging threats and actively participate in safeguarding democracy by supporting the identification and lawful action against illegal foreign infiltrators through the principles of Detect, Delete, and Deport."

Due to Bharats growing strength and rising global stature, several foreign powers, foreign-influenced individuals, and institutions appear increasingly unsettled. This unease has led to continuous attempts to discredit Bharats constitutionally recognised institutions and systems. Allegations raised against the Election Commission of Bharat and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), institutions widely respected and praised internationally, efforts to create confusion and social unrest by misrepresenting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), claims about changing the Constitution or abolishing reservations, and incidents carried out in the name of the farmers movement are all vivid examples of this trend. It is also alleged that similar forces played a role in movements that led to the replacement of elected governments in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Under the pretext of Gen Z", such forces are believed to be nurturing similar ambitions in Bharat as well. On 26 November 1949, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, in his final address to the Constituent Assembly, warned against what he termed the Grammar of Anarchy." He cautioned that such so-called mass movements represented an attempt to use propaganda as a weapon against democratic governance. In Bharat, several foreign-funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are believed to be actively involved in fostering such disorder. For those who observe how global dominance is pursued through engineered conflicts among nations and economic imperialism, the answer for Bharat lies in becoming strong, secure, and developed on the foundations of self-reliance and indigenous capacity.

Many scholars influenced by Western and communist ideologies view Bharat not as a single nation but as a collection of multiple nations. Granting theoretical legitimacy to divisions based on NorthSouth, AryanDravidian, tribalurban, DalitHindu, and similar classifications has long been the objective of such groups. Those who claim to promote so-called equality by drawing upon urban Naxalism and armed insurgency have, in reality, always harboured dreams of Bharats disintegration. Bharat has always been one nation. Its culture is unified, and it is through Unity in Diversity that we have experienced true oneness. From Kanyakumari to the Himalayas, we are one. Due to a lack of realisation of this fundamental truth, self-serving, ill-informed, and power-hungry political leadership has, at times, indulged in divisive rhetoric. The initiative launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat", reinforces this lived experience of unity among the people of Bharat.

The Kashi-Tamil Sangamam stands as a vivid and inspiring example of this spirit. It is now incumbent upon we, the people of Bharat, to make a sincere and successful effort to help millions of fellow citizens realise this enduring truth of national unity.

The Government of Bharat has resolved to free the country from Naxalism by March 31, 2026. Since 2014, more than 2,000 Naxalites have been neutralised, and over 7,000 have surrendered, reaffirming their faith in the Constitution of Bharat. It is the responsibility of all citizens of Bharat to support development and rehabilitation efforts in Naxal-affected regions and thereby contribute to the Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis vision of a Naxalism-free Bharat.

Radical forces across various regions are engaging in multiple conspiracies under the guise of portraying themselves as victims, ostensibly to preserve their identity. Incidents such as opposition to Makar Sankranti in Bangladesh, demands for a separate land in Texas, USA, and conspiracies involving religious conversions and so-called love jihad" are being witnessed in India as well as in other parts of the world. Under the pretext of protesting specific incidents, large-scale street demonstrations are being organised with the intent of creating fear and unrest within society. Challenging law and order and the judicial system is increasingly becoming a pattern of behaviour for certain groups. For all those who think and act in the interest of the nation, this trend is a matter of serious concern.

For meaningful participation of the common citizen in a democratic system, freedom from dynastic politics and integrity in the implementation of economic policies must guide our conduct and decision-making. The success of governments should be measured by development and the well-being of society, rather than being assessed on the basis of caste or regional considerations. This approach will foster an internal social environment rooted in mutual harmony, goodwill, and fraternity. On the occasion of Republic Day, it is the duty of all of us, the people of Bharat, to uphold constitutional values, remain vigilant in the face of challenges, and faithfully discharge our civic duties.

The writer is the national joint general secretary, organisation, of the BJP. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 19:39 IST

News opinion Opinion | The Journey Of Bharat And The Challenges Ahead

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Opinion | When The US Courts Jamaat In Bangladesh, Pakistan Wins

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 14:02 IST

By signalling openness to an Islamist force with a violent past and deep ideological affinity with Pakistan, US is effectively sidelining more mainstream political actors like BNP

The US, it now appears, is seeking to cultivate ties with Jamaat-e-Islami, an organisation that opposed Bangladeshs 1971 liberation from Pakistan and has long served as fertile ground for Pakistani strategic interests. (Image: News18)

At a time when the United States claims to champion peace and democratic stability, its reported outreach to Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh represents a dangerous strategic miscalculation.

By signalling openness to an Islamist force with a violent past and deep ideological affinity with Pakistan, Washington is effectively sidelining more mainstream political actors such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), further weakening Bangladeshs already fragile secular balance.

A Jamaat-influenced or Jamaat-led political outcome would not only endanger minorities and internal stability in Bangladesh but also open Indias eastern flank to renewed Pakistani interference and terror networks. If this trajectory continues, President Donald Trump must intervene before the damage becomes irreversible.

A LEAKED STRATEGY, A DANGEROUS SIGNAL

Recent revelations about American diplomatic manoeuvring in Bangladesh have sent shockwaves across the region. The US, it now appears, is seeking to cultivate ties with Jamaat-e-Islami, an organisation that opposed Bangladeshs 1971 liberation from Pakistan and has long served as fertile ground for Pakistani strategic interests.

According to a report by The Washington Post, US diplomats recently met Jamaat leaders at the partys regional office in Sylhet, one of several engagements with Islamist elements ahead of Bangladeshs February 12 elections, in which Jamaat is expected to make its strongest showing in decades.

In a leaked audio recording, a US diplomat outlined what can only be described as a normalisation strategy. He stated that Bangladesh has shifted Islamic" and bluntly added, We want them to be our friends." He then dismissed concerns about Jamaats ideological goals by claiming, I simply do not believe that Jamaat can impose sharia."

This is either naivete or dangerously irresponsible scheming.

MINORITIES REDUCED TO A FOOTNOTE

The same diplomat downplayed fears surrounding Jamaats historical hostility to secular constitutional norms, suggesting that economic pressure would be enough to rein in any excesses.

If Jamaat were to seize all the Catholic schools in Bangladesh, they would have 100% tariffs put on them the next day," he said.

The remark was revealing not just for its flippancy, but for what it ignored. Bangladeshs most vulnerable minorities are not Catholic institutions but Hindus and other non-Muslim communities, who have already faced targeted violence since the political upheaval of 2024. Their safety did not appear to feature prominently in Washingtons calculus.

The diplomat also acknowledged that the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was neither free nor fair, yet bizarrely described her conviction, resulting in a death sentence, as political genius" and impressive." The US Embassy in Dhaka later dismissed the episode as an off-the-record discussion, but the damage was already done.

FROM REGIME CHANGE TO ISLAMIST RESURGENCE

American actions in Bangladesh had raised eyebrows even before Sheikh Hasinas ouster in 2024 through what was described as a student-led" movement. In the aftermath, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, long close to the Clinton Foundation, was installed as head of a caretaker regime.

Under Yunuss watch, Islamist mobs attacked minorities, political violence surged, and Bangladeshs liberation ethos was steadily eroded. Far from acting as a neutral caretaker, the regime presided over a systematic weakening of Bangladeshs secular foundations.

Yunus cosied up to Pakistan and trampled ties with India, while systematically suppressing the spirit of Bangladeshs liberation and banning the Awami League, the largest political party in the country.

INDIAS RED LINES ARE CLEAR

Indias concerns are not theoretical. New Delhi designated Jamaat-e-Islami an unlawful association" in 2019, a designation renewed in 2024. Against this backdrop, US engagement with Jamaat in Bangladesh does little to reassure Indian policymakers.

A post-election reset with Dhaka will be far more difficult if Jamaat, rather than a more mainstream BNP government led by Tarique Rahman, emerges as the dominant force. Jamaat would offer Pakistan a direct ramp into Bangladesh, creating a serious security threat for Indias eastern frontier.

China, too, would not be far behind in exploiting such instability. If such a setback is engineered or even enabled by US policy, it would leave a permanent scar on India-US relations.

AMERICA CAN WALK AWAY, INDIA CANNOT

When things go south, US diplomats playing with fire will be the first to evacuate. India, rooted in the region, will live with the consequences.

This asymmetry lies at the heart of New Delhis anger and anxiety. For an administration that claims to be non-interventionist and focused on its own hemisphere, Washingtons conduct in Bangladesh is deeply contradictory.

It revives the old pattern of external powers meddling in the Indian subcontinent under the guise of engagement or realpolitik often at the expense of local democracy and regional stability. If Trump allows this approach to continue, it will go far beyond trade disputes or tariff pressure.

This affront would be several notches higher, with long term consequences. It will amount to a security threat enabled by US policy  one that mirrors Pakistans long-standing destabilising role.

If Washington values its strategic partnership with India, the choice should be obvious: pull the plug on the Jamaat experiment before it is too late.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 14:02 IST

News opinion Opinion | When The US Courts Jamaat In Bangladesh, Pakistan Wins

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Straight Talk | This Republic Day, The World Learns It Cannot Control India

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 16:34 IST

On Republic Day this year, India is not celebrating its arrival. It is celebrating its refusal to disappear

Rapid Read

For a decade, Modi's government has pursued what looks from the outside like drift but is actually discipline.

Seventy-seven years into being a Republic, India faces an odd predicament. It has become too successful to ignore and too unpredictable to control. The world is scrambling to adjust to this new reality. Europe is rewriting its foreign policy around Indian reliability. America is learning that tariffs cannot browbeat a nation convinced of its own strength. China is discovering that its neighbour will not flinch. This is not the India of 2014, not even the India of 2020. Something deeper has shifted.

The transformation is not mysterious if you look at where the power comes from. Indias economy has crossed four trillion dollars and is expanding faster than any major economy on Earth. But economic size alone does not explain the confidence now radiating from New Delhi. Larger economies have been much timider. Richer nations have bent faster. The difference lies in what the Modi government has done with growth: it has used it to build something more valuable than GDPit has built freedom of action.

Consider what happened when Trump returned to office. He began a weird humiliation ritual: tariffs as coercion. On India, he imposed a whopping 50 per cent tariffs. The playbook was simple. Punish early, punish visibly, and watch capitals scramble to negotiate. Europe crumbled within weeks. The European Union, with all its democratic credentials and regulatory sophistication, rushed to a deal. What did it get? Instead of 30 per cent tariffs, a deal with the devil brought that figure down to 15 per cent. However, that is not where the story ended. Europe also had to pledge $750 billion in energy purchases and $600 billion in US investments. Von der Leyen called it stability and predictability. It was appeasement with a better name.

India watched and did nothing. When Modi was offered a dinner with Trump in June, he declined. Not from rudenessfrom strategy. New Delhi understood something crucial that Brussels had not yet grasped: any deal made in fear today becomes a trap tomorrow. Trumps agreements come with fine print that demands exclusive loyalty and threatens ruin if you maintain partnerships with Russia or China. They are not contracts. They are surrender documents disguised as trade frameworks.

So, India absorbed the tariffs and kept buying Russian oil. It continued strengthening ties with Russia while maintaining engagement with America. It did not choose. It did not genuflect. And by January, as Trump threatened new tariffs and the EU found itself renegotiating deals that were supposed to be locked down, Indias quiet defiance began to look less like obstinacy and more like wisdom.

The Europeans learned the hard way what India grasped from first principles: strategic autonomy is not a luxury. It is insurance. A nation reliant on a single partner for security or trade is a nation holding only one card. When that partner reshuffles the deck on a whim, all the previous calculations collapse. India has spent a decade building a hand that works across multiple tables. The investment is now paying dividends not in higher tariffs but in leverage. Countries that once saw India as a supplicant now see it as a necessity.

The EUs decision to develop a formal strategic defence partnership with India reflects this pivot. The language is careful, but the meaning is clear: Europe needs India as a hedge against American unpredictability. The Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the defence cooperation discussions, the investment in supply chain resiliencethese are Europes way of saying it has learned that unilateral dependence on America no longer guarantees safety. Having made a trade deal with Trump no longer protects you from his future tariffs. The EU is discovering that it needs a major power that will not disappear when Washington changes its mood. India fits that description perfectly.

This is where Indias long game becomes visible. For a decade, Modis government has pursued what looks from the outside like drift but is actually discipline. No major entangling alliances. No choice between Washington and Moscow. Partnerships built on transaction, not ideology. Defence production ramped up within the country. When Operation Sindoor happened in Maythe largest strike in fifty yearsthe government made sure everyone knew the missiles were Indian-made. The jets were Rafale, but the doctrine was Indian. The message was not subtle: this nation answers to itself for its security.

The economic foundation for this autonomy is solid now. India is today the fourth-largest economy by nominal measurement, and third by purchasing power. Growth in the previous quarter topped the 8 per cent mark, while the developed world limps forward at a measly 1.6 per cent. India will be the worlds third-largest economy within three years.

But something else is happening beneath the economic data that matters just as much. India has recovered the right to be itself. The Ayodhya Ram Mandir opened in January 2024. The Maha Kumbh in January 2025 drew 660 million pilgrims. These were not backward steps into some imagined past. They were a nation saying: our civilisation is an asset, not a liability. Our traditions are not obstacles to development but sources of strength. Yoga has gone global. Ayurveda is being studied in European universities. Indian temples are being restored not as museums but as living centres of culture.

The diaspora reflects this confidence too. Thirty-five million Indians scattered globally are no longer migrants apologising for their origins. They run major technology companies. They shape policy in Western capitals. Sundar Pichai leads Google. Satya Nadella runs Microsoft. They do not hide their Indianness. They amplify it. Bollywood is a global industry now. Indian food is not ethnic cuisine anymoreit is simply cuisineby far the best in the world. The soft power that flows from this is not manufactured by government departments. It flows from a people confident in what they are.

This cultural confidence has a direct impact on diplomacy. When India negotiates with Europe or America or any power, it does so as a nation that knows its own value. It is not asking for a place at the table. It is sitting down as someone who belongs there. The government has stopped apologising for using its civilisational narrative as a diplomatic tool. It uses it openly. Hindu philosophy, Indian mathematics, Indian thought systemsthese are now part of Indias brand.

The signal this sends to the world is unmistakable. A major power has emerged that will not be remade in anyone elses image. It will not discard its history to seem modern. That it will not accept subordination in exchange for security guarantees that can be revoked at any time. Europe is learning to work with this India rather than around it. America is learning that tariffs do not move a nation convinced of its own trajectory. China is learning that its neighbour will not yield even under pressure.

This moment is not an accident. It is the result of choices made consistently over ten years. Defence budgets expanded to 6.81 lakh crore. Defence production climbed to 1.54 lakh crore. Supply chains were rebuilt. Manufacturing was revived. The government refused to outsource Indias security to foreign suppliers. It refused to collapse strategic autonomy in exchange for trade deals that sounded good on paper. It used growth to build strength and strength to build freedom.

What makes this different from the India of earlier eras is that it is not apologetic about what it is or what it represents. The Nehruvian consensusthat India should minimise its civilisational identity and emphasise its modern credentialshas been discarded. Not through some grand ideological statement but through practical choices about what works. It turns out that a nation that is

confident about who it is negotiates better. It is clearer about its red lines. It is more willing to accept short-term costs for long-term autonomy.

On Republic Day this year, India is not celebrating its arrival. It is celebrating its refusal to disappear.

Across two decades of global turbulencewars, pandemics, economic volatilitya civilisation that was supposedly declining has instead been rebuilding. Not through nostalgia but through the harder work of creating institutions that work, economies that deliver and defence capabilities that deter. The world is noticing because it has no choice. India has become impossible to ignore.

The question now is whether India maintains this discipline. The temptation will be to see this moment as victory and relax. The pressure from various directions will intensify as other powers realise they cannot easily influence Indian choices. Staying the course requires the same clarity that created this moment in the first place: build capacity at home, maintain flexibility in partnerships, and refuse the easy trade of autonomy for the satisfaction of foreign capitals. These are not complicated principles.

India has shown it can follow them. The world is reorganising around the reality that it will continue to do so. That is what makes this particular Republic Day different. It is not a nation celebrating its sovereignty. Bharat, as a civilisation, is remembering that it never needed permission to be itself.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 16:34 IST

News opinion Straight Talk | This Republic Day, The World Learns It Cannot Control India

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Last Updated: January 26, 2026, 10:40 IST

1 / 8 PM Narendra Modis Republic Day turbans have become a signature element of his public appearances, symbolizing Indias cultural diversity and regional pride. Over the past decade, he has chosen vibrant, traditional styles that not only reflect the countrys heritage but also make a strong visual statement at the annual parade.

2 / 8 2026: This year, the prime minister chose a vibrant red safa with golden-embossed peacock motifs, with a hint of green and yellow. It was a perfect accompaniment to his pale blue Nehru jacket.

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3 / 8 2025: In 2025, PM Modi chose a striking saffron turban to symbolize the theme of Swarnim Bharat or Golden India. The bold color reflected Indias rich traditions and aspirations for a bright, prosperous future.

4 / 8 2024: On Republic Day 2024, Modi wore a Bandhani print turban in shades of saffron, pink, yellow, and white. Paired with a classic kurtapyjama and sadri, the look paid tribute to Gujarats famed textile craftsmanship.

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5 / 8 2023: In 2023, he opted for a colorful pheta in orange, red, green, and yellow. Worn with a cream kurta and black bandhgala, the ensemble highlighted Indias cultural diversity while honoring the sacrifices of its soldiers.

6 / 8 2022: For Republic Day 2022, Modi wore a grey jacket along with a traditional Uttarakhand cap and a Brahma Kamal brooch. The outfit celebrated the natural beauty and cultural traditions of Uttarakhand.

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7 / 8 2021: In 2021, he sported a bright red Halari Pagdi gifted by Jamnagars royal family. Decorated with yellow dots, the turban symbolized Gujarats heritage and was paired with a grey jacket and embroidered shawl.
Not Election But Democratic War: TVK Chief Vijay Amid 'Jana Nayagan' Censor Row, CBI Probe

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 14:14 IST

Actor-turned-politician Vijay said TVK will not bow to pressure, accusing both the DMK and AIADMK of surrendering to the BJP.

Vijay Says DMK and AIADMK Have Surrendered to BJP. (Photo: X)

With only a few months left for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay made a strong political pitch on Sunday, calling for the removal of the DMK government from power.

Sending a strong message to his supporters amid the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioning and fallout over his upcoming film, Vijay said both major Dravidian parties had surrendered to the BJP, either openly or indirectly. The AIADMK has directly surrendered to the BJP, and the DMK has indirectly surrendered to the BJP. We do not bow down to any pressure. Does this face look like it would succumb to pressure?" he asked.

Vijay said his party is at a crucial stage in its political journey. He insisted that TVK was not under any pressure and would not give in to pressure politics. At the same time, he acknowledged that attempts were being made to influence the party.

We are at a decisive point in our political journey. TVK is under no pressure. There is no scope for pressure politics. Is there pressure? Yes, there is pressure," Vijay said, stressing that his party would stand firm despite challenges.

Taking a sharp swipe at the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK, Vijay repeated his charge that both parties had compromised their stand. He said the AIADMK had openly aligned itself with the BJP, while the DMK had done so indirectly.

According to Vijay, this had created a sense of disappointment among the people. He claimed that many voters were quietly looking for an alternative leadership that would stand independent and true to its principles.

Vijay said people had shown faith in TVK and had responded warmly to the party. He referred to growing public support and said people had correctly understood TVKs position in state politics.

There are a lot of speculations about alliances. The people have rightly appreciated TVK and showered us with love. It is not just an election, but a democratic war. You are my commandos who will fight this war," he said.

Raising a question to his supporters, Vijay said TVK had a responsibility to remain loyal to the trust placed in it. Shouldnt the TVK stay true and committed to the people?" he asked, hinting that the party would take its decisions keeping public faith in mind.

As the election draws closer, Vijays remarks underline TVKs attempt to position itself as an independent political force challenging both the DMK and AIADMK.

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Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 14:04 IST

News politics Not Election But Democratic War: TVK Chief Vijay Amid 'Jana Nayagan' Censor Row, CBI Probe

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Padma Honours For VS Achyutanandan, Shibu Soren Set Off Political Buzz

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News18.com Edited By: Shobhit Gupta



Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 21:14 IST

The decision has revived speculation about possible political realignments.

Two names have drawn political attention former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achyutanandan and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren. (File images)

The Centre on Sunday unveiled the names of recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards 2026. President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards, comprising five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards.

Meanwhile, two names have drawn political attention former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achyutanandan and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren who have been awarded Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, respectively.

V S Achyutanandan

Late V S Achyutanandan, a doyen of Left politics in Kerala and former CPI(M) leader, has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his contribution to public life. The former CPI (M) leader has been awarded the second-highest civilian honour in the Politics category.

The announcement came ahead of Kerala assembly election and days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to the state, publicly showed warmth towards Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a gathering.

Meanwhile, Achyutanandans family welcomed the decision. His son, V A Arun Kumar, confirmed that the family would accept the award. The honour given to my father is very valuable, and we are happy to accept it," he said as quoted by news agency PTI.

However, leaders from the Left questioned the timing of the move. CPI leader D Raja alleged that the BJP was attempting to appeal to Left-leaning voters. They tried with Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee also. A Padma was announced for him before the Bengal polls, but it did not reap political dividends for the BJP," Raja told CNN-News18.

Shibu Soren

Another name drawing attention is JMM founder and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, popularly known as Guruji," who has been awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously for his contribution to public life.

Jharkhand BJP welcomed the announcement and said that Shibu Soren played a decisive role in the Jharkhand movement.

The way Shibu Soren fought against addiction and the mahajani pratha, and the role he played in the Jharkhand movement, is remembered by one and all. He became Chief Minister in adverse circumstances and steered the state on the right path. We welcome the announcement," Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratyul Sehdeo said.

However, JMM insiders indicated displeasure over the level of the honour.

If V S Achyutanandan and Dharmendra are worthy of the Padma Vibhushan, how can Guruji be given only the Padma Bhushan? This might hurt tribal sentiments," a source close to Soren family told CNN-News18.

JMM functionaries further said that the Padma Bhushan may not be well received by Shibu Sorens supporters or family members, who are expected to return to India later this week after foreign visit.

The Padma announcement has also revived speculation about possible political realignments in Jharkhand. Rumours have circulated since Prime Minister Modi visited Chief Minister Hemant Soren at the hospital around the time Shibu Soren passed away.

The Padma Awards list also highlighted a regional spread ahead of elections in several states. Poll-bound Tamil Nadu received 13 Padma awards, including two Padma Bhushans, while West Bengal got 11 and Kerala eight. Assam, which will also go to the polls soon, received five Padma honours.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 21:13 IST

News politics Padma Honours For VS Achyutanandan, Shibu Soren Set Off Political Buzz

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Tasked To Destroy Laluism: Rohini Acharyas Dig At RJD Leadership Ahead Of Key Party Meet

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 13:35 IST

Rohini Acharya said that control of the party had slipped into the hands of infiltrators and conspirators who had been tasked to end Laluism.

Rohini Acharya lives in Singapore with her husband and three children. (PTI)

A critical post by Rohini Acharya, daughter of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, has once again drawn attention to internal rifts within the party. Posted on social media on Sunday ahead of a key organisational meeting, her remarks question the RJDs current course of action and are also being seen as a veiled dig at the leadership style now heading the party.

The RJD held national executive meeting on January 25 in Patna.

Bitter, worrisome and deeply painful truth

In her post, Rohini said those who genuinely believe in Laluism" would naturally raise questions about what she described as the partys sorry state". She said the party was founded to fight for the rights of marginalised and deprived sections, and anyone committed to that cause could not remain silent about its current condition.

Whoever truly embodies Laluism in the true senseanyone who has selflessly struggled for the party that Lalu Ji founded to steadfastly fight for the interests of the marginalized population, the deprived; whoever takes pride in Lalu Jis continuous struggle and efforts for socio-economic justice; whoever cares to proudly carry forward Lalu Jis political legacy and ideologysuch a person will undoubtedly question those responsible for the partys current sorry state," Rohini said.

Describing the situation as bitter, worrying and deeply painful", Rohini Acharya alleged that control of the party had slipped into the hands of infiltrators and conspirators" who had been tasked to end Laluism". She claimed these elements were working from within to weaken the ideology of Laluism and had positioned themselves in influential roles.

She further alleged that these people were backed by fascist forces" and were sent with the aim of destroying the partys core values. According to her, those who truly carry forward Lalu Prasad Yadavs political legacy must question such forces, regardless of the consequences.

Rohinis message to the RJD leadership

Taking a clear dig at the current leadership style, Acharya said those entrusted with responsibility should look within the party instead of avoiding questions. She accused the leadership of evading answers, spreading confusion and failing to give logical and factual explanations.

She also criticised what she described as misbehaviour, abusive conduct and the use of uncivil language against people who raise concerns in the interest of Laluism. Acharya said introspection was needed, rather than attacking those who question the partys direction.

In her post, she added that continued silence from the leadership would amount to proof of complicity with those allegedly plotting against the partys ideology.

Today, the real command of the partyknown for fighting for the rights and entitlements of the peoplelies in the hands of those infiltrators and conspirators sent by fascist opponents, who were dispatched with the task of utterly destroying Laluism; such people, having entrenched themselves, seem to be succeeding to a great extent in their dirty motives." The one currently shouldering the responsibility of leadership will have to look inward into their own collarrather than fleeing from questions, evading questions, shirking from giving answers, spreading confusion instead of logical and factual responses, and resorting to misconduct, rude behavior, and uncivil language toward those who speak for Laluism and the partys interests", reads her post.

Bitter fallout

Rohinis remarks come in the wake of her dramatic break with both politics and her family following the RJDs heavy defeat in last years Bihar Assembly elections. The partys seat count fell sharply from 75 to just 24, while the Mahagathbandhan alliance managed only 35 seats.

A day after the results, Rohini announced she was quitting politics and distancing herself from the family. She, at that time, blamed two close aides of Tejashwi Yadav, Sanjay Yadav and Rameez, for the defeat.

In an emotional post at the time, Acharya alleged she was humiliated and abused within the party setup. She said she had been insulted and added that she would not compromise on her self-respect or give up the truth. Rohini also warned others against following the path she had taken, claiming she had been torn away from the family for speaking out.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 13:35 IST

News politics Tasked To Destroy Laluism: Rohini Acharyas Dig At RJD Leadership Ahead Of Key Party Meet

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TMC, BJP Supporters Clash Near Kolkata Over Microphone Use, Rally Stage Set Ablaze

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 23:31 IST

A makeshift stage that had hosted a public meeting earlier in the day by former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb was allegedly set on fire.

The BJPs West Bengal unit blamed the TMC for the attack on the public meeting. (image via X/@BJP4Bengal)

Supporters of West Bengals ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP reportedly clashed on Sunday evening at Sakherbazar, on the southwestern outskirts of Kolkata.

The confrontation is said to have erupted over the use of microphones by a local club, which some claimed were being operated at high volume.

During the clash, a makeshift stage that had hosted a public meeting earlier in the day by former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb was allegedly set on fire. One fire tender was pressed into service to control the blaze, according to an official at the scene.

Ratna Chatterjee, TMC MLA from the Behala Purba constituency, told reporters that some BJP supporters had confronted members of the club during a badminton tournament. The Trinamool Congress will make its stance harder, the more they resort to such tactics," she said after visiting the venue.

Local BJP leaders, however, accused TMC workers of deliberately setting the stage ablaze. The stage had been used earlier for Debs public meeting, held as part of the saffron partys Parivartan Sankalp Yatra ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections.

Meanwhile, the BJPs West Bengal unit blamed the TMC for the attack on the public meeting.

TMC miscreants vandalised the venue and even set the stage ablaze in a public market area," the party wrote on X.

Democracy in Bengal under TMC: BJP public meeting attacked, stages set on fire.After Shri Biplab Kumar Debs Sankalp Sabha in Behala, TMC miscreants vandalised the venue and even set the stage ablaze in a public market area. pic.twitter.com/AkpaplVqt7  BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) January 25, 2026

BJP leader Amit Malviya also alleged that the actions were part of a pattern of political intimidation by TMC workers.

Fearing an impending defeat, TMC goons have once again unleashed political terror on the streets of Kolkata This is not politics. This is organised violence. This is not governance. This is fear-mongering. TMC has reduced Bengal to a theatre of terror. Mamata Banerjees goons are rampaging across the state, torching democracy in a desperate bid to cling to power. TMC is pure evil." Malviya wrote.

(With inputs from PTI)

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 23:31 IST

News politics TMC, BJP Supporters Clash Near Kolkata Over Microphone Use, Rally Stage Set Ablaze

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American Climber Alex Honnold Scales Taipei 101 Without Gear In Daring 508-Metre Free Solo Climb

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 16:32 IST

Alex Honnold free soloed Taipei 101 in Taiwan in 1 hour 31 minutes, halving the previous record. The climb was livestreamed on Netflix.

Alex Honnold free soloed Taipei 101 in Taiwan in 1 hour 31 minutes, halving the previous record. The climb was livestreamed on Netflix. (Photo by I-HWA CHENG / AFP)

American rock climber Alex Honnold has completed a daring free solo ascent of Taiwans iconic Taipei 101, scaling the 508-metre skyscraper without a rope, harness or any safety equipment.

The bamboo-inspired tower, once the worlds tallest building, was climbed by Honnold in one hour and 31 minutes. Celebrating the feat, he summed it up with a single word: Sick."

The climb, which took place in Taiwans capital, was livestreamed on Netflix, which said the broadcast would have been delayed had anything gone wrong. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the ascent was postponed due to wet weather.

Honnold is best known for becoming the first person to free solo El Capitan in Californias Yosemite National Park, a feat accomplished without safety gear. A documentary on that climb, Free Solo, later won an Academy Award.

His Taipei 101 climb more than halved the previous record. The only other climber to have scaled the building was Alain Robert, known as Spiderman", who reached the top in four hours using ropes and a harness.

Taiwans Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim congratulated Honnold on X, admitting she found the climb hard to watch. At the summit, Honnold was greeted by his wife, who had earlier voiced concerns about the strong winds and heat.

During the ascent, Honnold briefly paused near the 89th floor as fans inside the building cheered and waved at him through the glass. Video of the moment, shared on Instagram by Honnold and Netflix, showed him continuing unfazed.

Widely regarded as one of the worlds most accomplished climbers, Honnold has built his career on extreme, rope-free ascents that push the limits of human endurance and nerve.

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Location : Taipei, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 16:32 IST

News viral American Climber Alex Honnold Scales Taipei 101 Without Gear In Daring 508-Metre Free Solo Climb

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Skepticism around higher education is growing. Amid a shaky job market, more than one-third of Gen Z graduates now say their degree was a waste of money.

But at Stanford, time on campus has proven to be a critical launchpad. Famously, alumni from the Silicon Valley-area school have gone on to found dozens of major companies, including Google, PayPal, and Snapchat. An over $100 million startup, the premium coffee and kitchenware brand Fellow, is striving to join their ranks.

Heavily caffeinated while pursuing his Stanford MBA, Jake Miller envisioned a minimalist, dual-purpose coffee steeper designed for both hot and cold brews. Since then, Fellow has grown into a retailer of dozens of productsincluding coffee makers, grinders, and kettlesat major retailers including Target, Costco, and Nordstrom, but the 41-year-old founder told Fortune that It was very hard to convince people to see the future the way I did.

Miller secured early funding through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, but when it was time to raise institutional capital, the momentum stalled. By the time Fellow finally broke through, Miller had racked up 73 rejections from angel investors and small funds. For many founders, that would have been the end of the road. For Miller, it was fuel.

Nothing was going to stop me, Miller said. Each no was simply one step closer to the eventual yes, and if it would have only been nos, like, I would have figured out how to sell a kidney.

Persistence ended up being more than just a mindset for Millerit was the business plan.

Miller tried jobs in construction and marketing before finding his true passionand shaped his personal litmus test

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Miller spent his childhood in Minnesota slowly realizing he was a builder at heart. As a teenager, he sold T-shirts and bootlegged CDs to earn some cash. But after studying marketing at the University of St. Thomas, Miller hit a wall that would also be familiar to many Gen Zers today: he was uncertain about what direction his career should take.

He took a shot at home remodeling and construction, and even found what he called early success. But after just 18 months, he walked away because his heart wasnt in the job.

In that fielld, he said, you have to wake up every day crazy-obsessed with what youre working on. I wasnt obsessed with constructionand thats how I knew it was the wrong category.

The clarity came later, when he landed a marketing role at Caribou Coffeea Minneapolis-based chain with more than 800 locations. There, Miller began to see a gap in the home-brewing market: the rise of meticulous coffee roasters was accompanied by a glaring lack of well-designed brewing equipment.
How Grocery Apps Are Quietly Changing Lives Of Neighbourhood Vendors: Sir, Aap Aate Hi Nahi. Business Down

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 07:00 IST

A social media post describing a conversation with a neighbourhood vegetable seller has drawn attention to the struggle of small vendors amid the rise of online grocery platforms.

The vendors plea highlights the cost of app convenience.(Photo Credit: X)

A visit to a local vegetable vendor turned into a moment of quiet reflection for a person after the seller spoke candidly about how online grocery applications have affected his livelihood.

In a post shared on X, the person recalled going to a nearby vendor to buy bhathua for making saag, only to be met with an emotional appeal.

The vendor told him, Sir, aap aate hi nahi ho aajkal, koi nahi aata itni badi society hai, online app ki wajeh se business down hai (Sir, you dont come these days, no one comes despite such a big society. My business is down because of online apps)," pointing to a sharp drop in footfall despite operating near a large housing society.

The seller went on to request direct orders, saying, Aap mujhe call kar dia karo main delivery kar dunga ghar par (Just give me a call, and I will deliver it to your home)," offering home delivery in an attempt to compete with app-based services.

The posts author admitted feeling conflicted by the exchange, writing, How and what do I tell him. I said I will try but I also know that I will go towards the convenience of the app again eventually."

The admission reflects a dilemma many urban consumers face, which is balancing ease and speed with the desire to support local businesses.

The user concluded the post on a sombre note, saying the interaction left him feeling sad, while also acknowledging his limitations. But I alone cant save his business as well," he wrote.

Heres the post:

Yesterday when we went to the nearby vegetable vendor to buy bhathua to make saag,he said, "sir aap aate hi nahi ho aajkal, koi nahi aata itni badi society hai, online app ki wajeh se business down hai aap mujhe call kar dia karo main delivery kar dunga ghar par" How and what  Chirag Barjatya (@chiragbarjatya) January 24, 2026

How Did Internet React To It?

The post has struck a chord online, with many users commenting on it.

One user said, That aap mujhe call kar dia karo is a cry for survival against billion-dollar apps. Convenience wins every time, but at the cost of the people who used to know our names. We arent just buying vegetables; were killing the local ecosystem."

Others suggested practical ways to support vendors while balancing convenience. One comment read, Ask him to start taking your orders on phone and deliver next day morning or something," and added that the quality of vegetables by daily vendors is better than online stores.

Another said that local vegetable vendors are adapting faster than most retailers, offering delivery," and added, Small vendors who pivot like this usually survive the digital wave better than those who dont."

Many users shared personal experiences of returning to local vendors for groceries. One wrote, We consciously order from the local vendor grocery fruits and veggies. They deliver and absolutely no fuss, its much more convenient from what we have seen."

One of the comments read, I started buying from local mandi 2 months ago, and I already saved 5k/month. The prices on .com and mandi differ too much, and dont even start with quality. Except for a few emergency purchases, lets try to buy from the local mandi."

The discussion highlights the delicate balance urban consumers face between convenience and supporting neighbourhood businesses.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 07:00 IST

News viral How Grocery Apps Are Quietly Changing Lives Of Neighbourhood Vendors: Sir, Aap Aate Hi Nahi. Business Down

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13,000 Flights Cancelled, Power Knocked Out As Massive Winter Storm Paralyses US

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 07:26 IST

All flights to scheduled on Saturday were cancelled at Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City, and all Sunday morning flights also were called off.

Over 40 per cent of the US population was under a winter storm warning. (Photo: AP)

Over 13,000 flights set to take off over the weekend have been cancelled as a major storm bears down across the United States. The monster storm continues to affect much of the country with power outages and hazardous icy road conditions.

Approximately 140 million people, or more than 40 per cent of the U.S. population, were placed under winter storm warnings stretching from New Mexico to New England. The National Weather Service predicted heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from Saturday through Monday, spanning from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England. The service also warned residents to prepare for a series of frigid days ahead.

The snow and the ice will be very, very slow to melt and wont be going away anytime soon, and thats going to hinder any recovery efforts," Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told AP.

Thousands Of Flights Cancelled

Due to the severe weather, roughly 13,000 flights were cancelled on Saturday and Sunday across the U.S., according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.

Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City cancelled all flights on Saturday and Sunday morning, with officials aiming to resume service by Sunday afternoon. DallasFort Worth International Airport, a major hub, saw over 700 departing flights cancelled on Saturday along with nearly as many arriving flights. Airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte, North Carolina, also experienced significant disruptions.

By late Saturday afternoon, nearly all flights scheduled to depart from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Sunday had already been cancelled.

President Donald Trump had approved emergency declarations for at least a dozen states by Saturday, with more expected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency pre-positioned supplies, staff, and search and rescue teams in several states, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

We just ask that everyone would be smart  stay home if possible," Noem was quoted as saying by AP.

Power Outage Across US

As some southern states began working to restore downed power lines on Saturday, eastern states issued final warnings to residents.

We are expecting a storm the likes of which we havent seen in years," New Jersey Gov Mikie Sherrill said on Saturday while announcing restrictions on commercial vehicle travel and a 35 mph (56 kph) speed limit on highways. She added: Its a good weekend to stay indoors."

Power outages impacted Louisiana and Texas. Forecasters warned that the damage in areas heavily affected by ice could be as severe as that of a hurricane.

Approximately 120,000 power outages were reported along the storms path on Saturday, including about 50,000 each in Texas and Louisiana, according to poweroutage.us.

In Shelby County, Texas, near the Louisiana border, ice accumulation on pine trees caused branches to snap and down power lines, resulting in about one-third of the countys 16,000 residents losing power on Saturday.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 25, 2026, 07:26 IST

News world 13,000 Flights Cancelled, Power Knocked Out As Massive Winter Storm Paralyses US

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'ICU Nurse Cared About People Deeply': Who Was Alex Pretti, Shot Dead By ICE Agents In Minneapolis?

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 13:30 IST

Alex Pretti's father said his son was deeply upset about the immigration crackdowns and viewed protesting as a way to express his care for others

A photograph of 37-year-old Alex Pretti at a makeshift memorial in the area where he was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, on January 24, 2026. (Image: AFP)

Family and friends have described 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti as a compassionate man, who cared about people deeply", which is why they said he was protesting against the immigration crackdown by the Trump administration when he was shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis.

Alex Prettis death on Saturday (January 24) was the second such incident in Minneapolis within three weeks of Renee Goods death at the hands of officers from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to those who knew him, he had dedicated his life to caring for sick veterans, was a nature lover and a lawful gun owner with no criminal history. His father, Michael Pretti, said his son was deeply upset about the immigration crackdowns and viewed protesting as a way to express his care for others.

Although the family knew Alex owned a handgun and held a valid permit to carry it in Minnesota, they said he was never known to regularly carry it and had no criminal record beyond minor traffic tickets.

He 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," said Michael Pretti. He felt that doing the protesting was a way to express that, you know, his care for others."

Before the protest, his parents  who live in Wisconsin  had specifically advised him to be careful and not to engage in anything stupid", to which he had reportedly agreed.

We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically," Michael said. And he said he knows that. He knew that."

For five years, Alex served at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where he was known for being a kindhearted soul". Dr Dimitri Drekonja, chief of infectious diseases at the hospital, described Pretti as a good, kind person who lived to help", noting that he even researched ways to prevent veteran deaths from colon cancer.

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," his parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, said in a statement. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact."

Outside of his professional life, he was an avid outdoorsman often spotted in the neighbourhood walking his beloved dog, Joule, who also recently died. His neighbour, Jeannie Wiener, described him as very pleasant, very cordial" and said she never perceived him as a threat.

CNN reported that Alex, a US citizen born in Illinois, graduated from high school in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 2006. He put himself through nursing school by working at the VA hospital and joined its staff after graduating.

This killing has ignited an uproar across the state of Minnesota, sparking political friction with governor Tim Walz demanding a transparent, state-led investigation. He declared the shooting horrific" and insisted that the federal government could not be trusted to lead the probe. Republican senator Bill Cassidy has called for a joint federal and state investigation, saying the credibility of ICE and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is at stake and that the American people deserve the truth.

Despite Alexs peaceful reputation, federal officials have sought to paint a different picture with the White House and DHS officials referring to him as an assassin" who was there to perpetuate violence". These claims have been met with fierce resistance from his parents, who called the administrations narrative sickening lies".

The incident took place when Alex was protesting against the killing of Renee Good. While the DHS alleged that officers acted in self-defence after he approached" them with a 9mm handgun, video footage of the encounter suggests that he was filming the agents and directing traffic before stepping in to protect a woman protester shoved to the ground by an officer. It was only after he was sprayed with a chemical irritant and wrestled to the icy ground that agents discovered a firearm on him and opened fire.

(With agency inputs)

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 25, 2026, 13:23 IST

News world 'ICU Nurse Cared About People Deeply': Who Was Alex Pretti, Shot Dead By ICE Agents In Minneapolis?

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'Among Greatest...': Trump Heaps Praise On UK Troops After Outrage Over Afghanistan Remarks

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 09:02 IST

Trump acknowledged the sacrifice of UK troops during the Afghanistan war, noting that 457 British soldiers were killed and many more wounded.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer with US President Donald Trump. (Reuters file photo)

US President Donald Trump has sought to ease tensions with key allies by publicly praising British soldiers, a day after his remarks downplaying the role of European forces in Afghanistan sparked sharp backlash from the United Kingdom and other NATO partners.

In a post on social media on Saturday, Trump acknowledged the sacrifice of UK troops during the Afghanistan war, noting that 457 British soldiers were killed and many more wounded.

He described them as among the greatest of all warriors" and ed the enduring military bond between the two countries.

The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America," he wrote, adding that the alliance was too strong to ever be broken."

The message followed widespread anger over comments Trump made earlier in the week in which he appeared to downplay the role of NATO allies in Afghanistan.

In an interview with Fox Business on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, he said European troops had stayed a little off the front lines," a claim that drew immediate condemnation from allied capitals.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the remarks as insulting and, frankly, appalling," saying the contribution and sacrifice of British forces should never be diminished.

Asked whether Trump should apologise, Starmer said that if he himself had spoken in such terms, he would certainly apologise."

While Trump stopped short of issuing a formal apology, his praise of UK troops came after a phone call with Starmer earlier on Saturday, according to Downing Street.

In a statement, Starmers office said the prime minister reminded the US president of the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home," stressing that their sacrifice must never be forgotten.

The controversy also prompted a response from Prince Harry, who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. He said the sacrifices made by British soldiers deserved to be discussed truthfully and with respect."

Anger over Trumps remarks extended beyond the UK. Leaders across Europe, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and French President Emmanuel Macron, voiced strong objections, underlining the scale of the multinational effort in Afghanistan.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, NATOs collective defence clause, Article 5, was invoked for the first time, bringing troops from dozens of allied countries into the conflict.

Alongside US and British forces, soldiers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and others served in Afghanistan. More than 150 Canadian troops and around 90 French service members were killed, while the US lost over 2,400 soldiers.

The human cost of the war extended far beyond foreign militaries. A 2021 estimate by Brown Universitys Costs of War project put the number of Afghan civilians killed directly as a result of the invasion and subsequent fighting at more than 46,000.

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 25, 2026, 09:02 IST

News world 'Among Greatest...': Trump Heaps Praise On UK Troops After Outrage Over Afghanistan Remarks

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Bangladeshi Hindu Garage Worker Burnt Alive While Sleeping, Family Calls It Planned Killing

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 11:21 IST

A Hindu youth, was burnt alive in his Narsingdi shop. Both the family and neighbors believe the murder was premeditated and may have been motivated by religious hatred.

Rapid Read

Chanchal Chandra Bhoumik was burnt to death inside a garage in Bangladesh's Narsingdi district. (X/@ibobiyadav)

In a horrifying incident, a 23-year-old Hindu youth, identified as Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik, was burnt inside his shop while he was sleeping on Friday night, January 23, in Narsingdi, Bangladesh.

The attacker shut the shops shutter, poured petrol, and set the building on fire. Witnesses said the perpetrator remained outside until Chanchal was burned to death and then fled the scene.

Chanchal was the sole breadwinner of his family, caring for his ailing mother, a disabled elder brother, and a younger brother after the death of his father. He had been working at a local garage in Narsingdi for the past six years and was living there.

Local residents and the garage owner described Chanchal as a simple and honest young man with no known enmity. Both the family and neighbors believe the murder was premeditated and may have been motivated by religious hatred.

Similar attacks in the past, including the burning deaths of Dipu Chandra Das and Khokon Chandra Das have created an atmosphere of fear among the Hindu community across the country.

Bengali Hindu businessman, Khokon Das, 50, died after being attacked and set on fire by a mob in Bangladeshs Shariatpur district on December 31. Das, a small medicine shop owner, was reportedly stabbed, beaten, and doused with petrol before being set on fire while returning home.

Earlier, a mob beat garment worker Dipu Chandra Das to death and set his body ablaze after stripping him naked.

The attack prompted political reactions in India, with the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party describing the killing as part of a broader pattern of violence targeting Bengali Hindus.

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Location : Bangladesh

First Published: January 25, 2026, 09:00 IST

News world Bangladeshi Hindu Garage Worker Burnt Alive While Sleeping, Family Calls It Planned Killing

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EU Leaders In Delhi For Republic Day, Signal Momentum On India-EU Free Trade Deal

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 18:47 IST

Costa and von der Leyen are chief guests for Republic Day celebrations on Monday, ahead of an EU-India summit on Tuesday.

Union Minister Jitin Prasada receives European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen upon her arrival in New Delhi.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa arrived in Delhi on Sunday as India and the European Union aim to finalise a landmark free trade agreement, capping nearly two decades of negotiations between the two economic powerhouses.

Costa and von der Leyen are chief guests for Republic Day celebrations on Monday, ahead of an EU-India summit on Tuesday. At the summit, both sides are expected to formally announce the free trade pact, described by officials as the mother of all deals."

President Costa is in New Delhi for the 16th EU-India summit taking place on Tuesday," the European Council said on X, adding that the meeting will be an opportunity to build on the EU-India strategic partnership and further strengthen collaboration across key policy areas."

President Costa is in New Delhi for the 16th #EUIndia summit taking place on Tuesday.The summit will be an opportunity to build on the EU-India strategic partnership and further strengthen collaboration across key policy areas. Read the agenda  https://t.co/0wl24sWN9X pic.twitter.com/Nu21CUMWYp  EU Council (@EUCouncil) January 25, 2026

Historic Trade Agreement

Ahead of the summit, von der Leyen said, We are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement," underlining the importance both sides place on the pact.

India, the worlds most populous nation, is projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to become the fourth-largest economy globally this year. The country sees the EU not only as a key source of investment and technology to modernise infrastructure but also as a partner to generate millions of new jobs.

For Brussels, India represents a critical market as European exporters face US tariffs and Chinese export controls.

The EU and India are moving closer together at the time when the rules-based international order is under unprecedented pressure through wars, coercion and economic fragmentation," EU diplomat Kaja Kallas said ahead of the summit.

Negotiations are reportedly still ongoing on a few sticking points, including the EUs carbon border tax on steel exports and safety and quality standards in the pharmaceutical and automotive sectors.

Analysts say the deal is also likely to deepen strategic and defence cooperation, while facilitating the mobility of Indian professionals in Europe.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the EU delegation, calling the bloc an important economic and strategic partner for India." He added on social media: We value our shared commitment to a mutually beneficial, ambitious India-EU FTA for the prosperity of our businesses and people."

The EU is Indias largest trading partner in goods. For the financial year 2024-25, total trade in goods reached around USD 136 billion, with exports at USD 76 billion and imports at USD 60 billion.

(With inputs from agencies)

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 18:40 IST

News world EU Leaders In Delhi For Republic Day, Signal Momentum On India-EU Free Trade Deal

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Germany Arrests Suspected Hamas Operative At Berlin Airport Over Planned Attacks On Jewish Sites

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 23:23 IST

The arrested man has been identified as Mohammad S, who helped secure around 300 rounds of ammunition in August 2025.

Image used for representation

German authorities have arrested a Lebanese man on suspicion of having links with Hamas and planning attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe, reported BBC citing federal prosecutors.

The suspect, identified as Mohammad S", was arrested at Berlins Brandenburg Airport on Friday evening after arriving on a flight from Beirut. Prosecutors said he is accused of supporting a planned series of attacks and is believed to be a member of the militant group, reported BBC.

According to investigators cited by the outlet, Mohammad S helped secure around 300 rounds of ammunition in August 2025.

Authorities allege the ammunition was meant for use in attacks on Jewish and Israeli institutions across Europe. He is expected to appear before a federal judge, who will decide whether he should be held in pretrial detention.

German officials said the suspect worked with another man, Abed Al G", who was among three people arrested in October last year during an investigation into similar plots. Those arrests were made in Berlin during what authorities described as a planned weapons handover.

Two of the suspects were German citizens, while one was a Lebanese national. At the time, police also carried out searches in several cities, including Leipzig and Oberhausen, according to reports by Der Spiegel.

Hamas, which once ruled the Gaza Strip, has been badly weakened by Israeli military action. The group is listed as a terrorist organisation by the US, the UK, Israel and many other countries.

In October 2023, Hamas carried out a major attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Israel responded with a large military operation in Gaza. Gazas health ministry, which is run by Hamas, says more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since then.

In a separate case, German police arrested another Lebanese man suspected of being linked to Hamas in November near the Czech border. According to officials probe into possible Hamas-related networks in Germany are still ongoing.

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First Published: January 25, 2026, 23:21 IST

News world Germany Arrests Suspected Hamas Operative At Berlin Airport Over Planned Attacks On Jewish Sites

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Indian-Origin Man Shot Dead In Canada's Burnaby, Police Probe Gang War Link

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 09:41 IST

In a statement, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team IHIT said investigators believe the incident was a targeted attack and appears to be connected to the wider BC gang war.

Victim Dilraj Singh Gill, 28 | Image: X

An Indian-origin man has been shot dead in the Canadian town of Burnaby, with investigators suspecting the killing is linked to the ongoing gang conflict in British Columbias Lower Mainland region.

Police have identified the victim as 28-year-old Dilraj Singh Gill, a Vancouver resident who was fatally shot on January 22.

In a statement, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said investigators believe the incident was a targeted attack and appears to be connected to the wider BC gang war.

According to IHIT, officers from the Burnaby detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to reports of gunfire in a public area.

When they arrived at the scene, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite attempts to save his life, he was pronounced dead. Gills identity was confirmed following the investigation.

Police also discovered a vehicle engulfed in flames near the shooting site and believe it was used in the crime. Investigators say setting fire to a getaway vehicle is a tactic commonly associated with organised gang violence in the province.

A shooting, especially in a public place, is extremely troubling, not only for police but for the entire community," IHIT spokesperson Sergeant Freda Fong said, urging witnesses and anyone with information to come forward to help advance the investigation and hold those responsible accountable.

Local media reports suggest Gills killing may be connected to the murder of another 28-year-old Indo-Canadian, Navpreet Dhaliwal, who was shot dead earlier this month in Abbotsford.

Dhaliwal was allegedly associated with the Brothers Keepers gang, which is believed to be a rival group to the UN gang, with which Gill was reportedly linked.

The Vancouver Sun reported that Gill had prior convictions, including drug-related charges in 2021 and several other offences dating back to 2016.

Dhaliwal also had a criminal history and was known to law enforcement. He was reportedly out on bail at the time of his death.

This was a targeted and brazen shooting that took place in the middle of the day," IHIT Corporal Esther Tupper said after Dhaliwals killing.

In late 2022, Abbotsford Police launched a major drug trafficking investigation focusing on Dhaliwal and another man, Anmol Sandhu, describing both as connected to the BC gang conflict and posing a significant public safety risk.

In February 2024, the two were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking and firearms-related offences.

Although they were later released on bail, police issued a public warning highlighting the risks they posed to the community.

Their bail conditions reportedly included electronic monitoring, house arrest, a ban on possessing weapons, restrictions on social media use and a prohibition on owning a mobile phone.

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Location : Canada

First Published: January 25, 2026, 09:41 IST

News world Indian-Origin Man Shot Dead In Canada's Burnaby, Police Probe Gang War Link

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Indian Restaurant In Minneapolis Shuts Down To Protect Team Amid ICE Crackdown In US

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 22:00 IST

Curry Corner said it will be closing down until further notice to ensure the safety of its staff during the ongoing action by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement .

Curry Corner hand out food to protesters in Minneapolis. (Photo: Instagram)

An Indian restaurant in Minneapolis has paused operations amid rising fears linked to an immigration crackdown in the city. Curry Corner said it took the difficult decision to shut temporarily to ensure the safety of its staff during the ongoing action by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The restaurant announced the decision on Instagram, citing safety concerns for its team members.

In its statement, Curry Corner said it will be closing down until further notice" and thanked people for their understanding and support. Due to ongoing safety concerns in Minneapolis, weve made the very difficult decision to temporarily close to protect our team," the restaurant wrote.

ICE operation sparks tension

The ICE crackdown in Minneapolis is part of Operation Metro Surge", which was launched in December 2025. The operation has led to protests and rising tensions in the city. Many residents have criticised it, describing it as a militarised" crackdown.

The restaurants post reached thousands of users on social media. Many described Curry Corner as the best" and their favourite", and shared messages of support.

One user wrote, Sending so much love to you guys  the northeast community will make sure we will see you again soon." Another said, This is our favourite regular dinner spot. We will be back to support when you can safely open back up."

Financial hardship and fundraiser

The closure has caused financial difficulties for both the staff and the owners. The restaurant said the decision has brought major financial hardship" to the small, family-owned business.

To help during this period, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up. Every share, donation, and message means more than you know," the restaurant said in its post.

Free food for protesters

Despite the closure, Curry Corner has continued to support the community. The owners distributed free samosas and meals to anti-ICE protesters in downtown Minneapolis.

Today we took Curry Corner into downtown Minneapolis to support our community," the restaurant wrote in another post. We went out to share warm samosas and meals with those protesting and standing up for what they believe in."

The restaurant ended its message with words of solidarity. Our hearts are with our community. We see you, we support you, and we will always show up the best way we know how  with love and food."

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 25, 2026, 21:57 IST

News world Indian Restaurant In Minneapolis Shuts Down To Protect Team Amid ICE Crackdown In US

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Iran's Khamenei Moves To Underground Shelter Amid Fears Of Potential US Attack: Report

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 16:12 IST

Khamenei relocated to a secure underground shelter in Tehran after Iranian officials warned of increased US attack risks,

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (AFP file photo)

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reportedly moved into a special underground shelter in Tehran after senior military and security officials warned of a heightened risk of a potential attack by the United States.

According to a report by Iran International, two sources close to the Iranian government said the decision was taken following security assessments that pointed to growing external threats.

The reported move comes at a time of worsening tensions between Tehran and Washington following deadly mass protests in Iran.

These developments come as the Trump administration plans to repatriate Iranian migrants from the United States, despite Iran still struggling with the aftermath of widespread protests.

An Iranian-American non-governmental organisation said the deportation flights would be the first to Iran since mass uprisings swept the country. The protests peaked in early January before being violently suppressed by security forces.

Human rights groups say Iranian authorities launched a deadly crackdown on demonstrators. Several organisations have documented thousands of deaths, while the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights has said the final number could exceed 25,000.

The Iranian government has put the death toll at 3,117, including 2,427 people it has labelled as martyrs". Officials use this term to separate members of the security forces and civilians from those they describe as rioters" influenced by foreign powers.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Location : Iran

First Published: January 25, 2026, 16:07 IST

News world Iran's Khamenei Moves To Underground Shelter Amid Fears Of Potential US Attack: Report

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Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) is among the overlooked penny stocks to invest in. On January 19, Morgan Stanley downgraded Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) to Underweight from Equalweight, and trimmed the price target from INR270 to INR242. The firm attributes this pessimism to the companys growth trajectory, saying that fourth-quarter guidance reflects a flattish exit rate in organic terms. Thus, the company will need a significant improvement in consecutive quarterly growth rates to meaningfully enhance its performance.

Keeping this in mind, Morgan Stanley lowered its organic revenue growth estimates for Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) by 2.4%, from 4.2% YoY to 1.8% YoY in constant currency terms for FY27. This is based on a gradual ramp-up of contracts over the coming two quarters.

Xometry (XMTR) Climbs 43% as Exceeded Revenue Expectations

Three days earlier, Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) announced its third-quarter FY25 financial results, achieving 1.4% sequential expansion in IT services revenue to $2.64 billion. Whats even more interesting is that the company was able to report better operating margins of 17.6%, underscoring both efficiency and cost management.

Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) is an Indian IT, consulting, and business process services company. Founded in 1945, the company operates through two segments: IT Services and IT Products.

While we acknowledge the potential of WIT 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.
'Muslim Brothers Sold Out': Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM On Pakistan Govt Signing Gaza Peace Deal

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 11:38 IST

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi said by signing the deal, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir have prioritised political interests over the lives of Palestinians

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration condemned the Pakistani government and the military establishment for endorsing US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace deal. (Image: AFP/File)

The Khyber Pakhtukhwa administration came down heavily on the Pakistani government for signing the Donald Trump-led Gaza peace deal.

Calling it a betrayal of the Muslim ummah", Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister Sohail Afridi condemned the federal government and the military establishment for endorsing Trumps plan for the Palestinians.

Afridi said by signing the deal, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir have prioritised political interests over the lives of Palestinians. He alleged that Sharif has sold the blood of Gazans" and demanded that Pakistani citizens should be taken into confidence on such international agreements. He said no step should be taken that hurts the self-respect of Pakistanis" or the global Muslim community.

We demand that the public be taken into confidence and that no step be taken that hurts the self-respect of Pakistanis and the entire Muslim ummah," Afridi said.

During his address, he launched a spirited defence of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. He dismissed long-standing allegations labelling Khan as a foreign agent, noting that for 26 years, critics have called him a Zionist agent".

Afridi further said Khan would never have compromised on the lives and honour of Palestinians or Kashmiris had he not been imprisoned. He turned the Zionist agent" allegation around onto the current leadership, saying Sharif and Field Marshal Munir are the ones acting in such a capacity by signing off on the Board of Peace".

Highlighting a shift in strategy towards street power", he also warned the powerful circles" that the public is prepared for large-scale civil unrest. He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is being pushed to the wall" and cautioned that if formal institutions continue to deny the party justice and suppress their political rights, the Constitution grants them the right to hold peaceful protests.

Our emotions have been toyed with, and our Muslim brothers have been sold out," he said, adding that Khan has already tasked him with working on a street movement".

The chief minister said while negotiations remain an option through representatives like Mahmood Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, the window of opportunity is closing.

If the call for protest comes from Adiala, the public is ready, and I am also ready to lead," he said, sending a clear signal to Islamabad on the potential for nationwide demonstrations.

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Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: January 25, 2026, 11:38 IST

News world 'Muslim Brothers Sold Out': Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM On Pakistan Govt Signing Gaza Peace Deal

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Sickening Lies: Minneapolis Shooting Victim's Family Rejects Govt's Claims, Says He Was Unarmed

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 08:01 IST

Calling the administrations account of events reprehensible and disgusting, the family urged the public to help get the truth out.

Rapid Read

A photograph of 37-year-old Alex Pretti can be seen at a makeshift memorial in the area where he was shot dead by federal immigration agents. (AFP)

The family of Alex Pretti, who was shot dead in Minneapolis on Saturday, expressed grief and anger in a statement rejecting the administrations account of the incident.

In their statement, the family said that the sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting," adding that Pretti was unarmed at the time and clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trumps murdering and cowardly ICE thugs."

The family described Pretti as a kindhearted person who cared deeply for his family, friends and the veterans he treated as an ICU nurse, and urged the public to help get the truth out about his death.

They alleged that Pretti was unarmed at the time of the shooting, saying he was holding a phone in his right hand while his empty left hand was raised as he tried to shield the woman after she was pushed to the ground, all while being pepper-sprayed.

They said Pretti wanted to make a difference in the world and described him as a hero, stating that his final act was to protect a woman during the encounter.

Calling the administrations account of events reprehensible and disgusting," the family urged the public to help get the truth out about their son, saying he was a good man whose life was cut short.

Family of Alex Pretti, who was shot dead in Minneapolis today, releases statement: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." pic.twitter.com/PnggMiVUb6  BNO News (@BNONews) January 25, 2026

Videos verified by Reuters show Pretti standing in the street, filming immigration agents with his cellphone as tensions escalated. At one point, an agent appears to deploy pepper spray toward Pretti and nearby protesters. As he attempts to shield himself and help others, multiple agents rush him, wrestle him to the ground, and strike him in the head and body.

While Pretti is held on the pavement, one of the agents draws a firearm and multiple shots are fired. His body is later seen lying in the street as agents pull back.

The incident quickly drew hundreds of protesters to the neighborhood, prompting masked and armed federal agents to use tear gas and flashbang grenades to disperse the crowds.

The shooting comes amid daily protests in Minneapolis and the surrounding Twin Cities region, where demonstrators have called for federal law enforcement to leave the area. On Friday, thousands took to the streets in freezing temperatures to protest the enforcement operation, which critics say has created heightened tensions with local communities.

Since January 7, residents in Minneapolis and the surrounding Twin Cities have frequently taken to the streets in protest after 37yearold Renee Nicole Good  a mother of three who was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during a federal immigration enforcement operation, was killed, an incident that drew national attention and sparked sustained demonstrations across Minnesota and beyond.

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 25, 2026, 08:01 IST

News world Sickening Lies: Minneapolis Shooting Victim's Family Rejects Govt's Claims, Says He Was Unarmed

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'NOT Going To Happen': Another Trump Warning, This Time On China's 'Takeover' Of Canada

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 08:57 IST

US President Donald Trump has threatened a 100 percent tariff on all Canadian imports if Ottawa continues to strengthen its economic relationship with Beijing

US President Donald Trump said China will eventually dominate the Canadian economy, using it as a "backdoor" to flood the US with foreign products. (Image: X/WEF)

Amid a tariff faceoff with Canada, US President Donald Trump came down heavily on the neighbouring country for its trade ties with China.

Trump has threatened a 100 percent tariff on all Canadian imports if Ottawa continues to strengthen its economic relationship with Beijing.

In a fresh warning to Canada, he said this counts for a potential Chinese takeover" of the country expressing his concerns in a series of posts on social media. He said China will eventually dominate the Canadian economy, using it as a backdoor" to flood the United States with foreign products.

The last thing the World needs is to have China take over Canada. Its NOT going to happen, or even come close to happening!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social.

The last thing the World needs is to have China take over Canada. Its NOT going to happen, or even come close to happening! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J.TRUMP(TS: 24 Jan 11:36 ET) Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 24, 2026

He said if such a deal is struck, Canada will be immediately hit with the sweeping tariffs. His warnings were specifically directed at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whom he mockingly referred to as governor".

Trump further criticised Carney for prioritising Chinese trade deals over critical regional defence initiatives, such as the proposed Golden Dome" missile shield over Greenland.

Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada," he said. Instead, they voted in favour of doing business with China, who will eat them up within the first year!"

He also said this will lead to the destruction of Canadian businesses, social fabric, and their general way of life. He cautioned the Canadian prime minister against turning Canada into a drop off port" for Chinese goods destined for the US market.

The US Presidents remarks follow recent efforts by the Canadian leadership to secure more stable trade through agricultural agreements and investment opportunities with China.

Carney recently visited China  Canadas second-largest trading partner  to revive economic cooperation. The visit resulted in a framework to lower tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural exports and introduce quotas on Chinese electric vehicles entering the Canadian market. The Canadian PM has previously characterised these discussions with Beijing as realistic and respectful", describing the engagement as more predictable" than the ongoing trade frictions with the US. While addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, he had criticised western policies further stoking the fires of the ongoing diplomatic row with Washington.

Trump, however, remains unmoved by Ottawas quest for trade stability, insisting that any deepening of ties with Beijing will result in the total economic isolation of Canada from the American market.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 25, 2026, 08:57 IST

News world 'NOT Going To Happen': Another Trump Warning, This Time On China's 'Takeover' Of Canada

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UAE Lost Interest In Pakistan? Abu Dhabi Exits Islamabad Airport Deal After Nahyans India Visit

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 20:19 IST

The collapse of the Pakistan deal comes at a time when relations between the UAE and India are reaching new heights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (PTI file photo)

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyans sudden three-hour visit to India now appears to be more than a routine diplomatic courtesy. The brief meeting has rattled the geopolitical landscape of South Asia. After leaving India, he made a strong gesture of goodwill by deciding to release 900 Indians from prison.

At the same time, Pakistan has faced a major indirect setback, with the UAE cancelling its deal to operate Islamabad Airport. Pakistans news outlet The Express Tribune confirmed the development, saying the UAE has lost interest in the process. This move has caused serious concern for Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.

UAE deal with Pakistan cancelled

Amid Pakistans worsening economic situation, the UAE had agreed in August 2025 to take over the operation of Islamabad Airport. The UAE has now withdrawn from the deal and has not named any local partner either. Officially, the decision has been described as a loss of interest".

However, the timing and circumstances suggest a different story. The report does not directly link political reasons to the cancellation. Still, the decision has come at a time when tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia are beginning to affect South Asia.

Saudi ties and rising tensions

Pakistan has entered into a defence deal with Saudi Arabia and wants to include Turkey to form what is being described as an Islamic NATO". This move has been enough to upset the UAE. The cancellation of the airport deal has come as these regional tensions are becoming more visible.

Growing UAE-India ties

The collapse of the Pakistan deal comes at a time when relations between the UAE and India are reaching new heights. On January 19, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed paid a surprise visit to Delhi. The visit lasted only three hours, but its impact is being seen as long-term. Pakistan has long-standing economic ties with both Gulf nations, but it has traditionally leaned more towards Saudi Arabia. In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence agreement, with discussions now under way about Turkey joining it.

Changing relationship with Pakistan

Pakistan and the UAE once shared very strong ties, especially in the aviation sector. In the 1980s, Pakistan played a key role in setting up Emirates Airlines. It provided technical support and staff in the early days, and Emirates first flight was from Dubai to Karachi. Over time, Pakistans own airline and aviation system weakened. Frequent accidents, problems with pilots licences and outdated technology have become common concerns. In such conditions, fixing the system is not easy for any investor.

The UAE has experience working in difficult environments, and its company operates several airports in Afghanistan. Even so, the decision to pull back from Pakistan shows clearly that trust between the two sides is no longer what it once was.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 25, 2026, 20:19 IST

News world UAE Lost Interest In Pakistan? Abu Dhabi Exits Islamabad Airport Deal After Nahyans India Visit

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US Envoy Witkoff, Trump's Son-In-Law Kushner Press Netanyahu To Reopen Rafah Crossing

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 19:57 IST

The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilise Gaza and restore humanitarian access to the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AFP photo)

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trumps son-in-law, on Sunday told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt during a meeting in Jerusalem.

The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilise Gaza and restore humanitarian access to the region.

According to Israeli media report, the news site Ynet, citing an unnamed official, described the meeting as positive" but said Witkoff pressed for the crossing to reopen even before Hamas returns the remains of the last Israeli hostage believed to be held in Gaza.

The official also said Witkoff raised the possibility of Turkey playing a role in Gazas future.

Witkoff pushed to bring our greatest rival, Turkey, to our border," the official was quoted as saying. The clock is ticking toward a confrontation with Turkey, which would pose a real threat to our security."

The official further accused Witkoff of acting on behalf of Qatari interests, saying he had become a lobbyist for Qatari interests."

Shosh Bedrosian, spokeswoman for Netanyahus office, told news agency AFP that she would look into the reports. Netanyahu has consistently rejected any Turkish role in Gaza, despite Trump inviting Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to join a so-called Board of Peace."

Relations between Israel and Turkey have deteriorated since the war in Gaza started in October 2023, following the Hamas attack on Israel. Reopening Rafah is part of a truce framework announced by Trump last October, but the crossing has remained closed after Israeli forces took control during the conflict.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Ali Shaath, recently appointed administrator for Gaza, said the crossing would be operational in both directions next week.

For Palestinians in Gaza, Rafah is more than a gate, it is a lifeline and a symbol of opportunity," he said. Rafah is a key entry point for aid to Gazas 2.2 million residents.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Location : Israel

First Published: January 25, 2026, 19:57 IST

News world US Envoy Witkoff, Trump's Son-In-Law Kushner Press Netanyahu To Reopen Rafah Crossing

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'Will Focus On What We Can Control': Carney Pitches 'Buy Canadian' As Trump Threatens 100% Tariff

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Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 08:15 IST

Carney said Canada would concentrate on what we can control, encouraging Canadians to spend their money at home and support local workers.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (IMAGE: Reuters)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has responded to fresh trade threats from US President Donald Trump by urging citizens to rally behind domestic businesses, pitching a renewed Buy Canadian" push as Ottawa braces for possible economic pressure from Washington.

In a video message posted on X, Carney said Canada would concentrate on what we can control," encouraging Canadians to spend their money at home and support local workers.

The message comes after Trump warned he could impose sweeping 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods if Ottawa deepens trade ties with China.

Carney framed the appeal as both an economic and political choice, saying Canadians were backing homegrown companies at a time when the countrys economy faces threats from abroad."

He added that the federal government would mirror that approach through its procurement and industrial policies.

Were buying Canadian, and were building Canadian. pic.twitter.com/JpKhEFKA2P Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) January 24, 2026

Carney pointed to the governments Buy Canadian policy, introduced in December, which prioritises domestic suppliers and aims to strengthen local manufacturing and industry.

He described the initiative as part of a broader plan to build big," citing housing construction, large-scale infrastructure projects and new military equipment as key pillars of the strategy.

He also signalled a deliberate shift away from dependence on foreign supply chains, stressing that future projects would rely on Canadian steel, aluminium and lumber, as well as Canadian technology and labour.

We cant control what other countries do," Carney said, adding that Canada could instead choose to be its own best customer."

The comments come amid a sharp escalation in rhetoric from Trump, who has repeatedly mocked Canadian leaders by referring to them as governors" and suggesting, sometimes jokingly and sometimes pointedly, that Canada could become the 51st US state.

While Ottawa has dismissed the remarks, they have taken on greater weight as Trump pursues an aggressive foreign policy stance elsewhere, including renewed pressure over Greenland.

On January 24, Trump explicitly warned that any move by Canada to strike trade deals with China would trigger punitive tariffs.

In a statement, he accused Ottawa of potentially acting as a gateway for Chinese goods into the US market and claimed such a relationship would severely harm Canadas economy and social fabric.

Trump has also criticised Canada for opposing his proposed Golden Dome missile defence system linked to Greenland, accusing Ottawa of siding with Beijing instead of Washington.

China remains Canadas second-largest trading partner after the United States, and Carneys recent visit to Beijing has fuelled speculation about a reset in bilateral ties.

The trip reportedly included discussions on easing tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports, Chinese electric vehicle imports and the prospect of increased Chinese investment.

Carney has previously described China as a more predictable" and respectful" partner, underscoring Ottawas interest in diversifying its economic relationships even as tensions with the US rise.

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Location : Canada

First Published: January 25, 2026, 08:15 IST

News world 'Will Focus On What We Can Control': Carney Pitches 'Buy Canadian' As Trump Threatens 100% Tariff

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For a profitable company like NVR, the P/E ratio is a useful way to think about what you are paying for each dollar of earnings. It ties the share price directly to the bottom line, which is usually more stable than revenue or book value for established businesses.

NVR is fairly valued according to our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) , but this can change at a moment's notice. Track the value in your watchlist or portfolio and be alerted on when to act.

When all those projected cash flows are discounted back, the DCF model arrives at an estimated intrinsic value of about $7,180.82 per share. Compared with a current share price around $7,645, the model suggests NVR is roughly 6.5% overvalued. This is a relatively small gap for a long term cash flow model.

For NVR, the model used is a 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity approach. The latest twelve month free cash flow is about $1,290.70 million, and analysts supply explicit forecasts out to 2027, with Simply Wall St extending those into a ten year path. On those projections, free cash flow in 2035 is estimated at about $1,414.76 million.

A Discounted Cash Flow, or DCF, model takes the cash a company is expected to generate in the future, then discounts those amounts back into todays dollars to estimate what the business might be worth now.

NVR scores just 0/6 on our valuation checks. See what other red flags we found in the full valuation breakdown .

Right now NVR scores 0 out of 6 on our valuation checks . Next we will look at how different valuation approaches assess the stock, before finishing with a way to think about value that can often give a clearer long term picture than any single model alone.

Recent moves in NVR's share price sit against broader interest in US homebuilders and how higher mortgage rates, housing supply and buyer demand interact. That backdrop matters for assessing whether current pricing reflects the underlying business or shorter term sentiment swings.

The stock has seen mixed returns, with gains of 1.1% over 7 days, 3.5% over 30 days and 5.0% year to date, set against a 6.8% decline over 1 year but much stronger 3 year and 5 year returns of 49.3% and 71.9%.

If you have ever wondered whether NVR at around US$7,645 per share is priced fairly or not, you are not alone. This article is built to help you size up what you are really paying for.

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What counts as a normal P/E depends on what investors expect for earnings growth and how much risk they see. Higher expected growth or lower perceived risk can support a higher P/E, while lower growth or higher risk typically points to a lower P/E as being reasonable.

NVR currently trades on a P/E of about 15.14x. That sits above the Consumer Durables industry average P/E of about 11.33x and also above the peer group average of about 14.20x. Simply Wall Sts Fair Ratio framework, which estimates what a companys P/E might be given its earnings growth profile, margins, size, industry and risks, points to a Fair Ratio of about 14.48x for NVR.

Because the Fair Ratio is built around NVRs own characteristics, it can give a more tailored view than simple peer or industry comparisons. With the current P/E only modestly above the 14.48x Fair Ratio, the multiple suggests NVR is priced about in line with those fundamentals.

Result: ABOUT RIGHT

NYSE:NVR P/E Ratio as at Jan 2026

P/E ratios tell one story, but what if the real opportunity lies elsewhere? Discover 1429 companies where insiders are betting big on explosive growth.

Upgrade Your Decision Making: Choose your NVR Narrative

Earlier we mentioned that there is an even better way to understand valuation, so let us introduce you to Narratives, a simple way for you to attach a clear story to the numbers you see for NVR, including your own view of fair value, future revenue, earnings and margins.

A Narrative connects three pieces: what you believe about NVRs business, how that belief flows into a financial forecast, and what that forecast implies for a fair value per share that you can compare with the current price.

On Simply Wall St, Narratives sit inside the Community page and are used by millions of investors, so you can quickly see different stories and fair value estimates for the same stock and decide how those views line up with your own.

Because Narratives are refreshed when new information such as earnings releases or major news appears, they can help you decide whether NVR looks closer to a buy, hold or sell for you whenever fair value and price move apart or back together.

For NVR, you might see one Narrative that assumes a relatively cautious outlook and a lower fair value and another that assumes a stronger outlook and a higher fair value. This shows how investors looking at the same company can reasonably reach very different conclusions.

Do you think there's more to the story for NVR? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying!

NYSE:NVR 1-Year Stock Price Chart

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include NVR.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
On a ring of artificial islands off China's southern coast, the boom years live on as a very expensive mirage. Ocean Flower Island, a $12 billion Evergrande showpiece modeled loosely on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, was supposed to host 200,000 residents plus armies of shoppers and conference-goers. Instead, it's a surreal monument to China's property bust, home to a mega-mall with almost no stores, a theme park that never opened, mostly vacant hotels with drained pools, and dozens of nearly finished apartment towers standing empty on rubble, reports the New York Times . "This place is a dead zone," says one visitor from nearby Danzhou, whose local government has been left to figure out what to do with the project.

Evergrande, once a symbol of the country's build-at-all-costs era, collapsed in 2021 under more than $300 billion in debt after Beijing curbed developers' access to easy credit. Its founder, Xu Jiayin, who reportedly sketched the flower-shaped archipelago during a 2011 trip abroad, is now in custody on financial crime charges. Local officials who greenlighted the environmentally dubious project, including Danzhou's former party chief and Hainan's former governor, have been imprisoned for graft. Confidence in real estate has tumbled, with new home sales at their lowest level in more than 15 years. Officials have even begun scrubbing gloomy online commentary about the housing market.

While early buyers on the island saw their investments triple in value around 2021, the following crash has left many facing steep losses if they sell. Visitors are few and far between, and when the Financial Times' Eleanor Olcott visited in 2024, she found the island's wedding venue "coated in dust" and its movie studio "inactive." Yet Danzhou authorities are still trying to salvage the original vision, marketing the complex as a "unique lifestyle concept." It has mostly drawn retirees from the north, but with China's retirees expected to number 300 million within a decade, some residents and real estate agents hope that a stranded fantasy could yet turn into a belated success.
Nutrition advice from the Trump administration is colliding head-on with climate concerns. The Guardian reports that guidelines rolled out by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. push Americans toward a meat- and dairy-heavy diet that would nearly double current protein intake, featuring an "inverted" food pyramid loaded with steak, ground beef, poultry, and whole milk. Kennedy says previous advice wrongly demonized saturated fat, and that the US is "ending the war" against it. Environmental researchers, however, say following that advice at scale would carry a steep planetary tab.

The World Resources Institute estimates that even a 25% protein bump from animal sources could require roughly 100 million more acres of US farmland a yearabout the size of Californiaand add hundreds of millions of tons of greenhouse gases. That pressure would be especially felt in places like the Amazon, with beef already far more land- and emissions-intensive than plant proteins such as beans. Experts also note that Kennedy once took a very different stance, blasting factory farming in his role as an environmental lobbyist. "At one point, Kennedy even said the pork industry is an even bigger threat to the US than Osama bin Laden," the Guardian notes.

The Verge reports that it isn't necessarily time to panic, as Americans generally don't adhere too closely to the government's nutrition recommendations anyway. Public health experts and nutritionists tell the Hill, however, that they're also leery of the new food pyramid's apparent dismissal of worries over saturated fats, as well as the Trump administration's removal of pointed limits on daily alcohol use from nutritional guidelines, replacing those with the much more vague "consume less alcohol for better health" directive, per the Hill.
Hotel bathrooms are going open-concept, and plenty of guests don't love the design change. That's the upshot of a Wall Street Journal piece by Katie Deighton that traces how some midprice and boutique hotels have quietly swapped solid, closing bathroom doors for frosted glass, sliding barn doors, curtains, or partial wallsfeatures that often fail at blocking light, sound, or smells.

For cost-conscious hotel executives, traditional doors are expensive, eat up natural light, and can be a maintenance headache. Some are now asking if bathrooms need doors at all, and are experimenting with sinks and showers in the main room and toilets tucked behind glass or in nooks.

A few travelers the Journal spoke with shrugged it off; others weren't so indifferent. The Journal flags digital marketer Sadie Lowell's "Bring Back Doors" campaign, which has her emailing hotels to inquire about the bathroom door status. She's created a public list of which hotels offer only partial or zero privacy; she currently has 500 hotels in the no-door group. At the Times of London, Cathy Adams offers some advice for anyone who ends up in a door-less room: "Make full use of the loos by the lobby. That's what they're there for."
The investment part of this plan is expected to happen this quarter, the first quarter of 2026. Missile solutions will then be spun off and taken public as a separate company in the second half of 2026. After the initial public offering (IPO), the Department of Defense is expected to convert its preferred stock into common stock in the new company.

L3Harris announced its latest big move just this past Tuesday. In what management termed "a first-of-its-kind proposed partnership with the Department of War" -- President Trump's name for the Department of Defense -- the company will accept a $1 billion investment, in the form of the purchase of preferred stock, in its missile solutions business, which it's also spinning off.

L3Harris will retain a minority interest in Rocketdyne, but AE's investment is being characterized as an acquisition. So essentially, what we have here is L3 spinning off and selling its non-military rocket engine division to AE.

One day later, L3 announced that private equity firm AE Industrial Partners will buy a 65% stake in L3's "space propulsion and power systems business," which was part of the Aerojet Rocketdyne division before the aforementioned reorganization. Reclaiming the historic name Rocketdyne, this business has "developed the upper-stage rocket engines used in national security, civil, and commercial missions for more than 60 years, as well as in-space propulsion, nuclear power and avionics assets." In particular, Rocketdyne builds the R10 engine, which powers the second stage of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket and NASA's Space Launch System.

Space and mission systems (satellite and payload capabilities, including missile warning and defense, as well as maritime, air, special missions, and other global defense and civil government programs).

The excitement began on Jan. 5, when L3Harris announced it would reorganize its current four main business divisions into just three:

It's been a busy couple of weeks for L3Harris (NYSE: LHX), the defense contractor that transformed itself into a defense contractor -cum-space company when it bought Aerojet Rocketdyne back in 2022 .

One of the nation's biggest defense contractors could soon spawn two new defense companies, both highly focused on building rocket engines.

Story Continues

To be clear, we're talking about two separate businesses here. Rocketdyne, which builds non-military rocket engines for ULA and NASA, is the L3 division getting spun off and sold to AE Industrial. Missile solutions builds motors for military missiles such as the Patriot PAC-3, THAAD, Tomahawk, and the Standard Missile family of missiles -- and, despite being described as one of three L3 divisions that L3 is reorganizing just last week, it seems the missile solutions division is also being spun off.

And to make the situation even more crystal clear, L3 CEO Christopher Kubasik confirmed that once its missile solutions business IPOs, it will be a "pure-play missile solutions provider" with a mission to be part of America's "Arsenal of Freedom."

What this means for investors

What's the upshot for investors here? Clearly, big changes are afoot, and an investment in just L3Harris today could end up meaning you own three separate companies a few months from now -- so be careful if that's not your intent.

One of these companies will produce engines for non-military rockets. That's Rocketdyne.

Another will produce motors for military missiles. That's "missile solutions" -- although I presume L3 will come up with a catchier name for it once it's a stand-alone company.

The third company will be what remains of L3Harris after it's shed all its engines and motors businesses. What remains of L3 will include two businesses: space and mission systems, and communications and spectrum dominance.

It's not 100% clear at this point how big any of these businesses will be, or which specific product lines they will take with them or keep. But reviewing the latest data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, I'm guessing is that Rocketdyne and the missile solutions business will be dividing up approximately $9.3 billion in annual revenue and a little more than $1.1 billion in operating profit, while rump L3Harris will keep about $12.3 billion in business, with about $2.2 billion in operating profit. When all's said and done, L3Harris should come out of this restructuring significantly smaller, but also considerably more profitable, after shedding its engine businesses.

Keep an eye on the details as they firm up, but for now, my hunch is that this restructuring will make L3Harris stock a better defense stock than it was, and also more of a buy than it was -- not less.

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There was the pregnant woman who missed her checkup, afraid to visit a clinic during the feds' sweeping Minnesota immigration crackdown; a nurse found her at home, in labor and just about to give birth. There was also the diabetic afraid to pick up insulin, the patient with a treatable wound that festered and required a trip to the ICU, and hospital staffersfrom Latin America, Somalia, Myanmar, and elsewheretoo scared to come to work. "Our places of healing are under siege," Dr. Roli Dwivedi, ex-president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, said Tuesday at a presser in St. Paul, where doctor after doctor told of patients suffering amid the clampdown, per the AP .

Since 2011, hospitals, schools, and churches had been off-limits for immigration enforcement. But last year, the Trump administration announced federal immigration agencies could now enter those facilities. "I have been a practicing physician for more than 19 years here in Minnesota, and I have never seen this level of chaos and fear," including at the height of the pandemic, Dwivedi said. At Minneapolis' downtown Hennepin County Medical Center, doctors and nurses have moved communications about the crackdown to an encrypted group chat, where they have described run-ins with ICE officials, including a recent incident when an officer was accused of unnecessarily shackling a patient.

The medical center has the busiest emergency room in the state and is an important safety net for patients who are uninsured, including people in the US illegally. "I can't believe we're having to resort to this," said one nurse. Plainclothes ICE officers have become a fixture around the hospital, the nurse added, focusing on people of color and asking both patients and workers for paperwork as they leave. "How is this all happening?" the nurse asked. DHS rep Tricia McLaughlin denies that federal officers are interfering with medical care, claiming ICE "does not conduct enforcement at hospitalsperiod. We would only go into a hospital if there were an active danger to public safety" or to escort detainees.

Home birth requests have also spiked, "even among patients who have never previously considered this, or for whom it is not a safe option," said Dr. Erin Stevens of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The chaos isn't limited to Minnesota. Crackdowns are happening in many statesespecially Democratic-led onesto varying degrees. Immigrants are "absolutely" avoiding medical care due to fear of being targeted, said Sandy Reding, president of the California Nurses Association, noting some hospitals in the state have seen declining numbers of patients. More here.
Eco-friendly burials are becoming more popular, pitched as far greener alternatives to traditional methods. Not so fast, write Hannah Gould and Georgina Robinson at Aeon . Their deep dive into the subject finds that the evidence behind such claims is surprisingly thin. From natural woodland burials and alkaline hydrolysis ("water cremation") to human composting and pods that transform into trees, these practices promise a poetic return to nature: bodies that nourish forests, transform into rich soil, or feed microbial life. Proponents paint these options as ethically compelling and spiritually consoling, reframing death not as pollution but as a contribution to ecological life cycles.

But when you dig into the data, much of it just isn't there. Several high-profile concepts, like the celebrated Capsula Mundi burial pod and body "cryomation," remain either technically unproven or unavailable at scale. Many firms publish bold statisticsclaims of being far more sustainable than cremation or reversing a person's entire carbon footprintwithout releasing underlying calculations or independent studies. Regulators haven't kept up, giving families little help to verify what's truly greener when all the costs are tallied. The story also notes that green burials don't help with the eco-cost of funeral rituals, including travel, flowers, etc.

Ethicists and death scholars argue that real environmental gains will come less from boutique technologies than from sector-wide changes: cleaner energy for crematoria, emissions controls, different materials for coffins and headstones, and better regulation. Until then, "green" funerals may offer meaningful stories about our place in naturebut when sold as climate solutions, they raise the risk of what the authors call "greenwashing." Read the full story.
On two nights a week in Harlem, dinner looks like fine dining but comes with no bill. The New York Times' Aimee Ortiz drops in on Refettorio Harlem, a nonprofit restaurant and pantry tucked inside Emanuel AME Church. At the self-dubbed "only free restaurant in New York City," volunteer chefs turn donated surplus food into three-course gourmet meals that might include an entree along the lines of "pollock on a potato croquette with a beurre blanc sauce and soy honey-glazed brussels sprouts," per the Times.

Its website conveys its mission: "Through out the week our team rescues otherwise imperfect food from waste, transforming surplus ingredients into nourishing meals served with dignity to our food insecure and social isolated community." Anyone can walk in for Wednesday and Friday dinner service, part of a global Food for Soul network created by Italian chef Massimo Bottura and his wife, Lara Gilmore, to tackle food waste, hunger, and social isolation (a dozen Refettorios operate in cities around the world).

Run by Free Food Harlem and funded mostly by private donations, this Refettorio serves as many as 800 meals a week. As a rep for suppliers Baldor Specialty Foods, which donates about 2,000 pounds a week, puts it, "We really believe that eating well and the joy of eating should not be a privilege." Read the full piece, which brings the experience to life via photos.
President Trump heaped praise Saturday on British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan, in a post on social media that represented a partial reversal of disparaging comments he made this week that drew a cascade of criticism in the UK, particularly from families of those killed and seriously injured in the fighting. In a Truth Social post, Trump described the 457 British servicemen and women who died in Afghanistan and those who were badly injured as "among the greatest of all warriors," the AP reports. The "great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America," he wrote.

Trump had said in an interview with Fox Business Network on Thursday that he wasn't sure the other 31 nations in NATO would be there to support the US and that troops from those countries had stayed "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan. He did not apologize directly for those comments, nor retract them, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer had suggested. The prime minister's office said the issue was raised in a conversation between the pair on Saturday that included the war in Ukraine and security in the Arctic region.

"The prime minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home," Downing Street said in a statement. "We must never forget their sacrifice." The record disproves Trump's contention, and the Italian and French governments also expressed their disapproval Saturday. Trump added in his post that the bond between the British and US militaries is "too strong to ever be broken" and that the UK "with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the USA)."
Top Chef alum Kelsey Barnard Clark is facing a DUI charge after crashing her car in Alabama with her two children inside, police say. Dothan police responded to a single-vehicle crash about 8pm Wednesday, found that a car had hit a mailbox, and identified the driver as Clark, 35, reports People . After conducting a field sobriety test, officers determined she was "unsafe to operate a vehicle due to impairment" and arrested her on a charge of driving under the influence, says Dothan police Public Information Officer Lt. Scott Owens. The intoxication level was not made public.

Local outlet WBRC reported that Clark's two children were in the vehicle at the time but that no one was injured. The children were released to a family member at the scene, while Clark was taken to Dothan City Jail and booked. Clark, a Dothan native, won Season 16 of Top Chef in 2019 and has since appeared as a judge on Netflix's Next Gen Chef. She also owns a restaurant in Dothan and is the author of three cookbooks. Clark has an 8-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter, according to People. No information on a court date was immediately available.
Tensions over President Trump's goal of taking control of Greenland have driven a wedge in the once-solid link between MAGA and Europe's far right. The rift seems to signal that ideological alignment alone may not be enough to temper worries among European nationalists over Trump's interventionism abroad, the AP reports. Far-right leaders in Germany, Italy, and France have strongly criticized Trump's Greenland plans. "Donald Trump has violated a fundamental campaign promisenamely, not to interfere in other countries," said Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, per the Los Angeles Times .

During a debate Tuesday in the European Parliament, far-right lawmakers typically aligned with Trump overwhelmingly supported halting a EU-US trade pact over Trump's threats, calling them coercion and threats to sovereignty, per the AP. Even Nigel Farage, a longtime ally of Trump and head of the Reform UK nationalist party, called the Greenland moves "a very hostile act." Less than a year ago, Europe's far-right parties gathered in Madrid to applaud Trump's return to office under the banner "Make Europe Great Again," while Elon Musk boosted European far-right influencers and figures on X, including the AfD. Yet deep divisions within MAGA over Trump's approach to foreign affairs have reverberated in Europe, with his actions on Greenland, Venezuela, and Iran prompting his political allies to stick with their ideological convictions over their deference to the US president.

France's far-right National Rally has at times vaunted its ideological closeness to Trump, particularly on immigration. A year ago, the party sent one of its senior figures, Louis Aliot, to attend Trump's inauguration. In turn, Trump has staunchly defended party leader Marine Le Pen, describing her conviction for embezzling EU funds as a "witch hunt." Now, Le Pen and the head of National Rally oppose folding to what they call Trump's coercion, per the Times. "Yielding today would set a dangerous precedent," said Jordan Bardella. A few Trump allies have stayed away from the criticism. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sought to cast Trump's threats on Greenland and operation in Venezeula either as beneficial for Hungary, or none of its business. "It's an in-house issue.  It's a NATO issue," Orban said of Trump's designs on Greenland.
Iranian authorities unveiled a new mural on a giant billboard in a central Tehran square on Sunday with a direct warning to the US to not attempt a military strike on the country, as American warships head to the region. The image shows a bird's-eye view of an aircraft carrier with damaged and exploding fighter planes on its flight deck, the AP reports. The deck is strewn with bodies and streaked with blood that trails into the water behind the ship to form a pattern reminiscent of the stripes of the American flag. A slogan is emblazoned across one corner: "If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind."

Tension with the US have spiked during a brutal crackdown on nationwide protests that saw thousands of people killed and tens of thousands arrested. Trump had threatened military action if Iran continued to kill peaceful protesters or carried out mass executions of those detained. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and accompanying warships are moving toward the region; President Trump has said that's "just in case" he decides to take action. Enghelab Square is used for gatherings called by the state, and authorities change its mural based on national occasions. On Saturday, the commander of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard warned that his force is "more ready than ever, finger on the trigger." There have been no further protests for days.
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Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is included among

Dividend Contenders List: Top 20 Stocks.

Pfizer to Exit ViiV Healthcare as GSK and Shionogi Reshape Ownership

Reuters reported on January 20 that Britains GSK and Japans Shionogi said Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) will exit their HIV-focused joint venture, ViiV Healthcare. The transaction values Pfizers exit at about $1.9 billion and sharply increases Shionogis stake in the business.

Under the deal, Shionogi will pay $2.13 billion for newly issued shares, lifting its ownership in ViiV Healthcare to 21.7% from 10%. GSK will continue to control the company, keeping its 78.3% majority stake.

Pfizer will receive $1.88 billion for its 11.7% holding. GSK, meanwhile, will receive a $250 million special dividend as ViiV cancels Pfizers shares. GSK originally formed ViiV Healthcare with Pfizer in 2009, with Shionogi joining the venture in 2012.

The companies said the deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. Pfizers exit comes as the company braces for a more difficult stretch. In December, it warned that the years ahead could be bumpy, starting in 2026, pointing to weaker sales of its COVID vaccine and treatment, price cuts promised to the US government, and the loss of patent protection on several key drugs. Pfizer does not expect to return to revenue growth until 2029.

In separate Reuters reporting, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on January 12 that the company is preparing for a consumer-driven obesity drug market that could rival the surge it experienced after launching Viagra in 1998. Bourla said that even during talks to acquire weight-loss drugmaker Metsera, announced in September 2025, Pfizer did not expect the cash-pay obesity market, now led by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, to grow so quickly.

Pfizer developed and sold Viagra for years before spinning off the business that controls the brand in 2020. The drug is now sold largely in generic form.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing medicines worldwide.

While we acknowledge the potential of PFE 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.
TOKYO, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - Tokyos Ueno Zoos twin pandas, Xiaoxiao and Leilei, were seen for the last time in Japan on January 25th, after it was decided they will be returned to China.

Visitors packed the zoo and raised their smartphone cameras toward Xiaoxiao as the panda walked energetically around the enclosure, while Leilei drew attention by carefully peeling bamboo and eating with focus. With the pairs return now confirmed, the day marked the final chance for people in Japan to view the pandas domestically.

Some visitors shared their emotions as they said goodbye, with one person pointing out which panda was which, while another said they felt lost about what to do next, and others recalled the many joyful moments the pandas had shown them over the years.

Born in 2021, Xiaoxiao and Leilei became Ueno Zoos first-ever twin panda births, quickly winning the hearts of the public with their charming appearance. On the final day, demand to see them surged, with the viewing lottery reaching a of about 25 times.

Messages of gratitude from zoo staff were also displayed around the grounds. Ueno Zoo Deputy Director Mikako Kaneko described Leilei as a panda who loves eating and Xiaoxiao as a spoiled, affectionate one, adding that the two had been precious animals who taught the staff many things.

A family who said they had been panda fans for nearly a decade described how their son cried when asked whether he had said goodbye, and how he has slept with a panda plush toy since he was about one year old, bringing it along even when he wakes up. The child called the toy a treasured possession and said he felt lonely after seeing so many pandas, adding that he called out bye-bye and hoped to visit them again someday.

The two pandas are scheduled to leave Japan on January 27th.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - Japans department store sales fell for the first time in five years in 2025, as spending by foreign visitors shifted toward lower-priced goods and pushed down average purchase amounts.

The Japan Department Stores Association said on January 23rd that total sales at department stores nationwide came to 5.6754 trillion yen in 2025, down 1.5% from the previous year, marking the first decline in five years.

Tax-free sales to inbound tourists dropped 12.7% from a year earlier to 566.7 billion yen, contributing to the overall decline. The association said demand among foreign shoppers has moved toward cheaper consumable items, which lowered spending per customer.

Source: BIZ
Future of AI copilots and agents, impact on white collar work

Nadella discusses Microsofts Copilot evolution: started with GitHub Copilot (code suggestions), expanded to desktop/Windows, and now includes chat, actions, and autonomous agents (foreground/background, local/cloud).

He uses coding as the prime knowledge-work example: from next-edit suggestions  chat  actions  full agents.

Vision: AI as infinite minds for workersmacro delegation (assign big tasks) + micro steering (real-time guidance).

Future forms: digital employees/co-workers with identities/credentials (e.g., Agent 365 for permissions, provenance, traceability).

Composition: agents integrate across tools (e.g., GitHub + Work/Office data, security logs).

Metaphor shift: from bicycle for the mind (Jobs) or information at fingertips (Gates)  manager of infinite minds.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella directly equates the future of AI models (foundation/LLMs) to the historical evolution of the database market to explain why he believes models will proliferate, commoditize, and shift value elsewhere.

Key Equivalence Points from Nadella

Proliferation of Specialized Types  Just as the database market did not settle on one universal SQL database but exploded into a rich variety (e.g., relational SQL, NoSQL/document databases like MongoDB, key-value stores like Redis, graph databases, time-series, columnar, etc.), AI models will not converge on a single dominant frontier model. Instead, there will be massive diversity and specialization.

Open-Source and Commoditization  Databases went from proprietary dominance to heavy open-source adoption (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL forks, Cassandra), driving commoditization where core functionality became widely available and low-cost. Nadella sees the same trajectory for AI: open-source models will become frontier-capable, making raw models interchangeable and less differentiated over time.

Value Shifts Away from the Core  In databases, once commoditized, the real competitive edge and revenue moved to applications, ecosystems, integrations, cloud services (AWS RDS, Azure SQL), and specialized use cases built on top. Similarly, Nadella argues AI value will migrate from just the model to Orchestration/multi-model systems

Applications/products (agents, copilots)

Custom/fine-tuned models embedding firm-specific tacit knowledge

Platforms/infrastructure (Microsofts token factories on Azure, app servers like Foundry)

As Many Models as Firms Extreme  Nadella pushes the analogy further that in an AI-driven knowledge economy, every firm could/should have its own specialized model(s) trained on proprietary data/knowledge, mirroring how companies built/customized databases for unique needs. This leads to proliferation far beyond a few big players.

How Microsoft has scaled revenue and profits with flat headcount

Microsoft added ~$90B in revenue and doubled profits over ~4 years with roughly flat employee count.

Nadella attributes this to structural changes in knowledge work (biggest since PCs): Shifted roles (e.g., at LinkedIn: product managers + designers + front-end/back-end  full-stack builders with broader scope).

New workflows (eval-driven AI product dev loops).

AI eliminates drudgery, boosts velocity (fewer handoffs/comms).

Balances legacy (Windows patching) with innovation.

Overall view is AI enables throughput gains without proportional headcount growth.

The extreme competition in AI: Microsoft, xAI, Google, OpenAI, Anthropic

Nadella calls this the most intense competition of his career (compared to Novell in the 90s).

Views it positively: new rivals every decade keep companies fit.

Not zero-sumthe AI TAM explodes, tech becomes a larger GDP share.

Microsofts edge: brand permission, customer expectations, ecosystem focus (avoid competing on everything).

Views on diffusion, how the US tech stack can win globally

Success = diffusion (widespread adoption/use) over invention.

Historical parallel: Industrial Revolution winners imported latest tech then added value.

AI needs broad diffusion in healthcare, finance, public sector, etc.

U.S. advantage: existing cloud/mobile rails enable fast spread.

Global South opportunity: AI boosts public-sector efficiency (40-50% GDP), potentially adding GDP points.

Winning metric: U.S. tech stacks global market share/usage (80%+ ideal).

Ecosystem effects: platforms create jobs/partners/ISVs (e.g., Microsofts historical channel revenue multiples).

Goal: opportunity creation worldwide via trusted U.S. stack.

OpenAI deal, owning the IP, thoughts on open-source winning AI, Microsofts AI stack, do they need a foundation model?

Deal critique: savvy but risky (potential competitor).

Microsoft has OpenAI IP access (not just partnership).

Strategy- Build token factories (Azure infrastructure, heterogeneous fleet, max TCO/utilization).

App server layer (Foundry) for agents, evals, orchestration.

Multi-model future: orchestrate multiple models (e.g., role-based decision orchestrator beats single frontier models).

Bullish on open-source/commoditization (like databases: proliferation, open-source winners like Postgres).

Future: firms embed tacit knowledge in custom models (as many models as firms).

PC focus: local models (e.g., on high-end workstations/NPUs), hybrid with cloud.

No need for single proprietary foundation modelleverage ecosystem.

What enterprise software adoption looks like in the age of AI

Adoption = both top-down and bottom-up.

Top-down: quick ROI in customer service, supply chain, HR self-service (IT/CXO-driven).

Bottom-up: employees build agents to remove drudgery, change workflows (like Word/Excel/email spread).

Example: Azure network ops built digital employees for fiber-cut DevOps (bottom-up automation).

Skilling via doing (diffusion + tools) vs. classes.

Empowers existing workers faster than hiring/mentoring.

College hires ramp steeper (AI mentors onboard codebases quickly).

Apprenticeship evolution: new grads learn from AI-savvy seniors.

Overall tone: Nadella is bullish on AIs productivity revolution, ecosystem growth, and non-zero-sum competition, while stressing practical adoption and human amplification over replacement.
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Postal Code
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) is included among

Dividend Contenders List: Top 20 Stocks.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU) in Focus as Wells Fargo Outlines Key Themes Across Insurance

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

On January 13, Wells Fargo analyst Elyse Greenspan raised the firms price target on Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) to $115 from $113 and kept an Equal Weight rating on the shares.

Heading into quarterly results for the insurance sector, the firm said attention should stay on a few key areas. For P&C insurers, pricing trends, loss development, and reserves remain front and center. For brokers, the focus shifts to organic growth and margins. Life insurers are being judged more on sales trends, capital levels, and forward guidance.

Separately, a January 16 report from Reuters said the CEO of Prudential Financials Japan life insurance unit will step down following revelations of employee misconduct. The company disclosed that around 100 employees were involved in improper activity totaling roughly 3.1 billion yen ($19.60 million), including cases of embezzlement.

The Japan unit said 498 customers were affected by the newly uncovered issues. The misconduct included employees improperly receiving funds through investment solicitations and personally borrowing money from customers.CEO and President Kan Mabara will resign effective February 1. He will be replaced by Hiromitsu Tokumaru, who currently serves as president and CEO of Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance. The situation was first reported earlier in the day by The Asahi Shimbun.

Prudentials Japan unit initially flagged misconduct in 2024 and has been conducting a broader review since August of that year. The company said the review followed the discovery of multiple similar cases involving both current and former employees.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) is a diversified financial services company and global investment manager, offering a wide range of financial products and services worldwide.

While we acknowledge the potential of PRU 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.
Its Gemini models further cement Alphabets position in next-generation AI architecture. From transforming healthcare to shaping future intelligence systems, Alphabet is adapting to the digital era, and it is actively defining its direction.

Alphabet needs little introduction. What began as a modest search experiment in a Stanford dorm room has grown into a roughly $3.96 trillion technology powerhouse still firmly in expansion mode. Headquartered in California, the company now operates far beyond Google, spanning AI, cloud computing, autonomous mobility through Waymo, and advanced research led by DeepMind.

Raymond James analyst recently upgraded the stock to a Strong Buy, viewing GOOGL as one of the most compelling large-cap growth opportunities in todays market.

That backdrop explains Raymond James growing confidence in Alphabet. The brokerage firm believes the tech company is entering a period where improving fundamentals drive consistent revisions higher, rather than a fleeting rebound. As Search evolves and Cloud scales faster than expected, confidence in the long-term story is building.

Beyond the headlines, the market is beginning to distinguish between temporary AI enthusiasm and companies positioned for durable growth. Alphabet sits firmly in the latter camp. Its unmatched scale in Search, paired with a rapidly expanding Cloud business, allows it to translate innovation into daily usage and recurring revenue. What once appeared experimental is now showing up in higher engagement, stronger demand, and rising estimates.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been woven into Alphabets (GOOG) (GOOGL) DNA for years. It dates back to 2017, when Alphabet began weaving AI into everyday products like Gmail, improving how emails were sorted, filtered, and answered. That early bet reinforced its dominance in Search, which still controls about 90.8% of the market. The payoff has been substantialrevenue climbed from $182 billion in 2020 to a projected $400 billion in fiscal 2025, capped by its first $100 billion in Q3. CEO Sundar Pichai credits a full-stack AI strategy now powering stronger engagement across Search through AI Overviews and AI Mode.

Story Continues

Alphabets stock price performance has been telling a confident story. A renewed belief in Googles executionparticularly on AIhas pushed the companys valuation closer to the $4 trillion mark, placing it comfortably among the most valuable firms on the planet.

In 2025, investors were still questioning whether Google was keeping pace in the AI race. But the narrative has flipped now. GOOGL stock is up about 5.5% over the past month and has emerged as the early leader among the Magnificent Seven this year.

Zooming out, the scale of the rally becomes even clearer. The stock recently hit a 52-week high at $340.49 in January and, despite pulling back roughly 3% from that peak, remains firmly in an uptrend. Over the past 52 weeks, Alphabets shares rose by about 67%, with the last six months alone delivering gains of nearly 74%.

From a technical standpoint, the chart suggests consolidation, not weakness. After an extended run, GOOGL appears to be pausing. The 14-day RSI has cooled to roughly 61, backing off from overbought territory seen in January. That reset points to a healthier setup, especially as the RSI is starting to trend higher again. Momentum indicators remain steady. The MACD oscillator turned bullish in January, with the MACD line crossing above the signal line and holding in positive territory, another sign that Alphabets broader uptrend remains firmly intact.

www.barchart.com

A Closer Look At Alphabet's Stellar Q3 Report

The tech giants third-quarter results, released on Oct. 29, made one thing clear: the company is still very much commanding its core while quietly building the next engine of growth. Alphabet generated a revenue of $102.3 billion, rising 16% year-over-year (YoY), clearing the Streets forecast. The bulk of that strength flowed from Google Services, which generated $87.1 billion in revenue, growing 14% annually as Search, YouTube, subscriptions, and platforms continued to monetize global attention at scale.

Search remained the anchor, with the segments revenue climbing 14.6% YoY to $56.6 billion, reinforcing Googles role as the internets tollbooth. Advertising revenue followed suit, rising 12.6% to $74.2 billion, a reminder that marketers still prioritize reach, data, and measurable returnseven in a cautious macro backdrop. Yet the standout performer was Google Cloud, with its revenue growing by 34% annually to $15.2 billion, fueled by rising AI workloads and enterprise-led digital transformation, signaling that Cloud is a core pillar.

Profitability was solid across the board. Operating income rose 9% to $31.2 billion, translating to a 30.5% operating margin. Excluding a $3.5 billion European Commission antitrust fine, margins would have landed closer to 34%, highlighting tighter cost control beneath Alphabets massive scale. EPS jumped 35.4% to $2.87, beating estimates by a wide margin and underscoring the operating leverage embedded in the model.

Meanwhile, AI is now central, not speculative. Management highlighted its full-stack AI approach, with Gemini and other in-house models processing roughly seven billion tokens per minute. The Gemini app has reached 650 million monthly active users, while Google Clouds backlog has climbed past $155 billionfuture revenue is already spoken for.

Looking ahead, Alphabet is all set to report fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2025 financial results on Wednesday, Feb. 4, after the closing bell. Management projects capital expenditures to be between $91 billion and $93 billion for fiscal 2025, a heavy commitment that underscores how aggressively it is building out AI capacity, data centers, and next-generation computing infrastructure.

Wall Street analysts tracking Alphabet anticipate its Q4 revenue to be around $111.4 billion, with EPS rising 20% YoY to $2.58 for the quarter. For fiscal 2025, EPS is expected to be $10.57, hinting at a 31.5% YoY surge, and then rise by 4.4% annually to $11.03 in fiscal 2026.

What Do Analysts Expect for GOOGL Stock?

Raymond James has upgraded GOOGL stock to a Strong Buy and set a $400 price target, saying the company is entering a period where business momentum is clearly improving. Analyst Josh Beck believes Alphabets next leg higher will be driven by steady earnings upgrades rather than a short-term rebound in valuation. His detailed review of Google Search and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) led him to raise forecasts for 2026 and 2027, with his 2027 revenue estimate now running ahead of the broader market.

On the Cloud side, analyst Beck expects growth to remain well above expectations, forecasting 44% growth in 2026 and 36% in 2027. He highlights strong demand for infrastructure and platform services, supported by large deployments of TPUs and GPUs and rising use of the Gemini API and Vertex AI. By the end of 2027, he estimates Cloud could generate about $25 billion annually from TPUs, $20 billion from GPUs, $10 billion from Gemini API, and $2.5 billion from Vertex AI. For Search, Beck sees 13% growth in both 2026 and 2027, as new formats drive more complex queries and better monetization.

Raymond James expects AI-powered searches to lift cost-per-click as richer context improves conversions. AI Overviews are driving longer, more complex queries, unlocking fresh monetization. That momentum underpins its valuation, with the new target based on a 29x 2027 earnings multiple, justified by accelerating AI-led growth across Search and Cloud.

Analysts monitoring GOOGL are bullish, with consensus leaning heavily toward a Strong Buy. Out of 55 analysts, 46 advise a Strong Buy, three recommend a Moderate Buy, and six are cautious with a Hold rating. The average price target of $341.58 suggests a 3% upside potential from here. Meanwhile, the Street-high target of $400 suggests GOOGL stock could rise 21%.

www.barchart.com

On the date of publication, Sristi Suman Jayaswal 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
New Pacific Metals Corp. (NYSE:NEWP) is among the 15 Best Performing Silver Stocks to Buy.

Raymond James retains an Outperform rating on New Pacific Metals Corp. (NEWP)

On January 15, 2026, TheFly reported Raymond James increased New Pacific Metals Corp. (NYSE:NEWP) price objective from C$5.50 to C$6.15 and retained an Outperform rating. The firms mining sector update included the price objective increase. In the base metals complex, Raymond James reaffirmed its preference for copper, citing growing medium- to long-term supply shortages.

BMO Capital began covering New Pacific Metals Corp. (NYSE:NEWP) on December 5, 2025, with a C$6 price goal and an Outperform rating. The company has two significant silver development projects in Bolivia that are moving along with the regulatory process, as stated by analyst Kevin OHalloran. As noted by BMO, a share re-rating may result from allowing progress.

Positive developments at the Silver Sand silver project in Bolivia and the Carangas silver-gold project were reported by the corporation on December 4, 2025. As per the firm, 2025 showed a change to a more proactive strategy for moving both projects closer to production by interacting with regional and federal governments, mining industry associations, and local populations. The newly elected Bolivian administration expressed support for international investment in the mining industry, the business added.

New Pacific Metals Corp. (NYSE:NEWP) is a Canadian mining issuer that explores and develops precious metal deposits in Bolivia.

While we acknowledge the potential of NEWP 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: 20 Best Performing Stocks in 2025 and 12 Best Food Stocks to Buy in 2026.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
A UFC fight scheduled for Saturday night was canceled after a fighter fainted following the official weigh-in.

Cameron Smotherman was scheduled to fight Ricky Turcios at UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday night.

However, at the final weigh-in on Friday afternoon, 28-year-old Smotherman fainted after weighing in at the scale at 135.5 lbs, video of the event shows.

Smotherman was seen walking away from the scale and collapsed shortly afterwards.

Medical staff rushed to the fighters aid where he woke up a few minutes later. He was eventually carried off stage.

As a result, the fight was canceled.

Smotherman posted a video to his Instagram page later Friday evening saying he was okay and appreciated the publics concern.

The reason for the collapse has not been released.

Im not entirely sure what happened, he said in the video on social media. I genuinely did not cut very much weight for this fight.

Smotherman plans to undergo further testing in the coming weeks to find a possible cause for his fainting, he said. The fighter apologized to his opponent for the cancellation.
Despite 24,006 appointments listed on the state Motor Vehicle Commission website Thursday afternoon to get a Real ID drivers license, 21 of 28 agencies had April as the earliest appointment date.

Could offering MVC services at 23 AAA facilities in the state help drivers get the Real ID license that is needed for domestic air travel?

State Sen. Kristin Corrado, R-Passaic, believes it could and reintroduced a bill that would allow AAA to offer some MVC services in New Jersey.

Her bill, introduced on Jan. 13, would require the MVC to contract with AAA to offer five areas of service available in MVC agencies. It now waits for a hearing by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Possibly the most significant part of the proposal would allow drivers to renew and upgrade standard licenses to the hard to get Real-ID license. Real ID licenses are one of the documents accepted for domestic air travel identification, in addition to passports and global entry cards.

AAA already offers these services in other states, where the publicprivate partnership has proven extremely successful, Corrado said. It has been a win for residents in those states, and the same model could be seamlessly implemented in New Jersey to benefit our residents.

New Jersey could join 26 other states that allow drivers to conduct certain drivers license and motor vehicle transactions at AAA facilities if her legislation is approved by the state Senate and Assembly and signed by the governor.

AAA has partnered with motor vehicle departments in New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut to offer similar services for drivers at its facilities, said Tracy Noble, AAA Club alliance government affairs manager.

Its something weve wanted to do in New Jersey, she said. Three of our closest states are already doing motor vehicle services including Real ID, so we have the capabilities to do it.

So far, its been an uphill fight for the idea.

The legislation was initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was extremely difficult to get appointments with the Motor Vehicle Commission, Corrado said.

Agencies closed for in-person transactions for three months during the 2020 pandemic to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.

When they reopened, drivers faced long lines at agencies, and some camped out overnight, to conduct motor vehicle and license business that had to be done in person.

While the MVC added more transactions to its website and introduced an appointment system to eliminate lines at agencies, some transactions such as Real ID must be done in person, creating a demand for appointments.

The MVC has added more Real ID appointments and allowed drivers to renew and to upgrade to a Real ID license up to three months before it expires. Those renewal appointments are more plentiful and timely.

Five years later, my legislative office is still continually fielding phone calls from residents needing assistance to secure appointments with MVC, Corrado said. Allowing AAA to offer some of the same services that MVC provides would directly help reduce the backlog and make it easier for residents to get a timely appointment.

Corrado said she worked with AAA when she was Passaic County Clerk. She also met with AAA several times to discuss how a partnership would work in New Jersey to offer MVC services after she was elected senator.

But previous versions of the same legislation introduced by Corrado and by other lawmakers from both parties were never heard by the Senate Transportation or the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committees. That is a necessary step before a vote of the full Senate.

Despite implementation of federal Real ID requirements on May 7, 2025, the majority of travelers at Newark Airport are still using passports to prove their identity for domestic air travel. Transportation Security Administration officials said use of the Real ID licenses and identification cards is increasing.

The ability for drivers to get timely Real ID appointments was among the issues Gov. Mikie Sherrill cited when she nominated Rosalie Johnson, a former Colorado DMV official as MVC chief Administrator on Jan. 12.

Johnson a deputy senior director of the Colorados Department of Motor Vehicles for five years, boasted a 97% rate for Real ID drivers license adoption. Sherrill noted that fact in her nomination.

Under the latest bill, AAA would provide vehicle registration renewals, replacements and duplicates; drivers license renewals, duplicates and upgrades to a Real-ID license; non-driver identification card renewals, duplicates and upgrades to a Real-ID identification card. AAA could also accept license plates being surrendered and conduct vision tests.

Those transactions were specifically selected because AAA was fully confident in their ability to deliver these services efficiently and reliably for residents, Corrado said.

Noble said that AAA is viewed as a trusted and valued partner thats offered convenience and options for motor vehicle services in other states.

The AAA Clubs of New Jersey are interested and willing to work with the MVC on a model that works for them and state residents, she said.
Its late January and Congress is shuffling back to the nations capital after an ill-deserved holiday break. I doubt they held too many town halls over their brief reprieve from the nations business, because if they had, they would have encountered a heaping helping of Americans who got a 114% increase to their health care premiums for Christmas.

While congressional Republicans sipped eggnog, single-malt Scotch or the holiday beverage of their choice around a roaring hearth, the Affordable Care Act subsidies that gave 24 million Americans access to health care expired. The result for many people was triple-digit increases to their premiums on plans they are locked into for the coming year. ACA customers here in New Jersey got off relatively easy with an average increase in the range of 15% thanks to the legislature having the foresight to invest state resources toward health care costs. Most other states werent as lucky.

You know who is lucky? Giant corporations! A shocker, I know. Their subsidies were never in any danger of expiring, like ever. Corporate welfare is nigh-invulnerable, like a tardigrade. In 10 billion years from now, when the sun runs out of fuel and begins the inevitable expansion that will consume the terrestrial planets, Earth included, the federal government will still be subsidizing oil production.

According to a study from the Cato Institute, taxpayers financed $181 billion in corporate welfare last year; that is many billions more than even the most aggressive price estimates for Obamacare subsidies.

Those corporate handouts come in a number of different forms, including direct payments, loans, tax breaks and the like. That $181 billion was doled out to industries of all shapes and sizes, like fossil fuel producers, fisheries, automakers and investment banks, the CEOs of which I assume have fairly comprehensive health plans. Its no coincidence that they also have lobbyistsgreat big piles of them.

Tireless legions of lawyers, holders of MBAs and former legislators swaddled in Brooks Brothers roaming the halls of the Capitol in search of willing recipients of their largesse, and finding no shortage.

Ive always envisioned our elected representatives like baby birds in a nest, straining their fragile little necks in hopes that Mother Bird will hork up a worm into their hungry maws; only instead of a premasticated invertebrate, they get a big sweaty sack of money, or maybe a free vacation. Fun!

The lesson here is that if you are one of the 24 million Americans that just saw your health care costs explode like a SpaceX rocket speaking of corporate subsidies  you should probably change your name to something like Globodyne Amalgamated Flange LLC. Maybe then Congress will answer your calls.
Carla Sands, the former U.S. ambassador to Denmark during President Donald Trumps first administration, believes that the president will ultimately acquire Greenland in some form by the end of his second term.

Trump told reporters on Thursday that he will have a compromise in two weeks related to the future of Greenland, one day after he announced a framework of a deal with NATO without providing any details.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Sands said that the semi-autonomous territory  which falls under the boundaries of Denmark, a NATO member  could end up becoming the next Puerto Rico, which she described as a territory with rights for representation but under U.S. security.

Suddenly, anything is possible, because the paradigm has shifted, the window has shifted, and what is impossible becomes possible, Sands told the outlet in comments released Friday.

According to the Daily Mail, Sands argued that Greenland would benefit under the supervision of the United States, while she acknowledged that Trumps rhetoric in his campaign has upset Greenlanders, who, she said, view the country now as a boogeyman.

Us 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.

After announcing progress in negotiations, Trump called a potential proposal infinite, adding that Its a deal thats forever.

While Trump has expressed interest in the prospect of possessing Greenland dating back to his first term, his renewed interest this month came days after the U.S. launched a military operation in Venezuela, capturing its leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife.

Trump has faced fierce resistance from officials in both Greenland and Denmark, who have argued that the Arctic territory is not for sale. The president, however, has frequently maintained that ownership over the island, home to critical rare earth minerals, is necessary for national security, while warning against Russia or China occupying it in the future.

In his announcement of a framework, Trump also pointed to his proposed Golden Dome, a missile defense system that he has previously teased will be operating before the end of his term in 2029.

Because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important, Trump wrote in a post last week on Truth Social.

Trump, meanwhile, had since appeared to tone down his moves to acquire Greenland over the past week.

The president on Wednesday dropped his threat of an additional 10% tariff for European allies that had resisted his calls for American ownership. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that same day, Trump ruled out military action to obtain territory.

And after what he described as a productive meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, the president said the solution, without offering specifics, could be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations.
UPDATED FORECAST: Massive snow, ice storm blasts across state. See latest snowfall forecast maps.

A major winter storm that has been drifting across scores of states will be arriving in New Jersey shortly after midnight Saturday, bringing the potential for a foot of snow in the states northern region and a half-foot or more in many other areas.

Forecasters and public officials are urging drivers to stay off the roads Sunday. They are cautioning residents not only because of the snow but over concerns that sleet and freezing rain during the nasty storm will make pavement dangerously slick.

With snow falling at a heavy rate and some wind blowing the snow, drivers could face whiteout conditions at times, forecasters noted.

In addition, officials are worried about the potential for heavy icing on trees and power lines, which could spark isolated power outages.

Forecasters say there's a threat of "notable ice accumulations" ranging from one-tenth to one-quarter of an inch across the Interstate 95 corridor and southern New Jersey on Sunday, after the snow transitions to sleet and freezing rain. National Weather Service

There is high confidence in major impacts from snowfall, sleet, and ice accumulations across much of the area, making travel very difficult, and potentially resulting in widespread closures and infrastructure impacts, the National Weather Service said on Saturday.

All 21 counties in New Jersey will be under a winter storm warning starting shortly after midnight and continuing through Monday afternoon, because of the heavy snow, icy sleet and treacherous driving conditions.

A wide-reaching winter storm will arrive in New Jersey after midnight Saturday, bringing heavy snow, sleet and dangerous driving conditions across the region throughout the day on Sunday and into parts of Monday, forecasters say. National Weather Service

The weather service is expecting about 8 to 14 inches of snow across most of northern New Jersey, 6 to 12 inches of snow and sleet in many parts of central New Jersey, 6 to 8 inches of snow and sleet across much of South Jersey, and 4 to 6 inches of snow and sleet in the far southern counties of Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland.

Forecasters say ice ranging from a thickness of one-tenth of an inch to a quarter-inch may develop on roads, sidewalks, trees and power lines  primarily along the Interstate 95 corridor and in the states southern region.

Ice that thick could cause tree limbs to snap and power lines to be impacted.

This is the National Weather Service's latest snow forecast for northeastern New Jersey and the New York City metro region. Forecasters note the high degree of uncertainty over when the snow will change to sleet, and the timing will impact the snow accumulations. National Weather Service

During the morning hours and in the afternoon on Sunday, snow could fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, the weather service said.

Other forecasters say some areas could see snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour at times before the snow transitions to sleet and freezing rain.

Snow is expected to start pushing into southern New Jersey between midnight Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday, then spread into Central Jersey between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday. The snow may fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour during the day. National Weather Service

Storm warning times, snow forecast in each county

Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem and Somerset - Winter storm warning from 2 a.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Monday. Heavy snow with mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 6 to 10 inches and ice accumulations about one-tenth of an inch . Ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause tree damage and power outages.

Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union and eastern Passaic - Winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. Heavy snow expected. The snow may mix with or change to sleet Sunday evening. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 8 to 12 inches. A brief changeover to light freezing rain along with a light glaze of ice may occur Sunday night.

Western Passaic - Winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 12 to 14 inches . Sleet may briefly mix in with the snow Sunday night.

Atlantic and Cape May - Winter storm warning from 2 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday. Heavy snow with mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch . Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

Sussex and Warren - Winter storm warning from 2 a.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Monday. Heavy snow expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 10 to 14 inches.

Current weather radar
The monster snow and ice storm hitting New Jersey on Sunday has caused significant flight cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport.

At least 894 arriving and departing flights are canceled for Sunday as of 7:30 a.m., according to FlightAware data.

Another 235 flights are canceled already for Monday.

United Airlines leads the cancellations with 451 flights grounded on Sunday.

More than 9,700 total flights were canceled on Sunday across the United States as of early Sunday.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport reported the highest total followed by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to FlightAware.

Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports all rank in the top five for cancellations nationally.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency for all 21 counties ahead of the storm and urged residents to stay home.

A commercial vehicle travel ban and speed restrictions are in place for major highways to give road crews room to work.

NJ Transit suspended buses and light rail early Sunday and train service will be shut down after 2 p.m.

Winter storm warnings remain in effect for all New Jersey counties through 1 p.m. Monday.

Current weather radar
Russias Prosecutor General has designated Ukrainian cryptocurrency exchange WhiteBit as an undesirable organization. They accuse it of facilitating illegal fund transfers out of Russia and financing Ukraines armed forces.

The designation also extends to WhiteBits parent company, W Group, and all affiliated entities, effectively banning their operations in Russia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhFcIZtgkZE

Russia Moves Against WhiteBit in Escalating CryptoWar Crackdown

Local media reports that, according to Russian authorities, WhiteBits management has moved approximately $11 million to Ukraine since 2022. This includes nearly $900,000 earmarked for drone purchases.

The Prosecutor Generals Office further claims that the platform provided technical support to United24, Ukraines state-backed crypto donation platform.

Allegedly, they also engaged in shadow schemes to withdraw funds from Russia and conduct other illicit activities.

Founded in 2018 by Ukrainian entrepreneurs, WhiteBit claims an active user base exceeding 8 million and daily spot trading volumes of $11 billion, with futures trading reaching up to $40 billion.

Despite its international reach, the platform now faces significant restrictions in Russia amid a tightening regulatory environment.

The move against WhiteBit coincides with Russias accelerated push to formalize crypto regulation. According to local media, the Bank of Russia has outlined new licensing requirements for crypto exchanges and digital depositories, promising simpler licensing for platforms that do not deal in securities.

Banks and brokers wishing to operate with cryptocurrencies will face special prudential requirements to mitigate risks to TradFi activities.

Ekaterina Lozgacheva, Director of the Bank of Russias Department of Strategic Development of the Financial Market, emphasized that the regulator aims to facilitate the sale of mined cryptocurrencies both domestically and abroad. At the same time, it would introduce penalties for intermediaries engaging in illegal activities.

These measures are slated to take effect by July 1, 2027, once amendments to Russias crypto legislation are finalized.

Russia Proposes Strict Crypto Investment Limits

As part of the proposed framework, non-professional investors would be allowed to invest in digital currencies, but within strict annual limits.

Currently, the Central Bank has suggested a ceiling of 300,000 rubles per year per intermediary. However, the Ministry of Finance has indicated that this figure could be adjusted.

Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov stated that any market proposals to raise this threshold would be considered. This reflects a broader intent to balance investor access with financial safeguards.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Fewer self-employed workers who accept payments through a third-party service, such as PayPal or Square, will receive a form reporting their 2025 income. That means it will be up to them to calculate how much they earned.

The new 'no tax on tips' will likely lower the tax bill of many self-employed workers who have typically received tips for their work.

The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' has made many tax changes that will affect 2025 returns, which the IRS will start accepting on Monday.

More from Yahoo Scout What are the income limits for tips deduction? How should self-employed workers track their income better? What qualifies for the no tax on tips deduction? How does the 1099-K threshold change affect workers?

The most important changes for self-employed workers are the increase in the threshold for 1099-K forms and the new "no tax on tips" deduction, said Hannah Cole, author of "Taxes for Humans" and founder of Sunlight Tax, which helps self-employed workers understand taxes.

Investopedia asked Cole about these changes and what self-employed workers need to know heading into this tax filing season. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Why This Matters

Doing taxes as a self-employed worker can be more difficult and confusing than for workers who receive a Form W-2 from their employer, which outlines their income and how much they have paid in taxes thus far.

INVESTOPEDIA: Are there any changes that happened in the 2025 tax year that you recommend self-employed workers look into?

HANNAH COLE: One of the biggest things people will notice is that there has been a change to the limits of the rule for issuing 1099-Ks. Those are the forms you will receive if you get income through a third-party platform, whether it's a payment process or an online seller. So if you're a creative person and you make sales through Etsy, or if you are just running a small business and you process credit card payments through something like Stripe or Square, those companies are required to send you a form called a 1099-K.

There had been a trend happening where the IRS was trying to match a 1099-NEC (Non-Employee Compensation) reporting threshold to the 1099-K reporting threshold. Just to avoid confusion, the threshold for reporting a 1099-NEC for non-employee compensation is $600. And the 1099-K threshold was coming down, headed downward toward the $600 ultimate goal.

But those companies, that is a lot of paperwork for them, and they have lobbied against the burden of that and wanted it raised again. Essentially, that cap just got reverted to the old one. So if you had more than 200 transactions and earned more than $20,000, you'll get a 1099-K [from the third-party company].

FAST FACT

The 1099-K form is sent to any worker who receives payments for selling goods or providing services. There is no threshold for workers who received payments in 2025 through a payment card transaction, which refers to payments automatically transferred to the worker or their business. The higher threshold affects self-employed workers who take payments through third-party platforms such as PayPal, Square, and Etsy.
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From the skirl of the bagpipes to the unmistakable aroma of haggis and whisky, Burns Night is being celebrated across Exeter tonight, with pubs, restaurants and venues embracing all things Scottish in honour of the national bard, Robert Burns.

Marked every year on 25 January, Burns Night is traditionally a time for poetry, music and food, and Exeter residents do not have to travel far to take part.

From relaxed pub suppers to high-end dining experiences, venues across the city are putting on special menus and events to mark the occasion.

READ NEXT: Exeter named one of the UK's best cities to keep their New Year's resolutions

At City Gate, by Exeters Iron Bridge, the atmosphere is warm and unmistakably Scottish this evening. A roaring log fire, candlelit tables and dimmed lights set the scene, while the kitchen serves up a Sunday roast with a Highland twist.

Diners can opt for a haggis roast with all the trimmings for 19.50, or try haggis as a side dish alongside the pubs usual roast options with a option of a curated selection of Scottish whiskies.

Over on Melbourne Street, The Hour Glass Inn is hosting a full Celtic celebration. Guests gather for a communal dinner featuring a traditional three-course menu, starting with cullen skink, followed by haggis, neeps and tatties, and finishing with cranachan.

The evening includes a traditional Burns reading and live bagpipe music, offering a classic take on the annual celebration.

Tickets are priced at 45 and include a welcome drink, with pre-booking required for the 7pm event.

For those looking for a more relaxed, music-led night, The Old Firehouse on New North Road is buzzing from 9pm.

Local bands take to the stage as part of the venues regular live music programme, while the kitchen serves up a special Scottish-inspired pizza topped with potatoes, haggis and a creamy whisky sauce.

With no tickets required, its a casual way to celebrate Burns Night with friends and a dram or two.

At the other end of the spectrum, Lympstone Manors Pool House Restaurant, just outside Exeter, is offering a luxury take on the tradition.

Guests are treated to a four-course Scottish dinner created by Michael Caines team, complete with canapes, fizz on arrival, wine pairings, coffee and petit fours.

Live bagpipe music and a formal Address to a Haggis form part of the evening, with seating from 7.30pm.

Closer to the city centre, Browns on Haven Road, near Exeter Quayside, is running a Scottish-inspired menu across the weekend.

Diners can choose classic dishes such as smoked salmon with capers and rye bread, haggis with neeps and tatties, and a traditional cranachan dessert.

The menu is available as a set offering, with two courses for 26 or three for 32, and optional whisky pairings for those wanting to fully embrace the spirit of the night.

Whether its poetry and piping, comfort food and whisky, or a lively night of music, Burns Night is very much alive in Exeter this evening, giving residents plenty of ways to raise a glass to Scotlands most famous poet.
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Bottega Veneta

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - JUNE 08: Bartolomeo Rongone speaks during the panel talk True Luxury: A Product Designed to Last Forever during Day Two of the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2022 at Royal Opera House on June 08, 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Lars Ronbog/Getty Images for Copenhagen Fashion Summit)

Luxury conglomerate Kering announced that Bartolomeo Rongone, chief executive officer of Bottega Veneta, will be leaving the group, effective March 31, to pursue new professional opportunities. Rongone was named CEO of Bottega Veneta in June 2019, following a stint as CEO of Yves Saint Laurent. The selection process for Bottega Venetas next CEO is underway, per Kering, with the appointment to be announced in the near future.

Cathy Sparks and Cesar Garcia

Nike has overhauled three regional senior leadership teams (SLTs) as part of its Win Now and athlete-first strategy. CEO Elliott Hill said the changesaffecting the geos of Greater China, EMEA and APLAare meant to remove layers and improve execution, according to an internal memo.

More from Sourcing Journal

After joining Nike in 1997, Carl Grebert is retiring, to be succeeded by Cesar Garcia, who will be named Nikes next vice president and general manager of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, on Feb. 2.

Nikes Greater China lead Angela Dong is stepping down, effective March 31. Dong joined in 2005 and held a range of increasingly senior roles across the region for all 20-plus years; that said, 25-year veteran Cathy Sparks will step into the role of VP/GM, Greater China. Succeeding Sparks in the interim is Cristin Crissy Campbell, currently vice president of Nike Brands for APLA and leading its sport offense for the geo, who will serve as interim VP/GM of APLA, also joining the senior leadership team.

Dutch denim brand Mud Jeans has named co-owner Dion Vijgeboom as chief executive officer. He succeeds Jolanda Brink, who took over the B Corp in April 2023succeeding founder Bert van Son during his transition to spokesperson.

Vijgeboom has been part of Mud Jeans since 2015, serving as chief operating officer in recent years, according to his LinkedIn profile.

I know the organization, the people and our circular mission inside out, Vijgeboom shared on the social media platform. With this new role, my focus is on continuity and growth: strengthening our position in the markets where we operate, across all channels from wholesale to direct-to-consumer.

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Susanne Stormer

International non-profit organization developing standards for sustainability reporting, The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), has appointed Susanne Stormer as the chair of the governance body responsible for setting the GRI Standards, the global sustainability standards board (GSSB). She most recently served as a partner at PwC Denmark, providing sustainability advisory and assurance servicesprior to which, she spent 13 years with Novo Nordisk as vice president of corporate sustainability. Stormer has served on the EFRAG Project Task Force that developed the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), as a SASB Standards board member and as a founding member of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC).
Stills from witness videos

Timeline: A Moment-by-Moment Look at the Shooting of Alex Pretti

Federal agents shot and killed a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, at about 9 a.m. Central time on Saturday morning. A video shared with The New York Times by a witness and her lawyer, as well as other video footage posted on social media, documents the violent scene, where agents appear to fire at least 10 shots in a span of five seconds.

The footage seems to contradict the Department of Homeland Securitys account of the encounter, which the agency said began after an individual armed with a handgun approached the federal agents with the intent to massacre them.

48 seconds before shooting

Mr. Pretti filming the scene Immigration agent Civilian with orange backpack Civilian in brown coat Mr. Pretti filming the scene Immigration agent Civilian with orange backpack Civilian in brown coat Still from video shared with The Times. The New York Times

Videos show a small group of civilians standing in the middle of a street where a person was detained on the ground; the civilians are speaking to federal agents. Mr. Pretti appears to be filming the scene, and he walks closer to the federal agents while holding his phone.

Then an agent shoves two civilians from one side of the street to the other, pushing them toward a white S.U.V.

28 seconds before

Mr. Pretti Agent pushing civilian to the ground Civilian with orange backpack White S.U.V. Civilian in brown coat Mr. Pretti Agent pushing civilian to the ground Civilian with orange backpack Civilian in brown coat White S.U.V. Still from video shared with The Times. The New York Times

For a second time, the agent pushes the civilian with the orange backpack. The civilian falls to the ground near the white S.U.V.

25 seconds before

Mr. Pretti holding a phone Agent pepper-sprays the group Civilian in brown coat Civilian with orange backpack Mr. Pretti holding a phone Agent pepper-sprays the group Civilian with orange backpack Civilian in brown coat Still from video by Philophon via Reddit. The New York Times

Mr. Pretti tries to put himself between the D.H.S. agent and the two civilians. Footage shows the same agent squirting pepper spray in the direction of Mr. Prettis face. (This agent will later fire shots at Mr. Pretti.)

Mr. Pretti is holding his phone in one hand, and he holds his other hand up to shield himself from the spray.

23 seconds before

Civilian in brown coat Civilian with orange backpack Mr. Pretti Agent Mr. Pretti Agent Civilian with orange backpack Civilian in brown coat Still from video shared with The Times. The New York Times

Mr. Pretti appears to be trying to help the civilian with the orange backpack stand back up as the agent continues to pepper-spray the group.

17 seconds before

Mr. Pretti holding his phone 1 Mr. Pretti holding his phone Still from video by witness shared with The Times. The New York Times

Several agents grab Mr. Pretti, who is still holding his phone. Additional agents approach and try to pin Mr. Pretti to the ground.

11 seconds before

Mr. Pretti is restrained by multiple agents Agent in gray coat Mr. Pretti is restrained by multiple agents Agent in gray coat Still from video by Philophon via Reddit. The New York Times

Mr. Pretti is surrounded by a group of seven agents, some of whom have wrestled him to the ground. One of the agents, who wears a gray coat, gets closer to Mr. Pretti. The agents hands are empty as he reaches for Mr. Pretti, while the other agents hold Mr. Pretti down on his knees. At the same time, another agent strikes Mr. Pretti repeatedly with a pepper spray canister.

1 second before

Agent in gray coat appears to remove a gun Agent unholsters his weapon Civilian with orange backpack Agent in gray coat appears to remove a gun Agent unholsters his weapon Civilian in brown coat Civilian with orange backpack Still from video shared with The Times. The New York Times

An eighth agent joins the group. The agent in the gray coat appears to pull a gun from near Mr. Prettis right hip. The agent then begins to move away from the skirmish with the weapon.

At the same time, another agent unholsters his firearm and points it at Mr. Prettis back.

First shot fired

Agent in gray coat removes gun from skirmish Agent in gray coat removes gun from skirmish Still from witness video via Associated Press. The New York Times

The agent in the gray coat removes the weapon from the scene. It matches the profile of a gun that D.H.S. says belonged to Mr. Pretti. Then, while Mr. Pretti is on his knees and restrained, the agent standing directly above him appears to fire one shot at Mr. Pretti at close range. He immediately fires three additional shots.

The diagram below shows the position of the agents, Mr. Pretti and other civilians at this moment.

Sidewalk Agent who shoots first Agent who shoots second Two agents kneeling next to Pretti White S.U.V. seen in videos Agent removing gun Witness Two civilians who had been pushed by agents Lamppost Tree Pretti on ground Nicollet Avenue The New York Times

Additional shots fired

Mr. Pretti lying on the ground Two agents who fired shots Mr. Pretti lying on the ground Two agents who fired shots Still from video shared with The Times. The New York Times

Several agents have moved away from Mr. Pretti, who has collapsed. Another agent  the same one who shoved the civilians into the street and pepper-sprayed Mr. Pretti  unholsters his gun and fires at Mr. Pretti. The first agent also fires additional shots. Together, they fire six more shots at Mr. Pretti while he lies motionless on the ground.

At least 10 shots appear to have been fired within five seconds. By the moment of the 10th shot, the agent who moved away with the weapon has crossed the street.

Mr. Pretti is the second person to be shot and killed by a federal agent in Minnesota in recent weeks. Footage of Mr. Prettis death in Minneapolis was posted on social media almost immediately after the shooting.

The Homeland Security Department said that the episode began after a man approached Border Patrol agents with a handgun, and that an agent fired defensive shots. Another encounter in Minneapolis this month, in which a Venezuelan man was shot in the leg by a federal agent, was also characterized as defensive by the department.

Gov. Tim Walz, Democrat of Minnesota, disputed the claims by federal officials that Mr. Pretti had posed a threat. He accused the most powerful people in the federal government of spinning stories and putting up pictures.

Chief Brian OHara of the Minneapolis Police Department said that Mr. Pretti was an American citizen with no criminal record and that he had a valid firearms permit. Under Minnesota law, citizens can legally carry a handgun in public, either openly or concealed, if they have a permit.

As with the fatal shooting of Renee Good, local and state authorities in Minnesota say that they have been impeded by D.H.S. from investigating the killing of Mr. Pretti, and that they have been cut off from access to crucial evidence and facts.

Large crowds of protesters gathered throughout Saturday at the site of Mr. Prettis shooting. On Sunday afternoon, around 1,000 people packed Government Plaza in downtown Minneapolis to protest the presence of federal agents in the city and to call for justice for Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti.
A WOMAN wasn't in her right mind when she attacked three teenagers in Tullamore town centre earlier this month, the local District Court was told.

Consecutive prison sentences of six months each were imposed on Nikita Ring (31), no fixed abode, Tullamore, after she pleaded guilty to a number of offences.

Along with the assaults, a breach of the peace, public drunkenness and theft on January 10 last, Ms Ring also admitted stealing a mobile phone at a pharmacy in Tullamore on October 31, 2024.

The court was told that when she was charged and cautioned in relation to the incident on January 10 she replied that she vaguely remembered and couldn't remember.

The court heard that at 6pm on January 10 Ms Ring was arrested for public drunkenness outside Zambrero, Bridge Street, Tullamore.

Three parents of the teenagers then gave statements to gardai about hair pulling, boxes and kicks and CCTV identified Ms Ring.

READ NEXT: Planning objection against Midlands Hospice withdrawn as appellant issues statement

The attack was described as frenzied but no one was hurt, Judge Andrew Cody heard.

The accused woman was shouting and screaming and grabbed a female teenager by the hair, struck a male a box in the face and grabbed another male by the neck and pushed him.

On the same date at Dolan's pharmacy in the Bridge Centre she stole a perfume set valued at 66.33 and was also identified on CCTV for that offence.

Ms Ring had 77 previous convictions and 45 of those were for theft, six for breaches of the Public Order Act, three for assault and three for drugs offences.

The court heard that the offence in 2024 involved Ms Ring entering the Tullamore Boots pharmacy and going to see a pharmacist for a consultation.

The woman then picked up the pharmacist's phone, which was a Samsung worth 200, and ran out the door with it.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told Judge Cody that the latest offences had triggered a nine-month suspended sentence for possession of knives which had previously been imposed on the woman.

Her legal representative, David Nugent, BL, said Ms Ring had a long history of drug abuse and on the evening of the recent Tullamore offences she had taken some drugs and wasn't in her right mind.

She now wished to get herself into a treatment programme and rebuild her life. She had no memory of the incident.

Judge Cody was also told the defendant was brought to hospital afterwards when she had become unresponsive because of the drugs she took.

Mr Nugent said his client was aware it could never happen again and also knew she had reached the lowest point of her life.

Imposing the two six-month sentences, the judge said it was particularly nasty of the accused to steal the mobile phone after being given a personal consultation in the pharmacy.

He said the assaults on the teenagers were also nasty.

The suspended sentence will be considered at the Criminal Courts of Justice on February 4 next.

Mr Nugent indicated that the prison sentences will not be appealed and said Ms Ring, who was on legal aid, was grateful to the court.
Ursula K. Le Guins life was full of cats.

There were Anon, Tickie, Nero, Figaro, Piffle, Gaspar, Tom, Tabby, Laurel, Hardy, Neko, Leonard, Philip, Miss Moppet, Lorenzo (a.k.a. Bonzo), Zorro and finally Pardo (a.k.a. Pard), who kept the legendary author company in her final years. There were also numerous stray and sickly cats that Le Guin took in, fed or befriended, because to her, felines were among the greatest teachers a person could find.

For Le Guin, who died in Portland in 2018, cats were both a source of whimsy and serious study. Unlike dogs, which she viewed as hierarchal beings, cats were intensely opportunistic, practical anarchists, she said.

The cat-human connection, historically an almost entirely practical, utilitarian one (with occasional fits of worshiping the cat as a divinity) in our time has come to include powerful bonds of intimate affection, unconditional, as between equals, she wrote in a 2015 blog post. I like the idea that from these subtle, intense companionships we might have something to learn about the nature of our own politics, our difficulty in achieving, even conceiving, genuine equality.

Le Guins relationship with cats is the subject of a new posthumous release, the aptly named Ursula K. Le Guins Book of Cats, published in October by Library of America. The short collection includes poems, musings and illustrations from the author, showcasing her lifelong feline affinity.

When I first started the book, I was skeptical that she would have anything serious to say (a mistake when reading Le Guin). But then again, Im not really a cat person. Ive almost always lived with cats, and I prefer them to dogs (which seem too overbearing) but I would never consider cats my equals. My cats are never my children or, God forbid, fur babies. Nobody would ever buy me a funny cat mug.

Ursula K. Le Guin, on the other hand, seemed like the kind of person who would absolutely enjoy a funny cat mug. And while Book of Cats might seem like little more than a kitschy gift to give the cat lover in your life (Im debating whom to send my copy to next), it is also rife with worldly wisdom, containing small meditations on life, love and death, from one of the greatest writers of our time.

One should never underestimate Le Guin.

Author Ursula K. Le Guin poses for a photo at home in Portland on Sept. 9, 2001. Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian

Outside trust, what air / is there to breathe?

Some of the most compelling parts of Book of Cats are a pair of pieces about cats that arent even hers.

In Entanglements, a series of journal entries, she documents a relationship with a black cat that starts visiting her house. What starts as harmless flirtation quickly becomes torturous as the cat returns howling in the night. Drama unfolds. Their relationship sours further when Le Guin learns that the black cat has an owner around the corner. Black cat you are a fraud, she writes. Black cat you are a monster. One journal entry is only five words: No way to love usefully. Le Guin and the cat make up in the end. Why wouldnt they? She just cant help herself.

Le Guins stories have always been full of complex, optimistic love. The complicated relationship between two fugitives is the subject of Left Hand of Darkness, one of her most acclaimed novels, which explores themes of trust and loyalty while boldly challenging gender norms. In her story Betrayals, part of a 1995 collection called Four Ways to Forgiveness, an aging scientist helps nurse her ailing neighbor, a man who happens to be a disgraced warlord. He repays her kindness by saving her cat from a fire that destroys her home.

In Book of Cats, trust is a common theme. At the end of Entanglements she writes: Outside trust, what air / is there to breathe?

But if cats are truly equals, then they must have some say in the relationship. In Raksha, LeGuin recounts her time at a a San Jose rental property, where a stray refuses to accept her advances. She manages to feed the skinny black cat, but fears that it wont live long without her. Ultimately, she respects the animals agency, even if that means it wont survive. While Im here to feed her twice a day / she has some ease. When Im gone / if the next tenant doesnt / well, shell get bone-thin again / get lame again, get sick and hide and die, she writes. Or a car or a dog will kill her.

We cannot co-opt a cats freedom, Le Guin writes. We must live with them on their hard terms.

"Cats in Space" printed beside "Neko at Twenty" show two sides of Le Guin's feelings about cats. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Old furbones / moth / shadow

Every pet owners life is littered with the memories of friends gone by, and Le Guin, a lifelong cat person, must have felt this acutely.

Many of her poems in Book of Cats show Le Guin in a delicate dance with mortality. Some bring to mind the death poems of East Asia; dispatches from the end of her many companions lives. Sixteen years veil / the fierce gold glare, she writes in Lorenzo. Neat thorny feet that catch / my heart.

In Neko at Twenty the inevitability of aging is on full display: Old moth / shadow / sticks-in-silk, she writes. No verb for you / but be / be old / old furbones / moth / shadow.

Her cats rarely meet tragic ends. Instead, they grow old and mottled, they get crabby, their eyes fade. Le Guin is their constant companion, always observing. They are as much her family as anyone else. In Cat Philip, Le Guin notices that her old cat looks like her late father, Alfred: I think / Im not supposed to notice / Its in the jawline, yawning / and the short neat beard. Then, watching the old cat stumble and yowl, she cant help but see herself. Gazing into what world, I see / myself, but mere senility / not family likeness.

Watching anyone age can bring up mortal feelings. Pets just bring it up faster. Ill never forget the sight of my first cat lying dead in a sunbeam, or holding a friends dog as it was euthanized. Watching life leave a body is something were never quite prepared to accept. One moment theyre here; the next moment theyre gone.

Cats, which usually prefer to live in solitude, offer practice at releasing our attachments. Le Guin sums up the experience in Morning in Joseph, Oregon, tracking a cat as it darts across a snowy lawn after a bird: Sun shines, bird flies, snow melts, the cat is gone.

A photo at the beginning of Ursula K. Le Guins Book of Cats, shows the author as a child with a collection of family cats. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

All cats are balloons

In lieu of a proper introduction, Book of Cats opens with an illustrated chapbook called The Art of Bunditsu: How to Arrange Your Bonzo  A Form of Japanese Tabbist Meditation, which LeGuin originally published in 1982 under the penname Bunto Ursura. The 12-page pamphlet features drawings of LeGuins cat Lorenzo (a.k.a. Bonzo) fitting into various vases and pots. Thats it, thats the whole thing. Its just silly.

Though Le Guin is known for her writing, Book of Cats is equally filled with her drawings. Aside from The Art of Bundistu, the book includes a Supermouse comic drawn in 1978, a series of postcards called Balooncats and Other Fancies and roughly a dozen other drawings scattered through the pages.

The drawings show the sillier side to cats, the side that has always been adored by cat people and has since found an audience in memes and videos shared across social media. Le Guin might have been the kind of person to share a cat meme on social media. I imagine she was definitely the kind of person who would mail a silly cat drawing to a friend.

All cats are balloons. All cats are petunias. All cats are mangold-wurzels, she writes before Balooncats. All cats are yin enough. All cats guide me.

While many of her poems show her more studious relationship with cats, others show how much they simply delight her. His gait is easy, his gaze intense / He wears tuxedos to all events, she writes in Doggerel For My Cat. His toes are prickly, his nose is pink / I like to watch him sit and think.

While cats offered an opportunity to meditate on philosophy and mortality, they clearly brought Le Guin an abundance of joy. Her empathy allowed the lines between Le Guin and her cats to blur. They were equals, sure, but they were also united. In Sleeping With Cats, one of my favorite little poems in the book, she sums up the relationship: In smoothness of darkness are / warm lumps of silence / There are no species / Purring recurs.
Portland police arrested a handful of people Saturday as protests against federal immigration enforcement tactics resurfaced across the city, prompted by the Border Patrol killing of a Minneapolis man earlier in the day.

Evening protests at the South Waterfront Immigration and Customs Enforcement building drew hundreds of people and recalled the intensity of summer 2025 protests at the facility. Federal officers deployed chemical munitions on protesters at least five times by 9 p.m., including after protesters funneled into the ICE building driveway and pushed a large metal trash bin up against the facilitys gates.

Portland police arrested Evalynn Kotasek, 30, of Portland, on Saturday evening after they allege Kotasek tried to pry plywood from the ICE building. Officers booked her into the Multnomah County jail on suspicion of criminal mischief.

They also arrested a 52-year-old from Milwaukie on suspicion of attempted assault on a peace officer, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. Officers allege that Reginald Macrae had thrown glass candles at federal officers.

Earlier in the day, officers arrested two people on allegations of disorderly conduct after police allege the pair interfered with their police vehicle while they were driving by a planned rally.

Police booked Hillsboros Jamie Hindery, 29, into the county jail and issued a citation to Marvin Simmons, 77, of Banks.

- Noelle Crombie contributed to this report.
Before Oregon was known for timber, it was known for gold.

Thats the underlying message of the new book Oregon Gold: A History of Mining from the Civil War into the Progressive Era. Its author, Portland historian William F. Willingham, hopes it will raise awareness of an important aspect of Oregon history thats largely been forgotten.

The Oregon Historical Society will host Willingham for a Feb. 8 presentation about his book.

Its a scholarly book, but its written in such a way that its accessible to the broader public, Willingham said. Thats always my goal in writing history. To support that goal, hes included plenty of maps, photographs and prints.

Oregon Gold is a sequel of sorts to Willinghams 2006 book, Starting Over: Community Building on the Eastern Oregon Frontier. That book focused on agricultural development. This book finishes the study by talking about the industrial development of the region, Willingham said.

Here are highlights from a recent interview with Willingham about Oregon Gold and gold mining in Oregon.

A miner operating a power drill at an eastern Oregon mine. Courtesy of the Baker County Library. Courtesy of the Baker County Library

The Oregon Historical Society will host William F. Willingham for a Feb. 8 presentation about his book Oregon Gold: A History of Mining from the Civil War into the Progressive Era. Oregon State University Press

The book connects the discovery of gold in eastern Oregon to the growth of Portland.

Gold was found in late 1861 in eastern Oregon, then sparsely populated. Within a year, Willingham said, 5,000 people had arrived in Auburn, near what is now Baker City, and 5,000 more were in Canyon City, now the seat of Grant County.

That area boomed for the next 10 years as they aggressively mined the streambeds of the region, Willingham said.

Portland boomed, too. At the time, the Oregon Steam Navigation Company had a travel monopoly on the Columbia River, a popular route to mining country. The surge in passengers and freight produced great income for Portland bankers and merchants, Willingham said. They took that money and reinvested in Portland.

As a result, Portlands population grew from about 3,500 to almost 18,000 by 1869, in what Willingham called an example of golds multiplier effect.

The book describes two types of gold mining.

Oregon gold miners used two approaches.

Placer (pronounced PLASS-er) mining was done in streambeds, where most of the gold was in the form of flakes and nuggets, Willingham said.

Lode mining targeted gold that was embedded in rock, often underground. This type of mining is complicated and expensive. In Oregon, it didnt start until the 1880s, after the Transcontinental Railroad was well established. They needed the Transcontinental Railroad to bring in heavy equipment and investors, Willingham said. Then that took off for the next 20 years.

The book includes a nod to Chinese immigrants.

Oregon Gold devotes a chapter to the Chinese gold miners who started arriving in eastern Oregon in the late 1860s. Chinatowns sprang up in Baker City, John Day, Pendleton and Sumpter. By 1870, Willingham said, the Chinese were over 40% of the population in Grant County and about 25% of Baker Countys population.

They brought with them a great deal of technical knowledge about mining that surpassed what the white miners had, Willingham said. They were able to go in and work claims that had been skimmed by the white miners.

That technical knowledge included hydraulic mining, a more powerful type of placer mining. Placer mining uses pans, sluices and dredges to separate gold from gravel and sand. Hydraulic mining uses high-pressure water jets to blast rock and dirt to force out gold.

The Chinese miners werent legally allowed to own or lease the land they worked, but that was never enforced, Willingham said. The white miners were quite willing to make money off the Chinese by selling or leasing them claims, he said.

By 1900, the best of the placer mining had given out, and the Chinese miners were generally barred from lode mining, Willingham said. They left eastern Oregon, many moving to Astoria to work in the salmon canning industry or Portland to become merchants.

Kam Wah Chung store in John Day on the left, with a Jos House Shrine in the center at the end of the street. Courtesy of the Grant County Museum. Courtesy of the Grant County Museum

Canyon City, Oregon, ca. 1880, as seen from the north, looking south toward Little Canyon Mountain. Heavy-mined Canyon Creek fans out on the valley floor. Courtesy of the Grant County Museum. Courtesy of the Grant County Museum

Visiting Oregons gold mining history

So much of the physical remains of gold mining have disappeared in Oregon, Willingham said. But its still possible to see some of the history. Willingham recommended these sites:

Baker City: If you look at those restored late 19th-, early 20th-century buildings downtown, theyre all the product of the impact of gold mining, Willingham said. The famous Geiser Grand Hotel, that was built by one of the families that had made their fortune out of gold mining.

Granite: The once-bustling town of Granite gets an in-depth study in Oregon Gold. Today it has a population of 32 and is better known for a murder scandal. But some buildings from the gold years still stand.

Grant County Historical Museum: Canyon City was probably the richest strike in Oregon, Willingham said, and the local museum shows some remnants of gold mining.

Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site: Among the Chinese who arrived in eastern Oregon during its gold mining years were two men who opened the Kam Wah Chung medical clinic and general store. It became a community hub for Chinese miners.

Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area and Sumpter Valley Railroad: The heritage area is home to a gold mining dredge that is thought to have produced more than $4 million worth of gold. The railroad carried gold ore to Baker City, where it went on the Transcontinental Railroad, headed for Tacoma, San Francisco or Salt Lake City. These days, the railroad carries tourists on selected weekends and holidays. About 6 miles north of Sumpter is the ghost town of Bourne, which thrived during the gold mining era.

The famous Red Boy Mine near Granite, Oregon, ca. 1905. One of the most productive and best-known mines in eastern Oregon. Courtesy of the Grant County Museum. Courtesy of the Grant County Museum

The third and most successful of the Sumpter dredges. It operated between 1935 and 1954. Courtesy of the Baker County Library. Courtesy of the Baker County Library

A new chapter for Oregon gold?

By 1910, gold mining was pretty much over in Oregon, Willingham said. These days, environmental regulations make it very difficult and costly, he said. Its very heavily regulated by both the federal government and the state, particularly on public land.

But the price of gold has been climbing since 2023, hitting $4,300 an ounce at the end of 2025. That has renewed interest in Oregon gold. The Baker City Herald reported in December that a Colorado company called Sumpter Development has proposed reopening four mines north of Sumpter.

Willingham said that while reopening the mines could take four to five years, the wait could be worth it. The technology at the time, when mining was at its peak, only led to the recovery of about 65% of the gold there, he said. Todays technology can extract 90% of gold deposits. And theres still a large amount of gold in eastern Oregon mines, in the form of either tailings (the leftovers from initial processing) or gold that was never extracted in the first place.

Stay tuned, Willingham said, because mining may be returning to eastern Oregon.

Oregon Gold Book Talk

What: William F. Willingham will give an illustrated presentation and take questions.

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8

Where: Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave., Portland

Cost: Free

Details: ohs.org or 503-222-1741
President Donald Trump, in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, demanded that Denmark hand over Greenland  and then climbed down from that demand after the U.S. stock market fell and European leaders threatened retaliation. Trump insisted there was a framework for a deal with the NATO secretary general but was vague about its parameters.

Phil Hands leads this weeks editorial cartoon gallery with an image of Trump using his red tie to lasso Greenland. Nick Anderson follows with his view of the European Union toasting Trump with a taco, short for Trump always chickens out. Joey Weatherford sees the presidents gambit as a way for Europe to put more effort into defending Greenland. Mike Luckovich likens Trumps unreasonable demands to those of a toddler.

Cartoonists also commented on Trumps complaints about not having been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Jack Ohmans president throws a Tantrump. Bill Bramhall draws a Nobel medal around Trumps neck with a paper bag over Alfred Nobels face. Luckovich draws a nuclear explosion and a witness saying, I told you we should just give him the peace prize.

Other topics in this weeks editorial cartoon gallery include debate over the legality of immigration enforcement raids; contempt of Congress charges against former president Bill Clinton over his connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein; arguments at the Supreme Court over Federal Reserve independence; and the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Cartoons were drawn by Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Joel Pett, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Dana Summers and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Steve Breen, Mike Luckovich and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.
Soybeans saw stronger trade late in the session, as front months were 3 to 4 cents higher at the close. March was a dime higher this week. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was 3 3/4 cents higher at $9.98 . Soymeal futures were 20 cents to $3.70/ton, as March rallied $9.90 this week. Soy Oil futures were 5 to 21 points higher, with March up 138 points since last Friday.

Export Sales data from this morning showed a marketing year high in soybean sales at 2.45 MMT in the week of 1/15. That was 18.6% above last week and 63.97% larger than the same week last year. China was the largest buyer of 1.304 MMT, with unknown destinations the buyer of 338,300 MT and 218,300 MT sold to Egypt.

More News from Barchart

Soybean meal sales were tallied at 412,671, on the high side of estimate of between 200,000 and 500,000 MT in that week. Soybean oil sales were 10,499 MT in that week on the lower half of 5,000-25,000 MT estimates.

CFTC data pegged spec traders in soybean futures and options trimming 2,901 contracts from their net long to 10,060 contracts as of Tuesday.

Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.67 3/4, up 3 3/4 cents,

Nearby Cash was $9.98 3/4, up 3 3/4 cents,

May 26 Soybeans closed at $10.79 1/2, up 3 1/4 cents,

Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $10.92 1/2, up 3 1/2 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
Democrats arent wrong to propose fast-tracking a transportation tax referendum onto the May ballot instead of waiting for November.

Now that the Legislatures legal counsel has reversed himself and concluded that lawmakers cant simply repeal provisions of the controversial tax bill that were referred to voters, it makes sense to find out sooner than later if Oregonians are going to reject the $4.5 billion package that Democrats narrowly passed last year to fund transportation needs. Previous tax measures sent by referendum to the ballot have similarly been voted on outside of the November cycle.

And if voters do overturn the package, then state and local governments will face huge questions about how to pay for basic road safety and maintenance work, never mind any of the big projects still on the horizon. As Oregonians learned from the past year of watching elected officials bumbling, fumbling, bad luck and manipulations, they will need every available day to come up with a decent alternative.

Still, lets not get carried away with the notion that moving up the election is purely about whats best for Oregon. Little about the last year  from the rushed review of the initial mega package to the cursed special legislative session that lasted weeks longer than intended to the governors gamesmanship over signing the bill  showed a concern for public transparency, financial stewardship or fair process.

First, the proposal carries a real downside for the public. May primaries routinely see far lower turnout than November general elections  a 29 percentage point difference in 2022  due in part to Oregons insistence on keeping its major party, taxpayer-funded primaries closed to anyone whos not registered as a Democrat or Republican. That means it will take more work to engage casual voters and ensure a result more representative of the public as a whole, not just the most partisan.

Theres also a real political advantage for Democrats to move the vote to May. The referendum was spearheaded in part by a Republican legislator who is now running for governor. Making the change ensures that Gov. Tina Kotek and any Democrats in competitive districts arent on the same general election ballot as the unpopular tax package they passed. Considering the governors delay in signing the bill limited the window for referendum organizers to gather signatures, pairing the two contests on the same ballot could certainly make a difference in her race. While we dont think the timing of a referendum should be used to give Republicans a political advantage either, Democrats are undeniably exploiting the edge.

Democratic legislators easily hold majorities in both chambers. Before they approve this change in election date, they must do a lot more to show that they are truly acting in the publics interest.

That starts with owning up to mistakes and communicating honestly with Oregonians.

In last weeks press release announcing the proposal from House Speaker Julie Fahey and Senate President Rob Wagner, Fahey claimed that in this time of uncertainty, were focused on governing, not politics. That statement disrespects Oregonians, who witnessed how top Democrats shepherded the transportation package along a deeply partisan path, capped off by the governors milking the clock in her unsuccessful bid to derail the referendum. Only two Democratic senators, Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, and Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, stood up for the integrity of the process to urge Kotek to stop stalling and sign the bill. Governing, not politics, should have prompted Wagner and Fahey to do the same.

Legislators should also press Kotek to rescind her executive order requiring contractors on major state-owned construction projects to negotiate working conditions and benefits with labor unions  even if their workforce is not unionized. The state transportation department already concluded that requiring such project labor agreements can inflate costs by as much as 20%, and the agencys appalling record of fiscal stewardship is one reason it is in such a financial bind now. The extra expense drove California Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto a bill that called for similar agreements. And Kotek cannot prioritize Oregons economic comeback when she is singlehandedly seeking to crush basic competition.

In a call with The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board, Fahey signaled reason for hope on that front. While she did not directly address the executive order, which is blocked pending an ongoing legal challenge, she emphasized that accountability in spending must be a key part of fashioning a transportation funding plan. Democrats should stop ignoring Republicans objection to project labor agreements and recognize that a policy benefiting longtime Democratic donors at greater public expense is unjustifiable.

And legislators of both parties must be open to a major overhaul of policies that balance affordability, targeted spending cuts and tax increases and a disciplined focus on what the state is trying to achieve  and whether it is the right entity to do so. For example, we noted in an earlier editorial the need to empower local jurisdictions to seek public transit funding from their residents as opposed to relying on the state to make those decisions. Similarly, with increasing power costs as well as the potential for higher gas prices and other transportation costs, legislators must look at how to lessen the overall affordability burden rather than treat everything as a separate matter for consideration.

We had partially agreed with Koteks earlier call for repeal, believing that legislators should respond to the clear message coming from the referendum effort to take back the problematic provisions and immediately work on a better solution. With repeal no longer an option, the May election offers legislators an opportunity to break from the patterns of the past. Exorcise the demons of bad luck and bad leadership and point Oregon in a better direction.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
John Kitzhaber

For The Oregonian/OregonLive

Kitzhaber, a physician and health care policy consultant, was governor of Oregon from 1995-2003 and from 2011-2015.

Suppose your hospital closed, or didnt offer inpatient services when you needed them? Suppose you had to wait six months to see a physician, forcing you to use the emergency room, one of the most expensive care settings, to access needed medical care? Thats already the reality for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians. Its about to get much worse.

The infrastructure of our health care system is beginning to crumble, and we havent fully grasped the gravity of the situation. Over half our hospitals are operating at a loss, according to Oregon Health Authority data. In December 2023, Peace Healths University District Hospital in Eugene in closed. Ashland Community Hospital will close its birthing center this spring, and stop providing inpatient services. Last year over 1,000 hospital employees were laid off. Across Oregon, medical clinics and practices, especially independent practices, are struggling to remain solvent.

This problem isnt new. Weve simply ignored it. Since 2019, the cost of family coverage increased 24%. Fifteen percent of Oregonians delay or avoid needed medical care because of cost, and the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in Oregon is the inability to pay a medical bill.

Weve all seen this comingbut instead of confronting it, weve kicked the can down the road by shifting the cost to employers and into our $38 trillion national debt. For decades, insurers, providers, labor and consumers have blamed each other for escalating cost, and resisted working together toward the systemic change needed for a sustainable future. As long as we remain in our silos, refusing to see that we are all part of the same failing system, we will continue to perpetuate a zero-sum politics of scarcity, that creates winners and losers, but never a lasting solution.

Then, last July, Congress passed House Resolution 1, under which Oregon will lose $11 billion in federal Medicaid funds over the next decade. Congresss failure to extend the enhanced premium subsidies in the Affordable Care Act market, will increase monthly premiums by up to $450 per month for 140,000 Oregonians, disproportionally impacting self-employed individuals, farmers, ranchers, and small business ownersparticularly in rural Oregon. The intersection of escalating health care cost, and the loss of federal funds, poses an existential threat to Oregon: a threat to access, a threat to the stability of our general fund, a threat to the state economy.

A passage in Ernest Hemingways novel, The Sun Also Rises, comes to mind in which Bill Gorton asks Mike Campbell, How did you go bankrupt? Mike replies, Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly. Thats where we are with our health care system. The health care sector is one of the states largest employers, contributing over $38 billion each year to the Oregons economyand its starting to unravel. If it does, the human and economic consequences will be staggering.

The accelerating crisis of cost and access overtaking Oregons health care system was decades in the making and cannot be turned around in the course of a single two-year state budget and legislative cycle. We need a multi-year strategy, guided by a clear vision of what we want our health care system to look like in 2033the values we want it to reflect and the outcomes we want it to produce.

This vision, this North Star, must be established in the upcoming session of the Oregon Legislature. Why? Because with HR 1s passage, we are past the gradual part of bankruptcy. Things are about to get sudden.

That means we must recognize this is no longer a revenue problem, its a cost problem. More money is not coming to bail us out, which creates the opportunity, and the imperative, to address the multiple factors that are driving the total cost of care in the first place. In the short term, that means taking administrative action to reduce the cost and complexity of the excessive bureaucratic and regulatory burden that is diverting resources away from clinical care.

In the long-term, it means addressing the complexity and misaligned incentives in how health care is financed and delivered, consolidating state purchasing power to negotiate better drug prices, recognizing the role that labor and workforce must play in crafting a solution, and having an honest conversation about the growing disparity between unlimited demand and the reality of finite resources.

It also means thatat least on this issue we must get beyond partisanship. Our failure to do so will result in system collapse, with dire consequences for us allfor employers, labor, hospitals, physicians and insurersbut most of all, for Oregonians who need and deserve timely access to affordable medical care.

Health and health care are not partisan issues. At some point, all of us will need medical care. And over the many years I practiced in the ER, I never thought to check someones party registration before treating them; or wondered whether cardiovascular disease and cancer respected partisanship and political ideology. I assure you, they dont.

If we can remember that, crafting a solution to the looming implosion of our health care system can actually serve to bring us together in common cause, at a time when we desperately need a way to rebuild the Oregon Community.
Now that were back to square one on transportation funding, heres an idea: Get rid of emissions testing for cars in the Portland and Medford areas, (After a year of failed attempts, Oregon lawmakers are back at square one on transportation plan, Jan. 17).

An increasing number of cars are electric or hybrid, and modern gas cars are fairly efficient and non-polluting, at least compared to two decades ago. So why do we need all the people, infrastructure and costs associated with that biannual hassle? Sell off the real estate dedicated to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality testing stations and reassign the employees tasked with managing the program. Doing so would also cut the cost of owning a car. Maybe not by a lot, but every little bit helps.

Roger Demuth, Portland
To meaningfully tackle the risks of wildfire, we must reframe the problem as a community issue. The Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act before Congress focuses on proven solutions like emergency planning, defensible space and home hardening. It would save lives and livelihoods if passed.

Unfortunately, Congress is distracted by different legislation which doubles down on failed policies. The Fix Our Forests Act views fire primarily as a problem that begins and ends with more logging. This bill hands the keys to our public lands over to the Trump administration, which is actively working to radically increase commercial logging. Instead of supporting scientific analyses, transparency and accountability, FOFA curtails public input, limits judicial review and weakens bedrock environmental and wildlife laws.

The advocacy of everyday people is the reason there are still mature and old-growth forests for future generations to enjoy. FOFA would allow logging projects as large as 15 square miles  the size of the entire city of Corvallis  to proceed without important environmental analysis and community input. Thats why climate and forest watch groups across the state and country are opposing this bill, including the Sierra Club and Earthjustice.

The public is a fundamental stakeholder in the management of Americas national forests. Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Jeff Merkley must vote to reject legislation that robs scientists and the public of tools for involvement and accountability. Instead, they should support legislation that will actually protect our communities.

Lauren Anderson, Portland

Anderson manages the Climate Forests Program for Oregon Wild.
The line of hungry Washington State University students and faculty numbered more than 50 well before Jeremy Tamsen had finished unloading his boxes of apples.

How exciting, Tamsen said, that we have that many people in the WSU community who are eager to have a slice.

Those slices handed out Thursday represent a milestone in the universitys decades long effort to bring a hybrid apple variety derived from Cripps Pink and Honeycrisp, affectionately nicknamed the Sunflare, to market.

One slice at a time, Tamsen provided members of the general public with their first taste  nearly 30 years after the variety sprung from the WSU Columbia View Research Orchard.

With a speckled flesh of pink, orange and yellow hues, the Sunflare is described as a crunchy, firm and juicy apple. Its balanced sweet and tart flavor is more subtle than its predecessor out of WSUs fruit tree breeding program, the Cosmic Crisp, Tamsen said.

Madison Honig and Haden Kingrey, a pair of graduate anthropology students, made a toast to the new apple and then savored their slices. The tartness surprised Kingrey, but in a good way, he said.

We were so excited for this, Honig said. We saw it on Facebook and ended up texting everybody in our department to come down.

Tamsen said the Sunflare will also differ from the Cosmic Crisp in market rollout. While the Cosmic Crisp has risen into the top 5 of all varieties, with more than 22 million trees growing fruit in Washington, the Sunflare is envisioned as more of a boutique variety, another option for growers to introduce to their established orchards.

The Sunflare is not expected to hit store shelves until 2030, following the 2029 harvest. It takes time for the young trees already planted in Washington to become established enough to trim for bud wood grafts and produce fruit. Despite the wait, interest in the variety is already tangible, Tamsen said. Thursdays tasting follows more intimate sampling conducted at a December industry gathering in Wenatchee.

Thats kind of our captive audience, in a way, Tamsen said. Because they are who we are marketing this to as a plant.

Washingtons growers will find some benefits in producing the Sunflare apples; Tamsen said the variety is ready for harvest earlier than most, is disease-resistant and is hardier to long-term storage. There also may be less competition, as the apples will be exclusively grown in Washington at the initial launch, much like the Cosmic Crisp, which the university launched in 2019.

Royalties from sales of the trees, budwood and, eventually, the fruit itself will help support research and future apple varieties at WSU, a news release from the university states.

As for consumers, the test market at the Compton Union Building on the universitys Pullman campus gave rave reviews. Technology Licensing Associate Deah McGaughey, who helps market innovations out of WSUs agricultural college, said gathering input was part of the plan in hosting the tasting.

She said she was a bit surprised by the large turnout.

Its always a fun experience to see what people think, McGaughey said. This is the consumer feedback that really helps us down the road.

The honor of the first bite went to third-year sociology student Alyx Herring. She said her mom passed on word of the tasting, with a strong mandate that Herring try one for her.

Its really good, Herring said. Its more of a soft, smooth flavor. It reminds me of a banana in that way, honestly.

Fellow junior Moses Henning, whos studying multimedia journalism, added that the tasting experience lived up to his lofty expectations for the apple. Hes worked at an agrotourism orchard, brewery and winery, Mt. View Orchards in Mount Hood, Oregon, since he turned 16.

Ive been waiting upward of seven years for this apple, Henning said. Around when they announced the first germinated seeds.

Henning said he could see the variety right at home at similar tourism farms, like the U-pick orchards of Green Bluff. The idea of trying a new variety is exciting to folks, and he expects farms to use that to their advantage . We sell Sunflares signs will be popping up all around Washington in no time, he said.

Ive had around 70 varieties of apples, Henning said. And this just might be No. 1.

--Nick Gibson/The Spokesman-Review
With Democrats positioned to potentially retake control of the U.S. House of Representatives this year, the spotlight in Oregon is on the 5th Congressional District, which Rep. Janelle Bynum flipped from red to blue when she narrowly defeated one-term incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer in 2024.

National Democrats named Bynum among the 26 most vulnerable of their House members heading into the 2026 midterms, raising the question: Can Republicans reclaim the seat?

In some ways, the Republican Party response has been surprising: The best candidate state and national party leaders have managed to recruit is a 74-year-old two-term Deschutes County commissioner who has been staunchly pro-President Donald Trump and acknowledges she does not yet have name recognition in Clackamas County, the districts largest population base.

But experts say its actually not a big eye-opener that no better-known, more battle-tested or moderate Republican has agreed to take on Bynum.

The districts voter make-up, while the closest thing to a swing district in Oregon, somewhat favors a Democrat in any year, they say. But this year Democrats have a decisive advantage due to Trumps low approval rating among Democrats and independents.

This would be a tough district for Republicans to target in any cycle, said Erin Covey, editor for U.S. House races at nonpartisan elections newsletter the Cook Political Report. If you talk to both parties, they would tell you they dont expect this race to be competitive in 2026, she said, no matter how impressive a candidate the Republicans were to put forth.

Patti Adair, the strongest Republican candidate who has entered the race, says she has the fundraising chops, personality and track record to have a realistic shot at winning the seat.

I get things done. I care about people, Adair said in an interview from her pickup truck in which she is already criss-crossing the district. My positivity has to come through.

Patti Adair, an ardent Oregon Ducks fan as well as a candidate to represent Oregon in Congress, says she hopes unaffiliated voters in the 5th District will judge her on her kindness, positivity and track record -- not her ardent support for President Donald Trump. Here she poses with her campaign float in the Bend Christmas Parade. Courtesy of the Adair campaign

But even Kerry McQuisten, head of the newly formed Oregon Conservative Caucus that works for Republican wins, acknowledges it will be a heavy lift for any candidate from her party to retake Bynums seat.

In some ways, the relative weakness of the Republican field, which also includes Jonathan Lockwood, a political communications consultant who has never held elected office, is less an indication that Republicans made lackluster efforts to recruit candidates than a sign of Democrats triumph at drawing a congressional district map, said Nathan Gonzales, editor of Inside Elections, which provides nonpartisan analysis of campaigns for the U.S. House.

While Democratic candidates have typically prevailed statewide over Republican ones in recent cycles, theyve done so by margins similar to 53% to 43%. Yet five of the six congressional districts legislative Democrats drew in 2021  83% of them in other words  have proved to favor candidates from their party, he said. Only one, covering nearly all of eastern Oregon, gives Republicans a realistic shot this year, Gonzales said.

One of the goals of the redistricting process (in the eyes of the dominant political party) is to take as many seats as possible off the table for the opposing party, he said. I am not sure that all five districts, particularly the 5th, are never going to be a battleground. But under these political circumstances this midterm cycle, its tough to see how the Republicans could win it.

Nationally, prospects for Republicans are also bleak, although there are exceptions and the November election is more than nine months away, analysts at Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and elsewhere have noted. Republicans hold just three more House seats than Democrats do. And of the 18 seats that the Cook newsletter rates as true toss ups that could readily be won by either party, just four are held by Democrats while 14 are currently in Republican hands. (One of the four Democrats it deemed that vulnerable is Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the two-term Democrat representing southwest Washingtons 3rd District.)

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats to the U.S. House, labeled Bynum as vulnerable for 2026 largely because shes a first term member in a district that previously elected a Republican  not because they genuinely believe a Republican can beat her this year, both Covey and Gonzales said.

Its more of a signal to donors that This member could have a tough race and please, please send them money than Democrats thinking shes on the brink of defeat, Gonzales said.

U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, shown at a 2025 town hall at Clackamas Community College, said she plans to campaign hard against whomever Republicans nominate to challenge her. "I dont think Ive ever shown myself as somebody that guaranteed myself a win." Mark Graves/The Oregonian

For their part, both Bynum and the Democratic Party of Oregon insist they cant take her victory for granted  even as they say her accomplishments in her first term make it clear shes the perfect fit for her district.

I have never worried about my opponents and I have always focused on the electorate, Bynum told The Oregonian/OregonLive Thursday. Being one member of the 435-member U.S. House keeps you very, very humble. So anybody that listens to the pundits and they say, Oh, youre a shoo-in, thats the kiss of death.  I dont think Ive ever shown myself as somebody that guaranteed myself a win. If I have come from behind, then somebody else could too.

Nathan Soltz, chair of the state Democratic Party, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he believes Bynum is by far the strongest candidate but that the party will take seriously whoever emerges as her Republican challenger.

We know how hard national Republicans (and) state Republicans are gonna be trying to pick up this seat, he said. We are confident we can beat them back, but we never take anything for granted.

Oregons 5th District was dramatically redrawn in 2021 when Democrats in the Legislature were allowed to draw boundaries adding a new 6th District to the states congressional map. To bolster their advantage in neighboring districts, they removed some traditional Democratic strongholds from the 5th and instead extended its reach to take in the fast-growing and increasing blue area in and around Bend.

The upshot was that the 5th District became the states closest thing to a swing district. That, plus national Democrats decision not to put big money behind their partys 2022 nominee, Jamie McLeod-Skinner, opened the door for Chavez-DeRemers narrow win that year. Notably, both Bynum and Chavez-DeRemer, now Trumps Secretary of Labor, had name recognition in Clackamas County, where they each held elected office before running for Congress.

Covey, the Cook Political Report expert, said national Democrats public posture about the race this year does not match what Democrats in D.C. have told her candidly about their level of concern. And she noted that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris outpolled Trump, then at a height of popularity, by 8 points in the 5th District in 2024.

Her nonpartisan newsletter, widely regarded as among the most authoritative on congressional politics, rates the 5th District race as likely Democrat, meaning it is not considered competitive at this point.

Gonzales, of Inside Elections, says key Republican Party officials and campaign consultants hes talked to have also written off the 5th as unwinnable. His newsletter, which last year started out rating the 5th District race as leaning blue, now rates it solid Democratic.

Its clear right now that Oregon is not a priority for the Republican Party in its battle to hang onto the House, he said. When he asked party leaders and consultants who they were hoping to recruit for the race, like give me any names, he said he was met with radio silence.

The Oregonian/OregonLive had a similar experience. Among the Republican Party officials who did not answer requests to discuss the strength of their 5th District candidates: Oregon Republican Party Chair Connie Whelchel, National Republican Campaign Committee spokesperson Christian Martinez and former Oregon Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, who lives in the district.

Current voter registration in the district stands at 31% Democrats and 27% Republicans, with 35% not affiliated with any party.

Adair, meanwhile, acknowledges its an uphill battle but doesnt believe the race is unwinnable.

Money is one big part of the equation, she said, and she said she has raised millions of dollars for nonprofits, primarily in California, including the hospital in Santa Monica where her husband used to work and for the public schools in Malibu that her sons attended.

The day she announced her run for Congress in November, she said, officials with the Washington, D.C., based Republican National Campaign Committee contacted her, which she said was a compliment to me and what I have been able to accomplish during eight years in county office.

Adair said they told her that to prove her viability as a candidate, she needed to prove herself at fundraising. She said shes subsequently raised more than $200,000. That money came from an amazing cross-section of donors, many with ties to members of her enormous family that includes five younger sisters, she said. Her campaign does not have to report how much money she raised as of Dec. 31 or the identities of her donors until the Jan. 31 reporting deadline.

Adair acknowledges she must make huge inroads in Clackamas County to win the seat and said she has not yet been endorsed by any key political figures there. She points to her record, which she said includes helping save a Bend city park, secure two additional circuit court judges for Deschutes County and push for greater access to mental health care.

Despite Trumps deep unpopularity in the 5th District, Adair says she wont disavow her strong support for the president.
Portlanders called on protesters to gather Saturday at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the South Waterfront neighborhood to condemn the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis.

The man was identified by his parents as Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse. He had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs officer on Jan. 7.

Bystanders captured Saturdays shooting of Pretti on video, which quickly went viral. Pretti is seen with a phone in his hand, but no videos appear to show him with a visible weapon.

Live updates have concluded. The latest: Protesters converge on Portland ICE facility after latest Minneapolis shooting, met with tear gas

Earlier

8:00 p.m. Federal officers deployed chemical munitions against protesters at least four times by 8 p.m.

Officers use of tear gas, smoke grenades and other chemical munitions is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed in December by the manager of the Grays Landing apartment complex across the street from the ICE facility.

Reach Community Development, which owns Grays Landing, asked a judge to end what it alleged was officers shocking and unconstitutional poisoning of its residents and their apartments.

On Saturday night, protesters who were gassed fled across the street to the entrance to the Grays Landing parking garage, where protesters who acted as medics had established a makeshift medical triage.

Federal officers deployed chemical munitions against protesters at least four times by 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 outside the Portland ICE building. Dave Killen/Special to the Oregonian

7:45 p.m. Federal officers emerged from the ICE facility just before 7:40 p.m. to once again deploy tear gas into the crowd. Many protesters wore gas masks in preparation. Protesters continued to fill the street with chants of ICE out of Portland. A haze of gas drifted into the night sky. The crowd, now around 300 people, moved back but did not disperse.

6:15 p.m. Federal officers deployed tear gas against protesters who funneled into the ICE building driveway and pushed a large metal trash bin up against the facilitys white barred gates.

The actions recalled the intensity of summer 2025 protests at the facility, when several people used a stop sign as a makeshift battering ram to break the front door of the ICE building. Most protests over the months at the ICE facility have remained nonviolent.

An estimated 500 demonstrators gathered at the Portland ICE building on Jan. 24, 2026 to condemn the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis by federal agents. Federal officers deployed tear gas against protesters who funneled into the ICE driveway and pushed a large metal trash bin up against the facilitys white barred gates.

5:30 p.m. Tensions immediately rose once a group of an estimated 300 demonstrators who marched from Elizabeth Caruthers Park made it to the Portland ICE building and joined with the group already there.

The total crowd size had by then grown the between 400 and 500 people.

Demonstrators filled the Portland ICE facility driveway. They tend to stay off the driveway because a thick, painted blue line demarcates the federal property line, and crossing it usually triggers federal officers to emerge and detain demonstrators. Federal officials made periodic announcements from a loudspeaker that this is an unlawful assembly.

An estimated 500 demonstrators gathered at the Portland ICE building on January 24 to condemn the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis by federal agents. Allison Barr/The Oregonian

5 p.m. Some 75 protesters gathered outside the Portland ICE building by mid-afternoon. Another 300 gathered at Elizabeth Caruthers Park down the street before marching to Portland ICE. Speakers condemned the latest shooting and called for federal immigration agents to decamp the city.

Portland resident Rick Mitchell, 73, of Portland, said he is a legal observer who came out to protest yet another fatal shooting by federal officers. He said conflicting reports have emerged about the events leading to Alex Prettis death in Minnesota on Saturday.

But lets just say the Department of Homeland Security doesnt have a very good record on telling the truth, Mitchell said.

35 1 / 35 ICE Protest on Jan. 24 2026

4 p.m. Portlanders were beginning to gather at Elizabeth Caruthers Park in the citys South Waterfront neighborhood. Organizers said they planned to march to the nearby ICE building, where dozens of protesters had already gathered.

3 p.m. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Council President Jamie Dunphy called on protesters to remain peaceful in the wake of a shooting by a Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis that killed the 37-year-old man on Saturday.

Read more: Portland mayor, council president call for peaceful protests in wake of fatal Minneapolis shooting

2 p.m. Oregon lawmakers denounced a federal officers fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis on Saturday.

In a social media post, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, said footage of the shooting shows Donald Trumps lawless federal agents again out of control.

Read more: Oregon lawmakers denounce federal officers fatal shooting in Minneapolis

-- The Associated Press, Allison Barr and Dave Killen contributed to this report.
More than 500 protesters descended on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Saturday to condemn the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis by a federal officer.

During Portland protests, federal officers deployed chemical munitions at least five times by 9 p.m., including after protesters funneled into the ICE building driveway and pushed a large metal trash bin up against the facilitys white barred gates.

Protesters called for federal immigration agents to decamp from Portland. Wynter Crowder, 20, lives in Portland and rode the bus to the demonstration. She said she joined other protesters on the front lines and was struck by munitions fired by federal officers.

The non-lethal rounds ripped through my sign and hit my neck, Crowder said. It really hurt. Even though Im hit, Im going to keep fighting.

An estimated 500 demonstrators gathered at the Portland ICE building on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 to condemn the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis by federal agents. Federal officers deployed tear gas against protesters who funneled into the ICE driveway and pushed a large metal trash bin up against the facilitys white barred gates.

The man shot in Minneapolis was identified by his parents as Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse. He had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer on Jan. 7. Bystanders captured Saturdays shooting of Pretti on video, which quickly went viral. Pretti can be seen with a phone in his hand, but no videos appear to show him with a visible weapon.

The scene in Portland recalled the intensity of summer 2025 protests at the facility, when several people used a stop sign as a makeshift battering ram to break the front door of the ICE building. Most protests over the subsequent months at the ICE facility have remained nonviolent, even after President Donald Trumps push last fall for a National Guard deployment to Portland, which he subsequently abandoned.

Tensions rose after a group of an estimated 300 demonstrators who had marched from Elizabeth Caruthers Park made it to the ICE building and joined with a sizable group already there.

The total crowd size then swelled to around 500 people, and dozens of demonstrators filled the ICE facility driveway. They typically stay off the driveway because a thick, painted blue line demarcates the federal property line, and crossing it has triggered federal officers to emerge and detain demonstrators. Federal officials made periodic announcements from a loudspeaker calling the demonstration an unlawful assembly.

Officers use of tear gas, smoke grenades and other chemical munitions is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed in December by the manager of the Grays Landing apartment complex across the street from the ICE facility. Reach Community Development, which owns Grays Landing, asked a judge to end what it alleged was officers shocking and unconstitutional poisoning of its residents and their apartments.

Hundreds gather outside the Portland ICE building on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. The group was protesting ICE after a federal agent fatally shot a man in Minneapolis earlier Saturday. Allison Barr/The Oregonian

On Saturday, protesters who were gassed fled across the street to the entrance to the Grays Landing parking garage, where protesters who acted as medics had established a makeshift medical triage.

Earlier in the day, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Council President Jamie Dunphy called on protesters to remain peaceful in the wake of the Minnesota shooting.

Calm and purposeful does not mean passive, they wrote in a joint statement, later adding, We ask those making their voices heard in the aftermath of this horrific tragedy to do so peacefully.

Rick Mitchell, 73, of Portland, said he is a legal observer who came out to protest yet another fatal shooting by federal officers. He said conflicting reports have emerged about the events leading to Prettis death in Minnesota.

But lets just say the Department of Homeland Security doesnt have a very good record on telling the truth, Mitchell said.

-- The Associated Press, Allison Barr and Dave Killen contributed to this report.
NASHVILLE  A massive winter storm made for a brutal travel day Sunday, with widespread cancellations and delays at some of the nations busiest airports.

Widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million people  more than half the U.S. population  in a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, the National Weather Service said Saturday night. After sweeping through the South, the storm moved into the Northeast Sunday, and was expected to dump about 1 to 2 feet of snow from Washington through New York and Boston.

More than 10,500 flights were canceled on Sunday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Aviation analytics firm Cirium said that as of Sunday morning, the storm is the highest experienced cancellation event since the pandemic.

By midday Sunday, the majority of flights were canceled at busy airports in the Northeast and elsewhere. In Philadelphia, 94% of flights, 324 flights, were canceled. Ninety-one percent of flights, 433 flights, were canceled at LaGuardia Airport in New York. New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport had 436 flights canceled, about 75% of flights, according to FlightAware.

Nearly two dozen flights arriving or departing from Portland International Airport appeared canceled Sunday morning, including flights to and from East Coast hubs like New York City, Boston and Newark.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport said on its website that all airlines had canceled departing flights for the day, about 420 flights.

Significant disruptions also hit major airport hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Atlanta, home to the nations busiest airport.

Allan Lengel of Detroit planned to return Monday from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the temperature has been in the 80s. But hes staying until Wednesday after Delta suggested he change his reservation because of the weather impact on flights.

Cant say Im disappointed. Frankly, I had been thinking of returning later because of frigid weather, Lengel, 71, said, referring to conditions in Michigan.

American Airlines had canceled over 1,400 flights for Sunday, about 46% of its scheduled flights for Sunday, according to FlightAware. Delta Air Lines reported over 1,300 cancellations and Southwest Airlines reported over 1,260 cancellations for the day, while United Airlines had about 900. JetBlue had more than 570 canceled flights, accounting for roughly 71% of its schedule for the day.

Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Sami Edge contributed to this report.
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March NY world sugar #11 (SBH26) on Friday closed down -0.23 (-1.54%). March London ICE white sugar #5 (SWH26) closed down -7.00 (-1.64%).

Higher global sugar production is weighing on prices. On Wednesday, Unica reported 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.

More News from Barchart

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 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.

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.

An excessively long position in London ICE white sugar futures could exacerbate any price decline. Friday's weekly Commitment of Traders (COT) report showed funds boosted their white sugar positions in the week ended January 20 by 819 to a record 49,022 net long positions (data from 2011).
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Monadnock Paper Mills Appoints Molly Rosenthal as Director of Strategic Business Development

Molly Rosenthal Molly Rosenthal

Jan 24, 2026 - Monadnock Paper Mills announced the appointment of Molly Rosenthal as Director of Strategic Business Development. Rosenthal brings nearly twenty years of business development and sales expertise, along with a proven record of accelerating revenue growth, expanding market reach, and launching targeted initiatives across both established and emerging industries.

Most recently, Rosenthal held the position of Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at Kirkwood, a printing company based in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Prior to that, she served as National Accounts Manager for the Northeast at Mohawk Paper.

Rosenthal resides in Queensbury, New York, and holds a Liberal Arts degree from De Anza College.

Founded in 1819 and based in Bennington, New Hampshire, Monadnock Paper Mills works with the world's leading brands to craft and customize environmentally responsible performance papers for commercial printing, packaging and technical applications.

SOURCE: Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc.
We detail some of the most popular federal tax credits below. Most of these tax credits include an income phaseout, which means that people above a certain income level will get a partial credit and those above another level wont qualify for the credit at all. Be sure to check with the IRS or your tax preparer to see if you qualify based on your adjusted gross income . Also, most reputable tax software products will check to see if you qualify for these tax credits.

Partially refundable tax credits: With partially refundable tax credits, only part of the credit is refundable. For example, if you qualified for a $1,000 credit of which $800 was refundable, and your tax bill was zero, youd receive $800 from the IRS.

Refundable tax credits: Refundable tax credits can put cash back in your pocket. If you get a refundable $1,200 credit on a $1,000 tax bill, youll receive a payment of $200 for the rest of the credit. In short, youd get a refund from the IRS.

Nonrefundable tax credits: These credits allow you to use the amount of the credit up to the amount of tax that you owe. So if your tax bill is $1,000, and you qualify for a nonrefundable $1,200 tax credit, youd get your taxes reduced to zero. (Your $1,200 tax credit would be capped at $1,000.)

If you claim a tax deduction of $1,000, youd owe taxes on $49,000 of income instead of $50,000, and your tax bill would drop to about $5,880. (These are rough estimates, based on current marginal tax rates .)

Lets say youre a single filer, you make $50,000 in 2026 and you owe $6,000 in taxes:

Tax credits are subtracted directly from the tax you owe, helping you cut down your overall tax bill. Tax deductions also reduce your tax bill, but they do that by lowering your taxable income.

Tax credits are a powerful way to save money on taxes. Each dollar of a tax credit is subtracted directly from the amount of tax you owe the IRS. And some tax credits are refundable, meaning even if you dont owe any tax, the credit is paid out to you as a tax refund. But many tax credits phase out at higher incomes, so its crucial to understand if you qualify.

Story Continues

Tax credits related to children and dependents

Child tax credit

If you have a child under age 17 and your modified adjusted gross income is below $400,000 (if married filing jointly) or $200,000 (all other filers), you may be eligible for the child tax credit (CTC) worth up to $2,200 for the 2025 tax year (claimed on tax returns due in 2026).

If your income exceeds those thresholds, the credit amount is cut by $50 for each $1,000 of your income above the threshold.

A portion of the child tax credit  called the additional child tax credit  is refundable and could allow you to get up to $1,700 (of the $2,200 child tax credit) to be paid out as a tax refund.

Tax credit for adoption costs

The expenses associated with adopting a child can be high, and the federal government offers an adoption tax credit toward qualifying expenses. This credit is worth up to $17,280 in tax year 2025 (claimed on returns due in 2026).

This credit is now partially refundable up to $5,000. Plus, you can roll over what you dont use to a future year, for up to five years (this carry-forward can reduce your tax bill but its not refundable).

For the 2025 tax year, taxpayers are eligible for the full credit if their modified adjusted gross income is $259,190 or less. The credit is reduced for taxpayers with income from $259,190 to $299,189. The credit is unavailable to taxpayers with income over $299,189.

Child and dependent care credit

If you pay for child or dependent care, then the child and dependent care tax credit could be worth up to $1,050 if you have one child or dependent, and up to $2,100 if you have two or more children or dependents.

Taxpayers can get a credit worth between 20% and 35% of their childcare expenses on up to $3,000 of expenses for one qualifying person and $6,000 for two or more. The exact amount of the credit you qualify for will depend on your income.

Dont forget: These must be work-related care expenses  as in, care you paid for because you were working, not because you were on vacation.

Earned income tax credit

The earned income tax credit (EITC) is aimed at low- to moderate-income workers and families. For tax year 2025 (tax returns filed in 2026), the maximum credit amount ranges from $649 for taxpayers with no qualifying children, up to a maximum tax credit of $8,046 for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children.

This tax credit is available to people without children, but if you dont have children, you (and your spouse if youre married) must be at least 25 years old and younger than 65.

The EITC is fully refundable, so if you dont owe any taxes, youll still get the full amount of your tax credit as a refund.

Below are the EITC maximum adjusted gross income limits for 2025 (claimed on tax returns filed in 2026). In addition, taxpayers investment income must be less than $11,950.

Maximum adjusted gross income to claim the EITC for tax year 2025

Number of qualifying children Single, head of household,

married filing separately, qualifying surviving spouse Married filing jointly None $19,104 $26,214 One $50,434 $57,554 Two $57,310 $64,430 Three or more $61,555 $68,675

Tax credits for educational expenses

There are two tax credits for educational expenses, the Lifetime Learning Credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit, both of which have income-based phaseouts.

An individual cant claim both tax credits in the same year, but if two members of your household have educational expenses, generally you can claim both of the credits on a single tax return. (Parents can claim these credits if their dependent is the student with qualifying expenses.)

Lifetime Learning Credit

The Lifetime Learning Credit is worth up to $2,000 per tax return for expenses related to an accredited school for you, your spouse or a dependent  and the education doesnt have to be tied to seeking a degree. For example, classes to improve job skills qualify. This is a nonrefundable credit. Eligible taxpayers get up to a 20% credit on the first $10,000 of qualified education expenses.

To claim the Lifetime Learning Credit, your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $90,000 (single filers) or $180,000 (married filing jointly).

American Opportunity Tax Credit

If you have educational expenses and fit the income criteria for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, or AOTC, you may qualify for up to $2,500 in tax credits for expenses like tuition, books, supplies and fees accrued while attending your institution. This credit is for students in their first four years of college.

The AOTC is a partially refundable credit, worth up to a maximum $1,000 refund. The amount of the credit is 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified education expenses per student and then 25% of the next $2,000 of qualified education expenses paid for that student. The refund portion is calculated as a 40% refund of the remaining credit after the credit zeros out a taxpayers tax liability.

As with the Lifetime Learning Credit, to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit, your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $90,000 (for single filers) or $180,000 (married filing jointly).

Tax credits for electric vehicles and renewable energy upgrades

Tax credit for electric vehicles

The federal government used to offer an incentive, in the form of a tax credit, for buying an electric car. The tax credit was worth up to $7,500 for qualified new cars and up to $4,000 for qualified used cars. But the massive new tax law in 2025 ended these credits.

Still, as long as you purchased a qualified electric vehicle by Sept. 30, 2025, you can claim this credit on your 2025 tax return, filed in 2026. Cars purchased after that date dont qualify. (Many car dealers refunded the tax credit at the point of purchase, so you may have already received your credit if you purchased an EV last year.)

The rules around these tax credits can be confusing. Eligibility and the amount of the credit youll receive depends on where the car was made, the price of the car, your income and other details. You can look up a cars eligibility on the U.S. Energy Departments website.

Tax credit for residential clean energy upgrades

There are tax credits for taxpayers who make home improvements that are considered sustainable and energy efficient. The credits originally were for qualified purchases through 2034, but these tax credits were ended in the massive tax law, so 2025 is the final year you can claim them.

As long as you made qualified improvements, such as adding solar panels, to your home by Dec. 31, 2025, you can claim these tax credits on your 2025 tax return, filed in 2026.

The IRS says that qualified expenses include solar electric panels, solar water heaters, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells and battery storage technology  but they must be bought new, not used. Labor costs for getting these items assembled and installed can also qualify. See this IRS page for more information.

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Tax credits for saving and investing

Savers credit

If you have a modest income (less than $79,000 in 2025 if married filing jointly, $59,250 if filing as head of household or $39,500 if filing single), you may qualify for a tax credit based on how much you contributed to a retirement savings plan, such as a company 401(k) or 403(b), or an IRA.

The savers credit ranges from 10% to 50% of your contribution. The maximum retirement-account contribution that qualifies for the credit is $2,000 ($4,000 if youre married filing jointly). In other words, the maximum credit is $1,000 ($2,000 if married filing jointly). The lower your income, the higher the percentage of your contribution that qualifies for the tax credit.
Working from home is a trend thats pinching restaurants, coffee shops and bars.

We know that because Work From Home Research, which conducts surveys and research projects on working arrangements and attitudes, released findings that werent so stellar.

As it turns out, Remote work is costing cities billions a year, according to data from WFH Research.

Theres a reduction in yearly spending per person. The study outlined a dozen cities that are witnessing a deduction in yearly spending of over $2,000 per person.

Much of that spending disappeared as work-from-home employees made their own coffee, breakfast and lunch, while some funds shifted to residential areas.

While restaurants are feeling the heavy pinch, Time Out Market, located near Fenway Park, has reversed course and decided to remain in operation after a decision was made to close its doors.

In an update on Thursday afternoon, Samuels and Associates shared a press release with TheStreet:

Today, Samuels & Associates announced an agreement to assume operations of Time Out Market Boston, ensuring the Fenway food hall will remain open. The decision maintains continuity for more than a dozen Boston restaurateurs who call the market home and responds to a strong groundswell of community support for the citys first food hall.

Every great city needs great food halls, and Time Out Market in Fenway has been a needed gathering space and economic hub showcasing our local culinary talent to residents, coworkers, and visitors from around the world, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu continued in the statement. Im grateful for the swift leadership from Steve Samuels and our Fenway community to ensure this will continue to be a bright spot in Bostons food scene and the Fenway neighborhood.

Previously, the establishment made the grueling decision to close its doors for good, with a plan to go dark on Friday.

Following the pandemic, we have seen the Boston Market recover and grow, and we have focused on initiatives driving further growth; however, footfall until today remains inconsistent in the area due to ongoing hybrid working and in addition, operating costs have increased  all of which prevents consistent profitability, Time Out Market CEO Michael Marlay said in a statement, TheStreet reported.

At the time, Time Out Market employees reacted to the sudden closure news in disbelief.

I thought it was a joke, an employee at Cussers who did not want to be identified told CBS News. We found out just like two days ago, and these past two nights, I havent even slept yet.

Fortunately, the restaurant was saved at the eleventh hour."

Time Out Market Boston opened in the heart of the buzzing Fenway neighborhood in 2019. Spread across 27,000 square feet, the curated dining destination delivers 15 eateries, two bars, a huge patio and a video-installation wall into one space that encompasses the best food, drinks and culture that Boston has to offer, according to its website.
If youre headed on a cruise anytime soon, its best to know what youre bringing thats allowed aboard the ship and what isnt.

Its also important to remember that the destinations you visit on a cruise also come with their own set of rules that passengers must keep in mind.

Thats because laws can switch up at any time, so its always a great idea to double check travel guidance for your ports of call before the cruise, even if youve been there before.

This time around, passengers who are visiting cruise ports in Mexico, including Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Cabo San Lucas, on 2026 cruises are being notified regarding a strict new law that just went into effect in the country that could impact cruisers due to whats in their possession, Come Cruise With Me reported.

The new law for cruise passengers heading to Mexico is clear: No vape pens.

What does this mean for cruise passengers? Leave your vape pens on the ship.

The strict new law went into effect Jan. 17, as Mexico has banned the import, sale, and marketing of vapes and e-cigarettes, according to Cruise News Today.

So, if you bring a vape ashore during a port stop, even if its for personal use, youre risking being charged with illegal importation. The penalties attached to the offense include confiscation, fines up to $12,500, or even jail time.

According cruise lines, vapes are still allowed aboard in designated areas, but cruisers just shouldnt bring them ashore in Mexican ports and this goes for all cruise ports in Mexico, not just Cozumel.
Airfare isnt cheap, so with that in mind, travelers are getting creative.

If it means risking disrupting travel plans to grab a cheap flight, then by all means  some travelers will do whatever they have to do.

One controversial budget method to secure a cheap flight is called, skiplagging, also known as hidden-city or beyond-point tickets.

Dont be confused because they all mean the same thing. Travelers book a multi-city flight with a layover in their desired location, only to skip the second leg of the trip, according to Conde Nast Traveler.

Upon seeing this, many might wonder why this would be cheaper than booking a direct flight?

Aktarer Zaman, who created the site Skiplagged in 2013 to help travelers spot these fares, told Conde Nast Traveler its because airlines make more money off pricing by market as opposed to distance.

Zaman added that the savings can be significant - travelers who use Skiplagged save an average of 47%, or about $180 per flight."

But just because skiplagging isnt illegal doesnt mean airlines are big fans of the practice. In fact, the airlines are totally against the tactic.

Many ban the move in their contract of carriage  a legally binding contract between an airline and its passengers that travelers automatically agree to when purchasing a ticket.

If you skiplag and youre caught in the act, some airline terms and conditions state that passengers could be permanently banned from flying in the future with that airline, or that the airline might take legal action against the passenger, NerdWallet travel expert Sally French said to Conde Nast Traveler. Someone who flies once a year might try this tactic, but be unaware of the risks or nuances.

Though its best to err on the side of caution, according to Zaman, Skiplaggeds data shows that less than 0.1% of travelers came across issues with airlines.

Nevertheless, if you do decide to take the plunge and try Skiplagging, there are a few strategies Zaman suggests trying to avoid complications.

First, be sure to book one-way tickets so the return trip doesnt get canceled when you skip the second leg.

Second, if you book a flight with an international destination, make sure to bring your passport even if you dont plan to deplane at the international destination.

Third, if youre able to only travel with a personal item in case the airline begins gate-checking carry-on bags, which would then be routed to the final destination.

Finally, Zaman advises not to use the tactic too often in a short time frame with one airline to avoid being spotted and flagged.

At the end of the day, we believe travelers deserve full transparency when booking flights, Zaman shared of his site, Skiplagged. Airlines will always try to maximize profits, but were focused on helping consumers find the best deals and keep more money in their pockets by showing all possible routes to a destination.
By MATT OBRIEN and LINLEY SANDERS, The Associated Press

American workers adopted artificial intelligence into their work lives at a remarkable pace over the past few years, according to a new poll.

Some 12% of employed adults say they use AI daily in their job, according to a Gallup Workforce survey conducted this fall of more than 22,000 U.S. workers.

The survey found roughly one-quarter say they use AI at least frequently, which is defined as at least a few times a week, and nearly half say they use it at least a few times a year. That compares with 21% who were using AI at least occasionally in 2023, when Gallup began asking the question, and points to the impact of the widespread commercial boom that ChatGPT sparked for generative AI tools that can write emails and computer code, summarize long documents, create images or help answer questions.

Home Depot store associate Gene Walinski is one of the employees embracing AI at work. The 70-year-old turns to an AI assistant on his personal phone roughly every hour on his shift so he can better answer questions about supplies that he is not 100% familiar with at the stores electrical department in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

I think my job would suffer if I couldnt because there would be a lot of shrugged shoulders and I dont know and customers dont want to hear that, Walinski said.

AI at work for many in technology, finance and education

While frequent AI use is on the rise with many employees, AI adoption remains higher among those working in technology-related fields.

About 6 in 10 technology workers say they use AI frequently, and about 3 in 10 do so daily.

The share of Americans working in the technology sector who say they use AI daily or regularly has grown significantly since 2023, but there are indications that AI adoption could be starting to plateau after an explosive increase between 2024 and 2025.

In finance, another sector with high AI adoption, 28-year-old investment banker Andrea Tanzi said he uses AI tools every day to synthesize documents and data sets that would otherwise take him several hours to review.

Tanzi, who works for Bank of America in New York, said he also makes uses of the banks internal AI chatbot, Erica, to help with administrative tasks.

In addition, majorities of those working in professional services, at colleges or universities or in K-12 education, say they use AI at least a few times a year.

Joyce Hatzidakis, 60, a high school art teacher in Riverside, California, started experimenting with AI chatbots to help clean up her communications with parents.

Art teacher Joyce Hatzidakis uses the AI tool Google Gemini in her high school classroom Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, Riverside, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) AP

I can scribble out a note and not worry about what I say and then tell it what tone I want, she said. And then, when I reread it, if its not quite right, I can have it edited again. Im definitely getting less parent complaints.

Another Gallup Workforce survey from last year found that about 6 in 10 employees using AI are relying on chatbots or virtual assistance when they turn to AI tools. About 4 in 10 AI users at work reported using AI to consolidate information or data, to generate ideas or to learn new things.

Hatzidakis started with ChatGPT and then switched to Googles Gemini when the school district made that its official tool. She has even used it to help with recommendation letters because theres only so many ways to say a kid is really creative.

The benefits and drawbacks of AI adoption

The AI industry and the U.S. government are heavily promoting AI adoption in workplaces and schools. More people and organizations will need to buy these tools in order to justify the huge amounts of investment into building and running energy-hungry AI computing systems. But not all economists agree on how much they will boost productivity or affect employment prospects.

Most of the workers that are most highly exposed to AI, who are most likely to have it disrupt their workflows, for good or for bad, have these characteristics that make them pretty adaptable, said Sam Manning, a fellow at the Centre for the Governance of AI and co-author of new papers on AI job effects for the Brookings Institution and the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Workers in those mostly computer-based jobs that involve a lot of AI usage usually have higher levels of education, wider ranges of skill sets that can be applied to different jobs, and they also have higher savings, which is helpful for weathering an income shock if you lose your job, Manning said.

On the other hand, Mannings research has identified some 6.1 million workers in the United States who are both heavily exposed to AI and less equipped to adapt. Many are in administrative and clerical work, about 86% are women and they are older and concentrated in smaller cities, such as university towns or state capitals, with fewer options to shift careers.

If their skills are automated, they have less transferable skills to other jobs and they have a lower savings, if any savings, Manning said. An income shock could be much more harmful or difficult to manage.

Few workers are concerned about AI replacing them

A separate Gallup Workforce survey from 2025 found that even as AI use is increasing, few employees said it was very or somewhat likely that new technology, automation, robots or AI will eliminate their job within the next five years. Half said it was not at all likely, but that has decreased from about 6 in 10 in 2023.

Not worried about losing his job is the Rev. Michael Bingham, pastor of the Faith Community Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Florida.

A chatbot fed him gibberish when he asked about the medieval theologian Anselm of Canterbury, and Bingham said he would never ask a soulless machine to help write his sermons, relying instead on the power of God to help guide him through ideas.

Art teacher Joyce Hatzidakis gets ready to welcome students in her classroom Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, Riverside, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) AP

You dont want a machine, you want a human being, to hold your hand if youre dying, Bingham said. And you want to know that your loved one was able to hold the hand of a loving human being who cared for them.

Reported AI usage is less common in service-based sectors, such as retail, health care or manufacturing.

Home Depot did not ask Walinski to use AI when he got a job at the store last year, after a decades-long career in the car business. But the home improvement giant also did not try to stop him and he is not at all worried that AI will replace him.

The human interface part is really what a store like mine works on, Walinski said. Its all about the people.

OBrien reported from Providence, Rhode Island, and Sanders from Washington.

Gallups quarterly workforce surveys were conducted with a random sample of adults age 18 and older who work full time and part time for organizations in the United States and are members of Gallups probability-based Gallup Panel. The most recent survey of 22,368 employed U.S. adults was conducted from Oct. 30-Nov. 13, 2025. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 1 percentage point.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the entire state of Pennsylvania  the first time in more than 20 years that has happened, according to the National Weather Service in State College.

And as the major snowstorm travels east, it brings strong winds and icy cold with it.

A large area of snowfall is expected to continue across the mid-Atlantic through Monday morning with significant snowfall expected across all of central Pennsylvania, reads the winter storm warning from the National Weather Service in State College.

The alert goes on to say that snowfall rates exceeding one inch per hour are expected with rates potentially exceeding two inches per hour in the heaviest snow this morning and afternoon.

Further south, ice and sleet are possible in the afternoon and evening. PennDOT has issued Tier 4 restrictions on all interstate highways in Pennsylvania.

According to the National Weather Service, an average of around 3 inches of snow is being reported so far in the Pittsburgh region this morning.

Similar amounts are being reported around Harrisburg, but some pockets around the state are already reporting between 4 and 6 inches.

And a livestream video from the National Weather Service in State College, shared on their Facebook page, confirmed that were merely at the start of the storm.

13 1 / 13 Pa. snowstorm

Were off to a very cold start this morning, said the meteorologist in the video. Again, pretty rare for a storm to be producing this much snow at temperatures this cold in Pennsylvania.

The mix of extreme cold and high humidity means that not only is the snow going to pile up throughout the day, but its also not going away any time soon.

There is absolutely no melting going on, he said. Salt is going to be inefficient at temperatures this cold.

The radar images show that Pennsylvania right now is all snow, he said, but that some sleet is expected in the southern tier of the state later in the day.

Snow is expected to accumulate at ever-faster rates later today, with snowfall increasing around noon, and a chance of sleet around 2 or 3 oclock in the southern regions of the state, potentially reaching as far north as Harrisburg.

A snowfall projection shared during the video listed Harrisburg as expecting another 6-10 inches of snow between now and the storms end on Monday, in addition to whats already fallen early Sunday morning.

A range of around 8 to 10 or 9 to 12 inches more snow is expected in a band reaching from Pittsburgh through Altoona and Mifflintown to Selinsgrove.

Amounts increase further north, with places like Johnstown, State College, Bloomsburg and Scranton expecting between 10 and 13 more inches.

South of Harrisburg, areas like Chambersburg can expect between 5 to 9 more inches, while amounts in and around York and Lancaster should see another 3 to 7 inches.

You can watch the full video from the National Weather Service in State College here.
A historically and fundamentally pacifist Christian faith group with deep roots in Pennsylvania is drawing angry pushback on social media for participating in protests in Minnesota against federal immigration officials.

In a Facebook post, a national office of the Lancaster County-based Mennonite Central Committee urged its Facebook followers to join the group in Minnesota on Friday for a massive day of social action.

Many are opting out of work and school to take part in a march and economic pause, read the post, which was accompanied by a photo. Faith leaders from across the U.S. are flying in to attend and will play a crucial role in highlighting the message of hospitality and love of neighbor.

Local Mennonite churches and members of Mennonite Action will be on the ground, no doubt displaying their trademark colorful signs and banners. In solidarity with our friends in Minnesota, and especially those who are most vulnerable.

The faith group garnered positive comments such as the one posted by Kathy Wagle: Thank you for following Gods command to love your neighbor as yourself, and by Jonathan Garcia Giesbrecth:

Leviticus 19:33-34 (NIV)| When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born.Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

The post also drew sharp rebuke from many readers, including Rachelle Splechter, who wrote, How disappointing to see an organization I respect also being blinded by propaganda.

Others assailed the MCCs social justice stance and said they sided with ICE actions.

M Gail Kroeker wrote: I am so disappointed in this post, God has always had rules and laws. We need to be supporting ice (sic) and praying for their safety. They are removing illegal immigrants and most of them have prison records.

Linda Espanshade, a spokeswoman for MCC, said the call to join the protest had been made by an arm of the organization, not MCC itself.

MCC is not, as an organization, involved in the protests, in the demonstrations, or in civil disobedience, she said. Thats not something were doing as an organization.

Espanshade said that the Facebook message was posted by the organizations national Peace and Justice office, encouraging people to contact their legislators, to pray and to pay attention to this situation.

There are, from what I understand from that same post, other Mennonite groups who are taking an active part, but as our organization, Mennonite Central Committee, thats not something that we are doing as an organization, Espanshade said.

MCC is a global, nonprofit organization that bills itself as striving to share Gods love and compassion for all through relief, development and peacebuilding.

The history of Mennonites in the U.S. is rooted in Pennsylvania; The faith community traces its origins to German-speaking Anabaptists seeking religious freedom in the 18th century. Mennonites adhere to nonviolence as a core tenet of their faith and base their activism in social justice and nonresistance on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Mennonites have shaped the faith landscape in Pennsylvania, particularly in Lancaster County and the Big Valley (Mifflin County) and range from integrated members of modern society to conservative Plain groups (like Amish and Old Order Mennonites).

Members of the Mennonite faith have historically led relief efforts for communities impacted by disasters as well as advocating for justice and peace. This file photo from 2022 shows Mennonite volunteers helping relief efforts to assist families disposed at Ogden Hollar in Hindman, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) AP

In recent years, Mennonites have joined relief programs to help victims of natural disasters, including floods and hurricanes. They have been providing emergency relief to families in Gaza as well as assisting Ukrainian families displaced by war.

In its post on Friday, MCC noted that across the country, federal agents have descended on local communities to conduct violent and indiscriminate actions under the guise of immigration enforcement, a marked expansion of the militarization long suffered by borderlands communities.

The surge of ICE agents in Minneapolis since December has created a chaotic environment, violated the rights and dignity of community members, separated families, and tragically resulted in the killing of legal observer Renee Nicole Good.

Federal agents shot and killed another Minneapolis resident on Saturday, stoking tensions between federal law enforcement officers and protesters.

Authorities said Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, an intensive-care nurse at the VA, was pronounced dead on the scene.

MCC noted that local Mennonite churches and members of Mennonite Action would be part of the day of action in Minneapolis on Friday, which resulted in a day of nonviolent protest.

MCC said that in solidarity with our friends in Minnesota, and especially those who are most vulnerable, it was urging followers to: boycott corporations that support ICE in Minnesota and beyond; and demand Congress cut funding to ICE/CBP.

In this critical moment, thank you for your continued advocacy on behalf of your immigrant neighbors!, MCC wrote in its post.
Recently, the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) has received threats as well as vile comments about our work.

Threats are illegal. Opinions are protected by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. To correct misinformation, I write to clarify what we do. PIRC provides high-quality, free legal services to vulnerable immigrants and their families in Pennsylvania so that they have access to justice and a more secure future.

Our clients are unaccompanied minors, immigrant survivors of trafficking or domestic abuse, and immigrants in Pennsylvanias detention facilities. Some of our clients seek asylum because they experienced persecution in their home country.

Immigrants in detention and deportation proceedings are typically afforded due process, but legal representation is not guaranteed like it is in criminal court. PIRC assists detained immigrants by explaining their rights and, when possible, providing legal representation. We also sponsor a rapid response team. That group of volunteers takes calls from people whose loved ones have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They might call to locate their loved one or seek legal advice. Family has a right to that information.

A few years ago, I joined a faith-based organization that visited immigrants in detention. Repeatedly, the detained immigrants professed their belief in the ideals of the United States even when the likelihood of deportation was high. This encouraged me to fight for justice, which is why I serve on PIRCs board of directors. Under the current administration, our work has become more difficult, but we remain steadfast.

Kimberly Mahaffy, board president, Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center, Lancaster, Pa.
Donald Trumps imperialism is not new, as evidenced by his toppling of Nicolas Maduro Moros and threats to annex Greenland. James K. Polk engineered a war with Mexico, which led to the annexation of vast territories in the southwest, including California, New Mexico, and Utah.

William McKinley fought a questionable war with Spain, which led to annexation of the Philippines, and a brutal put down of Filipinos fighting for independence.

The United States played a significant role in bringing down Irans elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh and installing the very unpopular and brutal Shah. The CIA played a significant role in destabilizing the leftist government of Allende in Chile, which led to the dictatorship of Pinochet.

Panamas Manuel Noriega was toppled by the George H.W. Bush Administration when his drug trafficking, corruption, and abuse of human rights became too embarrassing.

During the Cold War, the United States pushed to install far right brutal dictators to serve as bulwark against communism. But that strategy failed spectacularly in Vietnam. George H. W. Bushs war in Iraq led to an inconclusive outcome and the rise of Osama bin Laden, who declared war on the United States for putting US troops on Saudi soil.

George W. Bushs imperial misadventure, which was poorly planned and executed, led to the toppling of Saddam Hussein, but the rise of an insurgency and ISIS. These consequences arose as a result of the second Iraq War.

Americans, including most MAGA Republicans, are against such entanglement in foreign affairs, which was the America First campaign promise that Trump had run on. Ignoring the American public and his MAGA base, Trump seems eager to flex his imperial muscles, which can only end in disaster.

George Magakis Jr., Norristown, Pa.
Its probably safe to say that few, if any, schools across central Pa. will be open for business on Monday.

Accumulations of anywhere from 4 to 10 inches, with more forecast on Sunday evening, will likely close a vast majority of schools on Monday, and, with temperatures below freezing on Monday and the winds picking up, could be delayed on Tuesday.

By mid-afternoon Sunday, the Harrisburg School District had already sent out an email that schools would be closed on Monday. Designated employees should report to work as instructed by their supervisor, the email said.

Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster also announced that its closed on Monday.

Heres a link to the school districts in 11 central Pa. counties below. Click on the link to see the status of your classes on Monday.

Adams County

Bermudian Springs

Gettysburg Area

Conewago Valley

Fairfield Area

Upper Adams

Berks County

Boyertown Area

Antietam

Wilson

Wyomissing Area

Hamburg Area

Muhlenberg

Brandywine Heights Area

Exeter Township

Cumberland County

Public schools

Big Spring

Camp Hill

Carlisle Area

Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center

Cumberland Valley

East Pennsboro Area

Mechanicsburg Area

Shippensburg Area

South Middleton

West Shore

Non-public schools

St. Joseph School

St. Patrick School

St. Theresa School

Trinity High School

Carlisle Christian Academy

Christian School of Grace Baptist Church

Heritage Christian Academy

Good Shepherd School

Harrisburg Academy

West Shore Christian Academy

Dauphin County

Public schools

Capital Area School for the Arts

Central Dauphin

Dauphin County Technical School

Derry Township

Halifax Area

Harrisburg

Lower Dauphin

Middletown Area

Millersburg Area

Sci Tech High

Steelton-Highspire

Susquehanna Township

Upper Dauphin Area

Non-public schools

Bishop McDevitt High School

Covenant Christian Academy

Harrisburg Catholic Elementary

Harrisburg Christian School

Holy Name of Jesus School

Londonderry School

Milton Hershey School

Nativity School of Harrisburg

St. Catherine LaBoure School

St. Joan of Arc School

St. Margaret Mary School

St. Stephens Episcopal School

Seven Sorrows of the B.V.M. School

The Silver Academy

Franklin County

Chambersburg Area

Fannett-Metal

Greencastle-Antrim

Tuscarora

Waynesboro Area

Lancaster County

Public Schools

Eastern Lancaster

Cocalico

Columbia Borough

Conestoga Valley

Donegal

Elizabethtown Area

Ephrata Area

Hempfield

Lampeter-Strasburg

Lancaster

Manheim Central

Manheim Township

Octorara

Penn Manor

Pequea Valley

Solanco

Warwick

Non-public schools

Lancaster Catholic High School

Lancaster Country Day School

Lancaster Mennonite

Resurrection Catholic School

Sacred Heart School

St. Anne School

Lebanon County

Annville-Cleona

Cornwall-Lebanon

Eastern Lebanon

Lebanon

Northern Lebanon

Palmyra Area

Mifflin County

Mifflin County schools

Perry County

Public schools

Greenwood

Newport

Susquenita

West Perry

Schuylkill County

Public schools

Blue Mountain School District

Mahanoy Area School District

Minersville Area School District

North Schuylkill School District

Pine Grove Area School District

Pottsville Area School District

Saint Clair Area School District

Schuylkill Haven Area School District

Schuylkill Technology Center

Shenandoah Valley School District

Tamaqua Area School District

Tri-Valley School District

Williams Valley School District

Non-public schools

Marian High School

Nativity B.V.M. High School

Assumption BVM School

New England Valley Mennonite School

The Perception Training Center, Inc.

York County

Public schools

Central York

Dallastown Area

Dover Area

Eastern York

Hanover Public

Northeastern

Northern York County

Red Lion

South Eastern

South Western

Southern York County

Spring Grove Area

West York Area

York City

York Suburban

York County School of Technology West Shore

Non-public schools

Holy Trinity Catholic School

St. Joseph School-York

St. Rose of Lima School

York Catholic
It's time again to decide if you're going to slog through your own tax forms or enlist a pro.

The IRS begins accepting 2025 tax year returns on Jan. 26 amid some of the most tax law changes since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017. President Donald Trump's signature tax and spending package added many new provisions, including no tax on tips and overtime, Trump accounts and an additional senior deduction that are retroactive to 2025.

The new provisions, meant to fatten Americans' wallets, can also cause confusion, accountants said. To avoid mistakes, many Americans who usually do their own taxes might consider changing strategies.

"While the new deductions are beneficial to millions of Americans, they can be confusing because there are a lot of nuances and rules," said Mark Steber, chief tax officer at tax preparer Jackson Hewitt. "Thats certainly the case for any taxpayers who will claim the new deduction related to overtime pay or tip income, as they might need to do a little extra work to correctly calculate the right amounts to claim because W-2 forms werent automatically updated to reflect the new tax laws before year end."

But that doesn't necessarily mean you must hire a tax pro. Many Americans still have fairly simple tax returns. With guidance from tax software, IRS help or a traditional or artificial intelligence search engine, people can still handle their own taxes.

Below are tips on when to know you can handle it and when you may be in over your head.

Whens a good time to DIY?

Doing your taxes may be the way to go if you have a limited number of income sources, say a W-2, bank accounts, and some 1099s, and you plan to take the standard deduction, a specific dollar amount that reduces your amount of taxable income.

When your taxes remain similar from one year to the next, doing your own taxes may also be easier, said Hannah Cole, an IRS enrolled agent and author of Taxes for Humans.

"Your last tax return can help guide you in handling this years taxes," she said. "You arent likely to have a large overpayment or underpayment of tax or need to make adjustments to your withholding or estimated tax payments for the coming year."

You can save yourself money and should be able to complete your tax return fairly quickly using basic tax software or free forms found on the IRS website.

If your taxable income falls beneath certain thresholds, you have a disability, your English is limited, or you are elderly, you may qualify for one of the IRS free filing programs. You can check the IRS website to see if you're eligible.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

A few passing clouds. Cold. Low near 25F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Cold. Low near 25F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Key Points

Nokia will integrate some of Nvidia's AI hardware into its cellular network infrastructure products.

One analyst expects the market for this technology to grow to $200 billion by 2030.

10 stocks we like better than Nokia 

In today's tech world, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) attracts relatively little attention. After the debut of Apple's iPhone and the ensuing transition to smartphones wiped out its cellular phone business, the company redefined itself as a telecom hardware company. Because of that, it's far less on the minds of consumers -- and investors -- than it was when its handsets were ubiquitous.

However, a new partnership with Nvidia has reignited some Wall Street interest in the stock. It's a deal that could support Nokia's move into artificial intelligence (AI), foster a long-awaited recovery, and make the stock a long-term winner.

Image source: Getty Images.

Nokia as an AI company

Nokia's focus on telecom equipment turned it into a critical player in the communications industry, but more recently, it has pivoted again to expand into AI. It has been building partnerships with Verizon and Lockheed Martin, and in early 2025, it purchased Infinera, an optical networking company, for $2.3 billion.

Nonetheless, it is the company's new partnership with Nvidia, which it announced in October, that has helped renew interest in the stock. Under the terms of the deal, Nokia will develop Nvidia-powered AI-RAN (radio access network) technologies, expanding its line of cellular network infrastructure products. This will help optimize existing 5G networks, and foster the innovations that will underpin the transition to the next iteration of telecom technology, 6G. As Nvidia wrote in its press release announcing the deal, "The partnership marks the beginning of the AI-native wireless era, providing the foundation to support AI-powered consumer experiences and enterprise services at the edge."

Financial effects

As part of the partnership, Nvidia also made a $1 billion investment in Nokia at a price of $6.01 per share. The fact that the stock currently trades at a higher level bodes well for both companies.

Moreover, the analyst firm Omdia predicts that the RAN market will grow to $200 billion by 2030. Over its past four reported quarters, Nokia had 19.7 billion euros ($23 billion) in net sales, so the likelihood is that its revenue growth will accelerate from here.

Nokia may already have begun to see faster revenue growth. In the third quarter of 2025, its revenue increased by 12% year over year to 6.0 billion euros ($7.0 billion). By comparison, its revenue growth for the year's first nine months was only 4%.
Chelsea Grinstead is a South Carolina native and an award-winning reporter for The Post and Courier's Arts & Culture Lab. As a previous contributing editor at Charleston City Paper, she spotlighted the diverse voices of the local music scene.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS , LA / ACCESS Newswire / January 24, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilJanuary 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 by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court byJanuary 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
Key Points

TJX stock has risen more than 25% over the last year and trades at a growth-dependent valuation.

The company's strengths in the off-price retail market help support its valuation premium.

10 stocks we like better than TJX Companies 

TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX) is a leading player in the off-price retail space. The company's flagship TJ Maxx stores are at the top of the category, and additional retailer brands including Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra round out a retail portfolio centered around efficient supply strategy.

TJX's opportunistic approach to securing inventory allows it to offer name-brand goods at low cost, and the company passes on savings to shoppers. The value offered through its stores has helped support customer traffic and average ticket size and power same-store-sales growth at a time when many retailers are facing challenges.

For investors seeking exposure to the off-price retail market, is TJX still the best buy-and-hold play in the space?

Image source: Getty Images.

TJX's business looks strong

As of this writing, TJX stock has risen roughly 24% over the last year of trading. To its credit, the business has continued to serve up wins. Same-store sales in fiscal Q3 increased 5% year over year, and gross margin increased to 32.6% from 31.6%.

While many other retail players have faced declining customer traffic and weakening margins in response to tariff-related headwinds, tightening consumer purse strings, and other challenges, TJX continues to demonstrate impressive resilience. The strengths of the off-price retailer's product-sourcing strategies and infrastructure have become even more apparent in light of challenges facing the broader retail industry.

The stock trades at approximately 33 times this year's expected earnings. For a company that grew earnings per share roughly 19% annually over the first three quarters of last year, with growth supported by stock buybacks, TJX trades at somewhat of a valuation premium. While the company will likely continue to serve up payout growth, the stock's dividend yield of roughly 1.1% doesn't currently offer much on the income side of things.

TJX may not look cheaply valued, but the stock is backed by a great business. The company's approach to making brand-name goods accessible for cost-conscious shoppers has been a winner amid current industry dynamics, and pain felt by other retailers could continue to be TJX's gain. Business execution has been top-notch, and few players in the retail space look better positioned to navigate macroeconomic uncertainty. For long-term investors seeking exposure to the off-price retail space, TJX continues to be the best in class.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 25, 2026 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or "the Company") (NYSE:ARE) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Alexandria securities between January 27, 2025 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/ARE Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of the Company's Long Island City (LIC) property; (2) The Company's claims and confidence regarding the leasing value of the LIC property as a life-science destination were misleading and lacked a reasonable basis, particularly in connection with ARE's Megacampus strategy; and (3) As a result, Defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/ARE . or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Alexandria you have until January 26, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe 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 & GrossmanBronstein, 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.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller 332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 25, 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
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 24, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Bath & Body Works, Inc. ("Bath & Body Works" or the "Company") (NYSE:BBWI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton atnewaction@ pomlaw.comor 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 Bath & Body Works and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until March 16, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Bath & Body Works securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained atwww.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On August 28, 2025, Bath & Body Works reported its second quarter 2025 financial results. Among other items, the Company reported earnings per diluted share of $0.30, representing a decline of 55.8% year over year and missing the Company's prior guidance on the low end by $0.03. Bath & Body Works also reported net income of $64 million, a decline of 57.9% year over year. The Company also announced that it was cutting its full year guidance for earnings per diluted share by $0.03 at the midpoint, to a range of $3.28 to $3.53.On this news, Bath & Body Works' stock price fell $2.18 per share, or 6.9%, to close at $29.36 per share on August 28, 2025.Then, on November 20, 2025, Bath & Body Works reported third quarter 2025 financial results. The Company reported a 1% year over year decline in revenue, missing its guidance of 1-3% growth for the quarter. Bath & Body Work's net income also declined, falling 26% to $77 million. Finally, the Company announced that it was slashing full year guidance for net sales from a previously positive 1.5%-2.7% to negative "high single digits." Bath & Body Works also cut expected earnings per diluted share from a range of $3.28 to $3.53 to "at least $2.83." In an investor presentation published the same day, the Company announced a new business strategy and admitted that its strategy of "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" had "not grown our total customer base." On this news, Bath & Body Works' stock price fell $5.22 per share, or 24.8%, to close at $15.82 per share on November 20, 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. Seewww.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 24, 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 25, 2026 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of all former stockholders of Smartsheet Inc. (NYSE:SMAR) in connection with the January 2025 sale (the "Merger" or "Buyout") of Smartsheet to affiliates of investment funds managed by affiliates of Blackstone Inc. (collectively "Blackstone"), investment funds managed by Vista Equity Partners Management, LLC ("Vista Equity Partners" or "Vista"), and Platinum Falcon B 2018 RSC Limited, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which participated as an indirect minority investor in Smartsheet ("Platinum Falcon," and together with Blackstone and Vista, the "Consortium").This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased shares of Smartsheet in connection with the January 2025 Merger of Smartsheet (the "Merger Date"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/SMAR Smartsheet Case DetailsThe complaint alleges that Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:In connection with Smartsheet's solicitation of stockholder approval of the Buyout, defendants issued and filed with the SEC a false and misleading Schedule 14A Proxy Statement (the "Proxy");Defendants used the Proxy to intentionally mischaracterize Smartsheet's financial success and performance during the sales process;Specifically, defendants deliberately portrayed Smartsheet's quarterly earnings in an unduly negative light and emphasized a financial metric that was apparently created solely to solicit approval for the Buyout;Defendant Mark P. Mader failed to exercise reasonable care in fulfilling his disclosure obligations; andAs a result of the foregoing, defendants' statements about Smartsheet's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.What's Next for Smartsheet Investors?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/SMARor you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you purchased SMAR shares in connection with the January 2025 sale, you have until February 24, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.No Cost to Smartsheet 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 Smartsheet Securities Class Action?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. More at www.bgandg.com "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
Businessman and philanthropist Olakunle Churchill has reacted after his ex-wife, actress Tonto Dikeh, announced their reconciliation on social media.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the actress described their reunion as a divine restoration following years of public conflict and separation.

Dikeh and Mr Churchill separated in 2017, two years after their 2015 marriage. The former couple share a son, King Andre.

Responding to the development, the founder of the Churchill Group and Churchill Foundation said in a statement posted on his Instagram page on Sunday that they had put their past conflicts behind them.

Sharing photos of Dikeh with their son, he wrote: I was pleasantly surprised when I received a call from my son, King Andre, for the first time. Hearing him call me Daddy was deeply touching and a reminder that what God cannot do does not exist. Faith has a way of bringing clarity, humility and peace.

I acknowledge the growth and grace evident in the manner in which this matter has been resolved. With God leading, healing and understanding have become possible. Forgiveness has paved the way for a new chapter, and we are moving forward with a sense of peace and mutual respect.

Co-parenting

Mr Churchill also stated that they had embraced a new phase centred on co-parenting, with their full attention on nurturing their son.

He went on to commend the 40-year-old, praising her dedication and describing her as a remarkable mother.

The conflict is behind us, and we are now focused on co-parenting with love, care, and a shared commitment to raising our son. I am grateful for the journey weve been on and the growth weve experienced.

And I look forward to a future filled with collaboration, respect, and peace, trusting God to guide me. I am grateful to have my son back in my life. Thank you to the amazing mother of my son, Tonto Dikeh, for doing a good job.

Background

This newspaper reported that the actress confirmed their separation during an appearance on Rubbin Minds, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, where she said she sought a divorce over alleged domestic abuse and infidelity.

Dikeh accused Mr Churchill of engaging in an extramarital relationship with his personal assistant, Rosy Meurer.

She also alleged that he was gay or bisexual and linked him to cyber fraud, among other accusations.

Following the allegations, Mr Churchill instituted legal action at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking redress.

He also filed a N500 million suit against the actress in connection with her controversial interview aired in May 2019.

In addition, Mr Churchill petitioned the then Inspector General of Police, Mohammad Adamu, accusing Dikeh of forging documents and unlawfully selling his Toyota Prado SUV, valued at N22 million.

While the couple remained separated, this newspaper reported in February 2021 that Mr Churchill publicly introduced Ms Meurer as his new wife.
Nigerias Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has spoken about her failed marriage to billionaire businessman and BUA Group chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu.

The 51-year-old minister and the 65-year-old industrialist were married and are currently co-parenting.

Reflecting on the marriage during an interview on MIC On Podcast, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, Ms Musawa described the union as the greatest experience she has ever had.

Greatest experience

She said, Abdul Samad is my family. His family and my family have become one. We have known each other for over 30-something years. And were just family, basically. He and I tend to joke a lot. As I said, we are family. And really, essentially, thats how we see ourselves. Hes my father. Hes my older brother. Hes really my friend. Hes everything to me. Hes my protector. So Im very happy to have a member of my family in Samad Rabiu. We are just family.

We love each other because you love your family, obviously. But Samad is my brother. Hes my family. Thats what he is. And Im his sister and his family, too. I love everyone, including the man on the moon, if I knew who he was, you know. Samad will always have my heart. Theres no doubt about that. Samad is one of the greatest experiences, you know, that Ive ever had. I will always love Samad for the rest of my days.

Furthermore, Ms Musawa said she had no regrets about their marriage not working out.

Warmth after separation

Additionally, the lawyer described the businessman as her greatest cheerleader and strongest supporter throughout her career.

She further said that Mr Rabiu is a genuinely kind-hearted and good human being.

When asked why they still share warmth despite their separation, the minister explained that: He is my ex-husband, but we are still family. We juggle coming from a background where, once youre joined together, you continue to participate in each others lives. And so, we were married, and now we are just family. Were like brother and sister and best of friends. I think it has a lot to do with the kind of families that we come from.

Of course, we come from the same community. So, you know, families all knew each other even before perhaps we were born. And, you know, we were joined. His grandmother, Hajiya Bua, the matriarch of the family, is somebody that I continue to love very deeply. My daughter Khadija is named after her. And, of course, his mother is like my mother. His mother is one of the sweetest, most wonderful, purest, genuine souls that I have ever known, she said.

Greatest cheerleader

Ms Musawa also said she would continue to be Mr Rabius greatest cheerleader.

She added that while many people know Mr Rabiu primarily as a businessman, she knows him as the kindest person she has ever known.

We continue to share a deep respect and love, and more than anything, support for each other. Ill continue to be his greatest cheerleader. I shall continue to be proud to see the way he flourishes and to be proud to be associated with someone who has the kind of philanthropy and heart that Abdul Samad has. Hes just a genuinely kind-hearted, good human being. So its really very difficult not to continue to have a good relationship.

Rewriting past

When asked whether she would change any part of her past with the businessman if given the opportunity, the minister said, I guess, probably yes. I mean, obviously, if youre married to someone, you married that person because you love them, right? And you go into a marriage because you hope its going to work.

But of course, man proposes, God disposes. And God has other designs for us in our lives. Perhaps, had we remained married to Abdul Samad, I would not be here, seated and talking with you. But I dont change our past and our travels to our future.

She added that she respects everything God has placed in her path, whether obstacles or opportunities, unions or separations.

Every element, any element that would have been taken out of ones past, perhaps would not have brought you into the person that you are today. So I dont know whether to think about it. Im not sure I would change it back.

Im quite happy with the way things have, you know, worked out. And I still maintain my friends and family. And I still have my career as well and the ability to inspire other women to be greater than perhaps what they would have thought they would be.
The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing industrial dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare made this known in a statement issued on Saturday night in Abuja by its Director, Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun.

The statement was in response to a joint release by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) over the dispute between the ministry and JOHESU.

Mr Balogun said the ministrys attention was drawn to allegations that it deliberately refused to implement the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of CONHESS submitted in 2021, describing the claims as untrue and misleading.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reiterates and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sustaining industrial harmony within Nigerias health sector.

There is absolutely no truth in the allegations of deliberate refusal to implement the Technical Committees report, nor is there any discrimination against any category of health workers, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JOHESU had commenced an indefinite strike on 14 November 2025, following its demand that CONHESS be adjusted in the same manner as the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

The ministry said contrary to the allegations by organised labour, the federal government had, since the commencement of the strike, held several conciliatory meetings with JOHESU at both the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

It said the meetings were aimed at resolving the dispute amicably, despite JOHESUs decision to approach the National Industrial Court of Nigeria for intervention.

According to the statement, a high-level conciliatory meeting convened on 15 January by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare was part of sustained efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

The ministry states unequivocally that it reached a tentative understanding with JOHESU on a framework for resolving the lingering trade dispute at the meeting held on Jan. 15, Mr Balogun said.

He explained that at the meeting, JOHESU presented proposals, including the implementation of the 2021 report of the Technical Sub-Committee of the High-Level Body chaired by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which recommended an adjustment of CONHESS.

The unions also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the No Work, No Pay circular, insisting that it should not apply to their members.

Responding, the ministry appealed to JOHESU to maintain the status quo to enable the NSIWC to conclude an ongoing job evaluation aimed at determining the appropriate placement of all health professionals.

Mr Balogun said the exercise, which commenced in November last year, was expected to last six months and would pave the way for discussions on salary adjustments, as well as the reconvening of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

In reaching the decision to maintain the status quo, the ministry took into cognisance the conflicting positions of unions and associations in the sector based on memoranda of understanding signed with the Federal Government in the past, he said.

On the issue of No Work, No Pay, the ministry said if JOHESU called off the strike in good faith, the matter would be handled administratively.

The statement added that the ministry had expressed willingness to accommodate the NLC and TUC in subsequent engagements and raised no objection to their continued participation in the dialogue process.

It disclosed that further meetings were held on Tuesday and Thursday to conclude on issues agreed at the 15 January meeting, with a view to getting JOHESU to call off the ongoing strike.

Against this backdrop, the ministry notes that when these sustained engagements are contextualised against the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC, there is a clear mismatch, Mr Balogun said.

The ministry noted that the demand for CONHESS adjustment had been longstanding for more than a decade and unresolved by previous administrations.

It, however, said JOHESU members were beneficiaries of the recent increase in professional allowances for health workers, amounting to about N58 billion in arrears from July 2024 and about N40 billion annually.

Mr Balogun said the federal government remained resolutely committed to achieving sustainable industrial peace in the health sector through dialogue, fairness and mutual respect.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, therefore, urges JOHESU to call off the strike and allow negotiations to continue in the interest of the health sector and the Nigerian public, he said.

He also expressed appreciation to health professionals who continued working during the strike, assuring that there would be continued efforts to keep federal hospitals open.

(NAN)
A Lagos-based health facility, Kelina Hospital, performed 212 prostate-related surgeries in 2025, as prostate cancer continues to rise among men in Nigeria.

The hospital disclosed the figure on Saturday at a press conference held at its Victoria Island facility, noting that it also recorded 101 prostate cancer surgeries over two years, with no reported mortality.

According to the hospitals Lead Urologist, Celsus Undie, the surgeries covered both prostate cancer and benign prostatic enlargement, conditions that disproportionately affect older men and remain a major contributor to morbidity in Nigeria.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in sub-Saharan Africa and the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022 estimate that Nigeria records more than 18,000 new prostate cancer cases annually. The report also estimates about 11,443 deaths each year, largely linked to late diagnosis and advanced disease at presentation.

Cancer burden

The urologist said the volume of surgeries reflects both the growing burden of prostate-related diseases and the demand for specialised urological care.

In the year 2025, Kelina Hospital carried out a total of 212 prostate surgeries, factoring in surgeries for prostate cancer and benign prostatic enlargement, Mr Undie said.

He added that, based on statistics available to it, the figure represents the highest number of prostate surgeries performed by a single hospital in Nigeria within one year.

The management further said the outcome of its prostate cancer surgeries highlights the importance of early detection and timely surgical intervention in prostate cancer care.

The most effective treatment for any cancer, including prostate cancer, is radical surgery, the hospital said, noting that once cancer spreads beyond its primary organ, treatment is often no longer curative.

Kelina Hospital said it offers open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, depending on patient needs. It added that robotic radical prostatectomy is its preferred option for most patients, except in specific cases such as kidney transplant recipients.

Benign prostate conditions

Beyond cancer, the hospital said a significant proportion of its cases involved benign enlargement of the prostate, a condition that can obstruct urine flow and pose serious risks to kidney function.

It said untreated cases often result in long-term catheter use, recurrent infections and declining quality of life.

According to the hospital, it performs minimally invasive procedures such as Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) for benign prostate enlargement.

Kelina Hospital said it introduced HoLEP in Nigeria in 2018 and has carried out over 600 HoLEP procedures since 2019, with a reported mortality rate of less than 0.2 per cent.

Surgical team

The hospital said its surgical outcomes were supported by a team of four urologists in 2025, including specialists trained locally and internationally.

It noted that one of its robotic surgeons has performed over 2,000 robotic surgical procedures, while the hospital has completed more than 6,000 surgeries across specialities.

Kelina Hospital said its overall surgical mortality rate is below one per cent, which it attributed to structured processes, teamwork and strict adherence to safety protocols.

These outcomes have not been a result of isolated individual effort, but one built on structured processes, teamwork, and adhering strictly to safety protocols, the hospital said.

Regulation and training

The hospital acknowledged the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for enabling the participation of diaspora and foreign-trained surgeons through licensing and regulation.

It said collaboration with international experts and returning Nigerian specialists has helped expand local capacity in advanced urological care, adding that it operates strictly within Nigerias regulatory framework.

Health experts have consistently warned that prostate cancer outcomes in Nigeria remain poor largely due to late presentation, low screening uptake and limited access to specialised care.

Sefiu Eniola, a urologist, told PT Health Watch that because early prostate cancer is usually silent, routine screening is crucial. Mr Eniola recommended that African men begin prostate cancer screening between the ages of 40 and 45.
Former members of Nigerias federal and state legislatures have renewed calls for the rotation of the presidency between the North and the South to be formally incorporated into the Constitution, arguing that such a move would deepen trust, ease political tension and reinforce national cohesion.

The call was among key resolutions adopted at the 2026 National Summit of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), held in Abuja on Saturday under the theme National Unity and Nation Building: Beyond 2031.

In a communique issued after the meeting, the Forum said constitutionalising rotational leadership would remove ambiguity around power-sharing, entrench fairness and provide long-term stability for future electoral cycles.

The group maintained that clear constitutional rules would strengthen inclusion and democratic balance in Africas most populous country.

The former lawmakers also reaffirmed their interpretation of the existing political understanding that power should move back to the North in 2031, after the conclusion of the current southern presidency led by President Bola Tinubu.

In the same vein, they endorsed the continuation of the administrations reform agenda and insisted that democratic stability required President Tinubu to complete the full eight-year tenure traditionally associated with a southern turn.

At the summit, the Forum passed a vote of absolute confidence in the Tinubu administration and adopted the president as its sole preferred candidate for the 2027 general election.

It further reiterated its belief in dialogue, consultation and peaceful engagement as the most effective means of addressing Nigerias political, social and regional challenges.

Gbajabiamila backs rotation, warns against ambition

Delivering the keynote address, the Chief of Staff to the President and convener of the summit, Femi Gbajabiamila, lent his support to the principle of rotational presidency, describing it as a pragmatic compromise designed to manage Nigerias diversity and preserve stability.

He cautioned that personal ambition should not be allowed to erode arrangements that sustain national unity, urging Nigerians across political, ethnic and regional lines to recommit to unity as a strategic necessity rather than a sentimental ideal.

The principle of a rotational presidency between North and South stands as one of the clearest expressions of principled compromise in the service of our national interest, he said.

He also cautioned against the mobilisation of ethnic, tribal or religious identity as a shortcut to power, warning that such tactics may offer short-term political gains but inflict long-term damage on national cohesion.

Mr Gbajabiamila said the summit was convened against a backdrop of global uncertainty, where established norms were under strain and international stability was weakening. Such a moment, he said, required seasoned leadership and reflective national conversation.

We meet at a moment when the world appears unsettled and uncertain of its direction. Long-standing assumptions are being questioned, familiar certainties are eroding, and the global environment is becoming more volatile, Mr Gbajabiamila said. Yet it is precisely in moments such as these that leadership is most needed.

According to him, Mr Tinubu continues to draw strength from the collective experience and institutional memory of former legislators as he pursues the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He described the NFFL as a national asset whose members actively shaped defining moments in Nigerias democratic journey and whose experience should inform present and future decisions.

Explaining the choice of the theme, Mr Gbajabiamila said the focus on beyond 2031 was a reminder that nation-building is a continuous process that transcends individual administrations. He referenced the Constitutions commitment to unity and harmony, stressing that national unity is both a duty and a trust.

Drawing from his legislative background, he said the National Assembly exemplifies unity in practice, where differences are debated and reconciled in pursuit of the national interest. Unity, he added, does not demand uniformity, but cooperation despite diversity.

Unity does not require the erasure of difference, he said. It does not demand that we abandon our identities in order to work together.

On foreign relations, Mr Gbajabiamila warned that Nigeria is perceived globally as a single entity, noting that internal divisions weaken its ability to negotiate, project strength and safeguard its interests. With the post-Second World War global order increasingly fragmented, he said unity at home would determine whether Nigeria is weakened by change or positioned to benefit from it.

He cautioned that prolonged internal divisions would deepen insecurity and transmit instability across generations, insisting that unity underpins economic resilience, national security and international credibility.

While expressing confidence in Mr Tinubus leadership and commitment to fairness and inclusion, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, stressed that the responsibility for unity extends beyond the government. Former legislators and political leaders, he said, must shape public discourse, model restraint and resist the mobilisation of ethnic or religious identity for short-term political gain.

He highlighted administration initiatives aimed at fostering inclusion, including the establishment of development commissions across all six geopolitical zones, nationwide infrastructure projects such as the LagosCalabar Coastal Road and the SokotoBadagry Highway, the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, student loan schemes and health interventions.

On security, he said ongoing reforms were intended to improve coordination and ensure equal protection for all citizens, while encouraging constructive civic engagement that does not undermine national harmony.

Mr Gbajabiamila concluded by urging participants to leave the summit resolved to lead differently, choosing cooperation over division and persuasion over provocation, and offered prayers for Nigerias peace, unity and prosperity.

Forum officials echo unity call

National Coordinator of the summit, Raphael Igbokwe, also called for renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence and the formal codification of rotational power sharing between the North and South.

He said the summit provided a platform for former legislators to reflect on Nigerias stability and future beyond 2031, describing the NFFL as a peace-oriented, public interest body dedicated to an inclusive and prosperous nation.

Mr Igbokwe recalled that earlier regional dialogues organised by the Forum had affirmed the need for the South to complete its eight-year tenure in the interest of unity, adding that Mr Tinubu should be supported to conclude the southern presidency.

He identified power struggles as a major source of conflict in the country and argued that constitutional backing for rotation would reduce suspicion and foster trust among Nigerias diverse groups.

He also urged stronger action against insecurity, including the prosecution of sponsors of terrorism, while appealing for public support for security agencies and greater tolerance across ethnic and religious lines.

On political reforms, he called for former legislators to be recognised as statutory delegates at party conventions and urged the government to address the welfare of ageing ex-lawmakers, particularly from the Second and Third Republics.

Former Senate President and Chairperson of the summit, Ken Nnamani, said ex-legislators have a duty to educate citizens on democratic succession and national unity, noting that many voters rely on political leaders for guidance rather than party structures.

He explained that the Abuja meeting, unlike earlier regional engagements, brought together participants from across the federation, reflecting a broader national focus.

Mr Nnaman commended Mr Gbajabiamila for sustaining the initiative and creating a forum for former legislators to contribute meaningfully to national discourse.
A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model .

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Topps Tiles Plc ( LON:TPT ) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Story Continues

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.0%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 13%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK21m (1 + 3.0%)  (13% 3.0%) = UK216m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK216m ( 1 + 13%)10= UK64m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is UK142m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK0.4, the company appears quite undervalued at a 42% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

LSE:TPT Discounted Cash Flow January 25th 2026

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Topps Tiles as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 13%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.966. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

See our latest analysis for Topps Tiles

SWOT Analysis for Topps Tiles

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Topps Tiles, we've put together three additional factors you should look at:

Risks: Be aware that Topps Tiles is showing 4 warning signs in our investment analysis , you should know about... Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for TPT's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the LSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
In Nigerian politics, defections are often viewed as routine realignments  brief migrations by politicians seeking relevance or survival. Some produce little lasting change. Yet occasionally, a calculated shift reveals deeper fractures and signals the reordering of power.

The defection on Tuesday of Almustapha Saulawa, former director of protocol to ex-Governor Aminu Masari, from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is one such moment.

Mr Saulawas exit completes a puzzle that has been assembling quietly for months. By joining an ADC roster that already includes former Secretary to the State Government Mustapha Inuwa and two former senators, Ibrahim Tsauri and Ahmad Kaita, he has helped cement a formidable Megaparty coalition.

The ADC in Katsina is no longer a fringe platform. It is rapidly becoming a significant force, staffed by the very architects who once shaped the system they now challenge. To appreciate the threat this poses to Governor Dikko Raddas 2027 re-election, one must move beyond headlines to the underlying numbers and networks.

The Almost Governor

At the coalitions core stands Mr Inuwa. The 2022 APC governorship primaries provide clear evidence of his influence: Mr Radda secured 506 delegate votes, while Mr Inuwa polled 442  a margin of just 64 votes.

His defection carried more than his personal brand; it brought a dense web of loyalists embedded in local government structures and ward machinery. Fused with Mr Saulawas administrative insight, this has effectively reconstituted the APCs former runner-up faction into a cohesive opposition force.

The Insider Factor: Saulawa and Institutional Memory

While Mr Inuwa supplies grassroots strength, Mr Saulawa contributes institutional memory and operational insight. As the former director of protocol in the Masari administration that paved the way for the current government, his departure carries symbolic weight.

I was part and parcel of the ruling APC I decided Im no longer going with them, Mr Saulawa stated. This narrative equips the opposition with intimate knowledge of patronage networks, civil service grievances, and internal fault lines. His assertion that the APC is now dominated by sycophants further erodes morale among those who remain.

The National Tailwind: Peter Obi Factor

This Katsina realignment is not occurring in isolation. It coincides with significant national developments in January, including the defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to the ADC to forge a National Third Force.

Mr Obi came third in the 2023 presidential election. He joins Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the election, in the ADC. The political realignment in states like Katsina shows that the ADC is not just growing at the federal level, but also in states.

Katsina In 2023

One critical factor complicating the ADCs 2027 ambitions is recent electoral history. While Katsina is often described as an APC stronghold, the 2023 presidential election told a more nuanced story.

In that contest, the APC lost Katsina at the presidential level, with the opposition narrowly edging the ruling party. The margin was slim, but politically significant: it demonstrated that voter loyalty in the state is neither fixed nor unconditional.

Importantly, it showed that the oppositions appealparticularly among urban voters and sections of the youthwas already substantial before the current wave of defections.

Yet that momentum failed to translate into victories at the governorship and other subnational levels, where the APC retained control. The divergence highlights a persistent pattern in Katsina politics: voters often distinguish sharply between national protest voting and state-level power calculations.

Presidential elections allow for symbolic choices and ideological expression; governorship elections are more transactional, shaped by local networks, incumbency power, and candidate familiarity. Any opposition coalition seeking to upend the status quo in 2027 must therefore explain not only why voters rejected the APC nationally in 2023, but why they still trusted it locally.

The Security Heavyweight: Lawal Dauras Entry

The coalition received a significant boost on Wednesday when former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Lawal Daura, formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship on the ADC platform. Speaking at a youth sensitisation and mobilisation programme in Katsina, Mr Daura  a figure long associated with Nigerias national security architecture  described the moment as one demanding openness and commitment.

Party insiders view Mr Dauras entry as a strategic masterstroke: it brings high-level intelligence experience and national stature to a coalition already hammering the APC on banditry and security failures. Mr Daura urged unity, discipline, and respect for leadership, expressing confidence that the ADC could reclaim its lost glory in Katsina.

The declaration coincided with further momentum: Mr Inuwa revealed that 71 APC members had recently defected to the ADC. At the same time, the Labour Party structure in parts of the state is in advanced talks to decamp en bloc. Separately, the ADC claimed to have registered over one million members across all 34 local government areas, although political parties are known to brandish unprovable membership figures. The partys 2023 governorship candidate, Ibrahim Aminu-Trader, who is also eyeing the 2027 ticket, described the influx of youths, women, and defectors as evidence of growing demand for alternatives.

The PDP Question: Where Does the Old Opposition Go?

The second unresolved variable is the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)the platform that anchored opposition strength in Katsina during the 2023 elections.

While the ADC has attracted high-profile defectors from the APC, it remains unclear whether it is also absorbing the PDPs organisational base, or merely overlapping with it. In 2023, it was the PDPnot the ADCthat served as the primary vehicle for anti-APC sentiment in the state, mobilising structures that delivered a competitive presidential showing.

If significant segments of that PDP base remain outside the ADC coalition, the opposition risks repeating a familiar mistake: fragmentation. A divided oppositionADC on one flank, PDP on anotherwould almost certainly favour the incumbent APC, even in a politically competitive environment.

The unanswered question, therefore, is whether the ADC can evolve from being a magnet for elite defectors into a true umbrella capable of consolidating legacy opposition structures, particularly those loyal to figures such as Yakubu Lado. Without that consolidation, the coalitions arithmetic becomes far less threatening.

Ambition versus Cohesion: The Candidate Congestion Dilemma

There is also a more delicate internal challenge: ambition management.

Many of the political heavyweights gravitating toward the ADC are not merely power brokersthey are potential candidates. In a system where only one governorship ticket exists, the question is not whether the ADC has strong aspirants, but whether it can survive the process of choosing one.

Recent Nigerian political history is littered with coalitions that collapsed at the point of ticket allocation, as disappointed aspirants defected, undermined campaigns, or quietly worked against their own party. If the ADCs internal contest becomes acrimonious, todays unity could quickly unravel.

The coalitions durability will therefore depend less on who joins it now, and more on how it manages exclusion later. Whether unsuccessful aspirants remain committedor exit in protestmay ultimately determine whether the ADC becomes a viable alternative government or another short-lived alliance of convenience.

The Hubris Test: Confidence Meets Consolidation

The timing of Mr Saulawas defection  now reinforced by Mr Dauras high-profile entry  also undercuts Governor Raddas recent political assessment. During his tour of Katsinas 34 local government areas last month, the governor declared that his visible developmental achievements had rendered the opposition completely silent, predicting their imminent defection to the APC.

Mr Saulawas exit demonstrates the opposite: the opposition is consolidating, not dissolving. The belief that infrastructure alone would guarantee loyalty has been tested against the stronger forces of political survival, ambition, and grievance.

Weaponising Policy: The Bandit Release Controversy

Beyond personalities, the ADC is framing its challenge in terms of policy, particularly security. The party has mounted sustained attacks on the Radda administration over the planned release of 70 suspected bandits, portraying it as a betrayal of victims in frontline communities.

In rural local government areas such as Funtua and Malumfashi, where the human cost of banditry remains visceral, this message is potent. The ADC poses a blunt question to voters: Does the government stand with citizens  or with criminals?

Governments Defence: Law, Strategy and Results

The Radda administration firmly rejects the amnesty label. Officials describe the release as a strategic prisoner exchange, legally authorised under the states Administration of Criminal Justice Law and aimed at saving lives.

According to the Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasir Muazu, the approach has secured the freedom of over 1,000 abducted persons across 15 local government areas. The government maintains that while the opposition appeals to emotion, the government is making the complex, often unpopular decisions required to reduce suffering.

APC leaders further characterise the defections as shedding dead weight, attributing exits to discomfort with the administrations strict financial discipline and refusal to sustain the business-as-usual patronage system.

Internally Displaced Politicians: The Firebrand Response

The governors media team has responded sharply. Maiwada Dan Mallam, director-general of media to the governor, dismissed the ADC coalition as a gathering of political refugees rather than a genuine threat.

What makes them different from random defectors? They are as random as they come, Mr Dan Mallam stated. These are frustrated people who have long defected from local communities and have no option but to mutate into freeloaders whose idea of politics is purely self-serving.

Challenging their heavyweight status, he urged verification at the grassroots: These are people who, on a good day, cannot deliver their polling units  if they are lucky not to be chased away for their anti-people tendencies.

He concluded: ADC is a mere tent for Internally Displaced Politicians (IDPs) whose actions and ambitions are not worth public debating.

The Hard Reality: Power of the Treasury

Momentum alone does not guarantee success. Governor Radda has signed an 898 billion budget for 2026  one of the largest in the states history, heavily weighted toward capital projects. In Nigerian politics, such fiscal control enables incumbents to dominate the narrative through visible infrastructure, contracts, and state resources. If the ADC has the people, the APC retains the naira.

The spoiler risk persists: failure to absorb the remnants of the PDP, led by Yakubu Lado, could fracture the opposition vote and allow Mr Radda to prevail through division, as in 2023.

Conclusion: A Changed Political Equation

Taken together, these factors suggest that while the ADC coalition has altered Katsinas political equation, momentum alone will not determine the outcome in 2027.

The political arithmetic in Katsina has nonetheless shifted. Governor Dikko Radda is no longer confronting a fragmented opposition, but a coalescing coalition that brings together experienced political operators, grassroots networks, institutional memory, a growing security profile, and expanding national linkages.

The 2027 election is therefore shaping up as a contest between two governing philosophies: the ADCs promise of moral and political rescue versus the APCs emphasis on pragmatic, results-driven governance. Whether the emerging megaparty can translate momentum into victory will depend on its ability to maintain unity, manage a crowded primary field, and avoid the ego-driven fractures that have undone similar alliances.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed regret over the United States notification of withdrawal from the organisation, saying the decision makes the world less safe.

WHO, in a statement, acknowledged several significant contributions of the US to the organisation since its founding.

The US formally withdrew from the WHO on Thursday, making good on an executive order that President Donald Trump issued on 20 January 2025, his first day in office.

As a founding member of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United States of America has contributed significantly to many of WHOs greatest achievements, the WHO said.

These include the eradication of smallpox, and progress against many other public health threats including polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and more.

WHO therefore regrets the United States notification of withdrawal from WHO  a decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe.

The notification of withdrawal raises issues that will be considered by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting starting on 2 February and by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026.

WHO said it takes note of statements from the government of the United States that say WHO has trashed and tarnished and insulted it, and compromised its independence.

The reverse is true, the UN global health agency declared.

As we do with every Member State, WHO has always sought to engage with the United States in good faith, with full respect for its sovereignty, WHO stressed.

In its statements, the United States cited as one of the reasons for its decision, WHO failures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The failure, the US noted, included obstructing the timely and accurate sharing of critical information. The US alleged that the WHO concealed those failures.

While no organisation or government got everything right, WHO stands by its response to this unprecedented global health crisis.

Throughout the pandemic, WHO acted quickly, shared all information it had rapidly and transparently with the world, and advised Member States on the basis of the best available evidence.

WHO said it recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns.

The global health body said it supported sovereign governments to make decisions they believed were in the best interests of their people, but the decisions were theirs.

Immediately after receiving the first reports of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019, WHO asked China for more information and activated its emergency incident management system.

By the time the first death was reported from China on 11 January 2020, WHO had already alerted the world through formal channels, public statements and social media, convened global experts, and published comprehensive guidance for countries on how to protect their populations and health systems.

When the WHO Director-General declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations on 30 January 2020  the highest level of alarm under international health law  outside of China, there were fewer than 100 reported cases, and no reported deaths.

WHO said in the first weeks and months of the pandemic, the Director-General repeatedly urged all countries to take immediate action to protect their populations.

The global health agency said it warned that the window of opportunity is closing, adding this is not a drill and describing COVID-19 as public enemy number one.

Accordingly, it said in response to the multiple reviews of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the WHOs performance, the WHO has taken steps to strengthen its own work.

These steps, WHO stressed, included supporting countries to bolster their own pandemic preparedness and response capacities.

The systems we developed and managed before, during and after the emergency phase of the pandemic, and which run 24/7, have contributed to keeping all countries safe, including the United States.

The United States also said in its statements that the WHO has pursued a politicised, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests.

This is untrue, the world health body counters.

As a specialised agency of the United Nations, governed by 194 Member States, WHO has always been and remains impartial and exists to serve all countries, with respect for their sovereignty, and without fear or favour.

WHO appreciates the support and continued engagement of all its Member States, which continue to work within the WHO framework to pursue solutions to the worlds biggest health threats, both communicable and noncommunicable.

Most notably, WHO Member States in 2025 adopted the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which, once ratified, will become a landmark instrument of international law to keep the world safer from future pandemics.

ALSO READ: US withdrawal from WHO takes effect today

Member States are now negotiating an annexe to the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system.

If adopted, this will promote rapid detection and sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential, and equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

The global health body said it hoped that in the future, the United States would return to active participation in the WHO.

WHO remains steadfastly committed to working with all countries in pursuit of its core mission and constitutional mandate: the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people.

(NAN)
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET), Abuja, over the failure to account for the missing or diverted N128 billion of public funds from the Ministry of Power and NBET.

The grave allegations are documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on 9 September 2025. Corruption contributes significantly to the frequent grid collapses, as Nigerians last week witnessed the first grid collapse of 2026, plunging the country into darkness.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Adelabu and NBET to account for the missing or diverted 128 billion from the ministry of power and NBET.

SERAP is also seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Adelabu and NBET to disclose details of how the missing or diverted 128 billion was spent, including the dates of disbursement and the purported beneficiaries or contractors, who received the money as well as their registered business names and addresses.

SERAP is seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Adelabu and NBET to disclose the full names, official designations, and offices of all public officers who authorised, approved, or otherwise participated in the release of the missing or diverted 128 billion in the ministry of power and NBET.

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: Nigerians continue to pay the price for the widespread and grand corruption in the power sector. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations.

SERAP is also arguing that, Granting the reliefs sought would contribute to tackling corruption in the power sector and addressing the persistent breakdown of transmission lines in the country, as well as improving access of Nigerians to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply.

SERAP is arguing that, granting the reliefs sought would also strike a blow against the impunity of those responsible for the missing or diverted public money meant to provide Nigerians with access to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply.

According to SERAP, Ordinary Nigerians continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sectorstaying in darkness, but still made to pay crazy electricity bills.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international anticorruption standards.

According to the recently published 2022 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Power failed to account for over N4.4 billion [N4,404,647,938.53] transferred to Mambilla, Zungeru and Kashimbilla project accounts by the Ministry.

There was no evidence of how the funds were expended. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.

The Ministry also paid over N95 billion [N95,415,183,701.83] to some contractors for various projects. But there was no document on the payments, and no evidence that the projects existed and were executed. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted. He wants the money recovered.

The Ministry paid over N33 million [N33,557,959.00] for foreign travels, but without any approvals. The money was paid as estacode, flight tickets, visa fees and other allowances to enable the minister and his aides to attend the World Utilities Congress at Abu Dhabi and Huawei innovation land exhibition in Dubai.

The travels were never approved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or the Head of Civil Service. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.

The Ministry failed to account for over N230 million [N230,795,255.27] being expenditure on the GIGMIS platform. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.

The Ministry also paid over N282 million [N282,672,576.53] as non-personal advances to various staff of the ministry for the procurement of goods and services. But the payments were beyond the statutory threshold of N200,000.00. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted. He wants the money recovered.

The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) Abuja also irregularly awarded contracts for over N427 million [N427,491,866.16]. There was no evidence of advert placements in the procurement journal.

The Auditor-General fears the contracts may have been awarded to incompetent contractors, resulting in loss of government funds.

NBET irregularly transferred over N7 billion [N7,620,840,000.00] into purported sub-accounts of unnamed beneficiaries. There was also no authority for such payment, contrary to the Financial Regulations.

NBET claimed it paid over N9.3 billion [N9,336,986,697.17] to Egbin Power PLC as outstanding payment on GenCos for Power Sector Reform Programme. But there was no document to authenticate the genuineness of the transactions. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted. He wants the money recovered.

NBET paid over N8 billion [N8,027,355,487.20] to some beneficiaries but without entering the transaction into the payment vouchers register and the vote book. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted and misapplied. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.

NBET also reportedly awarded contracts of over N420 million [N420,665,525.65] to eleven ineligible consultants. The payments were for various consultancy services such as technical support on power plant capacity testing of 5 power plants. But there was no evidence that the services paid for were rendered.

The engagement of the consultants also failed to meet due process as required by the Procurement Act. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.

NBET also failed to account for payments of over N45 million [N45,851,647.92] as contingency, logistics and security charges for six contracts. The payments were made without any application from the contractors and without any approval.

There was no breakdown of the expenditure. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted or the payments may be for work not done. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.

NBET spent over N61 million [N61,775,659.75] from the capital vote on consultancy services but without any provision made for it in the approved capital budget of the company. The payments were also made without any approval for virement. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted or may have been misapplied. He wants the money refunded to the treasury.

NBET also irregularly awarded contract of over N39 million [N39,661,081.83] for the supply and installation of a video conferencing solution to the NBET office. But there was no evidence of any work done.

The same contract was re-awarded to another contractor without any open competitive bidding, such as advertisement, quotations, and financial bid evaluation. There was also no evidence that any job was completed.

NBET paid over N49 million [N49,995,000.00] for the supply of three units of Toyota Corolla, 2019 model, but the contract was awarded without any approval. There was no Bureau of Public Procurement approval, minutes of tenders board approvals and technical and financial evaluation reports.

NBET also paid over N8 million [N8,744,186.05] as legal fees to a legal practitioner. But the payment was without the approval of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.

NBET also irregularly paid over N8.9 million [N8,928,000.00] for the professional development program of five officers working in the organization. The payment was made as reimbursement of the balance of the course fee. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted. He wants the money recovered.

NBET also spent over N1 billion [N1,100,279,895.20] as extra-budgetary spending, but without any approval from the Minister of Finance and the National Assembly. The Auditor-General fears the money may have been misappropriated and misapplied. He wants the money refunded and remitted to the treasury.

NBET also paid over N110 million [N110,556,502.00] to companies and retail supermarkets for staff to pick items and promotion packages for Easter and Salah between 2021 and 2022. The payments were made without any document.

Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes responsibility on the ministry of power and NBET to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution. Section 15(5) imposes the responsibility on the ministry and NBET to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.

Article 26 of the UN Convention against Corruption which Nigeria has ratified requires the ministry of power and NBET to ensure effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions in cases of grand corruption.

Article 26 complements the more general requirement of article 30, paragraph 1, that sanctions must take into account the gravity of the corruption allegations.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service on Saturday night contained a fire outbreak at a large warehouse along Coker Market Road, Amuwo-Odofin Industrial Layout, Mile 2, Lagos.

The agency said it received a distress call at 8:29 p.m. and deployed firefighting crews to the scene by 8:40 p.m.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Sunday, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said firefighters from the Ajegunle, Sari Iganmu, Okota and Alausa fire stations were mobilised to combat the blaze.

She said the affected warehouse stored highly flammable materials contained in hundreds of 200-litre drums, which increased the risk of escalation.

Ms Adeseye said the crews worked through the night and brought the fire under control at about 5:55 a.m. on Sunday, preventing it from spreading to nearby facilities.

No casualties were recorded during the incident, she said.

The fire service said the cause of the outbreak had yet to be determined, adding that investigations were ongoing.

The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents and business owners to strictly comply with fire safety regulations.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that a fire broke out at Alaba Suru, just past Eleganza inward Mile 2, at about 9:05 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

In a post on X, LASTMA said its officers immediately contacted the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and began assessing the fires impact on traffic and the safety of road users.

The authority said its officials managed traffic around the area and ensured the safety of motorists and pedestrians while emergency responders worked to contain the blaze.

The extent of property damage has not been officially confirmed.

The incident adds to a series of fire emergencies recorded in the Mile 2 corridor in recent months.

LASTMA and the fire service recently averted a major disaster after a diesel tanker overturned on Liverpool Bridge, spilling fuel and forcing emergency evacuation to prevent ignition.

In December 2025, a fire at Berger Trailer Park near Mile 2 destroyed several trailers and containerised stalls, while emergency crews battled heavy traffic during rescue operations.

READ ALSO: Fire breaks out at Alaba Suru in Lagos

In October 2025, PREMIUM TIMES reported that a fire gutted parts of Alaba International Market, destroying multiple shops and disrupting commercial activities.

The repeated incidents have renewed concerns over fire safety in Lagos busy industrial and commercial districts, particularly along the Mile 2 axis.
The Police Command in Ondo State says it has successfully rescued two out of four victims abducted by gunmen on Saturday at Eleyewo in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

Abayomi Jimoh, the commands spokesperson, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, said the rescue followed a reported case of abduction.

According to Mr Jimoh, a deputy superintendent of police, a distress call was received at the Police Commands Control Room on 24 January at about 0945hrs on the abduction of four men by gunmen.

The command received a call that three men: Adesola Emiloye, 45; Jimoh Akinlolu, 35; Ebenezer Oloro, 43, and one other person whose identity is yet to be ascertained were ambushed by two armed men.

The victims were abducted while on their site at the Eleyewo Area. The command immediately deployed operatives from its tactical teams to the scene, resulting in the successful rescue of two victims.

Their motorcycles were also recovered, while concerted efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.

Against this backdrop, the Police Command in Ondo State reiterates unequivocally that the state has never been and will never be a safe haven for criminal elements, he said.

The spokesperson also said criminals operating within the state would always be identified, tracked, and brought to justice.

Mr Jimoh said the Commissioner of Police (CP) applauded the robust inter-agency collaboration between the command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

According to him, the collaboration will aid in the coordinated efforts to strengthen crime prevention and enhance public safety across the state.

The CP said the coordinated efforts reflected the commands enhanced operational capacity for timely response to security incidents.

He also commended the operatives for their prompt and decisive response, describing their actions as professional and commendable.

The command commends residents for their timely reports and cooperation, and urges members of the public to continue providing credible and actionable information that will aid crime prevention and detection, he said.

(NAN)
A member of the House of Representatives, Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers), has criticised President Bola Tinubus Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, for allegedly distorting facts while making comments on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and the raging political crisis in Rivers State.

Mr Bwala, during a television interview on Friday, claimed that Mr Wike had been adequately compensated and suggested that the minister was preventing Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara from governing.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Mr Bob described the comments as cheeky, unwarranted, and stemmed from premeditated bile, arguing that Mr Bwala avoided the substance of the question put to him and instead advanced a narrative aimed at undermining the minister.

You could see that he deliberately pivoted from the question to talk about the minister having been adequately compensated, whatever that means.

He doesnt understand the ministers contribution to this administration. Clearly, he operates on the fringes. And sadly, he leaves the impression that he sees public office as a gravy train ride, he said.

Public office is about service delivery, not adequate compensation, Mr Bob said, adding that the comments betrayed ignorance of Mr Wikes contributions to the current administration.

Mr Bob also faulted Mr Bwalas attempt to downplay the FCT ministers performance by attributing it largely to the decision to exit the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

He argued that the move was initiated by the minister himself and approved by the president based on confidence in his capacity to deliver, a confidence he said was earned through Mr Wikes record as governor of Rivers State.

That confidence is rooted in his strong record as Rivers governor, for which even President Buhari honoured him and Buhari was never enamoured of Wike, Mr Bob said.

The lawmaker further criticised Mr Bwala for implying that the FCT minister was interfering with Mr Fubaras administration, describing the claim as irresponsible and outside the advisers remit.

Mr Fubaras government has been grappling with a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, marked by a rift between the executive and the House of Assembly, factional disputes among lawmakers and legal battles that have disrupted governance and legislative business in the state.

Mr Bob accused the presidential aide of projecting personal opinions as the position of President Tinubu, insisting that Mr Bwala does not speak for the president on the Rivers political situation.

Mr Bwala denigrates his office by infusing his public comments with his own sentiments and biases and passing them off as the presidents. But he wasnt speaking for the president because the president knows who bears responsibility for the situation in Rivers, he said.

Mr Bob, who chairs the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions and represents Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency, also suggested that Mr Bwalas comments may be influenced by lingering political grievances from the 2023 general election.

He alleged that the adviser had yet to come to terms with the defeat of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he previously served, and advised him to exercise restraint in his public engagements.

Mr Bob urged Mr Bwala to act with humility and professionalism, warning that public commentary from the Presidency should be guided by responsibility rather than personal sentiment.
The Jigawa State Police Command has taken a newlywed woman into custody over her husbands death after consuming a meal she had prepared.

The commands spokesperson, Lawan Adam, confirmed the incident in a statement. He stated that the deceased fell ill shortly after eating lunch at their residence in Gauza village in the Jahun Local Government Area, on Friday.

According to the police, the husband was rushed to a nearby hospital as his condition deteriorated, but he died while receiving treatment.

Following the death, detectives from the Jahun Division launched an immediate investigation, which led to the arrest of the wife as the primary suspect.

The suspect allegedly admitted to the crime, detailing how she orchestrated the poisoning.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to poisoning her husbands food with rat poison. She further revealed that she sent her cousin to purchase the rat poison used in committing the act, Mr Adam stated.

The suspect reportedly cited her dissatisfaction with the union as the motive for her actions, claiming she had been coerced into the marriage against her will.

The suspect also stated that she was forced into the marriage by her parents, a situation she claimed led to her actions, the police spokesperson added.

The statement further detailed the sequence of events leading to the husbands passing.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased reportedly took his lunch at home, after which he fell seriously ill and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Sadly, he was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.

The Commissioner of Police has since ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Dutse.

The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse, after which the suspect will be charged in court for prosecution, the statement concluded.

The police did not release the names or ages of the deceased or the suspect.

In January last year, PREMIUM TIMES reported a similar incident in which a 34-year-old man narrated how he escaped death, but his friend died after his 14-year-old bride poisoned their food two days after his wedding.

Kamisu Haruna, 34, told PREMIUM TIMES that the incident occurred on 22 December 2023 at his residence in Albasu village in the same Jahun Local Government Area of the state where the latest incident happened.
When the Rivers State House of Assembly abruptly shut down the plenary on 5 December 2025 and pushed sittings into the New Year, it did not feel like a routine adjournment. It felt like a warning. Weeks later, that warning matured into an impeachment noticeanother oneforcing a single, uncomfortable question into public debate: is Governor Siminalayi Fubara calm because he is in control, calculated because he is buying time, or careless because he has misread the moment?

Governor Fubara appears to have chosen restraint over retaliation, silence over spectacle. While supporters call it statesmanship, critics see miscalculation, prompting PREMIUM TIMES to interrogate whether Mr Fubaras attitude has steadied the polityor ceded ground to forces determined to unseat him.

Before the surprise adjournment, the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside 15 other lawmakers, leaving 10 in the Peoples Democratic Party, a strategic move by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to consolidate control of the two major parties in the state.

The Wike-backed lawmakers had also, before the adjournment, accused Mr Fubara of failing to present commissioner-nominees and budgets before the House. The claims were familiar, even predictable, from a legislature long locked in a power struggle with the executive. But the early adjournmentcoming amid rising tensionssignalled something more worrying: a strategic pause, not a legislative break.

When lawmakers reconvened for their first sitting in 2026, there was no pretence of reconciliation. The House slammed the governor with an impeachment noticethe third in less than three yearsaccusing him of gross misconduct, including failure to present the states 2025 budget.

The charge, however, carried a contradiction that quickly exposed the political undercurrents of the crisis. The same 2025 budget had already been passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu during the emergency administration of Ibok-Ette Ibas. Why, critics asked, should a governor present a fresh budget when a legally enacted one was still running?

Power politics beyond the chamber

The timing of the impeachment notice was not lost on observers. It coincided with a period when Mr Wike, the lawmakers political leader, was touring local government areas across Rivers, openly rallying support against the governor.

For Itoro Ebong, a lecturer in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Uyo, the message was unmistakable.

For you to be the governor, you allowed a minister to host a political rally in the 23 local government areas in your state. That simply means he wants to test your authority as governor, telling you that youre just a governor, but I own the political structure.

In another political climate, such tours might have triggered confrontations. But Mr Fubara did not mobilise counter-rallies. He did not deploy state power. He kept quiet.

That alone, Mr Ebong noted, if Governor Fubara were not a democrat, there must have been a crisis but he keeps silent.

Silence, in Rivers politics, is rarely neutral.

Restraint as virtueor vacuum

Supporters argue that Mr Fubaras attitude has prevented Rivers from sliding into violence. Mr Ebong insists the governors calm disposition has de-escalated tensions, not inflamed them.

If Fubara were using violence, you would have seen serious calamities and casualties, he said. But no casualty in all the local governments visited by the minister the governor chooses restraint.

From this perspective, Mr Fubaras silence is not weakness but deliberate statecraftan effort to deny adversaries the chaos they might exploit.

Yet restraint also creates a vacuum, and vacuums are quickly filled.

A window opensand closes

After the impeachment notice was served, four lawmakers initially pulled back, calling for an amicable resolution. It was the clearest opening for de-escalation since the crisis reignited. But the truce collapsed almost as quickly as it emerged.

The lawmakers later rescinded their withdrawal, accusing the governor of failing to use the window for peace and instead sponsoring media attacks against the assembly.

Whether that accusation holds is less important than its effect: it hardened positions. What might have been resolved quietly became public, bitter, and procedural.

For analyst and columnist, Jide Ojo, this was the moment Mr Fubaras attitude became politically costly.

On the surface, he looks gentle, Mr Ojo said, but when I hear some of the jabs he throws at public functions youre talking tough as if you have control of the whole situation.

Mr Ojo likened the unfolding crisis to the infamous Anambra political imbroglio of 20032006, warning that godfather conflicts rarely reward restraint alone.

I think that Governor Fubara went to a gun battle with a kitchen knife, he said.

Godfathers, timing, and miscalculation

Mr Ojo argues that while the crisis is fundamentally about powerand Mr Wikes desire to remain relevantMr Fubara has not helped his own cause.

People who want to break ranks with their godfather usually wait till they establish firm control, he said. Probably in their second tenure.

By confronting entrenched structures early, Mr Ojo suggests, Mr Fubara exposed himself without consolidating enough political cover. His attitude, he added, has at times appeared nonchalant, mischievous, and treacherousa dangerous mix in a high-stakes power contest.

The governors later defection to the APC, widely seen as a search for federal protection, has so far offered little relief. The impeachment process has continued, underscoring the limits of party realignment when local power structures remain hostile.

The law steps inlate

Only after lawmakers formally asked the Chief Judge, Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, to constitute an investigative panel did a court order surface, restraining the judge from receiving or acting on the assemblys request.

For Samuel Asua, a political science lecturer at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the late judicial intervention explains Mr Fubaras unshaken demeanour.

Fubara is not shaken, he said, noting that the allegations do not amount to gross misconduct under the constitution. The matter has left the assembly.

Mr Asua argues that Mr Fubaras calm is informed by legal calculation.

There are also legal windows for the court process to be extended. How do you expect somebody who already knows this to be shaken?

But the timing matters. The fact that restraint came only after impeachment machinery had been activated feeds criticism that the governors legal strategy is reactive, not preventive.

Governing while embattled

Mr Asua believes the governors silence is also driven by fear of escalation.

Fubara does not need to react to avoid escalation to give the president, once again, another opportunity to declare a state of emergency, he said.

That caution may be understandable. Yet governance does not occur in a vacuum. Prolonged brinkmanship has consequencespolicy uncertainty, legislative paralysis, and public fatigue.

At some point, calm risks being mistaken for absence.

Socalm, calculated, or careless?

Mr Fubaras attitude has undoubtedly prevented bloodshed. It has denied opponents the spectacle of chaos. But it has also allowed adversaries to dominate the narrative, set the pace, and define the crisis.

Restraint can be a virtue. Calculation can be wise. But in politics, timing is unforgiving. What looks like statesmanship today can be recast as indecision tomorrow.

Rivers State now waitsnot just on courts or panelsbut on whether its governor will continue to govern through silence, or find a way to reclaim initiative without lighting the fuse he has worked so hard to avoid.

That, more than impeachment arithmetic, is the real test of leadership in this crisis.
Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said his defence in the forfeiture proceedings and criminal trial launch against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is being hindered by his detention.

Mr Malami, who has passed about 48 days in detention as of Sunday, from when he was first arrested by the EFCC on 8 December 2025, was rearrested by the State Security Service (SSS) on 19 January as he was leaving the correctional centre in Kuje after meeting the bail conditions set for him in his ongoing money laundering trial.

He currently faces a money laundering trial and a non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings with 57 properties estimated to be worth N212.8 billion at stake.

Mr Malami, through his media aide, Mohammed Doka, said on Saturday that coordinated actions by state security agencies were aimed at frustrating his constitutional right to a fair hearing and effective legal defence.

A statement by Mr Doka, shared on the former AGFs Facebook wall on Saturday, said the actions followed charges filed against Mr Malami by the EFCC.

According to the statement, the Federal High Court granted Mr Malami bail after his arraignment; however, the EFCC allegedly delayed submitting his international passports to the court for about one week, despite the documents being a key requirement for the perfection of bail.

Mr Doka said the delay prolonged his detention and hindered the execution of a valid court order.

He further stated that shortly after Mr Malami perfected his bail and was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre, he was rearrested by operatives of the SSS.

The statement alleged that he was detained for five days without access to his lawyers or family members and was only allowed to meet his legal team on Friday after what it described as prolonged isolation and delays.

According to Mr Doka, the detention occurred at a critical time when Mr Malami was expected to prepare and open his defence in an interim forfeiture proceeding filed by the EFCC before the Federal High Court.

The statement explained that denying him access to legal counsel during that period impaired his ability to consult with lawyers, prepare court filings and issue instructions, thereby affecting due process.

Mr Doka further alleged that the sequence of events reflected a pattern in which arrest preceded investigation, with evidence sought after detention, a practice he said violated the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed rights.

He added that bail granted by a court must not be rendered ineffective through delays, rearrests or denial of access to legal representation, warning that such actions undermine the authority of the judiciary and threaten fundamental human rights. This stance contradicts Mr Malamis view while serving as the AGF. While in office, Mr Malami repeatedly justified the continued detention of former Natonal Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki by the SSS against a series of court rulings on grounds of national security. SSS also repeatedly ignored court rulings granting activist Omoyele Sowore bail while Mr Malamis office prosecuted him on treasonable felony in 2019.

But many have argued that Mr Malamis defence of illegal detention while he was in office does not justify violations of his rights now that he is out office.

His aides statement said on Saturday Mr Malami remained willing to defend himself in court in accordance with the law and called on all state institutions to respect court orders, constitutional guarantees and the rule of law.

Background

Mr Malami is currently facing investigations following his rearrest earlier this month.

He was arraigned on 29 December 2025 alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on 16 counts of money laundering and conspiracy involving about N8.7 billion.

EFCC alleged that the defendants used several corporate entities, bank accounts and high-value real estate transactions to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities.

Court documents stated that more than N1.01 billion allegedly passed through a company, Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, between July 2022 and June 2025, while another N600 million was said to have moved through a Sterling Bank account linked to the firm.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that N500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja, was disguised as legitimate funds.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On 7 January, the trial judge, Emeka Nwite, granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each, with conditions including the provision of two sureties with verifiable landed property in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa, as well as the surrender of their international passports.

On the same day, during a separate hearing, the judge ordered an interim forfeiture of 57 properties worth over N212.8 billion, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Mr Malami.

After ordering the interim forfeiture, the judge directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national daily, inviting any person or organisation with an interest in the properties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be made.

The former AGF remained in custody until the bail conditions were perfected 12 days later.

Shortly after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre, he was taken into custody by operatives of the SSS.

The SSS rearrested Mr Malami over alleged discovery of arms in his residence in Birni-Kebbi, Kebbi State

SSS reportedly arrested him over a cache of arms allegedly discovered in his house in Birni-Kebbi, Kebbi State, during a raid by the EFCC.

In a separate statement earlier this week, his media office described the allegations as false and unverified, insisting that no arms or ammunition were recovered from any property linked to him and that no evidence had been presented connecting him to terrorism or its financing.

The statement also expressed concern over his prolonged detention and limited access to his legal team and family members.

Mr Malamis detention has also revived public debate over the powers of security agencies, particularly the SSS, given his past role as Attorney-General in defending similar actions by the agency during his tenure in office.
Controversy has trailed the exit of Governor Abba Yusufs political adviser, Sanusi Kwankwaso, from his role.

Governor Yusuf announced the sacking of Mr Kwankwaso as his political adviser on Saturday, citing a failure to meet the expectations of the office. However, the official had announced his resignation from the office earlier on Friday in a social media post.

The sacking announcement

The governors spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, announced Mr Kwankwasos sacking in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to the statement, the decision followed an extensive performance assessment that revealed the office had failed to fulfil its core responsibilities.

The governor added that the dismissal was a necessary step to safeguard the integrity of his administration.

The action was necessary to restore harmony, focus, and effectiveness within government operations, the statement read.

The governor expressed particular concern over rising internal tensions and divisions linked to the former advisers conduct, warning that his administration would not tolerate actions that undermine the unity and stability of the state government.

The governor further reiterated that loyalty, discipline, and performance remain the non-negotiable guiding principles of his leadership.

The governor immediately appointed Mustapha Bakwana as the new political adviser.

Mr Bakwana is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former aide to former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The former official, Mr Kwankwasoa former Chairman of the Madobi Local Council and a long-time ally of NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwasois the first appointee to be formally sacked by Governor Yusuf since his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Conflicting accounts of departure

The dismissal follows a period of public friction. While the government framed the exit as a termination, Mr Kwankwaso alleged that the government had refused to accept his resignation letter, prompting him to announce his departure online.

He did that on Friday in a video shared on Facebook by Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to the leader of the NNPP leader, Mr Kwankwaso.

I am resigning from my position because Governor Abba Yusuf has left the NNPP and is expected to join the APC, he stated.

I forwarded my resignation to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), but they declined to accept it, claiming they were not authorised to do so.

I cannot betray our leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and I refuse to work with anyone perceived as a betrayer, he stated.

The controversy may be an early skirmish between the governor and his erstwhile mentor.

Governor Yusuf rose to power largely through the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement, led by Mr Kwankwaso.

For years, the two men were seen as inseparable, with Mr Yusuf also being Mr Kwankwasos son-in-law.

Following the governors resignation from the NNPP, the party has split between those who remain loyal to Mr Kwankwaso and those who chose to follow the governor.

The governors defection may erode support for the party in the only state it governs and set the stage for an all-out battle between the governor and his former mentor ahead of the next election cycle.
Key Takeaways

The AI rally is alive and well in the shares of memory device makers like Sandisk and chipmaking equipment providers like Lam Research.

Meanwhile, software stocks are being left in the dust as investors worry AI could be more threat than opportunity for the industry.

Artificial intelligence is once again fueling a scorching tech stock rally, but the rising tide is notably not lifting all boats.

Shares of companies making memory and data storage devices soared in the first weeks of 2026, fueled by a shortage of the hardware essential to training and running AI models. Sandisk (SNDK) stock has doubled in value in less than a month, while Western Digital (WDC) and Micron (MU) have each gained more than 30%.

Theyve been joined by semi caps, the firms whose products enable the design and fabrication of the chips powering the AI revolution. Lam Research Corp. (LRCX) stock was up more than 25% as of Thursday's close, followed closely behind by Applied Materials (AMAT) and KLA Corp. (KLAC), each up nearly 20%.

Altro da Yahoo Scout Why are AI hardware stocks outperforming software companies? What makes Intel's turnaround story so compelling to investors? What's driving the massive gains in memory manufacturers? How is AI threatening traditional software business models?

Why This Is Important

The AI rally has been the driving force behind the stock market for more than three years. But the AI trade has repeatedly shape-shifted, with investors bidding up certain sub-sectors and industries as new bottlenecks in the AI infrastructure buildout emerge.

Then theres Intel (INTC), one of the best-performing stocks in the S&P 500 this year. Wall Street is betting that investments by the federal government and AI king-maker Nvidia (NVDA) will help the storied chipmaker turn things around after years of trouble.

The stock plummeted on Friday after the company issued a disappointing outlook for the current quarter, reminding investors that the turnaround they seek will be a multiyear journey, in the words of CEO Lip-Bu Tan.



On the flip side are software stocks, beaten down by concerns that artificial intelligence is more threat than opportunity at the moment.

Software giants like Intuit (INTU), ServiceNow (NOW), Adobe (ADBE) and Salesforce (CRM) are among the worst-performing stocks in the S&P 500 this year. Investors are worried AI-native start-ups are poised to take share from enterprise software incumbents whose deployment of AI agents has moved slower than expected. AI is also seen as a threat to the seat-based pricing model that helps make software-as-a-service companies stable and profitable.

Investors are also down on software stocks because most of the industry isn't profiting from AI nearly as much as "pick-and-shovel-makers" like Nvidiaat least not yet. Software executives can attribute small profit margin gains to AI-driven efficiency, but investors are more excited to hear Micron say its high-bandwidth memory chips are sold out through this year because of AI demand.
The Kano State Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Yusuf Kofarmata, has resigned his appointment with immediate effect.

In a formal letter addressed to Governor Abba Yusuf, Mr Kofarmata cited the states prevailing political turmoil as the primary reason for his resignation.

In his resignation letter, Mr Kofarmata stated that the current political climate threatens the independence and impartiality essential to his role in the cabinet.

He added that the credibility of his office hinges on its ability to function free from external interference.

The integrity of the State Commissioners role rests on the ability to act without undue influence, partisan pressure, or divided allegiance, Mr Kofarmata stated, saying that remaining in office under such conditions could erode public confidence in the institution.

The former commissioner further elaborated on the political tension in the state, noting that heightened expectations of partisan loyalty have created an environment where the perception of compromised judgement is almost inevitable.

The growing atmosphere of tension and expectations of loyalty and allegiance could create the perceptionor realityof compromised judgement, he noted, adding that such a scenario is fundamentally inconsistent with the ethical standards of a State Commissioner.

Mr Kofarmata said his exit was a pre-emptive measure to protect the sanctity of the office.

My decision to step aside is taken in the interest of safeguarding the credibility of the office and preserving my personal commitment to ethical public service.

He expressed gratitude to the Kano State Government for the opportunity to serve across multiple portfolios.

He highlighted his contributions to various policy reforms and developmental initiatives during his tenure.

I remain grateful for the opportunity to have served in various ministries and for the trust placed in me during my tenure, he remarked, expressing hope that his resignation would allow the ministry to continue its work without question or constraint.

The letter concluded with a formal request for Governor Yusuf to accept the resignation as official notice of his disengagement from the Kano State Executive Council.

Mr Kofarmata becomes the first cabinet member to resign his position following Governor Abba Yusufs departure from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Friday.

Following the governors resignation, there has been a visible split within the NNPP between those loyal to NNPP leader Mr Kwankwaso and those who believe the Governor should have more autonomy to govern.

Several of Mr Kofarmatas colleagues are expected to follow suit in the coming days.

Mr Kofarmata is regarded as a staunch loyalist of the former governor and NNPP leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who has officially parted ways with Governor Yusuf.

This resignation signals a deepening fracture within the states ruling political structure.
The House of Representatives has disowned the interim report released by its minority caucus on alleged alterations to Nigerias 2025 tax reform laws, describing the caucus-led probe as procedurally improper and lacking parliamentary authority.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Spokesperson for the House, Akin Rotimi, clarified that while political caucuses are recognised platforms for consultation and advocacy, they have no power under the Standing Orders to constitute committees with investigative or oversight powers.

The clarification followed reports that the Minority Caucus had constituted an ad hoc committee and released an interim report confirming alleged changes to key provisions of the tax laws after presidential assent.

The Minority Caucus had, 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 parliaments constitutional role.

To further probe the allegations, the caucus, led by 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 including Aliyu Garu (APC, Bauchi), Stanley Adedeji (PDP, Oyo), Ibe Osonwa (LP, Abia), Marie Ebikake (PDP, Bayelsa), Shehu Fagge (APC, Kano), who just defected earlier today and Gaza Gbefwi (PDP, Nasarawa).

On 23 January, the caucus released an interim report claiming that key provisions of the 2025 tax reform laws were altered in the versions gazetted and circulated to the public.

The Acts involved 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, all of which came into force on 1 January.

Mr Rotimi stressed that only committees constituted by the House in plenary or by the speaker have institutional recognition, adding that any report produced outside this framework cannot be laid before the House or form part of its official records.

Any action taken by a political caucus in this regard is non-binding, informal, and without legal or institutional consequence, the statement said.

Mr Rotimi reiterated that the House had already taken formal steps on the matter in December 2025, following an intervention by Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), who raised concerns on the floor of the House over the circulation of multiple documents purporting to be official gazettes of the tax laws.

In response, the House constituted a bipartisan ad hoc committee in line with its Standing Orders.

Aliyu Betara (APC, Borno) was appointed to serve as the committee chairman, while other members include Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), Adedeji Faleke (APC, Lagos), Igariwey Iduma (PDP, Ebonyi), Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) and Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos).

Mr Rotimi noted that the committee, chaired by a member appointed by the leadership, includes lawmakers drawn from both the ruling and opposition parties and was mandated to investigate the allegations and report back to plenary.

According to the statement, the committee remains in force and continues to carry out its assignment.

Upon the conclusion of its work, it will lay its report before the House in plenary, Mr Rotimi said.

The House reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, but warned that all oversight activities must strictly comply with constitutional provisions, Standing Orders, and established parliamentary conventions.

For the avoidance of doubt, only committees constituted by the House in plenary or by the Speaker have parliamentary authority, Mr Rotimi said, advising the public to treat any unauthorised committee or report as a political initiative rather than an official action of the House.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Monday, 26 January, for a state visit to the Republic of Turkiye.

The visit is aimed at strengthening the existing cordial relations between the two countries and exploring further areas of cooperation in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid an official visit to Nigeria from 19-20 October 2021.

During President Tinubus visit, both countries will engage in strategic political and diplomatic discussions on shared values in finance, communication, trade and investment.

The agenda will include meetings between high-ranking officials of both nations and the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military cooperation and protocol, among others.

A business forum will bring together investors from both countries to explore areas of interest during the visit.

Members of the Presidents entourage participating in the bilateral discussions include: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd) and Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Hon. Jimi Benson.

Others are: Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

President Tinubu is expected to return to the country at the conclusion of the visit.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

January 25, 2025
Wael Sawan, the chief executive of Shell Plc, has praised President Bola Tinubus leadership for fostering a healthy climate for investment and restoring investor confidence.

At a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Mr Sawan said Shell is deepening and expanding its investments in Nigeria and is ready, alongside its partners, to invest an additional $20 billion, primarily because of the robust and bold leadership of the President.

He emphasised that Nigeria, under the Tinubu administration, is one of the countries attracting significant investment from global oil companies.

Highlighting Shells recent investments, such as $5 billion in Bonga North, $2 billion in HI, and the gas project to NLNG, Mr Sawan stated that the corporation is committed to long-term investments in the country, underscoring the stable economic environment.

We have really been in a space where we are very keen to invest in Nigeria. But I would say this has not always been the case. Your leadership and your vision have created an investment climate over the last few years that, I will be very honest with you, propelled us to invest, in particular, also as we compare to other investments around the world, he said.

Stability in todays environment will honestly have a premium for corporates because we are investing not for one administration or five or 10 years, we want to invest for 20, 30, 40 years and in the case of Nigeria, for many, many decades.

Speaking on the expansion of Shells investments in Nigeria, Mr Sawan said the corporation has also deepened its interest in Block OML 118, the Bonga Block.

Total Energies was selling, so we bought it because we want to deepen further. But that, we think, is not enough. We think there is more to invest here, and we understand the vision that you have for the country. And so we are indeed working on a project, Bonga Southwest, that could, if we reach an FID stage, see us, with our partners, invest around $20 billion in foreign direct investment, half of which will be capital. The other half will be the operating expenses and the like that will come into the country, he said.

This will be one of the biggest, I would say, energy projects in the world.

Speaking further, he added: We still see opportunities like Bonga South, which is further in the funnel, to be able to continue to invest.

Mr Sawan described Shells new commitments as a sea change from where it was several years ago, when the corporation was pulling back on investments in the country.

Your Excellency, to Bonga Southwest, that huge project, I would like to thank you. I want to thank you for the leadership you have shown there to be able to provide the incremental incentives that are now getting us line of sight to an investment in this project with our partners, the Shell Chief Executive thanked the President.

He also commended the Presidents team, describing them as outstanding professionals.

And that leadership, I would also say, has put many of the people that we are working with, your team, are amongst the best that we are dealing with anywhere in the world, and that professionalism allows us to be able to have the confidence, and I would say our partners as well, to have the confidence to continue to invest, he concluded.

At the meeting, Mr Tinubu approved the gazetting of targeted, investment-linked incentives to support the proposed Bonga South West deep offshore oil project by Shell and its partners.

The President also directed his Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, to facilitate the gazette of the incentives in line with Nigerias existing legal and fiscal frameworks.

These incentives are not blanket concessions, the President stated. They are ring-fenced and investment-linked, focused on new capital and incremental production, strong local content delivery, and in-country value addition.

My expectation is clear: Bonga South West must reach a Final Investment Decision within the first term of this administration, President Tinubu added.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

January 25, 2026
We are taking the sign out of the window. We know the old order is not coming back. We shouldnt mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy, but we believe that from the fracture, we can build something bigger, better, stronger, more just. This is the task of the middle powers, the countries that have the most to lose from a world of fortresses and most to gain from genuine cooperation.

It is both a pleasure, and a duty, to be with you in this pivotal moment that Canada and the world is going through.

I will talk about a rupture in the world order, the end of a pleasant fiction, and the beginning of a harsh reality, in which geopolitics, in which the large, main power, geopolitics, is submitted to no limits, no constraints.

On the other hand, I would like to tell you that the other countries, especially intermediate powers like Canada, are not powerless. They have the capacity to build a new order that encompasses our values, such as respect for human rights, sustainable development, solidarity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the various states.

The power of the less power starts with honesty.

It seems that every day were 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.

And this aphorism of Thucydides is presented as inevitable, as the 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.

Well, it wont.

So, what are our options?

In 1978, the Czech dissident, Vaclav Havel, later president, wrote an essay called The Power of the Powerless, and in it he asked a simple question: how did the communist system sustain itself?

And his answer began with a greengrocer.

Every morning, this shopkeeper places a sign in his window: Workers of the world unite. He doesnt believe it, no-one does, but he places a sign anyway to avoid trouble, to signal compliance, to get along. And because every shopkeeper on every street does the same, the system persist  not through violence alone, but through the participation of ordinary people in rituals they privately know to be false.

Havel called this living within a lie.

The systems power comes not from its truth, but from everyones willingness to perform as if it were true, and its fragility comes from the same source. When even one person stops performing, when the greengrocer removes his sign, the illusion begins to crack. Friends, it is time for companies and countries to take their signs down.

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. And because of that, we could pursue values-based foreign policies under its protection.

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.

So, we placed the sign in the window. We participated in the rituals, and we largely avoided calling out the gaps between rhetoric and reality.

This bargain no longer works. Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.

Over the past two decades, a series of crises in finance, health, energy and geopolitics have laid bare the risks of extreme global integration. But 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.

You cannot live within the lie of mutual benefit through integration, when integration becomes the source of your subordination.

Or, to put another way, we aim to be both principled and pragmatic  principled in our commitment to fundamental values, sovereignty, territorial integrity, the prohibition of the use of force, except when consistent with the UN Charter, respect for human rights, and pragmatic, and recognising that progress is often incremental, that interests diverge, that not every partner will share all of our values.

The multilateral institutions on which the middle powers have relied  the WTO, the UN, the COP  the architecture, the very architecture of collective problem-solving, are under threat. And as a result, many countries are drawing the same conclusions that they must develop greater strategic autonomy, in energy, food, critical minerals, in finance and supply chains.

And this impulse is understandable. A country that cant feed itself, fuel itself or defend itself, has few options. When the rules no longer protect you, you must protect yourself.

But lets be clear-eyed about where this leads.

A world of fortresses will be poorer, more fragile, and less sustainable. And there is another truth. 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.

Hegemons cannot continually monetise their relationships.

Allies will diversify to hedge against uncertainty.

Theyll buy insurance, increase options in order to rebuild sovereignty  sovereignty that was once grounded in rules, but will increasingly be anchored in the ability to withstand pressure.

This room knows this is classic risk management. Risk management comes at a price, but that cost of strategic autonomy, of sovereignty, can also be shared.

Collective investments in resilience are cheaper than everyone building their own fortresses. Shared standards reduce fragmentations. Complementarities are positive sum. And the question for middle powers like Canada is not whether to adapt to the new reality  we must. The question is whether we adapt by simply building higher walls, or whether we can do something more ambitious.

Now Canada was amongst the first to hear the wake-up call, leading us to fundamentally shift our strategic posture.

Canadians know that our old comfortable assumptions that our geography and alliance memberships automatically conferred prosperity and security is no longer valid. And our new approach rests on what Alexander Stubb, the president of Finland, has termed value-based realism.

Or, to put another way, we aim to be both principled and pragmatic  principled in our commitment to fundamental values, sovereignty, territorial integrity, the prohibition of the use of force, except when consistent with the UN Charter, respect for human rights, and pragmatic, and recognising that progress is often incremental, that interests diverge, that not every partner will share all of our values.

So, were engaging broadly, strategically with open eyes. We actively take on the world as it is, not wait around for a world we wish it to be.

We are calibrating our relationships, so their depth reflects our values, and were prioritising broad engagement to maximise our influence, given the fluidity of the world at the moment, the risks that this poses, and the stakes for what comes next.

And we are no longer just relying on the strength of our values, but also the value of our strength.

We are building that strength at home.

Since my government took office, we have cut taxes on incomes, on capital gains and business investment. We have removed all federal barriers to interprovincial trade. We are fast-tracking a trillion dollars of investments in energy, AI, critical minerals, new trade corridors and beyond. Were doubling our defence spending by the end of this decade, and were doing so in ways that build our domestic industries.

And we are rapidly diversifying abroad. We have agreed on a comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU, including joining SAFE, the European defence procurement arrangements. We have signed 12 other trade and security deals on four continents in six months. The past few days, weve concluded new strategic partnerships with China and Qatar. Were negotiating free trade pacts with India, ASEAN, Thailand, Philippines and Mercosur.

Were doing something else. To help solve global problems, were pursuing variable geometry, in other words, different coalitions for different issues based on common values and interests. So, on Ukraine, were a core member of the Coalition of the Willing and one of the largest per capita contributors to its defence and security.

On Arctic sovereignty, we stand firmly with Greenland and Denmark, and fully support their unique right to determine Greenlands future.

Our commitment to NATOs Article 5 is unwavering, so were working with our NATO allies, including the Nordic Baltic Gate, to further secure the alliances northern and western flanks, including through Canadas unprecedented investments in over-the-horizon radar, in submarines, in aircraft and boots on the ground, boots on the ice.

But when we only negotiate bilaterally with a hegemon, we negotiate from weakness. We accept whats offered. We compete with each other to be the most accommodating. This is not sovereignty. Its the performance of sovereignty, while accepting subordination. In a world of great power rivalry, the countries in between have a choice  compete with each other for favour, or combine to create a third path with impact.

Canada strongly opposes tariffs over Greenland and calls for focused talks to achieve our shared objectives of security and prosperity in the Arctic.

On plurilateral trade, were championing efforts to build a bridge between the Trans Pacific Partnership and the European Union, which would create a new trading bloc of 1.5 billion people. On critical minerals, were forming buyers clubs anchored in the G7, so that the world can diversify away from concentrated supply. And on AI, were cooperating with like-minded democracies to ensure that we wont ultimately be forced to choose between hegemons and hyper-scalers.

This is not naive multilateralism, 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.

In some cases, this will be the vast majority of nations.

What it is doing is creating a dense web of connections across trade, investment, culture, on which we can draw for future challenges and opportunities.

Argue, the middle powers must act together, because if were not at the table, were on the menu.

But Id also say that 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.

But when we only negotiate bilaterally with a hegemon, we negotiate from weakness. We accept whats offered. We compete with each other to be the most accommodating. This is not sovereignty. Its the performance of sovereignty, while accepting subordination. In a world of great power rivalry, the countries in between have a choice  compete with each other for favour, or combine to create a third path with impact.

We shouldnt allow the rise of hard power to blind us to the fact that the power of legitimacy, integrity and rules will remain strong, if we choose to wield them together  which brings me back to Havel.

What does it mean for middle powers to live the truth?

First, it means naming reality. Stop invoking the rules-based international order as though it still functions as advertised. Call it what it is  a system of intensifying great power rivalry, where the most powerful pursue their interests, using economic integration as coercion.

It means acting consistently, applying the same standards to allies and rivals. When middle powers criticise economic intimidation from one direction, but stay silent when it comes from another, we are keeping the sign in the window.

It means building what we claim to believe in, rather than waiting for the old order to be restored. It means creating institutions and agreements that function as described. And it means reducing the leverage that enables coercion  thats building a strong domestic economy. It should be every governments immediate priority.

And diversification internationally is not just economic prudence, its a material foundation for honest foreign policy, because countries earn the right to principled stands by reducing their vulnerability to retaliation.

Canada has what the world wants. We are an energy superpower. We hold vast reserves of critical minerals. We have the most educated population in the world. Our pension funds are amongst the worlds largest and most sophisticated investors. In other words, we have capital, talent we also have a government with immense fiscal capacity to act decisively. And we have the values to which many others aspire.

Canada is a pluralistic society that works. Our public square is loud, diverse and free. Canadians remain committed to sustainability. We are a stable and reliable partner in a world that is anything but.. A partner that builds and values relationships for the long term.

And we have something else. We have a recognition of whats happening and a determination to act accordingly. We understand that this rupture calls for more than adaptation. It calls for honesty about the world as it is.

We are taking the sign out of the window. We know the old order is not coming back. We shouldnt mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy, but we believe that from the fracture, we can build something bigger, better, stronger, more just. This is the task of the middle powers, the countries that have the most to lose from a world of fortresses and most to gain from genuine cooperation.

The powerful have their power.

But we have something too  the capacity to stop pretending, to name reality, to build our strength at home and to act together.

That is Canadas path. We choose it openly and confidently, and it is a path wide open to any country willing to take it with us.

Mark Carney is the Prime Minister of Canada.
Ultimately, transitioning from open grazing to ranching is not about erasing tradition or privileging one group over another. It is about aligning agricultural practices with the realities of a modern, densely populated, and security-conscious nation. Ranching offers a pathway to reduce violence, improve productivity, strengthen governance, and rebuild trust between communities and the state.

While navigating the vast and often chaotic terrain of social media recently, I came across a short but compelling video analysing the prospects of ranching as a tool for strengthening Nigerias national security architecture. What initially appeared to be a routine agricultural conversation quickly unfolded into a deeper and more urgent national dialogue about peace, governance, and sustainable development.

For decades, the farmersherders conflict ranked among Nigerias most persistent and destabilising internal security challenges. What began as seasonal disputes over land and water have gradually escalated into violent confrontations, mass displacement of rural communities, heightened ethnic and religious tensions, and growing threats to national food security. The crisis has long outgrown the boundaries of livelihood disagreements and now sits squarely within the domain of national security.

Against this backdrop, the real question confronting policymakers is no longer whether Nigeria should transition from open grazing to ranching, but how urgently and deliberately this shift can be executed to consolidate peace, protect livelihoods, and strengthen internal stability. Ranching, in this context, is no longer just an agricultural reform; it is increasingly a strategic governance and security intervention.

As highlighted in the PRNigeria video that sparked this reflection, ending open grazing should not be misrepresented as ethnic exclusion or cultural targeting. Rather, it is a pragmatic response to a changing security and demographic reality. Over time, farmerherder clashes have evolved from sporadic disputes into organised, sometimes criminal violence. Unregulated livestock movement has become a catalyst for insecurity, creating flashpoints that overwhelm both local communities and security agencies.

Ranching offers a practical and forward-looking alternative. By confining livestock to designated and regulated areas, it reduces direct and often volatile contact between farmers and herders, significantly lowering the risk of confrontation. Beyond conflict prevention, ranching enhances productivity, enables effective veterinary and extension services, supports disease control, and allows the state to treat livestock rearing as a modern, regulated economic activity, rather than an informal, itinerant practice.

At the subnational level, several states have already provided instructive lessons. In Benue, years of deadly clashes forced the government to adopt decisive legislative action through the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017. While the law did not eliminate violence overnight or erase deep-rooted mistrust, it fundamentally redefined grazing from a cultural entitlement to an economic activity subject to regulation and state oversight.

Plateau State offers a complementary example. Given its long history of communal violence, authorities recognised that military deployments alone were insufficient. Greater emphasis was placed on controlled grazing arrangements, supported by sustained local dialogue. In some communities, land use agreements backed by peace committees helped prevent minor disputes from escalating into deadly confrontations. Where herders were known, settled, and held accountable, conflicts proved easier to manage through mediation, rather than violence.

These experiences point to a crucial lesson: ranching works best when paired with inclusive, community-based conflict resolution mechanisms. While it may not instantly dissolve long-standing mistrust, it removes one of the most volatile triggers of rural violence and provides a structured framework for dispute management before conflicts spiral out of control.

At the federal level, the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged that open grazing had become increasingly incompatible with Nigerias rapid population growth, environmental pressures, and escalating violence. This recognition informed policy experimentation aimed at modernising the livestock sector, most notably through the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).

Under the NLTP, the RUGA (Rural Grazing Area) initiative was introduced to establish designated settlements where pastoralists could rear cattle, access veterinary services, education, and social amenities, while eliminating uncontrolled cattle movement. Despite its technical logic, RUGA encountered widespread resistance, largely driven by fears of land appropriation and ethnic favouritism. The initiative was eventually suspended at the federal level, though some states adapted elements of it within broader livestock strategies. The episode underscored a vital truth: even well-designed solutions collapse without trust, consultation, and transparent communication.

Building on these lessons, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears to be repositioning livestock reform within a broader economic and security framework. Where the Buhari era was defined by agenda-setting and policy trials, the current approach leans toward consolidation, depoliticisation, and economic optimisation.

President Tinubu has tasked Vice President Kashim Shettima and the National Economic Council (NEC) with driving a national ranching initiative aimed at transforming existing grazing reserves into modern ranches. Beyond conflict reduction, the programme seeks to unlock the economic potential of the livestock value chain. States have been directed to identify suitable lands, while a dedicated committee is developing an integrated roadmap that incorporates digital systems, land management frameworks, and livestock development strategies aligned with the NLTP.

Speaking at a Federal Executive Council meeting in December, the president was explicit about the security and economic rationale behind the reforms. We must eliminate these areas of conflict and make the livestock reform economically viable, he said. The opportunity is there  lets utilise it. You should emphasise the constitutional requirement that land belongs to the states.

Vice President Shettima, as chairman of the NEC, has since been tasked with sensitising state governors and key stakeholders to ensure broad-based buy-in and coordinated implementation across the federation.

Taken together, these evolving policies reflect a growing consensus: Nigerias farmersherders crisis is no longer a marginal rural issue. It is a central national security challenge driven largely by the persistence of open grazing in an increasingly complex socio-economic and environmental environment.

Ultimately, transitioning from open grazing to ranching is not about erasing tradition or privileging one group over another. It is about aligning agricultural practices with the realities of a modern, densely populated, and security-conscious nation. Ranching offers a pathway to reduce violence, improve productivity, strengthen governance, and rebuild trust between communities and the state.

For this promise to be realised, policy must be matched with transparency, sustained dialogue, and genuine inclusion of all stakeholders. If pursued with political will, community participation, and institutional consistency, ranching can become more than a policy choice  it can evolve into a cornerstone of Nigerias quest for lasting peace, food security, and national stability.

Humaid Rabiu Shehu writes from Abuja.
History will be kind to the Aregbesola administration in the students that went to public schools, that partook in the school feeding programmes, and the 700,000 people lifted out of poverty who receive him enthusiastically whenever he appears on the streets in the state.

The return of the modulated salary narrative in Osun politics is a classic case of historical revisionism.

Stripped of context, a crisis policy is now being weaponised as political propaganda. An eight-year administration is being caricatured by a two-year emergency response to a national economic collapse.

The modulated salary policy was adopted during Nigerias worst fiscal crisis in decades.

Between 2014 and 2016, global oil prices collapsed to historic lows, reaching as little as $14 per barrel. Over 450,000 barrels of Nigerian crude were reported being stolen daily and sold on the black market. ISIS seized Iraqi oil fields and flooded international markets with illegally sold crude. This imploded Nigerias oil-dependent revenue base.

At the same time, oil revenues were being spent directly by the Federal Government without remittance into the Federation Account. FAAC allocations shrank drastically. FAAC meetings were stalemated repeatedly, as states were told to go to hell when they brought up the issue of non remitted oil revenues.

Across Nigeria, 28 states could not pay salaries. Even the Federal Government admitted that it had to print money monthly to meet wage obligations.

Osun State was receiving as little as 500 million monthly  and in some months, negative allocations after deductions.

Faced with this collapse, Osun had two options: sack workers or share the burden. The Aregbesola administration chose burden-sharing.

The modulated salary policy was progressive and protective:

Levels 17 (about 67 per cent of workers) received their full salaries;

Levels 812 (about 25 per cent) received 75 per cent of their salaries;

Levels 1317 and political appointees (about 8 per cent) received 50 per cent of their salaries.

Only 28 per cent of workers experienced any salary reduction at all, and the deepest cut applied only to the highest earners.

This was not exploitation. It was fiscal triage.

Before leaving office, full salaries were restored and arrears clearing commenced. The remaining arrears were inherited by the succeeding Oyetola administration, which refused to settle them, despite receiving more money.

Therefore, to evaluate an eight-year administration solely by a temporary emergency policy is analytically dishonest.

Beyond that episode, the Aregbesola government implemented one of the most ambitious development programmes in Osuns history.

The state was rebranded as Ipinle Omoluabi, launching a moral and civic rebirth rooted in Yoruba values.

The OYES scheme engaged over 60,000 youths in public works, drastically reducing crime and improving community safety.

Under the administration, Osun was rated as the state with the lowest crime and poverty, and the second lowest in unemployment in Nigeria.

Over 700,000 people were lifted out of poverty through 5 billion in interest-free revolving loans. Osun recorded one of the lowest poverty and unemployment rates in Nigeria at the time.

Infrastructure witnessed unprecedented expansion: 1,200 kilometres of roads, five urban clove bridges and over 5,000 culverts opened up rural and urban economies.

Emergency response ambulances saved over 14,000 lives. Education was transformed with 3,685 classrooms and 127 brand new modern schools. More than 317 million plates of hot meals were daily served to 255,000 Primary 1-4 pupils in 1,382 public schools. WAEC performance rose from 15 per cent to 46 per cent.

Through the Agba Osun programme, elderly citizens received monthly allowances and free healthcare. Destitute citizens and those with mental health challenges were rehabilitated and reunited with their families. The modulated salary was a symptom of national collapse, not a failure of governance.

History will be kind to the Aregbesola administration in the students that went to public schools, that partook in the school feeding programmes, and the 700,000 people lifted out of poverty who receive him enthusiastically whenever he appears on the streets in the state.

Sola Fasure writes from Osogbo.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has praised the Nigerian Army for its steady efforts in maintaining internal security and peaceful coexistence in the northeast state

Mr Mohammed made the commendation on Saturday during the 2025 West African Social Activities (WASA). The event was organised by the 33 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Shadawanka Barracks in Bauchi.

The governor who was represented by his chief security adviser, Sani Mohammed, a retired deputy inspector general of police, described WASA as a cherished military tradition that promotes unity, discipline, and camaraderie among officers and their families.

He remarked that the event would strengthen civil-military relations and boost troops morale, praised officers and soldiers for their professionalism, sacrifices, and operational successes across the state. He reaffirmed his administrations unwavering commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in ensuring lasting peace in all parts of the state.

While stressing that peace and security are top priorities of his government, the governor specifically commended the 33 Brigade for its vital role in maintaining law and order. He urged the personnel to remain focused, resilient, and patriotic in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

The brigade commander, Uchechukwu Simon, a brigadier general, earlier in his speech assured residents of Bauchi State of the armys resolve to sustain peace and security across the state. He emphasised that tackling insecurity required collective efforts and strong cooperation between citizens and the security agencies.

Tackling the security situation requires the support and cooperation of everyone.

While we will not relent in our efforts, the assistance of the public is crucial in ridding the state of criminals, the commander said.

Mr Simon described WASA as a significant tradition that celebrates the Nigerian Armys shared identity, cultural heritage, and collective achievements.

He thanked the governor and the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu a Lieutenant General, for their support and leadership.

The event featured highlights such as cultural displays, a tug-of-war competition, award presentations to outstanding personnel, and the lowering of flags to mark the conclusion of the years activities. It climaxed with a bonfire, symbolising unity and strengthening the bond of brotherhood among personnel and their families.

(NAN)
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has disclosed that the State Government has so far invested over N6.1 billion in scholarship awards for no fewer than 174,451 students in tertiary institutions, including those studying abroad, as part of its strategic commitment to human capital development.

Governor Radda made this known at the 17th Convocation Ceremony of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, where honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on the former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, and His Royal Highness, Eze Abdulfatah Chimaeze Emmanuel III, the Chief Imam of Owerri Central Mosque.

According to the governor, The huge investment in scholarships, teacher recruitment, school infrastructure and skills development is aimed at preparing our youths academically, morally and economically to compete favourably in the modern world.

He described education as the most powerful instrument for empowerment and sustainable development, stressing that his administration is focused on laying a solid foundation for learners from basic to tertiary levels.

Our objective is to ensure that our children are properly grounded from primary and secondary school, so that when they get to higher institutions, they are mentally, academically and morally ready to face global challenges, he said.

Governor Radda revealed that the state government has recruited 7,326 teachers, trained over 20,000 others, renovated and constructed classrooms, established modern schools, and set up skills centres, as well as the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), to equip youths and women with employable and entrepreneurial skills.

At every stage, our focus is to equip our youths not only with certificates, but with knowledge, skills and character that will make them useful to themselves and society, he added.

The governor announced the donation of three brand new vehicles to the one overall best graduating student and two outstanding Quran memorizers who emerged winners in the Musabaqatul Quran (Gwani and Gwana categories) during the convocation ceremony.

This is in recognition of their dedication and excellence, and to motivate other youths to pursue both religious and Western education with seriousness, he stated.

He noted that Islam places great value on knowledge and moral uprightness, adding that honouring young Quranic scholars encourages the blending of sound religious values with modern education for balanced development. He congratulated the management of Al-Qalam University on the successful convocation and commended the institution for its effective integration of Islamic and conventional education.

Al-Qalam University has continued to complement government efforts in providing quality education and in nurturing responsible, morally upright citizens, he said.

He recalled that the state government donated the land on which the university is sited and recently approved the construction of a perimeter fence to enhance security on the campus.

Our support for Al-Qalam University has been consistent, and we will continue to partner with the institution to ensure a safe, secure and conducive learning environment, Mr Radda added.

He also congratulated the honorary awardees, describing Aminu Bello Masari as a seasoned administrator, statesman and mentor, and His Royal Highness, Eze Abdulfatah Chimaeze Emmanuel III, as a respected religious leader renowned for promoting peace, unity and moral development.

These honours are well deserved and reflect your immense contributions to governance, faith and community development. You are role models to our youths and to society at large, he stated.

Earlier, the Chancellor of Al-Qalam University, Professor Nasiru Musa Yauri, said the institution has continued to record remarkable progress in teaching, research and the integration of religious and modern studies.

He disclosed that the winners of the Musabaqatul Quran (Gwani and Gwana categories) were each awarded a cash prize of One Million Naira, in addition to other honours.

Also speaking, Mr Bello Masari urged universities to embrace technology and innovation, stressing that education must go beyond the acquisition of certificates to the development of practical and problem-solving skills.

Technology is key to development in agriculture, security, healthcare and service delivery. Our youths must become creators of solutions, not just users of tools, he said, adding that strong moral and religious values must also be upheld.

The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Nasir Yahaya Daura; the Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar; the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; Mr Sani Zangon Daura; members of the State Executive Council, as well as Vice-Chancellors, traditional rulers, security chiefs, academics, students and parents.
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has vowed that his administration will begin strict enforcement of the law banning extravagance in pre-wedding activities, saying the practice has made marriage increasingly difficult for young people in the state.

The governor made the pledge on Sunday during the commissioning of the remodelled Zawiyatu Sheikh Aliyu Bunza Jumuat Mosque and Islamiyya School in Sokoto.

Governor Aliyu said the renewed enforcement had become necessary following growing reports that intending couples are being subjected to excessive and costly pre-wedding demands, which he noted have placed heavy financial burdens on families and discouraged many young men and women from getting married.

According to him, the trend has contributed to the rising number of unmarried youths in the state and has wider social consequences.

We will soon bring together relevant stakeholders to further review the existing law banning extravagance in pre-wedding activities in the state, the governor said.

He lamented that, despite the law on weddings, many parents and guardians continue to flout it through unnecessary displays of wealth during wedding preparations, stressing that the government would no longer overlook such practices.

Governor Aliyu also warned that the high cost of pre-wedding activities has contributed to immoral behaviour among youths who are unable to marry due to excessive financial demands.

He therefore appealed to parents, guardians, Islamic scholars (ulama) and traditional rulers to support the government in ensuring full compliance with the law on weddings.

The governor reaffirmed his administrations commitment to promoting Islamic affairs through the construction and renovation of mosques, the establishment of Islamiyya schools, and sustained support for Quranic teachers, Imams and Islamic preachers across the state.

Speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honour, Sheikh Aminu Wali Ayu Zuru, commended Governor Aliyu for what he described as remarkable investments in Islamic institutions.

I am overwhelmed by the number of Jumuah mosques Your Excellency has reconstructed and remodelled in the last two years, he said, praying that Almighty Allah rewards the governor for his efforts.

Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, praised the governors policies and programmes on Islamic affairs, describing them as impactful and visible across the state.

Your policies and programmes on Islamic affairs speak volumes. You have followed the path of the founders of the Sokoto Caliphate in Islamic propagation. Please keep it up, the Sultan said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Jabir Sani Mai Hulla, disclosed that, in addition to the mosques already commissioned, several Jumuah mosques are at various stages of completion across the state.

READ ALSO: Terrorists kill six in Sokoto LGA hit by US airstrike

He listed locations to include Kebbe, Illela, Gwadabawa, Hajiya Halima Estate, Runjin Sambo, Gada, Minanata, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and the Sultan Maccido Institute for Quran and General Studies.

He added that the state government, in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, plans to organise a workshop for Islamic preachers, alongside ongoing training programmes for Imams and Muazzins.

The event concluded with Sheikh Aminu Wali Ayu Zuru commissioning the remodelled mosque and leading the two-rakah Jumuah prayer.
A banking application connected to World Liberty Financial Inc., a crypto firm partially owned by President Donald Trump, will proceed as normal, according to the chief of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, who rejected a request from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren to focus special scrutiny on the president's potential conflict of interest with the company.

The Massachusetts lawmaker, who is the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, has been scrapping with a federal bank regulator and others in Trump's administration over his personal stake in a company set to be regulated by the federal agencies he controls. But Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould said on Friday that he'll follow the normal course of the application process with the application for World Liberty trust bank.

"Congress has made clear that the OCC has a duty to act on the applications it receives in a timely manner," Gould wrote to Warren in a letter. "The OCC intends to act consistently with this duty rather than your demand."He said he intended for charter applications to be an "apolitical and nonpartisan process" in which the regulator will ensure that applicants meet standards and will comply with expectations.

"Comptroller Jonathan Gould  who serves at the pleasure of President Trump  is refusing to delay the review of World Liberty Financials bank charter application until Trump and his family divest from the company," Warren said in a statement on Friday. "The OCCs review is a sham. We have never seen financial conflicts of this magnitude and no crypto market structure legislation should pass Congress without guardrails to stop this kind of corruption.

Last month, Gould  a former executive at blockchain business Bitfury  defended the trend of crypto firms seeking trust charters, which has drawn criticism from traditional bankers.

Read More: Senate's Warren: WLFI-tied bank application should be halted until Trump divests
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has officially announced his intention to rejoin the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, after his formal resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Friday.

The announcement was made in a statement released on Sunday by the governors spokesperson, Sunusi Bature.

According to the statement, this transition marks a return to the party for Governor Yusuf. He originally joined the APC in 2014, notably winning the partys primary election for the Kano Central Senatorial seat before stepping down in favour of his political mentor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The statement noted that after years of political engagement across different platforms, including his most recent stint in the NNPP, prevailing realities of governance, national cohesion and development necessitated his return to the APC, which he described as a familiar and structured platform for progressive governance.

Governor Yusuf stated that rejoining the APC would further strengthen cooperation with the federal government, accelerate infrastructural development, enhance security coordination and improve service delivery across Kano State.

He added that the decision would also consolidate political stability and unity in the state.

On Monday, 26 January 2026, the governor will formally register as a member of the APC in Kano alongside 22 members of the State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives and the 44 Local Government Chairmen.

He is also expected to officially launch the APC e-registration exercise in the state, the statement added.

The governors eventual defection to the APC would end weeks of speculation and consultation that had sparked political tension and disagreement between his camp and that of his former benefactor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Governor Yusuf rose to power largely through the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement, led by Mr Kwankwaso. For years, their relationship was seen as inseparable, with Mr Yusuf being Mr Kwankwasos son-in-law and a loyal mentee until the governor resigned from the NNPP on Friday.

Following the governors resignation, there has been a visible split within the NNPP between those loyal strictly to NNPP leader Mr Kwankwaso and those who believe the Governor should have more autonomy to govern.

The governors defection would effectively dismantle the NNPPs strongest foothold in the country and set the stage for a high-stakes battle between the Governor and his former mentor ahead of the next election cycle.
A pregnant woman, simply identified as Iyanu, has lost her life after her condition was mismanaged by alleged quack medical personnel at an unregistered medical facility in Sabo in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The suspects, Kehibde Olawuyi, 36, and his wife Eniola Olawuyi, were allegedly operating the medical facility at Orita Odigbo without the requisite approvals.

The police said a report came in on 18 January, at about 6:00 p.m., indicating that the suspects had been engaging in quackery, which led to Iyanus death.

According to a police statement, the suspects allegedly admitted one Iyanu, 28, on 4 January at about 12:00 noon for delivery to the said illegal facility.

It was further alleged that the suspects handled the medical procedure in an unprofessional manner, which resulted in the victim becoming unconscious and bleeding profusely.

The victim was immediately rushed to another medical facility in Odigbo for emergency medical attention, but died in the process.

Despite efforts by medical personnel, she was later confirmed dead, Police Spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were not registered medical practitioners, confirming the facility was being operated illegally.

He said the case is currently under investigation and that the suspects will be charged in court upon its conclusion.

Mr Jimoh also warned members of the public against patronising unregistered and illegal medical facilities, while urging residents of Ondo State to always seek medical care from licensed and certified health institutions.

He also appealed to members of the public with any credible and actionable information that may lead to the apprehension of perpetrators of quackery to promptly report such information to the nearest police station, as all information provided would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

The police had last week apprehended one Nasiru Idris for operating an illegal clinic at Ore, also in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Nasiru was allegedly dispensing medical services without being a registered professional.

The arrest followed an intelligence-led operation by Commands Surveillance Team, during which the 25-year-old suspect was apprehended.

READ ALSO: Lagos hospital records 212 prostate surgeries in 2025 amid rising cancer rates among men

The police said a search of his clinic led to the recovery of various medical items, including packs of injection needles, medical drips, bandages, and assorted medical kits.

Subsequently, a thorough search of his residence was conducted with a duly signed search warrant, during which used injection bottles, needles, and syringes were also recovered.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is not a registered medical practitioner, confirming that the clinic was being operated illegally, Mr Jimoh said.
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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

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Washington, Jan 25 : A Minneapolis resident was shot and killed during a federal immigration enforcement operation, which has escalated the already tense situation between the Trump Administration and the Minnesota State Government, along with the opposition Democratic Party.

The victim was identified by Democratic leaders as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Veterans Affairs nurse. The incident occurred amid ongoing federal immigration operations in Minnesota involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Department of Homeland Security said the shooting occurred at about "9:05 AM CT," when its officers were "conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault."

DHS said that "an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun." According to the statement, "the officers attempted to disarm the suspect, but the armed suspect violently resisted."

"Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots," DHS said. It added that "medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene."

DHS said the individual "also had 2 magazines and no ID," adding, "this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement." The department said the situation was still unfolding and that "more details on the armed struggle are forthcoming."

The department also said that "about 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement," adding that "crowd control measures were deployed for the safety of the public and law enforcement."

President Donald Trump defended federal immigration agents in a social media post, questioned the role of local police, and accused Minnesota officials of misconduct. He said ICE agents were operating because of "massive Monetary Fraud, with Billions of Dollars missing," and added, "LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB!"

Democratic leaders disputed the administration's account and sharply criticized the federal response.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said "lawless and masked thugs masquerading as law enforcement officers brutally killed another American citizen on the streets of Minneapolis without justification." He described the death of VA nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti as "a horrific, preventable tragedy."

Jeffries called for accountability, saying the American people "deserve a thorough, independent investigation without interference or obstruction by DHS." He added that "every single federal agent responsible for the unjustified killing of another civilian must be held criminally accountable to the full extent of the law."

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar said the incident followed reports that immigration enforcement agents were involved. "This appears to be an execution by immigration enforcement," she said. "I am absolutely heartbroken, horrified, and appalled that federal agents murdered another member of our community."

Omar said the incident was part of a broader pattern. "This isn't isolated or accidental," she said, adding that "the Trump administration is trying to beat us into submission rather than protect us." She said ICE and CBP were "violating constitutional rights under the guise of immigration enforcement."

House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson said, "Yet another US citizen has been killed in cold blood by ICE and CBP in Minneapolis for exercising his First Amendment rights." He said the killing "should shock all Americans."

Thompson accused DHS of attempting to shape public perception, saying that "within minutes  DHS and its mass propaganda machine slandered and attacked the deceased individual with no evidence." He demanded that "ICE and CBP must leave Minneapolis at once" and called for the immediate release of body-camera footage.

Reaction extended beyond Minnesota. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she learned of "yet another tragic shooting in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents" and said "this violence has to stop." She said the president "must remove these armed, federal forces from Minneapolis and other American cities."

Bass said she had joined mayors nationwide in a federal court action challenging what she described as the administration's "unconstitutional and unlawful deployment of federal agents in the Twin Cities." She called Operation Metro Surge "unacceptable" and warned against allowing the federal government to "turn [cities] into war zones."

The killing has intensified national debate over the scope, tactics, and oversight of federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, particularly in Democratic-ledalaed the states and cities. Minnesota has seen repeated protests in recent weeks amid the expanded federal presence, with local officials and federal authorities offering sharply conflicting accounts of enforcement actions and public safety.
Washington, Jan 25 : China-linked scam networks are stealing billions of dollars from hard-working Americans and posing a growing threat to families across the United States, influential senators said, as lawmakers pushed bipartisan legislation to crack down on fraud tied to cryptocurrency, human trafficking, and overseas scam compounds.

Calling the issue a national security concern, Senate Aging Committee Chairman Rick Scott told a Senate hearing this week that scams targeting seniors are draining savings built over decades and devastating households across the country.

Scott alleged Beijing has allowed the criminal infrastructure to grow. "Communist China is the epicenter of the global scam industry that drains American savings and destabilizes families," he said.

"In 2024, older Americans lost more than $4.8 billion to fraud according to the FBI," Scott said, calling the scale of losses "staggering." He said many victims are retirees whose lives were "upended by monsters operating criminal networks overseas."

Scott said the committee's report Age of Fraud shows the crimes are not isolated. "These are highly organized, transnational enterprises," he said, adding that many are "directed or enabled by the Chinese Communist Party."

He said the networks rely on Chinese platforms and payment channels and operate scam compounds in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and other parts of Southeast Asia. Scott said many of the compounds are staffed by trafficked workers forced to carry out scams targeting Americans.

Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand said scams have grown more sophisticated due to scam centers, new technology, and the use of cryptocurrency. She cited a case involving a senior in Jefferson County, New York, who was persuaded through a romance scam to withdraw most of his retirement savings and transfer the money into cryptocurrency.

"That is a loss that stings," Gillibrand said. "It can derail retirement plans, pull apart families, and subject seniors to emotional and material harm."

Gillibrand said victims often struggle to report scams because of stigma and shame. She said some communities face additional barriers related to language or fear. Asian immigrants, including Chinese Americans, can be preferred targets because of shared language, culture, and family ties to China, she added.

Both senators promoted legislation to compel for a coordinated federal response. Scott said he and Gillibrand, along with Senators Ashley Moody and Mark Kelly, introduced the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act, which would require a whole-of-government approach to fighting fraud.

Scott also highlighted the Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilisation, or SCAM Act, which he said was passed by the Senate last month. The measure would give the Treasury Department authority to sanction scam compounds and the criminal networks behind them.

The senators are also pushing the GUARD Act, which would strengthen penalties against criminals who target older Americans and expand tools available to law enforcement. Scott said the three bills are bipartisan and "common sense."

Witnesses told senators that China-linked networks play a central role in global scam operations. Nathan Picarsic of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said scams targeting seniors are part of a broader strategic challenge.

"Social cohesion is a pivotal battleground," Picarsic said. He said Chinese criminal networks are "permitted and at times abetted by the Chinese state" and benefit from advanced technology and a globalized banking system that make it difficult to recover stolen funds.

AARP fraud expert Kathy Stokes described fraud as a national crisis. She said the Federal Trade Commission initially reported $12.8 billion stolen in 2024 but later revised the estimate to $196 billion, including $81 billion from seniors.

She described victims who lose their savings and then face large tax bills on money that was stolen. "They're being revictimized by the federal government," Stokes said, urging tax relief for scam victims.

Jacqueline Burns Koven of Chainalysis said cryptocurrency scams are expanding rapidly. She said 2025 was a record year, with an estimated $17 billion stolen in cryptocurrency. She said Chinese scam groups are global leaders because they use crypto and artificial intelligence to scale operations.

A Government Accountability Office official said the federal response lacks coordination. Seto Bagdoyan said there is no government-wide strategy and no common definition of scams, limiting enforcement and accountability.

Scams targeting older adults have expanded alongside digital payments, social media, and online investment platforms, with criminals using urgency, impersonation, and emotional manipulation to pressure victims into quick decisions.
Washington, Jan 25 : Warning that unchecked immigration could erode the nation's economic strength and political freedoms, a senior Republican lawmaker has said the United States should cap the number of new citizens at 800,000 a year, "or maybe even less." Washington, Jan 25 (IANS) Warning that unchecked immigration could erode the nation's economic strength and political freedoms, a senior Republican lawmaker has said the United States should cap the number of new citizens at 800,000 a year, "or maybe even less."

Congressman Glenn Grothman told colleagues that allowing unlimited immigration would make the country "not only poorer, but America will become much less free."

Speaking on the floor of the US House of Representatives, the Wisconsin Republican argued that failure to enforce existing immigration laws risks permanently altering the nation's character and constitutional foundations.

In a 30-minute address, Grothman described immigration as "the most significant issue this Congress and next Congress and that this President and the next President is going to have to deal with," saying the outcome would determine "whether America fundamentally changes or not."

Grothman spoke about the current levels of legal immigration. "Right now in America, every year about 800,000 people are naturalised," he said, adding that this aspect of immigration receives little public attention compared with illegal border crossings.

In addition to those new citizens, Grothman said roughly 500,000 people enter the United States each year on work visas and another 500,000 on student visas. "People being what they are, many of these people on visas stay in the United States anyway," he said.

He also focused on birthright citizenship, noting that the United States is "one of the few countries in the world" that grants citizenship based on birth on US soil. Grothman argued that current interpretations of the law are "wrong," citing the example of foreign nationals who travel to the US to give birth and then return to their home countries.

Grothman said these factors explain why "today over 15 per cent of the people in the United States of America were born abroad," calling it "an all-time high." He warned that if Congress "does nothing," the share of foreign-born residents would continue to grow.

The lawmaker compared present-day figures with past decades, saying the number of people naturalised each year is "about four times what it was when I was a child in the 1960s." He insisted the country "has nobody to apologize to" for enforcing immigration limits, arguing that far more people are being admitted legally now than in previous generations.

Grothman accused the administration of former President Joe Biden of allowing "about 8 to 10 million people into the country," saying they crossed the southern border illegally. He said those arrivals came "in addition to all of these other people" entering through legal channels.

Raising concerns about civic values, Grothman questioned whether some immigrants shared the moral and constitutional commitments he described as necessary to sustain the American system. He said new arrivals "may not respect our Constitution" and asked whether they would support "the limited government that our forefathers felt that we needed."

Quoting John F. Kennedy, Grothman said the country needs citizens who believe, "Ask not what your country will do for youask what you can do for your country." He warned that expanding welfare expectations could shift elections toward demands for government benefits rather than restraint.

Addressing accusations of racism, Grothman listed the ten most common countries of origin for newly naturalized citizens, including Mexico, India, the Philippines, Cuba, Vietnam, China, El Salvador, Jamaica and Colombia. He argued it would be "odd for a racist country" to admit immigrants primarily from what he described as "people of color."

Grothman also criticized governors and mayors in states such as Illinois, Minnesota, New York and California, accusing them of resisting federal immigration enforcement. He warned that if migrants believed laws would not be enforced in certain states, "everybody will come here," effectively leaving the country with "no immigration law at all."
Washington, Jan 25 : The United States has placed China and the Indo-Pacific at the center of its national security planning, warning that control of the region will determine global economic power and directly shape America's security, freedom, and prosperity, according to the 2026 National Defense Strategy released by the Department of War.

The strategy states that the Indo-Pacific "will soon make up more than half of the global economy," making American access to the region a vital national interest. It cautions that if China or any other power were able to dominate the region, it would gain the ability to "effectively veto Americans' access to the world's economic center of gravity," with long-term consequences for US economic strength and industrial revival.

Describing China as "already the second most powerful country in the world," the document highlights the "speed, scale, and quality of China's historic military buildup," particularly forces designed for operations in the Western Pacific and beyond. While acknowledging China's internal challenges, the strategy says Beijing has shown it can "spend even more on its military" and do so effectively.

Running into 26 pages, the unclassified version of the strategy emphasises that Washington's objective is not confrontation or regime change, but preventing any single power from dominating the region. "Our goal is simple: To prevent anyone, including China, from being able to dominate us or our allies," it states, adding that the United States does not seek to "dominate China," nor to "strangle or humiliate them."

Instead, the Pentagon says it will pursue what it describes as "deterrence by denial," aimed at ensuring that aggression fails before it begins. As part of that approach, the United States will "erect a strong denial defense along the First Island Chain" and urge regional allies and partners to contribute more to collective defence.

The strategy stresses that the US military posture in the Indo-Pacific is designed to support diplomacy, not undermine it. "A decent peace, on terms favorable to Americans but that China can also accept and live under, is possible," the document says, describing this as the premise of President Donald Trump's approach to relations with Beijing.

At the same time, the Department of War says it will seek to expand military-to-military communication with the People's Liberation Army to support "strategic stability," "deconfliction," and "de-escalation." These engagements, it says, will be paired with a clear demonstration of US strength to ensure that American leaders can negotiate "from a position of strength."

The strategy links the Indo-Pacific directly to domestic prosperity, arguing that US reindustrialization depends on secure access to regional markets and sea lanes.

While the document underscores a desire for stability, it also makes clear that the US military will retain the ability to conduct "devastating strikes and operations against targets anywhere in the world," including directly from the US homeland, to ensure deterrence credibility.

The Indo-Pacific focus marks a clear prioritization as the United States seeks to balance global commitments. The strategy states that while other threats persist, defending the homeland and deterring China are the foremost missions shaping force posture and investment decisions.

In recent years, India has emerged as a central player in the Indo-Pacific, with growing economic weight and an expanding role in regional security discussions. US policymakers have increasingly described the region as the primary theater shaping 21st-century geopolitics.

China's military modernization and territorial assertions in the Indo-Pacific have been a source of concern for several regional countries, prompting greater emphasis on balance-of-power strategies and multilateral cooperation to preserve stability and freedom of navigation.
Ottawa, Jan 25 : Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday called for "buy Canadian" and "build Canadian" in response to a new tariff threat from US President Donald Trump.

Carney published a pre-taped video on his personal social media account about buying and building Canadian to combat economic threats from other countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

"With our economy under threat from abroad. Canadians have made a choice: to focus on what we can control," Carney said at the beginning of the video.

Though Carney did not mention the United States directly, the prime minister said: "We can't control what other nations do. We can be our own best customer. We'll buy Canadian. We'll build Canadian."

Trump on Saturday threatened to slap a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian goods coming into the United States.

If Carney "thinks he is going to make Canada a 'Drop Off Port' for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life," he said.

"If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the USA," he added.

Canada's minister responsible for trade with the United States, Dominic LeBlanc, pushed back against Trump's latest threat.

"There is no pursuit of a free trade deal with China. What was achieved was resolution on several important tariff issues," he wrote on X.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led a wave of birthday greetings for Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, praising his dedication to public service and crediting his grassroots experience with driving the state's steady progress.

In a message posted on X, PM Modi wrote, "Heartfelt birthday wishes to Haryana's dynamic Chief Minister, Shri Nayab Singh Saini ji, who is dedicated to public service. His grassroots experience is proving highly beneficial for the people of my state, like family. Under his leadership, our beloved state is steadily progressing on the path of development. May God grant him good health and a long life."

The Prime Minister's message set the tone for a series of tributes from senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and party units across the country, highlighting CM Saini's leadership and governance record since taking office.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his wishes, underlining the chief minister's role in advancing the state under the broader leadership of the BJP.

"Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri @NayabSainiBJP Ji. Under the leadership of Modi Ji, you are continuously advancing Haryana's prosperity, security, and heritage. I pray to God for your excellent health and long life," Shah said in his post (loosely translated from Hindi).

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari echoed similar sentiments, focusing on CM Saini's well-being and public life. "Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri @NayabSainiBJP ji. I pray to God for your excellent health, long life, and a blissful life," Gadkari wrote on X.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also joined in, offering religious blessings alongside his message.

"Heartfelt birthday wishes to the esteemed Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri @NayabSainiBJP Ji. May Lord Shri Krishna bless you with excellent health, a long life, and a life filled with glory," CM Adityanath said.

The Haryana BJP, in a detailed message from its official X handle, praised Saini's "visionary leadership" and governance initiatives.

"Your visionary leadership, unwavering determination, and dedication to public welfare have continuously propelled the state forward in the direction of development, good governance, and social justice," the party said, adding that welfare schemes under his leadership were benefiting every section of society. The message concluded with prayers for his health, long life, and continued service to the state.
About two weeks ago, Verizon scored a significant win in its battle to hold onto its customers longer.

The Federal Communications Commission approved the phone carriers request to waive a rule that required it to automatically unlock a phone it sells to a customer after 60 days.

Verizon was first required to follow this rule in 2008, after it purchased licenses to use 700 MHz spectrum. The requirement was reaffirmed when Verizon acquired TracFone in 2021.

In its request, Verizon argued that the phone unlocking rule has contributed to device fraud and has made phones less affordable for low-income customers.

Despite Verizon facing pushback from consumers and advocacy groups who flagged the move as anti-consumer behavior, the FCC approved the phone carriers request, citing that Verizon saw a 55% increase in fraud after its 2021 purchase of TracFone required it to adhere to a 60-day lock policy.

The FCC said Verizons stolen handsets have even been resold on the dark web at premium prices, particularly in countries like Russia, China, and Cuba, according to a press release.

By waiving a regulation that incentivized bad actors to target one particular carriers handsets for theft, we now have a uniform industry standard that can help stem the flow of handsets into the black market, said FCC Chair Brendan Carr in the press release.

Verizon recently received FCC approval to set its own phone unlocking rules.Shuttershock  Shuttershock

Verizon updates device unlock policy for some customers

Shortly after Verizon received the green light from the FCC to set its own phone unlocking rules, just as its competitors do, the phone carrier informed customers of the updated policy.

Devices purchased on or after Jan. 20 from Verizons prepaid brands, including Total Wireless, Visible, StraightTalk, and Tracfone, will be unlocked only upon request after 365 days (previously 60 days), and only if several conditions are met, according to a recent report from Droid Life.

This includes the requirement that the phone has reached 365 days of paid and active service. It is important to note that stopping payments will pause progress toward that 365-day requirement.

Customers must have an active plan on that device. And if the device was reported stolen or lost, or if there are signs of fraud, it will not be eligible for unlocking.

In addition, the smartphones usage must comply with the companys Terms of Service.

Related: Verizon gets approval to make it harder for customers to leave

So far, the device unlock policy for postpaid phones has not changed, meaning that for now, those devices will continue to unlock after 60 days.

The updated policy from Verizon has sparked backlash from consumers, who took to social media platform Reddit to express frustration with the change.

Really is a shame that one of the few affordable ways for low-income folks to get a decent unlocked cell phone was closed, wrote one Reddit user.

Just disgusting The entire 60-day unlocking period was designed to add fairness in order to improve their already ridiculous merger with TracFone which never should have been approved in the first place. And now you have the most anti-consumer FCC ever and they get this ridiculous waivrr. It's just so depressing. That was the last decent unlocking policy in the entire United States, wrote another.

Well what SUCKS is if you were to buy a phone on installments, pay it off, and not be able to have it unlocked for a year, wrote another user.

Verizon is struggling to retain customers

Verizons move to extend its device unlocking policy from 60 days to 365 days for its prepaid brands comes as more consumers across the country contemplate switching phone carriers. Customers have grappled with higher monthly bills, according to a survey from Market Force Information last year.

How U.S. consumers feel about Verizons wireless service:

Approximately 65% of consumers use phone services from the "Big 3" carriers: Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, spending more than $100 per month on their wireless services.

On average, Verizon customers pay more than $150 for service.

About 23% of Verizon customers are considering switching to another carrier in the next year or two, citing better pricing, promotions, and coverage as the primary reasons.

Verizon scored 40% in overall brand performance across customer experience metrics.

Smaller wireless carriers such as Consumer Cellular and Mint Mobile scored 73% and 65.8%, respectively.

Source: Market Force Information

"There's a clear shift in the market towards smaller, more agile wireless carriers who are delivering superior customer experiences," said David Murray, senior director of client strategy at Market Force Information, in a press release.

"While cost and coverage are always key factors, today's consumers are placing more importance on ease of service and overall satisfaction with their provider, he continued.

Amid this growing trend, Verizon lost 7,000 postpaid phone customers during the third quarter of 2025, according to the companys most recent earnings report.

The loss comes after Verizon rolled out price hikes earlier in the year, a move the companys new CEO said was one of the top reasons why customers left.

More Telecom News:

For the past few years, our financial growth has relied too heavily on price increases, a strategic approach that relies too much on price without subscriber growth is not a sustainable strategy, said Verizon CEO Dan Schulman during an earnings call in October. Every year, it gets harder to grow as we lap past price increases and experience higher churn. This cannot continue, and there is no question that meaningful change is needed.

He also vowed to transform the company by removing customer pain points and increasing value. Schulman also stated that Verizons transformation will not be about promotional activities that can be quickly imitated.

It is about true innovation, not easily replicated by our competitors, he said.

Related: Verizon's $20 billion acquisition resets dividend outloook

It is vital for Verizon to double down on customer retention, especially after the company suffered a major service outage last week that lasted about 10 hours, affecting roughly 1.5 million customers across multiple states.

Also, a recent J.D. Power survey found the company lags T-Mobile in consumer satisfaction for postpaid and prepaid plans.

Phone carrier consumer satisfaction rates for phone plans:

The average consumer satisfaction score for postpaid plans under traditional carriers is 593 (on a 1,000-point scale). For prepaid plans, the average score is 601 .

Specifically, T-Mobile ranks the highest in postpaid and prepaid, with satisfaction scores of 636 and 617 , respectively.

Verizon takes second place in both segments, with a 583 score for postpaid plans and 595 for prepaid plans.

AT&T falls behind Verizon with a satisfaction score of 573 for postpaid and 597 for prepaid.

Source: J.D. Power

The findings show that value is the most important driver of the overall experience, followed closely by service quality, said Carl Lepper, senior director of technology, media and telecom at J.D. Power, in a press release.

These two dimensions are central to our new model  and for good reason, he added. As the market expands with a wide variety of brands designed to meet diverse customer needs, expectations are rising  not just for strong network performance, but also for service plans that reflect individual preferences.

Related: Verizon cracks down on internet customers violating key rule

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jan 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Mumbai, Jan 25 : It has been two years since veteran actor Anil Kapoor graced the screen as Group Captain Rakesh "Rocky" Jaisingh in Siddharth Anand's aerial action drama "Fighter".

Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) It has been two years since veteran actor Anil Kapoor graced the screen as Group CaptainA Rakesh "Rocky" Jaisingh in Siddharth Anand's aerial action drama "Fighter".

As the project completed 2 years of release on Sunday, Anil took to his official Instagram handle and dropped a couple of pictures of himself from the flick.

Reflecting on the memories with utmost gratitude, Anil also penned a heartfelt note saying, "Two years later, Fighter still soars high. Looking back with so much gratitude for the the memories that stay long after the screens fade. Some journeys donat end with the release... (sic)."

"Hereas to the spirit, the people, and the love that keeps it alive.#2YearsOfFighter", he added.

Inspired by a story written by Siddharth Anand, along with Ramon Chibb, the movie stars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone as the lead, along with Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi, Rishabh Sawhney, and Sanjeeda Sheikh in supporting roles.

Backed by Viacom18 Studios in collaboration with Marflix Pictures, the flick marks the primary instalment in the planned aerial action franchise.

"Fighter" saw camera work by Satchith Paulose, with Aarif Sheikha as the head of the editing department.

Composer duo Vishala"Shekhar have scored the music for the drama.

Up next, Anil will soon be seen leading Suresh Triveni's next "Subedaar".

The project follows the journey of Arjun Singh, a former soldier who is navigating the complexities of civilian life, while trying to heal his relationship with his daughter Shyama (played by Radhikka Madan).

The film has been jointly produced by Vikram Malhotra, Anil Kapoor, and Triveni.

Over and above "Subedaar", Anil will also play a crucial role in Alia Bhatt's much-anticipated "Alpha".

Made under the direction of Shiv Rawail, the film, which also features Sharvari Wagh, is a part of the YRF spy universe.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : On the occasion of National Voters' Day on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a letter to MY-Bharat volunteers and young people across India, urging them to celebrate the moment they become voters.

He said that to be a voter is the "greatest privilege and responsibility" in a democratic nation and urged educational institutions across the nation to celebrate when their students become voters.

The Prime Minister said that the new generation actively participates in making things happen with a 'Can Do' spirit and called on the youth to spread awareness about the importance of becoming a voter.

In the letter, PM Modi wrote, "Greetings to you, your family and friends on National Voters' Day! I am happy to connect with you as a fellow citizen who takes great pride in Indian democracy."

"Often, people describe India as the world's largest democracy, and that is correct. At the same time, we also take pride in the fact that India is the Mother of Democracy, with a history of democratic values that stretches back through the centuries. Democracy, debate and dialogue are deeply embedded in our civilisation," he said.

The Prime Minister noted that this year, the country marks 75 years since the beginning of the first General Election of India in 1951 and the conclusion in 1952, which he said, "illustrated the inherent democratic spirit of the people of India".

"To be a voter is the greatest privilege and responsibility in a democracy. Voting is a sacred constitutional right and a mark of participation in Bharat's future. The voter is the Bhagya Vidhata of our development journey. That indelible ink on a finger is a badge of honour that ensures our democracy remains vibrant and purposeful," he added.

PM Modi stated that there must be several youngsters who are first-time voters -- a moment, according to him, that holds a "great significance" for them. "Our first-time voters should be welcomed into democracy as individuals who hold the power to transform the destiny of our country," he said.

He called upon people to celebrate when they or anyone around them becomes a voter for the first time and said that January 25 is an "ideal occasion" to do so.

"At home and in our residential societies, we can celebrate the same by sharing sweets. Our schools and colleges have a vital role to play as nurseries of democratic values. I encourage them to celebrate this milestone of youth becoming first-time voters, perhaps through ceremonies that recognise students reaching voting age and make them feel truly special as they step into this new responsibility. Our school and college campuses can also be hubs for movements that ensure every eligible youth is enrolled as a voter," he added.

Hailing the commitment of voters in India, the Prime Minister said, "To the world, the scale of our elections is a logistical achievement. To us, in addition to being about logistics, elections are a festival of democracy where we all come together to celebrate the importance of being a voter."

"The people's commitment to voting is so deep that whether they live high in the Himalayas, in the islands of Andaman and Nicobar, in deserts or in dense forests, they turn up to ensure their voice is heard. This commitment to democratic ideals will motivate us for times to come," he said.

Praising the participation of India's "Nari Shakti", especially young women, PM Modi called it "crucial for an inclusive democracy".

"Their awareness and active involvement have strengthened the foundations of Bharat," he said.

He said that the youth's association with the Mera Yuva Bharat or MY Bharat platform reflects a "commitment to serve and to lead".

"You belong to a generation that does not wait for things to happen but actively participates in making things happen with a 'Can Do' spirit. You can spread awareness about the importance of becoming a voter," he further said.

"Let us resolve to make every effort towards strengthening our democracy and creating a developed, inclusive and self-reliant Bharat. Once again, my greetings to you on National Voters' Day!" the Prime Minister added.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) experienced a significant improvement in air quality over the weekend, thanks to rain, the highest single-day shower in January in three years, and strong winds on Saturday.

The combination of these weather events helped sweep away toxic smog and pollutants that had lingered over the region for weeks.

On Sunday morning, the capitalas AQI settled at 152, marking the first time in weeks that Delhi recorded a amoderatea air quality level, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) SAMEER app at 6.05 a.m.

Earlier on Saturday, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 192, placing it in the amoderatea category at 4 p.m. By 10 p.m., the AQI had improved further to 163, as gusty winds continued to disperse airborne pollutants.

Almost all areas of the city reported moderate air quality, though a few pockets still recorded apoora AQI levels. Only one area of Delhi, NSIT Dwarka, fell into the below 100 AQI range, indicating relatively cleaner air. Authorities said the improvement is largely attributable to the combined effects of rainfall and strong north-westerly winds that have swept across the plains.

Cold wave conditions have returned to North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast minimum temperatures in the national capital to hover between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius.

Nighttime temperatures are expected to remain low until Tuesday, when the mercury may rise slightly to 8-10 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures over the next few days are expected to settle between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius.

The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for another spell of rain and thunderstorms in Delhi, warning residents to remain cautious. Meteorologists noted that while air quality has improved temporarily, the city may again face pollution spikes if dry conditions return after the rainfall.

With the weekend weather, Delhi breathed easier, providing a temporary respite from weeks of smog, but authorities emphasised that continued monitoring and pollution control measures remain critical to sustaining cleaner air.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Indian culture and festivals are increasingly making their presence felt across the world, and asserted that the Indian diaspora plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the country's cultural essence, citing Malaysia as a prominent example.

Addressing the 130th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister said, "Today our culture and festivals are making their mark across the world. Indian festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy in every corner of the world. Our Bharatvanshis, brothers and sisters of Indian origin, play a vital role in maintaining the cultural vibrancy of all kinds. Wherever they are, they are preserving and promoting the essence of their culture."

PM Modi highlighted the efforts of the Indian community in Malaysia, describing their contribution as "commendable". He noted the strong presence of Indian languages and traditions in the country.

"You will be pleasantly surprised to know that there are more than 500 Tamil schools in Malaysia. In addition to teaching the Tamil language, other subjects are also taught in Tamil. Furthermore, along with Telugu and Punjabi, there's also a lot of focus on other Indian languages," he said.

The Prime Minister also praised the Malaysia-India Heritage Society for its role in strengthening historical and cultural links between the two nations.

"In addition to various programs, this organisation also organises a heritage walk. This program covers the cultural sites that connect the two countries," he said.

Referring to a recent cultural event, PM Modi mentioned that last month, the 'Lal Paad Saree' iconic walk was organised in Malaysia.

"This saree has had a special connection to our culture of Bengal. This event set a record for the largest number of people wearing this saree, which was recorded in the Malaysian Book of Records. On this occasion, Odissi dance and Baul music won the hearts of the people," he said.

Expressing pride in the Indian community abroad, the Prime Minister added, "I am proud of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia; they are bringing India and Malaysia even closer. My best wishes to our Indian diaspora in Malaysia."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, Jan 25 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has decided to withdraw his nomination for budget minister amid mounting controversy over the nominee's personal issues, a presidential official said Sunday.

Lee Hye-hoon, a former three-term lawmaker of the opposition bloc, was nominated last month to lead the newly established Ministry of Planning and Budget, Yonhap News Agency reported.

She had since faced various accusations of wrongdoing, including suspicious real estate dealings involving her family and her alleged mistreatment of subordinates.

"President Lee decided after deliberation and serious reflection to withdraw his nomination of Lee," Hong Ihk-pyo, the senior presidential secretary for political affairs, said during a press briefing.

Hong said the president listened carefully to various opinions from diverse sectors of society and closely studied her parliamentary confirmation hearing Friday, as well as the public's assessment since then.

"Unfortunately, she did not meet the public's standards for the minister of planning and budget," the senior secretary said, adding the president will continue to seek national unity through personnel appointments from across the political spectrum.

The former nominee has been 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 family's chances of securing the purchasing right.

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 also came under fire over allegations that her husband engaged in real estate speculation by purchasing large tracts of land near Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, about a year before the airport officially opened in 2001, and for her past remarks in support of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law in December 2024.
Seoul, Jan 25 : Prosecutors have requested arrest warrants for 72 of the 73 South Korean suspects repatriated from Cambodia over their alleged involvement in online scam operations, officials said Sunday.

The National Police Agency's National Office of Investigation said the arrest warrants were requested for all but one suspect, whose alleged offenses were deemed too minor, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The move comes a day after police requested arrest warrants for all 73 suspects, who had been detained in Cambodia and brought home Friday on a chartered flight to face investigation. It marked the nation's largest repatriation of criminal suspects from a single country.

The suspects are accused of swindling a combined 48.6 billion won (US$33.1 million) from 869 South Korean victims.

Of the 72 suspects, a court granted an arrest warrant for one individual over allegedly siphoning off 19.4 billion won from 229 people by impersonating a global financial company at a Cambodia-based call center until July last year.

In addition, 54 suspects, including 49 allegedly involved in no-show scams, were scheduled to attend warrant hearings later Sunday, while 17 others charged with romance scams were set to appear at warrant hearings on Monday.

On January 22, Lee Jae Myung instructed senior aids to take stern measures against transnational crimes targeting South Korean nationals, vowing to safeguard the safety of people against online scam rings at home and abroad.

Lee made the remarks during a meeting with his senior aids as 73 South Korean nationals detained in Cambodia over alleged scam crimes were being brought home for investigation.

"Transnational crimes not only destroy individual lives and undermine trust within our society but can also cause diplomatic friction. They are highly malicious and threatening crimes," Lee said.

"Measures should be taken to clearly demonstrate that transnational crimes that threaten public safety and undermine people's livelihoods will be punished without exception, whether committed at home or abroad," he added.

Lee called on authorities to ensure that crimes targeting South Korean nationals result in consequences that clearly outweigh any potential gains and urged close cooperation with foreign countries to confiscate criminal proceeds concealed overseas.

He also called for government support for businesses to minimize confusion and unintended side effects stemming from the full implementation of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Basic Act, which took effect earlier in the day.

"AI has already emerged as a key driving force that is fundamentally reshaping society and our daily lives beyond the economic sphere, which requires policy support and efforts to proactively manage foreseeable side effects," he said.

Lee stressed the need for comprehensive support for venture firms and startups to help them adapt to the new system without stifling innovation, and called for policy implementation in a "reasonable and transparent" manner.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday met a US Congressional delegation comprising Mike Rogers, Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis, along with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, in New Delhi to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, developments in the Indo-Pacific region, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Following their talks, EAM Jaishankar posted on X: "A good interaction with US Congressional Delegation comprising Representative Mike Rogers, Representative Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis along with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Discussed various aspects of India US ties, Indo Pacific and Ukraine conflict. Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship."

Earlier on January 18, EAM Jaishankar met US Senator Steve Daines in the capital, discussing bilateral ties and its strategic significance.

Describing the meeting, Jaishankar wrote in a post on X, "A pleasure meeting Senator Steve Daines this morning in Delhi. A wide ranging and open discussion on our bilateral relationship and its strategic significance."

Earlier on January 13, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke over the phone with EAM Jaishankar, reviewing key areas of cooperation, including civil nuclear energy, trade talks, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

"Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence, and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues," EAM Jaishankar stated after the call.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described it as a positive call.

"They discussed next steps regarding our bilateral trade negotiations, critical minerals, and a possible meeting next month," Gor wrote on X.

During the call, Rubio congratulated India on enacting the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India bill, a recent law that is part of India's nuclear energy framework, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

He said the United States is interested in building on the legislation to strengthen civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries.

"He expressed interest in capitalising on this important development to enhance US-India civil nuclear cooperation, expand opportunities for American companies, advance shared energy security goals, and secure critical mineral supply chains," Pigott said.

The two diplomats discussed ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations and their shared interest in strengthening economic cooperation.

"They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments, reaffirming the United States' and India's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Pigott said.
Ahmedabad, Jan 25 : Hybrid marijuana, with an estimated value of Rs 12.50 crore, was seized at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and four passengers arrested on Sunday, officials said, uncovering what is believed to be an international drug smuggling operation using the air route to bring contraband into India.

The seizure followed specific intelligence inputs received by Customs and police authorities about the possible smuggling of narcotics from Southeast Asia.

Acting on the information, officials carried out intensive screening of passengers arriving on a flight from Bangkok.

During the checks, suspicious material was detected in the baggage of four passengers, leading to a detailed inspection.

"On examination, a large quantity of banned high-grade hybrid marijuana was recovered. The contraband was concealed in plastic packets, and its estimated international market value is around Rs 12.50 crore," a senior Customs official said.

Hybrid marijuana is known to be significantly more potent and expensive than conventional cannabis and is prohibited under Indian law.

All four passengers were detained at the airport and subsequently placed under arrest.

According to officials, preliminary interrogation revealed that one of the accused is a resident of Vadodara, while the remaining three are natives of Punjab.

Investigators are now probing the purpose for which the consignment was brought into Gujarat and are also working to identify other individuals involved in the supply chain.

"Initial investigation indicates that the drugs were intended for distribution in major Indian cities, where there is a growing demand for such substances. We are examining travel records, financial transactions and possible international links to trace the larger network," a police officer said.

A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The seized narcotics have been sent for forensic analysis, and further investigation is underway.

Officials said coordination with central agencies has also been initiated to determine whether the accused have links with international drug syndicates.

The latest seizure adds to a series of recent drug interceptions at Ahmedabad airport.

Earlier this month, Customs officials arrested a passenger arriving from Bangkok after seizing hydroponic cannabis valued at about Rs 8 crore from his luggage during routine checks.

In another recent case, authorities intercepted 3.9 kg of hydroponic marijuana brought in from Bangkok, leading to the arrest of an accused under the NDPS Act.

Officials said enhanced surveillance and intelligence-led operations have been put in place at the airport to curb repeated attempts by traffickers to exploit international flights for smuggling narcotics.
Patna, Jan 25 : Tejashwi Yadav was appointed the National Working President of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday during the party's executive meeting in Patna.

Following his appointment, Tejashwi touched his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's feet to seek his blessings.

Several senior party leaders have welcomed the decision, asserting that the RJD will become even stronger under Tejashwi Yadav's leadership.

This decision is seen as a critical component of the party's future strategy. This appointment is anticipated to enhance the RJD's influence in Bihar politics moving forward.

On this occasion, the RJD posted on the social media platform X, "The beginning of a new era. Tejashwi Yadav appointed Working President of the Rashtriya Janata Dal."

Meanwhile, Lalu Yadav's daughter and Tejashwi's sister, Rohini Acharya, took a dig at the appointment, writing in an X post, "The pinnacle of politics -- in a way, the grand finale of a man's glorious innings, congratulations to the sycophants and the 'Infiltrator Gang' on the coronation of the "prince turned puppet in their hands".

Earlier in the day, Rohini Acharya questioned the party's current situation, leadership role, and internal affairs in a post.

She launched a sharp attack on the party's present leadership, without naming anyone, saying the current condition of the Rashtriya Janata Dal was "dire" and "worrisome" and that those presently at the helm must be held accountable.

In an emotional and strongly worded post on X, Rohini Acharya said that anyone who truly represents "Laluvad" in its real sense would inevitably raise questions about the party's present state and speak out against those responsible, regardless of the consequences.

Rohini alleged that the real control of the party had slipped into the hands of "infiltrators and conspirators", whom she claimed were planted by political opponents with the sole objective of destroying Laluvad.

She appealed to party workers and leaders who consider themselves true followers of Lalu Prasad Yadav's ideology to openly oppose such elements.
Mehsana, Jan 25 : In his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Chandanki village in Bahucharaji taluka of Gujarat's Mehsana district as an inspiring example of collective responsibility, highlighting its unique tradition of a community kitchen.

The practice has been in place in Chandanki for the past 15 years. In this system, food for the entire village is cooked in a central location, and a tiffin service is provided for the sick and those who are unable to walk.

The daily communal meals have not only eased the burden of cooking but have also strengthened social bonds among villagers, fostering a strong sense of family spirit.

Located about five kilometres from the Bahucharaji pilgrimage site, Chandanki village has many residents whose children have migrated to other parts of India and abroad for business and employment.

Referring to the village's long-standing practice during 'Mann Ki Baat' earlier in the day, the Prime Minister stated that residents of Chandanki do not cook food in individual homes; instead, the entire village depends on a community kitchen, where meals are prepared collectively, and villagers sit together to eat.

The tradition, he noted, reflects deep-rooted values of unity, care and shared living.

To ensure that the elderly are free from the worries of cooking, the younger generation of the village collectively came together to establish a special arrangement that ensures elders receive regular, nutritious meals with dignity.

Every day around 11 a.m., a bell rings in the village, signalling lunchtime. The elders then come out of their homes and gather at the Chandreshwar Mahadev temple, located near the village entrance. Tables and chairs are arranged in the temple premises, and meals are served respectfully.

The atmosphere, villagers say, is warm and vibrant, as elders eat together, share stories, and discuss both joys and sorrows.

Some elders also volunteer to help with serving food, adding to the sense of participation and belonging. Villagers, especially mothers and senior citizens, have expressed happiness and pride in their younger generation for creating such a thoughtful system despite living far from home.

Elders in Chandanki now receive meals twice a day, allowing them to live independently, yet remain closely connected to the community.

Observers often remark that watching all the elders dine together feels like witnessing members of one extended family sharing a common table.

Owing to its distinctive social practices and cleanliness, Chandanki village has received several recognitions in the past, including awards such as Nirmal Gram and Tirth Gram.

With its community kitchen now being mentioned by the Prime Minister, the village's model is being seen as an inspiration for other rural communities across the country.
The sprawling senior community of The Villages, FL, boomed during the pandemic, drawing retirees in droves despite viral rumorssome later debunkedabout residents' wild sexual escapades, but new data suggests the Sunshine State enclave may be losing some of its appeal.

Real estate agents in the region say The Villages can be a polarizing town that is not a universal fit. After living there for a few years, some residents look to relocate to more laid-back senior condo communities, or move closer to the beach.

"I have seen people move there and love it, almost like Disney World for adults, and others quickly realize it is not for them," Cara Ameer, real estate broker at Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty in Florida, tells Realtor.com.

Listings climbed in The Villages from early 2022 through spring 2025, peaking at 659 last May, according to the latest housing data analysis from Realtor.com.

Over the last seven months, local listings have edged down but remain well above pre-pandemic levels. In December, there were 521 homes for sale in The Villages, with the median listing price recorded at roughly $365,000.

For context, at the height of the pandemic-era boom in May 2022, just 118 properties were listed there, with a typical asking price of $447,000.

"Ample for-sale inventory relative to demand means that each listing is getting less attention compared to the pandemic-era frenzy," says Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones. "Listing viewership is also lower than pre-pandemic norms, though not significantly."

Jones says several factors are weighing on demand in The Villages, including elevated inventory levels and higher borrowing costs that have made homes in the community less affordable for budget buyers.

"At the same time, the market is undergoing a natural correction after several years of rapid price appreciation," she adds. "These local dynamics are reinforced by broader softening across Florida's housing markets, where supply has increased and price growth has moderated."

Based on Realtor.com cross-market data, buyers from The Villages are often looking for homes in Orlando, FL, Tampa, FL, and Ocala, FL. Other metros of interest include Miami, Jacksonville, FL, and Atlanta.

America's largest master-planned community

Located northwest of Orlando, The Villages started out in the 1970s as a trailer park. Since then, the 55-year-and-older community expanded to encompass 57 square miles.

It currently holds the title of the largest master-planned community in the U.S. with a population of over 150,000 residents.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged citizens across the country to share their personal stories on how air pollution is affecting their health and the well-being of their loved ones through a portal titled 'Awaaz Bharat Ki'.

'Awaaz Bharat Ki' is an initiative launched by Rahul Gandhi to offer a direct platform for people to convey their thoughts, suggestions and concerns to his office, according to details available on its official website.

In a post on X, Gandhi highlighted the human and economic cost of worsening air quality, saying, "We are paying a heavy price for air pollution -- with our health and with our economy. Crores of ordinary Indians bear this burden every day."

Underlining the urgency of addressing the issue, he said that the most vulnerable sections of society are suffering the worst consequences.

"Children and the elderly suffer the most. Livelihoods, especially of construction workers and daily wage earners, are severely impacted. This crisis cannot be forgotten until next winter. The first step towards change is to raise our voices," Gandhi said.

Calling on people to participate, he added, "Share your story of how air pollution has affected you or your loved ones at Awaaz Bharat Ki. Your voice matters, and it is my duty to raise it."

The appeal comes at a time when New Delhi and several surrounding cities have been grappling with severe pollution levels over the past few months, leading to serious respiratory and other health-related problems among residents.

Dense smog and persistently high pollution levels have made it increasingly difficult for people, particularly children and the elderly, to step outdoors.

Over the past few months, schools in the national capital have also been forced to shift to online classes on multiple occasions due to the Air Quality Index plunging into the 'severe' category.

In December last year, residents of Delhi staged protests against rising pollution levels and demanded a concrete action plan to tackle the crisis.

More than a hundred protesters, including students, activists and concerned citizens, gathered at Jantar Mantar, urging both the State and Central governments to take immediate steps to curb deteriorating air quality in the national capital.

The Congress party, during the Winter Session of Parliament last year, repeatedly raised the issue of air pollution in both Houses. The party leaders also held protests, carrying placards and demanding accountability from the ruling dispensation over the worsening environmental and public health situation.
Washington, Jan 25 : US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to confront repression during his four-day visit to China, beginning on Sunday.

In a statement, HRW stated: "Orpoas visit is more than a diplomatic engagement; it is a test of whether Finland can navigate between two major powers while defending its own core interests, which should include a defence of democratic values and human rights."

His visit to China comes after recent visits by leaders from Ireland, Sweden, France, Germany, and Canada, focusing on trade and investment, while human rights concerns receive little more than symbolic mention. This renewed engagement showcases how nations are hoping to diversify economic relationships and reduce dependence on the United States.

In a statement, HRW stated: "But if democratic backsliding and coercive politics from the Trump administration are causing unease, aligning more closely with an openly authoritarian China should provoke even stronger alarm across Europe."

"Finlandas Joint Action Plan with China (2025a"2029) exemplifies this imbalance. It outlines ambitious cooperation on innovation, green technology, and trade, with only vague references to human rights. This approach ignores the growing ways in which Chinaas repression affects Finland directly," it added.

In the statement, HRW accused China of being one of the "worldas most abusive, both at home and abroad". China's ongoing crimes against humanity in Xinjiang include arbitrary detention, pervasive surveillance, and forced labour of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims, according to the statement.

HRW further stated: "This poses problems for Finnish industries. Finlandas clean energy and tech sectors risk exposure to tainted supply chains, even with the European Union regulation prohibiting forced labour imports scheduled to take effect in late 2027. Chinaas labour rights abuses extend well beyond Xinjiang. Its low-rights development model has helped drive a global race to the bottom in labour rights, contributing to localised job losses that fuel resentment and populism in Europe and the United States."

HRW alleged that people in Hong Kong fear long prison sentences for criticising the government, while religious and cultural rights remain under attack in Tibet. Furthermore, it accused China of suppressing dissent by targeting activists who live abroad, including in Europe.
Kolkata, Jan 25 : The Kolkata Police's Mounted Police will not participate in the Republic Day parade on the Red Road on Sunday. Sources in Kolkata Police said on Sunday that the Mounted Police have been kept out of the parade for the fourth consecutive year since a 2022 incident where a horse turned its back on the then-Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar during the salute.

However, spectators can find some consolation in seeing the Indian Army's mechanical 'robotic mules' instead of the real horses.

Although the horses will not be participating in the parade, the mounted police unit will be on duty in the Maidan area from morning on Republic Day. The police cavalry will be keeping a watchful eye to ensure that spectators attending the parade do not face any problems and that law and order are maintained.

It may be recalled that on January 26, 2022, the Republic Day parade began with a contingent of the Army's Eastern Command marching down the Red Road. The Kolkata Police's mounted unit paraded with their horses, and 20 of them moved forward in perfect formation, step by step. An officer of the Kolkata Mounted Police saluted while seated on his horse. However, one of the horses suddenly broke away from the group and caused a disturbance. At that time, it was 11 years old.

Before this, it had participated in the Republic Day and Independence Day parades about four times. But on that day, it broke away from the group and turned its back towards the then-Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Officials at Lalbazar investigated and found that the parade on Red Road was being shown on a giant screen located beside the road. When the horse moved away, at that moment, the images of the mounted police were being shown on the screen. The authorities attributed the incident to the horse being distracted by its own image on the screen.

Although the horse was brought into line within seconds and the mounted police's parade carried on, this unit of the Kolkata Police has not participated in Republic Day and Independence Day parades since then. According to sources at Lalbazar (Kolkata Police headquarters), the mounted police will not participate in this year's parade either.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Egypt has set a strong goal to nearly double its trade with India, aiming to reach $12 billion in the coming years.

Currently, trade between the two countries stands at around $5 billion, which Egypt believes is far below the real potential of the partnership.

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondentsa Club of South Asia here, Egyptas Ambassador to India, Kamel Zayed Galal, said both nations have many opportunities to grow together, especially in sectors like energy, manufacturing, agriculture and connectivity.

He also shared that Indian investments in Egypt, which are now around $3.7 billion, are expected to cross $10 billion in the future.

The Ambassador encouraged Indian companies to see Egypt as a long-term strategic partner rather than just a short-term business destination.

Energy cooperation is becoming a major focus, especially in renewable energy and green hydrogen.

Galal explained that Egypt has strong solar and wind resources, along with growing infrastructure and easy access to major global shipping routes.

These advantages could help Egypt become an important hub for green energy production and exports. He also pointed to fertilisers, agriculture and industrial manufacturing as areas where closer supply chain links could quickly increase trade.

The Ambassador highlighted Egyptas industrial zones and its free trade agreements with African and European countries as major benefits for Indian businesses.

He said Egypt is not just a market to sell products but also a base for production and exports to wider regions.

Egyptas ports on the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea, along with the Suez Canal -- which handles about 12 percent of global trade -- make it a key global trade gateway.

India and Egypt upgraded their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2023 after meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

According to Galal, the focus has now moved from building ties on paper to delivering real economic results.

Talking about Egyptas foreign policy, the Ambassador said the country supports strategic independence, cooperation among many nations and respect for national sovereignty. It avoids strict political blocs and believes this approach closely matches Indiaas views, especially on the need to reform global bodies like the United Nations.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Months after the Sheikh Hasina government was ousted in Bangladesh by a student-led mass movement, a leaked diplomatic recording from the US has kicked up a fresh storm and also ignited a series of claims and counterclaims about the 2024 political upheaval in the neighbouring nation.

The leaked US diplomatic recording has put Washington at the centre of fresh accusations, as many from the Awami League have started pointing fingers over the formeras alleged role in effecting a power transition in Bangladesh.

The recording, published by a leading daily, StratNews Global, has conversations of a senior US diplomat speaking about engaging Bangladeshas Islamist political forces and assessing the countryas trajectory in the post-Hasina era.

This has intensified calls for scrutinising the USas role in Bangladesh and also given a handle to Awami League leaders to launch scathing attacks on Yunous regime for alleged collaboration.

Former Bangladesh education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, speaking at an event recently, said the audio goes to validate what the Awami League had long argued a" that the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime was not an entirely organic process.

Notably, Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee her country on August 5, 2024, after a student uprising resulted in a bloody stir, throwing the administration into complete disarray. She has been living in Delhi after leaving Bangladesh.

Hasan Chowdhury further pointed out that the US diplomatas leaked audio conversation shows a abrazen conspiracya to manage post-election governments in Bangladesh and warned about the grave consequences arising from such a situation.

Taking strong exception to debarring of the Awami League from contesting elections, he said that excluding major political forces like the Awami League would disenfranchise large sections of the electorate, thus leading to an illegitimate government without a popular public mandate.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : A recent hearing of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior has raised serious concerns about the poor state of cyber security in Pakistan, especially within key government institutions such as NADRA and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Lawmakers were told that repeated cyber breaches in these organisations have led to the leakage of sensitive personal data of citizens, highlighting major failures in data protection, according to a Business Recorder report.

Senator Afnanullah Khan spoke strongly on the issue and warned that the frequent theft of data from official databases could even suggest the involvement or negligence of insiders.

He said the situation reflects not just isolated lapses but deep-rooted structural weaknesses in Pakistanas overall cyber security system.

According to him, combined data taken from NADRA, the FBR and even banks is openly available on the dark web, showing how serious and widespread the problem has become.

The threat is not limited to government departments alone. Private sector entities, including banks, telecom companies and digital platforms, are also vulnerable to hacking and data leaks.

Many of these organisations still rely on outdated security systems and lack strong mechanisms to respond quickly when breaches occur.

Meanwhile, cybercriminals are using more advanced methods such as automated attacks, social engineering and linking data from multiple sources to make money from stolen information on a large scale.

Despite these risks, cyber security is still not treated as a major governance or business priority in the country.

Experts believe there is a clear lack of long-term investment, strict enforcement and accountability, which leaves both state institutions and private companies exposed in an increasingly hostile digital world.

This comes at a time when the government is actively promoting digitalisation. The Digital Nation Pakistan Act, passed last year, aims to build a strong digital economy and governance system by expanding digital services and providing digital identities to citizens.

However, critics warn that this rapid push towards digitalisation has not been matched with adequate safety measures.

Expanding digital systems without strong safeguards creates large central data pools, increases points of attack and makes the impact of breaches far more damaging.

Observers stress that any move towards digital platforms must go hand in hand with robust and continuously updated cyber security systems.

It is particularly worrying that Pakistan still does not have a comprehensive data protection law to safeguard personal and financial information.

There is also no legal requirement forcing organisations to invest in cyber security infrastructure or to prepare for threats such as hacking, identity theft and online fraud. In fact, some recent government actions have made the situation worse.

Steps like slowing down internet speeds and trying to restrict the use of VPNs have drawn criticism for showing a poor understanding of digital security.

Slower internet can delay important security updates, while restricting VPNs weakens online privacy and exposes sensitive data.

This, experts say, makes both public and private systems more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Guwahati, Jan 25 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress following a recent political gathering in Rangiya town, alleging that the event reflected disorder and highlighted the party's widening disconnect from the state's culture, traditions and social values.

Speaking to reporters here, CM Sarma said he was initially unaware of the meeting. However, he claimed that photographs and visuals of the event, which were later brought to his attention, left him taken aback.

According to the Chief Minister, the images did not convey the impression of a structured or disciplined political programme.

"The visuals I saw did not resemble an organised political meeting. What was evident was confusion and chaos rather than clarity and discipline," CM Sarma said.

He asserted that such scenes were symptomatic of a deeper problem within the Congress, alleging that the party has increasingly lost touch with the cultural ethos and social sensitivities of Assam.

He claimed that political activities which disregard local traditions and values raise serious concerns about social harmony in the state.

CM Sarma further said that Assamas political discourse should be rooted in respect for the stateas cultural identity and collective values. He warned that approaches which, in his view, ignore these fundamentals could have long-term implications for societal cohesion.

Stressing the importance of democratic vigilance, the Assam Chief Minister said defeating the Congress in elections was essential not only for the state but also in the larger national interest.

He urged people to remain alert and exercise their democratic rights responsibly to protect Assamas cultural integrity and social fabric.

Commenting on opposition dynamics, Sarma also predicted a future political alignment between the Congress and the Akhil Gogoi-led regional outfit Raijor Dal.

He claimed that such a convergence was inevitable and alleged that the Miya community would play a role in bringing the two parties closer.

"Raijor Dal and the Congress will ultimately come together. The Miya community will be instrumental in facilitating this political alignment," he said.

The Chief Minister's remarks come amid heightened political activity in Assam, with political parties intensifying their outreach and positioning ahead of upcoming electoral contests.

CM Sarma reiterated that his government remains committed to preserving Assamas identity while ensuring political stability and social harmony in the state.
Islamabad, Jan 25 : As many as 3,995 registered HIV-positive children in Pakistan's Sindh, and more than 100 new cases reported in Karachi in 2025, expose systemic failure of infection control and regulation, a report has stated.

Nearly 4,000 children in Sindh living with HIV, many of them not infected at birth or through personal behaviour but in healthcare facilities where patients undergo treatment, making negligence a crime, according to a report in Pakistan's leading daily, The Express Tribune.

The Express Tribune report stated, "The Pakistan Medical Association's (PMA) 'high-level alert' on the alarming rise in paediatric HIV cases should jolt authorities out of their habitual inertia. The numbers alone are damning: 3,995 registered HIV-positive children in Sindh and over 100 new cases reported in Karachi in 2025. These numbers point to a systemic collapse of infection control and regulation."

This is not the first warning for Pakistan, as the 2019 Ratodero tragedy, where hundreds of children were infected, was considered to be a turning point, triggering investigation and promises of reform. However, six years later, PMA is compelled to reveal the rising number of HIV cases among children.

The report in The Express Tribune said, "What makes this crisis particularly disturbing is that it is largely preventable. Unsafe injections, reused syringes, unregulated blood banks and illegal clinics run by quacks continue to operate with impunity. Inability a" or unwillingness a" to enforce minimum standards has turned clinics into sites of contagion. The PMA rightly warns that this is no longer just a medical emergency but a socio-economic catastrophe in the making."

In December last year, another report stated that the deepening HIV crisis in Pakistan is not only a medical emergency but also demonstrates institutional rot and showcases the consequences of years of neglect, the failure to implement basic health standards and the human cost of corruption. According to regional data, Pakistan, with a sharp increase in HIV cases, is ranked second among nations in the Asia-Pacific, a report has stated.

The shocking statistics highlight the use of contaminated syringes, unregulated blood transfusions, fake doctors and violations of medical rules. Health officials have reported 3,995 registered HIV-positive children in Sindh, a figure that only represents documented cases, according to a report in European Times.

According to the data, more than 600,000 fake doctors practise in Pakistan, with 40 per cent of them based in Karachi. The figure demonstrates the deepening medical malpractice crisis in Pakistan. With insufficient oversight, these fake doctors operate freely, reusing syringes, mishandling blood, and conducting unsafe procedures that further increase the spread of HIV.

"Pakistanas healthcare system, long burdened by underfunding and mismanagement, has repeatedly failed to uphold global standard operating procedures (SOPs) for infection prevention and control. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS have established clear protocols for safe blood transfusions, syringe disposal, and patient management," the European Times report stated.

The few HIV treatment centres that are present in Pakistan face shortages of testing kits, antiretroviral medicines, and trained staff, resulting in diagnosis and treatment delays. Patients often suffer as they have to move from one hospital to another in search of basic care.

"Pakistanas deepening HIV crisis is more than a medical emergency; it is a reflection of institutional rot. It exposes the consequences of years of neglect, the failure to enforce basic health standards, and the human cost of corruption. The tragedy of nearly 4,000 HIV-positive children in Sindh, the epidemic of quack doctors, and the routine use of contaminated medical tools together form a damning indictment of the stateas indifference. This is not a story of a virus spreading silently; it is a story of systemic failure that allows the virus to thrive," the report added.
Mumbai, Jan 25 : Actor Jaaved Jaaferi, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming film 'Mayasabha', has shared that he switched off his other artistic fronts while working on the film.

The actor has worked in different capacities in the industry, but whenever he steps into a new project, he makes it a point to stick to what's required from him.

The actor told IANS, "Being an actor, the rights you have are limited. I don't step into that space where I disrespect the writer or the director. The writer has spent who knows how many years sitting and thinking, putting in so much effort. You read it, and in one day you'll say, 'Boss, I'll do it this way'. A director creates a whole world, you as an actor cannot override that. That's why you ask questions. 'Why this, why not that?'And when you get the right answer, you can't go on an ego trip. They wrote it, they have lived with that character".

He further mentioned, "So they understand why he would do that, why that movement would happen. But beyond that, my duty as an actor is to take this character, as the director envisioned it, to that place. And if I can do something new, I'll also give options. So for me as an actor, this is my duty, my responsibility, to see if I can do it this way. So sometimes what happens is, the director says, 'I wrote this', and then they feel, 'No, no, this is going off track. He can't smile. Don't make that gesture because it's breaking the character'", he added.

'Mayasabha' is set to release in cinemas on January 30, 2026.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Veteran journalist, broadcaster, and author Sir William Mark Tully, or Mark Tully, whose voice was one of the most famous in India throughout the latter decades of the 20th century as he reported on key political developments, passed away on Sunday. He was 90.

Tully, a former BBC journalist who covered India and South Asia throughout his career and was honoured by both the Indian and the British governments, was ailing for some time and was admitted to a south Delhi hospital, where he passed away.

Born in Tollygunge, Calcutta, on October 24, 1935, into a wealthy British businessman's family, Tully did his initial schooling in India, including a boarding school in Darjeeling, before returning to the UK at the age of nine. He studied theology at Cambridge and had planned a career in the church, but gave it up midway. He chose journalism instead, joining the BBC in 1964.

Tully moved back to India in 1965 to work as the BBC's India Correspondent. Soon becoming the service's chief of bureau, New Delhi, he, in his 22-year-long stint, covered all the major South Asian incidents during his tenure, ranging from the various India-Pakistan conflicts, Operation Blue Star, the subsequent assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the anti-Sikh riots, the Bhopal gas tragedy, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, and the Babri Masjid demolition.

Quitting the BBC in July 1994, after an argument with its then Director General, he worked as a freelance journalist and broadcaster based in New Delhi. However, his association with the BBC continued as he presented some programmes for it till 2019.

Tully was the author of various books as well. Beginning with "Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle" (1985), co-authored with his BBC colleague, Satish Jacob, he then co-authored "Raj to Rajiv: 40 Years of Indian Independence" (1988) with Zareer Masani, "No Full Stops in India" (1988), "India in Slow Motion" (2002), along with Gillian Wright, "India's Unending Journey" (2008), and "India: The Road Ahead" (2011).

"The Heart of India" (1995), covering vignettes of Indian life, and "Upcountry Tales: Once Upon A Time In The Heart Of India" (2017) were his fictional works.

Made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1985, he was knighted in 2002. Conferred the Padma Shri in 1992, he received the Padma Bhushan in 2005.
Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG and Porsche AG Oliver Blume speaks at the "80 years of co-determination at VW" ceremony. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa

Germany's Volkswagen Group will not be able to build a planned plant for its upmarket Audi brand in the United States unless tariffs are cut, VW chief executive Oliver Blume has said in an interview with German business daily Handelsblatt.

"Given an unchanged tariff burden, large additional investment cannot be funded," Blume told the newspaper in comments released on Sunday. "Reduction of costs in the short term and reliable business conditions in the long term are what we need," he said.

Blume said talks in Washington with President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have not led to the required results.

"Anyone investing and providing jobs and value creation must also have advantages on the cost side," he said. "We remain open to solutions that both sides will profit from."

VW subsidiary Audi has been considering establishing a new plant in the United States since 2023, based at the time on new US subsidies that would have made a new factory profitable.

But the Trump administration has put pressure on European carmakers through its tariff policy, which, according to Blume, cost the company 2.1 billion ($2.5 billion) in the first nine months of 2025.

Blume nevertheless outlined a "forward strategy" for VW's US operations and clear opportunities for growth. But he added that an earlier goal of a 10% market share was obsolete. VW had to proceed step by step, he said.
Beijing, Jan 25 : China's sedentarisation of Tibetan nomads in Amdo, Qinghai, and Sichuan, being showcased as modernisation and ecological protection, has become a story of displacement, cultural erosion, and contested hope, a report has stated. The policy demonstrates the tension between state-led development and the resilience of Tibetan identity, a report has stated.

Beijing, Jan 25 (IANS) Chinaas sedentarisation of Tibetan nomads in Amdo, Qinghai, and Sichuan, being showcased as modernisation and ecological protection, has become a story of displacement, cultural erosion, and contested hope, a report has stated. The policy demonstrates the tension between state-led development and the resilience of Tibetan identity, a report has stated.

"Beginning in the early 2000s, China accelerated the 'Nomadic Settlement Project' under the Opening of the West campaign. In Amdo areas of Qinghai and Sichuan, thousands of Tibetan nomads were resettled into newly built housing complexes. The official rationale was threefold: Environmental protection: reducing grazing pressure on fragile grasslands. Economic modernisation: integrating nomads into market economies. Social stability: aligning rural populations with the stateas vision of a 'New Socialist Countryside'," Khedroob Thondup, who has served as Member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile for three terms and is the President of the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre Darjeeling since 1987, stated in a report in European Times.

The project has been presented as benevolent. However, it has affected Tibetan nomads as herding, central to Tibetan identity, is curtailed. Many resettled families face difficulty in finding stable income in urbanised settings. Furthermore, nomadic traditions like seasonal migration, communal herding, spiritual ties to land are curtailed as families are living in concrete settlements.

The abrupt shift from open grasslands to regimented housing projects results in people facing isolation, particularly elderly residents who see their way of life vanish. Scholars have emphasised that the project is less focused on ecology but more focused on standardising and subordinating Tibetan subjects, embedding them into state-controlled structures, according to the report in European Times. Some nomads have now started incorporating tradition into their livelihoods by selling dairy products in towns, teaching Tibetan culture or working in eco-tourism.

In the report in European Times, Khedroob Thondup stated, "The sedentarisation project is emblematic of Chinaas broader approach to frontier governance, development framed as benevolence, but experienced as control. The question is not whether nomads can survive in settlementsa"they can, and many will. The deeper issue is whether a people can preserve their identity when the very landscape that shaped it is denied to them."
Chennai, Jan 25 : Marking National Voters' Day 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday launched a statewide campaign in Tamil Nadu, urging citizens to exercise their franchise responsibly and work towards 100 per cent voter turnout in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The party said sustained voter education and electoral reforms were essential for strengthening democracy and ensuring people-centric governance.

In a statement, Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad said National Voters' Day  first observed in 2011  has played a key role in raising awareness about voting rights, electoral integrity and the importance of informed choices.

He recalled that within a few years of focused voter education, the country witnessed a decisive shift in national politics, culminating in the 2014 general election that brought the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance to power.

Prasad said the 2026 observance has gained added significance in view of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which he described as a rigorous exercise to remove bogus entries and empower genuine voters.

According to him, the SIR has restored public confidence in the electoral process by ensuring that only eligible citizens decide election outcomes.

The BJP leader alleged that criticism directed at the Election Commission of India, the Prime Minister and the party over voter-roll reforms was politically motivated and had been countered by public support for clean elections.

He argued that similar awareness in Tamil Nadu would help voters reject corruption, dynastic politics and "anti-people" alliances in the 2026 polls.

Highlighting the theme for National Voters' Day 2026  "My India, My Vote", with the slogan "Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy"  Prasad said BJP workers across the state were organising outreach programmes, especially targeting first-time voters and youth.

These initiatives include awareness meetings, voter enrolment drives and discussions on the role of ethical voting in development and welfare.

The statement also referred to greetings issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion, calling on citizens to treat voting as a sacred democratic duty.

Prasad said the party believes sustained public engagement, transparent elections and informed participation would pave the way for a stable, development-oriented government in Tamil Nadu.

National Voters' Day, observed annually on January 25, commemorates the foundation of the Election Commission of India and aims to reinforce the values of inclusive participation, electoral integrity and citizen-centric democracy.
Los Angeles, Jan 25 : Hollywood actress Amber Heard, who has had a nasty legal battle against ex-husband Johnny Depp, has "lost (her) ability to speak" in the wake of her legal battle.

The 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' actress has made a surprise appearance in 'Silenced', a documentary about accused men using defamation lawsuits to silence women speaking out about abuse, and she claimed she no longer wants to tell her own "story" about her marriage to the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor, reports 'Female First UK'.

In a confessional interview for the documentary, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, with director Selina Miles, Amber said, "This is not about me. I have lost my ability to speak. I am not here to tell my story"

She further mentioned, I don't want to tell my story. In fact, I don't want to use my voice anymore. That's the problem".

As per 'Female First UK', the International human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson is also involved with the documentary, and she assisted Amber with her participation in Johnny's 2018 libel lawsuit against 'The Sun' newspaper, after they branded him a "wife-beater", and she recalled how her former spouse's fans shouted and jeered at her as she made her way to and from court.

She said, "The outcome of that trial depended on my participation, and I depended on the outcome of that trial. When I first met (Robinson), I immediately got the sense that she got the bigger picture. What has happened to me is an amplified version of what a lot of women live through. I remember at the close of the trial, the idea that I could say something to the press came up. (Robinson) asked if I was sure about that. (I thought), 'If they throw things at me, it will make this point more obvious'. I didn't understand it could get so much worse for me as a woman, using my voice".

But the 39-year-old star has been given hope by seeing women speaking out. She said: "It gives me strength seeing other people take on the fight. Women are brave enough to address the imbalance of power. Looking at my daughter's face as she grows up and slowly starts to walk into this world. I believe it can be better".

While Johnny lost his libel claim against The Sun, he also sued the actress for defamation for an op-ed she penned about surviving domestic abuse, although she did not name him in the piece, and the jury sided with the actor, awarding him $1 million in damages.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : As the USS Cincinnati, an American warship, docked at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base this weekend, the development created widespread ripples and triggered talks of fresh turmoil in the region.

The development assumes significance because this is the first docking by a US Navy warship at the Cambodian facility, after the renovation of this naval base by Chinese state firms, early last year.

Also, the US warship's visit coincides with a high-profile meeting, slated between the head of US Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo, and Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha.

The concern and consternation arose over concerns and reports that China, Cambodia's close ally and main provider of aid and investment, could have been granted exclusive access to the base. The Cambodian government has, however, denied any agreement for exclusive Chinese privileges.

The controversy began in 2019 when China and Cambodian governments reportedly entered an agreement for its use by the Chinese military for 30 years. Though the claims were rejected by Beijing, the Cambodian government has repeatedly denied any agreement for exclusive Chinese privileges.

Notably, the USS Cincinnati is an Independence-class littoral combat ship and can operate in shallower waters also.

Its crew of about 100 is scheduled to engage in sporting events and other activities in the nearby city of Sihanoukville during its January 24-28 visit, said a report by Wral news.

It said, citing the deputy commander of the base, "At this location, our government has worked very hard to build this port so that all foreign vessels that wish to dock in Cambodia can do so."

"We have succeeded in this effort, and we are open from this moment forward for all to enter," the deputy commander said. "Whether it is American ships, Australian, Japanese or any other ships that wish to dock in Cambodia, this port is ready for you," he further stated.

Also, a Cambodian Navy statement added that more than 37 US warships had made visits to Cambodian facilities, from 2003 through 2026 alone.
Gandhinagar, Jan 25 : Gujarat's Botad district has received national recognition for a technology-driven voter awareness initiative, becoming the only district from the state to be honoured under the "Innovative Voter Awareness Initiatives" category at the 16th National Voters' Day ceremony held on Sunday.

Gandhinagar, Jan 25 (IANS) Gujarat's Botad district has received national recognition for a technology-driven voter awareness initiative, becoming the only district from the state to be honoured under the "Innovative Voter Awareness Initiatives" category at the 16th National Voters' Day ceremony held on Sunday.

The award was conferred in New Delhi by President Droupadi Murmu and was accepted by Botad District Collector and District Magistrate Jinsi Roy.

The award recognises the BOTRON initiative, a robotics-based voter education programme implemented by the Botad district administration. According to officials, the initiative marks the first structured and systematic use of robotics for voter awareness within India's electoral framework.

The concept, planning, execution and monitoring of the programme were undertaken at the district level under the supervision of the Collector.

BOTRON was developed to deliver voter-related information in a clear, uniform and unbiased manner, using technology to improve outreach and engagement.

The robot was programmed with content approved by the Election Commission of India, including information on voter registration procedures, correction of electoral rolls, ethical voting practices and election schedules.

District officials said the content was designed to ensure accuracy and consistency while avoiding misinformation.

The robotic units were deployed at high-footfall public locations across the Botad district to maximise reach.

According to the administration, BOTRON was showcased at various public places where citizens could easily interact with it and receive essential electoral information.

The district administration stated that the initiative helped supplement conventional awareness campaigns and reduced reliance on manpower-intensive outreach methods.

Jinsi Roy said the initiative aimed to use emerging technology to make voter education more accessible and engaging, particularly for young and first-time voters.

Officials involved in the programme said that the Collector conducted regular reviews of BOTRON's field performance and assessed feedback received from citizens.

They noted that the initiative generated notable interest among youth, urban residents and first-time voters, contributing to improved awareness about electoral processes.

Election authorities have observed that the BOTRON initiative demonstrates how administrative leadership at the district level, combined with appropriate use of modern technology, can strengthen voter education efforts.

With the national award, the Botad model is expected to be referred to as a replicable example for other districts exploring technology-based voter awareness initiatives.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25 : Former Chief Minister of Kerala and veteran CPI(M) leader V.S. Achuthanandan was posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, marking a defining moment of national recognition for one of the state's most influential political figures.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25 (IANS) Former Chief Minister of Kerala and veteran CPI(M) leader V.S. Achuthanandan was posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan, Indiaas second-highest civilian honour, marking a defining moment of national recognition for one of the stateas most influential political figures.

The award acknowledges Achuthanandanas decades-long public life marked by an uncompromising stand on corruption, land rights, womenas rights, environmental protection and social justice, which earned him admiration across political divides.

Achuthanandan, who served as Keralaas Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011, was widely seen as the moral compass of Left politics in the state.

From spearheading land reform movements to taking firm positions on issues such as illegal encroachments and environmental degradation, his political career left a lasting imprint on Keralaas governance and public discourse.

Even after stepping away from active politics, he remained a symbol of integrity and ideological commitment. The Padma Vibhushan was also awarded posthumously to Justice K.T. Thomas, former Supreme Court judge, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Indian judiciary.

Known for his sharp legal acumen and fearless judgments, Justice Thomas played a significant role in shaping constitutional interpretation and judicial accountability.

Joining him in the Padma Vibhushan list from Kerala was P. Narayanan, former editor of Janmabhumi, honoured for his contribution to journalism and public thought.

In the Padma Bhushan category, Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty was recognised for his exceptional contribution to Indian cinema.

With a career spanning over four decades, Mammoottyas body of work has redefined performance standards in Malayalam cinema and brought national and international recognition to the industry. Also receiving the Padma Bhushan was Vellapally Natesan, General Secretary of the SNDP Yogam, for his role in social reform, organisational leadership and efforts to carry forward the legacy of Sree Narayana Guru.

Several eminent personalities from Kerala were honoured with the Padma Shri. Veteran scientist A.E. Muthunayagam was recognised for his pioneering contributions to science and technology.

Renowned dance teacher Kalamandalam Vimala Menon received the award for her lifelong dedication to classical dance and cultural education. Environmental activist G. Kollakkal Devaki Amma was also conferred the Padma Shri for her tireless grassroots work in environmental conservation.

The honours collectively highlight Keralaas enduring contribution to Indiaas political, cultural, scientific and social landscape, celebrating lives dedicated to public service and national progress.

--IANS

aal/dan
Kolkata, Jan 25 : On the occasion of National Voters' Day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday slammed the Election Commission of India for allegedly snatching the voting rights of people of West Bengal in the name of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Using her X handle, Banerjee said, "Election Commission of India is celebrating National Voters' Day today, and what a tragic farce that is! The Commission -- working as His Master's Voice-- is busy now in snatching away people's voting rights, and they have the temerity to celebrate Voters' Day! I am deeply distressed and disturbed by their conduct today."

The Chief Minister intensified her attack against the poll panel by saying it was working at the behest of the BJP government at the Centre.

"Instead of complying with the Hon'ble Supreme Court's verdict and working as per rules and norms to provide and protect the democratic voting rights of people, ECI is finding newer and newer pretexts in the name of logical discrepancy to harass the people and try to deny them and take away from them their electoral rights!" Banerjee wrote in the post.

She continued, "On behalf of BJP, their Master, they are busy in bulldozing the Opposition and destroying the foundation of Indian democracy, and yet they have the guts to celebrate Voters' Day!!"

Once again, the Chief Minister said that due to the SIR exercise and stress caused by the inhuman pressure, more than 130 people have died in West Bengal.

"ECI, you are torturing people today in an unprecedented manner. More than 130 persons have died because of your tortures. Can you summon-- the way you are doing-- persons above 85, 90, 95 years of age, and even physically challenged persons to physically appear before you to prove their credentials? The stress caused by this kind of illegal pressure is leading to series of suicides and deaths, and yet you are continuing to do this at the behest of your political masters. You have made it NRC trial for citizens, including particularly those belonging to minorities, scheduled castes and tribes," Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister concluded by saying that the ECI has no right to celebrate National Voters' Day following the harassment of the people.

"Elections are festivals of democracy. But your partisan conduct and unilateral illegalities, dispatch of micro-observers to compound the harassment, your push to people to jaws of death have been destroying our democracy. Today, you have no right to celebrate the Voters' Day!" Banerjee added.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday celebrated the 16th National Voters' Day (NVD-2026) with the theme "My India, My Vote - Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy", even as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar hailed India as the world's largest and most transparent democracy.

New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday celebrated the 16th National Votersa Day (NVD-2026) with the theme "My India, My Vote a" Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy", even as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar hailed India as the worldas largest and most transparent democracy.

Earlier, addressing the event, President Droupadi Murmu described voting as a reflection of citizensa faith in the democratic process, according to an official statement.

Speaking on the occasion, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said that India has not only been the birthplace of democracy but has also emerged as the worldas largest and most transparent democratic system.

He said Indiaas leadership of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) reflects global trust in its electoral framework.

The CEC noted that India also led the adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2026 at the recently concluded India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM-2026), described as the worldas largest democracy and election summit.

He added that the India International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM) is emerging as a global training hub for election management.

The ECINET technology platform is also drawing international interest, he said.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar further asserted that a pure votersa list and active citizen participation remain the foundation of Indiaas strong and vibrant democracy.

Referring to five newly enrolled voters who were presented their Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) by the President, Election Commissioner S.S. Sandhu said the gesture was a matter of immense pride and a source of motivation for the entire electoral community.

Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi said the EPIC is not merely a card but a badge of responsibility, adding that the destiny of the worldas largest democracy rests with its voters.

On the occasion, two publications -- "2025: A Year of Initiatives and Innovations" and "Chunav Ka Parv, Bihar Ka Garv", documenting the conduct of the Bihar Assembly elections -- were released.

A video highlighting the ECIas global leadership in electoral management and democratic development was also screened during the programme.

A dedicated exhibition showcasing various aspects of elections, including electoral roll preparation and election management, was organised. The exhibition highlighted recent initiatives of the ECI and the successful conduct of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections in 2025, the statement said.

Simultaneous celebrations were held across the country at the state and district levels through the offices of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and District Election Officers (DEOs).

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) also organised events at polling stations, felicitated newly registered voters and distributed EPICs to new electors.
Raipur/Dantewada, Jan 25 : Three personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of the Chhattisgarh Police were injured in two separate Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts on Sunday amid an ongoing anti-Maoist cordon and search operation in the rugged Karregutta hills.

The incident unfolded on the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts, a notorious Maoist stronghold known for its dense forests and difficult terrain.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of Maoist cadres, a joint team comprising Dantewada and Bijapur police, along with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingents and DRG units, launched a major encirclement operation early in the morning to flush out insurgents from the inaccessible Karregutta area, police officials said.

The first blast occurred around 10 am, followed by a second in the afternoon at different locations within the operation zone. All three injured jawans belong to the DRG contingent and sustained injuries from the powerful explosions planted by Maoists to target security forces.

Bijapur Additional Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Gavarna confirmed the development, stating that the injured personnel were promptly evacuated from the site.

They were airlifted by helicopter to a private hospital in Raipur, the state capital, for advanced medical treatment. Their condition remains under evaluation, though initial reports indicate they are receiving immediate care.

This latest attack comes against the backdrop of intensified anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh's southern districts, where security forces have conducted large-scale drives in recent months to dismantle Maoist networks.

Karregutta and adjoining hills have been focal points in past offensives, including major operations that resulted in significant recoveries of arms, ammunition, and explosives, as well as neutralisation of several insurgents.

Authorities suspect the IEDs were strategically placed by retreating Maoist cadres to impede the advance of security teams. The operation continues with heightened caution, including enhanced demining efforts and aerial surveillance to neutralise remaining threats.

Police and senior officials have reiterated their commitment to eradicating Left Wing Extremism from the region, emphasising that such cowardly tactics will not deter ongoing efforts to restore peace and development in affected tribal areas.

Families of the injured have been informed, and support is being extended.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Pakistan's criminal justice system, long plagued by chronic delays and a staggering backlog of over 2.4 million pending cases as reported by the Law and Justice Commission, has come under intense scrutiny through a prominent cybercrime trial involving human rights lawyer Iman Zainab Mazari and political activist Hadi Ali Chattha.

The case, initiated in August 2025 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), exemplifies the tensions between judicial authority, procedural fairness, and selective enforcement.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered an FIR on August 22, 2025, accusing the pair of offenses including cyber terrorism, hate speech, and dissemination of illegal content related to social media posts allegedly supporting banned groups and promoting ethnic division, a Eurasia Review report said.

Unlike many PECA cases that lead to swift arrests, the defendants initially avoided detention despite the gravity of the charges. Pre-arrest bail was granted within days, and by September, they secured full protection from arrest.

However, subsequent non-compliance - missing court appearances and public criticism of the judiciary - prompted non-bailable warrants. These warrants were repeatedly cancelled upon appearance or changes in legal representation, a pattern critics describe as preferential treatment rarely extended to ordinary defendants, said the report.

Court records reveal 44 hearing days stretched over four months, with frequent adjournments granted for reasons such as counsel switches, constitutional challenges, and alleged health issues lacking documentation.

Disruptive conduct, including courtroom walkouts and accusations against the presiding judge, led to further postponements and temporary warrant issuances, only for relief to be restored swiftly.

Prosecutors argue the defence employs tactical delays to fatigue the system and politicise a standard criminal matter.

Requests for exemptions, including unverified medical claims, contributed to perceptions of brinkmanship. Superior courts, including the Islamabad High Court and Supreme Court, intervened multiple times to compel progress, issuing unusual directives to address stalls. The trial highlights broader systemic issues.

While high-profile figures receive extended leeway, less prominent accused in similar cybercrime or anti-terrorism cases often face immediate detention for procedural lapses.

Digital rights groups, including the Digital Rights Foundation, criticise PECA for vague provisions and overreach, yet stress that due process requires engagement in court rather than evasion.

The core allegations - specific posts purportedly aligning with proscribed organisations - remain untested through full cross-examination and adjudication.

As one senior lawyer observed, if the speech is lawful, the courtroom is the appropriate venue to demonstrate it. The case transcends the individuals involved, exposing a fundamental conflict: balancing civil liberties against law enforcement imperatives in politically charged matters. Five months on, the proceedings raise deeper questions about trial courts' ability to maintain control over resistant high-profile defendants.

Extraordinary tolerance risks undermining judicial authority, particularly when met with persistent resistance. The public expects judges to uphold independence from external pressures while enforcing courtroom discipline, it said.
Ignoring the stock price of a company, what are the underlying trends that tell us a business is past the growth phase? A business that's potentially in decline often shows two trends, a return on capital employed (ROCE) that's declining, and a base of capital employed that's also declining. Ultimately this means that the company is earning less per dollar invested and on top of that, it's shrinking its base of capital employed. And from a first read, things don't look too good at Persimmon (LON:PSN), so let's see why.

AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for Persimmon, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.10 = UK399m  (UK5.0b - UK1.2b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2025).

Therefore, Persimmon has an ROCE of 10%. On its own, that's a standard return, however it's much better than the 8.7% generated by the Consumer Durables industry.

See our latest analysis for Persimmon

LSE:PSN Return on Capital Employed January 25th 2026

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Persimmon compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Persimmon for free.

What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us

We are a bit worried about the trend of returns on capital at Persimmon. About five years ago, returns on capital were 22%, however they're now substantially lower than that as we saw above. And on the capital employed front, the business is utilizing roughly the same amount of capital as it was back then. This combination can be indicative of a mature business that still has areas to deploy capital, but the returns received aren't as high due potentially to new competition or smaller margins. If these trends continue, we wouldn't expect Persimmon to turn into a multi-bagger.

The Key Takeaway

All in all, the lower returns from the same amount of capital employed aren't exactly signs of a compounding machine. Long term shareholders who've owned the stock over the last five years have experienced a 23% depreciation in their investment, so it appears the market might not like these trends either. Unless there is a shift to a more positive trajectory in these metrics, we would look elsewhere.
Chennai, Jan 25 : Tamil Nadu's enduring legacy of public service, intellectual excellence and cultural stewardship found national recognition this year, with several eminent personalities from the state figuring prominently in the Padma awards list.

Chennai, Jan 25 (IANS) Tamil Naduas enduring legacy of public service, intellectual excellence and cultural stewardship found national recognition this year, with several eminent personalities from the state figuring prominently in the Padma awards list.

The honours span medicine, social work, science, arts, literature and public administration, underscoring decades of commitment to nation-building and community welfare.

Leading the list is Kalipatti Ramasamy Palanisamy, a distinguished medical professional, who was conferred the Padma Bhushan for his pioneering contributions to healthcare.

Widely respected for his service-oriented approach, Palanisamyas work has had a transformative impact on community health, particularly in rural and underserved regions of Tamil Nadu.

Also receiving the Padma Bhushan is S.K.M. Maeilanandhan, a noted social worker whose sustained efforts in education, social welfare and community development have touched thousands of lives across the state.

The Padma Shri honours featured a strong representation from the arts, medicine and science. In the field of arts, Gayatri Balasubramanian and Ranjani Balasubramanian were recognised for their creative contributions that have helped preserve and reinterpret traditional Indian art forms.

Medical science saw multiple awardees, including H.V. Hande, honoured for his long-standing service in healthcare, and Punniamurthy Natesan, recognised for his dedicated work in medical and veterinary research.

In science and engineering, K. Ramasamy and Veezhinathan Kamakoti, the current Director of IIT Madras, were awarded the Padma Shri for advancing scientific knowledge and technical education.

Public service was acknowledged through K. Vijayakumar, a senior IPS officer noted for his people-centric policing and for his role in key investigations, including operations against forest brigand Veerappan. Traditional and performing arts also received due recognition, with Padma Shri awards to Othuvaar Thiruthani Swaminathan, Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar, and Thiruvarur Bhakthavathsalam for safeguarding and popularising classical and folk traditions.

In literature and education, veteran writer Sivasankari was honoured for her influential contribution to Tamil literary discourse, while K. Pajanivel received the Padma Shri for Chilambam martial arts and social service in Puducherry. Posthumous recognition was accorded to R. Krishnan for his enduring artistic legacy.

Together, the Padma awardees from Tamil Nadu reflect excellence across disciplines and reaffirm the Stateas profound and continuing contribution to Indiaas cultural, intellectual and public life.
Hoshiarpur, Jan 25 : Inaugurating eco-friendly huts at Saleran Dam to give a major push to eco-tourism and job creation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is increasing employment by developing tourism destinations.

He said that film shoots and destination weddings in Amritsar, Patiala and the Chamrod Lake have also led to a rise in employment opportunities, adding that the Saleran Dam project will compete with tourism destinations of Himachal Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said the government has revived 52 rest houses that had turned into ruins and that they are now generating Rs 1 crore in monthly rental revenue. He said previous governments sold government properties to their friends at throwaway prices, but the present government has recovered those assets.

Interacting with the media after inaugurating the dam project, CM Mann said, "Today we inaugurated the Saleran Dam Eco-Tourism Project to further strengthen tourism infrastructure in the state. Earlier, the Chohal Dam project has been running successfully, and this new initiative will add another attractive destination for tourists."

The Chief Minister said the project has been conceived for Rs 2.80 crore and is expected to generate more than Rs 18 lakh in annual revenue.

"This project will attract tourists to the area, create job opportunities for local youth and significantly boost their income," he added.

Highlighting the facilities created under the project, the Chief Minister said, "A special playground spread over 16,000 square feet has been constructed for children, with a multi-play station and other recreational activities."

"Four eco huts have been constructed for tourists to stay, and a cafeteria with seating capacity for 80 people has also been built."

CM Mann said a large amphitheatre has been developed to enjoy the scenic views of the Saleran Dam, noting that "this project will prove highly significant in giving a major fillip to eco-tourism in Punjab".

"Environment-friendly tourism and recreational infrastructure have been created, keeping ecological balance in mind," he said, adding the government is making sustained efforts to promote tourism in the Kandi belt of Punjab.

"There is immense potential in these areas, and they can be developed as ideal tourist destinations to attract visitors from across the globe," the CM added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 25 : The number of Tibetan students having enrolled in 'Tibet classes' across many Chinese cities has seen a sharp rise this year, setting a new record and also raising apprehension about attempts to sinicise the indigenous population of Tibet.

According to Chinese government figures released in a report by the Education Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), as cited by Tibetan Review, more than 10,000 Tibetan students were admitted to the so-called "Tibet Classes" in major Chinese cities in 2025. This marks the highest annual intake since the programme began years ago.

"In 2025, about 2,000 Tibetan students were enrolled in junior middle school classes in China, with the total number of classes increased to 150. Likewise, a total of 4,500 Tibetan students were stated to have been enrolled in senior middle school classes in China, and the number of such classes increased to 205," the report stated.

"Also, a total of 4,000 Tibetan students were enrolled in middle vocational education schools in China, with the number of such classes increased to 223," it added.

The data indicates a significant rise in the number of specialised classes and institutions created under the programme.

Among the students enrolled for various programs, more than 3,000 hail from the TAR region, while about 800 students come from Tsongon (Qinghai) Province, a significant portion of the traditional Tibetan region of Amdo.

According to the report, the enrollmentof Tibet Classes accelerated after 2023. The students' enrolment has increased at an average annual rate of 9.9 per cent over the past three years.

Chinese officials described this as a policy framework of "three increments, three coverages, and one standardisation". However, Tibetan organisations and rights groups were highly critical of the program as they viewed it as a tool for political indoctrination and cultural assimilation.

The Tibet Class system was first introduced in 1984, with Beijing citing limited educational development and a shortage of skilled personnel in Tibetan areas as justification.

As of 2025, 129 Tibet Class schools were operating across 23 provinces and 60 provincial-level cities in China, enrolling a total of 25,000 Tibetan students.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Low-cost airline IndiGo on Sunday announced to cancel flights from Delhi to Tbilisi and from Mumbai to Almaty scheduled for January 25, including their return journeys.

The airline also said in a post on X that flights scheduled on January 26, 2026, to and from Tbilisi, Almaty, Baku, and Tashkent may experience brief halts at Doha for refueling.

"As a follow up to our first advisory, and in view of the recent developments around Iran, we are making certain proactive changes to our flight schedules as part of our continued focus on safety," said the airline on social media platform X.

"IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on 25 January 2026 from Delhi to Tbilisi and from Mumbai to Almaty and return have been cancelled. Please visit https://goindigo.in/plan-b.html to explore alternate options, including future available flights or a full refund," it said.

It further stated that "IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on 26 January 2026 to and from Tbilisi, Almaty, Baku and Tashkent may take a brief halt, for refueling, at Doha".

"Please keep a tab on your flight status. We continue to closely monitor the situation and will share further updates. We appreciate your patience and understanding," said the airline.

Several airlines have rerouted, delayed or cancelled flights that traverse Iranian airspace, amid the geopolitical tensions.

Major international carriers, including Air France, KLM and Lufthansa, suspended or scaled back operations to Israel and key Gulf destinations on Saturday, citing security situation.

Meanwhile, the US has announced a new round of sanctions targeting what it described as Iran's "shadow fleet," as Washington moved to further restrict revenue streams it says are being used to repress the Iranian people and finance destabilising activities abroad.

The Treasury imposed sanctions on eight entities and nine vessels involved in transporting Iranian petroleum and petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas.

IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the demise of Sir Mark Tully, a towering voice of journalism.

The Prime Minister said that Sir Mark Tully's deep connection with India and its people was vividly reflected in his works.

He noted that Sir Mark's reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse.

The Prime Minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family, friends and admirers of Sir Mark Tully.

The Prime Minister wrote on X: "Saddened by the passing of Sir Mark Tully, a towering voice of journalism. His connect with India and the people of our nation was reflected in his works. His reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse. Condolences to his family, friends and many admirers."

Mark Tully, whose voice was one of the most famous in India throughout the latter decades of the 20th century as he reported on key political developments, passed away on Sunday. He was 90.

Tully, a former BBC journalist who covered India and South Asia throughout his career and was honoured by both the Indian and the British governments, was ailing for some time and was admitted to a south Delhi hospital, where he passed away.

Born in Tollygunge, Calcutta, on October 24, 1935, into a wealthy British businessman's family, Tully did his initial schooling in India, including a boarding school in Darjeeling, before returning to the UK at the age of nine. He studied theology at Cambridge and had planned a career in the church, but gave it up midway. He chose journalism instead, joining the BBC in 1964.

Tully moved back to India in 1965 to work as the BBC's India Correspondent. Soon becoming the service's chief of bureau, New Delhi, he, in his 22-year-long stint, covered all the major South Asian incidents during his tenure, ranging from the various India-Pakistan conflicts, Operation Blue Star, the subsequent assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the anti-Sikh riots, the Bhopal gas tragedy, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, and the Babri Masjid demolition.
Chandigarh, Jan 25 : Amidst the heightened security to ensure peaceful celebrations of the Republic Day, Punjab Police teams on Sunday carried out flag marches in sensitive areas across the state.

Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has directed the Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to ensure foolproof security arrangements in their respective jurisdictions.

He also asked all the Station House Officers (SHOs) and Gazetted Officers to remain in the field till the culmination of the Republic Day event.

Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said that Police teams led by CPs and SSPs conducted flag marches in the sensitive and vulnerable areas of their respective districts.

The exercise was aimed at boosting the confidence of the public, besides preparing police personnel to tackle any untoward situation.

He said the security has already been beefed up across the state, and 20,000 police personnel have been deployed to keep vigil around the anti-social elements and ensure peaceful celebrations of the Republic Day.

The Special DGP said officers were also directed to conduct a special cordon and search operation (CASO) under the supervision of a SP-rank officer at all the crowded places, including railway stations, bus stands, markets, shopping malls, public parks, etc., across the state.

"We had strictly instructed all the police personnel to deal with every person in a friendly and polite manner while frisking them during the course of this operation," he added.

Meanwhile, police teams have continued their drive against drugs "Yudh Nashian Virudh" for 330th day with 50 drug smugglers arrested on Sunday and recovered 150 grams of heroin and 376 intoxicant tablets and capsules from their possession.

With this, the total number of drug smugglers arrested has reached 46,443 in just 330 days.

As part of de-addiction, the police have convinced eight people to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.

--IANS

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Chennai, Jan 25 : Actor-turned-politician Vijay is the only leader capable of defeating the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, senior TVK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan said on Sunday.

Addressing the inaugural cadre meet of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) at Mamallapuram, after the party was officially allotted the whistle symbol, Sengottaiyan said Vijay enjoyed support cutting across party lines and that his appeal extended even into households traditionally aligned with rival parties, including the DMK.

"Every party has votes for Vijay. Leaders and cadres from all sides are eager to see him. There is no need for concern about alliances at this stage," he said, adding that Vijay alone had the stature to dismantle even a ten-party alliance.

Using a mix of political messaging and metaphor, Sengottaiyan cautioned party workers to be sensitive while campaigning.

"Do not blow the whistle near sleeping people or the elderly. It may confuse them and cost us votes. Cadres must act with care and responsibility," he advised, drawing applause from the audience.

Highlighting Vijayas personal sacrifice, Sengottaiyan said he had witnessed the rise of several charismatic leaders, including MGR, but described Vijayas entry into politics as exceptional.

"He is someone who walked away from an annual income of Rs 1,000 crore to serve the people through politics. That alone sets him apart," he said, portraying Vijay as a leader driven by commitment rather than convenience.

The Mamallapuram meeting marked an important milestone for the TVK, being the first major organisational gathering after the party secured its official symbol.

Several senior party leaders, including N. Anand, participated in the session, which focused on cadre mobilisation and future political strategy.

At the onset, Vijay paid floral tributes to the martyrs of the historic language agitation, reaffirming his partyas ideological positioning on linguistic pride and social justice. He also showered flower petals on senior policy leaders on stage, acknowledging their role in shaping the partyas vision.

Vijay received a rousing welcome as he arrived at the venue, with volunteers blowing whistles and cheering loudly.

This event also raised expectations among supporters, as it marked his return to a party platform after attending a Christmas celebration in December. Party workers now await his next public address, hoping it will offer clearer signals on the TVKas roadmap for the upcoming Assembly elections.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Jan 25 : Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar said on Sunday that harassment of women, particularly digital blackmail and cyberstalkin,g will be dealt with firmly and without compromise.

"No offender should assume anonymity or technology will shield them from the law. We will pursue every complaint with seriousness and ensure strict legal action," the Commissioner said.

SHE Teams of Hyderabad police resolved over 1,100 complaints and apprehended over 3,800 miscreants in a year.

Using a combination of undercover surveillance, decoy operations, and technical expertise, the specialised wing of the city police apprehended 3,826 individuals caught red-handed for various forms of harassment in 2025.

Sajjanar reiterated that womenas safety remains a non-negotiable priority for the Hyderabad police.

Urging women not to suffer in silence, he stated that fear of stigma or exposure should never deter victims from seeking help.

"Your identity and dignity will be protected. Confidentiality is our responsibility, and the police will stand with every woman who approaches us," he added, assuring a swift response and victim-centric handling of complaints.

Sajjanar said that an analysis of cases registered during the year pointed to a worrying rise in cyber-related offences. Blackmail emerged as the most common complaint, with 366 victims seeking assistance.

Offenders typically befriended women on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, gained their trust, and later misused recorded video calls or private photographs to extort money or sexual favours. In several cases, former partners used old images to threaten victims, often attempting to disrupt their future marriages or personal lives.

Police also observed a rise in what they termed "psychological voyeurism", where offenders exploit the anonymity of digital platforms to harass women. The SHE Teams resolved 121 cases of midnight harassment through internet calls and 82 cases involving fake profiles and the circulation of obscene content on WhatsApp.

At least 50 women reported severe mental distress due to repeated abusive calls from untraceable numbers, which were later identified using forensic analysis. The teams further handled 98 cases of breach of promise to marry, where men allegedly exploited women emotionally, physically, or financially under the pretext of marriage before abandoning them.

Psychological counselling was provided to the victims, and criminal proceedings were initiated against the accused.

Apart from complaint-based action, the SHE Teams maintained a strong preventive presence on the ground. Fifteen teams operating in plain clothes conducted surveillance and decoy operations at bus stations, colleges, and other crowded public places. Of the 3,826 individuals apprehended, most were counselled along with their family members, while serious cases led to FIRs, arrests, and judicial custody.
Agartala, Jan 25 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Communists, alleging that their long rule in the state was marked by murder, violence and terrorism, and asserted that no force can stop the BJP from working for people's welfare.

Addressing a BJP public meeting at South Taibandal in Sepahijala district, the Chief Minister said the BJP would go door to door to serve the people.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party will reach every household and work for the welfare of the people. No one has the power to stop the BJP," he said.

Referring to the upcoming elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in a few months from now, the Chief Minister said the enthusiasm among people clearly reflected the changing political mood.

"With Republic Day being celebrated on Monday, it is important to remember that India is no longer a monarchy but a democracy and a republic. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not come from any royal family; he was a tea seller. January 26 represents the strength of our Constitution and democracy," he said without naming the BJP's junior partner Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and its supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, a former royal scion.

Saha asserted that family-centric or individual-oriented politics have no future.

"We have seen what has happened to family-based parties in different states. Such politics will not work anymore. People are now aware. In a democracy, the people have the final say, and those who fail to perform will be removed," he said.

Highlighting National Voters' Day, observed on Sunday, the Chief Minister welcomed first-time voters and urged them to play a responsible role in shaping the country's future.

"Not just Tripura, the future of the entire nation is in the hands of the youth. They must decide who will govern the state and the country," he said.

Taking a swipe at regional parties, Saha said several local outfits emerged in the name of 'Tiprasa Tiprasa' but failed to deliver meaningful results.

"Such parties were formed only to serve personal interests. The people have now understood this reality," he added.

The Chief Minister said the BJP-led government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, is committed to the holistic development of tribal communities.

"The Prime Minister has repeatedly said that India cannot develop unless the Northeast develops. Today, the region is progressing under the 'diamond model', whereas earlier it was plagued by extremism," he said.

Saha also noted that sections of tribal youth in Tripura were earlier misled into extremism, but after the BJP came to power, efforts were made to bring them back into the mainstream.

"We are providing financial assistance and rehabilitation support. If Tripura and the Northeast are to remain peaceful and developed, only the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can ensure it," he said.

BJP Pradesh General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, MLAs Jitendra Majumdar and Bindu Debnath, former MP Rebati Tripura, BJP state Secretary David Debbarma, and other party leaders also attended the meeting.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Jan 25 : Emotions ran high as social worker and noted chemistry professor Mahendra Nath Roy was announced as one of the recipients of the Padma Shri under the Padma Awards 2026, recognising him as an "Unsung and Unique Hero".

In his first reaction after the announcement, Roy told IANS: "I am very happy to have received this award. I thank my parents as well as my teachers for this. I am a son of a farmer. I never imagined that I would receive such a prestigious recognition. I have only continued my work quietly. That the nation and the government have acknowledged this silent effort is the greatest reward of my life."

Roy is a professor of chemistry and former Dean of the Faculties of Sciences and Arts, Commerce and Law at North Bengal University. He is also the founding Vice-Chancellor of Alipurduar University in north Bengal.

Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's decision to honour 45 "Unsung and Unique Heroes" under the Padma Awards 2026, Prof Roy said: "This is not just a personal honour. It is recognition for thousands of people who work silently for society without seeking the limelight. This initiative truly brings real heroes to the forefront."

Reflecting on the challenges in his life, he said: "There were many struggles, including financial difficulties, social barriers and personal hardships. But the desire to see smiles on people's faces always gave me the strength to move forward and work diligently."

Roy is among 11 personalities from West Bengal, cutting across various fields, who have been honoured with Padma Shri awards this year.

The others are Asok Kumar Haldar (Literature and Education), Gambir Singh Yonzone (Literature and Education), Hari Madhab Mukhopadhyay (Art, posthumous), Jyotish Debnath (Art), Kumar Bose (Art), Prosenjit Chatterjee (Art), Rabilal Tudu (Literature and Education), Saroj Mandal (Medicine), Tarun Bhattacharya (Art) and Tripti Mukherjee (Art).

Meanwhile, the announcement of the Padma Shri award for late theatre personality Hari Madhab Mukhopadhyay has evoked emotional responses across Balurghat in South Dinajpur district.

Mukhopadhyay was a prominent figure in theatre not only in Balurghat but across north-eastern India. Several of his plays, including Devanshi, in which he starred and which he directed, received wide appreciation across the country.

He passed away in March last year. The Government of India has decided to honour him posthumously with the Padma Shri this year.

Local residents expressed pride and emotion following the announcement. His son, Krishnandu Mukhopadhyay, said he was informed about the honour through a call from the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

"The entire family is extremely proud and happy with this recognition," he said.
The wheat complex was in rally mode across the three exchanges on Friday, led by the winter wheat contracts. Chicago SRW futures were 12 to 14 cents in the green at the close, with March up 11  cents this week. KC HRW futures were up 14 to 15 cents, taking March 13  cents higher on the week. MPLS spring wheat was up 1 to 2 cents and lagging behind, but still with a dime gain this week.

Freezing temps and very little snow cover in parts of HRW country may be adding some premium ahead of the weekend.

More News from Barchart

USDA Export Sales data was delayed until this morning, with 618,076 MT of wheat sold in the week ending on January 15. That was a 9-week high and more than triple the same week last year. The largest buyer was unknown destinations of 130,600 MT, with 115,900 MT sold to Mexico and 95,500 MT to South Korea.

Commitment of Traders data from CFTC this afternoon showed managed money adding another 4,471 contracts to their net short position as of January 20. That net short stood at 110,700 contracts for CBT wheat on Tuesday. In KC wheat, specs were net short just 13,018 contracts by Tuesday, an addition of just 237 contracts on the week.

Mar 26 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.29 1/2, up 14 cents,

May 26 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.39, up 12 1/2 cents,

Mar 26 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.40 3/4, up 15 cents,

May 26 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.50 1/2, up 14 1/2 cents,

Mar 26 MIAX Wheat closed at $5.75, up 1 1/4 cents,

May 26 MIAX Wheat closed at $5.87 3/4, up 1 1/2 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
Sagar/ New Delhi, Jan 25 : Eminent writer of Hindi literature and educationalist Kailash Chandra Pant (89) from Madhya Pradesh's Sagar is among those names who have been approved for the Padma Shri, the country's second-highest civilian award for 2026.

The nearly 89-year-old Pant will be awarded the Padma Shri for his outstanding contributions to Hindi literature. He is considered among the eminent Hindi writers, journalists, and advocates of the Hindi language in the state.

Pant, who previously received the Nehru Literacy Award from former President APJ Abdul Kalam in recognition of his contribution to education, was born in Mhow, Indore district, in 1936. His family originally hails from Khantoli village in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. His mother was Haripriya Pant, and his father was the late Leeladhar Pant.

Sharing his feelings for the country's second-highest civilian award, Pant told IANS, "Its matter of great pride not only for me but also for all those who are working in the field of Hindu literature and education. As far as my literary work is concerned, it is mainly based on critical essays, and I have also written some independent works."

Pant credited his teachers and professors who taught him during his education, stating that he was fortunate to be connected with intellectual and cultural families. He expressed gratitude to the government of India, stating that his family and all his friends are very excited about this honour.

Kailash Pant holds an MA in Sahityacharya (Master of Arts in Literature). His story is not only interesting but also inspiring, as he left his government job to dedicate himself to promoting the Hindi language.

After resigning from his job, Pant chose the path of independent journalism. In 196364, he started the monthly magazine 'Shiksha Pradeep', and in 197798, he launched 'Jandharma'. He regularly published the weekly 'Jandharma' for 22 years.

In 2000-01, he started the literary magazine 'Duragami Outlook' from Indore, and later, in 2003, he launched the bi-monthly magazine 'Akshara' from Bhopal, which is still being published today. Besides promoting Hindi to the masses, he also made significant contributions to the field of education.

The government of India announced the Padma Awards a day before Republic Day 2026. The list includes four names from Madhya Pradesh who will receive Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

Bhagwan Das Raikwar (Sports), Kailash Chandra Pant (Literature and Education), Shri Mohan Nagar (Social Work), and Narayan Vyas (Archaeology).

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav extended hearty congratulations, through a social media post, "Through your unparalleled contributions in diverse fields, you all have brought glory to Madhya Pradesh and inspired future generations in the service of the nation."
Bhubaneswar, Jan 25 : The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday slammed the state government over mismanagement in paddy procurement and the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state, announcing state-wide protest demonstrations from February 2 to 17.

At a press conference held at Sankha Bhavan, BJD headquarters, the party's senior deputy chairperson Devi Prasad Mishra alleged, "the government cheated farmers on seed distribution. Now, after paddy production, the government is unable to properly conduct the paddy procurement process, leaving farmers across the state facing immense hardships."

Mishra also stated that after the BJP assumed power, the law-and-order situation has been deteriorating in the state. The party's farmers' cell convener and Deputy Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly, Prasanna Acharya, accused that it would be no exaggeration to state that for the first time this year, the paddy procurement system in the state has completely collapsed.

"While 19 lakh 66 thousand 181 farmers have registered in the state this year, so far only 29 percent of farmers have been able to procure just 25 lakh metric tons out of the targeted 73 lakh metric tons34 percent of the target. This is a stark indicator of the government's utter failure," said Acharya.

He added that although Rabi paddy cultivation has already begun in the irrigated areas of the state, Kharif paddy procurement has not yet been completed. Now, the government says this procurement will continue until March. Acharya noted that if Kharif paddy procurement is further delayed, farmers will be unable to arrange funds for Rabi paddy cultivation. He stated that despite being smaller and producing less paddy, Chhattisgarh has already procured 1.26 lakh metric tons against its 80-lakh-ton target, highlighting the Odisha government's failure in paddy procurement.

Meanwhile, senior BJD leader Arun Kumar Sahu alleged that Odisha's law and order situation has turned chaotic, with over 40,000 women facing various atrocities. He noted that the rising communal tensions in the state are disrupting the state's long-held peace and harmony.

"Therefore, under the direction of the Biju Janata Dal president, the party has decided to hold protest demonstrations in every district from February 2 to 17, followed by a massive protest rally in the capital Bhubaneswar on February 24," Sahu announced.
Panipat, Jan 25 : In a heartfelt conversation following the announcement of the Padma Shri 2026 awards, master weaver Khemaraj Sundriyal shared his remarkable journey from a humble farming family in Uttarakhand to becoming the silent architect behind Panipat's rise as a world-renowned handloom hub.

The government of India's highest civilian honour recognises his six decades of innovation, dedication, and transformative contributions to Indian handicrafts.

Born in Sumadi village, Uttarakhand, into a family with no weaving heritage, Khemaraj faced early struggles.

"I had to walk six kilometres daily to my institute as a student. There were taunts and social neglect because weaving was not seen as prestigious work for someone from my background," he recalled.

"But I chose weaving as my life's goal. There is no such thing as Brahmin or Kshatriya; work is the greatest religion."

Arriving in Panipat in 1966 after a government transfer from Varanasi, he joined the Weaversa Service Centre - established with support from Jawaharlal Nehru and Pupul Jayakar - which employed Partition migrants.

"That was a turning point," he said. "I experimented with traditional Khes weaving, turning it into bedsheets, bed covers, and modern products, opening new markets."

His most revolutionary feat was adapting Jamdani art - traditionally on cotton muslin - to wool shawls.

"People said it was impossible, but I proved it could be done beautifully on wool," he explained. This breakthrough earned him national awards and revitalised the industry. Khemaraj also recreated MF Hussain's paintings as lifelike woven tapestries.

"The detail was so precise that viewers couldn't tell if it was painted or woven," he noted proudly.

He advanced tapestry and wall hangings, reproducing renowned artworks on looms with canvas-like fidelity. From crude to permanent dyeing, he drove quality upgrades.

"Initially, people hesitated, but I arranged training. Today, Panipat's dyeing is world-class," he said.

Reflecting on the award, Khemaraj expressed gratitude. "I applied last year and received the call this time. The family erupted in joy," he shared.

His daughter-in-law added, "This is a dream come true. The art Papa (Father) adopted long ago is now recognised by the world."

Praising the Modi government's merit-based approach, he said, "Now, awards are given based on merit, not recommendations. It's commendable to honour those unsung for years."

To the youth, his message is clear: "Hard work pays off. Embrace traditional art and handloom with diligence - this honour will inspire many."

Khemaraj Sundriyal's name is now synonymous with Panipat's identity. His legacy of innovation continues to weave pride into India's cultural fabric.
Finance

New Book Exposes Cryptocurrency as "Digital Air" with No Intrinsic Value  Warns of Engineered Bubble and Hidden Agendas

The Crypto Con: Dont Invest In What You Dont Understand by Andrew Brassell provides a clear critique of Bitcoin and crypto, questioning cryptocurrencies' origins and future implications for investors.

Amid ongoing cryptocurrency market volatility and renewed interest in Bitcoin, altcoins, and DeFi, author Andrew Brassell releases The Crypto Con: Dont Invest In What You Dont Understand, arguing that no cryptocurrency possesses genuine intrinsic value.

The 191-page eBook, published December 15, 2025 and available on major platforms including Apple Books and Rakuten Kobo, explains in straightforward terms why crypto investments carry significant risks. It positions itself as a practical guide for readers seeking to understand why no digital currency can or will ever have true intrinsic value.

The book exposes how Bitcoin and all other cryptocurrencies currently on the market diverge spectacularly from Satoshi Nakamoto's original peer-to-peer cash concept and presents evidence raising questions about possible involvement by the U.S. National Security Agency in its creation.

"Understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone considering crypto exposure," said Andrew Brassell. "This book equips readers with facts to navigate hype and assess real risks in 2026 and beyond."
Business

JNPM joins FasterCapitals EquityPilot to scale diversified agribusiness in Angola

Luanda, Angola & Dubai, UAE  Jan 12, 2026

Angolas agricultural and coastal resources present a timely opportunity for integrated value-chain companies to address domestic food security and diversify export-ready production. JNPM enters the market with broad operations spanning crop production, livestock, artisanal fishing and seafood processing, and manufacturing representation positioning the company to respond to growing regional demand for processed fish, staple crops and farmto-market goods.

What the Startup Delivers?

JNPM operates large, fertile farms producing tubers (cassava, yams, sweet potatoes), cereals (maize, rice) and legumes (beans, soy, peanuts), alongside vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes and okra. Livestock pilots include pigs, goats and poultry.

On the fisheries side, JNPM processes catfish and tilapia and plans to expand into marine fishing leveraging Angolas extensive coastline.

The company also extends into training through partnerships with IPED and PECB, petroleum supplies via representation of KEYWAY and SHENGJI GROUP, and consumer goods through K-YOUNG INTERNATIONAL.

Why Now?

Rising domestic food demand, coupled with underdeveloped processing capability and Angolas coastal access, creates a near-term window for vertically integrated producers to add value locally.

JNPMs mix of primary production, processing experience and existing international supplier relationships enables faster commercialization and potential export readiness.

Program Plan (first 3060 days)

FasterCapital will work with JNPM to refine execution milestones focused on operational scalability and market entry. Initial activities include: - Operational assessment of crop, livestock and fish-processing capacity - Roadmap for improving smoked and scaled fish yield and shelf-life - Go-to-market refinement for local and regional buyers - Investor-readiness package and materials for fundraising conversations Founder background Founder Jordao Miguel brings hands-on agricultural management and local-market knowledge, operating farms with access to three rivers and two streams that support irrigation and artisanal fisheries. His experience managing diverse production lines informs JNPMs multi-vertical approach.

Ecosystem relevance

JNPM already represents international firms (Iped, Pecb, , K-Young International), indicating established supplier channels that FasterCapital will leverage for technical and equipment support during scale-up.

Leadership Comment

Hesham Zreik , Founder and CEO of FasterCapital, said: Were excited to support JNPM through EquityPilot. Our team will focus on execution milestones and connecting the startup with the right ecosystem stakeholders.Next 90 Days Over the next three months FasterCapital and JNPM COMERCIO GERAL E REPRESENTACOES (SU), LDA will finalize a 612 month execution plan, prioritize immediate yield and processing improvements, pilot buyer introductions in Luanda and surrounding provinces, and prepare investorfacing documentation to support future fundraising rounds.

About JNPM COMERCIO GERAL E REPRESENTACOES (SU), LDA

JNPM is an Angolan agribusiness and diversified production company working across crop farming, livestock rearing, artisanal fishing and value-added processing. The company also represents international suppliers and training partners to strengthen its technical capabilities. Founder: Jordao Miguel.

About FasterCapital

FasterCapital is a global venture builder and online incubator dedicated to co-funding and co-founding innovative startups. Established in 2014, we are now #1 venture builder in terms of number of startups that we have helped, money invested and money raised. It supports startups worldwide through various programs, including funding assistance, business development, and technical support.

The EquityPilot program is designed to help early-stage startups build scalable solutions with mentorship, strategic guidance, and network support.
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/25/2026



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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.

Dakota Mortensen has shared how he believes the Mormon church views now that Taylor Frankie Paul is set to star on the upcoming season.Dakota noted that he doesn't have any inside information about how the church feels during a recent interview on "The Rub Down" podcast.But Dakota said with a laugh, "I can only imagine! I'm going to go just off instincts here, and I would say they probably hate the sh-t out of it!""I don't know [why]," Dakota continued. "I mean, my take might be different."In terms of where he's at in his religion and faith, Dakota revealed, "So my story, like, obviously being in recovery, I was very much not in the church at all. I kind of was off doing my thing, having a great time."Dakota said he was in "disbelief" for sure."I think there was even a point there where I was struggling with even just believing in God in general," Dakota confessed."And then once I got sober over three years [ago], I have to be very honest about how I'm feeling or what's going on. If I ever decide to start keeping things to myself and not expressing things to people I know would be there for me and help me, it's really bad."Dakota added he would "just start going downhill, really quick" in that case."So I have to be very honest with how I'm feeling," Dakota explained."If I'm not feeling good, I have to almost express that to someone. I have to be like, 'Hey, I'm feeling crazy right now!' And so it just helps me get things off my chest and makes me feel a little bit better."Although Dakota seems to think Taylor's stint is going to rock the Mormon community, the divorced mom of three kids -- who welcomed her children with two different "baby daddies" -- has already broken boundaries and slashed stereotypes.Taylor created #MomTok on TikTok for Mormon moms to show different sides of their personalities and express themselves, and she also stars in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu.Taylor's casting has proven to be a polarizing choice on ABC's part.While Taylor has a huge number of supporters , especially given she's a popular influencer, many people are furious at ABC for choosing a woman who previously admitted to soft-swinging in her marriage.Taylor was married to Tate Paul from 2016 to 2022, and they welcomed two kids together during their marriage: daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5.Taylor had 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 divorce in May 2022.Taylor then dated Dakota for more than two years. She and Dakota welcomed a son, Ever True, in March 2024.Taylor and Dakota appeared to split in late 2024, although Taylor didn't confirm their breakup until early 2025.Taylor also admitted on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast that she hooked up with Dakota, possibly more than once, after their relationship ended.20 star even said she has "mixed feelings" about Taylor starring on 's 22nd season, which is set to premiere Sunday, March 22 on ABC.But Taylor has insisted she's learned from her mistakes and plans to make wiser decisions in the future.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Strategy (MSTR) introduced its first non-U.S. perpetual preferred product, Stream (STRE), in November, aiming to tap demand across the European Economic Area (EEA).

However, it didn't pan out the way Michael Saylor's firm intended.

The preferred share was issued with a stated value of EUR100 ($115) per share, pays a 10% annual dividend, and sits above common equity in the capital structure. STRE was positioned as a European analogue to Stretch (STRC), the companys high-yield money-market-style preferred share. Strategy ultimately raised $715 million, pricing the instrument at a 20% discount to EUR80 per share due to market conditions and demand.

While, in theory, the financial product sounded good, since its issuance, however, STRE has struggled to gain traction. There has also been little public communication from the company about the product, and it has since been removed from the companys dashboard.

So what happened?

Khing Oei, founder and CEO of Treasury, a bitcoin treasury company based in the Netherlands, has pointed to several structural reasons why STRE may not have taken off, despite Europe being a sufficiently large addressable market.

First, STRE is difficult to access, according to Oei. The product is listed on Luxembourgs Euro MTF, a venue that lacks user-friendly distribution. Interactive Brokers, one of the largest global brokerage platforms, does not offer STRE, and many other retail-focused platforms also do not support trading in the instrument.

Then there is the lack of transparent historical pricing and reliable market data. Limited visibility across platforms such as TradingView hinders adoption, as investors struggle to assess liquidity and performance. At present, TradingView displays a $39 billion market capitalisation for STRE alongside trading volume of just 1.3k.

The future?

What will happen to STRE, given the issues it is facing?

Oei suggests that STRE should be relisted on alternative venues.

Dutch financial and trading infrastructure, for example, offers stronger distribution, deeper market making, tighter bid-ask spreads, and broader retail accessibility. These conditions are likely more conducive to scaling the adoption of the financial product.

While executive chairman Michael Saylor has previously played down expansion into markets such as Japan, it remains an open question whether Strategy will double down on Europe as a growth opportunity, or instead continue to focus primarily on the U.S. market, where it has four perpetual preferred share products.
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/25/2026



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FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS!

Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source!

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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 Erik Lake and wife Logen Lake have taken their relationship to new heights by becoming parents.The pilot and Logen's hearts are soaring, as they recently announced the birth of their baby girl.Logen took to Instagram last week and posted a video of the couple's gender reveal as well as their first moments in the hospital with their newborn child.Logen revealed in the caption that she and Erik named their daughter Vera Isabel Lake, who was born on January 3 at 4:21PM. The little bundle of joy weighed 8 pounds and measured 20 inches long."our hearts are full because God is faithful," Logen captioned her post.Logen apparently suffered a miscarriage in 2024 and then went through three canceled IVF transfers due to unexpected cysts."With each 'no' I felt heavier. I started preparing my heart to let go of IVF and looked further into adoption, but we kept praying for God to guide our path," Logen revealed.However, a doctor nudged the couple to try again, and so they decided not to give up all the while relying on their faith to get them through it."We are filled with overwhelming gratitude and joy, and owe all the glory to God. Our little one is not only a miracle, but a testament to His goodness and mercy," Logen wrote."We love you with all of our hearts, my Little Light."Erik, for his part, posted a long message about how he's so happy to have Vera in his life now."We are so overjoyed to have her here with us and she's doing great! I've never experienced an instant love quite like that other than when I knew my wife was my soulmate," Erik wrote on Instagram last week.He continued, "I've wanted to be a dad for so long and now my prayers have been answered! I want to thank my wife [Logen] for everything she has endured over the last few years to give us this miracle. She's the strongest person I know and was already the best mother before Vera was even born."Erik said he can't believe that his baby is finally here, and he also thanked family, friends and fans for their "love and support."Erik and Logen announced the pregnancy in late October 2025."We've been waiting for so long to share that baby Lake is cleared for takeoff at the end of the year!" Erik wrote at the time."Logen is 29 weeks today and our baby is due on January 4th to be exact. If you've been following Logen or I the last couple years then you may have seen that we've been on an IVF journey that's been a very emotional experience filled with so many highs and lows."Erik went on to reveal, "Our first embryo transfer attempt unfortunately didn't work and the second tragically ended with a miscarriage at 13 weeks [in Summer 2024]. We were devastated and at times felt like all hope was lost. We turned to God and realized he had a path for us."Erik said he and Logen did their "third attempt on Good Friday" in Spring 2025."I love and appreciate my wife even more than I ever knew I could because of what she has had to endure that last couple years," he shared."The pills, hormones, shots, eating habits, etc. Her full dedication and perseverance through all of it is something I can never repay back. I can only always try to be the best husband and father that I can be."Erik and Logen got married in August 2023 at The Venue at Sharp Mountain in Jasper, GA, nearly six months after they announced their engagement "Went to Paris for croissants, came back with carats," the blonde travel nurse captioned her post in March 2023, which showed off her big diamond engagement ring.In the pictures, Erik and Logen were posing at a coffee shop and in the streets of Paris wearing dressy black attire with the Eiffel Tower in the background.Erik and Logen went Instagram official in October 2022."It's a crazy thing when you stop trying so hard to find your person and just let things play out the way they are supposed to," Erik shared at the time of Logen."The past is the past and I can't sit here and regret every little thing that happened before because all of it led me right where I'm supposed to be now. I'm the happiest I've ever been."Prior to meeting Logen, Erik was married to Virginia Coombs . The pair wed as total strangers in August 2020 on 's twelfth season, which aired its Decision Day finale in May 2021 on Lifetime.The couple subsequently appeared on Season 3 of : Couples Cam, which premiered in June 2021.But Erik and Virginia had already separated in April 2021 and filed for divorce in Georgia in June 2021."This entire process has been difficult as is without the constant chatter of public opinion. Contrary to popular belief, we've been together and trying to make our marriage work since Decision Day," the pair told E! News in a statement at the time."While we have decided to get a divorce, we aren't closing the doors on a possible future together. We love each other and will continue to navigate our new reality post show."That summer, Erik and Virginia's co-star Chris Williams alleged on his Instagram Stories that Virginia -- who had a reputation for being a party girl and drinking often during her MAFS season -- was a bad influence on her then-husband because Erik had received a DUI and completed a court-mandated rehab for 45 days.Chris also alleged Virginia had traveled to Mexico while Erik was in rehab and attempted to have a threesome with her MAFS co-star Haley Harris ' brother and his spouse.Virginia and Erik were accused of faking their relationship for TV when rumors of their split surfaced in May.Virginia lashed out at fans on Instagram saying she and Erik would "never fake" their relationship and social media had been very "toxic" to their marriage.Virginia insisted she and Erik were still together after a person claimed to have seen her without a wedding ring at a bar, where she was allegedly "all over" another guy.Virginia claimed -- only a month before the divorce filing -- that her ring never came off.Erik was also previously married before his stint on , and so Logen was his third marriage.On 's twelfth season, Erik and Virginia had an immediate spark and got along great until they realized they had major differences such as their political beliefs and timeline for having a child.Erik also wasn't exactly thrilled about Virginia's close relationship with her guy friends."He's sometimes too grown up," Virginia told the cameras on Decision Day. "Erik always thinks he knows best... I'd be lying if I said that I'm confident in where me and Erik are. I am a little scared about the next step in our relationship."During the reunion special, Erik revealed that Virginia had moved into his apartment with her pets and was liking it just fine.On the early June 2021 premiere episode of Couples Cam's third season, Virginia and Erik were shown traveling to Pennsylvania for a visit with Virginia's mother and sister six months into their marriage.Virginia said she and Erik had grown closer together from the "scrutiny" and "heat" they were receiving online.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!
Social media has a way of bringing people together, and in a cozy, colorful office in the Journalism Building, a new professor at the University of Georgia is doing just that. Stephen Jiwanmall, known as Prof. J (@heyprofj) on TikTok, teaches public relations communications, connecting with students in the classroom and online.
As a child of rich British parents in West Bengal's Tollygunge in the late 1930s, Mark Tully was not allowed to socialise with locals.

IMAGE: Veteran journalist Mark Tully breathed his last at a private hospital in New Delhi on Sunday at the age of 90. Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com

As if in a karmic response to his parents' preferences, Tully spent a lifetime in India as a journalist and observer, mingling with its people and telling their stories, including from some of the most remarkable chapters in the country's eventful past.

The renowned journalist, author and Indophile breathed his last at a private hospital in New Delhi on Sunday at the age of 90. He was ailing for some time and had been admitted to the Max Hospital in Saket for the past week.

Key Points As a child of rich British parents in West Bengal's Tollygunge in the late 1930s, Mark Tully was not allowed to socialise with locals

In an interview with The UNESCO Courier in 2020, Tully remembered being "rather rebellious" and lasting at the seminary for only two terms

Operation Blue Star and the Punjab problem were the subjects of Tully's first book, "Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle" (1985), co-written with journalist Satish Jacob

Born in 1935 in Tollygunge, Tully had spent the first decade of his life in India, studying at a boarding school in Darjeeling before he was sent off to England for further education.

In an interview with the BBC in 2001 after he was selected for Knighthood, Tully remembered England as "a very miserable place, dark and drab, without the bright skies of India".

After taking up a theology course at Trinity College in Cambridge, the young Brit was inclined to become a priest and joined the Lincoln Theological College. But destiny had other designs for him.

In an interview with The UNESCO Courier in 2020, Tully remembered being "rather rebellious" and lasting at the seminary for only two terms.

"I thought I might have a calling to be a priest. I was always rather rebellious, and I didn't like the discipline of the seminary. Also, I was a good beer drinker," he said.

"He womanised and drank to excess: on his 21st birthday, he put 21 shillings on a pub par to buy 21 pints, all of which he duly downed," the BBC noted in its article.

Tully was reintroduced to India when the BBC sent him as its correspondent to New Delhi in 1964, marking the beginning of a career with the English broadcaster for the next 30 years.

The 35-year-old was sent back to London in 1969 after the Indian government barred the BBC from operating in India after it broadcast "Phantom India", a French documentary critical of the country.

After arriving in Delhi again in 1971, he was made the chief of bureau the next year and was responsible for covering the South Asia region, starting another leg of his journalistic career in India.

His work with the broadcaster is underlined by coverage of historic episodes in post-Independence Indian history.

From the Bangladesh war of 1971 to the Emergency of 1975-77, the execution of former Pakistan president Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1979, Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the anti-Sikh riots in 1984, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, and the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992.

Operation Blue Star and the Punjab problem were the subjects of Tully's first book, Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle (1985), co-written with journalist Satish Jacob.

Tully's first major book on his years in India came in 1988 in the form of No Full Stops in India, condensing his more than two decades of work in the country in a collection of 10 journalistic essays covering some of the prominent news events, including Operation Blue Star, Roop Kanwar Sati case, Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, and the Kumbh Mela that he witnessed in 1977.

"The stories I tell in this book will, I hope, serve to illustrate the way in which Western thinking has distorted and still distorts Indian life -- I might almost say they are parables. They provide no answers to India's poverty, but I believe they do suggest where we should begin to look for those answers -- in India itself," he wrote in the book's introduction.

Tully was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992, knighted in the New Year Honours 2002, and received the Padma Bhushan in 2005.

His association with the BBC came to a partial end in 1994 after an event that can be seen as a reflection of his journalistic integrity.

In a lecture to the Radio Academy in Birmingham, Tully said that "there is a very real sense of fear among the staff" at the BBC under John Birt.

In response, Birt dismissed Mark Tully's allegations as "old soldiers sniping at us with their muskets".

Tully resigned from the BBC in July 1994 but continued to host "Something Understood", a programme about spirituality, on the BBC's Radio 4, till it was discontinued in April 2019.

Without being directly employed by any news media, Tully remained active as a freelance journalist in Delhi and a keen observer of India's social and political pulse.

In another of his most noted works in 2002, India in Slow Motion, co-written with colleague and partner Gillian Wright, Tully covers a diverse range of subjects -- from Hindu extremism to child labour, Sufi mysticism to the crisis in agriculture, the persistence of political corruption to the problem of Kashmir.

In a total of 10 books, both fiction and non-fiction, Tully continuously centred India as his favourite subject.

In India's Unending Journey (2008) Tully navigates India's heterogeneity, while India: The Road Ahead is a reflective, on-the-ground assessment of India's future.

His two fiction works, The Heart of India (1995) and Upcountry Tales: Once Upon A Time In The Heart Of India (2017), are collections of stories that are timeless in their Indianness.

On Tully's 90th birthday on October 24, his son Sam Tully posted on LinkedIn, paying heartfelt tributes to his father's long service to journalism.

"I think my father's achievements are particularly significant for UK-India ties because of his abiding ties and affection for both countries.A While he lives in India, he has powerful connections to the UK as well. 'Dill hai Hindustani, magar tora Angrezi bhi!' The heart is Indian but a bit English too!" Sam wrote in the post.

Under the post, many recollected their memories of hearing Tully on the BBC World Service that made them trust a story's veracity, calling him "the voice of truth".

"During the India-Pakistan war in 1971, my family lived close to the Pakistan border. We used to pick up broadcasts from both sides. But we never believed anything until we heard Mark Tully say it on the World Service! Not just in wartime but all the time he was broadcasting we trusted him more than the state broadcaster. He was the voice of truth," Sanjay Dighe wrote.

Ram Dutt Tripathi, a former BBC journalist, remembered his days working with Tully, especially during the Ayodhya dispute.

"I am privileged to have worked with him on many stories, including the Ayodhya dispute and elections. I think he is the only person who gets liberty to have his daily dose of beer in my house as I am a teetotaller. Your father is a great devotee of Lord Hanuman. Pray to Hanuman ji to give him good health and long life," he wrote.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), was on Sunday awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.

IMAGE: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

In June last year, Shukla became the second Indian to have gone to space and the first to visit the ISS as part of the historic Axiom-4 mission. His 18-day space odyssey came 41 years after cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma flew aboard the Russian Soyuz-11 space mission.

On the eve of the Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards to 70 armed forces personnel, including six who would receive the honour posthumously.

Key Points On the eve of the Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards to 70 armed forces personnel, including six who would receive the honour posthumously

Two women officers of the Indian Navy -- Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A -- were honoured with the Shaurya Chakra award

The Kirti Chakra has been conferred on Major Arshdeep Singh from 1 Assam Rifles, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba from 2 Para (Special Forces) and Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair

These include one Ashoka Chakra, three Kirti Chakra, 13 Shaurya Chakra, including one posthumous, one Bar to Sena Medal (gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals.

Two women officers of the Indian Navy -- Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A -- were honoured with the Shaurya Chakra award, months after they made history by completing an extraordinary expedition to circumnavigate the globe, covering 21,600 nautical miles (approx 40,000 km) over an eight-month period onboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini.

The Shaurya Chakra is India's third-highest peacetime gallantry award after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra.

The Kirti Chakra has been conferred on Major Arshdeep Singh from 1 Assam Rifles, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba from 2 Para (Special Forces) and Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair.

Nair was one of the four astronauts who underwent training for India's first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.

The decision to confer the Ashoka Chakra on Shukla is seen as the government's recognition of the importance of the space sector as the coveted honour is generally bestowed on military personnel for showing "most conspicuous bravery".

As a fighter pilot, Shukla has an impressive record of 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32.

Shukla served as the pilot for the Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4) to the ISS and left an indelible mark on India's remarkable advancements in human space exploration.

After the successful space mission, Shukla became a household name as his contributions during the mission, including the conduct of sophisticated experiments, received recognition from global space experts.

The Axiom-4 mission was executed by US-based private firm Axiom Space and it involved the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Shukla hails from Lucknow. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 2006.

Of the 13 Shaurya Chakra awards, 10 were conferred on Army personnel (one posthumous), two went to the Navy and one to a paramilitary official.

The Shaurya Chakra awardees are Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar from 21 Para (special forces), Major Anshul Baltoo from 32 Assam Rifles, Major Shivkant Yadav from 5 Para (special forces), Major Vivek Mech from 42 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh from 11 Para (special forces) and Captain Yogendra Singh Thaku from 6 Para (special forces).

Subedar P H Moses from 1 Assam Rifles, Baldev Chand (posthumous) from 4 Rashtriya Rifles, Rifleman Manglem Sang Vaiphei from 3 Assam Rifles and Rifleman Dhruba Jyoti Dutta from 33 Assam Rifles were the other recipients of the Shaurya Chakra from the Army.

The president also approved 301 military decorations to armed forces and other personnel.

These include 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Sena Medals (Distinguished), 43 Sena Medals (Distinguished), eight Nao Sena Medals (Distinguished), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Distinguished) and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals.
Transfer of judges is an internal matter of the judiciary and the government has no role to play in the process, Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan asserted here on Saturday.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Independence of judiciary was "non-negotiable", he said, delivering G V Pandit Memorial Lecture at the ILS Law College in Pune.

"Transfer of a judge is always for the better administration of justice. It is an internal matter of the judiciary. The government can have no say in that," Justice Bhuyan stated.

Key Points Transfer of a judge is an internal matter of the judiciary. The government can have no say in that," Justice Bhuyan said

It is for the judiciary, or rather the members of the judiciary, to see to it that its independence is maintained at all costs, he said

"By the very nature of things, the Centre can have no say in the transfer and posting of judges. It cannot be said that such and such a judge should not or should be transferred, or if transferred, to such and such High Court," he added.

Independence of the judiciary is a basic feature of the Constitution, Justice Bhuyan further said.

"It is non-negotiable. It is for the judiciary, or rather the members of the judiciary, to see to it that its independence is maintained at all costs in order to ensure its continued relevance and legitimacy," the judge said.

He also said that credibility is vital for the institution.

"If we lose our credibility, nothing will be left of the judiciary. It will be there, judges will be there, courts will be there, it will adjudicate, but its heart and soul will have evaporated," Justice Bhuyan said.

The country's founding fathers chose supremacy of the Constitution over the sovereignty of Parliament, the judge further said, adding, "In India, Parliament is not supreme, the Constitution is supreme."

There were two main reasons for this, Justice Bhuyan said.

"First, to make sure that our country is governed by some basic and essential principles that cannot be compromised. Second, because of our colonial past, our leaders did not want to give unlimited power to Parliament without proper checks and balances," he said.

From this viewpoint, constitutional morality becomes very important as it ensures that democratic institutions respect the core values of liberty and justice, said the Supreme Court judge.

"It requires those in power to show restraint and follow constitutional values, instead of forcing decisions using numbers, authority, or power," he added.

Constitutional morality means that the country is governed by the rule of law, not by the rule of individuals or the majority, and an independent judiciary is not only necessary to protect the rule of law but is also a central pillar of democracy, he said.
A court in New Delhi on Saturday acquitted social activist Medha Patkar in a criminal defamation case filed by Delhi L-G V K Saxena, saying the prosecution failed to prove that she made the alleged defamatory statements during a television programme in 2006.

IMAGE: Social activist Medha Patkar. Photograph: ANI Photo

The complaint was filed by Saxena, then president of the National Council for Civil Liberties, alleging that Patkar had defamed him during a TV programme.

Judicial magistrate first class Raghav Sharma, while hearing the case, said the complainant had failed to produce legally admissible evidence to establish that Medha Patkar had made the impugned statements.

According to the complaint, Medha Patkar had allegedly claimed during the programme that Saxena and his NGO had received civil contracts connected with the Sardar Sarovar project, an allegation Saxena denied and termed defamatory.

Key Points Patkar had allegedly claimed during the programme that Saxena and his NGO had received civil contracts connected with the Sardar Sarovar project

The court said the complainant had failed to produce legally admissible evidence to establish that Patkar had made the impugned statements

TThe case was filed before a court in Ahmedabad and it was transferred to Delhi in 2010 on the orders of the Supreme Court

The court said the material on record showed that Patkar was not a panellist on the programme and that only a short pre-recorded video clip of her was played during the telecast.

"It is important to note that neither the reporter who actually recorded the audio-video nor any person who had seen the accused making the impugned statements has been examined as a witness.

"It is also crucial to note that the clip played in the programme/show appears to be only a very short clipping from an interview or press conference of the accused," the judge said.

The court noted that to establish anything in the case, it is essential to produce the entire video and audio of the press conference before the court about the alleged defamatory remarks given by the accused.

"Without examining the entire clip or footage of that interview, no determination can be made regarding the speech of the accused," the judge said.

The court said that Saxena failed to place on record the original video footage or the recording device that allegedly captured the defamatory remarks, and as a result, the statements attributed to Medha Patkar could not be established.

"The only document capable of proving that the accused made the impugned statements would be the original electronic device in which such statements were recorded," the court said, adding that neither the device nor a valid secondary copy was placed on record.

The case was filed before a court in Ahmedabad. It was transferred to Delhi in 2010 on the orders of the Supreme Court.

In the absence of legally admissible evidence proving publication of defamatory statements by Medha Patkar, the court acquitted her of the charge under IPC Section 500 (defamation).

In August 2025, in a separate defamation case filed by VK Saxena, the Supreme Court confirmed Patkar's conviction ordered by the trial court and set aside a penalty of Rs 1 lakh imposed on her in the case.
Modi urged the youngsters to celebrate when they or a person around them becomes a voter for the first time.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 18th Rozgar Mela through a virtual conference, in New Delhi. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

Key Points The PM described voters as the decider of the destiny of India's development journey

Modi complimented all those associated with the Election Commission of India for their efforts to strengthen democratic processes

National Voters' Day is celebrated on January 25 every year to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to take part in democratic processes, saying being a voter is not just a constitutional privilege, but an important duty that gives every citizen a voice in shaping India's future.

In a letter to MY-Bharat volunteers on National Voters' Day, he described voters as the decider of the destiny (bhagya vidhata) of India's development journey.

"To be a voter is the greatest privilege and responsibility in a democracy. Voting is a sacred constitutional right and a mark of participation in Bharat's future," the prime minister said.

"The voter is the Bhagya Vidhata of our development journey. That indelible ink on a finger is a badge of honour that ensures our democracy remains vibrant and purposeful," Modi said.

National Voters' Day is celebrated on January 25 every year to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India.

"Many youngsters among your friends or relatives may be first-time voters. This is a moment of great significance for them. Our first-time voters should be welcomed into democracy as individuals who hold the power to transform the destiny of our country," he said.

The prime minister said the MY-Bharat volunteers belong to a generation that does not wait for things to happen but actively participates in making things happen with a 'Can Do' spirit.

"You can spread awareness about the importance of becoming a voter," he said.

He complimented all those associated with the Election Commission of India for their efforts to strengthen democratic processes.

"Being a voter is not just a constitutional privilege, but an important duty that gives every citizen a voice in shaping India's future," Modi said.

"Let us honour the spirit of our democracy by always taking part in democratic processes, thereby strengthening the foundations of a Viksit Bharat," the prime minister said.

He said often people describe India as the world's largest democracy, but at the same time, it is also the Mother of Democracy, with a history of democratic values stretching back through the centuries.

"Many youngsters among your friends or relatives may be first-time voters. This is a moment of great significance for them. Our first-time voters should be welcomed into democracy as individuals who hold the power to transform the destiny of our country," Modi said.

He urged the youngsters to celebrate when they or a person around them becomes a voter for the first time.

"At home and in our residential societies, we can celebrate the same by sharing sweets. Our schools and colleges have a vital role to play as nurseries of democratic values," he said.

"I encourage them to celebrate this milestone of youth becoming first-time voters, perhaps through ceremonies that recognise students reaching voting age and make them feel truly special as they step into this new responsibility," the prime minister said.

He said the people's commitment to voting is so deep that whether they live high in the Himalayas, in the islands of Andaman and Nicobar, in deserts or in dense forests, they turn up to ensure their voice is heard.

"This commitment to democratic ideals will motivate us for times to come," Modi said.

"I also want to emphasise that the participation of our Nari Shakti, especially young women, is crucial for an inclusive democracy. Their awareness and active involvement have strengthened the foundations of Bharat," the prime minister said.
Paying tributes on the occasion of Language Martyrs Day, Stalin said, "a state that loved its language like its life, unitedly struggled against Hindi imposition; protested with the same intensity every time it was imposed."

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: @CMOTamilnadu/X

Key Points Stalin said Tamil Nadu, by leading the anti-Hindi agitation, 'safeguarded the right and identity of various linguistic national races in the sub-continent'

Language Martyrs is a reference to those who had sacrificed their lives, mainly by self-immolation, during the anti-Hindi agitation across Tamil Nadu in 1964-65

Stalin shared a brief video of the history related to the anti-Hindi agitation, which peaked during 1965

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam President and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday hailed the "Languge Martyrs" of the state who sacrificied their lives during the anti-Hindi agitation in the past and asserted that there was "no place" for the language here forever.

Paying tributes on the occasion of Language Martyrs Day, he said, "a state that loved its language like its life, unitedly struggled against Hindi imposition; protested with the same intensity every time it was imposed."

"Language Martyrs Day; there is no place for Hindi then, now and forever (in TN)," the Dravidian party chief said in a social media post.

He shared a brief video of the history related to the anti-Hindi agitation, which peaked during 1965, that included references to the 'martyrs,' besides the contributions of late DMK stalwarts, CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi in the language issue.

Tamil Nadu, by leading the anti-Hindi agitation, "safeguarded the right and identity of various linguistic national races in the sub-continent," Stalin added.

"I pay my grateful respects to those martyrs who gave their precious lives for Tamil. No more life will be lost in the language war; our love for Tamil will never die! We shall oppose Hindi imposition forever. #LanguageMartyrsDay #StopHindiImposition," the CM said.

Language Martyrs is a reference to those who had sacrificed their lives, mainly by self-immolation, during the anti-Hindi agitation across Tamil Nadu in 1964-65.

Till this day, the southern state follows the Two Language formula -- Tamil and English, even as the DMK has been alleging Hindi imposition through the Centre's NEP 2020.
A minor argument between the professor who worked with NM College in Vile Parle, and and the accused, while they were alighting from a local train, escalated into a brutal attack, the official said.

Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Alok Kumar Singh, who taught at the NM College in Vile Parle, reportedly got into an argument with a co-passenger on a local train during his journey

As the train reached Malad station, the man stabbed Singh with a sharp weapon

The attacker then fled the spot, leaving Singh bleeding profusely

Alok Kumar Singh, a Mumbai college professor who was allegedly stabbed to death by a commuter following an argument over alighting from a local train at Malad station, had planned dinner with his wife to celebrate her birthday, police said on Sunday.

Amid widespread outrage, the Government Railway Police arrested the 27-year-old accused, a metal polishing labourer, within 12 hours of the crime, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He was remanded in police custody for five days.

According to the Borivali GRP, Omkar Shinde was apprehended from the Kurar area of the western suburb for the murder that took place on Saturday evening.

A minor argument between Singh (33), a professor who worked with NM College in Vile Parle, and Shinde, while they were alighting from a local train, escalated into a brutal attack, the official said.

The police said Singh left the college shortly after working hours on Saturday. He told his colleagues that he was heading out for dinner, police said, adding that Singh was travelling towards Kandivali when the incident occurred around 5:40 PM.

According to the police, Singh's father, Anil Kumar Singh, is part of the security detail of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The senior Singh was in Delhi for Republic Day parade preparations when he was informed about his son's death, a police official said.

Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Anil Kumar Singh had worked in various parts of the country as part of the Defence Minister's security cover, the official added.

After stabbing Alok Kumar Singh at platform number 1, the accused fled the scene, leaving the victim in a pool of blood. Singh was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead.

The accused took advantage of the crowd and escaped from the spot, but was identified and apprehended with the help of CCTV footage, the official said.

Police said the murder weapon has not been recovered yet.
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad's younger son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav was on Sunday named the working president of the party at its national executive meeting in Patna.

IMAGE: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav appoints Tejashwi Yadav as the party's national working president, at RJD's national executive committee meeting, in Patna, Bihar, January 25, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Yadav's elevation comes after the RJD's drubbing in the recent assembly polls, which the 'Mahagathbandhan' had fought with the 36-year-old leader as its chief ministerial candidate.

In a post on X, the Rashtriya Janata Dal said the decision, which makes clear the line of succession in the party, was taken at its national executive meeting, which was attended by Yadav, Prasad and other senior leaders.

Yadav's eldest sister and Patliputra MP Misa Bharti, who was said to be eying that party post, was also present at the meeting.

Key Points Tejashwi Yadav's elevation comes after the RJD's drubbing in the recent assembly polls

His eldest sister and Patliputra MP Misa Bharti, who was said to be eying that party post, was also present at the meeting

Tejashwi Yadav and his close aides, like Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Yadav, were squarely blamed for the poll debacle by his elder sister Rohini Acharya

Tejashwi Yadav, a former deputy chief minister of Bihar, is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly.

He had, on Saturday, appeared confident of his elevation in the party, as he had told workers at the RJD office that he was thinking of revamping the party structure from the booth level.

The former Bihar deputy CM and his close aides, like Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Yadav, were squarely blamed for the poll debacle by his elder sister Rohini Acharya, who also alleged that when she insisted that accountability be fixed, abuses were hurled at her.

Tejashwi Yadav's elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav, who had made his political debut along with the former in 2015, was expelled from the party by Prasad last year, understandably at the insistence of the image-conscious younger sibling.

Tej Pratap has since floated his own outfit, Janshakti Janta Dal, which is yet to make an impact.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of the U.K., Keir Starmer, said in a statement that, any decision about the future status of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone. That right is fundamental, and we will support it (4).

However, many world leaders have condemned Trumpsapproach. French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X in January, Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld (3).

The last year has seen President Donald Trumps administration levy sweeping tariffs against nations like China and Russia, but also allies such as Canada and the EU. The U.S. has also flouted international norms with tariff-backed threats, including against Greenland. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. should own Greenland, with an eye towards securing mineral rights, according to CNBC (2). Following the 2026 World Economic Forum, Trump announced a tentative framework deal with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte regarding Greenland after weeks of escalation.

The likelihood of war, or at least an age of increasingly tense global politics, seems to have only increased since October 2024.

Of course, World War III hasnt truly begun. But since Dimon made his remarks, global geo-political tensions have only risen  at least in part driven by U.S. foreign policy.

J.P. Morgan Chase has run scenarios that will shock you in preparation for potential global conflict, Dimon told the audience.

At the time, Dimon named the potential conflict between Western countries and China, Russia, Iran or North Korea as far more concerning to him than any potential instability in global financial markets.

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World War III has already begun. You already have battles on the ground being coordinated in multiple countries, Dimon said at the event (1). Since then, global tensions have only ratcheted up further.

In October 2024, Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, told a crowd at the Institute of International Finances annual meeting in Washington, D.C., that war and nuclear proliferation are greater existential threats than climate change.

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Theres also been criticism from within the Republican Party. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska told CNN that Trumps threats to Greenland are absurd, adding, We've got to speak up and say it's wrong. You don't threaten a NATO ally. They've been a great ally. We've had bases there since World War II. Denmark has fought with us (5).

And its not just politicians ringing the alarm. A 2025 S&P Global report noted that, A world ordered for decades by globalization and geoeconomics has quickly become a world grounded in geopolitical risk (6).

The report goes on to state that this volatility has a significant impact on the global economic outlook, influencing economic growth, inflation, financial markets and supply chains, according to S&P Global.

It's a confusing time, fraught with uncertainty. And if you arent sure what your best move is to protect your finances, especially given market volatility, then you arent alone.

Read More: Approaching retirement with no savings? Dont panic, you're not alone. Here are 6 easy ways you can catch up (and fast)

Work with a professional for greater stability

Periods of geopolitical instability can have significant ripples for you and your retirement account, but working with an experienced financial advisor can help you navigate troubled waters.

Finding a reliable financial advisor is now easier than ever with Advisor.com. Their network consists entirely of fiduciaries, so theyre legally obligated to act in your best interest.

To get started, enter some basic information about yourself, like your ZIP code, and your financial goals. Then Advisor.com will scour its database to match you with up to three reputable SEC/FINRA-registered advisors near you.

A qualified financial advisor can stick with you for the long haul, market chaos or no, so its worth taking your time. Fortunately, Advisor.com lets you set up a free, no-obligation consultation with your match to see whether theyre the right fit.

What to avoid in times of crisis

Whether you are concerned about Dimon's warnings or not, they might inspire you to start thinking about your own response to global instability.

Given the ongoing conflicts around the world, it might at first feel tempting to hide out in cash.

But many market veterans, including Warren Buffett, don't exactly believe in stashing your savings under the mattress.

The one thing you can be quite sure of is if we went into some very major war, the value of money would go down, Buffett told CNBC in 2014. That's happened in virtually every war that I'm aware of. So the last thing you'd want to do is hold money during a war (7).

Cash is also more vulnerable to inflation, a common by-product of war, than assets that accrue value. High-yield accounts, stocks, bonds and alternative assets can gain steam over time through interest, dividend yields and increases in valuation. This can allow them to keep pace with or beat inflation.

But not all assets are created equal, especially those closely tied to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar.

What to hold in times of crisis

What should investors do instead of holding onto cash?

When it comes to investing in assets, you should always be picky. This is especially the case when it comes to real estate investing, which is one common hedge against inflation and instability.

Dimon has been vocal about his concerns for the commercial real estate sector. At a company shareholder meeting in 2023, he explained the knock-on effect of Americas regional bank crisis, saying Theres always an offsides, referring to the indirect consequences of an outcome (8).

The offsides in this case will probably be real estate. Itll be certain locations, certain office properties, certain construction loans. It could be very isolated.

Many brick-and-mortar stores have struggled since the pandemic, and this can directly impact the property owners revenue stream. Thats why selectivity is key.

Tap into resilient assets

Thats why finding the right assets can be challenging for many investors. The knowledge needed to find and invest in resilient real estate is often the stuff that world-class investment firms are made of.

As an individual investor, this is when working with experts becomes important.

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Diversify away from the stock market

Ultimately, the stock market will react to fears of a war, whether or not it actually happens. Thats because even the talk of a conflict can bring about a massive degree of uncertainty, which stock markets notoriously dislike.

For this reason, it can be worth considering investments that behave differently from the stock market.

Its likely therell be a 10 to 20% drawdown in equity markets sometime in the next 12 to 24 months, said Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, at the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit in November 2025 (10).

If that turns out to be true, diversification isnt just smart  its essential. Billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates continue to invest heavily in stocks, but they also carve out a portion of their portfolios for assets that behave differently from the market.

One standout example is a globally recognized asset class that, until recently, was the domain of the ultra-rich like Bezos and Gates. Even better, it outpaced the S&P 500 by 15% from 1995 to 2025 while showing near-zero correlation to traditional equities.

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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.

Marketwatch (1); CNBC (2), (6) (10), @EmmanuelMacron (3); U.K. Government (4); CNN (5); S&P Global (7); J.P. Morgan (8), (9)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
The mastermind, who allegedly ran an organised gang involved in the sexual exploitation of women, religious conversion and blackmailing in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur district, was arrested from Delhi's IGI airport on Saturday while he was attempting to flee abroad with his family.

IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

The accused was identified as Imran, a resident of Mirzapur. He has a chain of gyms called KGM Gym One across the Mirzapur district. Police said that he used to run the racket through his gyms, which were being operated by his relatives.

According to police, he was trying to flee to Dubai from Terminal 3 of Delhi's IGI Airport with his family. The central government's Immigration Department apprehended him and handed him over to the Delhi Police.

Key Points The accused, Imran, is a resident of Mirzapur and has a chain of gyms called KGM Gym One across the Mirzapur district

According to the police, he was trying to flee to Dubai from Terminal 3 of Delhi's IGI Airport with his family

The police have so far arrested six people in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation and religious conversion racket

"Imran was the main mastermind of this organised gang, and we had received information that he was trying to flee the country," Mirzapur SSP/DIG Somen Barma told reporters.

As a result, a lookout notice against the accused had been issued to all airports and seaports in the country, Barma said.

Upon receiving the information that he had been caught, UP Police officers reached Delhi and obtained a transit remand to bring him to Mirzapur, the senior police officer said.

Barma said that a cash reward of Rs 25,000 was also announced for his arrest.

Imran has 65 cases registered against him and most of them are related to fraud.

The police have so far arrested six people in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation and religious conversion racket operating under the guise of a gym, and this is the seventh arrest, as per the information.

Among the arrested is a GRP constable, who is currently posted in Bhadohi district; he has been suspended.

The matter came to light when two women registered a complaint at Kotwali Dehat police station in Mirzapur on January 20.

During the initial investigation, police made some "shocking" discoveries, following which four teams were formed.

So far, the police have sealed four gyms, Barma said, and added that 47 gyms are operating in the district.

All of them are being investigated to determine their ownership, the identity of the trainers, and whether or not female trainers are employed, as a large number of women go to gyms for exercise, the police said.
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Brattleboro Police Chief Norma Hardy talks to people during a Community Connection Night on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The Brattleboro Police Department hosted the event to bring people together with local first responders in a fun way.
A Vermont Agency of Transportation plow truck plows a section of Route 9 in Marlboro on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, as a snowstorm passes through the region.
Gov. Phil Scott speaks at a press conference in December. The Republican Vermont governor said "enough is enough" in reaction to the latest fatal shooting by a federal officer in Minneapolis.
Tensions are rising again in Uzbekistan's eastern Andijon region, where farmers say they are being coerced into "voluntarily" surrendering their land to local authorities -- plots of farmland that in some cases are later leased to Chinese investors.

Uzbek officials maintain that all transfers are voluntary, fully legal, and they are not giving farmland to foreign owners, Chinese or otherwise. But farmers involved in growing cotton, vegetables, and fruit from eastern Uzbekistan who spoke to RFE/RL describe threats and late-night visits from local officials meant to pressure them into signing over their land and forfeit their livlihoods.

Under Uzbek law, private agricultural land ownership doesn't exist and a farmer leases state land for up to 49 years. The government can't override that contract unless lease payments go unpaid or if the land is signed over voluntarily.

Reporting by RFE/RL -- including interviews with farmers, government officials, and a review of legal documents -- shows that local officials in Uzbekistan's Ferghana Valley, an area in the country's east covered in cotton farms that borders Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, are relying on intimidation and secrecy to to push farmers off their land so that it can be leased for projects involving Chinese investors.

"They came to my house, forced me and my wife into a car, and took us to the district administration office," Zoirjon Gapparov, the head of one of the leading farms in the Qurganteppa district that mostly produces different types of vegetables, told RFE/RL, describing a visit from the local police as part of what he described as a government pressure campaign that began in December 2024.

"First [they took me] to the deputy governor for agriculture, Shukhrat Qamchiev, then to the district governor. They said it was a presidential order that our land must be given to the Chinese," he said.

Gapparov said that he refused pressure to sign an application to surrender the land to the state and that, after the incident, his cotton fields were regularly visited by police and prosecutors. He said that police also tried to intimidate his workers into signing statements that the farmland was illegally leased.

When he visited local officials again in September 2025, he was told that his land had already been reassigned.

"They said I wasn't a farmer anymore, that my land was given to the Chinese," Gapparov recalled. "They claimed I had no legal papers, although I have all the documents."

A New System To Transfer Control Of Farmland

RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported last year that farmland in several Andijon districts in eastern Uzbekistan was being handed to Chinese companies. After that report in April, transfers temporarily stopped, but farmers say the pressure quietly resumed months later.

China is Uzbekistan's largest foreign investor, accounting for the largest share of foreign capital inflows and new projects, but the growing Chinese presence is also fueling anxiety among the country's farmers, especially about prized farmland being prioritized for foreign investors.

Dilmurod Xojamberdiev, the head of the Qurgonteppa district agriculture department and one of the officials who said that Gapparov's land would be given to Chinese investors, told RFE/RL that the land was leased to Chinese investors, but ownership was not transferred.

"According to the government's decision, a directorate was created in Uzbekistan, and the land was given to that directorate," he said. "Uzbek law doesn't allow farmland to be transferred to foreign citizens."

Asked whether Chinese companies grew crops in the area last year, Xojamberdiev acknowledged they had.

"They rented it from the directorate, not from me or the district governor," he said. "The directorate can lease to whoever it wants. The governor doesn't decide that."

Under a Cabinet of Ministers decree adopted in May 2025, such directorates have been established in Andijon and six other regions -- including Jizzakh, Namangan, Tashkent, Fergana, Sirdaryo, and Qashqadaryo.

Each directorate, consisting of five staff members, is empowered to oversee efficient land use and to sublease farmland to local or foreign investors "in accordance with the law."

According to Uzbekistan's National Statistics Committee , the country had 17,900 enterprises with foreign participation, including 4,873 with Chinese capital by December 2024. That growth has continued at a rapid pace, with more than 1,500 additional Chinese companies registered by the end of 2025.

'Voluntary Only On Paper'

Other farmers describe similar experiences to Gapparov's.

The head of Azizabonu Durdonasi farm that cultivates cereal crops and cotton, Azizakhon Ergasheva, who agreed to talk to RFE/RL, claims she was taken from her home shortly after midnight by police and pressured to write a statement giving up her 40 hectares of land for cotton farming "to the Chinese."

"I was sick and exhausted at the time. In the end, I signed it. It was voluntary' only on paper," Ergasheva said.

Xojamberdiev, the head of the Qurgonteppa district agriculture department, said that land is taken only from farmers with debts or those who failed to meet production plans.

He named Ergasheva as one of the indebted farmers, but she said that officials purposefully racked up her debts by setting unrealistic cotton quotas and problems with a drip irrigation project promoted by the district government.

"They forced us to sign contracts for 40 centners of cotton per hectare, even though our soil couldn't yield that much," Ergasheva said. A yield of 40 centners of raw cotton per hectare is considered a top-tier harvest in modern cotton farming, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

"We couldn't meet the target and fell into debt. Then the firm they recommended for drip irrigation took my money and disappeared," she said. "They dug one hole and ran away. And guess what? The district administration recommended them!"

Orifjon Qayumov, the head of the Qurgonteppa District Farmers' Council, a public association with strong ties to the Uzbek government, said no foreign investors, "including the Chinese," are currently operating on the seized plots.

"Land is taken only voluntarily or by court decision," he said. "Farmers transfer it to the reserve by their own request. The regional governor established an agricultural directorate, which now holds the land legally. We'll see what happens in the spring."

Farmers dispute that version, saying no court summons were issued and that signatures were extracted under pressure, including threats of arrest and surprise home visits from police.

Two farmers who requested anonymity out of fear of reprisals told RFE/RL they were taken from their homes to the local police station, where they were pressured to sign "voluntary" transfer statements under the supervision of district governor Alisher Xalilov.

More than 20 farmers in Ergasheva's district, and nearly 50 across Andijon region, also claim to have lost money to the same irrigation contractor that was recommended to her by the government.

Ergasheva said her 40 hectares, officially taken "for Chinese investment," were actually handed to a wealthy local businessman, Bahodir Saidaliev.

"He came and leveled everything I'd built: the orchard, even the mulberry trees I raised silkworms on," she said. "He said he'd plant high-efficiency sweet cherries. Instead, they planted wild ones that dried out. Now the land is barren and covered in weeds."
Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model .

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Yum China Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:YUMC ) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

The US$58.13 analyst price target for YUMC is 23% less than our estimate of fair value

Story continues

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.2%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$2.3b (1 + 3.3%)  (9.2% 3.3%) = US$40b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$40b ( 1 + 9.2%)10= US$17b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$26b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$49.1, the company appears quite good value at a 35% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

NYSE:YUMC Discounted Cash Flow January 25th 2026

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Yum China Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.139. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

See our latest analysis for Yum China Holdings

SWOT Analysis for Yum China Holdings

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Hospitality industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Hospitality market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 4 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Yum China Holdings, there are three further aspects you should assess:

Risks: You should be aware of the 1 warning sign for Yum China Holdings we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does YUMC's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Iran's nationwide Internet blackout remained largely in place as the reported death toll from recent protests continued to rise, with one account saying the number of fatalities may exceed 30,000.

The digital rights watchdog NetBlocks said on January 25 that Iran's Internet shutdown has now passed 400 hours, adding that "brief connectivity spikes" may give a false impression of wider restoration. It said circumvention tools such as VPNs have allowed limited online communication.

Human rights groups say the blackout has hampered protesters' ability to organize and restricted the flow of information, making independent verification of casualties difficult.

The US-based rights organization HRANA, whose figures RFE/RL has been regularly citing since the violent crackdown began in Iran earlier this month, says its confirmed death toll is now 5,848, and the number of fatalities still under investigation is 17,091.

However, a report published by Time magazine says the number of fatalities in the Iran protests may exceed 30,000, according to two senior Iranian health officials it spoke to.

The report, published on January 25, said the majority of deaths occurred on January 89, when the government's crackdown on nationwide protests reached its peak. Due to intense censorship and the prolonged Internet shutdown, reported death toll figures for the protests cannot be independently verified.

The toll reported by Time sharply contradicts the official death toll of 3,117 announced earlier this week by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, but it aligns more closely with international estimates.



The United Nations has suggested significantly higher casualties, and Mai Sato, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, said on January 22 that the number of civilians killed could exceed 20,000 as reports from doctors continue to surface. Amnesty International has described the killings as occurring on an "unprecedented scale."

The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group, meanwhile, on January 25 said Iranian security forces have been targeting doctors and volunteers who were helping injured protesters.

"Security forces are violently arresting doctors and volunteer citizens by raiding homes and clinics, and destroying their property," reported the group, which says it has members inside and outside off Iran.

"Security agencies have detained doctors and raided makeshift medical shelters with the aim of creating fear and preventing the injured from receiving treatment," the group said, citing informed sources.

Additional details have emerged about injuries sustained during the crackdown.

Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency reported that Qasem Fakhrayi, head of Tehran's Farabi Hospital, said the number of patients with pellet-related eye injuries surged to around 1,000 on January 9, compared with about 55 cases in the preceding days. Nearly 200 injured people were transferred to other hospitals due to capacity constraints.

Maryam Sabbaghi, the hospital's head nurse, said all beds were filled, stretchers were borrowed from another facility, and patients were placed in hallways.

The economic impact of the shutdown has also deepened.

Majidreza Hariri, head of the IranChina Chamber of Commerce, said merchants have been allowed to access the Internet for only 20 minutes a day under official supervision, a level he said was insufficient for conducting business. Ali Hakim-Javadi, head of Iran's Computer Trade Organization, said the shutdown is causing 2030 trillion rials ($1828 million at the current free-market rate) in daily losses.

Separately, the Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Associations has published the names of more than 40 students it said were killed during the crackdown, citing information it said it got from trusted sources. The umbrella body of independent teachers' unions in Iran says the list will be updated gradually.

The violence has drawn criticism from a senior Sunni cleric inside Iran. Molavi Abdolhamid Esmailzehi, the Friday Prayer leader in Zahedan, called the killings a "systematic massacre."

"This tragedy has created a deep and irreparable rift between the people of Iran and the ruling establishment," he said.

Iran is a Shi'a-majority country, with about 90 percent of the population belonging to that branch of Islam. The Sunni Islam minority is about 5-10 percent, according to recent statistics.
Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, after two days of "constructive" peace talks in Abu Dhabi, are set to resume negotiations in the United Arab Emirates capital next week, even as the war itself showed no signs of letup.

On January 23-24, "the United States coordinated a trilateral meeting alongside Ukraine and Russia, graciously hosted by the United Arab Emirates," White House envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on X.

"Talks were very constructive, and plans were made to continue conversations next week in Abu Dhabi. President [Donald] Trump and his entire team are dedicated to bringing peace to this war," he added.

Witkoff did not specify an exact schedule for resumption of the talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was briefed by his team on the talks and also labeled the negotiations as constructive, although no details of the sessions were disclosed.

The "military personnel involved in the negotiations have created a list of topics for a possible new meeting," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy traveled to Lithuania on January 25 to meet President Gitanas Nauseda and Polish President Karol Nawrocki to seek military and humanitarian aid as well as diplomatic support for ongoing peace efforts.

The three leaders are taking part in commemorations marking the 186364 uprising against imperial Russian rule, an event widely seen as a pivotal moment of resistance to Moscow's westward expansion.

Ahead of the negotiations in the UAE, Kremlin aides said Russian President Vladimir Putin was satisfied with nearly four hours of talks held overnight with Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and other US representatives.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's longstanding demand that Ukrainian forces leave the portion of the Donbas they still hold. The Donbas is a wide swath of territory in eastern Ukraine; Russia controls around 90 percent of it.

Zelenskyy, who met with Trump in Switzerland on January 22, has long rejected the suggestion of ceding territory to Russia but told reporters that the UAE talks would include the issue of territory in the Donbas.

Warring Parties Continue To Strike

As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of February 2022 nears, violence on the ground continued even amid the peace talks.

Following its massive air strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv, Russia on January 24 claimed to have captured another key village, while Ukraine reportedly struck back in Russias Belgorod border region.

Russia's military said its troops had completed the capture of the village of Starytsya in the Kharkiv region, where Ukraine has been struggling to fend off a ground offensive amid heavy losses on both sides.

Starytsya, a settlement of some 486 people near the border, is close to the town of Vovchansk, which has been bloodied and battered for months amid desperate defenses since an offensive launched by Russia in May 2024.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on Russia's claim, but its General Staff said the Kremlin's forces had launched six attacks on an area including Starytsya. The reports could not be independently verified.

Russia's Westward Push

Russia has been attempting to push westward through eastern Ukraine to gain as much ground as possible amid peace negotiations. Much of its gains have been in the Donetsk region, although it has kept the pressure on in the Kharkiv region as well.

As Russia continues its nightly air strikes against Ukrainian cities, often hitting residential areas and infrastructure sites, Kyiv has struck back at energy-related facilities inside Russia that it says are used to fuel the Kremlin's war effort.

Russia's Belgorod region has often been the target of Ukrainian strikes and was the target of a Ukrainian ground offensive in May 2023. It was reportedly hit again late on January 24.

"According to our information, a massive shelling of the city of Belgorod [has been carried out]," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on Telegram, adding that there were no immediate reports of injuries.

"There is damage to energy facilities. We are collecting information, and emergency services are at the scene."

Telegram channels from the region reported that the shelling had lasted for a long period of time and that explosions were heard in Belgorod, a city of some 320,000 people.





Ukraine did not immediately comment on the reports of strikes against the Belgorod region.

Kyiv, Kharkiv Hit by Russian Strikes

Earlier on January 24, Ukraine condemned a massive Russian attack overnight and into January 24 on the capital, Kyiv, and on Kharkiv, with at least one person being killed.

According to local officials, both cities were hit with Russian missile and drone barrages through the early morning hours and later in the day on January 24 and the following night as Russia continues nightly air strikes.

During a visit to Vilnius on January 25, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his call for faster deliveries of air-defense systems and ammunition from allies, including both weapons already promised and new commitments.

He said the equipment is urgently needed to protect Ukraines critical infrastructure during the winter freeze. Earlier this week, the Kyiv government pointed out that every electric power plant in the country had been targeted by Russian strikes.

"Cynically, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin ordered a brutal, massive missile strike against Ukraine right while delegations are meeting in Abu Dhabi to advance the America-led peace process," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha wrote on X.

"Main targets remained the same: energy objects and residential areas. Russia continues to wage a genocidal war against civilian people, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity," he wrote.

By early January 25, officials said more than 1,600 buildings in Kyiv remained without heating, down from 6,000 a day earlier, as night-time temperatures fell to minus-10 degrees Celsius.

Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said more than 800,000 Kyiv homes and a further 400,000 in the Chernihiv region, north of the capital, were still without power late on January 24.

"As for power, constant enemy attacks unfortunately keep the situation from being stabilized," he wrote on telegram. "The power system does not have time to recover," he added.

In Kharkiv, a nighttime drone attack injured 27 people on January 24, according to regional head Oleh Synyehubov. City Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the attack lasted nearly 2-1/2 hours, with one of the drones striking a dormitory for disabled people, and other strikes damaging a hospital and a maternity hospital.

"Unfortunately, a 68-year-old woman died in the hospital, who was wounded as a result of an enemy [drone] strike near the village of Prudyanka," Synyehubov wrote on Telegram.

With reporting by Reuters
Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are set to resume negotiations in Abu Dhabi next week after two days of what officials said were "constructive" peace talks, even as the war shows no signs of easing.

On January 23-24, "the United States coordinated a trilateral meeting alongside Ukraine and Russia, graciously hosted by the United Arab Emirates," White House envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on X.

"Talks were very constructive, and plans were made to continue conversations next week in Abu Dhabi. President [Donald] Trump and his entire team are dedicated to bringing peace to this war," he added.

While Witkoff did not specify an exact schedule for the resumption of talks, Axios reported, citing an unnamed US official, that they are now expected to resume on February 1.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was briefed by his team on the talks and also labeled the negotiations as constructive, although no details of the sessions were disclosed.

The "military personnel involved in the negotiations have created a list of topics for a possible new meeting," Zelenskyy said.

The Axios report added that progress in a subsequent meeting could lead to talks in Moscow or Kyiv -- something that has not occurred since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

According to Axios, the US official said he believed such "meetings need to happen before a meeting between the leaders," which he said might be not far away if negotiations continue to follow "the current path."

Ahead of negotiations in the UAE, Kremlin aides said Russian President Vladimir Putin was satisfied with nearly four hours of talks held late on January 22 with Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and other US representatives.

However, there are no signs of the war slowing down on the ground. Nor are there any signs the Kremlin is backing down from its long-held maximalist demands.

Russia has been attempting to push westward through eastern Ukraine to gain as much ground as possible amid peace negotiations. Much of its gains have been in the Donetsk region, although it has kept the pressure on in the Kharkiv region as well.

At least 66 fights occurred across the Ukraine's front lines on January 25 alone, the country's armed forces reported on January 25.

On January 23, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's longstanding demand that Ukrainian forces leave the portion of the Donbas they still hold. The Donbas is a wide swath of territory in eastern Ukraine; Russia controls around 90 percent of it.

Zelenskyy, who met with Trump in Switzerland on January 22, has long rejected the suggestion of ceding territory to Russia but told reporters the UAE talks were expected to include the issue of territory in the Donbas.

Attacks, Power Outages Continue

Meanwhile, massive Russian drone and missile strikes have been severely damaging heating and electricity infrastructure across Ukraine, making this winter unbearable for millions of residents suffering at the hands of unprecedented energy blackouts.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces said Russia had launched more than 100 drones and two missiles at Ukraine in the latest nighttime attack on January 25.

On the same day, Zelenskyy traveled to Lithuania to meet President Gitanas Nauseda and Polish President Karol Nawrocki to seek military and humanitarian aid as well as diplomatic support for ongoing peace efforts.

The three leaders have been taking part in commemorations marking the 186364 uprising against imperial Russian rule, an event widely seen as a pivotal moment of resistance to Moscow's westward expansion.

"We have a common enemy. This has endured for more than four years of full-scale war, more than years of hybrid warfare, more than the reigns of both Soviet Moscow and imperial Petersburg," Zelenskyy told the meeting.

Later in the day, he added that a document outlining US security guarantees for Ukraine is ready, and Kyiv is awaiting confirmation of the time and place for its signing.

"For us, security guarantees are first and foremost guarantees of security from the United States," Zelenskyy said at the news conference in Vilnius.

Western security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal -- particularly Russia's opposition to the deployment of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil -- have been a critical point of dispute in all efforts to negotiate an end to the largest conflict on the continent since World War II.

With reporting by Axios
By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

The Holocaust could very easily happen again, a survivor of the atrocity who lives in Dublin has said.

Suzi Diamond was speaking before a Holocaust Memorial Day event on Sunday.

She said occasions like the one at Royal Hospital Kilmainham which was attended by the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister for Justice are important as people dont think the past could happen again, but it can happen again.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin (left) and Tanaiste Simon Harris (right) with Holocaust survivor Suzi Diamond (Brian Lawless/PA)

It doesnt take any length of time for it to happen, the simplest thing, strike of a match, and something could blow up again, she said.

Born near Budapest in Hungary, Ms Diamonds father was taken away by Nazis during the war.

In 1945 she, her mother and brother were rounded up, forced onto cattle trucks and brought on a journey that ended at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

Her mother died of typhoid at the camp, shortly after it was liberated.

An Irish volunteer pediatrician, Bob Collis, brought two-year-old Suzi and five-year-old Terry to Ireland where they were adopted by a Jewish couple in Dublin.

Speaking on Sunday, Ms Diamond said: The past can actually happen again in the future, and you need events like this to bring it to peoples attention.

This week a survey by the Claims Conference, an organisation which negotiates compensation for Holocaust survivors, found 9 per cent of Irish 18 to 29-year-olds believe the Holocaust is a myth and did not happen.

Almost a fifth (19 per cent) said they believed it happened, but the number of Jews who were killed has been greatly exaggerated.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaking as he attends a Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Addressing the findings at Sundays event, Micheal Martin said: I think we must be outraged and offended at that, and we must do everything we possibly can to combat that and to oppose that.

Theres an obligation on all of us, first of all, to oppose antisemitism wherever it manifests itself, and also to continue to educate generations to come in terms of what happened during the Holocaust.

He was asked if, in the light of the figures and recent controversy of the generation of AI images of sexual abuse on X, social media companies need to be held to account.

Mr Martin replied there needs to be a greater focus on equipping young people better on how we deal with social media.

The key is to educate, to equip young people with the tools to be able to interpret new media platforms, to have developed critical inquiry and to have those skill sets, he said.

Asked if the focus should be on social media companies, Mr Martin said: Absolutely.

But equally, we do need a parallel track, you need more accountability.

We need more protection for people, but we also need to work very hard to equip people to deal with it.

Speaking at Sundays event Irelands Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder said: The number 6 million is not just a statistic.



Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder attends a Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Taoiseach referenced current global tensions in his speech saying: We are living in increasingly unsettled times where post World War Two norms of behaviour and language are being constantly undermined.

We are seeing growing incidents of people feeling comfortable expressing antisemitism, racism and intolerance.

The Claims Conference research also found half of the Irish adults it questioned did not know that six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust.

It speaks to how systematic and how comprehensive the Nazi attempt to murder an entire people was, said Mr Martin.

To play down that number is not just to play down the number of people that died, but its to play down the fact that this was a systemic attack, an attempt to systematically wipe out an entire people, and we cannot forget that.

He said there needed to be a greater emphasis on making sure education about history is accurate, and not just gleaned from education.

He also said: I think people try to avoid the topic of Holocaust education because of contemporary politics and we have to know that remembering the Holocaust is not conditional, is not contingent on anything going on in the world today.

Regardless of ones political ideology, the Holocaust is something that needs to be remembered, and lessons need to be learned.

Earlier in the day Simon Harris released a statement saying it is our great shame that the lessons of the Holocaust still have not been learnt.

He said: Rising antisemitism, in Ireland and around the world, is an attack on history. It is an attack on truth.

It is an attack on democracy and our democratic values.

It is evil personified in the way it erodes basic values of decency and respect for other people.

Mr Harris said: It is profoundly disturbing that there is growing evidence that increasing numbers of young people in Ireland and around the world have a basic lack of awareness and understanding of the Holocaust.
Roscommon University Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Gaborova to the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in Gastroenterology.

As an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the Endoscopy Unit, Andrea performs a comprehensive range of diagnostic and interventional procedures to aid in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal conditions. Her clinical practice includes the removal of small growths (polyps), obtaining tissue samples (biopsies), haemorrhoid banding, applying haemostatic clips to control bleeding, marking areas for surgical guidance, and identifying pathological changes within the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, Andrea is qualified to prescribe and administer sedation, maintaining the highest standards of patient comfort and safety throughout each procedure. She assesses and manages individuals presenting with digestive symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, fatigue related to low iron levels, abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and rectal bleeding. Andrea also provides ongoing support for patients with long-term gastrointestinal conditions, including coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and Barretts oesophagus.

Originally from Slovakia and now living in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, Andrea began her nursing career at the Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Kosice, where she worked on a busy trauma ward. There she developed strong clinical skills and a deep appreciation for teamwork, precision and compassionate patient care.

In 2005, Andrea moved to Ireland, joining St Francis Private Hospital in Mullingar as a theatre staff nurse, where she strengthened her technical and procedural expertise and developed her interest in surgical and diagnostic care. In 2014 she joined the Endoscopy Unit at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, caring for both scheduled and emergency cases. It was during this time that Andrea discovered her passion for gastroenterology and was inspired to pursue advanced training as a nurse endoscopist.

Andrea joined Roscommon University Hospital in 2023 as a candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Gastroenterology. During her two-year candidature, she further developed her clinical expertise and successfully completed a Master of Science in Nursing (Advanced Nursing Practice) at the University of Galway, enabling her to register and practice as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Advanced Nurse Practitioners represent the highest level of clinical expertise within the nursing profession in Ireland today, leading the way in transforming how patients experience healthcare. With an expanded scope of practice and greater clinical autonomy, ANPs are empowered to diagnose, prescribe, and independently manage treatment plans, ensuring faster access to expert care and improved outcomes for patients.

Speaking about her role, Andrea said: My role is centred on improving access to care, supporting early diagnosis, and ensuring every patient has a clear plan for follow-up and continuity. In addition to my clinical responsibilities, I am actively involved in advancing service development, governance, and quality improvement within the Endoscopy Unit.

I feel privileged to work with such an excellent team, and to be part of an endoscopy service that has once again achieved JAG accreditation, one of the most respected and innovative quality assurance programmes in healthcare. I am also excited and look forward to being a part of BowelScreen, Irelands National Bowel Screening Programme, supporting the early detection and prevention of bowel cancer.

What matters most to me is that every patient feels listened to, respected, and confident in the care they receive. My vision is to continue building a service that is efficient, evidence-based and compassionate. I believe that advanced nursing practice can make a meaningful difference by combining clinical expertise with empathy, and by delivering high-quality care as close to home as possible.

Ursula Morgan, Director of Nursing at Roscommon University Hospital welcomed Andreas appointment, stating: We are delighted to see Andrea take on the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Gastroenterology. Her commitment to excellence, patient-centred care and clinical innovation will greatly benefit our service and the patients we serve.

Andreas appointment reflects our continued investment in advanced nursing roles, which are vital in improving access, driving quality and enhancing patient outcomes across our hospital.
Councillors have approved plans to convert a HSE building in Castlerea into four independent living units. The tenants for these units will be people on the councils housing waiting list.

It is hoped that the project will be completed quickly.

At a recent meeting of the Roscommon Municipal District, plans for the redevelopment of a former HSE dwelling into four independent living units at 2 Tithe Na gCarad, Williamstown Road, Castlerea, were outlined.

The Part 8 planning application was brought forward by the council on behalf of an approved housing body.

The councillors heard that the approved housing body, Sophia Housing, was applying to build the houses, with funding from the capital assistance scheme from the Department of Housing. The building, which has been vacant for a number of years, is approximately 750 metres from the towns centre and was zoned as residential.

Cathaoirleach of the MD, Paschal Fitzmaurice said he supported the project in principle and asked whether the development would cater for mental health service users as it was for independent living.

This whole facility was built for psychiatric services, he said. He added that these services were changing and that many service users were living independently.

We have seen the demise of the services in Castlerea, he said, and asked that service users be accommodated.

There are a lot of people in HSE independent living services and they do need help, he said. He also called for the footpaths in the areas to be improved and for a pedestrian crossing to be installed.

Cllr Michael Holland welcomed the news, saying housing was a serious issue. Cllr Nigel Dineen agreed that the councils housing stock needed to be increased. Cllr Marty McDermott said that the housing situation needed to be addressed, a sentiment shared by Cllr Larry Brennan.

Cllr Ruth Conboy acknowledged that there was a lot of frustration about the lack of housing. She asked was the building considered to be used as a family property as it was a reasonably large size. She was informed that most of the demand was for one and two bedroom properties.
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) announced Friday that its chief executive officer, David Solomon, received an annual compensation of $47.00 million in 2025, up 20.5% from last year's $39 million.

In a regulatory filing, Goldman Sachs announced his compensation, citing continued and significant shareholder value creation during 2025, including shareholder return of 57%, 33% dividend growth, and over $17 billion returned to common shareholders.

According to the company, Solomon's total compensation included an annual base salary of$2 million, a cash component of $10.1 million, and the rest will be distributed across performance stock units of $31.5 million and carried interest program of $3.4 million.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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Takeaways

New Mexicos lawsuit against Meta is set to become the first state-led case alleging child sexual exploitation by a social media company to go to trial, with jury selection beginning Feb. 2, the presentation of evidence set to begin Feb. 9 and proceedings expected to last nearly two months.

The New Mexico Department of Justice claims Meta knowingly allowed its platforms  including Facebook and Instagram  to be used for grooming, trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material, prioritizing profit over child safety.

Meta disputes the allegations, calling them sensationalized, and says it has spent more than a decade developing safeguards, including teen accounts and parental controls.

A judge denied Metas attempt to dismiss the case under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, allowing the claims to proceed to trial and potentially testing long-standing internet liability protections.

The state is seeking civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation under New Mexicos Unfair Practices Act, which could total hundreds of millions or more, depending on how violations are counted.
Astronomers have identified powerful winds of vaporized metals inside a vast cloud that blocked the light of a distant star for almost nine months. The finding was made using the Gemini South telescope in Chile, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, which is partly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab. The observation offers a rare look at energetic and chaotic activity that can continue shaping planetary systems long after they form.

In September 2024, a star located about 3000 light-years from Earth abruptly dimmed to just one-fortieth of its normal brightness. That dramatic drop persisted until May 2025. The star, known as J0705+0612, closely resembles our Sun, which made the event especially striking to astronomers.

"Stars like the Sun don't just stop shining for no reason," says Nadia Zakamska, a professor of astrophysics at Johns Hopkins University. "So dramatic dimming events like this are very rare."

Months of Observations Capture a Rare Event

Realizing that this unusual dimming could reveal something important, Zakamska and her colleagues began an extended observing campaign. They used the Gemini South telescope on Cerro Pachon in Chile, along with the Apache Point Observatory 3.5-meter telescope and the 6.5 meter Magellan Telescopes. Their results are described in a paper published in The Astronomical Journal.

By combining new observations with archival data on J0705+0612,[1] the researchers concluded that the star was briefly hidden behind an enormous, slowly drifting cloud of gas and dust. The team estimates that the cloud sits about two billion kilometers (1.2 billion miles) from the star and spans roughly 200 million kilometers (120 million miles) across.

A Massive Companion Holds the Cloud Together

The data suggest that the cloud is not free-floating. Instead, it appears to be gravitationally bound to a second object that orbits the star far from its center. Although the exact nature of this companion remains uncertain, it must be massive enough to keep the cloud intact.

Observations indicate that the object has at least several times the mass of Jupiter, and possibly much more. It could be a giant planet, a brown dwarf, or an extremely low-mass star.

If the object turns out to be a star, the cloud would be considered a circumsecondary disk, meaning a debris disk orbiting the smaller member of a two-star system. If it is a planet, the structure would be classified as a circumplanetary disk. In either scenario, seeing a star temporarily blocked by a disk surrounding a secondary object is extremely uncommon, with only a few known cases.

Probing the Cloud With a Powerful New Instrument

To learn what the cloud is made of, the team turned to Gemini South's newest instrument, the Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST). In March 2025, GHOST observed the dimming event for just over two hours, splitting the starlight into a detailed spectrum that reveals the elements within the cloud.

"When I started observing the occultation with spectroscopy, I was hoping to unveil something about the chemical composition of the cloud, as no such measurements had been done before. But the result exceeded all my expectations," says Zakamska.

The spectra revealed multiple metals -- elements heavier than helium -- mixed into the gas. Even more striking, the precision of the data allowed the team to track how the gas was moving in three dimensions. This marked the first time scientists have directly measured internal gas motions within a disk orbiting a secondary object such as a planet or a low-mass star.

The measurements show an active and turbulent environment, with winds of gaseous metals including iron and calcium flowing through the cloud.

"The sensitivity of GHOST allowed us to not only detect the gas in this cloud, but to actually measure how it is moving," Zakamska says. "That's something we've never been able to do before in a system like this."

"This study illustrates the considerable power of Gemini's newest facility instrument, GHOST," notes Chris Davis, NSF Program Director for NOIRLab, "and further highlights one of Gemini's great strengths -- rapidly responding to transient events like this occultation."

Evidence Points to a Disk in the Outer System

The detailed wind measurements show that the cloud is moving independently of the star itself. Combined with the long duration of the dimming, this confirms that the object blocking the star is a disk surrounding a secondary companion, orbiting in the outer regions of the system.

The star also shows an excess of infrared radiation, which is often linked to disks of material around young stars. However, J0705+0612 is more than two billion years old, making it unlikely that the disk is leftover material from the system's original formation.

A Possible Planetary Collision

So where did the disk come from? Zakamska suggests that it may have formed after a major collision between two planets in the outer part of the system. Such an impact could have blasted out enormous amounts of dust, rock, and gas, creating the massive cloud now seen drifting in front of the star.

Why This Discovery Matters

The findings demonstrate how new instruments are opening fresh ways to study hidden and short-lived phenomena in distant planetary systems. GHOST, in particular, is allowing astronomers to examine structures that were previously impossible to probe in detail.

"This event shows us that even in mature planetary systems, dramatic, large-scale collisions can still occur," says Zakamska. "It's a vivid reminder that the Universe is far from static -- it's an ongoing story of creation, destruction, and transformation."

Notes

A study using archival data from Harvard found that J0705+0612 underwent two other similar dimming events in 1937 and 1981, establishing a 44-year period.

The team is composed of Nadia L. Zakamska (Johns Hopkins University, Institute for Advanced Study), Gautham A. Pallathadka (Johns Hopkins University), Dmitry Bizyaev (New Mexico State University, Moscow State University), Jaroslav Merc (Charles University, Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands), James E. Owen (Imperial College London), Henrique Reggiani (Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab), Kevin C. Schlaufman (Johns Hopkins University), Karolina Bakowska (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun), Sawomir Bednarz (Silesian University of Technology), Krzysztof Bernacki (Silesian University of Technology), Agnieszka Gurgul (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun), Kirsten R. Hall (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian), Franz-Josef Hambsch (Association for Astronomy, Meteorology, Geophysics and Related Sciences, German Association for Variable Stars), Barbara Joachimczyk (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun), Krzysztof Kotysz (University of Warsaw, University of Wrocaw), Sebastian Kurowski (Jagiellonian University), Alexios Liakos (National Observatory of Athens), Przemysaw J. Mikoajczyk (University of Warsaw, National Centre for Nuclear Research, University of Wrocaw), Erika Pakstiene (Vilnius University), Grzegorz Pojmanski (University of Warsaw), Adam Popowicz (Silesian University of Technology), Daniel E. Reichart (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), ukasz Wyrzykowski (University of Warsaw, National Centre for Nuclear Research), Justas Zdanavicius (Vilnius University), Micha Zejmo (University of Zielona Gora), Pawe Zielinski (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun), and Staszek Zola (Jagiellonian University).

NSF NOIRLab, the U.S. National Science Foundation center for ground-based optical-infrared astronomy, operates the International Gemini Observatory (a facility of NSF, NRC-Canada, ANID-Chile, MCTIC-Brazil, MINCyT-Argentina, and KASI-Republic of Korea), NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), NSF Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC), and NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory (in cooperation with DOE's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory). It is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) under a cooperative agreement with NSF and is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.

The scientific community is honored to have the opportunity to conduct astronomical research on I'oligam Du'ag (Kitt Peak) in Arizona, on Maunakea in Hawai'i, and on Cerro Tololo and Cerro Pachon in Chile. We recognize and acknowledge the very significant cultural role and reverence of I'oligam Du'ag to the Tohono O'odham Nation, and Maunakea to the Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) community.
Andy Burnham signalled his intention to return to Westminster on Saturday , announcing plans to seek Labour's nomination for the Gorton & Denton byelection, according to the Sunday Times.

The move was widely interpreted as a challenge to Keir Starmer's authority, given Burnham's current role as mayor of Greater Manchester. In a letter to Shabana Mahmood, chair of Labour's National Executive Committee, Burnham said he had taken the "difficult decision" to stand in order to help the party counter the rise of Reform UK at a "national level", the paper reported. While praising the government's record, he said he wanted to "use my experience to help it go further and faster, as well as communicate the difference it is making".

Supporters of Wes Streeting believe he would still command backing from as many as 200 Labour MPs in any future leadership contest, even if Andy Burnham wins the Gorton & Denton byelection, the Sunday Times reported.

According to the paper, a number of MPs expect Burnham to position himself as a potential challenger to Keir Starmer should Labour suffer significant losses in the local elections on 7 May. Under party rules, 20% of Labour's 404 MPs  around 80 or 81  would need to nominate a challenger to trigger a contest for the leadership.

Labour has acknowledged that its proposed agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius could unravel if Donald Trump refuses to amend a decadesold treaty, according to the Independent. Legislation underpinning the deal, due for debate in the House of Lords on Monday, has been delayed amid concerns it may conflict with a 60yearold UKUS agreement asserting British control over the archipelago.

The Independent reported that Trump shocked Downing Street this week by attacking the plan, despite previously signalling support during talks in Washington earlier in the year. While ministers secured US backing for the arrangement in 2025, the president reversed course in a social media post, describing the proposal as "an act of great stupidity", prompting renewed uncertainty over the future of the UKUS Diego Garcia military base.

Donald Trump has warned that he would impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian goods entering the United States if Ottawa proceeds with a new trade agreement with China, the Independent reported. Trump criticised the partnership announced by Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, which aims to expand bilateral investment and cooperation across sectors including agriculture, energy and finance.

According to the Independent, Trump said Canada risked becoming a "Drop Off Port" for Chinese products and claimed such a deal would "immediately" trigger sweeping tariffs, warning of severe economic consequences for Canadian industry and society.

China sought to strengthen ties with Ireland during a visit to Beijing by taoiseach Micheal Martin earlier this month, according to the Guardian.

The Guardian reported that Beijing's outreach comes as China steps up its charm offensive with Western governments, a shift made easier by what the paper described as increasingly unpredictable moves by Donald Trump on the global stage. Although European leaders welcomed Trump's recent decision to drop threats of military action in Greenland and abandon tariff plans linked to Arctic policy, the US was still viewed as a less reliable partner.

An editorial in China's staterun Global Times, cited by the Guardian, urged Europe to consider building a "ChinaEU community with a shared future", warning that the world risked "returning to the law of the jungle" without deeper cooperation. While few countries can afford to antagonise China, the paper noted that some US allies were now looking to Beijing for stability despite longstanding strategic ties with Washington.

Two witnesses have disputed official accounts of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, telling federal courts that the 37yearold nurse was unarmed when he approached federal agents, the Guardian reported. Their sworn affidavits contradict claims by Trump administration officials that the killing was an act of selfdefence.

According to the Guardian, the statements were filed late on Saturday as part of an ACLU lawsuit on behalf of Minneapolis protesters against Kristi Noem and other homeland security officials overseeing the city's immigration crackdown. One witness is a woman who recorded what the paper described as the clearest video of the incident, while the other is a nearby physician who said federal officers initially prevented them from providing medical assistance to Pretti.
A 40-year-old man was drunk, going over 100 miles per hour and driving with a suspended license when he caused a crash in Toms River on Friday night that killed another motorist, officials said.

Ronald Bucher, 76, of Toms River, died at the scene following the 8:50 p.m. crash at the intersection of Route 37 and Romana Lane, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said.

Jamie P. Doyle, of Toms River, was charged with aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide in the fatal crash, officials announced Saturday in an update. He was initially charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license in connection to the incident.

Further investigation has revealed that Doyle was operating his vehicle at approximately 106 miles per hour five seconds prior to crashing into Mr. Buchers vehicle, and subsequently impacted Mr. Buchers vehicle at a rate of approximately 65 mph, the prosecutors office said in a summary on the upgraded charges.

The posted speed limit on Route 37 west is 50 miles per hour, authorities noted.

Emergency workers brought Doyle to an area hospital to be treated for a broken femur and possible head injuries.

Doyle disregarded a red light while traveling west on Route 37 when he slammed into drivers side of Buchers small SUV, which was headed south on Romana Lane, officials said.

Doyle was also issued summonses for driving while suspended, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, and failure to observe traffic control device.

Witnesses told investigators Doyle was driving erratically before the crash. Police said he was slurring his speech and had constricted pupils at the scene.

The results of the blood draw are pending.

He will be brought to the Ocean County jail after being discharged from the hospital. Attorney information wasnt immediately available.

Doyle was sentenced to more than seven and a half months in jail in 2018 for driving with a suspended license, according to court records.

Staff writer Steven Rodas contributed to this report.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Arctic temperatures and an impending snowstorm did not stop members of the Albanian community from turning out for a fashion show to raise money to fight pediatric cancer.

Guests began arriving at the 103-year-old, historically landmarked Grand Colony Hall in Seaview at 5 p.m., for an evening filled with models showcasing dazzling evening gowns.

Adelina Veliu, a board member of the Albanian organization Zeri Yne - Our Voice, said she helped put together the event, a first for the organization, to showcase local designers, build community, and raise money for childhood cancer, with over $3,000 already donated to Hassenfeld Childrens Hospital at NYU Langone.

Zeri Yne - Our Voice, which has members throughout New York City and New Jersey, primarily serves the Albanian community in Staten Island, specifically the Dibran population.

In welcoming the guests, Velie said, Tonight, we gather our community together with a meaningful purpose. We bring the worlds of fashion, beauty, and talent together for the sake of charity. Tonight, beauty & compassion take center stage.

Leunora Abdulai started the organization twenty years ago as an informal group of women focused on charity and celebrating International Womens Day.

Abdulai explained that as the organization grew, they registered as a nonprofit organization. We are a public charity. We share family values and like to help people in need, and unfortunately, nowadays, there are so many people in need of help.

The show featured two honored guests, Gabriella Marinelli, Miss Staten Island 2026, and Samantha Sarelli, Miss Globe USA 2025.

Marinelli, who lives in Dongan Hills and works as an assistant producer for ABCs Good Morning America show, praises the Albanian community for its positive economic impact, noting their success as business owners and the recent boom in new shops and restaurants.

She went on to say, In recent years, the Albanian community has really boomed on Staten Island. And I have to say, they are all great business owners. They help fuel our local economy, and they bring really hard workers to the community.

Sarelli, the first Albanian-American to hold the title of Miss Globe USA, explained that she is the daughter of immigrants who instilled in her the value of giving back.

She emphasized her desire for a legacy of purpose beyond beauty and glamor, detailing her extensive work over the last six years to combat human trafficking. I was first inspired to do this work because one of my mothers friends was trafficked in Albania.

Sarelli continued by saying, My message tonight for all the women in the room is whatever your talent may be, whether thats business, politics, law, education, art, or motherhood, use it for something bigger than you.

I truly believe that when women really use our voices, we can come together to change the world and make it a better place. But we do that when we uplift one another, when we believe in one another, and we stand by one another.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A newly constructed building on Hylan Boulevard has sparked curiosity from residents due to its lack of signage and frosted door.

Located at 301 Garretson Ave., the Dongan Hills building was once Virginia Funeral Chapel.

According to previous reporting by the Advance/SILive.com, the property was sold with a deed restriction stating that the building could not be used as a funeral home in the future.

The property, according to the Department of Finance, is now owned by Yonkers-based St. Josephs Medical Center.

When an Advance/SILive.com reporter visited the facility, employees confirmed that St. Josephs operates the site, which is officially called Austin House. However, they could not disclose details about the site due to HIPPA laws.

Austin House is a residential facility meant for men and women with mental health problems or who are battling addiction.

St. Josephs principal location on Staten Island is 1216 Bay St., Rosebank.

The Bay Street location did not return a request for comment on details of this new facility, but according to the website, the organization provides a variety of services that include medical care, addiction recovery and transitional housing.

It is unclear how many people are residing at the Austin House at this point in time.

The Advance/SILive.com reached out to the New York City Department of Health for more information on the facility, but was redirected to the New York City Department of Social Services.

At the time of publication, DSS did not return did not return a request for comment from the Advance/SILive.com.

How to reach out

"As a born-and-raised Staten Islander, I know the issues that plague borough residents, whether it be torn-up sidewalks or unplowed streets," said Reporter Jillian Delaney. STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

I want to hear from all of you about the things that dont make national headlines, but are of utmost importance to Staten Islanders.

If youd like to reach out, please email me at jdelaney@siadvance. Put #fyiSI in the email subject line and include your name, neighborhood and contact phone number.

Want to tag us on social media? Use #fyiSI on all your quality of life posts.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Staten Island Zoo, West Brighton, will welcome the public to its annual Groundhog Day ceremony on Monday, Feb. 2, when Staten Island Chuck emerges to predict whether spring will arrive early or winter will linger.

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. at the zoos Broadway entrance, with the program beginning at 8 a.m. Chuck will make his appearance and deliver his forecast at 8:30 a.m. Admission is free from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Zoo Executive Director Ken Mitchell will announce Chucks prediction alongside elected officials, dignitaries. Citizens, which is presenting the event, will be represented by Yajaira Hafley, Tri-State Metro Retail Market executive.

Students from Susan E. Wagner High School will attend the ceremony as part of an educational initiative that positions Chuck as an ambassador for weather science and meteorology. The students will monitor local weather conditions from Feb. 2 through March 20, the first day of spring, to test the accuracy of Chucks forecast.

According to legend, groundhogs emerge from winter hibernation on Feb. 2. If the groundhog sees its shadow and retreats to its burrow, six more weeks of winter are predicted. If it doesnt see its shadow, an early spring is forecast. Chuck has proven accurate more than 78% of the time, according to the Staten Island Zoo.

The ceremony will take place outside the zoos main building at 614 Broadway.

The Groundhog Day ceremony, weather science educational programs, and care for Chuck are sponsored by Citizens.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Amazon will begin another round of layoffs next week as it continues its pursuit of 30,000 job cuts, Reuters reported Friday.

The news follows an October round of layoffs that saw 14,000 white-collar employees notified of their job loss, also first reported by Reuters.

Amazon did not respond to an Advance/SILive.com request for comment by the time of publication, and declined comment to Reuters.

While most of the tech giants 1.5 million employees work in warehouses and fulfillment centers like the giant developments on Staten Islands West Shore, the corporate job cuts represent about a 10% trim of Amazons corporate work force.

The company has blamed the growth of artificial intelligence for the layoffs, with Senior Vice President Beth Galetti writing in an October corporate letter that the generation of AI is the most transformative technology weve seen since the Internet, and its enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before.

The cuts reported by Reuters Friday are expected to impact the companys Amazon Web Services, retail, Prime Video and human resources employees.

Layoffs.fyi, a website that tracks job cuts in the tech industry, reported nearly 124,000 job losses last year across 269 companies.
Chef Frank Puleo, owner of Catering by Framboise, spreads love through food.

Originally a teacher, Puleo started his career with the New York City Department of Education. A graduate of New Dorp High School, Puleo went on to Brooklyn College to pursue a degree in education. Fluent in Italian, Puleo decided to become an Italian teacher, and during his junior year, he had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Florence.

When I was at the University of Florence, I was supposed to be studying language and literature, but living in Florence, how do you not learn about the food there? said Puleo. I worked with a couple of cooking teachers while I was there and got to bake bread for the monks at San Miniato al Monte. But then I had to come back to New York to get my teaching license.

During his senior year at Brooklyn College, Puleo began student teaching at the now defunct South Shore High School in Canarsie, and he immediately made a name for himself there. Upon graduating and obtaining his teaching license, Puleo started teaching at South Shore High School full-time, connecting with both students and teachers alike and quickly gaining the trust of the administration.

Just five years into teaching, Puleo became an assistant principal at the young age of 26. Spending much of his time managing teachers and very little time with the students, Puleo began questioning his path as an educator. After a year of serving as an assistant principal and a total of six years at South Shore High School, Puleo decided to start his career anew.

Pivoting to his true passion of food, Puleo went back to the University of Florence to study under the renowned Italian chef, Giuliano Bugialli. Eventually becoming Bugiallis assistant, Puleo spent an additional six months in Florence learning Florentine cuisine before returning to New York to work in restaurants.

In 1979, Puleo began his first culinary job working as a chef at Manhattan Market, an up-and-coming Upper East Side food establishment led by restauranteur Robert Schapiro and chef David Liederman, who later started Davids Cookies.

We were catering the party for the release of Davids cookbook, and Julia Child was a guest there. She was an absolute idol, so for a chef, this was a dream, reminisces Puleo. Julia Child loved young American chefs, that was just her thing, so she wrote about me to Mimi Sheraton at the New York Times and Tony Spinazzola at the Boston Globe. She helped me get my name out there.

Shortly after meeting Julia Child, Puleo got an offer to work as head chef at the brand-new DeMarco Restaurant in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he eventually became a part-owner. Puleo continued working at DeMarco for another year, when he decided to open his own storefront on Staten Island.

Framboise, modeled after a high-end French restaurant just outside of Chicago, opened on Forest Avenue in 1981 in a charming late-Victorian house-turned-eatery. Instantly attracting the attention of well-known industry professionals, Framboise quickly became a go-to for unlikely food combinations and innovative French-Italian inspired dishes. It was at this time that Puleo also hired Frank Lombardi, an emerging Staten Island chef who helped Puleo shape Framboise.

In 1985, a client of mine asked me to cater a party for Brooklyn Union Gas at the Brooklyn Museum for a thousand people, and that was my first catered event, says Puleo. I came home and said to my wife, This is what I want to do. She told me to put the restaurant up for sale and pursue catering.

In 1986, Puleo officially opened Catering by Framboise. Starting with small dinner parties and later taking on much larger events with over 100 waitstaff, Catering by Framboise took off throughout the tri-state area. With Puleo and Lombardi at the helm, Catering by Framboise became a household name.

We were catering a party at Snug Harbor, and one of the buses coming from Manhattan was late, so we kept the hors doeuvres going an hour and a half longer than they were scheduled. Somebody came into the kitchen and asked how we still had food, and I said, This is what we do, we make it work, says Puleo. It turns out that he was in charge of hospitality for the Olympics, and he asked me to cater for the Atlanta games. After that, they kept asking us to come back. We catered a total of seven Olympic Games.

In addition to the Olympics, Puleo has catered all around the United States, bringing his food across the country to companies like Microsoft and serving icons like Connie Francis and Frank Sinatra. Puleo has also served as an incredible influence for the many hundreds of employees that he has worked with and supported over the years, often employing generations of families.

Puleo is also the in-house caterer for The Noble Maritime Collection at Snug Harbor, as well as a member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Puleo serves on the Board of Directors for the SEARCH Foundation, Community Agency for Senior Citizens, and the International Caterers Association. Through ICA, Puleo leads culinary learning journeys a few times per year, taking 30 caterers to different sites around the world to eat and learn.

For his accomplishments, Puleo is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which he will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards, which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance, honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader.

Getting to serve people is the best part about my job, said Puleo. I get to make people feel like guests in their own homes, and I really get the opportunity to build a relationship with my clients. Ive watched some of them grow up and have their own kids, and its an honor to be able to feed people, especially on Staten Island.

Quick facts about Chef Frank Puleo

Current occupation and title: Owner, Catering by Framboise, Inc.

Hometown: Dongan Hills

Past occupation/s and titles: Former assistant principal, Bilingual Education, and teacher of foreign language, South Shore High School Brooklyn.

Community involvement: Second vice president of Community Agency for Senior Citizens, treasurer of the International Caterers Educational Foundation, treasurer of the SEARCH Foundation, former board member of Project Hospitality.

Some of my life goals include: Continue to travel to foreign lands.

The best part of my job: Working with my team at Framboise.

The most difficult part of my job: Continually training new staff.

My life philosophy: Listen. It is amazing what you can learn by just listening to people.

I am most proud of: Having catered seven Olympic games for the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Something that few people know about me: I am a Quaker, and while I do not attend meetings for worship on a regular basis, I still up-hold the beliefs and principles of the religion.

The quality I like best about myself: The ability to work with and communicate with people of all cultures and beliefs.

Personal interests and hobbies: Cooking and travel.

I laugh at: Most things.

I am really good at: Learning new languages.

I admire: Open-minded people.

Some important things I would like you to know about me: I am user-friendly. I am still a teacher at heart and I love sharing knowledge  especially with younger people.
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BusinessEntrepreneurshipLegal Cannabis Medicinal cannabis dispensaries like Aesop: The rise of high street weed boutiques Jessica Yun January 25, 2026  11:09am 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 Melbournes cosmopolitan South Yarra is a glossy glass-walled dispensary. Wood-panelled shelves are lined with pothos plants, palm-sized boxes and protein powder-looking packets. Its a fully licensed pharmacy, but the casual browser could easily mistake it for a high-end skincare boutique. It happens all the time. We get a lot of walk-in patients who dont know what we are. A lot of the times they think were like Aesop, says pharmacist and Astrid Clinic and Dispensary founder Lisa Nguyen. Lisa Nguyen, pharmacist, founded Astrid Healthcare, a medicinal cannabis dispensary with outlets in South Yarra and Byron Bay. Danielle Smith Founded in 2021, Astrid was one of the first of a growing number of upscale medicinal cannabis dispensaries that are starting to pop up on Australias busiest shopping strips. An eight-minute walk away from Astrid is boutique pharmacy V22 Dispensary. In Sydneys Enmore, there is High St, a mustard-yellow shopfront that has the vibe of a record store; 500 metres up the road in Newtown is True Green Dispensary, where you can only purchase things such as incense, hemp seed oil or skincare made from tallow  unless you have a script for something stronger.

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Its a far cry from the traditional pharmacy presided over by a dour man in a white coat, or the harsh fluorescent lights and raw concrete floors of a Chemist Warehouse. Sleek and inviting, the new boutiques are staffed by registered pharmacists and cater to the 2.4 million Australians who are turning to marijuana through legal means, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfares latest household survey on drug use. More than one in 10 (11.6 per cent of) Australians consumed a combined 7.4 million units of medicinal cannabis products last year, according to Penington Institutes Cannabis in Australia 2025 report. By 2023, Australians are forecast to spend $1.3 billion on medicinal cannabis, according to market research firm IMARC Group. Five years after opening Astrid, Nguyen still gets DMs from people who seek advice on how to open a high-end specialist pharmacy of their own. So many people are starting to do it now, she says. The front entrance of High St, a medical cannabis dispensary in Enmore, Sydney. KATE GERAGHTY These dispensaries can appear both alluring and mysterious. Its not immediately clear what they dispense: you wont find references to weed, marijuana, pot or even cannabis. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) prohibits the advertising of any prescription-only medicine, including cannabis, forcing dispensaries to market their services using hazy phrases like alternative medicine, natural therapies and holistic health.

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The prohibition is designed to safeguard the doctor-patient relationship over commercial interests, where advertising and marketing can drive consumer demand for medication that doesnt suit them or is too expensive. If you are a business that promotes treatment services, you need to take care to ensure that you are not, in addition to promoting your services, also promoting medicinal cannabis, the TGA states. Fear of regulatory scrutiny has forced specialist dispensaries to hide in plain sight. Its very, very discreet. Theres not even a picture of the cannabis plant, because you cant advertise that, says Nguyen. That social stigma around cannabis has decreased a lot. That doesnt mean its gone, she added. The industry is moving very rapidly, in terms of products. There are so many more patients now, so many products, but the policy is slow. True Green Health Dispensary on King Street in Newtown, NSW. KATE GERAGHTY

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In the weeds For the uninitiated, medicinal cannabis dispensaries can create confusion because they dont fall neatly into two categories people grasp more intuitively: a traditional pharmacy, or a recreational weed store you might walk into in San Francisco or Amsterdam. None of the items on open display contain cannabis. As with any prescription medicine, you must present a script to a pharmacist. About 80 per cent of Australias 6000 community pharmacies have dispensed medicinal cannabis at least once, but many doctors remain hesitant to prescribe cannabis. Most products are not officially registered with the TGA. Weve seen a concentration of medicinal cannabis prescribing among a smaller number of GPs and nurse practitioners and pharmacists. I suspect that the bricks-and-mortar services are one way of accessing patients, says public-health think tank Penington Institute chief executive John Ryan.

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There are a lot of plain-Jane access points, telehealth access points. I think these services are more geared to try create a niche within that ecosystem of prescribers. Editor's pick Investigation

Legal Cannabis Cannabis Inc: Australias booming medicinal weed industry The inviting atmosphere of a health and wellness centre can convert an onlookers curiosity into conversation and address lingering taboos around cannabis. They could also lure in new customers. [The dispensary] makes it real, makes it accessible. There are so many online businesses that dont seem real, says Nguyen. So much of Astrid is people coming in and knowing all of our pharmacists and doctors by name. We know all their backgrounds. Its a community. Incidental conversations between fellow patients can lead to more. Weve even had people start dating.

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A medicinal cannabis patient may feel uncomfortable visiting a normal chemist because of inherited stigma around cannabis, says Penington Institutes Ryan. Leaf Doctor sign at the rear of True Green Health Dispensary located on King Street in Newtown, NSW. KATE GERAGHTY You can imagine that from the patient journey perspective, getting this calming health spa vibe is probably addressing their own internalised anxiety around medicinal cannabis, he says. This new wave of Australian dispensaries are taking their design cues from more mature overseas markets like the US. It was the whole rebrand  taking it from the street into a clinic in a legal setting, says social impact investor Kyah Bell. But many of these clinics appear to be using the same pricing models around initial consults, follow-up consults and product pricing, she added.

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Healthcare and wellness has been earmarked as an economic megatrend for years. Chemist Warehouses $32 billion back-door float made billionaires of its pharmacist founders. More broadly, the Australians rapid uptake of weight loss drugs Mounjaro and Wegovy has highlighted just how money there is to be made in the healthcare sector. Many of Australias largest cannabis businesses operate online, operating via video-call consultations with doctors and shipping direct from a pharmacy. But that has opened a lane for the dedicated medicinal cannabis dispensaries to carve out their own share of the market with unique brands and inviting stores. Competition has a lot to do with the design, because everybodys trying to own part of that market, says Bell. I rarely see any other GP clinics advertising in the same way that cannabis clinics are. Not quite legal

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Australias peculiar patchwork rules around cannabis consumption and advertising has bred a reluctance among clinics and dispensaries to attract attention for fear of falling afoul of the rules. When contacted by this masthead, Sydneys High St and True Green Dispensary declined to be interviewed. Related Article Exclusive

Investigations Theres a loophole in telehealth  the industry drove a Mack truck through it Recreational use is still an offence everywhere in Australia bar the ACT, despite legalisation of medicinal cannabis a decade ago. Criminal suppliers are making over $5 billion a year from the illicit market, and billions spent on enforcing outdated and counterproductive criminalisation laws have not dented supply or use, according to Penington Institutes Cannabis in Australia 2025 report. In the best of worlds, we would have had a regulated market for adult use cannabis simultaneously with medicinal cannabis for people with genuine health conditions that need treatment, says Ryan. Its a very bumpy, lumpy sort of way of approaching regulation of this substance.

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Reports of those who are gaming the system have been widely publicised: a proliferating telehealth industry has sparked concerns about unsafe practices after this masthead revealed that a single doctor wrote 72,000 prescriptions to 10,000 patients in two years. Therapeutic Goods Administration chief medical adviser Robyn Langham raised concerns about the abuse of medical prescriptions for recreational use. Most doctors behave very responsibly, but some of them dont, and the ones that dont need to be chased down, says Ryan. They wreck the reputation of the whole sector. Many of Nguyens patients are dealing with complex pain issues, like endometriosis patients who also have insomnia or anxiety. Having a clinic and a dispensary in the same premise means health professionals and pharmacists can accompany the patient throughout the entire process. We have the whole experience down pat, she says. Some walk-ins will say cannabis is not for them, but most interactions are educational.

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Most of them are like, my mums got arthritis. Do you think it will be helpful? Thats a very common question. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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BusinessWorkplaceAI Computer says no: AI vetting rejects job hunters in record time Millie Muroi and Tim Biggs January 26, 2026  5:03am 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

Job hunters whose applications are being rapidly knocked back are airing their frustration as experts warn of the discriminatory risks of relying too heavily on AI for hiring. In a LinkedIn post last week, Victoria-based human resources professional Leighan Morrell said that after being rejected within two hours of applying for a job, she suspected the company involved was using AI in its hiring process. AI interviews, including chatbot interviews are being adopted by some employers. I am absolutely shocked and baffled, she said. I applied for the role at 1.13pm today, it is now 3.17pm, and I have just been rejected from the role. How can a recruiter review my application along with all the others and reject me within two hours? Morrell said her experience matched the job description to a tee and that it was obvious the business was using AI.

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In fact, I have more experience that the role required, she said in the post. I think it took me longer to write the application than it did for them to reject me. It is my new record for a rejection, previously it was five hours. HR professional Leighan Morrell said she suspects she has been screened out by AI in a job application. Companies are increasingly relying on AI throughout the hiring process, from scanning and screening CVs to conducting one-way chat and video interviews. Sapia, a long-running AI interview platform, has conducted 9 million AI interviews for clients including Qantas, Woolworths, Bunnings and other major employers. It claims its interview platform improves the experience for hiring teams and potential hires, with a 95 per cent satisfaction rate among job seekers. Interviewees conduct a text chat with an AI agent, which provides details on the company and position, describes how data from the chat will be used, warns against copying or generating text, and asks five questions  such as describe a time you overcame a challenge or where do you see yourself in five years?  that the interviewee is encouraged to answer using 50 to 100 words with no time limit.

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Sapia founder Barb Hyman says the results from the platform are more equitable because it doesnt capture demographic information such as age, gender or appearance, drawing only from the responses in the interview. Editor's pick AI Job hunters warned against machine gun applications as AI takes off In hiring, particularly high-volume hiring, theres just a huge amount of bias, she says. Sapia is built on fairness. Everyone gets an interview, everyone gets to share their story of who they are, in their words and in their own time. Theres no personal data. Its a truly blind, fair way to evaluate someone. Australian HR Institute chief executive Sarah McCann-Bartlett says while some candidates are frustrated by the increasing use of AI by employers and getting screened out, it was also being used purposefully by firms looking to reduce bias. Interestingly, some employers are now stripping out personal information from CVs and applications, using AI, so that those making the decision dont show unconscious bias based on gender, where the candidate lives, how old they are, or their ethnicity, she says.

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However, Hyman acknowledges that while there are very mature clients at Sapia with high levels of understanding about how to make responsible decisions with AI, many are still new to the technology. Theres a whole 90 per cent of the market, Id say, that are just buying without necessarily that level of scrutiny, she says. Australian Services Union national secretary Emeline Gaske says workers are deeply concerned about AIs role in the hiring process for good reason. We know algorithms are riddled with bias and prejudice. Thats why we need human judgment, not just machines making recruitment decisions. Adelaide University associate professor in human resource management Connie Zheng, who has studied the use of AI in hiring, says there is still a clear need for human oversight and legal guardrails.

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We found organisational guidelines and legal requirements such as non-discriminative human resources policies, are more effective [than AI] in improving diversity and inclusion, she says, along with having HR managers who are conscious of diversity. We found AI didnt make much of a difference. Editor's pick Opinion

AI Want to get your dream job? Youll need to impress AI first Research by University of Melbourne lawyer Natalie Sheard found employers using AI hiring systems to screen and shortlist candidates risked engaging in algorithm-facilitated discrimination. The limited data used to train these systems can solidify traditional forms of discrimination by failing to reflect the diversity of the population, she says, as well as creating new forms of discrimination and paving the way for intentional discrimination. Sheard says algorithm-facilitated discrimination is especially problematic because the predictions and outcomes generated from these systems are often difficult to contest and the processes they use tend to be opaque. The federal government has pledged $30 million to establish an AI Safety Institute aimed at monitoring, testing and sharing information on emerging AI uses, risks and harms, and in December, introduced a national AI plan setting out voluntary guardrails in the adoption of generative AI.

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However, Sheard says the government needs to review and reform discrimination laws to adequately protect job seekers. If we do not want disadvantaged groups to be subject to algorithm-facilitated discrimination, we need to take urgent action, she said. Get workplace news, advice and perspectives to help make your job work for you. Sign up for our weekly Thank God its Monday newsletter.
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Editorial NationalNSWAustralia Day A party to celebrate a blessed and bountiful nations past and present The Herald's View January 26, 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

Australia Day is essentially a celebration of our nation-building. Like Anzac Day, it is a day that has gathered into itself an increasing complexity as the national understanding of Australian life and history has deepened. It allows us to count our blessings, reflect on our vexed history and understand that, despite tensions and criticisms, our shared values offer strength and unity. Sydney Olympics star Cathy Freeman will receive the Companion of the Order of Australia. Reuters This Mondays national day is special because it comes just over a month after our sense of self was shattered by unexpected home-grown terrorism. It follows Thursdays National Day of Mourning, when many paused to honour those who died or were wounded in the December 14 Bondi Beach terrorist attack. Australia Day is an opportunity to reflect on that tragedy while our governments work out how to lessen the likelihood of a recurrence.

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This year, the Sydney Opera House will glow at dawn with an Indigenous artwork; later, there will be a live night concert on the forecourt, ferries racing on the harbour, citizenship ceremonies and 150 events around NSW. For Indigenous Australians, things are different. Australia Day commemorates Governor Arthur Phillips landing at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788. For them, its invasion day. They mark the day at the Yabun festival in Hyde Park. Related Article Opinion

Australia Day On Australia Day, we can acknowledge the past without being trapped by it Aunty Munya Andrews Indigenous elder European arrival reduced the lives of both dispossessed First Nations peoples and expelled convicts. Undeterred, the Australian Natives Association (a lobby group for white people born in Australia) pushed for a memorial and the date was chosen as Australia Day in 1931. It wobbled on fitfully until 1988, when bicentenary protests about Aboriginal dispossession pushed into the public consciousness. Then prime minister John Howard forcefully defended the day against criticism  and bunting and beers became the Australian way of January 26. There are many good reasons to celebrate. We have a vibrant democracy and successful multicultural society. On a world comparison, we have a high standard of living and a culture of egalitarianism. Australians have achieved international success in virtually every field of activity.

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Younger Australians have embraced it in recent years and made it joyous rather than commemorative, with fervent displays of patriotism that sometimes teeter toward xenophobia. Its not that Australians love their country any more or less than previous generations, but it seems the laconic, understated, bronzed Australians of old have been replaced by those who believe in the need for a positive and public affirmation of national pride. Related Article Analysis

Australia Day We have to put out the message of unity: Freemans road to AC honour Today, the flag-raising is complemented by Australia Day honours acknowledging the contribution to national life of Australians from all walks of life. Among this years AC recipients are Chief Justice of NSW Andrew Bell, Indigenous athlete Cathy Freeman, quantum physicist Michelle Simmons, climate change scientist Peter Cook, former politicians Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and OECD secretary-general Mathias Cormann, and arts patron Paula Fox. Former NSW premier Kristina Keneally received an AO. Todays events, from solemn to festive, are evidence that Australia Day is more than a holiday. It is a day to cheer the Australian way of life and honour ourselves as a nation that has survived past and present sadness and marches on. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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NationalNSWDomestic violence Sophie Quinns death shows justice system is running blind Clare Sibthorpe and Michael McGowan January 26, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The justice system is running blind in spotting domestic violence risks, the sectors peak body has said, as the Minister for Western NSW refused to respond to a push by the opposition for further bail law changes, following an alleged triple murder in regional NSW. Heavily pregnant 24-year-old Sophie Quinn was allegedly shot to death on Thursday by her former partner, Julian Ingram, in the Central West town of Lake Cargelligo. Also killed were her 50year-old aunt, Nerida Quinn, and her 32-year-old friend, John Harris. Kaleb Macqueen, 19, was seriously injured. Ingram remains on the run. From left: Sophie Quinn, 24; Nerida Quinn, 50; and friend John Harris, 32, were killed on Thursday. The tragedy unfolded two years after the murder of 28-year-old Forbes woman Molly Ticehurst by her former boyfriend, Daniel Billings, which sparked sweeping bail reforms. Amid calls for more stringent bail law changes, Domestic Violence NSW senior policy and advocacy officer Angie Gehle said these would not provide a quick fix for the national crisis and a justice system operating in a vacuum.

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In response to Billings being on bail for domestic violence offences at the time he murdered Ticehurst, the NSW government passed legislation in 2024 that made it harder for people accused of serious domestic violence offences to be released back into the community. The onus was placed on the alleged offender to argue why they should be released for alleged serious domestic violence offences, which include intimate partner violence involving sexual assault, strangulation, kidnapping or coercive control, and which carry maximum sentences of 14 years or more. Those granted bail would be fitted with electronic monitoring bracelets. On Friday, this masthead revealed that Ingram was, like Billings, on bail for domestic violence charges (including stalking and assault) at the time of his alleged triple-murder, sparking questions about the effectiveness of the bail reforms. Ingrams bail was granted by police in November and it was continued in court in December, as his charges did not meet the legal threshold of serious domestic violence offences under the new laws.

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Court records show Ingram had been issued six AVOs, protecting five people, including Quinn, since 2014. On Sunday, NSW shadow attorney general Damien Tudehope said the circumstances of the shooting suggested there needed to be further legal changes to lower the threshold for what amounted to a serious offence. The manhunt for Julian Ingram continues. NSW Police Tudehope suggested the law could be changed to require people with histories of domestic violence to wear the monitoring bracelets even in cases that did not meet the serious threshold. I think the loophole relating to electronic monitoring probably does need tightening in circumstances where there have been previous AVOs or offences relating to domestic violence, he said, adding Ingrams access to a firearm, despite his not holding a gun licence in NSW, raised questions about the enforcement of the states licensing regime.

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Also on Sunday, the Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty refused to comment directly on whether the government would consider further bail reforms, including expanding which factors could trigger a refusal of bail, citing the ongoing manhunt. But, she said that if there needs to be further work done, well have a look at it. Molly Ticehurst was killed in April 2024. However, Gehle said further bail law changes, including lowering the threshold for serious offences, would not be a quick fix. While agreeing it was an issue that the bail reforms did not cover crimes with lesser punishments, she said a wider problem was the lack of reliable and current information courts have to make risk assessments.

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When somebodys coming before the court  and this is where the legal system is really tricky  they can only look at the matter that is in front of them and a bit of history, but sometimes not the contextual history that actually will give information about risk, she said. Related Article Exclusive

Crime Accused triple murderer bailed on domestic violence charges weeks before death of gentle mother-to-be That is problematic because youre only getting ... a quarter of the picture. This meant the legal system was operating in a vacuum, Gehle said. She called for more involvement of domestic family and specialist knowledge in police stations and courts (while respecting confidentiality and safety), noting victim-survivors often share crucial information with support services. One such risk factor was the escalating rates of domestic violence against pregnant women, as some perpetrators felt a loss of control over women when they diverted attention elsewhere.

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Its really complex. The judiciary is sort of running blind in terms of those risk factors, and I think thats some of that integrated stuff that really needs to come into play. Gehle said some survivors had been misidentified as the perpetrator and could be sent into custody on remand if the offence threshold was lowered, while suggesting there were opportunities for improved mens behavioural programs to be integrated with the justice system. NSW police tactical operations unit officers searching for Julian Ingram at Lake Cargelligo. Kate Geraghty Gehle acknowledged that in a climate of over-stretched courts, allocating adequate time to assess risks more thoroughly would be challenging. But ultimately, she said, change could not stem from the justice system alone, echoing concerns earlier raised by DVNSW CEO Delia Donovan about poor access to survivor support services, emergency housing and police support in regional areas.

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We are at a crisis point, Gehle said. Weve been at a crisis point for a really long time ... Enough is enough. This has got to be a whole of government systems approach. Criminal lawyer and Law Society of NSW accredited specialist Andrew Tiedt echoed the point about stretched courts resources, but he said the bail laws did a good job of trying to balance a persons right to liberty and community protection. I think making more resources available to put more material in front of the magistrate is a great idea, he said. But there is so much work, and there are only X many magistrates ... theres only so many hours in the day.

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On Friday, Western Region Command Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland defended the decision to grant Ingram police bail, saying he had complied with all conditions and that he had no other violent charges in the past five years. Related Article Domestic violence Bail laws were reformed after Molly Ticehursts murder. Did they fail Sophie Quinn? Victims of crime advocate Howard Brown called for the risk assessment to date back at least a decade, as well as the lowering of the serious crime threshold and an expansion of the electronic monitoring program to cover a wider range of DV charges. When you get to a point where theres very little supervision, thats when the person becomes more dangerous, he said. Under Ingrams bail conditions, he was required to report to local police daily.

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In December, DVNSW released research that found the cost of delivering victim support services was almost nine times higher outside metropolitan areas. It called for a 50 per cent increase in funding for core support services, along with additional funding for regional providers. The report found regional areas often had DV rates five and six times worse than metropolitan Sydney, and that service providers were responding to unprecedented demand, often operating several times above their funded capacity. But Moriarty defended NSW Labors investment in domestic violence prevention, saying the government had invested significant resources into services. As a government, well continue to look at the services that need to be provided, but the message couldnt be clearer, people need to stop attacking women in NSW and everywhere else, she said. Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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NationalQueenslandExtreme weather Brisbane set for hottest Australia Day in 27 years Catherine Strohfeldt January 25, 2026  2:42pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Brisbane will sizzle through the last day of the school holidays with a 27-year record likely to be broken as severe heatwave conditions sweep across the city for Mondays Australia Day public holiday. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a heatwave warning for most of Australias east coast up to the Wide Bay region, with low-to-severe heatwave conditions expected in Brisbane and the south-east well into next week. Senior meteorologist Christine Johnson said Brisbane could expect the hottest Australia Day this century, adding the last time the public holiday was similarly hot was in 1998. Brisbane is predicted to get its hottest Australia Day in 27 years, as heatwave conditions sweep the south-east. Glenn Hunt The weather bureau said Brisbanes built areas could expect conditions in the mid-to-high 30s on Monday, with the CBD hitting 33 degrees during Sundays peak and 38 on Monday.

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Suburbs to the citys south and south-west were forecast to reach up to 37 also  including St Lucia, Darra, and Salisbury  and similar temperatures were expected out to Ipswich and Beaudesert. On Monday, the Sunshine Coast was expected to heat up to about 34 degrees, while the Gold Coast was forecast to reach 37. Energex urged those hiding from the sun to be careful about when they ran cooling devices, as an overload could force the system to shut off non-essential devices, such as hot water systems and air-conditioners, in a brown out. However, the supplier assured customers it was unlikely hot temperatures on Monday would lead to any outages. We have a robust electricity network and we have not experienced any heat-related outages, an Energy Queensland spokesman said.

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The provider said it experienced the highest demand ever on January 22 last year, when 5839 megawatts were pulled from the grid. Johnson said the conditions came from a low-pressure trough sweeping heat eastward from Western Australia, where it had built up all last week. Victoria faces conditions similar to those that were prevalent during 2009s Black Saturday bushfires. Ken Irwin The trough ... is now lingering over inland South Australia and Victoria, maintaining very hot air over NSW and southern Queensland, she said. From Wednesday, the heatwave conditions were expected to ease near the coast, including in Brisbane, but would linger in inland regions, where temperatures would likely remain above 40 until about Thursday.

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For coastal regions, Johnson said a cold front coming from the south would swing winds south-east, lowering temperatures but also bringing the chance of thunderstorms across next weekend. She said storms posed a risk of locally heavy rainfall and damaging winds, but the most intense rainfall was expected south-west of Brisbane, along the Scenic Rim. The same heatwave conditions were forecast to bring Victoria its hottest day ever, with parts of the state expected to hit 50 degrees. Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch warned parts of the state were expected to remain hotter than 40 degrees for up to seven consecutive days, likening the hot, dry conditions to those prevalent during 2009s Black Saturday bushfires. 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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NationalQueenslandMental health Craigs daughter stopped eating, talking and sleeping. What he did next could help other parents Courtney Kruk January 25, 2026  9:45am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

When Craig Stanley-Jones six-year-old daughter suddenly stopped talking, eating and sleeping, he was at a loss for where to turn for help, despite almost two decades working in mental health. The Brisbane dad called a 24-hour child and youth mental health support line. They told him his options were limited, encouraging him to ask for the Acute Response Team (ART) if they decided to take her to hospital. Raising Minds chief executive Craig Stanley-Jones hopes to help other parents and carers navigate the often complex youth mental health system. Courtney Kruk Days after their daughter became unwell, Stanley-Jones and his wife took her to emergency.

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We turned up at the hospital after making a call at 4 oclock in the morning, he says. We started telling the intake nurse about her symptoms  but she said, Im not sure if we can help you. She was about to turn us away [when I asked] about the ART team. And her face just lit up. Related Article Updated

Gender Kids public hospital gender care ban extended despite inherent risks Stanley-Jones daughter spent weeks in hospital and was later diagnosed with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. The episode was triggered by a combination of her neurodevelopmental conditions and a sharp change in routine. Just saying those words got us [into the hospital], but what if you were someone who just turned up and didnt have that information, how would you get your child help? Stanley-Jones says.

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He spoke to other people who had faced similar challenges navigating mental health systems for their kids. We decided we needed an organisation, and hence Raising Minds was formed in December 2022. From left to right: Raising Minds chief executive Craig Stanley-Jones, peer facilitation team leader Karen McCann and senior peer facilitator Sonya Farrugia. Courtney Kruk Raising Minds is a peer-led, lived-experience organisation offering workshops, information and resources. Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression affect an estimated one in seven Australian children aged between four and 17, with half of all adult mental illness beginning before the age of 14.

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Stanley-Jones estimated 50,000 young people  a stadium full of kids  in Queensland who, alongside their families and carers, would benefit from their work. Benefit in the sense of navigating the mental health system, finding the right service, [and] getting an understanding of the education system as well. While some parents home-school as a preference, Stanley-Jones says he hears from many families who have abandoned mainstream school as a result of their childs neurodevelopmental or mental health challenges. The difficulty in keeping a kid going to school or engaged in school is part of the journey, and some of our workshops are just focused on navigating the education system, he said.

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Home-schooling registrations have nearly doubled in Queensland since 2020, with about 11,800 students registered for home education as of August 2025. Related Article Education Home-school overhaul welcomed as state bows to parent power A survey of parents in 2023 revealed 61 per cent of the children being home-schooled in the state had a disability or health issue, including ADHD, autism or a mental health condition. Raising Minds has secured federal funding with Parent to Parent Association Qld Inc, a not-for-profit assisting people with disabilities and their families, to run the Resilience in Reach project which includes the delivery of nearly 60 workshops across Queensland. There are organisations working with parents, families, carers and kin in Queensland in the mental health space, but not in that child and youth space, which is very different, Stanley-Jones said.

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Not everyone has the resources or knows where to turn to. Were trying to provide the torch in terms of the way ahead for people to find their way. If you, or someone you know, needs support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. 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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NationalQueenslandHospitals State vows to cut surgery waitlist with $49.5 million funding boost Catherine Strohfeldt January 25, 2026  5:59pm 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 state government has pledged an additional $49.5 million to reduce Queenslands elective surgery waitlist by offloading public-sector patients through private hospitals. Speaking from Prince Charles Hospital, in Brisbanes north, Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the surgery waitlist had dropped about 7 per cent in the past year, and promised the funding would help treat another 5600 patients. This is life-changing surgeries for people, he said. Health Minister Tim Nicholls at the Prince Charles Hospital. Catherine Strohfeldt It means that they can walk their dog, they can take their kids to sporting events, they can get back to the gym, they can get back to enjoying their life.

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Nicholls said about 60 per cent of the funds would go towards Brisbane metro hospitals, while the remainder would help Queenslands regions. The targeted funding  which builds on $100 million delivered in 2025  will go in-part support the states Surgery Connect program, which provides state-funded subsidies on elective surgery at private hospitals. In 2024, the former state government also funded the program by $100 million. Nicholls said since July 2025, just over 13,100 patients were treated through the program, boosting the number of people treated from that same period the previous year by 131 per cent. He said of the several thousand surgeries expected to be delivered in 2026, 75 per cent of them would be through the Surgery Connect program.

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A chunk of the $49.5 million investment, Nicholls said, was also earmarked for working our own hospital theatres faster and putting more people through. Related Article Queensland Health Ambulance ramping rates improve but remain well below Crisafullis election pledge Here at the Prince Charles Hospital, [there is] an investment of almost $8 million in the Metro North Hospital health service region, he said. That can deliver over 800 more collective surgeries in this region. Labor accused the government of favouring the elective surgery waitlist at the expense of those waiting for specialist outpatient surgery.

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Opposition health spokesman Mark Bailey said the number of people waiting for outpatient specialist surgery had grown by 13 per cent  or about 40,000 additional people  since the government assumed power at the end of 2024. They need to knuckle down and deal with the outpatient situation, Bailey said. He conceded the government had improved the number of patients on elective surgery waitlists and welcomed the new investment, but called on the state to boost funding across the board. Nicholls said the claims of neglecting other waitlists were completely and utterly laughable, and said the former government had let the number of people awaiting elective surgeries balloon during their time in power. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Shark mitigation focus turns to Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour is the new focus for shark mitigation, with a $4 million funding boost to increase the number of bull sharks tagged and tracked.
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NationalVictoriaRetail The checkout challenge: How Melbournes retailers are battling a crime wave Madeleine Heffernan January 25, 2026  2:43pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

At Mecca in Melbournes CBD, shoppers dont have to search for staff. There are dozens of them, plus unobtrusive security guards. If theres violence or shoplifting at this store, its hard to find. But even the Mecca chain  which sells beauty products and services  was not immune to the record levels of theft, aggression and knife fights that plagued Victorian retail in 2025. In September, Meccas South Yarra store was ram-raided by a white van and robbed. A Patricia Piccinini artwork on display at the new Mecca flagship store in the Bourke Street Mall. Eddie Jim Last year, Victoria, which has 360,000 retail workers, saw everything from a stolen car speeding through Northland shopping centre to machete fights, CBD police chases and a woman allegedly smashing through the glass door of a Melbourne boutique. Police say retail staff deal with a crime every few minutes. Chris McKellar, Coles state general manager for Victoria, said in October the state had a crime epidemic. The crime wave roared back into public attention on December 17 when Woolworths Mordialloc went into lockdown after about 100 people stormed the store, tearing items off the shelves and flinging them down the aisles.

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Its called hide and seek, said Gerry Harvey, the billionaire chairman of homewares and electronics store Harvey Norman. Staff are told by every employer, including us, that when the thief comes in, Dont you take them on. Hide and seek, and let them take whatever they like, Harvey said. And the security man, if there is one, and there mostly isnt, he should not engage them either because he might get hurt. Now every crook knows that  because theyve done it before in most cases, its not their first offence. So, you now have a situation where you can go and steal, in the middle of the day, any time. The coppers dont catch them, they have a mask so no one knows who they are, and they get away it.

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Emboldened repeat offenders, organised crime, the cost-of-living crisis and the growth of self-checkouts have been blamed for the rise in theft. In worrying research for retailers, Monash University last year found young adults  often asset-poor, in insecure employment and priced out of housing  are much more tolerant of retail theft than older generations. So, what are retailers doing to minimise theft and violence? The responses are many and varied. Police say increases in grocery and alcohol theft have been driven by people struggling during the cost-of-living crisis. Louie Douvis They are removing knives from stores, giving staff body-worn cameras, boosting CCTV, moving registers, introducing security guards, putting desirable products out of public reach, and placing more employees around high-theft products. Just as importantly, retailers are investing in staff training around de-escalation and early intervention, which is helping prevent incidents from escalating and reducing risk for workers and customers alike, said Australian Retailers Association chief executive Chris Rodwell.

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Retail bodies are also pushing for repeat offenders to be banned from stores; statewide retail crime taskforces comprising government, police and retailers; and the controversial use of facial recognition technology. Then there are more subtle, higher-tech methods. Crime hot spot Highpoint shopping centre, in Maribyrnong in Melbournes west, is home to Coles loss innovation store. This store has Coles cutting-edge anti-theft technology, such as weighted shelves and cabinets that are unlocked remotely. The tech is rolled out in other stores depending on the need. Coles is using this technology to reduce theft Skip scan: Detects mis-scans at self-service registers

Detects mis-scans at self-service registers Produce recognition: Artificial intelligence shows likely produce items to speed up customer experience at self-service registers

Artificial intelligence shows likely produce items to speed up customer experience at self-service registers Bottom of trolley detection: Detects bulk items in a trolley to avoid customer having to lift them out of the trolley when using self-service registers

Detects bulk items in a trolley to avoid customer having to lift them out of the trolley when using self-service registers Move alert: Sensors that help to detect and deter theft

Sensors that help to detect and deter theft Weighted shelves (trial): Weight-based technology to detect and deter theft

Weight-based technology to detect and deter theft Availability cabinets (trial): Cabinets that are unlocked remotely, protecting high-value items Government, police, protective service officers and councils are responding to the surge in crime too. Facing political pressure over record crime, the Labor government passed legislation aimed at curbing violence and abuse against retail workers, with maximum penalties ranging from six months imprisonment to five years. But Sarah Gooding, operations director for Victoria and Tasmania at Woolworths, called for the Allan government to ban repeat offenders from stores as soon as possible. Our teams safety is non-negotiable, and well continue standing up for that, she said.

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In the Melbourne CBD, police officers from the public order response team gather to detect and deter crime. The City of Melbournes new community safety officers also wander city streets, on the lookout for anti-social and unsafe behaviour. Police  equipped with wands to detect knives and other dangerous items  and protective service officers have been patrolling Northland in Preston, Highpoint in Maribyrnong, Eastland Ringwood and Fountain Gate in Narre Warren. So far, daggers, batons and knives have been seized and more than 100 people arrested. In addition, industry groups including the Australian Retail Association are spending $7 million on advertising at retail precincts, cinemas, supermarkets and online to remind customers to be respectful to staff. The Shopping Centre Council said a similar campaign had improved customer behaviour last festive season. Unfortunately for merchants, the battle against theft and aggressive behaviour is far from over, said retail expert Trent Rigby. If youd asked me a few weeks ago, I probably would have said it had peaked. Now Im not so sure, said Rigby, who is director of RC Advisory.

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Unemployment has ticked up, household costs remain high, and expectations around rate cuts seem to have shifted back to the possibility of further rate rises in 2026. Photo: Bloomberg He said changes to store layout, register placement, product visibility and staff positioning tend to reduce theft while avoiding the customer backlash that comes with increased security measures. Youve also got the growth of self-checkouts over the last few years, which have been a big contributor to higher shrinkage across supermarkets and discount department stores, and many are now reassessing how heavily they rely on them, Rigby said. He said Kmart was reassessing its decision to put registers in the middle of the store, and security staff at exits, after customer feedback that they resented feeling like criminals.

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Analysis PoliticsFederalTrump diplomacy Anthony Albanese avoids tribalism and breaks with tradition in Rudd replacement Matthew Knott January 25, 2026  1:56pm 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

You certainly cant call it jobs for mates. Anthony Albanese has decided to resist the temptation to appoint a fellow Labor traveller to the nations most prestigious overseas posting, instead sending a veteran diplomat, former Liberal staffer and seasoned public servant to advance Australias interests in Donald Trumps Washington. Choosing Greg Moriarty is a commendable decision, and a risk-averse one. Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty during a Senate estimates hearing in 2024. Alex Ellinghausen Since respected bureaucrat Dennis Richardson returned home from the US capital in 2010, Labor and Liberal prime ministers have appointed a senior figure from their own side of politics to head Australias embassies in Washington and London. The prevailing thinking has been that you need to be a political animal with the prime ministers ear to succeed in these cutthroat roles. So Labor governments sent two former leaders (Kim Beazley and Kevin Rudd) while the Coalition sent two heavy hitters (Joe Hockey and Arthur Sinodinos).

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There was logic to this approach, but it relied on a standout candidate being ready and willing to take up the job. None of the former Labor ministers floated as a possible Rudd successor stood out as exceptional choices. Some  like former communications minister Steven Conroy  had made scathing comments about the US president, guaranteeing a repeat of the distracting focus on Rudds tweets blasting Trump. Related Article International affairs Defence secretary, former Turnbull aide to become next Australian ambassador to US Owing to his long career as a public servant, Moriarty has no social media posts to scrub or remarks he needs to retract. As well as making him a safe choice for the role, this sets him up to succeed in Trumps hyper-partisan and vindictive universe. Moriarty  a gravel-voiced, no-nonsense communicator  doesnt have Rudds gravitas, but neither is he weighed down by his baggage. Washington already has a main character, and doesnt need another one. A more low-key ambassador also makes sense now that Albanese has established a personal relationship with Trump and can, hopefully, get him on the phone when required. No wonder Greg Moriarty was renewed for another five years as defence secretary: he safeguards the Australian national interests and is a deeply trusted ally, Patrick Cronin, the Asia-Pacific security chair at the conservative Hudson Institute, wrote when Moriarty visited Washington two years ago. His steady performance during a visit to the US capital last week  essentially an audition for the ambassadorship  helped seal the deal. Showing his skills as a professional diplomat, Moriarty told a top think tank that the US alliance was more important than ever and praised Donald Trumps national security strategy as reassuring for Australia. While Albanese hasnt gone as far as appointing a former conservative politician to the post, he has admirably eschewed tribalism. As well as ambassador to Iran and Indonesia, Moriarty served as Malcolm Turnbulls top international affairs adviser and chief of staff. Hes no Labor stooge. After serving as head of the Defence Department since 2017, he knows the details of the AUKUS pact inside out and has built connections with key national security figures in Washington. Ensuring the Trump administration is focused on AUKUS will be his top priority, given the pact didnt rate a mention in its just released National Defence Strategy.

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Moriartys departure from Canberra will allow the Albanese government to put its own stamp on the Defence Department  a challenge as much as an opportunity. The government must now find a new department secretary, a head for its new Defence Delivery Agency, and a replacement for retiring Australian Submarine Agency boss Jonathan Mead, who is responsible for delivering AUKUS. Add to that, a new Australian Defence Force chief to succeed David Johnston. Related Article Analysis

Foreign relations Ambassador Rudd was always a high-reward, high-risk gamble (A Moriarty curiosity is that he has prospered at Defence, and even been reappointed by Labor, despite the widespread view his department is underwhelming and in need of reform after bungles such as the over-budget Hunter-class frigate program.) For all the focus on whether the US will sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, many defence experts say the biggest AUKUS question mark is Australias own capacity to deliver on the infrastructure and workforce needed to make the pact succeed. With China on the rise and the US increasingly unreliable, the task of making the Australian military fighting fit will be even more important and difficult than exerting influence in Washington. 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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PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Opinion Great politics and poor policy undid the Coalition. But one thing might have saved it Parnell Palme McGuinness Columnist and communications adviser January 25, 2026  5:00am

January 25, 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

There is, simply, no substitute for doing the work. Especially when youre in a challenger position. Particularly when your opponent is a maestro on the political tools. The Coalition is bust. Despite successfully holding the prime minister to account for his lacklustre and politicised response to the Bondi terror attack, it dissolved when parliament was finally recalled. And, as many commentators have correctly noted, the fragments formerly known as His Majestys opposition have no one but themselves to blame. Sussan Ley and David Littleproud. Monique Westermann Liberal leader Sussan Ley was right to call for parliament to be recalled urgently over summer. The job of running the country cant be done on the schedule of a French plumber. If something as serious as the mass slaughter of peaceful citizens takes place, there is no excuse not to go straight back to work. From December 15, or as soon after as practicable, the federal parliament should have been back in session, developing terms of reference for a royal commission into the failures which gave succour to antisemitism and allowed it to kindle into violence. Our elected representatives should have been working through details of how legislation needs to be improved to deal with violent religious and ideological extremism, as well as the failures of the gun licensing system. Instead, the prime minister spent a month denying the need for a royal commission.

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When he finally recalled parliament, just a smidge before the scheduled resumption in February, he dumped a U-Haul full of toxic waste into an omnibus bill on hate speech and gun control and demanded it be passed as a matter of urgency. The Coalition (RIP) naturally pushed back, as did the Greens. Everyone could see it was an improvised explosive device masquerading as draft legislation. The bill was split, but the flaws werent all fixed. Yet the Liberals caved to the political pressure being applied by the prime minister. Related Article Opinion

Political leadership Coalition crumbled, not by opposing One Nation, but by aping it Karen Middleton Political journalist They hadnt done the work they needed to over summer if they were to resist. Instead of going through existing hate speech legislation and considering whether it had weaknesses, consulting experts on whether there were areas that could reasonably be strengthened, as well as examining past judgments to discover why the existing laws had failed at the point of enforcement, the opposition contented itself that it was out-politicking the PM. There is no excuse for this. Of course, the opposition doesnt have the same resources available to the government. Sucks, doesnt it? Still, if you want to command the resources of government again, if you genuinely think you have a better case to run the country, you just have to do twice the work with half the inputs. Nor did it have the moxie to prepare a line to counter the prime ministers claim that they should pass a bill that still concerned many as a matter of urgency. There was an obvious one: Were behind schedule because doing this job properly takes weeks and thanks to the prime minister, were only just starting. But then, that might have highlighted the fact that the Coalition hadnt done any prep work either.

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Most who voted in favour of the bill seem no better able to articulate their reasons for doing so than those who didnt. The fact that many in the Jewish community wanted strengthened hate laws is not reason enough by itself to defend a vote for the bill. Nor is the danger of making the perfect the enemy of the good. These are valid considerations, but they are far from a coherent rationale. The press didnt expose this because it no longer expects politicians to think in paragraphs. Its a sign of how bad things have become. Nationals senator Matt Canavan did read the bill and, in the wake of the subsequent Coalition split, went on ABC TVs 7.30 to explain why he voted against it. A discussion between a parliamentarian and a journalist whod both read the legislation might have been informative. But interviewer David Speers wouldnt give Canavan the time to make his case or choke on his own words. Perhaps politics has succumbed to a culture of low expectations. Its becoming a pattern. At the beginning of 2023, the scope of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which Albanese had committed to as a legacy-defining issue, was unclear. After launching the wording for the referendum question in the middle of the previous year, the prime minister had, unaccountably, done absolutely no work to explain why this was the best formulation. Instead, we were told that everything we needed to know was in the Calma-Langton report. This was dutifully repeated by many media outlets. So I read the Calma-Langton report. It was less than 300 pages  not a big read for anyone who deals with policy. The prime minister apparently hadnt. The answers to the questions people were asking werent there, as I laid out in this masthead. Eventually, the Voice referendum failed because Albanese could not explain (beyond saying that it was what Indigenous people he was speaking to wanted) why he thought the wording was right as it was. He just refused to amend it. The Coalition articulated clear reasons, including in a devastating dissenting report led by Keith Wolahan. People who didnt know, voted no. The people who did the policy work ultimately prevailed. Yes, the Advance campaign and the leaders of the Coalition parties played a key role in crystallising and popularising concerns, but it was the governments failure to do its homework that opened the door to failure. The lesson the prime minister seems to have learnt is not to leave his opponents the time to expose him. Great politics, poor policy  which makes it ultimately a betrayal of the national interest.

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If there is one lesson for the remnants of the prime ministers self-conquering opposition, it is that there is no replacement for hard policy yakka in taking on a man who has made political manoeuvring his lifelong study. The right person to unite the oppositional fragments will have to be prepared to work at least as hard as the taxpayers they claim to represent. Parnell Palme McGuinness is an independent insights and advocacy strategist. She has done work for the Liberal Party and the German Greens. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
Like other First Nations architects, Greenaway has lately been awarded major commissions by clients who value not only his technical skills but also his cultural understanding. One such project on his books is the redevelopment of a building at Adelaide University as an Aboriginal Knowledges Centre (or Yaitya Ngutu Wardli in the language of the local Kaurna people). It broke ground late last year. Aboriginal Knowledges Centre, Adelaide University. Credit: Greenaway Architects, Swanbury Penglase, Mantirri Design Greenaway Architects is also part of the multi-firm team designing the landmark National First Nations College at the University of Technology Sydney  Australias first purpose-built and Indigenous-led college for First Nations students. The National First Nations College at the University of Technology Sydney. Credit: Greenaway Architects, Warren and Mahoney, Oculus

Unlike Western modes of architecture, which are defined primarily by aesthetics, Greenaway believes that Indigenous architecture can be defined experientially and spatially. Craig Kerslake, managing director of Nguluway DesignInc. Indigenous architecture prioritises the feelings a building elicits and how it contributes to the community and to Country, he says. Similar priorities motivated Craig Kerslake, a Wiradjuri man and managing director of Nguluway DesignInc, who also qualified as an architect in the 1990s. When I was young, a Wiradjuri auntie told me that housing made people sick, creating isolation and loneliness, he says.

She poked me in the chest and said: Go fix it. That experience has driven me in my quest to imbue urban environments with Country-centric principles. Kerslakes large-scale urban designs incorporate shared spaces that connect directly with dwellings, encouraging moments of incidental connection. He has coined the term brackish space  a reference to the place where saltwater and fresh water co-mingle in a tidal system  to describe such areas. Kerslakes design for a three-storey apartment building with brackish spaces is one of several sustainable and affordable home designs promoted by the NSW government as a remedy for the states housing supply crisis. Nguluway DesignIncs apartment building design for the NSW government mid-rise pattern book. Credit: NSW government

Developers can purchase the architectural plans at a subsidised rate and receive fast-tracked approval to build the apartments. Craig Kerslakes design for a three-storey apartment building with brackish spaces. Credit: NSW government Nguluway DesignInc has been appointed executive Indigenous architect on the Waterloo Renewal Project, south of Redfern, which will include more than 3000 units of social, affordable and market-rate housing. Nguluway DesignInc comprises six staff, all Indigenous. About a decade ago, I had this dream that I would employ Indigenous grads and we would specialise in bringing Indigenous narratives into architecture, Kerslake says.

To fast-track that dream, he formed a joint venture with DesignInc Sydney, which was receptive to his mission. Loading At their offices in Sydney, Nguluways young architects mix with the broader DesignInc staff, working on projects as needed and upskilling in the process. In return, Kerslake runs cultural competency training for DesignInc. At its core, my practice is founded on Indigenous knowledge systems, prioritising connection, reciprocity and responsibility between people and nature, he says.

Elsewhere, ambitious young Aboriginal practitioners are leading projects at boutique firms run by non-Indigenous architects. Marni Reti, a Palawa and Ngati Wai woman and an associate at Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, says its an exciting time. Marni Reti is an associate at Kaunitz Yeung Architecture. Credit: Louise Kennerley We collectively have an opportunity to develop a uniquely First Nations Australian architectural vernacular that is embedded in our ways of thinking and being, she says. Reti sought out a job at Kaunitz Yeung because the firm already specialised in designing dwellings and community buildings for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

During her seven years at the company, she has worked on projects for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients. My workplace has done a really good job of making sure that I am not pigeonholed as the Black architect, she says. Marni Reti has worked on projects for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients. Credit: Louise Kennerley Recent projects within the practice include an elders housing complex in Wilcannia for the Aboriginal Housing Office and an art centre on the Utopia Aboriginal homeland, north-east of Alice Springs, the Country of famed painter Emily Kam Kngwarray. The Koori kids I went to uni with mostly did law and medicine, I think because they could see how those vocations could contribute back to our communities, whereas architecture is less obvious, Reti says.

But being able to work on Aboriginal Housing Office projects or Aboriginal Medical Service projects and create culturally appropriate buildings is a powerful way that I can contribute. Another young Aboriginal practitioner, Jack Gillmer-Lilley of SJB Architects, reckons architecture as a discipline has traditionally made some First Nations people uncomfortable. Jack Gillmer-Lilley, associate and First Nations lead at SJB Architects. Architecture can be seen as a tool of colonisation, of dispossession of land, he says. But finally, after 240 years, were seeing the wisdom of Country reflected in the built environment.

Gillmer-Lilleys title at SJB, associate and First Nations lead, recognises the duality of his role within the practice. Jack Gillmer-Lilley says there is a hunger within the sector for Indigenous perspectives. Its about acknowledging the obligation I have, both as an architect and as a First Nations man, he says. Its also about inspiring young mob by saying: There is opportunity here for us to give back to community while looking after our own dreams and aspirations. Gillmer-Lilley, a Worimi and Biripi Guri man, says there is a hunger within the sector for Indigenous perspectives.

Many architects recognise that ancient knowledge is a good way to respond to place and develop briefs. Loading In 2021, the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia responded by formally embedding Australian Indigenous perspectives into the National Standard of Competency for Architects. The standard now requires architects to be able to engage ethically and respectfully with Indigenous peoples and communities in order to achieve accreditation. But this broad enthusiasm can pose drawbacks for Australian Indigenous architects.

Universities are reaching out to Indigenous practitioners, asking them to teach these competencies to students, which is drawing Aboriginal architects out of practice, Gillmer-Lilley says. Says Reti: Its great that the industry is starting to value First Nations knowledge, but the risk is that it creates an immense cultural load, particularly on young practitioners. Greenaway is confident the issue will resolve itself as the number of Australian Indigenous architects grows. He estimates there are now about 30 registered architects in Australia who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Importantly, theres another 70 or 80 students in the tertiary system at the moment, so a healthy cohort is starting to develop.
A year ago teenage sensation Iva Jovic dreamed of taking on world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Now  after a giant-killing third round win followed by a crushing fourth round demolition  the 18-year-old American has more than earned her dream match-up in an Australian Open quarter-final.

Iva Jovic is through to the Australian Open quarter-finals. Credit: AP

In her sixth grand slam and first as a seeded player, Jovic was in complete control from the outset of her round four clash with Russian-born Kazakhstani player Yulia Putintseva at John Cain Arena on Sunday.

The 29th seeded Californian hit 17 winners to four during the 53-minute, 6-0, 6-1 demolition, in which Putintseva only got on the scoreboard in the fifth game of the second set.
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InspirationAdventure holidays The underrated US city with a mini Grand Canyon and few tourists Rob McFarland January 26, 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

There are two ways to reach Colorados Rattlesnake Canyon, home to the worlds second-largest concentration of natural stone arches. The first is by tackling a steep, strenuous 25-kilometre round-trip trail that squirms through rock-walled canyons, skirting steep ledges and sun-baked sandstone slabs. The second involves an exhilarating 4WD trip through Colorado National Monument followed by a scenic six-kilometre meander along the canyons upper rim. Naturally, I choose the meander. Grand Junction, Colorado. Josh Wilson, from Adrenaline Driven Adventures, is my guide today, and our transport is a Polaris RZR, a rugged off-roader that looks like it eats canyons for breakfast. After following a snaking road up onto the monuments 2000-metre-high plateau, we plunge into the adjacent Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, careening along a dusty, sagebrush-flanked track to reach the trailhead.

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Just be careful, says Wilson, as we set off on foot towards the rim. Were a long way from help. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. Within minutes, weve spotted the first arch, one of about 35 that pepper the upper reaches of the canyon. Road warrior hitting the scenery with Adrenaline Driven Adventures. Scoured out of a layer of 175-million-year-old Entrada sandstone by centuries of rain, wind and ice, the arches range from dinky, fist-sized openings to yawning 36-metre chasms topped by soaring stone bridges. Unlike in nearby Arches National Park, site of the worlds largest number of arches, you can walk across these sturdy stone bridges, a surreal, vertigo-inducing experience worth it for the dramatic photo op alone.

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The other notable difference between them? During our two-hour hike, we pass just two other people. The arches are the decorative flourish on a dramatic landscape of squirming red-rock canyons and soaring spires thats been nicknamed the mini-Grand Canyon. Towering cliffs reveal a geological timeline of distinct rock layers that begins with 1.7-billion-year-old pre-Cambrian schist. We like to say that this is where the schist hits the fan, jokes Wilson. You can walk across the arches in Rattlesnake Canyon. Spectacular Grand Junction, Colorado. Rattlesnake Canyon alone would justify a trip to this part of western Colorado, but it turns out its just one of an epic trifecta of uniquely contrasting landscapes that surround the city of Grand Junction.

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The second is the aforementioned Colorado National Monument, which we see in all its plunging, red-rock glory on Rim Rock Drive, a 37-kilometre hand-built road that winds up and over the monument, delivering a succession of superlative-sapping vistas. Related Article Traveller Awards Sparking joy: The 10 most fun travel experiences for 2025 The third is Grand Mesa, which claims to be the worlds largest flat-top mountain, a 3425-metre-high monolith that rears out of the Colorado Plateau like a giants footstool. After lunch we swap the RZR for a roofless, three-wheeled Slingshot, another outlandish Polaris invention, and drive up onto the mesas lake-studded summit. Along the way we pass the Book Cliffs, a distinctive 400-kilometre-long mountain range that would be the star attraction anywhere else but barely gets a mention here because of the regions other terrestrial celebrities. My ears pop twice during the drive up, a journey that starts in parched, sagebrush-dotted desert and finishes in verdant sub-alpine forest with more than 300 spruce-rimmed lakes. After passing the still snow-dusted Powderhorn Mountain Ski Resort, we stop at a holiday park where people are relaxing outside log cabins and fishing for rainbow trout in cobalt blue alpine lakes. We could be in Switzerland.

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Grand Junction offers stunning scenery. Bin 707 Foodbar. That night, Im brought back down to earth at Bin 707, one of several fabulous eateries in Grand Junctions delightful sculpture-lined main street. While enjoying a tender lamb tenderloin with an excellent glass of Exodus blaufrankisch (who knew Colorado made wine?), Im reminded of a quote from John Otto, the wilderness lover who was instrumental in getting the region designated a national monument in 1911: Some folks think Im crazy, but I want to see this scenery opened up to all people. THE DETAILS Fly

Qantas flies to Grand Junction Regional Airport via Dallas/Fort Worth. See qantas.com

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North America After abandoning a sensible career in IT, Rob McFarland now divides his time between Sydney, the US and Europe. He's won six writing awards and regularly runs workshops for aspiring writers. Follow his travels on Instagram @mctraveller

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Travel newsTripologist The airlines that offer a bargain-price stopover Michael Gebicki January 26, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Key points A stopover can reduce jet lag and improve the arrival experience.

Stopovers dont necessarily cost more than an A to B flight ticket.

A stopover might be an opportunity to road-test a new destination.

Got a long-haul flight coming up? Maybe with one gruelling 12- or 14-hour sector in a cramped seat that ties you up in knots, gets you to your destination at daybreak and too early to check into your accommodation, with jet lag as a parting gift? Why not fit in a stopover? As distinct from a layover, a stopover is a break of at least 24 hours, and its something I like a lot. Hong Kong and its Peak  the city meets all the stopover requrements. iStock On my ideal flight to Europe, I take a morning flight out of Australia, arrive in Hong Kong, Bangkok or Tokyo in the evening, spend a couple of days sightseeing and relaxing with a splash in the pool, maybe a massage or a gym session, stay up late and sleep in so Im more attuned to European time. Then Ill depart on another morning flight to Europe to arrive in late afternoon. I can go straight to my accommodation, check in, have a meal, take a walk and into bed. The next day, Im good to go. Does a stopover add to the cost of the airfares? In general, airlines prefer passengers to book straight through to their destination since its less complex, but in many cases a flight ticket with a stopover is only marginally more expensive than one without. If you want to do it without paying more for your flight ticket, your choice of airline might depend on where you want your stopover, rather than the other way around. If you want a couple of nights in Bangkok, Thai Airways is the logical choice, if its Hong Kong, then Cathay Pacific is your best bet. Unless your airline specifically offers a stopover deal, the easiest way to organise it is with a multi-city ticket, and most international airlines offer this option.

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Which airlines facilitate stopovers? Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. A stopover can also be a taster, a chance to look around in a new destination, perhaps take a day trip. If you like what you see, you might come back for a proper visit, and thats a win for the airline. Some airlines offer stopover incentives. Icelandair encourages flyers on trans-Atlantic flights to spend a few days in Iceland, at no additional airfare. Singapore Airlines also facilitates stopovers, with attractive hotel plus experience packages. Chill out by the pool at the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa in Singapore. Emirates goes all out with an online planner to create stopover itineraries that bundle hotels, attractions and flights. For example, a couple flying economy class return from Melbourne to London, departing in mid-April and returning at the end of the month, could book a Dubai stopover itinerary that might include three nights at Dubais four-star Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai with a guided half-day city tour, a desert safari plus a cruise through Dubai Marina. Total cost including economy flights is $5840. Thats $1449 more than a couple flying the same route and dates with no stopover. You could cut out some of the stopover experiences for a cheaper total price, but Emirates discounts the airfare by up to 10 per cent for stopover travellers, provided they book at least two paid experiences. Turkish Airlines offers stopovers with free accommodation, but only to passengers travelling on international flights via Istanbul Airport with a layover of at least 20 hours. Economy passengers get one free night in a four-star hotel, business flyers get two nights in five-star accommodation. Its unlikely that many travellers coming from Australia will qualify, and even a two-nighter hardly does justice to Istanbul, but an Istanbul stopover might not add anything to an airfare. For that couple flying economy from Melbourne to London, departing mid-April and returning at the end of that month, the total fare with a three-night stopover in Istanbul starts from $4301. However, for those same passengers flying straight through to London and back, with no stopover, the total cost is $4410.

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Istanbul and Hagia Sophia. Getty Images/iStockphoto The same applies to an Indian mini-break. A return airfare from Melbourne to London with Air India for those same April dates with a three-night stopover in New Delhi starts from $2454. Cut out the stopover and the price starts from $2375, a difference of just $79. Fancy a three-night stopover in Tokyo on that same Melbourne to London itinerary? Fly return with Japan Airlines and the starting price is $3804, compared to $3087 for flying the same route without the stopover. Related Article Dubai Planning a stopover? These great Dubai hotels are under $200 a night Flying to North America, the stopover options are fewer, although Hong Kong and Tokyo might just make the cut for those who dont mind the longer flight times. Hawaii might be the right fit for a stopover on the way from Sydney to Los Angeles. One option is to book with Qantas, but the sector from Honolulu to Los Angeles is operated by Hawaiian Airlines, and Los Angeles to Sydney is aboard American Airlines. Total cost departing on April 15, stopping for three nights in Honolulu and returning to Sydney at the end of April, starts from $2253. However, if you were to fly non-stop Sydney-Los Angeles return with Qantas for those dates, the price starts from $1460. Flying American Airlines on that same route, the cost with a stopover is $US1656 ($2432).

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My top five stopovers Hong Kong

It may have lost some of its shine, but Hong Kong is Far East Asia 101, an energetic, exciting, rich and slightly brash induction into the Orient. For a user-friendly window on the exotic East with some of the best dining and shopping on the planet, and where English will get you through the day (more or less), Hong Kong is tailor-made. Bangkok

Manic and dynamic at one moment, serene the next, Bangkok takes you on a wild ride. Its hotels are numbered among Asias finest and rates are a steal, the shopping is beyond fantastic and the dining scene is among the best of any Asian city. If street food is your thing, youre in heaven. Tokyo

Everything about the Japanese capital  the architecture, the bustle, the funky fashions, that hyperefficient metro system  suggests a slick, super-modern city, but then something will jolt you out of your comfort zone to remind you that its not so much a different place as a different planet. Istanbul

Where Europe meets Asia, the one-time capital of both Christian and Islamic empires is a towering presence with a history that has endowed it with a cultural treasury, from the Byzantine Hagia Sophia to the wonders of Topkapi Palace and towering Ottoman mosques. Shanghai

The dynamo of Chinese entrepreneurial capitalism, Shanghai comes straight from the future, complete with sci-fi architecture, yet the leafy streets of the former French concession endow it with a time-warped melancholy.
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WorldEuropeDonald Trump Kings concerns over Trumps Afghanistan slur relayed to White House Poppy Wood and Victoria Ward January 26, 2026  9:30am 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

Donald Trump backtracked on his comments on British troops in Afghanistan after King Charles concerns were relayed to the White House. The Kings intervention is thought to have influenced the US president to walk back his claim that British troops stayed away from the front line in Afghanistan. Trump meets King Charles at Windsor Castle during his British state visit last year. AP In a stark retreat from his previous comments, Trump said on Saturday that British troops who fought in Afghanistan were among the greatest of all warriors and acknowledged that 457 British service personnel were killed in the conflict. The King is understood to have had his concerns relayed to the president through the appropriate back channels, ahead of a planned visit to the US in April to mark the countrys 250th anniversary of independence.

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On Thursday, Trump told Fox News that he was not sure Americas military allies would support the US if we ever needed them. Related Article Trump diplomacy Europe learns how to counterpunch against Trump in Greenland brawl Speaking about the USs global partners, Trump said: Weve never needed them. Weve never really asked anything of them. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan ... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front line. Prince Harry  who served in Afghanistan  responded to the presidents remarks, saying that the sacrifices of British soldiers must be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

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The prince said in a statement: 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. On Saturday afternoon, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Trump on the phone, raising his concerns in a discussion that touched on the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home. British troops on deployment in Afghanistans Helmand Province in 2007. JOAO SILVA

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After the call, the president released a public statement honouring the GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom. Conservative Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch said: Im pleased President Trump has now acknowledged the role of the British armed forces and those brave men and women who gave their lives fighting alongside the US and our allies. It should never have been questioned in the first place. Prince Harry declined to comment on Trumps latest statement. However, a friend noted that the president had not apologised, nor had he mentioned any of the other NATO countries that had served on the front line, incurring between them hundreds of deaths. Strained relations

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Trumps initial comments came amid a backdrop of increasingly strained relations with NATO, intensified by his threats to slap tariffs on European nations opposed to his ambitions to annex Greenland. Related Article Opinion

Trump's White House Trump is pushing China and Europe together to create a new world order He later 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, announcing further import taxes would no longer be imposed. The US invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 to oust the Taliban, which was harbouring Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 terror attacks. Britain suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the conflict, sacrificing 457 troops, while the US suffered 2461 fatalities.

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More than 3500 coalition soldiers were killed in Afghanistan before the US withdrew in 2021. Buckingham Palace declined to comment. The Telegraph, London Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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PHILIPSBURG: --- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor hereby informs the public that an Interim Inspector General has been appointed, effective February 2, 2026, for a period of two (2) years.

After several years during which the Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (IVSA) operated without a permanent Inspector General, this appointment represents a significant and long-awaited step toward restoring effective oversight and enforcement. Minister Brug expresses his satisfaction that this longstanding matter has now been resolved and that continuity and leadership have been secured within this critical supervisory institution.

The Minister wishes to expressly commend the staff of the Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor for their resilience and professionalism in holding down the fort throughout this prolonged period without an Inspector General. Despite limited leadership capacity, the Inspectorate continued to carry out its mandate to the best of its ability, demonstrating a strong sense of duty and commitment to the public interest.

Minister Brug also extends sincere appreciation to Dr. Daphne Illis, who served on a temporary basis as Acting Inspector General. In addition, special thanks are extended to Ms. Fenna Arnell and the entire Department of Public Health, whose dedication and perseverance were instrumental in ensuring that, despite numerous challenges, the Inspectorate is once again under formal leadership.

It is important to note that the prolonged vacancy was largely due to structural constraints embedded in outdated legislation. Under current law, the Inspector General must be a qualified medical doctor or pharmacist. When combined with the salary framework applicable to the position, this requirement significantly narrowed the pool of eligible candidates, as no locally practicing medical professional could relinquish their existing role to assume the role. These circumstances further underscore the need for legislative modernization, which remains a priority of this administration.

The appointed Interim Inspector General, Dr. Alcala, was born and raised in Curacao and studied Medicine at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. He brings extensive professional experience within the Caribbean region and has previously served as Interim Inspector General, equipping him with the expertise and contextual understanding required to lead during a period of reform.

In his capacity as Interim Inspector General, Dr. Alcala will provide strategic leadership and independent oversight to IVSA. His appointment forms part of a broader reform agenda focused on strengthening governance, enhancing supervisory capacity, and ensuring that laws and standards protecting workers, patients, and vulnerable populations are consistently and effectively upheld.

Dr. Alcala will work in close collaboration with the project team that commenced its activities in November 2025 under the Temporary Work Organizationfunded IVSA Reform Project. This project aims to assess and improve the organization, execution, and effectiveness of the Inspectorates statutory mandate, while laying the foundation for a modern, professional, and independent supervisory authority.

Minister Brug reaffirms his commitment to moving beyond temporary measures toward sustainable institutional strengthening. The appointment of an Interim Inspector General is a responsible and necessary step to ensure stability, continuity, and progress while reforms are being implemented.
Final round of Myanmar vote set to seal junta ally's victory



Mandalay, Myanmar, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2026



Myanmar opened the final round of its month-long election on Sunday, with the dominant pro-military party on course for a landslide in a junta-run vote critics say will prolong the army's grip on power.

Tropical Myanmar has a long history of military rule, but the generals took a back seat for a decade of civilian-led reforms.

That ended in a 2021 military coup when democratic figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi was detained, civil war broke out, and the country descended into a humanitarian crisis.

The election's third and final phase opened in dozens of constituencies across the country at 6 am on Sunday (2330 GMT Saturday), just a week shy of the coup's five-year anniversary.

Voting is not being held in rebel-held areas of the country.

While the military pledges the election will return power to the people, rights monitors say the run-up has been characterised by coercion and the crushing of dissent.

AFP journalists saw balloting begin in the second city of Mandalay, where 53-year-old teacher Zaw Ko Ko Myint cast his vote at a high school around dawn.

"Although I do not expect much, we want to see a better country," he told AFP. "I feel relieved after voting, as if I fulfilled my duty."

AFP journalists also saw polling open in Yangon's Hlaingthaya township -- the site of a bloody crackdown on anti-coup protests five years ago.

With Suu Kyi sidelined and her hugely popular party dissolved, democracy advocates say the ballot is stacked with military allies.

"I don't expect anything from this election," a 34-year-old Yangon resident told AFP earlier, requesting anonymity for security reasons. "Things will just keep dragging on."

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) -- packed with retired officers and described by analysts as a military puppet -- won more than 85 percent of elected lower house seats and two-thirds of those in the upper house in the poll's first two phases.

A military-drafted constitution also reserves a quarter of both houses for the armed forces.

The combined parliament will pick the president, and junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has not ruled out taking the role.

Analysts say the military is stage-managing the poll to give its rule a veneer of civilian legitimacy.

The anonymous Yangon resident, feeling pressure to participate, pledged to cast her ballot for "any party except the USDP".

"I know what the final result will be, but I want to mess things up a little with my vote," she said.

Official results are expected late this week, but the USDP could claim victory as soon as Monday.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party thrashed it in the last elections in 2020, before the military seized power on February 1, 2021, making unfounded allegations of widespread vote-rigging.

The 80-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains detained incommunicado at an unknown location on charges rights monitors dismiss as politically motivated.



- 'Not safe at all' -



The military has long presented itself as the only force guarding restive Myanmar from rupture and ruin.

But its putsch tipped the country into full-blown civil war, with pro-democracy guerrillas fighting the junta alongside a kaleidoscope of ethnic minority armies which have long held sway in the fringes.

Air strikes are frequent in some regions, others enjoy relative peace, while some zones are blockaded, haunted by the spectre of starvation.

Polling was called off in one in five lower house constituencies, but some frontline locations were set to vote Sunday.

"Candidates still haven't held any campaigning because of security," complained one parliamentary candidate, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

"It's not safe at all to travel," they said, estimating only one in 10 polling stations would be able to open in their constituency.

There is no official death toll for Myanmar's civil war.

But monitoring group ACLED, which tallies media reports of violence, estimates more than 90,000 have been killed on all sides.

Meanwhile, more than 400 people have been pursued for prosecution under stark new junta-tailored legislation forbidding "disruption" of the election.

It punishes protest or criticism with up to a decade in prison, and arrests have been made for as little as posting a "heart" emoji on Facebook posts criticising the polls.

Turnout in the first and second phases of the vote were just over 50 percent, official figures say, compared to roughly 70 percent in 2020.
Myanmar general looms over poll seen as cementing junta's power



Yangon, Myanmar, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2026



Myanmar's top general Min Aung Hlaing was months from retirement five years ago when he made an about-face, deposed the democratic government and promoted himself to leader.

The bespectacled officer became military chief in 2011, just as Myanmar broke with its history of iron-fisted martial rule and began its latest experiment with democracy.

Now 69, he spent a decade jostling with civilian leaders before mounting his coup, jailing Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and triggering a vicious civil war that is still being fought.

He is presiding over a month-long poll due to wrap up on Sunday that he promises will return peace and democracy to tropical Myanmar, despite scepticism at home and abroad.

The main pro-military party is on course for a landslide win, and Min Aung Hlaing has declined to rule out swapping his khaki uniform for the presidency when parliament convenes.

Even if he remains armed forces chief, many in Myanmar will still regard him as the country's real but unlawful ruler.



- Misdeeds and medals -



Min Aung Hlaing was born in Dawei city in Myanmar's south, and studied law at university before enrolling in officer training school on his third attempt.

He rose through the ranks, burnishing his credentials by leading a campaign against an ethnic rebel insurrection around crucial trade crossings with China.

His predecessor, Than Shwe, ruled Myanmar for nearly two decades, but it was Min Aung Hlaing's rare fate to be a top general under civilian command.

A military-drafted constitution still gave him a central role in politics, with a quarter of parliamentary seats and essential cabinet positions reserved for his officers.

Even before the coup, Min Aung Hlaing was persona non grata in many countries for commanding a 2017 military crackdown on the Rohingya ethnic minority that drove about 750,000 people into Bangladesh.

He was banned from Facebook for stoking hate speech, heavily sanctioned, and the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor is seeking his arrest for crimes against humanity.

Min Aung Hlaing has said military operations were justified to root out insurgents and steadfastly denies allegations of human rights abuses.

He also embarked on an ambitious and expensive programme to outfit the army with modern equipment, sourcing weapons and hardware from China, Russia and Israel.

Every March 27, he oversees a parade of troops and materiel in the capital Naypyidaw for Armed Forces Day, standing on an open-top jeep and festooned with his many military and civilian awards.

His official title in state media is "State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing".

However, even as his nomenclature has grown, the number of soldiers assembled for inspection has shrunk each year, with embattled forces deployed to frontlines elsewhere.



- Reinforced rule -



Min Aung Hlaing was about to turn 65 -- the mandatory military retirement age at the time -- in 2021 when he toppled Suu Kyi's democratically elected government and jailed her.

He claimed her National League for Democracy party had won a landslide over pro-military parties through voter fraud.

Analysts said at the time he was probably anxious about the military's waning power.

Security forces crushed pro-democracy protests, but activists quit the cities to fight as guerrillas alongside ethnic rebels, including those Min Aung Hlaing battled earlier in his career.

There is no official death toll for Myanmar's civil war and estimates vary widely.

According to non-profit organisation Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), which tallies media reports of violence, as many as 90,000 have been killed on all sides since the coup.

That number almost certainly includes conscripts the military has begun forcibly recruiting to bolster its ranks.

Min Aung Hlaing ruled by fiat as military chief over four years of emergency rule after the coup.

He ended the state of emergency last summer and handed back power to the president's office -- which he also occupies.

That is another reason why analysts, democracy monitors and many Myanmar citizens see the election as a hollow exercise.
Final round of Myanmar vote set to seal junta ally's victory



Mandalay, Myanmar, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2026



Myanmar opened the final round of its month-long election on Sunday, with the dominant pro-military party on course for a landslide in a junta-run vote critics say will prolong the army's grip on power.

The Southeast Asian nation has a long history of military rule, but the generals took a back seat for a decade of civilian-led reforms.

That ended in a 2021 military coup when democratic figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi was detained, civil war broke out, and the country descended into humanitarian crisis.

The election's third and final phase opened in dozens of constituencies across the country at 6:00 am on Sunday (2330 GMT Saturday), just a week shy of the coup's five-year anniversary.

The military pledges the election will return power to the people but with Suu Kyi sidelined and her hugely popular party dissolved, democracy advocates say the ballot is stacked with military allies.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing -- who has not ruled out serving as president after the poll -- toured voting stations in Mandalay, wearing civilian dress.

"This is the path chosen by the people," he told reporters in response to a question from AFP. "The people from Myanmar can support whoever they want to support."

Voting is not being held in rebel-held parts of the country, and in junta-controlled areas rights monitors say the run-up has been characterised by coercion and the crushing of dissent.

Teacher Zaw Ko Ko Myint cast his vote at a Mandalay high school around dawn.

"Although I do not expect much, we want to see a better country," the 53-year-old told AFP. "I feel relieved after voting, as if I fulfilled my duty."



- 'Fabricated vote' -



The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) -- packed with retired officers and described by analysts as a military puppet -- won more than 85 percent of elected lower house seats and two-thirds of those in the upper house in the poll's first two phases.

"The junta has orchestrated the election specifically to ensure a landslide by its political proxy," UN rights expert Tom Andrews said in a statement Friday.

"States that endorse the results of these polls will be complicit in the junta's attempt to legitimise military rule through a fabricated vote."

Official results are expected late this week, but the USDP could claim victory in the hours after polling closes.

A military-drafted constitution also gives the armed forces a quarter of the seats in both houses of parliament, which will vote as a whole to pick the president.

"I don't expect anything from this election," a 34-year-old Yangon resident told AFP earlier, requesting anonymity for security reasons. "Things will just keep dragging on."

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party thrashed the USDP in the last elections in 2020, before the military seized power on February 1, 2021, making unfounded allegations of widespread vote-rigging.

The 80-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains detained incommunicado at an unknown location on charges rights monitors dismiss as politically motivated.



- 'Not safe at all' -



The military has long presented itself as the only force guarding restive Myanmar from rupture and ruin.

But its putsch tipped the country into full-blown civil war, with pro-democracy guerrillas fighting the junta alongside a kaleidoscope of ethnic minority armies which have long held sway in the fringes.

Air strikes are frequent in some regions, others enjoy relative peace, while some zones are blockaded, haunted by the spectre of starvation.

Polling was called off in one in five lower house constituencies, but some frontline locations went to the polls Sunday.

"Candidates still haven't held any campaigning because of security," complained one parliamentary candidate, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. "It's not safe at all to travel."

There is no official death toll for Myanmar's civil war.

But monitoring group ACLED, which tallies media reports of violence, estimates more than 90,000 have been killed on all sides.

Meanwhile, more than 400 people have been pursued for prosecution under stark new junta-tailored legislation forbidding "disruption" of the election.

It punishes protest or criticism with up to a decade in prison, and arrests have been made for as little as posting a "heart" emoji on Facebook posts criticising the polls.

Turnout in the first and second phases of the vote was just over 50 percent, official figures say, compared to roughly 70 percent in 2020.
Zelensky seeks more air defence as Russia plunges Kyiv into cold



Vilnius, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2026



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought more air defence suppport from allies on Sunday as hundreds of buildings in Kyiv were still without heating for a second day after Russian strikes.

Russia has hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the nearly four-year war, but Kyiv says this winter has been the toughest yet, with hundreds of Russian drones and missiles overwhelming air defences during particularly fierce frosts.

"This week alone, the Russians have launched more than 1,700 attack drones, over 1,380 guided aerial bombs, and 69 missiles of various types," the president said as he arrived in Vilnius.

"That is why missiles for air defence systems are needed every day, and we continue working with the United States and Europe to ensure stronger protection of our skies," he added.

Russian bombardments have hit Kyiv particularly hard, forcing half a million people to evacuate.

"There are currently 1,676 high-rise apartment buildings in Kyiv without heating following the enemy's attack on Kyiv city on January 24," said mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Freezing temperatures and repeated airstrikes have slowed efforts by repair crews working to restore heating and electricity.

US-brokered talks with Russia and Ukraine on Washington's plan to end the war ended with no apparent breakthrough on Saturday.

Still, Zelensky said the negotiations were "constructive", and both sides have agreed to meet again in Abu Dhabi again next week.
Zelensky seeks more air defence as Russia plunges Kyiv into cold



Vilnius, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2026



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought more air defence support from allies on Sunday as hundreds of buildings in Kyiv were without heating in freezing temperatures for a second day after Russian strikes.

Russia has hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the nearly four-year war, but Kyiv says this winter has been the toughest with hundreds of Russian drones and missiles overwhelming air defences during particularly fierce frosts.

"This week alone, the Russians have launched more than 1,700 attack drones, over 1,380 guided aerial bombs, and 69 missiles of various types," the president said as he arrived in Vilnius.

"That is why missiles for air defence systems are needed every day, and we continue working with the United States and Europe to ensure stronger protection of our skies," he added.

Russian bombardments have hit Kyiv particularly hard, forcing half a million people to evacuate.

"There are currently 1,676 high-rise apartment buildings in Kyiv without heating following the enemy's attack on Kyiv city on January 24," said mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Sub-zero temperatures and repeated air strikes have slowed efforts by repair crews working to restore heating and electricity.

In Vilnius, Zelensky was taking part in a ceremony to commemorate the 1863 uprising in Poland and Lithuania against Tsarist Russia.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who also attended the event, drew a parallel between the Russian invasion of Ukraine and past struggles for freedom by peoples in the Russian empire.

"The message of these celebrations is that by looking to the past for what we have in common, it's easier today to face the problems ahead of us. Especially in an era of the revival of imperial Russia," his office said on X.

Poland and Lithuania are among the staunchest supporters of Kyiv in the European Union, and both have recently supplied hundreds of generators to the war-torn country.

US-brokered talks with Russia and Ukraine on Washington's plan to end the war ended with no apparent breakthrough on Saturday.

Still, Zelensky said the negotiations were "constructive", and both sides have agreed to meet in Abu Dhabi again next week.
Military intervention in Iran 'not the preferred option': French minister



Paris, France, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2026



Military intervention in Iran, where authorities launched a deadly crackdown on protesters that killed thousands, is not France's preferred option, its armed forces minister said Sunday.

"I think we must support the Iranian people in any way we can," Alice Rufo said on the political broadcast "Le Grand Jury".

But "a military intervention is not the preferred option" for France, she said, adding it was "up to the Iranian people to rid themselves of this regime".

Rufo lamented how hard it was to "document the mass crimes the Iranian regime has carried out against its population" due to a widespread internet shutdown.

Iran's more than 90 million people have been largely cut off from the internet since authorities imposed a blackout on January 8 amid major protests sweeping the country.

Under the cover of the blackout, they launched a violent crackdown on protesters, with rights groups documenting several thousand dead and the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights saying the final figure could top 25,000.

The Iranian government has put the toll at 3,117, including 2,427 it has labelled "martyrs", a term used to distinguish members of the security forces and innocent bystanders from those described by authorities as "rioters" it claims were incited by the US and Israel.

"The Iranian people reject their regime. The fate of the Iranian people belongs to Iranians, and it is not for us to choose their leaders," said Rufo.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to launch military strikes on Iran in response to the crackdown, but has since appeared to walk back those threats after he said Tehran suspended planned executions.

Protests sparked by economic grievances erupted in Tehran on December 28 but turned into a mass movement demanding the removal of the clerical system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 revolution.
Israel army investigates soldier over Palestinian's fake abduction



Jerusalem, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2026



Israel's military said Sunday it had launched an investigation into a soldier who reportedly fabricated a kidnapping of a Palestinian detainee and demanded ransom from his family.

The Palestinian man had been detained at a holding facility when a military police guard photographed him and sent the image to his family, falsely claiming he had been kidnapped, the Times of Israel reported.

In a separate report, Israeli Army Radio said the soldier demanded the family transfer money in exchange for his release.

Confirming the case to AFP, the military said an investigation had been launched but declined to provide details.

"Following the incident, an inquiry has been opened by the Internal Inquiry Unit," it said in a statement.

"We will not provide details of the inquiry while it is ongoing."

The Palestinian had been detained while attempting to enter Israel illegally from the occupied West Bank, the Times of Israel reported.

Israeli security officials say a significant number of Palestinians from the West Bank attempt to enter Israel illegally, often by climbing over a barrier separating Jerusalem from the Palestinian territory.

They are driven largely by economic hardship and the loss of work permits since the start of the Gaza war, Palestinian officials say.

Most of them are arrested, while some have died or been injured fleeing from Israeli forces, Palestinian officials add.

An Israeli parliamentary committee said in October that around 6,000 Palestinians attempted to enter Israel in this way last year, with about 5,300 arrested.

Israel began building the barrier at the height of the second Palestinian intifada that erupted in 2002, saying it was needed to maintain security amid suicide bombings in Jerusalem and Israeli cities.

The barrier cuts into many parts of the West Bank, and Palestinians see it as a land grab and de facto border illegal under international law.

Palestinians also say the barrier has exacerbated an economic crisis in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
Zelensky seeks more air defence as Russia plunges Kyiv into cold



Vilnius, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2026



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought more air defence support from allies on Sunday as hundreds of buildings in Kyiv were without heating in freezing temperatures for a second day after Russian strikes.

Russia has hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the nearly four-year war, but Kyiv says this winter has been the toughest, with hundreds of Russian drones and missiles overwhelming air defences during particularly fierce frosts.

"This week alone, the Russians have launched more than 1,700 attack drones, over 1,380 guided aerial bombs, and 69 missiles of various types," Zelensky said as he arrived in Vilnius.

"That is why missiles for air defence systems are needed every day, and we continue working with the United States and Europe to ensure stronger protection of our skies," he added.

Russian bombardments have hit Kyiv particularly hard, forcing half a million people to evacuate.

"There are currently 1,676 high-rise apartment buildings in Kyiv without heating following the enemy's attack on Kyiv city on January 24," said mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Sub-zero temperatures and repeated air strikes have slowed efforts by repair crews working to restore heating and electricity.



- 'Imperial Russia' -



In Vilnius, Zelensky was taking part in a ceremony to commemorate the 1863 uprising in Poland and Lithuania against Tsarist Russia.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who also attended the event, drew a parallel between the Russian invasion of Ukraine and past struggles for freedom by peoples in the Russian empire.

"The message of these celebrations is that by looking to the past for what we have in common, it's easier today to face the problems ahead of us. Especially in an era of the revival of imperial Russia," his office said on X.

"Whether it's tsarist Russia, Bolshevik Russia, or Vladimir Putin's Russia, our countries (Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine), now independent, still face the same problem: the threat posed by the Russian Federation," Nawrocki said in his speech.

Zelensky, in his speech, said: "European politicians should value the fact that they represent free and independent states, rather than having to lead uprisings against empires and occupiers today.

"It is too early for Europe to relax while Russia's war machine is still running, and while dictators around Europe are not weakening," he added.

"They all look at Europe -- at us -- as prey."

Poland and Lithuania are among Ukraine's staunchest supporters in the European Union, and both have recently supplied hundreds of generators to the war-torn country.

US-brokered talks with Russia and Ukraine on Washington's plan to end the war ended with no apparent breakthrough on Saturday.

Still, Zelensky said the negotiations were "constructive", and both sides have agreed to meet in Abu Dhabi again next week.

burs-jj/cc
In the daytime, flit between two seafront options: the sleepier Taverna 37 offers classic Greek fare and meze style sharing dishes, while Helios is the vibier sibling with beach bar music and a Latin American menu. On arrival at Helios we were given a reviving elixir of pineapple tequila served in little pottery shot glasses before sipping on freshly cut coconuts. The tacos were skippable, but the tuna tiradito with kimchi and sesame seeds is exactly the antidote to any potential feta fatigue. There is also a glam Italian restaurant, a Nobu-esque sushi offering and Beefbar, a ritzy steakhouse which started life in Monte Carlo.
Surveys at the time showed that four in five Australian adults were in favour of the ban, but this particular set of 14-year-olds seem less than impressed. Its silly its just made it harder to hang out, one shrugs as he munches on a sandwich next to Manly Beach. The others nod in agreement. They had always used Snapchat to arrange outings like todays, but since the ban theyve been forced to message the old-fashioned way, via text  which was frustrating when they left school for Christmas and realised they didnt have half their friends phone numbers.
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In a swipe at party chiefs, he added: PS - The fact that the media was informed of the NEC decision before I was tells you everything you need to know about the way the Labour Party is being run these days.
He said: "The coast is undefended in this area, which allows coastal processes to continue. The Ministry of Defence originally requisitioned the land to build the structure. But following its closure, the land was returned to the landowner, which included any military infrastructure upon it."
"It's a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
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Saravanan Kasthuri, medical director at Northwest Endovascular Surgery, and Jason McKitrick, executive director at the Office Based Facility Association, discuss their article Medicare payment is failing rural health. Saravanan and Jason analyze the critical economic forces dismantling independent medical practices and threatening patient access in underserved areas. They highlight the personal story of Mr. G to illustrate the human cost of broken reimbursement models while explaining how the outdated Physician Fee Schedule forces doctors to sell to hospitals or private equity firms. The conversation details how consolidation inflates costs without improving quality and proposes the implementation of a technical fee schedule as a vital policy solution. Listen to understand why preserving office-based care is essential for the survival of the rural health care system.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Lets work together to tell your story.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: And welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Saravanan Kasthuri. He is an interventional radiologist. We also welcome Jason McKitrick, a health care consultant and executive director at the Office Based Facility Association. The KevinMD article we are talking about today is Medicare payment is failing rural health. Welcome to the show, everybody.

Jason McKitrick: Thank you.

Saravanan Kasthuri: Thank you.

Kevin Pho: All right, I am going to ask you to briefly share a story, and then we will jump right into the KevinMD article. Saravanan, why dont you go first?

Saravanan Kasthuri: I am an interventional radiologist. I have been in practice since 2001 after completing my fellowship. I have practiced in rural Washington for all these years, specifically in Eastern Washington. For about 10 years until 2013, I was in a local community hospital which was bought over by a big system around 2011.

There was a conflict between the reason why I became a physician and what I was expected to do after the takeover by a big system. I felt the need to keep my dignity and keep my moral compass straight regarding why I became a physician. One option was to start my own practice so that I do not need to be told what I should do, how I should do it, and how many patients I need to see at a time.

After a lot of thought and meeting a lot of people, I started an independent practice for about two years. I still went to the hospital to do the procedures but realized that it was becoming untenable for them. They did not want me to use their space if I was not their employee. I was being spaced out of the ability to continue to practice.

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I decided, given the opportunity, to start an office-based setting. We were able to offer complex vascular and nonvascular interventions in an office-based setting, which we call an ambulatory surgical facility in Washington state. You can do a lot of complex procedures like stenting, balloon angioplasty, port placements, and dialysis access interventions. Many things could be done which typically used to be done in a hospital-based or an ASC setting.

That was in 2016. As time went on, the reimbursement for the office-based space got very tight. For the same procedure that I used to do in 2016, for example, vertebroplasty augmentation for people with severe back pain who become dependent, the reimbursement used to be about $7,800. Now it is about $4,800.

Between 2016 and 2026, the reimbursement has come down by 40 to 45 percent. My cost of care, like the staff I need to compete with the hospital-based services, has gone up. I have been paying close to 70 percent more for our staff. We had to pay even more for ICU nurses than what I used to pay in 2016.

The cost of care to deliver care has been going up. The vendors have been asking for more money for the same supplies. It has been really a struggle as the reimbursement has been going down. That was the story that I have been facing in a rural setting.

The other thing is the ability of the patients to afford care. When I started, the Medicaid percentage was about 1.2 percent in my practice in 2015. Now it is about 27 percent. The ability of the patients to pay for those things is coming down, the amount of reimbursements is going down, and the cost to deliver care is intense. We had to make intense changes and struggle to make things even to stay in practice.

Kevin Pho: Jason, why dont you briefly share a story and then maybe give us some context and some first impressions that you had when you first heard Saravanans story?

Jason McKitrick: I would be grateful for that. We represent the Office Based Facility Association. I am a principal at Liberty Partners Group and have been really focused on office-based care. I think there is a little bit of a misconception about what office-based care is. Office-based care is often private practice, freestanding, non-facility, or place of service 11. These are all terms for it.

They are often independent physicians, small businesses, and rural providers like Dr. Kasthuri. The kinds of care that you can provide across specialties include not just primary care and internal medicine, but interventional cardiology, radiology, proton therapy, radiation oncology, urology, and vascular surgery.

It is a really important site of service. Physicians know the three main sites of service are the hospital, the ASC, and the office. In the office-based setting, you can do a lot. As medical technology has advanced over the last several decades, more and more services can be done in an office-based setting. It is the lowest cost site of service, and that is a great thing for patients.

The problem, and this gets a lot to what Dr. Kasthuri was saying, is related to the Medicare physician fee schedule. When that was set up in 1992, it was really focused on just the professional fees that a physician would provide in any site of service. As medical technology advanced and you could take a $4 million linear accelerator or a $4,000 stent out of the hospital and provide that care to a patient in the office, the money did not go with it.

That is central to the problem because the physician fee schedule has been subsidizing the hospital outpatient fee schedule for several decades. That has diluted the physician fee schedule for all physicians, primary care and specialists alike, but in particular for office-based proceduralists.

At this point, as you mentioned in your article that was posted December 5 on KevinMD, there are today more than 300 office-based services where the reimbursement is literally less than the direct costs it takes to provide those services. The direct costs include supplies and equipment.

This is why private practice independent physicians have been going out of business. It is why the Physicians Advocacy Institute has talked about this collapse in independent providers, particularly in rural settings. We are grateful that the physician fee schedule regulation for 2026 is the first year in the last five or six years where office-based reimbursement has actually gone up overall. That is great.

We are working with Congress to really try to get permanent reform. As I will reference your article from December 5, this would entail pulling out those high-cost supplies and equipment from the physician fee schedule. We want to take them out and reimburse those the way that you reimburse for those same services for hospitals and ASCs, which have their own technical fee schedules. We want to get the physician fee schedule back to just reimbursing for the work that physicians do. That is what we are really about.

Kevin Pho: So I am hearing that it is very difficult and increasingly so for physicians to practice independently. We have talked about this on my podcast. I know the number of physicians practicing independently is dwindling. Just to give us some context, Jason, approximately what percentage of physicians are currently practicing independently today? Just give us a ballpark figure.

Jason McKitrick: I think there are two great sources of information on this. One is the Physicians Advocacy Institute that I just referenced. Another one is the American Medical Association, which has been tracking this since about 2012. When they first started tracking this, about 60 percent of physicians referred to themselves as private practice. That has dropped by about 18 percent since 2012.

I think that is a clear trend. The correlation between that drop in private practice and the increase in physicians that are employed by hospitals is the inverse. A lot of these private practice physicians are consolidating and getting bought up by hospitals. That is not good for anybody. It is not good for access, and it is not good for Medicare spending. We are really trying to do what we can to reverse that and to stabilize office-based care, including the kind of services that Dr. Kasthuri provides in rural Washington.

Kevin Pho: Saravanan, you actually went against the trend. Rather than going to a larger conglomerate health care system, you actually broke off from one and went to an independent practice despite the financial headwinds that Jason talked about. Tell us the impact that decision has made on some of your patients. I know you talked about one of those patients in the KevinMD article, but tell us the difference that made to some of those patients in rural Washington.

Saravanan Kasthuri: As I said, I started this practice and separated off the system to keep my dignity. The most satisfying thing is the high-quality care that I am able to provide and also the type of people I am able to work with. They are motivated with a similar philosophy. They do not want to be told about how and when these things should be done or how they should not spend their time with their patients. Whether they are technologists or nurses, they appreciate being in the outpatient space. It is a level playing field within the practice.

When a patient wants something done, we are able to see them within three to five days. From the time somebody requests a procedure, we get the procedure done within a week. Oftentimes, people come to me because they have been to the system where it takes about two to three weeks to even get an appointment. Access to care is one of the main things.

The second thing is the cost of care. Doing the same procedure, patients are going to pay only 20 percent out of pocket. On average, we reimburse about 50 to 55 percent of what the same procedure costs in the hospital space, sometimes even less. It is about half the co-pay for the patient. This means less cost for the patients and better care because they could see us quickly. You simply have to go to any of the independent physician services websites or Google reviews to see how happy the patients are.

We are able to have a human heart to feel the pain of the patient and see how we can help them. Like I mentioned in the article, one of the patients from a few weeks ago was a patient with gangrene and intense pain. He worked on a farm and was one of the 67 employees who was given up housing in that place. He had been working there for about 24 years. His farm was on the verge of bankruptcy. It was an independent family-owned farm, and then he had diabetic gangrene in the foot.

He happened to go to the hospital system, and they told him it would take three weeks before they could even see him and have the ultrasound done. If it was something abnormal, they would see him then. They heard about our practice and came to us. We were able to see him, do the ultrasound, explain the procedure, and schedule it. We were able to do it within four days.

As he was driving down that morning, his car broke down. We got the call around 8:15 a.m. We changed our schedule, called the later patients to come in, and took care of him. Even though we were scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m., we started his procedure around 11:30 a.m. We got him done, and his leg was saved with no amputation. It was all done within a week.

This is just one example that I talked about, but we have multiple dozens of such patients. People with severe compression fractures are not able to get care from appropriate services in the big health care system for about a month or six weeks. Right now, if you want a cardiology consult for a family member, they say it will take seven months before they can be seen. We are able to see them in a short time for half the cost, on a one-to-one basis, taking care of their needs and putting a human face and heart to why we are in medicine.

Kevin Pho: We are talking to Jason McKitrick, health care consultant, and Saravanan Kasthuri, interventional radiologist. The KevinMD article that we are talking about is Medicare payment is failing rural health. Now I am going to end by asking each of you just to share some take-home messages with the KevinMD audience. Jason, why dont you go first?

Jason McKitrick: My take-home message is that we are finally getting the attention of policymakers in D.C. about the value of office-based care and why it is important to stabilize it. I would really encourage folks to get involved. Feel free to contact me at the Office Based Facility Association if you are an office-based physician and want to really fix this problem. We have the solutions, and we need folks to get involved and speak up like Dr. Kasthuri.

Kevin Pho: Saravanan, we will end with you. Your take-home messages.

Saravanan Kasthuri: The outpatient services that we are able to provide for rural patients are so important. We provide not only high-quality and compassionate care but also cost-effective care for those patients in a very timely fashion. If you want to preserve these things, you need to make sure there is at least a level playing field. We must correct the current asymmetry in terms of reimbursement despite the better care they happen to receive. When these practices consolidate and close down, it is not just the physicians who get affected, but it is the patients who are really affected.

Kevin Pho: Saravanan and Jason, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks for coming on the show.

Saravanan Kasthuri: Thank you.

Jason McKitrick: Thank you. It has been a pleasure. Thank you.
A voter registration drive for new 18-year-old voters and staff at Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) High School in Austin, TX is conducted by non-partisan parent volunteers. About two dozen were registered in two hours with the effort. (Photo by Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images) Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images

The date of Texas primary election is approaching  and so is the deadline for Texans to register to vote.

Voters who participate in the primary election will help determine which candidates advance to the November general election in races for statewide, congressional and local offices.

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The 2026 U.S. Senate election in Texas will be held on Nov. 3, deciding who holds the seat currently occupied by Sen. John Cornyn. The primary election will also shape races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and comptroller, among others.

Both Republicans and Democrats will select nominees for congressional and legislative races, the State Board of Education and judicial positions.

If youre not yet registered  or need to update your information  heres what to know.

When is the deadline to register to vote in Texas?

Feb. 2 is the last day to register to vote or submit an address change for the primary election.

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When is early voting in Texas?

Early voting for the primary election begins Feb. 17.

When is primary elections in Texas?

The 2026 primary elections will be held on March 3.

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What is a runoff election?

If no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the primary, a runoff election between the top two vote-getters will be held on May 26.

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Texas has open primaries, meaning voters can choose which partys primary to participate in every two years.

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How to check voter registration in Texas

Voter rolls are updated regularly, and some voters may be removed if their status changes, they have not voted in two general elections, or they have not responded to address verification notices.

Several organizations, including Rock the Vote, offer tools to check registration status.

You can verify your voter registration status on the Texas Secretary of States website, where you can view your status, address, county, voter ID number and party affiliation. A status of active means you are eligible to vote.

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Am I eligible to vote by mail in Texas?

You may qualify to vote by mail if you:

Will be absent from your county of residence on Election Day and during early voting

Are sick or have a disability that prevents voting in person without assistance

Are 65 or older

Are confined in jail serving a misdemeanor sentence or confined without bail pending trial

Are expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day

Are civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code

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What if I moved after the voter registration deadline?
One of the best places to visualize the geological features known as the Balcones Escarpment and Balcones Fault is Mount Bonnell. Status: None Jay Janner/Jay Janner / American-Statesman

Readers ask: Where exactly is the Balcones Fault? And while were at it, What precisely is the Balcones Escarpment?

Excellent questions. Even some old-timers cant tell you exactly where these two geological features begin and end.

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Perhaps the most simple and helpful map of the Balcones Fault in Austin is a three-color sample modified from a 1976 map by L.E. Garner and K.P. Young by Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas. Bureau of Economic Geology

The easiest answer: The fault and the escarpment, named for the Spanish word for balconies, signal the start of the Texas Hill Country. Or, in some places, they mark the transitional zone between the rugged hills to the west and the gently rolling plains and Blackland Prairies to the east.

Austin occupies a big slice of all three geographic zones.

I used four types of sources  local experts, topographical maps, published guides and the American-Statesman archives  to begin this discussion. More will surely follow.

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What locals say

Map of the full Balcones Escarpment, which runs through Central Texas. \/San Antonio Express-News

Those balconies, also historically rendered as scarp, mean the high shelves in the front range of the Hill Country, which some settlers in this area called the Colorado Mountains.

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Compared to the Rocky, Sierra Nevada or even the Appalachian ranges, our hills are hardly alpine.

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Yet they did deter mass settlement beyond the Balcones Escarpment and, for a long time, defined the western boundary of Austin. Just stand on Mount Bonnell and imagine hauling your oxen cart or horse-drawn wagon, strapped down with all of your belongings, over those facing hills.

Best to stay in Austin.

The escarpment is easier to identify with the naked eye than the fault beneath the surface, which one expert urged me to visualize as a zone rather than a line.

Dont imagine a deep cleft in the Earth like Africas Great Rift Valley. One can discern, however, shallower rifts.

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I suspect you are asking about the Balcones Fault zone, with the Balcones Escarpment as its surface expression, says Ted Eubanks, a certified interpretive planner from Austin and frequent source for these stories. Shoal Creek is one example  Bull Creek another  of a rift in this zone.

Eubanks sent me a map that showed the Balcones Fault Zone resolved as mere striations or grooves, not a single line, in the stretch of the zone between Austin and San Antonio. Thus illustrated, the fault zone looks like tire treads on a soft road. The same map narrows the zone north of Georgetown and southwest of San Antonio.

Richard Denney, crack researcher for the Travis County Historical Commission, sent me a published historical text that describes the Balcones Scarp running the length of the San Antonio area above the Rio Grande Plain through Austin-area places such as Driftwood, Oatmanville and the eastern foot of Mount Bonnell, up toward Dallas.

Its front is not a vertical cliff, as one might infer from a too literal interpretation of the word scarp, the historical text reads, but rather an indented line of sloping hills leading up from a lower plain to a plateau summit, as seen along the eastern front of the ridge northwest of Austin

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Denney also linked to a digitized 1902 topographical map of the area from the U.S. Geological Survey, which Ill examine in the next section.

When asked where the Hill Country begins, Denney replies: Living in Northwest Hills, I tell people: My hood!

Some of the answers from my friendly experts went a step further.

Jennifer Bristol, educator and author of the delightful books Parking Lot Birding and Cemetery Birding says about the fault zone: MoPac runs along much of it. With a transition zone between 35 and MoPac. The best place to really get a sense of that is the municipal cemetery on Hancock. If you look to the east, its the transition zone, pretty flat. Look west and boom  the hills rise. At one point Treaty Oak was considered to be on that edge.

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Bristol continues: I will go pithy and say I know when Im looking at the Balcones Fault when the houses get bigger and the Ashe juniper pollination period is more explosive.

What the 1902 map tells us

A good place to start is that 1902 USGS map, because back then there was still little development in the area, certainly little in the way of towns or roads west of the escarpment and fault. Its like human settlement just stopped where the light green and yellow patches on the map hit a mass of dark green behind the escarpment wall.

The main line runs from Oak Hill in the south, along the stretch of the Colorado River, now Lake Austin, that takes a sharp turn north, by Mount Bonnell and Mount Barker, splitting Spicewood Springs and up towards Watters and Duval.

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As it passes by Central Austin, the escarpment generally predicts the future path of MoPac, which sinks into that Shoal Creek Rift.

This USGS map emphasizes Austins place in those three aforementioned geographic zones, although, as the color gradations attest, the geology beneath the surface varies widely. One feature that pops out on this map is the volcanic pink of Pilot Knob in what is now Southeast Austin.

I always love the illustrators who add exaggerated topography.

Yet perhaps the most simple and helpful map is a three-color sample modified from a 1976 map by L.E. Garner and K.P. Young of the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas. Three colors I can handle.

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All map tips are welcome.

What is found in the guidebooks

Perhaps the most simple and helpful map of the Balcones Fault in Austin is a three-color sample modified from a 1976 map by L.E. Garner and K.P. Young by Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas. Bureau of Economic Geology

The Balcones Escarpment, which author and journalist Stephen Harrigan in Texas Monthly once called geologys most fateful mark upon the surface of Texas, a bulwark of cracked and weathered rock that extends in a pronounced arc from Waco to Del Rio, finds its way into almost every Texas history or guidebook.

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The usual reference is to Where the West begins, or if you are traveling east, Where the East starts.

Yet almost all of the guides lead us back to two authoritative paragraphs in the The Handbook of Texas Online, which helps with the historical response to the phenomena.

The Balcones Escarpment is a geologic fault zone several miles wide consisting of several faultings, most of which both dip and are downthrown to the east, the Handbook reads. It extends in a curved line across Texas from Del Rio to the Red River and is visible eastward from Del Rio, where it is about 1,000 feet high, and northeastward from San Antonio to Austin, where it is about 300 feet high. It was observed by zoologist G. W. Marnoch and was described by Robert Thomas Hill in 1890. The escarpment, which appears from the plains as a range of wooded hills, separates the Edwards Plateau in the west from the Coastal Plains.

The Balcones zone was formed under conditions of strain during the Tertiary era, when a downwarping occurred near the Gulf Coast with a moderate uplift inland. Water-bearing formations passing beneath the plateau to the plains are broken across by the Balcones fault group, and much water is forced to the surface by artesian pressure. Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, and Comal Springs are examples of the resulting artesian wells or springs.

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There you go.

Some nuggets from the Statesman archives

Of course, mentions of the fault and the escarpment from our newspaper archives are too numerous to repeat today, but I leave you with the earliest citations found.

June 4, 1911: Llano, the Point Lookout of Texas: A description of the Great Central Plateau region of Texas and outline of activities that are energizing its rich little city

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In this long 1911 story under a pretty long headline, staff correspondent Milton Everett describes in purple prose the bustling city of Llano, which is more closely associated with the metamorphic formation known as the Llano Uplift than the sedimentary limestone of the surrounding Hill Country.

As to this plateau country, on which one might stand and, if gifted with the sight, might look over all the Southern States to the Atlantic Ocean, the geological wise men tell us that in a time millions of ages past the territory of Texas split in two parts in a northeasterly direction, and they trace the line of one of the biggest breaks on record as the Balcones Fault.

March 1, 1925: Oil furor at Lockhart: Wild excitement follows strike of new field

The first mention of the Balcones Escarpment in the archives came in 1925 during a period when Texas communities like Kilgore, Ranger, Luling, Mexia and others turned into overnight oil boomtowns.

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This unsigned article with a Lockhart dateline dealt with a wildcat well known as Brewer No. 1. This well is about 15 miles east of north from the Luling field on the Balcones Escarpment and 11 miles northeast of Lockhart. Of wide interest to oil men is that this stratum is above the Austin chalk, nearly 1,000 feet shallower than the Luling sand, which is in the Edwards lime.

The geography and geology in this article are somewhat suspect.

Three earlier columns in this series

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Please send tips and questions to mbarnes@statesman.com.
A vehicle crosses the Congress avenue bridge after a winter storm on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 in Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

At least one person died from exposure overnight Saturday after an ice storm swept through Central Texas, according to city officials.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson called the death preventable during a Sunday news conference, urging residents to use city resources such as emergency shelters and warming centers. With temperatures expected to dip even lower Sunday night, Watson said the city expanded capacity at six shelters to accommodate those in need.

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An extreme cold warning remains in effect through Monday afternoon, prompting many Central Texas school districts  including Austin ISD and the University of Texas  to close Monday.

No additional precipitation is expected, according to Jason Runyen of the National Weather Service. Parts of Austin received up to 1 inch of sleet but less than 0.25 inch of freezing rain  a difference experts say helped keep power on and trees stable, avoiding damage similar to infrastructure-disabling storms in 2021 and 2023.

While Austin avoided the tree and power-line damage that freezing rain can cause, sleet compacted into sheets of ice on roadways, creating hazardous travel conditions and prompting widespread closures. Austin police reported about 67 weather-related crashes between noon Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.

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City and state crews treated about 350 miles of high-priority network roads overnight Saturday, including 66 bridges leading to hospitals and warming centers, according to Richard Mendoza, director of the Austin Transportation of Public Works Department.

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People walk their dogs on a sleet-covered street in the Circle C Ranch neighborhood in Southwest Austin on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

City officials urged residents to continue to stay off the roads, warning that passable conditions do not mean safe conditions. Many streets remained untreated, they said, and continued freezing temperatures could cause slush to refreeze overnight, making Monday morning travel especially dangerous.

Watson also said the city moved to modified operations, with employees working remotely where possible and only essential personnel traveling to keep emergency response and storm operations running. He urged residents to stay off the roads so emergency responders and storm crews can move safely and do their work.

Travis County offices will also be closed Monday for nonessential services, including courts, while public safety and other essential operations continue amid icy conditions.

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City officials warned residents to use caution during cleanup, urging people not to place fallen tree limbs or storm debris near creeks or storm drains, which could worsen flooding once ice melts.

Austin Energy General Manager Stuart Reilly said the utility expects sporadic power outages to continue as winds increase, even though ice accumulation has been lighter than in past storms. Dead or weakened trees could still stress power lines, he said. Reilly noted that most larger outages overnight were caused by lightning, not ice, and warned that vehicle crashes into power poles can also trigger outages.

Andy Blake walks his dog, June, on the icy sidewalks in East Austin Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

City expands cold weather shelters

Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said medics responded around 6:15 a.m. Sunday to reports of an unresponsive person in the parking lot of an abandoned gas station in the 1000 block of East 38th  Street, where an adult was pronounced dead at 6:27 a.m. Luckritz said the circumstances suggest hypothermia may have played a role, though he emphasized that only the Travis County medical examiner can determine an official cause of death.

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He urged residents to use available warming shelters by calling 311, noting that community health paramedics are distributing blankets and other resources to people who decline shelter. He said extreme cold remains life-threatening.

In response to the storm, the city expanded cold weather shelter operations. Six emergency shelters housed 652 people by Sunday morning, and three Austin Public Library branches  Central, Terrazas and Little Walnut Creek  opened as warming centers Sunday.

I visited a cold weather shelter in Northwest Austin that was run by the city this morning, and I got to say that operations look like its running very smoothly, Travis County Judge Andy Brown said at the news conference.

People seeking a warm place to sleep can check in to a shelter between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, which serves as the citys central intake location during cold-weather events. City officials said shelter capacity has been expanded to 825 beds, with 24-hour operations extended through Tuesday morning as freezing temperatures are forecast to persist.

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City officials also urged residents to share information about shelters widely and to check on neighbors, particularly older adults and people experiencing homelessness.

Pedestrian cross the Congress avenue bridge after a winter storm on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 in Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Icy conditions disrupt bus, airport travel

CapMetro said it plans a delayed restart Monday, with limited bus and rail service beginning at noon. Rail service is expected to resume with trains departing the Lakeline station at 12:22 p.m. and downtown at 12:29 p.m., while Bike Share will remain suspended

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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport remained open Sunday, but officials closed one runway and worked to clear slushy conditions from taxiways. The airports east runway stayed operational while crews focused resources there, a standard winter response, according to Deputy Chief Sam Haynes.

Flight disruptions mounted as winter weather conditions persisted, with 117 departing and 87 arriving flights canceled as of midday Sunday. Airport officials said additional cancellations were expected Monday and urged travelers to check directly with airlines before heading to the airport.

A vehicle uses a flyover ramp to get from SH-71 to I-35 South after a winter storm on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 in Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Extreme cold continues across Texas

An extreme cold warning stays in effect across Central Texas until Monday afternoon, with overnight lows expected to dip into the teens and wind chills near or below zero in parts of the Hill Country. The National Weather Service warned that exposure in these conditions can quickly lead to hypothermia or frostbite, especially for people without reliable heat or shelter.

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Elsewhere in Texas, the storm delivered more traditional winter weather. Snow fell across the Panhandle and West Texas, with Amarillo setting a daily snowfall record and cities such as Lubbock, Midland and San Angelo reporting accumulations measured in inches rather than pellets. Farther south, precipitation transitioned to sleet and ice similar to Central Texas, though impacts varied widely by region.
A woman protests ICE in the street outside Austin City Hall in downtown Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. A petition was given to City Council asking for an ordinance to prevent the Austin Police Department from helping ICE agents serve warrants to Austin residents. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

As national tensions flared following another fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, the city of Austin on Saturday evening sought to dispel rampant online rumors that Immigration and Customs Enforcement was staging in the city for an expanded enforcement operation.

In a statement to local media, the city said ICE had assured local officials that no such ramp-up was underway.

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The City of Austin is aware of rumors circulating online of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents staging in Austin in preparation for operations here, the statement said. City officials have been in contact with regional ICE representatives and have been assured that ICE does not have operations focused on warming center or cold weather sheltering facilities.

"Officials have also been told that operations are regular ICE operations and that agents are not coming into Austin from other areas and checking into local hotels."

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Unsubstantiated rumors have circulated for days claiming that multiple ICE agents were staying at the Hyatt Regency Austin downtown and, more recently, that the agency planned to target warming centers opened during the winter storm. Those claims intensified as freezing temperatures settled over Central Texas and local activist groups announced a series of emergency protests Saturday following to the shooting death of a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse during an ICE enforcement action in Minneapolis.

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The citys statement did not appear to deter at least 50 protesters, who gathered outside the downtown hotel about half an hour after the city's communication was released.

Protesters have been demonstrating outside the Hyatt since Thursday, according to a front office supervisor who would not give his name and otherwise declined to comment to the American-Statesman on Saturday evening. Hyatt corporate officials did not respond to the newspaper's requests for comment.

Haithem El-Zabri, one of the Austin protests organizers, appeared unconvinced by the city's statement.

It would make sense for them to deny it. I dont buy it, he said, adding, We need to send them a strong message that ICE is not welcome in Austin.

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Several protesters, including 71-year-old Laura Smith, said they felt a renewed urgency to protest after seeing videos circulating online earlier Saturday of the ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis.

Moving around Smith, protestors banged kitchen utensils on pots, blared sirens and chanted, creating a cacophony that hotel guest Dullah Bosarfa said could be heard from his room on the 15th floor.

Austin City Council Member Jose "Chito" Vela told the Statesman that he spent Saturday morning speaking with local officials, political groups and business owners to investigate the rumor and was "95% sure" no ICE agents were staying at the hotel.

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State Rep. James Talarico, left, and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Democratic primary candidates for U.S. Senate, participate in a debate at the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune via POOL U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, right, Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate, answers a moderators question during a debate at the 2026 Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune via POOL State Rep. James Talarico, Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate, answers a moderators question during a debate at the 2026 Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune via POOL State Rep. James Talarico, left, and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Democratic primary candidates for U.S. Senate, participate in a debate at the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune via POOL U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate, takes a selfie with an audience member following a debate at the 2026 Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune via POOL From left: Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar, state Rep. James Talarico, and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Lorraine Montemayor pose for a photo following a debate at the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Bob Daemmrich /The Texas Tribune

GEORGETOWN  The first debate between the two leading contenders for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate settled into a clash of styles and not of substance Saturday as U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico agreed on a wide range of issues, from overhauling the U.S. Supreme Court to increasing access to health care.

The candidates squared off at the Texas AFL-CIO convention, each hoping to win the group's endorsement that could influence the votes of as many as 235,000 affiliated union members in the state.

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Stylistically, Crockett presented herself as a bare-knuckled fighter who described the coming battle with the eventual Republican nominee, and even service in the upper chamber of Congress, as if it were combat.

"Whoever goes to the United States Senate is going to have to be ready for real war," said Crockett, who is in her second term representing part of Dallas. "This is how bad it is."

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Talarico, in his fourth term representing part of Austin in the state Legislature, trained his fire on the wealthiest Americans  many of them Texans  who he said have an outsized influence on the decisions made in Washington.

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"These billionaires aren't just buying yachts and jets. They are buying power," Talarico said. "Our schools are being defunded so billionaires can get another tax break. Our health care premiums are going through the roof so billionaires can get another tax break. Our social security benefits, our Medicare benefits, are constantly under threat, so billionaires can get yet another tax break."

The debate came just weeks before the Feb. 2 deadline for voters to register for the March 3 primary election, and less than a month before early voting starts on Feb. 17. The Texas AFL-CIO typically aligns itself with Democratic candidates and causes and has not sought to sponsor a debate between the leading Republican contenders for U.S. Senate. They are four-term incumbent John Cornyn, state Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston.

Crockett pushed back against a question suggesting that she would be less likely to attract votes from moderate and independent Texans, who would be key in any coalition that might break the Democrats' 32-year losing streak in statewide elections.

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"Right now, people are not happy with the Democratic Party," Crockett said. "I've seen the polling. What they want is someone who is going to be unafraid in the face of what we are facing right now, which is someone who believes he's a king."

Talarico, without mentioning his primary opponent by name, made the implicit argument that he would be the stronger candidate against whoever the Republicans nominate.

"We have a moral imperative to win this election in November," he said. "If we don't win, we can't help people. I've seen the consequences in the trenches of the Texas Legislature of losing elections. I've seen my constituents get hurt. I've seen rights that we took for granted rolled back. I've seen schools close."

But on many policy questions, both candidates offered similar answers. Both said they would limit the terms of U.S. Supreme Court justices, who currently can serve for life. Crockett added that she would vote to expand the court from its present nine members. Talarico said that he would be "open" to adding justices, but would have to see any proposal before committing.

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Both said they would expand access to health insurance by opening Medicare, which currently covers Americans 65 and older, to every citizen. Both called for wholesale changes to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency known as ICE, which has drawn national headlines for its aggressive, and sometimes deadly, efforts to round up immigrants.

But each was careful not to use the phrase "defund ICE," even after several prompts from the moderators. In the elections of 2022 and 2024, Republicans succeeded in labeling several Democratic candidates as advocating for "defunding the police," which some demonstrators used as a rallying cry against what they saw as overly aggressive tactics by law enforcement.

Jen Ramos, an AFL-CIO delegate and Democratic activist, declined to pick a winner of the hourlong debate. But she complimented the discipline shown by both candidates.

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Federal agents point weapons amid tear gas fired at protestors on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Earlier agents allegedly shot and killed a protestor amid a scuffle to arrest him. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

I live in St. Paul, Minnesota, and as a science fiction writer, Ive written many stories about people  specifically from Minneapolis and Saint Paul  taking care of one another in the face of disasters. Now thats what Im seeing around me, in real life. But the disaster isnt one of the more-or-less natural disasters I wrote about: Its an open assault and occupation by our own federal government.

This is a campaign of terror. This is ethnic cleansing. My neighbors are not the criminals  the criminals are the masked secret police who are assaulting, abducting and murdering my neighbors.

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In response to this, my community has developed a grassroots notification system able to quickly send observers to every corner of the city so that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents cannot make our neighbors simply disappear. Parents are volunteering to monitor their childrens schools, and neighborhoods are standing watch over mosques and immigrant-owned businesses. Theres also a massive mutual aid operation through schools, churches, and community organizations to bring food, clean laundry, and other necessities to people who are sheltering in their homes.

In response to this set of non-violent and entirely legal actions, the federal government is calling us domestic terrorists.

It is honestly pretty terrifying to live here right now.

We cannot resist tyranny alone. If youre outside Minnesota, here are things you can do to help.

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 Call your elected officials. ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are the jackbooted government thugs that the National Rifle Association spent decades pretending they wanted to protect us from. These agencies must be fully dismantled. ICE officers here wear no badges, cover their faces and operate with gross disregard for the U.S. Constitution they swore to uphold.

Many Minnesotans have taken legal observer training, sometimes called constitutional observer training or ICEwatch training. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

 Visit https://www.standwithminnesota.com to see charities, mutual aid funds, advocacy groups and crowdfunding campaigns you can donate to. The site includes links to contact corporations so you can ask companies currently collaborating with ICE to reconsider their choices. There are also links to Minnesotan news sources, and a message link to send words of encouragement to Minnesotan resisters.

 Push back on disinformation. Border Patrol Commander-At-Large Greg Bovino has repeatedly told unvarnished lies about whats happening here, lies debunked by video evidence, lies that, as George Orwell put it, demand you reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. If you have family and friends who might listen to you, push back if you hear them repeating those lies. If you see these lies repeated uncritically in a media source, write in and complain.

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 Do not apologize for being pro-immigration and pro-immigrant. We are lucky as a country that immigrants want to come here. Immigration is a gift. If you were born here, be clear in your conversations that you welcome immigrants, that you value immigrants, that you consider your immigrant neighbors to be an irreplaceable part of your community. If you are an immigrant, know that you have countless neighbors who believe that you belong here.

 Get ready for when it happens to you. Any big blue city  including Houston, Austin or San Antonio  could be next. Many of us here took legal observer training, sometimes called constitutional observer training or ICEwatch training. If you can find similar trainings near you, attend one. Get on Signal. Talk to your networks: the Parent Teacher Association at your kids school, your church, your board game group, your neighbors. Ask what people in your communities would need if this happened where you live, and think about what the rest of you can do to help. You can find a lot of useful how-to information at defend612.com under the Resources tab. (612 is the Minneapolis area code.)

MINNEAPOLIS, MN. - JANUARY 2026: In sub-zero temperatures, marchers in downtown Minneapolis, Minn., on Friday, January 23, 2026, waved signs decrying ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities metro area, Operation Metro Surge. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, Jonathan Ross, during a confrontation between federal agents and protesters in south Minneapolis. (Photo by Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) Star Tribune via Getty Images

Because heres the most important thing weve learned: There are more of us than there are of them. They cannot arrest all of us. They cannot murder all of us. When Renee Good was killed, the response was for thousands of new people to learn how to do mobile patrolling. There will be a similar response to the killing of Alex Pretti. Every time they push harder, more of us link arms to hold our ground.

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In one of the stories Ive written, The Year Without Sunshine, a Minneapolis block comes together to keep a vulnerable member of their community safe. The protagonist of the story is not the narrator; its the community itself, because the community changes and learns based on the choices they make together over the course of the story.

Thats what Im seeing happen in Minnesota now.

And even though its terrifying to have the government declare war on my city and my state, I am incredibly proud to be Minnesotan.

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In 2021, millions of Texans lost power when Winter Storm Uri knocked out generation plants that were unprepared for the freezing temperatures. Could it happen again this weekend? Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Five years after Texas electric grid failed massively, leaving Texans to freeze in the dark, another enormous winter storm is approaching. Gov. Greg Abbott and his appointees tell us not to worry that ERCOT might fail again.

We should be worried.

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Since 2021, the governor and Legislature have missed almost every opportunity to strengthen the electricity supply chain across Texas. And Abbotts appointees to the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT have no idea how the generators, transmission companies and local distribution utilities such as CenterPoint in Houston will respond to the challenge.

WINTER STORM: Heres how this storm will compare to February 2021

To recap the 2021 failure: The state counted 246 deaths, with estimates of economic damage ranging to over $200 billion due to burst pipes, building fires, damaged petrochemical plants, lost revenues and lost jobs. As the storm was at its worst, ERCOT was 52 gigawatts short of meeting demand due to a network collapse brought on by frozen natural gas supply lines, frozen piles of coal, icy wind turbines, and a frozen pump in the cooling pond at a nuclear power plant. Local utilities proved unable to rotate blackouts across their service areas.

Later, then-PUCT Chair DeAnn T. Walker and then-ERCOT CEO Bill Magness testified under oath that, at the very time consumers needed electricity most, Abbott pushed ERCOT to boost supply  which ERCOT did so by raising the wholesale price to $9 per kilowatt hour. Consumers will be paying off more than $4 billion in overcharges for years.

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There is good news: Legislation has been approved requiring weatherization of the electricity supply chain across the state. Passing a law to improve reliability should not have been necessary, but in Texas, it was. The ERCOT market model rewards scarcity, not reliability.

Now the bad news: The state has refused offers from Berkshire Hathaway Energy and Starwood Energy Capital to build natural gas plants that could have added 9 gigawatts of power to the grid by now. Legislators eventually passed a law creating the Texas Energy Fund, intended as a state subsidy to partially finance new power generation. But since the funds creation, no new natural gas generation has been added to the grid.

ERCOT has never been in better shape for summer, due to the incredible growth of solar, wind and batteries. But winter is another story. More people and businesses have moved into Texas since 2021, increasing demand for electricity. If freezing precipitation shuts down wind turbines, ERCOT still has too few power plants and long-duration batteries to meet demand during a long frosty night. ERCOT itself has acknowledged the risk.

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POWER OUTAGES: What Texans should know about power outages ahead of the weekend freeze

The winter uncertainty isnt driven just by too few generating plants, but also by the age of the existing fleet. Coal plants on the ERCOT grid are, on average, more than 55 years old. Natural gas plants average more than 30 years old. Aging plants are more likely to require unplanned shutdowns for maintenance in the best of times.

Add to that the perverse incentive built into the ERCOT market that encourages suppliers to withhold electricity in order to drive up the wholesale price, which today on the ERCOT grid is capped at $5,000 per megawatt hour, or $5 per kilowatt hour in retail terms. That can encourage unscrupulous operators to report a few breakdowns at one plant in order to drive up the price paid to their plants which remain online. This behavior has characterized the ERCOT market since its inception in 2002.

If things go badly over the next few days, ERCOT will need to ration electricity and begin rotating blackouts as a last resort. It will then be up to local utilities to manage the blackouts. In 2021, Houstons CenterPoint Energy could not do this because the company was completely unprepared to rotate what power was available across its service area. Downtown Houston remained completely lit while other parts of the metro area froze. Dozens of residents died.

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FOOD SAFETY: How to make food last longer during outages and when to throw it out

Five years after the grid failure of February 2021, the fact that Texans are worried about losing power is proof that the Texas government has failed. Legislators and regulators have failed to expand baseload generating capacity to meet growing demand, and to ensure that local utilities are ready for the downed power lines and other problems that inevitably follow an Arctic blast. And there has been no real effort to reform the ERCOT market model, leaving most Texas consumers at the mercy of a monopoly electricity supplier.

The defining characteristic of monopolies is that consumers pay more and get less. Good luck this weekend.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement at his office, May 26, 2023, in Austin, Texas. Eric Gay/AP

Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday partially sided with acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock in his push to ban some private schools from the state's new voucher program over alleged terrorism or foreign ties.

Paxton confirmed in a non-binding opinion that the state comptroller unambiguously has the authority to block or remove schools from the program if they violate other state laws, including the support of transnational criminal networks or terrorist activity.

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But he declined to weigh in on the specific schools Hancock is targeting, saying only the comptrollers office could determine whether a school can be disqualified.

"Your inquiry improperly shifts the responsibility of making these factual determinations to the Attorney General," Paxton wrote. "Our office has no greater statutory role in deciding who qualifies for the TEFA program than we do in dictating which private schools are accredited in Texas."

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Hancock asked Paxton to weigh in last month, alleging that certain unnamed schools that applied to the tuition-support program have ties to the Chinese government and the Council American-Islamic Relations, an advocacy group that Gov. Greg Abbott recently declared a terrorist organization. CAIR has disputed the designation and is suing to overturn it.

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In a statement Saturday afternoon, Hancock said he appreciated Paxtons support and that his opinion makes clear that Texas will not tolerate taxpayer funds being diverted to bad actors.

The opinion is legally nonbinding but could be used to justify barring certain schools. Conservative opponents of school choice have long criticized the voucher program for its potential to direct tax dollars to Islamic schools. Hancock has not said he plans to block all Islamic schools from the program, though none have been publicly admitted so far.

The effort to bar the unnamed schools has already created broader ripple effects within the program, as hundreds of other schools, including Christian and Jewish institutions, have also seen their invitations to sign up delayed by over a month. Parents are scheduled to begin signing up for the program on Feb. 4.

Two schools operated by the Spring Education Group, which has faced scrutiny under Floridas voucher program over alleged Chinese ownership, previously appeared on the map of approved schools in early January but were subsequently removed.

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In his letter, Hancock asked whether he could disqualify applicants that are based at an address that have hosted publicly advertised events organized by the Council of American-Islamic Relations, the largest Muslim civil rights group in the nation.

The people of Texas deserve the highest assurance that no taxpayer dollars will be used, directly or indirectly, to support institutions with ties to a foreign terrorist organization, a transnational criminal network, or any adversarial foreign government, he wrote on Dec. 12, asking for an expedited ruling on whether the schools should be excluded.

In a post on social media announcing the opinion, Paxton said he had confirmed Hancocks full authority to stop taxpayer funds from going to schools illegally tied to terrorists or foreign adversaries.

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Let me be crystal clear: Texans tax dollars should never fund Islamic terrorists or Americas enemies, he wrote.
The number was specific: 18,000 steps.

It came from a retired hospital director in Taipei, a physician-administrator who spent four decades building services, negotiating budgets, and managing crises across a health care system that now treats an aging society as its primary patient.

Most physicians retire into silence. He retired into data.

But the more interesting revelation did not come from his smartwatch. It came from the dinner table.

A shift in governance

In Western narratives, physician retirement is framed as cessation, an ending of clinical labor. In Chinese culture, retirement is not cessation. It is transfer. It is the moment when governance shifts from institutions to bodies, from systems to selves, and from hospitals to tables.

This director did not close his hospital. He built a new one, literally. A new medical building now stands in its place, oriented toward preventive services, long-term care, and aging. The geography changed, but the instinct to govern remained intact.

The steps are part of that governance. They are not fitness; they are continuity. Fitness pushes. Resilience repeats. Fitness tests strength. Resilience tests time.

Yesterday was 15,000, he said. Today, 18,000. Its a progression.

Resilience is never declared. It is measured in increments.

The dinner table archive

The dinner was where the cultural layer surfaced. In Chinese medicine, legacy is rarely preserved in memoirs. It is preserved through oral history disguised as leisure. The dinner table functions as an archive of policy battles, malpractice traumas, reforms survived, and colleagues defended. You cannot access this archive through PubMed or grand rounds. You have to earn an invitation, and you have to know when not to interrupt.

Among Taiwanese clinicians, this retirement pivot is increasingly discussed through a triad known as Yi-Dong-Yang, medicine, movement, and nurture. For most of their lives, Yi (medicine) dominated. In retirement, Dong (movement) and Yang (nurture) emerge, not as hobbies, but as new forms of governance over body, time, and meaning.

At one point, a younger surgeon whispered, We didnt learn any of this during training. He was right. Hospitals are built to treat patients. Tables are built to sustain physicians.

Philosophy of resilience

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This distinction has consequences for global health systems facing a wave of retiring clinicians. We worry about losing skills, but watching the director, fit, sharp, walking 18,000 steps and commanding the table, it became clear that what we are truly at risk of losing is philosophy.

We risk losing the:

Philosophy of duration.

Philosophy of restraint.

Philosophy of resilience.

And a cultural lesson Western medicine often underestimates: Healing is not only biomedical; it is social. The Chinese dinner table is not indulgence. It is metabolism. It is where a lifetime of institutional stress is converted into narrative, humor, and meaning.

Retirement did not shrink his world. It shifted its axis. From hospitals to parks. From budgets to bodies. From meetings to meals. Every shift was smaller, but every shift was intentional.

As tea was poured, someone asked what tomorrows plan was.

Maybe nineteen, he said.

He is no longer running a hospital. But he is still governing a system.

Gerald Kuo, a doctoral student in the Graduate Institute of Business Administration at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, specializes in health care management, long-term care systems, AI governance in clinical and social care settings, and elder care policy. He is affiliated with the Home Health Care Charity Association and maintains a professional presence on Facebook, where he shares updates on research and community work. Kuo helps operate a day-care center for older adults, working closely with families, nurses, and community physicians. His research and practical efforts focus on reducing administrative strain on clinicians, strengthening continuity and quality of elder care, and developing sustainable service models through data, technology, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. He is particularly interested in how emerging AI tools can support aging clinical workforces, enhance care delivery, and build greater trust between health systems and the public.
Palestinians carry the body of Mohammad Zawara, 15, who was killed in an Israeli strike, according to health officials, as they arrive at Shifa Hospital, Gaza City, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Yousef Al Zanoun/AP)



CAIRO  Top U.S. envoys met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, urging his government to move into the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza.

Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and Middle East adviser, according to the prime ministers office, which did not give details. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe the talks, told reporters the envoys had been working closely with Netanyahu on recovering the remains of the last hostage in Gaza, and on the next steps for demilitarizing the territory.

The U.S. is anxious to keep the Trump-brokered deal moving, but Netanyahu faces pressure to wait until Hamas returns the hostages remains.

The biggest signal of the second phase would be the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. Ali Shaath, the head of a future technocratic government in Gaza that is expected to run day-to-day affairs, said Thursday the border crossing will open in both directions this coming week. There was no confirmation from Israel, which said it would consider the matter this week. The crossings Gaza side is currently under Israeli military control.

The family of Ran Gvili, whose body is still in Gaza, urged more pressure on Hamas. President Trump himself stated this week in Davos that Hamas knows exactly where our son is being held, the family said Saturday. Hamas is deceiving the international community and refusing to return our son, the last remaining hostage, in what constitutes a clear violation of the agreement it signed.

Hamas said Wednesday it has provided all information it has on Gvilis remains to ceasefire mediators, and accused Israel of obstructing search efforts in areas it controls in Gaza. The ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10.

Egypt pushes for Rafah crossing to open

Egypts top diplomat pressed for an immediate opening of the Rafah crossing with the director of Trumps new Board of Peace in Gaza, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Saturday, including the ability of Palestinians to enter and exit the territory.

Foreign Minister Bader Abdelatty spoke by phone with Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza, the ministry said in a statement. They discussed the implementation of the ceasefires second phase, including the deployment of an international monitoring force, the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip, the statement said.

The Egyptian minister said implementing the second phase is a key entry point to launch Gazas reconstruction. The statement didnt say when the crossing will open for travelers and the evacuation of sick and wounded.

Israel is expected to discuss opening the Rafah crossing during Sundays Cabinet meeting.

Hamas in a statement Saturday said a delegation met in Istanbul with the head of Turkeys National Intelligence Organization about the ceasefires second phase and the fulfillment of the requirements of the first phase.

2 teens killed in Gaza while searching for firewood

Also on Saturday, an Israeli strike killed two Palestinian teens in Gaza, according to hospital authorities. The boys, cousins aged 13 and 15, were searching for firewood, according to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which received the bodies.

The boys were killed in the area that Israels military has said is safe for Palestinians, about 500 yards from the Yellow Line, which separates the Israeli-controlled areas in eastern Gaza from the rest of the strip, said a relative, Arafat al-Zawara.

Israels military said it had targeted several militants who crossed the Yellow Line and planted explosives, threatening troops. It denied that those killed were children.

Since the ceasefire, more than 480 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, according to Gazas Health Ministry. 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. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.

Shurafa reported from Deir Al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Sally About AlJoud in Beirut and Michelle Price in Washington contributed to this report.
A couple kneel as they pay respects to Alex Pretti at a memorial to him on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse at the Veterans Administration hospital, was killed by federal agents on Saturday. (John Autey/Pioneer Press)



MINNEAPOLIS  Alex Pretti, the man fatally shot by Border Patrol on Saturday, was a passionate intensive care nurse who had recently become concerned about immigration enforcement efforts and begun attending protests, according to friends, family and co-workers.

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, Prettis family said in a statement shared with The Washington Post. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world.

Pretti, 37, is the third person shot by federal immigration officials in recent weeks.

He was shot outside a popular doughnut shop about a mile-and-a-half from his home by U.S. Border Patrol, according to law enforcement officials. The shooting followed a scuffle between Pretti and Border Patrol agents. Pretti was in possession of a 9mm handgun, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Authorities believe Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said during a news conference.

Trump officials, including Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi L. Noem, called Pretti a domestic terrorist.

Pretti came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation of federal law enforcement officers, Noem said.

In the statement, Prettis family called the administrations description of the shooting sickening lies and reprehensible and disgusting. The family said Pretti was trying to protect a woman who had been pushed down by immigration agents.

Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by [President Donald] Trumps murdering and cowardly ICE thugs, the statement said. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.

He was a U.S. citizen, and Minneapolis police said he didnt have a criminal record.

The shooting sparked protests and clashes between demonstrators and authorities near the scene, which state investigators said they were barred from accessing Saturday by federal officials.

Pretti had another physical encounter with immigration officers recently, according to a colleague, Joshua Green, who recalled him coming to work with a bandage on his eye. Pretti said he got a small cut after being struck by an immigration agent, Green recalled.

Pretti cared about human rights, Green said, and mentioned protesting in the wake of the shooting of Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Green said Pretti was not easily provoked or angry. He was a very calm, collected person and always had a good demeanor, he said. He always had a smile. This is quite the shock.

Pretti also participated in the wave of street protests following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, according to his ex-wife. These kinds of things, you know, he felt the injustice to it, said the ex-wife, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Family and friends said they were stunned by Prettis death and described him as a friendly and dedicated colleague who loved mountain biking. He was often seen with his Catahoula Leopard named Joule.

Aasma Shaukat said she hired Pretti for a research position at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System about a decade ago. Alex was the sweetest, kindest, gentlest soul you ever met, said Shaukat, now a physician and clinical researcher at the Manhattan VA Medical Center.

He was very bright-eyed, bushy-tailed. He wanted to get into the health care field, work with patients and be a nurse, she recalled. He did wonderful. Did his work really well, was a team player.

After finishing nursing school, Pretti returned to the Minneapolis VA as an intensive care nurse, she said.

He wanted to serve the veterans, just had a high sense of duty and thought they were a vulnerable group in the country who needed our help, she said.

Dimitri Drekonja, an infectious diseases physician at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, said he was impressed when Pretti secured a job in the ICU fresh out of nursing school. It is a testament to his abilities that he felt ready for it, that he was up for that challenge and wanted to help, said Drekonja, who worked with Pretti.

Pretti always greeted him by name, Drekonja recalled, and stood out from other nurses for his distinctive beard. They both loved mountain biking and often rode the same trails, he said.

They never spoke about immigration operations or politics at work, Drekonja said.

He was really someone that helped, Drekonja said. Its just impossible to imagine a negative interaction with him. And the fact that he was killed on city streets  as an employee of the U.S. government, by the U.S. government  its blowing my mind.

Pretti was a member of a local nurses union, and its sister union, AFGE Council 238, issued a statement that called his shooting appalling.

The murder of our union brother Alex Pretti is an unconscionable act of violence and a betrayal of the values federal workers are sworn to uphold, AFGE Council 238 President Justin Chen said in a statement.

Pretti was excited about his future, said Shaukat. Being an ICU nurse is tough  its pretty intense. But he was looking forward to getting a place, a car, Shaukat said.

The shooting feels so wrong, she said. Knowing Alex, he was probably trying to protect or help or shield somebody from the agents. He had not a single mean bone in his body; always spoke about doing the right thing.

His father, Michael Pretti, told the Associated Press that he had warned his son to be careful. We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically, Michael Pretti said. And he said he knows that. He knew that.

Pretti graduated from high school in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 2006, and was listed on the honor roll in a local newspaper. He attended the University of Minnesotas College of Liberal Arts and graduated in 2011, a university spokeswoman said.

Pretti lived in a quiet, tree-lined South Minneapolis neighborhood of single family homes and small apartment buildings, where neighbors gather in the street on lawn chairs with food during the warmer months.

Chris Gray, 41, a special education math teacher, lives in an apartment building near Prettis. Gray  who has been patrolling the streets as one of many local volunteers monitoring the federal immigration crackdown  said that while he did not know Pretti well, the shooting felt personal.

It feels like [these killings] are just what happens now, Gray said. That could have been me or anyone. Ive rarely felt that way, until today.

Hennessy-Fiske reported from Houston. Gaya Gupta and Meryl Kornfield reported from Washington. Razzan Nakhlawi and Aaron Schaffer in Washington contributed to this report.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A Delta Air Lines flight was diverted to Syracuse Hancock International Airport Saturday due to an in-flight medical emergency, airport officials said.

Delta Flight 4693, originally scheduled to travel from Westchester County Airport in New York to MinneapolisSaint Paul, diverted to Syracuse after a passenger experienced a medical issue.

Just before 4 p.m., a plane made an emergency landing at the Syracuse airport with 70-year-old unresponsive passenger on board, according to Onondaga County 911 Center dispatches.

The plane landed safely, taxied to the gate and was met by emergency personnel, according to the airport.

Airport operations were not impacted by the diversion, officials said.

The passengers condition is not immediately known. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard reached out to Delta Air Lines for more information.
North Syracuse, N.Y. - A fleet of cars paraded around Clay and Salina on Saturday to protest against the actions of federal immigration enforcement agents in Central New York.

Around 70 vehicles gathered at Clay Park South at 10 a.m., where people were handed maps that detailed the route along with supplies to decorate their vehicles.

Signs with slogans such as ICE Out and Abolish Ice were taped to the sides of many cars. Some people flew the American flag from their vehicle, while others tied balloons and streamers to their bumpers.

We have to speak out against ICE because they are criminals, said Christine Herb, one of the lead organizers of the demonstration.

Federal immigration agents have ramped up their operations in recent weeks, particularly in Minnesota, where large-scale demonstrations have broken out in opposition to their presence. Two people have been shot to death by federal agents in Minneapolis this month, including a man Saturday and Renee Good on Jan. 7

They are doing everything unlawfully and violently, intentionally to frighten us, Herb said. It starts with the immigrants, and now its already expanding to citizens.

Drivers departed for their route around 11 a.m. Temperatures hovered around 0 degrees, while road conditions were slippery with ice and snow caked on the pavement.

Bystanders honked their horns at the caravan as it made its way down Buckley Road before turning onto Bear Road. The cars then made their way down North Main Street before turning onto Northern Concourse, where the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement office is located.

Onondaga Countys 5th district Legislator Ellen Block was among those who took part in the caravan. ICEs office at 100 Northern Concourse in Salina is located within her district.

Were just bringing awareness to the fact that they are here, she said, because I think one of the things that ICE is doing is planting themselves in business park areas and trying to be very inconspicuous about where they are.

Mark Spadafore, a political director for United Healthcare Workers East, said he attended the protest to hold onto our democracy.

He said the boost in funding for immigration enforcement operations has come at the expense of funding for health care.

They basically took away health care from poor people in order to basically terrorize immigrant communities, Spadafore said.

For some who attended, the issue of immigration was an intensely personal one. One member of the caravan, Heather Gullo, 57, said her spouse is an immigrant, and that she has four siblings who were internationally adopted.

Gullo, an Episcopalian, said her faith was also a large part of her motivation to come out to the protest.

I think all humans deserve a safe place to live, she said, and people who love them and a community that supports them.

Gullo was joined at the protest by Laurel Iavarone, who said she was inspired by the protesters she has seen speaking out against immigration enforcement on the streets of Minneapolis.

Theyre dealing with much colder weather than me, she said. I decided I could get myself up and sit in my heated car.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or be fired following the fatal shooting of an ICU nurse by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed by federal agents on a public sidewalk after attempting to help a woman who had been thrown to the ground during an immigration enforcement operation, according to Hochul.

Noem said that Pretti attacked officers, and Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino alleged that Pretti wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.

This nurse with nothing more than his cell phone in his hand, that he was trying to kill them  thats their story, Hochul said. But anyone whos seen this horrific video, multiple videos, knows that this is a shameless, bald-faced lie.

The governor said the incident represents a pattern of violence by federal agents. She referenced an earlier shooting this month in which federal agents shot a mother of three in the face. Hochul also described arrests of young children, including a 5-year-old returning from preschool and a 2-year-old taken with her father from a grocery store.

Their cruelty, these instances, what is going on and unfolding in streets of America today shocks the conscience of every human being with a heart, Hochul said.

Hochul said that nationwide over the last 13 months, ICE has detained hundreds of U.S. citizens, and dozens of people have died in their custody. She criticized federal agents for preventing state authorities from fully investigating incidents involving lethal force.

Kristi Noem has forfeited her right to lead, and Im calling on her to resign as Secretary of Homeland Security or Donald Trump to do the right thing and just fire her, Hochul said. And if not, she must be removed or impeached.

The governor also called for Bovino, who she said has helped lead and escalate immigration enforcement operations, to be fired. Hochul said New York will hold federal officials accountable and that the state will announce further actions in the coming days.
An Upstate New York man has been charged with public lewdness as police seek more alleged victims.

Spencer A. Morrissey, 52, of Jay, N.Y., was arrested Thursday after a months-long investigation, according to New York State Police. He was charged with public lewdness over a summer incident, though police suspect there may be other cases.

Troopers said they previously received a report Aug. 18, 2025, of a public lewdness incident at the Hull Falls Road swimming area in the town of Keene. While two individuals were swimming, they reported seeing a white male, wearing a blue coat, intentionally exposing himself and engaging in a lewd act while watching them swim.

The man, later identified as Morrissey, was standing on the rocks bordering the south shore of the water, police said. Once he was noticed, he quickly left the area in a gray 2021 Nissan, police said.

State Police said a thorough investigation determined Morrissey was responsible for the actions, arresting and processing him in Ray Brook. He was released on an appearance ticket and has been scheduled to appear in the Town of Keene Court next month.

Police released a photo Friday and said they are looking for other potential victims of Morrissey. If you believe you may have been a victim involving this individual, please contact New York State Police  Ray Brook at 518-897-2000.

Jay and Keene are both located in Essex County, more than 120 miles north of Albany and about 15 miles outside of Lake Placid.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Just one flight out of Syracuse this afternoon remained on schedule: A trip shortly after 8 p.m. headed to balmy Tampa, Florida.

Otherwise, nearly every other outgoing flight from Hancock International Airport was canceled, according to the airports website.

The same was true for incoming flights. As of about 1:45 p.m., just two were still scheduled to land later tonight, from Chicago and Tampa. (Anyone with tickets should check for up-to-date flight information.)

The travel woes are just one of the results of the major ice and snow storm sweeping across the nation this weekend.

Across the country, more than 10,500 flights were canceled on Sunday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Aviation analytics firm Cirium said that as of Sunday morning, the storm is the highest experienced cancellation event since the pandemic.

Many areas of the state, including Central New York, are expected to see as much as a foot of snow by Monday. At times, snowfall rates could be 2 to 3 inches an hour before it ends.

Then, frigid temperatures are forecast to set in as winds pick up on Monday.

Expected snowstorm totals in Upstate NY: How much snow will we get? (see interactive maps)

Already, Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency and announced travel restrictions, including a ban on long combination tandem vehicles on the New York Thruway that took effect at 6 a.m. today.

Onondaga County has issued a travel advisory for today as a winter storm begins dropping heavy snow in Central New York

Some schools have begun announcing closures for Monday.

By Monday night the snow should be over, although there could be some light lake effect snow pulled into Central New York by the departing storm.

The snow isnt going anywhere soon, as temperatures stay below 20 degrees for the rest of January.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced new travel restrictions and deployed National Guard members as New York braces for a massive winter storm expected to dump at least a foot of snow across most of the state through Monday afternoon.

The storm has already brought bitterly cold temperatures statewide and is forecast to begin impacting southern portions of the state in the early morning hours Sunday before moving north to cover the entire state by late morning and early afternoon.

Beginning at 12 a.m. Sunday, all commercial vehicles will be restricted to traveling only in the right travel lane on all state roads, including the New York State Thruway. A travel ban for long combination tandem vehicles on the Thruway will take effect at 6 a.m. Sunday.

New Yorkers know how to handle winter, but its critical everyone treat this weather like the dangerous situation it is, Hochul said. From bitterly cold temperatures to heavy snowfall that will create treacherous travel conditions, there is no shortage of risks to being outside or traveling during the next few days, so I am urging everyone to be smart and stay home, stay warm and stay safe.

Areas north of New York City are expected to receive between 12 and 18 inches of snow, while Western New York and the northernmost portions of the North Country may see 8 to 12 inches. Snow may transition to sleet Sunday evening in New York City and on Long Island, slightly decreasing projected totals there to the 8-to-12-inch range.

Hochul activated 100 members of the New York National Guard with 24 vehicles on Friday to support response operations and local partners across New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley. The service members will be staged and ready to assist beginning Saturday.

The statewide state of emergency declared Friday remains in effect. Early voting for Feb. 3 special elections in New York City will be suspended Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26. The state is working with the New York City Board of Elections to extend hours through the remainder of the early voting period to make up for the suspended hours.

Non-essential state employees have been directed to telecommute on Monday, where possible. Residents are urged to remain inside and avoid travel throughout the storms duration.
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Kristen Stewart responded probably not when asked if she thought she would stay in the US while Donald Trump remains president.

The actor is currently promoting her directorial debut feature film, The Chronology of Water, which was shot in Latvia because, Stewart said, it would have been impossible to do in the States.

Reality is breaking completely under Trump, the 35-year-old told The Sunday Times. But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in.

She called Trumps threat of tariffs on films made outside the US terrifying for the industry, while saying she cant work freely in the States.

But I dont want to give up completely, she added. Id like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people.

Stewart and Trump have crossed paths over the years, most memorably when he tweeted in 2012 that her Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart. She cheated on him like a dog and will do it again, just watch. He can do much better!

open image in gallery Kristen Stewart mocked Donald Trump tweets about her on SNL in 2017

Stewart was photographed kissing her married Snow White and the Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders, while in a relationship with Pattinson. Both Stewart and Sanders issued public apologies at the time.

In 2017, she chose to come out on Saturday Night Live while hosting, in an opening monologue that mocked the US presidents past tweets about her.

Donald, if you didnt like me then, youre probably really not going to like me now, she said. Because Im hosting SNL and Im, like, so gay, dude.

She married screenwriter and producer Dylan Meyer in April last year.

open image in gallery Stewart and Dylan Meyer (left) were married last year ( Getty Images )

The Chronology of Water has received mixed reviews, with praise for Imogen Poots in the lead role as Lidia Yuknavitch, who wrote the 2011 memoir the film is based on, as well as for Stewarts directing.

Stewarts debut might play as adolescent movie poetry  young in spirit, tripping over itself  but its also a throwback to the Nineties indie film scene, arguably the last gasp of the awkward aspiring auteur, critic Xan Brooks argued for The Independent.

open image in gallery Imogen Poots (right) in Kristen Stewarts The Chronology of Water ( BFI )

As such, it looks more radical than it might have done in the past. Its defiantly at odds with todays risk-averse business model and a pure expression of the woman who made it as opposed to, say, a pin-sharp corporate commercial like Barbie. Gerwig travelled in one direction, from the grungy mumblecore movement to the mainstream.

Stewart, though, is steering the opposite course, from Twilight to the arthouse, while daring the fans to stick with her, and it has made for a more fun, jolting journey. Her movie is heartfelt and unrefined and ever so slightly up itself. It's altogether precious, in both senses of the word.

Stewart remarked that the experience of directing had been liberating when compared to her work as an actor: Actresses get treated like s***, Ive got to tell you, she told The Sunday Times.

People think anyone could be an actress, but the first time I sat down to talk about my movie as a director, I thought, wow, this is a different experience, they are talking to me like Im somebody with a brain.

She admitted she was a maniac while working on the film and barely existed outside of it but, Ive never felt more alive.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their debut at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah to promote their latest film project.

The couple attended a special screening and premiere for their new documentary, Cookie Queen, a coming-of-age story that follows four Girl Scouts during the cookie-selling season. Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, are both credited as executive producers through their company, Archewell Productions.

The pair posed on the red carpet with others involved in the making of the documentary, as well as Amy Redford, the daughter of the late Sundance founder and The Way We Were actor Robert Redford.

Meghan spoke from a podium at Sundance in support of the project, reflecting on her own experience growing up as a Girl Scout in California, with her mother, Doria Ragland, serving as her troop leader.

As a former Girl Scout myself, with my mom as my troop leader, I have a personal affinity for this film, she said.

open image in gallery Harry and Meghan at Sundance with Amy Redford, the daughter of the late Robert Redford ( Getty Images for Sundance Film F )

Im proud that all our conversations and collaboration have led to Archewell Productions partnering with this award-winning team to executive produce this incredibly captivating documentary, she continued. When we first viewed the early footage, it was immediately something we wanted to be involved in, she continued.

The creative point of view, the edgy yet humanizing tone, and the glimpse behind the scenes of such a nostalgic  and also modern  tradition of Girl Scout Cookie season are absolutely irresistible, she added.

open image in gallery Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose with the cast and crew at the Cookie Queens premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival ( Getty Images )

The documentary is directed by Alysa Nahmias, with Archewell Productions partnering alongside Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films.

The pair founded Archewell Productions in 2020 and struck a deal with Netflix, releasing documentary projects including Harry & Meghan, about their relationship and their departure from the royal family; Heart of Invictus, an insight into Harrys foundation for veterans; and the lifestyle series With Love, Meghan.

In April 2025, Meghan shared childhood photos of herself selling Girl Scout cookies while promoting the launch of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.

Being an entrepreneur can start young, she wrote at the time. By the way, all these years later and Im still selling cookies!

open image in gallery Meghan and Harry serve as executive producers on the new film Cookie Queens ( Getty Images )

The appearance came days after Harry took a stand at Londons High Court, after he and six other celebrities took the publishers of The Daily Mail to court over alleged unlawful information gathering dating back 30 years.

Harry took to the stand on Wednesday, opening up on his experiences with the media and appearing emotional as he recounted how the press made my wife's life misery.
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms star Peter Claffey has revealed that he shared hours-long in-depth conversations with George R.R. Martin about his character  but when it came to his acting, the iconic creator had a hands-off approach.

The 29-year-old actor stars in the new Game of Thrones spinoff series, which is a prequel based on Martins books, The Tales of Dunk and Egg. As a self-identified superfan of the original fantasy HBO Max series, Claffey said he was eager to talk to the legendary author about the story, but that he did not seek him out for advice on playing his character, Ser Duncan the Tall.

He kind of left me to my own devices, Claffey told People in an interview published Wednesday. I think he was quite involved in the casting process himself, so Im sure he probably saw the way that I wanted to do things, or the way that I was trying to do things.

The Irish actor added that he did not want to bother Martin with questions because he seemed to be pretty happy with the show.

Martin himself said the casting was a home run and confirmed that he was proud of the series, which airs new episodes each Sunday and has already been renewed for a second season. The author wrote on his blog page earlier this month that he had loved all six episodes of the show.

open image in gallery 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' star Peter Claffey revealed author George R.R. Martin had a lowkey approach on the set of the 'Game of Thrones' spinoff ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Peter Claffey plays Ser Duncan Dunk the Tall in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' on HBO Max ( Max )

The new series follows Claffeys knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his squire Egg, played by Dexter Sol Ansell. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms  which The Independents Louis Chilton described as an odd, body fluid-drenched and off-beat prequel  also stars actors Finn Bennett, Henry Ashton, Daniel Ings and Tanzyn Crawford.

Dunk and Egg have always been favourites of mine, and the actors we found to portray them are just incredible, Martin wrote.

In return, Claffey raved to People about the creator: "We spent a lot of time, the last time we had dinner, talking about different scenes that I loved [in the show] and stuff like that. Im just a ginormous nerd when it comes to superheroes and fantasy. He likes talking about his creation, and I love talking about his creation.

Claffey has previously been open about how much pressure he felt when he landed the leading role of Dunk in the prequel to the beloved franchise. The actor told The Independents Tom Murray that he had a bit of a meltdown on the day he was cast.
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Former BBC broadcaster Sir Mark Tully has been described as a towering voice of journalism after his death at the age of 90.

Sir Mark spent 30 years at the BBC, including 20 years as its bureau chief in New Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had left an enduring mark.

Saddened by the passing of Sir Mark Tully, a towering voice of journalism, he said in a tribute on social media site X.

His connect with India and the people of our nation was reflected in his works. His reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse.

Condolences to his family, friends and many admirers.

He was knighted in 2002 by the Prince of Wales, now the King, during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace ( Peter Jordan/PA Wire )

Jonathan Munro, interim chief executive of BBC News and current affairs, said Sir Mark was a joy to speak with and would be missed.

We are sad to hear the passing of Sir Mark Tully, he said in a statement.

As one of the pioneers of foreign correspondents, Sir Mark opened India to the world through his reporting, bringing the vibrancy and diversity of the country to audiences in the UK and around the world.

His public service commitments and dedication to journalism saw him work as a bureau chief in Delhi, and report for outlets across the BBC.

Widely respected in both India and the UK, he was a joy to speak with and will be greatly missed.

Sir Mark was born in India in 1935, before moving to England aged nine. He went on to study history and theology at Cambridge.

He began working for the BBC in the 1960s and moved to India in 1965, first as an administrative assistant before taking on a reporting role.

The BBC said he led reporting not just of India but of South Asia, including the birth of Bangladesh, periods of military rule in Pakistan, the Tamil Tigers rebellion in Sri Lanka and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

He resigned from the BBC in 1994 having denounced its new management style.

He later became the voice of BBC Radio 4 programme Something Understood, which explored religion and spirituality until it was scrapped in 2019.

Sir Mark told the Radio Times the decision made him sad and he believed the BBC was underestimating the asset.

Mohit Bakaya, controller at BBC Radio 4 and director of BBC Speech audio, remembered Sir Mark as thoughtful, generous and searching, adding that he will be greatly missed.

He said: In addition to his celebrated work as a foreign correspondent and his deep knowledge of India, he was known to the Radio 4 audience for his reflective, spiritually inspired essays on Something Understood.

His broadcasts were never about certainty or instruction; they were about curiosity, compassion and making space for complexity.

Sir Mark embodied the spirit of Radio 4 at its best; thoughtful, generous and searching, and his voice will be greatly missed by colleagues and listeners alike.

He was knighted in 2002 by the Prince of Wales, now the King, during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
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A week of extremes plays out across the headlines. Thirty-eight people are killed when hurricane-force winds tear through Britain; the UKs most prolific serial killer, Harold Shipman, is finally jailed. In Washington, President Bill Clinton fights for his political survival, issuing a now-infamous denial that he did not have sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. Beyond the world of scandals and storms, a milestone in technology arrives as Apple unveils the iPad, described by The Independent as the most eagerly awaited tablet since Moses. And in sport, the fairytale continues as Roger Federer claims his 20th grand slam title aged 36 at the Australian Open. All are captured on our front pages ...

1 February 1988  SDP backs merger with Liberal Party

A new political party is born as the Social Democratic Party votes to back a merger with the Liberal Party, paving the way for the creation of the Liberal Democrats. The Independent reports mixed reactions among party faithful after what is described as a weekend of rage and torment, reflecting deep divisions exposed during the debate leading up to the decision.

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26 January 1990  Deadly storm tears through Britain

Hurricane-force winds sweep across Britain, killing at least 38 people and leaving widespread destruction as buildings collapse, trees are torn from the ground and roofs ripped away. The Independent reports damage running into hundreds of millions of pounds as the storm cuts a deadly path from west to east. The death toll later rises to more than 40, prompting renewed scrutiny of weather warnings and emergency preparedness in the wake of one of the most severe storms of the decade.

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27 January 1994  Gunman targets Prince Charles

Prince Charles comes face to face with a gunman rushing the stage during a public appearance in Australia. As shots ring out, a journalist at the scene fears he is witnessing an assassination, describing how the incident unfolded with terrifying speed and lasted barely 15 seconds before the attacker was restrained. While the gun was later revealed to have contained blank cartridges, criticism focuses on security arrangements, with some Australians blaming the Palace for inadequate protection.

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27 January 1998  Clinton denies Lewinsky allegations

President Bill Clinton issues a defiant statement from the White House denying allegations that he had a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Mr Clinton declares during a televised press conference. The Independent describes the denial as a high-risk gambit that places Clintons presidency on the line, a moment that would later come to define one of the most closely scrutinised political scandals of the era.

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26 January 1999  Ceasefire shattered by killings in Kosovo

A fragile ceasefire in Kosovo is broken after the killing of five ethnic Albanian civilians in a shooting attributed to Serbian forces, pushing Western powers closer to the prospect of military intervention. The attack follows the massacre of 45 civilians at Racak 10 days earlier, deepening international alarm.

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1 February 2000  Harold Shipman convicted of murder

Harold Shipman is convicted of murdering 15 of his patients and sentenced to life imprisonment, bringing to a close an investigation that began with the death of an elderly woman 18 months earlier. The former GP is described as Britains most prolific serial killer, with prosecutors saying he killed without motive, beyond the desire to play God. A sinister case that captured the public imagination, The Independent adds that Shipman is expected to be charged with a further 23 murders.

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26 January 2003  The Independent against Iraq war

The Independent on Sunday publishes a front-page appeal urging the government to stop the rush to war in Iraq, warning of the consequences as military action appears imminent. With US and British forces massing and diplomacy faltering, the paper argues that momentum towards conflict is becoming almost unstoppable, calling on President George W Bush and prime minister Tony Blair to make a clearer case for war or reconsider their course. A US-led invasion begins in March 2003.

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28 January 2010  Apple unveils the iPad

Steve Jobs steps onto the stage in San Francisco to unveil Apples long-anticipated iPad, a new touchscreen device pitched as a bridge between the iPhone and a laptop. The Independent remarks that not since Moses has a tablet been more keenly awaited, as Apple reveals a 9-inch screen designed for reading, watching films and browsing the web, with wifi and 3G connectivity.

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29 January 2018  Federer wins 20th grand slam title

Roger Federer defeats Marin Cilic in a five-set final to claim his 20th grand slam title at the Australian Open, extending a remarkable late-career resurgence at the age of 36. The Independent hails the fairytale victory, as Federer becomes the first man to reach 20 mens singles grand slam titles, adding another milestone to a career many believed had already reached its peak.
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Rod Stewart has slammed President Donald Trumps false claims that Nato soldiers avoided the front lines in the war in Afghanistan.

Trump made his comments in an interview with Fox News in which he downplayed Natos contribution in Afghanistan, saying: 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.

The comments drew criticism from a range of European politicians, including Trumps former Palm Beach neighbor, the British rock star Rod Stewart, 81.

The Maggie May rocker branded Trump a draft dodger for criticizing our troops in Afghanistan for not being on the front line.

He said in a video posted to Instagram: I was born just after [World War II], and Id like respect for our armed forces who fought and gave us our freedom, so it hurts me badly, deeply, that I read the draft dodger Trump is criticizing our troops in Afghanistan for not being on the front line.

open image in gallery Rod Stewart called President Trump a draft dodger for his unbearable remarks about Nato troops ( Getty Images )

Stewart continued: We lost over 400 of our guys. Think of their parents, think about it, when Trump calls them almost like cowards. Its unbearable.

I may just be a humble rock star, Im also a knight of the realm, and I have my opinions, Stewart added, calling on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make draft dodger Trump apologize. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Stewart and Trump were reportedly good friends in previous years. In an interview with Radio Times, Stewart said he used to know Trump very, very well, and he would attend his Christmas parties, but they were no longer friends after he became president.

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 those were from Nato countries, while more than 2,300 members of the US armed forces were killed.

open image in gallery Rod Stewart and Donald Trump were formerly neighbors in Palm Beach ( Instagram via @sirrodstewart )

Trumps comments have also drawn ire from Prince Harry, a veteran who completed two frontline tours in Afghanistan, who responded to Trumps comments on Friday evening, stating that the sacrifices of British soldiers deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

The president later backtracked on his comments after a phone call with Starmer, paying tribute to the great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom in a Truth Social post.

The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. Its a bond too strong to ever be broken, he said.

The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will! President DONALD J. TRUMP.
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Jon-Adrian JJ Velazquez, a New York man who spent half his life in prison for a crime he didnt commit, recently sued New York City and its police for US$100 million for his wrongful murder conviction. Velazquez may be known by film buffs for his role in the Oscar-nominated film Sing Sing.

Velazquez may be entitled to millions in compensation if he can prove his factual innocence, typically through DNA evidence at the crime scene. Alas, such evidence is often not available.

The United States has paid almost US$4 billion in damages and settlements to 901 people who have been exonerated of crimes since 1989. This history of wrongful convictions is a warped form of American exceptionalism that I document in my new book Justice for Some: A Comparative Examination of Miscarriages of Justice and Wrongful Convictions.

Proving innocence

Proven factual innocence is a powerful, populist idea. Its easier to understand and more widely accepted than concepts such as miscarriages of justice, conviction safety or judicial error, which are used to address wrongful convictions in many other countries, including England, Canada and countries in continental Europe.

These more generous approaches used outside the United States better respect the fundamental principle of giving people the benefit of reasonable doubt about their guilt.

open image in gallery The country most closely resembling the U.S. in its insistence on proof of factual innocence is the Peoples Republic of China ( Getty Images )

Its very difficult to prove factual innocence. In 2016, a New York court held that Velazquez had failed to prove his innocence despite many weaknesses in the case that led to his 2000 murder conviction.

By 2016, two eyewitness who identified Velazquez as the person who killed a retired New York police officer had recanted. Some witnesses had initially identified the perpetrator as a Black man with long braided hair; Velazquez is Hispanic and had very short hair. Some said the perpetrator used his right hand to shoot the victim; Velazquez is left-handed.

Consistent with the popular appeal of proven factual innocence, Velazquez was freed in 2021 not by the courts but by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, with President Joe Biden apologizing to him the following year. They were responding to investigative reporting and new DNA testing that excluded Velazquez from a betting slip that the killer touched.

The fact that politicians who may have been hoping for re-election were ahead of the American courts in exonerating Velazquez reveals a lot about the decline of the rule of law in the United States.

DNA exonerations

Prominent American lawyers Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck, the founders of the Innocence Project, argued 26 years ago that DNA exonerations were largely a matter of luck. They predicted in a 2000 book that DNA exonerations would eventually dry up as police only use DNA testing in the small minority of crimes where the perpetrator leaves biological evidence at the crime scene.

Scheck and Neufeld may have been overly optimistic about the competence of American police and prosecutors in their book. Post-conviction, DNA-based exonerations, like Velazquezs, continue to this day.

DNA is a double-edged sword: it offers compelling evidence of innocence while simultaneously raising the threshold for overturning wrongful convictions. In the U.S., the wrongfully convicted are often expected to prove their innocence through DNA, even though many crimes leave no biological evidence and existing samples are frequently mishandled or unavailable. DNA, in short, serves only a fraction of those wrongfully convicted.

Mass imprisonment in China and the U.S.

The country most closely resembling the U.S. in its insistence on proof of factual innocence is the Peoples Republic of China.

Like the U.S., China typically remedies miscarriages of justice only after multiple court proceedings. Intervention by politicians also plays a critical role in obtaining justice for the wrongfully convicted, as it did in the Velazquez case. China has also begun providing more generous compensation to those who can prove their factual innocence.

In both countries, generous compensation for the few who can prove factual innocence risks legitimizing unjust systems that harshly punish the many, including those with wrongful convictions but no meaningful path to justice.

about the author Kent Roach is a professor of law at University of Toronto. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

American legal reformers have proposed that a right to claim factual innocence should be added to international law. I argue in Justice for Some, however, that proof of factual innocence would have regressive implications in many other parts of the world that correct miscarriages of justice without such onerous proof. In short, factual innocence would provide justice for fewer people.

Factual innocence spreads to England

Countries other than the U.S. and China are not immune from the populist appeal of factual innocence.

Since 2014, England has required proven innocence for compensation. This has drastically reduced compensation payments. Its even resulted in the denial of compensation to people like Velazquez who have been exonerated by DNA.

Victor Nealon spent 17 years in a British prison after being convicted of attempted rape. His lawyers eventually discovered an unknown persons DNA on clothing that had not been disclosed by investigators, and his conviction was quashed.

Nealon took his compensation claim to the European Court of Human Rights. It ruled in a divided decision that states can require proven innocence without breaching the presumption of innocence. In essence, this allows the wrongfully accused to be denied compensation without regard to the fundamental legal principle that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Factual innocence requirements can spread from compensation to appeals from convictions.

Those who can prove their innocence deserve justice  but justice should not be limited to them alone. Proven innocence rations justice too narrowly.

It may be the best that mass-incarceration societies like the U.S. and China have to offer. But even though factual innocence is popular and easy to grasp, applying this standard broadly across liberal democracies would likely have regressive effects.
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A 28-year-old Utah man is in custody after allegedly assaulting a Democratic congressman at a Sundance Film Festival event, telling him, We are going to deport you and your kind, police said.

Rep. Maxwell Frost tweeted on Saturday night that he had been attacked by a man who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off.

Frost went on to thank the Park City police for arresting suspect Christian Joel Young.

According to authorities, Young is facing charges of aggravated burglary, attempting/assaulting an elected official, and simple assault.

The incident occurred at the High West Distillery in Park City on Friday night. During the altercation, Young is accused of assaulting Frost and his friend.

open image in gallery Rep. Maxwell Frost tweeted on Saturday night that he had been attacked by a man who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Bar staff told investigators that Young had earlier been denied entry to the venue after being told it was an invitation-only event. At one point, Young allegedly attempted to scale a perimeter fence in an ill-fated attempt to get into the venue.

Police documents accuse Young of having weird conversations and comments referring to... race, which were directed at Frosts friend. During the conversation, Young was grabbing the pair like he was hugging them around their necks.

He then told the congressman, We are going to deport you and your kind. That was followed by an unspecified racial slur and a punch directed at Frost, police say.

In addition to allegedly punching Frost, Young is also accused of pushing the Democrats friend against the bar.

Young then tried to escape through the crowd before he was quickly apprehended by the bars security and another patron.

Young also told Frosts friend, You are the kind we are going to deport. Youre being deported, the documents state. The suspect is described as becoming more agitated when Frosts friend attempted to end the conversation because it was becoming inappropriate and racially charged.

During questioning, authorities say Young couldnt remember his own name but did remember being served drinks at the venue, something the bar staff later confirmed. He had a Sundance Film Festival pass on his person at the time of his arrest, but it was in someone elses name, police said. Young said he didnt know where the pass came from.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has consistently said that liberals are the sole cause of political violence in the United States ( PA Wire )

A judge in Utah has ordered Young held without bail as hes considered a flight risk who would constitute a substantial danger to the community.

Frost, who campaigned on gun control and Medicare for all and won high-profile endorsements from progressive U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, beat out a crowded cast of Democrats who ran for the seat in Floridas 10th Congressional District, which includes the Orlando area.

He later became the first Gen Z member of Congress when he was elected in 2022. He was reelected in 2024.

Despite President Donald Trump and his acolytes constant claims that those on the other side of the political spectrum are the source of violence, the Anti-Defamation League found that from 2022 through 2024, all of the 61 political killings in the U.S. were committed by right-wing extremists. That changed on the first day of 2025, when a Texas man flying the flag of the Islamic State group killed 14 people by driving his truck through a crowded New Orleans street before being fatally shot by police.

Bruce Hoffman, who studies terrorism at Georgetown University, said that in modern history, the right has been responsible for more political attacks on people than the left. He said thats because left-wing radicals are more likely to target property rather than people, and because the extreme right boasts organizations such as militias.

He added that after Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people convicted of crimes during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol to overturn his election loss, theres a belief in certain quarters that, if you engage in violence, the slate can be wiped clean.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Protesters chant and bang on trash cans as they stand behind a makeshift barricade during a protest in response to the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer earlier in the day, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Minneapolis.
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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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CultureTV & radioPodcasts Karl Stefanovic name-checked Joe Rogan when he launched his podcast. How close did he come? Michael Idato January 25, 2026  5:01pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Long-form conversations without the fuss or formality was the sell for The Karl Stefanovic Show. But in the execution, it was almost a long-form conversation without the furniture: just two plain-looking armchairs, an occasional table which looked like it was borrowed from a nearby office, and sweeping views of the Brisbane CBD in the background. The 51-year-old host of Today (aired on the Nine Network, owner of this masthead) was all charm and got-my-black-jeans-on ease, talking to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson in a best-part-of-an-hour-long live podcast interview that hovered, at times, on the brink of either looking like a free political kick, or descending into small talk. Karl Stefanovic and Pauline Hanson on The Karl Stefanovic Show. YouTube This project is being produced independently of Nine, with no network involvement. As with most shows in this style, the biggest weakness is poor time management. In the search for an easy, talky vibe, both host and subject tend to drift, interesting answers to good questions were left un-probed further. It was noisy, but not muscular. The result was a bunch of great moments, but no gotchas, stitched together by clumps of occasional table chatter. No politics and policy here, Stefanovic said. Of course not. Both are listener turn-offs. But there was not enough of a push into the most interesting revelations, notably Hansons recent visit to Donald Trumps presidential palace Mar-a-Lago.

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Speaking to media ahead of the podcast launch, Stefanovic name-checked the success of US podcaster Joe Rogan, who has become one of the most influential voices in American media, as part of what prompted him to shift into this space, part-time at least. (Hes not giving up his day job.) The show would be unscripted, unfiltered, uncensored. Im going to unleash the beast, Stefanovic said. Hanson on the show. The Joe Rogan Experience, which has streamed weekly since 2009, is described as a destination for open dialogue with a wide range of guests and perspectives. But it achieved critical mass in October 2024 when his endorsement of Donald Trumps second election campaign was seen as critical to unlocking a difficult-to-mobilise young, male voter demographic. Loading Unlike Stefanovic, however, Rogan  and hosts of podcasts of a similar ilk, such as Alex Coopers Call Her Daddy  do not directly address or acknowledge the audience. The show unfolds as an intimate conversation between host and guest. Not so here. Stevanovic directly addresses the camera at the outset and a section of the podcast is given over specifically to audience questions.

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Stefanovics intentions are clearly noble. Hes an uncomplicated, sometimes even earnest man, not so different from the persona he presents on Today. But Hanson falls a bit short when it comes to podcast talent. Shes street-smart and spotlight-hungry but not intellectually robust enough to co-create the kind of memorable debates that this podcast clearly has an ambitious eye on. (Or that the Rogan program has cornered the market with.) Hanson is good at fencing talking points, but she struggles to prosecute a case. (Or, sometimes, even an idea.) In media noise terms, offering her a platform  the day before Australia Day, no less  in the hope that youll hook a headline is the equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel. And even then, the take-away was patchy. Stefanovic spruiks the podcast in a still from a video announcing the show. YouTube What Hanson does bring, however, is authenticity, and in a political class defined either by noisy posturing or repeated falsehood, her best skill is a different kind of earnestness. She owns her failures, even if she persistently rejects the circumstances that create them. She can be moved to a tear, perhaps because she lacks the natural political artifice to hide them. Ive been true to myself, Hanson told Stefanovic and on that point, shes spot on. But it wasnt long before we were precisely where Stefanovic had assured us we would not end up: politics and policy. A long-form interview show would be a welcome addition to the Australian media; there are not enough platforms for robust, small detail-detail driven analysis. What we dont need is another program where politicians can make speeches without hard fact-checking.

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Perhaps the underlying question here is whether preaching-to-the-ecosystem podcasting is any more useful to the wider discourse than preaching-to-the-ecosystem politics. After almost three decades of Fox News, for example, the issues facing Americans do not seem particularly well-illuminated; one could even go so far as to argue the US, and its ecosystem-tuned audience, knows less than ever. And while The Joe Rogan Experience may well present a robust potential business model for an Australian podcast looking to find a foothold in a genre full of smaller players, that Rogans name is even needed as a pre-launch taking point suggests that without the clear signposting, the audience is not sitting on the sidelines waiting for someone to speak from the silence. Worse, watching Rogan himself express a form of buyers remorse when faced with the broken US political landscape that he, in part, helped to bring about, might usually be enough to give any sensible person pause. 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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NationalNSWSydney Fish Market Sydneys new tourist drawcard heaves with visitors over long weekend Matt O'Sullivan January 25, 2026  4:58pm 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

Sydneys $836 million Fish Market faced one of its first major tests as tens of thousands descended on the new visitor attraction on the first two days of the long weekend, forcing officials to put in place crowd-control measures for a short time on Sunday. Braving high temperatures, large numbers of people used the Dulwich Hill light rail line to get to and from the fish market on Sunday. After hopping off trams, people queued at the one Opal ticket reader on the westbound platform to tap off at the Wentworth Park stop, nearest to the new fish market. Outside the market, attendants at the entrance to an underground car park regularly put up a sign showing it was full before enough vehicles left to allow it to be taken down and others to enter. The new fish market has 400 car parking spaces, the same number as the old facility next door. The new fish market heaves with visitors on Sunday. Max Mason-Hubers Visitors pack outdoor seating areas the new fish market overlooking Blackwattle Bay. Max Mason-Hubers

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Inside the market, the concourse was heaving with people before 11am on Sunday, and long queues formed outside some outlets for takeaway meals. Christies Seafood partner Mandy Kwok said the new market had definitely been busier than the old facility. It has been more than we expected. There are a lot of people trying us out, she said. Its a new chapter. Nicholas Seafood manager Angelo Vaxevani said staff were flat out serving customers at its large outlet at the market on Sunday, and he expected Australia Day would be even busier. Its much busier than the old [market], he said. Passengers queue to tap off at the one Opal card reader on a platform at the Wentworth Park stop, which is closest to the new market. Max Mason-Hubers The NSW government has lauded the new site as the third major landmark on Sydney Harbour, joining the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and forecast it will attract more than 6 million visitors annually. The market has a cap of 5000 visitors at any one time, and remains open until 10pm from Sunday to Thursday, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Sydney Fish Market said it almost reached capacity on the main retail floor on Sunday when numbers peaked at about 4500 people inside at once, resulting in crowd-control measures for about 45 minutes. More than 30,000 people were estimated to have visited on Sunday before 4pm. It is the second time since the market opened last Monday that crowd-control measures have been enacted. On Monday, people had to queue to enter the main retail floor after it reached the cap of 5000 people for several hours over the lunch period. Ahead of the long weekend, Transport for NSW had warned that the new fish market was expected to be very busy on its first weekend of trading. Visitors have been encouraged to use public transport, including buses and light rail. A full sign at the entrance to the fish markets underground car park late on Sunday morning. Max Mason-Hubers Asa Wahlquist, from the Glebe Society resident group, said an incredible number of people had visited the fish market over the first week of operations, resulting in reports of queues at Central Station to catch trams to the stop nearest to the new visitor attraction.

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The light rail has been very busy. There are hordes of people walking from the light rail across Bridge Road, said Wahlquist, who is on a community consultative committee for the new market. She said there had also been a noticeable increase in motorists cruising nearby streets looking for spots to park, which were all taken by 11am. Light rail services were halted between Dulwich Hill and Lilyfield shortly before 4pm on Sunday after a tram needed repairs. Power supply problems in the early afternoon also stopped trams running along George Street in the central city between Town Hall and Circular Quay. A worker moves seafood about the fish markets main retail floor on Sunday. Max Mason-Hubers Families enjoy lunch at the new fish market. Max Mason-Hubers

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The old fish market light rail stop has been renamed Bank Street because Wentworth Park light rail stop is now closer to the new facilitys entrance. The latter is in line for a $40 million accessibility upgrade, including new lifts and ramps, and improved lighting and signage. Sydneysiders and tourists will have to wait at least a year before ferry services to the new fish market begin because a $30 million wharf has yet to be built. Penrith residents Stacy Carr and Mark Del Villar visited the fish market on Sunday as part of a staycation, and thought it was very sophisticated as they prepared to sit down outside to enjoy a glass of wine. Penrith residents Stacy Carr and Mark Del Villar visit the fish market on Sunday. Max Mason-Hubers Inside, they cater for everybody. Youve got food and carvery. In terms of price points, its what we expected. Yes, we are out of pocket, but its been worthwhile, Carr said.

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We had friends and family from western Sydney come out yesterday. Theyve got quite a large family and they needed wheelchair access. They spoke very highly of their experience [at the new market]. 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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NationalQueenslandAustralia Day AC for AP: Annastacia Palaszczuk awarded top Australia Day honour Cameron Atfield January 25, 2026  10:00pm 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

A little more than two years after stepping down as Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk has received Australias highest civilian award for her eminent service to the country. Palaszczuk has been named a Companion of the Order of Australia, while her former cabinet colleague Anthony Lynham has been bestowed the honour of Officer of the Order of Australia in 2026s Australia Day honours. For Palaszczuk, who can now add AC to the end of her name, the hardest part was keeping it to herself. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks to media after delivering her CEDA State of the State address at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Matt Dennien I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award and was so surprised when I opened the letter, she said last week.

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I havent been able to tell my family yet so I think they will be in shock on Monday. Palaszczuk has been recognised for her eminent service to the people and Parliament of Queensland, particularly as Premier, to educational equity, to multiculturalism, and to public health. That latter point was perhaps the most contentious of her premiership  the Palaszczuk governments response to the pandemic, while popular at the time, has been remembered less fondly as time marches on. Asked if, armed with hindsight, she would do anything differently, Palaszczuk was unrepentant. We did the best we could as part of a global pandemic and we always put Queenslanders health first and, together, we saved lives, she said.

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Former prime minister Scott Morrison, a fellow COVID-era leader, also received an AC in last years Kings Birthday honours. Lynham, meanwhile, said he was humbled and honoured to be named an Officer of the Order of Australia, although he wondered why someone so insignificant would be bestowed such an award. The former state development and mines minister received his honour for distinguished service to trauma medicine as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, to the Parliament of Queensland, and to the community. Anthony Lynham has been named an Officer of the Order of Australia. Attila Csaszar Its a shared award, Lynham said.

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Related Article Australia Day A gift from Australia: How Cathy Freemans mum helped her with highest honour I share it with all the staff I work with  I couldnt have done anything without the nursing staff, without the hospital orderlies, without the anaesthetists I work with. None of it would have been possible without them and all those people who helped me with my training. Although it was never his portfolio responsibility as a minister, Lynham is perhaps best known for his advocacy for Queenslands lock-out laws to curb alcohol-fuelled violence in licensed venues  something of which he remained proud. Lynham left politics in 2020, after new practicing requirements to keep his medical registration made it untenable to continue being a parliamentarian. I never wanted to receive anything for my [medical] services while I was keeping my registration and I believe every doctor should do the same thing  if youre in politics and youre getting that one income, a political income, your services as a doctor should provide it free to the community, he said.

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Australia Day Australia Day Honours 2026: The full list And thats what I did. I worked for Aboriginal health on a volunteer basis every Saturday and, on my holidays, I went to Papua New Guinea purely as a volunteer. Lynham said although he had returned to medicine, and sat on various boards, there were many things to miss about politics. I loved it, I really did. I honestly did, he said. I really enjoyed the comradeship. In surgery, if something happens its all your responsibility  totally your responsibility and so it should be.

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In politics, its a collective responsibility. Decisions are made collectively, and responsibilities take collectively. Id never experienced that before and it was wonderful. Its a collective  you make decisions, you all reap the rewards, or you all suffer the consequences. I love that about politics. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
CBI court sets aside order allowing Bhupesh Baghels discharge in sex CD case





New Delhi :

A special CBI court on Saturday reversed a magisterial court order that had discharged former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel from a case regarding the alleged circulation of a sleaze video purportedly depicting former minister Rajesh Munat in 2017. The CBI had named several accused, including Baghel, in the chargesheet. The reversal by the special CBI court implies that Baghel will have to face trial in the case unless he gets relief from a higher court. In the same proceedings, the court also rejected the appeal filed by the other accused, Kailash Murarka, Vinod Verma and Vijay Bhatia, against the trial court order on framing of charges, an official in the know told PTI. The Chhattisgarh Police registered two separate

FIRs in 2017 on the basis of separate complaints filed by the then state PWD minister Munat and BJP leader Prakash Bajaj. The cases were later transferred to the CBI by the then BJP government in Chhattisgarh. The CBI later filed a chargesheet and a supplementary chargesheet in the case. The first case was registered allegation that the complainant (Bajaj) received a call on his phone wherein an unidentified caller said that he possessed a pornographic video of his aaka(master) and threatened to distribute it in case his demand of ransom was not met, a CBI spokesperson had said. The other case was registered at

Civil Lines police station in Raipur on October 27, 2017, against Chhattisgarh Congress president Bhupesh Baghel and senior journalist Vinod Verma on the allegation that they had given Munats fake pornographic video to various social media platforms to malign his character and obtain political mileage. Verma and Baghel denied the allegations. The matter came to light when Verma was arrested by the Chhattisgarh Police from his Ghaziabad residence in October 2017 for suspected blackmail and extortion in the case. When Verma was being escorted by the police, he claimed that the state government was not happy with him as it suspected that he had a sex CD of (then) Chhattisgarh PWD minister Rajesh Munat and suggested he was being framed.
Delivery boys by day, theives by night; three arrested, four cases solved





Staff Reporter :

Ayodhya Nagar Police have apprehended three habitual offenders involved in a string of burglaries and vehicle thefts across the city. The arrests have led to the resolution of four major criminal cases, with police recovering stolen property valued at approximately Rs 4.5 lakh, including three motorcycles. The trio were produced before a local court, which subsequently remanded them to judicial custody.

Exploiting the delivery network According to Ayodhya Nagar Station House Officer (SHO) Mahesh Lilhare, the accused were employed as delivery personnel for prominent aggregators Rapido and Zomato. They allegedly utilised their professional roles to conduct reconnaissance of secluded residential areas and locked houses during their delivery shifts.

The investigation revealed that the suspects turned to crime to fund expensive lifestyles and substance abuse habits. By blending in as delivery workers, they managed to scout potential targets without raising suspicion from residents or local security. 100 CCTV cameras scanned The crackdown followed a complaint filed on January 21 by Prashant Tiwari. The complainant reported the theft of metallic caps weighing nearly 500 kg from a temporary storeroom located opposite a school in Suramya Parisar.

In a meticulous technical investigation, the police team scanned footage from over 100 CCTV cameras in the vicinity. This led to the identification and subsequent capture of the three suspects. During interrogation, the accused confessed to stealing three motorcycles from the Piplani and Habibganj areas. Police officials noted that the arrested individuals are repeat offenders with multiple criminal cases registered against them in various police stations across Bhopal.
New roads to cut Delhi-Chennai travel time by 5 hrs: Gadkari





Business Reporter :

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said that the travel time between New Delhi and Chennai is set to reduce significantly with the completion of new roads. The new infrastructure will shorten the distance between the two cities by 320 km, saving at least 5 hours of travel time. Gadkari said this while addressing the inaugural session of summit organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Vidarbha on the topic Logistics Talent for Tomorrow here in the city. Shree Jamdar, Chairman, CII Vidarbha Zone; Karunakaran Sathianathan, Director National Highway Logistic Management Ltd; Dr Smita Singh (Dabholkar), Convener  HR Forum, CII Vidarbha Zonal Council; R K Narayan,

Chief Investment Officer, Horizon Industrial Parks (Blackstone Group Company); Pyare Khan, Founder, Chairman & MD of Ashmi Group; Amitabh Sinha, Vice Chairman, CII Vidarbha Zonal Council and Managing Director, Metlok Private Limited were also present on the occasion. Gadkari further highlighted that Indias logistics cost has come down to single digits, while travel time has reduced drastically due to infrastructure upgrades. In addition, Gadkari urged the industry to establish driver skill centres and highlighted employment opportunities arising from the upcoming steel hub in Gadchiroli, calling for focused upskilling of local youth.

In his welcome address, Jamdar highlighted a critical workforce reality, stating that nearly 60 per cent of Indias logistics workforce is semi-skilled or unskilled, underlining the urgent need for structured skilling, certification, and productivity enhancement. In her opening address, Dr Smita Singh spoke on the shared responsibility of academia, industry, and industry bodies like CII in strengthening Vidarbhas logistics ecosystem. Karunakaran Sathianathan spoke on the importance of a multi-skilled workforce, addressing challenges across manual and automated warehouses, cargo handling, and carrier operations.

R K Narayan highlighted how rapid technological advancements have intensified competition in global supply chains, citing practical examples from DHL and Maersk, and stressed the need to augment experience with technology-led decision-making. Nitin Varkey, Chief of Staff, Blue Dart, shared insights into operational excellence, elaborating on the people and process systems enabling the organisation to manage 60 shipments per second. Focusing on the human element, Pyare Khan emphasised investing in the lives, welfare, and skilling of drivers, calling them the backbone of the logistics industry. Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director IIM Nagpur addressed the audience via a video.

The session was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Dr Abhishek Narain Singh, Faculty IMT Nagpur. Shivkumar Rao, Founder Director, R & Y Logistics, Shivaji Prasad, CEO Pacific ISS, Global Forwarding, Vivek Thakkar, Director, Logistics Park Pvt Ltd, Dr Kapil Chandrayan, Development Professional K Sathianathan were the panelists. The summit concluded with a vote of thanks by Rahul Dixit, Convener MSME Western Region CII.
Swayamsevak is one who voluntarily devotes himself to service of nation, society





Staff Reporter :

Value-based society is foundation of a strong nation. A Swayamsevak is one who voluntarily dedicates himself to the service of the nation and society. Wearing the RSS uniform symbolises not just attire but discipline, values and years of dedication, said Brajkant Ji, Prant Pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) while addressing a grand Hindu Sammelan in Keshav Basti, on Saturday.

The programme inaugurated with Gaau Pujan, Tulsi Pujan and Kanya Pujan, reflecting Indias age-old respect for nature, womanhood and motherhood. This was followed by lighting of the lamp and floral tribute to Bharat Mata. Brajkant Ji emphasised over Indian culture and said that cultural values awaken a sense of duty, dignity and compassion in individuals. He clarified that such Hindu Sammelan are not against anyone, but aim to unite a fragmented society divided by caste, language and sections. He stressed that education without values weakens society, while value-based education strengthens nation-building.

He urged families, especially mothers, to connect children with cultural and social activities alongside modern education. The programme concluded with a collective Bharat Mata Aarti, creating an atmosphere filled with patriotism and unity. Cultural performances followed by a grand Bhandara organised for thousands of attendees. On the occasion, Advocate General of Madhya Pradesh High Court, Prashant Singh, Jagadguru Swami Raghav Devacharya Ji, Dr Pushpraj Patel and other social leaders were present. The entire Keshav Basti participated enthusiastically, turning the event into a celebration of culture, unity and national spirit.
Three accused involved in stealing water supply pipes arrested with three trucks





Staff Reporter :

PataN police have succeeded in apprehending three accused involved in stealing water supply pipes and seized the stolen material along with three trucks amounting to Rs 50 lakh from them. The arrested have been identified as Sanjay Bhai Koli (27), son of Prabhu Bhai Koli, resident of Kidiya Nagar village, Gagodar, Kutch district in Gujarat, Raviraj Makwana (20), son of Kamlesh Bhai Makwana, resident of Bhimasar village, Kutch district, Gujarat and Ramji Bhimani (20), son of Dana Bai Bhimani, resident of Bhimasar village, in Gujarat. According to police, on January 20, 2026, Anup Babu Mishra, Manager (P&A) of AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, lodged a written complaint at Patan Police Station.

He stated that AFCONS Infrastructure Limited is executing civil works, including laying of water supply pipelines, under the Jabalpur Multi-Village Water Supply Scheme for MP Jal Nigam Maryadit in the tehsils of Shahpura, Sihora, Patan, Panagar and Majholi.

The complaint informed that pipes and other materials were stored in a six-acre yard located between village Rosra and village Nunsar near Dali Dhaba. During the intervening night of January 19 and 20, 2026, unknown persons stole 83 pipes, valued at around Rs 14.88 lakh, from the companys Udna store yard. Taking a serious note into the case, Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay (IPS) directed immediate tracing and arrest of the accused.

Under the guidance of Additional SP (Rural) Suryakant Sharma and SDOP Patan Lokesh Dabar, a team was formed under the leadership of SHO, Patan Gopindra Singh Rajput. The police team examined CCTV footage and collected information from toll plazas on highways leading out of Jabalpur. During investigation, it was found that the trucks carrying the stolen pipes were heading towards Bhopal via the JabalpurBhopal highway.

A team was immediately dispatched in that direction. Near Obedullaganj, the police intercepted and seized three trucks loaded with stolen pipes. On questioning, the truck drivers confessed to their involvement in the theft. The trucks bearing registration numbers GJ-07-TU-0671, GJ-39-T-5802 and GJ-12-BZ-4534 were seized along with 65 stolen pipes. The accused were arrested following due legal procedure. Further investigation is underway to trace other accused involved in the crime and to recover two additional trucks used in the theft.
Top poll officers, volunteers to be felicitated today





Staff Reporter :

State will celebrate the 16th National Voters Day today, at all 71,930 polling stations across the State. A state-level event will be held at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre in Bhopal, with Governor Mangubhai Patel as the chief guest. The programme is scheduled to begin at noon. During the state-level function, the Governor will honour officers, employees, master trainers, booth-level officers

(BLOs), and volunteers who performed exceptionally in the Special Intensive Review Campaign 2026. Among those to be recognised are district collectors and election officers from Ashoknagar, Betul, Neemuch, and Bhopal. Bhopal district officials will also receive special awards for technical innovation, highlighting their efforts in modernising election management. Several election officers will be honoured under the Electoral Registration Officer category, including those from Saunsar (Pandhurna),

Malhargarh (Mandsaur), Lakhnadon (Seoni), and Amla (Betul), with a special award for Amla. Assistant electoral officers from Pandhurna, Suwasra (Mandsaur), and Lakhnadon (Seoni) will also be recognised. Three national-level master trainers will be awarded for their outstanding contributions to training programs. Election observers from Niwari, Agar-Malwa, and Chhindwara districts, and BLO supervisors from Betul will receive awards for their exceptional work. Additionally, BLOs from Semaria (Rewa), Junnardeo

(Chhindwara), and Datia will be recognised for their exemplary performance. Volunteers, including a SWEEP icon from Narmadapuram and a founder of DCF, will be honoured for their significant contribution to voter awareness and participation. As part of the celebrations, the Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Kumar Jha stated that the message from the Chief Election Commissioner of India will be broadcast during the event. Youth voters will receive their EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card), and all participants will take the voter pledge, reaffirming their commitment to active electoral participation.
Trump stirs talk of new world order as leaders signal shifting global alliances





By Steven Sloan :

WASHINGTON :

PRESIDENT Donald Trump gives. And he takes away. Offended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys increasingly assertive posture toward the US, Trump revoked an invitation to join his Board of Peace. Many Western allies are suspicious of the organisation, which is chaired by Trump and was initially formed to focus on maintaining the ceasefire in Israels war with Hamas but has grown into something sceptics fear could rival the United Nations. Appearing at the World Economic Forum, Trump spoke of imposing tariffs on Switzerland - which he ultimately lowered - because the countrys leader rubbed me the wrong way during a phone call. Before shelving sweeping tariffs on multiple European countries, Trump pressed Denmark to say yes to the US push to control Greenland and we will be very appreciative.

Or you can say no and we will remember, he said, imperiling the NATO alliance. Over his decades in public life, Trump has never been one for niceties. But even by his standards, the tumult of the past week stood out because it crystallised his determination to erase the rules-based order that has governed US foreign policy - and by extension most of the Western world - since World War II. Donald Trumps approach to a new world order centers on dismantling multilateral institutions in favor of a transactional, America First system rooted in national sovereignty, bilateral power leverage, and the pursuit of a civilisational reach.

The President and his supporters have dismissed that approach as inefficient, overly focused on compromise and unresponsive to the needs of people contending with rapid economic change. But in its place, Trump is advancing a system that is poorly understood and could prove far less stable, driven by the whims of a single, often mercurial, leader who regularly demonstrates that personal flattery or animus can shape his decisions. Returning to the US from Davos, home to the World Economic Forum, Republican Sen Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said the phrase she heard over and over was that we are entering this new world order as she described a sense of confusion among allies. It may be you just had a bad telephone call with the President and now youre going to have tariffs directed at you, she told reporters.

This lack of stability and reliability, I think, is causing what were traditionally reliable trade partners to be saying to other countries, Hey, maybe you and I should talk because Im not sure about whats going on with the United States. The Trump-centric approach to governing is hardly surprising for someone who accepted his first Republican presidential nomination in 2016 by declaring that I alone can fix the nations problems. As he settles into his second term with a far more confident demeanour than his first, he has delighted supporters with his to-the-victor -goes-the-spoils style. Steve Bannon, Trumps former adviser, recently told the Atlantic that Trump is pursuing a maximalist strategy and that he must keep going until you meet resistance. And we havent met any resistance, Bannon said.

Thats certainly true in Washington, where the Republican-controlled Congress has done little to check Trumps impulses. But leaders of other countries, who have spent much of Trumps administration trying to find ways to work with him, are increasingly vocal. Carney is quickly emerging as a leader of a movement for countries to find ways to link up and counter the US. Speaking in Davos ahead of Trump, Carney said, Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu. In a world of great power rivalry, the countries in between have a choice: to compete with each other for favour or to combine to create a third path with impact, he continued. We should not allow the rise of hard powers to blind us to the fact that the power of legitimacy, integrity, and rules will remain strong - if we choose to wield it together.

 Trump did not take kindly to those remarks, responding with threats in Davos before yanking the Board of Peace invitation. Canada lives because of the United States, Trump said. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements. Carney, however, was unbowed, speaking of Canada as an example to a world at sea as he crafted a potential template for other world leaders navigating a new era. We can show that another way is possible, that the arc of history isnt destined to be warped toward authoritarianism and exclusion, he said in a speech before a cabinet retreat in Quebec City.
Villagers unite against mining expansion





Our Correspondent :

MOHLA-MANPUR :

TENSION is reportedly brewing between villagers and the management of the Dhulki iron ore mine operated by Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), located in the Khadgaon Police Station area of the tribal-dominated and Naxal-affected Manpur block of Chhattisgarh. The BSP management has sought permission through the Gram Sabha for exploratory drilling to assess iron ore availability in the leased area, but the Forest Management Committee and local residents have opposed the move. In this connection, a Gram Sabha meeting was held in Daura village under the Khadgaon Police Station limits, where villagers unanimously resolved to oppose the proposed drilling. Addressing the gathering, Ramkumar Salame, secretary of the Bodra Forest Management Committee, and villager Bimla Salame, along with others, stated that permission would not be granted for drilling or for the use of roads linked to the mine until their long-pending issues were addressed.

The villagers alleged that mining companies have focused solely on mineral extraction, while the development of basic amenities such as electricity, drinking water, roads, healthcare, and education, mandated under existing rules, has failed to reachthe desired level. They also expressed apprehensions that ground vibrations caused by drilling could damage houses in nearby villages. Concerns were further raised over the discharge of red water from mines, which, they feared, could pose a future threat to agricultural fields and crops. For these reasons, villagers said they have not agreed to grant the drilling permission sought through the Forest Management Committee.

However, it was decided that a final stand would be taken after convening another Gram Sabha in the presence of representatives from all surrounding affected villages. The villagers also appealed to company and district administration officials to attend the meeting and engage in an open discussion on regional development and mining operations. Commenting on the issue, Collector Tulika Prajapati said that the BSP management should have followed the prescribed administrative procedure for obtaining permission.

She said the district administration would convene a joint meeting of the Gram Panchayat and the BSP management to understand the concerns and objections raised by villagers. The Collector assured that the matter would be resolved through dialogue, and that both the administration and the company would work towards ensuring necessary development facilities. Three iron ore mines have been established in the Khadgaon police station area of Manpur block over the past two decades.

The Pallemadi Sharda mine began operations in 2002, followed by the Godavari mine in 2014 and the Bhilai Steel Plants Dhulki mine in 2017. When mining commenced, local residents had hoped that the companies would contribute to the development of basic infrastructure as stipulated under the rules. However, even after two decades, villagers claim they continue to be deprived of meaningful development. During the meeting, an elderly woman from Bodra village voiced her anguish in Chhattisgarhi, saying, We havent received roads, nor electricity. Im tired of asking now Im just waiting to die, reflecting deep frustration over the lack of basic facilities. Another villager, Bimla Salame, said that her village, surrounded by hills and forests, already has mines on three sides. If mining is extended to the remaining forested hill area, she warned, forest produce, the communitys primary source of livelihood, would also be lost.
Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd (OTCMKTS:BCAUF  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 1.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $0.5626 and last traded at $0.5626. 5,000 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 1% from the average session volume of 5,057 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.5555.

Brilliance China Automotive Stock Performance

The businesss 50-day moving average price is $0.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $0.48.

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Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. is a leading Chinese automotive manufacturer headquartered in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. Established in 1992, the company is engaged in the design, development, production and sale of passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. Through strategic alliances and proprietary research, Brilliance China Automotive offers a diverse portfolio of sedans, multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), light trucks and buses, catering to a wide range of customers in both private and commercial sectors.

A cornerstone of Brilliance China Automotives operations is its joint venture with BMW, formed in 2003.

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AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twenty-three analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, thirteen have given a buy recommendation and two have given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $248.1053.

ABBV has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. DZ Bank lowered shares of AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $237.00 target price for the company. in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of AbbVie from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Scotiabank began coverage on shares of AbbVie in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $280.00 target price for the company. Bank of America boosted their target price on AbbVie from $220.00 to $251.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Guggenheim boosted their price target on AbbVie from $227.00 to $242.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th.

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Institutional Trading of AbbVie

AbbVie Trading Up 0.5%

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABBV. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AbbVie in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Chelsea Counsel Co. purchased a new position in shares of AbbVie in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Spurstone Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of AbbVie during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Westend Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AbbVie during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Texas Capital Bancshares Inc TX purchased a new stake in AbbVie during the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Institutional investors own 70.23% of the companys stock.

AbbVie stock opened at $219.21 on Thursday. AbbVie has a 1-year low of $164.39 and a 1-year high of $244.81. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $225.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $217.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $387.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 166.07, a P/E/G ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.36.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.77 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $15.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.58 billion. AbbVie had a net margin of 4.00% and a return on equity of 3,216.47%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.00 earnings per share. AbbVie has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.320-3.360 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that AbbVie will post 12.31 EPS for the current year.

AbbVie Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be given a dividend of $1.73 per share. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. This is an increase from AbbVies previous quarterly dividend of $1.64. AbbVies payout ratio is presently 524.24%.

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AbbVie is a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company that was created as a spin-off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013 and is headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois. The company focuses on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies for complex and often chronic medical conditions. Its operations span research and development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs and commercialization, with an emphasis on bringing specialty medicines to market across multiple therapeutic areas.

AbbVies product portfolio and pipeline cover several major therapeutic categories, including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, virology and womens health.

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Associated British Foods PLC (OTCMKTS:ASBFY  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $27.67 and traded as low as $25.36. Associated British Foods shares last traded at $25.56, with a volume of 57,691 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on ASBFY shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Associated British Foods from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Kepler Capital Markets raised shares of Associated British Foods from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered shares of Associated British Foods from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Associated British Foods from a hold rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Associated British Foods from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Associated British Foods has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Associated British Foods Stock Up 1.2%

Associated British Foods Company Profile

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 1.54. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $27.61 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $28.83.

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Associated British Foods plc (OTCMKTS:ASBFY) is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1935, the company operates through multiple divisions that span grocery brands, sugar production and refining, ingredient and bakery systems, agriculture and a large value-fashion retail business. Its portfolio combines branded consumer goods with industrial food and agricultural operations, giving it exposure across the consumer staples and retail sectors.

On the grocery and branded side, the group owns and markets a range of food and beverage products, including well-known tea and grocery lines, while its ingredients businesses supply yeast, bakery ingredients and other inputs to commercial bakers and food manufacturers.

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AutoZone, OReilly Automotive, Monolithic Power Systems, Illinois Tool Works, and Rivian Automotive are the five Automotive stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Automotive stocks are shares of publicly traded companies involved in the design, manufacture, distribution, and servicing of motor vehicles and their components  including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), parts suppliers, dealerships, and electric/autonomous vehicle firms. For investors they offer exposure to the vehicle market and are typically sensitive to economic cycles, commodity and labor costs, regulatory changes, and technological shifts such as electrification and automation. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Automotive stocks within the last several days.

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AutoZone (AZO)

AutoZone, Inc. retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.

OReilly Automotive (ORLY)

OReilly Automotive, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer and supplier of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. The company provides new and remanufactured automotive hard parts and maintenance items, such as alternators, batteries, brake system components, belts, chassis parts, driveline parts, engine parts, fuel pumps, hoses, starters, temperature control, water pumps, antifreeze, appearance products, engine additives, filters, fluids, lighting products, and oil and wiper blades; and accessories, including floor mats, seat covers, and truck accessories.

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Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. engages in the design, development, marketing, and sale of semiconductor-based power electronics solutions for the storage and computing, automotive, enterprise data, consumer, communications, and industrial markets. The company provides direct current (DC) to DC integrated circuits (ICs) that are used to convert and control voltages of various electronic systems, such as cloud-based CPU servers, server artificial intelligence applications, storage applications, commercial notebooks, digital cockpit, power sources, home appliances, 4G and 5G infrastructure, and satellite communications applications.

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Illinois Tool Works (ITW)

Illinois Tool Works Inc. manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United States and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ITW

Rivian Automotive (RIVN)

Rivian Automotive, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles and accessories. The company offers consumer vehicles, including a two-row, five-passenger pickup truck under the R1T brand, a three-row, seven-passenger sport utility vehicle under the R1S name.

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Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (NYSE:BLX  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $44.54 and traded as high as $47.39. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior shares last traded at $46.7310, with a volume of 127,058 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BLX has been the topic of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior from a buy (a-) rating to a buy (b+) rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior currently has an average rating of Buy.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BLX

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior Stock Down 1.5%

The company has a market capitalization of $1.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.78 and a beta of 0.84. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $44.53 and a 200 day moving average of $44.57.

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior (NYSE:BLX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior had a net margin of 26.58% and a return on equity of 15.42%. The firm had revenue of $82.78 million for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. will post 4.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 25th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a dividend of $0.625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $2.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.3%. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exteriors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.60%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BLX. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior in the second quarter valued at $25,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior by 21.9% in the 2nd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 3,485 shares of the banks stock valued at $140,000 after buying an additional 626 shares in the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co. acquired a new position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior during the 4th quarter worth approximately $200,000. EMC Capital Management bought a new position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior in the second quarter worth approximately $273,000. Finally, Ramirez Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior by 20.3% in the second quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. now owns 35,718 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,439,000 after acquiring an additional 6,020 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.47% of the companys stock.

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior SA, commonly known as BLADEx and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BLX, is a multilateral financial institution dedicated to promoting foreign trade and regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Panama City, the bank provides specialized trade finance solutions to corporate clients and financial institutions, helping to facilitate cross-border transactions across key markets in the region. Its services encompass import and export financing, supply chain solutions, project and structured finance, as well as treasury and risk management products.

Established in 1977 by a consortium of 20 Latin American and Caribbean governments in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), BLADEx has a mandate to support economic development through trade facilitation.

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Canadian Natural Resources, Bank Of Montreal, and Canadian Pacific Kansas City are the three Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are shares of companies that are incorporated, headquartered, or primarily operating in Canada and are commonly traded on Canadian exchanges such as the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) or the TSX Venture Exchange. For investors, they provide exposure to Canadas economynotably sectors like energy, mining and financialsand carry country-specific considerations such as Canadian-dollar currency risk, regulatory and tax rules, and sensitivity to commodity prices. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days.

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Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

Bank Of Montreal (BMO)

Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BMO

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CP

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Sector Gamma AS boosted its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 43.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 581,267 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 175,267 shares during the quarter. Bristol Myers Squibb makes up approximately 6.5% of Sector Gamma ASs holdings, making the stock its 4th largest holding. Sector Gamma ASs holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $26,215,000 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 BMY. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb during the second quarter valued at $25,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Bristol Myers Squibb by 107.2% during the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 605 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 313 shares during the period. REAP Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 202.8% in the 2nd quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 639 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. grew its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 51.9% during the 2nd quarter. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. now owns 781 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 267 shares during the period. 76.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.6%

NYSE BMY opened at $54.61 on Friday. 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 stocks 50-day moving average is $52.57 and its 200-day moving average is $48.40. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a one year low of $42.52 and a one year high of $63.33. The firm has a market cap of $111.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.45, a P/E/G ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 0.29.

Bristol Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.75 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a net margin of 12.57% and a return on equity of 76.53%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.80 EPS. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. This is a boost from Bristol Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. The ex-dividend date 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%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BMY has been the topic of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $57.00 price objective (up from $51.00) on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. UBS Group raised Bristol Myers Squibb from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the company from $46.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and set a $53.00 target price (up from $45.00) on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Leerink Partners increased their price target on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Bristol Myers Squibb currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $56.86.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BMY

Key Bristol Myers Squibb News

Here are the key news stories impacting Bristol Myers Squibb this week:

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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report).

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) insider Frank Guse sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$127.16, for a total transaction of C$635,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 1,359 shares in the company, valued at C$172,810.44. The trade was a 78.63% decrease in their position.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of CM stock traded down C$0.40 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$127.04. 2,626,304 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,677,222. The firm has a market cap of C$117.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.82, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.31. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$124.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$113.94. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a fifty-two week low of C$76.17 and a fifty-two week high of C$129.25.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported C$2.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$7.58 billion for the quarter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a return on equity of 12.61% and a net margin of 27.87%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 6.4127341 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 28th will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 29th. This is a positive change from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.97. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is currently 45.27%.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays lifted their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$119.00 to C$126.00 in a report on Monday, December 8th. Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$127.00 to C$132.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. TD Securities increased their price objective on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$124.00 to C$134.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$131.00 to C$134.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, National Bankshares upped their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$121.00 to C$128.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$126.09.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CM

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 15 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world.

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Central Japan Railway Co. (OTCMKTS:CJPRY  Get Free Report) shares passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $13.75 and traded as high as $13.84. Central Japan Railway shares last traded at $13.39, with a volume of 107,613 shares changing hands.

Central Japan Railway Stock Up 0.7%

The firms fifty day moving average is $13.75 and its 200-day moving average is $13.34. The company has a market capitalization of $26.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.54 and a beta of 0.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 2.33 and a current ratio of 2.40.

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Central Japan Railway (OTCMKTS:CJPRY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $3.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.23 billion. Central Japan Railway had a net margin of 27.03% and a return on equity of 11.13%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Central Japan Railway Co. will post 1.35 EPS for the current year.

About Central Japan Railway

Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) is a major Japanese passenger rail operator best known for running the Tokaido Shinkansen highspeed rail line, which connects the Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka corridors. The companys core activities center on intercity highspeed transport as well as conventional commuter and regional rail services across the Chubu and Tokaido regions of central Japan. JR Central operates and maintains rolling stock, station facilities and the infrastructure necessary to deliver frequent, highcapacity passenger service on one of the busiest rail corridors in the world.

Beyond train operations, JR Central derives revenue from a range of railwayrelated businesses including station retail and commercial leases, real estate and property development around major stations, hotel and travel services, and peripheral retail and restaurant operations.

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Whittier Trust Co. grew its position in shares of Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 427,535 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 24,690 shares during the quarter. Chevron comprises about 0.7% of Whittier Trust Co.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in Chevron were worth $65,648,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of CVX. Quaker Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chevron by 197.7% during the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 217 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 439 shares during the last quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new stake in Chevron during the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its position in Chevron by 86.1% during the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 255 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares during the period. IMG Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Chevron by 52.3% in the second quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 265 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Chevron during the third quarter valued at $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.42% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CVX has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on shares of Chevron from $170.00 to $172.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and set a $160.00 target price (down previously from $170.00) on shares of Chevron in a report on Friday, October 17th. Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $168.00 price target on shares of Chevron in a research note on Friday, January 16th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Chevron in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Chevron from $174.00 to $189.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $170.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Michael K. Wirth sold 320,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.99, for a total transaction of $52,270,893.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 14,450 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,355,205.50. The trade was a 95.69% 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, Director John B. Hess sold 275,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total value of $41,456,250.00. Following the sale, the director owned 1,128,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at $170,052,783.75. The trade was a 19.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 635,190 shares of company stock worth $100,254,408. 0.21% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Chevron Price Performance

NYSE CVX opened at $166.74 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Chevron Corporation has a 1 year low of $132.04 and a 1 year high of $169.37. The company has a market cap of $335.73 billion, a PE ratio of 23.45, a PEG ratio of 10.91 and a beta of 0.70. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $154.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $154.83.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.14. Chevron had a net margin of 6.57% and a return on equity of 8.74%. The business had revenue of $48.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $46.99 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.48 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 EPS for the current year.

Chevron Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th were issued a dividend of $1.71 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 18th. This represents a $6.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.1%. Chevrons payout ratio is currently 96.20%.

More Chevron News

Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week:

Chevron Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevrons core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide.

Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco.

Further Reading

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Bristow Group (NYSE:VTOL  Get Free Report) and LATAM Airlines Group (NYSE:LTM  Get Free Report) are both transportation companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, dividends, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Bristow Group and LATAM Airlines Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bristow Group $1.47 billion 0.86 $94.80 million $4.78 9.15 LATAM Airlines Group $12.83 billion 1.50 $976.97 million $4.19 15.18

Risk & Volatility

LATAM Airlines Group has higher revenue and earnings than Bristow Group. Bristow Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than LATAM Airlines Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Bristow Group has a beta of 1.39, meaning that its share price is 39% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, LATAM Airlines Group has a beta of 3.88, meaning that its share price is 288% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Bristow Group and LATAM Airlines Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bristow Group 9.71% 14.83% 6.43% LATAM Airlines Group 8.99% 136.76% 7.71%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Bristow Group and LATAM Airlines Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bristow Group 0 0 2 0 3.00 LATAM Airlines Group 0 1 2 1 3.00

LATAM Airlines Group has a consensus target price of $59.25, suggesting a potential downside of 6.85%. Given LATAM Airlines Groups higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe LATAM Airlines Group is more favorable than Bristow Group.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

93.3% of Bristow Group shares are held by institutional investors. 13.4% of Bristow Group shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 7.8% of LATAM Airlines Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

LATAM Airlines Group beats Bristow Group on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bristow Group

(Get Free Report)

Bristow Group Inc. provides vertical flight solutions. The company primarily offers aviation services to integrated, national, and independent offshore energy companies and government agencies. It also provides personnel transportation, search and rescue, medevac, ad hoc helicopter, fixed wing transportation, unmanned systems, and ad-hoc helicopter services, as well as logistical and maintenance support, training services, and flight and maintenance crews. The company has a fleet of aircrafts. It has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dutch Caribbean, the Falkland Islands, India, Ireland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the United Kingdom, and United States. Bristow Group Inc. is based in Houston, Texas.

About LATAM Airlines Group

(Get Free Report)

LATAM Airlines Group S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides passenger and cargo air transportation services in Peru, Argentina, the United States, Europe, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, the Asia Pacific, and rest of Latin America. The company operates in two segments, Air Transportation; and Multiplus Coalition and Loyalty Program. It provides passenger transport services to approximately 140 destinations in 25 countries with a fleet of 322 aircrafts, well as operates loyalty programs. The company was formerly known as LAN Airlines S.A. and changed its name to LATAM Airlines Group S.A. in June 2012. LATAM Airlines Group S.A. was founded in 1929 and is based in Santiago, Chile.

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Avolta (OTCMKTS:DUFRY  Get Free Report) and Viking (NYSE:VIK  Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Avolta and Vikings net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Avolta N/A N/A N/A Viking 15.53% 716.92% 9.82%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Avolta and Vikings revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Avolta $15.33 billion 0.58 $117.00 million N/A N/A Viking $5.33 billion 5.69 $152.33 million $2.14 32.02

Viking has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Avolta.

Volatility and Risk

Avolta has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Viking has a beta of 2.07, indicating that its stock price is 107% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Avolta and Viking, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Avolta 0 1 0 1 3.00 Viking 1 5 11 0 2.59

Viking has a consensus target price of $67.19, suggesting a potential downside of 1.96%. Given Vikings higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Viking is more favorable than Avolta.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

98.8% of Viking shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Viking beats Avolta on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Avolta

(Get Free Report)

Avolta AG operates as a travel retailer. The companys retail brands include general travel retail shops under the Dufry, World Duty Free, Nuance, Hellenic Duty Free, Zurich Duty-Free or Stockholm Duty-Free, Autogrill, and HMSHost brands; Dufry shopping stores; brand boutiques; convenience stores primarily under the Hudson brand; and specialized shops and theme stores. It offers perfumes and cosmetics, food and confectionery, wines and spirits, watches and jewelry, fashion and leather, tobacco goods, souvenirs, electronics, soft drinks, packaged food, travel accessories, personal items, sunglasses, destination, and other products, as well as newspapers, magazines, and books. It operates duty-free and duty-paid shops located at airports, border, downtown and hotel shops, railway stations and other, cruise liners and ferries, seaports, and motorways in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company was formerly known as Dufry AG and changed its name to Avolta AG in November 2023. Avolta AG was incorporated in 1865 and is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland.

About Viking

(Get Free Report)

Viking Holdings Ltd engages in the passenger shipping and other forms of passenger transport in North America, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through River and Ocean segments. The company also operates as a tour entrepreneur for passengers and related activities in tourism. As of December 31, 2023, it operated a fleet of 92 ships, including 81 river vessels comprising 58 Longships, 10 smaller classes based on the Longship design, 11 other river vessels, and 1 river vessel charter and the Viking Mississippi; 9 ocean ships; and 2 expedition ships. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Pembroke, Bermuda.

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22:21 Farmers launch march from Nashik to Mumbai to press for their demands File image Thousands of farmers and labourers launched a foot march to Mumbai from Nashik on Sunday to press for their various demands, including land rights, irrigation facilities and uninterrupted power supply. Led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha, the... Read more >

22:14 Want to dedicate my Padma Shri to my late mother: Prosenjit Chatterjee Bengali film superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee/Image courtesy Instagram Bengali film superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee on Sunday said he would dedicate the honour of the Padma Shri award to his late mother, who was immensely responsible for what he achieved in his four-decade career. Speaking to PTI, Chatterjee said he was watching his recently released Bengali... Read more >

22:09 TMC, BJP supporters 'clash' near Kolkata; meeting stage set afire Supporters of West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition BJP reportedly clashed on Sunday evening at Sakherbazar on the southwestern outskirts of Kolkata over the use of microphones by a local club allegedly in high volume. A makeshift stage, where former Tripura chief minister... Read more >

22:06 Bangladesh raises concern over Hasina's address in India Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina/File image Bangladesh on Sunday expressed concern over deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina being allowed to address a public gathering in India, saying her remarks could affect the country's political stability ahead of the general elections. In a statement issued in Dhaka, the Foreign Ministry said... Read more >

22:02 Nothing greater than country honouring me: Mammootty on Padma award Malayalam superstar Mammootty, who was conferred the Padma Bhushan on Sunday, said he was very happy and that there was nothing greater than the country honouring one. Fondly called 'Mammukka' by his fans and those close to him, the 74-year-old actor described the award as unexpected while... Read more >

21:59 EAM Jaishankar meets EU's Costa, von der Leyen External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets President of the European Council AntAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAnio Costa and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in New Delhi./@DrSJaishankar X/ANI Photo External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday hoped that summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the top leadership of European Union will herald a new chapter in the two-way ties. Jaishankar made the remarks after meeting European Council President Antonio Costa and... Read more >

21:09 FIR against selfie brigade for disrupting R-Day rehearsal The Delhi police registered an FIR and initiated legal action after some members of the public disrupted the Republic Day parade rehearsal by clicking photographs, recording videos and taking selfies, officials said on Sunday. A senior police officer said that a video of the matter came to... Read more >

21:04 Former CRPF DG, Veerappan STF head Vijay Kumar awarded Padma Shri Former CRPF DG K Vijay Kumar/ANI Photo K Vijay Kumar, a former CRPF DG who headed the Tamil Nadu Police STF that killed forest brigand Veerappan, has been awarded the Padma Shri. Kumar (74) is a 1975-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre. He retired from service in 2012. The veteran cop is... Read more >

20:56 J-K: Rusted AK-47 rifle recovered in Rajouri Representational image Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday recovered a rusted AK assault rifle from a water body in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.The weapon was found entangled among stones on the banks of a stream during intensified patrolling in the Sunderbani area of the border district and... Read more >

20:21 EU delegates recieve guard of honour upon arrival in Delhi European Council President Antonio Luis Santos Da Costa and President Of European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen received a Guard of Honour/ANI Photo European Council President Antonio Luis Santos Da Costa and President Of European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen received a Guard of Honour upon their arrival in India on Sunday. Costa expressed his happiness upon arriving in India. In a post on X, he said, Honoured to arrive in New... Read more >

20:09 Punjab cop held for killing his mother, sister, staging it as road accident A police official, deputed in Punjab's Sangrur district, has been arrested for allegedly killing his mother and sister, and staging it as a road accident, officials said on Sunday.The accused identified as Gurpreet Singh, posted at Sadar Police Station in Sangrur district, allegedly killed his... Read more >

19:51 AIMIM corporator says sorry for 'green Mumbra' remarks AIMIM corporator Sahar Shaikh Amid a row caused by her 'will turn Mumbra green' remarks, newly-elected AIMIM corporator Sahar Shaikh has clarified that her remarks were intended to reflect the party's green colour flag and electoral success, and apologised if her words caused any hurt, according to the police. Shaikh was... Read more >

19:47 Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashoka Chakra Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), was on Sunday awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. In June last year, Shukla became the second Indian to have gone to space and... Read more >

19:05 Bhagwat to unfurl national flag on Republic Day at RSS's Bihar office RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will unfurl the national flag on Republic Day at the organisation's office in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar. He reached Madhukar Niketan, the north Bihar provincial headquarters of the RSS in Muzaffarpur, on Sunday. He then went to a resort along the... Read more >

18:53 Actor Dharmendra awarded Padma Vibhushan Actor Dharmendra Actor Dharmendra and former Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan have been posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian honour, on the eve of Republic Day. Playback singer Alka Yagnik, former Uttarakhand CM Bhagat Singh Koshyari, actor Mammootty, banker... Read more >

18:05 Kerala temple gets mechanical elephant from actor Sonakshi Sinha, PETA Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha and PETA India have gifted a life-size mechanical elephant to the Pallipuram Sreekrishna Temple here that was unveiled at the shrine on Sunday. The three-metre-tall, 500-kilogram mechanical elephant, named Pallipuram Unnikrishnan, was donated to the temple in... Read more >

17:35 'Will welcome anyone...': Kerala CPM leader denies talks with Tharoor Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front convener T P Ramakrishnan on Sunday denied reports of any discussion with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on joining the CPI-M and said anyone who supports the Left stance would be welcomed. Responding to reports that Tharoor held discussions with people... Read more >

17:19 Mapping of 72% voters with 2003 SIR list completed in Jharkhand: CEO File image Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar on Sunday said 72 per cent voters have so far been mapped with that of the 2003 electoral rolls during the ongoing special intensive revision in the state. Kumar said also urged electors to actively participate in building a comprehensive and... Read more >

17:08 Interpol help sought to nab Delhi car blast accused An Interpol Red Corner notice may soon be issued against Dr Muzaffar Rather, an accused in the white-collar terror module, after his name emerged as a co-conspirator who provided critical logistical support and funding from Afghan soil for the devastating November 10 blast near Delhi's Red Fort,... Read more >

16:51 Veteran journalist Mark Tully passes away at 90 Veteran journalist Mark Tully, a chronicler of India and an acclaimed author, breathed his last at a private hospital in New Delhi on Sunday, his close friend said. Tully was 90. The award-winning journalist was ailing for some time and had been admitted to the Max Hospital in Saket for... Read more >

16:48 Karachi shopping plaza fire toll rises to 72, dozens missing The death toll in the fire at a shopping plaza in Pakistan's Karachi climbed to 72 with a dozen people still reported missing a week after the tragic incident, officials said Sunday. The fire broke out in the basement of the Gul Shopping Plaza, a wholesale and retail market, and quickly... Read more >

16:25 Padma Shri announced for 45 in unsung category A former bus conductor who set up the world's largest free-access library, a paediatrician who formed Asia's first human milk bank, and a 90-year old rare musical instrument player were among 45 individuals from across India chosen for the Padma Shri award in the 'unsung heroes' category on the... Read more >

16:20 Seat belt saved me: Kerala collector after road accident Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com Kerala's Pathanamthitta collector Prem Krishnan S on Sunday said that he escaped serious injuries as he was wearing the seat belt when his official vehicle met with an accident and flipped over. On Friday, a private car rammed into the collector's vehicle, flipping it over and injuring him,... Read more >

15:42 Woman injects HIV virus on ex-lover's wife in Andhra, 4 held Four persons, including a woman were arrested for allegedly administering an HIV injection to a doctor here, the police said on Sunday. The doctor is said to be the wife of the woman's ex-lover. The accused were identified as B Boya Vasundhara (34), a resident of Kurnool, Konge Jyothi (40),... Read more >

15:37 Online cheating: Bizman losses Rs 77.10 lakh in share trading scheme A businessman from Dombivali in Thane district lost Rs 77.10 lakh in a Whatsapp-based share trading scheme, a police official said on Sunday. Between November 17, 2025 and January 8, victim Prashant Prabhu (43), who was added to a Whatsapp group by the accused, invested the amount after... Read more >

15:09 Housemaid accuses Pak ex-cricketer Abdul Qadir's son of sexual assault A housemaid has accused Sulaman Qadir, son of former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, of sexually assaulting her at his farmhouse. The police detained Sulaman, one of the four sons of Qadir, after the maid filed an FIR with the police. The maid has alleged in her FIR that she worked at... Read more >

14:41 Telangana: 6 girls found unconscious in hostel room after AC blast Six girls were hospitalised early Sunday morning after they were found unconscious during a fire caused by an AC blast due to a short circuit at a hostel in the Alwal police station limits in Medchal-Malkajgiri district, a fire official said. Local residents rushed to the scene and managed... Read more >

14:28 'Battle of Galwan': First song 'Maatrubhumi' from Salman Khan starrer unveiled Just days after releasing the teaser for its first song, the makers of the Salman Khan starrer Battle of Galwan have now unveiled the full track. Salman took to his Instagram account to share the first song, Maatrubhumi, giving fans a first look at the emotional side of the war... Read more >

14:23 25-year-old Hindu youth burnt to death in Bangladesh A 25-year-old Hindu youth, Chanchal Bhowmik, was tragically burned to death in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, on Friday night.He was sleeping in a garage when the fire broke out, and CCTV footage suggests foul play. The Narsingdi police superintendent (SP), Abdullah Al Faruque, informed ANI over the... Read more >

13:55 Bengal minister Shashi Panja receives SIR notice West Bengal minister Shashi Panja/Image Courtesy X West Bengal minister Shashi Panja on Sunday said she has received a hearing notice under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state and alleged that the exercise was being carried out in haste and without adequate preparation. Panja, the minister for women... Read more >

13:48 Heavy rain expected in isolated places in TN The IMD issued a heavy rainfall warning for isolated places across several districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, even as moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely to lash the state capital and its neighbourhood.According to the daily weather report from the Regional... Read more >

12:58 Popular Odia singer Abhijit Majumdar dies Popular Odia music composer and singer Abhijit Majumdar/ANI Photo Popular Odia music composer and singer Abhijit Majumdar died on Sunday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, hospital authorities said. He was 54. Majumdar was admitted to the hospital on September 4 last year with hypertension, hypothyroidism and chronic liver... Read more >

12:45 Hindi films have lost their roots, are fake and money-driven: Prakash Raj Unlike Malayalam and Tamil cinema, which he hailed for their strong, content-driven storytelling, actor Prakash Raj said mainstream Hindi cinema has lost its roots, becoming increasingly fake and money-oriented.Speaking at the ongoing ninth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) on... Read more >

12:16 'Border 2' box office collection mints Rs 72.69 cr on Day 2 Actor Sunny Deol's Border 2 has maintained its strong momentum at the box office, recording an impressive rise in collections on Day 2.After a solid opening on Friday, January 23, the war drama picked up speed on Saturday, driven by strong word of mouth from moviegoers across the country.As... Read more >

12:05 CBI officer who supervised RG Kar case gets police medal V Chandrasekhar, the Central Bureau of Investigation joint director who supervised the probe in the rape and murder case of a doctor of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, is among 31 officers of the central agency awarded police medals on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day. A 2000-batch... Read more >

11:47 Three killed in fire at furniture shop building in Hyderabad Three bodies, including that of a woman, were retrieved from a four-storey furniture shop building in Nampally here where a fire broke out, officials said on Sunday.Rescue operations have been underway for the past 21 hours to save five people, including two children, who are feared to be trapped... Read more >

11:26 CM Yadav loses balance while riding horse in Ujjain, escapes unhurt Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav briefly lost his balance while riding a police horse at an event in Ujjain district on Sunday, but escaped without injury, officials said. He later dismounted and rode a bullock cart, continuing his participation in the event organised under the... Read more >

11:16 Removing Mughals from textbooks is nonsense: Romila Thapar History is a continuous process and cannot be taught in fragments, eminent historian Romila Thapar has said, while calling the practice of removal of entire dynasties such as the Mughals from textbooks as nonsense. Speaking online at the ongoing ninth edition of the Kerala... Read more >

11:14 Rock climber Alex Honnold climbs Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes American rock climber Alex Honnold on Sunday scaled Taiwan's Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes or safety gear. Alex Honnold climbed the 508-metre (1,667-foot) tower using the horizontal metal beams to pull himself up with his bare hands.Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, Honnold paused... Read more >

11:08 Delhi breathes easy for another day, AQI at 150 Air quality improved further on Sunday following showers two days ago in the national capital as the minimum temperature was recorded at 6.6 degrees Celsius, about 0.9 notch lower than normal. Delhi breathed cleaner air in the morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 150 at 9 am... Read more >

10:47 National Voters' Day: Kharge says Indians deserve free, fair, fearless elections Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that in recent times, institutions like the Election Commission have faced sustained pressure and therefore it is our responsibility to protect their independence so that democracy does not merely survive, but truly thrives. He said... Read more >

10:31 R-Day: 982 police personnel awarded service medals On the occasion of the Republic Day 2026, gallantry and various service medals have been awarded to 982 police, fire, home guard, civil defence and correctional services personnel. The decorations included 125 gallantry medals (GM), the Union home ministry said in a statement. The... Read more >

10:22 'Doctor', 'Dr' not exclusive to medical professionals: Kerala HC The Kerala High Court has dismissed pleas moved by medical professionals against the use of 'Dr' by physiotherapists and occupational therapists, saying the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act does not provide for use of the prefix by MBBS graduates.Justice V G Arun said that the word 'doctor'... Read more >

09:52 EC uploads SIR list of logical discrepancies list following SC order The Election Commission on Saturday evening uploaded on its website the names of people on the list of SIR logical discrepancies list following an order of the Supreme Court, a poll panel official said.The district electoral officers will now download the list and display it on panchayat bhavans... Read more >

09:33 Fresh snowfall in Kashmir, Srinagar-Jammu national highway remains shut The Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed for the third day on Sunday as parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, received fresh snowfall, officials said.Hundreds of vehicles are stranded on the 270-kilometre highway since Friday when heavy snowfall forced closure of the road.The highway... Read more >

09:31 National Voters' Day: Modi says being a voter is not just a constitutional privilege Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to take part in democratic processes, saying being a voter is not just a constitutional privilege, but an important duty that gives every citizen a voice in shaping India's future.Greetings on #NationalVotersDay. This day is about further... Read more >

09:27 No place for Hindi in TN then, now and forever: Stalin DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday hailed the Languge Martyrs of the state who sacrificied their lives during the anti-Hindi agitation in the past and asserted that there was no place for the language here forever.Paying tributes on the occasion of Language Martyrs Day, he... Read more >
CoastalSouth Bancshares (NYSE:COSO  Get Free Report) is one of 20 public companies in the State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare CoastalSouth Bancshares to related businesses based on the strength of its valuation, dividends, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio CoastalSouth Bancshares $135.78 million N/A 21.44 CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors $866.48 million $95.99 million 39.13

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.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors 7.90% 7.47% 0.84%

Analyst Recommendations

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CoastalSouth Bancshares 0 1 1 0 2.50 CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors 31 178 219 26 2.53

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 1.92%. Given CoastalSouth Bancshares competitors stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe CoastalSouth Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Institutional & Insider 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 company will outperform the market over the long term.

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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ENGIE  Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:ENGIY  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the seven analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company.

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Barclays restated an overweight rating on shares of ENGIE in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of ENGIE in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of ENGIE in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Berenberg Bank upgraded ENGIE to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of ENGIE in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock.

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View Our Latest Analysis on ENGIY

ENGIE Price Performance

ENGIE Company Profile

ENGIE stock opened at $28.49 on Thursday. ENGIE has a 1 year low of $15.91 and a 1 year high of $28.54. The firms 50-day moving average is $26.21 and its 200-day moving average is $23.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.06.

(Get Free Report)

ENGIE is a Paris-headquartered multinational energy company engaged across the value chain of electricity and natural gas, along with associated infrastructure and services. The company develops, builds and operates power generation assets (including gas-fired plants and an expanding portfolio of renewable generation such as wind, solar and hydro), trades and markets energy commodities, and supplies energy to industrial, commercial and residential customers. ENGIE also provides energy infrastructure and networks, liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions, and a range of energy services including energy efficiency, facility management and distributed energy systems.

The group traces its modern corporate roots to the 2008 combination of Gaz de France and Suez, and subsequently adopted the ENGIE name in 2015 as part of a strategic repositioning.

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Enova International (NYSE:ENVA  Get Free Report) is expected to issue its Q4 2025 results after the market closes on Tuesday, January 27th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $3.20 per share and revenue of $838.5870 million for the quarter. Interested persons can find conference call details on the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning report page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

Enova International (NYSE:ENVA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The credit services provider reported $3.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.03 by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $460.71 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $806.63 million. Enova International had a net margin of 9.64% and a return on equity of 24.50%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.45 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Enova International to post $10 EPS for the current fiscal year and $12 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Enova International Stock Performance

Shares of Enova International stock opened at $157.64 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $149.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $127.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20, a quick ratio of 19.29 and a current ratio of 19.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.49 and a beta of 1.27. Enova International has a 52 week low of $79.41 and a 52 week high of $168.68.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Enova International announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, November 12th that authorizes the company to buyback $400.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the credit services provider to repurchase up to 12.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Several research firms have weighed in on ENVA. Wall Street Zen lowered Enova International from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 22nd. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Enova International in a research report on Thursday. BTIG Research increased their price target on shares of Enova International from $144.00 to $199.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Citigroup reissued an outperform rating on shares of Enova International in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Citizens Jmp boosted their price objective on shares of Enova International from $149.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $163.67.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ENVA

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO David Fisher sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.24, for a total value of $2,403,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 348,223 shares in the company, valued at approximately $55,799,253.52. The trade was a 4.13% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Steven E. Cunningham sold 14,874 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.70, for a total transaction of $1,795,291.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 127,719 shares in the company, valued at $15,415,683.30. This trade represents a 10.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 41,874 shares of company stock worth $5,680,052 in the last quarter. 8.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Enova International

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of ENVA. California State Teachers Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Enova International by 0.4% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 24,268 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $2,706,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Enova International by 350.0% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 450 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC increased its stake in Enova International by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 14,054 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,617,000 after buying an additional 789 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in Enova International during the 3rd quarter worth about $991,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.43% of the companys stock.

About Enova International

(Get Free Report)

Enova International, Inc (NYSE: ENVA) is a Chicago-based financial services company specializing in online lending solutions. Since its founding in 2004, Enova has leveraged proprietary data analytics and technology platforms to underwrite and deliver short-term consumer loans, lines of credit and installment loans. Through its flagship consumer brand NetCredit, Enova provides flexible credit options designed to serve a wide range of borrowers, including those with limited or non-traditional credit histories.

In addition to its U.S.

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Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group (OTCMKTS:EUBG  Get Free Report) and Range Resources (NYSE:RRC  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 dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings and risk.

Volatility & Risk

Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group has a beta of 19.21, suggesting that its stock price is 1,821% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Range Resources has a beta of 0.51, suggesting that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group and Range Resources net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group 24.17% 11.97% 10.95% Range Resources 19.64% 15.99% 8.93%

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group 0 0 0 0 0.00 Range Resources 2 13 3 1 2.16

This is a summary of current recommendations for Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group and Range Resources, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Range Resources has a consensus target price of $41.22, suggesting a potential upside of 13.36%. Given Range Resources stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Range Resources is more favorable than Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group and Range Resourcess revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group $5.28 million 32.54 $1.49 million N/A N/A Range Resources $2.88 billion 2.99 $266.34 million $2.38 15.28

Range Resources has higher revenue and earnings than Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

98.9% of Range Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. 63.6% of Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of Range Resources shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Range Resources beats Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

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.

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.

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First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP  Get Free Report) is projected to post its Q4 2025 results before the market opens on Tuesday, January 27th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.51 per share and revenue of $256.1830 million for the quarter. Interested persons are encouraged to explore the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning overview page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET.

First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The bank reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.03. First BanCorp. had a net margin of 26.73% and a return on equity of 17.45%. The business had revenue of $248.71 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $256.25 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.45 EPS. On average, analysts expect First BanCorp. to post $2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $2 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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First BanCorp. Trading Down 4.5%

Shares of FBP opened at $20.64 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.80. First BanCorp. has a 1-year low of $16.40 and a 1-year high of $22.60. The company has a market capitalization of $3.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.88. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $20.80 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.11.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of First BanCorp. by 151.7% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,873 shares of the banks stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 1,129 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its stake in First BanCorp. by 328.8% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,950 shares of the banks stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 2,262 shares in the last quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in First BanCorp. in the 3rd quarter valued at $210,000. Cerity Partners LLC bought a new stake in First BanCorp. in the 2nd quarter valued at $211,000. Finally, Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in First BanCorp. in the 2nd quarter worth $217,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.91% of the companys stock.

FBP has been the subject of several research reports. Piper Sandler started coverage on First BanCorp. in a report on Thursday, January 15th. They set a neutral rating and a $23.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group set a $25.00 price objective on First BanCorp. in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of First BanCorp. in a research report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of First BanCorp. from $25.00 to $23.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of First BanCorp. from $25.00 to $24.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $23.80.

View Our Latest Analysis on First BanCorp.

About First BanCorp.

(Get Free Report)

First BanCorp (NYSE: FBP) is a financial holding company headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Through its principal banking subsidiary, FirstBank Puerto Rico, the company offers a comprehensive range of banking services including commercial and consumer lending, deposit products, cash management solutions and treasury services. It also provides mortgage origination and servicing, equipment leasing, investment management, and insurance agency services.

In its commercial banking segment, First BanCorp serves small and midsize enterprises as well as large corporate clients, delivering tailored credit facilities, letters of credit, and foreign trade financing.

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Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC lowered its position in shares of General Motors Company (NYSE:GM  Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) by 55.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,340 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after selling 29,697 shares during the quarter. Stoneridge Investment Partners LLCs holdings in General Motors were worth $1,484,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. acquired a new stake in General Motors in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new stake in General Motors during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. GFG Capital LLC bought a new stake in General Motors during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. grew its position in General Motors by 94.6% in the third quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 545 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. Finally, RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of General Motors during the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. 92.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

GM has been the subject of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $98.00 target price on shares of General Motors in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of General Motors from $86.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Tigress Financial upped their price target on shares of General Motors from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of General Motors from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $54.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, UBS Group restated a buy rating on shares of General Motors in a report on Friday, January 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $80.00.

Key Headlines Impacting General Motors

Here are the key news stories impacting General Motors this week:

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Christopher Hatto sold 7,724 shares of General Motors 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 approximately $864,504. This trade represents a 39.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

General Motors Stock Down 1.8%

GM stock opened at $79.65 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $78.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $65.86. The company has a market cap of $74.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.03, a PEG ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.31. General Motors Company has a 12-month low of $41.60 and a 12-month high of $85.18. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Motors Company (NYSE:GM  Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U).

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Ambev (NYSE:ABEV  Get Free Report) and Big Rock Brewery (OTCMKTS:BRBMF  Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Ambev and Big Rock Brewerys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Ambev 17.90% 15.81% 10.16% Big Rock Brewery -17.71% -43.98% -21.50%

Risk and Volatility

Ambev has a beta of 0.67, meaning that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Big Rock Brewery has a beta of -1.03, meaning that its stock price is 203% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Ambev $16.59 billion 2.65 $2.68 billion $0.18 15.47 Big Rock Brewery $31.65 million 0.48 -$9.83 million ($1.00) -0.62

This table compares Ambev and Big Rock Brewerys top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Ambev has higher revenue and earnings than Big Rock Brewery. Big Rock Brewery is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ambev, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

8.1% of Ambev shares are owned by institutional investors. 38.4% of Big Rock Brewery shares 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.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Ambev and Big Rock Brewery, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Ambev 1 7 0 0 1.88 Big Rock Brewery 0 0 0 0 0.00

Ambev currently has a consensus price target of $2.53, indicating a potential downside of 9.28%. Given Ambevs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Ambev is more favorable than Big Rock Brewery.

Summary

Ambev beats Big Rock Brewery on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Ambev

(Get Free Report)

Ambev S.A., through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of beer, draft beer, carbonated soft drinks, malt and food, other alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic and non-carbonated products in Brazil, Central America and Caribbean, Latin America South, and Canada. It offers beer primarily under the Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Brahva, Budweiser, Bud Light, Beck, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Balboa ICE, Balboa, Atlas Golden Light, Atlas, Bucanero, Cristal, Mayabe, Presidente, Presidente Light, Brahma Light, Bohemia, The One, Corona, Modelo Especial, Stella Artois, Quilmes Clasica, Pacena, Taquina, Huari, Becker, Cusquena, Michelob Ultra, Busch, Pilsen, Ouro Fino, Bud 66, Banks, Deputy, Patricia, Labatt Blue, Alexander Keiths, and Kokanee brands. The company also provides carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, isotonic beverages, energy drinks, coconut water, powdered and natural juices, and ready-to-drink teas under the Guarana Antarctica, Gatorade, H2OH!, Pepsi Black, Lipton Iced Tea, Fusion, Pepsi-Cola, Canada Dry, Squirt, Red Rock, Red Bull, Seven Up, Nutrl, Bud Light Seltzer, Palm Bay, and Mikes brands. It offers its products through a network of third-party distributors and a direct distribution system. The company was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ambev S.A. is a subsidiary of Interbrew International B.V.

About Big Rock Brewery

(Get Free Report)

Big Rock Brewery Inc. produces, markets, and distributes craft beers, ciders, and ready-to-drink beverages primarily in Canada. The company offers a selection of beer, ciders, and ready-to-drink beverages under the Big Rock, Tree Brewing, Rock Creek Cider, Dukes Cider, AGD, Shaftbury, Bow Valley, White Peaks, and Cottage Springs brands. It also provides apparel and accessories, including jackets, headwear, sweaters, glassware, belt buckles, and coolers. The company sells its products to provincial liquor boards, grocery stores, on-premise and contract manufacturing customers; and through premises owned and/or operated by the Corporation, Big Rock's retail location and online through various e-commerce platforms. website, and third-party delivery services. Big Rock Brewery Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Heritage Investment Group Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR  Free Report) by 7.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 124,691 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 8,584 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF makes up 2.4% of Heritage Investment Group Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Heritage Investment Group Inc.s holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $14,817,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF in the second quarter worth $27,000. Curio Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 26,900.0% in the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 270 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 269 shares in the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 306.6% in the third quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 431 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 325 shares during the period. Quaker Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 200.4% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 452 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 902 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC grew its stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 53.3% during the 3rd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 538 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $64,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. 66.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA IJR opened at $128.09 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $94.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.52 and a beta of 1.08. The stocks 50-day moving average is $122.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $118.63. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 1-year low of $89.22 and a 1-year high of $131.64.

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Profile

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The Index serves as the underlying index for the S&P 600/Citigroup Growth and Value Index series. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares.

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iA Global Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 50,360 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $1,100,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in Kimco Realty in the 2nd quarter worth $175,963,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Kimco Realty in the second quarter worth about $33,075,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Kimco Realty in the second quarter worth about $24,046,000. Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its position in shares of Kimco Realty by 15.5% during the 2nd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 8,369,774 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $175,933,000 after buying an additional 1,124,125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Kimco Realty by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 46,347,837 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $974,232,000 after acquiring an additional 995,352 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.25% of the companys stock.

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Kimco Realty Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of Kimco Realty stock opened at $20.98 on Friday. Kimco Realty Corporation has a twelve month low of $17.93 and a twelve month high of $23.65. The company has a quick ratio of 3.59, a current ratio of 3.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $20.39 and a 200-day moving average price of $21.17. The firm has a market cap of $14.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.27, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 1.05.

Kimco Realty Increases Dividend

Kimco Realty ( NYSE:KIM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.01. Kimco Realty had a return on equity of 5.60% and a net margin of 28.24%.The company had revenue of $535.86 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $522.31 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.43 earnings per share. The firms 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. Equities research analysts anticipate that Kimco Realty Corporation will post 1.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were given a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.0%. This is an increase from Kimco Realtys previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. Kimco Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 125.30%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Mizuho set a $21.00 target price on shares of Kimco Realty in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Kimco Realty from $23.00 to $21.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $25.00 target price on shares of Kimco Realty in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Kimco Realty from $23.00 to $22.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Kimco Realty in a research report on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and eight have given 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 $23.89.

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Kimco Realty Profile

(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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Strs Ohio reduced its stake in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 69,077 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 2,430 shares during the period. Strs Ohios holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $18,013,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brendel Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 1,328.6% in the 3rd quarter. Brendel Financial Advisors LLC now owns 13,929 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,632,000 after purchasing an additional 12,954 shares in the last quarter. Davis Capital Management bought a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the third quarter valued at about $1,162,000. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund raised its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 39.5% during the second quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 67,439 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $16,674,000 after buying an additional 19,102 shares in the last quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 16.3% in the second quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 11,680 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,888,000 after purchasing an additional 1,638 shares during the period. Finally, Huntleigh Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 111.2% during the third quarter. Huntleigh Advisors Inc. now owns 16,276 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $4,244,000 after purchasing an additional 8,569 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.77% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Bank of America raised shares of Illinois Tool Works from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the company from $220.00 to $255.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Wolfe Research lifted their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $264.00 to $278.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $298.00 to $275.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $265.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $245.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Illinois Tool Works presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $261.08.

Insider Buying and Selling at Illinois Tool Works

In related news, Director Pamela B. Strobel sold 1,521 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $245.25, for a total value of $373,025.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 39,249 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,625,817.25. This represents a 3.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.88% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

ITW opened at $258.09 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39. The businesss 50 day moving average is $251.58 and its 200-day moving average is $254.90. The stock has a market cap of $74.87 billion, a PE ratio of 25.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 13.88 and a beta of 1.15. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a twelve month low of $214.66 and a twelve month high of $278.13.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The industrial products company reported $2.81 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.72 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $4.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.09 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 93.26% and a net margin of 19.05%.The firms revenue was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.91 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $1.61 per share. This represents a $6.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.46%.

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

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Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Free Report) had its price target lifted by Scotiabank from $230.00 to $265.00 in a research note published on Thursday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has a sector outperform rating on the stock.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on JNJ. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Johnson Rice set a $190.00 price objective on Johnson & Johnson and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wolfe Research boosted their target price on Johnson & Johnson from $225.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $240.00 price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, HSBC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $240.00 price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson 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 and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $226.18.

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Johnson & Johnson Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of Johnson & Johnson stock opened at $220.29 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $208.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $189.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $530.74 billion, a PE ratio of 19.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.26 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 company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.07.

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 for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $2.46. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 28.46% and a return on equity of 33.34%. The company had revenue of $24.56 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.04 earnings per share. The firms quarterly 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, analysts anticipate that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 24th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio is presently 47.06%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Johnson & Johnson

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in JNJ. Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 13.9% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 51,876 shares of the companys stock worth $7,502,000 after purchasing an additional 6,332 shares in the last quarter. United Bank lifted its position in Johnson & Johnson by 110.7% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 9,279 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,539,000 after purchasing an additional 4,876 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 13.4% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 5,863 shares of the companys stock valued at $896,000 after purchasing an additional 692 shares during the period. Maseco LLP purchased a new stake in Johnson & Johnson in the second quarter worth about $478,000. Finally, Accurate Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 4.9% in the second quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC now owns 25,576 shares of the companys stock worth $4,033,000 after buying an additional 1,189 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.55% of the companys stock.

Key Stories Impacting Johnson & Johnson

Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week:

About Johnson & Johnson

(Get Free Report)

Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world.

The companys pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience.

Further Reading

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Shares of Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the thirteen brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $53.00.

LW has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane set a $48.00 price objective on shares of Lamb Weston in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Bank of America cut their target price on Lamb Weston from $66.00 to $53.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on Lamb Weston from $61.00 to $49.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Cfra Research upgraded Lamb Weston to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on Lamb Weston from $68.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Lamb Weston

Lamb Weston Price Performance

Shares of Lamb Weston stock opened at $43.71 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 0.64. Lamb Weston has a one year low of $39.79 and a one year high of $67.07. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $50.25 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $55.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.68 and a beta of 0.45.

Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, December 19th. The specialty retailer reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.01. Lamb Weston had a net margin of 6.06% and a return on equity of 27.71%. The firm had revenue of $1.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.59 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.66 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Lamb Weston will post 3.1 EPS for the current year.

Lamb Weston Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be issued a $0.38 dividend. This is a boost from Lamb Westons previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 30th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. Lamb Westons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.24%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lamb Weston

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of LW. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in Lamb Weston by 29.4% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 185,038 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $9,862,000 after acquiring an additional 42,039 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Lamb Weston by 3.5% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 16,355 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $872,000 after purchasing an additional 549 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Lamb Weston by 27.5% in the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,882 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $98,000 after purchasing an additional 406 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank raised its holdings in Lamb Weston by 5.3% in the second quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 34,493 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $1,788,000 after purchasing an additional 1,731 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Swedbank AB lifted its position in Lamb Weston by 128.5% during the second quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 600,000 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $31,110,000 after buying an additional 337,400 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.56% of the companys stock.

About Lamb Weston

(Get Free Report)

Lamb Weston, traded on the NYSE under the symbol LW, is a leading global processor and supplier of frozen potato products. The companys portfolio includes a variety of potato-based items such as French fries, potato wedges, hash browns and specialty cuts tailored to the foodservice and retail grocery channels. Lamb Weston serves quick-service restaurants, full-service operators, grocery chains and food distributors, offering customized product formats, packaging solutions and seasoning options to meet evolving customer demands.

Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Eagle, Idaho, Lamb Weston has grown from a regional processor into one of the worlds largest producers of frozen potato products.

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Live Oak Bancshares (NYSE:LOB  Get Free Report) is one of 20 publicly-traded companies in the State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Live Oak Bancshares to related companies based on the strength of its risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability and valuation.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Live Oak Bancshares $1.04 billion $77.47 million 17.64 Live Oak Bancshares Competitors $884.37 million $95.99 million 39.41

Live Oak Bancshares has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its competitors. Live Oak Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Dividends

Analyst Recommendations

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 5.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies pay a dividend yield of 2.2% and pay out 60.6% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Live Oak Bancshares and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Live Oak Bancshares 0 2 0 1 2.67 Live Oak Bancshares Competitors 31 178 219 26 2.53

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 1.92%. Given Live Oak Bancshares competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Live Oak Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Profitability

This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Live Oak Bancshares 10.09% 9.91% 0.75% Live Oak Bancshares Competitors 7.90% 7.47% 0.84%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

64.0% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by institutional investors. 23.4% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Risk & Volatility

Live Oak Bancshares has a beta of 2.02, indicating that its share price is 102% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Live Oak Bancshares competitors have a beta of 1.01, indicating that their average share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Live Oak Bancshares beats its competitors on 8 of the 15 factors compared.

Live Oak Bancshares Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Live Oak Banking Company that provides various commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, and professionals in North Carolina, the United States. The company accepts various deposit products, including noninterest-bearing demand, as well as interest-bearing checking, money market, savings, and time deposits. It also offers commercial and industrial loans; construction and development loans; owner occupied and non-owner occupied collateral commercial real estate loans; and commercial land loans. In addition, the company provides settlement, accounting, and securitization services for government guaranteed loans; wealth and investment management services to high-net-worth individuals and families; investment advisory services to a series of funds focused on providing venture capital to new and emerging financial technology companies; and an on-site restaurant location to company employees and business visitors. Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina.

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MBM Wealth Consultants LLC bought a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund bought 12,607 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock, valued at approximately $569,000.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 10.0% in the third quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC now owns 113,457 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $5,117,000 after acquiring an additional 10,284 shares in the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC raised its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 25.9% during the third quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 150,359 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $6,781,000 after purchasing an additional 30,909 shares during the period. Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 24.6% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC now owns 59,183 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,740,000 after purchasing an additional 11,690 shares in the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR grew its position in Bristol Myers Squibb by 13.5% in the 3rd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 273,343 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,328,000 after purchasing an additional 32,476 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,554,154,000. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Stock Performance

BMY stock opened at $54.61 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39. The firm has a market cap of $111.17 billion, a PE ratio of 18.45, a P/E/G ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 0.29. The business has a 50 day moving average of $52.57 and a 200-day moving average of $48.40. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 12-month low of $42.52 and a 12-month high of $63.33.

Bristol Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.75 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 76.53% and a net margin of 12.57%.The businesss revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.80 earnings per share. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.6%. This is a boost from Bristol Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is 85.14%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. HSBC reissued a hold rating and set a $53.00 target price on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Bristol Myers Squibb from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Dbs Bank upgraded Bristol Myers Squibb to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $56.86.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BMY

More Bristol Myers Squibb News

Here are the key news stories impacting Bristol Myers Squibb this week:

About Bristol Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, focused on discovering, developing and delivering medicines for serious diseases. The companys core activities include research and development, clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of prescription pharmaceuticals across multiple therapeutic areas. BMS concentrates on advancing therapies in oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular disease and specialty areas through both small molecules and biologics.

BMSs marketed portfolio and latestage pipeline reflect a strong emphasis on cancer and immunemediated conditions.

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Whittier Trust Co. lowered its holdings in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) by 20.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 59,384 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after selling 14,905 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $26,895,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Motorola Solutions during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Motorola Solutions during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 289.5% during the 2nd quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 74 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Motorola Solutions in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Rossby Financial LCC increased its stake in Motorola Solutions by 148.6% in the 2nd quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 87 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. 84.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on MSI. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Motorola Solutions from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $465.00 to $443.00 in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of Motorola Solutions from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $450.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on shares of Motorola Solutions from $509.00 to $495.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $491.86.

Motorola Solutions Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of MSI stock opened at $401.60 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $66.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.23, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.59. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $378.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $421.58. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a twelve month low of $359.36 and a twelve month high of $492.22.

Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The communications equipment provider reported $4.06 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.85 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 18.71% and a return on equity of 118.48%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.74 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Motorola Solutions Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a dividend of $1.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $4.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. This is a boost from Motorola Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio is currently 38.84%.

Motorola Solutions Profile

(Free Report)

Motorola Solutions, Inc is a provider of mission-critical communications and analytics solutions for public safety and commercial customers. The company designs, manufactures and supports a range of communications equipment and software aimed at enabling first responders, government agencies and enterprises to coordinate and operate reliably in high-pressure environments. Its offerings emphasize secure, resilient connectivity and situational awareness for organizations that require dependable voice, data and video communications.

Product lines include land mobile radio (LMR) systems and handheld and vehicle-mounted radios used by police, fire and emergency medical services; broadband push-to-talk and LTE-based solutions; command-and-control center software for incident management and records; and video security and analytics systems.

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National Bank (NYSE:NBHC  Get Free Report) is projected to announce its Q4 2025 results after the market closes on Tuesday, January 27th. Analysts expect National Bank to post earnings of $0.87 per share and revenue of $107.4760 million for the quarter. Parties can find conference call details on the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning report page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET.

National Bank Stock Performance

Shares of National Bank stock opened at $40.35 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The stocks fifty day moving average is $38.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.39. National Bank has a 52 week low of $32.83 and a 52 week high of $44.11. The company has a market capitalization of $1.53 billion, a PE ratio of 12.77 and a beta of 0.81.

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National Bank Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th were paid a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. This is a boost from National Banks previous quarterly dividend of ($0.30). National Banks payout ratio is 39.24%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in NBHC. Quarry LP lifted its stake in shares of National Bank by 50.8% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,819 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 613 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in National Bank by 131.3% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,395 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $128,000 after purchasing an additional 1,927 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning purchased a new stake in shares of National Bank during the third quarter valued at about $222,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of National Bank by 126.0% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 6,367 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $239,000 after buying an additional 3,550 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP bought a new stake in shares of National Bank in the 3rd quarter valued at about $328,000. 92.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

A number of brokerages have commented on NBHC. Zacks Research upgraded shares of National Bank from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of National Bank in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Stephens upgraded National Bank from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $42.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, November 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $44.50.

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National Bank Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC) is a diversified financial services holding company headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Through its network of community bank subsidiaries, the company provides deposit, lending and payment solutions to consumer, small business and commercial clients across multiple U.S. markets.

Since its founding in 1992, National Bank Holdings has pursued a growth strategy focused on acquiring and integrating locally branded community banks. Its footprint spans the Midwest and Southern United States, including Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Illinois and Tennessee.

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Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. trimmed its holdings in Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 6.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 358,286 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 24,160 shares during the quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Newmont were worth $30,221,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NEM. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Newmont by 53.5% in the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 399 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Concord Wealth Partners lifted its position in Newmont by 534.7% in the second quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 457 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 385 shares during the last quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Newmont by 408.2% in the second quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 498 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new position in Newmont in the third quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, Capital A Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Newmont by 1,648.3% during the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 507 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 478 shares during the last quarter. 68.85% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Newmont

In other Newmont news, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,080 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.36, for a total value of $192,108.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 32,709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,021,003.24. This represents a 5.98% 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. Also, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.34, for a total value of $406,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 279,923 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,768,936.82. This trade represents a 1.75% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 9,160 shares of company stock valued at $767,206 in the last quarter. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Newmont Price Performance

Shares of NEM opened at $124.34 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The stocks 50 day moving average is $100.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $84.78. Newmont Corporation has a twelve month low of $40.85 and a twelve month high of $124.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $135.69 billion, a PE ratio of 19.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 0.41.

Newmont (NYSE:NEM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The basic materials company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.44. Newmont had a return on equity of 20.35% and a net margin of 33.42%.The business had revenue of $5.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.14 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.81 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 20.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Newmont Corporation will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NEM has been the subject of several research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Newmont in a report on Monday, December 29th. Cibc World Mkts raised Newmont from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. BNP Paribas Exane downgraded shares of Newmont from an outperform rating to a hold rating and set a $97.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Friday, December 5th. CIBC set a $112.00 price target on Newmont and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Argus increased their price objective on Newmont from $75.00 to $94.00 in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Newmont has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $103.77.

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Newmont Company Profile

(Free Report)

Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) is a leading global gold mining company engaged in the exploration, development, processing and reclamation of gold properties. The companys core business centers on the production of gold, with additional byproduct metals produced from its operations. Newmont operates a portfolio of longlived mines and development projects, and its activities span the full mine life cycle from early-stage exploration through to mining, milling and closure.

Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, Newmont has grown through organic development and strategic acquisitions.

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Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC  Get Free Report) is expected to issue its Q4 2025 results before the market opens on Tuesday, January 27th. Analysts expect Northrop Grumman to post earnings of $6.97 per share and revenue of $11.6101 billion for the quarter. Interested persons can check the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning summary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 9:30 AM ET.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

Northrop Grumman stock opened at $672.67 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $96.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.20, a P/E/G ratio of 5.46 and a beta of 0.05. Northrop Grumman has a 12-month low of $426.24 and a 12-month high of $677.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The firms 50-day moving average is $587.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $583.04.

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Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $2.31 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. Northrop Grummans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 33.24%.

Insider Transactions at Northrop Grumman

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Northrop Grumman

In related news, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 7,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $600.00, for a total value of $4,200,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 194,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $116,761,200. This trade represents a 3.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, Director Mark A. Welsh III sold 97 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $564.08, for a total transaction of $54,715.76. Following the sale, the director owned 4,281 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,414,826.48. This represents a 2.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 10,097 shares of company stock worth $6,099,716. Company insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NOC. Wexford Capital LP acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the third quarter worth about $43,000. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the second quarter worth about $59,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the third quarter valued at about $85,000. Finally, Wealth Watch Advisors INC purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 3rd quarter valued at about $87,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.40% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have weighed in on NOC. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $700.00 price target on Northrop Grumman and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Wednesday, December 24th. Citigroup increased their target price on Northrop Grumman from $654.00 to $715.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating and issued a $727.00 price target on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Alembic Global Advisors upgraded shares of Northrop Grumman from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $662.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, December 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $656.82.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on NOC

About Northrop Grumman

(Get Free Report)

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is a leading U.S.-based aerospace and defense company that designs, builds and sustains advanced systems, products and technologies for government and commercial customers. Formed through the combination of Northrop and Grumman businesses in the 1990s, the companys portfolio spans manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, missile defense, radar and sensor systems, and integrated command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions.

The companys work includes airframe and platform manufacturing, space hardware and satellite systems, advanced mission systems and cybersecurity services, as well as logistics, sustainment and modernization programs.

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Piper Sandler reiterated their neutral rating on shares of Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI  Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have a $38.00 price target on the insurance providers stock, down from their previous price target of $51.00.

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (a) rating on shares of Old Republic International in a report on Wednesday, December 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $42.50.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ORI

Old Republic International Price Performance

ORI opened at $37.94 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The company has a market cap of $9.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.19 and a beta of 0.76. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $44.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $41.36. Old Republic International has a 12-month low of $34.43 and a 12-month high of $46.76.

Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The insurance provider reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.89 by ($0.15). The business had revenue of $2.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.31 billion. Old Republic International had a net margin of 10.24% and a return on equity of 16.21%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.90 EPS. Research analysts predict that Old Republic International will post 3.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Old Republic International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a special dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd were given a dividend of $2.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 2nd. Old Republic Internationals dividend payout ratio is 34.22%.

Insider Transactions at Old Republic International

In other news, Director Therace Risch acquired 1,000 shares of Old Republic International stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $39.14 per share, for a total transaction of $39,140.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 10,625 shares in the company, valued at $415,862.50. This trade represents a 10.39% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Carolyn Monroe sold 6,680 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.54, for a total transaction of $297,527.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 29,075 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,295,000.50. This represents a 18.68% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Old Republic International

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its holdings in Old Republic International by 2,840.8% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 3,926,606 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $166,763,000 after acquiring an additional 3,793,085 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Old Republic International in the second quarter worth approximately $115,071,000. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of 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 worth $221,457,000 after purchasing an additional 2,066,965 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in shares of Old Republic International by 98.0% in the third quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,197,538 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $135,799,000 after purchasing an additional 1,582,895 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management raised its position 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 valued at $103,877,000 after purchasing an additional 821,975 shares during the period. 70.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Old Republic International News

Here are the key news stories impacting Old Republic International this week:

Positive Sentiment: Revenue and some segment momentum: ORI reported revenue above Street estimates and management highlighted momentum in title insurance, particularly commercial title, which supports top-line resilience. Read More.

Revenue and some segment momentum: ORI reported revenue above Street estimates and management highlighted momentum in title insurance, particularly commercial title, which supports top-line resilience. Read More. Positive Sentiment: GAAP net income rose year-over-year, which helps capital / reserves positioning despite operational pressures  a cushion for investors watching solvency and dividend capacity. Read More.

GAAP net income rose year-over-year, which helps capital / reserves positioning despite operational pressures  a cushion for investors watching solvency and dividend capacity. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call details and slides are available for deeper review  useful for judging managements plans on underwriting actions, reserve strategy and capital allocation. Read More.

Earnings call details and slides are available for deeper review  useful for judging managements plans on underwriting actions, reserve strategy and capital allocation. Read More. Negative Sentiment: EPS missed estimates ($0.74 vs. $0.89 consensus), and net operating income declined versus prior year  an immediate driver of the share-price reaction as earnings power was weaker than expected. Read More.

EPS missed estimates ($0.74 vs. $0.89 consensus), and net operating income declined versus prior year  an immediate driver of the share-price reaction as earnings power was weaker than expected. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Underwriting deterioration: Q4 combined ratio ~96%, driven by trucking reserve additions and commercial-auto loss issues  raises near-term margin risk and increases uncertainty around 2026 underwriting results. Read More.

Underwriting deterioration: Q4 combined ratio ~96%, driven by trucking reserve additions and commercial-auto loss issues  raises near-term margin risk and increases uncertainty around 2026 underwriting results. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Analyst reaction: Piper Sandler cut ORI to Neutral and slashed its price target (from $51 to $38), citing commercial-auto loss issues  that downgrade tightens near-term analyst support and caps upside. Read More.

Analyst reaction: Piper Sandler cut ORI to Neutral and slashed its price target (from $51 to $38), citing commercial-auto loss issues  that downgrade tightens near-term analyst support and caps upside. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Market reaction and margin commentary: Multiple outlets note the stock slid after the EPS miss and managements acknowledgement of margin pressures, reinforcing negative sentiment until underwriting trends stabilize. Read More.

About Old Republic International

(Get 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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Owen LaRue LLC cut its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (NYSEARCA:SPHQ  Free Report) by 59.8% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 19,648 shares of the companys stock after selling 29,262 shares during the quarter. Owen LaRue LLCs holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF were worth $1,440,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. boosted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 4.2% in the third quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. now owns 132,531 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,672,000 after acquiring an additional 5,376 shares in the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $856,000. Latitude Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 15.1% during the 3rd quarter. Latitude Advisors LLC now owns 4,905 shares of the companys stock valued at $359,000 after purchasing an additional 643 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF during the third quarter valued at about $929,000. Finally, Elevation Capital Advisory LLC bought a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF in the third quarter worth about $443,000.

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Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Price Performance

Shares of SPHQ opened at $76.83 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $75.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $73.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.61 billion, a PE ratio of 25.36 and a beta of 0.92. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF has a one year low of $57.67 and a one year high of $78.09.

Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Company Profile

The Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap stocks selected by return on equity, changes in net operating assets and financial leverage. Stocks are weighted by these quality factors, scaled by market cap. SPHQ was launched on Dec 6, 2005 and is managed by Invesco.

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Owlet (NYSE:OWLT  Get Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday.

Several other analysts have also issued reports on the company. William Blair started coverage on Owlet in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. TD Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Owlet in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Zacks Research raised Owlet from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Northland Securities set a $20.00 target price on shares of Owlet and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Owlet in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $14.25.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Owlet

Owlet Trading Down 2.6%

Shares of OWLT opened at $12.93 on Friday. Owlet has a 1 year low of $2.75 and a 1 year high of $16.94. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $14.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.30. The stock has a market cap of $220.86 million, a PE ratio of -4.38 and a beta of 1.78.

Owlet (NYSE:OWLT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.23) by $0.26. The business had revenue of $31.99 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $26.00 million. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Owlet will post -0.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Owlet

In other Owlet news, CEO Jonathan Harris sold 2,311 shares of Owlet 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 264,396 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,524,398.68. The trade was a 0.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 52.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Owlet

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. bought a new position in Owlet in the 1st quarter valued at about $43,000. Next Century Growth Investors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Owlet in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,653,000. Archon Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Owlet during the second quarter worth approximately $442,000. Granahan Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Owlet by 135.9% during the 3rd quarter. Granahan Investment Management LLC now owns 509,904 shares of the companys stock worth $4,319,000 after purchasing an additional 293,771 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Owlet by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 121,741 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,971,000 after purchasing an additional 4,160 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.60% of the companys stock.

Owlet Company Profile

(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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Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 195,609 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 4,087 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $29,981,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. WCM Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Philip Morris International by 24,968.0% in the second quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 11,275,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,041,223,000 after acquiring an additional 11,230,626 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 142,857,055 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,018,555,000 after purchasing an additional 2,235,380 shares in the last quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 69.0% during the second quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 4,512,311 shares of the companys stock worth $821,826,000 after purchasing an additional 1,842,754 shares during the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 88.9% in the second quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 2,138,118 shares of the companys stock worth $389,415,000 after purchasing an additional 1,006,014 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Philip Morris International by 142.2% in the second quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,512,514 shares of the companys stock valued at $275,474,000 after buying an additional 888,148 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Shares of PM opened at $173.06 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $159.22 and a 200-day moving average of $161.48. The company has a market cap of $269.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.40. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $125.53 and a 1 year high of $186.69.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th were given a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 26th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is 106.52%.

A number of research firms have commented on PM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 target price on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $184.56.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PM

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE: PM) is a global tobacco company that manufactures and sells cigarettes, other nicotine-containing products and a growing portfolio of smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers. The firm traces its corporate roots to the 19th century Philip Morris enterprise and was established as an independent, publicly traded company following a 2008 separation from what is now Altria. Since the spin-off, the company has focused on serving international markets outside the United States.

PMIs product mix includes traditional combustible cigarettes as well as smoke-free offerings such as heated tobacco systems and other reduced-risk products.

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Ping Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in BBVA Banco Frances S.A. (NYSE:BBAR  Free Report) by 40.8% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,050,500 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 304,600 shares during the period. BBVA Banco Frances comprises approximately 3.0% of Ping Capital Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Ping Capital Management Inc.s holdings in BBVA Banco Frances were worth $8,740,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of BBVA Banco Frances by 199.9% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 2,381 shares of the banks stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,587 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of BBVA Banco Frances during the third quarter worth approximately $108,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in BBVA Banco Frances by 123.3% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 15,301 shares of the banks stock worth $252,000 after purchasing an additional 8,450 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in BBVA Banco Frances by 66.2% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 24,523 shares of the banks stock valued at $444,000 after purchasing an additional 9,764 shares during the period. Finally, Channing Global Advisors LLC acquired a new position in BBVA Banco Frances in the 2nd quarter valued at $419,000.

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BBVA Banco Frances Trading Up 4.0%

Shares of BBVA Banco Frances stock opened at $19.38 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. BBVA Banco Frances S.A. has a 12-month low of $7.76 and a 12-month high of $23.62. The company has a market capitalization of $3.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.40 and a beta of 1.08. The firms 50-day moving average price is $17.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.39.

BBVA Banco Frances Increases Dividend

BBVA Banco Frances ( NYSE:BBAR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The bank reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.07). BBVA Banco Frances had a net margin of 4.46% and a return on equity of 7.43%. The firm had revenue of $865.83 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $871.10 billion. On average, analysts forecast that BBVA Banco Frances S.A. will post 1.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th were paid a dividend of $0.0331 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 16th. This is a boost from BBVA Banco Francess previous monthly dividend of $0.03. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. BBVA Banco Francess dividend payout ratio is currently 41.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BBAR has been the subject of a number of research reports. Hsbc Global Res raised BBVA Banco Frances to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Zacks Research upgraded shares of BBVA Banco Frances from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Itau BBA Securities raised shares of BBVA Banco Frances from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. HSBC raised shares of BBVA Banco Frances from a hold rating to a buy rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $21.00 to $17.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on BBVA Banco Frances in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. They issued a hold rating and a $18.00 price target for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, BBVA Banco Frances presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $17.67.

View Our Latest Analysis on BBVA Banco Frances

BBVA Banco Frances Company Profile

(Free Report)

BBVA Banco Frances is one of Argentinas leading financial institutions, operating as a subsidiary of the global banking group BBVA. The bank provides a full range of retail and commercial banking services to individuals, small and mediumsized enterprises, large corporations and institutional clients. Its product suite spans deposit accounts, mortgages, personal and auto loans, credit and debit cards, transactional banking and digital solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of customers in both urban and regional markets.

Founded in Buenos Aires in the late 19th century, Banco Frances has developed a longstanding presence in Argentinas financial sector.

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Quilter Plc lowered its stake in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Free Report) by 27.1% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 16,604 shares of the energy producers stock after selling 6,160 shares during the period. Quilter Plcs holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $1,571,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of COP. American National Bank & Trust grew its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips by 4.3% in the second quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 4,874 shares of the energy producers stock worth $437,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 20.6% during the 2nd quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 4,084 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $366,000 after buying an additional 699 shares during the period. Kathmere Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 19.8% in the 2nd quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 6,678 shares of the energy producers stock worth $599,000 after acquiring an additional 1,104 shares during the last quarter. Patton Fund Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips in the second quarter valued at about $215,000. Finally, 1834 Investment Advisors Co. raised its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips by 1.7% during the second quarter. 1834 Investment Advisors Co. now owns 7,898 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $709,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. 82.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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ConocoPhillips News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting ConocoPhillips this week:

ConocoPhillips Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of NYSE:COP opened at $98.34 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $93.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $93.01. ConocoPhillips has a 12-month low of $79.88 and a 12-month high of $106.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $121.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.91, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.32.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy producer reported $1.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $15.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.51 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.78 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th were given a $0.84 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. This is an increase from ConocoPhillipss previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. This represents a $3.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.52%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on COP shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research report on Monday, December 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $98.00 price target on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $116.00 to $98.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 5th. UBS Group upped their target price on ConocoPhillips from $117.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on ConocoPhillips from $122.00 to $118.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $110.83.

Get Our Latest Analysis on ConocoPhillips

Insider Activity at ConocoPhillips

In related news, Director William H. Mcraven acquired 5,768 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $86.68 per share, with a total value of $499,970.24. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 5,768 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $499,970.24. This trade represents a  increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Ryan Michael Lance sold 500,708 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.50, for a total value of $46,315,490.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer 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 disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About ConocoPhillips

(Free Report)

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is a Houston-based international energy company focused on exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Formed in 2002 through the merger of Conoco Inc and Phillips Petroleum Company, the firm operates as an independent upstream company that explores for, develops and produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids across a portfolio of global assets.

The companys activities span conventional and unconventional resources and include onshore and offshore operations in multiple regions around the world.

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Quilter Plc cut its stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS  Free Report) by 15.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 25,019 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 4,455 shares during the period. Quilter Plcs holdings in Watts Water Technologies were worth $6,987,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. MTM Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Watts Water Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. increased its position in Watts Water Technologies by 156.9% during the second quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 131 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 31.6% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 258 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $72,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 474.6% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 339 shares of the technology companys stock worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 138.4% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 329 shares of the technology companys stock worth $92,000 after acquiring an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.02% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently commented on WTS shares. TD Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Watts Water Technologies in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Zacks Research raised Watts Water Technologies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Watts Water Technologies in a research note on Monday, December 29th. KeyCorp upgraded Watts Water Technologies from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $340.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Watts Water Technologies from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $288.57.

Watts Water Technologies Stock Down 1.4%

Shares of NYSE WTS opened at $299.31 on Friday. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $177.59 and a 52-week high of $306.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.89, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $280.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $274.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a current ratio of 2.83.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The technology company reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.29 by $0.21. Watts Water Technologies had a return on equity of 18.31% and a net margin of 13.79%.The business had revenue of $611.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $576.20 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.03 EPS. Watts Water Technologiess revenue was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Watts Water Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Watts Water Technologiess dividend payout ratio is 21.47%.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Timothy P. Horne sold 6,994 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.65, for a total transaction of $1,948,878.10. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 23,006 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,410,621.90. This trade represents a 23.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Virginia A. Halloran sold 605 shares of Watts Water Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $276.78, for a total transaction of $167,451.90. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 13,412 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,712,173.36. The trade was a 4.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 15,605 shares of company stock worth $4,296,387. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Watts Water Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Watts Water Technologies, Inc is a global manufacturer and distributor of flow control products and solutions designed to ensure the safe, efficient delivery and use of water. Founded in 1874 and headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts, the company has built a reputation for engineering innovation in residential, commercial and industrial plumbing, heating, cooling and water treatment systems. Watts operates through a comprehensive portfolio of brands and product lines that address application-specific requirements in water safety, pressure regulation, flow control and filtration.

The companys product offerings span backflow preventers, pressure reducing valves, relief valves and steam traps, as well as hydronic balancing and temperature control devices for heating systems.

Further Reading

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Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its position in shares of Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI  Free Report) by 9.1% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 705,712 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 58,652 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in Crown Castle were worth $68,094,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB boosted its stake in shares of Crown Castle by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 10,274 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,055,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV grew its position in shares of Crown Castle by 47.8% during the second quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 303 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. grew its holdings in Crown Castle by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 2,046 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $210,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Crown Castle by 24.0% during the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 599 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC grew its stake in Crown Castle by 74.5% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 281 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.77% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on CCI. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on shares of Crown Castle from $114.00 to $96.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Crown Castle in a research report on Monday, December 29th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on Crown Castle from $107.00 to $97.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 9th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Crown Castle from $127.00 to $116.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Raymond James Financial decreased their price objective on Crown Castle from $120.00 to $106.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Crown Castle has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $106.75.

Crown Castle Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CCI opened at $86.58 on Friday. Crown Castle Inc. has a 1-year low of $83.21 and a 1-year high of $115.76. The businesss 50 day moving average is $88.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $95.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.70 billion, a P/E ratio of -8.14, a PEG ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.96.

Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.05 billion. Crown Castle had a negative return on equity of 619.62% and a negative net margin of 95.37%.The companys revenue for the quarter was down 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.84 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Crown Castle Inc. will post 6.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Crown Castle Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a dividend of $1.0625 per share. This represents a $4.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. Crown Castles payout ratio is presently -39.98%.

About Crown Castle

(Free Report)

Crown Castle is a U.S.-focused communications infrastructure company organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, operates and leases shared wireless infrastructure. Its primary business consists of providing tower-based site leases, small cell networks and fiber solutions that support mobile voice and data transmission for wireless carriers, cable companies and other enterprise customers. The companys assets are positioned to enable network coverage and capacity, including the densification projects associated with 4G LTE and 5G deployments.

Its product and service offerings include ground-based tower sites that host multiple wireless operators, distributed small cell nodes and associated fiber backhaul used to connect sites into carrier networks, and site development and maintenance services.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama lessened its stake in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Free Report) by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 810,987 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 6,277 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $128,914,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MS. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 97.4% during the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 22,927 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,644,000 after purchasing an additional 11,311 shares in the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 581,325 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $92,407,000 after buying an additional 21,458 shares in the last quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 12.0% during the 3rd quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC now owns 87,236 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,867,000 after buying an additional 9,345 shares during the period. Sowell Financial Services LLC boosted its stake in Morgan Stanley by 45.3% in the 3rd quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 30,854 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,905,000 after buying an additional 9,619 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bahl & Gaynor Inc. grew its position in Morgan Stanley by 8.2% in the second quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 6,252 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $881,000 after acquiring an additional 473 shares during the period. 84.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Morgan Stanley Stock Performance

Shares of Morgan Stanley stock opened at $179.02 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.27, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $176.93 and a 200 day simple moving average of $161.18. Morgan Stanley has a fifty-two week low of $94.33 and a fifty-two week high of $192.68. The firm has a market cap of $284.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.53, a P/E/G ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 1.20.

Morgan Stanley Announces Dividend

Morgan Stanley ( NYSE:MS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.68 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.40. The firm had revenue of $17.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.69 billion. Morgan Stanley had a return on equity of 16.92% and a net margin of 14.09%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.22 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Morgan Stanley will post 8.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Friday, January 30th will be given a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 30th. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.18%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Eric F. Grossman sold 21,555 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.00, for a total value of $3,966,120.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 171,005 shares in the company, valued at $31,464,920. This represents a 11.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Sharon Yeshaya sold 15,838 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.77, for a total transaction of $2,942,225.26. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 135,304 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,135,424.08. The trade was a 10.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 196,223 shares of company stock worth $34,150,220. Corporate insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock.

Key Morgan Stanley News

Here are the key news stories impacting Morgan Stanley this week:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have issued reports on MS. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on Morgan Stanley from $202.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a moderate buy rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $211.00 price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $177.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $207.00 target price on shares of Morgan Stanley in a report on Friday, January 16th. Finally, HSBC reiterated a hold rating on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $185.93.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MS

Morgan Stanley Profile

(Free Report)

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1935 by Henry S. Morgan and Harold Stanley, the company provides a broad range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services to corporations, governments, institutions and individual investors. Leadership has been guided by a senior executive team and board of directors; James P. Gorman has served as the companys chief executive and chairman in recent years.

The firms primary business activities are organized around three principal businesses: Institutional Securities, Wealth Management and Investment Management.

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REX American Resources Corporation (NYSE:REX  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $31.02 and traded as high as $34.93. REX American Resources shares last traded at $33.9950, with a volume of 110,759 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

REX has been the topic of several research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded REX American Resources from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, December 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of REX American Resources in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $25.00.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on REX American Resources

REX American Resources Trading Down 1.6%

The companys 50-day moving average is $33.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.74 and a beta of 0.76.

REX American Resources (NYSE:REX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The energy company reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.45. The company had revenue of $175.63 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $169.00 million. REX American Resources had a net margin of 7.73% and a return on equity of 7.89%. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.38 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that REX American Resources Corporation will post 2.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in REX American Resources by 101.0% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,436,632 shares of the energy companys stock worth $74,610,000 after purchasing an additional 1,224,274 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of REX American Resources by 89.3% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,152,938 shares of the energy companys stock worth $65,923,000 after acquiring an additional 1,015,668 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of REX American Resources by 88.0% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 826,427 shares of the energy companys stock worth $25,305,000 after acquiring an additional 386,947 shares during the period. Mangrove Partners IM LLC bought a new position in shares of REX American Resources in the third quarter valued at approximately $16,123,000. Finally, Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of REX American Resources by 46.3% during the third quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 439,532 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $13,458,000 after acquiring an additional 139,179 shares during the period. 88.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

REX American Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

REX American Resources Corp. is a diversified agribusiness and renewable energy company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 2005 through a reorganization of existing agricultural interests, the company focuses on two primary business segments: fuel ethanol production and specialty ingredient solutions. REX American Resources leverages its integrated operations to supply clean-burning fuel, animal feed co-products and sweetener ingredients to a broad customer base in North America and beyond.

In its alcohol fuels segment, the company operates an anhydrous ethanol production facility in Colwich, Kansas.

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Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm acquired 10,263 shares of the pharmacy operators stock, valued at approximately $774,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Kanawha Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in CVS Health by 17.6% during the 3rd quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC now owns 3,678 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $277,000 after acquiring an additional 550 shares in the last quarter. Trek Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of CVS Health during the third quarter valued at about $302,000. PFG Investments LLC boosted its holdings in CVS Health by 5.6% during the third quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 19,826 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $1,495,000 after purchasing an additional 1,049 shares during the last quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in CVS Health by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 65,519 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $4,939,000 after purchasing an additional 2,208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. increased its stake in CVS Health by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 481,200 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $36,278,000 after buying an additional 10,000 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.66% of the companys stock.

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CVS Health Stock Up 0.4%

CVS stock opened at $83.02 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $79.05 and a 200-day moving average of $74.78. CVS Health Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $53.28 and a fifty-two week high of $85.15. The company has a market capitalization of $105.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 218.49, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.48. 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 Dividend Announcement

CVS Health ( NYSE:CVS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The pharmacy operator reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.36 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $102.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $98.85 billion. CVS Health had a net margin of 0.12% and a return on equity of 11.45%. The companys revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.09 earnings per share. CVS Health has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.550-6.650 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that CVS Health Corporation will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.665 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 22nd. This represents a $2.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. CVS Healths payout ratio is presently 700.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CVS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on CVS Health from $82.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of CVS Health in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and issued a $101.00 price objective (up previously from $99.00) on shares of CVS Health in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Wall Street Zen cut CVS Health from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, UBS Group reissued an outperform rating on shares of CVS Health in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Nineteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.86.

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CVS Health News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting CVS Health this week:

Positive Sentiment: CVS is activating pharmacies and advising patients to pick up prescriptions ahead of a major winter storm  shows operational readiness and continuity of care that can limit service disruption and protect shortterm revenue. Read More.

CVS is activating pharmacies and advising patients to pick up prescriptions ahead of a major winter storm  shows operational readiness and continuity of care that can limit service disruption and protect shortterm revenue. Read More. Positive Sentiment: CVS announced programs aimed at making health insurance simpler and more affordable, signaling potential member growth and pricing or mix improvements for its health-insurance businesses. Read More.

CVS announced programs aimed at making health insurance simpler and more affordable, signaling potential member growth and pricing or mix improvements for its health-insurance businesses. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Operational/PBM changes: CVS said it will cut some priorauthorization requirements and expand rebatesharing  moves that could reduce friction for care delivery, improve customer experience and blunt policy/competitive criticisms. Read More.

Operational/PBM changes: CVS said it will cut some priorauthorization requirements and expand rebatesharing  moves that could reduce friction for care delivery, improve customer experience and blunt policy/competitive criticisms. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Strategic/innovation: CVS is partnering with the University of Maryland on AI and pharmacy workforce development  a longterm positive for efficiency and talent pipeline in its retail and clinical operations. Read More.

Strategic/innovation: CVS is partnering with the University of Maryland on AI and pharmacy workforce development  a longterm positive for efficiency and talent pipeline in its retail and clinical operations. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Market positioning: Reports show heavy buying of CVS call options, indicating some investors are positioned for further upside in the near term. Read More.

Market positioning: Reports show heavy buying of CVS call options, indicating some investors are positioned for further upside in the near term. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Legal outcome: A Bloomberg Law piece says CVS and UnitedHealth successfully defended against an antitrust suit over drug costs  a favorable legal development but not necessarily dispositive for broader PBM scrutiny. Read More.

Legal outcome: A Bloomberg Law piece says CVS and UnitedHealth successfully defended against an antitrust suit over drug costs  a favorable legal development but not necessarily dispositive for broader PBM scrutiny. Read More. Negative Sentiment: House Judiciary Committee report accuses CVS/Caremark of thwarting competition and targeting independent pharmacies  the committee alleges anticompetitive PBM practices, escalating regulatory and litigation risk that could pressure margins and valuation. Read More.

House Judiciary Committee report accuses CVS/Caremark of thwarting competition and targeting independent pharmacies  the committee alleges anticompetitive PBM practices, escalating regulatory and litigation risk that could pressure margins and valuation. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Followup coverage: Multiple outlets (Beckers, Seeking Alpha, MSN) detail the committees findings and show CVS executives were scrutinized in hearings over high costs and PBM conduct  these stories amplify political and regulatory uncertainty that investors price as risk. Read More. Read More. Read More.

About CVS Health

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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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Strs Ohio decreased its position in Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) by 3.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 49,231 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 1,733 shares during the quarter. Strs Ohios holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $24,577,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 1.0% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,697,527 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $10,048,993,000 after acquiring an additional 214,565 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,884,954 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,256,147,000 after purchasing an additional 19,459 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 959,510 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $444,387,000 after purchasing an additional 6,073 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Lockheed Martin by 6.9% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 863,839 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $400,079,000 after buying an additional 55,607 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 16.6% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 761,382 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $347,381,000 after buying an additional 108,553 shares during the period. 74.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on LMT. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a market perform rating and set a $586.00 target price on shares of Lockheed Martin in a report on Monday, January 12th. Truist Financial set a $605.00 price target on Lockheed Martin and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $543.00 price objective (down previously from $630.00) on shares of Lockheed Martin in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. BNP Paribas Exane boosted their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $550.00 to $570.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $520.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $543.82.

Lockheed Martin Stock Performance

Shares of Lockheed Martin stock opened at $590.30 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $136.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.96, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.97. Lockheed Martin Corporation has a 1 year low of $410.11 and a 1 year high of $596.22. The firms 50-day moving average is $495.94 and its 200 day moving average is $476.04.

Lockheed Martin Company Profile

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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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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:

Geographic origin and ethnolinguistic diversity of AGenDA participants. Credit: Nature (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09935-7

A newly published paper in Nature describes the complex process of launching a nine-country collaboration in Africa to significantly expand scientists' understanding of human genetic diversity. This can reveal new insights into diseases such as cancer, mental illness, diabetes, and heart disease, benefiting health systems globally.

The Assessing Genetic Diversity in Africa (AGenDA) project has generated whole-genome sequence data from more than 1,000 individuals from communities that are largely underrepresented in global genomic databases.

It is anticipated that this effort will uncover millions of novel genetic variants that could reshape how disease risk is predicted and how treatments are tailored.

AGenDA is a deeply collaborative project with balanced contributions developed through a process of co-creation. The study includes hunter-gatherer communities, Nilo-Saharan and Afro-Asiatic speakers, understudied Bantu-speaking groups, and North African and Indian Ocean island communities.

In partnership with local research groups, participants were recruited in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Libya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe with overall project coordination from South Africa.

"Most genomic datasets that are used to predict disease risk come from people of European origin. As a result, the genetic 'patterns' guiding modern medicine are very Eurocentric and poorly predict diseases in African populations. AGenDA was designed to increase representation of African genomic data in global datasets to address this disparity and to ensure that African populations can also benefit," says Professor Michele Ramsay, Director of the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) at Wits University and lead author of the study.

African genomes are older and more diverse than those of any other continent. Two Africans from different regions can be more genetically different from each other than a European and an Asian. When African data are missing, genetic tools can fail to detect important risk variants and produce inaccurate disease-risk predictions.

"AGenDA is about correcting that imbalance so that genetic research and resulting medical interventions work for African people and for the world," says Dr. Furahini Tluway, AGenDA Project Coordinator at SBIMB and a co-author of the study. "By sequencing whole genomes and not just small genetic panels, we are creating rich reference data that scientists everywhere can use," she says.

Professor Scott Hazelhurst, SBIMB's head of bioinformatics, explains the technical impact: "Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) rely on recognizing patterns in DNA, but those patterns look very different across populations. Without African data, risk-prediction models are biased and often inaccurate for African patients. By expanding African genome reference data, AGenDA is making GWAS more scientifically robust and more ethically sound."

Meanwhile AGenDA hopes to be an exemplary research governance model: it is led from the continent by African scientists. Data sharing is managed through African-based data-access committees that review who can use the data, for what purpose and under what conditions. Communities are engaged before any sampling begins, and consent processes are adapted to local languages, cultures, and governance systems.

This approach ensures that participants are not passive subjects of research but informed partners whose rights, values, and expectations shape how data are collected, stored, and shared. It also protects against the historical exploitation of African data without African control.

AGenDA builds on more than a decade of African-led genomic science through the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Consortium. H3Africa is a pan-African initiative established to strengthen genomics research capacity on the continent and ensure that African populations benefit from genomic medicine. H3Africa has supported dozens of large-scale studies, trained scientists across Africa, and created major genomic resources that are now used globally.

One of these resources is AWI-Gen (Africa Wits-INDEPTH Partnership for Genomic Studies), a flagship H3Africa project co-led from Wits University. AWI-Gen studies the genetic and environmental drivers of cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension in African populations.

"The choice of populations for sequencing in genomic studies has usually been chosen from existing samples. Of course, this has resulted in significant gaps in genomic representation in terms of geography and ethnolinguistic diversity.

"Our strategy of focusing on understudied geographies and identifying partners from these regions has enabled us to address some of the most prominent geographic gaps, such as North Africa, and to make the dataset more comprehensive by including Nilo-Saharan, Afro-Asiatic and African Islander populations that are not adequately represented in current public datasets," says Dr. Ananyo Choudhury, the co-lead for AGenDA and a senior scientist at SBIMB.

In the long term, AGenDA data will help build African genetic reference databases used for disease research, genetic testing, and medicine worldwide. This will improve research on diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses and infections, that strongly affect African populations. In turn, this will make global medical science more accurate.

"Because African genomes contain the deepest branches of human genetic history, they help scientists distinguish genetic variants that are ancient from those that arose more recently and help to detect variants that truly influence disease. Studying African diversity improves genetic science for everyone," notes Ramsay.

Publication details M. Ramsay et al, Enriching African genome representation through the AGenDA project, Nature (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09935-7 Journal information: Nature
Shares of Temple Bar (LON:TMPL  Get Free Report) crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 373.59 and traded as high as GBX 383.50. Temple Bar shares last traded at GBX 380.50, with a volume of 752,804 shares.

Temple Bar Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 5.17, a quick ratio of 3.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.47. The company has a market capitalization of 1.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.62 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 373.59 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 357.84.

About Temple Bar

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Temple Bars investment objective is to provide investors with a growing income combined with growth in capital. It aims to meet this objective by investing primarily in UK equities, across different sectors, maintaining a balance of larger and smaller/medium-sized companies. The trust has a bias towards FTSE 350 companies. The Trust is managed by Nick Purves and Ian lance of RWC Partners who have over fifty years of investment experience between them and have been working as a partnership for over thirteen years.

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Torex Gold Resources Inc. (OTCMKTS:TORXF  Get Free Report) shares shot up 1.7% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $59.00 and last traded at $58.38. 24,582 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 62% from the average session volume of 64,239 shares. The stock had previously closed at $57.39.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on TORXF. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Torex Gold Resources in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Torex Gold Resources in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Torex Gold Resources in a report on Friday, October 10th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy.

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Torex Gold Resources Stock Performance

About Torex Gold Resources

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $48.21 and a 200-day moving average of $41.02.

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Torex Gold Resources Inc is a Canada-based intermediate gold producer, developer and explorer that trades on the OTC Markets under the symbol TORXF. The companys core business centers on the exploration, development and mining of gold deposits, with a focus on delivering sustainable production and growth through its flagship assets in Mexico.

The companys principal operation is the Morelos Gold Project, located in the Guerrero Gold Belt of central Mexico. This integrated mining, processing and ancillary infrastructure complex includes the El Limon Guajes open pit mining area and supporting underground development.

Further Reading

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Shares of Victoria Gold Corp (CVE:VIT  Get Free Report) crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$8.30 and traded as low as C$8.22. Victoria Gold shares last traded at C$8.30, with a volume of 136,122 shares changing hands.

Victoria Gold Stock Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average price is C$8.30 and its 200-day moving average price is C$8.30. The stock has a market capitalization of C$474.98 million and a PE ratio of -13.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 96.76, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.71.

Victoria Gold Company Profile

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Victoria Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, evaluation, and exploration of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Its principal property is 100% owned Dublin Gulch property, which hosts the Eagle Gold deposit covering an area of approximately 555 square kilometers located in central Yukon, Canada. The company was formerly known as Victoria Resource Corporation and changed its name to Victoria Gold Corp. in July 2008. Victoria Gold Corp.

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Shares of Volkswagen AG Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:VWAGY  Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Hold from the eight research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned 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 issued reports on VWAGY shares. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Volkswagen in a research report on Friday, January 16th. HSBC reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Volkswagen in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Volkswagen to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Volkswagen from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Volkswagen in a research note on Sunday, November 23rd. They issued a neutral rating on the stock.

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Volkswagen Stock Performance

VWAGY stock opened at $12.38 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $11.99 and a 200-day moving average of $11.50. Volkswagen has a fifty-two week low of $9.20 and a fifty-two week high of $12.83. The company has a market capitalization of $62.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.66, a PEG ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.15.

Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported ($0.11) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.01 by ($0.12). Volkswagen had a net margin of 1.99% and a return on equity of 3.26%. The business had revenue of $93.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $78.07 billion. Equities analysts predict that Volkswagen will post 2.53 EPS for the current year.

About Volkswagen

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Volkswagen AG is one of the worlds largest integrated automakers, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Founded in 1937 to produce a mass-market peoples car, the company expanded through the post-war period into a global automotive group. Volkswagens operations encompass the design, engineering, manufacture and distribution of a broad range of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, and the companys consolidated brand portfolio includes Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, Porsche, Skoda, SEAT, Bentley, Lamborghini and other marques operated across its group structure.

In addition to vehicle production, Volkswagen provides a range of automotive-related products and services, including powertrain technologies, component manufacturing, mobility services and vehicle financing and leasing through its Volkswagen Financial Services unit.

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Quilter Plc raised its stake in shares of Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT  Free Report) by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 43,320 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after purchasing an additional 3,229 shares during the period. Quilter Plcs holdings in Waters were worth $12,988,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC lifted its stake in shares of Waters by 2.9% during the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 1,048 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $386,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its holdings in shares of Waters by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 630 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $189,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Waters by 13.1% during the 2nd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 327 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $114,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Waters by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,264 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $679,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the period. Finally, CW Advisors LLC grew its position in Waters by 2.0% in the second quarter. CW Advisors LLC now owns 2,112 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $737,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.01% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Waters from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $480.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Rothschild & Co Redburn assumed coverage on Waters in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a buy rating and a $390.00 target price for the company. Rothschild Redb raised Waters to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Waters in a report on Monday, December 1st. They issued an equal weight rating and a $423.00 price target for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Waters in a report on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Waters has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $395.00.

Waters Trading Down 2.0%

Shares of NYSE WAT opened at $392.35 on Friday. Waters Corporation has a 12-month low of $275.05 and a 12-month high of $423.56. The company has a market cap of $23.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $390.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $341.93.

Waters (NYSE:WAT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.21 by $0.19. Waters had a return on equity of 36.59% and a net margin of 20.89%.The company had revenue of $799.89 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $780.05 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.93 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Waters has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.050-13.150 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 4.450-4.550 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Waters Corporation will post 12.86 EPS for the current year.

About Waters

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Waters Corporation is a global provider of analytical instruments, software and services for laboratory and research applications. The company designs, manufactures and sells technologies centered on liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, separation science, and related sample preparation and detection systems. Its product portfolio includes chromatographs, mass spectrometers, columns and consumables, laboratory informatics and workflow software, as well as technical support and training services that help customers run and interpret complex analyses.

Waters serves a wide range of end markets that include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, contract research and testing laboratories, academic and government research institutions, clinical diagnostics, food and environmental testing, and industrial and chemical manufacturers.

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Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF  Free Report) by 14.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 51,601 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 6,379 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Raymond James Financial were worth $8,547,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Raymond James Financial in the second quarter valued at approximately $354,446,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Raymond James Financial by 41.6% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,616,998 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $861,479,000 after acquiring an additional 1,651,380 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Raymond James Financial by 39.9% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,485,569 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $381,212,000 after acquiring an additional 709,315 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Raymond James Financial by 179.8% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 688,405 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $105,581,000 after acquiring an additional 442,340 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in shares of Raymond James Financial by 824.7% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 438,213 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $67,209,000 after purchasing an additional 390,821 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.83% of the companys stock.

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Raymond James Financial Stock Down 1.4%

RJF opened at $169.09 on Friday. Raymond James Financial, Inc. has a twelve month low of $117.57 and a twelve month high of $177.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $163.19 and a 200 day moving average price of $164.39. The company has a market cap of $33.39 billion, a PE ratio of 16.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.99.

Raymond James Financial Increases Dividend

Raymond James Financial ( NYSE:RJF Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.28. Raymond James Financial had a return on equity of 18.19% and a net margin of 13.42%.The company had revenue of $3.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.64 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.95 EPS. Raymond James Financials revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Raymond James Financial, Inc. will post 11.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd were issued a $0.54 dividend. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 2nd. This is an increase from Raymond James Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Raymond James Financials payout ratio is 20.99%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Paul C. Reilly sold 130,687 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $163.15, for a total transaction of $21,321,584.05. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 260,546 shares in the company, valued at $42,508,079.90. The trade was a 33.40% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.58% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

RJF has been the topic of several analyst reports. JMP Securities increased their price target on Raymond James Financial from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Citigroup reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. TD Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Raymond James Financial from $178.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, UBS Group set a $176.00 price target on shares of Raymond James Financial and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Raymond James Financial presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $181.36.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on RJF

Raymond James Financial Company Profile

(Free Report)

Raymond James Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. Founded in 1962, the company provides a range of services to individual investors, businesses and institutions through a combination of wealth management, capital markets, investment banking, asset management, banking and trust services. Its business model centers on a network of financial advisors and broker-dealer operations that deliver personalized financial planning, investment advisory services and brokerage solutions.

The firms core offerings include private client wealth management delivered by independent and employee advisors, equity and fixed-income research, institutional sales and trading, and investment banking services such as mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama cut its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 0.8% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 1,768,226 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 14,929 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $148,213,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in WFC. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 302,092,955 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $24,203,688,000 after acquiring an additional 1,341,222 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth approximately $3,990,551,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 7.4% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 17,859,680 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,496,998,000 after buying an additional 1,223,999 shares during the last quarter. Amundi boosted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 18.2% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 14,155,753 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,165,868,000 after buying an additional 2,180,693 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 10,371,812 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $830,990,000 after buying an additional 542,493 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

NYSE:WFC opened at $87.00 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $58.42 and a twelve month high of $97.76. The company has a market capitalization of $273.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.09. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $90.33 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $85.00.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.10. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.90% and a net margin of 17.27%.The business had revenue of $11.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.63 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.43 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on WFC. Argus boosted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Barclays increased their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Wolfe Research restated an outperform rating and set a $109.00 target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Freedom Capital lowered shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.87.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company

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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Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. trimmed its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 4.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 432,500 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 19,387 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $18,061,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CMG. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 435.4% in the 3rd quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 64,144 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $2,514,000 after purchasing an additional 52,163 shares in the last quarter. GDS Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 60.9% during the 3rd quarter. GDS Wealth Management now owns 279,107 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $10,938,000 after buying an additional 105,685 shares during the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 388.3% in the third quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 445,584 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $17,462,000 after buying an additional 354,327 shares in the last quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. grew its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.2% in the third quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 512,600 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $20,089,000 after acquiring an additional 6,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UniSuper Management Pty Ltd raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 27.0% during the third quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 125,805 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $4,930,000 after acquiring an additional 26,716 shares in the last quarter. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock opened at $40.87 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $54.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.16, a P/E/G ratio of 3.88 and a beta of 0.97. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a twelve month low of $29.75 and a twelve month high of $59.57. The companys fifty day moving average is $36.38 and its 200 day moving average is $39.85.

Chipotle Mexican Grill News Summary

Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.29. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 45.39% and a net margin of 13.04%.The firm had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.06 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.27 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Here are the key news stories impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill this week:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on CMG. Piper Sandler raised their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Telsey Advisory Group assumed coverage on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Friday, January 9th. They set an outperform rating and a $50.00 price target for the company. Mizuho increased their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $40.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating and thirteen have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $50.23.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CMG

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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Whittier Trust Co. lowered its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 53,685 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 2,140 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $15,277,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Travelers Companies by 1,820.0% in the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 96 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the period. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Travelers Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Travelers Companies by 134.1% during the third quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 96 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Quaker Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Travelers Companies by 200.0% during the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the period. Finally, Clayton Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Travelers Companies in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. 82.45% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on TRV shares. Wall Street Zen cut Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, October 19th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Travelers Companies from $315.00 to $312.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Travelers Companies from $307.00 to $285.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Travelers Companies from a buy (b+) rating to a buy (a-) rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. One 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 issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $301.20.

Travelers Companies News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Travelers Companies this week:

Insider Transactions at Travelers Companies

In related news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 8,572 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.73, for a total value of $2,320,697.56. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 33,638 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,106,815.74. This represents a 20.31% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $287.50, for a total transaction of $575,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 255,086 shares of the companys stock, valued at $73,337,225. This represents a 0.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 46,295 shares of company stock valued at $13,011,918 over the last three months. Company insiders own 1.46% of the companys stock.

Travelers Companies Stock Down 0.3%

NYSE:TRV opened at $277.62 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 Travelers Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $230.43 and a twelve month high of $296.85. The company has a market cap of $61.93 billion, a PE ratio of 10.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.52. The companys 50 day moving average is $285.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $275.78.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 21st. The insurance provider reported $11.13 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.34 by $2.79. The business had revenue of $12.43 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.13 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 12.88% and a return on equity of 20.70%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $9.15 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 EPS for the current year.

Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 10th. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is presently 15.98%.

Travelers Companies declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, January 21st that allows the company to buyback $5.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the insurance provider to repurchase up to 8.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Travelers Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance products and services. The company underwrites a broad range of commercial and personal insurance lines, offering coverage designed to protect individuals, small and midsize businesses, and large corporate clients against property loss, liability, and other operational risks. Travelers is known for combining underwriting, claims management and risk control services to help clients prevent losses and recover when incidents occur.

On the commercial side, Travelers writes primary and specialty coverages including property, general liability, commercial auto, workers compensation, professional and management liability, surety and inland marine.

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Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd boosted its holdings in Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR  Free Report) by 28.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 83,524 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 18,527 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltds holdings in Ventas were worth $5,846,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in Ventas by 8.1% in the third quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 271,652 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $18,849,000 after buying an additional 20,451 shares during the last quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd boosted its position in shares of Ventas by 7.2% during the third quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 180,288 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $12,618,000 after buying an additional 12,146 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its position in shares of Ventas by 12.6% during the third quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 248,421 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $17,387,000 after buying an additional 27,865 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Ventas by 25.7% in the third quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 31,701 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,219,000 after buying an additional 6,473 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio lifted its stake in Ventas by 15.6% during the 3rd quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 669,984 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $46,892,000 after acquiring an additional 90,605 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.18% of the companys stock.

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Ventas Stock Performance

Shares of VTR opened at $76.94 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The company has a market capitalization of $36.14 billion, a PE ratio of 147.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.78. Ventas, Inc. has a 52-week low of $58.72 and a 52-week high of $81.89. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $78.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $72.36.

Ventas Announces Dividend

Ventas ( NYSE:VTR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.44 billion. Ventas had a return on equity of 2.05% and a net margin of 4.28%.The businesss revenue was up 20.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.80 EPS. Ventas has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.450-3.480 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Ventas, Inc. will post 3.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Ventass dividend payout ratio is currently 369.23%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on VTR shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Ventas from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Ventas from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $93.00 price objective on shares of Ventas in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $93.00 price objective on shares of Ventas in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of Ventas from $74.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $81.63.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on VTR

Insider Transactions at Ventas

In related news, CFO Robert F. Probst sold 33,591 shares of Ventas stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.77, for a total transaction of $2,578,781.07. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 168,364 shares in the company, valued at $12,925,304.28. The trade was a 16.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Peter J. Bulgarelli sold 3,924 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total value of $294,300.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 112,564 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,442,300. This trade represents a 3.37% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 494,005 shares of company stock valued at $37,132,767 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

About Ventas

(Free Report)

Ventas, Inc (NYSE: VTR) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in healthcare-related real estate. The company acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of properties serving the healthcare continuum, including senior housing communities, skilled nursing facilities, medical office buildings, life science and research centers, and other properties leased to healthcare providers and operators. Ventas generates revenue through long-term leases, property management and selective development activities focused on meeting the real estate needs of the healthcare sector.

Ventas business model combines property ownership with active asset management and capital markets activity.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Two minutes into cardiac arrestwhen the heart stops pumping and blood ceases to flow to the body's organsbrain cells begin to die. It only takes another five minutes for irreversible neurological damage to occur.

When every second counts, early intervention is key to survival.

A study by University of Florida Health researchers published recently in the Journal of Clinical Medicine shows that following the local activation of PulsePoint, an app that alerts CPR-trained individuals about a nearby cardiac event, rates of bystander CPR performed outside a hospital setting significantly increased in Alachua County.

The findings, believed to be one of the first scientific studies on the impact of a community CPR app in the United States, showcases how community-centered measures can save lives.

"We have always known anecdotally that PulsePoint has made an impact on the community, but this is an important way of showing the causality between the app's use, instances of bystander CPR and scientifically reviewing the impact it's had on patient outcomes," said Torben Becker, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., senior study author and an associate professor in the UF College of Medicine's Department of Emergency Medicine.

Credit: University of Florida

In 2018, UF Health collaborated with Alachua County emergency services to implement PulsePoint in the North Central Florida community, home to nearly 300,000 residents. The 911-connected app, available in more than 5,500 communities nationwide, immediately informs users about emergencies occurring in their vicinity and requests their help when CPR is needed.

The new study compares Alachua County's bystander CPR rates from 2019, shortly after PulsePoint was establishedabout 43%to rates from June 2020 to September 2023. During that time span, 57% of PulsePoint cases involved bystander CPR before EMS arriveda 33% increase.

This is crucial, Becker said, because CPR must happen as soon as possible following cardiac arrest for the best chance of survival and quality of life, and for health teams to use the most effective treatment tools available, such as extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or ECPR.

For patients who meet the criteria, UF Health's ECPR team initiates extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, which involves circulating some of a person's blood out of the body and through an artificial lung that fills it with oxygen before returning it.

In 2023, UF Health saved its first heart attack patient using ECPR on a 63-year-old man whose adult daughter provided CPR before EMS arrived.

"You need to have that first link in the chain of survival for top-notch methods and tools to work," said Becker, who is also the chief of service of emergency medicine and vice chair of critical care medicine at UF Health. "This improves survival and allows people to use the most important medical interventions available."

Now that tools like PulsePoint are proven to boost the number of times CPR is administered, Becker said, the next step UF Health and the community can take is to increase its use.

"A lot of responders in the study were off-duty health care professionals," he said. "By training more people outside of health care in CPR, we can leverage tools like PulsePoint to their full potential."

While Becker said it's great to have the data now available to showcase PulsePoint's impact, the true meaning of its value comes from the lives saved.

"We're helping the community at large, but each success means someone can spend another holiday with their family, can watch their grandchildren grow up," Becker said.

More information Charles W. Hwang et al, Impact of a 9-1-1-Integrated Mobile App on Bystander CPR: Implementation of PulsePoint in an Urban County, Journal of Clinical Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.3390/jcm15010005
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:

Growing evidence points to the close relationship between mobility, cognition and healthy aging. Credit: Steve Anderson/Western Communications

Judith and Matthew are among the 8 million people in Canada aged 65 and older. In recent months, both noticed subtle changes in how they moved and how well they remembered thingsso each went to see their doctor.

What followed looked very different. Judith was referred to a physical therapist, but her memory problems went largely unnoticed. Matthew was sent to a memory clinic, yet no one asked whether he had fallen recently or was having trouble walking.

This type of fragmented care is exactly what Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso has been working to change for decades. A geriatrician and clinician-scientist at Western and St. Joseph's Health Care London, his research shows that brain health and mobility are deeply connected throughout the aging process.

"As we get older, our mobility and cognition may decline, which can be worsened by mild cognitive impairment and dementia," said Montero-Odasso, inaugural holder of the Wolfe Research Professorship in Aging at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. "But that doesn't have to be our destiny."

To improve the physical and brain health of older adults, Montero-Odasso advocates for a more holistic approach to careone that addresses the full spectrum of aging challenges, from dementia to decline in mobility, from Alzheimer's to the risk of falls.

One of his projects led to a national consensus that recommended 10 mobility and cognitive tests to assess a range of functionsfrom walking speed to the ability to walk and talk at the same time. These recommendations have helped make the diagnosis of physical and cognitive impairments in older adults more consistent and standardized.

Under Montero-Odasso's leadership, the CCNA's Mobility, Exercise and Cognition team has looked at how physical and cognitive training together can improve health in older adults. Findings from two major studies, the SYNERGIC Trial and Synergic at Home Trial, showed that combining aerobic and resistance exercises (such as using bands and weights) with cognitive challenges is particularly effective. The team designed a personalized program that keeps the brain fit, from memory to executive function.

This combined approach not only slows cognitive decline but also improves mobility and brain health. Even more encouraging, the benefits lasted for up to a year. The team also found that not all physical activities are equal when it comes to protecting cognition.

"Walking is great for your cardiovascular health, but not enough to prevent or delay dementia. We need a mix of aerobic and resistance exercises combined with cognitive training," said Montero-Odasso.

Building on these findings, the Mobility, Exercises and Cognition team is developing clinical guidelines to help health professionals prescribe lifestyle-based activities such as physical and cognitive training to treat mild cognitive impairment, a condition that can lead to dementia.

Montero-Odasso's holistic approach to older adult care also focuses on preventing falls, a major issue affecting one-third of seniors worldwide. After identifying significant gaps in clinical practice around the globe, he and experts from 40 countries developed the World Fall Prevention Guidelines.

Endorsed by the Canadian Geriatrics Society and adopted in countries including Australia, Belgium, China, Malaysia and Norway, the guidelines are the first to incorporate the patient perspective and to consider key factors such as cognition, walking speed, balance and fear of falls. These guidelines provide practical tools, such as an algorithm that predicts the risk of falls and recommends targeted interventions.

Montero-Odasso says focusing on both brain and body should be a priority for all Canadians over 65. "We don't stop moving and develop mobility disability because we age. We age because we stop moving," he said. "But it's never too late to make some lifestyle changes."
Stepping into 2026 on the wrong foot ? Need to loook forward

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Year 2026 has not started on the right note at all and in just the first month of the new year, Manipur grabbed headlines for two very wrong reasons. First was the news that a Kuki woman, who was allegedly raped on May 15 of 2023 at New Checkon area passed away at a hospital in Churachandpur and even as debates and thoughts were shared over the rape allegations, came the news of a young Meitei man executed in cold blood, the killing of which was captured on camera and which soon went viral on the social media. And even as these two cases numbed the senses of the people, came the speculation, which was immaculately designed as a news item, that a first time MLA, a Naga, is most likely to be the next Chief Minister of Manipur. These are the three incidents which have underlined the latter part of the first month of 2026 and not once has anyone thought it fit to question what roadmap or approach would the popular Government have once it comes back, to put Manipur on the track of normalcy. Not that this is the first time that talk of the return of the popular Government is doing the round, but ever since Presidents Rule was imposed on February 13 of 2025, the focus of the political class and those close to the power corridors has been on Government formation, while giving the more important point of restoring normalcy a quiet burial. The question that any sane person should be asking now is, what can one expect from the return of the popular Government ? A question which is far more important than the question of who is likely to be the next Chief Minister. As stated many times in this column, the silence of the gun should not be equated to normalcy and what happened to the young Meitei man at Churachandpur late in the night of January 21 should be more than enough to underline this point. It is still not clear which group is responsible for the killing, but fingers of suspicion have been pointed at the non-SoO group, the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), a group which has bases in India and Myanmar as well and one wonders what steps the Union Home Ministry would have taken up to rein in the activities of this particular group. This is another point which political leaders and political parties should be focusing on. At the same time, it should be acknowledged that Lok Bhavan responded swiftly to the incident in roping in the service of the National Investigation Agency to probe the matter and announcing an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the butchered man, but yet at the same time, the killing itself is a damning statement on how the rule of law has been tossed for a big six in the hill districts. A point which Lok Bhavan cannot brush aside that easily.

If thoughts are not pooled in, if no sincere efforts are made to walk the road of normalcy, if the hate mongers are allowed to continue with their agenda, then the script of 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 (as it is now) will be carried over into 2027. There should be no doubt on that. This is where it becomes crucial for the people not to lose their focus. The focus is obviously on taking Manipur to the path of normalcy and in the absence of any visible proposal to resolve the issue, the return or not of the popular Government should not concern the common people so much. Priority number one is and should be restoration of normalcy. Open the National Highways and ensure free movement of all. Let Imphal airport be open to all. This should be the first step towards walking the road to normalcy and the focus of the people should be on this. Once this is achieved then take it up a notch or two higher and ensure resettlement of all, let the Kuki-Zo folks who left the place they once called home at Imphal be allowed to return and likewise the displaced Meiteis go back to their homes at Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi. If the return of the popular Government can work towards this, then let it do so, and the first step towards this should be to ensure that a climate is created that the elected Kuki-Zo MLAs feel free and safe to attend the Assembly session in Imphal. This is where the focus of the people should be.
Body claimed

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IMPHAL, Jan 25: The body of Mayanglambam Rishi-kanta, killed by Kuki mili- tants, was claimed by family members from JNIMS morgue for last rites this afternoon.

Mayanglambam Rishi-kanta was the son of M Tombi of Kakching Khunou Uchal Makhong Leikai.

He was abducted by armed Kuki militants from his fiancee's house in Churachandpur on January 21 night at around 6.30, and shot dead the same night at around 10 somewhere in the hills of Natjang, under the jurisdiction of Henglep police station, Churachandpur.

The body was kept at JNIMS morgue from January 22 night after Churachandpur district police handed over it to Kakching district police after postmortem was conducted at District Hospital Churachandpur.

A large number of people from his locality including members of his family and JAC received the body at JNIMS this afternoon.
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Rate of new diagnoses of osteoporosis in England before, during, and after the pandemic. Projected rates, based on pre-pandemic trends, are shown alongside observed rates.

When COVID hit, health care systems around the world were turned upside down. Hospitals cleared beds, routine appointments were canceled and people were told to stay at home unless it was urgent. In England, visits to family doctors and hospital admissions for non-COVID reasons fell by a third in the early months of the pandemic. Medical staff were redeployed, routine clinics were canceled and diagnostic tests were postponed.

Against this backdrop, the number of people newly diagnosed with long-term health conditions fell sharply, as our new study, published in the BMJ, has found. My colleagues and I used anonymized health data for nearly 30 million people in England to evaluate what happened to new diagnoses across a wide range of chronic diseases.

The drop in diagnoses during the early pandemic was most pronounced for conditions that usually rely on routine tests or specialist review for diagnosis. New diagnoses of asthma fell by over 30% in the first year of the pandemic, while diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) dropped by more than half. Both conditions depend on breathing tests that were widely disrupted during the pandemic, causing large backlogs in testing.

Similarly affected were skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. While some people may have delayed seeking medical attention for these conditions during a time of unprecedented disruption, others will have been affected by delays in referral for specialist review and diagnosis.

Rates of diagnosis for depression in England have fallen since 2022.

For many conditions, delays in diagnosis matter. Osteoporosis is a common condition in which bone thinning can lead to serious fractures. There are highly effective drugs that can prevent fractures from osteoporosis, but they are usually only prescribed after the condition has been diagnosed.

New diagnoses of osteoporosis fell by a third early in the pandemic and did not return to expected levels for almost three years. As a result, more than 50,000 fewer people than expected were diagnosed with osteoporosis in England between March 2020 and November 2024.

Patterns of recovery

As the immediate disruption during the early pandemic eased, diagnosis rates for many conditions slowly recovered. The differences in recovery patterns across different diseases have been striking, however. Two conditions stand out: depression and chronic kidney disease.

New diagnoses of depression fell by nearly 30% in the first year of the pandemic. Rates then partially recovered, but have dropped considerably again since 2022. This does not necessarily mean that fewer people are experiencing symptoms of depression. A doubling in the number of disability claims for mental health conditions in England between 2020 and 2024 suggests otherwise.

Rates of diagnosis for chronic kidney disease in England have doubled since 2022.

Several factors could help explain this disconnect. Continuing pressure on health care services may mean that people are waiting longer for formal diagnoses.

People may also be accessing health care services differently. In 2022, guidelines for depression management in England were updated to recommend talking therapies (such as cognitive behavioral therapy) as an initial treatment for mild depression, rather than antidepressants.

In England, people can refer themselves directly for talking therapy without needing to see a doctor first. As a result, some people receiving support for depression symptoms may never receive a formal diagnosis in their medical records, giving the impression that diagnosis rates are falling.

Changes in disease classification may also be playing a role. While depression diagnoses have declined, new diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder have risen sharply in England. This may reflect a shift in how overlapping symptoms are being interpreted and labeled, rather than sudden changes in how common they are.

Chronic kidney disease shows a very different pattern. Diagnosis rates have doubled since 2022, making it one of the few conditions in the study to have increased above pre-pandemic levels. There are several different ways of interpreting this finding.

The recent increase in diagnoses might result from improved detection of undiagnosed kidney disease. Recommendations in England were updated in 2021, recommending routine testing for kidney disease in people at higher risk, such as those with diabetes or high blood pressure.

Importantly, new treatments for chronic kidney disease mean that earlier detection can improve outcomes for patients.

Another possibility is that the pandemic itself has contributed to an increase in chronic kidney disease, directly or indirectly. COVID infection has been linked to lasting reductions in kidney function in some people. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of other conditions, including diabetes, may also have had knock-on effects on kidney-related complications from these diseases.

One of the most important messages from the study is that it is now possible to detect changes in disease patterns far earlier and more comprehensively than was previously imaginable. Until recently, data often became available years after events had already unfolded. By the time patterns were recognized, opportunities to respond had often passed.

Secure, anonymized analysis of medical records allows researchers to track diagnoses and treatments in near real time, revealing the effects of disruptions, recoveries, and new guidelines as they happen. While the findings highlight ongoing challenges for health care, they also show that timely data can help guide more effective responses.

And so, while many of the findings from this study are sobering at a time when health care systems remain under enormous strain, they also point to a new opportunity. The pandemic may have disrupted care, but it has also driven innovations that have revealed patterns that would once have taken years to detect.

Publication details Time trends in newly recorded diagnoses of 19 long term conditions before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic: population based cohort study in England using OpenSAFELY, BMJ (2026). DOI: doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2025-086393 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 8F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 8F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Half a century after the US declared independence from Britain in 1776, its fifth presidentJames Monroearticulated what became the young republics first clear geopolitical stand. The eponymous Monroe Doctrine reflected Americas growing prosperity, confidence and awakening interest in global affairs. It committed the US to opposing any further European colonial expansion in its own sphere of influence, the western hemisphere, particularly Latin America.

This marked a profound shift. The US was founded by European immigrants who, content with building a new and prosperous society, wished to remain largely detached from the rivalries of the Old World. Many historians view that noble-sounding shift as the first crack in the door that eventually led to the modern eras version of imperialism.

By the early 20th century, the US had overtaken Britain economically and militarily, along with developing appetite for global influence. After World War II, American geopolitical footprint became visible across the globe. Even during the Cold Wars balancing act with the Soviet Union, the US intervened far beyond the western hemisphere. From overt wars in Indochina aimed at containing communism, to covert operations across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Washington pursued its national interests with unmistakable muscle.

This, of course, is how great powers have always behaved. Ancient Greece, Rome, imperial China, Britainhistory is replete with examples of dominant states shaping their environment to suit their interests. What made the American era distinctive was that it coincided with the widest spread of democracy the world has ever seen. As a result, interventions by the US were often couched in the language of democratic transitions, peoples movements and popular uprisings.

Regime-change operations are hardly new, and have frequently been preceded by mass street protestsfrom Iran in the 1950s, to Ukraine in 2005, to the Arab Spring of 2011. What is striking today is the return to blunt unilateralism of such actions. Targeted regime-change operations by the US that stop short of full-scale war have rarely been as overt as the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January, echoingto the exact datethe removal of Panamas Manuel Noriega 36 years ago. The message is unmistakable: restraint is no longer a defining feature.

None of this is uniquely American. Whether China or Russia, or regional powers like Israel and Iran, similar strategies are commonplace. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the world experienced a phase of unipolar American dominance, followed by a more complex multipolar order marked by Russias persistence and Chinas rapid ascent in world affairs.

Now, in President Donald Trumps second term, dramatic policy shifts, under his so called Donroe Doctrine, are dismantling several long-standing tenets of US foreign policy. Solid alliances are being undermined, norms rewritten, and power exercised more transactionally.

Against this backdrop, whispers about deep state involvement in political upheavals across South Asiain Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepalhave grown louder. More troublingly, some activists have begun openly romanticising similar outcomes for India. A few opposition political leaders have even encouraged such dangerous musings, either through careless rhetoric or calculated ambiguity.

The current geopolitical churnmarked by assertive American actions, Chinese strategic expansion and Russian determinationposes challenges for every nation. India has so far navigated these cross-currents better than others. It has maintained economic robustness, balanced relationships and preserved strategic autonomy.

But this equilibrium cannot be taken for granted. It will require sustained alertness, political will and clarity in our national discourse to ensure that India remains resilient. In an era when the gloves are unmistakably off, complacency is a luxury no nation can afford.

Baijayant Jay Panda is National Vice President of the BJP and is an MP in the Lok Sabha.
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Participants health is assessed comprehensively, including measurements of physical performance and cardiovascular function. Credit: University of Oulu / Mikko Tormanen

One of the world's most extensive birth cohorts is now entering later adulthood. At the University of Oulu in Finland, the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966) is launching a major new follow-up combining decades of biological, social, and environmental data with modern digital health tools to examine how lifelong exposures and the genome shape health and aging.

Established in 19651966, NFBC1966 has followed individuals from before birthbeginning during their mothers' pregnanciesthrough childhood and adulthood and now into later life. This is a long-term follow-up study with exceptionally comprehensive life course data, spanning more than six decades. Few studies globally combine such long follow-up with biological samples, clinical examinations, survey data, national health registers, and now also digital health measurements.

Finland offers a uniquely valuable setting for long-term population research due to its relatively homogeneous population, comprehensive health care registers, and high-quality longitudinal data, enabling accurate tracking of health and social outcomes over time.

During its long history, the NFBC1966 study has demonstrated how health is shaped by a complex interplay of social, environmental, biological, and behavioral factors across the life course. Now, as participants reach 60 years of age, the study is broadening its focus on understanding aging, its early signs, and how early-life conditions predict health in later life. Approximately 9,800 cohort members (alive and living in Finland) have been invited to participate in the current follow-up.

From early life to healthy aging

Population aging is one of the defining challenges of the 21st century in the Western world. In Finland, the proportion of people aged over 75 is expected to double within the next 25 years, a trend mirrored across Europe and many other regions.

Professor Sylvain Sebert, Scientific Director of the NFBC1966 study, emphasizes that aging is a natural and continuous process. Aging is not a disease, nor is it synonymous with declineit does not begin at a specific age. Healthy aging, he notes, can be supported throughout life and should be understood as a fundamental human right.

By drawing on decades of cohort data, the NFBC1966 study aims to identify factors that promote resilience and reduce the risk of chronic disease. These findings can inform prevention strategies, health care planning, and health policyboth in Finland and internationallysuch as improving early prevention of multi-morbidity, supporting functional capacity in later life, and guiding more sustainable health care systems.

"Around the age of 60, it appears that humans are reaching a cornerstone point where many aging-related processes begin to emerge. It is essential to collect detailed information before these changes fully take hold, as many chronic conditionssuch as cancers, dementia and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and kidney diseasesbecome more common at this stage. Studying people before these changes fully emerge is essential if we want to understand how healthy aging can be supported from both a personal and health care system perspective," Professor Sebert continues.

Beyond the clinic: new digital tools for life course research

The 2026 follow-up, part of the STAGE-project, builds on traditional clinical assessments by integrating the latest health technologies, including hip-worn activity trackers, Oura rings, mobile applications, and possible 24/7 physiological measurements. These tools enable continuous, objective monitoring of daily functioning, physical activity, sleep, and recoverycapturing aspects of health that clinical visits alone cannot.

"We are contributing to the understanding of the digital transformation of health care. Combining clinical visits with digital tools gives us a much fuller picture of health across the life course," Professor Sebert says.

A key perspective is to advance the inclusive integration of digital health solutions that support health without increasing social or economic inequalities. By providing these technologies to participants, NFBC1966 offers a model for how digital tools can be integrated into health care systems inclusively.

As NFBC1966 enters its seventh decade, it is increasingly shaped by international and multidisciplinary collaboration. An extensive network of research groups is working with the data to study aging, genetics, metabolism, cognition, and the environmental and social determinants of health, under strict ethical and data-protection standards. The unique longitudinal design of NFBC1966 provides researchers worldwide with valuable insights into how health, aging, and their determinants evolve across the life course.
For the first time in the history of Indias flawed yet universally acclaimed democratic process, crores of verified existing voters have been put at risk of systemic disfranchisementironically by the very body responsible for guaranteeing free and fair elections. And shockingly by untested software used to further cleanse a voter roll which has just been verified already!

When the Special Intensive Revision kicked off in West Bengal on November 1, there were 7.66 crore registered voters. After the house-to-house scrutiny concluded a month later, 58 lakh voters (roughly 7.6%) were deletedmarked as Absent, Shifted, Deceased or Duplicate. A further 32 lakh unmapped voters, who could not link either themselves or their parents/grandparents to the 2002 voter roll, were summoned for mandatory hearings.

That left a clean list of 6.75 crore voters who were verified and mapped. The Election Commission of India assured them that they needed no further scrutiny: all they had to do was to show up at their booth on polling day with their voter cards and they could vote.

SIR hearings at Gana Bhavan in North Kolkata | Salil Bera

Then came the masterstroke more thunderous than demonetisation. Ground level electoral officers found that, unbeknownst to them, the ERONet portal, for which technically only they had login IDs, had been manipulated via the backend by the ECI to suddenly mark 1.3 crore voters (over 17% of the total) as dubious cases where a Logical Discrepancy (LD) had apparently been detected. This was done using an untested software with an opaque algorithm. No official communication or clarification on the subject has been issued in writing till date.

How was the software used? In multiple layers. First, the hard copies of the 2002 Bengali roll had to be digitised. An algorithm translated the 2002 Bengali voter roll into English and another did the same for the 2025 roll. The catch? The algorithm was based on character recognition and threw up different results in the two rolls which didnt match in a huge number of cases. Compounding the problem was human error where physical enumeration forms collected during the SIR were uploaded by data entry operators onto the ECIs database.

The LD cases are categorised into 5 groups, ranging from illogical to plain ridiculous, such as: a voter who is one of more than 6 siblings; who has a mapped parent who is 50 years older; a mismatch in the name of the mapped parent between the 2002 and 2025 rolls.

Lets take for instance, Shyam Roy, a 60-year-old valid voter registered on both the 2002 roll and the 2025 roll, whose father is listed as Ashim Roy in Bengali script in both rolls. The software throws up his father as Asim Ray in 2002 and Osheem Roy in 2025. Poor Shyam Roy is now marked out under the name mismatch category, summoned for a mandatory physical hearing.

Wait, there is also Dilip: he is one of seven descendants mapped to his grandfather. The others being his siblings, parents and cousins. They just wanted to be mapped to someone elderly, and the enumeration form allowed it. He is summoned under the ancestor mapped to more than 6 persons category.

Or take Pranab. He was a late child, born in a village home after much prayer and penance. He is summoned under the age difference with mapped parent >50 yrs category. The software is not just faulty; it also follows arbitrary instructions (like the 6-child limit) programmed by technocrats with no sense of Indias social reality who essentially turned a voter update into a war on citizens.

Make no mistake: I, a verified Indian citizen registered on the voter roll, risk being deprived of my franchise because the ECIs faulty software decides it is an electoral crime that my mapped parent sired me after the age of 50!

Indias Constitution was born on January 25, 1950. Article 324 birthed the ECI on the same day, entrusting it with the superintendence, direction and control of the election process. Today, it is presiding over a grotesque circus, where untested software is testing genuine voters and risking mass disfranchisement.

The author is a member of the Lok Sabha.
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER Mark Carneys speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos has earned him admirers worldwide.

On January 20, Carney said: Today, Ill talk about the rupture in the world order, the end of a nice story and the beginning of a brutal reality where geopolitics among the great powers is not subject to any constraints.

But I also submit to you that 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, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The power of the less powerful begins with honesty.

Illustration: Binesh Sreedharan

Carney spoke about countries hedging against the fickleness and strong-arm tactics of superpowers. He spoke against transactionalism and against great powers abandoning even the pretence of rules and values for the unhindered pursuit of their power and interests. He said Canada would do what Finnish President Alexander Stubb has termed values-based realism  or, to put another way, we aim to be principled and pragmatic.

India has been principled and pragmatic in core areas without crowing about it. The Indian National Committee for Space Research was born in 1962 and became ISRO in 1969. Pokhran hosted our first nuclear test in 1974 and then in 1998. This cover of your favourite newsmagazine marks another landmark, when India broke into an elite club of six nations that have made GaN microchips. Properly called gallium nitride monolithic microwave integrated circuits.

These chips are superior to silicon for high-frequency data transmission and have military applications, writes Senior Assistant Editor Sanjib Kr Baruah. After the US, France, Russia, Germany, South Korea and China refused to provide us with the technology, scientists at the DRDOs Solid State Physics Laboratory developed it independently.

Sanjib interviewed the DRDOs Suma Varughese, director general of Micro Electronic Devices and Computational Systems and Cyber Security. There are guest columns from accomplished researchers Lt Col Akshat Upadhyay and Gaurav Pande.

We have a standalone guest column by former foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale on why Indo-Pacific states should anticipate greater Chinese assertiveness.

Coming to other articles, I first saw the figurine of a boy in a red vest and tattered blue shorts on Senior Subeditor Nitin S.J. Asariparambils office table. But I did not give it a second thought. In this issue, Senior Correspondent Nirmal Jovial brings us the story of how Monkey D. Luffy, a Japanese manga icon, has become a symbol of Gen Z movements from Indonesia to Nepal to Madagascar.

Luffy comes from One Piece by Eiichiro Oda, but he and his band of Straw Hat Pirates have an appeal spanning continents. I was wondering if Luffy would pop up in Iran, but there isnt much coming out of the country, frankly.

THE WEEK Health accompanies this issue, and the cover focuses on the abuse of antibiotics, a problem so common that Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed it in Mann Ki Baat recently. I am sure middle-aged or younger readers can relate to this imaginary conversation:

Appa, why did you stop the antibiotics? The course was for five days!

I feel alright now, so why take medicines unnecessarily?

If you know someone who matches the above description, gift them a copy of Health.
In the mid-1980s, Manchester moved to abolish lord mayors, and have plain mayors. Outraged, The Economist, the custodian of traditional English values, wrote: if that lad Dick Whittington had gone to London with his cat and become the citys chief metropolitan councillor, nobody would have remembered him. The exact words might have been a bit different; I am quoting from my fading memory. The idea was to highlight why mayors were worshipful, and lord mayors right worshipful.

There are several versions of that lads tale. The most popular, told as a fable, is that orphan Dick walked from Lancashire to London hearing that its streets are paved with gold, but found it all cold. A kind-hearted merchant Fitzwarren gave him bed and a cooks job. When his masters ships were sailing to distant lands, Dick gave him his cat to be sold. The ship landed at Barbary coast which was infested with rats; Dicks cat and her litter killed them all.

Pleased more than a Cheshire cat, the host king, a Moor, rewarded the merchant with pots of gold. On return to London, the good Fitzwarren gave it all to Dick, who too took to trading, made a fortune, lent money to the king, was knighted (who would have remembered him as Sir Richard Whittington?) and became the Lord Mayor of London for four terms from 1397 to 1419.

Image AI

The story has the right period settingthe Black Death, the early sea-faring days, the rise of mercantile cities, and the early signs of what Karl Marx called a new bourgeois classs rise to political power. Though we no longer have lord mayors, and though no Tom, Sir Dick or Harry is known to have adorned the post, Indias most mercantile city still holds its mayors in high esteem. Why else are Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and their partymen, allies in the Maharashtra government, scrambling like a clowder of cats over the mayorship of Mumbai?

Truth be told, Mumbais mayor wields hardly any power. A civil servant, of the ubiquitous IAS kind, wields it as chief commissioner, and a standing committee of elected councillors virtually holds the purse. No small kitty that. Mumbai has an annual budget of about Rs75,000 crore, more than four times of Delhi, and much more than of several states. Though wielding little statutory power, just being in that worshipful seat gives the mayor tremendous political clout, next perhaps to the chief minister, home minister and finance minister of Maharashtra. No wonder, Shinde is herding his cats and hiding them in a hotel, knowing well that fatter cats from the rival Uddhav Thackeray camp of the Shiv Sena may pounce on them.

But who among their councillors are the parties thinking of as mayor? That would depend on who Dame Luck favours. Literally! The rule is that the mayorship ought to be available to scheduled castes, tribes, backwards and women. Which category would get the job is decided by a draw of lots and not by rotation. Unfair, isnt it? Parties can propose candidates only after the raffle decides which category would get it this time.

The problem is that no party has enough councillors of its own, and every party would need an allys or an opposition partys support to make a mayor of its choice. Shinde has asked the larger BJPs support to make his guy a Mr or Ms Mayor, but the BJP is turning the tables on him by asking for the mayorship of neighbouring Thane, where Shindes men have a majority of their own to make their man the mayor.

Give it, Shindeji! After all, Pitt is to Addington, as London is to Paddington. So is Mumbai to Thane.

prasannan@theweek.in
Simran Bala from J&K, First woman officer to command CRPF contingent on Republic Day. #crpf #RepublicDayRehearsals



Do not repost without permission. pic.twitter.com/T53fj0PEXf  Rishabh Jaiswal (@rishabhj00009) January 21, 2026

Assistant Commandant Simran Bala, on Monday, will become the first female in the CRPF officer rank from the border district of Rajouri to lead a contingent in the Republic Day parade. She will lead an all-male contingent of the Central Reserve Police Forcethe country's largest paramilitary forceon Kartavya Path.

Nowshera, Assistant Commandant Simran Bala's native village, is only a few kilometres from the international border. While there have been instances when women CRPF officers commanded various Republic Day contingents, this is the first time that a female officer will command a party of more than 140 male personnel during the annual national event, news reports confirmed.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

Simran Bala's uncle Shanti Bhushan, a retired soldier, told PTI that her parents, Srishta Devi and Vinod Chowdhary, deserve full credit for their support, guidance, and constant motivation, which inspired her to serve the nation. Other members of her family also shared their emotions as they claimed the moment was one of immense pride. Bala's achievement has brought honour not only to their household but to the entire district and is an inspiration to the youth in border areas, especially girls, they added.

"Her journey from the border village of Nowshera to Kartavya Path has been challenging, but she has made us all proud," her sister Shail Bala was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The CRPF officer is a graduate in Political Science from the Government College for Women in Jammu's Gandhi Nagar. She was commissioned into the force in April 2025 and her first posting was in the 'Bastariya' battalion in Chhattisgarh, tasked to undertake anti-Naxal operations, they said. She was accorded the award for the best officer in training and public speaking subjects during her training at the CRPF Academy in Gurugram after she qualified for the CAPF Assistant Commandants exam conducted by the UPSC.

"I want to tell all parents to support their daughters. Initiatives like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are showing results, and daughters are moving ahead in every field  they just need encouragement and support," her mother Srishta Devi told the news agency.

A total of 29 aircraft  16 fighter jets including Rafale, Su-30 MKI and Jaguar; four transport aircraft, including C-295; and nine helicopters  will be part of the two-phase flypast at the Republic Day parade, with a total of eight formations. The main theme of the parade is '150 years of Vande Mataram', and it will span around 90 minutes.
Everyone has heard of Kantara and KGF  unless theyve been living under a rock, or on a different planet. But Kannada cinema is much more than those two blockbuster properties. Of course, it may seem like theres not much happening there compared to other industries, and understandably so, but there are more incredibly gifted talents in the industry, from whom we wish to see more work. We pick ten Kannada films that managed to stand out from the rest.

Aachar & Co

Directed by Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy, the film, set in 1960s Bengaluru, is replete with humour and heartwarming moments. A bunch of genuine characters (with their perfections and imperfections) and heartfelt moments populate the film that doesn't rely on heavy, over-the-top theatrics. An overall warm, inviting experience that tells a quietly inspiring tale of a group of women who endeavour to start a small pickle business at home. It possesses a unique, distinctive charm that's rarely seen in South Indian cinema these days.

Kavaludaari

Director Hemanth Rao's investigative thriller bridges past and present events in an intriguing and, to an extent, moving mix of mystery and nail-biting suspense. The film revolves around a traffic policeman (Rishi) who becomes drawn to a case that goes back decades. The layered screenplay and restrained pacing are complemented by strong performances from a host of gifted actors in Kannada cinema who would later go on to appear in tentpole films of far bigger scale.

Nathicharami

The film bravely takes on a sensitive subject with admirable grace and restraint. How does a woman (played by Sruthi Hariharan) deal with her physical needs after the demise of her husband, whom she deeply loved? A subject that, in the hands of a lesser filmmaker, wouldve easily been treated with an exploitative approach, but director Mansores serious and thought-provoking approach works well without sounding pretentious. Balaji Manohars subtle and restrained portrayal of her psychiatrist is delightfully refreshing  a far cry from the stereotypical portrayal of the profession we often see in Indian cinema.

Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare

It doesnt matter if your hostel life was incredibly boring. If you stayed in a college hostel and encountered some wild characters and situations, that alone should be enough to dig into this madcap, chaotic (in a good way) rollercoaster ride that is Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare. Directed by Nithin Krishnamurthy, there is nothing quite like this comic caper in Indian cinema today. It is, for me, the baap of all hostel comedy entertainers. Its yet another great example of a story where one small incident snowballs into full-blown insanity, with several memorable characters  and some lovely cameos (Rishab Shetty is one). A film that doesnt care how eccentric or weird it looks. It unashamedly embraces this quality while also delivering the necessary cinematic highs.

Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana

Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana took me back to the days when I discovered the gritty gangster films of Ram Gopal Varma (Sathya, Company) for the first time. Though not an easy watch, this Raj B. Shetty directorial does full justice to the genre and story, immersing you fully into its dark, violent world inhabited by two buddies, Hari and Shiva, whose bond slowly begins to erode once power and ambition become inevitable variables. Set in the underbelly of coastal Karnataka, the film, told in a non-linear fashion, embodies a notable vintage flavour. It explores masculinity, loyalty, ego, and the ramifications of unchecked rage. Raj B. Shetty and Rishab Shetty depict the evolution of their characters with the right measure of raw energy and flair.

Ondu Motteya Kathe

Raj B Shetty plays a middle-aged man struggling with insecurity stemming from baldness in a society that values appearances and aims for unrealistic beauty standards. A warm, funny film that comes with a few surprises, the film never ridicules its main character; instead, it presents his vulnerability with the right degree of empathy and humour. As the protagonist Jandardhan, Raj B. Shetty delivers a naturally relatable performance, with several situations that blend awkward and sincere moments. Its another small, simple film that feels genuine and comforting, telling you to prioritise kindness and self-acceptance above looks.

Bell Bottom

For those seeking a laid-back detective film that evokes 1980s mainstream cinema, look no further than this Rishab Shetty-starrer helmed by Jayatheertha. A fun, nostalgic throwback to simpler times. Rishab plays a quirky detective nursing dreams of a crime novelist, dressed in bell-bottom pants and armed with old-school gadgets. The film adopts the tone of a breezy, lighthearted mystery instead of going for a darker, gore-filled approach. Rishab Shetty brings a lot of energy and humour to his likeable protagonist, Divakar. After Aachar & Co, this one also works best as a comfort watch  stylish, playful, and rooted in a love for old-school detective stories.

Avane Sriman Narayana

The high-concept epic is headlined by Rakshit Shetty and directed by Sachin B. Ravi, the editor of the actors much-celebrated hits like Kirik Party and Ulidavavaru Kandanthe (a must-see!). A stunningly made, heady cocktail of multiple genres  action, comedy, fantasy, and western  Avane Sriman Narayana is a wild, high-energy ride that fully embraces its madness. Its not flawless, but its ambitious storytelling makes it worthy of a strong recommendation. Set in a fictional town, the film sees Rakshit in the role of Narayana, a crooked cop with a heroic streak, as he gets pulled into a chaotic hunt for a missing treasure. Its a classic case of style largely dominating logic, but what style!

U-Turn

Shraddha Srinath leads director Pawan Kumars (Lucia) the film as Rachana, a journalist investigating a series of mysterious accidents near a busy Bengaluru flyover. A clever mix of suspense and social commentary, the film invites one to reflect on how small, careless actions can spiral into something deadly. Bolstered by steadily built tension, the film features twists which feel earned rather than forced, with Shraddha delivering a convincing turn  a believable combination of curiosity and fear. Like Kavaludaari from this list, U-Turn was remade into several languages.

Su from So

A classic example of how to reach maximum audiences with a small idea. The recipe of its success is clear as day: Simple settings, genuine characters, and a unique idea that builds something new from familiar tropes. Director JP Thuminad, who also plays the lead alongside Shaneel Gautam, imbues the film with a playful and chaotic energy. However, the film ventures into a more emotional space, revealing deeper themes of identity, grief, and empowerment. The protagonists involvement with a significant female characters story adds an intense, poignant layer to the story, which focused primarily on the protagonist up to that point. The film achieves a neat balance of humour and drama, while addressing serious social issues and the strength found in unexpected alliances.
CLAIM:

Forceful or aggressive baby massages, including hard strokes, nose pressing, and rubbing the chest to clean white milk discharge, are harmful and do not make babies stronger.

FACT:

True. Experts suggest that infant massage is safe and beneficial only when done gently with light pressure, safe oils, and proper technique, supporting circulation, digestion, sleep, and parentchild bonding. Studies and experts caution that forceful strokes, pressing the chest or nose, or handling sensitive areas can harm babies, especially newborns and preterm infants, and should be avoided.

In a viral Instagram reel posted by Dr Madhavi Bharadwaj, a paediatrician with over 1.6 million followers, the doctor addresses common mistakes and harmful myths around baby massage practices. Popularly known on social media as bacchon_ki_doctor, Dr Bharadwaj often uses candid conversations to highlight everyday parenting errors that may unknowingly harm infants.

In the reel, she is seen speaking playfully to a baby who has come to her clinic along with the mother. Addressing the infant, she asks, Tell me, what happened? Did someone come to give you a massage? Was she massaging you too hard? She then jokingly adds, Did you poop on her? Did you? before shifting the focus to the real issue.

Turning to the mother and the audience, Dr Bharadwaj explains that aggressive massage does more harm than good. All these are myths. Massaging fast or hard does not make babies strong. It only gives pain to the baby, she says.

She further highlights other unsafe practices done during massages. Referring to nose pressing, she asks the mother, Did she pull the babys nose? People say, The nose looks flat, lift it a little. This is not correct. She also addresses the practice of pressing or rubbing a babys chest to clean white milk discharge. Did anyone massage the chest or try to clean the white milk that comes out? If this happens again, immediately call the doctor, she warns.

Cautioning against forceful massage strokes, Dr Bharadwaj clearly states, If there is any kind of stroke-like pressure during massage, it is not allowed. This should never be done.

The reel has gained massive traction on social media, crossing 2.2 million views, 78,000 likes, and 9,604 shares, triggering widespread discussion about safe infant care and harmful massaging practices.

What science says about infant massage safety?

A 2020 cross-sectional study conducted across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh highlights how widespread infant massage practices are in India  and why standardised guidance is urgently needed. The study surveyed 1,497 caregivers of children under 18 months at immunisation centres and through home visits between March and August 2018.

Researchers found that infant massage was practised by 93.8% of caregivers overall, with prevalence as high as 97.9% in Maharashtra and 85.3% in Madhya Pradesh. Most families began massage within the first week of birth, typically performing it once daily, often before bathing or after feeding. Oils were used in nearly all cases (97%).

Importantly, the study documented not only gentle massage techniques but also potentially risky practices. According to the findings, 30% of caregivers reported applying pressing techniques, while 60% reported manually stretching joints during massage. Despite this, 95% of caregivers believed massage caused no harm and perceived benefits such as improved bone strength, sleep and growth.

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

The researchers concluded that while infant massage remains a deeply rooted cultural practice, clearer public health guidance is necessary. Clear guidance on the use of massage, choice of oil, and techniques for application is required to optimise benefits and minimise risks of this popular traditional practice, the authors stated.

The study further warned that newborn skin is significantly more vulnerable than adult skin. Newborn infants have a relatively thin epidermis compared to adults, making it more permeable to loss of water and heat, and entry of pathogens and toxins, the researchers noted, adding that inappropriate pressure or oil choice may have amplified effects on infant health.

While moderate pressure massage has been shown to support growth and development, the authors cautioned against forceful techniques. Vigorous massage can be harmful to the skin barrier, especially in preterm and malnourished infants with a thin, vulnerable skin barrier, the study observed, recommending that massage techniques be standardised and caregivers be properly trained.

Adding to safety concerns, another systematic review published in 2020 examined adverse events associated with paediatric massage therapy. Researchers analysed 60 studies involving children aged 0 to 18 years and found that reporting of complications was often inadequate. While many studies reported no adverse events, 16 studies documented at least one adverse event following massage therapy.

The review identified 20 mild events, 26 moderate events requiring medical intervention, and 18 severe adverse events, including cases that led to hospitalisation. Alarmingly, the authors reported an association between abdominal massage and intestinal volvulus in premature infants. This review reports an association between abdominal massage with volvulus without malrotation in preterm infants, the authors stated, adding that although a direct causal link remains unclear, the findings warrant caution in the use of abdominal massage in preterm infants.

However, some research also suggests that when performed appropriately, infant massage may offer measurable health benefits. A 2022 systematic review analysing 16 clinical trials involving 1,416 infants found that massage showed positive effects across several outcomes.

According to the review, In five of seven studies investigating pain relief, infant massage was found to alleviate pain. It further reported beneficial effects on neonatal jaundice, stating that in all six studies investigating bilirubin levels, positive effects were observed. Additionally, all four studies examining growth outcomes found increased weight gain among infants who received massage therapy.

However, the authors emphasised caution in interpretation. Although statistically significant differences were not found between all experimental and control groups, no adverse effects of infant massage were observed, the review noted, adding that more high-quality research is needed before firm clinical recommendations can be made.

Expert advice: What is the best way to massage the baby?

Dr Amit Gupta, Senior Neonatologist and Paediatrician at Motherhood Hospitals, Noida, said many traditional baby-handling and massage practices passed down through generations have no scientific basis and can put infants at risk. He explained that forceful handling of a babys body parts, often done with the belief that it will improve physical appearance or growth, can actually cause harm.

Every day, parents tell me how elders lift babies by the neck, saying it will make them taller, press the chest to remove swelling or milk, or touch the soft spot on the head, believing it needs to be fixed. All of this is misinformation, Dr Gupta said.

Warning against aggressive massage techniques, he added, Massaging too hard, using forceful strokes, applying heavy pressure, squeezing the nose, or rubbing the chest are not safe practices. There is no scientific evidence that these methods improve a babys growth or body shape.

Dr Gupta further explained that infant anatomy is extremely delicate. The cartilage of a babys nose and chest is very soft. Pressing it aggressively can cause injury. If the breast or nipple area is repeatedly pressed, it can lead to infection, he said.

Sharing clinical observations, he notes that such practices have real consequences. Every two to three months, we see at least one child admitted with mastitis because someone pressed or tried to squeeze the babys breast tissue. This often requires antibiotic treatment and hospital care. It should never be done.

He also cautioned parents against touching sensitive areas during massage. Fragile parts like the soft spot on the head (fontanel), the genital area, the eyes, or the neck should not be massaged at all. These areas must be strictly avoided, he said.

Addressing the myth of white milk discharge from a babys chest, commonly referred to as witchs milk, Dr Gupta clarified that it is a natural hormonal effect. This happens because of maternal hormones present in the babys body after birth. As these hormones gradually reduce, the discharge resolves on its own. It does not need to be cleaned or squeezed. Interfering with it only increases the risk of infection.

He stressed that traditional practices do not alter a childs physical appearance. These customs do not change the anatomy of the baby. They do not make a child taller, thinner, fatter, or more beautiful. They do not improve growth, he added.

While discouraging harmful techniques, Dr Gupta emphasised that gentle massage itself can be beneficial when done correctly. Massage is valuable. It helps improve circulation, supports digestion, relaxes the baby, improves sleep, and strengthens bonding between the parent and the child. But it should always be gentle and attentive.

According to him, timing and environment also matter. The best time for a massage is when the baby is calm and alert, ideally about an hour after feeding, when the baby is awake and relaxed, he said.

He advised parents to use safe oils and soft movements. Use lukewarm, gentle oils like coconut oil. Apply light circular motions while talking softly to the baby. Avoid pressure on soft areas, avoid pulling limbs or lifting the neck.

Dr Gupta added, The room should be quiet and calm, and the massage session should last about 15 to 20 minutes. That is more than enough. Massage should comfort the baby, not hurt them.

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.
Literature has taken a backseat due to geopolitics, as India-US ties have been strained since the Donald Trump administration imposed 50 per cent tariffs on New Delhione of the highest in the world.

While trade talks continue, the impact of souring relations between both countries was felt at the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair. After a decade of participating in the book fair, there was no stall/representative from the US this time.

US regretted because of their lack of funding in this cultural wing at the last moment. They have been participating since 2006, but this time they regretted due to non-allocation of budget, said Tridib Kumar Chatterjee, General Secretary of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, who plays a key role in organising the International Kolkata Book Fair every year.

He also claimed that there was no geopolitical connection to the US pulling out of the book fair.

However, that was not the case with Bangladesh, another country that lacked representation at the book fair.

Despite strong associations between India and Bangladesh over decades, strained ties between both nations after the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 have led to both sides denying visas to each other's citizens.

They have been participating since 1997 and we couldnt give them a stall from 2025, said Chatterjee.

In case of Bangladesh, due to the geopolitical situation and sensitive relationship between the two countries, we told them to get a green signal from the Minister of External Affairs, Government of India. That did not happen, so we cannot take the risk, he added.

There are around 1,100 stalls and nearly 20 countries participating in the 49th edition of the International Kolkata Book Fair, which started on January 22 and will end on February 3.
A 33-year-old college professor was stabbed to death at Malad railway station in Mumbais western suburbs on Saturday evening following an argument with a co-passenger on a local train.

The victim, identified as Alok Kumar Singh, taught at NM College in Vile Parle and was travelling from Vile Parle to Kandivali, according to Railway Police.

As the train reached Malad station, the accused allegedly stabbed Singh with a sharp weapon, causing him to collapse. The attacker then fled the scene, leaving Singh bleeding profusely, an official told the PTI news agency.

Singh was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The Borivali Government Railway Police (GRP) have registered a murder case and launched a manhunt for the suspect. They are also examining the CCTV visuals at the station and its premises.

Citing a teacher at NM College, Times of India reported that Singh used to teach mathematics and statistics in the junior college section since 2024.

"He was a kind soul, calm and polite and never used to get involved in arguments or fights. In fact, he used to help in resolving fights. This is absolutely shocking for us," the teacher was quoted as saying by the daily.

Details awaited
Government Railway Police in Mumbai tracked and apprehended a 27-year-old daily wage worker in relation to the stabbing and murder of college professor Alok Kumar Singh inside a local train at Malad railway station on Sunday. The arrest was made just 12 hours after the murder.

Investigators tracked the accused, Omkar Eknath Shinde, at the Kurar area of Mumbais western suburbs using CCTV footage from Malad and preceding stations.

Shinde is employed in a metal polishing job.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Accused Omkar Shinde has been arrested for murdering one person at the Malad Railway Station yesterday. https://t.co/fam8iXb7Mf pic.twitter.com/dMJwTyGxyt  ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2026

The accused, Shinde, 27, had gotten into a minor dispute with professor Singh, 33, inside a Borivali-bound train just as passengers were preparing to step off at the station, according to GRP.

The dispute escalated, and Shinde allegedly stabbed Singh in the abdomen with a sharp object on platform 1 of Malad station before fleeing. CCTV footage showed him running through the platform into a crowd.

In a chilling reminder of the volatility within #Mumbai's crowded transit system, the Government Railway Police (GRP) have arrested 27-year-old #OmkarShinde for the brutal murder of a college professor at Malad Railway Station.



The victim, #AlokSingh, was a professor at a pic.twitter.com/wk0wa2Nk0p  Hate Detector  (@HateDetectors) January 25, 2026

A police officer said that the incident unfolded suddenly, and the attacker got off the train and fled. Police said that the CCTV footage showed a man panicking wearing a white shirt and blue jeans fleeing across a foot overbridge shortly after the attack. Witnesses who stated that they saw the accused and heard the argument had their statements recorded by the police.

Singh was pronounced dead after being rushed to Babasaheb Ambedkkar hospital in Kandivali. He had sustained a single deep wound to the stomach.

The victim was a professor at the Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics. he lived in Malad East with his wife and taught mathematics and statistics the junior college section since 2024.

Shinde has been booked under relevant sections of the BNS.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted what he described as a growing trend among the younger generation of integrating devotion into everyday life through innovative expressions of faith.

Speaking during his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi referred to the phenomenon of Bhajan Clubbing, calling it a wonderful effort to blend spirituality with modernity while preserving the sanctity of bhajans.

Bhajan Clubbing is an emerging trend in which large groups, particularly young people, come together in community settings in cities to sing bhajans and devotional songs.

"Large numbers of the youth are gathering in different cities across the country. The stage is decorated. There is all the pomp and show, and the atmosphere is no less than a concert. But what is being sung there is a Bhajan. This trend is being called 'bhajan clubbing' today, and it's becoming increasingly popular, especially among Gen Z," the prime minister said.

These days, many such videos can be seen on social media, he added.

Our Gen-Z is taking to Bhajan Clubbing...it is spirituality and modernity merging beautifully, particularly keeping in mind the sanctity of the Bhajans. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/AIG4K55bOr  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2026

Modi also touched upon a wide range of topics, including tomorrow's Republic Day celebrations, National Voters' Day, and India's role in the AI Impact Summit.

He highlighted the efforts of local communities in reviving the Tamsa River, which flows through Ayodhya and merges with the Ganga, after its uninterrupted flow was disrupted by pollution.

"People here started a campaign to give it a new life, and through everyone's efforts, the river was revived," the prime minister said.

Modi also mentioned the efforts of local people to clean reservoirs in Andhra Pradeshs Anantapur, which is grappling with severe drought.

"The soil here is red and sandy, which is why people face water shortages. Many areas here (Ananthapur) do not receive rain for long periods. To address this problem, locals resolved to clean the reservoirs. With the support of the administration, the 'Ananta Neeru Sanrakshanam Project' was launched. More than 10 reservoirs have been revived. Simultaneously, more than 7,000 trees have been planted," he said.

On National Voters Day

On the occasion of National Voters Day on January 25, Modi emphasized the importance of registering to vote upon turning 18.

The voter is the soul of democracy. Whenever a young person becomes a voter for the first time, the entire neighbourhood, village, or even the city should come together to congratulate them and distribute sweets. This will increase awareness about voting among people, he said.

I would once again urge my young friends to register themselves as voters when they turn 18, he added.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A major Murdoch University review has found that for many people with multiple sclerosis (MS), walking is hindered not only by physical symptoms but also by external emotional and societal challenges.

Led by Ph.D. candidate Emily Wood from the School of Allied Health, researchers conducted the first systematic review to analyze direct quotes from people with MS in the context of their walking experience, rather than relying on researcher interpretation.

Using quotes from 90 academic studies involving more than 1,800 people, the research team set out to understand what walking is really like for people with MS in their day-to-day lives.

A secondary aim of the study, published in Disability and Rehabilitation, was to assess whether there was a gap in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework (ICF), a globally accepted framework developed by the World Health Organization to describe health and disabilities.

"Our goal was to center the voices of people living with MS and understand, in their own words, what it truly feels like for them to walk in their homes and communities," Wood said. "By bringing together these lived experiences, we also wanted to examine whether the ICF framework genuinely reflects what people with MS encounter every day, and our findings suggest it doesn't capture the full emotional and social burden."

Four key themes emerged from the voices of people living with MS.

Adapting to physical barriers Practical challenges such as stairs, uneven surfaces, long distances, fatigue, fear of falling, the need to plan outings hindered their ability and willingness to walk. A person living with MS described accessibility issues: "Most places are accessible around town. The only place, my favorite cafe, I used to like to go there. It's not  accessible that I can find, it has three steps to get in, so we don't go. But most places are fairly accessible."</i> Navigating society Walking impairment resulted in altered societal expectations and dynamics such as, social stigma, judgment, staring, discrimination and misunderstanding.

These experiences caused many to withdraw from public spaces. A person living with MS described their difficulty navigating society: "Everyone in our neighborhood is native to the area. I don't like going out with this foot; I feel ashamed. I don't go out myself because everyone looks at us, and the strangers among them stare at us; I feel ashamed. For this reason, I don't go out, and most of the time, I am at home." Emotion and mindset Walking was strongly tied to emotions such as embarrassment, frustration, grief over lost abilities, and anxiety about falling.

These emotional burdens significantly influenced whether and how people chose to walk. A person living with MS described the emotional burden of the condition: "I can't do anything that I used to be able to do I can't play netball, I can't play touch footy, I can't walk in the dark you lose everything ." Personal relationships Partners, family, children, and friends played a major role; sometimes supportive, sometimes unintentionally discouraging.

Participants described spousal and family relationships as largely supportive, although sometimes well-meaning efforts unintentionally resulted in negative feelings.

Parentchild relationships often evoked feelings of guilt and embarrassment. A person living with MS described an incident with their six-year-old daughter: "My daughter told me to stop walking with them basically because it's embarrassing when I fall. And she's 6I mean it's like that because I walked with them this one particular day, and you know, I mis-stepped, just kind of fell over. But she turned around and looked at me and went, oh, mom ah, it's embarrassing. I don't want you to walk us because it's embarrassing when you fall."

Wood said throughout all the themes, the factors impacting walking were frequently perceived as extrinsic. "Because these barriers feel beyond their control, many people with MS described feeling increasingly disconnected, which can lead to withdrawal from community spaces," she said.

Wood also said the study did highlight gaps in the ICF framework. "Although the ICF framework encompasses some emotional functions, its phrasing does not readily capture the sustained emotional burden that underpins the walking experience for people with MS," she said.

"To fully capture the lived walking experience, the ICF framework could be complemented with patient-reported outcomes, models which explicitly aim to describe the walking experience with MS and other movement disorders, and walking assessments that can be conducted within the community."

For clinicians, Wood suggests that emotion and mindset are recognized as "central, not peripheral, to the walking experience."

More information Emily J. Wood et al, The walking experience of persons with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review with evaluation of the sensitivity of the ICF framework to the lived experience, Disability and Rehabilitation (2026). DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2606104

Key medical concepts Multiple SclerosisMovement Disorders
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, one of Indias most celebrated contemporary heroes, was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the countrys highest peacetime gallantry award.

Shukla was honoured with the award for becoming the first Indian ISRO astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as a pilot for the privately organised Axiom-4 mission.

He made history in June 2025 by becoming the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma. During his visit, he conducted more than 60 complex scientific experiments spanning biomedical research, neuroscience, agriculture, and advanced materials sciencemany under physically and mentally extreme conditions.

The youngest of the three children of Lucknow-based Shambhu Dayal and Asha, Shubhanshu grew up in a middle-class family. With no one from the armed forces in the family, joining the services, he said, wasnt something he had planned either.

Indias first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, flew in 1984; I was born in 1985. I wasnt around when it happened, but we grew up hearing his stories, seeing his images and reading about his messages from space in our schoolbooks. I was deeply impressed and fascinated by his journey, but the thought of becoming an astronaut never found a place in my mind because our country didnt have a human space programme then," he said when asked if becoming an astronaut was a childhood dream in an earlier interview.

In December 2025, THE WEEK honoured Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as 'Man of the Year' in recognition of his historic ISS mission and his role in elevating Indias stature in human spaceflight.

On the eve of the Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards to 70 armed forces personnel, including six who would receive the honour posthumously.

These include one Ashoka Chakra, three Kirti Chakra, 13 Shaurya Chakra, including one posthumous, one Bar to Sena Medal (gallantry) and 44 Sena Medals (gallantry). The Kirti Chakra award winners are Major Arshdeep Singh, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba and Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair.
British-Indian broadcaster and journalist Sir Mark Tully, better known as the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) 'Voice of India', breathed his last at the Max Hospital in Delhi's Saket area.

The 90-year-old had been admitted to the hospital a week ago due to illness.

Goodbye, Sir William Mark Tully



Mark Tully Sahab  the guru of broadcast journalism, an institution in himself, an acclaimed author, and a rare embodiment of integrity, warmth, and deep human compassion  passed away a short while ago in a New Delhi hospital. His departure marks pic.twitter.com/9bSyMXV8NV  YusufJameel  (@jameelyusuf) January 25, 2026

He leaves behind a legacy as a renowned journalist, author and Indophile, who has played a part in reporting major events in the Indian subcontinent's storied history, such as Bangladesh war (1971), the Emergency years (1975-77), the execution of former Pakistan president Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1979), and the anti-Sikh riots (1984), the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (1991), and the demolition of the Babri Masjid (1992).

A lifetime beside India

Born in 1935 to British parents in West Bengal's Tollygunge, Tully's initial life seemed miles away from the figure he later became.

After spending a decade of his life in India, he was sent to the UK for further studies, where it seemed he would go onto to become a priest, for which he joined the Lincoln Theological College.

However, fate had other plans, as he had been "rather rebellious" and a "good beer drinker" in his youth, according to Tully's own recollections in a 2020 interview with The UNESCO Courier.

Tully resumed his time in India when he joined the BBC as a New Delhi correspondent in 1964a position he held for 30 years. However, a few years later, he was forced to return to the UK when the Indian government banned the BBC for airing a French documentary named 'Phantom India', which had been critical of the country.

Yet, he was back by 1971, after which he was made the BBC's Chief of Bureau for South Asia. His association with the British broadcaster partially ended in 1994 over an internal dispute, and completely in 2019, when his BBC Radio 4 programme Something Understood was discontinued.

Yet, he remained a chronicler of India at heart, going on to become an accomplished freelance journalist and author.

Tully was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992, knighted during the New Year Honours in 2002, and received the Padma Bhushan in 2005, as per a PTI report.

He has also written 10 books, which includes No Full Stops in India, India in Slow Motion and The Heart of India, in addition to starring in a number of documentaries on India and the British Raj.
Should physiotherapists be allowed to use the prefix 'Dr'? MBBS graduates feel the privilege need not be shared; however, the Kerala High Court feels otherwise and has dismissed pleas moved by medical professionals against the use of 'Dr' by physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

The HC ruled that the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act does not contain any provision for conferring the title of 'doctor' on qualified medical professionals.

It also declined to read down the provisions of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, so as to confine the scope of discharge of professional services by physiotherapists and occupational therapists as a supporting group for the qualified medical professionals registered under the NMC Act.

Justice V.G. Arun reportedly said that the word 'doctor' was initially used for referring to someone who had achieved the highest level of learning and had received a licence to teach in fields like theology, law, and philosophy. The HC added that the term 'doctor' originally meant a learned person qualified to teach, but gradually, with the advancement of medical science, university-trained physiciansholders of degrees in medicinebegan to be called doctors.

"Therefore, the contention that the title 'doctor' exclusively belongs to medical professionals is a misconception since even now, like in the olden times, persons with higher educational qualifications like a PhD are entitled to use the title 'doctor'," the court was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The court also said that the expression 'title' used in Section 40 of the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act cannot be understood as statutorily entitling qualified medical professionals to prefix 'Dr' to their names.

"In the absence of such a provision, the petitioners (doctors) cannot claim an exclusive right to use the prefix 'Dr'," PTI quoted the court as saying.
The Lahaul and Spiti district, a high-altitude region of the Himalayas located in the north-eastern part of Himachal Pradesh, has been cut off after heavy snowfall blocked all roads, a report said on Sunday morning. Traffic concerns were also reported in Kullu district beyond Patlikuhal towards Manali due to continuous snowfall since Friday.

Himachal Pradesh's weather forecast predicted light rain or snow at isolated places over the high hills of Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, and upper parts of Kullu and Mandi districts on Sunday. Fog and a cold wave should be expected in at least some places in Mandi, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan, and Sirmaur districts, it added.

Even the stretches of NH 3 and NH 505 passing through Lahaul and Spiti were hit by the snowfall, as no fewer than 685 roads remained closed on Saturday evening, a prominent news daily reported on Sunday morning. Apart from traffic concerns, the affected regions were also hampered by a lack of communication, power, and water supply, the report added.

Light snowfall was still being reported at isolated places in the higher reaches of Lahaul-Spiti as well as Chamba districts. The situation was not very different in Manali on Saturday, as authorities had to step in to get stranded tourists, more than a hundred in number, to safer locations, The Times of India (TOI) said in a report. However, cloudy skies were witnessed in most other parts of the state, it added.

As per the latest data arriving from Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba had the most road closures at 290 and 132, respectively. As many as 126 roads were closed in Mandi, TOI claimed, citing the state emergency response centre. Furthermore, 5,775 transformers and 126 water supply schemes still need fixing.
The parade held at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26 is the grandest of all those held across the country on Republic Day, showcasing both India's rich cultural heritage and military prowess.

Republic Day celebrates the day India's most important document, its Constitution, came into force in 1950.

While live coverage will begin from 9:00 AM onwards, the parade itself will begin at around 9:30 AM on Monday, right after President Droupadi Murmu unfurls the flag.

The parade can be livestreamed on Doordarshan (and its YouTube channel), All India Radio's YouTube channel, as well as on official government websites. Most TV news channels and their websites will also stream the event with live commentary.

The weather at the Kartavya Path on Monday is expected to be partly cloudy and chilly, as per the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin. It has also predicted shallow to moderate fog and 90 per cent humidity in the morning.

President Murmu will preside over the parade, with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Union President Ursula von der Leyen to be the chief guests this year. This reflects India's growing ties with the EU, ahead of the announcement of the 'mother of all' deals with the bloc at the 16th India-EU Summit on Tuesday.

The central theme for the parade this year will be '150 years of Vande Mataram', India's national song, which was also adopted in 1950just two days before the adoption of the Constitutionbut composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875.

A series of paintings created by Tejendra Kumar Mitra in 1923, which illustrate the verses of 'Vande Mataram', will be displayed as view-cutters along Kartavya Path during the parade.

The parade will take place along a 5km stretch from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate, featuring various contingents of the Armed Forces, in addition to 30 tableaux (17 from states/UTs and 13 from ministries). About 2,500 cultural artists will take part in the parade in various capacities, reinforcing the themes of 'Vande Bharat' and 'Atmanirbhar India' (self-reliant India).

For those attending the parade in person, the gates will open at 7:00 AM, so it is advised to come early, as security checks will take place. Tickets will cost about Rs 20-100 per person, and can be booked on the official Aamantran website.

The 70 #GallantryAwards, which include six posthumous honours, recognise their exceptional courage and sacrifice in service of their country. #RepublicDay2026 https://t.co/UrD1RwuMyI  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) January 25, 2026

Another of the main functions of the parade is to honour the Armed Forces and other citizens with gallantry awards. The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is also presented to children who have demonstrated exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements across seven categoriesBravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service and Sports.

The parade will end with the Indian Air Force's stunning flypast as its jets paint the skies over the parade in saffron, white, and green.
About 36,500 Iranians were reportedly killed by security forces during the crackdown on the nationwide January 8-9 protests, according to a new report.

The number would make the Iranian protests the deadliest two day protests massacre in history reported Iran International.

The number was confirmed by the news network after reviewing new classified documents, field reports, and accounts from medical staff, witnesses, and victims families.

On January 13, the network's editorial board had reported at least 12,000 deaths caused by the crackdowns in the country.

The new information, the network said, provides a clearer picture of the killing pattern and the scale of a crime that can now be described as the largest and bloodiest massacre of civilians during street protests, over a two-day period, in history.

The information obtained was provided by the IRGC intelligence organization to the Supreme National Security Council.

In a report presented to the Iranian parliaments National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on January 21, the number of the killings were upto at least 27,500.

Instrituitions recived different figures from security bodies showing what appeared to be deliberate concelament and interntional disorder in the registration and transfer of bodies. There also seems to have been pressure on the families and quiet burial of victims, making it difficult even for security agencies themselves to know the accurate death toll.

A consolidation of figures received from provincial security councils by Tuesday, January 20, showed the death toll had exceeded 30,000.

Estimates say that more than 2,500 were killed in Rasht, at least 1,800 in Mashhad, more than 2,000 in Isfahan, Najafabad, and Khorasgan, at least 3,000 in Karaj, Shahriar, and Andisheh, 700 in Kermanshah, and 400 in Gorgan. There were no clear figures for Tehran. But images obtained show that the number could be in the thousands.

Based on information obtained from hospital sources and eyewitneses the number of deaths in several of the major cities was described as shocking.

Some of the findings include:

Images of individuals who were killed while undergoing medical treatment. Doctors and nurses who spoke to the the network said that finishing shots were fired at wounded patients.

Some reports said that security forces went to homes and drew people to the door before opening fire and killing them.

The killings were carried out with the agreement and cooperation of state institutions and on the orders of the highest authorities of the Islamic Republic. Supreme leader Ali Khamenei, on January 9, used phrases such as al-nasr bil-rub (victory through terror) and fight them until there is no sedition in briefings and discussions among senior IRGC commanders

Bereaved families were forced also reportedly asked to pay large sums described as bullet fees in exchange for receiving the bodies of their loved ones. In some cases, those killed were presented as members of the Basij militia, despite families objections.

Reports received by Iran International also indicate that proxy forces from Iraq and Syria were also used in the crackdown.
In the beginning of 2026, Gulf forces conducted a joint military exerciseGulf Shield 2026in Saudi Arabia, with participation from Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member states. Gulf Shield 2026, by emphasising interoperability and integrated command-and-control, directly addresses this reality by attempting to knit together disparate national systems into a quasi-regional shield. The exercise, held in Saudi Arabia in January 2026, focused on air defence, missile interception, and counter-drone warfaredomains that demand a level of coordination. The strategic relevance of Gulf Shield 2026 becomes even clearer when viewed against the backdrop of emerging intra-Gulf frictions, particularly rising SaudiUAE tensions, which sits uneasily with the rhetoric of collective security. This exercise is relevant for the trust-building that is increasingly becoming difficult to sustain in a Gulf region marked not only by external threats but also by internal strategic divergence. In this sense, Gulf Shield 2026 represents both a necessary response to regional instability and a stress test of GCC cohesion.

From a threat perspective, the exercise responds to the transformation of Middle Eastern conflict into a multi-domain battlespace, where missiles, UAVs, cyber tools, and electronic warfare are used to achieve strategic effects without large-scale conventional confrontation. Attacks on energy infrastructure, ports, desalination plants, and airports etc. have underscored the vulnerability of Gulf states whose economic lifelines depend on uninterrupted flows of energy, trade, and data. Air and missile defence thus becomes the first line of defence not only for national security but for regime stability, economic continuity, and global market confidence.

However, the deeper significance of the exercise lies in its political context. The GCC today is operating in a region experiencing simultaneous crises like Israel-Hamas conflict and its regional spillovers, persistent humanitarian crisis in Yemen, IranIsrael shadow confrontation, and uncertainty surrounding the US actions. Gulf states are attempting to hedge, de-escalate, and diversify partnerships. In this context, exercises like Gulf Shield 2026 allow them to project preparedness without overt escalation, reinforcing deterrence while remaining nominally defensive.

At present, the unease in the SaudiUAE relations increasingly complicate this picture. While Riyadh and Abu Dhabi remain formally aligned on many security issues, their strategic priorities have diverged in ways that directly affect regional stability. Yemen is the most visible example of this. The competing approaches have generated friction, undermining the idea of a unified Gulf security outlook even as shared threats persist. This divergence matters for collective defence because air and missile threats are not evenly distributed.

Gulf Shield 2026, therefore, operates in an environment where interoperability is being pursued amid uneven threat prioritisation, raising questions about the depth and durability of collective commitment. This military exercise can be interpreted as an attempt to restrict hard security cooperation from political and economic rivalry between nations. Air defence helps in safeguarding all Gulf states from shared missile and drone threats, making it a defensive, territory-based area where cooperation is urgent and politically acceptable despite differences. The exercise thus reflects a pragmatic GCC calculation i.e., even if unity is fraying in other arenas, collective survival imperatives necessitate cooperation in the skies.

The exercise exposes structural limitations of GCC security integration. With the persisting SaudiUAE tensions, along with broader intra-Gulf competition, make it difficult to move from symbolic exercises to fully integrated defence architecture. Gulf Shield 2026 demonstrates progress in training and coordination, but it also highlights how far the GCC remains from the collective defence system.

The role of Gulf states in the current Middle Eastern turmoil is therefore deeply ambivalent. On one hand, they act as stabilisersabsorbing shocks, mediating conflicts, maintaining energy supplies, and preventing regional escalation from spiralling into global crisis. On the other hand, their rivalries, interventions, and competitive regional strategies can reproduce instability, particularly in fragile states like Yemen. SaudiUAE tensions exemplify this duality wherein both states seek regional stability, yet their competing visions of order generate new fault lines. Gulf Shield 2026 should thus be seen as a broader Gulf strategy of managing disorder rather than resolving it. By strengthening air defence cooperation, GCC states aim to reduce vulnerability to external shocks and coercive tactics, buying space to pursue economic transformation and diplomatic repositioning. However, without addressing underlying intra-Gulf divergencesespecially between Saudi Arabia and the UAEsuch exercises risk remaining tactical fixes rather than foundations of a cohesive regional security order.

Gulf Shield 2026 is critically important not only because of the missile and drone threats it addresses, but because it reflects the paradox of Gulf security today. The deepening cooperation in response to shared dangers, unfolding alongside rising intra-Gulf competition and strategic divergence. The exercise underscores that the future of Gulf security as well as the larger Middle Eastern security will be shaped as much by how Gulf states manage their own rivalries as by how effectively they deter external adversaries. In a region defined by volatility, Gulf Shield 2026 represents both a shield against immediate threats and a mirror reflecting the fragile balance between unity and competition within the Gulf itself.

(The author is an assistant professor at Amity Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (AIDSS), Amity University, Noida.)
Syrias ministry of defence announced a 15-day extension to the ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, beginning at 11.00 pm local time on Saturday, only hours after the previous four-day agreement had lapsed. The SDF confirmed its commitment to the extended pause, saying it was intended to support de-escalation, protect civilians and create conditions for stability. Yet it is almost clear that the ceasefire is driven by worries about the breakout of Islamic State prisoners rather than any desire for political reconciliation.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

At the heart of the extension is a United States-led operation to transfer Islamic State prisoners from Syria to Iraq. Washington has grown increasingly alarmed about the fate of thousands of detainees held in facilities that were destabilised by the recent Syrian government offensive. American officials fear that continued fighting or the collapse of local security arrangements could lead to mass escapes and a revival of Islamic State networks.

Under the current plan, the US military aims to move up to 7,000 Islamic State-linked prisoners from detention centres in northeastern Syria to facilities under Iraqi control. US Central Command has already confirmed the transfer of roughly 120 to 150 detainees to secure locations in Iraq, describing the operation as a necessary precaution amid deepening uncertainty on the ground. The urgency is heightened by discussions in Washington about a possible full US withdrawal from Syria, which would leave the detention system in the northeast dangerously exposed.

The ceasefire comes after what Kurdish sources describe as a fateful January, during which the strategic balance swung decisively in favour of Damascus caused largely by a swift and coordinated offensive by the Syrian army, recapturing territory held by the SDF. In no time, the Kurds lost key oil fields, power infrastructure and detention facilities, undermining both their economic base and leverage in negotiations. These losses have dramatically weakened the SDFs bargaining position at a moment when its external backing is also eroding.

That erosion is most visible in the apparent shift in US policy. The Trump administration has aligned itself more closely with the new leadership in Damascus, quietly urging the SDF to reach an accommodation with the Syrian government. With the loss of Washingtons support, the Kurds have lost their political cover and the ability to stand up to a resurgent Syrian army. Subsequently, they are now negotiating from a position of vulnerability, knowing fully well that further resistance could lead to their total collapse.

Meanwhile, the basic concerns that triggered the latest round of hostilities remain unresolved. A so-called historic agreement signed in March 2025, which envisaged the integration of around 10,000 SDF fighters into state structures, stalled after months of non-implementation. That failure ultimately paved the way for renewed violence.

Damascus insists on a highly centralised model in which SDF members are absorbed into the national army and police as individuals, with no recognition of the force as a distinct entity. Kurdish leaders, by contrast, have long argued for a decentralised Syria that guarantees meaningful local autonomy. Given their current losing streak, they face a stark choice between prolonging a losing battle or accepting a deal that would significantly reduce their clout.

On the humanitarian front, however, the ceasefire has brought a measure of relief. Syrian state media reported the release of 126 boys under the age of 18 from al-Aqtan prison near Raqqa, where they had been held in a facility recently captured by government forces. Their reunion with their families was welcomed, yet tensions remain high across the northeast. The SDF has accused government forces of using the truce to reposition troops and equipment, fuelling fears of a renewed escalation once the pause expires. The advance has also forced the SDF to withdraw from sensitive sites such as the al-Hol camp, home to the families of suspected Islamic State members.

Among the key regional actors, Turkey has expressed satisfaction with the Kurdish setback and the likely collapse of their self-rule along its borders. However, Kurdish communities abroad are clearly unhappy, taking out demonstrations, including large rallies in Europe.
The US-mediated trilateral peace talks between Russia and Ukraine came to an end on Saturday, just hours after a massive Russian overnight airstrike that left millions of Ukrainians without electricity.

The two-day talks in Abu Dhabi came to an uncertain end, with no agreements reached. While Russia and Ukraine have both said that they were open to talks, Moscow's offensive is likely to have reduced chances of further negotiations.

"The central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote in an X post after the meeting.

Our delegation delivered a report; the meetings in the UAE have concluded. And this was the first format of this kind in quite some time: two days of trilateral meetings. A lot was discussed, and it is important that the conversations were constructive.



The negotiations also  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) January 24, 2026

"As a result of the meetings held over these days, all sides agreed to report back in their capitals on each aspect of the negotiations and to coordinate further steps with their leaders," he said, adding that further meetings could take place as early as next week.

However, he refrained from criticising Russia for its overnight barrage, simply thanking the US and the UAE for their mediation efforts.

The trilateral talks are the first instancesince the beginning of the nearly four-year-old warthat officials from the Trump administration have sat down with both countries to bring about peace.

This comes after Zelenskyy said on Thursday at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, that a potential peace deal was nearly ready. Yet, certain sensitive pointsmostly territorial issuesremain unresolved.

The overnight barrage on Ukraine

At least one died and dozens more were wounded after Russia's overnight strike on Kyiv with over 370 attack drones and 21 missiles of various types, which also struck its electricity board.

Overnight, Russia carried out a massive attack on our regions, launching over 370 attack drones and 21 missiles of various types. Kyiv and the region, as well as the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions, were targeted. In Kharkiv, a maternity hospital, a dormitory housing pic.twitter.com/K0TQNNvu4T  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) January 24, 2026

This left more than a million people without power, and in turn, without heatinga major problem as sub-zero temperatures persist in the country.

Zelenskyy had earlier claimed that the airstrikes on Kyiv, as well as the Sumy, Kharkiv, and the Chernihiv regions, had specifically targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Amid election tensions in Bangladesh, a 23-year-old Hindu man, Chanchal Bhowmik, was burned alive inside his shop on Friday in Narsingdi, Bangladesh. Bhowmik was sleeping inside the shop when the attacker shut the shutters, poured petrol, and set the building on fire.

Narsingdi is just 50 kilometres away from the capital city, Dhaka.

Witnesses said that the attacker remained outside the shop as Chanchal was burning to death and then fled the scene.

Bhowmik was a car mechanic and worked at a car workshop in Khana Bari Masjid Market in the Police Lines area. Locals believe that the fire was premeditated arson intended to murder.

On Friday night, Bhowmik slept at the shop after finishing work as he usually did. Several unidentified people were seen around the shop right before the fire began.

The flames spread quickly and lasted for several hours as there were petrol and inflammable materials stored inside the shop.

Bhowmik was sleeping and died of suffocation and burn injuries.

Anti-Hindu Pogrom is going on in #Bangladesh.



News coming in from #Narsinghdi district.



Islamists burnt alive a Hindu youth named Chanchal Bhowmik.



At night, Chanchal Bhowmik was working in a shop. Islamists closed the shop and put fire.



Chanchal Bhowmik was the only pic.twitter.com/OoRSovqZc2  Hindu Voice (@HinduVoice_in) January 25, 2026

Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) ARM Al Mamun said, "The incident is being viewed with great seriousness. We quickly reached the spot after receiving the news and recovered the body. CCTV footage has been collected. Multiple police teams are working to identify the criminals.

CCTV footage recovered from the area shows that several people were seen in front of and around the shop before the fire was set.

"However, it could not be confirmed whether they had any connection to the incident," the police said

Citing the video, police said that they are trying to identify the person who appeared in front of the shop as the fire began.

India raised concerns earlier about the safety of the minority Hindu population in the country after there was a rising number of killings and lynching of Hindus.

About a week earlier, a Hindu sweetshop owner was beaten to death in Gazipur district Hindu autorickshaw driver was also stabbed to death in Feni district.
Oshiwara police used drones and forensic analysis to crack the mysterious firing at Nalanda building, with an aerial trajectory map flown from Kamal R Khans (KRK) MHADA bungalow confirming that the pellets were fired from his premises  a key breakthrough that led to his arrest, officers said.



According to police, the firing took place on January 18 between 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm, when Khan allegedly fired shots into the air. Officials said his pistol had seven rounds, and two pellets landed at the Nalanda Co-operative Housing Society  one at a directors second-floor flat and the other at an actors fourth-floor residence.



Oshiwara police were informed about the incident at around 7:30 pm. Officers reached the building, collected the pellets found at the two residences, registered an FIR and launched an investigation.



No witnesses, puzzling angle



With zero eyewitnesses and no immediate leads, investigators leaned heavily on technology. The case surfaced after director Neeraj Kumar Mishra alerted police to a bullet hole at his flat in the Nalanda building. Model Prateek Baid, who noticed police activity at the premises, handed over a button-like object found near the impact point, which forensics later confirmed was a pellet.



What initially baffled investigators was the angle of impact. The shot appeared straight-range, an officer said. Moreover, the area adjacent to the building is an under-construction site with open ground and tin sheets, making a direct line of fire difficult to explain.



On January 19, Oshiwara police and the crime branch remained puzzled as CCTV footage from the building did not capture anything suspicious, and there were no clear visual leads to identify the shooter.



How police traced the shot to KRK



Investigators first established that the pellets were fired from a .32 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) through technical and forensic analysis. Officers then matched the pellets velocity and range with data of licensed revolver holders in Oshiwara, which pointed them to Khan, police said.



To verify whether a .32 pistol could have fired pellets that reached Nalanda, police carried out trajectory mapping and assessed the weapons effective range, which they said is between 25 and 50 yards. A drone was then flown from Khans bungalow to map the line of fire and check for obstructions. The aerial assessment reportedly showed that pellets could reach the building without hindrance and that the bungalow fell within the effective shooting range.



Police also scrutinised CCTV footage from around Khans bungalow and claimed they detected firing sounds between 12 pm and 12.30 pm, further strengthening the link.



Khan was apprehended on January 23. Officials said they are awaiting ballistic and other forensic reports to make the case watertight.



The drone survey helped us confirm there was no obstruction and that a pellet could indeed reach Nalanda, an officer said, adding that the aerial mapping proved crucial to the investigation.



Denial and probe



Khan denied wrongdoing. His lawyer, Nagesh Mishra, told Mumbai Mirror: No notice or grounds of arrest were served. My client is innocent, and the police were misled.



Police booked Khan under a non-bailable offence (Section 110, BNS) and secured custody till January 27 to probe the motive and rule out intent. Given that those involved belong to the acting fraternity, we are verifying whether the act was deliberate or purely accidental, an officer said.



Khans revolver licence is likely to be revoked following the incident, police said.




In the second such incident this month, a U.S. citizen was killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, triggering fierce protests and condemnation from local leaders.

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security said a Border Patrol agent fired in self-defense after a 37-year-old man, identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, allegedly resisted attempts to disarm him while armed with a handgun during an immigration enforcement operation. Pretti, a registered nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was pronounced dead at the scene.

At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, seen here.



The officers attempted to pic.twitter.com/5Y50mYONGH  Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 24, 2026

Videos circulating online appear to contradict the official account. One clip showed Pretti standing in the street filming agents with his cellphone.

The footage shows an agent deploying pepper spray at Pretti and other protesters. As Pretti tries to protect himself from the spray and assist others, several agents tackle him to the ground and strike him in the head and body.

While holding Pretti on the ground, one of the agents draws his weapon and fires multiple shots. Prettis body is later seen lying in the street.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said the man who was killed was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record beyond traffic violations. As people protested the shooting, city police and Minnesota state troopers moved in to manage the crowd and maintain order.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the incident and said the federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation. "I've seen the video from several angles and it's

sickening. The federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation - the state will handle it," he said.

A statement from the family of Alex Pretti, obtained by CNN:



"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  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 25, 2026

The incident is the latest in a series of shootings as US President Donald Trump intensified the immigration push and increased scrutiny on the crackdown

Earlier this month, Renee Good, a Minnesota woman, was shot fatally by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jonathan Ross.
The victim of a shooting in Burnaby is now suspected to have been killed in an escalating gang warfare in British Columbia, Canada. The Canadian Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has now identified the victim of the January 22 shooting as 28-year-old Dilraj Singh Gill, an Indian origin man from Vancouver.

Investigators believed that he was killed in a targeted attack.

The shooting had happened shortly before 5:30 pm (local time) on January 22, near the 3700 block of Canada Way, Burnaby, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

The victim of yesterdays shooting in #Burnaby has been identified as 28-year-old Dilraj Singh Gill. @HomicideTeam says he was known to them and they think his murder is connected to the BC gang conflict. More at 6 on @CityNewsVAN. pic.twitter.com/Rr1G5u58By  Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) January 24, 2026

Officers who responded to reports of gunfire found a male victim suffering from critical injuries and pronounced him dead on the scene.

Officials said that the man was known to the police. He reportedly had associations with organised crime groups.

Police are investigating the homicide case in relation to the escalating gang violence in the region.

Gill had a history of drug related conviction, starting from 2021 when he was sentenced for trafficking offences relating to a 2018 arrest in North Vancouver. Police found cash, crack cocaine, and a heroin-fentanyl mix at the site.

He has also fled police and had additional trafficking charges added. Gills murder is also believed to be linked to the recent killing of Navpreet Dhaliwal in Abbotsford, according to sources who spoke to the Vancouver Sun.

Dhilawal had alleged ties to the Brothers Keepers gang and was given a public police warning.

Investigators are now seeking dash cam footage from the Canada Way and Buxton Street areas to aid the investigation.
With contradicting videos circulating on social media, the parents of Alex Pretti came to the forefront demanding the truth behind the incident.

The 37-year-old nurse was shot dead by a US Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis while the officials were conducting a raid.

Who was Alex Pretti?

Alex Pretti worked as an intensive care nurse at the Veterans Administration. He had joined protests against the ICE after the killing of Renee Good by a federal agent, Jonathan Ross, earlier this month.

"He cared about people deeply, and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis," his father, Michael Pretti, told the Associated Press.

Alex Pretti's father said he had talked to his parents "two weeks ago or so", and he had told them that he knew not to "do anything stupid" during the protests.

Though his parents were aware that he owned a gun, they did not know he carried it along with him.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a graphic on X instructing citizens on how to avoid ICE."

"Shame on the leadership of Minnesota- and the lunatics in the street," he wrote.

After the video of the incident contradicted the federal agency's version, Michael and Susan Pretti issued a statement. "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," it read.

While strongly rejecting the claims of federal officials, his parents said that he was not holding a gun in his hand when the shooting took place.

The Department of Homeland Security said that Pretti approached the federal officials carrying a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and violently resisted when officers tried to disarm him.

"He has a 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," the statement added.

Local authorities condemn the incident

After the video showing the incident got out, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said it was "sickening". "I've seen the videos, from several angles, and it's sickening," he said.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the footage revealed "more than six masked agents" beating a resident before getting shot.

Customs and Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino said Pretti intended to cause serious harm. While criticising the local authorities, US President Donald Trump asked why the local police were not protecting the federal agents.
It was a crisp spring morningMarch 23, 2023. Inside a modest building complex surrounded by leafy trees in Delhi, cheers erupted in a roar before swelling to a crescendo. A group of military scientists were celebrating a moment they had long worked towards.

Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, Indian military scientists, operating in tandem from Delhi and Hyderabad, had achieved a major breakthrough. They had cracked the code to make gallium nitride (GaN) monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs).

Turning point: A Rafale fighter; India sought GaN tecnhology as part of the deal, but was denied. In response, the DRDO launched the development of the technology | sanjay Ahlawat

That meant India was no longer dependent on foreign powers for these high-value, cutting-edge chips. Instead, it broke into a select group of six nationsthe US, France, Russia, Germany, South Korea and China.

The scene of the celebration was the DRDOs Solid State Physics Laboratory. The SSPL, which houses a 1,300sqm clean-room (controlled environment, free from contaminants), was designed for sensitive scientific work. The cheering scientistsin sterilised overalls and capsresembled characters from a sci-fi movie. Ultra-sophisticated, futuristic-looking instruments and equipment bore silent witness to the moment.

Tech support: Locally made compound chips have been used in three RISATs (Radar Imaging Satellites), each using more than 7,000 chips, of which 5,760 were made in India.

MMICsalso called compound semiconductors, because they combine more than one elementare primarily used for specialised applications. They enable superior performance, higher efficiency and faster switching speed than silicon. Compound chips are ideal for extreme environments because of greater chemical inertness and stability at high temperatures or voltages, with very low transmission loss.

Apart from GaN chips, gallium arsenide (GaAs) compound chips are also widely used. While both are superior to silicon for high-frequency data transmission, they serve distinct power requirements. GaAs chipssuited for low to moderate power needs and microwave applicationsare cost-effective (commonly used in mobile phones and satellites). GaN chips, with their superior electron mobility, are ideal for high-power and high-temperature usesthey can operate at temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius.

A GaN chip delivering 30 watts is just 3.5mm x 3mm and can switch power 300 times faster than a silicon chip. It is extensively deployed in military platformsadvanced military drones, missiles, radars, fighter aircraft and naval platforms. The most significant use of compound chips is in sensors that analyse movement, heat, sound, light and changes in pressure, and convert the physical parameters into signals. These signals are used to trigger kinetic action, as well as to monitor and measure conditions.

As warfare undergoes a paradigm shiftfrom manned to unmanned platforms, and from dependent systems to autonomous ones capable of making split-second decisionsthe role of sensors becomes central. With another technological revolution emerging through artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, the importance of compound chips is set to increase even further.

Meena Mishra

Specific uses include precise navigation, electronic warfare, range finding, night vision and surveillance, camouflage detection, target tracking, missile guidance and imaging through fog, mist and cloudscapabilities that are essential in modern warfare.

While Indian scientists developed GaAs semiconductor technology in the 1990s, GaN chips remained elusive until that Thursday morning in 2023.

Suma Varughese, director general (Micro Electronic Devices and Computational Systems & Cyber Security), DRDO, told THE WEEK that any delay or denial in access to compound semiconductor chips, particularly those based on GaN, could bring several of Indias ambitious defence programmes to a standstill.

Weeks before March 23, GaN MMICs fabricated at the Gallium Arsenide Enabling Technology Centre (GAETEC) in Hyderabad successfully cleared all functionality tests. The GAETEC is also mandated to advance GaAs technology for high-speed and high-power electronic devices.

While the SSPL develops advanced materials and technologies, the GAETEC uses the SSPLs work to produce MMICs and components. The DRDO and the Indian Space Research Organisation use them in next-generation systems.

The teams have worked day and night.... One cycle of fabrication and testing takes around 80 days and involves hundreds of processes... to be executed to its finest detail. Meena Mishra, director, SSPL

Meena Mishra, director, SSPL, said the news of the breakthrough resulted in a wave of happiness across the entire SSPL/GAETEC team. Reaching that point involved a long technology development process, said Mishra, who has been with the SSPL for 35 years. The teams have worked day and night to make it happen. One cycle of fabrication and testing takes around 80 days and involves hundreds of processes; each has to be executed to its finest detail. The final run is carried out once optimisation of all processes has been finished. In laymans language, she added, the dough is now ready; India can use it to make any bread of its choice.

The push to indigenise compound chip production was initiated by, no surprises, former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Dr Kalam laid the foundation for making indigenous compound semiconductors, said Mishra. We successfully supplied to ISRO before moving on to next-generation GaN technology.

The decisive push with regard to GaN came after foreign entities refused to share technology. Specifically, during negotiations for the purchase of 36 Rafale multirole combat aircraft from Frances Dassault Aviation under a Rs59,000-crore deal.

In 2016, the order for 36 aircraft was signed as an inter-governmental agreement, mandating a 50 per cent offset clause, said Mishra. Under the clause, French firms were required to reinvest 50 per cent of the contract valueabout Rs30,000 croreinto India through technology transfer, business opportunities and R&D. India proposed to receive GaN technology under the offset clause, but that was deemed a non-starter because of the strategic and state-of-the-art nature of the technology, said Mishra. The circuits were not denied but the technology was.

In response, the DRDO launched the development of GaN technology. To date, the SSPL and the GAETEC have designed more than 30 chips across frequencies for applications including 5G, radars, satellite communications and electronic warfare.

Foreign denials and endless delays forced us to innovate, said Varughese. Strict export controls, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulation, restricted access to compound chip technology. Earlier DRDO programmes such as LSTAR (Long-Range Solid State Active Phase Array Radar, a forerunner to Airborne Early Warning and ControlAEW&C) and AEW&C faced severe difficulties in getting them.

During the development of Netra airborne surveillance platform systems, necessity became the mother of indigenous invention, said Varughese. We took commercial lower-power GaA chips and pioneered a creative architecture to achieve mission-grade output, she said. We also launched indigenous GaN foundry efforts at the SSPL.

This echoes other episodes in Indias proud history of innovation. When, in 1974, sanctions followed Operation Smiling Buddha, India pursued indigenous solutions.

The 1998 nuclear testsOperation Shaktiunderscored a defiant Indias domestic technological capabilities. The space programme has also become world renowned for its cost-efficient solutions.

However, when it comes to GaN technology, there is still an issue. Reliable GaN fabrication requires ultra-pure precursor gases (99.99999 per cent) and reactors costing hundreds of crores, which India still imports from the US and Europe. So, we are giving the projects to the academia to be done indigenously, said Mishra.

Varughese added that depending on foreign sources for strategic electronics was no longer acceptable. An embargo can arrive overnight, she said. Self-reliance in compound semiconductors is not just about savingsit is the bedrock of sovereign capability and the launchpad for tomorrows leapfrog technologies.

Indias sustained investments in space-borne microwave and radar technologies through ISROs Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, have strengthened the domestic compound semiconductor ecosystem.

SSPL- and GAETEC-made chips support Indias SBS-3 space-based surveillance programme, which safeguards border and maritime interests. The X-band radarmissile defence and space surveillancepayload alone requires more than 9,000 MMICs, including more than 6,000 produced and screened at GAETEC. X-band components are subject to strict international trade controls.

A senior ISRO official told THE WEEK that GAETEC-fabricated MMICs are now deployed across the spectrum of ISRO missionslarge-scale societal applications to strategic radar systems and interplanetary exploration. GAETEC-manufactured MMICs are used in three RISAT-series C-band radar imaging satellites, each using more than 7,000 chips, of which 5,760 GaAs MMICs were GAETEC-made, said the official. It is a major milestone in Indias journey towards semiconductor self-reliance.

GAETECs ability to fabricate, assemble and screen mission-critical MMICs has ensured uninterrupted programme execution and a secure supply chain. The ISRO official added that GAETECs MMICs supporting space based communication, navigation, space science and interplanetary missions further demonstrate their technological maturity and reliability for space and deep space operations.

The global GaN semiconductor market was valued at approximately $3.5-$4.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $10-$12 billion by 2030that is around Rs1 lakh crore based on current exchange rates.

Ankush Bag, associate professor, department of electronics and electrical engineering, IIT Guwahati, said that as more nations establish GaN foundries for local supply, the dependency on other nations will reduce. This may create regional dominance of GaN technology, and a paradigm shift in geopolitics may be observed, he said. Furthermore, the booming commercial GaN market in chargers and 5G will reduce costs and improve manufacturing capabilities.

As more Indian companies come into the GaN market, he said, there would be a high level of monolithic integration (multiple components on a single chip) to achieve the ultimate goal of maximising performance while minimising size, weight, power consumption and cost.

The transfer of technology is available from the DRDO at nominal cost for Indian industries, said Varughese. The setting of GaN foundries will boost the economy, too.
New Delhi/Dhaka, Jan 25 (PTI) Bangladesh on Sunday expressed concern over deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina being allowed to address a public gathering in India, saying her remarks could affect the country's political stability ahead of the general elections.

In a statement issued in Dhaka, the Foreign Ministry said it was "surprised" and "shocked" that Hasina was permitted to speak at a public event in New Delhi and make political comments against the interim government, the state-run BSS news agency reported.

"This clearly endangers Bangladesh's democratic transition and peace and security," the statement said.

Hasina, 78, has been living in India after she fled Dhaka following the collapse of her government in August 2024, in the wake of a massive student-led agitation.

The ministry also referred to pending requests for her extradition under the bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries.

Bangladesh remains "aggrieved" that despite repeated requests, the matter of handing over Hasina has not progressed, while she has been allowed to make political statements from Indian soil, the statement said.

It said such actions were contrary to the norms of non-interference and good neighbourly relations between the two countries.

It underlined that the incitements by the Awami League leadership demonstrated why the interim government had banned the party's activities.

Hasina on Friday called on the people of Bangladesh to overthrow the Muhammad Yunus-led regime, saying free and fair elections will not be possible if it remains in power.

In her first public address to a gathering in India since fleeing Dhaka, the Awami League leader also said Bangladesh should urge the United Nations to conduct a "truly impartial investigation" into the events of the past year and urged the people to rise unitedly to "restore" the constitution and protect the religious minorities.

Hasina's message in a pre-recorded audio clip was played out at an event in New Delhi, and it came a day after campaigning for the February 12 parliamentary elections began in Bangladesh. The Awami League party has been barred from contesting the polls.

The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Yunus came to power following the collapse of Hasina dispensation in August 2024.

India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (TSE:CP  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CP) insider Cassandra Quach sold 4,135 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$102.35, for a total transaction of C$423,217.25.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance

Shares of CP stock traded down C$0.09 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$99.77. The stock had a trading volume of 1,359,725 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,739,985. The stocks 50-day moving average price is C$100.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$103.23. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a one year low of C$94.60 and a one year high of C$118.80. The stock has a market capitalization of C$89.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.69, a PEG ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.64, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 0.42.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSE:CP  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CP) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported C$1.10 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$3.66 billion during the quarter. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 8.22% and a net margin of 24.50%. Equities analysts forecast that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 4.3438583 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on CP. Scotiabank boosted their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$119.00 to C$124.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$137.00 to C$124.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Desjardins dropped their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$133.00 to C$130.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 12th. CIBC boosted their target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$122.00 to C$123.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, ATB Capital increased their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$124.00 to C$125.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Canadian Pacific Kansas City currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$120.23.

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About Canadian Pacific Kansas City

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Canadian Pacific is a CAD 8 billion Class-1 railroads operating on more than 12,500 miles of track across most of Canada and into parts of the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. It is the second-smallest Class I railroad by revenue and route miles. In 2021, CP hauled shipments of grain (22% of freight revenue), intermodal containers (22%), energy products (like crude and frac sand), chemicals, and plastics (20%) coal (8%), fertilizer and potash (10%), automotive products (5%), and a diverse mix of other merchandise.

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TELUS Co. (TSE:T  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TU) Director Hazel Cynthia Claxton acquired 3,445 shares of TELUS stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 24th. The stock was bought at an average price of C$17.46 per share, with a total value of C$60,149.70. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 8,403 shares in the company, valued at C$146,716.38. This represents a 69.48% increase in their ownership of the stock.

TELUS Stock Performance

T traded up C$0.20 during midday trading on Friday, reaching C$19.01. The company had a trading volume of 6,400,270 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,772,031. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$18.27 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$20.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 183.41. TELUS Co. has a 1 year low of C$17.26 and a 1 year high of C$23.29. The company has a market cap of C$29.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.85.

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TELUS (TSE:T  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TU) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported C$0.24 EPS for the quarter. TELUS had a net margin of 4.62% and a return on equity of 5.80%. The business had revenue of C$5.07 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts predict that TELUS Co. will post 1.2267985 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on T. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of TELUS from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and lowered their price target for the company from C$22.00 to C$19.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Natl Bk Canada raised shares of TELUS from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised shares of TELUS from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. National Bankshares reduced their target price on shares of TELUS from C$21.50 to C$21.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, CIBC boosted their target price on shares of TELUS from C$24.00 to C$25.00 in a research report on Friday, October 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$21.79.

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About TELUS

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Telus is one of the Big Three wireless service providers in Canada, with its 9 million mobile phone subscribers nationwide constituting about 30% of the total market. It is the incumbent local exchange carrier in the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, where it provides internet, television, and landline phone services. It also has a small wireline presence in eastern Quebec. In recent years Telus has moved to bring fiber to the home over most of its wireline footprint as it upgrades its legacy copper network, leaving it able to compete on more equal footing with cable providers.

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VirnetX Holding Corp (NYSE:VHC  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $18.43 and traded as high as $22.65. VirnetX shares last traded at $22.41, with a volume of 12,281 shares.

VirnetX Price Performance

The firms 50-day moving average price is $20.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $95.33 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.65 and a beta of 2.15.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VHC. Csenge Advisory Group raised its position in shares of VirnetX by 44.1% in the 3rd quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 59,968 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,079,000 after buying an additional 18,353 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of VirnetX by 9,676.5% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,986 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 4,935 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of VirnetX by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 172,337 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,947,000 after purchasing an additional 4,815 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of VirnetX by 4.2% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 32,357 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $351,000 after purchasing an additional 1,318 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 10.37% of the companys stock.

VirnetX Company Profile

VirnetX Holding Corporation (NYSE: VHC) is a patent licensing and technology development company specializing in secure communications and networking. The companys core business centers on the design, development and monetization of patented software solutions that enable secure domain name system (SDNS) protocols, end-to-end encryption, and real-time collaboration across voice, video and messaging services.

At the heart of VirnetXs offerings is its proprietary GABRIEL technology, an SDNS platform that underpins encrypted voice-over-IP (VoIP), video conferencing and secure messaging applications.

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3Dx Industries (OTCMKTS:DDDX  Get Free Report) and Graham (NYSE:GHM  Get Free Report) are both small-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations and risk.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for 3Dx Industries and Graham, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score 3Dx Industries 0 0 0 0 0.00 Graham 0 3 1 1 2.60

Graham has a consensus target price of $60.00, indicating a potential downside of 20.28%. Given Grahams stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Graham is more favorable than 3Dx Industries.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Risk and Volatility

69.5% of Graham shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.0% of Graham shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

3Dx Industries has a beta of 1.89, meaning that its stock price is 89% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Graham has a beta of 0.93, meaning that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares 3Dx Industries and Grahams gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio 3Dx Industries $290,000.00 1.33 -$560,000.00 ($0.01) -0.35 Graham $209.90 million 3.94 $12.23 million $1.24 60.70

Graham has higher revenue and earnings than 3Dx Industries. 3Dx Industries is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Graham, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares 3Dx Industries and Grahams net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets 3Dx Industries -171.91% N/A N/A Graham 6.00% 12.44% 5.65%

Summary

Graham beats 3Dx Industries on 14 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About 3Dx Industries

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3DX Industries, Inc. manufactures and sells consumer and corporate products using an additive manufacturing method through 3D metal printing technology, and conventional precision manufacturing processes. The company was formerly known as Amarok Resources, Inc. and changed its name to 3DX Industries, Inc. in November 2013. 3DX Industries, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is based in Ferndale, Washington.

About Graham

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Graham Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs and manufactures fluid, power, heat transfer, and vacuum equipment for chemical and petrochemical processing, defense, space, petroleum refining, cryogenic, energy, and other industries. It offers power plant systems, including ejectors and surface condensers; torpedo ejection, propulsion, and power systems, such as turbines, alternators, regulators, pumps, and blowers; and thermal management systems comprising pumps, blowers, and drive electronics for defense sector. The company also provides rocket propulsion systems consisting of turbopumps and fuel pumps; cooling systems, which include pumps, compressors, fans, and blowers; and life support systems that comprise fans, pumps, and blowers for space industry. In addition, it offers heat transfer and vacuum systems, including ejectors, process and surface condensers, liquid ring pumps, heat exchangers, and nozzles; power generation systems, such as turbines, generators, compressors, and pumps; and thermal management systems comprising pumps, blowers, and electronics for energy sector. Further, the company offers heat transfer and vacuum systems consisting of ejectors, process and surface condensers, liquid ring pumps, heat exchangers, and nozzles for chemical and petrochemical processing industry. The company also services and sells spare parts for its equipment. It sells its products directly in the United States, the Middle East, Canada, Asia, South America, and internationally. Graham Corporation was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Batavia, New York.

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Early on Sunday morning, Mumbai will awaken to an automotive time capsule. At Cuffe Parades World Trade Centre, the VCCCI Annual Vintage Car Fiesta will manifest as a high-octane fever dream. Here, a 1921 Steyr sits beside a 1979 Ford Mustang, but the real story is not the chrome; it is the devotion. This is a world where history survives on deep pockets and a stubborn belief that some things are worth the effort of repair.



Century of the phantom



This year, the Spirit of Ecstasy demands a formal bow. To mark 100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, billionaire collector Yohan Poonawalla will display the first seven generations of the model for the first time in India. The star of the show is also the 1928 Phantom I 17EX, a prototype Maharaja of Kashmir once owned. Designed by Henry Royce to hit 100 mph, in an era when most cars struggled to exceed 4045 mph, it reflects engineering dominance.



The lineage of champions continues with Nishant Dossas 1936 Alvis Speed 25, a podium finisher at Pebble Beach  it was previously owned by Maharaja Shri Pratap Chandra Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj. Dossa, son of VCCCI Chairman Nitin Dossa, views the fiesta as a bridge. It offers a rare look at the Tin Lizzie or Ford Model T, the car that put the world on wheels, he says. Despite its innocuous moniker, the car (which almost looks like a horse buggy that traded in its steeds for an engine) revolutionised the automotive industry as the first mass-produced, affordable car, putting the world on wheels. And the only such car in the country has made the long drive from Juhu to South Mumbai for the exhibition, accompanied by its proud owner Siddhartha Khona.



Architecture of rebirth



For collector and restorer Rishad Kundanmal, the craft is an internal deconstruction. Restoration, he explains, is far from a topical touch-up. It is a radical act where a car separates into three distinct systems: the chassis, the body, and the mechanical assembly. You have to respect the past, but you also have to accept that materials have evolved. Using stainless steel or modern rubbers does not change the soul of a car. It ensures it survives.



He represents a new wave of custodians who use modern metallurgy to extend the life of these machines. Authenticity matters deeply, but longevity matters just as much, he notes. We use stainless steel and aluminium where corrosion once posed a problem. Silicone rubbers replace older neoprene compounds that deteriorated quickly. The aim is not to freeze a car in time, but to allow it to survive well into the future without losing its soul.



The Sunday partnership



At 37, Yashvardhan Ruia is a rare young voice in a hobby that skews older. His collection of 150 vintage cars includes the rare Minervaa Belgian brand that famously shuttered in the 1930sand the DKW, a pre-war ancestor of the Audi. For Ruia, these are not assets; they are pieces of art. I have never been drawn to vintage cars as objects to own. A car exists to be driven, Ruia says. My entry into this world began with two cars that belonged to my great-grandfather. Once my father saw that this interest was genuine, we began collecting together.



Ruia insists on taking his cars for a spin on Sundays. A common query we receive is about mileage. At two kilometres per litre, some are gas-guzzlers, its true, he says with a laugh, adding that the curiosity they spark in the public is part of the joy.



The pink rebellion



While the men talk torque, Hiral Dossa breaks the monochrome. She will lead the Republic Day rally in a bubble-gum pink 1956 Dodge. After 26 years in this family, I decided to change things, she laughs. If you look around you, most vintage cars are navy, black, maroon or ivory.



Historian Emmanuel Bacquet, who is judging the competition, notes that restoration quality is the ultimate metric. A billionaire can spend millions to reach factory settings, but the real winner is the owner who knows the minute details of the cars history. As Mumbais humidity and monsoons threaten these delicate engines, the VCCCI continues to petition for a museum. Until then, these rallies serve as the only sanctuary for those who believe progress does not always mean moving faster.




Shares of Anhui Conch Cement Co. (OTCMKTS:AHCHY  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $14.77 and traded as high as $15.69. Anhui Conch Cement shares last traded at $15.60, with a volume of 17,557 shares changing hands.

Anhui Conch Cement Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 3.23 and a quick ratio of 2.93. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $14.77 and a 200 day simple moving average of $15.05.

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Anhui Conch Cement (OTCMKTS:AHCHY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter. Anhui Conch Cement had a return on equity of 4.68% and a net margin of 11.15%.The firm had revenue of $2.80 billion during the quarter.

Anhui Conch Cement Company Profile

Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited (OTCMKTS: AHCHY) is one of Chinas leading cement manufacturers, specializing in the production and sale of cement, clinker and related building materials. Headquartered in Wuhu, Anhui Province, the company operates an integrated network of production facilities that serve residential, commercial and infrastructure markets across multiple regions in China. Its product portfolio covers a broad range of cement types, including ordinary portland cement, blended cement and special-purpose cements for roads and high?performance construction projects.

Established in 1997 as part of the Anhui Conch Groups expansion into building materials, Anhui Conch Cement was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2003.

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Shares of Wilmar International Ltd. (OTCMKTS:WLMIY  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $24.28 and traded as high as $25.24. Wilmar International shares last traded at $25.1650, with a volume of 73,681 shares changing hands.

Wilmar International Trading Up 1.5%

The firms 50-day moving average price is $24.27 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $23.54. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

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Wilmar International Company Profile

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Wilmar International Limited is a leading global agribusiness group with a diversified portfolio spanning palm oil cultivation, edible oils, sugar, flour milling, and oilseed crushing. Headquartered in Singapore, the company engages in the processing, refining, marketing, and distribution of agricultural commodities, serving both consumer and industrial markets. Its core products include a wide range of edible oils, specialty fats, and oleochemicals used across the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries.

Founded in 1991 by Kuok Khoon Hong and a consortium of agricultural entrepreneurs, Wilmar International has grown through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures to establish a vertically integrated supply chain.

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Hydro One Limited (TSE:H  Get Free Report) shares passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$53.72 and traded as low as C$52.88. Hydro One shares last traded at C$53.13, with a volume of 681,685 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

H has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. CIBC increased their target price on Hydro One from C$52.00 to C$54.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. National Bankshares upped their price target on Hydro One from C$49.00 to C$53.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Hydro One from C$51.00 to C$53.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Raymond James Financial boosted their target price on shares of Hydro One from C$49.00 to C$53.50 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$52.95.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Hydro One

Hydro One Trading Up 0.0%

The business has a 50-day moving average of C$53.70 and a 200-day moving average of C$51.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 140.53. The stock has a market cap of C$31.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.49, a PEG ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.21.

Hydro One (TSE:H  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported C$0.70 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$1.22 billion for the quarter. Hydro One had a return on equity of 9.58% and a net margin of 13.59%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Hydro One Limited will post 2.0572195 earnings per share for the current year.

Hydro One Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were paid a $0.3331 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $1.33 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. Hydro Ones payout ratio is 59.66%.

Hydro One Company Profile

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Hydro One operates regulated transmission and distribution assets in Ontario. The areas largest electricity provider serves nearly 1.5 million customers. Transmission accounts for roughly 60% of the companys rate base, with distribution accounting for the remainder. Hydro One operates a small telecom business, Acronym Solutions, with annual revenue contributing less than 1% to consolidated results. The province of Ontario holds an approximate 47% common equity stake.

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Shares of TeliaSonera AB (OTCMKTS:TLSNY  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Saturday . The stock traded as high as $9.00 and last traded at $9.00, with a volume of 24388 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.89.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

TLSNY has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of TeliaSonera from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. UBS Group downgraded TeliaSonera from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded TeliaSonera from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy.

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TeliaSonera Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $17.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.13 and a beta of 0.35. The companys 50 day moving average price is $8.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $7.75. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45.

TeliaSonera (OTCMKTS:TLSNY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The technology company reported $0.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.12. The company had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.10 billion. TeliaSonera had a net margin of 5.48% and a return on equity of 10.49%. Equities research analysts forecast that TeliaSonera AB will post 0.34 earnings per share for the current year.

TeliaSonera Company Profile

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TeliaSonera (OTCMKTS:TLSNY) operates under the Telia Company brand as one of the leading telecommunications providers in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The company delivers a wide range of services, including mobile and fixed voice communications, broadband internet, television and streaming offerings, and enterprise-grade data and IP solutions. Its consumer segment focuses on mobile subscriptions, digital TV packages and home connectivity, while its business division provides managed network services, cloud platforms and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

The roots of TeliaSonera trace back to the 19th century with Swedens Royal Telegraph Agency and Finlands national carrier, Sonera.

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Bayer Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:BAYRY  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Buy by the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and three have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company.

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Barclays raised Bayer Aktiengesellschaft from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th.

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Bayer Aktiengesellschaft Trading Up 1.6%

Bayer Aktiengesellschaft Company Profile

Shares of BAYRY opened at $13.12 on Thursday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $10.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.71. Bayer Aktiengesellschaft has a twelve month low of $5.30 and a twelve month high of $13.16.

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Bayer Aktiengesellschaft is a global life sciences company headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany, with a history dating back to 1863. The company operates across three principal business areasPharmaceuticals, Consumer Health and Crop Scienceserving customers and markets worldwide. Bayer develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines, over-the-counter healthcare products and agricultural solutions, and maintains research and development programs focused on new therapies and technologies in its core fields.

In Pharmaceuticals, Bayer focuses on prescription drugs across therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, hematology and womens health, supporting clinical development and regulatory activities for both marketed products and pipeline candidates.

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Shares of KBC Group SA (OTCMKTS:KBCSY  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on KBCSY. Zacks Research lowered KBC Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Barclays lowered KBC Group from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of KBC Group in a report on Monday, November 24th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of KBC Group in a report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of KBC Group in a research note on Monday, November 17th.

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KBC Group Price Performance

OTCMKTS:KBCSY opened at $68.33 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $60.24. KBC Group has a 1-year low of $37.25 and a 1-year high of $68.67. The firm has a market cap of $57.08 billion, a PE ratio of 13.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.54.

KBC Group (OTCMKTS:KBCSY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $3.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.54 billion. KBC Group had a net margin of 15.91% and a return on equity of 13.96%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that KBC Group will post 4.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About KBC Group

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KBC Group is a Belgian bank-insurance group headquartered in Brussels that combines retail and commercial banking with life and non-life insurance, asset management, leasing and related financial services. The company operates an integrated bank-insurance model designed to serve both individual consumers and corporate clients, offering deposit accounts, lending and mortgage products, payment and treasury services, pension and protection insurance, investment solutions and wealth management.

The groups banking activities include retail and private banking, corporate and commercial banking, and specialized finance such as leasing and factoring.

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Shares of CACI International, Inc. (NYSE:CACI  Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the fourteen research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $654.0909.

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on CACI shares. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of CACI International from $752.00 to $787.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of CACI International in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on CACI International from $670.00 to $765.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on CACI International from $567.00 to $624.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, TD Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of CACI International in a report on Friday, October 24th.

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CACI International Price Performance

Shares of CACI opened at $661.99 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $14.62 billion, a PE ratio of 28.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.58. CACI International has a 52-week low of $318.60 and a 52-week high of $683.50. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $587.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $535.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.97.

CACI International (NYSE:CACI  Get Free Report) last released 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 15.93%. The company had revenue of $2.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.28 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.95 EPS. CACI Internationals revenue for the quarter 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. On average, equities analysts anticipate that CACI International will post 23.94 EPS for the current year.

Key Stories Impacting CACI International

Here are the key news stories impacting CACI International this week:

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of CACI International during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new position in CACI International during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in CACI International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in CACI International by 110.5% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 80 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH purchased a new stake in shares of CACI International in the second quarter worth approximately $55,000. 86.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

CACI International Company Profile

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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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Taseko Mines (TSE:TKO  Free Report) had its price objective raised by TD Securities from C$6.50 to C$12.00 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports.

Separately, National Bankshares boosted their target price on shares of Taseko Mines from C$7.25 to C$8.50 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Taseko Mines currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of C$8.58.

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Taseko Mines Stock Up 5.3%

Taseko Mines stock opened at C$10.45 on Thursday. The companys 50-day moving average price is C$7.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$6.08. The stock has a market cap of C$3.77 billion, a P/E ratio of -55.00 and a beta of 2.02. Taseko Mines has a twelve month low of C$2.38 and a twelve month high of C$10.58.

Taseko Mines (TSE:TKO  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported C$0.02 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$173.91 million for the quarter. Taseko Mines had a return on equity of 16.33% and a net margin of 12.69%. Equities analysts anticipate that Taseko Mines will post 0.2801932 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Taseko Mines Company Profile

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Taseko Mines Ltd is a Canadian mining company. It is principally engaged in the production and sale of metals, as well as related activities, including exploration and mine development, within the province of British Columbia, Canada, and the State of Arizona, the United States. The Gibraltar, Aley, New Prosperity, and Harmony properties are located in British Columbia whereas Florence copper is in central Arizona.

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WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC  Free Report) had its price objective raised by Barclays from $105.00 to $110.00 in a report released on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have an equal weight rating on the utilities providers stock.

WEC has been the topic of several other research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $131.00 price target on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Mizuho set a $125.00 target price on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research note on Monday, October 27th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on WEC Energy Group from $114.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on WEC Energy Group from $113.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded WEC Energy Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, WEC Energy Group has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $120.36.

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WEC Energy Group Stock Down 0.2%

WEC Energy Group stock opened at $109.15 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $107.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $109.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The firm has a market cap of $35.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.58. WEC Energy Group has a 52 week low of $96.37 and a 52 week high of $118.18.

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $0.83 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.86 billion. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 12.60% and a net margin of 17.75%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.82 EPS. WEC Energy Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.170-5.270 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that WEC Energy Group will post 5.23 earnings per share for the current year.

WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.9525 per share. This is an increase from WEC Energy Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.89. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $3.81 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 67.49%.

Institutional Trading of WEC Energy Group

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. CoreFirst Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of WEC Energy Group during the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd bought a new stake in shares of WEC Energy Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in WEC Energy Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new position in WEC Energy Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in WEC Energy Group by 265.8% during the 2nd quarter. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC now owns 278 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. 77.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

WEC Energy Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting WEC Energy Group this week:

WEC Energy Group Company Profile

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WEC Energy Group is a Milwaukee, Wisconsinbased regulated energy holding company whose primary businesses are the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and the distribution of natural gas. The company operates through a set of utility subsidiaries that provide bundled energy service, customer billing and energy-related programs to residential, commercial and industrial customers. As a regulated utility group, WECs operations focus on delivering reliable service while managing infrastructure investment and compliance with state and federal utility regulation.

Its utility subsidiaries include well-known regional operators such as We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, along with Chicago-area natural gas utilities that were part of the Integrys Energy Group acquisition.

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Tingyi Cayman Islands (OTCMKTS:TCYMF  Get Free Report) and Bunzl (OTCMKTS:BZLFY  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

0.1% of Bunzl shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of Bunzl 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.

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Profitability

This table compares Tingyi Cayman Islands and Bunzls net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Tingyi Cayman Islands N/A N/A N/A Bunzl N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

Volatility and Risk

Tingyi Cayman Islands pays an annual dividend of $0.05 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Bunzl pays an annual dividend of $0.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%.

Tingyi Cayman Islands has a beta of -0.39, suggesting that its share price is 139% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Bunzl has a beta of 0.9, suggesting that its share price is 10% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Tingyi Cayman Islands and Bunzls gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Tingyi Cayman Islands $11.22 billion 0.65 $519.46 million N/A N/A Bunzl $15.05 billion 0.60 $640.23 million N/A N/A

Bunzl has higher revenue and earnings than Tingyi Cayman Islands.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Tingyi Cayman Islands and Bunzl, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Tingyi Cayman Islands 0 0 0 0 0.00 Bunzl 0 5 1 2 2.63

Summary

Bunzl beats Tingyi Cayman Islands on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Tingyi Cayman Islands

(Get Free Report)

Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp., an investment holding company, manufactures and sells instant noodles, beverages, and instant food products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Instant Noodles, Beverages, and Others segments. It offers ready-to-drink teas, juices, bottled water, and carbonated soft drinks, as well as coffee drinks/functional drinks/probiotics. The company also provides property rental and management, logistics, management, and support services; and manufactures and sells bakery products. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.

About Bunzl

(Get Free Report)

Bunzl plc operates as a distribution and services company in the North America, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers food packaging, films, labels, cleaning and hygiene supplies, and personal protection equipment to grocery stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores. It also provides food packaging, disposable tableware, guest amenities, catering equipment, agricultural supplies, cleaning and hygiene products, and safety items to hotels, restaurants, contract caterers, food processors, commercial growers, and the leisure sector; and gloves, boots, hard hats, ear and eye protection, and other workwear, as well as cleaning and hygiene supplies, and asset protection products to industrial and construction, and ecommerce sectors. In addition, the company offers chemicals and hygiene paper to cleaning and facilities management companies, and industrial and public sector customers; gloves, masks, swabs, gowns, bandages, and other healthcare related equipment; and healthcare devices to hospitals, care homes, and other facilities serving the healthcare sector. Further, it provides packaging and other store supplies to retail chains, boutiques, department stores, home improvement chains, office supply companies, and related e-commerce sales channels. Bunzl plc was founded in 1854 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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Channing Tatum "bawled [his] eyes out" while watching Josephine.

Channing Tatum stars in the new thriller film

The 45-year-old actor stars alongside Gemma Chan, Philip Ettinger, Syra McCarthy and Mason Reeves in the new thriller-drama film, which focuses on an eight-year-old girl who witnesses a brutal assault in Golden Gate Park, and Channing admits that the movie took an emotional toll on him.

The Hollywood star - who has a 12-year-old daughter called Everly with his ex-wife Jenna Dewan - told Variety: "One of the scenes that got me, and I wasnt there for the filming it, is when Josephine is looking through the window and drawing things.

"I bawled my eyes out. It was such a beautiful scene. That was unexpected. There are so many moments in this movie where you think about your own child and your own childhood."

Channing admits that the movie even prompted him to re-evaluate his own parenting style.

The actor explained: "I have a daughter, and it has made me look at myself and the way I parent and what the connection is and how Im communicating things.

"This movie deals with such hard subjects, but in such a masterfully artful way. I am so proud to be in it."

Meanwhile, Channing previously confessed to feeling like "the radio contest winner" in Hollywood.

The actor is one of the biggest names in the movie business - but Channing has always struggled with his self-belief.

The actor - who worked as a stripper and as a model before finding success in the film industry - told Variety: "Anytime I see myself on the screen, it doesnt feel like a real movie. I see everybody giving these incredible performances, and I dont believe myself."

Channing confessed to being surprised by his success in the movie business.

He said: "I always felt like the radio contest winner.

"I got called in at the right time, and I got the tickets backstage, and no one told me to leave. And once you let all that go, then you can really start."
For decades, the Indian passport was seen by the middle class as a waiting rooma transient document to be traded for the blue or burgundy of a developed nation. To move abroad was not just a career move; it was a secular baptism, a guaranteed upgrade from the chaos of the subcontinent to the structured sanctity of the West.



But in 2026, the Golden Ticket is losing its lustre. As Indian metros evolve into hyper-connected, frictionless hubs of instant gratification, a quiet recalibration is taking place. The move abroad, once a leap toward the future, now feels to many like a step back into a slower, lonelier past.



The numbers tell a story of profound cognitive dissonance. While Ministry of External Affairs data shows nearly one million Indians renounced their citizenship over the last five years, a counter-current is surging. A SBNRI survey has revealed that nearly 60% of NRIs in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore are actively considering a return. Remarkably, this intent is highest among those who have spent over a decade overseas. They are finding that while they were away, the India they left behind didnt just growit leapfrogged.



The frictionless frontier vs the analogue West



The India Advantage is no longer just about sentiment; its about the sheer ease of existence. By mid-2025, Indias digital economy reached a point of total ubiquity. UPI transactions surged past 20 billion per month, accounting for 85% of all retail payments.



Life is beautifully simple here, notes Rohit Mahajan, founder of a fintech startup focused on banking commerce, AI-driven payment solutions, and merchant-funded offers. The Bharat Bill Payment System processed Rs 1.27 lakh crore in a single month in late 2025. Payments here happen faster than in London or New York.



When migrants return for holidays, consequently, the contrast is often jarring. They leave cities like Auckland or Nottinghamwhere banking can take days and healthcare is a bureaucratic mazeand return to a Mumbai where everything from a pint of milk to a home loan is a 60-second digital event.



When silence becomes a void



For Rutuja Tirbhane, who moved to Nottingham in 2023 for her Masters in Biotechnology, the romanticised peace and quiet of the West turned out to be a psychological weight. Coming from the 24/7 roar of Mumbai, the UKs 5 pm shutdown felt less like peace and more like a void.



The silence hums too loudly sometimes, she admits. While she has mastered the DIY culturebecoming her own chef and navigating Tesco runsthe undercurrent of watchfulness is ever-present. Similarly, the freedom of wide pavements is offset by the vulnerability of dark, empty streets.



This sentiment is echoed by Prathami Gore, who found the UKs Rain every other day and the distance of social circles disorienting. Despite finding a tribe within Indian student circles, the riots in Nottingham during her stay exposed a fractured social fabric. I went abroad searching for connection, she says, but I found myself increasingly isolated. She eventually chose the noise of home over the enlightenment of the West.



The cost of the clean air trade-off



However, the West still holds a powerful card: the Breathe-Ability factor. For Andrew Jacquet, a marketing professional who moved to Auckland, the trade-off was worth it. In Mumbai, the relentless hustle, construction noise, and pollution had worn him down.



I love Mumbai, but it stopped feeling like my city, Andrew says. In Auckland, the



boundary is sacred. Ive rarely replied to an email past 5 pm People value time. Yet, even he feels the sting of the Migration Taxexpensive healthcare and the absence of family. I havent seen a doctor in over a year, he confesses, highlighting a common migrant reality where physical safety is high but health accessibility is low.



The shifting mirage of the dollar dream



The financial myth that earning in dollars is the ultimate hedge is also under fire. Dr Malini Saba, founder of the Saba Family Foundation, notes, People are now asking what wealth means if it comes with emotional spontaneity. Our cities are now socially vibrant and tech-forward. The idea of validation through a foreign zip code is shifting.



The reality check is often culinary, too. For Aditya Gotad, a strategic account manager, the absence of soul in the food was a dealbreaker. There was no Charcoal Eats at your door in a minute, he laughs, but beneath the joke is a real point about the convenience culture migrants lose. Ordering food abroad is a guilty luxury; in India, its a standard utility. Aditya eventually realised that his hunger wasnt for biryani, but for the life that came with it.



The shadow of hostility



Perhaps the most urgent driver of this great recalibration is the deteriorating social climate. It is no longer just distance. Documentation from Stop AAPI Hate and the Center for the Study of Organized Hate has recorded a sharp spike in anti-Indian racism globally. Coupled with rising US deportation figures for Indian nationals in 2025, the West is starting to look less like a sanctuary and more like a fortress.



Ankush Sabharwal, CEO of CoRover.ai, notes that while top talent will always thrive globally, the average professional is finding that the quality of life in India now outpaces the struggle abroad.



As Shruti Swaroop of Embrace Consulting suggests, mobility works best when it is informed, not idealized. We are moving away from an era of Desperate Migration toward Selective Mobility.



The West can no longer offer a technological or financial upgrade to the urban Indian. What it offers is space and boundariesa chance to recalibrate the soul at the cost of the social fabric. For some, like Andrew, the spiritual quiet of Auckland is the prize. For others, like Prathami and Aditya, the frictionless chaos of India is where the heart (and the smartphone) truly belongs.



The dream hasnt died; it has just come home.




Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (NYSE:BIP  Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) has received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong 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 $41.6250.

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating and set a $44.00 price objective on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a report on Friday, January 16th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $37.00 price target on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $44.00 price objective on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd.

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Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of BIP stock opened at $35.26 on Thursday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $34.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.26 billion, a PE ratio of 52.62 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.81. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has a 1-year low of $25.72 and a 1-year high of $36.58.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP  Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.86 by ($0.42). Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a return on equity of 2.74% and a net margin of 3.70%.The company had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.05 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.76 earnings per share. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners will post 3.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.9%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 256.72%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookfield Infrastructure Partners

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BIP. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 10.1% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 31,975,602 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,051,678,000 after acquiring an additional 2,933,287 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 3.4% in the third quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 28,289,627 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $930,446,000 after purchasing an additional 926,167 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 9.1% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 7,969,421 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $262,303,000 after purchasing an additional 667,730 shares in the last quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. increased its stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 7,367,383 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $241,967,000 after purchasing an additional 431,557 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc raised its position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 6,756,827 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $222,701,000 after purchasing an additional 143,380 shares during the last quarter. 57.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Brookfield Infrastructure Partners

(Get Free Report)

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (NYSE: BIP) is a publicly traded limited partnership that owns and operates a diversified portfolio of infrastructure assets across four core sectors: utilities, transport, energy and data infrastructure. Through long-lived, regulated or contracted assets, Brookfield Infrastructure provides essential services such as electricity transmission and distribution, toll road and port operations, midstream energy logistics and fiber-based data networks.

The companys utilities division encompasses regulated electricity and gas distribution networks in North and South America, Europe and Australia, ensuring stable cash flows under current regulatory frameworks.

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Edison International (NYSE:EIX  Free Report) had its target price decreased by Barclays from $68.00 to $67.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an overweight rating on the utilities providers stock.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on EIX. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Edison International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Zacks Research cut shares of Edison International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Edison International in a research note on Monday, December 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Edison International from $67.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their price target on Edison International from $52.50 to $55.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $63.70.

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Edison International Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of EIX opened at $60.68 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $59.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.35 billion, a PE ratio of 7.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.83. Edison International has a 12-month low of $47.73 and a 12-month high of $62.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95.

Edison International (NYSE:EIX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.16 by $0.18. Edison International had a net margin of 17.24% and a return on equity of 13.62%. The company had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.31 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.51 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Edison International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.950-6.200 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Edison International will post 4.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Edison International Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 7th will be given a $0.8775 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 7th. This is a boost from Edison Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.51 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.8%. Edison Internationals payout ratio is currently 45.88%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Edison International

In related news, Director Peter J. Taylor sold 1,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.27, for a total value of $99,486.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 35,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,946,167.24. This represents a 4.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Edison International by 0.5% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 51,739,673 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,860,169,000 after buying an additional 269,556 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Edison International by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,136,256 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $638,576,000 after acquiring an additional 407,039 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Edison International by 8.0% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 10,763,984 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $595,033,000 after acquiring an additional 801,082 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Edison International by 10.8% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 6,392,459 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $329,851,000 after acquiring an additional 621,924 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in shares of Edison International by 11.2% during the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,593,002 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $288,599,000 after purchasing an additional 562,991 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.95% of the companys stock.

Edison International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Edison International is a publicly traded utility holding company based in Rosemead, California, whose principal subsidiary is Southern California Edison (SCE). As an electric utility holding company, Edison International oversees the delivery of electricity through SCEs integrated network of generation procurement, transmission and distribution infrastructure, serving millions of customers across central, coastal and southern California. The companys operations focus on reliable energy delivery, customer service, regulatory compliance and long-term infrastructure planning for a complex and high-demand service territory.

The companys activities include procuring and managing a diverse resource mix, maintaining and upgrading transmission and distribution systems, and implementing grid modernization projects.

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Sound Point Meridian Capital (NYSE:SPMC  Get Free Report) and Sprott (NYSE:SII  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

28.3% of Sprott shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of Sound Point Meridian Capital shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 18.3% of Sprott shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Volatility & Risk

Sound Point Meridian Capital has a beta of 0.32, suggesting that its stock price is 68% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sprott has a beta of 1.02, suggesting that its stock price is 2% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sound Point Meridian Capital 1 1 2 0 2.25 Sprott 0 2 2 0 2.50

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Sound Point Meridian Capital and Sprott, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sound Point Meridian Capital currently has a consensus price target of $18.90, suggesting a potential upside of 32.59%. Sprott has a consensus price target of $132.00, suggesting a potential downside of 0.00%. Given Sound Point Meridian Capitals higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Sound Point Meridian Capital is more favorable than Sprott.

Dividends

Sound Point Meridian Capital pays an annual dividend of $3.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 21.0%. Sprott pays an annual dividend of $1.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. Sound Point Meridian Capital pays out 1,500.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Sprott pays out 82.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Sprott has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Profitability

This table compares Sound Point Meridian Capital and Sprotts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sound Point Meridian Capital N/A N/A N/A Sprott 23.26% 15.01% 11.97%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Sound Point Meridian Capital and Sprotts gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sound Point Meridian Capital $64.39 million 4.54 $4.10 million $0.20 71.28 Sprott $178.65 million 19.06 $49.29 million $1.95 67.69

Sprott has higher revenue and earnings than Sound Point Meridian Capital. Sprott is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sound Point Meridian Capital, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Sprott beats Sound Point Meridian Capital on 13 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Sound Point Meridian Capital

(Get Free Report)

Sound Point Meridian Capital Inc. is an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. Its investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation, by investing primarily in third-party collateralized loan obligation equity and mezzanine tranches. Sound Point Meridian Capital Inc. is based in NEW YORK.

About Sprott

(Get Free Report)

Sprott Inc. is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides asset management, portfolio management, wealth management, fund management, and administrative and consulting services to its clients. It offers mutual funds, hedge funds, and offshore funds, along with managed accounts. Further, the firm also provides broker-dealer activities. Sprott Inc. was formed on February 13, 2008 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

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Smith Douglas Homes (NYSE:SDHC  Get Free Report) and Klepierre (OTCMKTS:KLPEF  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares Smith Douglas Homes and Klepierres net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Smith Douglas Homes 1.13% 0.12% 0.10% Klepierre N/A N/A N/A

Risk and Volatility

Smith Douglas Homes has a beta of 0.95, meaning that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Klepierre has a beta of 0.82, meaning that its stock price is 18% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Smith Douglas Homes $975.46 million 1.01 $16.07 million $1.25 15.35 Klepierre $1.33 billion N/A $1.19 billion N/A N/A

This table compares Smith Douglas Homes and Klepierres top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Klepierre has higher revenue and earnings than Smith Douglas Homes.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Smith Douglas Homes and Klepierre, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Smith Douglas Homes 2 6 1 0 1.89 Klepierre 0 2 0 1 2.67

Smith Douglas Homes presently has a consensus target price of $16.60, indicating a potential downside of 13.48%. Given Smith Douglas Homes higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Smith Douglas Homes is more favorable than Klepierre.

Summary

Smith Douglas Homes beats Klepierre on 6 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Smith Douglas Homes

(Get Free Report)

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.

About Klepierre

(Get Free Report)

Klepierre SA is the European leader in shopping malls, combining property development and asset management skills. The Company's portfolio is valued at 19.3 billion at December 31, 2023, and comprises large shopping centers in more than 10 countries in Continental Europe which together host hundreds of millions of visitors per year. Klepierre SA holds a controlling stake in Steen & Strm (56.1%), Scandinavia's number one shopping center owner and manager. Klepierre SA is a French REIT (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris and is included in the CAC Next 20 and EPRA Euro Zone Indexes. It is also included in ethical indexes, such as Euronext CAC 40 ESG, Euronext CAC SBT 1.5, MSCI Europe ESG Leaders, FTSE4Good, Euronext Vigeo Europe 120, and features in CDP's A-list. These distinctions underscore the Group's commitment to a proactive sustainable development policy and its global leadership in the fight against climate change.

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Shares of Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 104.33.

A number of research analysts have commented on LLOY shares. Barclays upped their price objective on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 100 to GBX 120 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 100 to GBX 110 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 102 to GBX 117 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating and set a GBX 103 target price on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Friday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 105 target price on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Tuesday, October 28th.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Shares of LLOY opened at GBX 101.65 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of 59.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.23. Lloyds Banking Group has a 52 week low of GBX 60.30 and a 52 week high of GBX 103.55. The firms 50-day simple moving average is GBX 96.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 87.80.

Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 11th. The financial services provider reported GBX 6.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 16.66%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Lloyds Banking Group will post 7.3199528 earnings per share for the current year.

Lloyds Banking Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Lloyds Banking Group this week:

Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and higher price targets: Deutsche Bank raised its target from GBX 100 to GBX 110 and maintained a buy rating, while JPMorgan raised its target to GBX 117  signals that brokers expect stronger upside. Deutsche Bank upgrade JPMorgan target raise

Analyst upgrades and higher price targets: Deutsche Bank raised its target from GBX 100 to GBX 110 and maintained a buy rating, while JPMorgan raised its target to GBX 117  signals that brokers expect stronger upside. Positive Sentiment: Group set to report a rise in annual profits despite a hit from the motor-finance arm  suggests core retail and margins are strong enough to offset that business-line weakness. Profit outlook article

Group set to report a rise in annual profits despite a hit from the motor-finance arm  suggests core retail and margins are strong enough to offset that business-line weakness. Positive Sentiment: Funding / balance-sheet management: Lloyds will call and redeem 500m of senior floating-rate notes one year early  reduces near-term interest exposure and signals excess liquidity or proactive liability management. Debt redemption announcement

Funding / balance-sheet management: Lloyds will call and redeem 500m of senior floating-rate notes one year early  reduces near-term interest exposure and signals excess liquidity or proactive liability management. Neutral Sentiment: Strategic tech investment: Lloyds is scaling up AI targets and planning broad workforce AI training  potential medium-term efficiency gains, but benefits are incremental and execution-dependent. AI training article

Strategic tech investment: Lloyds is scaling up AI targets and planning broad workforce AI training  potential medium-term efficiency gains, but benefits are incremental and execution-dependent. Neutral Sentiment: Broker maintains neutrality: UBS reaffirmed a neutral rating with a GBX 103 target  shows mixed analyst views despite some upgrades. UBS rating

Broker maintains neutrality: UBS reaffirmed a neutral rating with a GBX 103 target  shows mixed analyst views despite some upgrades. Negative Sentiment: Motor-finance pressure: the motor-finance business is a visible drag and could weigh on near-term profits / credit costs if conditions worsen  a risk to watch in the upcoming results. Motor finance headwind

Motor-finance pressure: the motor-finance business is a visible drag and could weigh on near-term profits / credit costs if conditions worsen  a risk to watch in the upcoming results. Negative Sentiment: Branch closures: Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland plan to close 71 UK branches in 2026  reduces costs but may hurt customer access/reputation in local markets. Branch closures list

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

We are the largest UK retail and commercial financial services provider with over 25 million customers and a presence in nearly every community.

The Groups main business activities are retail and commercial banking, general insurance and long-term savings, provided through the largest branch network and digital bank in the UK, with well recognised brands including Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows.

Our shares are quoted on the London and New York stock exchanges and we are one of the largest companies in the FTSE 100 index.

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Nabtesco (OTCMKTS:NCTKF  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $26.08 and last traded at $26.08, with a volume of 100 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.88.

Nabtesco Trading Up 0.8%

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $25.04 and a 200 day moving average of $21.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.92, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.44 and a beta of 0.09.

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About Nabtesco

(Get Free Report)

Nabtesco Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a global manufacturer of precision motion control systems and equipment. Established in November 2003 through the reorganization of Teijin Seiki and related businesses, the company focuses on delivering high-performance, reliable components that meet stringent industrial requirements.

Its product portfolio spans several core segments, including Motion Controlcomprising precision reduction gears, actuators and speed reducersTransport Systems, which supplies automatic train door mechanisms, brake systems and platform screen doors, and Aircraft & Hydraulic Equipment, covering landing-gear actuation systems, hydraulic pumps and control valves for aerospace and industrial markets.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp lowered its stake in shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 4.0% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 312,210 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 13,158 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corps holdings in Boeing were worth $67,384,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Wallace Advisory Group LLC raised its stake in Boeing by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Wallace Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,570 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $748,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Blue Barn Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Barn Wealth LLC now owns 2,594 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $544,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Boeing by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,540 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $332,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. Motco boosted its position in shares of Boeing by 5.4% in the 3rd quarter. Motco now owns 921 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $199,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the period. Finally, Encompass Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Boeing by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Encompass Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,045 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $1,089,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.82% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 1,366 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $197.66, for a total transaction of $270,003.56. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 14,656 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,896,904.96. This represents a 8.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Dana S. Deasy bought 554 shares of Boeing stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $178.88 per share, with a total value of $99,099.52. Following the acquisition, the senior vice president owned 28,442 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,087,704.96. This trade represents a 1.99% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Boeing from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $250.00 price target on shares of Boeing in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Tigress Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $275.00 price objective on shares of Boeing in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Loop Capital set a $223.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on Boeing from $277.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Boeing presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $241.26.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BA

Key Boeing News

Here are the key news stories impacting Boeing this week:

Boeing Stock Performance

BA stock opened at $252.16 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $191.66 billion, a PE ratio of -18.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.18 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a fifty day moving average of $214.08 and a 200-day moving average of $218.35. The Boeing Company has a one year low of $128.88 and a one year high of $254.14.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The aircraft producer reported ($7.47) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.51) by ($6.96). The company had revenue of $23.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.61 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($10.44) earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 30.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Boeing Company 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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iA Global Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 4,479 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $1,566,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Rockwell Automation by 5.7% during the second quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,192 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $728,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Patton Fund Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $294,000. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $281,000. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation in the 3rd quarter valued at $777,000. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group increased its holdings in Rockwell Automation by 796.0% in the 2nd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 97,367 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $32,342,000 after acquiring an additional 86,500 shares in the last quarter. 75.75% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Rockwell Automation

In other news, VP Terry L. Riesterer sold 800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $392.00, for a total transaction of $313,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 1,234 shares in the company, valued at $483,728. This trade represents a 39.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 476 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $402.02, for a total transaction of $191,361.52. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 2,401 shares in the company, valued at approximately $965,250.02. The trade was a 16.55% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 88,053 shares of company stock valued at $34,718,919 in the last three months. 0.76% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ROK has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $435.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $450.00 to $470.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Rothschild & Co Redburn lifted their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $335.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $275.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Rockwell Automation from $392.00 to $402.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $410.12.

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Rockwell Automation Trading Down 1.8%

ROK opened at $417.75 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 1.52. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $399.62 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $367.72. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 1-year low of $215.00 and a 1-year high of $429.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.77.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $3.34 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.94 by $0.40. Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 32.69% and a net margin of 10.42%.The firm had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.47 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. Rockwell Automation has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.200-12.200 EPS. Analysts expect that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 17th. This is a positive change from Rockwell Automations previous quarterly dividend of $1.31. Rockwell Automations dividend payout ratio is presently 72.06%.

Rockwell Automation Profile

(Free Report)

Rockwell Automation is a global industrial automation and digital transformation company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm designs, manufactures and supports control systems, industrial control hardware and software, and related services that help manufacturers and industrial operators automate processes, improve productivity and enable data-driven decision making. Rockwell traces its heritage to the Allen-Bradley and Rockwell automation businesses and positions itself as a provider of integrated automation solutions across discrete and process industries.

The companys product portfolio includes programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), variable frequency drives, sensors, safety components and other industrial control hardware, often marketed under the Allen-Bradley brand.

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Oxbow Advisors LLC lessened its position in General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS  Free Report) by 86.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,604 shares of the companys stock after selling 50,635 shares during the quarter. Oxbow Advisors LLCs holdings in General Mills were worth $383,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of General Mills by 4.8% in the second quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,145 shares of the companys stock valued at $267,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC raised its position in General Mills by 29.1% during the second quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 6,347 shares of the companys stock valued at $329,000 after buying an additional 1,431 shares during the period. Novem Group purchased a new stake in General Mills in the 2nd quarter worth about $905,000. Kathmere Capital Management LLC boosted its position in General Mills by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 10,082 shares of the companys stock worth $522,000 after acquiring an additional 310 shares during the period. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in General Mills by 37.1% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 23,460 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,215,000 after acquiring an additional 6,343 shares in the last quarter. 75.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other General Mills news, insider Paul Joseph Gallagher sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.15, for a total transaction of $72,225.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 48,568 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,338,549.20. This represents a 3.00% 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. Company insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

General Mills Stock Up 0.1%

General Mills stock opened at $44.56 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. General Mills, Inc. has a 1-year low of $42.78 and a 1-year high of $67.35. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $46.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $48.17. The company has a market capitalization of $23.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.58 and a beta of -0.06.

General Mills (NYSE:GIS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, December 17th. The company reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.07. General Mills had a net margin of 13.51% and a return on equity of 21.41%. The firm had revenue of $4.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.78 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.40 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. General Mills has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.580-3.790 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that General Mills, Inc. will post 4.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

General Mills Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be paid a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. General Millss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.47%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on GIS. Evercore ISI reissued a positive rating on shares of General Mills in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Morgan Stanley set a $47.00 target price on shares of General Mills and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and set a $51.00 price target on shares of General Mills in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on General Mills from $51.00 to $49.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of General Mills in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, General Mills presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $53.33.

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General Mills Company Profile

(Free Report)

General Mills, Inc (NYSE: GIS) is a multinational consumer foods company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of branded food products. Its product categories include ready-to-eat and hot cereals, baking mixes and ingredients, snacks and bars, refrigerated and frozen doughs, yogurt and other dairy products, and a variety of shelf-stable meals and meal components. The companys portfolio features widely recognized consumer brands across grocery store, mass channel and foodservice outlets.

Founded in the early 20th century and incorporated under its current name in 1928, General Mills has grown through both internal brand development and strategic expansion to become a global food company.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp trimmed its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 4.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 758,804 shares of the companys stock after selling 31,959 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corps holdings in Altria Group were worth $50,127,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Country Trust Bank increased its position in Altria Group by 400.0% in the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 415 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the companys stock.

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Key Stories Impacting Altria Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

Altria Group Stock Up 1.5%

MO stock opened at $61.92 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $58.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.62. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $50.08 and a twelve month high of $68.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $103.95 billion, a PE ratio of 11.82, a PEG ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 0.47.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.89% and a negative return on equity of 319.43%. Altria Groups revenue was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.38 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group declared that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Thursday, October 30th that allows the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to purchase up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th were given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 26th. Altria Groups payout ratio is 80.92%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MO has been the topic of a number of research reports. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Altria Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $61.00 to $63.00 in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Five research 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. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.56.

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Altria Group Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc (NYSE: MO) is a U.S.-based consumer goods company whose principal business is the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the companys operations are focused primarily on the U.S. market and include the production, marketing and distribution of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and cigars. Its flagship cigarette franchise in the United States is sold through its operating subsidiaries and is among the most recognizable cigarette brands in the country.

Altrias principal operating businesses include Philip Morris USA (cigarettes), U.S.

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Bhakti is often remembered as devotion: as song, surrender, and an intimate conversation with the divine. But in the Tamil country of the early medieval centuries, Bhakti functioned as a public challenge to hierarchy, questioning exclusion in a society where political voice belonged to kings and courts. Long before protest found the language of banners or manifestos, poetry became a means of refusal, insisting that dignity could not be monopolised by birth, ritual, or power.



The poets now known as the Nayanars and Alwars did not speak from courts or monasteries. Their verses emerged from streets, workspaces, cremation grounds, forests, and pilgrim routes. They sang in Tamil, not Sanskrit, and addressed ordinary people rather than elite intermediaries. This choice of language and setting mattered. It shifted moral authority away from ritual specialists towards lived experience. In doing so, Bhakti unsettled established social arrangements.



Who had the right to speak



The resistance embodied by Bhakti was not revolutionary in a modern, armed sense. Kingdoms remained, rulers ruled, and property relations endured. Yet Bhakti performed a quieter and more enduring subversion. It redefined who could speak about meaning, justice, and the sacred. Saints questioned the belief that birth conferred spiritual superiority. They mocked hollow ritual, exposed hypocrisy, and insisted that ethical conduct mattered more than inherited status. Poetry became a tool of refusal, a refusal to accept that dignity belonged to a few.



Figures from the margins reveal this most clearly. Nandanar, a leather worker barred from temple entry, did not ask politely for inclusion. His devotion exposed the contradiction between proclaimed piety and lived discrimination. Tiruppan Alwar, born into a community considered untouchable, produced verses later revered as profound philosophy. These were not private spiritual journeys. They were public social statements, sung aloud, forcing listeners to confront uncomfortable truths.



Shared traditions of dissent



Although rooted in the Tamil country, Bhaktis challenge to hierarchy did not remain region-bound. Similar currents shaped the Varkari movement in Maharashtra, where saints such as Tukaram, Namdev and Chokhamela wrote in Marathi, questioned caste, and placed ethical life above ritual authority. The ideas that animated Tamil Bhakti travelled through pilgrimage networks, temple traditions, and later through print and performance. Mumbai is one of the cities where these traditions live on. Through migrant communities, sabhas, temples, concert halls, and publishing networks, Tamil and Marathi Bhakti poetry continues to circulate, be performed, and be debated. The city serves as a meeting ground where devotion, labour, migration, and public culture intersect. Bhaktis questions about voice and dignity therefore do not belong to a distant past. They surface repeatedly in the cultural life of the city.



From movement to institution



Its history, however, carries a paradox. Over time, its radical energies were absorbed into institutions. Hymns that once rang out in open spaces became codified within ritual frameworks. Access narrowed again. Singing became regulated and participation restricted. Communities that shaped Bhaktis early imagination often found themselves excluded from its formal expressions. What began as a challenge to hierarchy was gradually domesticated by it.



This is not a denunciation of tradition, but a reminder of how living movements harden into structures. Bhaktis institutional afterlife does not erase its original impulse, but it warns that social critique requires constant renewal. Without that effort, even egalitarian visions risk turning into performance.



The urgency of practice



At its core, Bhakti was less about escape from the world than engagement with it. Devotion functioned as an ethical stance. The saints wrote of labour, hunger, fatigue, love, anger, and injustice. They located value in ordinary life and insisted that compassion and equality defined the sacred. In many verses, God recedes into the background, while human relationships take centre stage.



This helps explain Bhaktis wide appeal. It required no initiation, no mastery of scripture, no priestly mediation. It travelled through song, memory, and shared performance. In societies marked by rigid boundaries, it offered a shared moral language. That, more than theology, explains its endurance.



The relevance of Bhakti today lies in an uncomfortable irony. Many of the social evils the saints opposed caste inequality, gender exclusion, empty ritual, the spectacle of power persist in altered forms. At the same time, the words that once challenged these structures risk becoming reverential objects, recited and memorised but stripped of urgency. Bhaktis force lay not in repetition, but in practice.



To remember Bhakti only as devotion is to miss its courage. To remember it only as rebellion is to miss its compassion. Its most radical contribution lies elsewhere: in imagining a society where dignity is not mediated by birth, wealth, or authority, and where ethical life becomes a shared responsibility. That imagination did not belong to the past alone. It continues to speak, including from cities like Mumbai, wherever people still negotiate justice, belonging, and hope.



These questions are explored further in the book, Rebellion in Verse, which examines the Tamil Bhakti movement as a social and ethical transformation rather than a purely religious one




Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its position in shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM  Free Report) by 19.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 702,053 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 111,922 shares during the quarter. International Business Machines accounts for 0.7% of Retirement Systems of Alabamas portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned about 0.08% of International Business Machines worth $198,091,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 12.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 21,011 shares of the technology companys stock worth $4,619,000 after purchasing an additional 2,323 shares in the last quarter. Trinity Legacy Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the second quarter valued at $203,000. Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 10.6% during the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,938 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $571,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. PFS Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of International Business Machines by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 1,719 shares of the technology companys stock worth $507,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kathmere Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 17.5% in the 2nd quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 2,939 shares of the technology companys stock worth $866,000 after acquiring an additional 437 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 58.96% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently weighed in on IBM. Wall Street Zen lowered International Business Machines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, January 11th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $295.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $256.00 to $252.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $315.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $306.86.

International Business Machines Stock Performance

IBM stock opened at $292.43 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $302.13 and a 200 day simple moving average of $282.63. International Business Machines Corporation has a 52 week low of $214.50 and a 52 week high of $324.90. The stock has a market cap of $273.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.98, a P/E/G ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 0.93.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.20. International Business Machines had a net margin of 12.09% and a return on equity of 37.76%. The company had revenue of $16.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.10 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.30 EPS. The companys revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week:

International Business Machines Company Profile

(Free Report)

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM.

IBMs principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama cut its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 0.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 173,512 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 1,266 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned 0.06% of The Goldman Sachs Group worth $138,176,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Hartline Investment Corp boosted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 153.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hartline Investment Corp now owns 1,421 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,132,000 after acquiring an additional 860 shares during the last quarter. Ignite Planners LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth $239,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 4.9% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 3,379,900 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,392,124,000 after purchasing an additional 157,473 shares in the last quarter. Wells Trecaso Financial Group LLC increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Trecaso Financial Group LLC now owns 21,534 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $15,240,000 after buying an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baron Silver Stevens Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter worth $288,000. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

Shares of GS opened at $919.82 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $275.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.33. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $439.38 and a twelve month high of $984.70. The company has a 50 day moving average of $882.31 and a 200-day moving average of $801.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 15th. The investment management company reported $13.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $11.52 by $2.03. The business had revenue of $15.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.30 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.73% and a return on equity of 15.19%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $11.95 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd will be given a dividend of $4.50 per share. This represents a $18.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. This is a boost from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $4.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is currently 35.09%.

More The Goldman Sachs Group News

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, Director David A. Viniar sold 45,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $965.33, for a total transaction of $43,439,850.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 555,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $535,758,150. The trade was a 7.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders sold 68,186 shares of company stock valued at $65,820,670 in the last ninety days. 0.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. BNP Paribas Exane boosted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $775.00 to $970.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Argus lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $863.00 to $1,066.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Rothschild & Co Redburn increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $608.00 to $748.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $725.00 to $790.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $898.00.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide.

Goldman Sachs core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama boosted its stake in Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) by 19.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 347,395 shares of the restaurant operators stock after buying an additional 57,112 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned approximately 0.13% of Yum! Brands worth $52,804,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in YUM. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in Yum! Brands by 8.0% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 7,861 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,055,000 after purchasing an additional 583 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Yum! Brands by 7.0% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,226 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $478,000 after buying an additional 211 shares during the period. TD Private Client Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 19.6% during the second quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 2,502 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $371,000 after buying an additional 410 shares in the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Yum! Brands by 1.2% during the second quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,700 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,734,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the period. Finally, Dakota Wealth Management raised its holdings in Yum! Brands by 19.6% in the second quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 8,910 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,320,000 after acquiring an additional 1,461 shares in the last quarter. 82.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Yum! Brands

In other news, insider Erika Burkhardt sold 1,269 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.37, for a total value of $189,550.53. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 64 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,559.68. This represents a 95.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Aaron Powell sold 2,790 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.48, for a total value of $419,839.20. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 26,650 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,010,292. This represents a 9.48% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 30,695 shares of company stock worth $4,582,843 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

YUM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Oppenheimer downgraded shares of Yum! Brands from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Guggenheim lowered their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $167.00 to $160.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Evercore ISI upgraded Yum! Brands from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the company from $165.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $160.00 price objective on Yum! Brands in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Yum! Brands from $165.00 to $176.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $170.30.

Read Our Latest Report on YUM

Yum! Brands Stock Performance

Yum! Brands stock opened at $152.98 on Friday. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $126.75 and a fifty-two week high of $163.30. The company has a market capitalization of $42.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.82, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.67. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $152.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $148.51.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The restaurant operator reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.96 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.37 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Yum! Brands Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were issued a $0.71 dividend. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 2nd. Yum! Brandss payout ratio is presently 55.36%.

Yum! Brands 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.

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Simplicity Wealth LLC reduced its stake in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 42.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,387 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 6,921 shares during the period. Simplicity Wealth LLCs holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $709,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of NextEra Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $2,375,545,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 2.7% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 212,877,021 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $14,777,923,000 after buying an additional 5,554,603 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in NextEra Energy by 1,765.3% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 3,968,305 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $299,567,000 after purchasing an additional 3,755,563 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Group lifted its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 18.7% in the second quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 10,796,329 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $749,481,000 after buying an additional 1,701,648 shares during the period. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. grew its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 181.9% during the 2nd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 2,185,513 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $151,718,000 after purchasing an additional 1,410,200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.72% of the companys stock.

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Key Headlines Impacting NextEra Energy

Here are the key news stories impacting NextEra Energy this week:

NextEra Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NextEra Energy stock opened at $84.84 on Friday. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $61.72 and a one year high of $87.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.45. The stocks 50-day moving average is $82.25 and its 200-day moving average is $78.61. The firm has a market cap of $176.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.74.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.04 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $7.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.13 billion. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 24.72% and a return on equity of 12.42%. The firms revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.03 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group set a $87.00 target price on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. HSBC lifted their price target on NextEra Energy from $94.00 to $95.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. Argus set a $90.00 price objective on NextEra Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $96.00 target price (up previously from $84.00) on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price objective on NextEra Energy from $78.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $91.94.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on NEE

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Armando Pimentel, Jr. sold 145,140 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.91, for a total transaction of $12,178,697.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 162,693 shares in the company, valued at $13,651,569.63. The trade was a 47.15% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Ronald R. Reagan sold 10,826 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.00, for a total value of $920,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 15,643 shares in the company, valued at $1,329,655. This represents a 40.90% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About NextEra Energy

(Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc (NYSE: NEE), headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, is a leading clean energy company with both regulated utility operations and competitive renewable generation businesses. The companys principal operating subsidiaries include Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), a regulated electric utility serving customers in Florida, and NextEra Energy Resources, which develops, constructs, owns and operates a large portfolio of wind, solar and energy storage projects. Together these businesses provide electricity supply, transmission and distribution services as well as utility-scale renewable generation and related services.

NextEras activities cover the full lifecycle of power assets, from project development and construction to operation, maintenance and asset optimization.

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UniSuper Management Pty Ltd raised its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 36.2% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 348,796 shares of the natural resource companys stock after acquiring an additional 92,782 shares during the quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltds holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $13,680,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in FCX. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Freeport-McMoRan in the second quarter worth about $28,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC boosted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1,962.9% during the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 722 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 687 shares during the period. Beacon Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 59.6% during the second quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 876 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 327 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Proffitt & Goodson Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 39.8% in the third quarter. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. now owns 977 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 278 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.77% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $55.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $53.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Scotiabank upped their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $47.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $56.20.

Trending Headlines about Freeport-McMoRan

Here are the key news stories impacting Freeport-McMoRan this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat consensus: FCX reported Q4 EPS above estimates and revenue topped expectations, driven by higher realized copper and gold prices which offset lower volumes. The company reiterated financial materials and hosted a conference call. MarketBeat Earnings Summary

Q4 results beat consensus: FCX reported Q4 EPS above estimates and revenue topped expectations, driven by higher realized copper and gold prices which offset lower volumes. The company reiterated financial materials and hosted a conference call. Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and price targets lifted sentiment: recent upgrades and bullish targets helped push FCX to a new 12?month high, supporting momentum in the stock. Analyst Upgrade/12?Month High

Analyst upgrades and price targets lifted sentiment: recent upgrades and bullish targets helped push FCX to a new 12?month high, supporting momentum in the stock. Positive Sentiment: Commodity tailwinds: rising copper and gold prices materially boosted profits in Q4 and underpin revenue upside potential for 2026, a key reason investors are favoring FCX as a leveraged way to play the metals rally. Reuters: Profit Beat, Commodity Impact

Commodity tailwinds: rising copper and gold prices materially boosted profits in Q4 and underpin revenue upside potential for 2026, a key reason investors are favoring FCX as a leveraged way to play the metals rally. Neutral Sentiment: Grasberg mine restart timeline: management said the Grasberg mine (Indonesia) is on track for a Q2 restart after the deadly mudslide  a positive operational milestone but still contains execution and permitting risks. MSN: Grasberg Restart

Grasberg mine restart timeline: management said the Grasberg mine (Indonesia) is on track for a Q2 restart after the deadly mudslide  a positive operational milestone but still contains execution and permitting risks. Neutral Sentiment: Zacks/style coverage and valuation notes: Zacks flagged FCX as a top?ranked value stock for certain investor styles, increasing visibility among value-focused funds. That can attract inflows but doesnt change fundamentals. Zacks: Value Stock Callout

Zacks/style coverage and valuation notes: Zacks flagged FCX as a top?ranked value stock for certain investor styles, increasing visibility among value-focused funds. That can attract inflows but doesnt change fundamentals. Negative Sentiment: Volumes and guidance caveats: management trimmed 2026 copper sales volume guidance after Q4, and production was hurt in the quarter by the Grasberg suspension  factors that limit upside unless volumes recover. Investors Business Daily: Sales Outlook Trimmed

Volumes and guidance caveats: management trimmed 2026 copper sales volume guidance after Q4, and production was hurt in the quarter by the Grasberg suspension  factors that limit upside unless volumes recover. Negative Sentiment: Operational and cash-flow pressures: while net income rose, gross and operating profit declined and operating cash flow fell year?over?year in Q4, highlighting cost and volume headwinds that could constrain margins if metal prices weaken. Yahoo Finance: Q4 Highlights

Operational and cash-flow pressures: while net income rose, gross and operating profit declined and operating cash flow fell year?over?year in Q4, highlighting cost and volume headwinds that could constrain margins if metal prices weaken. Neutral Sentiment: Investor interest/longer-term performance: pieces on long?term returns and valuation (e.g., Benzinga/MarketBeat articles) increase retail attention but are less likely to move the stock than fresh earnings/operational news. Benzinga: 5?Year Returns

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Stephen T. Higgins sold 28,423 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.99, for a total value of $1,364,019.77. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 105,294 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,053,059.06. The trade was a 21.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 9,572 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.66, for a total value of $456,201.52. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 38,761 shares in the company, valued at $1,847,349.26. This trade represents a 19.80% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.75% of the companys stock.

Freeport-McMoRan Stock Performance

Shares of Freeport-McMoRan stock opened at $60.46 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.29, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $49.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.00. The firm has a market cap of $86.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.04, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.45. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 12 month low of $27.66 and a 12 month high of $62.13.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The natural resource company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $5.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.42 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 8.50% and a return on equity of 8.50%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.31 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 issued a dividend of $0.075 per share. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.87%.

About Freeport-McMoRan

(Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc is a U.S.-based natural resources company primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of copper, gold and molybdenum. Its operations encompass large-scale open-pit and underground mining as well as associated concentrator and milling facilities. The company produces copper in the form of concentrates and cathodes, and also recovers gold and molybdenum as co-products; its business model includes exploration, development, mining, beneficiation and the sale of bulk commodities to smelters and industrial customers.

Freeport-McMoRan conducts operations and development activities across multiple geographies, with substantial assets in the Americas and Indonesia.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its holdings in shares of Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB  Free Report) by 18.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 258,486 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 41,026 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned about 0.07% of Chubb worth $72,958,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. CIBC Asset Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Chubb by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 85,120 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $24,020,000 after purchasing an additional 2,387 shares during the last quarter. 1834 Investment Advisors Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Chubb in the third quarter valued at approximately $495,000. Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in Chubb during the third quarter worth approximately $4,103,000. PFG Investments LLC boosted its stake in Chubb by 6.6% during the third quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 2,423 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $684,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Inlet Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Chubb by 1,751.2% in the 3rd quarter. Inlet Private Wealth LLC now owns 13,236 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,736,000 after buying an additional 12,521 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.81% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, insider John J. Lupica sold 16,375 shares of Chubb stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $296.45, for a total value of $4,854,368.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 74,225 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,004,001.25. This trade represents a 18.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Timothy Alan Boroughs sold 850 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.19, for a total value of $250,911.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 1,585 shares of the companys stock, valued at $467,876.15. The trade was a 34.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 57,333 shares of company stock worth $16,629,873. Corporate insiders own 0.77% of the companys stock.

Chubb Stock Up 0.0%

Chubb Dividend Announcement

Shares of CB opened at $300.93 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 0.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $118.43 billion, a PE ratio of 12.56, a P/E/G ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.51. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $303.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $286.59. Chubb Limited has a 1 year low of $263.14 and a 1 year high of $316.94.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th were given a dividend of $0.97 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 12th. This represents a $3.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Chubbs dividend payout ratio is currently 16.19%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on CB. JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and set a $325.00 price target on shares of Chubb in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $346.00 target price on shares of Chubb in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Mizuho set a $317.00 target price on shares of Chubb in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Chubb from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Chubb from $321.00 to $327.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $323.81.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on CB

About Chubb

(Free Report)

Chubb is a global property and casualty insurance company that underwrites a broad range of commercial and personal insurance products and related services. Its offerings include commercial property and casualty coverage, specialty liability, professional and management liability, cyber and technology insurance, marine and energy, surety, accident and health solutions, and high-net-worth personal lines such as homeowners, auto and valuables protection. Chubb serves businesses, individuals and institutions with tailored underwriting and risk-transfer solutions across multiple industry sectors.

In addition to core underwriting, Chubb provides risk engineering, loss control, claims management and risk consulting services intended to reduce loss severity and help clients manage exposures.

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Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its stake in Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:NET  Free Report) by 4.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 104,186 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,325 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Cloudflare were worth $22,574,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. ORG Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Cloudflare by 101.4% during the third quarter. ORG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 139 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cloudflare in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new position in Cloudflare in the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Stone House Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Cloudflare by 700.0% in the 3rd quarter. Stone House Investment Management LLC now owns 160 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quaker Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Cloudflare by 218.6% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 166 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 306 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.68% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

NET has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Scotiabank raised their price objective on Cloudflare from $200.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Susquehanna raised their price target on shares of Cloudflare from $205.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Needham & Company LLC upped their price objective on shares of Cloudflare from $240.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Truist Financial set a $225.00 target price on shares of Cloudflare in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $230.00 price target on shares of Cloudflare in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $232.48.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Michelle Zatlyn sold 25,641 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.05, for a total value of $4,873,072.05. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 24,555 shares in the company, valued at $4,666,677.75. The trade was a 51.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Thomas J. Seifert sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.37, for a total value of $1,783,700.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 137,486 shares in the company, valued at $24,523,377.82. This trade represents a 6.78% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 619,213 shares of company stock valued at $122,370,244 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 10.89% of the companys stock.

Cloudflare Stock Performance

NET opened at $173.45 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $195.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $205.86. Cloudflare, Inc. has a 1 year low of $89.42 and a 1 year high of $260.00. The stock has a market cap of $60.76 billion, a P/E ratio of -578.17, a P/E/G ratio of 114.08 and a beta of 1.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 2.04 and a quick ratio of 2.04.

Cloudflare (NYSE:NET  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.23 by $0.04. Cloudflare had a negative net margin of 5.12% and a negative return on equity of 6.54%. The business had revenue of $562.03 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $544.65 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.20 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 30.7% on a year-over-year basis. Cloudflare has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.270-0.270 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 0.910-0.910 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Cloudflare, Inc. will post -0.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Cloudflare Company Profile

(Free Report)

Cloudflare, Inc is a global web infrastructure and security company that provides a suite of services designed to improve the performance, reliability and security of internet properties. Its core offerings include a content delivery network (CDN), distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection, managed DNS, and a web application firewall (WAF). Cloudflare also provides tools for bot management, SSL/TLS, load balancing and rate limiting to help organizations maintain uptime and protect web applications from attack.

In addition to traditional edge and security services, Cloudflare has expanded into edge computing and developer platforms.

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Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA  Free Report) by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 164,614 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 10,288 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI India ETF were worth $8,705,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF in the second quarter valued at about $31,000. WealthShield Partners LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI India ETF by 278.7% in the 2nd quarter. WealthShield Partners LLC now owns 693 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 510 shares in the last quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI India ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $40,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Bradley & Co. Private Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $53,000.

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iShares MSCI India ETF Stock Up 0.6%

INDA stock opened at $51.24 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $53.65 and a 200-day moving average of $53.54. The firm has a market cap of $8.90 billion, a PE ratio of 25.20 and a beta of 0.48. iShares MSCI India ETF has a 12-month low of $47.60 and a 12-month high of $59.49.

iShares MSCI India ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI India index, a market-cap-weighted index of the top 85% of firms in the Indian securities market. INDA was launched on Feb 2, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC reduced its position in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (NYSEARCA:PCY  Free Report) by 15.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 386,780 shares of the companys stock after selling 69,420 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF were worth $8,347,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 2.2% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 79,446 shares of the companys stock worth $1,602,000 after acquiring an additional 1,739 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its position in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 139.9% during the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 28,539 shares of the companys stock valued at $591,000 after purchasing an additional 16,642 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 15.9% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 121,867 shares of the companys stock worth $2,458,000 after buying an additional 16,745 shares during the period. Global Trust Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC bought a new stake in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $213,000. Institutional investors own 69.00% of the companys stock.

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Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA PCY opened at $21.64 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $21.72 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $21.39. Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF has a 52 week low of $18.71 and a 52 week high of $22.07.

Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Increases Dividend

Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Profile

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 23rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 20th were given a $0.1084 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.0%. This is a boost from Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETFs previous monthly dividend of $0.11.

(Free Report)

The Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (PCY) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund tracks a tier-weighted index of US-dollar-denominated sovereign debt in emerging markets with at least 3 years to maturity. PCY was launched on Oct 11, 2007 and is managed by Invesco.

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Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC trimmed its position in Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO  Free Report) by 39.1% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 5,413 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 3,482 shares during the quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Fair Isaac were worth $8,101,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Fair Isaac in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. ORG Partners LLC purchased a new position in Fair Isaac in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in Fair Isaac during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Ransom Advisory Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Fair Isaac during the third quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Fair Isaac by 66.7% during the third quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 20 shares of the technology companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 8 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.75% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on FICO shares. Oppenheimer lowered shares of Fair Isaac from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Fair Isaac from $1,900.00 to $1,960.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Zacks Research cut Fair Isaac from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Fair Isaac from $1,750.00 to $1,825.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $1,950.00 target price on shares of Fair Isaac in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $2,092.15.

Fair Isaac Stock Down 1.0%

NYSE:FICO opened at $1,542.02 on Friday. Fair Isaac Corporation has a 52 week low of $1,300.00 and a 52 week high of $2,217.60. The stocks fifty day moving average is $1,707.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1,605.17. The company has a market capitalization of $36.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 58.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.30.

Fair Isaac (NYSE:FICO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The technology company reported $7.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $7.36 by $0.38. The firm had revenue of $515.75 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $512.38 million. Fair Isaac had a negative return on equity of 43.97% and a net margin of 32.75%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $6.54 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Fair Isaac Corporation will post 24.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Fair Isaac

In other news, CFO Steven P. Weber sold 1,426 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,810.00, for a total value of $2,581,060.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 2,804 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,075,240. The trade was a 33.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO William J. Lansing sold 2,400 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,732.88, for a total transaction of $4,158,912.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 10,933 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,945,577.04. The trade was a 18.00% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 4,347 shares of company stock worth $7,691,229 over the last three months. Insiders own 3.46% of the companys stock.

About Fair Isaac

(Free Report)

Fair Isaac Corporation, commonly known as FICO, is a data analytics and software company best known for its FICO Score, a widely used credit-scoring system that helps lenders assess consumer credit risk. Founded in 1956 by Bill Fair and Earl Isaac, the company has evolved from its origins in statistical credit scoring to a broader focus on predictive analytics, decision management and artificial intelligence-driven solutions for financial services and other industries. FICO is headquartered in San Jose, California, and operates globally, serving clients across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

FICOs product portfolio centers on analytics and decisioning technologies.

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Jen Egan is still dealing with the aftermath of the Palisades Fire that damaged the home of her 83-year-old father, Paul, last January.

That has meant more than a year of going back and forth with State Farm, which has assigned three different claims adjusters to their case. Egan also hired a public adjuster to help her navigate the process, who she says has been a saving grace.

Egan and her father have received some payouts and are preparing to make repairs to the home. But this week, they received an estimate for compensation that falls tens of thousands of dollars short of what Egan said they have already paid out of pocket to address a brush violation issued by the fire department, and to conduct soil testing.

She is growing more frustrated. No ones asking for a new jacuzzi, Egan said. We want my father to be able to return to a safe and habitable home.

Stories like the Egans are all too common after last years deadly Los Angeles County fires. State Farm says it has paid $5 billion so far on more than 13,500 claims. But survivors express frustration over insurers poor and delayed communication.

State Farm customer Rebecca McGrew has no outstanding complaints about her claims after her Altadena home burned down  except that she was drastically under-insured by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many others like her have realized  too late  that their insurance payouts wont cover all of their rebuilding costs.

Survivors and community organizations that have formed after the fires have asked their local and state elected officials for help in dealing with these varied issues. Some of the bills introduced in response to survivors experiences include attempts to address the transparency and timeliness related to insurers handling of fire claims.

More stringent requirements for insurers

Senate Bill 876 is a wide-ranging bill that seeks to make various amendments to the states insurance code. They include getting insurance companies to share their disaster-recovery plans with the insurance department; doubling penalties from $5,000 to $10,000 for each violation of fair claims practices during declared emergencies; and requiring insurers to notify policyholders within five days when theyre assigned a new adjuster.

In addition, the legislation, proposed by new Senate Insurance Committee Chair Steve Padilla and sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara:

1. Expands policy limits for required payments for additional living expenses by 100% in case of a total loss.

2. Requires upfront, cash-value payments be made within 30 days of a contract to buy or rebuild a home.

3. Requires insurers to offer extended and guaranteed replacement cost coverage when writing policies.

4. Applies building-code upgrade coverage at the time of a rebuild.

People need a sense, particularly when they face tragedy, that the underwriters theyve relied on and paid into for decades, will want to help and not get in the way (of recovery), said Padilla, a Democrat from Chula Vista, in an interview with CalMatters.

He acknowledged that the insurance industry will have objections to his bill, but said the companies know that they need to provide adequate coverage for the health of the insurance market.

Padilla is right about the industrys opposition. It appears these measures would worsen the current affordability and availability crisis for Californians just as we are starting to implement the Commissioners Sustainable Insurance Strategy to restore a healthy and competitive market, said Seren Taylor, vice president at Personal Insurance Federation of California, in an email.

Laras strategy, which went into effect last January just days before the L.A.-area fires, aims to get insurance companies to start writing policies in the state again, especially in areas at high risk of fires. Many insurers had pulled back from the state in the past few years, complaining of increasing fire risks and state regulations that they said slowed down their ability to match prices to those risks.

Tornadoes and drones

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 877 would require insurance companies to provide claims-related documents to policyholders within 15 days. Co-authored by Democratic Sens. Sasha Renee Perez of Pasadena and Ben Allen of El Segundo, the legislation would also require insurers to disclose changes to repair estimates, who approved them and why.

Senate Bill 878 would require insurers to pay interest of 20% annually if they fail to meet deadlines for claims payments. The bill, also written by Perez and Allen, will compel companies to submit to the states insurance department a report, signed by a corporate officer under penalty of perjury, that shows the companys compliance with prompt payments requirements.

In the Assembly, lawmakers plan to introduce bills that will continue to make sure we have oversight (of insurers), said Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, the Los Angeles-area Democrat who also chairs the Assembly Insurance Committee, in an interview. She said she expects bills to address strengthening and modernizing the FAIR Plan, as well as mitigation efforts for natural disasters.

She mentioned that California has to deal with fires, floods, earthquakes and, last year, something rare: Last year, we had two small tornadoes in urban Los Angeles. I cant remember another year when its happened.

Calderon is trying again to regulate insurers use of drone images by introducing Assembly Bill 1559. Her similar effort last year passed the Assembly and made it through some Senate committees but ultimately didnt advance. This years bill would require companies to notify consumers about when they plan to take aerial images of their properties; ban insurers from ending coverage based on drone images taken more than 180 days before sending notice of that decision to policyholders; and require companies to provide the images to policyholders, allowing them to dispute accuracy and to take action if needed before having their policies terminated.

Weve been hearing from consumers that theyve been blindsided by these images that were inaccurate, she said. I believe homeowners should have the right to request an in-person inspection.

She also intends to introduce legislation to implement recommendations from a forthcoming report about the California Wildfire Fund that she expects to include provisions related to the availability and affordability of property insurance in the state.

___

This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

By LEVI SUMAGAYSAY/CalMatters

CalMatters
Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd increased its stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 13.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 27,145 shares of the railroad operators stock after buying an additional 3,254 shares during the quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltds holdings in Union Pacific were worth $6,416,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at $1,856,340,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 22,618.2% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,624,636 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $603,876,000 after acquiring an additional 2,613,083 shares during the period. Amundi grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 35.6% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 4,782,577 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,134,236,000 after purchasing an additional 1,255,231 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild & Co Wealth Management UK Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3,536.2% in the second quarter. Rothschild & Co Wealth Management UK Ltd now owns 1,011,677 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $232,767,000 after buying an additional 983,855 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in Union Pacific by 32.8% in the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,152,042 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $725,222,000 after acquiring an additional 778,411 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Union Pacific Stock Down 0.7%

UNP opened at $229.67 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $136.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.51, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.99. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $231.23 and a 200-day moving average price of $226.87. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $204.66 and a twelve month high of $256.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last posted 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 quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.75 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th were given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio is 46.90%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on UNP shares. Susquehanna reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th. Barclays reissued an overweight rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up previously from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. UBS Group set a $253.00 price objective on Union Pacific and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Citigroup set a $264.00 price target on Union Pacific and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $258.18.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on UNP

Union Pacific Company Profile

(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 two?thirds of the United States.

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Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 2.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $171.94 and last traded at $173.3460. 12,903,164 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 25% from the average session volume of 17,195,064 shares. The stock had previously closed at $177.18.

Alibaba Group News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Alibaba Group this week:

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Positive Sentiment: Arete Research upgraded BABA from Neutral to Buy and set a $190 price target; the upgrade triggered an intraday rally as investors responded to improved analyst conviction. Article Title

Arete Research upgraded BABA from Neutral to Buy and set a $190 price target; the upgrade triggered an intraday rally as investors responded to improved analyst conviction. Positive Sentiment: Reports that Alibaba is preparing to restructure and list its AI chip arm, T?Head, have driven optimism that a spinoff/IPO could unlock value and position the company in the hot AI?accelerator market  multiple outlets cite people familiar with the plan. Article Title

Reports that Alibaba is preparing to restructure and list its AI chip arm, T?Head, have driven optimism that a spinoff/IPO could unlock value and position the company in the hot AI?accelerator market  multiple outlets cite people familiar with the plan. Positive Sentiment: Brokerage coverage is tilted favorable: a consensus Moderate Buy from brokerages reinforces the bullish analyst tone and supports investor interest. Article Title

Brokerage coverage is tilted favorable: a consensus Moderate Buy from brokerages reinforces the bullish analyst tone and supports investor interest. Neutral Sentiment: Multiple news outlets reported the T?Head IPO story and intraday share pops/pre?market rallies; these are market?reaction pieces rather than official filings  the long?term impact depends on deal structure, timing and regulatory filings. Article Title

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on BABA shares. Freedom Capital cut shares of Alibaba Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Erste Group Bank upgraded Alibaba Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered Alibaba Group from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Alibaba Group from $218.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Macquarie restated an outperform rating on shares of Alibaba Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Eighteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $192.72.

Alibaba Group Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 1.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $413.85 billion, a PE ratio of 23.94, a P/E/G ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.37. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $156.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $150.02.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alibaba Group

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Primecap Management Co. CA raised its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 20,764,276 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $2,354,877,000 after buying an additional 140,579 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its position in Alibaba Group by 1,074.9% during the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 6,038,318 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $1,079,229,000 after acquiring an additional 5,524,354 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Alibaba Group by 0.5% during the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 5,293,597 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $946,125,000 after acquiring an additional 26,156 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Alibaba Group during the second quarter worth approximately $527,243,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 17.7% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,987,539 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $533,964,000 after acquiring an additional 448,484 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.47% of the companys stock.

Alibaba Group Company Profile

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Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of co?founders. 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 high?profile 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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Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:ELPC  Get Free Report) was up 2.3% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $10.34 and last traded at $10.2960. Approximately 182,930 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 20% from the average daily volume of 152,056 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.06.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ELPC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel in a research note on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel currently has an average rating of Buy.

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Get Our Latest Research Report on Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $7.66 billion, a PE ratio of 20.19 and a beta of 0.03. The stocks 50 day moving average is $9.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.98.

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel (NYSE:ELPC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $1.28 billion for the quarter.

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 5th will be paid a $0.3299 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 5th. Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copels dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 135.29%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ELPC. Allworth Financial LP purchased a new stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel by 8,715.5% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 5,113 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 5,055 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel during the 4th quarter worth $96,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel by 35,238.9% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 12,722 shares of the companys stock valued at $121,000 after acquiring an additional 12,686 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel by 1,624.7% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 19,575 shares of the companys stock valued at $186,000 after acquiring an additional 18,440 shares during the last quarter.

About Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel

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Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel is a Brazilian utility company primarily engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. Established in 1954, Copel operates a diversified portfolio of power plants, with a strong emphasis on hydroelectric facilities supplemented by thermal and renewable energy sources. The companys integrated network spans the entirety of Parana state, delivering electricity services to residential, commercial and industrial customers through a combination of high-voltage transmission lines and local distribution networks.

In addition to its core power business, Copel has expanded into telecommunications through its Copel Telecom subsidiary.

Further Reading

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Luda Technology Group Limited (NYSEAMERICAN:LUD  Get Free Report)s share price was up 5.5% on Friday . The company traded as high as $9.52 and last traded at $9.52. Approximately 3,697 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 39% from the average daily volume of 6,076 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.02.

Luda Technology Group Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.54 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.39.

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About Luda Technology Group

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Luda Technology Group Ltd (AMEX:LUD) is a US-listed technology company specializing in the development and commercialization of artificial intelligence and autonomous system solutions. The companys core expertise lies in SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) and advanced perception algorithms, enabling real-time 3D mapping, navigation and obstacle avoidance for robotic and unmanned platforms. Ludas technology base supports applications ranging from indoor service robots to outdoor autonomous vehicles.

Its product suite comprises both hardware modules and software development kits designed for integration by original equipment manufacturers and system integrators.

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Gadsden Properties (OTCMKTS:GADS  Get Free Report) and Apartment Investment and Management (NYSE:AIV  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership and valuation.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

83.3% of Apartment Investment and Management shares are held by institutional investors. 5.0% of Gadsden Properties shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 4.0% of Apartment Investment and Management shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Gadsden Properties and Apartment Investment and Management, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Gadsden Properties 0 0 0 0 0.00 Apartment Investment and Management 1 0 1 0 2.00

Volatility & Risk

Apartment Investment and Management has a consensus target price of $10.00, indicating a potential upside of 69.64%. Given Apartment Investment and Managements stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Apartment Investment and Management is more favorable than Gadsden Properties.

Gadsden Properties has a beta of -8.8, meaning that its share price is 980% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Apartment Investment and Management has a beta of 1.38, meaning that its share price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Gadsden Properties and Apartment Investment and Managements gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Gadsden Properties N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Apartment Investment and Management $208.68 million 4.07 -$102.47 million $1.72 3.43

Gadsden Properties has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Apartment Investment and Management.

Profitability

This table compares Gadsden Properties and Apartment Investment and Managements net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Gadsden Properties N/A N/A N/A Apartment Investment and Management 125.34% -98.07% -7.13%

Summary

Apartment Investment and Management beats Gadsden Properties on 7 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Gadsden Properties

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Gadsden Properties, Inc. is a Nevada corporation that was formed on December 28, 2010. Gadsden concentrates primarily on investments in high quality income-producing assets, residential developments and other opportunistic commercial properties in secondary and tertiary markets across the United States. The Company derives value from smaller, flexible retail investments that range from $5 million to $50 million and off-market mixed-use properties ranging from $50 million to $250 million. As a result of this chosen strategy, we believe that Gadsden is developing a unique competitive advantage that generally allows the Company to invest in markets and assets that are often overlooked by larger institutional investors, such as publicly-traded REITs and other large institutional investors. As part of its strategy, Gadsden attracts specific sellers that prefer the tax deferral advantages offered through issuing operating partnership units in exchange for their properties. These real estate assets are typically operated by independent owners that are seeking to monetize their real estate holdings, and who are typically not well capitalized or well-seasoned real estate operators. These transactions create a variety of outcomes for Gadsden and the sellers typically resulting in lease-up and value-added opportunities that may not be otherwise achieved.

About Apartment Investment and Management

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Apartment Investment & Management Co. operates as a real estate investment trust that engages in the acquisition, ownership, management and redevelopment of apartment properties. The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Denver, CO.

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Clariant AG (OTCMKTS:CLZNF  Get Free Report) shares passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $9.66 and traded as low as $9.05. Clariant shares last traded at $9.05, with a volume of 1,465 shares changing hands.

Clariant Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $8.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.65.

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Clariant Company Profile

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Clariant is a Swiss specialty chemicals company headquartered in Muttenz, Switzerland, with roots tracing back to a 1995 spin-off from Sandoz. The company operates globally through a network of production sites, innovation centers and sales offices in more than 100 countries. Its focus on research and development has positioned Clariant as a key supplier of high-performance chemical solutions across diverse market segments.

The companys portfolio is organized into three core segments: Care Chemicals, Adsorbents & Additives and Catalysis.

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Shares of Tavistock Investments Plc (LON:TAVI  Get Free Report) crossed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 4.45 and traded as low as GBX 3.30. Tavistock Investments shares last traded at GBX 3.30, with a volume of 910,498 shares trading hands.

Tavistock Investments Trading Down 7.0%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.56, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 3.89. The company has a market cap of 14.55 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 0.02. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 3.85 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 4.45.

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Tavistock Investments (LON:TAVI  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, December 23rd. The company reported GBX (0.33) earnings per share for the quarter. Tavistock Investments had a negative net margin of 3.23% and a negative return on equity of 3.14%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Tavistock Investments Plc will post 0.1312566 EPS for the current year.

Tavistock Investments Company Profile

Tavistock Investments Plc provides investment management and advisory support services to a network of financial advisers in the United Kingdom. The company offers investment planning, financial planning, pension and retirement planning, estate and legacy planning, protection and insurance, will writing, bereavement notification, employee benefits, protects families from financial difficulty, finance for homes and mortgages, financial management, financial planning, and tax saving services. Tavistock Investments Plc was incorporated in 2004 and is based in Ascot, the United Kingdom.

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Great Atlantic Resources Corp. (CVE:GR  Get Free Report) rose 45.5% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as C$0.17 and last traded at C$0.16. Approximately 1,451,973 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 478% from the average daily volume of 251,343 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.11.

Key Headlines Impacting Great Atlantic Resources

Here are the key news stories impacting Great Atlantic Resources this week:

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Positive Sentiment: Sharp intraday move on heavy volume  Trading activity is far above normal, suggesting speculative buying or a momentum move thats driving the rally. High volume can attract more short-term traders and algos. Article Title

Sharp intraday move on heavy volume  Trading activity is far above normal, suggesting speculative buying or a momentum move thats driving the rally. High volume can attract more short-term traders and algos. Positive Sentiment: Price moved above both the 50-day (C$0.08) and 200-day (C$0.11) moving averages, a technical sign that momentum traders may interpret as bullish. Article Title

Price moved above both the 50-day (C$0.08) and 200-day (C$0.11) moving averages, a technical sign that momentum traders may interpret as bullish. Neutral Sentiment: No clear company press release or fundamental catalyst cited in the recent pieces  the coverage focuses on price action and whether the stock is a buy, rather than announcing operational or financial news. That increases the chance this move is market-driven rather than news-driven. Article Title

No clear company press release or fundamental catalyst cited in the recent pieces  the coverage focuses on price action and whether the stock is a buy, rather than announcing operational or financial news. That increases the chance this move is market-driven rather than news-driven. Negative Sentiment: Small market cap and weak fundamentals  market cap ~C$10.4M, negative P/E, very low reported current ratio (0.05) and odd debt/equity metrics; these make the stock high-risk and sensitive to volatility. Article Title

Small market cap and weak fundamentals  market cap ~C$10.4M, negative P/E, very low reported current ratio (0.05) and odd debt/equity metrics; these make the stock high-risk and sensitive to volatility. Negative Sentiment: High volatility and low float dynamics  the stocks beta (~2.4), recent volume spike (1.45M vs. avg ~251k) and small cap profile increase the chance of rapid reversals and illiquidity on exits. Short-term traders can drive big moves, but longer-term investors face elevated risk. Article Title

Great Atlantic Resources Stock Up 45.5%

The firm has a market cap of C$10.38 million, a PE ratio of -4.00 and a beta of 2.42. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of C$0.08 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$0.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of -21.63, a current ratio of 0.05 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

Great Atlantic Resources Company Profile

Great Atlantic Resources Corp., an exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mineral properties in Canada. It explores for gold, silver, lead, zinc, tungsten, antimony, copper, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, and other precious and base metals. The company holds interest in the Golden Promise project located in central Newfoundland. It holds interests in Glenelg Vanadium, Kagoot Brook Cobalt, MacDougal Road, Keymet, Mascarene, Mount Raymond, and Porcupine properties located in New Brunswick; Pilley's Island and South Quarry properties located in Newfoundland; and Mitchell Brook property located in Nova Scotia.

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NAHARIYA, Israel (AP)  Israel said Sunday its military was conducting a large-scale operation to locate the last hostage in Gaza, as Washington and other mediators pressure Israel and Hamas to move into the next phase of their ceasefire.

The statement came as Israels Cabinet met to discuss the possibility of opening Gazas key Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and a day after top U.S. envoys met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about next steps.

The return of the remaining hostage, Ran Gvili, has been widely seen as removing the remaining obstacle to moving ahead with opening the Rafah crossing and proceeding with the U.S.-brokered ceasefires second phase.

Late Sunday, Netanyahus office in a statement said: Upon completion of this operations, and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the United States, Israel will open the Rafah crossing. It gave no details on how long that would be, but Israeli military officials were quoted in local media as saying the operation could take days to complete.

The return of all remaining hostages, alive or dead, has been a central part of the first phase of the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10. Before Sunday, the previous hostage was recovered in early December.

While Israel has carried out search efforts before for Gvili, more detail than usual was released about this one. Israels military said it was searching a cemetery in northern Gaza near the Yellow Line, which marks off Israeli-controlled parts of the territory.

Separately, an Israeli military official said Gvili may have been buried in the Shijaiya-Tuffah area of Gaza City, and that rabbis and dental experts were on the ground with specialized search teams. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing an operation still under way.

Gvilis family has urged Netanyahus government not to enter the ceasefires second phase until his remains are returned.

But pressure has been building, and the Trump administration has already declared in recent days that the second phase is under way.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of dragging its feet in the recovery of the final hostage. Hamas in a statement Sunday said it had provided all the information it had about Gvilis remains, and accused Israel of obstructing efforts to search for them in areas of Gaza under Israeli military control.

A U.N. agency office is set ablaze

The shuttered headquarters of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees in east Jerusalem was set ablaze overnight, days after Israeli bulldozers demolished parts of the compound.

It was not known who started the fire. Israeli settlers were observed at night looting the main building for furniture, said Roland Friedrich, the agencys West Bank director. He said multiple holes were cut in the fence.

Israels fire department said it sent teams to prevent the blaze from spreading. In May 2024, UNRWA said it was closing its compound after settlers set fires to its fence.

Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini of the agency, also known as UNRWA, told The Associated Press the incident was the latest attack on the U.N. in the ongoing attempt to dismantle the status of Palestine refugees.

UNRWAs mandate is to provide aid and services to some 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, as well as 3 million more refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. But its operations were curtailed last year when Israels Knesset passed legislation severing ties and banning it from functioning in what it defines as Israel, including east Jerusalem.

Israel has long railed against the agency, accusing it of being infiltrated by Hamas and alleging that some of its employees were involved in the 2023 attack that triggered Israels two-year war in Gaza. UNRWA leaders have said they took swift action against the employees accused of taking part in the attack, and have denied allegations that the agency tolerates or collaborates with Hamas.

___

Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

___

Associated Press writer Julia Frankel in Jerusalem contributed.

By NATALIE MELZER

Associated Press
Charlotte O'Hara is a long-shot candidate for Guv in Kansas but right now she's a leading local commentator and one of the fieriest critics of a deal favoring BILLIONAIRE Clark Hunt.

Many might not agree with her politics but there is no doubt she's ON POINT with her analysis of this deal:

"I have been researching the Unified Government's 2026 budget documents and it's not a pretty picture. Median value of a home in Wyandotte County sky rocketed 40% from $160,000 to $224,000 in 2024 with property taxes increasing in tandem. Sales tax revenues are flat and the use tax collected at the race track and West Village are projected to decline from $18 million (2025) to $12 million for 2026. An EYE POPPING 30% decline. Just where is the incremental increase of KCK and Wyandotte County sales tax going to come from to pay for the Chiefs' $2.775 billion Star Bond deal (projected to cost at least $6 billion with interest)?"

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 25. Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova has met with Chairman of the Consultative Council of the Kingdom of Bahrain Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh as part of her official visit to this country on 25 January, Trend reports, citing the press and public relations department of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh welcomed the Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan warmly and expressed his belief that this visit would contribute to a further deepening of the relations between our countries and parliaments. He said that his country is interested in expanding co operation with Azerbaijan and emphasised the importance of expanding the inter parliamentary ties further in this context.

Having witnessed her appreciation of the high-level hospitality, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova stressed that the first official visit of Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament to the Kingdom of Bahrain would allow for negotiations about deepening of our relations further.

As was remarked in the conversation, our peoples share common religious and cultural values that unite our friendly countries. Stressing the existence of a great potential for development of the bilateral relations in all areas, the parties voiced a confidence that political contacts and the exchange of reciprocal visits between the two states concerning various spheres will contribute to the development of the ties.

The positive co operation between our countries in the format of various international and regional organisations, such as the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Co operation and the Non Aligned Movement, was also brought u at the meeting, as was satisfaction was with the mutual support in these organisations.

The conversation addressed issues of the co operation between the legislative bodies. The effective co operative links established between the legislative bodies of Azerbaijan and Bahrain were pointed up, The reciprocal visits of Speakers of Parliament of both countries had promoted the deepening of this relationship.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova recalled fondly her previous encounters with the Chairman of the Consultative Council, including Ali bin Saleh Al Salehs participation in the conference of the Non Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network in the city of Manama. It was emphasised that the Parliament of Bahrain is represented at all the conferences and parliamentary events of this important parliamentary platform, including in the governing bodies of the Organisation.

The meeting also saw an exchange of views regarding other matters of shared interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 25. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova had a meeting with Chairman of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain Ahmad bin Salman Al-Musallam in the course of her official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 25 January, Trend reports, citing the press and public relations department of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

Saying that the Kingdom was keen on furthering the relations with Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain Ahmad bin Salman Al-Musallam indicated the interest in consistent and purposeful continuation of the existing co operation between our countries in the political and economic areas as well as within international organisations.

Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended and mentioned the fact that it was for the second time that she was paying a visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, recalling with pleasure the visits to Azerbaijan of Speakers of Parliament of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the past periods and the meetings held. Speaker of the Milli Majlis remarked that the current visit was her first official one to the Kingdom of Bahrain as Speaker and that the visit coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Bahrain. She said also that the opening of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Bahrain last year had moved our bilateral relations to a new stage.

It was said that during the visit the Speaker of the Milli Majlis would also participate in the 16th plenary session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and that this platform contributes materially to the expansion of inter parliamentary co operation.

It was emphasised that political contacts, visits being undertaken and consultations being held play an important role in deepening the ties; the existence of good opportunities for further development of the co operation in the areas of economy, trade, investments, tourism and education was underscored. In particular, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis, who referred to the connections in the humanitarian fields, said that last years visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain by Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Head of the IDEA Public Association Leyla Aliyeva and Head of the Baku Media Centre Arzu Aliyeva, and the MAMA  Mother Nature exhibition organised to high standards within the itinerary of that visit in Manama indicated the high level of existing relations in this direction.

Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, whilst highlighting the successful collaboration between our countries in the formats of such international and regional organisations as the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Co operation and the Non Aligned Movement, expressed high appreciation of the support by the Kingdom of Bahrain for Azerbaijans just position on these platforms.

As she was underlining the significance of parliamentary diplomacy in the progress of inter state relations, Sahiba Gafarova voiced the laudatory assessment of the current active co operation between the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Bahrain. The successful co operation of the parliaments, both bilaterally and on international platforms such as the Inter Parliamentary Union, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States and the Non Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network (NAM PN), was mentioned as well. It was said that Azerbaijan had supported the chairmanship candidacy of the Parliament of Bahrain in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, and contentment was expressed with that the chairmanship of the Assembly would be handed over to the Bahraini side. At the same time, satisfaction was expressed with the close co operation within the NAM PN.

There was at the meeting also an exchange of views upon other topics of interest to both parties.
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Turkmen exchange quotations decline amid light industry slowdown

Photo: State commodity and raw materials exchange of Turkmenistan (SCRMET)

During the January 23 trading session at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan (SCRMET), the total value of external quotations decreased, primarily due to a slowdown in the light industry sector, Trend reports via SCRMET.

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Cultural & Historical Significance

Bardaric emerged during the Migration Period as a Germanic name combining 'bard' (battle-ax) and 'ric' (ruler), reflecting the warrior culture of early medieval Europe. The name gained Christian significance as many early bearers were military leaders who later converted to Christianity, using their martial skills to defend Christian communities. Throughout the Middle Ages, Bardaric became associated with noble families who balanced military prowess with religious devotion, particularly in Frankish and Germanic territories where Christianization transformed traditional warrior values into chivalric ideals.



The name represents the fusion of Germanic warrior traditions with emerging Christian morality, embodying the ideal of the Christian soldier who fights for both earthly and spiritual causes. This dual heritage made Bardaric particularly significant during the Crusades era, when Christian knights sought to reconcile their military vocation with their faith. The name's persistence through centuries reflects the enduring appeal of strong leadership combined with moral purpose in Christian European culture.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 25. Recent U.S. engagement in Venezuelas oil sector could support future production growth and benefit American companies if it leads to policy changes encouraging foreign investment, Fitch Ratings said, Trend reports.

The agency noted that meaningful gains would likely require substantial investment and time, and that incentives remain limited in a global market currently oversupplied with crude.

On January 3, US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife had been detained and taken out of the country. He noted that the US had successfully carried out a large-scale operation against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro.

"This operation was carried out in conjunction with US law enforcement agencies," Trump noted.

Later on, Trump said during a press conference that the U.S. oil companies will spend billions of dollars to fix the oil infrastructure in Venezuela.

"As everyone knows, the oil business in Venezuela has been a bust, a total bust for a long period of time. They were pumping almost nothing by comparison to what they could have been pumping and what could have taken place. We're going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country," he noted.

Oil prices saw a choppy session on January 5 as markets digested the impact of the developments in Venezuela.

ICE Brent crude briefly dipped below $60 per barrel during trading but settled 1.66% higher at $61.76/bbl. European natural gas prices came under further pressure, with TTF futures sliding more than 5.5% on the day.

While a rapid rise in Venezuelan crude exports could put pressure on Canadian oil prices, Fitch said any impact on credit ratings would likely be limited due to the financial resilience of Canadian producers. U.S. refiners, particularly those with complex facilities able to process heavy crude, could benefit from access to Venezuelas reserves and opportunities to invest in infrastructure rehabilitation.

Fitch warned that Venezuelas oil sector would need significant rebuilding before production could approach previous peaks of more than three million barrels per day, with any substantial increase taking years to materialize. A broadly oversupplied market and expected price declines in 2026 further limit incentives for major investment.

In North America, exploration and production companies are expected to continue focusing on consolidation and cost control, with potential for additional capital expenditure cuts if prices weaken further.

For Canadian producers, a rebound in Venezuelan heavy crude could pose a modest competitive challenge, but infrastructure expansions, including the Trans Mountain pipeline extension, have diversified export markets. Fitch-rated Canadian companies  Canadian Natural Resources, Suncor Energy, and Cenovus Energy  maintain strong credit profiles due to reserve life and conservative financial policies, despite higher operating costs for oil sands relative to shale.
Saudi Arabia-UAE Conflict and Options for India

The challenge for New Delhi is not choosing between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi  but navigating a Gulf that is no longer strategically monolithic.

[Prime Minister Modi with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi]

When United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan flew to New Delhi on January 19 for a visit that lasted barely three hours, the optics were as striking as the substance. In that compressed window, India and the UAE announced their intention to conclude a framework agreement for a strategic defence partnership, alongside cooperation spanning LNG supply, space, nuclear technology, infrastructure, and finance.

Yet, the timing of the visit should be seen against the shifting Gulf landscape in which the UAEs relationship with Saudi Arabia is increasingly defined by strategic competition rather than seamless alignment. For India  one of the few major powers with deep, functional ties to both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, the moment carried implications well beyond bilateral optics.

The current phase of Saudi-UAE tensions is best understood not as a collapse of relations between two traditional allies but as a strategic recalibration driven by divergent approaches to economics, security, and regional intervention. Understanding this divergence is essential not only for Gulf stability but also for close partners like India, which maintains close ties with both states.

Saudi Arabia and UAE: Competing Models and Structural Differences

The growing rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should not be seen as an episodic disagreement or a personality-driven clash. It reflects a deeper divergence between two distinct models of regional power  how influence is exercised, how security is produced, and how the Middle East should be politically organized.

For decades, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates stood at the heart of Gulf cooperation  partners in the broad project of stabilizing a turbulent neighborhood. They shared core objectives: protecting the Gulf from spillover wars, sustaining strong ties with Western powers, containing jihadist threats, and curbing Iranian influence. But even at the height of apparent unity, the relationship carried a quiet structural tension.

Geography, scale, and ambition pushed the two states toward different ways of exercising power. Saudi Arabia  larger, oil-rich, and demographically weighty, has long treated itself as the Arab worlds central pillar, favouring state-to-state diplomacy and outcomes managed through recognized governments and formal institutions.

The UAE - smaller in territory and population, built influence differently: through nimble diplomacy, high-velocity investment, and a forward-leaning regional posture that often works through local partners and proxy actors, and is more open to unconventional alignments, including with non-Arab players.

The decades-long cooperation between the two Arab states didnt mean that differences were entirely absent. Old disputes  such as the Buraimi tensions of the 1950s and later border frictions addressed through agreements like the 1974 Treaty of Jeddah, hinted at competing strategic instincts. Yet for years, these issues were contained, subordinated to a wider sense of Gulf cohesion.

The real stress test arrived after the Arab Spring, when Yemen became the arena in which the two models collided. In 2015, Saudi Arabia assembled a coalition to restore Yemens internationally recognized government and roll back the Iranian-backed Houthis advance. The UAE joined as a major partner, and Riyadh, in turn, elevated Abu Dhabi  politically and economically, folding it into high-level coordination and projecting a narrative of strategic unity that aligned neatly with Saudi Arabias wider Vision 2030-era confidence.

However, beneath the alliance branding, the two capitals were fighting for different end states. While Saudi Arabia prioritized Yemens territorial unity and the reconstitution of a central government, the UAE cultivated the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist force oriented toward autonomyor outright independencefor the south. Control of strategic ports, especially Aden and areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, became central to the Emirati calculus.

The result was not merely policy divergence; it was operational friction. Coordination on the ground frayed as competing local partners hardened into rival power centers. By late 2025, Saudi strikes  symbolic but politically loud, around Mukalla against positions or shipments linked to the UAE-backed STC signaled that the disagreement had moved into the open. The UAEs eventual drawdown from Yemen underscored how far the coalition had drifted from its original premise, even as Yemen itself risked becoming a proxy arena for competing Gulf ambitions.

And the fault lines do not stop at Yemen. Across the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi appear to be pursuing different maps of influence. Saudi Arabia has grown increasingly wary of what it sees as the UAEs expanding external partnerships especially perceived alignment with Israel and support for non-state actors in places like Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, moves Riyadh can interpret as destabilizing, reputationally costly, or strategically encircling. Emirati investments and security ties around key ports such as Berbera in Somaliland amplify these anxieties, not simply because they expand UAE reach, but because they reflect a form of power that can bypass traditional state channels.

In essence, what looks like a bilateral dispute is better understood as a contest between two political models. Riyadh leans toward a state-centric approach: stabilizing through recognized governments, formal diplomacy, and institutional control. Abu Dhabi, by contrast, often favors a networked model: building leverage through markets, ports, finance, and local partnerssometimes operating alongside, rather than through, established power structures. As these models collide, the Saudi-UAE relationship is less a rift than an ongoing argument over what Gulf power should look like in the changing world order.

Indias Stakes: Avoiding Entanglement, Diplomatic Balancing

India has so far refrained from taking sides in the Saudi-UAE conflict, recognizing that alignment with one could damage relations with the other. This approach aligns with Indias strategic autonomy  engaging all partners without binding commitments that limit its freedom of action in the Middle East.

Yet Abu Dhabis outreach to India takes place in an environment where it may subtly encourage hedging against Saudi Arabias growing regional dominance. Abu Dhabi may also seek to shape Indian perceptions by foregrounding recent shifts in Saudi Arabias strategic partnerships  particularly the deepening SaudiPakistan defence relationship and the prospect of a more formalized SaudiTurkeyPakistan security understanding.

UAE may seek to lock in Indian economic and technology partnerships as geopolitical ballast. It has both the ability and capability to present itself as the Gulfs most efficient gateway for Indian capital and connectivity. India should welcome the visit and deepen cooperation, but it should also stay alert to the regional signalling embedded in Gulf diplomacy.

Besides, India has several diplomatic levers at its hand that can act as a bridge between the two Gulf states without compromising its balanced engagement and diplomatic autonomy; beginning with an offer to facilitate Track II dialogues or informal consultations, emphasizing points of shared interest like Gulf security, economic connectivity, and regional cooperation.

Moreover, leveraging Indias position in initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), New Delhi can advocate for economic projects that incentivize cooperation rather than competitionfocusing on trade corridors, port connectivity, and technology partnerships that benefit multiple Gulf states without zero-sum logic.

Finally, as the Middle East enters a phase of recalibration, external partners like India must read this divergence carefully. Indias interest lies not in amplifying competition, but in engaging both powers while quietly privileging stability, institutional authority, and regional cohesion. The challenge for New Delhi is not choosing between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi  but navigating a Gulf that is no longer strategically monolithic.

[Sajid Farid Shapoo holds a PhD in Security Studies from Princeton University and is a senior IPS officer. The views expressed are personal.]

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Women named Caprice are often perceived as creative, spontaneous, and charismatic individuals who bring energy and excitement to any situation. They typically possess a natural elegance and artistic sensibility that draws others to them. Their unpredictable nature makes them fascinating companions, though they may sometimes struggle with consistency. Caprices are known for their quick wit, adaptability, and ability to think outside conventional boundaries.



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REVIEW: Highway to the David Zone, comedian David O'Doherty at Theatre Royal

Mischievous divil-may-care David ODoherty announces his arrival with his catchphrase HiYa and the audience, like Ninja Turtles, roar HiYa' back. Its an introduction to Dohertys chaos theory of comedy where disparate thoughts and musings cross swords across the floor of the peoples theatre.

The eyes have it, as they say in the Commons. Comedian David ODohertys got those laughing eyes that warm and enthuse. Its as if hes speaking directly to you.

Obvious, sometimes, but funny, definitely.

The tall, gangling comic, whose limbs barely fit sits at a tiny Casio keyboard thats hardly functional and is about as modern as the Applemarket Casio watch. Hes got a noisy and enthusiastic cult following that packs the theatre as he ponders life, love and all the steps in between the raindrops.

Everything about this gangling innocent is low-key. If he was any more laid back, youd have to peel him off the wallpaper. His tunes on the Casio are weirdly awful but the lyrics really engage as they cascade down streams of seemingly spontaneous consciousness.

He loves the Royal. Its intimacy embraces him and he loves coming back to it. Mind you, hes had bigger offers  CappoquinDunmore EastTraaaamore. But nohes going to stay with the duffers who have paid good money to turn out on a bitterly cold night to see him. And hes here for the night all on his own.

The present is his enemy. He loves to tease his audience and the future looms large as a threat and a promise. This time next year, Im gonna be big, maan. Big. This posh theatre is gonna be jammers and "were not gonna tell anybody". "The second half of the gigs gonna be so awwwesome, youll wonder why you bothered with the warm-up."

"Actually, I could have got a warm-up but Im too feckin mean" as he explains just how much hes getting from the full house at the Royal. "Besides," he ponders, "the feckin warm up could be better than me." He categorises the warmer uppers. Like the nervous ones who are really sociopaths who talk too intensely and put their shoes in the washing machine.

"Anywaaaay," says he, as he stretches the vowels, "the first half of any gig is sh***te."

Just a case of getting to know his audience. He trails the stalls for lookalikes and invents younger and older but equally corpulent versions of his chaotic self because hes clickbaiting us with what's to come in Act 2. Because "Act 2 is gonna be brill".

Its intruder chaos, really. Hes got a theory about Victoria's Secret in Grafton Street that its really a museum to the Irish Famine. "Nothin but raaags in there," says he in mock disbelief, "raaags and pieces of lace that wouldnt cover a body in an Irish winter." And straps that wouldnt fasten or go anywhere.

Hes going high performance now. Like a CEO of a big company because hes got a cross face that would defy pixilation. Hes set out goals. Like not envying himself anymore. Or objecting to anything that puts him out. Cycle lanes the size of motorways. Any environmental issues really. Snakes and St. Patrick who hes on first-name terms with as SP. Anonymous posts on social media because Dohertys got an identity. Mr DodgyBox with memes.

Conor McGregor intrigues him and he imagines him in the Aras. With Presidential duties like opening a knitting school on Inis Meain or discussing politics with Trump. And hey McGregors just one of us, really. Sensitive, kind, dreamer, philanthropistone of us, like. Only louder.

And then...just like thathes imagining Minister Darragh OBrien killing a tiger with a ruler. As you do.

His comedy is observational. Hes got a miniscule keyboard that probably cost fourteen pounds ninety-five pence in old money at Argos and the cost of the batteries distresses him. Hes got a Jack Benny connection with meanness. And thats Doherty, the wonderer who brings comic insight to the ordinary.

You get the feeling that hes only really alive when hes onstage as he traipses down the corridors of his own consciousness. And hes so likeable as he rambles around the stage and engages with the audience. No one gets a put-down. Even late-comers. His childlike smile and startled awareness of all things new in the world brings a feeling of innocence to his humour.

Thats the thing about Doherty. Hes subtle and hes different.
By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

A yellow weather warning has been issued for the south-east of Ireland for Tuesday.

Met Eireann said there will be outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, in Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

A yellow rain warning will come into place there at midnight on Tuesday, until 6pm later that day.

Meanwhile, the UKs Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for all six counties in Northern Ireland.

It is expected to last from 6am until 3pm on Tuesday.

Both organisations have said the heavy rain could lead to localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.

A status yellow rainfall warning has been issued for Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford Impacts include:

 Localised flooding

 Difficult travel conditions Valid Tuesday 27/01/26 00:00 - 18:00 pic.twitter.com/mCP2VVoimz  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 25, 2026

It will be cloudy for most of Sunday with some mist and fog in places, along with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, heavy at times and most frequent in the north and northwest.

Becoming drier this afternoon as the rain eases with some bright spells around and just scattered patches of light rain or drizzle. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees, in light to moderate easterly or variable winds.

Another dull and wet day on Monday with widespread rain. Rain will persist into the afternoon, turning heavy at times, before gradually clearing eastwards. Breezy too with fresh to strong south-east winds, and gusts along Atlantic coasts. Highest temperatures of 4 to 10 degrees, coldest in the north.

Met Eireann said areas of low pressure will bring a continuation of unsettled weather throughout next week.

It will be cold and breezy at times with further bands of heavy rain, possibly turning wintry at times.

Cold and crisp with frost and ice patches aswell as some early sun in the west on Tuesday.

Elsewhere will see wet and windy weather feeding in from the east through the morning and afternoon.

Rain will turn heavy at times and possibly wintry too, with any falls of snow most likely on higher ground. Highest daytime temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees, but feeling extra chilly due to the very brisk easterly or cyclonic variable winds.
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EnvironmentClimate changeRenewables The SA miracle: How one Australian state leads the world on renewables Nick O'Malley and Bianca Hall January 25, 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

A decade after blackouts crippled South Australia, forcing intensive care beds to close, traffic to seize, and industry to shut down, the state is on the cusp of completing a green energy revolution of global significance. In little more than two decades, renewable energy in the South Australia grid has leapt from about 1 per cent to almost 75 per cent in net terms, and the state is within reach of achieving its goal  its legislated target  of 100 per cent green power by 2027. South Australia leads the world in renewable energy. Artwork by Matt Davidson Im convinced we can [reach it], Im convinced we can, Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis told this masthead. Weve got approved, sitting on the books with development approval, about $20 billion worth of renewable energy. So I have no doubt whatsoever we will be able to achieve [the target].

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Not everyone is as optimistic as Koutsantonis that the target will be met on time, but few doubt the states extraordinary achievement. Energy nerds tracking power generation in the National Energy Market  the system that most of us call the grid, which provides power to South Australia and the eastern states  have been able to see that on any given day, South Australia is often relying largely on renewables, and often exporting excess power to the east. On December 1, the Facebook group NEM Watch celebrated a record when the state hit 100 per cent net renewable energy consumption for an entire week. Last year, there were 289 days during which renewables met the entire consumption demand for the state for part of the day. Its globally significant, says Richie Merzian, chief executive of the Clean Energy Investor Group. You have a major jurisdiction that now can operate a grid on such high levels of renewables with really modest connection back into the rest of our national grid  Its extraordinary. Its right up there along with Denmarks achievements.

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Indeed, the International Energy Agency ranked South Australia alongside Denmark as leading the world in integrating high volumes of renewables into its grid in a report in 2024. If any region was going to win a global renewables race, South Australia once seemed an unlikely contender. It is the driest state in the worlds driest continent, devoid of the rivers and dams that in some countries drive turbines and store energy. It lacks the geothermal energy resources that Nordic nations have tapped to drive their ambitious green transitions. New Vestas wind turbines will be used at Tilt Renewables Palmer wind farm in South Australia. When a new Labor government took office in 2002, determined to begin a transition, South Australia relied entirely on fossil fuels for its electricity. By 2016, the state was producing 48 per cent of its energy from renewable resources. Later that year, disaster struck in the form of gale force winds, two tornados and at least 80,000 lightning strikes. Three out of four interconnectors linking Adelaide to the rest of the state, and 23 transmission line pylons, were damaged.

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The states grid was shut down  in part by safety features designed to protect generators  leaving some homes without electricity for days. The blackout was used as evidence by some that renewable energy was unreliable at best and a danger at worst. One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts demanded governments exit all climate change policies, while then-treasurer Scott Morrison cited the blackout as evidence that Labor would return the state to the dark ages. Then-treasurer Scott Morrison brandishing a lump of coal in Federal Parliament in 2017, after the South Australian blackouts. AAP Despite the setback, which was later found not to be the fault of renewables, South Australia maintained its focus on transition, even under a subsequent Liberal government. After the blackouts, the state was determined not only to ensure that it could provide enough power, but that the system be made stable even without the big old power stations that once provided grid security.

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This is where a pair of billionaires swaggered in with a social media exchange that has had global consequences. Elon Musk had speculated online that he could use Tesla batteries to fix South Australias stability problems. In March 2017, Atlassian chief Mike Cannon-Brookes responded via Twitter. How serious are you about this bet? If I can make the $ happen (& politics), can you guarantee the 100MW in 100 days? he tweeted to Musk. Musk took the bait. Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you? Less than 100 days later, what was at the time the worlds biggest battery by a factor of three was up and running. Within two years, it had paid for itself. Today, far larger batteries are being thrown up around the state and the world, not only stabilising grids but storing green power made during the midday gluts for use during evening peaks.

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This balancing act has been crucial to South Australias efforts, says Koutsantonis. The question for us, like every other jurisdiction, is, how do we integrate that into a system that is safe and secure and that can provide power when its needed? Energy Minister and Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis. Ben Searcy In the past year, net 73.5 per cent of the states energy use relied on renewables, and renewables as an overall proportion of the states energy sources hit 75.3 per cent. The biggest proportion was wind, with turbines accounting for 46 per cent of South Australias energy use.

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Solar accounted for 27.6 per cent of the states energy sources, and the vast majority of that (22.3 per cent) was rooftop solar. While new technology and infrastructure have made this green revolution possible, much of the energy produced has come from the states households. Most of the heavy lifting has physically been rooftop solar, says Koutsantonis. And the rooftop solar penetration in metropolitan Adelaide in South Australia is dramatic. Its getting really close to one in two houses. The lessons the rest of the country can learn from South Australia (which goes to the polls in March) are mixed. One, says Koutsantonis, is that gas must remain an ingredient in the energy mix as jurisdictions transition from highly polluting fossil fuels to renewables.

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It is crucial, he says, to have a readily deployable alternative to firm the system when solar and wind do not provide sufficient power loads. This is the great contradiction amongst a lot of activists. Without gas-fired turbines sitting idle with gas and pipelines, and gas fields being mined, we cant get to 100 per cent net renewables, he says. AGLs Torrens Island power station in South Australia. Daniel Kalisz Otherwise, well have to have fossil fuels in the system until we can find that breakthrough technology  until then, its going to be gas because gas is the only [fuel] that can respond quickly, and its relatively cheaper than having baseload coal on 24/7. Renewable energy and energy systems analyst Dr Dylan McConnell is not convinced South Australia will achieve its legislated target to reach  on a net annual basis  100 per cent of consumption coming equivalently from renewable energy.

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But he says the state will come close, and predicts it could reach that goal within six to12 months of the legislated timeframe. So how has South Australia done it? Beyond incentives for rooftop solar, the state has exploited its natural advantages, and early permissive planning regimes, and South Australia, says McConnell, simply has really good wind. But policy has also been crucial, says Merzian. Even when a Liberal government was installed in 2018, the new premier, Steven Marshall, stayed the course. This consistency has been crucial, says Jean-Christophe Cheylus, chief executive of the Australian operations of Neoen, the French-based global renewables giant that has invested $2 billion into wind, solar and battery assets in South Australia.

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Early incentives to switch to renewables and permissive planning regimes for new renewables  particularly wind  played a role too. Neoens Goyder South wind farm is generating at its full capacity of 412 MW, and is set to boost South Australias wind capacity by 20 per cent. The project has been under way since 2018. That might seem relatively long, but for [a] wind farm project, this is actually very short and very efficient. In other states, he says, the permitting process would have dragged on for 10 years or more. He also notes that local councils, which have challenged renewables development in other states, have supported the industry in South Australia. Stage 1 of Neoens Goyder South wind farm. Communities that have battled drought for years have welcomed Neoen and the jobs and investment it brings to the regions.

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The state is an outlier. NSW has about 43 per cent renewable-sourced power, while Victoria has 48.6 per cent and Queensland, 34 per cent. It might be a little bit unfair to South Australia, but its also historically true, that one of the main reasons theyve had such a success with renewable energy is really good renewable energy resources  really good wind, McConnell says. Related Article Exclusive

Renewables For the first time, renewable energy is supplying most of our power And they also have, historically, and still to some extent today, been the sort of highest-priced region [for fossil-fuel supplied power]. Since the adoption of renewables, power prices in South Australia have dropped to generally below NSW and Queensland.

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Still, its not all smooth sailing in the windy state. In the past year, South Australia imported 11 per cent of its energy, mostly from the brown-coal heavy Victorian market. Underscoring the difficulties of a rapid transition to renewables, the government in August asked AGL to extend the life of its Torrens Island gas generator for two years, after warnings from the energy regulator that the state could face energy shortages without ready reserves of back-up gas. This is partly because Project EnergyConnect, the $4.1 billion electricity cable linking NSW to South Australia, needed to bring renewables into the system, has been beset by delays. The Liberals state branch in June voted to formally reject net zero targets.

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But Koutsantonis says the state cannot afford not to go down this path. When you look at the way the energy market is structured, you have to recover the cost of every new investment, whether its a coal-fired generator or a wind farm or more transmission lines, he says. Related Article Updated

Energy Nations largest coal-fired power plant closure delayed by two more years Suppose I gave you a counterfactual and said, Lets suspend reason, lets suspend scientific endeavour and say climate change is not real, wed be going through an even more expensive transition now by building a whole new fleet of coal-fired power stations. And that cost would be being passed on to consumers, and it would be the same level of angst now as there is with renewables about costs in the grid because of that transition. So this happens in electricity systems every 30 to 40 years anyway.

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According to Merzian, the benefits of South Australias green energy revolution extend far beyond climate and energy policy. Yes, its energy prices are falling along with its carbon emissions, but its stable and ongoing support for the transition has attracted $20 billion in investment from global energy giants. Richie Merzian, pictured at The Financial Reviews Energy and Climate Summit. Oscar Colman Excess energy can be exported to Victoria and NSW, he says. Cheylus notes that Neoens South Australia wind farms are being used to decarbonise the ACT. But in the longer term, says Merzian, South Australias green power will be used to boost its heavy industry. Green steel and hydrogen plants can effectively export renewable electrons embedded in their products around the world. If its going to be hitting 100 per cent next year, the trick is not to stop there, but to keep going. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.

CLARIFICATION An earlier version of this story said that Neoen was still developing its Goyder South wind farm. Its been updated to say the wind farm is generating at its full capacity.
Persecution is one of the ugliest behaviours people are capable of, and weve been doing it since the dawn of humanity.

In fact, it is more widespread today than at any point in history, yet few in the secular West realise that much the most endangered group is Christians. Some 400 million Christians, more than one in seven, are at daily risk of persecution, especially in Africa and Asia. According to a 2019 British government report, they make up 80 per cent of those being persecuted for their religion.

Christianity began in persecution, and Christians are the most persecuted believers today  160,000 killed in Nigeria alone in the past 15 years. Getty Images

Genocide by Muslim groups in Nigeria alone has claimed 160,000 Christian lives in the past 15 years, yet Western media usually reports this as ethnic conflict, if it even notices. The causes, as always, are complex and mixed, but there is no doubt that religious conquest is the main motivation behind groups such as Boko Haram.

Aid agency Open Doors has just published its annual World Watch List of the 50 most dangerous countries to be a Christian. North Korea is top again, as it mostly has been since the survey began two decades ago. Its danger rating is 97 out of 100.
Individuals named Jessemy are often characterized by their heightened sensitivity and emotional depth. They tend to be intuitive, empathetic, and attuned to subtle emotional currents in their environment, making them excellent listeners and supportive friends. Their fragile nature doesn't indicate weakness but rather a refined sensitivity that allows them to appreciate beauty in its most delicate forms.



Jessemys often possess artistic inclinations and a deep connection to nature, particularly flowers and plants. They may require more emotional space and gentle handling in relationships, but they offer profound loyalty and understanding in return. Their strength lies in their ability to perceive what others miss and to nurture growth in quiet, meaningful ways. This combination of sensitivity and inner strength makes them particularly effective in caring professions, artistic pursuits, and roles requiring deep emotional intelligence.
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MoneyInsuranceGeneral insurance Opinion Australia is nearing an insurance crisis. And its only getting worse Victoria Devine Money columnist January 25, 2026  2:01am

January 25, 2026  2:01am 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 problem of rising home insurance premiums and increasing risk of natural disasters sadly isnt new. Over the past decade in Australia, its been gradually building speed, with more and more people feeling as if they have an impossible choice to make  protect the home they love in case the worst happens, or go underinsured as a result of ever-increasing premium costs in a sustained cost-of-living crunch. As weve seen already this year, this is a problem thats not going to go away any time soon. And often, it could be getting worse. Cutting your home insurance might save you money, but it could be extremely risky. Dionne Gain In 2022, nearly one in 20 Australians had their homes destroyed entirely or damaged due to weather-related disasters like bushfire, flooding or cyclones. Whats more, the Climate Council suggests more than 650,000 (roughly one in every 23) homes are already at high risk of damage or destruction by these types of disasters. They also say that within the next 25 years, as many as an additional 100,000 homes could be added to this figure. According to data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, as of 2023, one in every 20 homes is underinsured  meaning the owners have some level of coverage, but not enough to fully rebuild if required. To put that in real-world terms, that works out to be roughly one child in every classroom not having a home to return to if the worst were to happen.

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Following that, about one in 30 homes dont have any home building insurance at all  meaning if anything happens, be it a leaky roof or complete flooding, the owners may not be eligible for any compensation at all. But heres where things get terrifying. Those figures work out to be around 800,000 properties across Australia. And the collective value of all of those underinsured and uninsured houses is at least $119 billion, as of 2023, according to the Australia Institute. Worse still, about 300,000 of those homes still hold mortgages. I can understand how, when prices have gone up and stayed up for so long, insurance feels like the thing that has to be cut. The problem with this is twofold. First, it means that if the worst were to happen, and you lose your home while theres still a mortgage attached, you could find yourself carrying debt for a property that no longer exists. Secondly, it puts you at risk of being in breach of your mortgage contract. Generally, full building insurance is a requirement for securing a mortgage from the bank. When that doesnt happen, you may be at risk of breaching the conditions of the loan.

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It also puts you at risk of forced place insurance, which is where the bank takes out home insurance on your behalf as a condition of the loan, and which is almost always much more expensive than what youd be paying if you shopped around. Editor's pick Opinion

Budgeting If youre going to set one money goal in 2026, make it this Victoria Devine Money columnist But because the bank has the right to do this, you still foot the bill, even if the forced place insurance is twice or three times what you were paying before the correct level of your choice of insurance lapsed. You may also find that you have problems if and when you try to get insurance again. The first issue is that like many things in life, loyalty is rewarded. Meaning the longer youre a customer, the more benefits you build up and the lower the price generally is. In allowing a policy to lapse or drop a level, you could lose any discounts or favourable rates that youve been able to enjoy in the past. But rather than simply finding yourself priced back at square one when you are ready to return to full coverage, you could face a hefty increase.

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Thats because a lapse can increase your risk profile according to insurance companies, and because your property could have all new premiums applied based on current market rates, your current age and current circumstances  not the ones you had when you first took out coverage. But its easy to understand why so many people have struggled to keep up recently. In 2025 alone, Australians paid up to $700 more for home and contents insurance premiums than we did in the previous 12 months. The Insurance Council of Australia said more than 20,000 claims had been received relating to bushfires since November 8. The current estimated loss is $1.65 billion. Dominic Lorrimer One analysis found that nationally, the average increase was 14 per cent from 2024 to 2025. In Victoria, the average increase was 17 per cent, which equated to an extra $341 per year. In NSW, it was $403 (18 per cent). At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I can understand how, when the price of just about everything has gone up and stayed up for so long, this feels like the thing that has to be cut.

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But that same analysis from Canstar found something interesting  and hopeful. In evaluating policies from more than 45 insurance providers in Australia and about 25,000 policies, they found that if households switched to a different and more affordable insurer, the average annual saving was $766. In NSW and Queensland, there are also home resistance funds available to homes in at-risk areas. This funding can not only help you make your property safer, but also bring down insurance premiums. Increasingly, there are also a number of small but effective investments you can make around the home that also pack the same one-two punch. As this masthead reported earlier this month, spending about $30,000 on retrofitting homes in areas at risk of bushfires can lift their safety rating by as many as two stars (out of a possible five), and a number of insurers now offer premium discounts where an owner improves their propertys disaster resilience. For all of us, where we live and the kinds of properties we live in will always dictate what our options are, and the cost of home insurance. But when combined, all of this indicates that there are more options than simply having insurance or not  and often more options than we realised at first glance. Victoria Devine is an award-winning retired financial adviser, a bestselling author and host of Australias No.1 finance podcast, Shes on the Money. She is also founder and director of Zella Money.

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Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money delivered to your inbox every Sunday. Sign up for our Real Money newsletter.



Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: General insurance

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Building insurance Victoria Devine is an award-winning retired financial adviser, best-selling author, and host of Australias number one finance podcast, Shes on the Money. Victoria is also the founder and managing director of Zella Money.
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NationalAustralian culture Opinion An experience at a Paris airport showed me what it really means to be Australian Zoya Patel Writer January 25, 2026  4:00pm

January 25, 2026  4:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

This month I flew to Paris, and found myself intensely annoyed by other passengers at Charles de Gaulle Airport. I got off my long-haul flight, bleary-eyed and jet-lagged and followed the crowd to the baggage claim. I stood a distance back from the belt to allow others to also see their luggage  only to have someone come and stand directly in front of me. I moved, but the same thing happened. People crowded the belt, standing right up against it, meaning no one else could see the bags coming. I was perplexed, and lets be honest, irritated. Its one of a list of things I notice on my frequent trips to Paris for study  people arent fussed about lining up in order or pushing in, giving way to other pedestrians, saying thank you for small services in shops or on public transport. I dont think its rudeness, because no one else is bothered by it. They have a different set of cultural behaviours, and undoubtedly Im accidentally causing many a faux pas by not knowing what they are. Parisians can be irritatingly pushy when it comes to waiting at the luggage carousel. Getty Images I took to social media to ask if my perception of some common behaviours are actually Australian norms, as opposed to my own preferences  Aussies flocked to the comments to confirm. Australians are very polite; we like to line up, we have a strong sense of fairness, we try and minimise our impact on others in public, and we are quick to help people even if theyre strangers. Combine these traits with the weird anachronisms of our cultures (fairy bread? The Nutbush dance? Saying hip hip hooray after the Happy Birthday song?), and its clear to me that regardless of our uncertainty about our collective culture, Ive been absorbing an Australian identity my whole life.

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Looking deeper, Ive found a whole list of little unspoken Aussie rules that most of us follow without a second thought, but which may seem odd to others. Sam Ford, a Brit living here, used his outsider status to compile a bunch of these modern Australian characteristics, including several I dont consciously think about, but which I do automatically, like greeting shop staff, or not standing too close to other people (not just at baggage claim!). I also think we make a point of not being loud on public transport, or when on the phone in public, and we greet dogs/call them cute when out and about (I tried this in Paris, it caused a lot of confusion). Related Article Opinion

Culture holidays I learnt a scary lesson while living in France. Playing it safe can be risky Julia Pound Teacher Like many in my generation, feeling a strong sense of patriotism doesnt come naturally. I love being Australian, and am very aware of how different my life would have been had my parents not migrated here from Fiji in the 90s. But for most of my childhood, I felt like I couldnt lay claim to the Australian identity, because of the anti-immigration rhetoric that has persisted for decades. I have vivid memories of being alarmed as a child by images of Pauline Hanson on the news, telling immigrants like my family to go back to where we came from. Given I was a toddler when we arrived, I had no memory of actually living anywhere else  and as a condition of gaining our Australian citizenship, we renounced our citizenship to Fiji, so we really had nowhere to return to. Add to this the appropriation of the Australian flag by far-right groups to back up their racist and anti-immigrant ideologies, and the contention around changing the date of Australia Day despite the ongoing pleas from First Nations Australians, its easy to see why being patriotic can sometimes feel more complicated than just loving our country. That is, until I go anywhere overseas. Theres nothing like being in a foreign country to realise how many of your habits, expectations, and ideas about how to behave in public spaces have been shaped by your own country.

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Real life I hissed at a man on the train. Dont judge me, there are two types of Karens Claire Heaney Writer In the lead up to Australia Day, as we reckon with the important question of how we celebrate Australian identity while recognising and addressing the foundation of this country off the genocide of First Nations people, I think theres value in remembering that Australian identity is about more than symbolic days of celebration, and comes down to the values that we share. These values are embedded in our behaviours and norms, how we treat each other and expect to be treated. Returning to Australia via Brisbane Airport, I immediately felt a rush of affection when I heard other Aussie accents. I arrived at the baggage claim, and had to smile to myself  everyone was standing back from the carousel as if an imaginary boundary had been drawn. People moved out of each others way, and helped grab bags for other passengers. I know there will always be outliers, and rude Australians do exist  but it felt like a validation of my sense of Australianness (or lack of it back in France). Sometimes its the little things that make you feel most grateful to be home. Zoya Patel is an author and freelance writer from Canberra. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.
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WorldAsiaInside China Xi trusts nobody: Purge of Chinas military claims its top general Lisa Visentin Updated January 25, 2026  11:40am ,first published January 25, 2026  7:12am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Singapore: Chinas top general is being investigated for grave violations of discipline and the law, marking a dramatic escalation in President Xi Jinpings sweeping purge of military officials and a consolidation of his power over the army. The accusations against Zhang Youxia, vice chair of the powerful Central Military Commission, the partys supreme military decision-making body, were announced by Chinas National Defence Ministry. In a brief statement, the ministry announced that another top general and commission member, Liu Zhenli, who leads the militarys Joint Staff Department, was also under investigation. The statement did not provide details of the generals alleged wrongdoing. Zhang Youxias ouster in particular has shocked China experts. He and Chinese President Xi Jinping have known each other since childhood. AP Since 2023, Xi has ramped up corruption investigations, which have heavily targeted top military brass, including his hand-picked generals and those thought to be his allies.

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While experts say corruption has been an endemic problem in the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), the purges have also served Xis aims in securing total control over the military and rooting out potential disloyalty fermenting in the ranks. Xi taking down even Zhang Youxia means Xi trusts nobody, says Wen-Ti Sung, a fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub, based in Taiwan. Since 2023, Xi has ramped up corruption investigations, which have heavily targeted top military brass, including his hand-picked generals and those thought to be his allies. Getty Images Xi has no rivals that can or dare challenge him either inside the party or in the military. In the Chinese system, an official investigation is usually a foregone conclusion that seals the downfall of its target.

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Zhangs ouster in particular has shocked China experts. Xi and Zhang have known each other since childhood and their fathers fought alongside each other during the communist revolution in the 1940s. Related Article Opinion

China relations Xi and Trump are growing more alike. But only one can win this global power struggle Peter Hartcher Political and international editor With Zhang and Liu now gone, the Central Military Commission has been whittled down through purges from seven members to just two  Xi, as chair  and one other general, Zhang Shengmin. This move is unprecedented in the history of the Chinese military and represents the total annihilation of the high command, Christopher K. Johnson, a former CIA analyst who follows Chinese elite politics, told The New York Times. Xis crackdown on party and military officials is unmatched in scale since the Mao Zedong era, and includes the expulsion of two former defence ministers from the party in 2024, as well as the removal of dozens of other high-ranking officers in recent years.

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It has invariably fuelled speculation about Xis faith in the PLAs capabilities and whether it is sufficiently prepared to fight and win a war to control Taiwan by 2027  a goal US defence officials believe Xi has set for the military, but is not necessarily a deadline. This means Chinas military cannot fight, as it has a broken chain of command and relative absence of warfighting-related experience and expertise at the top level, Sung said. This may mean China is in no rush to start a major war with anybody anytime soon, including against Taiwan in 2027. 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 Great and very brave: Trump backtracks on NATO troop comments Pan Pylas January 25, 2026  7:43am 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 heaped praise on British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan in a post on social media that represented a partial reversal of comments he made this week that drew a cascade of criticism in the United Kingdom, particularly from families of those killed and seriously injured in the conflict. In the wake of a conversation earlier with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said on Truth Social that the great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America. He described the 457 British servicemen and women who died in Afghanistan and those that were badly injured as among the greatest of all warriors. While praising British troops, Donald Trump did not apologise directly for his original comments, nor retract them. AP Trump added that the bond between the two countries militaries was too strong to ever be broken and that the UK with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the USA).

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Trumps comments follow an interview with Fox Business Network on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, when he said he wasnt sure the other 31 nations in NATO would be there to support the United States if and when requested and that troops from those countries stayed a little off the front lines. Trump did not apologise directly for those comments, nor retract them, as Starmer had suggested in his initial response on Friday when he described the words of the president as insulting and frankly appalling. Loading Starmers office in Downing Street said the issue was raised in a conversation between the pair on Saturday, in which other topics were discussed, including the war in Ukraine and security in the Arctic region. The prime minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home, Downing Street said in a statement. We must never forget their sacrifice.

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Related Article Trump diplomacy Trump triggers fury in Europe over insulting Afghanistan claim Trumps view, as expressed in the Fox Business interview, stands at odds with the reality that in October 2001, nearly a month after the September 11 attacks, the US 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 US were troops from dozens of countries, including from NATO, whose mutual-defence mandate had been triggered for the first time after the attacks on New York and Washington. More than 150,000 British troops served in Afghanistan in the years after the invasion, the largest contingent after the American one. The Italian and French governments also expressed their disapproval on Saturday at Trumps comments, with both describing them as unacceptable. AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldEuropeRoyal family Prince Harrys alleged stalker sat metres behind him at High Court trial Victoria Ward January 25, 2026  12:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: A woman accused of stalking the Duke of Sussex sat a stones throw from him on two occasions at the High Court last week, Londons Telegraph has revealed. Prince Harry was in court for the opening of his privacy trial against the publisher of the Daily Mail and gave evidence two days later. It can now be revealed that the known stalker, who it is understood may be suffering from mental health issues, attended the hearing on two of the four days the duke was in court, taking a seat in the public gallery a few metres behind him. Prince Harry leaves court last week. Getty Images On both occasions, the woman  who is on a list of known fixated individuals drawn up by a private intelligence company for the duke  was immediately noticed by his private security team who alerted court security staff.

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A source close to Harry said: There is nothing they could do; they are not the police. Its a public building, and she has a right to be there. He is obviously always worried about his security situation; its not ideal. Related Article Updated

Royal family Prince Harry holds back tears as he tells court Daily Mail made Meghans life an absolute misery The incident coincided with an ongoing review of the security threat posed to the duke, which was ordered by the UK Home Office in December. Harry spent little more than two hours on the stand on Wednesday, breaking down as he alleged that journalists working for Associated Newspapers had made my wifes life an absolute misery. He denied befriending a Mail on Sunday journalist on Facebook using the pseudonym Mr Mischief and partying with her in Ibiza, repeatedly insisting that his social circle was not leaky.

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The 38 million ($75 million) trial will continue next week in his absence. Woman attended previous events The duke returned to the United States on Saturday, when he was scheduled to attend the premiere of Cookie Queens at the Sundance Film Festival alongside his wife, Meghan. Both are listed as executive producers of the documentary about girl scouts. Loading The alleged stalker previously followed Harry to Nigeria, and last September evaded security to get into a secure zone at a central London hotel, where he was attending the WellChild Awards. She was also seen near him two days later at the Centre for Blast Injury Studies in west London, security sources said.

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The decision to grant him a full security risk assessment marked an about-turn by the UK government, made despite his defeat in a high-profile legal challenge brought against the Home Office over his right to automatic taxpayer-funded protection. After losing his appeal, Prince Harry wrote to UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, hopeful that she would take a different approach to her predecessor, Yvette Cooper. He is obviously always worried about his security situation; its not ideal. A source close to Prince Harry Two months later, it emerged he had been granted a security review by the risk management board, the expert body that submits its findings to the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), the secretive group responsible for making such decisions. Duke left exposed

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Neil Basu, the former head of the UKs counter terrorism unit, who held various positions on Ravec from 2018 to 2021, believes that without armed protection, the duke has been left exposed. Related Article Courts Monstrous, staggering things: Tearful Liz Hurley tells court her home, phone were bugged He told Londons Telegraph that to have a stalker repeatedly appearing in front of you must be incredibly anxiety-inducing. Basu said: There are clearly people with fixations, and you can never fully know where that fixation will lead until youve assessed that persons state of mind. It might be declarations of undying love and sending roses, or it might be wanting to cause harm. If somebody keeps appearing in front of you ... Imagine if you were a normal member of the public, youd be absolutely terrified.

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The last time Harry received a full risk assessment was in 2019, when he was still a full-time working member of the royal family. Then, he was deemed such a target that he was put in the highest category  a level seven out of seven. Basu said it was incredibly positive that the Home Office had decided to review the perceived threat level. Loading He said: That is the right thing to do, and I cannot see a situation in which his threat and risk have reduced in the intervening time when hes in the UK. As one of the most recognisable men on the planet, his threat and risk will be, in my view, the same as it was in 2019. It may even have increased because of the publicity around him.

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The former police chief believes the duke could never have won his legal challenge against the Home Office. He has described it as more of an ethical decision, or one that is simply rooted in common sense. Security decision not expected for weeks Whatever Ravec decides, and the review is still in progress, Basu said it should bring some closure. He said: What [the duke] was fighting for was some transparency in the decision-making process. Although he has won some of that through disclosure in the court, he still hasnt had a full explanation. This is the start of that explanation. He might not agree with the rationale, but at least he will be given the rationale. The security issue is now intrinsically linked to the dukes fragile relationship with his father. He made clear last year that he believed King Charles had the power to influence Ravec, because his private secretary sat on the committee. The prince told the BBC: Ive never asked him to intervene  Ive asked him to step out of the way and let the experts do their job.

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Buckingham Palace rejected the suggestion, insisting that Ravec was wholly independent. Related Article Royal family Prince Harry says he wants reconciliation with royals as he loses UK legal fight Harry has also refused to bring his wife and children back to the UK without full police protection, fearing their lives are at risk, which in turn impairs their relationship with their grandfather. The Ravec decision  not expected for several weeks  will have a major effect on the dukes work and private life over the next two years, with multiple return visits planned before the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. He has made no secret of his desire to bring Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, back to the UK. In a witness statement lodged with the High Court during his legal challenge against the Home Office, he said: The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the US.

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That cannot happen if its not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harms way too. The Telegraph, London Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaPlanning Next to the Australian embassy in DC, a lesson in how to build more homes Michael Koziol January 25, 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

What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox. Hello from a soon-to-be-snowed-under Washington, DC. Next door to the Australian embassy here, a construction project has been under way for the past year. A former office building  once home to the Air Line Pilots Association  is being converted into 157 residential apartments. An office-to-residential construction project in Washington, DC, next to the Australian embassy on Massachusetts Avenue. Michael Koziol It is one of eight similar projects being aided by a $US41 million ($61 million) tax abatement initiative from the District of Columbia government, called the Housing in Downtown program, to encourage turning underutilised CBD offices into homes.

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There is no set percentage for the property tax abatement, which lasts 20 years and is offered for both adaptive reuse projects and knockdown-rebuilds. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the program at the end of 2022, and launched it with the conversion of an office block in the citys central Golden Triangle into 163 units in March 2024. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says when she started the program, critics told her office-to-residential conversions were impossible. Bloomberg It makes so much sense, said Leona Agouridis, executive director of the Triangles business improvement district, at the launch. Downtown is the centre of it all  we have wide, walkable sidewalks and world-class transportation infrastructure. You can walk to restaurants, shops, your gym, your doctor, and of course, your office, which is the new paradigm. Downtown Washington, DC, is a mixed bag. Ive been here a year, so I didnt experience it before the pandemic, but its hardly what you would call bustling. The more vibrant areas  with more residents  surround the CBD. Still, its got a lot more going on than most American city centres.

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What stands out about the DC councils ambitions is their scale. At the start of this project, downtown DC had 25,000 residents (depending on how you define the area), and its land use was 87 per cent commercial and 13 per cent residential. Related Article Review

Property development A $200 million redevelopment transformed this office block into homes. Could others follow suit? Bowser wants to add 15,000 residents by 2028, an increase of 60 per cent, which would rebalance the DNA of downtown markedly in favour of residents in just a few years. The city believes 90 per cent of that target can be reached through the Housing in Downtown program, which aims to generate 8400 new homes. The eight council-backed projects announced so far are expected to yield 1745 new residential units, including 176 affordable housing units. The largest is a $US750 million conversion of an office block near Dupont Circle into 532 homes, which secured financing just a couple of weeks ago and is expected mid next year. Breaking ground at the site this week, Bowser said the tax abatement incentive was doing exactly what we thought it would do. More offices are being converted to homes in Washington than in any other city in the US except New York.

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The DC council is pursuing this policy actively and aggressively. Its a no-brainer given the ongoing changes to work patterns brought about by COVID. The office vacancy rate in downtown DC was below 10 per cent in 2014  today it is 19 per cent. DC has decided residential is the future. This drive stands in stark contrast to whats happening  or rather, not happening  in Australias big cities, where many councils are determined to preserve commercial zoning. Downtown DC had 25,000 residents at the start of the program. The council wants to add 15,000 residents by 2028. Bloomberg Guardian Australia reported in October that no development applications had been submitted in Melbourne to convert office buildings since 2023. But Melbourne gets a bit of a free pass because it has already built so much housing in its CBD, which has the vibrancy that Washington and other cities seek. Sydney has no such excuse. It had fewer than 17,000 CBD residents at the last census  Melbourne had more than 42,000. And Sydneys CBD units are far too expensive to rent for key workers, students and most young people.

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As my colleague Julie Power reported three months ago, there are issues with office-to-residential conversions, including feasibility, floor plate size and compliance with apartment design guidelines (which could be reduced with co-operation from a willing government). But these are not roadblocks in other cities. Aviator House, the development next to the Australian embassy, will be completed in a few months. A block from my office, another project is under way  one thats not part of the Housing in Downtown program. A building previously belonging to the federal Department of Homeland Security is being turned into 264 apartments. Editor's pick Analysis

Trump diplomacy Trumps Biden moment on world stage as he repeatedly calls Greenland Iceland Bowser says when she started the program, critics told her office-to-residential conversions were impossible. Its not enough air, its not enough light, its just so hard, we cant do it, she recalled them saying. We are proving that narrative wrong. While it may be hard, it is possible. In New York City, office-to-residential conversions, which once averaged less than 111,000 square metres a year, rose to an annualised rate of 3.1 million square metres in 2024, and 3.8 million square metres in August last year, with another 8.2 million in the pipeline, says real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield. The old Pfizer headquarters near Grand Central Station is being turned into 1600 apartments  the biggest such project in the country.

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A paper by the Brookings Institution last year identified at least 12 office-to-residential conversion projects completed in Los Angeless downtown and Koreatown districts since 2020, and another five in planning or construction. And according to the Illinois Policy Institute, Chicago, which has an office vacancy rate of 28 per cent, has converted 11 buildings to residential, with nine more under way. If Australias city and state leaders want new ideas to incentivise housing and revitalise their CBDs, they could do worse than look to the US. 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.
Individuals named Vallis are often perceived as grounded, stable, and deeply connected to their environment. They typically exhibit a calm, nurturing presence similar to the protective quality of a valley sheltering its inhabitants. Their personality tends toward introspection and patience, with a natural ability to provide support and stability to those around them. Like valleys that collect and channel water, people with this name often serve as reservoirs of wisdom and emotional support for their communities. They frequently demonstrate practical problem-solving skills and a methodical approach to challenges, preferring gradual, sustainable solutions over quick fixes.



In social settings, Vallis-named individuals often display reliability and consistency, making them trusted friends and colleagues. They tend to be observant and thoughtful, preferring to listen before speaking, which gives them insight into group dynamics and individual needs. Their connection to the valley metaphor often manifests in interests related to nature, conservation, or community building. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess deep emotional reserves and form lasting, meaningful relationships built on trust and mutual support. Their strength lies in their ability to create safe, productive environments where others can thrive, much like fertile valleys support diverse ecosystems.
James Cox

Ireland is "of interest to the global far-right" while anti-immigrant 'influencers' here are taking their talking points from international groups, according to an organisation that monitors extremism.

The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (Gpahe) monitors far-right and extremist groups across the globe.

Gpahe recently published a report which found international far-right organisations have taken inspiration from extremist violence against migrants in Ireland.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Gpahe co-founder and president Wendy Via said this is still the case, adding that the trend of anti-immigrant 'influencers' on the likes of X and TikTok is following global patterns.

"Ireland is of interest to the global far-right. It is predominantly white, it is English speaking.

"Even though Ireland thankfully does not have a strong extreme far-right, and it's not organised, the ones who do get involved use the same political talking points as far-right politicians and agitators in other countries.

"'You're taking our housing, the crime rate is going up, we're losing our culture', it's all the same exact talking points. Ireland has been resistant to that but I think some of these far-right actors know if you just continue to beat this drum that you might get in there a little deeper.

"That certainly is what has happened in other countries, and it works when people are feeling the economy is a mess, when they feel they don't have opportunities... are they happy with the EU? Are they happy with their housing, jobs, it's all of this stuff.

"They sow these seeds of discontent to make their message more palatable."

Ms Via added: "Ireland is not unique in that. It's the same story anywhere where there are people pushing mistruths about migration.

"When people are constantly told immigrants are hurting them in a variety of ways, this gets through.

"They don't need electoral success. When we did our reports a few years ago, we could see anti-migrant narratives starting to build; now it is quite pervasive.

"However, it doesn't mean Ireland is at risk. It just means Irish people should be diligent; there are people who want them to go against their values and give them false reasons to do that, for the far-right to create an enemy."

'Toxic algorithms'

She said the "toxic algorithms" on sites like X and YouTube are allowing these anti-immigrant agitators to position themselves as influencers, with some far-right Irish accounts boasting hundreds of thousands of followers.

"Influencers are huge in this. In the United States campaigns, political parties and various companies aren't really running ads anymore, they are hiring influencers because the reach is greater, it's more attention-grabbing, and it's a conversation that people can become a part of. It's a change that has been coming, and it's a money-making operation.

"You get influencers to tell the story, and social media is the worst place to get information. The algorithms push the most controversial topics, and it works.

"There isn't a solution to how the far-right can have this impact online. In short, be aware of the influencers.

"They wouldn't have the presence they have were it not for their ability to spread their message, and spread it transnationally.

"You see, people like the Identitarians in Germany encouraging extremists in Ireland, it makes them feel like they are a part of something.

"You have to point out that what the influencers are saying in the large part is not true."

She said women and the LGBTQ community are also targets.

Ms Via also said it is unsurprising that the European Union is a frequent target for anti-immigrant activists.

Right now the conversation in Ireland is about migrants, but that's just the start.

"The thing that's attractive about Ireland for these groups is its Catholic heritage. These are issues people already struggle with, and it's a wedge to weaponise them.

"You start by talking about migrants, then how culture has been 'destroyed', then before you know it, you're talking about same-sex marriage, adoption, surrogacy, all of these things.

"Sometimes political parties do get their talking points from extremists, we've seen that in the European Parliament. You have countries like Hungary that rage against the EU even though they benefit so much from it.

"It's all of this 'Europe isn't Europe anymore, there are too many migrants, it's not a Western civilization anymore'."

Dublin riots

While many of those involved in the Dublin riots have now received prison sentences, An Garda Siochana hit a wall when trying to hold those who inflamed the situation online to account.

The same is true for activists who have encouraged violent protests outside IPAS centres.

This is a problem worldwide, and Ms Via said it is only getting worse.

"Extremist leaders have always got someone else to do their dirty work, social media is their medium now.

"X is really bad, to the point we can hardly monitor the fringe sites anymore because they're all on X again, and there's no way to analyse the data because Elon Musk does not make it available. There is some availability in the EU, but it's not what is required.

"All of the extremists who went to places like 4chan, Telegram and Gab, they don't need to be there, they can go back to X where they have huge audiences. However, they're all bad. YouTube has always been among the worst.

"We just identified a neo-Nazi marketing system on Instagram.

"It's nearly impossible unless it's the people on the ground rioting, that's always been the challenge for groups like ours. It's so clear people are encouraged to commit acts of hate crime, hate speech or violence, from what they read and people they admire online who will never do it themselves.

"Nothing can be done about this. Even in countries with strong hate speech or incitement to violence laws, it's so difficult to prosecute that. Right now with the US getting into the EU's business in terms of the DSA (Digital Services Act) and freedom of expression and religion, you can expect to see a weakening of some of these laws in the next couple of years."

Steve Bannon, a former White House strategist who was key in US President Donald Trump's 2016 election victory, recently turned his attention to Ireland.

Mr Bannon, who is now a right-wing, MAGA podcaster, recently said, "Im spending a ton of time behind the scenes on the Irish situation to help form an Irish national party".

In the interview, with Politico, he said: "Theyre going to have an Irish MAGA, and were going to have an Irish Trump. Thats all going to come together, no doubt. That country is right on the edge thanks to mass migration."

Steve Bannon recently predicted an "Irish Trump". Photo: Getty Images

Ms Via said this is an example of international interest in Ireland from far-right groups, however, she said what Mr Bannon said should be taken "with a grain of salt".

She pointed to his attempts to promote European far-right groups to date, which have seen little to no success.

"Steven Bannon is so bombastic, and he says things to create a narrative that he wants. I would take everything with a grain of salt that he says.

"It's a way for Bannon and others to rally people, 'all you need is someone with the strength of Trump to get all these things fixed, I'll help you find this person.'.

"Bannon hasn't had as much in the European space as he wants.

"I'd be more concerned about the Heritage Foundation, Political Network for Values, Alliance Defending Freedom [American far-right groups], than I would be about Steve Bannon."

She added: "I firmly believe all of this far-right activity has a white supremacist foundation. For the political parties that talk about migration, leaving the EU, there is this underpinning of that.

"It's not just white supremacy, it's this desire to go back to how things 'used to be', where women didn't have as many rights, minorities had no rights.

"The groups behind the likes of Project 2025 in the United States are very busy in Europe and Latin America, taking these ideas and finding people who agree with it."

While far-right groups have not had any real electoral success in Ireland, Ms Via said there is a danger in political parties veering to the right to appeal to extremist views.

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has recently been accused of such for the Government's tightening of immigration policy.

Ms Via stressed there was a difference in robust immigration policy and pandering to the far-right, however, she said the latter can slowly creep in and compared it to European leaders' attempts to please Donald Trump.

"There is a difference between thoughtful and comprehensive immigration policy, and let's just punish immigrants. People often confuse these things.

"When you have extremists, they will never be happy with it, they'll always push for more repressive policies.

"Think about Trump. One thing these EU presidents and prime ministers are understanding, is that you can't appease an authoritarian. They won't react how you want, they will just see you as weak. That is what Trump is doing.

"People already know this about Putin, but somehow they can't quite get their with Trump.

"Macron and Starmer call him to try to appease him, that's just feeding his ego. It's the same mentality for these far-right leaders."
Eric Dane missed an awards show due to the "physical realities" of having ALS.

Eric Dane couldn't collect his award

The 53-year-old actor is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and causes loss of muscle control and is also known as motor neurone disease (MND) - and was forced to miss the ALS Network's Champions for Cures and Care Gala in Pasadena, California on Saturday (24.01.26) due to health reasons.

A spokesperson for the ALS Network told The Hollywood Reporter: The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us this evening to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend."

The Grey's Anatomy actor had been due to pick up the Advocate of the Year award in recognition of him bringing international attention to ALS through his leadership and compassion.

The spokesperson added: We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honour him fully this evening with our profound respect and support. Aaron Lazar, Broadway star and Grammy Award nominee, will accept the award on his behalf.

Eric previously expressed his gratitude at the recognition.

Speaking last September, when it was announced he would receive the award, he said: This award is more than an honour. [The award is] a reflection of the incredible strength and courage I see in the ALS community every day.

The Euphoria actor recently revealed he is writing his memoir, which will be titled Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments.

He said in a statement: "I wake up every morning, and I'm immediately reminded that this is real - this illness, this challenge and that's exactly why I'm writing this book.

"I want to capture the moments that shaped me - the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted - so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart."

Eric - who has two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13 - hopes that some will "find meaning in their own days" thanks to his upcoming tome.

He added: "If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling."

Eric's memoir will be available in 2026, but a specific date is yet to be revealed.
Suresh Bidari

When 38-year-old Pradeep Kumar Bishwokarma was growing up in Ramgadhawa, a neighbourhood in southern Nepals industrial town of Birgunj, he would jump into the Sirsiya river to beat the summer heat as his mother washed clothes and residents drew drinking water from it.

Today, Bishwokarma and his fellow residents of the border town cover their noses with a handkerchief whenever they pass by the river that was once their villages lifeline. The flowing liquid no longer resembles a river. It is thick and black as if a truckload of oil had been dumped into it. The air around the river feels heavy with the stench of sulphur and rotting organic matter.

This is no longer a river, Bishwokarma said, pointing toward it. It has become an open drain for factories, and we havent just lost a river, weve lost our self-respect, he added.

The river, which was once a crucial part of daily life, religion and agriculture in Bara and Parsa districts, is one of the 6,000-odd rivers and rivulets flowing into India from Nepal. It begins its journey from the Ramban Jhadi (forest) of Bara district farther north and passes through Nepals largest industrial zone, the Bara-Parsa corridor.

Today, ineffective environmental regulation and poor coordination among government agencies have allowed factories to dump untreated industrial waste and sewage into the river. Even after decades of protests, multiple court cases and government committees and unimplemented wastewater treatment plans, the river remains a public health hazard, damaging local culture and ecosystems not just in Nepal, but also across the border in Raxaul in Indias Bihar.

A resident of the industrial town of Birgunj in southern Nepal draws water from the heavily polluted Sirsiya river. Image by Suresh Bidari.



The Bara-Parsa industrial corridor is home to approximately 1,200 small and large factories. For decades, the area, touted as Nepals industrial capital, has served as an engine of the countrys economy, producing goods ranging from leather and textiles to steel, soap and ghee, providing employment to thousands of people. But this economic growth has come at a severe environmental cost.

According to a 2010 report by the Sirsiya River Monitoring Committee, at least 47 large factories discharge waste directly into the river. By 2026, environmentalists say, the number has risen to more than 60.

The pollution profile of the Sirsiya is extremely complex, said Binod Gupta, an environmental chemist based in Birgunj. You find chromium from leather industries, sulphuric acid from chemical plants and toxins from paper mills. During the dry season, about 80% of the rivers volume consists of industrial wastewater, he added. This means that ironically, during the dry season, most of the water flowing in the Sirsiya consists of industrial effluent. If industrial discharge is stopped, the river would dry up, a government official said.

The impact of the sewage on the rivers ecosystem has been severe. A study by researchers at B.R.A. Bihar University found that once industrial waste entered the river, zooplankton communities, considered the foundation of aquatic ecosystems, would be almost entirely annihilated, turning the river into a biological desert.

For Hindu communities living along the banks of the Sirsiya, the rivers decline is not only a health crisis but also a spiritual one. During the Chhath festival, one of the biggest in the Indo-Gangetic plains, devotees traditionally stand in the river to offer prayers to the sun. In recent years, the number of people performing Chhath rituals in the Sirsiya has dropped sharply. Those who still do enter the water often suffer from skin ailments, allergies and infections.

We used to cook ritual offerings using this rivers water, said 60-year-old Naina Pati Devi, who lives along the riverbank. Now, we feel disgusted even putting our feet in it. During Chhath, which falls in October/November, the factories stop dumping waste for a few days.

It is as if they are doing us a favour, and the water looks slightly cleaner. But from the third day, the same black sludge returns, Devi said.

Map of factories along the Sirsiya river. Map by Feasibility Study for Effluent Treatment Plant for Discharges from Industries in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya section. (Image not in scale)



Article 30 of Nepals Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live in a clean and healthy environment. Section 111 of Nepals Muluki Criminal Code contains provisions for prison sentences of up to three years for those found polluting drinking water sources. But all of that is on paper.

Lawyer Surendra Kurmi, who leads the Sarisawa River and Pollution-Free Birgunj Campaign (Sirsiya is also known by the name Sarisawa), has been fighting a legal battle to rejuvenate the river since 2018. He filed a public interest litigation case against Birgunj Metropolitan City and 10 large factories for polluting the river.

The court initially dismissed the case, saying it should be initiated by the public prosecutor, Kurmi said. The police said its the chief district officers [CDOs] responsibility, the CDO passed it on to the municipality, and the municipality argued it lacks the technical capacity to regulate the factories.

In 2019, the Janakpur High Court finally issued a directive ordering Birgunj Metropolitan City to take effective measures to control pollution. Yet seven years later, little has changed.

Once the river crosses the border into India at Raxaul, pollution becomes a diplomatic issue between the two countries sharing an open border.

Subhash Kumar, a resident of Raxaul, said the rivers pollution has contaminated local groundwater. Even in summer, we have to keep our windows closed because of the smell. We cant irrigate our fields because the water kills crops. We are receiving industrial waste from Nepal, but theres nowhere to lodge a complaint.

In both India and Nepal, the banks of the Sirsiya river have become a waste dumping ground. Images by Pranaya Sah.



The Indian government has approved a sewage management project costing ? 746.4 million ($8.21 million) to treat Raxauls own wastewater. According to Pramod Kumar Sinha, a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from the Raxaul constituency, work is underway to treat water from major drains at three locations before releasing it into the Sirsiya river.

However, Indian officials acknowledge that unless waste flowing from Nepal is stopped, the river will never be clean. The Raxaul town has been identified as the only source of sewage generation within the Sirsiya rivers catchment area on the Indian side.

Ranjit Singh, president of Swachh Raxaul, said he received no response even after traveling to Nepal to stage a protest against river pollution. He holds industries in the Bara-Parsa corridor responsible for destroying the river and warns that if pollution is not stopped, residents of Raxaul are prepared to block raw materials going to Nepals industries and halt the export of finished goods.

Back in Nepal, industrialists in the Bara-Parsa corridor say a large-scale effluent treatment plant is needed in Nepal, as most factories in the area are small and medium-sized and cant afford to build and operate individual treatment facilities.

A common treatment plant is the only sustainable solution, said Hari Gautam, Chair of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries. The government should build the infrastructure; industries are ready to pay service fees.

Residents of the industrial town of Birgunj in southern Nepal draw water from the heavily polluted Sirsiya to show officials. Image by Suresh Bidari.



Nepals Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, through its Industrial Infrastructure and Environment Division, has conducted a feasibility study for an effluent treatment plant for discharges from industries in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya section. The study identified 18 types of pollutants from 16 categories of industries and found that 122 industries are directly discharging wastewater into the river. The study recommended three treatment units with a combined capacity of 13.4 million litres (3.5 million gallons) per day, at an estimated cost of about 2.5 billion Nepali rupees ($17 million). We have prepared a proposal worth 2.5 billion Nepali rupees, a government official said, But it requires allocation from the federal budget.

Meanwhile, patience among the younger generation is wearing thin. A group of youths running the Save Sirsiya Movement since late 2025 have begun delivering bottles of polluted water from the river to the gates of government offices and also hanging them on the doors of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

Caught between protests, court orders, committees and promises, the Sirsiya river continues to carry black water, flowing past homes, temples, fields and across an international border.

For Pradeep Kumar Bishwokarma, assurances and committees no longer carry any weight. Every year a new committee is formed, and every year new promises are made, he said, looking at the black water. But the river only gets darker. We grew up with this rive. Now we are forced to live with poison.

This article originally appeared on Mongabay. Read the original article here.
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.

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.
Kylie Jenner is no stranger to sparking a digital frenzy with a single post, but her latest "routine" staple has fans and health experts raising more than just an eyebrow. The billionaire beauty mogul recently took to TikTok to rave about Foodologys "Cutting Jelly." The cutting jelly is a viral Korean supplement that promises to "debloat" and "cut" cravings. Yet beneath the ruby-red, pomegranate-flavored gel lies a cocktail of ingredients that has sparked a wave of medical warnings and a fierce debate over the ethics of celebrity-led wellness trends.

The video, which Jenner shared earlier this month, shows her prepping for a "last fitting" before a high-profile event while wearing a skin-tight latex dress. "Ive added a new favorite to my routine: pomegranate-flavored cutting jelly," she told her millions of followers, holding up the slim plastic packets. Jenner described the product as "not a typical jelly," emphasizing its use for "digestion" and "debloating" as she expressed a goal to "snack less for the new year."

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While the clip featured Jenner ostensibly trying the product, eagle-eyed viewers noted that the camera repeatedly cut away immediately after she took a bite. This detail fueled skepticism among commenters.

The product, often dubbed "Korean Ozempic" in viral circles, has exploded across TikTok. Typical videos feature creators in their cars or kitchens, waving the gelatinous strips and claiming they achieved dramatic muscle definition and a total loss of "food noise" within weeks. However, the reality behind the "trembling ruby-red prism" may be far less magical. Many users have described the experience not as a gentle wellness boost, but as a harsh "clean out" effect.

The "Carb-Blocking" Myth

Kylie Jenner. Screenshot from kyliejenner via TikTok. Used under fair use for commentary.

The allure of the cutting jelly lies in its claim to "block" carbohydrates from turning into fat, a promise largely attributed to its primary active ingredient: Garcinia cambogia. TikTok creator @tiffytummy recently described the tropical plant as a "secret fruit" that performs this metabolic magic. But according to Dr. Chethan Ramprasad, a professor of gastroenterology at Harvard, this is more of a "marketing hook than a physiologic reality."

"The short answer is, no, you cannot effectively block carbs," Dr. Ramprasad explained in a recent assessment. He noted that while plant extracts like white kidney bean or Garcinia cambogia are marketed as enzyme inhibitors that prevent calorie absorption, the real-world effect in humans is "minimal to non-existent."

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Instead, the "weight loss" users might experience is often the result of basic bulking agents like fiber and water, or the "clean out effect" caused by sugar alcohols like D-Sorbitol. Essentially, the product acts more like a glorified laxative than a metabolic breakthrough.

Screenshot from Kylie Jenner's official Instagram page, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.

The Kardashian-Jenner family is known for this specific brand of controversy. For over a decade, the family has faced backlash for promoting products like "Fit Teas," appetite-suppressing lollipops, and meal-replacement shakes. Critics argue that Kylies latest endorsement is a regression to an era of "irresponsible" advertising.

One Reddit user summarized the frustration: "Its so irresponsible for celebrities to advertise supplements and laxatives... there are so many impressionable kids who will take this as gospel and it may actually cause them serious harm."

Health Risks and Regulatory Bans

While the internet debates the ethics of the ad, health agencies are sounding the alarm on the safety of the ingredients themselves. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) recently issued a stark alert, strongly advising the entire population against consuming food supplements containing Garcinia cambogia.

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The agency cited cases of acute hepatitis, including fatal cases, in individuals who consumed the plant, sometimes even those with no prior history of medical issues.

In the United States, the regulatory history of Garcinia cambogia is equally checkered. In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the withdrawal of the ingredient from the popular Hydroxycut range following reports of liver, muscle, and cardiac damage.

While the ingredient remains legal in many U.S. supplements today, the FDA-Medwatch database has continued to receive dozens of adverse reaction reports.

Screenshot from @foodology.global, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.

The risks aren't limited to the liver. Research has identified links between Garcinia cambogia and psychiatric disorders, pancreatitis, and muscular damage. For those with sensitive stomachs or conditions like IBS, the D-Sorbitol and fiber content can lead to severe bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

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Also, the product is not recommended for children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers. The "food noise" that TikTokers claim the jelly silences is actually the body's natural hunger cues being artificially suppressed or masked by the discomfort of a "harsh clean out."

As the "cutting jelly" continues to trend, here is a breakdown of what is verified and what remains in the realm of online speculation:

Confirmed Statements: Kylie Jenner officially endorsed Foodology's "Cutting Jelly" on TikTok, calling it her "new favorite" for digestion and "debloating."

Medical Expert Consensus: Gastroenterologists, including Harvards Dr. Chethan Ramprasad, state that "carb-blocking" is a marketing myth and the product primarily functions through fiber-induced fullness or a laxative effect.

Regulatory Warnings: ANSES in France has issued a public health alert against Garcinia cambogia due to risks of liver injury. The U.S. FDA previously forced its removal from Hydroxycut in 2009, but allows it in other supplements despite ongoing adverse reports.

Reported Side Effects: Users and medical databases have documented "harsh" bowel movements, stomach pain, diarrhea, and in rare cases, severe liver toxicity. Simply put, Garcinia -related liver toxicity may be rare, but when it occurs, it can be severe, leading to potential liver transplantation.

What Remains Speculation: There is no peer-reviewed clinical evidence that "cutting jelly" provides a safe or "magical" solution to weight loss or "blocks" carbs in a way that significantly alters physiology.

Ultimately, for the millions of fans watching Kylies every move, the question of concern can no longer just be Does it work? but rather, Is it safe?
Since being appointed U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle has been making the most of her time not just in the Mediterranean, but also in the stunning neighboring countries. In a recent Instagram post, she was spotted in Vienna, taking in the citys iconic architecture while blending travel with work.

The U.S. Embassy in Athens shared a photo of Guilfoyle alongside Ambassador Arthur Graham Fisher, who was confirmed and sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to Austria in October 2025. The 56-year-old wore an all-black ensemble, featuring a large fur coat, matching boots, and a coordinating black bag. Her hair was styled in her signature long, wavy center part, and she completed the look with her iconic full-glam makeup.

Kimberly Guilfoyle Wears A Chic All-Black Outfit

Also present was her son, Ronan Anthony Villency, whose father is Eric Villency, American businessman and CEO of Villency Design Group. Guilfoyle and Villency were married from 2006 until their divorce in 2009.

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The appearance comes after she was questioned about her reaction to Don Jr.s recent engagement, which followed his quickly developing relationship with Bettina Anderson after their breakup.

The former prosecutor was swiftly appointed as U.S. ambassador to Greece shortly after Don Jr. began his relationship with now-fiancee Bettina. With his engagement to the Palm Beach socialite announced last month at a White House Christmas event, Kimberly was finally asked about her exs rapid romance.

In a January 4 interview with The New York Times, she said, Im happy for Don, adding, I wish him, of course, all the best. No drama from her sidejust grace and well-wishes!

Kimberly Guilfoyle Has 'Major Concerns' Over Don Jr.'s Engagement To Bettina Anderson

While Kimberly remained classy and drama-free in the interview, sources revealed a few weeks ago that she doesnt view Don Jr.s relationship with Bettina in a very positive light.

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Kimberly knows Don well, and theyre still great friends, but she has major concerns when it comes to his relationship with Bettina, a source told PEOPLE exclusively. "The engagement was difficult for Kimberly to see, and she felt it only added to her doubts about the relationship."

"She only wants the best for Don, but she isnt convinced Bettina is well-suited for Don or that what they have is the real deal," the insider says. "Kimberly has a hard time seeing the headlines about their relationship because she doesnt believe its built to last. She feels Bettina is more interested in the prestige and attention that comes with being connected to the Trump family and doesnt think shed be with Don if it werent for that," the source adds.

As recently as not that long ago, Kimberly and Don still hadnt completely moved out of each others places, and Don still had many of his belongings at Kimberlys home, including clothes and shoes, the source claims.

Donald Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle dated from 2018 to 2024, becoming a high-profile couple and getting engaged in 2020. Their split became public in late 2024 just as Trump Jr. began dating Bettina Anderson.

Don Jr. is now engaged to Anderson, an engagement he and his father announced in December 2025 during a White House holiday party.
NEED TO KNOW

Prince Harrys stalker was in close contact with him on two separate occasions during his recent court visits in London

The Duke of Sussex was at High Court for his privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail

The unnamed woman once followed Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, to Nigeria

Prince Harrys stalker was in close contact with him during his recent court visits in London.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, was at High Court last week for his privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail. His known stalker, who may be suffering from mental health issues, sat just feet away from him on two separate occasions while he was in court, according to The Telegraph.

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Harry first reported to the High Court on Jan. 19. The stalker, an unnamed woman, attended two of the four days he was in court, per the outlet.

Representatives for Prince Harry declined to comment on the situation.

Neil Mockford/GC Images Prince Harry enters the High Court in London on Jan. 22, 2026 Prince Harry enters the High Court in London on Jan. 22, 2026

The princes private security team noticed the stalker in court. A source told The Telegraph that the security team could not intervene.

There is nothing they could do; they are not the police. Its a public building, and she has a right to be there, the insider said.

As for Prince Harry, the source added, He is obviously always worried about his security situation; its not ideal.

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Prince Harry previously had close encounters with his stalker during his visit to London in September. The woman was able to come within feet of him at when he attended the WellChild Awards, and again, when he visited the Centre for Blast Injury Studies.

A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex told PEOPLE at the time that they do not comment on security issues.

The Telegraph reported that the woman once followed Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, to Nigeria.

In May, Harry lost his high-stakes appeal to reinstate his state-funded United Kingdom security, which he says was unjustly revoked after he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the U.S. in 2020.

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Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos dismissed Harry's appeal, noting that the two other judges agreed with his opinion.

Following the verdict, the Duke of Sussex told PEOPLE that his worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case  and thats really sad.

Leon Neal/Getty Prince Harry arrives at the High Court in London on Jan. 21, 2026 Prince Harry arrives at the High Court in London on Jan. 21, 2026

Harry then wrote to the British government minister in charge of policing and crime prevention in Britain, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, to make a personal appeal.

The Home Office oversees the special body that handles decisions over the security of royals, diplomats and VIPS, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC).

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A full scale review of Harrys security was granted in December. The review is still in progress.

The last time he and his family had an assessment was in 2019.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Upon his arrival back in the U.S., Harry stepped out this weekend alongside Meghan as they made their first-ever appearance at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Saturday, Jan. 24, to attend a special screening of their documentary, Cookie Queens.

At the event, the couple posed for photos with Amy Redford, the daughter of the late Robert Redford.



Read the original article on People
The Royalist arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday as a spectator in the case brought by Prince Harry and others against the alleged intrusions by the British media.

After lunch on day one, as Harrys team was laying out his case, I thought I saw the woman alleged to be his stalker lined up outside courtroom 76, waiting to be admitted.

Harrys legal team was about to resume its arguments and, because all the press seats were taken, The Royalist had joined the line for members of the public.

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It seemed odd when court staff, who decide how many people are allowed into the public stands (usually as few as 10-12), conveniently cut off access to the court just as this person reached the front of the line. This was a little strict, based on previous experience. Usually, they squash people in like sardines.

The woman in question looked kind of annoyed and stalked off into the depths of the court building, disappearing into its warren of corridors.

We witnessed the events of the day in an overflow room via a video link, but she did not appear there. Surely it was highly unlikely that a woman known to be an over-avid follower could get so close to her target?

And yet, it seems that she did. According to a report by Victoria Ward in the Telegraph, the alleged stalker gained access to Court 76 twice while Harry was there. Ward claimed that the woman not only entered the courtroom but was also seated just a few rows behind the prince.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, walk out after meeting students at the Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, May 10, 2024. / Akintunde Akinleye/Reuters

A little context is necessary here. The woman has long presented herself not as a threat but as a devoted supporter. She has been described as a member of the so-called Sussex squad of committed fans. She first got physically close to Harry and Meghan in Nigeria during a May 2024 trip. There was no sign at that point that the couple or their team regarded her as dangerous.

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By September, however, I understand she had been placed on a police list of fixated individuals.

Around that time there were two further encounters. At a WellChild event in London, Harrys main public engagement at that time, she is said to have entered the hotel hours in advance and hidden in the toilets, emerging only when she knew the prince was nearby.

Even then, she failed to get close to him.

But at a separate charity visit connected to the provision of prosthetics for injured servicemen, she did. According to Harrys people, she was physically blocked from approaching him by an ex-military member of his staff, just feet from the prince. Harry was then hustled inside, and the doors slammed behind him. That incident has since been cited by his team as part of the case for improved protection.

Prince Harry gives a star turn at the WellChild Awards, of which he is a patron. WellChild is a U.K. charity that provides a nurses, home makeover projects and family support programs for seriously ill young people. / Toby Melville/Getty

The Royalists experience last week underlined how easy it would be for someone who was determined to cause harm to approach a high-profile figure at the Royal Courts of Justice. The security regime is quite soft. You place your belongings in a tray, send them through an ageing X-ray machine, and walk through a scanner watched by a handful of guards.

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Given that, statistically, a significant number of people entering the building are defendants or individuals with deep grudges against one another, the laxity is surprising.

On the first morning I, without thinking, carried in a heavy metal camera tripod I was using for outside broadcasts.

Folded down, it was about 15 inches long and easily solid enough to be used as a weapon, especially if partially extended. No one noticed it when my bag went through the machine. Only when I returned after lunch did a guard pull me aside, give me a telling-off, and insist I check it in. Tripods are on the official list of banned items, yet it had slipped through once without comment.

Those who support Harry getting his security renewed will, of course, say this incident is a powerful illustration of why Harry needs proper, armed police protection in the U.K. rather than relying on private security guards.

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That said, the presence of one fixated fan in a public courtroom is unlikely to influence the RMB and RAVEC committees, which are currently deciding whether Harry and his family should receive automatic police protection every time he comes to Britain. A stalker-type figure turning up to see a famous person at an open court is not unprecedented.

However, the episode does highlight how exposed Harry is under the arrangements currently in place.

Whatever the legal principles of open justice and equal access to the courts, it is hard to imagine a similarly obsessed individual being allowed to sit yards behind, say, the former Prince Andrew, who does still have RAVEC-mandated police protection. In those cases, police officers would almost certainly have found a way to move the person on, long before they reached the courtroom door.

Should King Charles (R) do more to guarantee the security of his son, Harry, and his family? / LOIC VENANCE / AFP via Getty Images

What this incident also shows is the weakness of the bespoke security package that Harry was told he would receive whenever he visited the U.K.

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The Royalist understands that, in practice, the tailored arrangement amounts to little more than a phone number for a police liaison officer rather than an actual deployment of officers. During this latest hearing, there were no visible British police bodyguards with Harry; he relied on his own private security team, who had no authority inside the court to remove a member of the public they considered a risk.

The behavior of a single fixated fan will not convince officials that Harry should get full, automatic, state-funded protection the moment his plane touches down at Heathrow.

Clearly, Harry could bring his children to visit their grandfather, the king, safely under the current arrangements if both sides made a concerted effort.

I also think Harry was hugely unwise to aggravate the situation by detailing how he had killed 25 members of the Taliban in his memoir, and to include an account of chasing one man riding a motorbike who was being hunted down by an Apache helicopter he was crewing.

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Of course, fundamentally, he wants the security detail reinstated to minimize the risk of dying a tragic death like his mother. But there is no denying that Harry whizzing through London with a police escort and outriders would also telegraph a very different level of legitimacy to Harry stuck in London traffic.

That said, surely the British state has a responsibility to ensure the son of the reigning monarch is better shielded than he was inside Court 76 last week.

Want more royal gossip, scoops and scandal? Head over to The Royalist on Substack.
NEED TO KNOW

Authorities in Texas have arrested a 40-year-old man, identified as a local car influencer, for the alleged sexual assault of a toddler

Victor L. Corey Paillet III is known as "Kandy Red Bread" on social media

Detectives said they obtained video evidence depicting the sexual assault of a 2-year-old child, and Paillet was arrested soon after



Authorities in Texas have arrested a 40-year-old man, identified as a local car influencer, for the alleged sexual assault of a child.

The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) announced in a Facebook post that deputies were first called to a home in Porter, Texas, on Jan. 16 as a part of an investigation involving the sexual assault of a child. The MCSO's Special Victims Unit (SVU) was quickly called to the scene.

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SVU detectives then obtained video evidence depicting the sexual assault of a 2-year-old child. Police identified the suspect as 40-year-old Victor L. Corey Paillet III.

The victim's mother, who opted not to share her name to protect her child's identity, later spoke to local outlets, including ABC13 and KPRC 2. She shared that she called the police after discovering that Paillet, her boyfriend, had videos of an incident on his cell phone.

"I've never went through his phone before, never, but his phone was right there, and I'm like, I just feel somethings not right," she told KPRC 2, recounting the moment she found the disturbing footage.

"I just keep seeing that video over and over in my head," she added to ABC 13. "I literally haven't been able to sleep. I've just been crying so much lately."

Montgomery County Sheriffs Office Victor L. Corey Paillet III Victor L. Corey Paillet III

The MCSO said that Paillet was arrested and charged with promotion of child pornography and aggravated sexual assault of a child, both of which are first-degree felonies. He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and is being held with no bond.

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Paillet has a large following on social media platforms, including Instagram, where he goes by "Kandy Red Bread." He has more than 62,000 followers and makes videos about customizing cars with Houston-specific modifications.

The victim's mother told ABC13 that she and her child have been left reeling in the aftermath of the assault, and are hoping to move out of the home where the abuse occurred. "We can't go back to that house where the trauma happened," she said.

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.

"She has changed since that happened," the mother added of her toddler. "She's just been crying so much lately, and we both do need to seek therapy. We're going to try and get some help."

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"She's just a baby  why would you do this to a baby? How can you do this to her? How can you do this to me?" she questioned.



KPRC 2 later reported that jail officials placed Paillet on a "modified safety watch," which is utilized when an inmate attempts to harm themself or is believed to be at risk of doing so.



Getty Police vehicles (stock image) Police vehicles (stock image)

The sheriff's office said that based on information obtained during the investigation, detectives believe there may be additional victims. Investigators are now asking anyone with information about Paillet or any related sexual offenses to come forward. Tips can be reported to police, referencing case number 26A017864.

"I just hope everyone comes forward, so we can all get the justice that we deserve," the child's mother said.

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If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.



Read the original article on People
Tom Cruise has reportedly left the staff at his $47 million London apartment "stunned" by his abrupt departure from the UK.

A source revealed that the actor, who once declared himself an "Anglophile," made the decision to leave for the US "very quickly," describing the move as "strange."

This comes a few weeks after it was revealed that Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology had "angered" locals of East Grinstead with their disruptions while attending fundraisers in England.

Tom Cruise's Departure From UK Home Deemed 'Strange,' As Staff Were Seen With Boxes Of His Possessions

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Cruise has made an abrupt decision to move back to the US after spending years in the UK, where he was sometimes seen enjoying pub outings and even hanging out with the future king, Prince William.

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According to a source who spoke with the Mail on Sunday, staff were left "stunned" by his sudden departure, with some spotted removing boxes of possessions at the "Mission Impossible" star's 35 million [$47 million] London penthouse property, which overlooks Hyde Park.

While the reason for his move is currently unclear, a source noted that it happened "very quickly" and seemingly out of the blue.

Speaking with the news outlet, the source said, "Tom loved London. He loved where he lived; he would get up and go for [a] run around Hyde Park in the mornings. He loved walking in the local area, but he also really, really enjoyed jumping in a helicopter at Battersea Heliport and flying off into the quintessentially British countryside."

The source continued, "It all happened very quickly; it was a surprise to the staff at the building where his penthouse is. It's most strange. The UK became both his professional headquarters and private playground, with discrete dates, tightly-guarded movements, and late-night arrivals."

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"England became far more than just a filming base," they added about Cruise's sudden exit.

The Actor Once Labeled Himself An 'Anglophile'

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Before Cruise's decision to seemingly return to the US, he had become very well known for his love of the UK, where he had been making films for over 40 years.

Last year, the actor was recognized for his contribution to the UK film industry and was awarded a BFI fellowship by the British Film Institute.

At the event held in May, Cruise noted, "I'm truly honoured, I've been making films in the UK for over 40 years and have no plans to stop."

Back in 2022, the actor also labeled himself an "Anglophile" because he spent a lot of "time in Britain, and that's not just for work reasons."

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"I just love being here," he stated at the time, per the Daily Mail. "It's a fantastic blend of old and new... Britain is trendy, too, and has a lot that other countries then copy. I also love the British countryside."

Cruise was also said to have been interested in buying some properties in the Cotswolds, as he hoped to strengthen his ties to the UK, making his sudden departure, which reportedly included him removing his blackout curtains from his penthouse, even more puzzling.

Tom Cruise And The Church Of Scientology Recently Faced Backlash From Locals Over Disruptions

DGP/imageSPACE / MEGA

Cruise, who has somewhat become the face of the Church of Scientology because of his vocal support over the years, recently came under fire after locals made complaints about him and his organization.

The actor makes it a point of duty to attend the Church's annual fundraiser in England. However, last year's edition in December allegedly "angered" residents of East Grinstead because of the disruption it brought to their everyday lives.

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The small town located in West Sussex is home to the British headquarters of the Church and often receives guests in large numbers when such events are happening.

According to the Daily Mail, former Scientologist Alexander Barnes-Ross said that the locals are "extremely frustrated and angered" by the instant increase in population during the fundraiser, and were particularly uncomfortable with the disturbance caused by Cruise "flying in on his helicopter."

"It causes a lot of noise and nuisance, and he [Tom Cruise], you know, doesn't stop for photos or anything," Barnes-Ross shared.

A Resident Slammed The Church Of Scientology's Activities As 'Disruptive'

JOR/Capital Pictures / MEGA

According to the news outlet, a resident described the Church's order of proceedings right from the preparation stages as "very disruptive."

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"For six to eight weeks, they were laying down pallets in the field to make a car park, so we had the disruption and noise of that, with lorry after lorry coming," the unidentified local said of Cruise's Church.

During the event proper, more of such chaos would follow as the Church uses generators to power heavy equipment and also plays loud musical instruments.

Reports suggest the community feels "helpless" as to what they'll do, as some town leaders also attend the Church and have a good relationship with the organization.

Locals Filed A Complaint Against Tom Cruise's Church

News Licensing / MEGA

According to the Daily Mail, locals have since filed a complaint with the Mid Sussex District Council, noting that the event attended by Cruise and other high-profile church members causes "considerable disruptions" to the area.

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It allegedly brings about traffic congestion and noise pollution. The complaint would see the Church's premises license undergo a review.

If the local community wins, the Church could be asked to tone down the large scale of events it organizes or implement measures to protect vulnerable people.
The bodies. Six young Palestinian children, maybe three or four years of age, lined up on a gurney, bloody, bandaged and covered in dust from explosions. Never to draw breath again, never to play or laugh or cry, or to reach adulthood.

This is one of the devastating images in American Doctor, the documentary directed by Oscar nominee Poh Si Teng that just held its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. It examines the catastrophic loss of Palestinian civilian life in Gaza under Israeli bombardment and invasion, as seen through the eyes of three American doctors who have traveled to Gaza to volunteer their services as experts in trauma response. One of the doctors is Jewish (Dr. Mark Perlmutter), one Palestinian American (Dr. Thaer Ahmad), and one  Dr. Feroze Sidhwa  born to parents originally from Pakistans Parsi minority that follow the Zoroastrian religious tradition.

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Early in the film, Dr. Perlmutter shows the director a still photo of the six dead children and Teng expresses reservations about sharing it on screen. Why? Dr. Perlmutter asks. Who are you offending? Teng answers, I want to protect the dignity of these children.

Dr. Perlmutter notes, I got permission from every one of their survivors to put these pictures up. Israel took away their dignity Their bodies tell the story of this trauma, of this genocide. Youre not doing them a service by not showing them.

Dr. Thaer Ahmad, Dr. Mark Perlmutter, director Poh Si Teng and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa at the Deadline Hollywood Portrait Studio during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2026 in Park City, Utah.

In an interview with Deadline, Teng says, Its such a delicate balance of trying to show the reality of what is happening and also preserve the dignity of those in the images. And that was something that we struggled with a lot. I still wrestle with it. I hope its enough, and I hope its true to what happened as a record, but also that people will watch through to the end. And thats why that first scene with Mark is where it is.

American Doctor shows Perlmutter and Sidhwa in the operating theater at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, Gaza, working to repair the bodies of severely injured kids. Dr. Ahmad conducted five medical missions to Gaza and is shown in American Doctor trying to reach Gaza once again, but hes blocked by Israeli authorities. Press notes for the film say Dr. Ahmad was prevented from entering Gaza because of his Palestinian heritage.

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The documentary also follows the physicians as they make appearances at conferences in the U.S. and as theyre interviewed on American media about what they witnessed in Gaza. Those public appearances in which they speak candidly have earned the doctors praise in some quarters and vitriol in others. In the film, Dr. Ahmad reads an email he received shortly after being interviewed on CNN by anchor-reporter Dana Bash.

Doctor,' the email reads, youre just as antisemitic as those Hamas terrorists you probably have treated in your practice in Godforsaken Gaza. Why did you not treat Jewish hostages, especially frail old people and babies? Is that not what a doctor is supposed to do? Cant wait for Hamas to renege on hostage deal before Sunday deadline so that Israel can finish the job of eliminating their presence forever of every single Palestinian member of Hamas. Chew on that fact, doctor.

Dr. Ahmad shares his reaction on camera, saying, This is the kind of really frustrating part of this. Im not a spokesperson for anybody. Im not pro anything. Im a Palestinian who wants to see babies that look like my babies not being killed anymore.

Doctors Ahmad, Sidhwa and Perlmutter could easily have been killed while volunteering their services in Gaza. The film notes 1,700 healthcare workers have lost their lives in Gaza since Israel launched its retaliatory attack on the occupied territory in October 2023 following the Hamas terror attack on Israel. According to the World Health Organization and the UN, 94 percent of the hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, including the Nasser Medical Complex. The targeted destruction of Gazas healthcare system by the Israel Defense Forces amounts to medicide, two UN Special Rapporteurs asserted last August.

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We are underlining it again, that hospitals in war zones are being targeted. Its undeniable, comments Oscar-nominated producer Kirstine Barfod (The Cave), describing the situation in Gaza as a big political, global question. What we do and what we have done with this film is that we zoom in in a moment in time and we filmed in real time Were seeing this with the eyes of Americans.

Americans, its suggested in the film, need to understand the immense loss of Palestinian civilian lives because of U.S. government support of Israels military. This is what my tax dollars did, Dr. Perlmutter says, pointing to the photo of the six killed Palestinian children. Thats what my neighbors tax dollars did.

The U.S. has spent $21.7 billion on military aid to Israel since October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, according to a report by Brown Universitys Watson School of International and Public Affairs. U.S. arms have been central to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Police operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and beyond.

Teng, who was born in Malaysia and became a U.S. citizen in 2024, says, What were hoping to show our audience, especially Americans, is like, what are we doing about this? Because none of this could continue without our government saying, Go ahead, heres the green light. So, I want to bring it home.

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Along with Teng, American Doctor is produced by Barfod, a Danish producer based in New York, and Reem Haddad, a Palestinian Canadian producer with two decades of experience covering the Middle East and Africa. Executive producers include Simon Kilmurry, Hamza Ali, Rasha Mansouri, Hassan Elmasry, Rami Elghandour, Andreas Dalsgaard, Mehdi Hasan, Juan Pablo Raymond, and Kiran Alvi.

The film is produced in partnership with Watermelon Pictures, a film production and distribution company rooted in creative resistance, according to its website. We aim to entertain audiences and enrich the cultural landscape by promoting stories that reflect the perspectives and experiences of Palestinians as well as other marginalized groups around the world.

Teng appears to take in stride the possibility of criticism over the film.

If there is a legitimate fear to be had, it is as an American and not doing the right thing and speaking because we have so much power from here. I dont want to think about anything else other than that, she says. If youre so scared about everything, youre never going to do anything. And theres no control of external factors, but theres one thing that we all have control of, and its really ourselves. So, Im just going to go with that.

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The Academy just did something it should have done thirty years ago. On the morning of Thursday, January 22, 2026, actors Lewis Pullman and Danielle Brooks announced the 98th Academy Award nominations, and the biggest roar from fans didn't come for a blockbuster sequel or a flashy biopic. It was for Delroy Lindo. At 73, the British American icon has officially secured his first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his powerhouse performance in Ryan Cooglers Sinners.

It was not just a personal victory for Lindo. Sinners, which is a genre-bending Southern Gothic horror film, made history by earning a staggering 16 nominations. This shattered the record previously held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land. But while the film swept through the technical and lead categories, it was Lindos name in the Supporting Actor list that felt like a long overdue correction of cinematic history.

"Im still processing, if Im really honest," Lindo told Good Morning America on Friday. "It feels terrific. Part of my response has to do with how positive everybody elses response has been. A lot of love. It feels really good."

The Role That Broke the Streak

Screenshot from welcometotheculture, via Instagram. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.

In Sinners, Lindo portrays Delta Slim, who is a legendary Mississippi Delta harmonica player and local myth who operates as the emotional anchor in a story filled with supernatural terror and Jim Crow era tension. Set in 1932, the film stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as twin brothers returning home to face an ancient evil.

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Critics have hailed Lindos performance as "titanic," particularly during a centerpiece monologue where Delta Slim recounts the lynching of a friend by the Ku Klux Klan. The scene, which Lindo reportedly advocated to keep in the final cut, features a gut-wrenching moment of improvised musical catharsis that left test audiences in stunned silence.

"Slim is a layered character who laughs and creates art as a byproduct of living a life of pain and persecution," wrote Slates Nadira Goffe. It is the kind of soulful and grounded work that the Academy often overlooks in favor of more "showy" roles, which makes the nomination even more significant.

The industry buzz surrounding Lindos nomination is heavily tinged with the memory of the "Great Snub of 2021." Fans will remember the collective outrage when Lindo was overlooked for his career-defining performance in Spike Lees Da 5 Bloods. Despite winning Best Actor from the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics, he was shockingly omitted from the Oscar lineup that year.

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Lindo admitted to The Hollywood Reporter that he thought his team was "joking" when they delivered the news of the 2021 snub. This year, the odds were once again stacked against him. Award prediction sites like GoldDerby gave him less than a 7 percent chance of a nomination, with many projecting Hamnets Paul Mescal to take the slot. But the "Lindo Effect" finally took hold and proved that sometimes the work is simply too good to ignore.

A Career Built on Grit

Screenshot from GQ, via Instagram. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.

Lindos journey to the Dolby Theatre has been a slow burn of exceptional consistency. Born in London in 1952, he started on the stage and earned a Tony nomination in 1988 for Joe Turners Come and Gone.

He became a staple of Black cinema through his collaborations with Spike Lee by playing the terrifyingly cool "West Indian" Archie in Malcolm X (1992) and the struggling patriarch Woody Carmichael in Crooklyn (1994). For over forty years, Lindo has been the actor who "saves" movies by bringing gravitas to everything from Get Shorty to The Good Fight.

Lindos nomination is part of a larger tidal wave of success for Sinners. Director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan have cemented their status as the most formidable duo in Hollywood. Jordan also earned his first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his dual performance as Smoke and Stack Moore.

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"Im so happy that everybody got recognized by their peers," Coogler told Variety. "I think these folks I work with are some of the best in the world. It doesnt always go that way so I feel really fortunate."

Whats Next for the Legend?

Lindo is not slowing down. At 73, he is busier than ever and has recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the upcoming Blade reboot. But for now, the focus is on March when he will finally walk the red carpet as an Academy Award nominee.

Whether he takes home the "little golden man" or not, the nomination itself serves as a long-overdue standing ovation for a man who has given his life to the craft.

As his son told him when he woke him up with the news on Thursday morning: "You did it, Pop."
UPDATED: The White House hosted screening of Amazon MGM Studios upcoming documentary Melania on Saturday, as the furor intensified over the latest killing in Minneapolis by a federal immigration agent.

The event drew figures including Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Amazon MGM Studio head Mike Hopkins, Barron Trump, Tony Robbins, Brett Ratner, Erika Kirk, Mike Tyson, Queen Rania of Jordan, New York Stick Exchange CEO Lynn Martin and Zoom CEO Eric Yuan, General Electric CEO Larry Culp, in addition to First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump, Marc Beckman, an adviser to the first lady, posted on X. Ratner himself posted a photo on social media with another guest, Apple CEO Tim Cook.

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A spokespersons for Amazon referred questions to the First Ladys office.

The event was on the presidents schedule made public on Friday. On Saturday, one or more federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, who was participating in an ICE protest in Minneapolis. Although the Department of Homeland Security claimed that Pretti posed a threat to agents as approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, the governments narrative of events quickly was contradicted by videos posted to social media. Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and CNN analyses showed that a federal agent had retrieved a gun from Prettis belt before shots were fired.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) blasted the administration for hosting the screening amid several unfolding crises. She posted on X that DHS assassinated a VA nurse in the street, Bondi is attempting to extort voter files, and half the country is bracing on the eve of a potentially crippling ice storm with FEMA gutted. So what is the President up to? Having a movie night at the White House.

The documentary, directed by Ratner, is billed at a candid look at Melania Trump in the weeks leading up to her husbands inauguration. It is scheduled to premiere on Jan. 30, with a screening at the Kennedy Center scheduled for the night before. Amazon reportedly paid $40 million for the rights to the project, a huge sum for a documentary. The companys founder, Jeff Bezos, was among the tech titans who attended Trumps inauguration last year.

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The black tie screening was held in the East Room, projected on a giant display and guests seated in rows of chairs. The White House did have a movie theater, but it was torn down along with the Colonnade and East Wing as part of the presidents plan to construct a new ballroom. A new theater is planned as part of the project.

The first lady posted on X on Sunday, I am deeply humbled to have been surrounded by an inspiring room of friends, family, and cultural iconoclasts at the White House last night. Each of these individuals each brought their unique vision to the world, making a lasting impression. Our personal stories endure time and serve as a reminder of our mutual obligation to one another.

MELANIA, the film

A Historic Moment



I am deeply humbled to have been surrounded by an inspiring room of friends, family, and cultural iconoclasts at the White House last night. Each of these individuals each brought their unique vision to the world, making a lasting pic.twitter.com/NmAUuEQp2L  MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) January 25, 2026

In a post on X on Sunday, Beckman wrote, Last evening marked a truly magnificent occasion. The First Lady hosted an intimate, private black-tie screening of her new film at the White House, shared among close friends and family. The evening was defined by extraordinary warmth, grace, and a palpable sense of love  an atmosphere as moving as it was unforgettable.

Reuters and The Hollywood Reporter first reported on the guest list for the event.

MELANIA

PRIVATE WHITE HOUSE SCREENING



Last evening marked a truly magnificent occasion. The First Lady hosted an intimate, private black-tie screening of her new film at the White House, shared among close friends and family. The evening was defined by extraordinary warmth, pic.twitter.com/canfcdG4Tu  Marc Beckman | Some Future Day (@MarcBeckman) January 25, 2026

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Bill Maher made a blunt prediction about the midterm elections amid the intensified ICE raids in Minnesota.

On the Friday, January 23 episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, the host, 70, made his 2026 return after an extended holiday break.

During a discussion with guest panelists, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy from Louisiana and CNN analyst Kasie Hunt, Maher brought up the increasingly aggressive ICE in Minnesota.

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Suggestion for the people in Minneapolis, he said. How about this? Its so cold in this country, this storm thats happening. How about its too cold to fight, and use that as an excuse, a face-saving excuse for everybody just to go home.

Maher continued, ICE, you made your point. You made your point, OK? We got into something with too many illegals. Yes, that happened under [Joe] Biden. But these images, like I said, really ugly. I mean, when I think of some of these things that weve seen.

The guy out in his underwear, no clothes on in the cold, he began, narrating photos on the screen, of an American citizen who was detained with barley any clothing.

The kid, he added, of a 5-year-old asylum seeker who was detained shortly after arriving home from preschool.

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Maher continued, The pepper spray in the face, the disabled lady being pulled out of her car.

Thats when Maher turned to Kennedy and said, John, Im just going to say it to you, he began. Im not trying to pick a fight right away.

He then boldly declared, My prediction is this stuff, your party is going to get the dog s*** kicked out of you in the midterms. Because this is not what people voted for, and theyre going to hold the party responsible, as they should.

To that, Kennedy pointed out, I support enforcing our immigration laws. Now, how you enforce them matters.

Real Time With Bill Maher, Fridays at 10/9c, HBO

Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider.
Workers in the U.S. are feeling burnt out.

In a new USA TODAY /SurveyMonkey Workforce Survey of the American workforce, 24% of workers said theyre struggling or burnt out in their job.

To combat the slump, a majority of the 3,156 workers surveyed said they plan to use their paid time off (PTO) to take a vacation.

According to the survey results, 55% of respondents plan to use PTO for vacation time, with 50% saying they use it for family obligations.

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Nearly half of the respondents who reported feeling burnt out said they use PTO for a mental health break.

As the economy tightens, travel remains a priority for many workers. According to the survey, 51% of respondents have cut back on spending in other areas so they can continue to travel.

What's one way to feel happier? Go on a trip.



According to G Adventures' recently released Happiness List 2026, 89% of the 8,000 adults intending to travel in 2026 across the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand agree that purpose-driven travel contributes to their long-term happiness. Those trips offer a sense of wonder along with a chance to decompress and find connection.



Here are 10 travel experiences that G Adventures' travelers said made them feel happiest: Panama's San Blas Islands are ideal for unplugging while enjoying turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. Travelers can stay in Indigenous-owned accommodations, including traditional huts, and explore the archipelago by boat. Witnessing a solar eclipse is one way to experience wonder. G Adventures offers five trips for the Aug. 2027 eclipse, including an exclusive viewing party in Chefchaouen, Morocco. Travelers can dive into Guatemala's history and culture, from learning how to make beloved local dishes to exploring the ancient ruins of Tikal. Exploring the wild, remote landscapes in the Arctic aboard an expedition cruise can leave travelers with a newfound appreciation for Mother Nature. Imagine having a close encounter with Africa's wildlife while also supporting ethical travel and conservation. G Adventures offers a trip to Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, where travelers can see Victoria Falls, track elephants and cruise rivers looking for hippos. Sail down Sri Lanka's South Coast on a seven-day trip on a 54-foot catamaran for the chance to swim at remote beaches, explore fishing villages and more. Ecuador offers much more than being a gateway to the Galapagos. Travelers can go chocolate tasting, learn more about Indigenous culture and explore the wild jungle. Rather than falling into the typical tourist traps, travelers can try to live like a local and go off the beaten path. On G Adventures' East Iceland trip, guests go to a remote hamlet, enjoy geothermal pools and hike coastal trails. The Stans  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan  offer a rich history steeped in the Silk Road trade along with stunning nature, like Kaindy Lake's otherworldly sunken forest. Moldova may not be on everyone's radar, but this underrated Eastern European destination is perfect for foodies. Travelers can sip wine, taste local cuisine and visit spots like an eco-friendly cheese factory. 10 destinations where travelers feel happiest 1 of 10 What's one way to feel happier? Go on a trip.



According to G Adventures' recently released Happiness List 2026, 89% of the 8,000 adults intending to travel in 2026 across the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand agree that purpose-driven travel contributes to their long-term happiness. Those trips offer a sense of wonder along with a chance to decompress and find connection.



Here are 10 travel experiences that G Adventures' travelers said made them feel happiest: Panama's San Blas Islands are ideal for unplugging while enjoying turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. Travelers can stay in Indigenous-owned accommodations, including traditional huts, and explore the archipelago by boat.

If youre looking to get the most out of your own PTO this year, you can strategically take time off to minimize the number of days while maximizing your vacation time.

"Americans, unfortunately, take the gold medal for the least amount of PTO used. While the average worker receives about 12 paid days off a year, more than half dont use all of it, according to Expedia surveys," Melanie Fish, vice president of global public relations for Expedia Group, previously told USA TODAY. "My advice to Americans is simple: plan ahead. Don't hoard your PTO for one big trip. Instead, book a few three- to four-day escapes that align with school and office closures. Submit those PTO requests early in the year to secure the most in-demand dates and actually enjoy the time youve earned."

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Services like Intrepids 46 day Short Breaks trips show how to turn a long weekend into a meaningful getaway.

Travelers using their laptops before boarding a flight. A new survey shows nearly a quarter of U.S. workers are feeling burnt out.

Here are the ways you can get the most bang for your PTO bucks for the rest of 2026:

For Presidents Day (Monday, Feb. 16)

Request PTO for Friday, Feb. 13

Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Feb. 13-16)

For Memorial Day (Monday, May 25)

Request PTO for Friday, May 22

Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (May 2225)

For Juneteenth (Friday, June 19)

Request PTO for Monday, June 22

Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (June 1922)

For Independence Day (Observed July 3 in 2026)

Request PTO for Monday, July 6

Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (July 3-6)

For Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 7)

Request PTO for Friday, Sept. 4

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Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Sept. 4-7)

For Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 12)

Request PTO for Friday, Oct. 9

Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Oct. 9-12)

For Veterans Day (Wednesday, Nov. 11)

Request PTO for Monday, Nov. 9, and Tuesday, Nov. 10; or Thursday, Nov. 12, and Friday, Nov. 13

Consecutive Days Off: 5 days (Nov. 7-11 or Nov. 11-15)

For Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 26)

Request PTO for Monday, Nov. 23; Tuesday, Nov. 24, Wednesday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Nov. 27 (unless you have Friday off already)

Consecutive Days Off: 9 days (Nov. 2129)

For Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25)

Request PTO for Monday, Dec. 21; Tuesday, Dec. 22; Wednesday, Dec. 23, and Thursday, Dec. 24 (unless you get Christmas Eve off already)

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Consecutive Days Off: 9 days (Dec. 19-27)

(This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.)

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 24% of US workers feel burnt out. How to use PTO to reclaim your time.
Arizona ranks third in the nation for retiree migration, according to Vision Retirement. While Florida ranks number one and North Carolina number two, the Grand Canyon State is an obvious retirement choice thanks to its warm climate and scenic landscape. But does that mean you should follow suit and choose Arizona as the destination for your golden years?

Before packing your bags and retiring in Arizona, its important to weigh the pros and cons. While Arizona offers plenty of perks, there are also some significant drawbacks that could impact your quality of life and financial stability. Here are six reasons you might regret moving to Arizona for retirement, and what to look at before you consider leaping.

1. High Disaster Risk

Arizona may be known for its dry climate, but its also one of the most disaster-prone states. In fact, extreme heat, drought, wildfires, dust storms and flash flooding all top the list of what you can run into with Arizona living. While major earthquakes are rare, landslides and debris flows are not, making preparedness crucial for residents.

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For retirees, rebuilding after a natural disaster can be especially challenging  both physically and financially.

Find Out: How Much the Average Upper-Class Retiree Spends Monthly at Age 69

Trending Now: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K per Month From Home

2. Extreme Heat and Climate Challenges

To say that it gets hot in Arizona doesnt convey the full oppressiveness. Think cook-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk heat. Though the highest temperature ever recorded in Arizona was 128 degrees Fahrenheit in Lake Havasu City back in 1994, Phoenix experienced a record 113 consecutive days with temperatures at or above 100 degrees last year.

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The climate can also lead to sky-high electric bills in the hot months to pay for all that air conditioning. However, more concerning is the statistic that more than 4,000 people have died from exposure to excessive heat in Arizona in the last decade.

3. Cost and Hassle of Snowbirding

Some retirees plan on being snowbirds, which just means spending winters in Arizona and summers in their (presumably cooler) home state. However, maintaining two homes comes with added costs such as two mortgages, property taxes, insurance policies and maintenance expenses.

The logistics can be overwhelming too, especially for older adults who just want more sun in their retirement.

4. Impact of Snowbirds on Year-Round Residents

If you plan to live full-time in Arizona, that too can come with downsides caused by all the surrounding snowbirds and their impact on the real estate market. In fact, snowbird housing demand drives up prices, limits inventory and creates competition for rentals during peak seasons.

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Meanwhile, that could leave entire neighborhoods largely empty in the warmer months. That diminishes the sense of community and could make it harder for businesses to stay open year-round to service full-time residents.

5. High Cost of Living

Sure, parts of Arizona are cheap. But the parts where you probably want to live as a retiree are likely more expensive. The cost of living often catches retirees off guard. Keep in mind, popular retirement places like Scottsdale or Flagstaff come with prices that can rival coastal cities.

6. Traffic and Crime

Phoenix, Arizonas largest city, comes with the typical big-city challenges like traffic congestion and crime. Its also one of the worst states in the nation for traffic fatalities, according to Arizonas Family.

Crime is another concern. For example, here are a few key takeaways on crime rates in Phoenix:

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Total Crime Rate: Around 33.05 per 1,000 people.

Violent Crime Rate: About 7.91 per 1,000 people.

Property Crime Rate: Roughly 25.14 per 1,000 people

G. Brian Davis contributed to the reporting for this article.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Reasons You Might Regret Moving To Arizona for Retirement
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Buying a home is supposed to be a dream come true. But for one Reddit user, the day after closing turned into a wave of panic and regret.

We just closed on our first house yesterday, they wrote on Reddits r/homeowners recently. I showed up today with my new keys, ready to get cleaning and prepping for painting and I  saw everything in a way I hadn't when we decided to buy it.

Post-Closing Clarity Hits Hard

Their excitement vanished as they noticed one issue after another: poorly installed kitchen cabinets, uneven floors, windows painted shut and outdated appliances. It felt like someone had peeled off a filter right in front of my eyes, they wrote. I feel sick. Did I make a huge mistake? Did I overpay? Why didn't I see how shittily the floors were installed before?

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Their post struck a nerve with hundreds of homeowners who rushed in to say that this is normal.

Totally normal, dude, one commenter replied. That post-closing clarity hits different when youre holding the keys and actually living in the space instead of just touring it.

It's not buyers remorse, another added. Its the realization that what you saw as someone elses problems are now yours.

Many shared similar stories of walking into their newly purchased homes and immediately questioning everything. One person remembered thinking, Can I just give it back? while another confessed, Shortly after I bought my house, I had to install a sump pump followed by French and gravity drains. That was NOT a fun $11K to spend.

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Turns Out, Everyone Misses Something

Some blamed staging and fast tours. When my wife (at the time) and I viewed the house it looked move-in ready, one commenter said. But when the furniture was gone, they had noticed the nicotine-stained walls, broken tiles and the weird patchwork under the carpets.

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Others realized that cosmetic flaws feel enormous at first, even when they're manageable. The floor in my laundry room is not gonna kill me. The clogged dryer vent just might, a person joked, sharing their tip to sort issues into four buckets: health hazards, financial risks, major value hits and a f*** it bucket.

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Start Small, Go Slow

Advice came fast and often. Focus on livability first: paint a room, unstick a window, make one corner feel like home. You can either drive yourself to the edge, strain your relationship and ruin your finances trying to tackle them all at once, one person wrote. Or you can break them down, prioritize, and slow down. House has been standing for 80ish years, itll survive you taking a while to get to everything.

For those who arent ready to commit to full-scale renovations or want to diversify, platforms like Arrived offer a way to invest in real estate passively, without the stress of uneven floors or mystery plumbing issues. Arrived lets everyday people invest in real estate passively, starting from as little as $100.

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The original poster returned later with a mindset shift: I cannot adequately express my gratitude to everyone. Its turned my whole mindset around.

Read Next: From Moxy Hotels to $12B in Real Estate  The Firm Behind NYC's Trendiest Properties Is Letting Individual Investors In.

Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market

Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That's why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, professional financial guidance, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn't tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.

Fundrise

Fundrise has over a decade of experience managing billions in private markets for hundreds of thousands of clients. Their venture capital offering lets individual investors gain exposure to private technology companies with low minimums, diversified holdings, and a long-term focus on growth before public markets. For investors looking to expand beyond stocks and bonds, Fundrise provides a simple way to diversify into private tech ventures starting with just $10.

Rad AI

Rad AI's award-winning artificial intelligence technology helps transform data chaos into actionable insights, enabling the creation of high-performing content with measurable ROI. Their Regulation A+ offering allows investors to participate at $0.85 per share with a minimum investment of $1,000, providing an opportunity to diversify portfolios into early-stage AI innovation. For investors seeking exposure to the rapidly growing AI and tech sector, Rad AI offers a chance to get in on the ground floor of a data-driven growth story.

Arrived

Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.

Lightstone

Lightstone DIRECT gives accredited investors direct access to institutional-grade real estate, going beyond typical crowdfunding platforms. By cutting out middlemen, it aligns investor and manager interests while providing exposure to a $12B+ portfolio spanning multifamily, industrial, hospitality, retail, office, and life science properties. This approach allows investors to diversify their portfolios across multiple property types and markets, gaining professional-grade real estate exposure without the fees or misalignment common on other platforms.

Domain

Domain Money helps professionals and households earning $100,000+ take control of their finances with personalized, CFP professional-led guidance. By offering tailored financial planning, Domain empowers users to make smarter, more confident decisions across investments, retirement, taxes, and overall wealth strategy.

Masterworks

Masterworks enables investors to diversify into blue-chip art, an alternative asset class with historically low correlation to stocks and bonds. Through fractional ownership of museum-quality works by artists like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, investors gain access without the high costs or complexities of owning art outright. With hundreds of offerings and strong historical exits on select works, Masterworks adds a scarce, globally traded asset to portfolios seeking long-term diversification.

Bam Capital

BAM Capital offers accredited investors a way to diversify beyond public markets through institutional-grade multifamily real estate. With over $1.85 billion in completed transactions and guidance from Senior Economic Advisor Tony Landa, the firm targets income and long-term growth as supply tightens and renter demand remains strongespecially in Midwest markets. Its income-focused and growth-oriented funds provide exposure to real assets designed to be less tied to stock market volatility.

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Image: Shutterstock

This article 'I Feel Sick'After Buying Their First Home, They Instantly Saw Everything That Was Wrong. Uneven Floors, Bad Cabinets And Painted-Shut Windows originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)- A local rescue took in five new cats this weekend, but these kitties came from a little further away.

The Furrever & After Cat Sanctuary is partnering with a rescue in Kuwait to find five new cats a home in the U.S.

The five felines flew into Washington, D.C. Friday, and Furrever & After Cat Sanctuary brought them back to Youngstown Friday night.

A lot of them are like abused or neglected, and they dont have a lot of resources over there. So I felt the need to be able to help them since, you know, they dont really have a lot of things going for them over there, said founder Leah Beatty.

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A few have them have already found foster homes, but they are all still looking for new owners.

The cats all came fully vetted and vaccinated.

For more information on how to foster or adopt cats at the sanctuary, visit Furrever & After Cat Sanctuarys website.

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 WKBN.com.
Get your binoculars out quickly because birdwatchers in the U.K. just spotted two rare birds.

According to the Sussex Ornithological Society, eagle-eyed residents recently witnessed a red-necked grebe and a black-necked grebe (described here by The Wildlife Trusts). Both are uncommon sights during winter.

The red-necked grebe was spotted at the Southwick Canal and stayed there for four days, while the black-necked grebe was spotted at Pagham Lagoon in West Sussex, according to the Express.

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The red-necked grebe wasn't the easiest to spot, but "many people got to see it during its four-day stay," a birdwatcher said, according to the Mirror.

The red-necked grebe is considered extremely rare in Britain, particularly during winter, and is listed as "Red" under the Birds of Conservation Concern classification. The black-necked grebe is also scarce, with only about 50 known breeding pairs in the U.K., largely due to habitat loss and warming global temperatures, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Grebes are known to live along sheltered bays and coasts along the south and east coasts of England and Scotland, according to Wild London. They dive in water for food, catching fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. Only a handful of birds remain in the U.K. throughout summer, with nesting attempts even more rare.

Beyond excitement for birdwatchers, sightings like these offer real value for conservation efforts. Experts increasingly rely on rare sightings like this, trail cameras, and remote monitoring to track rare species, assess population health, and document habitat restoration efforts. With the red-necked grebe's nesting locations often kept secret, these sightings are crucial for science.

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Protecting birds like grebes doesn't just benefit birdwatchers. Grebes dive for food along coasts, helping maintain small animal populations, per the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation. Healthy bird populations are indicators of thriving ecosystems, cleaner water, resilient food systems, and stronger natural defenses against fires, droughts, and floods, as the Audubon Society explained.

Some efforts like wetland reserves for bitterns in the U.K., farmland restoration for the bobwhite quail in Maryland, and "de-extinction" companies working with California condor populations are helping restore habitats that endangered birds like the grebe rely on.

These grebes also have elaborate courtship routines involving "pairs meeting breast-to-breast and rising from the water, with lots of head shaking," according to the Wildlife Trusts.

As breeding red-necked grebes are so rare, the location of any pairs attempting to nest is kept secret to "protect them from disturbance."

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That makes this sighting particularly special for those birding fans who got to see it.

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Im at a hurricane relief concert with the toast of Jamaica. There are gorgeous high cheekbones, cakey sweet herbs baking the air, and lots of white patrons. Three famous DJs are hereone from the UKfor a sound battle to raise money for St. Elizabeths recovery from a Category 5 storm. So many world citizens love Jamaica, a country with stakes in the global struggle that can still pretty up a honeymoon dream. I feel unsettled, grateful I can claim here but singing along to social unrest roots reggae songs as the island implodes under debt and an increasingly globalized economy. The cab driver who dropped me home from uni today kept reminding me of the traffic.

Waterloo and Trafalgar too crazy this time of day, he said, not knowing I wasnt rushed. He was.

Los Angeles and New York get this way every day, especially Friday. Its cool man. Im not going nowhere but home, I told him.

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As he attempted to cross town to avoid the inevitable, like a fly spinning toward fan blades, I asked him where he was from. He emigrated to Jamaica as a missionary in 2025 and decided to stay. The hard labor he started his visa with had been too strenuous to make so little. So he drove Uber, thinking the bones might endure better. Today, he was tired and antsy though.

What do you do in New York? he asked,

Im a writer. I write books.

I havent written the book, but I know I want it to mean something to Jamaica. I want to pay Jamaica back and give little black boys a reason to big up Jamaica all around the world. Our biggest global export, the music, the vibes before vibes were vibes, is a load-bearing wall, and the unfailing way we make enough money to chisel out a decent, modest existence in a world otherwise negligent of our human plights.

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In the middle of the party, I scanned the pretty faces, the brown-skin uptown girls in full force, the lawyers, the doctors, the UWI Mona elites and the Campion class alums, and fretted they were somewhere above me. For roots music to be so big, even the bourgeoisie, who it directly critiques, need to enjoy it. As my arms swayed and my thighs dipped into a lovers rock, I thought of how hard it is to sell music about defeating power alone. Roots has to address and become about essential love, bonding across status lines.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to know this is a serious event. And we love Jamaica! So if you love Jamaica, say REGGAE MUSIC! And the Prime Minister is here, ladies and gentlemen. Dave Chappelle is here ladies and gentlemen.

At this point, you dont have to care what the people high above stand for, as long as they continue to love Jamrock enough to donate, we might find it in us to dance all night.
Aerodynamics and beauty are generally in harmony, which is why there are many rather attractive aircraft.

Lurking in shame at the back of the hangar, however, is a whole menagerie of grotesque flying machines. We went in search of ten of the ugliest and found we were falling in love with these characterful, often unorthodox, freaks of engineering.

10: Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

As soon as aerodynamics ceases to be a designers priority, the looks of an aircraft go out of the window. With the A-10, rather than the lowest possible drag, a lot of thought was put into survivability. Huge efforts were made to enable the A-10 to soak up gunfire from the ground and survive to fly home.

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Perhaps the oddest feature of the A-10 is the mounting of its twin turbofan engines in pods above the rear fuselage. This placing reduces their chances of being shot or in the case of engine fire, the risk of a fire going from one engine to the other. It does however look a little goofy.

10: Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

The thick unswept wings with multiple store racks are designed for endurance, and manoeuvrability at low speed, the carriage of many weapons and strength, they are clearly not designed to be beautiful. The twin vertical tails ensure a degree of redundancy in the case of the destruction of one, as well as shielding the engines from infra-red sensors from some angles.

The A-10 is only at number 10 as many (this author included) appreciate its tough purposeful looks. It may not be pretty, but it is utterly distinctive and has an appearance as formidable as the aircraft itself, which has proved an effective anti-tank and Close Air Support aircraft, and as such is beloved by US Army soldiers - if not always by the US Air Force that operates it, which regards it has hopelessly obsolete.

9: Burnelli UB-14

Burnelli UB-14

Looking like an AI fever-dream, the Burnelli UB-14 was a bizarre, and extremely ugly, aeroplane that first flew in 1934. Its bizarre appearance has been likened to a giant harmonica held between a set of barbecue tongs. It was designed by Texan aircraft designer Vincent Burnelli (1895-1964).

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Vincent Burnelli created his first aircraft in 1915. His initial attempts to sell a military biplane fighter aircraft failed but one was purchased by the New York City Police Department making it one of the earliest police aircraft. He then proceeded to make a series of highly unorthodox aeroplanes.

9: Burnelli UB-14

Burnelli UB-14

Most of the lift in a conventional aircraft is generated by the wings, with the sausage-like main body or fuselage contributing far less. The inherent wastefulness of the conventional layout has drawn some aircraft designers, including Burnelli, towards flying-wing or lifting body configurations which either do away with the fuselage or make it from an aerofoil section that contributes to the lifting effect.

An extensively modified version of the UB-14B design was built under licence in the UK by Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft, as the OA-1 Clyde Clipper (pictured). Only one Clyde Clipper was built, which initially failed tests due to an excessive take-off run and poor-quality build. It was later modified as a personal transport for General De Gaulle. It was later abandoned in Egypt, and burned during VJ-Day celebrations in 1945.

8: Boeing X-32

Boeing X-32

The only experimental aircraft to become an internet meme, the X-32 with its cute grin, weird friendly shape and overall failure has become a much-loved symbol. It is also perhaps loved for its lack of success, as it was a technology demonstrator for a tactical fighter competition won by the rival Lockheed Martin X-35/F-35 Lightning II.

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There are several reasons the X-32 is so ugly, one is its fineness-ratio, a fancy aviation word that essentially refers to the slimness of an aircraft. Slim aircraft tend to offer better supersonic performance, but the X-32 had other priorities, in the form of both the internal carriage of weapons and taking off and landing vertically, which led to its rather overweight shape.

8: Boeing X-32

Boeing X-32

A strange feature of the X-32B was its mid-mounted engine, this and its method of achieving short take off and vertical landing were reminiscent of pre-Harrier studies by the British aircraft designer Ralph Hooper with its swivelling nozzles. Unlike the Harrier, which had four swivelling nozzles for thrust, the X-32B had only two.

The ungainly humped thick wing carried a good amount of fuel and improved low-speed handling. The proposed F-32 production version would have had more conventional wing of a slightly sleeker form. The gaping jet air intake and truncated nose of the X-32 were another reason some find the aircraft so ugly, though opinion is divided with many finding it adorable.

7: British Aerospace Nimrod AEW. 3

British Aerospace Nimrod AEW. 3

The worlds first commercial jet airliner was the elegant de Havilland DH.106 Comet. With its discrete streamlined air intakes and noble nose profile, it was a beautifully clean machine, but thanks to an ill-fated attempt to turn the Nimrod into a flying radar station it also spawned the horrible Nimrod AEW.3.

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Earlier, the Comet had been successfully converted into the brilliant Nimrods MR1 and R1 for Britains Royal Air Force, which excelled as maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. With the RAF desperately in need of a new flying early warning radar station to replace the ancient Shackleton, the Nimrod was a natural choice.

7: British Aerospace Nimrod AEW. 3

British Aerospace Nimrod AEW. 3

Instead of housing one radar array in a large dish above the fuselage like the American E-3 Sentry, British Aerospace opted for one radar in the nose and one in the tail in grotesque balloon-like fairings. Theoretically, this gave the radars a less obstructed view.

It was 1980 when the AEW.3 first flew, and the rather limited computers of the time struggled to coordinate and process all the radar data. The AEW.3 was cancelled after 1 billion (around $2 billion at the time) was spent. Later Britain tried to create another advanced Nimrod, the MRA.4, which was cancelled after another 3.4 billion (around $7 billion) was spent. The British just bought the E-3 off the shelf instead, which is probably what they should have done in the first place.

6: Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair

Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair

Sir Freddie Laker was a British airline entrepreneur, a pioneer of low-cost air travel, and founder of Laker Airways in 1966. Earlier, Laker had the idea of taking war surplus C-54 military transport aircraft, and their inexpensive civil counterpart, the DC-4, and converting them to flying car ferries.

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The previous stalwart of the car ferry role was the Bristol Freighter, but by the mid-1950s the profitability of this three-car transport, as well as ever-bigger cars, was making it apparent that something bigger and better was needed. Into this niche stepped the Carvair, and it was ugly as sin.

6: Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair

Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair

Having a raised humped cockpit made sense to accommodate the huge swinging nose cargo door, but it left the Carvair with a hideous bulbous nose section, giving it the appearance of an ungainly flying tadpole. It was also given a new tail, larger than the C-54/DC-4.

The new aircraft was designed to carry five average-sized British cars, and 25 passengers. It first flew on 21 June 1961. The aircraft was named Carvair (from car-via-air). 21 aircraft were converted to Carvairs, and of these, a rather alarming total of eight were destroyed in crashes. The characterful Carvair has now retired.

5: Airbus BelugaST

Airbus BelugaST

Seemingly possessing a disproportionate forehead, with a swollen sausage of a fuselage, the Airbus Beluga is almost nobodys idea of elegance. Though not attractive, the Beluga is superb at its intended role of moving outsize wing and fuselage sections of incomplete aeroplanes for the Airbus company.

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Airbus is an international company making airliners, and originally owned by governments and companies based across Europe. As such the parts, made at different factories around the place, need to be moved for final assembly. The quickest way is by air, but some parts are too large to fit in standard transport aircraft.

5: Airbus BelugaST

Airbus BelugaST

Airbus used to rely on the Aero Spacelines Super Guppy, a heavily modified Boeing C-97/ 377, for their outsize transport needs but as this grew long in the tooth, they designed a new transporter based on their own A300, and able to carry twice the load.

Also known as the A300-600ST Super Transporter, the Beluga first flew in 1994. It can carry up to 40,000kg of freight and has a maximum range of 1025 miles (1650 km). Its capable of moving objects 39 metres long and 7 metres high.

4: Transavia PL-12 Airtruk

Transavia PL-12 Airtruk

Italian-born aircraft designer Luigi Pellarini was something of an eccentric, and for a long time was fixated on perfecting a flying car. While he failed to do this, he is still known today for his creation of one the ugliest aeroplanes ever to enter series production, the Transavia Airtruk.

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The Air Truk, made by Australian company Transavia, was developed from the Bennett Airtruck, and first flew in 1965. It is an agricultural aircraft, which is an aircraft usually used for crop dusting. The Air Truk, though a fine design, is visually confusing to say the least, a mess of unlikely features that baffle the observer.

4: Transavia PL-12 Airtruk

Transavia PL-12 Airtruk

The Air Truk is a sesquiplane, which is a type of biplane where one wing (almost always the lower) is smaller than the other. The word, which is derived from Latin, means "one-and-a-half wings". The sesquiplane configuration has less drag and weight than a pure biplane.

The machine looks very strange, as the cockpit high perches above the engine and the horizontal tail is seemingly split into two. The PL-12s bizarre appearance is ideal for post-apocalyptic science fiction, and the aircraft featured in the 1985 movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

3: Stipa-Caproni

Stipa-Caproni

A moving fluid, such as air, speeds up as it flows through a constricted section of a pipe. Italian engineer and aircraft designer Luigi Stipa believed he could harness this effect to create a more efficient aeroplane. For his new design he intubed the propeller in a duct, creating an aircraft of grotesque barrel-like appearance.

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Though the aircraft, which flew in 1932, had fine low-speed handling, was quiet and had a high rate of climb for an aircraft of similar power and wing loading, most of the benefits were cancelled out by the increased drag of the overall shape, and so the concept was not pursued further.

3: Stipa-Caproni

Stipa-Caproni

Though not successful, the work informed the motor-jet-powered Caproni Campini N.1, an early jet aircraft that first flew in 1940. A motorjet is a type of proto jet engine which uses a piston engine to drive its compressor stage.

The Stipa-Caproni looked comical, with an extremely stubby shape more redolent of a cartoon image of an aeroplane than an actual experimental design. Ducted fans did not disappear, later appearing on airships, drones, hovercraft, and other experimental aircraft.

2: McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

In the Convair B-36 the USAF had a bomber of hitherto unprecedented size. Impressive though it undoubtedly was, doubts were tacitly admitted as to its ability to defend itself even with the prodigious armament of sixteen 20-millimetre cannon lavishly distributed amongst nose and tail turrets along with six remotely controlled retractable turrets.

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The B-36 was possessed of such enormous range that a conventional escort fighter would be impractical, however taking along a parasite fighter to chase off any hostile aircraft impertinent enough to attempt an interception was an entirely different matter. Hence the existence of the XF-85 Goblin, by a considerable margin the smallest jet fighter ever to fly.

2: McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

Opinions were divided as to the practicality of the F-85/B-36 combination. Designed by a team led by Herman D. Barkey, who would later oversee the development of McDonnells slightly more successful F-4 Phantom, the tiny McDonnell, was an extremely well-executed response to the parasite requirement. Nonetheless, its ability to adequately defend its mothership, or even itself, is open to question.

The ghoulishly ugly Goblin featured folding wings and no undercarriage, relying instead on the motherships trapeze mechanism. Under pressure to curtail spending, the USAF cancelled the XF-85 project citing its relatively modest performance and the high level of pilot skill required to reattach the aircraft to its carrier. This was the end for the egg-like Goblin.

1: PZL M-15 Belphegor

PZL M-15 Belphegor

In demonology, Belphegor is one of the seven princes of Hell notorious for seducing people by suggesting to them ingenious inventions to make them filthy rich. Its aircraft namesake is often described as the ugliest aeroplane ever built. The M-15s unlikely appearance is somewhat like allotment buildings frozen halfway in the transformation to flying locomotives.

Belching smoke as it flies at ultra low-level across bleak remote farmlands, the M-15 could be seen as a very visceral metaphor for the communist era. Its origins are cloaked in intrigue  according to one engineer who worked at Mielec at the time part of the original specification was for a chemical warfare aircraft to brutally put down insurgencies or revolutions.

1: PZL M-15 Belphegor

PZL M-15 Belphegor

NATO suspected it had a chemical warfare capability with the West in mind, perhaps even as a platform for the spraying of deforestation to rob NATO forces of cover. NATOs scaremongering was likely actively incited by the Soviet Union and not rooted in fact.

The unofficial name Belphegor was given somewhat ironically to a sales rep by Andrzeja Abamowicz, in reference to the Phantom of the Louvre, when he was asked if the type had a name. Though popularly used abroad, in Poland the type is generally known by its designation. Along with the Coanda 1910 and the Screamin Sasquatch 1929 Taiperwing replica, it was one of only a handful of biplane jets in existence.

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The Soviet Union lasted a mere sixty-nine years (the Spitfire has been flying longer), but in that time produced some of the largest, fastest, toughest and most agile aircraft ever created.

Even now, over three decades after its collapse, almost all Russian and Ukrainian aircraft have their roots in the communist super state. Favouring clever robust design over high technology and refinement, the Soviet approach enabled the mass production of cheap machines. Many of these were outstanding, but some - for reasons of politics, bad luck or incompetence - were diabolical. Let's take a walk through the rusting graveyard of the 10 worst Soviet military aircraft. We include the date the plane was first built.

10: Tupolev Tu-116

Tupolev Tu-116

With the death of Stalin, the Khrushchev Thaw left the Soviet Union in the tricky position of wanting to engage with the wider world but with no indigenous way of getting there. Fearing that mating an airliner fuselage to the wings of a Tu-95 nuclear bomber, to make the Tu-114, would take more time than was available before a 1959 state visit to the USA, a less ambitious back up plan was made.

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The Tu-116 replaced the Tu-95s bomb bays with a passenger compartment for the head of state and his entourage  but it was impossible to access the cockpit from the passenger compartment, messages being passed by pneumatic tube.

10: Tupolev Tu-116

Tupolev Tu-116

While no one appeared to think arriving on a diplomatic mission in something that looked exactly like a strategic bomber might be a bad idea, the nail in the coffin of the Tu-116 was actually the 737-style air stair that allowed the First Secretary of the Communist Party to emerge from the bottom of the aircraft, something he deemed beneath his standing.

Deprived of their raison d'etre the two aircraft served out their miserable lives flying technicians to the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, presumably to ensure this flying Frankenstein was hidden from public view. The Tu-116 was a poor idea and implemented badly. It was mercifully left to wallow in obscurity.

9: Sukhoi Su-7

Sukhoi Su-7

For the first two decades after the second world war the Soviet Union wasnt great at building ground-attack aircraft. Ilyushins classic wartime Shturmovik, the Il-2 and Il-10, soldiered on for a while, but in the era of atomic weapons, the use of aircraft for battlefield close support fell out of favour within the Red Army. If Soviet troops were to need firepower, they could call upon artillery. And nuclear-tipped battlefield missiles.

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With the explosion of counter-insurgency and brushfire conflicts in the mid-1960s, it was time to reassess the ground-attack aircraft. The USSRs first purpose-designed, jet-powered ground-attacker to reach service was the Sukhoi Su-7. Unfortunately, it wasnt great. The Soviets never took it into battle. Other nations did, and were not impressed.

9: Sukhoi Su-7

Sukhoi Su-7

In July 1967 Egyptian pilot Tahsin Zaki was in a formation of 12 Su-7s that was to attack Israeli forces opposite the Suez Canal. Loaded with four 500kg bombs each, the jets suffered so much drag that they couldnt accelerate beyond 600km/h. They also proved very difficult to control, lacking stability at slow speeds. Provided it made it over the battlefield unscathed, the Su-7 was hampered by a limited range.

This was because the powerful Lyulka AL-7F1 turbojet took up so much space that there was little room left for fuel tanks. It was vulnerable to foreign object damage and, without air-to-air missile capability, was unable to protect itself other than with its two NR-30 cannon. Were it unfortunate enough to get into a dogfight with a hostile fighter, its fuel was quickly expended.

8: Lavochkin LaGG-3

Lavochkin LaGG-3

The LaGG-3 was terrible in many ways. A pathetic climb rate, sluggish top speed, poor build quality, the inability to pull out of a dive or even to perform a sharp turn are among the many failings of the lamentable LaGG. The designers intended the aircraft (which started development as the LaGG-1) to use the 1350 hp inline Klimov VK-106 engine.

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When the VK-106 engine failed to mature, it was replaced with the Klimov M-105 - a weedy powerplant with around 300 less horsepower than needed. If this wasnt bad enough, the LaGG-3 employed a partly wooden composite construction used a glue that caused severe irritation to those that handled it.

8: Lavochkin LaGG-3

Lavochkin LaGG-3

The already temperamental engine, which required greater preparation before flight than its rivals, lacked anti-freeze liquid and on the ground the cooling system had to be kept functional with the aid of hand-poured hot water. The pilots founding the type sluggish with heavy controls.

The result was an exceptionally underpowered fighter hated by its air crews and ground crews alike - and mauled by its enemies. Other than an exceptional ability to withstand battle damage (something it received in abundance) - the aircraft's only real saving grace was that it sired the magnificent LaGG-5. Despite this a staggering 6528 were built in total, more than even the popular civilian Cessna 180 light aircraft

PHOTO: a LaGG-3 shot down in Finland, 1942

7: Silvanskii IS

Silvanskii IS

During Stalins muddled and oppressive USSR, one A.V. Silvanskii secured state funding to create a new fighter aircraft in 1937. The concept seemed sound- it was a low-winged monoplane with a 1000-horsepower radial engine, armed with two heavy machine guns. But it would soon become apparent that Silvanskii was a reckless bodger.

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By 1938 the prototype aircraft was virtually complete. Initial tests of the undercarriage revealed that the wheel wells were too small- the undercarriage did not fit into the wing in the retracted position. How this elementary mistake had been made is hard to understand, but the solution was simple- the undercarriage legs were shortened.

7: Silvanskii IS

Silvanskii IS

Now there was a shorter undercarriage, the propeller did not have any ground clearance. In response, Silvanskii took a saw to the propeller and reduced it by 10cm. The bewildered factory manager promptly refused Silvanskii permission to fly from the airfield. Undaunted Silvanskii charmed the State Flight Research Institute into providing a runway and a test pilot.

In 1939, the LII test pilot took the machine out to fly. Thanks to a combination of full throttle and extremely dense cold air the machine was coaxed into taking off for one hair-raising circuit flown dangerously close to the stall. On landing the pilot damned the aircraft as unflyable.

6: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MS

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MS

Pilots of export MiG-21 pilots in nations outside of the Soviet Union were excited by the prospect of a new advanced fighter replacement, but early MiG-23s provided a huge disappointment. The Soviet Union generally offered friendly nations inferior versions of their fighters, but the MiG-23MS was one of the cruellest examples - and they were supplied when the air forces of Syria and Egypt were at war with a well-equipped enemy.

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Because of delays with the R-23 missile, the Mig-23MS carried only the shorter-ranged K-13. The weapon system, with its very basic Sapfir-21 radar, was completely mismatched to the aircraft's performance - the aircraft was designed for fast long-range engagements - something it couldn't do with the K-13.

6: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MS

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MS

The former MiG-21 pilots now had an aircraft with greatly inferior agility to their previous mounts and nastier handling characteristics. The MiG-23MS force suffered terrible losses to the Israeli Air Force flying American aircraft, and encouraged Egypt and Libya to turn away from the use of Soviet equipment, and instead favour US F-4s and French Mirages respectively.

The MiG-23 was later developed into the formidable MiG-23ML, but the MS was a dreadful machine hated by many of its pilots. The MiG-23 featured a variable geometry swing wing and served with a multitude of nations around the world. It was produced in huge numbers, with over 5047 made by the time production ended in 1985.

5: Antonov An-10

Antonov An-10

The An-10 was terrible. Its almost as if the Ministry of Aircraft Production gave the brief to Antonov to make flying more unpleasant and dangerous. If this was the brief, then Antonov succeeded very well. Initial test flights revealed stability issues, leading to the ungainly ventral fins.

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But even these didnt fix the problem, and further stabilizing devices were added to the horizontal tails. Which was great, apart from making the aircraft wickedly uncomfortable - it shook like a paint mixer, perhaps even worse.

5: Antonov An-10

Antonov An-10

Then there was the insufficient number of windows causing nausea in those prone to air sickness. There was also the lack of a real baggage hold (the low floor took up this space). An almost criminal deficiency for any aircraft, let alone one based in the USSR, was the faulty anti-icing system; two aircraft were lost in its first winter resulting in the deaths of 72 people.

A paltry total of 104 An-10s was produced, and of these at least twelve were lost - most with fatalities. After a mere 13 years in service, metal fatigue made the wings fall off.

4: Tupolev Tu-144

Tupolev Tu-144

Its chief designer, its passengers and its launch customer were all less than enamoured with the Tupolev Tu-144, the Soviet counterpart to Concorde, and for many valid reasons. In 1968 it became the first supersonic airliner to fly, two months ahead of Concordes maiden flight. But in the rush to achieve this symbolic victory, Alexei Tupolev (1925-2001) had made a turkey.

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The first flight was misleading, as the production machine was virtually a complete redesign of the prototype. Its design was aided by a huge national effort, which even Tupolev himself thought it was given too great a priority. Almost all state funding for civil aviation went into the Tu-144, at the detriment of more conservative (and more useful) designs.

4: Tupolev Tu-144

Tupolev Tu-144

At the 1973 Paris Air Show, the Tu-144 display pilot Mikhail Kozlov, had boasted "Just wait until you see us fly. Then you'll see something. His words proved tragically prescient. He put the plane into a steep climb on full power, but then it appeared to stall. Trying to recover and in a steep dive, the aircraft disintegrated in the air, killing Kozlov and his five crew  and eight more on the ground, including three children. Not just a disaster, but a massively high profile one. Following this, Aeroflot decided not to put the aircraft on international passenger routes. Concorde would have a disaster in Paris too  but that was nearly three decades later.

It even reached the point where no Tu-144 was allowed to take off without an inspection by its chief designer. In May 1978 another Tu-144 crashed. This was too much for Aeroflot, and passenger flights were cancelled. In a twist that nobody would have predicted in the 1960s, the Tu-144 ended its life as supersonic flying laboratory for NASA.

3: Yakovlev Yak-38

Yakovlev Yak-38

Were it not for two factors, the Yakovlev Yak-38 Forger would probably be regarded as a success. Putting a vertical take-off and landing fighter (VTOL) into operational service was no mean feat. Of the profusion of concepts and designs that plastered drawing boards in the 1960s, the vast majority never reached even prototype stage - and only two types entered service.

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On the basis of being one of only two operational VTOL fighters the Yak-38 could be seen as a success. The first of its reputation-killing problems was the lack of any more capable follow-on. The second was the existence of the rival Hawker Siddeley Harrier.

3: Yakovlev Yak-38

Yakovlev Yak-38

Unfortunately, the Yaks payload was derisory and its range pathetic, and its air-to-air capability virtually non-existent. One reason was the Forgers VTOL concept  while the Harrier had a single engine and could use all its thrust for horizontal or vertical flight, the Yak-38 had to lug two lift engines, dead weight at all other times than in vertical flight.

In hot and high conditions (such as the combat evaluation it endured in Afghanistan), the Yak-38 could carry less than 500lb (227kg) of munitions. As a proof-of-concept vehicle, the Yak-38 only managed to prove that VTOL combat aircraft were impractical. If only the Harrier had not disproved the point over the Falkland Islands, Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

2: Sukhoi Su-2 (1937)

Sukhoi Su-2 (1937)

The rather unassuming Su-2 is historically significant in being the first creation of Pavel Sukhoi (1895-1975). The Su-2, both by design and unfortunate circumstances, did not anticipate any of this greatness. Designed at a time when metal was a strategically limited resource, the Su-2 was one of the last frontline aircraft that are not all metal construction (prior to today's composite age).

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Other examples of mixed construction being the famously excellent British de Havilland Mosquito and the spectacularly atrocious LaGG-3 series mentioned above. Armed with a meagre four fixed 7.62 light machine guns and a notoriously unwieldy turret armed with a single Shkas. The unfortunate Su-2 was thrown into the meat grinder of the German invasion in 1941 where, to the surprise of no-one, it racked up tremendous losses.

2: Sukhoi Su-2

Sukhoi Su-2

While faster than its much more famous replacement, the Ilyushin Il-2, it had much lower survivability, armament, and payload. The toughness of the Ilyushin competitor  as well as its enormous production figures  explain why the name Il-2 still resonates to this day while the Su-2 is now almost forgotten.

The first of the Sukhois was a little more than a footnote in aviation history though and, much like other designs of the era, it went from design to obsolescence in the space of three years. Despite Sukhois inauspicious start, today it is the dominant military aircraft company in Russia.

1: Kalinin K-7

Kalinin K-7

The USSR of the 1930s was in love with big things. Their big locomotives hauled big trains over massive distances, their enormous factories churned out terrific amounts of Fordson tractors  copied from the Americans - and in the air the Kalinin K-7 was to display the triumph of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat to a disbelieving world.

Their other big aeroplane, the Tupolev ANT-20, was impractically large but wasn't a bad aircraft considering. The Kalinin K-7 on the other hand was ridiculous. Konstantin Kalinin had already produced the USSRs most successful airliner to date and he had some interest in flying wing development.

1: Kalinin K-7

Kalinin K-7

Planned to serve in a variety of roles including airliner, as a bomber it would have had the ferocious defensive firepower of eight 20mm autocannon, and the same number again of 7.62 mm machine-guns; its planned bombload is quoted has somewhere between 9600-16,600kg. To get the gunners to the tail machine guns, an electric cart was used that moved along cables inside the tail boom.

The mighty K-7 could fly but its first brief flight revealed terrible instability and appalling vibration, so two massive slabs of steel were welded to the tailbooms to keep them rigid. Unfortunately, its structure was resonating with the engine frequency and the strengthening had no effect: on its eighth flight the K-7 shook its right tailboom off at 350 feet, killing 14 on board and one on the ground.

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This week, I reached out to Sara Grizzle, owner, Dockside Cafe, Harwich Port to hear what it is like for her as a Cape Cod small business.

Can you share the history of Dockside?

My husband Arthur Donowski, daughter, Sage and I started quarantining here during COVID. We had a house in Harwich and decided it was probably going to be nicer to quarantine in our home vs. our apartment in New York City. My now 13-year-old daughter started going to school full-time here in 2020 and by 2021 neither my husband nor my daughter wanted to leave the Cape. Growing up, my summer vacations were spent either camping at Nickerson or renting homes. After we bought our house in 2014, we spent most weekends on the Cape the nature, sun, sky. We started telling people we knew that we wanted to open a coffee house. A friend of mine told me about the RFP at Saquatucket Harbor and boom! Dockside was born.

When did you get the urge to be your own boss?

I was a waitress and bartender before launching and managing Poco NYC for the past 17 years. Before launching Poco, I had a bar. Ive been my own boss for a very long time. And, I knew I wanted it to be in New York City and own a restaurant, so I moved from Connecticut to the City in 1994 and as they say, the rest is history.

SCORE business columnist Marc Goldberg talks with Sara Grizzle owner of the Dockside Cafe in Harwich Port about running a small business on the Cape. Here is a photo of a mouth-watering lobster roll.

Marc Goldberg, Certified Mentor, SCORE Cape Cod & the Islands

Being a new business how are you building awareness of the brand of the name?

We believe that word of mouth is everything. We just have to make sure the guest experience is so unbelievable; they cant help but tell their friends.

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Next, I think comes community. We host fun events like a weekly Rummikub Tournament, line dancing and live music where the locals gather and have a good time which, increases everyones quality of life.

Sara Grizzle, owner of the Dockside Cafe in Harwich Port talked to business columnist Marc Goldberg about running a small business on Cape Cod. Grizzle said creating a sense of community helps her business to succeed. 'We host fun events like a weekly Rummikub Tournament, line dancing and live music where the locals gather and have a good time which, increases everyones quality of life,' she said.

Can you describe Docksides culture?

Our culture is love. I know it sounds cheesy but its what we strive for. We are very inclusive. Whether it be your ideas or moods; they are welcome. If you think a recipe works better a certain way, well try it. But dont touch my Chipotle Mayo. The way we treat each other allows us to be customer service centric. Most of our guests are on vacation with young children, so we will do everything possible to make their life easier while dining with us.

If you had a crystal ball and you looked into the future, what do you see for Dockside?

Walls and ceilings that are retractable so we can grow into a 3-season business with lots of parties and community gatherings.

How do you see Dockside growing?

Continuing to give guests an excellent experience. Keep making the product better, treating the guest kinder. The more we can do for our guests the better.

When you think about collaboration what kind of collaboration do you think is potential for you?

Id love to collaborate with all the businesses in town. One thing we are going to offer this summer is Come Meet Your Local Artist. We will provide some light refreshments as people look at the artists work. We hope this drives traffic to us and brings the community together, creating connections.

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School House and Brax Landing are great neighboring businesses with whom we can collaborate.

I have the perfect day planned for you. Wake up and have a peaceful breakfast at Dockside with Capes Best Coffee. Then head out on a tour. When youre back, youll be ready for a Dockside Lobster Roll. Then head back out on the water to fish or see the seals. When youre back you take a stroll through the artist shacks then head back up to Dockside for dinner. And dont forget dessert on a sunset ice cream cruise.

When you look at time management, work/life balance, how do you know you have been able to juggle it well?

All my loved ones know, from May to September, Im not available for anything other than the Dockside and my daughter. No pickleball. No yoga. No working out. I can lean towards overworking. The pandemic brought some balance when we shortened our hours at Poco. I never reopened full-time. Overall, balance is hard for me. I dont need a 24/7 business to be distracted. I am working on worrying less. It was great to be home for my daughters winter break and not think about NYE reservations. I was fully present. Maybe this summer I will work on not having to be 24/7 Dockside for it to be successful. That will probably be a good thing to work on.

You and your husband operate the Dockside Cafe. How do you share responsibilities and manage to not let it take over your entire life?

Ultimately, it comes down to respect, trust and communication. We split and define roles. Its been hard for sure. An issue voiced from our staff is that when I am at Dockside the rules are x and when he is there, they are y. We have learned to respect each others lane. If I make a decision, regardless of whether or not he agrees its that way. And vice versa. He has his strengths and I have mine. They arent always in sync. But if the decision falls under his role, then I must live with and execute that. Respect, trust and communication.

We have about a quarter of 1 million full-time residents on the Cape and there are about 8,000 small businesses. What would you like to share with the readers who are mostly small businesses?

Keep up the good work. I hope youre loving what youre doing and not driving yourself nuts.

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Contributed by Marc L. Goldberg, Certified Mentor, SCORE Cape Cod & the Islands, www.score.org/capecod, 508/775-4884. Free and confidential mentoring, workshops and webinars. Thanks for Sara Grizzle, co-owner, Dockside Cafe. Saragriz53@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Dockside Cafe owner says goal is make customers' life easier
ORLANDO, Fla.  President Donald Trump entered office last January thanks in part to a wave of Hispanic voters, enough in one solidly-Democratic Central Florida County to turn it GOP red. But the tide may be changing.

A year into his presidency, the driving factor for many Hispanics  Trumps campaign promise to improve the economy  is not fulfilled. Immigration raids across the country have also sparked fear in many Hispanic communities, even among those who are U.S. citizens.

Mess around and find out, said Ediberto Roman, a law professor at Florida International University who predicted before the 2024 election that Trumps mass deportation plans would result in a reign of terror for anyone existing while brown.

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People think, Were not them, this is about the other [Hispanics],' Roman said. But its time for the Latino and Latina communities to wake up. Its about all of us.

About 70% of Latinos disapprove of the way Trump is handling his job as president, while 65% disapprove of the administrations approach to immigration and 61% say Trumps policies have made economic conditions worse, according to recent polling from the Pew Research Center.

Trumps approval among his own Latino voters remains positive, but it has declined since he took office. Any erosion of support could play a major role in Novembers midterm elections.

Erin Huntley, GOP chair of Orange County, said she believes Trumps support will hold, as Republicans focus on the values that Hispanic communities align with most: faith and affordability.

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Republicans are talking about ways to cut government spending and cut taxes, Huntley said. Right now all the proposals coming from the Democrats side are, We want to tax you more.'

In 2024, Osceola County  where less than 28% of voters are registered Republicans and the majority of the population identifies as Hispanic  narrowly voted for Trump, flipping from 2020s double-digit victory for Democrat Joe Biden there.

While Republicans hail the shift in Hispanic voters as a lasting realignment, Samuel Vilchez Santiago, a Venezuelan American and the Orange County Democratic chair, argued thats not the case.

As he runs for the state House, Vilchez Santiago says Hispanics have told him they voted for Trump because they wanted change in the country. But now theyre worried his priorities are not what they expected.

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They are creating an environment of fear across communities that honestly feels very racially-targeted, Vilchez Santiago said. Theres a lot of mixed-status families here in Florida and a lot of people, including those that voted for Trump, are seeing their families or those close to them directly impacted by the mass deportations.

Puerto Ricans, Cubans and Venezuelans are three key Hispanic demographics who have had very different experiences amid Trumps immigration crackdown, as the three groups immigration status varies widely.

Puerto Ricans have enjoyed U.S. citizenship since 1917, while Cubans  once embraced for fleeing communism  became the largest GOP supporters among Hispanics. But Venezuelans are one of the newest major demographics, with many having fled Nicolas Maduros regime in recent years.

For Puerto Ricans, immigration is not really a concern, said Fernando Rivera, the director of the Puerto Rico Research Hub at the University of Central Florida. Most who voted for Trump did so for his stated economic agenda, he said.

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I think it shows how good the Republican messaging is, Rivera said. But if things dont improve soon that support is going to go away.

Annette Perez, a Kissimmee finance worker originally from Puerto Rico, voted for Trump in 2024 because of his friendly rhetoric towards business owners. While she says the economy is not doing well, shes optimistic about the ultimate impact of Trumps tariffs.

Prices in the grocery store being so high is worrisome  but Im confident it will eventually get better, Perez said in Spanish. We are going to see things get worse before they get better.

Ramon Diaz, a Puerto Rican pastor in Kissimmee, voted for Trump in 2024 because he is not a politician but a businessman.

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Hes managing the presidency like a business and trying to get the economy out of the hole it is in, Diaz said in Spanish.

Church members tell me, Pastor the prices keep going up, but my wages do not,' Diaz said. I see that people are not going out to eat as much because they have to save money, and this will continue to happen. But it will pass.

Both said only undocumented immigrants who have criminal records should be deported  a policy not followed by the administration. Those without criminal records have become the majority among those detained, according to The Guardian.

A lot of people focus on the bad things, like immigration, but they dont understand the good hes doing with the economy, Perez said. Im a citizen, so immigration doesnt impact me.

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Mary Vega, also from Puerto Rico and who works at a credit repair company in Kissimmee, agreed.

I dont feel at risk, said Vega.

Venezuelans, meanwhile, long saw appeal in Republican ideology as refugees from a socialist regime but have since become targets of the Trump administration, which revoked temporary protection status for thousands in Florida.

At the same time, the midnight capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month sparked mixed emotions in the community.

At a gathering in Orlando one day after Maduros capture, Diego Oliva, a Venezuelan American Valencia College student, applauded Trumps action but stopped short of saying he would vote Republican.

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I thank God that he allowed the end of the regime and he manifested it by using President Trump like an instrument for his glory, Oliva said in Spanish. Im very thankful to Trump.

But Maria Puerta-Riera, a Valencia College politics professor from Venezuela, says the Venezuelan community is not likely to vote for the GOP amid the immigration crackdown just because of Maduros removal.

Many of them are going to vote [Democratic], not because they like the Democratic Party but because they see it as a way to punish the Republican Party, Puerta-Riera said.

Puerta-Riera said despite their small voting power, Venezuelans may be able to influence a shift among other Hispanic voters.

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We are like a proxy vote for the rest of the Hispanic community, Puerta-Riera said. We are putting pressure on some voters, especially Cuban American voters.

Cubans, once the immigrant backbone of the GOP in Florida, previously enjoyed more protections from deportations than any other Hispanic group. But under Trump, just over 1,600 Cubans were deported in 2025, the New York Times reported, more than during the three previous administrations.

Miamis historic vote for Eileen Higgins, its first Democratic mayor in 30 years, highlights what could be a major political shift. She beat Trump-backed Emilio Gonzalez in the Hispanic-majority city.

Gilbert Lima, 49, a Cuban American from Miami visiting a friend in Kissimmee, said he voted for both Kamala Harris in 2024 and for Higgins. Still, he said he understands why many Latinos voted for Trump, adding the instability in the economy right now doesnt scare them.

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For better or worse, Latinos are used to hiccups in the economy or things going awry, Lima said. You just figure things out, as opposed to people that are more Americanized who tend to freak out more.

But Lima said Cubans who voted for Trump should not be surprised by how hes handled immigrants, stripping many of their status.

He was going to [find] a loophole, Well, you came here legally [but] youre now a criminal,' Lima said. Anyone who can put two and two together saw that coming from a mile away.
Update at 10:32 a.m.

MORGAN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  The victim of a fatal crash in Morgan County Friday evening has been identified as a 15-year-old.

Semi rollover causing roadway closure on I-74 in Fithian

In a Facebook post Saturday morning, the Morgan County Coroners Office identified the person killed in the single-vehicle crash as 15-year-old Adelisa Addy Rose Johnson. There are no updates currently on the status of the other three occupants that were injured during this incident.

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This crash remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the Morgan County Coroner. There is no further information at this time.

MORGAN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  One person was ejected from a vehicle and killed after it rolled over Friday evening, and three others were injured in the crash in Morgan County.

In a Facebook post early Saturday morning, the Morgan County Coroners Office said one person was killed and three others were injured in a single-car crash at approximately 6 p.m. on Jan. 23. The incident happened at the intersection of Mt. Zion Road and Gravel Springs Road.

Charleston Police investigating Wednesday afternoon business robbery

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The vehicle was traveling east when it left the roadway and rolled. The victim, a backseat passenger, was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. At this time, the victims name is being withheld pending notification of family.

An autopsy for the victim is scheduled for Monday. This crash remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police and Morgan County Coroner.

There is no further information at this time. The Coroners Office said additional details will be released as they become available.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Marc and Joan Hendel thought they were finally done moving. Instead, theyre facing a countdown and an ultimatum.

A month after moving into the home they had meticulously designed for retirement, the couple received a notice that their property was being taken by eminent domain to make way for the $2.1 billion Sagamore Bridge replacement project.

For many longtime Cape Cod, MA, residents, the project had loomed in the background after the bridge was deemed functionally obsolete by the Army Corps of Engineers in 2020. But the Hendelswho built their home while living out of statehad no idea they were in its path until the notice arrived.

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That was nearly a year ago, effectively starting the clock on the couple's last days in their brand new dream home. And now, they have an end date.

On March 13, Massachusetts Department of Transportation is set to take possession of the deed to their home. Shortly after, they expect to receive compensation for the takingmoney theyll need to buy again in a competitive housing market. From there, theyll have 120 days to find a new home, negotiate, close, and move out.

If they miss that window, theyll have to pay rent to remain in the house they once owned outright.

The timeline has put the couple between a slow-moving relocation process and a housing market that moves at breakneck speed.

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"Its so overwhelming," Joan says. "Its like a nightmare all over again."

Why the spring market matters so much on Cape Cod

In a story full of twists, the greatest one yet may be the Capes housing market.

Since the pandemic, Cape Cod has seen explosive demand, driven by desire for luxury and vacation homes, and made worse by chronic under-building.

Today, 1 in 10 homes on the Cape is a short-term rental, and an additional 25% are used only for seasonal or occasional use, according to state data, removing a significant portion of the housing stock from year-round availability.

The Barnstable County housing market continues to be defined by constrained supply, says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com. Active inventory remains deeply depressed, with listings in December running 62.1% below pre-pandemic levels.

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Homes are also moving faster than they used to, spending roughly two weeks less on the market than they did pre-pandemic.

Seasonality isnt helping, either. January is historically the slowest month for listings on the Cape, with inventory only beginning to pick up in April and May. In 2025, listings surged 24% month-over-month during both of those monthscompared with a pre-pandemic seasonal average closer to 5%.

And while its good news that listings are likely to pick up in the months ahead, it does little to slow the ticking clock of their looming date to vacate.

We don't have time, Joan says. Theres so much against us. Finding a home, negotiating, closing, it takes a long time.

Few homes, and fewer comparables

But the Hendels dilemma runs deeper than a fast-moving housing market. Their real obstacle is inventoryand more specifically, comparable inventory.

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When Marc and Joan built their home, they designed a house around the realities of their lives: demanding careers, proximity to family, and Joans health needs as a lung cancer survivor.

Those priorities shaped everything from the layouttwo separate office spaces to support their jobsto the location, chosen to keep them within reach of both sides of the family.

Even the materials and systems were intentional: hardwood floors instead of carpet, and mini-split heating and cooling with special filters they can clean regularly to reduce mold and airborne contaminants.

While they were able to build that kind of precision from the ground up, finding it on the open market is proving to be another matter entirely.

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To guide their search, the couple created a 61-point checklist for their next home, detailing all of the above and more. Those requirements narrow an already narrow field, turning the states timeline into a high-stakes race for a house that may not exist in the current market.

One of their most basic stipulations is that they want a home built in 2024 or later, like their current home. But more than three-quarters of the Capes housing stock was built from the 1950s to 2000s, while just 491 homes (or 0.40% of residential housing stock) was built since 2020, according to data from the Cape Cod Commission.

And in Barnstable Countywhere the couple live and hope to stayjust 85 homes (or 10.3%) of active listings in January were built in 2024 or later, according to data from Realtor.com.

When newer homes do come on the market, they often carry a steep premium: a median of $715 per square foot, compared with $520 per square foot for older homes.

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Limited supply is especially pronounced in newer housing, says Jones. When available, these homes command a significant premium, nearly $200 more per square foot than older properties, raising the barrier to entry even further for buyers seeking newer housing options.

Keep in mind, this is also more than a matter of preference. Older housing stock introduces knock-on complications like higher maintenance and insurance costs. And while the Hendels are entitled to just compensation for the loss of their home and relocation expenses, those added costs arent part of the deal.

Those sorts of future expenses that they may incur, increases in insurance, increases in taxes, really aren't covered, explains Steve Mollica, a relocation specialist who has overseen eminent domain cases. He notes that while there is a mechanism to deal with differences in mortgage interest, hes not aware of a similar precedent for the potential added costs of homeownership.

Insurers generally consider homes built more than 40 years ago to be higher risk, due to outdated systems and materials that are more prone to failure and more expensive to rebuild if disaster strikes. As a result, these homes are often more expensive to insure.

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That pressure is already being felt across Massachusetts. In late 2025, the states insurer of last resort saw a surge of 15,000 new policies, as private carriers pulled back or priced out homeowners entirely.

On Cape Cod, the gap is especially stark: Roughly 40% of homes on the islands are now covered by the FAIR Plan, the state-backed program for homeowners who cant secure standard coverage. Those policies account for more than half of all FAIR Plan enrollment statewide.

Marc and Joan Hendel's dream of living on Cape Cod has turned into a "nightmare." (Marc and Joan Hendel)

We dont think its unreasonable to ask them to pay rent

Still, Mollica says hes confident that the Hendels and their neighbors will receive ample compensation.

They're good people looking to do good work, he says of MassDOT employees. But they also do have to comply with what these regulations require.

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Its those regulations that seem to be in the starkest opposition with the reality of a housing market that has gone through radical changes post-pandemic, especially when it means the Hendels could have to pay rent on a home they own outright if they miss the states 120-day window.

We don't have a mortgage, says Marc, forcing us to pay rent to live in our own home would make us worse off, and we are going to absolutely refuse to do that.

But, Luisa Paiewonsky, executive director of MassDOTs Mega Projects Delivery Office, disagrees.

We dont think its an unreasonable thing to ask, we dont think its a major burden to ask them to pay rent on a home that they no longer own, she told Boston 25 News. But we understand that feelings run high sometimes and we empathize with what theyre going through.

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When I spoke to Paiewonsky, she emphasized the fact that they will no longer be owners of their house after the agency takes possession of the deed.



"They're renting a home from the Commonwealth," she says, framing the rent requirement as a duty to the taxpayers whose tax dollars funded the acquisition of the home. "We're not trying to create a financial burden for [the homeowners], but we do want them to have a financial stake in this process."



She also points to the fact that the 120 days is a statutory requirement. "We don't have flexibility about that, but we do have flexibility about allowing them to stay and rent it for from us," she adds.

For the Hendels, that framing feels detached from the reality of trying to buy again in a tight market while they wait for funds, sift through listings that dont meet their needs, and race to a deadline they didnt choose.

It has looked like an empty glass, Marc says of MassDOTs assistance. They are not communicating with us. They are not telling us what the process is. We have questions.

The couple says the state has provided little guidance on what they should be doing now to prepare for a reimbursable move, and has not yet provided insight on finding comparable homes.

Mollica emphasizes that these things take time.

Theyre like snowflakes, he says of relocations. Each home is different. Everyone has different situations and different circumstances, whether theyre financial or whether theyre personal.

Even under ideal conditions, he added, truly one-to-one replacements are rare. Nothings ever like-for-like exact, he says. I think that the idea is that its meant to be possible, a mutually cooperative sort of process where the homeowners and the agency are kind of working together to come to a solution.

But on Cape Codwhere supply is tight, newer homes are scarce, and competition moves quicklythere may be little room to find that kind of common ground.

For their part, Paiewonsky insists the state is working hard to find that common ground.

We recognize that it's not easy for them, and we have plenty of procedures and compensation in place to help ease that process to the extent we can," she says. "And we need to keep moving forward on this bridge. It's not optional for us. We really owe it to the people of Cape Cod to replace these bridges."

The Hendels are equally hopeful. When I asked what the state could to do ensure they are treated fairly, Marc offered a simple vision:

In a year from now, I want to be living in a home that we are very happy with, that we are proud of, that we can invite friends and relatives over and say, You know what? This isn't the home we built, but we are pleased to live here.
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An Iron Age dog burial from Chirpan, Bulgaria. | Credit: Stella Nikolova

Cut marks on dozens of canine skeletons found at archaeological sites in Bulgaria suggest that people were eating dog meat 2,500 years ago  and not just because they had no other options.

"Dog meat was not a necessity eaten out of poverty, as these sites are rich in livestock, which was the main source of protein," Stella Nikolova , a zooarchaeologist at the National Archaeological Institute with Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and author of a study published in December in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology , told Live Science. "Evidence shows that dog meat was associated with some tradition involving communal feasting."

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Although consuming dog meat  a practice sometimes called cynophagy  is considered taboo in contemporary European societies, this hasn't always been the case. Historical accounts mention that the ancient Greeks sometimes ate dog meat, and archaeological analysis of dog skeletons from Greece has confirmed those stories.

During the Iron Age (fifth to first centuries B.C.), a cultural group known as the Thracians lived to the northeast of the Greeks, in what is now Bulgaria. The Greeks and Romans considered the Thracians to be uncivilized and warlike, and in the middle of the first century A.D., Thrace became a province of the Roman Empire . Like the Greeks, the Thracians were said to have consumed dog meat.

To look into the question of whether the Thracians ate dogs, Nikolova examined skeletons and previously published data from 10 Iron Age archaeological sites spread throughout Bulgaria. She discovered that most of the dogs had medium-sized snouts and medium-to-large withers heights, making them roughly the size of modern German shepherds.

But the large number of butchery marks on many of the bones revealed the dogs were not man's best friend. "It is most probable they were kept as guard dogs, as the sites have a lot of livestock," Nikolova said. "I don't believe they were viewed as pets in the modern sense."

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At the site of Emporion Pistiros , an Iron Age trade center in inland Thrace, archaeologists found more than 80,000 animal bones  and dogs made up 2% of the total. When Nikolova looked closely at the dog bones from Pistiros, she found that nearly 20% of them had butchery marks made by metal tools. Two lower dog jaws also had burned teeth, possibly the result of someone removing hair and fur with fire prior to butchering and cooking the animals.

A dog skull with cut marks from Emporion Pistiros, Bulgaria. | Credit: Stella Nikolova

"The highest number of cuts and fragmentation is observed in the parts with the densest muscle tissue  the upper quarter of the hind limbs," Nikolova said. "There are also cuts on ribs, although in dogs they would yield little meat." The cuts Nikolova noticed on the dogs followed roughly the same pattern as those on sheep and cattle at the site, suggesting all of the animals were being butchered in a similar manner.

Because the Thracians had many other animals more traditionally associated with meat consumption, such as pigs, birds, fish and wild mammals, Nikolova does not think the Thracians were eating dogs as a last resort.

At Pistiros, butchered dog bones were discovered within the discarded remains of feasts and in general domestic trash heaps, Nikolova said, meaning dog flesh may have been consumed in different ways. "So, while linked to a certain tradition, it was not confined to that title and was an occasional 'delicacy,'" she said.

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Several other Bulgarian archaeological sites Nikolova investigated had evidence of cut and burned dog bones, as did sites in Greece and Romania, meaning "we cannot label dog meat consumption as unique to Ancient Thrace, but a somewhat regular practice that was carried out in the 1st millennium BC in the North-East Mediterranean," Nikolova wrote in her study.

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Nikolova plans to further investigate the role of dogs at Pistiros as part of the Corpus Animalium Thracicorum project. She noted that the butchered dogs at Pistiros are from the first part of the Iron Age, but later on the people there began burying intact dogs, so she hopes to determine whether there was a change in people's attitude over time that made dogs a less acceptable source of food.

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The post 4 Species of Giraffe Explained: How Scientists Rethought the Classification of Giraffa appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Quick Take

The official 4-species status was achieved only after reviewing recent genetic, morphological, and biogeographic studies on giraffes.

The great reduction of price in genetic and genomic analyses allowed for new insights into giraffe lineages.

Splitting giraffes from one into four species has large conservation implications .

Three of the four new giraffe species are already likely threatened species.

For over 200 years, there has been just one species of giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis. This unmistakable African animal is easily recognized across the world. With their long necks and distinctive spots, giraffes are an iconic species of Africa.

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Upon closer look, though, not all giraffes look the same. Some giraffes have structured spot patterns with distinct borders, giving their coats a more geometric appearance, while other giraffes have spots that appear more feathered and frayed at the edges, creating a star-like shape. These differences were one of the driving factors leading scientists to describe nine subspecies. That is, until recently.

Masai giraffes, like these ones in Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, have spots with frayed edges giving them a feathery appearance. iStock.com/Michel VIARD (iStock.com/Michel VIARD)

Differences in coat patterns or even more significant morphological variations, though, arent enough to designate groups of animals into separate species. For example, chihuahuas and huskies look vastly different from one another, yet they are both members of the same species: domestic dogs. But these varied spots, along with wide geographic spread across Africa, and other morphological differences, led some to speculate whether the giraffe represented more than just a single species.

In August of 2025, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)s Species Survival Commissions Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group (GOSG) Taxonomic Task Force determined that there are now four distinct species of giraffes, and that it would no longer be accurate to label them as a single species.

Reticulated giraffes, like these in Samburu National Park in Kenya, have solid and defined edges in their spots. iStock.com/slowmotiongli (iStock.com/slowmotiongli)

The role of genetics in the new giraffe species designations

What drove this change was much deeper than their appearance, although morphology did play a role; largely, the change resulted from what was found in the giraffes genes.

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Dr. Michael B. Brown, Conservation Science Coordinator at Giraffe Conservation Foundation and Co-Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group, explains, In the past ten years, since the last IUCN Red List Assessment, several important studies were published, providing a growing body of literature supporting a review of how giraffes are classified for conservation assessments.

Dr. Michael B. Brown, Conservation Science Coordinator at Giraffe Conservation Foundation and Co-Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group Michael B. Brown (Michael B. Brown)

One of those studies, published in 2016, Brown describes as Foundational research showing, based on genetic data, that giraffes (are) clustered into four genetically distinct lineages rather than one species with many subspecies. This study found deep divergences amongst the four now different species of giraffe.

In fact, some scientists even said the differences between some of the species of giraffe were as large as those between polar and brown bears, animals that differ dramatically in their appearance and lifestyle. For instance, brown bears are mostly terrestrial, while polar bears spend most of their life at sea and are considered marine mammals. Brown states, This paper was one of the first to argue that giraffes merit splitting into multiple species based on deep divergence comparable to known separate species in other mammals.

Morphological studies on giraffes

Even though the 2016 study played a strong role, as well as other genetic studies in the new species designations, morphology still played a part, along with geographical information. Scientists evaluated studies on giraffe bones, notably on their skull, and found differences between their ossicones, or the horn-like bumps on the top of their heads. Brown says ossicones are Used in display and social interactions.

Previous research found differences in cranial morphology amongst the four different giraffe species, largely from their ossicones, or the horn-like bumps on the top of their heads. Snehasis Panja/Shutterstock.com (Snehasis Panja/Shutterstock.com)

These morphological differences, though, are different than the ones observed in dog breeds as mentioned in the example. Brown explains, Although dogs show striking skull differences, these arise from recent artificial selection within a single interbreeding lineage and therefore form a continuum rather than discrete, evolutionarily independent groups. In contrast (in giraffes), they (scientists) can separate size from shape and reveal whether skeletal variation clusters into statistically distinct groups that correspond to separate lineages.

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The results, largely from this study, found those separate lineages. Brown says, Researchers found distinct sexual dimorphism and divergent developmental trajectories between northern and southern giraffe cladesidentifying significant cranial shape differences among all four giraffe species and even some subspecies.

This paper was one of the first to argue that giraffes merit splitting into multiple species based on deep divergence comparable to known separate species in other mammals. Dr. Michael B. Brown, Conservation Science Coordinator at Giraffe Conservation Foundation and Co-Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group

Three Southern giraffes in Krueger National Park, South Africa. Framalicious/Shutterstock.com (Framalicious/Shutterstock.com)

Additionally, the four species of giraffe are all geographically isolated from one another and therefore cannot breed with each other, which is often an important criterion for species definitions. According to genetic research, they havent interbred for 280,000 years. This research found no hybrids in the wild, although some have occurred in captivity under artificial conditions.

Why designate new species of giraffes now?

Usually, when new species of mammals are described, its in smaller or more cryptic species like small mammals and bats, where scientists can easily overlook new species, not large and easy-to-see land animals like giraffes. The main reason that scientists were able to differentiate new species of giraffes only recently is because of technological advancements in genetic sequencing, which have brought down prices considerably. Previously, it could cost tens of thousands of dollars to run a single genome, whereas now, it can cost as little as $100.

These advancements finally made it affordable for scientists associated with conservation and nonprofit organizations to conduct extensive analyses on giraffes across their large range in Africa. The new genetic studies, combined with other research, necessitated a reevaluation of the species status by the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SCC) Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group.

Genetic advancements have brought costs down for conservation groups to analyze the genomes of giraffes and find differences between the species. Flystock/Shutterstock.com (Flystock/Shutterstock.com)

But why werent the four new species of giraffes designated officially in 2016 with the landmark genetic study? Simply put, its a single study, and multiple lines of evidence were needed for species designations. Brown says, For the IUCN SCC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group to adopt any proposed giraffe taxonomic classification, we needed to undertake a thorough systematic review of all available studies distinguishing giraffe taxa.

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Deciding what constitutes a species is no easy task, as there are dozens of definitions. Brown discusses the approach used by the specialist group, saying, Defining a species is a tricky exercise, largely because there are no universally accepted definitions for what actually constitutes a species. We leaned on the experiences of other (IUCN) specialist groupsin adopting a traffic light assessment for taxonomic distinctions, weighing phenotypic evidence, genetic evidence, and biogeographical evidence for making these taxonomic distinctions.

Brown continues to explain, Ultimately, our report showed relatively strong support for genetic variation, strong biogeographic concurrence, and moderate phenotopic variation across the four species and their constituent subspecies. The evidence combined, therefore provided strong support for the new species of giraffe.

Meet the new species of giraffes

There are now four species of giraffes: Maasai (Giraffa tippelskirchi), northern (Giraffa camelopardalis), reticulated (Giraffa reticulata), and southern giraffes (Giraffa giraffa).

Northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

The Northern giraffe species ranges across parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, as well as western Ethiopia, central and western Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda.

Two Northern giraffes. Northern giraffes are the most endangered of all of the new giraffe species. Jane Rix/Shutterstock.com (Jane Rix/Shutterstock.com)

Maasai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi)

Masai giraffes are found in East Africa in southern Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

A mother Maasai giraffe tending to her baby in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. iStock.com/miroslav_1 (iStock.com/miroslav_1)

Reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata)

The reticulated giraffes range spans from Somalia and northern Kenya into southern Ethiopia.

A reticulated giraffe walking through savanna habitat. Rich Lindie/Shutterstock.com (Rich Lindie/Shutterstock.com)

Southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa)

Finally, the southern giraffe, as its name suggests, lives in the south, including South Africa, Angola, southern Botswana, Namibia, southern Zimbabwe, Zambia, and southwestern Mozambique.

Southern giraffes are found in the southern countries of Africa and are the most numerous of the giraffe species. Martin Pelanek/Shutterstock.com (Martin Pelanek/Shutterstock.com)

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What do the new species designations mean for giraffe conservation?

Splitting giraffes into multiple species has immediate and important consequences for conservation. This split will ultimately provide the different species with the specific plans they need to ensure healthy populations. For instance, creating four new species from one gives the impression that each species is now at greater risk, as population sizes are automatically smaller. Giraffes as a single species seemed much stronger at 140,000 individuals, but now some species will only amount to just a fraction of that, making it much more difficult for them to withstand threats. In fact, three of the four species are already speculated to be threatened.

The loss of habitat from human development is a large conservation threat to giraffes. Karan Khalsa/Shutterstock.com (Karan Khalsa/Shutterstock.com)

Although each species will technically now be more at risk, separating giraffes into different species allows scientists to better protect them. As each species has unique threats, scientists, conservation organizations, and government officials can design more targeted conservation plans to address their needs.

Brown stresses the importance of this, and says Recognizing the diversity of giraffe taxa and assessing them differently will provide much more nuance to the conservation stories of different giraffe across Africa, allowing us to better tailor our approaches to address the unique conservation threats and opportunities for each species

For instance, the Northern giraffe, with about 7,000 individuals, is the most endangered species and suffers from overall political instability and poaching. Their numbers have declined by 70% from 1995.

Poaching is a threat to the Northern giraffe. Funding rangers on the group provides important protections for this species. LMspencer/Shutterstock.com (LMspencer/Shutterstock.com)

Masai giraffes are more numerous, with approximately 44,000 individuals, but still face threats. They are most affected by the loss of habitat due to the conversion of savannas to pastures and fields for cattle.

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But its not all bad news for giraffes. Targeted conservation programs work, as in the case of the Southern giraffe, because limited conservation dollars are spent focusing on minimizing threats exactly where they are needed. In the same time frame as the Northern giraffe, this species has more than doubled in its total numbers, reaching over 68,000 individuals.

Southern giraffes are a conservation success story, and they have more than doubled their numbers since the 1990s. Wim Hoek/Shutterstock.com (Wim Hoek/Shutterstock.com)

Brown emphasizes the importance of the new classification and its impact on conservation: The 2016 work showed the initial scientific signal of species-level divergence, while the 2025 IUCN reclassification is the official endorsement and consolidation of that and subsequent research into a consensus taxonomy for conservation use.





















































The post 4 Species of Giraffe Explained: How Scientists Rethought the Classification of Giraffa appeared first on A-Z Animals.
The Indiana State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a person dead on Jan. 22.

The shooting occurred on State Route 69 north of Copperline Road in Posey County, Indiana, according to a spokesperson.

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A passenger of the vehicle involved in a traffic stop was shot by two Posey County deputies after he allegedly displayed a firearm.

The passenger was given aid immediately by officers, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The passenger was identified as 40-year-old Blake Fleming.

The shooting is still under investigation.

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The 480,000-year-old elephant bone tool was discovered at the Boxgrove archaeological site in the United Kingdom. | Credit: NHM Photo Unit

A triangular artifact crafted from elephant bone was used by archaic human relatives to sharpen hand axes around 480,000 years ago in what is now the U.K., a new analysis reveals.

The item  which measures about 4.3 by 2.3 inches (10.9 by 5.8 centimeters)  represents the oldest known elephant bone tool ever found in Europe, according to the study, which was published Wednesday (Jan. 21) in the journal Science Advances , and demonstrates human relatives' high level of resourcefulness and ability to adapt to new environments as they settled in northern climates.

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While evidence suggests that early human relatives used elephant bones and tusks throughout the Paleolithic period for a wide range of purposes, it's "very rare" to find an elephant-bone tool of this age or older anywhere in the world, said study co-author Silvia Bello , a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London.

The "unexpected" find of one of the world's oldest elephant bone tools indicates a relatively advanced level of technological development, thus highlighting the innovation, resourcefulness and craftsmanship of archaic human relatives almost half a million years ago, the researchers said in the study.

While the researchers are unsure which group of human relatives used the elephant tool, given the age of the tool and the location where it was found, two candidates are early Neanderthals or Homo heidelbergensis, Bello told Live Science in an email.

The tool "provides an extraordinary glimpse into the ingenuity of the early human ancestors who made it," Bello said.

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The fossilized bone artifact was originally uncovered in the early 1990s during excavations at the archaeological site of Boxgrove in southern England. This internationally renowned site has yielded many finds that have shed light on Paleolithic life around half a million years ago. These include various bone and stone tools, numerous animal remains displaying signs of butchery, and even the oldest human remains ever found in Britain.

A map showing Stone Age sites with known elephant-bone tools. | Credit: Parfitt et al., Sci. Adv. 12, eady1390

The significance of the bone artifact was not immediately apparent. But a recent analysis of the artifact conducted by Bello and her co-author Simon Parfitt , an archaeologist at the Institute of Archaeology at University College London, revealed that the artifact represents an elephant bone fragment deliberately shaped into a "retoucher" tool.

Retouchers were used to shape and resharpen the edges of hand axes. The elephant bone retoucher would have contributed to the production of the "finely worked" hand axes that were thought to have been used primarily as cutting tools and are typical of Boxgrove, according to the study.

"The elephant bone tool shows signs of being shaped and used to knap and re-sharpen lithic tools while the bone was still fresh, suggesting that these humans knew that elephant bone was a great material for this," Bello said.

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The find represents the only documented case of elephant bone being used to make a retoucher, according to the researchers. Knapping tools made from organic materials such as bone, antler and wood were essential pieces of equipment for early humans but are rarely preserved in the archaeological record.

Four views of a hand ax from the Boxgrove, U.K. | Credit: Parfitt et al., Sci. Adv. 12, eady1390

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Furthermore, prehistoric elephant bone remains are "exceptionally rare" at Boxgrove, suggesting that archaic humans in the area came across this resource infrequently, the study authors noted. Nonetheless, it appears that the creators of the tool recognized the usefulness of the material.

"This remarkable discovery showcases the resourcefulness of our ancient relatives," Parfitt told Live Science in an email. "They possessed not only a deep knowledge of the local materials around them, but also a sophisticated understanding of how to craft highly refined stone tools."

"Elephant bone would have been a rare but highly useful resource, and it's likely this was a tool of considerable value," he said in a statement .

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The 5-year-old immigrant boy taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement alongside his father in the Minneapolis area earlier this week has an active and pending case in immigration court and cannot be legally deported yet, according to government records reviewed by CBS News.

The ICE operation that led Liam Adrian Conejo Ramos and his father to be taken into government custody, captured on videos and photos that have gone viral, has garnered national attention and raised questions about who exactly the Trump administration is targeting in its mass deportation campaign.

Justice Department records reviewed by CBS News indicate Liam and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Ramos, have immigration court cases listed as "pending." The records by the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review do not list any deportation orders in either case, indicating that an immigration judge still must consider Liam and his father's claims before any deportation attempt. The information says the family's immigration court case was docketed on Dec. 17, 2024.

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CBS News was able to review the government information after obtaining the "alien" numbers issued to Liam and his father. Those "A numbers" are issued by the U.S. government to immigrants, illegal and legal alike, to internally track their deportation cases or immigration applications.

Liam and his father are now being held at the Dilley detention center in Texas, ICE's long-term holding site for families with underage children, according to officials and the agency's detainee tracking system.

Families at the Texas detention center held a protest there on Saturday, an attorney representing migrant children in federal immigration custody confirmed to CBS News. The attorney said the protest was peaceful in nature and involved some of the children holding signs.

Representatives for Liam and his father say the family is from Ecuador and that they entered the U.S. in 2024 to request asylum. The family's lawyer said they were able to get an appointment to enter the U.S. at an official crossing site along the southern border, with the government's permission, through a Biden administration system that relied on a phone app called CBP One. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said Friday the agency has "no record" of the family using CBP One.

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The Trump administration shut down the CBP One process immediately after taking office, and converted it into a self-deportation app now known as CBP Home. It also revoked the legal protections the Biden administration offered those who entered under the program, targeting some of them for arrest and deportation, including during immigration court appointments in cities across the U.S.

The family's lawyer has said Liam's father does not appear to have a criminal record. DHS has called Liam's father an "illegal alien" and accused him of attempting to flee ICE officers, abandoning his son in the process. McLaughlin, the DHS spokeswoman, said Liam's father "committed a federal crime by evading arrest."

And while immigrants with pending claims cannot be legally deported, immigration officials do have the authority to detain them, if they're in the U.S. illegally or without a valid legal status, pending the adjudication of those cases.

Prokosh Law LLC, the law firm representing Liam and his father, did not provide further information when asked about the family's immigration case.

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"As their attorney of record, our primary concern at this time is Liam and Adrian's safety, well-being, and the work that is involved in getting them released from detention," the law firm told CBS News. "While we do the relevant work to secure their release, we are unable to provide further information to the press."

Dueling narratives about the arrest

During a press conference in Minneapolis on Friday, Marcos Charles, the head of ICE's deportation branch, said his officers targeted Liam's father  not the child  during an arrest operation on Jan. 20. Charles said Liam was with his father inside a vehicle when ICE officers approached them.

Liam Conejo Ramos, 5, is detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers after arriving home from preschool on Jan. 20, 2026, in a Minneapolis suburb. / Credit: Ali Daniels / AP

Charles said Liam's father tried to escape on foot, "abandoning his child in the middle of winter in a vehicle." He said an officer stayed with Liam, while others arrested his father. ICE officers "cared for" Liam and took him to a drive-through restaurant, Charles added.

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ICE officers tried to get Liam's family to take the child but the "people inside refused to take him in and open the door," according to Charles. He noted his officers were "heartbroken" by the incident.

Sergio Amezcua, a pastor who said he's spoken to Liam's mother, noted she "was terrified" during the incident.

"ICE agents were trying to use the baby for her to come out of her house," Amezcua said on CNN. "But the neighbors step[ped] up. Neighbors advised her not to do it."

On Friday, Charles said families held by ICE get "top-notch care" at facilities like the Dilley center in Texas, calling their treatment "better than social services."

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"They have medical care. The food is good. They have learning services. They have church services available. They have recreation," Charles said.

But advocates for immigrants have raised concerns about conditions at the Dilley facility. Neha Desai, an attorney at the California-based National Center for Youth Law, which represents migrant children in U.S. custody, said minors held at Dilley have experienced "a dramatic decline in their physical and mental health."

"The current conditions at Dilley are fundamentally unsafe for anyone, let alone young children," Desai said. "Since the re-opening of family detention, hundreds of families  including babies and toddlers  have been subjected to substandard medical care, degrading and harsh treatment and extremely prolonged times in custody."

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Trump deals with fallout over NATO comments
President Donald Trumps quest to control Greenland is driving the news  and this time, its not a punchline.

Trump has backed off threats of using force to take the island in favor of what he calls a frameworkthat will give the U.S. access to the island. And on Friday, Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the situation is still serious adding that the Scandinavian nation has a path that we are in the process of trying with the Americans. We have always said that we are of course willing to make an agreement.

But whether the deal will work remains vague.

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Meanwhile, all of this has resulted in a flood of questions in Washington and abroad about whether Trumps threats have been strategy, bluster, or something in between  and the long-term consequences for Americas standing with allies. We attempt to answer some of the most asked questions about the issue.

Whats Trumps interest in Greenland all about?

Trumps obsession with obtaining Greenland  which for decades has been controlled by U.S. ally Denmark  is ostensibly about keeping Americans safe.

The president and his advisers increasingly describe Greenland as essential to ensuring American  and even European  security against encroaching threats from China and Russia.

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Why? Greenland sits astride key Arctic sea lanes that are becoming increasingly navigable as ice melts. It also hosts Pituffik Space Base, a critical U.S. military installation for missile warning, space surveillance and Arctic operations. To Trump, Greenland represents leverage: strategic location, military value and untapped natural resources.

His interest in the island isnt new. In 2019, Trump publicly floated buying Greenland, later describing it as a large real estate deal.

At the time, it was mostly dismissed as a pipe dream from a mercurial president. But six years later, the once frivolous threat has alienated European allies and become one of the administrations most important goals.

Ian Bremmer, the president of Eurasia Group, a global risk assessment firm in New York, said that Trump having captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by force has made his assertive Donroe Doctrine a brand  and emboldened him to take a more hostile posture toward Greenland and European allies.

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Hes all in on having the brand, said Bremmer, who is in Davos speaking with European allies. Now he needs to populate it and have more ornaments on the tree. There has to be a next thing for the Donroe Doctrine. And Greenland was that thing.

Was Trump serious about invading Greenland?

No.

There is no legal or political pathway for the U.S. to seize Greenland without violating the sovereignty of NATO allies. Doing so would essentially end the alliance  not to mention violate international law.

Trump and his aides were never seriously contemplating an invasion but refusing to rule it out publicly was an effort to increase Trumps negotiating leverage. In the process, he incensed European leaders, who responded more forcefully than they ever had to his pressure, sending troops to Greenland for military exercises and weighing whether to deploy the European Unions anti-economic coercion bazooka in response to increased Trumps threat to impose U.S. tariffs.

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For his first year, Europe has bit its tongue but worked with Trump to keep him on side, said Charles Kupchan, a Europe specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations. When the president of the United States is threatening to invade a NATO ally, its time for a different approach.

The stronger response worked. With global markets starting to plummet over fears of an escalating crisis, Trump finally made clear in his speech to Davos on Wednesday that he would not look to acquire Greenland with military force.

But Trumps new assurances have not fully allayed European anger or ongoing anxieties about a leader known for changing his mind and who has repeatedly treated force, coercion and brinkmanship as negotiating tools rather than a last resort.

Trumps governing style thrives on maximalist threats followed by selective walk-backs, leaving allies and adversaries alike unsure which statements are bluster, which are trial balloons and which could harden into policy.

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And so with this president, even ideas he claims are off the table, never fully are.

What does Greenland  and Europe  think about all of this?

Theyre pissed.

Greenland is a semi-autonomous, self-governing territory within Denmark, and its leaders have repeatedly said the island is not for sale. Local officials have also bristled at rhetoric that treats Greenland as an objectrather than a society of 56,000 people with their own political aspirations, including long-term independence.

We are not in the situation where we are thinking that a takeover of the country might happen overnight," Greenlands prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said at a press conference earlier this month. "You cannot compare Greenland to Venezuela. We are a democratic country."

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At the same time, Greenlands government welcomes U.S. investment, security cooperation, and diplomatic engagement  so long as it comes with respect for Greenlandic autonomy. The Trumpian approach has strained that balance, fueling local skepticism even as U.S. military and economic ties deepen.

Though Trump has backed off his invasion threats, the damage was done, Bremmer said. They feel completely disrespected. They feel like Trump treats them with contempt.

Hows this playing in America?

The reaction at home has been equally searing. If there was any sort of action that looked like the goal was actually landing in Greenland and doing an illegal taking  thered be sufficient numbers here to pass a war powers resolution and withstand a veto, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who recently traveled to Copenhagen, said last week.

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Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) called Trumps Greenland quest the dumbest thing Ive ever heard.

According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, only 17 percent of Americans support the effort to acquire Greenland, while 47 percent disapprove and 35 percent remain unsure.

Is the framework deal going to put an end to the effort to take Greenland?

Trump announced in a vague post this week that he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had agreed to a framework of a future Arctic deal on Greenland, which he described as giving the U.S. significant access to the island.

But Denmark and Greenland have both strongly rejected any notion that sovereignty is negotiable or that a concrete transfer of control is underway.

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Though details are sparse, Trump said the U.S. got everything we wanted, adding that the deal is "infinite" and will last forever. He told reporters hell give more clarity on whether Denmark is on board in two weeks.

How does it affect our European alliances?

It reinforces a core anxiety many European allies already have about Trump: U.S. security commitments can blur into coercion when they collide with his personal priorities.

The European leaders believe it is primarily about ego, Bremmer said. When Trump is acting as an individual and not acting on behalf of the country, you can see how this is going to create conflict. Its set up to create mistrust and conflict and undermine the relationship.

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Even as Trump and his advisers insist his hunger for Greenland aligns with NATO interests, European leaders have warned that questioning a countrys sovereignty  even rhetorically  crosses a red line.

In joint statements and public remarks, officials in NATO countries have stressed that Arctic security cooperation does not confer consent over territory, pushing back on what they see as a dangerous conflation of alliance coordination and unilateral pressure.

The American leadership of the transatlantic community was based on mutual trust, common values and interests, not on domination and coercion, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday. That is why it was accepted by all of us. Lets not lose it, dear friends, adding that is what he conveyed to other EU leaders on Thursday.

Trumps Greenland push has only intensified a clear undercurrent of administration-wide disdain for Europe, articulated over his first year in office via speeches, social media posts and an official national security strategy. In the weeks following his renewed Greenland push, Trump has only further alienated our European allies, claiming NATO has not been in Americas corner in the past.

Weve never needed them, Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Friday. 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.

More than 40 countries following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks deployed troops to Afghanistan when the U.S. invoked NATO Article 5 for the first time ever. At peak years, allied forces made up roughly half of all non-Afghan troops in the country.

More than 1,100 non-U.S. coalition troops were killed in Afghanistan, alongside many thousands wounded. Canada alone lost 158 soldiers and the U.K. lost 457.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer slammed Trumps remarks Friday morning.

I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, Starmer said. 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.
A luxury Albanian island resort project by Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner has sparked outrage from dozens of environmental NGOs calling for its suspension, a statement seen Saturday by AFP said.

Albania -- one of the poorest European countries -- recently joined the US president's newly created "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts.

Kushner plans to transform the uninhabited southwest island of Sazan -- once home to a secret communist military base -- into a luxury tourist destination, estimated to cost around 1.4 billion euros ($1.2 billion).

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But 41 environmental groups from 28 countries voiced their concern over the plans in a letter to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj this week.

"The project proposes interventions across 45 hectares (111 acres), posing serious risks to the biodiversity and critical habitats of the area," the statement accompanying the letter said.

Sazan and its surrounding waters "provide crucial habitats for some of the world's most endangered marine species", it added.

The NGOs stressed the construction of a luxury resort "poses a serious threat to these delicate habitats" and urged the "immediate suspension of any decisions advancing the project".

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Earlier this week, the US president's daughter Ivanka Trump also visited several sites in the Vlora region, where the island is located, accompanied by around 60 architects.

The Trump family has built a massive real estate empire of luxury resorts and hotels around the world.

In December, an investment firm linked to Kushner ditched plans to build a hotel on the site of Belgrade's bombed-out Yugoslav army headquarters.

The move came after Serbia's culture minister was indicted over alleged abuse of office and forgery of an official document that had allowed the removal of the site's "cultural-heritage status".

bme/ljv/rh/rlp
Few travelers will successfully make it in or out of Nashville International Airport on Jan. 25 as ice blankets the city. Airlines canceled 75% of their outbound flight schedule and 60% of their inbound flight schedule before 10 a.m., according to aviation data tracker Flight Aware.

That leaves fewer than 100 planes still set to take off from BNA on Jan. 25, while an average Sunday sees about 300 liftoffs. In all, there have been 428 cancellations, and that number will likely continue to rise.

BNA is open and working around the clock to maintain operations despite difficult circumstances, airport officials said in a statement. Ice remains our greatest challenge, and we are in a constant state of resupply with orders of deicing fluid, salt and other materials to support operations. Friction tests are ongoing to ensure safe operations for airlines. As always, safety of those working and those traveling remains our top priority.

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The airport's maintenance and operations team split de-icing and safety responsibilities with the airlines. While BNA clears ramps and runways for takeoff, each individual airline is responsible for its aircrafts. The airport currently has $686,000 de-icing vehicles in use that it purchased after the fallout from a 2024 snowstorm.

"Airlins have taken precautionary measures to prioritize safety and are managing their flight schedules accordingly with cancellations and delays as they determine appropriate," BNA officials said in a statement.

Southwest Airlines is responsible for the majority of BNA's cancellations with 227 nixed flights, followed by Republic Airways with 41 and American Airlines with 33.

Live updates: More than 200K without power, trees and wires down across Middle Tennessee

How Nashville stacks up against other airports in the storm

On the first day of the winter storm, Jan. 24, BNA landed at No. 3 among the most impacted airports, based on Flight Aware data. Nashville was just below Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport with 372 total flights affected.

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Just 24 hours later, Nashville dropped to No. 14, not because conditions improved in Middle Tennessee, but because they worsened elsewhere. Major airports like New York's LaGuardia Airport, Arlington's Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Philadelphia International Airport face dire situations with more than 90% of their flight schedules canceled.

In all, airlines cut 11,040 flights from takeoff on Jan. 25, and they have already begun to cancel over 2,000 flights for Jan. 26.

A deicing crew works on an American Airlines flight at Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee on Saturday.

What to do if your Nashville flight gets canceled

Most travelers who planned to fly in and out of Nashville are facing the same dilemma as a result of the massive winter storm traveling across the United States: What do I do when my flight gets canceled?

Prior to the first snowfall, almost every airline that operates out of BNA issued their winter weather advisories and implemented flexible travel policies. Here's what that means for Nashville's biggest airlines:

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Delta Air Lines: Those traveling through BNA from Jan. 23-26 may rebook tickets free of charge before Jan. 29. Tickets must be between original origin and destination cities. Customers can also cancel their reservations and apply any unused value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket for a period of one year from the original ticket issuance.

Southwest Airlines: Customers traveling into or out of Nashville from Jan. 23-26 may rebook or travel standby with no additional costs. Any rebooked flights must be within 14 days of the original flight and between the same two cities. If Southwest cancels your flight or delays it significantly, refunds may be available.

American Airlines: Nashville passengers who are scheduled to travel from Jan. 23-25 and bought their tickets prior to Jan. 19 will receive change fee waivers. Changes must be booked by Jan. 26, and the travel must be completed within one year of the original ticket date.

United: If your ticket was purchased on or before Jan. 20 for travel dates from Jan. 23-25, United will waive change fees and fare differences. The new flight must be departing before Jan. 29 and between the same cities as the original flight.

Spirit: Those flying on Spirit from or into Nashville from Jan. 23-25 have until Jan. 28 to modify their tickets without change fees or fare differences. After that, fares may increase, but the modification fee could still be waived.

For more information, visit each airline's website or call customer service.

Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville International Airport faces hundreds of cancellations
The House passed funding for the Department of Homeland Security last week by a narrow margin.

Seven Democrats voted for the bill and one Republican representative voted against it. The bill includes $10 billion for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and is part of a broader package to support President Donald Trumps agenda.

Rep. Barry Moore, AL-1, who is running for Senate, voted in favor of what he said on X was a package that will help accomplish a secure military, a secure border, modernized infrastructure.

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Both chambers of Congress need to approve a total of 12 spending bills before Jan. 30 in order to avoid a government shutdown.

Senate Democrats promised Saturday to hold things up after a Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse protesting immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis.

The DHS measure approved by the House Thursday funds the Coast Guard, ICE, CBP, FEMA, TSA and other agencies through the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30.

What will government spending bills do?

The bills passed Thursday by the House rejected many of the steep funding cuts to agencies requested by President Trumps White House. For the most part, federal departments will receive about the same amount of funding.

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The Education Department would receive $79 billion, a slight increase of $217 million above current funding, according to POLITICO. The Department of Health and Human Services would be funded at nearly $117 billion, a $210 million increase, while the Department of Labor would get $13.7 billion, a $65 million hike.

The DHS bill does reduce funding for ICEs enforcement and removal operations by $115 million, decrease the number of detention beds by 5,500, set aside funding for body cameras for agents, and reduce funding for the Border Patrol, according to The Washington Post.

The bills will fund the federal government through Sept. 30.

How did members of Congress vote?

You can see the full roll call for the DHS appropriations here, as well as votes on other spending measures.

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Alabamas congressional delegation voted along party lines, with

Republican Reps. Barry Moore, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, Dale Strong and Gary Palmer voting in favor, and

Democratic Reps. Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell voting against the measure.

Saturday, Sewell posted a criticism of ICE after the death of Alex Pretti.

The Trump Administration must immediately remove ICE from Minnesota and end this campaign of cruelty, she said.

The Senate is expected to take up the measure later this week.

Read the original article on al.com.
The morning after tens of thousands marched through downtown Minneapolis against a federal immigration crackdown, agents fatally shot a U.S. citizen on Jan. 24.

Here's what we know

Who was shot and killed in Minneapolis? Who is Alex Pretti?

The victim is 37yearold Alex Jeffrey Pretti of Minneapolis, a registered nurse who worked in the intensive care unit for the Veterans Administration. Pretti graduated in 2006 from Green Bay Preble High School where he was an honor roll student, competed in state solo and ensemble and was part of the cast in the Preble Players comedy play "Radio Daze" in May 2006.

What caused the Minneapolis shooting?

Around 9 a.m. Jan. 24, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was conducting an immigration enforcement operation in in the area of 26th Street West and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis.

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The federal department said a Border Patrol officer resorted to fatally shooting Pretti after he approached agents with a handgun and they attempted to disarm him, USA Today reported.

However, multiple videos captured by people at the scene tell a different story.

Video doesn't show Pretti holding a gun in his hands. After an agent shoves a person, Pretti stands between the person and agents. Agents then spray a substance at their faces. About eight agents wrestle Pretti to the ground. An agent then shoots Pretti several times, USA Today reported.

The federal department says Pretti had a handgun and two magazines. Pretti owned a firearm and has a permit to carry a firearm. He didn't have a criminal record.

Reaction to the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and DHS are "out of control."

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"I will not support funding for DHS without clear accountability and stronger controls over the agency," Baldwin said in a Jan. 24 post on X. "It is time for the Senate to do its job and rein in this lawlessness."

ICE and DHS are out of control and making our communities less safe.



I will not support funding for DHS without clear accountability and stronger controls over the agency.



It is time for the Senate to do its job and rein in this lawlessness.  Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) January 24, 2026

Gov. Tony Evers kept it simple, showing support for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a fellow Democrat

"Wisconsin stands with Minnesota," he said on X Jan. 24, replying to a post by Walz calling for the end of the Immigration Customs and Enforcement action in Minneapolis.

Wisconsin stands with Minnesota. https://t.co/lG4mKlq9FH  Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) January 24, 2026

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson denounced agents' fatal shooting of Pretti in statements hours after he was identified.

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Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, a Wisconsin teacher and president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, said Pretti was selfless and cared deeply for his community.

"Educators across Wisconsin stand with Alex Prettis family, former classmates and the Green Bay and Minneapolis communities in grief. ... The long-lasting damage caused by ICE violence will reverberate in Minnesota, Wisconsin and across America for years to come," Wirtz-Olsen said in a statement Jan. 24.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris called Pretti dedicated to serving his community. "As so many have now seen on video, his final act before he was killed by federal agents was doing everything in his power to protect his community."

Alex Jeffrey Pretti was an ICU nurse at a VA hospital. His life, through his profession, was dedicated to serving his community and our country.



As so many have now seen on video, his final act before he was killed by federal agents was doing everything in his power to protect  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 24, 2026

Dr. Aasma Shaukat, a professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, described Pretti as the "kindest, sweetest human." He was one of her research assistants, she said in a Jan. 24 post on X.

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"May his soul rest in peace and this senseless carnage stop," Shaukat said.

One of my former research assistants was killed by ICE in Minneapolis today



Alex was the kindest, sweetest human and a ICU nurse with a bright future ahead of him

May his soul rest in peace and this senseless carnage stop pic.twitter.com/h0ljkqxqQp  Aasma Shaukat MD MPH (@AasmaShaukatMD) January 24, 2026

The shock of Pretti's death goes beyond the Midwest. Zach Lambert, a pastor in Austin, Texas, says he hopes his two sons grow up to be like Pretti.

"He lived helping people in need and died helping people in need," Lambert said.

Alex Pretti spent his life caring for others as a VA nurse and today he gave his life protecting a fellow protestor who was being violently assaulted by ICE. He lived helping people in need and died helping people in need.



I hope my two sons grow up to be men who stand in the pic.twitter.com/gDuxF4QfaD  Zach W. Lambert (@ZachWLambert) January 24, 2026

Protests in wake of Border Patrol fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota

Angelito Tenorio, a former West Allis alderperson, encouraged people to join him in a protest against ICE.

"We demand that ICE stop terrorizing our cities and get out of our communities," Tenorio said in a Facebook post Jan. 24.

The protest is scheduled for 2 pm Jan. 25 at West Allis City Hall Centennial Plaza.

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In response to Pretti's death, Green Bay Anti-War called an "emergency protest" at 2 p.m. Jan. 25 at the CityDeck in downtown Green Bay, saying, "We will not stand by while our neighbors in Minneapolis are being terrorized."

Individuals meet Jan. 24 at Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee for an emergency protest organized by the Milwaukee branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in response to another shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis.

Meanwhile, protesters gathered Jan. 24 in Milwaukee's Red Arrow Park after learning of the fatal shooting by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis.

Gina Castro is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be reached at gcastro@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who is Alex Pretti? What we know about Minneapolis shooting
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham's bid to stand as an MP in parliament has been blocked by the Labour party, as ITV News' Fred Dimbleby reports

Andy Burnham said he is concerned about the impact of the Labour Partys decision to block him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

The decision was made by a 10-strong sub-group of the National Executive Committee (NEC), chaired by the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Sunday morning.

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A win at the by-election would have set up a return to Westminster for the Greater Manchester mayor.

In his latest social media post, Burnham criticised the Labour Party for telling the media the NEC's decision before him.

He posted: PS  The fact that the media was informed of the NEC decision before I was tells you everything you need to know about the way the Labour Party is being run these days.

You would think that over 30 years of service would count for something but sadly not.

A Labour source told ITV News: "This is categorically untrue."

Earlier Burnham said: "I am disappointed by todays NEC decision and concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us."To whoever is Labours candidate and to our members in Manchester and Tameside: you will have my full support and I will be there whenever you need me."

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He added: Tomorrow I return with full focus to my role as Mayor of GM, defending everything we have built in our city-region over many years.

I decided to put myself forward to prevent the divisive politics of Reform from damaging that. We are stronger together and lets stay that way.

The Labour Party have been approached for a response.

In a statement, the Labour Party said the NEC had decided to deny Mr Burnham permission to stand in order to avoid "an unnecessary election for the position of Greater Manchester mayor".

The party said a mayoral by-election "would have a substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources" before local and devolved elections in May.

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It added: "Although the party would be confident of retaining the mayoralty, the NEC could not put Labour's control of Greater Manchester at any risk.

"Andy Burnham is doing a great job as mayor of Greater Manchester.

"We believe it is in the best interests of the party to avoid an unnecessary mayoral election which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers' money and resources that are better spent tackling the cost of living crisis."

Andy Burnham was seeking a return to Westminster as an MP. Credit: PA

Despite blocking his candidacy, senior Labour politicians left the door open for Mr Burnham to return to Westminster after his term as mayor ends in 2028.

Steve Reed, the Local Government Secretary, told the BBC: In due course, I look forward to seeing Andy back in Parliament, but said at the moment it would trigger an "avoidable" by-election and voters dont like" mid-term elections.

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But blocking Burnham is likely to provoke anger from some parts of the Labour Party after several senior figures called for local members to have the final say on whether he should stand.

Labour MP Richard Burgon, secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, said: Keir Starmer and his clique have shown theyre prepared to lose Gorton and Denton to Reform, just to protect narrow factional interests.

Its weak leadership, and will only deepen the crisis the party is in. There should now be an emergency NEC meeting to resolve this mess.

Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.

Burnham said he had applied to Labours National Executive Committee (NEC) for permission to seek selection for the contest on Saturday.

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In a letter to the NEC, he said he had given careful thought to what is in the best interests of our party and the city region I represent following the announcement of a by-election nobody wanted or expected.

He added: I see this by-election as the front line of that fight for the Manchester way and I feel I owe it to a city which has given me so much to lead it from the front, despite the risks involved.

Burnhams candidacy had been welcomed by Cabinet minister Ed Miliband, who was giving a speech to the Fabian Societys annual conference in London as the mayor made his announcement.

Miliband said Burnham had done an outstanding job as mayor and would be a massive asset in Parliament, adding he hoped the Gorton and Denton party would have the option of selecting him as a candidate.

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Why Burnham is likely to be blocked by Starmer loyalists

Suspended MP stands down 'clearing way for Burnham'

The by-election was triggered on Thursday after the sitting MP, Andrew Gwynne, announced his resignation from Parliament on health grounds.

Although Mr Gwynne won the seat with 51% of the vote in 2024, Mr Burnham could still face a tough fight given the collapse in Labours polling position and the rise of both Reform UK and the Green Party.

Some Labour MPs backed the NEC's decision, urging the party to avoid infighting and move on to winning the by-election.

Phil Brickell, who represents the Greater Manchester constituency of Bolton West, said speculation about Mr Burnham's candidacy in recent days had "seen the Labour Party quickly turn inward... undermining the PM's efforts at home and abroad".

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Rugby MP John Slinger said the "quick and clear decision" meant the party could "move on from the damaging, introspection and psychodrama of the last week" and "pull together" behind the eventual candidate

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...
(Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) vowed congressional Democrats will vote against a funding package that includes billions of dollars for the Department of Homeland Security after a man was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.

Schumers announcement suddenly increases the risk the government will partially shutdown at the end of the month.

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Whats happening in Minnesota is appalling  and unacceptable in any American city, Schumer said in a statement obtained by The Hill.

He continued, Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.

The legislation includes $64.4 billion for DHS, with $10 billion going towards ICE, The New York Times reported. The funding package needs the support of some Democrats to reach the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate.

Schumer made his threat hours after 37-year-old protester Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti was interfering with an operation to arrest a violent illegal immigrant when agents fired defensive shots against him. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino said during a separate press conference that Pretti approached agents with a 9 mm handgun and was looking to massacre officers.

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They were both slammed by Prettis family for spreading sickening lies afterwards. And critics promptly accused Noem of delivering an account of the incident that differed from the footage, with CNN anchor Jake Tapper posting the video of the shooting on X and asking Is that what you see?

Schumer said Dems have sought common sense reforms to DHS spending but have been thwarted by Republicans who refuse to stand up to President Donald Trump.

The DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE, Schumer added. I will vote no.

A few other Dems, including Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), signaled they will vote against the package too.

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I cannot and will not vote to fund DHS while this administration continues these violent federal takeovers of our cities, Warner posted on X.

The vote is planned for next week.

The post Another Shutdown Looms? Schumer Vows Dems Will Vote Against Funding ICE After Latest Minnesota Shooting first appeared on Mediaite.
(This Jan 24 story has been repeated with no changes to the text)

By Andrew Goudsward

WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court rejected the Justice Department's bid to charge five more people accused of disrupting a Minnesota church service this month, according to court documents made public on Saturday, revealing the lengths the Trump administration has gone to prosecute those involved in the demonstration.

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The ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest legal setback for the Justice Department as it pursues demonstrators who interrupted a service on Sunday in protest of a pastor's apparent connection to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. One judge involved in the case said the department's request appeared to be unprecedented.

A federal magistrate judge this week declined to approve arrest warrants for five proposed defendants, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who recorded the demonstration, citing a lack of evidence. The judge approved charges for three alleged leaders of the demonstration, but struck a proposed charge accusing them of physically obstructing a house of worship.

DEFENDANTS ACCUSE ADMINISTRATION OF RETALIATION

The case has drawn substantial attention as the Trump administration pursues a sweeping immigration crackdown in the state and administration officials have vowed to protect Christian services.

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A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The three defendants  activists Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly  were each charged with conspiracy against rights for allegedly intimidating and harassing parishioners, according to a criminal complaint. They have accused the Trump administration of retaliation over their protest.

The Justice Department first asked the chief trial judge and later the appeals court to immediately intervene and approve warrants for the five other proposed defendants, citing a risk of similar church disruptions.

The chief U.S. District Court judge in Minnesota, Patrick Schiltz, described the Justice Department's request as "unheard of in our district" and any other under the 8th Circuit, which covers seven U.S. states, according to a letter made public on Saturday.

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All three judges on the 8th Circuit panel agreed not to intervene. One judge, Leonard Steven Grasz, wrote that he believed prosecutors had shown enough evidence to justify charges against the other proposed defendants, but that prosecutors have ways to get them approved other than through the appeals court.

The Justice Department can still ask a grand jury to approve charges against the demonstrators or seek to present additional evidence to the magistrate judge.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Sergio Non, Rod Nickel)
CHICAGO (WGN)  The Archdiocese of Chicago announced it will close six schools at the end of the school year.

The Superintendent of Schools acknowledged the deep ties the schools have to their communities, but said low enrollment and ongoing financial deficits made the closures unavoidable.

The following schools will close at the end of the school year:

Our Lady of Humility in Beach Park

Sts. Bruno and Richard in Chicago

St. Hubert in Hoffman Estates

St. Jerome in Chicago

St. Francis Borgia in Chicago

St. Stanislaus Kostka in Chicago

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We made these decisions with heavy hearts after months of discussions with each school, Superintendent Greg Richmond said in a statement. Many people have worked hard at each school to raise money and try to boost enrollment. We recognize and value those efforts but, in the end, the schools were not able to close the gaps and they are no longer sustainable.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

The Archdiocese says it will help affected families enroll in another Catholic school and assist teachers and staff in finding jobs at other schools within the Archdiocese.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
A group of 86 protesters who allegedly breached prison grounds at west London's Wormwood Scrubs jail have been arrested, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force said the group were "protesting in support of a Palestine Action prisoner on a hunger strike", and allegedly threatened police and stopped prison staff from entering and exiting.

The Prisoners for Palestine campaign group identified the inmate as Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, who they say began a thirst strike on Friday. He is awaiting trial over a break-in at RAF Brize Norton last June. He denies the charges.

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All those involved will be arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass after refusing to leave.

"A number managed to get inside a staff entrance area of a prison building," the Met said.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said that "at no point was prison security compromised" and called the action an "escalation" that was "completely unacceptable".

"While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning," they said.

Prisoners for Palestine accused the police of carrying out a "violent and wildly disproportionate response" to the protest.

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The group said Khalid has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition, and was on an "extremely dangerous" thirst strike.

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According to some media outlets, including Iran International, thousands of Iraqi militiamen have already crossed into Iran to help Tehran suppress the ongoing protests.

There is no interest or justification for the Iraqi government to send backup forces to Tehran, nor is Iran in need of extra reinforcement from Baghdad, said Sheikh Ghaith Al-Tamimi, a prominent Iraqi scholar of Islamic theology and the founder of the Iraqi Center for Diversity, in comments to The Jerusalem Post.

According to some media outlets, including Iran International, thousands of Iraqi militiamen have already crossed into Iran to help Tehran suppress the ongoing protests. Sheikh Al-Tamimi says, There is no interest or justification for the Iraqi government to send backup forces to Tehran. He adds that he would not rule out that some Shiite militants who are directly connected to, funded by, and trained by Iran might have gone, but that would have been on a voluntary basis and certainly not sanctioned by the Iraqi state.

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These voluntary missions, Sheikh Al-Tamimi argues, are both secondary and marginalised, with no significant contribution. Drawing from a previous occasion when various Shiite factions sent volunteers to support Hezbollah in its war with Israel following Oct. 7, Sheikh Al-Tamimi says, We saw a considerable number of militants making their way to Lebanon to fight alongside Hezbollah. But Hezbollah did not trust their military capabilities, and they werent offered any key roles, leading to their eventual return to Iraq. However, he continues, a small number of fighters definitely did go, but I repeat again that their enlistment would not have been sanctioned by the Iraqi government.

These volunteers would most likely be deployed to minority-inhabited regions such as Ahvaz, home to Ahwazi Arabsan oppressed ethnic and linguistic minority within Iran, with a strong sense of Arab Sunni identityor they would be deployed in Irans Kurdish region.

He continues: Theoretically, I doubt that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will open its territories for Iraqi militiamen to carry out armed duties; its highly questionable. He adds: Lets not forget that the Basij, a paramilitary branch of the IRGC, has about 8 million members. The Basij has permeated many layers of Iranian society. It has cells all over Iran and is present in every university and government institution, including healthcare, law enforcement, and other social and cultural institutions. Its main role is to maintain domestic securityfrom enforcing social norms and dress codes to cracking down on dissent and protests.

Sheikh Ghaith Al-Tamimi, a prominent Iraqi scholar of Islamic theology and the founder of the Iraqi Center for Diversity. (credit: COURTESY SHEIKH GHAITH AL-TAMIMI)

Add to that the IRGC and various intelligence agencies, Al-Tamimi says. I doubt a ruthless police state like Iran would be in need of extra reinforcement from Baghdad.

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Iran is a theocratic, tyrannical regime which has an iron grip on its people. I doubt that protesters will be able to topple the rule of Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Sheikh Al-Tamimi says. The protesters have managed to expose and discredit the governments legitimacy to rule. But I tell you: without outside interventionspecifically the USAit is challenging, if not impossible, to overthrow Khamenei.

Iraqis largely in favor of toppling Khamenei regime

He explains that toppling Khamenei would be welcomed by an overwhelming majority of Iraqis. Nevertheless, he says, we cannot rule out genuine concerns about the day after Khamenei and its impact on Iraq and broader regional security.

However, there is also another Iraq: an Iraq that is faithfully loyal to the Ayatollahs. Powerful and influential Shiite political and paramilitary groupssuch as the Badr Organizations armed faction and the Iran-backed Fatah Coalition in the Iraqi parliamenthave benefited from immense Iranian investment in training and funding. These proxies keep close ties with Tehran and cooperate with Irans men inside Iraq.

One of those men is Amir Mousavi, a former Iranian defense official who enjoys close ties to Irans Supreme Leader. Mousavi has been Tehrans central man in Baghdad, at least since the assassination of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in January 2020 by the Americans.

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Mousavi has become something of a political analyst celebrity whose fame has expanded beyond the borders of Iraq and Iran. He has been a fixture on major Arab-language news channels that are often aligned with Iran and Turkey, such as Al Jazeera, Al Mayadeen, and Al Alam.

Mousavis fluency in Arabic and his deeply seated hatred of Israel have played a major role in his rise as a well-known figure in regional media. With ongoing protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mousavi is regularly invited to speak on both Iraqi and regional channels.

Regarding the protests, he depicts them as turbulence, driven by agitators and engineered by foreign state actors. In a recent interview with Iraqi television, he referred to protesters as terrorists working with foreign infiltrators who are trained and equipped with maps and lists of figures they have been ordered to assassinate. He claimed that behind these infiltrators are specifically three neighbouring countries, which authorities in Tehran know about and will target soon.

Furthermore, he claims that all indications support that these three countries are behind the funding, training, and facilitation of these dark forces entering Iran, causing instability and terrorism. He says Tehran wants these countries to come clean, to apologise, and to cooperate with Tehran to expose the location of the cells they implanted within the Islamic Republic of Iran.

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Mousavi refused to name the three countries, stating that Tehran wants to give them a chance to come clean. One of those countries is possibly Iraqs autonomous Kurdish region (the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG), which the IRGC has a long record of targeting with ballistic missiles, claiming it struck a Mossad spying ring, among other allegations. Other candidates could be Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and possibly Israel.

Suzan Quitaz is a Kurdish-Swedish journalist and researcher on Middle Eastern affairs. She is an Israel-based journalist and podcast presenter for an Arabic and English series, Exposing the Lies  The Voice of Truth from the Middle East, at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. She previously worked as a field producer and journalist at a number of Qatari media outlets.
Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is surprised and shocked that fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been allowed to make a public address in neighbouring India, where she fled in 2024.

Allowing the event to take place in the Indian capital and letting mass murderer Hasina openly deliver her hate speech  constitute a clear affront to the people and the Government of Bangladesh, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday about the address  Hasinas first since she was ousted.

Hasina, 78, has lived in exile in India since August 2024 when a student-led uprising ended her 15-year rule, which was marked by allegations of widespread rights violations, including attacks, imprisonment and targeted killings of opposition figures, dissenters and critics.

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She was sentenced to death in absentia by a Dhaka court in November for incitement, issuing an order to kill and inaction to prevent atrocities during her governments crackdown on the 2024 uprising, in which more than 1,400 people were killed.

In an audio address played on Friday to a packed Foreign Correspondents Club in New Delhi, Hasina accused Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladeshs interim government, of being a murderous fascist and said Bangladesh would never experience free and fair elections under him. More than 100,000 people watched the address, which was broadcast online.

Bangladesh is scheduled to hold its first general election since Hasinas removal on February 12. Her Awami League party is banned from participating in the vote after the Election Commission suspended its registration in May.





The Foreign Ministrys statement said Hasina openly called for the removal of the interim government and issued blatant incitements to her party loyalists and the general public to carry out acts of terror to derail the upcoming election.

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The ministry added that her speech set a dangerous precedent that could seriously impair bilateral relations with India, which has so far ignored Bangladeshs request to extradite Hasina.

Hasinas address came as Bangladesh, home to 170 million people, gears up for the polls. The frontrunners are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and a coalition of parties led by Jamaat-e-Islami, the Muslim-majority countrys largest Islamist party.
From the streets of San Francisco, there were calls of solidarity with Minneapolis, where a 37-year-old man was fatally shot by a federal agent Saturday.

Protestors from across the Bay Area and beyond gathered within hours of the shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital.

"I'm shocked and deeply saddened that one of my colleagues was murdered in cold blood by modern-day Gestapo this morning," said Steven Koster, an ICU Nurse in San Francisco. "I hope everybody shows the courage that Alex showed this morning. He was comforting and leading another person to safety in the protests, and I hope everyone takes heart in that."

MORE: What we know about Alex Pretti, ICU nurse killed by federal agent in Minneapolis shooting

"I think that there is a lot going on right now that America should be a little ashamed of," said Bailey Brown, an Oakland resident. "I think that we need to love each other and be able to support each other."

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Saturday's shooting was at the hands of a Border Patrol Agent, and is the second fatal shooting this month of an American citizen in Minneapolis by a federal agent. Earlier in the month Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent.

"I just think it's insane to think that immigrants aren't an essential part of our country. It's terrifying, horrifying, what's happening and how a whole community is being terrorized," said Berkeley resident Alma Prins.

MORE: Man shot, killed by federal agents in Minneapolis ID'd; DHS says man was armed

The Department of Homeland Security alleges that Pretti approached border patrol agents with a semi-automatic handgun and "violently resisted" when they tried to disarm him.

Local officials disputed that characterization.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  During a nationwide severe blood shortage, the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada has shed some light on which blood types are the most needed.

The shortage comes from a combination of a severe flu season and extreme winter weather, which have significantly disrupted blood collection efforts, according to a release from the organization.

>>Download the 8 News Now Vegas streaming app

But why is there a national blood shortage?

Flu cases are keeping many eligible donors from giving, while snow, ice, and freezing temperatures have forced hundreds of blood drive cancellations nationwide.

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Las Vegas has a very strong donor base, but we have seen appointments dropping nationwide as blood drives are canceled and people with the flu cannot donate, a representative from the Red Cross of Southern Nevada told 8 News Now.

Around 400 blood drives were cancelled in the last month alone, which was more than three times the number of drives impacted during the same time period last year, a release from the organization said earlier in the week. These disruptions have resulted in more than 10,000 uncollected blood donations.

This is one of the most challenging times of the year to maintain a stable blood supply, and the current conditions are making it even harder, Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter, said. When donations drop, hospitals feel the impact almost immediately. Blood cannot be manufactured, and every unit collected helps ensure patients dont face delays in critical care when minutes matter.

What blood types are the most needed right now?

The shortage is especially serious for Type O, A negative, and B negative blood, Red Cross of Southern Nevada told 8 News Now.

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Type O blood is routinely in short supply and in high demand for hospitals, the representative said. Type O positive blood is the most common blood type and is needed for everyday transfusions. Type O negative blood is the universal blood type often used for emergency transfusions.

Thats not to say that those who dont have those specific types arent needed. Donations from all blood types are always needed.

Every blood type plays a vital role in patient care, Flanagan said. From O-negative to AB-positive, hospitals rely on a diverse and steady blood supply. Right now, we need donors of all blood types to ensure patients get the care they need.

What should I know before I donate blood?

Before donating, donors should drink an additional 16 ounces of water before their appointment. Eating iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, and spinach, is also highly recommended.

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Red Cross also recommends that donors bring music or a friend in order to help keep them distracted and relaxed, especially first-time donors or those with a fear of needles.

Donors will need to have their photo ID, donor card, or two other forms of ID with them to their appointment. Donors must be at least 16 to donate (with signed, written consent from a parent or guardian) and at least 110 pounds.

Those who are interested in donating can schedule through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting the Red Cross website, or by calling 1-800-733-2767. Additional blood drives can be found on Vitalants website.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The body of a 19-year-old University of Michigan student who had been reported missing was found on Saturday, Jan. 24, according to Ann Arbor police.

Lucas Mattson was last seen walking alone on Friday, Jan. 23 at 1 a.m. amid frigid temperatures, police said. Mattson, an undergraduate student studying engineering, was found in the 1900 block of Cambridge Road, following a 20-hour search involving Ann Arbor police and the University of Michigan Police Department, according to a news release.

Authorities did not find obvious signs of trauma and don't suspect foul play at this time. The Washtenaw County Medical Examiners Office will identify the cause and manner of death, police said.

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"It is with deep sadness that we share Lucas Mattson has been found deceased. Our hearts are with Lucass family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him during this incredibly difficult time," the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security posted on X. "We recognize this news may be upsetting for many in our community. If you are struggling or feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone."

The university shared mental health support services.

More: Evidence delays Rebecca Park case; unborn baby's remains still missing

More: Person who walked out of adult foster care found dead in Detroit River

Reach reporter Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Body of missing 19-year-old found in Ann Arbor
Federal authorities said a Border Patrol agent shot and killed 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Alex J. Pretti on Saturday, after he allegedly confronted officers during a Department of Homeland Security operation in south Minneapolis.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) identified Pretti, a U.S. citizen and Minneapolis resident, as one of its members.

Officials said Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at a VA hospital, and court records show he did not have a criminal history.

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At a news conference, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers were conducting an operation early Saturday targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a criminal history including domestic assault to intentional conflict bodily harm, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid license.

During the operation, Pretti allegedly approached Border Patrol agents while armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and two magazines, according to DHS.

Thousands March Through Minneapolis, Swarm Target Center Demanding Ice Removal From Minnesota

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DHS released a photo of the weapon a suspect was allegedly armed with and that led to a CBP shooting in Minneapolis on Saturday.

"The agents attempted to disarm the individual, but he violently resisted, fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, a Border Patrol agent fired defensive shots," Bovino said. "Medics on the scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject, but the subject was pronounced dead at the scene."

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State officials said Pretti had a lawful Permit to Carry (PTC).

The officer involved in the shooting, according to Bovino, was "highly trained" and had been serving as a Border Patrol agent for eight years.

DHS is leading the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from the FBI.

The Border Patrol chief called on state and local law enforcement to "help us coordinate to get violent criminals off the street," slamming Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara for omitting the fact that Pretti was armed when they held their news conference earlier on Saturday.

GRAPHIC WARNING:

"I want to reiterate what President Donald Trump, [DHS] Secretary Kristi Noem, myself, [ICE Executive Associate] Director Marcos Charles and so many others have said time and again, If you obstruct a law enforcement officer or assault a law enforcement officer, you are in violation of the law and will be arrested," Bovino said.

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Trump responded to the shooting on Truth Social, questioning why local police were not assisting during the confrontation.

"This is the gunmans gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to goWhat is that all about?" the president wrote in part. "Where are the local Police? Why werent they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselvesNot an easy thing to do!"

DHS said that following the incident, approximately 200 agitators arrived at the scene and began to "obstruct and assault law enforcement," leading to the implementation of crowd control measures.

The Minneapolis Police Department asked for the public to remain calm in the wake of Saturday's incident.

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"We ask the public to remain calm and avoid the immediate area," the Minneapolis Police Department wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital.

O'Hara said that there had been an emergency recall of all sworn personnel back to duty to handle the situation.

While MPD is leading the charge, the agency is receiving help from the Minnesota State Patrol, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Ramsy County Sheriff's Office, according to O'Hara.

Meanwhile, suburban towns have aided MPD in handling the influx of 911 calls.

O'Hara added that the fire department was working with police to "ensure that two small fires that were started in the area are safely extinguished."

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The Minnesota National Guard, which has been on standby "for several days," confirmed additional soldiers are being called in to provide security at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, and assist local law enforcement agencies.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office released a statement on X, saying that due to the "potential for continuing and growing conflict related to today's federal agent-involved shooting," Sheriff Dawanna Witt requested assistance from the Guard.

"The Minnesota National Guard's role is to work in support of local law enforcement and emergency responders, providing additional resources," the sheriff's office wrote in the statement. "Their presence is meant to help create a secure environment where all Minnesotans can exercise their rights safely, including the right to peacefully protest."

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said on Saturday the state will be billing the federal government for the cost of the National Guard "because they are incurring the costs that are falling on us by their reckless actions."

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During Saturday's news conference, Frey condemned the shooting and gave an impassioned plea for the federal enforcement operation to end.

"I just saw a video of more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents and shooting him to death. How many more residents? How many more Americans need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end? How many more lives need to be lost before this administration realizes that a political and partisan narrative is not as important as American values? How many times must local and national leaders must plead with you, Donald Trump, to end this operation and recognize that this is not creating safety in our city," Frey said.

He called on the administration and those involved in the operation to "reflect" before calling out Trump.

"President Trump, this is a moment to act like a leader. Put Minneapolis put America first in this moment. Let's achieve peace. Let's end this operation. And I'm telling you, our city will come back. Safety will be restored. We're asking for you to take action now to remove these federal agents," Frey said.

The City of Minneapolis said that it is "aware of reports of another shooting involving federal law enforcement" in South Minneapolis on January 24, 2026.

Walz also condemned the shooting, noting he spoke twice with the White House Saturday morning.

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"Minnesota has had it. This is sickening," Walz wrote on X. "The president must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now."

He later said that he told the White House that Minnesota must lead the investigation into the shooting and implored them to "let state investigators secure justice. As we process the scene, stay peaceful and give them space."

"The State has the personnel to keep people safe  federal agents must not obstruct our ability to do so," Walz wrote on X.

Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, both Democrats representing Minnesota, also spoke out following the shooting. Smith called the incident "catastrophic" and called on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to "leave now so MPD can secure the scene and do their jobs."

Minneapolis Police responded to a shooting allegedly involving ICE on Saturday.

The Border Patrol Union responded to the incident, saying that agents are "trained extremely well to protect themselves."

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"We have pleaded with and warned the media and the politicians that their irresponsible, hate-filled and false rhetoric is going to get people unnecessarily hurt, or worse, killed when they portray our agents and officers as the aggressors. They have encouraged these reckless confrontations and attacks on our agents and officers who are performing their lawful duties and enforcing the laws that Congress has put on the books," the union wrote in a statement on X.

Federal agents block off the scene of a shooting as crowds gather on Jan. 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn.

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Tensions between federal immigration enforcement and agitators in Minnesota have been high since the fatal Jan. 7 shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. Her death sparked a wave of protests nationwide and raised questions about the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Walz and Frey, as well as other Minnesota officials, have been highly critical of how federal immigration forces have handled the operation. Following the shooting of Good, Frey told ICE to "get the f--- out of Minneapolis."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.





Original article source: Alex Pretti identified as Minneapolis man fatally shot by federal immigration agent
Gregory Bovino, U.S. Border Patrol commander, on Thursday defended his trench coat after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) accused him of buying SS garb.

That coat is definitely Border Patrol issued, Bovino said on On Balance with Leland Vittert on NewsNation, The Hills sister network. Ive had it over 25 years. I bought that as a young agent, approximately 1999.

He noted that he wore the same coat to former Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnuss swearing-in ceremony in Washington, D.C., in 2021. Magnus, a former Tucson, Ariz., police chief, submitted his resignation to former President Biden in 2022 at the request of former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

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Bovino added that he received nothing but compliments on that coat.

Fast forward a few years to this administration, all of a sudden its a problem, he continued. Hey, what changed there? Why is it a problem now than it was during the last administration?

Newsom talked about Bovino while onstage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He said the commander was dressed as though he literally went on eBay and purchased SS garb. The California governor then referred to federal immigration enforcement officers as a private army [of] masked men.

People disappearing, literally no due process, Newsom continued. Windows being smashed. Seat belts on being literally just cut off. People dragged in the streets, kids, separated from families, knocking on doors, racially-profiling American citizens.

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Newsom has made similar comparisons in the past. Last October, he shared on the social platform X a post from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with a video that briefly features Bovino in the coat. The ICE post defended Bovino as putting his life on the line to protect our citizens, and no amount of radical terror or anarchy will stop us in our mission.

If you think the calls of fascism and authoritarianism are hyperbole pause and watch this video, Newsom wrote. They arent even trying to hide who they are.

The New York Times reported on Bovinos coat Thursday, calling it a flashpoint in the online conversation about ICE, in part because its historical antecedents are also impossible to ignore. Online discourse has echoed Newsoms remarks, comparing the coat to attire worn by uniformed Nazi officers under Adolf Hitlers reign less than a century ago.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin reiterated some of Bovinos remarks to the Times, saying the coat is part of standard-issue Border Patrol winter dress uniform.

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There are legitimate policy debates to be had, but manufacturing fake outrage and likening law enforcement to the Nazis or Gestapo is incredibly dangerous, she added in her statement.

Princeton University history professor Harold James told the newspaper that Bovinos attire is intended to intimidate and also provoke.

Using the coat to confront crowds with armed supporters, together with Bovinos cropped hair and the (apparently) black or dark clothing underneath, gives the unmistakable whiff of dictators and of the 1930s, James said.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SAO PAULO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Brazil will take over Mexico's diplomatic interests in Peru, Brasilia said on Sunday, a couple of months after the Andean country broke off relations with the North American nation over asylum for a former prime minister.

Lima severed relations with the Mexican government in early November after Peru's former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez was granted asylum in the Mexican embassy in the country.

Chavez, the last prime minister for Peru's ousted and now jailed former President Pedro Castillo, faces conspiracy charges linked to Castillo's 2022 attempt to dissolve Congress. Chavez denied the allegations.

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In a statement, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said it took the representation at the request of the Mexican government and with approval from Lima.

Brazil said the representation includes the safekeeping of the Mexican embassy's premises in Peru, including the residence of the head of mission, as well as its assets and archives.

(Reporting by Andre Romani in Sao PauloEditing by Nick Zieminski)
The Hestia Women's Giving Circle Learning Series continues with two virtual presentations in February.

The sessions will address the impact of state and federal budget cuts on food provision and health challenges in the area, according to a community announcement.

The first presentation will take place at noon on Feb. 4 and will feature Carrie Klingelsmith, executive director of the Manna Food Project. Klingelsmith will discuss the effects of budget cuts on food provision and how food banks are addressing these issues.

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The second presentation will be at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 and will feature Shannon Klonowski, health officer of the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. Klonowski will discuss the health challenges facing the community and the impact of state and federal budgets on citizens. This program was rescheduled from December.

Both sessions will include Q&A segments and will be held via Zoom. Those interested in attending can RSVP by emailing info@hestiacircle.org to receive the Zoom sign-in details.

The Learning Series will continue with monthly sessions through April, each focusing on specific challenges facing women in the community.

Upcoming Learning Series programs:

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March 4, noon: Sex Trafficking. Megan King, Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan. The session will address the extent of sex trafficking problems locally and how the community has organized to address the issue.

April 1, noon: Reproductive Health Services. Kanyn Doan, community outreach coordinator and youth education specialist, Planned Parenthood of Michigan. The presentation will cover reproductive health and education services available in the community.

Information about the Hestia Women's Giving Circle can be found at hestiacircle.org and on Facebook and Instagram.

This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@usatodayco.com with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Hestia talks on food insecurity and health challenges set for February 2026
Pressure mounted on Donald Trumps administration on Sunday to fully investigate the previous days killing by federal immigration officers of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Calls for an investigation have come from all sides of the political divide after video analysis showed officers had removed from Pretti a handgun he was reportedly permitted to carry  and which he was not handling  before fatally shooting him.

Former president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, called the killing a heartbreaking tragedy and a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.

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Related: NRA and pro-gun groups call for full investigation into killing of Alex Pretti

In a statement released on Sunday, the Obamas said federal law enforcement and immigration agents were not operating in a lawful or accountable way in Minnesota.

For weeks now people across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] recruits and other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city, they said. The former president and former first lady said these tactics had now resulted in the fatal shootings of two US citizens  Pretti and Renee Good, both in Minneapolis. Yet, they said, Trump and other administration officials appeared eager to escalate the rhetoric before an investigation had been undertaken  and despite the fact that they appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence.

The Obamas called on Americans to support the wave of peaceful protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country.

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They are a timely reminder that ultimately its up to each of us as citizens to speak out against injustice, protect our basic freedoms and hold our government accountable, they said.

Another former Democratic president, Bill Clinton, followed with a statement that also condemned the killings of Good and Pretti amid the horrible scenes of the immigration crackdown.

All of this is unacceptable and should have been avoided, Clinton said. To make matters even worse, at every turn, the people in charge have lied to us, told us not to believe what weve seen with our own eyes.

Republican US senator Bill Cassidy said the credibility of ICE and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were at stake.

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There must be a full joint federal and state investigation, Cassidy wrote in a post on X, after an ICE officer shot Good to death on 7 January and border patrol officers fatally shot Pretti on Saturday. We can trust the American people with the truth.

Other Democrat lawmakers, including US House member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, both of New York, also issued calls for federal immigration authorities to leave Minnesota. They urged Senate Democrats to vote against funding the US Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE and border patrol, during budget negotiations in the coming days.

We have a responsibility to protect Americans from tyranny, Ocasio-Cortez posted on X.

On Sunday morning, US senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Adam Schiff of California, both Democrats, said they would vote against the impending department of homeland security funding.

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When theyre killing two constituents in my state, and theyre taking two-year-olds out of the arms of their mom, and they are taking an elder Hmong man out of his house and putting him out there in his underwear, and then figuring out they have the wrong man  no, I am not voting for this funding, Klobuchar told NBCs Meet the Press, alluding to incidents involving federal immigration agents that have drawn heavy media scrutiny.

Schiff said he was not giving ICE or border patrol another dime, given how this agency, these agencies are operating.

Schumer, the Senate minority leader, first announced on Saturday that he and his fellow Democrats would not provide the necessary votes if DHS funding remains in the measure. A spokesperson for Senate majority leader John Thune said DHS and other government funds will be voted on as a single package. Without a compromise, the government faces a partial shutdown at the end of January.

Schiff warned that a government shutdown would result if Republicans insist on combining immigration enforcement funding with other government appropriations. It will be a Republican decision, he said. They understand were not going to go along with this.

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Connecticut US senator Chris Murphy, also a Democrat, told CNNs State of the Union that Democrats cant vote to fund this lawless Department of Homeland Security  that is murdering American citizens, that is traumatizing little boys and girls all across the country, in violation of the law.

The New Jersey governor, Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, told CNN that the confrontations in Minneapolis was not about sanctuary cities.

This goes far beyond that, she said. This is about a basically Stasi-type force of secret police that wear masks, that are unidentifiable, that are unaccountable, that have leadership in the Trump administration blatantly lying about whats going on, when the American people can see the video.

Meanwhile, Prettis parents, Michael and Susan, called for the truth to be told about their son.

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We are heartbroken but also very angry, they said. The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting.

Related: Alex Pretti did not brandish gun, witnesses say in sworn testimony

The familys statement came after US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem made the claim that Pretti brandished a gun before agents fired defensive shots at him. None of the ubiquitous video evidence shows Pretti brandishing a gun.

Klobuchar also said that the Trump administration had described the shooting, which is shown in several eyewitness videos circulating widely on social media, in ways that simply arent true.

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I just keep thinking, your eyes dont lie, Klobuchar said. Law enforcement is based on trust, and we have had a total breakdown of trust.

She called for a transparent investigation into the shooting and called for the Trump administrations immigration enforcement agents to leave Minnesota.

The deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, told Meet the Press that theres obviously an investigation thats ongoing.

Secretary Noem talked about that yesterday, which is what we would expect anytime a tragedy like this occurs, Blanche said.

But he disagreed with the premise that the videos of the encounter told the whole story. We dont know what happened in the minutes leading up to what we just watched. We dont know what ICE saw, what ICE heard, Blanche said of Prettis killing by federal agents. Thats part of the investigation thats going to be happening.

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You see a violent interaction with the man who was shot. And so we dont know. No matter how many times you look at it, no matter how many different angles that we see, theres a lot that we dont see.

Blanche re-iterated the governments position that the anti-immigration enforcement protesters were not peaceful. They are trying to impede and obstruct ICE, and it makes the job that our men and women have to do virtually impossible to do without interactions like that, he said.

But, alluding to Minnesota governor Tim Walz and his fellow Democrat Jacob Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis, Blanche added: Make no mistake about it. This was entirely avoidable if we had a governor, if we had a mayor, if we had leadership in Washington and over in Minnesota that actually cared about their citizens.

Related: FBI supervisor resigns after trying to investigate agent who shot Renee Good

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Border patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino was asked why federal agents shot and killed Pretti.

You dont know he was unarmed, Bovino told CNNs Dana Bash. I dont know he was unarmed. Thats freeze-frame adjudication of a crime scene via a photo. Thats why we have investigators.

The facts are going to come to light as to what exactly happened with an investigation.

When asked by Bash whether he was blaming the victim, he said, The victims are the border [atrol agents.

During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Bovino was asked about the videos that show Pretti was unarmed before being shot and killed. He said there are, Many videos out there, many different accounts that you may see that I may see.

Folks, this is why we have something called an investigation, to take what youre talking about, to take those videos, to take witness statements, to take, officer statements, all those minute details that will paint a true picture, not a freeze frame concept, and paint a larger picture of what really happened.

That is why we investigate, so we can get to the truth, so theres not speculation.

He added that they still dont know how many shots were fired. And he said all agents that were involved in that scene are working, not in Minneapolis, but in other locations thats for their safety.

Bovino had pushed that the operation in Minneapolis had really been about targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, someone they described as an undocumented immigrant who needed to be taken off the streets. He said Huerta-Chuma was in the process of being taken into custody when agitators, rioters and anarchists prevented the arrest.

But Minnesotas Department of Corrections (DOC) contradicted Bovinos characterization of Huerta-Chuma as having a significant criminal history. According to DOC records and Minnesota court data, the individual identified by federal officials has never been in the states custody and has no felony commitments.

DOC records also indicated that someone with Huerta-Chumas name was previously held in federal immigration custody in a local Minnesota jail in 2018, during Trumps first presidency. The decision to release him from federal custody would have been made by Trump administration officials. DOC said it had no information explaining why Huerta-Chuma was released. And Bovino had no explanation when asked by a reporter on Sunday.

He instead remarked about Pretti, saying: When someone makes the choice to come into an active law enforcement scene, interfere, obstruct, delay or assault a law enforcement officer, and they bring a weapon to that, that is a choice that individual made.

Republican US senator Lindsey Graham also took the line that an armed man trying to impede a lawful arrest is a recipe for disaster. The South Carolina Republican said he expects law enforcement officers to use good judgement but not to foolishly risk their lives or the lives of others.

If you go to such events with a loaded gun, bad things can happen, Graham added, though it is legal in Minnesota to possess guns in public places with a permit. Permit holders who dont have both the document and a license on them can face a misdemeanor $25 fine.

Late Saturday, a federal judge issued an order blocking the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence related to Prettis killing, after Minnesota officials sued DHS.

The Minnesota attorney general, Keith Ellison, said the suit demanded a full, impartial, and transparent investigation into [Prettis] fatal shooting at the hands of DHS agents [that] is non-negotiable.

Minneapolis police chief Brian OHara, meanwhile, said information about what led up to the shooting was limited. As protests erupted in Minneapolis on Saturday, federal officers impeded state investigators from accessing the scene of Prettis killing.

Trump responded to Prettis shooting with his typical combativeness. The Republican president accused Walz and Frey of inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous and arrogant rhetoric.

Vice-President JD Vance for his part claimed events in Minneapolis were engineered chaos resulting from far-left agitators, working with local authorities.
A man was detained after the car he was driving crashed into a terminal at a Michigan airport Friday night.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The crash happened at the McNamara Terminal near Delta Air Lines check-in counters at the Detroit Metro Airport, CBS News reported.

The car drove through an entrance and hit the ticket counter.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Six people were treated at the scene, according to a statement from the Wayne County Airport Authority.

In a statement to CBS News, Delta Air Lines said three employees were checked by emergency personnel after encountering debris.

Footage by TikTok user @detroitmac1313 showed the aftermath of the crash, including a man who stepped out of the car with both hands up.

Officers can be seen running toward him in the video. He was later taken into custody.

Delta said there was no operational impact from the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.

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TORONTO (AP)  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday his country has no intention of pursuing a free trade deal with China. He was responding to U.S. President Donald Trumps threat to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if Americas northern neighbor went ahead with a trade deal with Beijing.

Carney said his recent agreement with China merely cuts tariffs on a few sectors that were recently hit with tariffs.

Trump claims otherwise, posting that China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada. So sad to see it happen. I only hope they leave Ice Hockey alone! President DJT

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The prime minister said under the free trade agreement with the U.S. and Mexico there are commitments not to pursue free trade agreements with nonmarket economies without prior notification.

We have no intention of doing that with China or any other nonmarket economy, Carney said. What we have done with China is to rectify some issues that developed in the last couple of years.

In 2024, Canada mirrored the United States by putting a 100% tariff on electric vehicles from Beijing and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum. China had responded by imposing 100% import taxes on Canadian canola oil and meal and 25% on pork and seafood.

Breaking with the United States this month during a visit to China, Carney cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on those Canadian products.

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Carney has said there would be an initial annual cap of 49,000 vehicles on Chinese EV exports coming into Canada at a tariff rate of 6.1%, growing to about 70,000 over five years. He noted there was no cap before 2024. He also has said the initial cap on Chinese EV imports was about 3% of the 1.8 million vehicles sold in Canada annually and that, in exchange, China is expected to begin investing in the Canadian auto industry within three years.

Trump posted a video Sunday in which the chief executive of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association warns there will be no Canadian auto industry without U.S. access, while noting the Canadian market alone is too small to justify large scale manufacturing from China.

A MUST WATCH. Canada is systematically destroying itself. The China deal is a disaster for them. Will go down as one of the worst deals, of any kind, in history. All their businesses are moving to the USA. I want to see Canada SURVIVE AND THRIVE! President DJT," Trump posted on social media.

Trump's post on Saturday said that if Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a Drop Off Port for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken.

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We cant let Canada become an opening that the Chinese pour their cheap goods into the U.S, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on ABCs This Week.

We have a (United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement), but based off -- based on that, which is going to be renegotiated this summer, and Im not sure what Prime Minister Carney is doing here, other than trying to virtue-signal to his globalist friends at Davos.

Trumps threat came amid an escalating war of words with Carney as the Republican presidents push to acquire Greenland strained the NATO alliance.

Carney has emerged as a leader of a movement for countries to find ways to link up and counter the U.S. under Trump. Speaking in Davos before Trump, Carney said, Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu and he warned about coercion by great powers  without mentioning Trumps name. The prime minister received widespread praise and attention for his remarks, upstaging Trump at the World Economic Forum.

Trumps push to acquire Greenland has come after he has repeatedly needled Canada over its sovereignty and suggested it also be absorbed into the United States as a 51st state. He posted an altered image on social media this week showing a map of the United States that included Canada, Venezuela, Greenland and Cuba as part of its territory.
Housing costs, affordability drives Californias population growth slowdown

A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California said the state is losing more residents than it is attracting from other states. The top reasons? Employment and housing.

PPIC said since 2001, California has lost more residents than it has gained to other states.

During the height of the pandemic, the flows out of the state became so large that almost every demographic and socioeconomic group experienced net losses, the report said.

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The nonpartisan research institute said the trends demand a resolution if the state is to be a place of opportunity for all of its residents.

So who is leaving California?

Lower-income households struggle to stay with housing costs

Most notably from the report has been the departure of lower-income adults, with a net loss of 532,000 individuals over the past 10 years, more than 10% of Californias of lower-income adult population.

The migration away from the Golden State is due to an array of factors including employment, housing or family. But since 2015, housing costs has been one of the biggest reasons reported for leaving.

About 34% of Californians have seriously considered leaving the state because of high housing costs and 21% have thought of leaving because of the lack of well-paying jobs, according to the statewide survey.

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Those who do leave the state have found their greener pastures. About half of those who left reported buying a house. Only one-third of those moving to California were able to do so.

Remote work tempts residents to leave

College graduates and higher-income households have been leaving the state in dramatic numbers since the pandemic, according to the PPIC report.

According to the data, losses of college graduates and higher-income households are likely related to the ability to work from home.

In California, about two-thirds of the almost 3 million residents who telework full-time have at least a bachelors degree, according to the Census Bureaus Household Pulse Surveys.

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Over half of higher-income Californians leaving the state during the pandemic reported working from home. While that share has declined somewhat in recent years, the share remains far higher than prior to the pandemic, the report said.

Carter Lavesque, a student election clerk, holds "I voted" stickers for Folsom residents at Folsom Lake College on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (HECTOR AMEZCUA/hamezcua@sacbee.com)

Politics drives departures

While the political landscape of California is more complicated than the liberal haven the state is often depicted as, partisan divide is also a factor in who chooses to leave the Golden State.

A PPIC report from July 2025 said voters who left the state between the 2020 and 2024 elections were disproportionately Republican compared to Californias overall population.

Because more registrants have moved out than in during this period, the net flow is even more Republican than these numbers suggest. Between these two elections, almost five times as many Republicans in the data have moved out of California than have moved in, the report said.

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And Republican voters leaving California are headed to more conservative states.

This partisan sorting is strong enough that it makes the Republican destination states even more Republican  and the Democratic states more Democratic  than they already are, the report said.

The reverse is also true: The new residents coming to California are more Democratic.

This process makes California more Democratic than it would otherwise be, as Republicans leave for other states and Democrats move in, PPIC said.

Are Californians only leaving large cities? Smaller towns?

Hans Johnson is a demographer for PPIC. He said the institute hopes to do a report on the more granular data about these population trends.

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But Johnson said the states biggest migration is coming from the large metropolitan areas. But the capital city doesnt quite follow that trend.

Generally, Sacramento tends to attract people from other places in the state  the Bay Area, certainly. But, like the larger trend, it tends to lose people to other states, Johnson said.

That plays out in data from the California Department of Finance, which is what informed PPICs report.

From 2020 to 2025, Sacramento County grew by nearly 1.5%. Los Angeles County and San Francisco counties both saw total population losses over the same time period, 1.5% and 2.9%, respectively.

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Other Central Valley counties also saw their total populations grow. Stanislaus County was largely stagnant, but still grew by 0.5%. Fresno County grew by 2.8% and Modesto County nearly doubled Fresno, with a 4.2% growth over five years.

San Luis Obispo County followed a trend Johnson flagged for coastal counties. Its population decreased by 1.2% from 2020 to 2025.
EVANSVILLE  The electric grid operator is "no longer requesting electricity conservation" from CenterPoint customers, the utility announced Sunday morning.

The announcement comes 24 hours after CenterPoint issued a news release saying the Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator, or MISO, wanted customers to limit their use of electricity amid frigid temperatures and a massive winter storm.

MISO controls the grid for huge swaths of the central U.S., from the Dakotas all the way to Louisiana. CenterPoint said it had enough energy stored to service its customers, but other areas were "experiencing shortages across (MISO's) multi-state footprint."

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If the shortfalls worsened, CenterPoint said, MISO would have ordered them to implement "planned outages" across the Evansville area in "brief intervals."

That has apparently leveled out enough to drop the conversation alert  at least for now.

"Bitter cold temperatures are expected to continue through the week. If conditions change, MISO may issue additional alerts and CenterPoint will notify customers promptly," CenterPoint spokesman Noah Stubbs stated in the release.

The alert Saturday had asked Evansville-area residents to turn down their thermostats and avoid using their ovens, among other requests. That sparked slews of angry comments online from people forced to hunker down in their homes due to mounds of snow and subzero wind chills.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Should I conserve electricity in Evansville during the winter storm?
The News

More than 60 Minnesota business leaders called on Sunday for an immediate de-escalation of tensions in the state, after immigration agents killed a second US citizen in Minneapolis during protests over the Trump administrations deportation agenda.

CEOs from companies headquartered in the city  including 3M, Best Buy, Cargill, General Mills, Target, and UnitedHealth Group  put their names to an open letter calling for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders.

Local business leaders had been working behind the scenes every day for several weeks with Gov. Tim Walz, the White House, Vice President JD Vance, and local mayors, the letter said, without giving further details.

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Sundays statement comes after signs of growing pressure on CEOs to comment on the clashes between Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and protesters. Scores of tech workers have signed a petition, asking industry CEOs to call the White House and demand that ICE leave US cities, cancel company contracts with the agency, and speak out publicly against ICEs violence.

Know More

Few top executives have commented publicly on the crisis until now, in contrast to the widespread CEO response to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. Hilton, the hotel group, faced criticism from both supporters and opponents of President Donald Trumps immigration enforcement after a front-desk agent barred immigration officers from a Minneapolis hotel.

Jeff Dean, chief scientist at Google DeepMind and Google Research, accused federal agents involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti on Saturday of unnecessarily escalating, and then executing a defenseless citizen. Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, wrote on X that there was no excuse for a government to unleash this kind of violence on its own citizens.
BEIJING, Jan 23 (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping congratulated Vietnam's To Lam on his re-election as the ruling Communist Party's general secretary, praising Vietnam's achievements and describing the two nations as a "community with a shared future."

In a congratulatory message sent on Friday, Xi said Vietnam had achieved "remarkable results" in socialist construction and reform while enhancing its international standing and influence, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

Vietnam and China are among a handful of communist-ruled states in the world. Though the two neighbours have a long history of mistrust and territorial disputes, including over islands and waters in the South China Sea, their Communist parties remain officially close.

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"China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbours and a community with a shared future of strategic significance," Xi said, adding that he highly values relations between the two countries and parties.

Xi expressed willingness to work with Lam to "strengthen strategic communication, carry forward traditional friendship, and firmly advance the socialist cause," while contributing to regional and global peace and stability, Xinhua reported.

Lam was re-elected on Friday to Vietnam's most powerful job for the next five years after a unanimous vote by the party's central committee.

Xi went to Vietnam last April when both countries were hit by U.S. tariffs, calling for stronger ties on trade and supply chains.

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China is Vietnam's largest trading partner and a key source of materials and equipment for the Southeast Asian country's manufacturing industries.

(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Philippa Fletcher)
On a characteristically cold Minnesota night last January, I joined a small crowd from a local church at the international arrivals door of the Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport. What we lacked in common ancestry and background was more than made up for in our shared Christian faith and excited anticipation.

After 15 years in a refugee camp in Thailand, and countless interviews, forms and red tape, their new pastor, along with his wife and children, was finally arriving to make a new home in Minnesota.

Little could I imagine that a year later, Id find myself sitting in this same pastors living room, discussing whether or not seemingly indiscriminate immigration enforcement made it unwise for him to meet his children at the bus stop.

US should provide a haven for refugees

Immigration agents and other law enforcement officers conduct a raid at a home in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Jan. 18, 2026.

About two weeks ago, I began hearing troubling reports of refugee families  including members of the Karen ethnic minority from Myanmar  who were being taken from their homes across the Twin Cities.

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Families that our church had helped to resettle, many of whom first fled their homeland years or even decades ago because of religious persecution, were now taking shelter in their homes, afraid to go to church, to school or to work.

Opinion: Trump bans refugees from entering US. But Americans' compassion gives me hope.

The reports being shared by our refugee friends were almost too shocking to believe. They told stories of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showing up at the homes of lawfully present and documented refugees, asking to be let in without clear explanations or adequate translation.

In other cases, individuals had been detained while leaving for work or school, and then the agents would come later to their homes for their spouses and children. Within a day or two, most had been transferred out of state, usually to Texas.

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Heavy-handed immigration enforcement did not just begin last weekend, of course, but what is new is that refugees are being specifically targeted.

Refugees represent a special protected class of immigrants

Under U.S. law, refugees are lawfully present individuals who were invited by our federal government and arrived on flights coordinated by our federal government after an extensive process described by the Heritage Foundation as involving more vetting than any other immigrants to the U.S.

While Somali refugees make up about 35% of refugees resettled to Minnesota in recent years, the majority of refugees resettled to Minnesota have historically come from other countries.

Most of those with whom our church is closest are members of the Karen ethnic minority group from Myanmar (formerly Burma), which has been the top country of origin for refugees resettled to the United States for many years.

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.

Most Karen resettled to our country seem to be Christians, particularly Baptists or Anglicans, and their Christian faith was often a primary factor in the persecution that forced them to flee as refugees. The brutal military regime that controls Burma harshly persecutes Christians and other religious minorities, such as the Muslim Rohingya.

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Open Doors, the persecuted church watchdog group, recently ranked Myanmar among the 15 countries globally where Christians face extreme persecution, alongside countries like North Korea, Nigeria, Iran and Afghanistan.

Opinion: ICE detained a 5-year-old child. There is no justifying this.

Christian hospitality should be extended to all people, and over the years, our congregation has participated in the resettlement of Muslims from Syria, as well as Christians from Myanmar.

But its a fact that most resettled refugees nationally are fellow Christians, and its been formative and humbling to welcome our Karen brothers and sisters who have suffered so profoundly for their faith in Jesus.

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They have so much to teach American Christians about discipleship. However, shockingly, now Karen refugees are placed under duress once again, at the hands of the same U.S. government that first facilitated their resettlement.

In November, the federal government announced its unprecedented intention to re-interview each refugee resettled by the prior administration, roughly 230,000 individuals in total.

Most might reasonably have expected to receive a letter by mail with a summons to appear for an interview at a local office. Coercion and transportation to another state to conduct interviews in secrecy more resemble the tactics of the authoritarian governments from which they fled, not the actions of a free republic.

The 5,600 refugees in Minnesota who do not yet have their green cards are the first targets in what U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has dubbed Operation PARRIS.

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These relatively recently arrived refugees do not have their green cards  technically, lawful permanent resident status  because the law does not allow them to receive green cards until one year after arrival, even though they are lawfully present from the moment they arrive.

Many, if not most, of those now detained had applied for their green cards one year after arrival, as instructed, but the Department of Homeland Security halted processing on these refugees green cards last fall.

Per requirements, the refugees have also been updating their addresses with the Department of Homeland Security as required, which is apparently how ICE knows precisely where to find them.

Evangelical Christians should support refugees

Like other Americans, evangelical Christians like myself want secure borders and orderly immigration processes. I also believe that the United States can and should continue to be a haven for carefully vetted, lawfully admitted refugees who contribute to the peace and prosperity of our nation.

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Of course, those convicted of violent crimes should be detained and deported, but, nationally, just 5% of those detained by ICE have been convicted of violent crimes. How then does the kind of chaotic and trust-eroding immigration enforcement that were experiencing in Minnesota, especially the targeting of refugees, promote good order and security?

I invite fellow evangelicals to join me in pleading with our government to halt this unjust policy, to ensure that refugees already detained are safely returned to their homes in Minnesota, and to insist that future immigration enforcement focuses on genuine threats to public safety, not on lawfully present refugees like my friends who fled religious persecution.

The Rev. Paul Calvin is the rector of the Church of the Redeemer, an Anglican congregation in St. Paul, Minnesota.

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ICE's Operation PARRIS unfairly targets legal refugees | Opinion
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Crews raced against the clock Saturday to keep roads and parking lots safe while snow, sleet, and frozen rain fell across Middle Tennessee.

As snow turns to ice, the challenge isnt just clearing it; its keeping it from coming right back.

Earlier, we had pretty much just snow from about 9 p.m. to about noon, 1 [p.m.], and now youre getting the ice mixed in with it, a Pinnacle Landscaping Co. crew leader, Jeremy Ledbetter, described. Roads are pretty treacherous.

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For crews like Ledbetters, that meant a very long list of stops.

Trump administration grants emergency declaration for Tennessee to support winter weather response

Were doing the Regions, the Truist, the Bank of Americas, the Publix, the BJs, Ledbetter said. Just trying to keep the lots clear, drive-thru lanes, ATMs  just trying to keep everyone safe.

However, the biggest challenge comes after the plowing.

The challenge is for us is just that the refreezes after we clear something, and then it refreezes, Ledbetter explained.

That risk led some grocery stores to close early, leaving several community members searching for resources.

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FORECAST: Middle Tennessee & Southern Kentucky Weather

[Im] looking for a milkshake for my cousin, Hendersonville resident Chris McKinney told News 2. He just had surgery and he was requesting a milkshake, so Ive been going around. Everywhere is closed.

While some places shut down on Saturday, Jan. 24, others stayed open. On a snow day in Middle Tennessee, some traditions dont change.

There was nothing else [open] from Portland to here, so we were like, Waffle House is always open, Tina from Portland explained. If Waffle House closes, its a tragedy, like, the worlds shutting down.

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As the winter weather continues this weekend, people are offering simple advice.

PHOTOS: Snow falls in Middle Tennessee, Southern Kentucky

If you have to get out, just be careful, go slow, stay off your brake. If you can avoid being out, dont get out, Ledbetter said.

Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app.

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.
A severe winter storm in the United States has already left hundreds of thousands of people without power before it was due to hit New York, Philadelphia and Washington later on Sunday.

Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas are among the states worst affected, with some 983,000 households hit by outages nationwide, according to website PowerOutage.us. Some outages were also being reported from Alabama and Kentucky.

Nearly 190 million people - more than half of the US population - are facing disruption in one of the country's worst winter storms in several years, according to the authorities.

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The storm was expected to spread over a distance of around 3,000 kilometres from New Mexico in the south-west to Maine in the north-east over the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

It is expected to hit New York on Sunday, while numerous states have declared a state of emergency. It was snowing early Sunday in New York and Washington, DC.

Adverse conditions have also caused chaos for travellers with more than 15,000 flights cancelled.

Local authorities say heavy snowfall is leading to traffic disruptions and road closures, potentially lasting several days. Ice deposits have created "extremely dangerous" travel conditions in some areas, they said.

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With the ongoing cold spell threatening to paralyse parts of the country in the coming days, authorities have called on people to stay put as much as possible and leave their cars at home.

Washington residents were urged to have torches ready and to charge their mobile phones. According to NBC News, centres were to be opened in all five boroughs of New York where residents could warm up. School has been cancelled in New York City on Monday.

CNN reported 58 centimetres of snowfall in Crested Butte, Colorado, while up to 20 centimetres were recorded in parts of Oklahoma, some 30 centimetres in New Mexico and 15 centimetres in Texas.

People walk across Times Square during a snowstorm in New York. Bryan Smith/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

A taxi drives through Times Square during a snowstorm. Bryan Smith/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt drew renewed criticism for his attendance record on Thursday after narrowly making it to Washington to clinch the GOPs defeat of a resolution that would have blocked further military action in Venezuela.

It marked only the fourth time Hunt has cast a vote on the House floor this year, out of 48 votes held in the lower chamber since lawmakers resumed business earlier this month. The absences come as the Houston Republican is waging a primary challenge against U.S. Sen John Cornyn, who has seized on Hunts spotty voting record with a series of jabs on social media.

A Hunt spokesperson defended the absences, saying that no bills, resolutions, or GOP priorities have been delayed or stopped because of Rep. Hunts priority of barnstorming Texas to retire John Cornyn. On Friday, responding to what he described as anyone clutching pearls about missed votes, Hunt added on social media that he has been crisscrossing Texas nonstop on the campaign trail.

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Anytime you run for higher office, you miss votes. Period, Hunt posted.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, held Thursdays vote open for more than 20 minutes while the chamber awaited Hunts arrival, prompting shouts from Democrats on the House floor urging Johnson to close the vote.

Hunts 92% rate of missed votes this year has elevated his career mark to 20%, or missing one in five votes since he took office in 2023. Thursdays vote was Hunts first since Jan. 7.

The median percentage of missed votes among current representatives is 2%, according to GovTrack, a nonprofit website that monitors congressional voting records. Rep. Chip Roy, an Austin Republican who is also running for statewide office in a four-way primary for attorney general, has not missed any votes this month. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, has missed two as she runs opposite Hunt in the Democratic Senate primary.

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Cornyn, who has missed one vote this year, has repeatedly bashed Hunt on social media over his attendance, while his campaign has launched a website, whereswesleyhunt.com, to highlight the issue.

Wesley Hunt is refusing to fight for Trumps agenda by putting his selfish political ambitions before his responsibilities, Cornyn campaign spokesperson Matt Mackowiak said in a statement. He needs to do his job.

In the primary, Hunt also faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has remained quiet on the issue.

The Houston Republican previously said in a news release that his absences were due to the premature birth of his son in 2023 and time he spent campaigning with President Donald Trump in 2024.

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House Republicans currently have a thin majority, one that slimmed further after the death of California Rep. Dough LaMalfa and the midsession retirement of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Those vacancies leave the GOP with 218 seats to Democrats 213, meaning Johnson can afford just two defections or four absences on party-line votes if every Democrat is present and votes against the measure. Additionally, the minority party is set to grow its ranks after a Jan. 31 special election runoff between two Democrats running to fill the Houston-area seat held by Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died last March.

Earlier on Thursday, Hunt missed a procedural vote setting up four appropriations bills, including one to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Johnson told reporters that day he was surprised by Hunts decision to miss the vote and had expected him to be there.

Rep. Greg Casar, an Austin Democrat who is running in Texas 37th Congressional District, is the only other Texas lawmaker who has missed more than half of roll call votes over the last 10 days. Casar has been absent for about 58% of votes since the start of the year  due to the birth of his son in late October, his office said  but otherwise has missed few since taking office in 2023.
By Joseph Campbell

TOKYO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Panda fans flocked to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Sunday to say goodbye to its star attractions - two giant pandas, who will be sent back to China at the end of the month.

The departure of four-year-old twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei leaves Japan panda-less for the first time since 1972, prompting thousands to apply for lottery-assigned tickets to say goodbye.

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"I've been coming since the parents of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were here," said 54-year-old finance-sector worker Machiko Seki. "It feels like one family's story is coming to an end."

While their move to China has been planned for some time, the pandas' coming absence has been viewed as a reflection of deteriorating China-Japan relations in recent months.

In November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could bring about a Japanese military response. That triggered a furious response from Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the democratically-governed island.

Political tensions were not the focus of many zoo-goers on Sunday, when visitors were allowed one-minute windows to see the bears.

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"The pandas have given me so much - energy, courage, healing," Seki said. "I wanted to come today to express my gratitude."

Even people who did not win tickets made the journey.

"Today, I didn't win the lottery for the panda viewing, so I can't see the pandas in person," said 49-year-old housewife Akiko Kawakami.

"I came here today because I wanted to breathe the same air as the pandas."

(Reporting by Joseph Campbell; Writing by Anton Bridge; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)
Ted Cruz trashed President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in conversations with GOP donors last year, explosive leaked recordings allege.

The Texas senator, expected to run for president in 2028, slammed Trumps tariff crusade and said he even threatened his staff with immediate firing if they used the phrase Liberation Day to refer to the day the sweeping taxes were announced, reports Axios.

Cruz, 55, told donors he and other senators expressed their tariff disgust with Trump in a lengthy phone call, warning it would tank the economy and lead to his impeachment. The call pushed past midnight and did not go well, Cruz told donors, with Trump yelling and cursing at the lawmakers.

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Cruz claims that he received an especially explicit response from the president that night.

Mr. President, if we get to November of [2026] and peoples 401(k)s are down 30% and prices are up 1020% at the supermarket, were going to go into Election Day, face a bloodbath, Cruz told Trump, according to the recording. Youre going to lose the House, youre going to lose the Senate, youre going to spend the next two years being impeached every single week.

Trump allegedly responded bluntly: F--- you, Ted.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz stands behind then-President Elect Donald Trump during the launch of a SpaceX Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas, in November 2024. / Brandon Bell / Getty Images

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Cruzs office did not deny the contents of the recordings in a statement to Axios. Still, Cruzs office claimed that he is still the presidents greatest ally in the Senate and battles every day in the trenches to advance his agenda.

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Axios reports that the recordings were nearly 10 minutes in total and came from conversations in early and middle 2025. The site said the recordings were provided by a Republican source.

It is unclear which donors Cruz was speaking to.

Donald Trumps attack on Heidi Cruz from the 2016 GOP presidential primary.

Trump referred to Cruz as Lyin Ted in the 2016 GOP presidential primary and even went as far as suggesting that his wife, Heidi, is ugly compared to Melania. Still, Cruz has largely done Trumps bidding in the Senate ever since, and he even campaigned for him in 2024.

Cruz, 55, is now believed to be eyeing another White House run, hoping to become a more traditional GOP successor to Trumpism. Standing in his way is the 41-year-old Vance, who is the overwhelming favorite to win the Republican nomination in the eyes of prediction markets.

The prediction market Kalshi lists Vice President JD Vance as most likely to win the GOP presidential primary. / Kalshi

Vance was torched by Cruz in the secret recordings, Axios reported. Sources also told The Washington Post last month that Cruz privately badmouths the VP to donors.

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In the recordings obtained by Axios, Cruz claimed that Vance was a pawn of conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson, who is among Cruzs biggest foes, having clashed with the ex-Fox News host in an explosive interview last summer over the Trump administrations strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Cruz supported the intervention and has repeatedly criticized Carlson for his opposition to U.S. military support of Israel.

Tucker created JD, Cruz told donors, according to Axios. JD is Tuckers protege, and they are one and the same.

Publicly, Cruz has never explicitly linked Vance and Carlson. He alleged to donors that the ousted National Security Adviser Mike Waltzof Signalgate infamywas pushed out of Trumps Cabinet by Carlson and Vance.

[He] supported being vigorous against Iran and bombing Iranand Tucker and JD took Mike out, Cruz said, according to Axios.

Carlson told Axios he had nothing to do with the high-profile ouster.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel defended his country's military preparedness exercises on Saturday as a deterrent against potential aggression from the United States.

US President Donald Trump this month warned that Cuba "is ready to fall" and told Havana to "make a deal" or pay a price similar to Venezuela, whose ousted leader Nicolas Maduro was taken to America by US forces in a January 3 bombing raid that killed dozens of people.

Venezuela was a key ally of Cuba and a critical supplier of oil and money, which Trump has vowed to cut off.

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Diaz-Canel on Saturday supervised military exercises that included a tank unit from Cuba's armed forces.

He was accompanied by Cuban General Alvaro Lopez Miera, who is the minister of the armed forces, and other high-ranking military officials.

"The best way to prevent aggression is for imperialism to have to calculate the price of attacking our country," Diaz-Canel said in remarks broadcast on Cuban television.

"And that has a lot to do with our preparation for this type of military action This takes on significant importance in the current circumstances," he added.

Cuba's National Defense Council, which is led by Diaz-Canel, recently met "with the objective of increasing and improving the level of preparedness and cohesion" among the countrys leadership, according to an official government statement.

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The council met to "analyze and approve the plans and measures for transitioning to a State of War," the statement added, without providing further details.

These military exercises are part of the country's preparation "under the strategic concept of the War of the Entire People," a term used by authorities for the mobilization of civilians in the event of armed conflict.

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Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has definitively ruled out the issue of selling L-159 aircraft to Ukraine, describing the matter as "closed".

Source: Idnes, a Czech news outlet, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The potential sale of L-159 light attack aircraft to Ukraine has been a topic of political debate in Czechia over recent weeks.

Babis described these discussions as "artificially created" and stated that the matter is now closed.

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Quote: "There are no L-159s and there will be no L-159s. This issue is closed."

Details: Babis also criticised Karel Rehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, who had previously stated that supplying aircraft to Ukraine was possible as it would not harm Czech defence capabilities.

Defence Minister Jaromir Zuna also said that the aircraft are needed by Czech forces  a point the government used to justify its refusal to sell them to Kyiv.

Background:

Czech President Petr Pavel, who visited Ukraine last week, said that the possible sale of four L-159 aircraft to Ukraine would not undermine the country's defence capabilities.

At the time, Babis argued that the discussion "makes no sense", as the previous government had also opposed selling the aircraft to Ukraine.

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It was Thursday, Dec. 1, 1988, when Deborah Atrops, known as Debe, was found murdered in her car, next to a construction site in Beaverton, Oregon. Debe had been reported missing two days earlier by her estranged husband, Bob Atrops, who lived about five miles away on a rural road.

Deborah

On the night she went missing, Bob says Debe, who was then 30 years old, never arrived to pick up their baby, Rhianna, as expected.

Allison Brown: It think that it's important for everyone to know that just because a case goes unsolved doesn't mean that it's forgotten.

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Allison Brown is a senior deputy district attorney in Washington County Oregon, who, along with attorney Chris Lewman, joined a team of investigators working on Debe's unsolved murder. Brown says they hoped talking to the original detectives, witnesses, and looking at the evidence again, might give the old investigation new momentum.

Allison Brown: There were opportunities for forensic analysis that were not available in 1988.

DEBE ATROPS DISAPPEARS

Debe Atrops was last seen alive on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 1988. Bob Atrops called the Tigard, Oregon, police that night at 9:40 p.m.

DISPATCHER: This is Tigard Police. May I help you? BOB ATROPS:  My wife is running about three hours overdue from a hair appointment. I was getting a little concerned.  We live in Sherwood.  DISPATCHER: OK, what's her name?  BOB ATROPS: Deborah Atrops. DISPATCHER: OK, and what kind of vehicle would she have been driving? BOB ATROPS: It'd be a black Honda Accord.

Bob told the dispatcher Debe hadn't shown up after an appointment in Tigard, about eight miles from his house, at a hair salon called Razz Ma Tazz.

BOB ATROPS: Called and let it ring, ring, ring about 20 times  DISPATCHER: It would probably be easier for you to make a run down her path to, you know, how she would go  than it would be for us.



Debe and Bob Atrops. / Credit: Family home video

Bob says he drove the route and saw no sign of Debe. He called Tigard police back at 10:25 p.m.

DISPATCHER: Why don't we give it another hour  and, if you haven't heard anything, give me a call back.

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Bob did call back  a third time  at 11:29 p.m.

BOB ATROPS: Hey, this is Bob Atrops again. Have you heard anything or? DISPATCHER: No, and the guys have gone out and looked. It's real foggy out, but they have checked around the area. DISPATCHER:  Did you go to the Razz Ma Tazz and see if her car was there at all? BOB ATROPS: Yeah, I did. I drove up there's no car  DISPATCHER: There's no friends or anything she might have gone to visit? BOB ATROPS: No. Checked. Called everyone I can think of.

But the one call Bob did not make that night was to Debe.

DISPATCHER: OK sir, we have checked around the Sherwood area and we can't find her car at all.

The dispatcher suggested Bob call the Washington County Sheriff, which he did at 11:34 p.m., and they opened a missing person's case the next morning. But Debe Atrops would not be a missing person for long.

Det. Michael O'Connell: Even though I've been retired for years, it still kind of hung over me.

Washington County Sheriff's Detective Michael O'Connell remembers responding to the scene when Debe's car was found. The license plates had been taken off, the window was open and the keys were inside. O'Connell's partner called Bob Atrops.

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DETECTIVE LAZENBY: With you being the husband --

BOB ATROPS: Uh-huh.

DETECTIVE LAZENBY: --- we need permission. We'd like to search the car 

BOB ATROPS: OK.

DETECTIVE LAZENBY: And I'd like to know if that'd be alright with you.

BOB ATROPS: Sure.

A few minutes later police found Debe's body face down in the trunk.

Det. Michael O'Connell: She was nicely dressed.  Still had her coat on  Looked like she'd been placed somewhat carefully in the trunk.

Investigators are seen searching Debe Atrops' car for evidence. The young mother's body was found in the trunk of her car on Dec. 1, 1988, in Beaverton, Oregon. / Credit: Washington County District Attorney's Office

Police say Debe had been strangled, and there were no signs of sexual assault. There was mud on her coat and shoes, the front passenger tire and the steering wheel of the car. Law enforcement scoured her vehicle for evidence.



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Det. Michael O'Connell: It looked like someone may have tried to wipe down the hood. There were, like, broad clothing swipes, like, someone maybe was trying to destroy fingerprints.

O'Connell and his partner went to Bob's house to tell him they had found his wife's body. A witness who saw Bob later that day told the cold case team Bob was "very calm, much calmer than I would expect."

Allison Brown | Prosecutor: It wasn't consistent with a grieving, estranged husband.

Debe's stepfather, Ed Holland, says her mother, Gloria, who was close to Debe, was overwhelmed with grief.

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Ed Holland: She broke down  and I held her, and that's all I could do  She just laid there, sobbing.

Police searched outside Bob's home for any further clues.

Det. Michael O'Connell: The driveway was a mix of mud, dirt, and gravel. And it looked like  her car may have driven through some of the mud.

Bob had said Debe was last there about a week before her murder. Police took photos of the tire tracks outside his house and collected soil from his driveway and lawn.

Det. Michael O'Connell: Just to make sure we weren't missing anything.

Police never found any tire tracks that matched Debe's car on Bob's property. Yet Bob Atrops was an obvious suspect. But he wasn't the only man in Debe's life. Since she had moved out five months before, Debe had been datingand those relationships were complicated.

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Ed Holland: Debe had very good taste and was a good judge of people, but a terrible judge of men. Every man that she seemed to hook up with was a problem.

WHO KILLED DEBE ATROPS?

Rhianna Stephens: It was great growing up with my dad. He was an amazing dad.

Young Rhianna Stephens with her father Bob Atrops. / Credit: Rhianna Stephens (Rhianna Stephens)

Natalie Morales: Do you have memories of him being hands on? 

Rhianna Stephens: Yeah. My dad was very hands on  I knew that I was his number one.

Rhianna Stephens: I remember being at my grandpa's house with my cousin, going through old photo albums and finding a picture of this woman. And I was like, "Who's that?" And she just kind of was like, "That's your mom."  From that point on, I always remember knowing the story.

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Debe Atrops' daughter Rhianna Stephens says she learned about her mother's murder when she was 6 or 7 years old. She says growing up, her dad only shared fond memories of her mom.

Rhianna Stephens: I didn't know that they had separated.  Anything that I had ever heard about her was always good from him.

But things were not always good in Bob and Debe's marriage. Debe's stepfather, Ed Holland, remembers meeting Bob, a construction product salesman, and talking to Debe's mother about how quickly Bob and Debe walked down the aisle.

Debe and Bob Atrops on their wedding day in June 1987. / Credit: Darlene Lufkin

Ed Holland: They were still in a courtship when they got married.  I said to Gloria, I said, "This is way too fast."  She says, "Well, if they're in love, why not?"

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Debe's friend Darlene Lufkin says, like Holland, she was not confident the relationship had a strong foundation.

Natalie Morales: How long did they know each other?

Darlene Lufkin: Just a few months it seems like.  It takes time to get to know someone. And I don't think she really knew Bob yet.



Bob and Debe got married in June 1987 and adopted Rhianna the following March.

Because of conflicts in their marriage, just a few months after bringing Rhianna home, Debe moved into her own apartment in Salem, 30 miles away from Bob. Investigators say Debe had soon reconnected with an old boyfriend, Jeff Freeburg.

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Natalie Morales: You said he was the one for her, perhaps 

Darlene Lufkin: That's the one she kept wanting to go back to.  She really, really liked him. And I don't think he was just ready for that kind of relationship yet.

Debe Arops was dating John Pearson at the time of her death.

By September 1988, Debe had a new boyfrienda man she met at worknamed John Pearson. Pearson was separated from his wife and had two young boys.

Darlene Lufkin: But I remember she was on the phone at my house once with him. She handed me the phone, and he said how much he was looking forward to meeting me and the girls. 

Darlene Lufkin: When Debe was seeing people for some reason, she wanted them to meet me and my girls.

Lufkin says she and Debe had grown close in their 20s when Darlene was a single mom.

Darlene Lufkin: She's really the only friend I had that enjoyed spending time with my daughters. And I treasured that.

In that autumn of 1988, although Debe was dating Pearson, she stayed in touch with Freeburg. He loaned Debe $8,000.

Natalie Morales: He had lent her money to buy a car. Could there have been motive in that?

Allison Brown: He was wealthy  So, I think he was happy to help Debe.

Back in 1988, detectives had asked Freeburg for his alibi on the night Debe was last seen alive and he said he was home except for going out briefly to get some dinner.

Det. O'Connell: He seemed very straightforward. Didn't hesitate to answer our questions. Didn't seem to be hiding anything.

Police had also questioned John Pearson, who said he was with his children and his estranged wife that night. Pearson knew about Debe's hair appointment and gave detectives a detailed description of many items inside her car.

Natalie Morales: John Pearson  told police back then that there was a Burger King bag  as well as a box with cranberries and a child car seat.  Seems like a lot of details about  the car.

Allison Brown: Yeah.

Pearson also told police there "wasn't enough room in the trunk for a body" and that "stuff would have to have been taken out" ... but O'Connell says Pearson had seemed truthful back in 1988.

Det. O'Connell: He was mostly accessible.  Didn't appear to be trying to throw us off or anything.

And prosecutors Chris Lewman and Allison Brown say there is an innocent reason John Pearson knew so much about Debe's car.

Allison Brown: They were seeing each other every day.  I mean, something to look into for sure, which is why they did multiple interviews of John Pearson and a polygraph in 1988. 

Natalie Morales: And did he pass the polygraph?

Allison Brown: He did. And he was willing to do it and basically do everything that they asked him to do.

Bob Atrops hired a lawyer a week after Debe's body was found and declined to take a polygraph. Detective O'Connell says, Bob did not seem very worried about finding out who killed his wife.

Det. O'Connell: He was kind of removed.  just kind of distant.

O'Connell and his partner looked into the calls Bob said he made the night Debe went missing.

Bob told detectives he called the babysitter, Debe's boss, and her parents while he was home waiting for her. They all confirmed he did call them that night  but there was a hitch. Those three calls were long distance and should have shown up on his phone bill.

Det. Michael O'Connell: That was a problem. Those phone calls were not there.

While detective suspected Bob Atrops killed Debe, they didn't have enough evidence to connect him to the crime. / Credit: Rhianna Stephens

By now detectives suspected Bob had killed Debe. They thought there was no record of those three phone calls because Bob was out of the house that evening disposing of Debe's car and her body. Police began looking for evidence Bob made those calls from somewhere else.

Det. Michael O'Connell: It involved checking payphones.  We looked at every angle.  We struck out.

They did not find proof that Bob was lying or evidence connecting him to Debe's murder.

Det. Michael O'Connell: I didn't like the thought of it just remaining unsolved.

O'Connell and his partner had a final meeting with Bob in 1990asking him to account for those missing calls, or to admit he had killed his wife. But Bob maintained his innocence.

Det. Michael O'Connell: And then it kind of went dead.

When the cold case team next interviewed Bob in 2022, they asked again about those phone calls and heard a very different story.

DET. WINFIELD: I'll be honest with you, Bob. Your story that you're telling us today is significantly different than what you told investigators back in the day ... And so, my question is ... what really did happen?

A NEW LOOK AT THE COLD CASE

Darlene Lufkin: We spent a lot of time  together.  We took the girls to the beach ... went to ... music in the park with picnic dinners.

It's been more than 30 years since Darlene Lufkin last saw her friend Debe Atrops, but she says she still feels the loss.

Natalie Morales: Sounds like you have really fond memories of Debe.

Darlene Lufkin: Oh yeah.  I miss her every day still.

Lufkin, like many in Debe's life, longed for answers and in 2022 she got one step closer when the cold case team sent Debe's coat and those soil samples for testing.

There was mud on Debe Atrops' coat, her shoes and her car. Soil samples and a DNA sample from her coat was sent to an FBI lab for testing. / Credit: Bob Atrops' defense

Allison Brown: The soil was sent to the FBI lab. The DNA was sent.

While they waited, the cold case team continued to examine Bob's behavior back in 1988, which prosecutors say was suspicious from that first call.

Allison Brown: He calls law enforcement within, you know, probably 20 minutes of calling their friends and family and to us that seemed, a little quick  So, we believe he was attempting to  get his story out there and to portray himself as a concerned husband and try to  develop that narrative that he wanted to early on.

Detective O'Connell says he had the same feeling. Remember, Bob had called police four times that night.

Det. Michael O'Connell: What's the Shakespeare quote? He protests too much? It was interesting to us that he was calling so frequently and so soon.  It didn't seem normal.

The cold case team also turned their attention to the road where Debe's car was found  next to that construction site. Bob's former boss at Allied Building Products told them he believed Bob had a connection there.

Allison Brown: He was  selling roofing products  we knew, I knew that he was selling products in that area.

In 2022, the results from those DNA tests came back. The lab said they found a mixture of DNA on the collar and shoulder of Debe's coat.

Allison Brown: They swabbed that area of her coat, because if you're strangled, that would be the area  you'd have contact with.

The lab compared that sample from Debe's coat to her boyfriend at the time, John Pearson.

Allison Brown: It's not present.

And neither was her ex-boyfriend, Jeff Freeburg.

Allison Brown: Jeff Freeburg  not present.

But the lab said Bob could not be excluded as a contributor to that DNA mixture.

Chris Lewman: We can't say it's a match. It's just, it's moderate support that it's more likely Mr. Atrops than an unknown individual.

Prosecutors admit, while the DNA from Debe's coat excludes Freeburg and Pearson, it does not make a complete case against Bob Atrops.

Allison Brown: I think it's another piece.  There are many, many different pieces. It was a very fact intensive case.

Another one of those pieces, they say, is the mud.

Allison Brown: This murder was connected to mud. Her body was covered in mud, there was mud on the outside of the car, on the inside of the car.

The FBI lab concluded that the mud on Debe Atrops' tire did not match the mud where her car was found. However, they said that mud from Debe's car tire was

The FBI lab, which examined this evidence, concluded that the mud on Debe's car tire did not match the mud where her car was found. However, that mud on the tire, they said, was "indistinguishable" from the mud from Bob's lawn in color, composition and texture. This is evidence, prosecutors say, that Bob was lying when he said Debe did not come to his house the night she went missing.

Allison Brown: According to the defendant's interview, she had not been to his house for about 10 days.

Bob Atrops hadn't spoken to police about the case since that final conversation with detectives in 1990. But in 2022, he agreed to talk to the cold case team.

Investigators asked Bob about those calls to friends and family that didn't appear on his phone bill back in 1988.

DET. WINFIELD: It is October 19th, 2022 ... here with  Bob Atrops.

DET. WINFIELD: You made those phone calls?

BOB ATROPS: Yes.

DET. WINFIELD: From your house?

BOB ATROPS: Yes.

DET. WINFIELD: Using your home phone?

BOB ATROPS: With an MCI card.

DET. WINFIELD: No.

BOB ATROPS: Yes.

DET. WINFIELD: No.

Bob now said he had used an MCI calling card to make those missing long distance calls from home.

BOB ATROPS: Yeah, an MCI card from Allied Building Products 

DET. WINFIELD: That is not what you told investigators. ... and you said, "I made those calls from my home phone."

BOB ATROPS: Yes.

DET. WINFIELD: "Using my home long distance."

BOB ATROPS: But you dial in, and  you punch in the code and then you can complete the long-distance call.

Prosecutors say Bob didn't have that MCI calling card in 1988, and what's more, prosecutor Chris Lewman says, this story doesn't make sense.

Chris Lewman: In 1988, to make a calling card, you had to input about a 16-digit calling card number and then another six- or eight-digit code. And if you're frantically looking for your wife, why take the time to do that, and enter all those numbers?

In 2023, prosecutors brought the case to a grand jurywho voted to indict.

Rhianna Stephens: I got a phone call on March 2nd of 2023 at five o'clock in the morning  that my dad had just been arrested.  I was just in shock.

On March 2, 2023, Bob Atrops was arrested for the 1988 murder of his estranged wife. He pleaded not guilty. / Credit: Washington County District Attorney's Office

Rhianna says Bob is a loving dad, and a doting grandfather to her three children.

Natalie Morales: What was it like seeing your dad  front page story?

Rhianna Stephens: It was awful to see the news  making him out to be this terrible person that he just isn't. 

Rhianna Stephens: He didn't do this.

Cold case detectives spoke to Bob Atrops again after his arrest.

DET. WINFIELD: My opinion is, you've told yourself a story for the last 34 years, and you've told yourself the story over and over and over again to the point that it's become the truth for you ... It doesn't make it true, but it makes it easier for you to tell that story.

BOB ATROPS: I don't believe that, but OK.

DET. WINFIELD: What part don't you believe?

BOB ATROPS: A story that I created, I guess. 

DET. WINFIELD: You don't believe that you created a story?

BOB ATROPS: No.

DETECTIVE WINFIELD: OK. 

DETECTIVE WINFIELD: You just are not in a position to acknowledge that you played a role in her death.

BOB ATROPS: No, I did not.

Bob Atrops pleaded not guilty to Debe's murder. Attorney April Yates argues it's more likely Debe's killer was her boyfriend at the time, John Pearson, than Bob.

April Yates: John Pearson not only had motive, he had opportunity. He knew where Debe Atrops was going to be. He knew about her hair appointment. And also, he knew an incredible amount of detail about her car.

But prosecutors say Pearson had nothing to do with Debe's murder. Back in 1988 he told police that, about a week before the murder, Bob confronted Debe because he was suspicious she was in a new relationship. Pearson said Debe was afraid if Bob found out it was true, he would kill her. The prosecution planned to call Pearson as a witness in Bob Atrops' upcoming trial.

Chris Lewman: We wanted to have him testify  because we found him credible.

But that would never happen. Pearson, who had been ill, and had an outstanding warrant for a DUI in Oregon, stopped responding to detectives. When authorities located him in Arizona, five days before opening arguments were to begin, John Pearson killed himself.

Janis Puracal: John Pearson fled the state ... He was on the run.

Attorney Janis Puracal was part of the defense team.

Janis Puracal: Police find him in a trailer in the desert in Arizona. When police surround that trailer, he  ends his life, rather than coming back to Oregon to answer questions about Debe Atrops murder. Those are the facts. Prosecution can spin it all they want, but those are the facts.

DID BOB ATROPS MURDER HIS ESTRANGED WIFE?

Rhianna Stephens: I'm trying to be strong for my dad.

In spring 2025, Robert Atrops' murder trial began at the Washington County Courthouse. Prosecutors worried the jury might get stuck on details they could not explain.

Allison Brown: In a case where we need to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, we're not going to be able to answer every single detail of what happened that night.

ALLISON BROWN (in court): Remember, the appointment's supposed to end around 7:15 ... By 9:40 p.m., he's calling 911.

At the trial, which allowed audio but not video recording of witnesses, attorney Allison Brown argues that Bob Atrops intentionally misled the police  starting with those four calls he made to them the night Debe was last seen alive.

Allison Brown: He didn't tell the law enforcement officials that they were separated, that they lived separately  So, he didn't actually give them the information that they would need to find her.

Prosecutors noted Bob Atrops called police four times the night Debe Atrops went missing in November 1988, but he never called her apartment. / Credit: Family photo

Bob didn't tell police Debe lived in Salem until the next day. Even more incriminating, prosecutors say, is the fact that Bob Atrops did not call Debe the night she went missing -- or ever.

Chris Lewman: He never called her apartment.

Allison Brown:  that would've been the first phone call, right?  Someone hasn't showed up. You're expecting them. You call them.

Natalie Morales: Mm.

Allison Brown:  not only was that not the first phone call, but he never made that phone call at all.

At trial, prosecutors played Bob's interview with investigators in 2022 where he explained why he didn't ever make that call.

DET. CAREY: Did you ever call Debe's place?

BOB ATROPS: Her house? No ... I didn't even consider that as an option ...

DET. CAREY: So, let me rephrase and correct me if I'm right, you never considered calling the place she lives?

BOB ATROPS: Not when she was supposed to be in our vicinity, no.

Prosecutors also want the jury to hear more about the troubles in Bob and Debe's marriage. Debe's friend Christy Knapp testified to an encounter with Bob at his house, soon after Debe moved out.

CHRISTY KNAPP (court audio): We went there to get some serving dishes. ... We walked into the entry, and he just started freaking out and screaming. ... He seemed really, really tall, and really scary. ... It was terrifying.

Another friend, Tami Nelsen, told police in 1988 Debe had confided in her that Bob Atrops had choked her in a violent confrontation shortly before she moved out. Nelsen told the jury Debe was still worried about Bob after their separation.

ALLISON BROWN (court audio): What did she say she was concerned about?

TAMI NELSEN: Well, she was concerned that he'd kill her. ... And I thought she was teasing to begin with  you know, or she was being dramatic.

ALLISON BROWN: Yeah.

TAMI NELSEN: And so, I turned around and I looked at her, and I saw that she was genuinely scared.

Nelsen had also told police in 1988 that a few months before her murder, Debe was worried about Bob finding out about her relationship with John Pearson. Nelsen later told the cold case team Debe had said, "If anything happens to me Bob did it."

Allison Brown: Debe is predicting her own murder. She is telling friends and family if he finds out about this, he will kill me.

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.

Allison Brown: And she was right.

But in their cross-examinations, the defense suggests these stories Debe told are not reliable and they say Debe had a history of making up false tales.

April Yates: She had told different stories to different people, and these things were verifiably not true.

Some of Debe's friends say she did tell questionable stories, often about her health. Darlene says she thought Debe might have done it for attention.

Darlene Lufkin: One time she said that she went to work out  her stomach flipped or something and she had to go get emergency help with it  It didn't seem real to me.

Attorney April Yates says there is a simple explanation for why Bob Atrops didn't call Debe that nighthe had spoken to her stepfather, Ed Holland.

April Yates: Ed told Bob that he had been by Debe's apartment  and she wasn't home.  There was no reason for Bob to call.

April Yates: And the next morning, Debe's parents went to her apartment again, as did law enforcement, so there was no reason for Bob to call or go there. The fact that the state is trying to make something out of that  it's a red herring.

During trial, the babysitter and Debe's stepfather testified that Bob had called them the night Debe went missing, which supports Bob's story. Attorney Stephanie Pollan says the best explanation for why those so-called missing calls weren't on his phone bill is that the billing equipment was faulty.

Stephanie Pollan: We found the engineer  and he testified that this equipment failed all the time.

But the cold case team believes Bob made those calls while he was out of the house, getting rid of evidence, to help him create a false alibi. And they say it was impossible to check every payphone in the area back in 1988.

Allison Brown: What was significant is he's not where he said he was, he's not at home. Why would he lie about where he was that night?

While the state emphasized the link between the mud on Debe's tire and the soil from Bob Atrops' front yard, the defense says that this soil is everywhere in the region and is as common as  dirt.

April Yates: This soil is everywhere.  My yard, her yard, the DA's yard. It doesn't make us suspects in a murder.

Back in 1988 police didn't collect mud from Jeff Freeburg's property, or John Pearson's. They only took samples from where Debe's car was found and from Bob Atrops' driveway and lawn. Then there was the matter of the DNA from Debe's coat.

April Yates:  the DNA in this case doesn't tell the jury anything about who killed Debe Atrops.

Attorney Yates points out that the amount of DNA on Debe's coat that the lab had said could be consistent with Bob Atrops was minisculethe equivalent of about six skin cells.

April Yates: And this very low level of DNA is consistent with something called transfer DNA  People who have babies and shared custody transfer DNA all the time.

Natalie Morales: So, in your opinion, this DNA was not strong evidence?

April Yates: This DNA was not only not strong evidenceit doesn't mean anything.

The defense argues there is a much more important DNA result from Debe's autopsy.

Janis Puracal: One of the very first items that the lab tested for DNA were vaginal swabs taken from the autopsy.

Attorney Janis Puracal specializes in evidence that can lead to wrongful convictions. She says the DNA from Debe's autopsy does not point to Bob Atrops.

Janis Puracal: The semen came from John Pearson.  and the likelihood ratio  is 94.6 sextillion.  it's an enormous number.

Attorney Janis Puracal says the DNA from Debe Atrops' autopsy points to John Pearson  not Bob Atrops. / Credit: Prineville, Arizona, Police Department

And she points out Pearson's DNA at autopsy contradicts his statement to police from 2022.

Janis Puracal: John Pearson told law enforcement that he did not have sexual contact with Debe Atrops in the 72 hours before she was murdered, and definitely not on the day that she was murdered. But they found that semen  two days later, at the autopsy. Everything is telling us that that  was most likely deposited on the day that she was murdered.

And the defense reminds the jury, John Pearson was avoiding the cold case team in the months leading up to his suicide. In its closing statement, the defense says the state just doesn't have enough to make its case against Bob Atrops.

But prosecutors argue all of the pieces point in one direction -- to Bob Atrops.

Allison Brown: Like you hear: motive, means and opportunity, he had it all.

Now, after two weeks of testimony, it is time for the jury to decide.

Allison Brown: We didn't know if that would be enough or not.  it's incredibly nerve-wracking.

"WE ARE GRIEVING SOMEONE THAT IS STILL ALIVE"

Natalie Morales: What did you think before the jury left to go deliberate? Did you feel confident?

Rhianna Stephens: I didn't feel confident. I just because of the fear of the unknown.  I don't feel like any evidence was actually given that proves my dad did this.  because he didn't. There is no evidence that he did this.

On April 17, 2025, the jury reached a decision.

Stephanie Pollan: It was six hours that they were deliberating.  we thought that that was a quick verdict and that could be a good thing.

JUDGE OSCAR GARCIA (court audio): My understanding, the jury has a verdict in this case. Is that correct?

FOREPERSON: Correct. 

JUDGE OSCAR GARCIA: To the charge of murder in the second degree, the jury has found the defendant guilty.

Guilty. Thirty-seven years after her death, Robert Atrops was found guilty of murdering Debe Atrops.

April Yates: It was like the room went dead silent  and everything was still in that moment.

Rhianna Stephens: We all crumbled. We are grieving someone that is still alive. 

Natalie Morales: Were you able to say anything to your father in that moment right after?

Rhianna Stephens: No. I 

Natalie Morales: Hug him, nothing?

Rhianna Stephens: I haven't been able to hug my dad in over two years.

April Yates: We had so many family and friends of Bob behind us.  It was really hard, for them especially, to see this happen to their loved one.

Natalie Morales: I could see it's hard for you, too.

April Yates: It is hard. It's hard to have an innocent client get convicted.

Prosecutors say they are glad that justice was served.

Natalie Morales: This case took 37 years to finally be resolved. Are you satisfied that we know the truth about what happened to Debe Atrops?

Allison Brown: Yeah, absolutely  There's no other people  no other suspects, no one else with the motive.  We feel absolutely a hundred percent sure that he's the one who committed this crime.

Prosecutors are confident the investigation proved the other men in Debe's life, including Jeff Freeburg, were not involved in her murder. Freeburg declined "48 Hours"' request to comment on the case.

Allison Brown: There just really wasn't any information that pointed in the direction of Jeff Freeburg  he gave his DNA freely  There really just wasn't any motive, evidence, or anything else that caused him to be a significant suspect.

And, they say, John Pearson's suicide was an unrelated tragedy.

Chris Lewman: He had an open criminal case I believe he thought they were there to arrest him for this misdemeanor warrant and took his life.

Allison Brown: There was quite a bit of investigation that was done by our detective after he committed suicide to show it had nothing to do with guilt for Debe's murder.

When "48 Hours" reached out in 2025, Pearson's lawyer declined to comment on the case. Prosecutors say Pearson's family told them he had wanted to testify at Bob's trial.

Chris Lewman: I thought that it would be important for him to  relay all the things he knew, including those statements that Debe made back in 1988, that  Bob's going to kill me if he finds out about us.

As for the defense's argument that Debe had a history of making up stories, prosecutors say this is unfortunately consistent with life inside an abusive relationship.

Allison Brown: When someone's going through a domestic violence situation, they are in a way living a lie.

Natalie Morales: Bob's side of the courtroom  was full.  Did that strike you as interesting?

Allison Brown: It depends on the case.

Chris Lewman: Yeah, I mean, I think he had a large support system and it's not uncommon for people  in a domestic abuse situation to kind of go unknown as a DV abuser  And I think Bob was good at that. I mean, he was a salesman.

After all these years, Darlene Lufkin says she thinks the jury got it right.

Darlene Lufkin: I had my suspicions all along 

Natalie Morales: You believed that that was the right verdict?

Darlene Lufkin: I do.  I just feel that the question's been answered now.

At her father's sentencing in July 2025, Rhianna Stephens made an emotional appeal for leniency.

With Bob Atrops at her side, an emotional Rhianna Stephens addresses the judge at her father's sentencing. / Credit: CBS News

RHIANNA STEPHENS (in court): When I was 8 months old, someone robbed me of getting to have a life with my mom, there to support my every milestone. ... Thirty-six years later, I'm being robbed of my father, the man that was there for all of those milestones. ... I need him in my life.

Attorney Pollan read a letter from Bob Atrops' current wife who has been married to him since 2011.

STEPHANIE POLLAN (reading letter in court): "My husband has always been a devoted and loving father to his daughter."

Despite these appeals, the judge sentenced Robert Atrops to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

Natalie Morales: When you lost your mom at a young age, and you said, now you grieve your dad who's still alive, how do you make sense of what's happening?

Rhianna Stephens: I can't make sense of what's happening. I just have to live through it and keep fighting.

Home video of Debe Atrops and her daughter Rhianna. / Credit: Ed Holland

Darlene Lufkin: She truly loved Rhianna 

Natalie Morales: What do you want people to know about your friend, Debe?

Darlene Lufkin: That she didn't deserve this  that she was a light that should still be here.

Natalie Morales: Do you think about your mother now?

Rhianna Stephens: I do think about her. I wonder what life would've been like.  had I gotten to live  my whole life, grow up having my mom.

Robert Atrops will be eligible for parole in 2048. He will be 93 years old.

Produced by Sarah Prior. Ken Blum and Grayce Arlotta-Berner are the editors. Chelsea Narvaez is the field producer. Rebecca Laflam is the associate producer. Danielle Austen, Cindy Cesare, and Sara Ely Hulse are the development producers. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer.

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Significant accumulations of snow and ice throughout Delaware are keeping students home for an extra day.

A state of emergency is in effect for a storm that dropped 6 inches in parts of Kent and New Castle County. The snow gave way to sleet and rain quicker in Sussex County. Now, schools in Delaware are calling off school in anticipation of a cold, icy and dangerous morning commute.

Live blog: Delaware winter storm updates. Meyer issues driving restrictions

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Instant snow?: Can boiling water make instant snow in Delawares cold ? Probably not

The county-by-county breakdown of public school districts going remote or cancelling class on Jan. 26 in general:

New Castle County

Christina- All schools closed.

Colonial- All schools closed.

Red Clay- Scheduled day off on Jan. 26 for educator in-service.

Brandywine- Closed on Jan. 26, students not going to school on Jan. 27 because of a scheduled professional responsibilities day.

Appoquinimink- All schools closed.

Vo-Techs: All schools closed.

Kent County

Smyrna- All schools closed.

Caesar Rodney- All schools closed.

Capital- All schools closed.

Lake Forest- All schools closed.

Polytech- All schools closed.

Sussex County

Milford- All schools closed.

Cape Henlopen- All schools closed.

Indian River- All schools closed.

Laurel- All schools closed.

Delmar- All schools closed.

Woodbridge- All schools closed.

Seaford- Scheduled day off for professional development day.

Sussex Tech- Remote learning.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Which schools are closed in Delaware after winter storm
One of Congress loudest climate hawks is trying to fend off a push within his party to abandon calls to combat climate change as left-leaning agenda-setters are plotting to reclaim both chambers of Congress in the midterms.

"Theres a thing out there called a climate husher,' Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, posted as part of a long social media thread last week.

Anyone who cares about what fossil fuel pollution is doing to Earths natural systems needs to ignore these so-called climate hushers  people who think Dems should stop talking about climate, he said.

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In a later interview about his posts, Whitehouse warned these climate hushers have also made their way into strategy conversations on Capitol Hill. He noted hes been present for some of them, which he described as polling presentations made to the Senate Democratic Caucus in a so-called strategy retreat that didnt ask about climate change  Theres this massive blind spot.

In recent years, Democrats have been handwringing over the best messaging on environmental issues to reach an electorate that cares about kitchen table matters  and doesnt uniformly consider the rapidly warming planet to be one of them. Environmentalists made a strong argument during the 2024 presidential campaign that the climate crisis should be a motivator in electing Kamala Harris  but the contest went to Donald Trump.

Now Democrats are increasingly showing they have decided its a losing message to tout the ways in which theyd curb fossil fuel production to thwart the most dire effects of climate change. Instead, theyre choosing to focus on policies that would lower energy costs and lean hard into affordability talking points embraced by Trump and congressional Republicans.

Whitehouse understands the importance of talking about affordability  for years hes spoken about the climate crisis as a threat to the global economy.

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His social media thread notes that people are feeling the economic burdens of climate change throughout the country, from home insurance hikes to drops in property values.

That's the message Democrats should lean into, he said, rather than shy away from.

When leaders dont talk about something, enthusiasm falls among voters, Whitehouse wrote in his post. In politics, you can often make your own wind, or you can make your own doldrums.

This is something Democrats are grappling with on Capitol Hill. Interviews with a half dozen House and Senate Democrats revealed how many are still struggling with how to discuss climate change, a problem they consider existential but that doesnt register among voters top immediate concerns.

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Some are talking nearly exclusively about competitive prices for clean energy  largely in hopes of beating Republicans at their own messaging game.

My theory of the case is that the argument that Ive been making for 30 years is finally breaking through, said Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), a former clean energy professional.

The urgency of climate change means that we have to focus on it especially when its not as salient with the American people, if we are to be the leaders we claim to be, he added. But I think thats largely a separable conversation from what is the best way to talk about it in any given moment, that has the most ability to move public opinion.

Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, who is on track to be the next Senate Democratic whip, has a similar perspective.

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Last year, he removed climate hawk, along with other self-descriptions, from his bio on X. And during an event this fall affiliated with New York Climate Week, he said that those of us in the climate community who are used to making a more broad argument about where we are in the sweep of history have to get comfortable making a more immediate argument that says the reason prices are going up is a deliberate policy choice of the Republican Party.

Schatz said in a statement last week that he and Whitehouse were united in their ideas around climate action, but he also doubled down on the importance of affordability messaging at this time.

There are think tanks and advocacy organizations that are dedicated to the proposition that climate action is incompatible with affordable energy, but those factional rivalries have been overtaken by events, Schatz said. Cheap is clean, and clean is cheap.

Recent actions from the Democrats Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, or SEEC  of which Casten is vice-chair  have also focused squarely on energy costs and the ability of clean energy to lower Americans bills.

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At a SEEC press conference earlier this month meant to respond to the last year of energy and environment policy under President Donald Trump, a roster of climate-focused Democrats spoke nearly exclusively about energy prices. Trump lied; Energy costs are up, read the main sign at the presser.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, said in an interview that Democrats need to focus on energy prices because Trump has used that as a justification for executive actions that bolster oil and gas.

People, when they see the ways in which the energy policies that are serving big oil are hurting their pocketbooks, it makes it more tangible for why folks should care, in addition to the welfare of the planet, Stansbury said.

Meanwhile, Republicans have picked up on the Democrats shift in talking points and have used it to their advantage.

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You actually see on the left, this debate going on right now, where a lot of people within the Democratic Party, they are talking about how theyve lost the narrative, or the culture war, on climate, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on Fox Business this month.

Left-leaning thinkers and independent analysts have also argued that Democrats may have gone too far in following the lead of environmental groups they say were out of touch with most Americans.

Columnist Matt Yglesias argued in a New York Times op-ed that Democrats should not be hostile to oil and gas. Longtime energy expert Daniel Yergin wrote in Foreign Affairs about the  troubled energy transition  and the need for a pragmatic path forward. And Veteran Democratic operative Adam Jentleson started the think tank the Searchlight Institute to curb the influence of the groups on party positions, including climate.

Rep. Kathy Castor of Florida, the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerces Energy Subcommittee, downplayed the notion that congressional Democrats were at odds over how to message on climate change. Talking about affordability need not negate the focus on the impact of climate change, she said.

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I think they are one in the same, Castor said. Take my community in Florida. Were still recovering from Hurricane Helen and Milton and people understand that those storms were supercharged because the Gulf was very, very hot, very warm. And the rain was unlike anything weve ever seen. So they are trying to afford rebuilding their homes and paying their property insurance and also suffering higher rate increases.

Whitehouse in an interview acknowledged some shortcomings to Democrats past depictions of climate change as sort of a moral imperative, as an intangible thing floating out there, something that will affect polar bears, but said the solution wasnt to be silent in calling out the harmful impacts of fossil fuel emissions and the influence of oil and gas companies on Trump administration policy.

Ultimately, there's only so much he can do to press his case. In recent months he has organized forums on climate change as the senior Democrat on the Environment and Public Works panel, toured red states to talk about rising insurance rates related to natural disasters spurred by global warming and said he has commissioned his own polling on the issue.

Those activities, plus delivering speeches and crafting social media posts, are among the limits of what he can achieve with his party in the minority and his colleagues making their own messaging choices.

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He isn't giving up.

Democrats and environmental groups climate messaging for years has been crap, and so if you go back to that crap messaging, obviously its not going to succeed, Whitehouse said. But that doesnt mean that the alternative is to throw in the towel.

Andres Picon and Timothy Cama contributed to this report.
The Thurston County Sheriffs Office says deputies captured a suspect wanted for taking money from the Cowlitz Tribe after a long chase in Grand Mound.

The suspect is accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from the tribe. Deputies attempted to stop him after seeing him speed through a busy intersection at Old Highway 99 and Highway 12 with a passenger in the vehicle.

The driver failed to stop and fled from police.

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At one point, he sped past two school buses.

Deputies later found the truck in a private driveway, where it crashed into a field. Cowlitz Tribal Police alerted deputies that they had probable cause to arrest both occupants of the truck for embezzlement.

The passenger was later found in a nearby yard. Deputies eventually found the driver with the help of K9 Igo, K9 Track, and a Washington State Patrol airplane.

He was located on a steep hillside near a creek.

Deputies obtained a warrant to search the truck and found a ziplock bag containing methamphetamine, an AR-15, a handgun without a serial number, and drug paraphernalia.

Both suspects were turned over to the Cowlitz Tribal Police.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to profoundly reshape global labour markets by the end of the decade, with outcomes ranging from productivity booms to widespread job displacement, according to a new World Economic Forum (WEF) white paper released this month. In Four Futures for Jobs in the New Economy: AI and Talent in 2030, the Forum outlined four plausible scenarios for how AI advancement and workforce readiness could interact to transform jobs, value chains and economic growth. The report drew insights from the Forum's Chief Strategy Officers Community and global foresight experts. Survey data cited in the paper highlighted deep uncertainty among business leaders. Around 54 per cent of executives globally expect AI to displace existing jobs, while only 24 per cent believe it will create new ones. Nearly 45 per cent anticipate rising profit margins from AI adoption, but just 12 per cent expect higher wages, suggesting productivity gains may not translate evenly into higher wages for workers. The Forum stressed that technology alone will not determine the future of work. "The future of workplaces and value chains will not be defined by the technologies alone. Human capital strategies and investments prioritised today will determine how well societies and individual businesses can adapt to - and lead in - the new economy," the report read. The four scenarios range from Supercharged Progress, where rapid AI breakthroughs fuel innovation and new occupations, to The Age of Displacement, in which automation outpaces reskilling efforts, leading to rising unemployment and social instability. Two other futures envision slower or more uneven progress: the Co-Pilot Economy, where AI primarily augments human work, and Stalled Progress, marked by skills shortages, patchy productivity gains and widening inequality Across all scenarios, the report emphasised foresight as a strategic tool rather than a prediction exercise. The white paper was part of the World Economic Forum's Scenarios for the Global Economy Dialogue Series, which aims to help decision-makers navigate complex global transitions through structured scenario analysis and cross-industry dialogue. As AI moves rapidly from experimentation to integration, the Forum concludes, the choices made by businesses and policymakers in the next few years will play a decisive role in shaping whether AI becomes a driver of shared prosperity, or otherwise. (ANI)
Indian Rocks Beach city commissioners voted 5-0 on Jan. 13 to approve a paid parking pilot program, moving forward despite weeks of public opposition to a plan that would charge nonresidents $4.50 per hour at 182 beach access spots.

Five weeks separated the final Indian Rocks Beach City Commission meeting of 2025 and the first one of the new year, giving residents and visitors plenty of time to vent their frustrations over the boards plan to implement paid parking on the island.

Social and traditional media was flooded with criticism of the decision to shed the citys distinction as the only barrier island community in Pinellas County that doesnt charge for public beach parking. The six-month test program would require nonresidents to pay via an app to park at the citys beach access spots. Residents would still park free anywhere in the city using a window decal.

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By the time the commission reconvened, it seemed like everyone who had ever stepped foot on Indian Rocks Beachs shoreline had weighed in, with most voicing displeasure.

Nevertheless, the commission approved the ordinance on first reading, modifying the enforcement hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., as originally proposed, to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with no exceptions for seniors, military members or students.

The five board members also approved the resolution setting the $4.50 hourly charge via a parking app and unanimously agreed to levy $100 fines for violators.

Both items are expected to have second and final readings at the next City Commission meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 10.

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This is something our community has been talking about for years, and there simply havent been any easy answers, Beth McMullen said during public discussion of the ordinance establishing guidelines for paid metered parking at beach spots.

For that reason, I appreciate the councils willingness to move forward and take action, even though it will be disappointing to many.

Although the subject has been discussed for years and every other Gulf Coast community in the county charges visitors to park, the prospect of Indian Rocks Beach ditching the popular free amenity was mostly met with disdain.

I strongly object to imposing parking fees, said resident Mike Campbell, one of more than two dozen who spoke during the hourlong public comment period. Going to the beach is one of the few things that everybody can do, he said, noting not everyone can afford what could cost $18 per day to park.

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Once you start charging for parking, the businesses are going to get hurt, said Amy McPherson.

But those concerns, along with ones regarding enforcement and the inevitable overflow of cars into residential neighborhoods, ultimately took a back seat to the citys need for revenue to help with beach maintenance and upkeep.

Weve run the numbers conservatively on what we would receive on paid parking at 182 parking spots in the city of Indian Rocks Beach, and its conservatively over $1 million, City Manager Ryan Henderson said. He also dispelled the rumor the figure was closer to $100,000, which he said represented the amount to be gained from the county lot at 17th Avenue raising its fee from $2.50 to $4.50 to align with the citys plan.

So were talking about a much bigger number, he said.

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Henderson, who was hired to succeed Gregg Mims in the summer and started in November, took heat online for proposing a pilot paid parking program so soon in his tenure, although the topic was most recently raised by Mims in summer 2024 and again last October before Henderson was sworn in.

The former Anna, Texas, city manager explained how staff chose the beach accesses for the pilot program.

There are over 300 paid parking spots in Indian Rocks Beach, Henderson said. So what I asked the commission to consider in December is to allow us to do a pilot program where we focus on about half of those, which would be the beach access points, for consistency purposes and for enforcement purposes.

He said should the city decide to expand the program, the ordinance would have to be amended.

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Commissioner Jude Bond said despite the money the city stands to gain, the move to charge visitors for parking is not a public money grab, noting it came from concerns of traffic and parking congestion. And this is a way of managing that.

Bond, who recently announced he would not seek another term in March, added the program is us trying to protect our environment. The cash is just a nice side effect.

Henderson also refuted another common complaint that the city was charging visitors to use its beach.

This is not a fee to use the beach, he said. Its a fee to use Indian Rocks Beach-maintained parking spots.

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Mayor Denise Houseberg didnt think the debate was over.

I get the sense that this thing is yet to unfold, Houseberg told Beacon Media via text a few days later, noting she heard more pushback on the issue after the three-hour meeting Jan. 13.

Houseberg, who is seeking reelection to a second term in March, said she planned to work with Henderson and staff to spread the word on areas in IRB where free parking still exists, citing the other 120 free public parking spots at places like Kolb Park that are not covered in the proposed pilot program.

She also said they plan to allow visitors to park at City Hall on evenings and weekends.
Hours after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis protester Renee Good on January 7, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said Good was engaged in "domestic terrorism" because she had "weaponize[d] her vehicle" and "attempted to run a law enforcement officer over." Noem averred that Good therefore posed a potentially deadly threat to Ross, "the other officers around him," and the general public, which she said justified Ross' "defensive shots."

After U.S. Border Patrol agents fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti on Saturday, Noem likewise portrayed that use of deadly force as obviously justified. "This individual went and impeded their law enforcement operations, attacked those officers, had a weapon on him, and [had] dozens of rounds of ammunition" in two magazines, she said. Pretti, Noem claimed, was "wishing to inflict harm on these officers" by "brandishing [a gun] like that and impeding their work that they were doing." Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino drew a similar picture, saying "this looks like a situation where the individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement."

In both cases, video evidence immediately contradicted what Noem and other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials had said. The footage suggested that Good was not deliberately trying to run Ross down and that Prettian ICU nurse who, like Good, was a U.S. citizen with no criminal recordneither assaulted Border Patrol agents nor threatened them with his handgun, which he was licensed to carry. And in both cases, DHS promised a thorough internal investigation, the outcome of which Noem had already prejudged.

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These misleading DHS claims are part of a persistent pattern. "In case after case" across the country, Reason's C.J. Ciaramella noted in October, DHS has shown "a willingness to put false information out to the public and never correct it." Those self-justifying statements suggest that DHS cannot be trusted to tell the truth about its employees' use of force, let alone to ascertain whether it was justified based on a careful and dispassionate consideration of the circumstances.

Bovino illustrated the department's habitual obfuscation and slipperiness during an interview with CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday. Although Noem asserted that Pretti was "brandishing" his pistol, Bash noted, "multiple angles of this incident show him holding up a cell phone and recording it, not a gun." Did Pretti "at any point pull out his weapon?" she asked.

Bovino did not want to answer that question, and the reason seems clear. The videos indicate that the Border Patrol agents did not see the gun until after they tackled Pretti, who apparently provoked their ire by intervening to help a protester whom they had pepper-sprayed and pushed to the ground. After the agents grab and restrain Pretti, someone can be heard saying "gun, gun, gun," and an agent can be seen removing what looks like the pistol that DHS says Pretti was carrying.

Only then do the agents shoot Pretti. They first shoot him in the back at close range as he is kneeling, then fire more rounds into his prone body after he collapses on the pavement. The New York Times reports that "at least 10 shots appear to have been fired within five seconds."

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In the face of that evidence, Bovino neither confirmed nor denied his boss's claim that Pretti was "brandishing" a gun. Instead he said, "We do know that the suspect did bring a weapon, a loaded 9-millimeter, high-capacity handgun, to a riot." That answer included several tendentious labels, describing Pretti as "the suspect," a handgun with a standard magazine as "high capacity," and the situation the agents faced as "a riot." But it notably did not include any clarification of whether Pretti ever drew the gun or tried to do so.

Bash asked whether it was reasonable to view Pretti as a threat simply because he was exercising "his Second Amendment right" to bear arms in compliance with state and local law. "We respect that Second Amendment right," Bovino replied, but "those rights don't count when you riot and assault, delay, obstruct, and impede law enforcement officers, and most especially when you mean to do that beforehand."

Bash wondered how Bovino knew that was Pretti's intent. "When you show up to an active crime scene, don't leave the crime scene, and you're armed," he said, "the decision-making process for that individual doesn't seem to be very good."

According to Bovino, the Border Patrol agents were in the process of detaining "a violent illegal alien" when Pretti showed up. That arrest had attracted the attention of several protesters. Pretti, who initially used his cellphone to record the agents' interaction with those people, evidently was moved to intervene when the agents began wielding their pepper spray. He can be seen holding his cellphone in one hand while trying to block the pepper spray with the other.

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As Bovino sees it, Pretti thereby was "actively impeding and assaulting law enforcement." He cited 18 USC 111, which applies to someone who "forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates, or interferes with" federal law enforcement officers who are engaged in "the performance of official duties." But the videos do not show Pretti "forcibly" doing anything, let alone "assaulting law enforcement," before the agents decide to take him down.

"Where did he assault [a] federal officer in any of the video that you have seen?" Bash asked. "It looked to us from every angle, sir, that he was approached by them when he was helping another individual who was pushed down. What evidence do you have that he was assaulting any law enforcement?"

Again, Bovino did not want to answer the question. "Dana, we don't need a suspect's help in an active law enforcement scene," he said. "We don't need his help. We didn't ask his help."

Noting that Bovino kept describing Pretti as a "suspect," Bash asked, "What [was] he suspected of?" Bovino implied that the suspected offense was a violation of 18 USC 111. "He knew that was an active law enforcement scene, especially when the officers approached him and it was very evident he did not need to be where he was," Bovino said. "And he decided on his own to stay there."

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Even if Pretti's nonviolent conduct could be interpreted as "forcibly" impeding federal law enforcement, that is a far cry from Bovino's statement on Saturday that "this looks like a situation where the individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement." Bash asked Bovino to explain the basis for that statement.

"What evidence do you have that he wanted to massacre law enforcement?" Bash wondered. "It doesn't look anything like he's trying to massacre law enforcement. In fact, he was filming, and then it looked like he was trying to help another individual there who was pushed down by law enforcement, and then they went after him."

Once again, Bovino dodged the question. "I believe that the fantastic training that our law enforcement partners have, the fact that they're highly trained, prevented any specific shootings of law enforcement," he said. Was Pretti "simply walking by and just happened to walk into a law enforcement situation," he wondered, "or was he there for a reason?"

The reason, Bovino suggested, might have been that Pretti had been swayed by anti-DHS rhetoric "trying to portray Border Patrol agents and ICE agents as Gestapo, Nazi, and many other words." In light of what DHS critics such as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey had been saying, Bovino suggested, it was reasonable to ask, "Did this individual fall victim, as many others have, to that type of heated rhetoric?"

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Bovino's assertion that Pretti seemed to be bent on mass murder, in other words, was based on nothing but sheer speculation, combined with the fact that Pretti was legally armeda fact that the Border Patrol agents did not discover until after they tackled him. That leap gives you a sense of how reckless DHS officials can be when they try to justify the use of deadly force.

Whatever Pretti's intent, Bovino implied, he had it coming because he had made bad choices. If you want to stay alive, he said, you should not "inject yourself knowingly beforehand into a law enforcement situation."

When Bash observed that "it feels as though in some ways you're blaming the victim here," Bovino corrected her: "The victims are the Border Patrol agents. I'm not blaming the Border Patrol agents. The victim[s] are the Border Patrol agents. The suspect put himself in that situation. The victims are the Border Patrol agents there."

Even as he repeatedly asserted that the agents did nothing wrong and that the blame for Pretti's death falls squarely on him, Bovino also repeatedly cautioned against making premature judgments based on the evidence available so far. "Let's don't freeze-frame adjudicate this now," he said. "That's why we have investigators. That's why we have an investigation that is going to answer those questions. How many shots were fired? Who fired shots?Where were the guns located? All those questions are going to be answered in the investigation."

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As in the Good case, however, we cannot have any confidence that an internal investigation by the same department that has preemptively exonerated its employees will clarify the circumstances that led to the use of lethal force. "There must be a thorough and impartial investigation into yesterday's Minneapolis shooting, which is the basic standard that law enforcement and the American people expect following any officer-involved shooting," Sen. Thom Tillis (RN.C.) said in an X post on Sunday. "For this specific incident, that requires cooperation and transparency between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Any administration official who rushes to judgment and tries to shut down an investigation before it begins [is] doing an incredible disservice to the nation and to President Trump's legacy."

On Saturday night, U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud, a Trump appointee, issued a temporary restraining order barring DHS from "destroying or altering evidence" related to Pretti's death, including "evidence that Defendants and those working on their behalf removed from the scene and/or evidence that Defendants have taken into their exclusive custody." Tostrud was responding to a request from Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which was cut out of the Good investigation and complains that DHS likewise prevented it from examining the scene of the Pretti shooting. The need for such an order speaks volumes about the trustworthiness of a department that has consistently sacrificed transparency and accountability on the altar of self-justification.

The post DHS Again Promises a Thorough Investigation of a Fatal Shooting After Prejudging the Outcome appeared first on Reason.com.
A woman who was found asleep in her vehicle was arrested after what a deputy said they smelled in her vehicle.

Crisp County Sheriffs Office said Mykera Jones, a 26-year-old woman from Dawson, Ga., fled from a deputy during a traffic stop on Wednesday at about 3:45 p.m. The pursuit ended with her arrest at a gas station in Worth County.

The sheriffs office said a deputy found Jones asleep in her vehicle, which had its emergency flashers activated. The deputy, detecting the smell of marijuana, asked her to exit the vehicle. Instead, she took off southbound on Old Albany Road.

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The Warwick Police Department helped find Jones at a local gas station in Worth County.

A vehicle search revealed suspected narcotics, a large amount of U.S. currency, multiple debit cards belonging to different individuals, several cell phones, blank checks, a laptop and a firearm with ammunition, authorities said.

Jones was taken to the Crisp County Jail where she faces multiple charges related to this incident. She is now facing several charges, including fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, three counts of financial transaction card theft, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance and driving under the influence, among others.

Police said she had several outstanding warrants.

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Des Moines school district leaders' plans to transform a deteriorating elementary school into an arts academy could be stalled  or denied  as city leaders say the building is ripe for historic landmark status.

Des Moines Public Schools officials and supporters rejoiced in November when school district voters decisively passed the $265 million bond to fund a multi-year overhaul of the district, updating its buildings, technology and programs.

School district leaders intend to demolish the century-old Moulton Elementary School, 1541 Eighth St., as part of the plan. In its place, Moulton, which has long focused on the arts, including student plays, a new building would become the Moulton Arts Academy, a performing and visual arts school.

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Principal Eddie McCulley previously told the Des Moines Register that beautification efforts on the school have been like "putting lipstick on a pig." Paint alone cannot fix the building's many problems, including a leaking roof and windows, McCulley said, adding the school's overhaul would allow "us to really stretch and really become even more creative, even more colorful, even more powerful."

But the school district's efforts could be halted by Des Moines city leaders, who say the school's building, with its local historic value and distinct architecture, could qualify for landmark designation.

It's up to the Des Moines City Council to decide whether to refer the district's request to demolish Moulton to the city's Historic Preservation Commission or allow the district to knock the building down as planned. The commission, made up of 12 members, makes recommendations on the city's historic properties, including whether to list a historic district or site in the National Register of Historic Places.

Buildings with a local landmark designation are subject to local design review and demolition restrictions under the historic preservation plan, Reflect DSM.

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City Council members are set to take up the decision at their meeting Monday, Jan. 26.

The Reimagining Education, Reinvigorating Schools team, including architects, are aware of the city's process, including considering whether the building should be preserved, Des Moines Public Schools spokesperson Phil Roeder said in an email.

"We will await their official decision, of course, and whatever that is we remain confident that Moulton will be one of the signature projects of our Reimagining Education initiative," Roeder wrote.

Moulton meets historic landmark criteria, Des Moines says

The school building meets several of Des Moines' landmark designation criteria, according to a council memo.

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The school was built in 1914 as North High School, until the current North High, 501 Holcomb Ave, was constructed in the 1950s.

Moulton reflects a simplified century revival architecture with elements of Tudor Revival, which are similar to styles of other Des Moines schools built at the time, including Lincoln and Roosevelt high schools, according to the council memo. The school was eventually renamed in honor of Emma Case Moulton, a retired teacher who taught there when it was North High.

Moulton also has undergone multiple renovations over the decades, the memo states, which includes a more recent 2000 addition.

More: Des Moines Public Schools wins 'decisive victory' as voters pass $265 million bond

What could happen next?

Should council members approve the building's demolition, the school district would have to document and photograph inside and outside and provide the record to the city, the memo states. The district also would have to salvage as many fixtures and materials as possible.

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If council members decide to send the proposal to the Historic Preservation Commission, the group would meet within 90 days to consider the building's landmark designation and work with the district on next steps.

Artwork plasters the hallways at Moulton Elementary on Oct. 28, 2025, in Des Moines.

According to the memo, the commission could consider alternatives to demolition, including:

Rehabilitating the building using federal or state tax incentives or private funds.

Finding a new use for the building.

Finding another owner for the building.

Incorporating the building into the school district's plans for the site.

Moving the building to another location.

How to participate in the Des Moines City Council meeting

Des Moines City Council meetings are held at Des Moines City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive, at 5 p.m., with proclamations starting at 4:45 p.m.

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Meetings can be streamed on the City of Des Moines' YouTube page at youtube.com/user/CityOfDesMoinesIowa.

The public can request to speak in person at a City Council meeting by filling out an online form at desmoines.rja.revize.com/forms/401. A request to speak must be submitted by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting.

Des Moines Register reporter Samantha Hernandez contributed to this story.

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: DMPS plan to demolish Moulton Elementary School could hit city snag
MSF made the announcement on Saturday, just over three weeks after Israel announced the ban on 37 NGOs from operating in Palestine due to failure to register in time.

As an exceptional measure, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has agreed to provide Israel with a full list of its Palestinian and international staff in order to be able to resume operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

MSF made the announcement on Saturday, just over three weeks since Israel announced the ban on 37 NGOs from operating in Palestine due to failure to register in time. Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli also claimed that security investigations had determined that employees of certain international organizations operating in Gaza were directly involved in terrorist activity.

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MSF initially refused to provide such a list, claiming that it had concerns about the safety of its staff.

However, on Sunday it confirmed that in order to avoid being forced to suspend our operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory from March 1, 2026, and following unreasonable demands to hand over personal information about our staff, it is prepared to share a defined list of Palestinian and international staff names, subject to clear parameters for staff safety.

VIEW OF humanitarian supplies for Gaza, with the logos of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) and World Health Organization, stored at the Egyptian Red Crescent warehouses storing aid, in the Egyptian border town of El-Arish, Egypt, April 8, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/Pool/File Photo)

It added that this move was made following extensive discussions with its Palestinian colleagues and will only be done with the express agreement of the individuals concerned.

MSF stressed that its priority remains the safety of its staff while continuing to provide independent essential healthcare for Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza in dire need. Since January 1, 2026, all arrivals of MSF international staff into Gaza have been denied, and all its supplies have been blocked.

MSF activity in Gaza, West Bank

Israel has knowingly given MSF and our Palestinian colleagues an impossible choice; either we provide this information or abandon the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who need vital medical care.

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MSF says that 15 of its workers have been killed since October 2023.

Israel, however, claims that MSF maintained active ties to designated terrorist organizations and practiced advancing an extreme anti-Israeli narrative under the guise of humanitarian activity.

According to ministry documents viewed exclusively by The Jerusalem Post, an MSF employee in Gaza, Fadi al-Wadiya, was revealed to be a senior operative of Islamic Jihad and an expert in rocket systems, as evidenced in the MSF Belgium report and corroborated by IDF publications. Another staff member, Mahmoud Abu Nejeila, has publicly expressed support for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

The documents also said that, despite repeated and explicit demands, the organization did not provide full transparency regarding the identities, roles, and activities of those individuals.

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This meant that none of the organizations four branches, MSF Spain, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, provided comprehensive staff lists  including details of Palestinian employees  as explicitly mandated by the registration guidelines.

MSF France was also accused of calling for an end to military support to Israel, as well as public support for BDS events.

Under Israels current regulatory framework, licenses can be revoked for the following reasons: participation in efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel, legal warfare against IDF soldiers, Holocaust denial, and denial of the October 7 massacre.

As seen, revocation is explicitly allowed for organizations that are actively pro-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, which MSF is known to be.
To close or not to close school?

This is the decision that school officials face any time the weather looks ominous.

Akron Public school leaders consider several factors when they decide whether to keep the district's 41 schools and community learning centers open, or to declare that its more than 19,000 students should stay home.

This decision, stated Akron Public School officials in a Sunday media release, "is a complete undertaking that requires extensive pre-planning by the senior leadership team." The multiple considerations include evaluating current weather patterns, wind chill factors, road conditions and projected snow accumulation to ensure the safety of the district's students and staff.

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"APS is aware that many of our students find their schools to be warm and safe, while also providing nourishing meals to support the health of our scholars," the media release stated. "We carefully consider these concerns when determining the decision to close."

Akron Public Schools transports 4,200 students to school each day by school buses and vans. However, more than 15,000 students  about 75% of students  walk or rely on personal transportation.

Debra Foulk, executive director of business affairs, emphasized the analytical depth required before a call is made to cancel classes.

"Our process is far more than just looking out the window; its a high-stakes puzzle of data points," Foulk stated. "We are synthesizing real-time reports from city road crews, checking micro-climate temperature shifts across different neighborhoods, and analyzing the timing of snow squalls and wind chill. The complexity lies in the fact that conditions can vary significantly from one side of Akron to the other."

Crews begin working in early morning hours ahead of snow, ice events in Akron

While a decision to close or remain open is often announced in the early morning, planning begins at least a day prior, and physical preparations start well before dawn, the media release stated. APS grounds crews are mobilized as early as 2 a.m. during snow and ice events. These teams work to plow and de-ice hundreds of thousands of square feet of parking lots, while custodians clear the sidewalks and pedestrian areas.

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Inside the school buildings, maintenance teams perform critical checks on mechanical systems, school officials stated in the media release. The teams monitor boilers and HVAC units to ensure that buildings are heated properly and operating efficiently, mitigating any potential weather-related impacts on the infrastructure.

At the same time, the transportation team evaluates road conditions early in the morning to ensure safe navigation for school buses. The school system's district policy requires APS to provide transportation for K-8 students living more than two miles from their school.

Superintendent says student, staff safety comes first

APS Superintendent Mary Outley has to be mindful of the 15,000 students who are not bused to school and must navigate up to two miles of local roads on foot or through other arrangements, the news release noted.She does not make a final decision until she is certain the commute is safe for every child, regardless of how they get to school.

"The safety of our students is always the North Star for every decision we make," Outley said. "We're balancing the safety of thousands of children and staff against the reality that many families depend on school for childcare, meals, and stability. At the end of the day, I have to be able to say that I put student and staff safety first, even when that means erring on the side of caution. It's a weight I take seriously every single time."

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In addition to safety concerns, the district must keep in mind the state's instructional time requirements, according to the media release. The administration keeps a precise track of calamity days to ensure that the total hours of instruction continue to meet the standards set by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Make sure student contact information is up to date to get APS school closure notifications

In the event that schools are closed for any reason, communication is sent directly to families via the district's AllCall automated system. For this system to be effective, families need to ensure their student's contact information is current and accurate.

APS families are encouraged to monitor alerts for weather-related school closures by regularly checking the Akron Public Schools website at akronschools.com and following the official APS social media pages on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron school officials consider many factors to call calamity days
Numerous immigrant-owned businesses closed and boarded up, wary neighbors, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stopping motorists on the streets under the watchful eye of residents who oppose their actions.

This is what a group of Oklahoma City and Tulsa ministers witnessed during a recent trip to Minneapolis made at the invitation of their Minneapolis counterparts.

"It was really an intense time," the Rev. Lori Walke, senior minister of Mayflower Congregational Church-United Church of Christ, said. "It was shocking."

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Walke, along with the Rev. Scott Spencer and the Rev. Kent Doss were part of a group of about 10 local clergy who joined at least 600 spiritual leaders from all over the country in the Minnesota city that has been the site of a highly publicized U.S. Immigration and Enforcement crackdown being countered by growing anti-ICE protests. The anti-ICE demonstrations increased in Minneapolis and other parts of the country in the wake of the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross.

More: Hundreds rally in downtown OKC protesting ICE, shooting of Renee Good

The Rev. Lori Walke, senior pastor of Mayflower Congregational Church UCC, is seen in 2020 at the Oklahoma City church.

"Minneapolis is under occupation and people there are really frightened, and for good reason," Walke said. "At the same time, I will say that it was a church full of hope because there is mass organization of the people in Minnesota for collective care, mutual aid, protection of their neighbors and a clear and obvious, firm stand against ICE."

A national spotlight on Minneapolis

Anti-ICE protests have been growing in Minneapolis and other parts of the country in the wake of the fatal shooting on Jan. 7 of Renee Nicole Good, by an ICE agent Jonathan Ross.

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The Oklahomans said they were able join ICE patrol watch groups as "legal observers" of what was taking place on Lake Street one evening. Walke said they saw ICE agents demand to see the papers of a woman driving down the street. After showing the agents her documentation, she was able to proceed down the street. Walke said after the encounter, the woman told the group of clergy that their presence mattered.

Doss, senior minister of First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City, said he realized how quickly ICE agents are taking action, with detainment occurring in under a minute and people whisked quickly off the streets.

"What was surprising to me wasn't that it happened but that it happened very quickly and somewhat secretively," he said. "ICE is increasingly covert and fast in their operations, which to me, speaks volumes about what they're doing."

More: JD Vance goes to Minneapolis amid ICE backlash, Trump feud with Walz

Scott Spencer [Carla Hinton/The Oklahoman]

Spencer, senior minister of Mosaic Community Church-United Church of Christ, said he went to Minneapolis primarily to listen and learn and also to engage in acts of witness. He learned that many of the Minneapolis faith leaders and their congregations had been working together for years on a variety issues that community members consider important.

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"Hearing the stories of what is happening was gut wrenching," he said.

He said the Oklahoma faith leaders made the trip to learn more about how they, too, can band together to help their immigrant neighbors in their own cities and towns, "especially if we experience an escalation of ICE presence here that results in increased fear and anxiety and confusion."

Doss said he felt the trip was worthwhile because it helped show the Minneapolis spiritual leaders that others across the country care about what is happening in their city.

"The people who were welcoming us, both the staff at the church where we were meeting and some of the people who were meeting with us. were literally moved to tears by the support, because they feel like the struggle is so present and so oppressive for them," Doss said.

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He said the trip also gave visiting clergy a glimpse of what may occur in other places across the country, including their own cities.

"I'm very convinced that this is going to be in everyone's backyard soon and not just in Minnesota," he said.

Walke agreed.

"My sincere hope is that people don't look away from what's happening in Minnesota  so that we can see what's coming," she said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Amid protests, OKC clergy visit Minneapolis, act as witnesses
PANAMA CITY BEACH  Double red flags are flying on the beach today (Jan. 25) which means the water is closed to the public, according to an alert from Bay County Emergency Services.

Multiple weather advisories are in place or upcoming.

A wind advisory is in effect today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, with southwest winds 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph forecast. Also, a tornado watch is in effect until 6 p.m. and a rip current advisory is in effect through late Jan. 26.

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Meanwhile, a cold weather advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Jan. 26 and a freeze watch and extreme cold watch will be in effect 8 p.m. Jan. 26 to 10 a.m. Jan. 27.

"It's a sneaky severe weather threat, because everyone's attention is going to be on the ice and the snow and this, you know, big winter storm," Panhandle Weather meteorologist Chris Smith told the News Herald last week, referencing the storm that is now socking many parts of the United States.

In Bay County, the evening of Jan. 25 is when the cold sets in, with forecasts showing a low of 34, according to the National Weather Service. On Jan. 26, the outlook gets even frostier with a low of 26.

"Long story short, this will be the coldest air of this season," Smith said.

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Wind chills of 13 are possible on Jan. 26 as the arctic air mass makes its way through the region. The weather service is advising residents to protect the "4 Ps": people, pets, plants and pipes.

Cold weather shelter will open in Bay County

An overnight warming shelter, organized by Bay County and Rebuild Bay, has been established at the A.D. Harris Learning Village, 819 E. 11th St., Panama City. It will be open 6 p.m. Jan. 26 through noon Jan. 27, then reopen at 6 p.m. Jan. 27 through noon Jan. 28, according to Bay County Emergency Services.

Readers should keep tabs on that agency's Facebook page for updates.

A tornado watch is issued if tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area.

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The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.

 Live map of current tornado watches

Review and discuss your emergency plans.

Take inventory of your supplies and check your safe room.

Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.

No relief from Bay County's drought expected soon

Outside of severe weather threats and freezing temperatures, Bay County is still squarely within severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The U.S. Geological Survey shows that many creeks and rivers throughout the region are at the lowest estimated streamflow ever measured for this day of the year.

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Many of the waterways that aren't below that threshold are running much below normal, with the exception of Econfina and Holmes creeks, which are running below normal. Although January saw some rain, none of it was drought-busting.

"Right now, we have La Nina, which is typically going to lead to drier conditions across the northern Gulf Coast," Smith said. "So that's why we're not expecting to see a lot of improvement in the drought."

The meteorologist said there's a possibility that the system could shift toward the end of spring into summer, which could lead to a more typical pattern of rain for the region.

Some red tide algae lingering in St. Andrews Bay

Speaking of water, the red tide continues to linger in St Andrews Bay. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found low concentrations of karenia brevis, the red tide algae, in West, North and East bays.

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This is an improvement from the recent FWC samplings that showed medium concentrations of the algae in several spots throughout the water body.

Protecting Florida Together indicates that East Bay and segments of North Bay are not meeting water quality criteria for nitrogen content, an element that can feed algal growth. Water temperatures were measured at 58 in St Andrews Bay and 60 in Panama City Beach.

More on water quality: Will a new pass improve water quality in St Andrews Bay? What we know about East Pass

Yellow flags were flying over Panama City Beach on Jan. 23, indicating moderate surf conditions.

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network-Florida

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Tornado watch in Panama City. FL among several weather hazards today
The announcements come as some foreign airlines have adjusted operations in the region, with the majority of the carriers citing the security situation.

El Al will offer customers who book flights in the next two weeks a free option to cancel for any reason up to 48 hours before departure and receive a full credit voucher, it said Sunday.

Israeli carriers are trying to reassure passengers amid heightened uncertainty and shifting airline schedules, given the threat of war with Iran.

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El Al said it would also reinforce its customer-service call centers starting Monday to assist passengers with existing bookings who want to make changes. Heavy demand could still lead to longer-than-usual wait times, it said.

Under the new El Al service, passengers purchasing new tickets starting on Monday will be able to cancel up to 48 hours before departure and receive a full voucher, with no additional cost at the time of purchase, for two weeks.

The policy would apply to departures and arrivals across El Als network through March 17, excluding LITE fares and bonus tickets, it said. Tickets are available via El Als website and travel agents.

An El Al plane in Ben-Gurion Airport. (credit: REUTERS)

Arkia also announced steps to ease concerns among travelers. Passengers holding flight-only bookings scheduled between January 26 and February 9 will be able to cancel for any reason, without cancellation fees, up to 48 hours before departure and receive an Arkia credit voucher, it said.

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The offer comes in addition to its existing policy of allowing cancellations within 14 days of purchase, subject to Israeli law, it added.

Arkia CEO Oz Berlovitz said the airline has learned lessons from two complex years of security-related disruptions and has upgraded systems, response times, and staffing.

The company has set up a dedicated situation room to make real-time decisions and adjust schedules if needed, prepared an alternative flight plan for changing scenarios, and is ready to add flights to key destinations in Europe and the US if demand or conditions require it, he said.

International airlines trim schedules to Israel

The announcements come as some foreign airlines have adjusted operations in the region. KLM suspended flights to Tel Aviv in recent days amid regional tensions, while other carriers have reduced or shifted night operations, citing operational considerations tied to overnight crew stays, according to media reports.

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Separate travel disruptions have also affected Israel routes due to severe winter weather in the northeastern US, with at least some cancellations attributed to storm conditions rather than the security situation.

No official directive had been issued instructing airlines to halt flights, Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben-Zaken said, adding that most were continuing as scheduled, and Israels skies remained open.

The Civil Aviation Authority has been in contact with relevant counterparts as officials work to limit a wider knock-on effect, he said.

Passengers are advised to monitor airline and airport updates closely, check fare-type exclusions and voucher terms before purchasing, and allow extra time for customer-service responses, as airlines are reporting elevated call volumes.
Recent protests in Iran have created the most serious and deadliest unrest in the country since the 1979 revolution, prompting eyes from all around the globe to shift to the Middle East.

The Guardian asked Iranians living outside the country to share their views on the current situation in the country and about the possibility of US intervention.

Hundreds of Iranians based in the US described living in a constant state of anxiety and helplessness, consumed by fear for loved ones back home  worsened by the internet blackouts that have cut off communication.

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No one should have to wake up every day wondering whether their loved ones have been executed, imprisoned, or killed in the streets simply for demanding dignity and freedom, Mahnaz, 36, wrote. The scale of these atrocities demands more than statements of concern.

Fereshteh, 45, a lab scientist, described the past weeks as emotionally devastating.

Related: Disappeared bodies, mass burials and 30,000 dead: what is the truth of Irans death toll?

Even from far away, the fear never stops. Many days I wake up terrified to check my phone, afraid of seeing bad news or learning that someone I love has been arrested, injured, or killed, Fereshteh said, adding that many Iranians they speak with believe that peaceful protests alone are no longer enough.

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The regime has shown that it will respond only with bullets, prisons, and executions, they continued. In this situation, international military intervention may be the only realistic way to stop the killing and dismantle this system of repression. If intervention can end this dictatorship and give people a chance to live freely, many of us believe it is a price worth paying.

Ellie, 33, described feeling an intense sense of survivors guilt being in the US and is emotionally paralyzed and often speechless by the news from Iran.

A regime that suppresses its own people through violence, fear, and isolation does not remain a local problem, she said. It destabilizes regions, fuels extremism, drives forced migration, and normalizes brutality. Ignoring this does not create peace  it postpones a larger crisis.

Many respondents said they believed some form of international intervention in Iran was necessary.

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I believe words and sanctions have failed for decades, said Luna Houshmand, a software engineer in her 30s. If they worked, this regime would not still be killing people in the streets. If the world truly believes in human rights, it must move beyond statements and take real action.

A woman in New York, who asked to remain anonymous, said her family in Iran told her that people feel desperate and helpless, and their only hope is foreign assistance.

President Trump promised the people of Iran that he would come to save them, and the people have counted on that promise, she said. Our only concern right now is that he may not follow through.

Maryam Tehrani, in Seattle, said she believes Iranians need not empty statements, but meaningful pressure on the Islamic Republic.

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Sanctions targeting officials, international isolation, and real accountability matter, she said. Military intervention is complicated and risky, but indifference is not an option. The priority should be protecting civilians and supporting the Iranian peoples right to decide their own future without repression.

Sahar Haddadian, a civil engineer in Florida, said that no one wants war or foreign intervention or to see innocent lives lost but history has shown that some regimes leave the world with no good options  only difficult ones.

You cannot negotiate with a regime that rules through terror, Haddadian, 36, said, adding that dialogue, appeasement, and empty diplomacy have failed.

Haddadian also said the US must make it clear that it stands with the Iranian people.

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That means real consequences for regime leaders, full isolation of those responsible for crimes against humanity, and unwavering support for the people of Iran who are bravely demanding freedom, they said.

Ellie, 42, in Colorado, said that while she is strongly against war, the situation in Iran has reached a point where people are being killed for demanding basic rights and that without some form of international intervention, whether political, diplomatic, economic, or strategic pressure, it is difficult to see how this regime can be stopped.

Related: You will reap the whirlwind: Tehran mural warns of retaliation if US strikes Iran

If President Trump or any other world leader is willing to take meaningful, nonmilitary action that helps end the ongoing repression, I would welcome that support, she said.

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An Iranian in California, who asked to remain anonymous, said they have long opposed foreign military intervention in Iran, do not trust US intentions and are deeply aware of the damage outside interference has caused in the region, but now feel torn.

We are now at such a deadlock that I honestly dont know what to feel anymore, they said. When a regime responds to peaceful protests with mass bloodshed, when civilians are gunned down and hospitals overflow with the injured, it forces people like me into impossible moral contradictions.

I find myself torn between my long-held beliefs and the sheer desperation of watching my people slaughtered with no protection and no voice.

Tara, a 36-year-old engineer, also described herself as deeply conflicted about US intervention.

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I cant predict what would happen to my family, and I fear that any intervention could lead to more death and devastation, she said. At the same time, I see no clear alternative for ending the Islamic regimes grip on power. I wish there were a way to remove those responsible without harming ordinary people or destroying our beautiful country.

Im worried this could turn into a never-ending war.
Rob Lowe thinks it's "criminal" that Hollywood has "ceded" control of the film and TV industry.

Rob Lowe has voiced his frustrations

The 61-year-old actor has bemoaned the relatively recent trend of big-budget productions being made elsewhere in the US, or even overseas, because of financial reasons.

Rob - who enjoyed huge successes in the 80s, when he starred in movies such as The Outsiders, The Hotel New Hampshire, Oxford Blues, and St. Elmo's Fire - told Variety: "This is going to sound incredibly self-serving, but a large part of the budget for tax credit is above the line.

"All of these other territories give you credit for above the line, and Los Angeles doesnt. Until they do that, theyre never going to get any of the big shows back."

Rob previously explained that financial reasons prompted him to shoot his TV game show overseas.

The actor told The Hollywood Reporter: "Its criminal what California and Los Angeles have let happen  its criminal. Everybody should be fired.

"Why do I shoot my American game show The Floor in Ireland? Its cheaper to bring in 100 people to Ireland than to walk across the lot at Fox."

Rob stars alongside Will Brill and Gillian Jacobs in The Musical. And Greg Lauritano - who co-produced the film alongside Rob - is delighted that they managed to shoot the project in Los Angeles, following the devastating wildfires in early 2025.

Greg - who previously served as a producer on Fairyland, the coming-of-age drama film - explained: "The local crew has so much passion for movies, and its really set the tone for our entire production. Being awarded the California tax credit has thankfully helped to offset some of the expenses of filming here.

"Rob and I recently had an in-depth discussion about the importance of bringing production back to Los Angeles, and Im incredibly excited to be doing just that and partnering with him on this exciting film."
At a meeting, Union Agriculture Minister discussed procurement arrangements with State Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal. He provided necessary guidance to NAFED, NCCF, and relevant state officials.

As per a statement from the Agriculture Ministry, Chouhan said that due to this decision of purchasing tur, the Central Government will have to bear a "huge financial burden", but despite this, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fully committed to the welfare of the farmers.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that it is crucial that procurement is done properly. Only by purchasing directly from farmers will the involvement of middlemen be reduced and the benefits will reach the actual farmers.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh said that NAFED and NCCF should conduct the procurement process in coordination with the state government, so that the benefits of procurement reach genuine farmers. Directing officials to ensure transparency through modern technology, Chouhan said that proper arrangements should be made for farmer registration using the latest and most effective technology.

Chouhan directed the officials to increase the number of procurement centres if required, so that farmers do not face any inconvenience and the procurement system remains transparent and effective.

The high-level meeting was attended by Maharashtra Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal, Union Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi and other senior officials. (ANI)
Jan. 24ESPANOLA  Local police are still searching for the person or persons responsible for the death of a 38-year-old Espanola man, who was found fatally wounded by two gunshots in his vehicle in the parking lot of Dandy's Burgers a week ago.Speaking with the Journal about the incident this week, Espanola Police Chief Mizel Garcia said Leon Salazar died Friday, Jan. 16, while en route by ambulance to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque.He had been shot in the neck and the abdomen, Garcia said.Officers executed a search warrant on Salazar's white Nissan Infiniti following his death near an apartment complex on Calle Pajarito, Garcia said. Investigators recovered five 9mm shell casings, which police believe were fired from a pistol.An obituary for Salazar posted to the Devargas Funeral Home website on Jan. 16 said he was a father of four who enjoyed working on cars and going for long drives with his family.John Miller is the Albuquerque Journal's northern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at jmiller@abqjournal.com.
European Council president Antonio Costa arrived in India on Sunday as the EU and New Delhi seek to seal a free trade pact, capping nearly two decades of negotiations between the economic behemoths.

Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are chief guests for this year's Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Monday, before an EU-India summit the next day where they hope to shake hands on an accord described as the "mother of all deals".

"The summit will be an opportunity to build on the EU-India strategic partnership and further strengthen collaboration across key policy areas," the EU Council said on X.

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India, the world's most populous nation, is on track to become its fourth-largest economy this year, according to International Monetary Fund projections.

The EU eyes India as an important market for the future, while New Delhi sees the European bloc as an important source of much-needed technology and investment to rapidly upscale its infrastructure and create millions of new jobs.

"The EU stands to gain the highest level of access ever granted to a trade partner in the traditionally protected Indian market," von der Leyen said on Sunday, adding that she expected exports to India to double.

"We will gain a significant competitive advantage in key industrial and agri-good sectors."

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Bilateral trade in goods reached 120 billion euros ($139 billion) in 2024, an increase of nearly 90 percent over the past decade, according to EU figures, with a further 60 billion euros ($69 billion) in trade in services.

The pact would be a major win for Brussels and New Delhi as both seek to open up new markets in the face of US tariffs and Chinese export controls.

"The EU and India are moving closer together at the time when the rules-based international order is under unprecedented pressure through wars, coercion and economic fragmentation," Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, said on Wednesday.

However, ongoing negotiations are focusing on a few sticking points, including the impact of the EU's carbon border tax on steel exports, according to people familiar with the discussions.

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New Delhi, which has relied on Moscow for key military hardware for decades, has tried to cut its dependence on Russia in recent years by diversifying imports and pushing its own domestic manufacturing base.

Europe is doing the same with regard to the United States.

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By Diego Ore

MEXICO CITY, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The Mexican government is reviewing whether to keep sending oil to Cuba amid growing fears within President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration that Mexico could face reprisals from the United States over the policy, which is a vital lifeline for the Communist-run Caribbean island, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.

A U.S. blockade of oil tankers in Venezuela in December and the dramatic capture of President Nicolas Maduro this month have halted Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, leaving Mexico as the single-largest supplier to the island that suffers from energy shortages and mass blackouts.

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Mexico's pivotal role in sending oil to Cuba has also put the U.S.' southern neighbor in Washington's crosshairs. President Donald Trump has stressed Cuba is "ready to fall" and said in a January 11 Truth Social post: "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO!"

Publicly, Sheinbaum has said Mexico will continue oil shipments to Cuba, saying they are based on longterm contracts and considered international aid. But the senior Mexican government sources said the policy is under internal review as anxiety grows within Sheinbaum's cabinet that the shipments could antagonize Trump.

Mexico is trying to negotiate a review of the USMCA North American trade pact, while also persuading Washington it is doing enough to combat drug cartels and that U.S. military action against the groups on Mexican territory is neither welcome nor needed.

The government review of Cuban oil shipments has not been previously reported, and the sources requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. It remains unclear what ultimate decision the Mexican government might take, with sources saying a complete halt, a reduction, and a continuation in full are all still on the table.

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The Mexican presidency told Reuters the country "has always been in solidarity with the people of Cuba" and added that shipping oil to Cuba and a separate agreement to pay for the services of Cuban doctors "are sovereign decisions." The Cuban government did not respond to a request for comment.

A White House official said: As the President stated, Cuba is now failing on its own volition ... there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba from Venezuela, and he strongly suggests Cuba makes a deal before it is too late.

LAND ATTACKS ON CARTELS

In recent weeks, Trump has ratcheted up pressure on Mexico, saying the country is run by the cartels and that ground attacks against them could be imminent. Sheinbaum has repeatedly stressed that any unilateral U.S. military action in Mexican territory would be a grave breach of the country's sovereignty.

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"There is a growing fear that the United States could take unilateral action on our territory," one of the sources added.

During a phone call last week, Trump questioned Sheinbaum about crude and fuel shipments to Cuba and the presence of thousands of Cuban doctors in Mexico, two of the sources said. Sheinbaum responded that the shipments are "humanitarian aid" and that the doctors deal "is in full compliance" with Mexican law, the sources familiar with the call said. They added Trump did not directly urge Mexico to halt the oil deliveries.

The three sources said officials in Sheinbaum's government are also increasingly concerned about a growing presence of U.S. Navy drones over the Gulf of Mexico since December. Local media have reported, using flight-tracking data, that at least three U.S. Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton drones have conducted a dozen flights over the Bay of Campeche, roughly following the route taken by tankers carrying Mexican fuel to Cuba.

These same reconnaissance aircraft were spotted off the Venezuelan coast in December, days before the U.S. attack on the South American country.

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Sheinbaum has spearheaded an offensive against the notorious Sinaloa Cartel and approved three unprecedented mass transfers of nearly 100 drug kingpins to the United States.

These measures have been praised by high-ranking U.S. officials, but Sheinbaum has repeatedly stated that unilateral U.S. action on Mexican soil represents a red line.

"Very little of the crude oil produced in Mexico is sent to Cuba, but it is a form of solidarity in a situation of hardship and difficulty," Sheinbaum said on Wednesday. "That doesn't have to disappear," she added.

CUBA'S MEXICAN OIL LIFELINE

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Trump's pressure campaign against Cuba dates back to his first term when he reversed much of the historic rapprochement orchestrated by former Democratic President Barack Obama, and has only increased since the Republican returned to office a year ago.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban American, has been a driving force behind Trump's Venezuela policy, which he and other U.S. officials also see as potentially weakening Maduro's Cuban allies. But the constraints on Trump's approach to Cuba are more daunting, given Havana's regional and international support, the entrenched nature of Cuba's leadership and security forces, and the ability the country has shown to withstand decades under a tough U.S. economic embargo.

The largest island in the Caribbean relies heavily on fuel imports of refined products to meet its demand for electricity generation, gasoline, and aviation fuel. U.S. sanctions and a deep economic crisis have prevented the Communist government from purchasing enough fuel for years, forcing it to depend on a small group of allies.

Within Sheinbaum's government, the three sources said, there is a belief that Washington's strategy of cutting off Cuba's oil could push the country into an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, triggering mass migration to Mexico. For this reason, they added, some in the government are pushing to maintain some fuel supplies to the island.

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With Venezuelan supplies to Cuba stopped, it appears unlikely that other oil producers would step in to make up the shortfall, given the U.S. focus and heavy military presence in the region. The U.S. has seized tankers that had been involved in the Venezuelan oil trade, vessels in the shadow fleet that supply crude from countries under U.S. sanctions, including Iran and Russia.

Between January and September last year, Mexico shipped 17,200 barrels per day of crude oil and 2,000 bpd of refined petroleum products to Cuba worth approximately $400 million, according to information reported by Mexican state oil company Pemex to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

(Reporting by Diego Ore; Additional reporting by Adriana Barrera in Mexico City and Dave Sherwood in Havana; Editing by Ana Isabel Martinez, Stephen Eisenhammer, Rod Nickel)
In less than two weeks, NASA is scheduled to launch its Artemis 2 mission, the first crewed journey to the Moon in over half a century. The Space Launch Rocket has already been rolled out to the launch pad, setting the stage for a historic mission.

While the crew wont be attempting to land on the lunar surface this time around  that milestone is reserved for Artemis 3  its an extremely ambitious and highly complex mission.

And as CNN reports, some experts arent convinced of NASAs reassurances that the Orion spacecraft that will carry the astronauts is safe to use.

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Specifically, NASA has spent years since its successful uncrewed Artemis 1 mission studying how the extreme temperatures during reentry into the Earths atmosphere affect Orions heat shield.

The Orion capsule sustained major damage after making its return in 2022. It cracked and chipped as a result of the extreme conditions during reentry.

Over two years after the mission concluded, NASA said it had identified the root cause, with engineers determining that the gases generated inside the heat shields ablative outer material called Avcoat were not able to vent and dissipate as expected.

This allowed pressure to build up and cracking to occur, causing some charred material to break off in several locations, the agency wrote in a December 2024 statement.

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Yet instead of making major material changes to the heat shield itself after the fact  the Artemis 2 heat shield was assembled and installed even before the Artemis 1 mission  NASA opted to adjust the Artemis 2 missions flight path instead, to ensure a gentler reentry.

Based on the data, we have decided  NASA unanimously and our decision-makers  to move forward with the current Artemis II Orion capsule and heat shield, with a modified entry trajectory, former NASA administrator Bill Nelson announced at the time.

But not everybody is convinced that the space agency has sufficiently addressed the issue ahead of its first crewed Moon mission.

What theyre talking about doing is crazy, former NASA astronaut and heat shield expert Charlie Camarda told CNN.

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Camarda has since teamed up with several other NASA research scientists, calling on the agency to heed their warnings.

We could have solved this problem way back when, he told the broadcaster. Instead, they keep kicking the can down the road.

NASA made changes to the way it applied the special Avcoat material to the Orion capsule from a honeycomb-like structure, as applied during Apollo missions, to larger blocks in order to simplify manufacturing, testing and installing it.

The material is designed to char and erode during skip reentry, a maneuver that NASA uses in which the spacecraft skips over the atmosphere like a stone before diving in. However, when it dipped back in during Artemis 1, gases built up below the heat shield, causing it to crack and break off.

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The space agency is adamant that its new reentry path for Artemis 2 wont result in gases building up in a similar manner.

We wont go as high on that skip, itll just be a loft, Artemis flight director Rick Henfling told CNN.

Still, Camarda and other former NASA astronauts and engineersare warning that there could still be danger.

The reason this is such a big deal is that when the heat shield is spalling  or you have big chunks coming off  even if the vehicle isnt destroyed, youre right at the point of incipient failure now, thermal protection materials expert and NASA veteran Dan Rasky told CNN. Its like youre at the edge of the cliff on a foggy day.

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How much of a danger a cracked heat shield poses remains a subject of debate.

Will the heat shield crack? Yes, its going to crack, former NASA astronaut Danny Olivas, who worked on the heat shield investigation, told CNN.

Nonetheless, Olivas is convinced that NASA did enough. Even if it were to crack, he says, the space agency built in redundancies in the form of several layers of defense below the Avcoat layer that will keep astronauts safe.

I think in my mind, theres no flight that ever takes off where you dont have a lingering doubt, he added. But NASA really does understand what they have. They know the importance of the heat shield to crew safety, and I do believe that theyve done the job.

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NASAs recently sworn-in administrator, Jared Isaacman, is equally convinced.

We have modified our reentry profile, he told CNN affiliate WESH last week. We have regained margin to safety, and I feel very good about that with Artemis 2.

More on Artemis 2: NASA Says Its Hitting the Gas, Speedrunning Next Moon Mission
In an era of smartphones, there are times people don't have to believe federal authorities or journalists or anyone else.

They can watch what happened themselves.

A half-dozen citizen videos that chronicled the shooting of Alex Pretti on a freezing street in Minneapolis Jan. 24 may well turn out to be a pivot point for President Donald Trump, the deployment of thousands of ICE and Border Patrol agents on the streets of U.S. cities, the debate over the constitutional right to protest and more.

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Shot from various angles, some shaky and just seconds long, they can be stitched together to depict an unfolding of events at direct odds with the account by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other top administration officials.

"Your eyes don't lie," Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Mourners kneel at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. A mourner visits a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. A picture of Alex Pretti is left at a makeshift memorial in the area where Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. Mourners gather at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan.25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. A woman cries at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 24, 2026. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, in the second fatal shooting of a civilian during the Trump administration's unprecedented operation in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. People mourn at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 24, 2026. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, in the second fatal shooting of a civilian during the Trump administration's unprecedented operation in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. A woman prays at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 24, 2026. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, in the second fatal shooting of a civilian during the Trump administration's unprecedented operation in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. People gather together during a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti after he was shot and killed earlier in the day on Jan. 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal agents shot and killed Pretti amid a scuffle to arrest him. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. People gather together during a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti after he was shot and killed earlier in the day on Jan. 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal agents shot and killed Pretti amid a scuffle to arrest him. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. People pay their respects during a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti after he was shot and killed earlier in the day on Jan. 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal agents shot and killed Pretti amid a scuffle to arrest him. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. Vigils held for Alex Pretti, killed in Border Patrol related shooting 1 of 10 Mourners kneel at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car.

The contrast between what Noem claimed and what millions of Americans watched means the past weekend could turn out to be a crucial passage that pressured the president to adjust course  or pay a political price  and emboldened congressional opponents to confront him.

Already, the repercussions are threatening a fragile agreement for the Senate to approve a bipartisan spending package that happens to include $10 billion for ICE. "I can't vote for a bill that includes ICE funding under these circumstances," Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, said on CBS' "Face the Nation," though that could mean a partial government shutdown on Friday.

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Even Rep. James Comer, a staunch Republican from Kentucky who chairs the House Oversight Committee, suggested on Fox's "Sunday Morning Futures" that Trump remove ICE agents from Minneapolis and send them somewhere else if "there's a chance of losing more innocent lives or whatever." Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana called in a statement for a "full joint federal and state investigation" into the shooting.

And there were protests on the streets not only of Minneapolis but also in cities from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles.

In November, there could be consequences as well for Republican congressional candidates in swing districts. The midterm elections often serve as a referendum on the White House, and they set the stage for the final two years of a president's term.

More: Will another deadly shooting bring another government shutdown?

A confrontation, then 10 gunshots

Here's what Noem said at a news conference hours after the shooting:

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"An individual approached U.S. Border Patrol Officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun," she told reporters. "The officers attempted to disarm this individual, but the armed suspect reacted violently." She said it "looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage and kill law enforcement."

But that's not what it looked like to many others.

The videos show Pretti, 37, an ICU nurse for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, brandishing not a gun but a cell phone, recording the scene of protests and trying to help a woman who had fallen after being sprayed with a chemical agent. He went face-to-face with a Border Patrol agent, was forced to his knees and then flat on the ground, surrounded by armed men in tactical gear.

It was only then that they seemed to discover he had a gun, which turned out to be registered and legal to carry. Frame-by-frame scrutiny indicates the weapon had been confiscated by an agent seconds before the first of 10 shots were fired at Pretti. He died before the first doctor arrived on the scene.

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More: Gun rights groups slam feds' comments after Minneapolis shooting

A photograph of the pistol recovered by immigration agents after a shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday is shown on a screen behind Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a news conference at FEMA headquarters on Jan. 24, 2026.

Americans are inclined to endorse Trump's tightening of the U.S. border with Mexico and his promise to deport violent criminals who are in the country illegally. From the start of his political career, illegal immigration has been one of the animating issues for his supporters and a source of strength in assessments of his presidency.

But even before the shooting of Pretti, nearly two-thirds of Americans disapproved of the way ICE was handling its job. Six in 10 said in a New York Times/Siena University survey that the agency had "gone too far" in its tactics including 70% of the independent voters who typically determine elections.

More: Majority disapproves of ICE in poll released after Minneapolis shooting

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Earlier in January in Minneapolis, Renee Nicole Good, 37, had been shot and killed by an ICE agent who fired into her car, another confrontation caught on smartphones. Other videos that have gone viral show a 5-year-old boy in a winter hat with bunny ears being detained by an agent. Another depicted an elderly man in little more than his underwear being pulled out of his home and placed in a government SUV.

Later, the man, a Hmong refugee and naturalized U.S. citizen, was returned to his home after agents determined he wasn't the person they had been seeking.

Echoes of George Floyd

There are echoes of George Floyd here.

It was six years and a few miles away that Floyd, a Black man, was murdered by a White police officer during an arrest on accusations that Floyd had used a counterfeit bill in a local shop. The officer kneeled on Floyd's neck and back for more than nine minutes, asphyxiating him.

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Then, too, the cellphone video ignited protests nationwide.

That was in May 2020, when the episode may have commanded special attention because millions of Americans were stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pretti's death came as millions of Americans were trapped at home by the weekend's fierce snowstorm.

A woman cries as people gather around a makeshift memorial at the site where a man identified as Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal agents trying to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 24, 2026.

The firestorm that has followed carries some risks for Democrats, just as the efforts in the wake of Floyd's death to institute DEI policies  for diversity, equity and inclusion  created grievances Trump has tapped.

The slogan then to "Defund the Police" was used by Republicans to depict Democrats as soft on law and order, even those who didn't endorse the idea. Now, some progressives are making calls to "Abolish ICE."

But at the moment, Trump faces the bigger political peril.

Let's go to the video.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump and a turning point on immigration with a death, caught on video
In a coffee shop in Greenland's capital Nuuk, Lykke Lynge looked fondly at her four kids as they sipped their hot chocolate, seemingly oblivious to the world's convulsions.

Since Donald Trump returned to the White House last year with a renewed ambition to seize Greenland, international politics has intruded into the Arctic island's households.

Dictated by the more or less threatening pronouncements of the US president, it has been an unsettling experience for some people here -- but everyone is trying to reassure their children.

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Lynge, a 42-year-old lawyer, relied on her Christian faith.

"There's a lot of turmoil in the world," she said. "But even if we love our country, we have even higher values that allow us to sleep soundly and not be afraid," she said.

As early as January 27, 2025, one week after Donald Trump's inauguration, the Greenlandic authorities published a guide entitled "How to talk to children in times of uncertainty?"

"When somebody says they will come to take our country or they will bomb us or something, then of course children will get very scared because they cannot navigate for themselves in all this news," said Tina Dam, chief programme officer for Unicef in the Danish territory.

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- Unanswerable questions -

This guide -- to which the UN agency for children contributed -- recommends parents remain calm and open, listen to their children and be sensitive to their feelings, and limit their own news consumption.

As in many parts of the world, social media, particularly TikTok, has become the primary source of information for young people.

Today, children have access to a lot of information not meant for them, said Dam -- "and definitely not appropriate for their age", she added.

"So that's why we need to be aware of that as adults and be protective about our children and be able to talk with our children about the things they hear -- because the rhetoric is quite aggressive."

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But reassuring children is difficult when you do not have the answers to many of the questions yourself.

Arnakkuluk Jo Kleist, a 41-year-old consultant, said she talked a lot with her 13-year-old daughter, Manumina.

The teenager is also immersed in TikTok videos but "doesn't seem very nervous, luckily, as much as maybe we are", she added.

"Sometimes there are questions she's asking -- about what if this happens -- that I don't have any answers to" -- because no one actually has the answer to such questions, she said.

- 'Dear Donald Trump' -

The Arctic territory's Inuit culture also helped, said Kleist.

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"We have a history and we have conditions in our country where sometimes things happen and we are used to being in situations that are out of our control," said Kleist.

"We try to adapt to it and say, well, what can I do in this situation?"

Some Greenlandic children and teenagers are also using social media to get their message out to the world.

Seven-year-old Marley and his 14-year-old sister Mila were behind a viral video viewed more than two million times on Instagram -- the equivalent of 35 times the population of Greenland.

Serious in subject but lighthearted in tone, the boy addresses the American president.

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"Dear Donald Trump, I have a message for you: you are making Greenlandic kids scared."

Accompanied by hard stares, some serious finger-wagging and mostly straight faces, he and his sister go on to tell Trump: "Greenland is not for sale."

"It's a way to cope," his mother, Paninnguaq Heilmann-Sigurdsen, told AFP of the video. "It's kid-friendly, but also serious.

"I think it's a balance between this is very serious, but also, this is with kids."

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By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The fatal shooting of a man in Minneapolis on Saturday added to a mounting death toll in U.S. President Donald Trumps intensifying immigration push this month, increasing scrutiny on the crackdown as backlash builds.

The incident was one of five shootings in January involving federal agents conducting immigration enforcement, including the fatal shooting of Minnesota woman Renee Good. At least six immigrants have died this month in federal immigration detention, an unusually rapid pace.

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The Trump administration is dramatically ramping up immigration enforcement with $170 billion budgeted for immigration agencies through September 2029, a historic sum.

Minneapolis has become the focus of the Republican presidents crackdown this month, with some 3,000 agents deployed. Thousands of protesters took to the streets despite sub-zero temperatures on Friday to voice opposition to Trumps enforcement and demand he withdraw the agents, which Minnesota officials have called an occupation.

Trump has argued the militarized operations are necessary to remove criminals from the U.S., but many of those arrested were picked up solely for possible civil immigration violations - the legal equivalent to a traffic violation.

Here is a closer look at the deaths from federal immigration enforcement and the often-conflicting accounts of what happened in each case.

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FATAL SHOOTINGS IN MINNESOTA

The man killed in Minneapolis on Saturday was a U.S. citizen, identified in news reports as Alex Pretti, 37, a registered nurse and lawfully permitted gun owner.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said a Border Patrol agent fired at the man, who resisted agents' attempts to disarm him, but local leaders challenged that account.

In bystander videos verified by Reuters, agents are seen pepper spraying Pretti and other protesters as he films them with his cellphone. No weapon is visible. After multiple agents wrestle him to the ground, one draws his weapon and multiple shots can be heard.

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The shooting followed Goods death earlier this month, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jonathan Ross fired into her vehicle.

Within hours of that shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called Good a domestic terrorist who tried to ram the ICE officer with her car, although the department has not presented evidence of a link to terrorism. Video shows Ross fired as Good's car moved past him.

ICE, BORDER PATROL FIRING AT SUSPECTS

Federal agents have been involved in three other shootings this month during immigration actions.

The day after Goods death, a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and wounded a Venezuelan man and woman in Portland, Oregon, after what DHS called a targeted vehicle stop.

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DHS said the driver, Venezuelan immigrant Luis Nino-Moncada, attempted to run over the agents before the agent fired, wounding Nino-Moncada and his passenger, a Venezuelan woman.

The Justice Department later charged Nino-Moncada with assaulting an officer. His passenger, Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras, pleaded guilty this week to entering the U.S. illegally in 2023.

On January 15, an ICE agent shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg in Minneapolis after DHS said he fled authorities.

DHS said at the time that Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, and two other men hit an officer with a snow shovel and broom handle, prompting the shooting.

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Court documents unsealed this week told a different story. An FBI affidavit said the ICE officers had scanned a license plate registered with a different person suspected of an immigration violation, leading them to chase the wrong person before the alleged assault and shooting.

DETENTION DEATHS RISE

At least six people have died in ICE detention centers since the start of 2026, following at least 30 deaths in ICE custody last year, a two-decade high.

The death of Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos has received the most scrutiny after federal authorities provided shifting accounts of what happened.

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ICE initially said Lunas died on January 3 at a Trump-era detention camp on the grounds of a U.S. military base in Texas after experiencing "medical distress."

After the Washington Post reported the death would likely be classified as a homicide by the El Paso County medical examiner, DHS issued a new statement saying Lunas tried to commit suicide and then resisted security officers and died.

The medical examiner released a report this week that found the death was a homicide due to "asphyxia due to neck and torso compression," the Post reported.

On January 14, two other immigrant detainees died: a Nicaraguan man found unresponsive in the military base site, called East Camp Montana, and a Mexican man found unresponsive in a Georgia detention center, according to ICE.

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Both deaths remain under investigation, but ICE said the Nicaraguan man, Victor Manuel Diaz, was presumed to have committed suicide.

The other deaths occurred in Houston, Philadelphia, and Indio, California, ICE said.

Trump increased immigration detention to record levels, with 69,000 held as of early January, according to ICE statistics. Some 43% of the detainees picked up by ICE had no criminal charge or conviction, the figures showed.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson; Additional reporting by Kristina Cooke and Andy Sullivan; Editing by Craig Timberg, Rod Nickel and David Gregorio)
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The lawyer representing the family of the third detainee to die at Camp East Montana said the family is skeptical that he may have committed suicide.

As we previously reported, Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old undocumented migrant from Nicaragua, died in ICE custody Jan. 14 at Camp East Montana in El Paso, according to ICE.

3rd detainee dies at Camp East Montana

The official cause of Diazs death remains under investigation, but ICE has said Diaz died of a presumed suicide.

Randall Kallinen, a civil rights lawyer representing Diazs family, said they find it suspicious that his body was sent to William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) instead of the El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner who performed the autopsy reports on both previous detainees to die at Camp East Montana.

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Camp East Montana migrants body sent to Army hospital, not medical examiners office

This, taking of the body and doing the autopsy report and not letting the medical examiner do it? Youre then having the fox guarding the henhouse. It was with the federal government where the individual was staying and where he was killed. And now its the federal government who is controlling the investigation and the information included in the autopsy report, Kallinen said.

Kallinen added that the process for Diazs autopsy report to be released by WBAMC could take up to two months or even more.

Kallinen said it is also suspicious that Diazs body was sent to WBAMC given that the medical examiner from El Paso County ruled a homicide in the death of a Cuban detainee who died just 11 days prior to Diaz. He also found it alarming that a federal judge had to issue a temporary restraining order to prevent two men who witnessed the death of the Cuban detainee from being deported by ICE.

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Docs: Temporary order prevents deportation of 2 men who saw migrants death at Camp East Montana

Who would trust what they say? And thats a huge difference, suicide vs homicide? And its a judge who had ordered the detention facility not to deport these individuals because they are our witnesses, Kallinen said.

Kallinen said he requested information from officials at Camp East Montana to no avail, about whether there were any witnesses to Diazs presumed suicide.

Kallinen said Diaz came into the United States in 2024 through Brownsville, Texas where he presented himself for asylum, and was subsequently released while his case was pending.

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He said Diaz crossed into the U.S. alone without any friends or family, but that he maintained contact over the phone with his parents, siblings, and two children who are in Nicaragua while he worked and lived in Minneapolis since being released.

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Kallinen also said Diaz was apprehended by ICE while he was working at a Korean restaurant in Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago. He said Diaz was detained for eight days at Camp East Montana before he died.

As we previously reported, Diaz entered ICE custody on Jan. 6. ICE officers encountered him in Minneapolis and determined he was unlawfully present in the United States. He was subsequently arrested for an immigration violation.

He left to find a better way of life. He ended up with no life, Kallinen said. The family was very distraught, because no one informed them that he had died. They only found out about it in the press, and then they didnt know where the body was because they assumed it was with the El Paso County medical examiner, because thats where the other two bodies had been sent. So it was a complete surprise that the body was still on the (Army) base at this hospital.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
A supervisor in the FBIs Minneapolis field office who unsuccessfully attempted to investigate the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in the city on 7 January has resigned, according to multiple reports.

News of agent Tracee Mergens resignation surfaced shortly before federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday. Pretti and Good were both 37-year-old US citizens.

Mergen resigned following pressure from the bureau in Washington DC to discontinue an inquiry into ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who shot and killed Good as videos showed her trying to drive away from a confrontation, according to the New York Times and NBC News.

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Related: NRA and pro-gun groups call for full investigation into killing of Alex Pretti

Those outlets cited sources. The FBI has not commented on Mergens resignation, saying it does not comment on personnel matters.

Saturdays killing sparked an escalating public protest that threw Minneapolis once again into a complex three-way situation among demonstrators who want federal agents to be held accountable for Prettis killing, state and local law enforcement, and the Trump administration.

Mergens decision to leave the bureau, meanwhile, comes as Donald Trumps justice department has said it sees no reason for initiating a civil rights investigation into Goods killing, which had also prompted street protests.

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There is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation, deputy attorney general Todd Blanche said in a statement on 13 January. The Trump administration has argued that Ross acted in self-defense after Good obstructed federal law enforcement operations with her vehicle, endangering the agent.

Federal authorities have refused to co-operate with local authorities, leading to claims by Democratic officials that the federal government is involved in a coverup.

A superintendent with the Minnesota bureau of criminal apprehension (BCA) said the agency had reluctantly withdrawn from the investigation. And six federal prosecutors resigned over requests to investigate Goods widow, who was present during the deadly confrontation.

Related: How many more Americans need to die?: Minneapolis mayor condemns Trump

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Reports emerged on Saturday that Mergen had testified against Tom Barrack, a close friend and fundraiser for Trump who served as served as chair of the presidents first inaugural committee. Mergens testimony was in a 2022 case against Barrack over his alleged ties to UAE officials.

At trial, Barracks defense team suggested that Mergen lied to a grand jury over Barracks allegedly undisclosed ties when she testified that Barrack said during the interview that he did not feel he was asked to do anything on behalf of the Gulf state.

In 2021, justice department prosecutors in New York had charged Barrack in a seven-count indictment accusing him of acting and conspiring to act as a UAE agent between April 2016 and April 2018  and making false statements.

Barrack denied the charges. And a jury later acquitted him of all counts by a jury of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, obstruction of justice and making false statements.

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By Brad Brooks and Tim Reid

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Officials in U.S. President Donald Trump's administration defended on Sunday the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by immigration agents in Minneapolis, even as video evidence contradicted their version of events and as tensions grew between local law enforcement and federal officers.

As residents visited a makeshift shrine of flowers and candles in frigid temperatures and snow to mark Saturday's fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, Trump administration officials stated that Pretti assaulted officers, compelling them to fire in self-defense. That account was at odds with videos recorded by bystanders.

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Pretti is the second American to be fatally shot by federal immigration officers this month in Minneapolis, where Trump, a Republican, has deployed thousands of armed and masked agents in a deportation effort with little precedent.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, again called on Trump to pull federal agents out of the state, which has asked a federal judge to restrain what it says are unconstitutional excesses in Trump's surge.

"The victims are Border Patrol agents," Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol official, told CNN's "State of the Union" program.

That official line, echoed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other members of the administration, drew outrage from local Democratic leaders and law enforcement and Democrats in the U.S. Congress, who pointed to the bystander videos that show all Pretti had in his hands was a cellphone before agents grappled him to the ground and ultimately shot him at close range.

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Federal agents over the past few weeks have been met by countless angry residents protesting in the city's icy streets, some of them blowing whistles. Thousands of people again filled the streets of Minneapolis on Sunday to protest against the surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, chanting and waving signs saying: "ICE OUT!"

HOLDING A PHONE, NOT A GUN

Videos of Saturday's killing verified by Reuters show Pretti, 37, holding a phone in his hand, not a gun, as he tries to help other protesters who had been pushed to the ground by agents.

Pretti can be seen filming while a federal agent pushes away one woman and shoves another woman to the ground. Pretti moves between the agent and the women, then raises his left arm to shield himself as the agent pepper sprays him.

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Several agents then take hold of Pretti, who struggles with them, and force him onto his hands and knees. As the agents pin Pretti down, someone shouts what sounds like a warning about a gun.

Video footage then appears to show one of the agents removing a handgun from Pretti's waistband area and stepping away from the group with it.

Moments later, an officer points his gun at Pretti's back and fires four shots in quick succession. More shots are heard as another agent appears to fire at Pretti.

Darius Reeves, the former head of ICE's field office in Baltimore, told Reuters that federal agents' apparent lack of communication was troubling. "It's clear no one is communicating to me, based on my observation of how that team responded," Reeves said.

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Minnesota officials say Pretti had a valid state permit to carry a concealed gun in public, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled was a constitutional right in 2022.

'VIDEOS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES'

Brian O'Hara, the Minneapolis police chief, told the CBS "Face the Nation" program that "the videos speak for themselves," calling the Trump administration's version of events deeply disturbing. He said he had seen no evidence that Pretti brandished a gun.

Tensions in the city were already running high after a federal immigration agent fatally shot U.S. citizen Renee Good on January 7 after approaching her in her parked vehicle. Trump officials said she was trying to ram the agent with the vehicle but other observers said bystander video suggests she was attempting to steer away from the officer who shot her.

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State and local law enforcement are investigating whether the agent who killed Good broke any Minnesota laws. The U.S. Justice Department withdrew its cooperation from that probe, and at least a dozen federal prosecutors said they were resigning over the Justice Department's handling of Good's killing.

At Minnesota's request, a federal judge issued a temporary order on Saturday night forbidding the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence related to Pretti's killing.

Chief executives of some of Minnesota's largest companies, including Target, Cargill and Best Buy, published a letter calling for the "immediate de-escalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions."

In separate statements, former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton decried the killings of Good and Pretti, with Clinton accusing the Trump administration of lying and Obama saying American values are under assault.

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"This has to stop," Barack and Michelle Obama said.

Pretti worked as an intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital. On Sunday, more than 200 healthcare workers gathered at the site of his killing, leaving flowers and other tributes. One woman in medical scrubs, when asked what brought her out, said she had worked with Pretti and began to sob.

"He was caring and he was kind," she said, asking not to be named for fear of retribution from the federal government. "None of this makes any sense."

At a Sunday press conference, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison recounted a story that he said was from his 31-year-old son, a nurse in Minnesota's healthcare system.

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"When he was at work today and last night, he said, 'Look, our colleagues were crying and in tears, and they took this hit to one of their own very personally,'" Ellison told reporters.

Trump has defended the operations as necessary to reduce crime and enforce immigration laws.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks, Tim Reid, Tom Polansek, Brad Heath and Doina Chiacu; Writing by Tim Reid and Jonathan Allen; Editing by Sergio Non, Nick Zieminski, Edmund Klamann, Diane Craft and David Gregorio)
Actor-producer Kamaal R. Khan, popularly known as KRK was sent to police custody till January 27 by a Bandra Court in connection with a firing incident in the Oshiwara area of Mumbai. KRK was brought to court after questioning by the Oshiwara Police. Advocate Nagesh Mishra, representing KRK, described the case as "fabricated". "The entire case is fabricated. Kamaal Khan has been falsely implicated in this case. The contention of the police is that I [KRK] fired a bullet from my [KRK's] gun. But it is not correct. The correct thing is that the bullet has a maximum capacity of 20 metres, and the place where this gun was fired was at a distance of 400 metres. It is not possible. Kamaal R Khan is sent to police custody till January 27th. Many big names in Bollywood are instigating the police to implicate him in this case," he said. He added, "We have submitted in the court that there is a distance of 400 metres between the Nalanda building and Kamaal R Khan's bungalow and the range of the pistol which has been seized by the police is not more than 20 metres. Kamaal R Khan has no connection with the firing incident. Many big names in Bollywood are against him, and the police are being misled. There is no connection between the alleged offence and the accused." According to Mumbai Police, the incident took place earlier this week in a residential building in Oshiwara. After the firing was reported, police reviewed CCTV footage from the area and spoke to several people. During the investigation, KRK was initially taken into custody for questioning. According to the police, the actor was detained in the case after admitting during questioning that the firing was done with his licensed gun. Kamaal will be produced before the court today, after which the police will seek his custody to carry out further investigation. (ANI)




Transgender patients of Children's Hospital Los Angeles secured a win this week after the U.S. Department of Justice agreed to end its efforts to obtain personal and medical information of more than 3,000 young patients.

Last summer, the federal Justice Department announced that it sent subpoenas to more than 20 medical providers that offered gender-affirming care for minors. At the time, the department said it was doing so to investigate "healthcare fraud" and "false statements."

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Seven families whose children have received gender-affirming services at Children's Hospital Los Angeles sued in November to quash the subpoena to protect their information.

The department never provided evidence of fraud, said Khadijah Silver, director of Gender Justice & Health Equity at Lawyers for Good Government, one of the firms representing families in the class action lawsuit. The hospital did not not turn over the requested documents.

"It was basically a fishing expedition," Silver said. "Without any probable cause, they did not have the authority to be seeking medical information."

The DOJ and Children's Hospital Los Angeles did not immediately return requests for comment.

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The department subpoena demanded the hospital provide a large range of documents, including patient intake forms, insurance claims and "documents sufficient to identify each patient (by name, date of birth, social security number, address, and parent/guardian information) who was prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapy," court documents show.

Under the agreement, filed in federal court Thursday, the Justice Department will withdraw requests for documents that identified patients or their families through 2029.

Attorneys representing patients and their families have moved to dismiss the case.

"This is one piece of a large, very important puzzle, but it does allow our clients to hold on to their basic legal right to medical privacy," Silver said.

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The settlement unfolded the same week that a judge in Baltimore rejected the Trump administration's request to subpoena the same information from Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C.

The subpoena is not the only federal action that has targeted transgender patients and their providers.

Last year, the Trump administration issued an executive order that threatened to pull federal funding from medical institutions that provide gender-affirming care. Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit over the summer seeking to block the order.

The federal government has also issued orders that recognize only two biological sexes and prevent transgender girls and women from participating in women's sports. A third order threatens federal funds for schools that support transgender youth.

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After federal actions escalated, Children's Hospital Los Angeles closed the doors to its Center for Transyouth Health and Development last July, leaving about 3,000 young patients in limbo. Other providers in the state have also scaled back gender-affirming services.

"The shutdown came despite efforts my office took over recent months to assure (Children's Hospital Los Angeles) that they were protected and required to provide gender-affirming care," Bonta said at the time.

Bonta's office has filed amicus briefs opposing the Trump administration's attempts to subpoena medical records of gender-affirming care at other hospitals including University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Children's Hospital Colorado. Bonta did not intervene in the case settled this week.

Ana B. Ibarra (ana@calmatters.org) covers health care for CalMatters. Sign up for CalMatters newsletters here.

This article originally published at Feds drop effort to get trans patients' records from LA children's hospital.
The first students have graduated from a unique medical course designed for specialised kidney care.

Five higher speciality trainees in kidney medicine graduated from the two year course taught at the renal unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

The course develops doctors' skills in interventional nephrology, an area of care that deals with procedures related to dialysis and investigations in kidney medicine, such as ultrasound and kidney biopsies.

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It was developed by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) and Newcastle University and saw students travel from across the country to take part.

Dr Shalabh Srivastava, one of the nephrology experts behind the course, said he hoped thanks to the training kidney care would improve across the country.

"It is a great sense of achievement to see this cohort through as there is no equivalent programme anywhere in the world," he said.

Professor Paul Paes, head of school of medicine at Newcastle University, said seeing the first graduates was "an exciting moment".

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"Newcastle University and STSFT have been working in partnership for a long time to train the region's doctors.

"This is a further step in that partnership to improve an area of specialist care that will make an impact locally, nationally and internationally."

STSFT said it had recruited a further two intakes of 10 students to the course.

They include two students who have moved to the UK with their families for the training, one from Malaysia and the other from Saudi Arabia.

The trust said discussions were underway with healthcare organisations in Malaysia, India and Tanzania to build future links around the project.

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The escape of thousands of salmon from an open-pen fish farm has endangered the wild salmon population in Iceland. If the escaped fish breeds with the native species, it could irreparably damage future generations of the latter.

What's happening?

On Aug. 20, approximately 3,500 farm-raised salmon escaped from an open-pen fish farm in Icelandic waters, per the Guardian. The farm is off the coast of Patreksfjorur, a village on Iceland's northwest coast. Arctic Fish, an Icelandic fish-farming company owned by Norwegian seafood giant Mowi, operates the facility.

Unconfirmed social media posts have reported that the farm-raised salmon, identifiable by their rounded tails and torn fins, have been found in at least 32 rivers across northwest Iceland, per the Guardian.

Why is the salmon escape concerning?

According to scientists, many of the escapees have reached sexual maturity. This is bad news for Iceland's wild salmon population, as interbreeding between them and farm-raised salmon results in offspring that reach sexual maturity much faster than their wild counterparts.

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The accelerated rate of maturation makes it more challenging for the species to reproduce while increasing their boldness and aggression, making them more likely to die as juveniles.

The escaped fish have reached many Icelandic waterways, endangering much of Iceland's wild salmon population.

"This is an environmental catastrophe," Gumundur Hauker Jakobsson, vice-chair of the Blanda and Svarta fishing club, told the Guardian. "If they breed, the salmon will lose their ability to survive."

Aside from the threats posed by the fugitive fish, waste from open-pen fish farms pollutes surrounding waters, according to Living Oceans. Furthermore, diseases spread from fish farms can threaten wild fish populations, per Wild First.

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One of the posts from the unverified social media reports even showed several fish carrying sea lice, which can be deadly to wild salmon.

What's being done about the escaped salmon?

Environmentalists, hobby fishers, and politicians have once again begun to call for an end to open-pen fish farming in response to yet another incident of escaped fish in Iceland.

Last year, Icelandic fish farming company Arnarlax was fined the equivalent of around $800,000 for failing to report the escape of more than 81,000 fish in 2021, per the Fish Farmer.

And while Arctic Fish has enlisted the help of specialist divers to track down the farm-raised salmon, the company's CEO, Stein Ove Tveiten, and other board members will face up to two years in prison if they are found guilty of negligence, according to the Guardian.

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Flight cancellations mounted Sunday as the U.S. was hit with dangerous winter weather from a storm that moved across the country.

Airlines canceled more than 11,000 U.S. flights for Sunday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.com. That's the most for a single day since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and almost triple the number of U.S. flights that were canceled for Saturday.

The National Weather Service says the storm brought widespread heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England.

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More than 3,700 U.S. flights have already been canceled for Monday.

A snow removal machine is seen working on the tarmac of LaGuardia airport in New York on Jan. 25, 2026. / Credit: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU /AFP via Getty Images (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU /AFP via Getty Images)

In the Washington, D.C., area, Ronald Reagan National Airport said all flights there were canceled on Sunday, posting: "ALERT: Airlines have canceled all flights at the airport today. Check with your airline for confirmation and rebooking options. Please stay home and off the icy roads."

LaGuardia Airport in New York also closed due to the snow Sunday afternoon and said it expected to reopen at 6 a.m. Monday. More than 90% of LaGuardia's Sunday flights had already been canceled, CBS News New York reported.

Even before the winter storm arrived in North Texas, flight cancellations at both major airports there piled up. Dallas Fort Worth international Airport said airlines were expected to operate a reduced number of flights Sunday and encouraged passengers to check their flight status with their airline as schedules could change.

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"DFW's teams are actively treating roads, bridges and airfield surfaces to maintain safe operations," it said in a statement.

Airports in Atlanta, Charlotte and Philadelphia were also experiencing disruptions.

Flight tracking service Flightradar24 said American was the most impacted airline this weekend, followed by United and Delta.

Major U.S. airlines were issuing travel waivers, allowing customers to change their plans without penalty due to the storm.

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Video above: News 5 Now  Top Stories from Jan. 22, 2026

Editors note: Please read an update to this story, Milton man dies after pickup plunges into Yellow River, FHP says

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  The Florida Highway Patrol is responding to a traffic fatality in Santa Rosa County.

Bond set for Mobile teen accused of stabbing father to death

According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office, a car crashed into the Yellow River off Ward Basin and Fish Camp Roads.

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Officials say that the crash happened at around 7 p.m.

Deputies with the SRCSO are responding to the scene as well.

Worst nightmare: Pine Grove house fire leaves single mom and daughters with nothing

This story is developing. News 5 will update this article as more information becomes available.

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

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Florida Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost was allegedly "punched" and racially harassed at a Sundance party in Park City, Utah, on Friday, Jan. 23

In an Instagram post, Frost claimed the individual responsible for the assault drunkenly ran off after the incident

A suspect, identified as Christian Young, has been arrested in connection with the attack



Florida Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost was allegedly assaulted while attending a party during the Sundance Film Festival.

On Friday, Jan. 23, Frost, 29, attended the talent agency CAAs Sundance Film Festival Celebration at Park Citys High West Saloon in Utah, Variety and CNN reported. He claimed in an Instagram post that he was racially harassed and physically assaulted during the event.

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Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face, Frost wrote on Instagram on Jan. 24. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.

Thank you to the venue security and Park City PD for assistance on this incident, Frost concluded.

The Park City Police Department (PCP) has confirmed that a suspect, whom they've identified as Christian Young, assaulted Frost and another woman at the private party, per CNN. Young unlawfully entered the event and carried out the alleged attack after he was initially turned away, according to Variety.

Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost/Instagram Congressman Maxwell Frost claims he was attacked at the Sundance Film Festival in an Instagram post Congressman Maxwell Frost claims he was attacked at the Sundance Film Festival in an Instagram post

Frost included a screenshot of the Variety report about the incident in his Instagram post.

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In the report, a source at CAA alleged to the outlet that the racially charged incident took place in the restroom of the High West Saloon, as Young told people that he was proud to be white. He then allegedly punched Frost as he left the bathroom.

Young has been arrested and charged with aggravated burglary and simple assault, per CNN.

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SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost in 2024 Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost in 2024

The Sundance Film Festival said in a statement after the alleged attack, per Variety, We strongly condemn last nights assault and abhor any form of violence, harassment, and hate speech. While the incident occurred at a non-Festival-affiliated event, such behavior is intolerable and against our values of upholding a welcoming and inspiring environment for all our attendees.

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The safety and security of our festival attendees is always our chief concern, and our thoughts are with Congressman Frost and his continued well-being. We encourage anyone with additional information on this matter to contact the PCP," the statement concluded.

PEOPLE has reached out to the PCP and Frosts office for comment.



Read the original article on People
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, the first member of Gen Z in Congress and representative of Florida's 10th Congressional District, was allegedly assaulted, punched in the face and told he would be deported, Jan. 23 at Sundance Film Festival, Frost and local police said.

Frost, D-Florida, wrote on social media that the man who assaulted him at the Utah film festival Friday night, also screamed racist remarks following the interaction.

"Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face," Frost wrote. 'He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off."

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Here's what we know.

Where did the assault of Maxwell Frost happen?

USA TODAY reported that Danielle Snelson, a community outreach lieutenant with the Park City Police Department, told the publication in an email that officers responded to a report of an assault just after midnight on Saturday, Jan. 24 at High West Saloon, a bar and restaurant that is part of a larger distillery.

Was a person in Rep. Maxwell Frost assault arrested?

In his initial post on X, Frost wrote that the individual was arrested. Officers conducted an investigation and identified the alleged assailant as Christian Young, Snelson told USA TODAY in an email.

Snelson wrote that Young "unlawfully entered a private party after previously being turned away for not having an invitation." Once inside, "Young assaulted Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost and a female who was attending the private event," she wrote.

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Officers arrested Young and booked him into the Summit County Jail on charges of aggravated burglary and two counts of simple assault.

Who is Rep. Maxwell Frost?

Rep. Maxwell Frost, 29, became the first member of Gen Z to be elected to U.S. Congress in 2022, representing Orlando and Central Florida in Florida's 10th Congressional District. He was reelected in 2024.

Frost was born in Orlando, Florida, and graduated from Osceola County School for the Arts, according to the Biographical Directory of U.S. Congress. He is of Puerto Rican, Lebanese and Haitian ancestry, and was adopted at birth; his adoptive mother immigrating to the US from Cuba as a child in the 1960s, according to his campaign website.

Frost has worked on multiple campaigns in Florida, including Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign and Bernie Sanders' youth voter turnout initiatives. He also worked at the American Civil Liberties Union, advocating for the restoration of the right to vote for people with felonies, and later became the National Organizing Director for March For Our Lives.

Has Rep. Maxwell Frost updated about Sundance Festival assault?

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, D-Florida, updated his followers and once again let them know he was OK and was thankful for the well wishes.

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"We are in scary times," Frost wrote. "Please stay safe and do not let these people silence you. Onwards."

When is Sundance?

The Sundance Film Festival is an annual film festival with events like feature screenings, filmmaker conversations and panel discussions, held in Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah.

This year, the "ultimate gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives" began Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

Beginning January 2027, the festival will move to Boulder, Colorado.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Maxwell Frost, Florida rep., assaulted at Sundance Festival
PARK CITY, Utah  Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., said he was punched in the face on Friday while at the Sundance Film Festival by a man who allegedly told him President Donald Trump was going to deport him.

The incident occurred at a party hosted by the agency CAA, a source with knowledge of the event told NBC News. The uninvited guest, who appeared to be drunk, made racist comments to the congressman in the restroom, followed him out of the lavatory and punched him, according to the source.

Security swiftly removed the alleged assailant from the party, which was attended by more than 100 filmmakers, agents and executives, the source said.

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Police officers responded to a report of an assault at High West Saloon on Friday and determined that a man had unlawfully entered a private party after previously having been turned away for not having an invitation, said Danielle Snelson, a community outreach lieutenant with the Park City Police Department.

Once inside, the man assaulted Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost and a female who was also at the event, Snelson said in an email Saturday.

The man was arrested and booked into the Summit County Jail on two counts each of simple assault and aggravated burglary, with each charge subject to a sentencing enhancement, the lieutenant said.

The Park City Police Department did not provide a copy of the arrest report when asked by NBC News.

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In a post on X linking to a report from Variety about the incident, Frost, 29, said the man was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off.

The individual was arrested and I am okay, Frost added. Thank you to the venue security and Park City PD for assistance on this incident.

A representative for the film festival said we strongly condemn last nights assault and abhor any form of violence, harassment, and hate speech.

While the incident occurred at a non-Festival-affiliated event, such behavior is intolerable and against our values of upholding a welcoming and inspiring environment for all our attendees, the Sundance spokesperson said in a statement. The safety and security of our festival goers remains our chief concern, and our thoughts are with Congressman Frost and his continued well-being.

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In a post on X, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said he was horrified by the attack and called for the alleged attacker to be aggressively prosecuted.

Hate and political violence has no place in our country, and the entire House Democratic Caucus family stands with Maxwell, Jeffries said.

Frost wrote a second post on X thanking people for an outpouring of support.

We are in scary times, he wrote. Please stay safe and do not let these people silence you. Onwards.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  A former Greensboro police officer was arrested and charged Saturday evening following a domestic-related incident in Alamance County early that morning.

Morgan Lynette Hill, 25, was charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling, a felony, and injury to real property. She was taken to the Alamance County Detention Center where she will be held until her court appearance on Monday.

Morgan Lynette Hill (Alamance County Sheriffs Office)

According to the Alamance County Sheriffs Office, the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, and authorities were notified shortly after 1 p.m. Several rounds were fired during the incident, but no one was injured.

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Hills employment with the GPD was terminated immediately due to the investigation and the seriousness of the allegations, officials with GPD and Alamance County Sheriffs Office confirmed.

The GPD is also conducting an internal investigation while the Alamance County Sheriffs Office continues to investigate. Additional charges are possible, the sheriffs office says.

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 FOX8 WGHP.
CENTRAL TEXAS (FOX 44)  We at FOX 44 News are bringing you Team Coverage of the Texas-Sized Winter Blast.

We spoke with several people about the conditions out there  including McLennan County Emergency Management Coordinator Ryan Dirker, Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell, Brazos County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy David Wilcox, Texas Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Jake Smith, and McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara. You can watch our interviews in the videos below.

We even hopped inside the FOX 44 Storm Interceptor to check out the roads. You can watch the videos below.

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The Central Texas community also submitted some pictures to us! You can see some in the videos below.

We at FOX 44 will continue to bring you coverage of the Texas-Sized Winter Blast. Everybody be safe out there!

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has reacted to the Oscars 2026 snub of his One Battle After Another co-star Chase Infiniti, saying he feels strongly that she deserved a nomination for her powerful performance in the film. DiCaprio, who himself has been nominated for the Academy Awards eight times and won Best Actor in 2016 for The Revenant, spoke after learning that Infiniti did not make it to the Best Actress list for the 2026 Oscars. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 'Titanic' actor while speaking to the Associated Press, the actor made it clear that he believes Infiniti was the emotional center, the "heart and soul", of the movie. He also added that the film would not feel complete without her role and said her performance was the main force that held the story together. DiCaprio also spoke about how hard it is for a young actor to carry such deep emotional weight in a first film, calling the task almost "near-impossible." He added that Infiniti handled the situation with great strength and pride. She was the fabric of this movie. She was the heart and soul," DiCaprio said. "There would be no One Battle After Another without the performance that she gave." "A young actress coming in to fill a role that was her first film and carrying the entire emotional weight of this movie was a near-impossible task," DiCaprio said. "She should be so proud of herself and we're all so proud of her." This year, DiCaprio is nominated for Best Lead Actor along with Timothee Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan and Wagner Moura. One Battle After Another also earned nominations for Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Supporting Actor for Benicio Del Toro. The film received a total of 13 nominations. Many had expected Chase Infiniti to be nominated for Best Actress, but the final list includes Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve and Emma Stone. Film industry watchers also pointed out that several other actors missed out on nominations this year. (ANI)
Fox News star Tomi Lahren said she hopes President Donald Trump will invoke the Insurrection Act to counter civil unrest in Minnesota following the shooting death of a man protesting against ICE and Border Patrol on Saturday.

The co-host of The Big Weekend Show said she had mixed emotions after the shooting. On the one hand, she said she wished Trump would leave Minneapolis to its own devices and let it be overwhelmed by illegals and fraudsters.

That would fit the demands of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D), after Frey urged the Trump administration to withdraw federal immigration agents from his city right after the shooting on Saturday.

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But them the other part of me is like No, you need to make sure we have order and restore order in this country,' Lahren said. This is not 2020 and we need to reset that precedent and President Trump  hopefully, if things get bad tonight  will consider the Insurrection Act.

She was obviously referring to the protests and riots that followed the death of George Floyd in May 2020.

Her comments come after Border Patrol agents shot and killed a protester who was identified as 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said Pretti was a local resident who was a lawful gun owner.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said during her own press conference on Saturday evening that Pretti interfered with an operation to apprehend a violent illegal immigrant and intended to kill law enforcement with his 9 mm handgun. Noem said Border Patrol agents fired defensive shots to protect themselves from Pretti.

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Critics promptly accused Noem of delivering an account of the incident that differed from the footage. CNN anchor Jake Tapper, responding to Noem, posted the video of the shooting and asked Is that what you see?

Trump last week said he did not believe using the Insurrection Act was necessary, at least right now, to counter anti-ICE protests following the shooting death of Renee Good earlier this month. The act allows the president to deploy military members to domestic cities to clamp down on rebellions. George H.W. Bush was the last president to invoke it in 1992 to counter riots in Los Angeles.

Lahren and her Big Weekend Show co-hosts later asked reporter Steve Harrigan for another update from the streets of Minneapolis. Harrigan had reported earlier in the day that the tear gas the agents were using seemed to be completely ineffective and only added more turmoil.

Harrigan told Lahren that there was a lot of hatred among the protesters who were still out in freezing temperatures on Saturday night. There is a lot of hate on the street, he said.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Foxs Tomi Lahren Hopes Trump Considers Insurrection Act After Minneapolis Shooting: This Is Not 2020 first appeared on Mediaite.
PARIS (AP)  The captain of a tanker intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea by the French navy on suspicion of shipping oil in violation of sanctions against Russia was being held in custody on Sunday for questioning.

The ships Indian captain, 58, was handed to judicial authorities following the diversion of the oil tanker, Grinch, and its arrival at anchorage in the Gulf of Fos-sur-Mer, the Marseille prosecutors office said in a statement.

The investigation is being conducted by the Maritime Gendarmeries Investigation Unit in Toulon, jointly with the Marseille Ship Safety Centre, on charges of failure to fly a valid flag, according to the statement, which added that the crew, also of Indian nationality, was being kept on board.

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"The purpose of the investigation is to verify the validity of the flag flown by the tanker and the documents required for its navigation, the statement said.

The Grinch came from Murmansk in northwestern Russia and is suspected of being part of the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet." A video provided by the French military showed members of the navy boarding the ship from a helicopter earlier this week.

Russia is believed to be using a fleet of over 400 ships to evade sanctions over its war on Ukraine. France and other countries have vowed to crack down.

The fleet comprises aging vessels and tankers owned by nontransparent entities with addresses in non-sanctioning countries, and sailing under flags from such countries.

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Last September, French naval forces boarded another oil tanker off the French Atlantic coast that President Emmanuel Macron also linked to the shadow fleet. Putin denounced that interception as an act of piracy.

That tankers captain will go on trial in February over the crews alleged refusal to cooperate, according to French judicial authorities.
MARSEILLE, France, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The captain of an oil tanker intercepted by the French navy has been detained under investigations into whether it was operating under a false flag, the Marseille prosecutors office said on Sunday.

The vessel named Grinch was seized in the Mediterranean on Thursday, then diverted to anchor off the French port city, on suspicion of being part of the shadow fleet that lets Russia export oil despite sanctions.

The 58-year-old captain, an Indian national, was detained as part of the preliminary investigations, the prosecutors said in a statement that did not mention Russia.

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The vessel left the Russian port of Murmansk in early January, sailing under a Comoros flag, French authorities have said.

Other crew members, also Indian nationals, remain on board the ship while investigators verify the validity of the flag and the vessel's navigation documents, the statement added.

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, writing by Leigh Thomas, editing by Andrew Heavens)
PARIS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The European Union is deploying emergency generators to Ukraine, saying Russian bombings have left a million people without power and heating, while France plans to hold a call to rally international help for Ukrainians exposed to extreme cold.

Electrical engineers have been working around the clock in hazardous conditions for weeks since Russia escalated attacks on Ukraine's grid during a cold snap that has reached temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 F).

The European Commission will send 447 emergency generators worth 3.7 million euros ($4.3 million) to restore power to hospitals, shelters and critical services affected by "relentless Russian strikes", it said in a statement on Friday.

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It added the generators will be mobilised from strategic reserves hosted in Poland and distributed in cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross to the most affected communities.

"Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure ... are designed to break Ukrainian spirit", European crisis chief Hadja Lahbib said in the statement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has declared an energy emergency after the strikes over winter knocked out power generation and distribution facilities.

"We won't let Russia freeze Ukraine. We bring light and warmth where Russia sends darkness," Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova told a daily news briefing.

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FRANCE TO HOLD CALL WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

Earlier on Friday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told BFM television that France would hold a call with G7 countries as well as Nordic and Baltic states later in the day to coordinate support for Ukraine's energy grid.

"He continues to shell Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. We will continue to support Ukraine," Barrot said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said France would supply Ukraine with the equivalent of 13 extra megawatts of electricity and around 100 generators to replace destroyed infrastructure. Other countries would also pledge assistance during the virtual meeting, he said.

($1 = 0.8524 euros)

(Reporting by John Irish and Alessandro ParodiEditing by Mark Heinrich and Peter Graff)
"[Hamas] are criminals. Their leaving Gaza is far better than the destruction brought about by Sinwar," Khaled, a Gazan opposition activist, told N12.

Gaza Strip residents on Wednesday revealed that they would gladly leave the Strip forever, but fear that those who stay behind would throw Gaza into more violent conflict, according to Israeli news outlet N12.

"[Hamas] are criminals. Their leaving Gaza is far better than the destruction brought about by Sinwar," Khaled, a Gazan opposition activist, told N12. "They are...criminals that trade in the blood of the Palestinian people."

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Khaled told the Israeli news outlet that the best solution, in his opinion, would be to let Hamas simply leave the Gaza Strip. He said that the world has failed to adequately support Gazan groups that oppose Hamas; so, getting Hamas out would be the first meaningful step in the right direction.

Senior leaders of the Hamas terror group are preparing a "safe exit" from the Gaza Strip, sources within the terror group revealed to Saudi outlet Asharq al-Awsat on Tuesday.

This comes after the US announced the start of Phase II of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, which calls for establishing a technocratic government to administer the Strip.

Hamas terrorists arrive to secure the area as Egyptian workers accompanied by members of the Red Cross, search for the last two remaining bodies of hostages -an Israeli soldier and a Thai national- in Jabalia refugee camp, December 1, 2025. (credit: OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images)

Several "prominent political and military leaders who survived the war" are preparing to leave, three Hamas sources told Asharq al-Awsat.

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This reaffirms previous statements by terror leader Khaled Mashaal, who stated in December that the terror group will not disarm, give up administrative control in the Strip, or permit the International Stabilization Force to take military oversight of the area.

Hamas will be disarmed, either voluntarily or by force

Iman, another Gaza resident, told N12 that she was holding out hope that Hamas would really hand over all of its weapons and leave Gaza before Israel and the United States decide to disarm them and destroy their tunnels by force, reigniting the war.

"It's clear to everyone that Netanyahu is determined to disarm Hamas and destroy the rest of the tunnels," she said. "And Trump agrees with Netanyahu. Here, in Gaza, we are afraid of what will happen at the end of the period of time that Trump and Netanyahu gave Hamas, until mid-March. This is the deadline for handing over the weapons.

"And we are afraid that the war will return," she added.

Israel is supporting Gazan anti-Hamas groups

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Israeli backing for anti-Hamas groups in June, saying Israel had "activated" clans. Israel has given few details since then.

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On Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported that members of the Popular Forces, an Israeli-backed militia, were used to try to draw out trapped Hamas militants from tunnels inside Rafah, as Israel pumped explosives into the tunnels, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Israel provides ample support for anti-Hamas militias, including drone support, intelligence sharing, weapons, cigarettes, and food, the WSJ reported, citing Israeli officials and military reservists.

James Genn and Reuters contributed to this report.
Members of Germany's ruling Christian Democrats (CDU) have proposed restricting the right to part-time work to boost the economy, sparking immediate backlash including from within their own party.

CDU lawmakers with a focus on economic matters are calling for the right to part-time work to be granted only if someone is raising children, caring for relatives or undertaking additional training, according to a motion obtained by dpa.

Under current labour law, employees have a right to reduce their working hours if they have been with the company for at least six months and if the firm employs more than 15 people.

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Companies can only reject the request if the reduction significantly impairs workflows or causes disproportionate costs.

Part-time workers include anyone working fewer hours than a full-time employee in a similar job.

In their motion, lawmakers argue that the part-time employment rate reached a record high of about 40% in Germany in 2025, while "at the same time, there is a shortage of skilled workers throughout the economy."

The motion, dubbed "No legal right to lifestyle part time," in what appeared to be a thinly veiled accusation that those working part-time are lazy, caused uproar across the political spectrum, including from within the CDU's own ranks.

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"I would also like to see more people in part-time work [...] switch back to full-time work," Dennis Radtke, chairman of a wing of CDU lawmakers focussed on employee needs, told the Funke media group.

"To achieve this, however, we need to improve the framework conditions for childcare and care."
The head of Germany's opposition Greens has urged the government to provide Ukraine with increased air defences in the face of increased Russian attacks.

In remarks to dpa on Sunday, Franziska Brantner said that Russian President Vladimir Putin "does not want peace - he wants subjugation."

She accused Putin of war crimes for attacks on energy and heating systems that targeted families, the elderly and children in winter.

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Attacks on Ukrainian civil infrastructure are calculated and not collateral damage, Brantner argues.

Kiev has a right to call for additional support in air defences, and the German government should look with its European partners into how more could be provided, she said.

Brantner called for Germany to supply its Taurus cruise missile, with a range of more than 500 kilometres, as "an important signal of political support" for Ukraine.

When in opposition, Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed supplying the weapons, but has held back from openly doing so since taking office in May last year.

Brantner also backed action on the Russian fleet of shadow tankers and for a renewed attempt to free up Russian assets frozen in EU banks.

Ukraine and Russia held face-to-face talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday and Saturday for the first time in months. Both sides expressed satisfaction, with further negotiations set to take place next week.
When an 11-year-old girl was brutally beaten to death behind the gates of a Myrtle Beach community in June 2025, it sparked a human trafficking investigation that would lead to the arrests of six people.

The case made headlines as more information slowly came to light about how the girl and her siblings came to be in the care of her killer, performing unpaid cleaning labor at medical centers in the area.

While the tragic case was a shock to the community, it also followed patterns familiar to those who regularly investigate human trafficking cases.

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AKyri Bell, the girl whose untimely death led to the Horry County investigation, was one of hundreds of juvenile human trafficking victims identified by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division statewide.

The case was one of over 300 in South Carolina that were opened in 2025, revealed in the recently released annual report by the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office.

Horry County remains among the top counties in the state for human trafficking cases.

How victims fall to human trafficking

Human trafficking doesnt always look like it does in the movies. In fact, cases where victims are kidnapped by complete strangers and taken far from their homes are quite rare.

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A lot of times it is someone that they know, Captain Sherri Smith of the Horry County Sheriffs Office explained. Typically, the person trafficking victims is a family member, a close family friend or another trusted individual.

In AKyris case, she and her siblings were brought from Texas to Myrtle Beach by a family member  her father. It remains unclear how AKyris father knew the people he dropped her off with, but investigators have shared that they are not closely related to the children.

In some other cases, victims meet their traffickers online and get groomed or deceived by them, Smith said.

Often times, the victims of human trafficking are minors who are in some way dependent on their traffickers. But even for victims who may seem like they could more easily leave a trafficking situation, trauma bonding, similar to Stockholm Syndrome, can set in and keep them stuck, Smith explained.

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This appeared to take place in AKyris situation. AKyri and her siblings were not only minors who had been dropped off in a new state by family  they also began to call their primary Camisha McGaskey mama, despite her lack of relation to them and her repeated abuses, investigators previously shared.

McGaskey, 31, would eventually be arrested and charged for AKyris death.

Where does trafficking happen in SC, and what are the signs?

It may seem like coastal areas with transient tourist economies such as those in Horry County would be more prone to human trafficking. During the height of tourist season, which brings nearly 20 million people to the Myrtle Beach area, people come and go from out of state daily.

However, data in the 2025 annual report puts Horry County relatively on par with other similarly sized counties.

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Greenville, Richland and Lexington counties are three inland South Carolina spots that received higher numbers of trafficking tips than Horry County. Greenville County topped the list with 35 tips in 2025.

Greenville County had nine human trafficking charges opened in 2025, while Horry and Charleston counties each had 10. This doesnt include any pending charges in other investigations.

All 10 of the charges in Horry County appear to be related to AKyris case, as McGaskey and her accomplice, Margaret Roberson, were each charged with five counts of trafficking in persons. The pair made five children, who appear to be AKyri and her siblings, perform unpaid labor.

This means that other large counties in the state saw higher numbers than Horry County, despite being much further from the coast and tourist hubs like Myrtle Beach.

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I dont believe that we have any more trafficking than anywhere else in the state, Smith observed.

Smith added that an important part of the trafficking investigation process is receiving tips from those who see suspicious behavior. She encouraged anyone witnessing potential human trafficking to send in a tip, which can be done through the Coastal Region Human Trafficking Task Forces recently released mobile app.

Signs of human trafficking can include indications of abuse, poor hygiene, malnourishment, fatigue, being dressed inappropriately for climate or age, having little control over finances or identification, having large amounts of debt and more.

The most common places where labor trafficking takes place are small businesses or retail locations, as opposed to hotels for sexual trafficking.

Human trafficking report sheds light on Horry County, state trends

In 2025, SLED investigated 315 tips of human trafficking cases, identifying 323 total victims statewide  89 of whom were adults, and 234 of whom were minors, according to the annual report. Seventeen of those tips were investigated in Horry County.

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Smith serves as a regional chair on the Human Trafficking Task Force, and said year after year, it is primarily juvenile females who are the victims of trafficking. Aside from that, she explained, demographics vary widely, and human trafficking can impact anyone regardless of their race, income or other factors.

In data collected by the Department of Social Services on minor victims of human trafficking, 2025 numbers show that 141 recorded minor victims were sex trafficked in the state, while 15 were labor trafficked and three were trafficked for both. Of those victims, 138 were female and 21 were male. The majority of these victims were between the ages of 15 and 18.

Information has not been released about the 17 tips investigated in Horry County or whether they truly turned out to be human trafficking cases. The only Horry County case where human trafficking charges were opened in 2025 appears to be AKyris case. The cases for all six of the defendants involved in the investigation remain open.

What happened in the deadly 2025 Horry County labor trafficking case

Like many human trafficking victims, AKyri and her siblings were brought to Horry County by a family member. Their father dropped them off with a caregiver they called mama, but who had little, if any, relation to them.

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That caregiver, McGaskey, has been charged in AKyris death. AKyri died of head wounds, according to the coroners office.

It was the investigation into AKyris mysterious death that led investigators to discover that human trafficking was taking place.

Horry County Schools previously confirmed to The Sun News that AKyri was enrolled in the school system during her time in the area. Investigators also found that she and at least four other minors were forced to provide unpaid cleaning services at medical centers in the Conway area. Sex trafficking was not suspected in this case, The Sun News previously reported.

The children were staying at a five-bedroom home in the gated Sago Plantation community in the Myrtle Beach area.

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McGaskey was also reportedly striking a 15-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy with various objects as well as her hands and feet, which was discovered during the investigation into AKyris death, according to arrest warrants. McGaskey also allegedly caused harm to multiple children in the presence of her 12-year-old daughter, who was also in the house, The Sun News previously reported.

She remains incarcerated in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center without bail and is charged with murder, human trafficking, as well as additional charges.

McGaskey wasnt the only one arrested in the case. Lakesha Burnett, Alantis Thomas, Alexandria Thomas and Darnell Dearmas were all charged with multiple counts each of unlawful conduct toward a child in the case. Roberson also faces human trafficking charge.

Dearmas, 20, and Alantis Thomas, 22, have each been charged with unlawful conduct toward a child in the case for standing by as McGaskey allegedly abused children, as is Burnett, who allowed her 14-year-old daughter to witness the events, according to court documents.

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Roberson, 56, is accused of knowingly allowing McGaskeys abuse. Alexandria Thomas, 20, is charged with placing a child in her custody at risk.

Burnett Alexandria Thomas and Alantis Thomas are out on home detention, according to online arrest records, while Dearmas and Roberson remain in custody .
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

PARK CITY, Utah (ABC4)  A man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting and threatening to deport two people, including a Florida Congressman, at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday night.

U.S Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost was allegedly punched in the face during a Sundance Film Festival event at the High West Saloon in Park City.

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Christian Joel Young, 28, was arrested for aggravated burglary (first-degree felony), assault (third-degree felony), and the assault of an elected official, according to a probable cause affidavit.

A Park City police officer was dispatched to High West Saloon on a report of an assault, and when he arrived, Young was already detained by security staff. Security advised the officer that Young had assaulted two people.

According to court documents, the event at the saloon was private, and after Young was denied entry, he was later caught jumping over the security fence. When he was challenged by security, he reportedly jumped back over the fence and left. Security was unsure how Young gained entry again after that, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Frost identified himself as one of the victims of the assault in a post on X on Saturday morning.

Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay. Thank you to the venue security and Park City PD for assistance on this incident.

Frost told police that Young approached him, making weird conversations and comments referring to race, according to court documents. Young reportedly then pulled Frost and his friend in by their necks and said, we are going to deport you and your kind.

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Court documents say that Frost and his friend pushed away from Young to get separation. Young then allegedly yelled a racial slur, punched Frost in the face, and ran away into the crowd.

A second victim told police that Young also approached her and her friend at the bar and began making strange conversation. The women reportedly stopped engaging in the conversation due to it becoming inappropriate and racially charged making Young upset.

Young then allegedly grabbed her shoulder with both hands, pushed her out of his way and against the bar. He yelled You are the kind we are going to deport. Youre being deported. and tried to run past her, according to court documents.

When Young was questioned, he reportedly did not remember his name. When asked about the incident, he stated, nothing, Im just hanging, and then I didnt remember, according to court documents.

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Young was reportedly searched and nothing illegal was found, but according to court documents, he was found in possession of a Sundance Film Festival administrative access pass that was not issued in his name.

When asked where he had gotten the access pass, Young stated he didnt know what it was, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Young was arrested and booked into the Summit County Jail on the aforementioned charges.

Court Documents also say that both assault charges are to be screened for hate crime enhancement and were racially motivated.

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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.
Republican Rep. James Comer (KY) suggested to Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo Sunday that President Donald Trump should consider removing ICE officials from Minneapolis if theres a chance of losing moreinnocent lives.

Bartiromo began by plainly stating, We do not have evidence that [Alex Pretti] was waving a gun, doing anything to threaten border patrol. He had his phone, and he was shooting  he was viewing and recording the incident. Thats what he was doing, recording the incident.

She then asked Comer, You are an elected official, what can you do about it?

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If I were President Trump, I would almost think about, okay, if the mayor and the governor are going to put our ICE officials in harms way and theres a chance of losing more, you know, innocent lives or whatever, then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide, Do we want to continue to have all of these illegals? Are we going to allow our governor, attorney general and mayor to get away with this?' Comer said.

Comer then predicted that the people of Minnesota would rebel against their leadership if undocumented migrants were allowed to disappear into their community.

But Bartiromo wasnt done asking Comer about the gun that Trump officials claimed without evidence that Pretti was brandishing at officers.

Do we know that ICE saw the gun? Do we know that it was visible? Or was this a guy with a camera recording the incident and knowing that he was armed, they learned that later? Do we know that?

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We dont know, Comer admitted. Im like you and every other American. Ive watched that video dozens of times in slow motion, Ive tried to determine whether he actually pulled a gun out or not. Yeah, I dont know. I just know that the situations bad there.

Pretti was an ICU nurse who had a legal permit to carry his concealed handgun. In the widely-circulated videos of the incident, an officer can be seen taking a gun from Pretti before the 37-year-old was shot and killed.

Watch the clip above via Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo on Fox News.

The post GOP Congressman James Comer Suggests Trump Should Pull ICE Out of Minneapolis: Theres a Chance of Losing More Innocent Lives first appeared on Mediaite.
Riddhima Kapoor Sahni celebrated 20 years of her marital bliss with her husband, Bharat Sahni, offering fans a rare glimpse from her wedding. Taking to her Instagram handle, Riddhima shared a video from the "varmala" ritual of her wedding, featuring her alongside her father, late Rishi Kapoor and a very young Ranbir Kapoor carrying out his duties as a brother. "Twenty years ago, my parents held my hand and sent me into a new life with their love, blessings and prayers. Everything I have today began with them. And in you, Bharat, I found a partner who has stood beside me through every season-holding my hand, my heart, and our life together. Thank you for making our journey so meaningful and our home so full of love. Even now after all these years, the life we've built together still brings that same smile to my face," she wrote in the caption. https://www.instagram.com/p/DT5ygOjkyuv/ In the video, Ranbir Kapoor could be seen walking his sister for the varmala, while their late father, the legendary Rishi Kapoor, accompanied Bharat Sahni for the ritual. Other family members, including Neetu Kapoor and Rima Jain, were also a part of the celebrations. As soon as she shared the video, many took to the comments to congratulate the couple, including celebrities like Dia Mirza, Farah Khan, and Saba Pataudi. Riddhima Kapoor Sahni got married on January 1, 2006, in a grand ceremony. Riddhima met Bharat while studying in London and got married in 2006, four years after being together. Riddhima is a renowned jewellery designer, and Bharat is a well-established businessman. They have a 12-year-old daughter, Samara. Apart from her personal life, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni made her acting debut in 2024 in 'Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives' on Netflix. (ANI)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansas state offices will be getting a snow day on Monday, according to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Sanders announced on Sunday morning that because of the winter storm and its effect on road conditions, she has closed state office buildings except for critical operations on Monday.

She said that state employees who can telework should do so, and agencies may implement liberal leave policies for their employees who cannot telework.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

Additionally, officials with the City of North Little Rock have announced that the North Little Rock City Council meeting scheduled for Monday at 6:00 pm has also been canceled and will be rescheduled, officials said.

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Officials said that the Sanitation Department will not run routes on Monday since roads and sidewalks where trash cans would be placed are hazardous for city workers.

For more information concerning the City of North Little Rock, visit NLR.AR.gov, the social media pages or download the City of North Little Rock App.

BRYANT

Officials for the City of Bryant say that offices will be closed on Mondayfor the safety of residents and employees as freezing temperatures continue to impact road conditions.

City staff will continue monitoring conditions and will provide an update regarding Tuesdays opening as more information becomes available.

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Additional closings can be found at the KARK 4 News Closings page.

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.
Protesters braved freezing temperatures in Philadelphia on January 24, 2026, to voice their anger over immigration enforcement tactics by the Trump administration. They also called on Gov. Josh Shapiro to stand up to to federal efforts in other states. (Photo by Emily Previti/ Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed mounting fear about immigration enforcement tactics Saturday hours after federal agents shot and killed another person in Minneapolis amid escalating confrontations with the citys residents, government and public safety officials.

What we are seeing in Minnesota is absolutely unacceptable, Shapiro said. It is so dangerous, not just for Minnesota, but for the entire country  Whats happening in Minneapolis could happen here in Philadelphia, or in Pittsburgh, or in Lancaster, or in other communities across our commonwealth. And I will just tell you this: We are prepared for that.

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Listen to Emilys audio recap:

https://penncapital-star.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/26goviceWEB.mp3

Shapiro spoke in response to a submitted question about what hes doing to keep Pennsylvanians safe from Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a book signing at Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia. Just outside, on a historically cold afternoon, hundreds of people rallied in protest of ICEs surge in several states in recent months  and what theyve said has been silence and inaction from the governor as he launches a re-election campaign. Shapiro is also mentioned as a potential Democratic candidate for president.

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Andrew Lefkowitz, of Montgomery County, came into the city for the event organized by advocacy groups including the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition and Council on Islamic Relations.

Lefkowitz, 32, said he wanted to protest the governor not really doing much about ICE in Pennsylvania. Although, the inaction isnt limited to Shapiro, he added.

Democratic leadership  theyre throwing up their hands and saying, Oh, well, you know, not much we can do. Were doing our best, said Lefkowitz, an activist whos been helping people and their families find legal assistance and other support when theyre arrested by ICE. Theyre trying to play by the rules. And Trump is throwing the rules out the window.

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Lefkowitz said he felt a particular sense of urgency Saturday after learning a U.S. Border Patrol officer had shot and killed 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. It was the second fatal shooting since the Department of Homeland Security started deploying thousands of immigration officers last month to the Twin Cities region and beyond.

Last week, the death of 37-year-old Renee Good was ruled a homicide. And details emerged about the DHS memo laying out a legal argument to justify warrantless forced entry to peoples homes.

Shapiro said Saturday his administration is doing tabletop exercises and planning.

Protesters braved freezing temperatures in Philadelphia on January 24, 2026, to voice their anger over immigration enforcement tactics by the Trump administration. They also called on Gov. Josh Shapiro to stand up to to federal efforts in other states. (Photo by John Cole for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

We are working with our partners at the local level and where we can at the federal level to ensure their safety, and to ensure that we can continue to keep and build bonds and trust that exist,  and not have it eroded by the federal government sending in ICE against the wishes of the mayor or against the wishes of the governor, he said.

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Shapiro also said we do not do ICEs work for them here in Pennsylvania.

Our state police [dont] ask for peoples status and we do not share any of that information with the federal government, he said.

Advocates, however, have flagged a couple loopholes in the Pennsylvania State Polices civil immigration law enforcement policy that they say need to be closed, which would all but sever communication with ICE. Its one in a list of executive actions they say the governor should take to protect immigrants and the general public amid the Trump administrations enforcement surge.

Meanwhile, dozens of the commonwealths other law enforcement agencies  local police, constables and county jails and sheriffs departments  have contracts formalizing ICE cooperation.

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Known as 287(g) agreements, they delegate to local law enforcement ICE tasks and responsibilities that differ depending on the type of agreement in place. The most common one among Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies, by far, is a task force model. It affords the most authority of three 287(g) types, empowering trained officers to carry out enforcement actions such as making civil immigration arrests, collecting evidence for deportation cases and issuing requests to other agencies to detain people for suspected immigration violations.

Those agreements would be banned or restricted by proposals being developed in the state legislature modeled after laws already in place in some other states.

John Cole, a freelance reporter, contributed to this story.
For a long time the question has been asked: if China decides to invade Taiwan, can it be stopped by the US?

In short, is the US still the worlds sole superpower, able to dictate terms to Beijing even just off the China coast  or can the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) now bring the long-standing Pax Americana, the rules-based international order, to a conclusive end?

We may find out quite soon now, even as Sir Keir Starmer travels to Beijing this week to break bread with Xi Jinping. Last week, away from the slopes of Davos and largely unnoticed outside the shipping industry, the geopolitical order shifted significantly. A bulk cargo ship named Winning Youth arrived in China carrying 200,000 tons of iron ore.

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Big cargoes of iron ore arrive in China all the time, of course, to feed the nations enormous appetite for primary steel. Normally, however, the ore comes from Australia (64pc) or Brazil (the other major supplier at 22pc).

The Winning Youths cargo was different. It was the first to be shipped from the enormous Simandou deposits in Guinea, West Africa. The ship departed from the Conakry anchorage on Dec 2.

The Simandou mines in Guinea, West Africa, contain enormous deposits of iron ore - Luc Gnago/Reuters

The Simandou mines, the associated rail line to the coast, and the specially built barge port on the Morebaya river estuary from which the ore is loaded aboard ships in the anchorage, are a massive joint project.

This has complex finances, but according to analysis house Drewry: Chinese entities collectively have the largest strategic influence across the entire project through both mine ownership and shared control of the rail-port infrastructure. China is the largest combined strategic stakeholder.

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The Simandou project is not yet properly online: it took three weeks to get the Winning Youth fully loaded, much longer than it will take to load a bulker once the railway and the barge terminal are up to full capacity. (The mine isnt really a bottleneck: its more a matter of simply scooping ore up and putting it in railway cars rather than mining as generally understood.)

But Simandou is expected to ramp up fast over the next few years, perhaps shipping 120 million tons annually in the near term. Its also expected that most  if not all  of that ore will go to China.

That matters, because Australian control over the bulk of Chinas iron ore supply is often thought to be one of the factors holding Xi Jinping back from an active military campaign to conquer Taiwan. Australia would surely cease shipments of ore in response to such a campaign, and the damage to Chinas enormous industries would be colossal.

However, not many years from now, this would have much less effect as massive amounts of ore would still be shipping from Simandou. As the shape of the worlds cargo routes changes, so too will the calculus of power in the Taiwan Strait.

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Menacing manoeuvres

Confrontation in the strait is in fact already under way, with Chinese military manoeuvres there now so menacing that the Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis is deemed to have been going on since 2022.

This is the background to Sir Keirs visit to Beijing this week. Accompanied by British business leaders, his trip is reportedly aimed at restoring the golden era of Sino-British trade and investment seen under Theresa May.

The Starmer Governments eagerness to woo China was apparent in its decision days ago to allow the new Chinese super embassy in London to go ahead  a decision described in The Telegraph by former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith as a humiliating sell-out.

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British messaging is mixed, however. Last week the nuclear-powered attack submarine HMS Anson arrived at Gibraltar. Gibraltar is the submarines first stop on her way to Australia, where she will probably spend at least six months based out of Perth as part of Submarine Rotational Force West.

SRF-West is the first stage of the Australia-UK-US Aukus agreement, which will evolve into a tri-national force of nuclear attack boats based at Perth, and the infrastructure in Australia and the UK which will build and support them.

Since Anson is probably the only serviceable attack submarine in the Royal Navy at the moment, and with the Russian threat in the Atlantic ever more present, it is clear that the Government is placing a very high priority indeed on Aukus.

The whole point of Aukus, of course, is to confront Chinas growing power in the Pacific.

HMS Anson, possibly the only serviceable attack submarine in the Royal Navy, is on its way to Australia - Andrew Linnett/MoD

Mainland China refuses to have diplomatic relations with any nation which recognises Taiwan as independent.

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Diplomats, at least, believe that diplomatic relations with China are essential  although in the case of the UK the result appears to be a large piece of Chinese territory in central London occupied by a massive CCP spy fortress. Only a few small nations recognise Taiwan as independent, probably the best known being the Vatican.

Quite a lot of nations, however, take an ambiguous stance towards Taiwanese independence. They have diplomatic relations with China, embassies and all, and they do not formally recognise Taiwans nationhood.

They do not have embassies in Taipei and Taiwan does not have embassies in their capitals, but there are people and buildings that do much the same thing.

The UK, for instance, has the British Office in Taipei, staffed by Foreign Office employees who would be diplomats if they were accredited as such.

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Taiwan has a similar Taipei Representative Office in Belgravia. There is a parking space across the street with diplomats painted on it, for all that the representatives in the office are  officially  not diplomats, which somewhat gives away the British Governments real stance.

The officials stationed at the Taipei Representative Office in Belgravia, central London, are not technically diplomats

Rather more importantly, the entire US policy towards Taiwan has always been one of strategic ambiguity. What this has actually tended to mean, however, is fairly firm and evident American backing for Taiwanese independence and democracy.

During the run up to the 1996 election in Taiwan, for instance, China made a serious attempt to frighten the Taiwanese into voting for the pro-Beijing candidate. More than 100,000 troops were mustered on the mainland side of the strait and amphibious invasion exercises took place.

China also fired ballistic missiles into Taiwanese territorial waters, causing enough upset that merchant shipping ceased using the strait twice and maritime insurance rates for Taiwan increased significantly.

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This sabre-rattling, however, was largely negated by the arrival of two US aircraft carrier groups and other naval elements.

That confrontation is nowadays known as the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis (the first two, in the 1950s, involved artillery bombardments from the mainland against outlying Taiwan-controlled islands).

Growing military might

Chinese air and naval power was fairly negligible in the mid-1990s, a fact that was illustrated by the carrier USS Nimitz twice cruising through the strait along with various other US warships. The pro-Beijing candidate in Taiwan got less than 15pc of the vote.

Ever since then, the US military has assumed that a fight against China would be likely, with its traditional Cold War foe Russia relegated to second place.

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This makes sense: the Chinese economy is now no less than 20 times the size it was in the mid-1990s and the CCPs defence budget is the second biggest in the world, much bigger than that of Russia even with Vladimir Putins new war economy.

Needless to say, Chinese air and naval power are no longer negligible. Indeed, by count of warships the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is actually bigger than the US Navy, though America for the moment still has a considerable advantage in terms of overall tonnage and missile launch tubes  probably more important numbers.

Meanwhile the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) now has hundreds of fifth-generation stealth fighters and more than 100 long-range strategic bombers able to mount devastating missile strikes against enemy fleets and bases far away.

Probably more significantly still, the Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF)  this is a separate arm of service in China  does not only have intercontinental nuclear missiles.

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It also has more than 3,000 shorter-ranging ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles able to strike targets with conventional warheads at great distances. In particular, US bases in Guam, Japan and South Korea are threatened, and if US warships in the region can be located and tracked, they can potentially be sunk.

The US military ought nonetheless to be enormously more powerful than Chinas. US nominal GDP is still half again that of China, and crucially the US spends proportionally more on defence, or as the new administration prefers to put it, on war: 3.4pc to Chinas 1.7pc. Americas colossal military spending, approaching $1tn a year, is roughly triple that of China.

But that isnt the whole picture. Both China and the US mostly make their own armaments and recruit from their own labour markets: and the cost of Chinese-made weapons, planes, ships, etc, is much lower than US-made ones. Chinese soldiers, sailors and airmen are much cheaper than Americans.

This cost difference is illustrated by the fact that Chinas vast shipbuilding industry, far and away the biggest in the world, built warships of a combined tonnage equal to the entire Royal Navy in just the four years up to 2025 and this rate is accelerating. American shipyards, so expensive that they can mostly win business only from the Pentagon, are struggling even to replace existing US warships as they wear out  let alone expand the fleet.

Comparisons like this explain the fact that on a purchasing-power parity basis, as opposed to nominal GDP, the Chinese economy is actually a third again bigger than the US.

This suggests that in terms of buying and hiring power the American war department only enjoys a 50pc advantage, rather than a three-fold one.

Dangerous waters

Then there is the fact that a battle in the vicinity of Taiwan would see US forces operating at long range from their bases and the Chinese close to theirs.

In the scenario of an amphibious invasion by China, a US Navy attack submarine  or perhaps an allied Aukus one, HMS Anson or one of her successors  might well slip past or fight through relatively unpracticed PLAN anti-submarine forces and into the Taiwan Strait.

Parts of the strait are too shallow for a nuclear attack boat, but this would still be a fox-in-the-henhouse event for the invasion fleet: the subs torpedoes and missiles would take a fearful toll of the Chinese amphibious forces. The submarine might well survive to escape once it was out of weapons.

But if such a submarine were part of the Aukus force at Perth, it would then have a journey of 4,000 miles back to base to re-arm itself, and then another equally long voyage to get back into the fight.

The sub captain might head instead for a closer US base such as Guam, but this would still be nearly 2,000 miles away. The boat might then arrive only to find the base knocked out, or might be sunk at the jetty by long-ranging Chinese strikes.

Meanwhile, a Chinese warship near Taiwan would be only briefly absent if it needed to resupply, meaning that each Chinese ship would deliver a lot more combat power than an equivalent US or allied one. The US president might choose to strike Chinese bases on the mainland, of course, but it is definitely possible that this would be viewed as overly escalatory  an ever-present consideration in a war where both sides have intercontinental nukes.

All these factors tend to erode the American spending advantage. It was not a total surprise when a Pentagon summary  the so-called Overmatch Brief  leaked last month.

Decisive defeat

It was based on years of US wargaming, classified intelligence briefings and simulations, and it stated categorically that America would most likely suffer decisive defeat if it attempted to intervene against any attempt by China to conquer Taiwan.

One reason that the Overmatch Brief is not surprising, of course, is that the Pentagon has every incentive to suggest that it needs more resources. Similarly the fact that it leaked to the media was not a shock  if nobody knows that such a document exists, it has much less effect. The Overmatch Brief may one day be compared to the missile gap and bomber gap ideas put forth by the US Air Force in the 1950s, claiming that the Soviet Unions forces were hugely stronger than they actually were in an attempt to obtain a bigger budget.

Factors of budget relative to scenario, indeed, have powerful effects on all militaries. For instance it seems clear that the first and quite probably decisive stages of any China-Taiwan-US shooting war would be an air and sea contest mostly involving long-range missiles. On the US side the missiles would mostly be launched from ships or aircraft.

This is a pleasing thought for the US Navy and the US Air Force. It is not at all pleasing for the US Army and Marine Corps, who would not wish to be left out.

This has led to the curious spectacle of the Marines converting many of their conventional combat units into so-called Littoral Regiments and the Army similarly creating what it calls Multi Domain Task Forces. Both of these are basically land-based missile units, a sort of American PLARF. The problem is that America would probably not wish to provoke China in advance, so they cannot be based on Taiwan and thus would probably not be all that much use.

These matters aside, the big question for Xi, Trump and the various China hawks in his team  undersecretary of defence for policy Elbridge Colby, for instance  is this: what would happen if China moved against Taiwan and the US intervened?

The usual way to find an answer to this sort of question is wargames  the military version of what is called modelling, if one is talking about subjects such as pandemic disease or climate change. There have been many wargames around the idea of a Chinese invasion or blockade of Taiwan.

Most of them have taken place behind the curtain of classified information, as with the Overmatch Brief. Such models may benefit from better or more detailed data. What is almost always true is that secret modelling is even more likely to be driven by an underlying agenda than openly visible work.

Thats why its probably useful for most of us to look at public wargame modelling of a possible fight for Taiwan. An influential Washington think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), has made a strong effort here.

Uncomfortable realities

The CSIS wargames acknowledge some uncomfortable realities for the US forces.

American cruisers and destroyers, for instance, have truly amazing defences against incoming Chinese missiles of various kinds, and such defences can mean that even a major Chinese strike can be resisted by a US aircraft carrier strike group or another kind of US Navy surface taskforce.

But the numbers are remorseless. In one example, China sends out a force of 24 H-6 heavy bombers armed with four YJ-12 ship-killer missiles each. The bombers can range far out into the Pacific, sweeping large stretches of ocean with their radar. If they have any vague idea where a US Navy task force may be, they can locate it.

If the US force includes a carrier, its radar plane is likely to detect the Chinese bombers long before they can find the carrier, and in that case the carriers fighters are likely to solve the problem.

The CSIS model doesnt acknowledge the reality that a strike package of H-6s would be unlikely to get past responding US Navy fighters, especially if they were armed with the new beyond-visual-range air-launched SM-6.

The bombers would probably all have been shot out of the sky before they ever got a sniff of the carrier, which would remain below their radar horizon.

But if there are no US radar planes or fighters in play, the hail of missiles from the Chinese bombers is likely to overwhelm even the extremely strong Aegis/Standard defence of US cruisers and destroyers, sinking most if not all of them.

If the US ships do beat off such an attack, the Chinese bombers fly home, re-arm and return in a matter of hours. The American ships missile tubes will be largely empty this time, and this is before the extra firepower of the far-away land-based PLARF batteries comes into play.

Damaged global powers

The CSIS wargames still do not predict the clear-cut defeat seen in the Overmatch Brief. Indeed, their results suggest that in fact if the US is committed to the fight and doesnt hesitate at the start, it can knock China back with a very bloody nose in the event of any serious fight over Taiwan.

The end result would be a Taiwan Strait filled with burning and sinking Chinese wrecks and the survivors of the Chinese invasion force trapped on Taiwan with their supply lines from the mainland cut, eventually forced to surrender.

But the US Navy and Air Force would have suffered on a scale not seen since the Second World War. Hundreds of American fighter jets would have been destroyed, mostly wrecked on the ground in their bases in Japan and elsewhere by long-ranging Chinese strikes.

The US Navy and its allies would lose dozens of ships and thousands of sailors. HMS Anson or her future successor on SRF-West would probably have done a huge amount of damage to the PLAN and its amphibious fleet, knowing our submariners, but they would in all likelihood have gone down fighting in the end, assuming they could rearm and get back in the battle often enough.

Both China and the US would be seriously damaged as global military powers, and Taiwan would still be free but shattered as a nation and an economy  and that would mean knock-on damage to all world economies, given how vital the Taiwanese semiconductor industry is to us all.

The lesson of history for us all to take away  not only the US, but Australia, Britain and everyone else in the West  is that ancient and well-tried truism: if you would have peace, prepare yourself for war.

The way to persuade Xi Jinping not to invade Taiwan is to make the chance of failure higher.

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Native Vote. Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo), who is running to be New Mexicos next governor, is speaking out against what she called the cruel and unchecked actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man by federal agents.

This has to stop, Haaland wrote Saturday in a Facebook post after learning of the killing of Minneapolis resident Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an ICU nurse who was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents. While Minnesotans and many across the country protest the disgusting and terrifying violence ICE is carrying out in our country, federal agents shot and killed another person. Trump and ICE agents are making our communities unsafe.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

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On Friday, Haaland stood alongside protesters at a rally in Albuquerque, where she condemned what she described as a pattern of violence and lawlessness by federal immigration agents.

Haaland said she is alarmed by ICE agents using violence, rounding people up, tearing families apart, targeting Black and brown communities, and breaking the law. She also said she is concerned that while state and local law enforcement agencies work to protect communities, ICE agents are undertrained and putting New Mexicans in harms way.

She said federal agents are failing to focus on what she described as the real public safety priorities: keeping violent criminals and illegal drugs off the streets.

At the rally, Haaland said she would, if elected, hold ICE officials accountable for breaking the law and protect public spaces such as schools, churches, courthouses, health care centers and state government facilities. She said she supports requiring ICE agents to identify themselves and remove their masks.

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Haaland also praised New Mexicos congressional delegation for voting against funding for the agency that oversees ICE and said she supports legislative proposals to ban ICE detention centers in New Mexico.

I am proud to support protesters stand up to injustice and the cruel policies of ICE and the Trump administration, Haaland said. Every day, I hear another story of a child, peaceful protester, law-abiding human being, getting detained and arrested for nothing. Its un-American. As governor, I will always stand up for New Mexicans.

Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo, previously served as U.S. secretary of the Interior, where she oversaw law enforcement agencies across the department and established a task force aimed at strengthening standards for public protection and improving training and resources for officers.

While in Congress, Haaland helped secure $350 billion for state and local governments and law enforcement agencies and co-sponsored legislation aimed at reforming immigration enforcement and restricting family separations.

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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
Half of voters in the south-western German state of Baden-Wurttemberg would like to see other parties working with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), according to a YouGov survey commissioned by dpa.

The numbers come just weeks before residents in the prosperous state are set to head to the polls on March 8, kicking of a bumper election year that will see regional votes in five of the country's 16 federal states.

The performance of the AfD is set to be among the developments most closely watched, after the anti-immigrant, anti-establishment party came in second in Germany's 2025 national elections in what was its best-ever result.

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The AfD currently leads polls by a wide margin in the eastern states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

But while the former East Germany has long been a stronghold for the party, the AfD has also been making gains in the west, and is currently polling in third place in Baden-Wurttemberg with 20%.

Germany's mainstream parties have ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, an approach known as the "firewall" against a party that is monitored by domestic intelligence as a suspected extremist group, both at national level and in Baden-Wurttemberg.

But the numbers coming out of the south-western state indicate that voter support for the policy is crumbling.

Some 24% of survey respondents said parties should decide on a case-by-case basis on how to deal with the AfD, while 26% said they are in favour of other parties considering the AfD as a potential coalition partner.
Half of voters in the south-western German state of Baden-Wurttemberg would like to see other parties working with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), according to a YouGov survey commissioned by dpa.

The numbers come just weeks before residents in the prosperous state are set to head to the polls on March 8, kicking of a bumper election year that will see regional votes in five of the country's 16 federal states.

The performance of the AfD is set to be among the developments most closely watched, after the anti-immigrant, anti-establishment party came in second in Germany's 2025 national elections in what was its best-ever result.

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The AfD currently leads polls by a wide margin in the eastern states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

But while the former East Germany has long been a stronghold for the party, the AfD has also been making gains in the west, and is currently polling in third place in Baden-Wurttemberg with 20%.

Germany's mainstream parties have ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, an approach known as the "firewall" against a party that is monitored by domestic intelligence as a suspected extremist group, both at national level and in Baden-Wurttemberg.

But the numbers coming out of the south-western state indicate that voter support for the policy is crumbling.

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Some 24% of survey respondents said parties should decide on a case-by-case basis on how to deal with the AfD, and cooperate with the party on individual issues and legislative proposals.

Another 26% of the 1,028 voters questioned between January 14 and 22 said they are in favour of other parties considering the AfD as a potential coalition partner.

Parties in Baden-Wurttemberg have strictly ruled out working with the AfD, which is likely to become the biggest opposition force, with the conservatives of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the Greens leading in the polls.

Some 42% of respondents said they oppose cooperation with the AfD, while 8% said they did not have an opinion on the issue.
Family is the most important aspect of a persons life, but dealing with family members can sometimes be exasperating. They know how to push your buttons. They can make you furious. But in the end, family is family and most have your best interests at heart and will support you to accomplish your goals.

The conservative movement is like a family  one, big, occasionally disagreeing family. The Heritage Foundation has been the leader of the family for decades. But it assists, and is supported by, hundreds of other think tanks and conservative organizations. There are squabbles, just as there are probably arguments around your family dinner table on holidays. But in a moment of trouble, everyone in a family will rally to help each other.

Weve seen squabbles in public recently, especially at Decembers Americafest. The free exchange of ideas on the right led to some disagreements there, and the media was happy to blow it up into a major disagreement. Of course, this isnt the first time. There have been squabbles in this movement for decades, so they bother liberals more than they bother conservatives.

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In fact, this is the origin of where many of todays competing organizations came from. Other groups split off as members of the conservative movement when they disagreed about various policy matters.

New groups formed decades ago as people asked big questions: Should the movement focus more on the Soviet Union (when it existed) and less on family issues? Should it be more concerned about taxes and less about regulation?

These groups splintered off but remained part of the family. And when it mattered: at election time, they followed the leader: The Heritage Foundation. Its book Mandate for Leadership provided a blueprint for generations of conservatives to follow, and each success led to greater accomplishments. In 1980 conservatives elected Reagan. In 1994, they elected Gingrich. Today, Republicans control all three branches of the federal government.

Because Heritages leadership over the decades has paid off, it was time to update the mission. Heritage 2.0, the program that is underway now, is an evolution of strategy that will allow the Foundation to continue to lead.

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A key to the future strategy will be helping build stronger families. Heritage is providing leadership by focusing on flourishing families, community stability, and maintaining American cultural values. It is going to the mat to oppose the political culture which does not prioritize family or treats them as some left wing ideological battle to be won at the expense of parents and children.

The Heritage Foundations goal is to restore the family values that our countrys political institutions were originally grounded in. You cant have a healthy political environment if the country is governed by narcissism, with everyone doing what is best for himself instead of working to build a better community or country. Americas stability depends on family centered legislation.

In the District of Columbia, Heritages backyard, and the seat of American government, we see the effects of family breakdown. Close to 80 percent of babies in Wards 7 and 8 are born to unmarried parents, notes Heritage scholar Delano Squires. These are also the parts of the city where 60 percent of homicides occur.

But help is available. One federal grant provides $35 million for marriage education programs, Squires writes. A local church could use this type of grant to run a marriage boot camp for cohabiting couples with children, where successful completion of the program would mean participants are ready to say, I do by the end of their training. As Heritage President Kevin Roberts put it at Americafest, We have to make sure that all of our policies, including tax policy and safety net reform, focus on the future of the family.

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Another big step for conservatives will be Heritages efforts to promote the dignity of work and the future of free enterprise.

Work gives people personal dignity and economic independence. It helps improve civic participation. Heritage expert E.J. Antoni notes that the country is already making progress. All the net job growth over the last year has gone to American workers, not their foreign born counterparts, he writes.

He adds that the private sector is benefiting because the administration is getting rid of federal workers. The nation went from hiring to firing federal workers, which in turn went from increasing to decreasing the headline jobs numbers. By removing barriers to private sector employment, Heritage is promoting economic policy that is rooted in human empowerment and growth.

The left is eager to fracture the right, but we arent falling for it. The Heritage Foundation isnt perfect, but it is doing a good job of providing leadership across the spectrum, and a few internal arguments wont change that dynamic.

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Peter Mihalick is former legislative director and counsel to former Reps. Barbara Comstock, Virginia Republican, and Rodney Blum, Iowa Republican.

Peter Mihalick is former legislative director and counsel to former Reps. Barbara Comstock, Virginia Republican, and Rodney Blum, Iowa Republican.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned of a major US-led confrontation, citing Israel and what he called Zionist aggression, while addressing wounded fighters and praising Iran's Khamenei.

Hezbollah faces a major US-led confrontation, the terror groups leader, Secretary-General Naim Qassem, stated in a message to wounded Hezbollah fighters on Saturday, shared by the terror group's official media channels.

"We are facing a major confrontation, led by the American tyrant with a desperate Western force and savage Zionist aggression," Qassem stated.

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"The resistance fighters [Hezbollah] stopped 75,000 enemy Israeli soldiers at the outskirts of pure southern Lebanon, and our people returned to the land at the moment of the ceasefire to protect it with their bodies, their faith, and their steadfastness," he claimed.

Noting that he was speaking to wounded terrorists, he commented that they will "recover from your wounds because you are people of faith and truth."

"As long as we remain on the path of Karbala, Hussein [a grandson of Mohammed], and the line of Hezbollah, we are always victorious," he affirmed, referencing a core founding moment in Shia history.

People gather outside a hospital after thousands of Hezbollah members were wounded when pagers they used to communicate exploded across Lebanon. September 17, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

He cited a supposed quote from Hassan, another grandson of Mohammed, who supposedly said that "When we achieve victory, we are victorious, and when we are martyred, we are also victorious."

Qassem praises terrorists injured by Mossad's pagers operation

"Greetings to the wounded, you who raised our heads high, especially the pager wounded [referring to the successful Mossad pagers operation]," he said.

"The greatest greetings are to our guardian, Imam Khamenei, the leader of this divine march toward achieving its goals," praising Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Iranian regime is the main backer of Hezbollah's terror organization.
Holocaust survivor Eva Umlauf, head of the International Auschwitz Committee, issued a warning against rising extremism during a ceremony in Berlin marking the 81st anniversary of the death camp's liberation on Sunday.

Umlauf said she questioned whether her words could still reach minds and hearts, "given current political developments and the drumfire of extremist right-wing and anti-Semitic incitement long supported by many and celebrated not only in Germany."

Umlauf questioned whether people attending rallies of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and listening to extremist language similar in word and rhythm to that of the Nazis knew what followed from their logic.

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She called on those attending the ceremony in Berlin to defend democracy against constant attack from both the left and the right.

Holocaust survivors yearn for a country in which no one should be in fear for wearing the Jewish kippah, in which Jewish facilities don't need guards and with a society that realizes in good time when people are being ostracized or dehumanized.

Between 1940 and 1945, some 1.1 million people, most of them Jews, were murdered in the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, which has become a symbol of the Holocaust. The camp was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945, when around 7,000 survivors were freed. Umlauf was two at the time.
HONG KONG (AP)  A prominent activist who organized Hong Kongs decades-old vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square military crackdown on democracy protesters said Friday that her group's demand for ending one-party rule" was a call for democratization, not for an end to the Communist Party's leadership in China.

Chow Hang-tung, a former leader of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, stated in court Friday during a trial brought under a national security law that virtually silenced 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 organize, plan or act through unlawful means with a view to subvert the state power.

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Lee Cheuk-yan, another former group leader, also pleaded not guilty Thursday to the charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

Dispute over meaning of ending one-party rule

The prosecution has focused on ending one-party rule, one of the alliances core demands, by arguing the alliances call meant ending the Chinese Communist Partys leadership, which was against the constitution. There was no legal means to achieve that, it said.

Chow, a barrister who is defending herself, countered the prosecution claim Friday while appealing to the court to admit an expert's evidence, standing outside the courtroom dock while presenting her argument.

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The judges are expected to rule Monday whether to admit the report from a Taiwan-based scholar addressing a definition of democracy and whether democratization must be pursued through unlawful means.

Democracy was the core concept behind the alliance's activities and statements, Chow said in court.

The alliances position is not to end the Chinese Communist Partys leadership, but to end one-party dictatorship, said Chow, who smiled when supporters in the courtroom wished her well for her birthday on Saturday.

The court heard on Thursday that co-defendant Albert Ho said in 2018 that the call was not to eliminate the Chinese Communist Party and the party could maintain its ruling position through fair elections. Ho pleaded guilty Thursday, which could result in a reduced sentence.

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Calling to build a democratic China

For 30 years, the Hong Kong Alliance organized 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 with a sea of candles 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 city's stability following the protests.

After the pandemic, the former vigil site was occupied instead by a carnival organized by pro-Beijing groups on June 4, the crackdowns anniversary.

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Observers say the disappearance of the symbolic spectacle was an indicator of the decline in freedoms in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 and is now administered 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 Kong's government said its law enforcement actions were evidence-based and strictly in accordance with the law.
On the eve of Republic Day, the Centre announced the Padma Awards 2026, conferring the highest civilian honours to 131 individuals, including two duo cases. In a duo case, the award is counted as one. The Padma Awards recognise individuals from diverse fields, including arts, literature, social service, medicine, education, and public service, for their excellence, dedication, and long-term contributions to society. Veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty expressed his gratitude after being named for the Padma Bhushan in the Padma Awards 2026. While speaking to the media, he said, "Thanks," when asked about the announcement of the prestigious civilian honour. Mammootty is widely regarded as one of India's most accomplished actors, with a global fan following. He made his acting debut in a junior role in Anubhavangal Paalichakal in 1971 and has since built a remarkable body of work spanning multiple genres and languages. Last year, in November, he bagged his seventh Best Actor award at the Kerala State Film Awards. Upon receiving the award, Mammootty expressed his gratitude to fellow artists and the team behind 'Bramayugam'. He wrote, "Heartfelt congrats to Shamla Hamza, Asif, Tovino, Soubin, Sidharth, Jyothirmayi, Lijo Mol, Darshana, Chidambaram, and the entire teams of Manjummel Boys, Bougainvillea, Premalu and all other winners of the Kerala State Awards."Mammootty is also a recipient of National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards. The ace star will be seen in 'Patriot', which is written and directed by Mahesh Narayanan, known for his work in Malayalam cinema. The film features a large cast, including Mohanlal, Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Darshana Rajendran, Revathy, and Nayanthara. The film is produced by Anto Joseph and KG Anil Kumar under the banner of Anto Joseph Productions. Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order, and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field. These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions around March / April every year. (ANI)
Fire damaged a home in Washington County on Saturday.

In a social media post, the South Strabane Fire Department said emergency crews were called to Roupe Road in the townships eastern area just after 2 p.m.

Crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from a homes basement. Additional crews were called in to help.

South Strabane officials say the residents were not home at the time of the fire, but the houses contents are likely a total loss.

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The Washington Salvation Army assisted on scene by providing food and snacks to first responders.

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(Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)

House Democrat Jared Golden (D-ME) threw his support behind Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations in his state on Friday, claiming the federal agency has the right and responsibility to remove criminals who are in the country illegally.

Goldens position is in stark contrast to that of Democratic officials in Minnesota, who have told ICE to get the f*ck out, as citizen protests continue to rage.

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Federal law enforcement agencies have the right and responsibility to enforce federal laws, including immigration laws, and a targeted law enforcement operation focused on individuals who have engaged in criminal activity serves the public interest, Golden wrote on social media.

Golden reminded the Department of Homeland Security that it needed to lay off legal U.S. citizens and follow due process when it does make arrests.

Federal law enforcement agencies have the right and responsibility to enforce federal laws, including immigration laws, and a targeted law enforcement operation focused on individuals who have engaged in criminal activity serves the public interest. Its also true that for  Congressman Jared Golden (@RepGolden) January 22, 2026

Its also true that for long-term stability and social cohesion, law enforcement requires public trust, Golden wrote. DHS should prioritize its enforcement actions on public safety and must themselves comply with federal laws. Immigrants with legal status should not be targeted, court authorities should be obeyed and due process must be followed.

The congressman continued with a message to protesters:

Free speech and lawful protest are protected rights, but regardless of how anyone feels about immigration policy or ICEs tactics, people must not obstruct or impede law enforcement activities, Golden wrote. And all of us  including public officials  must resist the urge to amplify tensions or spread unverified reports. That is a recipe for confrontation and escalation that helps no one.

Golden was first elected in 2019, but announced in November that he would not run for reelection. He wrote in an op-ed for The Bangor Daily News that he has never loved politics.

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I dont fear losing, Golden wrote. What has become apparent to me is that I now dread the prospect of winning. Simply put, what I could accomplish in this increasingly unproductive Congress pales in comparison to what I could do in that time as a husband, a father and a son.

The post House Democrat Announces Support For ICE Deportations In His State: They Have the Right and Responsibility first appeared on Mediaite.
CAMBRIDGE CITY, IN  Wayne County sheriffs officials have not released new information as of Monday morning about a house fire that killed three early Saturday, Jan. 24, in the 18000 block of Frank Myers Road in Cambridge City.

Meanwhile, a Gofundme account has been set up on behalf of a family member of the victims.

First responders found the residence fully involved in fire about 2 a.m., the sheriff's office said in a statement Saturday night.

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Once the fire was brought under control, the three victims were found in the residence. The Wayne County Sheriffs Department and the Indiana State fire marshal, is actively investigating to determine the identities of the victims, their causes of death, and the origin and cause of the fire, the news release said. The Wayne County coroners office is involved in identifying the victims and determining their causes of death.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: No new information released in house fire that killed 3 in Cambridge City
A huge winter storm hit the US this weekend, and millions remain affected as the week began.

The storm spread more than 2,000 miles from New Mexico to Maine.

Here's where the storm is hitting hardest.

A massive winter storm is battering the US, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to millions of Americans.

The storm, which has stretched over 2,000 miles from New Mexico to Maine, hit the south-central US on Friday night and is now pummeling the Northeast. At least 18 people have died from weather-related causes, according to the Associated Press.

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As snowfall picked up in New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced schools would operate remotely on Monday due to the weather.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul had previously announced that "all state employees" were also authorized to work remotely to start the week.

"I encourage other employers to do the same, just to keep people off the roads and think about this," she said.

Here's where else the storm is set to hit.

Impact of the storm on Little Rock, Arkansas. Will Newton/Getty Images

Heavy snow is continuing to fall across large parts of the northeastern US.

"The storm will produce heavy snow over the Northeast and patches of rain/freezing rain over parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Snow will also develop along the Appalachians on Monday," the National Weather Service said in a Monday morning update.

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The Great Lakes region is also set for a fresh wave of snow, travelling south from Canada, the NWS said Monday.

As of around 11:30 a.m. ET on Monday, extreme cold weather warnings are in effect for parts of 18 of the contiguous states, including Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Missouri.

In Arkansas, some areas recorded around seven inches of snowfall through Friday night into Saturday.

Much of the Northeast remains under Winter Storm Warnings, including parts of New York, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Connecticut.

The agency said power outages, tree damage, and dangerous travel conditions are also likely across parts of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic due to freezing rain and lingering icing.

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Major cities in the weather system's path include Atlanta, Charlotte, Richmond, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.

Roughly 800,000 customers from New Mexico to Virginia are without power as of late morning on Monday, according to PowerOutage.us.

An American Airlines plane is pictured during the winter storm. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Moving forward, the NWS said heavy snowfall is likely to lead to "widespread travel disruptions and closures" that could last several days.

Travel was hit hard this weekend, with airlines canceling thousands of flights across Saturday and Sunday, and cancellations continuing into Monday.

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On Monday, over 4,900 flights were canceled as of around 11:30 a.m. ET, with all three New York airports canceling more than 40% of flights. Boston Logan was the worst-affected airport on Monday, canceling 61% of flights.

Monday's disruption followed the worst single day of flight cancellations since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 11,500 US flights canceled on Sunday, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International were the worst-affected airports on Sunday, per flight-tracking site FlightAware.

Washington DC's Ronald Reagan National Airport said airlines had cancelled all flights on Sunday.

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In an update issued at 11 p.m. ET, the airport said that with precipitation ending, flight operations "should gradually increase beginning on Monday."

Many airlines are waiving rebooking fees for flights to and from affected regions.

This is a developing story. Please keep checking back for updates.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Light sleet, mixed with rain, moved into the Charlotte area Saturday afternoon, but the heaviest of the bad stuff wasnt expected for several hours, a National Weather Service meteorologist said.

Expect worsening conditions with far heavier sleet between 8 p.m. and midnight, meteorologist Trisha Palmer told The Charlotte Observer just before 5 p.m.

Sleet slickened roads in the Lake Norman area beginning around 7 p.m.

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Travel conditions will deteriorate quickly this evening as wintry precipitation spreads east, the NWS posted at 8 p.m. on social media site X. Roads and other surfaces may quickly become icy as temperatures fall and light freezing rain/sleet spreads toward I-85 through midnight.

A wintry mix continued in the mountains and northern N.C. foothills at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, and was gradually moving east toward the Charlotte area through midnight, NWS meteorologists said.

Charlotte can expect up to a debilitating half-inch of ice from the winter storm forecast to bring freezing rain to Mecklenburg and surrounding counties late Saturday through Sunday, NWS meteorologists said.

Thats lower than the three-quarters of an inch forecast Saturday morning.

Areas to the north and west of Charlotte, including Lake Norman, Lincolnton, Hickory, Kannapolis and Salisbury, still could see three-quarters of an inch of ice, according to an updated NWS ice accumulation map at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

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A major ice storm is still on tap, NWS forecasters said on Facebook at 7 a.m. Saturday. Make sure to finish any preparations today. Precipitation rates ramp up this evening.

Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages, according to an NWS ice warning bulletin. Trees and large limbs could fall on structures, posing threat to life and property.

Ice and snow-covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable, the NWS said.

Hazardous conditions could affect Mondays commute, forecasters said.

The Grady Cole Recreation Center, 310 N. Kings Drive in Charlotte, opened as a winter storm shelter at 7 p.m. for anyone who needs a warm, safe place to go, according to a Mecklenburg County government statement Saturday afternoon.

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Bring warm clothes, toiletries, medication, blankets, snacks, phone and charger if you can, officials said.

Cabarrus County planned to open an emergency shelter at 11 p.m. Saturday at Concord Active Living Center, formerly Concord Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE in Concord. The city and county declared a state of emergency Saturday night.

Hundreds of incoming and outgoing flights were cancelled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Saturday .

By 7:30 p.m. Saturday, at least 459 flights were canceled, most all of them on American Airlines and its affiliated carriers, according to tracking site Flight Aware.

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CLT will remain open and operational, but travelers should expect significant impacts across the network, airport officials posted on X at 11:30 a.m.

Duke Energy said more than 18,000 workers are ready across the Carolinas to respond to outages from the storm. Workers include company and contract crews, vegetation teams and support staff from 27 states and Canada, the company posted on X. Restoration will begin when conditions are safe.

More than 18,000 workers are staged across the Carolinas ahead of #WinterStormFern. Our crews include company and contract crews, vegetation teams and support staff from 27 states and Canada. Restoration will begin when conditions are safe.



 Charlotte Motor Speedway pic.twitter.com/kpeU5QqBt1  Duke Energy (@DukeEnergy) January 24, 2026

Light snow and sleet moved across the Appalachians into the western Carolinas around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the NWS reported.

Impacts will be relatively low this morning, but cooling temps set the stage for much greater winter impacts later this afternoon and evening, NWS meteorologists said on X.

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A state of emergency began at noon for Mecklenburg County and will remain until its safe to end it, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office posted on X.

The declaration allows for increased public safety staffing and bans price increases.

Lincoln County declared a state of emergency Saturday night.

Charlotte Area Transit System suspended Gold Line service through Sunday and said a bus bridge is not in place. Blue Line and bus service were delayed Saturday, with service scheduled to resume at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The town of Davidson activated its emergency operations center at 6 a.m. Saturday. Public safety personnel are in place to respond to emergencies throughout the weather event, according to a town news release.

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At 1 p.m., the town of Mooresville closed all public town buildings, including the Charles Mack Citizen Center, Mooresville Public Library east and west branches, Mooresville Skate Park and all recreation centers.

Sunday nights concert by Swedish rock band Ghost at the Spectrum Center was among scores of events canceled because of the storm.

Snow crews at Charlotte Douglas International Airport prepare for Winter Storm Fern.

White House approves NC emergency declaration

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein on Saturday said the White House approved his request for a statewide emergency declaration. That will enable the state to get more generators to hospitals and shelters, access emergency fuel for state vehicles responding to storm incidents, and get U.S. Forest Service help clearing roads in state forests, Stein said at a news conference.

We are grateful for their partnership and quick response, Stein said on X.

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President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations for both North Carolina and South Carolina, directing FEMA to make federal disaster assistance available to the states.

Once the storm hits, stay home and off the roads, unless absolutely necessary, Stein urged.

Be prepared for potential power outages, and make sure you have a plan to stay warm and in contact with loved ones, the governor said.

Workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport preparing equipment ahead of Winter Storm Fern. (Charlotte Douglas International Airport)

Charlotte forecast: Single-digit lows

Charlotte has a 100% chance of freezing rain and sleet late Saturday and early Sunday, and a 100% chance of freezing rain mixed with sleet on Sunday, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast.

A de-icer truck makes its way through the Lockwood neighborhood on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 in preparation for winter weather, including ice, expected in the Charlotte area this weekend.

The sleet could be heavy at times late Saturday and early Sunday, according to the forecast.

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All freezing rain is forecast after noon Sunday, with new ice accumulation of 0.2 to 0.4 of an inch possible, the forecast showed. New sleet accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

The NWS forecast highs of 34 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday, and lows of 21 late Saturday and early Sunday and 28 late Sunday and early Monday.

Monday should be mostly sunny, with a high near 38, although the low could plummet to 8 degrees late Monday and early Tuesday, 17 degrees late Tuesday and early Wednesday, 18 late Wednesday and early Thursday and 12 degrees late Thursday and early Friday, according to the NWS.

The cold lingering into next Monday will impact folks ability to travel, Stein said at Saturdays news conference.

Drivers should check DriveNC.gov for the latest road conditions in their areas, he said.

Here's the latest forecast on storm total snow/sleet and ice accumulations today through Sunday night. A major ice storm is still on tap. Make sure to finish any preparations today. Precipitation rates ramp up this evening.#ncwx #scwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/B0qYQQmdgS  NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) January 24, 2026

This is a developing story that will be updated.
Families who have lost loved ones in recent law enforcement-related incidents are speaking out, demanding transparency, timely autopsy results, and greater accountability from authorities.

Vanessa Martin, the mother of 32-year-old Rashaud Martin, said her son, who was schizophrenic, died while in the custody of the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office.

She pushed back against narratives she believes misrepresent who he was, saying, My son was not a villain. He was a very smart, intelligent young man.

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Martin said the family is still waiting for answers surrounding his death.

Were still holding onto a temporary death certificate because we dont know the cause of death; we need autopsy results.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Rashaud Martins sister, Lucretia Martin, described the loss of her brother and the future she says was taken from him.

I feel like he was just taken from me. He wasnt able to live his dreams. He wasnt able to help other people with schizophrenia like he wanted to.

The concerns raised by the Martin family echo those of other families who have lost loved ones in recent years. Charles Faggart died in the hospital on April 10, days after being injured while incarcerated in the Duval County Jail.

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Following his death, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office reassigned nine employees and stripped them of their corrections authority as an internal investigation was launched into the circumstances that led to his injuries.

Reginald Boston was shot and killed by Jacksonville Sheriffs Office officers during an undercover operation that also injured another person. Police said Boston and two others were involved in an armed robbery that led to a SWAT investigation. According to the incident report, Boston pointed a gun at officers before he was killed.

A mother who lost their child in Jacksonville expressed the emotional toll the situation has taken on families still waiting for answers.

How do you think we are doing? We are hurt! she said.

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In another moment, she criticized officials for releasing footage to the media without first meeting with families.

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Yvonne Kemp, the mother of Reginald Boston Jr., said families are often left waiting months for autopsy results and basic information.

I think they dont notify the family properly. It should not take no eight or nine months for nobody to get no autopsy to find out what happened to each child.

Kemp also called for independent oversight.

So we need a team of trusted civilians to oversee them, she said.

The families say their demands go beyond their own cases and are aimed at preventing others from experiencing the same pain, uncertainty, and lack of communication. As investigations continue, they said they will keep pushing for transparency, accountability, and justice.

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They are calling for faster investigations, clearer communication, and greater involvement of families when critical decisions are made.

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The ongoing immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota involves mainly two branches of the Department of Homeland Security: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

ICE is tasked with enforcing the nation's immigration laws in the interior of the country, while officers and agents within U.S. Customs and Border Protection work along the border and near border crossings and ports of entry.

But under the second Trump administration, those distinctions have become murky as the two agencies have undergone sweeping changes  and increasingly work alongside one another  to boost President's Donald Trump's wide-reaching deportation campaign.

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Within border agency, there are different types of personnel. Customs and Border Protection officers have responsibility for security at the nation's ports of entry. Meanwhile, Border Patrol agents work to secure the nation's borders and coastal waters between ports of entry.

Border Patrol, which is typically constrained to a 100-mile zone near any U.S. border, began deploying into the interior of the country, leading some of the most intense and visible enforcement operations in Chicago and Charlotte, North Carolina, for example. They've assisted helping ICE agents conducting immigration stops across the country, including in Minneapolis. Customs and Border Protection officers have also been part of the efforts.

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.

ICE, meanwhile, has seen a more than doubling of its workforce after receiving a historic funding boost through Trump's massive tax and spending legislation, which he dubbed the "Big Beautiful Bill." With $84 billion at its disposal, ICE has become the nation's most well-funded law enforcement agency, over the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The agency has become the face of the nation's immigration enforcement in many respects, with protesters organizing "ICE Out" demonstrations nationwide and polls showing Americans becoming less favorable of its tactics.

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The ongoing federal immigration operation in Minneapolis, which has prompted intensifying protests after federal officers shot and killed two people in less than a month, involves 3,000 agents from Border Patrol and ICE and other Homeland Security personnel. The department, which oversees the agencies, described it as the largest immigration operation ever.

More: National guard deployed after Minneapolis man killed by Border Patrol

Can Border Patrol and ICE conduct arrests and searches?

Border Patrol agents can make stops, arrests and search vehicles, particularly within 100 miles of border crossings and ports of entry, the agency says. In that 100-mile zone, Border Patrol agents have broad authority to interrogate people and conduct warrantless searches when there's "reasonable suspicion" of immigration violations.

ICE says its agents can "briefly detain" people who they have "reasonable suspicion" of being in the country illegally. The agency also says its agents can "arrest people they believe are illegal aliens" and "initiate consensual encounters and speak with people" on the street.

Federal agents stand guard at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that cleared the way for ICE to use race, accents and places of work as factors in deciding who to stop and potentially detain. Since the ruling, state and local officials, protesters and even police chiefs have accused immigration enforcement agents of engaging in racial profiling.

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ICE is also facing scrutiny over its assertion that federal officers can forcibly enter homes without a warrant signed by a judge  a move constitutional scholars, immigration experts and a federal judge say is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment.

How to tell ICE and Border Patrol agents apart

Many federal immigration agents involved in the latest high-profile operations have worn masks, balaclavas, hats and sunglasses, with no personal identifiers, unlike local police who often have visible badge numbers.

Many have also refused to identify themselves or the particular agency they're with, which has fueled confusion among civilians and local law enforcement alike.

Federal immigration agents stand guard at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 8, 2026.

Border Patrol agents often dress in dark green colors or camouflage, and they often identify their agency with vests reading "U.S. Border Patrol" or with patches on their sleeves. Some agents in U.S. cities are a part of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, a team specialized in high-risk operations like counterterrorism and hostage rescue. These agents have been seen wearing vests that say "BORTAC."

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ICE agents, meanwhile, have been known to wear vests reading "Police ICE" or "HSI," which is a reference to Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of ICE that handles federal criminal probes. ICE agents have also been seen dressed in plainclothes, sometimes with a visible badge reading "ICE." Many of the street operations are conducted with unmarked cars.

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: ICE and Border Patrol. Are they different?
Jan. 24Ice is creating hazardous road conditions across north Alabama on Saturday morning.

Decatur police warned that roads throughout Decatur are slick.

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office said roads are hazardous across the county. Highway 231 across Brindlee Mountain is closed, U.S. 31 between Flint and Hartselle is extremely slick and a northbound lane of Interstate 65 south of Falkville is closed.

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Roads across Limestone County are hazardous, according to Limestone County Commissioner Johnny Turner.

Lawrence County EMA also warned of hazardous conditions, noting multiple reports of wrecks and vehicles sliding into ditches.

In Huntsville, all Memorial Parkway overpasses are closed.

ALDOT began spreading salt and de-icing materials at 3 a.m., focusing on I-65 and I-565.

All agencies advised people to avoid travel if at all possible.

 eric@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2435
People are calling Enterprise rental locations in Minnesota as part of an anti-ICE protest.

A campaign urged people to "ICE OUT Enterprise" and disrupt its operations by reserving rental cars and then later canceling.

A viral video shows protestors with signs outside an Enterprise in the state ahead of a "business blackout" on Friday.

Enterprise is the latest company caught in the crosshairs of anti-ICE protests.

A video showing protesters lined up outside of a Minnesota Enterprise Rent-A-Car location went viral earlier this week on TikTok, part of an "Ice out Enterprise" protest campaign.

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Organizers encouraged participants to disrupt Enterprise's operations by reserving rental cars and then canceling the bookings shortly before pickup  a tactic they say is designed to draw attention and strain vehicle availability that could be utilized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

"Enterprise is renting cars to ICE agents and profiting from the violence that agents are bringing to our communities," Minnesota organizers associated with the Sunrise Movement, a progressive climate and social justice advocacy group, posted on social media. The post asked protestors to "please be polite to employees when you contact them."

An Enterprise employee working the counter at one of the rental car company's Saint Paul, Minnesota, locations confirmed to Business Insider on Friday that protesters had been calling the store. The employee declined to comment further, citing the company's media policy.

"I've called and told them I was disappointed that they were collaborating with ICE," a commenter on Instagram said.

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"They answered the phone super quickly," another added. "I was told a complaint would be logged right away."

The viral video, which was posted on Thursday, had more than 323,000 views on TikTok as of publication. It shows a line of demonstrators holding signs reading "No cars for ICE" and "Cancel ICE contracts now."

It's unclear if Enterprise has any contract with ICE. Enterprise did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The effort is part of a "week of actions" in Minnesota leading up to a "business blackout" on Friday to protest ICE's presence in the state. The Sunrise and Sunrise Twin Cities groups didn't respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

The video has also drawn reactions from conservative commentators on X.

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"Anti-ICE leftists are now booking and canceling car reservations at Enterprise to protest them renting cars to ICE," wrote Chaya Raichik, who operates the popular Libs of TikTik account on X, in a post with more than 208,000 views.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Business Insider in a statement that "dangerous" protest efforts had led to a rise in violence against ICE officers. "ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities with the utmost professionalism," she said.

Enterprise is the latest major corporation to face consumer pressure as immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota has drawn widespread protest.

Earlier this month, Hilton removed a franchisee from its portfolio after a video that purported to show a hotel employee refusing to provide immigration enforcement officers rooms.

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In a statement, the hotel chain criticized the operator and said its corporate policy was to make all locations "a welcoming place for all" and that it does "not discriminate against any individuals or agencies."

Minneapolis-based Target has also faced heat from activists who accused the retailer of cooperating with immigration officials. The retailer denied those claims an internal memo obtained by Business Insider.

"Target does not have cooperative agreements with any immigration enforcement agency," human resources chief Melissa Kremer wrote to employees. "We're listening and working to de-escalate where possible."

Enterprise, which runs around two dozen locations in the Twin Cities, is still facing calls from Minnesota-based protestors.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The IDF is rushing to find the last Israeli hostage in Gaza as the clock ticks down for opening the Rafah Crossing.

The IDF on Sunday night announced it is in mid-operation to try to find the last remaining Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, in northern Gaza.

According to the IDF, a series of clandestine operations started over the weekend to get closer to the potential location of Gvili.

The military said that the operation could take anywhere from several hours to several days. However, Army Radio reported that the goal was to find Gvili's body tonight.

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There were two to three locations where the IDF suspected Gvili was buried, but the recent intelligence gave indications that Gvili was buried in a Muslim cemetery in the Shejaiay Darah-Tuffah portion of northern Gaza on the Israeli side of the yellow line.

The IDF said that the intelligence it obtained about Gvili's remains did not come directly from Hamas. Army Radio reported that terrorists who had recently been captured from Gaza revealed some of the pieces of intelligence during interrogation.

At the same time, the IDF said that Hamas, or the Qatari mediators, were consulted about this intelligence, and now believe it could be correct.

The IDF is currently turning over about 170 graves in a particular part of the cemetery. If Gvili's body is not found in any of those graves, the IDF may have to search the entire cemetery.

IDF rushes to find Ran Gvili's body in Gaza

IDF sources implied that Hamas's recent information about where Gvili might have been buried may have been misdirection.

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In addition, IDF sources implied that Islamic Jihad might have buried Gvili in the cemetery, thinking incorrectly that he was one of their own fighters or at least Palestinian.

Military sources told Army Radio that Gvili was buried within the first few weeks of the war in Gaza, but that the terrorists who buried him might not have known his identity.

"It is not certain that the Islamic Jihad terrorists knew in real time that they were burying an Israeli soldier."

If the IDf does not find Gvili's body in this location, it will explore the other couple of possibilities.

Further, the IDF has had pieces of information about this location for a significant period of time, but only the additional evidence it obtained over the weekend's clandestine operations paved the way to a decision that this location could really be the correct spot.

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Along with the large number of IDF mandatory service and reserve troops, an engineering unit force, the IDF team in the field also has rabbinic advisors and a dentist to try to help quickly identify and confirm his remains.

IDF sources said the first step would be to match his fingerprints, but if that was not possible, then dental or DNA tests would be used next for identification.

All of this new push comes as the Israeli government faces the potential embarrassment of having to open the Rafah Crossing, potentially before Gvili's remains are returned.
Adman Piyush Pandey, who passed away last year, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously, one of India's highest civilian awards, in recognition of his decades-long contribution to the Indian advertising industry of India. The award will be conferred by the President Droupadi Murmu, at the ceremonial functions to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan later this year. On the eve of Republic Day 2026, the Union government announced the list of personalities who will be conferred with Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country. It includes Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. Advertising legend Piyush Pandey passed away on October 24, 2025, at the age of 70 years. According to one of the relatives, Pandey had been suffering from pneumonia for the past few weeks after he returned from a recent trip. His health continued to worsen, and he had not been responding to treatment. Pandey,70, started his advertising journey in 1982 with Ogilvy & Mather India (now Ogilvy India), beginning as a trainee account executive before transitioning to the creative side. With his talent, he literally changed the face of Indian advertising. He was the mastermind behind iconic ad campaigns like Asian Paints' "Har khushi mein rang laaye", Cadbury's "Kuch Khaas Hai", and Fevicol's iconic "Egg" film. In 2004, Piyush Pandey etched his name in history as the first Asian to serve as jury president at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. His trailblazing contributions were later recognised with the CLIO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and the Padma Shri, making him the first figure from Indian advertising to receive the national honour. Piyush's last rites were attended by the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan and others. Meanwhile, for the year 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards, including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one). The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 19 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 6 persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI and 16 Posthumous awardees. (ANI)
Businesses and residents in Massachusetts will need to shovel (or snow blow) their driveways and sidewalks after the monster winter storm finished dumping snow on the northeast after moving across the country.

With more than a foot, and maybe close to two feet of snow predicted, as part of this late January snowstorm, the advice is to shovel safely and frequently.

While shoveling may be a hassle, in New Bedford, not shoveling your sidewalk can be against the law. Towns and cities in Massachusetts are allowed to create laws compelling property owners to shovel their sidewalks or face a penalty, and New Bedford has adopted such rules.

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Heres what to know about Massachusetts laws around shoveling.

Do you have to shovel your sidewalk in Massachusetts?

There is no statewide law requiring residents to shovel their sidewalks; instead, removing snow from sidewalks is generally governed by local ordinances.

State law gives cities and towns the ability to mandate that their residents shovel their sidewalks and the sidewalks abutting their property. The city and town ordinances can set the time and manner of removal, as well as provide penalties for violations of no more than $50 for cities and $10 for towns.

What are the details of the New Bedford snow removal (shoveling) rules

In New Bedford, the ordinance states property owners or occupants abutting a sidewalk or public place in the city remove it "within a reasonable time after such snow has ceased to fall." The city defines a reasonable time within 4 hours if the snow falls during the day but if it falls at night time snow must be removed by 11 a.m.

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New Bedford's ordinance is very specific as it goes beyond snow falling from the sky it also applies "to snow falling from any building or accumulating upon such sidewalk from any other cause."

Residents and business owners aren't allowed to clear their sidewalks or driveways by shoveling it on to "another person's property without the express permission of the respective property owner," according to the ordinance.

How much will I be fined in New Bedford for not clearing my sidewalks of snow

Any violation shall result in a fine of $50.

What are the requirements for snow clearing in other Massachusetts cities

Fall River requires property owners, or tenants, abutting a sidewalk remove snow within 5 hours between sunrise and sunset. This ordinance also requires the removal of "any ice upon such sidewalk unless such ice is made reasonably even and covered with sand, salt or other acceptable material to prevent slipping." The city also requires people to clear wheelchair ramps extending from the sidewalk to the street. They issue fines up to $200.

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Worcester ordinances say that property owners or occupants are responsible for clearing the sidewalk in front of and adjacent to their property. Sidewalks must be cleared with a four-foot wide path within 10 hours after snow stops falling.

In Boston, you must clear a 42-inch-wide path on sidewalks within three hours after it stops snowing or three hours after sunrise if it snowed overnight. If you fail to remove the snow, you can be fined up to $200 depending on the type of building. Pushing the snow into the street can also result in a fine.

You should check your local ordinances to see what is required in your town or city.

Can you clear your neighbors sidewalk?

While you are not necessarily responsible for the snow on your neighbors sidewalk, most ordinances say that residents must shovel the sidewalks abutting their property.

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The city of Watertown defines the abutting sidewalk as any sidewalk that is bordering ones yard, fence, driveway, or other property line. And Springfield ordinance says that it includes any abutting fire hydrants or curb cuts.

So, while your neighbor is legally obligated to clear their sidewalks themselves, you can also do it for them if you want, and you might have to do parts of it if close enough to your property.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Do I have to shovel my sidewalk in New Bedford? Here's what law says
A once-in-a-generation winter storm continues to slide across the United States to close out an eventful weekend across the continent.

Travel delays and cancellations mounted Sunday as the sprawling winter storm pushed toward the East Coast. More than one million customers were without power as of Sunday afternoon, according to data collected by tracking website PowerOutage.US.

This is the same system responsible for intense snow across Ontario and the impending winter storm expected throughout Atlantic Canada.

RELATED: US storm leaves 850,000 without power, forces 10,000 flight cancellations

High-impact storm continues pushing east into Monday

A significant winter storm that formed late Friday night has brought heavy amounts of snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain to a vast swath of the U.S. this weekend. More than 200 million people were under winter weather alerts at one point on Saturday.

US winter storm reports Sunday

This system blanketed communities from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania with a swath of 20-30+ cm of snowfall.

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A damaging crust of ice between eastern Texas and southern Kentucky has knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people across the region. Some areas have seen as much as 25 mm of ice accretion.

US Snowfall Through Monday

RELATED: Snow and ice are heavy hazards that can damage trees, roofs

Heavy snows will continue across the U.S. Northeast overnight Sunday and into early Monday. New York City and Boston are both on track to see their highest snowfall totals in years. Totals in Boston could easily top 50 cm by Monday morning.

Significant ice from freezing rain remains possible across the southeastern U.S., though the situation looks less dire than models had suggested in the run-up to the event. Precipitation remained mostly ice pellets throughout North Carolina during the first half of the storm.

US Airport Delays Through Monday

Travel remains treacherous across just about every community experiencing this winter storm. Local authorities throughout the country have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

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Airlines cancelled more than 10,000 flights throughout the U.S. due to the winter storm. Additional delays and cancellations will continue through the week as airlines get back up to speed and attempt to accommodate affected travellers.

Dangerously cold temperatures will persist across the eastern half of the U.S. long after the system departs. Widespread low temperatures in the -10s to -20s will stretch deep into the southern states, potentially threatening the health and safety of those who remain without power.

WATCH: Know the difference between freezing rain and ice pellets

Click here to view the video
A commission of inquiry set up to shed light on Israel's so-called submarine affair has found clear shortcomings in how arms deals were made, according to a summary of its conclusions published on Sunday.

Following accusations of a massive bribery scheme involving Israeli arms deals, the panel reviewed the procedures for acquiring military equipment such as German submarines and corvette warships for the Israeli navy.

"The commission found systemic failings that reach into the very core of the processes of building military capabilities and of decision-making in the procurement of armaments worth billions of shekels," the summary said.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came under fire for allegedly agreeing to the sale of sophisticated German-made submarines to Egypt without consulting Israel's top security officials.

Netanyahu justified acting alone by saying that "the State of Israel has secrets known only to the prime minister and a handful of people," the newspaper Haaretz reported.

In parallel with the commission, a court in Tel Aviv is dealing with the affair.

According to indictments, several people are alleged to have received bribes to advance the deals between Israel and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

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Among the defendants are confidants of Netanyahu, though not the prime minister himself.

The Israeli commission also examined Israels handling of the sale of submarines by its close ally Germany to Egypt.

It found "that the handling of the sale of armaments by allies to third countries  a strategically sensitive issue  was chaotic and without clear leadership, thereby endangering the security of the state."

To prevent serious deficiencies in future, the commission recommended establishing a process to ensure that decisions relating to armaments are taken only after a hearing from experts.

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Israel currently has five submarines from Germany, with a sixth still to be delivered. In 2022 Israel and Germany finalised a multi-billion dollar deal for the purchase of three more submarines of the new Dakar class.

Under the agreement at the time, the first of the boats, developed by TKMS in Germany, was to be delivered within nine years.

The sale of the submarines is controversial since experts say they can be equipped with nuclear weapons.

In June 2024, the commission had already sent warning letters to several decision-makers, including Netanyahu.

In response, he said the submarines were "a central basis of Israels national security and a guarantee of its existence against Iran, which wants to destroy us."
In recent years, the Sulaymaniyah governorate in eastern Iraqi Kurdistan has become a hub for Iranian narco trafficking.

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has always been a major node for regional and international trade, heading both east and west. But, in recent years, the Sulaymaniyah governorate in eastern Iraqi Kurdistan has become a hub for Iranian narco trafficking. The trafficking of heroin from Afghanistan heading to Europe through Turkey is not a new problem, but in recent years, the trafficking of synthetic drugs, such as Crystal Methamphetamine and Captagon, has dramatically increased.

The flow of narcotics between Iran and the Sulaymaniyah governorate of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) has evolved from a secondary transit concern into a critical regional security crisis. Sulaymaniyah serves as a primary gateway for the "Balkan Route" and the flourishing synthetic drug trade, driven by economic desperation, geopolitical maneuvering, and the porous nature of the Zagros Mountains.

Iranian narcos

Synthetic drug production and trafficking in Iran involves a complex overlap of small-scale local "cooks," cross-border smuggling networks, and alleged high-level involvement from state-embedded actors. While the Iranian government officially maintains a strict anti-drug stance, frequently carrying out mass seizures and executions, international observers and intelligence reports highlight a different reality behind the scenes.

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The most significant entity linked to large-scale synthetic drug activity is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While the IRGC officially combats trafficking, they have been repeatedly accused by the US Treasury, the UN, and independent investigators of facilitating the transit of narcotics by "taxing" shipments in exchange for safe passage. The IRGC controls Irans borders and ports.

In 2012, the US Treasury designated IRGC-Qods Forces General Gholamreza Baghbani as a narcotics trafficker, alleging he allowed Afghan traffickers to move drugs through Iran in exchange for moving weapons to the Taliban.

Kurdish internal security forces display seized captagon pills in Qamishli, Syria, March 25, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Orhan Qereman)

Profits from the drug trade are reportedly used to fund regional proxies like Hezbollah (which has its own extensive history with Captagon and synthetic drugs) and militias in Iraq and Syria.

Historically, Iran was a major producer of "Shisheh" (crystalline methamphetamine). However, following a domestic crackdown and tighter regulations on precursor chemicals (like pseudoephedrine), production has largely shifted. Much of the methamphetamine now found in Iran, and trafficked out of Iran, is produced in Afghanistan using the Ephedra plant.

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While the raw "liquid meth" or plant-based ephedrine often comes from Afghanistan, it is frequently refined into high-purity crystal form in laboratories within Irans border provinces, such as Sistan-Baluchistan and Khorasan. In urban areas like Tehran, synthetic drugs are also produced by decentralized, small-scale criminal networks. These criminal groups often focus on the domestic market, where methamphetamine has become the second most popular drug after opium. Many of these local operations survive by bribing low- and mid-level law enforcement, allowing them to operate in plain sight within impoverished neighborhoods.

Recent reports from 2024 and 2025 (such as those from the Institute for Science and International Security) have raised concerns that IRGC-affiliated universities and research centers are exploring the large-scale synthesis of pharmaceutical-based agents (PBAs) like fentanyl and medetomidine. The concern is that these are being developed not just for the illicit market, but as potential "incapacitating" chemical weapons for military use.

Sulaymaniyah governorate

The 500-kilometer border between Iran and the Kurdistan Region, specifically the stretches near Sulaymaniyah, is defined by rugged, mountainous terrain that is notoriously difficult to police. For centries this border has been the lifeblood of local economies through the kolbar system: Kurdish porters who carry goods on their backs across mountain passes.

While the majority of kolbar activity involves legitimate consumer goods (electronics, cigarettes, food) to circumvent sanctions and high taxes, the infrastructure they provide has been co-opted by the Iranian narco traffickers. Small-scale smuggling routes are now integrated into larger, hierarchical networks that transport high-value narcotics.

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To understand the narcotics landscape between Iran and Sulaymaniyah, we must look at the specific geography of the "Green Corridor" and the chemical shift toward synthetic drug production.

The border between the Iranian province of Kurdistan (Sanandaj) and the Iraqi governorate of Sulaymaniyah is a sieve of informal crossings. Trafficking logic follows the path of least resistance, favoring mountain passes over official border gates.

The Penjwen-Bashmakh Hub: The Bashmakh border crossing is the official gateway, but the surrounding district of Penjwen is the actual staging ground. Smugglers use the dense forests and steep valleys to move goods. By 2025, Penjwen recorded a 300% increase in narco trafficking cases.

The Southern Flank (Halabja/Hawraman): To the south of Sulaymaniyah, the Hawraman mountain range provides high-altitude cover. This route is favored for smaller, high-value shipments of Crystal Meth (Shabo) because the terrain is inaccessible to heavy vehicles, requiring only human couriers (kolbars) or drones.

The Northern Divert (Raperin): In the north of the governorate, near the Qandil Mountains, routes often intersect with areas controlled by various non-state armed groups. These "political" routes are often used for bulkier shipments of Captagon moving from Iraq and Syria back into Iran for regional distribution.

Iran remains the primary transit point for Afghan opiates. Heroin and opium enter Iran via its eastern border and are moved across the country to Sulaymaniyah. From here, they are trafficked toward Turkey and onward to European markets. Sulaymaniyahs proximity to major Iranian cities such as Sanandaj and Kermanshah makes it a traditional hub for these shipments.

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But the most alarming trend in recent years is the explosion of crystal methamphetamine. Crystal meth has flooded Sulaymaniyah as it is trafficked into Europe and the Gulf states. UNODC reports from late 2024 and 2025 indicate that Iraq is transitioning from a transit zone to a consumer market. There is increasing evidence of "conversion labs" near the border, where chemical precursors, often smuggled in from Europe, are used to refine meth on-site to reduce the risk of long-distance transport.

The most significant development in 20242025 is the transition from importing finished drugs to domestic refining within the border areas. Traffickers have realized that moving liquid precursors is less risky than moving finished crystal meth. Traffickers are increasingly setting up "kitchen labs" in the rural outskirts of Sulaymaniyah and the surrounding villages.

Unlike Western meth, which relies on diverted pharmaceuticals, the meth coming through Iran often uses the Ephedra plant, which grows wild in the region. This makes the supply chain nearly impossible to cut off at the chemical source. Precursors like P2P often enter the KRI via legitimate industrial channels (cleaning supplies, plastic manufacturing) before being diverted to illegal labs near the Iranian border.

While Syria remains the primary producer of Captagon, Iranian-linked networks have begun utilizing the Sulaymaniyah route to move these amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) toward the Gulf States.

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The traffickers tactics combine traditional and modern methods bypass traditional border security.

Aerial Smuggling: In 2025, Iranian and Iraqi officials reported an increase in the use of drones and paragliders to transport high-value packages of meth and heroin over the mountains, avoiding land-based checkpoints.

Militia Involvement: Reports suggest that various armed groups and "shadow" networks, some with alleged ties to regional political factions and the IRGC, facilitate the movement of drugs. These groups provide "protection" for shipments in exchange for a share of the profits, which helps fund their operations amid tightening international sanctions.

Corruption: The high profit margins of narcotics allow traffickers to bribe underpaid border officials on both sides, ensuring that "green lanes" are kept open during specific windows of time.

The local social impact

The influx of drugs has had a devastating impact on the social fabric of Sulaymaniyah and its border towns like Penjwen. Once considered a "clean" transit point, Sulaymaniyah now faces a public health crisis. Local authorities in 2024 reported a fourfold increase in drug-related arrests compared to previous years. In border districts, the drug trade provides a lucrative, albeit dangerous, alternative to the stagnant formal economy. This creates a "narco-economy" where local youth are recruited as couriers, further destabilizing the region.

The response to this crisis has been divided for various reasons. On the one hand, there is high-level diplomatic cooperation; on the other, deep-seated institutional friction.

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In late 2025, the Iraqi Interior Ministry and Iranian anti-narcotics directorates began conducting more frequent joint raids. One notable operation in December 2025 resulted in the seizure of 64 kg of high-purity narcotics in the Iranian city of Abadan, which is near the border with Iraq's southernmost Basra province.

Both Iran and the KRI maintain strict "war on drugs" policies, with Iran frequently employing the death penalty for traffickers. However, these punitive measures have failed to address the root causes: poverty and the high demand for narcotics in Europe and the Gulf states.

Effective policing is often hampered by the complex relationship between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Erbil, the local PUK-led administration in Sulaymaniyah, and the central government in Baghdad. Disagreements over border control jurisdiction frequently create security vacuums that traffickers exploit.

As of 2026, the Kurdish security forces of the Asayish and the Peshmerga are struggling with three main tactical and technological gaps:

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Commercial Drone Detection: Small commercial drones are now used for "scouting" ahead of kolbars. If a drone sees a security force patrol, the couriers stash the drugs in pre-arranged mountain caches (marked by GPS) and retreat.

Large Drone Detecting and Interception: Larger drones are being used to transport shipments over unpassable border terrain and also internally to circumvent security checkpoints.

Penetration of Encrypted Finances: Payments for large shipments are rarely made in cash. The use of Hawala (traditional trust-based banking) has been augmented by Tether (USDT) and other stablecoins, making it difficult for regional authorities to freeze the assets of "Narco-Lords" operating from within Iranian or Iraqi cities.

The Iran-Sulaymaniyah narcotics corridor is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the Middle East: the intersection of economic sanctions, the "meth-ification" of global drug markets, and the use of illicit trade to fund non-state actors. While security operations have become more frequent, the mountainous terrain and the immense profitability of the trade suggest that Sulaymaniyah will remain a central node in the regional drug ecosystem for the foreseeable future.
This story is reported by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit news organization. Find more in-depth reporting at www.sdnewswatch.org.

HURON, S.D.  When Rebecca Blue first began asking South Dakota women in agriculture what they were missing, the answers felt familiar.

Connection. Community. A sense that they werent navigating their careers and livelihoods alone.

What Blue didnt know at the time was whether those instincts were widely shared, or whether they reflected only her own experience.

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Now, after a year of statewide data collection from nearly 370 surveys and more than 100 focus group participants, the answer is clear. Women across South Dakota overwhelmingly said they want the same thing Blue was searching for: meaningful relationships, peer support and networks that help them grow into leadership.

I suspected other women were feeling the same need I was, Blue said. But to see the data come back and confirm that connection and relationships rose to the top, that was powerful.

That confirmation comes from one of the most comprehensive research efforts focused on women in agriculture ever undertaken in the state that will guide the first full year of the Womens Ag Network.

From idea to statewide effort

The idea for the Womens Ag Network grew out of a simple realization Blue kept hearing again and again while talking with women across South Dakota: many felt isolated and lacked the professional networks they wanted.

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When I shared the idea of creating a place to connect, learn and collaborate, it immediately resonated, she said.

In 2023, using her personal savings, Blue launched The Best Job in South Dakota podcast featuring women working in agriculture and related fields across the state. As the interviews accumulated, a pattern emerged.

I went out on my own and realized I was not alone, Blue said. There were all these women going through the same thing.

One of those early conversations with Rachel Lawton, an urban conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), helped turn an idea into a larger initiative. That interview led to discussions with NRCS staff about potential funding opportunities and ultimately to a partnership with the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts.

Project team Rebecca Blue, Colette Kessler, Angela Ehlers and Darrel DuVall on Aug. 22, 2024, at Dakotafest in Mitchell, S.D. They are using a $1.2 million grant to help women in agriculture grow their networks, expand their opportunities and build collaboration. (Photo: Kristi Hine/ South Dakota News Watch)

Angela Ehlers, executive director of the association, said the concept aligned with long-standing concerns about the underrepresentation of women in agriculture and conservation leadership.

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The point of this project is connection, and it starts at the local level, Ehlers said.

With guidance from Ehlers and Colette Kessler, NRCS assistant state conservationist for partnerships, the group identified the South Dakota Conservation Collaboration Cooperative Agreement as a fit.

In June 2024, NRCS, the Jones County Conservation District and the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts finalized a $1.17 million agreement to support a statewide effort to connect, engage and educate women in agriculture and conservation.

The project team, led by Blue, includes Ehlers, Kessler and Valerie Feddersen of the Jones County Conservation District. Their goal is to build a relationship-driven network that helps women expand leadership opportunities, strengthen peer connections and shape the future of agriculture and conservation, guided not by assumptions but by data.

From Dakotafest to data

The Womens Ag Network formally launched in August 2024 at Dakotafest in Mitchell, where Blue and her team introduced the concept alongside a QR-code survey designed to gather input from women working across agriculture, conservation and related industries. At the time, the idea was still taking shape.

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Since then, the network has gathered responses from more than 400 women statewide, conducted focus groups with more than 100 participants and contracted with the Sioux Falls marketing firm Paulsen for professional analysis.

Womens Ag Network also layered in a second, independent review through a semester-long collaboration with University of South Dakota students in the Coyote Business Consulting program.

Together, the findings offer both validation and direction.

This wasnt about confirming what we already believed, Blue said. It was about meeting women where they are and letting the data steer what comes next.

The women behind the data

Survey responses skewed heavily toward early- and mid-career women, particularly those between the ages of 25 and 50. While women over 65 were less represented, Blue said that outcome was expected, and intentional outreach ensured voices of all ages were still included in focus groups and discussions.

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Later in life, youve often had the advantage of time to build your network, she said. When youre in those earlier stages, that connection maybe hasnt come as easily yet.

Blue said the survey was promoted at events ranging from the South Dakota State Fair to Dakotafest and regional conferences, where women of all ages were present.

It was important to make sure there was never a group that wasnt included in the discussion, she said.

Rebecca Blue, founder and project coordinator of the Womens Ag Network, works in Huron, S.D., on Dec. 24, 2025. Blue is leading a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening connections, leadership, and business development opportunities for women in agriculture across South Dakota. (Photo: Kristi Hine/ South Dakota News Watch)

What emerged was a portrait of a highly educated, deeply engaged group of women, many of whom found their way into agriculture through non-traditional paths.

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Nearly half of respondents hold a bachelors degree, and more than three-quarters have completed post-secondary education. At the same time, roughly half did not formally study agriculture.

That tells us something important, Blue said. When I say a woman with a career in agriculture, Im not just talking about an executive director of a commodity group.

She pointed instead to the women managing farm finances, coordinating with lenders and crop insurance agents, raising families and working alongside spouses or partners on operations.

Theyre the executive director of the farm, she pointed out. They just dont give themselves the title.

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Others work in engineering, finance, tax preparation or technical fields that intersect with agriculture.

In South Dakota, youre hard-pressed to find an industry that doesnt touch ag in some way, Blue said.

What rose to the top of the data

Across every region of the state, one theme dominated the data: women want connection.

Networking and relationship-building ranked as the top priority statewide, surpassing technical training, leadership workshops and formal presentations.

That finding echoed through focus groups and forced organizers to rethink long-standing assumptions about professional programming.

One of the most surprising things was that small-group breakout sessions ranked higher than motivational speakers, Blue said. The least popular thing was a big speaker on a stage.

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That realization has already changed how the network plans events.

Sure, speakers have a place, she said. But maybe not as often as we thought.

Instead of keynote-driven programming, Blue envisions gatherings that begin with shared stories, often from women within the community, before moving into facilitated, small-group discussion.

Its that shared experience that really shapes how women think about their next steps, she said.

Where leadership and opportunity miss each other

While more than a quarter of respondents said they currently serve in leadership roles, nearly 60% of those positions are outside agriculture and conservation. That disconnect stood out to Blue.

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We knew leadership participation was underrepresented, she said. But it was striking to see how many women were serving on boards unrelated to ag.

The implication, she said, is not a lack of qualified women, but a lack of connection.

We hear boards say all the time, Wed love to have more women, Blue said. But if they dont know Jane Doe exists, they cant go after her. And if Jane Doe doesnt know theres an opportunity, she cant pursue it.

That disconnect, she said, is exactly where the Womens Ag Network intends to operate.

Barriers that can be addressed

Focus group data also challenged assumptions about the obstacles women face.

Time and confidence ranked as the top barriers to advancement, followed by cost and access. Gender bias ranked lowest.

That was actually encouraging, Blue said. Time and confidence are things we can work on.

Rather than pushing women toward a single definition of leadership, Blue said the network will emphasize meeting women where they are.

For some people, leadership means being president of a board, she said. For others, its volunteering, mentoring or stepping into something when theyre ready.

Often, she added, it takes someone else recognizing potential before a woman recognizes it herself.

Thats why these hubs matter, she said. Often its way easier for someone else to see your potential much clearer than you can, right? Someone can say, Youd be amazing at this, which is likely to encourage positive next steps.

Digging into the data

Survey responses showed clear regional patterns both in participation and in what women in ag said they needed most.

The southeast (17.72%) and east-central (18.69%) regions reported the highest participation, together accounting for more than one-third of all responses. Organizers see that strong engagement as both validation and opportunity, signaling areas where momentum already exists and where targeted outreach could deepen impact statewide.

Across all regions, women consistently ranked networking, leadership development and business education as top priorities. But the emphasis shifted depending on geography.

In western South Dakota, respondents placed greater importance on community connection and leadership development. Eastern regions leaned more heavily toward business skills, technical education and U.S. Department of Agriculture program knowledge. Women in urban centers such as Sioux Falls and Brookings emphasized career growth, communication skills and crossover roles that intersect agriculture with other industries.

Despite those differences, the underlying message was consistent: women want inclusive networking, mentorship and confidence-building opportunities. Programs that blend relationship-building with practical skill development resonated most strongly across the state.

Rebecca Blue, founder and project coordinator of the Womens Ag Network, is pictured working in Huron, S.D., on Dec. 24, 2025. A recently completed statewide survey highlighted regional differences while consistently identifying connection and community-building as top needs among women in agriculture. (Photo: Kristi Hine/ South Dakota News Watch)

While the survey provided a broad snapshot, focus groups added depth, particularly around barriers and preferences.

Time emerged as the most significant challenge, cited by 38.8% of participants, followed by confidence (12.7%), cost and location. Gender bias ranked lowest among perceived barriers, a finding organizers described as both encouraging and instructive.

Focus group participants also offered clarity on how they want to connect. Small-group breakout sessions (22%), icebreakers (18%) and informal, conversation-based settings ranked far higher than speaker-heavy or lecture-style events. Many participants said large, unstructured networking environments felt intimidating or unproductive, while guided conversations helped foster genuine connection.

Those insights are now shaping how the Womens Ag Network designs its programming.

Participants also expressed a desire for continuity beyond single events. In response, the network created an online community via social platforms (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn) for ongoing discussion to sustain engagement between in-person gatherings.

While regional differences highlight the need for tailored approaches, the shared emphasis on relationships and community-building provides a unifying framework for a statewide network designed to meet women where they are.

A second set of eyes and deeper validation

In addition to the Paulsen analysis, the Womens Ag Network partnered with USDs Coyote Business Consulting program. Students Dawson Aberson and Abby Pinkerman independently reanalyzed the survey and focus group data and evaluated program design and sustainability.

The students findings closely mirrored Paulsens conclusions, reinforcing the emphasis on networking, leadership confidence and regional nuance.

That second layer of analysis was incredibly valuable, Blue said. It confirmed we were on the right path and helped sharpen how we move forward.

A network built on co-elevation

At its core, Blue said, the Womens Ag Network is not about competition or individual advancement.

Its about co-elevation, she said. How are we rising together?

She believes that shift in mindset reflects a broader change in how women view networking itself.

A few years ago, networking had a negative undertone, she said. I dont think thats the case anymore. People are realizing opportunity comes from relationships.

For Blue, the first year of data collection did more than validate an idea. It provided a roadmap.

From the beginning, the goal was to let the data steer our decisions, she said. This gives us clarity we didnt have before.

Building the network, region by region

With the research phase complete, the Womens Ag Network is moving into implementation through a series of regional hubs, each led by a local hub manager selected for their ties to agriculture, leadership experience and deep community connections.

While the network launches with a shared framework, Blue said each hub is expected to evolve based on regional input.

What works in Spearfish may not work in Eagle Butte, she said. The data showed us how regional this really is.

Early events will emphasize structured networking, a response to widespread feedback that unstructured introductions are intimidating.

If I walk into a room where I dont know anyone, Ill sit on my phone pretending to send really important messages, Blue said with a laugh. We heard loud and clear that format doesnt work.

The plan is to meet monthly, creating consistency that many women said has been missing from other professional programs.

So often, womens programming is once a year, or a short series, and then it disappears, Blue said. This is about being present in communities, consistently and over time.

The first hub event is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at Corner Post in Huron.

What women need in one community isnt always the same as in another, Blue said. This network gives us a way to honor those differences without losing the collaboration and support of a statewide connection.

This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when theyre published. Contact: info@sdnewswatch.org.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Summit County Sheriffs Office is conducting an independent investigation into the death of a skier at Copper Mountain Resort.

The sheriffs office said around 10:45 a.m. Friday deputies responded to Copper Mountain Resort after a report of a skier colliding with a tree.

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According to the sheriffs office, witnesses reported that the skier had lost control and then crashed into a tree on American Flyer, an intermediate run.

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The skier was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, and no other individuals were involved, the sheriffs office said.

Copper Mountain Ski Patrol responded to the scene after the crash and began performing life-saving measures on the skier. The skier was then transported to the CommonSpirit Emergency and Urgent Care facility, where he was pronounced dead.

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Our role is to conduct an independent investigation, so families have clear, accurate, and timely information about what happened. We also investigate whether any potential criminal elements are involved in serious crashes. Some deputies serve as deputy coroners for deaths in remote areas and ski areas. Most of the time, fatal crashes are tragic accidents, and nothing more. Our investigation helps loved ones better understand the circumstances of their loss, explained Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons in a social media post.

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According to the sheriffs office, the Summit County Coroners Office may release the identity of the skier and will determine the official cause and manner of death.

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.
Landowners and opponents to a proposed carbon sequestration pipeline gathered at the Iowa Capitol March 18, 2025, to urge lawmakers to pass a ban on eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 1/24/26 by Iowa Writers Collaborative

Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland and Kathie Obradovich of Iowa Capital Dispatch join Dave to recap the week on Capitol hill.

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Read on Substack

In Week Two of the Iowa legislative session, a bill banning carbon pipelines from using eminent domain has already passed the House, and property tax reform was again in the news as House Republicans offered their take on the issue.

We also look ahead to President Trumps scheduled visit to Clive on Tuesday afternoon.

In case you missed it, heres last weeks show reviewing Gov. Kim Reynolds top agenda priorities.

The Iowa Down Ballot podcast is a production of the Iowa Writers Collaborative and is published on Substack. Production costs are supported by paid subscriptions.
DUBAI, Jan 23 (Reuters) - An influential Iranian cleric warned on Friday that Iran may target U.S.-linked investments in the region in retaliation for any U.S. attack on the Islamic Republic, Iranian news agencies reported.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States had 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 programme.

"The one trillion dollars you have invested in the region is under the watch of our missiles," said Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, a leader of prayers that are held on Fridays in Tehran before a large gathering. He did not specify which investments he was referring to.

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Separately, Iran's top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi denied that Iran had called off 800 executions of people arrested in recent nationwide protests, as Trump has said.

"This claim is completely false, No such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision," Movahedi was quoted as saying by the judiciary's news agency Mizan.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Fox News last week "There is no plan for hanging at all" by Iran, when asked about the anti-government protests.

The U.N. Human Rights Council is to hold an emergency session on Friday to discuss the "alarming violence" used in Iran against protesters, while a group of states will call on United Nations' investigators to document alleged abuses for future trials.

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Rights groups say thousands, including bystanders, were killed during the unrest, which represented the biggest challenge to Iran's clerical government since 2022.

(Reporting by Dubai newsroomEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
CEDAR COUNTY, Iowa  The Iowa State Patrol is investigating a Saturday morning pedestrian death in eastern Iowa.

Stabbing victim saved by officer first aid, DMPD makes arrest

The Iowa State Patrol says the accident occurred along Interstate 80 at the 277 mile marker, north of Durant, around 5:45 a.m. According to ISP, officers arrived on scene and found a pedestrian in the roadway.

The pedestrian was declared dead at the scene. According to the ISP report, the victim was struck by multiple vehicles.

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The name of the victim is being withheld at this time. The victim was transported to the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation laboratory in Ankeny for further examination.

The Iowa State Patrol has opened an investigation into this incident.

Iowa 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.
Prior to the ceasefire, it was confirmed that Israel, generally through the Shin Bet, but sometimes also in conjunction with the IDF, would provide various kinds of support to Gazan militias.

Israel continues to back Gazan militias over the Yellow Line to fight Hamas in areas under the terrorist groups control, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

Prior to the ceasefire in October, it was confirmed that Israel  generally through the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), but sometimes also together with the IDF  would provide various kinds of support to such Gaza militias such as Abu Shabab.

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In fact, when Abu Shabab leader Yasser Abu Shabab was mortally wounded on December 4, he was publicly brought to an Israeli hospital in an attempt to save his life.

Most of the militias are in the deep southern part of Gaza near Rafah, where Israels presence in Gaza is strongest.

Since the ceasefire, anti-Hamas groups have been out of the news

Since the ceasefire, however, these groups have maintained a lower profile, and Israel could be seen as undermining the ceasefire by helping them.

A vehicle carries Egyptian soldiers near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, August 6, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/AMR ABDALLAH DALSH)

Earlier this month, Hussam Al Astal, the leader of one of the groups, boasted about the killing of a police official in Hamas-controlled territory and said more such attacks are being planned, the Journal reported.

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We say to Hamas and everyone affiliated with Hamas: Just as we reached him, we will come for you, too, Astal said in a video message while brandishing an assault rifle.

Israels support for these pop-up militias is extensive even after the ceasefire, Israeli officials and military reservists told the Journal. It provides air support from drones and shares intelligence, weapons, cigarettes, and food, they said.

Despite IDF forces being limited by the terms of the ceasefire, the Gazan militias can still attack Hamas in portions of Gaza that are supposed to be off-limits to Israeli troops, including Al Mawasi, west of near Khan Yunis, where Hamas said Astals men had killed the police official, the Journal reported.

Astals group includes dozens of gunmen living in an Israeli-controlled part of Gaza but who move over the Yellow Line when carrying out an attack, the Journal reported.

The broader impact of the militias against Hamas has been limited. Nevertheless, it is still viewed as having some effect on undermining the terrorist groups image of invincibility as Gazas rulers.
Actor R Madhavan is set to be conferred the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards, by President Droupadi Murmu for his contributions to the Indian cinema industry. On the eve of Republic Day 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the recipients of this year's Padma Awards, honouring individuals for their remarkable contributions to the nation. It includes Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Madhavan has been named alongside distinguished individuals from the fields of art, education, sports, and various other disciplines. Madhavan is a popular actor in Indian cinema who has worked in films across diverse languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. The actor debuted in Bollywood with the film 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein' in 2001. In 2000, Madhavan gained recognition in Tamil cinema by playing the lead role in Mani Ratnam's romantic drama film Alai Payuthey. He has also worked in Tamil films, including Kannathil Muthamittal, Run, Anbe Sivam, Aaytha Ezhuth and others. Madhavan also pursued an active career in the Hindi film industry, appearing in supporting roles in films including Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Rang De Basanti, Mani Ratnam's biopic Guru, and Rajkumar Hirani's '3 Idiots'. 3 Idiots was one of the highest grossing film of all time after its release. The actor is also known for his films 'Tanu Weds Manu' and 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns'. The actor made his directorial debut with the movie 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect'. The film garnered recognition with several awards and honours, including winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. The actor was recently seen in the blockbuster film 'Dhurandhar' starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role. It was directed by Aditya Dhar. The sequel to the film is slated to hit theatres on March 19, 2026. For the year 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards, including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one). The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 19 of the awardees are women, and the list also includes 6 persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI, and 16 Posthumous awardees. The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. (ANI)
In the announcement, the prime minister said that one of the towns will be named Ranenim "after Israels hero, the late Ran Gvili."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the government has approved the development of a group of towns in the Negev, one of which will be named after slain Gaza hostage St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili.

In the Sunday announcement, the prime minister said that one of the towns will be named Ranenim "after Israels hero, the late Ran Gvili, whom we are, at this very moment, making an enormous effort to bring back."

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Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz and National Missions Minister Orit Strock announced the development with Netanyahu at a Sunday cabinet meeting.

"This is a monumental settlement announcement: Five towns in the eastern area of the Beersheba metropolitan area," Netanyahu said during the cabinet meeting.

"We said that we would not only act for settlement, but we would also act to restore law and order to the South. We are not relenting on this; it is a fundamental part of the profound change we must make in the southern part of the country."

Beersheba landscape. (credit: FLASH90)

"There will be no 'Wild West' here," Netanyahu went on. "We have allocated resources for this, involved the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and we will continue to do much more."

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"This is part of a grand vision that also includes organizing for the Arab residents and citizens in the Negev; they, too, deserve all the fruits of this labour, and it will be done through an integrated plan. But today, we are delivering news of a great community settlement breakthrough."

Society for the Protection of Nature rejects new settlement

The Society for the Protection of Nature addressed the government's new project by assuring that it must "stop prioritizing new settlements over the existing ones."

According to their statement, "from an environmental, scenic, ecological, social, and economic perspective, the government must prioritize the densification of current settlements."

"The state must strengthen the existing settlements in the area and not invest efforts in plans that not only do not contribute to strengthening the area, but will only cause harm to open areas, nature, the landscape, and burden the existing infrastructure," they said in a statement.
Jan 25 (Reuters) - Israel will reopen Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt for the passage of people only after an operation to locate the body of the last remaining Israeli hostage in the enclave is completed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said late on Sunday.

The border was supposed to have opened during the initial phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the war, under a ceasefire reached in October between Israel and Hamas.

However, Israel conditioned the reopening on the return of all living hostages held by Palestinian militant factions in Gaza, as well as a "100% effort" by Hamas to locate and return the bodies of all deceased hostages.

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All have been returned except for the body of police officer Ran Gvili. The Israeli military said on Sunday it had launched a "targeted operation" in northern Gaza to retrieve his remains, while an Israeli military official said there were "several intelligence leads" regarding his possible location.

The Israeli military "is currently conducting a focused operation to exhaust all of the intelligence that has been gathered in the effort to locate and return the fallen hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, of blessed memory," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

It added that when the operation is complete, "Israel will open the Rafah Crossing."

On Thursday, Ali Shaath, head of a transitional Palestinian committee backed by the U.S. to temporarily administer Gaza, said the Rafah Crossing would open this week. It is effectively the sole route in or out of Gaza for nearly all of the more than 2 million people who live there.

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The Gaza side of the crossing has been under Israeli military control since 2024.

"As part of President Trump's 20-point plan, Israel has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism," Netanyahu's office said.

This month, Washington announced the plan had 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.

Last week, three sources told 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.

(Reporting by Ahmed Tolba and Hatem Maher, editing by Deepa Babington and David Gregorio)
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Israeli fire killed three Palestinians in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, while an Israeli drone wounded four others in Gaza City, the territory's health ministry said on Sunday.

Medics said Israeli fire killed at least two people east of Tuffah neighbourhood in the northern Gaza Strip, and a 41-year-old man was killed by Israeli forces in Khan Younis, in the south of the enclave.

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Earlier, medical workers said an Israeli drone exploded on the rooftop of a multi-floor building in Gaza City, wounding four civilians in the street nearby.

An Israeli military spokesperson said they were not aware of any incident in Khan Younis involving a Palestinian being killed by gunfire. The spokesperson had no immediate comment on the reported shooting in Tuffah.

In response to questions about the Gaza City incident, in which four civilians were injured, a military spokesperson later said in a written statement that a camera on the roof of a "structure" that was used to monitor and advance attacks on troops was "precisely" struck by the military.

The spokesperson did not provide any evidence to support the assertion there was a camera, or that a camera was used to monitor Israeli military movements.

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US ENVOYS MEET WITH ISRAEL PM NETANYAHU

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Saturday, mainly to discuss Gaza, Witkoff said on Sunday.

"The discussion was constructive and positive, with both sides aligned on next steps and the importance of continued cooperation on all matters critical to the region," Witkoff said in a post on X.

Gaza has been reduced to rubble in the war that was triggered by an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 in which 1,200 people were killed, according to Israeli tallies.

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The Gaza health ministry says more than 71,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed by Israeli fire since then. It also says that at least 480 people have been killed by Israeli fire since a ceasefire agreement came into effect last October.

BOTH SIDES TRADE BLAME FOR VIOLATIONS

Israel has said four soldiers had been killed by militants in Gaza since the ceasefire began. Both sides have traded blame for violations of the truce.

Earlier this month, Washington said the plan had moved into a second phase, in which Israel is expected to withdraw troops further from Gaza, and Hamas is due to yield control of the territory's administration.

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Meanwhile, in Khan Younis, more than 100 people attended the funeral of a person killed by Israeli drone fire on Saturday, after holding special prayers in front of his white-shrouded body at the morgue in Nasser Hospital.

"They are liars, there is no ceasefire," said Fares Erheimat, a relative of the dead man, during the funeral.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Additional reporting by Alex Cornwell in Jerusalem, Haseeb Alwazeer and Dawoud Abu Alkas in Gaza; Editing by Susan Fenton, David Holmes and Andrew Heavens)
MILAN, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Rome's outrage was understandable over the release on bail of the owner of the bar where a deadly fire broke out on New Year's Day, Swiss President Guy Parmelin told an Italian daily on Sunday, but added that magistrates act independently.

A blaze that erupted early on January 1 in a bar crowded with teenagers in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, killed 40 people, including six Italian nationals, and injured more than 100 - a tragedy that has reverberated across Italy's media and public opinion.

The Italian Prime Minister's office on Saturday said the decision to release bar owner Jacques Moretti was "a serious affront and a further wound inflicted to the families of the Crans-Montana victims and of those who are still hospitalised".

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ITALY RECALLS AMBASSADOR TO ROME

In comments to Corriere della Sera on Sunday Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged Switzerland to heed Italy's call to set up a joint investigative team.

Italy said it had instructed its ambassador to Switzerland to express its "deep indignation" to the chief prosecutor of the Valais canton and to travel to Rome to discuss further steps.

Parmelin said in an interview with Sunday's Corriere della Sera that Switzerland had not been officially informed of the decision to recall the ambassador to Rome.

"It's an ordinary diplomatic measure ... after the consultations the ambassador will return to Switzerland," Parmelin said. "It's not the job of politicians to interfere with the judicial system. We can certainly understand the indignation."

(Reporting by Valentina Za; Editing by David Holmes)
Texas congresswoman Jasmine Crockett compared the actions of federal agents in Minnesota, where an agent shot dead a man Saturday, to Nazi Germany during a Democratic debate for the U.S. Senate.

Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico are the leading candidates in the Democratic primary, hoping to win in March and be on the ticket in November for Sen. John Cornyns seat.

The two Democrats took the stage in Georgetown, north of Austin, shortly after federal immigration agents in Minneapolis had shot 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an intensive-care nurse for a VA hospital. The shooting came just weeks after Renee Good was shot and killed by an immigration officer in the same city.

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The Saturday killing was recorded by bystanders from different angles, showing a group of federal officers tackle Pretti as he appeared to be using a phone to record them. Pretti was legally carrying a handgun, according to Minnesota authorities, and was shot multiple times after he was on the ground. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters that the fact that Pretti carried a weapon looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement, contradicting video evidence of the encounter.

At one point during Saturdays debate, the moderators asked Crockett and Talarico about how theyd balance their feelings toward ICE while also representing Texans who support deporting undocumented immigrants.

As it relates to the enforcement that we see right now, let me be clear: They are supposed to do immigration and customs enforcement, Crockett said. Not going after U.S. citizens. Not going after people that are documented. That is not what they are supposed to do, but that is what theyre doing. They are turning us into Nazi Germany by saying theyre going to go door to door.

She continued, Theyre going after people because of their accent or the color of their skin, because this Supreme Court gave them carte blanche ability to do so. So all we want ICE to do is to do what ICE was created to do, and unfortunately, thats not what they are doing.

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Asked the same question, Talarico said the southern border should be like a front porch.

There should be a giant welcome mat out front and a lock on the door, he said. We can welcome immigrants who want to live the American dream. We can build a pathway to citizenship for those neighbors who have been here making us richer and stronger, and we can keep out people who mean to do us harm.

Earlier in the debate, Talarico also had sharp words about ICE, when asked whether he thinks the agency should be abolished or defunded.

ICE shot a mother in the face, he said. ICE kidnapped a 5-year-old boy. ICE executed a man in broad daylight on our streets just this morning. Its time to tear down this secret police force and replace it with an agency that actually is going to focus on public safety.

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Pressed again on whether hed abolish or defund ICE, Talarico responded that the country has seen a historic increase in ICE funding.

That money has come out of our health care, so what I would say is that we should take that money back and put it in our communities where it belongs, Talarico said.

Crockett said we absolutely have to clean house.

Whatever that looks like, I am willing to do it, she said. Because if there are truly Proud Boys that are currently in ICE, thats a problem.

Both candidates said they support impeaching United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

ICE isnt following the law, Crockett said.

Theyre killing people in the middle of the street, she said. They decided to execute a mother of three in broad daylight. I dont understand how we are sitting here and acting like this is normal.
NEED TO KNOW

Vice President JD Vance called back to his past comments about parenting while addressing his wife's pregnancy at the 2026 March for Life rally

At the previous year's rally, JD made the case that he wants to see "more babies" in the United States

One year later, on Friday, Jan. 23, he called attention to how second lady Usha Vance is now expecting their fourth child, bragging that he "practices what he preaches"

Vice President JD Vance is arguing that second lady Usha Vance's pregnancy proves he is a man of his word.

At the 2026 March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 23, JD referenced his comments at last year's event, when he told the crowd, Let me say very simply: I want more babies in the United States of America."

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I want more happy children in our country," he added at the time, "and I want beautiful young men and women who are eager to welcome them into the world and eager to raise them."

Now that he and Usha are expecting their fourth child, a boy, JD told this year's rallygoers, So let the record show, you have a vice president who practices what he preaches.

JD and Usha share three children already: Ewan, 8; Vivek, 5; and Mirabel, 4.

Kenny Holston - Pool/Getty U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family, including wife Usha Vance, visit the Taj Mahal U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family, including wife Usha Vance, visit the Taj Mahal

During his remarks at the March for Life on Friday, JD suggested that people find their purpose in life by becoming parents.

"To our fellow Americans we say, you're never gonna find great meaning in a cubicle or in front of a computer screen," he said. "But you will find great meaning if you dedicate yourself to the creation and sustenance of human life."

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He also announced that his administration was seeking a historic expansion of the Mexico City Policy, which prevents foreign groups receiving U.S. global health funding from providing or promoting abortion.

The administration is expanding this policy to protect life, the vice president told the crowd.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the 2026 March for Life rally in Washington, DC U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the 2026 March for Life rally in Washington, DC

President Donald Trump also addressed the anti-choice rally in a recorded video.

"Were bringing back faith in America," Trump, 79, said in his remarks. "Were bringing back God. We have stopped forced taxpayer funding of abortion at home and abroad."

Rachana Desai Martin, the chief U.S. program officer for the Center for Reproductive Rights, expressed strong disapproval of expanding the Mexico City Policy, telling NBC News in a statement that its "a stunning abdication of basic human decency."

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"President Trump and his anti-abortion administration would rather let people starve to death in the wake of famine and war than let anyone in the world get an abortion  or even receive information about it," Desai Martin said. "People are already dying because of this administrations slashing of foreign assistance. Now, theyre making it harder for doctors and aid workers to provide food, water, and lifesaving medical care."

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.

PEOPLE previously reported on a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last February, which showed that domestically, there was higher than expected infant mortality in states after adoption of abortion bans.

The increase from 2012 to 2023 was 5.6%, and was higher among Black infants, a group thats already at a higher risk of infant death.

Read the original article on People
The Brief

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are calling for the abolition of ICE after a federal agent fatally shot a man in Minnesota.

Johnson accused ICE of killing innocent people, while Pritzker escalated his criticism to support abolishing the agency.

The shooting involved Border Patrol agents, not ICE, and follows other recent federal agent shootings in Minnesota and the Chicago area.

CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson both joined growing calls to abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a federal agent shot and killed a man in Minnesota on Saturday.

Local perspective

The two leaders were just the latest to react after yet another shooting by federal agents in Minnesota just this month. On Jan. 7, the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent captured national attention.

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In a statement, Johnson said, "One day after hundreds of thousands took to the streets to remind us of our shared humanity, ICE murdered another innocent person in Minneapolis. We are praying for the victim and their loved ones. When they come for one of us, they come for all of us. ICE must be abolished."

Pritzker did not go as far as Johnson in his initial reaction on social media, in which he said, "Masked federal agents in Minnesota just shot and killed another person. We must put a stop to Trumps ICE. Now. Stop the funding, stop the occupations, stop the killings."

But then in a subsequent post on X with a video of him talking about the shooting on CNN, Pritzker said, "Its time to abolish Trumps ICE."

To be clear, the shooting on Saturday involved agents from U.S. Border Patrol, according to Fox Minneapolis, which is a separate federal agency from ICE.

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Last year, during Operation Midway Blitz, federal immigration agents shot two people in separate incidents in the Chicago area, killing one of them.

Silverio Villegas Gonzalez was shot and killed by federal agents on Sept. 12 in suburban Franklin Park.

Marimar Martinez was shot five times by a Border Patrol agent in the Brighton Park neighborhood on Oct. 4, after which she was accused of using her car to ram federal agents. But criminal charges against her were later dropped.
Senate Democrats should activate the National Guard in response to a second shooting of an American citizen by ICE agents in Minneapolis, Sen. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on social media Saturday. AOC was one of dozens of political voices who called for a stronger response to ongoing immigration operations in the city.

Americans are being killed in the street by their government. Our Constitution is being shredded and our rights are dissolving. Resist, she wrote. Senate Dems should block ICE funding this week. Activate the National Guard. We can and must stop this.

Governor,



You have the Minnesota National Guard troops. Deploy them. Arrest the ICE agents. Enforce the laws and defend your people against Trump's Terrorists. https://t.co/5hFwCxcUEs  Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) January 24, 2026

Governor, You have the Minnesota National Guard troops. Deploy them. Arrest the ICE agents. Enforce the laws and defend your people against Trumps Terrorists, wrote Keith Olbermann in response to Minnesotas Governor Tim Walz Saturday.

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(Walz wrote early Saturday morning, I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.

.@icegov YOU ARE COWARDS. You are all absolute, pathetic, untrained, unprofessional COWARDS. Todd Lyons and the rest of you not only need to be defunded, you need to be PROSECUTED. pic.twitter.com/AiXak9aGSE  Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 24, 2026

Massachusetts Senate candidate Seth Moulton insisted ICE agents should be prosecuted. He wrote on X, YOU ARE COWARDS. You are all absolute, pathetic, untrained, unprofessional COWARDS. Todd Lyons and the rest of you not only need to be defunded, you need to be PROSECUTED.

Masked and lawless DHS agents have brutally killed another American citizen in Minneapolis.



Donald Trumps extremists have unleashed this carnage on the streets of America.



They must all be held criminally accountable to the full extent of the law.  Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) January 24, 2026

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries suggested the same. Masked and lawless DHS agents have brutally killed another American citizen in Minneapolis, he wrote on social media. Donald Trumps extremists have unleashed this carnage on the streets of America. They must all be held criminally accountable to the full extent of the law.

Just a thought for @JoeBiden, @BarackObama, @BillClinton, and George Bush, but today would be a great day for all former living Presidents to go together to Minnesota and to help defend Democracy.  Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) January 24, 2026

Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jamie was shot and killed in the Parkland high school shooting in 2018, suggested that former U.S. presidents could have an impact. Just a thought for @JoeBiden, @BarackObama, @BillClinton, and George Bush, but today would be a great day for all former living Presidents to go together to Minnesota and to help defend Democracy, he wrote.

.@realDonaldTrump should pull ICE out of MN today & announce that there will be no more immigration enforcement in MN at all. All illegals in the US are encouraged to move there. And if any illegal is found outside of MN & gets deported, they can never apply for re-entry. https://t.co/yTQfOggKKs  Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 24, 2026

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Megyn Kelly suggested the agency and Donald Trump take a different course of action, though she still found an offensive way to do so. The president should pull ICE out of MN today & announce that there will be no more immigration enforcement in MN at all. All illegals in the US are encouraged to move there, she wrote on social media. And if any illegal is found outside of MN & gets deported, they can never apply for re-entry.

Others have drawn attention to the behavior of the agents on the ground.

The behavior of these agents is appalling. Clearly untrained. After the shooting, an angry crowd gathered and screamed profanities at federal officers, calling them cowards and telling them to go home. One officer responded mockingly as he walked away, telling them: Boo https://t.co/O8V7AJIf7y  Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) January 24, 2026

The behavior of these agents is appalling. Clearly untrained, wrote Chuck Todd before quoting an article from the AP. After the shooting, an angry crowd gathered and screamed profanities at federal officers, calling them cowards and telling them to go home. One officer responded mockingly as he walked away, telling them: Boo hoo. Agents elsewhere shoved a yelling protester into a car.'

So the everyone should be armed second amendment crowd is using the fact the a man was armed (maybe) as justification?



Is this right?  Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini)   (@AdamKinzinger) January 24, 2026

So the everyone should be armed second amendment crowd is using the fact the a man was armed (maybe) as justification? asked CNNs Adam Kinzinger. Is this right?

Turn on your tv and watch this update. I cant believe it. DHS/ICE isnt cooperating with local law enforcement. And they seem deeply unhappy about it. Theyre having to work from the video like the rest of us.  Sarah Longwell (@SarahLongwell25) January 24, 2026

Sarah Longwell, founder and publisher of the Bulwark, reported ICE agents are not cooperating with local authorities in Minneapolis. Turn on your tv and watch this update. I cant believe it. DHS/ICE isnt cooperating with local law enforcement. And they seem deeply unhappy about it. Theyre having to work from the video like the rest of us.

The post Keith Olbermann, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and More Call for Tim Walz Response to ICE Shootings: Activate the National Guard appeared first on TheWrap.
Prominent Kenyan opposition figure Rigathi Gachagua has alleged there was an attempt on his life during a Sunday church service.

Gachagua, who was sacked as deputy president in an impeachment trial in 2024, claimed in an interview with the BBC that rogue police officers "shot at everybody and tear-gassed the church" in Othaya in the central county of Nyeri.

He had previously accused his former ally President William Ruto of ordering the attack but did not provide any evidence. Ruto has not commented but government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura accused Gachagua of staging the attack.

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The police said an investigation had been launched, adding that no injuries had been reported.

Reports to the police indicated that a tear-gas canister had been thrown inside St Peters Anglican Church at 11:00 local time (08:00 GMT) disrupting the service.

Several vehicles were reportedly damaged within the church compound, the police added, appealing for witnesses.

Gachagua, a wealthy businessman from the central Mount Kenya area and now a vocal critic of the president, said he was escorted to safety by his security team.

He had posted photos of the incident on X and alleged to the BBC's Newsday programme that "armed police officers with AK47s and tear gas descended on the church".

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Gachagua said that after he was helped to safety, the attackers set his car on fire and "mercilessly" beat up those gathered outside the church.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party leader said he has not reported the incident to the relevant authorities "because it is the police who attacked us. You cannot report the police to the police".

On Monday, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said Gachagua had orchestrated the attack himself.

"Those are staged-managed attacks to seek public sympathy and to whip up emotions," Mwaura told the BBC.

In an earlier press conference, Gachagua dismissed these allegations, asking: "Where can we get access to tear gas?... Where do we get access to AK-47 assault rifles?"

Rigathi Gachagua posted photos on X showing the chaos at the church compound [@rigathi]

Murkomen said the police chief had promised him that the attackers would be brought to justice.

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"Violence anywhere, and least of all in a place of worship, is unacceptable," the interior minister said in a post on X.

"The police must move without fear or favour and deal decisively with the sponsors and perpetrators of this act without regard to their status in society or political affiliation."

According to Kenya's constitution, Gachagua's conviction by the senate means he cannot hold public office again.

He had pleaded not guilty to 11 charges of which he was found guilty of five, including inciting ethnic divisions and violating his oath of office.

However the politician, popularly known as Riggy G, maintains he will be on the presidential ballot next year as he is appealing and the Supreme Court has not ruled on his impeachment.

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Ruto and Gachagua were elected on a joint ticket in 2022 - and the partnership helped Ruto win by marshalling support in Mount Kenya, the heartland of the Kikuyu people who are the largest voting bloc in Kenya.

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1 /3 COURTESY USGS Episode 41 of Kilauea 's lava fountaining began late this morning.

COURTESY USGS This U.S. Geological Survey webcam photo from Halemaumau crater today shows episode 41 lava fountaining.

2 /3 COURTESY USGS This U.S. Geological Survey webcam photo from Halemaumau crater today shows episode 41 lava fountaining.

COURTESY USGS This screenshot from a U.S. Geological Survey webcam in Halemaumau crater today shows the start of episode 41 of lava fountaining in Kilauea volcanos ongoing eruption.

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3 /3 COURTESY USGS This screenshot from a U.S. Geological Survey webcam in Halemaumau crater today shows the start of episode 41 of lava fountaining in Kilauea volcanos ongoing eruption.

COURTESY USGS This U.S. Geological Survey webcam photo from Halemaumau crater today shows episode 41 lava fountaining.

COURTESY USGS This screenshot from a U.S. Geological Survey webcam in Halemaumau crater today shows the start of episode 41 of lava fountaining in Kilauea volcanos ongoing eruption.

UPDATE : 5 :15 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued an ashfall warning for a large swath of Hawaii island, including Hilo.

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The warning in in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday and includes east, south, southeast and interior sections of the island.

Kilauea is undergoing a eruption and we have received reports of significant amounts of tephra and ashfall earlier today,  the warning says. The eruption has settled some and the amount of ashfall /tephra has decreased near Kilauea. But please remember that it does take some time for the ashfall /tephra fallout to settle for areas downwind of Kilauea. Satellite and radar imagery continues to show the volcanic plume drifting east of Kilauea.

Highway 11 between mile marker 24.5 and 32 and Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park remain closed as a large amount of volcanic fragments fell throughout the areas, including onto buildings in Volcano and area roads.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense advised residents and visitors to take precautionary measures in areas affected by falling ash and tephra from the eruption. Volcanic ash can create eye and upper airway irritation. Take necessary precautions to limit exposure,  Civil Defense officials said.

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If you have any breathing problems, avoid contact with ash. Stay indoors until it is safe to go outside. Close doors and windows, where possible,  they advise.

The also urged the public to not drive in heavy ashfall and to use caution when clearing rooftops of ash.

4 :45 p.m.

Lava fountains from two vents with Kilauea volcanos Hamemaumau crater were both about 650 feet high at 3 :17 p.m. today, and fine ash from the eruption has fallen as far as 25 miles away including in Hilo and Hawaiian Paradise Park in Puna, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Hawaii Volcano National Parks summit remains closed, and park rangers continue to escort visitors out of the park, officials said.

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It will remain closed until it is safe to reopen when the fountaining stops,  said Jessica Ferracane, spokeswoman for the park, said. In addition to dangers from falling debris, there is concern that some of it is going into the parks water system.

There is an unprecedented amount of tephra and ash covering the roads and trails and roofs at the summit of the volcano,  she said.

Volcano House and the Kilauea Military Camp, which are inside the park, remain open.

1 :50 p.m.

A portion of Highway 11 has been closed and Hawaii Volcano National Park is closed due to ashfall and volcanic fragment from episode 41 of lava fountaining in Kilaueas Halemaumau crater, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.

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Civil Defense, citing the Hawaii island police, said the highway is closed in both directions in Puna and Kau district near the 24.5-mile mark at the Solid Waste Transfer Station and at the 32mile marker in the park due to ashfall. Motorists, please avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Tephra of a foot in diameter is falling on Highway 11 between the park entrance and Volcano Village and is shattering on impact, according to park officials.

Tephra, which are fine glass particles from volcanic eruptions, has also been reported in public viewing areas within the park, Volcano Village and Mauna Loa Estates, they said. It has also been reported as far as Fern Acres.

Please follow the advice of the park and Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency,  officials said.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE Episode 41 of lava fountaining in Kilaueas Halemaumau crater began late this morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The fountaining began at 11 :10 a.m. in the latest episode of the ongoing eruption which began Dec. 23, 2024, geologists said.

Tephra fall has been reported in public viewing areas within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Village, Mauna Loa Estates, and Ohia Estates. As of 12 :10 p.m., both north and south vent fountains were over 1, 640 feet tall,  according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists They said winds are weak and from the south and may carry gas and solid material to the north.

As with the previous 40 episodes of fountaining, all eruptive activity is confined to Halemaumau crater within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

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However, Hawaii County Civil Defense issued a statement warning that elevated gas levels and tephrafine glass particles that irritate the skin and eyesand light winds may affect downwind communities near the eruption.

Avoid the area if you have sensitivities or other respiratory conditions,  the warning says. On roadways, beware of tephra, which may reduce visibility, and enhanced traffic congestion. Take necessary precautions to limit your exposure.

The fountaining grew to over 1, 000 feet within an hour of the episode starting late this morning, according to HVO.

Scientists said todays episode followed several days of low-level activity, starting with weak spattering from north vent the night Jan. 21 22, with the first overflows from north vent the night of Jan. 22. This morning at 3 :52 a.m. north vent started continuously overflowing.

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Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee is set to be honoured with the Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu for his contribution to the field of art, especially the Indian cinema industry. On the eve of Republic Day 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the recipients of this year's Padma Awards, honouring individuals for their remarkable contributions to the nation. Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee was named alongside distinguished individuals from the fields of art, education, sports, and various other disciplines. This actor-director has worked in over 200 films over three decades of his Indian cinema career. The actor has worked mostly in the Bengali film industry, appearing in critically acclaimed films such as 'Chotto Jigyasa', 'Amar Sangi', 'Chokher Bali', 'Shob Charitro Kalponik', 'Moner Manush', 'Jaatishwar', 'Baishe Srabon', 'Shankhachil', and others. The actor has worked in Bollywood films such as 'Shanghai', 'Traffic', and 'Maalik', as well as in series such as 'Jubilee' and 'Khakee: The Bengal Chapter'. The actor was recently seen in the film 'Vijaynagar'er Hirey', which was directed by Chandrasish Ray. The film also starred Aryann Bhowmik in the lead role. On the eve of Republic Day 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the recipients of this year's Padma Awards, honouring individuals for their remarkable contributions to the nation. It includes Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Prosenjit has been named alongside distinguished individuals from the fields of art, education, sports, and various other disciplines. For the year 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards, including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one). The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 19 of the awardees are women, and the list also includes 6 persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI, and 16 Posthumous awardees. The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. (ANI)
As investigators continue to gather evidence on Saturday about the second fatal shooting this month of an American citizen in Minneapolis at the hands of a federal agent, more information is emerging about the victim, Alex Pretti.

Pretti, 37, worked for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System as an ICU nurse, according to AFGE Professional Local 3669, which represents professional employees affiliated with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

Michael Pretti via AP - PHOTO: This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot by a federal officer in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, 2026.

"[A] member of our union lost their life today, and that alone is devastating. Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own," the union said.

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Minneapolis shooting live updates

Multiple videos of the confrontation Saturday showed federal agents spraying Pretti with a substance and pinning him to the ground before the shooting.

The Department of Homeland Security alleged that Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and "violently resisted" when agents tried to disarm him. Local officials have disputed that characterization.

Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino declined to give more details about the confrontation, claiming, "This situation is evolving. The investigation is ongoing. Those facts will come to light."

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, however, questioned the claims and admonished the federal government for a rush to judgment without spending more time gathering evidence.

Obtained by ABC News - PHOTO: This screen grab from a video shows the scene moments before a shooting in Minneapolis, on Jan. 24, 2025.

Pretti, who worked as a nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, was issued a Minnesota nursing license in 2021 that remained active through March 2026, according to state records.

He previously served as a "junior scientist" at the University of Minnesota Medical School, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Dr. Dmitri Drekonja, who worked with Pretti, told ABC News Saturday "to those of us who know him it's galling and enraging" to hear the way federal officials are portraying Pretti.

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"I don't understand how you can put a label on someone like that without talking to anyone who knew him. ... They seem to be dropping that out there out of absolutely nothing," Drekonja said.

Drekonnja said he bonded with Pretti over their interests in mountain biking.

"The Twin Cities metro area had outstanding mountain bike trails. We would compare note about which ones to go to. We talked about the same trails. I distinctly remember thinking that I had another person to ride with," he said.

"He was the type of person you enjoyed being around and the notion that this helpful, smiling joking guy was being labeled a terrorist? It's galling," he added.

Michael Pretti via AP - PHOTO: This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot by a federal officer in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, 2026.

Drekonnja said he knew Pretti since 2018 and talked highly of Pretti's work ethic.

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"This is a guy who, within minutes, puts people at ease with his humor, smiling, quick with a joke ... He was a guy who put people at ease."

Drekonnja added, "He was a guy you just enjoyed being around. He was someone who always said, 'what can I do to help with this.' It was fabulous."

Mac Randolph said in a Facebook post that Perrti treated his father at the VA. He posted a video on his Facebook page showing the nurse giving the final salute at the VA after his father passed away in 2024.

"Today we remember that freedom is not free. We have to work at it, nurture it, protect it and even sacrifice for it," Pretti says in the video. "We may never forget and always remember our brothers and sisters who have served so that we may enjoy the gift of freedom."



Randolph said in his post: "Never wanted to share this video but his speech is very on point. Also my Fathers final words to me was continue to fight the good fight. He would be honored in Alex sacrifice, and ashamed of this current administration."

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The AFGE said Pretti "dedicated his life to serving American veterans."

"While details of the incident are still emerging, one fact is already clear: this tragedy did not happen in a vacuum. It is the direct result of an administration that has chosen reckless policy, inflammatory rhetoric, and manufactured crisis over responsible leadership and de-escalation," AFGE President Everett Kelley said in a statement.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said that Pretti was a legal gun owner and did not have a criminal record.

Minnesota's gun laws permit open carrying a handgun as long as the gun owner has a valid permit.

A spokesperson for the Green Bay Area Public School District confirmed that Pretti was a 2006 graduate of the district.

-ABC News' Laura Romero contributed to this report.
The Trump administration has been attempting to cast the man fatally shot by Border Patrol agents on Saturday in Minneapolis as a "domestic terrorist." Those close to him  and video footage of the fatal encounter  paint a very different picture of the 37-year-old intensive-care unit nurse.

Here's what we know so far about Alex Jeffrey Pretti and the confrontation that led to his death.

Alex Pretti shooting

The Department of Homeland Security claimed the shooting occurred after officers "attempted to disarm" Pretti, who they say "violently resisted." But videos taken by bystanders contradict that account.

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Videos show that Pretti was holding a phone and appeared to be filming when one of the agents began shoving a demonstrator. Pretti attempted to intervene when he and others were pepper sprayed and several agents tackled him. He was pinned to the ground when a federal officer pulled a handgun away from him. Less than a second later, an agent fired at Pretti, the Wall Street Journal reports.

I have read the statement from D.H.S. about what happened and it is wrong, a witness said in a sworn statement submitted Saturday. 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."

Brian O'Hara, the Minneapolis police chief, said at a news conference that investigators believe at least two agents opened fire as Pretti laid still. It appears at least 10 shots were fired at Pretti within five seconds.

Pretti had no criminal record and had a permit to carry a handgun, officials said.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Sunday accused President Trump and his administration of manufacturing a flat-out insane narrative of the shooting.

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"For them to jump out there and say, Hes done nothing wrong, the victim is a bad person, is flat-out insane and is a complete break with what we consider to be reasonable law enforcement behavior," he told the Washington Post. "It fails every test of professionalism.

Federal officials have declined to show evidence for their claim that Pretti was shot in self-defense, and President Trump suggested on Truth Social that Democratic policies led to the deaths of Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, writing: "They have created dangerous circumstances for EVERYONE involved."

Power struggle

Minnesota officials have accused the federal government of thwarting their investigation of the shooting. In a court filing, Minnesota AG Keith Ellison said he feared they may continue to withhold  and fail to protect  evidence. Attorney General Pam Bondi is pushing Gov. Tim Walz for access to the states voter rolls and public assistance data to help bring back law and order.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon called it an outrageous attempt to coerce the state into giving away the private data on millions of U.S. citizens.

Who was Alex Pretti?

Pretti, a U.S. citizen, was a registered nurse who worked in an intensive-care unit at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis.

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His colleagues described him as kind, competent, and the kind of person who took his job caring for his patients seriously.

"He really thrived in that environment," Ruth Anway, a nurse who worked with Pretti, told the New York Times. "He wanted to be helpful, to help humanity, and have a career that was a force of good in the world."

Pretti was born in Illinois and grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was a Boy Scout and sang in the local choir, the Associated Press reports. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2011 and worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a nurse.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed  without providing further evidence  that Pretti "arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement." In response, Pretti's parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, released a statement to "get the truth out about our son."

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"Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends," they wrote. "The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting."

The post What To Know About Alex Pretti, the Man Fatally Shot by Border Patrol in Minneapolis appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
By Nate Raymond

BOSTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Immigrant rights advocates have filed a lawsuit seeking to block U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from ending temporary protections from deportation that had been granted to thousands of Ethiopians living in the United States.

Three Ethiopian nationals, along with the non-profit African Communities Together, allege in a lawsuit filed in Boston federal court on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is unlawfully putting over 5,000 people at risk of losing their temporary protected status after February 13.

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It marked the latest in a series of lawsuits challenging the Trump administration's efforts to curtail protections from deportation extended to citizens of numerous countries through grants of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS.

Under federal law, TPS is available to people whose home countries have experienced natural disasters, armed conflicts or other extraordinary events. It provides eligible migrants with work authorization and temporary protection from deportation.

LAWSUIT ALLEGES ANIMUS AGAINST NON-WHITES

The lawsuit says that while Ethiopia remains a country in a humanitarian crisis, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem unlawfully terminated the Ethiopians' legal status with just 60 days' notice based on an unconstitutional animus against non-white immigrants. Ethiopia's population is predominantly Black.

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"The administration's review of Ethiopias TPS designation resulting in the termination decision was motivated wrongly by politics and racism and ignored the rule of law, including the requirement to consider objective evidence of unsafe conditions in Ethiopia," Amaha Kassa, executive director of African Communities Together, said in a statement.

Homeland Security Department spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, in a statement said TPS "was never intended to be a de facto amnesty program, yet that's how previous administrations have used it for decades."

Numerous lawsuits have been filed challenging the administration's moves to end similar protections for nationals from countries, including Syria, Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua and South Sudan, leading to court rulings that have at times slowed or halted the Trump administration's efforts to strip migrants of their legal status.

The latest lawsuit was filed after DHS said on December 12 it was ending TPS for Ethiopia, saying conditions in the African nation no longer posed a serious threat to people returning safely to it and that TPS was "never meant to be a ticket to permanent residency."

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Former Democratic President Joe Biden's administration granted Ethiopians already in the United States that status beginning in 2022, citing the need to protect citizens fleeing armed conflict in their home nation.

The Ethiopian military and allies, including troops from neighboring Eritrea, had been battling forces from the northern region of Tigray in a conflict that killed thousands and displaced millions of people.

While that civil war formally ended later in 2022, the Biden administration extended TPS for Ethiopians in mid-2024, citing armed conflict in another region, Amhara, which is ongoing.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Rod Nickel)
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo both issued dire warnings about the pressing need to protect the endangered Syrian Kurdish population under attack by government forces in the war-torn nation.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who earlier this month ordered his army, which reportedly has a large jihadist element, to conquer territory controlled for more than a decade by the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF.)

Writing on the social media platform X, Graham declared, "There is strong and growing bipartisan interest in the U.S. Senate regarding the deteriorating situation in Syria. There is strong consensus that we must protect the Kurds who were there for us in destroying the ISIS caliphate, as well as many other groups."

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Pompeo responded to Grahams post, stating, "Turning our backs on our Kurdish allies would be a moral and strategic disaster."

Chaos In Syria Sparks Fears Of Isis Prison Breaks As Us Rushes Detainees To Iraq

The Trump administration is facing criticism from its long-standing ally, the Syrian Kurds, who played a crucial role in the defeat of the Islamic State in the heartland of the Middle East after a U.S. government announcement on social media that seemed to hint that the partnership had ended this past week with the Kurdish-run SDF in northern Syria.

Read On The Fox News App

The SDF formed as a bulwark against the rapid spread of the Islamic States terrorist movement in 2013. ISIS created a caliphate covering significant territory in Syria and Iraq. Al-Sharaa was a former member of the Islamic State and al Qaeda.

Kurdish civilians gather with their weapons in the city of Qamishli on Jan. 20, 2026, after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces called for "young Kurds, men and women" both within and outside Syria to "join the ranks of the resistance." (Getty Images)

Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department regarding U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who also serves as the special envoy for Syria, for a response to his recent statement on X that indicated the U.S. partnership with the SDF was over.

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Barrack wrote, "The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by Kurds, proved the most effective ground partner in defeating ISISs territorial caliphate by 2019, detaining thousands of ISIS fighters and family members in prisons and camps like al-Hol and al-Shaddadi. At that time, there was no functioning central Syrian state to partner with  the Assad regime was weakened, contested, and not a viable partner against ISIS due to its alliances with Iran and Russia.

"Today, the situation has fundamentally changed. Syria now has an acknowledged central government that has joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS (as its 90th member in late 2025), signaling a westward pivot and cooperation with the U.S. on counterterrorism."

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters pose for a photo with the American flag on stage after an SDF victory ceremony announcing the defeat of ISIL in Baghouz at Omer Oil Field March 23, 2019, in Baghouz, Syria.

Turkey Says Syria Using Force Is An Option Against Us-backed Fighters Who Helped Defeat Isis

Iham Ahmed, a prominent Syrian Kurdish politician, told Fox News Digital, "We really wished to see a firm position from the U.S. The Kurdish people are at the risk of extermination. The U.S. does not give any solid or tangible guarantees."

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Ahmed cast doubt on statements like Barracks, warning the "Syrian army is still consisting of radical factions that no one can trust. Alawites, Christians, Sunnis and Druze cannot trust these factions. We could face massacres, which happened in other Syrian cities."

When asked by Fox News Digital if the SDF wants Israel to intervene to aid the Kurds as it did to help the Syrian Druze and other minorities last year, Ahmed said, "Whoever wants to help us should do so. Today is the day." She said "the Islamic State is showing itself in the image of an official army. Everyone is threatened now."

She urged a "special status for the Kurdish region" in northeastern Syria.

Syrian government forces load rockets that will be launched toward Kurdish forces near Dibsi Faraj in the northern Syrian Tabqa area, Raqa province, Jan. 17, 2026.

Ahmed accused the Erdogan government of nefarious involvement.

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"Turkey stands behind the attacks on our region. Turkish intelligence and small groups are leading attacks. Statements from Turkey are encouraging the extermination of our people," she claimed.

Fox News Digital sent a press query to the Turkish embassy spokesman in Washington D.C.

Israeli Official Issues Stark Warning After Chilling Syrian Military War Chants Surface

The influential president of the Family Research Council, Tony Perkins, wrote on X, "Sen. Graham is right. Ive been discussing the situation in NE Syria with Republican House leaders. It is not in Americas interest for Islamist forces to seize territory once governed by trusted U.S. allies who protected minorities and advanced religious freedom.

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"Yet this is happening as Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaas forces move into northeast Syria, displacing the Syrian Democratic Forces  our partners in the fight against ISIS, who lost thousands of fighters, guarded U.S. bases, and detained ISIS prisoners.

"Before we place trust in al-Sharaa, a former al Qaeda insurgent who fought U.S. forces in Iraq and was held at Abu Ghraib, he has to show he is trustworthy. So far, he is failing the test."

A masked Islamic State terrorist poses holding the ISIS flag in 2015.

Sinam Mohamad, the representative of the Syrian Democratic Council to the U.S., had harsh words for the administration, telling Fox News Digital, "American officials continue to describe the SDF as a reliable partner in that narrow mission. Washington avoids framing the relationship as a political alliance. The U.S. never intended a long-term political commitment to the Syrian Kurds. It was a military partnership without political guarantees. From Washingtons view, thats consistency. From the Kurdish view, thats betrayal."

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

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She added there has been an announcement of a 15-day extension of a ceasefire.

"But both the SDF and outside observers noted continued [Syrian] government troop buildups near Kurdish-held areas, signaling that conflict could resume. The Kurds want to have peace and stability through negotiations."





Original article source: Lindsey Graham says there's 'strong consensus' to protect Kurds as Syrian forces advance on territory
A fierce winter storm continued its trek across the United States on Sunday, Jan. 25 after dumping inches of snow on cities including from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Now, it's arrived in Virginia.

More than 130,000 utility customers in the storm's path were without power.

The storm, expected to be the most significant so far this winter season, will impact most of the nation east of the Rocky Mountains with snow and ice, and usher in some of the coldest temperatures seen in years, forecasters have said. Americans in most of the eastern half of the country were under extreme winter weather alerts on Saturday.

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In the Petersburg area, snow began coming down late Saturday.

Follow along with live updates from The Progress-Index and the USA TODAY Network.

NWS provides radar update

Petersburg extends comfort station operating hours

Petersburg's comfort station will remain open continuously through Monday morning. Alcoholic beverages, smoking, and hard foods are not permitted in the facility. Service animals are allowed. The comfort station is located at Petersburg Area Transit, 100 W. Washington St.

Hopewell declares a state of emergency to mobilize resources and streamline response efforts

Emergency shelters have been prepared and are ready should they be needed. The city's warming shelter is operational. For more information, visit hopewellva.gov.

More on the forecast: When will snow start in Petersburg, Tri-Cities area?

Report outages, downed lines to Dominion Energy

To report an outage, visit Dominion Energy's outage page. To check status, click here. If you encounter downed lines, stay at least 30 feet away from any ground wires. For downed trees on roadways, call VDOT at 800-367-7623. To view an outage map, click here.

Report outages, downed lines to Southside Electric

Call 866-878-5514 to report an outage using Southside Electric's automated service. To view an outage map, click here.

Need assistance or resources?

211 Virginia connects individuals and families to community services such as food, housing, utility assistance, healthcare, and more. This service is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Download the Progress-Index app

Download the free Progress-Index app and turn on Notifications to get breaking news updates on the winter storm. Prefer email news alerts? Sign up for those here.

When will snow start in the Petersburg area?

The snow is expected to fall sometime between 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, according to meteorologist Mike Dutter with the National Weather Service.

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Dutter said most of the snow accumulation should occur Saturday evening and will vary from across north to south.

"For Petersburg, it looks like we have about 2 to 4 inches, and an inch or two of that will probably be sleet, so an inch or two of snow and maybe another inch or two of sleet," Dutter shared.

Up toward Chesterfield, it's going to range from 3 to 5 inches of snow, and maybe up to 5 inches in Richmond. Southern Dinwiddie may only receive 2 to 3 inches.

Maybe as early as Sunday morning, the Tri-Cities area will change to freezing rain. If not early, certainly during the day Sunday.

The precipitation is going to be over on Monday, per Dutter, but it is going to get windy. Trees and power lines will begin to sway, which could potentially cause trees and power lines to come down.

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 Kristi K. Higgins

Where is the winter storm right now? See live weather map

Snow was already falling in the Plains including parts of Kansas, Oklahoma and into Missouri, as well as parts of Texas and Arkansas before noon ET on Saturday. Snow is expected to spread across the country throughout the day on Saturday and into Sunday.

See where the winter storm is now on this radar map:

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text from USA TODAY Network

See the top images from across the nation

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia winter storm live updates from around Petersburg, Richmond




A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for all of Central and South Texas, including the Austin and San Antonio metros, from 3 a.m. Saturday until noon on Sunday.

Freezing rain may begin Saturday morning in the Hill Country and then spread southeast across the region by the late afternoon. Ice accumulations of 0.10 to 0.25 inches are likely, with isolated 0.25 to 0.50 inches possible in the Hill Country.

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Impacts: Slick roads (especially bridges/overpasses), possible power outages, and dangerous cold that could damage pipes and threaten livestock. Travel may become nearly impossible.

Safety tip: Avoid travel if possible. If you must drive, go slow, keep distance, and carry emergency supplies if you get stranded and always have your cell phones fully charged.

Live updates for Saturday's winter storm coverage have concluded. Follow winter storm updates for Sunday here.

Bridges across Austin are beginning to ice over, prompting city officials Saturday night to urge residents to stay off the roads, according to a post from the city's Emergency Operations Center.

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"Please stay at home and off the roads to keep them clear for first responders," the city said in the post.

 ALERT The Emergency Operations Center has received reports that bridges have begun to ice over. Please stay at home and off the roads to keep them clear for first responders. pic.twitter.com/Vdk3uyO9ek  City of Austin (@austintexasgov) January 25, 2026

As of 7:45 p.m., the National Weather Service reported the temperature at 26 degrees at its weather station at Camp Mabry, with freezing rain forecast until 10 p.m., then a mix of freezing rain and sleet. The low temperature Saturday night is expected to dip to 21 degrees. Total nighttime ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 inches is possible, the weather service said.

Travis County announced Saturday night that its warming center at the Del Valle Community Center, 3518 FM 973 S., will pause operations and will not open Sunday due to increased travel risks during the severe weather event. Anyone seeking overnight shelter should go to One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road in Austin, from 2 to 8 p.m. to register.

 Andy Sevilla

Water inside pipes can begin to freeze once temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius). Pipes located in uninsulated or exposed areas are especially vulnerable during prolonged cold spells. To prevent pipes from freezing, adjust your thermostat to 60 degrees, set faucets to a slow, steady drip, and cover outdoor faucets.

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 Alexis Simmerman

If your internet goes down due to a power outage, texting may be the only way we can reach you with storm updates and safety tips.

Sign up here, it's totally free. If you have questions, text us, and a Statesman journalist will get back to you. While we may not be able to answer each text individually, we will do our best to answer your questions and concerns as they come up.

You can also sign up to get email alerts on breaking news and top stories, or download our app to get push notifications.

Central Texas school districts and colleges are canceling weekend events as a winter storm warning takes effect. Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD, Hays CISD and several others have called off Saturday and Sunday activities, with hazardous ice expected on area roads.

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School closures on Monday have not been announced as of Saturday afternoon.

See how Austin-area schools decide on winter weather closures.

-Alexis Simmerman

Austin Community College District announced it would close all campuses starting 4 p.m. Saturday in anticipation of dangerous travel conditions. Campuses will also be closed Sunday, and determinations about potential closures next week will be shared as conditions evolve, the district said.

-Julianna Duennes Russ

Patches of light freezing rain and sleet are expected through sunset Saturday, with freezing rain increasing in coverage and volume from west to east overnight, according to the latest update from the National Weather Service. Travel will be "near-impossible" and people are advised to stay off roads Saturday night into Sunday morning.

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Ice weighing down trees could also cause issues this weekend, with the Hill Country and some portions of the Austin metro expected to remain in freezing conditions through midday Tuesday.

-Julianna Duennes Russ

With hazardous cold forecast across Texas, experts say smart thermostat settings can help save money without risking health. The Department of Energy recommends 68 to 70 degrees in winter, while health officials warn against letting indoor temperatures drop below the mid-50s.

-Alexis Simmerman

A wintry mix forecast for Central Texas may include freezing rain, sleet and graupel  all formed by different temperature layers in the atmosphere. Freezing rain turns to ice on contact, sleet falls as hard ice pellets, and graupel looks like soft Styrofoam-like balls. Knowing the difference helps explain why roads can become dangerous so quickly.

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-Alexis Simmerman

11:54 a.m.  NWS warns of 'near impossible' travel starting late Saturday

Temperatures in Austin officially dropped to freezing at around 11 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. An ice storm warning is set for the Hill Country and the I-35 corridor from Williamson to Comal counties.

With the lower temperatures and increase in widespread precipitation tonight we have good confidence now of accumulations around or over  inch, isolated amounts around  inch, according to the National Weather Service office. Travel will become near impossible late tonight and overnight and there could be issues with ice weighing down and breaking tree limbs.

-Mary Wasson

This map from the the National Weather Service shows freezing temperatures hitting Austin around 11 a.m. on Saturday. (National Weather Service)





Water inside pipes can begin to freeze once temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius). Pipes located in uninsulated or exposed areas are especially vulnerable during prolonged cold spells. To prevent pipes from freezing, adjust your thermostat to 60 degrees, set faucets to a slow, steady drip, and cover outdoor faucets.

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-Alexis Simmerman

Capital Metro, the citys transit service, has decided to suspend all regular service on Sunday, Jan. 25 in anticipation of hazardous road conditions. The agency, which previously announced it would end service early on Saturday, said it made the decision with safety in mind for both passengers and employees.

Dottie Watkins, the agencys president and CEO, said at a press briefing Friday morning that buses and trains would suspend service starting at 4 p.m. Saturday with the goal of getting all vehicles off the street before dark.

Given the anticipated ice accumulation, we know that the roadways are not going to be a good place to be, Watkins said.

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CapMetro will continue to monitor conditions before making a decision about Monday service, according to the agency.

-Julianna Duennes Russ

As of mid-morning Saturday, the flight tracking service FlightAware was reporting 44 outbound flight cancellations and three delays at ABIA. Inbound flights were slightly more impacted with 79 cancellations and five delays. Still, the FAA had yet to issue any ground stops or other restrictions.

 Flight delays and cancellations are possible this weekend due to weather conditions.

Stay updated on your travel plans by checking your flight status: https://t.co/cjMSFYBJ4W

 Be prepared and allow extra time for your travel plans!  Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (@AustinAirport) January 23, 2026

ABIAs cancellation totals paled in comparison to some other major Texas airports, particularly Dallas-Fort Worth International, which had the highest number of cancellations of any airport in the country with 682 origin cancellations and 650 destination cancellations as of 10:51 a.m.

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-Kiah Collier

Travis County announced its community center in Del Valle, located at 3518 FM 973 S., will serve as a warming center this weekend for anyone needing a place to escape the cold. Visitors are also able to fill a water bottle and charge electronics there.

The center will be open on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 Warming Center Open 



The Del Valle Community Center is open this weekend for anyone needing to escape the cold.



 3518 FM 973 S., Del Valle

 Sat 115 | Sun 105

 Device charging & water available pic.twitter.com/unpAlzzMhm  Travis County Emergency Services (@TravisCountyES) January 24, 2026

-Julianna Duennes Russ



What many described as a madhouse earlier this week had quieted to a near ghost town by Saturday morning.



At the H-E-B at South Congress and Oltorf streets, employees outnumbered customers on the sales floor as stockers worked through the morning to replenish decimated shelves  lingering evidence of the weeks mass stockpiling. Fresh sushi was nearly nonexistent and rotisserie chickens were sparse.

The few customers that were in the aisles at the South Congress location walked with purpose, carrying a basket rather than pushing a cart. It seemed many of these folks were here for a brief trip.

Decimated shelves at the H-E-B at South Congress and Oltorf streets on Saturday morning, Jan. 24, 2026. (Julianna Duennes Russ)





Joseph Shiveley, 26, and Pablo Ramirez, 28, said they stocked up on shelf-stable soups and sausages.



We have a fireplace, so if the power goes out we can roast them, Shiveley said. Thats the main concern, the power going out.



The pair live off of South Lamar Boulevard, and said they werent too concerned about conditions this morning, especially since Shiveley is from the northern part of the U.S.

The grocery giant that always steps up in a pinch will be open for this weekends winter storm, but with limited hours.

Due to the severe weather and to protect our partners and customers, we will temporarily adjust store hours for select H-E-B stores, the Texas grocery giant said in a statement provided to the Statesman at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

-Julianna Duennes Russ

Workers at the H-E-B at South Congress and Oltorf streets work to restock shelves Saturday morning, Jan. 24, 2026. (Julianna Duennes Russ)





Its crucial to take proactive steps before a deep freeze hits. Remember five steps: place rock salt, drip faucets, check cars, prepare emergency kits and safety plans, and think ahead for pets.

-Alexis Simmerman

A cold front will move through Central Texas on Saturday, bringing a round of soaking rain before temperatures slowly fall. Once readings reach 32 degrees, rain will transition to freezing rain, first in the Hill Country, then spreading south through the Austin area and beyond.

Heres when freezing temperatures are estimated to reach the following cities:

Fredericksburg: Around 8 a.m.

Round Rock: Around 11 a.m.

Austin: Between 3 and 5 p.m.

Kyle/San Marcos: Around 5 p.m.

Bastrop: Around 7 p.m.

When will the cold arrive in Central Texas? Freezing temperatures are expected to begin in the Hill Country Saturday morning, then spread southeast throughout the afternoon. With gusty north winds, however, feels-like temperatures will remain in the 20s for much of the day. #txwx pic.twitter.com/S49P4Z7GyD  Mary Wasson (@Mary_Wasson) January 23, 2026

Many Texans recall the deadly blackouts that coincided with a deep freeze in February 2021. But the statewide grid operator has responded to these fears with confidence in its preparations.

ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch through Monday, Jan. 27, due to forecasted below-freezing temperatures with the possibility of frozen precipitation, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves, per a Jan. 21 news release. The operator said it expected normal grid conditions during the watch.

For regular updates, ERCOT suggests subscribing to TXANS notifications and following its official social media channels.

Read more: See Texas power outage map as arctic blast brings ice, snow and freezing temps

Its important to evaluate road conditions if you must travel. As temperatures plunge, road conditions may deteriorate and become dangerous  especially with the formation of black ice.

Read more: Winter weather hits Texas: See live TxDOT maps of road conditions, closures
Massachusetts  including Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket  is slated to get hammered with a major winter storm that could end up dropping one to two inches of snow an hour.

Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are currently each predicted to get at least a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service Boston (NWS). A winter storm warning has been issued for the region through Monday.

"Major winter storm will bring intense, heavy snow to southern New England Sunday into Monday. Heavy snowfall with 1-2"+ inch per hour snow rates is expected Sunday afternoon and evening, making for dangerous travel conditions," the forecast discussion said.

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Snow started mid-morning on Sunday on Cape Cod In anticipation of the storm, schools have begun to announce closures for Monday.

School closures on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket

Nearly all public and private schools on Cape Cod and the Islands cancelled classes for a snow day Monday, Jan. 26, in anticipation of the winter storm impacts to the region. As of 1:30 p.m. Sunday, most public schools had cancelled and more would likely come.

The winter storm warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday.

School buses collect snow Sunday morning while parked at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich. Photo taken Jan. 25, 2026

The region's two colleges  Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable and Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay  made early calls, on Saturday, to close for the day on Monday, Jan. 26, due to the anticipated weather.

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Do you know how public school superintendents make their decison to call a "snow day"?

Managing inclement weather is a multi-faceted effort across a variety of municipal departments. Each town, Mashpee Public Schools Superintendent Michele Conners said recently, makes its own decision on whether to cancel, or delay, school.

School superintendents, she said, also keep in touch and consult to make the right decision.

"Internally, we are discussing the 'what ifs' and our own protocols," said Conners. "It is just so tricky because of the conflicting weather reports. We want to make the decision early, but not prematurely."

Barnstable County emergency managers mobilize

The Barnstable County Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) activated at noon Sunday and will remain operational through Monday to support Cape Codspecific coordination and resource needs.

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Utility crews are staged and ready to respond as conditions allow. Eversource and National Grid will open their storm operations this afternoon at 4 p.m., with additional resources positioned in the region, including pre-staged assets on Nantucket, according to the county announcement. Residents are reminded: report outages directly to your utility (including single-home outages and if your neighbors are restored but you are not.)

Snow is starting to accumulate on Main Street in Hyannis on Sunday, Jan. 25, at noon.

Cape Cod healthcare facilities report they are fully staffed and prepared, with emergency power systems ready and snow removal crews staged to maintain safe access. No off-site clinic closures have been reported at this time. The Salvation Army will be available to assist once travel conditions are safe.

Local DPWs, MassDOT, and public safety partners report full operational readiness, including coordination to keep emergency routes to Cape Cod Hospital accessible.

Regional emergency shelters are on standby for potential activation Monday, if needed.

Massachusetts is predicted to receive between 16 and 25 inches of snow on Sunday, Jan. 25, into Monday.

On Cape Cod, Hyannis is expected to see 16 inches, with the high end predicted at 19 inches and the low end 5. In Provincetown, 19 inches are predicted with the high end at 23 inches and the low end 7.

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On Martha's Vineyard, 13 inches are predicted with the high end at 16 inches and the low end 5.

On Nantucket, 11 inches are expected, with the high end at 13 inches and the low end 3.

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: Major winter storm starts on Cape Cod. What to expect




Las Palapas has spent the last 45 years building up its fleet of restaurants across San Antonio, but the local Mexican food staple is preparing to sell one of its long-standing locations less than a year after its founder's death.

San Antonio-based brokerage firm, Barlowe Daly Realty, emailed a news release to MySA about the impending sale of the Las Palapas location at 11860 Blanco Road. The release revealed that the restaurant company is eyeing expansion across Texas and included direct quotes from Wayne Detmar, the current CEO of Las Palapas.l

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"This moment reflects both respect for our history and confidence in the future direction of the brand. We remain focused on thoughtful growth while honoring the foundation Ron Acosta built. These current sales will spark the growth into Dallas and Houston markets," Detmar said in the release.

MySA spoke to Andrew Barlowe, a managing partner at Barlowe Daly Realty, who explained further what this sale means for the Las Palapas on Blanco Road.

"They are going to remain in business, they're just selling the real estate assets," Barlowe said during a phone call.

A property brochure for the Las Palapas location was posted to LoopNet, a commercial real estate marketplace, which included details like the $2.8 million listing price for the property. The brochure mentioned that the late Edward "Ron" Acosta is the true owner of the property, and Bexar County records confirm that this is the case. Acosta was found murdered in his San Antonio home on July 1, 2025.

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For the time being, the Las Palapas location will continue to do business as usual, Barlowe told MySA. We will continue to follow this story as more information is available.

Find it: 11860 Blanco Road, San Antonio, TX 78216

This article originally published at Long-running San Antonio taco chain puts historic location up for sale.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Eleanor Holmes Norton, the 18-term delegate for the District of Columbia in Congress and a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, has filed paperwork to end her campaign for reelection, likely closing out a decades-long career in public service.

Norton, 88, has been the sole representative of the residents of the nation's capital in Congress since 1991, but she faced increasing questions about her effectiveness after the Trump administration began its sweeping intervention into the city last year.

Mayor Muriel Bowser congratulated Norton on her retirement.

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For 35 years, Congresswoman Norton has been our Warrior on the Hill, Bowser wrote on social media. Her work embodies the unwavering resolve of a city that refuses to yield in its fight for equal representation."

Norton's campaign filed a termination report with the Federal Election Commission on Sunday. Her office has not released an official statement about the delegates intentions.

The filing was first reported by NOTUS.

Her retirement opens up a likely competitive primary to succeed her in an overwhelmingly Democratic city. Several local lawmakers had already announced their intentions to run in the Democratic primary.

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An institution in Washington politics for decades, Norton is the oldest member in the House. She was a personal friend to civil rights icons such as Medgar Evers and a contemporary of other activists turned congressional stalwarts, including Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C, and the late Reps. John Conyers, D-Mich., and John Lewis, D-Ga.

But Norton has faced calls to step aside in recent months as residents and local lawmakers questioned her ability to effectively advocate for the city in Congress amid the Republican administration's aggressive moves toward the city.

The White House federalized Washington police force, deployed National Guard troops from six states and the federal district across the capital's streets and surged federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security into neighborhoods. The moves prompted outcry and protests from residents and a lawsuit from the district's attorney general.

Nortons retirement comes as a historically high number of lawmakers announce they will either seek another public office or retire from official duties altogether. More than 1 in 10 members of the House are not seeking reelection this year.

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Norton's staunch advocacy for her city

As the district's delegate, Norton does not have a formal vote in the House. But she has found other ways to advocate for the city's interests. Called the Warrior on the Hill by her supporters, Norton was a staunch advocate for D.C. statehood and for the labor rights of the federal workers who called Washington and its surrounding region home.

She also secured bipartisan wins for district residents. Norton was the driving force behind the passage of a law that provides up to $10,000 per year for students who attend public colleges outside the district. It also provides up to $2,500 per year for students who attend select private historically Black colleges and universities across the country and nonprofit colleges in the D.C. metropolitan area.

In the 1990s, Norton played a key role in ending the city's financial crisis by brokering a deal to transfer billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities to the federal government in exchange for changes to the district's budget. She twice played a leading role in House passage of a D.C. statehood bill.

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Steeped in the civil rights movement

Norton was born and raised in Washington, and her life spans the arc of the district's trials and triumphs. She was educated at Dunbar High School as part of the school's last segregated class.

Growing up black in Washington gave a special advantage. This whole community of blacks was very race conscious, very civil rights conscious, she said in her 2003 biography, Fire in My Soul.

She attended Antioch College in Ohio and in 1963 split her time between Yale Law School and Mississippi, where she worked as an organizer during the Freedom Summer of the Civil Rights Movement.

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One day that summer, Evers picked her up at the airport. He was assassinated that night.

Norton also helped organize and attended the 1963 March on Washington.

In an interview with The Associated Press in 2023, Norton said the march was still the single most extraordinary experience of my lifetime.

She went on to become the first woman to lead the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which helps enforce anti-discrimination laws in the workplace. She ran for office when her predecessor retired to run for Washington mayor.

___

This story was first published on Jan. 25, 2026. It was published again on Jan. 26, 2026, to correct details of the law related to D.C. residents attending colleges and universities. The law doesnt allow them to attend any public college or university in the country at in-state tuition rates or be eligible to attend any private university with up to a $2,500 annual grant. The program awards up to $10,000 per year for students who attend public colleges outside the district and up to $2,500 per year for students who attend select private historically Black colleges and universities across the country and nonprofit colleges in the D.C. metropolitan area.

___

Associated Press writer Gary Fields contributed to this report.
Historic blizzards have caused fatalities, major damage, and lasting infrastructure changes.

The Great Appalachian Storm of 1950 killed 383 people and dropped 62 inches of snow in some areas.

A staggering 189 inches of snow fell on Mount Shasta, California, in 1959.

The US is experiencing a potentially historic winter storm.

As Winter Storm Fern sweeps across the country this weekend and into the start of the week, more than half of the US states are expected to be impacted by severe wintry weather, including ice, heavy snow, and dangerously cold wind chills.

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The worst snowstorms in the US since the 1920s have killed hundreds of people, caused billions of dollars worth of damage, and, for many who lived through them, been impossible to forget.

Many of them have been blizzards. Meteorologist David Stark told The New York Times that means winds are at least 35 mph and visibility is less than 1/4 mile.

As we wait to see the impact of this weekend's monster snowstorm, here are some of the worst snowstorms in recent US history.

The Knickerbocker Storm of 1922

Buyenlarge/Getty Images

From January 27 to January 29, this blizzard, which traveled up from the southeast US and centered on Washington, DC, dropped 24 inches of snow.

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Residents had no warning of the storm. On January 26, the Washington Times had predicted fair weather with slowly rising temperatures, per the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The snowstorm was named Knickerbocker after the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, which collapsed because of the snow's weight on the theater's roof. The collapse killed 98 people who were inside watching a silent film called "Get Rich Quick, Wallingford," and left another 133 injured.

Afterward, building codes were updated to require stronger roof support structures.

The Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940

John Vachon/Getty Images

On November 11, a fierce winter storm battered the Upper Midwest. Without much warning, temperatures suddenly dropped, snow began to fall, and the "winds of hell"  as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  began to blow.

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As much as 26.6 inches of snowfall were recorded, the National Weather Service said.

According to a hunter who was stranded during the storm, only the tops of telephone poles could be seen above the snow, the St. Cloud Times reported.

It came suddenly, catching people unaware, killing 49 people in Minnesota, per the Minnesota Star Tribune, and 150 in total. It also killed 1.6 million turkeys.

The storm had lasting repercussions. To help with accuracy, local weather forecasting moved out of cities like Chicago to be more local so they could provide better predictions.

The Great Appalachian Storm of 1950

AP Photo

Starting November 24, 22 states felt the wrath of this slow-moving blizzard that the Washington Post called a "meteorological powerhouse." It's also been called the Great Thanksgiving Storm.

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The snowstorm covered an area from West Virginia to Pennsylvania and buried parts of it under as much as 62 inches of snow, per the National Centers for Environmental Information.

High winds with gusts of up to 160 mph knocked over trees and caused almost 1 million power outages.

It killed at least 383 people, caused hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of damage (in today's money), and became a weather prediction case study. Two cyclone researchers said it was the "benchmark" storm against which all other major 20th-century storms could be compared.

The six-day snowstorm on Mount Shasta in 1959

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Beginning on February 13, and going for six days, 189 inches (about 16 feet) of snow fell on Mount Shasta, California.

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It holds the world record for the most snow falling in a single snowstorm, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Since it fell on an uninhabited mountain, no deaths occurred.

The Chicago Blizzard of 1967

Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images

On January 26 and 27, Chicago saw its highest snowfall on record, with 23 inches, along with 53 mph wind gusts.

The storm caught the city off guard, as it had experienced warm temperatures only two days earlier.

The sudden, heavy fall left 50,000 cars abandoned, shops looted, and 650 students sleeping at school because buses couldn't get through the snow. Twenty-six people died, the Chicago Tribune reported.

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The 100-hour snowstorm of 1969

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From February 24 to February 27, snow fell in the northeast for 100 hours  or four days  straight, as reported by WBUR.

On the first day, 4 feet of snow fell on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire. Another 4 feet fell over the next few days. Boston was hit with 26.3 inches, and Portland, Maine, had 26.9.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration rated this the worst snowstorm of the century based on factors including the amount of snow, the area affected, and the number of people affected. But the most important factor was its size  the storm was 4.5 times larger than the 1993 "storm of the century."

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However, it's a relatively unknown storm, since much of it was outside the northeast corridor.

The Blizzard of 1977

1/29/1977-Lafayette, IN- As far as the eye can see, abandoned vehicles line snowbound I-65 near Lafayette in Central Indiana. Hundreds of truckers and motorists hav taken refuge in nearby towns waiting a break in the bitter sub-zero cold to resume their travels. Bettmann / Getty

On January 28, a massive blizzard hit the US. Along with heavy snowfall, there were 70 mph winds.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the storm was "a so-called perfect storm, a once-in-a-generation weather system combining an unlikely compilation of high winds, avalanches of snow and frigid temperatures."

This storm was brutal in Buffalo, New York, because snow had fallen for 28 days before the storm, piling up on Lake Erie, perfectly placed to be blown about. The storm remained in the region for three days, per WGRZ.

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So many people abandoned their cars that one in five vehicles was illegally parked or abandoned across Buffalo. The storm killed 29 people, and six of them died in their cars, The New York Times reported.

The Great Blizzard of 1978

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On January 26 and 27, Ohio and the Great Lakes faced one of the worst snowstorms of the century.

According to the National Weather Service, "This once-in-a-lifetime storm will always be the standard by which the severities of all future winter storms to hit this region are judged."

It was a "bomb cyclone," which means it developed very quickly. To get the name, atmospheric pressure has to fall by 24 millibars within 24 hours.

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During this storm, wind chills plunged to -50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even though only 7 inches of snow fell in Cincinnati, it was hit hard because there were already 14 inches on the ground, and 60 mph winds channeled it into snowdrifts that towered up to 25 feet high, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Across the region, motorways closed, and roofs and telephone lines collapsed. The snowstorm killed 70 people and caused about $2 billion worth of damage.

The Megalopolitan Blizzard of 1983

Newsday LLC/Newsday RM via Getty Images

From February 10 to 12, this snowstorm hit a wide area from Virginia to New England. In Washington, three airports, bus stations, and the subway system all had to close.

It was particularly memorable since, along with a heavy blanketing of snow, there was thunder, too.

The Washington Post reported that the "thundersnow along the Eastern Shore produced extremely strong winds and whiteout conditions."

It caused 25-foot waves in the Atlantic Ocean and 55 mph winds that capsized a coal-carrying boat, killing 34 people.

The Storm of the Century, 1993

David A. Rogers/Staff Photographer

Beginning on March 12, the US had what is commonly referred to as the worst snowstorm of the 20th century.

Snow covered areas from Florida to Maine, affecting more than 100 million people. Winds reached 100 mph.

The New York Times described it as "a monster with the heart of a blizzard and the soul of a hurricane."

Power cuts plunged 2.5 million homes into darkness and cold. The storm killed 300 people and caused at least $2 billion worth of damage.

NOAA classed it as a Category 5 storm. It was the second-highest rated snowstorm (despite its name) after the 100-hour snowstorm in 1969.

In Syracuse, New York, just under 43 inches of snow fell, while 20 inches fell through much of the northeast. It caused swells that a Coast Guard official told the Washington Post looked like "a big washing machine."

The Blizzard of 1996

Barbara Alper/Getty Images

From January 6 to 10, this vicious storm forced then-President Bill Clinton to shut down the government and declare nine states and DC as disaster areas.

Heavy snowfall blanketed much of the Eastern Seaboard. In one day, Virginia had 20 inches of snow, while Newark had 28 inches fall over several days, and Philadelphia had 30 inches.

The storm caught some people off guard, the Washington Post reported, since snow stopped long enough that some forecasters said it was over, only for 40 mph winds and more snow to return.

Buildings, including barns and a church in Harlem, New York, collapsed. Four people died from heart attacks while clearing snow, according to The New York Times. In total, 154 people died.

The Presidents Day Storm of 2003

New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images

For three days in February, including Presidents Day, a snowstorm caused delays and deaths across much of the Northeast.

It began as a rainstorm, before the wet weather met arctic cold air and turned to snow  a lot of snow. In Maryland, a state highway supervisor told Fox News, "It's no man's land out there. It looks more like Siberia than Maryland."

New York got 19.8 inches of snow, while a lucky ski resort in Pennsylvania got 40 inches of snow. In Boston, 27.5 inches of snow fell in 24 hours, which broke the city's record for snowfall in a single day, per the National Centers for Environmental Information.

The storm caused 28 deaths, and at least 2,000 flights were canceled.

The Blizzard of 2006

Ramin Talaie/Corbis via Getty Images

On February 11 and 12, a massive snowstorm 1,200 miles long and 500 miles wide blanketed much of the country, from North Carolina to Maine, The New York Times reported.

Winds reached 60 mph, up to 27 inches of snow fell, and more than 220,000 homes lost power. The storm brought thunder and lightning, too, which is known as "thundersnow."

Hundreds of flights were canceled, and thousands were delayed.

Snowmageddon, 2010

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images

On February 5 and 6, Washington, DC, turned white as snow fell uninterrupted for 30 hours, the Washington Post reported.

Just over 32 inches of wet, heavy snow were recorded. The snow's weight caused power outages for 200,000 properties, as well as the collapse of several churches and an airport hangar.

Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania all declared a state of emergency.

It was named "Snowmageddon" by a group called Capital Weather Gang, because Washington wasn't equipped to deal with so much snow. The name was solidified when former President Barack Obama repeated it.

The Christmas Blizzard of 2010

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

On December 26 and 27, a blizzard blanketed New York City in up to 29 inches of snow, the New York Daily News reported at the time.

Winds reached 60 mph, causing whiteout conditions, while tens of thousands of people lost power.

Then-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters, "It's hard to stand up in a 55-mile-an-hour wind, and particularly when the ground under your feet is slippery, so this really is dangerous."

While it wasn't as savage as some of the other snowstorms on this list, it hit just after Christmas, causing travel chaos.

The "Snovember" Storm of 2014

Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer

Beginning on November 17 and lasting 5 days, a snowstorm battered Buffalo, New York, burying it under more than 7 feet of snow, the Weather Channel reported.

Highways closed, 14 people died, and former President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration to provide federal aid.

This snowstorm was particularly cruel to Buffalo because of Lake Erie. At the time, the water was still reasonably mild. This warm water met incoming arctic air, the coldest it had been for that time of the year since 1986, and the mixture caused an extreme amount of snow to fall.

It wasn't just Buffalo, though. Temperatures in every US state fell below freezing.

Winter Storm Jonas, 2016

New Yorkers brave the Brooklyn Bridge. The first snow falls throughout the early morning as New York prepares for historic East Coast Blizzard. Louise Wateridge/Pacific Press/LightRocket / Getty

This January winter storm, also known as Snowzilla, as reported by the Washington Post, affected over 102 million people and killed 52.

A massive amount of snow fell: 24 million people were estimated to have come in contact with over 20 inches. Glengary, West Virginia, had the most snowfall, with 42 inches.

In North Carolina, the storm's ice and wind knocked out the power at 150,000 homes. In Delaware, wind gusts were recorded at 75 mph. New Jersey faced intense flooding, with water surging higher than it did during Hurricane Sandy.

According to the NOAA, it was one of the most powerful snowstorms in the northeast in 60 years.

The Bomb Cyclone of 2018

A woman struggles with bags as she walks through the empty streets of Boston as the snow begins to fall from a massive winter storm on January 4, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. Spencer Platt/Getty

This was a rapidly developing storm in January that covered more than 2,500 miles across the US, affecting 60 million people, the BBC reported.

Along with heavy snowfall and 50 mph winds, the coast was rocked by swells, made even worse by unusually high tides. In Boston, a 3-foot storm surge smashed against the city.

The storm caused more than 1 million children to miss school, and 4,000 flights to be canceled, per The New York Times.

The Polar Vortex of 2019

Pedestrians walk through the falling snow in the Financial District, January 30, 2019 in New York City. Drew Angerer / Getty

In late January, cold air from the Arctic descended onto North America, killing 21 people. Almost 2,000 flights were canceled, hundreds of schools were closed, and hundreds of cases of frostbite and hypothermia were reported, per The Guardian.

Across the Midwest, more than 30 cold temperature records were broken. Illinois got hit particularly hard, with the city of Rockford recording -31 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind chills in Minneapolis-St. Paul plunged to -65 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Legendary actor Dharmendra will be conferred with the Padma Vibhushan for his immense contribution to the Indian film industry, as announced by the Centre on the eve of Republic Day. Reacting to the announcement, Veteran actor-politician Hema Malini expressed pride and gratitude, saying, "So so proud that the govt has recognised Dharam ji's immense contribution to the film industry by bestowing on him the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award." https://x.com/dreamgirlhema/status/2015411538497290371?s=20 In December, Hema Malini organised a prayer meet in Delhi for her late husband and legendary star Dharmendra, who died at the age of 89. Several members from the political fraternity and the film industry marked their presence at the prayer meet, honouring the late legend. Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda, and scores of ministers and parliamentarians were spotted offering condolences to Hema Malini and her daughters, Esha and Ahana, at the prayer meet. Many even remembered Dharmendra with heartfelt words in their speeches, but it was Hema Malini's tribute that left everyone truly emotional. Bollywood legend Dharmendra, fondly known as the industry's 'He-Man', passed away on November 24, 2025, leaving a void in Hindi cinema. Known for his gentle smile, charismatic screen presence, and six-decade-long career, Dharmendra remained a beloved figure on and off screen. Dharmendra, widely regarded as one of the most iconic actors of his time, made his mark in Hindi cinema with memorable performances in films like 'Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke', 'Sholay' , 'Chupke Chupke', 'Ayee Milan Ki Bela', and 'Anupama', among others. He was known not only for his versatility on screen but also for his contributions to the film industry and for inspiring millions of fans worldwide. On the eve of Republic Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) unveiled the official list of Padma awardees for 2026. The prestigious civilian honours recognise individuals from diverse fields, including arts, literature, social service, medicine, education and public service, for their excellence, dedication and long-term contribution to society. Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field. These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions, usually in March/April each year. (ANI)
PARIS (AP)  At the power gathering of world leaders in Davos, Switzerland, the reflective shades worn by French President Emmanuel Macron captured attention in ways that words didn't.

Hiding an unsightly but what Macron says is a benign medical issue with his right eye, the sunglasses bled into news feeds, triggered a jab from U.S. President Donald Trump, and spawned memes and an AI-generated spoof of Macron as a fighter jet pilot, set to Kenny Loggins' Danger Zone track from the Tom Cruise blockbuster Top Gun.

Those beautiful sunglasses, Trump said in his Davos address. What the hell happened?

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Here's what to know about the now famous shades and what they say about Macron and politics:

The glasses

The shades were made by a French firm, Henry Jullien, Macron's office told The Associated Press. They were its Pacific S 01 model, which dont come cheap, retailing for 659 euros (US$ 775) on the manufacturer's website. It struggled with demand after Macron wore them for a hard-hitting speech in Davos, publicity that money can't buy.

It launched a dedicated page to capitalize on the buzz, saying our eShop website is experiencing an exceptional volume of visits and enquiries. Shares of its Italian parent company, iVision Tech SpA, soared on Milan's stock exchange  from 1.51 euros ($1.78) a share when Macron spoke Tuesday, to a high Friday of 2.63 ($3.10).

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Crazy week, Stefano Fulchir, iVision's CEO, told AP. Very honored and happy that President Macron has used our eyewear in this important event."

Macron bought the glasses in 2024, after his office checked they were French-made, Fulchir said.

Today, I received a call from a radio and they put on the Top Gun music. So its amazing," he said. In the last three days, I slept only four hours a day, because we dont have time to answer to everybody.

Macron looks hot

Wearing sunglasses indoors, as Macron did, takes confidence  and some observers say he carried off the exercise with aplomb.

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He does look hot, said Cristina Archetti, author of Politicians, personal image and the construction of political identity, who teaches political communication at the University of Oslo, Norway.

Unlike older-looking politicians who are particularly gray, dull, or some unnatural color  orange  not mentioning any name, Archetti said that 48-year-old Macron looked relatively young and super cool  also in part because the blue-tinted lenses matched photogenically with the blue background.

Images are so important, particularly good images with great color, so I mean he ticks the boxes," she said.

I was looking at the various memes, to the Terminator, to James Bond," she said. You could imagine him sitting at the casino, sipping the champagne.

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The perils of sunglasses

For politicians answerable to voters and thus reliant on their trust, out-of-context sunglasses run the risk of suggesting that they're possibly hiding something.

As U.S. president, Joe Biden sported aviator shades. In 2021, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine soured ties, he gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a pair.

But unless the sun is shining bright, as it was when Biden and his aviators met Queen Elizabeth II in 2021, it's largely safe to say that political leaders need a medical or other reason that voters can grasp to wear sunglasses indoors. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton pulled it off with blues-club shades when he rocked Heartbreak Hotel on his sax on Arsenio Halls show in 1992, while campaigning for the presidency.

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We dont typically associate sunglasses with politicians," said Marco Bohr, co-editor of The evolution of the image: Political action and the digital self, who teaches design and digital arts at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom.

They signify a sense of detachment. And typically, thats not what politicians are trying to do. Theyre trying to create a sense connection with the audience or with people," he said.

In that sense, the sunglasses that Macron was wearing really stand out."

Autocrats have also dug shades. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il once wore large dark glasses when visiting a coal mining complex.

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Perhaps its again related to the honesty, Archetti said. Maybe theyre hiding behind the sunglasses, they know they have something to hide.

Trump versus Europe

From the Davos gathering largely monopolized by Trump's fractious relationship with Europe, tussling over Greenland and other sore points, Macron's eyewear will be remembered as a symbol, Fulchir, iVisions CEO, said.

Bohr noted that Macron could have worn an eye patch. Obviously that would have signified a whole range of other things, such as pirate culture.

He could have also chosen Ray-Ban Wayfarers, which .... signify kind of jazz and cool," he added. But no, he went for the aviator-style ... They signify something very specific  about pilots, about being in control.
Snow began falling in Frederick early Sunday, the start of a major winter storm.

A National Weather Service winter weather message on Saturday night for the Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia region said accumulations between 10 and 14 inches were expected, "with up to 18 inches possible near the Mason-Dixon line."

Snow was expected to mix with sleet or freezing rain on Sunday.

"In addition to the high threat for significant snow and ice, very cold temperatures are expected ... through the middle of next week with sub-zero wind chills likely at times," the message says.

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A winter storm warning is in effect through 4 a.m. Monday.

Maryland State Police put a snow emergency plan for Frederick County into effect at midnight.

The plan requires motorists to have snow tires if they drive on these snow emergency routes:

 U.S. 15, 40, 40 Alternate, 340

 Interstates 70 and 270

 Md. 17, 26, 27, 28, 31, 75, 76, 79, 80, 85, 140, 144FA, 180, 194

Studded tires are allowed from Nov. 1 to March 31.

Vehicles cannot be parked on any snow emergency route.

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater on Friday declared a local state of emergency that took effect at noon on Saturday.

The public is asked to refrain from operating vehicles on any county-owned or maintained road until the state of emergency is terminated or expires, the executive order states.

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This doesn't include emergency vehicles, vehicles providing essential services responding to the state of emergency, vehicles taking essential personnel to their workplaces and vehicles transporting individuals with medical or related emergencies.

Frederick Mayor Michael OConnor declared a snow emergency that started at 11 p.m. on Saturday.

The city will prioritize clear and maintaining snow emergency routes first. After the snowfall slows, crews will move to secondary and neighborhood roads, a city press release says.

Downtown residents without off-street parking were encouraged to move their vehicles to one of the five public parking garages at no charge, through Tuesday at 8 a.m.

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Gov. Wes Moore on Friday also declared a state of emergency and requested a federal emergency declaration, which would enable the federal government to expedite assistance to the state.

To be updated on urgent storm-related information and receive emergency alerts for Frederick County, sign up at frederickcountymd.gov/ALERT or text AlertFC to 888777.

Frederick County spokesperson Vivian Laxton said the county had more than 50 trucks prepared ahead of the storm, in addition to more than 40 other contractor trucks that will help clean the roads.

The county recommends that people stay home, so roads can be cleaned as quickly and safely as possible, Laxton said.

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To track snow removal on the city of Fredericks roads, visit frederickmd.gov/snowapp.

A code blue alert for extreme cold and weather in Frederick County is in effect until the morning of Feb. 1, according to Beyond Shelter Frederick.

With a code blue, local organizations extend their service hours to provide shelter for those in need.

Multiple daytime warming centers will be open during this period, including:

 Frederick Housing and Human Services, 100 S. Market St.

Open Jan. 24 to Feb. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dinner served from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

 Frederick Rescue Mission, 419 W. South St.

Open Jan. 25 to 30 from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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Breakfast served from 7 to 8 a.m.

Lunch served Monday to Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m., Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m.

 The Salvation Army, 239 Evergreen Place

Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Beyond Shelter Frederick operates an overnight emergency shelter for adults in need at 27 Degrange St. that opens at 6:30 p.m.

Families with children may call 240-415-8041 for assistance, the shelter says.

Individuals can also call 211 to be connected to essential local services.
EDITORS NOTE: This story is no longer being updated. Click here for the latest on the storm.

A major winter storm  among the most extreme and widespread in years  is set to lash more than two dozen states with damaging ice and heavy snow late this week.

Its all being fed and worsened by a brutal blast of Arctic air that could set records during the typical coldest time of the year.

The storm will be so extensive, its snow, sleet and freezing rain could stretch more than 1,500 miles from the Plains across the South and into the Northeast. Major travel disruption on roads and at airports is a given across its entire footprint, and widespread and potentially long-lasting power outages are also possible, particularly from its ice storm in the South.

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The extreme cold will worsen the storm and its impacts by causing snow and ice to accumulate faster on roads, making them harder to treat, and possibly leaving those that lose power shivering without heat for days.

Snow and ice will start to develop over the Central and Southern Plains on Friday as the storm begins to intensify and then expand on Saturday, stretching from Oklahoma and northern Texas to North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland by Saturday night. Snow and ice will reach the Northeast early Sunday and continue into Monday.

However, the track of this storm and how it interacts with the blast of cold air is still somewhat uncertain and that will make a big difference when it comes to snow and ice totals in any one location. Those details are coming into better focus now, but changes are possible over the next couple of days.

Winter storm alerts have been hoisted for more than 125 million people across parts of at least two dozen states ahead of the storm and more are likely in the next day or two.

Ice could knock out power to many

Damaging ice from freezing rain is the storms most serious threat.

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Freezing rain causes ice to build up on surfaces, and its tremendous amount of added weight can bring down trees and power lines. The amount of ice in a worst-case scenario for this storm could cause many power outages, some that could be long-lasting. But power outages are likely even in the most likely scenario.

Portions of the South from northern and eastern Texas into the lower-Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, northern Georgia and parts of the Carolinas and Virginia are at greatest risk for significant icing and power outages based on the current forecast. This includes major cities such as Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, Huntsville, Alabama, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee.

Travel could be brought to a standstill across major cities even with smaller amounts of ice.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency Wednesday. I encourage all North Carolinians to stay home and off the roads this weekend unless absolutely necessary so first responders can do their jobs safely and effectively, the governor said in a news release. Crews across the state are out brining roads and bridges, but officials warned impacts will likely linger into next week.

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A state of emergency is also in effect in South Carolina. The declaration allows the state to mobilize resources, activate National Guard personnel and coordinate response efforts, according to a news release from Gov. Henry McMasters office.

In Georgia, state agencies were also working to pre-treat roads and prepare, Gov. Brian Kemp said in a Wednesday social media post. Take this time to secure food, fill up on gas and ensure youre prepared for any potential loss of power, Kemp urged residents.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated state emergency response resources on Tuesday to prepare for the storm. Crews to pre-treat roadways and personnel and equipment to support any motorists who become stranded are among the resources, according to a news release from the governors office. Agencies will also monitor power and natural gas utilities.

Heavy snow threat from Plains to East Coast

Heavy snow will pile up for a wide area to the north of the storms freezing rain zone.

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A half-foot or more of snow could fall from far northern Texas, much of Oklahoma and southern Kansas through the mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys and into the mid-Atlantic and parts of the Northeast. Some could see as much as a foot.

Exactly where the most snow happens will depend on the storms track, which is still unclear, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, Louisville, Kentucky, Washington, DC, and New York City are in play.

Sleet or freezing rain could mix with snow in some areas, which complicates the forecast and makes potential snowfall totals less certain.

One thing thing is clear: Brutal cold is on the way for millions, and any snow and ice that accumulates will not melt quickly. That means any impacts could last into early next week for areas that see significant snow and ice totals.

Record-breaking cold possible

The Arctic cold invasion that will feed this winter storm arrives in the Midwest and Plains Thursday into Friday and will then spread into the South and East this weekend. Dozens of locations could break daily high and low cold temperature records, especially this weekend into early next week.

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Dallas-Fort Worth and Raleigh, North Carolina, are among the cities threatening to break cold records, with highs not expected to rise out of the 20s on Saturday. Dallas-Fort Worth could approach record lows both those days, possibly bottoming out near 10 degrees Sunday and Monday.

The worst of the cold kicks in with temperatures that will be more than 30 degrees below average by Friday in much of the Midwest and Plains. Thats significant since mid-to-late January is when average temperatures are already at their lowest level for many locations east of the Rockies.

Thermometers in the Twin Cities will likely remain below zero all day on Friday and lows both that morning and Saturday might bottom out near minus 20 degrees. Chicago could see at least two consecutive mornings with subzero low temperatures.

CNN Weather

Dangerously cold wind chills are also expected. The upper Midwest will see feels-like temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees below zero. Frostbite on exposed skin can occur in as little as 10 minutes when wind chills are this cold.

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The worst of the cold will push into parts of the South while also spreading into the Northeast on Saturday, plunging thermometers as much as 20 to 40 degrees colder than average.

CNN Meteorologist Briana Waxman contributed to this report.

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U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, speaks to reporters with Gov. Jeff Landry at a news conference Sept. 13, 2024, on the recovery from Hurricane Francine at Signature Aviation in Kenner. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said sanctuary city policies and a lack of cooperation from local authorities in Minnesota created the situation that led to Saturdays shooting death of Alex Pretti, after a confrontation with federal immigration officers.

Scalise appeared on the CBS program Face the Nation Sunday morning, where host Margaret Brennan sought his reaction to the third shooting by federal officials in Minneapolis in three weeks and the second death.

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Multiple video accounts show Pretti, 37, an ICU nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, intervening after a Border Patrol agent shoved a woman to the street. A group of agents then forced Pretti to the ground, after which he was shot multiple times. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti was in possession of a handgun and two clips when he encountered federal agents. Noem told reporters Saturday it appeared Pretti arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement.

Some 3,000 federal agents have carried out sweeps in the Minneapolis area over the past two months. Grassroots organizers have tracked their efforts in an attempt to warn targeted immigrants, and the two sides have clashed on several occasions.

Scalise, a Republican, said officers with Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have seen far greater cooperation from local police in other states, including Louisiana. Operation Catahoula Crunch from Homeland Security, which focused on the New Orleans region, totaled 560 arrests as of early January before Border Patrol Director Greg Bovino redirected the 200 agents to Minneapolis.

Violent criminals are being apprehended where ICE and Border Patrol agents work in collaboration in local authorities, according to the majority leader.

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Youre seeing that on the ground in many, many cities where they are cooperating with ICE, where they dont have sanctuary city policies, Scalise said, and where you dont see, by the way, people going in the streets breaking the law to interfere with law enforcement, which is a felony.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara confirmed that Pretti held a permit to carry a concealed firearm, and videos from Saturdays confrontation show Pretti holding only his cellphone to record video.

OHara and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the 2nd Amendment allows Pretti to have his weapon with him at Saturdays demonstration, but Scalise said that right is effectively revoked if a permit holder is in the act of committing a crime. Federal officials have said grassroots efforts in Minnesota to monitor and disrupt immigration enforcement efforts are unlawful.

Scalise noted that, as a state lawmaker, he authored the Louisiana law to create concealed-carry permits.

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You are not allowed to carry a gun while youre committing another crime, and interfering with law enforcement is a felony, said Scalise, who prefaced his statement by saying he wasnt familiar with Minnesotas concealed-carry permit law.

As in Louisiana, concealed weapon permit holders in Minnesota can face additional charges if they have their firearm in their possession during a criminal act. Louisiana has since approved the concealed carrying of a firearm without a permit, eliminating the need for training to possess a firearm.

People react to copious tear gas and flash grenades deployed by federal agents near the scene of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, where federal agents shot and killed a 37-year-old man Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, the third shooting in as many weeks. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Soon after Prettis fatal shooting, U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, posted social media comments similar to those Scalise would make Sunday morning. Cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities in other cities has prevented the encroaching, interference and provocation seen in the sanctuary city of Minneapolis, he said.

This sanctuary city BS raises stress levels in ways that its difficult to explain, but I can tell you that pulling the trigger will happen more frequently when things go FUBAR, and sanctuary city policies most definitely create FUBAR situations, Higgins wrote, citing the military slang acronym for fed up beyond all recognition.

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In contrast to his fellow GOP members in the Louisiana delegation, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy made a measured call for accountability after Prettis death in a social media post Saturday night.

The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing, Cassidy said in an X post. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.

This is Cassidys first public statement out of sync with the Trump administration since the president urged U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, last weekend to run for his seat this fall. Letlow announced her candidacy Tuesday.

OHara, who appeared on Face the Nation right before Scalise, said federal officials have yet to share complete details of what led to Prettis death with his agency. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which investigates all police-involved shootings in the state, was denied access to Saturdays shooting scene by federal authorities, despite having a warrant from U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud, a Trump appointee.

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The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was also turned away from the scene of the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, was more pointed in his reaction to Saturdays incident, saying in an X post it took place less than a month after Goods death.

This violence were seeing is sanctioned by the dangerous rhetoric and reckless policies of Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, Carter said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

This report was updated with the most recent arrest count for Operation Catahoula Crunch.
Correction via AP: The age of the man who was shot has been corrected to 37, per information from the police chief. The AP previously reported his age as 51 based on a hospital record.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A U.S. Border Patrol officer shot and killed a man Saturday in Minneapolis, drawing hundreds of protesters in a city already shaken by another fatal shooting weeks earlier.

Family members say Alex Jeffrey Pretti was the man killed by a federal officer in Minneapolis on Saturday was an intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital who cared deeply about people and was upset by President Donald Trumps immigration raids in his city.

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Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that federal officers were conducting an operation as part of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. McLaughlin claimed officers fired defensive shots after a man with a handgun allegedly approached them and violently resisted when officers tried to disarm him. OHara said police believe the man was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. The officer who shot the man is an eight-year Border Patrol veteran, federal officials said.

In a bystander video obtained by The Associated Press, protesters can be heard blowing whistles and shouting profanities at agents on Nicollet Avenue. In the video, Pretti is seen with a phone in his hand but none appears to show him with a visible weapon.

The video can be viewed below. Viewer discretion is advised.

The video shows an officer shoving a person who is wearing a brown jacket, skirt and black tights and carrying a water bottle. That person reaches out for a man and the two link up, embracing. The man, wearing a brown jacket and black hat, seems to be holding his phone up toward the officer.

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The same officer shoves the man in his chest and the two, still embracing, fall back.

The video then shifts to a different part of the street and then comes back to the two individuals unlinking from each other. The video shifts focus again and then shows three officers surrounding the man.

Soon at least seven officers surround the man. One is on the mans back and another who appears to have a cannister in his hand strikes a blow to the mans chest. Several officers try to bring the mans arms behind his back as he appears to resist. As they pull his arms, his face is briefly visible on camera. The officer with the cannister strikes the man near his head several times.

A shot rings out, but with officers surrounding the man, its not clear from where the shot came. Multiple officers back off of the man after the shot. More shots are heard. Officers back away and the man lies motionless on the street.

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The police chief appealed for calm, both from the public and and from federal law enforcement.

Our demand today is for those federal agencies that are operating in our city to do so with the same discipline, humanity and integrity that effective law enforcement in this country demands, the chief said. We urge everyone to remain peaceful. We recognize that there is a lot of anger and a lot of questions around what has happened, but we need people to remain peaceful.

The shooting happened amid widespread daily protests in the Twin Cities since the Jan. 7 shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was killed when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fired into her vehicle. Saturdays shooting unfolded just over a mile away from where Good was shot.

After the shooting, an angry crowd gathered and screamed profanities at federal officers, calling them cowards and telling them to go home. One officer responded mockingly as he walked away, telling them: Boo hoo. Agents elsewhere shoved a yelling protester into a car. Protesters dragged garbage dumpsters from alleyways to block the streets, and people who gathered chanted, ICE out now, referring to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

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Theyre killing my neighbors! said Minneapolis resident Josh Koskie.

Federal officers wielded batons and deployed flash bangs on the crowd.

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said in a social media post he had been in contact with the White House after the shooting. He urged President Donald Trump to end what the Department of Homeland Security has called its largest-ever immigration enforcement operation.

Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now, Walz said in a post on X.

The shooting happened a day after thousands of demonstrators protesting the crackdown on immigrants crowded the citys streets in frigid weather, calling for federal law enforcement to leave.

What we know about Alex Pretti

Pretti, 37, was an avid outdoorsman who loved getting in adventures with Joule, his beloved Catahoula Leopard dog who also recently died. He had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Law Enforcement officer earlier this month.

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He 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, said Michael Pretti, Alexs father. He felt that doing the protesting was a way to express that, you know, his care for others.

Pretti was a U.S. citizen, born in Illinois. Like Good, court records showed he had no criminal record and his family said he had never had any interactions with law enforcement beyond a couple of traffic tickets.

In a recent conversation with their son, his parents, who live in Wisconsin, told him to be careful when protesting.

We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically, Michael Pretti said. And he said he knows that. He knew that.

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Family members said Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Minnesota. They said they had never known him to carry it.

The family first learned of the shooting when they were called by an Associated Press reporter. They watched the video and said the man killed appeared to be their son. They then tried reaching out to officials in Minnesota.

I cant get any information from anybody, Michael Pretti said Saturday. The police, they said call Border Patrol, Border Patrols closed, the hospitals wont answer any questions?

Eventually, the family called the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, who they said confirmed had a body matching the name and description of their son.

Walz excoriates immigration operations in Minnesota

Walz issued a statement Saturday calling immigration enforcement organized brutality.

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The federal occupation of Minnesota long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. It is a campaign of organized brutality against the people of our state. And today, that campaign claimed yet another life, Walz said.

He said the state, and not the federal government, will lead the investigation into the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti.

Pretti was shot and killed by federal officers amid an immigration operation.

Minnesotans and our local law enforcement have done everything we can to deescalate. The federal government must deescalate. I once again call on the President to remove the 3,000 agents from Minnesota who are sowing chaos and violence.

Congressional Democrats slam DHS chief Kristi Noem

Congressional Democrats responded with immediate outrage to the killing of another person by federal agents in Minneapolis.

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Congressman Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, called for ICE to be abolished and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to be impeached.

Trump has created a militarized police force accountable only to him and ready to murder people in our streets. These agents need to leave our cities NOW, the California Democrat wrote on social media.

Congressman Brad Schneider, chair of the moderate New Democratic Coalition in the U.S. House, called for an investigation into the shooting and for federal agents to leave Minnesota.

Every agent involved in this shooting must be suspended pending a full and independent investigation and ultimately held to account for their actions today, Schneider said in a statement. And, Kristi Noem has got to go. She needs to resign or be fired. If not, Congress must act, the Illinois Democrat continued.

Trump weighs in on the shooting in Minneapolis

Trump posted to his Truth Social account after a man was killed by federal officers during an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis. Trumps statement said:

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This is the gunmans gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go  What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why werent they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves  Not an easy thing to do! Why does Ilhan Omar have $34 Million Dollars in her account? And where are the Tens of Billions of Dollars that have been stolen from the once Great State of Minnesota? We are there because of massive Monetary Fraud, with Billions of Dollars missing, and Illegal Criminals that were allowed to infiltrate the State through the Democrats Open Border Policy. We want the money back, and we want it back, NOW. Those Fraudsters who stole the money are going to jail, where they belong! This is no different than a really big Bank Robbery. Much of what youre witnessing is a COVER UP for this Theft and Fraud.

Minneapolis Democrats react to the shooting

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar has expressed outrage at the shooting of a man during an immigration operation.

Donald Trump and all your lieutenants who ordered this ICE surge: watch the horrific video of the killing today. The world is watching. Thousands of citizens stopped and harassed. Local police no longer able to do their work. Kids hiding. Schools closed. Get ICE out of Minnesota, Klobuchar said in a message posted on X.

Rep. Angie Craig said in a statement that she has seen my own eyes the video of another horrific killing by ICE agents this morning in Minneapolis. This is sickening.

The agency is beyond out of control. How much more evidence do my Republican colleagues in Minnesota need to speak out?

Rep. Ilhan Omar issued a statement after the shooting of a man by federal officers in Minnesota.

This isnt isolated or accidental. The Trump administration is trying to beat us into submission rather than protect us. This administration cannot continue violating constitutional rights under the guise of immigration enforcement, Omar said, in part.

___

This article contains reporting from Associated Press writers Michael Biesecker, Tim Sullivan and Jim Mustian. APs Giovanna DellOrto and Sarah Raza in Minnesota, Jim Mustian in New York and Michael Catalini in New Jersey also contributed.

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 US citizen shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday was an intensive care nurse at a local veterans' hospital who "wanted to make a difference in this world," family members said.

Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed while scuffling with immigration officials on an icy roadway in the Midwestern city, less than three weeks after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car.

The latest killing sparked fresh protests and rebukes from local officials, who disputed the Trump administration's quick claims that Pretti intended to harm federal agents as he participated in demonstrations against a sweeping immigration crackdown.

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Pretti was "a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends" and those he cared for at a Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, his parents said in a statement on Saturday.

"Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact," his parents said.

Dimitri Drekonja, chief of the Infectious Diseases Section at the Minneapolis VA hospital and a colleague of Pretti's, called him "a good kind person who lived to help."

"He had such a great attitude. We'd chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together. Will never happen now," Drekonja wrote on the social media platform Bluesky.

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He said Pretti was a nurse working "to support critically ill Veterans."

Pretti graduated from high school in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 2006, according to local media reports. He went to nursing school before joining the VA.

Trump administration officials have sought to brand Pretti as a violent aggressor but their accounts are contradicted by video, which AFP has not verified, aired widely by US media.

Pretti's parents said their son had stepped in front of a federal agent who shoved a woman protester shortly before his death.

They denounced what they called "sickening lies" from the Trump administration and said the gun found on Pretti, which local officials said he was licensed to carry, was not in his hand when he was shot.

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"Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs," his parents said in the statement.

"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."

The family asked the public to "get the truth out about our son. He was a good man."

"We are heartbroken but also very angry," they said.

bur-lga/pbt
The broadcaster and journalist Sir Mark Tully - for many years known as the BBC's "voice of India" - has died at the age of 90.

For decades, the rich, warm tones of Sir Mark were familiar to BBC audiences in Britain and around the world - a much-admired foreign correspondent and respected reporter and commentator on India. He covered war, famine, riots and assassinations, the Bhopal gas tragedy and the Indian army's storming of the Sikh Golden Temple.

In the small north Indian city of Ayodhya in 1992, he faced a moment of real peril. He witnessed a huge crowd of Hindu hardliners tear down an ancient mosque. Some of the mob - suspicious of the BBC - threatened him, chanting "Death to Mark Tully". He was locked in a room for several hours before a local official and a Hindu priest came to his aid.

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The demolition provoked the worst religious violence in India for many decades - it was, he said years later, the "gravest setback" to secularism since the country's independence from Britain in 1947.

"We are sad to hear the passing of Sir Mark Tully," Jonathan Munro, Interim CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, said in a statement. "As one of the pioneers of foreign correspondents, Sir Mark opened India to the world through his reporting, bringing the vibrancy and diversity of the country to audiences in the UK and around the world.

"His public service commitments and dedication to journalism saw him work as a bureau chief in Delhi, and report for outlets across the BBC. Widely respected in both India and the UK, he was a joy to speak with and will be greatly missed."

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India was where Sir Mark was born - in what was then Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1935. He was a child of the British Raj. His father was a businessman. His mother had been born in Bengal - her family had worked in India as traders and administrators for generations.

He was brought up with an English nanny who once chided him for learning to count by copying the family's driver: "that's the servants' language, not yours", he was told. He eventually became fluent in Hindi, a rare achievement in Delhi's foreign press corps and one which endeared him to many Indians for whom he was always "Tully sahib". His good cheer and evident affection for India won him the friendship and trust of many of the top rank of the country's politicians, editors and social activists.

Sir Mark, seen here with members of India's armed forces, arrived in India as an administrative assistant at the BBC in 1965 [BBC]

Throughout his life, he performed a balancing act: English, without doubt; but not - he insisted - an expat who was passing through India. He had roots there; it was his home. It's where he lived for three-quarters of his life.

Immediately after World War Two, at the age of nine, Sir Mark came to Britain for his education. He studied history and theology at Cambridge and then headed to theological college with the aim of being ordained as a clergyman before he - and the church - had second thoughts.

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He was sent to India for the BBC in 1965 - at first as an administrative assistant, but in time he began to take on a reporting role. His broadcasting style was idiosyncratic, but his strength of character and his insight into India shone through.

Some critics said he was too indulgent of India's poverty and caste-based inequality; others admired his clearly expressed commitment to the religious tolerance upon which independent India was anchored. It's "really important to treasure the secular culture of this country, allowing every religion to flourish," he told an Indian newspaper in 2016. "... we must not endanger this by insisting on Hindu majoritarianism".

Sir Mark's was a familiar voice for BBC listeners in the UK and around the world [Getty Images]

Sir Mark was never an armchair correspondent. He travelled relentlessly across India and neighbouring countries, by train when he could. He gave voice to the hopes and fears, trials and tribulations, of ordinary Indians as well as the country's elite. He was as comfortable wearing an Indian kurta as in a shirt and tie.

He was expelled from India at 24 hours' notice in 1975 after the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi, ordered a state of emergency. But he headed back 18 months later and had been based in Delhi ever since. He spent more than 20 years as the BBC's head of bureau in Delhi, leading the reporting not simply of India but of South Asia, including the birth of Bangladesh, periods of military rule in Pakistan, the Tamil Tigers' rebellion in Sri Lanka and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

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Over time, he became increasingly out of step with the BBC's corporate priorities, and in 1993 he made a much-publicised speech accusing the then director general, John Birt, of running the corporation by "fear". It marked a parting of the ways. Sir Mark resigned from the BBC the following year. But he continued to broadcast on BBC airwaves notably as presenter of Radio 4's Something Understood, turning back to issues of faith and spirituality which had engaged him as a student.

Sir Mark stayed on in Delhi after he left the BBC [Getty Images]

Unusually for a foreign national, Sir Mark was accorded two of India's top civilian honours: the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan. Britain too gave him recognition. He was knighted for services to broadcasting and journalism in the 2002 New Year's honours list. He described the award as "an honour to India".

He continued to write books about India - essays, analyses, short stories too, sometimes in collaboration with his partner, Gillian Wright. He lived un-ostentatiously in south Delhi.

Sir Mark never gave up his British nationality but was proud also to become late in life an Overseas Citizen of India. That made him, he said, "a citizen of the two countries I feel I belong to, India and Britain".

Read more on the story
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has had her bodyguard temporarily suspended from duty pending an ongoing internal investigation into allegations of abuse of position.

According to two sources speaking to Bloomberg Law, a security officer was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 16, after Trumps labor boss from hell was accused of conducting a romantic relationship with a security staff member.

The steamy allegations are part of the wider chaotic workplace conditions that Chavez-DeRemer has been accused of creating.

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These include drinking during the day from her personal office stash of Champagne, bourbon, and Kahlua; taking officials to strip clubs; and committing travel fraud to visit friends and family on the governments dime.

The investigation was sparked by a complaint filed at the start of the month with the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, according to a report obtained by The New York Post.

It alleges that Chavez-DeRemer, 57, hosted a subordinate in her Washington, D.C. apartment on three separate occasions, and twice in her hotel room while traveling.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media alongside Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in the Oval Office at the White House on April 23, 2025. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

In October, the Labor Secretary is alleged to have spent time at the Red Rocks Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, along with the staff member with whom she was reportedly conducting amorous congress.

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Chavez-DeRemer has been married to her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, for more than three decades. The couple have twin daughters together.

At least a dozen government officials have reportedly already been interviewed as part of the internal probe. Chavez-DeRemers chief of staff, Jihun Han, and deputy chief of staff, Rebecca Wright, have been put on leave as the investigation unfolds, as has a third, currently unnamed staffer. Both Han and Wright were named in the complaint as having helped organize the Oregon Republicans improper work trips.

Chavez-DeRemer is alleged to have kept Champagne, bourbon, and Kahlua in her office. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

Speaking to The Daily Beast, the White House has previously denied the accusations relating to Chavez-DeRemer.

The New York Post was unable to provide any evidence to corroborate these baseless claims in this report supposedly filed by a FORMER disgruntled employee, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said.

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Secretary Chavez-DeRemer is an incredible asset to President Trumps team and she will continue advancing the Presidents America First agenda.

A spokesperson for the Department of Labor has previously said that the allegations are categorically false.

The secretary is considering all possible avenues, including legal action, to fight these baseless accusations from anonymous sources, Labor spokesperson Courtney Parella has said.

Chavez-DeRemer has denied all the allegations. / Bill Pugliano / Getty Images

Prior to the most recent allegations, Chavez-DeRemer had a reputation for partying. In April last year, she was slammed for throwing a tone-deaf, boozy office bash to celebrate her own birthday.

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A bacchanalian spread was offered up to senior officials at the Department of Labor headquarters while Department of Government Efficiency cuts aimed to shut some 87 DoL offices across the country.

Theres not an ounce of truth to this, and anyone who knows my wife would know that, Shawn De Remer has said previously in a statement about the allegations relating to his wife.

The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House and the Department of Labor for further comment.
Lawmakers around the state are sounding off after a federal immigration officer shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday.

The victim was identified as 37-year-old Alex Pretti. He was an ICU nurse at a VA hospital. He was described as an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed getting in adventures with Joule, his beloved Catahoula Leopard dog who also recently died.

Seth Moulton took to social media to post a video, calling ICE pathetic, untrained, unprofessional COWARDS.

.@icegov YOU ARE COWARDS. You are all absolute, pathetic, untrained, unprofessional COWARDS. Todd Lyons and the rest of you not only need to be defunded, you need to be PROSECUTED. pic.twitter.com/AiXak9aGSE  Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 24, 2026

Senator Elizabeth Warren called the incident horrific.

Horrific. Trumps federal agents shot and killed another person.



Republicans in control of Congress could put a stop to this chaos.



Enough. Get ICE out of Minnesota, stop funding this violence, and end the assault on our communities.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 24, 2026

In a follow-up tweet, Warren said that shed be voting no in the Senate on the upcoming funding bill for DHS and ICE.

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As Trumps masked, untrained agents terrorize our communities, we should not give a penny more to this rogue agency.

Senator Ed Markey said that federal agents should be held accountable.

BREAKING: Trumps thugs just shot and killed a man in Minneapolis. Eyewitnesses are describing it as an execution.



We cannot keep living like this and people cant keep dying like this. Stop funding DHS. Impeach Kristi Noem. Hold these agents accountable.  Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) January 24, 2026

Governor Healey issued a statement, saying, Enough is enough.

Just stop. Enough is enough. President Trump and Kristi Noem need to call ICE agents back.



We stand with the people of Minnesota. President Trump needs to listen to Governor Walz and end this operation now. pic.twitter.com/W9FnxUHGYR  Governor Maura Healey (@MassGovernor) January 24, 2026

Mayor Wu also issued a statement, denouncing the Trump Administrations acts in Minnesota, advising Americans leave the city.

After another gruesome act of fatal violence by federal agents on the streets of Minneapolis, all Americans must demand that the Trump Administration end its deadly, unlawful, and unconstitutional occupation of the Twin Cities. The ongoing invasion of our cities by a dangerous and out-of-control federal administration must be stopped. This week, the City of Boston led 44 cities around the country in supporting the federal lawsuit to end the illegal ICE surge in Minnesota. Our hearts are with Alex Prettis loved ones and the people of Minnesota and we share their grief. While we mourn once again a tragic and needless death, we urge the court to take immediate action to stop the violence, end the occupation, and help local leaders in the Twin Cities restore peace to these communities under siege. Michelle Wu, Boston Mayor

Democratic WHIP Katherine Clark called for the removal of United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

Weve all seen the horrifying video. ICE committed another murder in broad daylight  and Republicans continue to lie.



Kristi Noem must be removed. These illegitimate agents need to leave Minnesota and should be prosecuted.



Democrats will demand justice and accountability for  Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) January 24, 2026

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Representative Stephen Lynch commented on the incident, comparing the acts of federal agents to those of the Gestapo.

ICE agents just brutally executed the second U.S. citizen in recent days on the streets of Minneapolis - this man was simply filming masked and armed ICE agents who have been approaching people randomly on the streets of that city, asking that people produce papers and  Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (@RepStephenLynch) January 24, 2026

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump for his disparaging remarks about NATO troops in Afghanistan.

Such derogatory statements were "unacceptable - especially when they come from an allied nation," she said, according to a statement from her office.

Trump once again claimed on Fox News that the US had never needed NATO. Several other NATO countries had sent troops to Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, but they had "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines," Trump said.

Meloni demands respect from Trump

Meloni stated that NATO had, in an "extraordinary act of solidarity towards the US," activated Article 5 of the NATO Treaty for the only time in its history following the Islamist terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

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Italy had responded immediately and sent thousands of soldiers. Her country had paid a high price with dozens of fallen soldiers, Meloni said.

She stressed that while Italy and the US are connected by a solid friendship based on shared values, "friendship requires respect - a fundamental prerequisite to continue ensuring the solidarity that forms the foundation of the Atlantic alliance."

Meloni as a Trump sympathizer?

The far-right politician is among the European leaders with the best rapport with US President Trump.

Meloni has repeatedly tried to position herself as a Trump sympathizer, most recently regarding his claims over Greenland.

According to her own statements, the two are in close contact.
Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy said the party's Silver Jubilee celebrations were being held in Hassan, its birthplace, with the aim of strengthening the JDS and countering what he termed attempts by political opponents to destroy the party. After offering prayers at the family deity in Hassan, Kumaraswamy recalled the origins and journey of the party on Saturday, saying, "Under the leadership of Deve Gowda, JDS started from Congress O and became Janata Dal, Janata Party. Then it was split in 1999 due to disagreements among the leaders. Now JDS has completed 25 years." He said the Silver Jubilee conference was significant as it was being organised at the party's birthplace. "The Silver Jubilee celebrations are being celebrated in their birthplace. This conference is to strengthen JDS again," he said. Taking a swipe at political rivals, Kumaraswamy added, "Our arrogant opponents are saying that we have destroyed JDS. This party should be destroyed; it is their attempt. This party was raised by farmers. This party cannot be destroyed." He further criticised the present dispensation, stating, "This is a barbaric government; there is no humanity. The purpose of this conference is to remove such a corrupt government." Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and JDS patriarch HD Deve Gowda also addressed the gathering at Haradanahalli in Hassan district. Referring to the Silver Jubilee event, he said, "For the first time, a 25th year program is being held in Hassan. I, Kumaraswamy, have come to participate in the program. Our district leaders and activists have worked for the success of the program." Highlighting the party's growth despite challenges, Deve Gowda said, "Congress has made a mark in the district for two and a half years and tried to finish JDS. This party has grown step by step in the state with the support of the people of the district." Reflecting on his long political journey, he remarked, "I was elected as an ordinary MLA and then gradually went up to the post of Prime Minister. I have experienced pain and suffering in my 65 years of political life." Emphasising unity among party workers, he added, "In that context, everyone in the district has organised a conference to save the party. Everyone has worked in unity. All the activists have come to ensure that the program is a success." Speaking about his visit to the temple, Deve Gowda said, "Before going to the meeting, I have come to offer prayers to our clan gods. I will bow down in the assembly after worshipping." Expressing gratitude to the people of Hassan, he concluded, "I was raised by the people of the district. I am still alive at the age of 93 because of the blessings of the people. I will not forget their support till my last breath." (ANI)
Two men who were arrested after a teenager was injured in a Leicester park have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Leicestershire Police said a 17-year-old was taken to hospital on Tuesday following a report of males with "bladed weapons" in Western Park.

The injured boy has since been discharged but overnight on Friday, police carried out operations in two locations in a bid to make further arrests, including deploying armed police in Bath Lane.

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The two men, aged 28 and 30, were arrested on suspicion of affray and have now been bailed.

Searches were ongoing in the area of Bath Lane on Sunday, including in the nearby water.

Police divers are assisting in the search for items to assist with the investigation, Leicestershire Police added.

Two 17-year-old males, also arrested on suspicion of affray, were released on bail earlier this week.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

More on this story
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here's a look at Jan. 24, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Daily 3 numbers from Jan. 24 drawing

Midday: 7-0-0

Evening: 7-8-2

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from Jan. 24 drawing

Midday: 9-6-1-2

Evening: 3-3-5-8

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 24 drawing

08-17-25-40-44, Lucky Ball: 07

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from Jan. 24 drawing

AC-JS-5D-7D-6H

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Jan. 24 drawing

27-30-37-38-39

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13-19-22-31-38

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from Jan. 24 drawing

03-07-08-12-14-15-26-27-30-31-32-37-38-46-53-55-59-62-63-67-74-79

Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Classic Lotto 47 numbers from Jan. 24 drawing

01-08-22-33-40-45

Check Classic Lotto 47 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from Jan. 24 drawing

04-21-22-30-33-42

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize

All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices.

To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:

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Michigan Lottery

Attn: Claim Center

101 E. Hillsdale

P.O. Box 30023

Lansing, MI 48909

For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.

If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:

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Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325

Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325

Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325

Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325

Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325

Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325

For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page.

When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?

Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.

Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily

Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily

Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday

Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily

Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for Jan. 24, 2026
Masked federal agents on the scene near where a federal officer shot a Minnesotan for the third time in as many weeks. (Photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer)

Following the killing of Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti at the hands of a Border Patrol officer on Saturday, Michigans U.S. Senate candidates are now laying out their plans on how to deal with increasingly violent federal immigration enforcement actions that have resulted in three shootings in three weeks, with two now ending in death.

Local and state Democratic officials in Minnesota immediately condemned Saturdays shooting as protests ramped up, while Republican President Donald Trump threatened again to send military forces to Minnesota, according to reporting from Michigan Advances sister publication, Minnesota Reformer.

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In Michigan, the three Democrats in the Senate race followed suit, but they each have slightly different policy contemplations to either rein in, curb or abolish the executive branchs increasingly troubling immigration force.

Former health official and Bernie Sanders-wing progressive Abdul El-Sayed has called for the outright dismantling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a position hes held since 2018, a message he has amplified in the wake of the government killings of Pretti on Saturday and Renee Good on Jan. 7.

The murderers of Renee Good and Alex Pretti were eight-year and ten-year agents  training isnt the issue, El-Sayed said in a statement issued Sunday. ICE is a paramilitary force deployed against and our Constitutional order for the service of one would-be dictator. How many more people do they need to shoot? Ask the families of Renee Good or Alex Pretti  both American Citizens  if ICE is protecting us. There can be no justification for lawlessness in the name of the law. And now is not the time to put political convenience. Trump is trying to normalize military force on peaceful streets, tearing apart our constitutional rights one by one. Our tax dollars are being used to kill Americans on our streets rather than save lives in our hospitals like Alex did.

El-Sayed added that the U.S. must work to secure its border and work toward comprehensive immigration reform through legislation, and not through continued executive action. ICE, in that regard, has been shown to be irredeemable, he said.

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Retraining wont fix it, El-Sayed said. And the only reason to deny this is political cowardice.  Rather than protecting us, it has become the thing from which we need to be protected. Abolishing this agency is the only safe path forward.

Michigan Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, left, and Abdul El-Sayed, right, at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., during the second day of the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

While El-Sayed stated his belief that this stance sets him apart from his opponents, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) has called for denying further funding for ICE and has demanded the immediate and sweeping overhaul of the agency. She says the upcoming vote in the U.S. Senate would be a good place to start for Democrats to assert leverage.

Another person was killed by ICE in Minneapolis, after state leaders told them to leave, local officials told them to leave, and local law enforcement told them to leave, McMorrow said in a statement on Saturday. But Trumps ICE continues on its collision course making our communities LESS safe  not more. Congress: not one more penny until we get the same oversight and accountability we demand from every law enforcement agency.

McMorrow and her Democratic colleagues in the Michigan Senate are working on a game plan to respond to ICE tactics in the Great Lakes state, and that includes legislation prohibiting officers from being masked on operations with full identification. News that ICE has been distributing memos indicating that the agency does not need a judicial warrant  but rather a Fourth Amendment-bucking administrative warrant signed by an ICE official  has also led state Democrats to consider banning entry by law enforcement without a warrant.

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McMorrow has also called for strict, codified use-of-force policies on the federal level to give courts a clear line for when an officer has abused their station if it ends in a preventable violent encounter. Vetting of recruits and vigorous training is part of McMorrows plan, as well as a demand that ICE stop detaining American citizens.

Continuing to provide funding to this agency without a complete overhaul to return it to its duty will be a failure to meet the moment, McMorrow said in a statement released prior to the death of Pretti this weekend. The leverage is there. And Democrats should force Republicans to the table to demand that Congress use its power of the purse to end this nightmare and restore the community safety that Americans are demanding.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) on Sunday said she was joining as a co-sponsor for H.R. 7163, which would divert ICEs $75 billion slush fund, created with the passage of last years One Big Beautiful Bill Act, to state and local law enforcement agencies.

The bill would hire and train an estimated 200,000 local police officers across the nation, reverting funds to what Stevens called proven law enforcement personnel who have real ties to the communities they serve.

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Donald Trumps ICE is out of control  this situation requires real reform and real accountability. Trumps ICE Agents have now killed two American citizens in broad daylight and they are putting more Americans in danger every single day, Stevens said in a statement. Not one penny more should go to ICE. Kristi Noem must be impeached. Its past time for Donald Trump to listen to state and local officials and call off his lawless federal agents. Weve heard today from law enforcement leaders in Minnesota who want to keep their communities safe, but are being blocked from accessing evidence and information about these crimes.

Other aspects of the bill include:

Reallocating $29.85 billion in funds for ICEs enforcement and operations to the COPS Hiring Program (and waive the programs traditional matching contribution requirements for small jurisdictions); and

Reallocating $45 billion in funds designated for ICEs detention capacity to the Byrne JAG program, which provides funding to support training, crime victim assistance, and crime prevention.

Stevens voted against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, which did pass in the U.S. House last week, and last year co-sponsored the VISIBLE Act to ban ICE agents from wearing masks and concealing their identities. Stevens has also called for U.S. Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to be removed from office and co-sponsored articles for Noems impeachment.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) addresses residents in Detroit at the Durfee Innovation Society to unveil her policy agenda for Black and brown communities across Michigan as she continues her bid for the U.S. Senate. Jan. 16, 2026 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

What about Republicans?

The main Republican in the race, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, as of Sunday afternoon, had not issued a direct statement on the killing of Pretti. Rogers, who is endorsed by Trump, did issue several statements following the killing of Good, saying Democrats, and more specifically his Democratic opponents in the race, were persistently supporting criminals over cops and Americas safety.

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The Lefts never-ending war against law enforcement is an assault on Americans safety, Rogers said in a statement issued Jan. 22. These brave men and women protect our streets so that Michigan families can drive to work and walk to school without fear. But when you have Democrats releasing violent offenders onto the streets, and siding with criminals over cops, that all goes out the window.

The only other Republican in the race, former Michigan Republican Party co-chair Bernadette Smith, has not issued any public statement on either Pretti or Goods deaths.
By Bo Erickson and Brad Brooks

WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - A second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis has thrust President Donald Trumps aggressive immigration crackdown deeper into the national political spotlight, forcing Republicans to defend the administration's hard-line tactics while motivating Democrats, who see it as an urgent election-year issue.

Federal officers have killed two U.S. citizens in the city this month - including ICU nurse Alex Pretti on Saturday - during clashes with protesters angered by the administrations sweeping enforcement surge.

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The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate, Chuck Schumer, said on Saturday his party would vote against funding legislation that includes money for the Homeland Security Department that oversees ICE, the federal immigration agency. Congress faces a January 30 deadline to fund the government or risk a partial government shutdown.

Moderate Democrats, who broke with their party during last year's government shutdown standoff and have been most cautious to not appear as anti-law enforcement, have joined this call.

This is clearly not about keeping Americans safe, its brutalizing US citizens and law-abiding immigrants, Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said in a statement about the ICE operation.

The Trump administration has launched its most ambitious immigration operation to date in Minneapolis, sparking weeks of protests by residents and violent altercations with federal agents, including two shooting deaths - Renee Good on January 7 and Pretti this weekend.

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While Republicans have mostly backed the crackdown, Saturday's shooting of a legally armed U.S. citizen raises particular political risks for a party that sees itself as the home of gun rights supporters.

Gun rights groups have already expressed alarm at efforts by the administration to blame Pretti for bringing a weapon to a protest, even though he was legally entitled to do that.

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus said it was deeply concerned about the administrations justification for the shooting, noting that every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms, including while attending protests.

Recent Reuters polling indicates that Democratic voters do not support Trump's enforcement tactics, and even a significant slice of Trump's Republican backers - 39% - are wary of the approach, saying harm should be minimized even if this means fewer immigration-related arrests.

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Among independents, 73% said authorities should prioritize reducing harm, while 19% said they should be willing to risk causing serious injury or death in pursuit of arrests.

The rest of the country needs to know that what's happening here could happen everywhere, said protester Eric Gray, a 50-year-old Minneapolis resident.

I think that Minnesota is turning out to be the starting point, or the litmus test."

SOME REPUBLICANS QUESTION ICE TACTICS

Viral videos of violent clashes between heavily armed masked federal immigration agents in tactical gear and civilians have caused unease among Republican lawmakers, many of whom are already confronting voter anger over rising prices ahead of November's congressional midterms.

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Republican lawmakers approved a massive cash infusion into ICE last year, but after the two shooting deaths in Minnesota, some are demanding answers from the Trump administration.

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, said in a Saturday social media post that the Minneapolis shooting was "incredibly disturbing" and "the credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake."

Republican Representative Michael Baumgartner welcomed this weekend's request from the House Homeland Security committee for testimony from ICE officials on their operation.

"Its critically important that the American people and Congress be given a better understanding of how immigration enforcement is being handled," the Washington representative said.

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Republican Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt echoed the concerns, telling CNN on Sunday that Americans were watching fellow citizens being shot on television and that "federal tactics and accountability" had become a growing concern for voters.

Democrats have seized on the Minneapolis ICE operation and the aggressive federal tactics to accuse the Trump administration of government overreach - a charge that could resonate with both Democrats and independents in the coming election.

"Trumps ICE is out of control and poses a grave domestic threat. Senate Democrats are right to do whatever they can to try and rein it in, said Tre Easton, Democratic policy strategist at the Searchlight Institute, which advises Democratic candidates. Democrats should say exactly what they mean about ICE. No pithy slogans.

For weeks, Trump and his administration have used the federal enforcement surge in Minnesota to draw a political contrast with the state's Democratic leadership.

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The president has repeatedly blamed Democratic Governor Tim Walz for the clashes between protesters and federal officers, saying he is inciting people to go out onto the streets.

Walz and state and local law enforcement reject this characterization, saying they will work with the federal government to remove violent offenders but that the administration's operation is stirring the chaos.

(Reporting by Bo Erickson in Washington, Brad Brooks in Minneapolis; additional reporting by Andy Sullivan, Doina Chicu, editing by Ross Colvin and Diane Craft)
This is part of a series of on-the-ground reports from Minneapolis.

On Thursday, I ended my day on day care patrol as the windchill crept close to 25 degrees below zero. The patrols began after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents appeared at my sons day care two weeks ago; that same day, a day care worker for the same provider was taken by agents at a nearby location while trying to come into work. During my recent patrol, ICE officers were spotted in the neighborhood, as they nearly always are, but everybody made it out of the building safely.

As I write this, a helicopter is circling over my neighborhood, as happens most days now. My phone is pinging near constantly with alerts from Signal groups that exist to defend and support our community. A friend texted to ask how concerned we should be that the president will invoke the Insurrection Act and send the military into our city; my husband just learned that workers at a nearby small business were taken by the government; a friends school went on lockdown today because ICE was nearby.

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Our neighborhood has never been more united, but you wouldnt know it from how few people are out on the streets. Nobody opens their door anymore, knowing that the next knock might be a federal agent demanding to know where the brown people live in your neighborhood. People are making a point to support immigrant-owned restaurants, but you have to check if theyre open before you go, because so many arent. Folks are out delivering food and essentials to neighbors who are unable to leave their homes for fear, but they have to be careful to use a different car from the one they drive when theyre observing ICE because the government is tracking license plates.

Earlier this week, students in our city lost two days of learning because schools closedthe teachers needed time to shift to the virtual learning model, which began Thursday. This time, its not because of an unknown and deadly illness; its because the government is attacking our students. People are being shipped out of the state so fast that their families dont have time to get to their holding cell with the paperwork proving theyre legally authorized to be here before theyre gone.

The horrors have not ceased since Renee Goods death; instead, they have increased. Protesters are being attacked and shot. On Tuesday, a 5-year-old was detained by ICE and used to bait his family into leaving their home. The preschooler and his father have now been sent to Texas, and it is unclear if or when theyll return. On Thursday, multiple civil rights leaders, including St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Allen, were arrested for exercising their First Amendment right to protest, in a Department of Justice action that, according to the NAACP, was a likely violation of those First Amendment rights. And on Saturday, Alex Pretti was killed by ICE agents, shot multiple times at close range. Every day, there is a new horror to process, a new way in which the federal government inflicts irreparable harm on our community.

I serve as a St. Paul City Council member, and our community is under a violent attack at the hands of the federal government. And so we are fighting back in all the ways we know how.

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On Jan. 12, St. Paul announced a joint lawsuit with the city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota against the Department of Homeland Security, seeking to end this unconstitutional operation. Our City Council is working to strengthen our separation ordinance and develop other legal tools to make sure that our city resourcesincluding our police departmentcannot and will not support the work of immigration enforcement. We are calling on the governor to declare a state of emergency and enact a statewide eviction moratorium to ensure that nobody loses their home because the federal government is making it impossible for them to earn a living. Every elected official in our city is working to connect our residents with whatever support they need right now. We are also demanding that Congress actthat our representatives and senators use every tool at their disposal to end this occupationbecause neither cities nor states alone have enough tools to protect our people from the federal government.

None of this feels like enough. Individually, none of it is. But what we know from other countries that have successfully defeated authoritarianism is that democratic resurgence is possible. Over the past 30 years, 52 percent of autocratization episodes were followed by democratic resurgence. In 90 percent of those cases, countries were ultimately as or more democratic than they were previously.

In St. Paul and across Minnesota, were showing that we have what it will take to win. We are cultivating solidarity and pushing back through every channel that we haveand building more capacity to fight for our community every day. We are demonstrating our commitment to nonviolence, even in the face of incredible levels of violence being used against us. We might get tired, but we are not succumbing to despair. Our civil resistance movement is strong, and it is growing.

Most importantly, we know what were fighting for, because weve already lived it. St. Paul has always been at its strongest when weve embraced our immigrant neighbors. Minnesota has always been at its best when weve built structures that allow everybody in our state to flourish, whether theyve been here for months or for generations. This is a place where we take seriously Paul Wellstones immortal words We all do better when we all do better. The cruel, painful world that Donald Trump is trying to force on us is not one that we will ever, ever settle for. The path ahead is not clear, but we will continue to put one foot in front of the other until the day we win.
State and federal officials remained at odds over the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old ICU nurse and the future of immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota on Sunday.

Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and registered nurse who treated veterans, was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent after confronting immigration authorities on Jan. 24. Federal officials said Pretti was carrying a gun he intended to use to "kill law enforcement." Videos from bystanders  and a witness account in court filings  do not show Pretti brandishing a weapon when he approached agents.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accused President Donald Trump of besmirching Pretti's reputation with his administration's account of the shooting and demanded he pull the "3,000 untrained agents out of Minnesota before they kill another person."

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This family has gone through enough and to have the most powerful man in the world drag their dead son with absolutely no evidence and gaslight the entire country. This is enough, Walz said at a news conference. President Trump you can end this today.

Mourners kneel at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. A mourner visits a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. A picture of Alex Pretti is left at a makeshift memorial in the area where Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. Mourners gather at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan.25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. A woman cries at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 24, 2026. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, in the second fatal shooting of a civilian during the Trump administration's unprecedented operation in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. People mourn at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 24, 2026. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, in the second fatal shooting of a civilian during the Trump administration's unprecedented operation in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. A woman prays at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 24, 2026. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, in the second fatal shooting of a civilian during the Trump administration's unprecedented operation in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. People gather together during a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti after he was shot and killed earlier in the day on Jan. 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal agents shot and killed Pretti amid a scuffle to arrest him. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. People gather together during a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti after he was shot and killed earlier in the day on Jan. 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal agents shot and killed Pretti amid a scuffle to arrest him. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. People pay their respects during a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti after he was shot and killed earlier in the day on Jan. 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal agents shot and killed Pretti amid a scuffle to arrest him. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. Vigils held for Alex Pretti, killed in Border Patrol related shooting 1 of 10 Mourners kneel at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car.

Meanwhile, top administration officials, including Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino, continued to blame Pretti for the shooting and refused to end the immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.

The governments immigration mission continues unabated here in Minneapolis despite yesterdays tragedy that was preventable by folks making better choices, Bovino said at a news conference.

The fatal shooting comes just weeks after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, 37. Prettis death and the disputed way it happened sparked massive protests in Minneapolis, which city officials said were "overwhelmingly calm and peaceful."

Trump asks Minnesota officials to cooperate with federal agents

A day after 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal agents, President Donald Trump called on Minnesota Gov. Tim and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to cooperate with the Trump Administration to enforce the Nations laws on a Truth Social post on Jan. 25.

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He said Walz and Frey should turn over all Criminal Illegal Aliens that are currently incarcerated in their State Prisons and Jails to Federal Authorities, along with all Illegal Criminals with an active warrant or known Criminal History, for Immediate Deportation.

He also asked local police to assist federal law enforcement in detaining undocumented immigrants.

 Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

Alex Pretti remembered as 'genuine person'

Jean Trebus' dad was a Vietnam War veteran and in the throes of metastatic prostate cancer when his family first met Alex Pretti.

"He was patient. He answered all of our questions. He was a genuine person, and it was obvious that he truly cared about what we were going through," Jean Trebus recalled about Pretti to USA TODAY over Facebook messenger.

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Other family members of Pretti's patients and friends are now remembering a man they called a "good person."

Trebus was leaving the hospital one night when she asked Pretti for the number to check on her dad. He handed her a business card with the unit phone numbers. She carries the card on the back of her phone to this day."I'm happy that I held onto it," Trebus wrote to USA TODAY. The family nominated Pretti for a DAISY Award, which celebrates nurses for excellence in care.

 Jay Stahl

Bill Clinton issues statement: The people in charge have lied'

Former President Bill Clinton issued a statement on what he called "the horrible scenes" in Minneapolis, including the ongoing presence of "masked federal agents" and the killings of Good and Pretti.

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All of this is unacceptable and should have been avoided, Clinton wrote. To make matters even worse, at every turn, the people in charge have lied to us, told us not to believe what weve seen with our own eyes and pushed increasingly aggressive and antagonistic tactics.

Clinton called on the American public to stand up and speak out.

If we give our freedoms away after 250 years, we might never get them back, Clinton wrote.

The statement is the second issued by a former president on Jan. 25, with Barack Obama commenting on the tensions in Minneapolis earlier in the day. Former presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush have yet to comment.

Green Bay residents march in Pretti's hometown

Between 1,500 and 2,000 people turned out in single-digit temperatures in Pretti's hometown, Green Bay, Wisconsin, to protest his killing, according to police estimates.

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Organizers condemned immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, the deaths of Pretti and Good, as well as the detainment of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos.

Pretti was in the Green Bay Boy Choir, among other youth activities. As a young man, he acted with the Preble Players Theatre, a performing arts group at Green Bay Preble High School, where he graduated in 2006.

 Nadia Scharf, Green Bay Press-Gazette

Protesters gather in downtown Minneapolis demanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leave Minnesota following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by ICE agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. A crowd of protesters against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) march through the streets of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. People take part in a demonstration a day after a man identified as Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents trying to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 25, 2026. Restaurant patrons look through the window of a restaurant at hundreds of protesters marching through the streets of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. Coleen Fitzgerald, a 73-yr-old retired construction worker who protested against the Vietnam war decades ago, pulls a wagon with puppets representing members of the current administration as she joins other protesters during a march through the streets of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. Protesters gather in downtown Minneapolis demanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leave Minnesota following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by ICE agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation, in Minneapolis, Minn., on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. People take part in a demonstration a day after a man identified as Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents trying to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 25, 2026. A crowd of protesters against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) march through the streets of downtown Minneapolis, Minn., on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. A protester carries an upside down US flag during a march through the streets of downtown Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. Demonstrators protests ICE operations and the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. Pretti, an ICU nurse at a VA medical center, died yesterday after being shot multiple times during a brief altercation with border patrol agents in the Eat Street district of Minneapolis. Good was killed by an ICE agent on January 7. Protests, anger in Minneapolis after 2nd person fatally shot 1 of 10 Protesters gather in downtown Minneapolis demanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leave Minnesota following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by ICE agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city.

'A genuine person': Alex Pretti's life and death in Minneapolis

Minnesota Timberwolves hold moment of silence for Pretti

The Minnesota Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Pretti before their game against the Golden State Warriors, which was postponed in the wake of the shooting on Saturday.

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It is the second moment of silence the basketball team has held, previously honoring Good with a moment of silence during a Jan. 8 game.

The moment of silence was punctuated by at least four shouts of (expletive) ICE from fans, as heard on video of the memorial posted on social media and reviewed by USA TODAY.

The moment of silence for Good was ended with a shout of go home ICE, followed by cheers.

Following the game, Warriors' head coach Steve Kerr said that the atmosphere at Target Center was "somber."

"I thought the vibe in the stands, it was one of the most bizarre, sad games I've ever been a part of," Kerr said during postgame media availability.

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Golden State guard Moses Moody told reporters that he "definitely felt the weight of the city" and Brandin Podziemski said the arena was "just quiet, not much energy, as expected, people voicing their opinions about what's going on."

NBA players' union stands 'in solidarity' with protesters

The National Basketball Players Association issued a statement on the shootings saying, "we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties."

"Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice," the statement said.

The union expressed its condolences to the families of Pretti and Good but did not specifically comment on the presence of federal agents that has roiled the home of the Timberwolves.

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USA TODAY has reached out to the union for comment on the presence of federal agents in Minneapolis.

Later in the day, former Timberwolves stalwart and current New York Knicks Karl Anthony-Towns issued a statement saying that he stands "with the people of Minnesota."

"These events have cost lives and shaken families  and we must call for accountability, transparency, and protections for all people," Towns said. "This moment demands that we reflect honestly on what our values truly are."

Indiana Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton posted on X, "Alex Pretti was murdered" on Jan. 24.

Republicans reel: Some demand investigation into Minneapolis, suggest agents leave

'Theyre blatantly lying': Protestors call for accountability

Downtown at the citys Civic Center, Donna Jones, 52, held aloft a sign calling for ICE to leave Minneapolis. The flip side called to defund the Department of Homeland Security, prosecute ICE agents and impeach Trump.

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Jones said she works in the remodeling industry and has seen workers with legal permission detained or even whisked away to another state before being released. She said friends who own restaurants have workers afraid to leave their homes.

She said she felt moved to protest with her daughter, Ayla, 22, after watching federal officials provide explanations of the recent fatal shootings that didn't appear to match video and eyewitness accounts.

They say stuff and its like you can see theyre lying, Jones said. The trust is not there.

The Jan. 25 protest at Civic Center drew more than 100 people, some of whom periodically marched around the block.

Ayla Jones held up a sign referencing the Nuremberg Trials, the post-WWII prosecutions of leading Nazis.

Thats where the Nazis were held accountable, she said. It set the precedent that just following orders will not protect you.

Still, both women said they were heartened to see so many other people from Minneapolis out in the streets. Donna Jones said some of her Republican acquaintances have dismissively suggested everyone out protesting is somehow being paid, rather than being moved by love for their neighbors.

Were all in this together, she said

'We are angry': Thousands protest in Minneapolis after deadly shooting

Across the city, thousands of protesters and mourners assembled near where Pretti was shot, on overpasses and at the citys Civic Center, many carrying signs demanding federal immigration officers leave the city.We are angry. We are scared. And we are very sad about what happened, said Minneapolis resident and new mom Leah Thompson, 31, standing near where Pretti died.

Its absolutely terrifying to think about whats happening and what comes next," she added.

Border patrol agents involved in shooting moved outside of Minneapolis

Gregory Bovino said all the agents involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti are working but have been relocated outside Minneapolis.

All agents that were involved in that scene are working, not in Minneapolis, but in other locations, the Border Patrol commander said at a news conference. Were going to keep those agents safe.

In most law enforcement agencies across the country, officers involved in shootings are placed on administrative leave for the duration of a use-of-force investigation. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to questions about Border Patrol procedures.

State officials prep for legal battle over immigration enforcement

Agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were at the scene of the fatal shooting Sunday morning collecting evidence and canvassing the neighborhood after initially being denied access, Paul Schnell, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, said at a news conference.

Minnesota officials filed a lawsuit on Saturday after BCA agents were denied access to the scene despite having a judicial warrant, a step state Attorney General Keith Ellison called "unprecedented." A federal judge subsequently issued an order barring the Trump administration from destroying or tampering with evidence related to the shooting.

Ellison is preparing to appear in court on Monday over another order in a separate lawsuit challenging the deployment itself, known as Operation Metro Surge. Ellison, citing Mayor Jacob Frey, said the operation has been drain on Minneapolis' time and resources, with local law enforcement spending over $2 million on overtime while responding to ICE.

"Minnesota is dealing with targeted oppression from the federal government because of who we are and who we value," Ellison said at a news conference Sunday.

Border Patrol official says agents are not leaving Minneapolis

Gregory Bovino said theres no plan to end the immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis after the second killing of a U.S. citizen by federal authorities.

The governments immigration mission continues unabated here in Minneapolis despite yesterdays tragedy that was preventable by folks making better choices, Bovino said at a news conference.

Bovino spoke vaguely about Alex Pretti's shooting, saying there are consequences and actions when someone listen to heated rhetoric that seeks to vilify law enforcement.

I think we saw that yesterday, Bovino said. And those actions can obviously have tragic consequences, bad outcomes. Outcomes that law enforcement never wants to see. Law enforcement never wants to see a bad consequence due to a poor choice.

'Youve had 24 hours to try and armchair quarterback things'

Gregory Bovino on Sunday said he would not speculate on the circumstances of the shooting, telling reporters he will wait for an investigation before making judgments.

That is why we investigate so we can get to the truth so theres not speculation, he said at a news conference. Bovino also shot back at questions about videos that appear to contradict federal officials' account of the shooting.

Youve had 24 hours to try and armchair quarterback things. That agent had a split second to make a decision," he said.

Hours after the Saturday shooting, Bovino told reporters that agents fired defensive shots and accused Pretti of wanting to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement. Bovino has also called the agents who fired the real victims."

Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino stands next to a members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a driver of a vehicle was shot in Minneapolis, on January 7, 2026.

Target joins dozens of companies calling for 'deescalation'

The leaders of more than 60 major Minnesota companies including Target, General Mills and Best Buy called for an "immediate deescalation of tensions" in an open letter.

The state's business community has been working behind the scenes with mayors, the governor and the White House to address the "challenges" facing Minnesotans, according to the letter. Now, they are publicly calling for peace and cooperation amongst officials.

"With yesterdays tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions," the chief executives wrote.

The letter comes after hundreds of businesses pledged to close their doors on Jan. 23 as part of a statewide protest against the Trump administration's ongoing immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.

Obama says Pretti killing should be a 'wake-up call to every American'

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama called the fatal shooting of Pretti a "heartbreaking tragedy" that should serve as a "wake-up call to every American" that the nation's core values are under attack.

The Obamas slammed ICE officers and other federal agents for what they called the "unprecedented tactics" that resulted in the deaths of Pretti and Good.

"And yet rather than trying to impose some semblance of discipline and accountability over the agents theyve deployed, the President and current administration officials seem eager to escalate the situation, while offering public explanations for the shootings of Mr. Pretti and Renee Good that arent informed by any serious investigation  and that appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence," the Obamas said in a statement. "This has to stop."

More demonstrations planned in Chicago, Minneapolis

Multiple solidarity demonstrations are planned for the Chicagoland area following Saturday's deadly shooting, including a rally and march through downtown Chicago at 1 p.m. A prayer vigil by multiple faith leaders is also planned for Federal Plaza in solidarity with Minneapolis, CBS Chicago reported.

The city saw multiple last-minute vigils and rallies in different neighborhoods Saturday night after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. Both Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned the killing in statements on social media.

"We cannot allow Trump's militarized masked police force to continue to kill innocent people with impunity," Johnson wrote. "Chicago stands in solidarity with the people of Minneapolis confronting this tyranny. We need ICE and CBP out of our cities now."

Pritzker also called for ICE to be abolished on social media, urging his fellow Republican and Democratic governors to "have a unified response," in a post on X. "We must all stand against the lawlessness being inflicted in our states."

 Kate Perez

People gather at a makeshift memorial at the site where a man identified as Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents trying to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 25, 2026.

Mamdani says ICE raids are inhumane, pledges to fight operations in NYC

In an interview recorded a day before a Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani fiercely criticized the administration's ongoing federal immigration enforcement.

Mamdani told ABC News' "This Week" that immigration agents are "terrorizing" people across the country and pledged to work to prevent similar operations from taking place in New York City.

"These ICE raids  they are cruel, they are inhumane," Mamdani said in the interview that aired Sunday. "They do nothing to serve the interests of public safety."

He said he has shared his opinions with President Donald Trump and remains in communication with the Republican leader following their White House meeting shortly after Mamdani's election. The aired interview comes a day after Mamdani took to social media to repeat his call to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency entirely.

Mamdani immigrated to the United States as a child and is a naturalized citizen. New York City is home to the largest population of immigrants by metropolitan area, according to the most recent reports from Pew Research Center.

No arrests made during 'overwhelmingly calm' protests in Minneapolis

Roads near the site where Pretti was killed have reopened after a night of "overwhelmingly calm and peaceful" protest activity, according to the city of Minneapolis. No arrests were made, there were no reports of burglaries or fires, and the Minnesota National Guard will depart the area, the city said.

Area leaders are planning to check in with local businesses and residents as crews clean up graffiti around the site on Sunday.

The memorials and gatherings were peaceful, Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement. Thank you to our law enforcement partners, community organizations and leaders, City staff, and neighbors who helped keep things calm and safe last night. Lets continue that collective effort today.

Republicans call for investigation into shooting

A growing number of Republican lawmakers are weighing in on the fatal shooting in Minneapolis. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott called on President Donald Trump to pause immigration enforcement operations and deescalate tensions.

"Enoughits not acceptable for American citizens to be killed by federal agents for exercising their God-given and constitutional rights to protest their government," Scott said on social media.

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy both called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

"The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing," Cassidy said in a statement on social media. "The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake."

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie also spoke out, responding to a post from U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli that appeared to reference Pretti's death.

"Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence, its a Constitutionally protected God-given right, and if you dont understand this you have no business in law enforcement or government," Massie wrote on social media.

Another person has been fatally shot by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis, officials said on Jan. 24. The shooting comes just over two weeks after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot in the head by a federal immigration officer in a residential neighborhood south of downtown. See the scene of a shooting. A person is detained at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. A federal immigration agent stands guard as another detains a person at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents, in Whittier neighborhood, in South Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. People hug each other at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 24, 2026. A man gestures next to federal agents at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 24, 2026. Federal agents stand guard at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents, in Whittier neighborhood, in South Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 24, 2026. Federal agents stand guard at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 24, 2026. People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. A person with an observer vests joins onlookers after a federal agent involved shooting on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. Federal agents stand guard at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. Federal immigration agents stand guard at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. Man fatally shot by federal officers in Minneapolis. Photos show the scene 1 of 15 Another person has been fatally shot by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis, officials said on Jan. 24. The shooting comes just over two weeks after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot in the head by a federal immigration officer in a residential neighborhood south of downtown. See the scene of a shooting.

GoFundMe for Pretti's family raises over $433K

An online fundraiser intended to support the "immediate and ongoing needs" of Pretti's loved ones had raised more than $433,000 by Sunday morning. Organizer Keith Edwards said he has contacted Pretti's family and is working with GoFundMe to ensure they receive the money.

"If, for any reason, the funds cannot be transferred to Alexs family, we will direct the total amount to the Immigrant Defense Project, a nonprofit that provides litigation, advocacy, and community-defense resources to help immigrants defend their rights and fight deportation," the fundraiser said.

USA TODAY has reached out to GoFundMe and Edwards to determine whether the fundraiser has been verified.

'The victims are the Border Patrol agents': Commander pressed in tense interview

Border Patrol Commander at Large Greg Bovino in a new interview didn't provide further evidence to support allegations that Alex Pretti intended to hurt or kill authorities in Minneapolis, instead calling Border Patrol agents "the victims" in the incident.

In an interview nearly 24 hours after Pretti was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent, Bovino told CNN that the facts will come to light after an investigation.

With respect, it feels as though in some ways, you're blaming the victim here, "State of the Union" host Dana Bash said nearly halfway through the interview.

The victims are the Border Patrol agents. I'm not blaming the Border Patrol agents, Bovino said in response. The victims are the Border Patrol agents. The suspect put himself in that situation.

Bovino repeatedly referred to Pretti as a suspect in the interview and did not respond to a question from Bash about why he was using the phrase, typically used to describe a person law enforcement is investigating for a crime. The Border Patrol official also did not offer further explanation for his previous allegation that Pretti intended to massacre agents when asked to explain why the nurse was shot multiple times.

In bystander footage of the shooting, Pretti, who authorities confirmed had a permit to carry a gun, is seen holding a phone, and not wielding his weapon.

Trump questions why police didn't protect ICE officers after shooting

After the shooting, President Donald Trump asked why local police did not protect ICE officers in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves  Not an easy thing to do! he wrote.

Trumps comment came soon after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called on the president to take action now to remove these federal agents. Frey and Walz have repeatedly called for an end to the aggressive immigration enforcement campaign in the state.

 Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

A person draped in a U.S. flagcolored blanket stands near the site where federal agents fatally shoot a man identified as Alex Pretti as they try to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 24, 2026.

Alex Pretti's parents speak out: 'He was a good man'

Prettis family released a statement late Saturday evening that expressed their grief over the 37-year-old and also celebrated him as a "hero."

The family slammed the Trump administration for its characterization of Pretti as someone who came with a gun to "kill law enforcement."

"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," the family said in a statement shared with CNN.

"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," they added.

Flash poll finds strong disapproval of ICE tactics

A one-day poll from YouGov found strong disapproval of ICE and its immigration enforcement tactics, with one-third of respondents saying that they want to abolish the agency altogether.

The survey was conducted on Jan. 24  the same day Alex Pretti was fatally shot. On Jan. 7, an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis. The poll surveyed 3,359 U.S. adults. The margin of error was not immediately clear.

ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are separate agencies but are both under the Department of Homeland Security. The two agencies work on immigration issues and have been in the Twin Cities area as part of the Trump administration's aggressive enforcement operation.

In the flash survey, a majority, 58%, called ICEs tactics too forceful. Overall approval of the agency sat at 37%, and disapproval at 57%. Of that number, 48% strongly disapproved of the way the law enforcement agency was handling its job.

When asked about their opinions on abolishing ICE, 46% approved of the idea, with a significant portion  37% strongly on board. Another 41% opposed nixing the agency, of which 31% strongly opposed.

Flowers lie on the ground on Nicollet Avenue near the site where a man identified as Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal agents trying to detain him, in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, 2026.

House requests ICE, Border Patrol heads testify

In the wake of the shooting, New York Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino formally requested that the heads of ICE and other immigration agencies testify at a full hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security.

The committee invited the agency leaders to testify at a hearing on "oversight of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components charged with border security and immigration enforcement" on Jan. 15, and Garbarino formalized that request on Jan. 24.

I take my oversight duties for the department seriously, and Congress has an important responsibility to ensure the safety of law enforcement and the people they serve and protect," Garbarino said. "I am committed to ensuring ICE, CBP, and (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) are effectively using the historic resources provided through reconciliation to strengthen public safety, and I look forward to each of these agencies testifying before the Committee.

Minnesota officials respond, deploy National Guard members

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced late on Saturday that he filed a lawsuit against federal officials "to prevent the destruction of evidence" related to Prettis shooting. Ellisons lawsuit comes after federal authorities barred state officials from evidence related to Goods killing.

Minnesota National Guard members on Saturday deployed at the governors request to secure the site of the shooting and the Whipple Federal Building, a known immigration authority staging area thats become a hotspot for protesters, according to the statement.

"The Minnesota National Guards mission remains the same: preserving life, protecting property, and ensuring Minnesotans can safely exercise their First Amendment rights," Army Maj. Andrea Tsuchiya, a state national guard public affairs officer, said in a statement.

ICE Out of Minnesota" protest organizers said local businesses in Minnesota closed as part of a strike against ICE actions in the state.

Who is Alex Pretti?

Alex J. Pretti, 37, a U.S. citizen and registered nurse who worked at a U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs medical center in Minneapolis, was identified as the man fatally shot by a federal officer on Saturday, amid an immigration enforcement action.

Colleagues and family described 37-year-old Minneapolis resident as a compassionate, skilled nurse who was "troubled" by the Trump administrations immigration enforcement crackdown on the Twin Cities.

Shortly after the shooting, federal officials labeled him a "domestic terrorist" who arrived at the scene of an immigration enforcement action with a gun to "inflict maximum damage and kill law enforcement."

He had a permit for his firearm and multiple videos from bystanders showed him approaching officers with his phone.

Alex Pretti is pictured in this undated handout photo published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A federal agent in Minneapolis fatally shot Pretti, 37, on Jan. 24, 2026 amid an already tense and deadly federal immigration crackdown.

Shooting witness details ICE killing in court filings

In a federal court filing on Saturday, a witness of the shooting wrote that Pretti "did not brandish a weapon of any kind" and that afterwards "agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds."

The sworn declaration to the court comes in connection to a class action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, charging the agency with using intimidation tactics reminiscent of "pre-World War II Germany or Pinochets Chile" to chill free speech protected under the First Amendment.

According to the court filing, the witness, whose name was redacted, is a physician who lives near where the shooting occurred. The witness woke up on Saturday to the sound of "screaming from outside" and saw Pretti "yelling at ICE agents."

"I saw him yelling at the ICE agents, but I did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind," the witness wrote. "Suddenly, an ICE agent shoved him to the ground. My view of the altercation was partially obstructed, but after a few second, 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."

Afterwards, the witness went to treat Prettis wounds. The witness said agents were not administering first aid.

"I was confused as to why the victim was on his side, because that is not standard practice," the pediatrician wrote. "Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice. Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Protests erupt in Minnesota as Trump asks officials to 'cooperate'
A woman kneels and prays as hundreds gather around a growing memorial site at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, where federal agents shot and killed a 37-year-old Alex Pretti Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 earlier in the day. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

More than 1,000 people gathered for a vigil and rally Saturday night at Whittier Park in Minneapolis to mourn Alex Pretti, the man who was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents. After the vigil, demonstrators marched in subzero temperatures to the site where Pretti was killed on Nicollet Avenue, south of 26th Street.

The site of the shooting has been turned into a makeshift memorial of candles and flowers, less than two miles away from the memorial in the Powderhorn neighborhood made for Renee Good on Jan. 7, the day she was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross.

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Since Prettis killing, which drew hundreds of protestors in the immediate aftermath, people have built barricades out of dumpsters, trash cans and picnic tables to block off traffic from the surrounding streets. Before a swell of demonstrators arrived from the Whittier Park vigil, the area was mostly quiet, with hundreds huddled around his memorial.

Isabelle Atem, a nurse who drove in from Woodbury, cried as she said: I thought it was just a dream, but Im here now. It feels real. It really happened. You know, in a movie, when you shoot people, I know its fake. I never knew it (could be) real.

Atem said she felt bad when she found out Pretti was also a nurse. In a statement to multiple news outlets, Prettis parents said he was an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital.

Nurses are out there to help people. Why are they killing? Why are they shooting? Atem said.

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Atem, an immigrant from Cameroon, said that despite being a U.S. citizen, she has been afraid to go outside amid the surge of over 3,000 federal immigration agents to Minnesota, who have detained residents regardless of their citizenship status.

Volunteers hand out warm drinks and food at the memorial of Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

People were handing out warm drinks and food  fried rice, hummus  from local restaurants at tables at Prettis memorial. Glam Doll Donuts, across the street from where the Border Patrol agent shot Pretti, was open after hours and filled with people looking to stay warm.

As demonstrators from the nearby vigil filtered onto Nicollet, chanting, Jake Anderson handed out the last of the three gallons of chicken wild rice soup his partner had made that day.

Anderson, who lives in the Whittier neighborhood where Pretti was killed, said that he came to support everyone marching a brutal takeover of our city by totalitarian ICE members and people who dont actually care about safety in our community.

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I think theres a lot of outrage and rage clearly, but theres also just a sense of community, he said, as a man complimented the soup.

Some demonstrators banged on dumpsters with hammers and their hands as people chanted: No Justice, No Peace and F*ck ICE.

The parents of Alex Pretti, Michael and Susan Pretti, released a statement Saturday, castigating the Trump administration for slandering their son with sickening lies that they called reprehensible and disgusting.

They defended their sons conduct, saying he was protecting a woman who had been pushed down by federal agents. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you.
Kevin Jiang was a 26-year-old Yale graduate student, an Army veteran, and, his friends say, a man of faith who volunteered with the homeless. He seemed to have no enemies, and no one could figure out why someone may have targeted him on Feb. 6, 2021, when he was shot in the street not far from his fiancee's apartment in New Haven, Connecticut. Jiang had been driving down the street when his car was struck from behind, and when he got out, possibly to exchange information with the other driver police say, that driver opened fire, shooting him eight times.

Kevin Jiang / Credit: Trinity Baptist Church YouTube

At first, it seemed like the murder may have been a random shooting -- possibly an act of road rage. But as detectives looked into the case, they began to unravel the truth -- unbeknownst to Jiang, someone had meticulously planned his death. Who would want to kill Kevin Jiang? And how would detectives track down the killer?

The story begins with another shooting in December 2020, nearly two months before Jiang's murder.

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Dec. 11, 2020  Feb. 6, 2021: A string of shootings in New Haven

Bullet holes found in the window of one of the affected homes. / Credit: Paul and Nyree Whyte

Beginning on Dec. 11, 2020, a seemingly random shooter fired bullets into four different homes in a couple of New Haven neighborhoods. One home was fired into in December, two in January 2021, and one in February 2021. These shootings had a few key things in common: homes were fired upon and no one was harmed, In two cases a dark-colored SUV was seen fleeing, and .45 caliber fired cartridge casings were found at all four scenes.

Apart from these similarities, however, police were unable to find any other connection between the incidents. In time, it would become clear that these shootings were linked and were part of a larger plan.

Jan. 30, 2021: Kevin Jiang proposes to the love of his life

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On Jan. 30, 2021, Jiang proposed to his girlfriend Zion Perry while on a hike to a waterfall. The two had been dating for about a year and had met at a Christian retreat. They both loved nature, attended church, and were science students: Jiang was a graduate student in the Yale School of the Environment, and Perry was also at Yale, working on a PhD in molecular biophysics and biochemistry.

Kevin Jiang and fiancee Zion Perry. / Credit: Kevin Jiang/Facebook

"They're both brilliant and hardworking students," said Pastor Greg Hendrickson, who was Jiang's pastor and mentored the couple, "and yet... they didn't feel like their accomplishments were what defined them at the deepest level."

Perry posted a video of the engagement to her Facebook page.

Feb. 6, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.: Kevin Jiang's death

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At 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, police responded to the scene of a shooting in New Haven. When they arrived, they found Jiang deceased in the street. About 100 feet away was his car, a Prius. .45 caliber casings were also found at the scene, and it appeared Jiang had been shot multiple times.

Kevin Jiang / Credit: Kevin Jiang/Instagram

Police obtained video surveillance from a nearby residence. In the video, a vehicle crash can be heard prior to Jiang's Prius entering the frame, closely followed by a dark SUV. The Prius comes to a stop, then the SUV reverses out of frame. Jiang exits his Prius and walks toward the SUV. A few seconds after he moves out of frame, eight gunshots and a scream can be heard.

One witness reported that she looked at her window after hearing gunshots and saw the shooter standing over Jiang, who was already down on the pavement, firing additional shots. Detectives observed stippling -- a burn pattern caused by gunpowder exploding from a weapon fired at close range -- on Jiang's face.

The evidence of close-range gunfire made detectives think there might be more to Jiang's death than a random shooting or a case of road rage. "It seems a little bit more personal," said New Haven homicide detective David Zaweski. "When you have someone laying on the ground and not moving, what would cause someone to continue firing at them?"

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Just one week after Jiang's engagement, police were now informing his mother and fiancee about his tragic death. According to detectives the two women were distraught and couldn't understand why anyone would have done this to Jiang.

Feb. 6, 2021 | 8:57 p.m.: A man stuck on train tracks

At 8:57 p.m. on the same night Jiang was killed, police in the nearby town of North Haven responded to a separate incident: a 911 call was made by a security guard at Sims Metal Management, a scrapyard near a highway entrance. The guard told 911 dispatch that a suspicious vehicle  a dark SUV  had driven through his yard.

When officers responded to investigate the vehicle, they found the SUV  and its driver stuck on snowy railroad tracks behind the scrapyard. The officers had not yet heard about Kevin Jiang's murder, which had occurred just half an hour before in New Haven, and to them this call was nothing out of the ordinary.

Police body camera shows Qinxuan Pan in his vehicle / Credit: North Haven Police Department

"I've been on the tracks I don't know how many times with vehicles that were, you know, called in as suspicious," said Sergeant Jeffrey Mills of North Haven Police Department, who responded that night. "People always come down there... and they turn around in the front lot and they leave 'cause they missed the highway or something."

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The driver was Qinxuan Pan, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate student from Malden, Massachusetts. His driver's license came back clean, and officers said he seemed calm about his situation. Mills didn't notice anything odd  just a yellow jacket on the passenger seat, and some bags in the car including a black briefcase and a blue bag with a Massachusetts logo.

Officers called a tow truck to help Pan get off of the tracks. Since he didn't have cash to pay for the tow, officers helped him get a hotel room for the night at a nearby Best Western, telling him he could pick up his car in the morning and head home. Pan agreed and went to the hotel. To Mills, nothing seemed suspicious about the encounter. But that would soon change.

Feb. 7, 2021 | 11 a.m.: A shocking discovery

The next morning at 11 a.m., another 911 call was made, this time from an employee at an Arby's restaurant in North Haven. Sergeant Jeffrey Mills was at the end of his shift and about to head home when he heard about the call, but he decided to stop by the Arby's anyway to investigate.

Items found at an Arby's captured on police bodycam. / Credit: North Haven Police Department

That decision changed the course of Jiang's case. At the Arby's, employees had found something strange  discarded bags containing a .45 caliber gun. There were also numerous boxes of ammunition, three license plates, and some clothing. Some of these items looked familiar to Sgt. Mills: there was a yellow jacket, a black briefcase, and a blue bag with a Massachusetts logo. It struck Mills that these were the same items he'd seen in Pan's car the night before on the railroad tracks. The Arby's was right next door to the Best Western hotel where Pan had been dropped off.

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By now, Mills had heard about the homicide in New Haven, and knew detectives were looking for a dark SUV. Mills had encountered a dark SUV the night before and had reason to believe its driver was the owner of the .45 caliber gun found at the Arby's. He called New Haven Police.

When homicide detectives arrived, they went to the Best Western in search of the mysterious Pan. But Pan had disappeared  in fact, according to detectives, it seemed like he had never stayed in the room at all.

The SUV was still at the tow facility. Where had Pan gone? And how would they find him?

Feb. 8, 2021: A stolen vehicle

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In Malden, the town where Pan was from, a car had been reported stolen from a car dealership. And not just any car  the same dark SUV that Pan had been driving, which was now at a tow facility in North Haven. The dealership employee told police that Pan had asked to borrow the car for a test drive and had never returned.

On Feb. 8, police from Malden went to Pan's home with a warrant for his arrest for the stolen car. Officers from New Haven accompanied them, as Pan was now a person of interest in Jiang's homicide.

When they arrived at the address where Pan lived with his parents, however, neither Pan nor his parents were home. The parents could have simply been out of town or on vacation, but officers also worried about them.

"Given the heinous act that occurred in New Haven the day before, were they potentially kidnapped by their own son?" said Det. Joe Galvan, who worked with both New Haven Police and the U.S. Marshals' Task Force in Connecticut.

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That same day, the U.S. Marshals, who had joined the case, conducted a search for any phone numbers associated with Pan. They found a number and traced the phone to Garysburg, North Carolina. At a gas station there, officers found a cellphone that had been crushed.

"Like a car ran over it," said U.S. Marshals Supervisor Matthew Duffy.

Feb. 11, 2021: Pan's parents stopped in Georgia

On Feb. 11, the U.S. Marshals received several license plate reader hits on the license plate of Pan's mother's car. Georgia officials were able to locate and stop the car  inside were Pan's parents, Hong Huang and Hao Pan, but their son was not with them.

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Authorities say Hao Pan, Qinxuan Pan's father, told them that roughly four or five days before he'd gotten a call from his son Qinxuan Pan and Qinxuan told him he was in Connecticut and needed help, though Hao Pan didn't say why. Hao Pan did say that he and his wife Hong Huang then left Massachusetts and picked up their son in Connecticut. Qinxuan Pan then took the wheel and drove them south to Georgia, a days-long journey.

As for where their son was now, authorities say Hao Pan told them that his son had stopped the car, gotten out, and walked away, and Hao Pan did not know where he went or why. Pan's mother, Hong Huang, refused to answer any questions without an attorney, but later volunteered that she believed her son may have walked away and killed himself.

Investigators say they were skeptical of that story, and began to suspect that in order to find Qinxuan Pan they may have to watch his parents. The Pan family had access to millions of dollars in assets in Shanghai. Financial records showed Pan's parents had been making large cash withdrawals, possibly to give to their son. Marshals say they worried that Pan might attempt to use this money to flee the country.

Feb. 16, 2021: Military honors for Kevin Jiang

On Feb.16, Jiang was buried with full military honors. He was an Army veteran and a National Guard Reservist, trained to operate a tank. He had served in the 118th Multifunctional Medical Battalion of the Connecticut National Guard.

Kevin Jiang in uniform. / Credit: Kevin Jiang/Instagram

Nasya Hubbard, who served with Jiang in the National Guard, described him as a "very happy person, just genuine, very genuine soul," and said that he seemed deeply in love with his fiancee Zion Perry.

At a memorial service for Jiang, Perry said, "Kevin often spoke of how precious the gift of life is, because we are but mist that may vanish in a moment. Never have I felt the impact of those words until now. Kevin would want us to cherish the gift of life we still have on earth."

Feb. 26, 2021: A warrant and a possible motive

After New Haven detectives received samples back from the lab that indicated Qinxuan Pan's fingerprints were on the gun found at the Arby's and gunshot residue was on the yellow jacket and the door of the SUV, a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the murder of Kevin Jiang.

By now, detectives also had in mind a possible motive for Pan. Zaweski had turned to Facebook to find information about Pan and had learned that he was Facebook friends with Zion Perry, Jiang's fiancee

Detectives say that when Perry was asked about the connection, she told officers that she and Pan met when she was an undergraduate at MIT, but they'd only been acquaintances. According to Perry they had never had a romantic relationship of any kind. Detectives found that online communication between the two was minimal  when Perry had graduated MIT, Pan had asked to video call with her to congratulate her, and she had politely declined. That was the extent of their conversation.

Still, it seemed that perhaps Pan had made more of this connection than Perry. Though Pan's motive was never confirmed, the murder of Jiang occurred just one week after Perry publicly announced her engagement to Kevin on Facebook.

Said Zaweski, "It did seem like there was a secret obsession of Pan's going on behind the scenes that Kevin wasn't aware of, and that Zion wasn't aware of."

March 2021- May 2021: Patience

The U.S. Marshals knew it would take patience to track Pan, who was a brilliant MIT graduate student studying artificial intelligence.

At this point they knew that Pan was capable of disabling GPS in vehicles. They knew Pan had turned off the GPS in the SUV he had driven the night of the murder, the one he'd picked up from a dealership.

It turned out that that wasn't the only time Pan had taken a car from a dealership for nefarious purposes. Investigators were able to find numerous other instances of Pan claiming he was going to test drive a dealership vehicle, only to drive that vehicle down to Connecticut. They compared the dates of his test drives with the four shootings that had occurred in New Haven from December 2020 to February 2021 and found that they matched.

Detectives believe Pan had a meticulous plan. They say Pan committed those four shootings in order to mislead police into thinking that Jiang's death was just another incident in a string of random shootings.

Knowing that Pan was potentially dangerous and may be looking to flee the country, U.S. Marshals were careful and methodical in their search. For weeks they steadily kept an eye on his parents' activities, believing that eventually something would lead them to their son.

May 2021: Qinxuan Pan's mother makes a call

In May 2021, U.S. Marshals tracked Pan's parents south to Georgia again, this time traveling with another couple. U.S. Marshal Kevin Perreault said that he believes the parents took unwitting companions along to "make it appear that it's a regular trip. There's no big deal, we're just going on a trip, meet some friends ... we're not here to help our son."

A surveillance image of Hong Huang making a telephone call at a Georgia hotel. / Credit: U.S. Marshals

The two couples stayed one night at a hotel, where Pan's mother Hong Huang would be recorded on a surveillance camera making a phone call. The hotel clerk told investigators that Huang had asked to use his phone, had made a call, and then had deleted the number.

But U.S. Marshals were able to track the call anyway, and it led them right to Qinxuan Pan.

May 14, 2021: Qinxuan Pan arrested in Alabama

U.S. Marshals took what Duffy called a "small army" to a boarding house in Montgomery, Alabama, where Marshals had tracked that phone call. Marshals found the room where Pan was staying, and according to Duffy, Pan "just came out and said, I'm who you're looking for." Qinxuan Pan was arrested for the murder of Kevin Jiang.

At the time of his arrest, Pan had approximately $20,000 in cash on him, as well as multiple communication devices, seven SIM cards, and his father's passport.

February-April, 2024: A guilty plea and a sentence

Qinxuan Pan in court at his sentencing. / Credit: CBS News

After multiple delays, Qinxuan Pan pleaded guilty in court on Feb. 29, 2024, to the murder of Kevin Jiang. His plea deal required a 35-year prison sentence without parole, and he was officially sentenced on April 23. He is scheduled to be released in 2056, when he will be 65 years old. Pan's parents have never been charged with anything.

Zion Perry spoke at Pan's sentencing. The only time Pan looked up was when she approached the podium.

"I wanted to address Pan specifically," she said. "Although your sentence is far less than you deserve  there is also mercy. May God have mercy on you. And may he have mercy on all of us."

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Montgomery saw tree damage, downed lines and power outages as cold weather storms and wind gusts struck the area Sunday.

"First, we want to be grateful that so far we don't have any fatalities from today's storms," said Mayor Steven Reed said in a Sunday night update. "We know that there has been disruption and discomfort by thousands of residents due to the winds and the rain that have come in this morning and this afternoon."

The city was part of a six-county area  Barbour, Bullock, Macon, Montgomery, Pike and Russell counties  under a wind advisory, with gusts up to 40 miles per hour and wind chill temperatures as low as 12 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Along with Montgomery, the impact area includes the cities of Union Springs, Eufaula, Phenix City, Troy and Tuskegee.

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"We're grateful to our first responders for all the work that they have done all day today," Reed said.

Montgomery wasn't the only area to take a hit. Images posted Sunday by meteorologist James Spann show structure damage in Foley.

According to the NWS report, another cold weather advisory will go into effect from 9 p.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday. Wind chill temperatures are supposed to be as low as 10 degrees.

Downed power lines down across Interstate 85 near Eastern Boulevard had closed northbound and southbound lanes. Montgomery reported I-85 and Eastern Boulevard are now fully open in all directions.

A tree lays on a house in the Forest Hills nighborhood following a storm in Montgomery, Ala., on Sunday January 25, 2026.

As of 2 p.m. Sunday, Alabama Power said that 10,727 customers in Montgomery were without power, with 190 outages throughout the city reported. A small number of outages were reported in Prattville and Wetumpka as well. Crews worked throughout the night to restore services. By Monday morning, power was restored to all but 20 Montgomery customers.

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Also by Monday morning, Montgomery reported that about 95% of downed trees have been removed. The city has asked residents to treat all downed wires as live and stay far away. Do not interfere with any active work zones. Hazards that have not been responded to already should be reported through 311.

Downed trees and power lines on Boultier Street following a storm in Montgomery, Ala. on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

Due to nearby damage and power being out, the Capri Theatre in Cloverdale messaged Sunday that it is closed until further notice. By Monday morning, that message remained the same.

"Lights are out. Trees are down in Old Cloverdale," the theater posted on social media. "Well keep you updated, but the safest thing to do now is stay home. Well reschedule the Exhibition on Screen show. Stay safe!"

Downed trees damage a house in the Forest Hills nighborhood following a storm in Montgomery, Ala., on Sunday January 25, 2026.

Also Sunday, the Montgomery City/County Emergency Management Agency opened the public storm shelter after the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for a six Alabama county area that includes Montgomery County.

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Montgomery will activate its warming center at the Crump Center, 1751 Cong. W.L. Dickinson Drive, nightly now through Jan. 31, from 7 p.m. through the next morning at 11 a.m. Residents in need of shelter are welcome, but no pets are allowed inside. The city is working with the M Transit System for bus service along Route 8 (Gunter Park/Eastdale Mall), though there is no bus service on Jan. 25.

An out building lies destroyed following a storm in the Forest Hills neighborhood in Montgomery, Ala., on Sunday January 25, 2026.

Due to the weather, Montgomery announced Sunday that city offices will open at 11 a.m. Monday. Essential services, including public safety and emergency operations, will continue as scheduled.

Both Montgomery Public Schools and Autauga County Schools have reported students students will be under remote learning on Monday.

Pike Road Schools reported that they will run two hours later than usual Monday. Buses will run two hours later than usual, and schools will open two hours after their regular start time.

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Elmore County Public Schools will delay the start of school until 9:30 a.m. to allow the county to identify in potential problem areas. Principals will open schools to receive students by 9 a.m. Breakfast will be served in their classrooms.

Alabama State University announced it will observe a virtual workday on Monday. Faculty and staff will receive guidance from ASU, and students are asked to check Canvas for updates from their professors regarding coursework and class expectations.

Faulkner University has issued schedule updates due to the weather. Its Montgomery and Mobile campuses will both open at 11 a.m. on Monday.

Downed trees and power lines on Cloverdale Road following a storm in Montgomery, Ala. on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

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Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel can be reached at sheupel@gannett.com. To support his work please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery struck Sunday by storm winds, severe chills, power outages
ANNAPOLIS  Gov. Wes Moore this evening reinforced calls for Marylanders to stay vigilant amid the State of Emergency due to the major winter storm and dangerously cold temperatures expected to impact Maryland. The storm will bring hazards, including heavy snow, ice, and wind chills near or below zero across the entire State.

Travel may be hazardous to near impossible  and at times potentially life-threatening  throughout the weekend. Marylanders are urged to avoid travel, if possible.

The Department of Emergency Management is coordinating the states response, working with state and local government officials to meet the needs of Marylanders.

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Detailed snow and ice totals will be updated regularly on the National Weather Service website.

Preparing your home, family

 Stay informed by regularly checking weather updates from official sources and be sure to have a way to access local forecasts and warnings.

 Have an emergency kit ready and a family emergency plan in place.

 Heed all warnings and stay indoors during severe weather.

 Check with local authorities for the latest information about public evacuation shelters.

 Keep devices charged in case of power outages.

 Know who to contact in the case of a power outage. Emergency phone numbers for utility companies can be found at mdem.maryland.gov.

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 Follow Maryland Department of Emergency Management and regional National Weather Service social media accounts for localized forecasts.

 Information about assistance with energy bills is available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Generator safety

 Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.

 The generator should be at least 20 feet away from the home and away from windows, doors, and vents.

 Learn more about safe generator use from the American Red Cross.

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Staying safe

 Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.

 Watch for symptoms of hypothermia or frostbite - it can set in quickly, especially if you have exposed skin or have been outside in the cold for an extended period of time.

 Please avoid travel if possible. If you absolutely must travel, be sure to let someone know your route and destination before you go.

Know your evacuation routes

 If you're able, check on older neighbors or relatives who may live alone to see if they're doing well or need assistance.

 For the latest information, please visit weather.gov/lwx. To receive alerts, tips, and resources related to threats and hazards affecting or that may affect Maryland, text MdReady to 211-631 or text MdListo for Spanish.

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 Marylanders can monitor power outages through the MdReady installable app and website: MdReady.maryland.gov

For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Emergency Managements website at mdem.maryland.gov, follow the departments X (Twitter) feed at @MDMEMA, or follow the departments Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MDMEMA.
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team and the Comoros government have reached a staff-level agreement, subject to approval by the IMFs Management and Executive Board
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Suvendu Adhikari, Archana Majumdar, and Rahul Sinha addressed the media on Saturday to raise serious concerns about the current political and overall situation in West Bengal. The leaders linked recent incidents of violence to the ruling of the opposition party and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state. Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday visited Bankura to meet a party worker whose home was allegedly targeted by attackers and accused the state police of being biased. A massive gathering of supporters was also seen on the arrival of Suvendu Adhikari to demand a thorough investigation into the recent attack on a BJP youth member's home. While speaking to ANI, the BJP leader said, "West Bengal Assembly LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari says, "The situation is very bad. The police in Bengal have become a political cadre. Bengal must be saved. Today, an attempt was made to burn down the house of a BJP youth worker. We also went to his house. Thousands of people have gathered here today. We have come here to demand an investigation. The forensic team arrived two days late. They came only because we came. They didn't come to investigate; they came to show off to the media." Meanwhile, BJP leader Archana Majumdar on the same day slammed the West Bengal government, alleging that the ruling party has turned the state into a dictatorship by suppressing the opposition. The leader also raised concerns over the state of democracy and women's safety. While speaking to ANI, Archana Majumdar said, "They (police) are not doing their duty; they are totally politicised, and the administration is not working at all. There is no safety, no security, no basic democratic rights for the common people. Atrocities are being committed against women, and nothing is being done." Reflecting on her roots in the state, she further said, "We have never seen such a Bengal. We were born here, we have lived our lives here. Bengal has certain values, certain principles, which is why we say we are Bengalis. Where do we stand today? We have to think about this: this government is so scared, so cowardly, that out of fear, they are completely trying to destroy the opposition, their houses, their opportunities, their professions, everything. They won't allow any opposition to exist. Democracy has no meaning anymore. It's a dictatorship, and the Chief Minister of the ruling party and her people do whatever they want. So, we have to understand that there should be some change, and there will be change. This change is inevitable; no one can stop it." On the other hand, West Bengal BJP leader Rahul Sinha on Sunday reacted to the statewide protests against the SIR exercise, stating that the Trinamool Congress is "disturbed" by the Election Commission's intensive revision process. " All this is being done by Mamata Banerjee as SIR is troubling them the most. They know that the success of SIR will show the TMC the exit door in West Bengal," said Rahul Sinha. (ANI)
Weather disruptions continue to cause major headaches for travelers with flights in and out of RDU, where more than 70 flights were cancelled, and nearly two dozen others were delayed Saturday.

Despite the chaos, some travelers were still able to make it into Raleigh, including Ivy Ward, who flew in from Philadelphia for her grandson's birthday. Her flight back to Philadelphia is on Monday.

"I don't want to get stuck, and I am leaving on Monday. I'm going back. So hopefully they will have cleaned up everything so that we can fly in and we get there quickly," Ward said.

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Other families were forced to change plans at the last minute. A family of six from California is in Raleigh for a funeral, and they weren't scheduled to leave until Sunday.

"We were watching our flight. Our flight was supposed to be tomorrow, but it got canceled. So my parents were looking all night, all night refreshing, and this morning they got a flight for today," said Leanne Z.

Meanwhile, traveler Cielo Kramer is hoping to get out of RDU Saturday night as she prepares for an international trip to visit family in Copenhagen. "Well, I just hope that, you know, this weather will not delay my travel because I'm looking forward to this, and a little excited, it will be my first time in Copenhagen," Kramer said.

Looking ahead to Sunday, travel experts say it could go down as one of the worst days for weather-related flight cancellations in U.S. aviation history. More than 8,000 flights nationwide have already been canceled.

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On Sunday, American Airlines canceled 37% of its total flights, and 85% of flights at LaGuardia Airport have already been canceled.

Airlines offering flexibility

Several major airlines are offering flexibility for travelers affected by the weather. Carriers like American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United are dropping change fees for flights in and out of impacted airports, meaning passengers may be able to rebook without paying extra. Travelers are encouraged to check their airline's specific travel waiver online for details.

What to know if your flight is delayed or canceled

Under federal law, if your flight is canceled and you choose not to rebook, you are entitled to a full refund, even on non-refundable tickets. That refund must be returned automatically to your original form of payment, not a voucher. The rule also applies to add-ons like seat upgrades or Wi-Fi. Airlines are not required to provide hotels or meals for weather-related disruptions, but passengers can still ask.

How RDU prepares for an ice storm

At RDU Airport, the runways were treated on Friday to prevent rain from freezing, and when the weather hits the airport they have thousands of gallons of de-icing to use on planes. Crews work 12-hour shifts during weather events.
Several Kentucky officials are pushing for accountability after a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed a man in Minneapolis Jan. 24, just weeks after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a woman in another Minneapolis neighborhood, sparking protests in the city.

Alex Pretti, 37, was killed Jan. 24 after confronting immigration authorities near 26th Street West and Nicollet Avenue, according to USA TODAY. Federal officials claimed Pretti was carrying a gun he intended to use to "kill law enforcement," but videos from bystanders  and a witness account in court filings  do not show Pretti brandishing a weapon when he approached agents.

Several Kentucky officials, including Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Reps. Morgan McGarvey and Thomas Massie, took to social media to call for accountability at the agency.

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"Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse for the VA. He was trying to look out for his community," McGarvey wrote in a Jan. 24 post to X. "He was murdered by his own government without a second thought."

Following Good's death, McGarvey announced his support for articles of impeachment against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Noem has repeatedly defended the actions of ICE agents, claiming the woman killed Jan. 7, Renee Good, was using her vehicle as a weapon and that Pretti intended to kill federal agents prior to the Jan. 24 shooting. During a Jan. 15 House floor speech, McGarvey encouraged his colleagues to "watch" ICE's actions.

Every single day you look away from what this president is doing is another day that our neighbors face unimaginable cruelty at the hands of their own government, he said.

Massie, a Republican, also spoke out, responding to a post from U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli that appeared to reference Pretti's death. In the post, Essayli said that law enforcement is "legally justified" in shooting anyone who approaches them with a gun.

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"Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence, its a Constitutionally protected God-given right, and if you dont understand this you have no business in law enforcement or government," Massie wrote on social media Jan. 25.

Even Kentucky Rep. James Comer, a staunch Republican who chairs the House Oversight Committee, suggested on Fox's "Sunday Morning Futures" that Trump remove ICE agents from Minneapolis and send them somewhere else, if "there's a chance of losing more innocent lives or whatever."

In a Jan. 24 post to X, Beshear extended compassion to the people of Minneapolis and asked for "full accountability" from the federal government.

"There must be a full, transparent investigation, just like in the case of all officer-involved shootings," he said.

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In a statement, Kentucky state Rep. Nima Kulkarni, a Louisville Democrat and immigration attorney, called on Beshear "to be prepared to call in the National Guard to protect Kentuckians" as tensions related to immigration enforcement rise around the country. She also asked Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg to "stop his complicity with ICE."

In July 2025, Greenberg announced that the city would begin complying with immigration detainers  a request for another law enforcement agency to hold an immigrant for up to 48 hours longer than they would otherwise hold them to give federal agents time to take them into custody.

Kulkarni also called on local university leaders to "stop aiding and abetting ICE" and for all Kentucky public officials to "stop empowering the brutality of this administration."

Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor.

Reporters Killian Baarlaer and Caroline Neal contributed.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Andy Beshear, Thomas Massie post reactions to Alex Pretti shooting
Before choir practice on a Saturday morning, Marina Lopez rushed her three children to get ready. They were running late.

Andenles, ya apaguen la tele y ponganse la chamarra. Hurry, turn off the TV, put on your jacket, she told them.

Her youngest daughter, Sofia, ran toward her mother so that she could tie her hair into a braid. Lopez smiled. She had dreamed of mornings like this. There was a time she worried she would never be able to braid her daughters long, brown hair again. Or even see her again.

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Seven months earlier, Lopez had been detained after receiving a sudden notice from immigration authorities summoning her to an appointment in Chicagos South Loop. The mother had been in the United States more than 10 years under supervision as she sought asylum. Long enough to believe there was no reason to suspect that the June 4 check-in would end with her being led away in handcuffs.

While she was in detention in Grayson County Detention Center in Kentucky, Lopez would hide under her covers to cry and pray. She was desperately worried about her husband and children. They have no one else in this country. They left everyone behind in their native Guatemala, fleeing from gang violence and poverty.

Then came help. The choir director at their church began to quietly rally the community. Parishioners dropped off food at the family home almost daily. They helped her husband pay rent and bills. Parents took turns taking care of the children, who, every Sunday, sat with the youth choir, praying that their mother would return home.

Lopez felt the support, the shared weight, carried by hymns of praise, week by week. It helped her endure sleepless nights and hungry days for the seven months she spent in detention.

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They are the family that I dont have here, Lopez said. It gave me peace knowing that we were so loved. That my children were safe. That kept me going day by day.

Then, more than 200 days after her arrest, her prayers were seemingly answered. Authorities released her on Dec. 23.

As President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown continues its march across Chicago and the country, countless families have been shattered in its wake. Federal agents often seize breadwinners and family caretakers. Some, like Lopezs husband and children, have no other relatives in the country for support.

But amid the upheaval, a new sense of community has been born, as neighbors, teachers and parishioners step in to fill the gaps of broken families navigating their new reality.

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An arrest doesnt affect just one person, said Jose Verduzco, the church choir director, It ripples through a whole community.

When Lopez and her family finally arrived at the church on that Saturday morning, a little late and Sofias hair tied in a neat braid, the choir group welcomed Lopez and her children with hugs and some cheers.

Rudy, her older son, took out his guitar. Aaron, the middle child, and Sofia sat next to each other and took out their music notes. The church filled with the sounds their mother dreamt of all those sleepless nights: her children singing, as if she had never left them at all.

Gracias a Dios por traer a mi mama. I want to thank God for bringing back my mom. Aaron, 8, said when Verduzco went around the group asking to say something they were grateful for.

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Yo le quiero pedir a Dios que nunca se la lleven otra vez. I want to ask God that they never take her away again, Sofia answered. Meanwhile, Lopez went around the room, hugging other children and their parents.

Then Carolina Morales arrived with her children to practice. The two mothers wrapped each other in a long, quiet embrace.

Before Lopezs detention, they had only known each other in passing and through brief conversations.

But during her detention, it was Morales who took care of Lopezs children nearly every day while their father was at work, taking them to school, cooking for them, taking care of doctor appointments, sometimes washing their clothes and, of course, driving them to choir practice.

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The support extended beyond emotional care. Morales and the other parents in the choir group also took notice of the financial strain on the childrens father. He had to pay rent, bills and attorney fees while also sending money to Lopez in detention. Each phone call to her family was at least $15 for five minutes. She also needed money for food and sometimes even for warm clothing and personal hygiene products.

So some choir parents and other parishioners organized food sales, raising nearly $10,000 for the family.

As a mother, it felt like a calling. I could see the pain through (the childrens) eyes and the desperation their father felt, said Morales, who has three children of her own. It was a lot of work, and we never imagined it would take more than seven months until Marina returned home, but we never lost hope.

When the children would cry, asking about their mom, Morales would take them to the park, to the movies or play games with them. The children now see Morales, her husband and their three daughters as their extended family. Earlier this month, Rudy asked Morales to be his sponsor for his confirmation in May.

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Ya hasta vamos a ser comadres, Morales said with a smile, agreeing to become Rudys godmother. They would officially become family.

Rudy at 13, is the oldest of the three kids. When he missed his mother or when he started to have doubts that she would be released, he found solace in his guitar and would write songs or play music.

Just about 10 years ago, when Rudy was only 3, Lopez arrived in the United States seeking asylum from an indigenous town in Guatemala. At the time, the mother was allowed in the country and given permission by immigration authorities to stay under supervision as Rudys asylum case unfolded.

Since then, Lopez had not heard from immigration authorities until June 4, when she became part of the first large group of immigrants arrested during check-in with immigration authorities, sparking angry protests from advocates, city aldermen and community members.

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Lopez spent three days at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview before she was taken to Grayson County Detention Center in Kentucky. She was among several migrants who later described the conditions in Broadview as the beginning of what she called endless days of agony. Detainees slept on the floor under lights that remained on around the clock, she said, with limited food and, at times, no access to water.

Her arrest could not be explained, attorney Cynthia Fernandez, who said Lopez had received no prior notices from immigration authorities regarding her case. Her release on Dec. 23, one day before Christmas Eve, was also sudden and without explanation.

It was the most beautiful blessing, the best gift God has given us, said Lopezs husband. When she arrived around 5 a.m., their children were sleepy but eagerly waiting to see their mother.

According to the habeas corpus filed on Lopezs behalf in Kentucky, the federal government did not provide a reason or evidence for which Lopez was still detained.

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A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security did not return a request for comment.

But in Lopezs case, attorneys representing the federal government argued that they planned to reinstate Lopezs order of removal and deport her, but they couldnt provide a copy showing that they actually did, Fernandez said.

In directing her release from ICE custody, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Beaton wrote that the government admits it has no record of why (Marinas) supervision was revoked and makes no effort to explain why she is now detained.

Beaton continued that while the government acknowledged Lopez had an outstanding removal order and had been under supervision that deferred her removal while her application for asylum was pending, it couldnt find a copy of any notice that the order had been revoked  or any documents memorializing the decision to revoke it and detain her.

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Fernandez also noted the ways the immigration system itself had failed Lopez and her family. If the asylum and immigration process werent broken, this family wouldnt be living through this, she said.

Thats because Lopez first arrived seeking asylum in 2014 but was not given an interview in her native language. When she tried again in 2015, carrying then-3-year-old Rudy in her arms, she was allowed to seek asylum for him and not herself. So she was only granted a work permit and permission to remain in the United States under supervision.

Although she has now been released, she is still not safe from deportation. She also does not have a clear path to continue her immigration case, Fernandez said. In fact, we have not received any information from immigration authorities that can give us any direction about her case, Fernandez added.

Last September, the administration expanded the use of expedited removal without judicial review, orchestrating maneuvers to use it on individuals previously covered by various temporary protections as well as those with asylum cases pending at immigration courts and asylum offices. Lopezs situation is far from unique, Fernandez said.

Lopezs work permit was nullified during her detention and authorities took most of the documents she had taken with her to that appointment on June 4.

I dont want to ever go through that again, and I dont want my children to go through that again, she said. If immigration authorities were to detain her again, Lopez said, she would rather return to her hometown in Guatemala. But God has done this for me, and Im faithful that he will provide.

For now, her safety and that of her family is measured in moments, day by day. The yapping to get the children ready for practice. Braiding her daughters hair. The sound of her children singing in the choir.

The embrace of the church community that carried her through the darkest months.
A Mount Vernon woman was sentenced this week in federal court for her role in a wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud scheme that targeted the Missouri Lottery Commission and an area gas station.

Amy Young, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas Harpool to 23 months with the federal Bureau of Prisons.

She had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.

According to a statement from the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, Young conspired with others to employ a scheme to purchase Missouri lottery tickets using stolen and fraudulent credit cards and credit card numbers at a Joplin ... gas station. Young and her co-conspirators made $62,082.50 in fraudulent transactions at the gas station in July and August of 2022. These transactions included the purchase of Missouri Lottery tickets. The perpetrators would send other individuals to collect any cash prizes associated with the tickets. The group fraudulently claimed $54,248 in cash prizes from the Missouri Lottery Commission. The fraudulent cash prizes and credit card transactions totaled $116,330.50.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Joplin Police Department.
MS NOW host Stephanie Ruhle on Thursday reacted to footage of immigration agents in Houston violently detaining a teenage U.S. citizen being driven to school by his dad  leaving him hospitalized with damage to his neck and spine.

I want you to put down your drink, definitely put down your smartphone if youre scrolling, and please pay attention to this, said Ruhle on The 11th Hour before playing portions of the footage, which was obtained by fellow MS NOW journalist Antonia Hylton.

News: Shock Video Shows ICE Agent Assaulting Woman Who Asked If Hes A Good Christian

The incident on Oct. 23 reportedly began when Arnulfo Bazan-Carrillo was driving his 16-year-old son, Arnoldo, to school after leaving a McDonalds, and several unmarked vehicles flashing their emergency lights ordered the father, who is an undocumented immigrant, to pull over.

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Arnoldo previously told Houston Public Media that his dad pulled into a parking lot when two of the vehicles blocked them in and masked law enforcement officers exited their vehicles with no identifying badges before hitting the windows of his van.

When the father and son drove off in fear, the federal officers followed and repeatedly rammed their van. Arnoldo, who captured the incident on his phone, told the outlet he and his father then pulled into a parking lot and exited their van.

Ruhle on Thursday watched portions of the footage with Hylton, who shared further details.

News: Armed Immigration Officers Drive Away With Toddler After Detaining Father: Video

And after this scene here, they end up being violently detained on the ground inside a restaurant sort of depot lot, Hylton said. And the agents put Arnoldo, a U.S. citizen and a minor, in a chokehold so tight ... that he ends up having to go to a childrens trauma unit.

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She added that Arnoldo, who can be heard in the video panicking during the chase, had damage to his neck and spine that lasted for weeks and was given morphine for the pain.

For what?! Ruhle exclaimed Thursday about the incident. This father has been here since the 1990s. He has no felonies on record. Hes taking his boy to school. Like, what  Im assuming youve spoken to Homeland Security about this. How did they rationalize this?

Hylton said the agency told her a very interesting version of the story, noting that they werent aware she was in possession of the video when they claimed Arnulfo Bazan-Carrillo rammed his van into the vehicles of the immigration agents.

Thats not what happened, Ruhle replied.

Politics: Sworn Witness Accounts Of Alex Pretti Killing Differ Sharply From DHS

Hylton noted that bystander footage of Arnoldos detainment showed an officer grabbing his phone, which the family later tracked using location services to the Montgomery ICE Processing Center  before it was sold at an electronics trade-in kiosk.

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Hylton went on to confirm that Arnulfo Bazan-Carrillo has since been deported to Mexico, and that Arnoldo and his three siblings are now basically raising themselves. Ruhle was visibly taken aback by the case and told Hylton, This is such important reporting.

She continued, So many of us are living our lives and our heads are down and were in our houses. And this might not be happening in our city or our community, and if you werent sharing this reporting that is happening on U.S. soil, we would not know.

Hylton discussed the case further during an appearance on All In With Chris Hayes.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Marjorie Taylor Greene has urged fellow MAGA supporters  and other Americans  to take off their political blinders over the death of protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, warning that they are being incited into civil war.

I unapologetically believe in border security and deporting criminal illegal aliens and I support law enforcement, Greene wrote on X Sunday, the day after the fatal shooting. However, I also unapologetically support the 2nd amendment.

Legally carrying a firearm is not the same as brandishing a firearm.

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Despite video showing that 37-year-old Pretti was filming federal officers but did not have a weapon drawn, the Trump administration has claimed he had tried to assassinate agents in an act of domestic terrorism.

The incident was captured from multiple angles, including one that showed Pretti being sprayed with mace and wrestled to the ground while attempting to help a woman who had just been sprayed herself and had fallen to the ground. After being swarmed by around seven officers a shot rings out, followed by at least nine more, and Pretti falls still.

Marjorie Taylor Greene has urged Americans, including fellow MAGA supporters, to take off their political blinkers over the death of protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis (Getty)

There is nothing wrong with legally peacefully protesting and videoing, Greene said.

The former Congresswoman asked MAGA to consider another scenario in which she replaced the protesters in Minnesota with those who supported the action on January 6, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.

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We lost our minds when we watched Bidens FBI track down and aggressively carry out home invasions and arrest peaceful J6ers who walked in the Capitol through open doors, she said.

Imaging [sic] if one of our MAGA independent journalists or even just a MAGA supporter stood in the street outside a J6ers house while Bidens FBI carried out a law enforcement operation, home invasion, and arrest.

Despite video showing that 37-year-old Alex Pretti was filming federal officers but did not have a weapon drawn, the Trump administration has claimed he had tried to assassinate them in an act of domestic terrorism (AP)

Then Bidens FBI goes to the MAGA guy videoing it all and shoves a woman with him to the ground and sprays them with bear spray then throws the MAGA guy to the ground as MAGA guy was trying to help the woman off the ground. Then Bidens FBI beats MAGA guy on the ground, disarms MAGA guy, and then shoots him dead.

What would have been our reaction? Both sides need to take off their political blinders. You are all being incited into civil war, yet none of it solves any of the real problems that we all face, and tragically people are dying.

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Prettis death is the second fatal shooting to involve federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, following the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on January 7. Tensions and clashes between demonstrators have increased, as well as those between state and federal authorities.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said earlier Sunday that residents, as well as his own police department have had enough.

Prettis death is the second fatal shooting to involve federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, following the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on January 7. Tensions and clashes between demonstrators have increased, as well as those between state and federal authorities (REUTERS)

This police department has only 600 police officers. We are stretched incredibly thin. This has taken an enormous toll trying to manage all of this chaos on top of trying to be the police department for a major city, OHara told CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday.

OHara noted that he has received no official information from the federal government related to Saturdays shooting. Even when our officers initially responded to the scene, our watch commander was not given even the most basic information that is typical in a law enforcement-involved shooting, he said.

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While the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was blocked from the scene of the shooting Saturday by federal officials, they were allowed access Sunday to canvas for witnesses.

Greenes comments represent the latest instance of her breaking from MAGA orthodoxy. Previously a firebrand Trump loyalist, she has publicly broken from the president in recent months over issues including the Epstein files and foreign policy. She stood down from Congress earlier this month.
How much snow has your neighborhood gotten during Winter Storm Fern?

You can check how much snow your neighborhood across Ohio has received using USA TODAY's detailed map, which lets you explore snowfall accumulation over the past 24, 48 and 72 hours. You can also check seasonal totals starting from Oct. 1.

Updated multiple times daily, this tool provides the latest snowfall data. Toggle between timeframes to see how snowfall is adding up in your area.

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A winter storm warning began at 10 a.m. Jan. 24 and is expected to remain in effect through Jan. 26, as disruptive snow and ice descend across much of the country, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. The forecast called for heavy rain now, with potential accumulation of 8 to 12 inches.

Current snow totals in Columbus neighborhoods

The National Weather Service in Wilmington is also maintaining a real-time map with snow reports. As of 9 a.m. Jan. 25, the NWS had received reports of several inches of snow in many Columbus-area neighborhoods:

8:26 a.m.: Hilliard, 8 inches

8:00 a.m.: Gahanna, 8 inches

8:00 a.m.: N Hilliard, 6.3 inches

8:00 a.m.: Canal Winchester, 6 inches

8:00 a.m.: Powell, 5.5 inches

7:45 a.m.: Delaware, 7 inches

7:35 a.m.: Sunbury, 7 inches

7:15 a.m.: S Delaware, 5 inches

7:15 a.m.: SE Grandview Heights, 3.5 inches

7 a.m.: SE Dublin, 5.2 inches

6:50 a.m.: E Sunbury, 6 inches

6:25 a.m.: ENE Upper Arlington, 4.5 inches

6:15 a.m.: Bexley, 6 inches

6 a.m.: SSE Grove City, 4 inches

More: Winter Storm Fern approaching central Ohio. Get live updates here

DeWine, Ginther warn of heavy snow and dangerous conditions

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and other city leaders warned of the grave risks the city will face from Winter Storm Fern as it is expected to roll into the city beginning Jan. 24.

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Ginther said at a news conference that the storm will be "a once-in-a-decade event" and that residents should prepare to stay home for at least several days, if they can. He also cautioned the possibility of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office declaring a Level 3 Snow Emergency, which means roads are closed unless travel is absolutely necessary.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine urged millions of Ohioans to stay home and watch TV, read a book and make a meal during a Jan. 23 news conference ahead of the storm.

"This is a weekend to stay home," DeWine said at the Ohio Emergency Operations Center in Columbus.

Ohio Department of Transportation Assistant Director Mitch Blackford said about 3,000 employees will work in 12-hour shifts to clear 43,000 lane miles. He urged drivers to steer clear of the 1,500 plows and salt trucks. Roads won't be cleared to bare pavement until after the snow stops, he said.

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USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How much snow did your Ohio neighborhood get? Check the totals here
Lubbock and West Texas are definitely in the midst of a winter storm, having already seen freezing rain, sleet, snow and bitterly cold temperatures.

However, the National Weather Service is saying the worst may yet be to come.

Here's a look at how much precipitation West Texas has received and the NWS's current snowfall forecast.

How much precipitation has West Texas seen during Winter Storm Fern?

According to the NWS, the region has seen between 1.8 and 3 inches of snow from Jan. 23 to Jan. 25. While that may not seem like a lot so far, that's amounted to anywhere from a dusting to several inches of snow so far across the South Plains.

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Here how much snow several cities saw during Winter Storm Fern:

Abernathy  2.5 inches.

Denver City  2.5 inches.

Lubbock (City limits)  2.3 inches.

Ransom Canyon  2.8 inches.

Slaton  3 inches.

Shallowater  2.9 inches.

Wolfforth  1.8inches.

Woodrow  2.9 inches.

How much snow is West Texas to get before the end of Winter Storm Fern?

According to NWS in Lubbock, snow, possibly mixed with sleet, is expected to become all snow after 10 p.m. Saturday. Total accumulation is expected anywhere between 3 to 7 inches.

"Heavy snow is still expected tonight, along with the potential for whiteout conditions, making travel difficult to impossible," reads a social media post from the National Weather Service.

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On Sunday, there is still a 50% chance of snow before noon, with new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Currently, the NWS has issued an extreme cold warning lasting until Monday afternoon.

Mateo Rosiles is a reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and USA TODAY Network in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Snowfall totals for Lubbock, West Texas during Winter Storm Fern
Jan. 24AIKEN  The National Weather Service has issued an ice storm warning for portions of east central Georgia and central South Carolina that will remain in effect from 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, to 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26.

Significant icing is expected with total sleet accumulations up to one-half inch and ice accumulations between two tenths and three tenths of an inch.

The NWS shared in a Jan. 24 weather statement that roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous.

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Several events have already been postponed because of the approaching storm.

Power outages and tree damage are also likely due to ice.

Travel could be nearly impossible, and hazardous conditions could impact abilities to travel on Monday morning.

Although travel is strongly discouraged, the NWS shared that the latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 511. If traveling, it's recommended to carry a flashlight, food and water in your vehicle.

On Sunday, freezing rain is likely before noon, followed by a chance of rain. There will be a 70% chance of precipitation and ice accumulation of less than 0.1 of an inch is possible.

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Sunday night will bring rain before 1 a.m. with low temperatures around 33 degrees and a 100% chance of precipitation.

Monday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high temperature near 44 degrees.

The Aiken County Emergency Operations Center moved to OPCON 1, or full alert, at noon Saturday. This means that the center is activated, partially staffed and will now be manned 24/7.

The center is actively monitoring the weather and lining up resources to support its partner agencies.

For citizens, this means that local media including TV, radio, social media and weather radios should be monitored, cell phones should be charged and emergency kits are ready.

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Aiken County Government has a free emergency notification system, CodeRed, which can be signed up for here.

The city of Aiken shared a storm update on Jan. 23 with information for reporting downed power lines.

South Carolina Dominion Energy customers should call (888) 333-4465 to report downed lines; For Aiken Electric Cooperative outages, the most efficient way to report them is by calling or texting "OUT" to (877) 246-5368.

The following are a list of phone numbers that can be called during the storm provided by the City of Aiken:

Emergency Calls  911

Non-Emergency Calls  County: 803-642-1761

Non-Emergency Calls  City: 803-642-7620

Aiken County Department of Emergency Management: 803-642-1623

Careline (Medical Needs): 855-472-3432

Mobile Crisis Unit (Mental Health): 833-364-2274
The head of the First Naval Construction Regiment was removed from his post on Friday, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command announced.

Capt. Douglas Whimpey was relieved of his role as commodore of the regiment after more than two years due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command, the Navy said.

Navy leaders are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership personally and professionally, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards, the statement said.

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Whimpey was removed from the post by Capt. Angel Santiago, head of Naval Construction Group 1.

Top Stories This Week

The Navy often uses loss of confidence as a catchall term to explain why a commander has been relieved. The term can be and has been used to cover everything from personal misconduct to overall poor performance. The Navy did not provide any additional information on the nature of Whimpeys firing, except to say that it has no impact to operations.

Whimpey, a Navy Reservist, had been in charge of the regiment since 2023. According to his own remarks when he assumed command, he had previously served with the regiment while deployed to Iraq in 2005. It oversees the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 18, 22, and 25. Both the regiment and Naval Construction Group 1 are based out of Port Hueneme, California.

Capt. Steven Sherman, took over as commodore for the regiment. Whimpey has been temporarily assigned to the staff of Naval Construction Group 1.
Nabin has embarked on a day-long visit to Mathura-Vrindavan, during which he will offer prayers at the Shri Banke Bihari Mandir and participate in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat'.

According to the BJP, Nitin Nabin will participate in the 130th edition of PM Modi's popular radio programme, "Mann Ki Baat", alongside party workers and locals at the Akshaya Patra Chandrodaya Mandir in Vrindavan at 11:00 AM tomorrow.

Following the broadcast, the BJP National President will visit Shri Banke Bihari Mandir at 11:40 AM to offer prayers to "Thakur Ji" and perform puja-archana.

The BJP stated that Nabin will later visit the residence of BJP MLA Shri Rajesh Chaudhary at 12:15 PM to express his condolences on the demise of the MLA's mother.

In addition to the Mathura-Vrindavan visit, Nitin Nabin will undertake his first official visit to West Bengal on January 27 and 28. During this trip, he will participate in a series of organisational meetings aimed at strengthening the party's grassroots network ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

In his visit, Nitin Nabin will chair a State Core Team Meeting in Durgapur on January 27, focusing on organisational strategy, political roadmap, and upcoming programmes.

On January 28, Nabin will attend the Bardhaman Bibhag Karyakarta Sammelan at Chitralaya Mela Maidan, Purba Bardhaman, where he will interact with party workers. Later in the afternoon, he will participate in the Asansol District Karyakarta Meeting in Raniganj, addressing organisational issues and guiding party workers at the district level. (ANI)
Multiple municipalities in Allegheny County have declared a state of emergency as the region experiences heavy snowfall.

>>> LIVE UPDATES: Snow blanketing Pittsburgh region as biggest winter storm in years moves through <<<

The county currently has 16 disaster declarations, including 20 municipalities, according to Kasey Reigner, Department of Emergency Services public information officer.

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Heres the list of municipalities so far:

Braddock

Brentwood

Castle Shannon

Braddock Hills

Etna

North Braddock

Jefferson Hills

Heidelberg

Scott Township

Pitcairn

Clairton

Tarentum

Penn Hills

Harrison

Reserve

Allegheny Valley: Cheswick, Harmar, Springdale Borough, Springdale Township

Awaiting Verona and Lincoln

All of the declarations have been entered into the countys Web Emergency Operations Center to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

This primarily provides them with additional purchasing and emergency options if needed, as well as puts everyone on notice that the municipality is dealing with a potential emergency situation, Reigner said.

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The county has 26 salt trucks with plows out covering 357 miles of road.

As of 4 p.m., the county says, each road had already been plowed six times since midnight.

Were hopeful conditions will be much better tomorrow, but Im doubtful roads will be what we expect for a normal rush hour by all means, said Chief Matthew Brown of the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services. So again, hopefully the snow machine slows up here pretty soon, but its going to take probably the better part of the next 24 hours.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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Delegation from Hungary, Austria, Spain and France thanked for support as Israeli branch announced

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev met with a visiting delegation of parliamentarians from Hungary, Austria, Spain, and France at the Prime Minister's Residence.

The group discussed European-Israeli ties and coordination on border security, national identity, and countering antisemitism, according to statements at the meeting.

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Netanyahu and Regev thanked the visitors for what they called steadfast support for Israel and solidarity with the Jewish people. Regev also introduced the Patriots of Jerusalem, described as the first Israeli branch to join the European Patriots group.

"The Western Judeo-Christian civilization is under attack. This is an effort carried out not by radical Islam alone, but in collaboration with forces which you know well: the deep radical left and the Islamists, who in theory should be rivals, but are united by one thing  the hatred of Israel and the Jews," Netanyahu said.

"Many countries in Europe were numb; they opened their borders with no supervision whatsoever. Not just for a year or two, this has been a long-term struggle. In this regard, we are not just allies and comrades-in-arms, we are brothers and sisters in the decisive struggle for the future of the world.

"The gravest danger that the world faces is the link between militant Islam and nuclear weapons."

(From L-R) National AI Directorate chief Erez Eskel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Transportation Minister Miri Regev hold a conference call with Elon Musk, December 29, 2025. (credit: PMO SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE)

Netanyahu, Regev praise delegates for standing with Israel

The meeting with the Patriots delegation is proof that Israel is not alone, Regev said, calling the connection to European allies a strategic step that strengthens Israels standing and counters boycott and delegitimization efforts.

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"There are brave leaders in Europe who understand that Israel's struggle is also their struggle, for sovereignty, for borders, and for national identity. The connection to the Patriots of Europe is a strategic move that strengthens Israel's standing in the international arena and presents a clear front against attempts of boycott and delegitimization," she added.

We will stand together for our shared values and protect the future of generations to come.
The Seacoast could see nearly 2 feet of snow in New Hampshire, as the biggest snow storm of the year so far barrels toward the region.

Potential snow totals are now much higher than they were in the earlier in the week, with the National Weather Service raising predictions from less than a foot to 12 to 18 inches across most of the state and possibly more than 20 inches on the Seacoast.

A winter storm warning is in effect from 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 25 through 7 p.m. on Monday, January 26.

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"The potential exists for snowbands that will bring periods of locally heavy snowfall, which will lead to rapid snow accumulations and extremely dangerous travel conditions," the warning said. "Travel is not recommended as heavy snowfall and very low visibility will create extremely dangerous driving conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes."

Watch the storm: Live cams from Hampton Beach, Rye and southern Maine beaches

How much snow will New Hampshire get?

Portsmouth is now predicted to get almost 2 feet of snow.

Here's snow predictions by town, according to the NWS:

Portsmouth: 22 inches expect, high estimate 27 inches, low estimate 15 inches

Berlin: 11 inches expect, high estimate 16 inches, low estimate 8 inches

Claremont: 14 inches expect, high estimate 19 inches, low estimate 11 inches

Colebrook: 7 inches expect, high estimate 14 inches, low estimate 5 inches

Concord: 15 inches expect, high estimate 19 inches, low estimate 11 inches

Jaffrey: 18 inches expect, high estimate 14 inches, low estimate 22 inches

Keene: 15 inches expect, high estimate 20 inches, low estimate, 10 inches

Laconia: 14 inches expect, high estimate 18 inches, low estimate 10 inches

Manchester: 17 inches expect, high estimate 22 inches, low estimate 13 inches

Nashua: 19 inches expect, high estimate 23 inches, low estimate 15 inches

North Conway: 15 inches expect, high estimate 20 inches, low estimate 12 inches

Plymouth: 14 inches expect, high estimate 18 inches, low estimate 10 inches

Rochester: 18 inches expect, high estimate 22 inches, low estimate 13 inches

When will it snow in NH this weekend?

A sidewalk plow turns onto Main Street as a steady snowfall begins in South Berwick, Maine, Jan. 25, 2026.

"Snow is expected to rapidly break out from southwest to northeast between around 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. In addition the heaviest snowfall rates are anticipated between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m." NWS said.

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It's possible the snow will fall at a rate of 2 to inches per hour during parts of the storm.

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.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH Weather: When will snow start? How much snow will we get? Forecast
One of the core missions of my WBAL radio showand my work more broadlyis simple: commentary based on facts. That shouldnt be controversial. But in todays debate over immigration enforcement and ICE, facts are either ignored, distorted, or deliberately buried under ideology.

Nowhere is that clearer than in whats unfolding in Minnesota.

Were toldby politicians, activists, and too many media outletsthat Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is running wild, scooping people off the streets, terrorizing communities, arresting citizens, invading churches and schools. Its an emotionally charged narrative. Its also false.

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Look at the debunked viral claims that ICE used a 5-year-old boy as bait. Lets get the facts straight, because the spin here has been outrageous. ICE did not target a childfull stop. On January 20, agents were carrying out a targeted arrest of Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an illegal alien from Ecuador who was released into the country by the Biden administration. When officers approached, Conejo Arias took off on foot and abandoned his own child. For the childs safety, one ICE officer stayed behind while others apprehended the suspect. Thats called responsible law enforcement. However, the outrage machine wants a villain, but the truth is clear: ICE did its job, protected a child, and followed the law.

With reporting on ICE, reality is always at odds with the political narrativeand far more damning to those pushing the hysteria.

ICE is conducting targeted enforcement operations in Minnesota. These are not random sweeps. These are not raids on innocent families. According to the data and confirmed by former immigration judge and national security expert Andrew ArthurICE has arrested roughly 3,000 individuals in the Minneapolis area. These individuals are not neighbors just trying to live their lives. They are criminal aliens with serious convictions: child sex offenders, drug traffickers, individuals convicted of homicide, rape, and violent assault. Many are under final orders of removal.

Thats the part you rarely hear.

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Instead, we hear governors and mayors comparing ICE to the Gestapo. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has claimed agents are abducting people in unmarked vans and shipping them off to foreign torture dungeons. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey fuels the same inflammatory rhetoric. None of it is supported by evidence. All of it is politically motivated.

Heres the inconvenient truth: ICE cannot simply grab someone and throw them out of the country. Every non-citizen is entitled to due process. Courts are involved. Lawyers are involved. Judges are involved. Thats not an opinionthats the law. And if anyone knows that its Andrew Arthur, who spent decades on the immigration bench.

So why does the public believe otherwise?

Because too much of the media has abandoned its role to report the factsto do journalism. Reporting facts about ICE enforcement is now treated as taking the Trump administrations side. Thats not journalismthats journalistic malpractice. When public figures label an ICE-related death as murder before investigations are complete, and reporters nod along without challenge, the damage is done. Facts no longer matter. Identity and ideology do.

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Weve reached a point where people openly say, Dont try to change my mind. Translation: dont confuse me with facts.

And lets address the most important question of allour WBAL listeners keep asking: why were these violent criminal aliens on the streets in the first place?

The answer goes back years. Obama-era DHS policies sharply limited ICEs ability to arrest even convicted criminals. And on his first day in office, President Biden imposed a 100-day moratorium on removalsincluding for violent offenders. Those handcuffs on enforcement were never meaningfully removed.

Thats why ICE has to conduct large-scale targeted operations now. Thats why Congress passed the Laken Riley Act. And thats why, under renewed enforcement, these criminals are finally being taken off the streets.

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This shouldnt be controversial. Protecting communities from violent offenders shouldnt be a partisan issue. But when politics overrides factsand when the media refuses to tell the whole storywe get chaos, protests, and dangerous confrontations that never needed to happen.

There will be investigations. They should be transparent. Let the facts come out. But until then, lets stop lying to the public. Lets stop pretending ICE is the villain for doing the job politicians refused to do for years.

Facts still matter. Or at least, they should.

Jerry Rogers is editor at RealClearPolicy and RealClearHealth. He hosts 'The Jerry Rogers Show' on WBAL NewsRadio 1090/FM 101.5. Follow him on Twitter @JerryRogersShow.
The North Carolina National Guard is stationed in Waxhaw and Wingate, ready to assist local fire departments as an ice storm approaches the region, officials announced.

ALSO READ: Some local Harris Teeters closing early Saturday

Up to half an inch of ice may accumulate on tree limbs, posing hazards such as downed trees across roads and fallen power lines.

The National Guards response also includes assisting local fire departments to clear downed trees and respond to emergencies throughout Union County.

Their presence ensures that there is a rapid response capability as conditions worsen during the storm.

(WATCH BELOW: President Trump approves federal disaster relief for NC, SC ahead of ice storm)
A North Dakota man has been charged after a domestic dispute allegedly turned violent.

Earlier this week, authorities in Fargo responded to a call from a woman who claimed she'd been stabbed. Police arrived at the apartment around 8:26 p.m. at night. Officers observed there were two circular cuts near her elbow, as well as other red marks on her chest and neck. The woman  whose name has not been released  reportedly told police that a man, Michael David Schaffer, had become angry with her after he had witnessed her talking loudly with another person.

Her relationship with Schaffer is unclear.

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Schaffer allegedly began breaking items in the apartment out of frustration before he reportedly shoved her against a wall and choked her for around one minute. The woman claimed that when she asked him to stop, he allegedly grabbed a pair of pliers and stabbed them into her elbow.

Man Arrested After Allegedly Throwing Hot Soup on 3-Month-Old Baby, Assaulting Woman

Following the altercation, Schaffer allegedly left the home, but he returned and was discovered by police in the entryway to the apartment building. He was arrested and brought to Cass County Jail on Thursday, January 22, charged with aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon or other weapon and domestic violence/assault with a serious bodily injury.

Schaffers arraignment was scheduled for Friday, January 23.

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He has denied all allegations against him and accused the woman of being the aggressor in the alleged attack.

In the state of North Dakota, aggravated assault is often charged as a Class B or Class C felony depending on the circumstances and the victim involved. If found guilty, penalties could include a max sentence of five years behind bars and up to $10,000 in fines. Meanwhile, a first offense of domestic violence assault could result in a sentence of up to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine, according to Reichert Law.

Missouri Man Arrested After Climbing Into Bed With Sleeping Ex and Attacking Her

The North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition reported that one in four women, and one in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime.

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This isn't Schaffer's first run-in with police. In 2019, Metro Street Crime Unit arrested him and four others in connection with the search for a stolen vehicle, per Valley News Live.

Andrew John Patrick Collison was taken into custody on charges for marijuana possession, felony possession of drug paraphernalia, refusing to halt, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, giving false information to law enforcement and for having an open warrant. Others arrested included Linda Lou Poitra, who was also cited for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, Shawn Michael Schwandt, who was arrested for aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and possession of marijuana wax, and James Edward Martinez, who was charged with possession of meth, ingesting a controlled substance, and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia possession.

Schaffer, who was 28 years old at the time, was taken into custody for an alleged probation violation.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
SEOUL, Jan 26 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited an art studio on Sunday to guide the creation of sculptures to be displayed at a memorial for North Korean troops who died fighting overseas, state media KCNA said on Monday.

Under a mutual defence pact with Russia, in 2024 North Korea sent some 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, where more than 6,000 of them were killed, according to South Korean, Ukrainian and Western sources.

Visiting the Mansudae Art Studio, Kim said the sculptures would "convey forever the legendary feats... of admirable sons of the DPRK", according to KCNA, using North Korea's official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

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Kim has repeatedly lauded the troops' "heroism" in fighting abroad and honoured them, including greeting and decorating them and working on the memorial for the fallen soldiers personally.

Kim's move comes as North Korea has initiated procedures to convene a key party congress, expected to set out major policy goals for the next five years.

Analysts said the Ninth Party Congress of the Workers' Party is expected to be held early next month, potentially accompanied by a large military parade.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by David Gregorio)
Flakes are flying throughout Delaware, and while the blockbuster totals have been knocked down some, this is still a significant snowstorm for the First State.

The National Weather Service issues a Winter Storm Warning, which is in effect until 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, and Gov. Matt Meyer has declared a state of emergency.

Northern New Castle County could have 8 to 12 inches of snow, the National Weather Service forecasted, and Dover could have 6 to 8 inches. Southern Sussex County including Bethany Beach could get 4 to 6 inches.

Snowfall forecast from the National Weather Service on Jan. 25, 2026.

The deciding factor in snowfall for this storm is the mixed precipitation that will eventually creep up the Atlantic coast and affect everyone. Some in Sussex County might even see rain by the end of the day. There could be small but dangerous ice accumulations throughout Delaware. The highest are forecasted in New Castle County. Ice can damage trees, and power lines can make travel even harder, especially as temperatures struggle to rise above the 20s today.

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Stay off the roads if you can, and stay warm, as temperatures this week will dip into the single digits for a few days this week.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Snow to mix expected throughout Delaware, but how much snow?
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has joined other gun lobbying and advocacy groups that are typically aligned with Donald Trump in calling for the Republican presidents administration to conduct a full investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old nurse who was shot dead by federal immigration officials in Minneapolis on Saturday.

Pretti was reportedly legally permitted to carry a gun and is a citizen of the US, where there is a constitutional right to bear arms. Widely circulated video of his shooting death does not depict him ever holding a gun. It does show an officer reaching to Prettis lower back and stepping away with what appeared to be a pistol  and Pretti being subsequently shot to death.

The NRA waded into the national dialogue over Prettis killing after Bill Essayli  who was appointed by Trump to temporarily serve as a US attorney in California in 2025  posted on social media: If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.

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In response, the NRA posted: This sentiment  is dangerous and wrong. Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.

Related: Calls mount on Trump administration to fully investigate Alex Prettis killing

Gun Owners of America, a non-profit lobbying organization, also criticized that claim from Essayli  who is now an acting first assistant US attorney for Californias central federal district court.

Federal agents are not highly likely to be legally justified in shooting concealed carry licensees who approach while lawfully carrying a firearm, the group posted. It added that the US constitutions second amendment protects Americans right to bear arms while protesting  a right the federal government must not infringe upon.

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The press office of Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, responded to the NRAs criticism of Essayli, saying on social media, Wow. Even the NRA thinks Trumps [justice department] stooge in California has gone too far for claiming federal agents were legally justified to kill Alex Pretti.

Newsoms press office added: Your position is truly horrible when even the NRA calls you out.

Essayli in turn claimed: Youre adding words to mischaracterize my statement. He argued that he meant agitators approaching law enforcement with a gun and refusing to disarm risked being justifiably shot by officers.

Nonetheless, Essaylis post received a community note on X which said the US constitution prohibits officers from shooting citizens merely for possessing a weapon that is not an imminent threat. Beside the second amendment, the community note alluded to the constitutions fourth amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure and its 14th amendment rights to equal protection under the law.

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Yet Essayli also posted: My advice stands. If you value your life, do not aggressively approach law enforcement while armed. If they reasonably perceive a threat and you fail to immediately disarm, they are legally permitted to use deadly force.

Dana Loesch, a former NRA spokesperson who has generally been supportive of Trump, also pushed back on Essayli, stating on social media: Your words verbatim were if you approach law enforcement with a gun. What does this mean to you? Do you believe that mere legal possession within the vicinity of [law enforcement officer] is a criminal offense or merits use of force as response? Language matters.

Thomas Massie, a Republican US representative of Kentucky, separately wrote to Essayli: Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence, its a Constitutionally protected God-given right, and if you dont understand this you have no business in law enforcement or government.

Witnesses stated in sworn testimonies that Pretti was not brandishing a gun when federal immigration officers descended on him. Those statements are both consistent with publicly available video evidence and contradict the Trump administrations claims that the shots officers aimed at Pretti were defensive in nature.

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Among those to call for a criminal investigation into Prettis killing was Newsoms office, saying one was necessary for the public to fully understand what occurred and maintain confidence in the rule of law.

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus issued a similar call.

Despite widespread speculation regarding intent, there has been no evidence produced indicating an intent to harm the officers, the group stated in a press release. We are calling for a full and transparent investigation by both state and federal authorities.

Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms  including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their first amendment rights to peaceably assemble.

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Related: Video contradicts Trumps claim man killed in Minneapolis was a gunman

The caucuss statement continued: These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed, and they must be respected and protected at all times.

The caucus then took verbal aim at the FBI director, Kash Patel, after he appeared on Sunday on Fox News and asserted with respect to Pretti: You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. Its that simple. You dont have a right to break the law.

To Patel, the caucus replied on social media: There is no prohibition on a permit holder carrying a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines at a protest or rally in Minnesota.

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When a user told the caucus that Pretti was accused of not having an ID on him, which he was required to do under Minnesotas law governing permits to carry a concealed gun, the caucus responded: Its a $25 ticket.

Among those who donated to Essayli  who held a seat in Californias state assembly from 2023 to April  was the NRA.

Notably, while successfully campaigning for a second presidency in 2024, Trump publicly said to an audience that your guns will be confiscated if he lost to election rival Kamala Harris.

Theyre gonna confiscate your guns, Trump said. Im the one thats protecting them. He also bragged about having the total endorsement of every gun group, including the NRA.

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Harris later said at a debate with Trump: Were not taking anybodys guns away. The NRA responded with a statement declaring Trump was correct in saying Harris supported gun confiscation.

The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know.

If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods.

Secure Messaging in the Guardian app

The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said.

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If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging.

SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post

If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform.

Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each.
Colorado could soon join the fight against a hidden source of plastic pollution, reported KMGH.

Sen. Lisa Cutter and Rep. Lesley Smith have introduced Senate Bill 26-016, which would ban the release of tiny manufacturing plastics, known as nurdles, into Colorado's rivers and streams. The measure would also block the state from issuing permits that allow plastic to enter waterways.

These small pellets, roughly the size of a lentil, serve as raw material for plastic products. They often spill into the environment when being made, packaged, or moved on roads and railways.

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The legislation seeks to safeguard both wildlife and public health. Because nurdles look similar to the eggs of fish, aquatic animals frequently mistake them for food. Once ingested, the material builds up in their systems and could affect anyone who later catches and consumes that fish.

Your drinking water may benefit as well. Smith, who worked for three decades as a water scientist at the University of Colorado, explained that these materials splinter into minuscule particles that can reach municipal water systems. Scientists have detected microplastics in human tissue.

If you want to help keep plastics out of your local rivers, backing legislation like this is one practical step. California remains the sole state with a law addressing pellet contamination, so Colorado's proposal could inspire other states to act.

"These pellets are small, round bits of plastic, sort of lentil-sized," said Rachel Jaeger, an Environment Colorado campaign associate, per KMGH. "They can resemble fish eggs.  If fish were to eat these bits of plastic and then plastic bioaccumulates in their bodies and then one of our sportsmen here in Colorado fishes a trout out of a river and eats it for dinner, it's very possible that they could be exposed to the plastic and also to any chemicals that the plastic carries."

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"It just adds an extra layer of caution so that organizations know that when they're using or transporting these really tiny little plastic pellets  that they have to take extra caution," said Cutter.

"Plastics have been found in 100% of the waterways in which they're tested.  It's really important that we do our part in protecting those waterways."

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.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not plan to ensure the "smooth functioning" of the Karnataka assembly days after the Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's recent walkout from the assembly without reading the complete address drafted by the state government. "It is clear that the BJP does not intend to ensure the smooth functioning of the Karnataka assembly. They ensured that the governor violated the norms, the traditions, and more importantly, articles of the constitution by not reading the governor's speech... He was in such a tearing hurry to prove a point that the governor didn't even wait for the national anthem to be played. When it was proposed that it should be discussed... The BJP does not intend to discuss it...," Kharge told ANI. The Congress leader also alleged that the VB-G-RAM G Bill has violated the Constitution. "More importantly, they know that if they are going to get into a debate about the MGNREGA, they have nothing to say on the subject. The VB-G-RAM G bill has violated the powers of the panchayat, violated the Constitution... There is no minimum wage for labour. They've diluted the entire right-to-work. So they don't want to discuss that; hence, they want to disrupt the assembly..." Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday strongly criticised Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for refusing to deliver the customary address to the Assembly, calling the move a "violation of the Constitution" and stating that the government is examining whether to approach the Supreme Court over the matter. "...Every new year, the Governor has to address the joint session of the Assembly, had the speech prepared by the Cabinet. This is a constitutional requirement. Today (Thursday), instead of reading the speech prepared by the Cabinet, the Governor read the one he himself prepared. This is in violation of the Constitution of India. It violates Articles 176 and 163 of the Indian Constitution," the Chief Minister said earlier. "He has not discharged his duties as per the Constitution. Therefore, we are going to protest against the attitude of the Governor. We are examining whether or not to approach the Supreme Court," Siddaramaiah added. (ANI)
An Ohio man will spend nearly 16 years in prison after he operated a drug trafficking ring out of his grandmothers basement.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Darnell Kief Beckham Bell of Cleveland was sentenced to 190 months, or 15 years and 8 months, in prison for his role in a drug trafficking ring.

TRENDING STORIES:

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A jury convicted Bell in September of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Law enforcement began to probe suspected narcotics trafficking, specifically fentanyl, in Northeast Ohio in 2024, according to court documents.

On a number of occasions during the investigation, several individuals were observed coming and going from a house on West 137th Street.

After law enforcement issued a federal search warrant at the residence, Bell was taken into custody after agents found evidence of suspected drug activities in the basement of the home, which belonged to his grandmother.

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Officers seized several items, including:

Two digital scales with fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, and cocaine residue

A loaded HK .45 caliber pistol with magazine and ammunition (firearm was later found to be stolen)

A Smith & Wesson .40 caliber magazine with ammunition

16 bags of narcotics that contained a total of 403.25 grams of cocaine base, crack

Two plastic bags that contained 139.31 grams of fentanyl

124.29 grams of a mixture of Xylazine, fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl

81.76 grams of fentanyl

2.14 grams of cocaine

Two credit cards with white powder residue

During the trial, evidence presented to the jury included a comment Bell made stating that no one knew about Nanas basement.

Two co-conspirators were also charged in the indictment: 30-year-old Loundon Hardy and 27-year-old Kobe Bell-Beckham, both of Cleveland.

Both previously pleaded guilty to related drug conspiracy, distribution, and possession charges and are currently awaiting sentencing.

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It can be difficult to maintain your faith in humanity in a stupid and indecent world. This is the challenge of the Trump era. The president and his cronies do not care about shared norms of law, morality or truth.

And, as our country slips toward idiocracy, cynicism grows.

President Donald Trump recently claimed the only limit on his actions was his own morality, ignoring the Constitution and international law. When speaking at Charlie Kirks funeral, Trump dismissed the idea of loving your enemies. He said of his opponents, I dont want the best for them.

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The president recently told Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre that since Norway did not give him the Nobel Peace Prize, he was no longer committed to peace. In a speech this week in Davos, he blathered on about Iceland, confusing it with Greenland.

Meanwhile, the people of Minnesota are living in fear of the federal government.

It is tempting to want to argue about this sort of stuff. Ethicists will criticize Trumps egoism; political philosophers may declare that absolute power corrupts absolutely; Christians will remind us that Jesus asks us to love our enemies; fact-checkers will insist that the Norwegian government does not give out the Nobel Prize, and that Greenland and Iceland are distinct.

We could criticize the incoherence of giving up on peace after failing to win a peace prize, or we could argue that civil disobedience is not domestic terrorism  as the Trumpians claim.

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These critical points are relevant for reasonable and decent people. But facts and logic do not matter in the Trumpiverse. Trump recently said, God is very proud of the job Ive done. With God on his side, whats the point of arguing?

Greek tragedy reminds us that hubris is resistant to reason. It is useless to debate morality with a scoundrel, or truth with a liar. You cannot argue with irrational people.

Reasonable people debate facts and argue about their interpretation. Decent people are inquisitive, curious and open-minded. They are sincerely interested in sorting out what is true and good.

But not everyone is reasonable, decent or sincere.

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Its generally unwise to argue with hypocrites, swindlers and cheats. These snakes abuse our inclination to reason. When a con man gets a foot in the door, he already has a foothold in your brain. If you try to persuade him to leave, hell manipulate you further. While you are arguing with him, hell pick your pocket.

This happens in abusive relationships, where gaslighting and emotional manipulation lead to heartache and despair. If you try to reason with toxic or stupid people, you will get lost in the mire. The more you argue, the thicker the mud becomes.

When you live in a swamp, you should look out for snakes. But it is important to remember that not everyone is a snake. We must beware of cynicism, which can lead to despair and inaction.

Wise people acknowledge corruption and take precautions to avoid contamination. When you understand the futility of responding to indecent people as if they are decent, you can better hold on to your wallet and your sanity. But healthy skepticism about charlatans and quacks should not undermine your faith in humanity, or your commitment to decency.

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When you live among snakes, you must be careful not to become one.

Among the worst outcomes of the Trump era is the pervasive cynicism it breeds. Cynicism is better than gullibility. But cynicism corrupts society and deadens the soul. It undermines trust and the creative spirit. If everything is rotten, it may seem rational to give up and give in. But then the snakes win.

Progress depends upon hope. Not everyone is stupid or wicked. A better world can be built. Charlatans and imbeciles have always existed  history is full of them. But there are also decent and reasonable people.

The trick is to negotiate the swamp without succumbing to cynicism. You need to know who to trust and who to ignore, who to argue with and who to avoid. You must figure out when to open your heart and when to slam the door. In this soul-draining era, we should be wary without wearying of humanity, or losing faith in the future.

Andrew Fiala is a professor of philosophy and director of The Ethics Center at Fresno State.
As someone who came of age during the Cold War and watched our alliances hold the line through decades of uncertainty, I feel a deep responsibility to speak when that hardwon stability is treated carelessly. Those of us who remember the long shadow of the Soviet Union also remember what kept that shadow from becoming darkness: the strength of our alliances, the steadiness of our commitments, and the constitutional guardrails that prevented any one leader from acting alone in matters of war and peace.

Recent public remarks suggesting the possibility of taking Greenland may have been offered casually, but their impact was anything but casual. Denmark is not simply a distant nation with an icy island. It is a NATO ally, bound to us by a Senateratified treaty that has shaped the security of the Western world for more than seventyfive years. When an American president muses publicly about seizing territory from a NATO partner, even in jest, it sends tremors through the very structure that has kept the peace for generations.

NATO is not a club. It is not a handshake agreement. It is a solemn commitment, entered into by the United States with the full constitutional authority of the Senate. It has protected American lives through the Cold War, the long struggle against terrorism, and every major crisis of the modern era. After the attacks of 9/11, it was our allies, not just Denmark, but the entire alliance, who invoked Article 5 in our defense. They stood with us when we needed them most. They deserve clarity, steadiness, and respect in return.

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When loose talk undermines that trust, the damage is not theoretical. It is real. It emboldens adversaries who benefit from division. It unsettles allies who depend on our reliability. And it weakens the very idea that the United States is a nation whose word can be counted on, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office.

This is not a partisan concern. It is a constitutional one. The framers understood the dangers of allowing a single individual to wield unchecked authority over war and peace. That is why the power to declare war rests with Congress. That is why treaties require Senate approval. That is why presidents of both parties have historically spoken with care when addressing matters that could be interpreted as threats or provocations.

We forget this at our peril.

The United States cannot afford to treat alliances as disposable or treaties as optional. We cannot afford to speak lightly about military action against nations who have stood beside us for generations. And we cannot afford to allow the constitutional balance of powers to erode through neglect or indifference.

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Congress has a responsibility. Not to score political points, but to steady the ship. To reaffirm its constitutional authority over war powers. To make clear that no president of any party may threaten or contemplate military action against a NATO partner without congressional authorization. To remind the world that the United States remains a nation of laws, not whims.

I write this not as a partisan, but as a pastor, a citizen, and a man who remembers what it felt like to live under the constant possibility of global conflict. I remember the drills, the headlines, the quiet fear that sat beneath the surface of daily life. I also remember the relief that came from knowing that our alliances were strong, our commitments were clear, and our leaders understood the weight of their words.

We are living in a moment when that steadiness is needed again. The world is watching how we uphold our commitments. Our allies must know that the United States remains a dependable partner. Our adversaries must see that our institutions still function as intended. And our own citizens must be reminded that constitutional limits are not inconveniences, they are safeguards.

We cannot sleepwalk through this moment. We cannot assume that the stability we inherited will simply continue on its own. Stability is maintained through vigilance, humility, and respect for the structures that have protected us for generations.

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The Cold War taught us that peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of commitment. It is the willingness of nations to stand together, to honor their treaties, and to speak with care in a world where words can move armies and unsettle continents. We owe it to ourselves, and to the generations who will follow, to protect that peace with the seriousness it deserves.

Opinion: Is US a nation of laws or a nation governed by whims of 1?

Opinion: US under democracy takeover, Constitutional rights erosion

Reverend Warren Jack Lunsford is a United Methodist pastor in Western North Carolina and a resident of Mars Hill, NC.

Reverend Warren Jack Lunsford

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NATO is solemn commitment by the US and our allies, not a club
US President Donald Trump on Saturday appeared to be partially walking back remarks on the role of non-US NATO troops in Afghanistan amid growing outrage from European allies.

But Trump's claim in a Fox News interview that NATO sent "some troops" but "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines" brought fresh condemnation Saturday.

He offered an olive branch to Britain after an angry response to his comments earlier in the week, praising British soldiers.

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On Saturday, a day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned his remarks as "appalling", he appeared to have changed position -- at least as far as British troops were concerned.

"The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America!" Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

"In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It's a bond too strong to ever be broken."

As Trump released his latest statement, in London a Downing Street spokesperson said Starmer had discussed the issue during a call with Trump on Saturday.

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"The Prime Minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home," said a Downing Street spokesperson. "We must never forget their sacrifice."

- 'Unacceptable': Meloni -

But Britain was not the only NATO ally to express anger at Trump's earlier remarks, as other European leaders reacted sharply Saturday, recalling the sacrifices their soldiers had made.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her government's astonishment at Trump's comments.

During the nearly 20 years of NATO operations in Afghanistan, "our nation paid a cost that is beyond dispute: 53 Italian soldiers killed and more than 700 wounded", she said in a statement.

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"For this reason, statements that downplay the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially when they come from an allied Nation," she added.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk recalled attending a farewell ceremony for five fallen Polish soldiers in Afghanistan in 2011.

"The American officers who accompanied me then, told me that America would never forget the Polish heroes," he wrote in a post on X.

"Perhaps they will remind President Trump of that fact."

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday: "These unacceptable comments are not worthy of response.

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"It is to the families of fallen soldiers that the Head of State wishes to offer comfort and reiterate the nation's gratitude."

Some 90 French soldiers died in Afghanistan, according to the French government.

- 'Unacceptable' -

Danish Prime Minister Mette said Saturday on Facebook: "I fully understand that Danish veterans have said no words can describe how much this hurts.

"It is unacceptable that the American president questions the commitment of allied soldiers in Afghanistan," she added.

"Denmark is one of the NATO countries that has suffered the highest losses per capita," the Danish prime minister pointed out.

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The country's population was about 5.4 million in 2003 and, according to the Danish news agency Ritzau, around 12,000 Danish soldiers and civilians were sent to Afghanistan over the years.

Danish veterans have called for a silent march in Copenhagen on January 31 to protest Trump's remarks.

On Friday, Starmer had said: "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."

The White House had initially rejected Starmer's comments.

"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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- A 'heavy price' -

Following the 9/11 attacks, Britain and a number of other allies joined the United States from 2001 in Afghanistan after Washington -- for the first time -- invoked NATO's collective security clause.

As well as Britain, France, Denmark, Italy and Poland, troops from other NATO ally countries including Canada, the Netherlands and Germany were also killed.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius recalled the "heavy price" his country paid, stressing that "our army was ready when our American allies asked for support" in 2001.

"Many wounded are still suffering today from the physical and psychological consequences of that period," he added.

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Trump's comments follow a bruising transatlantic crisis over his threats to seize Greenland -- an autonomous Danish territory -- now seemingly defused.

The US president on Wednesday backed away from threatened tariffs on Europe for opposing his claims on the Arctic island.

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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Something new is brewing in Panama City.

A local coffee shop opened a new location in downtown Panama City.

The Panama City Coffee Company opened a new location on Harrison Avenue and hosted a grand opening on Saturday.

The company was started in 2020 by Daniel Pratt.

Customers were able to get a free tote bag with their purchases during the grand opening.

Pratt says he started serving coffee by himself until the operation grew and he was able to add more staff and more locations.

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Join Annual Torch Run 5K at FSU Panama City

The heart behind this was starting this in 20, 20, when this town needed a lot of help. Weve come a long way, but just the energy, the feeling of the town was depressing because we just had Hurricane Michael. And when citizens do their part, they just pursue their dreams. And it helps everybody else around. We all benefit when people do what theyre good at. So this was started as my way of just giving back to the community. Its kind of fun with a bike, and then became too much for a one-man show, and its just kind of grown from there, Pratt said.

The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Panama City Coffee Company can be found in three different locations in Panama City. The current locations are on Thomas Drive, Harrison Avenue, and HCA Hospital.

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The company is looking to add more locations later this year by starting franchises.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
Tens of thousands of people in Mozambique are being rescued as rising waters continue to devastate the southern African nation - the worst flooding in a generation.

Teams from Brazil, South Africa and the UK have been helping with life-saving rescue operations.

"For me, this is the first time I have experienced a calamity of this magnitude. Elders say a similar disaster took place in the 1990s," 24-year-old mechanic Tomaz Antonio Mlau says.

Many areas of south and central Mozambique are under water after two weeks of continuous downpours [EPA/Shutterstock]

Mlau and his family, who live near Marracuene - a town 30km (19 miles) north of the capital, Maputo - woke up to find their house inundated after the Inkomati River burst its banks.

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"When a rescue boat came a few hours afterwards, we did not hesitate to board it and come to safety in Marracuene town," he said, adding they had to abandon all their belongings and only managed to bring a change of clothes.

Mlau, his wife and two children have found refuge at one of six centres - schools and churches - that are so far sheltering about 4,000 people.

"We lost everything in the flood waters, including houses, TV sets, fridges, clothing and livestock - cattle, goats and pigs"", Source: Francisco Fernando Chivindzi, 67, a farmer sheltering at Gwazamutini Secondary School , Source description: , Image: Francisco Fernando Chivindzi

Many of those gathered at Gwazamutini Secondary School are farmers from the low-lying areas with livestock and rice fields.

"We lost everything in the floodwaters, including houses, TV sets, fridges, clothing and livestock - cattle, goats and pigs. Our farms are under water. I am a farmer. I grow quality rice," 67-year-old Francisco Fernando Chivindzi told me.

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His home is in Hobjana, one of several flooded neighbourhoods between the left bank of the Incomati River and the coastal tourism resort of Macaneta. Marracuene town is on the river's right bank.

More than 650,000 people have been affected by the rising water [EPA/Shutterstock]

"The floodwaters reached heights we weren't expecting. We have never experienced this level of flooding in my lifetime," Chivindzi said.

"We are happy to be here on higher ground. However, we are very worried that all our belongings were left behind."

The farmer expressed his gratitude to the boat owners who came to assist him and his neighbours free of charge - and he urged others to save themselves.

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"We hear that there are still some people resisting - clinging to treetops and on roofs. I wish they would heed the rescuers and join us here in this temporary shelter. We should value life more than the goods," the father of nine said.

Some people are reluctant to leave their property even though the water is continuing to rise [Reuters]

This was a view echoed by Shafee Sidat, the mayor of the Marracuene municipality, as he visited Gwazamutini Secondary School on Saturday.

"We still have people to rescue, some of whom refuse to abandon the risk areas. That's a challenge. We reckon that more than 10,000 people are affected in Marracuene as a whole," he told me.

At least 642,122 people have been affected since 7 January by flooding - particularly in southern and central regions, with 12 deaths recorded so far, according to provisional data from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction.

The worry is that Inkomati River will be deluged with more waters released from a dam in South Africa [Jose Tembe/BBC]

In total 125 people have died in Mozambique since the rainy season began in October.

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Mayor Sidat fears the situation is likely to get worse because of heavy rain in neighbouring South Africa, the source of the Inkomati River.

"We are worried about discharges of a South African dam on the Inkomati River. Our town is the last one downstream," the mayor said.

"Before the waters flow into the Indian Ocean, they flood the 'machambas' (farmlands), homes and grazing areas here in the low-lying zones."

The military has been overseeing rescue efforts [Reuters]

Some aerial views show water as far as the eye can see. Hundreds of families remain cut off.

All vehicles have now been banned from roads between the provinces of Maputo and Gaza to the north.

Main roads have been cut off in the south of the country [AFP/Getty Images]

Transport Minister Joao Matlombe said it was because main roads, in particular the N1 highway which runs the whole length of the country and is the only link to the north, were flooded.

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The suspension is already leading to shortages and price hikes, including of basic foodstuffs, coconut and fuel - even as far away as the north-western city of Tete, more than 1,500km from Maputo.

Many of those rescued have only only been able to bring a small bag of belongings with them [EPA/Shutterstock]

For those at shelters in Marracuene, food is also a challenge.

"There isn't yet enough food to eat," said Aninha Vicente Mivinga, whose two children are aged two and five.

"On the first day this Friday, there was almost nothing to eat. It was painful to see children sleeping without anything to eat, except biscuits. Today things improved," she said.

"It is the first time since I was born that we've been affected by flooding of this dimension"", Source: Aninha Vicente Mivinga, 32, a police officer staying at Gwazamutini Secondary School, Source description: , Image:

Mivinga, who is a police officer and farms in her spare time, described how she was at work in Marracuene town when the floods hit at her home in Hobjana.

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The 32-year-old had taken the precaution of taking her children to stay with family members who lived on higher ground because of the continuous rain, but even they were affected by the rising waters.

"To learn that my children and other members of the family were on floodwaters and at risk of dying was horrific. I was devastated and completely shaken," the officer said.

"Eventually my relatives were brought to safety.

Some people are not sure whether to return to their homes when the waters subside [Reuters]

"It is the first time since I was born that we've been affected by flooding of this dimension."

Mivinga said that students were meant to resume classes soon - and she would like the authorities to find permanent alternative accommodation for them.

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Hundreds of people are currently camping down in the classrooms using a traditional wrap cloth as bedding on which to lie down.

Mayor Shafee Sidat, in a green T-shirt, visited Gwazamutini Secondary School on Saturday to oversee aid efforts [Jose Tembe/BBC]

"When floodwaters subside, I believe everyone would love to go back home, but it's too risky. If only the authorities could give us another place on safer ground. We would go back to the risky area only for farming purposes but live on safer ground," the police officer said.

Education Minister Samaria Tovela has already hinted that the cabinet is to consider rescheduling the start of the 2026 academic year, originally planned to begin next week, "to allow flood victims to continue using them as accommodation centres, especially in the provinces of Maputo and Gaza, the most affected at the moment".

Areas of the capital, Maputo, are also under water [EPA/Shutterstock]

Chivindzi, who is not sure that the floodwaters will recede before schools resume, is determined to return home.

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"We'll restart life from scratch," the farmer says.

Mlau, who is unable to get to the garage where he works, is less sure of the future and the risks of starting again in the same place.

"Even if waters subside, I am not sure I'll go back there."

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Highway 51 has reopened following a water main break during Sundays ice storm.

The Pineville Police Department announced the closure between Downs Road and the South Carolina state line just before 6:30 a.m.

>>>LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES

A thin layer of ice is forming on local roadways, officials said, and they encouraged extreme caution to motorists.

Officials asked residents for patience and discouraged travel unless necessary.

Pineville, North Carolina. Just took these off 51. There was a water main break earlier. Nearby power lines are weighed down by ice @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/Vzps1wKHvP  Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) January 25, 2026

Charlotte Water has shut off a service line to the new development, but crews are no longer on scene as the line has yet to be turned over to the city, according to Pineville officials.

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While its unclear when the developer will complete the necessary repairs, Charlotte Water says no residents will be affected by the water outage.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH: Crews respond to trees on power lines in east Charlotte community
A severe winter storm that brought crippling freezing rain, sleet and snow to a large part of the U.S. in late January 2026 left a mess in states from New Mexico to New England. Hundreds of thousands of people lost power across the South as ice pulled down tree branches and power lines, more than a foot of snow fell in parts of the Midwest and Northeast, and many states faced bitter cold that was expected to linger for days.

The sudden blast may have come as a shock to many Americans after a mostly mild start to winter, but that warmth may have partly contributed to the ferocity of the storm.

As atmospheric and climate scientists, we conduct research that aims to improve understanding of extreme weather, including what makes it more or less likely to occur and how climate change might or might not play a role.

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To understand what Americans are experiencing with this winter blast, we need to look more than 20 miles above the surface of Earth, to the stratospheric polar vortex.

On the morning of Jan. 26, 2026, the freezing line, shown in white, reached far into Texas. The light band with arrows indicates the jet stream, and the dark band indicates the stratospheric polar vortex. The jet stream is shown at about 3.5 miles above the surface, a typical height for tracking storm systems. The polar vortex is approximately 20 miles above the surface. Mathew Barlow, CC BY

What creates a severe winter storm like this?

Multiple weather factors have to come together to produce such a large and severe storm.

Winter storms typically develop where there are sharp temperature contrasts near the surface and a southward dip in the jet stream, the narrow band of fast-moving air that steers weather systems. If there is a substantial source of moisture, the storms can produce heavy rain or snow.

In late January, a strong Arctic air mass from the north was creating the temperature contrast with warmer air from the south. Multiple disturbances within the jet stream were acting together to create favorable conditions for precipitation, and the storm system was able to pull moisture from the very warm Gulf of Mexico.

The National Weather Service issued severe storm warnings (pink) on Jan. 24, 2026, for a large swath of the U.S. that could see sleet and heavy snow over the following days, along with ice storm warnings (dark purple) in several states and extreme cold warnings (dark blue). National Weather Service

Where does the polar vortex come in?

The fastest winds of the jet stream occur just below the top of the troposphere, which is the lowest level of the atmosphere and ends about seven miles above Earths surface. Weather systems are capped at the top of the troposphere, because the atmosphere above it becomes very stable.

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The stratosphere is the next layer up, from about seven miles to about 30 miles. While the stratosphere extends high above weather systems, it can still interact with them through atmospheric waves that move up and down in the atmosphere. These waves are similar to the waves in the jet stream that cause it to dip southward, but they move vertically instead of horizontally.

A chart shows how temperatures in the lower layers of the atmosphere change between the troposphere and stratosphere. Miles are on the right, kilometers on the left. NOAA

Youve probably heard the term polar vortex used when an area of cold Arctic air moves far enough southward to influence the United States. That term describes air circulating around the pole, but it can refer to two different circulations, one in the troposphere and one in the stratosphere.

The Northern Hemisphere stratospheric polar vortex is a belt of fast-moving air circulating around the North Pole. It is like a second jet stream, high above the one you may be familiar with from weather graphics, and usually less wavy and closer to the pole.

Sometimes the stratospheric polar vortex can stretch southward over the United States. When that happens, it creates ideal conditions for the up-and-down movement of waves that connect the stratosphere with severe winter weather at the surface.

A stretched stratospheric polar vortex reflects upward waves back down, left, which affects the jet stream and surface weather, right. Mathew Barlow and Judah Cohen, CC BY

The forecast for the January storm showed a close overlap between the southward stretch of the stratospheric polar vortex and the jet stream over the U.S., indicating perfect conditions for cold and snow.

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The biggest swings in the jet stream are associated with the most energy. Under the right conditions, that energy can bounce off the polar vortex back down into the troposphere, exaggerating the north-south swings of the jet stream across North America and making severe winter weather more likely.

This is what was happening in late January 2026 in the central and eastern U.S.

If the climate is warming, why are we still getting severe winter storms?

Earth is unequivocally warming as human activities release greenhouse gas emissions that trap heat in the atmosphere, and snow amounts are decreasing overall. But that does not mean severe winter weather will never happen again.

Some research suggests that even in a warming environment, cold events, while occurring less frequently, may still remain relatively severe in some locations.

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One factor may be increasing disruptions to the stratospheric polar vortex, which appear to be linked to the rapid warming of the Arctic with climate change.

The polar vortex is a strong band of winds in the stratosphere, normally ringing the North Pole. When it weakens, it can split. The polar jet stream can mirror this upheaval, becoming weaker or wavy. At the surface, cold air is pushed southward in some locations. NOAA

Additionally, a warmer ocean leads to more evaporation, and because a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, that means more moisture is available for storms. The process of moisture condensing into rain or snow produces energy for storms as well. However, warming can also reduce the strength of storms by reducing temperature contrasts.

The opposing effects make it complicated to assess the potential change to average storm strength. However, intense events do not necessarily change in the same way as average events. On balance, it appears that the most intense winter storms may be becoming more intense.

A warmer environment also increases the likelihood that precipitation that would have fallen as snow in previous winters may now be more likely to fall as sleet and freezing rain.

There are still many questions

Scientists are constantly improving the ability to predict and respond to these severe weather events, but there are many questions still to answer.

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Much of the data and research in the field relies on a foundation of work by federal employees, including government labs like the National Center for Atmospheric Research, known as NCAR, which has been targeted by the Trump administration for funding cuts. These scientists help develop the crucial models, measuring instruments and data that scientists and forecasters everywhere depend on.

This article, originally published Jan. 24, 2026, has been updated with details from the weekend storm.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Mathew Barlow, UMass Lowell and Judah Cohen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Read more:



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Mathew Barlow has received federal funding for research on extreme events and also conducts legal consulting related to climate change..

Judah Cohen does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., speaks at the Florida Capitol on Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix)

The assault of a Florida congressman at a Sundance party is being investigated as a possible hate crime after police say a man sneaked in, made racially charged remarks, and punched the lawmaker in the face.

Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., said in a social media post that the man who assaulted him late Friday told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off.

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In a statement, the Sundance Film Festival condemned the assault  which happened at a non-Festival-affiliated event  and said it abhors any form of violence, harassment, and hate speech.

The safety and security of our festival attendees is always our chief concern, and our thoughts are with Congressman Frost and his continued well-being. We encourage anyone with additional information on this matter to contact the Park City Police Department, the statement said.

According to a police affidavit, Christian Joel Young, 28, had approached Frost and a friend at a private party at High West Distillery in Park City, Utah, and began making weird conversations and comments referring to their race. When they went to step away, the affidavit says, Young put his arms around their necks like he was hugging them and pulled them in close, saying we are going to deport you and your kind.

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Shocked, the two pushed Young away, who then yelled a racial slur and punched Frost in the face before running into the crowd, the affidavit says.

The affidavit says Young then approached a woman and her friend by the bar, but when the two stopped engaging with him as the conversation became inappropriate and racially charged, Young grabbed her shoulder, pushed her against the bar and yelled You are the kind we are going to deport. Youre being deported.

A man who witnessed the encounter caught Young and held him until event security arrived. Security members told police Young had been denied entry to the bar, then was seen jumping a fence set up for the private event. When security approached, he jumped back out and ran away. Security members didnt know how he sneaked back in.

Police who questioned Young said he told them he didnt remember what happened and that he didnt know his name, but when officers called him by his name he responded, indicating his answers were intentionally evasive and not due to impairment, according to the affidavit. Staff at the bar told police Young had ordered only two drinks before they stopped serving him due to erratic behavior.

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Police also confiscated a Sundance Film Festival administrative access pass in someone elses name from Young.

Young was booked into Summit County Jail under investigation of assaulting a government official and assault of the woman at the party, with both racially charged incidents being screened for a hate crime enhancement, according to the affidavit. Young is also being investigated for aggravated burglary for allegedly entering the bar unlawfully.

An attorney for Young was not listed. He is being held without an option to post bail.

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You can find live updates about the winter storm and what is happening on Sunday, Jan. 25, here.

Snow and ice expected to impact Western North Carolina moved into the area late on Saturday, Jan. 24, and is expected to cause large impacts on Sunday. Jan. 25.

A storm system has engulfed much of the South and threatens to affect millions more as it continues to move northeast, dumping ice, snow and sleet over communities. Western North Carolina is expected to see conditions that could mean prolonged power outages.

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You can keep up with the latest conditions and if power outages begin to occur in communities across the North Carolina mountains below.

Tips to keep warm: How to keep warm if the power goes out. What North Carolina needs to know

Power outage map Asheville, Western North Carolina

Thousands of people are without power in Western North Carolina as a winter ice storm continues to move through the state.

This USA Today map below updates every 15 minutes.

Asheville, Western NC weather radar

North Carolina weather watches and warnings

 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events in your area

Download the free Citizen-Times app and turn on Notifications to get breaking news updates on the winter storm. Prefer email news alerts? Sign up for those here.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Where is the power out? Asheville, Western NC power outage map
According to WB BJP, the State Sankalpa Patra Committee comprises 11 members, with party leader Tapas Roy serving as the Chairman. Dr Ashok Lahiri, MLA, serves as the Convener and Agnimitra Paul, MLA, is the Co-Convener. The members are Dr Chittaranjan Mandal, Manoj Tigga, MP, Dr Swapan Dasgupta, Shishir Bajoria, Dr Amalkanti Ray, Vaishali Dalmia, Dr Anirban Ganguly, and advocate Debjit Sarkar.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah will visit West Bengal on January 30 and 31. During his two-day tour, Amit Shah is expected to hold important organisational and political meetings, further energising the party cadre and reviewing preparations for the upcoming political challenges in the state.

BJP's newly-appointed National President Nitin Nabin will be on his first official visit to West Bengal on January 27 and 28, during which he will participate in a series of key organisational meetings aimed at strengthening the party's grassroots framework ahead of the state assembly elections. Nitin Nabin will chair a State Core Team Meeting in Durgapur on January 27, focusing on organisational strategy, political roadmap, and upcoming programmes.

On January 28, Nabin will attend the Bardhaman Bibhag Karyakarta Sammelan at Chitralaya Mela Maidan, Purba Bardhaman, where he will interact with party workers. Later in the afternoon, he will participate in the Asansol District Karyakarta Meeting in Raniganj, addressing organisational issues and guiding party workers at the district level.

The back-to-back visits of senior BJP leaders underline the party's focused efforts to strengthen its organisation and sharpen its political strategy in West Bengal.

This comes as the BJP aims to emerge as the single-largest party in the upcoming West Bengal elections and end Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's 14 years of rule. (ANI)
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for several states, including Louisiana, on Saturday afternoon amid a major winter storm that is impacting much of the United States.

In a post to the social media platform Truth Social, the president wrote, I have just approved Emergency Declarations for Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia. We are working closely with FEMA, Governors, and State Emergency Management teams to ensure the safety of everybody. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm!

LIST: Closings, delays for schools, offices, and businesses due to winter storm

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When the president approves an emergency declaration, it means the federal government is officially stepping in to help a state deal with a serious situation such as severe weather, flooding, or other crises. Money becomes available for evacuations, sheltering, debris removal, and emergency repairs.

In response, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry thanked the President for his efforts.

Thank you, @realDonaldTrump, for approving Louisianas Emergency Declaration! Your action helps ensure we have the resources needed to protect our people and support recovery efforts statewide, Landry wrote on social media.

Latest News

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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 Louisiana First News.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  President Donald Trump has approved Arkansas request for federal assistance in response to statewide severe winter weather that began Friday, Jan. 23.

Under the emergency declaration, Arkansas will receive federal teams and equipment to respond to the storm and clear snow, ice and other hazards across the state, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders office announced on Jan. 24.

All of Arkansas is grateful to President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem for their work to prepare our state for this weekends severe winter weather, Gov. Sanders said in a news release. We have already deployed state resources around Arkansas and with this additional federal support, well have greater capacity to assist Arkansans in need.

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How cold could it get in Northwest Arkansas, the River Valley this weekend?

The Your Weather Authority Team will be covering the winter storm from beginning to end on KNWA, FOX24 and 479 First.

479 First is available on the KNWA/FOX24 App, which can be downloaded on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Former US president Barack Obama was among those condemning the second fatal shooting of a civilian by US immigration officers in the space of two weeks, telling citizens on Sunday they were right to be outraged.

"The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault," Obama said in a post on X in response to the shooting in the US city of Minneapolis on Saturday.

"For weeks now, people across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE recruits and other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city."

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California Governor Gavin Newsom earlier called for the dismissal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and of Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino.

"Kristi Noem must RESIGN. Greg Bovino must be FIRED," Newsom said on X. "Suspend the LAWLESS mass deportation raids nationwide NOW  ICE is no longer just deporting dangerous criminals," Newsom asserted.

In addition, Democrats in the US Senate threatened to block budget funds for the Department of Homeland Security.

In the wake of the death of Pretti, a white 37-year-old nurse who worked at a veterans hospital, renewed protests broke out in Minneapolis against deportation raids and the suppression of peaceful resistance to them.

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The killing comes just two weeks after 37-year-old Renee Good was shot in her car by federal agents in the same city, prompting demonstrations across the country after videos appeared to contradict authorities' claims that agents were in mortal danger during the incident.

ICE, Border Patrol, State Patrol and Minneapolis PD agents clash with protestors during a demonstration after another fatal shooting by a federal agent in Minneapolis. Holden Smith/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A man from Raleigh County was arrested and faces multiple charges that include Second-Degree Arson.

According to a post on the Raleigh County Sheriffs Offices Facebook page, Anthony Gump, of Beckley, was arrested and faces charges that include Second-Degree Arson, Destruction of Property Exceeding $2,500, Grand Larceny, and Breaking and Entering.

Raleigh County man sentenced for Second-Degree Murder

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The post stated that members of the Raleigh County Sheriffs Office responded to a smoke alarm at Pasquales on Thursday, January 22, 2026, and discovered smoke coming from the back door. A criminal investigation was started after it was found that the office was broken into.

According to the post, Gump was arrested and is being held at Southern Regional Jail with a $100,000 bond.

The post stated that the Raleigh County Sheriffs Office, Beckley Police Department, Wyoming County Sheriffs Office, Mullens Police Department, and the State Fire Marshal were involved with the investigation.

According to the post from the Raleigh County Sheriffs Office, all suspects are thought to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Stick with 59News for additional news, weather, and more.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
As a young man, George Thawmoo repeatedly fled his rural village in Burma, taking refuge in the jungle with his family until the Burmese government had retrenched. As soldiers left, they would set fires and burn the bamboo huts that his people  the ethnic Karen  called home.

In 1997, Thawmoo and his 4-month-old son landed at a refugee camp in Thailand, not far from the Burmese border, from where he would later take college courses through an international institute. Life was hard, and Thai police frequently extorted Karen refugees for forced bribes, but he eventually found work as an interpreter for the U.S. State Department, where he met and married his wife, an American.

In Minnesota, he found new opportunities, and life got better.

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Thawmoo, now 50 and living in St. Paul, where hes raised five children, had figured the days of government crackdowns based on his ethnicity were well behind him.

Hes been proven wrong, he said, and so have the more than 20,000 Karen refugees living in Minnesota as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rolls out detentions and door-to-door immigration enforcement throughout the state. For many refugees of all backgrounds, confronting the same types of militarized operations and detainments that made them flee their homelands has been retraumatizing.

In three weeks, federal agents have been involved in as many shootings in Minneapolis. Alex Pretti was fatally shot Saturday by ICE agents in south Minneapolis, wile Renee Good was killed on Jan. 7. There also was a man shot by federal agents in the leg in North Minneapolis. In those cases federal authorities say they were defending their lives, though local officials dispute this.

The community is overwhelmed and scared, said Thawmoo, noting some of his childrens classmates and their parents no longer leave the house. I think some people are going to lose their housing because they cant go to work. If kids arent going to school, thats going to impact their education.

Im concerned for my safety

The federal government recently announced that Temporary Protected Status for Karen refugees would end Jan. 26, despite Burmas ongoing civil war and the military coup that overthrew the government in February 2021.

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This is the first time since I moved here that Im concerned for my safety, said Thawmoo, a naturalized U.S. citizen. Im debating, should I carry my passport? If they stop me for some reason, do I just comply? These are things you never thought of happening in America because of the rule of law and principles of free speech.

Alison Beckman, a clinical social worker with the Center for Victims of Torture in St. Paul, said similar thoughts are racing through the minds of asylum-seekers of all backgrounds who had assumed the worst was behind them when they landed in the U.S., which loomed for many as a beacon of democratic freedom.

This is exactly what our clients have fled from, said Beckman, who is also a trained legal observer with the Immigrant Defense Network. Were seeing increased suicidal ideation. Our clients are afraid to go to work. Theyre not leaving their apartments, their homes. Theyre not going to religious services. Its pretty awful.

I thought I had left all this behind me

On a recent Friday evening, a St. Paul man who has been living in the U.S. for more than 20 years under Temporary Protected Status blinked back tears of disbelief as he described the moments of hope and despair he feels throughout the day, every day.

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I thought I had left all this behind me in Venezuela, he said.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, who is Hmong, has raised similar concerns after meeting with Hmong and Latino shopkeepers, many of whom no longer see their regular customers, who rarely leave the house. Older refugees who hold U.S. citizenship fear they dont have the language skills to explain that to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

One person shared with me that their family members who survived the Secret War in Laos are more scared now than they were at the end of the Vietnam War, wrote Her, in a recent Facebook post. One woman, who is a U.S. citizen, went to the hospital because she had a severe anxiety attack from the fear.

Asylum applicants

Beckman noted the majority of the clients she sees at the Center for Victims of Torture have applied for asylum, a legal immigration process.

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Many arrive in the U.S. with psychological scars from the repression theyve faced and guilt over the loved ones theyve left behind, she said. Now theyve been retraumatized by the unprecedented and unjustified militarized enforcement that has happened all over the country and moved here. Its created this climate of terror. Its totally unnecessary. My kids friends are carrying their passports around and they were born here as citizens.

Even some conservative pundits have begun to criticize the tactics of ICE, with podcaster Joe Rogan saying last week: You dont want militarized people in the streets just roaming around snatching people up, many of which turn out to actually be U.S. citizens that just dont have their papers on them. Are we really going to be the Gestapo? Wheres your papers? Is that what weve come to?

At a news conference Tuesday, U.S. Border Patrol head Greg Bovino downplayed concerns about reports of citizens or others uninvolved in enforcement operations or protests being arrested by federal agents.

They are not random and they are not political. They are about removing criminals who are actively harming Minneapolis neighborhoods, Bovino said of ICE operations.

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Nevertheless, Thawmoo, a co-chair of the Karen Organization of Minnesota, said while ethnic Karen in Thailand were often extorted when he lived there, they didnt necessary live in fear of violence at the hands of Thai police. In some cases, ICE detainments of the past few weeks have been worse.

Thawmoo joined his son and daughter on Jan. 14 for a rally outside the Minnesota State Capitol, which he said the teens were eager to attend. His goal, he said, went beyond protesting militarized ICE tactics. He hopes to stand up to his own fears and help others in his community do the same.

A lot of us have a collective experience of fear, Thawmoo said. We thought we were done with it. We came here, were done, this is the greatest country. I guess Im wrong.

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Virginias new Democratic governor said the commonwealth will return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state compact designed to disincentivize carbon dioxide emissions.

Republicans say the transition will mean an increased financial burden on taxpayers.

But environmental advocates say the costs are offset by spending on flood mitigation and cost savings for low-income Virginians.

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Heres a look at the costs and benefits of rejoining RGGI.

What is RGGI?

RGGI is an agreement among 10 states  Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont  designed to disincentivize carbon dioxide emissions.

Those states hold quarterly auctions where energy producers must purchase an allowance for each metric ton of emissions. The total number of allowances decreases over time. The money generated by states through the auctions gets reinvested into initiatives such as clean energy infrastructure and climate resiliency.

Virginia was a part of RGGI between 2020 and 23, when Gov. Glenn Youngkin pulled the state out of the compact, citing increased costs to energy consumers for too little payoff. A judge later ruled the move was illegal because the program had been created by the General Assembly. But Virginia has remained out of RGGI while the case made its way through the courts.

Who pays for RGGI?

When Virginia was a part of RGGI, utility companies like Dominion Energy were obligated to pay for allowances for emissions generated from natural gas power plants, such as the Elizabeth River plant in Chesapeake. Those companies could pass the costs along to energy customers.

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When Virginia left RGGI in December 2023, the average residential customer was paying about $4.40 a month in whats called a rider  a separate, line item cost in addition to the base rate  to cover the cost, according to Dominion.

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Its not clear how much Virginians would pay now for RGGI because the price is determined through the auctions and dictated by supply and demand. But in general, the prices for credits have gone up.

When Virginia left, the last auction was about $15 per allowance, and the auction that was held back last month was almost $27 per allowance, said Steve Haner, senior fellow for environment and energy policy at the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, a conservative think tank. Thats a pretty substantial increase in two years.

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The last year Virginia was in RGGI, it sold more than 22 million allowances. At $26.73 per allowance, that could add up to $540 million or more a year in revenue the state would take in from the power companies.

Its an economic reality that businesses can pass along their costs (to consumers), Haner said.

Where does the money go?

In Virginia, half of the funds generated through RGGI auctions went to the High Energy Efficiency Fund, which pays for energy efficiency upgrades to residential buildings with the goal of bringing down energy bills for low-income Virginians. Another 45% of funds went to the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, which offered millions in grants to Hampton Roads cities in flooding prevention projects. The remaining 5% went to administrative costs.

The flood fund has awarded more than $315 million for resilience and mitigation projects across the state since 2021, according to the Virginia Department of Conversation and Recreation.

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When Virginia withdrew from RGGI, the state bankrolled the flood fund, appropriating money from the general fund.

The General Assembly had to go to general funds and commit $100 million to backfill, said Jay Ford, Virginia policy manager at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. That $100 million paled in comparison to what we would have taken in auction proceeds over the same time period.

The immediate consequence is that localities who had been dependent upon what was consistent, dedicated funding found that all of sudden their projects may have to wait years for adequate funding because we simply dont have as much to go around.

In the time Virginia was in RGGI, it generated nearly $828 million in revenue.

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Ford described the rider as a minor fee in exchange for major transformational investments in communities.

Investments in flood mitigation at the community scale and targeted energy relief for low-income Virginians far outweighs the RGGI rider, Ford said.

There are other financial tradeoffs too, Ford said. In Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore, sunny day flooding resulting in school closures amounts to financial strain for families that have to scramble to find child care or take off from work. Businesses cant move the goods they need. And significant flooding can affect military readiness in the region.

And if projects get delayed, they get more expensive, Ford said.

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Every time we kick the can, every time we do a $35 million grant round instead of a $100 million grant round, those projects all become more expensive every single time we put them off, he said. It gets even worse when you contemplate the whole point of these funds in the first place, which is to make our communities resilient in the face of a potential disaster.

Were a disaster to occur, and we had been pumping the brakes on funding these programs, its a tragedy. Its also a financial tragedy for the state of Virginia.

The total cost for a large-scale flood protection project in Virginia Beach, for example, has nearly doubled in cost to $1 billion since bonds for the project were approved in 2021.

Does RGGI work at reducing emissions?

Virginias power sector carbon emissions declined by 22% between 2020 and 2023 according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Between 2023 and 2024, emissions levels increased by 20.5%.

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The data was only available for three quarters of 2025, but if emissions continued at the same rate for the remainder of the year, they would have surpassed 2020 levels.

Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881, kate.seltzer@virginiamedia.com
Rep. Maxwell Frost, who represents the 10th Congressional District of Florida, said he was assaulted at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Friday night after claiming a man punched him and shouted racist remarks.

According to a post on X, the man who was later arrested told the congressman that President Donald Trump was going to deport him moments before the attack.

Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.



Thank you to the venue security and https://t.co/Nhpj5rl3JO  Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@RepMaxwellFrost) January 24, 2026

According to the Park City Police Department, the incident occurred at the High West Saloon during a private party.

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The suspect, Christian Young, unlawfully entered the party after being denied entry for not having an invitation.

Once inside the saloon, Young assaulted Congressman Frost and a female who attended the event, according to PCPD.

Frost thanked the venues security and the Park City Police Department for their response, as he was not seriously injured.

Channel 9 has reached out to the congressmans office for more information.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A small but growing number of Republicans are raising public concerns about the killing Saturday of a 37-year-old Minnesota man by federal agents.

Hours after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on a Minneapolis street, one House GOP chair called for the top Immigration and Customs Enforcement leader and other Trump administration officials to publicly answer lawmakers questions. GOP Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina called for independent probes into the shooting, with Cassidy arguing the integrity of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are at stake.

Another House GOP chair appeared to suggest President Donald Trump should withdraw from Minneapolis and send the agents there to another city.

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"If I were President Trump, I would almost think about, OK, if the mayor and governor are going put our ICE officials in harm's way and there's a chance of losing more innocent lives, or whatever, then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide: Do we want to continue to have all of these illegals? Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said Sunday on Fox News, adding that he expected Minnesotans to rebel against their leadership.

However gentle and equivocal the pushback might be, it is growing increasingly conspicuous as congressional Republicans privately discuss how to respond to Trumps aggressive immigration enforcement campaign ahead of the midterm elections. Some Republicans have been privately warning administration officials and GOP leaders for months that the operation is not going over well in some pockets of the country.

Many of us wonder if the administration has any clue as to how much this will hurt us legislatively and electorally this year, said one House Republican granted anonymity to candidly discuss private reactions.

Murkowski said Sunday ICE agents do not have carte blanche in carrying out their duties.

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Lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American  especially, as video footage appears to show, after the victim had been disarmed, she said.

While some of those speaking out are retiring, like Tillis, or known to be at odds with Trump, like Murkowski, not all fit that bill. Rep. Dusty Johnson, who called Sunday for all parties to deescalate, is running in a June GOP primary to be South Dakotas governor.

"As with any officer-involved shooting, this demands a thorough investigation," he wrote on X.

After House Homeland Security Chair Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) called Saturday for ICE, Border Patrol and other DHS officials to testify before his panel, Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.) praised the move, saying it was important the American people and Congress be given a better understanding of how immigration enforcement is being handled.

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Still, most Hill Republicans have not weighed in publicly or are backing the Trump administration, which was quick to argue Pretti was a domestic terrorist intent on massacring federal agents. Eyewitness video shows no evidence he drew his weapon or otherwise threatened agents with deadly force before he was shot.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said in an interview with CBS Face the Nation Sunday that people are not allowed to carry a gun while committing another crime. "And interfering with law enforcement is a felony, he added.

"Peaceful protesters dont have 9mm weapons with two extra magazines, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) said on Fox News, referring to the concealed handgun Pretti had a permit to carry.

The shooting and backlash from Democrats has upended a crucial government funding package that the Senate was expected to pass this week. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Saturday that Democrats wont vote to advance the legislation so long as DHS funding is included, raising the likelihood of a partial shutdown at midnight Friday.

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He called on Republicans Sunday to pass the parts of the package funding other agencies while working with Democrats on "overhauling ICE and CBP to protect the public."

"People should be safe from abuse by their own government," he said.

Amid the uncertainty, some Republicans have privately fretted about the lack of guidance coming from the Trump administration about the shooting. Four GOP lawmakers and several GOP aides noted they had received many more updates from the administration about the weekends major winter storm than the situation in Minneapolis or immigration enforcement operations generally.

Compounding the confusion, a DHS official sent an email alert with incorrect and contradictory information to congressional Republicans about three hours after the shooting Saturday, according to three people with direct knowledge of the message, which POLITICO obtained.

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The email described the incident this morning between US Border Patrol officers and an illegal alien with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, who was wanted for violent assault. But it linked to a DHS social media post that said federal agents were pursuing an illegal alien wanted for violent assault and then an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, referring to Pretti, who was a U.S. citizen.

As Republicans wrangle with the shooting, Democrats are discussing internally how to mount a response  with senators strategizing over the funding bill and House leaders considering options including targeting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with sanctions.

Theres a growing demand in the caucus to impeach Noem, with one purple-district Democrat who voted for DHS funding last week, Rep. Laura Gillen of New York, publicly backing the move shortly after a Sunday morning caucus call.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and state Attorney General Keith Ellison, both former House Democrats, briefed the lawmakers on the private call.

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Walz sounded the alarm over the illegal DHS activity in Minnesota, and he urged everyone to unite and defend the integrity of the victims who are being smeared by the Trump administration, said one House Democrat on the call who was granted anonymity because participants were encouraged not to leak its contents.

This is dark, unthinkable stuff, but I've never seen Democrats more militantly united, the lawmaker added.

Nicholas Wu and Jordain Carney contributed to this report.
When the land dries out, mule deer don't just tough it out  they move. A study published in Ecological Applications found that drought conditions pushed mule deer out of native shrublands and into agricultural and residential areas  places where they are more likely to cause problems for humans.

What's happening?

Researchers followed 41 mule deer across three regions in Utah, comparing their movements during a typical summer and one marked by drought. The shift was immediate.

In the non-drought year, deer spent most of their time in native shrublands, where they could forage naturally. During the drought summer, that changed fast. Use of shrub habitat dropped from about 57% to 44.6%, while time spent in agricultural areas nearly doubled. Irrigated crops like alfalfa became a major draw.

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The study pinpointed why. When evapotranspiration  the rate at which water moves from soil into the air  in shrublands fell below 1.03 millimeters per day, the landscape simply stopped meeting the deer's needs. With native forage drying out, the animals followed the water.

That meant moving closer to farms, roads, and residential areas  places where wildlife encounters don't always end well.

Why is this concerning?

When deer move into towns, farms, and neighborhoods, problems stack up quickly. Crops are damaged. Vehicle collisions become more likely. And predators follow their prey.

"With deer in these urban and agricultural areas, the things that prey on them may follow as well," said study co-author David Stoner, per Utah Public Radio, adding that it creates "yet another layer of hazards."

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Similar situations are popping up in California. Drought is pushing animals closer to towns and neighborhoods, which means more encounters  and more headaches  for the people living there.

This pattern leads to more conflicts with wildlife and can hamper efforts to create a balance between the needs of humans and nature.

What's being done about it?

The goal isn't to control the deer  it's to keep their neighborhoods livable. On public lands, people are planting shrubs again, keeping the usual deer paths clear, and making sure there's enough food and water so the animals don't have to wander into crops.

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

In towns and on farms, a few small changes can go a long way. That means putting up better fences, making roads safer for crossing wildlife, and helping neighbors figure out how to live alongside deer without constant headaches.

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Bottom line: when drought changes the land, deer adapt. Whether that leads to trouble or a more peaceful sharing of space depends on how ready communities are to meet wildlife halfway.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
A grassroots group in the New England region launched an effort to collect signatures, aiming to support ballot initiatives to help reduce high energy costs, the New Bedford Light reported.

Citizens Against Eversource held a petition drive in an attempt to give voters a say on measures that the group argued would protect consumers against rising energy bills.

The group notably gathered at a Staples location in Fairhaven, Massachusetts to get as many signatures for their petitions as possible. Citizens Against Eversource has authored petitions that target the growing number of fees that have made monthly bills too expensive for homeowners. Eversource, an energy provider serving customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, has been a primary focus of recent criticism.

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Elijah DeSousa, a public advocate with Citizens Against Eversource, explained that the gathering at Staples was essential to allow customers' voices to be heard. For each petition to be formally submitted, they needed 10 signatures.

"It was organized chaos," DeSousa said, per the New Bedford Light. "It was a little stressful in that moment, but nothing was gonna stop us from being able to print those and be able to get those signatures in." According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average price of electricity in Massachusetts in October 2025 was 31.37 cents per kilowatt-hour. That was nearly double the national average.

The installation of solar panels can be a great way to make your home more energy efficient while also helping you bring your cost of energy down to near $0. You can check out TCD's Solar Explorer to connect with vetted installers and save up to $10,000 by curating competitive bids.

Smart upgrades that slash monthly energy bills

While it might seem like a lot of information to process, saving money on your energy bills has never been easier. TCD has partnered with a number of companies that can make the switch to solar a breeze, no matter what your budget might be.

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Solar panel installation doesn't just help supply you with sustainable and affordable energy. Pairing your panels with efficient electric appliances can play a role in lowering your utility costs even more. TCD's HVAC Explorer makes it simple to find the right HVAC system for your home and budget.

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By downloading the free Palmetto Home app, you can also unlock up to $5,000 in rewards to spend on home upgrades by completing easy energy-saving challenges. The app can also help you track and manage your home's energy usage, which can go a long way in increasing your energy efficiency.

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.




Delhi Police have arrested the main accused in a vehicle fraud case that surfaced in 2023 and later led to the arrest and incarceration of a retired Army serviceman and his father. The arrest, carried out after sustained interstate operations, has led to the case being solved, police said in an official press release on Sunday. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed under several IPC sections. The accused has been identified as Hardeep Singh Randhawa. He was arrested at around 3.45 am on January 4 from village Bhopalpur under Police Station Gajraula in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh. Police said the arrest followed continuous raids in forested areas near the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, in the foothills of the Shivalik range, close to the Nepal border. According to police, teams tracked the accused across more than 1,200 kilometres and carried out operations in difficult conditions, including "dense forests with no mobile network, overflowing streams, severe cold with temperatures dropping to 1 degree Celsius and the risk of wild animal movement". Randhawa had allegedly taken shelter in remote areas to evade arrest. Police said Randhawa had been wanted by Uttar Pradesh Police for the past three years and was involved in four criminal cases, including attempted murder and offences under the Arms Act. He is also alleged to be associated with a local strongman and has a history of involvement in land-grabbing incidents involving open firing. Police said he used multiple hideouts across Punjab and Uttar Pradesh to remain absconding. The case was registered on January 24, 2025, on the complaint of a retired serviceman who had started dealing in old vehicles after leaving the Army, officials said. According to the complaint, on February 8, 2023, a man identifying himself as Harpreet Singh Randhawa approached the complainant to sell a vehicle, claiming it was registered in the name of his brother, Hardeep Singh Randhawa. On February 9, 2023, the complainant said both men came to his office in Sector 9, Dwarka, with the vehicle, and the deal was finalised for Rs 14.5 lakh. Payments were made in cash and through bank transfer, while a portion of the amount was withheld due to the absence of a state No Objection Certificate (NOC). The complainant also recorded a video of the transaction, police said. The vehicle was later sold to a buyer in Punjab. On May 29, 2023, the buyer informed the complainant that the vehicle had an "outstanding" loan in the name of Aslam Khan, the first owner. By then, both sellers were "untraceable", police said, and their residence in Bareilly was found locked. On September 21, 2024, the buyer, accompanied by Punjab Police, reached the complainant's shop. Following this, the complainant and his father were arrested in connection with an FIR related to the vehicle. They remained in judicial custody for about 70 days before settling the matter by paying the vehicle cost and other expenses. During the investigation, Delhi Police found that the vehicle had originally been purchased in the name of Aslam Khan using forged documents, including a fake Aadhaar card with an altered photograph and address. Aslam Khan had also registered a separate FIR in Bareilly in 2023, in which Randhawa had been declared "wanted". Non-bailable warrants were issued against both accused on December 22, 2025. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that his associate, Satender Pal Singh, had impersonated Harpreet Singh Randhawa to execute the fraud. Police said the accused conspired to sell vehicles by preparing fake bank NOCs and falsely showing loan clearance on the RTO online system. (ANI)
A 20,000 reward has been offered for information about the murder of a 26-year-old man who was shot dead in a tower block in Motherwell.

Jordan Gray's body was found in at his flat in Shields Court at 14:30 on 18 December. Police Scotland confirmed he suffered fatal injuries "consistent with being shot by a firearm".

Charity Crimestoppers said that despite extensive inquires the gun used in the killing has never been found.

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They are offering the reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Angela Parker, National Manager for Scotland at Crimestoppers, said some people are "reluctant" to contact police but reports to the charity can be made completely anonymously.

She said: "This was a shocking act of violence that took the life of a young man in his own home and left a community fearful and grieving.

"What you tell us could bring justice for Jordan, his family, and the community. Even the smallest piece of information could help find those responsible for Jordan's death."

She urged anyone with information to get in contact.
A new generation of Black Democrats is running in the midterms, aiming to inject a younger vision into an aging Congressional Black Caucus. And in some cases, that means primarying incumbents.

The wave of new candidates comes amid an identity crisis for the Democratic Party, which has splintered along generational and ideological lines as the party searches for new leaders in the second Trump era, both for this November and the open presidential race in two years.

This is a new moment that requires different ideas, requires new energy and new perspectives and you cannot be a part of the system for 40 years and also be the one who's going to change it for the next 40, said Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson, 31, who launched his primary challenge to 76-year-old Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) last year. You've done the best that you could, and it's time for other folks to be able to do the best that they can for the present and for the future.

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Young Black candidates say theyre motivated to run due to rising racial tensions, redistricting and the possibility of an end to the Voting Rights Act  and what they describe as an inadequate response from older generations that are fighting past battles.

Our generation recognizes the fierce urgency of now, Pearson said.

The CBC has grown exponentially since its establishment in 1971, currently boasting a historic 62 members  the largest of any of the affinity caucuses. But the average age of CBC members is 60 years old, and some of the oldest House Democrats are members.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, 85, has represented South Carolina for more than 30 years and plans on running again. At 88 years old, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton has not ruled out running for reelection, despite growing concerns about her age. And 87-year-old Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who was first elected in 1990, said she also plans on running for reelection this year.

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These long tenures have started to worry some new candidates, they said in interviews.

When I was born in 1992, this was the poorest district in the poorest state in the country, said Evan Turnage, who is primarying 77-year-old Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). Congressman Thompson was elected in 93 and now today, I'm 33, and this is still the poorest district in the poorest state in the country.

Turnage  a former senior staffer to Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts  said these long-serving members have failed younger generations for too long.

Just because you've been around the block for 30 years doesn't mean you're delivering results for the district, doesn't mean you're delivering results for your constituents, Turnage said.

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In a statement, Thompson said he has spent his entire career encouraging young people to make a difference in the world.

If this is how Mr. Turnage chooses to make a difference in Mississippis 2nd Congressional District, that's his choice," Thompson said.

The younger Black candidates  and current lawmakers  have generally pushed more progressive policies in their campaigns than CBC members who have served for decades. They've had a heavy focus on issues they say are of most concern to those in their generations, such as the cost of living and education.

"The Democratic Party has to adapt in order to survive. That work starts right now," said Pearson, who gained nationwide fame in 2023 as a member of the "Tennessee Three after he was expelled from, and then reelected to, the state Legislature for leading a gun safety protest on the state House floor.

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"Black folks in this country are still suffering disproportionately in every single category, and without leadership to elevate those concerns, those worries, those issues in a meaningful way, we're never going to see that change," Pearson added.

He is challenging Cohen, who is white, in a majority-Black district based in Memphis that Cohen has represented for decades. During his 2007 campaign, Cohen expressed interest in joining the CBC, but caucus members quickly shut that down.

Cohen said in an interview that his tenure in Congress is actually a strength.

I know the issues and I know the problems, I know the people, said Cohen. The way you get legislation passed hasn't changed, really, in the 40 years I've been here. Some people think it's about getting a megaphone and hollering or making some kind of a fuss, and I've done some of that in my younger days, and I still like to occasionally  but it's a matter of having friends, having relationships, and being able to get the majority of votes to pass the bills. And I've done that all my life.

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The CBC has begun to see younger legislators enter their ranks in recent years. Rep. Gabe Amo, 38, made history in 2023 when he was elected as Rhode Islands first Black representative. And in 2022, at the age of 25, Rep. Maxwell Frost became the first Gen Z CBC member elected to Congress.

Our movement  from the civil rights era to the birth of the CBC itself  was born from the energy and courage of young people to stand up and do the right thing, said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), chair of the CBCs political arm, in a statement. Our caucus today represents the breadth and depth of our community  from every corner of America  and folks whose families have been here for generations, those who are immigrants, queer, disabled, and more women and young people than ever before.

The CBC PAC has already endorsed some young candidates this cycle, including Californias Lauren Babb and Arkansas Chris Jones. Its likely the PAC will also endorse Adrian Boafo, 31, according to a person familiar with the matter who was granted anonymity to discuss private matters, who is running to succeed 86-year-old Rep. Steny Hoyer.

But the PAC this year also endorsed 71-year-old incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.)  who identifies as Afro Latino, currently chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and has had a bumpy relationship with the CBC  over his 32-year-old primary challenger, Darializa Avila Chevalier.

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As the age gap between caucus members and voters grows, an influx of fresh faces will be vital to regaining voters support for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms, said 25-year-old Courtney McClain, who is running for a red House seat in South Carolina.

Within the party in general, we've had an issue of connecting with younger voters, and especially with young men, said McClain, referring to the 15 percent of Black men who supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. I really think a lot of people are more apt to vote if they can see themselves in the candidate as opposed to someone who has been there for many years.

But these young Black candidates still hold a deep appreciation for the caucus, despite their concerns around age.

Turnage said hed love to be a member of the CBC. Pearson called the caucus an "extraordinary institution. And McClain  a onetime CBC Foundation intern and a fellow with the CBC Institute last year  said she would definitely like to be a member.

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Ultimately, McClain said, the CBC needs young members if they hope to actually address the challenges facing the next generation.

The legislation that's being passed, a lot of the people that are currently in office won't even be impacted by it, say, in the next 20 years, McClain said. But my generation will.




One of the Bay Area's most expensive enclaves relies on a two-lane road that will be covered by rising seas in the coming decades. A powerful homeowners group says the county must protect the road into the future - or be liable for billions of dollars of inaccessible real estate.

Calle del Arroyo in Stinson Beach runs half a mile from Highway 1 to the gated community of Seadrift. It's the emergency access and tsunami evacuation route for about 500 homes both in Seadrift and on the town's narrow beachfront lanes.

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A recent Marin County sea level rise report for Stinson Beach recommended the road, which is county-owned, be raised soon, because it's often impassable during annual king tides now and is expected to flood during major storms by around 2050, when storm surge swells the lagoon, and during monthly high tides by around 2060 to 2075.

Just who is responsible for fortifying Calle del Arroyo in the long term has become a contentious topic in the unincorporated vacation town. The issue is harder to ignore after record high tides and flooding hit Marin in early January, probably exacerbated by sea level rise. It's part of a broader debate across the Bay Area over who will pay to shore up public infrastructure, and which communities should benefit from government funding, as aging roads as well as utilities, airports and levees are pushed past the breaking point with climate change.

In recent years, Marin County has sent mixed messages about the extent of its responsibility for Calle del Arroyo as the climate changes, at one point suggesting that it would no longer be required to maintain it if coastal hazards made it no longer feasible. The county withdrew that proposal. But months later, the Seadrift Association, representing the community's roughly 300 homeowners, threatened the county in a letter to the Board of Supervisors with "billions in liability" if it abandoned the road.

"I look at this and think, Wow, the value of the real estate in Stinson Beach that is accessed by Calle del Arroyo is enough to bankrupt Marin County,'" said Michael Wara, a legal expert who directs the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University.

A vehicle drives through a flooded section of Calle del Arroyo during a king tide in early January. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle)





Calle del Arroyo has flooded for decades, both near its intersection with Highway 1, where Easkoot Creek overflows during heavy rainfall, and at its western end at Seadrift, which is located between the Pacific Ocean and Bolinas Lagoon, said Fire Chief Jesse Peri. During king tides, Peri assigns personnel to park on its western end in case a medical emergency occurs when the area is cut off, and has a boat ready to ferry patients across the flood zone.

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The preliminary estimate to raise the road is $22.8 million over two decades-long phases. That's not a huge sum compared with other infrastructure projects, but it would be a complex undertaking because the road is connected to utilities as well as to private roads and driveways that will probably need to be raised along with it, said Robin Bartlett, principal civil engineer with Marin County's Department of Public Works.

Other Stinson roads also need protection against sea level rise, and the total - including Calle del Arroyo - comes to $53 million, or "over $100,000 per coastal property if distributed evenly," the Stinson Beach sea level rise report stated.

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The legal issues around Calle del Arroyo apply to many other seaside roads in the Bay Area and California, said Wara, who is also a land-use attorney as well as a Marin County resident whose parents own a home in Seadrift.

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Typically, state law prohibits municipalities from abandoning public roads. If a county or other local government "abandons" or allows a public road to become impassable, homeowners can sue for the value of homes that are no longer accessible or diminished in value, known in legal circles as inverse condemnation.

But things may be changing, Wara said. In 2020, California's Third District Court of Appeal held up an earlier dismissal of an inverse condemnation claim made by Lake Tahoe homeowners against Placer County over their access to a public road. The main reason was that their lots were on private roads and did not abut the public road.

"The decision may have changed the legal framework," Wara said.

Stinson Beach's situation is different in many ways, but it does involve homeowners on private roads that lead to the public Calle del Arroyo. The homeowners would have to overcome that legal precedent if they tried to sue Marin County, he said.

Floodwater rises where Calle Del Arroyo meets a private road in Stinson Beach in January 2023. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)





Wara also pointed to new Marin County planning codes requiring those seeking a new building permit in vulnerable parts of the bay shoreline to sign a waiver of liability if the county one day can't maintain roads because of sea level rise.

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Also, budgets only stretch so far, and the county needs at least $17 billion to protect itself from the 2 feet of sea level rise expected toward the end of the century, according to the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. That's about $65,000 per county resident.

In an email to the Chronicle, Bartlett of the Department of Public Works said Marin County would be responsible for pursuing and managing funding for any roadway improvements on Calle del Arroyo, as well as for maintaining and improving it as needed, "based on available resources." Those resources could include the county general fund and grants - which are competitive, so funding is not guaranteed, she said.

"Any work - such as elevating the roadway - would be considered in the context of overall maintenance needs and funding availability across the county's entire road network," she said.

The county sent a starker message in 2024, when it released a draft public planning document for development in the coastal zone under certain hazardous situations. It said "permittees" - or those seeking building permits, including for substantial remodels - would have to remove their houses and restore the area if roads and utilities could no longer "feasibly be maintained due to coastal hazards" and named Calle del Arroyo as an example.

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It also said the county "shall not be required to maintain access" for such development under those conditions.

The document caused an uproar when it was presented at a Stinson Beach public meeting, said Jeff Loomans, a Seadrift resident who is now director at the Stinson Beach Village Association, where he serves on the long-range planning committee.

Sarah Jones, director of Marin County Community Development Agency, said in an email that the measures that were included in the draft document "reflect strategies that are being considered, and in some cases have been applied, throughout the county."

However, they don't signal any intent about long-term maintenance or improvement, because decisions on infrastructure and protection or restoration of developed areas haven't been made, she said.

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"We're managing expectations about the county's role with new development that we're permitting in these areas," she said. "Our planning for the future has to account for what we know could happen down the road."

The county put the draft planning document on hold the next year due to other concerns raised by the Coastal Commission. But that summer, the county issued its Stinson Beach sea level rise report that made clear that the community would have to take the lead on planning and securing funding to protect its shoreline, to the tune of $1.2 billion.

Two months later, the Seadrift homeowners association wrote its letter to the Marin County Board of Supervisors.

Water from a king tide partially submerges a fence on Calle del Arroyo in Stinson Beach in early January. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle)





"The burden of implementing solutions to the collective problem of sea-level rise must be borne collectively, and not placed disproportionately on individual property owners and coastal communities like Seadrift," wrote Dyer Grote, the president of the association. Grote also said that the county is responsible for repairing and preventing damage to public streets and infrastructure, such as Calle del Arroyo.

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"Abandoning Calle del Arroyo to the rising seas, for example, would expose the county to billions in liability from Seadrift homeowners who would lose access to their homes," she said.

Jones said in an email that the Stinson Beach study did not draw any conclusions on which projects will be pursued and who will bear the costs.

"There is a lot more to consider, about all of the communities in Marin subject to sea level rise impacts, before we decide what types of projects to pursue and where," she said.

Last year, Stinson Beach was among the nation's top 10 most expensive ZIP codes for homebuyers, a status it also reached in 2023, according to the real estate data website Property Shark. Another area of Marin, San Rafael's Canal District, is considered the most vulnerable community to sea level rise in the Bay Area and is also one of the county's most diverse and low-income areas.

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"I can't argue that there's not a potential equity issue. If you look at something like the Canal District it has a more urgent need," Loomans said. "But ultimately it's the county's responsibility."

Floodwater from a 2019 storm and king tide made Calle del Arroyo difficult to get through by car. (Courtesy of Jeff Loomans)





Grote said that she stands by her original statement. She said the road is also used for access and parking by visitors and that not all of the town's residents are wealthy.



Stinson Beach and Seadrift home owners "reasonably expect that their property taxes will go to maintenance of public access roads like Calle de Arroyo," she said in a text message. "The county cannot legally turn a blind eye to a matter of fundamental safety."

Stinson Beach could create a special assessment or parcel tax to help cover upgrades to Calle del Arroyo and other roads. Such special districts already exist in the community. Stinson's fire station - which is just as busy in winter with flooding events as it is in summer with fires - is moving from being volunteer-run to a mostly professional staff with the help of property tax revenue from parcels in Stinson Beach, Peri said.

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The town is building a new firehouse, with the majority of funding coming from the community, he said.

It was designed, Peri said, "to combat obstacles, with climate change bringing fire to places that it normally hasn't been in and water into areas it normally hasn't been in."

This article originally published at This wealthy Bay Area beach town is battling to save one road. Billions of dollars in real estate is at stake.
MOSCOW, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday its forces had completed the takeover of the village of Starytsya in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region.

The village is near the town of Vovchansk, close to the Ukraine-Russia border, where Russian forces launched an incursion in May 2024.

Moscow's troops have in recent months tried to extend gains in the area despite Ukrainian resistance.

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The General Staff of Ukraine's military, in a report late on Saturday, said Russian forces had launched six attacks on an area including Starytsya. But it made no acknowledgement that the village had changed hands.

Ukraine's DeepState military blog, which uses open-source reports to track the positions of both armies, made no mention of the village in a report on Friday, but said Russian forces "are continuing their pressure in the Vovchansk area."

The Russian Defence Ministry report said Moscow's troops had also carried out a massive strike overnight on Ukrainian long-range drone sites and energy facilities.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

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Russian forces have been engaged in a slow drive westward through southeastern Ukraine, announcing the capture of new villages several times a week.

Most of its gains have been in the Donetsk region, but Russian forces have also applied pressure to Ukrainian defences in the Kharkiv region and in the Zaporizhzhia region to the south, which they partially occupy.

(Reporting by Lucy PapachristouEditing by Tomasz Janowski, Ron Popeski, Rod Nickel)
A Saudi Arabian media campaign targeting the UAE has deepened the Gulf's worst row in years, stoking fears of a damaging fall-out in the financial heart of the Middle East.

Fiery accusations of rights abuses and betrayal have circulated for weeks in state-run and social media after a brief conflict in Yemen, where Saudi air strikes quelled an offensive by UAE-backed separatists.

The United Arab Emirates is "investing in chaos and supporting secessionists" from Libya to Yemen and the Horn of Africa, Saudi Arabia's Al-Ekhbariya TV charged in a report this week.

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Such invective has been unheard of in the Gulf since Saudi Arabia and the UAE led a more than three-year diplomatic and trade blockade of Qatar over political differences beginning in 2017.

Under normal circumstances, the Gulf monarchies are at pains to project an image of peace and stability, but now longstanding points of friction "are out in the open in an unprecedented way", Gulf security analyst Anna Jacobs told AFP.

"The mudslinging on social media reminds many of us of the last Gulf rift... Now Riyadh is casting a very bright light on its problems with Abu Dhabi's regional policies, and is showing no signs of easing up."

So far, however, Abu Dhabi has largely remained silent, with Emirati professor of political science Abdulkhaleq Abdulla saying the UAE is "not in the habit of provoking our big brother".

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- Sphere of influence -

The two neighbours are traditional allies with deeply intertwined economies, and the UAE's president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was considered a mentor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto Saudi ruler.

Now, commentators in Saudi Arabia accuse the smaller UAE of growing too bold, backing forces at odds with Saudi interests in conflicts including Yemen and Sudan, while also aligning with Israel.

"There is a deep Saudi feeling that the United Arab Emirates has betrayed the strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia and is now stirring up crises within the Saudi strategic sphere of influence," Saudi political analyst Soliman Al-Okaily told AFP.

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Speaking on Ekhbariya, writer and political researcher Muneef Amash Al-Harbi called the UAE's conduct "an Israeli project wearing a kandura", referring to the robe worn by Gulf men. The UAE established ties with Israel in 2020.

This week, Saudi-backed Yemeni officials showed international media, including AFP, what they said were "secret prisons" run by the defeated UAE-supported separatists.

The UAE denied the claim, saying they were military facilities, but Abu Dhabi has mostly opted not to engage with the broader Saudi attacks.

"We have become, by our own success, a role model... a regional power. Is this our fault?" said Abdulla, the Emirati professor.

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"We do not want to provoke Saudi Arabia."

- 'Painful' economic measures -

Even so, relations remain precarious.

"With Abu Dhabi inciting against Saudi Arabia, the kingdom will not hesitate to take the necessary steps and measures against it," an Ekhbariya bulletin said this week.

Okaily said a rupture in ties was unlikely, but he warned that "Riyadh could take painful economic measures".

Meanwhile, diplomatic manoeuvres are accelerating. This week, the UAE's president met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, agreeing to work towards a strategic defence partnership.

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That came after Riyadh signed a defence agreement with India's nuclear-armed rival, Pakistan.

In Sudan, another bone of contention between the Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and the United States handed a new ceasefire proposal to Sudan's army, a government source told AFP this week. The initiative excludes the UAE, which has been part of the multinational push for a truce.

Abu Dhabi has long been accused of supporting the paramilitary force at war with the army, a claim it denies.

This month, Somalia cancelled all agreements with the UAE, which backs the breakaway region of Somaliland -- recognised as a country by Israel last month. Saudi Arabia has reportedly moved to court Somalia.

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The Saudis are also building close relations with Qatar -- which remains distrustful of the UAE since the blockade -- recently signing off on a high-speed rail link.

Adam Baron, a fellow at the New America think tank, said despite the "ferocious" public attacks, "there's still a bit of a ways to go" before a full-blown rupture.

"I think that this simultaneously signals a messaging of potential restraint and capacity for escalation," he told AFP.

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In the wake of another fatal shooting of a US citizen in Minnesota by a federal officer, the Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, said his party would block a funding package next week if it includes money for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The announcement, which dramatically escalates the potential for another partial government shutdown, comes as anger towards homeland security, which oversees ICE, intensifies among the party after a group of federal agents violently restrained and then fatally shot the 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Whats happening in Minnesota is appalling  and unacceptable in any American city, Schumer, a New York senator, said in a statement. Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no.

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Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included, he added.

The Senate is set to take up the spending measure as part of a broader legislative package that would fund broad swaths of the government, including the defense, state, education, labor and transportation departments. That package, which currently calls for $64.4bn for the DHS including $10bn for ICE, needs 60 votes to avoid a filibuster and pass the Senate. Republicans currently control 53 seats and would need Democratic support to pass the bipartisan package.

The looming vote was seen as a potentially painful decision for many Senate Democrats, wary of setting off another government shutdown just months after a painful 43-day fiscal showdown  the longest in the nations history  that ultimately failed to win an extension of healthcare subsidies.

But in the hours after the fatal shooting, several Democrats have come forward to announce their opposition, including some who had until now appeared ready to vote for the funding package.

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The Trump administration and Kristi Noem are putting undertrained, combative federal agents on the streets with no accountability, the Nevada senator Catherine Cortez Masto said in a statement. They are oppressing Americans and are at odds with local law enforcement. This is clearly not about keeping Americans safe. Its brutalizing US citizens and law-abiding immigrants.

Last year, Cortez Masto was one of a handful of Democrats who broke rank and voted repeatedly to keep the government open.

Jacky Rosen, Nevadas other senator who had also bucked her party during the shutdown, wrote on X: As a member of the U.S. Senate, I have the responsibility to hold the Trump Administration accountable when I see abuses of power  like we are seeing from ICE right now. That is why Ill be voting against any government funding package that contains the bill that funds this agency, until we have guardrails in place to curtail these abuses of power and ensure more accountability and transparency.

Mark Warner, a Democratic senator for Virginia, wrote: I cannot and will not vote to fund DHS while this administration continues these violent federal takeovers of our cities.

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In a sign of Democrats fury, the Washington senator Patty Murray, the ranking member on the appropriations committee, who negotiated funding package, announced she would not support the package as currently written.

Federal agents cannot murder people in broad daylight and face zero consequences. I will NOT support the DHS bill as it stands, she said on X. The DHS bill needs to be split off from the larger funding package before the Senate  Republicans must work with us to do that. I will continue fighting to rein in DHS and ICE.

It was unclear if Senate Republicans were willing to separate the DHS funding measure from the rest of the package, which would probably win significant bipartisan support. On Saturday, many Republicans defended the agent and the department in the aftermath of the shooting.

Holding up the homeland security budget would not necessarily curtail the departments enforcement operations, at least not in the short term. Trumps 2025 domestic policy bill, known as the big, beautiful bill, included a $75bn supplement for ICE that the agency could potentially tap if its funding lapsed.

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But Democrats say they must use the threat to try to establish guardrails on federal immigration agents, whose increasingly violent tactics have fueled protests in cities across the US.

We should not fund DHS without serious reform. We could return CBP to border. We could require warrants for immigration arrests. We could beef up training and require identification, Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat whose been pushing his colleagues to block DHS funding for weeks. The list of possible reforms is long. Whats unacceptable is the current lawless status quo.

Senate Democrats were expected to hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss their next steps.

The funding bill narrowly passed the Republican-controlled House on Thursday, overcoming a Democratic revolt following the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month.

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Seven Democrats, however, helped nearly all Republicans move it over the line. Explaining their support, several of the Democrats sharply denounced ICEs conduct in US cities, but argued that the funding bill contained hard-won concessions, including funding for body cameras and de-escalation training for ICE officers.

But Republicans rejected other proposals sought by Democrats, including measures that would have requires judicial warrants for home entries and a provision explicitly prohibiting funds from being used to detain or deport US citizens.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakotas tourism industry is setting some all-time highs.

According to officials, more people are choosing to visit the Mount Rushmore state, and theyre spending more while theyre here, too.

In record setting fashion, an estimated 15 million people visited South Dakota in 2025. Thats a 0.4% increase from 2024, and roughly 1.8% more visitors compared to 2023.

Secretary of Tourism Jim Hagen says most of those travelers come from Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana and Colorado, but theyve also been reaching other regions across the U.S.

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We may not have as much money to spend in those markets, but the Southern California market is really strong for us. Were seeing growing interest in the Pacific Northwest. We are seeing a lot of growing interest in states like Michigan and Ohio and Indiana, Hagen said.

Smith hosts data center townhall

Visitors spent roughly 5.2 billion dollars last year, up 1.1% from 2024. That amount is equal to South Dakota visitors spending an average of 15.2 million dollars each day in 2025.

Meanwhile, food and drink topped the list, accounting for almost a quarter of all visitor spending in 2025. Air and ground transportation followed closely behind, with about 1.1 billion dollars spent, despite what Hagen calls a challenging year.

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We werent quite sure what visitation was going to look like at the end of the year. We grew just about a half a percent, not quite there. Well take it, because there were a lot of economic headwinds throughout 2025, Hagen said. Consumers were just feeling a little uneasy about the economy and about spending money.

About 59 thousand South Dakota jobs are related to the tourism industry. Those jobs have generated about 2.3 billion dollars in household income.

Thats income thats helping to pay for mortgages, Hagen said. Its paying for groceries, and its paying for automobiles and paying bills and things like that.

Hagen says tourism has been the states most resilient industry, stretching all the way from Falls Park to the faces of Mount Rushmore.

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Click here to take a look at the full economic impact report for South Dakota tourism in 2025.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
The U.S. Attorneys Office - Western District of Washington says that a 26-year-old Seattle man was sentenced to over two years in prison after police found that he turned his apartment into a gun workshop.

Andre Justice Atwater was tried for possession of a machine gun after police found several firearms in his apartment.

Atwater was arrested in June 2024 after shooting two men with a high-caliber BB gun in the parking lot of his ChinatownInternational District apartment building.

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During a search of Atwaters apartment, police found he had turned his bedroom into a workshop for manufacturing guns.

Police recovered 25 firearms, 20 of which were ghost guns made in his apartment.

Investigators also found 103 Glock switch devices, which can convert Glock handguns into fully automatic weapons similar to machine guns.

Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg sought a three-year prison sentence based on the number of switches found in the apartment.

This is a very serious offense, said U.S. District Judge James L. Robart. The most common illegal use for 3D printers is producing illegal firearms.

In addition to more than two years in prison for the machine gun possession charge, Atwater was sentenced to three years of supervised release and less than one year for the BB gun assault.
The News

A partial government shutdown on Friday is looking more likely after a second fatal shooting in Minnesota involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Soon after the killing of US citizen Alex Pretti, some Senate Democrats who supported the bipartisan deal to reopen the government in November said they would oppose a six-bill funding package if it includes the Department of Homeland Security.

That leaves the broader funding measure short of 60 votes; Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Saturday night that Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.

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Senate Democrats will next discuss their strategy as a group on Sunday evening, with an in-person caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday. On Friday evening, funding for large swaths of the government will run out.

A shutdown had looked difficult  but possible  to avoid before Prettis death, thanks to Republican leaders bid to combine DHS money with other agency funding bills that are more popular with Democrats. Republicans were confident Democrats would help pass the measure as recently as Saturday morning.

But there is now no clear path to funding DHS, or the rest of the government, if the funding stays joined after the shooting of Pretti.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., who voted repeatedly to fund and reopen the government last fall amid a record 43-day shutdown, said on Saturday afternoon that she would support five of the House-passed bills funding the rest of the government but will not support the current Homeland Security funding bill.

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Thats a big blow to the package because she had been pitching her colleagues on a different approach than a DHS shutdown, instead proposing Democrats use nearly $75 billion in ICE money from the GOPs tax cuts law to fund local law enforcement agencies.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said even before the 37-year-old Prettis killing in Minneapolis that he couldnt vote to fund the department after another US citizen, Renee Good, was shot by ICE earlier this month in the city.

And Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., another senator who supported reopening the government in November, said on Saturday she would be voting against any government funding package that contains the bill that funds this agency, until we have guardrails in place to curtail these abuses of power and ensure more accountability and transparency.

ICE is now conducting operations in Maine, a state represented by Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and the Republican chair of Senate Appropriations, Susan Collins.

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King was one of three Democratic Caucus members to oppose the shutdown from the beginning last fall, while Collins is in one of the toughest reelection races in the country; she asked the Trump administration for more information about the ICE surge in Maine.

A spokesperson for King declined to comment on Saturday.

Know More

Republican leaders need at least seven Democratic votes to break a filibuster on the House-passed government funding legislation, which bundled together six bills  including a DHS spending bill that narrowly cleared the House last week.

Several agencies were already funded for the remainder of the fiscal year under a bill thats already passed both chambers of Congress and one signed by Trump last year.

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Democrats could also attempt next week to strip the DHS component from the legislation and fund the rest of the government while the ICE political fight continues to play out. However, that would require at least a majority in a Senate where Democrats control only 47 votes.

Democrats have little leverage in Washington right now, relegated to the minority in both the House and Senate. And even a DHS shutdown would have limited impact because of the billions of dollars Republican leaders supplied last year as part of the party-line tax bill, which allowed ICE to operate during the longest government shutdown in history last fall.

Room for Disagreement

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has been trying to steer Democrats away from any shutdowns. And Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.  her partys top appropriator  argued last week that a shutdown wouldnt rein in ICE.

On Saturday night she said she couldnt support the DHS funding bill, saying it needs to be split off from the larger funding package.

Burgesss view

As I reported soon after Goods shooting, Democrats lack options for substantively curtailing ICE beyond public condemnations and raising awareness. They can shut down DHS by mounting a filibuster, cutting off the $10 billion in annual funding to ICE, but the GOP tax laws huge pot of money for immigration enforcement would continue to flow.

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Still, Democrats feel like they were on the right side of public opinion on the health care shutdown fight in the fall. They seem to feel the same way now about responding to ICE forcefully, even if it threatens another shutdown.

Much depends on how Senate Majority Leader John Thune decides to handle the floor votes on the funding bill and whether Democrats get a vote to strip out DHS funding from the package.

Either way, any plan to avoid a shutdown will need 60 votes to even get on the Senate floor. If Democrats vote against government funding again, prepare for President Donald Trump and his Senate GOP allies to talk even more loudly about gutting the filibuster.

Notable
Washington  Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine said Sunday that he won't vote for a package to fund the government if it includes funding for ICE, as lawmakers scramble to pass a slate of funding bills to stave off a partial government shutdown by Friday  but he argued that "we don't have to have a shutdown."



"I hate shutdowns," King said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."

"But I can't vote for a bill that includes ICE funding under these circumstances  what they're doing in my state, what we saw yesterday in Minneapolis," the senator continued, referring to an immigration enforcement operation launched in Maine last week.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Saturday, after the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Minneapolis man by federal agents, that Democrats will not put up the necessary votes to advance a funding package to prevent a partial government shutdown if it includes funds for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE.

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So far, six of the 12 appropriations bills have been passed by Congress and signed into law. The Senate has until Friday, Jan. 30 to approve the final six bills, which have been packaged together, after they passed the House in recent weeks. That package includes a bill that would fund DHS until the end of the fiscal year. If those final six bills aren't passed by the Senate and signed by President Trump by Friday, the agencies that they cover will begin to shut down.

Schumer in a statement Sunday said, "Senate Democrats will not allow the current DHS funding bill to move forward."

"Senate Republicans have seen the same horrific footage that all Americans have watched of the blatant abuses of Americans by ICE in Minnesota," Schumer said. "The appalling murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti on the streets of Minneapolis must lead Republicans to join Democrats in overhauling ICE and CBP to protect the public. People should be safe from abuse by their own government."

Schumer urged Republicans to "work with Democrats to advance the other five funding bills while we work to rewrite the DHS bill."

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King, who caucuses with Democrats, was among a trio of senators who negotiated a deal with Republicans to reopen the government during the longest shutdown in history last year. He argued that "there's an easy way out" of the funding fight, saying Senate Majority Leader John Thune should separate the DHS bill from the other five funding measures.

"If those bills pass, 96% of the federal government is funded," King said. "Take up DHS by itself, let's have an honest negotiation, put some guardrails on what's going on, some accountability, and that would solve this problem."

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Alex Pretti's parents say administration's claims about their son are "sickening"
Chief Ministers from several states listened to the 130th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday. In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami listened to the programme at the Doon Library, Parade Ground in Dehradun. In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi tuned in to the Prime Minister's address in Bhubaneswar. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also listened to the 130th episode of Mann Ki Baat in Jashpur. Furthermore, West Bengal BJP President and party MP Samik Bhattacharya listened to the 130th episode of Prime Minister's 'Mann Ki Baat' in Kolkata. Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma heard it in Jaipur. Tripura Chief Minister listened to the monthly address in Bishramganj. In Uttar Pradesh, Bharatiya Janata Party National President Nitin Nabin and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath listened to the Prime Minister's programme in Mathura. Meanwhile, Nabin, who is on a day-long visit to Mathura-Vrindavan, received a grand welcome upon his arrival and offered prayers at the Shri Banke Bihari Temple, performing puja-archana to "Thakur Ji". Nitin Nabin on Sunday said he would strive to bring the BJP back to power in Uttar Pradesh, deliver better development, and increase people's trust. Addressing a gathering, Nitin Nabin said, "I would say that the way we are writing new chapters of development in Uttar Pradesh, we will strive to bring the government back to power in Uttar Pradesh, and with your blessings, we will once again form a government that will bring development and increase people's trust." The BJP stated that Nabin will later visit the residence of BJP MLA Shri Rajesh Chaudhary to express his condolences on the demise of the MLA's mother. Meanwhile, PM Modi in the year's first episode of Mann Ki Baat, spoke about Republic Day celebrations, National Voters' Day, and urged celebration of first-time voters as a democratic milestone. He also recalled the 2016 social media trend to reflect on the Startup India journey, noting that India has now become the world's third-largest startup ecosystem. The Prime Minister stressed the mantra of 'quality, quality and only quality" for industry and startups, reiterating his vision of "zero defect, zero effect" for a Viksit Bharat. He highlighted public participation-led initiatives such as river rejuvenation in Uttar Pradesh, water conservation in Andhra Pradesh, and community-driven social reforms across states. PM Modi also spoke on the cultural importance of bhajans and kirtans, including the emerging trend of 'bhajan clubbing' among youth. He also praised the role of the Indian diaspora, environmental conservation efforts, millet (Shree Anna) promotion, cleanliness drives, and talked about the India AI Impact Summit 2026. (ANI)
There's a good chance Delaware and the surrounding region will get walloped by a winter storm this weekend.

So what, exactly, are the requirements when it comes to clearing driveways and sidewalks?

Do I have to clear my sidewalk of snow and ice in Delaware?

Yes. You can be fined if you don't clear a public right-of-way.

NON-REMOVAL FINES: Does my neighbor have to clear their sidewalk of snow and ice in Delaware?

Do I have to clear my driveway?

Generally no, not if it's a private area.

Kevin Fox from the town of Smyrna crew shovels snow on South Main Street near the Smyrna Public Library during a snow storm on Jan. 3, 2022.

How long can I wait before shoveling snow?

In Delaware's three biggest cities  Wilmington, Dover and Newark  the law generally requires owners and occupants of a property abutting a public sidewalk to clear it of ice and snow no more than 24 hours after snowfall or icy precipitation ends.

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Dover previously required sidewalks be cleared within 12 hours; that was changed last year.

Can I throw snow onto the street or gutters?

No. It is against Wilmington city ordinances to clear snow onto gutters or roadways. The same is true for Dover and other communities across the state.

What if I can't physically shovel?

If you're not able to remove snow or ice from public ways or you're not in town at the time of a storm, you must arrange to have it done.

READ: How old is too old to shovel snow safely? Experts weigh in

That said, if you're a tenant rather than a homeowner, the responsibility may fall on the landlord (though it's best not to rely on this as a given).

Delaware Online wants to know about your snow day. Submit any videos, pictures or experiences through this link or to slbrennan@delawareonline.com and you may be featured on our website. Stay safe and warm!

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Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: DE snow shoveling requirements for sidewalk, driveway
Many Illinois residents will have to trek through heavy snowfall this weekend as a winter storm passes across the country.

Some areas will even get as much as a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

But are you required to shovel the snow in front of your house? And where does "your sidewalk" end in Illinois? Here's what the law says.

Do Illinois residents have to shovel snow off sidewalks?

While Illinois doesn't have a statewide penalty in effect for those who don't shovel, the Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act encourages residents to clean snow and ice off sidewalks "abutting" their residence.

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The ordinance states that those who at least attempt to do so cannot be held liable for injuries allegedly caused by the snowy or icy conditions of the sidewalk, unless their decision not to was "willful or wanton."

What does it mean for a sidewalk to be 'abutting' a property?

Though the language in the original ordinance is vague, court cases over the years have provided some clarification, according to information provided by the DuPage Bar Association.

For example, the Second District decided in the 1996 case Yu v. Kobayashi that a paved stoop connected to a sidewalk is considered a sidewalk.

In Flight v. American Community Management, Inc., the First District decided that driveways are also considered "sufficiently akin" to a sidewalk.

Does Chicago law require residents to shovel?

The Municipal Code of Chicago says property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from their sidewalks.

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This applies to all businesses, homes and properties seven days a week. The city says on its website that snow must be shoveled as soon as possible.

This means snow that falls between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. must be removed no later than 10 p.m., and snow that falls between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. must be removed by 10 am.

Those who fail to do so may be fined $50-$500, according to the city.

Illinois snowfall forecast

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Sidewalk shoveling in Illinois. What does the law say about it?
Congress is on a path toward a partial government shutdown next week after Senate Democrats vowed to oppose Department of Homeland Security funding following the killing of a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident by federal agents Saturday.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement Saturday night that Democrats would not help advance the six-bill spending package set for consideration next week as long as it includes DHS funding. Republicans will need Democratic support in order to clear a 60-vote hurdle to advance the funding bill.

Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included, Schumer said, adding that he would personally vote no.

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Congress has already passed full-year funding for some agencies  including the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior and Justice  but not for several of the largest, including the Pentagon. Temporary funding for those departments, representing more than 75 percent of federal discretionary spending, expires midnight Friday.

Senate Democrats will hold a conference call Sunday evening, according to a Democratic aide granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting. The call will give them a chance to discuss next steps with the Senate stuck out of town until at least Tuesday because of the massive winter storm affecting much of the country.

Earlier in the day, as news of the Minneapolis shooting spread, several Democratic senators who had previously voted to advance government funding measures under President Donald Trump vowed to oppose DHS funding this time. Funding for ICE and Border Patrol, the agencies involved in the Minnesota operation, is included in the pending Senate bill.

I am voting against any funding for DHS until and unless more controls are put in place to hold ICE accountable, said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) in a statement Saturday. These repeated incidents of violence across the country are unlawful, needlessly escalatory, and making all of us less safe.

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Schatz helped advance a funding bill in March, and Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), who voted to end the 43-day shutdown in November, also both said Saturday that they will oppose the DHS funding bill.

I have the responsibility to hold the Trump Administration accountable when I see abuses of power  like we are seeing from ICE right now, Rosen said on X. That is why Ill be voting against any government funding package that contains the bill that funds this agency, until we have guardrails in place to curtail these abuses of power and ensure more accountability and transparency.

The DHS bill passed the House Thursday 220-207, with only seven Democrats voting for it. But Republican House leaders merged it with five other bills funding the departments of Defense, Health and Human Services and State, among others, sending it to the Senate as one package.

More than half of the 47-member Democratic caucus has already vowed to oppose the package, many before Saturdays shooting. And that number is growing as Democrats re-evaluate the legislation in the wake of the shooting and as they face pressure from House Democrats and their Senate colleagues, not to mention outside voices close to the party base.

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Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate seeking a Senate seat in Michigan, said in an interview Saturday he saw no way for any Democrat to justify a vote for DHS funding.

How many more people do they need to shoot? he asked.

A group of senators, including Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), have been whipping colleagues for days to oppose the DHS bill, according to two aides granted anonymity to discuss their private effort. And two people familiar with the plans said House Democrats are scheduled to hold a private caucus call Sunday morning to discuss a response to the shooting.

Cortez Masto, in a statement, suggested dropping the Department of Homeland Security bill from the larger package, noting there is a bipartisan agreement on 96% of the budget.

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Lets pass the remaining five bipartisan bills and fund essential agencies while we continue to fight for a Department of Homeland Security that respects Americans constitutional rights and preserves federal law enforcements essential role to keep us safe, she said.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said he would agree to immediately pass the other five bills while providing short term funding for DHS so the Senate can fully debate and vote on common sense reforms to ICE that bolster the rule of law.

But stripping out the DHS bill before the Friday deadline would require every senator to agree  something Republicans arent likely to be able to get. Any changes to the package, meanwhile, will require sending it back to the House, which has already left town until after the shutdown deadline.

Instead, Republicans believe it's up to Democrats to decide whether or not to vote against the funding package and avoid a partial shutdown. GOP leaders arent currently expected to bring the House back early from its break, according to three people granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy.

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Democratic aides, meanwhile, privately acknowledged Saturday that the odds of a shutdown were rising, though some questioned what alternatives are available if Democrats block the pending six-bill package.

Heading into the weekend, some Democrats acknowledged they were conflicted  including Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a senior appropriator who has championed Congress ability to use the spending bills to reverse many of Trumps foreign aid cuts.

I don't know the details of exactly what the language is in the Homeland Security bills in terms of trying to hold ICE accountable and trying to minimize their misconduct, and I dont know whether it is worse to have a continuing resolution and how that might be misused, Coons told reporters Friday.

Adam Wren, Meredith Lee Hill and Jennifer Scholtes contributed to this report.
A Montgomery County pharmacy is helping its community in a big way ahead of the snow. Skippack Pharmacy gave away free salt to neighbors who say store shelves have been empty.

Residents gathered as a dump truck unloaded salt in the pharmacy's parking lot, cheering as they arrived with their own shovels and buckets to take what they needed.

"Nobody has any stock at the stores," said Tim, a Souderton neighbor who said he had tried multiple locations. "Tried a bunch of different places and they're all out."

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The effort was led by Mayank Amin, the owner of Skippack Pharmacy, known in the community as Dr. Mack.

Amin said getting the dump truck of salt only took a phone call.

"What I learned during the pandemic is you never give up," Amin said. "When someone says you're out of stock of something, that just gives us a reason to try harder."

Amin contacted friends at RVG Trucking, who drove to Delaware the same morning to pick up the salt.

"We figured we'd do the best that we can," said Roy Goings of RVG Trucking. "I made a couple of calls and we were able to get tons of salt."

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While salt remains in high demand ahead of the storm, the pharmacy is not selling it. The pile is being given away for free. Instead, the pharmacy is asking neighbors to consider donating to So Much To Give Inclusive Cafe.

"We are currently open down the street from Skippack," said Kassie Simpson of So Much To Give Inclusive Cafe. "We have the opportunity to employ those of all abilities to provide meaningful employment."

As neighbors shoveled salt and made donations, Amin said seeing the community come together while also making his own neighborhood safer is the example he wants to set for his children.
People react to copious tear gas and flash grenades deployed by federal agents near the scene of 26th Street West and Nicollet Avenue, where federal agents shot and killed a 37-year-old man Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, the third shooting in as many weeks. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin says she will vote against funding the Department of Homeland Security after federal immigration officers fatally shot a second American citizen in Minneapolis Saturday.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said federal agents killed a 37-year-old man who was an American citizen and a lawful gun owner. The Associated Press identified the man as Alex Pretti.

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Graphic video filmed by bystanders and posted to social media shows U.S. Border Patrol agents wrestling Pretti to the ground and hitting him with a firearm before multiple shots can be heard.

It is the second time this month federal immigration agents have killed an American citizen in Minnesota. Federal agents previously shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good on Jan. 7.

Slotkin, a Democrat from Holly, said the killings are part of a continued, coordinated assault on our Constitutional rights  with specific focus on individuals and groups who disagree with this President.

As all Americans can see with their own eyes, ICE and those under their command are not acting as responsible law enforcement agencies, Slotkin said. They are recklessly inciting violence at the whims of the president. And they must be reined in before there is more killing.

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) speaks on the floor of the U.S. Senate about a reportedly secret Trump-era terrorist group designation list. Oct. 8, 2025 | Screenshot

The appropriations package that Slotkin plans to vote against includes $64.4 billion in DHS funding for fiscal year 2026. It would reduce funding for Customs and Border Patrol by $1.3 billion but would continue funding ICE at current levels.

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The package includes $20 million for officer-worn body cameras for ICE agents but stops short of additional guardrails that Democrats, including Slotkin, have demanded.

Republican leaders in the Senate plan to bring the DHS funding up as a single vote with funding for other government programs that have more support among Democrats.

The funding package would need to earn 60 votes in the Senate by Friday to avoid a government shutdown.

Even if DHS funding lapses, federal agencies could tap into $170 billion of one-time funding for immigration enforcement that was included in President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

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All but seven Democrats in the U.S. House voted against the DHS funding. Michigans congressional delegation voted along party lines, with every Republican voting to pass it and every Democrat voting against it.

Retiring U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) has not indicated how he plans to vote on the funding package.

But he has called for a full and impartial investigation by local police into the fatal shootings of Pretti and Good.

In both cases, federal officials stonewalled state and local police from investigating and quickly began spreading a narrative that is not supported by videos shared by witnesses and reviewed by experts.

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An F.B.I. agent investigating the shooting of Good resigned after the Trump administration pressured her to drop the civil rights inquiry, The New York Times reported.

While Michigans congressional Republicans have been largely silent on the killing, Democrats have been outspoken.

U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) echoed the calls for a thorough, independent investigation.

Our communities deserve public safety and accountability  not a militarized presence that escalates fear, trauma, and loss of life, Scholten said. What were seeing isnt how a world leader runs its immigration system. Its evidence of chaos, cruelty, and dysfunction.

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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the actions of ICE agents are not reflective of the high standards residents should expect of law enforcement officials.

This failure, in turn, compromises the ability of local and state law enforcement to do their jobs and jeopardizing the safety of police and civilians alike, Nessel said.

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U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) said Congress must not send them one more taxpayer dollar without reforms that bring the agency back to its mission and in line with basic law enforcement best practices.

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Ive worked with brave, patriotic law enforcement officers for decades. They take their duties seriously to uphold our laws, de-escalate situations, and keep us safe, McDonald Rivet said. Lawless ICE operations are doing the opposite, and now we have chaos and dead Americans.

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) said that anything less than abolishing ICE is a cowardly capitulation to fascism.

I am so sick of fake ass people who say they uphold our Constitution, Tlaib said. No you dont if you fund this madness.

U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit), who is facing a primary challenge, repeated his call to abolish ICE, adding that the Senate must stop all funding to ICE, even if that means shutting down this oppressive government.
Snow totals already exceeding 7 inches in North Jersey at noon could double before the first big winter storm of 2026 is over.

Meteorologist James Tomasini of the National Weather Service said Newark Liberty Airport measured 7 inches of snow at noon, and estimated that 5 to 6 inches had already fallen throughout North Jersey. Residents of Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and northern Morris counties could expect another 4 to 7 inches to fall, he predicted. Those living south of those points could see another 3 to 5 inches

"We're seeing widespread heavy snow across the region," Tomasini said.

When will the snow end in NJ?

So when will it end? Tomasini said to expect a changeover from snow to sleet about 3 to 4 p.m., "gradually moving from south to north," he said. "Might take another hour or two to get up through Passaic and Bergen."

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The sleet will last "a couple of hours" and might produce minor accumulations, then chances of precipitation "really drop off after midnight," Tomasini predicted. Freezing rain could be part of the mix before he expects the region to be "completely dry" by about 10 a.m. on Monday.

Total snow accumulation predictions remain on course for 8 to 12 inches in northeast New Jersey and 12 to 18 inches north and west.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Snow totals could double before the storm passes. When will it end?
Another day, another addition to snowfall projections for northwestern Pennsylvania.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland's winter storm warning for Erie and Crawford counties remains in effect until Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. The amount of snow some areas are forecast to see has increased, however, as the storm that is sweeping across the United States starts to affect northwestern Pennsylvania. Low temperatures and biting wind chills will linger, too.

More: Take a webcam tour of Erie-area weather conditions

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Here's what to know about the warning and the forecast for Erie and Crawford counties:

Winter storm warning for Erie, Crawford counties

Heavy snow is in the forecast for Erie and Crawford counties. Snowfall will increase in intensity the morning of Jan. 25 and reach its peak in the afternoon and evening, according to the weather service. Light Lake Erie-enhanced snow is expected to linger Jan. 26.

More: Erie snowstorm updates on flights, interstates, wine & spirits stores

Total snow accumulation of 11 inches to 15 inches is expected. The projection early Jan. 24 was 7 inches to 10 inches.

Wind chills below zero are expected the morning of Jan. 25 and again the evening of Jan. 25 into the morning of Jan. 26.

Weather forecast for Erie area

The weather service daytime forecast in and near Erie for Jan. 25 calls for snow, heavy at times, accumulating 5 inches to 9 inches. The high temperature will be around 18 degrees, but wind-chill values will be as low as zero at times. Wind will be from the east at around 10 mph.

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Titusville could see 8 inches to 12 inches of snow Jan. 25 and another 3 inches to 5 inches at night. The Meadville and Spartansburg forecasts call for 7 inches to 12 inches of snow.

Another 3 inches to 5 inches of snow is possible for Erie the night of Jan. 25, when the low will be around 10. Winds will be from the northeast at 5 mph to 8 mph, shifting northwest early Jan. 26.

More: What winter storm warnings hold for Warren, other NW Pa. counties

The chance of snow is 80% during the day Jan. 26, but accumulation is projected at perhaps an inch. The high will be near 16 and the wind chill as low as minus 2. Winds will be from the west at 8 mph to 15 mph.

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Light snow is possible the night of Jan. 26, when the low will be around 1.

Wind chills are forecast to be slightly lower yet in inland Erie County and in Crawford County than nearer Lake Erie.

Stay alert to Erie-area weather

Get the latest AccuWeather forecast details and radar images for your ZIP code at goerie.com/weather. Download the GoErie app for iOS or Android for mobile-friendly forecasts. Sign up to get weather alerts via text based on your interests or location.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA could see foot or more of snow during winter storm warning
A gnarly winter storm is almost done dumping nearly a foot of snow on central Ohio, but the snow won't melt any time soon as frigid temperatures are sticking around for the next week.

The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures will remain in the teens  or even below zero  until at least Jan. 31. Temperatures won't hit 20 until Feb. 1, the seven-day forecast shows.

The frosty temperatures make clearing roadways even more challenging for road crews because salt loses its effectiveness around 20 degrees, ODOT spokesman Matt Bruning told The Dispatch Jan. 25.

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ODOT has other products to help clear the snow and ice, Bruning said, but they don't work as well. "We really just need to get some temperatures up in the 20s and some sunlight. That will help us tremendously," Bruning said.

Because the extreme cold temperatures make road treatments less effective, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said the county's first ever level 3 snow emergency could remain in place for a while.

"The roads are white," Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said in an interview with the Dispatch at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 25. "They're totally snow covered. Some of the roads are not bad ... Some are just absolutely horrible."

Tim Campbell walks his 5-year-old Newfoundland, Louie, down the middle of High Street in the Short North as Winter Storm Fern continues to dump snow on the Columbus area on Jan. 25, 2026. With Franklin County declaring a Level 3 snow emergency, most traffic was off the roads.

Columbus weather forecast for the week of Jan. 25

Here's the week ahead forecast according to the National Weather Service.

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Overnight Jan. 25: Snow likely, mainly before 9 p.m., then a chance of flurries after 10pm. Patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7 and wind chills as low as -3. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Jan. 26: A chance of snow showers, mainly between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., then a chance of snow showers or flurries after 5 p.m. Patchy blowing snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 15. Wind chills as low as -6. West wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Jan. 26 overnight: A chance of flurries before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around -6. Wind chills as low as -21. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Jan. 27: Partly sunny, with a high near 18. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

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Jan. 27 overnight: Partly cloudy, with a low around -8.

Jan. 28: Partly sunny, with a high near 11.

Jan. 28 overnight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -4.

Jan. 29: Partly sunny, with a high near 12.

Jan. 29 overnight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -8.

Jan. 30: Partly sunny, with a high near 11.

Jan. 30 overnight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -6.

Jan. 31: Partly sunny, with a high near 16.

Jan. 31 overnight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -2.

Feb. 1: Partly sunny, with a high near 20.

Delaware County and eastern Columbus suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@dispatch.com and @mariadevito13.dispatch.com on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Forecast shows frigid temperatures sticking around central Ohio
Wichita saw about 3.2 inches of snow from Friday through noon Saturday, with the potential for a few more inches before the storm ends, Wichita-based National Weather Service meteorologist James Cuellar said.

Wichita was originally forecast to get 6-10 inches of snow. Cuellar said Wichita will likely now be more in the 4-6 inch range.

Areas north of Wichita have already seen more snow than that, with the highest amount being around seven inches near Beloit.

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However, most of Kansas will end up having less snow than originally forecast, as the storm, which is affecting most of the eastern half of the U.S., has now shifted south of most of Kansas.

The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Centers Saturday storm mapping now shows the winter storm missing most of Kansas. Weather models earlier in the week showed Kansas more in the path of the snowstorm.

Here is a look at how much snow has fallen across Kansas through 10 a.m. Saturday:

A look at snowfall totals around the state.

Fridays prediction also called for snow hitting Wichita area in two rounds, the second being Saturday night into Sunday morning. Cuellar said the forecast now shows snowfall throughout the day Saturday, that will likely taper off in the evening.

But, he said, Wichita is going to be right on the border of a band of snow hitting tonight thats more likely to hit along and east of the Turnpike in south-central and southeast Kansas. The band will be a pretty sharp line where 20 miles will mean a large difference in snowfall, he said.

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If it does hit Wichita directly, it could push the top-end total snowfall to about 7 inches, he said. It would also keep the snow falling in Wichita later into Sunday morning.

Even if the original snow predictions fall short, the cold was the biggest concern for Kansas with this storm. The coldest wind chill so far in Wichita was negative 17 degrees before 11 p.m. on Friday night, with the wind chill remaining in the negative teens all Saturday morning. The temperature hasnt climbed above the single digits since late Friday morning.

Negative wind chills are still forecast in the mornings on Sunday and Monday.

In states south and east of Kansas, there are still concerns for catastrophic ice accumulation, according to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center.

Long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous and impassable travel conditions are likely, the prediction center said. Catastrophic impacts are expected where freezing rain amounts exceed one-half inch, with locally over one inch ice accumulation possible in parts of northern Louisiana, central and northern Mississippi, southern Tennessee, and the southern Appalachians.
By William James

LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - British Labour Party politician Andy Burnham was on Sunday blocked from trying to return to parliament, with lawmakers on the left of the party accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his allies of a political move to keep out a potential leadership rival.

Burnham said he was disappointed at the decision and, while he called for unity in the Labour Party, criticised the way the situation had been handled.

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One of the party's most high-profile politicians and an elected mayor in the northern English city of Manchester, Burnham said on Saturday he wanted to become Labour's candidate to replace a lawmaker who resigned on Thursday.

Labour is trailing in opinion polls to Nigel Farage's right-wing populist Reform UK ahead of bellwether local elections in May and has so far struggled to deliver on promises of a stronger economy, better public services and tighter borders.

In a decision likely to bring simmering tension within Labour to a fresh boil, Burnham was refused permission to stand by the party's National Executive Committee on Sunday, losing a vote of senior officers, including Starmer himself, by 8 to 1.

Blocking Burnham's candidacy denies him the chance of winning a platform from which he could have formally challenged Starmer, because only members of parliament can trigger a leadership contest.

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"Andy Burnham is doing a great job as Mayor of Greater Manchester," the Labour Party said in a statement.

"We believe it is in the best interests of the party to avoid an unnecessary Mayoral election," the statement added, citing the cost to taxpayers - and Labour's own campaign funds - of carrying out an election to replace him.

Burnham responded in a post on X saying he was disappointed and concerned about how the decision could affect upcoming elections.

That initial post ended with a call for unity, saying "we are stronger together and lets stay that way", but he later added a more barbed comment aimed at the party leadership:

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"The fact that the media was informed of the NEC decision before I was tells you everything you need to know about the way the Labour Party is being run these days."

CRITIC ACCUSES STARMER OF COWARDICE

Such is the sensitivity over Starmer's future that the resignation last week of the lawmaker for Gorton and Denton in northwest England triggered a brief selloff in British government bonds. Investors speculated that Burnham - viewed as favouring looser fiscal policy - could win the seat to rejoin parliament and position himself for a leadership challenge.

Labour's popularity has plummeted since a landslide election win in July 2024 and the party is split over the best strategy to restore confidence.

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Left-wing Labour lawmaker John McDonnell posted an open message to Starmer on X after the NEC's decision: "If you think it strengthens you I tell you it will simply hasten your demise. You could have shown magnanimous leadership but instead its cowardice."

Burnham criticised Starmer's leadership last year but said on Saturday he had assured the prime minister he wanted to "support the work of the government, not undermine it".

Burnham ran unsuccessfully to become party leader in 2015, when he was beaten by Jeremy Corbyn. He left parliament to become Greater Manchester Mayor in 2017 but has remained an influential figure for some centre-left groups within Labour, particularly those critical of Starmer's more centrist stance.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Susan Fenton and Deepa Babington)
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Sunday accused his rival parties, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), of "surrendering" to the BJP, respectively. Addressing the state and district level consultative meeting of party functionaries in Mahabalipuram, Actor-turned-politician Vijay said, "The AIADMK has directly surrendered to the BJP, and the DMK has indirectly surrendered to the BJP. We do not bow down to any pressure. Does this face look like it would succumb to pressure?" Vijay highlighted that for three decades, established political parties had underestimated him, but public support has elevated him to the peak of his career. "For 30 years, these parties have underestimated us, but the people have given me this position at the peak of my career. People should have faith not only in me but also in those around me. I'm not saying that this faith doesn't exist, but we must behave and work in that direction," he said. Vijay also stressed that TVK would not compromise its political principles for anyone. "We should not compromise our politics for anything or anyone. We must remain united," Vijay said. He also criticised the DMK for allegedly forgetting its founder, CN Annadurai, and the party's foundational principles. "Anna has been forgotten by the party he founded and the party that bears his name," he said. "Each and every one of you is important to me; you are the frontline warriors," he added. Furthermore, Vijay targeted the DMK, calling the party an "evil force" that he claimed would continue to exploit the people of Tamil Nadu. He warned his supporters that the DMK would "loot your eyes even when you keep your eyes closed," urging them to stay alert and work hard to make TVK's victory a reality. Vijay also said that his party might win without any alliances. "This force of TVK will win even if no friendship force (alliance) is with us," he said. Moreover, in a dramatic gesture, Vijay blew a whistle on stage as he unveiled TVK's party symbol -- the whistle. He also said Tamil dialogue from his 2019 film Bigil - Cuppu mukiyam, Bigilu" (The cup is important, Bigil). Earlier today, Aadhav Arjun, General Secretary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), made a bold claim, saying that his party has 'sleeper cells' within All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and even Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK). Addressing the state and district level consultative meeting of party functionaries in Mahabalipuram, Arjun said, "TVK leader Vijay has got supporters from both AIADMK and DMK party members. We have got a sleeper cell in your cabinet, Mr Stalin. We have got sleeper cells in AIADMK and even VCK." TVK General Secretary also expressed his confidence that TVK leader Vijay is set to become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, saying, "People know Vijay is the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu." Meanwhile, TVK is set to debut in the upcoming assembly polls, vying to gain power by unseating the incumbent DMK. All the political parties have started gearing up for the elections, with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami already announcing the party's first phase of the party's poll promises on January 17. Vijay, the founder of TVK, himself has been embroiled in controversy, already facing questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the Karur stampede. Tamil Nadu is scheduled to hold elections in the first half of this year. The official schedule has not yet been announced by the ECI. (ANI)
Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller showered the president in praise after Donald Trump alienated NATO allies over Greenland.

Miller appeared on Fox News Hannity to discuss Trumps speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. After host Sean Hannity did his own sucking up to Miller, the political advisor raved about the president while bashing European leaders.

You saw a masterclass, a true, amazing masterclass in diplomacy, statesmanship, leadership in Davos this week with President Trump, Miller said. His critique of Europe in his Davos speech was one of the most important statements that a president has made about that continent in memory.

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 January 22 in Davos, Switzerland. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Miller went on to say Europe was killing itself by implementing progressive policies and refusing to invest in military departments, echoing Trumps claim that the United States subsidized defense in European countries.

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Millers sycophantic take comes after Trump dismissed NATO allies role in U.S. wars, saying weve never needed them. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the remark insulting to the sacrifices of the 457 British soldiers who died in Afghanistan.

Trump infuriated European allies by threatening to use military force to seize Greenland. After backing off the idea of invasion, he announced that the framework of a future deal over the territory was being negotiated after a meeting with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte. He later threatened big retaliation if European countries dumped U.S. bonds and stocks in response to the Greenland issue.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 21: United States Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller gives a thumbs up as U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Zurich Airport before attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, on January 21, 2026 in Zurich, 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. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The president fumbled through his speech on his Greenland ambitions, at one point mistaking the semiautonomous Danish territory with Iceland. He slammed NATO allies for failing to help Americas defense efforts and for refusing to hand Greenland over.

I know wed be there for them. I dont know that theyd be there for us with all of the money we expend, with all of the blood, sweat and tears Theyre not there for us on Iceland, I can tell you, Trump said.

A man walks near a sign that reads:

Greenland is a key part of Trumps proposed Golden Dome, a missile defense system over the United States akin to Israels Iron Dome. In his quest for the territory, he has proposed new tariffs on eight European countries including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland starting on Feb. 1.

The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security. It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building. NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DONT, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on last week.
Tiny plastic pellets called "nurdles" are polluting beaches across the U.S., potentially harming human health as they accumulate in food chains, per Stateline.

What's happening?

Nurdles, which typically measure less than five millimeters in diameter, serve as the basic building blocks for nearly all plastic-based products. Sadly, an estimated 445,970 metric tons of nurdles are entering the oceans annually.

Volunteers recently collected nearly 50,000 plastic pellets over 11 days at more than 200 sites across 14 countries, 29 U.S. states, and Washington, D.C. Texas coastal sites had the highest count with 23,115 nurdles, followed by California with over 4,000, Michigan with over 3,500, and South Carolina with over 3,000.

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"They're everywhere," said Diane Wilson, executive director of San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper, per Stateline. "They're a real threat to human health and the planet, and we're trying to protect the communities and the fishermen and the bays."

Meanwhile, in Oregon, nurdles washing ashore from the Pacific Ocean can be so numerous that "it looks like pellets have become part of the sand," said Celeste Meiffren-Swango, director of Environment Oregon, according to Stateline.

Why is nurdle pollution important?

Nurdles act like sponges for toxins as they move through food chains, posing health threats to wildlife and humans. Scientists estimate that adults ingest the equivalent of one credit card per week of microplastics  and studies in animal and human cells suggest connections to cancer, heart attacks, reproductive problems, and more.

Plastic pollution can also harm tourism and fishing industries. Texas alone relies on outdoor recreation, supporting nearly 300,000 jobs and $14 billion in salaries, per Stateline  $31 billion in total value.

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These pellets can be incredibly difficult to clean once they're released into the environment. Their small size allows them to spread quickly through water systems, contaminating vast areas and requiring extensive efforts to collect even small quantities.

What's being done about nurdle pollution?

California enacted nurdle pollution controls back in 2007, while legislators in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia introduced bills in 2025 to address the issue, according to the article.

Texas lawmakers, meanwhile, have proposed legislation that would classify nurdles as non-hazardous industrial waste, triggering record-keeping improvements and containment requirements.

Organizations representing recreational fishermen and tourism groups sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott urging the adoption of new standards to prevent nurdle discharge into waterways, and Galveston's city council approved a resolution supporting stronger regulations.

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You can do your part by choosing products with minimal plastic packaging and learning more about how to minimize your plastic use in everyday life.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
In a heated interview with CNNs Dana Bash on Sunday, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino said his agents were the real victims in the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protestor.

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Affairs nurse, was killed by Border Patrol agents on Saturday. In videos of the deadly altercation between Pretti and several agents, he can be seen placing himself between an agent and several women that he was shoving. Pretti is sprayed with a chemical irritant and then wrestled to the ground, where one agent repeatedly hit him in the head with the irritants metal canister. Pretti, who was legally carrying a firearm, was fatally shot by agents while on the ground.

The Department of Homeland Security immediately painted Pretti as a threat, saying that officers feared for their lives because Pretti was legally carrying a firearm. Multiple videos of the shooting contradicted the official line that Pretti was threatening agents. On Sunday, Bash pressed Bovino for evidence that he was intending to massacre law enforcement.

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When Bash repeatedly asserted Prettis right to carry his firearm, Bovino made the bold claim that Pretti forfeited his Second Amendment rights via his actions.

We respect that Second Amendment right, but those rights dont count when you riot and assault, delay, obstruct, and impede law enforcement officers  and most especially when you mean to do that beforehand, he said.

Bovino went on to say that Pretti was merely the suspect and that his agents were the people who truly suffered.

The victims are the Border Patrol agents, he said.

That party line was echoed by Trump Cabinet members across the Sunday press shows. FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News that protestors have no right to carry firearms.

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You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. Its that simple. You dont have that right to break the law and incite violence, he said.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also erroneously stated that you cant bring a gun to a protest. Bessent trampled over host Jonathan Karls assertion that all Americans have a right to bear arms during a stop by ABCs This Week.

Ive been to a protest. Guess what? I didnt bring a gun. I brought a billboard, Bessent said.

The post Those rights dont count: Bovino says Pretti forfeited 2nd Amendment rights in fatal shooting appeared first on Salon.com.
Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints.

As a Brentwood resident, Im disturbed by recent reporting out of Minnesota involving federal immigration enforcement and escalating violence. Whatever ones views on immigration policy, public safety cannot become a justification for anonymous, intimidating tactics that increase fear and the risk of escalation.

This is not just a Minnesota issue. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcements) and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) policy is federal, and Tennessees delegation has both oversight authority and a vote on funding. Our members of Congress should insist on clear, enforceable standards for public-facing enforcement.

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These standards should include: visible identification (agency and name/number), strict limits on face coverings with narrow exceptions (medical PPE, undercover work or documented, imminent threat), body-worn camera requirements in public-facing actions, and de-escalation and civil rights training standards along with transparent reporting when force is used.

Accountability isnt anti-law enforcement. Its how legitimate law enforcement earns trust and reduces risk for officers and the public alike.

I urge Rep. Andy Ogles and Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty to publicly support these safeguards and to pursue them through oversight and appropriations.

Christopher Broom, Brentwood 37027

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Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: ICE violence is a national issue Ogles, Blackburn can stop | Letters
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  CTtransit bus service will suspend all service at noon on Sunday as snow continues to fall in the state.

Trains service is also being impacted.

STORM TEAM 8 >> LATEST FORECAST

Several CTrail Shore Line East trains have been canceled on Sunday and Monday as a precaution. Travelers are encouraged to check for updates before traveling.

The Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines of the Metro-North Railroad will run hourly on Sunday, with a systemwide enhanced Saturday schedule in effect for Monday.

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The following CTrail Shore Line East trains have been canceled:

Sunday, Jan. 25

Westbound trains to New Haven

SLE #3645

SLE #3655

SLE #3663

SLE #3699

Eastbound trains to New London

SLE #3618

SLE #3034

SLE #3644

SLE #3652

Monday, Jan. 26

Northbound trains to Hartford and Springfield

SLE #1633

SLE #1637

SLE #1645

SLE #1659

Southbound trains to New Haven

SLE #1600

SLE #1602

SLE #1604

SLE #1606

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.

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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.
The following is the transcript of the interview with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Jan. 25, 2026.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And we turn now to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who joins us from New Orleans. Good morning to you.

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER STEVE SCALISE: Good morning, Margaret.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I know in addition to being a leader in Congress, you have this unique experience of having been the victim of political violence yourself. You know how dangerous rhetoric can be. We've heard a lot of anger in the past 24 hours, and your fellow Louisianan Senator Bill Cassidy said the events in Minneapolis are not only incredibly disturbing, but the credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. He called for a joint federal and state investigation. Would you join his call?

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LEADER SCALISE: Well, I don't question the credibility of ICE. They're doing an incredibly hard job. They're- look we are all, just feel sorry about what happened in Minneapolis. And this has happened over and over again. I mean, I'm not just talking about regarding ICE. I mean, they've got some failed local leadership. They let their city burn down years ago. They have chaos, it seems like all the time in places where other cities don't. ICE is operating in a lot of cities, Margaret, and you don't have these kind of incidents in any other city but Minneapolis--

MARGARET BRENNAN: -- You don't- don't see these numbers either?-- .

LEADER SCALISE: -- and so, I wish yesterday didn't happen. What's that?

MARGARET BRENNAN: You don't see these numbers either, though, when we looked at, for example, at the federal response in New Orleans. I mean, it's just a fraction of the number of federal agents. Nearly 3,000 is quite a lot for a city the size of Minneapolis.

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LEADER SCALISE: Well, that's because they didn't get resistance in cities like New Orleans, where, you know, when you look in Minneapolis, and I just listened to the chief, and you could hear him lamenting four times, I think he said that they're strapped so thin. And let's keep in mind, Minneapolis is a city that defunded their police. That's not the chief's fault. That's the failed Democrat leader's fault. But at the same time, when they defund the police, that leaves the chief stretched thin. And so he- was made a decision not to assist ICE-- .

MARGARET BRENNAN: -- He was talking- he was talking to- dealing with the federal issues. Because when you look at the Minnesota database, shooting victims down 76%, homicides down 67%, burglary down 39% year-to-date, sex offenses down, robberies down, motor vehicle theft is up. So he was talking about the response- the deal that they have now, that the stretch they have now dealing with the federal agents who are there.

LEADER SCALISE: Well, but remember, these agents have also arrested thousands of violent criminals in Minneapolis. That's one of the reasons that crime is down, and we're seeing that across the country. ICE- look again, anytime something bad happens, we all lament that. I wish it didn't happen. But the rhetoric does need to be toned down, but we also need to remember, why is ICE doing this in cities? They're enforcing federal law, Margaret. The law says you can't be here illegally and if you're committing violent crimes. The President made it clear, in fact, he was elected. President Trump was elected to get rid of criminals in our communities. 416,000 criminals have been arrested by ICE just in the last year. That has helped make our communities safer.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, it's interesting you bring up the politics of this, because undoubtedly, the President was elected on the platform of immigration enforcement. There was a lot of support for it. But our latest poll shows more than half of Americans say ICE is making communities less safe, almost two thirds of Americans say they dislike the President's approach to his deportation program. There is not public support for the way this policy is being implemented. Do you think there needs to be a reassessment?

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LEADER SCALISE: Well, if you asked people in a poll, do you want violent criminals that are here illegally in your community? Yes or no? What do you think the answer is going to be? I will tell you, overwhelmingly, they will say, please get the violent criminals out. In fact, you're seeing that on the ground in many, many cities where they are cooperating with ICE, where they don't have sanctuary city policies, and where you don't see by the way, people going in the streets breaking the law to interfere with law enforcement, which is a felony.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You have been a supporter of the Second Amendment. When Secretary Noem says, "I don't know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammo rather than a sign." Do you believe Americans have the right to bear arms while they're protesting?

LEADER SCALISE: Well, first of all, I'm a co-sponsor of Louisiana's law that allows you to have a concealed carry permit. It's worked very well there. I don't know the state law in Minnesota. I know in a state like Louisiana, and frankly, most states, you are not allowed to carry a gun while you're committing another crime and interfering with law enforcement is a felony. It's something that, unfortunately, we're seeing in a lot of cities. You even had the police chief yesterday, Chief O'Hara, that you just had on, yesterday said of the protests going on after the shooting, that they were unlawful. Yes, he actually said it was an unlawful assembly, what a lot of people are doing. And they were throwing things at ICE agents. Throwing projectiles that could harm ICE agents--

MARGARET BRENNAN: -- Yeah, he wasn't talking about the victim --

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LEADER SCALISE: -- So, let's tone this down. And-and leaders in Minnesota, by the way, have been ratcheting up the rhetoric. I mean, you saw the governor, Governor Walz said they're Gestapo. He said they're violently hurting people.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I'm going to have to take this commercial break and let you finish the thought on the other side of it. If you could stay with us, Leader, we have more questions. We'll be right back.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to Face the Nation and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Leader, we have seen a letter that Attorney General Pam Bondi sent to Governor Walz out in Minnesota, offering to end the federal surge if the state does a number of things, among them giving access to the food assistance programs and voter registration logs. What's the purpose of that? What's the intent?

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LEADER SCALISE: Well, I haven't read that letter between Pam Bondi and the governor, but I know that we are investigating tens of billions of dollars of potential fraud coming out of Minnesota. There have been hearings that have already been held. We have a lot of whistle blowers talking to us about major theft of taxpayer money coming out of Minnesota, and these are stealing programs from learning centers, from disabled students, programs that are being stolen, and the Governor did nothing about it. Congress is--

MARGARET BRENNAN:-- But voter registration logs?--

LEADER SCALISE: -- Investigating that aggressively.

MARGARET BRENNAN: As a conservative, doesn't that make you a little uncomfortable that they're demanding the state hand- hand over voter registration logs like, what's the purpose of that to end ICE enforcement?

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LEADER SCALISE: Well, I haven't seen the letter. I know- I know we're trying in Congress to deal with putting laws on the books that will make sure that we protect the integrity of the vote nationwide. States like Minnesota have had problems with voter integrity. We want a national standard, the SAVE Act, which makes sure illegals can't vote, but also making sure you show a picture ID. Those are things we're pushing for that's across the board federally.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Non-citizens cannot vote. But I want to ask you ICE- about all the things that have happened this week, even before that shooting in Minnesota. ICE has said his officers can go into homes without judicial warrants. ICE shot unarmed Renee Good, as you know, claimed that she was a domestic terrorist. An FBI agent resigned after she was ordered not to investigate the officer who shot her. ICE detained at least five kids, including five-year-old Liam Ramos, who was taken into custody by men in masks. Does this picture sound right to you? Are you comfortable with how this is being implemented?

LEADER SCALISE: Let's keep in mind that the five year old's father was here illegally and was evading law enforcement and abandoned his child. ICE actually--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --the family--

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LEADER SCALISE: --protected the child--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --The family disputes that. The administration has a problem with the previous administration's legal system for asylum, that's- they don't like the app he used to file for asylum.

[START CROSSTALK]

LEADER SCALISE: Well, Joe- Joe Biden allowed--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --And they dispute that he fled--.

LEADER SCALISE: --millions of people to come into our country illegally, including very violent people, Margaret--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --But they are retroactively trying to change the legality of the status--

LEADER SCALISE: --people from prisons in other countries. President Trump was elected. The number one issue last year was President Trump saying--

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MARGARET BRENNAN: --Absolutely--

LEADER SCALISE: -- I'm going to secure the border, and he's doing it. But also he's removing violent people. 416,000--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --The father did not have a criminal record of any kind of violence--

LEADER SCALISE: --criminals- illegals have been arrested by ICE. 416,000 have been arrested by ICE. These are very bad people, by the way--

MARGARET BRENNAN: 47% of ICE detainees have criminal charges or convictions. 47%.

LEADER SCALISE: --ICE just put up a website. Not ICE, Homeland Security, worst of the worst DHS. Go Google worst of the worst DHS. State by state, they show you all the people that have been picked up in each state. Your state, you can find out horrible people, murderers, rapists, that they picked up that would be on the street--

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MARGARET BRENNAN: --That doesn't apply to the father or five-year-old Liam--

LEADER SCALISE: --today if President Trump wasn't securing this country.

MARGARET BRENNAN: --or the two year old who was separated from her mother.

LEADER SCALISE: --that father was here illegally and abandoned his child--

MARGARET BRENNAN: They are not the worst of the worst, are they?

LEADER SCALISE: --Go look at the website. It shows you who they picked up--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --Are they the worst of the worst, sir?

LEADER SCALISE: 416,000 people with violent criminal records. These are people- and by the way, America today has the lowest murder rate that we've had since 1900 in part because of President Trump's actions to get these violent people off our streets. 416,000 have been removed. Do you want them still out on our streets?

MARGARET BRENNAN: No.

LEADER SCALISE: I don't think most people do.

MARGARET BRENNAN: No and I don't think--

LEADER SCALISE: --This is a hard job ICE has.

MARGARET BRENNAN: --They do, indeed--

LEADER SCALISE: And local law enforcement, local officials, the mayor, the governor, should not be encouraging people to go out on the streets and break the law by interfering with law enforcement. That's a felony to interfere with law enforcement--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --And American citizens are concerned about American citizens being shot, and that's why we are asking the questions--

LEADER SCALISE: Yeah, and we don't have that chaos in other cities.

MARGARET BRENNAN: -about the tax payer funded federal--

LEADER SCALISE: --Minneapolis has its own problems--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay.

LEADER SCALISE: --failed leadership that has led to a lot of this, and it's unfortunate it happened. I wish it didn't happen. Their failed leaders need to look in the mirror and tone it down.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I have to go next to our next guest. Leader Scalise, thank you for your time today.

Trump deals with fallout over NATO comments

Canadian Ambassador Hillman says U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade deal "not doomed" amid Trump tensions

Maine Sen. Angus King says he won't vote for funding bill that includes ICE as shutdown fears flare
If the estimates are true, the only comparable massacre in history databases would be the murder of 33,000 Jews in the Babyn Yar massacre during the Holocaust outside of Kyiv in 1941.

As many as 30,000 people may have been killed across Iran during a two-day crackdown on January 8 and 9, TIME reported on Sunday, citing two senior Health Ministry officials and a separate compilation of hospital data shared with the publication. The figures have not been independently verified and far exceed numbers publicly cited by authorities.

The number, if true, would massively increase the death toll from previously believed estimates. Days after the alleged massacre, Iran International estimated around 12,000 deaths from the two-day period.

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The officials said the scale of killing overwhelmed the capacity to handle the dead, exhausting body bag stocks, and prompting the use of eighteen-wheeled trailers to move bodies. TIME reported that security forces used rooftop snipers and trucks mounted with heavy machine guns after authorities cut communications. An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps official warned on state television that anyone entering the streets should not complain if a bullet hit them, according to the report.

A hospital-based count shared with TIME listed 30,304 deaths as of Friday, January 9, said Dr. Amir Parasta, a German-Iranian ophthalmologist who compiled the data. We are getting closer to reality, he said, while adding that the tally likely excludes cases from military hospitals and unreachable areas. Public health specialists quoted by TIME cautioned against over-extrapolating from hospital records but said the internal figures point to mass killing over a short period.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei slammed the estimated death counts in a Sunday evening X/Twitter post, calling them "truly vicious" lies.

"A Hitler-style BIG LIE: isn't this the number they planned to kill in the streets of Iran?!" Baqaei wrote. "They failed, though, and now they're trying to FAKE it in the media. Truly vicious!"

If numbers are accurate, massacre in Iran parallels Holocaust's Babyn Yar

Experts struggled to find historical parallels for so many people shot to death in such a brief span. TIME noted that the only comparable event to the two-day period in Iran in online mass killing databases involved the execution by gunfire of some 33,000 Jews during the Holocaust at Babyn Yar outside Kyiv on September 29 and 30, 1941.

Members of the Iranian police attend a pro-government rally in Tehran, Iran, January 12, 2026. (credit: STRINGER/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS)

Iran's Islamic Regime death toll numbers mitigate truth, impact of massacres

The governments internal two-day count, as described to TIME, dwarfs a figure of 3,117 announced on January 21 by hardline officials who report directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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While the true number of the dead in the protests is unknown, a US-based Iranian rights group, HRANA, confirmed 5,459 deaths as of Saturday and was investigating more than 17,000 additional cases.

On Sunday, Iran International estimated that at least 36,500 Iranians have been killed by the regime since the beginning of the protests, citing new documentation and eyewitness accounts from medical staff, families of the deceased, and others.

The Daily Mail, citing Iranian-German Professor Amir-Mobarez Parasta, produced a similar estimate, stating that the death toll may be sitting at over 33,000, with 97,645 people wounded.

Both Iranian International and Parasta noted that the regime has reportedly started carrying out executions across the country.

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Several of the dead were reportedly shot in the head after being admitted to the hospital for medical treatment, per images released from local morgues and seen by Iran International.

A group of medical personnel confirmed to Iran International that lethal shots were fired at the injured.

Accounts gathered by TIME described the internet blackouts role in obscuring the toll, with images of bodies trickling out via illicit satellite connections. Early on into the protests, the regime conducted a near-total internet shutdown across Iran.

Shortly afterwards, hospitals in Tehran were crowded with wounded and dead, while conditions inside Irans digital iron curtain left families unable to verify the fate of relatives.

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The crackdown unfolded as opposition figures urged mass turnout. Throughout the protests, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavis calls for united protests have been widely circulated.

International bodies have since moved to address alleged abuses, with the UN Human Rights Council extending an independent probe into the violence.

"The 30,000 verified deaths are almost certainly an underestimate," Columbia University researcher Les Roberts told TIME, noting that crisis mortality counts often omit victims who never reach hospitals or are buried outside official channels.

Paul B. Spiegel of Johns Hopkins praised the rapid hospital data collection under dangerous conditions but cautioned that intimidation, disrupted record keeping, and parallel military medical systems can skew tallies. Both experts said only transparent access to hospital logs, civil registries, and burial records would clarify the true toll.

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According to Israeli officials, the night of January 8 on the streets of Iran was the deadliest in the history of the Islamic Republicand among the deadliest worldwide in a generation, N12 News reporter Amit Segal posted to X/Twitter on Sunday morning.

The regime murdered thousands, possibly tens of thousands, he wrote. A massacre on an almost unimaginable scale.
Jan 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering imposing a total blockade on oil imports to Cuba as part of possible new tactics to drive regime change in the Caribbean country, Politico reported on Friday, citing three people it said were familiar with the plan.

While no decision has been made on whether to approve that move, such an escalation has been sought by some critics of the Cuban government in the Trump administration and backed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Politico reported.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil and Costas Pitas; Editing by Christian Martinez)
Ice coats the branches of a tree in Nashville during Winter Storm Fern. Heavy ice and has caused trees and branches to fall on power lines in Middle Tennessee, leading to widespread power outages. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

In the wake of a massive winter storm that rolled across Tennessee, covering the state with a glaze of ice and leaving hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without power, President Donald Trump approved on Saturday a request for emergency aid.

Gov. Bill Lee issued a state of emergency for all 95 counties on Friday, ahead of the storm, and on Sunday, Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell declared one, urging people to stay home if possible.

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Try to shelter in place, help neighbors who are in walking distance, be careful if you do have to go outside, said OConnell.

A fallen tree blocks the entrance to Shelby Park in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

As of Sunday afternoon, more than 225,000 Nashville households lack electricity, according to the Nashville Electric Service and OConnell. Middle Tennessee Electric Corporation, which covers portions of Middle Tennessee, reported 13,000 outages. Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, which serves portions of northern Middle Tennessee, including Montgomery, Stewart, Sumner and Robertson counties, reports 35,000 of its 110,000 members are without electricity.

Memphis, which in 2022 had long term outages after a major winter storm, escaped the worst of the ice.

Activation of an emergency declaration gives state and local government agencies access to federal support for emergency protective measures, direct federal assistance and coordination of federal resources.

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Trumps quick approval of the request for emergency support contrasts the much slower response from the federal government after severe storms battered West Tennessee in the spring.

This is the third time in less than two years Tennessee has had to access federal emergency funds for climate disasters. Prior to the spring tornadoes and flooding in 2025, in September 2024, flooding caused by Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage to parts of East Tennessee.

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Iron Dome has been marketed for years as a source of Israeli pride - but should it really be American pride?

US President Donald Trump's speeches are generally unpredictable. Certainly, his address to the World Economic Forum in Davos surprised everyone, particularly Israel, when, in listing his achievements, he said "Bibi, stop taking credit for the dome. That's our technology, that's our stuff," referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Iron Dome rocket interception system.

The response in Israel was one of astonishment. Iron Dome has been marketed for years as a fantastic Israeli achievement, and the system that has saved many lives is a known source of Israeli pride. But should it really be American pride? We'll try to put matters in perspective.

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The chain of events involving Iron Dome is set out in a 2009 report by the State Comptroller. In August 2005, Brigadier General Danny Gold, then head of the Directorate of Defense Research & Development in Israel's Defense Ministry ("Mafat"), made the decision on the Iron Dome program, covering research and proof-of-concept, full development, procurement, and a timetable.

A year later, then Defense Minister Amir Peretz declared that Iron Dome was "the most important project at present and consideration should therefore be given to defining the development program as an 'emergency program' and to expedite it as much as possible." Mafat subsequently instructed Israeli defense technology company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to begin full development of the project. Peretz demanded an extra budget, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, "We can't delay execution by even a day," and in April 2007, Rafael and the Defense Ministry signed an agreement for the development and procurement of Iron Dome.

A couple of months later, Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi decided not to approve the project until a budget was defined, but the problem was solved: the new defense minister, Ehud Barak, approved development, and in December 2007, the cabinet ratified the decision. In 2009, the system was handed over to the IDF. In April 2011, an Iron Dome battery in Ashkelon carried out the system's first operational interception.

(Illustrative) Iron dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets fired from the Gaza Strip to Israel, in Ashkelon on August 7, 2022. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Who takes the credit?

So much for a potted history of how Iron Dome came about. Now for the key question: To whom does the success belong?

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The company that led the development of the interceptor missile and the launcher was Rafael. Israel Aerospace Industries' Elta unit developed the radar, and the Petah Tikva-based company mPrest Systems developed the command and control system. These are all Israeli companies. Yossi Druker, formerly VP and head of Air Superiority Systems at Rafael, and a leading figure in the Iron Dome project, says, "Without exception, Iron Dome was developed with Israeli money, and the technology is entirely Israeli. At Rafael, we developed the most advanced air-to-air missiles in the world, and we derived the technology for Iron Dome from them."

How did America get involved?

So when did the Americans come into it? "At a certain stage, when we were half or three-quarters of the way along, a team of ten American experts came to examine the project's development status, as part of a review of an Israeli request for American funding for production. The report they issued said there was no chance we would meet the timetable or the goal for operational capabilities we had set for ourselves, and a year later they apologized. We managed to develop the system within three years; in the US, a thing like that would take at least fifteen years."

Today, according to the Defense Ministry, US company Raytheon is also part of the project, and the US Missile Defense Agency is an important partner in the production of components for the Iron Dome System. The system's interceptor missiles are manufactured in both Israel and the US, with part of the production transferred in accordance with US requirements.

But is that enough to plant an American flag on Iron Dome? Far from it. Dr. Yehoshua Kalisky, a senior researcher at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), says, "Adding radar to the missiles, the controls and the connections between them that turn everything into one system, that is an Israeli development. The people at Rafael ran the simulations, and Israeli scientists led the process. They took the technology and made the great leap forward, and so Iron Dome is by definition an Israeli development."

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As far as the battle over credit is concerned, Kalisky suggests that at a basic level, we should take a step back. "The know-how circulates in the world, and all technology is based on previous knowledge. There's interaction between scientists and technologists; that's how it works. Missile technology wasn't invented in Israel; it was developed in Germany in the 1930s and was later adopted by the US and the rest of the world. But to say that Iron Dome is the fruit of US-Israeli collaboration is like saying that the Kassam rockets from Gaza are an Arab-American development. You certainly can't make such a claim."

Where does the money come from?

That said, it's important to state that the Americans do have a share in the project, not in the technological aspect that President Trump was speaking about, but in a no less vital aspect: the funding. "It's part of the bilateral agreements that we have with them," Kalisky explains. "Part of the US military aid goes to the American factories that produce Iron Dome's interceptor missile, the Tamir. They financed that pretty much from the start. Back in the 1980s the Americans financed US-Israeli laser projects, and in that there was collaboration between Israeli and US companies."

Ever since Iron Dome became operational in 2011, the US administration has continued to fund the project. After the first interception, Israel approached President Obama and Congress and presented a multi-year program. In 2011, the US allocated $205 million to Iron Dome, and in the following years, the sum grew. By 2014, the US had transferred about $1 billion for this purpose, with the purchase of the missile batteries themselves financed by the US. The cost of an Iron Dome missile battery was estimated at $50-60 million ($70-80 million in 2025 terms).

Since 2012, Israel has received extensive funding for the development of Iron Dome and other air defense systems. Iron Dome is now a joint initiative of the two countries, in which the US provides the finance, and Israel provides the technological know-how and the operational experience.

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From time to time, we are informed of another package of dollars that the US transfers for the purpose of Israeli procurement of Iron Dome systems. In 2012, for example, the US Congress allocated close to $1 billion for this purpose. In 2022 alone, $1 billion was allocated to Iron Dome, and in 2024, when Israel was at war, the amount reached $4 billion for the procurement of Iron Dome and David's Sling systems and munitions for them, to intercept aerial threats to Israel.

"Today the Americans do help Israel a great deal," says Druker. "The financing of the development was wholly Israeli, a large part of it from Rafael's internal development funds  and production is entirely US financed."
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday urged citizens to share their experiences of how air pollution has affected them or their loved ones, stating that the issue cannot be ignored or postponed until next winter. In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi said people have paid a "heavy price" for air pollution and encouraged them to voice their concerns on 'Awaz Bharat Ki', an online platform launched on his official website. "We are paying a heavy price for air pollution - with our health and with our economy. Crores of ordinary Indians bear this burden every day. Children and the elderly suffer the most. Livelihoods, especially of construction workers and daily wage earners are severely impacted. This crisis cannot be forgotten until next winter. The first step towards change is to raise our voices. Share your story of how air pollution has affected you or your loved ones at: https://rahulgandhi.in/awaazbharatki Your voice matters, and it is my duty to raise it," the 'X' post from Gandhi stated. As per Rahul Gandhi's official website, 'Awaz Bharat Ki' is an initiative to provide a platform for people of India to share their thoughts, suggestions, and concerns directly with his office. Earlier this month, on January 18, the air quality in the national capital moved to the 'severe' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 439 at 7 am, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The situation worsened overnight, with the AQI recorded at 432 at 10 pm on January 17, placing it in the 'severe' category, before deteriorating further by early Sunday morning. The persistent high pollution levels have raised serious health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly and people suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular ailments. (ANI)
President Trump defended the presence of federal law enforcement agents in Minnesota following another deadly shooting on Saturday, tying the latest incident to an ongoing massive fraud investigation in the state.

A man, who federal officials claim was armed, was shot and killed during a struggle with U.S. Border Patrol agents in south Minneapolis on Saturday morning.

Trump shared an image of the pistol allegedly confiscated from the victim in a Truth Social post, writing: This is the gunmans gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!) and ready to go.

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What is that all about? Where are the local Police Why werent they allowed to protect ICE officers? The Mayor and Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves  Not an easy thing to do! Trump continued.

He went on to claim there was a coordinated cover up to distract from tens of billions of dollars being stolen from the state, further accusing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) of inciting Insurrection.

We are there because of massive Monetary Fraud, with Billions of Dollars missing, and Illegal Criminals that were allowed to infiltrate the State through the Democrats Open Border Policy, Trump wrote.

Much of what youre witnessing is a COVER UP for this Theft and Fraud. The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric! Instead, these sanctimonious political fools should be looking for the Billions of Dollars that has been stolen from the people of Minnesota, and the United States of America, he continued.

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LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB! Trump concluded.

Both Walz and Frey renewed calls for federal agents to leave Minneapolis after another resident was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent around 9 a.m. Saturday, just a block away from where Renee Good, 37, was fatally shot in her SUV earlier this month by an ICE officer.

The invasion of these heavily armed, masked agents roaming around on our streets of Minneapolis, emboldened with a sense of impunity, it has to end, Frey said at a press conference.

This is not how it has to be, he added, pleading with Trump to act like a leader.

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A DHS official told The Hills sister network, NewsNation, that officers were conducting a targeted operation against a illegal alien wanted for violent assault when the altercation occurred, alleging an individual had approached two agents with a semi-automatic handgun.

The official said the individual violently resisted attempts by officers to disarm him, characterizing the circumstances as an armed struggle.

Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, a Border Patrol agent fired defensive shots, the official said, later adding that the individual had two magazines and no identification.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said the victim was shot several times in the chest and later died at the hospital; however, DHS officials claim the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

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OHara said during an afternoon press conference that the victim was a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident who is believed to be a U.S. citizen and licensed gun owner.

Shortly after, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino accused Frey and OHara of omitting facts.

[We need] state and local enforcement to help us coordinate to get violent criminals off the streets, Bovino said.

Mayor Frey and Chief OHara, just a few minutes ago, did the opposite of that by omitting the fact that the suspect had a gun and magazines full of ammunition, he added, claiming the individual was targeting law enforcement.

When pressed by reporters over how the incident unfolded and whether the victim brandished his gun, Bovino said those facts will come to light and noted an evolving situation.

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Walz later slammed Bovino for rushing to conclusions before an investigation was completed.

Im rejecting the rush to judgment within 15 minutes of this, which they did last time. Thats why you need to have a fair investigation, Walz said, accusing Bovino of slandering the victim.

Theyve written the narrative already, and the audacity to critique the police chief of Minneapolis after the work that those heroic officers are trying to do, and to be critiqued by this guy. I mean, I dont know, the governor added.

Saturdays shooting  the third this month in Minnesota  comes amid weeks of escalating tension and mass protests in the Twin Cities over the expanding presence and tactics of federal law enforcement in the state as part of Trumps immigration crackdown, Operation Metro Surge.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP/Gerard Bottino/Sipa via AP Images

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a naval blockade to restrict Cuban oil imports as part of his continued push for regime change.

Following the Trump administrations surprise operation to abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the president made it clear that other world leaders could soon face a similar fate. Among those who received veiled threats from the administration was Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

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On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that the Trump administration was looking to oust Cubas communist regime by the end of the year. Two days later, Politico added that the administration could try to weaken the regime by halting oil exports.

The report continued:

That escalation has been sought by some critics of the Cuban government in the administration and backed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to two of the three people, who were granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive discussions. No decision has been made on whether to approve that move, but it could be among the suite of possible actions presented to President Donald Trump to force the end of Cubas communist government, these people added.

The report, as noted by Politico, comes a little over a week after Trump announced that Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba would be coming to an end. Trump previously stated that the U.S. would run Venezuela with Maduro in custody.

The post Trump Considering Naval Blockade on Cuban Oil Imports in Latest Push for Regime Change: Report first appeared on Mediaite.
Donald Trump pulled back from the brink on Greenland but not before causing untold damage to the Nato alliance. The US presidents sabre-rattling may also have shaken the faith of his own Republican party.

Trumps fleeting threat to conquer the Danish territory prompted the most strident Republican opposition to anything he has done since taking office a year ago. It came on the heels of challenges to his authority over military powers, healthcare legislation and the Jeffrey Epstein files.

The mini-rebellion suggests that a small but vocal minority of Republicans feel increasingly emboldened to speak out against a 79-year-old leader who, for all his dominance of the party, is polling dismally and could drag them down in Novembers midterm elections.

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Youve never had a president with this much influence and this much political and legislative success so in that sense hes winning but his own party is starting to question and wonder out loud at what cost? said Frank Luntz, a political consultant and pollster. He has been the most influential president since Franklin Roosevelt but the public and even people in his own party are starting to wonder whether its too much.

Related: As the world finally punches back, was this the week Donald Trump went too far? | Jonathan Freedland

Speculating over Trumps grip on the Republican party, and whether it shows any sign of slipping, has been a political sport for a decade, producing many false dawns along the way. Dissenting senators and representatives such as Liz Cheney have been ruthlessly purged or made to feel they have no alternative but retirement.

Trumps biggest crisis came with his crushing defeat in the 2020 presidential election and a subsequent insurrection by a mob of his supporters at the US Capitol, prompting even loyalists such as Lindsey Graham and Kevin McCarthy to condemn him. But not even an attempted coup was enough to break the partys cult-like fever.

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Much-hyped pretenders to the crown such as the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, could not compete and, when Trump roared back from four criminal cases to win the 2024 presidential election, Republicans reclaimed the House of Representatives and Senate and felt vindicated in sticking with their idol.

For much of Trumps first year in office they gave the president such free rein on government downsizing, immigration enforcement and trade tariffs that critics said Congress had abdicated its responsibility, in effect setting up Trump as a monarch.

But there have been blips. In November four House Republicans  Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace  took a rare stand against Trump by signing a discharge petition to force a vote to release federal files related to sex offender Epstein.

Despite months of lobbying against the release, Trump abruptly changed course and announced his support for the bill after it became clear the vote would succeed with potentially dozens of Republicans joining Democrats in support.

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Greene, once among Trumps staunchest allies, resigned from Congress and accused the president of betraying his America First base and prioritising elites over his supporters concerns. In a New York Times Magazine profile, she described herself as naive for initially believing Trump was a true man of the people.

Earlier this month more than a dozen House Republicans defied leadership by voting for a Democratic bill to extend expired Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years without any restrictions. The party has also been scrambling in both chambers to narrowly fend off war powers resolutions intended to force the president to get congressional approval before engaging in military action overseas.

Meanwhile Senator Susan Collins of Maine, the most vulnerable of this years Republican incumbents, has criticised excessive tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including wearing masks and targeting immigrants without criminal records, which she said have been ordered by the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem.

Tara Setmayer, co-founder and chief executive of the Seneca Project, a women-led super political action committee, perceived fractures. I dont think its as ironclad as it once was, evidenced by the Massies and the Marjorie Taylor Greenes and a few others who have begun to question the America First commitment of Donald Trump. Before, you wouldnt have seen any of that; now youre starting to see pockets of it.

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She added: Whether thats culminates into a larger rebellion remains to be seen because it is a midterm election year and these politicians want to stay in office so theyre going to continue to watch how the public reacts to Donald Trumps decision-making and behaviour, which has been rather alarming and erratic. Hes showing signs of wear, his age  all of those things combined are becoming more difficult for rank-and-file Republicans to defend and the polling shows that.

Few Republicans publicly dissented from the successful operation to capture Nicolas Maduro, the leader of Venezuela and many actively cheered it. But Trumps bellicose rhetoric about seizing Greenland  threatening tariffs on European allies and refusing to rule out taking it by force  was seen by some as a bridge too far.

The Republican senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Democrats on a bipartisan trip to Denmark. Other Republicans took part in meetings in Washington with the Danish foreign minister and his Greenlandic counterpart where they discussed security agreements.

Murkowski and others pushed legislation that would prohibit Pentagon funds from being used to attack or occupy territory that belongs to other Nato members without their consent. On the Senate floor, the former Republican leader Mitch McConnell warned that any attempt to seize Greenland would shatter the trust of allies and tarnish Trumps legacy with a disastrous foreign policy decision.

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Tillis directed his criticism at Trump advisers such as the White House deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, rather than the president himself. The fact that a small handful of advisers are actively pushing for coercive action to seize territory of an ally is beyond stupid, he said.

The most outspoken was Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska, who told the Omaha World Herald that an invasion of Greenland would lead to Trumps impeachment  something he would lean towards supporting.

It was notable, however, that McConnell, Tillis and Bacon have all announced that they will retire at the end of their current terms and therefore had little to lose by alienating Trump. Indeed the number of Republicans who broke ranks was perhaps less striking than the number who remained silent.

Setmayer, a former Republican communications director on Capitol Hill, said: Given the gravity of Trumps behaviour and the global consequences of his decision-making just in the last few weeks, the fact that there hasnt been a Republican rebellion once again speaks volumes about the cowardice that got us into this position in the first place.

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He has to be reined in and the only people who can rein him in are the Republicans in Congress. Even with them facing electoral slaughter in November, they have yet to come together and work with Democrats to rein in Donald Trump.

An Emerson College national poll this week found that 43% of likely voters approve of the job Trump is doing while 51% disapprove. Looking ahead to the midterms, 48% support the Democratic candidate on the generic congressional ballot and 42% plan on voting for the Republican candidate.

Trump himself is barred by the constitution from running for president again. Several shops that sell Trump campaign merchandise have recently announced that they are closing down. Next year the Republican political conversation will inexorably turn to the search for his successor, rendering him a lame duck with diminishing influence over the party.

Bill Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution thinktank in Washington and former policy adviser to President Bill Clinton, said: I dont see a lot of evidence that many Republicans are willing to break publicly with him. But theres clearly a sense of unease spreading in Republican ranks as they contemplate running for election or re-election in an environment defined by increasing public discontent with the Trump presidency as revealed by all the standard indices.

If the traditional relationship between presidential approval and the partys fortunes in the midterm elections holds true then the Republicans are in for a rough November. They know that. They cant break with the president but they can subtly distance themselves from him and I suspect that, unless the presidents numbers pick up substantially, that is exactly what theyre going to do.
President Donald Trump praised the soldiers of the United Kingdom who served alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan on Saturday, clarifying his previous criticism of NATO allies.

Trump had earlier criticized NATO troops who served in Afghanistan, arguing they had stayed "a little bit back" from the frontlines during the conflict. His statement was met with outrage in the U.K., however, where Prime Minister Kier Starmer called it "insulting and frankly, appalling."

"The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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"Its a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will!" he continued.

The Importance Of President Trump's Uk Visit Shouldn't Be Underestimated

U.S. President Donald Trump talks at a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers at the conclusion of a state visit on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, England. (Getty Images)

The social media post partially walks back his previous criticism of NATO, made during an interview on Fox Business.

Read On The Fox News App

"We have never really asked anything of them," he said. "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."

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Starmer's office says the prime minister raised the issue with Trump during a phone call this weekend.

Uk Ready To Send Troops, Jets, Ships If Trump Clinches Ukraine Ceasefire, Defense Chief Says

"The Prime Minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home," a spokesperson said. "We must never forget their sacrifice."

Trump's initial remarks also drew a direct rebuke from Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan.

Britain's Prince Harry also criticized Trump's downplaying of NATO soldiers who served in Afghanistan.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

"I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there," Harry said.

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"Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defense of diplomacy and peace," he added.





Original article source: Trump hails 'great and very brave' UK soldiers after slamming NATO allies' Afghanistan service
President Donald Trump shared two screenshots of text exchanges with NATO Secretary General and the French President.

The posts show that even top-level diplomacy can become social media fodder.

End-to-end apps can encrypt messages, but experts say technology can't protect against betrayal.

President Donald Trump has spent years using social media to bypass diplomatic norms.

Now he's going a step further: posting screenshots of seemingly private messages from world leaders for millions to see.

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In two posts on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump published what appear to be private messages from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and French President Emmanuel Macron.

One message, attributed to Rutte, praised Trump's actions in Syria.

"What you accomplished in Syria today is incredible," the message read. It also said that Rutte planned to use media engagements at the World Economic Forum in Davos to highlight Trump's work in Syria, Gaza, and Ukraine, before turning to Greenland: "I am committed to finding a way forward on Greenland. Can't wait to see you."

In recent weeks, Trump has intensified his push for the US to acquire Greenland.

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A NATO official confirmed the authenticity of the exchange to Business Insider.

Another screenshot showed a message from Macron addressed to Trump. In it, the French president says the two leaders are "totally in line on Syria," adding, "We can do great things on Iran."

However, he questioned Trump's actions on Greenland, telling him, "I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland."

The French president's inner circle confirmed the authenticity of the message to Business Insider.

Private diplomacy, now public

Trump's decision to publish the texts underscores how even private exchanges between close allies  once assumed to be off-limits  can now become social media content, blurring the line between diplomacy and public performance, former political advisors and academics told Business Insider.

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John McTernan, who served as UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's director of political operations from 2005 to 2007, said Trump's decision to publish private messages fits a broader pattern of norm-breaking communication designed to project power and unpredictability.

Trump, he said, has mastered social media as a political tool and uses it to bypass diplomatic protocol, signaling that he does not see diplomacy as a negotiation so much as an assertion of will.

"This is a man with no sense of protocol, which I think is part of the attraction to his supporters," he said.

The White House did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

A cost to trust

Janice Stein, the Belzberg professor of Conflict Management and founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, said publicly sharing private messages comes at a steep cost to trust.

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While such posts may deliver short-term gains with an audience, she said they encourage leaders to self-censor and erode confidence among counterparts.

Richard Stengel, who served as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs under Democratic President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2016, took a stronger view.

He said diplomacy depends on privacy and secrecy to allow leaders to test ideas and speak candidly, and that exposing private exchanges publicly risks turning diplomacy into impulsive, performative behavior with little follow-through.

"Trump's violation of that presumption of trust and secrecy is like exploding a bomb at the negotiating table," he said.

Encryption can't guarantee discretion

Some messaging apps can encrypt messages end-to-end, so only the sender and recipient can read them. This protects messages from third parties like hackers, but it can't prevent the sender or recipient from sharing, screenshotting, or publishing them.

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Rebecca Slayton, associate professor at Cornell University's department of Science and Technology Studies, said: "The publishing of these messages is a reminder of the limits of technology for securing communications."

These chats offer "very secure communications if the sender and the recipient choose to keep their communications private," she said, "but the human element is always the weakest link in security."

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke

WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - President Donald Trumps administration opposed efforts to expand the use of body cameras by immigration officers and sharply cut oversight staffing as it surged officers into Minneapolis and other cities, leading to a series of violent clashes.

Footage from bystanders of two fatal shootings of U.S. citizen protesters, including Saturdays incident that left an ICU nurse dead, has underscored the power of video in checking official statements that have portrayed people who have been shot as provoking violent encounters with immigration officers.

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Cameras worn by officers long have been central to police reform efforts for this reason. The Trump administration, however, moved last year to slow-walk a pilot program to give ICE officers body cameras, urging Congress in June to cut the funding by 75% and bucking a nationwide trend of cameras for law enforcement.

Officials last year also placed on paid leave nearly all staffers working for three internal watchdogs conducting oversight of immigration agencies, undermining their capacity to investigate abuses.

Darius Reeves, who was the director of ICEs Baltimore field office until August, said a body camera pilot program rollout had been slow in 2024 under President Biden, a Democrat, and died on the vine under Trump, a Republican.

In response to a request for comment, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities.

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Anyone pointing the finger at law enforcement officers instead of the criminals is simply doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens, she said.

At least three of the eight or more Border Patrol agents at the scene of Saturday's shooting were wearing body cameras, a Reuters view of verified video showed. Reuters could not determine if the cameras were activated or if any agents involved in the physical encounter were wearing them.

EFFORTS TO SLASH ICE BODY-CAM FUNDING

When ICE or Border Patrol have engaged in acts of violence - including the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis - top Trump officials have been quick to label the deceased as aggressors rather than call for thorough investigations.

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Trump has started ramping up immigration enforcement this year after Republicans in Congress passed a bill last year that provides $170 billion for the crackdown, a major funding surge expected to transform the way ICE and Border Patrol operate.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the architect of Trumps immigration agenda, called Pretti a domestic terrorist and would-be assassin in social media posts hours after he was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent.

The shooting has galvanized some Democratic senators who say they will oppose a spending bill to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security unless it reins in immigration enforcement.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrols parent agency - had 13,400 cameras for some 45,000 officers as of June, according to a congressional aide.

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ICE launched a body-camera pilot program in 2024 and deployed cameras to officers in five cities: Baltimore, Buffalo, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

While the Trump administration kept the program, it called on Congress to freeze its expansion and slash funds to run it in its budget request for fiscal year 2026.

The proposal called for maintaining ICEs 4,200 body-worn cameras but cutting the 22-person staff to three employees and running the program in a more streamlined approach.

DHS says there are some 22,000 ICE officers but a federal workforce database suggests the figure is lower.

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A homeland security spending bill passed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives last week rejected that proposal, instead providing $20 million for ICE and Border Patrol cameras.

Still, the bill - which now faces a challenging route to passage in the U.S. Senate - did not require either agency to use the devices.

Scott Shuchart, a top ICE official under Biden, said officers do not bring the cameras with them when detailed to other locations outside their normal operating area, an issue that has been more relevant as officers have been surged to cities around the country.

DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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COMPLAINTS UNANSWERED AS OVERSIGHT STAFF CUT

The Trump administration placed some 300 workers in three separate DHS oversight offices on paid leave in early 2025 as it redirected thousands of federal agents from across government to assist its crackdown, a move that drew criticism from Democrats and civil rights groups.

A lawsuit over the reductions argues the Trump administration effectively eliminated the offices, something only Congress would be authorized to do, and left no way to address abuses.

In May, a career federal employee, Ronald Sartini, was tasked with top roles at three of the oversight offices, including the one that handled allegations of abuse in immigration detention.

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As of December, there were only a few employees per office. The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman had three full-time employees and two detailees, compared to more than a hundred in March.

In 2023, OIDO received more than 11,000 complaints in person and received 282 complaints via its web portal, court documents show. Between March and December of 2025, OIDO received 285 complaints in total, court documents show.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Fernando Robles in Mexico City; Editing by Craig Timberg and Nick Zieminski)
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump says a lot of things that make life harder for congressional Republicans.

For many of them, his recent fixation with acquiring Greenland was in a class of its own.

The unease on Capitol Hill was palpable after the commander in chief repeatedly refused to rule out using military force to occupy the resource-rich island, saying on Jan. 9: "If we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way."

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In the halls between the Senate and House of Representatives, GOP lawmakers bristled at the notion that the United States could launch hostilities against the territory of Denmark, a NATO ally. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, called the potential seizure of Greenland, which polling shows most Americans oppose, an "especially catastrophic act of strategic self-harm to America."

People attend a protest against President Donald Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in front of the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. People bear Greenlandic flags as they march to protest against President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland on Jan. 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. Greenlandic, Danish and other European leaders are hoping they can still avert an intervention by the United States to forcefully acquire the island as Trump continues to insist the U.S. must have Greenland, suggesting even by military means if necessary. Protesters take part in a demonstration to show support for Greenland in Copenhagen, Denmark on Jan. 17, 2026. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen walks with people during a protest against President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. People attend a protest against President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. A child is wrapped in Greenlandic flag as people attend a protest against President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in front of the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. Jens Kjeldsen, a 70-year-old carpenter and former judge from Greenland, paces with flags of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland (Kingdom of Denmark) protesting outside the US consulate's wooden cabin in Nuuk, Greenland, on Jan. 20, 2026. The 70-year-old carpenter and former judge from Greenland is holding daily early morning protests outside the US consulate this week in hopes of getting his message across to US officials. People attend a protest against President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in front of the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. People attend a protest against President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. People attend a protest against President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen waves a flag during a protest against President Donald Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. People attend a protest against President Donald Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. People attend a protest against President Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026. People wave Greenlandic flags as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against President Donald Trumps plans to take Greenland, on Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland. Trump escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 percent until his purchase of the Danish territory is achieved. Trump's threats came as thousands of people protested in the capital of Greenland against his wish to acquire the mineral-rich island at the gateway to the Arctic. People wave Greenlandic flags as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against President Donald Trumps plans to take Greenland, on Jan. 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. Trump escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 percent until his purchase of the Danish territory is achieved. Trump's threats came as thousands of people protested in the capital of Greenland against his wish to acquire the mineral-rich island at the gateway to the Arctic. People wave Greenlandic flags as they take part in a demonstration that gathered almost a third of the city population to protest against President Donald Trumps plans to take Greenland, on Jan. 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. Trump escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 percent until his purchase of the Danish territory is achieved. Trump's threats came as thousands of people protested in the capital of Greenland against his wish to acquire the mineral-rich island at the gateway to the Arctic. A mother and daughter with their faces painted with the Greenlandic flag stand on a street after they participated in a march to protest against President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland on Jan. 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. Greenlandic, Danish and other European leaders are hoping they can still avert an intervention by the United States to forcefully acquire the island as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to insist the U.S. must have Greenland, suggesting even by military means if necessary. People bear Greenlandic flags as they march to protest against President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland on Jan. 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. Greenlandic, Danish and other European leaders are hoping they can still avert an intervention by the United States to forcefully acquire the island as Trump continues to insist the U.S. must have Greenland, suggesting even by military means if necessary. A couple depart after they participated in a march to protest against President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland on Jan. 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. Greenlandic, Danish and other European leaders are hoping they can still avert an intervention by the United States to forcefully acquire the island as Trump continues to insist the U.S. must have Greenland, suggesting even by military means if necessary. Protesters on City Square during a protest in support of Greenland on Jan. 17, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The United States president continues to insist the U.S. must have Greenland, even by military means if necessary. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, which has forcefully pushed back on the U.S. threats, saying they jeopardize the future of NATO. Greenlanders march in defiance of Trumps efforts to claim the island 1 of 20 People attend a protest against President Donald Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in front of the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 17, 2026.

"Greenland needs to be viewed as our ally, not as an asset," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. She made the comments standing alongside a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers who traveled to Copenhagen on Jan. 16 in hopes of easing Danish leaders' concerns about Trump's hostile rhetoric.

Read more: 'Ally,' not 'asset': In Denmark, US lawmakers push back on Trump

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) attend a press conference with an American delegation, consisting of senators and members of the House of Representatives, in Copenhagen, Denmark January 17, 2026.

The controversy  which reached a detente on Jan. 21, after the president said he arrived at a "framework of a future deal" with the head of NATO  set up arguably one of the most trying tests of GOP loyalty of the president's second term.

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In one sense, it demonstrated Trump's continued dominance over many Republican lawmakers, who lauded his hardline negotiating style and harkened back to previous unsuccessful bids by American presidents to purchase the world's largest non-continental island.

At the same time, the debate revealed hints of the limits on that influence, especially when it comes to weighty issues, such as retaining the NATO alliance.

Read more: The GOP is drawing a red line for Trump on Greenland. It's military action.

And it's not over: Trump has yet to outline the details of the new agreement he reached. Exactly what that framework ultimately looks like could invite a fresh litmus test for congressional Republicans.

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Regardless of the contours of that deal, many of them are already working overtime to smooth over strains within NATO, which has long been considered America's most important alliance.

"This is problematic that the president has made this statement and has caused tension among the alliance," Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Jan. 18. "And there certainly is going to be continuation of a discussion among all of our allies as to what could this mean."

In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, put it more bluntly.

"There are so many Republicans mad about this," he said Jan. 14, calling Trump's approach to Greenland "utter buffoonery."

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Read more: Has Trump's control over the GOP in Congress waned? It's complicated.

Republicans relieved after Trump rules out use of force against Greenland

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

After weeks of veiled threats toward the Danes, Trump ultimately softened his language in a Jan. 21 speech to other world leaders in Davos, Switzerland.

In remarks at the World Economic Forum, he definitively said military action against Greenland  where the United States already has an active base  wasn't on the table. (He also appeared to confuse Iceland and Greenland multiple times in the same speech, though White House officials have denied that his multiple mentions of Iceland were a slip of the tongue.)

"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," Trump said.

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After the president's assurances, many Republicans breathed a sigh of relief.

"I was pleased to see the president made clear we're not going to use force to resolve his concerns here," Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, told USA TODAY on Jan. 22. "We need to continue to work in concert with Denmark and our European allies. And I think we will."

Trump later announced on social media that he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had reached an agreement that would allow the United States to bolster its military presence in Greenland with "total access" while not formally acquiring the country.

"We're getting everything we want at no cost," he said.

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Read more: Whats in Trumps framework Greenland deal? Here's what we know

It wasn't immediately clear what new changes were solidified. A 1951 agreement between the United States and Denmark already gives the American military the right to construct bases in Greenland and move freely about the Arctic island. And Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said he wasn't initially involved in the discussion with Trump and Rutte.

"I don't know what there is in the agreement, or the deal, about my country," he told reporters in the capital of Nuuk.

Although they didn't know the specifics, many GOP lawmakers were quick to commend the president for what they lauded as another example of his deal-making skills.

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Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican, told USA TODAY that critics spent the last few weeks paying too much attention to what the president was saying, rather than trusting him to deliver the best outcome for the country.

As for why it took Trump so long to rule out invading a U.S. ally, he said, "Ask the president."

Contributing: Reuters

Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Republicans' Greenland headache finally ending?
Julie Roginsky, a Democrat, and Mike DuHaime, a Republican, are consultants who have worked on opposite teams for their entire careers yet have remained friends. Star-Ledger editor Enrique Lavin moderates this Q&A on most Thursday evenings.

Trumps Greenland grab

Q: How seriously should we take President Trumps claim of a framework with NATOs secretary-general over U.S. control of Greenland? For days he was threatening invasion and tariff hikes.

Mike: I dont think Trump will stop until there is some sort of agreement that looks like a win to him and the United States. I would continue to take this seriously.

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Julie: Trump went to Davos and blew up the Pax Americana, which has kept the world safe from World War III for the last eighty years. We are in the early stages of that war now, whether we want to admit it to ourselves or not.

Republican says the Iword

Q: GOP Rep. Don Bacon called Trumps idea of invading Greenland utter buffoonery, saying he would lean in on impeachment if Trump followed through. Other Republican leaders were also critical. Was this the line in the sand the GOP wasnt willing to cross?

Mike: Rep. Don Bacon is a good man and has courageously stood up to Trump over the years when others wouldnt. However, he is not running for reelection when many others are. Those who are may not have the same political courage. I am hopeful some other Republicans will know that invading, or even threatening, an ally crosses the line to the point where they should no longer simply meekly acquiesce. Rep. Bacon is a model of a public servant who cares more about his country than his party, and I wish more would follow his lead.

Julie: They can say all they want prior to an invasion, but if Trump decides to go ahead, they will fall in line. Just look at the Venezuela incursion as a prime example. Lots of these people ran on stopping foreign incursions and now suddenly believe that America First means America invading and annexing other countries. There is scant political courage in Washington these days.

Midterms and Trumps fear

Q: Trump keeps warning Republicans that losing the midterms means Democrats will find a reason to impeach me. Hes made nearly 200 endorsements already for 2026, often targeting Republicans who crossed him. How much influence do you think he still has as were less than 10 months away from Election Day?

Mike: Trump has massive influence in GOP primaries. Very few have been able to overcome his endorsement in a GOP primary, though Curtis Bashaw did here in New Jersey in 2024. The real question will be whether he can take out Republicans he doesnt like, such as U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana, who voted to impeach him. The bigger question is whether his endorsement helps or hurts in purple states and districts next year. We know it didnt help in New Jersey and was used by Democrats to rally their base.

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Julie: Trumps endorsement matters, which is why Bill Cassidy is in so much trouble in Louisiana. Cassidy, a medical doctor, cast the deciding vote to make RFK Jr. the secretary of Health and Human Services because he was so terrified of crossing Trump. It turns out that didnt matter. He should be an object lesson for other Republicans who decide that throwing away their oath and integrity may protect them.

Epstein files

Q: A federal judge blocked the bid for an independent monitor on DOJ transparency around the Ghislaine Maxwell case. Republicans overwhelmingly supported releasing the Epstein files, but now some say its no longer a top priority, instead insisting the Clintons should testify before Congress. Why the sudden shift?

Mike: The shift is due to situational ethics based on the fear of offending Trump.

Julie: These Republicans, for the most part, never gave a damn about survivors. They did it because of political pressure. Now Trump has waved other shiny objects in the medias face to focus on, so the Epstein files have taken a back seat and, with that, any effort on the part of Republicans to focus on the truth.

ICE and looming shutdown

Q: How likely is another government shutdown over the Department of Homeland Security bill, given Democrats are pushing for stricter ICE oversight after the Renee Good killing in Minneapolis?

Mike: A shutdown is unlikely until Democrats gain the majority.

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Julie: More than a handful of Democrats crossed the aisle to advance spending bills this week in the House. If I were in Congress, I would not vote for one penny until ICE is defunded. If Trump is engaging in a maximalist campaign to move the Overton Window [shifting radical ideas to the mainstream], Democrats should be doing the same. I dont think they grasp how absolutely pissed off the base is at them for constantly caving.

Our new governor

Q: At her inauguration, Gov. Mikie Sherrill positioned New Jersey as a bulwark against Trumps federal agenda. Should we be surprised that shes being this combative on Day 1?

Mike: I am not surprised. She won by double digits, making Trump a central theme of her campaign. If something works politically, politicians keep doing it.

Julie: Good for Gov. Sherrill. In Phil Murphy, we had a governor who played footsie with Trump, partied with Jared and Ivanka, and otherwise stayed largely quiet about all the abuses from the Trump administration. Its refreshing to have someone actually stand up for the values that got her elected. I am thrilled to see Sherrill doing this.

Utility state of emergency

Q: As she promised during her campaign, Sherrill signed an executive order to freeze utility rate hikes as her first official act. When should we be looking at our electricity bills, and could this backfire?

Mike: Heating bills will be very high this month due to the crazy cold weather. Perhaps that will be conflated with electric bills, but I think voters will pay attention to electric bills when the ACs kick on this summer.

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Julie: Sherrill has been in office for less than a week. Give her six months to deliver.

AntiICE bills

Q: Sherrill inherited Murphys antiICE legislation. How explosive is this issue going to be for her, especially if she signs the remaining bills he left on her desk?

Mike: In general, Gov. Sherrill should focus on state issues and be careful not to weigh in on every national or international incident. Focus on the snowstorm. When ICE infringes on New Jersey families or law enforcement efforts, thats when she may need to step in. The key is to do things that matter, not to simply grandstand on every piece of legislation.

Julie: Gov. Sherrill should sign these bills. It is the moral thing to do, and it is what New Jersey voters increasingly support.

Ethics and government overhaul

Q: In a blizzard of executive orders Sherrill signed on Day 1, she reinstated strict disclosure rules, installed a powerful new COO, and is launching a statewide government report card. These actions are aimed at increasing accountability and reducing the red tape involved in state permitting processes for businesses. Some of this sounds like something a Republican governor would do. Will it work?

Mike: Republicans love cutting red tape and increasing accountability for government bureaucrats. Gov. Christie had a Red Tape Commission designed to get government out of the way of small businesses. This should be an area where there will be bipartisan support.

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Julie: Everyone loves cutting red tape and bringing in more sunlight. Its a smart political move on her part.

She's a Dem. He's GOP. And they're friends

Roginsky-Duhaime

Editors note: Can Americans still have a sensible and friendly political discussion across the partisan divide? The answer is yes, and we prove it every week with this Friendly Fire conversation.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
FIRST ON FOX: In Nigeria, Fox News Digital has been told terrorists are on the run following U.S. strikes last month aimed at stopping the killing of Christians in Africas most populous country, this as a senior official from U.S. Africa Command visited Nigeria this week.

According to the recently released persecution watchdog Open Doors World Watch List, three out of every four Christians killed for their religion worldwide have been murdered in Nigeria. It is said to average out that one Christian is killed there every two and a half hours.

Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump confirmed, "In Nigeria were annihilating terrorists who are killing Christians. Weve hit them very hard. Theyve killed thousands and thousands of Christians."

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Christians Targeted In Systematic Kidnapping Campaign In Nigeria By Jihadi Herdsmen, Experts Say

This past week, the second-highest-ranking officer at U.S. Africa Command, a former U.S. Special Forces leader who served in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. John Brennan, U.S. Army, was as a key member of a U.S. delegation to Nigeria. Speaking exclusively to Fox News Digital from Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, Brennan detailed U.S. moves on the ground to combat Islamic State and other jihadi terror groups.

Brennan gave Fox News Digital insight into the U.S. militarys role now in Nigeria: "We are continuing to provide them (the Nigerians) intelligence support, airborne ISR, (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), things that will make them more accurate. And they had some success in Sokoto post-strike because of the activity that the strike generated across the network."

Read On The Fox News App

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The general continued, "A lot of terrorists decided to flee the area, and it allowed the Nigerians the opportunity to arrest them." But he added, "We're all about enabling Nigerians to solve Nigerian problems. We want to ensure that they remain a security anchor for all of West Africa and they do too. And so it's in our mutual interest that we work together."

"They have a terrorist problem, Brennan said. "So we're trying to help create effects that will stop them and their borders from getting incurred by terrorist organizations," he concluded.

Us Launches Wave Of Strikes In Somalia Targeting Isis, Al-shabab Terror Threats

"I definitely have a good reason to believe that the target was hit," Illia Djadi, persecution analyst for sub-Saharan Africa at Open Doors, told Fox News Digital. He added, "and (when) I say target, I mean these armed men, people or groups, their camps have been hit, and eventually afflicting damage to them. They are on the run now. Fleeing in different directions. Some sources say some have fled, maybe to neighboring Niger and others south and in different locations across Nigeria."

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Djadi continued, "All these years, they have been acting and attacking with relative total impunity. But this has changed now. They are scared now. They are hit, and they realize they can be hit again. So this is the symbolism."

Funerals for some 27 Christians who were reportedly killed by Islamist Fulani tribesmen in the village of Bindi Ta-hoss, Nigeria on July, 28, 2025 (Fox News)

He said, "The bombing resonated even beyond Nigeria's borders," Djadi added, "even across Nigerias neighbors, like Niger, Mali and other countries. People are watching because of what happened, (thinking) if this can happen to Nigeria, it can happen to countries like Mali, Niger or elsewhere. They are watching. They are taking note of that."

Nigeria Named Epicenter Of Global Killings Of Christians Over Faith In 2025, Report Says

On Thursday, in a plenary session with Brennan present, U.S. and Nigerian officials met to discuss cooperation following President Trumps designation of Nigeria as a country of Particular Concern.

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At the meeting, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker told those present, "Today we are here to determine how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities, prioritizing counterterrorism and insecurity, investigating attacks, holding perpetrators accountable and reducing the number of killings, forced displacements and abductions of Christians."

The meeting took place in Abuja. Just over 80 miles away, four days earlier, the abduction of Christians continued, with over 160 worshipers kidnapped from three churches in northern Kaduna state, it is believed, during Sunday services.

At least 51 Christians were killed in another attack in Nigeria's Plateau state.

In an interview with The New York Times earlier this month, President Trump said more strikes could be made against Nigeria, "If they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike."

This week, when asked if further strikes are possible, a U.S. defense official told Fox News Digital, "That's a question for the White House. But I can tell you our Nigerian partners are asking for more of our help. And so we're going to give it to them."

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There are some American boots on the ground, but their numbers are not significant, Brennan said, adding, "a lot of assessment (is) going on. So we have a small team that the Nigerians invited in, and we're working with them to assess their needs, and to create opportunities that we can both capitalize on together."

Another Christian Community At Risk In Africa As Extremists And War Take Their Toll

Some military equipment is being shipped in from the U.S., Brennan said, but "it's nothing out of the ordinary. It's things they (the Nigerians) had already purchased, as far as ammunition, things that make to help them be more accurate in their operations against ISIS, West Africa Province and Boko Haram."

Rabiu Ibrahim, Nigerias special assistant to the minister of information and national orientation, told Fox News Digital, "Nigerias primary and unwavering stance is that terrorism, in all its forms, is a global scourge that requires a collective, yet sovereignly respectful, response. The U.S. military actions in our region are viewed through this lens. We acknowledge that any action which genuinely degrades the capability of terrorist groups threatening the stability of the Sahel and our own national security is a tactical component in a much larger strategic picture."

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Ibrahim added, "We have noted, through our own intelligence and battlefield evidence, that such external kinetic actions can disrupt command structures, degrade logistics and create atmospherics of uncertainty among the remnants of groups like ISWAP and Boko Haram." "Our cooperation with the United States is robust, multifaceted and transcends mere rhetoric," Ibrahim continued, saying it is focused on key areas, including "capacity building and training: Nigerian units, particularly in intelligence, aviation and special operations, have received advanced training that directly enhances their operational effectiveness in theater."

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

Ibrahim said Nigeria also benefits from the U.S. through intelligence sharing and material and technical support, including night-vision capabilities, claiming "it is not a patron-client relationship, but a partnership where Nigerian leadership on the ground is augmented by specific, requested external support."





Original article source: After Trump strikes Islamist terrorists, US general travels to Nigeria with militants 'on the run'
The Brief

President Trump is escalating his feud with Canada, this time threatening 100% tariffs on imported goods from our northern neighbor over a potential trade deal with China.

Canada this month negotiated a deal to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in return for lower import taxes on Canadian farm products.

Trump said if Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney "thinks he is going to make Canada a Drop Off Port for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken."

President Donald Trump is threatening a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada over its potential trade deal with China.

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Trump made the threat Saturday on his Truth Social account.

Why is Trump threatening Canada?

What they're saying

Trump said if Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney "thinks he is going to make Canada a Drop Off Port for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken."

RELATED: U.S. tariffs mostly paid by American importers and consumers, report suggests

The other side

Carneys office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump attend the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

Big picture view

While Trump has waged a trade war over the past year, Canada this month negotiated a deal to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in return for lower import taxes on Canadian farm products.

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Trump initially had said that agreement was what Carney "should be doing and its a good thing for him to sign a trade deal." By Saturday he had changed his tune.

War of words with Canada

Dig deeper

Trumps threat comes amid an escalating exchange with Canada as Trumps push to acquire Greenland strains the NATO alliance. Trump had commented while in Davos, Switzerland, this week that "Canada lives because of the United States." Carney shot back that his nation can be an example that the world does not have to bend toward autocratic tendencies.

MORE: Greenland latest: Trump says framework deal reached with NATO, cancels tariff threat

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Trump later revoked his invitation to Carney to join the president's "Board of Peace" that he is forming to try to resolve global conflicts.

Trump has repeatedly needled Canada over its sovereignty and suggested it also be absorbed by the United States as a 51st state.

He resumed that this week, posting an altered image on social media showing a map of the United States that included Canada, Venezuela, Greenland and Cuba as part of its territory.

In his message Saturday, Trump continued his provocations by calling Canada's leader "Governor Carney." Trump had used the same nickname for Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, and his use of it toward Carney was the latest mark of their soured relationship.

What's next

Carney has not yet reached a deal with Trump to reduce some of the tariffs that he has imposed on key sectors of the Canadian economy. But Canada has been protected by the heaviest impact of Trumps tariffs by the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. That trade agreement is up for a review this year.

The Source

This report includes information from President Trump's Truth Social account and The Associated Press.
Jan Shakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav on Sunday called Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi a "cowardly leader" as he agreed with former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad's statement against the senior Congress leader. "Rahul Gandhi is a cowardly leader. He said he would go to Ayodhya to have darshan of Lord Ram. He hasn't gone yet. Why didn't Rahul Gandhi go? He should have gone, shouldn't he?" Tej Pratap Yadav said when asked about Shakeel Ahmad's statement. Shakeel Ahmad on Saturday alleged that there's "no internal democracy" in Congress and Rahul Gandhi wants to "throw out" the senior leadership of the party. The former Union Minister lashed out at Rahul Gandhi, claiming the latter is "uncomfortable" in collaborating with popular, veteran leaders. "There are many leaders in Congress who have been politicians long before Rahul Gandhi became one. The day Rahul Gandhi ji won his first election, I won my fifth election. I believe he is uncomfortable sitting with people who don't see him as their boss. I have felt this for a long time, but when you stay in party you don't say such things," Ahmad told ANI. Additionally, when asked about reports of Congress wanting to break away from the alliance with RJD, Tej Pratap Yadav said, "Congress should've done this earlier. They fought the elections and lost it. They should've done this earlier when he was riding 'phat phatiya" (motorbike). He can do 'phat-phatiya' mastering, and he can cook 'Murga-bhaat'. That's his job." Tej Pratap Yadav was expelled from both the party and family in 2024 following a controversy over a Facebook post in which he claimed to be in a relationship. The incident revived discussions around his past marital issues, including his ongoing divorce case with Aishwarya Rai, granddaughter of former Bihar CM Daroga Rai. Following his expulsion, Tej Pratap Yadav went on to launch his own party, the Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD). Earlier this month, Tej Pratap Yadav claimed "RJD will merge with JJD." This came after the "Dahi Chuda" program organised by Janshakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav. In the program, Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav reunited with his estranged son, Tej Pratap Yadav, at his residence in Patna. (ANI)
Donald Trumps favorite trench-coated immigration enforcer was forced to sit through Gavin Newsom comparing his look to Nazi SS garb bought on eBayand then defend his wardrobe on live TV.

Appearing on NewsNation, Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino was shown a clip from the World Economic Forum in Davos in which the California governor used him as Exhibit A for Americas sinister masked men era under Trump.

Gregory Bovino looks grim-faced as NewsNation host Leland Vittert tees up the Newsom clip. / NewsNation

Newsom sneered that Bovino was dressed up as if he literally went on eBay and purchased SS garb secret police, private army, masked men, people disappearing no due process.

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Afterwards, NewsNation host Leland Vittert defended Bovinos sartorial choices, reassuring Bovino that the coat looked like it wasnt something you could find on eBay, before inviting Bovino to comment.

Bovino, visibly irritated, insisted there was nothing fascist about the calf-length green trench that has already sparked a tidal wave of Nazi memes online.

Newsom said the Border Patrol commander looked like he'd been shopping for

That coat is definitely Border Patrol-issue, he said. Ive had it over 25 years. I bought that at a young age in approximately 1999.

Bovino is 55, which means he would have around 30 when he says he bought the coat.

Bovino went on to boast that hed worn the exact same coat to then-CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus coronation at agency headquarters in Washington, D.C., five, six years ago and received nothing but compliments for it during the Biden, administration.

Under Trump, Bovino has led his self-styled

Fast-forward a few years to this administration, all of a sudden its a problem. Hey, what changed there? Why is it a problem now, but it wasnt [during] the last administration?

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Vittert, doing some journalism, asked Bovino if he could dig the photographic receipts out of his archive. Do me a favor Can you get us a picture of you in that coat at that ceremony? he asked, promising to put it on air.

Bovino replied with a smirk, suggesting he knew he would be asked that question, I believe I can do that. Were working on that now.

The awkward TV appearance is the latest for Bovino, who has become the most notorious face of Trumps second-term immigration crackdown, but who has struggled to shake the Nazi cosplay accusations that Newsom has now brought to international attention.

Back in October, a Department of Homeland Security promo video featuring Bovino rallying his goons, interspersed with black-and-white images of him in the now-infamous trench coat triggered instant SS comparisons.

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The clip, set to a pounding gabber remix of Coldplays Viva la Vida and emblazoned with the slogan WE WILL NOT BE STOPPED, was posted the same day a federal judge ordered Bovino to appear in court every weekday over Border Patrols heavy-handed tactics in Chicago.

Online, users shared side-by-side shots of Nazi officers and the commander, branded him Munchkin Himmler, and joked: If not Nazi, why shaped like Nazi? Californias governor joined in then, too, reposting the video and warning that it showed the Trump administration isnt even trying to hide who they are.

A black-and-white photo of Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino in a long SS-style trenchcoat sparked 'Nazi' memes. / X

Newsom has now taken the critique global. At the World Economic Forum this week, he ticked through what he called Trumps authoritarian tendenciesfrom federalizing thousands of National Guard troops to deploying masked men to American citiesbefore landing on Bovino as his punchline, saying that Trump had effectively turned the Border Patrol boss into the face of a secret police, private army.

Newsom spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as the de facto anti-Trump envoy. / FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images

For Bovino, criticism about his look adds to a grim record on the ground since the summer. A November watchdog analysis found that under his leadership, the El Centro Sector had posted the highest use-of-force rate in the entire Border Patrolmore than double the national averagewith incidents ranging from shooting at a moving minivan to rough physical takedowns.

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That same month, a federal judge in Chicago branded Bovino evasive and effectively called him a liar after video evidence shredded his sworn account of a tear-gas incident during Operation Midway Blitz in Illinois.

And earlier this month, he sparked outrage by going on Fox News to praise ICE agent Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot unarmed protester Renee Nicole Good in the head in Minneapolis through the window of her car, declaring, Hats off to that ICE agent. Im glad he made it out alive.
BRUSSELS (AP)  Tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to take control of Greenland have driven a wedge in the once iron-clad link between MAGA and Europe's far-right.

The rift seems to signal that ideological alignment alone may not be enough to temper worries among European nationalists over Trump's interventionism abroad.

Far-right leaders in Germany, Italy and France have strongly criticized Trump's Greenland plans. Even Nigel Farage, a longtime ally of Trump and head of the Reform UK nationalist party, called Trump's Greenland moves a very hostile act.

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During a debate Tuesday in the European Parliament, far-right lawmakers typically aligned with Trump overwhelmingly supported halting a EU-U.S. trade pact over their uneasiness with his threats, calling them coercion and threats to sovereignty."

MAGA's trans-Atlantic partners

Such a divergence between Trump and his European acolytes came as some surprise.

Far-right parties surged to power in 2024 across the European Union, rattling the traditional powers across the blocs 27 nations from Spain to Sweden. Their political groupings now hold 26% of the seats in the European Parliament, according to the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

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Less than a year ago, Europe's far-right parties gathered in Madrid to applauded Trump's election under the banner Make Europe Great Again, while Elon Musk, before his fall from Trumps graces, had boosted European far-right influencers and figures on X, including Germanys radical right Alternative for Germany party.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance drew scorn from within Germany and across Europe after he met with AfD leader Alice Weidel during elections in February. The party, with which mainstream parties refuse to work, upset German politics by doubling its presence in the Bundestag to become the nation's second-largest party.

Yet deep divisions within MAGA itself over Trumps approach to foreign affairs has reverberated in Europe, with his actions over Greenland, Venezuela and Iran forcing his political allies to favor their ideological convictions over their deference to the U.S. president.

Sovereignty trumps shared values

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Frances far-right National Rally has at times vaunted its ideological closeness to Trump, particularly on immigration.

A year ago, the party sent one of its senior figures, Louis Aliot, to attend Trumps inauguration. In turn, Trump has staunchly defended party leader Marine Le Pen, describing her conviction for embezzling EU funds as a witch hunt.

Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old National Rallys president and a MEP, has praised Trumps nationalist views, saying to the BBC last month that a wind of freedom, of national pride was blowing across Western democracies.

In recent days, however, Bardella has appeared to distance himself from the U.S. administration. In his New Years address, he criticized U.S. military intervention in Venezuela aimed at capturing then-President Nicolas Maduro, calling it foreign interference designed to serve the economic interests of American oil companies.

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Going further, Bardella on Tuesday denounced Trumps commercial blackmail over Greenland.

Our subjugation would be a historic mistake, Bardella said.

Another Trump ally, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, echoed this sentiment. In an interview on Rai television Wednesday, she said that she told Trump during a call that his tariffs threat over Greenland was a mistake.

Reluctance to criticize on the EU's eastern flank

Yet the reactions among European right-wing leaders has not been lockstep. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, widely regarded as the trailblazer of Trumps brand of illiberal populism, has been careful to avoid even the slightest criticism of the U.S. president.

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Facing what is likely to be the toughest election of his 16 years in power in April, Orban has built his political identity around his affinity with Trump, promising voters that his close relationship with the president will pay hefty dividends.

Trump, Orban has insisted, is Europes only hope for peace amid the war in Ukraine and a guarantor of national sovereignty.

Orban has sought to cast Trump's threats on Greenland and capture of Maduro either as beneficial for Hungary, or none of its business.

Its an in-house issue  Its a NATO issue, Orban said of Trumps plans for Greenland during a news conference earlier this month, adding that any proposed change to Greenland's sovereignty can be discussed within NATO.

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Despite his staunch advocacy of national sovereignty, Orban also praised the U.S. action in Venezuela, calling the country a narco state and suggesting Maduros ouster could benefit Hungary through future cheaper oil prices on world markets.

Hungarys reluctance to push back on Trumps actions reflected similar positions among far-right leaders in the EUs eastern flank.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki, seen as an ally of both Orban and Trump, said in Davos this week that the tensions over Greenland should be solved in a diplomatic way" between Washington and Copenhagen  not a broader European coalition. He called on Western European leaders to tone down their objections to Trumps conduct.

In the neighboring Czech Republic, prime minister and Trump ally Andrej Babis has declined to speak out against the U.S. threats to Greenland, and warned against the EU allowing the issue to cause a conflict with Trump. In Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico has remained silent on Trumps Greenland designs, even as he met with the president in his Mar-a-Lago resort last week.

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Still, Trumps deposing of Maduro led Fico to unequivocally condemn the action, calling it a kidnapping and the latest American oil adventure.

Disruption or division ahead

The ideology linking MAGA and its European allies might survive recent disagreements by doubling down on old, shared grievances, said Daniel Hegedus, Central Europe director of the German Marshall Fund.

He pointed to recent votes against Brussels leadership in European Parliament by far-right European lawmakers on the EU migration pact and halting the massive trade deal with the Mercosur bloc of five South American nations.

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If Trump continues that way, posing a threat to the sovereignty of European countries, then of course that will divide the European radical right, he said.

We dont know whether this division will stay with us or whether they can again unite forces around issues where they can cooperate. Those issues can be damaging enough for the European Union.

___

Spike contributed from Budapest and Corbet from Paris.
A child and a woman were killed when a boat carrying more than 50 people from Turkey to Greece crashed into rocks off an island in the Aegean Sea, the Greek coastguard said on Sunday, citing survivors.

Another three people are still missing, while 50 migrants on the boat were able to reach the Greek island of Ikaria, which is located about 60 kilometres west of the Turkish coast, it said.

The exact circumstances of the tragedy remained initially unclear, but survivors told the coastguard that the vessel hit rocks near Ikaria on Saturday, causing several people to fall into the water.

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A vessel operated by the EU border agency Frontex as well as local fishing boats have been taking part in the efforts to locate those missing, local media reported.

According to the UN's refugee agency UNHCR, some 42,000 migrants reached the Greek islands by boat last year. A total of 107 people were killed in the eastern Mediterranean in the attempt to reach the EU, according to UNHCR figures.

However, the true number is believed to be much higher.
Heavy equipment moves snow from a Ouachita Parish roadway Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo courtesy LA DOTD)

The Louisiana Department of Health reported Sunday morning the deaths of two men in Caddo Parish from hypothermia as a result of the severe winter weather thats descending on the state.

The Caddo Parish coroner has confirmed both deaths. The mens names and ages were not made available, and the state health department said it would not release any further information about their deaths.

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A winter weather system brought frozen precipitation to the northern and central parts of the state overnight Saturday, and sub-freezing temperatures are forecast for the entire state through Tuesday morning.

The health department is urging citizens who are vulnerable to the cold to find warming centers in their area, available at the states emergency preparedness website getagameplan.org.

This is a developing story.
One man is under arrest and charged with the fatal shooting of two people last night during a birthday party in Carver.

The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Nicholas Meuse.

According to the Plymouth County District Attorney, at around 7:27 p.m. last night, the Carver Police Department received multiple 911 calls that multiple people had been shot at 53 Silva Street, the Saint John the Baptist Club, where a childrens birthday party was being held.

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Four victims were located on scene, two of which were pronounced dead. One of the victims was identified as 27-year-old Benjamin Coward. 20-year-old Jalen Pina was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

A third victim, 28-years-old, was transported to Tufts Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Another 32-year-old was taken to South Shore Hospital for treatment.

Meuse was located and arrested on scene down the street.

Meuse is scheduled to be arraigned in Wareham District Court on two counts of Murder and Armed Assault with Intent to Murder, and multiple gun charges.

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The incident is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Key developments on Jan. 24-25:

80% of Ukraine faces emergency power cuts following Russian aerial attack

15% of Kyiv residential buildings remain without heat after Russia's attacks, officials say

At least 1 killed, 9 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

Orban accuses Ukraine of threats, Hungarian election interference; FM Sybiha rejects accusations, calls him Kremlin ally

Zelensky meets Lithuania's president as country pledges nearly 100 generators for Ukraine amid Russian strikes

Russia launched a mass aerial attack on Ukraine overnight Jan. 24, killing at least one person and injuring others, while causing widespread damage to energy infrastructure.

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In Kyiv, one person was killed and four others injured during the attack. Explosions were first heard at 1:20 a.m. local time, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground, who reported blasts throughout the night, including the interception of a ballistic missile.

The Ukrainian Air Force tallied 396 aerial weapons, including 21 missiles and 375 drones. Hypersonic "Tsirkon" missiles, ballistic Iskander missiles, and Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles were used.

The attacks continued Russias targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, worsening an ongoing winter energy crisis following similar mass attacks on Jan. 9 and Jan. 20.

OSINT Telegram channel MonitoringWar said the strikes focused on Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia. Kyiv was the main target, as it has been throughout January.

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Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of UkrEnergo, the state power grid operator, told the Kyiv Independent that the capital's left bank faces a dire heating situation, extending toward the right bank. Eighty percent of Ukraine experienced emergency power outages on Jan. 24.

Kyiv authorities announced service cuts to a section of the metro line crossing the Dnipro River due to infrastructure damage. Other lines remain unaffected.

In the Holosiivskyi district, a Shahed drone struck a Roshen factory.

Despite the strike and morning death, the factory was open again shortly after 11. Hennadiy, one of its frequent patrons, inadvertently came upon the scene en route to his morning coffee.

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"I live maybe half a kilometer away," the 50-year-old Hennadiy, who declined to give his last name, told the Kyiv Independent, coffee in hand. "(The strike) was mighty loud, but nobody knew exactly where it came down. It was only when I was walking by that I saw."

In Kharkiv, the same mass Russian attack left 27 people injured and spread destruction and fires across Ukraine's second-largest city, local authorities said.

"In total, 134 rescuers, 34 units of State Emergency Service fire and rescue service equipment, as well as police officers, medics, volunteers, and city utility services are involved in the elimination of the consequences of the Russian attack," the State Emergency Service reported.

Overall, the attacks injured 40 people and, in addition to energy infrastructure, damaged 60 residential buildings and 80 civilian vehicles across Ukraine, the Internal Affairs Ministry said on Jan. 24.

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Repeated Russian bombardment of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has left major cities without heat, electricity, or water amid freezing temperatures.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis is a result of Russia's deliberate targeting of critical energy facilities  infrastructure it has sought to destroy every winter since 2022. This is, however, the coldest winter since the full-scale invasion on Feb. 24 of that year, straining electrical grids and rendering the prospect of going without heating especially dire.

Klitschko has repeatedly asked Kyivans who have other places to stay to leave the city temporarily. Despite the proximity of strikes and the fact that he has electricity only about half of the time, Hennadiy, for one, said the idea is a non-starter.

"There's two million people. Where are they going to settle them?" he said. "In tents somewhere? Fine, so they've gone off to some dugouts or something. What about toilets? If they can't set up electricity or anything here, then providing for two million people somewhere out there in the fields, it's just absurd."

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Read also: General Staff: Russia has lost 1,234,040 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

15% of Kyiv residential buildings remain without heat after Russia's attacks, Mayor Klitschko says

More than 1,600 residential buildings in Kyiv  around 15% of the city's housing stock  remain without heating after Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Jan. 25.

Home to more than 3 million people, Kyiv continues to struggle to restore power, heating, and water after Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure on Jan. 9, Jan. 20, and Jan. 24. Some homes have been without heating and power since Jan. 9.

Following the Jan. 24 attack, nearly 6,000 of Kyiv's roughly 12,000 apartment buildings were left without heating, reversing progress energy workers had made the previous day in reducing outages below 2,000 buildings.

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After the attack, energy workers repaired more than 4,000 residential buildings. Heating was restored to 1,600 buildings overnight on Jan. 24, with the remainder restored during the day on Jan. 25, according to the mayor.

"Energy workers continue working to restore services to the homes of Kyiv residents," Klitschko said.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that 1,300 heating tents, called 'Resilience Points,' were set up in Ukraine's capital. He added that 91 heating tents of the State Emergency Service, located between residential buildings in Kyiv's district, are operating.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the main targets of Russia's attacks are currently Ukraine's energy sector, critical infrastructure, and residential buildings.

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Zelensky added that during the week, Russian forces launched more than 1,700 drones, 1,300 guided aerial bombs, and 60 missiles.

"Every massive attack by Russia can become devastating. That is why missiles for air defense systems are needed every day, and we continue working with the United States and Europe to ensure stronger protection of our skies," Zelensky said.

The latest missile attack took place shortly after trilateral peace talks involving Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington.

Read also: Belgorod under heavy fire in most massive attack, Russian governor claims

At least 1 killed, 9 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day



At least one person was killed, and nine others were injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities said Jan. 25.

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Russia launched 102 drones and two Iskander ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said. Air defenses intercepted 87 drones, while at least 15 made it through, striking 10 locations. Officials were still clarifying information about the ballistic missiles at the time of publication.

In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces struck 35 settlements, including the city of Kherson, killing one person and injuring four others, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

In Kharkiv Oblast, Russian forces attacked the regional center of Kharkiv and 11 settlements in the oblast, injuring two people, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

In Donetsk Oblast, Russian strikes injured two people, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

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In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, one woman was injured as a result of a Russian drone strike on Tavriiske, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.

Read also: Russian shadow fleet vessel adrift in Mediterranean Sea, Bloomberg reports

Orban accuses Ukraine of threats and Hungarian election interference; FM Sybiha rejects accusations, calls him Kremlin ally

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Jan. 24 accused Ukraine of meddling in Hungarys parliamentary elections, saying Kyiv had "gone on the offensive" and was now "issuing threats and openly interfering in the Hungarian elections."

Orban claimed Ukraine's aim was "to secure funds and force their way into the European Union as soon as possible," while insisting that "as a member of the European Union, Hungary has the right to say no."

He portrayed his government's position as protecting Hungarian households and national security, saying Budapest does not want taxpayer money sent to Ukraine or for Hungary to be pulled into the war.

Orban also said Hungary would not back down under pressure, insisting the country would not be intimidated and warning Kyiv that Budapest would refuse to cover the costs.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto echoed the claim of election interference, telling Ukrainian officials: "Well, I see you started to interfere into our elections," and warning that Hungary would not accept a government that would "say yes to Brussels" and "drag Hungary into your war."

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded by arguing that Orban's threats to block Ukraine's EU accession were aimed less at Kyiv than at Hungary's own minority community in Ukraine.

"When Viktor Orban says that he will not allow Ukraine to join the EU for the next 100 years, he is not really talking to the Ukrainian state," Sybiha wrote on X.

Sybiha accused Orban of sacrificing ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia for political gain, as well as advancing Moscow's interests by obstructing Ukraine's EU bid.

"Viktor Orban and his team do not care about the well-being and security of Hungarians living in Ukraine," he posted. "By blocking Ukraine's EU membership, Orban is fulfilling Putin's wishes."

Sybiha then added that Orban was acting "like Hitler's henchman Ferenc Szalasi," and warned that Hungary risked aligning itself with the Kremlin.

"Hungary and the Hungarian people do not deserve this," Sybiha wrote. "Hungary does not deserve to once again find itself on the wrong side of historyas an accomplice of a new form of inhuman ideology represented by the Putin regime."

Sybiha also told Hungarian officials not to fear Ukraine but domestic backlash: "You should be afraid of the Hungarian people, who are tired of your lies, your kleptocracy, and your hatred."

Orban has repeatedly voiced opposition to Ukraine's EU bid and for the bloc's support to Kyiv as it fends off Russia's war. Hungarian authorities are widely considered the most Moscow-friendly within the EU.

Hungary has also pushed back against broader EU efforts to cut dependence on Russian energy, as the bloc moves to phase out imports of Russian gas, oil, and nuclear-related energy. Budapest remains heavily reliant on Russian crude, with Russia supplying 86% of Hungarys oil, according to the Atlantic Council  up from 61% before the full-scale invasion.

Orban said on Nov. 14 that Hungary would sue the EU over its decision to ban Russian gas imports.

Read also: Zelensky says Lukashenkos dog has more rights than Belarusians as he visits Lithuanian capital

Zelensky meets Lithuania's president as country pledges nearly 100 generators for Ukraine amid Russian strikes

President Volodymyr Zelensky met Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius, Zelensky said on Jan. 25.

The visit came amid continuous Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, which left thousands of Ukrainians without heat, electricity, and water. More than 1,600 residential buildings in Kyiv remain without heat.

According to Zelensky, his discussion with Nauseda focused on support for Ukraine's energy system and the country's air defense. He added that Lithuania planned to provide Ukrainian cities and communities with nearly 100 generators.

Additionally, they discussed military cooperation, joint defense projects, and Lithuania's proposal to launch a weapons-export platform in Vilnius, support for the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, and cooperation within the Security Action for Europe (SAFE).

The PURL initiative, launched in August 2025, enables NATO members to buy advanced U.S. weaponry for Ukraine. SAFE is an EU loan instrument meant to bolster the continent's defense industry by financing weapons procurement for eligible countries.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki will also join his counterparts in the Lublin Triangle format (a cooperation platform established in 2020 by Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine), the Baltic News Service (BNS) reported on Jan. 23.

"Today in Vilnius, we are coordinating with our partners in the region  Lithuania and Poland. We are working with every leader to strengthen Ukraine. Everyone must clearly understand the threat coming from Russia, and it is our nations who understand this best," Zelensky said.

The meeting was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the January Uprising (1863-64), which holds symbolic significance for the countries. The uprising sought to liberate the peoples of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland from the Russian Empire.

Vilnius has been one of Kyiv's staunchest supporters against Russian aggression. According to the Kiel Institute of the World Economy, Lithuania's defense contributions to Ukraine are among the highest in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) shares.

Note from the author:

Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A former Washington, D.C. homicide cop called out the White House for misrepresenting Saturdays shooting by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis in a stunning takedown on Fox News.

Appearing on Foxs special coverage of the shooting Saturday night, the former cop, Ted Williams  who is now a Fox News contributor  was unsparing in his criticism of the White House, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. In a statement Saturday, Miller called Alex Pretti  the 37-year-old man who was gunned down Saturday  a domestic terrorist.

Ive gotta tell you, Ive watched that videotape for at least about  lets say, a hundred times  because I knew I was going to be coming on with you, Williams told Fox News anchor Jon Scott. And I wanted to speak as accurate as I canAnd I do believe that there needs to be a complete investigation. I was taken aback by the White House who initially put out what I defined as misrepresentation of what took place there when you look at the video. It was said that Mr. Pretti was banishing a weapon. Well, he was not brandishing the weapon. Yes, he did have a weapon. It was said by the White House that Mr. Pretti attacked those agents. No, he did not attack those agents. And one of the White House individuals called Mr. Pretti a domestic terroristthis man is dead, he has a family, and to go out and call him a domestic terrorist without giving any more information is just unacceptable!

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Williams continued:

And then Jon, when I looked at the video, what you saw was an agent pushing a woman side, Mr. Pretti getting sprayed, them jumping on top of Mr Pretti. And this is something that our audience should see with their own eyes. You can see where one of the agents actually physically takes Mr. Prettis gun. And that is before he shot. And then all of a sudden hes shot, theres a pause and there are more bullets that are shot in his direction. So that investigation, what Im asking is that there be a complete and thorough and transparent investigation done not only by the federal agencies, but also by the state and local investigators also working together.

Scott proceeded to question whether Pretti was asking for some kind of trouble by bringing a firearm to a protest.

The question Ive asked a number of times today, Ted, is who goes to a protest and brings a gun? Scott asked. I mean, was he not asking for some kind of trouble in that situation?

Williams did not believe that to be the case at all.

I really dont think so, Jon, Williams said. Look, Ive been on this channel on numerous occasions where we talk about the Second Amendment and the right to carry firearms. And Ive known people to go to demonstrations before in the past and to have firearms with them. He didnt do anything with that firearm. That man is dead. And theres a question mark as to whether he should have been killed under these circumstances. And all that Im asking is that the White House quiet down on this, that the state and local government quiet down on this, let there be a complete and thorough investigation to try to determine what took place here.

Watch above, via Fox News.

The post Unacceptable! Fox News Contributor Dismantles White House Misrepresentation of MN Shooting in Stunning Takedown first appeared on Mediaite.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Michigan lawmakers are responding after a 37-year-old man was killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis Saturday.

The man, who was a nurse at an intensive care unit, was identified by his parents as Alex Pretti, according to the Associated Press.

A man fatally shot by a federal officer in Minnesota worked as an ICU nurse, his parents say

The shooting comes just weeks after the death of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot and killed in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer while in her vehicle.

According to the AP, Saturdays shooting was a little more than a mile away from where Good was killed.

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, released a statement on the social media site X Saturday afternoon.

We are witnessing unacceptable violations of Americans safety, rights, and freedoms, she wrote. No one should accept this. The violence must stop. Michiganders stand with Minnesotans as they exercise their First Amendment right to protest and make their voices heard peacefully.

Michigans Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat who is running for governor, also released a statement late that afternoon on the social media platform.

I watched the video of masked government agents taking another innocent life with horror, she wrote. This is not normal. This is not acceptable. Keeping our communities safe, protecting peoples lives, standing up against horrific violence, and protecting our First Amendment rights are not partisan issues. We all must come together and stand with the people of Minnesota. This seamless violence at the hands of federal agents needs to end. Now.

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Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, who is also running for governor, responded to Bensons post with one of his own, writing: As your next Governor, Ill stand WITH ICE, not the people attacking them as they try to remove dangerous criminals from our communities.

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, said in a statement that she would be voting against the Department of Homeland Security funding bill this week.

This is what President Trump meant when he said he wanted to go after the enemy within,' she wrote. At every opportunity hes escalated violence against the people of Minnesota. Now, two American citizens have been killed by their own government as part of this operation.

Slotkin referred to the shooting as part of a continued, coordinated assault on our Constitutional rights  with specific focus on individuals and groups who disagree with this President.

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She was also critical of ICE and labeled their actions irresponsible.

As all Americans can see with their own eyes, ICE and those under their command are not acting as responsible law enforcement agencies. They are recklessly inciting violence at the whims of the President. And they must be reined in before their is more killing.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, called for the Trump administration to turn the temperature down and stop this horrific violence, while adding that the ICE operation in Minneapolis has been harmful for the citys residents.

ICEs Minneapolis operations are not protecting the residents of the city, but are instead causing chaos and fear, he wrote. Immediately, there needs to be a full and impartial investigation by local police into this incident, as well as the tragic death of Renee Good.

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U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, called for an investigation to begin immediately in a social media post she released Saturday.

I am outraged by reports of another shooting involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, she wrote. We need a thorough, independent investigation immediately. Our communities deserve public safety and accountability  not a militarized presence that escalates fear, trauma, and loss of life.

What were seeing isnt how a world leader runs its immigration system. Its evidence of chaos, cruelty, and dysfunction, Scholten wrote.

Protests have been ongoing for weeks in Minneapolis since Goods death. Demonstrators have continued to gather the citys streets in the midst of an Arctic blast across the Midwest to condemn the Department of Homeland Securitys Operation Metro Surge, which has led to more than 3,000 arrests in Minnesota.

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*Correction: A previous version of this article misidentified in which body Nesbitt serves. He is a Michigan state senator. We regret the error, which has been fixed.

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 WOODTV.com.
(This Jan 23 story has been repeated with no changes to the text)

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - A federal judge ordered President Donald Trump's administration on Friday to delay its termination of the "Temporary Protected Status," or TPS, for Myanmar while a lawsuit challenging the termination continued.

The order by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly in Chicago blocks the Trump administration from ending deportation protections for about 4,000 Myanmar nationals living in the U.S.

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The judge said that U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's decision to end Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Myanmar lacked a genuine basis. Kennelly postponed the effective date of the government's action, which was to be Monday, and scheduled a February 6 hearing in the case.

The Trump administration had no immediate reaction to the order.

The Trump administration said in November it was ending temporary legal status for citizens of Myanmar in the U.S., arguing they could safely return to the war-torn Southeast Asian country while citing the military junta's elections as evidence of an improving situation.

The United Nations, many Western countries and human rights groups have called the ongoing election a sham. The U.S. State Department's most recent human rights report said there were "significant human rights issues" in Myanmar.

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The Trump administration's move had sparked concern for individuals who might be forced to return to Myanmar, which has been in political turmoil since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, ousting a civilian government and sparking a nationwide armed resistance.

"The Court cannot discern a genuine basis for the Secretary's action in the record and finds it more likely that the decision to terminate TPS was not actually rooted in the reasons cited in the notice," the judge wrote.

"It is more plausible that TPS was terminated to effectuate the Secretary's broader goal of curtailing immigration and eliminating TPS generally, not on her evaluation of changed conditions in Burma," the judge added.

"The termination of TPS for Burma appears to have occurred without a review of conditions in that country, much like the administration's termination of other TPS designations."

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Trump has pursued a hardline immigration policy since taking office in 2025, including an aggressive deportation drive that has been widely condemned by human rights advocates. Trump has cited domestic security reasons for his actions.

A series of lawsuits have challenged his administration's efforts to curtail protections from deportation extended to citizens of numerous countries through grants of TPS.

Under federal law, TPS is available to people whose home countries have experienced natural disasters, armed conflicts or other extraordinary events. It provides eligible migrants with work authorization and temporary protection from deportation.

Court rulings have at times slowed or halted the Trump administration's efforts to strip migrants of their legal status.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
A United States aircraft carrier strike group is heading towards the Gulf as tensions build with Iran.

The US military last staged a major build-up in the Middle East in June  days before striking three Iranian nuclear sites during Israels 12-day war with Tehran.

This month, US President Donald Trump backed antigovernment protesters in Iran. Help is on its way, he told them as the government cracked down. But last week, he dialled down the military rhetoric. The protests have since been quashed.

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So what are the US military assets moving to the Gulf? And is the US preparing to strike Iran again?

An anti-US mural on a building in Tehran, Iran [Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters]

Why is the US moving warships?

Trump said on Thursday that a US armada is heading towards the Gulf region with Iran being its focus.

US officials said an aircraft carrier strike group and other assets are to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days.

Were watching Iran. We have a big force going towards Iran, Trump 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.

The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln changed its path from the South China Sea more than a week ago towards the Middle East. Its carrier strike group includes Arleigh Burke-class destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of striking targets deep inside Iran.

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The US military vessels en route to the Middle East are also equipped with the Aegis combat system, which provides air and missile defence against ballistic and cruise missiles and other aerial threats.

(Al Jazeera)

When Washington hit Irans nuclear sites, US forces reportedly launched 30 Tomahawk missiles from submarines and carried out strikes with B-2 bombers.

When asked on Thursday if he wanted Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to step down, Trump replied: I dont want to get into that, but they know what we want. There is a lot of killing.

He also reiterated claims that his threats to use force stopped authorities in Iran from executing more than 800 people who had taken part in the protests, a claim denied by Iranian officials.

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An unnamed US official told the Reuters news agency that additional air defence systems were being considered for the Middle East, which could be critical to guard against an Iranian strike on US bases in the region.

Iranian state media said the protests killed 3,117 people, including 2,427 civilians and members of the security forces.

INTERACTIVE-US Military presence in the Middle East June 2025 map-1768495584

How widespread is the US military presence in the Middle East?

The US has operated military bases in the Middle East for decades and has 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers stationed there.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the US operates a broad network of military sites, both permanent and temporary, at at least 19 locations in the region.

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Of these, eight are permanent bases, located in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The first US deployment of soldiers in the Middle East was in July 1958 when combat troops were sent to Beirut. At its height, almost 15,000 Marines and Army soldiers were in Lebanon.

The US naval movement towards Iran was ordered despite a new National Defense Strategy being released on Friday. The document is drawn up every four years by the Department of Defense, and the latest security blueprint outlines a pullback of US forces in other parts of the world to prioritise security in the Western Hemisphere.

A cut-out of US President Donald Trump is hanged in Palestine Square in Tehran, Iran, on September 6, 2025 [Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters]

How has Iran responded?

Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, who heads coordination between Irans army and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned on Thursday that any military strike on Iran would turn all US bases in the region into legitimate targets.

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General Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, said two days later that Iran is more ready than ever, finger on the trigger.

He warned Washington and Israel to avoid any miscalculation.

This month, Washington had withdrawn some personnel from its bases in the Middle East after Tehran threatened to hit them if Washington launched strikes on its territory.

In a piece in The Wall Street Journal newspaper on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said Tehran would be firing back with everything we have if attacked.

An all-out confrontation will certainly be ferocious and drag on far, far longer than the fantasy timelines that Israel and its proxies are trying to peddle to the White House, he said.

Protesters rally outside the US embassy in solidarity with the people of Venezuela, Iran and Palestine in Cape Town, South Africa, on January 22, 2026 [Esa Alexander/Reuters]

Has air traffic stopped?

Not completely, but the build-up of tensions between the US and Iran has led to the suspension of some flights.

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Over the weekend, Air France cancelled two flights from Paris to Dubai. It said it continuously monitors the geopolitical situation in the territories served and overflown by its aircraft in order to ensure the highest level of flight safety and security. It has since resumed its flights.

Luxair postponed its flight on Saturday from Luxembourg to Dubai by 24 hours in light of ongoing tensions and insecurity affecting the regions airspace, and in line with measures taken by several other airlines, the carrier said in a statement to The Associated Press news agency.

Arrivals at Dubai International Airport showed the cancellation of Saturdays flights from Amsterdam by the Dutch carriers KLM and Transavia. Some KLM flights to Tel Aviv, Israel, were also cancelled on Friday and Saturday.

This mosque in Tehran was burned this month during antigovernment protests [File: Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters]

Did the US impose new sanctions on Iran?

In line with its continuing effort to ramp up pressure on Tehran, the US imposed sanctions on Friday on a fleet of nine ships and their owners whom Washington accused of transporting hundreds of millions of dollars in Iranian oil to foreign markets in violation of sanctions.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were imposed because of Irans shutdown of internet access to conceal its abuses against its citizens during its crackdown on the nationwide protests.

The sanctions target a critical component of how Iran generates the funds used to repress its own people, Bessent said.

US officials said the nine targeted vessels  sailing under the flags of Palau, Panama and other jurisdictions  are part of a shadow fleet that smuggles sanctioned goods, notably from Russia and Iran.

Protests began in Iran on December 28, triggered by the collapse of Irans currency, the rial, and intensified over the next two weeks

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On Friday, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution that condemned Iran for the deadly protest crackdown.

Ali Bahreini, Irans envoy at the meeting in Geneva, reiterated his governments claim that 3,117 people died during the unrest, 2,427 of whom were killed by terrorists armed and funded by the US, Israel and their allies.

It was ironic that states whose history was stained with genocide and war crimes now attempted to lecture Iran on social governance and human rights, he said.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it has confirmed at least 5,137 deaths during the protests and is investigating 12,904 others.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday reviewed the situation of damage caused by continuous snowfall in Ramban. Abdullah mentioned that the entire union territory had been waiting for the snowfall, which had caused trouble; however, he stated that his administration would address the challenges. The Chief Minister also informed that snow clearance on highways is progressing rapidly. "I had stopped just to assess the situation... We were waiting for this snow. The snow has caused us a bit of trouble, but we'll manage to deal with this trouble... The work to clear the snow from the road is progressing rapidly," Omar Abdullah told reporters. Meanwhile, several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Rajouri district, witnessed heavy snowfall this season, with the Kotranka-Budhal belt in the Pir Panjal range receiving significant snowfall, turning the region into a major attraction for tourists. Local residents said that such heavy snowfall has not been seen in nearly 25 years. Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma said that due to western disturbances, heavy snowfall has occurred in the Pir Panjal range, with maximum snowfall recorded in the Thanamandi and Kotranka sub-divisions. "During my visit to Thanamandi, basic facilities and essential services were reviewed, and their restoration was checked. Electricity restoration at Kotranka will be completed by tonight. Vehicular movement will be within 1-2 hours. Continuous work on road traffic management is underway from early morning," he said, adding that efforts are being made to ensure uninterrupted rations, water, electricity, medical care and emergency services. The Restoration work is underway on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and other key roads, which remained closed for the third consecutive day on Sunday following snowfall, officials said. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded at Jakhani in Udhampur on Saturday, an official said. District Traffic Inspector (DTI) Udhampur, Vinay Gupta, told ANI a day earlier, "The National Highway has been closed since last night due to snowfall. The road has been temporarily opened for tourists heading to Patnitop. We are checking their hotel bookings and IDs before allowing them to proceed to Patnitop". "The road to Srinagar is still closed. The Doda-Kishtwar road is also closed; restoration work is underway there," he added. (ANI)
A document outlining U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine is complete, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 25 during a press conference in Vilnius.

"For us, security guarantees are first and foremost guarantees from the United States. The document is 100% ready, and we are waiting for our partners to confirm the date and place for its signing," Zelensky told reporters.

Once signed, the document will be submitted for ratification to both the U.S. Congress and the Ukrainian parliament, he added.

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Zelensky also noted that Ukraine's membership in the European Union would serve as an economic security guarantee, saying the country would be ready to join the bloc by 2027.

Over the weekend, Ukraine engaged in negotiations with Russia and the U.S. in the United Arab Emirates. Although the talks were described as "constructive," they did not produce a major breakthrough. However, news of the completed security guarantees document suggests some progress was made during the trilateral discussions.

Zelensky also reaffirmed that Kyiv's position on the Donbas remains unchanged, emphasizing that Ukraine's territorial integrity must be preserved. Acknowledging deep differences between Ukrainian and Russian positions, he reiterated that territorial issues remain a key obstacle.

"Our position regarding our territory  Ukraine's territorial integrity  must be respected," Zelensky said.

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Russia has maintained its maximalist territorial demands, insisting that Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas. Despite fighting in the region for more than a decade, Russia has failed to fully occupy the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts and is now tying any future ceasefire on Ukraine's withdrawal.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: 80% of Ukraine faces emergency power cuts, 15% of Kyiv residential buildings remain without heat after Russian attack

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
At least seven people are dead as the result of a monster winter storm in the US that has brought heavy snowfall and ice from the Gulf coast to the north-east, leaving more than one million in the south without power and cancelling more than 10,000 flights.

The Louisiana department of health confirmed two deaths related to the winter storm in Caddo parish. According to the agency, two men of unknown ages died of hypothermia.

New York Citys mayor, Zohran Mamdani, reported at least five New Yorkers passed away and were found outside on Saturday before it started snowing.

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Related: Snow, sleet and power outages: 140m Americans under warnings for major winter storm

While we do not yet know their causes of death, there is no more powerful reminder of the dangers of the extreme cold, and how vulnerable how many of our neighbors are, especially homeless New Yorkers, Mamdani said.

He added the storm was bringing colder temperatures for a sustained period than New York City has experienced in eight years.

Up to [18] inches will fall over New England, and 0.50 inches of freezing rain over parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio/Tennessee Valleys, the National Weather Service reported on Sunday with respect to the heavy snow and ice accumulation expected from the winter storm. Furthermore, heavy rain will develop over the Lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday and parts of the Tennessee Valley on Monday.

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In the wake of the storm, communities from the Southern Plains to the north-east will contend with bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills.

Calling the storms historic, Donald Trump on Saturday approved federal emergency disaster declarations in South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana and West Virginia.

We will continue to monitor, and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Seventeen states and the District of Columbia had declared weather emergencies, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. The DHS secretary, Kristi Noem, at a news conference on Saturday, warned people to take precautions.

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Its going to be very, very cold, Noem said. So wed encourage everybody to stock up on fuel, stock up on food, and we will get through this together. She added: We have utility crews that are working to restore that as quick as possible.

The number of outages continued to rise. As of 6.30am ET (1130 GMT) on Sunday, more than 900,000 US customers were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us. Nearly 335,000 of those outages were in Tennessee. Mississippi reported more than 178,000; Louisiana in excess of 145,000; and Texas roughly 93,000.

The Department of Energy on Saturday issued an emergency order authorising the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to deploy backup generation resources at datacentres and other major facilities, aiming to limit blackouts in the state.

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On Sunday, the department issued an emergency order to authorise the grid operator, PJM Interconnection, to run specified resources in the mid-Atlantic region, regardless of limits due to state laws or environmental permits.

The National Weather Service warned of an unusually expansive and long-duration winter storm that would bring widespread, heavy ice accumulation in the south-east, where crippling to locally catastrophic impacts could be expected.

Forecasters predicted record low temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills descending further into the Great Plains region by Monday.

More than 10,500 US flights were cancelled on Sunday, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. The aviation analytics firm Cirium said that as of Sunday morning, the storm was the highest experienced cancellation event since the pandemic.

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More than 1,800 flight cancellations have also been reported for Monday. On Saturday, more than 4,000 flights had been cancelled.

Up to 8in of snow with sleet has been reported in and around Little Rock, Arkansas, and almost three-quarters an inch of ice accumulation was reported near Hall Summit, Louisiana, south-east of Shreveport, according to the Weather Channel, with highest snowfall totals surpassing a foot in New Mexico.

Major US airlines warned passengers to stay alert for abrupt flight changes and cancellations. Delta Air Lines adjusted its schedule on Saturday, with additional cancellations in the morning for Atlanta and along the east coast, including in Boston and New York City. It would relocate experts from cold-weather hubs to support deicing and baggage teams at several southern airports, the airline said.

JetBlue said that as of Saturday morning it had cancelled about 1,000 flights through Monday. United Airlines said it had cancelled some flights in places with the worst expected weather.

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US electric grid operators on Saturday stepped up precautions to avoid rotating blackouts. Dominion Energy, whose Virginia operations include the largest collection of datacentres in the world, said if its ice forecast held, the winter event could be among the largest to affect the company.
The US assault on Venezuela saw forces overwhelm Russian- and Chinese-made air defenses.

Operator and maintenance issues appear to have played roles in air defense failures.

The operation offers some insights into the effectiveness of US tactics, but there are potential risks in reading too much into the wins.

US forces that executed a raid in Venezuela to capture its now-former leader walked away with no aircraft lost to the country's Russian-made air-defense systems and Chinese-made radars.

In the aftermath, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that it "seems those Russian air defenses didn't quite work so well, did they?" He didn't elaborate any further, but in briefings, the top US general spoke about how US forces dismantled and destroyed enemy air defenses.

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While the US can draw a certain degree of confidence in its capabilities from the success of the mission, there's a risk of reading too much into that success, especially when it comes to weapons made by American rivals in the hands of other militaries.

Some of the failures of the Venezuelan-operated foreign air defenses, for example, have been attributed to issues like inactivity, incompetence, and a dearth of functional cohesion between different systems.

Wins in Venezuela during Operation Absolute Resolve or in operations against Iranian-operated Russian-made air defenses may not translate the same in fight with Russia or China.

Venezuelan air defense failures

Seven US troops were hurt during the raid in Venezuela over the weekend, a defense official said. US Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isabel Tanner

The US operation in Venezuela to capture former president Nicolas Maduro and his wife earlier this month was a large, complex undertaking involving over 150 aircraft, including a mix of F-35 and F-22 stealth fighters, F/A-18 jets, EA-18 electronic attack jets, E-2 airborne early warning planes, bombers, and other aircraft, including drones.

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As the apprehension forces approached the fortified target facility at Fuerte Tiuna, a military installation in the capital Caracas, US aircraft began striking Venezuelan air defenses to open a corridor for helicopters flying at low altitudes along a preset path. Planners expected significant resistance, but the air defense network capitulated under overwhelming US pressure.

The US used a mix of tools to knock out the air defenses, including AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles that home in on radar systems and electronic jamming. Victory may not have come solely from American combat power though.

"The Venezuelan crews were apparently unprepared as they located many air defense positions in the middle of fields rather than under camouflage," Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and defense expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Business Insider. Those systems were vulnerable to US forces.

There were other problems, as well. After Operation Absolute Resolve, some reports suggested Venezuela didn't have some systems connected to radars when US air power arrived for the operation. "That's stunning fecklessness," Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said.

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Long-standing issues within Venezuela's air defense network, particularly regarding maintenance and sustainment of its Russian air defenses and Chinese radars, has been noted by experts and analysts, revealing serious shortcomings with regard to the condition of its defense technologies.

Cautious insights

A destroyed air defense unit at a Venezuelan military base. Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/REUTERS

So what exactly can Western militaries discern from the performance of Russian and Chinese systems in Venezuela? It is difficult to say with certainty, at least with the information presently available in the public discourse.

Before the US assault operation, the Venezuelan military was assessed to have Russian S-300VM batteries, Buk-M2 systems, S-125 Pechora-2M launchers, and Chinese YJ-27 radars. Last November, a Russian lawmaker said that Moscow had delivered new Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E systems to Venezuela. It's unclear which systems were operational at the time of the US raid.

Venezuela also possessed Chinese-made YJ-27 radars, which are used to detect and determine engagement procedures for hostile air targets. Beijing has touted these systems as state-of-the-art, asserting that they can detect stealth assets like the F-22 and F-35 from over 150 miles away and are resistant to jamming.

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Sobolik told Business Insider that what matters more than these claims is how systems perform in a real conflict. The radars, like the Russian-made defenses, appear to have been of little use.

The US and its partners have thwarted Russian-made air defense systems in other conflicts as well. Israeli airpower, for instance, defeated Russian air defenses in Iran. The US did the same when it launched Operation Midnight Hammer and struck Iranian nuclear facilities.

Like the Venezuela mission, these were extensively planned operations involving significant force against weaker export variants operated by potentially insufficiently trained operators. Russian air defenses have been more effective in Ukraine, though there have still been combat losses, even for advanced systems like the S-400.

"The emerging picture is that these systems can handle low and medium threats but not the most challenging attacks represented by the United States and Israel," Cancian said. That said, US and allied airpower have not been tested against the full capabilities of Russian and Chinese integrated air defense networks.

The US advantage

China's JY-27A radar didn't appear to be effective during the US raid on Venezuela. US Air Force Photo

Facing these considerations, Houston Cantwell, a retired US Air Force brigadier general and expert at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, told Business Insider that maintaining the technological advantage and preserving combat readiness are essential to securing the upper hand.

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A key example, he said, is the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, which "has proven time and time again that it gives its warfighters an advantage in the air" and "lowers the risk to the warfighter while providing more options to the political decision makers."

Continued proficiency in maintaining and operating advanced aircraft like the F-35 is expected to give the US an airpower advantage over adversary air defenses. To what extent the Venezuela mission reflects that edge, though, is unclear.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Power and tree companies staged across North Georgia on Saturday ready to handle power lines that fall and tree limbs.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2 Action News Cory James spoke with a general foreman for a tree company that traveled all the way from Florida. He says they have 174 crews in Atlanta and are prepared for a couple of weeks if the storm worsens.

We help all the lineman if theres a tree or anything that might impede them to bring the power back up and clean it up for them and make sure area is safe, Alain Lopez said.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Georgia Power says safety is the priority, and the utility company says it has about 10,000 people staffed to tackle the ice storm.

Some are from the metro Atlanta area, while others traveled far.

We want to make sure that the roads are safe, and while we do have snow chains like that, we want to make sure our crews are not putting themselves in danger, said Matthew Kent with Georgia Power.

As crews prepare for the worst, people nearby are hoping for the best.

Im hoping for a great weekend where we dont have any serious issues, and Im talking about ice on powerlines, Im talking about ice on houses, Im talking about power out for three to four days, said Stephen Frazier, who lives in Tucker.

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I have a lot of wood; we have a lot of food. We have a dog that likes to cuddle. Well be fine. Were going to make it Atlanta, I promise, said Kyle Stapleton, who also lives in Tucker.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




A portion of I-35 in San Antonio is closed after a vehicle struck the road signs on Saturday, January 24.

The Texas Department of Transportation reported the incident at 8:45 a.m. on I-35 between the Austin Street and New Braunfels Avenue on the northbound lanes of the highway. Traffic monitoring website SigAlert says that delays up to an hour are possible.

Highway cameras show the overhead highway signage for New Braunfels Avenue hanging at an angle over the highway exit.

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MySA has reached out to TxDOT and the San Antonio Police Department for more details.

A crash has shut down I-35 at New Braunfels in San Antonio's Eastside. (TxDOT Cameras)





This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as we get it.

This article originally published at Vehicle strikes overhead road signs, forcing highway closure in San Antonio.
The Kentucky General assembly is addressing a serious problem in Kentucky. That is a lack of public defenders, and a high turnover rate among them.

Public defenders are assigned by courts for criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney. Before you say who cares about criminal defendants who cant pay their lawyer, think again. Heres why ... if criminal defendants dont receive a fair trial, a higher court will reverse a trial courts decision and they go free.

Public defenders play an important role in the criminal justice system. Most lawyers dont want to do criminal defense work at little or even no compensation. So the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy is left with young inexperienced lawyers to defend those accused of crimes.

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Our area has several public defenders who have a reputation of vigorously defending their clients. Thats what lawyers are supposed to do. Their caseload is overwhelmingly due to a short staff of attorneys and support services.

Prior to Kentucky establishing the District Court System in 1978, in many Kentucky counties, lawyers would take turns being public defenders at no compensation. That often meant those accused of crimes did not receive proper representation. That resulted in convicted criminals set free by an appellate court.

It is not politically sexy for politicians to fund lawyers to defend criminals accused of crimes. But not addressing the lack of public defenders puts us back in a situation where bad guys are released back into society without serving their sentence.

Most public defenders are good defensive lawyers. Thats all they do. They dont do divorce cases or estate law. They dont advertise on daytime television all day. Most public defenders are either in court or preparing to go to court. Preparation includes meeting clients in jail or in their public defender offices.

Were hopeful the legislature doesnt get caught up in political rhetoric of aiding criminals. Doing nothing leaves their constituents vulnerable to dangerous people getting unfair trials and released back into society. That benefits no one.
RICHMOND, Va. (DC News Now)  Virginia State Police (VSP) urged drivers to stay off the roads after responding to hundreds of crashes across the Commonwealth during the snowstorm that moved into the region over the weekend.

Report It | Share your storm pictures and videos with us

VSP said one crash in Fairfax County killed someone.

Crash Report as of 4 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26

As of Monday morning, state troopers responded to about 440 crashes.

Central Va./Richmond  93 crashes, 3 with injuries

Northwest Va./Winchester/Harrisonburg  38 crashes, 4 with injuries

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Central/Western Va./Appomattox  46 crashes, 6 with injuries

Southwest Va.  59 crashes, 5 with injuries

Hampton Roads109 crashes, 9 with injuries

Western Va./Roanoke  54 crashes, 5 with injuries

Northern Va.  41 crashes, 2 with injuries, one fatal crash (not storm related, occurred in Fairfax County Saturday evening)

VSP continues to urge drivers to stay off the roads at least until 10 a.m. Monday. For those who will be on the road, drivers should give VDOT crews room as they continue to treat the roads.

Crash Report as of 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25:

Central Va./Richmond  86 crashes, 2 with injuries

Northwest Va./Winchester/Harrisonburg  33 crashes, 3 with injuries

Central/Western Va./Appomattox  41 crashes, 5 with injuries

Southwest Va.  55 crashes, 4 with injuries

Hampton Roads 76 crashes, 7 with injuries

Western Va./Roanoke  50 crashes, 5 with injuries

Northern Va.  37 crashes, 2 with injuries, one fatal crash (not storm related, occurred in Fairfax County Saturday evening)

School closings in DC, Maryland, Virginia

Crash Report as of 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25:

VSP said troopers had been at the scenes of 297 crashes, 20 of which had injuries.

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Central Va./Richmond  69 crashes, 1 with injuries

Northwest Va./Winchester/Harrisonburg  20 crashes, 1 with injuries

Central/Western Va./Appomattox  32 crashes, 3 with injuries

Southwest Va.  43 crashes, 3 with injuries

Hampton Roads  60 crashes, 6 with injuries

Western Va./Roanoke  42 crashes, 4 with injuries

Northern Va.  31 crashes, 2 with injuries, one deadly crash (not storm related took place in Fairfax County Saturday)

Crash Report as of 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25:

Virginia State Police said it responded to 240 crashes, 16 of which had injuries.

Central Va./Richmond  56 crashes, 1 with injuries

Northwest Va./Winchester/Harrisonburg  16 crashes, 1 with injuries

Central/Western Va./Appomattox  25 crashes, 3 with injuries

Southwest Va.  34 crashes, 1 with injuries

Hampton Roads  47 crashes, 4 with injuries

Western Va./Roanoke  36 crashes, 4 with injuries

Northern Va.  26 crashes, 2 with injuries, one fatal crash (not storm related, occurred in Fairfax County Saturday evening)

Driver dies after losing control on I-495 in Fairfax County, officials say

Crash Report as of 6 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25:

Troopers said they responded to about 177 crashes, 14 of which had injuries.

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VSP noted that one deadly crash has taken place on Interstate 495 in Fairfax County. Troopers said the crash was not related to the snowstorm.

DC Winter Storm: Pictures and Videos

In Northern Virginia, about 22 collisions have occurred with two injuries. Dozens of crashes have taken place in the following areas:

Central Va./Richmond  38 crashes, 1 with injuries

Northwest Va./Winchester/Harrisonburg  8 crashes, no injuries

Central/Western Va./Appomattox  23 crashes, 2 with injuries

Southwest Va.  26 crashes, 1 with injuries

Hampton Roads  29 crashes, 4 with injuries

Western Va./Roanoke  31 crashes, 4 with injuries

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State police, along with the Virginia Department of Transportation, are urging people to stay off the roads and allow plow trucks to clear the snow.

Check DCNewsNow.com for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android.

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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
The first few weeks of 2026 have felt like a lifetime. They follow a year of unprecedented global events, triggered by Donald Trumps foreign policy, that have rocked the world and the world order.

In less than a month, we have seen the US capture the president of Venezuela, threaten to bomb Iran, and vow to take over Nato partner Greenland, while briefly threatening sanctions on anyone who opposed that.

So what can the world expect as we move into the second year of Trumps second term in office?

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How far does his America First policy go? What does his Donroe Doctrine mean for the direction of this new world?

And which crises and conflicts are likely to wreak havoc this year?

Protesters wave Greenlandic flags and hold banners as they march in Nuuk (Getty)

Post-Nato Europe and the conquest of Greenland

The most immediate concern is Trump's determination to take over the mineral-rich, strategically important island of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the USs Nato ally Denmark.

Although he has stepped back from military action, his desire to own the piece of ice remains undiminished. During his speech in Davos, he insulted Europe  and its leaders  criticising them on migration and energy, as well as defence. The alliances most powerful member is not playing nice.

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Rose Gottemoeller, who served as Natos deputy secretary general during Trumps first administration, told The Independent that Washingtons increasingly erratic signals, she said, raise doubts about its commitment to the US nuclear umbrella over Europe, which unofficial reports suggest includes around 100 warheads.

This, in turn, could trigger a new era of nuclear proliferation, something already being discussed in parts of Europe, including Germany.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska in August last year (AP)

Ukraine and a never-ending war

Ukraine is at a critical juncture: there are desperate hopes that talks could bring peace, four years after Russias full-scale invasion of the country. Talks in Abu Dhabi between officials from the US, Russia and Ukraine have so far proved inconclusive as there is one large elephant in the room: the row over territory.

Trump is arguably the only ally of Ukraine with enough power to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and agree to a ceasefire that is not simply a dressed-up surrender for Kyiv. But increasingly, it feels as though Trump does not care enough about the outcome for the Ukrainians.

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His America First isolationism, overtures to the Russian president over territory gains, public berating of Volodymyr Zelensky and apparent indifference to Ukraines concerns that a peace deal could lead to renewed war with Russia in the future do not bode well.

It is also concerning that the US is sending signals that sovereignty does not matter, as seen in the justification of the US capture of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro, and his hardline stance on Greenland.

It is creating a precedent that countries like Russia ... will take as affirmation, General Sir Richard Barrons, the former Commander of Joint Forces Command, said at a recent Chatham House event.

It smacks of a worldview in which superpowers simply carve up spheres of influence between them, he added.

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The UK and its European allies in the Coalition of the Willing have stepped up, announcing this month that British and French troops would deploy to Ukraine as a security guarantee should a deal go through. But the question remains whether Europe on its own will be enough.

The US captured Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and took him to New York early this month (Reuters)

Latin America and bombing his backyard

A telling warning was issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration on January 16 that airlines should exercise caution when flying over Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America such as Colombia, citing risks linked to potential military activities.

The warnings, which will last 60 days, come amid soaring tensions between the US and South American leaders following Trumps large-scale military buildup in the southern Caribbean, the attack on Venezuela and Trumps repeated threats of action in neighbouring Colombia, Cuba, and, most recently, against drug cartels in Mexico.

Perhaps the biggest shift in US foreign policy since Trumps second term began has been the elevation of Latin America to one of the highest priorities in the USs national security strategy.

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This is all part of Trumps Donroe Doctrine  his personal retelling of the 200-year-old playbook of president James Monroe, aimed at restoring US pre-eminence over the western hemisphere, where powers such as China have gained increasing influence.

US officials apprehended a sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, which was operating in international waters and allegedly conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea (X/@Southcom)

China is now Latin Americas second-largest trading partner after the US, and investment ties are growing.

This is clearly something Trump and his secretary of state, Mark Rubio, an American Cuban himself, are keen to halt.

Earlier this month, Trump warned the Cuban government to make a deal or face the consequences, without elaborating.

Trump has also engaged in a war of words online with the Colombian president Gustavo Petro, whom he unceremoniously told to watch his ass.

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The White House depends on cooperation with Mexico to stem migration, and Mexico relies on the US as a major training partner. But Trumps recent comments about launching US strikes on Mexican drug cartels have already caused alarm.

Let us not forget Trumps original threats to annex the Panama Canal. Emboldened by his actions in Venezuela and driven by his ambitions over Greenland, nothing appears to be off the table.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea in October 2025 (AP)

China and its eyes on Taiwan

The US intelligence position has long been that China is preparing its military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027. That is now only a year away. It feels closer still after Chinas live fire military drills around Taiwan at the end of last year, and Xi Jinpings vow to reunify China and Taiwan in his New Years Eve speech.

It might be why there is far more emphasis on Taiwan in Trumps national security strategy than under previous US administrations.

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Protecting Taiwan from China is, according to the document, vital to maintaining American economic and technological pre-eminence, due both to its semiconductor production and its strategic location.

At the same time, Trumps approach to China remains transactional and ambiguous. He publicly cultivated a personal rapport with Xi Jinping and told The New York Times this month that he said it is up to the Chinese leader to decide Taiwans future.

Analysts see the Taiwan Strait as the most likely flashpoint for a conflict between the United States and China. The potential cost of war is extremely high.

Donald Trump with Tony Blair at the Sharm El Sheikh peace summit last year (PA)

The Middle East and Trumps board of peace

At the start of 2026, the Middle East feels less of an urgent priority for a US president. That said, over the past year, he has joined Israel in bombing Iran, encouraged protesters to overthrow the government in Tehran, pushed through a truce deal for Gaza, and welcomed Syrias new president as an attractive tough guy.

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Last week, he inaugurated his board of peace, which was nominally tasked with enacting his 20-point plan for Gaza after a devastating war with Israel. But according to leaked details of its charter  which the US claims nearly 60 countries have signed on for  it could have a much wider, UN-level scope, looking at conflicts well beyond that troubled region.

The indications so far suggest a US president who does not want a lot of boots on the ground in the region. He seems more energised by striking trillion-dollar deals with the Gulf states, acquiring glitzy new planes or describing real estate opportunities for the Gaza Riviera, or New Gaza.

That said, his claims on Friday that an armada of military ships is sailing towards Iran means nothing can be ruled out.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has joined nineteen other attorneys general supporting the state of Minnesotas legal action against the Trump administration.

AG Brown joined an amicus brief challenging the deployment of federal troops to Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Renee Good.

We are witnessing a flagrant abuse of federal power in Minnesota with no oversight, no clear mission beyond a bureaucratic quota for apprehensions, and no regard for the Bill of Rights, Brown said. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere.

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On Saturday, federal agents also shot and killed 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, the Associated Press reports.

The lawsuit claims the Trump administrations deployment of federal agents is illegal and is causing unacceptable harm to Minnesota, its cities, and people, and that show unprecedented disregard for foundational constitutional principles.

You can view a full copy of the brief at the link here.
Virginia Gov. declares emergency as winter storm approaches

(WFXR)- Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger held a press conference in Richmond to discuss the states preparation ahead on this weekends winter storm.

Governor Abigail Spanberger signed an emergency declaration to allow for state agencies to prepare for impacts.

We are expecting large amounts of snowfall, freezing rain, and sleet said Governor Abigail Spanberger. We also expect that Virginia will experience dangerously low temperatures, power outages and unpredictable road conditions.

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Spanberger said the Virginia Department of Transportation has begun pretreating roadways and will have crews prepositioned across the Commonwealth to access conditions, clear snow, and remove disabled vehicles. VDOT will prioritize interstates and primary roads.

If the storm comes in as predicted, it will take time for the roads to be cleared and passable, said Spanberger. I am asking all Virginians to spend this time getting prepared for this incoming storm. I am asking all Virginians to stay off the roads as of Saturday night, all day Sunday, through Monday morning.

Spanberger said the Virginia National Guard will mobilize troops to assist in emergency response in coordination with state and local agencies.

This is going to be a significant and dangerous storm, said John Scrivani, state coordinator of emergency management. After the precipitation stops, it is going to be very cold for multiple days.

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Scrivani said the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) works year-round planning for winter storm preparedness and response. He said VDEM will be assisted by FEMA and the National Weather Service.

Emergency alerts in these types of situations are very important, said Scrivani. If your phone is not activated or accepting wireless emergency alerts, please do that now. We may need to send those at some point.

Scrivani encourages people to check on their neighbors, especially ones with physical challenges or special needs.

Preparedness is key. This is a Commonwealth-wide event. All the people in the Commonwealth need to be paying attention to this, said Scrivani.

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WFXR will have extensive coverage of the winter storm this weekend on-air, online, on social media, and CTV. Click here to find out how to download WFXR+ on your Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku device.

Pinpoint Weather: Winter storm conditions this weekend

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a detailed statement regretting the United States' decision to leave the UN agency, and declaring that it will leave both the US and the world less safe as a result
The 16th National Voters' Day was observed at the Government College of Education in Srinagar, with a special function aimed at promoting democratic values and voter awareness on Sunday. The event was organised under the supervision of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, highlighting the administration's commitment to strengthening participatory democracy in the region. The Deputy Commissioner graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, lending significance to the celebrations. The programme focused on encouraging citizens, especially first-time voters and youth, to actively participate in the electoral process and exercise their right to vote responsibly. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said, "We celebrate National Voters' Day every year on January 25. This is a very important day because the Election Commission was established on this day in 1950. Today we are celebrating the 16th National Voters' Day. I would like to congratulate all voters on this occasion, especially those who will become eligible to vote. I would like to thank BLOs and EROs who participate in this extensive exercise. I would like to appeal that all new voters should be enrolled under Systematic Voter's Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP)." National Voters' Day is celebrated across the country to commemorate the foundation of the Election Commission of India and to reinforce the importance of free, fair, and inclusive elections. The Srinagar event included awareness sessions and interactions emphasising ethical voting, democratic duties, and the role of informed citizens in nation-building. Officials, faculty members, students, and guests participated in the programme, making it a meaningful platform to spread awareness about the power of the vote and the importance of democratic participation. On the occasion of National Voters' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised the importance of registering as a voter after turning 18. Addressing the nation in the 130th edition and first 'Mann Ki Baat' programme of the year, he highlighted that it's the eve of India's 77th Republic Day. "On this day, our constitution came into force. The day of January 26 gives us an opportunity to pay homage to the architects of our constitution." The PM also said that today is National Voter's Day, emphasising the role of voters in a democracy. "The voter is the soul of democracy. Whenever a young person becomes a voter for the first time, the entire neighbourhood, village, or even the city should come together to congratulate them and distribute sweets. This will increase awareness about voting among people", he said. Appreciating the efforts of those working in electoral polls, he said, "I would like to appreciate all those people who remain connected with the electoral process in the country, those who work at the grassroots level to keep our democracy alive." Urging the youth to participate in the practice of voting, he added, "I would like again to urge my young friends to register themselves as a voter when you turn 18." "The sense of duty that the Constitution expects from every citizen will be fulfilled and also strengthen Bharat's democracy", the PM said. (ANI)
President Donald Trumps desire for drama is on a collision course with his self-destructive tendencies, his biographer says.

Author Michael Wolff, co-host of the Inside Trumps Head podcast, said that the presidents personality traits were on display this week when it came to negotiations over Greenland. Ultimately, Trump backed down from his demand that the U.S. acquire the entire semi-autonomous island and from his threat to impose tariffs on several European nations until a deal was reached.

Its always important to remember about Donald Trump that, along with everything else, hes incredibly self-destructive, Wolff told co-host Joanna Coles. He has made a monumental mess for himself... I think Greenland is a silver bullet pointed at his head, which maybe well forget about, but I dont think were going to forget about Minneapolis.

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Trump, Wolff has said, is shortsighted, and his policy objectives should be viewed as a means of putting the publics attention back on himself and distracting from the ICE shooting in Minneapolis earlier this month, for instance.

Greenland comes about because in the middle of the night, he posted [what] came into his head... and then it took on a life of its own, which had the advantage of distracting from whatever the last thing that took on a life of its own was.

Trump is keen on distracting from the controversial killing of Renee Nicole Good and turning the headlines back to himself, even if they make him look bad, Wolff has said. / Xinhua News Agency / Xinhua News Agency via Getty Ima

The 79-year-old president, Wolff went on to say, will continue down that path as midterm season ramps up.

Hell sacrifice the Republicans for... The Trump Show, Wolff said. The Greenland thing is not, in any mans language, politically astute. Its just about Trump, Trump at the center of this thing, Trump creating, making all of these people pay attention, people putting him at the center of everything."

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Wolff then recalled what a Trump insider once revealed to him about the nature of the presidents desire for conflict and headlines, even if they made him look bad.

I think there was one Trump person who said to me, You know... Its not really that hes interested or focused on setting the fires that he sets. What he really likes are the fire engines rushing to put it out. And I think thats this thing that goes on: he thrives on something other than politics or even political success.

When reached for comment, the White House questioned Wolffs credibility.

Michael Wolff is a lying sack of s--t and has been proven to be a fraud. He routinely fabricates stories originating from his sick and warped imagination, only possible because he has a severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his peanut-sized brain, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said.

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Trump will take his base of support with him when, or if, he leaves politics, Wolff also said during the podcast.

It all passes with Donald Trump, Wolff told Coles. Donald Trump is not replaceable. He is an absolutely unique figure. No one will be Donald Trump again, and this entire MAGA movement, it is all directed at Trump. Its not ideological America. I often try to make the distinction: Its not a political base, its a fan base.

Find and subscribe to Inside Trumps Head with Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes of incomparable insight into the psyche of the worlds most talked-about man drop every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening on YouTube and Wednesday and Friday mornings on other podcast platforms.
(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)

A winter storm led to delays and closings through Thursday in North Texas, but warming temperatures and improved driving conditions allowed some agencies to plan normal schedules by Friday.

Wichita Falls ISD was not among them.

The district decided to closes campuses again on Friday, announcing the following reasons on the WFISD Facebook page:

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High school parking lots remain icy and hazardous.

Many residential streets are still unsafe for travel.

The safety concerns of approximately 2,000 teenage drivers on slick roadways.

Long commutes for many of our staff members.

Buses are unable to safely transport students to and from school, and many of our drivers are not trained to operate in snow and ice conditions.

Several elementary campus driveways and walkways remain unsafe.

The post said:

"We fully understand the impact this decision has on families, particularly for parents who must work. We also recognize how many of our students depend on WFISD for daily breakfast and lunch. These considerations weigh heavily in every decision we make.

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However, the safety of our students and staff must come first. If even one student or staff member were to be injured due to icy conditions, it would be devastating. For that reason, we believe closing school is the most responsible choice at this time. WFISD will submit a waiver request to the Texas Education Agency seeking approval to waive the missed instructional days."

The city of Wichita Falls said in a press release Thursday afternoon that all city operations will return to normal business hours and operations on Friday.

The release said road conditions in neighborhoods caused significant challenges for residential trash collection.

According to the release, the collection schedule for the remainder of the week is:

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More: UPDATED: Fierce winter storm hits Wichita Falls with more to come

More: Emergency help for utilities available during storm in Wichita Falls

Normal Tuesday and Friday trash pickups will happen on Friday and Saturday..

Normal trash collection operations will resume on Monday.

Residents are asked to leave unserviced curb carts at the street through Saturday and keep areas near dumpsters free of trash to facilitate pickup.

A coat of sleet and snow covered most of North Texas following the arrival of a fierce winter storm on Friday.

A few otherarea school districts announced delays in starting times on Friday:

Bellevue ISD will start classes at 10 a.m. Friday

Burkburnett ISD will start two hours late Friday.

City View ISD will start two hours late Friday.

Gold-Burg ISD will be closed Friday

Holliday ISD will start classes at 10 a.m. Friday

Iowa Park CISD will start two hours late Friday.

Midway ISD will start classes at 9:30 a.m. Friday

Midwestern State University will begin operations at 11 a.m. Friday

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: What will be closed in Wichita Falls because of the weather?
Over 100 flights were cancelled at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as a deadly winter storm pushed through parts of the United States on Jan. 25.

Between Jan. 24 and Jan. 26, Sky Harbor listed a total of 107 cancellations and 112 delays, according to the airport's flight board.

Thousands of flights have been canceled across the country as the storm moves east.

As of 2:30 p.m., the FAA reported widespread disruptions nationwide as winter weather triggered closures and delays due to deicing operations.

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Major hubs including Atlanta, Boston and DallasFort Worth were among those affected, with ground stops, airport closures and delays stretching past two hours at some airports as winter weather and deicing operations snarled traffic, according to the FAA.

Arizonans headed east should expect delays and are urged to monitor alerts, consider rebooking early, and prepare for further disruptions, according to airport officials and the FAA.

But the Grand Canyon State is not expected to see much impact from the storm.

Dry, cooler-than-normal weather conditions will hold across Phoenix on Jan. 25 as skies clear behind a departing system, according to Matt Salerno, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service.

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Highs will reach from the mid-50s to mid-60s with patchy morning breezes west of metro Phoenix.

This is a developing story, check back to azcentral.com for more details.

USA TODAY contributed to this article.

Rey Covarrubias Jr. covers business and breaking news for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@azcentral.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Winter storm causes Phoenix Sky Harbor flight cancellations
Winter Storm Fern entered its second day Sunday, bringing more ice, snow and confirmed power outages across Kentucky.

Much of what the state saw as far as accumulation Jan. 25 fell as sleet, though there was a brief period of snow Sunday afternoon, according to the forecast from the National Weather Service.

This situation is especially dangerous, forecasters warn, as Sundays precipitation added an additional slick layer to ice and snow that blanketed Central Kentucky Saturday and overnight, solidified by frigid temperatures.

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As of Sunday evening, the remaining snow and sleet amounts are around one inch with minimal ice accumulation, according to the weather service. Wintry precipitation will move out of the area by late Sunday evening, and early morning Tuesday.

Kentucky is in the heart of the storm right now as precipitation moves across the state, and ice has become our biggest concern, Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday. We expect snow, sleet and ice to keep falling throughout today and overnight. This is combined with dangerously cold temperatures throughout next week.

The weather service expects ice totals in Central Kentucky are around a quarter-inch to a half-inch. Sundays high temperature in Lexington is forecast at 27 degrees, with an overnight low around 5 degrees and wind chill of negative 4.

An extreme cold warning is in effect beginning Monday at 7 p.m. until Tuesday morning.

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Ice accumulations are higher than expected, becoming the main safety concern Sunday, according to Beshear. Bowling Green to Campbellsville, Richmond, Morehead and Ashland could see up to a quarter inch of ice.

Additional snow and sleet accumulations up to 7 inches are expected across southern Indiana and north central Kentucky. The higher of these values are expected across parts of southern Indiana, where less sleet is expected, the NWS said in a Sunday morning winter storm warning update. Along and southeast of the Western Kentucky and Bluegrass Parkways, ice accumulations from a glaze to half of an inch is expected.

Post 1/2, this one is focused on the Freezing Rain part of the storm along & soouth of the WKY/BG Parkways. Dangerous ice accumulations 0.5-0.75" + startng tonight into Sun. Impacts include dangerous rd. cond. tree damage, multi-day power outages. #KYwx https://t.co/0z6xSXnS4Z pic.twitter.com/VkIUy0K6TN  NWS Louisville (@NWSLouisville) January 24, 2026

The winter storm warning is in effect until 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26 for much of the state, and a cold weather advisory was issued for midnight Sunday night until 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, when wind chills could be as low as 15 below zero, the NWS said.

Temperatures will remain frigid through the rest of the week. Lexingtons high is not expected to reach above the low 20s at least through next Saturday, Jan. 31, and lows most days will be in the single or even negative digits.

The city of Lexington is blanketed with snow and ice as Winter Storm Fern enters its second day Jan. 25, 2026. (Ryan Hermens/rhermens@herald-leader.com)

Power outages from ice expected to climb

The increase in ice overnight has already made roads hazardous and caused some power outages statewide, with more than 67,000 Kentucky customers without power as of 4:24 p.m. Sunday.

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Pulaski County has the highest recorded number of outages at 9,638 according to PowerOutage.us. As of Sunday afternoon, many of the outages were located in the south and south-eastern regions of the state.

An extreme cold warning was issued Sunday and is expected to last through Tuesday, according to WKYT chief meteorologist Chris Bailey. Lows can drop as low as negative 10, with wind chills dropping 20 below at times. With tens of thousands of people without power, this is a life-threatening situation, Bailey said.

The governor said the number of power outages is expected to rise throughout the day, making warming centers even more critical. Kentucky currently has 113 such enters set up across the commonwealth. To find a warming center near you, or if you need additional assistance, find resources here.

Beshear and Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton have declared states of emergency ahead of the storm. Lexingtons emergency operations center opened at 8 a.m. Saturday, the city said in a news release.

President Donald Trump approved an emergency disaster declaration for the winter storm, unlocking federal aid to Kentucky and several other states, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post on social media platform X Saturday evening.




(Update January 25, 2:45 p.m.)

Less than 20 homes are without power as CPS has worked to fully restore power throughout San Antonio amid the arctic front. The CPS outage map has multiple areas with less than 5 outages. The lone area with 65 outages near Castle Hills, is set to have restored power by 4 p.m.



(Update January 25, 12:47 p.m.)

As the winter storm continues to bring freezing conditions to San Antonio, CPS Energy continues to restore power to residents experiencing an outage. The CPS Energy outage map is reporting 1,370 customers without power as of 12:50 p.m.

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"CPS Energy crews are working safely to restore the weather-related outages," CPS Energy wrote in a statement on Sunday. "We thank our customers for their patience as our crews work in hazardous conditions."

(Update January 25, 9:45 a.m.)

Power has been restored to thousands of homes with more waiting as San Antonio warms up a bit amid the winter storm. The number of outages has now dropped down to just above 2,700 according the CPS outage map. Some of the remaining outages are slated to be fixed around 11 a.m. up to 2 p.m. in certain areas.

(Update January 25, 7:30 a.m.)

The CPS outage map is reporting outages in the San Antonio area are down to about 7,200 as crews continue to work to restore power.



Original Story:



Thousands are without power following an arctic blast arriving in San Antonio on Sunday, January 25. A CPS Energy outage map showed over 10,800 customers are currently without power due to 40 active outages across the city.

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As of 5:30 a.m., customers are dealing with power outages as far out as 211 near Alamo Ranch and Government Canyon, Helotes, Leon Valley, Balcones Heights, Shavano Park, Castle Hills, and Alamo Heights. Earlier this week, ERCOT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said it is paying close attention to the power grid as a winter storm raised concerns about electricity demand and reliability.

ERCOT expects that there will be enough electricity supply from power plants to meet the state's electricity needs during the winter season, the agency told MySA in an emailed statement. ERCOT says it will continue to deploy all available resources to manage the grid reliably and coordinate closely with the Public Utility Commission, generation providers and transmission utilities.

CPS Energy updated customers at 3 p.m., noting, "Our crews have worked through the night and into Sunday morning as heavy winter precipitation continues across our service area. Crews are actively responding to 39 weather-related outages impacting approx. 14,500 customers, with the largest outages located in the 78006, 78213, 78238, 78249, 78253, and 78254 ZIP codes."

Downed tree limbs are a leading cause of outages during the winter storm on January 25. (CPS Energy)





The utility company noted the leading cause of the outages included "ice accumulation on equipment and broken tree limbs, as seen in this suspected outage on the city's South Side that's impacting nearly 500 of the 14,500 customers."

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The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch for parts of Texas, with heavy snow possible in the Texas Panhandle and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. For the Amarillo region, forecasters predict dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero. Freezing rain covered Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country since Saturday evening and is expected through Sunday midday.

CPS Energy also cited ice accumulation on equipment as a culprit for weather-related outages. (CPS Energy)





To see what areas are impacted by the outage, you can visit the CPS Energy outage map. To report outages in your area, click here.

This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it comes in.

This article originally published at CPS nears fully restored power in S.A. amid Winter storm, freezing rain.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for all of Vermont.

The winter storm warning goes from 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 to 1 a.m. ET Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. The snowfall from the winter storm is expected to make the roads slick and hazardous to drive on.

"Travel could be very difficult to impossible," the warning said. "The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes."

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The warning said that southern Vermont households should have sufficient ventilation when heating their homes or using generators in order to avoid risks posed by carbon monoxide poisoning

Here's how much snow Vermont is set to get.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from Jan. 25, 2026 through Jan 26, 2026.

How much snow will we be getting?

Predicted snow totals for this storm have crept up throughout the week, with heavy snow now expected in Vermont.

"A long duration, widespread moderate snow with a period of heavy snow in southern Vermont will produce 8-16 inches across the region and 13-19 inches in southeastern slopes of the Adirondacks and south-central Vermont," the discussion said.

The discussion said the snowfall will slow down after 1 a.m. ET on Monday.

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"So by the time 7 a.m. rolls around, there should already be about 5-8" north and 8-15" south already on the ground," it said. "This will impact the morning commute, and it`s still going to be single-digit cold."

When will it start to snow in Vermont

The National Weather Service said that snow is expected late Sunday morning through Monday night.

"Snowfall rates are likely to exceed one inch per hours this evening into the overnight hours in the Adirondacks and much of Vermont," the warning said.

Vermont weather watches and warnings

Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Parts of Vermont may see over a foot of snow. See latest maps, timing
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Multiple Wisconsin elected officials have released statements following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 2006 Preble High School alum, by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

This story contains statements from officials in Wisconsin.

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich:

Another American citizen is dead as the result of the federal governments occupation of an American city, and the victim, Alex Pretti, was a graduate of a Green Bay high school. Without knowing all the facts of the case, we can say with certainty that a full, transparent, and independent investigation must be conducted. I mourn his tragic death with his friends and family, and join the chorus of Americans who are rightfully demanding the federal government change course and enforce immigration law in keeping with local, state, and federal laws and the U.S. Constitution.  Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich

District 90 State Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D-Green Bay)

My heart is broken and I am angry that we lost another life to chaos and cruelty driven by federal immigration enforcement that has abandoned due process and accountability. Alex Jeffrey Pretti and Renee Good should be alive today. It is not surprising that Alex was a nurse with roots in Green Bay, a place where we believe in taking care of each other and respecting human dignity. I grieve for his family, for Minneapolis, and for a country where constitutional values are ignored and communities are torn apart for the political gain of a few. We must come together to demand accountability, because hate cannot win.  State Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D-Green Bay)

Local 5 has reached out to State Senators Andre Jacque and Jamie Wall, as well as Representative Tony Wied, and will update this story as needed.

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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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
An investigation is underway after a woman was shot to death Saturday night in Birmingham.

The shooting happened about 9:45 p.m. in the 7000 block of Division Avenue.

Police said they were dispatched to the neighborhood on a report of shots fired. When they arrived, the found the victim unresponsive.

Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and the 23-year-old woman was pronounced dead in the street.

Additional details have not been released.

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Police put down at least 18 yellow evidence markers, including one that marked the location of the victims shoes which were a half block from where she was found.

As of midnight, no arrests had been announced.

The victims family members were on the scene, visiibly upset, and answering detectives questions.

The victim is the citys third homicide this year and the fifth in all of Jefferson County.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Read the original article on al.com.
NEED TO KNOW

A woman in Florida was thrown out of a courtroom while she was being sentenced for her roommates murder

Amanda Cook, 41, was found guilty of killing 64-year-old Karen Leiti in 2019

Cook yelled over the judge and shouted nonsensical phrases as she was led from the courtroom during her Jan. 22 sentencing

A Florida woman was thrown out of a courtroom after an unruly outburst the day she was scheduled to be sentenced for murdering her roommate.

Amanda Cook, 41, was found guilty of the 2019 murder of her then roommate, 64-year-old Karen Leiti. Her sentencing was scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22, per Collier County public court records.

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Video footage of the sentencing shows Cook entering the courtroom with a smile on her face.

Saw my attorney, I need a military tribunal. This is a satan synagogue! she then yelled.

Cook could then be heard yelling over the judge, Judge Joseph Foster, as he asked her if she would like to be present in the room as he handed down her sentence. She continued to yell, at which point Foster said, You can remove her, to courtroom security.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Cook then shouted, Whoa! Whoa! Just got busted! Get down, theyre coming in! as she was escorted out of the room.

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The judge then stated that he believed Cook was malingering  a term which is used when a defendant intentionally exaggerates or fakes physical or psychological symptoms, usually to avoid responsibility or gain a legal advantage.

google maps City of Naples police vehicle (stock image) City of Naples police vehicle (stock image)

The proceedings continued without Cook present in the room, and she was ultimately sentenced to life in prison.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Cook was initially charged with second-degree murder on July 3, 2019, after deputies arrived at her home and found her roommate dead on the living room floor, according to a booking sheet included in the court records.

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Authorities were initially called to the scene by Cooks mother, who said that her daughter had driven to her home in the early hours of the morning and told her she had gotten into an altercation with Leiti.

At the time, Cook claimed that Leiti had fallen over a speaker and hit her head. However, a medical examiner's report revealed that Leitis injuries were consistent with intentional blunt-force trauma to the head. The injuries were also found to be consistent with an object recovered from the living room that had blood on it, per the report.

PEOPLE reached out to an attorney for Cook but did not receive an immediate response.



Read the original article on People
I had been asked to give a key-note speech at a conference at Columbia University's Journalism School. It was January 2002. Two planes had been flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre months earlier and you could still feel how wounded the city felt. You could read it in the faces of New Yorkers you spoke to.

In my speech I made a few opening remarks about what the United States had meant to me. "I was born 15 years after the Second World War," I said, "in a world America made. The peace and security and increasing prosperity of the Western Europe that I was born into was in large part an American achievement."

American military might had won the war in the west, I continued. It had stopped the further westward expansion of Soviet power.

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I talked briefly about the transformational effect of the Marshall Plan, through which the United States had given Europe the means to rebuild its shattered economies, and to re-establish the institutions of democracy.

'I was born 15 years after the Second World War in a world America made,' Allan Little told an audience. 'The peace and security and increasing prosperity of the Western Europe that I was born into was in large part an American achievement' [AFP via Getty Images]

I told the audience, composed mostly of students of journalism, that as a young reporter I had myself witnessed the inspiring culmination of all this in 1989 when I'd stood in Wenceslas Square in Prague.

Back then I'd watched, awestruck, as Czechs and Slovaks demanded an end to Soviet occupation, and to a hated communist dictatorship, so that they too could be part of the community of nations that we called, simply, "the West", bound together by shared values, at the head of which sat the the United States of America.

I looked up from my notes at the faces of the audience. Near the front of the lecture hall sat a young man. He looked about 20. Tears were running down his face and he was quietly trying to suppress a sob.

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At a drinks reception afterwards he approached me. "I'm sorry I lost it in there," he said. "Your words: right now we are feeling raw and vulnerable. America needs to hear this stuff from its foreign friends."

In that moment I thought how lucky my generation, and his, had been, to be alive in an era in which the international system was regulated by rules, a world that had turned its back on the unconstrained power of the Great Powers.

Donald Trump believes the free world has been freeloading on American largesse for too long [Getty Images]

But it was the words of one of his classmates that come back to me now. He had arrived in New York just a few days before 9/11 from his native Pakistan to study at Columbia. He likened the United States to Imperial Rome.

"If you are lucky enough to live within the walls of the Imperial Citadel, which is to say here in the US, you experience American power as something benign. It protects you and your property. It bestows freedom by upholding the rule of law. It is accountable to the people through democratic institutions.

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"But if, like me, you live on the Barbarian fringes of Empire, you experience American power as something quite different. It can do anything to you, with impunity And you can't stop it or hold it to account."

His words made me consider the much heralded rules-based international order from another angle: from the point of view of much of the Global South. And how its benefits have never been universally distributed, something that the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reminded an audience at Davos last week.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech in Davos called for 'the middle powers' to act together [Reuters]

"We knew the story of the international rules-based order was partially false," that young Pakistani student admitted all those years ago.

"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 victim."

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"Don't you find it interesting," he asked, "that the US, the country that came into existence in a revolt against the arbitrary exercise of [British] power is, in our day, the most powerful exponent of arbitrary power?"

A new world order or back to the future?

Donald Trump came to Davos last week clearly determined to bend the Europeans to his will over Greenland. He wanted ownership, he said.

He declared that Denmark had only "added one more dog sled" to defend the territory. That speaks volumes to the undisguised contempt with which he and many in his inner circle appear to hold certain European allies.

"I fully share your loathing of European freeloading," Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told a WhatsApp group that included Vice President JD Vance last year, adding "PATHETIC". (He hadn't realised that the Editor of The Atlantic magazine had apparently been added to the group chat.)

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Then President Trump himself told Fox News recently that, during the war in Afghanistan, Nato had sent "some troops" but that they had "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines".

The comments provoked anger among UK politicians and veterans' families. The UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer branded Trump's remarks "insulting and frankly appalling".

The UK prime minister spoke to Trump on Saturday, after which the US president used his Truth Social platform to praise UK troops as being "among the greatest of all warriors".

Sir Keir Starmer said US President Donald Trump's remarks about Nato troops in Afghanistan were "insulting and frankly appalling" [Carl Court - Pool/Getty Images]

We know from the White House's National Security Strategy, published in December, that in his second term, Trump intends to unshackle the United States from the system of transnational bodies created, in part by Washington, to regulate international affairs.

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That document spells out the means by which the United States will put "America First" at the heart of US security strategy by using whatever powers they have, ranging from economic sanctions and trade tariffs to military intervention, to bend smaller and weaker nations into alignment with US interests.

It is a strategy which privileges strength: a return to a world in which the Great Powers carve out spheres of influence.

The danger in this for what Canada's Prime Minister called "the middle powers" is clear. "If you're not at the table," he said, "you're on the menu".

Re-interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine

In Davos last week, America's allies, especially Canada and Europe, were laying to rest what is now commonly called the rules-based intentional order, and in some cases mourning its demise.

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But, as the young Pakistani student at Colombia journalism school argued all those years ago, to large parts of the rest of the world it has not seemed, in the last 80 years, that the United States, and on occasions some of its friends, felt restrained by rules.

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"After World War Two, we saw, under the so-called rules-based international order multiple interventions by the United States in Latin America," says Dr Christopher Sabatini, Senior Research Fellow for Latin America at Chatham House.

"It's not new. There are patterns of intervention that go all the way back to 1823. There's a term I use for American policymakers who advocate for unilateral US intervention. I call them "backyard-istas" - those who see Latin America as their backyard."

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In 1953, the CIA, assisted by the British Secret Intelligence Services, orchestrated a coup that overthrew the government of Mohammad Mossadeq in Iran. He had wanted to audit the books of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (later part of BP), and when it refused to co-operate, Mossadeq threatened to nationalise it.

For posing a threat to British economic interests, he was overthrown and Britain and the US threw their weight behind the increasingly dictatorial Shah.

The CIA played a key role in the 1953 coup which ousted Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadeq [Universal Images Group via Getty Images]

At the same time, the US was conspiring to overthrow the elected government of Guatemala, which had implemented an ambitious programme of land reform that threatened to harm the profitability of the American United Fruit Company.

Again with active CIA collusion, the left-wing president Jacobo Arbenz was toppled and replaced by a series of US-backed authoritarian rulers.

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In 1983 the US invaded the Caribbean island of Grenada, after a Marxist coup. This was a country of which the late Queen, Elizabeth II, was head of state.

And the US invaded Panama in 1989, and arrested the military leader Manuel Noriega. He spent all but the last few months of his life in prison.

These interventions were all functions of the Monroe Doctrine, first promulgated by President James Monroe in 1823. It asserted America's right to dominate the Western hemisphere and keep European powers from trying to meddle in the newly independent states of Latin America.

The post-war rules based international order did not deter the US from imposing its will on weaker neighbours.

Panama's leader Manuel Noriega was forcibly removed by US troops in 1989 and spent almost all of the rest of his life in jail [Getty Images / Corbis]

When it was announced by the fifth president of the US, James Monroe, the doctrine that bears his name was widely seen as an expression of US solidarity with its neighbours, a strategy to protect them from attempts by the European great powers to recolonise them: the US, after all, shared with them a set of republican values and a history of anti-colonial struggle.

But the Doctrine quickly became an assertion of Washington's right to dominate its neighbours and use any means, up to and including military intervention, to bend their policies into alignment with American interests.

President Theodore Roosevelt, in 1904, said it gave the US "international police power" to intervene in countries where there was "wrongdoing".

So could it be that President Trump's re-interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine is simply part of a continuum in US foreign policy?

The Monroe Doctrine was first promulgated by US President James Monroe (pictured) in 1823 [Getty Images]

"In the Guatemala coup, in 1954, that was entirely owned by the US. They orchestrated the entire takeover of the country," says Dr Christopher Sabatini.

"The coup on Chile in 1971 [against the left-wing Prime Minister Salvador Allende] wasn't orchestrated by the CIA but the United States said it would accept a coup."

During the Cold War, the main motivation for intervention was the perception that Soviet-backed parties were gaining ground domestically, representing Communist advances into the Western hemisphere. In our own day, the perceived enemy is no longer Communism, but drug-trafficking and migration.

That difference aside, President Trump's reassertion of the Monroe Doctrine "absolutely is 'back to the future'," says the historian Jay Sexton, author of The Monroe Doctrine: Empire and Nation in Nineteenth Century America.

Guatamalan President Jacobo Arbenz was overthrown by a US-backed coup in 1954 [Getty Images]

"The other thing that gives Trump's United States a 19th century feel is his unpredictability, his volatility. Observers could never really predict what the United States would do next.

"We don't know what the future holds but we do known from even a cursory look at modern history, from 1815 onwards [the end of the Napoleonic wars], that Great Power rivalries are really destabilising. They lead to conflict."

Cohesion among the allies

American unilateralism may not be new. What is new is that this time, it is America's friends and allies that find themselves on the receiving end of American power.

Suddenly, Europeans and Canadians are getting a taste of something long familiar to other parts of the world - that arbitrary exercise of US power that the young Pakistani journalism student articulated so clearly to me in the weeks after 9/11.

For the first year of his second term, European leaders used flattery in their approach to Trump. Starmer, for example, had King Charles invite him to make a second state visit to the UK, an honour no other US president in history has been granted.

The Secretary General of Nato Mark Rutte, referred to him, bizarrely, as "daddy".

King Charles invited Donald Trump to make a second state visit to the UK - an honour no other US president had received [Getty Images]

But Trump's approach to towards Europe brought him clear success.

Previous presidents, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden also believed the European allies were not pulling their weight in Nato and wanted them to spend more on their own security. Only Trump succeeded in making them act: in response to his threats, they agreed to raise their defence spending from around two per cent of GDP to five per cent, something unthinkable even a year ago.

Greenland, however, seems to have been a game-changer. When Trump threatened Danish sovereignty in Greenland, the allies began to cohere around a new-found defiance, and resolved not, this time, to bend.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney gave voice to this moment. In his pivotal speech in Davos he said this was a moment of "rupture" with the old rules-based international order - in the new world of Great Power politics, "the middle powers" needed to act together.

Previous presidents had also believed the European allies should spend more on their own security - only Trump succeeded in making them act [Getty Images]

It is rare, at Davos, for an audience to rise to its feet and award a speaker a standing ovation. But they did it for Carney, and you felt, in that moment, a cohesion forming among the allies.

And in an instant, the threat of tariffs lifted. Trump has gained nothing over Greenland that the US hasn't already had for decades - the right, with Denmark's blessing, to build military bases, stage unlimited personnel there, and even to mineral exploitation.

The challenge facing 'middle powers' today

There is no doubt that Trump's America First strategy is popular with his Maga base. They share his view that the free world has been freeloading on American largesse for too long.

And European leaders, in agreeing to increase their defence spending, have accepted that President Trump was right: that the imbalance was no longer fair or sustainable.

[Reuters]

In June 2004 I reported on the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. There were still many living World War Two veterans and thousands of those who had crossed the Chanel 60 years earlier came back to the beaches that day - many of them from the US.

They wanted no talk of the heroism or courage of their youth. We watched them go one by one or in little groups to the cemeteries to find the graves of the young men they'd known and whom they'd left behind in the soil of liberated France.

We watched the allied heads of government pay tribute to those old men. But I found myself thinking not so much of the battles they'd fought and the bravery and sacrifices of their younger selves, but of the peace that they'd gone home to build when the fighting was over.

The world they bequeathed to us was immeasurably better than the world they'd inherited from their parents. For they were born into a world of Great Power rivalries, in which, in Mark Carney's words, "the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must".

This was the generation that went home to build the rules-based international order, because they had learned the hard way what a system without rules, without laws, can lead to. They wanted no going back to that.

Those born in the decades after the war may have made the mistake of believing that the world could never go back to that.

And 24 years ago, as I gave my talk in a New York City still traumatised by 9/11, did I too make the mistake of thinking the post-World War Two order, underpinned, as it was, by American might, was the new permanent normal? I think I did.

For we did not foresee then a world in which trust in traditional sources of news and information would be corroded by a rising cynicism, turbo-charged by social media and, increasingly now, AI.

In any age of economic stagnation and extremes of inequality, popular trust in democratic institutions corrodes. It has been corroding not just in the US but across the western world for decades now. As such Trump may be a symptom, not a cause, of Carney's "rupture" with the post-World War Two order.

Watching those old men making their way through the Normandy cemeteries was a graphic and poignant reminder: democracy, the rule of law, accountable government are not naturally occurring phenomena; they are not even, historically speaking, normal. They have to be fought for, built, sustained, defended.

And that is the challenge from here facing what Mark Carney called "the middle powers".

Top picture credit: AFP/Reuters

[BBC]

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On Feb. 6, 2021, Kevin Jiang, a 26-year-old Yale graduate student and former Army National Guardsman, spent the day with Zion Perry, his fiancee, who was also a graduate student there. The couple went hiking and ice fishing, followed by dinner at her home in the affluent East Rock section of New Haven. Police say that at around 8:30 p.m. Jiang left her apartment and headed off in his Prius to his house, where he lived with his mother.

Kevin Jiang was a 26-year-old Yale graduate student, an Army veteran, and, his friends say, a man of faith who volunteered with the homeless. / Credit: Kevin Jiang/Instagram

He barely made it two blocks before his car was struck from behind by a dark SUV in what appeared to be a minor fender bender. Police believe he got out of his car, likely to check on how the other driver was and exchange information. Instead, the other motorist shot Jiang eight times  with several bullets fired so close to his head that the exploding gunpowder left burn marks on his face.

David Zaweski, the lead homicide detective in Jiang's murder, talked with "48 Hours" correspondent Anne-Marie Green for "The Ivy League Murder." An encore of the broadcast is streaming on Paramount+.

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Zaweski said that one witness told investigators she heard the minor fender bender, looked out a window, heard gunshots and saw muzzle flashes from a weapon. And another witness added that she not only heard the gunshots, but she saw the shooter  dressed all in black  standing over his fallen victim, continuing to fire bullets into him after he was down. Detectives would later recover a chilling home surveillance video that virtually captured Kevin's final moments alive, confirming the witness' accounts.

But deepening the mystery was the fact that the eight spent shell casings lying near Jiang were .45 caliber bullets  and they were similar to .45 caliber shell casings found at the scene of four recent shootings in the area.

According to police, a gunman had fired .45 caliber bullets into four homes over the last several months. In those cases, no one had been hurt. Investigators interviewed the homeowners but were unable to find any connection between them.

At first glance, Jiang's murder had all the earmarks of a violent case of road rage. But Zaweski and his colleague Steven Cunningham quickly began to wonder if there was more.

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"It seems a little bit more personal," Zaweski told Green. "When you have someone laying on the ground and not moving, what would cause someone to continue firing?"

Cunningham questioned the car accident. "Was it deliberate to get him out of the vehicle? Possibly something that was planned?" he said.

"And if he was specifically targeted," Zaweski continued, "what could have happened in his life to drive someone to do this?

It was a logical investigative avenue to pursue, but after breaking the tragic news to Jiang's mother and his fiancee, investigators say the portrait that emerged of Kevin was that of a gifted young man who couldn't have had an enemy in the world. He was living with, and taking care of, his mother, whom he brought from Seattle to live with him. He volunteered to work with the homeless, was deeply religious, and was a former lieutenant in the U.S. Army National Guard. Just a week earlier he had proposed to Perry, which she posted on Facebook, virtually on the anniversary of their meeting at a Christian retreat.

Kevin Jiang and Zion Perry / Credit: Facebook

Pastor Gregory Hendrickson summed up the young newly engaged couple for Green. "They clearly shared a lot in common," he began. "They both loved nature. Zion was a scientist studying molecular biophysics and biochemistry he was in the School of the Environment. They're both brilliant and hardworking students," he said, "and yet they didn't feel like their accomplishments were what defined them at the deepest level."

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Zaweski and Cunningham knew they faced a daunting investigation. Jiang's murder may just have been another random shooting by the mysterious .45 caliber gunman. Whoever the shooter was, he was still on the loose.

"The suspect was out there," Zaweski said. "He wasn't identified. We didn't know where he went  and we didn't know what he would be doing next."

With few leads to pursue and a vague image of a dark SUV from surveillance footage at the scene, they knew they likely would need a break. And they got one the following day when they received an urgent call from Sgt. Jeffrey Mills of the nearby North Haven police. He provided them with startling information about two different 911 calls.

The first one occurred about a half hour after Jiang's murder. A motorist had gotten stuck on a desolate snow-covered railroad track outside a scrap metal yard he had accidentally driven into, he said, while looking for a nearby highway entrance. The motorist, Qinxuan Pan, was from Malden, Massachusetts. His record was clean, and he was calm with an excuse that Mills had heard before from others who got lost near that scrap yard. So, he helped Pan get a tow and a nearby hotel room. At the time, Mills was unaware that there had been a murder in New Haven.

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But about 15 hours later, at 11 a.m. on Feb. 7, Mills responded to another 911 call at an Arby's, where employees had found a bag containing a gun and box of .45 caliber bullets. The Arby's was right next door to the Best Western hotel where Pan had been taken. And by then he knew Kevin Jiang had been murdered, by someone driving a dark SUV similar to Pan's. That's when he reached out to New Haven homicide.

It turned out Pan had checked into the hotel but never stayed there. And when Zaweski sent detectives to Malden, where Pan went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and lived with his parents  no one was home.

Zaweski turned to his computer searching for Pan, hoping to find a connection to Jiang. "We'll use Facebook as a tool to try and get a background on an individual, who they're friends with," Zaweski explained. But there seemed to be no connection with Jiang.

"And so, you're going down the list of names," Green says, "Nothing, nothing, nothing, and then you're like, 'whoa.'"

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"There's our connection," Zaweski replies. That connection was Zion Perry, who was listed as a friend of Pan. She and Pan had met each other at a Christian group when Perry was an undergraduate at MIT. And although Perry was barely an acquaintance of Pan and hadn't communicated with him since she left MIT and moved to New Haven to attend Yale, the homicide detectives felt they had more than a break. They had a potential suspect who was missing from his home. And a possible motive: an obsession with Perry.

"It did seem like there was a secret obsession of Pan's going on behind the scenes that Kevin wasn't aware of, and that Zion wasn't aware of," Zaweski said. After all, Jiang's murder occurred just one week after Perry posted their engagement on Facebook, along with previous photos of them dating.

Qinxuan Pan / Credit: Qinxuan Pan/Facebook

Investigators believe Pan was also responsible for the four .45 caliber shootings, and that the shootings were part of a premeditated plan. They theorized that those shootings were done to mislead them when Jiang was eventually killed, to make them think his death had been just another random incident.

"He planned it, Cunningham said. "And he knew we'd be looking at these other things."

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"This wasn't a random incident out there," Zaweski added. "He was targeted."

Now, their homicide investigation, and the massive manhunt for their brilliant, tech-savvy MIT fugitive took off. U.S. Marshals joined the case and learned that Pan's family had access to millions of dollars in assets. Pan was missing, and they worried he might be trying to flee the country. The pressure was on.

"This became so high profile so fast," U.S. Marshal Joe Galvan told "48 Hours." "It was just heightened."

The Marshals galvanized their vast resources to track down Pan. They noticed Pan's parents had withdrawn large sums of cash, and that they had taken a long trip south with their son right after the murder. When the parents had been stopped in Georgia, they were in the car, but their son was gone. They said he'd simply gotten out of the car and walked away, and they didn't know where he'd gone. Investigators were skeptical.

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"They would go to the ends of the earth to help support and hide him," said Matthew Duffy, a supervisor of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Connecticut. The Marshals focused in on the parents as their way to find Pan. They knew finding him would take patience as they utilized all their surveillance techniques to track the family.

Weeks went by, but eventually, their patience paid off. Pan's mother finally made a mistake that would lead the Marshals straight to her son. She made a phone call from a hotel using a clerk's phone. Investigators spoke to the clerk and were able to track that call, leading them to Pan's location at a boarding house in Alabama.

"They went there with a small army," Duffy said. "Around 20 guys  he just came out and said, 'I'm who you're looking for.'"

At the time of his arrest, Pan had on him approximately $20,000 in cash, multiple communication devices, and his father's passport. He was charged with Jiang's murder, accepted a plea deal, and was sentenced in April 2024 to serve 35 years in prison.

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Pan's parents were never charged with anything. "48 Hours" reached out to the Pans, but they did not respond to our request for comment.

Investigators believe that had Pan not gotten stuck on the train tracks on that fateful February night, Jiang's murder may never have been solved.

"Could he have gotten away with murder?" Green asked Zaweski.

"He very well could have," Zaweski replied. "If he had not gotten caught up on those tracks  it would've been very difficult."

Though investigators, friends, and family were relieved that Pan had been caught and brought to justice, Jiang's mother spoke at Pan's sentencing to say she felt that 35 years was too short a sentence for the man who'd killed her only son.

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Perry agreed. "I wanted to address Pan specifically," she said at the sentencing. "Although your sentence is far less than you deserve  there is also mercy. May God have mercy on you. And may he have mercy on all of us."

Even four years after Jiang's death, friends wonder what Kevin, a man of deep faith, might have thought about his killer.

"Do you think Kevin would've forgiven Pan?" Green asked Jamila Ayeh and Nasya Hubbard, who served with Jiang in the military.

"Yes, I do," said Hubbard. Added Ayeh, "Without a doubt."

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New York City Public Schools will be closed on Monday due to extreme weather conditions, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Sunday morning.

While all NYC public school buildings will be closed, instruction will continue remotely only for students scheduled to attend school on Monday.

The decision prioritizes the safety of students, families and staff while ensuring continuity of instruction and meeting New York State's 180-day instructional requirement, according to Mayor Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels.

LIVE UPDATES: Winter Storm coverage

In addition, all after-school programs, adult education and other school-based programming are also cancelled. During the storm, some schools are being used as warming centers throughout the city.

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The transition to remote instruction will impact approximately 500,000 students across more than 1,100 schools. For high school students and students in grades 6-8 attending schools that serve grades 6-12, the previously scheduled professional learning day will remain in effect, and Monday will remain a day off.

"As of 10:20 this morning, we saw that more than 162,000 students had already logged on in advance of tomorrow's remote school day along with 77,000 teachers, they are prepared for this," Mamdani said.

Schools are prepared to address technology issues if they arise. Students who need technical support can visit selfservice.schools.nyc or contact their school directly.

The mayor says they have bolstered the number of folks who are at the help desk to provide support so learning can continue.

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Archdiocese of New York schools have snow day on Monday, no remote instruction. Brooklyn Diocese is closing elementary school buildings, and individual school administrations will decide whether snow day or remote learning.

Charter and nonpublic schools make independent decisions regarding closures. However, charter schools co-located in NYC public school buildings will be closed when NYCPS pivots to remote instruction.

Earlier on Sunday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani told Eyewitness News that explained how the decision is made.

"Ultimately what this comes down to is safety," Mamdani said. "If we have concerns about icy conditions or whether this would put anybody in harm's way, we will always take the safer option."

Eyewitness News reporter Phil Tait talked to NYC Mayor Mamdani in Brooklyn

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He urged New Yorkers to stay off the roads as a major winter storm brings what could be the city's most significant snowfall in years, combined with dangerously cold temperatures.

Speaking during a sanitation shift change in Brooklyn, the mayor said the storm stands out because of both its intensity and duration.

"We're seeing estimates from 8 to 11 inches, potentially beyond that," Mamdani said. "This is going to be the coldest extended period of time for New Yorkers that they've seen in the last eight years."

City officials are particularly concerned that residents may underestimate the severity of the weather.

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"My number one concern is that there be New Yorkers around the city who don't understand the scale of the weather that we're looking at," Mamdani said, stressing that today is "not the day to get out there."

Instead, the mayor encouraged people to remain indoors while city workers handle storm response.

"Today is the day to stay indoors. Stay warm, huddle up with your family and friends," he said, adding that sanitation crews are working extended shifts to keep streets passable.

The city has increased staffing to meet the challenge, deploying 2,500 sanitation workers on 12hour shifts. Mamdani said plows are activated citywide once snow reaches two inches.

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"We're going to be able to hit every single neighborhood, every single part of the city," he said. "There's no New Yorker that will have to wonder if their zip code means different service."

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VILNIUS, Jan 25 (Reuters) - A U.S. document on security guarantees for Ukraine is completely ready and Kyiv is waiting for a time and place for it to be signed, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday, indicating that weekend talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi made some progress.

"For us, security guarantees are first and foremost guarantees of security from the United States. The document is 100% ready, and we are waiting for our partners to confirm the date and place when we will sign it," Zelenskiy told a news conference during a visit to Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital.

"The document will then be sent for ratification to the U.S. Congress and the Ukrainian parliament," he said.

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On Friday and Saturday, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators held their first trilateral meeting including U.S. mediators in Abu Dhabi to discuss Washington's framework for ending the almost four-year-old war, but no deal emerged.

However, Moscow and Kyiv both said they were open to further dialogue and more discussions were expected next Sunday in Abu Dhabi, a U.S. official told reporters immediately after the weekend talks.

"(In Abu Dhabi) the 20-point (U.S.) plan and problematic issues are being discussed. There were many problematic issues, but now there are fewer," Zelenskiy said.

He said Moscow wants to do everything possible to get Ukraine to abandon eastern regions Moscow has been unable to capture since its full-scale invasion that triggered the war. But Kyiv, he said, had not budged from its position that Ukraine's territorial integrity must be upheld.

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"These are two fundamentally different positions  Ukraine's and Russia's. The Americans are trying to find a compromise," Zelenskiy said, adding that all sides must be prepared to compromise, including the Americans.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv and Andrius Sytas in Vilnuis; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for ending the nearly four-year-old war started by Russia after the first trilateral talks concluded on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

Zelensky was not among his country's representatives but said six Ukrainian officials negotiated with Russian military intelligence and armed forces representatives, while the United States sent Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Dan Driscoll, Alexus Grynkewich and Josh Gruenbaum to help create a viable framework for ending the war.

He thanked officials from the United Arab Emirates for hosting the talks, which he described as "constructive," and said Ukraine is ready to move forward on securing an agreement to end the war.

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"The central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war," Zelensky said in a post on X.

Such parameters would include participation from U.S. officials to help encourage a peace agreement.

"I highly value the understanding of the need for American monitoring and oversight of the process of ending the war and ensuring genuine security," Zelensky said, adding that U.S. officials asked which "security conditions" might be required to secure the peace.

He said the Russian military contingent identified several issues to be discussed if another meeting is held, and attendees are to report on the talks with their respective national leaders.

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The talks were held for two days and were the first in which Russian and Ukrainian officials met to negotiate an end to the war that started when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump met while in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this week to discuss the talks that were held on Friday and Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is winning the war and is prepared to continue fighting until all military objectives are achieved, no matter how many Russian troops are killed, The New York Times reported.

Russia also launched an aerial attack early Saturday morning that sent more than 350 drones and 15 missiles to strike targets in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

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The attack killed one and damaged a hospital and maternity ward, Ukrainian officials said.

The U.S. contingent acted as mediators to help ensure the talks are more productive and stand a better chance of ending with a viable peace deal that ends the fighting.
President Volodymyr Zelensky met Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius, Zelensky said on Jan. 25.

The visit came amid continuous Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, which left thousands of Ukrainians without heat, electricity, and water. More than 1,600 residential buildings in Kyiv remain without heat.

According to Zelensky, his discussion with Nauseda focused on support for Ukraine's energy sector and air defense. He added that Lithuania planned to provide Ukrainian cities and communities with nearly 100 generators.

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Additionally, they discussed military cooperation, joint defense projects, and Lithuania's proposal to launch a weapons-export platform in Vilnius, support for the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, and cooperation within the Security Action for Europe (SAFE).

The PURL initiative, launched in August 2025, enables NATO members to buy advanced U.S. weapons for Ukraine. SAFE is a European Union loan instrument meant to bolster the continent's defense industry by financing weapons procurement for eligible countries.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki later joined his counterparts in the Lublin Triangle formata cooperation platform established by Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine in 2020.

Writing on social media, Zelensky said he had an "important conversation" with the presidents of Lithuania and Poland, during which they discussed, among other things, the development of interceptor drones, Ukraine's accession to the EU, and the recent trilateral peace talks between Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington.

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"I thank the people of Lithuania and Poland, the leaders, for all the support for our people, and above all for the energy sector. All help is important and very valuable," Zelensky said.

During the meeting with President @GitanasNauseda, we discussed, first and foremost, support for Ukraines energy system. Russia attacks our energy sector every day. I informed Gitanas about this and also about Ukraines needs to strengthen energy resilience and air defense. pic.twitter.com/bkvsYhwUyP  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) January 25, 2026

The meeting was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the January Uprising (1863-64), which holds symbolic significance for the countries. The uprising sought to liberate the peoples of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland from the Russian Empire.

Vilnius and Warsaw have been among Kyiv's staunchest supporters against Russian aggression. According to the Kiel Institute of the World Economy, Lithuania's defense contributions to Ukraine are some the highest in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) shares.

Read also: Warmth from Poland  More than $650,000 raised to buy generators for Kyiv amid energy crisis

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Read also: Without independent Ukraine, Russia will come for Poland, Zelensky says as he meets Nawrocki

Read also: Talk about an invasion is everywhere  How Lithuania is preparing for war with Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the trilateral negotiations between Washington, Moscow and Kiev working towards an end to the Russian war in his country as constructive.

He wrote on social networks on Saturday evening that many topics were discussed at the first meeting of the two warring parties in a long time. He now expects the detailed report from the Ukrainian delegation upon their return. The next steps will be decided at the level of country leaders.

The "military personnel involved in the negotiations have created a list of topics for a possible new meeting," he said. This could take place as early as next week if there is sufficient will, and Kiev is ready for it, he stressed.

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In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met around the table on an official level for the first time in months, with the United States acting as a mediator.

No results were announced after the two days of talks, but both parties to the conflict expressed satisfaction with the progress of the discussions.

Meanwhile, the war initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022 did not ease up: Overnight, there were again heavy Russian attacks on Ukraine, in which at least one person was killed and dozens of civilians were injured.

The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Kiev of torpedoing the peace process by shelling an ambulance in the part of the Ukrainian region of Kherson occupied by Russian military forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Belarus is still forced to exist as a Russian-governed territory, where even the dog of self-proclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko has more rights than the people.

Source: Zelenskyy in a speech in Lithuania on the anniversary of the January Uprising

Details: Zelenskyy noted that Belarus "is still forced to exist as a Russian governorate".

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Quote: "For now, sadly, Lukashenko's white spitz has been granted more rights than the people of Belarus. There was a chance in 2020 to change this. And, I'm sure, there will be another chance. But back then, support for Belarusians was simply not enough. And now we all feel how much harder, how much more expensive, and how much more dangerous it has become for everyone because of Belarus's dependence on Moscow  a dependence that is not decreasing."

Lukashenko's spitz at a hockey game in Minsk on 3 May 2023. Photo: Telegram channel Pul Pervogo Photo: Telegram channel Pul Pervogo

Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that "Europe must not lose any nation that lives by freedom" and that it "must not lose time".

He added that if the Belarusian uprising in 2020 had been successful, it would have prevented the threats emerging today. "Europe and the world should have supported the people who rose up, and history would have been different  safer," the president noted.

Zelenskyy said that "to a large extent, the wars of the 20th century were the result of the indifference of the world's powers in the 19th century".

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Quote: "I want to say something directly to the Belarusian people. You are a European nation that will stand together with all our peoples in a united, free Europe. A peaceful Europe. A strong Europe. You cannot be erased. None of us can be erased. I thank all Belarusian volunteers who are fighting for our independence in Ukraine and for the historical opportunity for their own country."

For reference: The January Uprising, which began on 22 January 1863 in the Russian-controlled Kingdom of Poland, was the longest-lasting rebellion in partitioned Poland. Its aim was to end Russian rule over part of Poland and restore the country's independence. The uprising continued until 1864, when the last insurgents were captured by Russian forces. Alongside the Poles, Lithuanians, Belarusians and Ukrainians took up arms in the struggle for freedom. The rebellion involved citizens from all corners of society and had far-reaching consequences for both Poland and the wider world.

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Herald-Tribune Executive Editor Mark J. Rochester correctly recognized that the passage of Sarasota County School Board Chair Bridget Zieglers resolution on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency matters more than you think ("Why 'symbolic' ICE resolution in Sarasota matters more than you think," Jan. 24).

Why would our School Board want to pass a resolution supporting ICEs potential visits to our schools, but not include a statement that ICEs unconstitutional behavior will not be tolerated?

Sarasota County School Board Member Bridget Ziegler, pictured during the board's Jan. 20, 2026, meeting.

Zieglers resolution reassures the government, but it shows no support for families.

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Bridget Ziegler gets what she wanted from ICE resolution | Opinion

Courts have already deemed many of ICEs enforcement strategies as unconstitutional, yet Zieglers resolution threatens district personnel and students if they dont obey ICE.

Agreeing to this resolution has consequences for our school district, students, staff, parents and community.

We know that students will stop attending school.

Parents fear being stopped by ICE while bringing their kids to school or having them detained while sitting in classrooms.

Is this consequence intentional?

Will it create more unused seats to be grabbed by private charter schools for Schools of Hope?

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An ICE presence will disrupt all students and cause emotional distress, negatively affecting their attendance, focus and academic performance.

School attendance is a factor considered in the states school funding formula  if attendance is down, Sarasotas district schools will lose money.

Is this Zieglers intention?

Chronic absenteeism will significantly harm the Sarasota County Schools' ratings by impacting student achievement measured by test scores and graduation.

Parents will look elsewhere for educating their children  perhaps opting for vouchers and private schools.

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Is bringing down our ratings Zieglers intention?

Teachers are also affected.

They may feel conflicted about their roles, balancing their duty to educate with the need to protect vulnerable students. They may not teach as well or may leave the profession altogether.

Surely increased teacher shortages will be a consequence of this resolution.

Is this intentional?

The passage of Zieglers resolution will harm community-school relations, with fewer families trusting that educators have their best interests at heart.

Whether intentional or not, this will be a consequence.

Members of the School Board repeatedly claim they are pro-parent.

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But those who voted for this resolution send a very different message.

It ignores the boards responsibility to protect students; in fact, it tells parents that our schools will not be safe.

Following a February 2025 forum where board members and Schools Superintendent Terry Connor spoke, one local news headline read: "Sarasota Schools Prioritize Safety Amid ICE Enforcement."

Clearly this is no longer true.

Three members of Sarasotas school board have prioritized pleasing Floridas current administration over protecting students.

Shame on them.

Jill Lewis-Spector, Ed.D., Sarasota

Herald-Tribune: How to send a letter to the editor

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ziegler's ICE resolution seriously hurts Sarasota schools | Letters
A massive winter storm dumped heavy snow and ice across a huge swath of the United States over the weekend, leaving nearly 600,000 homes without power, making many roads impassable and triggering thousands of flight cancellations.

More than 100 million people were under winter storm warnings from New Mexico to Maine as the system walloped roughly two-thirds of the country. The storm ushered in frigid temperatures, with sub-zero lows expected in many of the same areas through the end of the week.

More than two dozen deaths have so far been blamed on the storm, including several people who died while shoveling and others from suspected hypothermia. Six people died when a small plane crashed upon takeoff in Bangor, Maine, on Sunday night, airport officials said. There were no survivors.

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The National Weather Service warned of widespread, prolonged travel disruptions due to "catastrophic ice accumulation" from the lower Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic.

The onslaught of snow and ice hit air travel especially hard, with major carriers canceling more than 11,000 U.S. flights scheduled for Sunday and another 6,000 on Monday, according to FlightAware.com.

Our live coverage has ended for the day. Visit weather.yahoo.com for more details on your local weather.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday emphasised the country's growing military capabilities, citing the Indian Air Force's (IAF) combat readiness and the Indian Navy's indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. She noted India's precision strikes against terror infrastructure through Operation Sindoor last year. In her address to the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, President Murmu said that during operation Sindoor , terror centres were destroyed and many terrorists met their end. The President highlighted that India's self-reliance in the field of defence powered the historic success of Operation Sindoor. President Murmu said that based on the strength of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, people have complete trust in the country's defence preparedness. In her address President Murmu mentioned her recent visit to the Siachen Base Camp, where she witnessed the bravery and preparedness of Indian soldiers in challenging conditions. Additionally, she highlighted her experience of flying in the Sukhoi and Rafale fighter planes, showcasing the IAF's capabilities "Last year, our country launched precision strikes against terror infrastructure through Operation Sindoor. Terror centres were destroyed, and many terrorists met their end. Our self-reliance in thefield of defence powered the historic success of Operation Sindoor. At the Siachen Base Camp, I saw our brave soldiers fully prepared and motivated to defend the country even amidst extremely challenging conditions. I also had the opportunity to fly in the Sukhoi and Rafale fighter planes of the Indian Air Force. I saw the combat readiness of the Air Force. I witnessed the extraordinary capabilities of the Indian Navy's indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. I also sortied in the submarine INS Vaghsheer. Based on the strengthof the Army, Air Force, and Navy, people have complete trust in our defence-preparedness," she said. In her address, President Murmu emphasised the importance of National Voters' Day, celebrated on January 25, and praised Indian citizens for enthusiastically exercising their right to vote "The 25th of January is celebrated as 'National Voters' Day' in our country. Our adult citizens enthusiastically cast their votes to electtheir representatives. Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar believedthat the exercise of the right to vote leads to political education. Our voters, in line with Babasaheb's vision, are demonstrating theirpolitical awareness. The increasing participation of women in votingadds a powerful dimension to our Republic," she said. President Murmu highlighted India's young population as a significant strength, with immense talent and entrepreneurial spirit. She mentioned initiatives like 'Mera Yuva Bharat' or 'MY Bharat', which provide a technology-driven learning mechanism to connect young citizens with opportunities in leadership and skill development. The President also noted that India's start-ups have demonstrated impressive success, driven mainly by young entrepreneurs. "Our country has the world's largest young population. What gives usspecial pride is that our youth possess immense talent. Our young entrepreneurs, sports-persons, scientists, and professionals are infusing new energy into the country and making their mark on theglobal stage. Today, a large number of our young people are presenting impressive instances of success through self-employment. Our youth are the flag bearers of our nation's development journey. 'Mera Yuva Bharat' or 'MY Bharat' provides a technology-driven experiential learning mechanism to connect young citizens with opportunities in several areas, including leadership and skill development. The impressive success demonstrated by start-ups inour country is mainly driven by our young entrepreneurs. The country's development will gain momentum through policies andprograms focused on the aspirations of the younger generation. I amconfident that the power of youth will play a leading role in the makingof Viksit Bharat by 2047," she said. Further, President Murmu stated that India is the world's fastest-growing major economy, moving towards becoming the third-largest economy in the near future. She emphasised the importance of Atma-nirbharata and Swadeshi in shaping the country's economic destiny. The President also highlighted the implementation of GST, which has established a system of 'One Nation, One Market', and the recent decisions to make the GST system more effective. "India is the world's fastest-growing major economy. Despite global uncertainties, India is recording continuous economic growth. We aremoving towards achieving our goal of becoming the world's third-largest economy in the near future. By investing in the creation of world-class infrastructure, we arerebuilding our economic strength at a much larger scale. In this journey of shaping our economic destiny, Atma-nirbharata and Swadeshi are our guiding principles. The most important decision for the economic integration of thecountry after Independence, the implementation of GST, hasestablished the system of 'One Nation, One Market'. The recent decisions to make the GST system even more effective will further strengthen our economy. Four Labour Codes have been issued in thefield of labour reforms. These will benefit our workers and will alsoaccelerate the development of enterprises," she added. She also emphasised the importance of protecting the environment, citing India's cultural tradition of living in harmony with nature. Murmu mentioned the country's message of 'Lifestyle for Environment' or 'LiFE', promoting sustainable development."Protection of the environment is a high priority today. I am proud thatIndia has steered the global community in many areas related to the environment. A lifestyle in harmony with nature has been a part ofIndia's cultural tradition. This lifestyle is the basis of our message tothe global community: 'Lifestyle for Environment', or 'LiFE'. Let usmake efforts to ensure that Mother Earth's precious resources remainavailable for future generations. In our tradition, we have been offering prayers for peace to prevail inthe entire universe. The future of humanity can remain secure only if there is peace in the whole world. In an atmosphere marked byconflicts in many parts of the world, India is spreading the message ofworld peace," she added. The address was broadcast from 07:00 pm on the entire national network of Akashvani and telecast on all Doordarshan channels in Hindi, followed by the English version. The address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan is followed by broadcasts in regional languages on Doordarshan's regional channels. Akashvani will broadcast regional-language versions from 09:30 pm onwards on its respective regional networks. (ANI)
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Hyderabad: The condition of a woman constable of the excise department remained critical on Sunday after she was run over by a car belonging to a ganja smuggling gang in Telanganas Nizamabad district.

Gajula Soumya has been shifted to Hyderabad and admitted to a hospital for advanced treatment, officials said.

The 23-year-old was severely injured while on duty after a car ran over her during a vehicle check near Madhavnagar village in Nizamabad district late on Friday (January 23) night.

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The incident occurred when a special excise team, acting on a tip-off, stopped a Swift car. Two of the four suspects in the car jumped out and fled. Soumya, who was standing in front of the car, was hit as the driver suddenly accelerated the vehicle. After she fell beneath the wheels, the driver reversed the vehicle in an apparent bid to flee, then rammed into an electric pole while turning left.

Police arrested the driver and another suspect and launched a hunt for the two others. The excise personnel seized 2.5 kg of ganja from the car. The accused were transporting the contraband from Nirmal district to Nizamabad.

A severely injured Soumya was admitted to a hospital, where doctors removed one kidney because of internal injuries.

As her condition turned critical, she was shifted to Hyderabad and admitted to Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).

The Department of Prohibition and Excise has taken serious note of the incident and formed a team for thorough investigation.

On a complaint by the department, the police registered an attempt to murder case against the accused. Both the arrested men were produced before a court. Saifuddin, the driver, and Syed Sohail have been sent to judicial custody

Police launched a hunt for two other accused- Raheel and Mateen.

Senior officials of the excise department called on the family of Soumya and assured them of all assistance.
Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai on Sunday accused the BJP of manipulating voter lists and conducting symbolic celebrations on Voters' Day. "These people are celebrating Voters' Day only for show. They have removed voters' names from the list... They will add the names of the wrong people and remove the names of the right people. Our Congress workers have worked very hard. We are working for the fate and future of this state," Rai said to reporters. On the Manikarnika Ghat controversy, Rai added, "They (BJP) said that Congress people are showing videos created by AI... We showed videos proving that the statues of Mata Ahilyabai Holkar were vandalised there... I am ready for whatever action they take against me... Change your actions, not just your name." Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa on Friday announced that notices are being sent to voters whose details in the 2026 Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 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. 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 also provide parental records. 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. Earlier, Vishwa Hindu Raksha Parishad, Yamuna Pathak came out in strong support of the Uttar Pradesh government's initiative, asserting that the Manikarnika Ghat project is aimed at safeguarding heritage, dignity, and public safety. Speaking to ANI, Pathak said, "This is not destruction of heritage, but protection of Dharma, dignity of the departed, safety of the living, and continuity of a civilisation. Those opposing it offer no practical solutions for safety, sanitation or crowd management. Selective outrage in the name of faith often masks political agendas." Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Police have registered eight separate cases at Chowk Police Station in Varanasi against AI-generated images and alleged misleading information related to the redevelopment work. According to police, cases have been registered against eight individuals and others who shared or commented on objectionable content under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). (ANI)
Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) reportedly clashed in Kolkatas Behala Paschim area on Monday. Security personnel were rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.

#WATCH | West Bengal | Supporters of the BJP and the TMC reportedly clashed with each other in Kolkata's Behala Paschim area. Security personnel present at the spot.



(Visuals from the spot) pic.twitter.com/7QV75HcyYJ January 25, 2026

BJP has announced the State Sankalp Patra Committee for the Assembly election on Saturday, with immediate effect.

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According to WB BJP, the State Sankalpa Patra Committee comprises 11 members, with party leader Tapas Roy serving as the Chairman. Dr Ashok Lahiri, MLA, serves as the Convener and Agnimitra Paul, MLA, is the Co-

Convener. The members are Dr Chittaranjan Mandal, Manoj Tigga, MP, Dr Swapan Dasgupta, Shishir Bajoria, Dr Amalkanti Ray, Vaishali Dalmia, Dr Anirban Ganguly, and advocate Debjit Sarkar.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah will visit West Bengal on January 30 and 31. During his two-day tour, Amit Shah is expected to hold important organisational and political meetings, further energising the party cadre and reviewing preparations for the upcoming political challenges in the state.

BJP's newly-appointed National President Nitin Nabin will be on his first official visit to West Bengal on January 27 and 28, during which he will participate in a series of key organisational meetings aimed at strengthening the party's grassroots framework ahead of the state assembly elections.

Nitin Nabin will chair a State Core Team Meeting in Durgapur on January 27, focusing on organisational strategy, political roadmap, and upcoming programmes.

(With ANI inputs)
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who emerged as a prominent representative of India on the global stage during Operation Sindoor in 2025 against Pakistan-based terrorists, has been selected for the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honours.

The award, given for distinguished service of a high order, which adds one more milestone for her.

On the eve of the 77th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu sanctioned gallantry awards for 70 personnel of the armed forces, including six honours awarded posthumously. In addition, she approved the conferment of 301 military decorations on members of the armed forces and other personnel.

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These decorations comprise 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Bars to Sena Medals (Distinguished), 43 Sena Medals (Distinguished), eight Nao Sena Medals (Distinguished), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Distinguished), and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals.

Colonel Sofiya is recognised for her calm, composed demeanour and clear, measured communication, especially during press briefings where she served alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force.

After Operation Sindoor, and following the initial statement by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh briefed the media on the manner in which the strikes were conducted.

Colonel Sophia Qureshi was the first woman officer to lead an Army training contingent in a multinational military exercise. She commanded a 40-member Indian Army contingent at Exercise Force 18.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday paid homage to martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation, described the Constitution as the soul of India, and said it has guided the country for 77 years as a beacon of justice, equality and dignity.

She was addressing the Republic Day celebration ceremony at Chhatrasal Stadium, where she unfurled the national flag and reviewed the parade.

Addressing the Republic Day Celebration ceremony at Chhatrasal Stadium, Delhi Chief Minister Gupta said, "I pay homage to those martyrs who prioritised the nation above even their own lives for the honour of the tricolour and bequeathed us this republic, self-respect, and freedom. The Constitution is the soul of India. Over the past 77 years, India's Constitution has been guiding us as a beacon of light for justice, equality, and dignity... India remembers all the efforts, from the framing of the Constitution to nation-building."

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#WATCH | Delhi CM Rekha Gupta reviews the parade at Delhi's Chhatrasal Stadium during the Republic Day celebrations. pic.twitter.com/Hq0uS8CXiA  ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2026

Why Delhi celebrate Republic Day today, not January 26?



Delhi celebrates Republic Day a day before January 26 because the Chief Minister and other Delhi government officials need to attend the official national Republic Day parade on January 26. Holding the state celebration a day earlier allows them to commemorate the occasion. Additionally, it is not feasible to organise a separate parade in the national capital for the state government due to security concerns.

Reflecting on her governments tenure, Chief Minister Gupta said the administration faced several accumulated challenges when it took charge of office eleven months ago and has since taken meaningful steps to give Delhi a new direction.

"When our government took charge of Delhi eleven months ago, we faced numerous challenges, but the biggest challenge was the dust and obstacles that had accumulated on the system over the years. We have taken several meaningful steps to change this situation and give Delhi a new direction... Based on the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' of the Prime Minister, we have taken many decisions for public welfare during the past eleven months, aiming to bring real and positive change in the lives of the citizens," she said.

Highlighting welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister said the Ayushman Bharat scheme was implemented in Delhi on the very first day of her governments formation. She said around 6.5 lakh people have registered under the scheme so far, which provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh to beneficiaries.

"Ayushman Bharat, the country's and the world's largest health scheme, was implemented in Delhi on the very first day of our government's formation. Today, 6.5 lakh people have registered under this scheme, which provides life insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh to the beneficiaries," she said.

Detailing her plan for the betterment of the national capital, Chief Minister Gupta said the government has decided to convert 100 per cent of Delhis public transport buses into an emission-free electric fleet within the next three years.

Delhi Chief Minister Gupta, "The Delhi government has doubled its capital expenditure. Rs 30 thousand crore will now be spent on capital expenditure in Delhi... To make Delhi better, we have decided that within three years, 100% of Delhi's public transport buses will be converted into an emission-free electric fleet. All the necessary arrangements have been made so that Delhi receives 11 thousand electric buses."
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met a US congressional delegation on Sunday for wide-ranging talks on bilateral ties, Indo-Pacific dynamics, and the Ukraine conflict. He described these engagements as a vital element of the New Delhi-Washington relationship.

In an X post EAM S Jaishankar said, A good interaction with US Congressional Delegation comprising @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis, along with @USAmbIndia. Discussed various aspects of India-US ties, Indo-Pacific, and the Ukraine conflict. Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship.

A good interaction with US Congressional Delegation comprising @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith and @JimmyPatronis along with @USAmbIndia.



Discussed various aspects of India US ties, Indo Pacific and Ukraine conflict.



Congressional interactions have always been an important pic.twitter.com/zD1wjgEV5Z  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 25, 2026

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US Ambassador Gor described EAM Jaishankar's meeting with the US congressional delegation as "productive" on X, noting it would boost India-US ties through stronger security, expanded trade, and deeper cooperation on critical technologies.

He wrote on X, "Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM @DrSJaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen U.S.-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies."

Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM @DrSJaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen U.S.-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies. https://t.co/kHfdkhBFtn  Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 25, 2026

This comes amid a series of sustained high-level interactions between New Delhi and Washington and the recently hinted trade talks.

The EAM meeting with US lawmakers follows a series of high-level engagements between New Delhi and Washington. On January 19, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met US Senator Steve Daines and Ambassador Sergio Gor for a productive discussion on bilateral ties.

Earlier on January 18, EAM S Jaishankar held wide-ranging talks with Senator Daines, while Ambassador Gor highlighted the expanding India-US partnership in trade, technology, education, energy, and supply chains after his Mumbai visit.

Earlier this month Minsitry of External affairs during a press briefing, provided details of the first conversation between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation and energy, and also exchanged perspectives on regional developments.

Also Read: India-US discuss advanced defence ties, boost military engagement

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also noted the leaders also covered key bilateral matters like trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation, and energy, while also sharing views on regional developments.

Earlier today, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi met US Secretary of the Army Daniel P Driscoll in New Delhi. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral Defence Cooperation, deepening military-to-military engagement, and reinforcing the shared commitment of both armies to global peace and security.


President Droupadi Murmu has addressed the nation on Sunday (January 25, 2026) on the eve of the Republic Day.

In the beginning of her address, she congratulated all the Indians on the 77th Republic Day. She said, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you on the national festival of Republic Day."

Here are the key points of President Murmu's address

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1)Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

During her address she remembered Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for his role in unifying India. She said, "Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel unified our nation. Last year, on 31 October, grateful countrymen enthusiastically celebrated his 150th birth anniversary."

2) Vande Mataram

As India celebrated 150 years of Vande Mataram and with this years Republic Day theme being Vande Mataram, she said, Since last year, from November 7, celebrations are also being held to mark the 150th anniversary of the composition of our national song Vande Mataram, the President said"

3) President Murmu hails sanitation workers

President Murmu also hailed sanitation workers for their key role in keeping nation clean.

In her address Murmu said, Our dedicated sanitation workers play a key role in keeping our country clean. Our enlightened teachers shape future generations. Our world-class scientists and engineers shape our nations development."

4) Armed Forces and Police

Lauding the work and role of armed forces and policemen, President Murmu said, "All of you are strengthening our vibrant republic. The brave soldiers of our three armed forces are always vigilant to protect the motherland. Our dedicated police personnel and Central Armed Police Forces personnel remain ready to ensure the internal security of our countrymen.

5) 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign encouraged the education of daughters

President Murmu said, "The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign has encouraged the education of girls. Over 570 million bank accounts have been opened so far under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. Of these, approximately 56% belong to women."



6) President Murmu appreciates entrepreneurs over their contribution in country's development and self-reliance

President Murmu said, All the dedicated individuals working in government and non-government offices and institutions are devoting their services to nation-building.

She also hailed young entrepreneur for the rising startup culture in India in a major step toward 2047 Viksit Bharat.



7) Operation Sindoor

President Murmu also spoke about Operation Sindoor. She said, Our self-reliance in field of defence powered historic success of Operation Sindoor."



8) GST reform will strengthen the economy

President Murmu said that GST reform will further make our economy more strong. She said, "The most important decision for the economic integration of the country after independence, the implementation of GST, has established a system of One Nation, One Market."
Chandigarh: On 26 January 2026, when the entire nations attention will be fixed on the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, the Punjab Governments tableau will be far more than a visual spectacle. It will present a living message of humanity, faith, sacrifice, and Sikh values. This tableau gives voice to a Punjab that has always stood at the forefront in defence of human dignity, regardless of the cost.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has chosen a theme this Republic Day that not only honours the great traditions of Sikh history but also reminds the entire country that the soul of India resides in compassion, coexistence, and sacrifice. The Punjab tableau has been designed in two sections, a tractor and a trailer. At the front of the tractor, a hand symbol represents humanity, compassion, and mutual brotherhood. Alongside it, the rotating symbol of Ek Onkar conveys the message that God is one and that all creation is bound together in a single thread.

The words Hind Di Chadar inscribed on the tableau are not merely a phrase, but a chapter of history that reflects the courage to stand firm against oppression. This message is even more relevant today, when society once again needs compassion and tolerance. The trailer section depicts the scene of Shabad Kirtan performed by Ragi Singhs, filling the entire environment with spiritual energy. At the rear, the adorned Khanda Sahib emerges as a symbol of the strength, dedication, and unity of the Sikh Panth. The tableau also features a model of Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib, the sacred site where the Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, made the supreme sacrifice for the protection of humanity.

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The side panels portray the shaheedi (martyrdom) of Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Dayala Ji, exemplars who proved that life itself is insignificant when it comes to defending truth and righteousness. By commemorating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas (martyrdom anniversary) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib on a historic scale, the Punjab Government has clearly demonstrated that it does not merely remember Sikhism but actively lives by its values. Events held at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Nagar Kirtans taken out across the country and abroad, and the special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly at the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial stand as testimony to the far-sighted leadership of the Mann Government.

The AAP Government has shown that even while in power, it is possible to remain humble, reverent, and deeply connected with public sentiment. This is why Punjabs tableau will not represent just a single state, but will place the very soul of Punjab before the entire nation. As it moves along Kartavya Path on 26 January, this tableau will convey to future generations that Indias strength does not lie in weapons, but in sacrifice, compassion, and human unity. This initiative of the Mann Government proves that when leadership is honest, culture, history, and faith can all be honoured together, with dignity and respect.
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi met US Secretary of the Army Daniel P Driscoll to discuss enhancing defence cooperation and military-to-military engagement on Sunday, in New Delhi.

In an X post Indian Armys official handle, Additional Directorate General of Public Information said, Mr Daniel P Driscoll, US Secretary of the Army, called on #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral #DefenceCooperation, deepening military-to-military engagement, and reinforcing the shared commitment of both armies to global peace and security.

Mr Daniel P Driscoll, US Secretary of the Army, called on #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral #DefenceCooperation, deepening military-to-military engagement, and reinforcing the shared commitment of both armies to global peace and pic.twitter.com/8tLjmV504d  ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 2026

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Earlier, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor warmly welcomed US Secretary of the Army Daniel P Driscoll to New Delhi upon his arrival on Wednesday. "A very warm welcome to my friend, US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, to India," Gor posted on X.

On January 13, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, reviewing bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy, trade negotiations, and Indo-Pacific regional security. "Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence, and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues," EAM Jaishankar posted after the call.

During the call, Rubio congratulated India on enacting the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India bill, a recent law that is part of Indias nuclear energy framework, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

He highlighted opportunities to build on this key milestone for enhanced US-India civil nuclear ties, expanded market access for American firms, joint energy security, and resilient critical mineral supply chains, stated Pigott. The diplomats also covered ongoing bilateral trade talks and mutual goals for stronger economic collaboration.

They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments, reaffirming the United States and Indias commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Pigott said.

India-US defence cooperation rests on the "New Framework for India-US Defence Cooperation," renewed for a decade in 2015. The partnership was elevated to Major Defence Partnership (MDP) status in 2016, and in 2018, India gained Tier-1 placement under the US Department of Commerce's Strategic Trade Authorisation exception, per the Indian Embassy in Washington. This multifaceted alliance encompasses routine bilateral dialogues, joint military exercises, and defence acquisitions.

(with IANS input)




Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to citizens on the occasion of National Voters' Day on Sunday, emphasizing that voting is not only a constitutional privilege but also a solemn duty that gives every citizen a voice in shaping India's future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked National Voters' Day by posting on X, describing it as a chance to reinforce trust in India's democratic principles. He praised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its ongoing work to strengthen the democratic mechanisms nationwide.

In his post, PM Modi said, "Greetings on #NationalVotersDay. This day is about further deepening our faith in the democratic values of our nation. My compliments to all those associated with the Election Commission of India for their efforts to strengthen our democratic processes. Being a voter is not just a constitutional privilege, but an important duty that gives every citizen a voice in shaping Indias future. Let us honour the spirit of our democracy by always taking part in democratic processes, thereby strengthening the foundations of a Viksit Bharat."

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Greetings on #NationalVotersDay.



This day is about further deepening our faith in the democratic values of our nation.



My compliments to all those associated with the Election Commission of India for their efforts to strengthen our democratic processes.



Being a voter is not  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2026

PM Modi also shared a letter to MY Bharat volunteers, emphasizing the joy of witnessing someone enroll as a first-time voter.

In the letter, he emphasized Indian democracy as the world's largest and the "Mother of Democracy," drawing on ancient traditions of discussion and deliberation. He noted that India is celebrating 75 years since its inaugural General Election in 1951, which showcased the innate democratic ethos of its people.

"To be a voter is the greatest privilege and responsibility in a democracy. Voting is a sacred constitutional right and a mark of participation in Bharat's future," PM Modi wrote in the letter, referring to voters as the "Bhagya Vidhata" in the nation's progress.

Becoming a voter is an occasion of celebration!



Today, on #NationalVotersDay, penned a letter to MY-Bharat volunteers on how we all must rejoice when someone around us has enrolled as a voter. pic.twitter.com/zDBfNqQ6S2  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2026

He placed special focus on first-time voters, viewing their entry into the electoral fold as a pivotal milestone. PM Modi called on families, residential societies, schools, and colleges to mark the occasion when youth reach voting age, making it a memorable step into this vital role.

Describing elections as a "festival of democracy," the Prime Minister pointed out how citizens from the Himalayas to remote islands actively join in to amplify their voices.

He underscored inclusive engagement, spotlighting "Nari Shakti", especially young women, as key to fortifying democracy. PM Modi urged MY Bharat volunteers to promote voter registration and turnout, highlighting the youth's "Can Do" mindset as a catalyst for transformation.

"Let us resolve to make every effort towards strengthening our democracy and creating a developed, inclusive, and self-reliant Bharat," the letter concluded.

National Voters' Day, observed annually on January 25, honors democracy and encourages citizen involvement in elections. It commemorates the ECI's establishment on January 25, 1950, under Article 324 of the Constitution, per an official statement.

This year's Election Commission of Indias theme is "My India, My Vote," with the tagline "Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy." President Droupadi Murmu will serve as the Chief Guest at the main event.


Delhi Metro Timings On Republic Day: Preparations are in full swing for the 77th Republic Day Parade, scheduled to be held on January 26 in Delhi. Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced special metro timings for January 26, 2026. The move aims to ensure smoother movement of people to Kartavya Path, allowing them to witness the Republic Day ceremony with ease.

Notably, new facilities are being introduced to improve access to Kartavya Path for spectators. For the first time, Delhi Metro services will operate from midnight on the day of the parade to enhance public convenience. Parking facilities at metro stations will also remain fully operational on Republic Day.

Meanwhile, the Republic Day ceremony will begin at 9:30 AM, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The parade will commence at 10:30 AM.

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Delhi Metro train timings on Republic Day

The DMRC has announced that metro train services will begin at 3:00 am on all lines on Monday, January 26. Trains will run every 15 minutes until 6:00 am. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and use the early metro services to avoid last-minute inconvenience. After 6:00 am, metro services will operate as per the regular timetable for the rest of the day.

Service Update



Due to security arrangements on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations, entry and exit at selected metro station gates will remain temporarily closed on 23rd & 26th January 2026, from 3:00 AM till the conclusion of the programme.



Stations include- Central pic.twitter.com/z2EpLNmqGf  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) January 22, 2026

Entry and exit gates closed at six metro stations

As part of the Republic Day arrangements, the DMRC has also shared an important update for commuters. On January 26, the entry and exit gates of six metro stations will remain closed from 3:00 am until the Republic Day programme concludes. These stations include Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate, and ITO. The move is aimed at managing crowds and ensuring smooth security arrangements during the celebrations.

DMRC offers free Metro tickets with valid invitations

To make the journey easier for Parade attendees, free Metro tickets are being issued along with invitation cards. These tickets can be used for both the onward and return journeys. However, only those carrying a valid invitation or ticket, along with a government-issued photo ID, will be allowed to use this facility. Spectators travelling with free Metro tickets can get down at Udyog Bhawan or Central Secretariat Metro stations, from where they can comfortably walk to their designated seating areas.
European Union leaders are expected to be chief guests for the upcoming Republic Day celebration on 26th January 2026, Expected guests include President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa.

The European Union has officially accepted Indias invitation for the Republic Day 2026. The visit of European leaders is expected to coincide with the India-EU Summit amid the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The India-EU summit is expectedly stalled for 27th January with no official announcement as of now.

The India-EU Free Trade Agreement talks restarted after years of delays, show ramped-up focus on market access, services, and investment, with officials optimistic about a breakthrough soon.

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The European Union (EU) Trade and Economic Security chief Maros Sefcovic, who visited India in December 2025, laid out the groundwork for the India-EU FTA.

The arrival of EU officials in India for the Republic Day sets a deadline for India and the EU to finalize their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks.

Who are Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa?

Ursula von der Leyen serves as President of the European Commission, championing the EU's Green Deal and Competitiveness Compass to boost economic resilience against the US and China.

Antonio Costa, who serves as the President of the European Council since 2024, coordinates EU summits and diplomacy, previously as Portugal's Prime Minister. The visit of the two leaders signals India's view of the EU as a unified strategic partner amid global shifts.

The India-EU Strategic Partnership amid FTA Talks

Under the Presidency of Ursula von der Leyen and with a focus on the Competitiveness Compass, the EU aims to build one strong market to match the US and China. It also faces farmer protests over the Green Deal green shift. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement will be opening new markets, cutting China's reliance, and shared green technology.

The India-EU FTA will be significant in easing Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) carbon taxes on Indian exports like steel, enabling green technology transfers, including hydrogen and Electric Vehicles, diversifying EU supply chains from China, boost joint clean energy investments for mutual competitiveness, and increased focus towards sustainable growth.

Also Read: Silent Warriors On Kartavya Path: Indian Armys Animal Contingent To Take Part In Republic Day Parade 2026
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing him of misleading the public on the issue of education reforms. Addressing the matter, Akhilesh Yadav said that during the Chief Minister's tenure, teachers and education associates across the state were agitated, and schools were being shut down. He remarked that the government was compelled to reverse its decisions only under pressure from the "PDA Pathshala" movement, which, according to him, helped put the education system back on track. He shared a message on X: "Chief Minister ji, don't spread the web of your lies on the stage and don't sing the false tune of education reform--someone has reminded you that from teachers to shiksha mitra, everyone was agitated during your tenure, and it was you who were closing schools, so you'll start looking sideways. Be grateful for that 'PDA Pathshala' movement, under whose pressure you were forced to back down, and education got back on track." The SP chief further alleged that education does not figure on the BJP's agenda, stating that an educated society raises questions and challenges conservative politics. Earlier, Yogi Adityanath on Saturday greeted the people of Uttar Pradesh on UP Day, saying the state has transformed from being "BIMARU" to a growth engine of India's development. He highlighted the state's vast potential and its journey of breaking free from struggles and policy neglect. Massive investment attraction, with GSDP doubling from 12.75 lakh crore in 2017 to 27.5 lakh crore in 2025. Exports increased from 86,000 crore (2017-18) to over 2 lakh crore. The state has 96 lakh MSME units. According to a 2025 CAG report, UP recorded a revenue surplus of 37,000 crore, ranking it among the top states. Over 6 crore people were lifted out of poverty in the last 8-9 years, and the number of medical colleges increased from 12 in 2017 to 80 in 2025. Ten new state universities and 21 private universities have been established. Initiatives like MSME promotion, labour reforms, andthe ODOP scheme have boosted employment and taken UP global. Women's workforce participation has increased substantially.CM Yogi said UP has moved from a revenue deficit to a surplus under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, transforming in every aspect. He's called for reaffirming the resolve for a "Viksit Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh Day is observed on January 24 to mark the renaming of the erstwhile United Provinces as Uttar Pradesh in 1950, two days before the adoption of the Indian Constitution. The state has since played a central role in the country's political, cultural, and social life. Blessed by sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saryu, Uttar Pradesh is home to some of India's most important religious and historical centres. Cities such as Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Prayagraj, Sarnath, and Kushinagar attract millions of pilgrims and tourists each year. Varanasi, situated on the banks of the Ganga, is considered one of the world's oldest living cities and houses the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Sarnath holds special significance as the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Uttar Pradesh has also contributed to India's industrial growth, with Kanpur emerging as a major industrial hub. In November 2000, the hill state of Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, further shaping the region's administrative landscape. Leaders across the political spectrum marked the occasion by highlighting Uttar Pradesh's historical legacy and its evolving role in India's development journey. (ANI)
Republic Day 2026: Republic Day parades are remembered for marching columns, fighter jet flypasts, and tableaux celebrating Indias diversity. Less remembered is a brief period when the event was also used as a diplomatic signal, including to Pakistan.

Twice in the first two decades after Independence, senior Pakistani leaders were invited as the chief guest to witness the Republic Day parade. The years were 1955 and 1965. The invitations were low-key and drew little attention. They showed that Indias early leaders saw public ceremonies as a way to manage relations during an uncertain period in South Asias history.

The first such moment came in January 1955, when Pakistans Governor-General Sir Malik Ghulam Muhammad attended the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. That was also the year the parade venue was shifted from Irwin Stadium, now the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, to Rajpath, now Kartavya Path, where it became a permanent part of Indias national calendar.

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Muhammad was a powerful person in Pakistans early political system. A former Indian Civil Service officer, he had served as Pakistans finance minister before becoming the governor-general. His tenure later became controversial for decisions that weakened parliamentary authority in Pakistan, including dismissing an elected prime minister and dissolving the Constituent Assembly. At the time of his visit, however, he represented the highest office in the Pakistani state.

Indian officials involved in the decision viewed the invitation as a public acknowledgement of Pakistans political legitimacy and a formal channel of engagement when structured dialogue was limited. The presence of Pakistans top constitutional authority at Indias most visible national event was meant to keep communication alive during a period when relations were unsettled after Partition and the Kashmir conflict.

Also Read- The Republic that bent but never broke: Indias Constitution tested like never before

A decade later, the pattern was repeated.

In January 1965, Rana Abdul Hamid, Pakistans minister for food and agriculture, was invited as the chief guest during Lal Bahadur Shastris tenure as prime minister. Hamid belonged to a prominent Punjabi landowning family with historical ties across regions that were divided in 1947.

His visit formed part of broader diplomatic exchanges underway at the time, as both governments assessed regional stability and defence preparedness.

The symbolism of the invitation soon collided with events on the ground. Within months, military confrontations erupted in the Rann of Kutch, followed later that year by the 1965 India-Pakistan war. The Republic Day appearance faded quickly from public memory as hostilities escalated.

The invitations led to debate within India. While some political leaders and diplomats supported ceremonial engagement as a way to sustain contact during tense periods, others urged caution and argued that symbolism needed to be carefully separated from policy and security concerns. Newspapers at the time showed both curiosity and unease and described the gestures as formal civility rather than political alignment.

These early Republic Day decisions established a precedent that future governments would revisit in different forms. In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony, extending the logic of high-visibility engagement to a new era. The approach continued till 2015, when the prime minister made an unscheduled visit to Lahore for talks with his his the then Pakistani counterpart. Like earlier attempts, the engagement was short-lived.

Indias outreach to Pakistan has also included economic measures. In 1996, New Delhi granted Pakistan Most Favoured Nation status under World Trade Organisation norms. It opened market access despite ongoing political strains. The status was withdrawn in 2019 following the Pulwama attack.

Viewed from today, the Republic Day invitations of 1955 and 1965 stand as historical markers of a time when diplomatic recognition and ceremonial protocol were treated as instruments of engagement. They were deliberate public acknowledgements extended from Indias highest constitutional platform, pointing to an approach that relied on visibility and formality rather than secrecy.

Those moments now belong to an earlier phase of India-Pakistan relations, preserved largely in archival photographs and official records. They show that the Republic Day parade was once used to send signals beyond military display, especially to neighbouring countries watching closely.
Republic Day 2026: When India became a republic on January 26, 1950, it ended colonial rule and placed its trust in a written Constitution to unite a vast, diverse and unequal nation, and to guide it through political, social and economic challenges.

Between that day and 2026, the Indian Republic has faced wars, emergencies, economic shocks, social unrest and political upheavals. It has bent under pressure but never broken.

The journey has been neither smooth nor straight. It has moved through turning points, some celebrated and some controversial, that together tell the story of a living Constitution.

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The making of a republic

The early years focused on survival and building institutions. The first general elections in 1951-52 amazed the world. Millions of people voted across difficult areas, proving that every adult could take part in a poor and newly independent country. Soon after, Parliament began amending the Constitution to meet the countrys needs.

Courts struck down some land reform laws and restricted how the government could limit free speech. The government felt this threatened its plans for land redistribution and effective governance.

In response, Parliament passed the First Amendment in 1951. It changed the rules on free speech and added protections for land reform laws so courts could not easily overturn them.

This set the stage for a lasting tension between Parliament and the judiciary. Parliament asserted its right to amend the Constitution to pursue policy goals, while the courts defended their role in reviewing and limiting government power. The push and pull continues even today.

In 1956, states were reorganised along linguistic lines. This addressed regional demands, strengthened federal unity and showed that the Republic could adapt without falling apart.

A tense dance

The 1960s and early 1970s saw the state expand into social and economic transformation. Constitutional amendments diluted the right to property to enable land redistribution and other welfare measures. Parliament asserted its authority to amend even fundamental rights.

This set the stage for one of the most consequential moments in Indias legal history. In 1973, the Supreme Court, in the Kesavananda Bharati case, ruled that Parliament could amend the Constitution but could not change its basic structure.

Democracy, secularism, federalism and judicial review were placed beyond the reach of political majorities. The judgment permanently changed the balance of power.

The Emergency and its aftermath

That balance was disrupted in 1975, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared an Emergency after a court verdict challenged her election and political unrest spread across the country.

Civil liberties were suspended, Opposition leaders jailed and the press censored. Parliament passed the 42nd Amendment to expand executive power and weaken judicial oversight.

In the controversial ADM Jabalpur case, the apex court even held that citizens had no remedy against illegal detention during the Emergency.

When the Emergency ended in 1977, the electorate delivered a historic verdict, voting the government out of power. The 44th Amendment rolled back many excesses, restored fundamental rights and made future emergencies harder to impose.

Decades later, the top court formally acknowledged that its Emergency-era judgment had been wrong.

The Republic learned, painfully, that constitutional morality mattered as much as constitutional text.

Power to the people

The late 1980s and 1990s moved the focus from central authority to popular participation. The voting age was lowered to 18. Panchayats and municipalities were given constitutional status through the 73rd and 74th Amendments, bringing democracy to villages and wards.

In 1994, the Supreme Courts S.R. Bommai verdict placed limits on the use of Presidents Rule, curbing the Centres power to dismiss state governments. Once fragile, federalism gained judicial protection.

Meanwhile, economic liberalisation in 1991 transformed governance, introducing new challenges and opportunities as the state redefined its role in a market-oriented economy.

Rights, reforms and courtrooms

The 2000s saw rights-based governance expand. Education became a fundamental right. Judicial interpretation broadened the right to life to include environmental protection, dignity, privacy and equality.

Fiscal federalism changed in 2016 with the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is hailed as a major reform that replaced many indirect taxes and made trade simpler.

At the same time, the Supreme Court increasingly acted as a constitutional sentinel, intervening in executive appointments, electoral processes and the protection of personal liberties.

Change under scrutiny

Recent years have brought both reform and resistance. Parliament ended Anglo-Indian nominations while extending SC/ST reservations. In 2023, the Constitution was amended to reserve one-third of seats for women in legislatures. It was praised as a historic reform, but its implementation awaits delimitation.

Judicial independence was once again tested. Tribunal reforms were struck down for weakening the separation of powers. Courts also dealt with major cases involving privacy and digital surveillance, Aadhaar, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the removal of the chief justice from the committee that appoints election commissioners.

Courts also handled cases on privacy, digital surveillance, free speech and state-versus-central government conflicts.

These debates show that the Republic continues to grapple with difficult questions about rights, governance and the balance of power between the central government, the states and its institutions.

A Constitution still at work

By 2026, Indias Constitution has been amended more than 100 times. Critics see excess, but supporters see resilience. The truth lies somewhere in between.

The Republic has endured because its institutions (Parliament, courts, elections and civil society) have always checked and balanced each other. Crises are not exceptions; they are part of the system itself.

From the optimism of 1950 to the complexity of the present, Indias constitutional journey shows that the Republic was never meant to be static. It was meant to argue, to evolve, and, above all, to endure.

As India marks over 70 years of being a republic, its most defining feature is unchanged. It is a Constitution that continues to be rewritten not just by lawmakers, but by citizens who keep testing the promises made in its opening lines.
Iran-US tensions: Amid rising tensions in Iran, IndiGo Airlines on Sunday issued an advisory on cancellations or certain "proactive" changes in its international flights, as deemed necessary. This comes as 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.

Also Read- Middle East flight disruptions: KLM, Air France, and Lufthansa suspend routes amid US-Iran standoff

IndiGo Flight Changes

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IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on January 25 from Delhi to Tbilisi and from Mumbai to Almaty and return have been cancelled.

Travel Advisory



As a follow up to our first advisory, and in view of the recent developments around Iran, we are making certain proactive changes to our flight schedules as part of our continued focus on safety.



IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on 25 January 2026 from Delhi  IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) January 25, 2026

IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on January 26 to and from Tbilisi, Almaty, Baku and Tashkent may take a brief halt, for refuelling, at Doha, the advisory said.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), IndiGo said, "Travel Advisory: As a follow up to our first advisory, and in view of the recent developments around Iran, we are making certain proactive changes to our flight schedules as part of our continued focus on safety. IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on 25 January 2026 from Delhi to Tbilisi and from Mumbai to Almaty and return have been cancelled."

"IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on 26 January 2026 to and from Tbilisi, Almaty, Baku and Tashkent may take a brief halt, for refuelling, at Doha," it added. Earlier in the day, IndiGo asked its passengers to keep monitoring the flight status.

In a post on X, IndiGo said, "In view of the ongoing situation around Iran, some of our flights may experience longer travel times or cancellations. These precautionary and proactive measures are being taken as part of our continued focus on safety."

Travel Advisory



In view of the ongoing situation around Iran, some of our flights may experience longer travel times or cancellations.



These precautionary and proactive measures are being taken as part of our continued focus on safety.



We are closely monitoring the dynamic  IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) January 25, 2026

"We are closely monitoring the dynamic situation and in view of that, some of our flights may be changed or cancelled in a phased manner, with regular updates to minimise inconvenience to our customers. We recommend that you check your flight status regularly. If your flight is impacted, alternate options can be easily explored through our website," it added.

What had Trump said about Iran?

According to ANI, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Trump described a significant naval deployment that he said was intended to keep pressure on Iran's leadership.

"We're watching Iran," the president said, adding that the flotilla's presence was meant to act as a deterrent. "I'd rather not see anything happen, but we're watching them very closely."

Citing Al Jazeera, ANI reported that earlier, Iranian state television 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.

However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has said 4,519 were killed during the wave of demonstrations, including 4,251 protesters, 197 security personnel, 35 people aged under 18, and 38 bystanders who it says were neither protesters nor security personnel. HRANA also said 9,049 additional deaths were under review, according to Al Jazeera.

The protests began in late December with people protesting against the flailing currency and the cost of living, and turned into a widespread anti-government movement. The administrations crackdown was widely condemned on a global scale, and US President Trump threatened to intervene in support of the protesters.

(with ANI inputs)
Veteran journalist, broadcaster, and author Sir William Mark Tully, widely known as Mark Tully passed away on Sunday at the age of 90. His voice became deeply familiar to Indian audiences in the latter half of the 20th century as he reported on some of the countrys most significant political moments, news agency IANS reported.

A former BBC journalist, Tully spent much of his career covering India and South Asia and was recognised with honours from both the Indian and British governments. He had been unwell for some time and was admitted to a hospital in south Delhi, where he died.

PM Modi express condoloscenes

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PM Narendra Modi called Mark Tully, a towering voice of journalism.

Saddened by the passing of Sir Mark Tully, a towering voice of journalism. His connect with India and the people of our nation was reflected in his works. His reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse. Condolences to his family, friends and many  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2026

Tully was born on October 24, 1935, in Tollygunge, Calcutta (now Kolkata), into a wealthy British business family. He completed his early education in India, including time at a boarding school in Darjeeling, before moving to the United Kingdom at the age of nine. He later studied theology at Cambridge University with the intention of joining the clergy, but abandoned that path midway and turned to journalism, joining the BBC in 1964.

Tully returned to India in 1965 as the BBCs India Correspondent and soon rose to become the organisations New Delhi bureau chief. During his 22-year tenure, he reported on virtually every major event in South Asia, including multiple India-Pakistan conflicts, Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the ensuing anti-Sikh riots, the Bhopal gas disaster, the killing of Rajiv Gandhi, and the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

He left the BBC in July 1994 following a disagreement with its then Director General and subsequently worked as a freelance journalist and broadcaster from New Delhi. Despite his departure, he continued to contribute to BBC programming until 2019.

Tully authored several books as well. Beginning with "Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle" (1985), co-authored with his BBC colleague, Satish Jacob, he then co-authored "Raj to Rajiv: 40 Years of Indian Independence" (1988) with Zareer Masani, "No Full Stops in India" (1988), "India in Slow Motion" (2002), along with Gillian Wright, "India's Unending Journey" (2008), and "India: The Road Ahead" (2011).

"The Heart of India" (1995), covering vignettes of Indian life, and "Upcountry Tales: Once Upon A Time In The Heart Of India" (2017) were his fictional works.

He was then made an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1985. He was knighted in 2002 and was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2005.
A political storm has erupted in Maharashtra as four corporators from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction have mysteriously vanished from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). The disappearance has sparked allegations of poaching, cross-party defections, and fears that Uddhav's gamble in the civic elections may have backfired spectacularly.

What happened in Kalyan-Dombivli?

After the civic election results were announced in Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde's faction had sent its corporators to hotels to prevent poaching, a move that drew widespread criticism. Now, the tables appear to have turned in Kalyan, with political discussions heating up once again.

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Four corporators from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) have gone missing from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation. Following their disappearance, the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has filed a formal complaint with police. There are also claims that these missing corporators may join the Shinde faction.

Could this give Shinde faction majority?

If the corporators who are currently missing decide to switch sides and officially join forces with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction, their support could help push Shinde's group right over the edge to secure a clear majority in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), delivering a major blow to Uddhav Thackeray, who is reeling from defeat.

Who are the missing corporators?

According to reports, two corporators are in touch with Shinde's Shiv Sena leadership, while the whereabouts of the other two remain unknown. Due to local political equations, the latter two corporators, who contested elections on the Shiv Sena (UBT) symbol, may return to the MNS.

The four corporators are: Madhur Mhatre, Kirti Dhone, Rahul Kot, and Swapnil Kene.

Police complaint filed

Local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader has filed a complaint at Kolsewadi Police Station regarding the missing corporators.

What did Sanjay Raut say?

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut accused Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of horse-trading on Saturday, alleging that "a market of money is running in politics" with open buying and selling of leaders. He further claimed Shinde is acting like a feudal lord who believes he can buy loyalty.

What happens next?

With four corporators missing and potentially switching sides, the political balance in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation hangs in the balance. If they formally join the Shinde faction, it would mark yet another setback for Uddhav Thackeray, who is already reeling from the BMC defeat.
Seoul: Passenger traffic at Incheon International Airport exceeded 74 million in 2025, driven by increased flights to and from Japan and China, the airport's operator said on Sunday. A total of 74.07 million passengers traveled through South Korea's main gateway last year, marking the highest annual figure since the airport opened in 2001, according to Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC), reports Yonhap news agency.

The 2025 total was up 4.1 percent from 71.15 million passengers recorded a year earlier. "In particular, travel demand to Northeast Asian countries surged on the back of unusually long Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, China's temporary visa waiver program, and the weakness of the won, which boosted demand for alternative destinations such as Japan and China," the IIAC said.

On international routes, Southeast Asia accounted for 26.7 percent of passenger traffic last year, followed by Japan at 25.1 percent and China at 16.7 percent, with the remainder on other routes. The share of Southeast Asian routes declined from 29.6 percent a year earlier, amid rising safety concerns following the death of a South Korean college student in Cambodia last August in a suspected employment scam.

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Overall freight volumes rose 0.3 percent on-year to 2.95 million tons last year, supported by increased belly cargo, which uses excess space on passenger aircraft to transport freight. The IIAC said it expects passenger traffic this year to grow 2 to 6 percent on-year to between 75.54 million and 78.55 million.

Meanwhile, the remains of a late South Korean university student allegedly tortured to death by a criminal organisation in Cambodia returned home Tuesday, 74 days after he was found dead in the Southeast Asian country.

A Korean Air flight carrying the cremated remains of the 20-something student, surnamed Park, arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, a day after South Korean and Cambodian authorities conducted a joint autopsy on his body in Phnom Penh.
Mumbai: Actor-producer and self-proclaimed critic Kamaal R. Khan, who has been sent to police custody following the registering of a case with regards to use of a firearm, has claimed that he is being targeted by the Hindi film industry.

KRK has claimed that his constant criticism of the films, production houses, actors have got him under the scanner of the whos who of the Hindi film industry, and the same people are not exacting revenge from him.

Read Here | Actor Kamaal R Khan arrested after firing incident in Andheri West Housing Society: Reports

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KRK's lawyer said that an unidentified man opened fire at two different flats. The distance between the two buildings is 400 meters and the range of weapons is 20 meters. He said in a statement, I don't know the man. There is no acquaintance, there was no intention to fire. Because I comment on Facebook, people from the film industry are targeting me. There was no such intention, I have a license. I'm a businessman. I have been in Mumbai for the last many years, there is no chance of me running away.

KRK has claimed that the film industry is targeting him unfairly. A Bandra court has sent KRK to police custody till January 27.

While producing KRK in the court, the police said that two rounds were fired and one cartridge was found. The motive behind the firing is not yet known.

Also Read | Who is Kamaal R Khan? All about Bigg Boss fame, film reviews and music videos after his arrest

KRK was arrested by Mumbai Police in connection with a firing incident that occurred on January 18, 2026, in the Oshiwara area of Andheri, Mumbai. Police investigations found that two bullets struck the Nalanda Society, with impact marks on the second and fourth floors of the residential building, though no injuries were reported.

After initial CCTV footage yielded no leads, forensic analysis suggested the shots may have been fired from KRKs nearby bungalow. During questioning at the Oshiwara police station, KRK admitted to discharging the firearm, a licensed weapon registered in his name, and said he fired the shots while cleaning and testing the gun, aiming at a nearby mangrove area, but that strong winds caused the bullets to deviate and hit the building.
Europe and India are being forced to rethink their security strategies as an unpredictable and unilateral US foreign policy weakens old alliances and reshapes global power balances. With Russia aligned closer to China and American reliability in doubt, both regions see deeper Europe-India cooperation as essential to safeguarding their strategic futures.
WhatsApp Message Privacy: For years, Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta has claimed that conversations on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted and cannot be seen by anyone, including the platform itself. That long-standing promise is now under scrutiny. An international group of plaintiffs has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, Inc., accusing the company of misleading billions of WhatsApp users about message privacy and falsely claiming that chats are end-to-end encrypted. Meta, however, has denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit baseless.

The lawsuit, filed on Friday in a US District Court in San Francisco, claims that Metas privacy promises are misleading, according to a Bloomberg report. The plaintiffs allege that Meta and WhatsApp can store, analyze, and access a large portion of users messages that are presented as private.

WhatsApps long-standing promise of end-to-end encryption

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As we all know that the end-to-end encryption has always been the backbone of WhatsApps promise to its users. Meta has repeatedly assured WhatsApp users that this technology keeps messages visible only to the sender and the receiver, shutting out everyone else, including WhatsApp and its parent company.

That message is reinforced inside the app itself. At the top of every chat, WhatsApp tells users that only the people in the conversation can read, listen to, or share the messages. The feature is turned on by default, a reminder that appears each time a new chat begins, according to a Bloomberg report.

Global users sue Meta over WhatsApp message privacy claims

The plaintiffs claim that Meta can access many WhatsApp messages that users believe are private. They also accuse the company and its senior executives of misleading billions of users around the world. According to the lawsuit, Meta stores users messages and allows its employees to view them.

The plaintiffs come from Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, and South Africa, and say their claims are backed by information from whistleblowers. Their lawyers have asked the court to allow the case to proceed as a class-action lawsuit. Meanwhile, Meta has rejected the allegations. In a response to Bloomberg, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone told the publication described the lawsuit as frivolous and said Meta plans to seek sanctions against the plaintiffs lawyers.

Past lawsuit fuels fresh questions over WhatsApp privacy concerns

Meta has faced similar legal trouble in the past. In September last year, the company was sued by its former head of security, Attaullah Baig. He alleged that WhatsApp had systemic cybersecurity failures that could put user privacy at risk.

Baig also claimed that he discovered around 1,500 WhatsApp engineers had unrestricted access to user data, including sensitive personal information. According to him, employees could move or even steal this data without being detected or leaving an audit trail.

WhatsApp and Instagram Ads spark controversy

Meta also faced criticism last year after announcing plans to show highly personalized ads based on users conversations with the Meta AI chatbot across WhatsApp, Instagram, and its other apps. At the same time, the company has started displaying ads in WhatsApps Status section, bringing advertising directly into the messaging platform.
In a shocking incident, another Hindu man was killed in Bangladesh's Narsingdi district. A 25-year-old Hindu man, Chanchal Chandra Bhoumik, was burned alive inside a garage where he worked.

The victims family alleges planned murder and reigniting fears for minority safety amid ongoing violence.

The incident unfolded late Friday night near Mosque Market, next to Narsingdi Police Lines, as Chanchal slept inside the garage. Eyewitnesses and local reports indicate assailants doused the shop's external shutter with petrol, ignited it, and triggered a fast-spreading blaze within.

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Accroding to officials, Chanchal was asleep in the garage when the fire erupted, with CCTV footage pointing to possible foul play.

Narsingdi Police Superintendent Abdullah Al Faruque told ANI that while the blaze originated inside the shop, cameras captured a suspicious person lingering nearby.

"We've gathered CCTV evidence showing someone moving in the area. We're probing if the fire stemmed from an external act or an electrical short," the SP stated.

He noted firefighters broke the shutter during rescue efforts, but recovered Chanchal's charred body.

Investigations continue to distinguish accident from arson; no arrests yet as of Sunday.

Locals called the fire service after spotting the blaze. Narsingdi firefighters arrived and took nearly an hour to douse the fire. They found Chanchal's burned body inside the garage. Witnesses said he was trapped in the fire for a long time and died in pain.

Originally from Lakshmipur village in Cumilla district, Chanchal had settled in Narsingdi for employment, as the middle son and family's sole earner; his death leaves them devastated.

Chanchal's family called the garage fire a "planned murder," calling for the swift arrest and harshest punishment of the perpetrators. The killing has heightened local tensions and amplified concerns over minority safety in Bangladesh.

Police reported collecting evidence from the scene, reviewing CCTV footage, and preparing to file a case. Local Hindu leaders condemned the brutality, demanding rapid culprit identification, arrests, and stronger administrative measures to protect minorities.

This incident fits a pattern of atrocities against minorities since the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh include the lynching and burning of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das over alleged blasphemy in December, days later, Amrit Mondal was beaten to death in Rajbari district on extortion charges; last week, Hindu trader Liton Chandra Das fell victim to a mob assault in Kaliganj and more recently, fuel station worker Ripon Saha was crushed to death while challenging a theft at a petrol pump.

While Bangladesh's national parliamentary elections are set for February 2026, the first since Sheikh Hasina's ouster. The surge in violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, raises concern over the potential undermining of democratic polls and heightens fears of further instability in the country.






Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Sunday honoured new voters on the occasion of National Voters' Day and emphasised that the youth should not only exercise their right to vote but also understand their responsibility towards the nation. Speaking during an event at his camp office in Sanganer, CM Bhajanlal asserted that a single vote plays a crucial role in the development of the country and the state. On the occasion of National Voters' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised the importance of registering as a voter after turning 18. Addressing the nation in the 130th edition and first 'Mann Ki Baat' programme of the year, he highlighted that it's the eve of India's 77th Republic Day. "On this day, our constitution came into force. The day of January 26 gives us an opportunity to pay homage to the architects of our constitution." The PM also said that today is National Voter's Day, emphasising the role of voters in a democracy. "The voter is the soul of democracy. Whenever a young person becomes a voter for the first time, the entire neighbourhood, village, or even the city should come together to congratulate them and distribute sweets. This will increase awareness about voting among people", he said. Appreciating the efforts of those working in electoral polls, he said, "I would like to appreciate all those people who remain connected with the electoral process in the country, those who work at the grassroot level to keep our democracy alive." Urging the youth to participate in the practice of voting, he added, "I would like again to urge my young friends to register themselves as a voter when you turn 18." "The sense of duty that the Constitution expects from every citizen will be fulfilled and also strengthen Bharat's democracy", the PM said. PM Modi also posted on X on Sunday, stating that the National Voter's Day is an opportunity to deepen faith in the democratic values of the nation. He also complimented the Election Commission of India for its sustained efforts to strengthen democratic processes across the country. "Greetings on #NationalVotersDay. This day is about further deepening our faith in the democratic values of our nation. My compliments to all those associated with the Election Commission of India for their efforts to strengthen our democratic processes. Being a voter is not just a constitutional privilege, but an important duty that gives every citizen a voice in shaping India's future. Let us honour the spirit of our democracy by always taking part in democratic processes, thereby strengthening the foundations of a Viksit Bharat," PM Modi's X post read. (ANI)
The death toll from a suicide bombing at a wedding in Dera Ismail Khan area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has increased to seven, while seven others were injured, local media reported on Sunday, citing police and Rescue 1122 officials.

The blast targeted the residence of Noor Alam Mehsud, head of the Peace Committee in Dera Ismail Khan district, late on Friday. Mehsud himself was also injured in the incident. Police said guests were performing traditional drum dancing when a blast took place after a suicide bomber detonated explosives in a room, causing a part of the building to collapse, Pakistani daily Dawn reported.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, several ambulances, fire, and disaster response vehicles were sent to the site of the incident after they received reports about the explosion. The bodies of the deceased and injured people were taken to hospitals while rescue teams were conducting debris-clearing operations.

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District police officer Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada said that the head of the suicide attacker was recovered from the site of the incident. Security personnel cordoned off the area and began a probe while additional law enforcement personnel were deployed in and around the district.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the suicide blast and sought an immediate report from the provincial police chief. He also directed the authorities concerned to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical facilities.

Calling the incident "unfortunate", he said that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice, Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported.

The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which share borders with Afghanistan, have been particularly affected by such attacks in recent times.

This was not the first time Mehsud, head of the Mehsud Peace Committee in South Waziristan, has been targeted.

In 2022, two suicide bombers attempted to attack him at his office in Dera Ismail Khan. Both attackers were killed outside the office, and peace committee volunteers successfully thwarted the attempt, according to The Express Tribune report.

In December last year, three police personnel were killed in a bomb attack targeting a police vehicle in Dera Ismail Khan.

According to data released by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan recorded more than a 25 per cent increase in overall violence last year, with at least 3,187 fatalities and 1,981 injuries linked to violence involving civilians, security forces, and criminals.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the worst-hit region, accounting for nearly 68 per cent, or 2,165, of the countrys total violence-related fatalities and over 62 per cent, or 732, of all reported incidents. In the province, deaths during security operations stood at 1,370, exceeding fatalities from militant attacks, which numbered 795, by 72 per cent.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged citizens to buy Canadian as he warned that the countrys economy is under growing pressure from abroad, following threats by US President Donald Trump to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods.

Speaking amid rising trade tensions, Carney said Canada must focus on what it can control, signalling a shift towards strengthening domestic industry rather than relying heavily on international trade.

With our economy under threat from abroad, Canadians have made a choice: to focus on what we can control, Carney said. We cant control what other nations do. We can be our own best customers. Well buy Canadian. Well build Canadian. Together we will build stronger.

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Carneys remarks come as relations between Ottawa and Washington deteriorate, particularly over Canadas expanding engagement with China. On Saturday, Trump warned Canada against deepening economic ties with Beijing, threatening to impose a 100 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods entering the United States.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump referred to Carney as Governor and accused Canada of attempting to act as a conduit for Chinese exports into the US.

If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a Drop Off Port for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken, Trump wrote.

He went further, claiming, China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life. If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the USA.

Trump also criticised Canada for opposing his proposed Golden Dome missile defence system over Greenland, arguing that it would protect Canadian interests. Canada is against the Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though the Golden Dome would protect Canada, he said, adding that Ottawa had instead voted in favour of doing business with China.

The comments followed Carneys recent visit to Beijing, where he sought to revive economic cooperation with China, Canadas second-largest trading partner after the United States. During the trip, the two sides reached an understanding to reduce tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural exports and introduce quotas on Chinese electric vehicles entering the Canadian market. The framework could also pave the way for increased Chinese investment in Canada.

Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Carney criticised US and Western trade policies and described Canadas talks with China as predictable, realistic and respectful, appearing to contrast them with ongoing trade frictions with Washington.

As tensions mount, Carneys call for economic self-reliance underscores a broader effort to insulate Canada from external shocks while navigating an increasingly volatile global trade environment.

(With ANI inputs)
US President Donald Trump has accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of inciting insurrection following the fatal shooting of a man by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the Democratic governor and mayor were using pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric and claimed they were undermining federal authorities. The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, Trump wrote. Instead, these sanctimonious political fools should be looking for the Billions of Dollars that have been stolen from the people of Minnesota, and the United States of America.

Trump questioned why local police were not deployed to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and suggested they had been deliberately prevented from doing so.

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This is the gunmans gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go. What is that all about? Where are the local Police? he wrote. Why werent they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off?

Referring to ICE agents as patriots, Trump urged Americans to allow them to carry out their work and alleged widespread fraud in Minnesota. He claimed that individuals who had stolen money from the people of Minnesota and the United States of America would be jailed, adding that 12,000 illegal alien criminals had been arrested and removed from the state.

Those Fraudsters who stole the money are going to jail, where they belong, Trump wrote. This is no different than a really big Bank Robbery. He accused critics of federal enforcement actions of using public outrage as a cover-up for this theft and fraud, concluding: LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB!

The comments follow the killing of a Minneapolis resident during a federal immigration enforcement operation involving ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Democratic leaders identified the victim as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Veterans Affairs nurse and US citizen.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the shooting occurred at about 9:05 am CT, while officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault.

According to DHS, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. The department said officers attempted to disarm him, but that the armed suspect violently resisted.

Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots, DHS said. Medics provided immediate medical aid, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

DHS said the individual was carrying two magazines and no identification, adding, This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement. The department said the incident remained under investigation and that further details would be released.

The department also claimed that about 200 protesters arrived at the scene and attempted to obstruct and assault officers, prompting the deployment of crowd control measures for the safety of the public and law enforcement.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz strongly condemned the federal operation and called for it to be halted immediately.

This is sickening. The President must end this operation, Walz wrote on X. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said the man killed was an American citizen and a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, and confirmed that multiple federal officers were involved in the shooting.

Democratic leaders across the country rejected the administrations account and demanded accountability.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries described the killing as a horrific, preventable tragedy, accusing lawless and masked thugs masquerading as law enforcement officers of killing an American citizen without justification.

The American people deserve a thorough, independent investigation without interference or obstruction by DHS, Jeffries said, adding that every single federal agent responsible for the unjustified killing of another civilian must be held criminally accountable to the full extent of the law.

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar said the shooting appeared to involve immigration enforcement agents. This appears to be an execution by immigration enforcement, she said. I am absolutely heartbroken, horrified, and appalled that federal agents murdered another member of our community.

Omar said the incident reflected a broader pattern under the Trump administration. This isnt isolated or accidental, she said. The Trump administration is trying to beat us into submission rather than protect us. She accused ICE and CBP of violating constitutional rights under the guise of immigration enforcement.

House Homeland Security Committee ranking member Bennie G. Thompson said the killing should shock all Americans, alleging that yet another US citizen has been killed in cold blood by ICE and CBP in Minneapolis.

He accused DHS of attempting to shape public perception, saying that within minutes, DHS and its mass propaganda machine slandered and attacked the deceased individual with no evidence. Thompson called for ICE and CBP to leave Minneapolis immediately and demanded the release of body-camera footage.

Reaction also came from outside Minnesota. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she had learned of yet another tragic shooting in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents and warned that this violence has to stop.

Bass said the president must remove these armed, federal forces from Minneapolis and other American cities, adding that she had joined mayors nationwide in a federal court challenge against what she described as the administrations unconstitutional and unlawful deployment of federal agents in the Twin Cities.

She described Operation Metro Surge as unacceptable and warned against allowing the federal government to turn cities into war zones.

The killing follows the January 7 death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident who was fatally shot when an ICE officer fired into her vehicle during a separate federal operation.

The latest incident has further intensified national debate over the scope, tactics, and oversight of federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, particularly in Democratic-led states and cities. Minnesota has seen repeated protests in recent weeks as the expanded federal presence continues, with sharply conflicting accounts from federal authorities and local officials over public safety and enforcement practices.

(With IANS inputs)
US President Donald Trump disclosed that US forces deployed a cutting-edge weapon called the "Discombobulator" during US raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his Caracas residence under Operation Absolute Resolve, achieving the mission without a single American casualty.

"The Discombobulator. I'm not allowed to talk about it," Trump stated in an exclusive Oval Office interview with the New York Post.

"I would love to," President Trump added, confirming the weapon's deployment in the stealth raid.

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He claimed the "Discombobulator" disabled Venezuelan equipment, disrupting their air defense and radar systems to enable US forces to execute the operation without obstruction.

"They never launched a single rocketnot one of their Russian or Chinese missiles fired. We flew in, they hit the buttons, and nothing happened. They were fully primed for us," Trump told the New York Post.

During the interview, he also disclosed further details about Operation Absolute Resolve, saying, "They never launched a single rocketnot one of their Russian or Chinese missiles fired. We flew in, they hit the buttons, and nothing happened. They were fully primed for us.

Also Read: Do China, US Possess Lethal Direct Energy Weapons? Viral Post On Venezuela, Galwan Sparks Row

Trump's remarks followed queries about reports alleging the Biden administration acquired a pulsed energy weapon, potentially linked to "Havana Syndrome", which was believed to be deployed in the Caracas raid.

The US presidents acceptance also highlights the claims of a Venezuelan eyewitness who described Maduro's gunmen collapsing, bleeding from the nose, and vomiting blood.

One of Maduro's former guards later recounted the night of the raid, stating, "Suddenly, all our radar systems shut down without explanation." He described swarms of drones appearing over their positions next, leaving them unsure how to respond, followed by just eight helicopters delivering around 20 US troops.

"At one point, they fired something indescribable, like an intense sound wave. Suddenly, my head felt like it was exploding from within," the witness recounted. "We all began bleeding from our noses; some vomited blood. We collapsed, paralyzed and unable to stand after that sonic weapon, or whatever it was."

Captured Venezuelan leader Maduro currently faces narco-terrorism charges in the United States.

America's embrace of such technology accelerates the global race for direct energy weapons, poised to reshape modern warfare.


















A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has led to the cancellation of more than 14,000 flights from Saturday through Monday, CNN reported. The extreme weather has prompted President Donald Trump to issue emergency declarations for ten states, as authorities prepare for dangerously cold conditions across the eastern two-thirds of the country.

According to FlightAware, over 14,800 flights have been cancelled in total since Saturday. American Airlines has grounded 43% of its scheduled flights, while Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has seen 35% of its flights cancelled. Saturday alone saw more than 4,000 cancellations, particularly affecting Dallas and Charlotte, while Monday has already recorded over 1,600 cancellations, mainly in New York and Boston.

Trump approved emergency declarations for Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia. He said authorities are working closely with FEMA, governors, and state emergency management teams to ensure the safety of everyone.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storm will bring sub-zero temperatures from the northern and central plains into the northeast, with freezing conditions extending as far south as the Gulf Coast. Extremely cold temperatures will expand across the eastern two-thirds of the US, with very cold weather continuing through next week, the NWS said, advising residents to prepare for life-threatening cold, as wind chills and prolonged exposure could cause hypothermia and frostbite.

The NWS also warned that heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain will have significant impacts across much of the eastern half of the country. The storm will expand into the Mid-Atlantic states tonight, then into the Northeast late Sunday, the agency added.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, urged residents to avoid travel where possible and take necessary precautions to stay safe.

The storm, spanning over 1,300 miles and expected to impact more than 2,000 miles from Texas to New England, has caused widespread ice accumulation and power outages across the South. In areas of heavy freezing rain and sleet, thunder and lightning have been reported. More than half of Americans are expected to experience sub-zero wind chills, leaving those without power particularly vulnerable.

The NWS has issued winter storm warnings across affected areas, with emergency declarations now in place in more than 17 states. Authorities continue to monitor conditions and advise residents to remain indoors where possible.

(With ANI inputs)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has issued a strong public response after US President Donald Trump suggested that NATO allies had failed to fully support the United States during military operations in Afghanistan, remarks that have sparked backlash across Europe.

In a statement posted on X, Meloni said, The Italian Government has learned with astonishment of President Trumps statements according to which NATO allies would have fallen behind during operations in Afghanistan. She stressed that such claims overlook the unprecedented solidarity shown by the alliance following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Meloni recalled that Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NATO activated Article 5 for the first and only time in its history: an extraordinary act of solidarity toward the United States. She underlined Italys immediate and sustained military commitment, noting that Rome deployed thousands of troops and assumed leadership of Regional Command West, one of the most strategically important areas of the NATO-led mission.

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Over the course of nearly twenty years of commitment, our Nation has borne a cost that cannot be disputed, Meloni wrote, citing 53 Italian soldiers killed and more than 700 wounded during combat operations, security missions, and training efforts for Afghan forces.

She concluded that statements that minimize the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially if they come from an allied Nation, while reaffirming the long-standing relationship between Rome and Washington. Friendship requires respect, a fundamental condition for continuing to ensure the solidarity at the heart of the Atlantic Alliance, Meloni added.

Trumps remarks, made during an interview with Fox News at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday (January 22, 2026), triggered outrage and concern across the United Kingdom and other NATO countries the following day. Weve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them, Trump said, referring to NATO allies. 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.

Trump also said he was uncertain whether NATO would support the United States if assistance were ever requested, comments that many European leaders viewed as dismissive of two decades of allied cooperation.

In October 2001, nearly one month after the September 11 attacks, the United States led an international coalition into Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaida and remove its Taliban hosts. Forces from dozens of countries participated, including NATO members whose mutual-defense clause had been invoked for the first time in the alliances history.
Madurai witnessed a spate of violent incidents on Sunday night, as petrol and kerosene bombs were hurled at two locations in the city, and two youths were injured in a separate hacking attack. According to senior police officials, between 8.30 pm and 9.00 pm, three unidentified assailants travelling on two-wheelers hurled a petrol bomb near the Subramaniapuram market area and a kerosene bomb near Mahalakshmi Nagar in the Solai Alagupuram locality. In another incident reported near Jaihindpuram, an unidentified gang attacked and hacked two youngsters before fleeing the scene. The injured victims were rushed to the Government Rajaji Hospital for treatment. All three incidents occurred within the jurisdiction of the Jaihindpuram police station. Following the incidents, Jaihindpuram police personnel and senior officers rushed to the spots and launched an investigation. Police are probing the cases from multiple angles, including the possibility that the attacks were acts of retaliation for the Perambalur petrol bomb incident. In the Perambalur case, two policemen sustained injuries on Saturday (January 24) when assailants hurled country-made bombs at a police escort team transporting a ganja case accused, Vella Kali of Madurai--a history-sheeter from Dindigul--to Chennai. Earlier on Saturday, Several unidentified criminals attacked a police team with the intention of killing a gangster in Perambalur. They hurled country-made bombs at the police personnel, seriously injuring three of them, Inspector General of Police (Central Zone) Balakrishnan said. The police team was attacked when the convoy stopped at a roadside hotel near Iraiyur village. The injured officers were rushed to Perambalur Government Hospital for treatment. Inspector General of Police (Central Zone) Balakrishnan visited the injured police officers in the hospital. The IGP stated that the country's bomb attack was a deliberate attempt to kill the criminal who was being escorted by the armed police team. He said that despite the sudden attack, the police officers acted with courage and presence of mind. During the incident, a sub-inspector fired warning shots at the attackers who had arrived in two vehicles. Hearing the gunshots, the criminals fled the scene. The IGP assured that the culprits would be arrested soon. He added that five special police teams have been formed and that a large-scale search operation is currently underway. (ANI)
Families of six Baloch individuals, including women and minors, have been protesting in Hub, Balochistan, demanding the release of their loved ones taken by Pakistani security forces. They staged a demonstration outside the Lasbela Press Club in Hub, demanding that their relatives be produced and released. The protesters said their loved ones had vanished without any legal procedure, leaving their families in anguish and uncertainty, as reported by The Balochistan Post. The missing individuals are Nasreen Baloch, Hani Baloch, Hair Nisa Baloch, Fatima Baloch, Fareed Baloch, and Mujahid Baloch. According to The Balochistan Post, the disappearances had caused extreme mental stress within their households and disrupted their daily lives. The families noted that while cases of missing young men had been documented in the region for years, the recent inclusion of women, including minors and pregnant women, represented what they described as a dangerous new phase. The protesters questioned what alleged offence their relatives could have committed. They argued that if any accusations existed, the detainees should be brought before a court rather than kept in secret. Enforced disappearances, they said, violated both constitutional guarantees and international human rights norms. The families also alleged that when they attempted to file a First Information Report at the local police station, the Station House Officer refused to register their complaint. One protester asked how justice could be expected when even the right to lodge a case was denied. The refusal, they said, forced them to take their demands to the streets. The demonstrators called on authorities to disclose the whereabouts and physical condition of the missing individuals. They stated that if no information was provided, their protest campaign would be expanded. Appeals were also directed toward national and international human rights organisations to intervene in the matter, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post. Addressing the gathering, Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Fauzia Baloch described the alleged disappearances of women in Balochistan as an alarming development. She said such actions were being used to instil fear and weaken political and social awareness among the Baloch population. She further alleged that people were being picked up regularly and, in some cases, publicly humiliated before being taken away. Fauzia Baloch criticised the Pakistani state's claims of democracy and Islamic values, asserting that neither was reflected in its treatment of the Baloch people. She said the committee would continue its struggle against what she termed repression and injustice in the province, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted that "India's family system formed an integral part of our tradition" and said that many countries around the world hold such family systems in "high regard". During his Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said, "India's family system is an integral part of our tradition. It is viewed with great curiosity in many countries around the world. Many countries hold such family systems in high regard." Recalling the visit of the UAE President to India earlier this week, he praised the celebration of 2026 as the 'Year of Family' as a commendable initiative. "Just a few days ago, my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, visited India. He told me that the UAE is celebrating 2026 as the Year of the Family. The aim is to strengthen harmony and community spirit among its people. This is truly a commendable initiative." An official website of the UAE Government noted how following the directives of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and as part of the UAE Year of Initiative, 2026 has been designated as the Year of Family. "This national initiative calls on everyone who calls the UAE home to celebrate the family as the foundation of a strong, united, and compassionate community. It seeks to deepen awareness of the importance of nurturing close family bonds -- the roots from which resilient communities grow -- and to uphold the enduring values of unity, care, and cooperation, ensuring these values are passed on to future generations", it said. 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. PM Modi also spoke about the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit scheduled to be held next month will highlight "India's progress and achievements" in the world of AI. Addressing the nation during the 130th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said, "The India AI Impact Summit is going to be held next month. Experts from across the world, especially those from the field of technology, will come to India for this summit. This summit will also highlight India's progress and achievements in the world of AI." The summit, scheduled for February 2026, focuses on India's role in the global development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. The upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being hailed as a landmark event that will solidify India's position as a global leader in responsible and inclusive Artificial Intelligence. The Summit is built around the three guiding pillars or 'Sutras' of People, Planet and Progress, with focused working groups or 'Chakras'. The discussions and outcomes from these groups are expected to influence AI policy, skilling strategies, and implementation across India and the Global South, the Ministry of Electronics & IT stated earlier. (ANI)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Below is a statement from the U.S. Conference of Mayors following the death of another protestor in Minneapolis today:

"Today's death in Minneapolis represents another tragedy. As American mayors representing cities large and small - Republican, Democratic and Independent - we state today with a united voice that this turmoil must come to an end. No American - regardless of their views on immigration - wishes for our country to continue to endure this unnecessary conflict. We mourn with those affected and we stand with local leaders and local law enforcement courageously navigating this unnecessary chaos.

"Immigration enforcement has existed in the United States for well over a century. ICE as the federal immigration law enforcement agency has operated for 23 years, under both Republican and Democratic administrations. We restate this basic history as a reminder that immigration enforcement can exist and function in this country without national upheaval.

"What has occurred in recent weeks in Minneapolis and surrounding communities, and threatens to escalate around the country, is not acceptable. And history reminds us that it is absolutely avoidable.

"This week, the nation's mayors joined the nation's large city police chiefs in a statement calling for de-escalation. We reiterate that joint statement today, and the most important parts of that joint statement are worth repeating:

'The mayors and police chiefs of the United States urge all federal law enforcement agencies to model the professionalism and care that we expect from our local law enforcement agencies. We recognize that some situations can escalate, but we urge federal law enforcement leaders to insist upon calm, professionalism, and de-escalation from their officers at all times.

Similarly, we call on all residents exercising their First Amendment rights to pursue legal and non-violent protest. Regardless of the views or intentions of those engaging in protest activity, we do not condone protest actions that are violent, destroy property, obstruct law enforcement, or are intended to incite such behavior. We ask for civil discourse and for our residents who desire policy change to pursue it through the legal and political methods afforded us.'

"As mayors, we feel it is also imperative to state today that deadly confrontations like these erode public trust in law enforcement at every level, putting our own local police officers across the nation at added risk.

"The nation's mayors call for immediate intervention by national leaders to de-escalate the situation in Minnesota. This is not a partisan issue, it is an issue of national concern that demands statesmanship and leadership. This status quo is unacceptable, and bringing peace to the situation will require the immediate attention of the Administration, Congressional leaders and all those who have influence over our federal law enforcement agencies."

About the United States Conference of Mayors  The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Follow our work on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and Medium.

SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 130th episode of the 'Mann ki Baat' program on Sunday, praised the Indian community in Malaysia for their efforts in preserving Indian languages and culture. He highlighted the presence of over 500 Tamil schools in Malaysia, where Tamil is taught alongside other Indian languages such as Telugu and Punjabi. He said, "Our Indian community in Malaysia is doing commendable work... There are more than 500 Tamil schools in Malaysia. In these schools, along with the teaching of the Tamil language, other subjects are also taught in Tamil. In addition, there is a lot of focus here on other Indian languages, including Telugu and Punjabi." PM Modi also appreciated the vibrant performances of Odissi dance and Baul music in Malaysia, reflecting the strong cultural bond between India and Malaysia He said the Malaysia India Heritage Society organised the "Lal Paad Saree" iconic walk last month. The Prime Minister said, 'This saree has a special connection to the culture of Bengal. There is a considerable goodwill for India in Malaysia at people-topeople level, which hosts approximately 2.75 million PIOs, which is the second largest PIO community in the world after the US and the third largest Indian diaspora in the world (2.9 million). The official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, also commended the work of the 'Malaysia India Heritage Society' in deepening historical and cultural ties between India and Malaysia. In a post on X, he said, "Nurturing age-old cultural ties between India and Malaysia. In the first episode of 2026 #MannKiBaat today, PM @narendramodi applauded the commendable work done by 'Malaysia India Heritage Society' in deepening the historical and cultural ties between India and Malaysia." "PM Modi talked about 500 Tamil schools in Malaysia, which are teaching Tamil language and various other subjects. Indian community in Malaysia is also nurturing various other Indian languages, including Punjabi, Telugu, among others. PM Modi also highlighted the iconic 'Red-bordered Saree Walk' which found a place in Malaysian Book of Records. The Walk provided a platform for showcasing cultural extravaganza which connects people of both countries. He also mentioned the vibrancy of Odissi dance and Baul music performances in Malaysia," he added. There has been growing engagement in all aspects of the bilateral relationship since the elevation of India-Malaysia relations. Recently, on the defence front, India and Malaysia co-chaired the Asian Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus Expert Working Group Meeting on Counter Terrorism on January 14. During this meeting, the Malaysian Delegation head, Dato' Muhamma Ammir Bin Haron, said that Malaysia stands ready to work with India to ensure the region remains secure. The ADMM-Plus serves as a platform for practical cooperation among the participating countries' defence establishments. It currently focuses on seven areas of practical cooperation: maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, humanitarian mine action, and cyber security. The EWGs have been established to facilitate cooperation in these seven areas, as per a statement. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday met with a US congressional delegation and held wide-ranging discussions on several aspects of bilateral ties, the Indo-Pacific, and the conflict in Ukraine. He highlighted the interactions as an important aspect of the relationship between New Delhi and Washington. In a post on X, Jaishankar shared that he interacted with US Reps Mike Rogers of Alabama, Adam Smith of Washington state, and Jimmy Patronis of Florida, as well as the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2015319077473169665?s=20 In a post on X, Ambassador Gor called the meeting "productive" and how it would gave boost to India-US ties for stronger security, expanded trade and cooperation on critical technologies. He wrote on X, "Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM @DrSJaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen U.S.-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies." https://x.com/USAmbIndia/status/2015328101895688554?s=20 This comes amid a series of sustained high-level interactions between New Delhi and Washington. Earlier on January 19, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met US Senator Steve Daines and the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, and had a "productive exchange" on the bilateral relationship. "Delighted to again meet my good friends US Senator @SteveDaines and the US Ambassador to India @SergioGor. Had a productive exchange of views on our bilateral relationship," Piyush Goyal posted on X. On January 18, EAM met US Senator Steve Daines."A pleasure meeting Senator @SteveDaines this morning in Delhi. A wide-ranging and open discussion on our bilateral relationship and its strategic significance," Jaishankar said After concluding his visit to Mumbai on January 18, Ambassador Gor highlighted the growing partnership between India and the United States across trade, technology, education, energy and resilient supply chains. On January 13, MEA provided details of the first conversation between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation and energy, and also exchanged perspectives on regional developments. Speaking during the weekly media briefing in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "This conversation happened on the 13th of January. This was the first conversation between the two leaders. They discussed a range of bilateral issues, including trade, critical minerals, defence, civil nuclear cooperation, and energy. They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments." (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held talks with President of European Union Council Antonio Costa and President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Delhi. Jaishankar hoped that their talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be a harbinger of a new chapter in India-European Union relations. In a post on X, he said, "Delighted to welcome President of EU Council Antonio Costa and President of EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen to India. A great privilege to have them as Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations. Confident that their upcoming discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will herald a new chapter in India - European Union relations." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2015415537346707609?s=20 Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday called the India-EU partnership one of trust and reliability as the President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in India. Costa and Von der Leyen were received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry; and Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada and were accorded with Guard of Honour. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "India-EU: A partnership of Trust and Reliability: A cordial welcome to the President of the European Council Antonio Costa as he arrives in New Delhi for a State Visit to India. Received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry; and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/2015401859352248674?s=20 "President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen were accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour. Presidents Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen are the Chief Guests at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations. The visit is set to deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/2015401859352248674?s=20 Costa expressed his happiness as he arrived in India. In a post on X, he said, "Honoured to arrive in New Delhi for the 16th EU-India Summit, on the eve of India's 77th Republic Day. Celebrating a strong and growing EU-India partnership--from trade and security to the clean transition and vibrant people-to-people connections." https://x.com/eucopresident/status/2015389329179160604?s=20 Costa and Von der Leyen will represent the EU at the 16th EU-India summit in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the summit, a statement by the European Council said. (ANI)
Foreign Expert Waiel Awwad, in relation to the visit of the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Sunday that the visit signals a strong interest from both parties to strike a mutually beneficial deal. Awwad further said that the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union would generate a "lot of jobs for Indians." Speaking to ANI, he said, "It is a very important visit to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations, clearly indicating that both parties are interested in striking a deal which will be beneficial for both sides. When the Prime Minister says he understands the impact of the deal if there is a Free Trade Agreement to be signed and we can see that a lot of jobs will be generated for Indians." Awwad further told ANI that even the European Union (EU) understands the importance of India as a trade partner, when US President Donald Trump is threatening both sides with tariffs. The foreign expert said that India is trying to strike a parallel deal with the US, despite, according to him, being in a "very tight spot". He said, "The EU understands the importance of India as a trade partner. India also understands this especially when President Trump has been threatening both sides of tariffs. Having said that, India is trying to strike a parallel deal with the United States, despite the fact that it is in a very tight spot." EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, will serve as chief guests at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations on Monday. The visit will be followed by the India-EU summit and the formalisation of a trade agreement. Von der Leyen arrived in the national capital on Saturday on a state visit and was received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada. Speaking earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Von der Leyen said, "We are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement (with India)." Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has described the proposed free trade agreement as "the mother of all deals", as New Delhi and Brussels look to expand market access amid tightening global trade conditions driven by US tariffs and Chinese export restrictions. India and the European Union have both been impacted by the trade approach of US President Donald Trump. India faces tariff rates of up to 50 per cent on certain exports to the United States, while the EU is yet to ratify a trade arrangement with Washington that has been criticised as imbalanced. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has described India as "indispensable" to Europe's economic and strategic future. The 27-nation bloc has also advanced a new security and defence partnership with India. Together, India and the European Union represent around a quarter of the global population and gross domestic product. According to EU data, bilateral trade in goods reached 120 billion euros in 2024, up nearly 90 per cent over the past decade, while trade in services amounted to an additional 60 billion euros. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday met and held "wide-ranging and productive conversation" with visiting European Commission High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President (HRVP) Kaja Kallas. Regarding the meeting, in a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "A wide ranging and productive conversation with EU HRVP @kajakallas. Reflected the growing comfort and strong convergences of the India-European Union partnership. Agreed on intensifying our exchanges and taking forward our cooperative agenda." Earlier in the day, Jaishankar held talks with President of European Union Council Antonio Costa and President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, in Delhi and hoped that their talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be a harbinger of a new chapter in India-European Union relations. In a post on X, he said, "Delighted to welcome President of EU Council Antonio Costa and President of EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen to India. A great privilege to have them as Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations. Confident that their upcoming discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will herald a new chapter in India - European Union relations." Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday called the India-EU partnership one of trust and reliability as the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in India. Costa and Von der Leyen were received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry; and Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada and were accorded with Guard of Honour. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "India-EU: A partnership of Trust and Reliability: A cordial welcome to the President of the European Council Antonio Costa as he arrives in New Delhi for a State Visit to India. Received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry; and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada." "President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen were accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour. Presidents Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen are the Chief Guests at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations. The visit is set to deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership." (ANI)
Japan's last two pandas, twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, were seen by visitors at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on Sunday ahead of their scheduled return to China later this month, as reported by The Taipei Times. Their departure will mark the first time Japan will be without giant pandas since 1972, amid tensions between the two countries. The two pandas were born in 2021 at the Ueno Zoo, to mother Shin Shin and father Ri Ri. The parents were returned to China in 2024, a year after the twins' sister Xiang Xiang was also sent back. Japan first received giant pandas in 1972 to commemorate the normalisation of diplomatic relations with China, CNN reported. Since then, additional pandas have either arrived from China or been born locally, becoming major attractions in the country. Although born in Japan, the pandas remain the property of China under the framework of Beijing's "panda diplomacy," CNN reported Under this policy, the Chinese government considers pandas as national symbols and goodwill ambassadors, loaning them to countries with which they wish to strengthen ties. While the pandas' return to China had been scheduled in advance, their impending absence has been widely seen as mirroring a downturn in Japan-China relations in recent months. Last year, China also recalled four pandas from a zoo in a Japanese town that depended heavily on panda-related tourism. Taipei Times reported that last year in November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a military response from Japan. Meanwhile, Beijing has responded with a series of economic measures, including reducing flight services and issuing advisories cautioning citizens against travel to Japan. As a result, the number of Chinese visitors to Japan fell by nearly half last month compared to a year earlier, declining to about 330,000, Tourism Minister Yasushi Kaneko said last week. (ANI)
TOCHIGI, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - Karasuyama washi, a traditional Japanese paper with a history spanning some 1,300 years, is now being produced at full pace during the coldest part of the year, as workshops enter their busiest season making sheets used for graduation certificates.

At Karasuyama Washi no Sato, artisans are currently at peak production, creating nearly 30,000 sheets for diplomas, each carefully formed by hand through the papermaking process known as sukiki. Because every sheet is made individually, no two are exactly the same, and the finished paper is valued for its durability, making it well suited for certificates given at major life milestones.

In the process, finely shredded fibers from kozo, a type of mulberry, are mixed with a viscous substance known as neri, extracted from the root of the tororo-aoi plant. The liquid helps the fibers spread evenly through the water, making it easier to form an even sheet.

The neri is extremely sensitive to temperature, said Hiroko Fukuda of Karasuyama Washi no Sato. When the water warms up, the thickness disappears. The colder the water is, the better the washi becomes.

Weather forecaster Naoko Takayasu also tried her hand at papermaking during the visit, struggling with the weight and balance of the tools as she attempted to lift and shape the sheet.

Its heavy! Ah, it got lopsided! Takayasu said.

Fukuda explained that the uneven result is a common first-time pattern. Thats the original mark that beginners tend to make, she said.

Takayasu admitted the process was far more difficult than expected. Its hard. I never imagined making just one sheet of paper could be this demanding. It was heavy and exhausting, she said, noting that while skilled craftsmen make it look effortless, mastering the technique takes time and experience.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - Airport quarantine inspectors in Japan are repeatedly finding prohibited foods hidden inside souvenirs, from pork and chicken products to fruit and even vegetable seeds, as travelers return from overseas unaware that strict import rules apply.

The investigation followed officials at airport animal and plant quarantine counters, where prohibited items were discovered one after another during baggage inspections, including pork that had been packed among gifts and dozens of chicken sausages brought in from Indonesia. In some cases, travelers attempted to conceal banned goods inside other belongings, while inspectors also uncovered suspicious items hidden inside large quantities of gloves.

To understand what kinds of souvenirs people bring into Japan, interviews were conducted in the arrivals lobby. One traveler arriving from Canada said he had brought potato chips as a gift, describing them as a flavor that is difficult to find outside Canada. Another traveler arriving from Vietnam showed a box filled with souvenirs, including snacks featuring durian, often called the king of fruits. A Pakistani woman waiting to reunite with her son after six months also shared sweets brought from home, saying they reminded her of familiar tastes from Pakistan.

Many travelers, however, are unaware that certain foods cannot be brought into Japan. The inspections are carried out by quarantine officials, sometimes assisted by dogs trained to detect prohibited items by smell. During one inspection of a passenger arriving from China, officials found apples and several pears inside a cardboard box. The passenger said she did not realize fruit was also prohibited, apologizing after being told it could be considered a legal violation. Under current rules, all fruit from China is prohibited from being brought into Japan.

A Japanese traveler returning from China was also stopped after attempting to bring in raw beans, which are prohibited unless they have undergone proper inspection procedures in the country of origin. The traveler said he had not known the rules and ended up discarding the items.

Inspectors also examined food products packed in heavy wrapping. One passenger arriving from Indonesia was found carrying tightly wrapped items that turned out to be fish, which is permitted, but another package contained long, thin chicken sausages. Officials counted 56 sausages in total, all of which were prohibited because of the risk of introducing livestock diseases. The sausages were confiscated and destroyed, and the traveler was warned that repeated violations could lead to fines.

Packaged meals were also inspected. A mushroom-based meal was allowed through, but pasta and other bento meals containing chicken were rejected because meat products are prohibited. Some travelers expressed understanding of the quarantine process and continued on to enjoy sightseeing after giving up the items.

During the reporting, the camera also captured an unrelated but unusual scene at the airport, where staff collected leftover foreign coins donated through UNICEF collection boxes. The money is gathered several times a year and used to support children in need, with officials suggesting that donating leftover currency after returning home may be a good option for travelers.

More serious cases were also documented. A man arriving from Mongolia was found carrying meat products, which were confirmed through translation tools and label images. He was informed that meat products are largely prohibited under Japanese law in order to protect domestic livestock from infectious diseases. Another inspection involved a man arriving from Myanmar, whose luggage contained multiple meat products including pork and chicken sausages, all of which were prohibited.

In one case, officials discovered food that appeared to contain meat but was not prohibited, after confirming it was frog meat, which is treated differently under quarantine rules. Other items, including goat meat and homemade meat dishes, were confiscated because they could carry diseases not present in Japan.

Officials said some cases go beyond simple disposal. A woman arriving from Mongolia was found carrying about 9 kilograms of frozen beef, prompting officials to treat the case as malicious and issue a formal warning. Another woman arriving from China was found carrying pork intestines stuffed with vegetables, which were classified as a meat product and prohibited. Inspectors also found baby food containing beef, which was treated the same as other meat products, along with duck neck meat, leading to a warning due to the large quantity involved.

Investigators also documented deliberate smuggling methods. A woman arriving from Vietnam was found with large amounts of gloves packed in her luggage, and hidden inside them were vegetable seeds. Officials explained that seeds are prohibited because they can carry diseases that may harm Japans plants. Multiple types of seeds, including coriander seeds, were discovered in different hiding places, and inspectors stressed that such items will be found during border checks no matter how carefully they are concealed.

The report concluded that many travelers bring prohibited items into Japan without realizing it, and emphasized the importance of checking import restrictions in advance to avoid violating the law and risking penalties.

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - A restaurant in Tokyos Shibuya district is drawing attention for an unusual rule: customers aged 40 and over are turned away, even on weekdays when the venue is packed with young diners.

The restaurant, Toriyaro Shibuya Dogenzaka, has introduced its own no over-40s policy, a move that is now part of a broader trend in which some eateries and bars are setting age limits such as no under-25s. While the approach has helped certain venues boost sales, it has also sparked criticism online from those who see it as discriminatory.

At Toriyaro, the appeal for its core customers is straightforward: low prices and a lively atmosphere. Drinks such as lemon sours are sold for 55 yen a glass, and skewered fried chicken costs 109 yen per piece, allowing customers to eat and drink for under 1,000 yen. Some visitors said they could spend around 2,000 yen for two people, and that a three-hour all-you-can-drink plan makes the venue especially attractive for students.

The chain operates 86 locations nationwide, but only two, including the Shibuya outlet, enforce the no over-40s rule. The store did not impose the restriction in its first year, but management said the change was triggered by reviews posted on social media. While customers in their 20s gave the restaurant high ratings, older visitors tended to leave complaints, describing the venue as too noisy or offering little beyond cheap prices. As negative reviews spread online, the store decided to narrow its target demographic.

A 21-year-old female regular said the atmosphere feels more comfortable because customers are close in age and easier to talk to, adding that the staff also feel approachable. Other young customers said having significantly older diners nearby can make them feel self-conscious about being loud, especially after being told by older patrons to keep their voices down.

The restaurant checks ages at the entrance, but the policy is not an absolute ban. Staff said customers aged 40 and over may still enter if accompanied by someone aged 39 or younger. During filming, a group including a 40-year-old man was found inside, with the customer saying the rule could even encourage people to invite younger friends and create new opportunities for communication.

Another venue in Shibuya has taken the opposite approach, limiting entry to customers aged 25 and over. Opened in May last year, the bar promotes itself as a quiet, relaxed space in an area better known for energetic nightlife. The venue adjusts lighting throughout the evening to create a more mature atmosphere, and customers said the space feels calm and not very Shibuya-like, with polite and friendly service.

That venue confirms ages at the reservation stage, but also allows customers under 25 to enter if they are accompanied by someone aged 25 or older.

Experts say the spread of social media has made it easier for restaurants to attract customers outside their intended audience, increasing the risk of reviews that do not match the concept of the business. By restricting the customer base, venues can protect their reputation, differentiate themselves from competitors, and strengthen branding.

Legal specialists say age limits are generally unlikely to be considered illegal if they are tied to a reasonable business purpose, such as creating a specific atmosphere or concept. However, they warn businesses to be cautious about policies that could be seen as unjustified discrimination, such as blanket bans based on gender.

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - The government on January 23rd compiled a comprehensive set of measures after holding a ministerial meeting on foreign resident policy, stressing the need for orderly coexistence.

Under the plan, Japan will tighten requirements for naturalization, extending the minimum residency period needed to obtain Japanese citizenship from the current five years or more to 10 years or more.

Meanwhile, the government decided to postpone introducing specific measures to restrict land purchases by foreign nationals, instead continuing discussions on the issue. A new panel of experts will be launched in February, with the government aiming to draw up basic policy guidelines by around this summer.

Source: BIZ
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Ethiopia began building a $12.5 billion international airport that officials say will be completed in 2030, as the country moves to address capacity constraints at its main aviation hub.

The airport is being built in Bishoftu, about 45 km (28 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa, and is designed to handle 110 million passengers a year, according to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africas history, Abiy said in a post on X.

The fourrunway airport will provide parking for 270 aircraft, more than four times the capacity of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which Abiy said would reach its operational limits within two to three years at current traffic levels.

The stateowned Ethiopian Airlines has been awarded the contract to design and oversee development of the project. The facility is intended to become the airlines main hub once completed.

Ethiopian Airlines Infrastructure Development & Planning Director Abraham Tesfaye said the carrier would finance 30% of the project, with the remainder funded by lenders.

The airline has already allocated $610 million for initial earthworks, which are expected to take around one year. Major construction contractors are scheduled to begin work in August 2026.

The cost of the project was initially estimated at $10 billion before being revised upward to $12.5 billion.

Among expected financiers is the African Development Bank, which said in August it would provide $500 million in financing and lead efforts to raise $8.7 billion from other lenders. Tesfaye said lenders from the Middle East, Europe, China and the United States had shown strong interest in financing the project.
Algerias Ministry of Communication this week formally warned the independent daily El Watan, over a front page headline describing parliamentary debate on a new highway code.

Citing the controversial 2023 information and press laws, the ministry threatened further measures should the newspaper fail to comply, in the latest attack on what remains of independent media in a country where the editorial line is set by men in uniform.

El Watan reported that senators had said no to the bill after the upper house rejected 11 articles and sent the draft back for revision. The authorities rejected that reading and escalated the dispute with a formal notice, transforming a routine disagreement over parliamentary framing into a regulatory warning.

In doing so, the government sends a clear warning that even neutral coverage of institutional processes must conform to the official narrative.

Under most media systems, such disputes are settled through clarification or rebuttal. In Algeria, they are increasingly handled through the penal code.

The warning invoked laws adopted in August and December 2023 that grant regulators wide discretion to punish outlets that derail from the official narrative.

Freedom House rates Algeria Not Free in its Freedom in the World 2025 report, with a score of 31/100, citing domination of politics by a military-linked elite, tightly managed elections, and growing legal restrictions on expression.

Reporters Without Borders ranks Algeria 126th out of 180 in its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, placing it in the difficult category. RSF highlights expanding legal red lines, frequent prosecutions, blocked websites, and a regulatory framework that enables control without overt censorship.

Human Rights Watch reports sustained use of penal and counterterrorism laws against journalists and artists for peaceful expression, while Amnesty International documented at least 23 activists and journalists jailed or convicted in late 2024 and early 2025 over online dissent linked to the Manich Radi protest campaign.

In such an unsafe environment for the media, independent international media and reporters are also under attack. French journalist Christophe Gleizes, who received seven years in prison, stands as an example of the blackout and repression imposed on the Algerian state.

Sports journalist Gleizes was convicted on bogus terrorismrelated charges after his work in the restive Kabylie region. His case drew international condemnation but reinforced a clear warning that journalism itself can be construed as criminal contact.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reversed its previous prediction, now forecasting that global demand for LNG will continue to grow until 2050, largely due to rising power demands from the tech sector and delays in countries meeting renewable energy capacity goals.

The surge in US LNG exports was initially welcomed by Europe as an alternative to Russian gas, but now raises concerns about the region's growing overdependence on the United States for its energy supply.

The United States led a record year for LNG trade in 2025, exporting an estimated 111 million metric tonnes, with significant new capacity coming online in 2026, which is expected to drive down prices.

As several countries invest in expanding their liquid natural gas (LNG) production and export capacity, and significant quantities of the gas are expected to come online in 2026 after a record 2025, supply could soon outpace demand. This begs the question: just how much LNG is needed to fill the gap as the world develops its renewable energy capacity?

Last year was a record year for LNG trade, as exports exceeded the quantities predicted in several industry forecasts. The expansion of the worlds LNG trade has been led by the United States, which exported over 100 million metric tonnes of LNG in 2025. This was driven by several new plants coming online across the country. The U.S. exported an estimated 111 million metric tonnes (mmt) of LNG in 2025, 23 mmt more than the previous year and far higher than Qatars 20 mmt, the world's second-largest exporter, according to the data analysis firm LSEG.

LNG shipments from the U.S. contributed roughly 25 percent of global LNG exports in 2025. The new Plaquemines facility, operated by Venture Global, the countrys second-largest export facility, shipped a reported 16.4 mmt of LNG last year, after commencing operations in December 2024. Several other U.S. facilities also increased their deliveries last year, following several years of investment.

In December, the U.S. set a record monthly LNG export figure of 11.5 mmt. The head of business intelligence at shipping firm Poten and Partners, Jason Feer, stated, It is remarkable that in nine years the U.S. has gone from zero LNG exports to over 100 mmt, and the success validates the U.S. approach of selling free on board and pulling gas off the grid and the reliability of U.S. supplies.

As the U.S. ramped up its LNG production and export capacity, there were fears of a glut. However, as the U.S. and Europe introduced sanctions on Russia following Moscows invasion of Ukraine in 2022, several European countries were forced to search for alternative gas suppliers, a role that the United States was well-prepared to take on. Europe purchased 9 mmt of LNG from the U.S. in December alone, as it further reduced its imports from Russia.

While Europe still requires LNG, there are fears of a growing overdependence of the region on the United States, which could provide up to 80 percent of its LNG imports by 2030. On the other hand, as Europe ramps up its renewable energy capacity, fears of an LNG glut in 2026 and beyond are resurfacing.

The U.S. Plaquemines facility is expected to reach its full production capacity this year. Meanwhile, Chenieres smaller modular plants will reach full capacity or may even be expanded. QatarEnergy and ExxonMobils Golden Pass LNG is also expected to start production this year. Together, U.S. LNG projects could increase the countrys annual LNG production by another 20 mmt, according to estimates.

Between 2025 and 2030, the new LNG export capacity is expected to increase by roughly 300 billion cubic metres per year, marking a 50 percent rise, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Around 45 percent of this growth is expected to come from the U.S. As the supply increases, profit margins are expected to decline, which will help consumers who are battling with rising energy bills, although it is not such great news for producers.

The head of energy research at MST Marquee, Saul Kavonic, explained, U.S. LNG has made outstanding margins since late 2021, but those margins have come back to more normal levels now as the market has stabilised and new LNG capacity starts coming online. These margins could fall below normal levels and, if they do, producers may be forced to reduce production to boost prices. However, falling LNG prices could potentially work in the favour of producers, as LNG becomes increasingly attractive over more expensive options, such as coal and oil.

Just when the LNG supply will outpace the global demand is still uncertain, but one thing that energy experts expect is that the worlds demand for LNG will continue growing until 2050. This predication backtracks on a previous IEA forecast that suggested that all fossil fuel demand would begin to decline much earlier than the mid-century. The new prediction reflects the failure of several countries to meet their renewable energy capacity goals, as well as the rising power demand being driven by tech sector plans for massive new data centres to power artificial intelligence.

In 2026, the continued growth in global LNG production and export capacity is expected to drive down prices, and we may potentially see the beginnings of an LNG glut. Meanwhile, global LNG demand will likely continue to rise until more renewable energy capacity comes online, particularly amid anticipated growth in global power demand driven by the tech sector.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Child sexual abuse cases involving female perpetrators are confronting and distressing. When these cases make the news, they often provoke shock and outrage.

The involvement of women and girls in child sexual abuse cases has historically been underestimated and under-recognized.

Yet, in the United States, approximately 7.6% of confirmed cases are perpetrated by women or girls, though some US states report it to be as high as 36%.

In Australia, recorded sexual assault offenses involving women and girls have increased from 222 offenders in 200809 to 678 in 202324: a 205% rise.

Public attention has long focused on male perpetrators and on what happens after abuse is uncovered (including prosecution and punishment or cases not proceeding to court).

Prevention, however, requires us to act earlier and to ask a different question: what might have prevented these women from sexually abusing a child in the first place?

Our recent Australian research may have uncovered some answers.

What women who have abused told us

We spoke directly with 18 women convicted of child sexual abuse offenses in three states/territories in Australia.

These conversations were not about minimizing or excuse-making, but about uncovering missed opportunities for support and intervention throughout their lives that they believe may have prevented them from sexual offending.

Many of these women described needing help long before they abused a child. Many had grown up experiencing their own abuse or neglect.

They talked about wanting counseling, mental health support, guidance around relationships and practical help with parenting.

For some, these unresolved needs and vulnerabilities were closely tied to their experiences in intimate relationships.

One participant who co-offended with her male partner reflected on how early support might have changed her situation: "It would have been good just to have the opportunity to get out of the relationship earlier [] so having resources or counseling or anything really. It got to a point where it was just too late. I was stuck."

Others spoke about repeated attempts to get help from support services, only to encounter barriers that left them feeling dismissed, unsupported and their concerns minimized. As one participant explained: "I really was trying to engage and get help [] they just turned [me] away, it's like they didn't want to help me."

Some women did not know what services existed to help them at different times in their lives. Others faced long waitlists and cost barriers.

Several women also described how shame and fear fueled their silence, including fear of judgment or legal consequences. One woman said, "I should have opened up [] but I didn't know how to. It's not that I needed more people to talk to, it's that I needed to know how to talk to them."

Together, these accounts highlight a key limitation in current prevention and early intervention efforts.

Availability of services alone is not enough; accessibility matters. If people cannot find, afford or safely connect to support then prevention efforts will likely fail.

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It's not just prevention that's needed

We also acknowledge that while accessibility matters, not everyone will seek support.

In fact, a minority of women in our study admitted nothing would have prevented their offending.

Some felt they weren't aware they needed help until it was too late, or they would not have accepted it at the time anyway.

This reinforces the necessity for both effective prevention and response.

The women's accounts in our study reinforce growing calls for gender-responsive strategies.

While risk factors such as trauma, isolation and substance use are not exclusive to girls and women, they often intersect differently with gendered social roles and expectations compared with men.

For example, parenting stress, relationship toxicity and financial insecurity disproportionately affect women and can compound vulnerability.

By no means do these factors minimize or excuse offending, nor do they fully explain it.

Rather, it is about recognizing that prevention and early intervention efforts need to address these gendered risks in order to better protect children from harm.

Importantly, these findings support much of the broader prevention work already underway in Australia, such as:

These are all designed to intervene earlier, reduce isolation and support people as ways to prevent harm and safeguard children.

Our findings align with a growing body of evidence suggesting prevention works best when it is practical and embedded from childhood through adulthood.

The challenge that remains is ensuring services are not only available but visible, accessible, nonjudgmental and clearly inclusive of girls and women.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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The Argentine military dictatorship of the 1970s (left) and the current US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (right) share a previously unknown pattern: career considerations motivate ordinary people to become henchmen for brutal regimes. It is also career considerations that lead the same officers to overthrow dictators, according to new research. Credit: Public Domain/Chad Davis, Wikimedia

Career pressurenot ideologycauses military officers to protect or overthrow dictators. New research from the Department of Political Science shows that ambition and anxiety can transform "ordinary men" into the regime's ruthless henchmenor into those who bury the regime.

Why do some people become the dictators' most brutal agents? And why do others overthrow them in a coup? The new research published in the book "Making a Career in Dictatorship: The Secret Logic behind Repression and Coups" offers a surprising answer: it is not about fanaticism or sadismbut about the fear that one's own career is stalling.

"We show that even the most extreme actions in authoritarian regimes often stem from banal career anxiety," says Adam Scharpf, associate professor at the University of Copenhagen.

The book, which he co-authored with Christian Glael (Researcher at the Hertie School in Berlin), is based on unique career data on 15,000 officers in the Argentine military, and it offers in-depth case studies on officers in Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Soviet Union and Jawara's Gambia, as well as numerous historical pieces of evidence from other authoritarian regime around the world.

According to last year's Nobel Laureate in Economics, James A. Robinson, it is "an intellectual milestone."

The dark side of meritocracy

The two researchers document a recurring pattern: when their careers stagnate, people working in the regime apparatus choose one of two strategies. Either 'detouring'joining units tasked with repression to demonstrate their value to the sitting ruleror 'forcing'participating in coups to secure a better future under a new leader.

"It is not only the leader's inner circle that determines the character and fate of a regime. The career anxiety of those on the middle and lower layers can be enough to trigger both violence and regime collapse," explains Scharpf.

One of the book's most provocative points is that meritocracyusually seen as a hallmark of stable democracies where qualifications and performance decide over who obtains higher positions and powerdoes not protect against authoritarianism. On the contrary, professional, performance-oriented systems drive those who ultimately lose out to make extreme decisions.

"We tend to believe that bureaucratic professionalism is a safeguard against dictatorship. However, our research shows that it can be a driving force behind human rights violations and illegal power grabs," says Scharpf.

It also applies to today's democracies

The book's main findings are highly relevant in today's world. In a time of declining democracy and increasing populism, the researchers are observing similar dynamics in countries that were once considered unassailable.

As examples, Scharpf points to ICE and the FBI in the United States, where personnel cuts and new recruitment schemes create precisely the career pressures that can lead to the abuse of power.

"Wherever leaders try to consolidate power or search for committed allies to flip a system, the career logic is at play. This is not only true for the military and state apparatus, but also for terrorist organizations, criminal networks, and even companies, he notes.

The book "Making a Career in Dictatorship: The Secret Logic behind Repression and Coups" will be published by Oxford University Press on February 13, 2026.
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The population of European goldfinch in the agricultural landscape has increased by as much as 54 percent over the period 20002023. Credit: Andreas Gunther

In Europe, it is well documented that bird species associated with agricultural landscapes have experienced a sharp decline over several decades. Since 1980, populations have been reduced by around 60%. New Norwegian figures show that the same negative trend is also evident in Norway.

The bird index shows a decline for many species

The "Norwegian monitoring program for agricultural landscapes," commonly known as 3Q, has been run by NIBIO since 1998. Among other things, the program tracks land use, landscape changes, and how these affect biodiversity.

"We have monitored breeding birds in the agricultural landscape for 25 years," says NIBIO researcher Christian Pedersen. To summarize the results, the researchers have calculated a dedicated bird index.

In total, there are around 34 species that live mainly in agricultural landscapesso-called farmland birds. Not all are equally common or widely distributed. The researchers have therefore selected the 22 species that are common enough to provide a reliable picture of trends over time.

Since the 3Q monitoring began in 2000, this year serves as the reference point (index value = 100). Since then, the results show a steady and clear decline throughout the period. In 2023, the bird index had fallen to around 75a reduction of approximately 25% since monitoring began.

The figure shows the overall trend of the bird index for 22 farmland bird species in Norway from 2000 to 2023, with the baseline year (2000) set to an index value of 100. The horizontal axis shows the years, while the vertical axis indicates the index values. Each black dot in the graph represents the index value for a given year. The horizontal red dashed line at y = 100 represents the reference value for the baseline year. Credit: Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research

Some species are increasing, but most are declining

Pedersen explains that there is some variation between species, but several common species have experienced particularly strong declines.

"The fieldfare has declined by as much as 56%, while populations of the common swift, yellowhammer, and whinchat have been reduced by around 50%. At the same time, some species, such as the Eurasian tree sparrow, house sparrow, and starling, show a moderate increase of about 15%.

"The species showing the strongest increase is the European goldfinch, whose population has grown by as much as 54% since 2000."

Several causes behind the decline

It is important to remember that there are major differences among the bird species found in the agricultural landscape. They have different preferences and ways of life. Therefore, it is not possible to point to a single cause explaining why so many species are declining. On top of this, climate change may also play a role.

The population of fieldfare in the agricultural landscape has declined by as much as 56 percent over the period 20002023. Credit: Christian Pedersen

Pedersen notes that some of the 22 species are resident birds that are present in Norway year-round. Others are migratory birds that overwinter farther south in Europe or in Africa. It is difficult to say with certainty to what extent the causes of decline are found in Norway, or whether they are due to conditions along migration routes or in wintering areas.

"However, the fact that we also see declines among species that remain in Norway all year means that we must take a large share of responsibility for what is happening here," Pedersen explains. At the same time, cooperation across national borders must be strengthened.

Changes in land use are the main explanation

According to the researcher, historical and ongoing changes in the content and use of the landscape are the primary explanation for the decline. When agricultural landscapes become more uniformeither through intensification, larger and more specialized production systems, or due to agricultural land abandonment causing overgrothimportant habitats for many bird species disappear.

"Field margins, small woodlots, pastures, wetlands, and small habitat features provide food, shelter, and nesting sites. When these landscape elements disappear, the basis for bird life is weakened. In addition, some species nest directly on farmland and are therefore in direct conflict with food production. This applies, for example, to the northern lapwing, Eurasian curlew, and skylark," Pedersen explains.

For these species, intensified management of production areas is particularly challenging. For example, when the growing season is extended by increasing the number of hay cuts. Increased drainage also poses a challenge.

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Measures can reverse the trend

The results from the 3Q program provide an important knowledge base for management and agricultural policy.

To slow down and eventually reverse the negative trend, the researchers recommend, among other measures:

Preserving and facilitating habitats to ensure access to food and shelter

Adapting farming practices to birds' life cycles

Protecting field margins, small woodlots, and wetlands

Managing grazing areas and hay meadows

Reducing the use of pesticides

Preventing overgrowth and afforestation with coniferous forest

Several existing environmental subsidy schemes that were originally established for other purposes may already have a positive effect on birdlife, and some schemes could potentially be adjusted to strengthen this effect.

A symptom of something bigger

"When bird populations decline, it is often a signal of more fundamental changes in nature," says Pedersen. Birds occupy high positions in the food chain and respond quickly to changes in living conditions. They are therefore important indicators of environmental status and ecosystem health.

Fewer flowering plants, for example, lead to fewer pollinating insectsand thus fewer birds.

"Unfortunately, the negative trend does not appear to be reversing anytime soon. That is why it is urgent to implement measures that can help bird populations increase, or at least stabilize," Pedersen concludes.

Key concepts endangered speciesbirds

Provided by Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Millions of years of isolation have shaped Australia's extraordinary mammal fauna into species unlike anywhere else in the world, from platypus to koalas and wombats. Tragically, Australia is the world leader in mammal extinctions.

About 40 species have gone extinct in the 238 years since European colonization began, and nearly 80 species are now imperiled. It's essential we understand what factors caused these extinctions and ongoing decline.

Over many years, scientists have gathered compelling evidence demonstrating predation by introduced cats and foxes has been a key driver. Australian mammals have had millennia living alongside other predators such as wedge-tailed eagles and dingoes. But foxes and cats are extraordinarily capable and ecologically flexible hunters, quite unlike anything Australia's mammals had confronted before.

Recently, some researchers have questioned whether these introduced predators really are responsible. In our new research, we lay out the clear lines of evidence implicating foxes and cats. For instance, extinct species tend to be small-to-medium mammals, the preferred prey size for these predators. When mammals are returned to fenced, fox- and cat-free areas, their populations often flourish.

Controversy in conservation

Last year, researchers questioned whether there was enough evidence to say feral cats and foxes had contributed to Australian mammal extinctionsand, by implication, their role in the ongoing decline of other threatened mammal species.

Their research drew on three premises relating to extinct and surviving mammals. If cats and foxes caused these extinctions, they argued that these should follow:

The last recorded sighting of a now extinct mammal from an area must come after the arrival of one or both of these predator species Lethal management programs aimed at reducing fox and cat numbers should result in an increase in native mammal numbers in an area Where cats and foxes are abundant, there should be fewer native mammals.

After testing these three ideas, the authors conclude the hypothesis that foxes and cats cause extinctions "has come to be accepted with little evidence."

The research caused a major stir among the conservation community, as it took aim at longstanding accumulated knowledge and questioned whether the evidence base was strong enough to justify efforts to control feral cats and foxes.

As experts with many decades' experience working to protect threatened Australian mammals and other wildlife, we had a duty to evaluate their evidence.

Claim and counterclaim is essential to test, shape, and hone science, and to provide a robust foundation for conservation management. It may seem like an academic argument, but it has clear real-world implications.

The survival and recovery of much of Australia's native mammal fauna depends on controlling cats and foxes. Many recent success stories in bringing native animals back from the brink are due to removing foxes and cats.

If this objective is abandoned because of arguments that feral cats and foxes are simply innocent bystanders, we risk rapidly losing many of these imperiled species.

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What did we do?

A provocative claim in last year's research was that some Australian mammal species may have gone extinct before foxes and cats ever got to the area. If this was true, cats and foxes couldn't be held responsible.

Cats came with the First Fleet in 1788, augmented with many subsequent introductions. By the 1890s, feral populations had spread across the entire continent. Foxes came later, first introduced to southeastern Australia in the 1830s. They, too, spread out across most of the continent over decades.

We re-ran analysis of the historical data and found the last record of a now-extinct native mammal in an area was always dated after the arrival of cats. The picture is less clear for foxes, though this is understandable given the earlier arrival of cats would already have caused losses.

Further, the actual date of extinction may occur long after the last documented record, especially in remote, sparsely populated areas of Australia.

First Nations peoples and Europeans have witnessed and recorded many cases where a native mammal species disappeared from an area soon after one or both non-native predators arrived.

Fate provides further evidence. Many mammals were wiped out from their entire mainland ranges but survived on islands that cats and foxes never colonized. For instance, all mainland populations of the greater stick-nest rat have disappeared. But the species survives because it also had an island population. By contrast, the lesser stick-nest rat had no island population. It is now extinct.

Does fox and cat control work?

The authors argue fox and cat control doesn't result in increases of threatened mammals. But this conclusion may stem from misreading data from feral cat and fox control programs. Not all control programs work to reduce cat numbers over long periods or even at all.

Instead, we can get far clearer evidence of what happens in safe havensislands or fenced areas where foxes and cats are completely excluded. Threatened mammal species almost always increase in these areas and almost always decline at comparable sites where foxes and cats are not excluded.

Eastern barred bandicoots now roam Victoria's fox-free Phillip Island, while hare-wallaby numbers are rebounding on Western Australia's Dirk Hartog Island following the eradication of feral cats.

The assumption that native mammals should typically be less abundant when and where cats and foxes are more common doesn't always hold. After periods of good rainfall in inland Australia, populations of native mammals and feral predators all increase. During droughts, predator and prey numbers both fall.

Difficult truths

The original analysis and our new research have a broader context. Some have argued the impact of introduced species has been overstated, and that introduced species should be seen as a legitimate part of Australia's ecosystems. Scientific evidence and conservation outcomes do not support this.

Australia supports about 8% of the world's biodiversity as one of just 17 megadiverse nations. Protecting our unique species is not easy. But the task for conservationists and policymakers will be even harder if feral cats and foxes are given a free pass to keep killing.

Lethal control is, unfortunately, necessary to protect many species near the brink of no return. It has to be done as humanely as possible and justified publicly. Stepping back would mean more and more extinctions.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Meteorites bombard a molten landscape in this illustration of the Late Heavy Bombardment. Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

For a long time, scientists assumed that Earth's water was delivered by asteroids and comets billions of years ago. This coincided with the Late Heavy Bombardment (ca. 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago), a period when planets and bodies in the solar system experienced a much higher rate of impacts.

According to this theory, the planets of the inner solar system were unable to retain volatile elements such as water due to their proximity to the sun. However, recent findings from the analysis of lunar rocks and regolith returned by the Apollo missions have cast doubt on this assumption.

After examining a large suite of lunar samples using high-precision triple oxygen isotopes, researchers from the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) concluded that meteorites in the Late Heavy Bombardment could only have supplied a small fraction of Earth's water. The research team was led by Dr. Tony Gargano at USRA's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) and the University of New Mexico (UNM). As they explain in their study, the moon's surface record sets a hard limit on the delivery of volatiles, even by the most generous estimates.

On Earth, the movement of tectonic plates constantly renews the surface, effectively erasing all traces of ancient impacts. But on the moon, which is airless and hasn't experienced geological activity for billions of years, the geological record since the Late Heavy Bombardment has been carefully preserved. For decades, scientists have analyzed samples returned by the Apollo astronauts to decipher this history using specific elements. This includes siderophile ("metal-loving") elements that are abundant in meteorites but scarce in the moon's silicate crust.

This is rather challenging because of the nature of regolith, which can melt and vaporize from impacts and repeatedly rework deposited materials. Similarly, geological processes can separate metal from silicate, complicating efforts to reconstruct the types of material and the quantities delivered.

The South Pole-Aitken basin on the lunar far side is one of the largest and oldest impact features in the solar system. Credit: NASA/GSFC/University of Arizona

As Gargano explained, "The lunar regolith is one of the rare places we can still interpret a time-integrated record of what was hitting Earth's neighborhood for billions of years. The oxygen-isotope fingerprint lets us pull an impactor signal out of a mixture that's been melted, vaporized, and reworked countless times. Apollo samples are the reference point for comparing the moon to the broader solar system.

"When we put lunar soils and meteorites on the same oxygen-isotope scale, we're testing ideas about what kinds of bodies were supplying water to the inner solar system. That's ultimately a question about why Earth became habitable, and how the ingredients for life were assembled here in the first place."

Gargano and his colleagues took a different approach by focusing on oxygen isotopes rather than ("metal-loving" tracers), which make up the largest mass fraction of rocks. Its triple-isotope can also be used to separate two conflicting characteristics that are often confused in lunar regolith: the addition of impactor material and the effects that impact-induced vaporization has on isotopic composition. Upon measuring offsets in the oxygen-isotopes in the lunar samples, the team found that at least 1% of its mass consisted of impact-related material, likely from carbonaceous (C-type) meteorites that partially vaporized on impact.

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From this, they set upper limits on the amount of water delivered to the Earth-moon system by impactors, showing that only a tiny amount has been delivered since the Late Heavy Bombardment, compared to Earth's existing water. While oceans cover over 71% of Earth's surface, water itself only accounts for about 0.023% of Earth's total mass. Nevertheless, this still works out to roughly 1.46 Sextillion (1.46 x 10) kilograms, or 1.6 hundred quintillion tons. While meteorites might have delivered only a tiny fraction of that water, their contribution may have been very important for the moon.

"Our results don't say meteorites delivered no water," said co-author Dr. Justin Simon from NASA's ARES Division. "They say the moon's long-term record makes it very hard for late meteorite delivery to be the dominant source of Earth's oceans."

At present, the moon's water inventory is largely concentrated in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), which are typically found in the heavily cratered polar regions. For this reason, NASA and other space agenciesnotably, the European Space Agency (ESA), the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), and Roscosmoshave been planning to establish habitats in the South Pole-Aitken Basin. Ready access to water ice is essential for creating a sustained human presence, providing everything from drinking water and irrigation for crops to radiation shielding and the means to manufacture liquid hydrogen and oxygen propellant.

This presence will, in turn, allow for the creation of infrastructure vital to science, like radio telescopes that are unencumbered by interference from Earth and the sun. Ergo, the small amount of water delivered by impacts could be the singlemost important factor enabling humanity's "Great Migration" to space.

As Gerardo explained, "I'm part of the next generation of Apollo scientistspeople who didn't fly the missions, but who were trained on the samples and the questions Apollo made possible. The value of the moon is that it gives us ground truth: real material we can measure in the lab and use to anchor what we infer from meteorites and telescopes."

The research team included scientists from UNM's Center for Stable Isotopes, the Institute of Meteoritics, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division (ARES) at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The paper detailing their findings was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Publication details Anthony M. Gargano et al, Constraints on the impactor flux to the EarthMoon system from oxygen isotopes of the lunar regolith, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2531796123 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Aguakans 13 million peso Puerto Morelos pipeline project set for April completion

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  Over 2,500 linear meters of pipe is being laid in the Villas Morelos area of Puerto Morelos. Aguakan says they are continuing with advancements in the second phase of the sewerage modernization project.

The extension of pipes are being installed to improve sanitation services. Aguakan is currently in the second phase of the sewerage modernization project in Puerto Morelos.

Aguakan says the project involves laying more than 2,500 linear meters of 20 and 6-inch pipe using the open trench method. The pipe is being laid from the Zetina Gazca Wastewater Pumping Station to the Villas Morelos IV Wastewater Treatment Plant.

More than 2,500 linear meters of pipeline is being laid between January and April 2026.

This project will optimize the flow of wastewater to the treatment plants where it will be properly treated and reinjected into the subsoil. The injection is at a depth of more than 100 meters under criteria of environmental responsibility and sustainability, the company reported.

Likewise, the sewer works continue gradually, progressing on Timon Avenue, Section 2, during January, February and March of 2026. This project will end on Timon Avenue with Section 3 during the month of April 2026.

This project utilizes the open trench method, divided into six strategic stages, to minimize disruption to roadways. The work is being carried out in an orderly manner and with detailed planning in direct coordination with the Puerto Morelos City Council and the Municipal Transit Authority, they said.

This project is key for Puerto Morelos as it allows us to expand the capacity of the sewer system and meet the needs of the growing population. Through phased planning and coordination with municipal authorities, we aim to offer a more reliable and sustainable service, maintaining direct communication with local residents to provide better support during the construction, stated Jorge Rosas Ortega, Aguakans Works Coordinator in Playa del Carmen.

The entire project is set for completion in April 2026.

The project cost is around 13 million pesos benefiting more than 1,500 homes.
Chetumal women killed in National Guard collision touring the state of Guerrero

Pilcaya, Guerrero  Two women from Chetumal were killed Saturday in head-on collision with a National Guard truck. The accident happened in the state of Guerrero on a section of the Mexico-Acapulco federal highway.

Emergency responders from the nearby town of Pilcaya were on scene where the National Guard patrol and old model van had collided. The two women, both from the city of Chetumal, were found dead in the front seats of the van.

One agent from inside the National Guard truck was injured.

The Chetumal driver and front seat passenger were killed in the head-on crash Saturday January 24, 2026.

According to police reports, the crash occurred on a curve just before the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park. At that point, the driver of the National Guard truck allegedly invaded the opposite lane, crashing into the Volkswagen van.

The Chetumal women were tourists to the area, traveling through the municipality of Pilcaya in the northern region of Guerrero at the time of the accident. They were heading to the State of Mexico when they were hit by the National Guard truck.

They have been identified as 78 year old Maria de Jesus N and 70 year old Rosa Maria N. Three other women from inside the van were injured, all of whom, are from Chetumal.
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Craftsman is a well-regarded tool brand with nearly a century of performance under its belt. It was first sold at Sears, one of the U.S.'s most popular retailers for about a century. These days, Sears stores have all but disappeared from the retail landscape, but there's a popular tool manufacturer behind Craftsman (and many other brands) keeping it alive. Stanley Black & Decker purchased Craftsman from Sears Holdings in early 2017. Since acquiring the brand almost a decade ago, Stanley Black & Decker has been releasing tweaked and new Craftsman products. The Craftsman V-Series was introduced in late 2021 as a premium line of tools every homeowner should have. However, to the dismay of fans of the line, Stanley Black & Decker made the decision to discontinue the V-Series tools just a few years later. Fortunately, there are a couple of other options to consider, including Tekton tools and Harbor Freight's Icon tools.

With everything from screwdrivers and wrenches to ratchets, socket sets, and hex keys, the Craftsman V-Series was aimed at automotive repair technicians, mechanics, and similar professionals. However, to the dismay of fans of the line, Stanley Black & Decker made the decision to discontinue the V-Series tools just a few years later. You can still find some V-Series tools for sale at retailers like Ace Hardware and Lowe's, and Craftsman still lists some V-Series tools on its website. Be wary of purchasing them  you may not be able to repair or replace the products if they break or get lost. When looking for alternatives, you're likely trying to match the attractive prices V-Series tools sold for or the lifetime warranty offered by Craftsman on the line.

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Read more: 15 Old School Tools That Went Obsolete

Tekton tools come with a straightforward lifetime warranty

A person wearing cloth gloves uses a Tekton socket set to repair some machinery. - Tekton/YouTube

Craftsman told ToolGuyd in mid-2025 that it will continue to honor the lifetime warranty on its V-Series tools. However, it won't be able to send new V-Series tools to customers. Instead, they will be offered another Craftsman product of equal value. If the generous warranty on the V-Series Craftsman tools was a leading factor in why you invested in them, there are similarly backed tool sets out there. Tekton was founded in 1963 and manufactures a wide range of hand tools, including pliers, screwdrivers, sockets, ratchets, hammers, and much more. It's a family-owned manufacturer headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Today, most of its products are made in Taiwan, with 14.5% of its products being U.S.-made.

Tekton offers a straightforward lifetime warranty on all of its tools. You don't have to keep the receipt, give a detailed account of why a tool failed, or worry about how old it is. File a claim via a simple online form, and Tekton will send you a replacement tool. They even cover the cost of shipping. In a two-year-old Reddit thread on r/Tools, user ronaldreaganlive noted how they received a replacement handle breaker bar a week after sending the company a picture of their broken tool. Similar to Craftsman V-Series tools, Tekton's offerings are widely considered high quality, professional-grade products. Mechanics, for example, use and recommend Tekton. "I'm a fan of Tekton stuff because, for the value, I think it's very, very good," said Mark DeCola, owner of specialist diesel shop MDD Performance, in a 2019 video on his YouTube channel. You can purchase Tekton tool sets at major hardware retailers, including Home Depot and Lowe's, and on Amazon.

Save money with Harbor Freight's Icon tools

A young man in a baseball cap holds some Icon tools in his hand while shopping at Harbor Freight. - BigTime/YouTube

If you loved the quality-to-cost ratio of Craftsman V-Series tools, the Icon brand from Harbor Freight may be a good replacement. In fact, some fans consider Icon tools an affordable alternative to another range of highly popular  and expensive  hand tools: Snap-On. In a three-year-old r/Tools thread on Reddit, multiple users suggested the Icon range as a V-Series alternative. This was, of course, before Craftsman announced the discontinuation of the series. Icon is one of Harbor Freight's in-house brands, and Icon tools are only available at Harbor Freight. The retailer offers Icon-branded sockets, wrenches, impact sockets, pliers, screwdrivers, and more.

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One of the mistakes everyone makes when shopping at Harbor Freight is assuming all the tools are low quality because they're relatively affordable. However, it could be argued that the quality and availability of Icon products means they're great for someone seeking professional-level tools for less  as multiple Reddit users opined on a late 2025 r/harborfreight thread. Plus, Harbor Freight offers a lifetime warranty on its Icon hand tools, so long as you purchase them from one of their stores. If a tool fails to properly work, Harbor Freight will replace it with the same or substantially similar product where the original isn't available. Icon tools also have longevity on their side. Harbor Freight's first retail store opened in 1980 and the retailer began selling Icon tools in 2019, a few years before the Craftsman V-Series was launched.

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How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous!

Dear How to Do It,

I rent a studio space in a building with several other artists. The other night I stopped by after hours and walked in on another artist, Franz, touching a nude female sculpture in one of the studios and pleasuring himself. He was startled and quickly ran off.

The next day, Franz sent me a text profusely apologizing. He explained that he is in a sexless marriage, but as a feminist he didnt feel right watching porn, and thought using the art in the studio for this purpose was a harmless alternative. He promised to stop and begged me not to tell the other members of the collective.

I have always liked Franz. Hes a quiet, sweet guy, a brilliant artist, and I dont think hes some secret sex pest. He hasnt hurt anyone by doing this (I know some people would be traumatized by what I saw, but I wasnt) but it does still feel like a weird violation of the other artists.

Should I let this go on the promise that he wont ever do it again? Inform the other artists and let them decide? I think its likely that hed get kicked out of his studio, and I know the community we have built here is really important to him.

Caught Red-Handed

Dear Caught Red-Handed,

There wasnt harm done here. If you had come away feeling violated, OK, I can understand why you might want to warn others. But Franz jerked off in the open during after-hours, when he assumed that no one would see. It was an unwise calculation, but thats different than intentionally putting himself on display to an unwilling audience. He was caught and apologized. I think its OK to take him at his word here. Maybe you circle back and tell him that you have been tempted to inform the collective, but you are trusting him and that he should not violate your trust. If this is not part of a larger pattern of Franz being inappropriately sexual, I think its OK to assume it was a one-time thing. No matter what, he shouldnt lose his studio space because you saw something that someone else might have been offended by. If he doubled down on his right to jerk off in the open, fine. It would make sense to try to get him thrown out. But that didnt happen. The offense is ultimately minor because you were not offended. By all means, be on alert for anything else untoward from him, but dont make a move until it happens.

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Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit

Dear How to Do It,

My husband and I (both men) are locked in a struggle over, of all things, a door knocker! He purchased a bronze door knocker in the shape of a dick and balls and installed it on our front door the day after Christmas without telling me. I will admit that its nice, but this isnt something appropriate to have in a space that can be seen by anyone who comes over. Our 88-year-old neighbor dropped by the other day and was horrified. My husband says its art and was convinced I would like it and that Im being a prude. Hes even acting all hurt by my reaction and we are having at least three fights over this on a daily basis. Please tell me if I am right!

Dick Move

Dear Dick Move,

I agree with you. The door knocker is not a piece that is suited for the general public. Maybe it should be. Maybe we should all be so comfortable with the human body that we should think nothing of taking a penis shaped piece of brass and wrapping it against a piece of wood to announce our presence, but we just arent there yet as a culture. If you were talking about putting it on your home in Fire Island or Palm Springs or somewhere that those coming to your door will overwhelmingly be gay men and get why its funny or at least not be offended by the depiction of male anatomy with a strong suggestion of, Isnt this swell?, sure. By all means, have people knock dick. But as youve already been shown, thats not your situation.

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(To readers who find this scenario far-fetched: Fair enough, but also dick door knockers do exist.)

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Your husband has a very, very loose definition of art, and so he is unpersuasive here. Let him think youre a prude. The piece is inappropriate to hang outside of a house. If we were talking about something in your house (and yes, weve gotten those questions before), thatd be a different matter. But I think the idea should be to create an environment that is welcoming to all, and giving your house a dick just isnt that. Dont fight with your husband, just reject this idea and remove it from your door. Find a space in the house where he can hang it and propose that. Compromise in a way that doesnt force people to simulate a hand job when they come over.

Send Us Your Questions About the Workplace!

The columnists behind our advice column, Good Job, want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here!

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Dear How to Do It,

Since I first became sexually active (at 20-ish, over 15 years ago), Ive had a lot of difficulty orgasming with a partner, or at least it has taken a long time to get off. It is darkly funny to me that most articles discussing delayed ejaculation use phrases like quite rare or uncommon in young men. In the early days, I think that social anxiety and being easily distracted (I have severe ADHD) was a big part of this, since I would become very fixated on, and anxious about, doing whatever I perceived my partner to want, and that would interfere with getting off on my own.

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But I have never had trouble masturbating to orgasm in a reasonable amount of time (less than 20 min), and I have gotten better at getting off in partnered sex (at ages 20-25, I had a 0 percent ejaculation rate, and now at 36 its more like 75 percent of my sexual encounters involve ejaculation). Aside from a few rare circumstances (when trying out new psychiatric medications, or quite drunk) Ive never had trouble maintaining an erection; its only an issue with getting off while having a boner.

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With age and medication, I dont think that either anxiety or distraction is as much of an effect as it was. I have trouble refraining from masturbation for too long (I am very horny always), but I dont actually feel that I can do myself much better than my partners can. (Though maybe I have a specific technique that I just have trouble conveying in the moment?) I frankly dont have a good explanation for my delayed ejaculation beyond, This is how Im wired. Ive changed up the way and frequency with which I masturbate to no real effect. I dont take any SSRIs or other medications associated with negative sexual side effects. My current ADHD medication actually makes it a bit easier to get off, but its not a huge effect.

Anyway, after all this background, I wanted to ask:

1) Did I miss something here? I genuinely dont know what else I could ask for that might be a straightforward way to orgasm with a partner in the same way as I can with myself alone.

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2) Is there a good diplomatic way to tell someone Im newly hooking up with that I might be slow to get off, or might not manage it at all?

Long-Fused

Dear Long-Fused,

Look at the upside: Delayed orgasm is notoriously hard to treat, and youve figured out a way to shrink your hang time. Going from zero partnered ejaculation to having it happen 75 percent of the time is a win. I understand the desire to optimize, but youd be justified in resting on your cum-soaked laurels here.

There are a few things you can try. You have trouble refraining from masturbation from too long, but abstinence is often among the first suggestions here. Try going for a personal best prior to sex? Maybe thats just tacking on a day on or two, whatever you can, and see if that moves the needle. At this point, youre trying to make incremental change, anyway. Another option: Masturbate but not to orgasm. Edge yourself during solo play and try to save the orgasms for partnered sex. It might not help but its worth a try.

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There are some drugs that have shown effectiveness in some patients for speeding things up. Bupropion, Adderall, nasal oxytocin spray, and cabergoline, among them. Regarding cabergoline, my go-to urology source Charles Welliver, director of mens health in the department of urology at Albany Medical College, told me that in his prescriptive experience, the drug has a 50 percent success rate. Youve done well without a pharmacological intervention, so this route may not be for you, but its an option.

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You might also want to interrogate how performance anxiety is impacting your DO. Going into things knowing that you last longer than you consider ideal may be keeping you in your head. You may consider integrating mindfulness or even tantra. Tantra can be really useful because in many practices, the goal isnt necessarily to orgasm, but to build sensation and connection along the way. Taking the pressure off completely with something thats still hot and intimate might help with performance anxiety. If you need a place to start, read Barbara Carrellas Urban Tantra.

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As to how you should inform partners of this, I think you could make it a positive and say that you have a lot of stamina and that you value the journey more than the destination. Delayed orgasm is a frustrating issue, of course, but there are people who will like that you can go a while (and Im sure there are guys who experience premature ejaculation that would do anything to trade places with you). I dont think you need to let people know ahead of time that you may not orgasm. That goes without saying for any encounter. We hope or even assume that we will come (as well as our partners) but its hardly a given. I would address this only in the event that youve gone for a while and its clear that you wont be busting. This sometimes happensno big deal, I had fun all the same, is all the explanation youll need to give.

Rich

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I have a big penis. Its easily eight inches long by 6.5 inches around. Dont talk to me about foreplayI get it. Im in my 40s and love licking and fingers and flirting. But no matter how aroused my new partner is, there are only a few occasions a month where she feels able to take all of me, which is becoming a problem. As sex is rationed, I use more porn, which I dont like. Am I just unlucky? Or is there something else I can do? I feel like the unluckiest lucky guy in the world.
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Im not a jewelry person at all, but my grandma was, and we were close. So, about 10 years ago, when she asked if I wanted something from her giveaway pile of bracelets and necklaces, I took a look, just to see if I could find something of hers that I liked. And I did: a black-and-purple Timex Ironman watch. My inherited treasure was a piece of plastic.

The Timex Ironman is a digital wristwatch popularized in the 1980s. A collaboration between the watch manufacturing company and the sporting event, it was created specifically for triathletes. Accordingly, it has a stopwatch and is water-resistant up to a certain depth, unlike more delicate and perhaps technically nicer-looking analog watches. Grandma wasnt an Ironman athlete; you didnt have to be to wear one. Bill Clinton wore one during his time as president, as the Washington Post observed in 1993, calling it a beeping monstrosity (though, the paper conceded, it was a technological marvel). I knew none of this when I picked it up. I just figured that a watch was a good thing to wear.

And boy did I wear it. Looking back at pictures from 2015 to 2020, its on my wrist in almost every photo. It was especially handy when I was working at a summer camp and had limited access to electronics. (No phones allowed when youre herding 9-year-olds!) It really is a quintessential camp counselor watch: durable, and complemented nicely by friendship bracelets. But I also wore it a ton of places that werent camp: school, vacation (I would always come back with a gnarly watch tan), and even my cousins wedding,

When the watch strap broke, I decided to just buy the same watch (color scheme and all) on Amazon for about $50. And this past summer, when that watchs battery died, I taught myself how to install a new oneso I will be wearing a version of Grandmas old Timex for the foreseeable future.

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Related From Slate I Quit My iPhone Two Years Ago. It Completely Changed My Life. Read More

I could lie and say I wear it to commemorate my grandmother, who passed away in 2023. And while theres definitely some sentimentality involved, its mostly that Im stubborn. I dont see the point of getting rid of something for aesthetics, especially when it does exactly what I need it to do.

Why wear a watch at all, at this point? I obviously have a phone. But Im addicted enough to my technology as it is. I work remotely, and Im looking at my computer for many, many hours every day. My phone screen time isnt as bad as it used to bedeleting TikTok was a great idea!but I still do spend an inordinate amount of time texting and scrolling. The thing I like most about my watch is that I can check the time without consulting my various devices. Novel use, I know. Now that Ive picked up running, a Garmin or an Apple Watch could be extremely useful for tracking my runsbut Strava on my phone does the trick for me, even if it means holding it awkwardly as I sprint. And when I wake up in the middle of the night, I dont have to turn on my phone and potentially subject myself to a blast of sleep-disrupting light. I can just push a button on my watch, and it subtly glows, displaying the time. Isnt that all you really need a watch for anyway?

My guy friends are constantly making fun of me for my commitment to such an ugly accessory. When I was dating, they couldnt believe I would show up to meet someone for the first time with that thing on my wrist. The watch became a litmus test of sorts: A guy was classified as a potential keeper if he didnt mind the watch. After all, the watch and I come as a package deal; anyone I would date would have to at least tolerate it. I have a boyfriend now, and he says the watch is beautiful.
Hokkaido Jiel prevailed in a thrilling finish to the 2026 Prix d'Amerique on Sunday, Jan. 25 at Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes in France.

Trained by Jean Luc Dersoir with Franck Nivard catch-driving, Hokkaido Jiel pulled off a 37-1 upset in a muddy 105th edition of the Group 1 stakes event with Josh Power (Sebastien Ernault) settling for second while the Muscle Hill son Epic Kronos (Paul Philippe Ploquin) edged out Frank Gio (Matthieu Abrivard) and Harmony du Rabutin (David Bekaert) for third.

After multiple early lead changes in the 2,700m race, Elitloppet champion Go On Boy and Prix de Bretagne winner Josh Power emerged at the head of the 18-horse field of top European trotters with about 1,000 metres to go and the half brothers duelled into the stretch.

As they raced in front of the grandstand, Go On Boy broke stride in his fourth Prix d'Amerique attempt while a ground-saving Hokkaido Jiel, who was seventh in the early going and shuffled to 11th at one point between foes, rallied inside of Josh Power to defeat that rival and the outside closers.

Owned and bred by Ecurie Luck, the nine-year-old millionaire son of Brillantissime-Victory Jiel, who was a runner-up in the 2024 Prix d'Amerique, has now won 12 of his 74 career starts.

Dersoir celebrated his first Prix d'Amerique victory while Nivard claimed his sixth title. Nivard's first victory in the race was in 2009 with Meaulnes du Corta and he last won it back-to-back years in 2016 and 2017 with Bold Eagle after winning consecutive editions in 2011 and 2012 with that champion's sire Ready Cash.

The race offered a purse of 1,000,000 ($1,620,250 CAD).

To view the race results chart and replay, click here.

(Standardbred Canada)
There is something profoundly disturbing about white Zimbabwean farmers appealing to a foreign power to intervene in Zimbabwes internal affairs. Whatever ones views on land reform, governance or compensation, inviting an external government to pressure or interfere in a sovereign state is not advocacy. It is treasonous.

That this appeal is being directed at Donald Trump makes it even more grotesque.

Let me be clear. I despise ZANU PF. I believe it has ruined Zimbabwe economically, institutionally and morally. But our problems are ours to confront and resolve. Outsourcing domestic disputes to foreign governments is not resistance; it is regression.

The white farming lobbys behaviour exposes something deeper than a concern for land or compensation. It reveals a lingering colonial mindset that still views Zimbabwe as a territory to be negotiated over by white power brokers, rather than a country governed by its own people, however flawed that governance may be.

These are not neutral actors seeking justice. They are individuals still trapped in a Rhodesian fantasy of entitlement, appealing to a fellow white supremacist figure in the hope that racial solidarity will succeed where democratic legitimacy failed.

If this were truly about land, alternatives exist. The United States has vast tracts of agricultural land, with entire farms abandoned or underutilised. No one is stopping them from farming there. Yet that option holds no appeal. Why?

Because what they mourn is not soil. It is power.

Zimbabwe, under ZANU PF, offers something the US does not: cheap, exploitable black labour, weak employment protections, minimal enforcement of workers rights and an informal economy that benefits those with capital and connections. That is the real loss being grieved, not hectares.

The hypocrisy is staggering. These same voices often lecture Zimbabweans about sovereignty, investment confidence and rule of law, yet have no issue begging a foreign politician to strong-arm a post-colonial state on their behalf. One cannot claim patriotism while lobbying for external coercion.

Trump, of course, is a fitting choice. A disgraced president with a track record of racial grievance politics, nostalgia for empire and contempt for African agency. The alignment is not accidental. It is ideological.

Zimbabwes land question is complex, painful and unresolved. Compensation, where legitimate, should be handled transparently and lawfully. But it must be resolved by Zimbabweans, through Zimbabwean institutions, under Zimbabwean authority. Anything else reopens colonial wounds rather than healing them.

If these actors truly cared about Zimbabwe, they would engage locally, honestly and without racial entitlement. Instead, they have chosen to internationalise grievance and invite interference, confirming what many have long suspected.

This was never just about land.

It was about losing a country they once believed belonged to them.
There are few places left in Italy that can really be described as under the radar, but the region of Calabria in the toe of the Italian boot remains a hidden gem. Filled with dreamy coastal towns and Mediterranean beaches, this corner of southern Italy is simple, rustic, and laid-back, operating at a slower pace and with a gloriously relaxed atmosphere. Its authentic cuisine makes it a foodie heaven, and it is one of the best places in Italy for a crowd-free getaway. Calabria and the neighboring region of Basilicata are also home to , which covers of extraordinary mountain wilderness filled with pine forests, alpine meadows, thundering waterfalls, and some of the best hiking trails in the country.

Pollino National Park , straddling Calabria and Basilicata. It is a remote spot that is not well served by transport infrastructure, so arriving can be a challenge. The closest airport is Lamezia Terme, , with and airports both a bit more than a two-hour drive. While exploring without a car is difficult, it is not impossible; there is a to Pollino National Park from cities in Calabria and Basilicata, the latter being home to the intriguing city of Matera, where you can learn more about Italy's history by visiting the city's ancient cave dwellings.

Read more: Dangerous European Destinations To Skip On Your Next Trip

Pollino National Park's glorious nature

Loricato pine trees in Pollino National Park - Roberto Rulli/Shutterstock

Defined by , the national park is a glorious, majestic landscape. From sheer cliffs and jagged peaks to plunging waterfalls and wild river torrents, it is an untamed, reckless countryside filled with fascinating wildlife and some picturesque greenery. The iconic symbol of the park is the , a rare species thanks to its rugged, resistant nature that allows it to thrive at altitudes that other trees cannot tolerate. Pollino is also the home of , a Heidrich's Pine estimated to be over 1,230 years old, making it the oldest tree in Europe. Exploring the park brings visitors face-to-face with , hardly surprising for one of the most important areas for biodiversity in southern Italy. Wild boar and roe deer graze on Mount Orsomarso, while wildcats, otters, and even a few wolves roam under the cover of the forest canopy. Golden eagles, red kites, and peregrine falcons soar above the clouds, while eagle owls and a wide variety of bats bring the night to life.

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The best way to get to grips with Pollino's fantastic array of flora and fauna is to head out on foot, trekking along some of . The park's official website has some excellent recommendations, with highlights in the shape of and the excellent from Colle dell'Impiso to Piano Gaudolino. For a more thrilling experience of Pollino's landscapes, consider a of one of the park's many deep gorges, which you will traverse by jumping, sliding, and swimming. You might not do much forest bathing on this adventure, but you'll surely be sprayed by a few waterfalls.

Sanctuaries, shrines, and beautiful villages

View of the village of Civita, District of Cosenza, the Pollino National Park - RudiErnst/Shutterstock

Alongside all the marvelous attractions of the great outdoors in Pollino, there is a wealth of cultural beauty and fascinating history to discover in the surrounding area. This part of Italy is one of the epicenters of and boasts communities with deep Albanian roots. The ancestors of people living in these communities came over from Albania over 500 years ago, and their traditions are still very much alive. , on the Calabrian side of the park, has to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy that you've likely never heard of, and it's well worth exploring. Its charming offers a chance to dive into the rich history and culture of the Albanian community in Italy, while the stunning church, the , is decorated with Byzantine mosaics and paintings.

For such a wild, remote place, there are a surprising number of gorgeous places of worship. On the other side of the park from Civita, offers an oasis of peace and mindful tranquility, and the attached Pilgrim's House is an ideal spot for travelers looking for a spiritual retreat. Another similar spot is the , a breathtakingly beautiful spot on the slopes of Mount Sellaro, just outside the town of Cerchiara di Calabria. Worshippers have made pilgrimages here for hundreds of years to visit the site of a miraculous apparition, as well as explore the caverns and admire the adjoining Ducal Palace.

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Milwaukee may be a busy, bustling hub, but there are plenty of ways to escape the big city without straying too far. Tucked along the outskirts of Wisconsin's largest city is one such escape, where small-town charm can be found in droves. Chenequa is a village 30 miles west of Milwaukee, nestled in Wisconsin's Lake Country. The village surrounds the 703-acre Pine Lake, and includes parts of Beaver Lake to the east and North Lake to the north. Not only is this charming village surrounded by natural beauty, but it is also the state's wealthiest suburb, according to Forbes.

With a population of about 817 residents, this charming village maintains a small-town, rural feel despite its close proximity to the lively Milwaukee. Chenequa is easily accessible from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, which is about 35 miles away, where you can rent a car for a short drive to the town. As for lodging, there are plenty of cost-efficient options nearby, such as the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in the nearby Delafield, a city with award-winning food. For a more upscale stay, try Mon Bijou, a boutique hotel in a historic circa-1879 mansion about 10 miles away in Oconomowoc.

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Read more: These Are America's Wealthiest Suburbs In 2025, According To Research

Immerse yourself in Chenequa's small-town charm

A picnic table near a lake in Waukesha County, Wisconsin - Jen Tepp/Getty Images

Nestled in Waukesha County, Chenequa's small-town charm makes it an attractive option for retirees and families. Incorporated in 1928, this is a family-friendly community with excellent public schools and low crime rates, according to Niche, making it a great place to consider setting down roots. Many of the businesses in and near Chenequa are locally owned, such as Stone Bank Farm Market, a year-round market that often hosts events to bring the local community together. There are plenty of local shops in the nearby Hartland, a lovely village with tasty eateries, such as Kalon Boutique, a trendy women's clothing store noted for its kind and helpful staff on Yelp.

Chenequa's small-town charm is maintained by zoning laws requiring large minimum lot sizes, allowing the area to retain a spacious, rural atmosphere. Since 1985, the community has been named a "Tree City USA" each year, and it's one of the smallest destinations to achieve this recognition. While Chenequa itself is mainly residential, it acts as a great access point to areas like Nashotah Park, a scenic 444-acre park filled with diverse wildlife and nature trails. The park's unique landscape is due to a glacial advance over 10,000 years ago, which created features such as a lake and a cedar glade, providing fishing and hiking opportunities for visitors.

Explore Wisconsin's Lake Country

Sun shining over a still lake in Waukesha's Lake Country, Wisconsin - Jen Tepp/Getty Images

Chenequa sits in the heart of Lake Country, a scenic region of northwestern Waukesha County known for its numerous lakes. The village of Chenequa surrounds Pine Lake, with affluent properties and rare white pine trees lining its shores. In fact, the village is named after the Native Potawatomi word for pine, "Chenequa", due to the prevalence of those white pines. Noted for its water clarity, Pine Lake offers excellent swimming and fishing, with fish species such as northern pike, walleye, and bass. It also has a public boat landing for easy water access.

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Beaver Lake, to the east, is a 313-acre lake near the village that provides even more fishing opportunities, though its access is restricted for non-residents. North Lake is the northernmost lake near Chenequa, sitting between the village and the nearby town of Merton. Spanning approximately 437 acres, this quiet, private lake has no public boat access, giving residents a special lake for their communities. Regardless of the lake you choose to visit, you'll be met with stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere.

Though Chenequa has three lakes in close proximity, there is still much to explore in Lake Country. With over 20 lakes in Waukesha County's Lake Country, Chenequa makes for a great access point to everything that this picturesque region has to offer. Just about 15 minutes away is Pewaukee, a timeless suburb with a lively downtown. That's where you'll find Pewaukee Lake, a 2,437-acre lake and the largest in Waukesha's Lake Country.

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no rubber stamp: Independent Senator Francis Lewis during his contribution to yesterdays debate in the Upper House.

Photo: Parliament
As a businessman and a father, I left the recent launch of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerces Success Leaves Clues series with a deep sense of appreciationnot only for the quality of the discussion, but for what the initiative represents.

The inaugural fireside conversation, featuring Senator the Honourable Satyakama Kama Maharaj, Minister of Trade and Industry, reminded us that real business wisdom is not learned from theory alone. It comes from experiencefrom success, failure, resilience, and hard decisions made over decades.
Its simple to accidentally become entranced by an endless loop of videos on Instagram or TikTok. But sometimes, that mindless scroll is interrupted by a reminder that what you thought was a 10-minute break spent on your phone was closer to 30 minutes.

Olivia Yokubonis, armed with a kind voice and scientific research, often pops up in feeds on social platforms, gently reminding viewers that they might not remember the video they saw two videos before she appeared on the screen.

Yokubonis is a content creator who goes by the name Olivia Unplugged online, making videos to combat overuse or mindless use of social media. For the most part, people who view her videos welcome the disruption from the endless loop of content, treating it as a wake-up call to get off their phones. Other times, they are snarky.

People will comment and theyll be like, Oh, (its) ironic that youre posting. And Im like, Where else am I supposed to find you, Kyle? Outside? Youre not outside. You are here, sitting here, she said. For us to actually be seen, we have to be where people are.

Yokubonis content responds to the feeling many people have, that they spend too much time on social media or apps.

Most people have no clue how much time they spend on social media, said Ofir Turel, a professor of information systems management at the University of Melbourne who has been studying social media use for years. Through his research, Turel found that when he presented people with their screen time information, they were practically in a state of shock and many people voluntarily reduced their usage afterward.

Yokubonis is part of a growing group of content creators who make videos encouraging viewers to close out the app theyre on. Some are aggressive in their approach, some more tame; some only occasionally post about social media overuse, and some, like Yokubonis, devote their accounts to it.

She works for Opal, a screen time app designed to help users reclaim their focus, she said, but those who engage with her content might not have any idea she is working for the company. Brand logos, constant plugs to download the app and other signs of branding are almost entirely absent from her page. People love hearing from people, she said. Millions of views on her videos point to that being true.

Its a fine line and a balance of finding a way to be able to cut through that noise but also not adding to the noise, she added.

The terrifying ways that social media is altering teenage brains "Social media is the perfect recipe for kids to become addicted to their smartphones."

Ian A. Anderson, a postdoctoral scholar at California Institute of Technology, said he finds this kind of content interesting, but is curious whether it's disruptive enough to prompt action. He also said he wonders whether those with the strongest scrolling habits are thoughtless about the way (they're) intaking information.

If they're paying full attention, I feel like it could be an effective disruption, but I also think there is a degree to which, if you are really a habitual scroller, maybe you arent fully engaging with it, he said. I can think of all sorts of different variables that could change the effectiveness, but it does sound like an interesting way to intervene from the inside.

With billions of active users across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other social media platforms, talk of cutting down on screen time is perennial, as is the idea of addiction to social platforms. But theres tremendous disagreement over whether social media addiction actually exists.

Researchers, psychologists and other experts agree some people spend too much time on social media, but the agreement tends to stop there. Some researchers question whether addiction is the appropriate term to describe heavy use of social media, arguing that a person must be experiencing identifiable symptoms, like strong, sometimes uncontrollable urges and withdrawal, to qualify as addiction. Others, like Turel, acknowledge the term seems to resonate with more people and is often used colloquially.

Anderson said he recognized the prevalence of casual mentions of being addicted to phones and was curious to see if that talk was benign.

A recent study of his suggests the debate extends further than academic discourse. In a representative sample of active Instagram users, Anderson found that people often overestimate whether they are addicted to the app. On a self-report scale, 18% of participants agreed that they were at least somewhat addicted to Instagram and 5% indicated substantial agreement, but only 2% of participants were deemed at risk of addiction based on their symptoms. Believing you are addicted also impacts how you address that issue, Anderson said.

If you perceive yourself as more addicted, it actually hurts your ability to control your use or your perception of that ability and makes you kind of blame yourself more for overuse, Anderson said. There are these negative consequences to addiction perception.

For those looking to curb their social media habits, Anderson suggests making small, meaningful, changes to stop from opening your social media app of choice. Moving the apps place on your phone or turning off notifications are light touch interventions, but more involved options, like not bringing your phone into the bedroom  or other places where you often use it  could also help.

Plenty of intervention methods have been offered to consumers in the form of products or services. But those interventions require self awareness and a desire to cut down on use. Content creators who infiltrate social media feeds with information about the psychology behind why people scroll for hours a day can plant those early seeds.

Cat Goetze, who goes by CatGPT online, makes non-pretentious, non-patronizing content about artificial intelligence, building off her experience in the tech industry. But shes also been on a lengthy road to cut down her own screen time. She often makes videos about why the platforms are so compelling and why we tend to spend longer than we anticipate on them.

Theres a whole infrastructure  theres an army of nerds whose only job is to get you to increase your time spent on that platform, she said. Theres a whole machine thats trying to get you to be that way and its not your fault and youre not going to win this just (through) willpower.

Goetze founded the business Physical Phones, which makes Bluetooth landline phones that connect to smartphones, encouraging people to spend less time on their devices. The inside of the packaging reads offline is the new luxury.

Teens rate social media as most authentic media form: UCLA study Teens rate social media as most authentic media form: UCLA study
January 22, 2026: Iran developed its delta-wing 200 kg propeller driven Shahed 136 drone a decade ago and it was first used by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen during 2019. After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Iran provided Russia with Shahed 136s. By the end of 2022 Iran agreed to assist Russia in building a factory in Russia that would produce a Russian version of the Shahed 136 called Geran. Until late 2024, when the Geran factory in Russia was operational, Iran manufactured the Geran and received help from Russia in upgrading the Shaheed drones. Since 2022, Russia has used about 50,000 Shaheds and Gerans against Ukraine. During 2025 that meant Ukraine had to deal with five to six thousand Gerans a month. Ukrainian interception methods were quite effective, and only about ten percent of the drones reached their targets. Each of these drones costs Russia about $20,000.

Russia is now producing over 5,000 Gerans a month. These 200 kg drones travel at a speed of 180 kilometers an hour at an altitude of about 100 meters. They carry a 50 kg warhead. GPS navigation is jammable when close to the target while the unjammable, but less accurate INS backup is not affected.

Russia has continually upgraded its Gerans with improved electronics. That means guidance systems that are resistant to jamming and use more effective and flexible guidance systems. The first Gerans only had inertial guidance systems and a CRPA/Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna. This arrangement soon failed as the Ukrainians used more powerful jamming and misdirection/spoofing techniques. To deal with this, in early 2025 improved CRPAs and a video camera were added to keep the Gerans effective. After that Ukrainian SIMs were added so the Gerans could use cell phone signals for navigation. At this point Gerans were able to communicate with each other and operate in preplanned clusters and cooperate with each other in a mesh network to limit the impact of Ukrainian jamming and other electronic warfare techniques. That soon led to use of Chinese MESH communication systems that enabled Russian ground based operators to control groups of Gerans. The operators could change targets or have the Gerans fly higher or lower to deal with Ukrainian countermeasures. A more recent addition was an infrared/night vision camera that was supplied with images of targets to improve accuracy as the Gerans came within visual range of a target.

By 2025 there was a larger variety of warheads available including thermobaric/fuel-air explosive, incendiary-fragmentation, high-explosive, high-explosive airburst, and submunitions. In 2024 a 90kg warhead was introduced that combined a penetrator-shaped charge with a layer of steel balls to pierce fortified infrastructure and inflict maximum casualties.

The most recent Geran-3 is a jet powered model that weighs 370 kg with a top speed of nearly 600 kilometers an hour. This is three times faster than the prop driven models and much more difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to deal with. Ukraine soon came up with a $3,000 interceptor drone called Wild Hornets Sting. Russia will probably respond with rear-facing video cameras on the Germans to alert operators to the presence of Ukrainian interceptors. The Gerans can take evasive maneuvers to avoid getting shot down. The Russians also experimented with a Geran equipped with a heat-seeking air-to-air missile.

Early in the war most of the Gerans were detected and destroyed by a clever Ukrainian air defense system created by two Ukrainian engineers. Called Sky Fortress, it consisted of nearly 10,000 cell phones mounted on two-meter poles with their microphones activated to detect the unique sounds of propeller-driven Gerans flying nearby. All this data goes to a command post where operators can triangulate on, locate and track the incoming drones and direct groups of gun trucks, equipped with multiple machine-guns and lots of ammunition, to positions the drones will pass over. The gun trucks have managed to destroy most of the drones they encountered. Ukraine built several hundred of these gun trucks and deployed them quickly via roads or cross country to carry out the interception. This system costs less than a single Patriot air defense missile. This drone defense system is operated by thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, and its simplicity, effectiveness and low cost has led NATO countries to request more details from the Ukrainians, including visits to NATO countries to further explain the system. Russia responded by having their Gerans fly higher, beyond the range of the machine-guns. Ukraine went on to develop new countermeasures.

Year by year Russia and Ukraine develop new offensive weapons to use against each other. Ukrainian air strikes use larger drones at targets deep inside Russia.

Like most western militaries, Russia has become dependent on the use of missiles and drones instead of artillery and airstrikes. Ukraine reports that, from late 2022 through late 2024, Russia used 4,800 missiles and nearly 150,000 attack drones. The missiles are expensive, most costing one or two million dollars each, while some of the drones cost $20,000. More recent battlefield drone designs cost only a few hundred dollars each. It was thought that the inexpensive drones would replace the use of 155mm artillery. The range and cost of artillery shells vary from $3,000 to $100,000 depending on version and purpose. The basic 155mm shell weighs 43 kg and contains about seven kg of explosives. The standard Russian equivalent is the 152mm shell.

The only Russian sources of weapons and munitions have been Iran and North Korea, which has a feeble economy with a GDP of only $30 billion and has long been subject to economic sanctions. Iran is also sanctioned but has oil to export and a GDP of over $400 billion. Russia has over fifty firms manufacturing over two dozen types of drones. These include three dozen different models, most of them with a range of 40 kilometers while about a dozen have ranges of 100 to 2,000 kilometers.

Russia is building a drone manufacturing infrastructure. By 2026 330,000 people will be involved in the development, production, and operation of drones by 2026. By 2035 1.5 million people may be involved in drone design, development and production.
The decades-long effort to restore wolves to the wilds of Arizona and New Mexico could come to an abrupt halt under federal legislation sponsored by Rep. Paul Gosar.

On Thursday, the House Committee on Natural Resources advanced Gosars Enhancing Safety for Animals Act, which would remove the Mexican gray wolf from the endangered species list, despite population numbers still well below the recovery threshold set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Arizona Republican introduced the measure in June and argued for its passage during Thursdays hearing of the GOP-led committee. Gosar said its ranchers and their livestock that need protection, not wolves.

In plain terms, the species is no longer on the brink of extinction, he told his fellow committee members. The people of Arizona and New Mexico have done their part. The wolf has been recovered. Its time for Washington to do its part and admit that reality.

The Mexican subspecies of gray wolf was listed as endangered in 1976, after a century-long, government-sponsored, predator-eradication campaign that all but wiped it out in the southwestern United States.

In 1998, wildlife managers began releasing captive-bred wolves across eastern Arizona and western New Mexico, as part of a cooperative reintroduction effort among nine federal, state and tribal agencies.

There are now at least 286 wolves roaming the two states in about 60 distinct packs, according to estimates released last March after the ninth straight year of population growth.

Another 350 animals currently live in captivity at facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico as part of a binational breeding program designed to save the gray wolf subspecies.

To qualify for delisting under the current Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plan, the wild population of Mexican wolves must average at least 320 in the U.S. and 200 in Mexico over an eight-year span, while maintaining benchmark levels of genetic diversity. According to the agencys own estimates, it could take up to 35 years and cost more than $200 million to reach those recovery goals.

Gosar accused federal wildlife officials of moving the goalposts for delisting and relying too heavily on a faltering wolf recovery program in Mexico that is largely out of their control. U.S. landowners should not be held hostage to decisions made outside of their borders, he said.

His bill passed out of committee with overwhelming support from Republicans and over the objections of Democrats.

Rep. Adelita Grijalva called the Mexican wolf reintroduction program a conservation success story in progress, not yet complete.

We cannot legislate a recovery into existence when the biological reality does not support it, said the Tucson Democrat, now serving on the committee her father, Raul Grijalva, once chaired.

Rep. Jared Huffman of California, the ranking Democrat on Natural Resources, added that the protection of endangered species should be left up to science and the expertise of wildlife managers, not decided by partisans in Congress.

Im not here to say I oppose delisting, but I certainly oppose political delisting, Huffman said. Follow the recovery plan. Let the Fish and Wildlife Service do its job.

To that end, Grijalva tried to head off Gosars bill with an amendment that would have replaced the delisting language with a directive to review and improve the federal programs that compensate ranchers for wolf attacks on livestock. If the system is broken, lets fix the system, not create a workaround, she said.

Republicans on the committee struck down the amendment in a strict party-line vote during Thursday's hearing.

Conservationists are blasting the push to strip protections for the Mexican wolf before recovery goals are met.

Stephanie Kurose, deputy director of government affairs for the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity, accused Gosar and his fellow Republicans on the committee of rubber-stamping extinction for one of Americas most iconic animals.

Greta Anderson, the Tucson-based deputy director of Western Watersheds Project, called it political theater aimed at undermining the Endangered Species Act as a whole.

This is the wishlist of the cattle industry, and Gosar just slapped it into the bill, Anderson said. Its like red meat for his base.

She added that the move comes amid a flurry of bills in the Arizona Legislature aimed at limiting future wolf releases in the state and allowing wolves to be killed in defense of property or hunted for sport. Such laws, if passed, are likely to run afoul of federal statutes governing Mexican wolves, leading to costly litigation the state is likely to lose, Anderson said.

She does agree with Gosar about one thing: While she supports wolf conservation in Mexico, she doesnt think the recovery goals in the U.S. should be tied so closely to what happens south of the border.

Unlike the eight-term congressman, though, Anderson wants to see more wolves introduced over a wider swath of the American Southwest.
Switzerland

Apparently Trump told a gathering in Switzerland that "If they had not had the United States to protect them during WWII, they would all now be speaking German." The predominant language in Switzerland is German. Do you ever wonder, as I do, whether Trump ever feels the need to check things out before talking about them? I know, I know, he is so brilliant with his magnificent IQ that he knows all. Unfortunately, he believes that, but it isn't true. His mind is warped, and his intellect is sorely lacking. This man belongs in a care home, with the shades drawn, where he can be tended to and allowed to decline into oblivion.

Philip Reinecker

East side

Peace officers

As the violence becomes worse and worse on our American streets, two thoughts come to me:

1. Whether ICE or in Police Depts., I think they should be called peace officers. A simple name change can act as a reminder to start with respect; for the uniform, for the person, for our country.

2. Our sons shouldn't be killing our sons. If so many want to fight, there are lots of places around the world needing our help.

Maybe Aretha was right! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Linda Rothchild

Midtown

Arizona shouldnt ban cell-cultured protein

This is in response to Arizona anti lab-meat bill has teeth by Howard Fischer (Jan. 20).

I work in food system sustainability and was raised in Tucson. I was alarmed by Rep. Lupe Diazs anti-innovation proposal to ban the sale of cell-cultured protein in Arizona, with penalties of up to 18 months in prison.

According to public campaign finance disclosures, Rep. Diaz has received contributions from corporate animal agriculture interests. On Jan. 13, he also introduced a bill to expand the market for Arizona-produced beef, a major driver of agricultural water use in Arizona. By contrast, studies estimate that cell-cultured protein could require up to 96% less water per kilogram than conventional beef.

The effect of these misguided policies would be to limit competition and block Arizona from participating in a rapidly growing, innovative industry. At a time of historic drought, Arizona cannot afford to ban water-saving technologies.

We should encourage solutions, not criminalize them.

New Roots Institute,

Becca Rogers

Foothills

ICE prosecution

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover provided a guest opinion regarding the communitys response to ICE raids. She rebuked a long-time local columnist, stating, He is implying we should meet recklessness with more recklessness, and I wanted to scream from the rooftops against that.

In supporting blanket resistance, I believe Tim Steller is stating that we, the people, cannot possibly be informed regarding which officers are doing long-term warranted investigations and which ones are breaking the law.

What we want from our county attorney and local law enforcement is a commitment that if ICE gets out of line, their officers will be arrested, jailed and prosecuted. We will continue to observe and document to support you, but we need you to do your job.

Thanks for praying for community safety, but action to protect our constitutional rights will go far in keeping us cool, calm and collected.

Hannah Glasston

Midtown

Cringeworthy

Searching for an appropriate word to describe Trump's incoherent rambling at the recent World Economic Summit, I settled on "cringeworthy". Something beyond "embarrassing" is in order. What did summit attendees think, listening to Trump blather on for 70 minutes, reiterating his Big Lie about the 2020 election (landslide win, won all seven swing states, blatant election fraud occurred, etc.) He denigrated Biden (worst president ever). Inherited a mess. Then, talk of how he can lower drug prices, maybe even 800% (huh?) by getting France to increase their drug prices. Then, on to totally incoherent remarks about housing prices and mortgages that made no sense. Throughout his speech, he repeatedly referred to Greenland as Iceland - not once, not twice, but over and over. I truly think he believes they are one and the same. Mix in a good dose of bragging and threatening force if the spirit moves him. The president of the U.S. showed the world his vast ignorance, stupidity and incompetence. We are the laughingstock of the world.

Deb Klumpp

Oro Valley

The art of the deal

Trump likes to tout himself as a savvy dealmaker. This is how it's done. First, you create a crisis, like threatening to invade Greenland and slapping illegal tariffs on our European allies. This, in turn, tanks the stock market. There is pushback all around, both domestically and abroad, so you announce you have a "concept of a framework of a deal" and you won't invade Greenland. Details to follow. Crisis is averted, and you pat yourself on the back for avoiding the crisis. Pravda, excuse me, Fox News, gushes over Trump's great deal-making. Meanwhile, Putin is thrilled overwatching Trump tearing apart NATO.

Mary Zimmerman

SaddleBrooke

Harrop column

I was disappointed to see that you ran the Wednesday, Jan. 21 column by Froma Harrop blaming absentee fathers for declining birth rates.

Harrop erroneously conflates unpaid child support with a lack of father involvement. Studies find that the majority of fathers who live separately from their children are actively and meaningfully involved in their lives. This is especially true as parenting culture now promotes 50/50 custody arrangements, and a dozen states have passed laws making equal parenting time the legal presumption.

Research finds that fathers want to pay child support but cannot afford to. Harrop leans on the deadbeat dad trope, while contemporary families know these men are good fathers who arelike their female co-parents  dead broke.

Moms understand what decades of social science shows: Parenting is more valuable than child support payments. Low-income single mothers increasingly choose not to file for child support, telling surveys that they do not believe payments are fair to fathers who care for and financially support their kids.

Emma Johnson

Downtown

Kennedy and flu shots

Recently, Robert Kennedy Jr. announced he was not taking flu shots anymore. His reason was that he thought his throat problem could be caused by flu shots. Since his early 40s, he has had a condition called Dysphonia, which affects his vocal cords. Medical research says that flu shots do not cause this rare disorder. However, Kennedy, in typical double-speak fashion, said he could not prove flu shots caused the disorder, but he could not rule it out either.

So he is not taking them and made sure the world knew.

One can take this logic and add a Trump spin. Many people have said that watching FOX News can lower IQ. I am skeptical of that, and there is no research to back it up. However, I cannot rule it out either. So I won't be watching FOX News because it could lower IQ.

Gary Haslett

SaddleBrooke

Open letter to Juan Ciscomani

I am writing to inform you I no longer have confidence in your leadership or your representation of our district. I have not come to this conclusion lightly. I have waited for you to make a commitment to the values and priorities you campaigned on, responsiveness, accountability, and genuine service for and to the people. Instead, I have watched as you left actions against the community by Federal Storm Troopers go unchallenged and supported the questionable actions and statements of POTUS and his regime. Elected officials earn trust through a willingness to stand up for the people they serve. I no longer see these qualities in you, and will not support you. I hope you take this message seriously, not only from one constituent but as a broader concern shared by many in our community.

Charles K. Hammond
Returning: Australian Survivor

In episode one, one castaway is looking to blow the whole game up.

Australian Survivor: Redemption premieres on 10 in late February with new host David Genat.

Teasing one castaway looking to blow the whole game up, he says, Im a firm believer that all is fair in love, war and Survivor, but this is probably the biggest betrayal weve ever seen.

The action does not stop this season. I was in awe of the ruthless gameplay. The players had something to prove, and they all wanted it. Nothing was going to get left out on the sand.

This season, four returning players, Harry, Brooke, Simon and Mark, are each hungry for their next shot at the title of Sole Survivor. But with massive targets on their backs, they will need to fight like never before to make sure the newbies on the beach dont beat them to the punch.

And with each player coming into the game with something to prove or a regret to make right, this season will be ruthless, relentless and full of redemption for one player.

Monday, February 23, at 7.30pm on 10.
LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday praised "brave" British soldiers, calling them warriors, a day after remarks he made about NATO troops in Afghanistan were described as "insulting and appalling" by Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Trump provoked widespread anger in Britain and across Europe after he said European troops had stayed off the front lines in Afghanistan.

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.

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"The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It's a bond too strong to ever be broken."

The Sun on Sunday newspaper reported that King Charles' concern over Trump's initial remarks had been relayed to the president, who last year expressed his admiration for the monarch during a state visit to Britain. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the report.

Trump had also provoked an unusually strong reaction from Starmer, who has tended to avoid direct criticism of the president in public.

The British leader's office issued a statement to say the prime minister had spoken to the president on Saturday about the issue.

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"The prime minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home," the statement said. "We must never forget their sacrifice," he said.

Veterans in Britain and elsewhere have been lining up to condemn the U.S. president's comments to Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" on Thursday in which he said that the United States had "never needed" the transatlantic alliance and accused allies of staying "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.

Among them was King Charles' younger son Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan.

"Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect," he said in a statement.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Additional reporting by William James; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Helen Popper)
When social media excitedly shared information about her gender reassignment journey, Chau Thanh Thanh Ha (birth name Chau Nguyen Tung Son, born 2003, from Nghe An) could not hide her emotions.

Having won the 1st Runner-up title in the "Elegant Student 2024" contest, making a splash with a handsome appearance and elegant style, Thanh Ha suddenly appeared with a beautiful and feminine look after a period of silence, causing curiousity among the public.

Thanh Ha said her current appearance is the result of a long journey of struggle, overcoming social prejudice to live as her true self.

Thanh Ha is the eldest child in a family with two sons. From a young age, she realized she was different, preferring pink clothes and playing with dolls.

Her childhood was spent forcing herself to live in the body she carried, playing vigorous games like other boys, enduring stigma and teasing because of her small and somewhat feminine appearance. The treatment haunted her.

At secondary school, as her feminine traits became more apparent, she was constantly subjected to school violence.

My books were drawn on by boys, writing stigmatizing words. Once after school, when I took my bike to go home, I saw the seat full of mud, with a piece of paper stuck to the frame saying 'Son be de' (Son is gay). My way home that day was full of tears, Ha recalled.

Ha carried those wounds into high school. She decided that if she could not hide her desire to be a girl, she had to be strong and face it. She brushed aside all feelings of inferiority, lived more positively, and put all her effort into studying so that her talent and achievements would become a shield to protect her.

In high school, I was a provincial-level excellent student in Literature and History, achieving the 'Student of 3 Good Traits' title of Nghe An province. After that, I passed the entrance exam for the Vietnamese Literature Education major at the Hanoi University of Education, Ha said.

In university, Ha also asserted herself with a series of impressive achievements in both studies and extracurricular activities. She graduated with a high-honor degree and always kept the dream of pursuing a career in education.

During her years in the lecture hall, Ha still shone in the appearance of a young man. She never grew long hair, wore dresses or followed a non-binary fashion style, even in secret. Ha believed that only on the day she fulfilled her wish to transition into a female would she live like a real girl.

Unlike many people who take a long time to understand themselves, I have always known what I want. Since childhood, I knew that inside I am a girl and I have cherished the dream of transitioning. That desire was so intense that I was not afraid of pain or anything else, Ha shared.

Happiness

On the journey toward her dream, the biggest barrier for Thanh Ha was her family. In her parents eyes, Ha was a well-behaved, hardworking child who always made them proud. She feared that revealing her truth would devastate them.

After a long period of hesitation, she finally gathered the courage to tell them. Her parents were not shocked. They simply told her: We gave birth to you, so we understand you better than anyone. Now that you have shared your feelings, we respect and support you.

That support strengthened Has confidence in her choice. After graduating from university, she decided to undergo gender-affirming surgery to make her dream of becoming a girl come true.

When I shared my decision to transition with my parents, I received an unexpectedly encouraging response: Living as yourself, being happy and useful, that is what makes us most proud of you, Ha said.

In October 2025, Ha underwent gender-affirming surgery using savings accumulated over four years of working part-time as a student and actively participating in artistic activities. She went through two major surgeries and one minor procedure, enduring intense pain to fulfill her dream of becoming a girl.

The day I looked at myself in the mirror with the complete appearance of a girl, I cried with happiness, Ha said with emotion.

She carefully did her makeup, wore a beautiful dress, and made a video call to show them her feminine appearance. Through the phone screen, she could clearly feel their joy and emotion at seeing that she had fulfilled her wish.

Ha Nguyen
Cuu Thu tuong Han Quoc Lee Hae Chan. Anh: Yonhap

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has closely coordinated with the Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and relevant authorities over the past few days to ensure the best possible medical support for Mr. Lee Hae Chan, the spokesperson said.

Despite these efforts, due to the severity of his illness, Mr. Lee Hae Chan has passed away, she confirmed.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other national leaders have extended their profound condolences to the government of South Korea and to the family of the late prime minister.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee Hae Chan's body will be flown back to South Korea on January 26, with the flight expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport at around 7 a.m. the following day.

He was 73 years old.

The family is currently working with the relevant authorities to arrange the repatriation and funeral proceedings.

Tran Thuong
On the occasion of Mr. To Lams re-election as General Secretary of the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, leaders from around the world sent warm congratulations, expressing admiration and continued support for Vietnams leadership and global role.

General Secretary To Lam receives Cuban President Diaz-Canel during his visit to Vietnam in September 2025. Photo: Pham Hai

Cuba: Enduring revolutionary solidarity

First Secretary of the Communist Party and President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, offered heartfelt congratulations to Mr. To Lam, wishing him continued success leading the brotherly Communist Party of Vietnam and fulfilling the goals set by the 14th Party Congress.

We value the historic achievements Vietnam has made over four decades of Doi Moi reforms, Mr. Diaz-Canel wrote. We are confident that under your wise leadership, the Party and people of Vietnam will continue progressing steadily towards a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future.

He also expressed gratitude for Mr. To Lams contributions to strengthening the special friendship between Cuba and Vietnam, pledging to deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation across all sectors.

Russia: Strategic trust and partnership

President Putin and General Secretary To Lam meet in Moscow, May 2025. Photo: RIA Novosti

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended warm congratulations, describing the re-election vote as a clear reflection of Mr. To Lams political stature and the recognition of his strategic role in shaping Vietnams rapid socioeconomic development and safeguarding national interests on the global stage.

President Putin affirmed Russias appreciation of Mr. To Lams personal efforts in deepening the VietnamRussia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and emphasized the two nations shared commitment to further cooperation across all fields - for the benefit of their peoples and for peace and stability in the AsiaPacific region.

Chairman of the United Russia Party Dmitry Medvedev echoed these sentiments, highlighting the respect and trust Mr. To Lam commands among Party members. He affirmed confidence in the General Secretarys political experience and leadership as Vietnam pursues prosperity and international prominence. Medvedev also reiterated United Russias support for broader dialogue with the Communist Party of Vietnam and continued cooperation on multilateral platforms.

Japan: Toward a new era of cooperation

Japanese Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party Takaichi Sanae congratulated the successful conclusion of the 14th Party Congress and expressed warm wishes to Mr. To Lam on his re-election as General Secretary and Politburo member.

She voiced hope that under the new leadership, the Communist Party of Vietnam will drive the country toward a new era of development - not only for Vietnam, but also contributing to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific and to global cooperation and prosperity.

Mongolia: Elevating comprehensive ties

President Khurelsukh welcomes General Secretary To Lam in Ulaanbaatar, September 2024. Photo: Minh Nhat

President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh of Mongolia extended congratulations on the success of the 14th Congress and Mr. To Lams renewed mandate as General Secretary. He pledged to closely cooperate with Mr. To Lam in advancing the MongoliaVietnam Comprehensive Partnership across all sectors, aligned with the shared aspirations of both nations.

President Khurelsukh expressed belief that under Mr. To Lams strategic vision and strong political will, Vietnam would continue its rise as a dynamic, leading nation in the region, firmly positioned on the global stage.

Belarus: Trust and global engagement

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko underscored that Mr. To Lams unanimous re-election by the Central Committee reflected the Partys and the peoples trust in his leadership and the countrys future under his guidance.

He expressed confidence that the major decisions adopted at the Congress would usher in a new phase of robust development for Vietnam and enhance its international stature on global issues.

Sergey Syrankov, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Belarus, warmly congratulated Mr. To Lam and reiterated his Partys support for the initiatives of the Communist Party of Vietnam - both within the international communist movement and in efforts to raise Vietnams development and quality of life to new heights.

Nicaragua: Shared commitment to peace and progress

President Daniel Ortega Saavedra and Vice President Rosario Murillo, on behalf of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, the Government, and the people of Nicaragua, sent sincere congratulations to Mr. To Lam and to newly elected Politburo and Secretariat members.

They expressed strong belief in the Communist Party of Vietnams ability to guide the nation toward continued peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming their commitment to deepening solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples.

Tran Thuong
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.
The head office of the Hanoi People's Committee

Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc envisions Hanoi as livable, pioneering city

With the motto discipline and professionalism  breakthrough and creativity  effectiveness and sustainability, Hanoi has demonstrated strong determination to act, fully leveraging its role as a national center and locomotive to create foundations and momentum for the countrys development in a new era.

Below is Part 2 of the interview with Hanois Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc.

At the recent fourth conference, the Hanoi City Party Committee focused on discussing the "trio" of Institutions - Planning with a 100-year vision - Development Model. Is this a methodical preparation for Hanoi to pioneer in the new era?

That is correct. For Hanoi to truly rise in the new era, along with important political tasks, the City Party Committee has reached a consensus on identifying and focusing on three strategic contents of long-term historical significance.

These include proposing a new resolution to replace Resolution No15 dated May 5, 2022, of the Politburo regarding "Directions and tasks for the development of the Capital to 2030, with a vision to 2045," amending the Law on the Capital, and building a master plan for the Capital with a 100-year vision.

This is the "three-legged stool" that creates a synchronous institutional foundation, opens new development spaces, and shapes a modern growth model, thereby creating momentum and room for the Capital's breakthrough development in the future.

The master plan with a 100-year vision not only designs urban and rural development spaces but, more importantly, shapes the stature, identity, and socio-economic structure of the Capital in the long term, placing Hanoi in close connection with the Capital Region, the country, and the world.

On that basis, the institutional regime, centered on the Politburo's Resolution and the Law on the Capital, serves as the political foundation and legal pillar to fundamentally remove bottlenecks in mechanisms and policies. They also create superior and powerful frameworks and tools to realize planning, transforming strategic orientations into specific, sustainable, and long-lasting development drivers.

On that basis, the development model is oriented toward a strong shift from growth based on resource exploitation and extensive investment to growth driven by science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and high-quality human resources as the central engine.

With the motto of breakthrough action, radiating results the city is developing scenarios to strive for double-digit growth (from 11 percent or higher in 2026) and to maintain stability over many consecutive years, with very large investment capital needs (VND730 trillion this year alone).

To achieve this, the city is accelerating digital infrastructure projects, smart urban areas, urban railway systems, and green, digital, and circular economy models, while issuing an action plan to implement Politburo Resolution 57 on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation in Hanoi in 2026. This is a systematic preparation for Hanoi not only to develop itself, but also to fully play its role as a growth engine, leading the capital region and the entire country forward in the new era.

To turn these strategic orientations into reality, how decisive is the human factor, the cadre contingent and the peoples consensus?

Any long-term planning or special mechanism, no matter how carefully crafted, will remain on paper without a cadre contingent with sufficient integrity and capability, and without the support and companionship of the people. Hanoi consistently views cadre work as the key of keys, requiring the building of a team that is firm in political stance, ideology, and ethics, while also professionally proficient, capable of innovation and creativity, and courageous enough to think, act, and take responsibility for the common good in the context of digital transformation and deep integration.

The reality of 2025 showed that there were very new and difficult tasks, with no shortage of initial anxiety or skepticism. However, when the entire City Party Committee demonstrated bravery and high political determination, the entire political system joined in, and the people trusted and contributed, Hanoi achieved results exceeding expectations.

Those figures reflect not only economic development but, more deeply, vivid evidence of the strength of great national unity and the consensus of will and action throughout society.

In 2026, the first year of implementing the 14th National Party Congress Resolution, Hanoi clearly defines its action motto: "Discipline, professionalism - breakthrough, creativity - efficiency, sustainability." This requires every level and sector to operate synchronously along "4 axes": the Party - People's Council - People's Committee - Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations. This is especially true in resolving difficult tasks, linked with task assignments under the spirit of "6 clarities, 1 guiding thread" (clear person, clear task, clear responsibility, clear progress, clear efficiency, clear controls, and consistent throughout). These are regularly monitored and counted to ensure substance and create competitive motivation.

Tran Thuong
Nearly 3 tons of bean sprouts treated with banned substances were seized in Hung Yen. Photo: CACC

On January 24, the Economic Police Division of Hung Yen Police Department confirmed that it had filed charges against two individuals for violating food safety regulations during the production of bean sprouts in Tan Thuan Commune.

Investigators discovered that from January 14 to January 18, two separate facilities - operated by Pham Thi Tham (born 1980, resident of Bach Tinh hamlet) and Pham Thi Tinh (born 1984, resident of Tra Khe hamlet) - had used the chemical 6-benzylaminopurine to stimulate bean sprout growth.

This substance is not listed among the permitted additives for food production and processing in Vietnam, but both women reportedly used it in their sprout cultivation and distributed the products to local markets.

Large-scale seizure and charges filed

At Thams facility, authorities confiscated 1,220.3 kilograms of tainted bean sprouts, valued at over 18.3 million VND (approximately 750 USD).

At Tinhs facility, 1,615.3 kilograms of sprouts were seized, worth over 24.2 million VND (about 1,000 USD).

Both individuals have been charged under Article 317, Clause 1 of Vietnams Penal Code, which pertains to violations of food safety regulations. The decisions to prosecute have been approved by the Peoples Procuracy of Hung Yens District 5.

These actions followed days of surveillance and intelligence-gathering by the provinces environmental and economic crime investigation unit, which detected signs of illegal activity at the two production sites.

The confiscated bean sprouts were found to contain the banned growth hormone, confirming suspicions that chemical substances were being used to accelerate sprouting for faster turnover.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about food safety in Vietnam, particularly the use of unapproved substances in small-scale food production.

Bao Khanh
President Putin congratulated the Communist Party of Vietnam on a well-organized and meaningful congress. He also extended his personal congratulations to the newly elected Central Committee, the Politburo, and General Secretary To Lam on earning continued trust and leadership for the new term.

The Russian leader described the Party Congress as a pivotal political event that sets the strategic direction for Vietnams future development. He emphasized its role in defining key national goals and measures to ensure rapid, sustainable progress toward Vietnams vision of becoming a high-income developed country by 2045.

President Putin highlighted Party Chief To Lams re-election as a reflection of his strong political reputation and significant contributions to formulating long-term socio-economic strategies, defending national interests, and enhancing Vietnams international standing.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the Communist Party and the people of Vietnam, General Secretary To Lam thanked President Putin for his heartfelt congratulations and attention to this important political milestone.

He acknowledged the traditional friendship and longstanding support from Russia - formerly the Soviet Union - throughout Vietnams history, especially during key national developments such as the recent congress.

Mr. To Lam noted that the 14th National Party Congress had concluded successfully, fulfilling a historic mandate. The congress reviewed the implementation of the 13th Congresss resolutions, assessed four decades of Doi Moi (renovation), and examined outcomes of national development strategies. It laid out comprehensive objectives not only for the next five years but also for Vietnams long-term direction in the new development era.

Vietnam remains firmly committed to national independence and socialism under the leadership of the Communist Party, he affirmed. The congress endorsed a new growth model centered on knowledge-based, digital, green, and circular economies, while strengthening Party-building and promoting a clean, capable political system.

The congress also emphasized foreign relations and international integration as a core, ongoing task. Vietnam will continue pursuing an independent and self-reliant foreign policy based on diversification, multilateralism, resilience, peace, friendship, cooperation, and sustainable development.

General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed that Vietnam regards Russia as one of its most trusted and important partners in Europe. He expressed a strong desire to further deepen the VietnamRussia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

President Putin underscored Russias high regard for its partnership with Vietnam, built over 75 years of enduring friendship. He affirmed that Russia remains committed to strengthening bilateral ties for the benefit of both peoples and to supporting regional stability and security in the Asia-Pacific.

President Putin also expressed appreciation for Vietnams participation in the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War victory and thanked To Lam and the Vietnamese delegation for their presence.

The two leaders agreed to maintain open and constructive dialogue based on mutual understanding, respect, and shared interests, with a focus on both traditional areas of cooperation and new, high-potential sectors.

President Putin extended an invitation for General Secretary To Lam to visit Russia at a convenient time. Mr. To Lam gladly accepted and extended a reciprocal invitation for Putin to visit Vietnam in the near future.

Tran Thuong
Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Party Secretary of Dak Lak province

As the country enters a new development phase, what significance does the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam hold for the development orientation of localities, including Dak Lak?

The 14th National Party Congress is a major political event with particularly important significance for Vietnam in the new development stage.

A very important point of the 14th Congress is to continue perfecting the strategic vision, clearly identifying major orientations, important decisions, focal goals, and main solutions to lead the country firmly into a new era of development, the era of higher and more sustainable development.

For localities, including Dak Lak, the 14th Congress not only provides strategic orientation and lays out highly action-oriented development directions for the 20262030 period with a vision to 2045, but also sets very specific requirements for improving leadership, governance, and execution capacity of Party committees and governments at all levels.

With the highest political determination, the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee clearly identifies its responsibility to promptly study, concretize, and organize the implementation of the Resolution of the 14th Congress in line with practical conditions, fully promoting local potential and advantages; taking quality, efficiency, and sustainability as the primary benchmarks, thereby creating a solid foundation for the provinces development in the coming period.

With the spirit of the 14th Congress, what major orientations need to be thoroughly grasped to create unity in awareness and action across the entire political system and the people of the province?

First is unifying the orientation on development goals, building a modern and sustainable economy aiming for Vietnam to become a developing country with modern industry and higher middle income by 2030; and become a developed, high-income country by 2045, building a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized, and happy Vietnam, step-by-step advancing toward socialism.

Another major orientation is the clear requirement set by the 14th Congress for renewing thinking, improving the quality of human resources, and creating a new, more sustainable development ecosystem, with science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the main drivers; increasing investment in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation to create new growth drivers and enhance national competitiveness.

In addition, a new growth model is to be established, adapted to major global transitions such as digital transformation, green transition, energy transition, and workforce transition; emphasizing economic development linked with environmental protection and social security. These three pillars are considered the center of development.

The Congress also affirms that culture, heritage, and national identity are the spiritual foundation and soft power of Vietnam, alongside continued improvement in quality of life, social equity, and comprehensive human development.

8 key tasks for Dak Lak

Could you please outline the key priorities the province will focus on in the coming period to both promote socio-economic development and preserve distinctive cultural values?

Based on the orientations from the draft documents of the 14th National Party Congress and the Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, Dak Lak has set the goal of building rapidly developing, sustainable, civilized, and identity-rich Dak Lak province.

The province has identified 8 core tasks, with concentration on strengthening the building of the Party and political system, perfecting and improving the operational efficiency of the two-level local government, and improving the quality of service to the people.

We aim to mobilize resources to ensure continuous growth of 10 percent or more in the 2026-2030 period by improving the investment environment and strongly attracting investors. We will accelerate the progress of key dynamic projects in the area, including high-impact projects such as Bai Goc Part, Hoa Tam IZ, Hoa Phat steel mill, and the projects in the renewable energy sector, transport projects connecting Buon Ma Thuot and Tuy Hoa, infrastructure and logistics projects, farm produce deep-processing projects, high-quality tourism projects in the eastern coastal area, as well as large-scale livestock projects.

The province will also focus on effectively implementing nine strategic resolutions of the central government, with particular emphasis on Resolution 57 on advancing science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation; Resolution 68 on developing the private economic sector; and Resolutions 70, 71, 72, and 80 in the fields of energy, education, healthcare, and culture.

Tran Thuong
Test takers sit the TOEFL iBT exam. Photo: IIG

Tran Khanh Ly, a 12th-grade student at Thach That High School in Hanoi, was among the first Vietnamese candidates to take the revamped exam. Her goal is to use the TOEFL iBT certificate to convert her English score for the national university entrance exam in 2026.

Khanh Ly described the updated version as full of surprises due to changes in its structure. However, she acknowledged that the adjustments allow for a more accurate and comprehensive measurement of academic language ability, enabling the test to better capture candidates' potential and proficiency.

"Among the four sections, I found Listening and Speaking to be the most practical. These skills are crucial for communication and can open doors to future career opportunities," she said.

Le Quynh Trang, a training expert at IIG Vietnam - the authorized provider of the TOEFL exam - explained that starting January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT structure has been updated with several key changes.

Specifically, the exam now applies an adaptive question model for the Reading and Listening sections. All candidates begin with Module 1 of equal difficulty, but Module 2 will vary in complexity depending on each candidate's performance. This adaptive approach is designed to provide a more precise evaluation of English proficiency.

Additionally, the question formats have been revised to better reflect real-world academic interactions - such as reading campus notices, writing emails, engaging in online discussions, or participating in mock interviews. These changes aim to align the test more closely with the demands of modern academic environments.

According to Trang, the most notable change lies in the scoring system. Starting in January 2026, TOEFL iBT scores will shift from the traditional 0120 scale to a simplified 16 scale. During the two-year transition period, test score reports will display both the old and new scales. Afterward, only the 16 scale will be used. This scale corresponds to the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Trang believes the new exam structure will influence how academic English is taught in the future. She emphasized that teaching academic English will need to go beyond listening, reading, writing, and presenting academic content. It must also include verbal and written communication skills that allow learners to navigate academic settings effectively.

"Therefore, students must invest more effort in building a solid foundation in academic English from the outset. With a strong base, theyll be able to maintain steady progress throughout their academic and professional journeys," Trang said.

The TOEFL iBT exam is developed by the US-based Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is designed specifically for non-native English speakers. It assesses all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing - in an academic context. In Vietnam, the exam currently costs about USD 195, with results typically released three days after testing.

Thuy Nga
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also attended the meeting, along with Politburo members including Central Office Chief Pham Gia Tuc and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

The ambassadors expressed their joy in participating in the Congress and extended congratulations to General Secretary To Lam on his re-election with unanimous support from the Central Committee. They also conveyed the optimism felt by overseas Vietnamese communities in light of the Congress's success.

The diplomats voiced strong confidence in the Party's strategic direction and the decisions approved at the Congress, believing they will lay the foundation for a new development phase and elevate Vietnams global standing.

A congress of vision and transformation

General Secretary To Lam meets with Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions abroad. Photo: VNA

Summarizing international reactions, the ambassadors said countries around the world praised the 14th Congress as one of strategic vision and practical breakthroughs. They noted its strong focus on concrete outcomes and clearly defined timelines.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the Congresss clarity of vision, actionable policies, and its strong message: placing people at the heart of development, promoting stability as a basis for growth, and fostering growth to ensure stability.

The personnel work, he added, demonstrated the Partys unity and ability to form a capable leadership team for the new era. The organization of the Congress was methodical and principled, reinforcing public trust in the nations leadership.

Vietnam's growing international reputation and the high level of international attention and congratulations received, he noted, are testaments to the countrys rising global profile.

He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accelerate the implementation of Vietnam's international commitments and swiftly roll out action plans to realize the Congress's resolutions. This includes articulating the foreign policy roadmap for a new development era.

Strategic autonomy and soft power diplomacy

Speaking at the meeting, General Secretary To Lam outlined key updates from the Congress, particularly on foreign affairs and international integration. He emphasized the strategic importance of diplomacy, noting it should go hand-in-hand with national defense and security.

He reiterated the principle of strategic autonomy and self-reliance: integration without dependence, cooperation without compromise on sovereignty, and partnership without losing sight of national interests.

Vietnams foreign policy, he said, must match its cultural legacy, historical stature, and growing influence. It should reflect the countrys renewed spirit and ambition after 40 years of reform.

General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and delegates at the meeting. Photo: VNA

He called on all ambassadors to uphold the national interest, embody integrity and responsibility, and practice innovative, results-driven diplomacy.

They are expected to follow the foreign policy direction laid out by the 14th Congress and upcoming Politburo resolutions, such as the forthcoming policy framework on implementing the Congress's diplomatic strategy.

Ambassadors as proactive architects of engagement

General Secretary To Lam urged diplomats to enhance their capacity for early risk identification and foresight, while proactively crafting policy advice rooted in deep local knowledge.

He emphasized the need to seize opportunities for practical cooperation, avoid missed chances, and strengthen Vietnams bilateral and multilateral relationships.

A high priority is placed on economic and science-technology diplomacy. He urged embassies to act as connectors - expanding markets, fostering innovation, and helping to implement Vietnams 11 strategic technologies and major development projects.

Foreign service must serve both citizens and businesses, he said, measuring success by public satisfaction and real outcomes.

A new image of Vietnam in the world

In the new era, Vietnam must project itself not just as a beneficiary of international order, but as a contributor and leader - actively engaged in solving global issues such as sustainable development, climate action, humanitarian efforts, and peacekeeping.

He reaffirmed Vietnams commitment to multilateralism, international law, and constructive global citizenship.

Ambassadors are also tasked with projecting Vietnams soft power - promoting its culture, people, and values on the global stage.

Community engagement remains vital. He urged greater efforts in uniting overseas Vietnamese communities, safeguarding their legal rights, and helping them integrate in host countries while staying connected to the homeland.

Vietnamese intellectuals, experts, and scientists abroad should be mobilized as a valuable resource for national development.

Tran Thuong
January 25, 2026: Russia has had increasing problems obtaining soldiers for the Special Operation in Ukraine. Few Russians disagreed with the decision to invade Ukraine. But since Russia itself was not invaded, as it was in 1941 when the Germans sought to conquer Russia, few Russians were willing to join and fight in Ukraine. The government has to pay increasingly large signing bonuses to obtain soldiers to replace the growing losses in Ukraine. By early 2026 1.2 million Russian soldiers had been killed, disabled or were missing in Ukraine. By 2025 few Russians were willing to take the money and fight in Ukraine.

By 2024 Russia began to recruit foreigners. They obtained 14,000 North Korean soldiers, but it wasnt enough. Cuba allowed Russia to recruit 5,000 men for the Ukraine war. Russian recruiters were sent to many nations, to recruit as many men as they could. In relatively poor nations, the money the Russians were offering was impressive. Signing bonuses of over $20,000, and monthly pay of $2,000 or more were life-changing amounts for unemployed men in Third World countries.

India is a rapidly developing nation but there is still a lot of unemployment. India is the only nation with over 1.25 billion people and Russian recruiters found that even Indian university students in Russia were willing to sign up. Sometimes the Russians speeded up the process by arresting Indians studying or working in Russia. The charges were often bogus or exaggerated. The Russians know that imprisoned foreigners were willing to take the money, join the army and be sent to Ukraine. By 2025 anyone who paid attention to what was going on in Ukraine realized that Russian troops continued to take heavy casualties. Russian recruiters took advantage of that because foreign recruits who died in Ukraine often did not get all the money they were owed (nor did many families of Russian soldiers). Russia promised to send money to dead foreign soldiers families but usually did not.

The Indian government never approved of Russia recruiting Indians for the Ukraine war and by late 2025 the Russians were allowing Indians in the Russian army to return to India. India is one of the few allies Russia has and if the Indian government wanted Indian citizens in the Russian army discharged, thats what happened. No one is sure how many Indians ended up in the Russian army. The best estimate is that over 200 Indians joined and nearly forty were killed or are missing. At least fifty Indians are still unaccounted for.
Professor Carl Thayer grants an interview to the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA)

Sydney  The documents of Vietnams 14th National Party Congress set out a clear and ambitious long-term roadmap, signalling the start of a new development era for the country, according to Emeritus Professor Carl Thayer of the Australian Defence Force Academy at the University of New South Wales.

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Australia following the conclusion of the Congress, Thayer highlighted a notable shift from policy formulation to effective implementation and the pursuit of concrete outcomes, including enhancing national stature and raising living standards.

He said the Congress was particularly significant in refining and completing strategic orientations that have been carefully prepared over time.

Despite rapid and unpredictable global changes, Vietnams development direction remains consistent, he noted, adding that the Congress once again demonstrated an orderly and stable generational transition in leadership.

Thayer praised the consolidation of the Political Report, the socio-economic report and the Party-building review report into a single, comprehensive Political Report, describing it as coherent, detailed and substantive.

While acknowledging periods of turbulence marked by the resignation and accountability of several senior officials, the scholar said these developments underscored Vietnams commitment to political stability and orderly power transition. The emergence of a younger leadership cohort, coupled with an extensive free trade agreement network, a growing role within ASEAN and ambitions to become a regional information technology hub, has reinforced international confidence in prospects of cooperation with Vietnam.

Against an increasingly complex global backdrop, Thayer cautioned that Vietnam must avoid being drawn into escalating conflicts. Being invited to participate in the Board of Peace for Gaza and the country's past service as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council reflect the rising international credibility of Vietnam and expectations for a more active role in multilateral affairs, he said.

Looking ahead to the next five to ten years, the professor identified four major priorities: advancing sustainable development and improving quality of life; ensuring energy security amid green transition and the expansion of energy-intensive sectors such as artificial intelligence and big data; completing and synchronising infrastructure systems; and developing capital markets alongside attracting high-quality human resources.

He observed that Vietnam is adopting a more confident and proactive foreign policy, gradually positioning itself as a regional middle power. To fulfil this role, the country should continue helping with strengthening ASEAN, narrowing intra-bloc development gaps, supporting members facing challenges such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Timor-Leste, and contributing to regional peace and stability.

In the Indo-Pacific, Vietnam pursues comprehensive strategic partnerships without aligning with any side, prioritising national and regional security while engaging in practical cooperation to address shared challenges. This approach, Thayer said, enables the country to maintain strategic flexibility and sustain a stable and predictable regional environment.

On the economic front, he stressed the need for Vietnam to fully leverage its network of 19 free trade agreements, including RCEP, CPTPP, the FTAs with the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union, while expanding into Middle Eastern and South American markets. Proactive and timely action by policymakers will be crucial to turning these opportunities into tangible gains.

Assessing Australia  Vietnam relations following their elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Thayer said bilateral cooperation rests on a solid foundation, with a focus on human resources development, digital transformation, climate change response and high-quality education. Emerging cooperation in minerals and energy was also highlighted as a promising area to boost value addition and enhance Vietnams economic competitiveness.
The Presidium presides over the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - International partners of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee have sent letters of congratulations to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), expressing friendship and cooperation and keen interest in this important political event. The letters also showed strong confidence that the Congress would be a great success.

In a congratulatory letter to Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the VFF Central Committee, Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, extended his warm congratulations to the VFF Central Committee on the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"Over the past year, ChinaVietnam relations have maintained a positive momentum. Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Vietnam, providing strategic orientation for advancing the building of a ChinaVietnam community with a shared future, which holds strategic significance. Exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and the VFF Central Committee have become increasingly close, the letter wrote.

Wang affirmed that under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two Parties and countries, he stands ready to work with Hoai to further deepen the traditional friendship, strengthen unity and cooperation, and contribute to advancing the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future in a more substantive and in-depth manner.

He wished the 14th National Party Congress success, and hoped that the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future will continue to achieve new accomplishments.

In a congratulatory letter to Hoai, President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune extended his warmest greetings to the 14th Party Central Committee, Party members, and officials and civil servants of the VFF, together with close-knit fraternal solidarity and friendship, on the occasion of the CPVs 14th National Congress.

On behalf of the LFNC Central Committee, we are deeply pleased and proud to note that over the past 80 years, under the wise leadership of the CPV founded by President Ho Chi Minh, and with strong patriotism, resilience, and courage, the heroic Vietnamese people have overcome immense difficulties and challenges and steadfastly pursued the path of socialism. Especially over the past 39 years of Doi moi (Renewal) process, Vietnam has maintained political stability, built a disciplined and orderly society, achieved rapid and sustainable economic growth, continuously improved the material and spiritual well-being of its people, expanded international cooperation, and steadily enhanced the position and role of the CPV and the Vietnamese State in the region and the world, the letter wrote.

Khoutphaythoune extended his best wishes for the success of the 14th National Congress of the CPV and wished the Party, the State, and the people of Vietnam, under the sound leadership of the CPV, continued achievements and even greater victories in realising the goal of building the Socialist Republic of Vietnam into a modern-oriented industrial and prosperous nation, a prosperous, strong, modern, democratic, just and civilised Vietnam.

He expressed his hope that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, the two States, and the peoples of Laos and Vietnam will remain strong, sincere, and enduring.

In a letter of the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution of Cuba (CDR) sent to Hoai, Cuban national hero Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo said: On the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the CPV, we would like to extend our warmest congratulations and revolutionary support. This Congress serves as an important forum to consolidate the principles and achievements of the people, which you rightfully represent.

Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo reaffirmed the commitment to preserving the historic ties and close friendship between the two countries, while jointly pursuing goals of social justice, sovereignty, and the development for the people. He expressed his belief that the two countries will continue to build a worthy and prosperous future for their people.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Toh, Chief Executive Director of the People's Association (PA) of Singapore, sent a letter of congratulations to Ha Thi Nga, Member of the Central Committee of the CPV, Vice President and General Secretary of the VFF Central Committee, extending his warmest congratulations to the CPV Central Committee on the occasion of the 14th National Congress.

The letter stated that the PA values its sustainable partnership with the VFF, which was nurtured under the guidance of the CPV. Over the years, the two organisations have built a cross-border relationship and friendship, contributing to strengthening mutual understanding between the two countries peoples. Exchanges activities have enriched the experience of both organisations and strengthened the foundation of SingaporeVietnam friendship.

On the occasion of this important Congress, I would like to wish the CPV success in its discussions and decision-making processes. I hope that the outcomes of the 14th National Party Congress will bring lasting prosperity, progress, and happiness to the people of Vietnam, the letter wrote.

Jimmy Toh said he hopes the bilateral relations will continue to grow and prosper, with opportunities for broader cooperation in the coming years under the long-term guidance of the CPV and through the strong and enduring relationship between the PA and the VFF.
The space industry experienced a seismic transformation over the past two decades, driven primarily by SpaceX innovation that challenged decades-old assumptions about space access.

What was once an exclusive domain reserved for government agencies and legacy contractors has evolved into a dynamic commercial marketplace where private space companies compete to deliver faster, cheaper, and more reliable launch services.

Founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk, SpaceX emerged with an audacious vision: reduce launch costs dramatically and make humanity a multiplanetary species.

The company's trajectory from near-bankruptcy after three consecutive rocket failures to becoming the world's most prolific launch provider demonstrates how disruptive innovation can reshape an entire sector.

SpaceX completed 165 orbital launches in 2025 alone, representing 85% of all American orbital missions that year, a staggering cadence that launches a rocket nearly every other day.

Revolutionary Technology That Transformed Launch Economics

SpaceX's most significant contribution to the space industry lies in perfecting reusable rocket technology. Traditional launch vehicles were expendable, discarded after a single use like throwing away an airplane after one flight.

This approach made space access prohibitively expensive, with costs reaching $25,000 per pound during the Space Shuttle era.

The Falcon 9 rocket changed everything by implementing vertical propulsive landing, allowing the first-stage booster to return to Earth and land on autonomous drone ships or landing pads.

The technical complexity involves multiple precision maneuvers: stage separation, boostback burn to reverse flight direction, re-entry burn to protect the vehicle through atmospheric heating, and a final landing burn.

Grid fins provide aerodynamic steering during descent while autonomous flight computers manage GPS and inertial navigation in real-time.

This breakthrough reduced launch costs by 30-65% compared to traditional expendable rockets. SpaceX's internal costs for a Falcon 9 launch now range between $15-28 million, while the commercial price remains $67 million, a fraction of competitors' pricing.

The company has successfully landed 562 boosters out of 585 attempts, achieving a 96% success rate, with individual boosters flying up to 32 times. One booster recently completed a turnaround in just nine days, demonstrating unprecedented operational efficiency.

Competitive Landscape and Market Response

The success of private space companies, particularly SpaceX, catalyzed intense competition. Rocket Lab developed the Neutron rocket with 13,000 kg payload capacity targeting the Falcon 9's market segment, while Blue Origin's New Glenn promises 45,000 kg capability competing with Falcon Heavy.

United Launch Alliance introduced the Vulcan Centaur with its SMART Reuse system, acknowledging that reusability became an industry standard rather than an experimental concept.

Despite emerging competition, SpaceX maintains technological leadership through operational experience. The company achieved its 500th rocket landing and 500th reuse of a previously-flown booster in 2025.

Starlink missions dominated the manifest, comprising 123 of the 165 Falcon 9 launches, deploying over 3,000 satellites and expanding the constellation to more than 9,300 active spacecraft.

The company's Starship program represents the next frontier. Standing 123 meters tall and capable of delivering 100-150 metric tonnes to orbit in fully reusable configuration, Starship would be the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed.

Five test flights in 2025 demonstrated rapid iteration, with the final two achieving all mission objectives. Internal documents suggest operational readiness for lunar missions by 2028, though development continues at an aggressive pace.

Partnership With Government Programs

SpaceX's relationship with NASA exemplifies successful public-private collaboration. The Commercial Resupply Services and Commercial Crew Programs transformed NASA from direct operator to customer, allowing the agency to focus resources on deep-space exploration while purchasing launch services competitively.

SpaceX handles two-thirds of NASA's launches at prices ranging from $62-67 million, substantially less than alternatives, while maintaining perfect reliability for crewed missions.

The Dragon spacecraft completed 35 cargo missions and 18 crewed flights to the International Space Station, delivering approximately 70 tonnes of cargo upward and returning 49 tonnes.

The transition from cost-plus contracting, where contractors received guaranteed payments regardless of overruns, to fixed-price contracts incentivized efficiency and accountability. This model shift saved taxpayers billions while accelerating development timelines.

The Path Forward for Space Exploration

Looking ahead, SpaceX innovation continues driving industry transformation. The space industry growth trajectory suggests continued expansion, with launch frequency increasing 50% annually and over 203 commercial launches completed in the first ten months of 2024.

Infrastructure development accelerates at both Starbase, Texas and Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with new launch mounts and support systems enabling higher launch cadence.

Planned Mars missions represent the ultimate validation of reusable launch economics. SpaceX targets initial uncrewed Starship flights during the 2026 transfer window, with cargo missions launching as early as 2027.

On-orbit refueling demonstrations, scheduled for 2026, will prove critical technologies for deep-space missions requiring multiple tanker launches.

These ambitious timelines face technical challenges, including heat shield development and regulatory approval, but the iterative development approach that brought Falcon 9 to operational status suggests eventual success.

The Starlink constellation, already generating positive cash flow with 9 million subscribers, finances broader exploration goals while providing global broadband coverage.

This revenue stream enables sustained investment in Mars colonization infrastructure, demonstrating how commercial applications subsidize exploratory objectives that lack immediate return on investment.

The Lasting Impact on Space Industry Development

Private space companies fundamentally altered the competitive landscape, technological standards, and economic models governing space access.

SpaceX's achievements forced an industry accustomed to incremental progress and guaranteed profits to embrace rapid iteration, aggressive cost targets, and operational efficiency. The shift from expendable to reusable launch vehicles, once dismissed as impractical by industry veterans, now defines competitive viability.

More than 500 private astronauts are expected by 2030 as space tourism and commercial space stations emerge alongside traditional government missions. The projected lunar economy could reach $100 billion by 2040, while space-based manufacturing and satellite internet services create entirely new markets.

These developments trace directly to cost reductions pioneered by SpaceX innovation, proving that technological breakthroughs in one area cascade throughout entire industries.

The space industry transformation initiated by private space companies represents more than incremental improvement, it constitutes a paradigm shift in how humanity accesses and utilizes space.

What began with a single company's determination to challenge aerospace orthodoxy evolved into a competitive marketplace driving rapid advancement across launch systems, satellite technology, and interplanetary mission architecture.

The legacy extends beyond any single achievement to encompass a fundamental reconfiguration of what remains possible when innovative companies pursue ambitious visions with technical excellence and operational discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many times can a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster be reused before it needs to be retired?

SpaceX has reflown a single booster 32 times with turnarounds as quick as nine days. While designed for 10-15 reuses, the company continues pushing limits through operational testing and material improvements.

2. What are the environmental and atmospheric impacts of increased rocket launches?

Rocket debris releases black carbon, nitrogen oxides, and metal oxides that may damage the ozone layer. Scientists warn 1,000 launches annually could create high environmental impact, making monitoring critical as launch rates accelerate.

3. What is it like working at SpaceX compared to other aerospace companies?

SpaceX offers competitive salaries ($108,000-$147,000 for engineers) with equity vesting over four years, but demands intense schedules. Employees cite mission alignment as central to accepting the demanding work environment.

4. How does SpaceX's vertical integration strategy reduce costs compared to competitors?

SpaceX manufactures 90% of components internally, eliminating supplier markups and enabling faster decisions. This approach keeps projects to four years with 1.1% cost overruns compared to traditional aerospace's seven years and 90% overruns.

Originally published on Science Times
French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet has underlined his countrys support for the Southeast Asian nations greater role in the international arena during in an interview granted to the press.

Mentioning the significance of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, he said the 14th Congress came at a pivotal moment for Vietnam, both domestically and internationally. It marked the culmination of a highly structured political process during which Vietnam has accelerated its economic and administrative reforms.

Several key pieces of legislation were adopted by the National Assembly in 2025, particularly those related to investment, economic governance, and public policy. These reforms are being closely monitored by international investors, including French and European ones.

Amid growing fragmentation, and significant and persistent uncertainties about the future around the world, he noted, France and Vietnam share a common commitment to essential principles: trust and respect for partners, the defence of sovereignty, and the preservation of multilateralism in order to find collective solutions to the world's vital challenges. These principles provide predictability and stability, and are indispensable for long-term development.

As a comprehensive strategic partner, France intends to back Vietnam with a very concrete approach as it has done for the past 40 years: support for reforms, financing of structure projects, and long-term partnerships in key sectors of the Vietnamese economy, he said.

The ambassador went on to say that Vietnam has set clear objectives for 2030 and 2045  economic growth in tandem with social development, green transition, and the digital economy. This trajectory is shaping its regional and international role, which it intends to fully embrace to secure greater stability.

France supports Vietnam's international role, primarily through concrete cooperation initiatives on global issues, he said, elaborating that on climate, for example, France supports Vietnam's commitments within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), with a contribution of 500 million EUR (591.4 million USD) via the French Development Agency (AFD), which has already translated into concrete projects on the electricity grid and energy infrastructure.

In the fields of transport and infrastructure, France is keen to collaborate with Vietnam on large-scale projects, whether in rail, urban connectivity, or civil aviation. These structure projects are essential for development and contribute directly to Vietnam's regional integration and attractiveness.

Finally, Brochet added, Vietnam is increasingly asserting itself as a committed actor in the pursuit of international peace and stability.

He said that together with the EU, France has assisted Vietnams Department of Peacekeeping Operations. It also welcomes Vietnams hosting of the signing ceremony for the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which demonstrates the Southeast Asian country's capacity to play a normative role on the international stage. Furthermore, France is working with Vietnam when the latter holds the chairmanship of the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

This commitment is also reflected in Vietnam's participation in major multilateral coalitions on global public goods. For example, Vietnam fully supports the Paris Pact for People and Planet, and has made commitment to ocean governance by ratifying the High Seas Treaty, scheduled to enter into force on January 17, 2026, according to him.

Commenting on Vietnams achievements over 40 years of Doi moi (Renewal), the ambassador said that four decades since the launch of Doi moi in 1986, Vietnam has profoundly transformed its economy, drastically reduced poverty, modernised infrastructure, and diversified its international partnerships.

France has supported Vietnam's development since the latters reunification, investing early in cultural, scientific, and technical cooperation. As early as 1977, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong's visit to France and the signing of an agreement in these areas marked a foundational step.

In the following decades, France has consistently supported Vietnam's integration into European and international frameworks. One example is its support for the organisation of the Francophonie Summit in Hanoi in 1997. This commitment contributed to shaping the EU  Vietnam partnership as early as 1995, through a framework cooperation agreement that France strongly advocated, Brochet continued.

Today, he said, the results are visible: Vietnam has become a dynamic economy, integrated into global value chains, and acted as a key partner within ASEAN.

France continues to back this trajectory through economic, academic, scientific, and institutional cooperation, he affirmed.

Sharing French businesses expectations from the legal and economic orientations identified at the 14th Congress, Brochet said companies primarily expect clarity and predictability, noting they need a clear framework regarding procedures, taxation, permits, and financing.

He highlighted genuine business confidence, citing an EuroCham survey as showing that over 70% of European firms in Vietnam express confidence in the country's economic outlook, and a majority plan to maintain or increase their investments here.

France is working with Vietnam and its European partners to ensure that administrative reforms result in shorter processing times, greater transparency, and improved implementation capacity, which has a direct impact on investment and employment.

The ambassador voiced his belief in the success and prosperity of Vietnam, and underlined Frances readiness to cooperate to turn Vietnams priorities into concrete achievements on the basis of mutual respect, trust, and long-term partnership.
Party General Secretary To Lam and officials at the phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on January 24 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  President of Russia Vladimir Putin held phone talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam on January 24 evening to offer congratulations on the success of the 14th National Congress of the CPV.

President Putin warmly congratulated the CPV on the successful congress, and congratulated the CPV Central Committee, the Politburo, and General Secretary Lam personally on being elected to leadership positions for the new term.

The Russian leader described the congress as an important political event that determined the directions, set major goals, and adopted important decisions, tasks, and measures so that Vietnam can secure fast and sustainable development in the new era and become a high-income developed country by 2045.

He emphasised that General Secretary Lam's re-election to the post reflects his political prestige and significant contributions to the formulation and implementation of strategic policies for driving sustainable socio-economic development, safeguarding Vietnams interests, and promoting its stature in the international arena.

For his part, the Vietnamese leader appreciated President Putins attention to the important political event of the CPV, as well as his sincere congratulations and personal sentiments towards the CPV, the Vietnamese people, and the General Secretary himself.

He underlined that throughout the Party congresses, Vietnam has always had traditional friends who have shown concern and support, including the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation today.

Highlighting the great success of the 14th National Party Congress, he said the congress identified "foreign affairs and international integration", linked with national defence and security, as a crucial and regular task while affirming the consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, resilience, peace, friendship, cooperation, and developmental.

Vietnam always views Russia as a reliable and top-priority partner in Europe, and wishes to develop bilateral friendship and cooperation in line with the spirit of the Vietnam  Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Party chief stated.

President Putin stressed that Russia attaches particular importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, built on 75 years of traditional friendship and continuously nurtured by leaders and people of both countries.

He affirmed Russia will continue to work closely to comprehensively strengthen bilateral ties for the sake of the Russian and Vietnamese peoples, and for stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

On this occasion, the Russian President thanked General Secretary Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation for attending the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

During the talks, the two leaders expressed their readiness to engage in constructive and open discussions in the spirit of mutual understanding, respect, and harmonisation of interests to elevate cooperation in traditional areas and expand ties to new potential ones.

On this occasion, President Putin invited General Secretary Lam to visit Russia at any time suitable. The General Secretary accepted the invitation with pleasure and invited President Putin to visit Vietnam in the near future.
A dancing performance at the Vietnamese Tet Osaka 2026 programme (Photo: VNA)

Tokyo  An event themed Radiant Vietnam was opened by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka prefecture, Japan, on January 24 to welcome the Lunar New Year (Tet), attracting a large gathering of Vietnamese expatriates and Japanese friends.

The two-day event carries special significance as it coincides with nationwide celebrations of the success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, a milestone reflecting the countrys confidence, determination, and aspirations for development in a new era.

The Vietnamese Tet Osaka 2026 programme is meant to not only celebrate Vietnamese culture but also serve as a bridge for tightening the friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Japan.

Vietnamese Consul General in Osaka Ngo Trinh Ha highlighted the significance of the event, describing it as a meaningful activity to mark the success of the 14th National Party Congress.

He added that its theme reflects the countrys confidence and aspirations for a new phase of development while also fostering patriotism and solidarity among the Vietnamese community in Japan.

Ha expressed confidence that following the Congress, Vietnam will enter a phase of stronger development, guided by major directions on digital transformation, green transition, and science  technology advancement, thus contributing to the countrys standing and international cooperation, including the Vietnam  Japan relationship.

Mineura Shuhei, representing the Izumisano citys council in Osaka prefecture, congratulated Vietnam on the 14th National Party Congress. He expressed his hope that Vietnams leadership will continue to guide the country successfully for the benefit of its people, toward a society of sustainable development.

He stated that the Izumisano administration will continue its efforts to build an inclusive society, ensuring that Vietnamese people can live in Japan with peace of mind.

The Vietnamese Tet Osaka 2026 event offers a diverse lineup of cultural performances, traditional cuisine, folk games, and Vietnam tourism showcases, helping popularise the countrys dynamic, friendly, and globally engaged image. It is expected to attract around 100,000 visitors.
Prof. George Toloraya, Director of the Centre for Russian Strategy in Asia at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. (Photo published by VNA)

Moscow  A Russian scholar has described the successful 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) as a landmark event ushering the country into a new era of national rise.

Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Moscow shortly after the Congress concluded, Prof. George Toloraya, Director of the Centre for Russian Strategy in Asia at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the Congress marks a qualitative leap in Vietnams development trajectory.

He noted that the 14th Party Congress represents a pivotal shift from Vietnams role as a factory of the world toward its ambition to become a high-tech powerhouse, with development quality reaching a higher level.

According to the scholar, the Congress took place amid complex domestic and international challenges, ranging from natural disasters and epidemics to intensifying strategic competition and disruptions to global supply chains. In this context, Vietnams efforts to streamline its organisational apparatus and rearrange administrative boundaries reflect strong political resolve for substantive and far-reaching reform.

Reviewing the Congress documents, Toloraya said Vietnam has clearly charted a transition from extensive growth to intensive growth driven by science  technology, innovation and digital transformation. A modern institution system and high-quality human resources have been identified as core foundations while green and sustainable development, the circular economy and climate change adaptation are treated as essential requirements.

He highlighted Vietnams growing institutional maturity, noting that the country now regards institutional reform as the breakthrough of all breakthroughs and is proactively addressing the risk of the middle-income trap. Commitments to eliminating the ask-and-give mechanism, enhancing transparency and promoting bottom-up governance send a strong signal of Vietnams determination to pursue genuine reform to both domestic and foreign investors.

The scholar also pointed to the dual transformation orientation, combining the knowledge, digital, green and circular economies, as evidence that Vietnam is moving beyond growth based on low-cost labour toward higher productivity, quality and greater value added. Comprehensive digital transformation, including the development of a digital government, digital economy and digital society, has been identified as a key pillar of this strategy.

The professor stressed the importance of balancing planning and market mechanisms, with the public sector continuing to play a leading role in ensuring macroeconomic stability and setting strategic directions, while the private sector is recognised as one of the most important growth driver that requires a more favourable business environment and stronger competitiveness.

On urban development, he said the creation of new-generation special zones and international financial centres, including in Ho Chi Minh City, underscores Vietnams ambition to become a regional services and logistics hub while linking economic growth with the goal of a healthy, disciplined, civilised, safe and developed society.

Regarding foreign policy, the scholar noted that Vietnam continues to pursue a flexible diplomatic approach, but one that is increasingly proactive and assertive in the new era.

From a Russian perspective, he said the outcomes of the Congress open up new opportunities and higher expectations for bilateral cooperation. As Vietnam prioritises digital sovereignty, a strong state and high-tech-driven growth, traditional cooperation models will need to evolve toward technology transfer, localisation and technological self-reliance.

Looking ahead, Toloraya predicted that Vietnam  Russia cooperation will expand to new areas such as technology transfer, digitalisation and green transition, moving beyond traditional political ties toward more substantive and sustainable partnership in the new era.
by Christopher Hall

The essence of repression lies simply in turning something away, and keeping it at a distance, from the conscious. Freud, Repression

Time and again, in conversation with friends, some of who have lost family members in this killing spree, there is a sense that one must be going mad: to see so plainly the destruction, the murdered children filmed and presented for the world to look upon and then to hear the leaders of virtually every Western nation contend that this is not happening, that whatever is happening is good and righteous and should continue and that in fact the well-bring of the Palestinian people demands this continue  its enough to feel like youre losing your mind. Omar El Akkad, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This

The characters in Kasuo Ishiguros novel Never Let Me Go are living in the midst of an atrocity, but they certainly dont act like it. They go through their lives in much the way we expect characters to do in realist novels; theres fallings in love and out of it, slight and major misunderstandings, a bit of sex here and there, etc. But the jarring difference (spoiler ahead) is that the main characters are all clones, and their destiny is to have their organs harvested until the point that they complete  die, in other words. This is not, it is to be emphasised, a novel of resistance. It is a story about people immersed in a system which treats them reasonably well until the time comes to fulfill a purpose which will mean their destruction. In tone and plot, Ishiguros work is not really much different from a Thomas Hardy novel; the characters are locked within a social structure which is crushing them and will eventually destroy them, but from which they can see no means of escape. But if we shake our heads at the confines of 19th century social standards in one instance, that becomes (or at least it did my case) a yelp of rage once we come to Ishiguros heartbreaking conclusion. Do something! Its right there and its wrong, dont you see it? I shouted at the characters. Fight back! Protest! Run Away! But this is nonsense; the characters, and everyone else they encounter, clone or not, are caught within the matrix of Its just the way it is and, as of course it is implied, so are we.

The triad of victim, perpetrator, and bystander presents itself oddly in Ishiguros novel, and the boundaries of each begin to blur. The protagonists are unquestionably victims, but their general stasis also presents them as near bystanders. They seem unable to adopt the cognitive tools necessary to escape their plight. They see, but do not see, the atrocity all around them. The perpetrators are, for the most part, distant entities, and themselves can play the role of the bystanders  they participate in a system they might disagree with, and perhaps try to mitigate its worst effects  but they participate all the same. Ishiguro does not seem to be making an overt political point here, but the sense of inevitability and helplessness everywhere in the novel, again as in a Hardy novel, either fills one with existential dread or a level of hope for some kind of speculative redemption.

Ive had Ishiguros novel on my mind as Ive been making my way through Omar El Akkads National Book Award-winning One Day, Everyone Will Have Have Been Against This. El Akkad, born in Egypt, emigrated to Canada in the 1990s and currently lives in the States. A journalist, hes been a war correspondent in Afghanistan and has investigated Gitmo. He has published two novels, the first of which (American War) is about a Second Civil War overtaking America. One Day is a non-fiction work that interposes events from his life with reflections on the coverage in the West of the most recent Israel-Palestine conflict. It is a book of rage and disappointment  how can, he repeatedly asks, liberal societies so constantly fail to live up to their ideals when it comes to foreign conflicts, especially the Israel-Palestine one? Why did the West so consistently fail to act, or even to do something so basic as to call things what they are, when it became clear that what was happening in Gaza was a genocide?

El Akkad has a number of answers for this question, but what Im going to discuss here is not necessarily the source of this willful ignorance, but rather its cost for us perpetrator/bystanders, of this seeing but not seeing. Yes, some atrocities go on in places the West barely acknowledges as actually existing  one is going on in Darfur as we speak. But the genocide of the Palestinians does not have the same status. It is, just about, right there. It may be not occurring outside my window, and it may be the case that Ive never been through such horror, dont share a racial or religious identity with the victims, have never been the Middle East, etc.  none of that becomes particularly relevant when an atrocity is as well-documented and disseminated as this one is. For everyone in the West, the Palestinian genocide and its aftermath are now part of the air we breathe  they are the way it is. And whether we cheer it or deplore it, our states and societies decided as it was ongoing that there wasnt much they were going to do about it.

Freuds theory of repression was focused on sexual mores, but I do think there is a broader ethical mechanism that works similarly to it. Unless we are committed to being a terrible person (and to be sure many people are), morality, like sexual desire, imposes an imperative on us that demands some kind of response  and will not be discharged if we simply look away. So, if our answer to the question Ought we to bomb children? is anything other than irrevocably negative, something has gone significantly wrong, and perhaps the real task of ethics ought to be to focus on the phenomenological experience of ignoring the obvious  because many people are, tacitly and sometimes overtly, answering yes, it is when it comes time to consider whether dropping bombs on the heads of children is justified for any reason. There is, I think, a kind of psychic engineering behind this kind of moral avoidance. The atrocity, of course, has a level of distance if we are not actively participating in it  if were not the ones doing the mutilating and the murdering. But individual action is not really at the core of the issue here. The problem is not really that people fail to do the right thing when that thing is obvious, either because they are fallible or genuinely evil, but rather that, as a collective, we consistently fail to demand the right thing be done on larger scales. The demand for action that moral obviousness entails collapses at the level of the group. And the reason is not difficult to discern  groups entail paralysis. Thus bystander and perpetrator dissolve into one another, become inextricably mixed.

But even if consensus culture supposedly privileges no single viewpoint, the truth cannot be batted away; it is like the rock Samuel Johnson kicked to disprove Berekleyian idealism. The dissonance created when we absorb moral truths without confronting them is a key source of modern democratic dysfunction, to my mind. To keep breathing, we tread in the blood of others. But thats too much; it cant be blood, must be something else, something innocuous  maybe its just water after all. This might not be saying much thats new, but heres the key: once youve decided that you can see something for what it isnt, you give yourself permission see other things in the same way.

Repression is a reflex, and the more its practiced, the easier it becomes to do. Its perfectly obvious to me, for example, that the overabundance of guns and the ease with which they can be acquired has a direct relationship with the high number of gun deaths in the United States. More importantly, I think this is in fact obvious to everybody, even the most ardent supporter of the Second Amendment. But once youve decided that more guns do not equal more gun deaths (or that it doesnt matter because your freedom to own a gun is more important than the lives of others), any other sort of mental disjunction becomes less of a burden on the mind and soul. Moral repression grants a kind of freedom  the same freedom you feel in littering when theres trash everywhere. But the freedom is illusory  you are instead bound into moral framework in which cries for justice become so heavily distorted that they begin to sound like Give us more of what is destroying us. Repression inverts and redraws the picture of reality. Whatever ethical imperative used to be staring you in the face has now altered and subtly moved behind you, pushing you to become more comfortable with barbarity.

And so dissonances cluster; the imperial boomerang also cant be far from our minds. If Israel has been a kind of test kitchen for the new hybrid form of autocratic rule thats emerging in the West, it has done so precisely on the back of the work done by this kind of psychic engineering. Where full democracy is undesirable, but still valued, compromises can be made; this new crop of authoritarians seems most eager to use the tropes of democracy as a legitimizing force. So the burden of treating every one of our fellow citizens with some degree of equity is banished from consciousness; simply, to some we will grant the full measure of civil rights, to others less, and to some none at all. There are those we protect, and those we have permission to destroy or watch destroyed. Democracy and its institutions are permissible only to the point they cease to be dysfunctional; you have all the civil rights you could ask for until an ICE agent decides you dont. The atrocities which then become inevitable are close, but also distanced. They are right there, but we give ourselves permission to be bystanders at the same time we are perpetrators. Those who have accepted that this is a just way of arranging things must put away what they see and adopt some new, insidious way of moving forward. When J D Vance tells us we did not see what we saw when Renee Good was murdered, he is building on the permission his administration tacitly and overtly gave us to ignore the mass murder of Palestinians  and, of course, all of the other instances when the American state decided that some people simply werent good enough to merit continued existence.

All of this depends on my belief, which I cannot in any way justify, that some things are just morally obvious, and that there is a mechanism within just about every human mind which knows evil when it sees it. (That, of course, is assuming a lot, but it has the advantage that I can remain fundamentally an optimist even while I think humanity is likely doomed.) A notion like this, I think, lies at the core of the somewhat tortured verb tense of the title of El Akkads book. The future perfect conditional implies a kind of retroactive continuity, a sudden revelation that reveals the truth about what was really going on. The truth was always there, but we missed the signals somehow. So are moral truths eternal, and can they be hidden and then discovered? Thats a question asked many times, and which may be too obtuse for the current purpose  and again, do we, did we ever, really need to discover the right answer to the question about dropping bombs on children?

At any rate, even if we could all be much, much more aggressive in our processes of reality testing, its perhaps too much to say this puts us on the path to mental health. El Akkad is hardly alone in worrying that hes losing his mind. I suppose the conclusion of what I have to say here is that there are good ways and bad ways to do so  the madness of those who have seen and will not turn away has at least something of better value than the pervasive genteel delusion.

***

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North Wales health board vows to reduce use of corridor care in hospitals

The health board has vowed to reduced the use of corridor care in hospitals.

At a meeting at Conwy County Councils Coed Pella HQ on Thursday, leader Cllr Julie Fallon slammed the NHS before declaring a health emergency.

Cllr Fallon said enough is enough and claimed North Wales patients were being placed on the wards of hospital corridors, extending the problem of corridor care from A&E departments.

The leader said she was annoyed 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 council then unanimously voted through a notice of motion, calling 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.

Tehmeena Ajmal, the health boards chief operating officer, said: We recognise the serious pressures facing urgent and emergency care in North Wales, and as a board, we are taking coordinated action across the health and social care system, together with our local authority partners, to deliver the required improvements.

Reducing the use of corridor care and improving patient flow and discharge from hospital is a collective priority and hence this is the Health Boards top operational goal.

The leaders of the six local authorities in North Wales have written to the Health Board outlining their concerns that a new policy may have been introduced which facilitates the routine use of corridor care on hospital wards across North Wales. We have responded to this letter directly providing reassurance that no such policy has been introduced.

She added: The Health Board, in line with other NHS organisations across the UK, has introduced a standard operating procedure (SOP) for transferring patients to hospital wards in exceptional and extreme circumstances only.

This applies to a maximum of two patients per ward, only where a risk assessment has deemed it safe to do so, and also where overcrowding within the Emergency Department (ED) poses a significant and immediate risk to patient safety. To date, it has not been necessary to enact this SOP.

The safety, dignity, and wellbeing of our patients, and the support of our staff, remain our highest priority as we navigate this very challenging winter period.

A Welsh Government spokesman also responded to the criticism and said the Health Board remained at the highest level of special measures.

The NHS waiting list has fallen, and the longest waits are coming down. We have set clear expectations for all health boards to reduce emergency department long stays and complete ambulance handovers within 45 minutes.

We have also invested more than 200m this year to help manage more people in the community and avoid hospital admissions.

While the proportion of patients discharged or admitted within four hours fell in December, ambulance patient handover delays over one hour fell by 43% compared to the same month in 2024, and the average time from arrival to triage was 16 minutes  the joint best since February 2021.

He added: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board remains at the highest escalation level, with further measures in place to drive improvement, to ensure people receive the care they deserve.

By Richard Evans  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  In dueling news conferences, federal and state officials offered starkly different messages Sunday about the immigration crackdown that has swept across Minneapolis and surrounding cities, with both claiming the moral high ground after another shooting death by federal agents.

Which side do you want to be on?" Gov. Tim Walz asked the public. "The side of an all-powerful federal government that could kill, injure, menace and kidnap its citizens off the streets, or on the side of a nurse at the VA hospital who died bearing witness to such government?  a reference to Saturday's shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

In a federal office building about 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, Border Patrol senior official Greg Bovino, the public face of the crackdown, again blamed the shooting on Pretti.

When someone makes the choice to come into an active law enforcement scene, interfere, obstruct, delay or assault law enforcement officer and  and they bring a weapon to do that. That is a choice that that individual made, he told reporters.

The competing comments emerged as local leaders and Democrats across the country demanded federal immigration officers leave Minnesota after Pretti's shooting, which set off clashes with protesters in a city already shaken by another shooting death weeks earlier.

Video contradicts administration statements

Video shot by bystanders and reviewed by The Associated Press appears to contradict statements by President Donald Trumps administration, which said agents fired defensively against Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, as he approached them.

Pretti can be seen with only a phone in his hand as he steps between an immigration agent and a woman on the street. No footage appears to show him with a weapon. During the scuffle, agents appear to disarm him after discovering he is carrying a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun, and then open fire several times. Pretti was licensed to carry a concealed weapon.

In the hours after the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti attacked officers, and Bovino said he wanted to massacre law enforcement.

Bovino was more restrained Sunday, saying he would not speculate about the shooting and that he planned to wait for the investigation.

Relatives say they are heartbroken

Prettis family said they were heartbroken but also very angry at authorities. Relatives were furious at federal officials description of the shooting.

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, the family statement said. Please get the truth out about our son.

A 2024 video posted to social media showed Pretti reading a salute for veteran Terrance Lee Randolph, who died at the VA hospital where Pretti worked.

Today we remember that freedom is not free, Pretti, wearing navy blue scrubs, says in the video. We have to work for it, nurture it, protect it, and even sacrifice for it.

Walz denounced as despicable beyond all description the comments that federal officials made about Pretti.

"And I would say, President Trump, you can end this today. Pull these folks back. Do humane, focused, effective immigration control, he said.

The White House kept up its attacks on the governor, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt posting on X that Walz "does NOT believe in law and order and accusing him of encouraging left-wing agitators to stalk and record federal officers in the middle of lawful operations.

At the federal news conference, Marcos Charles of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said one of their agents permanently lost a part of his finger when a protester bit it off Saturday in Minneapolis.

This kind of violence is not a coincidence, Charles said. When sanctuary politicians, activists and the media work hard to create chaos and fear instead of using their platforms to reassure their communities, this is the result.

Pretti was shot just over a mile from where an ICE officer killed 37-year-old Renee Good on Jan. 7, sparking widespread protests.

Federal officials, who are leading the investigation into the shooting, have thwarted local attempts to participate.

Drew Evans, superintendent of the states Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which investigates police shootings, told reporters Saturday that federal officers had blocked his agency from the scene of the shooting even after it obtained a signed judicial warrant. Bureau officers were working at the scene Sunday morning.

A federal judge has already issued an order blocking the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence related to the shooting, after state and county officials sued.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the lawsuit filed Saturday is meant to preserve evidence collected by federal officials that state authorities have not yet been able to inspect. A hearing is scheduled for Monday in federal court in St. Paul.

Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin dismissed the lawsuit, saying claims that the federal government would destroy evidence are a ridiculous attempt to divide the American people and distract from the fact that our law enforcement officers were attacked  and their lives were threatened.

The Minnesota National Guard temporarily assisted local police at Walz's direction, officials said, with troops sent to the shooting site and a federal building where officers have squared off daily with demonstrators.

But Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said Sunday morning on CBS' "Face the Nation" that its back to just the Minneapolis police responding to calls.

No evidence that Pretti brandished gun

O'Hara said he had seen no evidence that Pretti brandished the pistol, and that the crackdown was exhausting his department.

This is taking an enormous toll, trying to manage all this chaos on top of having to be the police department for a major city. Its too much, he said.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York was among several Democratic lawmakers demanding that federal immigration authorities leave Minnesota.

In a statement, former President Barack Obama called Prettis death a heartbreaking tragedy and warned that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.

Federal officials, meanwhile, have repeatedly questioned why Pretti was armed during the confrontation. But gun rights groups noted that it's legal to carry firearms during protests.

Video footage shows pushing and then shooting

When the Saturday confrontation began, bystander video shows protesters blowing whistles and shouting profanities at federal officers on a commercial street in south Minneapolis.

The videos show Pretti stepping in after an immigration officer shoves a woman. Pretti appears to be holding his phone toward the officer, but there's no sign he's holding a weapon.

The officer shoves Pretti in his chest and pepper sprays him and the woman.

Soon, at least seven officers force Pretti to the ground. Several officers try to bring his arms behind his back as he appears to resist. An officer holding a canister strikes him near his head several times.

A first shot is fired by a Border Patrol officer. Theres a slight pause, and then the same officer fires several more times into Prettis back. Multiple officers back off. Within seconds, Pretti is motionless on the street.

If Saturday was marked by clashes, with angry protesters blockading streets and agents firing canisters of tear gas, Sunday was marked by sadness.

Police cars with flashing lights have closed traffic to the block where the shooting occurred, and a constant flow of people came and went Sunday, gathering near the spot where Pretti was shot. There were 100 or so people at the scene Sunday night. Some sang, some prayed, some brought flowers or lit candles. TV news crews set up on the periphery of the crowd, and a man was giving away hand warmers with temperatures hovering just above 0 Fahrenheit (minus 18 degrees Celsius).

Brett Williams, 37, came from the city's suburbs to attend a vigil there earlier Sunday.

I stand in solidarity with a brother whose life was taken too soon, he said. Hes standing up for immigrants. Were all immigrants.

Associated Press writers Jack Brook and Tim Sullivan in Minneapolis, Michael Biesecker and Michelle L. Price in Washington and Jim Mustian in New York contributed this story.
He says refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security would be "beyond reckless."
AceShowbiz - The world of capitalism has always intrigued audiences, serving as the backbone of modern society while remaining an enigma to many. In The Wolf of Wall Street, Matthew McConaugheys character exemplifies the irrational logic inherent in the stock market. Similarly, the HBO series Industry delves into the morally ambiguous world of finance, showcasing the shady operations of trading desks managing vast sums of money. As Industry enters its fourth season, fans of finance dramas should turn their attention to another gripping series: Billions.

While Industry focuses on a group of aspiring traders, Billions shifts the lens to the high-stakes power brokers who shape the market. This broader analysis places the concept of power at the forefront, illustrating how personal vendettas can drive the financial world. The rivalry between the main characters, both of whom exhibit a mix of admirable and devious traits, propels the narrative forward. With stellar performances and sharp writing, Billions should be your next binge-worthy drama.

What is the premise of Billions? At its core, the show revolves around the intense confrontation between Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), a hedge fund mogul, and Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti), a determined U.S. attorney. Despite Axelrods immense wealth and arrogance, Rhoades is convinced that he is operating outside the lawand he isnt entirely wrong. The plot thickens as Rhoades' wife, Wendy (Maggie Siff), works as a therapist at Axelrods firm, complicating loyalties and intensifying the feud. The psychological warfare between these two men spirals into an ego-driven conflict where neither party is willing to concede.

This struggle for dominance is not just a battle of wealth but also a clash of ideologies, where personal grievances influence professional conduct. As the series unfolds over seven seasons, viewers are treated to a complex narrative filled with twists, moral dilemmas, and power plays. The writing is sharp, and the performances are compelling, making Billions not just a drama about finance, but also a study of ambition and the human psyche.

In conclusion, if youre a fan of Industry and captivated by the intricacies of the finance world, Billions is an essential addition to your watchlist. With its engaging storylines and deep character exploration, it promises to provide the same thrilling experience that captivated fans of Industry.
AceShowbiz - The gaming landscape has experienced significant changes with the introduction of the PlayStation 5, yet its impact remains to be fully realized. Initially, the PS5 faced challenges, including stock shortages and user interface concerns. Recently, however, a fascinating development has emerged: reports suggest that the PS5 can indeed run PS3 games. This revelation comes from YouTuber Lowest Logan, who claims that Sony has intentionally restricted access to this backward compatibility feature.

Is the PlayStation 5 capable of supporting PS3 games? The answer is not straightforward.

To grasp the complexities surrounding this issue, one must revisit the launch of the PlayStation 3. It was widely acknowledged that the PS3s hardware architecture posed significant challenges for developers and emulators alike. Despite a strong lineup of titles, the PS3s legacy has been marred by these technical hurdles. Fast forward to the current day, and challenges persist with the PS3. Although the PS5 does not offer native backward compatibility with the PS3relying instead on cloud servicesmodders believe they may have discovered a solution. Logan demonstrated a setup using hardware similar to the PS5, suggesting that PS3 games could potentially run on it. Their breakthroughs involved downgrading the Linux kernel using a Mesa RPM source, which yielded promising results.

However, not all PS3 games are compatible as of now, and further development will be necessary, either from game studios or Sony itself. This is partially why some modders speculate that Sony has chosen not to release this functionality to the public at large.

Implementing this capability officially would likely require significant effort and resources.

Currently, Sony continues to profit from its cloud services and subscription model, which provides gamers with access to classic titles from the PS3 era. Given this lucrative business model, an official hardware update to enable PS3 game compatibility on the PS5 seems unlikely in the near future. This trend may reflect a broader pattern in the gaming industry, where many publishers opt to place their content behind subscription fees, limiting access to legacy games.

As gamers eagerly await more information, the community remains hopeful that Sony may reconsider its stance on backward compatibility, allowing more players to enjoy their favorite PS3 titles on the PlayStation 5.
AceShowbiz - La belle annee, or "The Beautiful Year," marks the compelling debut feature from director Angelica Ruffier, premiering globally in the prestigious Tiger Competition lineup at the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) on February 1. In this deeply personal and essayistic documentary, Ruffier courageously delves into her own past, exploring themes of desire, family, memory, and loss. Central to her narrative is the revisiting of a profound teenage crush on her former teacher, Sylvie Bresson, creating an intimate cinematic journey that promises to resonate with audiences.

Infused with evocative clips from 1970s cinema, La belle annee is a hybrid film that transcends typical documentary boundaries. The official IFFR website describes it as "a finely woven, reflective essay on past longings and present selves infused with the subtle glamor of French cinema." It further adds that "La belle annee becomes a meditation on far more than one persons past, present and imagined future. Its emotional terrain is one in which many viewers may recognise themselves," highlighting the film's universal appeal despite its personal origins. This reflective piece offers viewers a unique window into the complexities of memory and self-discovery.

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Ruffier, known for her earlier short films From Here to There and the Other Way Around (2018) and Stranger (2020), both wrote and directed La belle annee. Sales for the film are being handled by Odd Slice Films internationally, with Folkets Bio set to release it theatrically in Sweden on April 17. The production was skillfully managed by Marta Dauliute and Brynhildur orarinsdottir, with cinematography by Simon Averin Markstrom. Editor Anna Eborn played a particularly pivotal role in shaping the movie's narrative and emotional arc, a detail Ruffier emphasized in a recent interview.

The director revealed that the five-year-long project began during her film school days. Despite the inherently vulnerable nature of exploring her personal history on screen, Ruffier found a surprising degree of control and comfort in the filmmaking process. "Strangely enough, it was not that difficult in a way, because with film, you still have some sort of control of what is said and shown," she shared. She also spoke about the supportive environment created by her team, likening it to a second family, which helped navigate the more challenging moments of production.

Through a delicate balance of scripted and improvised scenes, Angelica Ruffiers La belle annee offers a profound exploration of identity and the lasting echoes of first crushes. Her willingness to meet her former teacher for the film adds another layer of emotional depth, ensuring that this debut feature is not just a cinematic experience but a deeply human one. As it makes its way from Rotterdam to wider audiences, La belle annee stands as a testament to the power of film in understanding our past and shaping our present selves.
AceShowbiz - Creative director of Cineworld-owned boutique chain Picturehouse Cinemas, Clare Binns, has voiced significant concerns regarding the increasing length of modern films. Her comments come shortly after the announcement that she will be honored with an Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema award by BAFTA. This prestigious platform was used by Binns to directly address filmmakers, urging them to consider the practical implications of extended runtimes on both moviegoers and exhibition venues.

Binns, a respected figure in the cinema industry, highlighted that lengthy features are creating challenges for audiences, impacting their viewing experience, and posing operational difficulties for theaters. She emphasized that while artistic vision is crucial, directors must also remember "Youre Making The Film For An Audience," a sentiment underscoring her belief that the audience's comfort and accessibility should play a greater role in creative decisions regarding film duration.

The Picturehouse boss revealed that she frequently engages with producers about this growing trend. As a notable example, she cited the Oscar-winning film, The Brutalist, which, with its substantial 215-minute runtime, necessitated the inclusion of an interval. This decision, while perhaps mitigating immediate audience fatigue, serves as a stark illustration of the extent to which some films are pushing the boundaries of traditional screening formats and audience endurance.

Clare Binns's appeal is a significant moment for the industry, coming from a leader deeply rooted in the exhibition sector. Her call for more concise storytelling is not merely a preference but a strategic consideration for the health of cinema attendance. Balancing artistic ambition with audience experience remains a perennial challenge, and Binns's intervention suggests that film runtimes are now a critical factor in ensuring cinema remains an attractive and accessible medium for all.










English News China assists Africa in digital transformation

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 23 Janvier 2026



He highlighted collaborations constructing Africa's largest optical fiber manufacturing plant to boost local capacity, helping African countries add or upgrade roughly 150,000 kilometers of communications backbone networks (extending services to nearly 700 million uses), supporting the construction of national data centers in multiple countries, and providing digital governance solutions.

By Dai Kairan, People's Daily Digital transformation stands as a central objective within the African Union's Agenda 2063. In recent years, cooperation between China and African nations within the digital economy sector has deepened and expanded significantly. This progress has been fostered under frameworks such as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation.



China has actively supported African countries in bridging the digital divide through various initiatives. These include accelerating the development of digital infrastructure, constructing e-commerce platforms, and cultivating digital talent.



In Gaborone, Botswana's capital, a distinctively designed modern building within a technology park marks a significant milestone: the Digital Delta Data Center (DDDC). Constructed by China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd, the building is Botswana's first national-level data center.



Construction commenced in March 2021, and the facility was officially handed over to the Botswana government in June 2024. The center's data halls are equipped to host high-performance servers, large-capacity storage systems, and high-speed network equipment. This infrastructure meets the requirements of both government agencies and commercial users for large-scale data storage, processing, and transmission.



"Weak digital infrastructure has long constrained Botswana's digital transformation," said Keabetswe Segole, chief executive officer of Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet), the operator of the DDDC. "The operation of the data center has significantly improved the local information and communications technology ecosystem."



Segole noted that prior to the DDDC's completion, a significant portion of Botswana's government and business data was stored overseas, resulting in low transmission efficiency. With the data center operational, internet users in Botswana can enjoy faster, more cost-effective data exchange, leading to a markedly improved online experience.



At a warehouse operated by Kilimall on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, efficiently manage inventory, scan barcodes, and pack orders, while delivery personnel in distinctive red uniforms prepare for dispatch.



As the first Chinese company to enter Africa's internet and e-commerce sector, Kilimall has expanded across the continent over the past decade. Its operations span several African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The platform hosts over 8,000 sellers and 12,000 online stores, has established over 1,500 community pickup points, and and experiences approximately 50% annual growth in mobile app downloads.



Liao Zhengrong, Kilimall's Brand Director, noted that the company has also independently developed its own payment system, offering consumers convenient and diverse online payment options.



Alex Kariuki, a 36-year-old Kenyan entrepreneur selling furniture such as TV cabinets and coffee tables, shared his experience: "The high transportation costs for furniture made me initially hesitant about online selling, especially as many local e-commerce platforms relied on cash payments upon delivery. A friend recommended Kilimall, and learning about integrated online payment system gave me confidence. Customers prepay when ordering, and I receive payment immediately upon their confirmation of receipt." Since opening his store on Kilimall, Kariuki's furniture sales have continued to rise, now reaching 300 to 400 items per month.



Igiraneza Justine, a 22-year-old Rwandan, is a trainee at the Luban Workshop, a Chinese-supported vocational training facility. After two years of specialized study locally, he enrolled in a one-year e-commerce practical training program at Jinhua University of Vocational Technology in east China's Zhejiang province.



Ge Rui, a faculty member in the university's e-commerce program, explained that Justine is among the first batch of trainees from the Rwanda Luban Workshop engaged in the program. In early 2025, the first group of 30 trainees, majoring in e-commerce and electrical automation, returned to Rwanda after completing their training. Many e-commerce graduates subsequently found employment in live-stream e-commerce and digital commerce sectors.



"Chinese instructors taught us platform management, data analysis, logistics management, and practical skills such as video shooting and lighting techniques," Justine said. Noting China's global leadership in digital technology and business innovation, he added, "I aspire to open my own online store and apply China's digital economy expertise back home."



Gert Grobler, former senior South African diplomat and honorary professor at the Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University, observed that China has long been actively involved in building Africa's digital infrastructure.

He highlighted collaborations constructing Africa's largest optical fiber manufacturing plant to boost local capacity, helping African countries add or upgrade roughly 150,000 kilometers of communications backbone networks (extending services to nearly 700 million uses), supporting the construction of national data centers in multiple countries, and providing digital governance solutions.



Through the development of e-commerce industries and the cultivation of professional talent, China continues to provide sustained momentum for Africa's digital transformation journey.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Reading China's modernization through 50,000 kilometers of high-speed rail New landscape of opening up reflected in world's first port to handle 1.4 billion tons 'Food banks' mirror China's new approaches to food conservation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)










English News Industrial city in NE China charts new path of higher-quality development

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 23 Janvier 2026



"Old factory buildings are solidified history, but they are also valuable resources for promoting urban renewal. With proper renovation and operation, industrial rust belts can be transformed into stages for everyday life," said Liu Kebin, vice mayor of Shenyang.

By Hao Yingcan, People's Daily A series of upgrades -- from newly insulated exterior walls and modernized utility pipelines to added stairwell handrails and the conversion of an abandoned boiler room into a community activity center -- has brought visible changes to Chang'an community in Dadong district, Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning province.



Local resident Sun Jiabao confirms these improvements have reshaped neighborhood living. Built more than 30 years ago, the community was once synonymous with poor sanitation and rundown conditions. The 2023 renovation program successfully revitalized the area.



Aging public facilities, inadequate supporting services, and subpar urban greenery are common challenges faced by many old industrial cities in the course of development. As one of China's earliest-established cities with a high urbanization rate, Shenyang has in recent years taken urban renewal as a key lever, exploring a new path toward quality-driven, intensive development.



Shenyang has a large number of old urban areas. Of the city's more than 6,500 residential communities, over half are classified as old neighborhoods. Renovating these areas is a crucial part of the broader urban renewal campaign. Over the past five years, Shenyang has renovated 1,823 old residential communities, benefiting 803,000 households. More than 1,600 elevators have been installed or upgraded, improving mobility for over 110,000 residents.



Upgrading aging utility networks is equally important. "The city's gas pipeline network stetches over 10,000 kilometers, and some sections have been in operation for many years, posing potential safety risks," said Guo Zhengxue, deputy director of the Shenyang municipal bureau of housing and urban-rural development.



Over the past five years, the city has renovated more than 1,350 kilometers of aging gas pipelines. By 2025, gas-related safety incidents had fallen by over 70 percent compared with 2021, significantly improving overall safety. During the same period, Shenyang also completed renovations of 1,933 kilometers of water supply pipelines, 393 kilometers of drainage pipelines, and 844 kilometers of heating pipelines, greatly enhancing the city's safety and resilience.



As physical improvements take shape, community services evolve in tandem. Cao Xue, Party head of Chang'an community, explained how needs-based assessments now guide their elder-care system. The community now offers 25 professional services, including meal delivery, bathing assistance, and rehabilitation training, either free of charge or at low cost.



Urban livability extends to green spaces. On the south side of Wenti West Road in Heping district, a long-abandoned plot of land has been transformed into a pocket park. Winding paths run through the space, which is equipped with bar counters and seating areas. Today, 3,198 compact, well-designed pocket parks with diverse functions are scattered throughout Shenyang. Statistics show that over the past five years, the city has added 16.9 square kilometers of urban green space, bringing its green coverage rate to 40.74 percent.



Moving from simply expanding greenery to keeping areas green year-round tests a city's capacity for refined management. At Shenyang's centralized urban management command center, large digital screens display real-time data on the maintenance of parks and green spaces across the city, making park locations and vegetation conditions visible at a glance.



The Shenyang Fangcheng cultural tourism area exemplifies heritage integration, containing both the Shenyang Imperial Palace and over 16,000 households. This seamless blend of historical sites, commercial zones, and residential spaces raises preservation questions: How to renew while retaining authentic character?



Shenyang's approach includes restoring facades of 359 buildings, removing more than 1.35 million meters of abandoned cables, adding over 1,100 landscape features, and turning 67 historical alleys into themed cultural experience corridors, By prioritizing original-appearance restoration, the city maximizes historical continuity.



Cultural revitalization complements physical renewal. To date, the Shenyang Fangcheng cultural tourism area has 54 inaugural stores -- the first store of a brand in the region -- along with more than 170 flagship and experience stores. It has also developed three nighttime economy scenarios, including folk culture-themed zones. The share of experiential cultural tourism formats has risen from just 3 percent to 46 percent.



Shenyang's profound industrial heritage presents another key task for urban renewal: how to breathe new life into industrial relics.



On Xinghua North Street in Tiexi district stands a steel-framed factory building with a distinctive sawtooth roof. Once the No. 2 metalworking workshop of the former Shenyang Heavy Machinery Factory, it has now been transformed into a cultural and creative park, drawing visitors for exhibitions and performances and offering a vibrant artistic atmosphere.



"Old factory buildings are solidified history, but they are also valuable resources for promoting urban renewal. With proper renovation and operation, industrial rust belts can be transformed into stages for everyday life," said Liu Kebin, vice mayor of Shenyang.



So far, the city has designated 700,000 square meters as protected industrial heritage zones, with many old factories and workshops revitalized through adaptive reuse.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Reading China's modernization through 50,000 kilometers of high-speed rail New landscape of opening up reflected in world's first port to handle 1.4 billion tons 'Food banks' mirror China's new approaches to food conservation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Heres a challenge. Ask your neighbor, ask your best friend, ask the guy standing next to you at the deli counter, ask as many relatives as possible, ask any real estate agent in the world this question: What is the number-one thing all people in the world do when they decide to move into an apartment or condo or co-op or house?

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Even before they buy appliances or furniture or food for their refrigerator or outdoor plants or a new mailbox. Even before they hire an inspector to check out if everything in their new digs is in good order.

What is the very, very, very first thing they make sure of before they move in? What is the very first thing the late left-wing activist, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, made sure of when she and her six-year-old son and her wife Becca Good moved into their abode in Minneapolis?

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Its so basic that everyone reading this article will say, Yes!

And what is it? You check that your doors and your windows have locks! Then you might enhance these safety measures with an alarm system. You might even go farther by having a wonderfully protective and ferocious guard dog. And farther still by arming yourself!

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This is in our DNA, going back to the cavemen. Self-protection equals survival. Its the same for our country. A country without protected borders is like a home with no locks  vulnerable to the many crazy and criminal people out there who dream and fantasize about and draw up elaborate plans to violate your safety and security by stealing, attacking, assaulting, terrorizing, and destroying everything you hold dear.

Why?

Because as long as the human species has inhabited the earth, there have been towering figures who inspire and elevate us to create, to build, to enhance society, just as there have been fanatically deranged and crazed-with-anger figures whose raison detre is based on their irresistible impulses to destroy, to annihilate, to militate against the creators and the builders and society itself.

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You can theorize that their motives are psychotic jealousy or lifelong victimitis or general left-wing pathology, but today, guessing at motives is mostly about creating rationalizations that seek to empathize with the perpetrators and demonize the victims.

Ostensibly, Renee Good really, truly believed that the many illegal career criminals, drug- and sex-traffickers, communists, and jihadists who were terrorizing American citizens on a daily  actually hourly  basis were wrongfully being deported by President Trump, and that her aggressive actions were worth risking her own life and potentially leaving her six-year-old son  the son she had custody of, not the two older children whose custody was awarded to her ex-husband  without a mother.

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So craven have the left-wing media become that we now have the faculty of the Columbia School of Journalism  the school that pretends to teach objectivity and lack of bias in reporting  actually endorsing the Minnesota anti-ICE activists!

Motives, anyone?

As writer Daniel Greenfield asks, what was Renee Nicole Good thinking when her girlfriend yelled, Drive baby, drive and grinned as Nicole gunned the motor and drove her 4,000-pound Honda Pilot SUV at an armed federal law enforcement officer?

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Duh. Why have none of the zillion articles written about this incident addressed Renee Goods psychiatric history, if there is one? And if there isnt one, why not?

Heres a possibility. Theres a strange word, actually a psychiatric diagnosis, that describes women who are sexually interested in or attracted to criminals: hybristophilia. We all witnessed this phenomenon when the savage serial murderer Ted Bundy was swamped by courtroom groupies and many others even after he was convicted of brutally murdering 30 (and possibly more) young women in the 1970s.

You dont have to look far to find numerous examples today. Just recently, the Menendez brothers  who sadistically murdered their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989  were denied parole by a California judge. Even more mind-bending is that both the brothers are married! Yes, to women who want nothing more than to spend their lives separate from but wedded and devoted to these violent killers.

Im guessing that Renee Good  and perhaps many if not the majority of women who are out on the street militating against the constitutional right of American law enforcement  specifically the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)  to do what the law mandates are secretly attracted to these miscreants, these drug-pushers, these sex-traffickers, these career criminals, these bad boys.

According to writer Amanda Prestigiacomo, a vast majority of illegals arrested by ICE have criminal records. She quotes assistant DHS secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who said that the Department of Homeland Security law enforcement had arrested more than 600,000 illegals, 70% of whom had been charged or convicted of a crime in the United States.

After all, no one really believes that protesters like Renee Good are students of, experts at, or passionate defenders of the U.S. Constitution or that the reason they are protesting is all about the law!

Cannot rule out a mental disorder

As writer Ray DiLorenzo posits,

there is no doubt, the Far Left is suffering a mental health crisis. ... These protests feature women who have shaved their heads as a form of protest, men dressed in womens clothing, and protesters who swear at or spit on ICE and border agents. Many individuals shout obscenities or wear t-shirts with offensive language. Some protesters physically block ICE or Border Patrol vehicles, preventing federal agents from doing their operations and people from going to and coming from work. Some even throw urine at the officers. ... The data show it plainly. A Pew Research survey shows well over 50% of young white liberal women have been diagnosed with a mental condition. A Columbia University study found depression among liberal teenagers escalated after 2012, while conservative teens remained far more stable. Social Science & MedicineMental Health found that liberals, especially young ones, consistently experience more emotional distress than conservatives.

And of course theres a great deal of narcissism in acting-out do-gooders like Renee Good, who always harbor the conceit that they are more virtuous, more empathic, more caring than those mean old law-and-order types, that their actions are all in the service of a more just society, and that seriously wounded officer Jonathan Ross  who was hospitalized with internal bleeding  was simply collateral damage in their righteous cause.

These and other delusions are their stock in trade. Not to omit that although they claim to advocate for the victims of [name that tune: flirtatious bosses, racism, sexism, and now ICE agents], more often than not, it is they themselves who feel like victims, and it is the (mostly) women who support them who also feel like victims.

In the upside-down world of today, an out-of-control demonstrator like Good is lionized, a genuine victim of her aggression like Officer Ross is marginalized, and a stalwart law-and-order division of the U.S. government is demonized.

As a friend of mine says almost every day: What a world!

Joan Swirsky is a New Yorkbased journalist and author. Her website is www.joanswirsky.com, and she can be reached at [email protected].

Image: woodleywonderworks via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
One hard-and-fast rule that leftists obey is this: Always accuse political opponents of committing the same transgressions that you are preparing to commit. Accusing innocent people of doing terrible things is dirty politics, but it muddies the waters of public perception just enough to protect the guilty from accountability.

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When Democrats commit electoral fraud, they accuse Republicans of trying to steal elections. When leftist revolutionaries burn down cities, ambush and murder law enforcement officers, and demand that state and local governments defund police, Democrats accuse grandparents and veterans of being insurrectionists. When Bill Clinton gets caught hanging out with Jeffrey Epstein, the Democrat-aligned press accuse Donald Trump of impropriety. When leftist agitators violate federal law by disrupting Christian worship services in Minneapolis, Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries runs to propaganda network MSNOW to accuse Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of storming churches.

Republicans, conservatives, and other non-leftists have endured this kind of duplicity for decades. Because the propaganda press work for the Democrat Party, leftist lies are never highlighted. For those who recognize them, however, those lies have become a kind of early-warning system for predicting whatever colossal nonsense Democrats are about to unleash on society. When prominent voices within the Democrat Party all start spouting similar slurs, the rest of us have a pretty good idea how Democrats plan on fomenting chaos and civil unrest.

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Clinton family fixer and Democrat liar extraordinaire James Carville recently told MSNOW that President Trump is going to go to Minneapolis, and hes going to try to provoke a race war. Thats about as unhinged and ludicrous a statement that a man not restrained in a loony bin can make, but the journalists at MSNOW nodded in agreement and treated it as serious commentary.

Why in the world would Donald Trump want a race war? Hes spent his time in office appealing to larger percentages of black and Hispanic Americans than any Republican since Eisenhower. His entire America First agenda is geared toward restoring wealth and stability to Americans of all races who have lost substantial economic ground in the last three decades due to open borders and the offshoring of industrial companies. Knowing that minorities disproportionately suffer when violent crime rates rise, the president has successfully engineered the greatest drop in homicides since 1900. When the propaganda press cant cover up this inconvenient fact, Trumps close relationships with athletes, musicians, and businesspeople of every skin color make it demonstrably clear that the president sees a persons racial heritage as entirely irrelevant.

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Yet Carville insists that President Trump wants to start a race war this year. Those of us who understand how serpentine leftists speak recognize Carvilles words as a promise of future violence. When he ridiculously claims that Republicans want a race war, he means that Democrats are already manufacturing one right now. Thats what they want. They want George Floyd Part II to turn 2026 into a year of American mayhem, carnage, and rebellion. Just as Democrat-controlled Minnesota sacrificed Minneapolis six years ago as part of a color revolution intended to hurt President Trumps 2020 electoral chances (inconveniently for the propagandists who told Americans that the president was unpopular that year, Trump won twelve million more votes than in his previous election victory over Hillary Clinton), Democrat-controlled Minnesota plans on sacrificing Minneapolis once again in the run-up to the 2026 midterms. In the name of stopping Trump, Democrats will allow Minnesota businesses to burn and the lives of Minnesota law enforcement officers to be endangered.

Unfortunately for law-abiding Americans and police officers, the Democrats insurrection strategy appears to be running right on schedule. Ever since an ICE agent defended his life against a woman who used her vehicle as a weapon, officials in Minnesota have spoken of the criminal as if she were a saint. One problem for those Democrats who wished to use the incident to inflame tensions, though, is the fact that the dead aggressor identified as white. Leftists will continue to put the lives of immigration enforcement agents at risk until a rioter who can be described as a person of color dies (the lives of black and brown police officers, of course, dont matter to Democrats).

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After federal agents were forced to shoot and kill an armed man who attacked them on Saturday, Minnesota Governor Walz demanded that President Trump remove federal law enforcement from his state. Rather than calling out rioters and provocateurs for threatening the lives of police officers, Walz accused ICE agents of being violent and untrained. These are lies that leftists will regurgitate across the country. Serial liar and Democrat doofus Keith Olbermann immediately called for Walz to deploy National Guard troops to defend Minnesotans from Trumps terrorists.

Rational government officials interested in quelling growing riots would instruct people to leave the area calmly. As Democrats have already planned for a race war this year, immoral government officials are falsely blaming federal officials and instructing them to leave. Even before Saturdays justified shooting, anti-ICE rioters had taken over parts of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport the previous evening (when cold weather strikes, provocateurs target warmer venues). As soon as word got out that federal agents had shot someone on Saturday morning, Minneapolis leftists initiated a long day of throwing rocks, setting fires, and attacking federal agents. One rioter bit off an agents finger. Rather than do what he could to protect the lives of police officers and citizens, Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey sided with the armed man who attacked federal agents: Six masked agents pummeled our constituents and shot him to death! Congresswoman Ilhan Omar falsely called it an execution.

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When Democrats need a race war, facts be damned. Carville called for racial violence in Minneapolis; Mayor Frey wont let Carville down.

Even before Carville told us what was coming, we could all see the signs. Prominent Democrats have been popping up for months to call President Trump and his voters racists. Former first lady Michelle Obama has spent the last year complaining that she has suffered so much from racism in America, even after attending Princeton and Harvard (and acknowledging that she benefited from affirmative action programs unavailable to white Americans) and living in the White House for eight years.

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In the same America is so racist even though I have had more power than 99.99% of white people vein, former attorney general and Obama wingman Eric Holder used a speech meant to honor the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. to accuse President Trump of implementing Gestapo tactics intended to re-segregate America. Standing next to race-hustler Al Sharpton, Holder defended the woman who attacked an ICE agent in Minneapolis and compared the agents use of lethal force in defense of his own life to racial violence of the past. Neither Holder nor Sharpton explained how killing a middle-aged white woman who used an automobile to threaten the life of a law enforcement officer had anything to do with Democrats Jim Crow laws last century. However, according to the nations foremost experts on getting rich by manufacturing false allegations of racism, her death was both racist and all President Trumps fault.

So Minneapolis must burn because the race-hustlers have decided to sacrifice it on the altar of the Democrats midterm hopes. Just days ago, James Carville effectively promised that more violence and death were heading to Minnesota when he inexplicably accused President Trump of wanting to watch the North Star State go up in flames. Minnesota Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey are busy defending arsonists and wannabe cop killers while condemning those law enforcement officers risking their lives in the state. Democrats have planned a long year of insurrection to distract from their organized fraud and failed policies.

Heed Carvilles promise: The fires and shootings are just beginning.

Image: kolyaeg via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Irish poet Seamus Heaney passed away unexpectedly.

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It was on an ordinary summer morning in August. He died in a hospital corridor on his way to surgery. He was 74 years old.

His last words were a text he sent to his wife that very same day. It simply said: noli timere. Fear not.

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This is old news. This is new news?

Now, twelve years after his death, Faber and Faber, in the U.K., this past October, and Farrar, Straus & Giroux, here in the U.S., this past November, have brought out The Poems of Seamus Heaney. Its a major publishing event. Its considered the most comprehensive as well as the definitive edition of the work of the Irish bard. Its a hefty tome. Its just six pages short of 1,300 pages.

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Rosie Lavan, the main editor, spent ten years preparing the collection. Lavan, who is an expert on poetry and modern Irish and British literature, currently teaches at Trinity College in Dublin. Its a finely honed compilation.

Dr. Lavan has not been without assistance. Her co-editors were Matthew Hollis, who wrote a highly-praised biography of the final years of the English poet, Edward Thomas (1878-1917), who was killed during the Great War at the Battle of Arras; and Bernard ODonoghue, who is a poet and an academic.

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Donoghue, in fact, served as Lavans supervisor while she worked on her Ph.D. at Oxford between 2011 and 2014. Her thesis eventually got transformed into her first book: Seamus Heaney and Society (2020).

When I came upon the work of Heaney, I was a young graduate student. I came to him, albeit circuitously, first through reading the work of Joseph Brodsky (1940-1996). Brodsky led me to the work of Derek Walcott (1930-2017). Together, they took me, easily and effortlessly, to Heaney. I couldnt have had better guides.

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These men were a triumvirate in literature during the second half of the twentieth century. It was formed loosely, and unnamed and unofficial. They shared a unique friendship and camaraderie that has been written about in a few books. But the core of what they shared in common was language.

Language was what they mastered. Each created an oeuvre of lyrical and narrative verse that transcended their geographies, their troubles, and their selves.

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At a time when the canon of Western literature has come under leftist political bombard, the works of these three men are a reminder of how inspiring and noble the canon really is.

They advertently respected and honored it. They did so neither by attacking it nor in attempting to destroy it. They did what all great writers do. They shook its foundations in order to add to it.

Out of a rich literary and folk tradition, Heaney, like his predecessor, William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), added to it. Yet he was never provincial. While he studied Gaelic literature, his education was not without an intimate knowledge of the tradition in English literature. This is why we read him. This is why the world reads him.

This is evident from his first collection, Death of a Naturalist (1966), through to his last, Human Chain (2010). There are twelve collections. All of which, along with many, many unpublished poems, are included in The Poetry Of Seamus Heaney.

In one of his most anthologized poems, Digging, Heaney, as he was wont to do, made use of his childhood. His father and his fathers father were farmers. He wrote how they ... could handle a spade. The poet predetermined, however, not to follow in his fathers and grandfathers footsteps. No, he wrote: Ive no spade to follow men like them. Nonetheless, he will dig. The thirty-one line poem ends with a repetition of the opening lines: Between my finger and my thumb/The squat pen rests. The closure is crisp and emphatic: Ill dig with it.

And so he did. In one of his masterpieces, for example, Station Island, the poem that gives the title to the collection from 1984, the narrative is divided into twelve asymmetrical parts. Four of those parts are composed in variants of Dantean terza rima.

The piece de resistance is the final section. It conjures up the ghost of one of the key figures in the movement known historically as modernism, James Joyce (1882-1944).

Joyces advice to the persona of the poem is critical, if not memorable: Now strike up your note. Its meaning would not be lost on Heaney.

For Heaney, who began publishing his work at the start of what, in Northern Ireland, became known as The Troubles, half-avoided, half-resisted, the pressures, internal and external, to make of his art, solely and wholly, a response to the conflict.

It was a thirty-year conflict that saw people forced from cars and shot, and, what was worse, sometimes, at random, or so it seemed, bodies being blown apart, in stores, in pubs, in transit centers, the work of car bombs. In such a social milieu, how could one not feel stultified and, simultaneously, find it near impossible not to become entangled in its web?

Heaney, however, will write through all this religious and ideological violence but not, contrary to some, with indifference. He was, after all, a lifetime Northerner. Yet he never comes even close to the precipice.

As a poet, to maintain his integrity and not be defeated by reality, he insisted, with the force of the Joycean ghosts admonition (...dont be so earnest/so ready for the sackcloth and ashes), on creating literature, even when, as in most, if not all of his earliest work, it was rooted in childhood memories, that will go beyond the particulars of everyday life. He did it, too, with virtuosity.

Consider this: In Denmark, Heaney saw the exhumed bodies of the bog people. He also read, after it was translated into English in 1969, The Bog People (1965) by P. V. Glob (1911-1985).

Glob was a Danish archaeologist who worked extensively on two of the best known bog bodies: the Tollund Man, found in 1950, and so well-preserved as to be mistaken, at the time, for a recent murder victim; and the Grauballe Man, uncovered in 1952.

What is most interesting and certainly ironic is that, just as these bodies were thought to be examples of human sacrifice during Iron Age Germanic paganism, they became, filtered through the Poets imagination, in his most controversial collection, North (1975), his countrymen, dead on the pyre of politics.

Luckily, for us, which is to say, for readers worldwide, especially in the English-speaking world, and for arts and letters, Heaneys desire and wherewithal, and, I dare say, common sense, as opposed to what they would today call political correctness, to understand early the role and vocation of an artist, made for one more stone to add to that magnificent monument called the Canon. Sometimes, wrote Peggy Noonan, the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Wall Street Journal, a thing is called a masterpiece because it is a masterpiece.

So, despite the fact that much of Heaneys work is derived from the peat and sod of his native land, he allowed himself just the right distance to find his voice and strike his note. The Joycean advice of Station Island is the closest thing that we have of the Poets apologia. He is at his best when with understatement.

Image: Library of Congress, via Picryl // public domain
President Trump has the world playing taps for the New World Order, and thats a good thing. In the process, he dealt the UKs Keir Starmer what appears to be a fatal blow. And in Minneapolis, a combination of communists and NGO-paid rioters is trying to replay the George Floyd Summer of Love and is instead showing why ICEs work is essential to good order. The media is trying to help the rioters by concocting a bait boy fable.

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Davos

Niall Ferguson sums up: The reality is that Trump won Davos, hands down. And not only did he win it; he owned it. I have never before seen a single individual so completely dominate this vast bazaar of the powerful, the wealthy, the famous, and the self-important.

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Trump did this by forcing a realistic assessment of the state of the world, which the Davosinian caviar munchers seem to have ignored for too long. He made clear that globalization was dead, that it failed the U.S., failed Europe, diminished prosperity, and made the West subservient to its enemies.

In a prelude to the meeting, Trump and his administration whipped up the prospect of annexing Greenland. This prompted French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to gasp that such a move would rupture longstanding multinational geopolitics.

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Once the Davos crowd was all atwitter about the monster U.S. grabbing Greenland, Trump called the whole thing off. It was a deliberate distraction that ended up getting him exactly what he wanted in Greenland without costing us a cent.

The problem with all of this is the premise that Trump ever seriously meant to annex Greenland or to impose new tariffs on the Europeans. Why would he when a) the United States already enjoys (under a 1951 treaty with Denmark and a 2004 agreement with Greenland) all the military access to the frigid island it could every [sic] possibly need, while the Danes pay for the heavily subsidized inhabitants of the island; and b) Trump means what he says on Truth Social only about half the time, according to The Wall Street Journals recent analysis of 2,700 substantive Truth posts. Ill say it again: Half the time hes bluffing. And it was the same when he was on Twitter in series one. [snip] Ten years ago, Europeans made the mistake of taking Trump neither seriously nor literally. Now they make the opposite mistake of treating him both seriously and literally. [snip] The fact that Trump carries out only around half the threats he makes on social media is a feature, not a bug -- and its certainly not a sign of weakness. It is a deliberate tactic designed to leave counterparties uncertain.[snip]. Advertisement The reason Trump forced Greenland to be the No. 1 topic at Davos, I suspect, was to keep European leaders from meddling in Americas Middle Eastern and Eastern European policy. It was notable on Wednesday how little the president said about Iran and Ukraine. That is because his administration has plans afoot for both countries. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group are currently in the Indian Ocean en route to the Persian Gulf and are preparing strike package options on Iran for the presidents approval. Advertisement

If the Greenland gambit was an insufficiently obvious signal of the U.S. having run out of patience with and regard for the globalists, the president formally withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization, adhering to the agreement that we had to give a years notice (which we did) before leaving. The WHO deserves this for its mishandling of the COVID-19 virus, its very close ties with China, and its mismanagement. Over a year ago, HHS head Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. criticized WHO for becoming mired in bureaucratic bloat, entrenched paradigms, conflicts of interest and international power politics, along with the fact that we contribute far more than other members.

I think that critique is a fair estimate of all the existing major multinational organizations.

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Melanie Phillips says the old world order is dead because Western universalists destroyed it. And as online posters say, she brought the receipts.

Carney and other liberal leaders lamenting the end of the globalist game are merely acknowledging that Washington will no longer tolerate it. They fail to admit, however, that they have been propping up an international order that promised liberal ideals but delivered the opposite. These are the leaders who continue to develop economic ties with China, one of the principal threats to freedom and security in the world. These are the leaders who, for more than four decades, appeased the fanatical Islamic regime in Iran as it exported terrorism and mass murder around the world, pursued the development of nuclear weapons, waged proxy war against Israel and oppressed its own people. Over the past few weeks, as at least 16,500 Iranians were murdered in their attempt to bring the regime down, these world leaders said virtually nothing and did even less. Even now, France, Spain and Italy are actually blocking the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps -- the main instrument of the regimes global aggression -- as a terrorist organisation. The leaders in Davos have continued to allow Russia to launder its ill-gotten money through their capitals and have done little more than wring their hands over Ukraine. They say they dont like bullying leaders like Trump. But these countries have themselves relentlessly bullied Israel at its time of maximum need. They have punished it for defending itself against genocide, promoted Hamas lies as truths, and incentivised the Palestinian Arabs in their aim of exterminating Israel by continuing to fund the Palestinian Authoritys rewards for terrorist attacks and the indoctrination of its children in murderous hatred of Jews. So their hypocrisy in throwing up their hands in horror at what America has become is epic.

In place of the lumbering, corrupt UN, Trump seems to be putting together a Board of Peace. Phillips expresses very rational concerns about some of the invitees, particularly Qatar and Turkey, and of some of his personal characteristics, but on balance approves:

Trump is motivated by love of America, Western civilisation and the Jewish people. His political opponents, on the other hand, are motivated by hatred of America, Western civilisation and the Jewish people -- or are chillingly indifferent to those who are. Theres surely no contest. Trumps new world order has emerged because the old one has so catastrophically failed. International law and transnational institutions were created to destroy the power of imperial overreach in the interests of peace, freedom and justice. But that international order has betrayed and abandoned peace, freedom and justice. The outcome is a Caesar in the White House.

The biggest loser of the week was Keir Starmer, who embarrassingly had to abandon his public and widely bruited plan to hand the very strategically important Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which never owned them, and to pay Mauritius, which is now more closely aligned with China, thirty-five billion euros to top off the gift.

Lord Daniel Hannan provides a detailed summary of the importance of the islands and the history of British, U.S., and Mauritius connections to them. Trump was entitled, under a decades-long agreement that allowed the joint Anglo-American base on one of the islands, Diego Garcia, to veto any transfer, and he did.

The blow to Starmers already weak credibility would appear to be fatal, and I doubt he will survive past May.

For months, Starmer insisted there was no alternative. He spoke of inevitability, of international law, of security imperatives that demanded speed. Yet the International Court of Justice opinion he relied upon was non-binding. No court order compelled action. No hostile force threatened Diego Garcia. No deadline loomed. The urgency was political, not strategic. And that fiction has now been exposed. The fatal flaw was never Mauritius. It was the treaty Starmer treated as an afterthought. The 1966 UK-US Exchange of Letters is clear. The Chagos Islands are to remain under British sovereignty to ensure the operation of the joint base. That agreement was not obscure. It was foundational. Any competent government would have resolved its status before drafting legislation to hand the territory away. Starmer pressed ahead regardless, confident that the United States would fall into line later. That confidence was misplaced. Trump's earlier acceptance was casual and conditional. But when the legal consequences sharpened, and the treaty could no longer be waved away as a technicality, the White House pulled the plug. Trump called the plan an act of great stupidity, and suddenly the bill vanished from the Lords' schedule. The same government that spoke of urgency now cannot proceed. This exposes the lie at the heart of the deal. If national security were the driver, the treaty would have been the starting point. If legality mattered, Parliament would have been told the full cost and the unresolved risks. Instead, Starmer claimed the handover would cost just 3.4 billion, a figure he falsely linked to the OBR, while his own officials estimated the real bill at more than 35 billion. Parliament was expected to nod it through after the fact, armed with a number that was never true. He hid behind an authority that had not endorsed the figures and rushed a handover that would have placed British sovereignty in legal limbo while tens of billions flowed out of the defence budget. What we are watching is not diplomacy gone wrong. It is statecraft conducted by assumption. Assumption that international courts must be obeyed. Assumption that allies will acquiesce. Assumption that Parliament will rubber-stamp. Assumption that Britain should give first and argue later. That mindset is managerial, legalistic, and deeply hostile to the idea of national power. The bill was pulled because the bluff was called. Once the treaty surfaced, the security argument inverted itself. Once Washington objected, Starmer had nowhere to go. A Prime Minister who claimed there was no choice has now discovered that his choice could not stand. This episode will endure as a warning. Not about Trump's temperament or transatlantic spats, but about a governing class that treats sovereignty as an inconvenience and treaties as paperwork to be tidied up after the fact. Britain was inches away from giving away territory in breach of a live defence agreement, on the back of a non-binding opinion, financed by a fiscal fiction, all to satisfy an international audience that does not vote here and does not pay the bill. Starmer did not stumble into this. He built it on sand. And when the tide came in, it washed away the pretence. "The moment Washington raised the 1966 treaty, the whole structure gave way. A deal sold as urgent, lawful, and essential to security could not survive contact with reality."

Wretchardthecat posts that the deal was never popular. Of course it wasnt. The deal was moronic, and as Lord Hannan shows, without any legal justification. So how did Starmers scheme, which had progressed so far, finally lose support? Wretchard attributes that to a preference cascade, a fancy way of describing how, like the crowd in the Emperors New Clothes, people are too polite to say the deal was nuts. But once some impolite, crude and tactless person [Trump] started to complain, the rest chimed in.

Icing Minneapolis

As the corruption and graft in Minneapolis are now undeniable, Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey are furiously fanning the anti-ICE communists and leftists paid by what are still referred to as NGOs, although largely financed by the government. Public sentiment seems to be overwhelmingly in favor of ICE (the last poll I saw showed 72% supporting ICE, and even seven New York Democrats in Congress voted with Republicans to fund ICE this week).

In desperation, the Minnesota leftists are working to tar the agency and its officers as barbaric thugs. The shtick this week is the legacy presss pimping a phony story that ICE arrested a cute five-year-old in a darling knitted cap and then used him as bait to capture other members of his family. An example of the perfervid, dishonest reporting is this one in the Washington Posts Style section. (This is the ever-thinner papers section aimed at women with such critical news reports as Boob jobs are shrinking.)

The mawkish account by Philip Kennicott could not be more fact-free or obviously designed to prejudice readers by tugging at heartstrings.

The truth is, the boys father ran off and abandoned the kid in freezing temperatures, and the ICE officer had no choice but to keep him close until a proper guardian had been found. The boys mothers home was nearby, so they went there. She refused to take custody or even to open the door.

The twisted media tale is that having the kid go to his mother was using him as bait. He awaits a custodial determination in a clean, warm, well-run facility where his father is being held. It makes much of the childs cap, a blue knit with white bunny ears and pompoms, and instead of acknowledging that his family refused to take custody of him, states the boy was a pawn The photograph stirs empathy and compassion, the same emotions the ICE agents apparently used to entice adults into make themselves vulnerable to capture.

The author goes on to compare the photo with a painting by Mary Cassatt. Much more apt would be a comparison between a little boy standing without apparent fear alongside an ICE officer in freezing weather to little Elian Gonzales capture by armed agents of the U.S. Border Patrol under President Clinton, where Elian is obviously terrified and clutched in his aunts arms.

The author, an arts writer, slathers on the schmaltz:

It is evidence, forensic data, snatched from the slipstream of human barbarity, probably by a cellphone camera. But its accidental composition accentuates the boys helplessness, and by extension, our own compassion for children standing in the bitter cold, torn from the protection of their parents, subject to the brutal treatment of adults. The boy stares at the truck, as we might stare at a wall if brought to the point of complete moral despair, complete loss of faith in too many of our fellow citizens. This is an image of universal moral urgency.

John Carter, by contrast, shows how the media twists truth to create the bait boy to drum up requisite outrage.

According to reports, the father was spotted in public and fled, abandoning the boy. Like [Kamala] Harris, Craig reminded citizens that this is a time where we should all be outraged. If this doesnt pierce through your humanity, as a Republican member of Congress, if you cant speak out about this, then youve got no humanity left. The key, again, is the requisite outrage. If you are not outraged, you are not human. It is often said that we are living in a post-truth political environment. The term rose to favor due to the 2016 election of President Trump. Oxford Dictionaries specifically cited Trump when it selected the term as word of the year. The irony is that the proof of post-truth politics is often found among those who use it the most on the left, in the media and academia. The bait boy hoax is particularly disgraceful. It is common to have minor children present during arrests of all kinds. Officers will often try to get family members to take a child rather than put him into child services. In this case, ICE officers were trying to detain Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an undocumented Ecuadorian national, when he bolted and left behind his five-year-old child, Liam Conejo Ramos. Rather than leave the child in the freezing cold on the street, the officers took the child to his home to get his mother to take him in. She refused to open the door despite agents reportedly saying that she would not be detained. They proceeded to take the boy to McDonalds, play his favorite music, and take care of him. He was never arrested. They also did not send him into detention. According to ICE, his father asked for the boy to be allowed to stay with him at a detention facility, and ICE agreed.

Maybe news accounts ought not to be written by art critics in Style sections or media hacks.
Ive railed for months and in countless op-eds that the Democrats have no discernable, affirmative, platform from which to run on, in service to the American people. No economic plan. No trade ideas. No thoughts on foreign affairs. No military strategies.

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The Democrat platform  Hate Trump and do whatever is necessary to reclaim power. Their strategy to this end has been to cosplay as revolutionaries.

Democrat politicians have tried to one-up each other in public displays of rebellion.

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Sen. Alex Padilla from California gained notoriety by bum-rushing Kristi Noem at a press conference.

Rep. Maxine Waters tried to get some spotlight by trying to barge her way into a detention facility.

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Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was arrested for rustling with ICE agents as she tried to gain access to a detention facility unannounced.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ratcheted up the rhetoric with dozens of attacks on President Trump, both online, in podcasts, on late-night T.V., and most recently at the World Economic Conference in Davos, Switzerland.

Sadly, but inevitably these high-profile dust-ups with President Trump and his agenda have created a perverse incentive for ever-more radical symbols of resistance.

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The current cause celebres and notoriety production is opposition to ICE and the deportation of criminal illegal aliens.

Politicians are amplifying their calls for resistance, most notably Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

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Theyve created a resistance movement, and sadly, have had foot soldiers (protestors) pay the ultimate price.

Renee Good was shot by an ICE officer in self-defense, after they were trying to clear her and her wife from interfering with the apprehension of a criminal illegal alien. Today, an armed protestor (Alex Pretti) was involved in a scuffle with ICE officers, with complete details yet unknown, and was shot and killed.

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ICE makes arrests across the country, without incident. It is only in sanctuary cities that ICE is met with uncooperative and indeed obstructive local authorities, and as we see in Minnesota, full-on rebellion.

This rebellion is the plan.

It is sad to say, but a couple dead protestors serves the Democrats overarching objective - to create the environment for revolution. To rally the mob in undermining the lawful effectuation of federal immigration enforcement.

There are three reasons for this:

One  to protect their voter (ballots) base of illegal aliens.

Two  to shield investigators from uncovering the source of billions of dollars of government fraud (hint; the source is not the low-IQ Somalians).

And lastly  to build an army of citizens (and non-citizens) to further martyr themselves for the cause.

The cause  restoring Democrats to power.

Its ironic (not) that civil unrest comes around every two to four years, just before elections. The current protest season is well underway.

Democrats are creating the environment for a French-style revolution and have created a perverse incentive which places citizens on the front lines of their ideological battle. Things will get worse, before they get worse still.

Image: Screenshot from X video
The left is now notorious for the lies and deceptions that it propagates, and its specialty is destroying anyone who gets in its way. A timely example is Dr. Eithan Haim, who spoke out against a hospital that was pursuing banned transgender practices. The hospital and its doctors decided they were entitled to take revenge  and Dr. Haim is fighting back:

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Elon Musk is funding a lawsuit from the Texas doctor who is accusing Texas Childrens Hospital and multiple physicians of crafting malicious lies about him to destroy his career as they attempted to cover up their efforts to transition children. Dr. Eithan Haim blew the whistle on Texas Childrens Hospital in May 2023, unveiling proof that the hospital had lied about ending its transgender medical program and was still performing attempted transition procedures on children as young as 11. His disclosures showed the hospital was breaking the law, as Texas had just passed a bipartisan law to ban the procedures. Advertisement

The doctors at the hospital couldnt tolerate Dr. Haims ethical behavior, so they set out to lie about him and destroy his reputation through rumors. These are some of the statements from Haims lawsuit:

Hollier was the key witness who knowingly lied to federal authorities at HHS, FBI, and DOJ to fabricate a story that would serve as the predicate for the criminal investigation and eventual prosecution against Haim, the lawsuit states. Advertisement Rialon posted a number of anonymous defamatory reviews on Haims public WebMD profile while he was still an anonymous whistleblower and his identity had not been made public. Her reviews, according to the lawsuit, accused him of mutilating and raping his patients. In one post, she pretended to be a female patient who had been raped by Haim.

The damage to Haims career is incalculable and may be impossible to repair:

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Dr. Haims budding reputation and career as a surgeon were severely damaged as a direct result of Defendants unconscionable and vindictive conduct. Having moved to Rockwall County in September 2023, Dr. Haim was embarking on a promising career, the suit says. However, 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 does not address, of course, the horrible damage that has been done by these doctors to children who are likely confused about their sexuality and pursue life-changing procedures to reach a state of emotional peace. Yet these doctors are angry that this mutilating and destructive form of medicine is no longer available to them. After all, it paid very well:

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Gender-affirming physicians have also been caught on video admitting to more old-fashioned motives for such procedures, as with a 2022 expose about Vanderbilt University Medical Centers Clinic for Transgender Health, where Dr. Shayne Sebold Taylor said outright that these surgeries make a lot of money.

As Musk and Haim pursue this lawsuit, we can only hope that justice is done.

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Image: Pkd2016 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
The Trump administrations Department of Justice recently attempted to hold former CNN anchor Don Lemon accountable for his role in a disruptive protest inside a St. Paul, Minnesota church. Anti-ICE activists interrupted a worship service, and Lemon was there, camera in hand, livestreaming the chaos and interviewing participants. When federal prosecutors moved to charge him under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, and potentially the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 (a civil rights law prohibiting conspiracies to deprive others of their rights), Lemon and his defenders cried foul.

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Lemons attorney insisted his client was engaged in constitutionally protected activity as a journalist, merely reporting on a newsworthy event. A magistrate judge ultimately declined to approve charges against him.

The broader argument Lemon advances is far more dangerous than the incident itself: that journalists enjoy a special exemption from laws criminalizing interference with others civil rights, simply because they are covering the story.

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This claim is not just wrong; its a recipe for rendering key federal civil rights protections meaningless.

Consider the logic. If Don Lemon can enter a house of worship with protesters, film as they disrupt services, interview the agitators mid-chaos, and emerge unscathed because he was doing journalism, what stops anyone else from doing the same? In an era of smartphones and social media, every American is a potential publisher. The Supreme Court has long recognized that the First Amendment protects citizen-journalists no less than credentialed professionals. There is no press license required to invoke free speech or free press protections.

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So, under Lemons implied standard, any activist could simply whip out a phone, hit record, declare himself a citizen-journalist, and participate in otherwise illegal obstruction, all while claiming immunity. Block access to a church? Film it for your YouTube channel. Conspire to intimidate worshipers? Just livestream the planning session, and call it investigative reporting. The FACE Act and the KKK Act would be gutted overnight.

This isnt hypothetical. Progressives spent years cheering when the Biden DOJ aggressively deployed the FACE Act against pro-life demonstrators peacefully praying outside abortion facilities. Now, when the shoe is on the other foot and left-wing activists disrupt a church service (with an ICE agent in the congregation, no less), suddenly the law is an affront to press freedom when applied to a sympathetic media figure.

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Lemons defenders will protest that he wasnt participating; he was just observing and reporting. But video from the event shows him embedded with the protesters, entering the sanctuary alongside them, narrating their actions approvingly, and conducting interviews that amplified their message inside the disrupted service. If thats pure journalism, the line between reporter and participant vanishes entirely.

True journalism requires independence, not advocacy. Reporters can, and should, cover protests without becoming part of them. They can stand outside, interview participants afterward, and document events without crossing into criminal conduct. The First Amendment protects newsgathering, not lawbreaking.

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No one is above the law, not even self-proclaimed journalists. If we carve out a special exemption for anyone holding a camera during civil rights violations, we invite anarchy. Allowing journalist status to serve as a shield would turn free speech protections into dead letters, enforceable only against those who forget to press record.

Don Lemons argument is a gift to every future lawbreaker clever enough to livestream his crimes. Americans deserve better than a two-tiered justice system: one for activists with cameras and one for everyone else.

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During the past week more than 100 rabbis from Minnesota and other states have reacted against the efforts by ICE and affiliated federal agencies to find, arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens within the state of Minnesota.

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These rabbis have sought to invoke the Torah as a source supporting their opinion on this issue.

During the past three weeks, the portion of Torah (Five Books of Moses) that has come from Exodus, which is related to the effort to gain freedom from Egyptian slavery by the Israelites under Moses leadership, was cited.

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Sadly, the involvement of this group will ultimately create greater schisms within the Jewish community.

The statement by the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) joined by the leadership of the United Conservative Jewish Synagogues and Reconstructive Synagogue Assembly as the Jewish Cross Denominational Statement Against Violent Immigration Enforcement condemns the ICE efforts in Minneapolis.

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Who are these rabbis and signatories to this statement?

This represents the divide within the Jewish community, where most Jews are liberal if not progressives.

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The more conservative members of this population are likely to be more reserved and quieter as peer pressure is great within synagogues and Jewish organizations.

This divide was made evident during over the two years since the attack on Israel by Hamas military radicals resulting in the Gaza War and battles on many fronts by the IDF. Many American Jews objected to the Israeli governments battle plan and destruction of much of the Gaza strip. Some Jewish Americans have placed their personal political views above concern for the greater community. On the national lobbying effort, this conflict is exemplified by the J Street and AIPAC divide.

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The Jewish people have always had multiple interpretations of Torah, Tanach, and Talmud.

In ancient times, many differences led to many sects of Israelite and Jewish practice.

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Then the Essenes, Sadducees, Pharisees, and Zealots had different views on prophesy and reaction to Roman rule which resulted in Rabbinic Judaism and creation of Christianity.

Today there are several denominations of modern Judaism including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Hasidic, and non-denominational orders, to name a few.

Therefore, it is not surprising that Jews would have differing political opinions, too.

This statement comes from the generally politically left Jewish leadership.

Within the statement there are biases that cannot be ignored.

From Deuteronomy 12:19 Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt is meant to reject hatred of people from other communities which is a tribal tendency of mankind. It does not mean to accept criminals and dangerous people without consideration.

Further, the statement refers to immigrants without distinguishing illegal migrants from legal ones.

This lack of recognition of USA federal laws violates the Jewish admonition to follow the civil law within the nation that we reside. Herein is the bias of these signatories. These authors represent the political left within the Jewish community. Yet they do not hesitate to speak on behalf of the entire community. These persons have every right to their opinion, but should they inject themselves into this issue without and nuance?

The reform and Reconstructionist movements are essentially Democratic. The Orthodox movements tend toward the Republicans. The Conservative movement is led by liberals but over the past few years the membership is moving toward a larger minority supporting Republicans. Yet the Jewish community votes overwhelmingly Democratic and anti-Trump. Herein lies the underlying bias that results in such a statement.

Clearly the recent events in which a woman was killed while driving her car toward a federal agent, a shooting in which aliens were overwhelming federal agents with a shovel, and a nurse was killed while carrying a gun were used by Minnesotas politicians to argue against the ICE efforts to capture criminal aliens. For these politicians the threat of uncovering corruption must be a factor in their resistance to ICE efforts. But a sanctuary city or state is principally protecting criminals. In these locales, ICE is prevented from detaining criminal aliens while being held in jails prior judicial proceedings. Again, loving the stranger is not a command to protect criminals. This is not an absolute Jewish value.

Finally, the issue concerning violent methodology by ICE is questionable. In an environment in which the political establishment of Minnesota has restricted local police from aiding ICE, they are under greater threat and risk.

When the mostly peaceful rioters throw ice and other items while blocking ICE agents from performing their job would you be shocked if their tactics become more aggressive? So, the premise is slanted against the ICE agents.

In the Ninth Commandment we are told to not bear false witness against your neighbor.

By this I interpret it to be wrong to lie.

This statement distorts facts to the point of a lie. I would hope that cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE in Minneapolis will occur and that fewer people will be negatively impacted.

Image: Logo, via X // fair use
Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer is now term-limited, with her reign set to end on January 1, 2027. Recall that she was one of the four Democrat governors who shoved elderly COVID patients back into nursing homes, resulting in an unnecessarily high death count. In a sane world, not only would that be grounds for removal from office, but it should lead to indictment and imprisonment. But among Democrats, if not a resume-builder, it doesnt seem to hurt. Not only did she win re-election as governor, but it now looks as though shes getting ready to move up.

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From the Hill:

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said she believes the U.S. is ready for a woman president, directly contrasting comments made by former first lady Michelle Obama.

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Wow, so daring. Well, in Democrat World, if you didnt vote for Hillary Clinton or Kamala Harris, it can be for no other reason than you didnt want a female president.

Whitmer also is starting to rumble about President Trump possibly disrupting the midterm elections:

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She said Democratic governors are discussing how to respond and are performing tabletop exercises, though she gave few specifics. There are important reasons that Im not going to go into a whole lot more detail, Whitmer said.

I interpret that as knocking heads with the guvs to do whatever it takes to guarantee the desired election results in their states  in other words, to disrupt the midterm elections. Whitmer served from 2021 to 2025 as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, so shes definitely an insider.

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Although California governor Gavin Newsom is viewed right now as the frontrunner in the next presidential election, Id say its at least 50-50 that his woke policies and huge state budget deficits hidden through smoke and mirrors will come to the forefront and cause his campaign to implode, leaving Whitmer as the logical replacement.

In that case, its time to address the Whitmer fake kidnapping plot. It shouldnt be too hard for FBI director Patel to dig up who was behind the plot, publicize the findings, indict the players if possible, and most of all reveal Whitmers role. That should rightfully end her campaign, even with a complicit press.

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W.A. Eliot is a pseudonym.

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Image: Gretchen Whitmer. Credit: austin_slack via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped).
People who run nonprofits are usually smug, smarmy, better-than-the-rest-of-us people, viewing their trade as superior to the rest of us money-grubbers in the private sector who only look to profit for our own benefit.

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So you've got to wonder about people like this guy below, who takes $23 million from the State of California and derived foundations for the purpose of feeding the homeless nutritious meals -- and hands out 25-cent packs of ramen and calls that nutritous 'food.'

According to LAist:

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Federal officials announced on Friday they arrested the head of a homelessness charity based in Hyde Park on allegations of wire fraud. According to officials, 42-year-old Alexander Soofer fraudulently obtained $23 million in public dollars meant to house and feed 600 homeless people. Soofer allegedly used at least $10 million of the money to buy homes, designer items and fund his kids private school educations. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. Details of the case: Soofer is the executive director of Abundant Blessings, which was founded in 2018 to end homelessness, according to a profile of the charity on LinkedIn. Five million dollars came directly from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and the remaining $17 million came from a downtown L.A. nonprofit, which according to the complaint, received its funding from LAHSA. Officials allege that among other things, Soofer used public funds to buy a $7 million home in Westwood, nearly half-a-million-dollar vacation home in Greece, $125,000 Range Rover and thousands in items from Hermes and Chanel. Advertisement Local Investigations: LAHSA and the L.A. City Controllers Office investigated Soofer. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Friday that Soofer lied to the auditors from both organizations and provided them fake documents. LAHSA terminated its contracts with Abundant Blessings following its investigation and referred the case to the DAs office, the federal complaint says.

Guys like this should have the book thrown at them, given how cynical their acts were. Nutritious meals: carb and chemical-filled ramen, sometimes with a microwave to heat it, but probably mostly eaten dry, while this character bought himself a Grecian vacation getaway.

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Any questions that the homeless are easy to abuse? The worst of it is by the people charged with 'taking care of' them.

So when lefties talk about greedy capitalists and seem sincere, this may be what they are exposed to, exceept that this guy wasn't a capitalist, he was a vaunted NGO using taxpayer cash to kick the homeless and feather his nest on the side.

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What's more salient is way he got away with it for so long and with so much. County officials said he passed fraudulent documents, which would have delayed pulling funds, but surely after the first million, they should have had him, not the twenty-third million. One news agency reports that the county only has about seven inspectors for thousands of allegations of fraud. Maybe that's because there are so many others in the bloated government of Los Angeles in its homelessness departments, the county's biggest, who also may be involved in various scams. Obvioiusly, they aren't detecting fraud.

Priorities, priorities.

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There's been some jockeying as who gets credit for this collar -- the County, which investigated the problem, or the federal lawmen, who laid down the toughest charges this past week, on wire fraud and other felonies. Obviously, all deserve some credit:

In July 2025, city investigators publicly raised alarms about a contractor serving mostly instant ramen to unhoused residents  a practice Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia said fell far short of contractual meal requirements. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Soofer contracted with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, or LAHSA, to provide housing and supportive services across South Los Angeles. By July 2023, prosecutors say he had multiple agreements to shelter more than 600 people at various sites. Investigators allege Soofer attempted to conceal the scheme by submitting fake and misleading invoices  at times using the names, logos and addresses of real companies  to make it appear vendor and rent payments were legitimate. Authorities also claim he falsely said his charity had a legitimate board of directors, when in reality some members did not exist and others had never heard of the organization.

Sneaky little toad, wasn't he?

Then the feds did their part afterward:

The case marks the third arrest announced by the Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force, a joint federal effort involving the FBI, IRS and the Department of Housing and Urban Developments Office of Inspector General. Federal prosecutors say more than two dozen additional investigations remain ongoing.

And this is just one case. There are dozens and dozens to follow, and they are undoubtedly focused on the ones most likely to yield productive outcomes. That's a lot of fraud in California. And a lot of insults to the homeless and other people deemed vulnerable and objects of lefty compassion. Some compassion. Why, exactly, was this allowed to go on so long that the cleanup is just getting started?

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
Under the Constitution, we have a democratic republic. The nations immigration laws were enacted in conformity with the Constitution by duly elected officials of the Legislative and Executive Branches of the federal government. The immigration laws have been held to be constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, which comprises justices nominated and confirmed by the Executive and the Legislative Branches.

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The Democrats are acting in opposition to the Constitution. The Democrats conduct constitutes a rejection of the democratic republican form of government established by the Constitution. Under the Constitution, if the Democrats want to stop enforcement of the duly enacted immigration laws, they are obligated under the Constitution to change the laws in conformity with the Constitution.

Instead, the Democrats have taken the anti-democracy path. Democrat President Joe Biden was required by the Constitution to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. The Constitution did not allow President Biden to fail to enforce the immigration laws and effectively open the border to millions of people who entered the country in violation of the laws. Nor did the Constitution allow President Biden to grant benefits to those who were in the country illegally. The Democrats have sanctuary policies that hinder the federal government from enforcing the duly enacted immigration laws.

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In acting in opposition to the Constitution, the Democrats are acting like tyrants, not like those who support a democratic republican form of government.

As Alfred Pennyworth said to Bruce Wayne, some men just want to watch the world burn.

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Allan J. Favish is an attorney in Los Angeles. His website is allanfavish.com. In 2010, James Fernald and Mr. Favish co-authored a book about what might happen if the government ran Disneyland, entitled Fireworks! If the Government Ran the Fairest Kingdom of Them All (A Very Unauthorized Fantasy).

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Image via Picryl.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was founded in 1913 in response to a rising tide of antisemitism in America. By the 1960s, though, it had embraced the Civil Rights Movement, and it never looked back. This continued for years under the aegis of its current CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, an Obama operative. However, with antisemitism a rising tide rather than the trickle its been for so long, the ADL is returning to its roots...and the American left is not happy.

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In 2021, I wrote an American Thinker essay entitled The Anti-Defamation League is no longer about protecting Jews. Ironically enough (youll understand why in a minute), I wrote it because Tucker Carlson, before he fought with a demon and became a pro-Qatar, pro-Islam, anti-American, anti-Israel kook, said correctly that the Democrats are seeking to replace Americas population with a new population that will reliably support immigrants.

Recent events have proven Tucker was correct. The illegal immigrant pipeline has directed billions of taxpayer dollars to fund the Democrat party, and Democrats are physically going to war with the federal government to prevent illegal aliens from being repatriated. Their manifest goal is to bring the Third World to America.

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What got my dander up in 2021 was that the ADL waded in. Back then, Tucker kept his antisemitism neatly hidden away. Instead, his standard Republican take was focused on a fact (Biden opened the illegal immigrant floodgates) and offered a theory that later proved to be true (Democrats wanted a reliable voter bloc). A group that had as its mission defending against antisemitism had no reason to attack Tucker.

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YouTube screen grab (cropped).

But thats exactly what the ADL did. Greenblatt demanded that Tucker Carlson be silenced. This was a Democrat talking point, right out of the Obama playbook, rather than an effort to address antisemitism in America.

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Greenblatt is still attacking Tucker, but this time he has legitimate, ADL-style grounds for doing so, given Tuckers hostility to Israel and constant stream of nasty antisemitic canards and slurs. And thats how we get this news:

As antisemitism surges across the country, particularly online, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League revealed last week that he is quietly working with lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, to combat the growing threat. Advertisement I think the only way we are going to defeat the rise in antisemitism on the right is from the right, Greenblatt said during a panel interview last week. Nick Fuentes is disgusting, Tucker Carlson is disgusting, Candace Owens is disgusting, and so on, but there have been good people like Ted Cruz and Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin [and] Speaker [Mike] Johnson pushing back on these revolting lunatics. We definitely are working a lot to try to get the platforms to kind of enforce their own terms of service so that we can pull down the most offensive hate speech or get them to do it, he continued. What I try to do at ADL, what we try to do is provide data, is to provide tools, is to step up often quietly behind the scenes. Advertisement

Greenblatt is right that the new Alt-Right antisemites need to be squashed, and his willingness to ally with the GOP is a good thing. Heck, by working with people like Ted Cruz, Ben Shapiro, Mark Levin, and Mike Johnson, Greenblatt may even learn something about liberty, the Constitution, and the American way.

What caught my eye, though, is who is angry at Greenblatts new direction. Its not Tucker, who used the ADLs shift as a basis for more implied antisemitic comments.

No, whos really upset about Greenblatts new focus are Jewish leftists, as seen by an in-depth Arno Rosenfeld article in The Forward. The Forward, for those who dont know, was originally a Yiddish-language newspaper and is even older than the ADL, having been founded in 1897. Its also been socialist since Day One. And not just soft, suburban socialist. Hardcore Marx had the right idea socialist.

According to Rosenfeld, Greenblatt has betrayed the ADLs cause, which isnt antisemitism at all. Instead, the cause is civil rights. Rosenfeld starts with the glory days of life in Georgia six years ago, during the Black Lives Matter movement, when the ADL was hiring people such as Robert Sills, whose focus was Black Lives, not Jewish ones. But now, alas, all has changed:

...[T]he ADL has shut down its teams focused on democracy and civil rights. Much of the information about #HateFreeGA has been archived and is no longer available on the ADLs website, nor are hundreds of other pages related to civil rights and extremism, as the organization narrows its focus to antisemitism. Core civil rights work is going away, said Sills, who resigned about a year after he started.

The problem?

... Jonathan Greenblatt, the organizations CEO, has said that the surge of antisemitism following the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel has been forcing a retreat from the ADLs historic commitment to such work [i.e., civil rights work].

According to the Jewish socialists, though, October 7 is just a cover for Greenblatts more fundamental betrayal:

But many close observers say Greenblatt began shifting the organization away from work on voting rights, abortion, and LGBTQ+ issues, among others, well before Oct. 7 and that the ADL is unlikely to return to those issues under his leadership  a shift that could have major implications for American Jews given the ADLs outsize influence in shaping the way Americans understand antisemitism.

Theres more, lots more. Long though it is, I recommend that those wondering about leftist Jewish thinking at least check it out, because its all here: Leftist Jews are leftists first. For them, Judaism is a genetic reality, an occasionally useful political identity, and an excuse to be ethnic by throwing around Yiddish words and boasting about the best bagels. However, when it comes to a core Jewish issuesurvival in a world of rising antisemitismtheyre infuriated that the most prominent group in America formed to address antisemitism is taking its mission seriously.
Today, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, died after he was shot during a scuffle with ICE agents who were on duty in Minneapolis. Those facts are undisputed. However, within minutes of the shooting, the narratives were already in place.

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According to the government, Pretti waved a gun at ICE agents and, when they tried to subdue him, refused to give up his weapon, at which point, one agent felt that the only way for the agents to emerge alive was to shoot Pretti:

At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, seen here.



The officers attempted to pic.twitter.com/5Y50mYONGH  Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 24, 2026

... disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. More details on the armed struggle are forthcoming. Advertisement Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect also had 2 magazines and no IDthis looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement. Advertisement About 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement on the scene, crowd control measures were deployed for the safety of the public and law enforcement. This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming. Advertisement

This version aligns with what anti-ICE activists have been threatening to dothat is, take out ICE officersand what government officials in Minnesota have seemed to be subtly encouraging. Its also consistent with other behavior weve seen from those same activists: That is, actively interfering with ICE agents, although this is the first case of someone allegedly aiming a gun at ICE.

Of course, the left very quickly had its narrative in place, too. According to them, Pretti could not have intended to commit a crime because he had a license to bear arms:

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His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. He was 37 years old, a licensed nurse, what a right to carry that gun. pic.twitter.com/EWvLobaB4S  Amanda Babs   (@amandababs93) January 24, 2026

Do they realize that they have just accepted the gun rights narrative (which happens to coincide with reality) that legal gun owners almost never commit crimes with their guns? However, they also seem unclear about the fact that, even if youre a licensed gun owner, that doesnt mean you have a license to engage in illegal activity. They get it wrong at both ends.

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Because Pretti was a nurse, they say, he could not possibly have contemplated violence. After all, you know...nurses. Hearts, flowers, needles... Apparently, they missed this recent story:

Meet Lexie Lawler, a labor and delivery nurse at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital (@BaptistHealthSF). She says she hopes Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suffers a severe 4th-degree tear during childbirth and has medical complications.



"I hope you f*cking rip from bow pic.twitter.com/rBFzcpFsxM  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 22, 2026

(She was fired, with Baptist Health issuing a perfect press release.)

Also, just because its interesting, it seems that 36% of all 21st century serial killers in England have been nurses, while almost 40% of all female serial killers are nurses. So, the nurses never kill shtick needs to die quickly.

Anti-ICE activists also insist that Pretti was there to help other protesters, that he was waving a camera, not a gun, that he was disarmed long before he was shot, and that ICE faked his having used his gun:

Alex Jeffrey Pretti was brandishing a phone. They maced him twice & took his phone. His gun was likely holstered & his hands were empty. The federal agent removed the gun & then Alex was shot 10 times. Trump is lying. Alex had a permit for his gun. pic.twitter.com/rd5yEiSK9v  Fly Sistah  (@Fly_Sistah) January 24, 2026 the agent who disarmed Pretti fired Pretti's gun into the ground



note the pavement impact pic.twitter.com/CuwtXx12Ze  Potato Of Reason (@PotatoOfReason) January 24, 2026

Theres also a theory that one of the officers had an accidental discharge, which led to another officer assuming it was Pretti who was firing and, in turn, opening fire:

My idle speculation: An agent saw a gun and said gun. One agent calmly secured gun from suspect. Another agent spazzed out and unloaded into the guy. Hopefully other video footage is secured by non-DHS so we get the truth about what happened.  Deva Hazarika (@devahaz) January 24, 2026

The other thing that outrages leftists is that the officer(s), once he/they fired the first shot (I dont know how many officers fired), kept firing. They just cant seem to grasp that its only in Hollywood movies that good guys fire one perfect shot and are done, with the bad guy shaking the sore hand that had held his gun.

In fact, if an officer decides the situation is sufficiently dangerous to use his weapon, its also sufficiently dangerous for him to keep firing until there is no doubt that the danger is averted. Too many officers have died over the years because they believed in Hollywoods one and done approach.

The reality, though, is that the videos tell us nothing. What we see with the videos is someone confronting ICE and a melee, followed by the sound of shots. Thats it. Unless more video comes out or the ICE agents prove to have body cams, we dont know what happenedalthough we do know that he interfered with ICE agents in the performance of their duties, which is a foolhardy thing to do.

His motives did not matter, just as it did not matter whether Renee Good was trying to hit an officer or just run away in the face of a lawful order to get out of her vehicle, if Pretti deliberately got himself physically involved with ICE agents, the story really ends there. It was dumb, and it was fatal.

ICE is engaged in lawful conduct. The people trying to interfere with it directly are engaged in felonious conduct. What happens to them at that point is their fault. But again, who knows what happened?

The truth is out there, and it may one day be revealed. Unfortunately, it doesnt matter at this point. People like Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz want blood, and theyre getting it. This will not end well. I have two suggestions for Trump:

First, he can call in the military (the National Guard or the Army) to quell the violence, just as Eisenhower and other presidents have done before him.

Second, Trump can wall off Minneapolis, remove all federal personnel and federal funding, install pay-per-view cameras everywhere, and then create a new reality show where we watch Minneapolis crater.

Honestly, I just dont see any other alternatives.

UPDATE: You cannot get a better analysis of the legalities of what happened than from Andrew Branca:

The firearm mattersand the media is hiding it. At the Minneapolis Border Patrol shooting, the suspect was armed with a SIG Sauer P320 AXG Combat, a high-capacity 9mm pistol with a threaded barrel, extended 2021 round magazine, and a SIG Romeo optica setup costing pic.twitter.com/NECAGsjlbz  Andrew Branca Show (@TheBrancaShow) January 24, 2026

The video matters. In the Minneapolis Border Patrol shooting, the suspect was actively resisting, multiple agents were attempting to compel compliance, and the suspect straightened up with a firearm in handthats when the first shot is fired. The still frames showing a bent pic.twitter.com/tu015dn2Cq  Andrew Branca Show (@TheBrancaShow) January 24, 2026

Also, this seems to be Pretti doing something other than innocently bystanding:

No. You dont get to launder this by calling him an observer, as if he were a neutral bystander who happened to be shot for no reason.



Everyone knows whats happening. Literal communists are operating in lockstep with taxpayer-funded NGOs to mass-recruit people, whip them into pic.twitter.com/YuXqNO5N6y  DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) January 24, 2026

Header image: X screen grab.
Every Jewish child, even if he knows nothing else, knows one question:  ,    . That question comes from the Passover service, when a child asks those at the table, Why is this night different from all other nights? The answer, of course, is that Passover is the night on which we commemorate how God liberated the Jews from Egyptian slavery, a moment that led to the seminal Ten Commandments and the Jews return to their land.

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It is, in other words, an important question: Why is this one thing different from all other things? (For the non-Jewish among us, you can go to Sesame Street for a similar question.)

That same question applies with equal, although entirely non-religious weight, to events in Minneapolis: Why is this city different from all other cities?

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Image created using AI.

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Why, in almost all cities across America, are ICE operations conducted peacefully?

Why, in almost all cities across America, are there no reports of ICE agents injuring or killing people?

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Why, in almost all cities across America, are there no reports of ICE agents being rammed by cars, beaten, doused with freezing water, verbally harassed, or having their fingers bitten off?

When framed that way, its easy to see that the unique factor isnt ICE, which operates smoothly and peacefully just about everywhere. Instead, the problem is a handful of radicalized Democrat-run cities (e.g., Minneapolis, Seattle, and Portland). They are the common denominator, not for ICE operations, but for violence.

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Nor can one say that the difference is that ICE is barely touching other cities, while its bringing its full weight to poor, pathetic Minneapolis, all because of anti-Somali animus. In fact, ICE is very busy elsewhere. As Kevin Bass correctly observes, the problem is the city, not the federal agency:

23% of all ICE arrests occur in Texas



2.2% occur in Minnesota



A 10-fold difference



Yet far more ICE-related violence is happening in Minnesota



Why? Because Democrats are promoting and provoking violence in Minnesota



Democrats do not hate violence



Violence is their goal  Kevin Bass (@kevinnbass) January 24, 2026

Please note that I cannot confirm Basss numbers. However, we know that ICE has removed over 622,000 illegal aliens from across America, yet the only reports of violence against ICE or by ICE come from a few specific locations. The common denominator in violence isnt ICE; its those cities.

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If you understand that the problem isnt ICE but is, instead, Minneapolis and the Democrat party, you can begin to appreciate how false everything else the Democrats say really is. For example, the newest line from Illinois Gov. Fat Tony Pritzker is that we ought to abolish Trumps ICE and replace it with something else. ICE, he adds, needs to be revamped.

Replaced with what? Revamped with what?

ICE exists to carry out very explicit congressional mandates: Remove and repatriate those people who have no right to be in America. Those people have been identified either as straight-out illegal without a defense or, if they claimed asylum or the benefit of some other process, as having had their claim rejected by an administrative judge. Thats it, thats their due process. Now, they get evicted, just as any squatter would.

The only way to replace or revamp ICE is to abandon the law, since ICEs raison detre is to enforce the lawand, again, it does so with stunning success and no violence in all places but for hard-left enclaves. The problem is the enclaves, not ICE.

Ive said before, and Ill say again, that Donald Trump needs to bring the hammer down on Minneapolis, just as Eisenhower did on Little Rock, Kennedy did on Mississippi and Alabama, and Johnson did on Selma and Los Angeles. Alternatively, he needs to cordon Minneapolis (and maybe Portland) off from the rest of America (no one goes in and no one comes out), remove all federal forces and funds, install pay-per-view cameras, and help bring down the federal debt by charging people to watch as the city implodes.

UPDATE:
Aryna Sabalenka fought off one teenage challenger but finds another in her path to the Australian Open semi-finals.

World number one Sabalenka looked to be cruising to victory against 19-year-old Victoria Mboko at 6-1 4-1 only for the Canadian to show just why she is so highly rated.

Mboko saved three match points at 5-4 but Sabalenka regrouped and won a 20th consecutive grand slam tie-break in dominant fashion to claim a 6-1 7-6 (1) victory.

The stats don't lie  The Grand Slam tiebreak queen Aryna Sabalenka has made her 13th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, defeating Mboko 6-1 7-6(1) on RLA.#AO26 pic.twitter.com/QS6gv9Hq2A  #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2026

The world number one was hugely impressed by Mboko, who is now on the verge of the top 10, saying: Shes an amazing player. It was quite a fight.

Im super happy that I was able to close this match in straight sets. The second set was a bit tricky. But Im happy with the level I played. Happy to be through.

Next up for Sabalenka is an even younger opponent in American Iva Jovic, who only turned 18 last month.

The teenager followed up her maiden top-10 win against Jasmine Paolini by swatting aside Yulia Putintseva 6-0 6-1 in just 53 minutes.

Victoria Mboko pushed Aryna Sabalenka (Dita Alangkara/AP) (Dita Alangkara)

Jovic already has 11 victories this season, more than any other woman, and is the youngest player to reach the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park without dropping a set since Venus Williams back in 1998.

She has been tipped as a future world number one by her idol Novak Djokovic, with whom she shares Serbian heritage and who has given her advice on her game this fortnight.

Jovic picked Sabalenka at the end of last season as the player she most wanted to face, and she will now get her wish, with the teenager saying: I think Im just going to try to keep taking care of my side of the net.

Iva Jovic is making waves in Melbourne (Aaron Favila/AP) (Aaron Favila)

Obviously shes number one for a reason and had so much success at this tournament, but thats what I want.

I said it last year, I hope to be able to play her this year because you definitely want to play the best and see how it goes. So Im just really excited.

Mboko and Jovic are friends and doubles partners, but they were unable to progress beyond the second round here, losing a very tight contest to fourth seeds Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai.

Sabalenka is maintaining her formidable record in slams, with the top seed, who is bidding for her third title here in four years, having made at least the quarter-finals at every major tournament she has played since the French Open in 2022.

Coco Gauff reacts to her win over Karolina Muchova (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP) (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Third seed Coco Gauff survived a test against former French Open finalist Karolina Muchova, winning 6-1 3-6 6-3.

Gauff did not lose a set to Muchova in four previous meetings and looked completely in control in the opener before the Czech turned things round.

A good omen for Gauff, though, is that every time she has beaten Muchova, she has gone on to win the title.

I didnt know that, but I dont think its a real thing, said the American. I think I just usually play her later in the tournaments, so it just happens to be like that. I dont think Im going to think about that but, if I do win, then I guess I have her to thank.

In the last eight, Gauff will play Elina Svitolina, who is through to the quarter-finals in Melbourne for the fourth time after upsetting eighth seed Mirra Andreeva 6-2 6-4.
Sir Keir Starmer has been weakened by a series of about-turns in recent weeks - Simon Dawson

The decision to block Andy Burnhams return to Parliament may have prevented an imminent challenge to Sir Keir Starmers leadership, but it has risked fomenting civil war in Labour.

Shutting out the Mayor of Greater Manchester will be seen by critics as confirmation that the Prime Ministers position is not secure, and that he knows this himself.

Rather than dampening speculation about his leadership, it could embolden other potential challengers.

Sir Keir has already been weakened by a series of about-turns  some 13 since his premiership began at the current count  and he is the least popular prime minister since records start in 1977, according to Ipsos polling.

This was the undeclared reason behind Mr Burnhams decision to pitch for the Labour candidacy in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Instead of allowing him to stand, Labours ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) blocked Mr Burnham from the ballot.

The so-called King of the North is now likely to become an even more vocal and persistent critic of the Government. Mainstream, the soft-Left group closely aligned with Mr Burnham, has already demanded that the decision be reversed.

Mr Burnham, pictured on Sunday, has been blocked from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election - Zenpix Ltd

However, the Mayor is not the only figure who recognises the weakness of Sir Keirs position and poses a threat.

On the Left there is Angela Rayner, and on the Right there is Wes Streeting.

Ms Rayner is said to be set on revenge against both Sir Keir and Morgan McSweeney, his chief of staff, who she feels betrayed her over her exit from government.

Significantly, her allies indicated on Friday that No 10 should not seek to block Mr Burnhams candidacy.

However, the decision to do so will leave the field clear for the former deputy prime minister to establish herself as Parliaments torch-bearer for the Labour Left.

Ms Rayner already has strong support among the partys soft Left, with Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and Lucy Powell, her successor as deputy Labour leader, also arguing that Mr Burnhams return should not be thwarted.

Ms Powell was the only member of the 10-member NEC panel to vote against blocking Mr Burnham.

Mr Streeting, the Health Secretary, has become increasingly vocal about his concern for the direction of the Government. In November, he accused Sir Keir of presiding over a toxic culture in Downing Street after the Prime Ministers allies had briefed against Mr Streeting.

In December, he said the Government risked presenting itself as the maintenance department for the country, leading Cabinet allies of Sir Keir to urge his sacking for disloyalty.

Mr Streetings argument  that the Government was failing to communicate a radical message  was echoed in the pitch made by Mr Burnham on Saturday: that Labour needed to communicate the difference it was making and go further faster.

There is concern from backbenchers at the lack of radicalism being shown by Sir Keirs Government and illustrated by the constant about-turns. They give an impression of a leadership without direction, which is constantly distracted from its key messages.

This is seen as one reason why the Green Party is gaining strength.

Polling by Electoral Calculus has forecast that Labour could lose its 13,413 majority in Gorton and Denton to a resurgent Green Party under Zack Polanski, who has pushed a radical Left-wing agenda.

Mr Polanski said he was considering running in the Greater Manchester seat, which became vacant after Labours Andrew Gwynne announced on Thursday that he would be standing down.

Reform also poses a threat in Gorton and Denton, having come second in the general election with 5,142 votes to Mr Gwynnes 18,555 votes. The Greens were third with 4,810, just behind Nigel Farages party.

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The worst of all worlds for Sir Keir would be to lose the seat after blocking Mr Burnham, whose record as Mayor, his supporters claimed, would have put him in a strong position to see off the threats from Reform and the Greens.

Losing would fuel the growing unease about Sir Keirs leadership among another group of MPs: those with narrow majorities, who are fearful for their seats in the face of a surge for Reform. In their case, the opposition to No 10 is not based on ideology but concerns about basic competence.

Jo White, the head of the Red Wall group of Labour MPs, was one important figure who urged the Prime Minister not to block Mr Burnham.

Mr Streetings support could also be seen as a ploy to get this group onside.

Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East and a prominent Left-winger, summed up the challenge Sir Keir faced as backbenchers turned against him.

Sorry, but if the most unpopular Labour Government in history intervenes to block our only senior Labour politician with a net positive public approval rating  in doing so risking handing victory to a far-Right party  thats putting petty factionalism before the country, she said.

The last person at Labour HQ had better turn the lights off on their way out.

If Labour loses the by-election, there is a risk that the decision to block Mr Burnham could leave Sir Keir fatally exposed.

It is yet another flashpoint as the party braces for dismal results in local elections in May.

John McDonnell, a key figure on the hard-Left of the party, said on X: Message to Keir: do not underestimate the depth of anger people will feel about this disgusting decision.

If you think it strengthens you, I tell you it will simply hasten your demise. You could have shown magnanimous leadership but instead its cowardice.

Karl Turner, former shadow minister and Labour MP for Kingston Upon Hull East, said it was a catastrophic mistake to block Andy Burnham from at least going forward to the constituency shortlisting.

He said he wanted Sir Keir to remain as Prime Minister but added: I think Andy Burnham should have been on that list because of his record.

We exist as a Labour party for one reason  to get into power. That means parliamentary seats.

Mayors dont decide who is the next prime minister or who remains as prime minister. Thats what we MPs exist for. He was the best candidate.
Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey has admitted he finds it hard not to laugh during the intimate scenes on the Regency romance show.

The hit costume drama is based on a series of books of the same name by Julia Quinn, and follows the eight siblings of the Bridgerton family in their quest to find love.

Bailey, 37, stars in the Netflix show as the eldest son of the Bridgerton clan, Anthony, and the role rocketed him to global fame.

Jonathan Bailey rose to fame after appearing in Netflix hit Bridgerton (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

During an interview with the Mirror, the actor admitted that he thinks the steamy romantic scenes the show is known for are a bit silly to film.

Bailey told the newspaper: I know the sex scenes look glamorous, but on set with cameras, tens of people, intimacy coordinators and everything else  it actually feels a bit silly.

Its incredibly hard not to laugh.

He added: I know the sex scenes have been a hot topic, but as a cast we get more excited by other scenes which require in-depth emotions.

Bailey went on to say he likes to make sure that intimate scenes mean something and add to his performance, and said: Im not a fan of, Lets get our kit off because we have a scene to film.

The star said the new season of Bridgerton starts off with a bang (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

The star also spoke about the upcoming season of Bridgerton, ahead of the first parts arrival on Netflix later this month.

He said: It isnt a slow start. I cant wait for fans to see the first episode  it really starts off with a bang.

The fourth season will explore the burgeoning romance between Luke Thompson and Yerin Has characters, Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek, who meet during a masquerade ball.

Bailey also spoke about being named the sexiest man alive by People magazine last year.

He said the title is hilarious, adding: But at the same time very flattering. I mean, who wouldnt be flattered?

Following his role in Bridgerton, Bailey has gone on to star in Jurassic World Rebirth, and in the recent film adaptation of Wicked and its sequel, Wicked: For Good.

He recently announced he will be on stage at the Barbican Theatre in London next summer, as he joins Wicked co-star Ariana Grande for the musical revival of Stephen Sondheims critically-acclaimed play, Sunday In The Park With George.

The latest series of Bridgerton will be released in two parts, each comprising four episodes, with part one arriving on January 29 and part two on February 26.
People participate in an anti-ICE rally on Sunday in Minneapolis. Photograph: Jack Brook/AP (Photograph: Jack Brook/AP)

Pressure mounted on Donald Trumps administration on Sunday to fully investigate the previous days killing by federal immigration officers of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Calls for an investigation have come from all sides of the political divide after video analysis showed officers had removed from Pretti a handgun he was reportedly permitted to carry  and which he was not handling  before fatally shooting him.

Former president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, called the killing a heartbreaking tragedy and a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.

Related: NRA and pro-gun groups call for full investigation into killing of Alex Pretti

In a statement released on Sunday, the Obamas said federal law enforcement and immigration agents were not operating in a lawful or accountable way in Minnesota.

For weeks now people across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] recruits and other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city, they said. The former president and former first lady said these tactics had now resulted in the fatal shootings of two US citizens  Pretti and Renee Good, both in Minneapolis. Yet, they said, Trump and other administration officials appeared eager to escalate the rhetoric before an investigation had been undertaken  and despite the fact that they appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence.

The Obamas called on Americans to support the wave of peaceful protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country.

They are a timely reminder that ultimately its up to each of us as citizens to speak out against injustice, protect our basic freedoms and hold our government accountable, they said.

Another former Democratic president, Bill Clinton, followed with a statement that also condemned the killings of Good and Pretti amid the horrible scenes of the immigration crackdown.

All of this is unacceptable and should have been avoided, Clinton said. To make matters even worse, at every turn, the people in charge have lied to us, told us not to believe what weve seen with our own eyes.

Republican US senator Bill Cassidy said the credibility of ICE and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were at stake.

There must be a full joint federal and state investigation, Cassidy wrote in a post on X, after an ICE officer shot Good to death on 7 January and border patrol officers fatally shot Pretti on Saturday. We can trust the American people with the truth.

Other Democrat lawmakers, including US House member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, both of New York, also issued calls for federal immigration authorities to leave Minnesota. They urged Senate Democrats to vote against funding the US Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE and border patrol, during budget negotiations in the coming days.

We have a responsibility to protect Americans from tyranny, Ocasio-Cortez posted on X.

On Sunday morning, US senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Adam Schiff of California, both Democrats, said they would vote against the impending department of homeland security funding.

When theyre killing two constituents in my state, and theyre taking two-year-olds out of the arms of their mom, and they are taking an elder Hmong man out of his house and putting him out there in his underwear, and then figuring out they have the wrong man  no, I am not voting for this funding, Klobuchar told NBCs Meet the Press, alluding to incidents involving federal immigration agents that have drawn heavy media scrutiny.

Schiff said he was not giving ICE or border patrol another dime, given how this agency, these agencies are operating.

Schumer, the Senate minority leader, first announced on Saturday that he and his fellow Democrats would not provide the necessary votes if DHS funding remains in the measure. A spokesperson for Senate majority leader John Thune said DHS and other government funds will be voted on as a single package. Without a compromise, the government faces a partial shutdown at the end of January.

Schiff warned that a government shutdown would result if Republicans insist on combining immigration enforcement funding with other government appropriations. It will be a Republican decision, he said. They understand were not going to go along with this.

Connecticut US senator Chris Murphy, also a Democrat, told CNNs State of the Union that Democrats cant vote to fund this lawless Department of Homeland Security  that is murdering American citizens, that is traumatizing little boys and girls all across the country, in violation of the law.

The New Jersey governor, Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, told CNN that the confrontations in Minneapolis was not about sanctuary cities.

This goes far beyond that, she said. This is about a basically Stasi-type force of secret police that wear masks, that are unidentifiable, that are unaccountable, that have leadership in the Trump administration blatantly lying about whats going on, when the American people can see the video.

Meanwhile, Prettis parents, Michael and Susan, called for the truth to be told about their son.

We are heartbroken but also very angry, they said. The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting.

Related: Alex Pretti did not brandish gun, witnesses say in sworn testimony

The familys statement came after US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem made the claim that Pretti brandished a gun before agents fired defensive shots at him. None of the ubiquitous video evidence shows Pretti brandishing a gun.

Klobuchar also said that the Trump administration had described the shooting, which is shown in several eyewitness videos circulating widely on social media, in ways that simply arent true.

I just keep thinking, your eyes dont lie, Klobuchar said. Law enforcement is based on trust, and we have had a total breakdown of trust.

She called for a transparent investigation into the shooting and called for the Trump administrations immigration enforcement agents to leave Minnesota.

The deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, told Meet the Press that theres obviously an investigation thats ongoing.

Secretary Noem talked about that yesterday, which is what we would expect anytime a tragedy like this occurs, Blanche said.

But he disagreed with the premise that the videos of the encounter told the whole story. We dont know what happened in the minutes leading up to what we just watched. We dont know what ICE saw, what ICE heard, Blanche said of Prettis killing by federal agents. Thats part of the investigation thats going to be happening.

You see a violent interaction with the man who was shot. And so we dont know. No matter how many times you look at it, no matter how many different angles that we see, theres a lot that we dont see.

Blanche re-iterated the governments position that the anti-immigration enforcement protesters were not peaceful. They are trying to impede and obstruct ICE, and it makes the job that our men and women have to do virtually impossible to do without interactions like that, he said.

But, alluding to Minnesota governor Tim Walz and his fellow Democrat Jacob Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis, Blanche added: Make no mistake about it. This was entirely avoidable if we had a governor, if we had a mayor, if we had leadership in Washington and over in Minnesota that actually cared about their citizens.

Related: FBI supervisor resigns after trying to investigate agent who shot Renee Good

Border patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino was asked why federal agents shot and killed Pretti.

You dont know he was unarmed, Bovino told CNNs Dana Bash. I dont know he was unarmed. Thats freeze-frame adjudication of a crime scene via a photo. Thats why we have investigators.

The facts are going to come to light as to what exactly happened with an investigation.

When asked by Bash whether he was blaming the victim, he said, The victims are the border patrol agents.

During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Bovino was asked about the videos that show Pretti was unarmed before being shot and killed. He said there are, Many videos out there, many different accounts that you may see that I may see.

Folks, this is why we have something called an investigation, to take what youre talking about, to take those videos, to take witness statements, to take, officer statements, all those minute details that will paint a true picture, not a freeze frame concept, and paint a larger picture of what really happened.

That is why we investigate, so we can get to the truth, so theres not speculation.

He added that they still dont know how many shots were fired. And he said all agents that were involved in that scene are working, not in Minneapolis, but in other locations thats for their safety.

Bovino had pushed that the operation in Minneapolis had really been about targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, someone they described as an undocumented immigrant who needed to be taken off the streets. He said Huerta-Chuma was in the process of being taken into custody when agitators, rioters and anarchists prevented the arrest.

But Minnesotas Department of Corrections (DOC) contradicted Bovinos characterization of Huerta-Chuma as having a significant criminal history. According to DOC records and Minnesota court data, the individual identified by federal officials has never been in the states custody and has no felony commitments.

DOC records also indicated that someone with Huerta-Chumas name was previously held in federal immigration custody in a local Minnesota jail in 2018, during Trumps first presidency. The decision to release him from federal custody would have been made by Trump administration officials. DOC said it had no information explaining why Huerta-Chuma was released. And Bovino had no explanation when asked by a reporter on Sunday.

He instead remarked about Pretti, saying: When someone makes the choice to come into an active law enforcement scene, interfere, obstruct, delay or assault a law enforcement officer, and they bring a weapon to that, that is a choice that individual made.

Republican US senator Lindsey Graham also took the line that an armed man trying to impede a lawful arrest is a recipe for disaster. The South Carolina Republican said he expects law enforcement officers to use good judgement but not to foolishly risk their lives or the lives of others.

If you go to such events with a loaded gun, bad things can happen, Graham added, though it is legal in Minnesota to possess guns in public places with a permit. Permit holders who dont have both the document and a license on them can face a misdemeanor $25 fine.

Late Saturday, a federal judge issued an order blocking the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence related to Prettis killing, after Minnesota officials sued DHS.

The Minnesota attorney general, Keith Ellison, said the suit demanded a full, impartial, and transparent investigation into [Prettis] fatal shooting at the hands of DHS agents [that] is non-negotiable.

Minneapolis police chief Brian OHara, meanwhile, said information about what led up to the shooting was limited. As protests erupted in Minneapolis on Saturday, federal officers impeded state investigators from accessing the scene of Prettis killing.

Trump initially responded to Prettis shooting with his typical combativeness. The Republican president accused Walz and Frey of inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous and arrogant rhetoric.

Vice-President JD Vance for his part claimed events in Minneapolis were engineered chaos resulting from far-left agitators, working with local authorities.
Emi Buendias sweet strike set Aston Villa on their way to a hard-fought 2-0 Premier League win at Newcastle as they maintained their pursuit of the top two.

The Argentina internationals sumptuous finish and Ollie Watkins late header secured victory at St James Park  a first on Tyneside since 2005  which owed much to two fine first-half saves by Emi Martinez from Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley as Eddie Howes men came up short.

Villa were good value for the points on an afternoon when they were slick going forward and dogged in defence, but the Magpies were guilty of failing to make the most of the possession they had, particularly after the break.

The absence of skipper Bruno Guimaraes through injury left Howes side needing to break new ground  they had won none of the eight league games they had played without the Brazilian since his arrival in January 2022  although Villa too were missing key men, in particular Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn.

Newcastle would have been ahead inside the first minute had the returning Martinez not managed to block Tonalis shot with a leg after the Italy international had collected Joelintons pass and carved his way into the penalty area, although Nick Pope was called upon to keep out Buendias fifth-minute strike after Tonali had been caught in possession.

With Sven Botman trailing Morgan Rogers and Joelinton leaving his mark on Youri Tielemans, the hosts were enjoying the better of it, but it took a fine 12th-minute save from Pope to deny Watkins after Jadon Sancho had played the striker in behind Malick Thiaw.

Buendia, Rogers and Watkins were starting to cause problems for the hosts, and they forced their way in front with 19 minutes gone when Buendia was allowed time and space to line up a shot from 20 yards and drilled a dipping effort across and beyond Pope.

The visitors were dominating as Rogers and Watkins repeatedly stretched the Magpies defence in an increasingly fractious contest in which referee Jarred Gillett played a central role.

Newcastle responded with Miley, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes beginning to make an impact, and Martinez had to pull off a fine one-handed save to repel Mileys looping 43rd-minute header from a Gordon cross.

Barnes saw a shot blocked after he and Yoane Wissa had staged a pacy break within seconds of the restart, although Howes plans were disrupted within minutes when he had to replace the injured Joelinton with former Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey.

The former Leicester wide-man saw a second attempt deflected just off target and Gordon was unable to convert Barnes far-post cross at full-stretch after Miley had played him in with the home side making a big push.

Pope had to save from Rogers after Botman had inexplicably flicked the ball into his path under pressure from Watkins and with the Magpies blowing themselves out, they cemented the win two minutes from time when, after Pope had clawed away his piledriver, Watkins headed home a second from Matty Cashs cross when the hosts failed to deal with the resulting corner.
Gary Neville has issued a warning to Arsenal after their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United (Sky Sports)

Gary Neville has predicted that Manchester City will be ready to prey as Arsenal continue to stutter in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners have had opportunities to pull clear at the top of the table in recent weeks, but goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have allowed Man City and Aston Villa to remain within reach.

There was a fresh twist to the title race on Sunday as Mikel Artetas side were beaten by Manchester United, their first loss at home across any competition all season.

Stunning strikes from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha ultimately settled a five-goal thriller in Man Uniteds favour and, as a result, Arsenals lead at the summit has been reduced to four points.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiolas side got back on track against Wolves on Saturday with their first league win of 2026 and Neville believes City will be getting excited at Arsenals form.

"Just a bit, Neville said on Sky Sports. "If you are Mikel Arteta, I was wondering what you do in the morning to reset.

"If you are Pep Guardiola our manager back in the day, he would go for us. So if Pep Guardiola goes in tomorrow morning, he will be saying, 'Are you really going to let these off the hook? They were nervous, they were anxious'.

"I think he really must be saying to them, 'Do you want this? Because it's there if you want it because they are struggling'.

"You would prey on it a bit. I know Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta get on and they worked together. But if I were City, I would have been lost last week, but to see this today, their chests will be out.

Premier League title boost: Pep Guardiola (Getty Images)

They will be thinking they are back in this.

"Four points. Let's get them into March and April, let's get on their shoulder, let's see what they are about. And that is what I would be saying if I were Pep Guardiola. I am sure it is what he will be saying to his players.

Hang on the shoulder of this team and let's see what they are about."
The Naked Cowboy, a well-known eccentric street performer, in the snow in Times Square on Sunday - Andres Kudacki

Thousands of Britons are facing travel chaos as a huge winter storm is forecast to blanket half the US with heavy snow and freezing rain.

At least 50 US flights from London Heathrow were cancelled on Sunday as states from Texas to New York braced for the deep freeze, according to tracking site FlightAware.

British Airways was the most affected UK airline with 41 flights to and from the US scrapped, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.

A man riding a snowboard while holding a flag in front of the US capitol building - Al Drago

People walk across Sixth Avenue in New York during the snowfall - CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

A source from the airline told The Telegraph that customers were being offered the option to rebook, move flights or take full refunds.

Meanwhile, Air France and Virgin Atlantic cancelled 21 and 12 of their flights to the US respectively.

More than 10,000 US flights were cancelled on Sunday, the most in a single day since the start of the pandemic, according to CBS news.

A fast food cart in New York still serving food despite the snowstorm - Andres Kudacki

The American outlet also reported that more than 1,800 US flights had been cancelled for Monday.

On Sunday, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the closest to Washington DC, shared a picture of the approach to its main building covered in snow.

The airports X account posted: Alert: airlines have cancelled all flights at the airport today.

Check with your airline for confirmation and rebooking options. Please stay home and off the icy roads.

FlightAware data later showed 99 per cent of flights scheduled to leave the airport on Sunday were cancelled, a total of 420.

Videos shared on social media appeared to show a thick layer of snow being cleared from runways at several New York airports, with later footage looking like a blizzard.

Snow blankets Tulsa, Oklahoma - Mike Simons/Tulsa World via AP

On Saturday, as many as one million people in America were left without power, with just over half the US population expected to be hit by heavy snow, the National Weather Service warned.

Roughly 330,000 homes across Tennessee, the hardest-hit state, were without power, and 300,000 across Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, it added.

At least five people died in New York City, mayor Zohran Mamdani said, as temperatures plunged across the country.

Workers clearing the snow in Times Square - Andres Kudacki

Ben Brown of the New England Patriots celebrates winning an AFC championship game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday - Matthew Stockman

The eastern two-thirds of America will be left bitterly cold on Monday with treacherous icy conditions, Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist, said.

That means the ice and snow wont melt as fast, which could hinder some efforts to restore power and other infrastructure, she said.

Donald Trump vowed to keep everyone safe in the path of the historic storm, as he urged people to stay warm.

We will continue to monitor and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm, he wrote on Truth Social.

People in Meridian Hill Park in Washington DC take part in a snowball fight - OLIVER CONTRERAS

Seventeen states and the district of Columbia have declared weather emergencies, the department of homeland security (DHS) said.

Kristi Noem, DHS secretary, said: Its going to be very, very cold. So wed encourage everybody to stock up on fuel, stock up on food, and we will get through this together.

Emilia OBrien, from Michigan, sledging outside the US capitol building on Sunday - Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Ms Santorelli said it was a unique storm because it was so widespread and was being followed by freezing temperatures.

It is affecting areas all the way from New Mexico, Texas, into New England, so were talking a 2,000-mile spread, she said.

Passengers on flights to or from UK or EU airports have certain rights if a flight is cancelled. Airlines must offer full refunds or a seat on the soonest available alternative service, even if it is with a rival carrier.
Kelly Reilly has opened up about the tumultuous conclusion to hit series Yellowstone, which was marred by reports of conflict between creator Taylor Sheridan and actor Kevin Costner.

Reilly, 48, starred as Beth Dutton, the daughter of Costners character, John Dutton, in the contemporary western about a family fighting to preserve their sprawling Montana cattle ranch.

The Paramount show was cancelled after its fifth season, amid rumours that Costner  who dramatically quit in 2023  had clashed with Sheridan.

The final season was controversial, with fan complaints over multiple character deaths that drew negative comparisons to HBOs blockbuster fantasy series Game of Thrones.

British actor Reilly, who received critical praise for her performance as Beth, told The Sunday Times that it was a shame it ended that way, but it did.

[If] we were just having a beer, I could share more, she said. But yes, it was only supposed to go on for five years It was successful A life of its own.

Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton with Kevin Costner as her father, John (Paramount)

She continued: Im just picking my words, because Ive never really talked about it. A lot went on behind the scenes that had nothing to do with me; I was just waiting. When are we going back to work?

Reilly will return to her character of Beth in new series The Dutton Ranch  also starring Annette Bening and Ed Harris  which will pick up a year after the events of the final series of Yellowstone.

This is a different era  I had hit my quota of the younger Beth, she said, pointing out that people were very critical of her character at the start.

Because she is unapologetic, out there, flawed, damaged and brave, she said. Women are always asked to play strong role model types, while men can play the gnarliest characters and get away with it.

Kelly Reilly received praise for her performance as Beth (Paramount)

Initially titled Beth & Rip, The Dutton Ranch will follow Beth and her partner, Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser), as they guard their land from external forces and raise the troubled Carter, their unofficially adopted son.

Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler are grateful for the peace they sought, fought and nearly died for with their 7,000-acre Dutton Ranch, the official synopsis reads.

With tough times and stiff competition, Beth and Rip do what they must to survive, all while ensuring Carter becomes the man hes supposed to be.

Sheridan was reported to have left Paramount last year after signing a lucrative new deal at NBC Universal.

Along with The Dutton Ranch, he created miniseries 1883, which gave fans insight into how the Dutton family came to own the land that would become Yellowstone. Meanwhile,1923 was about a newer generation of Duttons living against the backdrop of the Great Depression, and starred Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford.

Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton and Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton in season 2, episode 7 of 1923 streaming on Paramount+. (Lo Smith/Paramount+)

Yet another spin-off, The Madison  starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell  is scheduled for release on 14 March. The Dutton Ranch is expected to air later this year.

Meanwhile, Reilly is also known for her roles in films such as the 2005 period drama Pride & Prejudice, horror thriller Eden Lake, and Guy Ritchies Sherlock Holmes films with Robert Downey Jr and Martin Freeman.
Labours powerful ruling body has called for a pause in the decision on Andy Burnhams future over fears of a stitch-up, according to a leaked letter seen by the BBC.

As a civil war within Labour erupts over the Greater Manchester mayor, allies of Keir Starmer have already been warned not to block bid to return to Parliament, which could pave the way for a potential challenge to Keir Starmers leadership.

Ten members of a sub-committee of Labour's governing National Executive Committee (NEC) will meet today to decide whether to permit him to stand in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election after he threw his hat into the ring on Saturday.

A civil warhas erupted within Labour over the Greater Manchester mayor, seen as a rival to Keir Starmer (Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary who chairs the committee, said he was an "exceptional politician" but the decision would be finely balanced for some members, because allowing him to stand risks triggering another election for a new mayor, at huge financial cost to the party.

Appearing on the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Mahmood was told the BBC had seen a leaked draft letter, written by the full NEC, that suggested any attempt to rule out certain candidates will be seen as undemocratic interference.

It also said the current timetable should be paused so that the whole NEC committee should be included in setting out this timeline and this process.

Ms Mahmood hit back saying the party was following "normal practice" for selection decisions. She also said it was not unusual for the party to have big rows over selection".

Shabana Mahmood said Mr Burnham was an exceptional politician but the decision would be finely balanced (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The row has erupted amid a growing backlash against Mr Burnham from Labour MPs.

On Saturday night the Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid went public with her objections warning of an energy-sapping distraction, which is why many of us would probably have preferred Andy Burnham to stay out of it.

Being mayor was a bigger job than being a backbench MP, she said. So either he's seeking a quieter life, or he's on manoeuvres. If it's the latter, it's the last thing we need in the run-up to the May elections.

Tom Rutland, the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, tweeted: Those who chose to run for election in 2024 to different positions - with significant responsibilities and a mandate from their voters - should stay in them.

Senior Labour figures, including Cabinet minister Ed Miliband and deputy leader Lucy Powell, have said local party members should have the option of whether or not they choose Mr Burnham.

The Gorton and Denton by-election was triggered on Thursday after the sitting MP, Andrew Gwynne, announced he was standing down on health grounds.

Getting permission to stand is far from the only hurdle Mr Burnham will have to clear. The NEC could still impose an all women shortlist, a mechanism designed to counter the fact that most Labour MPs are men, Ms Mahmood confirmed. However, she squashed suggestions of an all-BAME (Black and minority ethnic) shortlist, saying that was not allowed by law. The final decision on who they want as their candidate will then go to local Labour members.

Although Mr Gwynne won the seat with 51 per cent of the vote in 2024, Mr Burnham could still face a tough fight given Labour's collapse in opinion polls and the rise of both Reform UK on the right and the Green Party on the left.

If he was elected, Mr Burnham would be legally required to stand down as the mayor of Greater Manchester, triggering another by-election.
People protest in New York City on Saturday. Photograph: Matthew Hoen/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (Photograph: Matthew Hoen/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

Large protests spread across US cities on Saturday  including Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, Boston and Providence, Rhode Island  after 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a registered nurse living in Minneapolis, was shot dead by federal agents.

The wave of demonstrations come just one day after thousands marched through the streets of Minneapolis to protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Protesters again braved the extreme cold to speak out against the agency and show support for Pretti and others who have been harmed by the surge of immigration agents who have flooded the city in recent week.

Fuck ICE, ICE out, a crowd could be heard shouting in livestreams of the demonstration on Saturday night.

Thousands more rallied in Union Square in New York City, with footage showing demonstrators shouting: Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE!

New York city council member Chi Osse addressed the crowd in freezing temperatures to call for the abolishment of ICE.

We need Nuremberg trials for the people of ICE, for the people who are committing crimes against humanity here in our country. I refuse to call them law enforcement. They are agents of chaos. They are destroying the fabric of our country, Osse shouted to the group before him.

In Washington DC, a giant crowd formed outside the headquarters of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Video footage captured cries of shame ringing out through the cold air on Saturday night as hundreds of people gathered in the dark.

Across the country in San Francisco, hundreds of people gathered in the citys downtown as the sun began to set. Footage on social media showed large crowds holding signs and chanting slogans such as stand up fight back. Protesters held aloft banners admonishing ICE and demanding justice for Renee Good, another Minneapolis resident who was shot and killed by an immigration officer earlier this month.

And further south, hundreds of people took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles, a city that faced its own crisis over the summer when a wave of immigration agents flooded the region, detaining people at car washes, Home Depot stores, farms and other workplaces. Crowds gathered holding banners of solidarity that read From Los Angeles to Minneapolis, stop ICE terror, the Los Angeles Times reported.

In Providence, hundreds showed up to protest in front of the local headquarters of DHS.

Shut it down, shut it down, shut it down, some protesters screamed, while others held signs reading No Tyrants & No Kings and ICE is the worst of the worst.

Marching the streets in Boston, droves of demonstrators chanted en masse: One, two, three, four, ICE detention no more! Five, six, seven, eight, end the terror and the hate!

Pretti, a US citizen who worked in the intensive care unit at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, which serves veterans, was shot multiple times during an exchange with law enforcement officers.

Viral video footage of the incident show Pretti being wrestled to the ground by the law enforcement officers before he was shot. Pretti was apprehended after appearing to come to the defense of an observer who was shoved to the ground by a federal officer. That officer then sprayed Pretti with a chemical agent, repeatedly, before tackling him to the street along with other agents. At least one analyst suggested that some footage showed Pretti had a gun taken away from him before the shots were fired.

The DHS and its secretary, Kristi Noem, have repeatedly asserted that Pretti approached US border patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and that officers attempted to disarm him, despite all available video evidence showing Pretti without a gun in his hand. Additionally, Brian OHara, the Minneapolis police chief, said Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. Minnesota law allows citizens to obtain permits to carry handguns in public. The law does not require the concealment of those weapons.

Back in Minneapolis, protesters converged at the scene of Prettis shooting despite dangerously cold weather.

As dark fell, hundreds of people gathered quietly by a growing memorial at the spot where the nurse was killed. Some carried signs saying Justice for Alex Pretti. Others chanted Pretti and Goods names. A doughnut shop and a clothing store nearby stayed open, offering protesters a warm place as well as water, coffee and snacks.

Caleb Spike said he came from a nearby suburb to show his support and his frustration. It feels like every day something crazier happens, he said. Whats happening in our community is wrong, its sickening, its disgusting.

Agencies contributed reporting
A military-backed party was expected to form Myanmars new government as the final of the three phases of the general election concluded on Sunday.

The election, held by the ruling military junta amid a civil war and widespread ethnic violence, has been described by critics as neither free nor fair.

This is the first general election since the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 2021 coup.

Ms Suu Kyi, 80, remains imprisoned and her party is banned from contesting elections.

Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, insisted the election was free and fair and said it offered the country a chance to return to democracy and stability.

The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party is already on its way to command a parliamentary majority after winning most of the seats over the first two rounds of voting.

General Hlaing is expected to assume the presidency when the new parliament meets. At least 25 per cent of the seats in both houses of the parliament are reserved for the military, assuring it and its allies of control of the legislature.

The junta leader has pushed back against critics of the election, saying that the people who live in Myanmar are the ones who vote, not those outside, in an apparent rebuke of neighbouring Malaysias condemnation.

Earlier this week, Malaysian foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Myanmar is a member, would not send observers or certify the election given the concerns about its lack of inclusive and free participation.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing presides an army parade on Armed Forces Day (AP)

We are not concerned whether this is recognised by foreign countries or not. We recognise the peoples vote. It should be like that, the junta leader responded while speaking with reporters after inspecting a polling station in Mandalay, the countrys second-largest city.

Although 57 parties were registered for the election, only six were marked as an option nationwide and none of them campaigned on anti-military sentiment.

More than half of the parties from the previous general election in 2020 no longer exist, the election monitoring group Anfrel said.

Ms Suu Kyis National League for Democracy won landslide victories in 2020 and 2015, but was forced to dissolve in 2023 after refusing to register under new military rules.

Several other opposition parties also refused to register or declined to run under conditions imposed by the junta they called unfair. Some groups called for a voter boycott as well.

The armys 2021 takeover triggered widespread opposition that dragged Myanmar into a civil war. Security concerns engendered by the fighting meant voting was not held in more than a fifth of the countrys 330 townships  another reason the process was described by some critics as a sham.

An Election Commission official sets up an electronic voting machine at a polling station in Yangon (AP)

As the polling got underway at 6am in 61 townships, some voters expressed apathy while others said peace was a concern.

In Yangon, Soe Tint, 86, said he cast his ballot because he wanted the country to be peaceful and develop in all sectors, including education.

Lae Lae Yi, 62, was less hopeful. Im not expecting anything at all, because there is no motivation, she said.

The previous two rounds of voting were disrupted by armed groups opposed to military rule carrying out attacks on polling stations and government buildings in several townships, killing at least two officials, according to the government.

The first rounds took place on 28 December and 11 January in 202 of the countrys 330 townships. A total of 67 townships  mostly areas controlled by armed opposing groups  did not participate, reducing the seat tally in the national parliament from 664 to 586.

Final results for all seats are expected to be announced later this week. The military government has said the parliament will convene in March and the new government will take up its duties in April.
An electoral official counting ballots at a polling station in Yangon on Sunday. Photograph: Thein Zaw/AP (Photograph: Thein Zaw/AP)

Voting in Myanmar has ended with the military-backed party expected to win a landslide victory after a month-long election that has been widely derided as a sham designed to cement the armys grip on power.

The junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has rejected criticism of the vote, saying it has the support of the public and presenting it as a return to democracy and stability.

The election took place almost five years after the military seized power in a coup, ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and triggering a fierce conflict that continues across the country. The 80-year-old has been detained since she was ousted, and her party, the National League for Democracy, which won sweeping victories in previous votes, has been banned.

Whether the international community recognises this or not, we dont understand their perspective. The peoples vote is the recognition we need, Min Aung Hlaing told reporters on Sunday, according to video broadcast on state TV.

The UN, human rights experts, the UK, Australia, and the EUs top rights official have rejected the election, saying it lacks legitimacy. China, a key military ally, is backing the vote, which it considers the best path towards stability.

In Mandalay, Myanmars second most populous city, voters were reluctant to be interviewed, saying it was not safe to speak publicly about politics. We miss our former government, we dont want this military government, said a man who was voting on Sunday in the city. He could not speak further, he added: We fear for our security.

Related: Big step forward: Myanmar military faces Rohingya genocide case at UN court

The military has arrested tens of thousands of political prisoners since the coup, targeting anyone suspected of opposing its rule. A new election protection law was also enacted in July, under which any criticism of the vote can lead to a minimum sentence of three years in prison, and even the death penalty.

Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, said the vote had been orchestrated by the military to deliver a landslide for its political proxy, the Union Solidarity and Development party (USDP).

It took no chances, banning credible opposition parties, jailing popular political figures, muzzling the press, crushing fundamental freedoms, and using fear and coercion to drive a reluctant electorate to the polls, Andrews said.

The junta is banking on the worlds fatigue, hoping that the international community will accept military rule dressed up in civilian clothing, he added. Governments must not allow that to happen.

Fightingcontinued in many areas throughout the election period. Just days before voting, 21 people were killed and 28 injured in a military airstrike on a village where displaced people from the northern township of Bhamo were sheltering in Kachin state, Associated Press reported.

The election took place in three stages, with the first phase held in December and a second phase held earlier in January. In total, 57 parties competed, though only six did so nationwide, and analysts said none of the parties on the ballot paper were perceived as offering a meaningful opposition to the military. The USDP ran by far the largest number of candidates, and had secured a majority of seats in previous rounds, winning 193 of 209 seats in the lower house and 52 of 78 seats in the upper house.

According to election monitoring group Anfrel, 57% of the parties that ran in the 2020 general election no longer exist, even though they received more than 70% of votes and 90% of seats.

Malaysia has said the regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), would not endorse the poll or send observers. However, it is unclear whether individual member states will increase their engagement with Myanmars leadership after the vote.

Turnout has been low, at 55%, compared with about 70% in the 2020 election, when the public queued at polling stations despite the pandemic, and the historic 2015 vote that swept Aung San Suu Kyi to power. The pre-election period has also lacked the large rallies and excitement of previous votes.

Voting took place in populous cities such as Mandalay and Yangon on Sunday, but analysts estimate about a third of the countrys territory has been excluded from the process because it is under the control of anti-junta groups or gripped by fighting.

The military coup in 2021, which marked an abrupt end to the countrys democratic transition, triggered a escalating conflict as civilians began to take up arms to fight against the junta. The army is battling a diverse patchwork of opposition groups, in what Acled, which tracks conflicts globally, has described as the most fragmented conflict in the world.

Su Mon, Acleds senior analyst for Asia Pacific, said that while the military had sought to portray elections as a managed exit from political crisis and conflict, its counter-offensives had only increased in the run-up to the vote. In an effort to regain territory, the military continued its repeated airstrikes on civilian areas throughout 2025, leading to the highest number of airstrikes and associated fatalities in any single year since 2021, she said.

Estimates of the death toll from Myanmars post-coup conflict vary, though Acled has recorded 92,000 deaths since 2021. The monitoring group places Myanmar second on its conflict index, which measures conflicts based on their deadliness, danger to civilians, geographic diffusion and the number of armed groups involved.
Former President Barack Obama called the death of an intensive care nurse at Border Patrols hands a heartbreaking tragedy and warned that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.

Labeling the shooting a wake-up call to every American, he and his wife urged the Trump administration to work with city and state officials to to avert more chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals.

Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job. But Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way, and to work with, rather than against, state and local officials to ensure public safety, Obama wrote.

That's not what we're seeing in Minnesota. In fact, we're seeing the opposite. For weeks now, people across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE recruits and other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city.

This has to stop.

A woman wipes away a tear while visiting a memorial to Alex Pretti on January 25, 2026 in Minneapolis (Getty Images)

He joins local leaders and Democrats across the country in demanding federal immigration officers leave Minnesota after a Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and set off clashes with protesters in a city already shaken by another shooting death weeks earlier.

The latest shooting has sparked a legal fight over control of the investigation amid the immigration surge that has swept across Minneapolis and surrounding cities.

Video shot by bystanders and reviewed by The Associated Press appears to contradict statements by President Donald Trumps administration, which said agents fired defensively against Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, as he approached them Saturday morning.

Pretti can be seen with only a phone in his hand as he steps between an immigration agent and a woman on the street. No footage appears to show him with a weapon. During the scuffle, agents appear to disarm him after discovering that he was carrying a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun, and then opened fire several times. Pretti was licensed to carry a concealed weapon.

In the hours after the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti attacked officers, and U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino said he wanted to massacre law enforcement. On X, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called Pretti a would-be assassin.

Relatives say theyre heartbroken

Prettis family said they were heartbroken but also very angry at authorities, calling Pretti a kindhearted soul who wanted to make a difference in the world. Relatives were furious at federal officials description of the shooting.

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, the family statement said. Please get the truth out about our son.

A federal judge has already issued an order blocking the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence related to the shooting, after state and county officials sued.

Prettis family say theyre heartbroken but also very angry at authorities, calling Pretti a kindhearted soul who wanted to make a difference in the world (Family Handout)

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the lawsuit filed Saturday is meant to preserve evidence collected by federal officials that state authorities have not yet been able to inspect. A court hearing is scheduled for Monday in federal court in St. Paul.

A full, impartial, and transparent investigation into his fatal shooting at the hands of DHS agents is nonnegotiable, Ellison said in a statement.

Spokespersons for the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security, which are named in the lawsuit, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Sunday.

Drew Evans, superintendent of the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which investigates police shootings, told reporters Saturday that federal officers blocked his agency from the scene of the shooting even after it obtained a signed judicial warrant.

On Sunday morning, though, bureau officers were working at the scene.

The Minnesota National Guard temporarily assisted local police at the direction of Gov. Tim Walz, officials said, with troops sent to the shooting site and a federal building where officers have squared off daily with demonstrators.

But Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said Sunday morning on CBS' Face the Nation that its back to just the Minneapolis police responding to calls.

O'Hara said he had seen no evidence that Pretti brandished the pistol, and that the crackdown was exhausting his department.

This is taking an enormous toll, trying to manage all this chaos on top of having to be the police department for a major city. Its too much, he said.

Gun groups defend right to carry weapon at protests

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem questioned during a news conference Saturday why Pretti was armed. But gun rights groups have noted it's legal to carry firearms during protests.

Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms  including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus said in a statement. These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed.

The president weighed in on social media by lashing out at Walz and the Minneapolis mayor.

He shared images of the gun that immigration officials said was recovered and said: What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why werent they allowed to protect ICE Officers?

Trump said the Democratic governor and mayor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York was among several Democratic lawmakers demanding that federal immigration authorities leave Minnesota. She also urged Democrats to refuse to vote to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying via social media: We have a responsibility to protect Americans from tyranny.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer later said that Democrats will not vote for a spending package that includes money for DHS, which oversees ICE. Schumers statement increases the possibility that the government could partially shut down Jan. 30 when funding runs out.

Pretti was shot just over a mile from where an ICE officer killed 37-year-old Renee Good on Jan. 7, sparking widespread protests.

Videos show shooting

When the Saturday confrontation began, bystander video shows protesters blowing whistles and shouting profanities at federal officers on a commercial street in south Minneapolis.

The videos show Pretti stepping in after an immigration officer shoves a woman. Pretti appears to be holding his phone toward the officer, but there's no sign he's holding a weapon.

The officer shoves Pretti in his chest, and pepper sprays him and the woman.

Soon, at least seven officers are forcing Pretti to the ground. Several officers try to bring the mans arms behind his back as he appears to resist. An officer holding a canister strikes him near his head several times.

A shot rings out, but with officers surrounding the man, its not clear where it came from. Multiple officers back off. More shots are heard. Officers back away, and the man lies motionless on the street.

Bovino, the public face of Trumps crackdown, was repeatedly pressed on CNNs Sunday State of the Union for evidence that Pretti assaulted law enforcement.

It was very evident that Pretti was not following the officers' orders, he said.

Its too bad the consequences had to be paid because he injected himself into that crime scene," he said. "He made the decision.

Protests continue

Demonstrations broke out in several cities across the country after the shooting, including New York, Washington and Los Angeles.

In Minneapolis, protesters converged in the neighborhood where Pretti had been shot despite dangerously cold weather with temperatures around minus 6 degrees (minus 21 Celsius).

An angry crowd screamed profanities at federal officers after the shooting, calling them cowards and telling them to go home. Protesters dragged large garbage bins from alleyways to block streets, lighting garbage in at least one on fire.

As darkness fell, hundreds of people mourned quietly by a growing memorial at the site of the shooting. A doughnut shop and a clothing store nearby stayed open, offering protesters a warm place.

By morning, the scene was calm.

Brett Williams, 37, came from the city's suburbs to a morning vigil at the scene.

I stand in solidarity with a brother whose life was taken too soon, he said. Hes standing up for immigrants. Were all immigrants.
Men take part in a weekly pilates class held after midday prayers at the Jamia Usmania mosque in Heaton Village, Bradford. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian (Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian)

Its early afternoon on a gloomy day at the Jamia Usmania mosque in Bradford and a group of mostly elderly men have finished their midday prayers.

The assembly of mainly retired men would usually return to the familiar drumbeat of day-to-day life, but instead they make their way downstairs to tackle squats, glute bridges and the butterfly position in the mosques weekly 45-minute pilates class.

Its a very unique thing for older Asian men, said Zafar Kayani, 69, the pilates instructor. Theyre coming here for their spiritual health. Then getting that physical exercise and mental wellbeing, and theyre connecting with each other.

It has been a whirlwind few weeks for the organisers of the pilates sessions, which began at three mosques in Bradford with a small number of attenders. A TikTok video promoting the class went viral, since amassing almost 2m views, and interest has grown, with up to 30 people attending each session.

The TikTok sparked interest from mosques across the UK and farther afield, including from Malaysia and Canada, with inquiries on how similar initiatives could be implemented for their congregation.

We never expected it to go that viral, said the mosques general secretary, Mohammed Ilyas. It was just a general upload to promote and get more members in. It started from Bradford and if it goes worldwide, we believe its a positive thing and were making a change.

The class is attended by men of varying abilities, aged between 50 and 80. They feel comfortable in the environment, Ilyas said. They come to pray already at the mosque, and after the prayers they can just join in the class, [in] whatever theyre wearing.

The session begins with stretches before moving on to more strenuous exercises. So far the classes have been a success, with people noting improvements in their mental and physical wellbeing.

Before I used to feel ache[s] everywhere, all over [my] body, said Mohammed Salim, a 66-year-old retired shopkeeper. But when I started walking and doing exercise, its much better. Recently I had the pacemaker fitted, but I dont feel anything because I do the activity.

Tahir Butt, 74, has had a double-knee replacement, and said the classes had been very beneficial. I wouldnt think of doing those exercises [before] because of my condition, said the retired bus driver.

Kayani, who runs the sessions, believes the classes will have a positive impact on public health and the NHS. According to government health data on physical activity published in 2024, men from the Asian (59.6%) and other (60%) ethnic groups were less likely to be active than the overall average (65.6%).

When they start there will be aches and pains, there will be groans, said Kayani. A few weeks along the line, you can see theyre doing [it] with ease.

This is beneficial for the NHS. If theres less people going to see the doctors, going to the hospital appointments, its less cost to them.

Despite the focus on physical exercise, the instructor keeps the sessions lighthearted and jovial, punctuating the 45-minute period with witty comments and humour  and telling people they are men of steel.

Related: Why men should be doing a lot more pilates | Letters

At the end of the session, he invites the group to close their eyes, breathe deeply and imagine the bliss of being on holiday in a hot climate, prompting a short period of quiet and calm in the room. Open your eyes and youre back in wet Bradford, he says, triggering laughter.

Akhtar Malik, the manager of the Bradford Youth Development Partnership, said the sessions had fostered friendships and helped to tackle loneliness. Thats the key thing  being happy, laughing  [it] gives you that motivation to keep coming, week in week out, he said. We provide a social platform where they can meet other people. Its a friendship group.

For Ilyas, the success of the pilates sessions has spurred on his mission to transform the mosque into a space not just for prayer but for community activities  with plans for a female pilates class and youth clubs.

As well as a mosque, a community hub where people can join in other activities, which were provided by the council 20 years ago but are nonexistent now  we want to make that happen again, Ilyas said. Make it as accessible as possible, not just for the elders, for the young generation as well, make the mosque welcoming.
Eighty-six people were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London (PA)

Eighty-six people have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass following a protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London.

The arrests, confirmed by the Metropolitan Police on Saturday evening, followed demonstrators breaching the prison grounds while protesting in support of a Palestine Action prisoner on hunger strike.

Police reported that the group refused to leave the premises when ordered, allegedly blocked prison staff from entering and leaving, and made threats towards officers.

Furthermore, a number of those detained reportedly managed to gain entry to a staff entrance area of a prison building.

Crowds show support for Palestine Action in Trafalgar Square in 2025 (PA)

It is understood the protesters did not get past security.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson described the incident as deeply concerning.

They said: The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable.

While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.

At no point was prison security compromised, however where individuals actions cause risk or actual harm to hardworking staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.

Prisoners are being managed in line with longstanding policy.

This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.

Footage shared on social media showed a group chanting outside the prison, with some holding signs.

At one point, the group can be seen moving towards a building  and one clip appears to show some demonstrators inside.

It is understood that they are holding the demonstration in support of Umer Khalid.

He is the last remaining participant in the Prisoners for Palestine hunger strike campaign, according to the group.
Quick off the mark: Ethan Nwaneri (AFP via Getty Images)

Roberto de Zerbi spared no blushes for new signing Ethan Nwaneri after the youngster scored on his Marseille debut on Saturday.

The 18-year-old scored for the French club after just 13 minutes on the pitch as Marseille welcomed Lens to the Stade Velodrome.

Transfer news LIVE! Follow all the latest rumours and gossip

Nwaneri moved to Marseille in pursuit of more game time after making only 12 appearances for Arsenal this season, and has seemingly fit right in, playing 58 minutes on his debut.

De Zerbi said: Ethan Nwaneri will become a top player, Im sure about that.

The on-loan Gunner secured his new sides second goal of the match with Algerian national Amine Ferid scoring on either side, giving Marseille a 3-1 victory in Ligue 1, helping to bridge the now five-point gap between the second-placed Lens and Marseille in third.

The impressive Ligue 1 victory came after Marseille suffered a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday in the Champions League.

With Nwaneri joining the French side in a bid to increase his game time, De Zerbi spoke about the 18-year-olds chances of selection in the future.

Off the mark: Ethan Nwaneri (AFP via Getty Images)

He said: In my team, there is no hierarchy. The only one who decides is me. Having to play every three days forces me to rotate.

You can see the quality, the impact. Hes so good, same for Timber.

He added: Timber and Nwaneri are so strong that they dont need training. Well have to recharge our batteries on Wednesday because it will be a historic match for Marseille.

While the Gunners go from success to success in their Champions League campaign following their victory over Inter Milan on Tuesday, Marseille travel to Belgium to face Club Brugge as they bid to seal a place in the play-offs.
In an interview, Sajid Javid also spoke of his familys story of integration after his parents moved to the UK from Pakistan. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA (Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA)

The former Tory cabinet member Sajid Javid has called on Nigel Farage to apologise for alleged racist comments as a schoolboy.

It came after a Guardian investigation found more than 30 of Farages contemporaries at Dulwich college have accused the Reform UK leader of racist and antisemitic bullying.

Farage has denied directly targeting anyone with racist or antisemitic abuse or having the intent to hurt anyone. This month, he dismissed the allegations as complete made-up fantasies based on political motivation.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Sunday Times magazine, Javid, who became the first home secretary from an minority ethnic background in 2018, said Farages remarks were clearly the wrong thing to say, even if they were banter to him.

He could well be a totally different person today, Javid said. But to demonstrate you are a different person, it starts with an apology and he hasnt done that yet. Thats what disturbs me.

Related: Nigel Farages trip to Davos hosted and paid for by family trust of billionaire

Javid spoke of his familys story of integration after his parents moved to the UK from Pakistan. Born in Rochdale, he could not speak English when he started primary school, but went on to hold the offices of home secretary, health secretary and chancellor of the exchequer.

If we talk about British Muslims, I think it is a success story of integration, Javid said. Today Britain has become, in my opinion, the most successful multiracial society on earth.

In November, a Guardian investigation uncovered a series of fresh allegations of racism against Farage. Among the accusers was the award-winning Jewish film-maker Peter Ettedgui, who said Farage would say Hitler was right and gas them, and make hissing noises to simulate the sound of the gas chambers.

A month later, 26 school contemporaries wrote an open letter to Farage urging him to apologise and describing their dismay and anger at how he had dismissed the allegations.

The letter read: What disturbs us is less what happened years ago, hurtful as it was, but rather your refusal to acknowledge your past behaviour or apologise for it.

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Chuck Schumer at the US Capitol earlier this month. Photograph: Rod Lamkey/AP (Photograph: Rod Lamkey/AP)

In the wake of another fatal shooting of a US citizen in Minnesota by a federal officer, the Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, said his party would block a funding package next week if it includes money for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The announcement, which dramatically escalates the potential for another partial government shutdown, comes as anger towards homeland security, which oversees ICE, intensifies among the party after a group of federal agents violently restrained and then fatally shot the 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Whats happening in Minnesota is appalling  and unacceptable in any American city, Schumer, a New York senator, said in a statement. Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no.

Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included, he added.

The Senate is set to take up the spending measure as part of a broader legislative package that would fund broad swaths of the government, including the defense, state, education, labor and transportation departments. That package, which currently calls for $64.4bn for the DHS including $10bn for ICE, needs 60 votes to avoid a filibuster and pass the Senate. Republicans currently control 53 seats and would need Democratic support to pass the bipartisan package.

The looming vote was seen as a potentially painful decision for many Senate Democrats, wary of setting off another government shutdown just months after a painful 43-day fiscal showdown  the longest in the nations history  that ultimately failed to win an extension of healthcare subsidies.

But in the hours after the fatal shooting, several Democrats have come forward to announce their opposition, including some who had until now appeared ready to vote for the funding package.

The Trump administration and Kristi Noem are putting undertrained, combative federal agents on the streets with no accountability, the Nevada senator Catherine Cortez Masto said in a statement. They are oppressing Americans and are at odds with local law enforcement. This is clearly not about keeping Americans safe. Its brutalizing US citizens and law-abiding immigrants.

Last year, Cortez Masto was one of a handful of Democrats who broke rank and voted repeatedly to keep the government open.

Jacky Rosen, Nevadas other senator who had also bucked her party during the shutdown, wrote on X: As a member of the U.S. Senate, I have the responsibility to hold the Trump Administration accountable when I see abuses of power  like we are seeing from ICE right now. That is why Ill be voting against any government funding package that contains the bill that funds this agency, until we have guardrails in place to curtail these abuses of power and ensure more accountability and transparency.

Mark Warner, a Democratic senator for Virginia, wrote: I cannot and will not vote to fund DHS while this administration continues these violent federal takeovers of our cities.

In a sign of Democrats fury, the Washington senator Patty Murray, the ranking member on the appropriations committee, who negotiated funding package, announced she would not support the package as currently written.

Federal agents cannot murder people in broad daylight and face zero consequences. I will NOT support the DHS bill as it stands, she said on X. The DHS bill needs to be split off from the larger funding package before the Senate  Republicans must work with us to do that. I will continue fighting to rein in DHS and ICE.

It was unclear if Senate Republicans were willing to separate the DHS funding measure from the rest of the package, which would probably win significant bipartisan support. On Saturday, many Republicans defended the agent and the department in the aftermath of the shooting.

Holding up the homeland security budget would not necessarily curtail the departments enforcement operations, at least not in the short term. Trumps 2025 domestic policy bill, known as the big, beautiful bill, included a $75bn supplement for ICE that the agency could potentially tap if its funding lapsed.

But Democrats say they must use the threat to try to establish guardrails on federal immigration agents, whose increasingly violent tactics have fueled protests in cities across the US.

We should not fund DHS without serious reform. We could return CBP to border. We could require warrants for immigration arrests. We could beef up training and require identification, Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat whose been pushing his colleagues to block DHS funding for weeks. The list of possible reforms is long. Whats unacceptable is the current lawless status quo.

Senate Democrats were expected to hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss their next steps.

The funding bill narrowly passed the Republican-controlled House on Thursday, overcoming a Democratic revolt following the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Seven Democrats, however, helped nearly all Republicans move it over the line. Explaining their support, several of the Democrats sharply denounced ICEs conduct in US cities, but argued that the funding bill contained hard-won concessions, including funding for body cameras and de-escalation training for ICE officers.

But Republicans rejected other proposals sought by Democrats, including measures that would have requires judicial warrants for home entries and a provision explicitly prohibiting funds from being used to detain or deport US citizens.

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In the wake of the fatal shooting of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents, MAGA loyalists have rushed to social media and friendly broadcasts to defend the incident.

The spin cycle was already running on Saturday, just hours after Pretti was killed and only 17 days after the shooting death of Renee Good in the same city. The Department of Homeland Security insisted that the victim showed up on the streets on Saturday to massacre law enforcement officers.

A Washington Post analysis of a video capturing Pretti's shooting shows that federal agents held the Illinois-native to the ground and removed a firearm from a holster near his back. After securing the gun, agents shot Pretti multiple times, killing him.

Senator Markwayne Mullin said Alex Pretti, who was shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis, was deranged and accused him  without evidence  of having intended to carry out a mass shooting against federal officers (AFP/Getty)

Despite the video evidence, Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin called Pretti a deranged individual during an appearance on Fox News.

"A deranged individual who came in to cause massive damage with a loaded pistol was shot and killed. How much more does it have to go on before the Democrat leaders take responsibility for their words?" Mullin said.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News that it is an offense in Minnesota to carry a registered firearm without proper ID, an offense punishable by a fine of up to $25.

He came to that scene and impeded a law enforcement operation, which is against federal law. It's a felony. He became aggressive and resisted them throughout that process, Noem added.

MAGA commentator Mark Levin questioned why Pretti even had a gun in a situation where he knew there would be police operations and possible unrest (AFP via Getty Images)

The highly influential right-wing social media account, Catturd, shrugged off the fact that Pretti was a nurse who worked with veterans by pointing out notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was a medical specialist and an army veteran.

"Liberal media ... "He was a nurse!" Yeah, and Jeffrey Dahmer was a medical specialist in the army. What's your point?" he wrote on Truth Social.

MAGA commentator Mark Levin questioned why Pretti even had a gun in a situation where he knew there would be police operations and possible unrest.

In contrast, Levin previously referred to Kyle Rittenhouse  who also brought a much larger gun into a situation where law enforcement were clashing with protesters  as "absolutely outstanding" for defending himself.

"If this kid hadn't shot [Joseph] Rosenbaum, he'd be dead. If this kid hadn't shot [Anthony] Huber, he'd be dead. If this kid hadn't shot [Gaige] Grosskreutz, he'd be dead.," Levin said on Fox News in 2021.

Levin then blamed the Democrats for not cooperating with ICE.

"None of this would be going on but for the intentional acts of sabotage by local and state Democrat officials who are not only obstructing federal law enforcement but urging on the mobs and inciting violence with the most toxic demagoguery and propaganda," Levin wrote.

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABCs Jonathan Karl on This Week on Sunday,  I'm sorry he is dead, but he did bring a semiautomatic weapon to what was supposed to be a peaceful protest.

When Karl said that there was no evidence the victim brandished the gun, Bessent doubled down, saying, But he brought a gun!

To which Karl responded, We do have a Second Amendment in this country.

Meanwhile, Andrew Cherkasky, who served as the first prosecutor for the Air Forces Special Victims Unit, told Fox News that he believed Pretti had a "death wish" and likened his death to suicide by cop.

Based on the reports we are hearing in the videos we see, this appears to be essentially a suicide by cop type of scenario, Cherkasky said. It has long been known if youre going to fight with cops and resist in situations that are escalating like this it is a death wish.
Speculation continually follows Shakespeare (Getty Images)

William Shakespeare was a "black Jewish woman" whose work was stolen by a semi-literate businessman, a controversial new book has claimed.

Feminist historian Irene Coslet argues the real genius behind the world's most famous plays was Emilia Bassano, a Tudor court poet who used "Shakespeare" as a pen name.

According to The Real Shakespeare, written by the LSE graduate, Bassano's true authorship was covered up in favour of William Shakespeare, an "uneducated interloper" from Stratford-upon-Avon.

Ms Coslet contends that Elizabethan society preferred the narrative of a "white" male genius to acknowledging a black female playwright.

Bassano had intimate connections to the theatre world as mistress of Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon - Elizabeth I's Lord Chamberlain and patron of Shakespeare's own troupe, the Lord Chamberlain's Men.

Literary scholars have long speculated she could be the "Dark Lady" immortalised in Shakespeare's sonnets.

No one during the Bard's lifetime ever disputed his authorship. Even his theatrical rival Ben Jonson praised him as a genius "for all time".

Yet conspiracy theories have persisted for centuries, with some suggesting Christopher Marlowe contributed to the enormous body of work.

Shakespeare's modest origins - a glover's son from Warwickshire with limited schooling - have fuelled doubts about how he achieved such literary brilliance.

Ms Coslet tackles this directly in her book, writing: "Historians have not managed to explain how the Stratford man, a semi-illiterate moneylender, managed to gain such a level of erudition."

By contrast, she argues Bassano's "diverse identity" as both Jewish and Moorish - someone of north African descent with Venetian family connections - provided the cultural knowledge evident in the plays.

The author declares that "English-speaking world has a mother with a multi-cultural identity", calling Bassano the "mother of a civilisation".

While acknowledging that surviving portraits depict Bassano as fair-skinned, Ms Coslet suggests her complexion was deliberately lightened to conform to period beauty ideals.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the historian said: "If Shakespeare was a female of colour, this would draw attention to issues of peace and justice in society.

"What if women had a pivotal role and a civilising impact in history, but they have been silenced, belittled and erased from the dominant narrative?"

This isn't the first time Bassano has been proposed as the true Shakespeare.

Last year, American novelist Jodi Picoult made similar claims in By Any Other Name, suggesting Shakespeare "sold his name to people who wanted to hide themselves as writers".

Bassano was the first woman in England to publish original poetry under her own name.

Mainstream scholarship maintains Shakespeare was born in Stratford in 1564 to a glove-maker father. Records show he attended grammar school locally before marrying 26-year-old Anne Hathaway when he was just 18. By 1592, Shakespeare had established himself in London's theatre world. He died in 1616 - nearly three decades before Bassano's own death.
More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies, including Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth, have signed an open letter calling for an immediate deescalation in Minneapolis.

The leaders are urging state, local and federal officials to work together as businesses grapple with how to address tensions in the state and across the country following two fatal shootings by federal agents amid a massive immigration enforcement operation that has spurred protests.

With yesterdays tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions, the open letter reads.

CEOs that signed the letter included 3M CEO William Brown, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening, Target incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Helmsley, and others.

Before the letter, most of the biggest Minnesota-based companies had not issued any public statements about the enforcement surge and unrest.

Startling scenes have broken out in Minneapolis after the shooting as crowds clashed with immigration agents (AFP via Getty Images)

But the issue has become more difficult to avoid. Over the past two weeks protesters have targeted some businesses they see not taking a strong enough stand against federal law enforcement activity, including Minneapolis-based Target.

Earlier in January a Minnesota hotel that wouldnt allow federal immigration agents to stay there apologized and said the refusal violated its own policies after a furor online.

Meanwhile, the state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities cited devastating economic impacts in a lawsuit filed this month imploring a federal judge to halt the immigration operations. The lawsuit asserted that some businesses have reported sales drops up to 80%.

In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future, the letter reads.
The decision to bar the mayor of Greater Manchester and former MP Andy Burnham from standing for the now vacant parliamentary seat of Gorton and Denton raises a host of questions, both about Sir Keir Starmer himself, as party leader and prime minister, and about the governance of the Labour Party.

In his 18 months as prime minister, Sir Keir has often appeared a weak and indecisive leader, with policy U-turns and prevarications under pressure more in evidence than any determined pursuit of the objectives set out in the manifesto on which he led Labour to its landslide election victory.

There is, however, another side to that picture. Where party and government discipline is concerned, and  it might be added  his own survival as leader, he has shown a determination little short of ruthlessness. This was fully on display in the way he ejected Jeremy Corbyn from the party and his attempt to do the same to Diane Abbott. He was both unhesitant and unrepentant in removing the whip from MPs who rebelled against proposed government welfare reforms (only to yield on the policy issues later), and he demonstrated a similar resolution in effectively sacking both his deputy, Angela Rayner, and his hand-picked ambassador in Washington, Peter Mandelson, when their missteps threatened to harm his own position.

Sir Keirs role  as a member of the NEC standing committee  in the decision to block Mr Burnhams possible return to the House of Commons at the very first opportunity shows a similar steel, and a similar regard for his job as prime minister. While the reason given for the NEC opposing his candidacy has a point  a desire to keep Greater Manchester under Mr Burnhams and Labours control until the next mayoral election  it is hard not to see also a more immediate consideration: Sir Keirs fear of a leadership challenge, and his supporters' desire to keep out a potential new source of instability at the top of government.

The decision is not without risk. Some influential Labour voices, including the deputy leader, Lucy Powell, opposed the decision to keep Mr Burnham out of the by-election, with Angela Rayner, now a backbencher, backing his possible return to the Commons. Neither could exactly be described as a shrinking violet, and they are unlikely to remain silent. Sir Keir could thus have created a new rod for his own back, in the shape of resentment in party ranks, and given new impetus to others with leadership ambitions, such as the health secretary, Wes Streeting.

For Mr Burnham and his supporters  and perhaps not only for them  the decision cannot but call into question party procedures. Mr Burnham had little more than a day to decide whether to put his name forward. The decision to block him was taken by an 11-member group from the national executive committee, which was strong on Starmer-ites. How come a sub-group of the NEC has the power to take such decisions, and how come a would-be parliamentary candidate can be blocked by any mechanism other than the relevant constituency party?

It is possible, of course, that Andy Burnham may have been saved from himself and an ill-judged decision to try to return to the Commons at this point. The mood of the country is such that he could have been defeated at the ballot box, and another Labour candidate could yet lose the seat. But Mr Burnham might well have offered the best prospect of a Labour victory, and a stronger leader than Sir Keir could have chosen to test Mr Burnhams advance pledge of loyalty, while utilising his undoubted strengths. Rejecting the return of Mr Burnham at this stage risks looking more like weakness than strength  and is an accusation that Sir Keir will have to deal with in the coming days and weeks.

The decision came at the end of what was probably the most convincing week of Sir Keirs time at No 10. He judiciously stayed away from the diplomatic circus at Davos. He took a strong public stance on the status of Greenland as part of the Kingdom of Denmark, rebuffing the US presidents claims, and he concluded the week with a forceful objection to Donald Trumps denigration of the contribution of non-US troops to the conflict in Afghanistan, which elicited something very much like an apology from the second-term US president in the form of a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of UK troops.

For Sir Keir, these undoubted positives could now be negated by the backlash that has already begun against his part in preventing the return to the Commons of a popular politician. They also highlight the contrast, once again, between Sir Keirs strength when it comes to talking to foreign leaders, controlling his MPs and saving his own skin, and his evident weakness when it comes to communicating the policies he campaigned on and steering them successfully through parliament. One way he might yet be able to quieten, if not actually silence, his critics would be for him to set about remedying that disparity in the coming months.
Alicia Samuels and her son, Aeon. There are now a record 175,025 children in temporary housing in England, and many families affected are living in B&Bs, hostels and overcrowded flats. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian (Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian)

Schools are regularly referring homeless children to food banks, driving them to classes and washing their clothes, according to research.

A survey conducted by the housing charity Shelter and NASUWT, also known as the Teachers Union, asked 11,000 teachers about their experiences of working with children living in temporary accommodation.

There are now a record 175,025 children in temporary housing in England, according to the most recent government figures. Many families affected are living in B&Bs, hostels and overcrowded flats.

Related: Growing numbers of over-60s facing homelessness, charities warn

Most teachers who responded said homeless children had attended their school in the last year.

Almost half of respondents  49%  said that their school regularly referred homeless families to food banks.

Families are often placed in temporary accommodation miles away from their childrens schools, and 41% of teachers said staff had helped homeless children get to classes. A quarter of teachers said their school regularly washed school uniforms for families living in temporary housing without adequate laundry facilities.

The vast majority of those surveyed said homelessness had an impact on childrens attendance, performance in assessments and mental health.

Alicia Samuels, 39, has been living in temporary accommodation in Tower Hamlets, east London, since she was pregnant with her son Aeon, who is now six.

She previously lived in her fathers council house but became homeless when he died. She said that since then she has had five temporary homes, some of which did not have laundry facilities.

Samuels said that the one-bedroom flat she shares with Aeon is damp and infested with rodents. She added that Aeon had developed hearing problems because of fluid in his ear resulting from the mould.

She said: Ive told the school about the fluid in Aeons ear. I dont want him to get sanctioned for not paying attention, if his mind goes somewhere else because he cant hear. Hes very shy and he doesnt speak up in school much.

He would excel so much more if he had more space for himself. I think he would find more confidence and independence.

Samuels said she has avoided inviting other children to playdates with Aeon because she is so embarrassed by their living situation.

She added: It gets me emotional  he goes round his friends houses and they have their own room and a playroom. Aeon doesnt have his own space. He has a lot of anxiety. He has trouble sleeping because of the accommodation.

Matt Morden, the headteacher of Surrey Square primary school in Walworth, south London, said a quarter of his pupils were living in temporary accommodation. Many of the children have asthma or sickle cell [disease], so they are much more vulnerable, especially when the accommodation is damp, or the heating is not working, he said.

They are getting chest infections and colds because of the conditions they are living in, which isnt helping their attendance.

How can you be expected to come into school and learn if you havent slept properly, or you havent had heating [and] its freezing?

Sarah Elliott, the chief executive of Shelter, said: The government must ramp up the delivery of genuinely affordable social rent homes by setting a national target for delivery. We need 90,000 social homes a year for 10 years.

Matt Wrack, NASUWT general secretary, said: Teachers and school leaders are pulling out all the stops to help mitigate the effects of homelessness on these pupils and their families, but they cannot fix our national housing crisis. The government needs to go further and faster to make sure that no childs opportunities in life are blighted by the lack of a safe and secure place to call home.
Greg Bovino, the ICE commander in Minneapolis, said that Alex Pretti, who was shot dead by his officers, put himself in that situation - Seth Herald/Reuters

The federal agents who shot dead a nurse in Minneapolis were the real victims of the fatal incident, according to the senior official in charge of the immigration crackdown in the city.

In highly inflammatory comments that will further ratchet up tensions, Gregory Bovino defended his border patrol officers over the shooting on Saturday of Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse at a hospital for veterans.

In a television interview less than 24 hours after the shooting, Mr Bovino blamed Pretti for his own death, accusing him of impeding ICE officers at an active crime scene.

The suspect put himself in that situation, said Mr Bovino, adding: The victims are the border patrol agents there.

Pretti was labelled as a domestic terrorist and a would-be assassin by White House officials, despite extensive video evidence showing he posed no threat to the agents when he was killed and that a gun, which he was legally entitled to carry, had already been taken from him.

In a telephone interview with The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, Mr Trump skirted questions of whether the officer who shot Alex Pretti had done the right thing.

The US president said: Were looking, were reviewing everything and will come out with a determination.

Mr Trump also signalled a potential withdrawal of ICE from Minneapolis, but didnt offer a time frame for their departure.

At some point we will leave. Weve done, theyve done a phenomenal job, he said.

A video appeared to show the moment officers confronted Mr Pretti

While Democrats, including the Minnesota governor and the Minneapolis police chief, are incensed over the killing and the White House response, Donald Trump and his administration are also coming under increasing pressure from Republicans and groups usually sympathetic to the President.

After a government attorney said: If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you, the National Rifle Association said the administration should not be demonising law-abiding citizens.

Republican senators Bill Cassidy and Susan Collins have called for a full joint federal and state investigation into the shooting, while James Comer, a Republican representative and chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said on Fox News that Mr Trump should consider removing ICE agents from Minneapolis and sending them to another state.

In his strongest attack on the US president yet, Tim Walz, Minnesotas governor, accused Mr Trump of gaslighting the entire country.

Tim Walz, Minnesotas Democratic governor, right, accused the US president of gaslighting the entire country - Abbie Parr/AP

He said that Prettis parents had gone through enough without Mr Trump dragging their dead son through the dirt.

Reiterating his call for Mr Trump to withdraw 3,000 ICE agents from Minnesota, Mr Walz urged him to show some decency.

He also said children were now hiding in their houses, afraid to go outside over fears ICE agents would detain them and likened their plight to that of Anne Frank, the Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis before being killed at Auschwitz.

He has activated the Minnesota National Guard at the request of the local county sheriffs force to assist officers trying to police protests in Minneapolis.

Pam Bondi, the attorney general, appeared to make an offer to pull ICE agents out of Minnesota in return for the governor giving the Department of Justice access to the states voter rolls.

Opponents of the Trump administration have suggested that the presidents real goal in targeting states like Minnesota is to be able to use it as leverage to interfere in the midterm elections, due in November, in which Republicans are expected to lose control of the House of Representatives.

They said that Ms Bondis offer in her letter was evidence of Mr Trumps real intentions.

Federal immigration agents detaining a protester during clashes in Minneapolis on Saturday

In an interview on Sunday, Brian OHara, chief of the Minneapolis police department, said his officers were being prevented from investigating the fatal shooting.

Mr OHara said: Even when our officers initially responded to the scene, our watch commander was not given even the most basic information that is typical in a law enforcement-involved shooting.

He said the videos of the shooting raised serious questions about the account provided by Mr Bovino, who was recently likened to a Nazi officer by German media because of his brass-buttoned, calf-length olive green coat and closely cropped haircut.

Mr Bovino has denied in interviews that he intended to convey any Nazi or fascist meanings, and said he has owned the coat for many years.

German media likened Mr Bovino, centre, to a Nazi officer because of his long coat and closely cropped haircut - Octavio Jones/AFP

Questions remain over who fired the first shot, with some commentators suggesting that Prettis confiscated gun went off in the hand of the agent who took it from him, spooking the other agents who then started firing at him.

In sworn testimony, witnesses said Pretti was holding a camera, rather than brandishing a gun.

Videos from the scene show Pretti trying to protect a female demonstrator who had been pushed to the ground by a federal agent.

In a statement, his parents, Michael and Susan, said: 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.

They added: Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.

Alex Prettis parents said: Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man - Michael Pretti

Kash Patel, director of the FBI and an appointee of Mr Trump, however suggested Pretti had broken the law by bringing a firearm to the street demonstration.

You cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. Its that simple, said Mr Patel, adding: You dont have that right to break the law and incite violence.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have taken control of the investigation, shutting out local police as they did with the death of Renee Good, another Minneapolis anti-ICE protester, who was shot dead at the wheel of her car on Jan 7.
The first few weeks of 2026 have felt like a lifetime. They follow a year of unprecedented global events, triggered by Donald Trumps foreign policy, that have rocked the world and the world order.

In less than a month, we have seen the US capture the president of Venezuela, threaten to bomb Iran, and vow to take over Nato partner Greenland, while briefly threatening sanctions on anyone who opposed that.

So what can the world expect as we move into the second year of Trumps second term in office?

How far does his America First policy go? What does his Donroe Doctrine mean for the direction of this new world?

And which crises and conflicts are likely to wreak havoc this year?

Protesters wave Greenlandic flags and hold banners as they march in Nuuk (Getty)

Post-Nato Europe and the conquest of Greenland

The most immediate concern is Trump's determination to take over the mineral-rich, strategically important island of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the USs Nato ally Denmark.

Although he has stepped back from military action, his desire to own the piece of ice remains undiminished. During his speech in Davos, he insulted Europe  and its leaders  criticising them on migration and energy, as well as defence. The alliances most powerful member is not playing nice.

Rose Gottemoeller, who served as Natos deputy secretary general during Trumps first administration, told The Independent that Washingtons increasingly erratic signals, she said, raise doubts about its commitment to the US nuclear umbrella over Europe, which unofficial reports suggest includes around 100 warheads.

This, in turn, could trigger a new era of nuclear proliferation, something already being discussed in parts of Europe, including Germany.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska in August last year (AP)

Ukraine and a never-ending war

Ukraine is at a critical juncture: there are desperate hopes that talks could bring peace, four years after Russias full-scale invasion of the country. Talks in Abu Dhabi between officials from the US, Russia and Ukraine have so far proved inconclusive as there is one large elephant in the room: the row over territory.

Trump is arguably the only ally of Ukraine with enough power to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and agree to a ceasefire that is not simply a dressed-up surrender for Kyiv. But increasingly, it feels as though Trump does not care enough about the outcome for the Ukrainians.

His America First isolationism, overtures to the Russian president over territory gains, public berating of Volodymyr Zelensky and apparent indifference to Ukraines concerns that a peace deal could lead to renewed war with Russia in the future do not bode well.

It is also concerning that the US is sending signals that sovereignty does not matter, as seen in the justification of the US capture of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro, and his hardline stance on Greenland.

It is creating a precedent that countries like Russia ... will take as affirmation, General Sir Richard Barrons, the former Commander of Joint Forces Command, said at a recent Chatham House event.

It smacks of a worldview in which superpowers simply carve up spheres of influence between them, he added.

The UK and its European allies in the Coalition of the Willing have stepped up, announcing this month that British and French troops would deploy to Ukraine as a security guarantee should a deal go through. But the question remains whether Europe on its own will be enough.

The US captured Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and took him to New York early this month (Reuters)

Latin America and bombing his backyard

A telling warning was issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration on January 16 that airlines should exercise caution when flying over Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America such as Colombia, citing risks linked to potential military activities.

The warnings, which will last 60 days, come amid soaring tensions between the US and South American leaders following Trumps large-scale military buildup in the southern Caribbean, the attack on Venezuela and Trumps repeated threats of action in neighbouring Colombia, Cuba, and, most recently, against drug cartels in Mexico.

Perhaps the biggest shift in US foreign policy since Trumps second term began has been the elevation of Latin America to one of the highest priorities in the USs national security strategy.

This is all part of Trumps Donroe Doctrine  his personal retelling of the 200-year-old playbook of president James Monroe, aimed at restoring US pre-eminence over the western hemisphere, where powers such as China have gained increasing influence.

US officials apprehended a sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, which was operating in international waters and allegedly conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea (X/@Southcom)

China is now Latin Americas second-largest trading partner after the US, and investment ties are growing.

This is clearly something Trump and his secretary of state, Mark Rubio, an American Cuban himself, are keen to halt.

Earlier this month, Trump warned the Cuban government to make a deal or face the consequences, without elaborating.

Trump has also engaged in a war of words online with the Colombian president Gustavo Petro, whom he unceremoniously told to watch his ass.

The White House depends on cooperation with Mexico to stem migration, and Mexico relies on the US as a major training partner. But Trumps recent comments about launching US strikes on Mexican drug cartels have already caused alarm.

Let us not forget Trumps original threats to annex the Panama Canal. Emboldened by his actions in Venezuela and driven by his ambitions over Greenland, nothing appears to be off the table.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea in October 2025 (AP)

China and its eyes on Taiwan

The US intelligence position has long been that China is preparing its military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027. That is now only a year away. It feels closer still after Chinas live fire military drills around Taiwan at the end of last year, and Xi Jinpings vow to reunify China and Taiwan in his New Years Eve speech.

It might be why there is far more emphasis on Taiwan in Trumps national security strategy than under previous US administrations.

Protecting Taiwan from China is, according to the document, vital to maintaining American economic and technological pre-eminence, due both to its semiconductor production and its strategic location.

At the same time, Trumps approach to China remains transactional and ambiguous. He publicly cultivated a personal rapport with Xi Jinping and told The New York Times this month that he said it is up to the Chinese leader to decide Taiwans future.

Analysts see the Taiwan Strait as the most likely flashpoint for a conflict between the United States and China. The potential cost of war is extremely high.

Donald Trump with Tony Blair at the Sharm El Sheikh peace summit last year (PA)

The Middle East and Trumps board of peace

At the start of 2026, the Middle East feels less of an urgent priority for a US president. That said, over the past year, he has joined Israel in bombing Iran, encouraged protesters to overthrow the government in Tehran, pushed through a truce deal for Gaza, and welcomed Syrias new president as an attractive tough guy.

Last week, he inaugurated his board of peace, which was nominally tasked with enacting his 20-point plan for Gaza after a devastating war with Israel. But according to leaked details of its charter  which the US claims nearly 60 countries have signed on for  it could have a much wider, UN-level scope, looking at conflicts well beyond that troubled region.

The indications so far suggest a US president who does not want a lot of boots on the ground in the region. He seems more energised by striking trillion-dollar deals with the Gulf states, acquiring glitzy new planes or describing real estate opportunities for the Gaza Riviera, or New Gaza.

That said, his claims on Friday that an armada of military ships is sailing towards Iran means nothing can be ruled out.
The prospect of testing conditions at Leopardstown on Saturday has Gordon Elliott eyeing a mouthwatering clash with Kopek Des Bordes for Romeo Coolio in the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase.

Unbeaten over three starts over fences, the seven-year-old needed every yard to scoop Grade One honours at the Foxrock venue over the Christmas period, but his assured stamina could prove a bonus if weather forecasts prove correct ahead of the Dublin Racing Festival.

Romeo Coolio also holds an entry for the longer Ladbrokes Novice Chase on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival, where he would lock horns with the equally talented Final Demand, but Elliott said: To be honest if it keeps raining as it is, there is every chance he will turn up in the two-mile race.

Its spilling rain and theyve given plenty more out in Ireland at the minute so it could be nice and testing.

It would be a great race against Kopek Des Bordes, but at least then we would find out where were going in the future.
Esther Ghey, the mother of Brianna Ghey, has accused the Government of delaying the social media ban - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

Bereaved families have criticised Sir Keir Starmer for delaying a decision on whether to ban social media for under-16s.

Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, said it was not enough for the Prime Minister to suggest that an Australia-style social media ban was merely one option being considered by ministers.

She accused the Government of kicking the issue into the long grass by launching a three-month consultation on a potential ban, saying it was not clear what fresh information the Government hopes to gather.

In a letter to Sir Keir sent on Saturday and signed by dozens of other campaigners, Ms Ghey said: Consultation is not action, it is delay, and while we wait, parents and teachers continue to struggle to protect young people and children are being harmed.

You have talked of a social media ban as being an option that can be considered; we know what this means, and it is not enough.

The public now expects you to take action and the children that are being exposed to harm every day, including while at school, cannot wait any longer.

Brianna Ghey was murdered in 2023 by two teenagers, one of whom she believed to be her friend - Cheshire Police

Sir Keir is understood to want to wait to assess early evidence from Australias recent ban on under-16s accessing apps such as TikTok and Instagram, which came into force in December.

Ministers will respond to the findings from Labours consultation this summer. It will also consider issuing stricter guidance for schools on phone use and tasking Ofsted inspectors with checking how well it is implemented.

But MPs could be forced to make a decision on the matter much sooner, after the House of Lords backed a Tory-led move to push through a ban earlier this week.

By 261 votes to 150, peers voted to outlaw social media access for children, through an amendment to Labours Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The defeat for the Government means the House of Commons will now have to consider the amendment.

Ministers have signalled that they will try to quell support for the move, but this is expected to prove tricky amid growing pressure from Labour backbenchers for tougher action from the Prime Minister.

Scale of the problem is painfully clear

Ms Ghey urged Sir Keir to support the amendment and noted that the scale of the problem is already painfully clear.

She said: Almost all children are affected, with 97 per cent of 12-year-olds owning a smartphone and teenagers spending an average of 35 hours a week on their phones.

Despite this, 79 per cent of schools still only operate out of sight policies. Incremental change is not enough. Every day that your Government delays taking robust and swift action, more children will be let down.

Brianna Ghey was murdered in Warrington, Cheshire, in 2023 by two teenagers, one of whom she believed to be her friend.

Briannas excessive phone use at school had led to her being excluded. Her mother previously claimed this meant she was sucked away from society and into the online world where she was at risk of so many harms instead of being at school with her peers.

Other signatories to the letter to Sir Keir included Ellen Roome, whose 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died taking part in a social media challenge.

Deeply disappointing

Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, said it was deeply disappointing that Labour could not bring itself to support a social media ban for under-16s.

She said: Instead, Keir Starmer is offering parents another consultation and yet more guidance on smartphones in schools. This doesnt represent action, its just more delay.

We already know Government guidance does not work. If we are to be serious about protecting children, we must legislate to ban smartphones in schools and get under-16s off social media...

Labour are on the wrong side of this argument, and they continue to dig in.

A Government spokesman said: Weve been clear  we will take action to make sure children have a healthy relationship with mobile phones and social media.

This is a complex issue with no common consensus and its important we get this right.

Thats why we are launching a consultation to seek views from experts, parents and young people to ensure we take the best approach, based on the latest evidence.
Viva Enterprises, which had suppliers in China, started to trade in PPE as Covid spread - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph

Surrounded by gambling establishments and charity shops on a slightly run-down high street, the discount lighting store has little to make it stand out.

But this week it has been at the centre of a High Court battle with the Mexican government over a $60m (44m) deal signed off by the president himself.

Viva Enterprises, run by Robert Dangoor from the shop in Cricklewood Broadway, north-west London, is accused of lying to Mexican officials who were trying to obtain ventilators at the beginning of the Covid pandemic.

When Viva failed to deliver the specialist medical equipment  which it had no background in supplying  Mr Dangoor devised a cover-up scheme, which involved bribing a Mexican company to claim the order had been fulfilled, it is alleged.

Mr Dangoor and his company are being sued for $42m by IMSS Bienestar, the Mexican government department that provides medical care for the countrys poorest people.

They deny the claim, stating that Viva has fulfilled its promises and the government department is trying to hide its own incompetence.

Robert Dangoors company is accused by the Mexican government of lying about life-saving ventilators - Eddie Mulholland

The court heard that Viva won the contract to sell the ventilators at three times the price of competitors after promising they could be delivered within weeks.

The cost was so high that the deal  which required a $60m upfront payment  needed to be signed off by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the Mexican president at the time.

Unbeknown to officials, the promise of delivery was made based on WhatsApp chats with a Chinese company to which Viva had been introduced only a matter of hours earlier.

But the company never delivered, and this week, in an effort to retrieve the cash, Mexican officials travelled to London to give evidence about the deal to the High Court.

The judge was told that Mr Dangoor, like many others, saw an opportunity to capitalise at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

Ventilators could make the difference between life and death for Covid victims who struggled to breathe - Reuters

Viva, which had contacts in China because of its usual business selling lighting, electrical and construction products, began trading in personal protective equipment (PPE), including sales to the Mexican government.

Officials there were particularly desperate to source ventilators, and Mr Dangoor, through his son Dr Joseph Dangoor, a GP, offered to supply 1,000 ventilators, with 200 immediately available and the rest for delivery within 21 days.

The offer, late at night on Saturday, April 11 2020, came as a bolt from the blue to Mexican officials, who had secured orders but none that could be delivered so quickly, Zoe OSullivan KC, representing IMSS, told the trial.

Despite having already ordered 1,000 ventilators at $18,750 a piece, the officials agreed to pay Viva $58,800 per device.

Mexicos president consulted before $60m transfer

By Monday morning, having consulted the president, they had transferred $60m into Vivas bank account. But Viva did not have ventilators ready to ship, Ms OSullivan told the hearing, merely a promise from a Chinese company, American Ventures, to which it had just been introduced.

Hours before the offer to Mexican officials, Mr Dangoor had sent a message to the woman running American Ventures asking if she was sure that you can supply 1,600 units in two weeks. She replied, stating: Yes. I am guarantee.

He had been warned by a contact that the Chinese firm was an advertising company with a history of tax arrears that had no licence to export ventilators.

It later proved that it was unable to deliver. Viva was refunded later that month and tried to source alternative ventilators.

Ms OSullivan said Viva was simply chasing profit without concern that they were sitting on funds destined to save lives.

Dr Joseph Dangoor, a GP who is Robert Dangoors son, is said to have passed on his fathers offer of ventilators to Mexican officials - Eddie Mulholland

They offered a partial refund of $17.76m to IMSSs predecessor, the Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar, and promised to instead deliver 700 ventilators.

Viva then claimed that ventilators delivered by a separate Mexican company, Encore, which the department had a contract and orders with already, were actually machines delivered on its behalf.

The judge was told this was a dishonest conspiracy between Viva and Encore to defraud officials.

To allow Viva to charge the higher price for the ventilators, Encore agreed to sell Viva some of the deliveries which it had already ... in exchange for a substantial bribe, it is alleged.

Consultancy and success fees totalling almost $3m were later paid to Encore.

This claim was then backed up by a false paper trail, including a backdated supply contract, Ms OSullivan said.

She said that the Mexican government would not have paid three times the price per ventilator if it were not for the promise of immediate delivery, and the contract was cancelled when the delivery did not materialise.

Viva and Mr Dangoor deny the claims, stating that their obligations under the contract were completed in full across three deliveries, with a final delivery of 185 ventilators offered in August 2020, which the department refused to accept.

They say the allegations of a cover-up with Encore come from the departments administrative incompetence and the Mexican officials had no (or no adequate) means of tracking ventilator deliveries.

Richard Eschwege KC, representing Viva, said IMSS had made up the cover-up to avoid scrutiny for its failure to collect and put to good use millions of dollars worth of ventilators which have been paid for out of Mexican public funds.

He said Viva lost considerable sums paying deposits to suppliers who did not deliver any ventilators.

The case continues on Monday, when Mr Dangoor is expected to give evidence.
A total of 250 councillors are on course to serve for seven years in office without facing voters after local authorities delayed elections throughout Britain.

The councillors are set to serve three years longer than a standard term after Labours decision to postpone dozens of elections that were scheduled to happen in May.

They include as many as 154 Tories, 24 from Labour and 28 Liberal Democrats. Another 16 Green Party councillors will serve for seven years, as well as eight from Reform UK and 20 independent councillors or representatives who are part of a smaller group, according to analysis by the BBC.

The Telegraph has launched a Campaign for Democracy, calling for the elections to go ahead and the scrapping of an obscure clause in the 2000 Local Government Act which allows polls to be delayed without a full vote in Parliament.

On Thursday the Government announced that 29 local authorities would postpone their local elections this year, claiming that a looming reorganisation of local government would make it expensive, complicated and unnecessary to hold votes.

Four of these  West Sussex, Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex  are county councils, all Conservative-led, which last held elections four years ago in May 2021.

As local elections were postponed last year in these areas, the local representatives could serve seven years, if elections are not held until May 2028.

Julian Kirk resigned as a Conservative councillor for Norfolk county council last year because he disagreed with the local authority delaying elections. He was re-elected as a Reform UK councillor in the subsequent by-election.

He told The Telegraph that local councillors set to keep their seats far past the standard term should consider standing down on principle.

I thought delaying elections was out of order last year when I resigned, but now its going on and on its even worse, he said.

Julian Kirk, a Reform councillor in Norfolk, said that members set to serve for longer than normal should consider standing down

Mr Kirk added: Youve got no mandate whatsoever on a seven-year term and some of those councillors should resign.

When I resigned, I knew I couldnt stand there without a vote, my gut feeling was my time was up and in politics youve got to learn to live and die by the sword.

He added: This is the sort of thing that you expect to happen in China or North Korea, not Great Britain.

The elections were delayed after Labour asked councils if they wanted to go ahead. They have been postponed at several Tory local authorities which did not publicly ask for an explicit delay, but warned that local government reforms would be more difficult if votes were held.

David Simmonds, the shadow local government minister, suggested that the election delays had been driven by pressure from Labour.

He said: Labour are denying democracy and running scared of voters by cancelling local elections. They have even sought to bully councils into asking for delays.

The Tory MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner added: We have been very clear that these elections should go ahead, and that councillors should not be serving seven-year terms with voters denied the chance to make their views known.

The Telegraph previously highlighted that a former Labour council leader who referred to grooming victims as poor white trash in Rotherham was one of several local representatives who will no longer face voters this May.

Dennis Jones, who stepped down as the leader of Peterborough city council after his comments were made public last year, continues to sit as an independent councillor and could do so for another year with a public vote.

Steve Reed, the Local Government Secretary, said in a written statement last week: In areas where elections are postponed, existing councillors will have their term of office extended for a short period to smooth the transition to new unitary councils. We expect elections then to take place at the earliest opportunity in 2027 to the new councils.

These decisions also follow precedent. Between 2019 and 2022, the then government postponed many local council elections to protect local government reorganisation work. Postponement then, as now, is to enable focused work on reorganisation, and to avoid elections to a council which will shortly cease to exist.
The bunker fell off one of the fastest eroding coastlines in the UK - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe

A clifftop nuclear bunker has fallen into the sea from one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Britain.

Waves have washed over the red brick building, which was based near Tunstall in East Yorkshire, for almost 70 years.

It was originally one of a number of nuclear monitoring posts situated across the country, according to the historical research group Subterranea Britannica.

They were designed to detect, measure and report nuclear detonations and fallout levels, as well as offer critical data on radiation to help shape government responses and warn the public.

The Tunstall Royal Observer Corps (ROC) post is understood to have been built in 1959 and a decision was taken to decommission it during the early 1990s.

The nuclear monitoring post had been hanging precariously off a cliff edge, damaged by the waves which had washed over it for almost 70 years - Anadolu/Anadolu

Amateur historian Davey Robinson and his partner Tracy Charlton documented the collapse of the bunker in a series of YouTube videos.

Mr Robinson told the BBC: The story of it just captured peoples hearts. So many people have been invested in it  its not just bricks and mortar, its something else.

Mr Robinson has pledged to document its fate.

The amateur historian Davey Robinson said the story of the bunkers collapse had captured peoples hearts - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe

East Riding of Yorkshire council urged people to stay away from the area following the collapse and warned people to always maintain a safe distance to the base of eroding cliffs due to the risks associated.

The Holderness coastline is eroding at an average annual rate of about 6.5ft (2m), according to the Environment Agency.

A spokesman for the local authority said the bunker was in an area of privately owned land that formed part of a shoreline management plan.

He added: The coast is undefended in this area, which allows coastal processes to continue. The Ministry of Defence originally requisitioned the land to build the structure. But following its closure, the land was returned to the landowner, which included any military infrastructure upon it.
Police detained demonstrators outside Wormwood Scrubs prison in West London on Saturday evening - Lab Mo/Alamy

Protesters supporting a Palestine Action prisoner have been arrested for breaching prison grounds.

The Metropolitan Police said 86 people were detained outside HMP Wormwood Scrubs in West London on Saturday evening.

The group managed to get inside a staff entrance area of the prison, the force claimed, and are alleged to have threatened officers and stopped prison staff from entering and exiting.

It is understood the protesters did not get past security.

Protesters allegedly threatened officers outside the prison in West London - Lab Mo /Alamy

The Met said protesters managed to get inside an entrance area for prison staff - Lab Mo/Alamy

All those arrested were detained on suspicion of aggravated trespass, the Met confirmed.

The demonstration was held in support of Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, a prisoner who is said to be refusing to eat or drink.

Mr Khalid was initially on a hunger strike before Christmas but paused after becoming seriously ill. He resumed earlier this month before reportedly escalating to a thirst strike on Friday.

Protesters claimed the hunger striker could die within hours or days at the prison - Lab Mo/Alamy

Prisoners for Palestine claimed he could die within hours or days due to heightened risks associated with the strike.

The campaign group confirmed the inmate has asked prison staff not to intervene if he falls unconscious.

Mr Khalid is awaiting trial over an alleged break-in at RAF Brize Norton last June. He denies the charges.

Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, is believed to have escalated his hunger strike to a thirst strike

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable.

While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.

At no point was prison security compromised, however where individuals actions cause risk or actual harm to hard-working staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.

Prisoners are being managed in line with long-standing policy.

This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.
A protest in Belfast before Soldier F was acquitted of murder during Bloody Sunday in 1972 - Getty

A Reform UK government would pardon any military veterans convicted for their roles during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Nigel Farage has said.

The Reform leader said the party would terminate any ongoing prosecutions of British veterans, using either legislation or the royal prerogative of mercy.

The party would also seek to make future court cases less likely by requiring government ministers to sign off on any prosecutions of soldiers for their actions in combat.

The moves follow warnings by Sir Keir Starmers Northern Ireland veterans tsar that as many as 70 former soldiers could be forced into the dock under Labours plans to axe protection from prosecution for Troubles veterans.

Mr Farage will make the pledge at a Reform for Veterans event in central London on Monday, attended by as many as 600 former soldiers and military personnel.

He said: We are proud to be launching our veterans wing. We will fight the injustice being done to our former servicemen and stand up for their rights.

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has launched a veterans wing to increase support for soldiers - PA

Reform said elderly veterans were being dragged in front of the courts for repeated and vexatious prosecutions, often over conduct that had previously been investigated and cleared.

In a document setting out its policy, Reform said: Veterans have been betrayed and thrown under the bus by successive British governments who put human rights above the rights of veterans.

It cited the case of Soldier F, a former paratrooper now in his 70s, who was accused of murder at Bloody Sunday in 1972 and the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Services (PPS) decision to drop the case. Soldier F was acquitted in October.

This matches what was given to the IRA

Reforms policy document said: Reform will legislate for a statutory bar to end current, and prohibit further, proceedings against British veterans for historical conduct.

This will draw a line under a situation where terrorists have faced no consequences for their heinous actions whilst veterans have unfairly hounded.

British forces were responsible for a small proportion of deaths during the Conflict in Ireland from 1969-1993 (approximately 11 per cent), and yet the vast majority of the 30 potential inquests into Troubles related killings and around 600 civil cases in the pipeline involve the actions of lawfully deployed British security forces.

Reform UK will use the royal prerogative of mercy, or legislation, to terminate any ongoing criminal and civil proceedings concerning Troubles-era conduct by British soldiers (and pardon previous convictions).

To aid reconciliation, there will be a bar on any future prosecutions, civil actions or inquests concerning the historic actions of British security forces.

This matches what was given to the IRA under [then prime minister Tony] Blair; they were released from prison, pardoned or given comfort letters, and even allowed to engage in front-line politics.

This statutory bar would be extended to allegations in other overseas operations, including Afghanistan and Iraq.

Reform has also pledged to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), repeal the Human Rights Act and ensure a British Bill of Rights would not apply extraterritorially, to prevent human rights law applying to overseas combat situations.

Reform has no serious plan for veterans

Al Carns, the minister for the Armed Forces, said: The Tories tried to do this and the result was the Legacy Act which offered immunity to IRA terrorists.

Reform need to explain if they are happy for IRA terrorists, who killed British civilians and soldiers, to be granted immunity. What is clear is they have no serious plan for protecting our veterans  just empty promises that would result in many more years of uncertainty and legal disputes.

He said the Labour Government was putting in place a system to give families answers and that provided genuine protections for Northern Ireland veterans.

Mark Francois, the shadow Armed Forces minister, said: As someone who has campaigned consistently on this issue for almost a decade, I welcome support from other parties, even belatedly.

However, the Conservatives have voted repeatedly in Parliament to oppose Labours assault on our 2023 Legacy Act  which actually protects NI veterans  including last Wednesday, when Farage and [Robert] Jenrick didnt even bother to vote, to defend our vets. Where were they instead?

Meanwhile, our shadow attorney general, Lord Wolfson, is acting pro bono, alongside our veterans, to defend the Legacy Act in the Supreme Court, whilst we are now also campaigning to leave the ECHR, which Sinn Fein have repeatedly used for lawfare against them. In short, we are defending those who defended us  and have been, for years.
A Southwest flight takes off at Nashville International Airport as snow falls on January 24. Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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
High-profile real estate agent brothers Alon Alexander, Oren Alexander, and Tal Alexander appear with defense lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Milton Williams for a hearing, prior to their federal sex trafficking trial in New York on January 13, in a courtroom sketch. - Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Federal prosecutors accuse two of New Yorks top real estate brokers, and their brother, of sexually assaulting over a dozen women and young girls over a period that spanned more than a decade.

During the trials opening statements, which are scheduled for Monday, prosecutors are expected to describe to a jury how they believe the three brothers  Oren and Tal Alexander, the real estate brokers to the ultra-wealthy, and Alon, an executive at the familys security company  used their wealth and position to lure women to lavish parties or vacation destinations, drug them with cocaine and club drugs, and violently rape and sexually assault them.

Law enforcement allege the brothers identified women they found attractive on dating apps through party promoters and chance encounters, and often would pool financial resources to pay for the womens travel expenses, according to court filings. The alleged assaults occurred from 2008 until 2021 in luxury locations in the Hamptons, Aspen, Las Vegas, Manhattan, and during a Caribbean cruise, according to court filings.

Oren Alexander, 37, left, and his twin brother, Alon, right, attend their bond hearing at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on December 13, 2024 in Miami, Florida. The Alexanders have been charged with multiple state and federal crimes, including sex trafficking and rape. - Matias J. Ocner/Pool/Getty Images

Judge Valerie Caproni, who is presiding over the trial in the Southern District of New York, ruled that several of the accusers can testify using pseudonyms, including women who were minors at the time of the alleged assaults. More than 20 women could be called to testify in the case.

Prosecutors have argued in court that they have text messages between the brothers and others arranging travel in addition to photos and videos.

As of Friday, a jury of six women and six men was selected for the trial, which is expected to last at least a month.

The three brothers have pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, among other crimes. If convicted on all counts, they face at least 15 years and a maximum of life in prison. Oren and Alon also face state charges in Florida. All three brothers are defending themselves against multiple civil lawsuits.

The brothers hired lawyers for Sean Diddy Combs

Lawyers for the brothers, twins Alon and Oren who are 38 years old, and Tal, who is one year older, have argued the women willingly participated in sex, were not forced to travel, and were not paid to have sex with their clients  young charismatic men living a partying lifestyle. Their lawyers have also said in a court filing last year that the allegations are old and were either not reported to police or deemed not chargeable at the time they occurred. They have also argued the criminal case is based on frivolous civil lawsuits.

The evidence will show that these were consensual adult relationships, that no one was trafficked, coerced, drugged, or deprived of anything of value, and that the governments case depends on hindsight, regret, and narrative, not facts. We are confident that when this case is tried in court, rather than in headlines, the truth will be clear, said Juda Engelmayer, a spokesperson for the brothers.

Damien Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, answers a question after he announced the arrest and indictment of Alon Alexander, Oren Alexander, and Tal Alexander, at 26 Federal Plaza in New York, on December 11, 2024. - Kent J. Edwards/Reuters/File

In August, Oren Alexander hired seasoned criminal defense lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, who weeks earlier represented music mogul Sean Diddy Combs and successfully defended against sex trafficking charges. During Combs trial, the lawyers used witnesses text messages to undermine the prosecution theory that the alleged victims were coerced into sex acts. They also argued that many of the witnesses made up allegations and filed civil lawsuits to get a big payday. The jury acquitted Combs of the most serious charges of sex trafficking and convicted him of lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has appealed.

Post viral #MeToo movement

The Alexander brothers case is one of several high-profile sex trafficking cases brought following the height of the #MeToo movement, which changed the conversation around sexual assault. These cases can be difficult to prove since the alleged assaults can be years old, and they often turn on the credibility of witnesses.

Lawyers who represent sexual violence survivors say prosecutions are important to send a message and because the damage to the victims can be profound.

The Alexander brothers arent alone. We saw the breadth and scale of Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein and many others. Unless a clear message is sent that these sorts of behaviors are not going to be tolerated and that theyre going to be prosecuted, other people are going to continue to do this in all sorts of industries, said Douglas Wigdor, an attorney who represents sexual assault survivors, and who is representing some clients in lawsuits against the Alexander brothers.

Tal Alexander and Oren Alexander attend 565 Broome Sales Gallery launch event at 372 West Broadway on September 20, 2016 in New York City. - Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Brothers are accused of violent sexual assaults

The Alexander brothers grew up in Miami. After college, the brothers moved to New York, where Tal and Oren started in the real estate business. Alon went to New York Law School and began working for a private security company run by their mother and uncle. By 2023, the Hollywood Reporter put Oren and Tal at the top of their list of New Yorks top real estate agents.

Prosecutors allege it was in high school that the brothers began to sexually assault women, including by participating in gang rapes, according to court filings. The sexual assaults allegedly escalated, prosecutors said, when they became adults.

Many victims told the brothers no or even screamed while the rapes were happening, but on each occasion, the defendants ignored any verbal resistance. The government has spoken to dozens of women who reported being similarly raped by one or more of the Alexander Brothers between 2005 and 2021, prosecutors wrote in a court filing.

The Alexander brothers were arrested in December 2024 and have been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, a notorious federal jail in Brooklyn, New York. Their parents, Shlomo and Orly, have traveled from Florida to attend most of their court hearings and are expected to attend the trial daily.

Our family has lived under the weight of public accusations that began in civil lawsuits and grew long before any criminal case existed, the parents said in a statement. We know who our boys are, and we believe in their innocence.

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As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, we're taking a look back at the biggest news from 50 years ago published in The Florida Times-Union, Florida's oldest newspaper, founded in 1864.

Each day, we'll share the front page from this day in 1976, the year of the United States Bicentennial, when the country celebrated the 200-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Here's the news that made the front page of The Florida Times-Union on Jan. 25, 1976.

The Florida Times-Union, Jan. 25, 1976

Headlines from Jan. 25, 1976

Ford passes his physical

Base pact with Spain in signed

Chandler supplies it all for "bounding over Main'

Reds would have to cut A-weapons

Presidential scepter: A diminished rod

More local headlines:

Owner injured as blast destroys $30,000 boat

Holdup attempt leaves bank richer

Trailer pilfered art is her task

Judaism Institute to be held Feb. 2

Local-level cancer care session set

The Daily Briefing: Get today's news delivered to your inbox every morning

50 years ago: The biggest stories from January 1976

Do you love history? Dig into our archives on Newspapers.com

40 years ago: The biggest stories from January 1986

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: USA 250: This day in history, Jan. 25, 1976
(NewsNation)  The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) said U.S. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino provided inaccurate information about the target of an operation in Minneapolis on Saturday before the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.

Bovino claimed Jose Huerta-Chuma, who Border Patrol agents were targeting Saturday morning, had a criminal history that included domestic assault to intentionally inflict bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license.

The states DOC says Huerta-Chuma had never been in custody, based on the departments data records and court data. The records also showed Huerta-Chuma had committed no felonies in the state, nor was he currently under supervision from the state.

DOC records further indicate that an individual by this name was previously held in federal immigration custody in a local Minnesota jail in 2018, during President Trumps first administration, the department said in a statement. Any decisions regarding release from federal custody at that time would have been made by federal authorities. DOC has no information explaining why this individual was released.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said the department will be leading the investigation of Prettis death. Prettis family told The Associated Press that he was upset by the Trump administrations immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and the recent death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jan. 10.

DHS acknowledged it has arrested over 10,000 migrants in Minnesota in the past year and over 3,300 migrants since it launched Operation Metro Surge on Nov. 29.

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.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said a man shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis intended to 'kill law enforcement'.MEGA

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, intended to "kill law enforcement" officers, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

She has claimed that agents fired in self-defense during a federal operation despite several video angles from witnesses showing Pretti without a weapon in his hands when he was shot.

Noem's Press Conference

Noem identified the man as 37-year-old Alex Pretti and said he interfered with an operation.X/@intelFromBrian

Speaking at an evening press conference, Noem said Border Patrol agents were attempting to apprehend a violent illegal immigrant when the man, identified as 37-year-old Alex Pretti, interfered with the operation while armed with a handgun.

An individual approached officers with a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun, Noem said. The officers attempted to disarm this individual, but the armed suspect reacted violently. Fearing for his life and for the lives of his fellow officers around him, an agent fired defensive shots.

Noem said Pretti had two magazines of ammunition and no identification at the time of the encounter.

It looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and kill law enforcement, she added.

Her remarks echoed earlier comments from Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, who said Pretti intended to cause maximum damage and massacre immigration agents.

Critics Speak Out

Noem said Pretti had two magazines of ammunition and no identification.MEGA

Critics quickly challenged Noem's account, pointing to video footage of the shooting. CNN anchor Jake Tapper posted the video on social media and questioned her description of the events, writing, "Is that what you see?"

Noem also blamed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for what she described as rhetoric that encourages violence against federal immigration agents and puts both officers and protesters at risk.

"The Minnesota governor and the Minneapolis mayor need to take a long hard look in the mirror," Noem said. "They need to evaluate their rhetoric and conversations and encouragement of such violence against our citizens and law enforcement officers."

She pointed specifically to recent remarks by Walz, including his statement Saturday that Border Patrol officers were "not law enforcement" and a comment last year in which he referred to ICE as "Donald Trump's modern-day Gestapo."

Noem Criticizes Minnesota State

Noem blamed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for rhetoric she said encourages violence.MEGA

Noem further criticized Minnesota's policies regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities, accusing the state of shielding violent criminals from prosecution.

She said Minnesota officials have "refused to turn over murderers and [have] protected illegal criminals from being brought to justice," contrasting the state with Texas and Florida, which she said cooperate with federal authorities.

"In Minneapolis, Governor Walz and Mayor Frey they instead choose violence. They instead choose to encourage the destruction of their city and crime against their people. It appears they want this lawlessness to continue. It appears they want chaos to distract from threat and fraud and corruption of their city."

Authorities said the incident remains under investigation.
Giant panda Xiao Xiao walks in its enclosure at Toyko's Ueno Zoo during the final day for public viewing before its departure for China. - Philip Fong/AFP/Getty Images

Japanese fans rushed to farewell the countrys last two pandas on Sunday ahead of their return to China, in a departure that highlights strained relations between the two countries.

Twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei left Tokyos Ueno Zoo on Tuesday, local media reported, after meeting their fans for the last time on the weekend.

They were born in the Japanese capital, but China retains ownership over them, under the rules of Beijings panda diplomacy. The government there treats pandas as national symbols and goodwill ambassadors, loaning them to countries with which they wish to strengthen ties.

The duos departure leaves Japan without any pandas for the first time in more than five decades, at a time when relations between Asias two biggest economies are at their lowest point in years.

And politics wasnt far from visitors minds when they paid last visits to the pandas over the past week.

Im really sad, visitor Shoken Ikeda told CNN during a recent trip to the zoo with his wife. We always said, Theres a panda here, so well get to see it sometime, and then this happened. I wish Id come more often.

Long lines began to form in the weeks leading up to the pandas last encounter with the public, prompting the zoo to switch to a lottery system for tickets.

People take photographs of giant panda Lei Lei on her final public viewing day on Sunday. - Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

Another panda fan Yukie Kuyama said she lined up for five hours to see the animals in early December. After winning the lottery, she came to see them again last week.

Thats very disappointing. It feels sad that such cute, innocent animals are being used as a trump card  or even a tool  in diplomacy, she said.

The siblings have different personalities, according to their keepers; Xiao Xiao is timid while his sister Lei Lei is fearless and adapts to changes quickly.

The two pandas were born in 2021 at the Ueno Zoo, to mother Shin Shin and father Ri Ri. The parents were returned to China in 2024, a year after the twins sister Xiang Xiang was also sent back.

Japan welcomed its first pandas in 1972 to mark the normalization of diplomatic ties with China. Since then, more pandas have arrived or were born locally, gaining a huge following.

But remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi  suggesting that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could trigger a military response from her country  has recently drawn ire from China.

Beijing has responded with a flurry of economic pressure, including cutting flights and warning citizens against traveling to Japan. The number of Chinese tourists in Japan dropped by almost a half last month year on year, to around 330,000, Tourism Minister Yasushi Kaneko said last week.

Visitors carry backpacks featuring giant pandas as they wait to see four-year-old giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, at Ueno Zoo during the last viewing day. - Issei Kato/Reuters

Chinese authorities have also suspended seafood imports and banned exports of rare earth elements with military uses, as they demand that Takaichi withdraw her comment. The Japanese leader said in November that her remarks were hypothetical and that she would avoid making similar comments again.

Meanwhile, Takaichi has called an election on February 8 in a bid to reinforce her mandate on a range of policies, potentially including her tougher stance on China, having secured the office by winning an internal contest among her Liberal Democratic Party in October.

Last year, China also took back four pandas from the zoo of a Japanese town which relied heavily on panda-related tourism.

In Shirahama, a resort destination tucked away on the southern coast of Japan, shops selling panda merchandise, and ramen bars serving up noodles themed on the bears, were left in limbo.

Chinas decision not to renew the leases of those four bears was potentially related to Taiwan as well, one international relations expert told CNN earlier, coming after Shirahama elected a mayor with a pro-Taiwan stance.

For now, staff at Ueno Zoo plan to keep the panda facility as it is and hope for the best.

The facilities were designed specifically for giant pandas, so it wouldnt be easy to adapt them for other animals, said Hitoshi Suzuki, director of animal care and exhibits at the Zoo, who helped raise Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei from day one.

He hopes to continue working with China on conservation and breeding research at the very least. But more than anything, he hopes the pandas will come back one day.

Theyre not only adorable but also fascinating animals, and I would love for many people to have the chance to see them, he said.

CNNs Mai Takiguchi and Yosuke Tomita contributed reporting.

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Close your eyes. Think back to being a kid. You're about 8 years old, there's fresh Nebraska snow on the ground, and your mom just told you that you don't have to go to school today. Classic snow day, am I right? So what's the best thing to do on a snow day in Nebraska when you have zero responsibilities and all that powder just sitting there? Snow tubing. Or sledding, if you don't feel like inflating anything. Either way, you point yourself downhill, scream a little, laugh a lot, and suddenly winter feels like it's working with you instead of against you.

I don't ski. I respect skiing. I admire people who ski. My knees and coordination simply opted out of that lifestyle. Snow tubing, though, feels like it was invented by someone who understands the beauty of minimal effort. That's exactly why the sledding and tubing experience at Clemmons Park in Fremont is so memorable. This hill has become a winter institution-the kind of place where generations learn the important life skill of letting gravity do the heavy lifting.

Clemmons Park's sled hill sits at 19th and Luther Road, and recent renovations turned it into a polished, thoughtfully designed winter playground. The hill is wide, smooth, and fast enough to make your stomach float for half a second. On good snow days, kids line up with plastic sleds, adults pretend they're "just supervising," and everyone ends up going down at least once. The Fremont Parks and Recreation Department even uses snow-making equipment when temperatures cooperate, creating a solid base that keeps the hill usable even when natural snowfall feels stingy.

Lighting keeps the fun going after dark, which means you can squeeze in a few runs after dinner and before bedtime negotiations begin. The hill stays open from morning to late evening, and clear rules keep the chaos friendly. Walk up the stairs, stay aware of other sledders, skip the homemade ramps, and suddenly everyone gets to have fun without emergency-room-level drama. Smaller kids gravitate to the north side, and families tend to cluster naturally, cheering each other on like it's an Olympic event nobody trained for.

Clemmons Park itself plays a much bigger role in Fremont life than winter alone. This park fits neatly into a city that values outdoor recreation in every season. Warmer months bring dog runs where local pups sprint like they've been personally released from responsibility. Skateboarders flock to nearby Miller Park's skate facility, and families cool off at pools and splash pads once summer heat rolls in. Fremont maintains more than 400 acres of parkland, and that commitment shows in how well-used and well-loved these spaces feel.

Fremont sits comfortably between Omaha and Lincoln, giving it a relaxed pace with easy access to bigger-city energy. Locals call it friendly without trying, and the vibe leans practical, welcoming, and unpretentious. Nearby attractions include the scenic Platte River, wooded walking trails, and local museums that nod to the area's history. After sledding, families often head into town for classic Midwestern comfort food, where burgers arrive hot, portions arrive generous, and nobody rushes you out of your booth. Or if youre craving carbs after all that work, this Fremont pasta joint wont let you down.

Winter activities in Nebraska don't need skis or fancy gear to be unforgettable. They need a good hill, fresh snow, and a place that understands how families actually spend time together. Clemmons Park delivers exactly that, turning ordinary snow days into memories that stick around long after mittens dry out.

Plan a winter visit to Nebraska, spend time in Fremont, and make Clemmons Park part of your cold-weather itinerary. Grab a sled, climb the stairs, and let yourself slide into that snow day feeling again, the one where school was canceled and the only plan was heading downhill laughing. Plan your next great Nebraska adventure using our new Travel Planner!
French President Emmanuel Macron says he wants his government to fast-track the legal process to ensure that a ban on social media for children under the age of 15 can enter into force in September at the start of the next school year.

In a video released late Saturday by French broadcaster BFM-TV, Macron said he had asked his government to initiate an accelerated procedure so that the proposed legislation can move as quickly as possible and be passed by the Senate in time.

"The brains of our children and our teenagers are not for sale," Macron said. "The emotions of our children and our teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated. Neither by American platforms, nor by Chinese algorithms."

Macron's announcement came just days after the British government said it will consider banning young teenagers from social media as it tightens laws designed to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

According to France's health watchdog, one in two teenagers spends between two and five hours a day on a smartphone. In a report published in December, it said that some 90% of children aged between 12 and 17 use smartphones daily to access the internet, with 58% of them using their devices for social networks.

The report highlighted a range of harmful effects stemming from the use of social networks, including reduced self-esteem and increased exposure to content associated with risky behaviors such as self-harm, drug use and suicide. Several families in France have sued TikTok over teen suicides they say are linked to harmful content.

Macron's office told The Associated Press that the video was addressed to lawmaker Laure Miller, who is sponsoring the bill that will be examined in a public session on Monday.

"We are banning social media for under-15s, and we are going to ban mobile phones in our high schools," Macron said. "I believe this is a clear rule. Clear for our teenagers, clear for families, clear for teachers, and we are moving forward."

Australia recently implemented the world's first social media ban for teens younger than 16, with its government urging Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, X and Youtube to take reasonable steps to exclude Australian account holders from their platforms if they don't meet the age requirement. Since then, social media companies have blocked access to about 4.7 million Australian accounts that were identified as belonging to kids under 16, officials said.

The law in Australia provoked fraught debates about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health. It has also prompted other countries to consider similar measures.

Peter Malinauskas, the premiere of the state of South Australia, previously told CBS News that officials from North America, Europe and Asia had spoken with him about pushing forward similar legislation in Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan. Malaysia is poised to become the second country to institute a social media ban for kids under 16 this year.

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The Republic Day parade is a display of India's culture, achievements and military might [EPA/Shutterstock]

India will mark its 77th Republic Day on 26 January - the day when the country adopted its constitution and formally became a republic, breaking from its colonial past.

The annual grand parade will take place along Delhi's iconic central boulevard, with military tanks rolling past and fighter jets roaring overhead as thousands watch.

The parade is a spectacle in itself, but attention is also focused on who is occupying the most prominent seats at the ceremony. This year, it will be European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.

India has invited them as chief guests for the celebrations, placing the European Union at the centre of one of the country's most prestigious state events.

On this day, India turns the heart of its capital into a stage. Thousands of troops march before cheering crowds, armoured vehicles move down the Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath or King's Avenue) and colourful tableaux or floats pass by spectators in Delhi, while millions more watch on their screens across the country.

The parade is presided over by the Indian president, with the chief guest seated alongside - closer to the presidential chair than even the senior-most government officials.

Who sits next to India's president has long been read as more than a matter of protocol. Over the decades, the choice of chief guest has come to be closely watched as an indicator of India's foreign policy priorities and the relationships Delhi wants to highlight at a particular moment, experts say.

The practice began in 1950 with the then Indonesian president, Sukarno, attending India's first Republic Day parade. In its early years as a republic, India prioritised ties with other newly-independent countries - a focus reflected in its early choice of chief guests.

Queen Elizabeth II was the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade in 1961 [Getty Images]

Since then, the parade has hosted leaders from across the world, reflecting shifts in India's global relations and strategic priorities. The chief guests have been from leaders of neighbouring countries - such as Bhutan and Sri Lanka - to heads of state and government from major powers, including the US and the UK.

The UK has featured as the chief guest five times - including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip - reflecting the long and complex history between the two countries. Leaders from France and Russia (formerly Soviet Union) have also been invited nearly five times since 1950, reflecting India's long-standing strategic ties with the two countries.

With such a wide range of past guests, the question is how India decides who receives an invitation in a particular year.

The selection process is largely out of public view. Former diplomats and media reports say it typically begins within the foreign ministry, which prepares a shortlist of potential invitees. The final decision is taken by the prime minister's office, followed by official communication with the select countries - a process that can take several months.

A former foreign ministry official speaking on condition of anonymity said: "Strategic objectives, regional balance and whether a country has been invited before are all taken into account."

Former Indian ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna said a lot of thought goes into the decision making.

"It's a balance between important partners, neighbours and major powers," he said, adding that availability of the state leader during that time also plays a crucial role.

Barack Obama became the first American president to attend the parade in 2015 [Hindustan Times via Getty Images]

Foreign policy analyst Harsh V Pant said the evolving list of chief guests mirrors India's changing engagement with the world. "If you think of the EU delegation this year, with its leadership coming, it's very clear that we are doubling down on our engagement with the EU."

He added that most likely a trade deal would be announced - signalling that India and the European bloc are on the same page when it comes to the current geopolitical situation.

This comes as India continues to engage with the US on a trade deal. The talks, which have been going on for almost a year, have strained their relationship since the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, the highest in Asia, including penalties linked to India's purchase of Russian oil.

"It [the choice of the parade's chief guest] gives you a sense of India's priorities at that particular point - which geography it wants to focus on, or whether there is a milestone it wants to mark," Pant said, pointing out that India continued to engage closely with the global south.

In 2018, for example, leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) were invited as chief guests. It was the first time a regional grouping was invited - marking 25 years of India's engagement with the bloc, Pant added.

At the same time, some absences from the guest list have also reflected strained relationships.

Pakistani leaders attended twice as chief guests before the neighbours went to war in 1965. Islamabad has not been invited thereafter - a sign of continuing strain in ties. The only time China attended was when Marshal Ye Jianying came in 1958, four years before the two countries went to war over their disputed border.

But the significance of Republic Day extends beyond diplomacy and guest lists.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the Republic Day parade in 2007 [AFP via Getty Images]

Analysts says India's parade stands apart from similar military displays elsewhere in the world for a number of reasons. The fact that India has a guest almost every year is one of them.

Also, for most countries, these parades commemorate military victories. Like Russia's Victory Day marks the defeat of Germany in World War Two, France's Bastille Day celebrates the start of the French Revolution and the eventual fall of the monarchy, and China's military parade marks their victory over Japan in World War Two.

India's celebration, by contrast, is centred on the constitution, says Pant.

"For many other countries, these celebrations are related to victories in war. We don't celebrate that. We celebrate becoming a constitutional democracy - the coming into effect of the constitution."

Unlike military parades in many Western capitals, India's Republic Day also blends displays of its military capability with cultural performances and regional tableaux, projecting both power and diversity.

Beyond strategy and symbolism, the parade often leaves a more personal impression on visiting leaders.

The former official who spoke anonymously recalled how the Obamas were particularly struck by the camel-mounted contingents - a moment that stayed with them long after the formal ceremonies ended.

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Candles are placed next to printed portraits of some of the civilians killed in protests in Iran on Jan. 24, in Inner Alster, Hamburg. Credit - Gregor FischerAP

As many as 30,000 people could have been killed in the streets of Iran on Jan. 8 and 9 alone, two senior officials of the countrys Ministry of Health told TIMEindicating a dramatic surge in the death toll. So many people were slaughtered by Iranian security services on that Thursday and Friday, it overwhelmed the states capacity to dispose of the dead. Stocks of body bags were exhausted, the officials said, and eighteen-wheel semi-trailers replaced ambulances.

The governments internal count of the dead, not previously revealed, far surpasses the toll of 3,117 announced on Jan. 21 by regime hardliners who report directly to Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (Ministries report to the elected President.) The 30,000 figure is also far beyond tallies being compiled by activists methodically assigning names to the dead. As of Saturday, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it had confirmed 5,459 deaths and is investigating 17,031 more.

TIME has been unable to independently verify these figures.

The Health Ministrys two-day figure roughly aligns with a count gathered by physicians and first responders, and also shared with TIME. That surreptitious tally of deaths recorded by hospitals stood at 30,304 as of Friday, according to Dr. Amir Parasta, a German-Iranian eye surgeon who prepared a report of the data. Parasta said that number does not reflect protest-related deaths of people registered at military hospitals, whose bodies were taken directly to morgues, or that happened in locales the inquiry did not reach. Irans National Security Council has said protests took place in around 4,000 locations across the country.

We are getting closer to reality, Dr. Parasta said. But I guess the real figures are still way higher.

That appears to be the reality implicit in the governments internal figure of more than 30,000 deaths in two days. A slaughter on that scale, in the space of 48 hours, had experts on mass killing groping for comparisons.

Most spasms of killing are not from shootings, said Les Roberts, a professor at Columbia University who specializes in the epidemiology of violent death. In Aleppo [Syria] and in Fallujah [Iraq], when spasms of death this high have occurred over a few days, it involved mostly explosives with some shooting.

The only parallel offered by online databases occurred in the Holocaust. On the outskirts of Kyiv on Sept. 29 and 30, 1941, Nazi death squads executed 33,000 Ukrainian Jews by gunshot in a ravine known as Babyn Yar.

In Iran, the killing fields extended across the country where, since Dec. 28, hundreds of thousands of citizens had assembled in the streets chanting first, for relief from an economy in freefall, and soon for the downfall of the Islamic regime. During the first week, security forces confronted some demonstrations, using mostly non-lethal force, but with officials also offering conciliatory language, the regime response was uncertain. That changed during the weekend commencing Jan. 8. Protests peaked, as opposition groups, including Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Irans former shah, urged people to join the throngs, and U.S. President Donald Trump repeated vows to protect them, though no help arrived.

Witnesses say millions were in the streets when authorities shut down the internet and all other communications with the outside world. Rooftop snipers and trucks mounted with heavy machine guns opened fire, according to eyewitnesses and cell phone footage. On Friday, Jan. 9, an official of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned on state television to anyone venturing into the streets, if  a bullet hits you, dont complain.

It took days for the reality to penetrate the internet blackout. Images of the bloodied bodies trickled out via illicit Starlink satellite internet connections. The task of counting the dead was hampered, however, because the authorities had also cut off lines of communications inside Iran. The first firm information came from a Tehran doctor who told TIME that just six hospitals in the capital had recorded at least 217 protester deaths after Thursdays assault. Health care workers in Iran estimated at least 16,500 protesters had been killed by Jan. 10, according to an earlier report by Dr. Parasta in Munich. Fridays update built on that research, he said.

I am genuinely impressed by how quickly this work was pulled together under extremely constrained and risky conditions, said Paul B. Spiegel, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University International School of Health. Like Roberts, he expressed wariness of extrapolating from the figures provided by hospitals.

Roberts, who traveled into war zones to research civilian death rates in Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo, said, the 30,000 verified deaths are almost certainly an underestimate.

The emergence of the Ministry of Health numbers appears to confirm thatwhile underscoring the stakes for both Iranians and a regime that, in 1979, came to power when a sitting government was confronted by millions of people demanding its downfall.

On Friday, Jan. 9, Sahba Rashtian, an aspiring animation artist, joined friends on the streets in Isfahan, a city in central Iran famous for its beauty. "Before anyone started chanting," a friend told TIME, "Sahba was seen collapsed on the ground. Her sister noticed blood on her hand.

Sahba died on an operating table at a nearby hospital. She was 23.

She always joked about her beautiful name, her friend said. Shed laugh and say, Sahba means wine, and I am forbidden in the Islamic Republic.

At the burial, the friend said, religious rites were barred, and Rashtians father wore white.

Congratulations, he told mourners, according to the friend. My daughter became a martyr on the path to freedom.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
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Buying a new car battery is one of those tasks that few vehicle owners tend to enjoy. That is largely due to the fact that most people aren't looking to make such a purchase unless the current power source in their car, truck, or SUV is already expired, and a dead battery is no fun for anyone. On top of that, it can be legitimately intimidating to walk into an automotive retailer and find yourself staring at a literal wall of new car battery options to choose from.

You can, of course, narrow your range of options by consulting the vehicle's owner's manual to determine the recommended parameters for the replacement battery. And once you're in-store looking at options, a certified technician or sales associate should be able to help you further narrow the field. Depending on where you shop, they may even install the new battery for you and dispose of the old one.

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Circling back to your pre-purchase research, consumer advocacy sites like Consumer Reports are also a great resource in helping you figure out which products offer the best bang for your buck. If lifespan is your primary concern for a new car battery, Consumer Reports' recent list rating the best options on the market could prove a legitimately invaluable source of information. Here's a look at 5 car batteries from the market's major manufacturers that earned Consumer Reports' highest rating for lifespan while also rating well for reserve capacity, and cold weather performance.

Read more: 21 Popular Oil Filter Brands, Ranked

X2Power Premium AGM - Group 35

Picture showing X2Power car battery - Batteries Plus

The list of car batteries that tested at the highest levels in all three of those categories is surprisingly short, with only four of the dozens of models tested making the proverbial grades. Scrolling through the Consumer Reports list, X2Power's Group 35 Premium AGM Battery is the first of the four you'll see. It's also the most expensive, with CR noting it sells for $350. If you're unfamiliar with the AGM designation, it means Absorbed Glass Mat, a battery design that is well-suited to modern cars with Start/Stop functionality. Those batteries are also generally believed to slightly outlast many lead-acid batteries in terms of lifespan.

The X2Power brand is the brainchild of retail chain Batteries Plus. The brand focuses largely on AGM power sources, and appears to only be available through that retail faction. If you seek it out, the Group 35 X2Power Premium AGM battery delivers 740CCA (cold cranking amps), which should suit the needs of most cars, trucks, or SUVs fit with Start/Stop functions and advanced electronic features. The battery also delivers standard cranking amps at 880, as well as solid reserve capacity numbers at 115 minutes, with 90-minutes and above generally considered good for most vehicles.

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As an added bonus, the X2Power Premium AGM also earned the Green Choice designation from Consumer Reports. That means it's a good option for those looking for a battery that may reduce their overall environmental impact.

Duracell Platinum AGM - Group 47

Picture showing Duracell car battery - Consumer Reports

Duracell is one of those big-name battery manufacturers that virtually every consumer is acutely aware of, if only because it's one of the few major brands that has consistently been an advertising presence on television stations for the past few decades. Despite its massive market presence, we'd still wager that not every consumer knows that Duracell also makes car batteries. It does. And according to Consumer Reports, the Berkshire-Hathaway-owned brand's Platinum AGM Group 47 battery is a battery that is all but guaranteed to deliver the goods under the hood for many years after the point of purchase.

If you're interested, Duracell's $200 Platinum AGM Group 47 Car Battery can be purchased through many automotive retailers, though we should note the label on most models we found online may differ from the one pictured by CR. Nonetheless, the battery should deliver some solid punch under the hood of cars, trucks, and SUVs it is compatible with. Per the battery's specs, that list includes those with automatic Start/Stop features, heated systems, and those with high-accessory demands.

The 60 Ah power source delivers cold cranking amps at 670 with standard cranking amps at 830, and boasts a non-spillable, vibration-reducing design that may lengthen its life and bolster performance in harsher weather. As far as its reserve capacity number, the battery delivers an impressive 100-minutes on that front, which is more than most drivers should ever need.

Super Start Platinum AGM - Group 65

Picture showing Super Start car battery - Consumer Reports

The Super Start brand is sold largely through the O'Reilly Auto Parts retail chain. While it may not be as well-known as Duracell and some of the other brands on CR's list, according to Consumer Reports, it likely should be. That's particularly true for the Group 65 Platinum AGM model, which earned full green ratings in all three categories tested for the Consumer Reports ranking, with the site noting it retails for $190.

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This Super Start power source comes with a 4-year limited warranty. The 12-volt, 75 Ah battery offers a notable power upgrade over the previously listed models, however, delivering standard cranking amps at 860 and cold cranking amps at 770. Per its group designation, the battery should be compatible with larger trucks, vans, and SUVs from many of the major automotive manufacturers, though it should, perhaps, be noted that O'Reilly does not list Chevrolet on its compatibility list.

Despite that fact, the AGM battery should deliver the same start-up functionality as the other AGM models that made this list. And yes, with the power upgrade, you'd be correct in assuming that the Super Start model also delivers an upgrade in the reserve capacity department, cranking that number up to a whopping 150-minutes. So, if you regularly find yourself running power in your vehicle without the engine on, it looks to be a solid option.

Odyssey Performance AGM - Group 94

Picture showing Odyssey car battery - Auto Zone

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Odyssey is another brand that you may not be overly familiar with. But the Odyssey name is generally celebrated among those who are well-versed in the car battery market, with the brand building a solid reputation for starting power and battery life. The Consumer Reports list would seem to confirm that reputation as well-earned, with the Performance AGM model the only Group 94 battery to earn green ratings across the noted categories.

Given Odyssey's esteem in the market, it may come as a surprise that this power source isn't terribly expensive by new car battery standards. Consumer Reports claims the battery retails for $260, with the brand selling through many automotive chains, including NAPA Auto Parts and AutoZone. This particular battery is also sold through Walmart, as well as Odyssey's own online storefront, though prices through those outlets tend to be higher than the one listed by CR.

Odyssey touts itself as a brand fit for use with all manner of cars, trucks, and powersports builds. The Group 94 Performance AGM appears to fit that mold, with its specs claiming the 12V battery  designed with thinner plates to increase power and lifespan  pushes standard cranking amps at a robust 1,500 and cold cranking amps at 850. It also pushes reserve capacity to 155-minutes, and is the only other Green Choice battery that made this list.

Weize Platinum QTF-70 - Group 48

Picture showing Weize car battery - Weize

Reading over the Consumer Reports list, the first thing you might notice about Weize's Platinum QTF-70 Group 48 Car Battery is that it is the only battery we selected that did not score full green ratings in all three of the tested categories, failing to make the grade in cold-weather performance. It did not, however, go yellow in that category, and with Consumer Reports claiming it retails at $170, this is the cheapest battery on CR's list that earned a green rating for lifespan and one other category without going yellow in the third. This battery is also listed in Weize's Amazon store, where sales may be more frequent. Whatever the price, when it comes to car batteries, we're happy to encourage a little bargain hunting, so long as overall quality is not sacrificed.

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Despite the potential cold weather deficiency, the 12V, 70 Ah AGM battery still stacks up relatively well against many of the other batteries we've selected here, with even its cold cranking number solid-enough at 760 amps. The battery  which Weize claims is suitable for cars, trucks, and high-performance vehicles, also boasts a better-than-average reserve capacity rating at 120-minutes, and is backed by a 3-year warranty. So, if you live in a location that does not endure lengthy periods of cold weather, this looks to be a great option that won't break the bank.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday called President Donald Trump's comments about NATO allies role in Afghanistan "unacceptable," pushing back against suggestions they "stayed a little back" from the front lines.

"Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NATO activated Article 5 for the first and only time in its history: an extraordinary act of solidarity toward the United States," Meloni wrote on X.

"In that massive operation against those who fueled terrorism, Italy responded immediately alongside its allies, deploying thousands of troops and taking full responsibility for Regional Command West, one of the most significant operational areas of the entire international mission," she said.

Meloni explained that Italys nearly two decades of involvement in Afghanistan came at a significant cost, with 53 Italian soldiers killed and more than 700 wounded during combat operations, security missions and training programs for Afghan forces.

Trump Says Us Should Have Tested Nato By Invoking Article 5 Over Border Security

Italian soldiers carry the flag-draped coffin of Sergeant Michele Silvestri upon its arrival from Afghanistan at Ciampino Airport near Rome on March 26, 2012. (Reuters)

"For this reason, statements that minimize the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially if they come from an allied Nation," she added.

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"Italy and the United States are bound by a solid friendship, founded on a shared community of values and historical collaboration, which is even more necessary in the face of the many current challenges. But friendship requires respect, a fundamental condition for continuing to ensure the solidarity at the heart of the Atlantic Alliance."

Trump has repeatedly questioned NATO allies reliability, including whether they would come to the United States aid if ever called upon.

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends her annual press conference in Rome on Jan. 9, 2026.

He unsettled U.S. allies across Europe, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, after downplaying their contributions in Afghanistan during an interview with FOX Business host Maria Bartiromo at the World Economic Forum.

"Weve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them," Trump said of NATO. "You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this and that. And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."

Trump later appeared to soften his remarks in a Saturday post on Truth Social, praising the sacrifices of British troops in Afghanistan.

"The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. Its a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will!" he wrote.

British soldiers with the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission arrive at the site of an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on March 6, 2020.

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Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., also highlighted the broader international toll of the war, citing the sacrifices of 31 allied nations that fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

He thanked those countries for answering the call after Sept. 11, noting that 159 troops from Canada, 90 from France, 62 from Germany, 44 from Poland and 43 from Denmark were among those killed in the conflict.





Original article source: Italys Meloni rebukes Trump remarks on NATOs role in Afghanistan
Bottle of Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey - banu sevim/Shutterstock

Jack Daniel's, one of the top-selling liquor brands, distinguishes itself through various means, ranging from its distinct square whiskey bottles and storied, eye-catching labeling to a special of its spirit. The distillery contentiously lobbied its state government, passing a 2013 measure that created Tennessee whiskey as an official style.

Enforced by Tennessee state , the regulation requires Tennessee whiskey to meet the same legal standards as bourbon: It must employ a minimum 51% corn mash bill and age in exclusively new, charred oak barrels. In addition to production exclusively within the state, the style's central distinction is a requirement long employed by Jack Daniel's: the use of charcoal filtration

Also called the Lincoln County , this added technique drips the whiskey through charcoal derived from sugar maple trees. The step serves as added purification, mellowing the whiskey's flavor and accentuating sweet, smooth notes. Although a respected Tennessee tradition, Jack Daniel's push for formal legislation stirred controversy. Following the law's passage, all bottles labeled Tennessee whiskey require at least minimal charcoal purification  a mandate that could read as exclusionary. Some bourbon distillers believe the technique strips away the spirit's nuance, while other producers may not involve charcoal in their tradition. Nevertheless, the initiative has lasted for well over a decade, helping promote a unique regional whiskey style.

Read more: The 20 Wildest, Weirdest And Most Delicious Recipes Of The Year

Jack Daniel's lobbied for regulation of a historic whiskey style

Bottles of various brands of whiskey - Temizyurek/Getty Images

Whiskey comes in a wondrously wide-ranging assortment of , with small shifts in technique and ingredients reflected in distinct flavors. Legislation aside, Tennessee whiskey upholds this spirit of diversity. Curiously, Irish monks are to thank for Tennessee whiskey, having formed the liquor's base using Irish distillation techniques. The charcoal filtration process dates back to the early 19th , originating prior to the founding of Jack Daniel's in .

Today, many whiskey brands employ charcoal , continuing a historic tradition through a myriad of interpretations. Jack Daniel's process entails an extensive 10-day purification period, while others utilize only minutes of . As a cherished part of the state's identity, few oppose charcoal filtration itself. Instead, the question is whether regulation is necessary.

Following Jack Daniel's , Tennessee whiskey regulation does not outline charcoal filtration specifics. Theoretically, even the briefest contact qualifies the spirit, meaning the label does not reflect quality. Coupled with Jack Daniel's extensive charcoal setup prior to regulation, this opened the door to backlash among some distillers. Historically, the technique is known as the Lincoln County process, but Jack Daniel's is located in a neighboring county  so why should statewide producers abide? Some defend the legislation as a preservation of heritage. Tennessee whiskey's flavor differs from Irish whiskey and other styles. A state-enforced label helps promote its unique composition, letting consumers know it is a whiskey unlike the rest.

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Read the original article on Food Republic.
Davey told the BBC that bonds would send a signal to markets that the UK takes defence seriously [BBC]

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said the government should start selling war bonds as there is a need to "move far faster" on UK defence spending.

Under his party's plan, members of the public could loan the government money in the form of a bond which would run over a two-to-three year period and pay out the same interest as standard government bonds.

Davey said the bonds, which the party says could raise up to 20bn for the military, would give the public a chance to "support patriotically our defence".

A government spokesperson said "new debt instruments" were kept under review but that they had to represent "value for money" and "be consistent with wider fiscal objectives".

Calls to increase defence spending have intensified in recent years, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the election of US President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticised Nato countries for failing to spend enough on their military.

Speaking on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Davey said a move to sell war bonds was needed as "we're in almost a Cold War type scenario", citing the Russian use of drones, submarines and shadow fleets.

He continued: "This is a serious threat, and we need to move far faster than what the government has been doing.

"We need to go rapidly."

The Labour government has pledged to raise overall defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of national income by 2027, at an estimated cost of an additional 6bn a year.

It has also promised to raise levels to 3.5% by 2035, in line with a pledge by Nato members last year.

However, there have been reports in the Times and the Sun that plans to make Britain's armed forces "war ready" will require 28bn more than has so far been allocated.

British army Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters in an exercise in Estonia [Reuters]

The government had been due to publish its defence investment plan last autumn but there are suggestions it has been delayed due to concerns about cost.

Earlier this month, the head of the Armed Forces, Sir Richard Knighton, said the UK was "not as ready as we need to be for the kind of full-scale conflict we might face".

On Sunday, Davey said: "Everyone can see that since the last election things have changed dramatically. The way that Putin is prosecuting that [Ukraine] war, but as significantly, the attitude of Donald Trump to supporting European defence."

He expressed concern about the Nato alliance given the approach of the US president.

"I deeply regret to say, because of Donald Trump, there has to be a question about whether we can rely on the United States. With him in the White House they're no longer a reliable ally. We have to step up and fast," he told the BBC.

The Liberal Democrats said the money raised from issuing bonds would be ring-fenced for defence and the investment would help deliver "growth, jobs and higher revenues" for the government "which would partially offset the cost of additional debt servicing".

The party added the scheme would need to be accompanied by an overhaul of the Ministry of Defence procurement process, which has previously been criticised as wasteful.

Their proposal, the party says, would be similar to the bonds scheme used during World War One and World War Two.

Individual citizens could lend the government money, which would be paid back in six to 10 years with interest. By the end of 1945, the scheme had raised 1.754m.

Posters encouraging members of the public to buy bonds - or national savings certificates - used slogans including "lend to defend" and "feed the guns with war bonds".

Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at investors AJ Bell, said: "War bonds are a proven way of raising money to fund national defence spending, but they can burden a government with long-term debt.

"In theory, the public might demand a better rate of interest than they could get on cash in the bank to take up the bonds.

"While some people might think it is their duty to support the country, there will be others who treat such a bond in the same way as any type of investment."

[BBC]

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On Sunday, millions from New Mexico to the Northeast saw impacts from Winter Storm Fern. Thick layers of ice remain on the ground and power lines, and outages across the South skyrocketed as a result.

The storm has claimed the lives of two men in Louisiana. Officials there confirm they both died of hypothermia.

Another death was reported in Austin, Texas, also from hypothermia.

Heavy snow is blanketed towns from Missouri to New England and will continue to impact the Northeast into early Monday. At least 24 states had declared emergencies, many roads and highways were impassable and a staggering number of flight cancellations remain.

School districts across the country have called off classes on Monday, with the list growing longer by the minute.

We're not only tracking the storm's path for you, but we'll also be bringing you live updates throughout the day on every angle of the storm. Here's what's happening now.

(09:24 p.m. EST) Storm Death Reported In Austin

There has been a death in the city of Austin from Winter Storm Fern. The citys mayor has confirmed that the cause of death was hypothermia.

Austin is under an extreme cold warning until noon CST Monday. Wind chills could drop to around zero degrees overnight.

The state still has over 70,000 customers without power.

(09:05 p.m. EST) End Of The Winter Storm Arrives Soon

From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

Winter Storm Ferns last mark will be made in New England on Monday. Ferns center may slow for a time on Monday. That means its snow flurries are likely to stick around there at times through the day, but the heaviest snowfall will be long gone by sunrise.

Meanwhile, many across the country will begin to thaw out from the ice that will likely make travel and recovery efforts tricky from Texas to Tennessee. Temperatures will be well below average to start the work week. They may not reach freezing in parts of the South, including hard-hit northern Mississippi and Tennessee, until Tuesday.

(09:02 p.m. EST) Small Passenger Plane Overturns at Bangor Airport, Maine

Conditions were snowy, and visibility was reduced at the Bangor Airport around the time a small passenger plane overturned at the airport.

The areas winter storm warning took effect at 7 pm and will last until 3 am Tuesday. Snowfall over a foot is possible.

(08:39 p.m. EST) Stunning Shot of Ice In Helen, Georgia

It is not too often you see significant icing in Georgia.

Much of central and northern Georgia has been slammed with significant icing, which has led to power outages climbing up to over 45 customers.

Ice storm warnings will expire by Monday morning, with accumulations across the region reaching up to a half of an inch.

(08:26 p.m. EST) Creative Ways To Travel In Boston

Remember the video game SSX Tricky?

Certainly, somebody does, right?

The bulk of the heaviest snowfall has moved to the Northeast, and Boston is seeing some heavier snowfall. While Logan Airport hasnt actually seen more than 2 inches, totals across Massachusetts are starting to approach a foot.

Winter storm warnings are in effect for Boston until Monday evening. Heavy snowfall is expected to continue tonight, with the city seeing a storm total potentially exceeding a foot.

(08:13 p.m. EST) Severe Weather Class In Hood County, Texas, Postponed

With the winter weather, it is no surprise that the severe weather class in Hood County, Texas, scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, has been postponed.

An extreme cold warning is in effect for the entire Dallas-Fort Worth area as well as much of Texas until Tuesday morning. Wind chills could drop as low as -10 degrees F.

(07:55 p.m. EST) Heavy Snowfall From Connecticut To Eastern Maine Continues

As this powerful winter storm continues to impact the Northeast, heavy snowfall will stay for eastern portions of New England in the coming hours.

Heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are expected across much of Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts, including Boston, for the next few hours.

This heavy snowfall will eventually shift north into eastern Maine.

This heavy snowfall is due to some relatively warm air interacting with the bitterly cold air mass over the region, also called warm air advection.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued more than 26 mesoscale discussions (MDs) in the last two days. This is the most winter MDs for any 48 hour period since 2008. There have been nearly 8,000 winter storm reports from all of the National Weather Services combined.

(07:38 p.m. EST) Be Careful Shoveling Snow

With snowfall accumulating across a wide swath of the Central and Eastern US, millions of Americans are getting ready to break out the snow shovels.

Here are some pointers to make sure you go about it safely.

First off, please dress warm and stay dry, especially if the white stuff is still falling. Also, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. Shoveling can lead to back injuries and even heart attacks.

Especially with this winter storm, freezing rain is mixing into many of the forecasts, meaning the snow will not be as light and fluffy. Heavy, wet snow is even more risky to shovel since it is so much heavier than dry, fluffy snow.

Meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser breaks it down in the following video:

https://weather.com/features/video/shoveling-snow-dangers

(07:19 p.m. EST) Avalanches Reported In Pennsylvania

From meteorologist intern Miriam Guthrie:

While Pennsylvania continues to get slammed with snow, there are reports of significant avalanches blocking the road on Coxton Road in Duryea, PA.

Reports of 10-15 feet of snow are burying the roadway, making the road impassible. Local police are asking drivers to avoid the area and allow emergency crew to respond.

(07:04 p.m. EST) Freezing Rain Can Be Deceiving

From digital meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser:

For those of you across the South who have seen freezing rain, its important that you remain off the roads as much as you can  even if at a glance they dont look dangerous.

This is because wet and icy roads can look very similar, which causes many people to jump on the road without the necessary precautions. We encourage you to stay home, but if you must drive somewhere, make sure you drive slowly.

(06:42 p.m. EST) Ice Accumulations Report

This powerful winter storm is bringing devastation across much of the South and is impacting the East. These ice accumulations are helping to bring power outages to over 950,000 customers:

Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina: 1.00 inch

Glen, Mississippi: 1.00 inch

Cherokee, Alabama: 1.00 inch

Rayville, Louisiana: 1.00 inch

Clayton, Georgia. 0.75 inches

Brentwood, Tennessee: 0.75 inches

Ice storm warnings have expired across the South. For the Southeast, ice storm warnings remain for northern Georgia, including Atlanta, and the western Carolinas.

(06:17 p.m. EST) Steamnadoes Reported In Texas

A pretty cool sight at Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Lewisville, & Lake Limestone near Dallas, Texas. These steamnadoes form when cold air moves over the warm lakes. Steam forms, rises and can rotate.

They are impressive and harmless.

Storm chasers have also been spotted enjoying the winter wonderland in the Fort Worth area.

(05:51 p.m. EST) Snow Game - But NOT Fern Related

We are getting some questions about the current snow in the game going on at Denver, and people are asking if it is related to Winter Storm Fern.

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

The answer is NO. The current snow in Denver is actually a disturbance coming down from the Rockies.

And it has definitely been a factor in the AFC Championship Game, with a late field goal block that could have tied things at 10.

The Patriots survived the Denver snow, and advance to the Super Bowl with the 10-7 win.

(05:12 p.m. EST) Ice Takes Down Trees In Nashville, Most Of Davidson County Without Power

From digital meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser:

Downtown Music City might look a little different after this winter storm. Numerous large trees in Nashville have snapped from the weight of the ice from Winter Storm Fern, leaving them sagging over roads and sidewalks.

Ice reports from around Nashville range from 0.35-0.50 inch. This is considered a disruptive amount of ice where tree limbs break, power outages occur and roads become icy.

Davidson County, where Nashville is located, has over 85% of its tracked customers now without power.

(04:43 p.m. EST) A White Out Before The White Out

The folks in central Pennsylvania are getting ready for a couple of outdoor hockey games this week at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.

Penn State womens hockey hosts Robert Morris at 1pm ET on Friday.

Penn State mens hockey hosts Michigan State at 1pm ET on Saturday.

Penn State football is known for their massive white outs, with more than 100k fans in attendance. But check out the white out that mother nature is dumping on the region right now.

And this week, public skating is available.

(04:13 p.m. EST) Why Bridges Freeze First?

We have all seen the signs, Bridges Freeze Before Roadway.

If you doubted this truth, the ongoing winter storm has something to say about it.

The ground beneath a road serves as a bit of natural insulation, meaning the ongoing cold air is only hitting the road from the top.

For bridges and elevated roads, the cold air completely surrounds the structure. You have cold air above but also cold air flowing underneath, allowing heat to be lost from all sides.

Below is a graphic made by meteorologist Sara Tonks for those visual learners out there:

(03:48 p.m. EST) Wintry Mix Continues from Northern Virginia To Long Island, Sleet Reported In NYC

The area of greatest concern right now is located across parts of the Mid-Atlantic, spreading from northern Virginia to Long Island.

A wintry mix continues across the region, with the sleet/snow line spreading further north. Sleet has spread to Long Island and is being reported in New York City.

There is a chance of some freezing rain to be mixed in, and additional ice of 0.1 to 0.2 is possible. However, sleet looks to be the main form of precipitation now.

New York City, specifically Central Park, has seen 7.2 inches of snow so far.

(03:24 p.m. EST) NBA Impacts From Winter Storm Fern

The National Basketball Association has already been impacted by Winter Storm Fern, and there could be more on the way.

Earlier this afternoon, the NBA postponed today's game between the Nuggets and Grizzlies in Memphis.

Meanwhile, tonight's game between the Mavericks and Bucks in Milwaukee is also in question. The Mavericks are stuck on the tarmac in Dallas just hours before their scheduled tipoff in Milwaukee. And according to reports, they will not make the trip.

An NBA G League game, that was scheduled for Monday between the Memphis Hustle and Stockton Kings in Southaven, Mississippi, has also been postponed. That game is rescheduled for February 19.

(03:17 p.m. EST) Severe Storms Bring Tornado Warnings To Alabama, Florida

Across the southern end of this powerful winter storm, severe storms continue to bring dangerous conditions.

A gust of 71 mph was reported in Montgomery, Alabama.

There have also been some tornado warnings that were issued in the panhandle of Florida and southeastern Alabama.

Emergency management in the area is investigating potential tornado damage in Elba, Alabama.

Also, there was a unique statistic that came out of this storm earlier today, and it took place in Georgia.

The southwestern part of the state, which included Columbus, had a tornado watch.

But just about 50 miles away to the north? Ice storm warnings.

The tornado watch has been reduced, and Columbus is in the clear. Still, it is not too common in the weather world to see such alerts so close to each other.

(02:46 p.m. EST) Power Outages Now Top One Million

Power outages from Winter Storm Fern now exceed one million customers, according to poweroutage.us

Tennessee leads the pack with more than 330,000 customers. Davidson County, where Nashville is located, has over 200,000 customers without power. Thats more than 92% of the county.

Next up is Mississippi, where there are around 175,000 customers without power. That's followed by Louisiana, with just over 145,000 customers without power.

Texas has finally dropped below 100,000 customers, while Georgia and Kentucky continue to creep up. Georgia has around 80,000 customers without power, while Kentucky is around 70,000.

As conditions worsen across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, power outages may soar yet again.

(02:26 p.m. EST) Latest Snowfall Reports

This winter storm is bringing it all: rain, snow, storms and ice.

But this post will just be about the snow.

Below are some of the highlights:

Davis, West Virginia: 16.0 inches

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 8.5 inches

St. Louis, Missouri: 8.0 inches

Little Rock, Arkansas: 7.8 inches

Philadelphia International Airport, Pennsylvania: 7.4 inches

New York City (Central Park), New York: 7.2 inches

Newark Airport, New Jersey: 7.0 inches

Indianapolis, Indiana: 6.0 inches

Chicago OHare, Illinois: 3.5 inches

Winter storm warnings spread from Arkansas to Maine and will continue to expire on the west end as the storm heads east. The heaviest snowfall is spreading from Missouri to New England. Below is the current radar:

(02:04 p.m. EST) Ice Between The Hedges

University of Georgia's Sanford Stadium is looking more like an ice rink than a college football mecca today.

Ice is covering every surface on the Athens, Georgia, campus.

The University encouraged students who could, to go home for the weekend. All in-person classes and campus events are canceled on Monday.

(01:40 p.m. EST) What Actually Is Black Ice?

From content writer Toby Adeyemi

Think of black ice like the final boss of winter roads.

Black ice is a super-thin, clear layer of ice that forms on pavement, sidewalks and bridges  and here's the problem: you can't see it. It's practically transparent, so it blends right in with the road, which is why it's called black ice.

Most people don't even know they've hit it until their car starts sliding or they're flat on their back (or face).

So here's the move: slow way down, assume bridges are icy (they freeze first), take small steps if you're walking, and if your car slides, ease off the gas and steer where you want to go  don't slam the brakes.

Stay sharp or even more ideally, stay home.

(For More: What is Black Ice?)

(12:44 p.m. EST) Tornado Watch Issued For Portions Of Alabama, Florida, Georgia

From meteorologist Jennifer Gray:

Winter Storm Fern isnt limited to just snow and ice. Severe storms are firing up along the southern side of the system, bringing the potential for damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch for portions of the Southeast, including southern Alabama and Georgia, as well as parts of the Florida Panhandle until 7 p.m. EST.

Cities include: Montgomery, Alabama, Albany, Georgia, Pensacola and Panama City.

(12:31 p.m. EST) Mayor Announces School Closures As Snow Clobbers NYC

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that Monday will be a remote learning day for public schools in the city.

Snowfall has picked up there this morning with 1-3 inches on the ground already.

Even before Winter Storm Ferns arrival, sub-freezing temperatures claimed 5 lives in the city.

TIMOTHY A.CLARY / AFP via Getty Images

(11:58 a.m. EST) Storm Deaths In Louisiana

Two men died of hypothermia in Caddo Parish, which is in the Shreveport area of Louisiana.

The state's Department of Health confirmed that the deaths are storm-related, but has not released any more information about the victims.

More than 120,000 customers are without power in the state right now, that means most of them have also been left without heat while temperatures hover in the teens.

(11:45 a.m. EST) Major Airport Hub Cancels All Flights Today

From lead editor Jenn Jordan:

Travel chaos is worsening around the country as flight cancellations soar past 10,000 today, with nearly 2,000 more already grounded for tomorrow, according to FlightAware.

Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is bearing the brunt, leading the country in canceled flights, while New Yorks LaGuardia and JFK arent far behind.

Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

The nations capital is facing a total shutdown of the skies, with every inbound and outbound flight from Reagan National Airport canceled today.

Photo by Anna Ringle/picture alliance via Getty Images

(10:47 a.m. EST) Freeway Turns Free-For-All

From lead editor Jenn Jordan:

A major Dallas highway turned into a chaotic mess as drivers stopped in their tracks, threw it in reverse and even started traveling the wrong way.

Sleet and snow have coated the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, wiping out lane markings and turning the stretch into a slick, directionless sheet of ice. With no visible lanes, cars crept forward wherever they could, creating a dangerous free-for-all.

TxDOT is urging drivers to stay off the roads unless its an emergency, as crews work around the clock to treat major roads and bridges.

(10:33 a.m. EST) DCs Snowball Fight Canceled Due To Sleet

Photo by Amid FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images

From meteorologist Tiffany Savona:

Sad news for snow lovers in the nation's capital. The Washington D.C. Snowball Fight Association has canceled the planned snowball fight set to take place at 11 a.m. on the National Mall.

(10:11 a.m. EST) Shelter In Place For Oxford, Mississippi

The Oxford Police department has asked residents not to leave their homes this morning.

In an alert on social media, the department said trees and power lines are actively falling and are blocking various roads."

The University of Mississippi is also reporting major impacts on their Oxford campus.

New daylight images show entire transformers on the ground.

(09:52 a.m. EST) Ferns Severe Side: Chance Of Strong Storms Today

From meteorologist Jennifer Gray:

Warm air being pulled in from the Gulf is clashing with the frigid air from Winter Storm Fern and will set the state for severe storms across portions of the Southeast later today.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for an area that includes southern portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and parts of the Florida Panhandle.

Places like Mobile, Pensacola, Tallahassee, as well as Albany, Georgia are at risk for severe storms later through tonight.

(09:38 a.m. EST) Nashville: Trees Falling Everywhere

Sheets of ice are covering Nashville neighborhoods and residents are sharing photos and reports of trees snapping and falling everywhere.

Almost half an inch of ice accumulation was measured in the city early this morning.

No doubt leading to the incredible amount of power outages we just updated you on in Tennessee.

(09:06 a.m. EST) Record Snowfall Totals From Saturday

From meteorologist Jennifer Gray:

Several locations set daily records for snowfall on Saturday. Its important to note that these are not totals from the entire storm, just the amounts that fell on Saturday alone.

(08:45 a.m. EST) Snow Arrives In New York City

As Fern pushes into the Northeast, snow has made its Broadway entrance.

The storm is expected to be a showstopper in the city and the state which made an emergency declaration ahead of Ferns arrival.

The NYC area could see up to a foot of snow or more through tomorrow.

(08:13 a.m. EST) This Is Not A Winter Wonderland

A neighborhood in Lebanon, Tennessee, looks like a frozen nightmare. A thick layer of ice has covered everything.

Someones mom is probably pretty unhappy that bike was left outside.

Rainfall is increasing across middle Tennessee this morning, so scenes like this will only multiply.

More than 100,000 homes and businesses have lost power in the state.

(08:00 a.m. EST) Why The South Sees More Ice Than Snow

From lead editor Jenn Jordan:

Ice storms can happen almost anywhere, but in the South, theyre actually more common than snowstorms.

Thats because snow requires consistent below-freezing temperatures all the way from the clouds to the ground, and while the South can absolutely get that cold, warmer air tends to linger higher in the atmosphere.

One of the biggest reasons for that is the Gulf constantly pumping in warmth and moisture, turning any precipitation into freezing rain or sleet instead of snow. Add in the Appalachian mountains, which often trap icy cold air, and you have the perfect setup for ice, not snow days.

Meteorologist Jennifer Gray breaks it down in detail here.

(07:27 a.m. EST) Snow Plows Get To Work In Virginia

From neighborhood roads to interstate highways, snow plows rolled out in Virginia early this morning to begin clearing the way for necessary travel.

The snow is expected to change over to freezing rain later today.

(07:12 a.m. EST) State(s) Of Emergency

From lead editor Jenn Jordan:

24 states have now officially declared a State of Emergency due to the storm.

24 states have now officially declared a State Of Emergency due to Winter Storm Fern.

What does that actually mean? In short: states can move faster and throw more resources into helping their residents. Governors now have expanded powers to deploy National Guard troops, free up emergency funding and coordinate directly with federal agencies like FEMA.

It also means stricter safety measures. Expect travel restrictions, government office closures and transit shutdowns.

Once Fern moves out, these emergency declarations will also help states jump-start recovery and pay for repairs.

(07:00 a.m. EST) Your Flight Is Probably Canceled

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

More than 13,000 flights nationwide have been canceled since Saturday, 10,000 of them are grounded today, according to FlightAware.com.

Nearly all departing flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are canceled, the Associated Press reports.

And as you might expect major hubs like Charlotte, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia and Dallas-Fort Worth are all seeing major disruptions.

(06:17 a.m. EST) Mississippi Encased In Ice

Nearly an inch of ice has coated trees and roads across Oxford, Mississippi, wiping out power. Meteorologist and storm chaser Reed Timmer gave a tour of the dangerous conditions overnight.

And imagine walking out to see this much ice on your car?

Remember just a quarter-inch of ice can have devastating impacts and the freezing rain is still coming down.

(05:50 a.m. EST) 'Thunderice' In Texas As Power Outages Soar

Texas is bearing the brunt of massive power outages this morning, and you can see why here. Roaring thunder and lightning accompanied freezing rain and ice overnight.

While more than 300,000 outages have been reported nationwide by Poweroutage.us, upward of 90,000 of them are in Texas alone.

Mississippi is close behind with some 80,000 homes and businesses left in the dark and the cold.

Louisiana is reporting more than 70,000 outages, and Tennessee has over 30,000.
After federal officers shot and killed a second Minneapolis resident in a span of weeks amid their immigration operation, local business owners and community members joined a crowd of protesters in sub-zero temperatures.

"They were murdered in the street. How are you supposed to respond?" said Jeff Cowmeadow, the owner of The Prodigal Public House, a pub located steps from the shooting. "A neighbor was murdered. One of our regular pub attenders was right there."

Minneapolis police on Saturday urged people to avoid the area near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street following the deadly shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse. Homeland Security alleged he "approached" Border Patrol agents with a handgun, but multiple videos taken before the shooting show Pretti  a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry  without a weapon in hand before agents tackled him to the ground.

Cowmeadow told CBS Minnesota that residents want federal agents out of their state, saying the situation is "total chaos."

"I just think that we need to stand together," Cowmeadow said. "We need to tell the truth about what we see, and not let others tell us about what we see."

The business owner who has been in the neighborhood for over 40 years said he had to shut down his business on Friday and again on Saturday, adding that the federal immigration operation is affecting Minnesotans in multiple ways.

"We're trying to be a public house. We're trying to let the neighbors gather in peace and in safety in and defy against this bulls***," Cowmeadow said. "There's a lot of ripples, not just emotionally, spiritually in people's lives, but economically in the neighborhoods and businesses."

Tomme Beevas' restaurant is located on Nicollet Avenue, also just a short walk away from the shooting. The owner of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen brought stanchions from his rum bar to the street to keep protesters separated from officers, working as a volunteer to ensure the demonstration remains peaceful.

"This has been a safe space for our community and the violence right here on our doorsteps is alarming," Beevas, who was wearing a bright neon vest, told CBS Minnesota. "We have immigrants. We have diverse people coming together for healing for safety for comfort and now it's been violated ... But we're doing what we do best protect our people, keep our people safe."

Protests against federal agents in the city and state have been going on for weeks but have intensified following the killing of Renee Good, who was shot behind the wheel of her SUV by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer earlier this month.

At the peak of the standoffs between protesters and federal officers on Saturday, airborne chemical irritants were discharged by officers and whistling and shouting were audible on live video from CBS Minnesota. Protesters were also seen setting up barricades of trash cans.

Law enforcement declared an unlawful assembly following Pretti's killing. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said objects were thrown at officers, adding that an HSI officer agent's finger was bitten off.

Despite earlier chaos, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said Saturday afternoon that demonstrations throughout the city are currently "peaceful" and that his officers "intend to keep it that way."

Sneak peek: The Firefighter's Secret

Man arrested after spraying Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar with unknown liquid

Noem faces internal backlash after Alex Pretti shooting in Minneapolis, sources say
Kevin Jiang was a 26-year-old Yale graduate student, an Army veteran, and, his friends say, a man of faith who volunteered with the homeless. He seemed to have no enemies, and no one could figure out why someone may have targeted him on Feb. 6, 2021, when he was shot in the street not far from his fiancee's apartment in New Haven, Connecticut. Jiang had been driving down the street when his car was struck from behind, and when he got out, possibly to exchange information with the other driver police say, that driver opened fire, shooting him eight times.

Kevin Jiang / Credit: Trinity Baptist Church YouTube

At first, it seemed like the murder may have been a random shooting -- possibly an act of road rage. But as detectives looked into the case, they began to unravel the truth -- unbeknownst to Jiang, someone had meticulously planned his death. Who would want to kill Kevin Jiang? And how would detectives track down the killer?

The story begins with another shooting in December 2020, nearly two months before Jiang's murder.

Dec. 11, 2020  Feb. 6, 2021: A string of shootings in New Haven

Bullet holes found in the window of one of the affected homes. / Credit: Paul and Nyree Whyte

Beginning on Dec. 11, 2020, a seemingly random shooter fired bullets into four different homes in a couple of New Haven neighborhoods. One home was fired into in December, two in January 2021, and one in February 2021. These shootings had a few key things in common: homes were fired upon and no one was harmed, In two cases a dark-colored SUV was seen fleeing, and .45 caliber fired cartridge casings were found at all four scenes.

Apart from these similarities, however, police were unable to find any other connection between the incidents. In time, it would become clear that these shootings were linked and were part of a larger plan.

Jan. 30, 2021: Kevin Jiang proposes to the love of his life

On Jan. 30, 2021, Jiang proposed to his girlfriend Zion Perry while on a hike to a waterfall. The two had been dating for about a year and had met at a Christian retreat. They both loved nature, attended church, and were science students: Jiang was a graduate student in the Yale School of the Environment, and Perry was also at Yale, working on a PhD in molecular biophysics and biochemistry.

Kevin Jiang and fiancee Zion Perry. / Credit: Kevin Jiang/Facebook

"They're both brilliant and hardworking students," said Pastor Greg Hendrickson, who was Jiang's pastor and mentored the couple, "and yet... they didn't feel like their accomplishments were what defined them at the deepest level."

Perry posted a video of the engagement to her Facebook page.

Feb. 6, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.: Kevin Jiang's death

At 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, police responded to the scene of a shooting in New Haven. When they arrived, they found Jiang deceased in the street. About 100 feet away was his car, a Prius. .45 caliber casings were also found at the scene, and it appeared Jiang had been shot multiple times.

Kevin Jiang / Credit: Kevin Jiang/Instagram

Police obtained video surveillance from a nearby residence. In the video, a vehicle crash can be heard prior to Jiang's Prius entering the frame, closely followed by a dark SUV. The Prius comes to a stop, then the SUV reverses out of frame. Jiang exits his Prius and walks toward the SUV. A few seconds after he moves out of frame, eight gunshots and a scream can be heard.

One witness reported that she looked at her window after hearing gunshots and saw the shooter standing over Jiang, who was already down on the pavement, firing additional shots. Detectives observed stippling -- a burn pattern caused by gunpowder exploding from a weapon fired at close range -- on Jiang's face.

The evidence of close-range gunfire made detectives think there might be more to Jiang's death than a random shooting or a case of road rage. "It seems a little bit more personal," said New Haven homicide detective David Zaweski. "When you have someone laying on the ground and not moving, what would cause someone to continue firing at them?"

Just one week after Jiang's engagement, police were now informing his mother and fiancee about his tragic death. According to detectives the two women were distraught and couldn't understand why anyone would have done this to Jiang.

Feb. 6, 2021 | 8:57 p.m.: A man stuck on train tracks

At 8:57 p.m. on the same night Jiang was killed, police in the nearby town of North Haven responded to a separate incident: a 911 call was made by a security guard at Sims Metal Management, a scrapyard near a highway entrance. The guard told 911 dispatch that a suspicious vehicle  a dark SUV  had driven through his yard.

When officers responded to investigate the vehicle, they found the SUV  and its driver stuck on snowy railroad tracks behind the scrapyard. The officers had not yet heard about Kevin Jiang's murder, which had occurred just half an hour before in New Haven, and to them this call was nothing out of the ordinary.

Police body camera shows Qinxuan Pan in his vehicle / Credit: North Haven Police Department

"I've been on the tracks I don't know how many times with vehicles that were, you know, called in as suspicious," said Sergeant Jeffrey Mills of North Haven Police Department, who responded that night. "People always come down there... and they turn around in the front lot and they leave 'cause they missed the highway or something."

The driver was Qinxuan Pan, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate student from Malden, Massachusetts. His driver's license came back clean, and officers said he seemed calm about his situation. Mills didn't notice anything odd  just a yellow jacket on the passenger seat, and some bags in the car including a black briefcase and a blue bag with a Massachusetts logo.

Officers called a tow truck to help Pan get off of the tracks. Since he didn't have cash to pay for the tow, officers helped him get a hotel room for the night at a nearby Best Western, telling him he could pick up his car in the morning and head home. Pan agreed and went to the hotel. To Mills, nothing seemed suspicious about the encounter. But that would soon change.

Feb. 7, 2021 | 11 a.m.: A shocking discovery

The next morning at 11 a.m., another 911 call was made, this time from an employee at an Arby's restaurant in North Haven. Sergeant Jeffrey Mills was at the end of his shift and about to head home when he heard about the call, but he decided to stop by the Arby's anyway to investigate.

Items found at an Arby's captured on police bodycam. / Credit: North Haven Police Department

That decision changed the course of Jiang's case. At the Arby's, employees had found something strange  discarded bags containing a .45 caliber gun. There were also numerous boxes of ammunition, three license plates, and some clothing. Some of these items looked familiar to Sgt. Mills: there was a yellow jacket, a black briefcase, and a blue bag with a Massachusetts logo. It struck Mills that these were the same items he'd seen in Pan's car the night before on the railroad tracks. The Arby's was right next door to the Best Western hotel where Pan had been dropped off.

By now, Mills had heard about the homicide in New Haven, and knew detectives were looking for a dark SUV. Mills had encountered a dark SUV the night before and had reason to believe its driver was the owner of the .45 caliber gun found at the Arby's. He called New Haven Police.

When homicide detectives arrived, they went to the Best Western in search of the mysterious Pan. But Pan had disappeared  in fact, according to detectives, it seemed like he had never stayed in the room at all.

The SUV was still at the tow facility. Where had Pan gone? And how would they find him?

Feb. 8, 2021: A stolen vehicle

In Malden, the town where Pan was from, a car had been reported stolen from a car dealership. And not just any car  the same dark SUV that Pan had been driving, which was now at a tow facility in North Haven. The dealership employee told police that Pan had asked to borrow the car for a test drive and had never returned.

On Feb. 8, police from Malden went to Pan's home with a warrant for his arrest for the stolen car. Officers from New Haven accompanied them, as Pan was now a person of interest in Jiang's homicide.

When they arrived at the address where Pan lived with his parents, however, neither Pan nor his parents were home. The parents could have simply been out of town or on vacation, but officers also worried about them.

"Given the heinous act that occurred in New Haven the day before, were they potentially kidnapped by their own son?" said Det. Joe Galvan, who worked with both New Haven Police and the U.S. Marshals' Task Force in Connecticut.

That same day, the U.S. Marshals, who had joined the case, conducted a search for any phone numbers associated with Pan. They found a number and traced the phone to Garysburg, North Carolina. At a gas station there, officers found a cellphone that had been crushed.

"Like a car ran over it," said U.S. Marshals Supervisor Matthew Duffy.

Feb. 11, 2021: Pan's parents stopped in Georgia

On Feb. 11, the U.S. Marshals received several license plate reader hits on the license plate of Pan's mother's car. Georgia officials were able to locate and stop the car  inside were Pan's parents, Hong Huang and Hao Pan, but their son was not with them.

Authorities say Hao Pan, Qinxuan Pan's father, told them that roughly four or five days before he'd gotten a call from his son Qinxuan Pan and Qinxuan told him he was in Connecticut and needed help, though Hao Pan didn't say why. Hao Pan did say that he and his wife Hong Huang then left Massachusetts and picked up their son in Connecticut. Qinxuan Pan then took the wheel and drove them south to Georgia, a days-long journey.

As for where their son was now, authorities say Hao Pan told them that his son had stopped the car, gotten out, and walked away, and Hao Pan did not know where he went or why. Pan's mother, Hong Huang, refused to answer any questions without an attorney, but later volunteered that she believed her son may have walked away and killed himself.

Investigators say they were skeptical of that story, and began to suspect that in order to find Qinxuan Pan they may have to watch his parents. The Pan family had access to millions of dollars in assets in Shanghai. Financial records showed Pan's parents had been making large cash withdrawals, possibly to give to their son. Marshals say they worried that Pan might attempt to use this money to flee the country.

Feb. 16, 2021: Military honors for Kevin Jiang

On Feb.16, Jiang was buried with full military honors. He was an Army veteran and a National Guard Reservist, trained to operate a tank. He had served in the 118th Multifunctional Medical Battalion of the Connecticut National Guard.

Kevin Jiang in uniform. / Credit: Kevin Jiang/Instagram

Nasya Hubbard, who served with Jiang in the National Guard, described him as a "very happy person, just genuine, very genuine soul," and said that he seemed deeply in love with his fiancee Zion Perry.

At a memorial service for Jiang, Perry said, "Kevin often spoke of how precious the gift of life is, because we are but mist that may vanish in a moment. Never have I felt the impact of those words until now. Kevin would want us to cherish the gift of life we still have on earth."

Feb. 26, 2021: A warrant and a possible motive

After New Haven detectives received samples back from the lab that indicated Qinxuan Pan's fingerprints were on the gun found at the Arby's and gunshot residue was on the yellow jacket and the door of the SUV, a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the murder of Kevin Jiang.

By now, detectives also had in mind a possible motive for Pan. Zaweski had turned to Facebook to find information about Pan and had learned that he was Facebook friends with Zion Perry, Jiang's fiancee

Detectives say that when Perry was asked about the connection, she told officers that she and Pan met when she was an undergraduate at MIT, but they'd only been acquaintances. According to Perry they had never had a romantic relationship of any kind. Detectives found that online communication between the two was minimal  when Perry had graduated MIT, Pan had asked to video call with her to congratulate her, and she had politely declined. That was the extent of their conversation.

Still, it seemed that perhaps Pan had made more of this connection than Perry. Though Pan's motive was never confirmed, the murder of Jiang occurred just one week after Perry publicly announced her engagement to Kevin on Facebook.

Said Zaweski, "It did seem like there was a secret obsession of Pan's going on behind the scenes that Kevin wasn't aware of, and that Zion wasn't aware of."

March 2021- May 2021: Patience

The U.S. Marshals knew it would take patience to track Pan, who was a brilliant MIT graduate student studying artificial intelligence.

At this point they knew that Pan was capable of disabling GPS in vehicles. They knew Pan had turned off the GPS in the SUV he had driven the night of the murder, the one he'd picked up from a dealership.

It turned out that that wasn't the only time Pan had taken a car from a dealership for nefarious purposes. Investigators were able to find numerous other instances of Pan claiming he was going to test drive a dealership vehicle, only to drive that vehicle down to Connecticut. They compared the dates of his test drives with the four shootings that had occurred in New Haven from December 2020 to February 2021 and found that they matched.

Detectives believe Pan had a meticulous plan. They say Pan committed those four shootings in order to mislead police into thinking that Jiang's death was just another incident in a string of random shootings.

Knowing that Pan was potentially dangerous and may be looking to flee the country, U.S. Marshals were careful and methodical in their search. For weeks they steadily kept an eye on his parents' activities, believing that eventually something would lead them to their son.

May 2021: Qinxuan Pan's mother makes a call

In May 2021, U.S. Marshals tracked Pan's parents south to Georgia again, this time traveling with another couple. U.S. Marshal Kevin Perreault said that he believes the parents took unwitting companions along to "make it appear that it's a regular trip. There's no big deal, we're just going on a trip, meet some friends ... we're not here to help our son."

A surveillance image of Hong Huang making a telephone call at a Georgia hotel. / Credit: U.S. Marshals

The two couples stayed one night at a hotel, where Pan's mother Hong Huang would be recorded on a surveillance camera making a phone call. The hotel clerk told investigators that Huang had asked to use his phone, had made a call, and then had deleted the number.

But U.S. Marshals were able to track the call anyway, and it led them right to Qinxuan Pan.

May 14, 2021: Qinxuan Pan arrested in Alabama

U.S. Marshals took what Duffy called a "small army" to a boarding house in Montgomery, Alabama, where Marshals had tracked that phone call. Marshals found the room where Pan was staying, and according to Duffy, Pan "just came out and said, I'm who you're looking for." Qinxuan Pan was arrested for the murder of Kevin Jiang.

At the time of his arrest, Pan had approximately $20,000 in cash on him, as well as multiple communication devices, seven SIM cards, and his father's passport.

February-April, 2024: A guilty plea and a sentence

Qinxuan Pan in court at his sentencing. / Credit: CBS News

After multiple delays, Qinxuan Pan pleaded guilty in court on Feb. 29, 2024, to the murder of Kevin Jiang. His plea deal required a 35-year prison sentence without parole, and he was officially sentenced on April 23. He is scheduled to be released in 2056, when he will be 65 years old. Pan's parents have never been charged with anything.

Zion Perry spoke at Pan's sentencing. The only time Pan looked up was when she approached the podium.

"I wanted to address Pan specifically," she said. "Although your sentence is far less than you deserve  there is also mercy. May God have mercy on you. And may he have mercy on all of us."

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a master political tactician, is likely to call early elections this spring or early summer  not by accident, but by design. His goal will be simple: maximize his chances of forming a new coalition and staying in power.

Israels domestic politics is reaching a boiling point. Ultra-Orthodox parties are threatening to block passage of the national budget, a move that would automatically bring down the government, possibly within weeks. That timing would give Netanyahu a politically priceless opening: elections during Israels most emotionally charged period, immediately following Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day for fallen soldiers, and the joyous celebration of Independence Day.

Add to that a carefully orchestrated campaign-season visit by President Trump, and Netanyahus political machine would be firing on all cylinders.

But this election wont just be about timing or tactics. It will be about Israels future and what kind of country Israelis want to live in.

At the center of the storm is one explosive domestic issue: the ultra-Orthodox exemption from military service.

While secular Israelis and non-Haredi religious Jews serve and die in uniform, most ultra-Orthodox men remain exempt, studying in yeshivas as Israel faces its longest war in history and an urgent need for an additional 10,000 to 20,000 combat troops. Hundreds of thousands of reservists from across the political and religious spectrum have spent months away from their families and jobs. The resentment is no longer simmering  its boiling over.

As a recent Jerusalem Post editorial put it: Reserve soldiers and their families have carried a burden that is physical, financial, and spiritual.  They have done so not because it is easy, and not because anyone has explained a coherent national destination  but because this is what a society does when it still believes it is one society.

Netanyahus Likud party has become dependent on these Orthodox factions to form governing coalitions. The price they demand is steep: permanent draft exemptions and massive taxpayer subsidies for school systems that refuse to teach core secular subjects, leaving many men unemployable and dependent on state welfare.

To maintain the support of the ultra-Orthodox, Netanyahu has sought to reframe the debate by insisting that any legislation address all Israeli draft dodgers, a move that deliberately makes such a law harder to pass. Those who do not serve in the Israel Defense Forces or perform national service include over 90 percent of the ultra-Orthodox, more than 95 percent of Israeli Arabs, and roughly 13 percent of secular Jewish Israelis. In population terms, the Haredi community constitutes about 13 percent of Israels population, while Israeli Arabs make up about 21 percent.

Israels secret sauce has always been national unity and social cohesion. Both are now under severe strain.

The outcome of the next election will likely be decided by reservists, their families, their extended circles, and the 85 percent of Israelis who are not ultra-Orthodox. If Netanyahu cannot form a government without the Haredi parties, or refuses to consider a national unity government in which he is not prime minister, Israels social fabric may fray beyond repair.

To better understand where Israel is heading, I have begun meeting one-on-one with Israeli political leaders across the spectrum.

My first meeting was with former prime minister and current opposition leader Yair Lapid. Lapid is clear-eyed about one thing: running an election on anyone but Bibi is a losing strategy. Israelis already have deeply entrenched views about Netanyahu, for and against. Lapid argues the country needs a vision, not just an alternative personality.

Lapid has served in Netanyahu-led governments and later as prime minister without him. He believes Israel must remain both Jewish and democratic  not choose one over the other. In his view, Israels military strength and technological dominance are inseparable from its openness. Only a free, pluralistic society could have produced the Iron Dome and the innovations that made Israel the Startup Nation.

During the 2014 Gaza war, Lapid defended Netanyahus government out of principle rather than political convenience, even as others sought partisan advantage. Even while in opposition in 2024, he traveled to Europe to defend Israels conduct. Yet that same commitment led him to condemn Netanyahu for what he called a complete diplomatic failure in 2026 over the composition of Gazas executive board, faulting the prime minister for letting Egypt be sidelined while Qatar and Turkey were elevated.

Many Americans dont understand how Israels fractured parliamentary system works or how destabilizing it can be. Such systems may limp along in countries without existential threats, but Israel has never known a single day of true peace in its 78-year history.

This election matters not just to Israelis, but to Americans. Israel remains a strategic pillar of U.S. national security, effectively a forward U.S. aircraft carrier in the most volatile region on earth.

For Americans trying to understand Israels internal divide and upcoming election, one imperfect but telling question is this: Does an Israeli primarily define themselves as Jewish or as Israeli? Often, the former aligns with the political right, the latter with the left, though security hawks exist on both sides.

Wherever one stands politically in Israel, and for Americans who believe a strong Israel is vital to U.S. security, they should see this upcoming election for what it is: a defining moment that demands shared responsibility for Israels defense. The election is coming sooner than many expect, and it may prove one of the most consequential in the countrys history.

Eric R. Mandel is the director of the Middle East Political Information Network and senior security editor for the Jerusalem Posts Jerusalem Report.

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

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Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Jerry Holt/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote a letter of demands to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after Border Patrol fatally shot a U.S. citizen on Jan. 24, 2026

NEED TO KNOW

AG Pam Bondi wrote a letter of demands to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz that she said can "bring an end to the chaos" after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24

In the letter  shared in full below  Bondi urged Walz to partner with the Trump administration by providing a list of Minnesotans receiving welfare benefits, ending the state's sanctuary policies, and give the DOJ access to Minnesota's voter rolls

After Bondi's letter was made public, Walz posted on X, "They think they can provoke us into abandoning our values. They are wrong"



U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote a letter to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after the death of another American citizen at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, urging the Democratic leader to hand over sensitive state data to the Trump administration in an effort to prevent more "national tragedy."

The letter, dated Saturday, Jan. 24, characterizes the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti  both carried out by federal immigration officers under the leadership of Kristi Noem's Department of Homeland Security  as a result of Walz's governing.

"The State of Minnesota has refused to enforce the law, and the consequences are heartbreaking," Bondi, 60, begins the letter. She goes on to justify the DHS raids in Minnesota, and accuses state and local leaders of "putting federal agents in danger" by voicing their dissatisfaction and forcing DHS to act alone.

Bondi depicts anti-ICE protesters as "rioters," suggesting that ICE and Border Patrol agents have fallen victim to mass "lawlessness in the streets" and need more cooperation from local government. She does not acknowledge recent videos and reports of federal agents instigating violence and relying on force to both squash protests and carry out immigration arrests.

The attorney general then makes three demands of Walz in her letter, which she writes can "bring an end to the chaos in Minnesota": 1) share state records of everyone who is collecting welfare, 2) repeal state sanctuary policies, and 3) allow the Justice Department to access Minnesota's voter rolls ahead of upcoming elections.

"The time has come for state and local officials in your state to change course," she writes. "As the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, I am committed to enforcing federal immigration laws and keeping every American safe. Minnesota can and should be a partner with this administration."



Octavio JONES / AFP via Getty Mourners gather on Jan. 25 at a makeshift memorial where Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal agents the day prior

Walz, 61, has so far rebuffed the Trump administration's demands for cooperation, reacting to the fatal shooting of Pretti on Saturday morning with a message on X that read, in part, "Minnesota has had it. This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now."

Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who previously worked at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, was accused by DHS of interfering with an immigration arrest and approaching agents with a handgun. Senior DHS official Gregory Bovino alleged Pretti "wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement," and that he "violently resisted" when agents attempted to disarm him, leading them to fire "defensive shots."

Video footage of the deadly encounter, which was recorded from multiple angles, seemingly contradicted the DHS' narrative of what happened. A New York Times analysis concluded that Pretti was standing in the street with other protesters, with a phone in one hand and nothing in the other, when an agent squirted pepper spray at the group. Multiple agents then approached Pretti, who did not appear to be holding or drawing a weapon, and pinned him on the sidewalk.

Pretti was a lawful gun owner, according to Minneapolis police, and a firearm on his waist appeared to have already been unholstered and removed by an agent before he was shot in the back. He sustained at least 10 gunshots fired within five seconds.

We are heartbroken but also very angry," Pretti's parents wrote in a statement of grief on Saturday. "The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.

After Bondi shared her letter of demands with Walz on Saturday in response to Pretti's shooting, the Minnesota governor  who is no longer seeking reelection in 2026  doubled down on his belief that federal agents are doing more harm than good in his state.

"They think they can provoke us into abandoning our values. They are wrong," he wrote on X. "We will keep the peace. We will secure justice for our neighbors. And we will see this occupation end."



On Sunday morning, Walz released another statement about Minnesota's desire to self-govern, writing, "Minnesota believes in law and order. We believe in peace. And we believe that Trump needs to pull his 3,000 untrained agents out of Minnesota before they kill another American in the street."

Read Pam Bondi's full letter to Tim Walz:

"Governor Walz,"

The State of Minnesota has refused to enforce the law, and the consequences are heartbreaking.

Americans are watching politicians ignore federal immigration law, criminals attack federal law enforcement, and rioters storm church services. I write to urge a change.

In December 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched Operation Metro Surge to protect Americans from the dangers presented by unchecked illegal immigration, including violent crime and drug trafficking. Since the beginning of this operation, law enforcement has put themselves in harm's way to arrest dangerous criminals, including members of notorious, violent gangs. Criminal illegal aliens convicted of homicide, drug trafficking, sexual assault against a child, rape with a weapon, and other horrific crimes are now off the streets because of Operation Metro Surge.

Unfortunately, you and other Minnesota officials have refused to support the men and women risking their lives to protect Americans and uphold the rule of law. Because Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul have chosen to ignore federal immigration law by enacting sanctuary laws and policies, the federal agents led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have operated alone. And politicians in your state are not just refusing to help these agents, they are putting federal agents in danger.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said, "ICE: Get the f*** out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here." You referred to our law enforcement as "Trump's modern-day Gestapo." Minneapolis City Council Member Aisha Chughtai stated that the city "must be ready to act as the last line of defense for targeted communities." Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has previously compared ICE enforcement to being "under attack by the Nazis.

The results of your state's policies and politicians' anti-law enforcement rhetoric are a national tragedy. Violence against ICE officers and agents has increased approximately 1,300 percent.

Vehicular attacks against ICE officers have increased 3,200%. Perhaps most disappointing, the lawlessness caused by these policies has bled into sacred spaces of worship. Parishioners were met by an anti-ICE mob last weekend, as several dozen individuals stormed Cities Church in Minneapolis to interrupt worship services and scream in the faces of frightened Christians and their families. The violence against our officers and the violations of religious liberties cannot be allowed to continue.

The lawlessness in the streets is matched by the unprecedented financial fraud occurring on your watch. And the out of control fraud in your state also implicates election security. It is a tragedy that Americans have lost faith in Minnesota's ability to keep its taxpayers' funds secure and its citizens' [sic] safe.

You and your office must restore the rule of law, support ICE officers, and bring an end to the chaos in Minnesota. Fortunately, there are common sense solutions to these problems that I hope we can accomplish together.

First, share all of Minnesota's records on Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Service programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program data, with the federal government. Allowing the federal government to efficiently investigate fraud will save Minnesota taxpayers' money and ensure that Minnesota's welfare funds are being used to help those in need, not enrich fraudsters.

Second, repeal the sanctuary policies that have led to so much crime and violence in your state. Removing criminal illegal aliens from Minnesota neighborhoods will save lives, and state and local officials should support this goal. All detention facilities in your state should cooperate fully with ICE, honor immigration detainers, and permit ICE to interview detainees in custody to determine immigration status. I urge you to reach an agreement with ICE that allows them to remove illegal aliens in custody of Minnesota's prisons and jails and avoids pushing these interactions into your streets.

Third, allow the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to access voter rolls to confirm that Minnesota's voter registration practices comply with federal law as authorized by the Civil Rights Act of 1960. Fulfilling this common sense request will better guarantee free and fair elections and boost confidence in the rule of law.

I am confident that these simple steps will help bring back law and order to Minnesota and improve the lives of Americans.

The time has come for state and local officials in your state to change course. As the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, I am committed to enforcing federal immigration laws and keeping every American safe. Minnesota can and should be a partner with this administration. Do not obstruct federal immigration enforcement; do not allow rioters to take over the streets and houses of worship; do not hinder federal officials from investigating financial fraud and violations of election laws. Whether state and local politicians stand in the way or not, we will work every day to protect Americans and make Minnesota Safe Again. I request that you join us in that effort.

Sincerely,

Pamela Bondi

Attorney General

Read the original article on People
Hundreds of protesters gathered and marched through the streets of central Phoenix on Jan. 24, demanding justice for Alex Pretti, who was killed by Border Patrol agents earlier that day in Minnesota.

Ryan Espinoza, 35, is a resident of the west Phoenix community of Maryvale who changed his original plans after he heard about Pretti's death.

Rather than going out and celebrating his Jan. 24 birthday, Espinoza said he decided to join the protest.

"We have to really put our voices out there, we have to do something in every city," Espinoza said.

Protest organizers called for a strengthening of communities and a general strike in Phoenix, similar to the Jan. 23 actions in Minneapolis. The general strike in Minnesota saw hundreds of business owners close up shop, and people take off work or cut back on economic activity. Thousands of individuals took to the streets in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation organized the protest. The Party for Socialism and Liberation is a socialist advocacy group that has organized several protests in the Phoenix area, including anti-ICE demonstrations and a protest that lambasted the Trump administration's decision to capture Nicholas Maduro.

More than 250 demonstrators marched from Civic Space Park near the Arizona State University downtown campus to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Phoenix Field Office.

Unlike the Jan. 22 protest that resulted in ICE detaining a U.S. citizen, no ICE agents were visible at the field office.

After the protesters jumped, stomped and chanted anti-ICE phrases at the park, they made their way through the streets near bars and restaurants.

Customers and drivers passing by greeted the protesters with cheers, fist raising and clapping. One man in the passenger side of a vehicle stepped out of the car and cheered on the protesters as they made their way through the intersection of First Avenue and Roosevelt Street.

Organizer returns to Phoenix hours before Pretti was killed

Lexsiri Coronado, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, said she had returned to Phoenix from Minneapolis just a few hours before Alex Pretti was killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.

Coronado was in Minneapolis helping the Minnesota chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation with organizing the general strike in Minneapolis and connecting with Somali community there, she said.

When she heard the news about Pretti, Coronado said she was disoriented but remains dedicated to the cause of standing in solidarity with Minneapolis and other states where ICE and Border Patrol have ramped up operations.

"It's our task here and in other states to show that we stand with the people in Minneapolis. We are one people. States don't divide us," Coronado said.

During the protest, Coronado recounted the "friendliness and readiness" of the Somali community in Minneapolis.

Despite being a frequent target of the Trump administration's anti-immigrant rhetoric, Coronado said the Somali community was ready to take a stand.

"If the Somali community is striking, then every single one of you must be ready to pick up the fight!" Coronado told the protesters.

Protesters express shock, numbness, defiance

Barbara Esquivel-Garcia, 52, is a registered nurse who lives in Gilbert. She has been participating in protests like this one since the passage of Arizona's 2010 immigration enforcement law Senate Bill 1070.

Esquivel-Garcia said the news of Pretti's killing was especially heartbreaking because he was a nurse just like her. Pretti was a registered nurse who worked in the intensive care unit at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis, according to a statement released by the family to CNN.

"I think shock ... it doesn't even cover the feelings that you feel, you're kind of  numb. You want it to be a bad dream. You don't want it to be real, but it is real," Esquivel-Garcia said as she walked on the overpass bridge near the Burton Barr Library in central Phoenix.

Despite the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Coronado said she still has hope because she saw thousands of people "marching in Minneapolis in negative 20 degree weather." Had the weather just been a little above zero degrees, she thinks there would have been a million people protesting.

"I have hope because I see every day ordinary people who have been demonized by the media, especially the Somali community there, ready to fight back. I saw them in the streets. I saw them giving out food and tea to people at the protest," Coronado said in an interview before the protest.

At the end of the protest, several of the organizers repeated the message that the only way change will happen is if people talk to their neighbors and strengthen community relations.

Hayden Nguyen, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, said communities banding together is the tactic President Donald Trump fears the most.

"We didn't start this war, but we will fight," Nguyen said. "If Trump wants to come to Phoenix, we will fight back block by block."

Have any news tips or story ideas about immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona? Reach the reporter at david.ulloa@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @davidulloa_ii.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix protesters 'ready to fight' after killings by ICE
The Soviet Union lasted a mere sixty-nine years (the Spitfire has been flying longer), but in that time produced some of the largest, fastest, toughest and most agile aircraft ever created.

Even now, over three decades after its collapse, almost all Russian and Ukrainian aircraft have their roots in the communist super state. Favouring clever robust design over high technology and refinement, the Soviet approach enabled the mass production of cheap machines. Many of these were outstanding, but some - for reasons of politics, bad luck or incompetence - were diabolical. Let's take a walk through the rusting graveyard of the 10 worst Soviet military aircraft. We include the date the plane was first built.

10: Tupolev Tu-116

With the death of Stalin, the Khrushchev Thaw left the Soviet Union in the tricky position of wanting to engage with the wider world but with no indigenous way of getting there. Fearing that mating an airliner fuselage to the wings of a Tu-95 nuclear bomber, to make the Tu-114, would take more time than was available before a 1959 state visit to the USA, a less ambitious back up plan was made.

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The Tu-116 replaced the Tu-95s bomb bays with a passenger compartment for the head of state and his entourage  but it was impossible to access the cockpit from the passenger compartment, messages being passed by pneumatic tube.

10: Tupolev Tu-116

While no one appeared to think arriving on a diplomatic mission in something that looked exactly like a strategic bomber might be a bad idea, the nail in the coffin of the Tu-116 was actually the 737-style air stair that allowed the First Secretary of the Communist Party to emerge from the bottom of the aircraft, something he deemed beneath his standing.

Deprived of their raison d'etre the two aircraft served out their miserable lives flying technicians to the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, presumably to ensure this flying Frankenstein was hidden from public view. The Tu-116 was a poor idea and implemented badly. It was mercifully left to wallow in obscurity.

9: Sukhoi Su-7

For the first two decades after the second world war the Soviet Union wasnt great at building ground-attack aircraft. Ilyushins classic wartime Shturmovik, the Il-2 and Il-10, soldiered on for a while, but in the era of atomic weapons, the use of aircraft for battlefield close support fell out of favour within the Red Army. If Soviet troops were to need firepower, they could call upon artillery. And nuclear-tipped battlefield missiles.

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With the explosion of counter-insurgency and brushfire conflicts in the mid-1960s, it was time to reassess the ground-attack aircraft. The USSRs first purpose-designed, jet-powered ground-attacker to reach service was the Sukhoi Su-7. Unfortunately, it wasnt great. The Soviets never took it into battle. Other nations did, and were not impressed.

9: Sukhoi Su-7

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In July 1967 Egyptian pilot Tahsin Zaki was in a formation of 12 Su-7s that was to attack Israeli forces opposite the Suez Canal. Loaded with four 500kg bombs each, the jets suffered so much drag that they couldnt accelerate beyond 600km/h. They also proved very difficult to control, lacking stability at slow speeds. Provided it made it over the battlefield unscathed, the Su-7 was hampered by a limited range.

This was because the powerful Lyulka AL-7F1 turbojet took up so much space that there was little room left for fuel tanks. It was vulnerable to foreign object damage and, without air-to-air missile capability, was unable to protect itself other than with its two NR-30 cannon. Were it unfortunate enough to get into a dogfight with a hostile fighter, its fuel was quickly expended.

8: Lavochkin LaGG-3

The LaGG-3 was terrible in many ways. A pathetic climb rate, sluggish top speed, poor build quality, the inability to pull out of a dive or even to perform a sharp turn are among the many failings of the lamentable LaGG. The designers intended the aircraft (which started development as the LaGG-1) to use the 1350 hp inline Klimov VK-106 engine.

When the VK-106 engine failed to mature, it was replaced with the Klimov M-105 - a weedy powerplant with around 300 less horsepower than needed. If this wasnt bad enough, the LaGG-3 employed a partly wooden composite construction used a glue that caused severe irritation to those that handled it.

8: Lavochkin LaGG-3

The already temperamental engine, which required greater preparation before flight than its rivals, lacked anti-freeze liquid and on the ground the cooling system had to be kept functional with the aid of hand-poured hot water. The pilots founding the type sluggish with heavy controls.

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The result was an exceptionally underpowered fighter hated by its air crews and ground crews alike - and mauled by its enemies. Other than an exceptional ability to withstand battle damage (something it received in abundance) - the aircraft's only real saving grace was that it sired the magnificent LaGG-5. Despite this a staggering 6528 were built in total, more than even the popular civilian Cessna 180 light aircraft

PHOTO: a LaGG-3 shot down in Finland, 1942

7: Silvanskii IS

During Stalins muddled and oppressive USSR, one A.V. Silvanskii secured state funding to create a new fighter aircraft in 1937. The concept seemed sound- it was a low-winged monoplane with a 1000-horsepower radial engine, armed with two heavy machine guns. But it would soon become apparent that Silvanskii was a reckless bodger.

By 1938 the prototype aircraft was virtually complete. Initial tests of the undercarriage revealed that the wheel wells were too small- the undercarriage did not fit into the wing in the retracted position. How this elementary mistake had been made is hard to understand, but the solution was simple- the undercarriage legs were shortened.

7: Silvanskii IS

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Now there was a shorter undercarriage, the propeller did not have any ground clearance. In response, Silvanskii took a saw to the propeller and reduced it by 10cm. The bewildered factory manager promptly refused Silvanskii permission to fly from the airfield. Undaunted Silvanskii charmed the State Flight Research Institute into providing a runway and a test pilot.

In 1939, the LII test pilot took the machine out to fly. Thanks to a combination of full throttle and extremely dense cold air the machine was coaxed into taking off for one hair-raising circuit flown dangerously close to the stall. On landing the pilot damned the aircraft as unflyable.

6: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MS

Pilots of export MiG-21 pilots in nations outside of the Soviet Union were excited by the prospect of a new advanced fighter replacement, but early MiG-23s provided a huge disappointment. The Soviet Union generally offered friendly nations inferior versions of their fighters, but the MiG-23MS was one of the cruellest examples - and they were supplied when the air forces of Syria and Egypt were at war with a well-equipped enemy.

Because of delays with the R-23 missile, the Mig-23MS carried only the shorter-ranged K-13. The weapon system, with its very basic Sapfir-21 radar, was completely mismatched to the aircraft's performance - the aircraft was designed for fast long-range engagements - something it couldn't do with the K-13.

6: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MS

The former MiG-21 pilots now had an aircraft with greatly inferior agility to their previous mounts and nastier handling characteristics. The MiG-23MS force suffered terrible losses to the Israeli Air Force flying American aircraft, and encouraged Egypt and Libya to turn away from the use of Soviet equipment, and instead favour US F-4s and French Mirages respectively.

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The MiG-23 was later developed into the formidable MiG-23ML, but the MS was a dreadful machine hated by many of its pilots. The MiG-23 featured a variable geometry swing wing and served with a multitude of nations around the world. It was produced in huge numbers, with over 5047 made by the time production ended in 1985.

5: Antonov An-10

The An-10 was terrible. Its almost as if the Ministry of Aircraft Production gave the brief to Antonov to make flying more unpleasant and dangerous. If this was the brief, then Antonov succeeded very well. Initial test flights revealed stability issues, leading to the ungainly ventral fins.

But even these didnt fix the problem, and further stabilizing devices were added to the horizontal tails. Which was great, apart from making the aircraft wickedly uncomfortable - it shook like a paint mixer, perhaps even worse.

5: Antonov An-10

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Then there was the insufficient number of windows causing nausea in those prone to air sickness. There was also the lack of a real baggage hold (the low floor took up this space). An almost criminal deficiency for any aircraft, let alone one based in the USSR, was the faulty anti-icing system; two aircraft were lost in its first winter resulting in the deaths of 72 people.

A paltry total of 104 An-10s was produced, and of these at least twelve were lost - most with fatalities. After a mere 13 years in service, metal fatigue made the wings fall off.

4: Tupolev Tu-144

Its chief designer, its passengers and its launch customer were all less than enamoured with the Tupolev Tu-144, the Soviet counterpart to Concorde, and for many valid reasons. In 1968 it became the first supersonic airliner to fly, two months ahead of Concordes maiden flight. But in the rush to achieve this symbolic victory, Alexei Tupolev (1925-2001) had made a turkey.

The first flight was misleading, as the production machine was virtually a complete redesign of the prototype. Its design was aided by a huge national effort, which even Tupolev himself thought it was given too great a priority. Almost all state funding for civil aviation went into the Tu-144, at the detriment of more conservative (and more useful) designs.

4: Tupolev Tu-144

At the 1973 Paris Air Show, the Tu-144 display pilot Mikhail Kozlov, had boasted "Just wait until you see us fly. Then you'll see something. His words proved tragically prescient. He put the plane into a steep climb on full power, but then it appeared to stall. Trying to recover and in a steep dive, the aircraft disintegrated in the air, killing Kozlov and his five crew  and eight more on the ground, including three children. Not just a disaster, but a massively high profile one. Following this, Aeroflot decided not to put the aircraft on international passenger routes. Concorde would have a disaster in Paris too  but that was nearly three decades later.

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It even reached the point where no Tu-144 was allowed to take off without an inspection by its chief designer. In May 1978 another Tu-144 crashed. This was too much for Aeroflot, and passenger flights were cancelled. In a twist that nobody would have predicted in the 1960s, the Tu-144 ended its life as supersonic flying laboratory for NASA.

3: Yakovlev Yak-38

Were it not for two factors, the Yakovlev Yak-38 Forger would probably be regarded as a success. Putting a vertical take-off and landing fighter (VTOL) into operational service was no mean feat. Of the profusion of concepts and designs that plastered drawing boards in the 1960s, the vast majority never reached even prototype stage - and only two types entered service.

On the basis of being one of only two operational VTOL fighters the Yak-38 could be seen as a success. The first of its reputation-killing problems was the lack of any more capable follow-on. The second was the existence of the rival Hawker Siddeley Harrier.

3: Yakovlev Yak-38

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Unfortunately, the Yaks payload was derisory and its range pathetic, and its air-to-air capability virtually non-existent. One reason was the Forgers VTOL concept  while the Harrier had a single engine and could use all its thrust for horizontal or vertical flight, the Yak-38 had to lug two lift engines, dead weight at all other times than in vertical flight.

In hot and high conditions (such as the combat evaluation it endured in Afghanistan), the Yak-38 could carry less than 500lb (227kg) of munitions. As a proof-of-concept vehicle, the Yak-38 only managed to prove that VTOL combat aircraft were impractical. If only the Harrier had not disproved the point over the Falkland Islands, Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

2: Sukhoi Su-2 (1937)

The rather unassuming Su-2 is historically significant in being the first creation of Pavel Sukhoi (1895-1975). The Su-2, both by design and unfortunate circumstances, did not anticipate any of this greatness. Designed at a time when metal was a strategically limited resource, the Su-2 was one of the last frontline aircraft that are not all metal construction (prior to today's composite age).

Other examples of mixed construction being the famously excellent British de Havilland Mosquito and the spectacularly atrocious LaGG-3 series mentioned above. Armed with a meagre four fixed 7.62 light machine guns and a notoriously unwieldy turret armed with a single Shkas. The unfortunate Su-2 was thrown into the meat grinder of the German invasion in 1941 where, to the surprise of no-one, it racked up tremendous losses.

2: Sukhoi Su-2

While faster than its much more famous replacement, the Ilyushin Il-2, it had much lower survivability, armament, and payload. The toughness of the Ilyushin competitor  as well as its enormous production figures  explain why the name Il-2 still resonates to this day while the Su-2 is now almost forgotten.

The first of the Sukhois was a little more than a footnote in aviation history though and, much like other designs of the era, it went from design to obsolescence in the space of three years. Despite Sukhois inauspicious start, today it is the dominant military aircraft company in Russia.

1: Kalinin K-7

The USSR of the 1930s was in love with big things. Their big locomotives hauled big trains over massive distances, their enormous factories churned out terrific amounts of Fordson tractors  copied from the Americans - and in the air the Kalinin K-7 was to display the triumph of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat to a disbelieving world.

Their other big aeroplane, the Tupolev ANT-20, was impractically large but wasn't a bad aircraft considering. The Kalinin K-7 on the other hand was ridiculous. Konstantin Kalinin had already produced the USSRs most successful airliner to date and he had some interest in flying wing development.

1: Kalinin K-7

Planned to serve in a variety of roles including airliner, as a bomber it would have had the ferocious defensive firepower of eight 20mm autocannon, and the same number again of 7.62 mm machine-guns; its planned bombload is quoted has somewhere between 9600-16,600kg. To get the gunners to the tail machine guns, an electric cart was used that moved along cables inside the tail boom.

The mighty K-7 could fly but its first brief flight revealed terrible instability and appalling vibration, so two massive slabs of steel were welded to the tailbooms to keep them rigid. Unfortunately, its structure was resonating with the engine frequency and the strengthening had no effect: on its eighth flight the K-7 shook its right tailboom off at 350 feet, killing 14 on board and one on the ground.

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Man and woman sitting on low-profile couch in a 70s inspired living room. - Etsy

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Over the last decade, interiors have been taking a page straight out of the 1970s design playbook by utilizing one of the era's most popular home trends: low-profile furniture. Armless sofas, legless couches, and platform beds all share that grounded, close-to-the-ground look. But trends are meant to come and go, and as other early-2020s staples such as white kitchens, subways tiles, and white oak are quietly on their way out, will low-slung furniture follow? The answer is both yes and no.

Low-to-the-ground pieces will continue to be mainstream, but certain iterations, such as floor couches, are on their way out. Think of the TikTok-famous designs such as the Togo couch or the revival of the Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa, both of which hit peak popularity during the pandemic. While floor lounging is quietly exiting the scene, squat furniture continues to take over big box stores and designer vision boards, and that's because the design still resonates with how we want our homes to feel and not just look.

"Low-slung furniture has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its ability to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere," Alex Bridgman, CEO of furniture brand Bridgman, tells Ideal Home when discussing 2026 living room trends. "By being closer to the ground, these sofas exude a sense of comfort and informality that complements modern lifestyles. They are perfect for open-plan spaces, offering a seamless look while fostering connection and conversation." Because of this, adding a squat coffee table or a low-back sectional is a simple change that will make your home more inviting. Here is how to further incorporate it into your home.

Read more: 12 Once-Popular Kitchen Trends That Won't Be Coming Back Anytime Soon

How to give your living room a trending '70s low-profile makeover

Living room with low profile furniture - Fio Creative/Shutterstock

One of the must-haves for updating your living room in a '70s design is low-profile furniture such as squat, wall-to-wall cabinets, shin-grazing benches, low-profile lounge couches, or knee-high consoles. The trick, however, is to mix these pieces with taller ones, creating variety and pattern. When you have this push-and-pull of height contrasts in a room, "the heights of multiple long low pieces align, and it creates this beautiful calm dialogue of shared planes," interior designer Hans Lorei tells LivingEtc. "As a result, the room feels spacious, and it becomes very inviting."

However, if you choose a low-profile couch, you have to give extra thought to your coffee table. Knowing how to pick the perfect coffee table is key, and in this case, lower is better. "Coffee tables that are too high can throw off the entire proportion of a room. The coffee table should always relate to the sofa height," interior designer Monique Gibson told Architectural Digest. Specifically, the table should either be level with the seat or one to four inches lower. This will ensure your furniture is proportional to each other, creating flow and harmony.

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Read the original article on House Digest.
President Donald Trump said in a Jan. 25 Truth Social post that a preservationist groups lawsuit against the construction of the $400 million ballroom had exposed a "Top Secret fact" about the involvement of the U.S. military and Secret Service on several aspects of the project, including design.

In December, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit against Trump and several federal agencies aimed at halting the construction, saying it had not gone through a review process, had not completed an adequate environmental assessment or sought congressional authorization.

Trump disputed the groups allegations, saying that "a President has never needed permission to change or enhance, because of the special grounds on which it sits, no matter how big (and important!), that enhancement may be."

White House East Wing demolished to clear the way for Trump's ballroom: Photos Construction crews continue to remove the East Wing of the White House and prepare for the new ballroom construction as seen from the newly reopened Washington Monument on Nov. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

"Additionally, in this instance, it is being done with the design, consent, and approval of the highest levels of the United States Military and Secret Service. The mere bringing of this ridiculous lawsuit has already, unfortunately, exposed this heretofore Top Secret fact," he wrote.

President Donald Trump waves from the roof as he gets a different view of the site of the proposed ballroom, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 5, 2025. REUTERS/Jessica Koscielniak

The East Wing, beneath which an underground bomb shelter has been located since the 1940s amid concerns during World War II that the White House could become a target for an aerial attack, was demolished in October to make way for the ballroom.

The underground bomb shelter was installed for President Franklin D. Roosevelt beneath the East Wing, according to the White House Historical Society.

President Donald Trump holds an image of a rendering of the new White House ballroom to be built as he meets with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte (not pictured) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

"This secret space featured thick concrete walls and steel-sheathed ceilings with a small presidential bedroom and bath inside. Nearby rooms provided ventilation masks, food storage, and communications equipment," the WHHS noted in a Facebook post. "The space is far more modern today. Known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC), it can become a command center for the president as needed."

A hearing on the lawsuit was held by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington, DC, on Jan. 22.

During the hearing, Leon raised doubts whether Trump had statutory power to tear down the East Wing with plans to build a ballroom in its place without approval or oversight from the U.S. Congress, according to Reuters.

Leon snapped, "Come on, be serious" after a lawyer for the administration drew parallels to the erection of a pool during the Gerald Ford administration in the 1970s and other smaller renovations, Reuters reported.

In court filings by the Trump administration in response to the lawsuit, Matthew Quinn, the deputy director of United States Secret Service, said that unless the remaining work is completed, the Secret Services ability to protect the president, first family and the White House complex would be "hampered."

Trump also said the project was well underway to halt now, listing a number of materials that are in the process of being procured.

"All of the Structural Steel, Windows, Doors, A.C./Heating Equipment, Marble, Stone, Precast Concrete, Bulletproof Windows and Glass, Anti-Drone Roofing, and much more, has been ordered (or is ready to be), and there is no practical or reasonable way to go back," he wrote. "IT IS TOO LATE! Why didnt these obstructionists and troublemakers bring their baseless lawsuit much earlier?"

The Trump administration has maintained that the National Capital Planning Commission, which provides building and zoning advice to Washington, DC, and approves various federal construction plans, does not have jurisdiction over demolition, only construction. NCPC is currently reviewing the construction of the project.

Shalom Baranes, whose architecture firm is leading the ballroom project, shows a presentation during a National Capital Planning Commission hearing on White House East Wing renovations in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 8, 2026.

The demolition of the East Wing, which drew wide criticism, was not protected under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which requires reviews of projects that affect most historic buildings, but explicitly exempts the White House, Supreme Court building and U.S. Capitol.

The 90,000-square-foot ballroom project has a price tag of $400 million and is expected to accommodate about 1,000 people. That's an increase from earlier plans in July for a ballroom that cost $200 million and would seat 650 people.

Financing on the project also has changed. Trump posted on Truth Social in June saying that he had "inspected the site of the new Ballroom that will be built, compliments of a man known as Donald J. Trump, at the White House."

The demolition of the East Wing of the White House, the location of President Donald Trump's proposed ballroom is seen from an elevated position on the North side of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 23, 2025.

But in July, the White House announcement noted that a few others had joined the cause.

"President Trump, and other patriot donors, have generously committed to donating the funds necessary" for the new addition, it said.

The donors included American corporations with business before the U.S. government including Palantir, Lockheed Martin and Meta.

"This is a GIFT (ZERO taxpayer funding!) to the United States of America, of 300 to 400 Million Dollars (depending on the scope and quality of interior finishes!), for a desperately needed space, sought for over 150 years by previous Presidents and Administrations," Trump wrote on Jan. 25.

On March 5, NCPC members are expected to vote on the project. An online portal allowing the public to register to speak will open on Feb. 12, according to recently filed court documents. USA TODAY was the first to report on the filing.

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says 'Top Secret fact' 'exposed' with White House ballroom lawsuit
Collage of a man labeled

A wealthy tech industry engineer has been arrested in connection with the murder of his estranged wife, whose body was found at the bottom of steep embankment off a mountain road in Southern California late last year.

Gordon Abas Goodarzi, 66, was arrested Friday at his home in the wealthy Rolling Hills Estates enclave after an investigation into the death of Aryan Papoli, 58, of Newport Beach. Her body was discovered 75 feet down an embankment in Crestline on November 18 but not identified for two weeks.

The coroner determined Papoli was murdered, according to deputies in San Bernardino County, noting that she died from the plunge.

Gordon Abas Goodarzi, 66, was arrested Friday at his Rolling Hills residence after an investigation into the death of Aryan Papoli, 58. The couple are pictured in 2016. Facebook/Aryan Papoli

Goodarzi was taken to the Central Detention Center, where he is currently being held without bail.

Papoli grew up in Iran and moved to the US with her family at 18. She met Goodarzi 30 years ago in California, and together they founded US Hybrid, a clean energy company that specializes in zero-emission powertrain components for commercial and military vehicles.

US Hybrid was bought by Torrance-based Ideanomics for $50 million in 2021 in cash-and-stock deal.

Goodarzi is also a research affiliate at UCLA, according to the universitys website, which touted his decades of experience with electric vehicles.

The couple have two sons, Navid and Milad, and bought their five-bedroom home in Rolling Hills Estate in 2017, which they still owned at the time of her death.

Papolis son, Navid Goodarzi, told the Los Angeles Times his mother came to the U.S. from Iran as a young woman, building a new life for herself and working to improve the lives of others.

She moved to Newport Beach six months before her death, seeking a serene place to thrive creatively after retiring from corporate life, he said.

San Bernardino County deputies stated that the coroner determined Papolis manner of death to be a homicide after her body was found 75 feet down an embankment in November. aryanpapoli.net

Papoli was reported missing but her body wasnt identified for two weeks. San Bernardino Sheriffs Department

Papoli wrote an article for Strollmag about her heritage and family dynamics.

Being Iranian American, we cherish the blending of two cultures, and we find great joy in celebrating both our Persian roots and the traditions that come with being part of an American family, she said.

Another tradition thats incredibly important to us is our Sunday family meals.

No matter what the week brings, we always come together on Sundays to cook and share a meal.

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Courtesy of Dateline NBC ; Mario Tama/Getty LaNell Barsock ; An aerial view of Palmdale, California.

NEED TO KNOW

LaRene Austin reported LaNell Barsock's murder and claimed that her boyfriend, Louis Bonheur, was to blame

After police arrested Bonheur, they discovered that Austin lied about her relationship with Barsock

Austin fled to Belize but was arrested for Barsock's death in 2012



LaRene Austin appeared to be a distraught friend when she rushed to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in blood-soaked clothes and told officers that she had found her "best friend," LaNell Barsock, dead.

Austin  whose case was featured on the Jan. 23 episode of Dateline  quickly told authorities that Barsock's boyfriend, Louis Bonheur, was to blame. She alleged that Barsock and Bonheur had gotten into a fight over Barsock's infidelity. Austin claimed that after he killed Barsock, Bonheur saw her and chased her in his car, per Oxygen.

Police arrested Bonheur in connection with Barsock's murder; however, after investigating his alibi, they realized that he had been nowhere near the crime scene. The case took a shocking twist when police continued digging into Barsock's life and learned that she had a brief romantic relationship with Austin  whom she had actually known for just a few weeks. They soon realized Austin was the actual killer, finding her DNA at the crime scene and messages that showed Barsock ending their tryst.



Before detectives could arrest her, Austin fled the country; she was later found in Belize after she was featured on America's Most Wanted, according to the District Attorney of Los Angeles County.

Here's everything to know about where LaRene Austin is now after killing LaNell Barsock and framing Louis Bonheur.



Who is LaRene Austin?

David McNew/Getty A blanket of snow on February 26, 2023 in Palmdale, California.

Austin was living in Palmdale, Calif., in 2010, allegedly in debt and struggling to hold down a job. Around that time, she took out a personals ad on Craigslist through which she met Barsock.

They met through Craigslist. LaRene had put an ad in the personals section, women seeking women, and LaNell answered that ad and they developed a friendship which turned into a romantic relationship, Detective Joe Espino told Dateline.

Espino further claimed on Crime Watch Daily that Austin "was involved with six other women through Craigslist." However, she was reportedly most interested in Barsock and wanted a future with her.

"La'Rene befriended her, they developed a romantic relationship. [She] was hoping to move in with her and be happy forever after," said Espino.

Los Angeles Detective Robert Kenney added, "When she hooked up with Lanell, she thought 'My ticket is here. I'm going to get what I want and what I deserve.' "



Who was LaNell Barsock and what happened to her?

Courtesy of Dateline NBC LaNell Barsock.

Barsock was a 29-year-old nurse who worked at a health center in Los Angeles, per Dateline.

"She was very successful, attractive. A licensed vocational nurse," Espino said on Crime Watch Daily. "She lived in a beautiful home, 3,700 square feet." Barsock's close friend Marcel Fomotar said on Dateline that she helped him adjust to living in the U.S. after he immigrated from Cameroon. He called Barsock his "guardian angel here in America."

In her personal life, Barsock was in a relationship with Louis Bonheuer, who immigrated from Haiti. They met at school and started dating, but their relationship was reportedly fractured over financial issues, infidelity and heated tempers.

There was a dark side that people didnt know about Louis and that was that he was a very jealous and controlling individual, Espino claimed, while adding that there were also reports of past domestic disturbances and stalkings.

Detectives also discovered that Bonheur knew Barsock had been unfaithful with a man named Ike Umuna. On the evening of June 16, 2010, Austin rushed into the LAPD Palmdale station while covered in blood and claimed that she found Barsock's bloodied body in her garage. Upon arriving to Barsock's home, detectives found the nurse shot once in the head with a black plastic bag over her head.

They later determined that Barsock had been shot in her living room by someone who used a pillow to quiet the blow. The killer then dragged Barsock's body to the garage and placed a bloody rug in her car.

"The victim was having her hair weaved and the suspect was standing behind her," Kenney claimed on Crime Watch Daily. "The suspect reached over grabbed a pillow ... put the gun up to the pillow and shot her once in the back of the head."



How did Austin set up Bonheur?

When Austin rushed to the sheriff's office, she immediately told officers that Bonheur was the killer. She claimed that she saw Bonheur at the scene of the crime and alleged that he had chased her in his car all the way to the sheriff's office.

In addition to Austin's story, police further began to suspect Bonheur after they found a handwritten note that appeared to show Barsock leaving Bonheur for Umuna.

Dear Louis, I am leaving you for Ike he makes more money so you can do whatever you want to do with the house I am moving out of state with Ike, the note read in part. I have been sleeping with him for four months now..good luck in life.

Within hours of finding Barsock's body, police tracked down Bonheur at Barsock's mom's home, where he claimed he had been for most of the evening. After learning of his girlfriend's death, he vehemently denied having anything to do with it.

Thats not me. Thats not me. Thats not me, he emotionally told police. Why they do that to her? Oh, my God.

While he admitted to getting into a heated argument with Barsock earlier in the day over her infidelity, he maintained that he had been shopping at auto supply stores before arriving at Barsock's mom's home.

Despite his pleas, Bonheur was arrested in connection to Barsock's death and was placed in jail for over a month. As time went on, though, police discovered that there was more to the story. "The lights start to go on that were heading in the wrong direction, Kenney said on Dateline.



How was Austin eventually caught?

APU GOMES/AFP via Getty The Palmdale Sheriffs Station on June 13, 2020.

The case against Bonheur quickly started to fall apart when police obtained surveillance footage from auto parts stores that fully corroborated his alibi. At the same time, they were struggling to confirm Austin's claims that she'd been in a park for several hours at the time of the murder.

Upon looking into Austin's story, they also realized that she had lied about being childhood friends with Barsock and learned that they had actually met through Craigslist just a few weeks prior. Investigators obtained messages that showed the two had developed a brief romantic relationship, but Barsock had ended it shortly before her death.

It was very apparent that LaRene had far stronger feelings for LaNell than I think LaNell even knew, prosecutor Jason Quirino told Dateline.

In addition to the revelation that Barsock had put an end to their romantic relationship, there was also physical evidence linking Austin to the murder. Police found her DNA and one fingerprint at the crime scene and later learned that Austin owned the same type of gun that was used to kill Barsock.

Police theorized that Austin had planned her future with Barsock and hoped to take over her life after her death.

She absolutely saw LaNell Barsock as someone who could take her out of that and give her a better life and was infatuated with that and really, really wanted that and when it was taken away from her very quickly, in an instant, she ultimately lashed out and decided to kill LaNell as punishment for it," Quirino claimed.

However, by the time police put all the pieces together, Austin had fled L.A. It wasn't until an episode of America's Most Wanted featuring the case aired that Austin was finally apprehended.

She was discovered in Belize and was taken into custody without incident on Jan. 25, 2012, according to the FBI. She was extradited to the U.S. later that day and was arrested for the murder of Barsock.

Austin went to trial in 2015 and was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder and using a gun to kill Barsock. Later that month, she was sentenced to two consecutive 25-year-to-life prison terms, per the Los Angeles Times.



Where is Austin now?

Austin is serving her sentences at the California Institution for Women in Chino, Calif., per California inmate records.

She is eligible for parole in February 2032 and has a pending parole board consultation tentatively scheduled for February 2027.



Read the original article on People
Sir Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to block King Charles from touring the United States as allies recoil from Donald Trump's escalating threats to punish Europe.MEGA

Sir Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to block King Charles from touring the United States as allies recoil from Donald Trump's escalating threats to punish Europe unless it bends to Washington's will over Greenland.

RadarOnline.com can reveal the British prime minister, 62, is facing calls from across Parliament to cancel the King's mooted state visit to Washington this spring after Trump, 79, warned countries opposing a U.S. takeover of the oil-rich Danish territory would face sweeping trade penalties.

Tariff Threats Spark Fury Across Parliament

Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure to block King Charles from visiting the United States.MEGA

In a message posted online, Trump boomed that tariffs would begin at 10 percent on February 1 and could rise to 25 percent by June, singling out the U.K., France, Germany and Denmark.

The intervention has alarmed NATO partners and sharpened fears about the future of the alliance, eight decades after its founding.

Simon Hoare, a senior Conservative Member of Parliament, is among those urging a hard response.

He said: "The civilized world can deal with Trump no longer. He is a gangster pirate."

The minister also urged fellow MPs to rethink the optics of rolling out royal pageantry while allies are threatened.

Government Walks Tightrope On King's Visit

Starmer criticized tariffs against NATO allies.MEGA

Speaking for the government, the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, underlined Britain's position on Greenland's sovereignty.

"We believe it is wrong, we believe it is deeply unhelpful," she said in an interview on the BBC, while declining to be drawn on whether the King's visit should proceed, instead pointing to the "depth" of the transatlantic relationship.

Economists have warned fresh U.S. tariffs could push the U.K. back onto recession watch, while senior European parliamentarians have threatened to freeze E.U. / U.S. trade talks in retaliation.

The prospect of a renewed global trade war has returned to the fore as markets weigh Trump's rhetoric against his record of following through.

Starmer Issues Rare Public Rebuke

European leaders condemned Trumps threats.MEGA

Starmer, who has invested political capital in maintaining workable ties with the White House, issued one of his most forceful rebukes yet.

The prime minister said: "Our position on Greenland is very clear, it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes."

He added: "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the U.S. administration."

Europe Pushes Back As Nato Fears Grow

Palace aides fear diplomatic fallout from a U.S. tour.MEGA

France's president, Emmanuel Macron, echoed the anger, promising coordination with European partners.

"No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations," he said, adding tariff threats were "unacceptable".

Right-wing Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage struck a softer note. "We do not always agree with the US government, and in this case we certainly do not. These tariffs will hurt us," he said online.

His deputy Richard Tice said Trump's concern about China in the Arctic was understandable but misjudged.

"On this the president has got it wrong," he said.

Britain's former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt dismissed the idea of a U.S. invasion of Greenland but warned of a tense standoff.

"To invade the sovereign territory of a NATO ally would mean the end of NATO," he said, calling the moment "squeaky bum time."

Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton described the tariff threat as uniquely reckless.

"Its ramifications for the special relationship and NATO alliance is incalculable," he said, as protests in Denmark and Nuuk swelled under chants of: "Greenland is not for sale."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) listens during a mark up meeting with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce committee on Capitol Hill on May 13, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., indicated the stakes are high for the U.S. after the latest deadly shooting by immigration officers on Saturday.

A Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who worked as an intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital.

What we are seeing here is a momentous pivotal moment for the United States, and I cannot underscore enough how precipitous this moment is, Ocasio-Cortez told CNN.

Department of Homeland Security officials have called Pretti a domestic terrorist who intended to shoot immigration agents. While he was carrying a gun, videos of the incident show he wasnt brandishing it at officers, and law enforcement confirmed he had a permit.

It marked the third shooting by a federal agent in Minnesota alone this month and the second deadly one. Similar shootings have taken place in other cities during Trumps immigration crackdown.

Ocasio-Cortez also warned about the administrations earlier indications about invoking the Insurrection Act, with the White House press secretary singling out Democratic officials.

If we do not do something now, I do not know what can happen afterwards, Ocasio-Cortez added. We have to contain this chaos. This administration is declaring an openness and a justification for violence against American citizens based on their organizing, based on their political affiliation and they are using the guise of DHS to do it. We have to draw a line in the sand now across sectors, politically, economically, in our media, and more.

She was among the Democrats in the House who urged their counterparts in the Senate to block an appropriations bill that includes DHS agencies like ICE and Border Patrol.

If enough Democratic senators vote against the funding, then the federal government will shut down on Friday. Thats after lawmakers agreed to end the previous shutdown in November with short-term funding.

On Saturday, Trump blamed the shooting on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey because they demanded that immigration agents leave the city.

The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric! he wrote on social media.

That suggests Trump may invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy the military to Minnesota. Last week, two infantry battalions of the Armys 11th Airborne Division, which is based in Alaska and specializes in arctic operations, were given prepare-to-deploy orders.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Virta Health CEO Sami Inkinen only felt like he made it once in 2008, when he was able to pay off $100,000 in debt. He didnt own a car until he was 37, and is happy with very little. (Courtesy of Virta Health)

When envisioning the CEO of a billion-dollar company, its easy to fall victim to the cliches: a well-manicured businessman adorned in designer clothes, jet-setting from one international meeting to the next, a team of assistants in tow. But not every entrepreneur enjoys the spoils of their success with a glitzy lifestylesome are simply thankful to pay off their student loans.

Serial entrepreneur Sami Inkinen has founded and scaled three different companiesincluding two unicornsthroughout his 20-year career. While the Virta Health CEO has built wealth thanks to his business success, he isnt concerned with his net worth. In fact, Inkinen only viewed himself as wealthy when he was able to repay the $100,000 of student debt that was burning a hole in his bank account.

Theres one moment in my life that I felt rich. And then after that, Ive never thought of money, Inkinen tells Fortune. In 2008, three years after Inkinen cofounded real estate search company Trulia, he sold off a batch of secondary shares worth $500,000 pre-tax. I had enough money to pay all my student debts. I was able to buy whatever I wanted, and it was a very expensive bicycle purchase, [and] furnishing my tiny apartment in San Francisco.

The immigrant entrepreneur first made his foray into entrepreneurship with mobile software company Matchem back in 2000 when he was still living in Finland. After two and a half years serving as the cofounder and VP of business development, Inkinen sold the organization for a few million dollars, and uprooted his life in Europe to head to the U.S.

The Gen X entrepreneur attended Stanfords MBA program, graduating in 2005 with an advanced business degree and $100,000 of student debt. Consulting giant McKinsey floated him a six-figure job offer, flush with a $10,000 signing bonus. It was a chance for Inkinen to quickly pay off his loans, but he skirted the opportunity and returned to entrepreneurship.

For the next decade, the entrepreneur helped scale Trulia into an industry staple, before Zillow acquired the company for a whopping $3.5 billion in 2015. Now, Inkinen is 11 years into his third stint as a founder, serving as the CEO of $2 billion healthcare business Virta Health. His student loans are squared away, bills are covered, and housing is fully furnished.

Inkinen will always remember the excitement of financial security he felt back in 2008, but stipulates the thrill was fleeting. Its not in his nature to be money-driven, the executive says.

This feeling of money bringing happiness disappeared in less than two or three days. I was like, Okay, well, its nice that I have no debt, Inkinen explains. Money isnt going to make my life or break it, and its not going to bring happiness.

The CEO is happy with very little and doesnt think of money

Many may scoff at the idea that money cant buy happiness, but for Inkinen, a good quality of life is what hes really looking for.

Growing up in Finland, he had a litany of social services at his fingertips. The countrys healthcare system is largely free, funded by public tax dollars; and all levels of education, from primary school up through college, comes at no cost to its pupils. It may be part of the reason why Finland consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world and took the top spot last year. Inkinen says that culture instilled an inclination towards non-material happiness.

Personally, Ive never been money-driven [because] in Finland [we have] free education, free healthcare. Ive always felt Ive had everything I need. I was happy with very little, the Virta Health CEO says. Ive always felt like Ive had enough. I was 37 years old when I bought my first car. I wasnt like, Oh, I can buy the coolest car and drive around in circles.

And his mindset didnt budge when hundreds of thousands of dollars flowed into his bank account. Its no matter if he scores big by selling his shares, or triumphs and opens the New York Stock Exchange. Inkinen always has his eye on the prize: growing as a major contender in Silicon Valley.

It wasnt like, Oh, its sold, now everything changes. The money and one-time ringing the bell at the IPO wasnt really anything for me, Inkinen continues. I luckily got to experience that I can pay my student debt with a single check. And then after that, I really havent thought of money.

The business leaders who believe money doesnt buy happiness

Theres a lot of comfort that comes with wealth; the ultra-rich dont have to worry about making rent, saving up for retirement, or repaying tuition debt. But happiness maxes out past a certain pointwhich experts have estimated to be around $500,000 in annual income. And founders who have escaped dire financial situations and came out the other side victorious are adding their two cents.

Shark Tank investing icon Barbara Corcoran admitted that the old adage that money doesnt buy happiness is actually true. The entrepreneur, who sold her real estate company Corcoran Group for $66 million, said shes perfectly suited to speak on the issue: I know because Ive been poor. And Ive been rich. And Ive been in between. So I can speak to both.

You start looking toward the next thing that moneys gonna buy, Corcoran told CNBC in 2023. Im no happier today than I was when I was dirt poor. You think something would have changed? No, Im still insecure about the same things. Im still nervous about the same things.

Similarly, investing legend Warren Buffett may be worth $146 billion, but his spending habits arent nearly as outrageous as the figure in his bank account. The Oracle of Omaha famously still lives in the same modest Nebraska home he purchased for $31,500 back in 1958; Buffett also drove a 20-year-old car around town in lieu of a sportier option. The former Berkshire Hathaway CEO clipped coupons and took his billionaire peers out to McDonalds while sitting atop a multi-generational fortune.

I do not think that standard of living equates with cost of living beyond a certain point, Buffett said at a Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting in 2014. My life would not be happieritd be worse if I had six or eight houses or a whole bunch of different things I could have. It just doesnt correlate.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
People gather during a vigil for 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer on Saturday in Minneapolis. A similar event is being held in Idaho Falls on Sunday. | Adam Gray, AP via CNN

IDAHO FALLS  Locals are holding a candlelight vigil in front of the Bonneville County Courthouse Sunday in response to the killing of a Minnesota man during a federal immigration crackdown.

CNN reports the man killed in Minneapolis on Saturday was 37-year-old Alex Pretti. City officials described him as a lawful gun owner and U.S. citizen. The shooting occurred on a frigid morning as federal agents, seen in video footage, wrestled a man to the ground before a burst of gunfire.

RELATED | What we know about the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis

Angry protesters were drawn to the shooting scene in a city already reeling from two other shootings by federal law enforcement this month. Saturdays shooting unfolded just over a mile away from where Renee Good was shot on Jan. 7. A week after Good was killed, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and wounded a Venezuelan man in the leg.

Protestors lined the Broadway Bridge in Idaho Falls two weeks ago to protest Goods shooting and the Trump Administrations deployment of ICE agents around the country.

RELATED | Idaho Falls protestors respond to fatal Minneapolis shooting of U.S. citizen

A local group is holding a candlelight vigil to remember those who were killed. Its happening Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of the Bonneville County Courthouse.

Miranda Marquit, who grew up in Idaho Falls, is helping to organize the event, along with Miranda Armenta and Chance Marshall.

Marquit provided some perspective on the shootings in a conversation with EastIdahoNews.com.

If the government can decide on a whim that you carrying a legal firearm, holstered, is grounds for summary execution, then we dont actually have the rights that we claim to have, Marquit says.

She says this will be a peaceful event and is open to all people of goodwill and peace.

Its a time to remember those who have been killed and stand in solidarity with those who would like to see us preserve the last vestiges of American-style democracy, and who are supportive of retaining the republic, Marquit says.

Flyer obtained from Facebook

The post Locals organizing candlelight vigil for those killed in Minneapolis shootings appeared first on East Idaho News.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a speech at the World Economic Forum, said that the "middle powers must act together, because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu." (Markus Schreiber / Associated Press)

The notion that Denmark alone, or Europe together, could defend Greenland against an American force had become the source of relentless mockery within the White House. The Danish were dismissed as irrelevant, while Europe was portrayed as a shadow of its former self. If President Trump chose to take control of this Arctic island, the administration said, it would be his for the taking.

And yet, Europe did defend Greenland last week. Plans for a forceful economic response from the European Union spooked U.S. markets. Trump backed down from his years-long pursuit to take over the territory  and little Denmark succeeded, securing relief from an American pressure campaign that had challenged its basic sovereignty.

"We'll get by with a little help from our friends," Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, wrote in a guest book at Chequers on Thursday, referencing the Beatles lyric while visiting her British counterpart.

The specter of conflict has not disappeared. In Nuuk on Friday, after visiting with local leaders at a government office on the main boulevard of Greenland's capital, Frederiksen embraced locals fearful of an imperialist United States. She declined to answer questions on whether tensions had been defused with Washington.

Read more:U.K.'s Starmer slams Trump remarks on non-U.S. NATO troops in Afghanistan as 'insulting' and 'appalling'

The Greenland crisis has proved to be an inflection point for U.S. allies, whose leaders, gathered last week in Davos, Switzerland, shed the pretense that all is well with Washington as they confront a new order. "The middle powers must act together," said Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister, in a speech widely shared in foreign capitals, "because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu."

Within Europe, disagreements still persist on how to handle Trump on an interpersonal basis. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have bristled at French President Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic dualities, standing up to Trump in public while courting him in private with obsequious texts.

But they all agreed that a firm stance against a U.S. ploy to seize Greenland was required to prevent disastrous escalation  even at risk of jeopardizing the NATO alliance itself.

Markets rallied after Trump reversed course, rebounding to previous highs. U.S. relations with its partners will take longer to recover, experts said.

"Trump's retreat, and the skillful European handling of him, avoided an immediate crisis, but not the longer-term damage," said Elliott Abrams, a veteran diplomat who served under Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush, as well as under Trump in his first term. "An unpredictable and unfriendly United States threatening to use force against a fellow NATO ally was unthinkable. Now it is thinkable  because it just happened."

"Leaders of allies will be pondering this for the next three years and figuring out what works with Trump, whom he listens to, and how much of the problem is Trump," Abrams added, "as opposed to deeper currents in American politics that will outlast him."

Over the course of just a week, allied leaders who for the last year hadn't dared criticize Trump began returning fire. "There's no point in being soft anymore," Belgium's prime minister told the local press.

After Trump falsely said Thursday that North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners had "stayed a little back, off the front lines" in Afghanistan, despite losing more than 1,000 troops in the war there, Keir Starmer, the British prime minister, called his remarks "insulting and, frankly, appalling."

Peter Kastor, chair of the history department at Washington University in St. Louis and an expert on the history of U.S. land acquisitions, said that Trump's efforts to ram through a U.S. acquisition of Greenland were dramatic in the United States  but "traumatic in Europe."

Read more:Trump hedges in the Arctic

"The issue in this case is the consequences of this roller-coaster ride are so profound," Kastor said. "Even if Trump does in fact establish a U.S. military presence, with little difference from what the United States is already entitled to do through prior treaty agreements, the damage to U.S.-European relations are real and potentially long-lasting."

Carney's speech in Davos struck with particular poignance among foreign leaders  including Trump, who went off-script in his own remarks to castigate the Canadian leader.

"When we only negotiate bilaterally with a hegemon, we negotiate from weakness. We accept what's offered. We compete with each other to be the most accommodating," Carney said. "This is not sovereignty. It's the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination.

"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 added.

On Friday, Trump disinvited Carney from joining his "Board of Peace," an organization that Trump founded primarily to assist in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. No European nation, other than Hungary, had agreed to join.

Permanent membership on the board required a $1-billion check. Canada declined, Carney explained in Davos, because he questioned where the money would go.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Edward Norton, Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen attend the premiere of "The Invite" at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 24 in Park City, Utah. (Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images)

As filmmakers celebrated independent moviemaking at the Sundance Film Festival, events unfolding nationally cast a pall on the indie showcase's final installment in Park City.

More than a thousand miles away from the mountain town, ongoing ICE crackdowns in Minneapolis resulted in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti Saturday morning by federal agents.

It's remarkable and disturbing all at the same time," said director Alex Gibney, at Sundance with Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie, to The Times Saturday afternoon. "I mean, what's great about it is that you have evidence. You have evidence of the truth in terms of this kind of state-sponsored terrorism being meted out on Americans."

On Jan. 7, Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed in Minneapolis by an ICE officer. Footage of both Prettis and Goods deaths spread widely across social media and news reports, igniting protests.

These are not normal times," actor Edward Norton told The Times in an interview Sunday morning. "Its like we have extrajudicial assaults on Americans and humans going on on a daily basis now. And it's not OK. Even though all people kind of have to put one foot in front of the other and deal with the demands of the day, we cannot act like this is not happening.

Read more:Sundance 2026: Reactions to ICE violence from stars, filmmakers; protests at the festival

Norton is one of the stars of The Invite, which premiered at Sundance on Saturday night.

I think what they're doing in Minnesota with the strike needs to expand," he continued. "I think we should be talking about a national general economic strike until this is over.

Around noon Sunday, a small group of anti-ICE protesters briefly walked up Main Street with signs, urging people who were in line to buy Sundance merchandise to get out and join them.

Some filmmakers hoped that the festival would provide escape from a distracting reality.

I think that there's a great tradition of storytelling that's helped humans get through difficult times for many, many centuries, said director and star Olivia Wilde, here with both a new directorial effort, "The Invite," and Gregg Araki's "I Want Your Sex." I hope that allowing people to laugh last night felt good. But, you know, we're very aware that Americans right now are out on the streets marching  and courageously so. Its devastating.

Margaret Cho, one of the stars of Run Amok, a coming-of-age dramedy that involves gun violence, described the pain that the public is witnessing as unfathomable.

Children are being put into detention and we're watching it," Cho told The Times in an interview on Sunday. "We're watching people being murdered in the street. So I think that what's important is that we can address that with art. And this film is a perfect example of trying to heal through art."

Meanwhile some stars visibly supported protesters. Wilde wore an ICE Out pin to The Invite premiere and a Be Good pin (in reference to Renee Good) on Sunday morning. Natalie Portman, in town for the premiere of a new art-world satire, "The Gallerist," was also seen wearing both pins around Sundance.

In a tiny way, wearing a pin does nothing but at least we're able to show support, Wilde said.

At the premiere of his new film Zi, monomonikered director Kogonada acknowledged the events in Minnesota as he introduced the film, the crowd applaudingenthusiastically.

Im a believer in what [Roger] Ebert says  that cinema is an empathizing machine  and in the darkest time you hope that art doesnt feel indulgent, that it deepens our feeling of and sense of humanity," said Kogonada. "I just feel like, more than ever, it feels important to do that and to counter whats happening around the world and create empathy, which we really desperately need.

Staff writer Samantha Masunaga contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Even though companies always want to avoid costly recalls, they are an unavoidable reality. There are now certain models of Toyota Tundra trucks that have become the subject of a nationwide safety recall that drivers should be aware of.

Toyota Issues Major Recall for More Than 160,000 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid Trucks

A Toyota Tundra SR5 2024 pickup truck photographed in Park Ridge, Illinois, USA on August 16, 2024. (Photo by photosvit on Getty Images) Photo by photosvit on Getty Images (Photo by photosvit on Getty Images)

On January 23, 2026, the Toyota Newsroom website revealed that there was a voluntary safety recall for certain Tundra and Tundra Hybrid 2024 and 2025 models. The company stated that approximately 162,000 vehicles in the United States will be affected. Owners are set to be notified of the recall by late March 2026. The announcement included the following description of the issue that necessitated a fix.

"Under certain circumstances, the multimedia display may become stuck on a camera view or display a black image in the subject vehicles. If this occurs, the rearview image may not be displayed while the vehicle is being reversed. In this case, the vehicle may not meet a federal safety standard, and there can be an increased risk of a crash with a person behind the vehicle."

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Fortunately for owners, the company described a simple fix that will be provided at no charge. "For all involved vehicles, dealers will update the Parking Assist ECU software, free of charge."

Toyota Has Been Named the Most Reliable Car Company in a Highly Respected Report

The Toyota logo is shown on a sign of the Toyota exhibit at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place on January 10, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) Photo by Bill Pugliano on Getty Images (Photo by Bill Pugliano on Getty Images)

In the automotive industry, there is very little that is as important as being reliable. On December 4, 2025, Consumer Reports published the findings of its 2026 Automotive Brand Report Card, which named Toyota as the most reliable brand overall. The consumer advocate company's website described the methodology they used to conclude that Toyota should get the highest rank.

The latest Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability Surveys gathered information from car owners on about 380,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2025 and early 2026. The survey covers up to 20 problem areas, including engine, electric motors, transmission, in-car electronics, and more. CRs team of statisticians, researchers, and testers analyzed trouble areas and created an overall reliability score for each model and year. Serious problem areas that can lead to expensive repairs are more heavily weighted. Reliability predictions for 2026 models are based on each models overall reliability for the past three years, provided that the model hasnt been redesigned during that time. If there is insufficient data on a model in any given model year, CR uses the brand reliability score to supplement that models new car prediction. The survey gathered information from car owners each year about problems they had with their vehicles in the past 12 months.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jan 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Trump and Carney pictured in June at the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Canada. [Getty Images]

US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if the country strikes a trade deal with China.

"If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A.," Trump said on Truth Social.

It is unclear what deal Trump is referring to in his social media post. Last week, Canada's Prime Minister Carney announced a "strategic partnership" with China, and agreed to reduce tariffs.

At the time, Trump called the move "a good thing". But tensions between the US and Canada have grown in recent days, after Carney said in a speech in Davos that the US-led world order had been ruptured.

Carney also urged other "middle powers" to band together in the face of economic coercion by "greater powers", though he did not mention Trump by name.

Trump responded to the remarks in his own speech the next day, saying: "Canada lives because of the United States."

The US president also withdrew an invitation for Canada to join his new Board of Peace.

On Saturday, Trump said in his social media post that if Carney "thinks he is going to make Canada a 'Drop Off Port' for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken".

The BBC has contacted the White House and Carney's office for comment.

Canada's US trade minister Dominic LeBlanc said in a statement: "There is no pursuit of a free trade deal with China."

"What was achieved was resolution on several important tariff issues."

LeBlanc said the government was focused on building a stronger Canadian economy and strengthening trade partnerships "throughout the world".

Canada has been seeking to diversify trade away from the US, its largest trade partner, following the uncertainty caused by Trump's on-again-off-again tariffs.

Under the agreement reached between Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week, China will lower levies on Canadian canola oil from 85% to 15% by March, while Canada will tax Chinese EVs at the most-favoured-nation rate, 6.1%  down from 100%.

The deal was seen as a breakthrough after years of strained ties and tit-for-tat tariffs, and could see more Chinese investments in Canada.

Carney said the progress made with China sets Canada up "well for the new world order".
25 January 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

In 2025, Azerbaijans trade with Russia reached $4.920 billion, marking a 2.5% increase compared to 2024, according to the State Customs Committee, Azernews reports.

Trade with Russia accounted for 10.08% of Azerbaijans total foreign trade, ranking it third among the countrys key trading partners.

Azerbaijans exports to Russia totaled $1.184 billion, a slight rise of 0.5% year-on-year. Non-oil exports made up $1.174 billion of this, growing 1.1%, and representing 34.62% of Azerbaijans total non-oil exports, making Russia the largest buyer of Azerbaijani non-oil products.

Imports from Russia increased 3.2% to $3.736 billion, positioning Russia as the second-largest supplier to Azerbaijan after China.

Overall, Azerbaijan conducted $49.423 billion in foreign trade in 2025, up 3.8% from 2024. Exports fell by 5.7% to $25.043 billion, while imports surged 15.8% to $24.380 billion, resulting in a modest trade surplus of $663 million, 8.3 times smaller than the previous year.

The figures reflect a growing reliance on Russia for both imports and non-oil exports, amid broader shifts in Azerbaijans foreign trade balance.
25 January 2026 18:00 (UTC+04:00)

By AzerNews Staff

In 2025, SME Houses, centers providing a full range of services to entrepreneurs under one roof, delivered a total of 543,033 services. These services were provided to small and medium-sized business owners across Azerbaijan, Azernews reports citing the Small and Medium Business Development Agency.

Most requests were related to essential business documentation and tax matters, highlighting the practical support these centers provide to the entrepreneurial community.

Nearly 327,000 services were provided by the Baku SME House, over 131,000 by the Yevlax SME House, around 18,000 by the Khachmaz SME House, and more than 67,000 by the service center at the Food City Agropark in Khachmaz.

Of the services delivered, approximately 496,000 were provided by government agencies (G2B), while over 47,000 came from business entities (B2B), demonstrating a seamless collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Entrepreneurs most often turned to SME Houses for permits related to cargo transport, certificates of origin, business registration and tax matters, as well as access to customs, utilities, and banking services.

Satisfaction among entrepreneurs remained impressively high, with 98 percent expressing approval of the services received.

SME Houses operate under the structure of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency and provide access to more than 400 essential G2B and B2B services offered by over 50 state and private institutions, covering every aspect of running a small or medium-sized business.

Note that SME Houses (Small and Medium Enterprise Houses) are one-stop service centers created to support entrepreneurs by providing both government (G2B) and business (B2B) services in a single location. They are part of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency and aim to make business registration, licensing, tax, customs, utilities, banking, and other services faster, easier, and more transparent.

Currently, SME Houses operate in cities including Baku, Khachmaz, and Yevlakh, with regional service points in places like Khudat. They offer over 400 services from nearly 50 state and private institutions, helping entrepreneurs handle essential paperwork, permits, and business support efficiently.

The centers also provide training, startup support, and additional facilities for new businesses. Citizen satisfaction with SME House services is extremely high, around 98 percent, highlighting their success in strengthening Azerbaijans entrepreneurial ecosystem.
25 January 2026 17:50 (UTC+04:00)

Within the 2026 Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme between the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry and NATO, a course on "Communication, Information Systems and Cyber Operations" has been conducted in Baku by the Mobile Training Team of NATO Allied Land Command Headquarters in Izmir, Turkiye, Azernews reports citing Azerbaijan Defense Ministry.

The main objective of the course organized at the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev was to enhance the theoretical and practical knowledge of servicemen in the fields of communication, information systems and cyber operations, to teach the application of modern technological solutions, methods, and tools, as well as to familiarize participants with NATO standards and procedures in these areas.

During the course, NATO's Mobile Training Team delivered briefings on communication, information technologies, cybersecurity and other topics, and conducted theoretical and practical training sessions.

At the end of the course, the participants were awarded certificates.
25 January 2026 13:50 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan continues to assert itself as a key player in the global energy sector. Its oil resources have long been central to regional and international markets, Azernews reports citing the State Customs Committee.

In 2025, the country maintained strong export activity despite fluctuations in global oil prices.

Last year, Azerbaijan exported approximately 23.4 million tons of crude oil and oil products. The total value of these exports exceeded 12.1 billion dollars.

This represents a slight decline in monetary terms compared to the same period in 2024.

Revenues fell by 2.3 billion dollars, or sixteen point two percent. However, the volume of exports grew by 215 thousand tons, or zero point nine percent. This growth reflects continued robust production in the country.

Italy remains the top importer of Azerbaijani oil. The country took in 13.1 million tons worth 6.7 billion dollars.

It is followed by the Czech Republic, which imported 1.4 million tons valued at 742.2 million dollars. Croatia imported 1.3 million tons, exceeding 666.6 million dollars in value.

Azerbaijani oil is transported to neighboring countries and global markets through three main pipelines: BakuNovorossiysk, BakuSupsa, and BakuTbilisiCeyhan (BTC). Currently, transport via the BakuSupsa pipeline has been suspended.

Despite the slight drop in revenue, the continued increase in export volumes highlights Azerbaijan's resilience in the global energy market.

Strong demand from key European partners further reinforces the countrys role as a reliable energy supplier.
25 January 2026 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

United States President Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that "the last thing the world needs is to have China take over Canada," and vowed that it will not happen, Azernews reports.

"It's NOT going to happen, or even come close to happening!" Trump wrote in a brief post on Truth Social.

Previously, Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Ottawa if it reached a trade deal with Beijing, claiming that Canada would then convert into "a 'Drop Off Port' for China to send goods and products" to the US.

"If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A.," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday.

Tensions between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have escalated in recent days, after Carney gave a speech in Davos, Switzerland, pushing against the world's great powers.

He recently met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and announced their countries had reached a trade deal that included electric vehicles.

At the time, Trump hailed the potential deal as "a good thing".

It is unclear if that deal has come into effect, or if Trump was referring to it specifically. The BBC has reached out to the White House, Carney's office and Canada's minister responsible for US-Canada trade for comment.

In his Saturday post, Trump referred to the prime minister as "Governor Carney" and wrote that if "thinks he is going to make Canada a 'Drop Off Port' for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken."

Trump did not provide a timeline or more information about the threatened tariff. Last year, when he first threatened new tariffs on the US northern neighbour, Trump began calling Canada the US's "51st state" with Carney as its "governor", and suggested he may try to acquire the country entirely.
25 January 2026 11:10 (UTC+04:00)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said that trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US in Abu Dhabi have concluded, describing the discussions "constructive" and noting that further meetings could take place as "early as next week," Azernews reports citing Anadolu Agency.

Our delegation delivered a report; the meetings in the UAE have concluded. And this was the first format of this kind in quite some time: two days of trilateral meetings, Zelenskyy said on the US social media company X after the talks. A lot was discussed, and it is important that the conversations were constructive.

The central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war, Zelenskyy said, adding that he values the understanding of the need for American monitoring and oversight of the process of ending the war and ensuring genuine security.

He said the US side raised possible formats for formalizing the parameters of a settlement, as well as the security conditions required to achieve it.

As a result of the meetings held over these days, all sides agreed to report back in their capitals on each aspect of the negotiations and to coordinate further steps with their leaders, Zelenskyy said.

He added that military representatives identified a list of issues for a potential next meeting.

Provided there is readiness to move forward  and Ukraine is ready  further meetings will take place, potentially as early as next week, he said, adding that he expects a personal briefing from the delegation upon its return.

Zelenskyy also thanked the United Arab Emirates and its president for mediation efforts and for readiness to host further meetings, stressing that Ukraine is working for peace and security.

The comments came after the second day of trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US concluded in Abu Dhabi, with negotiations lasting more than three hours.

Media reports described the discussions as constructive, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said efforts to resolve the conflict are progressing and highlighted the importance of what he called the Anchorage formula, referring to a previous meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
25 January 2026 18:15 (UTC+04:00)

Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover rose by over 20 percent in 2025 compared to the same period last year, the National Statistics Committee said in a statement, Azernews reports citing Xinhua News Agency.

Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover in 2025 amounted to 81.2 billion U.S. dollars, said the statement. This figure increased by 13.9 billion dollars or 20.7 percent compared to the same period last year, it said.

The statement said Uzbekistan's foreign trade totaled 81.2 billion dollars, namely 33.8 billion dollars in exports and 47.4 billion dollars in imports.

Among the largest trade partners of the country, China ranked first with its share of 21.2 percent, followed by Russia with 16 percent and Kazakhstan with 6.1 percent.
The Leopard

The killers from 1946

"The Train".

The girl was a Romulan Commander in " The enterprise incident".

Mcloud in the Scorpio movie was the Klingon Korr.

Bread and Circuses

A rare appearance by the great Shakespearian Actor Paul Scofield, 'A Man For All Seasons, and the quintessential 'King Lear.' Thank you.

**

@litodito6424

3 years ago (edited)

A classic example of when chaos is made the only solution is death.

Not because of the person who made the chaos, Nor the events, but because of the people's mentality of not being able to live without trust.

But when you can't make common sense of who to trust, you yourself become your own enemy and become used by others, And end up fighting your allies rather than enemies.

Which can be seen clearly with suspicions without proof, yet they are willing to fight for something they don't even know.

Especially whenever one has a chance, one should agree with their enemy quickly before there are too many. Sun Tzu said this as well. Also, it says in the Bible it is better to have stability and security than risks. Especially when the entire time Scipio was used, he was never trusted, and thus the people he was under always considered him an enemy even if they used him as an ally.

No happy ending in this one. It's grim all the way through. Burt in his old age could still run miles around younger men and he still had a touch of his circus performer athleticism. There were a couple of holes in the plot. He's shot in the side during that hell of a chase scene and then there's no follow up about how he was treated.

Scorpio

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25 January 2026 19:20 (UTC+04:00)

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah has announced the signing of an oil agreement with two foreign companies, with the investments exceeding 20 billion U.S. dollars, Azernews reports citing Xinhua.

In a post published on his official Facebook page, Dbeibah said that Libya signed a development agreement for a period of 25 years with TotalEnergies of France and the U.S. company ConocoPhillips.

He said that the agreement aims to increase the production capacity of the Libyan Waha Oil Company by up to 850,000 barrels per day, with net revenues expected to exceed 376 billion dollars for Libya.

Dbeibah also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the U.S.-based Chevron, as well as a cooperation memorandum with Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, without providing further details.

The signing of the agreements and memoranda took place on the sidelines of the fourth edition of the Libya Energy & Economic Summit, which kicked off on Saturday in the capital Tripoli, with participation from international and Libyan companies.

Oil and gas exports are the primary source of income for Libya, though the sector has faced setbacks in recent years due to domestic conflicts and political instability.
25 January 2026 20:15 (UTC+04:00)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced that Brazil will grant exemptions from certain categories of short-term visas to Chinese citizens, in reciprocity for China's visa exemption policy for Brazilian nationals, Azernews reports citing Xinhua.

According to an official statement, the decision was made in the context of deepening cooperation between Brazil and China, with the aim of further facilitating people-to-people exchanges and promoting bilateral interaction.

The Brazilian government said the specific implementation date of the visa-free policy will be announced at a later time.
26 January 2026 00:43 (UTC+04:00)

By AzerNews Staff

As a United States aircraft carrier strike group, centred on the USS Abraham Lincoln, heads towards the Gulf, the world watches with unease. President Donald Trumps declaration of a sizeable naval armada bound for the region, aimed, he says, at keeping an eye on Iran, comes against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tension.

This is not the first time Washington has deployed heavy forces to the Middle East. But the scale and timing strike observers as unmistakably pointed. Aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers and accompanying air power are no ordinary dispatches; they are symbols of strategic resolve, yet also potential tinder in a volatile landscape.

The official line from the White House underscores deterrence. Military moves are presented as precautionary, a message to Iran and its network of allies that the United States will respond firmly to any aggression. Yet Tehrans own warnings have been stark: any strike, however limited, would be treated as all-out war, with promises of a full-throated response against US interests and bases across the region.

What is often lost in the heat of speculation is the distinction between posturing and impending conflict. Deploying warships and air defence assets is as much about signalling, to domestic audiences and international rivals, as it is about preparing for an actual strike. Washingtons emphasis on deterrence suggests caution; it is seeking to avoid a kinetic confrontation even as it strengthens its military footprint.

But the risks of miscalculation are real. Even if a direct US strike on Iranian soil is not imminent, a buildup on this scale heightens the likelihood of incidents, an errant missile, a misread radar contact or a clash between patrol boats that could spiral out of control. The deployment also complicates diplomatic avenues. Allies such as the United Kingdom have already repositioned combat aircraft to the region, underscoring shared concern but also a broader entanglement in any potential crisis.

For Trumps administration, the current approach reflects a dual impulse: to project strength and to avoid a wider war. The carriers presence is part deterrent, part reassurance to partners fearful of Iranian pressure tactic. But it also reveals an underlying tension in US policy between the need to contain Irans regional ambitions and the imperative to avoid a conflict that could engulf the entire Middle East.

So, is escalation imminent? Not necessarily. What we are seeing is preparation, not declaration. A military buildup gives Washington options and leverage without irrevocably crossing the threshold into war. Yet the ambiguity that makes the posture flexible also makes it dangerous. In crises, ambiguity can be a tool or a trap.

What happens next will depend as much on diplomacy and communication as on naval power. A carrier strike group in the Gulf is a powerful signal. But unless it is accompanied by sustained diplomatic engagement, including clear channels with Tehran and its regional interlocutors, it risks slipping from calculated deterrence into unwanted confrontation.
Proposals in the draft budget from finance Minister John ODowd are breath-taking and wholly detached from the reality inside schools", a senior school union leader has warned.

Having taken time to consider the implications of the proposals, which Education Minister Paul Givan has said are simply undeliverable, NAHT president Joanne Whyte said education would be facing devastation.

The scale of what is being proposed is breath-taking and wholly detached from the reality inside our schools, said Ms Whyte.

Leaders are already contending with impossible decisions, and the projected budget trajectory would devastate provision for years to come. Northern Irelands children need a budget that invests in their future, not one that dismantles the services that support them.

In the coming days, NAHT will be supporting our members to respond to the consultation on this budget and we strongly encourage everyone with an interest in the future of education to do the same.

The NAHT warned that the education system is now operating far beyond the point of sustainability, with school budgets pushed into a deepening crisis that can no longer be managed at school level.

Years of cuts and standstill budgets have stripped the system of all flexibility, leaving school leaders with no remaining options to protect the provision their pupils rely upon, added Dr Graham Gault, NAHT National Secretary.

Read more NI grammar schools admission scores in full as two schools yards apart receive over 600 applications for 335 places

The draft multiyear budget for 20262029/30 proposed by the Minister ODowd represents the most serious threat imaginable. The Minister of Education, Paul Givan, has himself warned that implementing the proposed budget would require inconceivable levels of redundancies which, we believe, would simply collapse the education system.

School leaders have done everything in their power to protect childrens education, but the system has now passed the point where resilience can compensate for political choices.

"These budgets are simply not workable. Without meaningful investment and immediate action from the Executive, schools will be forced into decisions that no responsible leader should ever have to make.

"We strongly urge the Northern Ireland Executive to recognise that the proposed multiyear budget is not viable and must be drastically revised.

School children in uniforms in class with tablets

Police car collides with taxi in Belfast

Minister Paul Givan has already outlined the devastating impact the budget proposals would have on his department, with the threat of mass staff redundancies looming.

Under the proposed allocations, my Department would be required to make savings of approximately 826 million in 2026-27, 1.01 billion in 2027-28, and 1.15 billion in 2028-29, he said. These levels of reduction are simply not achievable.

By way of illustration, for 2026-27, even if the Department were to implement a number of extreme measures such as withdrawing school transport, removing funding from key organisations such as the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, and ending support for Sure Start and Youth services, this would only release c180m of funding, leaving 646m of further savings still to be found.

Given that approximately 82% of the education budget is spent on staffing costs, there is no reasonable prospect of living within the proposed allocation without mass compulsory teacher redundancies. This would devastate educational outcomes and undermine the very fabric of our system, as well as requiring dedicated in-year redundancy funding of a similar level to the necessary savings.

The proposed budget would force the unimaginable step of making around 6,700 teachers and 3,100 non-teaching staff redundant in order to achieve savings of 650 million for 2026-27. This would require redundancy funding of approximately 510 million, which is not available. Such action would have catastrophic consequences for our education system, the Minister warned.

Education Minister Paul Givan at his office in Parliament Buildings at Stormont.

If this budget were to proceed and redundancies were not implemented, I would be left with no choice but to cut major schemes that families and communities rely on, including home-to-school transport, free school meals, school uniform grants, youth services, and extended schools. The Northern Ireland Childcare Scheme would also become unsustainable. Even after implementing cuts of this magnitude, the Department would fall far short of the savings required. This stark reality demonstrates that the proposed budget is simply undeliverable.

Education has faced historic underfunding for many years, with an inadequate baseline that has only been sustained through in-year allocations. This structural weakness cannot be ignored.

Last week the Department of Educations interim permanent secretary Ronnie Armour wrote to all school heads warning education faces painful cuts due to budget pressures.

He repeated an instruction to heads to restrict the appointment of new staff and limit the use of substitute teachers to save money.

It is essential that you take these measures and any other measures available to you as you work to reduce your in-year expenditure further, he wrote.

The letter informed principals that education was facing a gap of 250m, and he could not overestimate the financial challenge we face in seeking to address our funding gap.
The scene of the security alert in the Shankill Street area of Lurgan. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Police at the scene of a security alert in the Shankill Street of Lurgan. Photo: Pacemaker Press.

Police at the scene of a security alert in the Shankill Street of Lurgan. Photo: Pacemaker Press.

A security alert in Lurgan has now ended and residents have been able to return to their homes.

The Shankill Street area of Lurgan was closed to the public this morning after police received a report at around 4.35am that a suspicious object had been left in the area.

Police at the scene of a security alert in the Shankill Street of Lurgan. Photo: Pacemaker Press.

A PSNI spokesperson said emergency services were at the scene and road closures were in place.

In an update this afternoon, police said officers attended the scene along with Ammunition Technical Officers who examined the object and declared it nothing untoward.

Police at the scene of a security alert in the Shankill Street of Lurgan. Photo: Pacemaker Press.

News Catch Up - Thursday 22 January

Residents have been advised they can also return home after they were evacuated as a precautionary measure, Chief Inspector Tim Flanigan said.

We appreciate that people experienced disruption as this public safety operation was carried out, and we thank residents for their understanding and patience during this time."

He added that enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information can contact the PSNI.
All had been convicted in Irish courts and received custodial sentences for their crimes (Brian Lawless/PA)

Gardai deported 33 Polish and Lithuanian nationals on a specially chartered flight from Dublin on Sunday.

In a statement An Garda Siochana said the 31 men and two women ranged in age from their early 20s to their early 60s.

All had been convicted in Irish courts and received custodial sentences for their crimes.

The operation was carried out by the Garda National Immigration Bureau and saw 20 of the deportees brought to the flight directly from the prisons where they were serving sentences.

Gardai say the remaining 13 were arrested and detained from communities across Ireland and were lodged in prison prior to their removal.

Their convictions included sexual and domestic violence offences, drug crimes, organised retail and burglary crime and road traffic offences.

Under European law, EU citizens can be deported if it can be proven they represent a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society.

The 17 Polish and 16 Lithuanian nationals received exclusion orders banning them from re-entering the country for periods of up to 10 years.

The flight left Dublin on Sunday and landed in Poland before travelling onwards to Lithuania.

The Government signed a contract in November 2024 which allows charter aircraft for deportations.

The first flight was to Georgia in February 2025.
The Irish and British Meteorological Services have issued warnings for Tuesday (PA)

Yellow weather warnings have been issued for the south east of Ireland and Northern Ireland for Tuesday

Met Eireann Weather Warning said there will be outbreaks of rain which will be heavy at times in Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

A yellow rain warning will come into place there at midnight on Tuesday, until 6pm later that day.

The UKs Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for all six counties in Northern Ireland.

It is expected to last from 6am until 3pm on Tuesday.

Both organisations have said the heavy rain could lead to localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.
Andy Burnham is expected to find out on Sunday whether he can bid to be selected as Labours candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election. (Danny Lawson/PA)

Labours ruling body is set to decide whether Andy Burnham can stand as a by-election candidate as the Greater Manchester mayor plots a return to Westminster.

The partys National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to meet virtually on Sunday after Mr Burnham applied for permission to contest the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

Announcing his decision on Saturday, Mr Burnham said the by-election was the front line of a fight against a brand of politics which seeks to pit people against each other.

He said: I owe it to a city which has given me so much to lead it from the front, despite the risks involved.

Labour Party rules give the NEC a veto over regional mayors contesting parliamentary elections under a change introduced after the last election, designed to prevent costly mayoral by-elections.

The committee now faces a dilemma over whether to exercise that power, with sources worried it will anger some party members whether it allows Mr Burnham to stand or not.

Sources close to the NEC have expressed concern about the expense of fighting a mayoral by-election in Manchester, while reports suggest supporters of Sir Keir Starmer are concerned about Mr Burnhams leadership ambitions.

But senior Labour figures, including Cabinet minister and former leader Ed Miliband, have urged the committee not to block Mr Burnhams candidacy and allow local members to decide.

Mr Miliband told the Fabian Societys annual conference on Saturday that Mr Burnham would be a massive asset in Parliament, adding Sir Keir needs the best possible team serving under him.

Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband (Lucy North/PA)

He also dismissed the suggestion that Mr Burnhams return to Westminster would raise questions about the Prime Ministers leadership, saying the party needs to be loyal to Keir and it needs to get on with the job of serving the country.

Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell, who sits on the NEC, also backed giving local members the final say, while stressing the party needed to get behind Sir Keir.

The Gorton and Denton by-election was triggered on Thursday after the sitting MP, Andrew Gwynne, announced his resignation from Parliament on health grounds.

Although Mr Gwynne won the seat with 51% of the vote in 2024, Mr Burnham could still face a tough fight given the collapse in Labours polling position and the rise of both Reform UK and the Green Party.

If elected, Mr Burnham would be legally required to stand down as mayor of Greater Manchester, triggering a city-wide by-election.

In a letter to the NEC asking for permission to stand, he said he would give my all in any mayoral by-election, adding he was confident Labour could win.
Dame Sarah Mullallys election as Archbishop of Canterbury will be confirmed in a formal service at St Pauls Cathedral on Wednesday (Joe Giddens/PA)

The King has been pictured with the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally after she delivered a sermon at a service on his Sandringham Estate, days before a formal service to confirm her election.

Charles, wearing a brown overcoat and a suit and tie, walked alongside Dame Sarah after her first sermon at St Peters Church in Wolferton, on the Kings Norfolk estate.

Camilla walked beside them, shielded from the cold in a dark brown coat adorned with a silver brooch, a camel-coloured, fur-lined hat and carrying a green handbag and patterned scarf.

Incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, walked with Charles and Camilla after the Sunday morning service (Joe Giddens/PA)

The King and Queen were joined at the service by the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Dame Sarah, who has been Bishop of London for almost a decade and is a former NHS nurse, was officially named in October as the first woman to take the Church of Englands top ministry role.

Charles waves to onlookers after attending the service on his Sandringham Estate (Joe Giddens/PA)

She will be legally confirmed in the post at a service in St Pauls Cathedral on Wednesday, before her installation  or enthronement  at Canterbury Cathedral in March.

On being named last year, Dame Sarah promised to tackle safeguarding failures in the Church, saying the dynamics of power must be confronted.

At the time, Charles congratulated the incoming archbishop on her appointment to a role which is of such importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion.
Donald Trump said British troops were among the greatest of all warriors, days after he claimed Nato forces had not fought on the front line in Afghanistan (Jane Barlow/PA)

Donald Trumps reversal of his claims about British forces in Afghanistan is as good as it gets in terms of an apology from the US president, the Home Secretary has said.

Mr Trump sparked fury in the UK and other allied nations on Thursday after suggesting Nato troops stayed off the front lines during the conflict in Afghanistan.

After a call with Sir Keir Starmer in which the Prime Minister raised the issue directly, the president appeared to retract the comments.

Although he did not apologise, Mr Trump said in a social media post that British troops were among the greatest of all warriors and acknowledged the 457 UK deaths in Afghanistan.

Asked whether Mr Trump should have apologised explicitly for his remarks, Shabana Mahmood told Sky Newss Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: The president has his way.

She said: The Prime Minister did make the point directly to the president how we felt about the initial comments, and I think this was a response to that.

With the president, I suspect this is as good as it gets.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was asked if Donald Trump should have apologised (James Manning/PA)

Other politicians welcomed Mr Trumps reversal, with shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel saying the president should think carefully about making future statements in such a flippant way.

Asked if she believed he was genuinely sorry, Dame Priti told Sky News: I think he is. I think he clearly recognises that what he has said was wrong, theres no doubt about that but, you know, he said it.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg he was relieved Mr Trump had backed down.

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey told Laura Kuenssberg that Donald Trump is no longer a reliable ally on the economy and defence (Jeff Overs/BBC)

But Sir Ed, an outspoken critic of Mr Trump, said he still believed the US was no longer a reliable ally on the economy or on defence while the president was in the White House.

He said: We have to look at alternative coalitions that is serious politics, and Im afraid the Prime Minister hasnt stepped up.
Federal immigration officers use tear gas on observers after the shooting in Minneapolis (Abbie Parr/AP)

Federal immigration officers shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, drawing hundreds of protesters to the streets in a city already shaken by another fatal shooting weeks earlier.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the man was shot amid the Trump administrations immigration crackdown.

He was identified by his parents as Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care unit nurse.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara urged people to remain peaceful and not to destroy the city.

Mr OHara said there was limited information about the shooting. He called on people to leave the area and said it is not sustainable.

Our demand today is for those federal agencies that are operating in our city to do so with the same discipline, humanity and integrity that effective law enforcement in this country demands, the chief said.

We urge everyone to remain peaceful. We recognise that there is a lot of anger and a lot of questions around what has happened, but we need people to remain peaceful in the area.

Alex J Pretti was named as the man shot by a federal officer in Minneapolis on Saturday (Michael Pretti via AP)

The Minnesota National Guard was assisting local police amid growing protests.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told the Associated Press that the person had a firearm with two magazines and that the situation was evolving.

She said officers fired defensive shots after a man with a handgun approached them and violently resisted when officers tried to disarm him.

Protests were growing throughout the day (Abbie Parr/AP)

Mr OHara said the mans only previous interaction with law enforcement as far as he knew was for traffic tickets.

And we believe he is a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, he said.

The officer who shot Mr Pretti is an eight-year Border Patrol veteran, federal officials said.

Family members said Mr Pretti was an intensive care nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital who had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good in the city on January 7.

He 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, said his father Michael Pretti.

He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests.

Mr Pretti was a US citizen who, like Ms Good, court records showed he had no criminal record.

Federal immigration officers deploy pepper spray at observers in Minneapolis (Abbie Parr/AP)

In a statement issued later on Saturday Mr Walz called immigration enforcement organised brutality.

The federal occupation of Minnesota long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. It is a campaign of organised brutality against the people of our state. And today, that campaign claimed yet another life, Mr Walz said.

He said the state, and not the federal government, will lead the investigation into the death of Mr Pretti.

Minnesotans and our local law enforcement have done everything we can to de-escalate. The federal government must de-escalate. I once again call on the president to remove the 3,000 agents from Minnesota who are sowing chaos and violence.

The shooting happened amid widespread daily protests in the Twin Cities  Minneapolis and St Paul  since the shooting of Ms Good, 37, who was killed when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officer fired into her vehicle.

Saturdays shooting unfolded just over a mile away from where Ms Good was shot.

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Several bystander videos of the shooting emerged soon afterwards. Mr Pretti is seen with a phone in his hand but none appears to show him with a visible weapon.

One bystander video obtained by The Associated Press is understood to show at least seven officers surrounding the man, before shots are heard and the officers back away.

Mr Walz, a Democrat, said in a social media post that he had been in contact with the White House after the shooting. He urged President Donald Trump to end what the Department of Homeland Security has called its largest-ever immigration enforcement operation.

Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now, Mr Walz said in his post on X.

The DHS distributed a photo of a handgun they said was on the person who was shot.

After the shooting, an angry crowd gathered and screamed profanities at federal officers, calling them cowards and telling them to go home.

One officer responded mockingly as he walked away, telling them: Boo hoo. Agents elsewhere shoved a yelling protester into a car.

Protesters dragged rubbish bins from alleyways to block the streets, and people who gathered chanted, Ice out now, referring to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Theyre killing my neighbours! Minneapolis resident Josh Koskie said.

Federal officers wielded batons and deployed flash bangs on the crowd.

Gov Tim Walz speaks during a news conference after the shooting (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

The intersection where the shooting took place was blocked off, and Border Patrol agents were on the scene wielding batons.

The shooting happened a day after thousands of demonstrators protesting against the crackdown on immigrants crowded the citys streets in frigid weather, calling for federal law enforcement to leave.

Mr Trump posted a long statement about the shooting on his Truth Social account, in part accusing the citys mayor and the governor of inciting insurrection.

The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric! he wrote.

Instead, these sanctimonious political fools should be looking for the Billions of Dollars that has been stolen from the people of Minnesota, and the United States of America.

LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB! 12,000 Illegal Alien Criminals, many of them violent, have been arrested and taken out of Minnesota. If they were still there, you would see something far worse than you are witnessing today!

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Vice President JD Vance responded to the shooting in a post on X and said that when he visited Minneapolis this week, what the ICE agents wanted more than anything was to work with local law enforcement so that situations on the ground didnt get out of hand.

He accused local officials in Minnesota of ignoring requests from ICE agents to work with them. Federal officials refused to co-operate with local officials on an investigation into the shooting death of Renee Good.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was born and raised in Minnesota, posted on X to thank God for the patriots who work for Ice and said we have your back 100%.

The Pentagon chief added: Shame on the leadership of Minnesota  and the lunatics in the street. ICE MN.

Congressman Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the US House Homeland Security Committee, called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to be impeached and denounced statements from the administration about the man DHS agents killed.

Apparently, the Trump administration and its secret police only support the First and Second Amendments when its convenient to them, Mr Thompson said in a statement.

Mr Thompson called on Democrats in the Senate to vote against a funding bill for DHS that passed the lower chamber last week.

This is un-American and has to stop, Mr Thompson said. The House must immediately take steps to impeach Kristi Noem.
Robbie Williams' people said they loved my page: Meet the NI social media star making Britannia cool again

Youth worker behind Instagram page celebrating the Nineties and Noughties counts celebs among collaborators

Mark Knox in Belfast city centre (Photo by Matt Mackey)

Patrice Harrington Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 08:00

These days, we all know how celebrities live their lives. There is zero mystery. They bombard us with social media updates, selfies, labour-suite snaps and Netflix docuseries.
NI film and TV industry the best in the world, says Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee

Writer hosts cast and crew screening of her new series at the QFT in Belfast

Lisa McGee (Photo by Max Cisotti/Sam Simpson/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Newport Beach Film Festival)

Ivan Little Sun 25 Jan 2026 at 14:00







Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee has praised the strength and success of the Northern Ireland film and TV industry and said she feels humbled, inspired and lucky to work in it.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

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NORTH ADAMS  Local police, firefighters and Northern Berkshire Ambulance responded to a crash at Union and Gallup streets at about 12:15 p.m. Sunday.

"Slippery road conditions caused the car to leave the road and strike the guardrail," Nick Mantello, North Adams Fire Department photographer, wrote on the North Adams 911 Facebook page.

The car was heading west when it slid into the guardrail due to slippery conditions, according to North Adams Police Chief Mark Bailey. Traveling in the car was a mom, dad and daughter. No one was injured and the car was towed.

Mantello reminded people to avoid driving. "The roads are much less than safe!"

After the crash, a firefighter offered a firefighter's hat to a girl in the accident.

"Once again, our Firefighters (Firefighter Jeff Tycot) was there for moral support for the young passenger who was involved," Mantello wrote. "A lady's fire hat and a quick fix to the zipper on her jacket really helped the tension and cold weather."

Bailey reminded residents that police are enforcing the city's parking ban during its snow emergency.

"During this period, parking on all city streets is prohibited," Bailey said. "Vehicles that impede snow removal operations will be towed."
News / National

by Staff reporter

A storm has erupted in Chitungwiza following the acquisition of a top-of-the-range vehicle for Mayor Rosaria Mangoma, with residents and civic groups questioning the timing, cost and priorities of the cash-strapped municipality.The controversy comes at a time when the municipality is struggling to pay its workers and failing to provide basic services such as refuse collection, road maintenance and a reliable water supply. Critics argue that the purchase reflects misplaced priorities by council leadership amid worsening service delivery.According to sources within council, the vehicle  estimated to be worth US$147,000  was recently acquired for official mayoral duties. The move has triggered widespread outrage, with residents insisting that limited financial resources should have been channelled towards addressing critical service delivery backlogs.Debate surrounding the acquisition has intensified, with residents stressing that the issue is not the mayor's entitlement to an official vehicle, but rather the type, cost and long-term financial implications of the car procured.Residents acknowledged that the mayor's office is entitled to a vehicle, but argued that the model purchased is ill-suited for council use, particularly given Chitungwiza's severely dilapidated road network and the municipality's fragile financial position."If an office is entitled to a car, fair enough, there should be a car," said one resident during a community discussion. "But the make of the car is wrong for the council and even for the recipient. It becomes a drain on maintenance and fuel because it is a high fuel consumer."Others pointed out that the financial burden would extend beyond the current mayor's term of office."For the office bearer, once their term ends and the vehicle is disposed of, it will be difficult to sell such a car," another resident said. "It has poor resale value, especially in a town like Chitungwiza."Residents argued that a more practical, fuel-efficient and durable vehicle would have better aligned with the municipality's realities.Chitungwiza Progressive Residents Association secretary-general Gift Kurupati expressed serious concern over the state of local governance, describing service delivery as being at its lowest point since 1980."The council's decision to invest in a high-cost vehicle for the mayor, despite eight months of salary arrears for municipal workers, raises serious questions about prioritisation," Kurupati said."Our roads are largely impassable, sewage is flowing in residential areas, yet funds have been allocated to an extravagant purchase. While we do not oppose the acquisition of a vehicle per se, we strongly contest the justification for spending US$147,000 on a Jeep."Kurupati said a more economical vehicle, serviceable by council mechanics, would have been a prudent option."This decision ultimately places an undue financial burden on residents, as council will have to seek additional resources to service such an expensive vehicle at Zimoco," he added.Chitungwiza Residents Trust director Alice Kuvheya also demanded answers, saying transparency was not optional in a struggling municipality."We are shocked that a mayor presiding over a town choking with sewage, and a council that has not paid its workers for eight months, has the temerity to buy such an expensive vehicle," Kuvheya said."Even councillors said they were not aware of the purchase. That alone is shocking."Kuvheya further alleged that the vehicle may have been fraudulently acquired, claiming that a council resolution had approved the purchase of a mayoral vehicle for former mayor Lovemore Maiko, not Mangoma. Maiko was among councillors recalled in 2023 by the self-styled Citizens Coalition for Change interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu."This provides solid legal grounds to challenge the unlawful purchase of the vehicle," she said.Residents have also questioned whether a cost-benefit analysis was conducted before selecting the vehicle model, given the likelihood of increased servicing costs on poor road infrastructure.Efforts to obtain comment from municipal officials were unsuccessful. Tafadzwa Kachiko, the Chitungwiza municipality spokesperson, had not responded to questions sent via WhatsApp by the time of publication.
Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Ireland caught in middle of fractured EU-US relationship

This year's edition of the World Economic Forum in Davos is likely to go down in history, although maybe not for the reasons we expected.

US president Donald Trump had the world collectively drawing breath as he began his speech. Ultimately, the fear of US military intervention in Greenland did not come to pass, however, it was far from a positive message.

In a dark, rambling, and at times incoherent, speech, Mr Trump essentially brought an end to EU-US relations as we know them.

He attacked Europe, mentioning his usual talking points of the evils of 'mass migration', and accused traditional European partners of disrespect for not allowing him to take the autonomous territory of Greenland.

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Afterwards he claimed a deal had been struck on the matter with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, with plenty of unknowns still lingering over it.

EU leaders and diplomats are still shellshocked and many believe that more independence from the US will be required.

This places Ireland in a tricky situation. The State is still massively reliant on foreign direct investment, with much of this coming from American tech and medical companies based here.

Security issues are also worth considering as Ireland relies heavily on the support of European partners, with American support now more uncertain than ever.

There will be more than ever riding on Taoiseach Micheal Martin's St Patrick's Day visit to the White House.

Some opposition parties have argued he should not attend, but this has been dismissed by the Government.

Fianna Fail support plunges, gains for Sinn Fein and Social Democrats

Fianna Fail's support has slumped to just 15 per cent, its lowest level since the last general election.

That is according to the latest Red C poll for the Business Post, which shows the party down three points this month.

Fine Gael recovered slightly to 18 per cent, but together the Coalition parties now sit at a record low of 33 per cent.

Sinn Fein is the largest party in the poll on 24 per cent, while the Social Democrats hit a record high of 10 per cent.

That means their combined support would be on 34 per cent.

While the next general election is still four years away, it is an ominous sign for the Government as opposition parties continue to grow their popularity.

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The 10 per cent figure is a huge boost for Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns.

The poor showing for Fianna Fail is also likely to increase pressure on Taoiseach and party leader Micheal Martin.

Backbench TDs are said to be increasingly frustrated at the party leadership, particularly in the wake of their disastrous presidential election which saw Jim Gavin drop out early.

In a recent interview with BreakingNews.ie, Cork East TD James O'Connor said: "Micheal Martin takes zero notice of what Fianna Fail backbenchers say, that is my personal position, he knows I think that."

In further bad news for Mr Martin, the poll also found that the majority of voters want to see him replaced as Fianna Fail leader next year.

Forty-six per cent of voters said he should not lead the party when the Taoiseachs Office rotates in 2027.

Irish anti-immigrant 'influencers' copying talking points from international groups

Ireland is "of interest to the global far-right" while anti-immigrant 'influencers' here are taking their talking points from international groups, according to an organisation that monitors extremism.

The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (Gpahe) monitors far-right and extremist groups across the globe.

Ireland Irish anti-immigrant 'influencers' copying talking points from international groups Read more

Gpahe recently published a report which found international far-right organisations have taken inspiration from extremist violence against migrants in Ireland.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Gpahe co-founder and president Wendy Via said this is still the case, adding that the trend of anti-immigrant 'influencers' on the likes of X and TikTok is following global patterns.

"Ireland is of interest to the global far-right. It is predominantly white, it is English speaking.

"Even though Ireland thankfully does not have a strong extreme far-right, and it's not organised, the ones who do get involved use the same political talking points as far-right politicians and agitators in other countries."
Ireland is "of interest to the global far-right" while anti-immigrant 'influencers' here are taking their talking points from international groups, according to an organisation that monitors extremism.

The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (Gpahe) monitors far-right and extremist groups across the globe.

Gpahe recently published a report which found international far-right organisations have taken inspiration from extremist violence against migrants in Ireland.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Gpahe co-founder and president Wendy Via said this is still the case, adding that the trend of anti-immigrant 'influencers' on the likes of X and TikTok is following global patterns.

"Ireland is of interest to the global far-right. It is predominantly white, it is English speaking.

"Even though Ireland thankfully does not have a strong extreme far-right, and it's not organised, the ones who do get involved use the same political talking points as far-right politicians and agitators in other countries.

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"'You're taking our housing, the crime rate is going up, we're losing our culture', it's all the same exact talking points. Ireland has been resistant to that but I think some of these far-right actors know if you just continue to beat this drum that you might get in there a little deeper.

"That certainly is what has happened in other countries, and it works when people are feeling the economy is a mess, when they feel they don't have opportunities... are they happy with the EU? Are they happy with their housing, jobs, it's all of this stuff.

"They sow these seeds of discontent to make their message more palatable."

Ms Via added: "Ireland is not unique in that. It's the same story anywhere where there are people pushing mistruths about migration.

"When people are constantly told immigrants are hurting them in a variety of ways, this gets through.

"They don't need electoral success. When we did our reports a few years ago, we could see anti-migrant narratives starting to build; now it is quite pervasive.

"However, it doesn't mean Ireland is at risk. It just means Irish people should be diligent; there are people who want them to go against their values and give them false reasons to do that, for the far-right to create an enemy."

'Toxic algorithms'

She said the "toxic algorithms" on sites like X and YouTube are allowing these anti-immigrant agitators to position themselves as influencers, with some far-right Irish accounts boasting hundreds of thousands of followers.

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"Influencers are huge in this. In the United States campaigns, political parties and various companies aren't really running ads anymore, they are hiring influencers because the reach is greater, it's more attention-grabbing, and it's a conversation that people can become a part of. It's a change that has been coming, and it's a money-making operation.

"You get influencers to tell the story, and social media is the worst place to get information. The algorithms push the most controversial topics, and it works.

"There isn't a solution to how the far-right can have this impact online. In short, be aware of the influencers.

"They wouldn't have the presence they have were it not for their ability to spread their message, and spread it transnationally.

"You see people like the Identitarians in Germany encouraging extremists in Ireland, it makes them feel like they are a part of something.

"You have to point out that what the influencers are saying in the large part is not true."

She said women and the LGBTQ community are also targets.

Ms Via also said it is unsurprising that the European Union is a frequent target for anti-immigrant activists.

Right now the conversation in Ireland is about migrants, but that's just the start.

"The thing that's attractive about Ireland for these groups is its Catholic heritage. These are issues people already struggle with, and it's a wedge to weaponise them.

"You start by talking about migrants, then how culture has been 'destroyed', then before you know it, you're talking about same-sex marriage, adoption, surrogacy, all of these things.

"Sometimes political parties do get their talking points from extremists, we've seen that in the European Parliament. You have countries like Hungary that rage against the EU even though they benefit so much from it.

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"It's all of this 'Europe isn't Europe anymore, there are too many migrants, it's not a Western civilization anymore'."

Dublin riots

While many of those involved in the Dublin riots have now received prison sentences, An Garda Siochana hit a wall when trying to hold those who inflamed the situation online to account.

The same is true for activists who have encouraged violent protests outside IPAS centres.

This is a problem worldwide, and Ms Via said it is only getting worse.

"Extremist leaders have always got someone else to do their dirty work, social media is their medium now.

"X is really bad, to the point we can hardly monitor the fringe sites anymore because they're all on X again, and there's no way to analyse the data because Elon Musk does not make it available. There is some availability in the EU, but it's not what is required.

"All of the extremists who went to places like 4chan, Telegram and Gab, they don't need to be there, they can go back to X where they have huge audiences. However, they're all bad. YouTube has always been among the worst.

"We just identified a neo-Nazi marketing system on Instagram.

"It's nearly impossible unless it's the people on the ground rioting, that's always been the challenge for groups like ours. It's so clear people are encouraged to commit acts of hate crime, hate speech or violence, from what they read and people they admire online who will never do it themselves.

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"Nothing can be done about this. Even in countries with strong hate speech or incitement to violence laws, it's so difficult to prosecute that. Right now with the US getting into the EU's business in terms of the DSA (Digital Services Act) and freedom of expression and religion, you can expect to see a weakening of some of these laws in the next couple of years."

Steve Bannon, a former White House strategist who was key in US president Donald Trump's 2016 election victory, recently turned his attention to Ireland.

Mr Bannon, who is now a right-wing, MAGA podcaster, recently said: "Im spending a ton of time behind the scenes on the Irish situation to help form an Irish national party."

In the interview, with Politico, he said: "Theyre going to have an Irish MAGA, and were going to have an Irish Trump. Thats all going to come together, no doubt. That country is right on the edge thanks to mass migration."

Steve Bannon recently predicted an "Irish Trump". Photo: Getty Images

Ms Via said this is an example of international interest in Ireland from far-right groups, however, she said what Mr Bannon said should be taken "with a grain of salt".

She pointed to his attempts to promote European far-right groups to date, which have seen little to no success.

"Steven Bannon is so bombastic, and he says things to create a narrative that he wants. I would take everything with a grain of salt that he says.

"It's a way for Bannon and others to rally people, 'all you need is someone with the strength of Trump to get all these things fixed, I'll help you find this person'.

"Bannon hasn't had as much success in the European space as he wants.

"I'd be more concerned about the Heritage Foundation, Political Network for Values, Alliance Defending Freedom [American far-right groups], than I would be about Steve Bannon."

She added: "I firmly believe all of this far-right activity has a white supremacist foundation. For the political parties that talk about migration, leaving the EU, there is this underpinning of that.

"It's not just white supremacy, it's this desire to go back to how things 'used to be', where women didn't have as many rights, minorities had no rights.

"The groups behind the likes of Project 2025 in the United States are very busy in Europe and Latin America, taking these ideas and finding people who agree with it."

While far-right groups have not had any real electoral success in Ireland, Ms Via said there is a danger in political parties veering to the right to appeal to extremist views.

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has recently been accused of such for the Government's tightening of immigration policy.

Ms Via stressed there was a difference in robust immigration policy and pandering to the far-right, however, she said the latter can slowly creep in and compared it to European leaders' attempts to please Donald Trump.

"There is a difference between thoughtful and comprehensive immigration policy, and let's just punish immigrants. People often confuse these things.

World Protesters demand immigration agents leave Minneapolis after fatal shooting Read more

"When you have extremists, they will never be happy with it, they'll always push for more repressive policies.

"Think about Trump. One thing these EU presidents and prime ministers are understanding, is that you can't appease an authoritarian. They won't react how you want, they will just see you as weak. That is what Trump is doing.

"People already know this about Putin, but somehow they can't quite get there with Trump.

"Macron and Starmer call him to try to appease him, that's just feeding his ego. It's the same mentality for these far-right leaders."
A yellow weather warning has been issued for the south-east of Ireland for Tuesday.

Met Eireann said there will be outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, in Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

A yellow rain warning will come into place there at midnight on Tuesday, until 6pm later that day.

Meanwhile, the UKs Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for all six counties in Northern Ireland.

It is expected to last from 6am until 3pm on Tuesday.

Both organisations have said the heavy rain could lead to localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.

A status yellow rainfall warning has been issued for Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford Impacts include:

 Localised flooding

 Difficult travel conditions Valid Tuesday 27/01/26 00:00 - 18:00 pic.twitter.com/mCP2VVoimz  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 25, 2026

It will be cloudy for most of Sunday with some mist and fog in places, along with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, heavy at times and most frequent in the north and northwest.

Becoming drier this afternoon as the rain eases with some bright spells around and just scattered patches of light rain or drizzle. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees, in light to moderate easterly or variable winds.

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Another dull and wet day on Monday with widespread rain. Rain will persist into the afternoon, turning heavy at times, before gradually clearing eastwards. Breezy too with fresh to strong south-east winds, and gusts along Atlantic coasts. Highest temperatures of 4 to 10 degrees, coldest in the north.

Met Eireann said areas of low pressure will bring a continuation of unsettled weather throughout next week.

It will be cold and breezy at times with further bands of heavy rain, possibly turning wintry at times.

Cold and crisp with frost and ice patches aswell as some early sun in the west on Tuesday.

Elsewhere will see wet and windy weather feeding in from the east through the morning and afternoon.

Rain will turn heavy at times and possibly wintry too, with any falls of snow most likely on higher ground. Highest daytime temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees, but feeling extra chilly due to the very brisk easterly or cyclonic variable winds.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said he wants his government to fast-track the legal process to ensure a ban on social media for children under the age of 15 can enter into force at the start of the next school year in September.

In a video released by French broadcaster BFM-TV, Mr Macron said he had asked his government to initiate an accelerated procedure so the proposed legislation can move as quickly as possible and be passed by the Senate in time.

The brains of our children and our teenagers are not for sale, Mr Macron said. The emotions of our children and our teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated. Neither by American platforms, nor by Chinese algorithms.

We are banning social media for under-15s, and we are going to ban mobile phones in our high schools Emmanuel Macron

His announcement came just days after the British government said it will consider banning young teenagers from social media as it tightens laws designed to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

According to Frances health watchdog, one in two teenagers spends between two and five hours a day on a smartphone.

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In a report published in December, it said that some 90% of children aged between 12 and 17 use smartphones daily to access the internet, with 58% of them using their devices for social networks.

The report highlighted a range of harmful effects stemming from the use of social networks, including reduced self-esteem and increased exposure to content associated with risky behaviours such as self-harm, drug use and suicide.



French President Emmanuel Macron has called for action (Markus Schreiber/AP)

Several families in France have sued TikTok over teenage suicides they say are linked to harmful content.

Mr Macrons office told The Associated Press that the video was addressed to lawmaker Laure Miller, who is sponsoring the Bill that will be examined in a public session on Monday.

We are banning social media for under-15s, and we are going to ban mobile phones in our high schools, Mr Macron said. I believe this is a clear rule. Clear for our teenagers, clear for families, clear for teachers, and we are moving forward.

In Australia, social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children since the country banned use of the platforms by those under 16, officials said.

The law provoked fraught debates in Australia about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health and has prompted other countries to consider similar measures.
Donald Trumps reversal of his claims about British forces in Afghanistan is as good as it gets in terms of an apology from the US president, the UK home secretary has said.

Mr Trump sparked fury in the UK and other allied nations on Thursday after suggesting Nato troops stayed off the front lines during the conflict in Afghanistan.

After a call with Keir Starmer in which the British prime minister raised the issue directly, the president appeared to retract the comments.

Although he did not apologise, Mr Trump said in a social media post that British troops were among the greatest of all warriors and acknowledged the 457 UK deaths in Afghanistan.

Asked whether Mr Trump should have apologised explicitly for his remarks, Shabana Mahmood told Sky Newss Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: The president has his way.

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She said: The Prime Minister did make the point directly to the president how we felt about the initial comments, and I think this was a response to that.

With the president, I suspect this is as good as it gets.

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey told Laura Kuenssberg that Donald Trump is no longer a reliable ally on the economy and defence (Jeff Overs/BBC)

Other politicians welcomed Mr Trumps reversal, with shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel saying the president should think carefully about making future statements in such a flippant way.

Asked if she believed he was genuinely sorry, Ms Patel told Sky News: I think he is. I think he clearly recognises that what he has said was wrong, theres no doubt about that but, you know, he said it.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg he was relieved Mr Trump had backed down.

But Mr Davy, an outspoken critic of Mr Trump, said he still believed the US was no longer a reliable ally on the economy or on defence while the president was in the White House.

He said: We have to look at alternative coalitions that is serious politics, and Im afraid the Prime Minister hasnt stepped up.
In duelling news conferences, US federal and state officials offered starkly different messages about the immigration crackdown that has swept across Minneapolis and surrounding cities, with both claiming the moral high ground in the wake of another shooting death.

Which side do you want to be on? governor Tim Walz asked the public.





The side of an all-powerful federal government that could kill, injure, menace and kidnap its citizens off the streets, or on the side of a nurse at the VA hospital who died bearing witness to such government, a reference to the shooting of Alex Pretti on Saturday in Minneapolis.

At the same time, in an office building about 20 miles away, border patrol commander Gregory Bovino, the public face of the crackdown, again turned blame for the shooting to Mr Pretti.

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When someone makes the choice to come into an active law enforcement scene, interfere, obstruct, delay or assault law enforcement officer and  and they bring a weapon to do that, he told reporters.

That is a choice that that individual made.

The competing comments emerged as local leaders and Democrats across the country demanded immigration officers leave Minnesota after Mr Prettis shooting, which set off clashes with protesters in a city already shaken by another shooting death weeks earlier.

Video shot by bystanders and reviewed by The Associated Press appears to contradict statements by US President Donald Trumps administration, which said agents fired defensively against Mr Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, as he approached them.



A makeshift memorial is placed where Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a US border patrol officer in Minneapolis (Adam Gray/AP)

Mr Pretti can be seen with only a phone in his hand as he steps between an immigration agent and a woman on the street.

No footage appears to show him with a weapon.

During the scuffle, agents appear to disarm him after discovering that he was carrying a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, and then opened fire several times.

Mr Pretti was licenced to carry a concealed weapon.

In the hours after the shooting, US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said Mr Pretti attacked officers, and Mr Bovino said he wanted to massacre law enforcement.

Mr Bovino was more restrained on Sunday, saying he would not speculate about the shooting and that he planned to wait for the investigation.



Federal agents are seen at City View Apartments in Minneapolis (Adam Gray/AP)

Mr Prettis family said they were heartbroken but also very angry at authorities.

Relatives were furious at federal officials description of the shooting.

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The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting, the family statement said.

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.

Mr Pretti was shot just over a mile from where an ICE officer killed 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7, sparking widespread protests.



A demonstrator wipes tears from his eyes during a candlelight vigil in response to the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti (Caroline Brehman/AP)

A federal judge has already issued an order blocking the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence related to the shooting, after state and county officials sued.

Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison said the legal case filed on Saturday is meant to preserve evidence collected by federal officials that state authorities have not yet been able to inspect.

A court hearing is scheduled for Monday in federal court in St Paul.

A full, impartial, and transparent investigation into his fatal shooting at the hands of DHS agents is non-negotiable, Mr Ellison said in a statement.

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Drew Evans, superintendent of the states Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which investigates police shootings, told reporters on Saturday that federal officers blocked his agency from the scene of the shooting even after it obtained a signed judicial warrant.

On Sunday morning, bureau officers were working at the scene.



People protest against ICE in Minneapolis (Adam Gray/AP)

Assistant homeland security secretary Tricia McLaughlin dismissed the case, saying claims that the federal government would destroy evidence are a ridiculous attempt to divide the American people and distract from the fact that our law enforcement officers were attacked  and their lives were threatened.

The Minnesota National Guard temporarily assisted local police at Mr Walzs direction, officials said, with troops sent to the shooting site and a federal building where officers have squared off daily with demonstrators.

But Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said on Sunday morning on CBS Face the Nation that its back to just the Minneapolis police responding to calls.

Mr OHara said he had seen no evidence that Mr Pretti brandished the pistol, and that the crackdown was exhausting his department.

This is taking an enormous toll, trying to manage all this chaos on top of having to be the police department for a major city. Its too much, he said.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York was among several Democratic legislators demanding that federal immigration authorities leave Minnesota.



A person is pushed back by a federal agent working on the scene in Minneapolis (Adam Gray/AP)

In a statement, former US president Barack Obama called Mr Prettis death a heartbreaking tragedy and warned that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.

He urged the White House to work with city and state officials.

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This has to stop, Mr Obama said.

Federal officials have repeatedly questioned why Mr Pretti was armed during the confrontation.

But gun rights groups noted that it is legal to carry firearms during protests.

Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms  including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus said in a statement.



BCA officers stand at the scene where Alex Pretti was fatally shot (Adam Gray/AP)

These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed.

When the Saturday confrontation began, bystander video shows protesters blowing whistles and shouting profanities at federal officers on a commercial street in south Minneapolis.

The videos show Mr Pretti stepping in after an immigration officer shoves a woman.

Mr Pretti appears to be holding his phone towards the officer, but there is no sign he is holding a weapon.

The officer shoves Mr Pretti in his chest and pepper sprays him and the woman.

Soon, at least seven officers force Mr Pretti to the ground.



Protesters gather at Embarcadero Plaza for a protest in San Francisco in response to the shooting in Minneapolis (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Several officers try to bring his arms behind his back as he appears to resist.

An officer holding a canister strikes him near his head several times.

A first shot is fired by a border patrol officer.

There is a slight pause, and then the same officer fires several more times into Mr Prettis back.

Multiple officers back off and within seconds, Mr Pretti is motionless on the street.

Demonstrations broke out in several cities across the country after the shooting, including New York, Washington and Los Angeles.



BCA officers work at the scene where Alex Pretti was fatally shot (Adam Gray/AP)

In Minneapolis, protesters converged in the neighbourhood where Mr Pretti had been shot despite dangerously cold weather with temperatures around minus six degrees (minus 21 celsius).

An angry crowd screamed profanities at federal officers after the shooting, calling them cowards and telling them to go home.

Protesters dragged large garbage bins from alleyways to block streets, lighting at least one on fire.

As darkness fell, hundreds of people mourned quietly by a growing memorial at the site of the shooting.

A doughnut shop and a clothing store nearby stayed open, offering protesters a warm place.

By morning, the scene was calm.

Brett Williams, 37, came from the citys suburbs to a morning vigil at the scene.

I stand in solidarity with a brother whose life was taken too soon, he said.

Hes standing up for immigrants. Were all immigrants.
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CultureMoviesFilm Festivals Brittany Higgins at Sundance for premiere of Australian doco about post #MeToo era Chris Hook January 25, 2026  10:58am 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

Brittany Higgins made an appearance at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday (Utah time) for the world premiere of the new Australian documentary Silenced, which looks at the weaponisation of defamation laws in the post #MeToo era. Higgins was at the US film festival, founded by the late Robert Redford and held annually in Utah (although it is moving to Boulder from next year), with the films director Selina Miles, producer Blayke Hoffman and human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson. Brittany Higgins with husband David Sharaz at the premiere of Silenced in Park City, Utah. Getty Images Higgins gives her first interview for five years in the film which follows the court battles endured by Higgins, Colombian journalist Catalina Ruiz-Navarro and actress Amber Heard as they sought to air their experiences of sexual assault and gender-based violence. Robinson represented Amber Heard during the court case brought against UK newspaper The Sun by her former husband Johnny Depp in 2020 after the paper referred to him as a wife beater. Depp lost that action. He later won a US defamation against Heard in 2022 after he sued her over a Washington Post opinion piece and was awarded $US15 million ($20) million.

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In a verdict, delivered after only 13 hours of deliberations, the seven-member jury sided with the Pirates of the Caribbean star, who claimed his reputation had been damaged by allegations he was a domestic abuser. Australian human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson; the films director Selina Miles; Colombian journalist Catalina Ruiz-Navarro and Brittany Higgins at the premiere of Silenced, a new film documenting their experiences of speaking out. Getty Images In 2023, journalist Ruiz-Navarro was sued by film director Ciro Guerra after publishing serial allegations of misconduct against him following an investigation in the online feminist magazine Volcanica, while Higgins was embroiled in a number of court actions after she went public with a rape allegation in 2021. Her allegation was found to be true on the balance of probabilities, following a 2024 defamation action against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson over an interview with Higgins. Speaking at theVariety Studio at Sundance, Robinson  whose 2023 book Silenced Women: Why The Law Fails Women and How to Fight Back looks at the way the legal system is used to intimidate women who come forward with allegations  said such laws had a chilling effect.

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Loading In the post-#MeToo world, we saw women break the cultural silence, speaking out publicly about gender-based violence. What we then saw, is their alleged perpetrator bringing a defamation claim saying, This is not true, its defamatory, and Im going to sue you for a lot of money, Robinson told Variety. Related Article Lunch with The international lawyer who specialises in breaking the silence Director Selina Miles told The Hollywood Reporter that despite the #MeToo movement, the legal system was still used to shut down women. Theres a lot of fatigue around #MeToo. For some people, theres a sense of Thats done. We dealt with that back in 2017. We wanted to try and connect the dots in a way that acknowledges that its a continuum, she said.

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In an Instagram post, the Sundance festival described the documentary as igniting an energising anger born not of helplessness, but of clarity. From Amber Heards public scrutiny, to Catalina Ruiz-Navarros fight for press freedom in Colombia, to Brittany Higgins struggle within Australias political establishment, Silenced reveals a global pattern: When women speak out, powerful systems move to discredit and punish them, the post said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Two Bulawayo-based company directors are expected to appear in court tomorrow facing charges of stealing mining equipment valued at US$1,808,829 belonging to businessman Delma Lupepe.The complainant, Lupepe, represents Ilasha Private Limited, a company specialising in mining.According to the State, in 2017, Lupepe applied for a loan of US$1,808,829 from Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) Ltd to purchase mining equipment. Following company policy, the loan was to be disbursed directly to the supplier selected by the applicant  in this case, the accused directors of Yatakala Trading (Pvt) Ltd, trading as Viking Hardware in Bulawayo.The accused, identified as Shlomo Josef Lepar and Joshua Reuvayn Lepar, agreed to supply the mining equipment and consumables at the stated amount. Fidelity Printers deposited the loan into Yatakala Trading's corporate bank account.The procurement process was initially underway, and on November 9, 2017, the accused informed the complainant that the equipment was ready for collection. At this point, a dispute arose over the validity of the sales contract.From February 7, 2018, the State alleges that the accused began preventing the complainant from collecting the equipment, demanding exorbitant storage fees. On December 4, 2018, the accused initiated interpleader proceedings against the complainant and Fidelity Printers, claiming that although they were in possession of the equipment, Yatakala Trading had no interest in it. These proceedings were later withdrawn.The prosecution further alleges that the accused sought to permanently deprive the complainant of the equipment, cancelling the sales contract via a letter dated October 31, 2019, sent to the complainant's lawyers, Mashayamombe and Company Attorneys.On November 5, 2020, the accused allegedly transferred ZWL$1,808,829  the Zimbabwean dollar equivalent of the purchase price  into the trust account of the complainant's lawyers without consent. The mining equipment and consumables, valued at US$1,808,829, were reportedly disposed of without a court order, while a related High Court case (HC 1958/20) was still pending.The two directors are set to appear in court tomorrow to answer the charges, as investigations into the alleged scheme continue.
The January 25 Edition

In our first edition for 2026, Bridgerton actor Ruth Gemmell shares how she found love in later life, both on and off the screen.
Siblings Dibru and Twinkle Hazarak were enjoying sampling the entertainment on offer at The Rocks this Australia Day.

Twinkle said this was her fourth year in Australia, but her first time attending Australia Day celebrations.

Siblings Dibru and Twinkle Hazarak on Monday. Aidan Elwig Pollock

Were from India, and then we also happen to have Republic Day of India on the same day, Twinkle said. Yeah, 26 Jan, I was surprised, said Dibru.

He said he was enjoying the crowds and the chance to soak in a different culture.

The pair were struck by performers walking on stilts at the cruise terminal. Even if they want to take their sticks off, if theyre tired, they cant, Twinkle said. They have to literally fall down to get the sticks off!

In nearby Circular Quay, Colombian international student Jason Lopez was also enjoying the Australia Day festivities.

We are on a student visa, he said, pointing to his partner, who declined to be photographed.

Jason Lopez celebrates by Sydney Harbour. Aidan Elwig Pollock

We came to Australia to learn English.

I love all of this, Lopez said. [Im here] to enjoy the people [to] enjoy this beautiful day.
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NationalNSWSydney Fish Market Sydneys new tourist drawcard heaves with visitors over long weekend Matt O'Sullivan January 25, 2026  3:58pm 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

Sydneys $836 million Fish Market faced one of its first major tests as tens of thousands descended on the new visitor attraction on the first two days of the long weekend, forcing officials to put in place crowd-control measures for a short time on Sunday. Braving high temperatures, large numbers of people used the Dulwich Hill light rail line to get to and from the fish market on Sunday. After hopping off trams, people queued at the one Opal ticket reader on the westbound platform to tap off at the Wentworth Park stop, nearest to the new fish market. Outside the market, attendants at the entrance to an underground car park regularly put up a sign showing it was full before enough vehicles left to allow it to be taken down and others to enter. The new fish market has 400 car parking spaces, the same number as the old facility next door. The new fish market heaves with visitors on Sunday. Max Mason-Hubers Visitors pack outdoor seating areas the new fish market overlooking Blackwattle Bay. Max Mason-Hubers

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Inside the market, the concourse was heaving with people before 11am on Sunday, and long queues formed outside some outlets for takeaway meals. Christies Seafood partner Mandy Kwok said the new market had definitely been busier than the old facility. It has been more than we expected. There are a lot of people trying us out, she said. Its a new chapter. Nicholas Seafood manager Angelo Vaxevani said staff were flat out serving customers at its large outlet at the market on Sunday, and he expected Australia Day would be even busier. Its much busier than the old [market], he said. Passengers queue to tap off at the one Opal card reader on a platform at the Wentworth Park stop, which is closest to the new market. Max Mason-Hubers The NSW government has lauded the new site as the third major landmark on Sydney Harbour, joining the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and forecast it will attract more than 6 million visitors annually. The market has a cap of 5000 visitors at any one time, and remains open until 10pm from Sunday to Thursday, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Sydney Fish Market said it almost reached capacity on the main retail floor on Sunday when numbers peaked at about 4500 people inside at once, resulting in crowd-control measures for about 45 minutes. More than 30,000 people were estimated to have visited on Sunday before 4pm. It is the second time since the market opened last Monday that crowd-control measures have been enacted. On Monday, people had to queue to enter the main retail floor after it reached the cap of 5000 people for several hours over the lunch period. Ahead of the long weekend, Transport for NSW had warned that the new fish market was expected to be very busy on its first weekend of trading. Visitors have been encouraged to use public transport, including buses and light rail. A full sign at the entrance to the fish markets underground car park late on Sunday morning. Max Mason-Hubers Asa Wahlquist, from the Glebe Society resident group, said an incredible number of people had visited the fish market over the first week of operations, resulting in reports of queues at Central Station to catch trams to the stop nearest to the new visitor attraction.

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The light rail has been very busy. There are hordes of people walking from the light rail across Bridge Road, said Wahlquist, who is on a community consultative committee for the new market. She said there had also been a noticeable increase in motorists cruising nearby streets looking for spots to park, which were all taken by 11am. Light rail services were halted between Dulwich Hill and Lilyfield shortly before 4pm on Sunday after a tram needed repairs. Power supply problems in the early afternoon also stopped trams running along George Street in the central city between Town Hall and Circular Quay. A worker moves seafood about the fish markets main retail floor on Sunday. Max Mason-Hubers Families enjoy lunch at the new fish market. Max Mason-Hubers

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The old fish market light rail stop has been renamed Bank Street because Wentworth Park light rail stop is now closer to the new facilitys entrance. The latter is in line for a $40 million accessibility upgrade, including new lifts and ramps, and improved lighting and signage. Sydneysiders and tourists will have to wait at least a year before ferry services to the new fish market begin because a $30 million wharf has yet to be built. Penrith residents Stacy Carr and Mark Del Villar visited the fish market on Sunday as part of a staycation, and thought it was very sophisticated as they prepared to sit down outside to enjoy a glass of wine. Penrith residents Stacy Carr and Mark Del Villar visit the fish market on Sunday. Max Mason-Hubers Inside, they cater for everybody. Youve got food and carvery. In terms of price points, its what we expected. Yes, we are out of pocket, but its been worthwhile, Carr said.

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We had friends and family from western Sydney come out yesterday. Theyve got quite a large family and they needed wheelchair access. They spoke very highly of their experience [at the new market]. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalNSWCourts The carer and the suspicious changes to a Sydney mans will Michaela Whitbourn January 25, 2026  12:40pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A carer for an elderly Sydney man who was given an ever-increasing share of his assets under changes to his will exerted undue influence over him and the wills were invalid, a court has ruled. In a decision that sounds the alarm on elder abuse, the Supreme Court examined four wills made by a former CSIRO research scientist who died in 2020, aged 101. The Sydney man hired a carer in 2008. Within months, she had gained control of his bank accounts, the NSW Supreme Court heard. Marija Ercegovac The wills, executed between 2011 and 2019, gradually increased the proportion of his estate that would be given to his carer, Lavinia Williment-Brown, after some smaller gifts were distributed. The figure rose from 5 per cent in the 2011 will to 21 per cent in 2019. By contrast, the deceaseds two daughters were to receive 20 per cent each in the latter will.

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Justice Michael Elkaim said in his decision in November that Williment-Brown had gained access to the deceaseds bank accounts within a few months of starting as his carer. [There] seems to have been a rapid development in her influence and a marked inconsistency with the duties of a carer, Elkaim said. The court heard Williment-Brown had received almost $60,000 in gifts from the deceased, including a $10,000 Christmas gift and thousands more for a trip to England including $8223 on airfares. GIFTS RECEIVED $15,000 car payment

$10,000 Christmas gift, plus two separate Christmas gifts of $1000 and $1200

$10,000 severance pay

$8223.96 for England trip airfares plus upkeep, internal UK travel, and accommodation

$5000 gift/bonus

$3000 bonus

Birthday gifts totalling $3230

$2000 gift

$374 for car repair Elkaim said she spent almost a month on a fully paid trip to London, ostensibly to resolve issues concerning the deceaseds pension. This was a task which must have been possible from Australia, the judge said.

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The deceaseds original executor, a solicitor, was granted probate of the 2019 will in 2021. Probate confirms the validity of a will and allows the executor to administer the estate according to its terms. But the deceaseds elder daughter sought to have this revoked and for probate of an earlier will to be granted to her. That will, dated 2009, split the bulk of the estate equally between the two sisters. The deceased was 100 years old when he made the 2019 will. His wife died in 2003. He had suffered a head injury when he was hit by a car in 2006 and was diagnosed with mild dementia in 2020. The retired scientist bought a unit in the harbourside suburb of Longueville on Sydneys lower north shore in December 2006.

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Williment-Brown started working for him in March 2008 when she answered an advertisement for a carer for a likeable elderly gent. The judge said her qualifications were minimal. The court heard that Williment-Brown was sacked in September 2010 by the deceaseds then long-term solicitor. She was adamant that the deceased did not instigate this, the judge said. The [carer] ... dominated and dictated the deceaseds life. She controlled his money, and she made his appointments and arrangements. NSW Supreme Court Justice Michael Elkaim In an affidavit filed in the court, the deceaseds former lawyer said: [The retired scientist] did not feel confident or comfortable in terminating Lavinias employment and asked me to do it. In giving me these instructions, I observed that [he] looked worried, almost afraid.

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The judge said Williment-Brown was re-employed shortly after. About a week after being fired, the deceased gave the second defendant a $10,000 severance payment, Elkaim said. Six days later, she was back in the deceaseds employ. Within about a year, she had once again taken control of the deceaseds bank accounts. The court heard Williment-Brown organised a friend of hers, a real estate agent, to sell the deceaseds family home in Chatswood. This was opposed by his daughters. The home was sold in October 2008 for $1.23 million.

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Elkaim said Williment-Brown was present when each of the four new wills were made, with the help of a new lawyer. It can only be a suspicious circumstance that a person increasingly benefiting from a will is present with the [will-maker]  when the wills are made, the judge said. The deceased was frequently in the presence of ... [Williment-Brown] who, in my view, was influencing his life, if not controlling it, he said. I am of the firm view that she was exerting an undue influence upon him. Each of the four wills between 2011 and 2019 was invalid because of that undue influence, Elkaim concluded.

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Courts The $2 million inheritance and the online romance He said Williment-Brown had not established, in the light of suspicious circumstances, that the deceased had an unfettered knowledge and approval ... of the wills. He emphasised that coercion does not have to be physical and may be entirely mental. Williment-Brown had dominated and dictated the deceaseds life and controlled his money. Some of [her] ... actions may well have assisted the deceased, but they also demonstrate her control over him.

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Elkaim made orders paving the way for the deceaseds elder daughter to administer the estate in accordance with the 2009 will, which left the bulk of his estate to his daughters. The deceased was vulnerable from the start, he said, pointing to Williment-Browns control over his bank accounts and her presence when the new wills were made. 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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NationalNSWCrime Two men arrested at Sydney Airport with $750,000 worth of cocaine: police allege David Barwell January 26, 2026  4:17am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Two men have been arrested at Sydney Airport after allegedly swallowing more than 200 pellets of cocaine, with a potential street value of more than $757,000. Australian Border Force swooped on the accused drug smugglers as they touched down at the airport on an international flight on Thursday. Two men have been charged with ingesting pellets of cocaine in an alleged attempt to smuggle the illicit drugs into Australia. Australian Federal Police The men  a 28-year-old British man and 26-year-old man from the Netherlands  were targeted for questioning after their arrival at the airport. During an interview with Australian Border Force officers, investigators became suspicious that both men were internally concealing illegal drugs, a police spokesman said.

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The pair were taken to hospital for medical treatment where they remained over the course of the weekend under the police guard. Over the two-day period, each man is alleged to have expelled 106 pellets of cocaine - or 212 pellets in total. The two men were arrested at Sydney Airport on Thursday. Australian Federal Police The Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force said in a joint statement on Sunday the alleged cocaine haul had a combined total weight of 2.3kg, which could have accounted for about 11,650 street deals. Both men have been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of life in prison. They will appear in the NSW Bail Division Court on Monday.

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Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said anyone who concealed drugs was putting their lives at risk. If any pellets rupture in a couriers stomach or another part of their body, it would cause them to overdose, he said. Australian Border Force Acting Superintendent Neil Singh said officers were committed to stopping the importation of illicit drugs at the border. Our officers not only work off intelligence-led targeting for this practice, but also by observing passenger behaviour in and around the terminal, watching how they interact with other passengers and crew members, he said. We have the technology, skills and ability to detect and disrupt the importation of illicit drugs no matter how they are concealed, rest assured our officers are on the lookout and have the knowledge and intel before you even step off the plane. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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Western Australias Department of Health has seized tens of thousands of illegal cigarettes and more than 20 kilograms of loose tobacco in a major crackdown just a week after a police force veteran was appointed as the states tobacco tsar.

The arrival of Superintendent Steve Post at WA Healths Tobacco Compliance Unit was announced last week, with the senior officer who played a leading role in WAs pandemic response sounding a blunt warning to criminals fuelling the illegal tobacco trade: Get out while you can.

Raids in WAs South West have seized tens of thousands of illegal cigarettes and more than 20 kilograms of loose tobacco. WA Police/WA Health

Now, the department has revealed a joint enforcement effort with WA Police targeting convenience stores, tobacconists and retailers in the states South West had resulted in the seizure of 74,670 cigarettes, more than 20 kilograms of tobacco, and $87,940 in cash.

Post warned the Bunbury operation should be considered the new norm for tobacco compliance.
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PoliticsFederalAustralia Day Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg named 2026 Australian of the Year Natassia Chrysanthos January 25, 2026  7:44pm 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

Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been named the 2026 Australian of the Year for making history as the first Australian to qualify as an astronaut under the countrys space program, and inspiring the next generation to be ambitious about their futures in science and technology. Bennell-Pegg harboured dreams of travelling to space as a child on Sydneys northern beaches, but at the time there was no obvious pathway to achieving them. Australia didnt have a space agency, let alone a training centre, and most of the astronauts who had made it into space were men. Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been named the 2026 Australian of the Year. Alex Ellinghausen When I grew up I was mesmerised by the stars above me, but they felt very far away, she said in an interview with Nine ahead of Sunday nights awards ceremony. I was inspired by Australians that had been to space before  Paul Scully-Power and Andy Thomas, incredible astronauts, but [who] went to space representing other nations. Theres never been a path for Australian astronauts before. What Im doing is opening that door further for more to follow.

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Bennell-Pegg, 41, started her tertiary studies with a degree in aeronautical and space engineering at the University of Sydney, but she then hit a ceiling. I realised I had to go overseas to pursue a space career. I couldnt see a pathway to do what I wanted to do in Australia, unfortunately, she said. So I went overseas and lived around the world and worked on some of the most compelling missions I could have ever hoped for. Travelling around the world and doing this work has been an immense privilege because I got to learn things I could bring back to Australia, to help grow our Australian space sector. Katherine Bennell-Pegg in September, making an audio recording for deep space. Kate Geraghty Bennell-Pegg graduated with basic astronaut training from the European Astronaut Centre in Germany in 2024. Her training was funded by the Australian Space Agency. She was one in a class of six, chosen from a field of more than 22,500 applicants. It made her the first Australian woman to qualify as an astronaut, and the first person to train as an astronaut under the Australian flag. She is also the director of space technology at the Australian Space Agency, which was launched in 2018. Becoming an astronaut for me is a childhood dream come true, she said. But its still just the beginning.

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Bennell-Pegg hasnt been to space yet. Im working to remain ready in case that opportunity should arise, she said. Its pinch-me stuff to be in this position, and I hope by being here and showing whats possible, I can unlock that path for more to follow in the future. She said she wanted to show the power of a dream, and backing yourself, no matter what your dream may be. Its pinch-me stuff to be in this position, and I hope by being here and showing whats possible, I can unlock that path for more to follow. Katherine Bennell-Pegg, 2026 Australian of the Year For many, many years, I was the only woman in the room. And when youre young, in particular, and you feel like you dont fit the stereotype, you often are underestimated, and you underestimate yourself, Bennell-Pegg said. For that reason, we see so many young women backing out of STEM fields [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] when in fact they have so much to offer... Ive seen the power of space to ignite a spark in young peoples minds. Space is powerful to draw kids through to STEM fields.

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National Australian Day Council chief executive Mark Fraser said Bennell-Pegg had forged new frontiers for Australians in space engineering, research and exploration. She leads by example, openly sharing her story to inspire the next generation and reminding us all of the power of a dream, and where determination can lead, Fraser said. The 2026 Australians of the Year are visionaries. Their motivations and goals go far beyond their own interests and achievements. Rather, they are driven by outcomes which benefit others. The 2026 Senior Australian of the Year is Professor Henry Brodaty, who has pioneered treatment for dementia. Brodaty was working as a psychiatrist, interested in depression and mood disorders, when his father died, aged 59, with Alzheimers disease. Professor Henry Brodaty is the Senior Australian of the Year. Alex Ellinghausen

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It had a big effect on me, Brodaty, 78, said. Brodaty helped establish the Alzheimers Association, now known as Dementia Australia, and in 2012, he co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at the University of NSW. What started as an initiative by two people now employs more than 60, all focusing on the treatment, management and prevention of dementia. I was a one-year-old, arriving in this wonderful country with my Holocaust survivor parents. This makes this a very poignant and extraordinary award for me, especially in the aftermath of the Bondi massacre. Im very grateful, Brodaty said as he accepted the award. The 2026 Young Australian of the Year is Nedd Brockmann, a 27-year-old electrician from the regional NSW town of Forbes who has run across Australia and helped raise almost $10 million for homelessness. His major run  from Perths Cottesloe Beach to Sydneys Bondi Beach  covered almost 4000 kilometres over 46 days, and raised $2.6 million from more than 37,000 people. He then set up Nedds Uncomfortable Challenge, which encourages others to complete their own 10-day challenge that raises money for homelessness. More than 20,000 people have since become involved. Nedd Brockmann is the 2026 Young Australian of the Year. Alex Ellinghausen

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We should be proud of this amazing country. We are so lucky to call it home. But unfortunately, not everyone feels that way. In a country as prosperous as Australia, why is it that 122,000 Australians sleep rough every night? That number should stop us all in our tracks, Brockmann said. Construction industry leader Frank Mitchell, who employs 200 staff across four companies, is Australias Local Hero. The Whadjuk-Yued Noongar man, 43, has created 70 upskilling positions for Indigenous Australians in the electrical and construction industry in Western Australia, and awarded more than $11 million to Aboriginal subcontractors. Having lost two friends to drugs and suicide in my teenage years, I was in a bit of a death spiral when I was in my early 20s, Mitchell said. Then two things happened: he had a son, unplanned, when he was 21, and he was offered an electrical apprenticeship. I really wasnt feeling confident that I could achieve an electrical apprenticeship trade. But this one man believed in me. That was my uncle. Someones belief in one person can change someones life, Mitchell said. Frank Mitchell is Australias 2026 Local Hero. Alex Ellinghausen

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I now understand that work and education are not just about income or career progression, they are determinants of health and wellbeing. Completing my electrical apprenticeship gave me pride, hope and stability, gave me the foundation to provide for my family and grow into a leader within my community. I want to pass that opportunity on to other mob. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a special honours list for community heroes who responded to the Bondi attack on December 14 was also being prepared. It will be unveiled later this year. An enduring truth of our national story is that the worst of times reveal the best of the Australian character, Albanese said at the awards ceremony on Sunday night. We have seen that again this summer, in the bravery of communities battling the devastation of floods and bushfires. People working together and looking after each other. And we saw it, beyond measure, at Bondi. 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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InspirationAdventure holidays The underrated US city with a mini Grand Canyon and few tourists Rob McFarland January 26, 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

There are two ways to reach Colorados Rattlesnake Canyon, home to the worlds second-largest concentration of natural stone arches. The first is by tackling a steep, strenuous 25-kilometre round-trip trail that squirms through rock-walled canyons, skirting steep ledges and sun-baked sandstone slabs. The second involves an exhilarating 4WD trip through Colorado National Monument followed by a scenic six-kilometre meander along the canyons upper rim. Naturally, I choose the meander. Grand Junction, Colorado. Josh Wilson, from Adrenaline Driven Adventures, is my guide today, and our transport is a Polaris RZR, a rugged off-roader that looks like it eats canyons for breakfast. After following a snaking road up onto the monuments 2000-metre-high plateau, we plunge into the adjacent Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, careening along a dusty, sagebrush-flanked track to reach the trailhead.

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Just be careful, says Wilson, as we set off on foot towards the rim. Were a long way from help. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. Within minutes, weve spotted the first arch, one of about 35 that pepper the upper reaches of the canyon. Road warrior hitting the scenery with Adrenaline Driven Adventures. Scoured out of a layer of 175-million-year-old Entrada sandstone by centuries of rain, wind and ice, the arches range from dinky, fist-sized openings to yawning 36-metre chasms topped by soaring stone bridges. Unlike in nearby Arches National Park, site of the worlds largest number of arches, you can walk across these sturdy stone bridges, a surreal, vertigo-inducing experience worth it for the dramatic photo op alone.

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The other notable difference between them? During our two-hour hike, we pass just two other people. The arches are the decorative flourish on a dramatic landscape of squirming red-rock canyons and soaring spires thats been nicknamed the mini-Grand Canyon. Towering cliffs reveal a geological timeline of distinct rock layers that begins with 1.7-billion-year-old pre-Cambrian schist. We like to say that this is where the schist hits the fan, jokes Wilson. You can walk across the arches in Rattlesnake Canyon. Spectacular Grand Junction, Colorado. Rattlesnake Canyon alone would justify a trip to this part of western Colorado, but it turns out its just one of an epic trifecta of uniquely contrasting landscapes that surround the city of Grand Junction.

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The second is the aforementioned Colorado National Monument, which we see in all its plunging, red-rock glory on Rim Rock Drive, a 37-kilometre hand-built road that winds up and over the monument, delivering a succession of superlative-sapping vistas. Related Article Traveller Awards Sparking joy: The 10 most fun travel experiences for 2025 The third is Grand Mesa, which claims to be the worlds largest flat-top mountain, a 3425-metre-high monolith that rears out of the Colorado Plateau like a giants footstool. After lunch we swap the RZR for a roofless, three-wheeled Slingshot, another outlandish Polaris invention, and drive up onto the mesas lake-studded summit. Along the way we pass the Book Cliffs, a distinctive 400-kilometre-long mountain range that would be the star attraction anywhere else but barely gets a mention here because of the regions other terrestrial celebrities. My ears pop twice during the drive up, a journey that starts in parched, sagebrush-dotted desert and finishes in verdant sub-alpine forest with more than 300 spruce-rimmed lakes. After passing the still snow-dusted Powderhorn Mountain Ski Resort, we stop at a holiday park where people are relaxing outside log cabins and fishing for rainbow trout in cobalt blue alpine lakes. We could be in Switzerland.

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Grand Junction offers stunning scenery. Bin 707 Foodbar. That night, Im brought back down to earth at Bin 707, one of several fabulous eateries in Grand Junctions delightful sculpture-lined main street. While enjoying a tender lamb tenderloin with an excellent glass of Exodus blaufrankisch (who knew Colorado made wine?), Im reminded of a quote from John Otto, the wilderness lover who was instrumental in getting the region designated a national monument in 1911: Some folks think Im crazy, but I want to see this scenery opened up to all people. THE DETAILS Fly

Qantas flies to Grand Junction Regional Airport via Dallas/Fort Worth. See qantas.com

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North America After abandoning a sensible career in IT, Rob McFarland now divides his time between Sydney, the US and Europe. He's won six writing awards and regularly runs workshops for aspiring writers. Follow his travels on Instagram @mctraveller

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WorldNorth AmericaTrump's White House Opinion Thanks to Trump, we are seen as sinister, selfish, unruly and at everybodys throats

Maureen Dowd January 25, 2026  12:30pm 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

I saw charismatic Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda lead the National Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, in a program called Songs of Destiny & Fate. The Brahms, Bach and Vivaldi were a soothing tonic to President Donald Trumps soundtrack, which is akin to the stabbing, shrieking Bernard Herrmann score for Alfred Hitchcocks Psycho shower scene. A large crowd gathers at the scene where federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. AP The concert began with The Star-Spangled Banner. Even before Trump blasphemously interloped onto the Kennedy Centers name, Horrible Trump Culture War Enforcer Ric Grenell had dictated that all National Symphony Orchestra concerts begin with the national anthem. Im always happy to put my hand on my heart and listen to the ode to our flag and this heavn rescued land. My father always had an American flag flying and took it down at sundown as a sign of respect, which was the custom then. When I won a Pulitzer, New Yorks very cool senator, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, sent me a flag that had flown over the Capitol, which I cherish.

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But it felt tinny to be force-fed The Star-Spangled Banner by our solipsistic president and his creepy sycophants, who show nothing but disdain for the Constitution and American values. It was our countrys destiny to reflect ideals that made us an incandescent beacon for democracy. But Trump has pulverised those ideals. We are now seen as sinister, selfish, unruly and at everybodys throats. Jack Smiths testimony before Congress on Thursday was a stinging reminder that Trump tried to overthrow the government and wickedly put lawmakers and his own vice president in harms way. Our investigation revealed that Donald Trump is the person who caused Jan. 6, that it was foreseeable to him and that he sought to exploit the violence, Smith said. It is heartbreaking that on the cusp of our 250th anniversary, we have a president who is perverting all the values our country was founded on: looking out for one another, respecting one anothers rights. America is not supposed to be a place where an angel-faced five-year-old named Liam, with a floppy-eared hat and a Spider-Man backpack, gets seized and taken to a detention centre by men in masks.

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Related Video Video icon 4:24 USA Minneapolis mayors plea after fatal shooting The American leader is meant to be a unifier, a strong and soothing presence in the world. Trump is an anarchic toddler, constantly causing upheaval across the globe, transgressing and remaking everything in his helter-skelter image. He has no interest in fireside chats; he wants to set fires. Hes more about droit du seigneur than noblesse oblige. He feels entitled to whatever he wants, from Greenland to Canada to the Kennedy Center to a Nobel Prize he didnt win. Unlike previous presidents, he isnt countering Russia; hes catering to it. He disparaged the NATO troops who died for us in Afghanistan and belittled our nicest neighbour, claiming that Canada lives because of the United States. Demanding Greenland, which he kept calling Iceland, he whinged to global leaders at Davos, All I want is a piece of ice. The depth of his shallowness is infinite.

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One Canadian columnist asked, How would Trump behave differently if he was legitimately losing his mind? Related Article Foreign relations Trump threatens Canada with 100 per cent tariffs amid feud over China ties I understand the importance of legal immigration. My Irish father fought in the infantry in World War I to earn his citizenship. Nobody wants criminals here illegally. President Joe Biden let the border run amok. But in the new New York Times/Siena University poll, a sizable majority said Immigration and Customs Enforcement had gone too far. Trump responded by saying he would expand his lawsuit against the Times to include the poll, because his rampaging vanity cannot accept falling numbers; the poll indicated that 42 per cent of voters said he was ramping up to be one of the worst presidents in American history. We have watched in horror as Minneapolis has morphed into an eerie war zone: ICE claiming that its officers are allowed to barge into peoples homes without judicial warrants; an ICE agent shooting an unarmed mom with stuffed animals in her glove compartment three times until she was dead; ICE dragging a Minnesota man  a Hmong immigrant and naturalised US citizen with no criminal record  out of his house into the snow, wearing only underwear and Crocs; ICE detaining four children, including little Liam, from one school district. (An FBI agent who wanted to investigate the ICE agent who shot the mom resigned after bureau officials told her to stop her inquiry.)

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Why detain a five-year-old? a flustered Zena Stenvik, the towns superintendent, keened at a news conference. It is clear the Trump crowd sees no difference between a criminal who crossed into the country illegally and a family that has applied for asylum and is doing everything the right way to stay here. My parents inculcated us with patriotism and gratitude for this country. I grew up surrounded by men in uniform. My mother carried around a pocket-size Constitution in her purse, along with miniature bottles of Tabasco. She did not want to see us on July 4 if we were not in red, white and blue. I know what America is meant to stand for. Trump has made America un-American. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Guruve teacher and businessman, along with his girlfriend, are assisting police following allegations that they kidnapped a five-day-old baby.Brighton Mupunga (46) and Juliet Mujeri (30) were taken into custody at Guruve police station as part of ongoing investigations.Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed that the incident occurred last week. Authorities allege that Mupunga and Mujeri hatched a plan to abduct the newborn of a 17-year-old mother after reportedly paying for her hospital bills.According to police, Mupunga instructed his girlfriend to steal the baby around 10pm, which she allegedly carried out successfully. The mother discovered her child missing and raised the alarm, calling for help from neighbours.Mupunga was initially apprehended, having visited the mother's home prior to the abduction. A search of his phone allegedly revealed messages exchanged with Mujeri detailing the kidnapping plan. Mujeri was later arrested, and the baby was safely recovered and referred to Guruve Hospital for care.Investigations are ongoing as police seek to establish the full circumstances of the alleged crime.
A 28-YEAR-OLD man who tested positive for drugs while driving was fined and disqualified from driving at Carlow District Court.

Paul Fasakin, with an address at Green Road, Carlow, appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy at Carlow District Court charged with section 3 possession under the Misuse of Drugs Act and section 4(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act, driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

The court heard that on 12 November 2023, Garda Cillian Mohally was conducting a checkpoint on Ballinacarrig Road, Carlow when he observed a car almost causing a collision while driving towards the Eire Og link road.

When he stopped the car driven by Mr Fasakin, Garda Mohally noted a strong smell of cannabis from the car and saw that Mr Fasakins eyes were glazed over.

Garda Mohally then arrested him under section 4(1)(a), driving under the influence of an intoxicant. A roadside drugs test was performed on Mr Fasakin which came back positive for cannabis. There was also a small quantity of cannabis found in the car.

The court heard that Mr Fasakin, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the two charges before the court and was very co-operative with the gardai.

Defence solicitor John OSullivan told the court that his client, who is originally from Nigeria but moved to Ireland in 2013 with his parents, currently works in construction and is co-parenting his daughter.

Mr OSullivan asked Judge Carthy for a six-month postponement to the disqualification from driving so his client could put his affairs in order.

In relation to Mr Fasakins drug-taking, Mr OSullivan said: He has taken steps to cut it out of his life, and added: He wants to turn over a new leaf, for want of a better phrase. For driving under the influence of an intoxicant, Judge Carthy convicted and fined Mr Fasakin 350 with 90 days to pay and disqualified him from driving for one year, with the disqualification postponed until 1 June. On possession charge, she convicted and fined Mr Fasakin 200.

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by Staff reporter

The state of highways and rural roads in Matabeleland has deteriorated drastically, with several areas becoming inaccessible after heavy rains destroyed bridges and cut off communities. The collapse has sparked concern over the region's neglected infrastructure.Mqondisi-Moyo, president of the Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP), described the road conditions as a sign of deliberate marginalisation by the Zanu-PF government. He accused authorities of neglecting Matabeleland while significant funds from the national budget were spent elsewhere.Last week, heavy rains caused the Old BulawayoGwanda road in Gulabahwaa sacred ancestral site of the Ndebele and Kalanga peopleto collapse. A bridge along the route gave way on Friday, cutting off entire communities and severing access to markets, schools, clinics, and places of worship."This road is not a luxury; it is a lifeline," Moyo said. "Its collapse once again exposes how Matabeleland is treated as a disposable hinterland by a Harare-based government that neither listens nor cares."Moyo added that basic road infrastructure, including bridges and drainage systems, has been neglected for years. Temporary crossings are used at swollen rivers, leaving motorists and residents at risk. Recent incidents include a vehicle being swept away at a low-level bridge over the Hovi/Ovi River in Matobo district, and Gwanda town being effectively split in two due to the Mtshabezi River submerging a low-level bridge."The low-level bridge has remained submerged for days, preventing access to schools, hospitals, workplaces, shopping facilities, and emergency services," Moyo said. "Children are missing school, patients cannot reach clinics, and economic life has ground to a haltnot because the rains were unexpected, but because the state never built proper all-weather infrastructure."Moyo highlighted a series of neglected roads across Matabeleland, including the BeitbridgeBulawayo, BulawayoVictoria Falls, BulawayoTsholotsho, BulawayoNkayi, and GwandaMaphisa routes. He accused the government of allowing these roads to deteriorate despite their economic, tourism, and social importance.He also raised concerns over road funding, noting that the government collects substantial revenue through vehicle licensing fees, fuel levies, transit fees, and road access charges, yet communities continue to suffer from collapsed roads."Where is this money being invested if not in Matabeleland?" Moyo asked. "Communities are being left isolated, and basic infrastructure is failing while funds are collected from citizens."Despite claims by the government that BulawayoVictoria Falls and BulawayoNkayi roads are being rehabilitated, motorists report shocking deterioration, particularly after the recent rains.Moyo described the neglect as "criminal negligence masquerading as governance" and urged the government to prioritise the region's roads before more lives and livelihoods are affected.
I have now viewed numerous videos of masked ICE agents conducting searches, seizures and arrests. In my view, ICE comes across as overly aggressive for most of the situations at hand and I must confess I am not a fan of masked federal agents running around our communities either. Its not my idea of what America should be about.

However, I also know, based on my experience, we may not always see the whole situation in a short video and there may be times when the level of force viewed is justified.

Generally, though, when dealing with people, I have found its better to work toward deescalating situations rather than escalating them.

What I do not find as justifiable in these videos is the constant unprofessional language masked ICE agents are using toward fellow human beings, especially the constant use of the F word toward citizens and non-citizens alike.

A truly educated, law enforcement professional can get the necessary messages across without the constant use of the F word toward others and without subjecting impressionable young Americans and others to that type of language from government agents and normalizing it in the public discourse. We as Americans are better than that.

When I was sheriff, I did not tolerate that type of language being routinely used in public by my deputies and the leadership of ICE shouldnt tolerate it either.

This crude language diminishes ICEs overall stature and effectiveness as a professional law enforcement agency.

If one wants to be viewed as a professional, they should conduct themselves in a professional manner, including the language used in public. The constant use of the F word in public by these representatives of the federal government and more importantly representatives of the American people is not professional, should not be normalized and is a matter of public concern.

Tim Gobble

Former elected sheriff

Former federal agent

* * *

I thank Former Sheriff Gobble for his thoughts and example.

I remember in the 1990's when former President George Bush publicly scolded the NRA after the organization accused federal agents of the kind of behavior that we now see enacted in HD color today in the 2020's. President Bush defended federal professionals then. Whatever fraction (I hope a small number but fear much larger) of ICE agents behave this way, they are squandering the good will that greater men than them worked to earn.

These agents are paid by, serve and represent the taxpayers of the greatest republic on the face of the planet today. They should act like it. We should expect our elected federal representatives to hold them to that standard.





David Sean Kelman

* * *

From what I've seen on the Web of ICE agents at work, and U.S. police of all kinds in the heat and excitement of action, I can honestly say that I wouldn't understand half the things the cops were saying.



Oh, yeah, to my shame I have known the words they're using, but I expunged that kind of vulgarity and profanity and obscenity from my speaking and listening vocabulary when I was a very young man.



Now, truly, those words simply pass over my head and are not really heard, not acknowledged in any way.



Sadly, (1) the cops in their great authority and aggravation aren't in any mood to explain themselves to tender ears, and (2) they probably don't have the ability to express themselves any other way.



Also, of course, it's always hard to understand anybody who's hiding behind a full face mask. That practice just isn't right and should be prohibited.



Larry Cloud
Due to the continued inclement weather and threat of hazardous road conditions, Hamilton County Schools will be closed on Monday, school officials said. School Age Child Care sites will be closed, and extracurricular activities are canceled.

Due to freezing temperatures and the possibility of dangerous road conditions, city of Chattanooga refuse and bulk trash pickup decisions will be made on Monday at 8:30 a.m. followed by a press release at 9 a.m.

The City of East Ridge offices and Library will be closed on Monday.

Local and state emergency agencies continue to report dangerous travel conditions, including low visibility from fog, low-hanging tree limbs, freezing drizzle, and the potential for black ice as temperatures rapidly decline throughout the area overnight.

Residents are strongly encouraged to remain weather-aware and avoid unnecessary travel to allow public safety and emergency crews to respond efficiently to weather-related incidents and roadway concerns.

All properties scheduled for Monday garbage pick-up will be collected on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. To ensure prompt service, please make sure to place your trash carts at the curb the night before your scheduled pickup date.

Essential public safety services, including East Ridge Fire Department and East Ridge Police Department, will continue normal operations.

www.eastridgetn.gov or follow the City of East Ridge on official social media channels. For more updates and additional information regarding City of East Ridge closures or schedule adjustments, please visitor follow the City of East Ridge on official social media channels.

Chattanooga City Court is closed Monday. Red Bank Court is closed Monday and cases will be given new dates.

All City of Chattanooga facilities and programs will be closed on Monday. Essential employees will continue to report to work as usual.

All Hamilton County Health Department locations will be closed on Monday due to winter weather. Officials said, "Stay updated on our social media channels for information on when services will resume. Additionally, keep an eye on local news outlets for the latest weather updates."

Hamilton County Government offices will be closed Monday. Essential services will continue as appropriate, and first responder agencies are operating as normal.

The status of Hamilton Countys constitutional offices is as follows:

Hamilton County Mayors Office/General Government CLOSED

Grand Jury CLOSED

Circuit Court CLOSED

County Clerk CLOSED

Circuit Court Clerk CLOSED

Juvenile Court CLOSED

Chancery Court CLOSED

Juvenile Court Clerk CLOSED

Clerk and Master CLOSED

District Attorneys Office CLOSED

Criminal Court CLOSED

Public Defenders Office CLOSED

Criminal Court Clerk CLOSED

Assessor of Property CLOSED

General Sessions Court CLOSED

Register of Deeds Office CLOSED

General Sessions Court Clerk- Civil Division CLOSED

Trustees Office CLOSED

General Sessions Court Clerk- Criminal Division CLOSED

Sheriffs Main Office CLOSED.

County officials said, "Thank you for your patience and understanding. Hamilton County leadership will monitor conditions and provide updates as new information becomes available." Follow the Hamilton County Mayors Office (@HamCoTNGov) soci "

All Bradley County Government offices will be closed on Monday. Essential services will remain operational.

A note to the UTC Community said:





The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for the Chattanooga / Hamilton County area from 12:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Monday, January 26, and again from 6:00 p.m. Monday, January 26, through 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Very cold wind chills are expected. Use caution when outdoors and wear appropriate cold-weather clothing. Slick conditions are possible overnight and Monday morning, with patches of freezing rain or drizzle possible this evening. Water remaining on sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways is likely to freeze overnight as temperatures drop.



The safety of the University community remains our top priority. While campus and downtown Chattanooga are generally clear, outlying areas and higher elevations are expected to continue experiencing hazardous conditions. Out of an abundance of caution, the University will modify campus operations during this weather event.



Modification to Campus Operations

All classes and activities scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026, are CANCELLED.

For employees, this will be an unscheduled administrative closure. Essential Employees should report to campus as directed by their supervisor.

Other Modifications:



Mocs Dining (Aramark) will operate on a modified schedule:



Main Campus

Crossroads Dining Hall: OPEN from 9:00 AM  7:00 PM.

UC Food Court: CLOSED

Freshens: CLOSED

Starbucks: OPEN from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

South Campus

Subway: OPEN from 11:00 AM  7:00 PM.

South Campus POD: OPEN from 11:00 AM  7:00 PM.

West Campus

Einstein Bros: CLOSED

Local Restaurant Row (Chef Express): OPEN from 11:00 AM  7:00 PM.

West Campus POD: OPEN from 11:00 AM  7:00 PM.



Campus Recreation

Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC) will be OPEN from 12:00 PM  4:00 PM. The pool will be closed.

Sports Complex will be CLOSED.



Mail & Print Services will be CLOSED.



Mocs Express (Campus Shuttle) is SUSPENDED. All other CARTA buses are beginning service at 10:00 AM, dependent on road conditions.



University Center will be CLOSED.



UTC Bookstore will be CLOSED.



UTC Library will be OPEN from 12:00 PM  4:00 PM.



All Activities and Events are CANCELLED. Organizers will communicate if these activities or events are to be rescheduled and, if so, on what dates and times.



Emergencies:

Students living ON-CAMPUS should call the UTC Police at (423) 425-HELP/4357.

Students living OFF-CAMPUS should call 911.

Students, faculty, and staff experiencing a mental health crisis should call the UTCares line at (423) 425-CARE/2273.

Personal Safety

Students who are unable to travel to campus safely due to local road conditions are encouraged to prioritize their safety and notify their course instructors as soon as possible. Faculty will work with students to provide reasonable accommodations. Students are expected to complete required coursework in accordance with guidelines set by their instructors.

who are unable to travel to campus safely due to local road conditions are encouraged to prioritize their safety and notify their course instructors as soon as possible. Faculty will work with students to provide reasonable accommodations. Students are expected to complete required coursework in accordance with guidelines set by their instructors. Faculty members who are unable to travel to campus safely due to local road conditions are encouraged to prioritize their safety and contact their Department Head or School/Program Director as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements, consistent with the UTC Faculty Handbook.

who are unable to travel to campus safely due to local road conditions are encouraged to prioritize their safety and contact their Department Head or School/Program Director as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements, consistent with the UTC Faculty Handbook. Staff members who are unable to travel to campus safely due to local road conditions are encouraged to prioritize their safety and contact their supervisor as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements for documenting annual leave or seeking authorization to contribute to services remotely to the extent feasible.

Updates

Any further modifications to campus operations will be shared via the UTC-Alert system by 1/26/2026 by 5:00 PM. To view the latest alerts, visit the UTC-Alert Status website. To learn more about the UTC-Alert system, visit www.utc.edu/utc-alert.



A storm that began with light snow turned to heavy rain and wind on Sunday. Warnings remained of icy conditions. That was to be followed by bitter cold.



EPB reported on Sunday morning that there were 168 outage incidents with over 5,200 customers affected. By mid-afternoon Sunday, the number of those without power had dropped to over 4,300.



It was announced earlier that all Hamilton County Schools campuses would be closed on Saturday and Sunday. All district and community-sponsored events are canceled. Schools will communicate with families to reschedule district events. Officials said, "Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to keep our students and staff safe."



Bradley County and Cleveland Schools will be off Monday and Tuesday. Other schools closed through Tuesday include Dayton, Meigs, McMinn, Polk and Rhea County.



Due to the potential for hazardous travel conditions, all campuses of Georgia Northwestern Technical College will be closed on Monday. All classes, activities, and events are canceled.



Erlanger Baroness, Erlanger East, Erlanger North, Erlanger Western Campus, and Erlanger Bledsoe are still open, officials said.
If anyone thinks two months isnt enough time to make a difference, Rotary Rocks Chattanooga would like a word.

December and January proved to be powerhouse months of service, leadership, and generosity as Rotary Rocks Chattanooga rolled up its sleeves and went to work across the Chattanooga community.

In December, during Rotarys Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, the club partnered with Welcome Home of Chattanooga, donating paper goods, cleaning supplies, and a bed frame to support their mission of creating communities of hope, healing, and compassion. Welcome Home provides compassionate care and safe shelter for those facing serious illness, death, or housing insecurity - restoring dignity when it matters most.

January came in just as strong.

During Rotarys Vocational Service Month, the club partnered with the Family Justice Center of Chattanooga, whose mission is to meet survivors where they are and provide inclusive, survivor-centered services that promote healing, transformation, and hope for the future.

Members collected clothing, non-perishable food items, kid packs filled with blankets, stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, and toiletry/hygiene kitsproving that sometimes hope comes in a backpack.

On January 19, members toured the Family Justice Center, gaining a behind-the-scenes look at the coordinated care changing lives every day.

Service wasnt the only thing happening.

On January 10, 14 members completed Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) Part I, sharpening their leadership skills and Rotary knowledge. Even better, five Rotary Rocks Chattanooga members completed facilitator certification, meaning this club isnt just building leadersits multiplying them across the district.

And then came the confetti moment.

This past Tuesday, 23 members became Paul Harris Fellows, each contributing $100 to The Rotary Foundation. Thanks to generous seasoned Rotarians who gifted recognition points, these members reached this milestone together. Becoming a Paul Harris Fellow represents a personal commitment to advancing Rotarys humanitarian, educational, and peace-building work worldwide.

In short:

Two months.

Two major community partnerships.

New leaders trained.

And 23 new Paul Harris Fellows.

Not bad for a winter season.

These months reminded us that Rotary is where compassion finds action and leadership finds meaning, club leaders shared. Anyone who wants to grow, give back, and belong is welcome here.

About Rotary International

Rotary International unites 1.4 million leaders from over 220 countries in a shared commitment to serve others, uphold integrity, and advance goodwill and peace. Membership is by invitation and offers a global network of professionals and community leaders.

About Rotary District 6780

Rotary District 6780, led by 2025-2026 District Governor David Carroll, encompasses a diverse group of dedicated Rotarians across East Tennessee. The district is recognized for producing international leaders who exemplify Rotarys mission to create lasting change through service.
Hearthara Culinary and Cummings Media Group have announced a new partnership "that brings together two very different brands with one powerful, shared vision: to help businesses grow through connection, storytelling, and intentional impact.

Hearthara Culinary, founded by Chef Sara Turney, is a community-rooted food and beverage company specializing in event production, festival management, private chef services, and food business consulting. Built on the belief that talent should never be limited by access, Hearthara uses food and shared experiences to create opportunity, elevate entrepreneurs, and strengthen local food ecosystems, it was stated.

Cummings Media Group, founded by Mariah Cummings, is a results-driven digital marketing and social media agency focused on helping businesses build strong online presences through strategic content, data-driven campaigns, and authentic brand storytelling, Ms. Cummings said.

While one company works primarily in physical spaces through food, events, and hospitality - and the other operates in digital spaces through marketing, media, and online engagement - their missions are deeply aligned. Both are built on the belief that businesses grow when people are seen, supported, and given the right tools to succeed, it was stated.

This partnership allows us to combine real-world experiences with digital storytelling, said Chef Sara Turney. We create powerful moments through food and events, and Cummings Media Group ensures those stories live on, reach the right audiences, and help our clients grow.

Mariah Cummings added, Hearthara is doing incredible work building community and creating opportunity in the food space. Our role is to amplify that work online - helping those stories reach more people and turn visibility into sustainable growth.

Together, Hearthara Culinary and Cummings Media Group "will provide food entrepreneurs, event producers, and community-driven brands with both the operational support and digital strategy they need to thrive - bridging the gap between experience and exposure."
Neo Langston has been released on bond after being taken into custody in Montana. The streamer will need to appear in front of a grand jury as a witness soon.

There has been movement in the investigation into Celeste Rivas Hernandezs death. Neo Langston, a friend of D4vd, has appeared before a Los Angeles judge after a surprise arrest out of state. The streamer was arrested in Montana on Thursday, January 22, after failing to appear in front of a grand jury. The grand jury is looking into the death of the 14-year-old girl found dead inside a Tesla registered to R&B artist D4vd. Its unclear exactly what the LAPD believes Langston knows about the teen and her death. Still, he appears to have been a close confidant of D4vds before the discovery. Based on the warrant, they believe he has something of note to share.

Neo Langston has been released on bond

According to TMZ, the warrant was issued after Langston refused several requests to appear in front of the exploratory grand jury that is reviewing evidence related to Rivas Hernandezs death. While Langston appears to have lived in Los Angeles at one point, he was actually arrested at his mothers ranch in Montana. Photos taken at the Helena home show the 23-year-old being led away by several police officers. In the photos, hes wearing a beanie, a sweatsuit, and sweatpants. It is unclear how long he had been staying with his mother.

Here's the scene when police arrested Neo Langston in Helena, Mont. on Jan. 22. https://t.co/csh7kjNNpa pic.twitter.com/MBf5wUl7Rv  Thom Bridge (@thom_g_bridge) January 23, 2026

Langston was booked into the LAPD jail on January 23 and released on a $60,000 bond the following day. According to official jail records, the streamer was released from custody at 9:09am. He does not have another court date set at this time. Presumably, hell need to appear in front of the grand jury as a witness sooner rather than later.

Neo Langston has not been charged in connection with Celeste Rivas Hernandezs death

While Neo Langston is wanted as a witness, he has not been charged in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez and has not been named as a suspect in the teens death. His arrest and expedition back to Los Angeles are solely for the purpose of appearing before a grand jury as a witness. While Langston has not been named as a suspect, reports do indicate the LAPD may be looking at a potential second suspect aside from D4vd in th death of the teenager. It is unclear when or if arrests for the crime will be made.

The grand jury began meeting back in December. They have yet to review all of the evidence and hear from all of the witnesses. Langston may not be the only witness who has opted to shirk their responsibility to appear. Whether more warrants will be issued remains to be seen, though.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has stepped in to defuse a growing conflict between two of Zanu-PF's high-profile benefactors, Paul Tungwarara and businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, whose clash has caused divisions within the ruling party.The feud erupted three weeks ago when Tungwarara publicly criticised unnamed wealthy individuals at a presidential empowerment programme in Manicaland's Marange area. Party supporters on social media interpreted the remarks as aimed at Tagwirei, sparking the emergence of rival camps backing the two men. Tungwarara accused Tagwirei of being overly ambitious and attempting to use his wealth to succeed Mnangagwa.The conflict intensified after a social media post by a Tagwirei associate referred to him as "HE" (His Excellency), and a photo circulated showing a commuter omnibus with Tagwirei's image and the inscription "Zim1," a title associated with the presidency.Tungwarara subsequently attacked Tagwirei in Nyanga, alleging the businessman sought to control government and party affairs, including attempts to have ministers, permanent secretaries, and vice presidents sacked. Tagwirei allegedly retaliated through a social media campaign and by trying to block Tungwarara's Manicaland meeting scheduled for Mutare.In response, Zanu-PF political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha temporarily suspended the distribution of the Presidential Economic Empowerment Revolving Fund, pending new guidelines from party secretary-general Jacob Mudenda.Sources revealed that Mnangagwa personally summoned both Tungwarara and Tagwirei to calm tensions. While Mudenda urged Tungwarara to apologise for tarnishing the party's image, Tungwarara initially refused. He later agreed not to attack Tagwirei further, allowing the Mutare meeting to proceed.Insiders say Tagwirei's approach included sponsoring intelligence reports to counter accusations of ambition while undermining Tungwarara and Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa. Mutsvangwa has repeatedly accused Tagwirei of attempting to use wealth to buy influence over the presidency, a claim Tagwirei has not publicly addressed.The feud reportedly stems from Tagwirei's alleged opposition to Mnangagwa's advisor's rise to the party's central committee. Both Tungwarara and Tagwirei remain influential in party and economic circles, making their rivalry a delicate matter for the President to manage.
Vice President JD Vance, attending as the keynote speaker, waves to participants at the 53rd annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23, 2026. | Photo credit: Facebook/ JD Vance

Vice President JD Vance framed the abortion debate as a moral crossroads between faith and paganism during remarks at the 53rd annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C.

Addressing thousands of pro-life supporters gathered at the National Mall on Friday, Vance highlighted actions taken by the Trump administration that he said aligned with the movements goals, including granting pardons to imprisoned pro-life activists and halting federally funded research involving aborted fetal tissue.

He also pointed to broader policy priorities, including expanding the child tax credit, lowering housing costs, and establishing government-backed savings accounts for children, which would include a $1,000 deposit for babies born between New Years Eve 2024 and New Years Day 2029.

During his speech, Vance referenced an academic study he had recently reviewed that described archaeological findings of infant remains near ancient brothels.

This is shocking to us because we grew up in a Christian culture and were formed by religious values. Even those of us who arent particularly faithful, its a shocking thing to hear, said Vance.

But we have to remember that in the ancient pagan world, discarding children was routine. 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 said Judeo-Christian teachings helped shape a different understanding of human dignity, citing Psalm 139s declaration that people are fearfully and wonderfully made by God.

He emphasized that the March for Life represents more than a single policy dispute, describing it as a fundamental civilizational choice.

He added that the March for Life is not just about a political issue, but rather, whether we will remain a civilization under God or whether we ultimately return to the paganism that dominated the past.

The vice president criticized cultural messages he said discourage family life, particularly among younger generations. The far left in this country tells our young people that marriage and children are obstacles, that it's irresponsible, even immoral, because of climate change or some other reason, he said. They tell us that life itself is a burden.

Vance said the pro-life movement rejects that narrative, emphasizing the value of children and family. But we here at this march, we know its a lie. We know that life is a gift. We know that babies are precious, because we know them and we love them and we see the way that they can transform our families.

He described family life as central to both personal fulfillment and the broader social order. Vance said that family life was not just the source of a great joy, but was part of Gods design for men and women, a design that extends outward from the family to our neighborhoods, to our communities and to the United States of America itself.

In closing, Vance encouraged Americans to seek meaning through commitment to family and life rather than career ambition alone. To our fellow Americans, we say youre never going to find great meaning in a cubicle or in front of a computer screen, he said. But you will find great meaning if you dedicate yourself to the creation and sustenance of human life.

Organizers of the March for Life confirmed last week that Vance would again headline the event, marking his second appearance since becoming vice president.

This years rally adopted the theme Life is a Gift, and featured remarks from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, alongside several other members of Congress who joined the annual demonstration.
Aaron Edwards, a Christian theologian and former lecturer at Cliff College in Derbyshire, U.K. | Photo credit: Facebook/ Christian Concern

A Christian lecturer appeared in court this week to challenge a tribunal ruling that upheld his dismissal from a Bible college over social media posts expressing traditional Evangelical beliefs on sexuality.

Aaron Edwards is appealing a decision by the Sheffield Employment Tribunal, arguing that the ruling unlawfully infringed on his rights to religious freedom and free expression.

Edwards was dismissed from Cliff College after posting comments on X defending a biblical understanding of sexuality during a February 2023 debate within the Church of England over the blessing of same-sex relationships.

In the post that led to disciplinary action, Edwards wrote, 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.

The remarks sparked intense online backlash, with critics accusing Edwards of homophobia. In follow-up posts, he maintained that his position reflected the conservative view and insisted that it was not homophobic to declare homosexuality sinful.

After declining requests from the college to delete the posts, Edwards was formally investigated and subsequently dismissed for misconduct on the grounds that his comments had brought the college into disrepute.

He was later granted limited permission to appeal and appeared before the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London on Thursday, where he sought approval to broaden the scope of his appeal.

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.

Edwards is receiving legal support from the Christian Legal Centre, which says he has been unable to secure work as a Bible college lecturer since his dismissal and has experienced financial hardship and serious stress-related health problems.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said concerns over reputation do not justify sanctioning protected religious 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.

Williams added, This case raises serious questions about freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and the lawful limits of institutional authority.
Home News 2 Christian nurses acquitted of blasphemy in landmark court ruling

Quick Summary AI Summary Two Christian nurses acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan after a four-year case.

District court ruled prosecution failed to substantiate charges under Section 295-B.

Nurses faced threats and intimidation, requiring security measures during proceedings. 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

Two Christian nurses have been acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan, ending a case that began more than four years ago and forced them into hiding under threat of mob violence. A district court ruled that the prosecution failed to substantiate the charge.

Mariam Lal and Newosh Arooj, who were charged under Section 295-B of Pakistans Penal Code, which mandates life imprisonment for damaging Quranic text, were acquitted in November 2025, and the deadline for authorities to appeal the ruling passed this week, according to Aid to the Church in Need.

The charges followed accusations by a senior doctor in April 2021 that the nurses, who worked in Civil Hospital in Punjab Provinces Faisalabad city, had defiled a sticker with an Islamic inscription pasted on a hospital cupboard.

As word spread, the nurses narrowly escaped an attempted lynching by an angry crowd and were detained by authorities. Both women remained in custody for five months before being allowed to await trial outside of jail for safety reasons.

The court later permitted them to avoid public appearances, citing credible threats to their lives. Throughout the proceedings, the nurses were unable to work and required security measures due to ongoing intimidation.

Their legal defense was conducted by the National Commission for Justice and Peace, a Catholic body backed by Aid to the Church in Need.

Local advocates called the ruling a rare instance of a lower court acquitting defendants in a blasphemy case, which are typically deferred to higher courts due to social pressure.

Fr. Khalid Rashid Asi of NCJP said the decision showed the district judge acted independently based on the evidence presented.

While the nurses' families expressed relief, they remain under pressure.

Our struggle now continues for the secure future, rehabilitation and dignified reintegration of the nurses, Asi told ACN.

He credited Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad and advocates Sanaullah Baig and Shahid Anwar for their efforts under threat. He also thanked the international community for its support.

Their prayers, financial assistance, and international solidarity strengthened not only the two nurses but also reminded us that the Church and the global community do not remain silent in times of suffering, Fr. Asi said.

John Pontifex, head of press and public affairs at ACN UK, who had met the nurses in 2023, said they never lost hope despite the danger.

The blasphemy law, embedded in Sections 295 and 298 of Pakistan's penal code, is frequently misused for personal revenge. While it permits the death penalty for those convicted of insulting Islam or its Prophet Muhammad, it carries no provision to punish a false accuser or a false witness of blasphemy.

Islamic radicals also use the law to target religious minorities, including Christians, Shias, Ahmadiyyas and Hindus.

A Lahore-based group, Centre for Social Justice, reported that 200 people were accused of blasphemy in 2020, a record number of cases in one year. In total, the group reports that at least 1,855 people have been charged under Pakistans blasphemy laws since 1987.

International advocates have long called on Pakistan to reform its penal code, as it is often used to persecute religious minorities.
Home Opinion National School Choice Week is here. Why choice isn't enough

The school choice movement has given families something wholly precious: freedom.

Freedom to leave schools that are failing their children.



Freedom to pursue education aligned with their values.



Freedom to imagine and even demand something better.

But freedom alone is not enough.

Choice without discernment is just motion  like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic. There is activity. Finally! We might even feel quite productive. But if the ship itself remains on its destructive course, it is all for nought. And without a deliberate and distinct change in direction, families risk trading one inadequate system for another  newer, shinier, perhaps more convenient, but no more worthy of their children.

Before we can choose the school, we must understand the purpose of education. In The Republic, Plato argued that education is never neutral. It shapes desires, habits, and loves. It transforms the soul  whether it intends to or not. So, then the question must be, what is our choice of schools transforming our children into?

What kind of people do we hope our children become? What do we believe is true, good, and beautiful? What virtues matter most? What is a human life for?

If parents do not answer those questions, someone else will. Every school does. Every curriculum carries a worldview that will indoctrinate our children. Even schools that claim to be neutral are forming students to make a god of something  comfort, efficiency, self-expression, or achievement detached from character. But children deserve more than accidental or mediocre formation. They deserve education shaped with intention, wisdom, and care.

Christians understand this instinctively. Education is not simply about information. Education is about formation. Scripture tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. True education begins with humility, with the recognition that truth is something we receive, not something we invent.

A school worthy of our children takes that seriously.

It cares about who students are becoming, not just what they can produce. It forms hearts alongside minds. It teaches students to recognize goodness, to pursue truth even when it is costly, and to preserve and delight in what is beautiful. It cultivates courage, gratitude, self-control, and responsibility. It understands that freedom is not the absence of limits, but the ability to live rightly within them.

Plato grasped this much. Education aimed at anything less than virtue, he argued, ultimately fails both the individual and society at large. Stories we read matter. Habits we cultivate matter. Practices we engage in matter. What children admire and imitate eventually becomes who they are.

Many modern schools, government and private alike, aim far lower.

They chase test scores. They promise job readiness. They mirror cultural trends. Some offer affirmation without challenge, success without sacrifice, identity without responsibility. Others focus so narrowly on performance that the person disappears entirely.

But children are not products to be optimized. They are souls. They are image-bearers. And whether we are paying attention or not, they are becoming someone. Hopefully, that someone is the kind of someone we enjoy being around, that we will look forward to having over for dinner when they have kids of their own, and, most importantly, will be someone we share an eternity with in Heaven.

That is why school choice is not merely a consumer decision. It is a moral one.

Parents are not shoppers hunting for the most amazing deal. They are stewards, entrusted with the formation of their childrens hearts and minds. To choose a school is to choose a vision of life.

The most important question cannot be: Is it affordable? Is it convenient? Is it popular?

The question is harder and far more important: Is this school worthy of my child?

Does it tell the truth about God and who we are in relation to Him? Does it teach students to love what is good, even when it is difficult? Does it form them to think clearly, speak honestly, serve faithfully, and stand courageously? Does it prepare them not just for a career, but for a calling?

If such a school exists nearby, it deserves support, sacrifice, and protection. And if it does not exist, that absence should not lead to resignation. It should lead to action.

The future of education need not (and should not) be shaped primarily by government. It will be shaped by parents, pastors, educators, and education entrepreneurs willing to stand up and take responsibility. Across the country, people of faith are reclaiming education as a calling. They are building schools and learning communities grounded in truth, virtue, and hope. Instead of merely complaining or quietly enduring broken systems, they are choosing to provide solutions.

National School Choice Week offers an opportunity to freely discern. It is a moment not only to celebrate choice, but to consider how that choice can be exercised with wisdom and intention in ways that truly serve children and communities.

During National School Choice Week, Christians can take tangible steps to turn conviction into action in ways that serve their communities and help children flourish who may have been overlooked within the traditional education machine. Three are worth particular consideration.

First, explore education models that prioritize formation alongside academic excellence. Many families are discovering classical and hybrid schools that integrate faith, rigorous learning, and flexibility. Options may exist in local communities or online, including faith-based online models such as American Faith Academy that offers busy families AI-assisted tutoring anchored in a Christian conservative curriculum.

Second, consider starting a hybrid or microschool. This doesnt require elite credentials. It requires commitment, collaboration, and often partnership with a church or local community. For those sensing a call to build, mentorship, and school-in-a-box platforms with Christ-centered curriculum are available through organizations like Excelara that support education entrepreneurs.

Third, research the funding options available in each state. Education Savings Accounts, vouchers, and tax-credit programs are expanding rapidly, making it possible for more families to access education aligned with their values. Resources such as SchoolChoiceUSA.org offer guidance on how these programs work and how families can apply them to hybrid and alternative education options.

None of this requires rejecting modern tools. Technology, when governed by wisdom, can serve formation rather than undermine it. Even artificial intelligence can be the infinitely patient and wildly cost-effective tutor that supports mastery and clarity while freeing parents and teachers to focus on mentorship and relationships. The danger is not technology itself but allowing tools to define the aim of education rather than serve it.

Plato asked what kind of education would produce just men and women. Christians ask an even higher question: What kind of education helps a child love God and glorify Him?

That is the standard.

That is the measure.

That is what makes a school worthy.

School choice gives us freedom. But freedom is only a gift when it is used wisely. Let us seek, and if necessary, create, schools that are truly worthy of our children.
Home Opinion What is going on in Iran? Ex-Muslim, counterterrorism expert explains

What is unfolding in Iran is not merely a political crisis or a regional disturbance. It is the possible collapse of a ruling ideology that has governed through fear, violence, and religious coercion for more than four decades.



The consequences of such a collapse would extend far beyond Irans borders, affecting global energy markets, regional security, and the future credibility of political Islam itself.

For years, Western governments have treated the Islamic Republic as a permanent fixture, something to be managed rather than fundamentally challenged. That assumption is now breaking down. Inside Iran, the voices rising from the streets tell a story that cannot be dismissed as foreign agitation or isolated unrest. Millions are openly rejecting Islamic rule and calling for a return to a national identity that predates clerical domination. This is not a reform movement seeking cosmetic change. It is a people-led rejection of theocratic control.

In that rejection, many Iranians are not looking toward an untested experiment but toward restoration. Across protests and underground networks, calls for the return of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi reflect a desire for continuity, national dignity, and a future untethered from clerical domination. For supporters, a constitutional monarchy is not about reviving the past but about reclaiming a unifying national identity that predates the Islamic Republic and allows space for political pluralism, religious freedom, and the rule of law. In a country fractured by decades of ideological control, the Shahs return is viewed by many not as authoritarianism reborn, but as a bridge toward stability and self-determination.

Outside Iran, however, the situation becomes far more complicated. Power vacuums attract competitors, and Irans opposition landscape is crowded with factions eager to position themselves as the rightful alternative. Some of these groups enjoy backing from influential Western political figures despite holding ideologies that are deeply incompatible with genuine freedom. One of the most prominent is the Mujahideen-e Khalq, commonly known as the MEK. Though often marketed in Western capitals as a democratic opposition, the MEK functions as a rigid ideological movement rooted in a blend of Marxism and Islamist discipline, demanding absolute obedience from its members and tolerating no internal dissent. This vision bears little resemblance to the aspirations of a generation of Iranians risking their lives for personal liberty, open faith, and national restoration. A people crying out for freedom are not seeking to exchange one authoritarian system for another under a different banner.

The international stakes surrounding Irans instability are enormous. The country sits at the crossroads of global energy supply, proxy warfare, and nuclear brinkmanship. A destabilized regime could send oil prices downward, disrupt militant networks funded and armed by Tehran, and overturn decades of diplomatic assumptions. These realities help explain why many governments respond with hesitation rather than resolve. Too often, the fear of instability outweighs concern for justice, as though prolonged oppression were somehow the safer option.

For decades, Western policy has quietly sustained Islamist regimes in the name of balance and pragmatism. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and other states have been treated as indispensable partners despite their own suppression of dissent and religious freedom. The possible fall of Irans clerical system would represent something unprecedented: the rejection of Islamic governance by its own people. Such a development threatens not only regional power structures but also the ideological legitimacy of political Islam across the broader Muslim world.

These concerns dominate private diplomatic conversations. Regional leaders warn of economic disruption and ideological contagion. Western officials caution against unintended consequences and regional chaos. Meanwhile, ordinary Iranians face violence, surveillance, imprisonment, and economic suffocation with extraordinary courage. The moral contrast could not be clearer. Stability is being elevated above truth, and caution is being treated as a virtue even when it enables injustice.

Military action dominates public debate, yet it is far from the only tool available. Less visible measures remain significantly underused. Enforcement against regime elites and terror networks is inconsistent. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continues to operate through front companies, shipping firms, construction conglomerates, charities, banks, and energy intermediaries. Assets are hidden through relatives and proxies. Money is routed through third countries. Travel occurs under diplomatic cover. Sanctions exist, yet enforcement remains selective and hesitant.

A serious commitment to accountability would require more than statements. It would mean cutting access to global banking, insurance, aviation, and shipping systems. It would involve freezing assets not only of uniformed commanders but also of family members and facilitators who profit from repression. It would require shutting down humanitarian and commercial channels that function as regime slush funds rather than genuine relief efforts. These actions fall short of open war while directly weakening the machinery that sustains tyranny.

Cyber operations and information warfare also play a crucial role. The Iranian regime relies on controlling communication, suppressing truth, and isolating citizens from one another. When these systems are disrupted, even briefly, the illusion of total control collapses. Citizens discover they are not alone, and fear gives way to defiance. Authoritarian power depends as much on psychological dominance as physical force.

Israel watches these developments with understandable intensity. A free Iran would dramatically weaken the ideological engine behind much of the regions anti-Israel militancy. It would alter security calculations, peace negotiations, and long-standing assumptions about what is possible in the Middle East. The implications extend well beyond territorial disputes and diplomatic accords.

Recent events underscore how fragile the regimes position has become. Foreign diplomats are withdrawing. Evacuation orders have been issued for Western citizens. Intelligence reports suggest that regime insiders are quietly moving wealth and preparing exit strategies. These are not the actions of a confident government. They are signs of a system bracing for collapse.

For Christians, this moment carries a spiritual weight that cannot be ignored. Irans government criminalizes conversion, imprisons pastors, and labels evangelism a national security threat. Faith in Christ is treated as treason. Yet despite relentless persecution, Christianity is growing through underground churches at a remarkable pace. The spread of the Gospel in Iran stands as a living rebuke to the claim that coercive religion can suppress truth.

Scripture does not permit moral detachment in moments like this. God calls His people to seek justice and defend the oppressed. He also reminds us that earthly powers are temporary. What is built on fear and falsehood will eventually be shaken, while what is rooted in truth will endure.

Living fearlessly does not require certainty about political outcomes. It requires moral clarity. It means refusing to sanitize evil, refusing to confuse oppression with stability, and refusing to look away when an entire nation cries out for freedom. Millions of Iranian Christians are praying for deliverance even now. The question before the Western Church is whether it will stand with them in prayer, speak truthfully about what is happening, and resist the temptation to let fear or convenience dictate silence.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The People's Unity Party (PUP) has urged that any extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term to 2030 be accompanied by an inclusive government that accommodates opposition parties, civil society, churches, and citizens.Speaking at a press conference in Harare, PUP president Herbert Chamuka said his party supports certain aspects of Zanu-PF's Vision 2030 development agenda but stressed that political inclusion must underpin any term extension."Stretching the president's term to 2030 is not a bad idea in itself, but it must be inclusive," Chamuka said. "Opposition parties, civil society organisations, churches, and citizens must be part of that process."Chamuka highlighted the fragmentation of opposition parties since the death of former MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, arguing that this disunity has contributed to repeated electoral losses against a unified Zanu-PF. He said an inclusive government would allow opposition parties to contribute to policy development, including proposals on wages, economic recovery, media freedom, and currency stability.He also linked political inclusion to the potential lifting of international sanctions, noting that "Zimbabwe as a country is not sanctioned. Individuals and the ruling party are."Chamuka criticised confrontational opposition tactics, arguing that demonstrations have failed to yield tangible benefits, and called for collaboration with government rather than reliance on foreign powers. He went further, suggesting that national unity should take precedence over electoral competition.The proposed constitutional amendment to extend Mnangagwa's term would require parliamentary approval and a national referendum. While Mnangagwa has previously affirmed his commitment to the constitution and indicated no interest in extending his tenure, divisions have reportedly emerged within Zanu-PF over the proposed move.Justice Minister and Zanu-PF secretary for legal affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi confirmed that the party began drafting legislation to extend the president's term following endorsement at the 2025 annual conference in Mutare.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio Supreme Court ordered the state to pay nursing homes up to $1 billion. Four months later, the money still hasnt arrived.

In September, the court unanimously settled a dispute over how Ohio calculates Medicaid payments meant to reward high-quality nursing homes. The justices agreed with providers that the state used the wrong formula and underpaid them by about $527 million in the 2024-2025 budget and a similar amount in the current one.

In November, the justices rejected Ohios request to reconsider that decision.

The Court did not invite further discussion, according to the Aging Services Institute. It did not suggest a path forward. It ordered one.

But as January draws to a close, those payments have not been made.

Nursing homes say the delay has created tax consequences tied to money they havent received.

Many providers operating on an accrual tax basis are being advised by their accountants that they may have to recognize these unpaid funds as income, Ohio Health Care Association CEO Scott Wiley said.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid and the chairs of the House and Senate finance committees did not respond to requests for comment about when the payments will be made.

The dispute, explained

Thousands of Ohioans rely on Medicaid to help pay for nursing home care. And for many nursing homes, the state is their biggest customer.

Ohio pays nursing homes a daily rate for each Medicaid resident, which is calculated in two parts. One covers the basic cost of care. The other is a quality incentive, which rewards facilities that meet higher performance standards.

Every few years, the state recalculates those rates to reflect rising costs. That process is known as rebasing, and its where the lawsuit began.

Under the states approach, imagine the base cost of care rose from $150 to $200. Thats a $50 increase. Ohio then applied a 60% quality incentive to that increase, meaning high-performing nursing homes received an extra $30 per patient.

Nursing homes said that calculation left out an important factor: patient complexity.

Facilities that care for sicker, more medically complex patients are paid more per day. For example, a nursing home might have been paid $300 per day under the old rates and $400 per day after rebasing.

Under that scenario, the increase was $100. And 60% of that would be $60, not $30.

By using the lower number, nursing homes argued, Ohio shortchanged facilities that care for the most medically complex residents. The Supreme Court agreed.

How much will Ohio owe?

In court filings, Ohio Medicaid said that the nursing homes interpretation would cost about $285.6 million more per year than lawmakers intended.

Thats where the roughly $1 billion figure comes fromit reflects underpayments across two budget periods.

But lawmakers changed the formula in November.

The nursing homes are going to get what the court said they get, Republican Rep. Brian Stewart, of Circleville, said at the time. But thats looking backward.

Going forward, Ohio would use the method Medicaid argued for.

Ohios Department of Medicaid did not respond to a request for comment. But the legislative change could mean Ohio owes around $762 million, rather than $1 billion.

When will Ohio pay?

How much the state ultimately owesand when nursing homes will see the moneydepends on the Ohio Department of Medicaid, providers say.

Wiley said his group has repeatedly reached out to the department since the courts ruling, offering to work with state officials on a plan to recalculate the rates and issue payments.

To date, they have not provided any indication of whenor ifthey intend to comply, Wiley said.

He also said nursing homes should not be penalized for delays that are fully within the states control.

We also sincerely hope state officials will not put themselves in a position of risking contempt by failing to comply, Wiley said.

Gov. Mike DeWine, when asked about the situation, said he would take the tax implications into account but did not offer a timeline.

Were talking to members of the legislature. We will be dealing with this, DeWine said. We will, you know, follow the law.
Alex Jech walks past equipment that will become part of the production line at USA Rare Earth's facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma on June 20, 2025.

The Trump administration is taking a 10% stake in USA Rare Earth as part of a $1.6 billion debt-and-equity investment package aimed at helping the company develop a domestic mine and magnet facility, two sources familiar with the deal told Reuters.

The deal and a separate $1 billion private investment will be unveiled on Monday and Oklahoma-based USA Rare Earth will host a morning conference call with investors to discuss the terms, according to one of the sources who was briefed on the plans.

The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. USA Rare Earth declined to comment.

China is the largest global processor of rare earths, a group of 17 minerals used to make a range of electronics and military equipment. The U.S. produces only small volumes of rare earths, which has sparked a push in recent years from Washington to increase output.

USA Rare Earth has been developing a mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas, with Texas Mineral Resources  slated to open by 2028 and which has a magnet manufacturing facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma  that is expected to launch later this year.

As part of the USA Rare Earth investment, Washington will receive 16.1 million shares in the company along with warrants for an additional 17.6 million shares, according to the sources. Both would be priced at $17.17 a share, near where the company's stock traded earlier this month.

The Financial Times first reported on the investment.

The deal is the latest move by the Trump administration to move into the critical minerals space after taking equity stakes last year in MP Materials , Lithium Americas and Trilogy Metals.

A senior Trump official said last month that the administration was planning more "historic deals" with the U.S. mining sector to increase production of lithium, rare earths and other critical minerals used in national defense, artificial intelligence and other related areas.

USA Rare Earth has hired Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm chaired by Brandon Lutnick, the son of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, to help with fundraising efforts, one of the sources said.
The head of Airbus has warned staff that the plane maker must be ready to adapt to unsettling new geopolitical risks after facing "significant" logistical and financial damage from U.S. protectionism and U.S.-China trade tensions last year.

"The beginning of 2026 is marked by an unprecedented number of crises and by unsettling geopolitical developments. We should proceed in a spirit of solidarity and self-reliance," CEO Guillaume Faury said in an internal letter seen by Reuters.

"The industrial landscape in which we operate is sown with difficulties, exacerbated by the confrontation between the U.S. and China." Airbus declined comment on internal communications.

Faury did not identify geopolitical developments in the memo, which was circulated last week against the backdrop of disunity between Washington and allies over Greenland and the role of NATO. Airbus is a major European defense supplier.

He said multiple trade pressures had already "caused significant collateral damage, logistically and financially".

Last April, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs, prompting Chinese restrictions on rare earth exports. Washington later temporarily froze exports of engines and other key components to China, which uses them for its C919 jet. U.S. parts are also needed for Airbus jets assembled in China.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A plane registered to the United States Air Force (USAF) was on Tuesday spotted flying near Harare, drawing widespread attention and speculation among aviation enthusiasts and members of the public.Flight-tracking data and social media posts showed the military-registered aircraft operating in Zimbabwean airspace, with images and screenshots circulating rapidly online. Authorities had not immediately issued an official statement at the time of reporting.The presence of foreign military aircraft in national airspace often attracts scrutiny, though such flights are not unprecedented. They can be linked to a range of activities, including diplomatic missions, logistical movements, humanitarian operations, or approved transit flights, all of which typically require prior clearance from host nations.Zimbabwean aviation and government officials had yet to clarify the purpose of the flight, leaving room for speculation. Analysts cautioned against drawing conclusions in the absence of verified information, noting that military-registered aircraft frequently operate globally under routine and lawful arrangements.More details are expected to emerge as authorities provide clarification on the nature and purpose of the flight. For now, the sighting remains an unusual but unconfirmed development in Harare's skies.
Major Minnesota business leaders on Sunday called for an "immediate deescalation of tensions" after federal immigration agents fatally shot U.S. citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies signed a letter urging "state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions." The companies said the recent tumult in Minnesota has caused "widespread disruption and tragic loss of life."

Among the signatories to the letter released by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce are incoming Target CEO Michael Fiddelke; William Brown, the chairman and CEO of 3M ; Brian Sikes, the chair and CEO of food giant Cargill; and Stephen Hemsley, the CEO of UnitedHealth .

"In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future," the letter reads.

Other signatories include the Minnesota Vikings, Mayo Clinic, General Mills , Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Hormel , Medtronic , U.S. Bancorp and Xcel Energy.

The letter did not specifically name President Donald Trump or any other political leader involved with the situation in Minnesota. Executives across the country have been largely reluctant to comment publicly on political issues throughout Trump's second term.

It does, however, say that "representatives of Minnesota's business community have been working every day behind the scenes with federal, state and local officials to advance real solutions."

"These efforts have included close communication with the Governor, the White House, the Vice President and local mayors. There are ways for us to come together to foster progress," the letter reads.

Minnesota is home to 17 Fortune 500 companies, according to the state's government. The state ranks fifth in Fortune 500 concentration per capita.

The letter comes one day after federal officers shot and killed Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse in Minneapolis.

The Trump administration has surged federal law enforcement to the city to enforce its immigration crackdown and pursue allegations of widespread welfare fraud in the state.
The corporate earnings season intensifies this week, with megacap technology stocks and industrial giants alike set to report. More than 90 companies in the S & P 500 are due to post results, including Apple, Caterpillar and Microsoft. So far, the reporting period has been strong. FactSet data shows that 76% of the companies that have already posted earnings have exceeded estimates. John Butters, FactSet's senior earnings analyst, also noted that the S & P 500 was on pace to record its 10th straight quarter of year-on-year profit growth. Investors could use some positive news after a wild week of trading, which ended with the S & P 500 logging a weekly decline. Below is a breakdown of some of the key companies set to report next week. All times ET. Tuesday General Motors is set to report earnings before the market opens, with a management call slated for 8:30 a.m. Last quarter: GM soared on increased guidance and better-than-expected earnings . This quarter: Analysts polled by LSEG expect earnings to have grown more than 10%. What to watch: GM earlier this month reported a 5.5% increase in annual sales in 2025. Investors will look for signs that this momentum will continue in 2026. What history shows: General Motors has beaten earnings expectations for 13 straight quarters, Bespoke Investment Group data shows. But the stock's performance after those reports has been mixed, falling on seven occasions. Boeing is also set to report earnings premarket. A conference call with management is set for 10:30 a.m. Last quarter: BA took a $4.9 billion charge but staunched its cash burn for the first time since 2023. This quarter: The aerospace giant's top line is expected to have surged more than 45% from the year-earlier period, according to LSEG. What to watch: Boeing could see some turbulence when its report comes out, according to UBS. The "bar is high but we expect a beat + guidance above expectations and a still-clear path to further beat/raises in 2026 and beyond," the bank said in a note. What history shows: Boeing shares fell after the last two quarterly releases. The stock averages a 1% advance on days it reports Q4 results, per Bespoke. Wednesday Starbucks is set to report earnings before the open, with a call scheduled for 8 a.m. Last quarter: SBUX finally snapped a decline in same-store sales . This quarter: Analysts expect the coffee chain to report a year-on-year drop in earnings of more than 10%, according to LSEG. What to watch: Starbucks is set to hold an investor day 24 hours after it posts earnings, which will give investors more insight into the company's near- and long-term prospects. "We believe SBUX could guide FY28 close to ~$4 (14-14.5% operating margins), while we also anticipate SBUX will bridge the path back to 17%+ operating margins over time, primarily driven by sales leverage and optimization of the cost structure, as well as tailwinds from recent store closures and the margin accretive China deal. We think next week could be a positive catalyst," Deutsche Bank wrote. What history shows: Starbucks has missed Street estimates the last three quarters, with shares falling after all those reports. Microsoft is set to report earnings after the close, followed by a call at 5:30 p.m. Last quarter: MSFT dropped after increasing its spending forecast . This quarter: The Windows and XBox parent is expected to report earnings growth of more than 20%, LSEG data shows. What to watch: "Each business has unique factors for each business that could dictate results for upcoming quarters," wrote Guggenheim analyst John DiFucci. "In Azure, we will listen closely for capacity commentary, which the company has indicated remains limited. In Windows OEM, memory disruptions could cause material variability in Windows PC shipments. For M365 Commercial, Copilot adoption will be important, as we continue to believe that MSFT is well positioned to benefit relative to other packaged application vendors." What history shows: Bespoke data shows Microsoft tops earnings estimates 82% of the time. But the stock fell on four of the past six earnings days. Tesla is set to report earnings after the closing bell. Management will then hold a conference call at 5:30 p.m. Last quarter: TSLA revenue grew, snapping two straight quarters of declines. This quarter: Analysts polled by LSEG expect the electric car maker to see a year-over-year earnings decline of nearly 40%. What to watch: HSBC has low expectations for Tesla in this report, reiterating its "reduce" rating earlier this month. "After Q3 pre-buy effect, volume pressure returned in Q4 2025; 'affordable models' don't appear to be helping much," the bank said. What history shows: Tesla earnings have beaten Street expectations just once in the last five quarters, according to Bespoke. But the stock has risen after four of those releases. Meta Platforms is set to report earnings after the market close. A conference call is then set to begin at 4:30 p.m. Last quarter: META dropped after posting a big one-time tax charge . This quarter: Earnings are forecast to belittle changed year over year, but revenue is expected to have soared about 20%, according to LSEG. What to watch: Truist analyst Youssef Squali thinks app engagement and advertising will be the keys to a strong Meta report. "We ... believe results will be at the higher-end of expectations fueled by strong user engagement & higher monetization from better ranking and recommendation," he said in a note last week. What history shows: Meta earnings have beaten expectations for 12 straight quarters. The stock also averages a 1.9% advance on earnings days, Bespoke said. But Meta shares tumbled 11.3% after its last quarterly release. Thursday Caterpillar is set to report premarket earnings. Analysts and management will participate in a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Last quarter: CAT rallied after earnings and revenue topped analyst estimates. This quarter: The construction equipment maker's bottom line is expected to have contracted by about 10%, per LSEG. What to watch: Caterpillar's report comes after the stock scored its strongest annual performance since 2017, soaring 58%, with the Street seeing it as a leader in data center infrastructure. This report could signal whether Caterpillar can build on that run. What history shows: Bespoke data shows Caterpillar shares average a 0.4% decline on earnings days. But the stock closed higher after the last three releases. Apple is set to report earnings after the bell. A call is scheduled for 5 p.m. Last quarter: AAPL beat on earnings and revenue and said it sees strong iPhone 17 demand . This quarter: The iPhone maker is expected to post top and bottom-line growth of more than 10% compared to the year-earlier period, LSEG data shows. What to watch: The tech giant comes into this earnings release after suffering a seven-week long slump in its shares. Despite its recent struggles, Bank of America's Wamsi Mohan is optimistic. "We see iPhone demand remaining strong (build plans likely revised upwards), and Services revs continuing double-digit y/y growth despite weaker App store sales in China." What history shows: Apple shares have fallen on five straight earnings days.
More than 850,000 customers in the U.S. as far west as New Mexico were without electricity and over 10,000 flights were canceled on Sunday during a monster winter storm that paralyzed eastern and southern states with heavy snow and ice.

As snow, freezing rain and dangerously frigid temperatures swept into the eastern two-thirds of the nation on Sunday, the number of power outages continued to rise. As of 10:47 a.m. EST (1547 GMT) on Sunday, more than 850,000 U.S. customers were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us, with at least 290,000 in Tennessee and over 100,000 each in Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. Other states affected included Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama.

More than 10,200 U.S. flights scheduled for Sunday were canceled, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Over 4,000 flights were canceled on Saturday.

Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport said airlines had canceled all flights at the airport on Sunday.

Delta Air Lines on Sunday said that it intended to operate on a reduced schedule "subject to real-time frozen precipitation and afternoon storm conditions."

The airline had adjusted its schedule on Saturday, with additional cancellations in the morning for Atlanta and along the East Coast, including in Boston and New York City, and said it would move experts from cold-weather hubs to support de-icing and baggage teams at several southern airports.


Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM @DrSJaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen U.S.-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies. https://t.co/kHfdkhBFtn

 Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 25, 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday, January 25, held talks with a three-member delegation of the United States Congress, focusing on key dimensions of the India-US relationship such as trade, security and strategic cooperation.The American delegation included lawmakers Jimmy Patronis, Mike Rogers and Adam Smith. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was also present during the discussions, Jaishankar said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).He described the engagement as a good interaction, underlining the importance of parliamentary-level dialogue in strengthening ties between the two democracies."Discussed various aspects of India-US ties, Indo Pacific and Ukraine conflict. Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship," Jaishankar wrote on X.The talks covered regional and global security concerns, including developments in the Indo-Pacific and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, alongside economic and technological cooperation, as per news agency PTI.The visit of the US delegation comes at a time when both countries are attempting to revive negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement.Echoing a similar sentiment, Ambassador Gor said the discussions were constructive and centred on deepening cooperation across multiple sectors."Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM Dr S Jaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen US-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies," Gor wrote on X.India-US relations have faced a significant downturn following US President Donald Trumps decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods. This included a 25% punitive duty linked to Indias purchases of Russian oil.While both sides conducted several rounds of negotiations last year to finalise a bilateral trade deal, the agreement remains unsigned.The talks stalled largely due to Washingtons push for greater access to Indias agriculture and dairy sectors, as per PTI.Beyond trade, relations have also been affected by other issues, including Trumps claim of having ended the India-Pakistan conflict in May last year and concerns in New Delhi over Washingtons new immigration policy.
US President Donald Trump heaped praise on Saturday on British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan, in a post on social media that represented a partial reversal of comments he made this week that drew a cascade of criticism in the UK, particularly from families of those killed and seriously injured in the conflict.In the wake of a conversation earlier with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said on Truth Social that the great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America. He described the 457 British servicemen and women who died in Afghanistan and those who were badly injured as among the greatest of all warriors.Trump added that the bond between the two countries' militaries is too strong to ever be broken and that the UK with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the USA)."Trump's comments follow an interview with Fox Business Network on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, when he said he wasn't sure the other 31 nations in NATO would be there to support the United States if and when requested and that troops from those countries stayed "a little off the front lines. Trump did not apologise directly for those comments, nor retract them, as Starmer had suggested in his initial response on Friday when he described the words of the president as insulting and frankly appalling.Starmer's office in No 10 Downing Street said the issue was raised in a conversation between the pair on Saturday, in which other topics were discussed, including the war in Ukraine and security in the Arctic region.The prime minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home," Downing Street said in a statement. We must never forget their sacrifice.Trump's view, as expressed in the Fox Business interview, stands at odds with the reality that in October 2001, nearly a month after the 9/11 attacks, the US led an international coalition in Afghanistan to destroy al-Qaeda, which had used the country as its base, and the group's Taliban hosts.Alongside the US were troops from dozens of countries, including from NATO, whose mutual-defence mandate had been triggered for the first time after the attacks on New York and Washington.More than 150,000 British troops served in Afghanistan in the years after the invasion, the largest contingent after the American one.The Italian and French governments also expressed their disapproval Saturday at Trump's comments, with both describing them as unacceptable.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe has deployed two fully equipped air rescue helicopters to assist Mozambique following severe flooding that has left families trapped and communities displaced across several provinces.Presidential spokesperson George Charamba confirmed that President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa temporarily cut short his annual leave to personally lead coordination efforts after Zimbabwe received distress calls from Mozambique and Malawi, both battling devastating flood impacts.The helicopters, secured through Zimbabwe's bilateral partnerships and fully fitted for aerial rescue operations and emergency medical services, will be used to evacuate stranded families and deliver urgent assistance to hard-to-reach areas.In addition to the air support, Zimbabwe will provide emergency food aid to both affected countries. Malawi is expected to begin receiving supplies this weekend, with Mozambique to follow shortly thereafter. The assistance will be channelled through ZimAid, Zimbabwe's humanitarian assistance programme.Charamba said the response reflects Zimbabwe's commitment to regional solidarity, Ubuntu, and collective responsibility within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).The floods have severely affected central and northern Mozambique, including the provinces of Zambezia, Sofala, Tete and Nampula, while parts of Malawi's Southern and Central regions have also been hit. Homes, infrastructure and livelihoods have been destroyed, leaving thousands in need of urgent humanitarian support.The swift intervention underscores Zimbabwe's stance of standing with its neighbours in times of crisis, guided by compassion, unity and Pan-African solidarity.
Another week in the state of Minnesota, another horrendous ICE killing.

Just 17 days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials gunned down mother-of-three Renee Good in her car, another middle-class protester, a 37-year-old male nurse called Alex Pretti, has been shot dead in the street in Minneapolis.

Once again, camera-phones captured the terrible moments  an hysterical woman shouting 'what are you doing?' as thuggish ICE agents deployed their lethal force.

The footage flew around the internet. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials weighed in to defend ICE. On social media, Trump posted pictures of Pretti's recovered handgun in order to point out that the victim was armed and dangerous.

Republicans blame their Democratic opponents in Minnesota for inciting the civil unrest and obstructing the federal government's attempts to impose law and order in a city ravaged by uncontrolled migration, vast-scale migrant fraud and other criminality.

Far from admitting ICE agents have  again  gone too far, the White House argues that the deaths of Pretti and Good are the consequence of radical politics at the state level.

'Where are the local police?' asked Trump on social media, provocatively. 'Why weren't they allowed to protect ICE officers?'

Vance, meanwhile, spoke of 'engineered chaos' and 'far left agitators, working with local authorities.'

Male nurse Alex Pretti lies on the ground after being shot dead, surrounded by ICE agents

Alex Pretti's killing follows the death of mother-of-three Renee Good, 37, who was also shot by an ICE agent

But the problem for Trump, Vance and co is that, while such arguments appeal to their supporters, simply doubling down on the pro-ICE rhetoric only seems to feed the cycle of violence, and a large majority of Americans are disgusted by the scenes coming out of Minneapolis.

The Department of Homeland Security quickly accused 'the suspect' of wanting 'to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement'. But, even if Pretti was armed, the videos strongly suggest that was not at all the case.

The situation in Minneapolis is spiralling out of control. Good and Pretti  left-liberal Democrats driven increasingly mad by America's culture wars truly believed that, under Trump, their nation is turning into a vicious fascist state.

Their deaths only serve to validate such thinking. The killings embolden deranged 'antifa' extremists, such as the now infamous local influencer Kyle Wagner, who posts videos urging followers to 'get your f***king guns and stop these f***king people.'

The right to bear arms under the US constitution, usually a rallying Right-wing cause, has now become a Left-wing cri de coeur.

'Welcome to America 2026,' says Wagner, 'where the Second Amendment is the only thing that is going to keep you protected from literal f***ing Nazi gunmen that are killing innocent people in the street with impunity.'

Most Minnesotans would not normally align themselves with Wagner's worldview, but in recent weeks a growing number of normally genteel, Democrat supporters have found themselves radicalised by ICE's martial presence and its brutal behaviour.

A picture of Pretti's recovered handgun is shown at a briefing held by Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem

There are dark whispers of discontent at the highest levels of Homeland Security. It's understood that Tom Homan, Trump's 'immigration czar', is at odds with Kristi Noem (pictured with Homan), and other senior Trump figures

'I'm generally a pretty liberal person,' one bespectacled protester told one broadcaster recently.

'But when I saw videos of ICE jumping out of unmarked vehicles and nabbing people off the street, that's when I actually bought my first AR-15 [rifle] ... We're facing tyranny right now and I want to be prepared for that.'

Minneapolis has been a hotbed of discontent ever since the summer of 2020, when George Floyd died under a policeman's knee, and local protests turned into rioting in cities across America under the banner of Black Lives Matter.

Team Trump remembers the carnage of 2020 well. At the time, a number of senior Republicans felt that, for all his online posturing, Trump didn't act quickly enough to quell the riots and then duly lost his bid for re-election that year.

His rival, Joe Biden, came to power promising 'unity' and an end to the exhausting chaos of Trump.

Now, the second Trump administration appears determined not to repeat the mistake, which is why he and his cabinet continue to defend 'ICE patriots' even as officers are filmed gunning down protesters in the streets.

Team 2.0 believes that ICE's mission  to find and deport as many illegal migrants as possible  has popular support. But voters tend only to back the use of force if it is just and helps restore order. The US public increasingly don't think that ICE is clearing that bar.

There are dark whispers of discontent at the highest levels of Homeland Security. It's understood that Tom Homan, Trump's 'immigration tsar', is at odds with Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem, and other senior Trump figures, who think that public showdowns between ICE agents and protesters only reinforce Trump's tough message.

But the killings in Minneapolis give the opposite impression  of an administration that is losing its grip and resorting to unnecessary violence, which only fuels further disturbances.

As the weather heats up and the crunch mid-term elections in November draw closer, the carnage in Minneapolis could spread once more, and prove to be Trump 2.0's final undoing.
The signs melanoma, a type of skin cancer, are clear.

Moles that are either new or changed in appearance are the hallmark of the disease, which strikes more than 200,000 Americans every year, along with rough patches and color changes in the skin.

Cancerous lesions can pop up anywhere on the skin, but experts warn melanoma may strike an uncommon area for thousands of Americans: the eyes.

Melanoma has been known to pop up on eyelids, thin layers of skin that are often exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which makes them prone to developing lesions. Left unaddressed, these cancers may infiltrate the inner layers of the eye and the brain, making them far less treatable.

But the cancer can begin in a place even without skin, such as inside the eye, in a form of the disease called ocular melanoma. Of ocular melanomas, there are several subtypes, including uveal melanoma and conjunctival melanoma.

The skin and eyes share the same cells called melanocytes, which produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin, eyes and hair their color. Damage and mutations in these cells lead to melanoma.

And while melanoma is commonly caused by sun exposure, uveal and conjunctival melanoma are not primarily associated with harmful UV light. Instead, people with lighter eye colors or pre-existing eye conditions like near-sightedness may be at a greater risk.

As melanoma, and skin cancer in general, is on the rise nationwide, eye doctors have urged Americans to keep up with regular eye exams every one to two years to detect potentially cancerous changes, and to be on the lookout for seemingly subtle changes like blurred vision, spots and irritation in or around the eye.

Experts warn melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is not always just on the skin (stock image)

Allison Dashow, pictured above in 2025, was diagnosed with ocular melanoma four years ago at 26 years old

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Dr Jacqueline Bowen, an eye doctor and president of the American Optometric Association, told the Daily Mail: 'Skin cancer involving the eye can appear in several different ways.

'Some start in or around the eye itself, while others spread to the eye from elsewhere in the body.'

About 1 million US adults are currently living with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and about 212,000 will be diagnosed this year.

The mortality rate from the disease in the US is about two per 100,000 people, resulting in around 8,000 deaths per year.

And melanoma rates have surged over the past 30 years.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the rate of melanoma diagnoses in the US doubled from 1982 to 2011, and there was a 31.5 percent increase between 2011 and 2019, the latest figures available.

In women over 50, there has been a three percent increase in melanoma rates per year, while men under 50 have seen a one percent dip yearly. Rates among women under 50 and men over 50 have remained stable.

Join the debate Are we neglecting the dangers to our eyes by focusing so much on skin when it comes to melanoma?

Signs of skin cancer range from innocuous to obvious, but experts warn that treating cases early is key to making sure they do not spread or further develop

Pictured: Dashow, now 29, after her surgery with a covering over the eye affected by ocular melanoma, which she wore for seven days

Two forms of melanoma that grow in the eye, subtypes of ocular melanoma, are uveal and conjunctival melanoma.

There are usually no symptoms in early stages of ocular melanomas, but as the diseases progress, patients may experience blurry vision, floaters or flashes in their vision and changes in pupil shape.

The exact causes are unclear, but experts believe the disease is more likely in people with lighter eyes and skin colors. The role of UV light in ocular melanomas' development is unknown.

There are about 2,000 new cases of ocular melanoma every year, according to the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF).

Conjunctival melanoma, developing in the conjunctiva (clear tissue over the eye), is exceedingly rare with roughly 130 cases per year in the US and fewer than one in 1 million worldwide.

Symptoms include irritation, redness or a sensation of something being stuck in the eye. As it progresses, it may lead to vision loss, blurry vision or a change in pupil size.

Uveal melanoma starts in the eye's middle layer, called the uvea. It is the most common eye cancer. Like the other forms of eye melanoma, the causes are unclear, but it is not thought to be influenced by UV light.

The above graph shows the increase in melanoma cases since 1975. Deaths, however, have decreased slightly

Bowen said: 'Its important to note that some of the most serious eye cancers, particularly uveal or ocular melanoma, often cause no pain or vision changes in the early and even mid stages. Uveal melanoma is life-threatening because the retina is an extension of the brain, providing a direct pathway for cancer to spread if it goes undetected.

'This is why annual comprehensive eye exams are essential, even when no symptoms are present. During every exam, doctors of optometry carefully examine the eye using specialized microscopes that can detect very small or early precancerous and cancerous lesions of the eye and surrounding structures.

'Many eye cancers are found during routine exams before symptoms ever develop, which greatly improves outcomes.'

While there are no definitive cures for ocular melanoma, patients can be treated with a specialized laser therapy or plaque brachytherapy. These treatments kill the tumor and while doctors don't declare patients 'cured,' they are considered to be what is called NED, no evidence of disease.

Bowen urged anyone who notices changes in their eyes or vision to visit an eye doctor as soon as possible, especially if symptoms last for several weeks or worsen.

'Early detection matters at every age, including in children, where rare but life-threatening eye cancers such as retinoblastoma may only be detected through a comprehensive eye exam,' she said.
A single mother-of-five who carried babies for two gay couples has opened up about the emotional toll of surrogacy  admitting she often felt 'invisible and lonely'.

Dawn Wickhorst, 33, first decided to become a surrogate in 2019 after discovering how many couples struggle to conceive naturally, but warned the process can be challenging.

The photographer, who also fosters, went on to carry babies for two different couples  but said doing it alone left her feeling incredibly isolated.

Dawn, from Alberta, Canada, said: 'As a surrogate, you're such an important part of the process, as you're the vessel that brings this child into the world.

'But you're also not part of the family.

'Whilst the couple is getting excited and preparing to expand their family, you're on your own.

'I was trying to manage all of my kids on my own whilst being pregnant, feeling sick and managing all these changes in my body.

'Because you're a surrogate, there's this unspoken expectation to just 'handle it' quietly, because it's something you chose to do, and I think it can make pregnancy symptoms feel heavier when you're dealing with them mostly on your own.

Dawn,33, first decided to become a surrogate in 2019, after discovering how many couples struggle to conceive naturally but warned that the process was challenging

She said she struggled with feeling invisible and lonely during the process

'The hardest part was actually the loneliness; there were moments where I felt completely invisible.

'I remember sitting in waiting rooms alone, managing big feelings quietly, or going home afterward to regular responsibilities as a single mum, with no pause to process what I was carrying, literally and emotionally.'

Dawn's story casts a stark light on the growing number of high-profile celebrities who have turned to surrogacy in recent years  often out of the public eye  with little attention paid to the emotional toll on the women carrying their children.

Most recently, US pop star Meghan Trainor revealed she and her husband, actor Daryl Sabara, welcomed their third child via surrogate, after she was advised not to carry another pregnancy herself for medical reasons, yet faced criticism for doing so.

Other celebrities who have used surrogates include Kim Kardashian, who welcomed her third and fourth children this way after suffering life-threatening pregnancy complications, as well as Paris Hilton, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, and Rebel Wilson.

While celebrity parents have spoken openly about the joy of welcoming their children, far less is heard from the surrogates themselves  a contrast Dawn says can leave women feeling overlooked during a physically and emotionally demanding process.

She said that while the recipient couples were preparing to welcome the babies she was carrying, she struggled to juggle caring for her own children while battling pregnancy symptoms including intense nausea and back pain.

Dawn warned other would-be surrogates to make sure they have a close-knit support network to avoid feeling isolated.

Meghan Trainor revealed she and her husband, actor Daryl Sabara, welcomed their third child via surrogate, after she was advised not to carry another pregnancy herself for medical reasons

Paris Hilton also used a surrogate for her pregnancy

'I would advise would-be surrogates to make sure you build up your support network, and remember that feeling lonely doesn't mean you regret the journey,' she said.

Dawn decided to become a surrogate after interviewing an author for a magazine about infertility.

Since she didn't want any more children of her own and was only 27, she decided to help couples unable to conceive naturally.

'I decided to become a surrogate after my eyes were opened to how many people struggle to conceive,' she said.

'I didn't realise how lucky I was because I have five children of my own and all of my pregnancies went really well.

'I just felt like my body could do good for somebody.

'A lot of people say they could never be a surrogate because they could never give up the baby, but you go into the process fully aware that you aren't coming out with a baby.'

Dawn decided to become a surrogate after interviewing an author for a magazine about infertility.

After signing up to an agency, Dawn was given a list of intended parents to look through and said she chose a gay male couple to carry for.

'They had a big red label on their profile that said HIV positive, and when I looked at what they'd written about their values and how they fell in love, I couldn't imagine them not being able to have a baby just because of that red label,' she said.

After getting to know the couple for a while, they decided to become an official match and Dawn began preparing for the embryo transfer in March 2020.

However, due to the pandemic, she was unable to do the actual transfer until August.

'Being pregnant with a child that wasn't mine was definitely interesting,' she said.

'The doctor implanted the embryo so fast and then looked at me and said 'congratulations, you're pregnant'.

'It felt natural because I had been pregnant so many times before, but it was strange knowing that I wasn't going to have a baby at the end of it.'

It is illegal to pay surrogates in Canada, so Dawn completed the process altruistically without financial gain.

Dawn warned other would-be surrogates to make sure they have a close-knit support network to avoid feeling isolated.

She said she found the experience incredibly rewarding  and didn't struggle with giving the baby up after giving birth.

Dawn revealed that although many people think handing the baby back would be the hardest part, she didn't feel that way at all.

'The moment when I got to hand the baby to his parents was actually the highlight of the whole experience,' she said.

'It was so emotional and beautiful to watch.'

However, she admitted she still grieved the journey coming to an end.

'My whole life revolved around having a baby for this couple, and then all of a sudden it was over,' she said.

Dawn added that being a single mother meant she didn't have a partner to help her through the most difficult parts of pregnancy  and since the intended parents didn't live near her, they weren't able to support her in person either.

Despite the emotional strain, Dawn, who is currently writing a memoir about her experiences and shares her story on social media at @onceupona_daw, said she doesn't regret becoming a surrogate because it gave her a sense of purpose  and decided to do it for a second time in 2024.

But while she would love to help another couple, she admitted that after seven pregnancies, she thinks her body is 'done'.

'I think it would be amazing if there were more services out there for surrogates, such as support groups, so that it doesn't feel so lonely,' she said.
Celebrities are known to splash out thousands (if not millions) on their mansions - and for many, a premium state-of-the-art kitchen is a standout feature.

But despite having a hefty budget to get the finest in culinary wares and appliances, it seems, taste cannot be bought.

Here, an interiors expert has delivered her verdict on which A-listers are going for 'showy' and 'classy' designs - and which are keeping it 'traditional' and 'polished'.

It includes Mollie King's sparkling all-white counters, Jamie Oliver's cosy cooking set up, featuring an exposed brick wall, and the sleek modern decor in Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan's 3.5million Essex mansion.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jordana Ashkenazi, founder and design director of Element One House, revealed which stars know how to keep their kitchens classy (and which ones don't)...

Geri Halliwell

Geri Halliwell has been known for her fondness of traditional, rustic tastes, so it's no wonder her kitchen reflects that

The ex Spice Girl, 53, has featured her culinary abode on YouTube, showing off the farm-inspired decor and granite worktops

As it is the colour she is most known to wear, Geri's kitchen sticks to an all-white theme

Jordana: Geri Halliwell's kitchen feels cute, quaint and very lived in, with a clear country-house feel. It's warm and homely, but it also feels a little dated and lacks the sense of glamour or polish you might expect from a former Spice Girl. Rather than feeling luxurious or aspirational, the space leans more towards cosy and traditional.

While it does appear that the granite worktops may have been updated, much of the kitchen still feels in need of a lift. The cabinetry, handles and overall detailing feel on the older side, and even small changes could make a big difference. Updating the hardware, refining the lighting and introducing more considered finishes would help modernise the space without losing its charm.

At the moment, the kitchen feels comfortable rather than stylish. It works, but it doesn't quite reflect Geri's profile or personality, and overall it feels a little old for her.

VERDICT: Dated

Mollie King

Mollie King, 38, showed off a sleek, ivory-hued kitchen - which includes modern lighting fixtures

Jordana: Overall, it's a really lovely kitchen. It's clean, fresh and on trend, with a modern design style that feels easy to live with. The layout works particularly well, with an open-plan feel, a generous breakfast bar and clear zones that make it a great space for both cooking and socialising. You can absolutely see this being a kitchen that's enjoyable to spend time in and perfect for entertaining.

Where it falls slightly short is in the finishes. The all-white cabinetry paired with a white worktop makes the space feel a little flat and mid-range rather than truly high-end. While the gold handles are fashionable, they feel quite bold against the neutral palette and don't add enough depth to elevate the overall look.

A chunkier worktop in a contrasting stone or marble would make a significant difference, instantly giving the kitchen more character and a more premium feel. A worktop has the power to transform how cabinetry is perceived. It's a bit like wearing an expensive pair of jeans with a cheap t-shirt, the jeans suddenly elevate the whole outfit. There are areas in a kitchen where it's worth spending and others where you can pull back, and investing in a strong surface choice here would lift the entire space.

VERDICT: Safe

Join the debate Which celeb kitchen deserves the top spot for YOU?

Jamie Oliver

Jamie, who showed his real kitchen in a cooking show during the pandemic, set up a cosy atmosphere

An exposed brick wall adds to the rustic feel of Jamie's kitchen, coupled with the wooden wares

Jordana: Jamie Oliver's kitchen looks exactly how I imagined it would. It's warm, friendly and full of life, with a relaxed, farmhouse-eclectic feel that immediately makes you feel at home. From the exposed brickwork and open shelving to the mix of colours and textures, the space feels traditional, characterful and unmistakably British.

It looks genuinely loved and lived in, rather than styled for perfection. The layout clearly works for cooking and family life, and there's an ease to the space that makes it feel welcoming and practical. Yes, it's slightly chaotic in places, but that only adds to the charm. This is what a real chef's kitchen in a busy family home should look like.

Most importantly, it makes you hungry just looking at it. The colours, tones and overall atmosphere feel comforting and joyful, and there's a sense of authenticity here that's hard to fake. It's eclectic, colourful and full of personality, and it works beautifully.

VERDICT: Authentic

Nigella Lawson

Nigella Lawson's kitchen is filled to the brim with knick-knacks and wares, snugly all put together

Jordana has praised the 'eclectic' mix of plates and crockery around Nigella's cosy kitchen

It includes a nook in the wall which displays Nigella's ceramics

Jordana: Nigella Lawson's kitchen feels lived in, loved and genuinely enjoyed. You can immediately tell this is a space where cooking really happens. The hanging pans, well-used cookware and layered surfaces give it a warmth and honesty that feels very true to her, and there's something comforting about how unpolished it all is.

That said, the overall style is a little harder to pin down. There's an eclectic mix of elements and finishes, and while that may be intentional, it does verge on feeling slightly chaotic. The pieces don't always feel cohesive, and it's not immediately clear what design direction the kitchen is aiming for. Some elements feel timeless, others a little dated, and together they create a look that feels more mismatched than styled.

Overall, it's a very traditional British kitchen with plenty of charm and character, but it could benefit from a gentle update and a clearer sense of style. A bit of editing or direction would help bring everything together without losing the warmth and personality that make it distinctly Nigella.

VERDICT: Traditional

Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan

The sleek modern set-up in Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan's 3.5million Essex mansion includes a very techy kitchen

Jordana: Mark Wright's kitchen is extremely modern and highly polished, with a bold, high-impact look that's clearly designed to read well on camera. The dark cabinetry and oversized island give the space a strong, masculine feel and, while the darker palette is very much a personal choice, it does make the room feel quite heavy overall. The layout works well, particularly for entertaining and filming, with the large island functioning effectively as the central focal point.

Where the kitchen falls short is in the finishes. The marble-effect surfaces and high-gloss elements feel quite shiny and slightly plasticky, rather than genuinely high-spec. While the space is clearly aiming for a luxury aesthetic, the overall effect feels more showy than refined, with visual impact prioritised over warmth and texture.

Overall, it reads more as a bachelor-pad kitchen than a family space. It's sleek, confident and visually striking, but a little cold and one-dimensional, designed more to impress on screen than to feel truly inviting day to day.

Lastly, the intention seems to be modern, high-end Italian design, but the execution leans more towards a more TOWIEesq-style interpretation of luxury. It's bold and glossy, but lacks the subtle restraint and material depth you'd expect from a truly elevated contemporary kitchen.

VERDICT: Showy

Lydia Bright

Lydia, who recently renovated her kitchen, also dabbled in DIY to bring her cosy pastel set-up to life

Jordana: Lydia Bright's kitchen feels soft, inviting and very thoughtfully done. She's clearly been hands-on with the renovation, and it shows in the level of detail and cohesion throughout the space. The pale green, minty tones are gentle and calming, adding just enough colour and character without feeling bold or overpowering.

The layout and detailing feel well considered, particularly the canopy area, which is an unusual and charming feature that adds interest and a sense of craftsmanship. Accessories have been carefully tied into the colour palette, helping the kitchen feel pulled together rather than overly styled. It's a look that feels intentional but still relaxed.

Overall, it's a really lovely kitchen that feels warm, welcoming and genuinely lived in. It suits Lydia's aesthetic perfectly and strikes a nice balance between pretty and practical, making it a space that feels as good to be in as it looks.

VERDICT: Inviting

Molly-Mae Hague

Molly-Mae, the queen of the neutral palette, has shown her commitment to tasteful greys with her kitchen

It includes a white marble dining table, which she ornately sets up for special occasions

Jordana: Molly-Mae's kitchen and dining space is undeniably impressive and works brilliantly as a socialising area. The layout is excellent, and you can immediately see that this is a kitchen designed to be used, hosted in and enjoyed.

The curved banquette breakfast area is a real highlight. It softens the space beautifully and adds a sense of flow and intimacy. The soft bluish tone of the upholstery is one of the very few moments of colour seen in her home, and it works extremely well. The contrast against the white, gold and marble finishes adds depth and warmth without disrupting her signature calm aesthetic.

The kitchen itself feels high-spec. The two chunky marble islands look substantial and expensive, with the contrasting marble introducing subtle movement and colour. This prevents the space from feeling flat or overly neutral, something Molly-Mae's interiors can occasionally lean towards.

Overall, it's a fantastic kitchen and entertaining space that feels polished, luxurious and well thought through.

The only element that slightly lets it down is the chandelier. It feels a touch gaudy and, in comparison to the rest of the space, slightly cheapens the overall look. A more understated, architectural lighting choice would have elevated the room further and made it feel even more refined.

And that banquette moment proves something else too. That pop of colour works so well it almost feels like a tease. Molly, you've proved you can do colour, so we're officially ready for more. Bring it on!

VERDICT: Curated

Emma McVey

Emma McVey, much like many A-listers, enjoys a palette of black, white and gold in her kitchen

Much like influencer Molly Mae, Emma enjoys a statement marble dining table in her house

Lighting fixtures also help amplify Emma's interiors set-up

Jordana: Emma McVey's kitchen feels incredibly well considered and beautifully executed. The marble worktops do a lot of the heavy lifting here. They add real character and contrast while still keeping that neutral, calm palette. There's depth, movement and warmth in the stone, which stops the space from feeling flat or one-note.

The detailing has clearly been thought through. The tiling above the range cooker adds an extra layer of texture and interest and brings in that additional level of design consideration that elevates the whole space. It's subtle, but it makes a big difference.

The range cooker itself is a real statement piece. It looks high quality, substantial and expensive, and it anchors the kitchen visually rather than just being a functional appliance. There are a few elements like this throughout the space that feel genuinely beautiful rather than purely practical.

What works particularly well is the balance. It feels very traditional British and timeless, but still modern, clean and completely up to date. It doesn't feel trend-led, which is why it will age well.

The scale of the room also helps. It's a huge space, but it's been handled well, so it still feels elegant and balanced rather than overwhelming.

Overall, it's a very pretty kitchen that feels high spec, thoughtful and properly designed. Everything works together, and you can tell it's been executed with care.

VERDICT: Polished

Chloe Sims

Chloe has made her kitchen space feel open and bright by using light, neutral tones

The hidden coffee nook is a nice touch and works well visually, Jordana said

Jordana: Chloe Sims' kitchen is sleek, glossy and very well put together. It's clearly been designed to feel luxurious and photo-ready, with clean lines, high-shine finishes and a strong sense of symmetry throughout, without trying to be overly expressive.

The hidden coffee nook is a nice touch and works well visually. Tucking it away behind pantry doors keeps the main kitchen looking streamlined and uncluttered, while still allowing for a dedicated lifestyle moment. It's practical, but also very Instagram-friendly.

The cabinetry works well overall and I do like the colour of the handles, which add a bit of warmth. I'm not completely sold on the shape of them, but they still sit comfortably within the scheme. The overall feel does lean slightly showroom, which is very on brand for Chloe.

Where it falls a little flat is in the materials. Like the rest of the house, it's very beige and creamy. The marble-effect surfaces are nice, but quite subtle. It would have been great to see something with a heavier grain, more movement or a bit more contrast to bring depth and interest. As it stands, everything blends together beautifully, perhaps a little too well.

Overall, it's a lovely kitchen that's clean, polished and clearly well executed. It does exactly what it sets out to do, but plays it very safe, and one stronger material choice could have lifted it further.

VERDICT: Showroom

Lucy Mecklenburgh

Lucy Mecklenburgh's kitchen has leaned on two trendy finishes - marble and wood

Jordana: Lucy Mecklenburgh's kitchen feels like it's trying to do a few different things at once, and that's where it starts to fall apart. You can see the intention behind the design. There's an effort to introduce depth and character through chunky marble elements, and the idea of using two different cabinet colours to create contrast is a good one in theory.

The issue is the execution. The shape and finish of the cabinets don't quite work and end up cheapening the overall look. Rather than feeling warm or contemporary, the cabinetry reads quite plasticky and laminate-heavy. The handles also don't help elevate the space.

There's a further disconnect with the flooring. It feels quite traditional, while the kitchen itself leans modern and glossy, so the two elements don't really speak to each other, which adds to the sense of confusion.

Where the kitchen is particularly let down is the worktop. It could have been much chunkier, as it looks a bit flimsy and doesn't give the space enough weight or presence. That said, the marble splashback is a nicer moment. The veining running through it adds interest and depth and is one of the stronger material choices in the kitchen.

Overall, it's fine from a practical point of view, but visually it lacks cohesion. With better cabinet detailing, stronger material choices and a clearer relationship between the flooring and the kitchen units, it could have felt far more elevated.

VERDICT: Disjointed

Amanda Holden

Amanda enjoys a modern kitchen, complete with a white breakfast bar, floor-to-ceiling grey cupboards, and a dining area

Her gorgeous kitchen boasts a sleek white breakfast bar which seats at least four people on modern golden stools complete with white cushions

Jordana: Amanda Holden's kitchen is clearly a very expensive, solid and high-quality space. You can see that a lot of thought and investment has gone into it, and the layout is fantastic. It's a great entertaining kitchen, with a beautiful, generous fridge and plenty of room to cook, host and socialise comfortably.

The flooring is a real highlight and helps ground the space, adding depth and richness that balances the darker cabinetry. From a practical and spatial point of view, it really works.

Where it starts to feel overwhelming is in the styling, particularly the lighting. There's a lot of very loud, statement lighting going on, and rather than enhancing the kitchen, it takes over. Everything feels like it's competing for attention, and you're not quite sure where to look.

There's also a tonal clash in the cabinetry. The island benches are a noticeably different blue to the blue-grey used elsewhere, and those tones don't quite sit together. The gold detailing pushes the space further into a very blingy, theatrical territory, with several bold pieces all fighting to be the hero at once. You don't need that many shiny, statement elements in one room. The bar stools, in particular, feel a little out of step with the quality of the rest of the kitchen.

Overall, it's an impressive, clearly expensive kitchen with a brilliant layout and excellent entertaining potential. It just leans too heavily into statement at the expense of cohesion, which means it's more likely to date rather than feel timeless.

VERDICT: Over Styled

Binky Felstead

Binky Felstead has been showing off her house renovation on Instagram, which includes a cosy yet modern kitchen

The oversized fridge, large island and bar setup really anchor the room and make it feel designed for hosting, Jordana said

Jordana: It's clearly a very expensive kitchen, and you can tell straight away that it's solid and good quality. The layout is fantastic and it works brilliantly as an entertaining space. The oversized fridge, large island and bar setup really anchor the room and make it feel designed for hosting. The floors are beautiful too and add a real sense of weight and luxury.

That said, there's a lot going on visually and quite a few elements competing with each other. The colour palette is loud. There's a lot of blue, but the island benches are a noticeably different blue to the blue-grey cabinetry, and tonally they don't quite work together. Rather than complementing each other, those colours clash slightly. The gold detailing is bold and theatrical, which is clearly intentional, but it does push the space towards feeling a bit OTT.

The lighting is where the kitchen is most let down. There are multiple statement lights happening at once, and together with the bar stools and metallic finishes, everything starts competing for attention. You're not quite sure where to look. It feels visually busy and full on, which ultimately cheapens what is otherwise a very high-end space.

That said, I do really like seeing the fridge covered in photos and magnets. I have exactly the same thing in my own house. It's refreshing and human, and it shows that a real family actually lives here, rather than the kitchen being styled to look like a pristine show home.

Overall, it's an impressive, confident kitchen with great entertaining credentials, but it feels overworked. It almost works, then you look again and notice the clashes. With more editing and restraint, it could have been truly timeless.

VERDICT: Overloaded

Kate Ferdinand

Kate Ferdinand's kitchen, filled with cabinets and optimised for storage, also enjoys a bright, white finish

The layout works, the cabinetry is classic, and everything does what it's supposed to do, but it feels very stock standard, Jordana said

Jordana: It's a perfectly fine kitchen. It's nice enough, it's safe, and it's clearly good quality, but it is very neutral and quite flat. There's nothing wrong with it at all, but there's also nothing particularly memorable or special about it.

The layout works, the cabinetry is classic, and everything does what it's supposed to do, but it feels very stock standard. It doesn't really push any design boundaries or offer a strong point of view. It's the kind of kitchen that blends into the background rather than making a statement.

Overall, it's inoffensive and easy to live with, but it lacks personality and wow factor. It's not bad by any means, it's just not exciting. Some colour or accessories to add some personality or depth wouldn't go astray here.

VERDICT: Plain

Millie McIntosh

Millie opted out of the classic kitchen colour schemes and decided to go for a warm dusky pink

It's a great example of how good design doesn't have to rely on huge budgets or luxury finishes, but on making the right choices and ensuring everything works together, Jordana said

Jordana: I really like this kitchen. The pinky tone feels warm and considered, and while it's a risk, it's been executed beautifully. You can see thoughtful pattern choices coming through in the background, which add depth and character without overwhelming the space.

The wooden flooring works really well and brings a softness and warmth that grounds the whole scheme. The lighting is gentle and charming, and overall the kitchen feels cohesive, personal and well balanced. It's not trying to be showy or overly polished; it simply feels lived-in and loved.

What I like most is that she hasn't played it safe. There's confidence in the choices, and it feels like a space designed around what she genuinely enjoys, rather than blindly following trends. It's a refreshing change from the sea of white kitchens and marble-everything.

This doesn't read as a particularly high-spec or big-budget kitchen, and that's exactly why it works so well. It's a great example of how good design doesn't have to rely on huge budgets or luxury finishes, but on making the right choices and ensuring everything works together.

Overall, it feels warm, thoughtful and full of personality and charm.

VERDICT: Charming

Chloe Ferry

Jordana said that overall, it's a very modern kitchen, but it feels quite generic and trend-led

Jordana: The flooring is actually the strongest element in this kitchen. It looks expensive and like real, good-quality wood, which immediately elevates the space. However, the cabinetry lets it down. The units have a very flat, laminate feel and lack any real detailing, so they don't feel as high-end as the floor beneath them.

What doesn't quite work is the combination of woods. The tone of the wooden floor and the wooden cabinetry are too similar but not similar enough, so instead of complementing each other, they end up competing. It all becomes a bit too woody and visually muddled rather than layered and intentional.

Overall, it's a very modern kitchen, but it feels quite generic and trend-led. The finishes don't have much depth, and because of that, it's the sort of space that will date fairly quickly. Despite the expensive-looking floor, the kitchen itself doesn't quite live up to it.

VERDICT: Clashy
TikTok star Mackenzie Paul has sadly passed away at age 26 after a three-year battle with cancer.

Mackenzie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia back in 2023, and has been sharing the harsh realities of living with the disease on TikTok ever since.

Now, her husband, Brandon Paul, has confirmed her tragic passing in an emotional video shared to Facebook this week.

'Kenzie is in heaven now,' Brandon began as he held back tears. 'Selfishly, I wish she was here, still with me, and its going to take the whole rest of my life to get over this.

'But the one thing I am really, really happy about is that shes not in pain anymore.'

'The past two and a half years, Ive been blessed to be married to the best woman out there.'

Brandon said that seeing her go through some 'very, very tough times' wasn't easy and branded it as a 'miracle' that she made it as far as she did.

'She was the strongest, hard-working, most disciplined woman Ive ever met. She made me a better man, a better husband, every single day,' he added.

TikTok star Mackenzie Paul has sadly passed away at age 26 after a three-year battle with cancer

Mackenzie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia back in 2023, and has been sharing the harsh realities of living with the disease on TikTok ever since

'Im not sure why she had to go through this. Im not sure why this had to happen. But Im glad I got to spend the past couple years with the love of my life.

'Shes my everything. She always will be. Shell always be my best friend. Shes a rock star. I love her so much.'

Mackenzie previously revealed that she found out she had the disease during her second year of medical school at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

The social media star told People after the diagnosis that she had started developing dizzy spells so she went to her doctor for testing.

'Other than [that and] being more tired I really didn't have any symptoms,' she said. 'My whole life I've been really healthy.

'I was a college athlete. But I remember looking at my labs and I was like, "Oh my gosh, this is horrible."

'The doctors were pretty amazed that I didn't get sick at all because all my white blood cells were really low.

'I was really lucky that I listened to my body and got the blood work done and figured it out before it did develop into something much worse.'

Now, her husband, Brandon Paul, has confirmed her tragic passing in an emotional video shared to Facebook this week

'She was the strongest, hard working, most disciplined woman Ive ever met. She made me a better man, a better husband, every single day,' he said

Before her death she published her own poetry book, called This Is What It Feels Like: A Book of Poems Written by a Cancer Patient

Acute myeloid leukemia is described as a 'rare' and 'aggressive' cancer that 'affects your bone marrow and blood,' per Cleveland Clinic.

Mackenzie said she decided to start posting about her journey online after she began to 'lose hope' as a way to keep her spirits up. And it did just that.

'Over time, people started following along, offering encouragement and sending messages of support,' she reflected of her social media fame during a 2025 chat with People.

'That connection gave me a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Being able to relate to and help others who are walking a similar path has truly saved my life.'

Before her death she published her own poetry book, called This Is What It Feels Like: A Book of Poems Written by a Cancer Patient.

'[I want] to help other fighters feel less alone - and to shed light on the reality of living in a body that has betrayed you,' she said of her decision to publish the book.
He was one of MTV's most notorious villains in the '90s... and now, more than three decades on, The Real World star David 'Puck' Rainey has returned to the spotlight with an interesting new career move.

Rainey, known as his nickname Puck, now 57, was skyrocketed into the spotlight after he appeared on The Real World: San Francisco in 1994.

His over-the-top antics and constant fighting with the other cast members ultimately got him evicted from the house, and cemented him as one of the most infamous TV stars of the era.

While his role in the show earned him immense attention from viewers at the time, Rainey ultimately faded from the spotlight in the years that followed.

He went on to face numerous legal woes and multiple prison stints. But now, he has reemerged with a new profession: a TikTok chef.

The former reality star recently launched his own 'farm-to-table' cooking series on TikTok under the username @PuckCooks.

He started his account last month and has shared a slew of videos that show him making all kinds of dishes at home in his kitchen.

He's already raked in 15,000 followers, and some of his videos have gotten hundreds of thousands of views.

He was one of MTV's most notorious villains in the '90s... and now, more than three decades on, The Real World star David 'Puck' Rainey has returned to the spotlight

Rainey, known as his nickname Puck, now 57, was skyrocketed into the spotlight after he appeared on The Real World: San Francisco in 1994

Rainey's return to social media has launched a wave of nostalgia amongst The Real World fans, many of whom can't believe how different the star looks.

He is now practically unrecognizable; he has long, shoulder-length hair and no front teeth, which he said in one video was because they got 'knocked out' during a recent physical altercation.

He also revealed in one video that he is still in contact with his former Real World costar Rachel Campos as well as The Real World: Boston auditioner Sean Duffy.

'Rachel and Sean, they are friends of mine,' he said.

The Real World premiered in 1992 on MTV and placed seven diverse strangers in a house to live and work together, aiming to capture 'real' drama.

Rainey joined the show in 1994 while he was working as a bicycle messenger.

He famously clashed with fellow cast member Pedro Zamora, and their feud captured the globe at the time and helped turned the show into a massive hit.

In the years after The Real World he made small cameos in shows like Road Rules: All Stars, Celebrity Deathmatch and MTV Cribs.

Join the debate Should reality TV stars like Puck be celebrated or held accountable for their controversial pasts?

He went on to face numerous legal woes and multiple prison stints. But now, he has reemerged with a new profession: a TikTok chef

The former reality star recently launched his own 'farm-to-table' cooking series on TikTok under the username @PuckCooks

He started his account last month and has shared a slew of videos that show him making all kinds of dishes at home in his kitchen

He went on to marry a woman named Betty whom he had met at a farmer's market and their wedding was documented on the show Battle of the Sexes.

Together, they welcomed three children. He also told MTV in 2013 that he had fathered four other children 'with lesbians.'

At the time he said he was living 'off the grid' on a farm in San Francisco where he spent his days raising chickens, tending to his crops and racing ATVs.

During a rare appearance on a podcast in 2020, however, he said he had moved to Hawaii with his mom. He also admitted at the time that he hadn't seen his children in years.

He's had some run-ins with the law over the years; in 2009, he was sentenced to one year behind bars after pleading no contest to charges of committing battery upon his girlfriend.

The Real World premiered in 1992 on MTV and placed seven diverse strangers in a house to live and work together. Rainey joined the show in 1994

His over-the-top antics and constant fighting with the other cast members ultimately got him evicted from the house, and cemented him as one of the most notorious TV stars of the era

That same year, he also pleaded no contest to felony possession of ammunition and was placed on three years' probation.

Then, in March 2010 he was reportedly arrested on a DUI charge after he got into a car accident with his then-eight-year-old son in the car. It's unclear what ever came of the charge.

In 2012, he plead no contest to stalking an unidentified woman and was sentenced to two years in prison.

And during his podcast appearance in 2020, he said he recently gotten out of prison after another two-year sentence but did not specify what had landed him back behind bars.
It has been a torrid few days for stock markets as fears of a trade war between the US and its major European trading partners rose  and then de-escalated.

For long-term investors, the best strategy has been to remain invested. After all, short-term market volatility is the price investors must pay for investment rewards further down the line.

Yet, as ever, during times of uncertainty, investors should ensure their portfolios  Isas and self-invested pensions  are broadly diversified. That means exposure to gold  heading towards $5,000 (3,720) an ounce  as well as a spread of UK and international equities.

With continued concerns that the US stock market remains expensive  and maybe due a correction  its essential investors are comfortable with the amount of money they have invested in US equities, and in particular the Magnificent Seven stocks.

For those keen to reduce their dependency on the US, there are alternative markets which look attractive  the UK and emerging markets in particular.

Furthermore, if accessed through a stock market-listed investment trust, buyers can buy these markets on the cheap.

This is because the share prices of many trusts investing in the UK and emerging markets do not fully reflect the value of the underlying assets. They stand at what is called a discount.

Any narrowing of these discounts in the months ahead would provide a performance fillip to investors who buy these trusts now while they are cheap.

Here we identify nine investment trusts which financial experts believe could boost your portfolio in the short and long term. Prices correct at the time of writing.

ABERFORTH SMALLER COMPANIES is the biggest trust fishing among UK smaller companies for investment returns, with asset manager Jupiter and pub group Marstons among its top holdings

UK

Wealth's experts identify five UK-invested trusts with compelling investment cases  and where their shares stand at bargain prices.

The first is MERCANTILE, a 1.8 billion fund managed by JPMorgan Asset Management. Its shares trade at a 9.6 per cent discount, but the trust has other attractions.

For a start, its focus is on medium and smaller UK companies  stocks which generally have not enjoyed the gains made by many FTSE100-listed businesses.

Nine of the trusts top ten holdings are FTSE250 listed: the likes of furniture retailer Dunelm and housebuilder Bellway Homes.

Not only are the shares of the companies that Mercantile invests in attractively priced, says Jason Hollands of investing platform Bestinvest, but the trusts shares can be snapped up at a significant discount, providing an extra layer of opportunity.

The funds annual charges are competitive at 0.48 per cent and it has 12 years of dividend growth under its belt. Twelve should become 13 when it pays its final quarterly payment in early spring. Priced at just below 2.70, the shares provide a 3 per cent annual income.

Over the past one and five years, Mercantile has generated respective total returns of 15.6 and 32.2 per cent  less than from the FTSE All-Share (22.3 and 72.9 per cent).

For MERCANTILE, nine of the trusts top ten holdings are FTSE250 listed: the likes of furniture retailer Dunelm and housebuilder Bellway Homes

Trusts with a focus on smaller UK companies are also attractive. With a market value of 1.3 billion, ABERFORTH SMALLER COMPANIES is the biggest trust fishing among UK smaller companies for investment returns, with asset manager Jupiter and pub group Marstons among its top holdings.

Returns have been strong, when compared to its peer group. Respective one and five-year returns of 19.2 and 60.6 per cent are superior to those from the average UK smaller companies trust of 15.3 and 32.6 per cent. Despite this, the shares trade at a 9.5 per cent discount.

This discount, says funds expert Kyle Caldwell of investing platform Interactive Investor, provides investors with an even cheaper way to own a collection of companies that are already cheap. This, he adds, could translate over time into compelling returns.

What makes this trust a standout UK smaller companies fund is that the investment manager  Edinburgh-based Aberforth Partners  focuses exclusively on small UK-quoted companies. Its six-strong investment team are also big investors in the funds they run, thereby aligning their personal financial interests with investors.

Recent research on the trust by Kepler Partners says its nuanced take on the investment opportunities in the UK small-cap space could support returns going forward. The trust has grown its dividends for 14 years. In the last financial year, the total payment was 49.6p a share. With a share price of 16.56, it offers an annual dividend yield of 2.6 per cent. Annual charges total 0.78 per cent.

Kate Marshall of Hargreaves Lansdown says Artemis UK Future Leaders' discount has narrowed

Another UK smaller companies trust with shares standing at an attractive 11.4 per cent discount is ARTEMIS UK FUTURE LEADERS.

Although this 116 million fund is a minnow, its now under new management (it was previously Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Companies).

Kate Marshall, lead investment analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, says: The trusts management was handed over to Artemiss Mark Niznik and Will Tamworth in March last year, two highly experienced investors in UK smaller companies.

The share price discount has narrowed slightly since they took charge, but there is room for it to come down further if the managers can turn performance around.

Dividends are paid quarterly with the aim of providing a 4 per cent annual dividend yield. The funds annual charges are 0.84 per cent.

JPMORGAN UK SMALL CAP GROWTH & INCOME is described by AJ Bells Dan Coatsworth as among the elite options for investors to consider in the UK smaller companies space.

The trust has generated returns in excess of the Numis Smaller Companies + AIM (excluding investment companies) Index over the past one, three, five and ten years.

Consistently outperforming over the short, medium and long term is incredibly hard to achieve, says Coatsworth, the investing platforms head of markets.

Although UK smaller companies have been out of favour for a while, he says history suggests they have the potential to deliver supersized returns once conditions improve. There is no guarantee of success, yet the JPM trust has form in backing the right horses, he adds.

The trusts shares stand at a 9.2 per cent discount and the annual dividend income is an attractive 4.5 per cent with divis paid quarterly.

The last UK-invested trust pick is LOWLAND, which Interactives Kyle Caldwell says offers investors a cheap entry ticket to tap into a market-beating dividend yield with a chunk of its assets in domestically focused businesses.

The 363 million trust, managed by Janus Henderson, offers an annual dividend yield of 4 per cent, which compares with 3.1 per cent from the FTSE100 Index.

Dividends are paid quarterly and the shares, priced at 1.68, stand at an 8.5 per cent discount. Returns over the past one and five years of 34.4 and 79.3 per cent are better than both the average for its UK equity income peer group and the FTSE All-Share Index. Annual fund charges are 0.71 per cent.

Emerging Markets

TEMPLETON EMERGING MARKETS INVESTMENT TRUST (TEMIT) is valued at 2.4 billion and invests in companies listed in some of the worlds fastest-growing economies: China, India and South Korea.

Launched 36 years ago, it paved the way for investing in emerging markets, resulting in a slew of rival funds. Its the grandaddy of emerging market investing, says Bestinvests Jason Hollands.

With its shares trading at a 7.9 per cent discount, Hollands believes TEMIT is a good option for investors wanting a small slice of their portfolio exposed to emerging markets.

Most emerging markets have had a cracking past year, he adds, and things continue to look on the up.

The weakening of the US dollar under Donald Trumps presidency has reduced the cost of paying interest on dollar borrowings taken out by both emerging market countries and companies. This, in turn, has acted as a financial stimulus for emerging markets.

JPMORGAN EMERGING MARKETS GROWTH & INCOME is tech heavy with top-ten holdings in semi-conductor companies TSMC (Taiwan) and SK Hynix (South Korea)

AJ Bells Coatsworth says TEMIT has a good record of outperforming. It has beaten its benchmark index, MSCI Emerging Markets, over the past one, three, five and ten years. This, he adds, implies stock picking skill and clever asset allocation.

Total annual charges are 0.95 per cent and the funds annual dividend yield is two per cent.

Another emerging markets trust that would benefit from a continued weak dollar is JPMORGAN EMERGING MARKETS GROWTH & INCOME. Its shares trade at a 7.9 per cent discount. Although the trusts investment record is inferior to that of TEMIT (comparative one-year returns are 33.5 and 57.4 per cent), Hargreavess Kate Marshall says it is run by two seasoned and talented emerging markets managers in Austin Forey and John Citron.

She adds: They invest in high-quality companies with sustainable growth prospects.

The trust is tech heavy with top-ten holdings in semi-conductor companies TSMC (Taiwan) and SK Hynix (South Korea). This may put off some investors. Annual charges total 0.79 per cent.

Investment Extremes

For investors looking for a bargain trust with an emphasis on preserving shareholders capital, some experts believe RIT CAPITAL PARTNERS is worth a look.

Its shares trade at a 24 per cent discount and, according to Bestinvests Jason Hollands, represent a real bargain.

Although the trusts asset value has increased steadily over the past five years  rising by more than 35 per cent  its share price has grown by only 20 per cent.

This is primarily a result of its big exposure (32 per cent) to unlisted private market investments and the valuation it puts on these assets. The stock market believes the valuations are too high, hence the significant share price discount.

Yet Hollands believes the pessimism is overdone. He says: Its a multi-asset trust, invested across listed equities, privately owned businesses, and so-called uncorrelated investments such as absolute return funds.

In summary. It enables small investors to get exposure to some of the leading funds globally that are otherwise usually only available to the very wealthy.

The Rothschild family is the trusts largest shareholders.

At the other end of the investor risk spectrum is GEIGER COUNTER, a 77 million trust that invests in uranium exploration and its use in the production of energy.

Its biggest investment is in Canadian uranium mining company NexGen. Other key holdings include uranium miners Paladin Energy (Australian) and Ur-Energy (American).

Although generating one-year returns of 51 per cent, the trusts shares currently trade at an 18 per cent discount.

Callum Stokeld, a research analyst at investment bank Panmure Liberum, describes Geiger Counter as a fascinating [investment] proposition.

He believes the worlds need for energy in the years ahead  in part to fuel the AI boom  will support strong growth in the use of nuclear power as a clean energy source. Geiger Counter, he says, is well placed to benefit.

Of the nine bargain trusts mentioned by our panel of experts, this carries the highest investment risk. At best, a periphery investment. Handle with care.
A San Diego mother-of-three has suffered a horrific spine injury after crashing a dune buggy with children onboard.

Kalene Bartolone was preparing to ring in the New Year with family and friends in Ocotillo Wells in the California desert last month when the harrowing collision took place.

She was behind the wheel of an RZR utility task vehicle when she took a hill at speed and crashed-landed with a force that sent the vehicle rolling onto its side.

Her husband Vinny and his friend, Joe Eigner, were able to rescue the children who escaped without any major injury.

Eigner, who was watching it all unfold from his dirt bike nearby, explained what happened in a Facebook post. He said: 'Kalene overshot the hill with way too much speed and [flew] in the air like I've never seen a dune buggy jump before.

'Kalene couldn't move and was stuck in the car. Thankfully, we didn't move her. We immediately called 911. Rangers and paramedics were on the scene in less than 15 minutes.'

Kalene, 32, who was wearing a helmet at the time, had to be freed using a Jaws of Life mechanism and was airlifted to the hospital.

She was diagnosed with a crushed vertebra and pinched spinal cord and underwent nine hours of agonizing surgery on December 30.

Kalene Bartolone is pictured with her children Katelyn (center), Vinny (left) and Carson (right) and her husband, who is also called Vinny

Kalene was severely injured in the dune buggy crash in California and is now learning to walk again

Loved ones have started a GoFundMe to support her, hoping to raise $50,000 to cover hefty medical bills and her recovery.

The GoFundMe explained: 'What started out as a great day turned into a nightmare.

'Thankfully, all children are okay. Unfortunately, Kalene is not. Her spinal cord was damaged and her L-1 was completely shattered.

'The long road to recovery will be very challenging indeed.

'For those of you that know Kalene, she is beautiful, smart, cheerful, funny, loving and unbelievably strong.'

The family gave an update on her progress on January 15 and said that miraculously, she has taken a few steps.

They wrote: 'She is currently at inpatient rehab and having amazing progress... She even started taking steps.

'Kalene is in awe of all the love and support that she has been given.

Kalene's husband Vinny (pictured with her) helped rescue their three children from the wreckage

Kalene was driving an RZR utility task vehicle when she flew over a dune causing the vehicle to fly into the air and tumble onto its side (file photo)

The family were on a trip with friends at Ocotillo Wells (pictured) to celebrate the New Year

'Her beautiful attitude, strength and determination are an inspiration to us all.'

Most vertebral fractures are not severe and do not require surgery, per the Cleveland Clinic.

However, more intense breaks can lead to long-lasting side effects, including chronic pain and permanent damage to the ability to stand or walk.

Kalene is a doula who specializes in pre-birth education for new mothers. She is also a member of San Diego Christian Doulas.

Her children are Katelyn, 12, Vinny, 9, and eight-month-old Carson. Bartolone's husband Vinny works for San Diego Parks and Recreation.

Ocotillo Wells is a desert terrain with designated areas for motorcycles, four-wheelers, buggies and other all-terrain vehicles. It is just over 90 miles east of San Diego.

The Daily Mail contacted the Bartolone family, Eigner and Ocotillo Wells SVRA for further comment.
When it comes to politics in Americas most powerful families, the apple is falling very far from the tree.

Across the US, a growing number of politicians are finding that their fiercest critics live under their own roofs  or at least used to.

Republican lawmakers have faced a wave of ruptures with progressive daughters, while Democrats have increasingly clashed with sons drifting toward MAGA.

Everyone from Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz to California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom have been sucked into the maelstrom.

Experts say social media has fundamentally changed the dynamics - children no longer need parental approval or traditional media gatekeepers to be heard.

When Ted Cruz's daughter Caroline was just 13, she went viral after posting a TikTok saying she 'really disagree[s] with most of his views.'

Since then, she has been photographed grimacing during her father's speeches and has spoken openly about the strain of being a political 'nepo baby.'

Her bisexual identity stands in stark contrast to Cruz's voting record on LGBTQ+ issues, a gap she has described as emotionally exhausting.

Caroline Cruz went viral after posting a TikTok saying she 'really disagrees' with her father the Texas Senator's political views

The relationship between Kellyanne Conway and daughter Claudia hit the skids when mom served in the White House, but later showed signs of recovering

She has also complained about her father's PR team altering her clothing in images to make her appear more conservative.

The senator is far from alone.

Kellyanne Conway, once one of Donald Trump's most prominent White House aides, was thrust into the spotlight not for spin, but for family turmoil.

Her daughter Claudia Conway amassed millions of followers as a teenager by attacking Trump, advocating for Black Lives Matter and abortion access and posting videos of explosive arguments with her mother.

At one point in 2020, Claudia publicly announced she was seeking legal emancipation, saying her mother's job had 'ruined her life.'

Yet not all such stories end in permanent estrangement. In 2024, she and her mother filmed a viral video voting together, joking that they would 'cancel out' each other's ballots.

They later appeared together on Fox Nation to talk about rebuilding trust  a rare example of detente in an era defined by division.

Others have not been so fortunate. The Giuliani family fracture appears irreparable.

Caroline Giuliani, the filmmaker daughter of Rudy Giuliani, has described her father as a 'dark force' who destroyed their family.

She called his efforts to overturn the 2020 election 'gut-wrenching' and wrote that she was 'grieving the loss of my dad to Trump.'

Her words captured something deeper than partisan disagreement: the sense, shared by many adult children, that politics had consumed the parent they once knew.

Even the old Republican guard has not been spared. Mitch McConnell's daughter, Porter McConnell, is a progressive activist who campaigns against Wall Street excess  including the very financial networks her father has long defended.

Their ideological split has been quieter, but no less stark.

New Mexico GOP State Senator Jay Block said it was 'heartbreaking' how daughter Maddie turned her back on him and his politics

Caroline Giuliani, the progressive filmmaker, does not see eye to eye with her father Rudy Giuliani

History offers precedents. Ronald Reagan's daughter Patti Davis famously rebelled against her dad's policies, particularly on nuclear weapons, and posed nude for Playboy in the 1990s.

But today's rebellions are turbocharged by algorithms, instant virality and an audience of millions cheering from the sidelines.

Jay Block, a Republican state senator from New Mexico, knows this all too well.

He lives estranged from his 29-year-old daughter Maddie, a progressive influencer in New York City.

Maddie has denounced her father in viral TikTok videos over his support for Israel, lumping him in with what she called 'loser' pro-Israel politicians and branding him a 'Walmart Version of Trump.'

The applause from her roughly 70,000 followers has been deafening.

Block, an Air Force veteran and unapologetic MAGA supporter, told the Daily Mail that he is proud of his daughter's achievements and defends her right to free speech.

But he also called it 'heartbreaking that she has cut me off just for political purposes or political reasons or disagreements.'

He believes his divorce from Maddie's mother in 2019 played a role, but says politics finished the job.

Her posts, he said, have led to death threats against him, adding: 'We have to be aware of how this horrible rhetoric pushes people who are on the edge toward violence.'

The phenomenon is not limited to conservative parents. Democrats and centrists are now grappling with sons who have veered right  sometimes sharply.

Join the debate How should families handle deep political divides between parents and children in todays America?

Patti Davis, daughter of former president Ronald Reagan, posed nude for Playboy in the July 1994 issue, causing significant controversy

California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has revealed that his two sons Hunter and Dutch have expressed an interest in conservative figures

Nikki Haley, the former UN ambassador and one-time Republican presidential contender, has faced public disagreement from her son Nalin Haley, a vocal MAGA supporter who rejects her positions on Ukraine and Israel in favor of isolationist policies popular in today's GOP.

Nalin has praised Vice President JD Vance as a future leader of the party and has said that young conservatives are turning away from establishment Republicanism altogether.

Despite their differences, he has stressed that he and his mother avoid political discussions entirely.

'Y'all see Nikki Haley,' he wrote on social media in late 2025. 'I just see Mom.'

Susan Rice, the former national security adviser to Barack Obama, has spoken candidly about political clashes with her son, John David 'Jake' Rice-Cameron, the pro-Trump student activist who served as president of the Stanford College Republicans.

While they share some views on national security, they fiercely disagree on abortion and social issues.

In her memoir, Rice described their arguments as explosive and sometimes profane  but emphasized their shared commitment to maintaining a family bond despite the strain.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has also acknowledged the conservative leanings of his sons.

Hunter Newsom, 14, is a fan of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, while younger son Dutch reportedly wanted to call Donald Trump using his father's phone in late 2025.

The numbers tell part of the story. Research shows that young American women are trending sharply liberal, while young men are moving right.

The University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future survey found that by 2023, 30 percent of high school senior girls identified as liberal, while 23 percent of boys identified as conservative  a widening gender gap that experts say has only deepened since.

More MAGA than though. One-time Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley's son Nalin is a full-throated supporter of the Trump agenda

Obama-era national security advisor Susan Rice (center right) and her son John David 'Jake' Rice-Cameron (right) have 'explosive' political rows

John Rice-Cameron posted this photo of himself with right-wing influencers Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk. His mom, Susan Rice, was the former national security adviser to Barack Obama

Psychologists warn of the emotional toll. More than 60 percent of American teens say politics causes significant stress in their relationships, according to the Child Mind Institute.

And once a family conflict becomes public, reconciliation becomes far harder.

Ioana Literat, a Columbia University professor who studies youth political expression, has warned of the profound impact of political identity being performed online  especially when family members become symbols rather than people.

For politicians, the cost is steep. Public service is already dangerous, exhausting and unforgiving. Adding the risk of losing one's own children to the job may be enough to deter some from ever running.

For families, the damage can be permanent. Thanksgiving dinners have become ideological minefields. Group chats go silent. Birthdays are missed. In the worst cases, parents and children simply disappear from each other's lives.

America's culture war has always been loud. Now it is personal.

And in a nation where girls drift left, boys drift right, and social media turns rebellion into currency, the next generation of political battles may not be fought on debate stages  but across the dinner table.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Prophet Walter Magaya, leader of Prophetic Healing Deliverance Ministries (PHD), is scheduled to appear at Harare Magistrates Court this Monday as his trial on rape charges formally begins.Court documents allege that the accusations against Magaya date back to 2013, when he reportedly met one of the complainants for a prayer session. The prosecution claims that he made sexual advances and subsequently committed rape at a Harare hotel. It is further alleged that assaults occurred on two additional occasions involving the same complainant.Magaya also faces allegations of sexual violence in 2018 involving a second woman in South Africa. According to court documents, the complainant was taken abroad under the pretext of purchasing machinery and raw materials, during which the prosecution claims Magaya and his aides subjected her to sexual assault. Additional alleged assaults occurred in October 2018, when the complainant was invited to Magaya's Marlborough offices in Harare for a business meeting.Court records indicate that the complainants previously attempted to report the alleged incidents at Waterfalls and Harare Central police stations in 2018. However, the matter was reportedly not pursued at the time, allegedly due to Magaya's influence.The case marks the formal commencement of proceedings, with Magaya expected to enter a plea and the prosecution to present its evidence in the coming weeks. The trial has drawn significant attention given Magaya's prominence as a religious leader in Zimbabwe.
A leading Australian criminal psychologist has claimed that a tradie who sexually assaulted a grandmother while fitting solar panels at her home could attack again after he was sentenced to just five years in jail for the horrific crime.

Indian-born Amol Vijay Dhumal, 45, was jailed for five years for raping the 75-year-old in her Mount Colah home in Sydney's north-west in April 2024.

The electrician had been sent to the woman's house to install solar panels with his colleague.

He returned two days later to fix a problem with her power. Only this time, he was alone.

Dhumal told the elderly woman that his wife never had sex with him and then grabbed her, raping her in her lounge room as she cried: 'You've got to be kidding.'

Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro described Dhumal as 'disturbing,' 'evil,' and as having a 'dark mind.'

'It was evil and premeditated behaviour where an elderly woman, living on her own, was raped and taken advantage of after the offender determined that she lived alone,' he told the Daily Mail.

'The crime was premeditated. He saw an opportunity on the first occasion, he did some enquiries about who lived there, sensed her vulnerability. As far as offending goes, it really is at the high end of the spectrum.'

Amol Vijay Dhumal raped the grandmother in her home, but blamed his wife for not having sex with him

Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro described Dhumal's actions as 'disturbing' and 'evil'

During Dhumal's sentencing hearing in December, Judge Craig Everson SC said it was 'ludicrous' to think he wasn't at risk of raping again after the tradie had shown no remorse.

Dr Watson-Munro agreed.

'If there is no empathy, no insight, no expressions of remorse, what has changed beyond being deprived of his liberty?' he said.

'I would hope that he would be eligible for a sex offenders program in custody and maybe with the passage of time, and regular therapy, he may develop insight and some empathy and understanding of his wrongdoing.'

Disturbingly, the court heard that on Dhumal's first visit to the woman's home, he hugged her and tried to kiss her while saying she reminded him of his mother.

'Maybe he had unresolved issues concerning his mother,' Dr Watson-Munro suggested.

'But really what he is saying in a pretty overt manner, given what he did, was that he'd like to sleep with his mother.

'Unless it's some perverse grooming mechanism..."You remind me of my Mummy, so can we have sex?"'

The woman was raped in her lounge room by tradie Amol Vijay Dhumal who was over to fix solar panels (stock image)

Amol Vijay Dhumal's rape occurred in Mount Colah in north-western Sydney in 2024

It comes as Dhumal's sickened bosses told the Daily Mail of their shock upon learning the full details of the case.

'We were shocked - I didn't know Amol that well but he was a very simple guy, he had two young kids at home,' said a director who wished to remain anonymous.

'He was a good friend of [my co-director]. But I'd met his family a few times, he had twins, it's shocking that something like this could happen.

'I feel for the family - I believe his wife wasn't working at the time. It's difficult for all.'

Dhumal is no longer listed as one of the directors of the company, with the current director insisting his exit from the business was 'unrelated' to his arrest.

'He may have presented well to his employers but clearly there was something percolating in his dark mind,' Dr Watson-Munro said.

'These crimes rarely just occur spontaneously. He may have had thoughts about committing this sort of crime and when the opportunity arose, he saw it.

'He then planned it quite cleverly to go back two days later when the offending occurred.'

Judge Everson sentenced Dhumal to five years in jail - something Dr Watson-Munro described as: 'Very kind, notwithstanding what happened. Often people are penalised more than that'

Dr Watson-Munro described how these types of offences don't generally occur in isolation unless they are highly opportunistic.

He said the offenders of these type of opportunistic attacks are usually found to have 'all sorts of troubling pornographic material' on their phones.

'They have rich fantasy lives and at some point, they decide to act out on those fantasies,' he added.

The woman, who was too traumatised to be in court with Dhumal when he was sentenced, wrote a harrowing victim impact statement.

She said she'd been 'not living, but only existing' since the attack and still lives in fear despite the fact her attacker is behind bars.

'This is the most torturous tragedy of my life. I'm in prison in my own home,' she told the court.

The woman said she had always given her time to volunteer causes and supported multiculturalism in her community, but after the attack she had 'withdrawn from it all.'

'This home is supposed to give me the security, peace and lasting good memories but now it is a horrific tragic place to live,' she wrote.

Dhumal's wife was in court for her husband's sentencing, and although she didn't want to comment on the rape, she told the court: 'My husband is loving and respectful'

'I now bolt all the windows and doors and feel so alarmed that out there someone knows I live alone  and will just come in again and harm me.'

Dr Watson-Munro said it was a 'sad reality' that people, especially those who are older, have to be careful about who they let into their homes.

'The elderly feel vulnerable enough as it is these days with what's going on with crime,' he said.

'If you can't be safe in your own home, the takeaway for them is, where can you be safe?

'In your golden years, you'd hope you could enjoy some peace ... and accomplishment and to have that all ripped away from you in such horrendous circumstances... I really feel for her.'

Dhumal's wife was in court for her husband's sentencing, and although she didn't want to comment on the rape, she told the court: 'My husband is loving and respectful.'

Dhumal will be eligible for parole in April 2030.

He has lodged an appeal but will stay in jail until his appeal is determined.
A man in Maine has been arrested and charged with murder after his beautiful 12-week-old baby girl was found unresponsive and 'blue' before dying in hospital.

Shawn Samuels, 24, was arraigned at the Penobscot County Judicial Center in Bangor after his daughter, Lyla Samuels, was rushed to hospital and died.

Penobscot Regional Communication Center received a call at around 11.40am on Friday on reports of an unresponsive three-month-old.

Responders administered CPR to Lyla, who began breathing again, and she was taken to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center.

A family member told the Boston Globe that this incident was the first time that Samuels was left alone with his daughter.

Lyla passed away on Sunday in hospital from 'multiple injuries' and her death was ruled as a homicide, according to a state police press release.

The cause of death is tentative pending final testing.

Her mother, Leah Collins, told the Bangor Daily News that Lyla was a 'gift from God, returned to Heaven much too soon.'

Lyla's mother, Leah Collins, said that Lyla was a 'gift from God, returned to Heaven much too soon'

Shawn Samuels, 24, was arrested on Friday and virtually arraigned at the Penobscot County Judicial Center following the death of his daughter, Lyla

Collins said that she would be missed by all who have loved her deeply in the short time they knew her, the outlet reported.

'Her smiles, grunts, giggles, and coos brought joy to all who knew her. She is missed beyond what words could ever express, but will forever stay in our hearts as the precious, perfect baby girl that she is,' she said.

People walking by the adorable baby girl would 'admire her beauty and remark on her sweetness,' according to Collins.

'She knew how to pull on her moms heartstrings to make sure nearly every nap was tucked in warm and close to her chest.'

Family member Elizabeth Collins wrote on Facebook: 'The sweetest, smiliest, most beauuuutiful little light. Shes already so missed. We remember her and all the love, joy and giggles she brought to us. Rest in peace, pretty girl. Auntie loves you to the moon.'

'Lyla, we miss and love you so much. You will always be remembered as Leahs perfect little nugget,' another relative, Nick Collins, wrote.

A GoFundMe for Lyla's family has raised over $10,500 as of Sunday afternoon.

'Our hearts break alongside baby Lylas Mom Leah, and the Collins family who are currently walking through a tremendously dark and difficult time,' the fundraiser said.

Samuels was originally charged with domestic violence on Friday, but his charges were changed to murder after the Medical Examiner's report

Lyla Samuels, a beautiful 12-week-old baby girl, was rushed to hospital where she died on Sunday from 'multiple injuries'

'They are filled with unimaginable grief and sorrow at the sudden and tragic loss of beautiful baby Lyla, their 12-week-old daughter and granddaughter.'

A family friend Jeremy Boutot wrote: 'We humbly ask that you join us in honoring baby Lyla and the Collins family. Leah, Karen and Stan, along with the rest of the family  We love you.'

Samuels was originally charged with domestic violence on Friday, but his charges were changed to murder after the Medical Examiner's report, authorities told the Globe.

Samuels entered a not guilty plea and is being held on bail for $250,000.
The crowd of boys grin as they thrust their rifles skyward. Some are no older than twelve.

Their arms are thin. Their weapons are large. The boys brandish them with glee; their barrels flash in the sun.

An adult leads them in chant. His deep voice cuts through their pre-pubescent squeals. 'We stand with the SAF,' he roars. 'We stand with the SAF,' they squawk back in unison.

Shot on a phone and thrown onto social media, the clip is of newly mobilised child fighters aligned with Sudan's government Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

These are Sudan's child soldiers.

The adult in the video seems like a teacher leading a class. He beams at the children, almost conducting them. He thrusts a fist into the air: the children gaze at him adoringly.

But the truth is that he's doing nothing more than leading them to almost certain death.

Here, the SAF's war is not hidden. It is paraded. Sold as a mix of pride and power.

The latest Sudanese civil war broke out in April 2023, after years of strain between two armed camps: the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In Sudan's brutal civil war, government forces are recruiting children who now proudly boast of their love of war on TikTok

Footage shows newly mobilised child fighters aligned with Sudan's government Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)

What started as a power grab rotted into full civil war. Cities were smashed. Neighbourhoods burned. People fled. Hunger followed close behind.

Both sides have blood on their hands.

The SAF calls itself a national army. But it was shaped under decades of Islamist rule, where faith and force were bound tight and dissent was crushed.

That system did not vanish when former President Omar al-Bashir fell. It lives on in the officers and allied militias now fighting this war, and staining the country with their own litany of crimes against humanity.

As the conflict drags on and bodies run short, the army reaches for the easiest ones to take. Children.

The latest UN monitoring on 'Children and Armed Conflict,' found several groups responsible for grave violations against children, including 'recruitment and use of children' in fighting.

The same reporting verified 209 cases of child recruitment and use in Sudan in 2023 alone, a sharp increase from previous years.

TikTok has the proof. In one video I saw, three visibly underage boys in SAF uniform grin into the camera, singing a morale-boosting song normally reserved for frontline troops.

The adult in the video seems like a teacher leading a class. He beams at the children, almost conducting them

The latest Sudanese civil war broke out in April 2023, after years of strain between two armed camps: the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

In another, a youth mouths along to a traditional Sudanese melody now repurposed as recruitment theatre.

A chilling clip shows two armed youths  once again linked either to the SAF or its ally, the Islamist Al-Baraa bin Malik Brigade  chanting a Sudanese Islamic Movement jihadi poem while hurling racial slurs at their enemies.

There is worse.

Another clip shows a small boy strapped into a barber's chair. He is visibly disabled and cannot be more than six or seven.

An adult voice off camera feeds him words. A walkie-talkie is pressed into his hands. He makes an attempt to mouth pro-SAF slogans back, beaming as he raises his finger in the air, clearly unaware of what he's saying.

Even the weakest are dragged in. Even those who cannot carry a rifle can still serve.

Then there are the photos, sent to me by a Sudanese source. In one, a boy lolls inside a military truck. A belt of live ammunition lies hangs around his neck; a heavy weapon rests beside him.

He stares at the camera with a flat, empty look  not scared, not excited. Just there.

In another, a line of boys stand in the desert, shoulder to shoulder, dressed in loose camouflage. An officer faces them, barking orders. They stand stiff, eyes front. These are children being taught how to kill.

Elsewhere, a teenage boy poses alone, rifle slung over his shoulder like a badge. He half-smiles. The gun makes him something he was not before. He looks proud, as if now, finally, he matters.

Then there is the pickup truck. Three young fighters sit on the back, legs dangling. A heavy machine gun looms behind them. Teenagers on the frontlines of a genocide.

And in Sudan it is successful. The SAF and others gain many recruits from these photographs and footage.

In them, the war feels light. It looks like fun. Noise and laughter hide the danger. A rifle raised in the air does not yet smell of blood.

But behind the clips are checkpoints, ambushes, shellfire. Boys who carry guns are sent where men fall.

Some will be used as fighters, others as runners, lookouts, porters. All are placed in death's sights. Few are spared.

The law is clear: using children in war is a crime. The SAF's generals know them, and ignore them. The evidence is not buried in reports or files. It is openly posted, shared, and viewed.

Wars that feed on children do not end cleanly. They do not stop when the shooting fades. A boy who learns to shoot for the camera does not slip back into childhood. The war sinks in. It shapes him, until it kills him.

But for now, the boys in the video  rifles raised high  are shouting with joy.
The nation might be divided over whether Monday is 'Australia Day' or 'Invasion Day' but historians say some basic facts should be remembered about the date.

The First Fleet sailed from England with explicit instructions that no Indigenous people were to be harmed when it arrived in New South Wales.

When the fleet landed at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson on January 26, 1788, no shots were fired and no one was physically hurt.

Whether the country was 'invaded' or 'settled' - as much as what occurred over the next two centuries - is at the heart of the debate over how and when we mark Australia Day.

The 1992 Mabo decision granting native title to Indigenous Australians relied on the country having been settled, not invaded.

In that ruling the High Court rejected the 'terra nullius' doctrine - that the landmass belonged to no one - without overturning the view the continent had been settled.

In the 236 years following the First Fleet's arrival, terrible injustices against Aboriginal people took place.

All of those atrocities - the massacres, the human rights abuses and discrimination - form part of the argument over whether the nation should change the date of Australia Day.

The First Fleet sailed from England with explicit instructions that upon its arrival in New South Wales the country's inhabitants were not to be harmed Above is an oil painting by Algernon Talmadge of Captain Arthur Phillip raising the flag at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788

Whether the country was 'invaded' or 'settled' - as much as what occurred over the next two centuries - is at the heart of the debate over how and when we mark Australia Day

But what really happened on January 26, 1788?

The Royal Navy's Captain Arthur Phillip had been empowered under British law by King George III to establish a penal colony in NSW.

The land he was ordered to settle had been occupied by Aborigines for perhaps 60,000 years but was not legally recognised as a sovereign nation.

Eleven ships under Phillip's command left Portsmouth in May 1787 with about 1,400 men, women and children on board, bound for Botany Bay.

The ships were small, each one no bigger than a Manly ferry.

Leading the fleet were two Royal Navy vessels accompanying three store ships and six convict transports.

Among Phillip's instructions upon reaching his destination were that Aboriginal lives and livelihoods be protected and friendly relations with them established.

The First Fleet's initial landing was gradual, with ships arriving between January 18 and 20 at Botany Bay, south of Port Jackson, where James Cook had dropped anchor 18 years earlier.

When the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson on January 26, 1788, no shots were fired and no one was physically hurt

According to the NSW Migration Heritage Centre, local Aboriginal people met the fleet in an 'uneasy stand-off' at what is now called Frenchmans Beach at La Perouse. There was no violence on that occasion.

Unsatisfied with Botany Bay as a suitable site to establish a colony, on January 21 Phillip led a small party in three boats to explore other options further north.

He entered Port Jackson, which he later described in a letter as 'the finest harbour in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line may ride in the most perfect security'.

Phillip's party returned to Botany Bay two days later to find representatives of another colonial power exploring the coast.

On January 24, two French ships from the scientific expedition led by Jean-Francois de La Perouse were seen just outside Botany Bay.

The French, who stayed at Botany Bay until March 10, fired upon Aboriginal people in February.

On January 26, the First Fleet headed to Port Jackson, landing at a spot Phillip called Sydney Cove after Lord Sydney, the British Home Secretary.

Only Phillip and several officers and marines from the navy vessel Supply initially went ashore, with the rest of those on board watching from the water.

Eleven ships under Phillip's command left Portsmouth in May 1787 with about 1,400 men, women and children on board, bound for Botany Bay. Phillip is depicted at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788

The British flag was planted in a short ceremony and formal possession was declared.

The other 10 ships of the fleet did not arrive until later in the day. There was no armed conflict with the local Eora people.

Phillip's instructions regarding the land's existing inhabitants were that he would 'conciliate their affections', to 'live in amity and kindness with them.'

He was to punish anyone who should 'wantonly destroy them, or give them any unnecessary interruption in the exercise of their several occupations'.

Those instructions were standard British orders for the time and initially were largely followed.

Writing in the Dictionary of Sydney, historian Grace Karskens said: 'Phillip and the officers were genuinely committed to establishing and maintaining friendly and peaceful relations'.

'The early meetings in Botany Bay and Port Jackson were often marked by friendliness, curiosity, gift-giving and dancing together on the beaches.

'This is so entirely different from earlier violent and murderous encounters between Europeans and Indigenous people.

Phillip's instructions regarding the land's existing inhabitants were that he would 'conciliate their affections', to 'live in amity and kindness with them'

As the colony spread, so did the violence and more and more land was taken

'It is also very different from the frontier violence that dominated pastoral expansion in Australia well into the twentieth century. In that sense it was enlightened and humane.'

Professor Karskens declared the arrival of the First Fleet and the establishment of a small camp at Sydney Cove was momentous only in that 'it marked the origins of a great city'.

'But at the time it was just a tiny pinprick on the edge of a vast and ancient Aboriginal continent - it made barely a ripple at first,' he wrote.

'From this perspective, the idea that Phillip's first footfall on the beach in Botany Bay brought instant death and corruption across the entire continent is Eurocentric nonsense.

'Aboriginal people did not drop dead or lose their culture the moment they saw a white person.'

Professor Karskens noted the Eora did immediately have to cope with an alarming influx of strangers on their lands and waterways.

'Phillip did forbid anyone from shooting or otherwise harming Eora,' he wrote.

'But by anyone he meant convicts. He had them severely punished for doing so and for stealing from Eora.

'But this did not mean that officers and other military did not shoot at Aboriginal people - they did, usually with small shot - usually because warriors were throwing spears and stones at them.'

According to Professor Karskens, the first fatal shooting might not have happened until September 1789 when Henry Hacking shot into a group of Aboriginal people out hunting on the North Shore.

As the colony spread in the years to come, so did the violence. More and more land was taken and massacres did occur across the continent.

Many Australians believe all of those wrongs should be the sole focus of each anniversary of the First Fleet arriving at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788.

But there was no violent confrontation on that first Australia Day.
Millions of Brits can still remember old landline phone numbers from decades ago despite relying solely on their mobile today, new research suggests.

With a year until the January 2027 landline switch-off, a new study suggests half the nation can still recite the telephone number from their childhood home as well as their family members and schoolfriends'.

Talkmobile commissioned the study as a nostalgic glimpse of the past as the nation transitions to a fully digital phone era.

For consumers and businesses, this means that instead of being carried over the old analogue PSTN system, landline voice calls will instead be digitally encoded and sent over the internet.

While the underlying technology is changing, the service itself will remain fundamentally the same for users.

The transition to internet-based phone systems promises enhanced call quality with clearer connections, more competitive pricing through bundled packages, and improved security features to combat nuisance and scam calls.

While just under half of UK households still have a landline (47 per cent) [1], millions of Brits still fondly reflect on the days of the family phone book filled with scribbled telephone numbers.

According to the poll of 2,000 adults, three in five Brits (57 per cent) can still recall the landline number they had growing up - rising to nearly seven in ten (68 per cent) for Gen X - aged 45 to 59.

Millions of Brits can still remember old landline phone numbers from decades ago

One in five Gen X (21 per cent) can also remember between three and five landline phone numbers off the top of their heads. Millennials - aged 28 to 44 - follow closely at nearly two in 10 (18 per cent).

The study showed Boomers - aged 60 to 78 - are the generation most likely to have a landline today at almost two-thirds (64 per cent), while millennials are the least likely at about a quarter (27 per cent).

Landlines are already a thing of the past for many young adults  fewer than one in 10 (8 per cent) of Gen Z say they never even had one growing up.

More than half of Brits (55 per cent) no longer own or use a physical phone book; however, a quarter of Boomers (25 per cent) still actively use one.

Talkmobile spokesperson Stuart Wilson said: 'Landline numbers are ingrained in our memories, even as we move towards a digital-only future.

'These numbers represent more than just a way to make calls; they're a connection to our past and the people we love.

'At Talkmobile, we're committed to making modern communications as straightforward as those memorable landlines once were.

'With our industry-leading Trustpilot score of 4.7, we're proving that great customer service and uncomplicated technology can go hand in hand as we embrace this new era of connectivity.'
It took several minutes for the files to load  there were nearly 2,800 images, after all.

But as they began popping up on my screen, one by one, I started to shake with sadness.

As a mother of three daughters  one graduated, one at college and the youngest about to start  the photos depicted a world that felt painfully familiar.

The murders of the Idaho Four is a story the world believes it knows well.

Yet nothing prepares you for the scale of what new photographs obtained by the Daily Mail this week revealed.

Dozens  if not hundreds  far too graphic to publish.

What struck hardest was the contrast. The ordinariness of their home set against the savagery that unfolded inside it.

This was a typical college house brimming with life, empty beer cans and White Claws scattered across floors and counters.

This was a typical college house brimming with life, empty beer cans scattered across floors and counters. The police search warrant at the bottom of the stairs is the only thing out of place

These were young people who lived fully and openly. They loved to party and socialize

But reminders of the horrors that unfolded that night are everywhere

High heels kicked aside after what I imagine was a night of hard dancing. Unwashed dishes in the sink and college work spread messily across tables  it was the weekend, after all.

Clearly, these were young people who lived fully and openly. Who loved hard and wore their hearts on their sleeves.

A banner in their living room read: 'Saturday night is for the girls.'

In Madison 'Maddie' Mogen's bedroom, a mood board displayed inspirational quotes: 'The universe has big plans for me,' and 'Show up as your highest self.'

In the kitchen, a sign read: 'This is our happy place.'

Knowing what happened next, those words provoke searing rage as much as sorrow.

These were happy, sociable, promising young adults with endless life ahead of them  cut short by a depraved loner who had none of those things.

Bryan Kohberger, now 31, murdered four innocent people that night in November 2022  best friends Kaylee Goncalves and Maddie Mogen, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, both 20.

The Daily Mail's Ruth Bashinsky combed through nearly 2,800 new photos

Previously unseen crime scene photos were quietly uploaded online this week by Idaho State Police, before swiftly being taken down. The Daily Mail downloaded the files in full before they disappeared.

Police officials have since said they accept the images may be deeply distressing but that their original decision to publish followed a large number of public records requests.

Some of the most difficult images show blood spattered across walls, ripped bedsheets, and overturned furniture  evidence of a violent struggle as the victims tried desperately to fight back.

The Daily Mail chose to publish a limited selection. We felt it was important that readers understand the true horror of Kohberger's crimes  not a softened or stylized version of the truth.

We chose to publish them because words alone cannot convey the reality of this event, nor the abrupt destruction of joyous young lives that should have continued.

Police redacted any pictures of the victims themselves and the immediate areas around their bodies.

But redactions do not mask the reality.

From the outside, the off-campus college residence seems like an ordinary house

But, so violent was the attack launched by Kohberger, blood can be seen spilling out of the property's structure

Several images show large black boxes obscuring beds  the mind fills with what lies beneath. Devastating.

The only small comfort I take is knowing the students were together in bed in a home filled with love in their final moments.

We believe Kohberger entered the house, an off-campus property for University of Idaho students on King Road in Moscow, shortly after 4am on November 13, 2022, through an unlocked rear sliding door.

I say 'believe' because much of what is known about that night has never been tested in a full trial.

Kohberger dodged a showdown by entering a guilty plea deal, sparing himself the death penalty  a decision that angered the victims' families.

After entering the home, Kohberger went straight to the third floor, to Mogen's bedroom.

Inseparable friends Mogen and Goncalves were asleep together after a night out.

The new photos show light-colored bedding soaked by pools of blood, and dark spatter on the walls.

The inspirational mood board still hangs above the bed, its cheerful affirmations in cruel contrast to the violence below.

At the foot of the bed sits a pair of white heels  a small, exuberant reminder of the normal, everyday life that would soon be shattered.

Nearby, a desk where a laptop and college papers remain neatly laid out, work that will never be finished, futures that will never be realized.

Just next door, Goncalves's bedroom appears almost untouched.

A 'Good Vibes' sign hangs from the white headboard. A candle reading 'Hello Fall' sits beside decorative lights. A woven laundry basket overflows with clothes and shoes.

A lighted makeup mirror glows softly. Necklaces and bracelets hang from a jewelry stand.

A half-filled Starbucks coffee cup, dry shampoo and a partially opened box of White Claws remain exactly where they were left.

After taking those two sweet lives, Kohberger moved to the second floor to Kernodle's room, where he killed her and Chapin, who was sleeping over.

It is Kernodle's room that is the hardest to look at.

It reminded me of my eldest daughter's who was also a senior in college at the time of the killings.

Everything from the oversized mirrors to playful wall art and the shaggy chair.

When my daughter saw me looking through the photos at my desk this week, she said it was 'too upsetting' to imagine. 'They were normal girls our age,' she added.

Despite heavy redactions across the bed, the violence in Kernodle's room is unmistakable. A white bedside cabinet is knocked out of place and smeared with blood.

Thick streaks trail across the floor, the walls and all along the bed frame.

A floor-length mirror is partially blacked out - the redaction clearly intended to hide the horrors in its reflection.

The chaos of the scene tells me these young people did not go quietly.

Other images  too awful to describe  appear to show the edges of body bags.

I pause. My work requires me to examine traumatic cases, but at this point, I have to look away.

A spokesman for Idaho State Police told the Daily Mail it was these images that caused officials to take down the photos.

'After questions were raised, the records were temporarily removed for further review to ensure the appropriate balance between privacy concerns and public transparency was struck.

'The records will be reissued soon. The Idaho State Police remains committed to handling sensitive records professionally, lawfully, and with respect for all affected parties.'

Investigators used luminol throughout the home  a chemical that glows blue in the presence of blood.

Even in rooms where there are no signs of violence, those blue streaks are a reminder that this seemingly normal residence became a crime scene.

Photos show blue lighting up the stairwell, the banister and the walls leading from the third floor to the second.

The corridor leading to Kernodle's bedroom only hints at the horror that took place behind her door

It is Kernodle's room that is the hardest to look at - the violence is unmistakable

High heels are kicked aside in Mogen's room - likely after a night of hard dancing

Even in places where there are no obvious signs of violence, blue streaks are a reminder that this seemingly normal residence became a crime scene

It is difficult to put into words how these photographs feel.

Horrifying and sickening do not do it justice.

What disturbs most is the absence of motive. Kohberger had no apparent connection to any of his victims.

No rage, no grievance, no reason that might offer comfort or logic.

And that very senselessness is what keeps the case lodged in the public imagination.

People cannot process a horror with no 'why'.

My heart goes out to the families. This could have been any one of our children.
A beloved cartoon has graced Rhode Island license plates for decades, but with the company moving its headquarters out of state, some residents want it gone.

Hasbro has called Pawtucket home for nearly 70 years, with locals celebrating the corporation through a Mr Potato Head statue and specialty license plates.

But in 2025, the toy giant announced plans to pack up and move its headquarters to Boston. Lawmakers are now left to debate retiring the specialty plate.

Republican Rep Brian Newberry proposed its removal, claiming Hasbro's departure will leave the state high and dry, causing 'economic harm and loss of tax revenue.'

'There is no reason we should be advertising their products on our license plates,' Newberry told AP.

'It may seem trivial compared to many other things but its a matter of self-respect,' he added.

The Mr Potato Head plate costs about $40, and half of the profit goes to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Bitter locals agreed with Newberry's stance and took to social media to share their support.

Pictured: Newport, Rhode Island. Locals in the state, which is the smallest by total area in the US, were up in arms after the company decided to move its HQ from their city

A statue of Mr Potato Head greets visitors to the corporate headquarters of toymaker Hasbro Inc in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the company is moving its headquarters to Boston

One Reddit user mocked the toy company, jokingly calling it, 'HADbro' in the past tense.

'Good. Hasbro is so greedy,' another supporter posted. 'Its literally a polar opposite what it once stood for.'

The specialty plates were created back in 2002, commemorating the toy's 50th anniversary.

Mr Potato Head is shown holding the food banks sign, with the label 'Help End Hunger,' at the bottom.

Other Rhode Island natives think the license plate's removal will negatively impact the food bank.

Kate MacDonald, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, said the plate has generated nearly $60,000 over the years.

'While it has tapered off over the years, its been a steady way for people to contribute,' MacDonald said.

Others shared concerns about the financial hits the food program may take with Newberry's bill.

This image provided by Rhode Island DMV shows the Rhode Island specialty license plate, with Mr Potato Head holding a Rhode Island Community Food Bank sign, and the bottom of the plate readings 'HELP END HUNGER'

Rhode Island State Republican Rep Brian C Newberry proposed the removal in early January 2026

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank, located in Providence, where the Mr Potato plates have contributed over $60,000 in fundraising to the operation

Exterior of Hasbro headquarters, which has made Pawtucket its home for over 70 years, now its departure is making residents bitter

'My concern is, any cuts into the food programs is gonna affect some people,' Volunteer Lew Pryeor told the outlet.

'For him to say that he doesnt like the plates, well, thats your prerogative. Dont buy them. If its making money for the state, let it.'

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank told NBC they are welcome new ideas to boost its fundraising efforts.
An illegal immigrant sex offender who 'dragged' ICE officer Jonathan Ross for over 360ft admitted the agent's life had been in danger and said 'wow' when he saw the footage.

The felon said he felt 'terrible' about inflicting the 'awful' experience on Ross, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The shocking incident happened seven months before Ross, 43, fatally shot Renee Good, 37, in Minneapolis, which - along with the January 24 shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti - sparked mass protests and a national reckoning over the Trump administration's immigration roundup policies.

It also took place just a 15-minute drive from where Ross would later shoot Good.

On June 17, the officer's arm got caught in the window of a car driven by illegal immigrant Roberto Carlos Munoz, 40, who drove off as Ross tried to detain him.

Previously unpublished court testimony, reviewed by the Daily Mail, revealed new details about the prior incident, including that Ross was dragged farther than previously thought by the car.

An FBI expert on the scene measured the distance traveled as 360ft in a straight line over the course of 12 seconds, but said it was farther because the car took a route in the shape of an 'S' veering from side to side.

Measuring tracks left by Ross's feet dragging across the ground, the expert assessed that he had come within 17 inches of being smashed into a parked car.

ICE agent Jonathan Ross was dragged for 12 seconds by Roberto Carlos Munoz

Illegal immigrant Roberto Carlos Munoz told a court, 'Wow, I feel terrible' when he was shown footage of how he dragged Ross for over 360ft

Court documents revealed that after Munoz was shown video of the incident, he apologized through an interpreter at his trial.

'Wow, I feel terrible because now that I've watched the video, seeing that it was an (ICE) officer and I didn't know it, I feel awful,' he said.

When asked by a lawyer if he agreed that Ross's life had been in danger, he responded: 'Wow. Yes.'

Following the three-day trial in December, Munoz was convicted of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous and deadly weapon (the car) and causing bodily injury. He has yet to be sentenced.

According to records of testimony in his trial, Munoz revealed that he was born in Mexico but had been living illegally in the United States for 20 years, working as a cook in a restaurant, and a cleaner.

In 2022, he was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony offense, according to the Department of Justice.

However, he was not deported to Mexico at that time. ICE issued a detention notice, but local authorities in Minnesota did not honor it and released him. It was unclear why.

On June 6, 2025, Munoz went to a police station in a Minneapolis suburb to report that he was being extorted over the phone by criminals demanding money from him in relation to his sex conviction. He said he had already handed over $2,000.

Eleven days later, ICE officers, including Ross, went to detain him for being in the country illegally.

At his trial, Munoz told the court that he left his house on June 17 and was on his way to his girlfriend's when he saw cars speeding toward him so he pulled over.

He claimed not to have noticed their sirens or flashing red and blue lights, or the 'police' placards on the officers' vests, and said that he was 'terrified' it was the people extorting him.

Officer Ross attempts to stop Munoz before being dragged

Officer Ross's arm injury after being dragged for over 360ft in June

Officer Ross needed 20 stitches in his right arm after being dragged

Renee Good was shot dead by ICE officer Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on January 7

Renee Good in the driver's seat of her car moments before she was shot

He added that he believed the people approaching him were civilians.

'A normal civil(ian) person came out and started pointing a gun at me,' he told the court. 'I was asking them who they were. They told me to turn my car off and to open my window. The person next to me (Ross) told me, again, for me to turn my car off or else he was going to break the window. I got more scared.

'He got out a metal piece that he had in his hand, again, and said, "I'm going to break your window"... and he did, and I got more scared. I panicked because I didn't know who these people were or what they wanted and I thought that it was these people who were extorting me.'

After Ross broke the rear driver-side window, Munoz sped off, but Ross's arm became trapped in the window and he was dragged along, the court heard.

As the car was moving, Ross fired his Taser at Munoz in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

Munoz said, as he drove off, he 'felt the shots in my head,' which was Ross firing his Taser.

Munoz claimed he did not know he was dragging Ross, despite the officer's arm being trapped in the rear driver-side window, less than a foot away from him. Ross was also yelling and firing the Taser, the court heard.

Roberto Carlos Munoz, 40, who had been in the United States illegally for 20 years, was convicted of assaulting Officer Ross

Jonathan Ross, 43, is an Iraq war veteran who joined ICE in 2015

Tear gas during protests in Minneapolis on January 21, 2026

After having already dragged Ross for 11 seconds, Munoz's car jumped a curb, which he denied was an attempt to shake the officer off, the court heard.

'I was feeling a horrible pain [from the Taser] and that must have been the reason why I wasn't able to keep my car going straight,' Munoz claimed.

Ross eventually became detached from the car and rolled into the street, the court heard.

Munoz drove on to his girlfriend's house, about ten minutes away, and had her call 911, the court heard. She claimed he had been 'beaten' by people pretending to be ICE officers.

A police officer later arrived and arrested Munoz, who was cooperative.

'Had I known they were ICE, honestly, with all due respect, I would have not called the police so that they would come and arrest me,' Munoz told the court. 'I would have fled.'

During the trial, Ross took the stand as the key prosecution witness, and showed the jury his scars from the encounter.

His injuries required 33 stitches to his right arm and left hand.

'I was fearing for my life,' Ross told the court. 'I knew I was going to get drug. And the fact I couldn't get my arm out, I didn't know how long I would be dragged. So I was kind of running with the vehicle because I didn't want to get drug and pulled underneath the back of the tire.

'He almost swiped me off on my vehicle, and at this point I feared for my life. And the only thing I had left, tools to use, was my Taser. So I quickly drew my Taser. I shot it. I got it right through the window crack. I put it in there, where I thought he was at, and I just pulled the trigger. It deployed 10 rounds. I did see the impacts on his face. It didn't appear that it affected him at all.'

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has asked ICE to leave the city

An anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis in the wake of the shooting of Renee Good

Ross said he feared that he would 'get run over and serious injury or death because my arm is still caught. Who knows what would happen if my arm got caught and my leg gets put underneath the wheel?'

The officer told the jury how he had served in Iraq in 2004 to 2005 as a US Army machine gunner on a gun truck combat logistical patrol team, and had been in the Indiana National Guard.

In 2007, he joined the United States Border Patrol near El Paso, Texas, and then joined ICE in 2015.

On January 7, Ross fired three times into Good's SUV as it began to move.

The Department of Homeland Security maintains the officer acted in self-defense, and that Good 'weaponized' her car and tried to run him over. That has been refuted by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

The US Department of Justice is not investigating Ross over the shooting of Good.
On Tuesday, Idaho State police briefly released  before hurriedly removing  a ghastly cache of graphic photographs revealing the horrifying aftermath of the murders inside 1122 King Road House in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022.

That was the night Bryan Kohberger massacred four University of Idaho college students. On July 2, 2025, he pleaded guilty to the killings.

The pictures show blood-streaked walls and blood-soaked bed streets, overturned furniture and gory handprints all amid red drink cups, discarded clothes and the banal disarray of college life.

It's a nightmare come to life.

Police have taken down the photos in the face of public revulsion, but now they say they'll soon reissue them after reviewing general concerns.

I, like countless others, was shocked by the barbarism. But the grisly evidence also gives away something else  no less disturbing.

I began reporting on this case in the days immediately after the killings. In the months that followed I spent weeks in Idaho, review thousands of pages of law enforcement reports, interviewed numerous officials and even visited the small Pennsylvania town where Kohberger was born and raised. And, even after Kohberger's sentencing, a startling possibility has been taking shape in my mind.

While I believe Bryan Kohberger is guilty, I have never been able to shake a long-held hypothesis that he didn't act alone. Now this newly released evidence only bolsters that belief.

On Tuesday, IdahoState police briefly released  before hurriedly removing  a ghastly cache of graphic photographs revealing the horrifying aftermath of the murders inside 1122 King Road House in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022

At the heart of the prosecution of Kohberger is a troubling question: Could he have managed to murder four students, on two different floors, during the estimated 13-minute timeframe (from 4:07am to 4:20am) that police believe he was in the house?

The authorities in Moscow suspect that Kohberger entered the residence at 4:07am  shortly after his car was captured on surveillance camera driving toward the location  and left the scene at 4:20am  minutes before his car was filmed speeding off.

They've even performed two test runs  reenacting the murders as best they could  to establish a working theory for how this could be done.

But I've never been convinced.

For starters, I suspect the 13-minute timeframe to be wrong. It does not take into consideration the time that would have elapsed after Kohberger exited King Road after the murders, trudged up an icy slope to his car, presumably changed out of his clothes, possibly stored bloody items in a plastic bag in his trunk, started his car, proceeded down the hill and drove away. All of that activity would have reduced his actual time inside the residence by several minutes.

My timeline suggests all four assaults were committed in nine minutes, more or less.

I'll concede that a nine-minute window might have been sufficient to kill four people, but likely only if the killer moved methodically from one victim to the next, making no mistakes, wasting no time.

These newly released crime scene photos, in conjunction with autopsy reports that I've reviewed, suggest this killer (or killers) was anything but methodical.

Police have taken down the photos in the face of public revulsion, but now they say they'll soon reissue them after reviewing general concerns

The pictures show blood-streaked walls and blood-soaked bed streets, overturned furniture and gory handprints all amid red drink cups, discarded clothes and the banal disarray of college life

This was a rageful massacre.

That house was a battlefield.

Xana Kernodle, 20, was stabbed over 50 times, and many of these were defensive wounds. She fought for her life.

Kaylee Goncalves, 21, was stabbed more than 20 times (her family put the precise number at 34). She too resisted her assailant, and his response was ferocious. There is evidence of asphyxia injuries, meaning Goncalves was strangled and perhaps gagged. And there were also blunt force trauma injuries; her nose had been broken and her face beaten beyond recognition.

Madison Mogen, 21, was stabbed 'multiple times'; the exact count has not been released.

Ethan Chapin, 20, was stabbed 'multiple times.' Again, the precise number is not known.

In total there were, I conservatively estimate, well over 100 separate knife thrusts. And there very well might have been another weapon.

State prosecutor Bill Thompson mused in an interview after Kohberger's sentencing that 'There were injuries that appeared to have been caused by something other than the knife, although it could have been the knife.'

'I don't think we can exclude the possibility that there was an additional weapon involved,' he said.

And what about the DNA found on the knife sheath (also depicted in the new photos) left on the bed next to the body of Maddie Mogen?

There was a speck of touch DNA belonging to Kohberger on the button snap. That was the unshakeable touchstone of the state's case  but investigators also found something else.

Another DNA report recently released by Idaho authorities indicated that there was another male's DNA present on the knife sheaf  and tests determined it did not belong to victim Ethan Chapin or several other men who had frequented the house.

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

While I believe Bryan Kohberger is guilty, I have never been able to shake a long-held hypothesis that he didn't act alone. Now this newly released evidence only bolsters that belief

Howard Blum is author of the New York Times bestseller 'When the Night Comes Falling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders'

Whose DNA was it?

And what about the motive? That was never established.

Prosecutor Thompson admitted to the court on the day of Kohberger's sentencing that no evidence exists tying the criminology graduate student to any of the victims before the day of the killings. There's no proof that he'd ever spoken to any of them or even followed them on social media. All that can be definitively state is that a knife sheath with Kohberger's DNA was found at the scene.

The prosecution argued that Kohberger, intent on murder, randomly picked a house at four in the morning, but it's not enough to put all my suspicions to rest.

It would have been very risky business for Kohberger - a high-achieving scholar who had poured over crime scenes and police investigations - to settle on such a target without any foreknowledge.

There were five cars parked around 1122 King Road that night, suggesting many people inside  perhaps too many to be dealt with. Entering 1122 King Road without a specific mission fixed in his mind would be the height of recklessness. But Kohberger is calculating, not impetuous.

My theory is that there was indeed a clear motive  it just wasn't Kohberger's own.

Kohberger, in my opinion, likely had hooked up with someone who  for whatever hellish reasons  wanted at least one of the students dead.

Eager to win over a new friend and apply his morbid book knowledge, Kohberger, I believe, tagged along.

Finally, there is one last piece of unexplained evidence that has always weighed on my mind.

On the night of Kohberger's apprehension at his parents' home in Pennsylvania, he was led in handcuffs to the back of a police vehicle.

Before the car drove off to the state police barracks, he reportedly asked a single question: 'Was anybody else arrested?'

At the time, his concern was attributed to the worries of a son and sibling anxious to know if any of his family had also been taken from their home in the middle of the night.

When illuminated by the fresh light of the newly released evidence, a more ominous question surfaces: Is there another King Road Killer still out there?

Howard Blum is author of the New York Times bestseller 'When the Night Comes Falling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders.'
Fierce debate has erupted over the killing of Minneapolis nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti and whether he posed any real threat to Department of Homeland Security officers.

Federal officials including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem insist Pretti, 37, 'brandished' his legally-owned handgun at officers trying to detain an illegal migrant on Saturday morning.

A spokesperson said the 37-year-old nurse was killed after he 'approached US border patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.'

But videos recorded by multiple bystanders cast serious doubts on those claims, as footage appears to show one agent disarming Pretti a few seconds before any shots were fired.

They showed Pretti standing in the street filming a Border Patrol operation as a small group of anti-ICE protestors blew whistles and shouted.

He filmed with a phone held in his right hand; his left hand appeared to be empty.

Two women were filmed being forcefully pushed backward by an agent wearing a brown beanie.

It is unclear what prompted that altercation.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, could be seen the street filming with his phone while a small group confronts a federal agent. His other hand appeared to be empty

Pretti is seen holding his phone and appearing to speak or film as he engages with federal agents

Pretti can be seen holding a bright, shiny object during a struggle with federal agents

Pretti put his arm around one woman as the agent shoved the other to the floor.

He moved to confront the agent, who pushed Pretti away with his left hand and pepper sprayed him with his right, as another agent arrived.

Pretti used his left hand to try to block the pepper spray and his right to grab the woman on the floor.

Pretti could be seen holding a shiny object aloft in the air. It is unclear if this was his phone or something else, but the officer he was engaging with did not shout 'gun' or brandish his own weapon at the sight of it.

A chaotic tussle broke out as around six more agents arrived. Pretti was face down on his knees, resisting as the agents pinned him down. The agent wearing a brown beanie struck him in the head with his pepper spray canister.

The two women scrambled away, one seemingly unable to stand.

Then comes the most crucial moment that has raised questions over whether Noem and the DHS have got their facts right.

An agent wearing blue jeans and a light gray hat and jacket could be seen apparently removing a gun from Pretti's waistband or holster, then moving away.

That gun resembled the firearm DHS later identified as belonging to Pretti.

Moments after, an agent wearing a black beanie appeared to shoot Pretti at close range, from the side or behind.

He backed away and continued to fire.

The agent wearing a brown beanie also appeared to fire at Pretti. Roughly 10-12 shots are fired within five seconds.

A law enforcement officer retrieves what appears to be a gun from Alex Pretti before he is shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis

Several agents wrestle Pretti down, forcing him to the ground and pin him down

The Border Patrol Union appeared to put forward their own justification as to how events unfolded without hours of the shooting taking place

Department of Homeland Security officials have sought to blame Pretti for his own death.

But Democrats and civil-liberties advocates point out that Minnesota is an open-carry state, meaning it is generally legal to carry a firearm without a permit, and argue that the videos raise serious questions about whether Pretti posed an immediate threat at the time force was used.

Federal officials have not publicly explained why multiple shots were fired after Pretti was pinned to the ground or clarified when officers first became aware that he was armed.

Nevertheless, federal officials have stood firmly by their account.

The man killed was identified by his parents as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, an intensive care unit nurse

Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed outdoor pursuits including mountain biking

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agents' actions, repeatedly insisting at a press conference that Pretti had 'brandished' a weapon, as video of the encounter continues to draw scrutiny

At a press conference, a journalist asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem directly: 'Did he brandish a gun? At what point did law enforcement retrieve the gun and magazines from him?'

Noem responded, 'This individual showed up to impede a law enforcement operation and assaulted our officers. They responded according to their training and took action to defend the officer's life and those of the public around him.'

'I don't know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign. This is a violent riot when you have someone showing up with weapons and are using them to assault law enforcement officers,' she added.

Pressed again by a reporter who noted that video 'appears to show him disarmed before shots were fired,' and asked who was leading the federal investigation, Noem declined to address the timing shown in the footage.

'We're continuing to follow the exact same protocols that we always have. This investigation is ongoing, we are continuing to gather the facts as they unfold we will continue to release information as it becomes available.'

Noem then broadened her remarks, saying she did not want to 'distract from the facts of this situation,' before adding new details about the underlying operation.

'Our law enforcement officers were there doing a targeted operation against an individual who was in this country illegally and had a criminal conviction for domestic assault with intent to do bodily harm,' she said.

'This individual went and impeded their law enforcement operations, attacked those officers, had a weapon on him and multiple, dozens of rounds of ammunition.'

She concluded by repeating the administration's central claim: 'Wishing to inflict harm on those officers coming brandishing like that and impeding the work they were doing.'
News / National

by Staff reporter

A group of pupils at Sobukhazi High School in Bulawayo have reportedly been sent home after authorities uncovered a secret WhatsApp channel allegedly used to share explicit discussions, cyberbullying content and invitations to so-called Vuzu Parties.The WhatsApp group, named "2k Dopest Nation," has since been shut down, but its contents have sent shockwaves through the school and the surrounding community.Sources say the group was created and administered by pupils who are all minors, with shared content said to have crossed serious moral, disciplinary and safeguarding boundaries. Screenshots circulating among parents and learners show offensive jokes, mocking of fellow pupils, online shaming, and posts glorifying alcohol and drug use.The channel allegedly became a virtual space for harmful behaviour, with learners openly discussing classmates, sometimes naming them. Polls were reportedly conducted asking who was the "hottest" boy, "prettiest" girl, or most talked-about couple at the school and in the neighbourhood - actions that reportedly left some pupils humiliated and emotionally distressed.There were also messages promoting Vuzu Parties, informal gatherings associated with risky behaviour including alcohol consumption, drug experimentation and unsafe sexual conduct. Although no sexual acts were reported or proven, school authorities viewed the discussions and encouragement as dangerous and inappropriate for minors.Sources close to the school claim that many of the pupils involved come from households where parents live in the diaspora, leaving them under the care of relatives or elderly guardians."Most of these kids stay alone or with grandparents. Phones are their parents," said a source familiar with the matter.When school authorities became aware of the WhatsApp channel, the learners implicated were summoned together with their parents or guardians for disciplinary hearings. However, the process reportedly took a dramatic turn.According to fellow pupils and sources, some learners allegedly presented fake parents at the hearings, with claims that local individuals were paid to pose as guardians."The school realised something was off," said a source. "Some of the men who came did not even know the children's full names or classes."A school insider said once administrators became aware that false guardians were being presented, decisive action was taken."The learners were told to stop coming to school temporarily while the matter was escalated to their officially registered parents or guardians," the source said.The move has left several pupils at home, triggering anxiety among genuine parents and guardians who fear for the children's academic future."We are waiting for 14 February. We don't know what will happen," said one guardian who requested anonymity. "I'm worried because I cannot afford to move my grandchild to another school."Another parent echoed similar concerns, stressing the importance of education."It is painful to see a child sitting at home. I hope they are allowed back," the parent said.Sobukhazi High School headmaster Cain Ncube declined to comment on the matter.However, a school official who spoke on condition of anonymity dismissed claims that the pupils had been expelled or formally suspended."The children were not expelled or suspended," said the official. "They were excused from school for a short period as a corrective measure."The official stressed that the school's focus was on guidance rather than punishment."Our role is to guide and mould children. When they go off course, we must redirect them. We will never chase a child away from school," the source said.The official also raised concern over parental neglect, particularly among families separated by migration."Many of these children do not live with their parents because they are in the diaspora. That gap creates serious challenges. Parents must take responsibility," the official added.According to the 2022 Zimbabwe Population and Housing Census, nearly 908 913 Zimbabweans live in the diaspora, a reality that continues to shape the upbringing, supervision and discipline of children left behind.At Sobukhazi High School, the 2k Dopest Nation saga has become a stark warning about unchecked phone use, online behaviour and the thin line between teenage mischief and serious misconduct.
A housekeeper stabbed 42 times by her wealthy employers' son has spoken of her terror after learning he could soon be let out of his secure mental health unit.

Joselia Pereira Do Nascimento, known as Josy, was alone at the Chelsea townhouse of property developer Graham Bourne and his art consultant wife Sylvia when their 26-year-old son Maximillian attacked her in February 2024.

During his trial last year, jurors heard a chilling recording of the emergency call Bourne made straight afterwards, in which he calmly said he was a 'nice boy from Chelsea' who had stabbed the 'demon woman in my house'.

He was deemed unfit to stand trial, and was convicted in his absence of attempted murder during a paranoid psychotic episode. He was detained indefinitely in a secure mental health unit, with release dependent on the decision of a specialist tribunal.

But last week, less than two years after the attack in which she nearly lost her life, Ms Nascimento, 31, was told that the hospital where he is being held had applied for him to have leave for 'periods at a time' under escort.

'The moment I read the letter, I panicked,' she told The Mail on Sunday. 'All the memories of the blows to my face and body came flooding back. I still have a lot of physical pain from my injuries and scars, along with the psychological pain. I am terrified to walk the streets. I suffer panic attacks and flashbacks when I lie in bed.

'This man tried to take my life, and I was lucky to survive. They said he wasn't well enough to stand trial, but now he seems to be doing well. He should be brought back to court to answer for what he did.

'He destroyed my life, and I don't feel justice has been done.'

Joselia Pereira Do Nascimento, known as Josy, was attacked by her boss's son, Maximillian Bourne in February 2024

The son of property developer, Graham Bourne and his art consultant wife Sylvia stabbed the housekeeper 42 times when she was at their Chelsea townhouse

Ms Nascimento, who is from Brazil, began working for the Bournes as a maid in June 2022, later becoming a live-in employee at their 20million five-bedroom home.

The Home Office later found 'conclusive grounds' that she was a victim of modern slavery. On the night she was attacked, she was alone in the house with Bourne, after Mrs Bourne asked her to 'look after' him while she worked abroad for a few months.

'I had my concerns as his behaviour could be a bit odd  he talked to himself and sometimes he slept in the bath,' she recalls.

On the night of February 25, 2024, she heard Bourne outside her basement bedroom door, asking her to 'come outside'. When she opened the door, he thrust a kitchen knife into her neck, face and arms before trying to throttle her, telling her she was 'from evil'.

She managed to free herself and, bleeding profusely, called the police. Surgeons had to repair damage to her lungs, scalp, eye socket, chest, back and arms.

But her well-connected employers  Mrs Bourne is the great-granddaughter of former Brazilian president Epitacio Pessoa  refuse to pay compensation.

The judge at Bourne's trial noted that despite being 'extremely wealthy', the family had offered 'no help, no support, and nothing but a single text message while [Ms Nascimento] was in hospital'.

Ms Nascimento, who is in a shelter for trafficking victims, made a civil claim for damages, which she says the Bournes refuse to settle, leaving her feeling that 'what happened to me doesn't matter'.

Last night, her lawyer, Hal Branch, said he would take the case to court, adding: 'The injuries Josy suffered affect her every day and will continue to do so. It is only right she receives compensation.'

Ms Nascimento has set up a page on Crowdjustice to support her legal claim.
For almost her entire life, Lauren Bradford-Clarke has had one unyielding longing: for a mum. It began when she lost her mother, Lesley Howell, at the age of just four. The tiny blonde girl was told car fumes were the cause of her mothers 1991 death  but only years later came to realise this meant suicide.

Unsurprisingly, the idea her mother had deliberately taken her own life, leaving her and her three young siblings behind, was profoundly traumatic for Lauren, now 39.

As she emotionally puts it, in this, her first newspaper interview: My childhood was defined by loss and bereavement... For a long time I had feelings of, Why did she leave? Why was I not enough? Why were we not enough?

Into the breach, though, came another mother figure: Hazel Buchanan, the new partner of her father Colin, a dentist. While Hazel, a Sunday school teacher, never moved in with the family, Lauren  understandably  became hugely attached to her. I very much saw her as a mother, she says today. Through all the years, and probably still, Ive always wanted a mummy.

When Hazel and Colin split in 1996 after five years together, it was a further blow: It was heartbreaking for me when their relationship ended. I grieved for her almost as much as I did for Mummy, which is very complicated to think about now.

This is something of an understatement.

For Lauren now knows the shocking truth  that her mother did not take her own life at 31, but was murdered by Laurens father and replacement mother Hazel, who had been having an affair.

The couple also murdered Hazels husband, 32-year-old policeman Trevor, to whom she had been married since the age of 18 and with whom she shared two children.

Lauren Bradford-Clarke says: My childhood was defined by loss and bereavement... For a long time I had feelings of, Why did she leave? Why was I not enough? Why were we not enough?

Colin Howell with his wife Lesley. Colin and his mistress Hazel Buchanan murdered her first

Lesley was killed first. Then the pair placed Trevors corpse beside her body in her car, making it look like a double suicide. They even planted evidence to make it look like they had been the ones having an affair, their suicide seemingly prompted by terrible guilt.

Little wonder Lauren, from Coleraine, Londonderry, says she has had to deal with multiple waves of traumatic grief. First, for the loss of her mother, then at the revelation her father had killed her  not to mention the betrayal of the woman she hoped would become her new mummy.

Its only now, 35 years since her mothers death, that Lauren feels able to speak publicly, appearing in an ITV documentary on Tuesday in which she pays tribute to the mother she lost so brutally.

Its not the first time Lesleys murder has made it to the small screen: in 2016, there was an ITV mini-series called The Secret, in which James Nesbitt played Colin.

And tonight BBC2 are screening the first of a two-part documentary on the killings, which Lauren declined to take part in. It aired in Northern Ireland last week, with audio of Colins police confession played for the first time. That was the first time Lauren had heard it  something that caused her to complain to the Corporation, as it left her distraught.

In that confession, Colin  who was also a charismatic Baptist preacher  revealed details of the meticulous plans he and Hazel made for the murders.

The pair had met in 1990 through their church and begun an affair. That summer, Hazel became pregnant and Colin convinced her to go to London to have an abortion, which was illegal in Northern Ireland at the time.

A member of their congregation then discovered their affair  which caused their spouses much anguish. The stress became too much for Lesley and she attempted but failed to take her own life, even penning a suicide note to Colin. Despite promising to end it again and again, Hazel and Colin returned to each other in secret.

Hazel met Colin in 1990 through their church and began an affair that would lead to violence

Hazel's husband Trevor was spiked with tranquilisers before being murdered by the pair

In early 1991, Colin began to plot the murder of Lesley and Trevor, disguised as suicide. He wrote in a letter to his lover: Let this be our secret.

On the night of May 18, 1991, Lesley lay asleep on the sofa while their children  Lauren and her brothers Matthew, six, Daniel, two, and Johnny, nine months  were tucked up in bed. Chillingly, that day was Daniels second birthday.

As she lay there, Colin slipped a long hosepipe attached to his car exhaust into his wifes mouth. When she awoke, struggling, he held her down until she was dead. He then dressed Lesleys corpse, put her in his boot and drove to Hazel and Trevors home.

There, Trevor lay comatose after ingesting tranquillisers his wife had hidden in a tuna sandwich. When Colin repeated the process with the hosepipe, Trevor put up more of a fight  but the outcome was the same as Lesleys. Colin then drove the bodies to Castlerock, a seaside village five miles from Coleraine. There, in the garage of Lesleys recently deceased father, he set the scene: headphones playing religious songs were placed on his wifes head, family photographs scattered by her body.

The final ingredient was that suicide note Lesley had written to Colin, who now utilised it with callous efficiency, placing it in their home for police to find.

Days later, Lesley and Trevors bodies were buried yards apart in Coleraine cemetery, with both Colin and Hazel performing the parts of grieving spouses perfectly.

The childrens trauma, though, was all too genuine  and, says Lauren, remains debilitating.

She still has treasured memories of her mother, who gave up her nursing career to care for her children. My mum was brilliant about making things magical, Lauren says. When she was cutting my nails, she would say, After you get your nails cut, I am going to paint them for you.

In 2010, Colin was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 21 years

Hazel was found guilty in 2011 and sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years and sent to Hydebank Wood in Belfast

If we were going grocery shopping, she would say, Shall we go for a date? And we would get dressed up and go for a date and I would get really, really excited.

Her last memory is of her mother days before she was killed. She had gone somewhere for a beauty treatment, she recalls, and I remember saying constantly, Wheres Mummy, wheres Mummy, wheres Mummy?

I have this really vivid precious memory of having missed her when she was at the beauty salon.

Then I remember her walking up the driveway, in blue jeans, a white polo-neck jumper and a bomber jacket embroidered with pastel flowers, and I remember thinking, She looks beautiful. I was there to greet her when she came in, and she gave me a big hug.

Just as vivid are the memories of the day she discovered shed died.

My brother Daniel had been given a blue slide for his birthday the day before, she says, and we were playing on it. It was quite a sunny day, and church elders were sitting outside talking to my father.

Again, I kept running up saying, Wheres Mummy? Wheres Mummy? Then my brother Matthew and I were told Mummy had died from car fumes, had gone to heaven and we wouldnt see her again.

Lauren remembers that after her mothers death the family made regular trips to Hazels house, and ran into her regularly, which seemed coincidental, but as an adult, I realised was probably very much planned.

Slowly, Colin was bringing his murdering mistress into his childrens lives  and Lauren began to see Hazel like a mother.

Aged nine, I wanted to get my ears pierced. I asked my father, and he said, Mum and I said you werent going to get them done until you were 16. I was very disappointed, but Hazel convinced my father to let me do so. That shows she had a parenting role in my life.

Hazel and Colin split up when Lauren was nine and within a year, he met Kyle Jorgensen, a divorcee with two children, at a Bible study class. They married and had five children, while Hazel eventually married police superintendent David Stewart.

Aged 12, Lauren was in a chemistry class learning about carbon monoxide poisoning when she realised her mothers death could not have been an accident.

Until then I had this image of her sitting in the car with the windows open, and car fumes drifting in and her very peacefully falling asleep, she says. It gave me a terrible fear of car fumes.

That day I said to my father, I didnt realise it was suicide. He was like, Yup, and the conversation ended. Traumatised doesnt even cut it. I was devastated. I had days and nights when I would sob to myself.

The disconnect between father and daughter eventually led to them becoming estranged. And more tears were to come.

In January 2009, aged 22, Lauren was called to a family meeting. I got a call from my aunt saying, We need you to come immediately. There, my uncle began telling me my father was being held at Coleraine police station after admitting murdering my Mum.

I crumbled. I fell to the ground. It was probably the most extreme shock I have encountered. I even vomited. I just couldnt take it in.

But then I realised I must have subconsciously known all along. I had so many unanswered questions about my Mum. Suddenly, everything made more sense.

Colin made no attempt to spare Hazel in his confession, which had been partly prompted by another family tragedy.

In 2007, Laurens older brother Matthew, then a 22-year-old student, was on a placement in Russia where he lost his grip on a stairwell bannister and fell four floors to his death.

Colin confessed to the double murder in an apparent attempt to cleanse himself of his sins. He once said to me, he brought death into the family and therefore God had punished him by killing my brother, Lauren says ruefully.

In 2010, Colin was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 21 years. The following year he was given five-and-a-half years for sexually assaulting five female patients while they were sedated in his dentists chair.

Now 66, he is interred at Maghaberry Prison outside Lisburn. Hazel was found guilty in 2011 and sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years and sent to Hydebank Wood in Belfast.

Last year, the now 62-year-old failed in her third appeal, claiming she had been under Howells coercive control, despite sedating her husband before he died.

Bouts of therapy have not helped Lauren put the past completely behind her. She has visited her father in jail  to try to piece together the jigsaw, she says, rather than nurture a relationship. But she has not seen him since the Covid pandemic.

Her grief remains complex, mourning not only the loss of her mother, but a father, too. She says: It was only after my father went to prison he said to me, Lauren you are just like your mum in passion, in personality, in mannerisms.

I thought to myself, Why has it taken this long to tell me that? Those are the things I longed to hear when I was younger. I always wondered, Am I like her? What was she like? Is there anything of her in me?

As for Hazel, Lauren admits: Its very complicated how I feel. I feel anger, disappointment, hurt and pain about Hazel because of her constant efforts to evade justice.

The loss she has inflicted on me is immeasurable. I would love for her... to express some sort of remorse.

Sadly, I dont think she ever saw me as a daughter. During her police interviews she explained she said no when my father once proposed marriage to her because she couldnt handle those children and I was said children.

A divorcee, Lauren has a daughter, Sarah, ten, and lives with her partner Kevwe, 40, an IT consultant, and his two young sons.

Learning the truth about her mothers death inspired her career, taking a degree in criminology and sociology. She is now associate professor of criminology at the University of Nottingham.

Every iota of her life has been marked by the loss of her mother.

I was lied to my entire life, so I am determined not to lie to my daughter, she says. She knows my father killed my mum and she knows car fumes was the phrase I was told. She knows my father is in prison. She knows the headlines. I answer all of her questions when she has them.

I do feel relieved I now know what happened. So much was taken from me and my mum, the least my mum deserves is the truth.

Killer In The House: The Murders Of Lesley Howell And Trevor Buchanan is on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm on Tuesday.

The Support After Murder And Manslaughter charity offers help for the bereaved at samm.org.uk
The Trump administration has been accused of attempting to cover up the Minneapolis Border Patrol shooting by rushing out a statement in the aftermath that 'no one agreed with'.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) addressed the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, 37, within hours of it unfolding at 9am on Saturday.

The agency published a statement claiming that the Border Patrol officer responsible was acting defensively as Pretti was armed when he was shot.

DHS released a photo showing a nine millimeter semi-automatic handgun officers said Pretti 'approached' with before a 'violent' struggle ensued.

However video from the scene led to officials, including Governor Tim Walz, to question the DHS narrative, as there did not appear to be any evidence of Pretti brandishing a gun. It has since emerged that Pretti was a lawful gun owner.

A DHS source told the Daily Mail that while licensed to carry a weapon, Pretti never touched his weapon. The insider expressed frustration that colleagues had raced to get a statement out at the potential cost of accuracy.

They rushed to put out an announcement that no one agreed with, the DHS insider claimed. The department is trying to justify this quickly.

Minnesota allows people to carry firearms and this individual never pulled out his firearm.'

The Department of Homeland Security said the Border Patrol agent who killed Alex Pretti, 37, was acting defensively - but this account has been queried by state officials

Pretti is seen facing off with federal agents before he was shot dead. Insiders at the Department of Homeland Security expressed concern the agency rushed to get a statement out without understanding the facts

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Daily Mail that the suspect was armed with two magazines, and that the gun has since been recovered by federal authorities

The source claimed that veteran DHS employees have been left quietly horrified by the direction the department is taking and raised fears the situation bares concerning echoes of the shooting of Renee Nicole Good.

Good, 37, was shot at point blank range in her car by an Immigration Customs Enforcement Agent in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Career employees who would like to follow protocol and policy are being disregarded,' the source said.

Its the same issue as the last shooting. They are not following protocol, which is to conduct an investigation and decide whether or not the shooting is justified. The administration just wants to get out and say that it was justified as quickly as possible.

If you notice from the last shooting, the White House has stopped that investigation and told the FBI not to investigate, the source continued.

'So now we have another shooting on the Border Patrol side and again, they want to rush a statement out, justifying the behavior without looking into whether or not it was a good shot.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

A protester appeared to be detained after an Border Patrol agent reportedly shot a man several times in Minneapolis

DHS said an agent had his finger bitten by a protester amid violent clashes following Pretti's death

Meanwhile a Border Patrol agent told the Daily Mail that it was becoming increasingly difficult to do the job due to protesters and legal observers.

'Its been absolutely rough. Im so done,' said one female Border Patrol agent, who was not involved in today's incident.

'F*** all those people. When we are trying to do our investigation they come and blow whistles and honk to alert everyone and then we cant get the actually people we are targeting and they follow us honking and just making things way worse.

'We give them a warning that theyre impeding an investigation and if they continue to follow us and impede they get arrested so we can do our job.'

Authorities said they were in pursuit of Ecuadorian man Jose Huerta-Chuma when Pretti was shot.

Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino said he has a lengthy criminal past including domestic assault, disorderly conduct and driving offenses, the Star Tribune reported.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said alleged rioters who turned up to protest following Pretti's death clashed violently with agents, with one biting an officer so severely he will 'lose his finger'.

DHS boss Kristi Noem's department came under fire from one of its own who claimed there are behind the scenes concerns about protocol being abandoned

Gas canisters were thrown through the air by immigration enforcement amidst rising protests

A federal agent and a protestor pictured face to face amidst widespread protests

The situation is one that resonates with the female Border Patrol agent who described being in fear all the time.

'An agent and Office of Field Operations officer got locked in an Indian restaurant and the owner called agitators to swarm the building and so the agents had to call a specialty team to extract them from the restaurant. It was like f***ing Iraq,' she said.

The Daily Mail has contacted DHS for comment.
READ MORE: Australia overtakes the UK and US as top immigration hotspot

A councillor has come under fire after comparing Australia Day to 'Holocaust remembrance' and claiming those who celebrate it on January 26 might 'start another genocide'.

Independent Cumberland City councillor Ahmed Ouf made the comments in several videos on his official social media pages.

Ouf represents South Granville Ward in western Sydney, home to around 51,000 residents.

He claimed the 'Australian Holocaust' began on January 26, 1788, when the First Fleet arrived.

Australia was home to around one million Aboriginal people, Ouf said, describing pre-colonial Indigenous communities as stable societies that lived for tens of thousands of years.

He argued that colonisation devastated First Nations peoples.

Massacres, genocide, forced removals, ethnic cleansing, introduced disease. The destruction of land, food systems, families and culture, he said.

This isnt about asking you to apologise for something you didnt do. Its about telling the truth because the truth is the foundation of justice.

Independent Cumberland City councillor Ahmed Ouf made the comments in several videos on his official social media pages

Cumberland City councillor Steve Christou (pictured) condemned Oufs remarks

Ouf doubled down in a second video, linking Australia Day to the Bondi Beach terror attack, conflict in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine.

If you truly care about the victims of Bondi, if the mass killings of Palestinians over the past two years have moved you, and if the suffering of the Ukrainian people has shaken you, then stand with us this Monday, he said.

If you are okay with celebrating the beginning of a genocide, maybe one day when you have the chance, you might start another genocide.

He called on Australians not to celebrate January 26.

This is not a day to celebrate. Its a day to acknowledge truth, to mourn injustice, and demand change,' Ouf said.

We will keep pushing until truth is recognised, until justice is honoured.

The posts drew instant criticism, with one social media user accusing Ouf of seeking to divide Australians.

Stick to cleaning streets, emptying bins and providing parks,' another said.

Ouf said that those okay celebrating the start of a genocide, may start another (stock image)

Cumberland City councillor and former mayor Steve Christou condemned Oufs remarks, calling the comparison between Australia Day, the Holocaust and the Bondi Beach attack deeply offensive.

These comments are offensive to both the Australian people and the Jewish population, he told the Daily Telegraph.

He also pointed to what he said was a contradiction in Oufs stance, referencing a motion they passed in Council, which supported handing out flags for free on Australia Day.

On one hand Cr Ouf wants to celebrate Australia Day by handing out three national flags and on the other hand he is comparing Australia Day celebrations to Holocaust remembrance,' Christou said.

'It would appear Councillor Ouf does not know what he believes in.' Christou urged residents to celebrate the national day loudly and proudly.

Ouf however disputed Christou's comments, calling them a 'mischaracterisation.'

'The original motion related to distributing Australian flags during the month of January. I fought for over an hour in that meeting to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were included and distributed during January, free of charge to the community,' he said.

At no point was this about celebrating invasion or contradicting my views. In fact, Cr Christou opposed the inclusion of Aboriginal flags, which is an important part of the context missing from his comment.'
A woman who claimed she was kicked out of a wellness retreat for her 'severe depression' has been called out for abusing staff and fellow guests during her stay.

Cassandra Boswell, from Victoria, attempted to sue Elysia Wellness Retreat in Pokolbin, NSW Hunter Valley, for more than $20,000 for discrimination after her stay was abruptly cut short in early 2024.

Ms Boswell had arrived at the retreat, a favourite among high-flying Aussies, on December 27, 2023, but was asked to leave on January 3, 2024, reported The Daily Telegraph.

While she claimed she'd been given the boot five days before her booking ended due to discrimination against her mental health, Elysia staff were quick to point to a long list of behavioural issues.

Ms Boswell had brought her dog, Bella, to the retreat after receiving permission from management but the pup soon began causing issues.

In one instance, Bella became distressed during a group session and peed on the floor, court documents stated.

'You used a face washer to wipe Bella and the floor,' the retreat's management wrote in an email to Ms Boswell.

'You then threw the face washer into the guest's face and told her not to touch your dog ever again.

Cassandra Boswell was kicked out of Elysia Wellness Retreat (pictured) on January 3, 2024, after allegedly abusing staff and guests

Management claimed Ms Boswell had thrown a rag soaked in her dog's urine at another guest during her stay

'The next day when you were walking by yourself you saw the same guest with other people.

'You called her ''a f***ing c***'' and told her not to touch your dog ever again.'

On the second night of Ms Boswell's stay, December 28, several guests complained that 'Bella vomited in the restaurant after being fed from the table' and then 'urinated in the corner of the restaurant'.

'It is not appropriate to feed Bella in the restaurant from crockery used by humans,' staff wrote.

Drama continued on December 30 and 31 when Ms Boswell became embroiled in 'a telephone incident during a tai-chi class' which was 'annoying' for 'staff and guests'.

Bella upset guests again on January 2 when she 'licked a guest's feet and urinated on another guest's shoes and jumper' after being left unleashed during a class.

The next day another guest ended their retreat early due to Bella barking at 6.20am 'every morning'.

'Other guests made a complaint regarding your obscene language towards them during a morning walk at approximately 7.45am,' management wrote.

Elysia Wellness Retreat (pictured) refuted claims it had kicked Ms Boswell out five days before her booking ended due to her 'severe depression'

Staff also noted Bella had caused damage to a door in Ms Boswell's room after being unattended.

After a disturbing confrontation, one staff member refused to make up Ms Boswell's room after she hurled slurs at him.

'You subsequently called reception again advising you no longer wanted room service, saying: ''I don't want that fag, poof boy'' servicing my room,' management wrote.

The retreat was fed up and sent Ms Boswell an email demanding she 'depart immediately' on January 3.

Ms Boswell claimed she then had to 'hitchhike' 70km to Newcastle Airport, where she then flew home to Melbourne.

Her planned 11-night trip had set her back almost $8,000.

The retreat is a beloved escape for celebrities including Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes, TV personality Lisa Wilkinson and fashion designer Peter Morrissey.

However, Ms Boswell claimed the facility didn't offer suitable treatments for her mental health recovery as it catered to 'wealthy CEOs, alcoholics and obese men and women'.

She claimed Elysia Wellness Retreat had discriminated against her for her 'severe depression' but management argued she'd been kicked out for 'abusive and unacceptable behaviour'.

The case was dropped by the Federal Circuit Court of Australia as Ms Boswell's complaint was lodged with Australian Human Rights Commission 40 days after the deadline.
Britain's top al-Qaeda chief could be back on the streets within a matter of weeks - as he launches his latest bid for freedom.

Rangzieb Ahmed, dubbed Osama bin Laden's right hand man, will appear before a parole board on February 13 to argue he is a 'reformed character'.

Aged 33, Ahmed was the first person to be convicted in the UK of directing terrorism in 2008 when a jury found him guilty of leading a three-man cell which was preparing to commit mass murder.

Since his incarceration he has submitted various appeals for parole - but all to no avail.

In September 2022, he was denied release after officials decided he was too dangerous to be released.

A year later, he was ordered to take part in a deradicalisation programme.

And another bid for freedom was blocked in 2024 when parole chiefs found he was still a risk to the public.

Ahmed, now 48, is set to appear before a parole board for an oral hearing where a 'huge range of evidence' will be reviewed.

Rochdale-born Muslim Rangzieb Ahmed was jailed for life with a minimum of 10 years in 2008 for heading a three-man al-Qaeda cell planning mass attacks

The terror chief (pictured) could be freed from prison within weeks after the Parole Board confirmed the date of his new meeting

The Parole Board confirmed 'hundreds of pages' worth of information would be considered to help decide the terrorist's future.

A spokesman told The Sun: 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.'

The board added that its members would hear evidence from witnesses, including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists as well as officials who had supervised Ahmed in prison.

Victim impact statements would also be taken into account. It is understood that Ahmed will argue he is a reformed character.

The spokesman said: 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

In October 2024, it was decided Ahmed would not be paroled as he was likely to commit more terror acts.

A risk assessment suggested he was still 'susceptible to indoctrination' and could reoffend if released onto the streets.

Osama bin-Laden is seen in this undated photo in Afghanistan. A Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman said October 4, 2001 that it had seen sufficient evidence provided by U.S. investigators to allow an indictment against Osama bin Laden

The report said: 'Having considered the index offence, past behaviour and the other evidence before it, the panel listed as risk factors those influences which made it more likely that Mr Ahmed would reoffend.

'The sentencing Judge had found that Mr Ahmed was dedicated to the cause of Islamic Terrorism, with Mr Ahmed believing it was his religious duty to do so.'

Ahmed was jailed in 2008 for plotting carnage across Britain and was also linked to the London 7/7 bombers. He was sentenced to life with a minimum of ten years.

The first member of Al-Qaeda to be convicted of directing terrorism in the UK, he was also connected to the failed London bomb plot two weeks later.

He is thought to have links to every major British terror cell and was heard boasting of meeting the brains behind 9/11.

At Ahmed's trial, he was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years after Manchester Crown Court heard he was behind the terror cell.

Counter-terrorism chiefs were not sure where Ahmed was planning to strike, but were convinced an attack was imminent.

His scheme was revealed with the discovery of three diaries, which were found to contain details and phone numbers of key al-Qaeda operatives written in invisible ink.

Attorney General Lord Hermer (pictured) fought for compensation for the terrorist. He tried to sue the government for alleged torture by Pakistan but the bid failed

He was initially arrested by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency when he flew into the country in August 2006. He was held for a year before being deported to the UK where he was arrested.

Ahmed later sued MI5 and MI6 for alleged collusion in his torture by Pakistani intelligence, but in 2020 had his damages claim thrown out by the High Court.

It was reported that Attorney General Lord Hermer had fought for compensation for the terrorist.

Jurors at his trial were not told of any of the allegations of torture.

The court heard how Ahmed travelled to Dubai from Pakistan in December 2005 and was set to fly out to South Africa as part of a 'major activity', but that the plans were changed after Hamza Rabia, a senior al-Qaida leader, was killed in an explosion.

Another convicted terrorist Habib Ahmed was summoned to collect three diaries, and the pair returned separately to the United Kingdom shortly afterwards.

Manchester detectives had already been monitoring the two men and had bugged their hotel room in Dubai, where they made several coded references to al-Qaida. The surveillance continued in Manchester.

Ranzieb Ahmed continued his terror planning and was arrested upon arriving in Pakistan.

Last year, it emerged that Ahmed had been thrown into solitary after lying that a guard had been racist.

Officials found there was no evidence of racism after he had been told to obey social distancing rules.

The terrorist is believed to be currently held at HMP Buckley Hall, Greater Manchester.

In 2023, reports told how the warped terror boss was left fuming after prison chiefs banned him from making pizza and cakes at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale.

The one-time cab driver has received legal aid totalling almost 1million for all his proceedings.

Ahead of his previous parole hearing, Chris Phillips, the former head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office said: 'It's madness to be considering this. Public safety will be at risk if either of these men are released.

'You have to question whether it will ever be safe for either of them to walk the streets again.'
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) claimed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) blocked investigators from the scene in Minneapolis, where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by a border agent on Saturday, despite their agency having a warrant.

Drew Evans, the superintendent of BCA, said his agents had a signed warrant from a judge but were blocked from the scene by the feds and told that DHS would be handling the investigation.

'We had a signed warrant and we were stilled denied access,' noted Evans at a news conference.

Evans said that they were initially shut out from scene but returned with a warrant; however, they will still be barred from entering after the feds told them that the 'matter was being investigated by the federal government, and they would not allow us (BCA) physical access to the scene.'

Pretti, who as an intensive care nurse who treated critically ill military veterans, was killed shortly after 9am on January 24, after an altercation involving multiple federal officers. He was wrestled to the ground before one federal agent fired multiple shots into his chest. The Department of Homeland Security told the Daily Mail that the suspect was armed with two magazines, and the gun was later recovered by federal authorities.

The superintendent claimed that he reached out to the commander at the scene, but has still not been contacted by him.

Evans said that in his 20 years of experience, he has never had a federal agency deny local investigators access to a crime scene.

While DHS has left the scene, BCA agents were unable to gather any information due to security concerns, according to ABC News.

Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said the Department of Homeland Security denied his agents access to the scene where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by a border agent on Saturday, despite their agency having a warrant

Pretti is a registered nurse, US citizen and a resident of Minnesota who had a gun license according to officials

BCA agents are still collecting video footage, speaking with witnesses, and gathering evidence from outside the scene, according to Evans.

The superintendent claimed BCA does not know the identity of the federal agent who killed Pretti, who was a Minnesota resident. However, in a press conference, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino said the officer who shot the man had been serving with the Border Patrol for the past eight years.

Protests have picked up in Minneapolis in recent weeks as ICE continues to occupy the city following the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an agent on January 7 and another incident in which a federal agent wounded a man about a week later.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Daily Mail that agents were in the area attempting to apprehend, an illegal alien wanted for violent assault when they were approached by Pretti.

Federal authorities identified the man they were initially seeking as Jose HuertaChuma, an Ecuadorian national. Border Patrol Bovino said HuertaChuma has a criminal history that includes domestic assault, disorderly conduct and driving without a license, though federal court records did not list any cases under his name.

According to DHS, Pretti was armed and carrying a gun with two magazines at the time he was detained. The agency later released a photograph of a ninemillimeter semiautomatic handgun it said was recovered during the clash.

Officials claimed officers attempted to disarm Pretti but that he violently resisted before a Border Patrol agent fired the fatal shot.

Pretti is seen facing off with federal agents before he was shot dead

Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene. DHS said he did not have identification on him at the time.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said Pretti had no serious criminal history, with records showing only minor parking violations. OHara added that he was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit.

DHS has since shared its account of the shooting on X, saying the deadly incident began as a 'targeted operation against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault.'

'An individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun,' the department wrote. 'The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted.'

'Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene,' the statement added.

'The suspect also had 2 magazines and no ID - this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.'

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Daily Mail that the suspect was armed with two magazines, and that the gun has since been recovered by federal authorities

Pretti's friends have since confirmed his identity to the Daily Mail who said he was politically engaged and deeply informed

Records show that Pretti attended the University of Minnesota. State records show Pretti was issued a nursing license in 2021, and it remains active through March 2026.

Pretti's friends have since confirmed his identity to the Daily Mail as they paid tribute to the 'good, kind' who they say was 'executed' by a Border Patrol agent.

The University of Minnesota alumnus most recently listed himself as a junior scientist on LinkedIn.

He worked as a nurse for the Veterans Health Administration at the Minneapolis VA hospital and earned a reported $90,783 in 2023, according to public records.

I worked with him daily for years at the VA hospital, Ruth Anway, a Minneapolisbased nurse, told the Daily Mail.

He was an ICU nurse. He worked with veterans. He was a really good guy. He definitely did not deserve to get killed.

Federal agents tied police tape on a pole to block off the scene of a shooting on January 24 in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Federal agents threw a crowd-control weapon amid tear gas during scuffles at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents

Anway said Pretti was politically engaged and deeply informed.

Saturdays shooting sparked immediate protests, with bystanders yelling profanities at federal officers and telling them to leave the city.

Minneapolis has faced rising tensions amid the federal enforcement presence and ongoing protests - a backdrop shaped by prior highprofile police killings, including the death of George Floyd in 2020.
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Locals believed she went to beach to call parents

A Canadian backpacker found dead on K'gari may have initially been on the beach searching for mobile phone reception to call her parents.

Piper James, 19, was found surrounded by ten dingoes on Seventy Five Mile Beach on the island, off the coast of south-east Queensland, after 6am on Monday.

A Coroner's report revealed she was bitten by dingoes before she most likely drowned, with further testing required to conclusively determine her cause of death.

Brisbane couple Kev and Adele, who run the travel blog Indefinite Leave and have lived on Kgari for four years, claimed they had spoken to Piper's father Todd James, and believed she had been trying to call her parents on the morning she died.

It comes as Queenslands Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation announced on Sunday the dingoes would be humanely euthanised.

Rangers have closely monitored the pack of dingoes involved in the incident this week and have observed some aggressive behaviour, a spokesman said.

Following the initial autopsy findings, this packs involvement in the incident, and observations since, the pack has been deemed an unacceptable public safety risk.

Queensland Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell backed the move.

It is believed Piper James (pictured) went to the beach early to make a phone call home

This is a tough decision but I believe its the right call in the public interest, he said.

Kev and Adele said they offered their condoles to Piper's father. During their conversation, Todd described Piper as adventurous and said she absolutely loved the island and the people.

According to the couple, Piper called her family at the same time every day. They believe she walked to the beach around 5am to get mobile reception, a common practice on Kgari, where phone coverage is patchy away from the shoreline.

This theory matches earlier reports that Piper had told friends she planned to go for an early swim.

She reportedly left her accommodation at about 5am and was found unresponsive on the sand roughly 90 minutes later, near the Maheno shipwreck.

The Coroners Court of Queensland found physical evidence consistent with drowning as the likely cause of death.

Dingo bites occurred before and after she died but were not fatal. Investigators also documented extensive post-mortem bite marks and found no evidence any other person was involved.

Further tests are being carried out to determine exactly how water entered Pipers lungs, with final results expected in several weeks.

Piper James (left) was found by the coroner to have likely died from drowning

Piper (left) was visiting Australia from Canada alongside her best friend Taylor (right)

Piper, originally from Campbell River, British Columbia, had been travelling around Australia with her best friend, Taylor, for six weeks.

The pair visited Sydney, Cairns and the Whitsundays before arriving on Kgari.

Taylors mother, Marjorie Stricker, said the loss had devastated both families.

When the girls first left for Australia, we told them to always call, that there were no problems we couldnt face together, and that safety was the most important thing, she said.

This isnt how this was meant to play out. What has happened cannot be undone. It cannot be fixed.

Ms Stricker said it was now time to honour Piper, who had become close to Taylor when they were young and shared a dream of visiting Australia.

On Thursday, Pipers family launched a GoFundMe to raise money to bring her home. By Sunday afternoon, the fundraiser had reached almost $19,000.

Rangers have stepped up patrols on Kgari after the tragedy. Authorities had warned of heightened dingo activity in the area weeks earlier, following reports of dingoes ripping tents, approaching campers, and stealing food and belongings.

A warning for heightened dingo activity in the area will remain in place till January 31

The dingos involved in the attack will be 'humanely euthanised' by authorities (file image)

The warning remains in place until 31 January. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has ruled out limiting tourism to the island.

However, the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation and several environmental groups continue to call for visitor caps, citing safety concerns and further damage to the fragile environment.

Dingoes, known as Wongari to the Butchulla people, hold strong cultural significance.
Kemi Badenochs dramatic sacking of Robert Jenrick for planning to defect to Reform UK has won her the backing of Tory voters.

A poll reveals that 58 per cent of those who backed the Tories in 2024 think Ms Badenochs shock move showed her strength. They agreed it demonstrated she was a strong leader determined to show the Conservatives have changed.

However, according to analysis by former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft, just over one in four (28 per cent) Tory voters disagreed.

They thought the episode where Shadow Cabinet member Mr Jenrick was first sacked and then defected to Reform showed the Conservatives still hadnt moved on from infighting and divisions. And 48 per cent of voters in general agreed.

But Ms Badenoch may be buoyed by the fact more than a quarter of Reform voters (26 per cent) said it showed her in a strong light.

For the first time, as many people said she would make a better prime minister than Keir Starmer as vice versa  29 per cent each.

However, although Ms Badenoch carries the formal title of Leader of the Opposition, Nigel Farages party was seen as mounting the most effective opposition to Labour.

One in three of all voters (32 per cent) chose Mr Farage and Reform UK, with even 41 per cent of Tory voters agreeing.

Kemi Badenochs dramatic sacking of Robert Jenrick for planning to defect to Reform UK has won her the backing of Tory voters

The Tory leader sacked Mr Jenrick when it emerged that he was planning to join Reform in a way which was 'designed to be as damaging as possible'

But confidence in running the economy now firmly lies with the Tories, with 31 per cent backing Ms Badenoch and Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride to hold the reins  with 25 per cent for Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The poll was concluded amid the crisis over Donald Trumps bid to seize Greenland and his threat to impose tariffs on the UK and other allies for opposing it. The survey of 5,448 people  consulted by Lord Ashcroft Polls between January 15 and 19  revealed there was deep unease at the US Presidents tactics, with 69 per cent saying they didnt like the way he went about things and were worried about the consequences.

Humiliatingly for the Prime Minister, only 7 per cent of voters believed Mr Trump paid some or a great deal of attention to Sir Keirs views.

More than half (52 per cent) thought Mr Trump paid no heed to Sir Keirs opinion, with 34 per cent saying he took not very much notice.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Zanu-PF member and newly elected Suthisa Ilizwqe-Gutsaruzhinji (Si-G) president Sybeth Musengezi has warned that the ruling party is already in election mode, allegedly positioning itself to manipulate the political system ahead of the 2028 general elections.Musengezi, who recently launched Si-G, said early mobilisation by Zanu-PF, rising corruption and stalled political reforms compelled him to form a new political party and begin campaigning immediately. He argued that opposition forces must organise early to counter what he described as entrenched electoral manipulation by the ruling party.Speaking to NewsDay after announcing the formation of his political outfit, Musengezi said Si-G would not wait for the proclamation of election dates before engaging voters."Zanu-PF is in election mode right now as we speak. They are moving around the country holding rallies. What is the purpose if not elections?" he said.His remarks come at a time when Zanu-PF is pushing to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure by two years to 2030, despite strong resistance from civil society organisations and opposition political formations, which have declared a red line against what they describe as attempts to impose a life presidency.Once a staunch supporter of Mnangagwa, Musengezi said his fallout with the ruling party stemmed from unfulfilled expectations of reform following the 2017 change of government."We wanted a lot of reforms in the party. Unfortunately, the system was still rigid. We expected Mnangagwa to change a lot of things, but I'm actually seeing things getting worse," he said.Musengezi accused the Mnangagwa administration of failing to curb rampant corruption, which he said was being committed with impunity."Corruption is too much. Yes, development is there, but it's isolated and benefiting very few people. If you see roads being constructed, very few companies are doing those things, and the owners of those companies are politically connected," he said.His claims appear to align with findings from the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which showed Zimbabwe's continued slide in the fight against graft. The country scored 21 out of a possible 100 points, down from 24 in 2023, placing it below the sub-Saharan African average of 33 and the global average of 43. The highest score Zimbabwe has achieved since 2016 is 24 points.Musengezi was previously arrested after challenging Mnangagwa's legitimacy and was later expelled from Zanu-PF. He said several party members had attempted to engage Mnangagwa over reforms, but without success."This is not what we expected when we took over in 2017," he said.He urged Mnangagwa to distance himself from individuals involved in what he termed "shady deals" and instead focus on empowering ordinary citizens.Musengezi also took aim at opposition political parties, accusing them of betraying Zimbabweans."I can't say there is any vibrant opposition in Zimbabwe. The only vibrant opposition leader is Nelson Chamisa," he said, adding that other opposition leaders prioritised personal interests over the struggles of the people.He said Si-G had already begun campaigning nationwide in preparation for the 2028 elections."We need at least three years to build a political force that can dismantle Zanu-PF. We are not a fly-by-night party," Musengezi said.He further alleged that Zanu-PF had rigged previous elections by manipulating electoral processes rather than vote tallies, claims the ruling party has consistently denied, maintaining that it wins elections because its policies resonate with Zimbabweans.Drawing from his experience within Zanu-PF, Musengezi said he was better placed to counter the ruling party's strategies, while ruling out violence as a means to political change."There is no other way because we cannot talk of an armed struggle. We cannot talk of protesting. You think they are going to lose power because people have protested? They will just shoot you, as they did in 2018, and then life continues for them. So we want to face them in the ballot," he said.In August 2018, six people were killed when soldiers opened fire on protesters demonstrating over delays in the release of presidential election results, while at least 35 others were injured during the disturbances.
Anthony Albanese has dodged questions on whether Australia will be part of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace after he invited 60 countries to join.

The Board of Peace is Trump's new international body, unveiled at Davos to oversee Gaza's reconstruction and potentially wider global conflicts.

The White House has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former UK prime minister Tony Blair to serve on the inaugural executive board of the new initiative.

Asked how Australia would respond, given countries like Hungary, Belarus and Saudi Arabia had agreed to participate while France, Sweden, Norway, Canada and the UK had raised concerns, Albanese refused to commit either way.

'You can look at my speech I gave to the United Nations, where I spoke about the pillars of our policies, including support for multilateralism,' he told ABC's Insiders on Sunday.

Albanese said the government had been focused on the response to the Bondi Beach terror attack and the urgent legislation passed during the emergency parliamentary sitting on Monday and Tuesday.

'We've been focused this week obviously on domestic concerns. We'll give it further consideration,' he said.

Pressed on whether the government views the Board of Peace as legitimate, Albanese again avoided giving a view.

Albanese (pictured) refused to confirm Australia's stance on Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace'

'It's unclear what the objectives of this are,' he said.

'Which is why we will give it further consideration. My government is one that always has an orderly, considered approach to all of our policy, including our international engagement.'

Asked if Australia would follow democratic allies such as Canada and the UK in rejecting the proposal, Albanese remained unclear on his stance.

'We're engaged with our like-minded countries as well about all of these issues,' he said, confirming Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit and address Parliament in March.

'My friend Mark Carney will visit Australia and give an address to the Parliament in March. We are very much engaged with our partners overseas.'

Albanese pointed to growing diplomatic tensions, including turmoil in Europe as Trump and the US revived claims over Greenland.

'We do have a shift in the way international politics is being played, with a greater engagement from middle powers. That's something I spoke about when I addressed the UN. We need greater cooperation as we see the world changing in its dynamic,' he said.

He also endorsed recent remarks by Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum, where Carney warned: 'If we're not at the table, we're on the menu.'

Countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Canada have declined a role on the board

'I agree with him,' Albanese said.

Albanese also dismissed recent comments made by Trump about Australia's role in Afghanistan as 'not acceptable', but again stopped short of demanding a formal apology.

Trump told Fox News he was 'not sure' NATO would meet the 'ultimate test' of defending the US if the nation was threatened.

'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 frontlines,' Trump said, adding 'the US had been very good to Europe and to many other countries. It has to be a two-way street.'

'Those 47 Australian families who will be hurting by these commentsthey deserve our absolute respect, admiration. The bravery that was shown by 40,000 Australians who served in Afghanistan,' Albanese said.

'They were certainly on the frontlines, in order to, along with our other allies, defend democracy and freedom. And to defend our national interest.'

Liberal MP Andrew Hastie also condemned Trump's remarks, fiercely defending the service of Australian troops.

'President Trump has claimed that allied soldiers didn't serve in the front lines in Afghanistan. This is a massive slur, not just against Allied troops, but against our Aussie diggers who fought, bled and died alongside Americans,' he said.

Andrew Hastie (pictured) condemned comments by Trump against Afghanistan veterans

'One of the most important things in building coalitions and alliances is mutual respect, and a really important virtue in a leader is restraint. And President Trump by dumping on allied troops has shown neither.'

Despite the criticism, Albanese again refused to call for an apology.

'I won't provide a running commentary on Mr Trump's remarks,' he said.
More than 33,000 protesters have been killed in Iran following the regime's brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrations.

The latest figures, which are double previous estimates, were revealed as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's regime warned it will treat any attack 'as an all-out war' as the US ramps up its military presence in the region.

The death toll from the anti-government protests, which began on December 28, were previously estimated to be between 16,500 and 18,000.

But new figures suggest the figure is much higher at about 33,100.

Alongside the death toll, 97,645 have been wounded with 30 per cent suffering eye injuries, according to research by Professor Amir-Mobarez Parasta.

The German-Iranian ophthalmic surgeon added that the regime was executing protesters.

Hospital admissions data showed 468 were put to death in the capital Tehran alone  with more than 500 across the country.

Donald Trump has warned that America would take 'very strong action' if the Iranian regime started hanging protesters.

Families and residents gather at the Kahrizak Coroner's Office confronting rows of body bags as they search for relatives killed during the regime's violent crackdown on protests

Protesters set fire to a car in Tehran. Even by the regime's own estimates, between 2,000 and 3,000 have been killed - but new figures have put the death toll at more than 33,000

The US President appeared poised to intervene earlier this month after troops from Britain and the United States were withdrawn from a major Middle East military base.

And with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier moving towards the region, the prospect of an American attack on Iran remains on the table.

A senior Iranian official on Saturday told Reuters: 'This military build-up - we hope it is not intended for real confrontation - but our military is ready for the worst-case scenario. This is why everything is on high alert in Iran.

'This time we will treat any attack - limited, unlimited, surgical, kinetic, whatever they call it  as an all-out war against us, and we will respond in the hardest way possible to settle this.'

It has been almost a month since the anti-government protests began in Iran amid concerns over the country's cost of living crisis.

Local media reported widespread disruption at the capital's historic Grand Bazaar, with traders shutting or partially shutting their businesses amid soaring prices and a collapsing currency.

As the demonstrations spread across the country, the regime responded by shutting down the internet and killing protesters.

Such force was met with condemnation by the international community.

Join the debate How should the world respond to Iran's brutal crackdown on its own citizens?

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran, last week

A woman holds-up a placard as she stands in front of a pre-1979 Islamic Revolution Iranian flag during a demonstration in solidarity with Iranian protestors, in Israel's central city of Holon on January 24, 2026

Led by the United States, President Trump told 'Iranian patriots' to continue protesting as 'help is on its way'.

His warnings, together with international pressure, saw the Iranian regime back down from more than 800 planned executions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later told Fox News there was 'no plan for hanging' and it was 'out of the question'.

But Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky used part of his speech in Davos on Thursday to criticise Western leaders for their inaction over Iran's protests.

He said: 'There was so much talk about the protests in Iran -- but they drowned in blood. The world has not helped enough the Iranian people, it has stood aside.

'By the time politicians came back to work and started forming a position, the ayatollah has already killed thousands.'

'What will Iran become after this bloodshed? If the regime survives, it sends a clear signal to every bully -- kill enough people, and you stay in power.'

While the country's future remains unclear, the human cost of the regime's brutality is becoming louder with each day.

Soltani was charged with 'colluding against the country's internal security and propaganda activities against the regime'

Donald Trump told 'Iranian patriots' to continue protesting as 'help is on its way'

Friends of Farhad, a protester, screamed his name as he lay in a pool of blood.

A bullet pierced his neck as Iranian security forces shot him on the streets of Tehran.

Two weeks after his death, Farhad's body remained out of reach from his parents in a government morgue.

It was being held hostage by the Iranian authorities in a now-routine case of blackmail, with officials demanding Farhad's family sign a document stating he was not a protester but a member of the security forces killed by anti-government demonstrations.

His father told The Telegraph: 'I will never sign their documents. The entire system is built on lies. The government is built on lies. I sacrificed my son for freedom. My heart is burning. He left this world like a lion.

'I did not raise my son to die for dictators. He had no role in the IRGC, Basij, or any part of the regime.'

Some families of the protesters killed are being told they must pay up to 16,000 to be allowed to bury their loved ones, the newspaper reported.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the director of Norway-based Iran Human Rights, said the regime aims to conflate the number of security forces killed and reduce the protesters' death toll.

'One reason for this practice is that the regime seeks to avoid international pressure for killing protesters. Another motive is to prepare the ground for future executions of protesters.'

However, there are few signs that the regime will change course.

Heavily armed trucks seen patrolling Tehran on Saturday after being deployed to protect government sites

Heavily armed trucks were seen patrolling Tehran on Saturday after being deployed to protect government sites.

Alongside the prospect of a military attack from the United States, the Iranian regime is in danger of suffering further financial pain.

Mr Trump has warned any country doing business with Iran will pay a 25 per cent tariff on trade with the US 'effective immediately'.

The UK has also applied pressure on the regime.

Earlier this month Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke to Mr Araghchi and called on the Iranian government to 'immediately end the violence, uphold fundamental rights and freedoms and ensure British nationals are safe'.

But ministers have come under pressure to act as more than 100 protesters gathered outside Downing Street on Saturday to call on the Government to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Keir Starmer has refused to make it illegal to support the group because he believes it will have no effect and would only make Britain feel 'better about ourselves'.

Downing Street said the prime minister 'utterly condemns' the violence being used by the authorities in Iran.

Meanwhile the country's exiled crown prince of Iran has vowed to seize the power 'taken by this regime' and put it back into the hands of its citizens.

Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi says he wants to 'turn power back' to Iran's citizens

Reza Pahlavi, whose fatally ill father fled Iran just before the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution, reiterated his 'unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights'.

During a press conference on January 16, he told reporters: 'This has been my position the day I started and remains my position to this day.

'They [the Iranian people] know they can trust me because I've never wavered from this and ultimately what I'm trying to make sure is the final element that will prove to the Iranians that are in full control of their own destiny is to turn power back to them  a power that has been taken away from them by this regime which we are fighting today.

'That's my commitment and they can trust me on that.'

Mr Pahlavi also encouraged protesters  who have chanted slogans including 'Death to the dictator!' and 'Death to the Islamic Republic!'  to make their voices heard.

'Great nation of Iran, the eyes of the world are upon you. Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands,' he said in a statement earlier this month.

'I warn the Islamic Republic, its leader and the (Revolutionary Guard) that the world and (US President Donald Trump) are closely watching you. Suppression of the people will not go unanswered.'
A pioneering Mail on Sunday campaign highlighting the link between underage sunbed use and skin cancer was praised by the Government last night as it cracks down on the practice.

Health Minister Karin Smyth thanked this newspaper's efforts as she unveiled stringent measures to protect teenagers from devastating illnesses and exploitative tanning salons. She also spoke of her own battle against the disease.

In May 2023, the MoS sent an undercover 16-year-old girl to tanning salons, reporting how she was pressured into using sunbeds every day despite guidelines advising a maximum of three sessions a week and laws banning under-18s.

Our shocking findings revealed that of the 100 salons approached, more than half did not ask for any proof of age. Four out of the six we visited in person allowed in our teenager Isabella Hicks, who had turned 16 only three months earlier.

Now, in the wake of our campaign, the Government is proposing to ban unsupervised sunbed use and introduce mandatory identification checks at tanning salons.

Ms Smyth said: 'I am grateful to The Mail on Sunday for its important reporting exposing the risks of underage sunbed use, which has drawn attention to this serious public health issue.'

Speaking of her own encounter with skin cancer, she added: 'In 2023, I noticed a small growth on my leg that I dismissed at first. Like many people, I was busy, I didn't want to make a fuss. I told myself it was probably nothing serious.

'It was only after it was checked that I was diagnosed with melanoma. I was treated quickly and I am doing well  but that experience stays with you.'

In May 2023, the Mail on Sunday sent Isabella Hicks, then 16, undercover to tanning salons, reporting how she was pressured into using sunbeds every day despite guidelines advising a maximum of three sessions a week and laws banning under-18s

But she warned that 'many young adults still underestimate the risks', and some wrongly believe sunbeds are harmless or even protective.

'We continue to see reports of teenagers, some as young as 14, accessing sunbeds illegally, despite the ban. That is unacceptable,' she said.

A consultation ahead of the crackdown, part of the Government's forthcoming National Cancer Plan, will be launched this spring  with the new measures to come into force as early as 2027.

Skin cancer kills seven people a day on average in Britain and costs the NHS roughly 750million a year to treat.

It can be caused by exposure to UV radiation, either directly from the sun or from sunbeds, which the World Health Organisation classifies as a Group 1 carcinogen  the same category as smoking.

When it comes to skin cancer, prevent is better than cure. And I should know  Ive had it, says Health Minister

By Health Minister Karin Smyth

Skin cancer is often misunderstood, with people thinking only those who spend years sunbathing or chasing a tan are at risk.

But let me tell you that simply isnt true. I know, because Ive had it.

In 2023, I noticed a small growth on my leg that I dismissed at first.

Like many people, I was busy, I didnt want to make a fuss, and I told myself it was probably nothing serious.

It was only after it was checked that I was diagnosed with melanoma.

I was treated quickly and I am doing well  but that experience stays with you.

It reinforced something I now say to everyone: if you notice a new mole or growth, or one that changes shape, bleeds or itches, get it checked. Early diagnosis saves lives.

But prevention matters just as much. Too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation damages skin cells and increases the risk of cancer. That is why sunbeds are so dangerous. The World Health Organisation classifies them as a Group 1 carcinogen, in the same category as smoking. There is no safe level of use  particularly for young people.

Despite this, awareness remains worryingly low.

I am grateful to the Mail on Sunday for its important reporting exposing the risks of underage sunbed use which has drawn attention to this serious public health issue.

Many young adults still underestimate the risks, and some wrongly believe sunbeds are harmless or even protective.

Meanwhile, we continue to see reports of teenagers  some as young as 14  accessing sunbeds illegally, despite the ban.

That is unacceptable.

As part of the forthcoming National Cancer Plan, we will consult this spring on tougher protections for young people, including ending unsupervised, coin-operated sunbeds and introducing mandatory ID checks to enforce the law properly.

These measures are about protecting young people and closing loopholes that allow dangerous practices to continue.

Responsible businesses already follow the rules  but rogue operators who put profit before safety must be stopped.

Skin cancer already costs the NHS around 750 million every year, but the human cost is far greater.

Every preventable cancer avoided means fewer families facing the shock of a diagnosis and fewer people going through treatment that could have been avoided.

I have never considered myself a sun worshipper, and yet I still developed melanoma.

That is why I am so determined to act  to reduce avoidable risks, to promote early diagnosis, and to protect the next generation.

Prevention really is better than cure.

And when it comes to sunbeds, no cosmetic trend is worth a lifetime of consequences.
Midwives are being asked to fill out 'farcical' electronic forms which record newborns' gender identity and sexual orientation as part of the rollout of a 450 million software upgrade across the NHS.

A whistleblower told The Mail on Sunday that staff at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust were 'shocked' to find during a training session for the Epic software system that there was no option to record a baby's biological sex on registration forms, which are filled in just hours after a baby is born.

Instead the form  described by campaigners as 'ludicrous'  asked healthcare staff to log infants' legal sex, sex assigned at birth and gender identity alongside the birth time and date, with a drop-down menu giving options for sexual orientation.

The midwife, who asked not to be named, said colleagues were 'worried' by the forms but afraid to raise the issue with NHS managers in case they were labelled as bigots.

Last night, women's rights campaigners hit out at the NHS for being so 'in thrall' to gender identity ideology that it failed to acknowledge its software could impose misleading information on newborns for life.

It is understood the US software, embedded with the options to appease trans rights activists who had successfully lobbied the Biden administration for their inclusion, has been adopted in at least ten NHS trusts.

Fiona McAnena, from campaign group Sex Matters, said: 'Trusts can and do customise this software, they could easily remove anything that might get in the way of accurate information and good healthcare. This is an example of how harmful transgender ideology can be.

'The concept of babies having a gender identity is farcical, but sex is essential medical information. Trusts have chosen to include ludicrous software elements, such as babies' gender identity and pronouns.'

A whistleblower told The Mail on Sunday that staff at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust found there was no option to record a baby's biological sex on registration forms hours after they are born (stock image)

The MoS revealed in 2023 that midwives filling in discharge forms for newborns at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital and King's College Hospital, both in London, could select only a 'gender identity' on the same Epic system.

NHS bosses said there had been a 'system error' and the technology would be updated to record biological sex only, but the latest incident suggests the issues remain.

The Torbay midwife said: 'Why on earth hasn't this form been adapted to be appropriate for a newborn? I hope that common sense will prevail and nobody would try to fill in those boxes. Unfortunately, common sense doesn't seem to be in good supply.

'These are not mandatory fields. But this is the backbone of documentation that will follow babies for life. It's proof the baby exists and is needed to get a birth certificate. The fact that it's asking for assigned sex at birth is worrying.'

Professor Alice Sullivan, who led a government review last year demanding public bodies collect data on sex as well as gender, called on the Government to intervene and said the NHS should not be allowed to purchase software that 'embeds a particular political ideology instead of facilitating appropriate medical data collection'.

One Devon, responsible for implementing the Epic software at University Hospitals Plymouth and Torbay Trust and South Devon Foundation Trust, said: 'The system has a template when registering new patients, including newborns.

'When creating a newborn's record the only data the system is configured to require is date of birth and legal sex.'

The spokesman added: 'There is absolutely no requirement to enter a newborn's gender identity or sexual orientation.'

Instead the form asked staff to record infants' legal sex, sex assigned at birth and gender identity (stock image)

Trans ideology vs biology  and we all know the winner

By Dr Renee Hoenderkamp

Then NHS has drifted far from its core purpose. What should be a health service grounded in biological reality is increasingly captive to trans ideology.

And, as The Mail on Sunday reveals today, that ideology is being imposed not just on adults, but on newborns.

Registering a baby's 'legal sex', 'sex assigned at birth' and 'gender identity' isn't healthcare, it is ideological categorisation, rubber stamping them with politicised concepts even adults struggle to define.

The NHS's capture has been long in the making. Management signed up to Stonewall's 'Diversity Champion' schemes, marketed as benign 'inclusivity' initiatives but in reality enforcing a rigid trans-affirming doctrine. The ideology filtered down, reinforced by university graduates already steeped in it.

The results are impossible to miss: men are asked if they are pregnant before X-rays, while NHS leaflets talk about 'chestfeeding' and 'people with cervixes'. Hospital staff have to collude in this charade and if they dare speak out their trust will come down on them.

Ask Kirkcaldy A&E nurse Sandie Peggie and the female nurses at Darlington Memorial Hospital who took their employers to court for allowing male-born trans staff to share their changing rooms.

At my work as a GP, I attended a mental health training day. The focus was not depression, anxiety or psychosis, but gender identity. We were told gender dysphoria isn't a mental health condition but rather something to affirm and facilitate.

Questions weren't invited, but I doubt anyone would've asked one, given the fate of those who query its prevailing creed.

Recording 'gender identity' at birth is the endpoint of a system that has abandoned biological clarity for ideological compliance. The only thing that needs recording on a newborn's form is 'biological sex'. Nothing else is medically necessary.
Labour's Net Zero mission could see landlords driving up rents to cover the hefty cost of Ed Miliband's tough energy efficiency rules.

Under the Government's Warm Homes Plan, privately rented homes will need to achieve an energy performance certificate rating of at least C by 2030, an extension from the previous 2028 cut-off.

Ministers insist the proposals can save renters 210 a year on average on their energy bills and lift up to half a million households out of fuel poverty.

But landlords of properties that do not meet the C rating will be expected to invest a maximum of 10,000 to bring the homes up to standard by installing eco measures, such as double glazing, heat pumps or loft and cavity wall insulation.

The Government had originally set the maximum cap at 15,000.

The cost of the programme has been estimated at 10billion to 15billion.

Critics say the scheme runs the risk of passing extra costs on to tenants, amid fears that rents could spiral. Some also argue that landlords could effectively shrink the rental market by choosing to sell up rather than spend thousands on their properties.

Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said it was the 'height of irresponsibility' that the Government had not considered the impact of such policies on renters.

She told The Telegraph: 'Labour's approach to the cost of living is to impose policies that make everything more expensive, then tax the working half of the population to cover the costs.'

Labour's Net Zero mission could see landlords driving up rents to cover the hefty cost of Ed Miliband's tough energy efficiency rules

Changes to EPC requirements have been hanging over the sector for a number of years now.

The EPC is a rating scheme which bands properties between A and G, with an A rating being the most energy efficient and G the least.

It is estimated that 2.6 million privately rented homes have an EPC of D or below, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. That equates to 60 per cent of rented homes.

At present, landlords need to ensure their property has a minimum energy performance certificate rating of E in order to let it.

An impact assessment conducted last year by The Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government, identified the possibility rents could be affected by Mr Miliband's policy.

The impact assessment said: 'It is likely that landlords will pass through some costs of new policies to tenants in the form of higher rents  to offset those costs and maintain a degree of profit.

'Landlords will likely offset some of the costs of the regulation through rental price growth.'

Officials also highlighted internal government research which suggested one in four owners would consider selling their properties if, having hiked up rents, they were unable to attract tenants within six months.

Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said it was the 'height of irresponsibility' that Ed Miliband had not considered the impact of such policies on renters

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark criticised the energy efficiency crackdown for imposing 'substantial and costly upgrades.'

Meanwhile Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said there was a 'mammoth task ahead' for property owners to make their rental homes compliant.

A Government spokesman said: 'The National Landlords Association has welcomed our announcement.

'We stand by the principle that every renter has the right to a decent, safe and affordable home.

'Our plans will ensure warmer homes for millions of renters, lift hundreds of thousands of households out of fuel poverty, and reduce energy bills by hundreds of pounds a year.

'This is a reasonable ask of landlords, and almost half of privately rented homes already meet the standards.

'We have carefully listened throughout the policy process, and have built-in protections, including a strict cost cap, and new and expanded exemptions.

'That is why this policy has been welcomed as a positive step forward by both tenant and landlord groups.'

Daily Mail has contacted the Department for Energy for comment.
A possible sighting of alleged murderer Julian Ingram has forced armed police to descend on a small settlement just under 100 kilometres from where three people were gunned down on Thursday.

It's believed Ingram was sighted in Mount Hope at around midnight on Saturday with the same car he is alleged to have fled in.

Ingram, 37, allegedly gunned down his heavily pregnant 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 afternoon.

He then allegedly went to another residence and killed her aunt, Nerida Quinn, 50, and seriously injured Nerida's 19yearold neighbour, Kaleb MacQueen.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said police are currently searching multiple properties in the area.

One local claimed to have seen Ingram near the Mount Hope Cemetery.

The Daily Mail has contacted NSW Police for comment.

Assistant Commissioner Holland was asked by a reporter on Sunday whether Ingram could be getting help from locals, and replied he could not rule out the possibility.

Police have descended on a remote settlement after reports Julian Ingram was sighted there in the early hours of Sunday morning

A 100-strong police force is present in the region as they hunt Ingram down

Pregnant Sophie Quinn was shot dead alongside her boyfriend on Thursday in NSW

It's believed Ingram was sighted in Mount Hope at around midnight on Saturday with the same car he is alleged to have fled in

'We think that he's on his own at this present time, but, again, we can't rule out the possibility that he's been assisted by locals,' he said.

'Tactical police are in that location now carrying out searches... obviously with an armed offender in that area, we are asking members for the public to exercise extreme caution.

'There is no lockdown in the area, but people need to be careful about their movements, and obviously, report to the police any unusual activity.'

Assistant Commissioner Holland said Mount Hope is an area that Ingram has 'very good knowledge of'.

Police are also asking for anyone who has information regarding a vehicle with the registration number DM-07-GZ to call triple zero immediately.

The remote settlement, which has a population of 16 people according to the 2021 ABS Census, is about an hour's drive north from Lake Cargelligo.

Ingram has been on the run since the alleged murders, with about 100 police officers searching for him in the surrounding areas.

On Sunday morning, police were spotted searching through a property in Lake Cargelligo.

Local resident Baden, who is friends with Ingram, said he hadn't seen him since Monday when they both reported for bail at the police station

Police searched Baden's address on Sunday morning as the hunt for Ingram continues

The man who lived there told the Daily Mail police had 'turned up because people were calling CrimeStoppers saying he was coming and going from here.'

The man, named Baden, said he was friends with Ingram but confirmed he hadn't spoken to or seen him since Monday at the police station when they both reported for bail at the same time.

He said Ingram seemed fine on Monday and that was the last he'd seen of him.

A heavily armed police convoy was also seen searching a property north-west of Lake Cargelligo on Saturday morning.

The convoy included a Bearcat containing heavily armed tactical officers, SUVs carrying detectives, and two medical response units.

Bullet casings could be seen at the entrance to the sprawling property, and the padlock securing the gate had been cut open, but resecured with a zip-tie.

When Daily Mail contacted the custodian of the station, he shared a startling revelation - not only did he know the accused killer well, but that he suspected Ingram could be hiding on one of the properties in the area.

'(Ingram) used to work as a brush cutter for years and years, he is very familiar with those parts,' the source, who lives in another town, said.

A convoy of police and medical units entered this property on Saturday morning

'There are brush-cutter camps out there, with food in the camps, and he would be aware of that.'

The source said Ingram worked together with his father as a brush-cutter - harvesting bush for fencing - around five to 10 years ago.

The source, who has known Ingram for several years, said he also suspects the wanted fugitive - who police said is armed with at least one gun - 'could also have shot himself or be halfway to South Australia by now.'

Ingram is described as between 165cm and 170cm tall, with a medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes.

Police believe his vehicle is a single-cab, Ford utility trayback.

Police say anyone who sees Ingram or his vehicle should call 000 or contact CrimeStoppers immediately.
President Xi has achieved total control of China's armed forces after removing a top general over alleged 'violations of discipline and law'.

Zhang Youxia is the latest high-ranking figure subjected to Xi Jinping's long-running purge of military officials.

The move is said to have fuelled fresh uncertainty over the country's invasion of Taiwan amid doubts Mr Xi could pull off the contingency with 'no senior leaders in charge'.

Gen Zhang, the operational leader of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had survived several round of removals and was previously thought safe in his role as a close childhood friend of the president.

The 75-year-old, who is a member of the ruling politburo, is also one of the only Chinese military commanders with combat experience - having fought in the 1979 Vietnam war.

Gen Zhang's removal forms part of a broader anti-corruption drive that has punished more than 200,000 officials since Mr Xi came to power in 2012.

Another member of the commission, Liu Zhenli, has also been placed under investigation by China's ruling Communist Party, a defence ministry statement said.

Mr Liu is the chief of staff of the commission's Joint Staff Department. The commission is the top military body in China.

Zhang Youxia (pictured) is the latest high-ranking figure subjected to Xi Jinping's long-running purge of military officials

President Xi (pictured) has achieved total control of China's armed forces after removing a top general over alleged 'violations of discipline and law'

The statement did not provide any details on the alleged wrongdoing.

Experts say the removal of Gen Zhang is likely to delay any attempt to seize Taiwan by force.

The general was thought of as central to modernisation efforts in the Chinese armed forces given his role as senior vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Lyle Morris, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, a Washington-based think tank, likened President Xi's actions to a 'complete cleaning of the house... the biggest purge in Chinese history since 1949'.

Mr Morris added the removal could leave the PLA in 'disarray'.

He told The Telegraph: 'We can all sleep soundly for years.

'There is no way they could pull off the Taiwan contingency with no senior leaders in charge.'

The Communist Party expelled the other vice chair of the commission, He Weidong, last October and replaced him with commission member Zhang Shengmin.

'There is no way they could pull off the Taiwan contingency with no senior leaders in charge,' expert Lyle Morris said - pictured is the city centre of capital Taipei

And in 2024, the party expelled two former defence ministers over corruption charges.

The CMC has now been reduced to its smallest size in history, at just two members - including Mr Xi and Zhang Shengmin, the military's anti-corruption watchdog who was promoted to CMC vice-chair in October.

Rumours circulated over the fate of Generals Zhang and Liu on Tuesday after they were absent from a televised party seminar.

One source familiar with the case told the South China Morning Post that General Zhang had been accused of corruption, including failing to control his own family members.

Christopher K Johnson, a former CIA analyst who follows elite Chinese politics, said Beijing is capable of pumping out impressive, hi-tech weaponary.

However, he said the country's weakness is its lack of 'software' able to conduct large-scale military manoeuvres.

But Mr Morris added the removals in fact suggested President Xi has a 'lot of support in the party and is fully in charge'.

Last year, rumours swirled in Beijing of a power struggle between Zhang and Xi.

Gen Zhang was said to be less bullish than President Xi about China's prospects of success in seizing Taiwan.

Sir Keir Starmer is set to hold talks with the Chinese President next week in an attempt to increase trade between the two countries.

On the trip Sir Keir hopes to revive a business dialogue forum known as the UK-China CEO Council that was established by Theresa May in 2018, the last time a British PM visited the country. According to Reuters, China's second-ranking official Li Qiang could be its representative in the talks.

It comes after Labour ministers controversially dismissed fears over espionage and repression to grant China planning permission to build the biggest diplomatic base in Europe on a historic site opposite the Tower of London.

On Tuesday night Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: 'Having surrendered to China over their plan for a spy hub super embassy in the heart of our capital, Keir Starmer is now getting ready to jet off to Beijing and toast it all with Xi Jinping.

Sir Keir Starmer and President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in 2024

'Meanwhile Labour are handing British sovereign territory and 35 billion of taxpayers' money to Mauritius, an ally of China, despite the clear threat to national security. When he is in Beijing Starmer must not make any further concessions to the Chinese Communist Party.

'Labour are desperate to kowtow to Beijing in the hope of winning some crumbs of investment into the tanking economy they are presiding over. Only the Conservatives can be trusted to put Britain first.'

The Trump administration released a new National Defence Strategy on Friday, acknowledging China as a military power that it said needs to be deterred from dominating the US or its allies.

'This does not require regime change or some other existential struggle,' the strategy said.

'Rather, a decent peace, on terms favourable to Americans but that China can also accept and live under, is possible.'
A left-wing maternity nurse was fired after wishing a severe childbirth injury on pregnant White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Alexis 'Lexie' Lawler, was dismissed from Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital after saying in a TikTok video that she would like to see Leavitt, 28, suffer a fourth-degree tear.

'As a labor and delivery nurse, it gives me great joy to wish Karoline Leavitt a fourth-degree tear,' Lawler said in the now-deleted video. 'I hope that you f***ing rip from bow to stern and never s*** normally again, you c***.'

The injury Lawler was referring to often requires immediate surgical repair to prevent incontinence and infection and can cause long-term chronic pain.

Last month, Leavitt announced she was expecting her second child with Nicholas Riccio, her 60-year-old husband of one year.

Lawler's words about Leavitt were widely circulated on social media, and led supporters of President Donald Trump to call for her firing.

A spokesperson for Baptist Health confirmed to CBS12 that Lawler is no longer employed at the Boca Raton hospital.

'The comments made in a social media video by a nurse at one of our facilities do not reflect our values or the standards we expect of healthcare professionals,' the spokesperson said. 'Following a prompt review, the individual is no longer employed by our health system.'

Alexis 'Lexie' Lawler was fired from her nursing position at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Florida after she wished that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt would get seriously injured during childbirth

In the now-deleted video, Lawler said it would give her 'great joy' if Leavitt had 'a fourth-degree tear', a serious medical complication that can arise during childbirth

Last month, Leavitt announced she was expecting her second child with Nicholas Riccio, her husband of one year

'While we respect the right to personal opinions, there is no place in healthcare for language or behavior that calls into question a caregiver's ability to provide compassionate, unbiased care,' the spokesperson continued.

Boca Raton Mayor Scott also commented on Lawler's firing, saying that he had been 'in touch with hospital leadership' as soon as learned about the video.

'These disgusting comments have no place in medicine or in our community,' he added.

Lawler's nursing license is still active, according to a review of a database from the Florida Department of Health.

A GoFundMe has been created on behalf of Lawler that has raised just over $1,000 as of Saturday evening.

'Lexie Lawler was fired for political speech,' the fundraiser's description read. 'She is a liberal woman who used her personal social media - on her own time - to sharply criticize a public figure tied to a cruel, harmful administration. Her words were blunt, angry, and unapologetic. They were directed at power, not her workplace.'

'If you believe liberal women shouldnt lose their livelihoods for refusing to tone it down, stand with Lexie,' it continued.

The GoFundMe was created by Unlawful Threads, a company that sells anti-Trump shirts online.

The shirts are emblazoned with messages that criticize agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and demand the release of the Epstein files. Most of them needle Trump himself.
A gun rights advocate says he has major concerns about the legality of the shooting Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti after watching footage of his killing.

Rob Doar, senior vice president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, analyzed one of the several videos taken of the shooting of Pretti on Saturday and shared his damming opinion that the killing was unwarranted on social media.

Pretti, who was a US and an intensive care nurse who treated critically ill military veterans, was killed shortly after 9am on January 24, after an altercation involving multiple federal officers.

Video footage showed he was wrestled to the ground before one federal agent fired multiple shots into his chest, after which the agents scattered. The Department of Homeland Security told the Daily Mail that the suspect was armed with two magazines, and the gun was later recovered by federal authorities.

However, Doar noted that the gun may have been found moments before the altercation turned deadly: 'This video appears to show an agent remove a firearm from the holster of the 37-Y/O man (Pretti), prior to the shooting.'

'I never see the man touch his firearm, and it looks like he's disarmed before being shot, said the gun rights advocate in another post.

Doar told Star Tribune that he concluded that, 'If Mr. Pretti was disarmed  absent any other evidence of any risk to an officer I dont see how deadly force would be justified.'

The footage, which Doar analyzed, shows several masked agents wrestling Pretti while he is on his knees. An officer dressed in a grey coat and cap appears to pull an item from the protestor's waistline, which seems to be a pistol-shaped object; however, no evidence has confirmed the contents of the object at the time of this report.

Rob Doar, senior vice president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, anaylzed one of the several angles of footage of the killing of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis and believed that it showed, 'an agent remove a firearm from the holster of the 37-Y/O man (Pretti), prior to the shooting'

Pretti, who was a US and an intensive care nurse who treated critically ill military veterans, was killed shortly after 9am on January 24, after an altercation involving multiple federal officers

'This video appears to show an agent remove a firearm from the holster of the 37-Y/O man (Pretti), prior to the shooting,' noted Doar in a post on X

The gun rights advocate's account was echoed by David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute.

Bier told the Daily Mail that the agent in the grey coat, 'doesnt have any gun, doesnt pull a weapon from his body, and then he emerges from the group with a gun in his hands.'

There are so many agents in there, Bier added, Its not impossible that it was one of the other agents guns that got mixed up in all of it. But it certainly seems like it was the victims gun, and it was removed by the agent right away.'

The director noted that if the object in question were a gun, his behavior in the video would make sense since he appears to step away to 'presumably to dispose of the victims weapon.

Bier said that he believed the killing was wrong, and that it was much less ambiguous than previous DHS officer-involved shootings.

'Theres no real ambiguity in this case. Theyre pumping so many bullets into a person lying on the ground, whos been disarmed, and was never a threat in the first place, he said.

'But the administration has been clear. Theyve already exonerated (the shooter) before an investigation. Theyre refusing the states attempt to investigate.

'The coverup is happening and I certainly expect well see more, if this is what theyre saying is good training and proper procedure.

The killing set off protests in the city, with large military-style vehicles surrounding demonstrators who blocked streets with dumpsters and restaurant furniture, while federal agents fired tear gas and pepper balls in response.

Protests have picked up in Minneapolis in recent weeks as federal agents from the DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue to occupy the city following the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an agent on January 7 and the non-fatal shooting of another man last week.

An officer dressed in a grey coat and cap appears to pull an object from the protestor's waistline, which seems to be a pistol-shaped object; however, no evidence has confirmed the contents of the object at the time of this report

David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute also believed that shooting was unjustified and concluded that Pretti was disarmed as well

Pretti is seen facing off with federal agents before he was shot dead

Protests have picked up in Minneapolis in recent weeks as ICE continues to occupy the city following the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an agent on January 7 and the shooting of another man last week

The citys police department is also on scene and working to keep more than 100 observers and protesters separated from the federal agents, the Star Tribune reported.

Several witnesses were transported to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building as ICE agents tried to order local police to leave the scene, but Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara refused.

O'Hara called the display an 'unlawful assembly' and urged people to leave the area.

'We recognize that there is a lot of anger and a lot of questions around what has happened, but we need people to remain peaceful,' he said at a press conference Saturday.

A command post has been set up by local law enforcement at the scene near Glam Doll Donuts at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.

It is unclear how many protesters have been detained at the scene.

In a press conference Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino said the officer who shot the man had been serving with the Border Patrol for the past eight years.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Daily Mail that agents were in the area attempting to apprehend, an illegal alien wanted for violent assault when they were approached by Pretti.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Daily Mail that the suspect was armed with two magazines, and that the gun has since been recovered by federal authorities

Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene.

Federal authorities identified the man they were initially seeking as Jose HuertaChuma, an Ecuadorian national. Border Patrol Bovino said HuertaChuma has a criminal history that includes domestic assault, disorderly conduct and driving without a license, though federal court records did not list any cases under his name.

According to DHS, Pretti was armed and carrying a gun with two magazines at the time he was detained. The agency later released a photograph of a ninemillimeter semiautomatic handgun it said was recovered during the clash.

Officials claimed officers attempted to disarm Pretti but that he violently resisted before a Border Patrol agent fired the fatal shot.

Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene. DHS said he did not have identification on him at the time.

Minneapolis Police Chief OHara said Pretti had no serious criminal history, with records showing only minor parking violations. OHara added that he was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit.

DHS has since shared its account of the shooting on X, saying the deadly incident began as a 'targeted operation against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault.'

'An individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun,' the department wrote. 'The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted.'

'Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene,' the statement added.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Daily Mail that agents were in the area attempting to apprehend, an illegal alien wanted for violent assault when they were approached by Pretti

'The suspect also had 2 magazines and no ID - this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.'

Records show that Pretti attended the University of Minnesota. State records show Pretti was issued a nursing license in 2021, and it remains active through March 2026.

Pretti's friends have since confirmed his identity to the Daily Mail as they paid tribute to the 'good, kind' who they say was 'executed' by a Border Patrol agent.

The University of Minnesota alumnus most recently listed himself as a junior scientist on LinkedIn.

He worked as a nurse for the Veterans Health Administration at the Minneapolis VA hospital and earned a reported $90,783 in 2023, according to public records.

I worked with him daily for years at the VA hospital, Ruth Anway, a Minneapolisbased nurse, told the Daily Mail.

He was an ICU nurse. He worked with veterans. He was a really good guy. He definitely did not deserve to get killed.

Anway said Pretti was politically engaged and deeply informed.

Saturdays shooting sparked immediate protests, with bystanders yelling profanities at federal officers and telling them to leave the city.

Minneapolis has faced rising tensions amid the federal enforcement presence and ongoing protests - a backdrop shaped by prior highprofile police killings, including the death of George Floyd in 2020.
Senior MAGA figures have been blasted by their fellow conservatives and even the National Rifle Association for quickly declaring that the Department of Homeland Security's killing of a protester in Minneapolis was justified.

Speaking shortly after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti on Saturday, Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino said: 'The suspect also had two loaded magazines and no assessable ID.

'This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.'

But former National Rifle Association spokeswoman Dana Loesch, once one of the country's most prominent advocates for Second Amendment rights, bristled at the suggestion that Pretti was in the wrong simply for carrying his legally-owned handgun.

'Statements like this dont help,' she wrote in response to Bovino.

'What he has or didnt have isnt the issue. What he was doing, with or without it, is the issue. Did he draw on agents? Reach for it? Was it on him? Again, being armed is different from being armed in commission of obstructing federal LEO.'

Loesch also had stern words for a Trump-appointed prosecutor in California, who flippantly implied that Pretti had gotten what was coming to him.

Bill Essayli, who is First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California, wrote on X: 'If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Dont do it!'

Dana Loesch, the former national spokesperson for National Rifle Association, feuded on social media with fellow conservatives who quickly declared that the shooting of a protestor in Minneapolis by a Border Patrol agent was justified

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minnesota resident and US citizen, was shot just after 9am near Glam Doll Donuts on the corner of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue

Pictured: Federal agents surrounded Pretti after pepper spraying him and tackling him to the ground. Shortly after he was taken down to the sidewalk, an agent fired 10 shots

Pictured: Loesch said Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino's statement on the shooting didn't help

Pictured: She also took issue with this statement from Bovino, when he said Pretti wanted to cause 'maximum damage and 'massacre' agents

Loesch responded: 'What does this mean to you? Do you believe that mere legal possession within the vicinity of LEO is a criminal offense or merits use of force as response? Language matters.'

Responsible Gun Owners of America also condemned Essayli, writing: 'We condemn the untoward comments of @USAttyEssayli.

'Federal agents are not "highly likely" to be "legally justified" in "shooting" concealed carry licensees who approach while lawfully carrying a firearm.

'The Second Amendment protects Americans' right to bear arms while protesting - a right the federal government must not infringe upon.'

Pretti was shot dead by a Department of Homeland Security agent on Saturday while protesting the arrest of an Ecuadorian migrant named Jose HuertaChuma.

DHS has noted that Huerta-Chuma has previously been charged with domestic abuse and driving without a license.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti 'brandished a gun' at her agents.

She defended Pretti's shooting as an act of self-defense.

Video that has emerged since cast serious doubt on Noem's assertion and led to condemnation from MAGA sources who accused her of speaking before she knew the full facts.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti 'brandished a gun' at her agents. Video that has emerged since cast serious doubt on Noem's assertion

Loesch also criticized Bill Essayli, First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California

Essayli wrote: 'If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Dont do it!'

Loesch argued back, saying the legal possession of a gun does not equal approaching a law enforcement with a gun

The NRA itself also condemned Essayli's statement as 'dangerous and wrong'

Pictured: The Gun Owners of America statement on the shooting of Pretti

Pretti, an intensive care nurse at Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was seen holding his phone to film agents on Saturday.

He got into a scuffle with DHS agents after going to help an unidentified female protester who they'd shoved. Pretti was seen being pepper-sprayed.

Seconds later, he was shoved to the ground with multiple DHS agents trying to hold him down.

Footage appears to show one of those agents clearly removing Pretti's handgun from his waistband.

He had a concealed carry license and the weapon was legally registered, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara.

A few seconds after the gun was removed, one of the DHS agents shot Pretti in the back.

The same agent then shot him nine more times, with Pretti seen falling to the ground and dying.

None of the agents have been named. The agent who shot and killed Pretti is an eight-year veteran of the Department of Homeland Security who is from Minnesota.

Minneapolis lawmakers are suing to try and preserve evidence from the scene ahead of a possible investigation.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's main opposition figure Nelson Chamisa has returned to active politics after a two-year hiatus, a move that has triggered mixed reactions, with supporters hailing it as a long-awaited revival of the opposition and critics questioning his motives, strategy and credibility.Chamisa announced his return on Friday, ending a period of political paralysis that followed his dramatic withdrawal from frontline politics in January 2024. At the time, he cited the infiltration and alleged hijacking of his then Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), which he claimed had been captured by the ruling Zanu-PF through state institutions and proxies.For many supporters, his re-emergence represents a "fresh start" and a re-energising moment for an opposition movement that has appeared fragmented and demoralised since the disputed 2023 elections. They say Chamisa's return has electrified his social base and reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to challenging Zanu-PF.Backers argue that Chamisa has been in the trenches of Zimbabwean politics since the late 1990s, when he emerged as a prominent student leader at Harare Polytechnic and later the University of Zimbabwe under the Zimbabwe National Students Union. To them, his comeback signals resilience and an unwillingness to permanently abandon the struggle.A supporter, writing on social media, dismissed claims that Chamisa has "never done anything" for Zimbabwe, arguing that he has never wielded state power and therefore cannot be blamed for the country's economic collapse. The supporter said Chamisa's persistence in the face of arrests, intimidation and repeated setbacks deserved recognition, adding that political apathy and failure to vote only entrench the status quo.However, Chamisa's return has also reignited deep scepticism. Critics argue that his comeback is little more than political theatre  an exercise in "smoke and mirrors" designed to mobilise opposition supporters only to later immobilise them, ultimately benefiting President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF.Some analysts and opposition activists suggest Chamisa's re-entry is intended to disrupt the newly formed Constitutional Defence Forum (CDF), a coalition created to oppose Mnangagwa's alleged bid to amend the Constitution and extend his rule to 2030 beyond the two-term limit ending in 2028. The CDF includes figures such as Tendai Biti, Jacob Ngarivhume and Jameson Timba, all of whom have had fraught relations with Chamisa in the past.Critics say Chamisa's stance against the so-called 2030 agenda has been muted, inconsistent and lacking strategic depth. His dismissal of the issue as a "false fight" has been described by some as dangerous, arguing that it underestimates the real risk of constitutional subversion by Mnangagwa and his allies.Chamisa has launched a new citizens' initiative titled "Agenda 2026  A Fresh Start", distancing himself from formal party structures while positioning the movement as a platform for renewal. He has described plans to extend Mnangagwa's term as "foolishness" and a "walk in the dark," saying they violate a Constitution that has already been "shredded."Yet his critics argue that the continued use of what they call "strategic ambiguity" has paralysed mobilisation and previously allowed Zanu-PF to consolidate power, including securing a two-thirds parliamentary majority. They point to reports of some CCC MPs - including those who have openly shown sympathy for Mnangagwa - supporting the deferment of elections to 2030 to allow "developmental projects" to be completed.Chamisa has also come under fire for his decision to quit politics after the 2023 elections, with detractors accusing him of abandoning voters and elected officials at a critical moment instead of confronting Sengezo Tshabangu and what they describe as a Zanu-PF-sponsored takeover of CCC. While some viewed his resignation as a strategic retreat in the face of overwhelming state pressure, others see it as a costly error that ceded democratic space back to the ruling party.One critic described Chamisa's return as driven by personal interests rather than a renewed commitment to democratic change, arguing that his explanation for leaving politics - that he stepped aside to give others a chance - was inadequate given the scale of the political project he abandoned.The same critic said Chamisa's return speech lacked clarity, coherence and concrete proposals, describing it as repetitive, slogan-driven and devoid of timelines or new ideas. Analysts have also raised concerns about the "loosely defined" nature of his new initiative, warning that the absence of clear structures, accountability mechanisms and a constitution could reproduce the internal weaknesses that contributed to the collapse of CCC.Some analysts argue that Zanu-PF's longevity in power is less about superior ideas and more about the weakness of the alternative. They warn that opposition fragmentation, strategic confusion and growing accusations of secret deals with the ruling party continue to undermine prospects for meaningful political change.As reactions continue to pour in, Chamisa's return has once again placed him at the centre of Zimbabwe's polarised political discourse, reviving hope among supporters while deepening doubts among critics about whether his comeback marks a genuine reset  or a repetition of old patterns.
Winter Storm Fern has shut down much of the country, leaving travelers stranded in chaos and thousands of families without power as temperatures plummet to far below freezing.

The storm hit parts of the South, Midwest, and Great Plains on Saturday afternoon, resulting in sleety and snowy conditions in various cities.

The storm's path is moving Northeast, as parts of the East Coast are now bracing to bear the brunt of the blizzard.

Boston and a large swathe of Massachusetts could see up to 18 inches of snow, according to the latest Weather Channel forecast. New York City has been forecast to receive around 11 inches, while Pennsylvania, Indiana and Maine will see between five and 18 inches.

Around 220 million Americans live in the 2,000-mile storm path, spanning from New Mexico to Maine.

Over half of the country is under a winter weather alert, including 37 states, with at least 21 declaring a state of emergency by Saturday night.

One in four flights has been canceled this weekend, with almost 10,000 cancellations for Sunday's scheduled flights, over 4,500 cancellations on Saturday, and over 1,500 cancellations for Monday's scheduled flights, according to data compiled by FlightAware.

The hazardous conditions left more than 173,000 families without power late on Saturday night, per the live tracking website PowerOutage.us.

A majority of the outages occurred in Louisiana, leaving over 70,000 homes without power.

Winter Storm Fern hit parts of the South, Midwest, and Great Plains on Saturday afternoon. Pictured above is an empty street covered in snow in Little Rock, Arkansas

The massive winter storm caused historic delays, with over 10,000 cancellations on Sunday. An empty Reagan Washington National Airport is pictured above

Winter Storm Fern is set to span from New Mexico all the way to Maine, as millions of Americans have been placed under a Winter Storm Warning

A Weather Channel graphic shows predicted snowfall between late Saturday and Monday

Almost 50,000 families were left without power in Texas amid a Winter Storm Warning from the National Weather Service.

In New Mexico, thousands of families were left without power as one electric company announced on Saturday night that conditions for their linemen were too dangerous to continue power restoration.

Otero County Electric Cooperative reported about 6,000 of its 21,000 customers in the state were experiencing power outages on Saturday afternoon, according to America's Electric Cooperatives.

Later in the day, the company announced on social media that it had been forced to pause restoration efforts overnight due to trees breaking off from heavy snowfall and endangering electric crews.

Cities across the South, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic experienced heavy snowfall on Saturday.

Little Rock, Arkansas, was hit with almost 8 inches of snow, while Beloit, Kansas, was buried under 7 inches, and Memphis, Tennessee, had 3.5 inches.

Nashville also saw a rare coating, with images depicting cheerful schoolchildren sliding down a massive hill in front of the state Capitol.

One in four flights were cancelled due to Winter Storm Fern. The Tulsa International Airport is seen above with a fresh coating of snow

American Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights due to the storm. Ground crews are pictured above de-icing a jet at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Temperatures across the US are 10 to 40 degrees below average, with wind chills in the Northern Plains plummeting to -50 degrees overnight.

The East Coast has already begun to experience frigid conditions, as temperatures dropped into the teens on Saturday.

The bitter cold will only get worse and is expected to persist until Wednesday, as parts of upstate New York are likely to see temperatures as low as -14F.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned his constituents to remain vigilant amid winter weather.

He issued a Code Blue on Thursday to provide enhanced support for homeless individuals in need of shelter.

On Saturday, three people were found dead outside as temperatures plunged. The New York City Police Department confirmed to NBC 4 New York that a 67-year-old man was found dead on a sidewalk in Manhattan on Saturday morning.

Another individual was found dead in Manhattan, and a third was found in Brooklyn. Authorities believe the deaths were due to weather-related circumstances.

Americans in the 2,000-mile storm path have been warned not to leave their homes and take precautions during the storm. Pedestrians along Broadway in Nashville are pictured above braving the winter conditions

Nashville, Tennessee experienced a snowstorm on Saturday evening. People rushed to the state's Capitol building to sled down the hill

Tennessee was hit with snow on Saturday evening as the wintery conditions are expected to push East into Sunday

Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey will continue to experience potentially hazardous conditions for days, with heavy snowfall expected overnight. Some cities are predicted to get up to 14 inches.

South Jersey is likely to see at least eight inches, with parts of New York and Connecticut expected to get around 11 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced on Saturday that public transit would be temporarily suspended and that travel restrictions would be in place for most of Sunday, potentially into Monday.

President Trump announced on Thursday that the federal government would be coordinating with state and local officials during the storm.

The Department of Homeland Security has activated its National Response Coordination Center and Regional Coordination Centers.

Americans have been advised by federal, state, and local officials to stay inside and stock up on essentials as the historic storm sweeps the nation.
Saturday Night Live suggested that President Donald Trump is destined for hell after another tumultuous week for his administration.

During the show's weekly satirical news round-up host Colin Jost said: 'Well, during a press conference celebrating his first year in office, President Trump said that God was very proud of the job he's doing as president.

'Trump added that God was probably looking up at us right now. Smiling from horn to hoof.

'Also, remember when President Trump straight-up told us he was going to hell?'

Jost cut to a clip of Trump aboard Air Force One telling journalists 'I think I'm not maybe heaven bound' to peals of laughter.

The SNL comic then deadpanned: 'But he thinks that after this week, God is back on board?'

Jost's gag appeared to be an allusion to the killing of nurse Alex Pretti by a Department of Homeland Security officer in Minneapolis Saturday.

Saturday Night Live, Weekend Update host Colin Jost joked that President Trump would be going to hell 'after this week' during a vicious segment

Jost pulled up the clip of the Trump in October where he joked himself he that he didn't belive he would make it to Heaven

The host went on to criticize the president's efforts to acquire Greenland as well as unveiling his controversial new 'board of peace' whose invitees include Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As the in-studio audience in New York City laughed at jokes, only blocks away, a protest was being held for Pretti, where activists screamed and demanded the abolishment of ICE.

New York City Council member Chi Osse called for the abolishment of ICE to a crowd of protestors: 'We need Nuremberg trials for the people of ICE, for the people who are committing crimes against humanity here in our country.'

'I refuse to call them law enforcement. They are agents of chaos. They are destroying the fabric of our country.'

The demonstration in the city is among the many that sparked after the 37-year-old nurse was killed in Minnesota after he 'approached US border patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun,' said a DHS spokesperson.

Federal officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem insist Pretti 'brandished' his legally-owned handgun at officers trying to detain an illegal migrant on Saturday morning.

But videos recorded by multiple bystanders cast serious doubts on those claims, and it now appears Pretti was unarmed when he was brutally gunned down.

The segement came the same day Alex Pretti, 37, who was an intensive care nurse who treated critically ill military veterans, was killed shortly after 9am on January 24, after an altercation involving multiple federal officers

Protestors have clashed with officials following the killing of Pretti

In addition to demonstrations within the Minneapolis, many have also sparked across the country in hubs such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Boston

The killing set off protests throughout Minneapolis. Large military-style vehicles surrounded demonstrators who blocked streets with dumpsters and restaurant furniture. Federal agents fired tear gas and pepper balls in response.

Protests have picked up in Minneapolis in recent weeks as federal agents from the DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue to occupy the city following the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an agent on January 7, and the non-fatal shooting of another man last week.

Pretti had also participated in protests following the January 7 killing of Good by an Immigration and Customs officer.

Minneapolis has faced rising tensions amid the federal enforcement presence and ongoing protests - a backdrop shaped by prior highprofile police killings, including the death of George Floyd in 2020.
Meghan Markle was asked whether her daughter would become a Girl Scout at the Sundance Film Festival with Harry while promoting her documentary about cookie selling  an American tradition she knows all too well after her stint in the Scouts.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched a special screening of their film, Cookie Queens, which follows four Girl Scouts during the iconic cookie-selling season.

Asked by a reporter whether Lilibet would become a Girl Scout in the future, Meghan gave a vague answer, saying they would 'continue to explore whatever feels right'.

Meghan, 44, embraced smiling Girl Scouts at the festival in Utah in a happy and touching moment.

Meghan says she has a 'personal affinity' with the 91-minute film because she was a Girl Scout while growing up in California, with her mother Doria Ragland serving as her troop leader.

Speaking at the festival, Meghan recalled her time in the Girl Scouts and revealed what the experience meant to her.

She told a reporter: 'It really embeds such great values from the get-go. I was a Girl Scout, my mom was my troop leader and I think the value of friendship, of being dedicated to a goal, as you see that in Cookie Queens, is so reflective of how these girls stick to something that is important to them and don't give up.

'And self-belief I think is a really integral value that comes as being a girl scout.'

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pictured alongside Cookie Queens director Alysa Nahamias at Sundance Film Festival

Meghan was interviewed alongside Alysa by a reporter, who asked whether Lilibet could become a Girl Scout herself

An excited Meghan spoke to and hugged the Girl Scouts at the festival where she and Harry attended a special screening

Meghan posted photos of her as a Girl Scout selling cookies in April last year

Speaking alongside Cookie Queens director Alysa Nahamias, Meghan added: 'Alysa is also the mom of a daughter and I think for both of us working on this project has been incredibly special as parents, as mothers, to be able to see something that our girls would be able to watch and enjoy as well.

Asked about the film, Alysa then added: 'In fact the film began with my my kids asking me to make a film that they would really want to share with their friends and then understanding that Girl Scout cookies was a way into looking at girlhood and coming of age, in a way that kids and adults will really relate to.'

In an Instagram post from last April promoting her Lemonada Media podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan wrote, 'being an entrepreneur can start young' alongside never-before-seen childhood photos of her selling cookies in a Girl Scouts uniform.

She previously said: 'As a former Girl Scout myself, with my mom as my troop leader, I have a personal affinity for this film and am proud that all our conversations and collaboration have led to Archewell Productions partnering with this award-winning team to executive produce this incredibly captivating documentary.

'When we first viewed the early footage of this documentary, it was immediately something we wanted to be involved in.

'The creative point of view, the edgy yet humanising tone and tenor of the directing, and the glimpse behind-the-scenes into such a nostalgic and also modern tradition of Girl Scout Cookie season are absolutely irresistible.'

Harry, 41, and Meghan are executive producers on the documentary directed by Alysa Nahmias and produced in partnership with Archewell Productions, Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films.

It showed in the family matinee category at the festival.

The film's description reads: 'Captivating, candid, and full of heart, the film follows four girls ages five to twelve and their families as they navigate the annual whirlwind of selling, striving, and succeeding.

'For these Girl Scouts, selling cookies isn't just about Thin Mints and sisterhood  it's a crash course in entrepreneurship. Behind the smiles and cookie boxes lie real pressure: long hours, ambitious sales goals, and the weight of high expectations.

'Nahmias crafts a bold, vibrant, observational portrait that honors the girls' perspectives and illuminates the emotional and intellectual stakes of their experiences.'

The royal couple were first announced to be part of the Cookie Queens film in December last year.

The documentary is 91 minutes long. It is one of a few production projects Meghan has been involved in now

'As a former Girl Scout myself, with my mom as my troop leader, I have a personal affinity for this film,' Meghan said

Meghan grew up in California where she began her stint in the Girls Scouts. She said on Instagram, 'being an entrepreneur can start young'

The royal couple posed for photos with Eugene Hernandez, Director of the Sundance Film Festival

(From left to right) Prince Harry, Eugene Hernandez, Alysa Nahmias, Amy Redford  daughter of the late Robert Redford who founded the Sundance Institute  and Meghan at the festival

The Duchess of Sussex is, of course, no stranger to the film industry with her long career as an actress, notably in Suits.

She has also been a producer on several other projects  recently working with Harry on another Netflix documentary, Masaka Kids: A Rhythm Within.

This followed the story of a Uganda-based YouTube dance group, but Cookie Queens is the couple's first full-length documentary feature.

Meghan has also produced several TV series, like Live to Lead, Polo, and With Love, Meghan.

The Sundance Film Festival is the biggest independent film festival in the USA and is organised by the Sundance Institute, founded by Robert Redford.

It began in Salt Lake City in 1978 to showcase American films, but it has since been expanded to include international dramas and documentaries.
A new national police force - dubbed the 'British FBI' - will be set up to take over counter-terror, fraud and criminal gang investigations in major policing reforms.

The new National Police Service (NPS) will bring the work of existing agencies like the National Crime Agency (NCA) and regional organised crime units under the same roof and will crack down on serious and complex crimes.

Counter Terror Policing, the National Police Air Service and National Roads Policing will all also be merged into the new NPS.

The move forms part of a radical overhaul of policing in England and Wales set to be unveiled tomorrow by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who said the current model was 'built for a different century'.

However, with the creation of the new service, Ms Mahmood's white paper is also expected to slash the number of police forces in England and Wales, abolish police and crime commissioners and change how police officers are recruited and managed.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp was critical of the changes, warning that they 'must not come at the expense of local and community policing'.

He said: 'More top-down reorganisation risks undermining efforts to catch criminals and it delivers no real improvement on the ground.'

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will unveil the creation of the 'British FBI' tomorrow but her white paper will also slash police forces in England and Wales, abolish crime comissioners and alter officer recruitment

The new NPS would take over counter-terror, fraud and criminal gang investigations

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp says that the changes 'must not come at the expense of local and community policing'.

Ms Mahmood maintains her hope that the new NPS would allow local forces to focus on day-to-day community problems like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour without the burden of national policing issues on their back.

She said: 'Some local forces lack the skills or resources they need to fight complex modern crime such as fraud, online child abuse or organised criminal gangs.

'We will create a new National Police Service - dubbed 'the British FBI' - deploying world-class talent and state-of-the-art technology to track down and catch dangerous criminals.

'In doing so, local forces will be able to spend more time fighting crime in their communities.'

The NPS will be headed up by a National Police Commissioner who will become the most senior police chief in the country.

While the Metropolitan Police, Counter-Terror Police and the National Police Chiefs' Council were positive about the NPS changes, they warned the transition 'must be delivered with care', and said its success depended on 'maintaining strong connections with local policing'.

National Crime Agency head Graeme Biggar also backed the new national service, saying that the current system was 'out of date' and called for 'a single, stronger national law enforcement body'.

The NCA, Counter Terror Policing, the National Police Air Service and National Roads Policing will all be absorbed by the new British FBI

The NPS will buy new technology such as facial recognition on behalf of all police forces

Ms Mahmood hopes that with the creation of the NPS, local police forces will be able to fight crime in their communities better

Procurement of equipment will all go through the NPS rather than 43 separate forces which is projected to save 350million by the next election

Join the debate Would YOU feel safer with a single national police chief?

The NPS will also be dealing with incidents of major national disorder, like riots and civil unrest, and will see the appointment of a new national public order commander responsible for this.

This is in response to the 2024 riots, as Home Office sources say a national response is needed against a background of rising community tensions and increasingly complex, widespread incidents.

Ms Mahmood has also announced a new national forensics service, which is meant to clear a backlog of 20,000 digital devices awaiting examination and save money, and a series of regional crime hubs to take on drug suppliers, serious fraud and child sexual abuse, as well as other offences.

The NPS will set standards and training for policing and buy new technology such as facial recognition on behalf of all police forces.

This is projected to save 350million by the next election by streamlining procurement to a single force rather than 43 separate ones.

Trousers for police uniforms are already bought through a national framework and this has seen significant savings, the Home Office said.

Meanwhile, some forces were paying more to embroider uniform shirts than they were for the shirts themselves.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been named Australian of the Year for 2026.

Eight incredible Australians gathered in Canberra on Sunday night for the award ceremony after being nominated for the prestigious honour.

It was the first astronaut to fly under the Australian flag, Ms Bennell-Pegg, who took the top gong.

Below are the inspiring stories of 2026 Australian of the Year, along with the seven runners-up.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg

The 2026 winner Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the first to qualify as an Australian astronaut under Australia's own space program.

Ms Bennell-Pegg graduated from Basic Astronaut Training in 2024 as part of a class of six trained by the European Astronaut Centre in Germany.

'Thank you so much for this incredible honour,' Ms Bennell-Pegg said as she accepted her award on Sunday.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been named Australian of the Year for 2026

Ms Bennell-Pegg (pictured receiving her award from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) hopes to inspire more Aussies kids to pursue careers in STEM

'I'm meant to be someone that's calm in extreme circumstances but this is testing every skill that I have because of the deep, deep honour this is.

'However, this incredible honour isn't mine alone - it belongs also to all of those that have helped to build Australia's space sector, to the Australian Space Agency, to all that have educated me and encouraged me.

'And especially to my family, thank you.'

Ms Bennell-Pegg has been passionate about space since childhood and regularly fosters the same curiosity in today's children by presenting at schools.

'As a kid, I used to lie on the dry grass in my backyard and gaze up at the stars in awe,' she said.

'That imperative - to look to the sky and wonder, to innovate and explore - is an ancient one on this continent. Australia's First Nations people's deep connection to Sky Country reminds us that looking up has always been part of who we are.'

She said space was a 'powerful draw' for young people in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), especially girls and women.

'Because we need people to keep engaged with STEM, so we can have a STEM-literate society, and so that we have people empowered with the knowledge that they can solve big problems, that they can make discoveries that are important,' she said.

Ms Bennell-Pegg is the first woman to qualify as an Australian astronaut

'For many, many years, I was the only woman in the room. And when youre young, in particular, and you feel like you dont fit the stereotype, you often are underestimated, and you underestimate yourself.

'For that reason, we see so many young women backing out of STEM fields when in fact they have so much to offer, because they bring a unique perspective.'

Ms Bennell-Pegg took a moment to acknowledge her fellow nominees and the victims and heroes of the Bondi terror attack 'whose courage shone in the darkest moments'.

'During astronaut training we learned about the overview effect, the cognitive shift that comes from looking back at the Earth from orbit,' she said.

'You can't see borders from up there, just a fragile shared home and a powerful truth: We're all in this together.'

Born in Sydney, Ms Bennell-Pegg grew up on the city's northern beaches and studied aeronautical engineering and physics at Sydney University.

She was inspired by Paul Scully-Power and Andy Thomas - astronauts who grew up in Australia but travelled to space as American citizens in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

Ms Bennell-Pegg hopes one day she, too, can be an inspiration for Aussie kids.

Australian of the Year Awards described Ms Bennell-Pegg as a 'genuine trailblazer in Australia's emerging space industry'

'Speaking with people, especially young people, far and wide across the country this past year, I felt how beyond the flag on my shoulder, I carry the hopes of so many,' she said.

'Yet so many Australians are stepping away from STEM before they see what they're capable of. We are leaving too much talent on the launch pad.

'For Australia to be able to able to influence and to contribute to addressing the global issues of the next years, the next century, we need every curious mind engaged, regardless of gender, of background or of postcode.

'...In 2026, as humans venture around the moon once more, I hope that we'll all look up knowing that there is no aspiration too big for any Australian or for Australia.

'Whatever our dreams may be, for our communities, ourselves, our country or our world.'

The 41-year-old now calls Adelaide her home, where she volunteers with the West Beach Surf Life Saving club.

In December 2024, she was also appointed as an Air Force reservist.

Ms Bennell-Pegg takes over as Australian of the Year from AFL legend Neale Daniher, who received the honour in 2025, for his work raising well over $100 million for research into motor neurone disease.

Professor Rose McGready

Professor McGready has spent 31 years helping people displaced in the border region between Thailand and Myanmar, in Southeast Asia.

When she first arrived in the region as a young doctor, Professor McGready noticed the difficulty refugees faced accessing health services in Thailand.

She primarily helps pregnant women through a network of locally run clinics and outpatient services.

Professor Rose McGready (second left) has set the global standard for treating maternal malaria through her work helping displaced women in the border region between Thailand and Myanmar

Professor McGready's research also developed new treatments for maternal malaria, which have been adopted by the Word Health Organisation as the global standard.

'Rose's commitment, compassion and clinical expertise provide life-saving aid to some of the most vulnerable communities in the world,' Australian of the Year Awards said.

Alison Thompson OAM

Alison Thompson OAM's humanitarian work began during the horrific 9/11 terror attack in New York City when she ran toward the World Trade Centre with her first-aid kit.

Ms Thompson later founded Third Wave Volunteers, a global team of 30,000 volunteers who assist in some of the world's worst disaster zones.

Alison Thompson OAM founded Third Wave Volunteers - a network of 30,000 volunteers that assist in disasters around the world

Those areas include Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Ms Thompson's efforts have helped more than 18 million people through the worst moments of their lives.

Dr Felix Ho ASM

Dr Felix Ho ASM has dedicated his life to helping those in remote communities access medical care.

Dr Felix Ho ASM (centre) has provided medical care to remote communities across the Northern Territory as well as overseas

On top of his work in the Northern Territory, Dr Ho has been working with St John since he joined as a cadet at the age of 13 in 1995.

He also worked overseas as an Intensive Care Paramedic on a United Nations mission to Timor-Leste.

Dr Ho took over the national leadership position of the St John Ambulance Australia youth portfolio in 2020.

Dr Rolf Gomes

Dr Gomes is the mind behind Heart of Australia, founded in late 2014.

The service operates a fleet of 'Heart Trucks' to help deliver critical cardiac treatment to patients across 30 towns in rural Australia.

The mobile centres have saved more than 20,000 patients from travelling hundreds of kilometres to access the same care offered in metro areas.

Dr Rolf Gomes (centre) created Heart of Australia in 2014, a mobile heart health service for Australians in remote areas

'Rolf's vision, ingenuity and tenacity have had a far-reaching impact on rural health and medicine in Australia, helping to save lives and ensure that rural patients have access to clinical services without having to travel long distances,' Australian of the Year Awards said.

Dr Jo Kippax

Dr Jorian 'Jo' Kippax was part of the rescue team that saved the life of Lithuanian whitewater rafter Valdas Bieliauskas after he became trapped in rapids on the Franklin River, Tasmania, in 2024.

In order to pull Mr Bieliauskas from the freezing water, Dr Kippax and his team had to perform an underwater leg amputation in the freezing and fast-flowing water with hindered visibility.

Dr Jorian 'Jo' Kippax (right) saved the life of Lithuanian whitewater rafter Valdas Bieliauskas by guiding his team through an underwater leg amputation

Dr Kippax was previously honoured by the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, who awarded him the country's Life Saving Cross.

Carrie Bickmore OAM

While most Aussies know Carrie Bickmore for her work in radio and television, the Australian of the Year Awards has recognised Bickmore for her work in brain cancer research funding.

Bickmore has raised more than $27 million for brain cancer research since 2015.

Carrie Bickmore OAM (pictured with her son) has been nominated for her incredible efforts in funding research for brain cancer

In 2021, she established The Brain Cancer Centre to bring together the brightest minds in research to find a cure.

'Brain cancer kills more Australian children than any other disease, and more people aged under 40 than any other cancer  including Carrie's late husband Greg, who passed away in 2010,' Australian of the Year Awards said.

'Carrie is striving to ensure that every Australian diagnosed with brain cancer can access the best treatments and has real hope of a positive outcome.'

Dr Daniela Vecchio

Dr Vecchio established Australia's first publicly funded gaming disorder clinic in 2022.

Dr Daniela Vecchio established Australia's first gaming addiction clinic in 2022

As the head of mental health and addiction services at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Dr Vecchio saw a rise in the number of young people struggling with gaming addiction and decided to create an early intervention and treatment system.

Her work has seen her collaborate with specialists in Korea, Germany and Dubai as well as across Australia.

Awards for Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero were also handed out on Sunday night.

Former electrician-turned-ultra-marathon-runner Nedd Brockmann took out the Young Australian category, recognised for running from Perth to Sydney to raise money for a homelessness charity.

Pioneering dementia researcher Henry Brodaty won Senior Australian of the Year for his work identifying cost-effective, targeted interventions to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

The local hero award was given to Frank Mitchell, a Noongar man from Western Australia who has created more than 70 upskilling roles for Indigenous people in the construction and electrical industries.
France's version of MI5 and scores of police mobilised to repel a planned 'D-Day style invasion' by British protesters demonstrating against small boat migrants yesterday.

The French authorities imposed a sweeping ban on gatherings between Calais and Dunkirk on Saturday, and threatened to arrest and deport anyone arriving from the UK.

British protest leader Daniel Thomas, an ex-convict banned from France after harassing charity workers last month, appeared to have slipped into the country via Belgium.

But his boasts that his self-styled 'Operation Overlord' would draw more than 15,000 'proud Englishmen' to France to 'stop the boats' yesterday proved delusional.

In fact, just one thousandth of his predicted volunteer army arrived  and rather than slashing any dinghies, or demonstrating at a migrant camp, his band of around a dozen followers simply gathered on a beach and waved flags.

A simultaneous protest promoted by Thomas in Dover, which he claimed would 'bring it to a standstill', turned out to be a small gathering in a pub followed by a march down a road.

But French authorities, who had been appalled by attention-seeking visits to beaches and migrant camps by Thomas and fellow 'right-wing patriots' late last year, which were then posted online, were not taking any risks.

According to critics, French officials seemed markedly more concerned by the arrival of British protestors than they are by the tens of thousands of migrants setting off for England in dinghies every year.

A simultaneous protest promoted by Thomas in Dover, which he claimed would 'bring it to a standstill', turned out to be a small gathering in a pub followed by a march down a road

Anti-immigration protesters carrying the Union and St George's flags at an entrance to Dover Docks on Saturday

A protester in Dover pictured shouting during a march after the group had been to a nearby pub

As well as large squads of Police Nationale officers, and gendarmes, those looking to stamp out British protests around Calais included 'multiple members of the DGSI', or General Directorate for Internal Security.

This is France's principal domestic security service, and operates in much the same way as MI5 does in Britain.

'Plain-clothes DGSI officers were out in force along the northern coast, and looking for British troublemakers,' a senior law and order source told the Mail on Sunday.

'They supported police and gendarmes in making sure there was no large scale invasion.'

Prefectures in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais areas of France also issued orders prohibiting any members of groups such as Raise the Colours (RTC)  a group Thomas split from last week, hours before he and nine of its members were banned from France  from operating over the weekend, citing 'serious risks to public order'.

A French official statement read: 'British nationals belonging to these movements, who are checked by law enforcement, will be returned to the border as quickly as possible.'

The statement referred to the group adhering to 'a xenophobic and anti-immigration ideology that creates a clear risk of public disorder.

'State services, particularly the internal security forces, will be fully mobilised to ensure the proper implementation of this order, with the aim of protecting migrants, who are often victims of exploitation by smuggling networks, and guaranteeing the safety of everyone on the coast.'

Thomas had claimed he would rally 'thousands of British patriots' for a special mission named after the D-Day operation of 1944, saying grandiosely that they would be arriving by 'land, sea, and air'.

But by lunchtime on Saturday, he had only managed to post social media pictures of around a dozen men brandishing Union Jacks on a French beach, while claiming others had stopped at the border.

The deputy mayor of dinghy-departure hotspot Gravelines, near Calais, Alain Boonefaes, said: 'These men have no right to come and try to enforce order in France.

Anti-immigration protesters carrying the Union and St George's flags gather at an entrance to Dover Docks while taking part in a demonstration named Operation Overlord at Dover Docks

A man with a Union Flag is seen standing in front of a gate protecting a restricted zone at Dover Docks

'They're British, and they should maintain public order in their own country, not in France.

'They have no right to come and intimidate and threaten anyone. They have no right to do this.'

The Raise the Colours group  which gained a profile last year by leading the campaign to fly the Cross of St George and Union flags from lampposts first in the Midlands, then across Britain  late last year began sending groups of up to half a dozen men to France to 'stop the boats'.

They claimed to have found a dinghy buried in sand dunes, and slashed it before it could be used by migrants  and also posed for social media posts with other dinghies destrpoyed by police.

But they also filmed themselves shouting foul-mouthed abuse at migrants, female French journalists and charity workers  even falsely accusing the charity workers of being in charge of the dinghy voyages.

In December the Daily Mail saw them warned off by officers after flying a drone close to the nuclear power station at Gravelines, and attempting to pose as member of the press.

But their aggressive behaviour last week led to ten French travel bans being issued.

Without naming any of those banned, a statement from the Interior Ministry read: 'Ten administrative bans from the territory have been imposed on British nationals, identified as activists within the Raise the Colours movement, who have carried out actions on French territory. Entry and residence in France are now prohibited for them.'

Members of Raise the Colours, and Thomas  who calls himself 'Danny Tommo' - face criminal prosecution for 'threatening and assaulting' those working with migrants.

A key incident that worried French authorities involved two nurses and support staff working with Medecines Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders, MSF)  the international humanitarian charity  who complained of being attacked by the group in December.

Michael Neuman, head of MSF's migration unit, said the banning orders 'were expected.'

Mr Neuman explained: 'We had sent a letter to France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez France's Interior Minister to express our concerns, because we are very aware of the danger posed by these groups.

'These measures must not be exceptions but must become the norm so that nothing goes unpunished.'

A spokesman for Dunkirk prosecutors said 'multiple complaints about the [Raise the Colours] movement' were under investigation, and could result in prosecutions.

A French National Police spokesman for the area also confirmed 'numerous complaints,' particularly around the beaches of Dunkirk and Calais.

Many of these complaints were backed up by the British activists' own images, including videos, which they proudly post on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube, while asking for donations, said the spokesman.

Under French law 'violence' extends to verbal insults, and other forms of intimidation.

Most of the complaints about Raise the Colours came from 'local charities and human rights groups,' said the police source.

A spokesman for the Utopia 56 migrant support group said: 'Every time they've come, we've reported them.'

A woman uses a megaphone as anti-immigration protesters take part a demonstration named Operation Overlord at Dover Docks, in Dover on the Kent coast on January 24

A police liaison officer speaks to an anti-immigration protester gathered at an entrance to Dover Docks

In a statement, Raise the Colours claimed its activities were peaceful and it 'does not support violence or any unlawful activity', inspite of the videos clearly showing leading Raise the Colours figurehead Ryan Bridge shouting and swearing at migrants and charity workers.

It describes itself as a 'grassroots movement for unity and patriotism'  but following its split from Thomas last week, it had disassociated itself from his sudden plan to bring 'Operation Overlord' forward, saying there were concerns volunteers could be put in danger.

Thomas had put online a series of videos calling for volunteers to join him in France, suggesting the migrant camps of northern France were full of sex offenders of potential terrorists, as well as 'dirty, dirty diseases'.

He says nothing to his followers abut his own criminal conviction in 2016, when he was jailed for two years for a bungled kidnap.

Portsmouth crown court heard Thomas and two fellow thugs had turned up at the victim's home in Hampshire armed with knives, and punched and grabbed him in a failed bid to drag him out.

After they discovered they had got the wrong man, one of the gang apologised.

Thomas, who refused to speak to the Mail, says he is now a committed Christian.

Online, he claimed the turnout of a dozen men was a success, saying: 'These patriots made it through. When governments fail to listen, ordinary people step forward.'
American officials are raising the prospect of an early face to face meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky after peace talks in Abu Dhabi went 'better than expected'.

This comes as Ukraine dramatically gave the Kremlin some of its own medicine in cutting out power and heating to hundreds of thousands of Russians in bitingly cold temperatures.

For weeks, Putin has sought to weaponise winter freeze Ukrainians into surrender  but now multiple Russian regions are suffering blackout amid glacial conditions.

Worst-hit was -16C border region capital Belgorod which suffered its most intense strikes of the war, cutting out power and heating supplies.

A mystery outage knocked out power to the main Arctic naval base of the Russian Northern Fleet in Severomorsk, a city closed to outsiders.

Two days of three way talks involving top Russian and Ukrainian military and security officials as well as the Trump administration went surprisingly well after Putin sent a high-level team led by his trusted GRU military intelligence chief Admiral Igor Kostyukov.

'We are very close to a meeting between Putin and Zelensky,' one US official told Axios.

After two days of talks there was astonishingly a 'moment that everybody looked almost as they were friends. I had a sense of hope', said an American source, despite an acknowledgement of remaining gridlock over territory in the eastern Donbas region.

American officials are raising the prospect of an early face to face meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured)

Fire and smoke rise in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 24, 2026

This came as sworn enemies in the Russian and Ukrainian teams sat together for a joint lunch along with the Americans, said the report.

While no breakthroughs have been announced, a US official said 'everything was discussed.

'No one was put off by the discussions on either side.

'We haven't left any issues out of the discussion and we didn't have to prod anybody. We saw a lot of respect in the room because they were really looking for solutions.'

The Ukrainian side was led by Zelensky's chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, formerly head of Kyiv's GUR military intelligence.

New meetings are slated for February 1 in Abu Dhabi which could be followed by sessions in Moscow or Kyiv.

'We think those meetings need to happen before a meeting between the leaders,' the US official told Axios.

'We don't think we are far away from that. If we continue down the current path we will get to that place.'

For weeks, Vladimir Putin (pictured) has sought to weaponise winter freeze Ukrainians into surrender

Ukrainian rescuers work to extinguish a burning petrol truck following an air attack in Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian strikes killed one person and injured 23 others in Ukraine's capital and the northeastern city of Kharkiv overnight, authorities said early on January 24, 2026

The Russian engagement suggests Trump has been able behind the scenes to put pressure on Putin to be more positive, despite his relentless strikes on heating and electricity facilities in Ukraine during 2026.

Zelensky called the initial exchanges 'positive' and 'constructive.'

After days of Russian strikes on power and heating facilities in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities, Russia faced multiple blackouts with Belgorod and Bryansk border regions badly hit.

In a humiliation to Putin, there were other mysterious blackouts even in the Russian Arctic region Murmansk, including Severomorsk where a major outage hit the main naval base of the Northern Fleet.

Russian officials blamed an unexplained 'power surge.'

Hundreds of thousands in -21C cold were blacked out in Perm in the Urals - for so far unexplained reasons.

Both Belgorod and Bryansk were hit with suspected HIMARS missile strikes combined with drone attacks.

Ukrainian emergency personnel work to extinguish a fire at the site of an air attack in Kyiv on January 24, 2026

Ukrainian service personnel use a searchlight as they search for drones in the sky over the city during Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 24, 2026

Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov admitted his city had suffered the 'most massive' strikes of the entire war, paralysing power supplies.

Power was also hit in Azov Sea port Taganrog after a Ukrainian air raid.

The Russians explained power outages in the suburbs of Moscow including Khimki claiming transformers 'cannot stand the load.'
A group of 86 protesters were arrested after they 'breached' HMP Wormwood Scrubs in support of a Palestine Action hunger striker, the Metropolitan Police said.

Police arrested the group on suspicion of aggravated trespass at the West London prison after they allegedly got inside one of the prison buildings.

The activists were supporting 22-year-old Umer Khalid, one of those arrested after vandalism at RAF Brize Norton, who restarted his hunger strike 15 days ago and is on the second day of a thirst strike.

The Met said the group refused to leave the grounds when ordered to, and allegedly 'blocked prison staff from entering and leaving' and 'threatened police officers'.

A number of them are said to have got inside a staff entrance of a prison building, though it is understood the protesters did not get past security.

Videos posted to X appear to show a group chanting and holding Palestinian flags inside the grounds of the prison.

They can be seen moving towards the prison and, at one point, entering a building with loud speakers and a drum.

Placards bear messages such as 'Umer Khalid speaking justice to injustice everywhere'.

The Metropolitan Police said they arrested 86 protesters at HMP Wormwood Scrubs

Demonstrators 'breached prison grounds', according to police, and allegedly blocked staff from leaving and threatened officers

All of the arrests were on suspicion of aggravated trespass

The group is understood to have gathered in support of Umer Khalid (pictured) who is on hunger and thirst strike inside the prison

Another clip shows a group of people up against the prison's fence, surrounded by a large number of police officers who arrest individuals.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman described the incident as 'deeply concerning'.

They said: 'The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable.

'While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.

'At no point was prison security compromised, however where individuals' actions cause risk or actual harm to hardworking staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.

'Prisoners are being managed in line with longstanding policy.

'This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.'

Footage posted to social media appeared to show a group of protesters inside one of the buildings of the prison

Protesters can be heard chanting through loud speakers over a drum beat as they wave placards inside

Umer Khalid is the last remaining participant in the Prisoners for Palestine hunger strike campaign, according to the group.

He has been on hunger strike since November, briefly paused it over Christmas when he became unwell, but has now resumed and stopped drinking water as well.

Khalid is thought to be at greater risk because he suffers from Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy.

He has been imprisoned since July last year and is awaiting trial after allegedly breaking into RAF Brize Norton last June and causing criminal damage, which he denies.

Khalid and seven others had stopped eating food in protest of the charges.

Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello ended their action earlier this month after striking for 73, 66 and 52 days respectively.

In July, pro-Palestine protesters claimed responsibility for breaking into RAF Brize Norton and damaging two military planes.

Palestine Action said two of its activists infiltrated Britain's largest RAF base and sprayed red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft before escaping without being caught.

The Ministry of Defence said at the time it 'strongly condemns this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets' and that it was working closely with police.
Donald Trump's ICE is carrying out 'appalling' killings in Minneapolis, a top Tory said today after another unarmed protester was shot dead by masked thugs.

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said that agents of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement were 'getting out of hand' after a nurse was shot repeatedly while observing a protest.

She spoke out after newly released, high-definition video revealed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen, was disarmed and restrained moments before he was shot repeatedly on a city street.

The footage has been stabilized and slowed to capture the final seconds before gunfire erupted. It has been reviewed by the Daily Mail and local journalists in Minneapolis frame by frame.

The findings appear to contradict claims by the Department of Homeland Security that Pretti 'brandished' a weapon or posed an immediate threat to officers.

The Minnesota city has been racked by protests int he past weeks after ICE began carryign out mass raids.

Earlier this month Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three was gunned down by federal officers while sitting in her car.

Asked about activities of ICE, Ms Patel, a former Home Secretary with responsibility for UK policing, said Priti Patel: 'What we are seeing is just appalling, absolutely appalling, there's no question about that.

'We don't know the full details of it or their operational mandates or things of that nature, but it seems to be getting out of hand and obviously you can see just horrific pictures, another American citizen shot.

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said that agents of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement were 'getting out of hand' after a nurse was shot repeatedly while observing a protest.

Pretti, 37, was an intensive care unit nurse and had worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a nurse

Multiple federal agents are seen surrounding Pretti as he is restrained on the pavement

Earlier this month Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three was gunned down by federal officers while sitting in her car.

'They'll have to have proper investigations and inquiries into this. But, you know, again it shows a complete contrast between our two countries when it comes to policing.

'We police by consent in this country, our police officers do not carry firearms, obviously specialist police officers who are trained carry firearms in this country. But it is just so alarming what we are seeing.

'The new video has intensified scrutiny of DHS claims that officers fired 'defensive shots' after Pretti 'approached' them with a handgun and violently resisted.

Instead, the footage appears to show federal agents already restraining Pretti on the ground when his firearm is removed - moments before another agent shoots him.

Adding to the scrutiny, a doctor who witnessed the aftermath from his nearby apartment said in an affidavit that federal agents delayed performing lifesaving aid.

The unidentified pediatrician claims the agents appeared to be 'counting his bullet wounds' instead of administering CPR as Pretti lay critically wounded.
Police are hunting for two yobs after a mother and her toddler were almost killed when the hurled a brick through her car windscreen from a bridge.

Sam Mapston had been driving with her two-year-old daughter in the back of her car on the A4174 near Bristol at around 6pm on January 18 when two yobs launched the brick from a bridge overhead.

The pair miraculously escaped without injuries but were left covered in shards of glass when the windscreen shattered.

Shocking images show the damage to the vehicle. Fragments of glass were littered inside the car, including on the toddler's car, before it was cleaned up and taken for repairs.

Sam had also been travelling with their two dogs - a French bulldog and Labradoodle - in the boot. They had been driving at around 45mph on the dual carriageway when they were struck.

Father Owen Mapston, a tattoo artist with Phoenix Tattoo Studio, said: 'My whole life was in that car and it could have been gone in an instant.

'Sam saw two young guys standing on the edge. They were tall but as it was dark she couldn't make out much.

'She came past the bridge and bang - the windscreen was out. It all happened so quickly.

'It was a stupid thing for the guys to do and I'd say it's akin to attempted murder. They're playing with people's lives so these actions should be taken very seriously.

'We're extremely lucky they were all unhurt. Sam could have swerved and it doesn't bear thinking about. '

Sam Mapston had been driving with her two-year-old daughter in the back of her car on the A4174 near Bristol at around 6pm on January 18 when two yobs launched the brick from a bridge overhead

Shocking images show the damage to the vehicle. Fragments of glass were littered inside the car, including on the toddler's car, before it was cleaned up and taken for repairs

He's warning other drivers to be alert when driving near bridges and calling for the police to take action.

Avon and Somerset police said in a statement: 'We received a report of a brick being thrown from a bridge and colliding with a car travelling along the A4174 near Brook Road, in Warmley, on Sunday January 18.

'An area tour was carried out and officers liaised with the driver to ensure they made it home safely.

'We are asking anyone with any information, or any dashcam footage, to get in touch by calling 101 and quoting reference 5226016094.'

There have been numerous cases of people throwing bricks through vehicle windows causing injury and even death.

A teenager was left with life-threatening facial and head injuries after a brick was believed to have been thrown into a moving car in the summer.

A 17-year-old boy, from High Wycombe, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

And Craig Harman was jailed for six years back in 2013 when he threw a brick through the window of Michael Little's 44-tonne lorry.

The brick hit Mr Little, 53, in the chest and after managing to control his vehicle and pull over to the hard shoulder, he died from heart failure.
Laman Ismayilova

The exhibition "Inspired by Czechia" has opened at Fabrica Gallery, showcasing the results of a creative workshop held as part of the Ambassadors Cultural Club project, Azernews reports.

The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan, Arts Council Azerbaijan, and the NGO S?yah?t.

The exhibition brings together works created by Azerbaijani artists during the workshop. The showcased artists include Leylifer Museibova, Nigar Muslimova, Oksana Kazimova, Asmer Asadi, Leyla Orujova, Eldar Babazadeh, Naila Maharramova, Roya Hasan, Aidan Mammadli, Nargiz Guliyeva, Tarana Aliyeva, Raul Sadigov, Sevinj Ahmad, and Ulviya Kheyrullazade.

At the opening ceremony, Dadash Mammadov, head of Arts Council Azerbaijan, spoke about the exhibition's mission to further develop cultural bridges between countries, highlighting the artists' contributions to the successful implementation of the project.

Czech Ambassador Milan Sedlacek emphasized the productive nature of cultural cooperation within the framework of the project, expressed gratitude to the participants, and presented the artists with certificates.

During the event, Dadash Mammadov was awarded a diplomatic commemorative badge of the Czech Republic, along with a corresponding certificate, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.

The "Inspired by Czechia" exhibition stands as a successful outcome of joint cultural collaboration and marks another important step in strengthening cultural relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

The ruling Zanu PF party has been accused of sidelining prominent music producer Tapiwa Maselo Pabeata Jera, despite his longstanding contribution to partyaligned music and campaign jingles.

Maselo, who has worked in the music industry for more than a decade, has produced songs for several musicians who openly support the party. These include Diana Samukange, Andy Muridzo, Chief Hwenje, Honourable Tawaz, Gushungo, Baba Troy, Baba Harare and Suluman Chimbetu, among others.Many of these artists have been invited to perform at Zanu PF rallies and have reportedly received remuneration for their appearances. Some have even been gifted vehicles by businessman Sir Wicknell Chivayo.However, music fans have questioned why Maselo  whose productions dominate playlists at Zanu PF events  is being overlooked, while producers who have not created any party songs, such as Tadex and Levels (Ghost Magician), are being invited to rallies in his place.Maselo is a renowned producer who produced a lot of music that is being played at Zanu PF rallies. Why is he being left out, yet some producers are being called and getting remuneration? asked music fan John Garwe.Another fan, Sarah Gumigora, said the party should recognise those who have contributed consistently. It is not a secret that Maselo did a lot of commendable work for the party through jingles and songs that support the ruling party, she said.Maselo declined to comment on the matter. Efforts to contact Zanu PF political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha were unsuccessful.
A speeding drunk driver high on nitrous oxide who killed a student when he slammed into the back of his car at 91mph has been jailed for 15 years

Saqlane Zaffar, 28, smashed into Ryan Sandhu's Ford Fiesta on a closed lane of Birmingham's Aston Expressway after driving as fast as he could, forcing other cars to swerve out the way shortly after midnight on June 2, 2024.

The 21-year-old victim suffered a catastrophic head injury and died at the scene.

Zaffar, however, miraculously walked away from the high-speed crash unscathed and was picked up by a friend, Muhammad Hamza, who had earlier been driving in convoy with him.

The pair then ended up in a police chase and crashed again before being arrested.

Mr Sandhu's heartbroken family paid tribute to him following the collision, saying: 'In loving memory of Ryan Sandhu, 21 years old and our family's brightest light.

'His infectious humour and playful spirit made him the heart and soul of our family.

'As the baby of our family, Ryan was loved beyond words by each and every one of us.

Saqlane Zaffar, 28, (pictured) has been jailed for 15 years after he crashed into the back of Ryan Sandhu's Ford Fiesta on the A38(M) in Birmingham

Ryan Sandhu, 21, (pictured) was killed in the crash. His family said: 'our lives have been forever shattered by his loss'

'Beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson, and friend, our lives have been forever shattered by his loss. He will be missed more than words can express.'

Zaffar, of Saltley, Birmingham, who had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, was also banned from driving for 10 years at Birmingham Crown Court this Friday.

Hamza, 29, of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, was convicted of perverting the course of justice and dangerous driving following a trial and was jailed for four and a half years.

Sentencing Zaffar, Judge Peter Cooke, told him he had 'run the length of the A38 at the highest speed that he could while Hamza had circled round a roundabout waiting for him.

He added: 'That was what you agreed would happen. You were not racing against your friend but against the clock putting the Audi through its paces.'

He said, the victim 'was a young man whose bright future had been snuffed out because of the way you had conducted yourself that night'.

Referring to a workman, who had dived out of the way, he said, 'If he had not heard the popping sounds of the cones and realised what was bearing down on him, he would have been unlikely to have survived the collision.

'This is about as bad as it can get without a second victim.'

And he told Hamza, 'I find as the trial judge you knew that Zaffar was planning to drive like a maniac along the A38(M).'

That night, Mr Sandhu, who had just finished the third year of a degree at Staffordshire University, was due to attend the funeral of his uncle the next day and was queuing at roadworks on the A38(M).

Muhammad Hamza, 29, (pictured) was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for perverting the course of justice and dangerous driving following a trial after the high speed police chase

Mr Sandhu (pictured) had just finished his third year of his degree at Staffordshire University and was on the way to his uncle's funeral the next day

Meanwhile, Zafar and Hamza had rented high-performance cars and stopped at a Shell petrol station where Zafar was seen on CCTV filling balloons with nitrous oxide - also known as 'Hippy Crack - 'like on a production line', the court heard.

Zafar drove his Audi SQ7 out of the city and onto the A38, accelerating all the time, to over 80mph as he undertook other vehicles.

Prosecutor Daniel Oscroft said, 'He could have easily killed anyone in his path, specifically workers on foot in the road as well as oncoming vehicles.'

Zafar ploughed through cones set out at roadworks, forcing one of the workmen to dive out of the way of his speeding car.

Shortly after this, Zafar careered into the back of Mr Sandhu's car, causing it to shunt into a Mercedes.

Zafar and a passenger in the car had their lives spared by the front airbags that deployed in the crash.

As Mr Sandhu lay dying, Zafar and his passenger gathered up a number of items, including nitrous oxide canisters, and tossed them over the side of the Aston Expressway.

Hamza cruised up in a blue Nissan Qashqai in closed lanes past the queueing traffic and Zaffar got in.

Police later found them and a high-speed pursuit began at speeds of around 80mph until Hamza crashed and everyone ran out of the car.

Police caught up to them shortly afterwards and Zaffar and Hamza were arrested. Zaffar was 'so intoxicated he couldn't stand, when police tried to take samples of his blood and breath, he refused.'

Sergeant Rich Evans, from West Midlands Police, said afterwards: 'This was a truly horrific collision that claimed the life of a young man, Ryan Sandhu, and devastated his family.

'Ryan had everything ahead of him, and no family should ever have to endure the grief and pain that his loved ones now face.

'The driver responsible, Saqlane Zafar, showed complete disregard for the safety of others.

'He was travelling at 91 miles per hour when he struck Ryan's vehicle, and then fled the scene without even checking on him.

'His actions demonstrated a shocking lack of care and responsibility.'
This is the moment a teenage girl is nearly swept out to sea while taking a selfie on a harbour wall during Storm Ingrid.

The footage shows the youngster walking right to the edge of the wall in Paignton, Devon, crouching down as waves crash over the side.

She is soon submerged by the violent sea and lets out a scream before running for cover. But rather than finding safety, she returns to the edge again in an attempt to take the dramatic selfie.

The girl even removes her coat and enters the water for a third attempt. This time, she is completely drenched by a wave which almost knocks her off balance.

Finally realising the danger she was putting herself in, she climbs out of the sea and leaves the harbour area.

The video was taken by a shocked bystander last night as Storm Ingrid continues to batter South-West Britain with 60mph gusts.

The storm, which activated flood alerts amid rail line shutdowns, has wreaked havoc in the South West and washed away part of a historic pier in Devon.

Huge chunks of Teignmouth Grand Pier, built in 1865, went missing after it was hit by strong waves and rain throughout Friday night.

This is the moment a teenage girl is nearly swept out to sea while taking a selfie on a harbour wall during Storm Ingrid

The footage shows the youngster walking right to the edge of the wall in Paignton, Devon, crouching down as waves crash over the side before she runs for cover

The latest video of a teenager's selfie attempts has prompted calls on social media for better education for young people about the dangers of the sea.

Jenny Brennand said: 'These kids have obviously never been taught about the force of nature.

'The force of water is unforgiving and they would expect others to risk their lives if they had been pulled in and out to sea.'

Other commenters said there had been tragedies at that spot in the past with people being swept out to sea.

Kaz Faiers said: 'I lost a very good friend in Paignton to the sea back in the 70's. Just watch from a safe distance, don't risk your life.'

Roger Simonite added: '50 years ago I lost a school friend, who got washed over Paignton harbour wall into the raging sea, his life was snatched away, nature needs to be respected.'

Forecasters have warned of 'wintry hazards' next week for the North and East of the UK, with the chance of snow for some places.

There is also another Met Office yellow warning for rain covering large parts of South-West England and South Wales from 6pm on Monday to 2pm on Tuesday.

Join the debate Should more be done to educate young people about the deadly risks of the sea?

Storm Ingrid hits Dawlish train station on Saturday as high waves pound the train track with Devon taking the brunt of the high winds and rain

Huge chunks of Teignmouth Grand Pier, built in 1865, went missing after it was hit by strong waves and rain throughout Friday night

A walker clings on to a lamppost as Storm Ingrid hit Devon on Saturday

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: 'Generally, it's a bit of a mixed picture through the next few days. We've got a strong jet stream powering across the North Atlantic, fuelled by a big temperature contrast across North America.

'As it comes across the Atlantic, it gets stormy across the UK. So, unfortunately, the weather is looking very much unsettled right the way across the coming week.'

Mr Morgan said high winds could cause travel disruption and flooding in the week ahead, adding that Tuesday is likely to be a particularly blustery and wet day - and further rainfall warnings are likely.

'There is also a small chance we will see some disruptive snow, mainly across the higher ground of northern England and Scotland on Tuesday, and so, locally, if you are travelling highland routes, that could also be problematic with snow falling,' he said.

Three people were killed in a sea tragedy off Withernsea, East Yorkshire, earlier this month.

Grace Keeling, 15, was swept out to sea while watching a wave and her mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, and passerby Mark Ratcliffe, 67, died attempting to save her.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Crowborough this morning to oppose migrants being moved into the town's former army camp.

Crowds chanted 'Keir Starmer's traitor' and marched along the roads in the largest demonstration yet since 27 asylum seekers were moved into the barracks under the cover of darkness on Thursday morning.

Three people were arrested yesterday and bailed pending further enquiries after a vehicle was blocked from leaving the site.

Protesters gathered at the gates of the camp in the East Sussex town, which is set to house more than 500 males who will be free to come and go, at around 10 am before making their way into the centre.

They waved hundreds of flags, including Union Jacks, St George's Crosses and the flag of Sussex, and also chanted 'Who's streets? Our streets'.

There were signs bearing messages such as, 'We've been ignored and neglected so we're now at risk.'

A heavily decorated van at the centre of proceedings had 'Stop the boats' and 'Crowborough says no' emblazoned on it.

Some locals handed out rape alarms and defensive sprays for 'protection'.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Crowborough this morning to oppose asylum seekers being housed in the town's old army camp

Demonstrators waved hundreds of flags including Union Jacks, St George's Crosses and the flag of Sussex

The march moved into the town after setting off from outside the gates of the camp

The local Sussex Weald branch of Reform wrote: 'Wow! It's mental at Crowborough training camp this morning, still loads turning up! Let's be heard!'

Residents have said they live in a 'state of complete fear and terror' now that the migrants have begun moving in.

Crowborough resident Dennis Corby, 75, supports the protest and fears for the safety of the town.

He said: 'The trouble is it's going to wind the migrants up. I could see them retaliating.'

Sarah Rogers, 34, said she was now 'very scared'.

The mother-of-two said: 'We're living in a state of complete fear and terror. It's appalling. We have not slept. It's awful.

'They have been seen hanging around the town already. I can't stand it. Already many people are on about moving.'

A mother-of-three who helped organise the protest said: 'I won't let my children out alone in the town. They're scared. We all are. They are not welcome here.

'It's going to cause hell.'

Join the debate How should communities balance compassion for migrants with concerns about safety and local resources?

Locals aired vehement opposition to plans to house more than 500 asylum seekers in the barracks

The crowd gathered outside the gates of the camp and made its way into the centre of town

One car had a sticker in support of President Trump

While most protestors were local, some had come from further afield.

Sean Cheney, 57, drove from Ashford in Kent to support the protests.

His car had been decorated with stickers, including a picture of Donald Trump and 'Save our kids' on the rear bumper.

He said: 'I want to give Crowborough all the support I can.'

Chief Superintendent James Collis from Sussex Police said today: 'I would like to thank the public at the protest and affected by the protest for their patience and understanding throughout today as it ensures we are able to keep everyone safe.

'We know that the use of the Crowborough Training Camp for asylum accommodation has caused concern within the community.

'Our police presence has been increased in Crowborough and the surrounding area to provide a clear point of contact for the public for engagement and reassurance. This presence will continue over the coming weeks.

'Any incidents will be responded to based on threat, harm and risk, in line with our existing processes for preventing crime and responding to calls for service across Sussex.

'We will continue to work with our partners to support the local community, and encourage anyone with concerns to speak with their neighbourhood officers in the street or at their local police station.

'The Home Office retains responsibility for the site, its security and its occupants, and we encourage anyone with concerns relating to the site to contact the Home Office in the first instance.'

A 16-seater minivan driven into a migrant camp in Crowborough in the early hours of Thursday morning

A group of men were seen walking into their own lecture room at Crowborough Army Training Camp

Police officers stand outside Crowborough Training Camp on Thursday after the first group of migrants arrived

The first migrants were driven into the Crowborough Army Camp at around 3:30am on Thursday morning.

A major security operation is in force to keep the peace, which includes drones flying overhead.

The Home Office has said the asylum seekers will be registered with a medic based inside the base, and will only use off-site services if they require additional treatment.

Officials said this would minimise the impact on local GP services, although it is certain to anger local residents struggling with a shortage of appointments.

A community Facebook page is full of complaints from locals about the issue, with one woman posting about how local GPs were 'all having problems with having appointments'.

A second claimed she had been unable to see a doctor at her surgery for three months despite 'calling at 8am'.

Figures suggest NHS Sussex comes seventh out of England's 42 trusts for the number of patients waiting 28 days or more for a GP appointment.

The new asylum site has provoked a huge local backlash, and today a councillor claimed parents are pulling their children out of school as a bus route used by the pupils shares a stop with the base.

Andrew Wilson, who represents Crowborough East, said that because the asylum seekers will each stay at the site for between 70 to 90 days at a time, this amounts to almost 2,800 unknown individuals passing through the town in a 12-month period.

He said that with each man whose background is not known, that 'increases the risk to local residents'.

Mr Wilson told the Daily Mail: 'There's been a number of people who are deciding to take their children out of school because they're worried they won't be safe.

'The camp has CCTV all over it, but when you get beyond the borders of it the cameras don't cover everywhere.

'I'm a father of two girls. As a parent, your responsibility first and foremost is to keep your children safe, and if people feel like the Government haven't provided enough information relating to security then parents are within their rights to take action.'

Local resident Karen Creed, 62, said earlier in the week: 'My main concern is the fact that it's all men. It's not families.

'We don't know the background of any of them. I want to feel free to walk about in the town in which I live. It feels like the Government is playing with my freedom.

'We all feel totally hoodwinked. They brought people down here in the wee small hours, not expecting anybody to see.'
One in 50 children are now being home schooled in one of the most deprived areas of the country amid a massive national rise, new figures show.

Council officials in Blackpool have raised significant concerns over 2.6 per cent of its pupil population dropping out to be educated at home  one of the highest rates in the UK.

It comes after nationwide data showed last week the number of children being home educated has risen by 38 per cent in two years.

In 2024-25, 111,700 children in England were officially home schooled, up from 80,900 in 2022-23.

Mental health, including anxiety, was listed as a top reason why children had deregistered from schools - with bullying also raised as a factor.

There are fears some families may be allowing their child to effectively drop out of school without having the resources to teach them at home - with poorer households disproportionately affected.

Blackpool council data shows that the highest numbers of home schooled children live in the most deprived wards.

One in 50 children are now being home schooled in one of the most deprived areas of the country amid a massive national rise, new figures show (file picture)

Victoria Gent, the director of children's services at Blackpool council, said: While many families who choose elective home education do so thoughtfully and provide a positive learning environment, the overall scale and concentration of children out of school in Blackpool remains a significant concern. This can deepen existing inequalities and increase the likelihood that disadvantaged children fall further behind.

Schools play a vital role in safeguarding. For children in deprived wards, these risks can be amplified by wider social and economic pressures.

Blackpool, a rundown seaside town in Lancashire, is the seventh most deprived area in the country, with 38 per cent of its population living in low-income households.

The employment rate is 69.7 per cent, lower than national and regional averages.

A teacher survey by Ofsted in 2019 found 87 per cent said the pupils most likely to be taken out of school were those with behavioural problems.

Meanwhile, 70 per cent noted pupils with low prior attainment, 53 per cent noted pupils with special needs and 42 per cent noted pupils from economically deprived areas.

To withdraw a child from mainstream education in England, a parent must inform their school, which then notifies the local authority.

Councils do not have statutory powers to routinely enter homes or inspect.

However, they are expected to contact families at least once a year to check core subjects are being taught suitably.

Charlotte O'Regan at the Sutton Trust charity, told the Sunday Times: Children from low-income households gain the most from being taught by the best teachers. It's important to remember that teaching is a highly skilled profession, and we can't expect everyone else to be able to deliver the same level of education.

Pete Summers, a plumber from Blackpool who has been homeschooling his 16-year-old daughter Tilly for two years, said he made the decision due to her panic attacks and anxiety.

He said she studies for GCSEs in English, maths, science and art using a mixture of online resources and revision books, while he is at work.

He added that the simplicity of taking her out of school was surprising.

He said: I thought I would have to drag Tilly into school, that there'd be loads of paperwork and visits and things, but there was nothing. It was literally, I'm taking her out and they said, OK.

The case of ten-year-old Sara Sharif, who was murdered in 2023 by her father and her stepmother having been taken out of school for home education, has prompted calls for tighter controls.

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is at the report stage in the Lords, will create a register for home-schooled children.

Parents of those subject to child protection inquiries and plans will need local authority permission to withdraw their children from school.

A Department for Education spokesman said: 'Every child deserves the chance to get on in life, and we believe that no childs background should determine their success. In the vast majority of cases, children achieve and thrive best in schools but parents do have the right to choose to educate their children at home, where that is suitable and in the childs best interests.

'As part of our Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are introducing Children Not in School registers to help local authorities identify those children who are not receiving a suitable education and to take action to support them to improve their life chances.

'We are tackling barriers to school attendance, including through expanding access to mental health support teams in all schools and making sure more children with SEND can achieve and thrive at their local school alongside their peers  including investing at least 3 billion to create more specialist places.'
A potentially record-breaking monster storm is barreling east after blanketing parts of the South and Plains with ice and snow overnight.

More than 220 million Americans across 34 states are covered by winter weather warnings - almost two-thirds of the population - as Storm Fern moves from the southern Rocky Mountains towards New England.

New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington DC could be hit by one inch of snow every hour from Sunday morning, while the South could see a rare thunder sleet - when lightning and thunder coincides, creating large ice pellets.

'The heavy snowfall potential from Pennsylvania and New Jersey northward should continue through the mid to late morning,' NOAA's Storm Prediction Center meteorologists said.

'In northern Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, a changeover to freezing rain is expected by late morning.'

It comes after 802,000 households were left without power across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, where the storm hit first, and more than 13,000 flights were cancelled over the weekend.

The epicenter of the chaos is expected to hit the northeast by mid-morning Sunday, with up to 16 inches of snow forecast for much of the tri-state area.

Forecasters have warned the damage to infrastructure could be even worse than the typical aftermath left by a hurricane.

A potentially record-breaking monster storm is barreling east after blanketing parts of the South and Plains with ice and snow overnight. More than 220 million Americans across 34 states are covered by weather warnings - almost two-thirds of the population

A worker clears snow from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade in New York City on Sunday

Many people have already started panic-buying frozen food and tinned goods as they get ready to hunker down for several days of extreme cold and torrential snow.

Temperatures of 18F are predicted in Pittsburgh, 11F in Manhattan, 9F in Boston, and 3F in Portland, Maine.

'We are expecting a storm the likes of which we haven't seen in years,' New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Saturday while announcing restrictions on commercial vehicle travel and a 35 mph (56 kph) speed limit on highways.

'It's a good weekend to stay indoors,' she added.

'The snow and the ice will be very, very slow to melt and won't be going away anytime soon, and that's going to hinder any recovery efforts,' said Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

President Donald Trump had approved emergency declarations for at least a dozen states by Saturday, with more expected to come.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency pre-positioned commodities, staff and search and rescue teams in numerous states, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.

'We just ask that everyone would be smart  stay home if possible,' Noem said.

Join the debate Are YOU ready for Storm Fern where you live?

A plow truck clears snow on I-40 during Winter Storm Fern in Oklahoma City on Saturday

There have been reports of vehicles hitting fallen trees and trees falling onto houses in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, where more than half of all electric customers lost power.

'We got limbs that are dragging the ground,' said Mark Pierce, a spokesperson for the local sheriff's office. 'These trees are just completely saturated with ice.'

Sunday's flight cancellations, which are still growing, are already the most on any single day since the coronavirus pandemic, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

All Saturday flights were canceled at Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City, and all Sunday morning flights also were called off, as officials aimed to restart service Sunday afternoon at Oklahoma's biggest airport.

DallasFort Worth International Airport, a major hub, saw more than 700 departing flights canceled on Saturday and nearly as many arriving flights called off.

Disruptions have also been piling up at airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

By late Saturday afternoon, nearly all departing flights scheduled to leave Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Sunday had already been canceled.

The Midwest saw windchills as low as minus 40F, meaning that frostbite could set in within 10 minutes.

The minus 36F reading in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, on Saturday morning was the coldest in almost 30 years.

More than 23 inches of snow were recorded in the Rockies close to Crested Butte in Colorado on Saturday, while eight inches hit north-central Kansas and Gibson, Arkansas.

Pictured: Shoppers brave cold weather amid winter Storm Fern as they walk in the parking lot of a store during a winter storm Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Arlington, Texas

Experts have advised preparing for the worst, by stocking up on ice, heat sources, blankets and warm clothing in case a prolonged power cut hits.

The Red Cross 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.

The Red Cross is also urging Americans to fill up their vehicle's gas tank in case they are told to evacuate due to dangerous storm conditions in their neighborhood.
A Democratic congressman was slugged in the face by a drunken, screaming man at a ritzy film festival party in Utah.

Florida Rep Maxwell Frost, 29, claimed that an intoxicated man spewed racist remarks before assaulting him at the Creative Artists Agency (CCA) Sundance Film Festival party at High West Saloon in Park City on Friday.

'Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face,' Maxwell - who is the youngest member of the US Senate - said in an X statement.

'He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay,' Frost, who has Puerto Rican and Haitian heritage, continued.

The suspect, 28-year-old Christian Joel Young, was hit with multiple felony charges for the alleged assault of Frost and another unidentified woman, Axios reported.

Young is accused of wildly shouting at the congressman and woman, screaming, 'We are going to deport you and your kind', per court documents obtained by the outlet.

Other festival goers claimed the 28-year-old yelled he was 'proud to be white' before the attack, Variety reported.

The party crasher then allegedly yelled a racist slur and punched Frost in the face, according to court documents.

US Rep Maxwell Frost (D-FL) speaks at a press conference at the US Capitol, he claims to have been assaulted in a racist attack at the film festival

A bridge crossing over Main Street is seen with signage for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2026 in Park City, Utah, where the alleged assault took place

He also reportedly grabbed the woman and shoved her out of his way, slamming her against the bar, per the outlet.

Police later determined that Young had snuck into the event and was not on the guest list.

The 28-year-old faces a slew of charges including aggravated burglary, assault on an elected official, and simple assault, and was ordered held without bail.

Sundance addressed the debacle in a statement to the outlet, condemning the hate crime that occurred at a 'non-Festival-affiliated event.'

'We strongly condemn last nights assault and abhor any form of violence, harassment, and hate speech,' the statement read.

'While the incident occurred at a non-Festival-affiliated event, such behavior is intolerable and against our values of upholding a welcoming and inspiring environment for all our attendees.'

The Florida Democrat posted a statement on X, explaining how the ordeal unfolded and expressed his thanks to the police

According to court documents, Frost and another unidentified woman were victims of the drunken 28-year-old, Christian Joel Young

People walk along Main Street during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2026 in Park City, Utah, police believe the suspect snuck into the event

Both Sundance and Frost commended venue security and Park City PD for assistance on this incident.

Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States, traditionally held each January in Park City, Utah, with additional screenings in Salt Lake City.

The festival highlights new documentary and feature movies from filmmakers around the world.

This years festival kicked off in Utah on January 22, marking its final run in Park City and the first held without founder Robert Redford, who died in September.
The handgun that intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was carrying when he was shot dead in Minneapolis has a history of unintentionally discharging, it has emerged.

Pretti, 37, was killed by a Border Patrol agent during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in the Minnesota city early Saturday morning.

The nurse was armed with a loaded Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol - which he had a legal permit to carry - when he allegedly tried to stop agents from detaining a woman.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials said shots were fired 'defensively' against Pretti after he was allegedly 'violently' resisting officers.

A roughly 30-second scuffle ensued and someone at the scene shouted 'gun, gun,' bystander video showed. It's unclear whether the remark is a reference to Pretti's alleged weapon or a federal agent's gun.

After Pretti was disarmed, videos do not clearly show where the first shot came from but one gun expert has said he believes Pretti's Sig Sauer P320 went off in the hands of an agent, prompting another agent to open fire.

'I believe it's highly likely the first shot was a negligent discharge from the agent in the grey jacket after he removed the Sig P320 from Pretti's holster while exiting the scene,' Rob Dobar, a lawyer for the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, wrote on X.

Dobar's analysis comes as a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order banning the Trump administration from 'destroying or altering evidence' related to the death of Pretti. It has not been confirmed whether Pretti's gun fired any shots.

Alex Pretti, 37, was shot dead by a Border Patrol agent during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis early Saturday

New angles showed Minneapolis shooting victim Alex Pretti confronting federal agents before being pepper-sprayed and shot down

US District Judge Eric Tostrud, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, issued the injunction Saturday evening, ordering federal agencies to preserve all evidence in the Minneapolis shooting.

Evidence that was allegedly already removed from the scene or taken into exclusive federal custody is subject to the temporary injunction, according to the court filing obtained by the Daily Mail.

The injunction was issued just hours after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office sued the Trump administration for allegedly tampering with the crime scene.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said during a news conference that Pretti, an intensive care nurse who protested Trump's immigration crackdown in his city, had shown up to 'impede a law enforcement operation'.

Noem has questioned why Pretti was armed but did not offer details about whether he drew the weapon or brandished it at officers.

Police Chief Brian O'Hara said officers believe Pretti was a 'lawful gun owner with a permit to carry'.

The P320 is widely carried by Americans and US law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, the New York Post reported.

There are also more than 100 complaints that the model is defective and can fire 'uncommanded'.

Pretti was armed with P320 AXG Combat, photographs revealed. The high-end custom variant of the weapon allegedly holds three 21-round magazines and retails for upwards of $1,300.

This is the Sig Sauer P320 semi-automatic rifle that authorities say Alex Pretti was carrying at the time of the fatal shooting

Videos do not clearly show who fired the first shot, but gun expert Rob Dobar has said he suspects agents opened fire after Pretti's Sig Sauer P320 went off

State and city officials on Saturday filed a lawsuit against DHS, ICE, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and their leadership over the fatal shooting of Pretti.

The complaint alleges that 'the defendants, and those acting at their direction and under their authority, took from the scene of the shooting, preventing state authorities from inspecting it'.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has called for a 'full, impartial, and transparent investigation' into the shooting.

'Federal agents are not above the law and Alex Pretti is certainly not beneath it,' Ellison said in a statement obtained by the Daily Mail.

'Minnesota law enforcement is currently carrying out such an investigation, and it is essential that the evidence collected by federal agents is preserved and turned over to state officials.

'Today's lawsuit aims to bar the federal government from destroying or tampering with any of the evidence they have collected. Justice will be done.'

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty echoed his claims, stating that her team 'will not rest, until we have done everything in our power, everything within our authority, to achieve transparency and accountability'.

She added that her office has the jurisdiction to review the shooting for 'potential criminal conduct by the federal agents involved' and has vowed to do so.

Judge Tostrud has scheduled a hearing for Monday to review the temporary restraining order.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has questioned why Pretti was armed but did not offer details about whether he drew the weapon or brandished it at officers

US District Judge Eric Tostrud (left) issued a temporary restraining order Saturday evening ordering federal agencies to preserve all evidence in the Minneapolis shooting. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (right) has called for a 'full, impartial, and transparent investigation' into the shooting

The officer who shot Pretti is an eight-year Border Patrol veteran, federal officials said. The agent's identity has not yet been made public.

Gregory Bovino of US Border Patrol, who has commanded the administration's big-city immigration campaign, said the officer who shot the man had extensive training as a range safety officer and in using less-lethal force.

'This is only the latest attack on law enforcement. Across the country, the men and women of DHS have been attacked, shot at,' he said.

The shooting Saturday occurred when officers were pursuing a man in the country illegally wanted for domestic assault.

Protesters routinely try to disrupt such operations, and they sounded their high-pitched whistles, honked horns and yelled out at the officers.

Among them was Pretti. Bystander video shows the nurse standing in the street and holding up his phone. He is face-to-face with an officer in a tactical vest, who places his hand on Pretti and pushes him toward the sidewalk.

Pretti is talking to the officer, though it is not clear what he is saying.

The video shows protesters wandering in and out of the street while officers tried to convince them to desist. One protester was placed in handcuffs. Some officers were carrying pepper spray canisters.

Pretti can be seen again when the video shows an officer wearing tactical gear shoving a protester. The protester, who was wearing a skirt over black tights and holding a water bottle, reached out for Pretti.

The same officer shoved Pretti in his chest, leading Pretti and the other protester to stumble backward.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, could be seen in the street filming with his phone while a small group confronts a federal agent. His other hand appeared to be empty

Pretti is seen holding his phone and appearing to speak or film as he engages with federal agents

Pretti can be seen holding a bright, shiny object during a struggle with federal agents

A different video then showed Pretti moving toward another protester, who fell over after being shoved by the same officer. Pretti moved between the protester and the officer, reaching his arms out toward the officer.

The officer deployed pepper spray, and Pretti raised his hand and turned his face. The officer grabbed Pretti's hand to bring it behind his back and deployed the pepper spray canister again before pushing Pretti away.

Seconds later, at least a half-dozen federal officers surrounded Pretti, who was wrestled to the ground and hit several times. Several agents tried to bring Pretti's arms behind his back as he struggled.

Videos showed an officer, who was hovering over the scuffle with his right hand on Pretti's back, backing away from the group with what appeared to be a gun in his right hand just before the first shot was fired.

Someone shouted 'gun, gun' and the first shot could be heard.

Videos do not clearly show who fired the first shot. In one video, seconds before the first shot, one officer reached for his belt and appeared to draw his gun.

That same officer was seen with a gun to Pretti's back as three more shots rang out. Pretti slumped to the ground. Videos showed the officers backing away, some with guns drawn. More shots were fired.

DHS said Pretti was shot after he 'approached' Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Officials did not say whether Pretti, who was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, brandished the gun or kept it hidden.

An agency statement said officers fired 'defensive shots' after Pretti 'violently resisted' officers trying to disarm him.

Pretti can be seen being pepper sprayed by agents in the moments before his killing

Pretti could be seen trying to assist a women who was on the ground when officers stepped in

Officers are seen kneeling next to Pretti after being shot moments earlier

The family of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the Minneapolis intensive care nurse fatally shot by a federal immigration officer, issued a searing statement accusing the Trump administration of spreading 'sickening lies'

Pretti was shot just over a mile from where an ICE officer killed 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7, sparking widespread protests.

Pretti's family released a statement Saturday evening saying they are 'heartbroken but also very angry', while remembering him as a kindhearted soul who wanted to make a difference in the world through his work as a nurse.

'The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,' they said.

'Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's 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.'
Allies of Wes Streeting believe he has the 'solid' support of almost half of Labour's 404 MPs to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership.

As the PM fends off an attempt by Andy Burnham to return to Westminster, seen as a prelude to a challenge for power, it is the Health Secretary who seems to have the most support.

Mr Streeting has made little secret of his desire to be Prime Minister at some point, and has been linked with a challenge should Labour take a hammering in May's local elections.

A challenger needs the backing of a fifth of Labour's MPs to mount a challenge. Supporters claim he has the backing of 200.

The Mail on Sunday understands Mr Burnham applied to contest the Gorton and Denton by-election after securing the backing of more than 100 Labour MPs.

However, the decision by Labour's National Executive Committee to block Mr Burnham from standing may not just affect his plans.

Before today's decision, a Streeting ally told the Sunday Times that the Greater Manchester mayor winning the seat could be 'very good for Wes'.

'It opens things up, if Andy is elected as an MP given his driving ambition. It means that Wes would not be going out alone,' they said.

'The question is how to replace Starmer, not whether to replace him. If Burnham enters the fray, the how becomes slightly clearer.'

As the PM fends off an attempt by Andy Burnham to return to Westminster, seen as a prelude to a challenge for power, it is the Health Secretary who seems to have the most support.

Mr Streeting has made little secret of his desire to be Prime Minister at some point, and has been linked with a challenge should Labour take a hammering in may's local elections.

However another supporter said Burnham would make Streeting's push more complicated because he would push an 'anti-London feeling' that would hinder the Health Secretary, whose seat is Ilford North in east London.

Yesterday Mr Streeting called for a change in 'culture' as he criticised anonymous briefings against Mr Burnham.

Before Mr Burnham decided he wanted to stand, the Health Secretary told the Fabian Society's conference: 'In the last day or so, without having even indicated whether he wants to run, there's been some pretty unkind things said about Andy, as usual by people who don't want to put their names on this sort of briefing.

'And that's a disgraceful way to treat someone who is a Labour mayor, part of our team and part of our movement.

'So, I hope we will see not just the process concluding, but also a better culture in the process too.'

Keir Starmer and his allies fuelled Labour's deepening civil war today as they blocked Mr Burnham from returning to Westminster and mounting a potential leadership challenge.

The party's ruling National Executive Committee voted 8-1 against letting the Greater Manchester mayor and self-styled 'King of the North' stand in an upcoming by-election, after his 11th-hour declaration that he wants to fight it.

Mr Burnham last night said he wanted to quit as mayor before the end of his term and try his luck in the Gorton and Denton seat being vacated by disgraced former minister Andrew Gwynne.

The former minister has been fuelling speculation for months that he wants to come back to run against Sir Keir for the party leadership and the keys to No10.

But he needed the permission of the Starmerite-dominated NEC officers committee to step down as mayor and stand as a by-election candidate.

This morning they heavily rejected his plea, ostensibly over the cost of electing a new mayor to replace him.
Top Republican leaders have broken ranks with President Trump and criticized ICE and Border Patrol agents after a man was fatally shot on the streets in Minnesota.

Kentucky Republican Congressman James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, went as far to say that federal agents should leave Minneapolis altogether because of the heated, fatal situations officers have encountered in the city.

Alex Pretti, a US citizen who was filming the agents on the street, was shot and killed on Saturday - just weeks after protester Renee Nicole Good was killed by ICE.

Comer told Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo: 'If I were Trump, I would almost thinkthere's a chance of losing more innocent lives, then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide.'

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy also chimed in - and called ICU nurse Alex Pretti's death at the hands of Border Patrol 'incredibly disturbing,' on his X account.

'The credibility of ICE and DHS is at stake,' Cassidy continued, before adding that 'there must be a full joint federal and state investigation.'

Cassidy concluded his statement by noting that 'we can trust the American people with the truth.'

Washington State Republican Congressman Michael Baumgartner also noted that he was 'disturbed by what' he saw in the 'video from Minnesota.'

James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, went as far to say that federal agents should leave Minneapolis altogether because of the heated, fatal situations officers have encountered in the city

Alex Pretti, a US citizen who was filming the agents on the street, was shot and killed on Saturday

Protestors fill the intersection in Minneapolis near the site of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino, a New York Republican, meanwhile doubled down on his previous requests for both DHS and ICE to testify before his committee 'in the coming weeks' in a statement issued Saturday.

Garbarino added that 'it is critical that Congress conduct its due diligence to ensure the safety of law enforcement officers and the communities they protect' and that he 'expects recent events to be thoroughly discussed at' the upcoming hearing.'

Meanwhile, the Trump administration can not get its talking heads all on the same page.

Appearing on NBC's Meet The Press Sunday, President Donald's Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche admitted to moderator Kristen Welker that he did 'not know... and nobody else knows, either,' if 37-year-old Alex Pretti was disarmed before he was killed.

Trump's Border Patrol leader Greg Bovino argued during his own appearance on CNN's State of the Union Sunday that Pretti was on the scene to 'impede' law enforcement, and that he should not have engaged with 'an active law enforcement scene'.

CNN host Dana Bash pushed back on Bovino's claims, asking for evidence that Pretti was involved in any action not protected by his First or Second Amendment rights.

'Did he assault the Federal officer in any of the videos that you had seen,' Bash asked Bovino, before adding that 'it looked to us from every angle, sir, that he was approached by them when he was helping another individual who was pushed down.'

'What evidence do you have that he was assaulting any law enforcement?' Bash further asked.

Bovino doubled down on the claim that Pretti's 'help' was not needed on the scene, then deflected to offer his take on the broader law enforcement situation in Minneapolis.

Bill Cassidy, a Senate Republican from Louisiana, called Saturday's shooting 'incredibly disturbing,' in a statement posted to his X account

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that he did 'not know. And nobody else knows, either,' if 37-year-old Alex Pretti was disarmed before he was killed

Border Patrol leader Greg Bovino argued during and appearance on CNN's State of the Union Sunday that Pretti was on the scene to 'impede' law enforcement

FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo Sunday that 'you cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple.'

'What our officers are faced with here in Minneapolis are chaotic, very difficult and violent situations,' Bovino stated, before once again pointing the finger at Pretti for 'bringing a loaded weapon to a riot'.

Bovino eventually argued that Pretti's Second Amendment rights were voided by presenting as a threat to law enforcement officers.

'We respect that Second Amendment right, but those rights don't count when you riot and assault, delay, obstruct, and impede law enforcement officers and, most especially, when you mean to do that beforehand,' Bovino said.

Bovino also said that he himself had attended a protest armed and that he supports individuals' ability to do the same.

'I've done that myself and fully support that, but not when you perpetrate violence, obstruct, delay, or obfuscate border patrol in the performance of their duties,' Bovino noted.

FBI Director Kash Patel, however, seemed to counter Bovino's arguments.

Patel told Fox News' Bartiromo during his own Sunday news hit that 'you cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple.'

'You don't have a right to break the law,' Patel added.

Per Minneapolis law enforcement leaders, Pretti was carrying a gun legally.

Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly appeared to side with Patel, posting on X: 'Don't obstruct law enforcement doing their job. It's dangerous enough for them out there.

'Doing so is a reckless assumption of risk that endangers you and everyone around you,' Kelly added.

Concerns of congressional Republicans over the actions of Border Patrol and ICE, as well as calls for greater accountability, come as the threat of a government shutdown looms at the end of January if the US Senate does not pass a funding package.

Spending bills must clear a threshold of 60 votes, meaning if all Senate Republicans vote for the spending bills passed by the House, they need the support of a handful of Democrats as Republicans only hold 53 seats in the chamber.
The mother of a man who was mauled to death by an XL Bully he was dog-sitting is demanding someone take accountability.

Scott Samson's remains were discovered alongside the dog in the blood-soaked living room of his home in Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, on March 15 last year.

The XL Bully, named Mitch, belongs to Neal Stark, 37, who had given it to a friend when he was jailed for drug offences in February 2025.

The friend then asked Mr Samson to look after the dog while he went on holiday.

A post-mortem was unable to determine whether he was killed by the dog or if he died of natural causes before it mauled his body.

Mr Samson's mother Morag said police did not tell her he had been attacked by the dog when his body was discovered, and instead said he died from an accidental drug overdose - leaving her confused when an undertaker said she would not be able to see his body and he would need a closed coffin.

'I didn't even get to give my son a final kiss or a cuddle to say goodbye and I didn't even know why,' she told the Daily Record.

Morag, 60, also from Rutherglen, said her son was 'dead within days of picking the dog up'.

Scott Samson's remains were discovered alongside an XL Bully he was dog-sitting in the living room of his home in Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, Scotland (pictured: Mr Samson)

The XL Bully, named Mitch, belongs to Neal Stark, 37, who had given it to a friend when he was jailed for drug offences in February 2025

She 'knew something was wrong' when she hadn't heard from Mr Samson and decided to call the police.

When she entered the property with officers, they found the dog in the hallway and could see his legs and his black shorts in the living room.

Morag said dog catchers were unable to remove the aggressive XL Bully from the house, meaning it was left in the room with Mr Samson's body for another 13 hours during which time she believes it continued to attack him, targeting his 'private parts'.

'To think they left my son lying in a blood soaked room, locked up with that dog for hours after what it had done to him makes me feel sick,' she said.

She said her final goodbye to her son at his funeral in April, but only found out the brutal truth of what happened when she received the post-mortem report a week later.

The cause of Mr Samson's death was inconclusive due to the extent of the damage done to his body.

A pathologist told her all that was left of her son's face were his eyeballs, which leaves her laying in bed at night wondering what happened to her 'beautiful and kind' son in that living room.

Morag was reeling with anger when she learnt no one will be prosecuted over her son's death and police have spent thousands of pounds keeping the XL Bully in kennels since the attack.

Mr Samson pictured as a boy with his sister Lisa. A post-mortem was unable to determine whether he was killed by the dog or if he died of natural causes before it mauled his body

The grieving mother said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) told her there isn't enough evidence to prosecute the dog's owner, despite the animal being confirmed by experts as an XL Bully and found to be unregistered - a legal requirement for the banned breed.

She said: 'This XL bully ate my son. This evil monster dog ate his face, his throat, his tongue and other parts of his body. And nearly a year on from his death, I'm told the dog is being "well cared for" by police in kennels.'

She questioned why the 'devil dog' is still alive, why no one is being held accountable, and why they are 'protecting' the dog that 'ate' her son.

Four-year-old Mitch has been staying at one of only three kennels in Scotland which boards seized XL Bullys.

Police Scotland do not have officers who are trained to identify banned XL Bully dogs, leaving the force to rely on dog legislation officers from other areas of the UK to assist with prosecutions.

They had to bring in a specialist from Cumbria to carry out the identification test, which confirmed Mitch to be an XL Bully, in July.

Mr Samson's mother has since lodged a complaint with Police Scotland.

It is now understood a destruction order has been issued and the dog faces being put down, according to the Daily Record.

His mother, pictured, is demanding justice and for someone to take accountability

Scottish Conservative shadow minister for community safety Sharon Dowey MSP said: 'This deeply troubling case exposes serious failures in how dangerous dogs are dealt with in Scotland, leaving families devastated and police tied up with costly, drawn-out processes.

'SNP ministers were far too slow to act on XL Bullies, and this failure has left communities less safe while taxpayers foot the bill.

'Police and prosecutors need the powers, clarity and resources to act decisively, and SNP ministers must urgently explain why that is still not happening.'

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: 'Having carefully examined all the circumstances surrounding the death, investigations are now concluded.'

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We have received a complaint, which is currently under investigation, and it will be responded to in due course.'
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Hwange Ward 5 residents are set to hold a public consultation meeting on Tuesday to discuss the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) borehole project.

Ward 5 councillor Prince Shava announced the meeting in a notice to residents.Ward 5 residents are hereby cordially invited to attend a Ward Public Consultation Meeting on the CDF Borehole Project, which is being implemented by the CDF Committee under the Office of the Member of Parliament, Hwange Central Constituency, Shava said.He said the meeting aims to engage the community, share information and gather views on the proposed borehole project, which seeks to address persistent water shortages in the ward.The meeting will be held on 27 January at 5pm at Empumalanga Terminus.As your Ward 5 councillor, I strongly encourage all residents, community leaders and stakeholders to attend this important consultation meeting. Your participation is vital as we collectively welcome and shape this development that will bring lasting solutions to our water crisis, Shava added.
Keir Starmer today came under renewed pressure from bereaved parents to bring in an immediate ban on under-16s using social media.

The Prime Minister was warned 500 children are referred for mental health treatment every day, as ministers try to delay a crackdown on youngsters' mobile phones.

Last week peers amended a new law to force the PM to bring in an immediate ban on under-16s from using apps like Tik-Tok and Snapchat.

MPs are likely to reject the change in the Commons after ministers hinted that a ban could be in place by the summer, following a three-month consultation that began earlier this month.

However, Esther Ghey whose daughter Brianna was murdered by two teenagers, told the BBC today: 'Whilst we're waiting more and more children are being harmed.

'We know that every single day 500 children are being referred to mental health services, and we know that 97 per cent of 12-year-olds own smartphones, so we need to do something now.'

Ms Ghey has previously said her daughter had a 'social media addiction' and 'desperately wanted to be TikTok famous', putting her 'in constant fear about who might be speaking to online'.

She appeared on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg alongside Ellen Roome, who believes her 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died while attempting an online challenge.

They are calling on ministers to ban smartphones from schools, warning almost four in five have a policy that they must only be 'out of sight'.

Esther Ghey (left) whose daughter Brianna was murdered by two teenagers, told the BBC today: 'Whilst we're waiting more and more children are being harmed.

Last week peers amended a new law to force the PM to bring in an immediate ban on under-16s from using apps like Tik-Tok and Snapchat. But MPs are likely to reject the change after ministers hinted that a man could be in place by the summer.

In a letter to the PM Mrs Ghey said Brianna's former school saw incidents linked to phone and social media fall by 94 per cent in a year after it brought in a total ban.

Mrs Roome added: How much longer are we going to let children have unregulated access?

'Theyve got access to everything, and I just really think it needs to go. Those children are being harmed.'

The back Conservative demands for a social media ban.

Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, said: 'Last week, members of the House of Lords voted to support our amendment to get children off social media. It was deeply disappointing that Labour could not bring themselves to support this measure.

'Bereaved parents and campaigners are right to call this out. They are crying out for politicians to act, not to kick the can down the road. We do not need more evidence, and we do not need to wait months or years when legislation is there for us to enact now.'

Supporters of the Australian-style ban have argued parents are in 'an impossible position' with regard to the online harms their children are being exposed to.

Two-thirds of Britons support a ban, polling revealed last week, with majorities in favour of new age restrictions on social media across Britain's major political parties.

The Government will look at restricting access to sites and apps for under-16s as the Prime Minister attempts to see off another backbench rebellion.

A group of 61 Labour MPs last week wrote to Sir Keir to demand 'urgent action' to raise the minimum age for social media platforms.
German police have arrested a suspected member of Hamas who is alleged to have plotted to carry out attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe.

The man, identified only as 36-year-old Mohammad S., was arrested late on Friday evening at Berlin's Brandenburg Airport.

The Lebanese-born man, who was on a wanted list of the Federal Criminal Police Office, was said to have flown into the German capital from Beirut.

German prosecutors have accused the man of being part of a team of foreign operatives who sourced firearms and ammunition for attacks against Israeli and Jewish institutions in Europe.

They accused him of procuring around 300 rounds of live ammunition in August 2025.

Mohammad S. is said to be one of several people arrested as part of an investigation into alleged terrorists.

In October, German cops arrested three suspected Hamas members during a weapons handover in Berlin - one of whom, Abed Al G, allegedly colluded with Mohammad S.

Hamas, which used to control Gaza but has been massively weakened following Israel's retaliatory invasion of the enclave following the October 7, 2023, attack, has long been designated a terrorist organisation by the US, UK, Israel and many other countries.

The man, identified only as 36-year-old Mohammad S., was arrested late on Friday evening at Berlin's Brandenburg Airport (File image)

Its attack in 2023 saw the group's terrorists launch a major incursion into Israel, killing around 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostage.

In response, Israel launched a military operation which Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says has killed more than 71,000 Palestinians.

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.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met in Israel on Saturday with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, mainly to discuss Gaza, two people briefed on the matter said, as local authorities reported further violence in the enclave.

Meanwhile, in Khan Younis, over a hundred people attended the funeral of a person who was killed by Israeli drone fire on Saturday, after holding special prayers in front of his white-shrouded body at the morgue in Nasser Hospital.

'They are liars, there is no ceasefire,' said Fares Erheimat, a relative of the dead man, during the funeral.
A controversial camp for asylum seekers in East Sussex will cost taxpayers more than 5.5m in additional policing, according to the area's Police and Crime Commissioner.

A former army cadet training camp at Crowborough has been commandeered by the Home Office to accommodate up to 540 male migrants.

The first illegal migrants were brought into the cadet training camp at Crowborough under the cover of darkness at 3.30am on Thursday morning.

But it has been revealed the camp will cost an extra 5.62m to police, with more officers, technology and equipment being required.

Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex, said the money is needed to cover the anticipated costs of the policing operation - including community engagement, public order and investigations.

Ms Bourne said the force will also need more equipment, vehicles and technology over the remainder of this financial year and in 2026/27.

She said the costing drawn up by Sussex Police is on the basis of Home Office assurances that the site will only be in use for 12 months.

Ms Bourne has now submitted a funding application to the Home Office requesting it foots the bill. She is awaiting a response.

It will cost taxpayers an extra 5.62million to police the camp at Crowborough (pictured) once the asylum seekers are moved in

Crowborough residents have been marching regularly in their thousands since October last year when it was first proposed migrants would be placed in the Training Camp

There will be extra officers, technology and equipment required to police the camp. The money will also be used for community engagement, public order and investigations

Her move comes after Sussex Police calculated the likely cost to the force of policing the camp.

The decision to use Crowborough as a site to house migrants while their asylum applications are being processed was taken by the Home Office in October.

The move has caused fury among local residents who are angry that 540 single men will be free to come and go as they please. They have accused Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood of 'riding rough-shod' over the feelings of a community and acting with impunity.

Thousands have marched through the town on 11 separate weekends in protest against the move.

Feelings are running high in Crowborough and police are bracing themselves for a huge crowd this weekend when protesters take to the streets for the 12th time.

A campaign has also raised more than 93,000 to fund legal action seeking a Judicial Review of the Home Office decision.

The Home Office says the men will only be housed at the site for up to three months each, before being removed from the country if their claim is rejected.

Pictures and video footage has been released of the camp by the Home Office showing the facilities. Footage shows dormitories, a medical centre, shower blocks, dining and leisure areas, as well as interview suites and induction rooms.

The Home Office released photos of the dormitories (pictured) that await the 540 migrant men

Other facilities were also pictured, like this shower

The dining hall at Crowborough Training Camp

The Training Camp is populated by lots of these brick buildings

Signs have been put up on the buildings, designating their uses like this medic centre. There are also interview suites and induction rooms

Last night, Sussex Police confirmed that extra money is being sought from the government to fund policing operations at the camp.

A spokesperson for the force said: 'We recognise the impact of this additional policing demand and are committed to keeping the public safe across the whole of Sussex. We are working with the Home Office to seek additional funding.'

In an earlier statement, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 'Illegal migration has been placing immense pressure on communities.

'That is why we are removing the incentives that draw illegal migrants to Britain, closing asylum hotels that are blighting communities.

'Crowborough is just the start. I will bring forward site after site until every asylum hotel is closed and returned to local communities. I will not rest until order and control to our borders is restored.'

The Home Office says moving to large sites like Crowborough is an important part of the government's reforms to tackle illegal migration and the pull factors that make the UK an attractive destination while reducing the pressure on communities caused by hotels.
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino has given a startling defense for the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, who was shot dead by officers in broad daylight on Saturday.

Bovino joined CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday, where he was mercilessly grilled about ICU nurse Pretti's death on the streets of Minneapolis - just weeks after protester Renee Nicole Good was killed inside her car during a skirmish with ICE agents.

Horrific footage of Pretti, who was legally armed with a handgun, struggling with the Border Patrol officers before being shot on the ground, has sent shockwaves across America - with politicians on both sides of the aisle condemning the violent actions.

Bovino, however, failed to give a straight answer when asked if Pretti, 37, ever pulled out his weapon to threaten law enforcement - and instead placed blame on the deceased, and said that his officers are actually the victims in the situation.

'We do know that the suspect did bring a weapon, a loaded nine-millimeter high-capacity handgun, to a riot,' Bovino said, without clarifying if he brandished the weapon.

He continued: 'We do know that as far as what happened in that intervening moment, with the video that you just showed, that's going to come to light through the investigation that's being investigated, and those facts and those questions will be answered soon enough.'

The Border Patrol leader stunned his interviewer when he defiantly leaped to his officers' defense, calling them the true victims of the ordeal on Saturday.

'The victim, the victims are the Border Patrol agents,' Bovino claimed, before adding that Pretti 'put himself in that situation,' and doubling down that 'the victims are the Border Patrol agents there'.

Greg Bovino - who is one of Donald Trump's top immigration policy figureheads - joined CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday, where he was mercilessly grilled about ICU nurse Alex Pretti's death on the streets of Minneapolis. But instead of showing sympathy, Bovino claimed that it was his agents, not the deceased, who were the victims in the harrowing situation

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Minneapolis man and ICU nurse, was shot and killed in broad daylight by Department of Homeland Security Border Patrol agents on Saturday. His death was filmed by multiple people on the scene, and footage has sent shockwaves through America - similar to the outrage triggered by Renee Nicole Good's death at the hands of an ICE officer on January 7

Video footage released Sunday revealed the moments leading up to the death of the 37-year-old Pretti, who died just after 9am near Glam Doll Donuts at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.

Pretti could be seen confronting the agents with his phone in hand, angled in their direction.

One agent backed Pretti toward the sidewalk, where the rest of the altercation unfolded.

In another video, seemingly taken moments later, Pretti was seen struggling with federal agents just seconds before he was shot.

As he tried to push the official away, the agent pulled out pepper spray and began unleashing the canister in Pretti's face.

More agents ran toward him as Pretti and two other civilians struggled with the officers.

Several officers and civilians tumbled to the ground in a pile-up as onlookers shouted and honked nearby.

As more and more agents ran toward the struggle, multiple shots rang out. Pretti was killed at the scene.

Bovino and Bash sparred Sunday over their interpretations of the shocking footage showing Pretti's final moments - which have been plastered over social media.

The Border Patrol chief argued that Pretti was on the scene to 'impede' law enforcement, and that he should not have engaged with 'an active law enforcement scene'.

Bash pushed back on Bovino's claims, asking for evidence that Pretti was involved in any action not protected by his First or Second Amendment rights.

'Did he assault the Federal officer in any of the videos that you had seen,' Bash asked Bovino, before adding that 'it looked to us from every angle, sir, that he was approached by them when he was helping another individual who was pushed down.'

'What evidence do you have that he was assaulting any law enforcement?' Bash further asked.

Bovino doubled down on the claim that Pretti's 'help' was not needed on the scene, then deflected to offer his take on the broader law enforcement situation in Minneapolis.

'What our officers are faced with here in Minneapolis are chaotic, very difficult and violent situations,' Bovino stated, before once again pointing the finger at Pretti for 'bringing a loaded weapon to a riot'.

Bovino eventually argued that Pretti's Second Amendment rights were voided by presenting as a threat to law enforcement officers.

'We respect that Second Amendment right, but those rights don't count when you riot and assault, delay, obstruct, and impede law enforcement officers and, most especially, when you mean to do that beforehand,' Bovino said.

Bovino also said that he himself had attended a protest armed and that he supports individuals' ability to do the same.

'I've done that myself and fully support that, but not when you perpetrate violence, obstruct, delay, or obfuscate border patrol in the performance of their duties,' Bovino noted.

During the lengthy interview, Bovino also questioned if Pretti 'fell victim' to the 'violent and heated rhetoric' from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, when the two had likened both border patrol and ICE agents to the Gestapo and Nazis.

At a Saturday news conference, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said the deceased had no serious criminal history and a record that showed only some parking tickets.

Law enforcement sources said their records show Pretti had no serious criminal history.

Join the debate Should law enforcement be held to a higher standard when using deadly force in chaotic situations?

Pretti appeared to be filming the interaction prior to being allegedly shot

O'Hara said the man was a 'lawful gun owner' with a permit.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Daily Mail that the victim was armed with two magazines and that the gun has since been recovered by federal authorities.

DHS shared a photo of the firearm which was seen lying on the passenger seat of a car.

DHS has since shared its account of the shooting on X, saying the deadly incident began as a 'targeted operation against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault'.

'An individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun,' the department wrote. 'The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted.'
One of New York's most popular influencers has announced that her 6'2" boyfriend proposed to her - just months after they were embroiled in a bitter love triangle with another city socialite.

Halley Kate McGookin, 25, showed off her flashy ring - a marquise-cut diamond on a gold band - on social media on Friday as she kissed her fiance, Reed Williams.

McGookin looked smitten as she tried on the ring during the special moment in Zurich, Switzerland, and shared her happiness with her millions of followers online.

But many were quick to remember that the young socialite couple were in the midst of a boisterous love scandal that made headlines just less than two years ago.

The loved-up pair briefly split in 2023 after nine months of dating, during which time Williams, a New York City financier from Wisconsin, allegedly involved himself with another influencer, Sophia La Corte.

While McGookin took to her page to tearfully tell her fans that Williams had broken up with her, La Corte made a series of posts seemingly mocking her - and defending her right to go on a date with a single man.

The redhead faced a fiery reaction from McGookin's friends and family, who brandished her with the nickname: 'Little ginger b***h.'

However, it seems the couple, who live in a stylish apartment in Tribeca, have put their past behind them and will be planning a low-key elopement. McGookin stressed to her fans, while sharing the happy news, that she doesn't want a wedding.

Halley McGookin, 25, announced her engagement to finance analyst Reed Williams on Friday after the couple went viral in 2023 over a bitter love triangle

The pair have been dating for two years following a whirlwind of drama involving another New York City influencer Sophia La Corte

La Corte (pictured) responded to the drama with what became a viral comment: 'Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry, I didn't know you owned him. He wasn't wearing a collar'

'Thx Reed,' is all McGookin wrote underneath the TikTok video of Williams down on one knee, and reiterated her wedding desires with a caption that read: 'Will serve you some chic courthouse looks tho.'

During the dramatic breakup in 2023, McGookin said that she had 'truly never felt the pain like this and my heart goes out to anyone who feels anything even slightly similar.'

Not long after their breakup, Williams was rumored to have begun dating La Corte - despite the two women being friends in the Big Apple influencer scene, and going on a trip to Houston together.

McGookin said at the time: 'We know each other. I never thought or claimed she was a "super close" friend that owes me a lot of loyalty.'

She then claimed that La Corte had jumped online after seeing her 'vulnerable' posts about her breakup with Williams and took advantage by messaging him.

La Corte stirred the speculation, posting a video of her doing her makeup talking about her date with Williams in 2024, delivering the line: 'I'm so sorry, I didn't know you owned him, he wasn't wearing a collar.'

'By no means am I laughing at her,' La Corte said in her three-part explanation, as she insisted that 'everyone in the situation was single' with 'no overlap.'

She added that McGookin was the one who brought the situation online, and said that 'if anyone owed her any loyalty, it would be [Williams].'

Despite the public furor, McGookin and Williams made their way back to one another. Her comments have been flooded with elated messages from her followers.

McGookin was seen showing off a flashy ring, a marquise-shaped diamond on a gold band, on social media on Friday as she kissed her now-fiance Williams

McGookin reacted to the pair's date online, expressing disappointment that her friend would date her ex-boyfriend in now deleted videos

In online videos, McGookin condemned 'homie hopping' and said she had tried to contact La Corte 'multiple times' with no response

'I need all the content Im so happy for you angels,' one user wrote.

'YAYYYY so excited for you too!! Shout out to you for ignoring the haters when you knew Reed was your person,' another said.

'Took him long enough to realize you actually are the one he wants to be with forever,' a third comment read. 'Congratulations girl wishing you a marriage full of resilience and happiness.'

'This is such a statement and I love it so much. Congrats, Halley!! SO happy for you two,' a fourth commenter wrote.

Others took to McGookin's comments remembering the viral drama between the influencers.

'Ginger head is probably dying,' one user said.

'Genuinely just wondering how did her man go from I'm nos sure youre the love of my life to proposing to her?'

Another comment read: 'I bet that redhead is seething. Halley got her mans!! Congrats girl!'

'I just know that little ginger b is going to try to make this about her,' another wrote.
Kristi Noem has dodged crucial questions about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, including if he had been disarmed before a Border Patrol agent killed him.

Pretti, 37, was shot dead in broad daylight in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Saturday during a targeted immigration enforcement operation.

The Homeland Security Secretary claimed that officers 'clearly feared for their lives' and fired defensive shots at Pretti after he 'violently' resisted federal agents.

Federal authorities claimed the intensive care unit nurse was carrying a loaded Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol, but video captured at the scene appears to show officers disarming him before shots rang out.

Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy probed Noem about the protocol of using deadly force on an unarmed person, but she seemingly dismissed his question.

'That's all part of this investigation. Every video will be analyzed. Everything will be looked at,' she said during an appearance on The Sunday Briefing.

'Part of the answer is that I can't speak to every single thing that those officers thought but this happened in seconds. They clearly feared for their lives and took action to defend themselves and the people around them.'

Noem, a MAGA Republican, also pointed to the bystander video in which someone yelled out 'gun, gun, gun' and claimed the federal officers 'reacted to that'.

But she failed to acknowledge that it is unclear if the remark heard on camera was made in reference to Pretti's alleged weapon or a federal agent's gun.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem dodged crucial questions about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, including if he had been disarmed before a Border Patrol agent killed him, during a Sunday morning Fox News appearance

Alex Pretti, 37, was shot dead by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis on Saturday during a targeted immigration enforcement operation

Pretti was pepper-sprayed and shot down by federal agents during the incident on Saturday

Noem previously claimed that Pretti, an intensive care nurse who has protested President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, showed up on Saturday to 'impede a law enforcement operation.'

The DHS Secretary has questioned why Pretti was armed but did not offer details about whether he drew the weapon or brandished it at officers.

Noem also previously blamed two of Minnesota's most senior Democrat lawmakers - Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey - for the shooting.

'Our law enforcement are doing everything they can to protect the public. We're praying for the deceased's loved ones, family, and friends, but we also recognize that the Minnesota and the Minneapolis governor need to take a long hard look in the mirror,' she said during a press conference on Saturday.

'They need to evaluate their rhetoric, their conversations, and their encouragement of such violence against our citizens and law enforcement officers.'

Minneapolis police say Pretti had no serious criminal history and was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit.

After Pretti was disarmed, videos do not clearly show where the first shot came from but one gun expert has said he believes Pretti's Sig Sauer P320 went off in the hands of an agent, prompting another agent to open fire.

'I believe it's highly likely the first shot was a negligent discharge from the agent in the grey jacket after he removed the Sig P320 from Pretti's holster while exiting the scene,' Rob Dobar, a lawyer for the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, wrote on X.

Dobar's analysis comes as a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order banning the Trump administration from 'destroying or altering evidence' related to the death of Pretti. It has not been confirmed whether Pretti's gun fired any shots.

Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy probed Noem about the protocol of using deadly force on an unarmed person, but she seemingly dismissed his question. Noem said the officers 'clearly feared for their lives and took action to defend themselves and the people around them'

Federal authorities claim the intensive care unit nurse was carrying this loaded Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, could be seen the street filming with his phone while a small group confronts a federal agent. His other hand appeared to be empty

Saturday's fatal shooting has prompted outrage from Americans who have denounced the incident as a case of excessive force carried out by untrained federal officers. The Trump administration, however, says it was a case of an armed man provoking violence.

Multiple bystander videos show a Border Patrol agent shooting and killing Pretti after a roughly 30-second scuffle around 9am Saturday.

The videos appear to contradict statements by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which said the shots were fired 'defensively' against Pretti as he 'approached' them with a gun.

In the videos, Pretti is seen with only a phone in his hand. None of the footage appears to show him with a weapon.

During the scuffle, agents discovered that he was carrying a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun, and they opened fire with several shots.

Federal officials have not released the agent's identity, but did confirm the officer who shot Pretti is an eight-year Border Patrol veteran.

Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino , who has led the administration's big-city immigration campaign, said the officer who shotPretti had extensive training as a range safety officer and in using less-lethal force.

'This is only the latest attack on law enforcement. Across the country, the men and women of DHS have been attacked, shot at,' he said.

Pretti is seen holding his phone and appearing to speak or film as he engages with federal agents

Pretti can be seen holding a bright, shiny object during a struggle with federal agents

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who said he watched one of the videos of the incident, said he saw 'more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents, shooting him to death.'

Frey has said Minneapolis and St. Paul are being 'invaded' by the administration's largest immigration crackdown, dubbed Operation Metro Surge.

Noem said Pretti attacked officers, and Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino said Pretti wanted to do 'maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.'

In posts on X, President Donald Trump's deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, called Pretti 'a would-be assassin.'

The shooting comes just weeks after the January 7 killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer less than a mile away.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has branded the shooting 'horrific' and demanded state authorities lead the investigation into Pretti's death.

'The federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation. The state will handle it, period,' Walz told a news conference.

He has called for an end to Trump's federal operation in his state and activated the Minnesota National Guard amid growing tensions and protests.

Officers are seen kneeling next to Pretti after being shot moments earlier

Pretti could be seen trying to assist a women who was on the ground when officers stepped in

Frey also urged Trump to end the immigration operation, which has sparked sometimes violent demonstrations.

'This is a moment to act like a leader. Put Minneapolis, put America first in this moment  let's achieve peace. Let's end this operation,' Frey told a news conference.

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, also criticized officers' actions, writing on X: 'The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake.'

'There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.'

State and city officials on Saturday filed a lawsuit against DHS, ICE, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), as well as their respective, leadership over the shooting of Pretti.
A woman in her 60s has died and two others were taken to hospital after getting into difficulty in the water at a popular beach in Northern Ireland.

The incident took place at Helen's Bay in County Down, Northern Ireland, on Saturday at around 1pm.

Three people were rescued from the water by the coastguard and received first aid at the beach.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and took the trio to hospital, where the woman tragically died despite the best efforts of medical teams.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed.

North Down MP Alex Easton praised the public and emergency teams who helped with the rescue effort.

He said: 'My thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

'I know the wider community will also be shocked by this very sad news.

A woman in her 60s has died and two others have been taken to hospital after getting into difficulty in the water at Helen's Bay (pictured) in County Down, Northern Ireland

Three people were rescued from the water by the coastguard at around 1pm on Saturday

'Helen's Bay is a place many families cherish, which makes this loss all the more heartbreaking.

'This tragic incident is a reminder of how quickly emergencies can arise around our coastline.

'I encourage everyone to take care when visiting our beaches.'

Two ambulance crews, a rapid response paramedic and a Hazardous Area Response Team attended the scene, while a critical care paramedic and an ambulance officer were also dispatched.

Having received treatment, two patients were taken to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.

The third patient was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

A police spokesperson said: 'Police can confirm a woman, aged in her 60s has died following a report of a concern for safety in the Helens Bay area.

'Police received a report that the Coastguard had removed three people from the water.

'One woman was taken to hospital where sadly she has since died. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.'
Iranian authorities unveiled a new mural on a giant billboard in a central Tehran square on Sunday with a direct warning to the US not to attempt a military strike on the country.

The image shows a bird's-eye view of an aircraft carrier with damaged and exploding fighter planes on its flight deck.

The deck is strewn with bodies and streaked with blood that trails into the water behind the ship to form a pattern reminiscent of the stripes of the American flag.

A slogan is emblazoned across one corner: 'If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.'

The unveiling of the mural in Enghelab Square comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and accompanying warships move toward the region.

US President Donald Trump has said the ships are being moved 'just in case' he decides to take action.

'We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won't have to use it,' Trump said Thursday.

Enghelab Square is used for gatherings called by the state, and authorities change its mural based on national occasions. On Saturday, the commander of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard warned that his force is 'more ready than ever, finger on the trigger'.

A billboard depicting a damaged US aircraft carrier with disabled fighter jets on its deck and a sign reading in Farsi and English, 'If you sow the wind, you'll reap the whirlwind,' is seen at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Square in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, January 25

US President Donald Trump has said the ships are being moved 'just in case' he decides to take action against Iran

Families and residents gather at the Kahrizak Coroner's Office confronting rows of body bags as they search for relatives killed during the regime's violent crackdown on protests

Tension between the US and Iran has spiked in the wake of a brutal crackdown on nationwide protests that saw thousands of people killed and tens of thousands arrested.

Trump had threatened military action if Iran continued to kill peaceful protesters or carried out mass executions of those detained.

There have been no further protests for days, and Trump claimed recently that Tehran had halted the planned execution of about 800 arrested protesters  a claim Iran's top prosecutor called 'completely false'.

But the President has indicated he is keeping his options open, saying on Thursday that any military action would make last June's US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites 'look like peanuts'.

US Central Command said on social media that its Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle now has a presence in the Middle East, noting the fighter jet 'enhances combat readiness and promotes regional security and stability'.

Similarly, the UK's Ministry of Defence said Thursday that it deployed its Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar 'in a defensive capacity'.

The protests in Iran began on December 28, sparked by the fall of the Iranian currency, the rial, and quickly spread across the country. They were met by a violent crackdown by Iran's theocracy, which does not tolerate dissent.

The death toll reported by activists has continued to rise since the end of the demonstrations, as information trickles out despite a more than two-week internet blackout  the most comprehensive in Iran's history.

Protesters set fire to a car in Tehran. Even by the regime's own estimates, between 2,000 and 3,000 have been killed - but new figures have put the death toll at more than 33,000

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran, last week

A woman holds up a placard as she stands in front of a pre-1979 Islamic Revolution Iranian flag during a demonstration in solidarity with Iranian protestors, in Israel's central city of Holon on January 24, 2026

It comes after it was revealed last night that more than 33,000 protesters had been killed in Iran following the regime's brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, Time reports, quoting two senior officials working for the country's Ministry of Health.

The death toll from the anti-government protests, which began on December 28, was previously estimated to be between 16,500 and 18,000.

Alongside the death toll, 97,645 have been wounded, with 30 per cent suffering eye injuries, according to research by Professor Amir-Mobarez Parasta.

The German-Iranian ophthalmic surgeon added that the regime was executing protesters.

Hospital admissions data showed 468 were put to death in the capital Tehran alone, with more than 500 across the country.

Heavily armed trucks were seen patrolling Tehran on Saturday after being deployed to protect government sites.

Alongside the prospect of a military attack from the US, the Iranian regime is in danger of suffering further financial pain.

Trump has warned that any country doing business with Iran will pay a 25 per cent tariff on trade with the US, effective immediately.

Heavily armed trucks seen patrolling Tehran on Saturday after being deployed to protect government sites

Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi says he wants to 'turn power back' to Iran's citizens

The UK has also applied pressure on the regime.

Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke to Mr Araghchi and called on the Iranian government to 'immediately end the violence, uphold fundamental rights and freedoms and ensure British nationals are safe'.

But ministers have come under pressure to act as more than 100 protesters gathered outside Downing Street on Saturday to call on the Government to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Keir Starmer has refused to make it illegal to support the group because he believes it will have no effect and would only make Britain feel 'better about ourselves'.

Downing Street said the prime minister 'utterly condemns' the violence being used by the authorities in Iran.

Meanwhile, the country's exiled crown prince of Iran has vowed to seize the power 'taken by this regime' and put it back into the hands of its citizens.

Reza Pahlavi, whose fatally ill father fled Iran just before the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution, reiterated his 'unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights'.

During a press conference on January 16, he told reporters: 'This has been my position the day I started and remains my position to this day.

'They [the Iranian people] know they can trust me because I've never wavered from this and ultimately what I'm trying to make sure is the final element that will prove to the Iranians that are in full control of their own destiny is to turn power back to them  a power that has been taken away from them by this regime which we are fighting today.

'That's my commitment, and they can trust me on that.'

Mr Pahlavi also encouraged protesters, who have chanted slogans including 'Death to the dictator!' and 'Death to the Islamic Republic!'  to make their voices heard.

'Great nation of Iran, the eyes of the world are upon you. Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands,' he said in a statement earlier this month.

'I warn the Islamic Republic, its leader and the (Revolutionary Guard) that the world and (US President Donald Trump) are closely watching you. Suppression of the people will not go unanswered.'
Governor Tim Walz has begged President Donald Trump to pull federal agents out of Minnesota after a second immigration protester was shot dead by officers this month.

'What is the plan, Donald? What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state?' Walz pleaded Sunday in wake of the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti.

Pretti was shot dead by a Border Patrol agent in broad daylight in Minneapolis on Saturday during a targeted immigration enforcement operation.

He was killed just weeks after Renee Good, 37, was shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer less than a mile away.

'President Trump, you can end this today. Pull these folks back, do humane, focused, effective immigration control  you've got the support of all of us to do that,' Walz begged. 'Show some decency. Pull these folks out.'

He also addressed the American public directly, urging them to denounce Trump's immigration crackdown and the killing of civilians by federal officers.

'What side do you want to be on?' Walz asked. 'The side of an all powerful federal government that can kill, injure, menace and kidnap its citizens off the streets or on the side of a nurse at the VA who died bearing witness to such government.'

The governor's plea comes amid a war with Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, who in a letter Saturday set conditions that must be met before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be withdrawn from Minnesota.

Governor Tim Walz has begged President Donald Trump to pull federal agents out of Minnesota after intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was shot dead by a Border Patrol agent

Alex Pretti, 37, was shot dead by a Border Patrol agent in broad daylight in Minneapolis on Saturday during a targeted immigration enforcement operation

Footage captured by bystanders appeared to show Pretti disarmed before being shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis

Walz spoke directly to Trump during his public address Sunday, blasting the administration's continued presence in Minnesota.

'You thought fear, violence and chaos is what you wanted from us, and you clearly underestimated the people of this state and nation,' he said.

'We are tired, but we're resolved. We're peaceful, but we'll never forget,' he continued. 'We're angry, but we won't give up hope, and above all else, we are clearly unified.'

He suggested Trump was trying to 'make an example of Minnesota' but said he was proud of his state for standing up to the administration.

'We believe in law and order in this state. In this state, we believe in peace, and we believe that Donald Trump needs to pull these 3,000 untrained agents out of Minnesota before they kill another person.'

During the press conference, Walz compared America's immigration laws to Nazi Germany, saying: 'Many of us grew up reading that story of Anne Frank. Somebody's going to write that children's story about Minnesota.'

Trump seemingly replied to the plea but doubled down on his claim that Somali immigrants in Minneapolis have been committing major fraud.

'Minnesota is a Criminal COVER UP of the massive Financial Fraud that has gone on!' he posted on his Truth Social platform as Walz's press conference was underway.

Trump deployed thousands of federal immigration agents to heavily Democratic Minneapolis for weeks, after conservative media reported on the alleged fraud.

Minneapolis has one of the country's highest concentrations of Somali immigrants.

Walz's plea comes just one day after Attorney General Pam Bondi sent him a letter urging the Minnesota government to 'cooperate fully' with Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The governor's plea comes just one day after Bondi sent him a letter urging the Minnesota government to 'cooperate fully' with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In a three-page letter to Walz, she accused state officials of 'anti-law enforcement rhetoric' and 'putting federal agents in danger'.

She called on the governor to 'repeal sanctuary policies' in Minnesota and asked that 'all detention facilities' in the state 'cooperate fully with ICE' and 'honor detention retainers'.

Bondi further requested that Minnesota give Department of Justice (DOJ) access to its voter rolls to 'confirm that Minnesota's voter registration practices comply with federal law'.

'I am confident that these simple steps will help bring back law and order to Minnesota and improve the lives of Americans,' Bondi added.

Walz, during his Sunday press conference, hit back at the allegations in Bondi's letter, calling them 'a red herring' and 'untrue'. He also implied the ICE had overstepped its authority in Minnesota.

'It's their job to do Immigrations and Customs Enforcement,' the governor said. 'It's law enforcement's job to do law enforcement in Minnesota.'

He added: 'Were not going to do your job for you. We have other things we need to do.'

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, could be seen on the street filming with his phone while a small group confronts a federal agent. His other hand appeared to be empty

Pretti can be seen holding a bright, shiny object during a struggle with federal agents

Officers are seen kneeling next to Pretti after being shot moments earlier

Federal authorities claim the intensive care unit nurse was carrying this loaded Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol

He also accused the Trump administration of launching a smear campaign against Pretti, whom federal officials have said wanted to 'massacre law enforcement'.

'You know what you saw,' Walz said, before going on to accuse Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other top officials of 'sullying his name within minutes of this event happening'.

'This is an inflection point, America. If we cannot all agree that the smearing of an American citizen and besmirching everything they stood for and asking us not to believe what we saw, I don't know what else to tell you,' Walz said.

Walz revealed that he has spoken with Pretti's heartbroken family and alleged that they want Americans to keep fighting for him.

'The heartache in the hours after your son is murdered in front of the world is one thing, but what stood out to me was a parent's desire and their passion to make sure that the story of Alex was told,' Walz said of Pretti's parents.

He claimed the nurse's father Michael told him: 'Don't let them forget Alex's story.'

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Pretti was shot after he 'approached' Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that officers 'clearly feared for their lives' and fired defensive shots at Pretti after he 'violently' resisted federal agents.

Federal authorities claimed the intensive care unit nurse was carrying a loaded Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol, but video captured at the scene appears to show officers disarming him before shots rang out.

Minneapolis police say Pretti had no serious criminal history and was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit.

Walz also revealed that he spoke with Alex Pretti's heartbroken family, who allegedly want Americans to keep fighting for him

After Pretti was disarmed, videos do not clearly show where the first shot came from but one gun expert has said he believes Pretti's Sig Sauer P320 went off in the hands of an agent, prompting another agent to open fire.

'I believe it's highly likely the first shot was a negligent discharge from the agent in the grey jacket after he removed the Sig P320 from Pretti's holster while exiting the scene,' Rob Dobar, a lawyer for the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, wrote on X.

Multiple bystander videos show a Border Patrol agent shooting and killing Pretti after a roughly 30-second scuffle around 9am Saturday.

The videos appear to contradict statements by DHS, which said the shots were fired 'defensively' against Pretti as he 'approached' them with a gun.

In the videos, Pretti is seen with only a phone in his hand. None of the footage appears to show him with a weapon.

During the scuffle, agents discovered that he was carrying a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, and they opened fire with several shots.

Federal officials have not released the agent's identity, but did confirm the officer who shot Pretti is an eight-year Border Patrol veteran.

Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who has led the administration's big-city immigration campaign, said the officer who shot Pretti had extensive training as a range safety officer and in using less-lethal force.

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order banning the Trump administration from 'destroying or altering evidence' related to the death of Pretti.

It has not been confirmed whether Pretti's gun fired any shots.
DailyMail US Senior News Reporter Natasha Anderson examines the events surrounding the fatal shooting of nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti, 37, was shot dead by a Border Patrol agent during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis early Saturday.

Multiple videos show different angles of the confrontation that led to Pretti's death and have sparked debate over whether agents removed the gun he was carrying from it's holster before the deadly shot.

Click above to watch the full video.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump has long admired political strongmen such as Russia's Vladimir Putin, Hungary's Viktor Orban and Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman. Now hes got a new invite-only international Board of Peace thats full of them.

"Usually they say, 'he's a horrible dictator-type person, Im a dictator,'" Trump said of himself in a speech Jan. 21 on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. But sometimes you need a dictator."

At Davos the next day, Trump held a signing ceremony for new members of the Peace Board, which he initially established to cement a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and then to help rebuild Gaza after it was decimated by the two-year war.

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.

Putin, Orban and bin Salman have all joined the board or expressed a desire to do so. So have Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu.

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All have drawn condemnation from international human rights groups and some international legal organizations.

Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, Trump told the new signatories on Jan. 22, and we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations.

Criticism, but not for its board members

The new signatories were mentioned only by title, not by name, as they came in pairs to sit with Trump and sign a document.

Each got a handshake and pat on the back from Trump too, and then smiled for a photo.

Everyone in this room is a star or you wouldnt be here, Trump told the assembled dignitaries. You're the biggest people, the most important people in the world, most powerful people in the world.

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Trump has asked numerous democratically elected leaders to join as part of his initial invitations to as many as 50 countries. Nations that want to become permanent members must pay $1 billion to become charter members.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment on whos officially in the group  and how much theyve paid. Edgar Vasquez, a State Department spokesman, told USA TODAY that the administration is "working on compiling the list. It includes democratic countries."

The bylaws state that Trump will remain chairman of the board in perpetuity, potentially long after he leaves the White House at the end of his constitutionally mandated second and last term in January 2029.

The board has been attacked by Trump's critics as serving his personal interests.

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"I'm not naive about the corruption and the graft at a scale we've never seen in American history," California Gov. Gavin Newsom told a Davos audience "I'm not naive about folks writing billion-dollar checks to (Steven) Witkoff, to Jared Kushner for this new peace deal they're announcing today."

Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, and Witkoff  a Trump confidant and his special envoy to the Middle East  are among Trump's delegates to the organization.

But the group has also garnered headlines for who else Trump has invited to join.

More: Trump loves populists and strongmen. Here's who he's invited to the inauguration

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Invitations have been extended to U.S. adversaries such as Russia and China. Trump also sent them out to repressive states including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

"I have some controversial people on it," Trump told CNN, saying Putin has agreed to join. The Russian president has floated using Russian assets frozen in the United States to pay the $1 billion fee for a permanent seat.

Who are the 'controversial people' on the board?

Putin is among the most controversial, given that he has waged a brutal war against much smaller neighbor Ukraine for nearly four years.

Putin's decades-long rule in Russia has included allegedly orchestrating dozens of murders of dissidents like Alexei Navalny, using the country as his personal piggy bank and kidnapping thousands of Ukrainian children.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it would be difficult for him to see being "together with Russia in any council," and that "the issue is that Russia is our enemy, and Belarus is their ally."

Lukashenko, a staunch ally of Putin, has kept Belarus under rigid authoritarian control since 1994. In an effort to quash opposition, he has overseen human rights violations against the countrys civilian population so severe that some amounted to crimes against humanity, the UN Group of Independent Experts on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus warned in a report last February.

The report found that men and women in detention "had been routinely subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including beatings, electric shocks and threats to rape not only detainees but their partners as well."

Orban, whom Trump praised for his hardline anti-immigration record, has been accused since taking power in 2010 of systematically dismantling democratic institutions and committing widespread human rights violations.

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Bin Salman, known informally as MBS, is Saudi Arabias de facto ruler and has been criticized for having a similar authoritarian leadership style. He was accused by U.S. intelligence agencies of ordering Saudi-American journalist Jamal Khashoggi brutally killed and dismembered in a Saudi embassy in Turkey.

"Things happen," was how Trump described Khashoggi's murder during bin Salman's visit to the Oval Office last November. "It's an honor to be your friend," Trump told MBS at the meeting, "and it's an honor that you're here."

Israel's Netanyahu is also reportedly on board but  like Putin  faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes. That may explain why neither of them attended the annual economic summit in the Swiss resort town.

Under Erdogan's leadership since 2014, Turkey has an "unconscionably large number of political prisoners, especially ethnic Kurds and Turks adhering to the Gulen movement," Republican Rep. Chris Smith, of New Jersey, said at a human rights hearing last June.

What is the Board of Peace?

Trump initially floated the Board of Peace as part of a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan in September.

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In November, the United Nations Security Council backed the plan, giving it international legitimacy and a mandate to oversee the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza.

But the group's charter has also raised questions about whether it could conflict with the United Nations, stating that it will work to "secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict."

Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban and Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto take part in an event held for U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, alongside the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Asked this week if he wanted his Board of Peace to replace the United Nations, Trump said, "Well it might. The UN just hasn't been very helpful," before adding that, "I believe you've got to let the UN continue because the potential is so great."

Few have criticized it publicly. Annalena Baerbock, president of the United Nations General Assembly, told Sky News the United Nations was the only institution with the moral and legal ability to bring together every nation, big or small.

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"And if we question that ... we fall back and very, very, dark, times," Baerbock said, adding that it was up to individual states to decide what to do.

China, another repressive regime, has confirmed it received an invitation. But it has not yet decided, saying through a spokesman that it wants to "stay firmly committed to safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core."

Who else is on the Board of Peace?

So far, few high-profile U.S. allies have joined, in part due to Trumps in-your-face, America First approach.

French President Emmanuel Macron rejected the offer outright, Politico reported, with his office saying the boards charter goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions about undermining the U.N.

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Norway and Sweden have also declined. Pope Leo, the first pontiff from the United States and a critic of some of Trump's policies, is evaluating his invitation, the Vatican said Jan. 21.

Trump withdrew his invitation to Canada Jan. 22 just days after Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered an address at Davos that indirectly but forcefully criticized Trump for creating a "rupture" with the United States over tariffs and Greenland.

"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 said in a social media post directed at Carney.

Other autocrats on the board

Some other high-profile autocrats attended Trump's Board of Peace rollout, including Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the president of Uzbekistan. In office since December 2016, hes consolidated power and extended presidential terms in a country where no legal opposition exists.

Others sent representatives to the signing, including Mohammed bin Zayed, the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi. His Gulf kingdom is known for securitycentric, authoritarian state rule.

Egypts militarybacked president, Abdel Fattah elSisi, wasn't there but a representative confirmed in a Jan. 21 statement that he's agreed to participate  and that the country would complete all necessary legal and constitutional procedures to formalize its membership on the board. After leading a military coup in 2013, Sisi has been accused by Amnesty International of aggressively repressing political opponents and keeping tens of thousands of political prisoners, according to Human Rights Watch, which he denies. In his first term, Trump said Sisi "doing a great job."

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was also there, smiling for a photo alongside Trump. Inaugurated in October 2024, Subianto was once banned by the United States from entering for two decades due to his human rights record while in the military. He served as a special forces commander in a unit linked to torture and disappearances, allegations that he vehemently denied while campaigning.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's new Board of Peace includes 'controversial people' like Putin
Two men have died and a pregnant woman rushed to hospital in a serious condition after getting into trouble in a river on NSW's Mid North Coast.

Emergency services were called to John Locke Place at Gleniffer, at about 6.45pm on Sunday, following reports the group were struggling to swim.

The two men, believed to be in their 30s, were pulled from the Never Never River, however were unable to be revived and died at the scene.

NSW Ambulance told the Daily Mail a pregnant woman, also believed to be in her 30s, was transported to Coffs Harbour Health Campus for shock.

NSW Police confirmed a crime scene has been established as part of the investigation.

A report will be prepared for Coroner.
Natalie Barrows has quietly become the future Queen's most trusted aide

She is the Princess of Wales's discreet right-hand woman, but Natalie Barrows's recent outfit choice catapulted her straight into the limelight.

One of her most trusted aides, Ms Barrows accompanied Kate and Prince William for their official trip to Scotland on January 20.

While she has typically kept a low profile, the future Queen's assistant private secretary drew the attention of eagle-eyed royal fans who noticed she was twinning with Kate in near-identical navy tartan coats.

And this isn't the first time Ms Barrows has 'twinned' with Kate since she started working for the Palace in 2017.

When Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, visited the Natural History Museum in October 2019, the duo donned remarkably similar burgundy ensembles.

Kate and Ms Barrows also stepped out in matching navy jackets when they visited South Wales in February 2020.

Second in command of Kate's team of aides, Ms Barrows undertakes a position similar to a chief of staff as she does everything from coordinating her correspondence and making travel arrangements to organising her diary and planning her engagements.

Since joining the palace staff in her vital role, Ms Barrows is believed to have developed a close friendship with Kate - and what seems like a shared fashion sense.

While she has typically kept a low profile, the future Queen's assistant private secretary Natalie Barrows (left) drew the attention of eagle-eyed royal fans who noticed she was twinning with Kate in near-identical navy tartan coats during a recent visit to Scotland

When Kate, who is patron of the Natural History Museum, visited its Angela Marmont Centre in 2019, she opted to wear a berry-coloured turtleneck from Warehouse.

Ms Barrows's burgundy coat matched the then-Duchess' scallop-trimmed blouse perfectly as they were photographed together while arriving at the London attraction.

The following February, Kate and William travelled to South Wales for a joint engagement as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The princess arrived wearing a 349 navy Hobbs jacket with gold buttons in the centre as she looked typically stylish.

While Ms Barrows did not accompany the royal couple, she was spotted wearing a similar coat just days earlier when she was photographed with the princess in London.

They were not a perfect match at Wimbledon, but Kate and Ms Barrows both opted for well-tailored double-breasted blazers worn over flowy, midi skirts that were paired with pointed stiletto heels.

The mint green Balmain blazer the then-Duchess wore for the occasion quickly sold out afterwards in a remarkable example of the now-famous 'Kate Effect'.

A photo of Kate and Ms Barrows showed the dedicated staffer rushing to hand the royal her white Mulberry bag to complete the ensemble.

When Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, visited the Natural History Museum in October 2019, the duo donned remarkably similar burgundy ensembles

When Kate visited South Wales in February 2020, the princess opted for a 349 navy Hobbs jacket with gold buttons in the centre. Just days earlier, Ms Barrows was pictured in a similar coat during an engagement in London

They were not a perfect match at Wimbledon, but Kate and Ms Barrows both opted for well-tailored double-breasted blazers worn over flowy, midi skirts that were paired with pointed stiletto heels

When Kate greets members of the public during royal walkabouts, Ms Barrows is typically always just a few steps behind the princess.

After Kate and William finished a tartan-weaving lesson at a local studio in Stirling, Scotland, the pair were seen posing for selfies with well-wishers while accepting bouquets.

Ms Barrows was right behind Kate as she knew the right moment to step in and help her carry the flowers, cards, and any other gifts the princess received.

In her role, which requires a thorough understanding of royal etiquette and discretion, Ms Barrows has quietly been one of the most important people on Kate's team.

However, the matching tartan jackets propelled her into the spotlight as Ms Barrows wore a coat that was a near-identical replica of Kate's custom design.

On closer inspection, it was revealed that Ms Barrows's coat was a shade darker than Kate's and featured a different pattern to the one woven by Johnstons of Elgin for Her Royal Highness.
Horror is settling in for American homeowners as the gap between buyers and sellers grows even wider, leaving house-hunters with almost all the power.

A buyer's market occurs when homes for sale outnumber buyers, putting shoppers in a strong position to negotiate lower prices, ask for concessions, and take their time finding the right property.

The reverse holds in a seller's market, where scarce listings and heavy competition drive prices above asking and leave buyers with little leverage.

According to Redfin, nationwide there were 47 percent more sellers than buyers in December  placing the country as a whole firmly in buyer's market territory. It is the widest gap in a decade, and a sign that price cuts are likely to spread.

The strongest buyer's markets last month were concentrated in the Sun Belt, while all five seller's markets were clustered in the Northeast and Midwest.

'The Sun Belt isn't doomed, but it is going through a necessary reset,' Daryl Fairweather, Redfin's chief economist, told the Daily Mail.

'These metros benefited enormously from pandemicera migration and low rates, which encouraged rapid construction,' she explained. 'Now, inventory growth is outpacing buyer demand, tipping markets firmly in buyers' favor.'

Austin, Texas, stood out as the most lopsided market in December, with an estimated 128 percent more sellers than buyers  nearly two homes on the market for every would-be purchaser.

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Austin, Texas (pictured), stood out as the most lopsided market in December, with an estimated 128 percent more sellers than buyers

Daryl Fairweather, chief economist for Redfin

Fort Lauderdale followed close behind at 125 percent, with Nashville (111 percent), Miami (103 percent) and San Antonio (103 percent) rounding out the list of metros where inventory heavily outpaced demand.

Nassau County, New York, once again topped the list as December's strongest seller's market, with roughly 33.4 percent fewer homes available than buyers in the hunt  creating a tight, competitive scramble for listings.

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (-32.3 percent), Newark, New Jersey (-29.5 percent), Milwaukee (-26.1 percent) and New Brunswick, New Jersey (-19.3 percent) followed, all marked by lean inventory and bidding wars that tilted the advantage firmly toward sellers.

'It's possible we see even fewer sellers markets in the near term, but unlikely that every metro tips fully into buyersmarket territory at once,' said Fairweather.

'Some areas will always have structural constraints  limited inventory, strong local economies, or unique desirability  that keep them more competitive.'

This latest housing updates comes after Realtor.com revealed that 26 of the country's 50 biggest metro areas are now seeing home prices lower than they were a year ago.

For the first time in nearly three years, the median US listing price has also slipped below $400,000, a key psychological level that had held firm since the pandemic boom.

While prices are down 0.6 percent nationally, that average disguises much steeper falls across large swathes of the country.

Currently 26 of the country's 50 biggest metro areas are now seeing home prices lower than they were a year ago

Nassau County, NY, is the strongest seller's market (pictured: homes in Nassau County)

Again, the worst example is Austin, where prices have plunged 7.3 percent over the past year to $462,000, the biggest drop of any major metro.

Sellers across the country have also been forced to cut prices after watching their homes sit on the market for months while stubborn buyers hold all the negotiating power.

While this may seem like welcome news for frustrated buyers, it is actually a warning sign for the wider economy.

Falling prices make homeowners feel poorer, pull down household spending, drag on confidence, and can trigger deeper trouble in markets already stretched by high mortgage rates and shrinking savings.

For most Americans, their home is their biggest asset. Even a small 1 percent national price dip can erase billions in household wealth.
The belief that the pyramids were not built by human hands has fascinated conspiracy theorists for decades.

No one promoted that idea more persistently than Swiss author Erich von Daniken, often described as the father of ancient alien archaeology.

Von Daniken, who died this month aged 90, argued that extraterrestrial visitors played a direct role in helping ancient Egyptians construct monuments that would otherwise have been impossible.

In his 1968 bestseller 'Chariots of the Gods,' he claimed alien 'astronauts' visited early civilizations, including the ancient Egyptians and Mayans, and shared advanced technology.

As evidence, von Daniken pointed to the pyramids' precise engineering, unanswered questions about construction methods, striking mathematical and astronomical coincidences, and ancient carvings showing visiting beings.

He insisted the engineering precision of the Great Pyramid could not be explained by human skill alone, questioning how massive stone blocks were moved, how the structure was lit internally, and how builders appeared to possess advanced knowledge of mathematics, Earth, and space.

Taken together, he argued these mysteries proved the pyramids were not built solely by humans.

Despite his popularity, the claims have been repeatedly challenged by archaeologists and historians.

In von Danikens 1968 bestseller Chariots of the Gods, he wrote that ancient alien astronauts visited the Mayans and the ancient Egyptians

Research and archaeological evidence show large numbers of laborers were present in ancient Egypt, with records detailing how workers were fed and housed, along with cemeteries where they were buried.

Entire worker towns have also been discovered near pyramid sites, as well as quarries where stones were cut and transported.

Von Daniken is often described as the father of ancient alien archaeology because his bestselling books popularized and defined the idea that extraterrestrials influenced early human civilizations.

His works sold more than 60 million copies in 32 languages and helped push the theory that the pyramids were built with otherworldly assistance.

The Swiss author passed away on January 10, bringing his controversial ideas back into the spotlight.

The notion that aliens built the pyramids has appeared repeatedly in popular culture, from Futurama to Star Trek, and was recently endorsed by Elon Musk.

In July 2020, the billionaire posted on then-Twitter: 'Aliens built the pyramids obv.'

Von Daniken's work built on earlier theories suggesting non-human forces were responsible for the pyramids, including claims made by author Ignatius L. Donnelly, who proposed the structures were built by survivors of the lost civilization of Atlantis.

Von Daniken claims that the technology to build the pyramids was not available to ancient Egyptians

In 'Chariots of the Gods,' von Daniken argued that alien beings promised Egyptian pharaohs a 'second life,' which he said explained why rulers were mummified and buried with treasures intended for use after revival.

According to his theory, these god-like visitors would one day return from the stars to reawaken the preserved bodies of the dead.

Describing the Great Pyramid, von Daniken wrote: 'An artificial mountain some 490 feet high and weighing 31,200,000 tons stands there as an incredible achievement, and this monument is supposed to be nothing more than the burial place of an extravagant king! Anyone who can believe that explanation is welcome to it'

'Drawings and sagas actually indicated that the 'gods' promised to return from the stars to awaken the well-preserved bodies to new life,' he continued, also claiming Egyptian carvings showed beings 'visiting' ancient people.

Although lacking formal archaeological training, von Daniken traveled to Egypt and Latin America and used books, lectures, and videos to spread his theories worldwide.

He repeatedly argued the technology required to build the pyramids did not exist in ancient Egypt, writing: 'There are many problems connected to the technology of the pyramid builders and few solutions.'

The book made von Daniken rich and famous around the world

Among the mysteries he highlighted was the transportation of massive stone blocks, arguing that moving them on rollers would have required more wood than was available at the time.

He also claimed there was no evidence of workers or torches inside the Great Pyramid, suggesting the structure reflected scientific knowledge ancient humans could not have possessed.

'Is it really a coincidence that the height of the Pyramid of Cheops multiplied by 1,000 million corresponds approximately to the distance between the earth and sun?' he asked, before questioning whether it was a coincidence that a meridian running through the pyramid divided continents and oceans into two equal halves, and whether the pyramid's dimensions reflected the mathematical constant .

'Is it a coincidence that calculations of the weight of the earth were found and is it also a coincidence that the rocky ground on which the structure stands is carefully and accurately levelled?' he further wrote.

Von Daniken went on to write 25 more books expanding on ancient alien theories, while television series such as Ancient Aliens introduced his ideas to a wider audience.

Nigel Watson, author of Portraits of Alien Encounters Revisited, said von Daniken's success was rooted in belief rather than evidence.

'At a time when there was the excitement surrounding the Apollo moon missions and the release of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, Daniken used a mixture of speculation to link virtually any ancient structure with alien visitations,' Watson said.

'Thumbing his nose at mainstream archaeology, he claimed aliens either directly built the pyramids or helped humans to build them,' Watson added. 'It did not matter what sceptics said, as this was all based on belief rather than facts.

'He exploited these beliefs, and he did not care whether they were true or not; they made him rich and famous. Some will see him as a cynical conman, others as a fearless pioneer who fought mainstream science.'
Humanity is about to learn if we have moved closer to selfdestruction as the Doomsday Clock is updated.

The new time for the symbolic timepiece, which ticks closer to midnight as we approach annihilation, will be revealed on Tuesday, January 27.

Since last year, the clock has sat at 89 seconds to midnight  the latest time in its 78year history.

However, experts have told the Daily Mail they now expect the Doomsday Clock to move even closer to midnight.

While the Doomsday Clock was initially created to track the risk of nuclear war between Russia and America, the world now faces a far more diverse array of threats.

Experts say that a changing global political order, rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), and the looming threat of climate change make it 'inevitable' that the clock will move forward.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS), which decides how the hands are set, will reveal this year's time in a livestream starting at 15:00 GMT.

The Daily Mail will also be covering the announcement as it arrives on Tuesday, but until then, here's everything you need to know about the Doomsday Clock.

Last year the Doomsday Clock, which reflects how close we are to destruction, moved to 89 seconds to midnight. When it changes again on Tuesday, experts predict it will move forward again

How do experts think the Doomsday Clock will change?

The Daily Mail reached out to some of the leading experts on existential risk and nuclear war  and the outlook for humanity does not look good.

Alicia SandersZakre, head of policy at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, told the Daily Mail: 'In my opinion, the Clock could be moved forward by at least one second.

'Our biggest concern is the existential threat posed by the more than 12,000 nuclear weapons in the world today.'

During 2025, Ms SandersZakre says that nuclear weapons posed an 'existential risk' to the world's survival.

Spending on nuclear weapons topped at $100 billion, and conflict between nucleararmed neighbours India and Pakistan served as a chilling reminder of the risk.

While nuclear risk was a key factor for the BAS moving the clock forward last year, the expert says that the situation is now even more critical.

She adds: 'While the risk of nuclear use has been an existential threat for 80 years, it has increased in the last year, due to skyrocketing investments in nuclear arms, increasingly threatening nuclear rhetoric and actions and the increasing application of artificial intelligence in militaries.'

Experts say that increasing conflict between the leaders of global superpowers, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured), has increased the risk of nuclear war

How do the experts think the Doomsday Clock will change? Alicia SandersZakre, head of policy at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons: Moved forward at least one second Hamza Chaudhry, AI and National security lead at the Future of Life Institute: Moved forward five to 10 seconds SJ Beard, researcher at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge: Moved forward nine seconds Andrew Shepherd, climate scientist at Northumbria University: Moved forward at least one second Advertisement

While Ms Sanders-Zakre suggests the clock will only change by one second, others predict a more dramatic jump.

Dr SJ Beard, researcher at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge and author of 'Existential Hope', told the Daily Mail they think the clock should be moved nine seconds forward.

'Personally, I am no longer so worried about nuclear weapons being used in a proxy war like Ukraine, but I am more worried than I have ever been about direct nuclear conflict between the world's superpowers,' says Dr Beard.

'The multilateral world order is now totally collapsed, and we are already in a multipolar reality, where all countries are having to pick a side between authoritarian strong men.'

As the US under Donald Trump's administration asserts an increasingly dominating presence on the world stage, the rules of economic and foreign policy that previously governed the world are eroding.

If this leads to open confrontation between China, Russia, the US, and even European or NATO nations, the risk of nuclear war is significantly increased.

Dr Beard says that the risk of nuclear war might be slightly lower in the immediate short term due to the friendly relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

However, this is likely to become an issue in the long term since the two leaders are 'unlikely to remain friends forever'.

In 2025, Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing on a level with China. Experts say that a nuclear war between superpowers is now increasingly likely. Pictured: An unarmed Minuteman III missile launched during testing in 2020

What factors mean the Doomsday Clock might move forward? Expanding national nuclear arsenals

Increased conflict between global superpowers

Fractured cooperation over Ukraine

Russia's growing willingness to deploy nuclearcapable weapons

Expiration of the New START nuclear arms treaty

Rapid acceleration of AI technology

Increasing pressure from extreme weather due to climate change Advertisement

Additionally, experts point out that imminent changes to the rules governing nuclear weapons will increase the risk significantly.

In three weeks, the New START Treaty, which limits nations' strategic nuclear arsenals, is set to expire with no real framework in place to renew it.

Hamza Chaudhry, AI and national security lead at the Future of Life Institute, told the Daily Mail that this warrants moving the Doomsday Clock five to 10 seconds forward.

'For the first time since the early Cold War, there will be no bilateral arms control treaty limiting USRussian strategic arsenals,' says Mr Chaudhry.

'While President Trump has expressed interest in talks, as of today, there's been no concrete progress. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the nuclear arms control architecture.'

At the same time, other factors include China's rapidly growing nuclear arsenal and 'fractured' cooperation around Ukraine.

Mr Chaudhry says: 'China is on a trajectory to match US and Russian ICBM numbers by the end of the decade.

'China's arsenal growth creates pressure on US planning, which creates pressure on Russian planning, in cascading spirals, and there's no trilateral arms control framework.'

Risk experts point to Russia's deployment of the nuclearcapable Oreshnik missile (pictured) as a sign of growing risk that could spiral into nuclear war

Mr Chaudhry also points specifically to Russia's use of the Oreshnik missile, which had previously been exclusively used for nuclear warheads, and Ukraine's targeting of Russian strategic bombers at Olenya airbase.

These factors represent a growing escalation risk which 'could spiral into nuclear conflict.'

Beyond nuclear war, experts also warn that the growing danger of AI and climate change could push the Doomsday Clock closer to midnight.

Dr Beard suggests that this will be the first year that AI 'is given equal billing to nuclear weapons'.

Recent announcements that major military powers will integrate AI into decisionmaking systems create a risk that conflict might escalate faster than humans can control it.

There is also mounting evidence that AI increases the risk of annihilation through bioweapons by putting the tools to engineer viruses and proteins in nonstate hands.

Likewise, as companies like OpenAI and Anthropic pursue superadvanced 'artificial general intelligence', Dr Beard says AI is now an 'existential risk driver in its own right'.

Professor Andrew Shepherd, a climate scientist from Northumbria University, told the Daily Mail: 'I would not be surprised to see the clock change once again.'

The rapid development of artificial intelligence by companies like OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman (pictured), could exacerbate existing risks or turn AI into an existential threat in its own right

He adds: 'Sadly, the past year has been another one of climate extremes for our climate.

'In the cold parts of our planet, the most notable changes are a return to rapid ice loss in Greenland and a continuation of the rapid decline in sea ice in the Southern Ocean.

'These changes have consequences felt by us all as they drive sea level rise and global warming through reductions in the planetary albedo.'

What is the Doomsday Clock?

The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic timepiece showing how close the world is to a humanmade global catastrophe, as deemed by experts.

The clock dates back to June 1947, when US artist Martyl Langsdorf was hired to design a new cover for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists journal.

With a striking image on the cover, the organisation hoped to 'frighten men into rationality', according to Eugene Rabinowitch, the first editor of the journal.

It came amid a backdrop of public fear surrounding atomic warfare and weaponry, just two years after the Second World War ended.

The clock dates back to June 1947 and was created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Pictured: Dr Leonard Rieser, Chairman of the Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, moves the hand of the Doomsday Clock in 1991

Every year, the clock is updated based on how close we are to the total annihilation of humanity ('midnight').

The clock is set by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a nonprofit organisation based in Chicago that publishes an academic journal.

If the clock goes forward and gets closer to midnight (compared with where it was set the previous year), it suggests humanity has got closer to selfdestruction.

But if it moves back, further away from midnight, it suggests humanity has reduced the risks of global catastrophe in the past 12 months.

In some years, such as 2024, the hands of the clock don't move at all  which suggests the global situation has not changed.
America's most sensitive nuclear sites have been secretly invaded by thousands of unidentified flying objects, a stunning new report has revealed.

Crowdsourced platform Enigma revealed to the Daily Mail that there have been more than 2,800 'unidentified aerial sightings' over 90 US nuclear plants or nuclear weapons facilities over the last eight decades.

The new report detailed sightings of objects often described as glowing orbs, disks, spheres, cylinders, or triangles hovering or flying in precise patterns within 25 miles of these nuclear sites.

One of the most recent reports from April 2025 captured video of a glowing orange ball changing shape while flying over Bear, Delaware, which is located near the Salem Nuclear Power Plant and Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey.

'It just kept getting bigger, disappearing, bigger, disappearing. I thought it was just a star at first, or just a plane from a distance. Then I realized it got a lot, lot closer and kept getting closer and bigger. Then it started flashing,' the witness described.

'It wasn't a drone. It wasn't mechanical. It would actually morph into different shapes.'

One witness in California from April 2023 said: 'After hovering, it arched sideways and disappeared in the blink of an eye. I felt it was observing Diablo Canyon Nuclear plant.'

More than 70 of these reports specifically referenced UFOs with metallic or reflective surfaces flying over bases in broad daylight during the early dawn hours.

Over 1,800 UFO sightings have been reported near US nuclear power plants, while more than 1,000 sightings have been documented at military nuclear weapons sites

An image taken in February 2024 in Salem, New Jersey captured multiple small objects merging with a larger object near the local nuclear plant

Enigma added that nuclear sites and missile bases in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Florida saw the biggest clusters of sightings.

Moreover, these incidents exploded during the mysterious drone surge over the East Coast between November 2024 and February 2025.

Enigma said: 'Many of these sightings described structured, light-emitting objects that pulsed or changed color before disappearing - characteristics that closely resemble those attributed to the unidentified drones reported across the region at the time.'

One witness near the Salem nuclear power plant claimed that several small objects hovering over the facility seemed to combine into one large UFO in February 2024.

'I was coming up to the Salem hospital and saw these four lights in a square hovering over the building, it looked like, but the closer I got, they seemed to disappear,' the witness revealed.

'So I started recording, and you see all these little lights going into the big bright one and not coming back out.'

Although the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office is charged with investigating reports of UFOs, the military has maintained that there has never been any physical evidence that proves extraterrestrials or UFOs exist.

The new report also detailed how many of the thousands of objects easily violated restricted airspace, raising concerns about how safe America's national security sites really are.

Join the debate What do you think these UFO incursions say about the safety of our nuclear sites and national security?

Enigma Labs has revealed that more than 2,800 UFO sightings have taken place directly over or nearby nuclear power plants and military bases

The sightings were reported over several years and sent to the crowdsourced platform by eyewitnesses, including civilians, pilots, and military personnel

'If these objects belong to foreign intelligence or advanced programs, they expose vulnerabilities in national defense,' Enigma researchers wrote in a statement.

'If they are something unknown to science, they may represent new physics or technology. Either possibility demands improved detection, data sharing, and protective measures.'

Enigma, which allows people to report sightings and share pictures or videos of UFOs on an app, noted that these incidents include the strange craft seen over Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana in 1967, just as several Minuteman missiles shut down.

The sightings of strange craft and unidentifiable objects over nuclear plants weren't limited to just the US.

Researchers detailed how witnesses claimed they saw UFOs over two major nuclear disasters - the 1986 reactor meltdown in Chernobyl, Ukraine and the 2011 accident in Fukushima, Japan.

In Chernobyl, a bright cylindrical object was reportedly seen hovering near the burning remnants of the nuclear plant's Reactor 4. There has never been any confirmation that the radiation dipped after the sighting, as some have claimed.

During the Japanese meltdown, similar glowing objects were allegedly flying over the damaged reactor; however, these sightings were later suggested to be foreign drones conducting surveillance of the accident.

In 1967, multiple nuclear missiles were disabled during alleged UFO encounters over Malmstrom Airforce Base in Montana (Pictured)

Limerick Generating Station nuclear energy plant in Pottstown, Pennsylvania (Stock Image)

In the US, the sightings go all the way back to the dawn of the US nuclear program in the late 1940s, with Enigma detailing how 'bright green fireballs' were reported near Kirtland and Sandia Air Force Bases in New Mexico.

Overall, Enigma Labs has collected over 1,800 reports of UFOs flying and hovering near 53 nuclear power plants in the US.

Another 1,000 reports specifically mentioned incidents that allegedly took place over 37 US military bases linked to nuclear weapons research or missile launch sites.

Half of these sightings claimed that the objects were able to hover or seemed to float through the air, and one-third mentioned suddenly disappearing or vanishing into thin air.
The 'jealous' ex-boyfriend of Barron Trump's friend has claimed the President's son was being 'led on' by the woman.

Matvei Rumiantsev, 22, is on trial in the UK for allegedly raping and beating the woman, who is friends with the President Trump's son. He denies the allegations.

She previously told the court that Barron saved her life by contacting the emergency services after he allegedly witnessed her being attacked over FaceTime.

Accusations: The 'jealous' ex-boyfriend of Barron Trump's friend has claimed the President's son was being 'led on' by her

Rumiantsev admitted it was 'hard not to be jealous' and the communication between them in late 2024 and early 2025 became a source of tension in their relationship.

He told the court he had been unfairly portrayed as losing his temper over their friendship.

The former wrestler claimed: 'She was frankly leading him on. I'm being portrayed as a highly jealous person who loses his temper. I can't say I wasn't jealous. I considered her actions towards him wrong. It wasn't fair either to him or to me.'

Rumiantsev said he was used to his ex receiving regular calls from the 'quite persistent' Barron by the night of the alleged attack on January 18, 2025.

Allegations: Matvei Rumiantsev has denied raping and strangling the woman

He told the court: 'Throughout the day, she had missed calls from him [Barron]. The U.S. is in a different time zone, so he was calling her in the morning, and then he apparently slept, and then he was calling in the evening.'

The court heard Rumiantsev became upset after discovering the woman had referred to Barron as 'sweetheart' in messages, telling jurors the nickname made him feel 'unwell'.

He allegedly 'flew into a rage' after spotting Barron FaceTiming the woman in the early hours of January 18, before answering the call and attacking her as the President's son watched in horror from across the Atlantic, jurors heard.

'Persistent': Rumiantsev said he was used to his ex receiving regular calls from Barron

Barron called the UK's emergency line 999 from the U.S. and spoke to the police, urging them to help his female friend.

The victim claimed he saved her life, and that his FaceTime call to her that night was a 'sign from God'.

Rumiantsev is charged with raping the woman on two occasions, assault, actual bodily harm and obstruction of justice.

Police rushed to his home in Poplar, London, in the early hours after Barron called 999 at 2.23am.

'I'm calling from the U.S., uh I just got a call from a girl, you know, she's getting beat up,' Barron told the operator, the court heard.

'This was happening about eight minutes ago. I just figured out how to, how to call someone. Uh, uh it's really an emergency.'

The President's son had allegedly watched on FaceTime as Rumiantsev grabbed the woman by the hair and pushed her to the floor, shouting 'you are not worth anything'.

Rumiantsev called the woman a 'slut' and a 'whore' and kicked her in the stomach when she was on the floor, jurors heard.

The woman told officers she had been slapped, punched, kicked and strangled during the assault.

She told cops that the Russian would deliberately get her drunk and have sex with her without consent.

She said she had asked him why he did this to her and he responded: 'You never want to do this with me so I make you drink and do this to you.'

Fascination surrounds Barron's role in saving the woman as he remains remarkably private despite being the son of the most famous man in the world. He told investigators that he met the girl 'on social media'.

Barron broke up with an unidentified girlfriend in November, according to reports, and is currently single.
'What on earth are you wearing?' my best friend asks, staring at me in utter disbelief.

It's 6am and we've met at Luton airport, ready for a flight to Lisbon for a weekend away. I'm dressed in platform wedges and a dress - she's in trainers and a matching grey tracksuit.

While it might sound as though I've dolled up for an occasion, that's not the case at all. This is my standard airport attire.

On a recent trip to Riga, Latvia, I was dressed much the same - albeit in a more winter-appropriate manner.

Black trousers, a fur coat and my trusty heeled boots were my uniform this time around - never stilettos, though. I wouldn't ignore the safety risk associated with heels that could puncture an escape slide in case of emergency.

Why, you might ask, would I wear something so uncomfortable on board when I could opt for something more pyjama-esque like my fellow passengers?

Despite what you might think, it has nothing to do with wanting a last-minute upgrade. In fact, I've never even asked for one - nor been offered.

And even though I believe each to their own, and would never judge or question someone else's outfit choice, my reasons for dressing up are threefold.

On a recent trip to the Baltics, Erin wore heels and a fur coat during the journey

Arriving in Lisbon city centre straight from the airport - wearing a maxi dress

Choosing fashion over comfort is not for everyone - but our writer is a fan

First and foremost, you will never ever catch me in tracksuits or activewear outside of the gym or my own home.

Having spent several years of my life living in Paris, I know this is perhaps the number one fashion rule French women abide by.

You'll never spot a true Parisienne in leggings and a hoodie in public.

Secondly, taking a flight - especially a short-haul one - is no excuse for slovenliness.

Last year, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged travellers taking flights to dress better on board. I have to say, I agree.

Gone are the days when taking a flight was the height of sophistication - back when women wore dresses and hats and men wore suits.

But a girl can dream.

We may live in an era where UGG boots, tracksuits and oversized fleeces are the most common sights on planes, but I feel differently - I'd much rather give up two hours of excess comfort to look my best. Controversial, I know.

Dressing up on board helps to project an image of confidence

Another typical outfit Erin's worn for a work-related travel trip

An hour after landing at Paris airport - just for a quick weekend getaway

Finally, I believe the way we dress projects both an external image, and helps to reflect how we want to feel on the inside.

When people stare at me at the gate and on board, I don't even mind - I know I look ridiculous, but at least I feel put-together.

We all know that age-old adage: 'Dress for the life you want, not for the life you have.'

When I'm flying, this is how I want to feel. I don't want to be a tired, sleepy twentysomething heading on a budget weekend away.

I'd much rather convince myself I'm a glamorous, sophisticated jet-setter, a la Audrey Hepburn or Jackie Kennedy, waltzing on board with a black coffee in hand and a (fake) designer handbag in the other.
Netflix fans have been left gripped by a 'dynamic and exciting' period drama hailed as 'an absolute must-see' - with pirates, love triangles and heaps of action.

The eight-part television series Sandokan: The Pirate Prince, based on Emilio Salgari's Sandokan novels, hit Italian network Rai 1 in December last year.

It recently landed on Netflix, and according to Metro, it has already climbed the top 10.

The streamer's synopsis reads: 'Pirate captain Sandokan and his crew fight to protect the Dayak people from the clutches of the British Empire in 19th-century Southeast Asia.'

Lead actor Can Yaman portrays Sandokan, with the pirate hero and his crew sailing the South China Sea.

Joining Turkish star Can, 36, is Italian actor Alessandro Preziosi, 52, in the role of Yanez.

Eight-part television series Sandokan recently landed on Netflix - after first debuting last year on Italian network Rai 1

The popular pirate drama series is based on Emilio Salgari's Sandokan novels - with Can Yaman as the title character

Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick, 38, plays Lord James Brooke, a pirate hunter in pursuit of Sandokan.

Brooke is also chasing the affections of Marianne (Alanah Bloor), who has fallen for Sandokan.

Meanwhile, Race Across The World narrator John Hannah, 63, stars as Sergeant Murray in this series.

Taking to IMDB, one fan penned: 'An extremely interesting and dynamic series!

'The story unfolds in such an exciting way that every episode ending makes you want to keep watching more and more.

'It definitely holds your attention and doesn't let you lose interest. At the beginning, I was a bit skeptical, but the series pleasantly surprised me.

'The plot is well developed, full of intriguing twists and constant suspense. The characters are convincing and add a lot to the overall experience.

'I definitely recommend watching it - you won't regret it.'

The streamer's synopsis reads: 'Pirate captain Sandokan and his crew fight to protect the Dayak people from the clutches of the British Empire in 19th-century Southeast Asia.'

Fans took to review site IMDb to share their thoughts

Another added: 'I really liked everything about the episodes, it's a completely new approach to a classic story, which's part of Italian culture.

'All the actors were very good, I particularly liked Can Yaman performance, who played a role different from those we're accustomed to.

'And I think it'll become even better in the next episodes. I'll watch it in English to appreciate him better.

'I'm looking forward to watching the second season! I'm rewatching it every day!'

While a third chimed in: 'From the first moment we perceive that the story will tell of great characters and deeds.

'It will do so with a modern, human approach that takes into account the Personal history of each character.

'An origin story that explains the birth of each character, his evolution. Important themes such as colonialism, friendship, love, sacrifice are addressed.

'The story unfolds gradually, coherently and truthfully... it is not the usual pirate story: it is a journey into the human soul with its dark sides.

Based on Agatha Christie's 1929 novel of the same name, Seven Dials follows Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent (Mia McKenna-Bruce) investigating a murder at a 1920s country house

'Can Yaman gives a fully convincing and heartfelt performance: he seems born for this role! Measured, immersed in the story, intense... an absolute must-see!'

Sandokan is available to stream on Netflix.

Elsewhere, Netflix's new murder mystery Seven Dials rocketed up the charts - but fans had a major complaint.

Based on Agatha Christie's 1929 novel of the same name, it follows Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent (Mia McKenna-Bruce) investigating a murder at a 1920s country house.

Joined by Scotland Yard's Superintendent Battle (Martin Freeman), these sleuths uncover dark secrets linking the death to the elusive Seven Dials society.

The cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter as Bundle's mother, Lady Caterham.

One viewer wrote on X: 'Im not normally a book adaptation purist but Seven Dials on Netflix has taken out so much from the original that all the tension, intrigue and fun have gone, which in a murder mystery is quite important.'

Another shared: How is it possible to make an Agatha Christie murder mystery dull, bland and uninteresting?'

A third branded the series as 'terrible' and argued that Seven Dials contained a 'creaky script and boring tropes'.
She was once a wild party girl, burning the candle at both ends as she navigated her radio job with the BBC with the buzzing music scene during the Nineties.

However former 'ladette' Zoe Ball is now living a more relaxed life, having taken a step back from her work to prioritise her children and mental health.

Earlier this week the presenter's mystery boyfriend of over a year was revealed after the pair were spotted on a coastal stroll near their home in Brighton.

Yet while Zoe has found love again, it has been a tough couple of years for the star after the tragic passing of her mother Julia in April 2024.

It's been almost two years since her death, but Zoe is still riding the rollercoaster of grief, recently describing her mother's last few months as 'a crazy, awful hideous nightmare'.

Julia died just 12 weeks after receiving a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and Zoe has since revealed she had an emotional breakdown following her death.

Zoe Ball detailed the 'crazy, hideous nightmare' of losing her mum after a childhood estrangement before finding a happy ending with 'sexy' new boyfriend

Zoe was just two when Julia, then 21, walked out on the family, leaving her dad, the children's TV presenter Johnny Ball, to bring up their daughter

However the pair didn't have a smooth sailing relationship and were in fact estranged until Zoe turned 18.

Zoe was just two when Julia, then 21, walked out on the family, leaving her dad, the children's TV presenter Johnny Ball, to bring up their daughter.

Reflecting on her mother's death and their estrangement in an interview with The Times last week she confessed: 'I was only a little girl. I wonder sometimes whether that double whammy of losing her when I was young, and then losing her again  But we made up for that time.'

When Zoe was six, her father Johnny married a dancer, Di, and the couple brought her up, along with her two half-brothers, Nick and Dan.

Julia also remarried and had a son, Jamie, then married again and gained two stepdaughters, Ellie and Hannah. Zoe saw her mum regularly until she was seven, but then didn't see her again until she was 18.

'My mum said that from the minute she was pregnant, I was always Daddy's girl and when they split up everybody thought it would be best for me to stay with my dad,' Zoe said in a previous interview.

'I saw my mum until I was about seven, but then she stayed away because she thought it would give me more stability. It was never a problem for me because I always knew she was there.'

'Dad was always really cool about me seeing Mum if I wanted to,' she said. 'But although she sent birthday cards and presents, I never responded. Mum was around, and I knew she was there. But she had her life, and I had mine.'

Earlier this week the presenter's mystery boyfriend of over a year was revealed as BAFTA-winning production designer Mathieu Weekes after the pair were spotted on stroll in Brighton

'My mum said that from the minute she was pregnant, I was always Daddy's girl and when they split up everybody thought it would be best for me to stay with my dad,' Zoe said in a previous interview (pictured her dad Johnny with his wife Di and Zoe's children Woody and Nelly)

Zoe held no resentment towards her mother's absence during her childhood. She said: 'She was young, didn't want to be a mum, so legged it. I can understand that' (pictured in 2010)

When she was 18 and Julia 40, the mother and daughter were reconciled  with Zoe saying it was as if they had never been estranged.

'Her husband, Rick, rang me up and said it would be a really nice surprise for her if I got in touch. So I did and it was quite an emotional day,' she said.

Agreeing to attend Julia's 40th birthday party, Zoe recalled that on the day she 'could hardly breathe.'

She told the Mirror in 1997. 'I felt faint but somehow managed to hold myself together. I suddenly panicked: "What if we hate each other?".'

It was her mum who answered the door  and all hesitation was gone. 'Mum hadn't changed a bit, except she didn't seem quite so tall,' Zoe recalled.

The pair fell into each other's arms. 'We spent such a lovely first day together . . . lots of crying and girlie emotion.'

In the coming years, they would see each other all the time. Zoe once noted that if she needed any clarification of what she was doing, career-wise, she could consult her mum's cuttings collection as she kept all the press cuttings from Zoe's successes.

Zoe held no resentment towards her mother's absence during her childhood. In an interview for The Independent in 2002 she said: 'She was young, didn't want to be a mum, so legged it. I can understand that.'

She also conceded that her youthful refusal to see her mum might have been down to the fear of being disappointed.

'I had this fantasy about her being a brilliant person, which I don't think I wanted to ruin by meeting her. I remembered her in a suede jacket with fur trim, and suede boots, terribly glamorous.'

Yet after their reconciliation Zoe and her mum made up for lost time, and had just spent Christmas in the Caribbean together when Julia got her cancer diagnosis.

Seeing her mother lose her strength and energy so quickly to the disease she said: 'I dont think Ive ever been so angry. I really felt like she deserved longer.'

After her death Zoe took to Instagram with a poignant tribute as she wrote: 'Sleep tight dear Mama. Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy. And how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts.'

Following Julia's death, the star took time off from her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show before later stepping down from her morning slot all together after her mother's death forced her to reconsider things.

Julia died just 12 weeks after receiving a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and Zoe has since revealed she had an emotional breakdown following her death

After her death Zoe took to Instagram with a poignant tribute as she wrote: 'Sleep tight dear Mama'

Zoe's mother's death isn't the only tragedy she has faced after her previous partner Billy Yates (pictured) took his own life in 2017

Zoe shares two children, Woody, 25, and Nelly, 16, with her ex husband Norman and the pair are still on good terms with the DJ even calling Zoe his 'soulmate'

Speaking on her Persephonica podcast Dig It with Jo Whiley, Zoe said: 'I couldn't work. I was on the floor in the kitchen. I couldn't, I couldn't move.

'I had a proper emotional breakdown, you know, I haven't really talked about it actually. But it was, yeah, it was brutal.

'I had an amazing doctor who turned up at my door with coffee and bagels and said, "so, we need to get you some help", and he was wonderful.'

The mum of two admitted she found Julia's first birthday since her passing extremely difficult.

She explained: 'It's a year and a bit since we lost Mum, and I found her birthday this year, the toughest, the toughest, you know, a whole year later.

'That was brutal. It was a week of absolute weeping, I still get quite emotional sort of talking about mum, even now.

'But I think leaning on your loved ones is the best thing and also just not being afraid to weep. There's a lot of crying, there's a lot of pain that has to come out.'

Zoe's mother's death isn't the only tragedy she has faced after her previous partner Billy Yates took his own life in 2017, a year after Zoe's split from her husband Fatboy Slim, real name Norman Cook.

The camera man sadly took his own life after a long battle with depression, with Zoe revealing she'd been 'in shock for two years' following the loss.

In an emotional interview on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in February 2020, Zoe spoke of Billy's death and the grief she endured after he took his own life.

Zoe said: 'I think its so isolating to be trapped in your mind like that, when you doubt yourself, you doubt everything youve ever known. You doubt your family love you. You doubt your friends care for you.'

But she insisted there is always help available and that 'it's important to share there is hope.'

Zoe remembered the man she loved and said 'he was so full of love and would help anyone in need', and insisted he should be 'remembered for his life, not his death.'

The star has confessed she still speaks to both her mum and Billy in a place on the South Downs that she can walk to from her home in Brighton.

Zoe shares two children, Woody, 25, and Nelly, 16, with her ex husband Norman and the pair are still on good terms with the DJ even calling Zoe his 'soulmate'.

Announcing in December that she would be fully stepping down from BBC Radio 2, Zoe revealed it was time to leave her weekend show to be there more for her children as Nelly prepares to do her GCSEs.

Announcing in December that she would be fully stepping down from BBC Radio 2, Zoe revealed she wanted be there more for her children as Nelly prepares to do her GCSEs

Her departure raised eyebrows that she could be clearing her calendar to takeover the Strictly hosting reigns from Tess and Claudia, a role she has shared she would love to do.

In her personal life Zoe has also found love again after her mystery boyfriend was revealed as BAFTA-winning production designer Mathieu Weekes, 49.

Bundled up in a beanie hat and animal-print scarf, Zoe beamed as she walked arm in arm with Mathieu in her home town this week.

The Daily Mail revealed that Mathieu is an award-winning production designer who has worked on hit shows including The Traitors, I'm A Celeb, for which he won a 2021 BAFTA, Love Island and Squid Game: The Challenge.

It was whilst designing the set for 2023 talent show Mamma Mia!  I Have a Dream that Mathieu met Zoe, who presented the series filmed in Greece. Zoe's last public relationship with construction worker Michael Reed ended in 2023.

The couple were first seen together at Glastonbury last June, a week after she first referred to 'my fella' while on Radio 2.

Last month, Zoe opened up on her 'lover' and revealed what she finds 'sexy' about her partner - just weeks after confirming he had moved into her seaside home.

The star previously referred to Mathieu as 'The Lodger' during chats about him on her Dig It podcast which she co-hosts with pal Jo Whiley, where she hinted he can spend months away from the UK at a time.

'Sniffing pits is sexy though,' she confessed on a recent episode, 'I've often had this thing, when I've been sort of dating someone, I love smelling their armpits.'

'I know it sounds weird, but if you love someone, you've got to love all their smells, not necessarily their bathroom smells. I draw a line at that. But there's something about armpit smells that I think are really sexy.'

She continued: 'My favourite thing to often do is sometimes, especially if I've not seen my lover for a while, is when they've got their arms around you, I'm like sniffing in the armpits, and I get a right old look. I'm like, I like that smell. It's a good smell.'
Dans la nuit du 20 au 21 janvier 2026, vers minuit, une operation de lutte contre linsecurite menee au village Ndogbong, dans le 10e arrondissement de Douala, a permis linterpellation de deux individus suspectes de cybercriminalite. Linformation a ete officiellement communiquee par le Commissaire de Securite Publique de larrondissement.

Lors de leur arrestation, les deux suspects etaient en possession de six telephones portables de valeur et de nombreuses cartes SIM. Une exploitation rapide de ces elements a revele quil sagissait de specialistes de lescroquerie en ligne.

La perquisition de leurs domiciles a permis de saisir une partie importante de leur materiel de travail : deux ordinateurs portables, dix telephones portables supplementaires et dix-neuf cartes SIM.

Selon les premieres investigations, le premier suspect aurait mis en place une replique de la page Facebook  TAMA Love , une agence matrimoniale et conjugale internationale. Il sen servait pour appater ses victimes, les depouiller puis les bloquer sur la plateforme.

Le second individu, quant a lui, utilisait la page Facebook  Immigration Luxembourg  pour escroquer des personnes cherchant a voyager au Luxembourg. Il les attirait avec de fausses promesses de voyage et de facilitation de demarches.

Le Commissaire de Securite Publique du 10e arrondissement invite toute victime de ces deux presumes cybercriminels a se rapprocher de son unite dans les plus brefs delais, afin de permettre de peaufiner les investigations en cours. Il appelle egalement les usagers des reseaux sociaux a redoubler de vigilance et encourage toute personne ayant entendu ce communique a le relayer.

Douala: Two Cybercriminals Arrested in Night Operation, Victims Urged to Come Forward

In the night between January 20 and 21, 2026, around midnight, an anti-insecurity operation in Ndogbong village, in Doualas 10th district, led to the arrest of two suspects believed to be involved in online fraud. The Public Security Commissioner of the district confirmed the operation.

During the arrest, the suspects were found in possession of six valuable mobile phones and numerous SIM cards. A quick analysis of these items revealed that they were specialists in online scams.

A search of their homes resulted in the seizure of additional equipment, including two laptops, ten more mobile phones, and nineteen SIM cards.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the first suspect created a replica of the Facebook page TAMA Love, a so-called international matrimonial and marital agency. He used it to lure victims, defraud them, and then block them on the platform.

The second suspect operated via the Facebook page Immigration Luxembourg, targeting individuals interested in traveling to Luxembourg. He allegedly scammed them with false travel and immigration assistance offers.

The Public Security Commissioner invites any victim of these alleged cybercriminals to contact his unit as soon as possible to help with ongoing investigations. He also urges social media users to exercise maximum caution and encourages the public to share this warning.



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Silognhia Edwige (Stagiaire)
Its been a hot minute since Australians last spotted Emma Harrison on their screens - but she's making sure no one forgets her anytime soon.

The former Neighbours siren, who shot to fame as Joanna Hartman in the '90s, has resurfaced with a steamy new photoshoot, proving age really is just a number.

After bowing out of Ramsay Street in 1997, the blonde bombshell wasted no time slipping back into the modelling world she first entered at just 15.

And she didnt exactly do it quietly - landing glossy covers for Loaded, Maxim, Inside Sport and FHM, not to mention posing alongside a then-up-and-coming Isla Fisher.

She even nabbed the coveted Australian Playboy cover in July 1997, with the mag going so far as to crown Emma one of the ten sexiest women in the world at the time.

Now, almost three decades later - and at 52 - Emma is once again back in front of the lens, proving she's still got it in a sizzling new shoot thats pure throwback glamour with a modern edge.

Former Neighbours siren Emma Harrison, 52, (pictured) has resurfaced with a steamy new photoshoot, proving age really is just a number

The Australian actress rose to fame playing Joanna Hartman in the iconic soap Neighbours. Pictured

Age, it seems, has done nothing but sharpen her allure.

The photos show a very youthful-looking Emma posing seductively with a copy of her 1997 Playboy cover.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, Emma said the shoot was about coming 'full circle.'

'It wasn't really about nostalgia, or trying to look young again. It was more about honouring where I've been and what I've become  I'm not the same woman as I was back then' she said.

'I feel like I'm stronger, more grounded, more confident... I wanted to celebrate that.'

Emma added: 'I feel like I'm prouder of who I am now than who I was back then. It felt like closing a beautiful circle.'

There's no denying that Emma looks ageless in the new photos, particularly when juxtaposed with her 1997 Playboy cover shoot.

So, just what is her secret to looking so young?

After leaving the show in 1997, the blonde bombshell revisited the modelling career she started at age 15, featuring on a raft of high-profile covers including Loaded, Maxim, Inside Sport, and FHM alongside Isla Fisher

She even nabbed the coveted Australian Playboy cover in July 1997, with the mag going so far as to crown Emma one of the ten sexiest women in the world at the time

The photos show a very youthful-looking Emma posing seductively with a copy of her 1997 Playboy cover

'I do a lot of yoga and I eat really healthily and I always have,' she said.

'Look, it could be partly genetics as well, but a lot of it has to do with my lifestyle. I'm just quite a healthy person. I exercise daily, and yoga is definitely my go-to.'

Speaking about her time on Neighbours playing Joanna Hartman, the younger sibling of Annalise Hartman (Kimberley Davies), Emma said she didn't realise the impact the show had until she first visited the UK.

'Being famous in England was surreal. The level of recognition that I got was on another scale,' she said.

'People would stop me in the streets and send me letters and flowers and inappropriate fan mail. It was just overwhelming at times and really a bit of a culture shock.'

Emma revealed one surprise interaction with a UK fan that ended in a marriage proposal.

'I just remember this one man he was running ran up to me on the street in Hempstead, of all places, with a big bunch of flowers, and he asked me to marry him,' she laughed.

'Moments like that kind of made me realise how unreal the show was. It's iconic and will always be iconic.'

These days, Emma lives a much quieter life on the Gold Coast with her long-term partner Cade Currey, her daughter from a previous relationship, Jemima, and Cade's son.

There's no denying that Emma looks ageless in the new photos, particularly when juxtaposed with her 1997 Playboy cover shoot

'Look, it could be partly genetics as well, but a lot of it has to do with my lifestyle. I'm just quite a healthy person. I exercise daily, and yoga is definitely my go-to,' she said of her secret to looking so youthful

Speaking about her time on Neighbours playing Joanna Hartman, the younger half sister of Annalise Hartman (Kimberley Davies), Emma said that she didn't realise the impact the show had until she first visited the UK. Emma is pictured on Neighbours

'Being famous in England was surreal. The level of recognition that I got was on another scale,' she said. Emma is pictured with Neighbours co-star Graham Harvey

Back in 2022, she and Cade built a tiny home, made from two 20ft custom-made designer shipping containers.

The New Zealand-born said that the decision to downsize was all about living more simply.

'I just wanted to simplify my life and be more intentional about how I live,' she said.

'The tiny home movement isn't about deprivation, it's about clarity and sustainability, and reducing your footprint on the planet.

Emma said that the decision to reduce her living space had only garnered positive results.

'For me, it's incredibly freeing. I feel lighter  mentally and emotionally. I guess it challenges the idea that bigger isn't always better,' she said.

'Some people assume downsizing means giving something up, but for me, it was about gaining time, peace, freedom, and living in a way that's kind to the planet.'

Since leaving Neighbours, Emma has starred in a raft of television and feature films, including McLeod's Daughters and the Joel and Ethan Coen comedy Intolerable Cruelty.

These days, Emma lives a much quieter life on the Gold Coast with her long-term partner Cade Currey, her daughter from a previous relationship, Jemima, and Cade's son

Back in 2022, she and Cade built a tiny home, made from two 20ft custom-made designer shipping containers. Emma said that the decision to downsize was all about living more simply

'I just wanted to simplify my life and be more intentional about how I live,' she said. 'For me, it's incredibly freeing. I feel lighter  mentally and emotionally. I guess it challenges the idea that bigger isn't always better'

With her last credit coming in 2024 in the Japanese drama Black Pean, acting had taken a backseat for Emma as she focused on raising her children.

But Emma revealed that the acting bug has never truly left her.

'These days, I'm still auditioning. I've been up for a couple of movie roles, and I go out for commercials quite regularly,' she said.

'But as I've just gotten older, my priorities have shifted. I still love creativity and storytelling, but I'm pretty passionate about advocacy as well.'

'So I'm also looking at doing some stuff around giving voices to women and children who feel unheard. I feel a responsibility now to use my voice for something meaningful.'

So if there was a piece of advice Emma could give to the girl on the Playboy cover, what would it be?

'Being on the cover of the magazine felt like you were chosen, you know? I would walk past a newsstand or a bus shelter, and I'd see my face and I'd think, well, I can't believe this is really happening  it was so glamorous and it was so surreal and so special,' she said.

'I look at those covers now with a lot of compassion for my younger self. She was navigating an industry that rewarded a very narrow idea of femininity.

'But the advice would just be, you know, to my younger self would be to believe in yourself and just not care what people think of you. I really don't care what people think of me, and that's the beauty that comes with ageing.'
Nick Cave stunned a roaring crowd in Sydney on Friday night, exuding his rock star charisma and style at a sold-out show at The Domain.

The legendary rocker, 68, looked to be having the time of his life as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds returned to The Domain, launching their Wild God tour in front of thousands.

He cheekily told the crowd how excited he was to play for 'f***ing Sydney'

Dressed in a sharp black suit and white shirt, Cave cut a striking figure as he strode down a narrow runway stretching deep into the crowd, microphone in hand, his free arm reaching out to clasp fans' fingers.

Photographs from the night show Cave leaning forward into the sea of raised arms, his face etched with intensity as devotees stretched toward him, some pointing skyward, others clutching phones to capture the moment.

'I am unbelievably pleased it's starting to get dark,' the gothic rocker joked as the sun finally dipped behind the Sydney skyline, with cranes and city towers silhouetted behind him and stage lights washing him in green and gold.

Nick Cave stunned a roaring crowd in Sydney on Friday night, exuding his rock star charisma and style at a sold-out show at The Domain

The legendary rocker, 68, looked to be having the time of his life as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds returned to The Domain, launching their Wild God tour in front of thousands

Dressed in a sharp black suit and white shirt, Cave cut a striking figure as he strode down a narrow runway stretching deep into the crowd, microphone in hand, his free arm reaching out to clasp fans' fingers

Photographs from the night show Cave leaning forward into the sea of raised arms, his face etched with intensity as devotees stretched toward him

'I am unbelievably pleased its starting to get dark,' he joked as the sun finally dipped behind the Sydney skyline, with cranes and city towers silhouetted behind him

Cave had fans begging for more as he gave an emotional performance and conjured joy from some of his most powerful and emotive songs

The Victorian-born rocker had fans begging for more as he gave an emotional performance and conjured joy from some of his most powerful and emotive songs.

The show opened with tracks from the band's 2024 album Wild God, with Cave gripping the microphone in both hands, eyes closed in concentration, his slicked-back hair glowing beneath the lights as he delivered each line with confidence.

'You're awesome!' he told the crowd as cheers thundered back at him.

The runway provided Cave with the perfect platform to ensure fans were given an intimate and emotional performance.

He exuded confidence and charisma as he belted out his hits in his trademark quirky style, leaving the roaring crowd bellowing for more.

Tickets cost over $150 but Cave ensured his beloved fans got their money's worth, being every inch the showman and delivering a performance to remember.

The fierce and vulnerable opening night of two Domain shows  where the band last headlined the Homebake festival in 2003  coincided with Cave's nomination on Friday for Best Original Song at this year's Oscars, for his work on the US movie Train Dreams, starring Aussie actor Joel Edgerton.

Alongside new material from Wild God, the setlist drew heavily from across four decades of the Australian band's towering career.

The show opened with tracks from the band's 2024 album Wild God, with Cave gripping the microphone in both hands, eyes closed in concentration, his slicked-back hair glowing beneath the lights as he delivered each line with confidence

'You're awesome!' he told the crowd as cheers thundered back at him

The runway provided Cave with the perfect platform to ensure fans were given an intimate and emotional performance

He exuded confidence and charisma as he belted out his hits in his trademark quirky style, leaving the roaring crowd bellowing for an encore

Tickets cost over $150 but Cave ensured his beloved fans got their money's worth, being every inch the showman and delivering a performance to remember

The fierce and vulnerable opening night of two Domain shows  where the band last headlined the Homebake festival in 2003  coincided with Cave's nomination on Friday for Best Original Song at this year's Oscars, for his work on the US movie Train Dreams, starring Aussie actor Joel Edgerton

Cave paid tribute to his four-decade career with a host of fan favourites, including Tupelo, From Her to Eternity, Red Right Hand and The Mercy Seat, all of which were met with excited screams from the crowd.

A roaring crowd was seen clapping along, shouting and reaching skyward as Cave paced the runway above them.

The show was powered by his formidable bandmates, led by longtime collaborator Warren Ellis and a quartet of gospel backing vocalists who elevated his performance.

The night closed in hushed beauty, with Cave alone at the piano, performing one of his signature songs, Into My Arms, as the crowd fell silent beneath the city lights.

Cave is one of Australia's most celebrated performers, renowned for his gothic imagery and emotionally charged songs.
Carrie Bickmore has taken centre stage in Canberra as the nation prepares to crown its next Australian of the Year.

The media personality and long-time advocate, 45, was photographed ahead of Sunday night's prestigious ceremony.

Carrie cut an elegant figure as she posed for an official portrait at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Canberra.

She was seen wearing a crisp white sleeveless top with a high neckline, cinched at the waist with a flowing tie detail.

The veteran presenter paired the look with a fitted mocha-toned skirt, her blonde hair styled in soft waves and her makeup kept polished and natural.

Carrie attended the Australian of the Year reception at The Lodge, where she was warmly greeted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon.

Carrie Bickmore has taken centre stage in Canberra as the nation prepares to crown its next Australian of the Year

The media personality and long-time advocate was photographed ahead of Sunday night's prestigious ceremony

Carrie cut an elegant figure as she posed for an official portrait at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Canberra

The reception brought together this year's nominees ahead of the official announcement, with the Prime Minister praising the 2026 finalists as a powerful reflection of modern Australia.

Per The Daily Telegraph, the PM described the nominees as 'uplifting', urging viewers to tune in for the ceremony.

'If people want to be inspired, watch the Australian of the Year awards tonight,' he said on Insiders on Sunday.

'They are uplifting. It's one of the best things I get to do as Prime Minister.

'It shows ordinary Australians going out of their way to help each other.

'It is what defines us as Australians as well.'

This year's Australian of the Year nominees include an astronaut, a digital addiction and gaming disorder specialist, an emergency rescuer and Carrie, whose work in media and advocacy has resonated with Australians nationwide.

The 2026 Australian of the Year, alongside the Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero, will be revealed at a ceremony starting at 7.30pm on Sunday night, broadcast live on the ABC.

Carrie attended the Australian of the Year reception at The Lodge, where she was warmly greeted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The PM described the nominees as 'uplifting', urging viewers to tune in for the ceremony

'If people want to be inspired, watch the Australian of the Year awards tonight,' the PM said on Insiders on Sunday

The winner will take over the mantle from last year's recipient, former AFL player and FightMND co-founder Neale Daniher AO, continuing a legacy that celebrates service, resilience and community spirit across the country.

It would seem Carrie has had a bumpy start to the New Year, as the radio star revealed she had a nasty accident prior to getting a spray tan.

The wince-worthy injury left a small cut at the centre.

Captioning the photo, Carrie revealed she had absent-mindedly collided with a cupboard while getting ready for her spray-tan appointment.

'Bumped my head into the corner of a cupboard 20 minutes before my spray tan,' she wrote.

She saw the funny side of her accident, though, adding, 'Karma for vanity,' and a crying laughing face emoji.
Georgie Tunny has finally broken her silence after Channel Ten's long-running panel show The Project was axed in 2025, after 16 years on the air.

The veteran presenter, who appeared on the show from 2022 - 2025, said it was a bittersweet experience to see so much support from the community in the wake of its axing, given it was cancelled due to dwindling ratings.

'What I've learnt is that everyone needs a punching bag, and the earlier punches hit the hardest,' Georgie told Stellar magazine's Something To Talk About podcast.

'When the show ended there was such outpouring of grief, love for it. We all looked around and thought: "Where were you? Where were you for the last four months when speculation about the show was in overdrive? Where did you all come from?".'

Georgie added she didnt like it when viewers criticised the series over minor things instead of considering its place in the wider media landscape.

'Looking at the bigger picture, The Project employed almost 100 people. So many people lost their jobs,' she said.

Georgie Tunny has broken her silence after Channel Ten's long-running panel show The Project was axed in 2025, after 16 years on the air

'That's their livelihood. I think people are quick to forget that when they see a camera angle they don't like, or they don't like the way my hair looks on a particular day.'

She also revealed she and her fiance Rob Mills were ready to get married - and were just deciding on the date.

'I'd love to marry Rob this year. I'm ready for him to be my husband,' she said.

'I'd love to be able to confirm that 2026 is going to be the year we get married, but we still haven't done anything about it. I hear that weddings take a lot of work and planning.'

Georgie and Australian Idol star Rob Mills announced their engagement in January 2022, after three years of dating.

In June last year, it was announced that Channel Ten's long-running series The Project was being axed.

Network 10 announced the news, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support before announcing the show's replacement.

At the time, Georgie took to social media to post a tribute to her TV 'family' in the wake of the show's cancellation.

'What I've learnt is that everyone needs a punching bag, and the earlier punches hit the hardest,' Georgie told Stellar magazine's Something To Talk About podcast

Georgie revealed she and her fiance Rob Mills were ready to get married - and were just deciding on the date

Sharing a photo of herself alongside co-hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Sam Taunton, the 35-year-old journalist included a caption expressing her heartbreak.

'Goodbyes are hard, but with this team and this show this one is going to hit differently,' she began.

'I dreamed of working on a show like The Project when I was growing up.

'That dream became a reality, but it was never a show... it was a family. From the start. What a ride. X.'

The Project first aired in July 2009 and exceeded more than a million metro viewers at the height of its success - It boasted a rotating panel with stars like Aly, Harris, Tunny, Hamish Macdonald, Rove McManus, Taunton and Susie Youssef.

It won several accolades including 11 Logie Awards - two of which were viewer-voted Gold Logies won by Aly and Bickmore.

However, audiences began to dwindle in recent years and towards its end, The Project attracted between 238,000 and 357,000 viewers nationally.
George Calombaris is stepping into the South African jungle in a move that marks his most public return to the spotlight since his dramatic fall from grace.

The controversial chef and former MasterChef Australia judge will appear as an intruder on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, and insiders say the decision is about far more than reality TV exposure.

After years defined by scandal, business collapses and relentless public scrutiny, Calombaris has admitted he sees the jungle as a chance to finally tell his side of the story.

'In a way, if you want to call it redemption, yeah a little bit of that,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

The 47-year-old's hospitality empire famously unravelled in 2019 when his MAdE Establishment Group was ordered to repay $7.8 million in staff underpayments and fined $200,000 after more than 500 workers were affected.

The scandal ended his long-running role on MasterChef and turned him into one of the most divisive figures in Australian food.

George Calombaris (pictured) is stepping into the South African jungle in a move that marks his most public return to the spotlight since his dramatic fall from grace

The controversial chef and former MasterChef Australia judge will appear as an intruder on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, and insiders say the decision is about far more than reality TV exposure. (George pictured with MasterChef veterans Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston)

But Calombaris insists the label that followed him was harder to stomach than the financial hit.

'The most hurtful part of what I went through was being tagged a thief,' he said, describing the accusation as deeply at odds with the values instilled in him by his parents.

Following the collapse of his Melbourne-based empire, Calombaris relocated his family to Sydney in 2023 after entering a high-profile business partnership with now-bankrupt pub baron Jon Adgemis.

The arrangement saw him involved in several venues including Alpha, the Empire Hotel and Hotel Diplomat.

Meanwhile, his final Sydney venue, Gazi Supper Club in Darlinghurst, shut its doors in December, while industry whispers suggest his Melbourne restaurant, The Hellenic House Project, may also be on the market.

Reflecting on the period, Calombaris described the personal toll as brutal.

'It was horrendous and something I never want my worst enemy to go through,' he said.

Despite the setbacks, the Melbourne-born chef insists he has gained perspective, repeatedly pointing out that others face far worse circumstances than financial ruin.

The scandal ended his long-running role on MasterChef and turned him into one of the most divisive figures in Australian food

The celebrity chef's hospitality group MAdE was forced to backpay all current and former employees who had been underpaid on wages.

After the announcement, MasterChef viewers called for Calombaris to be axed from the hit Channel 10 show, while Unions NSW started a petition to get him fired.

Now, as he joins 12 contestants already enduring jungle life in South Africa, Calombaris says his motivation is less about winning viewers over and more about setting an example for his children.

While he maintains his life is 'in a really good place', the jungle offers something he has not had in years  a platform to confront the narrative head-on, away from courtrooms, boardrooms and restaurant closures.
Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise has long declared himself an Anglophile after years spent living in the UK  visiting pubs, eating fish and chips and hanging out with Prince William.

But the Mission: Impossible and Top Gun actor has made an abrupt decision to return to the US, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Concierge at the apartment block in London's Knightsbridge, where Cruise, 63, has been living in a 35million apartment, are said to have been left 'stunned' by the star's sudden departure. Sources say staff were seen at the penthouse property, which overlooks Hyde Park, removing boxes of possessions.

But the reason for the move remains unclear. A source familiar with Cruise's departure told the MoS: 'Tom loved London. He loved where he lived, he would get up and go for run around Hyde Park in the mornings.

'He loved walking in the local area but he also really, really enjoyed jumping in a helicopter at Battersea Heliport and flying off into the quintessentially British countryside.'

The source added: 'It all happened very quickly, it was a surprise to the staff at the building where his penthouse is.

'It's most strange. The UK became both his professional headquarters and private playground, with discrete dates, tightly-guarded movements and late-night arrivals. England became far more than just a filming base.'

Cruise has been making films in the UK for 40 years, but he settled here in 2021. He was spotted at Wimbledon's Centre Court, visited Glastonbury festival and has even been seen enthusiastically tucking into a classic chicken tikka masala and a takeaway fish and chips.

Princess Catherine of Wales with Tom Cruise at the Top Gun: Maverick at Odeon Leicester Square on May 19, 2022 in London, England

Prince William of Wales and actor Tom Cruise at the Top Gun: Maverick performance at the Odeon in Leicester Square on May 19, 2022

The Mission Impossible star, 63, has made the abrupt decision to return to the US leaving the concierge at his apartment block in London's Knightsbridge (pictured) stunned

Sir Kenneth Branagh, 65, who appeared alongside Cruise in the 2008 historical thriller Valkyrie, revealed the American actor 'loves British pubs' and had even learned Cockney rhyming slang.

He made an almost seamless transition into British high society, appearing in a tongue-in-cheek video as his Top Gun character Maverick in a broadcast at Windsor Castle for the concert celebrating King Charles's coronation, and appearing at a fundraising event with Prince William for the London Air Ambulance charity.

He also attended events for the late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee alongside David and Victoria Beckham, Gordon Ramsay and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Cruise was also thrilled when he was made an honorary Brit by the British Film Institute last April.

He said of it: 'I'm truly honoured, I've been making films in the UK for over 40 years and have no plans to stop.' And love blossomed on these shores, too. The star has been linked to a string of glamorous women during his time in London  including actress Hayley Atwell, his co-star in two films from the Mission: Impossible franchise.

More recently he was said to be dating Hollywood actress Ana de Armas. The couple attended a dinner for David Beckham's 50th birthday at Notting Hill restaurant Core last year, and he is said to have applied for special permission to allow her pets to stay at his Knightsbridge apartment. But it is understood they separated in October.

In 2022, he said: 'I guess I am an Anglophile. I spend a lot of time in Britain and that's not just for work reasons. I just love being here. It's a fantastic blend of old and new... Britain is trendy, too, and has a lot that other countries then copy. I also love the British countryside.'

Last year, it was reported that he was eyeing up properties in the Cotswolds and looked to be putting down further roots.

But it serves to makes his sudden departure, which included removing the blackout curtains he stapled to the walls of his apartment in order to sleep, all the more mysterious.
Brooks Nader fired up her Instagram this weekend to address the recent swirl of rumors that she had a fling with Ben Affleck.

Her love life has been hitting the headlines since her 2024 dalliance with her Dancing with the Stars partner Gleb Savchenko, which attracted 'showmance' allegations.

After their on-off relationship went up in flames for the final time last year, Nader accused Savchenko of infidelity, which he has firmly denied.

Since their split, she has been linked to boldface names like Tom Brady, Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece and Denmark and now Affleck.

However she put paid to the latest speculation by responding to a DeuxMoi post that quoted a source saying she and Affleck 'never met.'

The model, who is now starring on a reality show with her sister called Love Thy Nader, leapt into the comments and confirmed: 'Haven't met him in my life.'

Brooks Nader fired up her Instagram this weekend to address the recent swirl of rumors that she had a fling with Ben Affleck

However she put paid to the speculation in response to a DeuxMoi Instagram post that quoted a source saying she and Affleck had 'never met'

The model, who is now starring on a reality show with her sister called Love Thy Nader, leapt into the comments and confirmed: 'Haven't met him in my life'

Nader's Instagram disclosure comes days after it emerged Blake Lively appears to have asked Affleck for assistance in her feud with her director and co-star Justin Baldoni during the making of It Ends with Us.

Amid the protracted legal battle between Baldoni and Lively, new court documents have been released including an email the actress wrote to a recipient who seems to be Affleck, although his name has been redacted.

The message was sent in May 2024 during post-production, at which stage Lively and Baldoni - both of whom also had producing credits - allegedly clashed over the project's creative direction to the point of putting together competing edits of the film.

In her supposed email to Affleck, who directed her in the 2010 film The Town, Lively him to 'watch the movie and give me any ideas or notes' on her cut.

She also hinted at 'wild HR issues' related to Baldoni, who has staunchly denied her allegations of sexual harassment in the complaint that began their war in the courts.

The newly released court documents also contain messages Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds allegedly sent Affleck's best friend Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso, lambasting Baldoni for his 'enormous ego,' via Us Weekly.

The Daily Mail has contacted Affleck and Damon's representatives for comment.

In the email Lively is said to have sent Affleck, she wrote: 'Ive just come out the other side (well almost) of the most upsetting experience Ive ever had on a movie.'

Blake Lively appears to have asked Affleck for assistance in her feud with her director and co-star Justin Baldoni during the making of It Ends with Us

The message continued: 'The making of doc of this film would be more interesting than the movie could ever be. Its like if Wild Wild Country, Fyre Festival and Going Clear had a baby with The RoomRoom also works though.'

Lively claimed she 'ended up rewriting and restructuring the entire script,' then added apparently in reference to Baldoni that she also had 'to direct the movie via the chaotic clown "director"/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the center. Yes, that's all the same person.'

She described 'everyone' among Baldoni's hires as being 'in a cult,' while intimating she had undergone 'wild HR issues' on the 'difficult' set.

Lively apparently requested that the Argo director offer her his guidance on the film in 'a voice memo' before she was left to 'duke it out' with Baldoni over the edit.

In the supposed email, she also solicited feedback from his then-wife Jennifer Lopez as well as his children Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 13, by Jennifer Garner.

'Im such a fan of Jennifers, Ive told her as much every time Ive met her, and it would be an honor to have her take,' said Lively, evidently referring to Lopez.

'Again, zero pressure. I just really want this to work after all Ive put into it. This movie nearly killed me. And I can think of very few people who would be as prescriptive and insightful as I know you would be,' she added.

The message was sent in May 2024, at which stage Lively and Baldoni - who are pictured together in the film - allegedly clashed over the project's creative direction

The newly released court documents also contain messages Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds allegedly sent Affleck's best friend Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso

Barroso apparently offered condolences on Lively's 'awful' alleged ordeal, while Damon evidently said he would 'give you any help we can'; Damon and Barroso pictured last week

Meanwhile, Lively allegedly claimed the 'movie nearly killed me,' in one of the messages that she sent to Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso.

'The director/costar/producer/financier/head of the studio (yes all one person) had zero experience, but the good news is he also has no taste, and an enormous ego, but only because hes in a cult and believes hes our centurys prophet. I wish even one of these things was hyperbole,' the Cafe Society actress added.

Barroso apparently offered her condolences on Lively's 'awful' alleged ordeal, while Damon evidently said he and his wife would 'give you any help we can.'

Plugging his own production company, he is said to have added: 'And if this experience hasnt totally destroyed your soul, Blake, you should come direct your next movie at Artists Equity. Were kind of like a cult but a really nice one.'
Kirsten Dunst isn't pleased her husband Jesse Plemons's work in Bugonia didn't earn him an Oscar nomination.

The Beguiled star, 43, made her feelings known when she reposted Stavros Halkias's Instagram Story bashing the snub.

The social media picture showed Plemons' co-star in the sci-fi dark comedy thriller wearing an angry expression while pointing a gun at the camera.

'Me to everyone who didn't nominate Jesse Plemmons [sic] for Best Actor tho,' the comic wrote across the photo.

Dunst, who made a rare comment about her children and motherhood last month, also recycled a clip from Ev Duran's Bluff Council Podcast that featured the host lauding Plemons for his 'transcendent performance.'

'Jesse Plemons gives one of the greatest performances of all time,' the Emmy-winning producer praised.

Kirsten Dunst isn't pleased her husband Jesse Plemons's work in Bugonia didn't earn him an Oscar nomination - the couple are pictured on January 11 at the Golden Globe Awards where he did receive a nomination for the role

'Jesse Plemons in this film gives [a] Daniel Day-Lewis-Sidney Poitier-level transcendent performance that I worry is being completely overlooked for fin' Chalamet's Marty Supreme, which was a very good performance, but wasn't  what Plemons does in this movie is beyond,' Duran concluded.

In another Instagram post on January 9, Dunst shared a photo of Plemons in a scene from the movie, writing in the caption: 'Some top-level s**t.'

In the film, Plemons plays Teddy, a troubled conspiracy theorist and beekeeper who kidnaps a pharmaceutical CEO (played by Emma Stone) believing that she's an alien.

The Best Actor nominees include Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent.

Bugonia did manage to nab four other nominations, a Best Actress nod for Stone, Best Picture, Best Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Meanwhile, while speaking at an In Conversation event at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia last month, Dunst revealed how she's become a more 'fearless' actor since having children

The Bring It On star has kids Ennis, seven, and James, four, with Plemons, and said she gives 'so much more' to her roles since become a mother.

'I think anybody who has experienced having children, everything changes,' she asserted. 'For me, it gave me so much more fearlessness in my acting, which is such a gift that they gave me.

Join the debate Do you think Hollywood overlooks true talent in favor of star power when handing out Oscar nominations?

The Beguiled star, 43, made her feelings known when she reposted Stavros Halkias's Instagram Story bashing the snub

Dunst also recycled a clip from Ev Duran's Bluff Council Podcast that featured the host lauding Plemons for his 'transcendent performance' in the sci-fi dark comedy thriller

The mom-of-two applauded Plemons earlier this month via social media by sharing a picture her husband in a scene from the movie

Dunst (seen on January 11 at the Golden Globes) has praised her 'wonderful husband' for supporting her and counts herself 'very lucky that I have surrounded myself with good people'

'Also, they gave me, this isn't the most important thing, but now when I do have the time to work and want to work, I can give it so much more. I feel like that's with any career and growing up. I mean, with this industry, it can really, I think, mess with people's minds more in a negative way.'

Dunst counts herself lucky that she hasn't been caught up in 'frivolous parts' of the movie industry, and she praised her 'wonderful husband' for supporting her.

She added: 'I've been very lucky that I have surrounded myself with good people, and I have a wonderful husband, and people that don't get caught up in the frivolous parts of this industry. So that's helped.

'Also, I think the truer you stay to yourself and the less you worry about everybody else, then the more the opportunities come, and the right ones come to you.'
Katie Price's ex JJ Slater has unfollowed her on Instagram as he cut ties for good after she suddenly got engaged just weeks after their split.

Earlier this month, the Daily Mail revealed that the former glamour model, 46, ended her two year romance with the MAFS UK, 32, star 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.

She has since announced her engagement to entrepreneur Lee Andrews, which came as a 'massive shock' to relatives who worry things may be moving too fast.

Now, JJ has said goodbye to Katie for good as he no longer follows her on Instagram, while she still follows him.

Sources claim JJ was 'blindsided' by Katie's surprise engagement and has now reportedly gone to Miami where he has been 'healing his broken heart'.

Katie Price's ex JJ Slaterhas unfollowed her on Instagram as he cut ties for good after she suddenly got engaged just weeks after their split

She has since announced her engagement to entrepreneur Lee Andrews, which came as a 'massive shock' to relatives who worry things may be moving too fast

He shared snaps from his room which showed off the sunny weather and palm trees as he wrote: 'Staying on track even when daily routine changes thanks to Kieran Kondition.'

JJ and Katie began dating in February 2024 and Katie even spoke of having a child together, her sixth, but in the end, it wasn't meant to be.

A source previously told Daily Mail: 'Katie has had doubts for some time about whether JJ is husband material, but she hoped those concerns would fade.

'Instead, her fears only grew, and she's now accepted the relationship will not end with her walking down the aisle for a fourth time.

'JJ was left disappointed and has already packed his bags and moved back to his home in Essex.

'He genuinely saw a future with Katie, but it seems she ultimately had a very different outlook.'

But just weeks later Katie revealed on Friday that she is now engaged for the ninth time, teasing a glimpse of her new man and showing off her giant diamond ring.

However, the news didn't just come as a surprise to fans on Instagram, but to her family too, who reportedly found out about the engagement via social media.

The Daily Mail revealed earlier this month that Katie ended her romance with MAFS UK star JJ after realising she didn't see a future with him (pictured in 2025)

Sources told Daily Mail that the engagement news also came as a complete shock to her ex JJ, 32, who is currently in Miami with his family and has been 'healing his broken heart'

The former glamour model who was declared bankrupt in 2024, flew out to Dubai on Wednesday for a lavish break with her new partner amid her ongoing financial woes

The announcement is said to have come as a 'massive shock', with relatives said to be 'worried' that things are moving too fast, particularly as they have yet to meet Lee.

A source told The Sun: 'The family found out about the engagement on Instagram  they were stunned.

They added: 'Katie's family are so worried as it's all happening so fast. They were upset when she split with JJ and now they haven't even met this new man and she's engaged.'

Daily Mail has contacted Katie's representatives for comment.

The former glamour model 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 again - 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?'

JJ has said goodbye to Katie for good as he no longer follows her on Instagram (left), while she still follows him (right)

Katie showed off her new man's proposal on social media, where he wrote 'will you marry me' in rose petals on the floor

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 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.
Amber Heard has made rare remarks on how the 2022 defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp has impacted her life years later.

The 39-year-old actress - who has since relocated to Spain and is raising three children - opened up about the topic in the new documentary Silenced which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday.

Following a highly-publicized trial, Heard was ordered to pay Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages. She was also awarded $2 million in compensatory damages for her countersuit against the actor.

The Aquaman star stepped out of the spotlight with her daughter Oonagh, four, to move to Madrid. Most recently, Heard has slowly been stepping back into the public eye - and marked her theater debut last summer.

'This is not about me. I have lost my ability to speak. I am not here to tell my story,' Heard said in a confessional for the documentary, per Variety.

'In fact, I don't want to use my voice anymore. That's the problem,' she further told the director of the film Selina Miles.

Amber Heard, 39, has made rare remarks on how the 2022 defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp has impacted her life years later; seen in 2023 in Italy

The actress opened up about the topic in the new documentary Silenced which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday; seen in 2022 in Virginia

In the project, Heard referenced to the libel lawsuit Depp lost in the U.K. after he sued The Sun over a claim that he was a 'wife beater.'

International human rights lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, had assisted the actress in the case in 2020.

'The outcome of that trial depended on my participation, and I depended on the outcome of that trial,' Heard recalled.

'When I first met [Robinson], I immediately got the sense that she got the bigger picture. What has happened to me is an amplified version of what a lot of women live through.'

The documentary not only involves Heard, but also Columbian journalist Catalina Ruiz-Navarro and Brittany Higgins.

'Silenced reveals a global pattern: When women speak out, powerful systems move to discredit and punish them,' per an official description.

In December 2022, the defamation case between the actress and Depp was settled and she took to her main Instagram page to release a statement.

She eventually paid her ex-husband $1 million in damages following a negotiation - with Depp giving the money to five charities, per People.

Join the debate Has the public response to Amber Heard's trial changed how women feel about speaking out today?

'This is not about me. I have lost my ability to speak. I am not here to tell my story,' Heard said in a confessional for the documentary, per Variety; seen in 2022 in Virginia

She further told the director Selina Miles, 'In fact, I don't want to use my voice anymore. That's the problem'; Heard and Depp seen in 2015 in Toronto

'After a great deal of deliberation I have made a very difficult decision to settle the defamation case brought against me by my ex-husband in Virginia,' she wrote at the time.

'It's important for me to say that I never chose this. I defended my truth and in doing so my life as I knew it was destroyed.'

Heard added, 'The vilification I have faced on social media is an amplified version of the ways in which women are re-victimized when they come forward.'

She concluded with, 'Now I finally have an opportunity to emancipate myself from something I attempted to leave over six years ago and on terms I can agree to.

'I have made no admission. This is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags with respect to my voice moving forward.'

The following year, Heard - who is bilingual in Spanish - moved to Spain with her daughter Oonagh and began rebuilding her life out of the spotlight.

Last year in May, the actress announced that she had welcomed twins named Agnes and Ocean.

She uploaded an image to Instagram on Mother's Day showing the twins' feet as well as her eldest daughter's as well.

'This year I am elated beyond words to celebrate the completion of the family I've strived to build for years. Today I officially share the news that I welcomed twins into the Heard gang.'

The following year, Heard - who is bilingual in Spanish - moved to Spain with her daughter Oonagh and began rebuilding her life out of the spotlight

Last year in May, the actress announced that she had welcomed twins named Agnes and Ocean

She reflected on how her 'world changed forever' when Oonagh was born and gushed that she 'couldn't possibly burst with more joy' with the addition of her twins.

Heard got candid about motherhood and battling her 'own fertility challenges.'

'I am eternally grateful that I was able to choose this responsibly and thoughtfully. To all the moms, wherever you are today and however you got here, my dream family and I are celebrating with you. Love always, A.'

On rare occasions, the star will give a glimpse into her home life abroad.

Late last year in October, she flashed a cheerful smile in a snap as she dressed up for Halloween with her three children.

She also celebrated Thanksgiving with her family - including her father - and gave a glimpse at the intimate gathering for the holiday.

Heard has also been embracing her passion for acting once again and made her theater debut last year in July 2025.

The star ventured back to the U.S. to take on a role in Jeremy O. Harris' play called Spirit Of The People.

Heard performed on stage during the Williamstown Theatre Festival in the state of Massachusetts at the time.

On rare occasions, the star will give a glimpse into her home life abroad. Late last year in October, she flashed a cheerful smile in a snap as she dressed up for Halloween with her three children

Heard has also been embracing her passion for acting once again and made her theater debut last year in July 2025

Back in August, she celebrated the end of her time in the stage production by uploading a selfie as she posed with an assortment of flowers

It was also her first return to acting since making an appearance in the film Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (2023) as well as In The Fire (2023).

Back in August, she celebrated the end of her time in the stage production by uploading a selfie as she posed with an assortment of flowers.

'Thank you to all of my fans and supporters for making this already unforgettable weekend so much more beautiful,' she penned.

'The flowers won't last forever but the memories of all the love and support I received through this, will.'
Kristen Stewart has voiced her desire to leave the US to make movies abroad and 'then shove them down the throat of the American people', as she reflected on the changing landscape of Hollywood under Donald Trump.

The actress, 35, endured her own public clash with the US President back in 2012, before he realised his political ambitions, when the thrice-married businessman, 79, went on a public rant at her on X during her cheating scandal.

In a new interview 14 years later with the Sunday Times, Kristen levelled criticism at Trump and admitted she could not see herself remaining in America.

The Twilight star recently released her directional debut, The Chronology Of Water, an adaptation of American swimmer Lidia Yuknavitch's visceral 2011 memoir, detailing her experiences of childhood abuse and addiction.

Kristen explained that she chose to shoot the critically acclaimed film in Latvia because 'it would have been impossible to do in the States'.

Last year, Trump said he will be imposing a 100 per cent tariff on any movie made outside of the US, calling them a 'National Security threat', despite both big-budget and smaller films commonly including production in both the US and other countries.

Kristen Stewart has voiced her desire to leave the US to make movies abroad and 'then shove them down the throat of the American people', as she reflected on the changing landscape of Hollywood under Donald Trump (seen this month)

The actress, 35, endured her own public clash with the US President back in 2012, before he realised his political ambitions, when the thrice-married businessman, 79, went on a public rant at her on X during her cheating scandal (seen this week)

Kristen branded the proposed tariffs 'terrifying' for the film industry and said she foresaw her being forced to move abroad to create movies instead.

Asked whether she thought she'd stay in States, the Oscar-nominee - who currently splits her time between Los Angeles and New York - replied: 'Probably not. I can't work freely there'.

However, she voiced her desire to still make films for US audiences, adding: 'But I don't want to give up completely. I'd like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people.'

The Spencer star hit out at Trump, but insisted that it was still possible to create change, saying: 'Reality is breaking completely under Trump. But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in.'

Trump infamously had some harsh words for Kristen in 2012, were he made multiple tweets about her love life and then-boyfriend Robert Pattinson, over the span of a month.

His rant came after news broke of Kristen's infidelity with her Snow White And The Huntsman director Rupert Sanders, who was himself married at the time, while she was in a relationship with Twilight co-star Robert.

Trump - who infamously left his first wife Ivana Trump for her successor Marla Maples in 1992 - took to X to fume: 'Robert Pattinson should not take back. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again--just watch. He can do much better!'

The mogul followed it up with a slew of more angry tweets, including: 'Everyone knows I am right that Robert Pattinson should dump Kristen Stewart. In a couple of years, he will thank me. Be smart, Robert.'

The Twilight star recently released her directional debut, The Chronology Of Water, an adaptation of American swimmer Lidia Yuknavitch's visceral 2011 memoir, detailing her experiences of childhood abuse and addiction (seen directing film)

Trump infamously had some harsh words for Kristen in 2012, were he made multiple tweets about her love life and then-boyfriend Robert Pattinson (seen together in 2012), over the span of a month

His rant came after news broke of Kristen's infidelity with her Snow White And The Huntsman director Rupert Sanders (pictured together in 2012), who was himself married at the time, while she was in a relationship with Twilight co-star Robert

'Lots of response to my Pattinson/reunion. She will cheat again--100 certain--am I ever wrong?'

'Robert Pattinson is putting on a good face for the release of Twilight. He took my advice on...I hope!'

'After Friday's Twilight release, I hope Robert Pattinson will not be seen in public with--she will cheat on him again!'

Kristen later reflected on the 'insane' rant years later, speaking to Variety at the Sundance Film Festival on the day of Trump's inauguration

She said: 'He was mad at me a couple years ago, really obsessed with me a couple years ago, which is f***ing crazy. What?

'I can't even understand it. I literally cannot even understand it. It's such far-out concept that I don't want to believe that actually is happening. It's insane.

'At that point, he was just, like, a reality star. I had no reference. It wasn't like really a thing. But in retrospect, somebody reminded me of that and I was like, "Oh my gosh, you're right!"'

While she also poked fun at her bizarre history with the man who'd by then become President while hosting Saturday Night Live in February 2017.

While she also poked fun at her bizarre history with the man who'd by then become President while hosting Saturday Night Live in February 2017 (seen)

In April last year, the star married wife Dylan Meyer in a low-key ceremony at Mexican restaurant Casita Del Campo after six years of dating (pictured)

After reading out a few of his tweets involving the cheating scandal, she joked: 'I don't think Donald Trump hated me. I think he's in love with my boyfriend.'

Kristen then ended with the mic-drop line: 'Donald, if you didn't like me then, you're probably really not going to like me now because I'm hosting SNL and I'm, like, so gay, dude.'

In April last year, the star married wife Dylan Meyer in a low-key ceremony at Mexican restaurant Casita Del Campo after six years of dating.

The newlyweds reportedly first met in 2013 on the set of Nima Nourizadeh's action stoner comedy American Ultra.

In 2023, Kristen and Dylan, 38, co-founded their production company Nevermind Pictures with Maggie Mclean.
Carrie Bickmore was every inch the proud mother as she stepped out at the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra on Sunday.

The former host of The Project took her teenage son, Oliver, as her date - and the 18-year-old was all grown up as he posed alongside his television star mum.

Carrie, 45, opted for a fitted black gown that sat close to her figure and was accented by a silver brooch.

She chose a warm-toned makeup look including a peachy lipstick and wore her blonde hair swept off her face.

Ollie, meanwhile, was dapper in a black suit worn with a white dress shirt and skinny tie.

The TV star shared Ollie with her late husband Greg Lange, who tragically died of brain cancer in 2010.

Carrie Bickmore (left) was every inch the proud mother as she stepped out at the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra on Sunday

The former host of The Project took her teenage son, Oliver, as her date - and the 18-year-old was all grown up as he posed alongside his television star mum. Pictured together

The Australian of the Year Awards has recognised Carrie for her work in brain cancer research funding.

Bickmore has raised more than $27 million for brain cancer research since 2015.

She didn't win the top gong at Sunday night's ceremony, but has been named Victoria's Australian of the Year.

After watching her late husband Greg battle brain cancer, Bickmore dedicated her life to raising funds for research via her charity drives.

Speaking to The Australian Women's Weekly, Carrie said her late husband Greg will always be an integral part of her family's lives.

'Anyone who has ever lost someone will tell you that they may not physically be there but they'll stay in your life forever,' she explained.

'And Ollie [son Oliver] is so like him in so many ways. I often think, "God, I wish Greg was here so I could ask him how the hell to parent. Surely he'd have some insight".'

She added: 'You always bring your past with you into your future and that's just the reality, that's life.'

Carrie said she has come to accept that nothing in her family life will ever be 'straightforward' since Greg's death, but she has made peace with that, as her mother and father brought her up to never aim for perfection.

The TV star shared Ollie with her late husband Greg Lange, who tragically died of brain cancer in 2010. Pictured together

Carrie also has two daughters, Evie, 10, and Adelaide, seven, with her former partner Chris Walker. All pictured

Greg tragically passed away in December 2010 at age 35 from a 10-year battle with brain cancer.

Talking to Anh Do on his ABC series Anh's Brush With Fame, Carrie revealed Greg's diagnosis in 2001 shattered her world.

'It was about a year after we moved to Melbourne. I think I was still 21 or 22 and he was about 25. He had a seizure at home and one thing led to another and they diagnosed him with a brain tumour,' she tearfully explained.

'It was just... in your 20s that is just the last thing that you can ever... I didn't even really know anyone that had cancer, I didn't know anything about brain cancer, neither did he.

'It completely threw everything we knew, everything we had planned, everything we thought... it just threw everything on its head.'

Carrie also has two daughters, Evie, 10, and Adelaide, seven, with her former partner Chris Walker.

The pair ended their relationship at the start of 2022 after 11 years together.

Carrie announced her split from Chris in an Instagram post in January 2022, saying they were focusing on co-parenting their children.

'It's with immense sadness Chris and I have decided to separate. While this is a tough time, our focus is on supporting our children,' Carrie wrote.
Karen Gillan showcased her incredible abs as she slipped back into her Jumanji costume to show her 14-month-old daughter Clementine around set of third movie.

The Hollywood actress, 37, looked happier than ever as she reunited with co-star Jack Black and introduced him to her little girl on set.

Sharing a series of Instagram photos, Karen looked sensational in her iconic crop top, khaki shorts and brown knee high boots as she transformed back into her charcter Ruby Roundhouse.

The star wrapped up in a khaki sweatshirt and pulled on a long jacket as she prepared for scenes and posed for a selfie with her makeup team.

While holding her little girl watching the behind-the-scenes, she joked: 'No storyboard spoilers, but Clementine said they were goo-d'.

Karen welcomed her daughter with husband, US comedian Nick Kocher, in late 2024.

The follow-up to Jumanji: Next Level was confirmed in September and will see Karen and Jack as well as The Rock and Kevin Hart return to their roles as Ruby, Shelly, Smolder and Mouse, respectively.

Karen Gillan showcased her incredible abs as she slipped back into her Jumanji costume to show her 14-month-old daughter Clementine around set of third movie

The Hollywood actress, 37, looked happier than ever as she reunited with co-star Jack Black and introduced him to her little girl on set

It comes after the stars were spotted on set in Los Angeles as Ruby wore her iconic 'killer of men' commando cargo costume.

Jack, 56, returned to his Professor-inspired ensemble, which included a tweed blazer, raincoat and a turquoise bow tie.

Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, 53, flaunted his bulging biceps and muscly physique as he wore a beige buttoned-down shirt and cargo pants - ready to return as the famed archaeologist.

Reprising his original character as the Zoologist, Kevin, 46, appeared happy in his camouflage waist jacket and binoculars.

While on set, the stars were seen taking a quick food break as Jack appeared very pleased with his hot dog.

The storyline of the upcoming film has not yet been released, but the cast was surrounded by what appeared to be normal, Christmas-decorated streets - a complete switch from the previous sets of the jungle and desert.

Sony Pictures, which is producing the upcoming flick, announced the third movie last year on X with a group picture of the leading stars.

Alongside the post, they penned: 'Look who's on the loose #JumanjiMovie is coming exclusively to theatres Christmas 2026'

The star wrapped up in a khaki sweatshirt as she held her little girl watching the behind-the-scenes, she joked: 'No storyboard spoilers, but Clementine said they were goo-d'

Sharing a series of Instagram photos, Karen looked sensational in her iconic crop top, khaki shorts and brown knee high boots as she transformed back into her charcter Ruby Roundhouse

The follow-up to Jumanji: Next Level was confirmed in September and will see Karen and Jack as well as The Rock and Kevin Hart return to their roles as Ruby, Shelly, Smolder and Mouse; pictured Karen with production team

Jake Kasdan is returning to direct Jumanji 3, with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg also back to write the screenplay alongside the director.

Producer Hiram Garcia revealed back in 2021 that they had planned to start work on the threequel after 2024's Red One, telling ComicBook that they had 'a big vision for [the next Jumanji] movie' and are 'fired up for that'.

'We're taking it in soon. And obviously the goal is sometime after Jake [Kasdan] is doing Red One for us, so that is going to be next up,' he added. 'But sometime after Red One comes out, Jumanji is going to be on deck.

'I feel like we'll have everything ready by then, and we'll be able to get into that third instalment.'

Kevin has also previously confessed to Variety that this film will be the final one of the franchise.

The original Jumanji arrived in theatres nearly 30 years ago, on December 15, 1995.

A logline for the film, which starred Robin Williams as Alan Parrish, was that 'a magic board game summons jungle perils and a missing boy.'

The cast was rounded out by Kirsten Dunst, Jonathan Hyde, Bradley Pierce, Bebe Neuwirth, David Alan Grier and Bonnie Hunt.

Previous motion pictures in the film franchise include 2017's Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (pictured) and 2019's Jumanji: The Next Level

The original Jumanji arrived in theatres nearly 30 years ago, on December 15, 1995 and starred Robin Williams as Alan Parrish, was that 'a magic board game summons jungle perils and a missing boy'

Previous motion pictures in the film franchise include 2017's Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and 2019's Jumanji: The Next Level.

Keene, New Hampshire, where many scenes in the original movie were filmed, observed the film's anniversary with a celebration this past June.

Madeline Murphy, who worked as an extra on the movie, recalled the direction filmmakers gave her when production was going on on the first film, 31 years ago, in November of 1994.

Madeline told the New York Post that she was told, 'Pretend you're frightened and you're screaming because an elephant's coming after you.'

Original star Robin tragically died in August 2014 from suicide aged 63.
Kim Vo, the beloved hairstylist trusted by some of Hollywood's most famous faces, has died following a long and courageous battle with colorectal cancer. He was 55.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Vo became Hollywood's go-to colorist, working with A-listers including Gwyneth Paltrow, Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, and Uma Thurman.

He also became a familiar face to television audiences as a judge on Bravo's hairstyling competition Shear Genius, which aired for three seasons between 2007 and 2010 alongside Camila Alves and Jonathan Antin.

Vo's husband, Adeel Khan, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a moving Instagram post shared Saturday, revealing the stylist had been diagnosed in 2018 and had far outlived doctors' initial expectations.

'My beloved husband, best friend, partner in life & business, Kim Vo, has taken his final breath,' Khan wrote. 'Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018, he fought valiantly, winning many battles along the way and exceeding all medical expectations under the care of Dr. Lawrence Piro and his incredible team at Angeles Clinic and Cedars-Sinai. Ultimately, God decided it was time for our angel on earth to return home.'

In the emotional tribute, Khan also shared Vo's final wish was that friends and fans honor his legacy not with flowers, but by supporting others in the beauty industry facing similar battles.

Kim Vo, the beloved hairstylist trusted by some of Hollywood's most famous faces, has died following a long and courageous battle with colorectal cancer. He was 55; seen in 2008

He encouraged donations to the Kim Vo Foundation, which aids hair, beauty and fashion creatives affected by cancer.

The news prompted an outpouring of grief from celebrities and industry figures who credited Vo not only with iconic transformations, but with profound kindness.

Tori Spelling wrote, 'I'm so sorry - he was such an amazing human. Filled with such light and love xo.'

Perez Hilton added, 'Oh no!!! The iconic Perez pink and all my wold colors  as well as my lush blondes  were thanks to Kim. A master of his craft and art! Such a loss!'

Producer Ashley Hammen echoed the sentiment, saying, 'I will never forget his kindness and how special I felt when I walked in those salon doors. May he fly high with the angels. I feel so lucky to have known him and am sending prayers for healing to all the hearts who loved him.'

TV host and influencer XiXi Yang shared a particularly personal remembrance, recalling her first visit to Vo's salon more than a decade ago.

'Kim, you changed my life,' Yang wrote. 'I still remember walking into your beautiful salon at the Montage in Beverly Hills in 2012 You saw it before I could say it. You took me lighter, added layers, and somehow everything changed for me.'

'I remember looking into the mirror after the color and cut, and almost crying,' she continued. 'I was seeing myself differently, for the first time. That moment changed the trajectory of my life and my career. You've been family ever since.'

Over the course of his decades-long career, Vo became Hollywood's go-to colorist, working with A-listers including Gwyneth Paltrow, Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson and Goldie Hawn

He also became a familiar face to television audiences as a judge on Bravo's hairstyling competition Shear Genius, alongside Camila Alves (pictured above in 2010)

Vo pictured with Paris Hilton

Beyond his on-screen work, Vo left his mark behind the scenes on shows such as Extreme Makeover and Plain Jane, and more recently appeared on Paramount+'s celebrity hairstylist docuseries Blowing LA.

The series followed him at his West Hollywood-based Kim Vo Salon.

In 2023, he was honored with the Best Colorist Award at Los Angeles Magazine's inaugural Best of Beauty Awards.

According to his website, Vo was hailed as the 'best blonder in the business' by Vogue and beloved by his clients for his warmth and talent.
Bella Hadid bared her butt while wearing a black cocktail dress with racy slits in a new set of Instagram photos.

The 29-year-old model-turned-entrepreneur  who stars in the new Ryan Murphy show The Beauty  teased her backside at a dinner party with friends, held on a yacht.

She teamed the look, which also boasted a plunging back, with a black masquerade mask, silver jewelry, and a glossy black manicure.

Hadid's long blonde hair was styled in tight natural waves with the top portion held back with a clip.

Her carousel post also gave her 61 million followers a glimpse at other party details, including a table decorated with playing cards, silver plates, and martini glasses.

She also managed to subtly plug her fragrance Orebella as a bottle of the perfume was propped on a table in one snapshot.

Bella Hadid bared her butt while wearing a black cocktail dress with racy slits in a new set of Instagram photos

The 29-year-old model-turned-entrepreneur teased her backside at a dinner party with friends, held on a yacht

Hadid stars in the new Ryan Murphy show The Beauty; pictured at the NYC premiere on January 14

On Saturday night the model shared more photos from her nautical vacation.

She posed in multiple bikinis, showing off her slender frame in a stringy black swimsuit in one image.

Hadid wore a patterned multicolor variety in another picture, which showed her bare-faced as she got ready to go down a water slide.

In various other outtakes she paired a white triangle bikini top with a pleated a lace pink mini skirt while sipping coffee on a boat.

The social media posts come after she told People magazine about the words of wisdom she received from her The Beauty castmates.

The star has a role in Murphy's sci-fi body horror series and welcomed the guidance of more experienced actors such as Jeremy Pope and Ashton Kutcher.

She said at the show's New York City premiere: 'They were able to just tell me a lot of words and wisdom and explain to me that even being crazy and weird is still positive.

'And sometimes things are embarrassing and at the end of the day, it's not embarrassing.'

She explained: 'We're all able to be different versions of ourselves and that's what was most important for me on this set.'

She teamed the look, which also boasted a plunging back, with a black masquerade mask, silver jewelry, and a glossy black manicure

On Saturday night the model shared more photos from her vacation

Hadid wore a patterned multicolor variety in another picture, which showed her bare-faced as she got ready to go down a water slide

Hadid often filmed separately from her co-stars but still found them 'so impactful.'

The budding actress said: 'Ashton was so helpful with just little words. I love Jeremy so much, everybody was just so welcoming to me.

'We were not really shooting on the same sets most of the time. We had one dinner together, which was awesome.'

In the upcoming FX show, Hadid plays a model on a murderous rampage and hopes that her work on the series yields more acting opportunities.

She told The Hollywood Reporter: 'I would love to keep continuing acting after this. This is a dream of mine.

'Ive brought my art side and my creativity to modeling, but at the end of the day, I love being able to move, and I love film and acting in general. I love actors because they can be different characters for so many different people.'

She added of working with American Horror Story creator Murphy: 'Ryan has just an incredible brain. I love his brain. I love his heart.'

In various other outtakes she paired a white triangle bikini top with a pleated a lace pink mini skirt while sipping coffee on a boat

The star posed in clear blue water with a yacht seen in the distance

The fashionista tied a white headscarf over her blonde locks and added black sunglasses

Before shooting for the series, Hadid was assured she would not have to interact with her brother Anwar's ex-girlfriend Nicola Peltz  who also appears on the show.

Peltz is now married to Brooklyn Beckham, and last week her husband publicly denounced his parents Victoria and David Beckham and accused them of putting the Beckham 'brand' above all else.

Hadid's family famously did not get along with Peltz during her and Anwar's two-year relationship between 2016 and 2018.

The two women appear in different episodes, with no joint promotion announced and no public interaction around the series.

A source told Daily Mail's Dominique Hines: 'Bella and Nicola have not exchanged words in years. They did not form a friendship.'

It was added: 'They were fine when Nicola was dating Anwar up until a point, and then everything went sour with the whole family.'

That personal history, the insider explained, was known during the casting process: 'When projects are being pitched, theres a rundown of everyone involved. Everyone knows the lay of the land.'
Eric Dane had to miss a scheduled appearance at the Champions for Cures and Care Gala on Saturday amid his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis.

The 53-year-old actor was honored with the Advocate of the Year Award at the annual event put on by the ALS Network in Pasadena, California.

But he couldn't accept the prize in person 'due to the physical realities' of the neurodegenerative condition.

An ALS Network spokesperson said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter: 'The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us this evening to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend.

'We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support. Aaron Lazar, Broadway star and Grammy Award nominee, will accept the award on his behalf.'

The organization announced in September that Dane would be the recipient of the award.

Eric Dane had to miss a scheduled appearance at the Champions for Cures and Care Gala on Saturday amid his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis (seen in October 2025)

A statement shared online read, 'Through his advocacy, Eric has brought international attention to ALS, helping strengthen @youralsnetworks urgent mission to provide care, resources, and hope to families impacted by this disease.

'Thank you, Eric, for your leadership and compassion!'

The former Grey's Anatomy star replied, 'This award is more than an honor  it is a reflection of the incredible strength and courage I see in the ALS community every day.'

He previously announced in April 2025 that he was diagnosed with the condition, which progressively weakens muscles and affects physical function.

His ALS news came one month after he and wife Rebecca Gayheart, 54, called off their divorce, despite no longer being romantically involved.

They share daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14.

In December the longtime performer shared plans to release a memoir.

He will author Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, to be published under Maria Shriver's The Open Field publishing imprint, a subset of Penguin Random House.

The actor was honored with the Advocate of the Year Award, but couldn't accept the prize in person 'due to the physical realities' of his neurodegenerative condition; pictured in 2025

Dane announced in April that he was diagnosed with the condition, which progressively weakens muscles and affects physical function

Dane's ALS news in April 2025 came one month after he and wife Rebecca Gayheart called off their divorce, despite no longer being romantically involved; pictured in 2016

Dane will highlight the days of his life that 'have meant the most,' which include his daughters' births, filming Greys Anatomy, getting sober, and the day he received his ALS diagnosis.

Gayheart filed for divorce from the actor in 2018 after 14 years of marriage, citing 'irreconcilable differences.'

But in early 2025 the pair quietly called off the divorce.

In a first-person piece published in The Cut in December, Gayheart shed light on their relationship, explaining that her love for him is not romantic but 'familial.'

Dane and Gayheart share daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14 ; pictured in May 2024

She added that she is trying to do her best by him amid his health issues.

The actress wrote: 'We had a really lovely marriage for a long time - we were married for 15 years - we created two beautiful girls.

'But also, lots of s**t went crazy in our relationship, and it wasn't good. We separated, but we never got a divorce; we were about to and then we didn't. We haven't lived in the same home for eight years; he's dated other people, I've dated someone.'

'It's a very complicated relationship, one that's confusing for people,' she acknowledged.

Gayheart added that she 'shows up' for Dane to make his health journey 'easier.'
Geri Horner and her husband Christian cheered on their horse at the Heythrop Hunt Point-To-Point Steeplechases in Gloucestershire on Sunday, after celebrating her Spice Girl bandmate, Emma Bunton's 50th birthday.

Ginger Spice, 53, showed no signs of a late night as she watched one of her most successful horses, Lift Me Up, compete in Ladies Open at Cocklebarrow Farm near Aldsworth.

Donning a flat cap and jeans, Geri nailed country chic as she wrapped up warm in a light brown cardigan and chunky scarf.

Her husband Christian, 52, looked tense as he watched the race through binoculars, with their 10-year-old stallion placing 4th overall.

The Spice Girl and the former Red Bull F1 team principal set up their racehorse owning company, OMBI, back in 2021.

The couple own a number of race horses, which they have all renamed with titles from tracks from Geri's solo career, including Look at Mee, Lift Me Up, Mi Chico Latino and Its Raining Men.

Geri Horner and her husband Christian cheered on their horse at the Heythrop Hunt Point-To-Point Steeplechases on Sunday, after celebrating Emma Bunton's 50th birthday

Ginger Spice, 53, showed no signs of a late night as she watched one of her most successful horses, Lift Me Up compete in the race at Cocklebarrow Farm near Aldsworth

Lift Me Up, whose real name is Hector and cost a whopping 28,000, is one of their most successful horses, bagging his first win at Newbury in 2023.

Geri headed to the races after celebrating Emma's 50th at Soho Farmhouse on Saturday night, which saw Victoria Beckham also attend after a turbulent week.

Geri, Emma and Melanie Chisholm, 52, rallied around Victoria, days after her son Brooklyn left her heartbroken with his bombshell statement.

Sharing a picture of the Spice Girls' reunion - minus Melanie Brown, 50 - Victoria captioned the post: 'Happy birthday to the most beautiful soul. I love you girls so much.'

David Beckham commented on his wife's post, gushing: 'This made me so happy. I can only imagine how the spice girls fans feel @spicegirls @victoriabeckham special night celebrating Emma.'

Posh broke her social media silence following Brooklyn's post earlier this week to wish Emma a happy birthday on the actual day ahead of the celebrations in person.

Victoria no doubt had plenty to talk about with the Spice Girls at the end of a week which friends say has left her 'devastated'.

On Monday Brooklyn, 26, published a scathing six-page statement about his family where he said he has no interest in reconciling with them, including dad David.

Victoria Beckham spent the weekend partying with her Spice Girls bandmates, days after her son Brooklyn left her heartbroken with his bombshell statement

Victoria captioned the post: 'Happy birthday to the most beautiful soul. I love you girls so much'

Her husband Christian, 52, looked tense as he watched the race through binoculars, with their 10-year-old stallion placing 4th in the Ladies Open

The Spice Girl and the former Red Bull F1 team principal set up their racehorse owning company, OMBI, back in 2021

Donning a flat cap and jeans, Geri nailed country chic as she wrapped up warm in a light brown cardigan and chunky scarf

The couple clambered onto the top of their car to get a better view of the race

Lift Me Up, whose real name is Hector and cost a whopping 28,000, is one of their most successful horses, bagging his first win at Newbury in 2023

It has been a rough week for fashion designer Victoria after her son Brooklyn's statement (pictured in 2024)

David and Victoria would 'take Brooklyn back in a minute' and are said to be 'horrified' by events this week, according to another source

Join the debate Has Brooklyn gone too far airing family drama publicly, or is he right to speak his truth?



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 to wife Nicola Peltz, 31, and 'danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone', before accusing his parents of trying to ruin his relationship.

Days after the statement, DJ Fat Tony finally recounted the exact detail of the dance during an appearance on This Morning.

The 60-year-old branded the incident 'really awkward' and confirmed that Nicola fled the reception in tears.

Tony, a longtime friend of the Beckhams, claimed that Marc Anthony was to blame, revealing the musician had called Victoria to the dance floor with her son and instructed him, 'place your hands on your mother's hips'.

He said: '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.'

Tony continued: 'What happened was, basically, Marc Anthony was performing on stage, he then called Brooklyn onto stage.

'Brooklyn went on to the stage, and the next minute everyone's expecting Nicola to go up and do the first dance, and then Marc asked for the most beautiful woman in the room to come to the stage - and then he says, "Victoria, come to the stage."'

He revealed that Brooklyn looked 'devastated' at the fact his first dance was with Victoria and not his wife, adding that Nicola left the room 'crying her eyes out'.

Tony went on: 'Brooklyn is stuck there on stage, and they do this dance, and Marc Anthony says "put your hands on your mother's hips" and it was a Latin thing, and the whole situation was really awkward for everyone in the room

'I've done an awful lot of Beckham parties in the past, and they are a very dancing close-knit family and love to dance, right? So you know, what we deem as 'inappropriate' is not how Brooklyn feels.

'This is all about how Brooklyn feels. If he feels that it was inappropriate and awkward, it was inappropriate and awkward.

'What's sad is that this is the bit that everyone's taken from the statement, and kind of whitewashed everything else that went on.'

Since Brooklyn's bombshells statement, the family have been busying themselves, with his brother Romeo arriving in Paris with his girlfriend Kim Turnbull for Fashion Week and their youngest brother Cruz promoting his new music.

Brooklyn's father David, meanwhile, was in Davos, Switzerland, attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) speaking about media and youth.

He avoided discussing his eldest son, but did touch on his belief that children should be allowed to make their own mistakes.

Meanwhile, Victoria bagged her first ever solo number one after a huge social media campaign pushed her to the top of the chart.

Victoria's 2001 solo single Not Such An Innocent Girl, a track which showcased Posh Spice's raunchy dance moves, has shot to number one on the iTunes chart in the UK and Ireland

Victoria's 2001 single Not Such An Innocent Girl, a track which showcased Posh Spice's raunchy dance moves, has shot to number one on the iTunes chart in the UK and Ireland.

The chart positions have 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,' reads a viral post on Instagram which has been shared by the likes of Katherine Ryan and Luisa Zissman.

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.
Justin Baldoni marked his 42nd birthday surrounded by family support as his bitter legal war with Blake Lively continues to unfold in court.

The It Ends With Us director and actor was publicly backed by his father, Sam Baldoni, who shared a deeply personal tribute reflecting on his son's birth, character and resilience during what he described as a tumultuous year.

'Happy Birthday Justin Louis Baldoni!' Sam wrote. 'Being a new dad I had no idea what to expect when Justin was born. His birth (our first) was not easy. Sharon spent 34+ hours in labor and we ended up cesarean.'

Sam recalled holding his newborn son first and placing him against his mother's cheek, calling it 'a spiritual, very exhilarating close to God kind of experience.'

'This little guy filled our home with such joy all those years ago and to this day his presence lights up not only our lives but all those around him,' he continued.

He went on to praise Baldoni's devotion to his family and his wife, Emily Baldoni, writing: 'I envy his continual dedication to his family and his love and admiration for his truly perfect partner Emily my dearly loved Daughter-in-love.'

Justin Baldoni marked his 42nd birthdaysurrounded by family support as his bitter legal war with Blake Lively continues to unfold in court

The post ended with a pointed reference to Baldoni's ongoing legal turmoil.

'Son, in a year full of turmoil and injustice you have remained steadfast in your faith knowing that truth and justice will prevail! Happy Birthday Son, I love you with all my heart and soul.'

The tribute comes as Baldoni remains embroiled in an intense legal battle with Lively, who in December 2024 named him in a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

In her filing, Lively alleged that Baldoni sexually harassed her in multiple ways, including body shaming, and orchestrated a smear campaign designed to damage her reputation.

She also named several of Baldoni's collaborators in the suit, including his company Wayfarer Studios, its CEO and financial backer, as well as PR personnel.

Baldoni has denied the allegations.

He initially sought $250 million in damages from The New York Times over a report detailing Lively's claims.

That suit named Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and her publicist Leslie Sloane. The case was thrown out of court this past June. All parties have denied all allegations against them.

The It Ends With Us director and actor was publicly backed by his father, who shared a deeply personal tribute reflecting on his son's resilience during what he described as a tumultuous year; Justin Baldoni seen in 2015 with his parents Sam and Sharon

'Happy Birthday Justin Louis Baldoni!' Sam wrote. 'Being a new dad I had no idea what to expect when Justin was born. His birth (our first) was not easy. Sharon spent 34+ hours in labor and we ended up cesarean'

Sam recalled holding his newborn son first and placing him against his mother's cheek, calling it 'a spiritual, very exhilarating close to God kind of experience'

Earlier this week, explosive text messages between Lively and Taylor Swift were revealed as part of the ongoing litigation surrounding It Ends With Us.

According to court papers, the pair exchanged unflattering remarks about Baldoni, who both directed and co-starred in the film.

Lively allegedly referred to Baldoni as the 'doofus director of my movie,' while Swift replied: 'I'll do anything for you!'

After a meeting about changing the script, Lively texted Swift calling her the 'absolute greatest friend ever.'

In other exchanges, Swift advised Lively about using one of her songs in the film and suggested Baldoni was not 'strategic.'

The tribute comes as Baldoni remains embroiled in an intense legal battle with Lively, who in December 2024 named him in a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment (which he has denied)

Just before a bombshell New York Times article detailing Lively's claims was published in December 2024, Swift texted: 'I think this b**** [Baldoni] knows something is coming because he's gotten out his tiny violin.'

The court filings also allege that Lively disparaged Baldoni to other A-list friends, including Matt Damon and his wife Lucy, and Ben Affleck - whom she allegedly described Baldoni to as a 'chaotic clown.'

Baldoni's lawyers wrote that on April 12, 2023, Lively asked Swift to help her endorse a revised script, referring to Baldoni as 'this doofus director of my movie' and 'a clown' who 'thinks he's a writer now.'

One message from Lively read: 'You don't have to read of course.'

Lively's legal team disputed that she asked Swift to endorse the script without reading it, saying she only 'hoped she would.'

In her filing, Lively alleged that Baldoni sexually harassed her in multiple ways, including body shaming, and orchestrated a smear campaign designed to damage her reputation; seen in 2024

Earlier this week, explosive text messages between Lively and Taylor Swift were revealed as part of the ongoing litigation surrounding It Ends With Us; seen in December 2023

Following a meeting at Lively's apartment, Swift allegedly endorsed the revised draft. Lively later wrote: 'You were so epically heroic today This clown falling for all of it.'

Lively's side disputed claims that Swift agreed to do her 'bidding.'

According to Baldoni's lawyers, Lively also told friends - including Damon, Lucy Damon and Affleck - that she 'rewrote the script' and 'directed every actor.'

In a text to Affleck, Lively allegedly wrote: 'I ended up rewriting and restructuring the entire script, I also ended up having to direct the movie via the chaotic clown 'director'/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the center.'

Her lawyers did not dispute the message's contents but said it should be taken in context.

The filings further claim Lively urged famous friends - including Bradley Cooper, Swift, Damon and Affleck - as well as author Colleen Hoover to support her version of the film over Baldoni's.

Although Baldoni had purchased the rights to Hoover's novel, Sony ultimately released Lively's version of the movie amid the fallout surrounding allegations about Baldoni's on-set conduct.
Americans are getting tired of being asked to tip at every turn  and in Las Vegas, diners are starting to feel like even gratitude comes with a cover charge.

Three diners in Sin City were disgusted by how their waiter behaved after the group splurged over $200 at the restaurant.

On January 18, the customers went to Il Chianti, an Italian eatery located just miles from The Strip, for dinner.

They ordered $221 worth of pasta, steak, bruschetta, and Pinot Grigio. But when the check arrived, the customers were shocked to find out that a 30 percent tip had already been subtly added on.

Along with the tax and pre-added gratuity, the check came to $305. However, there was still a tip option at the bottom of the receipt.

'Suggested tip amounts are provided for your convenience,' the bill said  along with the amount of money for an 18, 20, or 25 percent tip on top of the gratuity already tagged on.

The diners were outraged.

'Went to a restaurant in a Vegas where they added a 30 percent gratuity to our table of 3 without any disclosure,' one wrote on Reddit.

Americans are getting tired of being asked to tip at every turn, and in Las Vegas, diners are starting to feel like even gratitude comes with a cover charge

Pictured: Il Chianti, an Italian eatery located just miles from The Strip in Las Vegas

Along with the tax and pre-added gratuity, the check came to $305. However, there was still a tip option at the bottom of the receipt

They continued: 'Is this legal? Is this a new thing? Im flabbergasted.'

Reddit users were equally appalled.

'This is insane and a ripoff. Thank you for warning others,' one wrote.

'Ill write a bad review for them. This is unacceptable,' someone else said.

'Dont pay it. Simple. Ask for it to be taken off,' a user suggested.

Another explained that this was a typical situation for the area: 'It's Vegas, they absolutely do s*** like that.'

This is just the latest installment in a never-ending saga of tipping horror stories.

Earlier this month, customers at a casual seafood eatery in Maryland were outraged when they received their bill for a $260 meal with the 15 percent tip option scribbled out by the server.

Join the debate How has tipping culture changed your dining experience, and what do you think is driving this shift?

The diners were disgusted by how their waiter behaved after the group splurged over $200 at the restaurant (stock image)

Customers at a casual seafood eatery in Maryland were outraged when they received their bill for a $260 meal with the 15 percent tip option scribbled out by the server

The diners had been eating at G&M Restaurant Linthicum Heights and said their waitress was friendly and service was decent enough, though nothing excellent.

But when the check was returned, the 15 percent gratuity  amounting to $36.75  had been scratched out. It made it appear, the diners said, as though it wouldnt be good enough for her.

The waitress had also written Thank you on the receipt in advance  a move the diners described as entitled and infuriating.

'I was not the one footing this bill, or else I wouldve given a big fat zero for this alone,' one of the diners complained on Reddit.

Certainly, before the pandemic, a 15 percent tip was widely seen as perfectly acceptable  even generous  for average service.

Today, many diners say anything below 20 percent is treated as a snub.

This is a phenomenon that has been dubbed 'tipflation': the growing pressure and expectation to tip in more situations and at higher percentages.

In another recent example, a Reddit user said they were shocked to be effectively forced to tip when ordering a pizza for pickup.

Just a decade ago, 15 percent was considered the standard tip for average service. Now, that number has spiked to 20 percent or often more

As they were paying, they were hit with a message saying 'Don't forget a tip!' and given options of 15, 20 or 35 percent. There was also a 'custom' box, but no option to leave nothing.

However, when the customer attempted to make the custom amount $0, the screen wouldn't allow the order to move forward  displaying a bright red message: 'Please enter a valid tip amount.'

'How can it be a tip when I don't have a choice,' the customer asked on Reddit. 'Well I did have a choice and went elsewhere,' they wrote.

Self-serve frozen yogurt shops have also become a lightning rod for customer anger.

Chains such as 16 Handles and Yogurtland have drawn criticism after customers say they are asked to tip despite serving themselves entirely  from selecting flavors to adding toppings.

For what? frustrated froyo fans have asked online, arguing that the workers do not serve the frozen yogurt or scoop the toppings.

A survey last year found that three-quarters of Americans believed tipping culture has gone too far. The research also found that two in three Americans often 'guilt tip'  where they feel forced to add gratuity by prompts at check-out machines.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Il Chianti for comment.
A coffee chain that has catered to some of California's ritziest neighborhoods is now permanently closing locations following an $18 billion takeover by Keurig Dr Pepper.

Peet's Coffee is set to shutter dozens of locations across the West Coast state by the end of January.

The chain operates 283 locations nationwide, including 35 in the Bay Area alone - nearly 30 of which are slated to close for good, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The closures follow an $18 billion all-cash takeover by Keurig Dr Pepper, which announced the acquisition of Peet's parent company, JDE Peet's, in August.

A spokesperson for Peet's told Daily Mail that the closures were a 'difficult decision' and confirmed that the company will shutter a 'number of locations' by the end of January 2026 but refused to disclose which ones.

'These closures reflect a broader effort to align our business with long-term growth priorities and current market conditions,' the company said in a statement.

'We are deeply grateful to our incredible employees and loyal customers for their continued commitment to the brand.

'As we move forward, we remain dedicated to the quality, craftsmanship, and heritage that have defined Peet's for the past 60 years, while embracing new opportunities to innovate and grow.'

Peet's Coffee is permanently closing multiple locations following an $18 billion takeover by Keurig Dr Pepper

A report stated 30 stores in the Bay Area will close however Peet's refused to confirm which locations

However according to the San Francisco Standard two of Peet's longstanding San Francisco locations - 2139 C Polk St in the Polk Gulch neighborhood and 2257 Market Street in Castro - are among those putting up 'for sale' signs.

The Cole Valley Peets at 919 Cole Street will also be closing, according to Hoodline, which independently confirmed the news.

'It's been a really emotional time period,' Dino Solis, an employee of the Berkeley location, told ABC 7 News.

'For the first couple of days, some of us were either crying during the notification, or trying to figure out what our next moves are,' he added. 'What are our options?

'When we were asking about transfers, it seemed that there was a lot of conversations around multiple stores being closed. Therefore, it wouldn't be an equitable practice to transfer so many workers across different shops. So, we were not given that option at all.'

Rebecca Forster, a loyal customer and author, told Daily Mail: 'I don't know what it will do to the neighborhood, but I know what it will do to the regulars...They are beyond sad.'

Seated at a Peets table with her laptop open - and only days left before the cafe shutters - customer Forster recalled the friendly faces and sense of community shes come to know since moving to the neighborhood about a year and a half ago.

'I honestly don't know how to describe the chemistry in this place. Joyous? Fun? Concerned,' she said. 'If you don't come in for a few days, people worry.'

The Starbucks rival is a chain founded in 1966 and it operates 283 locations nationwide

Two of Peet's longstanding San Francisco locations are reportedly among those due to close

Scouring her three-block 'village' in the center of the beach town, Forster found one cafes chairs unbearable, others overly 'chic,' and some without iced tea - a deal-breaker for her.

It wasnt until she walked into Peets that her search ended - an experience she described as an 'instant tsunami of welcome.'

'The baristas really gave it the magic. Within days they knew me, my order, my preferences. Often my tea was at the register before I could say a word,' Forster shared.

'When the morning rush is over and they can stand down for a minute we have all heard them erupt in spontaneous laughter and talk to one another as if they are the best of friends,' she added.

'We know we are losing a place that is special not because it's convenient but because somehow the most lovely, bright and hardworking baristas ended up at one location.'

For more than a year, shes claimed the same table, with regulars kindly alerting her when 'her' seat was free - giving her space to sip, socialize and type out her USA Today bestselling thriller novels.

Every morning came with its regulars: a traveling woman, a dog lady, a retired cop, an older couple who still hold hands, a man reading the Bible, and an Indian gentleman immersed in geopolitical tomes who never failed to offer a 'gentle goodbye.'

'Oh, and the man whose been fighting a parking ticket for three years,' Forster added.

The Cole Valley Peets at 919 Cole Street will also be closing

Customer Timothy Hedges (pictured) shared a post earlier this month saying how much he loved the chain. He wrote: 'On big days, I go out of way to treat myself to a Peets coffee. It helps set the tone. Gets my mind right. Its about the actual coffee for sure but its more so the emotional connection and memories'

With only days left before Peets shuts its doors permanently - and no clear plan for what comes next for the regulars or its workers - Forster has watched the cafe slowly fade away.

'It seems corporate is not sending any more supplies,' Forster said. 'It feels like the kids are cleaning out mom's house because they had to put her in a home.'

Online backlash to the closure has mounted as petitions circulated, with angered critics urging Peets to protect its neighborhood cafes rather than give in to corporate consolidation.

'Sadness. The Castro's Peet's Coffee is abruptly closing at the end of the month,' Scott James, a regular, wrote on Facebook.

'Neighbors have come here for decades,' he added. 'Staff says management didn't really give them a reason, except "it's the little things."'

Maclovia Martel, a customer at both the Peet's in Redondo and Manhattan Beach, wrote: 'I love all the employees at this location. It's definitely a community for a lot of people to meet up.'

'They said Peets was bought by Dr Pepper,' she added. 'Wow!!!'

In Evanston, a Change.org petition launched to 'Keep the Evanston cafe open through the end of the year

In October, Keurig raised $7 billion from private equity firms to finance the purchase, easing investor concerns over mounting debt

'Bummed,' wrote Bryan Parker, a regular whose office sits right next door, adding that Peets is his favorite coffee.

'Decision seems short sided,' he added. 'The place is always crowded. Come on guys.'

In Evanston, a Change.org petition launched to 'Keep the Evanston cafe open through the end of the year and give this community a chance to show what it means to us.'

'This store is not struggling. It is not empty. It is not forgotten,' the petition said.

'Closing it now would erase not just a cafe, but a piece of Evanston's civic fabric - at a moment when both the neighborhood and the store itself are clearly still alive and growing.'

Peets, founded in Berkeley in 1966, is now headquartered in Emeryville, even though it is owned by a Dutch parent company.

Globally Peets boasts over 465 locations, with locations outside America in China and the Middle East.

In October, Keurig raised $7 billion from private equity firms to finance the purchase, easing investor concerns over mounting debt, according to Reuters.

The Peet's location at 2139 C Polk St in San Francisco is among those due to close

The buyout, first announced in August, is one of Europe's largest recent acquisitions and will further consolidate the global coffee market at a time when bean prices are soaring.

Coffee prices have reached record highs due to droughts in top-producing countries Brazil and Vietnam, as well as market volatility following President Donald Trumps import tariffs on most trade partners.

The Amsterdam-based parent company also revealed plans to divide the merged companys coffee and beverage operations - including Dr Pepper - into two separate publicly traded companies.

However, Peet's Coffee is brewing something new: on Wednesday, the chain announced plans for hotels, prompting theories that this could be its next big business move.

In a new partnership with Omni Hotels & Resorts, the Berkeley-based coffee shop announced on Facebook that its premium coffee will be served to hotel guests worldwide starting February 1.
National Parks & Outdoor Recreation News for the week of January 18-24, 2026

As winter weather sweeps across the country and we approach significant park anniversaries, this week brings important updates for anyone planning outdoor adventures. A major snowstorm is impacting multiple national park sites along the East Coast, creating temporary closures and safety concerns that require vigilance from visitors. But it's not all weather warnings, exciting opportunities are awaiting climate advocates looking to make a difference in Death Valley, history enthusiasts celebrating Abraham Lincoln's legacy in Springfield, and park lovers eager to see long-awaited improvements at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Whether you're adjusting travel plans around winter conditions or marking your calendar for upcoming events, here's what you need to know this week.

Looking at the road ahead while Driving on the Natchez Trace Parkway (John Tillison/ ParkRangerJohn)

A major snowstorm is creating several park area closures beginning January 23, 2026.

Weather impacts several National Park Sites, including the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Natchez Trace Parkway, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Stones River National Battlefield. If you plan to visit a park this coming week, make sure to:

Check the park's website and look under park alerts for any weather-related closures

Keep updated on area weather conditions

Make sure to always carry the 10 essentials

Always practice the buddy system

Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan on returning

Have a safe vehicle with a full tank of gas.

visitors hiking out into Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park (John Tillison/ ParkRangerJohn)

Join the first Climate Ride Event of 2026 in Death Valley National Park, March 6-11, 2026

Get up on your bike, go for a hike, or go for a run, and take the fight against Climate Change by participating in the Death Valley National Park Climate Ride. All you need to do is choose NPCA as a beneficiary when you register for this event.

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Since 2012, Climate change participants have raised over $300,000 for the NPCA (National Parks Conservation Association), which has helped mitigate threats to our national parks:

Conserving land across the world

Air pollution

Invasive species

Constructing land bridges for wildlife

healing ecosystems damaged by deforestation, droughts, and floods that have been made worse by climate change

With each event, the Climate Ride organization turns your participation and support into support for the future of our planet.

Lincoln Boyhood Home Springfield, Illinois (John Tillison/ ParkRangerJohn)

Lincoln Home National Historic Site Hosts Lincoln Birthday Bash

The Lincoln Home National Historic Site, located in Springfield, Illinois, plans to host a free all-day public celebration marking the 217th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. Events will take place at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site visitor center on:

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February 12, 2026, from 9 am-4 pm

February 14, 2026, from 9 am - 4 pm

February 15, 2026, from 9 am-4 pm

All events are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. On Saturday, the Eastern National Bookstore will provide cake to commemorate Lincoln's Birthday.

Alligator in Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (John Tillison/ ParkRangerJohn)

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve temporarily closes visitor center and trails for Improvements

Hurricane Ida caused severe damage to boardwalks and trail infrastructure throughout Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in 2021. The park received two disaster supplement awards, and after public meetings, environmental assessments, and project planning, the park will begin demolition and construction of most of the Barataria Preserve trails and visitor center. The park will relocate visitor services to the town of Lafitte's Visitor Center six miles away. Park improvements are designed to reduce closures from flooding and storm impacts, enhance visitor experience, and provide a stronger infrastructure for future storms.

This week's news underscores the importance of preparation, whether you're navigating winter weather conditions at affected parks or gearing up for spring events like the Death Valley Climate Ride. The storm impacts remind us that nature demands respect and flexibility. Always check park alerts before you visit and carry those 10 essentials. Looking ahead, the Lincoln Birthday celebrations offer wonderful family-friendly opportunities to connect with American history, while the improvements at Jean Lafitte demonstrate our commitment to building resilient park infrastructure for future generations. As always, stay informed, stay safe, and find ways to engage with and support the parks you love. Check back next week for more updates, and rememberresponsible recreation starts with being prepared!
Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE:SSTK  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Hold by the five analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has 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 $25.00.

SSTK has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Shutterstock in a report on Wednesday. Zacks Research downgraded Shutterstock from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Shutterstock from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Shutterstock Stock Performance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its position in shares of Shutterstock by 12.2% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 29,901 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $557,000 after acquiring an additional 3,263 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in Shutterstock by 109.3% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 626,615 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $11,674,000 after purchasing an additional 327,203 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Shutterstock during the second quarter valued at $212,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in Shutterstock by 71.8% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,996 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 834 shares during the period. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its position in Shutterstock by 8.7% in the second quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 14,475 shares of the business services providers stock worth $273,000 after buying an additional 1,158 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.79% of the companys stock.

NYSE SSTK opened at $19.37 on Thursday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $19.21 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.67. Shutterstock has a 1 year low of $14.35 and a 1 year high of $32.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $688.13 million, a PE ratio of 11.53 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 0.53.

Shutterstock (NYSE:SSTK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The business services provider reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.48). Shutterstock had a net margin of 5.89% and a return on equity of 16.30%. The company had revenue of $260.09 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $255.60 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.31 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Shutterstock will post 3.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Shutterstock Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 4th were given a dividend of $0.33 per share. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 4th. Shutterstocks payout ratio is 78.57%.

About Shutterstock

(Get Free Report)

Shutterstock, Inc (NYSE:SSTK) operates a leading global creative platform that provides royalty-free stock content to businesses, marketing agencies and media outlets. Its primary offerings include high-resolution photographs, vector graphics, illustrations, video footage and music tracks, all available through subscription plans or on-demand licensing. The platform also features customizable design tools and collaborative workspaces that enable customers to create and manage visual content more efficiently.

Founded in 2003 by Jon Oringer, Shutterstock began as an online marketplace offering a modest selection of images and quickly scaled its library to hundreds of millions of assets.

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Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:BOH  Get Free Report) is expected to be announcing its Q4 2025 results before the market opens on Monday, January 26th. Analysts expect Bank of Hawaii to post earnings of $1.24 per share and revenue of $184.8260 million for the quarter. Parties can check the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning summary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET.

Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:BOH  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The bank reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.07. Bank of Hawaii had a net margin of 17.41% and a return on equity of 13.33%. The firm had revenue of $182.64 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $180.95 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.93 EPS. On average, analysts expect Bank of Hawaii to post $4 EPS for the current fiscal year and $5 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Bank of Hawaii Stock Down 4.5%

NYSE:BOH opened at $70.71 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $68.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $66.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. Bank of Hawaii has a 52 week low of $57.44 and a 52 week high of $76.00.

Bank of Hawaii Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th were issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. Bank of Hawaiis dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 68.63%.

Several analysts have recently commented on BOH shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Bank of Hawaii from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Sunday, January 4th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Bank of Hawaii in a research note on Monday, December 29th. DA Davidson reiterated a neutral rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of Bank of Hawaii in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on Bank of Hawaii from $66.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of Hawaii has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.25.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Bank of Hawaii

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Peter S. Ho sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.87, for a total transaction of $1,018,050.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 156,774 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,640,251.38. This represents a 8.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.07% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bank of Hawaii

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in Bank of Hawaii by 16.4% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 26,241 shares of the banks stock worth $1,808,000 after purchasing an additional 3,689 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 177.5% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 23,818 shares of the banks stock worth $1,617,000 after buying an additional 15,234 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 23,272 shares of the banks stock worth $1,605,000 after buying an additional 1,027 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Bank of Hawaii by 35.8% in the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 19,808 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,366,000 after acquiring an additional 5,227 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in Bank of Hawaii during the first quarter valued at about $41,000. 82.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Bank of Hawaii

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Bank of Hawaii (NYSE: BOH) is a regional commercial bank headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, with roots tracing back to its founding in 1897 by Charles Montague Cooke and Peter Cushman Jones. As one of the oldest financial institutions in the U.S. West Coast region, the bank has built a reputation for stability and community focus. It operates as the principal subsidiary of Bank of Hawaii Corporation, a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.

The bank offers a comprehensive suite of personal and business banking products and services.

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Shares of Heico Corporation (NYSE:HEI  Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the eighteen brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $364.4286.

HEI has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded Heico from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, December 27th. BNP Paribas Exane set a $330.00 price target on shares of Heico in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a hold rating and issued a $375.00 price target (up previously from $355.00) on shares of Heico in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $415.00 price objective (up from $367.00) on shares of Heico in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $375.00 target price (up previously from $350.00) on shares of Heico in a research note on Monday, December 22nd.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Heico Trading Down 1.7%

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Heico by 45.7% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 769,704 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $248,476,000 after purchasing an additional 241,559 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP increased its position in shares of Heico by 0.6% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 558,661 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $180,347,000 after acquiring an additional 3,166 shares during the last quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. raised its stake in shares of Heico by 366.0% in the 2nd quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. now owns 308,457 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $101,174,000 after acquiring an additional 242,264 shares during the period. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its position in shares of Heico by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 203,504 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $65,695,000 after purchasing an additional 2,331 shares during the period. Finally, Munro Partners boosted its position in shares of Heico by 8.5% during the 3rd quarter. Munro Partners now owns 197,633 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $63,800,000 after purchasing an additional 15,560 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 27.12% of the companys stock.

Shares of Heico stock opened at $333.67 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $46.50 billion, a PE ratio of 67.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.03. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $326.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $320.58. Heico has a 1 year low of $216.68 and a 1 year high of $361.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 2.83 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Heico (NYSE:HEI  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, December 18th. The aerospace company reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $1.21 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.17 billion. Heico had a return on equity of 16.80% and a net margin of 15.39%.The companys revenue was up 19.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.99 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Heico will post 4.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Heico Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 20th. Investors of record on Monday, January 5th were given a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, January 5th. Heicos payout ratio is presently 4.89%.

Heico Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

HEICO Corporation is an aerospace, defense and electronics company that designs, manufactures, and sells a range of products and provides repair and aftermarket services. Headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, HEICO supplies replacement components, repair services and engineered systems for commercial and business aviation, military and space markets as well as for selected industrial and medical customers. The companys offerings are focused on sustaining and improving the reliability and availability of complex equipment across its end markets.

HEICO operates through two principal business areas.

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Shares of CES Energy Solutions Corp. (OTCMKTS:CESDF  Get Free Report) passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $8.96 and traded as high as $10.5255. CES Energy Solutions shares last traded at $10.40, with a volume of 3,167 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. TD Securities restated a buy rating on shares of CES Energy Solutions in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of CES Energy Solutions in a report on Monday, November 17th. National Bankshares restated an outperform rating on shares of CES Energy Solutions in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of CES Energy Solutions in a research note on Monday, November 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have assigned a Buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy.

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CES Energy Solutions Stock Down 0.3%

CES Energy Solutions Company Profile

The businesss 50 day moving average is $9.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.13.

(Get Free Report)

CES Energy Solutions Corp. is a North American provider of specialty chemical solutions and services to the oil and gas industry. The company develops, manufactures and markets a comprehensive range of products used in drilling, completion, production and environmental applications. These offerings include drilling and completion fluids, production chemicals, proppants and solids control equipment, all designed to optimize well performance and minimize environmental impact.

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, CES Energy Solutions operates a network of manufacturing, blending and distribution facilities across Canada and the United States.

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Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $107.64 and traded as high as $110.35. Choice Hotels International shares last traded at $105.53, with a volume of 891,134 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on CHH shares. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Choice Hotels International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $140.00 to $95.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Choice Hotels International in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an underweight rating and a $84.00 price target on the stock. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $99.00 to $98.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $122.00 to $110.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $107.85.

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Choice Hotels International Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.81. The companys fifty day moving average is $96.10 and its 200 day moving average is $107.45. The firm has a market cap of $4.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.88, a PEG ratio of 8.24 and a beta of 0.77.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $2.10 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.18 by ($0.08). Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 23.93% and a return on equity of 9,081.29%. The company had revenue of $278.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $419.75 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.23 EPS. Choice Hotels Internationals revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. Choice Hotels International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.820-7.050 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. Choice Hotels Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.13%.

Institutional Trading of Choice Hotels International

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CHH. Bamco Inc. NY grew its stake in Choice Hotels International by 7.4% during the third quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 5,359,896 shares of the companys stock worth $573,026,000 after buying an additional 369,244 shares in the last quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp boosted its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 1,046,784 shares of the companys stock worth $111,912,000 after acquiring an additional 81,132 shares in the last quarter. Rock Creek Group LP increased its stake in Choice Hotels International by 52.3% in the second quarter. Rock Creek Group LP now owns 811,579 shares of the companys stock valued at $102,973,000 after acquiring an additional 278,715 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in Choice Hotels International by 5.3% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 428,285 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,341,000 after purchasing an additional 21,631 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in Choice Hotels International by 1.1% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 403,720 shares of the companys stock worth $51,224,000 after purchasing an additional 4,425 shares during the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Choice Hotels International

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Choice Hotels International, Inc is a hospitality franchisor specializing in the development and support of lodging brands across the economy, midscale and upscale segments. Through a network of franchisees, Choice Hotels supplies proprietary reservation and distribution systems, comprehensive marketing programs, and operational support services. The companys core activities include brand management, franchise development, and technology-driven revenue optimization tools designed to enhance guest acquisition and retention for its partners.

Founded in 1939 as Quality Courts United, the company rebranded to Choice Hotels International in 1982 to reflect its expanding brand portfolio and global ambitions.

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Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG  Free Report) had its target price boosted by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $68.00 to $70.00 in a report published on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the banks stock.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on CFG. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $69.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Citigroup raised Citizens Financial Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. TD Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a report on Monday, December 1st. UBS Group increased their price objective on Citizens Financial Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Barclays set a $77.00 target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $66.91.

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Citizens Financial Group Trading Down 2.5%

NYSE:CFG opened at $62.64 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $26.90 billion, a PE ratio of 16.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 0.72. Citizens Financial Group has a fifty-two week low of $32.60 and a fifty-two week high of $65.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The stocks 50-day moving average is $57.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $53.09.

Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The bank reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.16 billion. Citizens Financial Group had a net margin of 15.19% and a return on equity of 7.89%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.85 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Citizens Financial Group will post 3.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Citizens Financial Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 4th. Citizens Financial Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 47.55%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Trust Co. of Vermont increased its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 177.5% in the second quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 641 shares of the banks stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 410 shares during the period. GoalVest Advisory LLC grew its holdings in Citizens Financial Group by 16,900.0% in the 2nd quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 680 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 676 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in Citizens Financial Group by 891.5% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 585 shares of the banks stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 526 shares during the period. REAP Financial Group LLC increased its position in Citizens Financial Group by 72.4% in the 2nd quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 736 shares of the banks stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 309 shares during the period. Finally, Capital A Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 3,970.0% during the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 814 shares of the banks stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 794 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.90% of the companys stock.

Citizens Financial Group News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Citizens Financial Group this week:

About Citizens Financial Group

(Get Free Report)

Citizens Financial Group, Inc (NYSE: CFG) is a bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial services to individuals, small and middle-market businesses, corporations and institutional clients. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens conducts its banking operations principally through its primary banking subsidiary, Citizens Bank, and serves customers through a combination of branch locations, ATMs and digital channels. The company is publicly traded and operates under the regulatory framework applicable to U.S.

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Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD  Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) had its price target boosted by BMO Capital Markets from C$59.00 to C$74.00 in a research report report published on Thursday morning,BayStreet.CA reports.

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group raised Eldorado Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from C$42.00 to C$54.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of C$43.58.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Eldorado Gold

Eldorado Gold Stock Performance

Shares of ELD stock opened at C$63.30 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$12.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.17, a PEG ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.38. Eldorado Gold has a one year low of C$18.94 and a one year high of C$64.05. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$48.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$39.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.28, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a current ratio of 3.37.

Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD  Get Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported C$0.27 earnings per share for the quarter. Eldorado Gold had a return on equity of 7.60% and a net margin of 23.32%.The firm had revenue of C$605.32 million during the quarter. Equities analysts anticipate that Eldorado Gold will post 2.1505174 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Eldorado Gold

In related news, insider Christian Milau purchased 2,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$36.99 per share, with a total value of C$99,873.00. Following the acquisition, the insider owned 11,290 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$417,617.10. This trade represents a 31.43% increase in their position. Insiders own 0.58% of the companys stock.

About Eldorado Gold

(Get Free Report)

Eldorado Gold Corp is a gold and base metals producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Canada, Greece and Romania. It has a portfolio of high-quality assets and long-term partnerships with local communities. Some of its projects include Kisladag, Efemcukuru, Skouries; Perama Hill and Certej projects.

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Gorman-Rupp Company (The) (NYSE:GRC  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $44.98 and traded as high as $54.26. Gorman-Rupp shares last traded at $53.8550, with a volume of 80,319 shares.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on GRC shares. Wall Street Zen raised Gorman-Rupp from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Gorman-Rupp in a research report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, Gorman-Rupp currently has a consensus rating of Buy.

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Gorman-Rupp Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.35, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.31. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $48.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $45.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 2.08 and a quick ratio of 1.25.

Gorman-Rupp (NYSE:GRC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The industrial products company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.55 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $172.83 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $174.61 million. Gorman-Rupp had a return on equity of 13.49% and a net margin of 7.41%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Gorman-Rupp Company will post 1.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Gorman-Rupp Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. Gorman-Rupps dividend payout ratio is presently 39.79%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GRC. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its position in shares of Gorman-Rupp by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 3,443 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $160,000 after purchasing an additional 269 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its stake in shares of Gorman-Rupp by 3.6% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 7,961 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $292,000 after purchasing an additional 276 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Gorman-Rupp by 0.7% in the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 45,626 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,675,000 after buying an additional 312 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP increased its holdings in Gorman-Rupp by 14.4% in the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 2,980 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $138,000 after buying an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC raised its stake in Gorman-Rupp by 6.3% in the second quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 6,440 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $236,000 after buying an additional 379 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.26% of the companys stock.

Gorman-Rupp Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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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iShares Large Cap Deep Quarterly Laddered ETF (BATS:IVVB  Get Free Report) rose 0.8% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $33.30 and last traded at $33.2253. Approximately 56,089 shares were traded during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at $32.9543.

iShares Large Cap Deep Quarterly Laddered ETF Stock Up 0.0%

The companys 50-day moving average price is $33.29 and its 200-day moving average price is $32.61. The firm has a market cap of $286.90 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.72 and a beta of 0.72.

About iShares Large Cap Deep Quarterly Laddered ETF

(Get Free Report)

The iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF (IVVB) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in large cap equity. The fund seeks to participate in the price movement of US large-cap stocks, up to a cap, while applying a downside hedge against declines occurring in the range of 5-20%, during a calendar quarter. The actively managed fund holds a bundle of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF flex options. IVVB was launched on Jun 28, 2023 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Mammoth Resources Corp. (CVE:MTH  Get Free Report)s stock price rose 33.3% during mid-day trading on Saturday . The company traded as high as C$0.08 and last traded at C$0.08. Approximately 287,000 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 224% from the average daily volume of 88,554 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.06.

Mammoth Resources Stock Up 33.3%

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$0.05 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.05. The company has a market capitalization of C$8.52 million, a P/E ratio of -8.00 and a beta of 4.02. The company has a current ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 5.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of -7.15.

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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Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. (CVE:MTA  Get Free Report) insider Jason Cho sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$11.35, for a total transaction of C$39,725.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 291,984 shares in the company, valued at C$3,314,018.40. This represents a 1.18% decrease in their position.

Jason Cho also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 254 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$11.36, for a total transaction of C$2,885.44.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 200 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$11.37, for a total value of C$2,274.00.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 3,230 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$11.37, for a total value of C$36,725.10.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 925 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$11.37, for a total value of C$10,517.25.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 20 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$11.37, for a total transaction of C$227.40.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 1,900 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$11.37, for a total transaction of C$21,603.00.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 137 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$11.37, for a total transaction of C$1,557.69.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 452 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$11.38, for a total transaction of C$5,143.76.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 1,263 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$11.38, for a total value of C$14,372.94.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, Jason Cho sold 785 shares of Metalla Royalty & Streaming stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$11.38, for a total transaction of C$8,933.30.

Metalla Royalty & Streaming Trading Up 0.7%

MTA stock traded up C$0.08 during midday trading on Friday, reaching C$11.38. 33,201 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 51,107. The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -379.33 and a beta of 2.10. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$10.69 and a 200-day moving average of C$8.70. Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. has a 52-week low of C$3.57 and a 52-week high of C$11.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.93, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 1.46.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Ventum Cap Mkts upgraded Metalla Royalty & Streaming to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their target price on Metalla Royalty & Streaming from C$8.25 to C$10.00 in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Metalla Royalty & Streaming presently has an average rating of Strong Buy and a consensus target price of C$8.75.

Read Our Latest Report on Metalla Royalty & Streaming

Metalla Royalty & Streaming Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd., a precious metals royalty and streaming company, engages in the acquisition and management of gold, silver, copper royalties, streams, and related production-based interests in Canada. It operates in Australia, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Tanzania, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Venezuela, and the United States. The company was formerly known as Excalibur Resources Ltd. and changed its name to Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. in December 2016. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Renasant (NYSE:RNST  Get Free Report) is one of 20 publicly-traded companies in the State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Renasant to related companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Renasant and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Renasant 11.26% 6.99% 1.01% Renasant Competitors 7.90% 7.47% 0.84%

Volatility & Risk

Renasant has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Renasants competitors have a beta of 1.01, suggesting that their average share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Analyst Ratings

Renasant pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Renasant pays out 46.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies pay a dividend yield of 2.2% and pay out 60.2% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Renasant is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Renasant and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Renasant 0 1 0 1 3.00 Renasant Competitors 31 178 219 26 2.53

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 1.92%. Given Renasants competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Renasant has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

77.3% of Renasant shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by institutional investors. 2.8% of Renasant shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Renasant and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Renasant $1.09 billion $195.46 million 18.70 Renasant Competitors $866.48 million $95.99 million 39.13

Renasant has higher revenue and earnings than its competitors. Renasant is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Summary

Renasant beats its competitors on 9 of the 15 factors compared.

About Renasant

(Get Free Report)

Renasant Corporation operates as a bank holding company for Renasant Bank that provides a range of financial, wealth management, fiduciary, and insurance services to retail and commercial customers. It operates through three segments: Community Banks, Insurance, and Wealth Management. The Community Banks segment offers checking and savings accounts, business and personal loans, asset-based lending, and equipment leasing services, as well as safe deposit and night depository facilities. It also provides commercial, financial, and agricultural loans; equipment financing and leasing; real estate1-4 family mortgage; real estatecommercial mortgage; real estateconstruction loans for the construction of single family residential properties, multi-family properties, and commercial projects; installment loans to individuals; and interim construction loans, as well as automated teller machine (ATM), online and mobile banking, call center, and treasury management services. The Insurance segment provides insurance agency services, such as commercial and personal insurance products through insurance carriers. The Wealth Management segment offers a range of wealth management and fiduciary services, including administration and management of trust accounts, such as personal and corporate benefit accounts, and custodial accounts, as well as accounting and money management for trust accounts; annuities, mutual funds, and other investment services through a third party broker-dealer; and qualified retirement plans, IRAs, employee benefit plans, personal trusts, and estates. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated a network of 189 banking, lending, and mortgage offices located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee; 150 full-service branches and 11 limited-service branches; 173 ATMs; and 38 interactive teller machines. Renasant Corporation was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi.

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Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Free Report) had its price objective increased by Royal Bank Of Canada from GBX 6,000 to GBX 6,100 in a research note published on Thursday, Marketbeat reports. Royal Bank Of Canada currently has a sector perform rating on the stock.

RIO has been the subject of several other reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,100 to GBX 6,950 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Berenberg Bank restated a hold rating and set a GBX 5,200 price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 4,600 to GBX 5,700 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Rio Tinto Group has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 5,830.

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Rio Tinto Group Stock Up 1.4%

Insider Buying and Selling

LON:RIO opened at GBX 6,573.87 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 5,838.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 5,169.54. Rio Tinto Group has a 1 year low of GBX 4,024.50 and a 1 year high of GBX 6,676. The stock has a market cap of 106.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.47, a PEG ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.28.

In other Rio Tinto Group news, insider Peter Cunningham sold 3,108 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,464, for a total transaction of 169,821.12. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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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Sibanye Gold Limited (NYSE:SBSW  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Saturday after HSBC upgraded the stock from a hold rating to a buy rating. HSBC now has a $24.80 price target on the stock. Sibanye Gold traded as high as $19.54 and last traded at $19.4560, with a volume of 12226523 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $18.15.

Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Sibanye Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 1st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Sibanye Gold in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Sibanye Gold from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $12.87.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sibanye Gold

Sibanye Gold Stock Up 7.2%

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Foster Group Inc. bought a new position in Sibanye Gold during the third quarter valued at about $1,424,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its position in Sibanye Gold by 1,136.5% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,495,525 shares of the companys stock worth $25,238,000 after acquiring an additional 3,212,833 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Sibanye Gold by 112.2% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 4,213 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 2,228 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew 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 valued at $46,246,000 after acquiring an additional 6,385,932 shares during the period. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 474,386 shares during the period. 34.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

The companys 50 day moving average price is $14.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $11.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 2.89.

About Sibanye Gold

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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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Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY  Free Report) had its price objective increased by Stifel Nicolaus from $645.00 to $720.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the scientific and technical instruments companys stock.

TDY has been the topic of a number of other reports. Barclays decreased their price objective on Teledyne Technologies from $584.00 to $579.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 12th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Teledyne Technologies in a research note on Wednesday. They issued an equal weight rating and a $620.00 price target on the stock. Needham & Company LLC increased their price objective on Teledyne Technologies from $615.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Teledyne Technologies in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $567.00 to $604.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $627.88.

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Teledyne Technologies Stock Down 1.8%

TDY opened at $610.66 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $28.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The firms fifty day moving average price is $525.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $540.33. Teledyne Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $419.00 and a fifty-two week high of $630.76.

Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 21st. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $6.30 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.83 by $0.47. Teledyne Technologies had a net margin of 14.63% and a return on equity of 10.08%. The company had revenue of $1.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.57 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $5.52 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Teledyne Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 23.450-23.850 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 5.40-5.500 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Teledyne Technologies will post 21.55 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Teledyne Technologies

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Teledyne Technologies by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,910,808 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $3,463,970,000 after purchasing an additional 69,284 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 2.9% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,204,554 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $1,291,957,000 after buying an additional 61,135 shares during the last quarter. Dodge & Cox grew its holdings in Teledyne Technologies by 12.2% during the third quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 1,680,962 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $985,111,000 after acquiring an additional 183,222 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Teledyne Technologies by 2.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,242,610 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $635,107,000 after acquiring an additional 28,461 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in Teledyne Technologies by 2.6% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 942,825 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $552,536,000 after acquiring an additional 24,222 shares during the period. 91.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Teledyne Technologies

Here are the key news stories impacting Teledyne Technologies this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q4 results and guidance beat  Teledyne reported stronger-than-expected Q4 results (EPS $6.30 vs. $5.83 est.) with revenue up ~7.3% and raised FY2026 guidance, which triggered a big rally and a new 52week high. Teledyne Hits New 52-Week High

Q4 results and guidance beat  Teledyne reported stronger-than-expected Q4 results (EPS $6.30 vs. $5.83 est.) with revenue up ~7.3% and raised FY2026 guidance, which triggered a big rally and a new 52week high. Positive Sentiment: Analysts and pricetarget upgrades  Multiple firms raised targets and reiterated buy ratings (Needham to $700, Stifel to $720), providing institutional support and upside thesis linked to defense and imaging exposure. Analyst Price Target Coverage

Analysts and pricetarget upgrades  Multiple firms raised targets and reiterated buy ratings (Needham to $700, Stifel to $720), providing institutional support and upside thesis linked to defense and imaging exposure. Positive Sentiment: Bullish research thesis  MarketBeat highlighted sustained momentum and a case for a move toward $700, citing margin expansion, FCF improvement and institutional accumulation as structural tailwinds. Teledyne Accelerates to Maximum Velocity

Bullish research thesis  MarketBeat highlighted sustained momentum and a case for a move toward $700, citing margin expansion, FCF improvement and institutional accumulation as structural tailwinds. Positive Sentiment: Defense spending tailwind  Coverage that calls TDY out among beneficiaries of renewed U.S. defense priorities reinforces upside potential from Aerospace & Defense contract ramps. Zacks Defense Spending Article

Defense spending tailwind  Coverage that calls TDY out among beneficiaries of renewed U.S. defense priorities reinforces upside potential from Aerospace & Defense contract ramps. Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley initiates coverage  New coverage can broaden investor interest; initial stance/details matter for direction but the initiation itself is a neutral catalyst until a rating/target is published. Morgan Stanley Initiates Coverage

Morgan Stanley initiates coverage  New coverage can broaden investor interest; initial stance/details matter for direction but the initiation itself is a neutral catalyst until a rating/target is published. Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst commentary  Several roundup pieces note differing views across tech/defense analysts; this creates some shortterm debate about valuation vs. growth, which can amplify volatility. Globe & Mail Analyst Roundup

Mixed analyst commentary  Several roundup pieces note differing views across tech/defense analysts; this creates some shortterm debate about valuation vs. growth, which can amplify volatility. Negative Sentiment: Selective analyst caution  Barclays moved its target modestly higher but kept an equal weight rating, implying limited nearterm upside from current levels and giving traders a reason to trim positions. Barclays Price Target Note

Selective analyst caution  Barclays moved its target modestly higher but kept an equal weight rating, implying limited nearterm upside from current levels and giving traders a reason to trim positions. Negative Sentiment: Valuation and profittaking risk  After a rapid multiday run to new highs, TDYs premium valuation (P/E in the 30s, elevated PEG) and heavy recent institutional flows make shortterm pullbacks more likely as investors lock in gains.

Teledyne Technologies Company Profile

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Teledyne Technologies (NYSE: TDY), headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California, is a diversified industrial technology company that designs, manufactures and supports sophisticated electronic systems, instruments and imaging products. Founded in 1960 by Henry Singleton and George Kozmetsky, Teledyne has grown into a multinational provider of high-performance equipment and software for commercial, scientific and government customers. Its offerings are used in markets that include aerospace and defense, marine, industrial manufacturing, environmental monitoring and scientific research.

The company operates through businesses that develop precision instrumentation, digital imaging products, engineered systems and aerospace and defense electronics.

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Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) insider Trevor Wagil sold 2,469 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$45.19, for a total transaction of C$111,574.11. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 14,779 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$667,863.01. This represents a 14.31% decrease in their position.

Canadian Natural Resources Stock Performance

Canadian Natural Resources stock traded up C$0.58 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$49.47. The stock had a trading volume of 5,901,031 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,651,219. The company has a 50-day moving average of C$46.27 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$44.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.79. Canadian Natural Resources Limited has a fifty-two week low of C$34.92 and a fifty-two week high of C$49.95. The company has a market cap of C$103.05 billion, a PE ratio of 15.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 0.71.

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Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of C$9.52 billion for the quarter. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Canadian Natural Resources Limited will post 3.833989 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on CNQ. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$51.00 to C$50.00 in a research note on Friday. Raymond James Financial increased their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from C$55.00 to C$56.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. Desjardins set a C$52.00 price target on Canadian Natural Resources and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. TD Securities upped their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$53.00 to C$54.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a C$47.00 price objective on Canadian Natural Resources and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$53.36.

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Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile

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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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Shore Capital restated their buy rating on shares of Tritax Big Box REIT (LON:BBOX  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, MarketBeat.com reports.

BBOX has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target 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. Peel Hunt reiterated an add rating and issued a GBX 160 target price on shares of Tritax Big Box REIT in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 214.67.

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Tritax Big Box REIT Stock Performance

Tritax Big Box REIT Company Profile

BBOX opened at GBX 164.10 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.99, a current ratio of 0.54 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The company has a market capitalization of 4.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.89. Tritax Big Box REIT has a 1 year low of GBX 121.90 and a 1 year high of GBX 165.80. The businesss 50-day moving average price is GBX 151.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 146.50.

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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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York Space Systems Inc (YSS) is planning to raise $512 million in an initial public offering (IPO) on Thursday, January 29th, IPO Scoop reports. The company plans to issue 16,000,000 shares at a price of $30.00-$34.00 per share.

In the last year, York Space Systems Inc generated $357.46 million in revenue and had a net loss of $81.31 million. York Space Systems Inc has a market cap of $4 billion.

York Space Systems (Yellowstone) provided the following description of their company for its IPO: (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands) York Space Systems is a leading U.S.-based space and defense prime (primary contractor  see footnote 1) providing a comprehensive suite of mission-critical solutions for national security, government and commercial customers. York is one of the only space and defense primes with proprietary hardware and software capabilities designed to address customersa complex mission requirements across the critical elements of the entire space ecosystem throughout the mission lifecycle. York is the No. 1 provider to the U.S. Department of Defenseas (asDoDat) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (asPWSAat) by number of spacecraft operating in-orbit, by number of contracts, and by variety of contract types as of September 2025. York is a partner of choice for our customers, with differentiated performance versus traditional primes based on price, speed to deployment, and sophistication of capabilities. We produce our satellites at approximately half the cost of our competitors and have been the first to deliver and launch satellites for the PWSA. York is the first and only company to demonstrate Link-162 (see footnote 2) connectivity from space, highlighting our unique and innovative capabilities. York is purpose built to address evolving national security space challenges and to adapt to the ongoing shift in the U.S. governmentas mission needs and procurement processes, where economics, agility, rapid capabilities, and heritage drive customer decision making. We deliver mission-critical solutions in aA zero-toleranceA for error environment where systems must work and we believe we are positioned to capture an outsized share of growth in our core markets. York provides customers a vertically integrated, full technology stack of solutions including design, production, integration, and operation of spacecraft with turnkey offerings to manage spacecraft and constellations throughout their entire mission lifecycle. York has significant space heritage, having flown 74 missions, created 17 products with flight heritage, and logged over four millionA on-orbitA hours. Yorkas position as a prime enables us to monetize the entire space vertical from launch to mission operations, from spacecraft to payloads, and from edge computing to data transfer. York was founded in 2012 by our CEO, Dirk Wallinger, to create an innovative space technology mission prime, with a goal of meeting the evolving national security threats from space by providingA mission-critical spacecraft at scale, faster, and at lower cost. We believe that Yorkas proven production and delivery capabilities place it among a very limited number of companies who have the capability to deliver the required solutions for the Golden Dome based on its current timeline. We provide our customers with the ability to quickly and effectively field responsive space-based technologies. We have a demonstrated ability to win contracts in space and are a trusted partner to U.S. national security, intelligence and defense agencies, such as the U.S. Air Force and the Space Development Agency (SDA) as well as commercial and civil customers. Our proprietary hardware, software and mission operations solutions are designed to address the United Statesa national security priorities: missile defense (crucial to the Golden Dome), counter-space capabilities, and space domain awareness. 1  A primary contractor (prime) that leads major defense programs and deals directly with the Department of Defense. 2- A real-time, military tactical data link network used by the U.S. government and NATO. Note: Net loss and revenue figures are for the 12 months that ended Sept. 30, 2025. (Note: York Space Systems disclosed the terms for its IPO  16 million shares at a price range of $30.00 to $34.00  to raise $512 million  in an S-1/A filing dated Jan. 16, 2026. Background: York Space Systems filed an S-1/A on Dec. 15, 2025, without disclosing terms for its IPO. Background: York Space Systems filed its S-1 for its IPO on Nov. 17, 2025, without disclosing the terms. Estimated IPO proceeds were $100 million, but that was just a placeholder figure.) .

York Space Systems (Yellowstone) was founded in 2012 and has 671 employees. The company is located at 1449 7th Street, Suite 425 Denver, CO 80204 and can be reached via phone at (720)-537-2655 or on the web at https://www.yorkspacesystems.com/.

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Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (NYSE:ACRE  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the six brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation, one has assigned a buy recommendation and one has given 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 $5.3333.

ACRE has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Ares Commercial Real Estate from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from $4.75 to $5.50 in a research report on Monday, December 15th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Ares Commercial Real Estate from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Wall Street Zen raised Ares Commercial Real Estate from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ares Commercial Real Estate

In other news, CEO Bryan Patrick Donohoe sold 21,761 shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.93, for a total value of $107,281.73. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 250,197 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,233,471.21. The trade was a 8.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, CFO Jeffrey Michael Gonzales sold 6,218 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.93, for a total value of $30,654.74. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 88,533 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $436,467.69. This trade represents a 6.56% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . Insiders sold 35,585 shares of company stock valued at $175,434 over the last three months. Insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock.

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of ACRE. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate by 456.0% during the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 6,033 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 4,948 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its holdings in Ares Commercial Real Estate by 94.3% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,997 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 3,396 shares during the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in Ares Commercial Real Estate during the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in Ares Commercial Real Estate by 100.3% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 10,367 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 5,192 shares during the period. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new stake in Ares Commercial Real Estate in the 1st quarter worth $47,000. 41.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ares Commercial Real Estate Price Performance

Shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate stock opened at $4.86 on Tuesday. Ares Commercial Real Estate has a 1 year low of $3.35 and a 1 year high of $6.09. The firm has a market cap of $267.17 million, a PE ratio of -32.36, a PEG ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $5.05 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4.78.

Ares Commercial Real Estate (NYSE:ACRE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by $0.17. Ares Commercial Real Estate had a negative net margin of 13.02% and a negative return on equity of 5.15%. The firm had revenue of $5.63 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.35 million. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Ares Commercial Real Estate will post -0.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Ares Commercial Real Estate Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 12.4%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 31st. Ares Commercial Real Estates dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -400.00%.

About Ares Commercial Real Estate

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Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (NYSE: ACRE) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) primarily focused on commercial real estate debt investments. Externally managed by an affiliate of Ares Management Corporation, ACRE seeks to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns through its diversified portfolio of CRE financing strategies. The company specializes in originating, acquiring, financing and managing first mortgages, mezzanine loans, preferred equity and other structured finance products.

Since its inception, Ares Commercial Real Estate has targeted a broad range of property types, including multifamily, office, industrial, retail and hospitality assets.

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Shares of Titan America SA (NYSE:TTAM  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the nine ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have given a hold recommendation, three have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $17.3571.

TTAM has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on Titan America from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Titan America from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Wall Street Zen raised Titan America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 29th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on Titan America from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Titan America

Titan America Trading Up 3.9%

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Titan America by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 24,073 shares of the companys stock valued at $360,000 after buying an additional 691 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Titan America by 7.1% in the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 13,622 shares of the companys stock valued at $204,000 after acquiring an additional 898 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets bought a new stake in shares of Titan America during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Titan America during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Keybank National Association OH grew its position in shares of Titan America by 16.2% during the third quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 17,900 shares of the companys stock worth $267,000 after acquiring an additional 2,500 shares during the last quarter.

NYSE:TTAM opened at $17.72 on Friday. Titan America has a 12-month low of $10.80 and a 12-month high of $18.16. The company has a current ratio of 2.95, a quick ratio of 1.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $16.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.54. The firm has a market cap of $3.27 billion and a P/E ratio of 17.90.

Titan America (NYSE:TTAM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.31. The company had revenue of $436.85 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $439.30 million. Titan America had a net margin of 10.83% and a return on equity of 19.80%. The companys revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Titan America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 29th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 17th were paid a dividend of $0.04 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 17th. Titan Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.16%.

About Titan America

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Titan America is a leading vertically integrated, multi-regional manufacturer and supplier of heavy building materials and services operating primarily on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States (the Eastern Seaboard). We are a leading provider of materials that contribute to lower carbon emissions than traditional building materials and/or beneficial reuse of waste materials. We are a leading provider of heavy building materials in Florida, the New York and New Jersey Metropolitan area (Metro New York), Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina (Virginia and the Carolinas, together with Metro New York and their adjacent areas, the Mid-Atlantic).

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Shares of Bank of China Ltd. (OTCMKTS:BACHY  Get Free Report) crossed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $14.28 and traded as low as $14.21. Bank of China shares last traded at $14.26, with a volume of 35,922 shares changing hands.

Bank of China Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. The company has a market capitalization of $183.79 billion, a PE ratio of 5.55 and a beta of 0.13. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $14.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.28.

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Bank of China Company Profile

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Bank of China (OTCMKTS: BACHY) is a major state-owned commercial bank headquartered in Beijing that provides a broad range of banking and financial services to corporate, institutional and retail clients. Founded in 1912, the bank has grown into one of Chinas largest and longest-established banking institutions and is commonly grouped with the nations Big Four banks. Its core activities include deposit-taking, corporate and retail lending, trade finance, foreign exchange and treasury services, as well as cash management and payment services for domestic and cross-border clients.

In addition to traditional commercial banking, Bank of China offers investment banking and capital markets services, structured finance, asset management and wealth management solutions.

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Whittier Trust Co. raised its holdings in shares of BXP, Inc. (NYSE:BXP  Free Report) by 3.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 293,314 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 8,745 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. owned about 0.19% of BXP worth $22,178,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in BXP by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,470,390 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,651,017,000 after purchasing an additional 1,016,579 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of BXP by 1.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,433,768 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $782,337,000 after purchasing an additional 186,269 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of BXP in the second quarter worth about $686,886,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of BXP by 1.7% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,153,844 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $279,186,000 after buying an additional 68,481 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners raised its holdings in shares of BXP by 15.5% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,009,193 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $203,020,000 after buying an additional 403,090 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.72% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $70.00 price objective on shares of BXP in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $77.00 price target on shares of BXP and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of BXP from $74.00 to $71.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Mizuho dropped their target price on BXP from $82.00 to $79.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, New Street Research set a $85.00 price target on BXP in a report on Monday, October 13th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $77.90.

BXP Stock Performance

Shares of BXP stock opened at $65.46 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -51.54, a PEG ratio of 7.72 and a beta of 1.01. BXP, Inc. has a one year low of $54.22 and a one year high of $79.33. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $69.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $70.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26, a quick ratio of 4.50 and a current ratio of 4.50.

BXP (NYSE:BXP  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.02. BXP had a positive return on equity of 1.35% and a negative net margin of 5.82%.The company had revenue of $871.51 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $860.88 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.81 EPS. BXPs quarterly revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. BXP has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.890-6.920 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that BXP, Inc. will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

BXP Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 29th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. BXPs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -220.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling at BXP

In other news, CFO Michael E. Labelle sold 13,422 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.34, for a total transaction of $970,947.48. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 9,223 shares in the company, valued at approximately $667,191.82. This represents a 59.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Raymond A. Ritchey sold 36,314 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.18, for a total value of $2,621,144.52. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 70,710 shares of company stock valued at $5,107,771. Corporate insiders own 1.49% of the companys stock.

BXP Profile

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Boston Properties, Inc (NYSE: BXP) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the ownership, management, and development of Class A office properties across major U.S. markets. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the companys portfolio comprises high-quality office buildings, mixed-use developments and select retail assets designed to serve leading corporations in key metropolitan areas.

Established in 1970 by Mortimer B. Zuckerman, Boston Properties has grown through disciplined acquisitions and strategic ground-up developments.

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Shares of Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (LON:CMCL  Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 2,060.71 and traded as high as GBX 2,240. Caledonia Mining shares last traded at GBX 2,166, with a volume of 1,119 shares trading hands.

Caledonia Mining Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.38, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 2,035.72 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 2,064.42. The company has a market capitalization of 418.15 million, a P/E ratio of 8.46 and a beta of 0.73.

Caledonia Mining Company Profile

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Caledonia Mining (NYSE:CMCL, AIM:CMCL) is a profitable cash generative gold producer with a strong growth profile, Caledonias primary asset is the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe. By 2022 the Company plans to increase its annual production by 37%, up to 80,000 ounces.

The Company is listed in New York and London with a current Market Capitalisation of U$174m. Caledonias flagship asset is the Blanket Gold Mine in Zimbabwe, Caledonia has a prime position in Zimbabwe, one of the last gold frontiers in Africa with substantial exploration potential.

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Shares of Deutsche Lufthansa AG (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation, one has assigned a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company.

DLAKY has been the subject of a number of research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Deutsche Lufthansa from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 1st. Zacks Research raised shares of Deutsche Lufthansa from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Kepler Capital Markets raised Deutsche Lufthansa from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Barclays downgraded Deutsche Lufthansa from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Citigroup cut Deutsche Lufthansa from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd.

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Deutsche Lufthansa Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of DLAKY stock opened at $10.38 on Tuesday. Deutsche Lufthansa has a fifty-two week low of $6.21 and a fifty-two week high of $10.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 0.85. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.14. The company has a market cap of $12.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.45, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.86.

Deutsche Lufthansa (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The transportation company reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $13.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.98 billion. Deutsche Lufthansa had a return on equity of 15.73% and a net margin of 4.45%. Research analysts forecast that Deutsche Lufthansa will post 0.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Deutsche Lufthansa

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Deutsche Lufthansa stock. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Deutsche Lufthansa AG (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Free Report) by 892.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,270 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 8,336 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLCs holdings in Deutsche Lufthansa were worth $78,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Deutsche Lufthansa Company Profile

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Deutsche Lufthansa AG is a leading global aviation company headquartered in Cologne, Germany, and is recognized as one of the worlds largest airline groups. Founded in its modern form in 1953, the company traces its heritage back to the original Deutsche Luft Hansa established in 1926. Lufthansa operates passenger and cargo services under its flagship brand, as well as through numerous subsidiaries including Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and the low-cost carrier Eurowings.

The groups passenger network spans Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with primary hubs at Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport.

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Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FMFG  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 9.7% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $19.20 and last traded at $19.20. 3,350 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 443% from the average session volume of 617 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.50.

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares Stock Up 9.7%

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $17.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $16.67.

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About Farmers and Merchants Bancshares

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Farmers and Merchants Bancshares is the bank holding company for Farmers and Merchants Bank, a community-focused institution based in Lyons, Kansas. Through its banking subsidiary, the company provides a full range of deposit and lending products designed to meet the needs of individuals, families and small businesses. Core offerings include checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and consumer loan products such as auto and home mortgages.

In addition to traditional banking services, Farmers and Merchants Bancshares offers commercial and agricultural lending to support local enterprises and farming operations throughout its service area.

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Petrofac (OTCMKTS:POFCY  Get Free Report) and Helix Energy Solutions Group (NYSE:HLX  Get Free Report) are both small-cap energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends and institutional ownership.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

91.3% of Helix Energy Solutions Group shares are held by institutional investors. 6.6% of Helix Energy Solutions Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Petrofac and Helix Energy Solutions Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Petrofac $2.50 billion 0.00 -$505.00 million N/A N/A Helix Energy Solutions Group $1.36 billion 0.81 $55.64 million $0.28 26.88

Helix Energy Solutions Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Petrofac.

Risk & Volatility

Petrofac has a beta of 2.79, meaning that its stock price is 179% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Helix Energy Solutions Group has a beta of 1.25, meaning that its stock price is 25% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Petrofac and Helix Energy Solutions Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Petrofac N/A N/A N/A Helix Energy Solutions Group 3.25% 2.75% 1.62%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations for Petrofac and Helix Energy Solutions Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Petrofac 0 0 0 0 0.00 Helix Energy Solutions Group 0 2 2 0 2.50

Helix Energy Solutions Group has a consensus target price of $10.50, suggesting a potential upside of 39.53%. Given Helix Energy Solutions Groups stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Helix Energy Solutions Group is more favorable than Petrofac.

Summary

Helix Energy Solutions Group beats Petrofac on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Petrofac

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Petrofac Limited designs, builds, manages, and maintains infrastructure for the energy industries in the United Kingdom, Algeria, Thailand, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Engineering & Construction (E&C); Asset Solutions; and Integrated Energy Services (IES). The E&C segment provides onshore and offshore engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning services. The Asset Solutions segment offers concept, feasibility, and front-end engineering design services, as well as manages and maintains onshore and offshore operations. The IES segment focuses on delivering value from the existing asset portfolio. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in St Helier, Jersey.

About Helix Energy Solutions Group

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Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, an offshore energy services company, provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, the East Coast of the United States, North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa regions. The company operates through four segments: Well Intervention, Robotics, Production Facilities, and Shallow Water Abandonment segments. It engages in the installation of flowlines, control umbilicals, and manifold assemblies and risers; trenching and burial of pipelines; installation and tie-in of riser and manifold assembly; commissioning, testing, and inspection activities; and provision of cable and umbilical lay, and connection services. The company also provides well intervention, intervention engineering, and production enhancement services; coiled tubing operations; inspection, repair, and maintenance of production structures, trees, jumpers, risers, pipelines, and subsea equipment; and related support services. In addition, it offers reclamation and remediation services; well plug and abandonment services; pipeline, cable and umbilical abandonment services; and site inspections. Additionally, the company offers oil and natural gas processing facilities and services; and fast response system, as well as site clearance and subsea support services. Further, it provides offshore oilfield decommissioning and reclamation, project management, engineered solutions, intervention, maintenance, repair, heavy lift, and commercial diving services. It serves independent oil and gas producers and suppliers, pipeline transmission companies, renewable energy companies, and offshore engineering and construction firms. The company was formerly known as Cal Dive International, Inc. and changed its name to Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. in March 2006. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

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Gear4music (Holdings) plc (LON:G4M  Get Free Report) passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 301.77 and traded as low as GBX 300. Gear4music shares last traded at GBX 312.15, with a volume of 110,733 shares trading hands.

Gear4music Trading Up 2.3%

The company has a current ratio of 2.19, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 79.53. The stock has a market capitalization of 65.48 million, a PE ratio of 16.60, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.41. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 301.77 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 282.23.

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Gear4music (LON:G4M  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 18th. The company reported GBX 9.60 EPS for the quarter. Gear4music had a return on equity of 2.60% and a net margin of 0.68%. Sell-side analysts expect that Gear4music will post 22.0105125 earnings per share for the current year.

Gear4music Company Profile

Operating from a Head Office in York, Distribution Centres in York, Bacup, Sweden, Germany, Ireland & Spain, and showrooms in York, Bacup, Sweden & Germany, the Group sells own-brand musical instruments and music equipment alongside premium third-party brands including Fender, Yamaha and Roland, to customers ranging from beginners to musical enthusiasts and professionals, in the UK, Europe and the Rest of the World.

Having developed its own e-commerce platform, with multilingual, multicurrency websites delivering to over 190 countries, the Group continues to build its overseas presence.

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Oxbow Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS  Free Report) by 86.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 7,604 shares of the companys stock after selling 50,635 shares during the quarter. Oxbow Advisors LLCs holdings in General Mills were worth $383,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of GIS. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of General Mills by 4.8% in the second quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,145 shares of the companys stock valued at $267,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares during the period. TD Private Client Wealth LLC grew its holdings in General Mills by 29.1% in the 2nd quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 6,347 shares of the companys stock worth $329,000 after buying an additional 1,431 shares in the last quarter. Novem Group acquired a new stake in General Mills in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $905,000. Kathmere Capital Management LLC raised its stake in General Mills by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 10,082 shares of the companys stock valued at $522,000 after acquiring an additional 310 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in General Mills by 37.1% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 23,460 shares of the companys stock worth $1,215,000 after acquiring an additional 6,343 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.71% of the companys stock.

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General Mills Stock Performance

NYSE:GIS opened at $44.56 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $46.16 and a 200-day moving average of $48.17. The firm has a market cap of $23.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.58 and a beta of -0.06. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. General Mills, Inc. has a twelve month low of $42.78 and a twelve month high of $67.35.

General Mills Dividend Announcement

General Mills ( NYSE:GIS Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, December 17th. The company reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $4.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.78 billion. General Mills had a net margin of 13.51% and a return on equity of 21.41%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.40 earnings per share. General Mills has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.580-3.790 EPS. Analysts forecast that General Mills, Inc. will post 4.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be issued a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th. General Millss payout ratio is presently 52.47%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Paul Joseph Gallagher sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.15, for a total transaction of $72,225.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 48,568 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,338,549.20. The trade was a 3.00% 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. 0.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on GIS. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $63.00 price target on General Mills and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of General Mills in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of General Mills from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of General Mills in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein set a $54.00 price objective on shares of General Mills and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $53.33.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on GIS

General Mills Company Profile

(Free Report)

General Mills, Inc (NYSE: GIS) is a multinational consumer foods company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of branded food products. Its product categories include ready-to-eat and hot cereals, baking mixes and ingredients, snacks and bars, refrigerated and frozen doughs, yogurt and other dairy products, and a variety of shelf-stable meals and meal components. The companys portfolio features widely recognized consumer brands across grocery store, mass channel and foodservice outlets.

Founded in the early 20th century and incorporated under its current name in 1928, General Mills has grown through both internal brand development and strategic expansion to become a global food company.

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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 compare to its competitors? We will compare CoastalSouth Bancshares to similar companies based on the strength of its risk, profitability, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CoastalSouth Bancshares 0 1 1 0 2.50 CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors 31 178 219 26 2.53

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 1.92%. Given CoastalSouth Bancshares competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe CoastalSouth Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio CoastalSouth Bancshares $135.78 million N/A 21.44 CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors $887.75 million $95.99 million 39.13

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors revenue, earnings per share 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.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by institutional investors. 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors 7.90% 7.47% 0.84%

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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iA Global Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 57,723 shares of the natural resource companys stock, valued at approximately $2,264,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in FCX. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main boosted its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 89.4% in the second quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 17,569,169 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $761,623,000 after acquiring an additional 8,292,873 shares in the last quarter. Mizuho Markets Cayman LP acquired a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the second quarter worth approximately $159,147,000. Crake Asset Management LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 60.6% in the 2nd quarter. Crake Asset Management LLP now owns 9,522,673 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $412,808,000 after purchasing an additional 3,593,050 shares in the last quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 289.0% in the 3rd quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 3,844,504 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $150,781,000 after purchasing an additional 2,856,302 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 205.0% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,186,621 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $181,490,000 after purchasing an additional 2,813,845 shares in the last quarter. 80.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research note on Thursday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $55.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Freeport-McMoRan has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $56.20.

Freeport-McMoRan Stock Up 2.7%

FCX opened at $60.46 on Friday. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $27.66 and a fifty-two week high of $62.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $86.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.04, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.45. The companys 50-day moving average is $49.78 and its 200 day moving average is $45.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 2.29 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The natural resource company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 8.50% and a return on equity of 8.50%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.31 EPS. Research analysts expect that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Freeport-McMoRan Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be issued a $0.075 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is currently 19.87%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 9,572 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.66, for a total transaction of $456,201.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 38,761 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,847,349.26. This trade represents a 19.80% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Stephen T. Higgins sold 28,423 shares of Freeport-McMoRan stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the chief accounting officer owned 105,294 shares in the company, valued at $5,053,059.06. The trade was a 21.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.75% of the companys stock.

Freeport-McMoRan News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Freeport-McMoRan this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat consensus: FCX reported Q4 EPS above estimates and revenue topped expectations, driven by higher realized copper and gold prices which offset lower volumes. The company reiterated financial materials and hosted a conference call. MarketBeat Earnings Summary

Q4 results beat consensus: FCX reported Q4 EPS above estimates and revenue topped expectations, driven by higher realized copper and gold prices which offset lower volumes. The company reiterated financial materials and hosted a conference call. Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and price targets lifted sentiment: recent upgrades and bullish targets helped push FCX to a new 12month high, supporting momentum in the stock. Analyst Upgrade/12Month High

Analyst upgrades and price targets lifted sentiment: recent upgrades and bullish targets helped push FCX to a new 12month high, supporting momentum in the stock. Positive Sentiment: Commodity tailwinds: rising copper and gold prices materially boosted profits in Q4 and underpin revenue upside potential for 2026, a key reason investors are favoring FCX as a leveraged way to play the metals rally. Reuters: Profit Beat, Commodity Impact

Commodity tailwinds: rising copper and gold prices materially boosted profits in Q4 and underpin revenue upside potential for 2026, a key reason investors are favoring FCX as a leveraged way to play the metals rally. Neutral Sentiment: Grasberg mine restart timeline: management said the Grasberg mine (Indonesia) is on track for a Q2 restart after the deadly mudslide  a positive operational milestone but still contains execution and permitting risks. MSN: Grasberg Restart

Grasberg mine restart timeline: management said the Grasberg mine (Indonesia) is on track for a Q2 restart after the deadly mudslide  a positive operational milestone but still contains execution and permitting risks. Neutral Sentiment: Zacks/style coverage and valuation notes: Zacks flagged FCX as a topranked value stock for certain investor styles, increasing visibility among value-focused funds. That can attract inflows but doesnt change fundamentals. Zacks: Value Stock Callout

Zacks/style coverage and valuation notes: Zacks flagged FCX as a topranked value stock for certain investor styles, increasing visibility among value-focused funds. That can attract inflows but doesnt change fundamentals. Negative Sentiment: Volumes and guidance caveats: management trimmed 2026 copper sales volume guidance after Q4, and production was hurt in the quarter by the Grasberg suspension  factors that limit upside unless volumes recover. Investors Business Daily: Sales Outlook Trimmed

Volumes and guidance caveats: management trimmed 2026 copper sales volume guidance after Q4, and production was hurt in the quarter by the Grasberg suspension  factors that limit upside unless volumes recover. Negative Sentiment: Operational and cash-flow pressures: while net income rose, gross and operating profit declined and operating cash flow fell yearoveryear in Q4, highlighting cost and volume headwinds that could constrain margins if metal prices weaken. Yahoo Finance: Q4 Highlights

Operational and cash-flow pressures: while net income rose, gross and operating profit declined and operating cash flow fell yearoveryear in Q4, highlighting cost and volume headwinds that could constrain margins if metal prices weaken. Neutral Sentiment: Investor interest/longer-term performance: pieces on longterm returns and valuation (e.g., Benzinga/MarketBeat articles) increase retail attention but are less likely to move the stock than fresh earnings/operational news. Benzinga: 5Year Returns

About Freeport-McMoRan

(Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc is a U.S.-based natural resources company primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of copper, gold and molybdenum. Its operations encompass large-scale open-pit and underground mining as well as associated concentrator and milling facilities. The company produces copper in the form of concentrates and cathodes, and also recovers gold and molybdenum as co-products; its business model includes exploration, development, mining, beneficiation and the sale of bulk commodities to smelters and industrial customers.

Freeport-McMoRan conducts operations and development activities across multiple geographies, with substantial assets in the Americas and Indonesia.

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International Assets Investment Management LLC trimmed its holdings in FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX  Free Report) by 98.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,865 shares of the shipping service providers stock after selling 135,000 shares during the quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLCs holdings in FedEx were worth $437,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in FedEx by 28,080.9% in the 2nd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,743,557 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $850,948,000 after acquiring an additional 3,730,273 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of FedEx during the second quarter valued at approximately $605,497,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of FedEx by 750.9% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,015,627 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $230,862,000 after purchasing an additional 896,271 shares in the last quarter. Dodge & Cox raised its position in FedEx by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 14,482,494 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $3,292,016,000 after purchasing an additional 649,426 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its position in FedEx by 228.9% in the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 795,495 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $180,824,000 after purchasing an additional 553,628 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.47% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on FDX shares. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on FedEx from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on FedEx from $290.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. BNP Paribas Exane set a $280.00 price objective on FedEx and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Redburn Partners set a $271.00 target price on shares of FedEx in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of FedEx from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, January 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, FedEx currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $303.86.

FedEx Price Performance

Shares of FDX opened at $304.22 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $71.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 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 stocks 50-day moving average price is $288.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $254.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 18th. The shipping service provider reported $4.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.02 by $0.80. FedEx had a net margin of 4.81% and a return on equity of 16.63%. The business had revenue of $23.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.79 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $4.05 EPS. FedExs revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. FedEx has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.800-19.000 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that FedEx Corporation will post 19.14 earnings per share for the current year.

FedEx Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. FedExs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.97%.

Key Headlines Impacting FedEx

Here are the key news stories impacting FedEx this week:

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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Investment House LLC decreased its position in McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 16.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,315 shares of the fast-food giants stock after selling 2,421 shares during the period. Investment House LLCs holdings in McDonalds were worth $3,742,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MCD. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 142.9% during the 2nd quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. now owns 85 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in McDonalds in the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC lifted its stake in McDonalds by 162.5% in the third quarter. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC now owns 84 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the period. GFG Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of McDonalds during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on MCD shares. Oppenheimer upgraded shares of McDonalds from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $355.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Guggenheim increased their price target on McDonalds from $295.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating and set a $325.00 price target on shares of McDonalds in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $372.00 price objective on shares of McDonalds in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating on shares of McDonalds in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $328.88.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Ian Frederick Borden sold 17,134 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.00, for a total transaction of $5,311,540.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 26,353 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,169,430. This trade represents a 39.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,486 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $320.00, for a total value of $795,520.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 6,268 shares in the company, valued at $2,005,760. This trade represents a 28.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 45,142 shares of company stock worth $13,841,169. Corporate insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock.

McDonalds Price Performance

MCD opened at $309.24 on Friday. McDonalds Corporation has a 1 year low of $283.28 and a 1 year high of $326.32. The company has a market capitalization of $220.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.39, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.53. The firms fifty day moving average price is $308.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $305.93.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.33 by ($0.11). McDonalds had a net margin of 32.04% and a negative return on equity of 280.89%. The firm had revenue of $7.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.10 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.23 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current year.

Key Headlines Impacting McDonalds

Here are the key news stories impacting McDonalds this week:

McDonalds Company Profile

(Free Report)

McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafe coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonalds serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships.

Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brands national and international expansion.

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Whittier Trust Co. cut its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA  Free Report) by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 158,122 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 6,533 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $15,034,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Independent Wealth Network Inc. grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Independent Wealth Network Inc. now owns 10,994 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,027,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. VestGen Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 0.7% in the second quarter. VestGen Advisors LLC now owns 16,210 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,449,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares in the last quarter. Genesee Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 1.4% in the second quarter. Genesee Capital Advisors LLC now owns 8,657 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $774,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 15,565 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,453,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Accel Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Accel Wealth Management now owns 3,525 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $329,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. 79.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Performance

EFA stock opened at $99.97 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $96.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $93.72. The firm has a market cap of $73.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.84. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 1 year low of $72.14 and a 1 year high of $100.00.

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance. The Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

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Shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty-six ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $226.1818.

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Raymond James Financial increased their target price on Johnson & Johnson from $174.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research report on Friday, October 31st. HSBC reissued a buy rating and issued a $240.00 target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Argus increased their price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $210.00 to $240.00 in a report on Friday. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $197.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday.

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Trending Headlines about Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson Stock Up 0.8%

Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week:

JNJ stock opened at $220.29 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $530.74 billion, a PE ratio of 19.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a fifty day moving average of $208.35 and a 200-day moving average of $189.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.07. Johnson & Johnson has a one year low of $141.50 and a one year high of $222.17.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $2.46. The business had revenue of $24.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.14 billion. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 28.46% and a return on equity of 33.34%. The businesss revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.04 earnings per share. Johnson & Johnson has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.430-11.630 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 EPS for the current year.

Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement

The company 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 dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 24th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Johnson & Johnsons payout ratio is 47.06%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Johnson & Johnson

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of JNJ. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Johnson & Johnson in the 2nd quarter valued at about $4,877,174,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 15,040.6% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,420,699 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,133,512,000 after purchasing an additional 7,371,687 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors grew its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 545.6% in the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 3,865,050 shares of the companys stock valued at $716,657,000 after purchasing an additional 3,266,354 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 237,047,859 shares of the companys stock worth $36,209,060,000 after purchasing an additional 3,085,180 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi raised its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 19.3% during the 3rd quarter. Amundi now owns 13,354,936 shares of the companys stock worth $2,512,719,000 after purchasing an additional 2,163,838 shares during the last quarter. 69.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Johnson & Johnson Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world.

The companys pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience.

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Sawgrass Asset Management LLC reduced its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 17.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,164 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 4,944 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises approximately 1.6% of Sawgrass Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Sawgrass Asset Management LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $13,176,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 1.2% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,475,807 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $44,098,695,000 after purchasing an additional 931,132 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,760,552 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $11,062,509,000 after buying an additional 542,841 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 55,868.1% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 13,421,148 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $7,541,880,000 after buying an additional 13,397,168 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 2nd quarter valued at about $6,725,317,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in Mastercard by 25.6% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,372,404 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,580,909,000 after acquiring an additional 1,299,977 shares during the period. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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More Mastercard News

Here are the key news stories impacting Mastercard this week:

Positive Sentiment: Compass Point analyst upgrade and higher price target lift sentiment for MA; the firm moved Mastercard from Neutral to Buy and raised its target (reported via TheFly / InsiderMonkey), supporting upside expectations. Read More.

Compass Point analyst upgrade and higher price target lift sentiment for MA; the firm moved Mastercard from Neutral to Buy and raised its target (reported via TheFly / InsiderMonkey), supporting upside expectations. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Zacks previews next weeks earnings and expects Mastercard to have the attributes for an earnings beat, which could be a catalyst if results and guidance exceed market forecasts. Read More.

Zacks previews next weeks earnings and expects Mastercard to have the attributes for an earnings beat, which could be a catalyst if results and guidance exceed market forecasts. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Mastercards partnership with Agoda enables instant travel redemptions in loyalty programs, accelerating experience-driven, digital-first rewardspotentially increasing cardholder engagement and merchant/issuer revenue. Read More.

Mastercards partnership with Agoda enables instant travel redemptions in loyalty programs, accelerating experience-driven, digital-first rewardspotentially increasing cardholder engagement and merchant/issuer revenue. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Brand and premium-placement news: ONEflight International becomes the Official Private Aviation Partner of the McLarenMastercard F1 Teamhigh-visibility partnership that supports Mastercards premium/brand strategy. Read More.

Brand and premium-placement news: ONEflight International becomes the Official Private Aviation Partner of the McLarenMastercard F1 Teamhigh-visibility partnership that supports Mastercards premium/brand strategy. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Product/acceptance expansion: Phuket Smart Bus adds contactless card payments with Mastercardincremental adoption in tourism markets supports transaction volume growth in travel-related corridors. Read More.

Product/acceptance expansion: Phuket Smart Bus adds contactless card payments with Mastercardincremental adoption in tourism markets supports transaction volume growth in travel-related corridors. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Marketing leadership changes: Mastercard named Alexandra Sloane VP of integrated marketing & communications and also appointed an Optus executive as VP of marketing/comms (Australia). These hires support brand/communications execution but are unlikely to move fundamentals nearterm. Read More. Read More.

Marketing leadership changes: Mastercard named Alexandra Sloane VP of integrated marketing & communications and also appointed an Optus executive as VP of marketing/comms (Australia). These hires support brand/communications execution but are unlikely to move fundamentals nearterm. Read More. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Routine calendar item: Mastercard is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on Thursdayinvestors are positioning ahead of the print, increasing sensitivity to any guidance or beats/misses. Read More.

Routine calendar item: Mastercard is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on Thursdayinvestors are positioning ahead of the print, increasing sensitivity to any guidance or beats/misses. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Legal/partner risk: London fintech Guavapays founder resigned ahead of a court battle with Mastercardthis could indicate localized legal or reputational frictions, though direct financial impact appears limited at this stage. Read More.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Mastercard from $640.00 to $660.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Mastercard from $669.00 to $660.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 31st. Compass Point upgraded Mastercard from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $620.00 to $735.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Morgan Stanley set a $665.00 price objective on Mastercard and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Mastercard from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, December 14th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $661.24.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Mastercard

Mastercard Stock Down 1.5%

MA opened at $524.67 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $554.82 and its 200 day moving average price is $565.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12. The stock has a market cap of $471.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.86. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $465.59 and a 12 month high of $601.77.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. Mastercard had a return on equity of 202.03% and a net margin of 45.28%.The company had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.53 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.89 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be given a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. This is a boost from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. Mastercards payout ratio is currently 22.25%.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.

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Mitchells & Butlers Plc (OTCMKTS:MBPFF  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $3.6950, but opened at $3.41. Mitchells & Butlers shares last traded at $3.41, with a volume of 1,000 shares trading hands.

Mitchells & Butlers Price Performance

The companys 50-day simple moving average is $3.44 and its 200 day simple moving average is $3.45.

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About Mitchells & Butlers

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Mitchells & Butlers plc is one of the United Kingdoms leading operators of managed pubs, bars and restaurants, trading under a portfolio of well-known brands. The companys venues serve a broad spectrum of customers, from casual diners at family-friendly outlets to guests seeking premium steakhouse and craft bar experiences. Its core business activities encompass site management, menu development, beverage sourcing and hospitality operations across its estate.

The companys brand portfolio includes names such as All Bar One, Toby Carvery, Harvester, Miller & Carter, Sizzling Pubs and Vintage Inns, among others.

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Modera Wealth Management LLC lessened its stake in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 71,648 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 3,726 shares during the period. Modera Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $8,078,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of XOM. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System increased its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 215,892 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $24,342,000 after acquiring an additional 5,573 shares during the last quarter. Linscomb Wealth Inc. grew its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 5,527 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Exxon Mobil by 3.3% in the third quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 306,658 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $34,576,000 after purchasing an additional 9,831 shares in the last quarter. Capital Counsel LLC NY raised its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 0.9% in the second quarter. Capital Counsel LLC NY now owns 49,687 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,356,000 after purchasing an additional 460 shares during the period. Finally, OneAscent Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 116.7% during the second quarter. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,657 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $825,000 after purchasing an additional 4,123 shares in the last quarter. 61.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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More Exxon Mobil News

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Insider Transactions at Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil Stock Up 1.0%

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.19, for a total transaction of $351,570.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 28,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,349,758.96. The trade was a 9.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock.

Shares of Exxon Mobil stock opened at $134.93 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $569.03 billion, a PE ratio of 19.61, a P/E/G ratio of 8.59 and a beta of 0.37. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $120.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $115.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.14. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 52-week low of $97.80 and a 52-week high of $135.98.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last released 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. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 8.99%.The firm had revenue of $83.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $83.09 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.92 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors 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%. This is an increase from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.99. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is 59.88%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on XOM shares. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $142.00 to $137.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Bank of America dropped their price target on Exxon Mobil from $119.00 to $118.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $146.00 to $148.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. TD Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Friday, January 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Exxon Mobil presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $131.84.

View Our Latest Research Report on Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil Company 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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Newport Trust Company LLC decreased its position in shares of Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM  Free Report) by 2.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,066,534 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 24,989 shares during the period. Humana comprises about 0.6% of Newport Trust Company LLCs holdings, making the stock its 26th largest holding. Newport Trust Company LLC owned about 0.89% of Humana worth $277,480,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Humana by 1.6% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,199,096 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,471,395,000 after purchasing an additional 226,224 shares during the period. Dodge & Cox boosted its holdings in shares of Humana by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 11,352,920 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,775,562,000 after buying an additional 597,705 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Humana by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,377,390 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,319,334,000 after buying an additional 58,094 shares during the period. Pzena Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Humana by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 4,076,667 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $996,664,000 after acquiring an additional 247,744 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in Humana by 273.2% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,488,261 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $907,541,000 after acquiring an additional 2,553,509 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.38% of the companys stock.

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Humana Stock Down 0.2%

Humana stock opened at $265.68 on Friday. Humana Inc. has a 12 month low of $206.87 and a 12 month high of $315.35. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $258.26 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $264.66. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The firm has a market cap of $31.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.90, a PEG ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.45.

Humana Announces Dividend

Humana ( NYSE:HUM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $3.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.95 by $0.29. Humana had a return on equity of 12.86% and a net margin of 1.02%.The company had revenue of $32.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $31.99 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.16 earnings per share. Humanas revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Humana Inc. will post 16.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a $0.885 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Humanas payout ratio is currently 33.18%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of Humana from an overweight rating to a cautious rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Barclays restated an underperformer rating on shares of Humana in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Humana from $280.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Truist Financial cut their target price on Humana from $300.00 to $285.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an underperform rating on shares of Humana in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $293.37.

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Humana Company Profile

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Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM) is a health insurance company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, that primarily serves individuals and groups across the United States. The company is best known for its Medicare business, offering Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug (Part D) coverage, alongside a range of commercial and employer-sponsored group health plans. Humanas products are designed to cover medical, behavioral health and pharmacy needs for members, with particular emphasis on seniors and Medicare-eligible populations.

In addition to traditional insurance products, Humana provides care-management and wellness services intended to support chronic-condition management, preventive care and care coordination.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of OGE Energy (NYSE:OGE  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on OGE. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of OGE Energy from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays reduced their price objective on OGE Energy from $51.00 to $49.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group dropped their target price on OGE Energy from $45.00 to $44.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded OGE Energy from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and cut their price target for the company from $45.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of OGE Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, OGE Energy currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.13.

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OGE Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:OGE opened at $42.61 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market cap of $8.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.63. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $43.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $44.50. OGE Energy has a fifty-two week low of $40.80 and a fifty-two week high of $47.33.

OGE Energy (NYSE:OGE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.02). OGE Energy had a net margin of 15.28% and a return on equity of 10.77%. The company had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.04 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.09 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that OGE Energy will post 2.27 earnings per share for the current year.

OGE Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Monday, January 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 5th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.0%. OGE Energys payout ratio is 68.27%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On OGE Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of OGE Energy in the second quarter worth approximately $101,421,000. Boston Partners boosted its holdings in OGE Energy by 15.7% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 6,248,222 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $277,388,000 after buying an additional 846,365 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in OGE Energy by 51.2% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,359,899 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $104,732,000 after buying an additional 799,264 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its stake in OGE Energy by 843.6% in the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 819,492 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $37,918,000 after buying an additional 732,641 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd raised its holdings in OGE Energy by 305.1% during the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 537,908 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $24,889,000 after acquiring an additional 405,113 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.84% of the companys stock.

OGE Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE:OGE) is an energy and infrastructure holding company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Through its principal subsidiary, Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company, the company provides regulated electric service to residential, commercial and industrial customers across Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Its diversified generation mix includes coal, natural gas and wind-powered facilities, complemented by ongoing investments in grid modernization and smart technology to enhance reliability and customer satisfaction.

In addition to its core electric utility operations, OGE Energy Corp.

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Quilter Plc lessened its stake in shares of Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp (NYSE:SBS  Free Report) by 9.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 702,728 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 71,045 shares during the period. Quilter Plcs holdings in Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp were worth $17,491,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp by 42.7% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,846 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 552 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp by 246.4% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,342 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 1,666 shares during the last quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV raised its holdings in shares of Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp by 373.6% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 3,159 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $69,000 after acquiring an additional 2,492 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp by 82.9% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,180 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 1,895 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp by 856.5% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 5,041 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $111,000 after purchasing an additional 4,514 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 10.62% of the companys stock.

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Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp Stock Up 3.8%

NYSE:SBS opened at $26.49 on Friday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $24.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.17. Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp has a fifty-two week low of $15.62 and a fifty-two week high of $27.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.67, a P/E/G ratio of 4.03 and a beta of 0.81.

Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp Announces Dividend

Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp ( NYSE:SBS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The utilities provider reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $4.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.07 billion. Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp had a net margin of 22.32% and a return on equity of 16.08%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp will post 2.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.4772 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 29th. Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesps payout ratio is presently 40.33%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on SBS shares. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp in a research report on Wednesday. Zacks Research lowered shares of Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Friday, January 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on SBS

About Companhia de saneamento Basico Do Estado De Sao Paulo  Sabesp

(Free Report)

Companhia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo (SABESP) is a Brazilian utility that provides water supply and wastewater collection and treatment services. As the principal sanitation company serving the state of Sao Paulo, SABESP operates a wide range of infrastructure spanning water capture, treatment plants, distribution networks and sewage systems. The companys activities support residential, commercial and industrial customers and are focused on delivering potable water, ensuring water quality and expanding access to sanitation services.

SABESPs service offering includes the operation and maintenance of water treatment and sewage treatment facilities, network expansion and rehabilitation, meter reading and billing, customer service and environmental programs aimed at improving sewage treatment rates and protecting water resources.

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Trust the kangaroo logo. Back local jobs. Strengthen Australian supply chains. Thats the message behind the governments biggest buy local campaign yet.

Whats happening: The Albanese Government has launched its $20 million Made Right Here campaign, a flagship election commitment aimed at boosting consumer awareness and purchasing of Australian-made products.

Why this matters: government is betting that better visibility of the Australian Made logo, already recognised by 99% of consumers and licensed by 4,500 businesses, can convert stated consumer loyalty into real purchasing behaviour that strengthens local jobs, supply chains, and industrial capacity.

The economic case is simple and stark. If every Australian household spent just $10 more per week buying Australian-made products, it would generate $5 billion in economic activity and create 10,000 jobs.

That calculation sits at the heart of the Albanese Governments most ambitious manufacturing push yet. On 23 January 2026, the government officially launched its $20 million Made Right Here campaign. Its a flagship election commitment designed to make the iconic green-and-gold Australian Made kangaroo logo the default choice when Australians reach for products at checkout.

The campaign runs nationally until 30 June 2026 across television, radio, print, out-of-home advertising, digital and social media. Its the largest awareness push the Australian Made Campaign Ltd has ever mounted.

The campaign launch took place at Capral Aluminiums sprawling Smithfield facility in southwestern Sydney. Its one of the southern hemispheres biggest industrial precincts and home to thousands of manufacturing workers. It was a deliberate choice of venue, signalling where the governments priorities lie.

Launching Made Right Here in my home suburb of Smithfield makes sense. Its one of the biggest industrial precincts in the southern hemisphere, and its where local workers make the products Australians rely on every day, said Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Member for McMahon.

This campaign is about turning national pride into practical support and making it easier for people to back Australian jobs at the checkout. When you choose Australian made, you are backing local businesses, stronger supply chains, and good secure work in communities like ours.

The Albanese Government is backing Australian manufacturing with a Future Made in Australia, because we want more things made right here, not shipped in from overseas.

The trust is there, now for the hard part

The foundation for the campaign is rock solid. The Australian Made logo is recognised by 99% of Australian consumers. Trust in the brand sits at 93%, among the highest of any brand tracked by Roy Morgan Research. When asked, 87% of Australians say its important to buy Australian-made, and 79% claim theyre willing to pay a premium for locally made goods.

The Australian Made logo turns 40 this year. In that time, the green-and-gold kangaroo has helped Australians make confident, informed purchasing decisions that support the countrys makers and growers and in turn, local families and communities, said Kate Carnell AO, Chair of Australian Made Campaign Ltd.

Today, it remains the most trusted country-of-origin symbol, with 93 per cent of Australians trusting the brand.

Ben Lazzaro, Chief Executive of Australian Made Campaign Ltd, said the campaign highlights the breadth of Australian-made options across nearly every product category and encourages people to make the right choice and buy Australian where they can.

Australian Made means made right here in Australia, but the green-and-gold logo means more than just where something is made, Lazzaro said. When you choose it, youre backing local businesses and home-grown ideas as well as supporting fellow Aussies.

The new campaign also highlights and celebrates what we can often take for granted, which is that we have access to such a wide variety of locally made, high-quality products that play pivotal roles in our everyday lives.

Those numbers suggest the campaign should work almost by default. Australians trust the logo. They say they want to buy local. The problem is what happens next.

The Albanese Labor Government backs Aussie made products and shares with the Australian Made Campaign a vision for an Aussie-made future, said Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science.

We know that Australians want to back local businesses at the checkout, and this campaign is about making it easier to do that in store and online. We know that if Aussie households spent an extra $10 a week on Australian-made products, it would boost our economy by $5 billion and create 10,000 jobs.

If you look for and choose the iconic kangaroo logo when you do your shopping, youre supporting local jobs and investing back into the local economy. Buy proudly Australian this long weekend.

But stated intentions and actual purchasing behaviour often diverge sharply, particularly when household budgets are under strain. Seventy-four per cent of Australians identify rising living costs as a major concern. Fifty-seven per cent have permanently switched to store-brand products. Another 15% plan to. Nine in ten are worried about grocery prices.

The real test isnt whether Australians recognise or trust the kangaroo logo. Its whether that trust translates into spending when a local product costs more than an imported alternative.

Manufacturing under siege

For manufacturers like Capral Aluminium, the stakes couldnt be higher. The company has operated on Australian soil for 90 years, operating across six locations nationally including its Smithfield headquarters. Its one of 4,500 businesses licensed to use the Australian Made logo. Companies like this see their sales directly support thousands of manufacturing jobs.

Capral Aluminium has operated in Australia for 90 years because we believe local manufacturing adds value to the Australian economy, said Tony Dragicevich, Managing Director and CEO of Capral Aluminium. Capral is immensely proud to be an Australian Made licensee. Australian Made, including the Made Right Here campaign launched today, gives manufacturers like Capral a trusted, universally recognised mark that helps identify Australian-made products and gives customers confidence that they are buying quality.

By backing Australian jobs, skills and investment, the campaign strengthens our industry today and into the future.

Yet the sector faces relentless pressure. Operating margins in Australian manufacturing fell from 8.8 per cent to 7.9 per cent in the 2022-23 financial year, with nine of thirteen subindustries reporting declines. Wage rates have surged 11.5 per cent over the past three years, the highest increase of any industry in Australia.

Energy costs have been particularly brutal. Natural gas prices, which underpin much of Australian manufacturing, have risen 58 per cent. Thats before factoring in steel, aluminium, and labour.

The result is an industry bleeding margin whilst facing the worst worker shortage in decades. There are presently 17,000 unfilled jobs in manufacturing, up from 11,000 before the pandemic, with 63 per cent of recruiting manufacturers reporting difficulties filling advertised roles.

But strengthening is only possible if customers actually choose the local option when they see it.

The governments wager

The Albanese Government framed the Made Right Here campaign as delivering on a core election promise: backing Australian manufacturing and rebuilding industrial capacity under its Future Made in Australia policy framework.

If you look for and choose the iconic kangaroo logo when you do your shopping, youre supporting local jobs and investing back into the local economy, Ayres said.

The $20 million investment is real, but its relatively modest given the scale of the challenge. The campaigns success will depend on whether reminding Australians of their own stated values can overcome immediate financial pressures.

Younger consumers present a particular puzzle. Gen Z and Millennials embrace sustainability and corporate values as purchase criteria. They care about where things are made and who makes them. Yet theyre also the most price-sensitive cohort, with affordability increasingly overriding other considerations as cost-of-living pressures bite.

The broader consumer picture is equally mixed. Eighty per cent of Australians now actively stock up on products when theyre on sale. Seventy-one per cent will make unplanned purchases after spotting discounted items. Fifty-six per cent prioritise value above all other factors when deciding whether to change brands or stores.

Patriotism and ethics, in other words, are becoming luxuries most households simply cannot afford.

The real measure

For the campaign to succeed, one of three things needs to happen. Either manufacturing costs fall dramatically, which is unlikely given energy and labour pressures. Or household budgets ease, reducing the immediate financial desperation that drives switching to store brands. Or the campaigns messaging proves powerful enough to shift behaviour despite those headwinds.

The governments economic argument, that $10 weekly translates to $5 billion and 10,000 jobs, is sound. The question is whether that macro-level reasoning resonates when a family is standing at the checkout deciding between a $15 Australian-made product and a $12 import.

The campaign runs until 30 June 2026. The real verdict wont come from brand recognition or trust metrics. It will come from till rolls and manufacturing floor activity. If Australian-made sales lift noticeably, the $20 million will have paid for itself many times over. If they dont, it will be a sobering reminder that good intentions matter far less than household budgets when Australians shop.

For manufacturers like Capral, for the 4,500 businesses carrying the kangaroo logo, and for the 17,000 unfilled jobs in the sector, the next six months are critical. The campaign has launched. Now comes the hard part: converting trust into tills.

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Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. decreased its holdings in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,447,903 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 78,272 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil accounts for about 0.8% of Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $163,598,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Westfuller Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Exxon Mobil during the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Bare Financial Services Inc grew its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 121.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 366 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. Clayton Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the third quarter worth $40,000. TruNorth Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Exxon Mobil by 1,595.2% in the third quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 356 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in Exxon Mobil during the second quarter worth about $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

XOM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Friday, January 16th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $119.00 to $118.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Barclays raised their target price on Exxon Mobil from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane raised 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. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Exxon Mobil presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $131.84.

Insider Transactions at Exxon Mobil

In other news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.19, for a total transaction of $351,570.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 28,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,349,758.96. This trade represents a 9.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of XOM opened at $134.93 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.14. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 52 week low of $97.80 and a 52 week high of $135.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $569.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.61, a PEG ratio of 8.59 and a beta of 0.37. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $120.74 and a 200-day moving average of $115.28.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $83.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $83.09 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 8.99%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.92 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. This is a boost from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.99. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is 59.88%.

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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Retirement Systems of Alabama boosted its position in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 1.4% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 3,429,369 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 47,548 shares during the quarter. Bank of America comprises 0.6% of Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in Bank of America were worth $176,921,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quaker Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 246.5% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 523 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 880 shares in the last quarter. RMG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Steph & Co. raised its holdings in Bank of America by 224.3% during the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 548 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 379 shares during the period. CGC Financial Services LLC raised its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 521 shares during the period. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of America during the third quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock.

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Key Bank of America News

Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:

Bank of America Stock Performance

Shares of BAC opened at $51.75 on Friday. Bank of America Corporation has a 12-month low of $33.06 and a 12-month 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 company has a market cap of $377.87 billion, a PE ratio of 13.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.29. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $54.06 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.36.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results 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 business had revenue of $4.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27.73 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.82 earnings per share. Bank of Americas quarterly revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on BAC. Barclays lifted their price target on Bank of America from $59.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Bank of America from $56.00 to $59.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Ameriprise Financial raised shares of Bank of America to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $64.00 to $63.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of America has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $59.74.

Read Our Latest Analysis on BAC

Bank of America Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama reduced its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 0.8% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 374,515 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 2,976 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in American Express were worth $124,399,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of American Express by 1.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 46,425,262 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $14,808,730,000 after buying an additional 581,369 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in American Express by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,487,316 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $4,282,984,000 after acquiring an additional 1,349,746 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of American Express in the second quarter worth approximately $1,897,335,000. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of American Express by 3.0% in the second quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 4,620,873 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,473,966,000 after purchasing an additional 133,439 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main increased its stake in shares of American Express by 13.9% in the second quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 4,342,556 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,385,188,000 after purchasing an additional 530,967 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on AXP shares. Weiss Ratings raised shares of American Express from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. HSBC set a $295.00 target price on American Express and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Morgan Stanley set a $395.00 price target on American Express in a report on Tuesday. TD Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of American Express from $395.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $353.95.

American Express Stock Down 1.7%

Shares of AXP opened at $361.76 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $249.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.15. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $220.43 and a 1 year high of $387.49. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $368.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $342.47.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.56 by ($15.41). American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.91 billion. As a group, equities analysts expect that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.01%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total value of $18,010,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer owned 85,577 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,825,691.17. This trade represents a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

American Express Profile

(Free Report)

American Express is a global financial services company primarily known for its payment card products, travel services and merchant network. Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company evolved through the 20th century into a payments and travel-focused organization. Its core activities include issuing consumer and commercial charge and credit cards, operating a global card acceptance and processing network, and providing travel-related services and customer loyalty programs.

American Express issues a range of products for individuals, small businesses and large corporations, including personal cards, business and corporate cards, and cobrand partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers.

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Strs Ohio trimmed its holdings in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH  Free Report) by 15.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 159,877 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 28,878 shares during the period. Strs Ohios holdings in CRH were worth $19,169,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in CRH. Creekmur Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in CRH during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Park Place Capital Corp grew its holdings in CRH by 59.9% during the 2nd quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 307 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. raised its position in shares of CRH by 1,835.3% during the second quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 329 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 312 shares during the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new position in shares of CRH in the third quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 255.0% in the second quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 426 shares of the construction companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 306 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the companys stock.

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CRH Stock Performance

NYSE CRH opened at $122.85 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $122.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $114.69. Crh Plc has a fifty-two week low of $76.75 and a fifty-two week high of $131.55. The company has a market cap of $82.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.34.

CRH Dividend Announcement

CRH ( NYSE:CRH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The construction company reported $2.21 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.27. CRH had a net margin of 9.30% and a return on equity of 16.25%. The company had revenue of $11.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.15 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.97 earnings per share. CRHs quarterly revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. CRH has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.490-5.720 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st were given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 21st. CRHs dividend payout ratio is 22.11%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of CRH from $131.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of CRH in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on CRH from $152.00 to $150.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an equal weight rating and set a $138.00 price target (up previously from $133.00) on shares of CRH in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on CRH from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, CRH has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $136.20.

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CRH Profile

(Free Report)

CRH plc, originally formed as Cement Roadstone Holdings in 1970 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a global building materials group. The company has grown from its Irish roots into one of the largest international suppliers of construction materials, expanding primarily through acquisitions and regional business development. CRH operates an integrated network of manufacturing and distribution businesses that serve both public and private construction markets.

CRHs core activities include the production and distribution of aggregates, cement, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and other bulk materials, together with a broad range of value-added building products such as precast concrete, masonry, bricks, roofing products, pipe and drainage systems, and construction accessories.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its position in American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG  Free Report) by 42.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 212,514 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 63,212 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in American International Group were worth $16,691,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new stake in American International Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $858,000. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. bought a new position in American International Group during the second quarter worth about $6,127,000. Patton Fund Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of American International Group in the second quarter worth about $232,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of American International Group by 88.8% in the third quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 58,314 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $4,580,000 after purchasing an additional 27,431 shares during the period. Finally, Allstate Corp purchased a new stake in shares of American International Group during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,689,000. 90.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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American International Group Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of AIG stock opened at $72.23 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $38.97 billion, a PE ratio of 13.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.62. American International Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $71.25 and a 52-week high of $88.07. The businesss fifty day moving average is $79.12 and its 200 day moving average is $79.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.32.

American International Group Announces Dividend

American International Group ( NYSE:AIG Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.63. American International Group had a return on equity of 9.09% and a net margin of 11.89%.The business had revenue of $6.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.23 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that American International Group, Inc. will post 6.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 16th were given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 16th. American International Groups dividend payout ratio is 32.73%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AIG has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of American International Group from $85.00 to $84.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on American International Group in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $85.00 price target for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on American International Group from $81.00 to $83.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on American International Group from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of American International Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and fourteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $87.42.

View Our Latest Report on AIG

American International Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

American International Group, Inc (AIG) is a global insurance holding company that provides a broad range of property-casualty insurance, specialty insurance, and risk management solutions to institutional, commercial and individual customers. Through its operating subsidiaries, AIG underwrites commercial and personal lines productsranging from general liability, property, and casualty coverages to specialty lines such as professional liability, surety, cyber and marinealong with related services designed to help clients manage and transfer risk.

The company also has a long history in life insurance, retirement solutions and asset management through businesses that have been restructured or separated over time.

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Booking, Travelers Companies, Expedia Group, MakeMyTrip, and Trip.com Group are the five Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are shares of companies whose primary business is facilitating or supporting travel and tourismairlines, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, car rental firms, online travel agencies, and related service providers. Investors view them as cyclical and often volatile because their revenue depends on consumer travel demand and is sensitive to economic cycles, seasonality, fuel costs, geopolitical events, and health crises. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Travel stocks within the last several days.

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Booking (BKNG)

Booking Holdings Inc, formerly The Priceline Group Inc., is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company, through its online travel companies (OTCs), connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services across the world. It offers consumers an array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands.

Travelers Companies (TRV)

The Travelers Companies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TRV

Expedia Group (EXPE)

Expedia Group, Inc. operates as an online travel company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through B2C, B2B, and trivago segments. Its B2C segment includes Brand Expedia, a full-service online travel brand offers various travel products and services; Hotels.com for lodging accommodations; Vrbo, an online marketplace for the alternative accommodations; Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif Group, ebookers, CheapTickets, Hotwire.com and CarRentals.com.

Read Our Latest Research Report on EXPE

MakeMyTrip (MMYT)

MakeMyTrip Limited, an online travel company, sells travel products and solutions in India, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company operates through three segments: Air Ticketing, Hotels and Packages, and Bus Ticketing.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MMYT

Trip.com Group (TCOM)

Trip.com Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a travel service provider for accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and in-destination, corporate travel management, and other travel-related services in China and internationally. The company acts as an agent for hotel-related transactions and selling air tickets, as well as provides train, long-distance bus, and ferry tickets; travel insurance products, such as flight delay, air accident, and baggage loss coverage; and air-ticket delivery, online check-in and seat selection, express security screening, real-time flight status tracker, and airport VIP lounge services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TCOM

Featured Articles
Torex Gold Resources (TSE:TXG  Free Report) had its price target hoisted by TD Securities from C$78.00 to C$96.00 in a report released on Thursday morning,BayStreet.CA reports.

A number of other research firms have also commented on TXG. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Torex Gold Resources from C$77.00 to C$94.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price target on Torex Gold Resources from C$64.00 to C$77.00 in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. CIBC upped their price target on shares of Torex Gold Resources from C$66.00 to C$90.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, National Bankshares decreased their price objective on shares of Torex Gold Resources from C$90.00 to C$85.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have given a Buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Torex Gold Resources presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$72.60.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TXG

Torex Gold Resources Stock Up 1.1%

Torex Gold Resources Announces Dividend

Shares of TXG opened at C$80.01 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of C$7.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.53, a PEG ratio of 0.02 and a beta of 1.28. Torex Gold Resources has a one year low of C$28.97 and a one year high of C$81.36. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is C$66.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$56.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.09, a current ratio of 1.00 and a quick ratio of 2.12.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 4th were given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 20th.

Torex Gold Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Torex Gold Resources Inc is an intermediate producer of gold and other precious metals, engaged in the exploration, development, and exploration of its wholly owned Morelos Gold Property. The property consists of 29,000 hectares in the Guerrero Gold Belt, located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City and approximately 50 kilometres southwest of Iguala. Within this property, the company has two assets: the El Limon-Guajes Mine, an open pit gold deposit located north of the Balsas river, and the Media Luna Project, which is at an advanced stage of exploration.

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Shares of Trio Petroleum Corp. (NYSEMKT:TPET  Get Free Report) dropped 15.7% on Friday . The company traded as low as $1.01 and last traded at $0.8680. Approximately 198,879 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 88% from the average daily volume of 1,717,439 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.03.

Trio Petroleum Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $10.68 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.05 and a beta of -5.10. The companys fifty day moving average is $0.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1.01.

Trio Petroleum Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

We are an oil and gas exploration and development company headquartered in Bakersfield, California, with operations in Monterey County, California. The Company was incorporated on July 19, 2021, under the laws of Delaware to acquire, fund and develop oil exploration and production assets in California. We have no revenue-generating operations as of the date of this prospectus. The Company was formed to acquire Trio Petroleum LLCs (Trio LLC) approximate 82.75% working interest (WI) (which was subsequently increased to an approximate 85.75% working interest) in the large, approximately 8,600-acre South Salinas Project (the South Salinas Project), and subsequently partner with certain members of Trio LLCs management team to develop and operate those assets.

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UniSuper Management Pty Ltd grew its stake in shares of Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O  Free Report) by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 340,950 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 16,817 shares during the period. UniSuper Management Pty Ltds holdings in Realty Income were worth $20,726,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in O. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Realty Income during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Avion Wealth raised its position in Realty Income by 142.4% in the second quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 526 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Realty Income during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its position in shares of Realty Income by 806.5% in the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 562 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Finally, Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Realty Income in the second quarter valued at about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.81% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently commented on O shares. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on Realty Income in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. They set an in-line rating and a $62.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Realty Income from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their target price on Realty Income from $64.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Realty Income from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $69.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Realty Income in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Realty Income presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.71.

Realty Income Stock Performance

O stock opened at $60.74 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $57.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $58.25. Realty Income Corporation has a 12-month low of $50.71 and a 12-month high of $61.95. The firm has a market cap of $55.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.24, a P/E/G ratio of 3.90 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Realty Income (NYSE:O  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.07 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.35 billion. Realty Income had a net margin of 17.17% and a return on equity of 2.45%. The firms revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.05 earnings per share. Realty Income has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.250-4.270 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Realty Income Corporation will post 4.19 EPS for the current year.

Realty Income Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Friday, January 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 30th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 5.3%. Realty Incomes dividend payout ratio is 300.00%.

About Realty Income

(Free Report)

Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and manages commercial properties subject primarily to long-term net lease agreements. The companys business model focuses on generating predictable, contractual rental income by leasing properties to tenants under agreements that typically place responsibility for taxes, insurance and maintenance on the tenant. Realty Income is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and markets itself as a reliable income-oriented REIT.

Realty Incomes portfolio is concentrated in single-tenant, retail and service-oriented properties such as drugstores, convenience stores, dollar and discount retailers, restaurants, and other essential-service businesses.

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Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH raised its holdings in NiSource, Inc (NYSE:NI  Free Report) by 7.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 213,923 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 15,282 shares during the quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbHs holdings in NiSource were worth $9,263,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC increased its stake in shares of NiSource by 55,625.2% in the second quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 16,866,898 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $680,411,000 after buying an additional 16,836,630 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in NiSource in the 2nd quarter valued at about $296,543,000. Soroban Capital Partners LP raised its stake in shares of NiSource by 52.0% in the second quarter. Soroban Capital Partners LP now owns 4,434,245 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $178,877,000 after acquiring an additional 1,516,296 shares during the last quarter. Merewether Investment Management LP lifted its position in shares of NiSource by 55.2% during the second quarter. Merewether Investment Management LP now owns 3,006,194 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $121,270,000 after purchasing an additional 1,069,363 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of NiSource by 4.1% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 24,726,001 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $997,447,000 after purchasing an additional 965,718 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.64% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NI has been the subject of several research analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of NiSource from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Mizuho lifted their target price on NiSource from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. UBS Group upped their price target on NiSource from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Barclays set a $45.00 price target on NiSource in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of NiSource in a report on Monday, December 29th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $46.89.

Insider Transactions at NiSource

In related news, EVP Kimberly S. Cuccia sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.13, for a total transaction of $345,040.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 41,247 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,778,983.11. The trade was a 16.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

NiSource Stock Down 0.3%

NYSE:NI opened at $43.39 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. NiSource, Inc has a 12-month low of $35.64 and a 12-month high of $44.88. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $42.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is $42.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.96, a P/E/G ratio of 3.57 and a beta of 0.65.

NiSource (NYSE:NI  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The utilities provider reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.01). NiSource had a net margin of 14.15% and a return on equity of 8.09%. The company had revenue of $1.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $983.25 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.20 EPS. NiSource has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.020-2.07 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 1.870-1.89 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that NiSource, Inc will post 1.91 earnings per share for the current year.

NiSource Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 20th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 3rd. This is a positive change from NiSources previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. NiSources payout ratio is 59.26%.

About NiSource

(Free Report)

NiSource, Inc (NYSE: NI) is a publicly traded energy holding company headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana, that primarily owns and operates regulated local gas and electric utilities in the United States. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company delivers natural gas and electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers and provides the associated distribution and transmission services that keep local energy systems functioning.

The companys core activities include natural gas distribution, electric transmission and distribution, system operations, maintenance and emergency response.

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The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) will put into circulation a silver collector coin themed 125 Years of the Electric Tram in Bulgaria on January 26, Azernews reports citing the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

This is the first collector coin to be issued by the BNB following Bulgarias adoption of the euro on January 1, BNB said on its website on Friday.

With Bulgarias accession to the euro area, the BNB discontinued the issuance of commemorative coins with denominations in levs and has begun issuing collector coins with denominations in euros. Collector coins have the status of legal tender only in the issuing country, and their face value must differ from the denominations of euro coins in circulation. Such coins must also differ substantially from circulation coins in at least two of the following three parameters: colour, diameter and weight.

According to the BNBs coin-issuance programme for 2026, four more collector coins are to be issued, along with one EUR 2 commemorative coin, the banks website shows.

The issue price of the 125 Years of the Electric Tram in Bulgaria coin is EUR 144 (BGN 281.64). The coin has a face value of EUR 10.

The coin will be sold by the BNB at four cash desks in the central BNB building and at four cash desks at the BNB Cash Centre in Sofia, located at 10 Mihail Tenev Street.

Each customer will be allowed to purchase only one coin at BNB cash desks, regardless of whether the purchase is made on their own behalf and for their own account, or on behalf of and for the account of another person. When purchasing the silver coin on behalf of another person, an explicit notarized power of attorney authorizing the purchase must be presented.

If a customer, acting as a private individual, purchases a coin at BNB cash desks, they will not be entitled to purchase an additional coin as a representative of a legal entity, and the same restriction applies vice versa. Coins will not be sold to persons under 18 years of age, the Bulgarian National Bank explained.

By the end of the business day on January 26, the new coin will also be supplied by the BNB to Investbank, First Investment Bank, Texim Bank, Tokuda Bank and Central Cooperative Bank for sale at their offices and branches, as well as to Bulgarian Mint. A list of the branches and offices offering the coin will be published by the BNB.
What was and is unique with Worldtempus is that it combined the forces of LVMH, Richemont and Swatch Group as well as large and small independents including Audemars Piguet and MB&F. Add to that its location in Geneva, and its bilingual approach, which makes it a unique voice.

One of the 22 founding brands of Worldtempus was Bovet. I was excited about the possibilities. I had just purchased the House of BOVET in 2001, and I was coming in as an outsider, not a watchmaker. As an entrepreneur, I am a firm believer in examining new methods, new materials, new processes and adopting what works early. Many people doubted the relevance of online media, but I saw the potential and believed it would be the future of communication, in addition to printed material, said CEO Pascal Raffy.
Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (NYSEARCA:PCY  Free Report) by 15.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 386,780 shares of the companys stock after selling 69,420 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC owned approximately 0.66% of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF worth $8,347,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Alliance Wealth Management Group raised its stake in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 2.5% during the third quarter. Alliance Wealth Management Group now owns 256,954 shares of the companys stock worth $5,540,000 after purchasing an additional 6,313 shares during the period. Towercrest Capital Management lifted its position in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Towercrest Capital Management now owns 271,342 shares of the companys stock worth $5,850,000 after purchasing an additional 6,752 shares during the last quarter. Realta Investment Advisors increased its holdings in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 104.9% in the third quarter. Realta Investment Advisors now owns 1,164 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 596 shares during the last quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 3.7% in the third quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 78,953 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,702,000 after buying an additional 2,828 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortress Financial Solutions LLC raised its stake in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 13.7% in the third quarter. Fortress Financial Solutions LLC now owns 26,339 shares of the companys stock valued at $568,000 after buying an additional 3,177 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.00% of the companys stock.

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Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Stock Up 0.2%

NYSEARCA:PCY opened at $21.64 on Friday. Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF has a 1 year low of $18.71 and a 1 year high of $22.07. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $21.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $21.39.

Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Increases Dividend

Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Profile

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 23rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th were given a $0.1084 dividend. This is a boost from Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETFs previous monthly dividend of $0.11. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 20th.

(Free Report)

The Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (PCY) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund tracks a tier-weighted index of US-dollar-denominated sovereign debt in emerging markets with at least 3 years to maturity. PCY was launched on Oct 11, 2007 and is managed by Invesco.

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Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX  Free Report) by 113.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 58,047 shares of the medical technology companys stock after buying an additional 30,912 shares during the quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC owned about 0.13% of Teleflex worth $7,366,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its position in Teleflex by 57.9% in the third quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 210 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Teleflex during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Teleflex by 10,333.3% in the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 313 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 310 shares during the period. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Teleflex in the third quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Teleflex by 151.9% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 408 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.62% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on TFX. Wall Street Zen downgraded Teleflex from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of Teleflex in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $135.00 price target on shares of Teleflex in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on Teleflex from $120.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Teleflex from $114.00 to $139.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $142.43.

Teleflex Stock Down 1.6%

TFX opened at $103.40 on Friday. Teleflex Incorporated has a 1 year low of $100.18 and a 1 year high of $185.94. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $116.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $120.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 2.57. The company has a market cap of $4.57 billion, a PE ratio of -14.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.93.

Teleflex (NYSE:TFX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The medical technology company reported $3.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.38 by $0.29. Teleflex had a negative net margin of 10.28% and a positive return on equity of 15.64%. The company had revenue of $892.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $892.79 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.49 earnings per share. Teleflexs revenue for the quarter was up 19.4% on a year-over-year basis. Teleflex has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.000-14.200 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Teleflex Incorporated will post 13.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Teleflex Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a $0.34 dividend. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. Teleflexs dividend payout ratio is currently -18.50%.

Teleflex Profile

(Free Report)

Teleflex Incorporated is a diversified global provider of medical technologies, specializing in critical care and surgery. Headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania, the company designs, manufactures and distributes devices and solutions used by healthcare professionals in hospital, ambulatory and alternate site settings. Teleflex focuses on delivering products that support complex interventional procedures and improve patient outcomes.

The companys offerings span several key segments, including Interventional Urology, Respiratory & Anesthesia, Surgical, Cardiac Care, Vascular and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) solutions.

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Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR  Free Report) by 28.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 299,392 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 66,150 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF comprises approximately 0.8% of Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 26th largest holding. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $35,951,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of IJR. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the second quarter worth $27,000. Curio Wealth LLC lifted its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 26,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 270 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 269 shares in the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC grew its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 306.6% during the 3rd quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 431 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC increased its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 200.4% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 452 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 902 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC increased its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 53.3% in the 3rd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 538 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 66.92% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of IJR stock opened at $128.09 on Friday. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 1 year low of $89.22 and a 1 year high of $131.64. The firms 50 day moving average is $122.63 and its 200-day moving average is $118.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $94.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.52 and a beta of 1.08.

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Profile

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The Index serves as the underlying index for the S&P 600/Citigroup Growth and Value Index series. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares.

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Fear and a profound sense of abandonment are the prevailing feelings among Iranians after the massive demonstrations that, in recent weeks, have shaken the Islamic Republic and been brutally suppressed by the authorities. Fear of what has been seen and experienced, and of the possible reprisals against those who spoke out. And abandonment by the international community  especially by U.S. President Donald Trump, who until just recently was urging Iranians to keep protesting and promising that help was on the way.

Her heels echo through the hotel lobby every time the woman gets up from the table where she sits, in a secluded corner, alongside two men in dark suits. She, too, is dressed in black, her head covered by a light veil that leaves the front of her hair visible, and she issues orders over the phone in Turkish and Persian. She is a senior official at the Iranian Consulate General in Van, the capital of the Turkish province of the same name, home to the main border crossing between Iran and Turkey.

This hotel, like many others in the city, has become a refuge for Iranians who have recently fled their homeland. They are in Turkey to catch international flights  suspended from Iranian territory  to connect to the internet cut off by the ayatollahs regime, or to flee repression. And they are afraid. When they do speak, they recount what they experienced in whispers, glancing around warily, suspicious of who might be listening. Iranian dissidents have previously been abducted on Turkish soil. Everything is under control, the consular representative says with a somewhat forced smile when this journalist asks about the situation in her country and the arrival of Iranians in Turkey. Everything is going to be fine.

Indeed, the many Iranians EL PAIS has spoken to in recent days at the Kapikoy border crossing and in the city of Van agree that calm has returned  albeit by manu militari. At the intersections of the main avenues [in Tehran] there are heavily armed government forces, and no kind of public gathering is tolerated, says Reza, a middle-aged man who left the country in the past week. They also agree that there have been hardly any protests since the country was plunged into silence  with the cutting of internet and phone lines  and the brutal repression unleashed on January 8 and 9. Thats why they cut the internet, so they could kill with impunity, explains Zahra, from Tehran, whose name  like all the others  has been changed to protect her identity.

From his home, Reza saw police firing point-blank at protesters with sawed-off shotguns, less accurate and more lethal than standard ones. Ali, a young man in his twenties who took part in the protests in Varamin, on the outskirts of Tehran, also saw police use the same weapon, as well as knives, to attack demonstrators. I had to run for my life, but I wouldnt mind risking it again if there are more protests, or even dying. If I die, it will be fighting for my country, he says.

The Oslo-based organization Iran Human Rights (IHR) has documented at least 3,428 protesters killed, though other groups put the figure above 10,000. We lived through the Green Revolution [in 2009] and other uprisings, but this time it was different; this time they killed far more people, recounts Zeynab, another Iranian who was abroad during the protests but stayed in contact with Tehran through acquaintances who had access to Starlink satellites. In the past, you knew someone who knew someone else who in turn knew someone who had been killed. This time, we all know someone whos been killed. This regime has to fall.

Ali, who also took part in earlier protests  like those in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the Morality Police, or in 2019 over fuel prices  explains the dilemma they face: Seventy percent of Iranians oppose this regime. The problem is that the 30% who support it are the ones with the weapons. For this reason, he argues, he supports an external intervention to remove Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard, the regimes main armed support. However, when he is informed of Trumps latest change of heart regarding Iran (he has ruled out intervention, for now), the young man bursts out in English with a loud Fuck him!

Trump wants to make a deal with the Iranian government; he doesnt care about the people, Reza laments. Zeynab agrees: Theyve abandoned us; nobody cares about us. However, she also warns that bombings like those carried out by the U.S. and Israel in June are not the solution: We Iranians are a proud nation. We dont want this government, but we also dont want Israel to attack or invade us.

Moreover, Zahra, who is older and lived through the 1979 Islamic Revolution as a child, believes that an external attack would only strengthen the ayatollahs, just like the sanctions, which the regime uses as an excuse for everything that goes wrong. In reality, Trump, the Netanyahu regime, and the Iranian regime need each other because they reinforce one another, she adds.

The other major problem facing the Iranian uprisings  constant outbursts of anger and frustration against a stagnant regime that are occurring with increasing frequency  is the lack of leadership or a coherent program. This, Reza argues, is why he did not join the protests this time: I want democracy and freedom, not to shout death to Khamenei or anyone else. I dont want a bloodbath. I was also disappointed that they were chanting Pahlavis name.

Reza Pahlavi II, son of the last shah and currently in exile in the U.S., has positioned himself as a leader of a transition to end the Islamic Republic, which itself was established after co-opting the popular revolution that in 1979 overthrew the Pahlavi dictatorship. Ali, 25, and despite his parents still defending the Islamic Republic, is a declared supporter of the shahs son: When Pahlavi returns, Iran will be a great country for everyone. I watch videos from his fathers time, and you can see that life was good. Not like now, when my money is worthless, and millions of Iranians have to live abroad.

I think there are television channels like Manoto [which is broadcast from abroad] that promote an idealized image of the imperial era, and that appeals to young people, says Reza. Like almost all of those interviewed, he plans to return to Iran  afraid of what might happen, but with cautious hope that new uprisings may rise against the regime, perhaps ending it once and for all.

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Shares of Abercrombie & Fitch Company (NYSE:ANF  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twelve brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $124.60.

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A number of research firms recently commented on ANF. Barclays boosted their target price on Abercrombie & Fitch from $94.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Abercrombie & Fitch from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, December 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $130.00 to $128.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 price objective on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ANF

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Stock Performance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ANF. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 181.6% in the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 352 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Abercrombie & Fitch during the second quarter valued at $38,000. Blue Trust Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in the third quarter valued at $38,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings 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 worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 268.0% during 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 period.

Shares of NYSE:ANF opened at $96.15 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $4.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.22 and a beta of 1.17. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $106.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $93.28. Abercrombie & Fitch has a fifty-two week low of $65.40 and a fifty-two week high of $133.11.

Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 26th. The apparel retailer reported $2.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.28 billion. Abercrombie & Fitch had a net margin of 10.07% and a return on equity of 38.01%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.50 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Abercrombie & Fitch will post 10.62 earnings per share for the current year.

About Abercrombie & Fitch

(Get Free Report)

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.

Further Reading

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BXP (NYSE:BXP  Get Free Report) and SEGRO (OTCMKTS:SEGXF  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends and analyst recommendations.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for BXP and SEGRO, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BXP 2 9 11 0 2.41 SEGRO 2 2 1 1 2.17

BXP currently has a consensus target price of $77.90, indicating a potential upside of 19.01%. Given BXPs stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe BXP is more favorable than SEGRO.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio BXP $3.41 billion 3.04 $14.27 million ($1.27) -51.54 SEGRO $862.60 million 15.22 $759.07 million N/A N/A

This table compares BXP and SEGROs revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

SEGRO has lower revenue, but higher earnings than BXP.

Profitability

This table compares BXP and SEGROs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BXP -5.82% 1.35% 0.41% SEGRO N/A N/A N/A

Volatility & Risk

BXP has a beta of 1.01, suggesting that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SEGRO has a beta of 1.12, suggesting that its stock price is 12% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

98.7% of BXP shares are held by institutional investors. 1.5% of BXP shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

BXP beats SEGRO on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About BXP

(Get Free Report)

Boston Properties, Inc. (NYSE: BXP) (BXP or the Company) is the largest publicly traded developer, owner, and manager of premier workplaces in the United States, concentrated in six dynamic gateway markets  Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. BXP has delivered places that power progress for our clients and communities for more than 50 years. BXP is a fully integrated real estate company, organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT). Including properties owned by joint ventures, BXP's portfolio totals 53.3 million square feet and 188 properties, including 10 properties under construction/redevelopment. BXP's properties include 167 office properties, 14 retail properties (including two retail properties under construction/redevelopment), six residential properties (including one residential property under construction) and one hotel. BXP is well-known for its inhouse building management expertise and responsiveness to clients' needs. BXP holds a superior track record of developing premium Central Business District (CBD) office buildings, successful mixed-use complexes, suburban office centers and build-to-suit projects for a diverse array of creditworthy clients. BXP actively works to promote its growth and operations in a sustainable and responsible manner. BXP has earned a twelfth consecutive GRESB Green Star recognition and the highest GRESB 5-star Rating. BXP, an S&P 500 company, was founded in 1970 by Mortimer B. Zuckerman and Edward H. Linde and became a public company in 1997.

About SEGRO

(Get Free Report)

SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris, and is a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property. It owns or manages 10.8 million square metres of space (116 million square feet) valued at 20.6 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries. For over 100 years SEGRO has been creating the space that enables extraordinary things to happen. From modern big box warehouses, used primarily for regional, national and international distribution hubs, to urban warehousing (including data centres) located close to major population centres and business districts, it provides high-quality assets that allow its customers to thrive. A commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good is integral to SEGROs purpose and strategy. Its Responsible SEGRO framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: Championing Low-Carbon Growth, Investing in Local Communities and Environments and Nurturing Talent. Striving for the highest standards of innovation, sustainable business practices and enabling economic and societal prosperity underpins SEGROs ambition to be the best property company.

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Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. decreased its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 6.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 527,851 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 35,474 shares during the quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc.s holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $20,686,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Operose Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Lavaca Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Activest Wealth Management grew its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 109.3% during the 2nd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 517 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating and set a $45.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Friday, December 19th. BTIG Research dropped their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $45.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $59.00 to $49.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of 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, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $38.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $50.23.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

NYSE CMG opened at $40.87 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $36.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $39.85. The company has a market cap of $54.03 billion, a PE ratio of 36.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.88 and a beta of 0.97. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 1-year low of $29.75 and a 1-year high of $59.57.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate 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 revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.27 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Key Headlines Impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill

Here are the key news stories impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill this week:

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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Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI increased its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 18.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 56,971 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 8,991 shares during the period. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FIs holdings in Mastercard were worth $32,406,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MA. Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 365,709 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $208,019,000 after purchasing an additional 16,128 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc lifted its position in Mastercard by 1.2% in the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 143,421 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $81,579,000 after buying an additional 1,709 shares during the last quarter. TFR Capital LLC. boosted its stake in Mastercard by 0.9% during the third quarter. TFR Capital LLC. now owns 4,235 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,409,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the period. BLB&B Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.0% during the third quarter. BLB&B Advisors LLC now owns 3,571 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $2,031,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 6.2% during the third quarter. Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC now owns 10,421 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $5,928,000 after acquiring an additional 610 shares during the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on MA shares. Macquarie increased their price target on Mastercard from $655.00 to $660.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Citigroup raised shares of Mastercard to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Tigress Financial increased their target price on Mastercard from $685.00 to $730.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Mastercard from $640.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $713.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $661.24.

Mastercard News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Mastercard this week:

Positive Sentiment: Compass Point analyst upgrade and higher price target lift sentiment for MA; the firm moved Mastercard from Neutral to Buy and raised its target (reported via TheFly / InsiderMonkey), supporting upside expectations. Read More.

Compass Point analyst upgrade and higher price target lift sentiment for MA; the firm moved Mastercard from Neutral to Buy and raised its target (reported via TheFly / InsiderMonkey), supporting upside expectations. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Zacks previews next weeks earnings and expects Mastercard to have the attributes for an earnings beat, which could be a catalyst if results and guidance exceed market forecasts. Read More.

Zacks previews next weeks earnings and expects Mastercard to have the attributes for an earnings beat, which could be a catalyst if results and guidance exceed market forecasts. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Mastercards partnership with Agoda enables instant travel redemptions in loyalty programs, accelerating experience-driven, digital-first rewardspotentially increasing cardholder engagement and merchant/issuer revenue. Read More.

Mastercards partnership with Agoda enables instant travel redemptions in loyalty programs, accelerating experience-driven, digital-first rewardspotentially increasing cardholder engagement and merchant/issuer revenue. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Brand and premium-placement news: ONEflight International becomes the Official Private Aviation Partner of the McLarenMastercard F1 Teamhigh-visibility partnership that supports Mastercards premium/brand strategy. Read More.

Brand and premium-placement news: ONEflight International becomes the Official Private Aviation Partner of the McLarenMastercard F1 Teamhigh-visibility partnership that supports Mastercards premium/brand strategy. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Product/acceptance expansion: Phuket Smart Bus adds contactless card payments with Mastercardincremental adoption in tourism markets supports transaction volume growth in travel-related corridors. Read More.

Product/acceptance expansion: Phuket Smart Bus adds contactless card payments with Mastercardincremental adoption in tourism markets supports transaction volume growth in travel-related corridors. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Marketing leadership changes: Mastercard named Alexandra Sloane VP of integrated marketing & communications and also appointed an Optus executive as VP of marketing/comms (Australia). These hires support brand/communications execution but are unlikely to move fundamentals nearterm. Read More. Read More.

Marketing leadership changes: Mastercard named Alexandra Sloane VP of integrated marketing & communications and also appointed an Optus executive as VP of marketing/comms (Australia). These hires support brand/communications execution but are unlikely to move fundamentals nearterm. Read More. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Routine calendar item: Mastercard is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on Thursdayinvestors are positioning ahead of the print, increasing sensitivity to any guidance or beats/misses. Read More.

Routine calendar item: Mastercard is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on Thursdayinvestors are positioning ahead of the print, increasing sensitivity to any guidance or beats/misses. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Legal/partner risk: London fintech Guavapays founder resigned ahead of a court battle with Mastercardthis could indicate localized legal or reputational frictions, though direct financial impact appears limited at this stage. Read More.

Mastercard Stock Down 1.5%

MA opened at $524.67 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $554.82 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $565.35. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52 week low of $465.59 and a 52 week high of $601.77. The company has a market cap of $471.15 billion, a PE ratio of 33.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.31 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.53 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 202.03% and a net margin of 45.28%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.89 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is an increase from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is currently 22.25%.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.

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Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI grew its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 34.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 74,219 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after buying an additional 18,887 shares during the quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FIs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $25,628,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter valued at $25,000. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Islay Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 69.4% in the 2nd quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 105 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.86% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $411.00 to $409.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Zacks Research upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $335.00 to $338.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. They set a buy rating and a $406.00 price objective for the company. One investment 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 given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $386.33.

Trending Headlines about UnitedHealth Group

Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:

Positive Sentiment: Mizuho reiterated a Buy on UNH and kept a $430 price target, highlighting the importance of the upcoming Medicare Advantage 2027 Advance Notice as a potential tailwind for enrollment and margins. Mizuho reiterates Buy

Mizuho reiterated a Buy on UNH and kept a $430 price target, highlighting the importance of the upcoming Medicare Advantage 2027 Advance Notice as a potential tailwind for enrollment and margins. Positive Sentiment: Retail sentiment on Reddit and X has moved from deeply bearish to neutral over the past week, helping shares recover after retail-driven selling earlier this month. Reddit sentiment shift

Retail sentiment on Reddit and X has moved from deeply bearish to neutral over the past week, helping shares recover after retail-driven selling earlier this month. Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley trimmed its price target slightly (from $411 to $409) but kept an Overweight rating, signaling continued analyst confidence despite a small technical cut to the target. Morgan Stanley target change

Morgan Stanley trimmed its price target slightly (from $411 to $409) but kept an Overweight rating, signaling continued analyst confidence despite a small technical cut to the target. Neutral Sentiment: Recent commentary and market moves note UNH has outperformed the broader market in short-term trading, reflecting mixed buying interest ahead of the Jan. 27 catalyst. Outperforms broader market

Recent commentary and market moves note UNH has outperformed the broader market in short-term trading, reflecting mixed buying interest ahead of the Jan. 27 catalyst. Negative Sentiment: UnitedHealth executives faced tough questioning from Congress on healthcare affordability  a reminder of political/regulatory risk that could pressure policy outcomes or public perception. Congressional grilling

UnitedHealth executives faced tough questioning from Congress on healthcare affordability  a reminder of political/regulatory risk that could pressure policy outcomes or public perception. Negative Sentiment: UnitedHealth announced it will rebate 2026 ACA plan profits to customers, which could weigh on near-term margins and highlights ongoing regulatory/competitive pressure in the individual market. ACA profit rebate

UnitedHealth announced it will rebate 2026 ACA plan profits to customers, which could weigh on near-term margins and highlights ongoing regulatory/competitive pressure in the individual market. Negative Sentiment: Analysts warn of rising medical costs and a higher medical cost ratio (MCR) heading into Q4 results  several pieces advise caution until the Jan. 27 release when clearer margin and cost detail will arrive. Cost pressures warning

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UNH opened at $356.46 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $234.60 and a 1 year high of $606.36. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $332.07 and a 200-day moving average price of $323.44. The stock has a market cap of $322.89 billion, a PE ratio of 18.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.42.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.87 by $0.05. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 19.23%. The company had revenue of $113.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $113.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $7.15 EPS. UnitedHealth Groups quarterly revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th were paid a $2.21 dividend. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 8th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 46.14%.

About UnitedHealth Group

(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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Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. lifted its stake in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM  Free Report) by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 88,856 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 3,227 shares during the period. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc.s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $25,072,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IBM. Family CFO Inc bought a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new stake in International Business Machines in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 85.0% during the 2nd quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 111 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Copia Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 57.6% during the 2nd quarter. Copia Wealth Management now owns 134 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

International Business Machines Trading Down 0.8%

IBM opened at $292.43 on Friday. International Business Machines Corporation has a 1-year low of $214.50 and a 1-year high of $324.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $273.35 billion, a PE ratio of 34.98, a PEG ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $302.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $282.63.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

International Business Machines ( NYSE:IBM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.45 by $0.20. International Business Machines had a net margin of 12.09% and a return on equity of 37.76%. The business had revenue of $16.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.30 earnings per share. International Business Machiness revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on International Business Machines from $300.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on International Business Machines from $300.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. UBS Group restated a sell rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a market perform rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $300.00 to $360.00 in a research report on Monday, January 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, International Business Machines has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $306.86.

View Our Latest Research Report on International Business Machines

Key International Business Machines News

Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week:

International Business Machines Profile

(Free Report)

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM.

IBMs principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development.

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The pattern of military cooperation in exchange for resources that originated in the Central African Republic and later spread to the Sahel is growing

A Russian delegation of approximately 40 members, headed by General Andrei Averianov, head of the Africa Corps militia, met in late December with Madagascars interim president, Colonel Michael Randrianirina. During the meeting, Russia offered personal protection to the Malagasy leader, who has repeatedly stated that he feels threatened. In this way, Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to add Madagascar to the growing list of African countries under his direct influence, following the same pattern of protection and military cooperation in exchange for access to resources. This list already includes the Central African Republic (CAR), Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Libya, and Equatorial Guinea, among others.

During the meeting  which was confirmed by the acting president of the Malagasy parliament, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, via social media  Russian representatives donated weaponry, including 16 kamikaze drones, 50 pistols, and 50 Kalashnikov rifles, to the Malagasy Presidential Guard. Russia expressed its readiness to support and assist Madagascar, especially in the area of training and strengthening the capabilities of the Armed Forces. The delegation also confirmed that, if deemed appropriate for the national interest, this cooperation could extend to the economy.

In early December, Randrianirina secretly traveled to Dubai to negotiate various economic projects with investors. There are people who want to assassinate me, he later said to justify the secrecy surrounding his trip. This sense of insecurity felt by a military man who came to power after the October coup is precisely one of the gateways for Russian influence in Africa. Moscow has followed the same pattern, for example, in the Central African Republic, one of its most successful cases on the continent.

At the end of last year, amid the campaign for the December 28 presidential elections, a gigantic mural appeared in Bangui, CARs capital, depicting President Faustin-Archange Touadera shaking hands with Putin, both flanked by soldiers and paramilitaries. This propaganda piece is the clearest expression of Russian influence in the country, where the first Wagner mercenaries arrived in 2018  following the French withdrawal in 2016  with the country mired in civil war.

The Russian militia, which protects the reelected president, Touadera, and fights alongside the army, has played a decisive role in inflicting severe defeats on the rebels in exchange for access to Central African gold.

Russias other major gateway to Africa was Libya. By 2019, years after the start of the war triggered by the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the presence of Wagner mercenaries fighting on the side of Marshal Haftar was already significant. Haftar controls important oil fields, which are used as a bargaining chip for military support. Russian influence has not been limited to the battlefield. Its backing of several political parties demonstrates the extent to which it seeks to extend its reach in Libya and the region. The Maaten al-Sarra military base is one of the nerve centers of this military presence, from where Moscow also plays the card of interference in neighboring Sudan and Chad.

The Central African model was exported to Mali after a 2020 coup by the countrys military. The sequence of events was similar: expulsion of French troops, arrival of Russian mercenaries fighting alongside the army against armed groups  in this case, jihadists and Tuareg rebels  and the commission of massacres and all manner of abuses against the civilian population living in the conflict zone. In Mali, however, Wagners record has been mixed: while its participation was key in the recapture of the city of Kidal from the rebels, it has also suffered severe defeats, such as Tinzawaten in 2024.

In Mali, and later in Burkina Faso and Niger, demonstrations of support for the military regimes that seized power were adorned with Russian flags, a tangible example of the virtual campaigns launched by Moscow to pave the way for its troops. However, while General Assimi Goitas regime in Bamako opened its doors wide to Wagner, his counterparts Ibrahim Traore and Abdourahamane Tchiani, in Ouagadougou and Niamey respectively, opted for a more discreet approach, deploying dozens of Russian instructors and soldiers to protect and train their army, but leaving the on-the-ground deployment to volunteers and national forces.

I support Obiang

General Averianovs trip to Madagascar was not his only visit to Africa in recent weeks. Last November, the head of Africa Corps  the new mercenary group created after the death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin  traveled to Equatorial Guinea, where his men have been operating since August 2024 in both Malabo and Bata, supporting the dictatorial regime of Teodoro Obiang.

Equatorial Guinea and the Russian Federation have signed mutually beneficial agreements in the area of training Equatorial Guinean military personnel by Russian instructors. Furthermore, within this policy of understanding, there is a strong interest in Russian investments in the energy and cybersecurity sectors, as well as the possibility of a joint space mission, the Equatorial Guinean government states on its website. The African countrys oil and gas are also on the negotiating table.

For Russia, its about resources, but also about breaking the political and economic isolation that the West has sought to impose since the 2014 annexation of Crimea, an isolation that intensified following the war in Ukraine. For African military or dictatorial regimes that are severing ties with Europe, such as those in the Sahel, military cooperation with Moscow is a very viable alternative. But they are not alone. The Africa-Russia summits in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg in 2023 saw virtually all African leaders eager to forge new ties with Moscow in attendance. A third of the weapons Africa buys come from Russia, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, with Egypt and Algeria being the main destinations, but also Angola, Mali, Nigeria, and Sudan.

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Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 34.0% 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 114,811 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 59,023 shares during the quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc.s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $27,138,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Total Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $31,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $31,000. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at $33,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $229.67 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $231.23 and a two-hundred day moving average of $226.87. The company has a market capitalization of $136.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.99. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $204.66 and a 1 year high of $256.84. 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 Dividend Announcement

Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.99 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $6.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.24 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.23% and a net margin of 28.73%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.75 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. Union Pacifics payout ratio is currently 46.90%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 target price on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Susquehanna restated a buy rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, January 19th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 18th. TD Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Citigroup set a $264.00 price objective on Union Pacific and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $258.18.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Union Pacific

Union Pacific Company Profile

(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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Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI lifted its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE  Free Report) by 7.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 81,109 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,531 shares during the quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FIs holdings in GE Aerospace were worth $24,399,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

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A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ameriflex Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of GE Aerospace by 23.5% in the second quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 1,742 shares of the companys stock valued at $437,000 after acquiring an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co increased its holdings in GE Aerospace by 21.3% during the 3rd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 32,021 shares of the companys stock worth $9,633,000 after purchasing an additional 5,625 shares during the period. Cadinha & Co. LLC raised its position in GE Aerospace by 154.8% in the 3rd quarter. Cadinha & Co. LLC now owns 97,280 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,264,000 after purchasing an additional 59,106 shares in the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey raised its position in GE Aerospace by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 159,682 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,101,000 after purchasing an additional 2,779 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank boosted its stake in shares of GE Aerospace by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 269,330 shares of the companys stock valued at $81,020,000 after buying an additional 8,668 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.77% of the companys stock.

GE Aerospace News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting GE Aerospace this week:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of GE Aerospace from $338.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Wall Street Zen raised shares of GE Aerospace from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. Susquehanna restated a positive rating and issued a $380.00 price objective on shares of GE Aerospace in a report on Thursday, January 15th. UBS Group set a $374.00 target price on shares of GE Aerospace and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Wolfe Research increased their target price on GE Aerospace from $340.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $318.41.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on GE

Insider Transactions at GE Aerospace

In related news, SVP Russell Stokes sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.71, for a total transaction of $2,381,680.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 150,434 shares in the company, valued at $44,785,706.14. This trade represents a 5.05% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.21% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

GE Aerospace Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:GE opened at $293.89 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $305.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $292.46. GE Aerospace has a twelve month low of $159.36 and a twelve month high of $332.79. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. The company has a market capitalization of $310.00 billion, a PE ratio of 36.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.40.

GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $1.57 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.43 by $0.14. GE Aerospace had a net margin of 18.98% and a return on equity of 35.52%. The firm had revenue of $12.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.27 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.32 EPS. GE Aerospaces revenue for the quarter was up 17.6% compared to the same quarter last year. GE Aerospace has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.100-7.400 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that GE Aerospace will post 5.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

GE Aerospace Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Investors of record on Monday, December 29th will be given a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 29th. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. GE Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is 17.69%.

About GE Aerospace

(Free Report)

GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) is the aerospace business of General Electric, focused on the design, manufacture and support of aircraft engines, integrated propulsion systems and related aftermarket services. The company serves commercial airlines, airframers, business and general aviation operators, and defense customers, providing propulsion solutions for a broad range of aircraft types from singleaisle airliners to widebody and military platforms.

Its product portfolio includes a family of commercial and military jet engines as well as spare parts, components and systems engineering.

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Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. grew its stake in shares of GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE  Free Report) by 7.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 103,376 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 6,860 shares during the period. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc.s holdings in GE Aerospace were worth $31,097,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in GE. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in GE Aerospace by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 91,989,511 shares of the companys stock worth $23,677,180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,482,069 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in GE Aerospace by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 44,268,912 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,394,375,000 after purchasing an additional 613,866 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of GE Aerospace by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 24,113,967 shares of the companys stock worth $6,181,956,000 after purchasing an additional 724,559 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of GE Aerospace during the 2nd quarter worth about $3,408,828,000. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC grew its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace by 21.5% during the third quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 8,430,878 shares of the companys stock worth $2,536,177,000 after buying an additional 1,494,541 shares in the last quarter. 74.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

More GE Aerospace News

Here are the key news stories impacting GE Aerospace this week:

GE Aerospace Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:GE opened at $293.89 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $305.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $292.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $310.00 billion, a PE ratio of 36.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.76. GE Aerospace has a 12 month low of $159.36 and a 12 month high of $332.79.

GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.43 by $0.14. GE Aerospace had a return on equity of 35.52% and a net margin of 18.98%.The business had revenue of $12.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.27 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.32 EPS. The companys revenue was up 17.6% compared to the same quarter last year. GE Aerospace has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.100-7.400 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that GE Aerospace will post 5.4 earnings per share for the current year.

GE Aerospace Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 29th will be given a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 29th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. GE Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is presently 17.69%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Russell Stokes sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.71, for a total value of $2,381,680.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 150,434 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $44,785,706.14. This trade represents a 5.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.21% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

GE has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of GE Aerospace in a research note on Thursday. TD Cowen boosted their price target on GE Aerospace from $330.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Citigroup restated a buy rating and set a $380.00 price objective (up previously from $378.00) on shares of GE Aerospace in a report on Friday. Wolfe Research lifted their price objective on GE Aerospace from $340.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on GE Aerospace from $310.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $318.41.

View Our Latest Report on GE Aerospace

GE Aerospace Company Profile

(Free Report)

GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) is the aerospace business of General Electric, focused on the design, manufacture and support of aircraft engines, integrated propulsion systems and related aftermarket services. The company serves commercial airlines, airframers, business and general aviation operators, and defense customers, providing propulsion solutions for a broad range of aircraft types from singleaisle airliners to widebody and military platforms.

Its product portfolio includes a family of commercial and military jet engines as well as spare parts, components and systems engineering.

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Janus Henderson Group plc (NYSE:JHG  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Hold by the eleven research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $47.6667.

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JHG has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Zacks Research lowered shares of Janus Henderson Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. TD Cowen lowered Janus Henderson Group from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $49.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Janus Henderson Group in a report on Friday, October 3rd. They set an outperform rating and a $52.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $49.00 target price (down from $54.00) on shares of Janus Henderson Group in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their target price on Janus Henderson Group from $50.00 to $49.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 22nd.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Janus Henderson Group

Janus Henderson Group Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of JHG stock opened at $47.97 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $45.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $44.37. Janus Henderson Group has a twelve month low of $28.26 and a twelve month high of $49.42. The company has a market capitalization of $7.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.07, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a current ratio of 4.02, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

Janus Henderson Group (NYSE:JHG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $700.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $695.57 million. Janus Henderson Group had a net margin of 19.82% and a return on equity of 12.35%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.91 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Janus Henderson Group will post 3.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Janus Henderson Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. Janus Henderson Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 46.92%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Janus Henderson Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of JHG. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Janus Henderson Group by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 8,429 shares of the companys stock valued at $375,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares during the last quarter. AMG National Trust Bank raised its position in shares of Janus Henderson Group by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. AMG National Trust Bank now owns 26,738 shares of the companys stock worth $1,039,000 after buying an additional 237 shares during the period. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Janus Henderson Group by 42.3% in the third quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 818 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. J. W. Coons Advisors LLC grew its position in Janus Henderson Group by 2.5% during the second quarter. J. W. Coons Advisors LLC now owns 10,663 shares of the companys stock valued at $414,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares during the period. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Janus Henderson Group by 5.9% during the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,931 shares of the companys stock valued at $192,000 after acquiring an additional 274 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.94% of the companys stock.

About Janus Henderson Group

(Get Free Report)

Janus Henderson Group plc is a global asset manager offering a broad range of investment solutions across equities, fixed income, multi-asset and alternative strategies. The firm provides portfolio management services to institutional clients, financial intermediaries and individual investors. Its product lineup includes actively managed mutual funds, separate accounts and exchange-traded funds, designed to meet a variety of risk-return objectives and investment horizons.

The company was formed in May 2017 through the merger of Janus Capital Group and Henderson Group, combining decades of investment expertise in both the U.S.

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Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 0.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 162,728 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 1,337 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for approximately 1.1% of Cullen Frost Bankers Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $92,561,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. LGT Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in Mastercard during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Robbins Farley increased its position in Mastercard by 50.0% in the third quarter. Robbins Farley now owns 54 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Mastercard in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 45.2% during the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 61 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the companys stock.

Key Mastercard News

Here are the key news stories impacting Mastercard this week:

Positive Sentiment: Compass Point analyst upgrade and higher price target lift sentiment for MA; the firm moved Mastercard from Neutral to Buy and raised its target (reported via TheFly / InsiderMonkey), supporting upside expectations. Read More.

Compass Point analyst upgrade and higher price target lift sentiment for MA; the firm moved Mastercard from Neutral to Buy and raised its target (reported via TheFly / InsiderMonkey), supporting upside expectations. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Zacks previews next weeks earnings and expects Mastercard to have the attributes for an earnings beat, which could be a catalyst if results and guidance exceed market forecasts. Read More.

Zacks previews next weeks earnings and expects Mastercard to have the attributes for an earnings beat, which could be a catalyst if results and guidance exceed market forecasts. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Mastercards partnership with Agoda enables instant travel redemptions in loyalty programs, accelerating experience-driven, digital-first rewardspotentially increasing cardholder engagement and merchant/issuer revenue. Read More.

Mastercards partnership with Agoda enables instant travel redemptions in loyalty programs, accelerating experience-driven, digital-first rewardspotentially increasing cardholder engagement and merchant/issuer revenue. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Brand and premium-placement news: ONEflight International becomes the Official Private Aviation Partner of the McLarenMastercard F1 Teamhigh-visibility partnership that supports Mastercards premium/brand strategy. Read More.

Brand and premium-placement news: ONEflight International becomes the Official Private Aviation Partner of the McLarenMastercard F1 Teamhigh-visibility partnership that supports Mastercards premium/brand strategy. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Product/acceptance expansion: Phuket Smart Bus adds contactless card payments with Mastercardincremental adoption in tourism markets supports transaction volume growth in travel-related corridors. Read More.

Product/acceptance expansion: Phuket Smart Bus adds contactless card payments with Mastercardincremental adoption in tourism markets supports transaction volume growth in travel-related corridors. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Marketing leadership changes: Mastercard named Alexandra Sloane VP of integrated marketing & communications and also appointed an Optus executive as VP of marketing/comms (Australia). These hires support brand/communications execution but are unlikely to move fundamentals nearterm. Read More. Read More.

Marketing leadership changes: Mastercard named Alexandra Sloane VP of integrated marketing & communications and also appointed an Optus executive as VP of marketing/comms (Australia). These hires support brand/communications execution but are unlikely to move fundamentals nearterm. Read More. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Routine calendar item: Mastercard is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on Thursdayinvestors are positioning ahead of the print, increasing sensitivity to any guidance or beats/misses. Read More.

Routine calendar item: Mastercard is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on Thursdayinvestors are positioning ahead of the print, increasing sensitivity to any guidance or beats/misses. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Legal/partner risk: London fintech Guavapays founder resigned ahead of a court battle with Mastercardthis could indicate localized legal or reputational frictions, though direct financial impact appears limited at this stage. Read More.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Mastercard from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, December 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $645.00 to $654.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Macquarie lifted their price target on Mastercard from $655.00 to $660.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Evercore ISI set a $610.00 price objective on Mastercard in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on Mastercard from $690.00 to $700.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Mastercard has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $661.24.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MA

Mastercard Price Performance

NYSE MA opened at $524.67 on Friday. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $465.59 and a 12 month high of $601.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $471.15 billion, a PE ratio of 33.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.86. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $554.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $565.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.53 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 202.03% and a net margin of 45.28%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.89 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is an increase from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.25%.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.

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Shares of Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Hold from the thirteen brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $1,441.6667.

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A number of research firms recently weighed in on MTD. Bank of America raised shares of Mettler-Toledo International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $1,600.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,450.00 to $1,600.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,400.00 to $1,450.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,600.00 to $1,700.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on MTD

Insider Transactions at Mettler-Toledo International

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In related news, CEO Patrick Kaltenbach sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,462.50, for a total transaction of $2,925,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 3,670 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,367,375. This represents a 35.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, Director Elisha W. Finney sold 474 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,433.57, for a total transaction of $679,512.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 311 shares of the companys stock, valued at $445,840.27. This represents a 60.38% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 19,565 shares of company stock valued at $28,683,737. 1.94% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MTD. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 42.1% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 27 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 8 shares during the period. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 2,700.0% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 28 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the third quarter worth approximately $43,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the third quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC grew its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 94.4% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 35 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. 95.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Mettler-Toledo International Stock Down 2.3%

Shares of Mettler-Toledo International stock opened at $1,404.89 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $28.70 billion, a PE ratio of 35.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 1.41. Mettler-Toledo International has a 52 week low of $946.69 and a 52 week high of $1,525.17. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $1,432.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1,346.40.

Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The medical instruments supplier reported $11.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.62 by $0.53. Mettler-Toledo International had a net margin of 21.20% and a negative return on equity of 426.96%. The firm had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $997.36 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $10.21 EPS. Mettler-Toledo Internationals revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. Mettler-Toledo International has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 12.680-12.880 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 42.050-42.250 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Mettler-Toledo International will post 42.71 earnings per share for the current year.

About Mettler-Toledo International

(Get Free Report)

Mettler-Toledo International Inc is a global manufacturer and distributor of precision instruments and services for laboratory, industrial and food retail applications. The companys product portfolio includes laboratory balances and analytical instruments, industrial weighing systems, process analytics and sensors, metal detection and x-ray inspection equipment, checkweighers, and a range of automated inspection and data-management solutions. Mettler-Toledo also provides software, calibration and lifecycle services intended to support compliance, quality control and operational efficiency across customer facilities.

The company serves a broad set of end markets including pharmaceutical and biotech laboratories, chemical and food processors, logistics and manufacturing operations, and retail environments where accurate weighing and inspection are critical.

Read More

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CIBC Asset Management Inc lowered its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 3.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 354,448 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 13,587 shares during the quarter. CIBC Asset Management Incs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $122,349,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Patten & Patten Inc. TN boosted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 1.3% during the third quarter. Patten & Patten Inc. TN now owns 52,589 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $18,159,000 after buying an additional 688 shares during the period. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 39.0% during the 3rd quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 849 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $293,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares during the period. Investment House LLC raised its position in UnitedHealth Group by 129.5% in the third quarter. Investment House LLC now owns 69,385 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $23,959,000 after purchasing an additional 39,149 shares during the period. Global Assets Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 56.3% during the third quarter. Global Assets Advisory LLC now owns 8,322 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $2,874,000 after buying an additional 2,997 shares during the period. Finally, Kanawha Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 60.0% in the 3rd quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC now owns 3,894 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $1,345,000 after buying an additional 1,461 shares during the period. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting UnitedHealth Group

Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:

Positive Sentiment: Mizuho reiterated a Buy on UNH and kept a $430 price target, highlighting the importance of the upcoming Medicare Advantage 2027 Advance Notice as a potential tailwind for enrollment and margins. Mizuho reiterates Buy

Mizuho reiterated a Buy on UNH and kept a $430 price target, highlighting the importance of the upcoming Medicare Advantage 2027 Advance Notice as a potential tailwind for enrollment and margins. Positive Sentiment: Retail sentiment on Reddit and X has moved from deeply bearish to neutral over the past week, helping shares recover after retail-driven selling earlier this month. Reddit sentiment shift

Retail sentiment on Reddit and X has moved from deeply bearish to neutral over the past week, helping shares recover after retail-driven selling earlier this month. Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley trimmed its price target slightly (from $411 to $409) but kept an Overweight rating, signaling continued analyst confidence despite a small technical cut to the target. Morgan Stanley target change

Morgan Stanley trimmed its price target slightly (from $411 to $409) but kept an Overweight rating, signaling continued analyst confidence despite a small technical cut to the target. Neutral Sentiment: Recent commentary and market moves note UNH has outperformed the broader market in short-term trading, reflecting mixed buying interest ahead of the Jan. 27 catalyst. Outperforms broader market

Recent commentary and market moves note UNH has outperformed the broader market in short-term trading, reflecting mixed buying interest ahead of the Jan. 27 catalyst. Negative Sentiment: UnitedHealth executives faced tough questioning from Congress on healthcare affordability  a reminder of political/regulatory risk that could pressure policy outcomes or public perception. Congressional grilling

UnitedHealth executives faced tough questioning from Congress on healthcare affordability  a reminder of political/regulatory risk that could pressure policy outcomes or public perception. Negative Sentiment: UnitedHealth announced it will rebate 2026 ACA plan profits to customers, which could weigh on near-term margins and highlights ongoing regulatory/competitive pressure in the individual market. ACA profit rebate

UnitedHealth announced it will rebate 2026 ACA plan profits to customers, which could weigh on near-term margins and highlights ongoing regulatory/competitive pressure in the individual market. Negative Sentiment: Analysts warn of rising medical costs and a higher medical cost ratio (MCR) heading into Q4 results  several pieces advise caution until the Jan. 27 release when clearer margin and cost detail will arrive. Cost pressures warning

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UNH has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $350.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $310.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $423.00 to $417.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $411.00 to $409.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $386.33.

Read Our Latest Research Report on UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of NYSE UNH opened at $356.46 on Friday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $234.60 and a 1 year high of $606.36. The company has a market capitalization of $322.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The business has a 50-day moving average of $332.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $323.44.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.87 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $113.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $113.19 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 19.23% and a net margin of 4.04%.The firms revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $7.15 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, December 8th were given a $2.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 8th. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is 46.14%.

About UnitedHealth Group

(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 WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the nine research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $265.50.

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WCC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded WESCO International from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from $262.00 to $302.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on WESCO International from $260.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Wall Street Zen downgraded WESCO International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of WESCO International in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, KeyCorp increased their target price on WESCO International from $258.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st.

Read Our Latest Research Report on WCC

WESCO International Stock Down 1.3%

NYSE WCC opened at $286.46 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 2.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. WESCO International has a fifty-two week low of $125.21 and a fifty-two week high of $291.01. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $263.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $234.75. The stock has a market cap of $13.94 billion, a PE ratio of 22.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.45.

WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The technology company reported $3.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.75 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $6.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.91 billion. WESCO International had a net margin of 2.81% and a return on equity of 13.12%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.58 earnings per share. WESCO International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.100-13.600 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that WESCO International will post 13.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

WESCO International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th were paid a dividend of $0.4538 per share. This represents a $1.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 12th. WESCO Internationals dividend payout ratio is 14.20%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Diane Lazzaris sold 7,522 shares of WESCO International stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $256.00, for a total value of $1,925,632.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 45,401 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,622,656. This trade represents a 14.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Christine Ann Wolf sold 4,685 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $259.52, for a total value of $1,215,851.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 30,195 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,836,206.40. This represents a 13.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 17,036 shares of company stock valued at $4,385,254 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 3.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On WESCO International

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Greenleaf Trust boosted its holdings in shares of WESCO International by 10.0% during the second quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 2,597 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $481,000 after acquiring an additional 237 shares during the period. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. bought a new stake in WESCO International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $75,136,000. New York State Teachers Retirement System boosted its stake in WESCO International by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 26,295 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,870,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares during the period. Applied Finance Capital Management LLC bought a new position in WESCO International in the 2nd quarter worth about $227,000. Finally, Foster & Motley Inc. bought a new position in WESCO International in the 2nd quarter worth about $375,000. Institutional investors own 93.75% of the companys stock.

About WESCO International

(Get Free Report)

WESCO International, Inc is a leading global distributor of electrical, industrial, communications and utility products, serving a diverse customer base across maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and construction markets. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products ranging from power distribution and automation solutions to data communications, security systems and lighting controls. Through an extensive branch network, WESCO provides critical components and valueadded services that help organizations streamline operations and improve reliability in their facilities and infrastructure.

In addition to its broad product offering, WESCO delivers advanced supply chain management and logistics solutions designed to optimize inventory levels, reduce downtime and lower overall procurement costs.

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Northern Irelands most senior judge has urged all sides to have talks to resolve a strike by barristers in criminal cases which is causing paralysis in the crown courts.

Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan also said she needed more courts and more judges in order to tackle delays in the criminal justice system.

Dame Siobhan appeared at a meeting of the Stormont Justice Committee when it sat in the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday.

She told MLAs that she understood why people were exercised by delays in their cases being dealt with.

She said: There are consequences for everyone, not least those who are within the criminal justice process, and the victims of crime and their families are people who just cannot understand why their cases are taking too long.

Delay impacts upon defendants as well.

What it can come down to is a lack of fairness potentially being argued in a case because its gone on so long, it can increase costs. and theres a danger that can diminish public confidence.

Dame Siobhan insisted that the courts system was working but said it could be better.

She said she believed the judiciary was in a good place last year to deal with a backlog of cases, but things had gone a little bit backwards since then.

Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland started strike action this month in a long-running dispute over the fees paid for legal aid work.

The escalated action has effectively halted crown court cases involving those who require legal aid.

The Lady Chief Justice said there were currently 62% more defendants before the courts than in March 2020, and that judges were having to deal with more a higher number of more complex cases.

She said: We have the legal profession, who are in a position where theyre saying their remuneration for these more difficult cases needs to be looked at.

So thats compounding the issue and Im very worried about that because it compounds the delay that we have in the system that weve been trying to work with.

She added: We dont have enough courts, we dont have enough crown courts.

I have successfully argued that we should have 15 crown courts operating, that was an increase from 13.

But Ive said, if you give me 17 I can really make more of an inroad into crown court cases.

I need more judges to deal with crown court cases.

Dame Siobhan said court delays in Northern Ireland are not at the same level as in England and Wales.

She said: Their delay, their crown court backlog, is over 79,000, theyre not listing cases until 2030.

Dame Siobhan said in Northern Ireland, cases are still being listed within this year.

She added: But if we continue to have a paralysis in the crown courts operating, Im worried about that being pushed back, and Im worried about how we pick that up, and victims are rightly annoyed and making their case about this.

READ NEXT: Tears as heartbroken but determined mother sees long-awaited inquest open

My concern is to keep courts operating and to maintain public confidence in our courts.

Im not part of the Department (of Justice) or the bar or the solicitors, but Ive staked my claim that they need to talk and sort the dispute out sooner rather than later.
Bellaghy based tour operator InSite Tours Ireland has scooped two top awards in the 2025 Best of British Getaways, a UK wide initiative that awards excellence in the travel industry.

InSite Tours was successful in two award categories, recognising their unique contribution to the inbound travel industry in Northern Ireland, namely Most Trusted Bespoke Northern Ireland Tour Operator 2025 and Immersive Travel Excellence Award 2025 - Northern Ireland.

2025s instalment sees the fourth year of celebrating the excellence of British and Northern Ireland getaways and tours delivered by a plethora of enterprises across the UK.

Ensuring that your staycation, holiday, and escape from the hustle and bustle, or  in the opposite direction  deep dive into vibrant city visits, is the perfect measure of your wishes and requirements, these award-winning businesses and teams continue to shape their industries.

SME News is delighted to celebrate these awards, especially as the travel and tourism industry in the UK continues to evolve. Peoples needs change and were always looking for something unique, and thats exactly where the esteemed awardees come in.

Kaven Cooper, Awards Coordinator of the 2025 Best of British Getaways awards programme, shared: Its an honour to recognise and reward the dedication of such outstanding businesses and their teams, and I sincerely wish you all the best for the future to come. Congratulations again!

SME News prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.

InSite Tours Ireland's business owner Fergal Kearney adds: "Once again my small rural tourism enterprise has been recognised as a key player in the development of Northern Ireland as a top destination for global travellers. My business focus is on providing unique, authentic private journeys across Ireland and I am delighted that this has been recognised once again in these prestigious awards. From immersive coastal and mountain journeys to intimate experiences through our very own Seamus Heaney's home ground, I will continue to offer world class memories for discerning international travellers."
Uproar has been raised around the world against the cruelty wielded by the Israeli government against Palestinians, protests that took on new weight when they were organized by Jews themselves. Many were spearheaded by intellectuals like Peter Beinart (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 54 years old), who has employed his forceful analysis and thought toward opening a debate from which many in his community would rather shy. His latest book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning, was published by Knopf last year. The title almost says it all.

When I enter a synagogue, I am no longer sure who will extend their hand and who will look away, confesses Beinart in the Note To My Former Friend that opens the book. He continues, How does someone like me, who still considers himself a Jewish loyalist, end up being cursed on the street by people who believe Jewish loyalty requires my excommunication? Beinart is a professor of journalism and political science, and a columnist for The New York Times and The Atlantic, in addition to being a contributor to other U.S. publications. He took part in the following interview by telephone from New York.

Question. Have you lost friends over your ideals? Over the book?

Answer. Yes of course, Ive lost friendships and that is hard, but it is nothing in comparison with peoples suffering over the destruction of their homes, the loss of their families, and hunger. My opinions make it more difficult for me in my community, but thats nothing compared to the problems of the Palestinians, of many Jews, and even Americans in the Trump era.

A U.S. Jew whose family is from South Africa, Beinart lays out a precise analogy of that countrys apartheid regime to argue against the actions of the Israeli government. The stories and legends he heard in his youth spoke of a security  that of the whites  that required supremacy to survive. Protecting onself required subjugating the rest.

What we are now seeing, he says, has a parallel with the entire supremacist political system that bestows a racial or religious group with superior rights over the rest. You had it in South Africa with apartheid, in the United States with segregation and in Northern Ireland, he says. People get used to these systems, and tend to see legal equality as a major threat. White South Africans saw themselves as being vulnerable to the African National Congress, perceiving its armed movement as an attack against them, and believed that apartheid protected them. What I attempt in the book is to see what is wrong within that logic. When you give people the right to vote, to move, to be citizens, violence decreases because now there is a non-violent way through which the state can hear them.

Thats why Beinart argues that Israeli Jews would be safer if they respected human rights. It is the violence of the oppression that generates counterviolence. The freedom of Palestinians would not only make them safer, but also, Israeli Jews. I know that this is interpreted as a violation of solidarity with other Jewish people, and that is hard, but I believe in speaking in the better interest of both Jews and Palestinians.

Q. Is it harder to be a Jew today, after the destruction of Gaza?

A. Jewish tradition and identity have been utilized to commit terrible crimes against Palestinians, and that is a moral and spiritual challenge that we must now confront as Jewish people.

The Spanish-language edition of Beinart's book, 'Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning.'

His book describes the eternal tendency of the Jews to see themselves as victims, the result of a history of antisemitism and brutal attacks that found their maximum expression in the Nazi genocide. This tendency is the result of a long history of Jewish victimization, but it is also a way of eluding responsibility for what Israel is doing to the Palestinians. The way that Jews represent themselves, he says, is as a people destined by history to perpetually face their own annihilation, and to miraculously survive. That selective viewpoint excludes the fact that our ancestors were slaves and slaveholders too, as Beinart writes in the book. And so it continues, despite the establishment of a Jewish state.

And what of antisemitism, the concept to which the Israeli government is forever attributing any criticism of its actions in Gaza? Are we in danger of undermining the severity of its meaning? Yes, he responds, that cheapens the concept and allows you to look away and change the subject completely. He continues that, The Jewish people have suffered immensely from anti-semitism for centuries due to anti-Jewish fanaticism. We now have the responsibility to recognize this sacred inheritance of our ancestors, and we shouldnt cheapen it by trading on the moral capital of what was done to them in order to silence, intimidate, or stop legitimate arguments against a war that they cannot ethically defend, he says.

Beinart feels that many Jews are failing their own children. The next generation will have to deal with the moral consequences of what is being done in the name of the Jewish people, and there will be a certain amount of shame, he says. That will require the Jews to reinvent ways of living as Jews that are not tied up in this narrative used to justify the destruction of Gaza. And Im heartened that there are a lot of people, especially young people, who are beginning that work and who are not implicated in the system of Jewish supremacy.

Beinart feels that Jews need a new narrative, different from the one they tell themselves to ignore the cries of others and shrug their shoulders at that pain, if not applaud it. He hopes that the destruction of Gaza will one day serve as a turning point in Jewish history.

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The Fourth Annual Palestine Forum set off in Doha on Saturday 24 January 2026. Jointly organized by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and the Institute for Palestine Studies, the Forum runs for three days in attendance of a number of ambassadors and diplomatic missions.



In its fourth year, the Forum has become an annual tradition marked by scholarly rigour, academic and methodological diversity, and a wide spectrum of topics and participants. The papers presented in this years installment cover core issues related to Palestine, ranging from history and structural transformations in the Palestinian national project, to Palestines position within the Arab and international systems, analyses of settler colonialism and the apartheid regime, the limits of international law, transformations in global solidarity, and the roles of media, knowledge, and universities in a time of genocide. Through its successive editions, the Forum has consolidated its position as a key contributor to the production of critical, in-depth knowledge on Palestine, gaining a distinguished Arab and international reputation and attracting wide participation from academics and others concerned with the Palestinian cause and its regional and global contexts. It has thus become an inclusive space for meeting, exchanging perspectives, and engaging in deep discussion.

This edition acquires exceptional significance as it is being held at a critical historical juncture in Palestinian history; with the ongoing genocide of unprecedented scale in recent history in the Gaza Strip, alongside the escalation of colonial violence in the West Bank, and amid profound international transformations marked by the erosion of accountability mechanisms and international law. Over three days, the Forum is holding eight main sessions in parallel tracks, in addition to three general panels and three specialized workshops. Among these is a workshop dedicated the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, organized in partnership between Hikama Journal and the Conflict and Humanitarian Studies Center, reflecting the forums endeavour to link academic research, policy analysis, and pressing practical questions in the post-genocide phase.

Ayat Hamdan, a researcher at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and Chair of the Annual Palestine Forum Committee, emphasized in her opening remarks that this edition is being held in an exceptionally complex international and regional context. More than two years have passed since the outbreak of Israels genocidal war on the Gaza Strip and the escalation of its violence in the West Bank. She noted that the programme includes 83 peer-reviewed academic papers distributed across 23 parallel panels. She also pointed out that the ongoing Israeli escalation has, for the second consecutive year, prevented a number of researchers from the West Bank from attending and participating in the forum.

In his own opening remarks, Majdi Maliki, Director General of the Institute for Palestine Studies, stressed the importance of scholarly engagement with the Palestinian narrative. He lauded the success of the Forum thus far in providing a space for communication, dialogue, and interaction, and in strengthening a sense of individual and collective responsibility among researchers. He noted the unprecedented challenges facing the Palestinian cause in light of the continued devastation in Gaza and ever escalating aggression in the West Bank, and the persistence of Israeli colonial policies that impose new facts on the ground and on international law, explicitly obstructing the establishment of a Palestinian state. Maliki also addressed the realities of life under occupation, including the destruction of health, educational, and civil infrastructures, and policies aimed at suffocating Palestinians through the seizure of tax revenues. He outlined the Institute for Palestine Studies role in knowledge documentation since the onset of the genocide through the launch of specialized digital platforms, extensive production of research and policy papers, and the opening of opportunities for youth training and research. He concluded by affirming that the continuation of the Forum is a message of steadfastness, and that research in this context is not merely an academic duty, but a moral duty and an act of hope and resistance in a time when truth itself is under attack.

Palestine in International Law, International Contexts, and the Western Media

The first set of sessions was held across three parallel tracks. The first, titled International Law and Palestine, was chaired by Aicha Elbasri. Nicola Perugini presented his paper, Between Resistance and Genocide: Palestinian National Liberation and Israel's Annihilation at the Limits of International Law; Abdelhamid Siyam presented The ICC and the Palestine Question; and Hamid Belrhit and Asmae El Alaoui jointly contributed, Annexation Policies in Light of the Evolutive Interpretation of International Law Rules: The Sanctity of the Principle and the Responsibility of Third States.

The second track, titled Palestine in the International Context, was chaired by Adham Saouli. Razan Shawamreh presented her paper, Disconnected Realities: China's Perception-Creation Strategy and Palestinian Narratives of Liberation; Houriya Ben Ali presented From Denouncing the Crime to Criminalizing Condemnation: How Official Moral Discourse Is Used to Enforce Silence on Genocide; and Rovshan Mammadli discussed, in his paper Navigating (In)Solidarity: South Caucasus States' Positions on Palestine during the Gaza Genocide.

The third track, titled The Genocide in Gaza in Western Media, was chaired by Lamis Andoni. Amena ElAshkar presented her paper, Breaking News, Breaking Frame: Chaotic Visuality and the Image War on Gaza; Diana Buttu and Nidal Rafa presented their joint paper How (Not) to Cover a Genocide: Experiences from Journalists in Palestine Reporting on Israel's Genocide in Gaza; and Djamil Kerrouche presented his paper, Framing the Human Cost: Emotional Narratives in Coverage of the Gaza Prisoner Exchange by The New York Times, The Guardian, and Fox News.

Palestine in History and International Politics: Narratives, Actors, and Transformations

The first track in the second set of sessions was titled Milestones in Palestinian History: From the 19th Century to the Nakba, was chaired by Issam Nassar. Munir Fakher Eldin presented his paper, Ottoman "Historical Capital" and Land Law in Palestine: The Struggle over the Legacy of Sultan Abdulhamid II, 19091914; Mohannad Abusarah participated remotely with his paper, Ottoman Palestine through Traditionalist Regional Networks in the Hamidian Era; Yanis Arab contributed a paper titled The Algerians of Palestine: Vectors of the Palestinian Nakba Narrative to French Consular Representations in Palestine; and Mahmoud Muhareb presented a case study on The Contact between Israel and Akram Al-Hourani, Adib Al-Shishakli, and Field Marshal Abdel Hakim Amer.

The second track, International Organizations and the Genocide in Gaza, was chaired by Ghada al-Madbouh. Adel Ruished presented his paper, Regulating and Phasing out UNRWA in Occupied Palestine through Exception; Heba Mohamed contributed an analytical study titled The United Nations between Collapse and Reform amid the War on Gaza and Escalating Global Conflicts; Rinda Saleh examined Humanitarian Organizations Discourse amid Genocide: Gaza 2023; and Pietro Stefanini presented Annihilation through Aid: Airdrops, Maritime Piers, and Privatized Relief as Tools of Genocide in Gaza.

The third track, titled Palestine and Global Solidarity, was chaired by Majdi Maliki. Muzna Shihabi presented a paper entitled Lines in the Sand: How Palestine Rewrites the French Political Landscape; Fanny Christou presented Reimagining Resistance and Contesting Silence Beyond Borders: Palestinian Diaspora Mobilization and Solidarity Movements in Sweden Post-7 October 2023; Muhannad Ayyash contributed his paper, Palestinian-Indigenous Solidarities in Canada: Situating the Palestinian Cause as a Global Decolonial Struggle in Praxis; and Marie Kortam rounded off the panel with The Transnational Student Movement for Justice in Gaza.

US Policy and Palestine

The sessions were followed by a public symposium titled US Policy toward Palestine: Domestic and International Implications. Khalil Jahshan moderated the panel and also presented his paper, Trump, MAGA, and the Palestine Question: The Pursuit of US Hegemony in the Region. He was followed by Tamara Kharroub, who presented Palestine and the Democratic Party Crisis: Drivers and Impacts of Shifts in US Public Opinion and Discourse; then Yousef Munayyer, with his paper Paradigm Shift: The Groundwork for a New American Politics around Palestine Hanna Alshaikh: Palestine and the Reshaping of the US Institutional Order.

Towards Palestinian Frameworks for Reconstruction in the Gaza Strip

In parallel with the first and second sets of forum sessions, Hikama Journal and the Conflict and Humanitarian Studies Center, organized the first workshop, Reconstruction Policies in Gaza and the Centrality of Palestinian Survival. It began with an opening session featuring Ghassan Elkahlout, Abdel-Fattah Mady, Nour Allah Munawar. This was followed by the first session, titled Reconstruction Policies in Gaza and the Centrality of Palestinian Survival, chaired by Marwa Farag. Contributions included a remote paper Talal Abu Rokbeh, titled Reconstruction Policies in Gaza: Toward a Comprehensive Approach Linking Urban Planning with the Rebuilding of the State and the Local Community; a paper by Yosef Jabarin, Planning a Postwar Order: Israeli and US Think Tanks, Reconstruction, and the Politics of Sovereignty in Gaza; and a paper by Mandy Turner, Colonial Administration, Counterinsurgency Pacification, and Disaster Capitalism in Trump's Day After Plans for Palestine.

A roundtable titled Gaza after the Ceasefire: The Humanitarian Reality and the Limits of Recovery was also held as part of the workshop, chaired by Mohammed Alsousi. It discussed the current humanitarian challenges in the Gaza Strip and the prospects for recovery in light of the devastation left by genocidal war. The workshop opened in-depth discussions linking academic analysis with field experience, in parallel with the Forums concurrent sessions on the repercussions of the war and post-genocide policies.

The Conditions of the Palestinian National Project

The first day concluded with a public lecture delivered by Azmi Bishara, General Director of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, titled The Palestinian National Project in the Current International/Arab Context. In his lecture, Bishara offered an in-depth critical review of the trajectory of the Palestinian national project, emphasizing that it cannot be reduced to a political programme or a single mode of struggle, but necessarily encompasses the organizational structures and social bases capable of claiming and representing national legitimacy. Bishara devoted particular attention to the ongoing genocide on the Gaza Strip and the repercussions of the Al-Aqsa Flood, which he described as a political and historical earthquake, hailing a new phase not only in Palestine, but in the entire region. He warned against attempts to dissolve the Palestinian national project and international attempts to reframe the cause as a humanitarian or administrative issue rather than a struggle for national liberation from a settler-colonial regime. In this context, he stressed the necessity of reformulating the Palestinian national project around the struggle against the apartheid system imposed by Israel over the entirety of historic Palestine. Bishara concluded by stressing that the central challenge now lies in building a comprehensive national liberation project that unites Palestinian forces and institutions both inside and outside Palestine and commits to a political goal. Without this, any constructive debate will risk devolving into political power struggles prior to liberation, which can only reproduce the destructive dynamic that led us to the situation in which we have found ourselves since the Oslo Accords.


In the first year of the Newborn Baby Grant, 1,560 families in Louth, covering 1,592 children, have received financial support to help with the arrival of a newborn or newly-adopted child, figure from the Department of Social Protection have shown.

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, has marked the first anniversary of the Newborn Baby Grant which has already seen the grant paid to approximately 49,000 families in respect of 50,000 newborns and newly-adopted children since its introduction last year.

As part of Budget 2025, the Department of Social Protection introduced a new baby grant of 280, a once-off financial support to families to provide for the material needs of a newborn baby or newly-adopted child.

The Newborn Baby Grant is paid automatically with the first month of Child Benefit payment. Therefore, parents do not need to apply for the grant separately.

In the year since its launch, the Newborn Baby Grant has been paid in respect of 49,841 children at a cost of approximately 14 million.

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Commenting on the anniversary, Minister Calleary said: In just one year, these grants have reached tens of thousands of parents all over Ireland, helping families mark the arrival of their newest members.

At a joyful but costly time, these payments are making a real difference by giving parents a little extra support as they welcome their new babies.
Despite the wet weather, spirits remained high on Saturday last, 17 January, as Dromiskin Tidy Towns volunteers were joined by invited guests for a series of community events in the village.

Proceedings began at Centra with the official launch of a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) project.

This important project was made possible through funding from the Louth County Council Climate Action Fund 2024, with the support of James Hallinan from Hallinans Centra who provided the site on his property, demonstrating real collaboration in improving the sustainability of the community.

Another highlight of the morning was the raising of Dromiskin Heritage Parks fifth Community Green Flag, performed by Cllr Sean Kelly, Chairman of Louth County Council, ably assisted by members of the Green School Committee of St Peters N.S. and Dromiskin Tidy Towns volunteers.

The morning was further marked by the raising of a second Community Green Flag for Ginnetys Pond Nature Park.

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These achievements once again, makes Dromiskin the only community in Ireland to fly two Community Green Flags simultaneously, recognising excellence in the volunteer management of public parks.

Below: Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Sean Kelly, unveiling the Dromiskin Sustainable Urban Drainage System, with Martin King, contractor; Kevin Halpenny, Liam Reilly, Dromiskin Tidy Towns; Fiona Lennon, Louth County Council Community Climate Action Officer; Cllr Maeve Yore; and Patrick Mulligan, Chairman Dromiskin Tidy Towns

Addressing those in attendance, Cllr Kelly remarked that he felt like an honorary citizen of Dromiskin, having visited the village on numerous occasions in his official capacity to celebrate the extensive and ongoing community work being undertaken.

Cllr Kelly noted that Dromiskin Tidy Towns was the only community group in the country to secure funding for a SuDS project under this phase of the Climate Action Fund, praising the exceptional community spirit evident throughout the village.

Fiona Lennon, Community Climate Action Officer with Louth County Council, also offered her congratulations on the successful completion of Dromiskins second SuDS project, noting that the first had been funded under the LEADER programme.

She advised that Louth County Council had been allocated 604,000 in the first phase of the Climate Action Fund, which supported 22 projects across the county, including the one being celebrated in Dromiskin.

Below: Raising the Dromiskin Heritage Parks fifth Community Green Flag: Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Sean Kelly; Fiona Lennon, Community Action Climate Officer; Patrick Mulligan, Chairman Dromiskin Tidy Towns; Aoibheann Duffy, School Principal; Cllr Maeve Yore; and local schoolchildren

Ms Lennon emphasised that the Climate Action Fund relies on community groups coming forward to manage and deliver eligible projects and expressed her enthusiasm for continued collaboration with Tidy Towns groups throughout the county.

Kevin Halpenny, a volunteer with Dromiskin Tidy Towns who designed and managed the project, highlighted that effective water management is a fundamental element of climate action.

He noted that poor water management can lead to flooding, erosion, and pollution, all of which can be effectively addressed through well designed projects such as those implemented in the village.

The event concluded on a fitting and uplifting note, reflecting the strong partnership between Dromiskin Tidy Towns and St. Peters National School.

Members of the Green Schools Committee recited a poem written to mark what has been an outstanding year for the community in all aspects of the Tidy Towns programme.
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.

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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.

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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.

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"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.

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"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.
The newly refurbished 5.2m swimming pool in Mallow is due to reopen in June.

The upgrade works include a new extension with reception, administration, staff facilities, and visitor room.

The pool area will also be upgraded, with modern changing facilities, new mechanical and electrical services, and improved thermal efficiency and energy ratings.

Mallow swimming pool closed in March 2025 following the appointment of a contractor to carry out renovation works.

Of the 5.2m total investment to fully renovate and future-proof the pool, 4.2m is coming from Cork County Council funding, with the remainder being funded by national grants.

Unforeseen ground, utility, and structural issues caused delays, with the works now due to be completed in May before the reopening in June.

Cork North Central Labour Party TD Eoghan Kenny told The Echo: Cork County Council continues to work with the contractor to reopen the pool as soon as possible.

"Support has also been provided to Mallow Swans Swimming Club during the closure.

We appreciate the patience of all users while this major upgrade is completed. We are very willing to meet with Mallow Swans to discuss this further.

Labour councillor Ronan Sheehan said: Were very fortunate in Mallow and the wider area to have a public swimming pool, as its something many towns simply dont have.

While the upgrade works are essential for the long-term future of the facility, I fully acknowledge that the disruption has been inconvenient for many users, including Mallow Swans Swimming Club.

The delays to the project are regrettable, but they have arisen due to issues such as utility diversions, unforeseen ground conditions, and problems with elements of the existing structure and foundations, which only became apparent during demolition works.

These discoveries required additional works to be carried out.

"I want to thank users for their patience, and Im confident the end result will be a modernised facility that will serve the community for many years to come."
The apparition at Knock, a small rural village in Mayo, on August 21, 1879, quickly garnered attention from across the world.

Thousands of people descended on the village from all over Ireland, many on foot.

Some, who could afford the fare, travelled by train to Ballyhaunis and onward, walking or by horse-drawn vehicles.

One of the very first organised pilgrimages to Knock came from Cork, and today, there is still evidence of this trip at the Knock Shrine.

At the time of the apparition, the village of Knock, set on high ground, had six thatched houses, with the police station and priests house also thatched. There was a two-room school.

The first Knock pilgrimage by train took place on Easter Tuesday, March 30, 1880, departing Dublin for Ballyhaunis 14:22 and Claremorris at 14:49. Pilgrims could return by any train up to and including Tuesday, April 6.

On May 5, 1880, a special 3rd-class-only train, provided by the Great Southern & Western Railway, ran from Cork to Ballyhaunis. It departed Cork at 07:45 with 150 pilgrims. Further pilgrims joined at the intermediate stations. Trains from Tralee and Lismore connected at Mallow. Return fare from Cork was 12s 6d. Pilgrims could return by any scheduled service within a week.

Eastbound steamers arriving at Queenstown (now Cobh) disembarked big numbers of Knock pilgrims, mainly affluent Irish-Americans, who then travelled by train to Ballyhaunis.

However, the first organised Knock pilgrimage by train was from Cork, departing at 21:00 on Saturday, June 5, 1880, bound for Ballyhaunis.

On that evening, 240 young men, members of the Sodality of the Angelic Warfare of St Thomas Aquin, then based at St Marys Dominican Church, Popes Quay, and ten members of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Name, assembled in the church for prayers before setting off walking in procession to the station.

The Cork Examiner described the pilgrimage on June 7, reporting: On Saturday evening, one of the most pleasing and edifying sights we have seen in the city of Cork for some time took place at eight oclock. At that hour, and indeed for fully an hour previous, Popes-quay and Patricks-bridge were thronged with spectators, whose gaze was bent on St Marys Church, and if a stranger inquired the why and wherefore of the commotion he would have been told that a number of pilgrims were about to issue forth from the sacred edifice for the purpose of paying a reverential visit to the now celebrated and holy shrine of Knock, far away in that remote province of Connaught.

Large crowds lined the route, and such was the number of well-wishers at the station, it was said the pilgrims had difficulty boarding their five-carriage train.

Their progress through Popes Quay and Patricks Bridge was very slow for the dense mass of spectators congregated closely around and pressed them on all sides; but such a troublesome manifestation of curiosity was under the circumstances, quite pardonable, the newspaper said.

Each group of five carried a banner with a saints name. As the train was departing at 21:00 and entering the tunnel, they sang the Pilgrims Hymn. As the train proceeded, the Rosary was recited in each compartment, and each pilgrim recited his night prayers before resting on the overnight journey.

The train arrived in Ballyhaunis at 06:00. What available horse-drawn waggonettes and side-cars were quickly hired at one shilling each for the trip to Knock. All other pilgrims walked the six Irish (eight statute) miles to Knock. A half-mile from Knock, the entire group met up and, with their six new and ten existing banners unfurled, and marched in procession to the chapel for mass and partake of the general communion.

Knock Church in 1953, decades after the apparition there.

That morning, Fr Austin Rooke, the spiritual director of the pilgrimage, celebrated Mass. The pilgrims were reported to have spent much of the remainder of the day, focused on the small chapel with its clay floor and few seats.

That afternoon, the pilgrims gathered to present a very handsome sanctuary lamp to the chapel, which had been bought costing 15 at Mr Egans shop, Patrick St, Cork, as an offering to the Blessed Virgin.

They had brought the lamp on the train, and by that afternoon it was already hanging, replacing an earlier lamp.

After the singing of the Magnificat and the Pilgrims hymn, the lamp was formally lit for the first time. Fr Rooke presented the lamp, in the name of the members of the Angelic Warfare.

The inscription on the lamp read:

To our dearest Mother and the Most Holy Queen of Heaven from her loving children and members of the members of the Sodality of the Angelic Warfare of St Thomas Aquin Of St Marys Church, Popes Quay, Cork on the occasion of their pilgrimage to this her Shrine of Knock, Feast of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, June 1880.

In receiving the lamp, Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh PP expressed his sincere thanks to the Father Director, and through him to the Angelic Warfare Solidarity, to whose earnestness and piety he referred to at length. Benediction was then given with participation by the pilgrims singing and chanting, before they dispersed for tea.

The sanctuary lamp at Knock Shrine which remains in daily use. Picture: Oliver Doyle

Some 145 years after that trip, the lamp still hangs in its original location in daily use.

It was professionally restored in 2018.

The conservators reported that the lamp was made of brass with silver plating.

At the time of the pilgrimage, the Southern Gable, where the apparition had appeared the previous year, was boarded up to a height of 20 feet as pilgrims had been gouging out the mortar from between the stones, threatening the walls stability. Many of the Cork pilgrims desired a piece of mortar. The Archdeacon, wishing to satisfy, procured a long ladder and personally removed mortar from above the boarding, dropping it down to the many outstretched hands below.

That evening, the pilgrims gathered before the gable with their banners for the return to Ballyhaunis station, accompanied by the Ballyhaunis Brass Band playing.

At Ballyhaunis station, the Claremorris Temperance Brass Band discoursed joyous sounds until the trains departure at 20:00 when a popular air was played. After departure, the five glorious mysteries of the Rosary were recited and the train arrived Cork at 06:00 on Monday, June 7.

In a special report on the trip on Saturday, June 12, The Cork Examiner reported how on their return the pilgrims all felt not only delighted with the trip but thankful to Providence that an opportunity, under such favourable circumstances, had been afforded them of visiting the Shrine at the Irish Lourdes.

The newspaper noted that a number of other pilgrimages to Knock had been organised.

We see that Limerick on-tomorrow (Sunday) is to send 500 of its young men on a pilgrimage to Knock; another is arranged for Sunday week to start from Dublin; and as Cork has been the pioneer, we might say, of the large pilgrimage to Knock, let us hope that the one on Saturday last from our city may be only the precursor of many such not in the distant future.

Later that summer, on the feast of the Assumption, Sunday, August 15, 1880, more than 20,000 pilgrims visited the Shrine.

There was a large number of pilgrims from Cork, most of whom arrived on Friday.

A gift from Cork: The monstrance is inscribed "Presented with a chalice to the Church at Knock as a slight token of Love for God and for the Blessed Immaculate Virgin by a few of her clients in the City of Cork, Feast of the Assumption 1880 Our Lady of Knock, pray for the donors." Both were designed and made by Egan & Sons, 32, Patrick St, Cork (Photos: Oliver Doyle)

During the closing ceremony, attendees observed the solemn presentation of heavily gilted and jewelled remonstrance and chalice, of beautiful workmanship by Egans, Silversmiths, Cork, on behalf of a few Cork Catholic gentlemen by a deputation consisting of Messrs P F Barry, Janes Hurley, George J ODonnell, Thomas Brindley, James OConnell, Peter J Kingston and John Link.

This story originally appeared in the 2025 Holly Bough.
(Photo:  Peter Kenny)Nun with Brazilian flag at St. Peter's in Rome.

The Roman Catholic share of the population in several Latin American countries has shrunk over the last 10 years, while a growing percentage of adults in the region are religiously unaffiliated, describing themselves as atheist, agnostic or "nothing in particular."

This is the finding of new data released by Pew Research Center on Jan. 21.

Catholicism still appears to be Latin America's largest religion, according to Pew surveys in six of the region's most populous countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru according to the research..

While a growing number of adults in Latin America are religiously unaffiliated, religious attitudes like belief in God are still widespread across the region, the new data by Pew Research shows.

By its measures, Latin Americans are generally more religious than many other populations. In fact, unaffiliated people in Latin America are about as religious as Christians in Europe, on average.

The Catholic share of the population in several Latin American countries has shrunk over the last 10 years, while a growing percentage of Latin American adults are religiously unaffiliated, describing themselves as atheist, agnostic or "nothing in particular."

Today, Catholics make up 46 percent to 67 percent of the adult population in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, while the share of adults who are religiously unaffiliated ranges from 12 percent to 33 percent.

Still, the Catholic shares have dropped by 9 percentage points or more in all six countries over the past decade, while the percentages of adults who are unaffiliated have risen by 7 points or more.

In several countries, unaffiliated adults  sometimes called religious "nones"  now outnumber Protestants.

Despite these shifts, Latin Americans remain quite religious, on average. For instance:

Belief in God is widespread, with around nine-in-ten or more adults surveyed in each country saying they believe in God.

Religion matters deeply to many people in the region, with about half or more of adults surveyed in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru saying religion is very important in their lives.

Prayer is fairly common, with majorities of Brazilian, Colombian and Peruvian adults saying they pray at least once a day.

By these measures, Latin Americans are more religious than adults in many other countries the Center has surveyed in recent years, especially in Europe, where many adults have left Christianity since childhood.

Moreover, Latin Americans are about as likely to believe in God as they were a decade ago. Even among religiously unaffiliated adults surveyed across the region, majorities say they believe in God.

The Pew report focuses on the six Latin American nations that were included in a 2024 survey of 36 countries worldwide.

Together, the six countries contain about 495 million people, or roughly three-quarters of the entire population of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Farmers are being urged to prepare for sharp increases in energy standing charges, as changes to the electricity transmission system threaten to drive up costs for farming and growing businesses.

The NFU and NFU Energy have launched a free online calculator allowing members to estimate the impact of the Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charge on their businesses.

The charge covers the cost of maintaining and operating the electricity transmission network.

The tool comes as a series of three changes to standing charges begin to take effect, with increases being phased in from October 2025 through to April 2026.

The NFU has warned the reforms could place significant pressure on farms, particularly those with high or seasonal energy use. Some businesses are already reporting potential cost increases running into seven figures.

Current government energy support schemes were introduced to protect high-energy users from the steepest price rises, but most farming and horticultural businesses are not eligible.

Data collected through the calculator will be anonymised and aggregated, helping to build evidence for the NFUs lobbying efforts to secure greater recognition for farming within existing energy support frameworks.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw said rising costs were threatening the sector. Spiralling energy costs, which are set to increase in April, are threatening the viability of farming and growing businesses, he said.

He added: Some members are reporting increased costs of over 1 million, which simply is not sustainable.

Bradshaw urged businesses to use the tool to plan ahead. I would urge all businesses concerned about their energy costs to take advantage of the calculator to help them plan for the months ahead, he said.

Vitally, it will also help us build a picture to show just how extreme these cost rises are as we continue to take the issue to government.

The NFU is calling on the government to review Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes, arguing they do not accurately reflect the energy demands of modern farming businesses. It is also pressing for reforms to Ofgems Targeted Charging Review, which determines how network charges are set.

Tim Crocker, managing director of NFU Energy, said the reforms marked one of the most significant overhauls of energy network charges in years.

Energy network charges are undergoing some of the most significant reforms weve seen in years, and these changes will affect how costs are distributed across the entire system, he said.

For farmers and agricultural businesses, who often operate energy-intensive sites, understanding these shifts is essential.

Crocker said the calculator was designed to make the changes easier to understand. The TNUoS Charges Impact Calculator turns a complex policy change into clear, practical insight, he said.

The anonymised and aggregated data from the calculator supports the NFUs wider lobbying efforts for fairer outcomes for all farmers, protecting UK food production.

The NFU said the evidence gathered through the tool would be used in discussions with government ahead of the final phase of the charging changes in April 2026.
Bollywood actor Kunal Kemmu took to Instagram to celebrate 11 years of marriage with wife Soha Ali Khan, sharing a series of candid and throwback pictures that beautifully captured their journey as a couple. The photos, which ranged from cosy vacations and playful selfies to adventure-filled moments. These pictures offered a glimpse into their bond over the years. Kunal captioned the post with red heart emojis, tagging Soha and adding hashtags like #shaadikhahappybirthday and #happyanniversary, keeping the mood warm and affectionate.





The anniversary post came shortly after Soha Ali Khan also marked the milestone with a heartfelt message, calling her decision to marry Kunal the best decision ever. In her post, she reflected on their 11 years together, describing him as her 11/10, and shared a video montage of Kunals candid and goofy moments, set to the classic song Ye Ladka Hai Allah Kaisa Hai Deewana.





Soha and Kunal first met on the sets of Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge in 2009 and grew closer while working together again on 99. After dating for a few years, the couple tied the knot on January 25, 2015, in an intimate ceremony in Mumbai. They welcomed their daughter, Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, in September 2017.





On the work front, the family recently wrapped up 2025 with a quiet getaway to Udaipur, spending time amid nature. Soha later shared reflections from the trip, highlighting the importance of preserving forests for future generations. As they celebrate 11 years of togetherness, Kunal and Soha continue to be one of Bollywoods most loved and grounded couples.




Columbia, Tennessee--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2026) - With severe weather patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable across Middle Tennessee, Veteran Roofing Systems, a top-rated local contractor, has released a comprehensive consumer guide regarding residential roof protection. The initiative aims to educate homeowners in Franklin, Columbia, and surrounding areas on identifying early signs of failure and understanding the critical timing for roof replacement.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11704/281437_d7969dd5241e2aee_001full.jpg

As storms in the region intensify, the integrity of residential infrastructure has become a primary concern for housing experts. According to Veteran Roofing Systems, delaying necessary repairs can lead to compounded structural damage, often costing homeowners significantly more in the long run.

Understanding When to Replace vs. Repair

For residents in Franklin and Brentwood, distinguishing between minor storm damage and the need for a full roof replacement is vital. The newly released company guidelines highlight that while missing shingles can be replaced, widespread granular loss or water intrusion often signals that the roofing system has reached the end of its lifespan.

"Many homeowners in Columbia wait until they see a leak inside their home," stated Eric White, Owner of Veteran Roofing Systems. "Our goal is to shift that mindset to proactive maintenance. By the time water is visible indoors, the underlying decking may already be compromised."

The Impact of Middle Tennessee Weather

The variable climate of Middle Tennessee ranging from intense summer heat to freezing winter cycles expands and contracts roofing materials. This thermal shock is particularly harsh on older asphalt shingle roofs. Veteran Roofing Systems advises that properties over 15 years old should undergo yearly roof inspections to assess vulnerability to wind and hail.

Choosing the Right Materials The advisory also covers material selection, noting a rising trend in:

Asphalt Shingle Roofs: The most common choice for affordability and durability.

Metal Roofs: Gaining popularity in Thompson's Station and semi-rural areas for their longevity and weather resistance.

TPO & Commercial Flat Roofing: Essential for business owners looking for energy-efficient solutions.

Local Commitment and Safety

Veteran Roofing Systems emphasizes safety and compliance. As an Accredited Business, the company adheres to strict safety protocols, ensuring that every storm damage repair project is handled by certified professionals equipped with proper safety gear.

Service Expansion

To support this educational initiative, Veteran Roofing Systems is prioritizing consultations for roof replacement in:

Maury County: Columbia, Mt. Pleasant, Santa Fe.

Williamson County: Franklin, Spring Hill, College Grove, Leiper's Fork.

How to Schedule an Assessment

Homeowners suspecting storm damage or considering a new roof installation are encouraged to contact the local Columbia office directly to schedule a comprehensive evaluation.

ABOUT VETERAN ROOFING SYSTEMS:

Veteran Roofing Systems is a premier roofing contractor based in Columbia, TN, serving the entire Middle Tennessee region. Known for transparency and quality, they specialize in residential and commercial roofing, offering expert solutions for insurance claims and storm restoration.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281437

Source: FG Newswire
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.
Global fashion celebrities joined the public on Friday morning to say goodbye to iconic designer Valentino at his funeral service in Rome, at the central Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.

Global fashion celebrities joined the public on Friday morning to say goodbye to iconic designer Valentino at his funeral service in Rome, at the central Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.

After a two-day public viewing on Wednesday and Thursday at the Valentino foundations headquarters in the Italian capital, the funeral marked the final tribute to the internationally acclaimed designer.

Top fashion names, including designers Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, along with longtime Vogue magazine powerhouse Anna Wintour, attended the funeral service, as did Hollywood stars like Anne Hathaway.

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Fans and admirers gathered outside the church, some dressed in red or carrying red accessories in a last homage to the designers signature shade of colour.

Valentino Garavani, who died aged 93 at his Rome residence on Monday, was a dored by generations of royals, first ladies and celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jordans Queen Rania and Julia Roberts who swore the designer always made them look and feel their best.

Hundreds of people had already paid their respects to the last emperor of Italian fashion during the public viewing. Valentino always maintained his atelier in Rome, while he mostly unveiled his collections in Paris.

Games View All

His sumptuous gowns have graced countless Academy Awards, notably in 2001 when Roberts wore a vintage black and white column to accept her best actress statue. Cate Blanchett also wore a one-shouldered Valentino in butter-yellow silk when she won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 2005.

I want to thank Valentino for teaching me beauty, said longtime personal and professional partner Giancarlo Giammetti in his remembrance speech, his voice breaking with emotion.

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It was a beauty that followed us throughout our lives. We met when we were kids, we dreamed of the same things, and we achieved many of them. Our journey will always continue," he added.
Indias 77th Republic Day will record many firsts as the military displays its prowess at the first parade after Operation Sindoor. The Indian Army will follow a new format this year; the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion will debut at this years R-Day Parade. An animal contingent of the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) will also roll down the Kartavya Path on January 26

Indian Army's Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) personnel walk along with their Bactrian camels during a rehearsal ahead of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 21, 2026. AFP

India is gearing up for its 77th Republic Day. This year, January 26, the day the country celebrates the adoption of the Constitution, will witness several firsts.

The theme of the Republic Day Parade 2026 is 150 Years of Vande Mataram. President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be the chief guests at this years parade.

Whats all different this time? Lets take a look.

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Phased battle array

This is Indias first Republic Day Parade after Operation Sindoor. In May 2025, the Indian military struck nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

The two countries were engaged in a four-day conflict during which India inflicted significant damage to Pakistans airbases.

Indias military prowess will be on display as it holds the Republic Day Parade on Monday.

The Indian Army will follow a new format this year. Officials told PTI that key Army assets, including indigenous platforms, along with personnel, will roll down the Kartavya Path in a phased battle array formation.

For the first time, these assets will move down the ceremonial boulevard in a formation similar to any battle scenario. It will begin with reconnaissance, followed by other military units such as logistics and personnel accompanying these platforms, officials said.

Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stand still as the national anthem plays during a rehearsal for the upcoming Republic Day parade in New Delhi, January 12, 2026. Reuters

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said the move aims to showcase the armed forces operational elements. The idea is to weave a story of how equipment and manpower are brought together in battle, he said.

Singh said the new format will make the parade-watching more engaging for spectators.

The aerial component will also be shown in battle array formation, he added.

According to the Ministry of Defence, some personnel will participate in the Republic Day celebrations in full battle gear.

Many firsts at 2026 R-Day Parade

The Indian Armys Bhairav Light Commando Battalion will make its debut at the 2026 Republic Day Parade.

The Bhairav units are elite forces that aim to act as a bridge between Special Forces and regular infantry. They are integrated formations attracting personnel from arms such as air defence, artillery and signals.

Designed to be lean and lethal, these battalions are built for rapid, high-impact operations along Indias borders with China and Pakistan, Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, Director General of the Indian Armys Arm of Infantry, said in October 2025.

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VIDEO | Indian Army's newly raised warfare force 'Bhairav Battalion' to make its debut in Republic Day parade.



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/mIvu61oxoe  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 20, 2026

He said at the time that five Bhairav battalions are fully functional, while four more are in the process of being raised. Sixteen more will be operational within the next six months.

In a historic first, a woman officer will lead a male contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Republic Day Parade. CRPF Assistant Commandant Simran Bala, a 26-year-old resident of Jammu and Kashmir, will head the contingent of over 140 male personnel at Kartavya Path in Delhi on January 26, ANI reported, citing officials.

This years Republic Day Parade will also reflect the importance of animals in safeguarding Indias borders.

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Animals of the Indian Army will march along Kartavya Path, signalling Indias high-altitude military capability.

In a first, the armed force will exhibit a carefully curated animal contingent of the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC), underlining the crucial role played by animals in protecting the nations most challenging frontiers.

The contingent will feature two Bactrian camels, four Zanskar ponies, four raptors, ten Indian breed Army dogs, along with six conventional military dogs already in service, the Indian Army said, as per The New Indian Express (TNIE).

It said that they represent a mix of tradition, innovation and self-reliance in the armys operational ecosystem.

The Bactrian camels, recently inducted for operations in Ladakhs cold deserts, will lead the column. According to the army, their induction has increased the logistical support and mounted patrolling capability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in sandy terrain and steep gradients.

The Zanskar ponies, a rare and indigenous mountain breed from Ladakh, have been deployed in some of the harshest terrains, including the Siachen Glacier.

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Four raptors will be part of the contingent, signalling the innovative use of the birds of prey that employ their natural capabilities for operational safety and effectiveness. Adding sharp-eyed vigilance to the formation, these are used for bird-strike control and surveillance.

Indian Armys silent warriors are set to steal the show at the 2026 Republic Day Parade. The Army dogs aid troops in carrying out counter-terrorism operations, explosive and mine detection, tracking, guarding, disaster response and search-and-rescue missions.

The army has been enhancing the induction of indigenous dog breeds such as Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, Chippiparai, Kombai and Rajapalayam. It said that the presence of these animals at Kartavya Path will underline Indias push towards self-reliance in defence and the successful integration of native breeds into specialised military roles.

As the animal contingent marches past the saluting dais on Republic Day, it will be a vivid reminder of Indias defence prowess, which is not just developed by machines and soldiers.

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Indias military might on display

The Republic Day 2026 will be a display of Indias Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance). Indigenous and made-in-India systems will be a major highlight of the parade.

These include Hindustan Aeronautics Ltds Light Combat Helicopter and Advanced Light Helicopter, the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and Akash air defence system  which were deployed during Operation Sindoor, the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), the Arjun main battle tank, and a new universal rocket launch system.

In a nod to the increasing role of automation and artificial intelligence on the battlefield, robotic mules and unmanned ground vehicles will also be a part of the parade.

A large portion of the equipment and systems on display will either be made in or designed in India, Defence Secretary Singh said.

The Airbus C295 transport aircraft, which is now made in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited, will also participate. It will be accompanied by American-origin AH-64 Apache helicopters and C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.

The indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft will, however, not be a part of the R-Day parade.

With inputs from agencies
Each year, when the President unfurls the national flag at the start of the Republic Day parade, one can hear the booms of guns being fired. This is known as the 21-gun salute and it has become a constant at the parade. But do you know the origins of it?

Artillery units execute a 21-gun salute during rehearsals for the upcoming Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, in New Delhi. PTI

For many, the Republic Day parade isnt just a visual treat, but also an audible experience. Listen closely to the national anthem being played before the national flag is unfurled and one can hear the unmistakable booms of artillery guns firing.

For those who dont know, that boom is the 21-gun salute, which has now has become a constant feature of all our Republic Days  a day of patriotic fervour, parade and celebration.

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But have you ever wondered whats the history of the 21-gun salute? And why is it 21 and not any other number? Heres the history behind it.

History behind the 21-gun salute

The origins of the 21-gun salute at the Republic Day parade can be traced back to the British colonial era, dating back to the 17th century. Defence history reveals that at the time naval forces at sea demanded an enemy to show peaceful intent by firing the ammunition.

Even the Arlington National Cemetery website states that the 21-gun salute was a naval custom for when a warship wanted to signal it wasnt seeking a confrontation, it would fire its cannons out to sea until all ammunition was spent.

It is said that British naval ships fired seven shots  a number considered significant in astrological and biblical traditions  to show peaceful intent. In turn, shore weapons, which had abundant gunpowder, fired three shots for every shell fired by the warship and hence, the 21-gun tribute came into existence as a salutatory tradition.

By 1818, the US naval regulations provided the first written instructions on the 21-gun salute and by 1875, the United States formally adopted the 21-gun salute, the same number used by Britain, France and other nations.

But theres also the 19-gun and 17-gun salute

While the 21-gun salute is considered the highest honour and is reserved for the president of India and for special occasions such as Republic Day, other gun-salutes also exist. The number of gun-salutes indicate the rank and importance.

For instance, in pre-Independent India, there was a 101-gun salute, known as the Imperial Salute, which was reserved for the King-emperor. Theres also the 31-gun salute for members of the royal family and governor general of India.

Indian rulers were accorded a 21-, 19-, 17-, 15-, 11- and 9-gun salutes, depending on their relationship with the British Raj.

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Indias first President Dr Rajendra Prasad is seen saluting during the first Republic Day parade. Image Courtesy: @DDNewslive/X

Interestingly, when Dr Rajendra Prasad became Indias first president of India in 1950 and he drove down Rajpath, as Kartavya Path was formenrly known, in his gold buggy on January 26, he was accorded a 31-gun salute.

Now, the gun-salute is no longer an indication of position in a colonial hierarchy. Rather, the salute is an acknowledgement of the sovereignty of the people. Today, only the President is accorded with a 21-gun salute when he/she is sworn in. Also, during Independence and Republic Day, the Indian flag and the President are both honoured with a 21-gun salute.

It is also accorded to foreign head of states visiting the country. The 21-gun salute is also performed on Army Day, which falls on January 15 and Martyrs Day on January 30.

The 21-gun salute at R-Day

Every January 26, on Republic Day, the 21-gun salute is carried out with precision. The time of the gun salute matches the length of the national anthem  Jana Gana Mana. The first firing occurs at the start and the last firing coincides with the end of the national anthem.

Interestingly, the task is carried out with the use of special clocks to measure smaller time units. Moreover, backup guns are readied in case the selected guns do not go off. Seven cannons are fired at an interval of 2.25 seconds for three rounds each, to cover the duration of the anthem.

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The 21-gun salute begins when the sword of the Commandant of Presidents Body Guards (PBG) comes down at the shout of Rashtriya Salute for the President and is carried out through the duration the National Anthem is played. No shells are fired, and a specifically-designed cartridgecommonly referred to as blank round  is used to create the sound of firing.

Indian Army personnel fire the 105mm light field guns that replaced the British-era 25-pounder guns for the 21-gun salute. File image/PTI

Until 2023, the 21-gun salute at the Republic Day was fired using the Indian Armys British-era 25-pounder guns. However, since then they have been replaced by the (IFG), as part of the Modi governments efforts to drop colonial-era vestiges, and showcase only indigenous equipment and weapon systems.

The British-era guns were designed and made in the 1940s by the British and were put to action in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. They were decommissioned only in the early 1990s and since then used for ceremonial purposes such as the 21-gun salute on Republic Day and Independence Day.

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However, now, Indian made 105 mm field guns are used for the 21-gun salute. They were designed and developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in 1972 and have been produced at the Gun Carriage Factory (GCF), Jabalpur, since 1984.

This Republic Day, these guns will boom again at Kartavya Path during the 90-minute parade that exhibits Indias military might as well as cultural diversity.

With inputs from agencies
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, are the chief guests at this years Republic Day Parade. Von der Leyen is a German politician and doctor, while Costa, the ex-Portuguese prime minister, has an Indian connection. Their visit assumes importance as India and the EU are set to sign a trade deal

Union Minister of State for Commerce &; Industry and Electronics & Information Technology Jitin Prasada receives European Council President Antonio Costa upon his arrival for a state visit to India, in New Delhi. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also seen. PTI

In a short while, Indias Republic Day Parade 2026 will witness the gathering of around 10,000 special guests at Kartavya Path in Delhi on Monday (January 26). This year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, will grace the event as the chief guests.

The European Commission presidents visit to New Delhi from January 25 to January 27 is expected to result in the signing of a trade deal between India and the European Union (EU), which von der Leyen has described as the  mother of all deals.

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We take a look at who they are.

Who is Ursula von der Leyen?

Ursula von der Leyen, a German gynaecologist and politician, has several achievements to her name. She is the first female president of the European Commission.

Born in October 1958, von der Leyen spent her first 13 years in Brussels. Her father was a European Commissioner at the time when the EU was the European Economic Community, according to Time magazine.

She has also lived in Belgium, the United Kingdom and the United States, and is fluent in French and English.

Von der Leyen studied economics at two German universities and at the London School of Economics (LSE), but did not graduate.

I lived much more than I studied, she told the weekly Zeit about her time at LSE. No details, please. Only this: in 1978, I immersed myself for one year in this seething, international, colourful city. For me, coming from the rather monotonous, white Germany, that was fascinating.

For me, London was the epitome of modernity: freedom, the joy of life, trying everything. This gave me an inner freedom that I have kept until today. And another thing I have kept: the realisation that different cultures can get on together very well.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is the chief guest at Indias Republic Day Parade. File Photo/Reuters

Von der Leyen later switched to study medicine in Hanover and graduated as a doctor of medicine in 1991.

She lived in California for a few years while her husband, a professor of medicine, served on the faculty at Stanford University.

Von der Leyen, a mother to seven children, began her political innings in her early 40s. In 1990, she joined former German Chancellor Angela Merkels Christian Democratic Union party (CDU).

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After rising through the ranks in the regional government of Lower Saxony, von der Leyen was appointed as minister for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth in Merkels first government in 2005.

During that time, von der Leyen improved maternity and paternity pay rights. Under her watch, Germany introduced a law mandating that every child over a year old will get a place at a daycare facility. The government also brought a paid parental leave scheme that included at least two months of paid leave for fathers.

In 2009, van der Leyen moved to the Labour Ministry in Merkels government. She went on to become the first female defence minister of Germany in December 2013.

In Germany, she was referred to with nasty nicknames, including Krippen-Ursel (creche Ursel), meaning a conservative closet feminist set on increasing nursery places, as per The Guardian.

Van der Leyen became the 13th president of the European Commission in 2019. She was appointed to the post again after her five-year tenure ended. The 67-year-old will head the Commission until 2029.

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ALSO READ: The story of Indias Republic Day and the military parade tradition

What does the European Commission do?

The European Commission is the main executive body of the EU. Its main roles include proposing new laws and policies, monitoring their implementation and managing the EU budget.

As per its website, the Commission also ensures that EU policies and laws are correctly applied across Member States, negotiates international agreements on behalf of the EU, and allocates funding.

As the president, von der Leyen is responsible for the organisation of the Commission and allocating portfolios to individual Commissioners. She also decides the Commissions policy agenda, along with representing the body at European Council meetings, G7 and G20 summits, summits with non-EU countries and major debates in the European Parliament and the Council.

Who is Antonio Costa?

Antonio Costa, the 64-year-old president of the European Council, has an Indian connection. His paternal grandfather was from Goa, while his paternal grandmother was French-Mozambican.

In December 2024, Costa, the former Portuguese prime minister, became the first person from an ethnic minority to lead one of the EUs most important institutions.

In an interview with Politico two years back, he boasted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally given him an overseas citizen card, saying that his cultural closeness, knowledge and sometimes even linguistic skills  obviously help, and I hope to use them in the service of the EU.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) is welcomed by his then Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa at the Necessidades Palace in Lisbon, Portugal, June 24, 2017. File Photo/Reuters

He said at the time that he was keen to use his Indian heritage to redefine Europes often unequal relationship with Asia, Africa and South America.

Costa formed close ties with overseas leaders, especially those from the African, Asian and South American countries during his eight years as Portuguese PM between November 2015 and April 2024.

The Socialist leader, who is a skilled negotiator, secured unlikely political alliances in Lisbon. He also developed strong relations with colleagues in other European Union capitals, including with Hungarys nationalist PM Viktor Orban.

Unlike his predecessor, Belgian Charles Michel, Costa shares a close working relationship with Commission President von der Leyen.

What is the European Council?

The European Council is among the EUs seven institutions. It comprises 27 EU member states, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.

The Council is the EUs supreme political authority, which sets the Unions policy agenda. It provides leadership to the EU and, under the Lisbon Treaty, the necessary impetus for its development. It frames the EUs general political direction and sets its priorities.

The European Council, however, does not enjoy any formal legislative powers and cannot make laws.

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With inputs from agencies
The World Economic Forums annual meeting in Davos was action-packed. From French President Emmanuel Macrons sunglasses, Donald Trumps rant against his European allies over Greenland, to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys 17-minute speech, here are the top moments

Every year, political leaders, businessmen, activists and journalists from across the globe converge in the Swiss Alps, at a ski resort, to discuss the issues plaguing the world and discuss the future direction of life on our planet.

Welcome to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss town of Davos that is held each year since 1971.

This year, this annual conference  held from January 19 to 23  garnered a whole lot of attention across the globe.

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Why?

There was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys electrifying 17-minute speech that is now being hailed as a landmark declaration of a new world order. One academic has called it a moment of global clarity. For former US President Jimmy Carters speechwriter, it was a speech for the history books. One noted Canadian journalist has already christened it the Carney doctrine.

But thats not all. There was also French President Emmanuel Macron in his blue aviator glasses who told the audience that theres a shift towards a world without rules.

But most of all, this Davos summit wont be forgotten for a while as it was where Donald Trump complained and ranted against his European allies over his demand for Greenland, and then had a Taco moment. Also, its where Trumps superfans gathered and joined the American leader in the unveiling of the controversial Board of Peace.

Its for these reasons that we, at Firstpost, select Davos to be our Word of the Week. This small but popular ski resort in the Swiss mountains is where the worlds attention was, with international newsrooms and op-ed desks far away taking note of every word being spoken and every action being judged.

Beginnings of the World Economic Forum

The WEF was founded back in 1971 by Klaus Schwab, a Swiss-German economist and professor, in a bid to foster global cooperation on political, social, and economic issues.

The aim of the international not-for-profit organisation was to bring together the public and private sectors to brainstorm solutions to these global problems, something which remains one of its founding principles and speaks to its mission statement: Committed to improving the state of the world.

The first meeting of WEF was held in Davos five decades ago and has been the centre of its annual gathering every year since with the resorts name even becoming the common shorthand for the event.

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Since then, the annual conference has become a venue where the whos who of the world unite. Past events have seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi and climate activist Greta Thunberg in attendance. One will also get to see CEOs from the biggest companies in the world, like Sundar Pichai from Google, Satya Nadella from Microsoft, and Tim Cook from Apple.

A Davos sign is seen through barbed wire outside the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Reuters

Importance of Davos

But why is the Davos conference so important? Despite criticisms of the meet being a talking shop for the worlds rich and powerful, Davos has provided a platform for discussion and debate on a scale unlike any other. Think about it  this year, Davos hosted close to 3,000 leaders from more than 130 countries, reflecting a diverse mix of sectors, industries, governments and generations. This includes 400 political leaders attending, including nearly 65 heads of state and government and six leaders from the G7. They were joined by almost 850 top global chief executives and chairpersons, along with nearly 100 unicorns and technology pioneers.

And Davos has had seen some significant outcomes in the past. In 1988, an agreement signed at the meeting, known as the Davos Declaration, was credited with helping Turkey and Greece step back from the brink of an armed conflict. In 2000, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) was launched at Davos and has since improved access to vaccines for millions.

A sign of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is seen during the WEF annual meeting in Davos. The World Economic Forum took place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. AFP

This years headline-grabbing Davos

This years WEF conference  from January 19 to 23  was expected to create fireworks, and it didnt disappoint.

The geopolitics around this years event was particularly complex: Donald Trump has upended the world order with his aggressive tariff policy. Moreover, buoyed by the success of the strikes on Venezuela and the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the American leader had stepped up his demand for Greenland, even threatening to impose tariffs on eight European nations for blocking his acquisition attempts.

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Frances President Emmanuel Macron wears sunglasses as he meets with Serbias President Aleksandar Vucic meet at the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Reuters

And it was amidst this backdrop, that world leaders and businessmen converged at Davos. First up, was Frances Emmanuel Macron, who not only grabbed eyeballs for his evocative speech during which he said we prefer respect over bullies but also for his blue aviators that he donned indoors. The reflective Top Gun-style aviator sunglasses, with a price tag of 659 euros ($770), also led to speculation over his marriage as well as mockery from his counterparts  we are looking at you, Mr Trump.

This years Davos summit also saw the return of US President Donald Trump after six years. And on Wednesday, he took the podium from where he alternately praised and threatened European allies and repeated his demands for ownership of Greenland. While he pledged not to use force to seize the semiautonomous Danish territory, he mocked European leaders and lashed out Nato.

A person records US President Donald Trump during the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Reuters

And after a bombastic speech, which was littered with false claims, Trump backed away from his threat to impose tariffs on European countries, saying he had reached the framework of a future deal on Greenland with the Nato secretary general. In other words, Trump began to defuse a global crisis of his own making.

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The following day, the conveners at Davos gave Trump centre stage again for the unveiling of his Board of Peace, which the White House has touted as a tool to resolve global conflicts with a scope rivaling that of the United Nations. Leaders or top officials from 19 other countries stood behind Trump for the ceremony as he signed the entitys founding charter.

Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 20, 2026. File image/AFP

But despite all the hype and hoopla, Trump isnt the one who made the biggest impact. That distinction belongs to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose speech on Tuesday was widely viewed as the defining moment of the week.

The former banker, who has had a history of standing up to the American president since coming to office, delivered an address that squarely confronted the world wrought by Trumps presidency. He urged his Davos counterparts to live the truth and stop invoking the rules-based international order as though it still functions as advertised.

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He urged his counterparts to move on, stating: Middle powers must act together, because if were not at the table, were on the menu, he said. In a world of great-power rivalry, the countries in between have a choice: compete with each other for favour or combine to create a third path with impact.

The speech got the world talking; even Trump took a note of it in his own address  he noted, Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that Mark, the next time you make your statements.

And its for these reasons and more that even after the curtains have come down on yet another edition of Davos, this years event will remain etched in our minds for a long time to come.
There were many headliners at the World Economic Forum in Davos, but there was one who stood out  Canadas Mark Carney. His speech addressing middle powers was remarkable. In our weekly wrap, we cover the historic gathering and more

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney appears on a screen as he speaks during the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 20. He delivered a brutal takedown of Donald Trump's chaotic policies. Reuters

All eyes were on Davos this week, where the most influential men and women gathered for the World Economic Forum annual meeting 2026. Ahead of the gathering, Europe was jittery as Donald Trump reiterated his plans to annex Greenland. However, when the US president delivered his 72-minute address, he appeared to have softened his stance. He said he would not use force and dropped the tariff threats on European countries backing Greenland. So what changed?

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Trump also unveiled the Board of Peace at Davos in the presence of, as Bloomberg puts it, his superfans  Argentinas Javier Milei, Indonesias Prabowo Subianto, Hungarys Viktor Orban and Pakistans Shehbaz Sharif, among others. Most European nations and India decided to stay away. During the signing ceremony for the committee, the US unveiled its plans for a New Gaza, with skyscrapers and whatnot.

Trump was not the only one who took centre stage at Davos; two other leaders stole the show: Frances Emmanuel Macron with his Rs 70,000 sunglasses and Canadas Mark Carney, whose extraordinary speech received a standing ovation. The Canadian PM was well-received around the world, but it only irked Trump more.

In the US, immigration officers continue to assert control. In the latest shocker from Minnesota, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained a five-year-old boy. After returning from preschool, Liam Conejo Ramos was held along with his father. He is the latest among the children caught in the US administrations mass deportation campaign in the state.

We talk about all this and more in our weekly roundup of news from around the world.

1. Until a few days ago, Donald Trump seemed intent on acquiring Greenland by hook or by crook. From the use of military force to tariffs on European nations backing the Arctic island, the US president issued several threats. However, when he spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, his quest for control took a significant turn. Is this another Taco (Trump Always Chickens Out) moment?

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People attend a protest against Donald Trumps demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the US, calling for it to be allowed to determine its own future, in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 17. Reuters

2. At Davos, Trump formally announced the first chapter of the Board of Peace. This body, which was originally conceived to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, has now expanded to resolve global conflicts. How will this board function? Could it sideline the United Nations?

3. A dozen countries have backed the Board of Peace. While India has not committed to it, Pakistan has eagerly said yes. However, Shehbaz Sharif is receiving backlash back home for his decision from political opponents and academics. One of the reasons $1 billion price tag for permanent membership. Its no secret that the country is bankrupt. Will the Pakistan PM now be forced to withdraw from this peace board?

Donald Trump walks after 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. Reuters

4. If there is one leader who won at Davos, it was Mark Carney. The Canadian PM gave a wide-ranging speech that impressed one and all, save for Trump. The banker-turned-politician laid out a doctrine for a world shaken up by the US presidents foreign policies, warning, compliance will not buy safety. The old order is not coming back. We should not mourn it, he said. Nostalgia is not a strategy.

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The address was a sharp contrast to other world leaders who flatter Trump or keep their heads down for fear of provoking him. Amid this, Carney is an exception. He is emerging as the leader who is unafraid to take on Trump.

5. On January 20, Donald Trump completed one year since he returned to power. His second presidency has upended the world. However, there are a few that have benefited from it. Right on top of that list is the US president and his family. They have amassed wealth through crypto ventures, social media investments and real estate deals. This story explains how rich they have become.

6. In Donald Trumps America, even children are not safe. As the immigration crackdown in Minnesota intensifies, minors have been targeted. The most recent case involves five-year-old Liam Ramos. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained the Minnesota boy on Tuesday, as he returned home from school and transported him and his father to a Texas detention centre.

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A protester holds a sign referencing Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old that school officials said was detained by federal agents, during a rally on the day of a general strike to protest Trumps deployment of thousands of immigration enforcement officers on the streets of Minneapolis, Minnesota, on, January 23. Reuters

7. Its baby boom at the White House. After Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Katie Miller, who is married to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, the Vances announced that they are expecting their fourth child. Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, is set to be the first Second Lady in more than 150 years to give birth while in office. As they await the baby, here is what we know about the three Vance children.

US Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance and their children, at the Vatican. File photo/Reuters

Thats all from us this week. If you like to dive deep into the news, you will find more such explainers here.
Excessive caffeine consumption from energy drinks can raise the risk of stroke, heart rhythm disorders and dehydration, doctors warn, urging moderation and awareness of hidden stimulants.

A recent case in the United Kingdom where a 50-year-old man reportedly suffered a stroke after consuming eight energy drinks a day has renewed concerns among doctors over the underestimated dangers of excessive caffeine intake particularly from energy beverages.

Health experts warn that while caffeine is widely consumed for alertness and fatigue relief, heavy and prolonged intake, especially when combined with other stimulants and sugar can place severe stress on the heart and brain.

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How excessive caffeine strains the heart and blood vessels

Dr. Basavaraj S Kumbar, Consultant in Internal Medicine at Aster Whitefield Hospital said that large doses of caffeine can overwhelm the bodys ability to regulate blood pressure and heart rate.

According to him, high caffeine intake can trigger sudden spikes in blood pressure and pulse rate, placing acute strain on the cardiovascular system. In extreme cases, it can lead to irregular heart rhythms, narrowing of blood vessels, altered blood flow, and conditions that promote clot formation, all of which raise the risk of stroke.

Prolonged exposure to caffeine keeps the nervous system in a constant state of stimulation without allowing time for recovery, Dr. Kumbar said, adding that this continuous stress response can have cumulative effects on the heart and circulation.

Stress hormones, inflammation and long-term risk

Doctors also point to the role of caffeine in stimulating stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Dr. Kumbar said that regular excessive caffeine intake keeps the body locked in a persistent fight-or-flight state.

Over time, this hormonal imbalance can contribute to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and impaired regulation of blood vessels, creating conditions that increase the likelihood of cardiovascular events. Individuals with underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol are at particularly high risk.

Dehydration and sugar add to the danger

Another concern linked to heavy energy drink consumption is dehydration. Dr. Kumbar warned that caffeines stimulant effect can disrupt fluid balance, especially if energy drinks replace water in daily intake. Dehydration can thicken the blood, increasing the strain on blood vessels and elevating stroke risk.

He also highlighted the role of excessive sugar in energy drinks, which can damage blood vessels over time and compound cardiovascular risk.

Cardiology experts urge moderation

Dr. Sanjeeva Kumar Gupta, Consultant Cardiologist at the CK Birla Hospital (Delhi) said most health authorities recommend limiting caffeine intake to no more than 400 mg per day for healthy adults. Regularly exceeding this limit, particularly through energy drinks, can have serious consequences.

Dr. Gupta explained that excessive caffeine stimulates the release of adrenaline, raising heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, this strain may lead to irregular heartbeats and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke even in individuals without known heart disease.

He added that caffeine also narrows blood vessels supplying the brain. When combined with high blood pressure, reduced blood flow can raise the likelihood of blood clot formation and ischemic strokes.

Energy drinks, he noted, are particularly risky because they often contain additional stimulants such as taurine and guarana, which intensify caffeines effects.

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Effects on sleep, nerves and overall health

Beyond cardiovascular risks, excessive caffeine affects the nervous system, causing anxiety, restlessness, tremors, and sleep disturbances. Dr. Gupta pointed out that poor sleep can further worsen blood pressure control, metabolism, and heart health.

High caffeine intake may also lead to electrolyte imbalances, placing added stress on the body.

Doctors warned that caffeine tolerance varies widely between individuals. What seems manageable for one person may be dangerous for another, especially those with pre-existing heart conditions, high stress levels, or chronic lifestyle disorders.

While moderate caffeine consumption can be safe and even beneficial, experts stress that excessive intake particularly from energy drinks marketed as performance boosters carries real and potentially life-threatening risks.
From AI-powered smart glasses to anti-drone systems and sniper cover, Delhi has rolled out a high-tech, multi-layered security grid to safeguard Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path

The horses that lead the Presidents buggy can be seen warming up ahead of a Republic Day parade rehearsal, at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, January 21, 2026. Firstpost/Anmol Singla

As India prepares to celebrate the 77th Republic Day on January 26, authorities in Delhi have put in place one of the most technologically advanced and layered security operations ever seen for the event.

Security forces have ramped up patrols, surveillance and crowd checks across the city and the National Capital Region (NCR), aiming to ensure the celebrations at Kartavya Path are peaceful and incident-free.

Officials from the Delhi Police said comprehensive preparations include multiple checkpoints at key entry and exit points to the capital, increased vehicle checks and widespread monitoring of movement in and around the parade site.

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Cutting-edge tech meets traditional security

In a major shift from past practices, police will deploy AI-enabled smart glasses fitted with facial recognition and thermal imaging systems to strengthen surveillance.

The wearable technology can scan faces in crowded areas and compare them in real time with police databases, flagging known criminals or suspicious individuals. Selected personnel stationed along the parade route will use these glasses to detect potential threats quickly.

Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahala said the force is increasingly depending on technology-driven solutions to enhance public safety, integrating CCTV cameras, video analytics and the new smart glasses to improve threat detection, as per news agency, PTI.

VIDEO | Delhi Police has made elaborate, and robust security arrangements for Republic Day 2026, using the technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, under which, police personnel will be donning a wearable glass, with capability to identify movement of suspected persons. pic.twitter.com/QN7110Xg8o  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 21, 2026

Anti-drone units have also been deployed to monitor the airspace above high-profile areas, with unmanned aerial systems banned near sensitive zones to prevent misuse. Sniper teams are stationed on high-rise buildings, adding another layer to aerial security.

Also read | Who are Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, top EU officials and Republic Day chief guests?

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Behind the scenes: Verification and patrolling

Security officials are leaving no stone unturned. Authorities are conducting extensive verification drives of hotels, guest houses, tenants and domestic staff across New Delhi district to identify any possible risks. Verification and surveillance efforts extend to surrounding high-footfall areas such as bus stops, railway stations and markets.

Multi-agency coordination includes Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and intelligence units working together in command and control centres that monitor thousands of CCTV feeds across the city. Police have also urged the public to cooperate with checks and report any suspicious behaviour or objects.
Republic Day 2026 promises a parade like never before, featuring AI-led military displays, animal contingents, state tableaux, and a dedicated Indian cinema showcase, celebrating Indias culture, heritage, and modern defence capabilities on Kartavya Path

For the first time, Indian Armys animal contingent will march on Kartavya Path in the Republic Day Parade 2026.

As India gears up to celebrate its 77th Republic Day on January 26, the annual parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi promises to be one of the most striking in recent memory. This years celebrations are shaped by a mix of historic firsts, cultural showcases and powerful symbols of Indias progress.

For the first time ever, Indian cinema will have its own dedicated tableau, created by acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The special presentation honours cinema as a central part of Indias cultural identity, recognising its influence on storytelling and national consciousness.

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Military might and unique contingents

The parade will also reflect Indias evolving defence capabilities. Among the highlights is the debut of the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, a newly raised infantry unit with rapid-response capacity. Alongside them will be an animal contingent from the Remount and Veterinary Corps, featuring Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptors and Indian-breed Army dogs, a first for the parade that symbolises how animals contribute to defence operations in extreme terrains.

Also read | Exclusive | What it takes for the Presidents Bodyguard to ace the parade every Republic Day

These additions come as part of a broader effort to showcase not just traditional marching columns but also Indias modernised military and its strategic capabilities. The event will also include 30 tableaux from states, union territories and ministries.

Beyond military displays, this years parade carries deep cultural themes. The overarching theme for Republic Day 2026 celebrates 150 years of Vande Mataram, reflecting the enduring spirit of unity, courage and national pride expressed in art, music and public discourse. Videos, paintings, floral decorations and an unveiled banner dedicated to the theme will line the Kartavya Path.

Young performers and cultural artists are also stepping into the spotlight. For instance, a group of Kathak dancers from Nashik will perform during the parade.

In a nod to Indias growing international ties, top leaders from the European Unionincluding the presidents of the European Council and the European Commissionare set to attend as chief guests, adding diplomatic significance to the event.

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Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory ahead of the 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, announcing route diversions, road closures and vehicle restrictions across central Delhi, urging commuters to plan travel in advance to ensure smooth movement during the parade.

Col Amit Berwal, Commandant of the PBG, astride PBG horse Glorious, can be seen as the PBG escorts the President back to her residence after a rehearsal of the Republic Day parade, at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, January 21, 2026. Firstpost/Anmol Singla

As India gears up to celebrate its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, Delhi Police have issued a traffic advisory to ensure the smooth conduct of the parade, and other cultural events. Several routes will remain closed or face heavy restrictions, prompting commuters to plan their travel in advance.

Delhi Police taking to X shared the advisory, informing residents about the route diversion, restricted zones and alternate routes in place ahead of Republic Day.

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Why traffic rules are imposed

Several restrictions have been made as the nation witnesses one of the most significant events, marked by a ceremonial parade at Kartavya Path in the presence of top leaders and dignitaries and various spectators.

To ensure smooth functioning, the city police has imposed certain advisory to be implemented across central and adjoining parts of Delhi.

According to the advisory, vehicular movement will be regulated from the early hours of January 26, with several arterial roads either partially or completely closed.

Diversion of routes

To prevent any inappropriate activity and traffic congestion, limited or no vehicular movement on Kartavya Path and surrounding roads have been implemented.

Heavy vehicle movement is likely to be restricted during morning hours.

Parking restrictions near parade routes and security zones

People attending the event and other commuters are advised to follow the guidelines issued by Delhi Police. There has been vehicular restriction in Delhi as no HTV/MGV/LGV (except essential services) will be allowed to enter Delhi from 9 PM on January 25, 2026 until the Republic Day parade ends.

Entry of commercial vehicles into Delhi from Faridabad will remain prohibited during this period.

Metro rail services will start from 3 AM and continue at all stations.

Taking to X Delhi Police said, In view of Republic Day 2026 celebrations on January 26, certain traffic restrictions will be effective in Delhi. Commuters are requested to avoid the mentioned routes and plan their journey accordingly.

Traffic Advisory



In view of @republicday2026 Celebrations on January 26, 2026, certain traffic restrictions will be effective in Delhi.



Commuters are requested to avoid the mentioned routes and plan their journey accordingly.#DPTrafficAdvisory pic.twitter.com/xk5TkmlZfH  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) January 24, 2026

The advisory also includes a detailed map highlighting diverted routes, helping commuters plan their travel and ensuring smoother traffic movement.
The Republic Day 2026 ministry tableaux offer a vibrant look at how Indias key policies and development goals are being brought to life through art and storytelling. Each display transforms governance into a visual experience, highlighting reforms, innovation, and national progress. Firstpost goes behind the scenes of key tableaux.

The Republic Day 2026 ministry tableaux offer a vibrant look at how Indias key policies and development goals are being brought to life through art and storytelling. Each display transforms governance into a visual experience, highlighting reforms, innovation, and national progress.

Together, they create a panoramic snapshot of Indias growth journey as seen through the lens of its ministries. Firstpost maps the behind the scenes journey of key tableaux.

Ministry of Education

Central message of the tableau by Ministry of Education depicts National Education Policy 2020 as the rocket giving the much-needed acceleration to reforms in Indian school education system propelling the nation to Viksit Bharat 2047.

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Ministry of Education tableau. Firstpost.

Speaking to Firspost, Amarpreet Duggal, Joint Secretary, School Education said, This tableau honours Bharats eternal knowledge legacy from Arvabhatas pioneering Shunya to todays vibrant learners under the proud arch of PM SHRI School, embodying the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

At the front of the tableau, Aryabhata blesses children holding Shunya and a globe, symbolizing Indias contribution to the world as also the baton being passed to a future-ready generation, embracing a knowledge economy.

Children with VR headsets depict Ancient Roots. Jaadu Pitara highlights joyful, play and mother-tongue-based foundational learning with indigenous tovs and multilingual materials

Children planting sapling embody Mission LiFEs stewardship, while another learner hones her skills with tools. underscoring the centrality of skill education Tableaus center showcases experiential learning in arts, yoga, and sports, while a robotic hand fuses tradition with technology

Ministry of Panchayati Raj

The tableau of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj presents the transformative impact of the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme, launched in 2020 on National Panchayati Raj Day.

It shows how legal ownership of residential property in rural areas becomes the basis of security, dignity and self-reliance for citizens, Panchayats and the nation.

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A traditional toran at the entrance signifies prosperity, while prominently placed house keys represent lawful possession and empowerment through SVAMITVA. Children playing near the house reflect confidence, security and stronger family foundations enabled by Property Cards.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj tableaux. Firstpost.

Drone-based surveys are shown in a realistic electronic format, along with chuna marking and ground-level activities, highlighting accurate mapping and boundary demarcation. These elements convey the shift from unclear land records to authoritative digital property maps, supporting dispute resolution.

The tableau conveys a simple message. Secure ownership strengthens families, builds empowered Panchayats and contributes to an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

The Ministry of Information and Broadcastings Republic Day tableau, titled Bharat Gatha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti, presents a sweeping visual narrative of Indias civilisational evolution in storytelling, charting its journey from oral traditions to contemporary and emerging media forms.

The tableau is designed by filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the choreography is helmed by Kruti Mahesh.

Performing artists accompany the tableau, adding movement and continuity to the narrative. The theme aligns with the Ministry of Information and Broadcastings objective of positioning India as a global content hub, supported by WAVES 2025. The summit marked the Dawn of the Orange Economy, with international participation and business engagements.

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Ministry of Culture

The Ministry of Cultures tableau will depict  Vande Mataram  The Soul Cry of a Nation.

Ministry of Culture tableaux. Firstpost.

The Department of School Education and Literacy will highlight the National Education Policy 2020 and its role in advancing school education towards Viksit Bharat. The Ministry of AYUSH will present AYUSH ka Tantra, Swasthya ka Mantra.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

DRDO tableaux. Firstpost.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)s tableau significantly reflects Indias scientific and technological development. With the theme titled DRDO Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines  Sensor-to-Shooter Force Multiplier Capability, it features Indias indigenous mastery over complex submarine combat systems like the Integrated Combat Suite (ICS), Wired Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo, and Air Independent Propulsion (AIP).

Ministry of Ayush

The Ministry of Ayushs tableau embodies the theme Ayush ka Tantra, Swasthya ka Mantra, highlighting Indias traditional systems of medicine and integrating them into the national public health framework, in alignment with the theme of Aatmnirbhar Bharat.

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Ministry of Ayush tableaux. Firstpost.

The tableau shall feature 3D murals of Bharatiya therapies  Marma, Shirodhara, and Cupping  alongside Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Sowa-Rigpa, and Unani.
There is no better time of the year to visit Gujarats Rann of Kutch than in winter, with the surrounding places offering a rich blend of history, culture and fun

There is no better time of the year to visit Gujarats Rann of Kutch than the winter. The Rann Utsav is on till the first week of March. The tent city at Dhordo offers a brilliant microcosm of Kutchi culture, ranging from performing arts to cuisine, and its immediate vicinity provides great vistas for photography enthusiasts. However, visitors to the Utsav would be well-advised to grab this opportunity and explore a wider part of the Rann, especially its heritage sites.

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Dholavira (87 km east of Dhordo): This incredible Harappan site is the most prominent of numerous sites of that civilisation that exist in the Rann as well as one of the largest cities of that great period in our early history. With excavated remains spread over a vast area, the city is a great example of town planning and architecture.

An excavated tank at Dholavira

Importantly, in a region which has historically received sparse rainfall, Dholaviras water management system, seen in the form of large tanks and cisterns, is perhaps worth emulating by our town planners even today. The site has revealed as many as seven stages of cultural evolution, with the earliest going back to nearly 3000 BCE. In 2021, Dholavira achieved Unesco World Heritage status, putting it firmly on the global history buffs radar.

Mandvi (141 km south of Dhordo): Famous for its shipbuilding industry, Mandvi is an old port town that has drawn in merchants from West Asia and Africa for centuries. With a booming trade that involved precious stones, textiles and other merchandise, the wealth generated drew in artisans who contributed to the cultural landscape of Kutch.

The Vijay Vilas Palace at Mandvi

An architectural highlight is the Vijay Vilas Palace, dated to 1929. The striking, red sandstone Rajput-designed building gives glimpses of the last era of princely states of India and has also been seen in popular Bollywood flicks. Enjoy a quiet walk along the pristine beach near the palace where the wind speed feels incredible.

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Nirona (72 km south of Dhordo): The village is home to a family of award-winning artists which is the sole practitioner of an ancient Persian form of art. Called Rogan, which means oil-based, this arts process involves heating castor oil for nearly twelve hours and then casting it in cold water. The residue that results is called Rogan, and it is then mixed with stone pigments to make various colours.

The Tree of Life depicted in Rogan form by Nironas artisans

These colours then find application on cloth via a metal stick. The Tree of Life is a popular theme, as are other floral and geometric patterns. The material thus created has become a popular gift, having been announced to the world when it was presented by Prime Minister Modi to US President Obama.

Kutch Fossil Park (18 km west of Nirona): The year 1970 saw a soldier called Mohan Sinh Sodha find a starfish fossil in Kutch. He turned an accidental find into a passion, and his collection became the base of the fossil museum here. The collection now includes fossils of dinosaurs, reptiles, plants, marine life and minerals. There is also a fossil of a species of sea cow named Domninga Sodhae, in honour of the man who began the collection.

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Objects at the Kutch Fossil Park

Kotay (76 km south-east of Dhordo): The Sun Temple here gives a glimpse of the ancient temple architecture of the region. This 9th-century shrine has exquisite carvings on its exterior, depicting a range of divine figures, though there is much evidence of erosion.

The Sun Temple at Kotay

The icons within are damaged, including a barely identifiable plaque of the Sun God. Based on the fact that the temple entrance faces west  while other Sun Temples face east  there is a belief among scholars that this might have been a Shiva Temple originally.

Lakhpat (91 km west of Dhordo): The fort at Lakhpat, guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF), stands at the point where Kori Creek meets the Great Rann of Kutch. The place was once a prosperous port, and fortifications were added as recently as 1801. Among the personalities who embarked on journeys from this port was Guru Nanak himself, who camped here on his journey to and from Mecca. A gurudwara stands in memory of that event. Other spiritual figures also came here, and their tombs remain, such as the Ghaus Mohammad no Kubo.

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The road into Lakhpat Fort, along the sea

A tomb inside Lakhpat Fort

Lakhpats prosperity came to an end in 1819 when an earthquake raised a bank and shifted the flow of water westward. The port and town were both abandoned, but memories remain.

Koteshwar (37 km south-west of Lakhpat Fort): Located on the western tip of Indias landmass, the temple here is linked to a Ramayana legend. As the story goes, Ravana received a Shiva Linga after his rigorous penance to Lord Shiva, on the condition that he would not place it on the ground till he reached Lanka. Afraid that this would make him invincible, the gods tricked Ravana into placing it here. On trying to pick it up again, he saw ten million Lingas and carried home the wrong one. The original formed the basis of the Koteshwar Shiva Temple. The setting is balmy and close to the sea. It is said that on a clear day one can see the distant lights of Karachi from here.

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Beyond these places, a visitor can enjoy the charms of Bhuj, the largest city of Kutch. But before you sign off, make sure you spend some quiet moments at the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum, on the outskirts of Bhuj. Dedicated to the victims of the 2001 earthquake which devastated the region, it is a tribute to the resilient spirit of the Kutchi people who rebuilt their lives.

Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum

The place has a Miyawaki Forest with over three million plants. The museum is divided into seven educative blocks, each dedicated to an aspect of Kutchs evolution, the quake impact and subsequent re-emergence. Like the Rann itself, the Smritivan is an atmospheric place that deserves a visit.

(The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)

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Bangladesh risks becoming another case study  a nation that traded long-term sovereignty for short-term political consolidation. The Sino-Pakistani axis does not merely sell weapons or build dams; it exports a model of control, leverage, and quiet coercion

Muhammad Yunus may succeed in consolidating his power  but at the cost of Bangladeshs independent future. File image

Bangladesh is witnessing a silent but profound transformation  one that could redefine its future for decades. Under the stewardship of Muhammad Yunus, Dhaka is steadily drifting into the strategic embrace of China, with Pakistan acting as both intermediary and enabler. What is being presented as development cooperation and defence modernisation increasingly resembles a calculated power trap.

The warning signs are no longer subtle. US Ambassador Brent Christensens recent remarks about the risks of Chinese involvement struck a nerve not just in Beijing but in Dhaka as well. His comments came amid growing evidence that the Yunus administration is accelerating defence and infrastructure deals with China at an unprecedented scale.

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At the heart of this shift lies military cooperation. Bangladesh is exploring the acquisition of Chinese J-10C fighter jets while simultaneously negotiating with Pakistan for the JF-17 Thunder  another Chinese-backed platform. These are not short-term purchases. Such systems require long-term maintenance, training, software upgrades, and logistical support, effectively binding Bangladesh to Chinese and Pakistani defence ecosystems for generations.

Pakistans military has not attempted to hide these engagements. In official statements, Islamabad confirmed that Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held detailed discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Hasan Mahmood Khan, on expanding defence cooperation. These talks reportedly covered the potential sale of JF-17 jets as well as the fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, accompanied by a comprehensive training and long-term maintenance package.

Pakistan has openly marketed itself as a gateway for Chinese military hardware. Talks between the air force chiefs of Bangladesh and Pakistan have already covered not only fighter jets but also Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a promise of fast delivery and embedded training structures. This is strategic dependency by design.

Pakistan has also Bangladesh of the fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Chinas ambitions extend well beyond the military domain. The proposed Teesta River Master Plan, which Beijing wants to commence immediately, has raised alarm due to its scale, opacity, and strategic geography. The fact that this proposal was announced near the Siliguri Corridor, in the presence of Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, underscores Chinas intent to entrench itself in sensitive border-adjacent regions.

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Meanwhile, Beijing harshly reacted to China-related remarks by the US Ambassador to Bangladesh on January 22, urging the US side to be more aware of its responsibilities and focus more on actions that are conducive to Bangladeshs stability as well as the development and cooperation in the region.

A spokesperson at the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, referring to Ambassador Christensens comments, stated, Such remarks by the US Ambassador to Bangladesh are irresponsible and utterly unfounded.

The spokesperson said they confuse right and wrong and are completely out of ulterior motives.

The Chinese Embassys unusually aggressive response to Ambassador Christensens comments revealed more than indignation  it exposed anxiety. When a foreign mission reacts with such hostility, it often signals that something important is at stake. In this case, it is Beijings rapidly expanding influence over Bangladeshs strategic decision-making.

During his confirmation hearing before the US Senate, Ambassador Christensen acknowledged precisely these risks. Responding to Senator Pete Rickettss warning that the sale of Chinese fighter jets would bind Bangladesh to Beijings defence industry for decades, Christensen agreed that such a move would carry lasting strategic consequences. He pledged that, if confirmed, he would clearly articulate the dangers of Chinese military dependency while also highlighting the tangible benefits of closer military-to-military cooperation with the United States.

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The timing is critical. Yunus is pushing for a February 12 referendum alongside national elections, a move widely seen as an attempt to legitimise and consolidate his authority. Once cemented, this political control could allow him to pursue deeper alignment with China and Pakistan without meaningful domestic resistance.

Washington, for its part, faces an uphill battle. Yunuss long-known hostility toward Donald Trump and his close ties with the Clinton and Soros networks complicate any effort by the US to exert pressure or offer alternatives. Unlike previous Bangladeshi leaders who balanced relationships across power blocs, Yunus appears ideologically inclined toward distancing Dhaka from a Trump-influenced Washington.

The danger lies not only in foreign influence but also in the erosion of strategic autonomy. Countries that enter Chinese defence and infrastructure arrangements often discover too late that exit costs are prohibitive. Debt, dependence, and diplomatic alignment follow almost inevitably.

Bangladesh risks becoming another case study  a nation that traded long-term sovereignty for short-term political consolidation. The Sino-Pakistani axis does not merely sell weapons or build dams; it exports a model of control, leverage, and quiet coercion.

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As the referendum approaches and agreements multiply, the question is no longer whether Bangladesh is drifting eastward, but whether it will soon be unable to turn back. History shows that such alignments rarely end on favourable terms for smaller states. If this trajectory continues, Muhammad Yunus may succeed in consolidating his power  but at the cost of Bangladeshs independent future.

(Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is an award-winning journalist, writer, and Editor of the newspaper Blitz. He specialises in counterterrorism and regional geopolitics. Follow him on X: @Salah_Shoaib. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Europes response to a rattled global order and the fracture in transatlantic ties has been clear, coherent, and deliberate: diversify risk, deepen partnerships. India sits at the apex of that strategy

India and the EU are likely to conclude trade talks on Tuesday, January 27, with the timing highly symboliccoinciding with Indias Republic Day celebrations and amid strained Europe-US relations. File Image/Reuters

For decades, Europes relationship with India was, if not chilly, then certainly comfortable in its polite vagueness. Decently robust trade, occasional strategic alignment, but no urgency. This Davos was different. At the prestigious World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps, where every handshake and keynote gets scrutinised by markets and ministries alike, the European Unions top leadership didnt just talk about India. They declared urgency.

Ursula von der Leyen didnt even attempt to sugarcoat it. Europe is racing to finalise a historic free trade agreement with India. The deal could encompass nearly two billion people and a quarter of global GDP  not just a headline number, but a statement of intent made by von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission.

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Some might dismiss Davos as a cocktail party with awkward PowerPoint decks. However, when the EU president uses a global stage to say, Geopolitical shocks make it necessary to build a new European independence, its not spin. It is policy. And the reasons run far deeper than simply expanding trade.

First, lets talk context. The global order is rattled. This years Davos had an uncommon theme: fracture. Former Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that the era of a rules-based international order may be ending, urging middle powers to work together in a world dominated by great-power rivalry. Thats not just Davos rhetoric; it is a recognition that the geopolitical tectonic plates are grinding.

The clearest symptom of this shift is the rising transactionalism of US policy. Recent tariff threats from Washington, including punitive duties targeted at European goods tied to the Greenland problem, have rattled EU markets and pushed leaders to contemplate using anti-coercion trade instruments against the US. In other words, the EU can no longer assume the US will be a stable partner in trade and security. When your oldest ally starts wielding tariffs like a hammer, you ask yourself if you need more than one cornerstone.

Europes response has been pretty neat, clean, and clear: diversify risk, deepen partnerships. And India sits at the apex of that strategy.

The idea of the EU-India FTA is nothing new; in fact, its been almost exasperating. The EU and India have been negotiating a free trade agreement for nearly two decades, an on-again, off-again limbo since talks began in 2007. At Davos, von der Leyen signalled that the long-stalled pact is close to its denouement, with leaders from both sides preparing to finalise it imminently. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce, has already described it as the mother of all deals, emphasising its potential scale and impact.

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This is not a small agreement. It promises to liberalise goods and services trade, eliminate barriers, and deepen investment ties, promising export growth, supply chain resilience, and long-term capital flows into India. But the geopolitical subtext is more compelling than the tariff lines on a graph.

Europes exporters, from machinery to chemicals, have been squeezed by global volatility. Suddenly, a stable partner with growth potential and a burgeoning market is not just desirable; its strategic.

Also, theres the China factor. Theres no diplomatic euphemism needed here. Chinas assertive economic and strategic posture looms large over Europes policy choices. Beijings growing clout as a trading partner, high-tech power, and geopolitical dominator has made Europe acutely aware of single-market dependencies in critical sectors. Asian supply chains are efficient but also vulnerable if geopolitics turns sharp. Diversifying without decoupling becomes the only sane middle path.

India checks multiple boxes in this equation. As a democratic giant with a young workforce, substantial manufacturing ambition, and rising technological capabilities, India offers an alternative supply-chain node that aligns with Europes values and interests. The partnership isnt about shunning China but seems to be more about hedging risk.

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Whats striking about this phase of EU-India engagement is how its spilling out of purely economic domains. In Davos and in related diplomatic channels, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas confirmed plans to advance a fresh security and defence partnership with India, a collaboration that goes beyond joint statements to signal real geopolitical cooperation.

The European Union, traditionally a soft-power actor with modest military coordination, is now openly exploring defence ties with a non-Nato, non-Western bloc partner. Thats not incremental; it may be read as acknowledgement that power politics matter again.

Across the Indo-Pacific, where sea lanes and trade routes are vital, Europe and India share concerns about freedom of navigation, maritime security, and an open regional order. Indias Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative dovetails with Europes vision for an inclusive, rules-based regional architecture. By aligning strategic dots, the EU is signalling its ready to invest not just capital but credibility in a partner whose footprint is growing both in Africa and Asia.

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Now, coming to Davos: World Economic Forum gatherings are often dismissed as elites talking to elites. But Davos is where geopolitics and global capital meet, and in 2026, those conversations were underscored by a shared anxiety about fragmentationnot merely economic slowdown. European leaders used the platform to broadcast a message: Europe wants partnerships built for resilience, not nostalgia.

Von der Leyens framing, that geopolitical shocks can and must be an opportunity for Europe, wasnt simply a rally for technocrats; it was strategy.

And, of course, the timing is highly symbolic. She is set to visit India immediately after Davos and to be the chief guest at Indias Republic Day celebrations, a ceremonial honour with deep diplomatic signalling. That sequenceannounce momentum in Davos, concretise it in New Delhitells global markets and governments that this partnership is real and urgent.

(The author is a freelance journalist and features writer based out of Delhi. Her main areas of focus are politics, social issues, climate change and lifestyle-related topics. 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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Neither the Gaza conflict nor any externally driven peace architecture alters the foundational logic of India-Israel cooperation, which rests on capability, reliability, and shared security experiences rather than ideological alignment

US President Donald Trump has begun rallying international support for what is being described as a Board of Peace aimed at rebuilding Gaza, a proposal that carries clear undertones of bypassing existing multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations, a concern that France has already flagged.

The structure of the initiative is raising eyebrows, with provisions such as a reported one-billion-dollar financial commitment merely to participate, blurring the line between post-conflict reconstruction and an exclusive geopolitical club. This also makes the participation of states like Pakistan particularly difficult to explain. The initiatives design, funding model, and implied hierarchy of participation suggest that it is as much about reshaping influence in West Asia as it is about rebuilding Gaza.

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Against this backdrop, Indias measured and cautious approach deserves careful note. New Delhi has neither rushed to endorse the proposal nor dismissed it out of hand, choosing instead to deliberate on its implications with characteristic strategic restraint. On the positive side, a genuinely transparent reconstruction framework could help alleviate humanitarian suffering in Gaza, stabilise the region, and reduce the space for extremist groups to exploit despair and chaos.

However, the risks are equally substantial. Any mechanism that sidelines the UN risks weakening already fragile international norms, while pouring money into reconstruction without first addressing terror infrastructure and governance failures risks repeating the very cycle that led to devastation in the first place.

For India, the central question is not whether Gaza should be rebuilt, but whether such rebuilding can occur without legitimising militant actors, diluting international law, or setting precedents that privilege pay-to-play diplomacy over inclusive multilateralism. Indias refusal to be swept up by optics, and its insistence on weighing both humanitarian outcomes and long-term security consequences, reflect the maturity of a state that understands that peace cannot be engineered through chequebooks alone.

It is also important to view the proposed Board of Peace for Gaza for what it essentially is: an exercise in transactional conflict management rather than a moral or civilisational blueprint for lasting peace. Indias careful deliberation is therefore neither hesitation nor ambiguity but a function of its growing responsibilities on the global stage.

As an emerging voice of the Global South, India cannot afford impulsive alignment with frameworks that privilege power and payment over legitimacy and inclusivity. At the same time, New Delhi has consistently supported a two-state solution, even while maintaining strong and substantive ties with Israel across defence, intelligence, technology, and counter-terrorism.

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These positions are not contradictory; they reflect strategic autonomy rather than ideological rigidity. It must also be noted that IndiaIsrael relations are not contingent on President Trump, Gaza, or any single conflict cycle. They are rooted in long-term convergence of security interests and mutual trust, and no short-lived diplomatic construct, however ambitious, is likely to alter that underlying reality.

At its core, the IndiaIsrael relationship is more of a pragmatic state-to-state partnership than merely an ideological alliance shaped by transient political moods. It is built on concrete and mutually reinforcing domains: defence cooperation, counter-terrorism coordination, intelligence sharing, agriculture and irrigation technologies, water management, cyber security, and innovation-driven collaboration. These ties have evolved through successive governments on both sides and are anchored in institutional depth rather than political personalities.

Crucially, this partnership predates President Trump, will outlast his political cycle, and has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience amid regional turbulence and shifting diplomatic currents. In that sense, neither the Gaza conflict nor any externally driven peace architecture alters the foundational logic of India-Israel cooperation, which rests on capability, reliability, and shared security experiences rather than ideological alignment.

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Any discussion on rebuilding Gaza must also acknowledge an uncomfortable but unavoidable reality: reconstruction does not negate Israels security logic. Physical infrastructure can be rebuilt, but the ideological and organisational ecosystem that produced Hamas cannot be wished away through development funds or administrative boards.

The events of October 7 were not the product of economic deprivation alone but of a deeply entrenched jihadist worldview that glorifies violence and civilian massacre as legitimate political tools. To pretend that reconstruction, in isolation, can neutralise such forces is to repeat a dangerous fallacy that has already failed multiple times in the region. Peace initiatives that do not confront the persistence of terror networks risk becoming revolving doors, rebuilding what extremists will once again weaponise.

States that have themselves been victims of sustained asymmetric warfare understand this instinctively, and India is one such country. For New Delhi, security is not an abstract talking point but a lived experience shaped by decades of cross-border terrorism and ideological violence. It is precisely this experience that informs Indias scepticism toward frameworks that prioritise optics over hard security guarantees.

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A security-first approach does not preclude humanitarian concern; it recognises that humanitarian outcomes cannot be sustained without dismantling the ideological and operational foundations of terror. In this sense, Indias reading of Gaza is neither cynical nor callous but grounded in realism born of history, where peace without security has consistently proven to be a temporary illusion.

India also brings to the table a set of hard-earned insights that are far more consequential than financial pledges alone. Over the past few decades, New Delhi has confronted jihadist ideology within its own borders through a calibrated mix of intelligence-led operations, disruption of terror financing, narrative correction, and institutional reform.

The emphasis has not merely been on kinetic responses but on dismantling recruitment pipelines, cutting ideological oxygen, and restoring the credibility of the state in regions long vulnerable to radicalisation. This approach, grounded in experience rather than theory, has yielded measurable results, with sharp declines in local recruitment and terror incidents in areas once considered perpetual flashpoints.

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Kashmir itself stands as a case in point. A Gaza-like spiral of perpetual violence was not inevitable, but it was a real and present risk. That outcome is being averted through a deliberate combination of tact and firmness, ideological pushback against extremist narratives, administrative empathy, and economic incentives aimed at restoring normalcy and opportunity. Investments in infrastructure, tourism, local governance, and employment have worked in tandem with security measures to undercut the appeal of militancy, while sustained political engagement has sought to reintegrate alienated populations into civic life.

This multidimensional approach recognises that ideology cannot be bombed out of existence, nor can stability be purchased overnight. If the objective is to prevent Gaza from becoming a recurring tragedy, these lessons, forged through lived experience, are likely to prove far more valuable than any billion-dollar cheque written without a corresponding strategy.

Ultimately, President Trumps proposed Gaza board, even if it moves from conception to implementation, does not alter the fundamental realities shaping the region. It does not change Israels core security imperatives, forged by repeated exposure to existential threats and asymmetric warfare. It does not dilute Indias counter-terror worldview, shaped by decades of confronting jihadist violence and its enabling ecosystems. Nor does it weaken the underlying logic of cooperation between two states that have been persistently targeted not by conventional armies, but by ideologically driven non-state actors operating beyond the norms of war.

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Diplomatic frameworks and reconstruction initiatives may offer temporary pathways to stability, but they cannot substitute for hard-earned strategic understanding. Peace initiatives may come and go, but partnerships rooted in capability, trust, and lived experience endure.

(The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Apple posted its strongest year ever in India as iPhone shipments surged in 2025, lifting its market share to a record 9% from 7% in 2024, according to Counterpoint.

Apple posted record-breaking sales in India, marking its strongest year in the country, driven by the launch of the iPhone 17 series, which fuelled a surge in demand nationwide.

According to a report, market data reveals that the Cupertino-based tech giants shipments in the country grew significantly in 2025, helping it expand market share in what is now the worlds second-largest smartphone market by volume.

Apple shipped at least 152 million units in India, making it the largest smartphone market.

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Citing market data from market intelligence firm Counterpoint Research, TechCrunch reports that Apples iPhone shipments in India rose sharply in 2025, driving its market share to a record 9 per cent, up from about 7 per cent in 2024.

This marks the best annual performance for any smartphone in India till date. With higher export in India, one more Apple store opened in Noida, seeing skyrocketing sales.

Industry analysts reportedly attribute this growth to several factors, including an expanded product portfolio that spans from the latest iPhone 17 series to last years iPhone 16 series and the non-flagship iPhone 16e.

Meanwhile, the data shows that Indias overall smartphone shipments remained flat at around 152153 million units in 2025.

According to the IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the tech giant has produced a new switch of shipping made in India iPhone models worth $50 billion in total.

The company managed to export about $16 billion worth of iPhone models in the first nine months of FY26 alone, taking total shipments to $50 billion since FY22.
Accenture CEO Julie Sweet, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, underscored the importance of AI and said company leaders must take the lead in training employees and demonstrating how AI tools work.

Accenture CEO Julie Sweet in a recent interview shared an example of how other companies leaders can learn from her approach to train employees in the AI sector and how to use AI tools effectively.

She emphasised that company leaders should be able to tell within three years whether their company offers different services and insights enabled by AI, emphasising that this requires leaders first deeply understand AI.

Sweet also stressed if the leaders do not completely understand AI and its integration, they cannot lead the company and instruct their employees. She explained that leader-based learning has become a prominent part of our living, followed by bringing all employees along in the process.

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Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, to Bloomberg Sweet said, If leaders dont understand AI, they cant lead the company through the changes. In three years, you should be able to say, My company has different services and has different insights. That requires a depth of learning from leaders first, and then you have to bring everybody along the way. So leader-led learning is absolutely critical.

Sweet warned the employees that AI has been an effective tool and should be used in an efficient manner and with proper understanding.

Its also critical for regulators and regulated industries: if regulators block AI, they wont be able

to scale or succeed. So governments, non-profits and companies all need leader-led learning and then a strategy to bring all of our people along, she added.

When asked about a concrete example to greet the audience and clear their vision, Sweet replied, Well, one of my clients told me that, until they had their 300 leaders touch keyboards and see what AI could do, they couldnt get moving. Thats a very tangible example."

Thats the first thing we did way back after November 2022; most of the training was actually for our top 50 leaders who actually got their hands dirty, understanding it, and thats what we mean by leader-led learning. And once you have that, it unlocks the possibilities of what it really means that its going to change everything, she said.

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Julie made it clear to the audience that use of AI and its negative impacts can hamper the companys portfolio and profile. Managers and leaders should keep in mind its accessibility and feasibility.
Infosys launched a survey and asked their employees to share the electricity consumption data with the company for those who are working from home. The data collected will set off the impact through a cleaner energy output as part of the IT services giant has pursued for over 15 years.

Infosys asked their employees to share the electricity consumption data with the company for those who are working from home.

Infosys has asked their employees to share the electricity consumption data with the company for those who are working from home. As a part of the companys hybrid setup employees spend most of their time working from home and are required to be in the office for at least 10 days a month.

The data collected will set off the impact through a cleaner energy output as part of the IT services giant has pursued for over 15 years.

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As reported by Economic Times, the email sent to employees Jayesh Sanghrajka, Infosys chief financial officer (CFO), announced that the company has launched a work-from-home electricity consumption survey and asked the employees to attend the questions asked in the survey.

Mail sent from companys CFO

In the mail the CFO quoted, With hybrid work becoming an integral part of our operations, the environmental impact of our work increasingly extends beyond our campuses and into our homes. Electricity consumed while working from home also contributes towards Infosysgreenhouse gas emission footprint. As we seek to enhance and update our reporting methodology, obtaining accurate data on current work-from-home energy usage is essential to our ongoing efforts..

He also emphasised that the data would help the company to receive input and measure the impact more properly and effectively.

The Bengaluru-based software company, which has more than 300,000 employees, said it views sustainability not as a goal but as a shared responsibility. Sanghrajka said the company has shown its commitment through achievements.

ET reported that the company raises awareness about renewable energy and energy conservation to adopt energy-efficiency measures at home.

Energy-efficiency measures

The company has also asked the employees to adopt energy-efficiency measures at home. The questions asked the use of electrical appliances, fans, AC, heaters, and the wattage of lights, and whether they use solar power at home.

The survey also asked employees to share ideas on saving electricity, if someone has implemented that at home.

This was done through a work-from-home electricity consumption survey to calculate electricity consumption from lighting, fans, computers, air conditioning, and other devices while employees work from home.
Iranian authorities signalled a possible restoration of internet services within days after weeks of nationwide blackout during mass protests, as officials warned prolonged shutdowns risk deepening public anger amid a deadly security crackdown.

The head of Irans telecoms company told local media on Saturday that internet service would be restored today or tomorrow, the Fars news agency reported.

It also reported that the Supreme National Security Council had on Friday night approved the access to Internet connectivity and notified the communications ministry.

God willing, this issue will be resolved today or tomorrow, Behzad Akbari, chief executive of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Company, was quoted as saying by Fars.

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Under the cover of intense blackout in Iran, following the massive protests, Iranian authorities have launched a deadly crackdown on protesters, with rights groups documenting the death of thousands and the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights saying the final figure could top 25,000.

The officials have rolled out the death toll at 3,117, including 2,427 it has labelled martyrs. There has been efforts to restore internet facilities in the country as on Sunday, Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of President Masoud Pezeshkian and a government adviser, called for connectivity to be restored.

He said keeping the internet shut will create dissatisfaction and widen the gap between the people and the government.

This means those who were not and are not dissatisfied will be added to the list of the dissatisfied, he wrote in a Telegram post.

The internet facilities in Iran were cut off on January 8 during major protests that were sweeping across the country against the government rule signalling economic hardships.

Fars reported a brief resumption of international internet access which was cut off again after about 30 minutes.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to visit India in mid-February to take part in the AI Impact Summit, 2026. The Summit will witness the participation from top tech and AI leaders globally.

OpenAIs CEO Sam Altman is reportedly planning to visit India in mid-February, marking his first visit to the country in nearly a year, according to TechCrunch. His visit coincides with the AI Impact Summit, 2026 which India is hosting in the capital city New Delhi which is scheduled for February 16-20.

The Summit will witness the participation from top tech and AI leaders across the world, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis, Metas chief AI officer Alexandr Wang and more alongside key Indian business figures like Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, per the summits website.

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According to the report by TechCrunch Altman is not listed as a confirmed leader attending the Summit, but OpenAI is separately planning to host closed-door meetings on the sidelines of the summit in New Delhi, where Altman is expected to be present.

More from Tech AI at work: Why its helping the boss more than the rest of us

Importance of global AI firms

Meanwhile, Anthropic is hosting a developers day in Bengaluru on February 16, the report said and Nvidia is also set to hold an evening event in New Delhi during the summit week.

The events will underscore the importance of global AI firms and their engagement in Indias enterprise customers, startup ecosystem, and developer community.

India, the key growth for American AI companies

Recently, the world tech and AI leaders gathered in The World Economic Forum in Davos, where they are discussing the importance of AI and how it will affect the human race.

Altmans visit also comes as India has emerged as a key growth market for American AI companies.

In recent months, Anthropic announced an office in Bengaluru and named former Microsoft India managing director Irina Ghose as its local head, while Google and Perplexity have struck partnerships with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, respectively, to bundle premium AI subscriptions for millions of telecom users.

Focus on India

OpenAI has been focusing to expand its presence in India, as the users in India are millions making it an active user country as ChatGPT recently made it free for Indians to witness free Go membership for one year.

The company has been hiring in India for enterprise sales, technical deployment, and legal roles focused on AI regulation, listing openings in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

OpenAI is also looking at India as a potential base for infrastructure expansion, the sources said. Last year, major tech giants Google and Microsoft announced multibillion-dollar investments in India in order to expand their AI technology.

The Indian government is hopeful that the upcoming summit will cement Indias status as a destination for large-scale AI investment.

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A leaked audio of Venezuelas Vice President Delcy Rodriguez claims U.S. forces issued a deadly ultimatum after Nicolas Maduros capture, offering rare insight into the chaos, fear and political calculations inside the countrys leadership during a critical moment

A newly leaked audio recording has shed dramatic light on the chaotic period following the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces in early January. In the clip, Delcy Rodriguez, who was vice president at the time and now serves as Venezuelas interim president, claims that US troops gave her and other senior officials an ultimatum in the immediate aftermath of the operation. They gave us 15 minutes to respond, or they would kill us, Rodriguez says in the audio of a meeting held about a week after Maduros capture.

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The audio, which local journalists first reported and which has circulated online, appears to show high-ranking Venezuelan leaders scrambling to assert control of the narrative following one of the most explosive episodes in the countrys recent history.

Threats from the first minute

In the recording, Rodriguez says the threats from US forces began from the very first minute they kidnapped the president. She names fellow officials Diosdado Cabello and her brother Jorge Rodriguezboth powerful figures in Venezuelan politicsas those who were told they had to decide quickly whether to accede to Washingtons demands.

Rodriguez also claimed that US forces initially told them that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been killed, not captured. We were ready to share the same fate, she says, before outlining her beliefs about the constant pressure and blackmail faced by the leadership in the wake of the operation.

Also read | Delcy Rodriguez reorganises govt with handpicked allies in top roles

In the leaked meeting, Rodriguez describes her priorities as to preserve peace  to rescue our hostages  and to preserve political power. She characterises the situation as one of intense uncertainty, where urgent decisions had to be made quickly under pressure.

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The recording, reportedly obtained by Venezuelan news collective La Hora de Venezuela, shows the fears within the regime about being portrayed as traitors for cooperating with the US, and the broader challenge of maintaining unity among Chavez-era stalwarts. Firstpost could not independently verifiy the audios authenticity.
A 23-year-old Hindu man, Chanchal Bhowmik, was burnt to death in Narsingdi, Bangladesh. His family alleges it was a premeditated attack, sparking outrage among locals and raising concerns over the safety of minority communities

Security personnel try to stop Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists along with others during a protest march near the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 23, 2025, to condemn the killing of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das. On December 18, angry mobs in the majority Muslim nation of Bangladesh's capital of Dhaka attacked the offices of Prothom Alo and the Daily Star, torching parts of the buildings and vandalising the premises of the two publications caught up in surging anti-India sentiment in the wake of popular student leader Sharif Osman Hadi's death. The violence also saw Hindu garment worker Das killed following allegations of blasphemy. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)

In Bangladeshs Narsingdi district, a 23yearold Hindu man has been killed in a fire that his family says was a planned attack, reigniting fears among the countrys minority communities. The victim, Chanchal Bhowmik, was found burned to death in a garage late on the night of January 23, with relatives and locals alleging the blaze was set deliberately to kill him while he was sleeping.

Police have taken evidence and CCTV footage from the scene as part of their investigation, but so far no arrests have been announced, authorities said.

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According to eyewitnesses and local residents, Bhowmik, originally from Lakshmipur village in Cumilla district, was working and sleeping in the garage where he stayed as part of his job. Late on Friday night, unidentified individuals allegedly poured petrol on the shutter from outside and set it alight, causing flames to quickly spread through the building.

CCTV video related to the killing reportedly shows a person igniting the fire outside the garage before the blaze engulfed the structure. Residents alerted the fire service, but it took nearly an hour to bring the fire under control. Once the flames were extinguished, firefighters recovered Bhowmiks charred body.

Family and community reaction

Family members and neighbours described Bhowmik as a quiet, honest young man with no known enemies, saying he had been the sole breadwinner for his household, which includes his ailing mother and siblings, according to CNN-News18.

His family has termed the incident a premeditated murder and urged authorities to quickly identify and arrest the perpetrators. Leaders within the local Hindu community also condemned the attack and called for stronger protection for minority groups across the country.

This killing follows a series of violent incidents targeting members of Bangladeshs Hindu minority over recent months and weeks.
A newly installed Buddha statue at a disputed Thailand-Cambodia border site has reignited tensions, after Thai forces earlier removed a Hindu deitys statue from the same spot, drawing protests from Cambodia and reviving concerns over fragile ceasefire efforts

The Vishnu statue situated at a disputed spot near the Thailand-Cambodia border, and demolished a few weeks ago, now has a Buddha staue in its place. (X)

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared up again after a large Buddha statue was installed in a disputed border area, the same location where a statue of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu was recently demolished by Thai forces.

Bangkoks Army says the new statue was erected to uplift local morale and reflects religious freedom, but Phnom Penh has criticised the move as inconsistent with peace efforts following deadly clashes in December.

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The contested zone, known to Thais as An Ma and to Cambodians as An Ses, is part of a long-standing territorial dispute dating back to colonial-era boundary lines.

Contested symbolism and accusations

Cambodian authorities protested the Buddha statue installation, saying it breaches the spirit of recently agreed ceasefire and de-escalation measures. Phnom Penhs Ministry of Cults and Religion said the act violated Cambodias sovereignty and international norms, accusing Thailand of inconsistent behaviour after a truce that was meant to calm tensions.

Bangkoks Army, however, rejected those claims and accused Cambodia of distortions. In a statement, the Thai military said the placement of the Buddha statue was not intended to insult or undermine the beliefs of any party. It added the installation was conducted within the framework of religious freedom and belief, and was meant to boost morale among Thai citizens in the area.

Both Thailand and Cambodia are predominantly Buddhist nations, but the row over these statuesfirst Hindu, now Buddhistshow how religious symbols have taken on deeper geopolitical meaning in a broader dispute over territory and control.

Roots of the border dispute

The long conflict dates back to disagreements over the precise demarcation of an 800-kilometre (500-mile) border left over from colonial rule. Fighting in late 2025, the worst in years, left scores dead and prompted international calls for restraint. Cambodia has since accused Thailand of seizing additional areas near the border and demanded the withdrawal of Thai troops from contested zones.

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Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has voiced concern after two Pakistani human rights lawyers were sentenced to 17 years in prison over social media posts. Rights groups warn the verdict reflects shrinking space for free expression in the country

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai spoke out this week about human rights and tolerance, tweeting that Hatred and violence are our common enemies, not each other. Her message comes after Pakistan delivered a harsh verdict against two human rights lawyers, Zainab Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, over social media activity.

It is deeply disturbing to me that women and civil society activists in Pakistan can be arrested and sentenced to more than ten years in prison over social media posts. This is a violation of fundamental human rights and a clear departure from our Founders vision.



I stand with  Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) January 25, 2026

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Whats the case?

Judge Afzal Majoka delivered the verdict a day after Zainab Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha were arrested in Islamabad, according to court records.

The couple appeared briefly via video link but boycotted the hearing, prompting the court to conclude the trial and issue its ruling. Family and friends condemned the decision, while the couple denied all the charges.

The verdict noted that Mazari had posted multiple tweets in recent years that portrayed the agenda of the banned Baloch separatist group and the Pakistani Taliban.

The case originated from a complaint filed in August 2025 with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, which alleged that the couple used social media to defame the state and its security institutions. They were formally indicted in October and had repeatedly refused to appear in court.

In his ruling, the judge cited the complaint, stating that Mazari consistently disseminated highly offensive, misleading and anti-state contents on social media, with the active connivance of her husband.

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The verdict added that Mazaris tweets are replete with false and misleading narratives against state institutions, constituting offences under the PECA  the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act passed last year to curb disinformation and hate speech.

The prosecution also accused Mazari of spreading a narrative that aligned with hostile terrorist groups and proscribed organizations and individuals.

Judge Majoka concluded, The overall conduct of both accused unmistakably reflects a deliberate, wilful and persistent strategy aimed at derailing, delaying and obstructing the trial process. In short, the accused have undermined the dignity of the court, wilfully obstructed due process, and systematically sabotaged the administration of justice.

Also read | Malala Yousafzai opens up on flashbacks to Taliban shooting after smoking bong at Oxford

Human rights concerns

The sentencing has drawn criticism from rights groups. Amnesty International described it as part of a sustained campaign of judicial harassment and intimidation by the Pakistani authorities and urged the lawyers release. Observers say the case reflects a pattern of shrinking space for dissent in Pakistan, where journalists, activists, and lawyers face increasing legal pressure for expressing critical views.

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Mazari and Chattha were known for representing political prisoners, journalists, and civil society figures, often putting them at odds with state institutions.
Ukraine and Russia ended a second day of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi without a deal to end the war, as Russian strikes cut power to over a million Ukrainians. Both sides agreed to continue negotiations next weekend, focusing on security and territorial issues

[1/6] The members of delegations participating in the UAE hosted trilateral talks between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine, Director of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kirill Budanov, United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov and Jared Kushner attend a meeting at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi. (Reuters)

Dialogues are set to continue after Ukraine and Russia ended a second day of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi without a deal. Both sides agreed to meet again next weekend. The talks showed no sign of progress amid overnight Russian airstrikes that left more than a million Ukrainians without power in subzero conditions. Despite the stalemate, both delegations said they remained open to further negotiations.

The central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war, President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy wrote on X after the meeting.

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A US official, speaking to reporters immediately after the talks, said more discussions were expected next Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

We saw a lot of respect in the room between the parties because they were really looking to find solutions, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

We got to real granular detail and (we feel) that next Sunday will be, God willing, another meeting where we push this deal towards its final culmination.

A UAE government spokesperson said there was face-to-face engagement between Ukraine and Russia  rare in the almost four-year-old war triggered by a full-scale Russian invasion  and that negotiators addressed outstanding elements of Washingtons peace framework.

Looking beyond next weeks negotiations in Abu Dhabi, the US official expressed hope for further meetings, possibly in Moscow or Kyiv.

Those sorts of meetings have to happen, in our view, before we get a bilateral between (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and Zelenskiyy, or a trilateral with Putin, Zelenskiyy and President Trump. But I dont think were so far away from that, the official said.

Strikes hit Kyiv and Kharkiv before talks resumed

The bombardment of Ukraines capital, Kyiv, and its second-largest city, Kharkiv, by hundreds of Russian drones and missiles led Foreign Minister Andrii Sybihawho was not present at the talksto accuse Putin of acting cynically.

This barbaric attack once again proves that Putins place is not at (US President Donald Trumps) Board of Peace, but in the dock of the special tribunal, Sybiha wrote on X.

His missiles hit not only our people, but also the negotiation table.

The UAE statement said the discussions took place in a constructive and positive atmosphere and included consideration of confidence-building measures.

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Kyiv is under increasing pressure from the Trump administration to make concessions in order to reach an agreement to end Europes deadliest and most destructive conflict since World War Two.

US peace envoy Steve Witkoff said at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos this week that significant progress had been made in the talks and only one sticking point remained, while Russian officials have sounded more sceptical.

Security proposals and territorial demands in focus

After Saturdays talks, Zelenskiyy said the US delegation had raised the issue of potential formats for formalising the parameters for ending the war, as well as the security conditions required to achieve this.

The US official said the proposed security protocols were widely viewed as very, very strong.

The Ukrainians and many of the national security advisors of all the European countries have reviewed these security protocols. And to a person, and this includes NATO, including (NATO Secretary General) Mark Rutte, they have expressed the fact that theyve never seen security protocols this robust, the official said.

Ahead of the discussions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia had not dropped its demand that Ukraine yield all of its eastern area of Donbas, the industrial heartland comprising the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

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Minneapolis faces mounting controversy as ICE detains a two-year-old girl and federal agents fatally shoot Alex Pretti, sparking protests, legal battles, and renewed scrutiny of US immigration enforcement tactics

A member of federal law enforcement walks through tear gas after using the chemical on angered community members, as tensions rise after federal law enforcement agents were involved in a shooting incident, a week after a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in Minneapolis. Reuters

Minneapolis has been at the centre of intense controversy over US immigration enforcement following two related incidents this month: the brief detention of a twoyearold girl and the fatal shooting of a local man by federal agents.

These events have sparked protests, legal fights and a broader debate over how authorities are handling immigration operations in American cities.

The toddler, Chloe Renata Tipan Villacis, was taken into custody on January 22 along with her father, Elvis Joel TipanEcheverria, as they returned from a grocery store in south Minneapolis, city officials said.

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Local leaders criticised the move, and a judge ordered the child released later that evening after her family filed an emergency petition. Her father remains in federal custody. Critics argue the detention lacked a judicial warrant and added pressure on an already fraught situation.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Tipan Echeverria was taken into custody and said that he was driving with a child at the time.

The Department of Homeland Security identified him as an illegal immigrant from Ecuador who had previously committed felony re-entry. A spokesperson said agents tried to take him into custody after he parked his vehicle, but he allegedly ignored repeated lawful orders to open the door or roll down the window.

The department also claimed that Tipan Echeverria was driving erratically with a child in the car.

Fatal shooting of Alex Pretti

Adding to the unrest, the city was rocked on January 24 by the fatal shooting of 37yearold Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and intensive care nurse, by a US Border Patrol agent. Officials said the shooting happened during a targeted operation and that Pretti had a handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him. Homeland Security called the shots defensive.

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But video footage reviewed by multiple outlets appears to show Pretti holding only a phone earlier in the encounter and engaging with federal agents as protests swirled around them. Some clips show him moving toward officers and being tackled before the shots were fired.

Prettis family and colleagues described him as a caring ICU nurse who had cared deeply for others and had no serious criminal history. His death has fuelled further protests against immigration enforcement tactics. Thousands marched through Minneapolis streets, and hundreds of businesses closed in solidarity with demonstrations that have spread across the US since the shooting.

Minneapolis officials and community leaders have called for calm while demanding transparency. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called for federal agents to be pulled out, saying the city has had it with how the crackdown is unfolding. At the same time, critics of federal tactics warn that aggressive enforcement methods are deepening divisions and harming public trust.

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The European Union and Vietnam are preparing to upgrade their relationship during a Hanoi visit by European Council President Antonio Costa, signalling closer cooperation as both sides navigate global trade disruptions.

The upgraded EUVietnam partnership is expected to boost cooperation in research, technology, energy and critical minerals. (Reuters)

The European Union and Vietnam are set to raise their relationship to the highest level during a visit to Hanoi on Thursday by European Council President Antonio Costa, according to an EU official, reported Reuters. The move comes as both sides seek to broaden international partnerships amid disruptions linked to US tariffs.

The visit follows the reappointment of To Lam as Vietnams top official, potentially making Costa the first leader of a major power to meet him since the ruling Communist Party appointed him for a new term as general secretary on Friday.

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Upgrade long in planning

The elevation of ties had been planned for months and was delayed largely because of scheduling complications, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The change would place the EU on the same tier as China, the US and Russia among others, further expanding Vietnams advanced partnerships in line with its strategy of balancing major powers.

Such upgrades are largely symbolic, as they mainly involve more frequent high-level meetings and usually no binding agreements.

Vietnams relations with the United States deteriorated last year after the Trump administration imposed tariffs, despite a bilateral upgrade agreed during a visit to Hanoi in late 2023 by former president Joe Biden.

The enhanced partnership with the EU is expected to lead to greater cooperation across several areas, including research, technology, energy and critical minerals, according to a draft joint statement cited by the official. Vietnam holds significant but often underused deposits of rare earths, gallium and tungsten.

The Southeast Asian country, which relies heavily on trade, plays a key role in global supply chains, particularly for electronics, clothing and footwear. It has multiple free trade agreements with partners, including one with the European Union.

Trade tensions and EU concerns

The EU has repeatedly criticised Vietnams implementation of their free trade agreement, which has increased Vietnams surplus with the 27-nation bloc since it came into force in 2020. The EU deficit with Hanoi stood at 42.5 billion euros (50.26 billion dollars) in 2024.

EU officials say Hanoi has hindered EU imports through various non-tariff barriers, though Brussels has so far taken limited action in response.

Facing tariffs from the United States, the EU has prioritised strengthening ties with economic partners and expanding trade agreements, including recently with South American countries in the Mercosur bloc.

Before travelling to Vietnam, Costa is due to visit India. There, together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he plans to hold trade talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a schedule published by the EU Council.

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is urging citizens to Buy Canadian and support domestic businesses after US President Donald Trump threatened a 100% tariff on Canadian goods

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is urging citizens and businesses to rally around domestic products as tensions with the United States flare over potential trade links with China. His message comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian imports if Ottawa pursues deeper economic engagement with Beijing.

In a video message shared on X, Carney focused on what he sees as Canadas path forward. With our economy under threat from abroad, Canadians have made a choice: to focus on what we can control, he said, urging people to support national businesses and products.

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He repeated that theme in a second key line of his address: We cant control what other nations do. We can be our own best customer. Well buy Canadian. Well build Canadian. Together we will build stronger.

Were buying Canadian, and were building Canadian. pic.twitter.com/JpKhEFKA2P  Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) January 24, 2026

Trumps sharp warning

The backdrop to Carneys message is a stark warning from Trump, who took to his social platform to set out potential consequences if Canada moves ahead with a trade deal involving China.

In his post, the US president wrote that if Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the USA. and claimed that China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life.

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Trump also criticised Carney about the threat, suggesting Canada might become a transit point for Chinese goods that undercut US markets, writing that if Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a Drop Off Port for China to send goods  he is sorely mistaken.

A trade squeeze and domestic focus

Carneys call to Buy Canadian is aimed at boosting local resilience amid the uncertainty. He stressed Canadas economy must not depend solely on external factors, especially in the face of trade pressures from larger powers.

The tariff dispute comes as Carneys government also seeks to diversify trade ties, including recent engagement with China, a move that triggered Trumps ire. Canadian officials have said they are not pursuing a full free trade deal with China but are focused on resolving tariff issues and strengthening economic partnerships.
A man looks at a damaged residential building after a massive drone and missile attack by Russia, in Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Dongxu)

ABU DHABI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Ukraine held "direct engagement" during the talks concluded Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), even though no concrete agreements or joint statements were announced following the two-day meetings.

A UAE government spokesperson said that the talks included "direct engagement" between the two sides and were conducted in a "constructive and positive atmosphere."

The meetings were attended by U.S. presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Russia's military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov, Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Ukrainian President's Office, Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, as well as other senior officials from both the Russian and Ukrainian sides.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media platform X that the negotiations involved military representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the United States, with a focus on "the possible parameters for ending the war."

Meanwhile, according to media reports, further trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States are likely to be held in the UAE next week.

The trilateral talks took place amid continued fighting in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said Russian forces carried out large-scale drone and missile strikes on several regions, including Kyiv, during the period of the talks.

According to earlier statements by the UAE, the meeting was part of diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and explore possible political solutions to the Ukraine crisis.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during a meeting with the heads of the participating delegations on Friday, said that the country supports all efforts and initiatives aimed at reaching a settlement of the Ukraine crisis for the benefit of all parties, and at promoting peace and stability worldwide.
The fatal Minneapolis shooting of Alex Pretti has intensified opposition to Homeland Security funding in the Senate. Democratic lawmakers warn they will block spending bills, raising the risk of another US government shutdown just months after the last

People mourn at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, in the second fatal shooting of a civilian during the Trump administration's unprecedented operation in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)

Washington is facing heightened uncertainty over federal funding after the fatal shooting of a second American citizen named Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis led to multiple US senators to withdraw support for upcoming spending bills. The move increases the chances of a government shutdown next week.

Funding for major portions of the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Pentagon, is set to expire on January 31. While the Republican-led House of Representatives has already approved funding through September, the Senate still must approve the bills for them to take effect.

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Slim GOP majority meets stubborn Democratic opposition

Although President Donald Trumps Republican Party maintains a slim majority in the 100-member Senate, it does not hold enough votes to pass the spending package without Democratic backing. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated on Saturday: Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.

Republicans had hoped to secure support from a few Democrats, despite the bill including full funding for DHS, the agency responsible for Trumps controversial immigration enforcement actions.

Also read | 'Inciting insurrection': Trump blasts Minnesota leaders after fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis

Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, considered a potential swing voter, announced Saturday that she would oppose the DHS funding bill following the Minneapolis shooting. I will not support the current Homeland Security funding bill, she said, accusing the administration and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of putting undertrained, combative federal agents on the streets with no accountability.

Minneapolis shootings fuel opposition

The killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis ICU nurse, comes just three weeks after another resident, Renee Good, was also shot by a federal agent. The incidents have intensified scrutiny of DHS operations in urban areas.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia expressed outrage in a social media post, saying: This brutal crackdown has to end. I cannot and will not vote to fund DHS while this administration continues these violent federal takeovers of our cities.

Shutdown looms

The US recently endured its longest government shutdown, lasting 43 days, which furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal employees, leaving many essential workers unpaid. Senate rules require 60 votes to pass spending bills, and with growing Democratic resistance, the possibility of another shutdown just two months after the previous one is increasingly real.

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Donald Trump accused Minnesotas governor and Minneapolis mayor of inciting insurrection after federal agents fatally shot a man during an immigration enforcement operation.

The comments followed the shooting of a Minneapolis resident by federal agents during the enforcement operation.

US President Donald Trump accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of inciting insurrection through their rhetoric" after federal agents fatally shot a man during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. State and local officials pushed back, criticising the federal response and questioning how the investigation was handled.

The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric! Instead, these sanctimonious political fools should be looking for the Billions of Dollars that has been stolen from the people of Minnesota, and the United States of America, Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Social Truth.

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Trump questioned why local police were not deployed to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and claimed authorities had been prevented from carrying out their duties.

This is the gunmans gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go  What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why werent they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? Trump wrote, describing the deceased as armed and suggesting ICE agents were forced to protect themselves.

Those Fraudsters who stole the money are going to jail, where they belong! This is no different than a really big Bank Robbery, Trump said, adding that public criticism of federal enforcement actions was a cover up for this theft and fraud.

He concluded the post by repeating his accusation that state and city leaders were inciting insurrection through pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric, and wrote in capital letters: LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB!

State leaders challenge federal role in investigation

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said Saturday that federal authorities cannot be trusted to investigate the fatal shooting of an American man in his state by immigration officers.

The federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation. The state will handle it period, said Walz, accusing the federal immigration operation underway in his state of sowing chaos and violence.

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The comments followed the shooting of a Minneapolis resident by federal agents during the enforcement operation. The incident came after the January 7 killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was fatally shot when an ICE officer fired into her vehicle during a separate federal operation amid the Trump administrations ongoing immigration crackdown.

Walz, a Democrat, condemned the federal actions and called for an immediate halt to the operations.

This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now, Walz wrote on X.

Police chief confirms details of latest shooting

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said the latest victim was an American citizen and a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. He confirmed that multiple federal officers were involved in the shooting.

The incident has intensified tensions between state officials and the Trump administration as federal immigration enforcement expands in Minnesota, drawing sharp criticism from local leaders and renewed political backlash from the White House.
An Indian-origin man was shot dead in Canadas Burnaby town on January 22, with police suspecting the killing is linked to the ongoing gang conflict in British Columbias Lower Mainland region. Investigators have described the incident as a targeted shooting connected to the wider BC gang war.

An Indian-origin man has been shot dead in the Canadian town of Burnaby, with investigators suspecting the killing is linked to the ongoing gang conflict in British Columbias Lower Mainland region.

Canadian police said the 28-year-old man was killed in a targeted shooting on January 22 and believe the incident has a clear nexus to the wider BC gang war.

Shooting near Canada Way

The shooting occurred shortly before 5:30 pm (local time) near the 3700 block of Canada Way, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said. Officers responded to reports of gunfire in a public area and found a man suffering from critical gunshot injuries. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim was later identified as Dilraj Singh Gill, a 28-year-old resident of Vancouver.

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Targeted killing, gang link suspected

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said the shooting was targeted and appears to be connected to the ongoing gang conflict in the province.

Investigators also found a vehicle engulfed in flames near the scene and believe it was used in the crime. Police said torching a getaway vehicle is a tactic commonly associated with organised gang violence in British Columbia.

A shooting, especially in a public place, is extremely troubling, not only for police but for the entire community, IHIT spokesperson Sergeant Freda Fong said, urging witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

Possible link to Abbotsford murder

Local media reports have suggested that Gills killing may be connected to the murder of another 28-year-old Indo-Canadian man, Navpreet Dhaliwal, who was shot dead earlier this month in Abbotsford.

Dhaliwal was allegedly associated with the Brothers Keepers gang, believed to be a rival group to the UN gang, with which Gill was reportedly linked.

Criminal backgrounds cited

According to the Vancouver Sun, Gill had prior convictions, including drug-related charges in 2021 and other offences dating back to 2016. Dhaliwal also had a criminal history and was reportedly out on bail at the time of his death.

After Dhaliwals killing, IHIT Corporal Esther Tupper described it as a targeted and brazen shooting carried out in the middle of the day.
Indias air superiority during Operation Sindoor compelled Pakistan to seek a ceasefire during the May 710, 2025 conflict, says European military analysis report. The study says India dominated escalation, protected critical air-defence assets and prevented Pakistani forces from achieving any decisive operational gains.

Indias air superiority during the 88-hour Operation Sindoor compelled Pakistan to seek a ceasefire during the May 710, 2025 conflict, according to a detailed European military analysis. The study finds that India retained escalation dominance throughout the confrontation, safeguarded its most critical air-defence assets and denied Pakistani forces any decisive operational gains.

According to the analysis, New Delhi controlled both the tempo and the ceiling of escalation across the four-day engagement, emerging with a clear operational advantage by protecting key assets, degrading Pakistani military capabilities and demonstrating credible deep-strike capacity without breaching nuclear thresholds.

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The findings are detailed in Operation Sindoor: The India-Pakistan Air War (710 May 2025), authored by military analyst Adrien Fontanellaz and published last week by the Centre dHistoire et de Prospective Militaires (CHPM), an independent Swiss military history and strategic studies institution based in Pully, Switzerland.

Founded in 1969, CHPM positions itself as a neutral forum for professional military research and lessons-learned analysis. The publication underwent institutional review by a committee that includes Joseph Henrotin, a Paris-based strategic analyst; Claude Meier, a retired Swiss Air Force major general and former chief of staff; and Arthur Lusenti, a specialist in nuclear doctrine and arms control.

A decisive shift in Indias crisis-response doctrine

The report notes that Indias response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack marked a clear departure from earlier crisis-management precedents. Political leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorised strikes against Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba infrastructure deep inside Pakistani territory, while granting the armed forces broad operational freedom to manage escalation.

This shift, the analysis suggests, reflected a calculated decision to impose costs on both terror networks and the Pakistani military without allowing Islamabad to dictate escalation dynamics.

India dismantles Pakistans air-defence shield

Following Pakistani attacks on the night of May 78, India activated a second escalation phase that had been planned in advance as part of Operation Sindoor. On May 8, the Indian Air Force launched a sustained air interdiction campaign against Pakistans air-defence network, targeting border surveillance radars and long-range surface-to-air missile systems.

Eight air-defence sites were struck on May 8 and four more on May 9. At least two early-warning radars at Chunian and Pasrur were visually confirmed as neutralised. While Pakistan claimed it shot down 25 drones on May 9, the report underlines that these assertions did little to offset the broader collapse in airspace awareness.

One Indian S-400 battery reportedly caught the Pakistan Air Force off guard, engaging an Erieye or electronic warfare aircraft operating at extended range. The IAF claimed the aircraft was destroyed at a distance close to 300 kilometres.

The cumulative effect, the report states, was a sharp degradation of Pakistans airspace coverage, with surviving radars forced to shut down emissions to avoid detection  effectively blinding sections of the countrys air-defence network.

Precision deep strikes expose Pakistans vulnerabilities

After detecting preparations for a Pakistani strike planned for the evening of May 9, Indian forces opted for a rapid and pre-emptive response. Between 02:00 and 05:00 on May 10, the IAF launched BrahMos, SCALP-EG and Rampage missiles from Su-30MKIs, Jaguars and Rafales operating within Indian airspace.

Seven targets up to 200 kilometres inside Pakistan were hit, including one surface-to-air missile battery and five air bases. Nur Khan Air Base near Islamabad suffered damage to a command-and-control centre, while Murid Air Base  central to Pakistans MALE drone operations  saw drone hangars and a control facility struck.

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Rahim Yar Khan Air Base sustained multiple runway impacts, while its civilian terminal, reportedly hosting a drone control centre, was also badly damaged. Rafiqi Air Base was targeted, though India did not disclose damage details. At Sukkur Air Base, a drone hangar and radar facility were hit.

Second wave targets manned aircraft, tightens the noose

After identifying further Pakistani counterstrike preparations, the IAF launched a second wave of attacks around 10:00 on May 10. Using the same weapons and tactics, India expanded its targeting to include manned aircraft.

Sargodha Air Base was rendered inoperative after missile strikes at runway intersections. At Jacobabad Air Base, an F-16 maintenance hangar was hit, along with radar, electrical and cooling infrastructure. At Bholari Air Base, a hangar housing one or more Erieye aircraft was severely damaged.

Pakistan seeks ceasefire after sustained losses

The IAF assessed that at least four or five F-16s, one Erieye aircraft, one C-130 transport aircraft, several MALE drones, two radars, two command-and-control centres and one surface-to-air missile battery were destroyed on the ground, using roughly 50 long-range munitions.

Pakistan later claimed the Erieye aircraft at Bholari was only lightly damaged and quickly repaired, though it acknowledged the death of five personnel.

By noon on May 10, Pakistani military authorities requested a ceasefire, which India accepted. The report concludes that New Delhi achieved its political and military objectives  delivering punitive strikes against terror infrastructure while neutralising Pakistans military response  and brought the conflict to a close firmly on its own terms.

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Iraqs dominant Shiite alliance has nominated former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate for the top job, reviving debate over his legacy and setting the stage for complex negotiations to form the countrys next government

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, pictured last year during Iraq's parliamentary elections, has been nominated as the country's next premier [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]

In a major step toward forming a new government in Baghdad, Iraqs dominant bloc of Shiite political parties has nominated former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its pick to lead the country again. The announcement, made on Saturday by the Shiite Coordination Framework, sets the stage for what could be a tense and crucial round of negotiations over Iraqs next leadership team.

The Framework, which holds a majority of seats in Iraqs parliament, said its decision was rooted in Malikis long career in Iraqi politics. It highlighted both his political and administrative experience and his role in managing the state.

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Despite stepping down more than a decade ago, Maliki remains one of the most recognisable figures in Iraqi politics, and his return has sparked debate at home and abroad.

What comes next in Baghdad

The nomination doesnt automatically make Maliki the next prime minister. That will only happen after a series of constitutional steps. First, Iraqs parliament must elect a president within 30 days, as required by law. That president would then formally ask the largest parliamentary bloc to form a government.

Once named, the nominee has 15 days to put together a cabinet and then must win a confidence vote in parliament within the next 30 days.

Officials from the Coordination Framework framed the nomination as part of a broader effort to build a government that can handle Iraqs pressing challenges, from service delivery to security, by working with all national political forces.

A familiar face in unfamiliar times

At 75 years old, Maliki is no newcomer to power. He first became prime minister in 2006, during a volatile period of sectarian strife following the 2003 US-led invasion. He stayed in office until 2014, when Islamic State forces overran large parts of the country.

His leadership then, and his ties since to Iran-aligned factions, have made him a divisive figure. Critics accuse him of deepening sectarian divides and failing to effectively counter IS, while his supporters say he brings experience to a fractious political landscape.
Irans consul general has dismissed reports that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding in a bunker, saying security measures are routine as Tehran faces heightened tensions, protests and speculation over leadership amid pressure from Western nations

People walk past a mural drawn by the "Grafitiyul" graffiti art group depicting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a street in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on July 22, 2025. AFP

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and swirling speculation about Irans leadership, the countrys Consul General to India has pushed back against claims that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei is holed up in a bunker. Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh, Irans top diplomat in India, told reporters that while the Supreme Leader is being provided with security, he is not hiding in a bunker or a shelter.

The comments come at a time when Tehran faces intense pressure from sanctions, internal protests and an increasingly assertive United States, all leading to rumours about Khameneis whereabouts. Some foreign outlets have claimed Khamenei retreated to an underground location amid fears of external attacks, particularly from Washington and its allies.

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But Motlagh was categorical in his remarks, telling NDTV that much of the talk about a bunker hideout was exaggerated. We are not afraid of any foreign powers. Some people are spreading rumours, he said, defending the Supreme Leaders position and Irans resilience.

Foreign intelligence blamed for unrest

Motlagh also used the interview to address broader unrest in Iran, asserting that foreign intelligence agencies had played a role in stoking demonstrations there. Security forces showed flexibility and self-control towards the demonstrators until a turning point date when terrorist elements received commands from their masters and bosses who were outside Iran, he said, attributing sabotage and violence to external interference.

He claimed that the unrest led to 3,117 deaths, including both civilians and security forces, a figure that differs significantly from other estimates and international accounts of the protests.

Also read | Who really runs Iran? Shadow force IRGC tightens grip on power amid regime change chatter

Tehran stands ready, diplomat says

Turning to the broader security environment, Motlagh said that Iran was prepared to confront any aggression. He pointed to past conflicts, including the 12-day war with Israel last year, as proof of Tehrans capabilities. Our country has shown that it has the power to fend off any kind of aggression if any forces want to act offensively against Iran, we are completely prepared to defend ourselves, he said.

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The consul general also touched on Irans relations with India, noting that sanctions have strained ties but insisting that both countries were finding ways to maintain cooperation despite economic pressures. He reassured the Indian public that no foreign nationals in Iran had been harmed amid the unrest.

Motlagh additionally defended Irans recent internet blackout, saying it was necessary to counter what Tehran described as external influences using online platforms to fuel dissent. He said connectivity was improving, but stressed that the move was essential to preserve stability.

On allegations that Khamenei was avoiding public appearances, the diplomat insisted the Supreme Leader continues to hold meetings via virtual means and that rumours about his disappearance were unfounded. It is natural that His Eminence must have security personnel protecting him However, one should not think that he is hidden in a bunker or a shelter, he asserted.
Protests erupted in Minneapolis after federal agents fatally shot a man during an immigration enforcement operation, intensifying unrest already fuelled by earlier federal shootings.

Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old nurse shot and killed by federal agents in Minnesota. Photograph: AP

A 37-year-old man was shot dead early on Saturday near West 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis during a targeted immigration enforcement operation, prompting unrest and political dispute. The man, identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a resident of South Minneapolis and a United States citizen, was killed in an incident recorded by bystanders that later spread widely online.

This marks the third fatal shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis in about three weeks, following the earlier death of Renee Good.

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Heres is what we know

Family members and reports said Pretti worked as an intensive care unit nurse and had no serious criminal history beyond a few traffic tickets. Local police confirmed he was believed to be a lawfully armed gun owner with a permit to carry.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said agents were carrying out a targeted immigration enforcement operation when Pretti approached US Border Patrol officers with a handgun and two magazines. DHS officials stated that agents attempted to disarm him, he violently resisted, and one officer fired defensive shots.

Protests and crowd control

Large crowds gathered after the shooting, leading to demonstrations and confrontations between residents and law enforcement. Authorities used tear gas and other crowd control tactics in efforts to disperse the mob.

The shooting drew criticism from local officials, including Minnesotas Governor and the Mayor, who challenged the federal account and called for calm and an investigation. Supporters aligned with the MAGA movement responded alongside Donald Trump and JD Vance, accusing Minnesota of failing to comply with the law and obstructing ICE from carrying out its duties.

Political tug-of-war

Trump accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of inciting insurrection through their rhetoric after the fatal shooting.

The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric! Instead, these sanctimonious political fools should be looking for the Billions of Dollars that has been stolen from the people of Minnesota, and the United States of America, Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Trump questioned why local police were not deployed to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and claimed authorities had been prevented from carrying out their duties.

Those Fraudsters who stole the money are going to jail, where they belong! This is no different than a really big Bank Robbery, Trump said, adding that public criticism of federal enforcement actions was a cover up for this theft and fraud.

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He ended the post by repeating his accusation that state and city leaders were inciting insurrection through pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric, and wrote in capital letters: LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB!

State leaders question federal investigation

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said federal authorities cannot be trusted to investigate the fatal shooting of an American man in his state by immigration officers.

The federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation. The state will handle it period, Walz said, accusing the federal immigration operation underway in his state of sowing chaos and violence.

Minneapolis police and federal authorities are continuing to investigate the shooting. No charges have been announced.
Myanmar opened the final phase of its junta-organised election on Sunday, with the military-aligned USDP expected to dominate as large parts of the conflict-torn country remain excluded from voting

Volunteers from the Union Election Commission (UEC) show an empty ballot box before the opening of polls on the third and final phase of Myanmar's general election, at a polling station in Yangon on January 25, 2026. (AFP)

The last phase of Myanmars month-long election opened at 6 am Sunday in dozens of constituencies nationwide, days before the fifth anniversary of the 2021 coup, with the dominant pro-military party widely expected to secure a landslide in a junta-organised vote that critics say will entrench the armys control. Voting is not taking place in areas held by rebels.

Tropical Myanmar has experienced prolonged periods of military rule, although generals stepped back during a decade marked by civilian-led reforms. That period ended with the 2021 coup, when Aung San Suu Kyi was detained, conflict spread across the country, and a humanitarian crisis deepened.

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Concerns raised over conduct of the election

The military has said the election will hand power back to the public. However, rights monitors say the period leading up to the vote has involved coercion and the suppression of dissent.

With Suu Kyi sidelined and her widely supported party dissolved, democracy advocates say the contest favours groups aligned with the military.

AFP journalists saw voting begin in Mandalay, the countrys second-largest city, where 53-year-old teacher Zaw Ko Ko Myint cast his ballot at a high school around dawn.

Although I do not expect much, we want to see a better country, he told AFP. I feel relieved after voting, as if I fulfilled my duty.

Polling was also observed in Yangons Hlaingthaya township, an area that witnessed a deadly crackdown on anti-coup protests five years ago.

I dont expect anything from this election, a 34-year-old Yangon resident told AFP earlier, requesting anonymity for security reasons. Things will just keep dragging on.

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)  packed with retired officers and described by analysts as a military puppet  won more than 85 per cent of elected lower house seats and two-thirds of those in the upper house in the polls first two phases.

A military-drafted constitution also reserves a quarter of both houses for the armed forces.

The combined parliament will pick the president, and junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has not ruled out taking the role.

Analysts say the military is stage-managing the poll to give its rule a veneer of civilian legitimacy.

The anonymous Yangon resident, feeling pressure to participate, pledged to cast her ballot for any party except the USDP.

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I know what the final result will be, but I want to mess things up a little with my vote, she said.

Official results are expected late this week, but the USDP could claim victory as soon as Monday.

Suu Kyis National League for Democracy party thrashed it in the last elections in 2020, before the military seized power on February 1, 2021, making unfounded allegations of widespread vote-rigging.

The 80-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains detained incommunicado at an unknown location on charges rights monitors dismiss as politically motivated.

Not safe at all

The military has long presented itself as the only force guarding restive Myanmar from rupture and ruin.

But its putsch tipped the country into full-blown civil war, with pro-democracy guerrillas fighting the junta alongside a kaleidoscope of ethnic minority armies which have long held sway in the fringes.

Air strikes are frequent in some regions, others enjoy relative peace, while some zones are blockaded, haunted by the spectre of starvation.

Polling was called off in one in five lower house constituencies, but some frontline locations were set to vote Sunday.

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Candidates still havent held any campaigning because of security, complained one parliamentary candidate, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Its not safe at all to travel, they said, estimating only one in 10 polling stations would be able to open in their constituency.

There is no official death toll for Myanmars civil war.

But monitoring group ACLED, which tallies media reports of violence, estimates more than 90,000 have been killed on all sides.

Meanwhile, more than 400 people have been pursued for prosecution under stark new junta-tailored legislation forbidding disruption of the election.

It punishes protest or criticism with up to a decade in prison, and arrests have been made for as little as posting a heart emoji on Facebook posts criticising the polls.

Turnout in the first and second phases of the vote were just over 50 per cent, official figures say, compared to roughly 70 per cent in 2020.

(With agency nputs)
Veteran journalist and author Mark Tully, who spent decades closely chronicling India for global audiences, died at a private hospital in Delhi on Sunday. He was 90.

Veteran journalist, author and one of the sharpest foreign observers of India, Mark Tully, died at a private hospital in Delhi on Sunday. He was 90.

Tully had been unwell for some time and was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket on January 21, where he was undergoing treatment under the nephrology department. Senior journalist and close friend Satish Jacob confirmed his death to PTI, saying, Mark passed away at Max Hospital Saket this afternoon.

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Born on October 24, 1935, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Tully spent much of his life chronicling India with rare depth and empathy. He served as the BBCs New Delhi bureau chief for 22 years, becoming a trusted voice on Indian affairs for global audiences.

Early life and return to India

Born to affluent British parents in Tollygunge, Tully was initially shielded from socialising with locals. Yet, in what many saw as a twist of fate, he went on to spend most of his adult life in India, closely engaging with its people and society.

He spent the first decade of his life in India, studying at a boarding school in Darjeeling, before being sent to England for further education. In a 2001 BBC interview after being selected for knighthood, Tully recalled England as a very miserable place, dark and drab, without the bright skies of India.

After studying theology at Trinity College, Cambridge, Tully briefly considered becoming a priest and joined the Lincoln Theological College. However, he later described himself as rather rebellious and left the seminary after two terms.

Journalism career with the BBC

Tully returned to India in 1964 when the BBC posted him as its New Delhi correspondent, marking the beginning of a three-decade-long association with the broadcaster.

He was sent back to London in 1969 after the Indian government barred the BBC from operating in the country following the broadcast of Phantom India, a French documentary critical of India. He returned to Delhi in 1971 and was appointed bureau chief the following year, overseeing BBC coverage across South Asia.

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His reporting spanned some of the most defining moments in post-Independence India, including the 1971 Bangladesh war, the Emergency (197577), the execution of former Pakistan president Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1979, Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the anti-Sikh riots in 1984, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, and the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

Author and chronicler of India

Operation Blue Star and the Punjab crisis formed the basis of Tullys first book, Amritsar: Mrs Gandhis Last Battle (1985), co-written with Satish Jacob.

His landmark work, No Full Stops in India (1988), distilled over two decades of reporting into 10 essays covering events such as Operation Blue Star, the Roop Kanwar sati case, the Kumbh Mela, and the cultural impact of Ramanand Sagars Ramayan.

In later works such as India in Slow Motion (2002), co-authored with Gillian Wright, Tully examined issues ranging from Hindu extremism and political corruption to agriculture, Kashmir and Sufi mysticism. His other notable books include Indias Unending Journey (2008), India: The Road Ahead, The Heart of India (1995), and Upcountry Tales (2017).

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Across 10 booksfiction and non-fictionIndia remained at the centre of his writing.

Awards and later years

Tully was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992, knighted in the New Year Honours in 2002, and conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2005.

His association with the BBC partially ended in 1994 after he publicly criticised the organisations internal culture. He resigned later that year but continued to present BBC Radio 4s spirituality programme Something Understood until it was discontinued in April 2019.

Though no longer attached to any media organisation, Tully remained active as a freelance journalist in Delhi and a keen observer of Indias social and political life.

Tributes pour in

On his 90th birthday in October, Tullys son Sam paid tribute on LinkedIn, highlighting his fathers role in strengthening UKIndia ties.

While he lives in India, he has powerful connections to the UK as well. Dil hai Hindustani, magar thoda Angrezi bhi, he wrote.

Listeners and colleagues remembered Tully as a voice they trusted implicitly. Many recalled relying on his BBC World Service broadcasts during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, calling him the voice of truth.

Former BBC journalist Ram Dutt Tripathi also paid tribute, recalling working with Tully on major stories such as the Ayodhya dispute and elections, describing him as a journalist of rare integrity and warmth.

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A powerful winter storm is moving across the United States, disrupting travel, cutting power to thousands, and unleashing dangerous cold as emergency declarations stretch from the Midwest to the Northeast

More than 180,000 US customers were without power early on Sunday.

A major winter storm pushed towards the northeast United States on Sunday after moving across large parts of the country, placing tens of millions of people at risk of power cuts, travel disruption, and intense cold. The system, which first struck the southwest and central regions, began affecting densely populated mid-Atlantic and northeastern states with snow and freezing rain as a frigid air mass settled nationwide.

The snow/sleet impacts will linger well into next week with rounds of re-freezing that keeps surfaces icy and dangerous to both drive and walk on for the foreseeable future, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

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Snow was reported across central areas, including Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, where some places had already measured eight inches (20 centimetres) on the ground by Saturday night, the NWS said. Supermarket shelves were cleared by shoppers as forecasters warned of heavy snowfall in some regions and potentially catastrophic ice build-up.

Emergency declarations and travel disruption

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said up to 240 million Americans could be affected. At least 20 states and the US capital, Washington, declared states of emergency.

Take this storm seriously, folks, the NWS said on X, forecasting an astonishingly long swath of snowfall stretching from Colorado to Maine.

Around 14,000 flights into and out of the United States were cancelled over the weekend, with thousands more delayed, according to FlightAware.

Texas conditions and power concerns

In Dallas, usually mild in January, freezing rain struck the city and temperatures dropped to 21F (-6C). State officials said the Texas power grid was in stronger condition than five years ago, when it failed during a deadly winter storm that left millions without electricity.

More than 180,000 US customers were without power early on Sunday, according to poweroutage.us, including about 45,000 in Texas and around 67,000 in neighbouring Louisiana.

Speaking at the Washington headquarters of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem urged those affected to be smart, stay home if possible, take care of your family members, check on your neighbors and continue to work with your local officials.

US President Donald Trump, remaining at the White House during the storm, wrote on Truth Social: We will continue to monitor, and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm!

Polar vortex behind the cold blast

The storm developed from a stretched polar vortex, a region of cold, low-pressure Arctic air that typically forms a compact circular system but can shift into a more oval shape, allowing cold air to spill across North America.

Scientists say the growing frequency of such polar vortex disruptions may be linked to climate change, though the issue remains debated, and natural variability also plays a part.

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Trump, who has questioned climate science and rolled back green energy policies, wrote on Truth Social: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???

The NWS warned that heavy ice could lead to long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions, including in states less used to severe winter weather.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul told residents to remain indoors in the extreme cold: Five or six minutes outside could literally be dangerous for your health.

She advised taking steps such as protecting pipes, using heaters safely and checking on vulnerable neighbours.

Officials also warned that life-threatening cold could persist for a week after the storm, particularly in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, where wind chill values were forecast to plunge below -50F (-45C). Temperatures at that level can cause frostbite within minutes.
Laman Ismayilova

A presentation ceremony for new printing equipment, acquired using modern technologies, has been held at Tusi Publishing House of the Nakhchivan Branch of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (AMEA), Azernews reports.

The event was attended by the President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Isa Habibbayli, Chairman of the AMEA Nakhchivan Branch Ismayil Hajiyev and other staff members of the branch.

Speaking at the event, Academician Ismayil Hajiyev noted that the AMEA Nakhchivan Branch was established by a special decree of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev on August 7, 2002, and began its activities in January 2003.

He emphasized that during a council dedicated to the branch's establishment, the National Leader thoroughly analyzed the strategic importance of its future tasks. Over the years, consistent and purposeful efforts have been made to fulfill the objectives set by both Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev regarding the development of science.

Hajiyev also recalled that the Tusi Publishing House has been operational since 2005. The first issue of the branch's initial scientific publication, the journal "Scientific Works", was printed there. In subsequent years, the branch's scientific journals, annual reports, bibliographic indexes, and other scholarly publications have all been produced at Tusi. He stressed that the newly acquired equipment significantly strengthens the publishing house's material and technical base, with the primary goal of using these resources efficiently to further enhance the quality of scientific publications.

The Academician Hajiyev expressed his gratitude, on behalf of himself and the branch staff, for the attention and support provided to the AMEA Nakhchivan Branch.

AMEA President Isa Habibbayli congratulated the branch's team and the publishing house staff on the modernization of the Tusi publishing facilities with state-of-the-art technologies. He recalled that in his speech at AMEA's 80th anniversary in November and in a television interview on January 5, he identified the development of science as one of Azerbaijan's key future priorities.

Isa Habibbayli noted that reforms within the Academy, particularly in the areas of digitalization and electronic services, have entered a new phase. In this context, equipping the Tusi Publishing House with modern printing machinery represents an important step for the advancement of digital science and for fulfilling the objectives set by the country's leadership. He also highlighted the Nakhchivan Branch's substantial scientific potential, noting that it ranks among the top in terms of scientific publications per capita.

The president emphasized that the new equipment offers high-quality printing capabilities. These technologies will not only improve the printing process but also enhance the quality of research, stimulate the scientific environment in Nakhchivan, and contribute to the overall development of the Academy.

Publishing house employee Gafar Ganbarov provided information about the new equipment and expressed his gratitude for the support received.

Professor Abulfaz Guliyev, director of the Institute of Art, Language, and Literature of the Nakhchivan Branch and corresponding member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences stated that the newly acquired equipment will provide a significant boost to scientific development.

He also emphasized that the branch's team will continue to fulfill their responsibilities in implementing the objectives set by the President of Azerbaijan in the field of science.

The presentation concluded with participants getting a close look at the new equipment and a demonstration of the publishing house's technical capabilities.
DAMASCUS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Syria on Saturday extended a truce with Kurdish forces by 15 days to support the transfer of Islamic State (IS) detainees from Syria to Iraq, as tensions in the country's northeast continue, the Syrian defense authority said in a statement.

"The ceasefire across all sectors of Syrian army operations" has been extended by 15 days, starting at 11:00 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) on Saturday, according to the statement.

It said that the decision was taken in support of a U.S.-led operation to relocate IS detainees from prisons previously run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The extension came amid mutual accusations between the Syrian army and the SDF of violations and preparations for renewed fighting, underscoring the fragility of recent de-escalation efforts after weeks of clashes in northeastern Syria.

Earlier on Saturday, the army's operations authority accused the SDF of bringing reinforcements from Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militias based in Iraq's Qandil Mountains into the northeastern province of Hasakah, warning that such movements threatened regional stability.

The SDF, for its part, accused Damascus of moving toward escalation despite the ceasefire. In a statement issued Saturday evening, the SDF said Syrian forces were conducting systematic military preparations and logistical movements in Syria's Jazira region and around the town of Kobani.

The SDF said its forces had come under two separate attacks earlier in the day in the region, describing the incidents as clear violations of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Syria's foreign affairs official Mohammad Taha al-Ahmad told state media that there had been no positive response from the SDF to the authority's proposals, accusing the group of repeatedly seeking truces to gain time.

The latest developments come as northeastern Syria remains on edge, with international efforts focused on preventing the collapse of the ceasefire, securing detention facilities holding IS suspects, and averting a broader escalation that could further destabilize the region.

Tensions between the Syrian interim authorities and the SDF have recently intensified in the northeast, including areas near detention facilities holding IS suspects, despite several ceasefire arrangements and internationally mediated talks.

The latest flare-ups followed a fragile agreement under which SDF units were to withdraw from areas west of the Euphrates River, allowing state institutions and security forces to return to key locations. Disagreements over the scope and timing of the withdrawal quickly led to renewed clashes. 
Democrats demanded federal immigration officers leave Minnesota after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a man in Minneapolis and set off clashes with protesters who poured into the frigid streets in a city already shaken by another shooting death weeks earlier.

People mourn at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026.- AFP

Pressure intensified on the Trump administration on Sunday to order a full investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who was shot dead by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis a day earlier.

Demands for accountability have come from across the political spectrum, fuelled by bystander videos and questions over the conduct of federal agents involved in the incident. The shooting has also triggered a legal battle over who controls the investigation, alongside renewed appeals from state and city leaders to roll back the aggressive federal immigration enforcement surge that has swept through Minneapolis and neighbouring areas.

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Federal officials have said agents fired in self-defence early Saturday when Pretti intervened in a confrontation between an immigration officer and a woman on a city street. Authorities claim Pretti was armed, though multiple bystander videos do not appear to show him holding a weapon at the time. Minneapolis police have confirmed that Pretti had a valid permit to carry a handgun.

Analysis of the footage has deepened scrutiny, with videos showing officers later removing a handgun from Pretti after he had already been restrained. His family said they were heartbroken but also very angry, describing Pretti as a kindhearted person who wanted to make a positive difference.

In response, a federal judge issued an order barring the Trump administration from destroying or altering any evidence connected to the killing. The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by state and county authorities seeking access to material gathered by federal agencies.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the lawsuit aims to preserve evidence that state investigators have not yet been allowed to review. A hearing is scheduled for Monday in federal court in St. Paul. A full, impartial, and transparent investigation into his fatal shooting at the hands of DHS agents is non-negotiable, Ellison said.

The Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security, both named in the lawsuit, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Tensions around immigration enforcement had already been running high. Another federal judge had earlier ruled that officers involved in the Minnesota immigration surge could not detain or deploy tear gas against peaceful protesters, though that decision was temporarily paused by an appeals court shortly before Saturdays shooting.

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The Minnesota National Guard has since been deployed to assist local police, with troops sent both to the shooting site and to a federal building where officers have faced daily protests.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti had arrived to impede a law enforcement operation and questioned why he was armed, without specifying whether he drew or pointed the weapon. Gun rights groups countered that carrying a firearm during protests is legal under Minnesota law.

President Donald Trump weighed in by blaming Democratic leaders, targeting Governor Tim Walz and the Minneapolis mayor. Sharing images of the recovered gun, Trump questioned why local police were not protecting immigration officers and accused Democratic officials of inciting unrest.

The killing has drawn national political reaction. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for federal immigration authorities to leave Minnesota and urged Democrats to refuse funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer later said Democrats would not support a spending package that includes funds for the Department of Homeland Security, raising the possibility of a partial government shutdown when funding expires on January 30.

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Pretti was killed just over a mile from the site where an ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7, a death that had already sparked widespread protests.

Prettis family strongly rejected official accounts of the incident, accusing the administration of spreading sickening lies and saying videos clearly show him holding a phone, not a gun, with one hand raised as he tried to shield the woman who had been shoved.

Bystander footage shows Pretti stepping in after an officer pushes a woman, followed by officers shoving and pepper-spraying him. Several officers then force him to the ground, striking him as they attempt to restrain his arms. Shots are heard while officers surround him, after which they back away and Pretti is seen lying motionless.

Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino said it was very evident that Pretti did not follow officers orders, arguing that he had chosen to intervene. Governor Walz, however, said he had no confidence in federal authorities and insisted the state would lead the investigation. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension superintendent Drew Evans said federal officers blocked state investigators from the scene even after a judicial warrant was obtained.

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Protests continued into Sunday, spreading to cities including New York, Washington and Los Angeles. In Minneapolis, demonstrators gathered at the shooting site despite sub-zero temperatures, chanting slogans demanding ICEs removal. As night fell, hundreds mourned quietly at a growing memorial, while nearby businesses offered warmth and refreshments.

It feels like every day something crazier happens, said Caleb Spike, who travelled from a nearby suburb to attend. Whats happening in our community is wrong. Its sickening.

With inputs from agencies
Two Indian scholars who secured a $200,000 settlement in a racial discrimination case against a US university say the dispute was never about food, arguing it exposed a lingering Dogs and Indians mindset and deeper, systemic racism in Western institutionsfar beyond a row over reheating palak paneer on campus, reports Firstposts Bhanu Pratap.

Two Indian scholars made headlines recently about winning a $200,000 settlement in the US in a racial discrimination lawsuit. As dust settles on the sensational settlement, they tell Firstposts Bhanu Pratap what exactly happened and why they filed the lawsuit. Were they so touchy about somebody not liking the smell of palak paneer, the famed Indian household dish?

They tell Firstpost that it was never just about food. That it happened on a US campus and the person making pungent remarks was British, who got institutional backing from Americans. It betrayed the same racist mindset Indians have heard and read stories from their grandparents and books detailing colonialism.

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The palak-paneer incident

What began as a disagreement over reheating a lunchbox has, for two Indian scholars, come to symbolise something far older and deeper than a campus dispute. This was never about food, Aditya Prakash and his fiancee Urmi Bhattacheryya say, reflecting on the episode that led to a civil rights lawsuit and a $200,000 settlement with a US university. Instead, they argue, it exposes what they describe as a lingering Dogs and Indians mindset  a hierarchy of culture and belonging they believe still shapes how Indian identity is received in Western institutional spaces.

Speaking to Firstpost, the two scholars  who had filed the lawsuit after a row over the smell of palak paneer heated in a departmental microwave  said the incident was less about a single remark and more about dignity, power and the subtle ways in which culture can be marked as out of place. They describe the episode as part of a broader pattern of what they call olfactory discrimination, where food associated with South Asia is treated not as neutral, but as intrusive  a stigma they link to older colonial attitudes that have never fully disappeared.

For them, the case that unfolded in tutorials, faculty meetings and eventually legal filings was not a fight over a lunch break, but over the right to carry ones culture into shared spaces without apology.

This occurs even as Western academia continues to build knowledge and careers by researching marginalised communities in India, without extending the same respect to those cultures when Indians carry them into Western spaces, they said.

A racist slur: When food stops being neutral

The incident occurred on 5 September 2023, about a year after Prakash joined the university. He was reheating his lunchpalak paneerin a departmental microwave when a female staff member approached him, objected to the smell, and asked him not to use the microwave to heat his food.

Prakash told Firstposts Bhanu Pratap that the language used to describe his food is commonly deployed as a racist slur against Indians.

This is a very particular phenomenon in the West, where the smellor the so-called perceived smellof food stops being neutral the moment it is associated with the Global South, especially South Asia, he said.

I tried to reason: Attempting to resolve quietly

Prakash said his first instinct was to address the matter directly and calmly.

I told her I did not appreciate the comments she made about my food. I tried to reason with her. She is from from Britain, and I said that given the number of Indians, Pakistanis, and other South Asians, she would have some familiarity with this kind of food. But even if she did not, basic respect for another persons food, whether Indian or otherwise, is simply human decency, he said.

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According to Prakash, the staff member denied making any inappropriate remarks.

She asked, What comments? So I told her she had called my food pungent. Each time, I kept saying that I would be done in a minute.

He said he consciously tried to de-escalate the situation, aware of the broader challenges South Asian students often face.

Food is just food. I was thinking about what happens to South Asiansespecially Indianswho face this kind of behaviour every day. Someone has to say its not OK. This was never about taking someone to task.

Food just smells

Prakash stressed that there is no objective hierarchy when it comes to food smells.

There is no scale where one kind of food smells worse than another. Food just smells, and these ideas are culturally determined. At its core, this is about mutual respect. In the West, food has been used against us in a very specific way, reinforced through stereotypes in popular culturefrom Kamala Harris facing jibes from the Trump campaign that the White house would smell of curry if she won to Australian cricketer Usman Khwaja who recently retired and said angry australian crowds would call him currymuncher, whenever he didnt play well."

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He initially believed the remarks may have stemmed from ignorance rather than malice.

Even then, I felt it might have come from ignorance. That is why I spoke directly to her and said food is just food, and that I would be done in a minute, Prakash said.

However, the situation escalated when the staff member insisted he should not heat his food in that microwave because it was close to where she sat.

That is where it became deeply problematic. Questions of food and shared space are also questions of power. The fact that she was white and British altered the context significantly, Prakash said.

Dogs and Indians not allowed in a modern US university

The incident, he said, evoked painful historical stigmas rooted in colonial discrimination.

Many of us grew up hearing stories from our grandparents about life before 1947, when public spaces carried signs saying, Dogs and Indians not allowed. To see something like that being recreated today in the US, in a public university, in an anthropology departmenta discipline meant to study cultureis deeply disturbing. That, in a sense, is the one-line description of what happened.

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Both Prakash and Bhattacheryya reiterated that the case was never simply about food.

It was about dignity, belonging, and the quiet humiliations that many Indians abroad learn to endure, they said.

Prakash added that Indians are typically ridiculed in the West in two enduring ways.

One is our accents. Everyone has an accent, but it is deeply unfair to demean someone for how they speak. The other is our food, which is half of ones being. We are accumulations of the breaths weve taken and the food weve eaten throughout our life. So, food is one of only two things that becomes you. Its deeply affective. This is the food I grew up onthe food my mother fed me, and hers before her. That was being attacked."

Affect in anthropology refers to pre-conscious, embodied feelings and intensitiesthe raw sensations and emotional currents that arise before they are named, interpreted, or organized into emotions like happiness, disgust, or nostalgia. Food is one of the most affect-dense domains of human life because it engages the senses, memory, sociality, and the body simultaneously.

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Paratha-sabzi and prejudice: Early lessons in Italy

Prakash recalled encountering similar discrimination earlier in life. When I was in Italy during my school days, I carried paratha-sabzi for lunch, and other students would sit away from me. That really hurt me. I first encountered this at 14, and then again nearly two decades later, at 32. Time had passed, but the context in the West remained unchanged.

A stain that will never go away

Following the incident, he said, the matter was escalated internally rather than resolved.

If there was no ill intent, the simplest response would have been to apologise and move on. Instead, it was escalated. Faculty became involved in a deeply demeaning manner. When other students brought Indian food in solidaritya very Indian form of civil disobediencethere was no sloganeering, nothing of that sort, yet it was portrayed as a riot.

The department later banned all students from using the microwave.

I said in a meeting that this would further stigmatise our food, this is a stain on Indian food that will never go away in this department, given that there already exists a context for discriminating against Indians using food-pejoratives in wider US society. What stops others in the department from blaming us and saying we could access this space till you and your (insert pejorative) food came along. I couldnt stand to see that happen.

Prakash said this marked the moment when discrimination became institutionalised.

I could not allow my culture, my food, my country to be insulted in an institutional way.

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Fear and quiet suffering among Indians abroad

After the incident, Prakash and Bhattacheryya wrote about it on social media. Responses poured in from across the US, the UK, and India, many from people who had faced similar discrimination. They were also subjected to online trolling and racist abuse.

People said they were afraid to open their lunchboxes in common spaces. Some said they ate in their cars to avoid scrutiny, Prakash said.

Bhattacheryya said the responses revealed how deeply normalised such racism remains.

A THREAD ON RACISM: My partner @Wayseller and I, who are Indian PhD students in Anthropology at@CUBoulder

have been facing systemic racism and suppression of our voices within the department. Please read, and retweet. It has been a horrific two weeks for us. (contd. in thread) pic.twitter.com/y8NWX6MMki  Urmi (@Urmi_1990) September 16, 2023

One set came from Indians sharing similar experiences. The other was vicious racist trollingcomments like All Indians smell, Go back, or calling our food dog food. Terms like curry muncher were repeatedly used.

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She said the episode demonstrated how racism operates both overtly and institutionally.

Over the next two years, it became a pattern of retaliation after retaliation simply because we asserted that our food doesnt need permission to exist.

Academic fallout and settlement

Both said their academic careers were directly affected. Advisory committees resigned without explanation, new advisors outside their research fields were imposed, and they lost research funding and teaching rolesdevelopments even university deans described as unprecedented.

It jeopardised our careers, our grants, and our future prospects, Bhattacheryya said. It was also very lonely. Our department was our academic home, and that camaraderie disappeared.

Despite completing the programme with perfect GPAs and securing multiple grants, both ultimately left the PhD programme.

Even powerful institutions can be held accountable

This case shows that even powerful institutions can be held accountable, Prakash said. Racism against Indians comes at a cost. Many people have faced this for decades, but we wanted to send a clear message to Western institutions that discrimination carries social and economic consequences.

He stressed that the lawsuit was never about money.

It was about making a pointthat there are consequences to discriminating against Indians for their Indianness.

Bhattacheryya described the outcome as a moral victory.

There is accountability here. Public scrutiny forces institutions to realign, she said, adding that the case highlights what she described as olfactory racisma long-normalised trope used to dehumanise Indians.

The lawsuit was settled in September, a step typically taken to avoid prolonged and costly court proceedings. Under the terms of the settlement, the university agreed to confer degrees on the students while denying all liability. The agreement also bars them from studying or working at the institution in the future.
Bangladesh on Sunday expressed surprise and shock after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina addressed a public event in New Delhi, warning that her remarks could threaten the countrys peace, security, and democratic transition.

Bangladesh on Sunday said it was surprised and shocked after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina addressed a public event in New Delhi, warning that her remarks threaten the countrys peace, security, and democratic transition.

On Friday, Hasina made her first public appearance since leaving office, delivering an audio message that was played to an audience at a crowded press club in Delhi. The 78-year-old has been in India since August 2024, after a student-led uprising ended her 15-year rule.

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In a statement, Bangladeshs foreign ministry said the speech had angered both the government and the public. The government and the people of Bangladesh are surprised and shocked, it said.

The ministry strongly criticised India for allowing the address to take place in its capital, saying permitting mass murderer Hasina to openly deliver what it described as hate speech in New Delhi constitutes a clear affront to the people and the government of Bangladesh.

Dhaka warned that the move could damage bilateral ties, saying it set a dangerous precedent that could seriously impair bilateral relations.

Convicted in absentia

Hasina faces serious legal challenges in Bangladesh. In November, a Dhaka court found her guilty in absentia on charges including incitement, issuing orders to kill, and failing to prevent atrocities. She was sentenced to death by hanging.

The controversy comes at a sensitive moment, with Bangladesh preparing for national elections scheduled for February 12, following months of political unrest after the removal of Hasinas government.

Calls to overthrow interim government

During her address, Hasina criticised the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, urging citizens to overthrow it. She accused the government of corruption and claimed Bangladesh would never experience free and fair elections under Yunuss leadership. She also called for the protection of minorities, women, and vulnerable groups, and demanded a truly impartial UN investigation into events since her governments fall.

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Awami League leaders join event

Other Awami League leaders, including former ministers Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and AK Abdul Momen, also addressed the event, reiterating accusations against Yunus and questioning the credibility of the upcoming election.

Bangladesh criticises India

The Bangladeshi government also criticised India for not extraditing Hasina despite repeated requests, saying the public address endangered the countrys democratic process and security. It warned that the Awami League would be held responsible for any violence or unrest linked to the party before and during the elections.
A US document on security guarantees for Ukraine is completely ready and Kyiv is waiting for a time and place for it to be signed, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday, indicating that weekend talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi made some progress.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures while speaking at a joint press conference with Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda and Polish President Karol Nawrocki, at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that a document outlining US security guarantees for Ukraine is 100% ready following two days of talks involving officials from Ukraine, the United States and Russia.

Speaking to reporters in Vilnius during his visit to Lithuania, Zelenskyy said Kyiv is waiting for its partners to decide on a date to sign the document. Once signed, it would be sent to both the US Congress and Ukraines parliament for ratification.

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Zelenskyy also reiterated Ukraines ambition to join the European Union by 2027, describing EU membership as an economic security guarantee for the country.

The Ukrainian leader said the discussions held in Abu Dhabi were notable for being among the first trilateral talks in quite a long while to include not only diplomats but also military representatives from all three countries. The talks, which began on Friday and continued into Saturday, were part of ongoing efforts to bring an end to Russias nearly four-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that major disagreements remain between Kyiv and Moscow, with territorial issues continuing to pose a significant obstacle.

For us, security guarantees are first and foremost guarantees of security from the United States. The document is 100% ready, and we are waiting for our partners to confirm the date and place when we will sign it, he said.

The document will then be sent for ratification to the U.S. Congress and the Ukrainian parliament, he said.

On Friday and Saturday, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators held their first trilateral meeting including U.S. mediators in Abu Dhabi to discuss Washingtons framework for ending the almost four-year-old war, but no deal emerged.

However, Moscow and Kyiv both said they were open to further dialogue and more discussions were expected next Sunday in Abu Dhabi, a U.S. official told reporters immediately after the weekend talks.

(In Abu Dhabi) the 20-point (U.S.) plan and problematic issues are being discussed. There were many problematic issues, but now there are fewer, Zelenskyy said.

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He said Moscow wants to do everything possible to get Ukraine to abandon eastern regions Moscow has been unable to capture since its full-scale invasion that triggered the war. But Kyiv, he said, had not budged from its position that Ukraines territorial integrity must be upheld.

These are two fundamentally different positions  Ukraines and Russias. The Americans are trying to find a compromise, Zelenskyy said, adding that all sides must be prepared to compromise, including the Americans.

With inputs from agencies
The call comes as growing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic have heightened concerns among Western allies

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump further discussed the UkraineRussia war. (Reuters)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by telephone with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, focusing on strengthening security in the Arctic. Starmer described Arctic security as an absolute priority for his government.

They further discussed the UkraineRussia war and the need for continued international support for Kyiv, according to a statement from 10 Downing Street.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of making progress towards a sustainable ceasefire in the UkraineRussia war. The prime minister repeated that international partners must keep supporting Ukraine in its defence against Putins barbaric attacks.

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However, dialogues are set to continue after Ukraine and Russia concluded a second day of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi without reaching an agreement. Both sides agreed to meet again next weekend. The discussions showed no sign of progress as overnight Russian airstrikes left more than a million Ukrainians without power in subzero conditions.

Starmer criticises Trumps Nato remarks

On Friday, Starmer strongly criticised Trump over his comments on Natos role in Afghanistan, describing them as insulting and frankly appalling.

Starmer responded after Trump said Nato troops stayed away from the front line during the conflict in Afghanistan.

Weve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them, he said 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.

Speaking to reporters, the British prime minister said the remarks had caused deep pain to families of those who served. I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and Im not surprised theyve caused such hurt for the loved ones of those who were killed or injured, Starmer said.
Jaishankar on Sunday met a US Congressional delegation and discussed IndiaUS relations, developments in the Indo-Pacific region and the Ukraine conflict.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held discussions with a US Congressional delegation on IndiaUS relations, developments in the Indo-Pacific region and the Ukraine conflict.

The delegation included US lawmakers Mike Rogers, Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was also present during the meeting.

Focus on security, trade and critical technologies

Describing the interaction as productive, Jaishankar underlined the importance of sustained engagement with the US Congress in strengthening bilateral ties.

A good interaction with US Congressional Delegation comprising @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith and @JimmyPatronis along with @USAmbIndia. Discussed various aspects of IndiaUS ties, Indo-Pacific and Ukraine conflict. Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship, Jaishankar said in a post on X.

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Ambassador Gor said the talks focused on strengthening the IndiaUS partnership across key areas, including security, trade and technology cooperation.

Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM @DrSJaishankar, @RepMikeRogersAL, @RepAdamSmith, and @JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen USIndia partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies, Gor wrote on X.

Recent momentum in IndiaUS engagement

The meeting comes amid a series of recent high-level engagements between Indian and US leaders. On January 13, Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the two discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy, defence and energy.

Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues, Jaishankar said.

The call took place a day after Sergio Gor assumed charge as the US Ambassador to India in New Delhi.

US Senator Steve Daines India visit

Meanwhile, US Senator Steve Daines visited India from January 17 to 19, during which he pushed for favourable provisions for pulse crops in any future trade agreement with India, stressing the need to strengthen WashingtonNew Delhi trade ties.

According to the US Embassy and Consulates in India, Daines met Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, members of parliament and business leaders from both countries.

In a statement, the US Embassy said Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, discussed a range of issues including USIndia defence cooperation, secure supply chains and the need for a stable Indo-Pacific region.

India vital partner for Washington: Gor

Speaking in New Delhi on Monday, Ambassador Gor said no country is as essential as India for Washington and that both sides are actively engaged in firming up a trade deal.

Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end, Gor said in his arrival address, referring to the relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.

India is the worlds largest nation. So its not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there, he added.

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A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from ending the legal status of over 8,400 family members of US citizens and green card holders from seven Latin American countries.

A US federal judge has blocked the Trump administrations attempt to revoke the legal status of more than 8,400 relatives of American citizens and green card holders who entered the country from seven Latin American nations.

US District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued a preliminary injunction late Saturday, barring the Department of Homeland Security from ending humanitarian parole protections for thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

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The individuals were admitted to the United States under family reunification parole programmes that were launched or expanded during the administration of former Democratic President Joe Biden.

Since President Donald Trump took office following Bidens term, his administration has intensified immigration enforcement, allocating about $170 billion to immigration agencies through September 2029  the largest such funding commitment in US history.

The family reunification programmes allow US citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor eligible relatives from the seven countries, enabling them to reside in the United States while waiting for their immigrant visas to be processed.

On December 12, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to shut down the programmes, arguing that they conflicted with the Trump administrations immigration priorities and had been misused to permit what it described as poorly vetted aliens to bypass the standard parole process.

The department had planned for the termination to take effect on January 14. However, Judge Talwani first issued a temporary restraining order blocking the move for 14 days while she reviewed whether longer-term relief was warranted. That review resulted in Saturdays injunction.

In her ruling, Talwani said the Homeland Security Department, under Secretary Kristi Noem, failed to substantiate its claims of fraud or consider whether affected individuals could realistically return to their home countries  particularly as many had already sold property or left employment.

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The Secretary could not provide a reasoned explanation of the agencys change in policy without acknowledging these interests, Talwani wrote. Accordingly, failure to do so was arbitrary and capricious.

Talwani was appointed to the bench by former Democratic President Barack Obama.

The department did not respond to a request for comment.

The ruling came in a class action lawsuit pursued by immigrant rights advocates challenging the administrations broader rollback of temporary parole granted to hundreds of thousands of migrants.

Talwani earlier in that case blocked the administration from ending grants of parole to about 430,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, but the Supreme Court lifted her order, which an appeals court later overturned.
BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Beijing saw over 2,400 new registrations of overseas-funded businesses in 2025, marking an increase of 19.5 percent year on year, according to local authorities.

Last year, the national capital recognized 20 newly registered foreign-invested enterprises as multinational regional headquarters, and attracted 121 overseas-funded projects, each with an investment exceeding 10 million U.S. dollars, Beijing mayor Yin Yong said on Sunday while delivering a government work report at the annual session of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress.

In 2026, the city will further expand its opening up, aiming to improve the quality of overseas investment and attract more high-quality overseas-funded projects, the mayor said.

Strong foreign trade performance has also supported the city's opening-up drive. Beijing's total foreign trade volume reached 2.93 trillion yuan (about 421 billion U.S. dollars) in the first 11 months of 2025, with exports hitting a record high of 568.35 billion yuan in the same period, up 3 percent year on year, according to data from the Beijing Customs. 
MANILA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Three gunmen in an ambush targeting a town mayor in Maguindanao del Sur province in the southern Philippines were killed, while two of the mayor's security escorts were injured in the attack on Sunday, police said.

Police said the ambush occurred on early Sunday morning as the mayor of Shariff Aguak town was traveling in his bulletproof vehicle. The mayor was uninjured.

The mayor's backup vehicle was also riddled with bullets during the attack, police added.

According to investigators, the suspects were on board a white minivan when they opened fire on the two-car convoy.

Authorities launched a pursuit operation that resulted in a brief firefight, resulting in the deaths of the three suspects. High-powered firearms were recovered from the minivan, police said.

The Shariff Aguak mayor has survived two assassination attempts in the past five years, according to local media reports, underscoring persistent security concerns in the area. 
"Denmark and the people of Greenland can count on our solidarity"

Germany - Federal Government

Speech by the Federal Chancellor at the World Economic Forum in Davos

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke about European solidarity and called on people not to lose confidence despite the difficult global situation. The Federal Government is in the process of making Germany competitive again.

Thursday, 22 January 2026

At the World Economic Summit in Davos, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the fact that the USA had withdrawn its announced special tariffs for Germany and other European countries. At the same time, he emphasised that the European NATO partners had to do more for security in the High North - this being a common Transatlantic interest. Ukraine also had to continue to be supported in its fight for a just peace.

Solidarity with Denmark

According to Chancellor Merz, European neighbours such as Denmark and Greenland can rely on German solidarity. It was in the common transatlantic interest to do more as European NATO allies to secure the High North. This was why Germany was involved in NATO. "Autocracies may have subjects, democracies have partners and reliable friends," said the Chancellor. "We will work hard to ensure that this is not forgotten."

Maintaining confidence

At the same time, the Chancellor spoke in favour of confidence. Although a harsh wind was blowing in the world of the great powers, it was also important to realise this: "We are not at the mercy of this world. We can shape it." And that is exactly what we are doing. "Let us therefore focus on our own strengths in a level-headed, creative and courageous way."

Invest in security

Investing in one's own security and making the economy competitive again is important. Germany had reduced its energy costs for this purpose. In addition, 500 billion euros had been made available for the expansion and modernisation of infrastructure. Defence spending had also been increased to up to five percent of GDP.

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Speech by President Gitanas Nauseda at the commemoration of the 1863-1864 Uprising in Warsaw

President of the Republic of Lithuania

Januray 24, 2026

Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Poland,

Esteemed Mrs. Marta,

Excellencies,

Dear Participants of the Ceremony,

We are gathered in a place of profound historical significance.

From the very first day of their construction, these walls were intended to weigh down the freedom-loving Polish nation like a tombstone. Heavily drenched in the blood of patriots, they served as a warning: do not resist. Obey. Conform.

Yet today, we are all witnesses that the dark designs of the Russian Empire - and the even more dreadful deeds of its successors - have gone to waste. Centuries of aggressive military expansion, brutal oppression, propaganda, executions, and deportations have achieved nothing.

Today, Poland is alive, free, and independent. Poland did not perish, did not yield, and withstood all the trials it faced.

Lithuania has also endured. We have persevered so that, together with the people of Poland, we can look boldly towards the future, inspired by the heroes of our shared past.

Lithuania and Poland are brotherly nations that know well what it means to lose freedom, to fight for freedom, to regain freedom, and to defend it.

The uprising that broke out 163 years ago, which we commemorate today, is not merely a distant echo of the past. Its memory runs through the sacred pages of our history: through the restoration of independent states, occupations, the oppression of totalitarian regimes, resistance, the dissident movement, the years of restored national dignity, and right up to the present day. In the light of the uprising, the Warsaw Citadel stands as a monument to freedom that prevailed, overcoming every obstacle.

Each of us carries the January Uprising within us. It reminds us that freedom cannot be taken for granted. Every day, every week, every month, every year, we must work for freedom. Otherwise, its price may rise even higher and become unbearable.

These days, as we read the January Uprising Manifesto's call "to the final battle of European civilization against the savage barbarism of Asia," we see Russia once again openly threatening the entire civilized world. Threatening Western civilization and every freedom-loving nation that refuses to bow and submit.

In its attempt to restore the empire, Russia has been attacking Ukraine for almost four years now. It attacks what it can least tolerate in Ukraine - the very idea of freedom. The same idea of freedom so precious to Lithuania, to Poland, and to all states grounded in democratic values.

Today, we are the target of a common enemy. With our courage, resilience, and success, we pose a threat to the Kremlin dictator, who can offer the millions he has enslaved nothing but more suffering. More grief. More belt-tightening.

We are inconvenient because we remind others that there is always a possibility not to submit, not to bend, and to build a society and a nation of dignified people. We are worthy descendants of the January insurgents - and we must remain so.

Mr. President, Dear Karol,

I sincerely thank you for the invitation to this deeply moving commemoration at the memorial to the murdered heroes. I look forward to our meeting tomorrow in Vilnius, which will also take place under the sign of the Eagle, the Vytis, and the Archangel.

I have no doubt that we - Lithuania and Poland - will continue to smoothly develop our strategic partnership and work tirelessly in the name of freedom.

May the January Uprising, in which Lithuanians, Poles, Belarusians, and Ukrainians fought together under one banner, become a source of inspiration for the ultimate liberation of our entire region.

For our freedom and yours!

Gitanas Nauseda, President of the Republic of Lithuania

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GENEVA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) chief said on Saturday that the reasons given by the United States for its decision to withdraw from the WHO are "untrue."

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, made the remarks on social media platform X. He warned that the move will make the United States and the world "less safe."

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the country's withdrawal from the WHO.

Tedros expressed the hope that the United States "will return to active participation in WHO in the future." 
The President at the commemoration of the 1863-1864 Uprising in Warsaw: Freedom cannot be taken for granted

President of the Republic of Lithuania

Januray 24, 2026

President Gitanas Nauseda, together with the Polish President Karol Nawrocki, attended the commemoration of the January Uprising on Saturday in Warsaw.

In his speech, Gitanas Nauseda emphasized that Lithuania and Poland are brotherly nations that know very well what it means to lose freedom, to fight for it, to regain it, and to defend it. Therefore, the President noted, the uprising that broke out 163 years ago is not merely a distant echo of the past for these two nations.

"Its memory runs through the sacred pages of our history: through the restoration of independent states, occupations, the oppression of totalitarian regimes, resistance, the dissident movement, the years of restored national dignity, and right up to the present day. In the light of the uprising, the Warsaw Citadel stands as a monument to freedom that prevailed, overcoming every obstacle," the President spoke.

According to the Lithuanian leader, each of us carries the January Uprising within us. It reminds us that freedom cannot be taken for granted. Every day, every week, every month, every year, we must work for freedom.

Gitanas Nauseda noted that these days, as we read the January Uprising Manifesto's call "to the final battle of European civilization against the savage barbarism of Asia," we see Russia once again openly threatening the entire civilized world. Threatening Western civilization and every freedom-loving nation that refuses to bow and submit.

"In its attempt to restore the empire, Russia has been attacking Ukraine for almost four years now. It attacks what it can least tolerate in Ukrainethe very idea of freedom. The same idea of freedom so precious to Lithuania, to Poland, and to all states grounded in democratic values. Today, we are the target of a common enemy. With our courage, resilience, and success, we pose a threat to the Kremlin dictator, who can offer the millions he has enslaved nothing but more suffering," the Lithuanian leader underlined in his address.

"We are worthy descendants of the January insurgentsand we must remain so. I have no doubt that we will continue to smoothly develop our strategic partnership and work tirelessly in the name of freedom. May the January Uprising, in which Lithuanians, Poles, Belarusians, and Ukrainians fought together under one banner, become a source of inspiration for our entire region," President Gitanas Nauseda emphasized.

The President's Communication Group

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AFP mounts patrol in new Malampaya gas field

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

January 24, 2026, 1:31 pm

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) visited the Malampaya gas field off the Palawan coast as part of its efforts to secure the newly discovered natural gas field.

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. led Friday's visit within the Joint Task Force (JTF) Malampaya area of responsibility.

In a statement on Saturday, the AFP said the patrol aimed to assess the security posture and operational readiness in safeguarding the Malampaya Natural Gas Power Project in the West Philippine Sea.

A briefing was conducted on current security measures, ongoing maritime and air patrol operations, and inter-agency coordination efforts to ensure the safe operation of the facility.

The AFP underscored the need for "sustained vigilance and professionalism among personnel tasked to secure the country's offshore resources."

"The AFP continues to intensify its presence and monitoring operations in key strategic areas as part of its broader mission to defend national sovereignty, uphold maritime rights and ensure the protection of critical infrastructure essential to national development," the statement read.

Prime Energy, operator of Service Contract No. 38, struck a breakthrough in the Malampaya East-1 (MAE-1), a previously untapped reservoir, and confirmed the presence of 98 billion cubic feet of additional natural gas volume and associated condensate.

Prime Energy said initial well data indicates volumes equivalent to around one-third of the remaining producible Malampaya gas volumes.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez earlier said the Navy has sufficient capabilities deployed at the Western Command (Wescom) that can conduct sustained naval patrols in MAE-1.

"MAE-1 falls part of the area of responsibility of Wescom and is located approximately five kilometers (2.69 nautical miles) from the existing Malampaya gas platform. The PN has capabilities deployed at Wescom that conduct sustained naval patrols in the area," she told the PNA in a message.

She said the Navy, for more than a decade, has maintained continuous presence at Malampaya through JTF Malampaya, employing naval surface, air and special operations assets to ensure its protection. (With reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)

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Israel moves to restrict Palestinian re-entry to Gaza, 'encourage outflow': Report

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 24 January 2026 9:48 PM

The Israel regime is reportedly seeking to limit the number of Palestinians re-entering Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in a bid to ensure that more people leave the coastal sliver than return.

Reuters carried the report on Friday, citing "three sources," who also said it remained unclear "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."

According to the report, the regime additionally sought to establish a military checkpoint inside Gaza near its border, through which all Palestinians entering or leaving would be required to pass and be subjected to Israeli "security checks."

"Israeli officials had insisted on setting up a military checkpoint in Gaza to screen Palestinians moving in and out," the sources noted.

Plans for such strict checks have been under discussion since last year, according to multiple reports at the time.

The sources further said 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 report came a day after US President Donald Trump officially launched his Gaza "Board of Peace" during a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, attended by dozens of officials, who signed onto Washington's "peace plan" for the war-ravaged territory.

Trump claims his plan is aimed at ending the regime's war of genocide on Gaza, which began in October 2023.

A ceasefire deal was signed in early October between the regime and Gaza's Hamas resistance movement towards implementation of the proposal.

The regime, though, has killed hundreds of Palestinians since the deal was concluded in, what observers call, a continued pattern of genocide, besides preventing sufficient entry of direly-needed humanitarian supplies into the territory.

The regime has also recently barred the Palestinian technocratic committee, which is set to administer Gaza under the "Board of Peace," from entering the coastal sliver.

Tel Aviv has been repeatedly delaying the crossing's opening and continues to prevent adequate amounts of aid from entering Gaza.

In February this year, Trump unveiled a plan to transform Gaza into a "Riviera of the Middle East" and vowed to expel its population for the people's own "safety." Numerous reports followed that Washington and Tel Aviv were in talks with African states to relocate Palestinians.

Among these countries was Sudan, which denied that any such development was taking place. Another was Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia that Tel Aviv has controversially recognized.

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West Bank faces worst humanitarian crisis since 1967 amid Israeli raids: UNRWA

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 24 January 2026 2:22 PM

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned that the occupied West Bank is facing its most severe humanitarian crisis since 1967, citing extensive displacement and destruction in refugee camps amid ongoing Israeli military raids.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini made the remarks in a statement on X on Friday, noting that around 33,000 Palestinians remain forcibly displaced from northern West Bank refugee camps, a year after Israel launched its military offensive known as "Iron Wall."

"Israeli forces have been demolishing swathes of the camps, reducing the chances for these communities to recover," he said.

Lazzarini further emphasized that UNRWA teams are providing emergency assistance to newly displaced refugees who have been pushed "deeper into poverty" and face a lack of "viable alternatives for healthcare, education, and social welfare."

He also underscored that the agency's continued ability to operate in the West Bank depends on the sustained political and financial backing from UN member states, amid rising humanitarian needs and growing operational constraints.

Over the past week, Israeli forces have escalated their attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank and al-Quds, committing 1,024 violations, including killings, arrests, home raids, and assaults on property and religious sites.

Palestinian figures show Israeli forces and illegal settlers have killed at least 1,108 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East al-Quds, and injured nearly 11,000 others since October 2023. Around 21,000 Palestinians have been detained.

Separately on Friday, illegal Israeli settlers vandalized a mosque in the northern West Bank, marking the latest in a series of attacks targeting Palestinian religious sites and property.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa, citing local land defense coordinator Thaer Hanani, reported that settlers stormed the Beit al-Sheikh Mosque in the Khirbet Tana area, east of Nablus, causing havoc inside and compelling worshippers to perform their Friday prayers outdoors.

Hanani also said the settlers destroyed fencing around adjacent orchards to allow livestock to graze freely, damaging Palestinian olive trees.

He described the incident as part of ongoing assaults aimed at preventing residents from returning to Khirbet Tana, whose residents were forcibly expelled early last year.

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.

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Trump aims to create new UN and own it, Brazil's Lula warns

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 24 January 2026 8:11 AM

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has criticized US President Donald Trump for attempting to create a new United Nations and be the sole owner of the international body.

"Instead of fixing" the United Nations, "what's happening? President Trump is proposing to create a new UN where only he is the owner," Lula said in a speech at an event on Friday.

Lula sounded the alarm about the new world order Trump is creating, warning that the international community is facing a "very critical" political moment in global dynamics, with multilateralism being forced out in favor of US unilateralism.

He warned that "the UN charter is being torn" to pieces by Trump.

Lula said Trump is replacing the UN charter with "the law of the jungle" in reference to his use of the US military to press Washington's demands.

Lula further criticized Trump for attempting to "rule the world." Trump "wants to run the world," he said.

"Every day he says something, and every day the world is talking about what he said," the Brazilian president noted. "It's remarkable."

Instead of using diplomatic means for pursuing foreign policy, "the law of the strongest" is increasingly shaping international relations among nations, he said.

Lula also said that his plan is to explore the possibility of an international meeting to reaffirm the world countries' commitment to multilateralism and prevent "the force of arms and intolerance of any country in the world" from prevailing.

To salvage what remains of the world order, Lula said, he had added momentum to his diplomatic contacts with his counterparts in Russia, China, India, Hungary, Mexico, and other countries in the hope of countering US unilateralism by creating an international response to strengthen multilateralism across the globe.

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Chinese-Led Consortium Secures No-Bid Wind Project in Bosnian Serb Entity

By Goran Katic January 24, 2026

Republika Srpska's government has handed a roughly $938 million wind power project to a little-known Chinese-Singaporean consortium without a public tender, prompting questions about transparency and oversight in Bosnia-Herzegovina's Serb-majority entity.

The project, which is now called the Leotar Wind Farm and planned to be constructed near the southern city of Trebinje, was granted to the company through direct negotiations rather than a competitive bidding process despite legal provisions that prioritize public tenders for concessions involving natural resources.

In 2025,Republika Srpska's government signed a cooperation agreement with a consortium composed of Zhongji Construction Group from China and Zodic Energy, a Singapore-registered firm with only three employees and less than a year of documented business activity. No public tender was announced, no competing bids were disclosed, and no detailed evaluation of the investors' technical or financial capacity has been made public.

Previously, the project had been awarded -- also without a public tender -- to another Chinese-Singaporean consortium, Zhongbo Group and China Power, which signed an agreement with Republika Srpska's government in 2024. That consortium later withdrew from the project for reasons that were never officially explained.

The episode, watchdog groups say, is illustrative of how Republika Srpska's government uses murky legal loopholes to court Chinese investment and limit oversight for large-scale resource projects.

"This structure makes it difficult to verify the credibility of investors and creates risks of conflicts of interest or concealment of ties between actors," Transparency International's Bosnia-Herzegovina office said in a late December reportabout the deal.

The report added that such deals "leave room for suspicion about the legality of the procedure and the possibility of favoring certain investors," and that the case highlights the weaknesses in the management of natural resources and large infrastructure projects in Republika Srpska.

Loopholes And Transparency Concerns

That lack of transparency also feeds broader geopolitical concerns in Republika Srpska and the Balkans.

The European Union and the United States have repeatedly warned that Bosnia-Herzegovina is particularly exposed to murky Chinese investment practices.

During a hearing in December, US Congressman Keith Self warned that China uses economic projects in the Western Balkans to exploit weak governance and corruption, and aNovember reportby the European Council on Foreign Relations ranked Bosnia-Herzegovina among the countries most exposed to Chinese influence in the region.

Under the law of Republika Srpska, concessions are generally meant to be awarded through public tenders. However, the same law allows exceptions if the government signs a direct agreement with a specific investor. Watchdog groups describe that provision as a loophole that undermines competitive and transparent decision-making.

Following the withdrawal of the first Chinese-Singaporean consortium, the nearly $1 billion project was rebranded from Trebinje 1 to Leotar and reassigned to the new investors, again through closed negotiations.

Republika Srpska's Energy and Mining Ministry told RFE/RL that the cooperation agreement with the Chinese and Singaporean partners was signed on October 3, 2025, but did not specify who signed it on behalf of the investors.

The ministry stated that Zodic Energy is obligated to secure permits and financing and to construct the wind farm, after which a concession agreement could be finalized. If approved, the investors would pay a concession fee of 7.8 million convertible marks ($4.6 million) to the budget of Republika Srpska.

Officials did respond to questions about why a public tender was not held or how the government assessed the credibility of the investors.

Who Are the Investors?

Publicly available information about the companies involved remains sparse.

Zodic Energy, which officially applied for the concession, was registered in Singapore in March 2025. The company has no website, no publicly listed contact details, and no disclosed track record in large-scale wind energy projects.

Zhongji Construction Group, headquartered in Beijing, claims on its website to operate in sectors ranging from renewable energy and smart agriculture to drone production and international trade, with annual business volume reportedly exceeding $2.6 billion. However, it provides no project-specific details for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its precise role in the Leotar wind farm remains unclear.

Despite being a signatory to the cooperation agreement, authorities of the Republika Srpska confirmed that only Zodic Energy formally applied for the concession, raising questions about Zhongji's actual responsibilities and financial exposure.

Further ambiguity surrounds the ownership trail left by the previous consortium.

The withdrawn investors had established Zhongbo Group d.o.o. Banja Luka in September 2024. When the new consortium took over the project, it also acquired this local company.

According to Republika Srspka's business register, Zhongbo Group d.o.o. has no listed phone number or e-mail address. Its registered office in central Banja Luka, at Aleja Svetog Save 7A, houses mostly law firms, with no visible sign of business activity.

The company's director, listed as Zhang Wei, did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment.

A Pattern of Costly Disputes

Transparency International's Bosnia-Herzegovina office stresses in their reportthat Republika Srpska has a history of controversial concession deals that later resulted in international arbitration and major financial losses.

They cite a case involving the Slovenian firm Viaduct, where Republika Srspka was ordered by Bosnia-Herzegovina's High Representative to pay the equivalent of $67 milliom in compensation to the company after unlawfully terminating a hydroelectric project.

The entity's authorities are also in the process of taking over the coal mining concession held by Comsar Energy, owned by Russian oligarch Rashid Sardarov, who is seeking more than $140 million in damages.

Concerns persist at the local level, as well. The Trebinje city assembly has approved the preparation of a zoning plan for the wind farm awarded to the Chinese-Singaporean concession, but opposition councilors say they were given no meaningful information about the investors.

The project still requires approval from Republika Srpska's Concessions Commission and the entity government, followed by years of permitting, planning, and financing. Construction, officials say, could last five to seven years.

"You come to the assembly, you are presented with such a decision, and you know nothing about the contractors who are supposed to take on this serious job," Dajana Milisic, an opposition councilor in Trebinje's city assembly, told RFE/RL.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china- consortium-republika-srpska-wind-farm-deal-concession- bosnia-herzegovina/33656934.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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USS Cincinnati arrives in Ream Naval Base

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet

NEWS | Jan. 24, 2026

By Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs

REAM NAVAL BASE, Cambodia -- Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) arrived in Ream Naval Base for a temporary port visit, Jan. 24, 2026.

Cincinnati's visit to Cambodia celebrates the continued partnership between the United States and Cambodia, reaffirming our shared commitment to regional security, peace and prosperity. While in port, the crew will conduct ship tours, hold subject matter expert exchanges, and meet with key leaders to further enhance maritime partnership between the two nations.

"It is an honor to be welcomed by the Cambodian people at Ream Naval Base," said Capt. Matt Scarlett, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. "We are always excited to work alongside our partners and continue to build a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations."

This visit also demonstrates the deepening cooperation and expanding friendship between the U.S. and Royal Cambodian navies. Cambodia and the United States work shoulder-to-shoulder to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.

As we mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we reflect not only on our ideals, but also on the enduring role of diplomacy in shaping our nation's journey and global impact. This visit is a testament to our long-standing partnership with Cambodia and our shared vision for the future. Cincinnati's visit also follows Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah's (LCS 28) port visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia in December 2024.

As the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical commander of littoral combat ships deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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NATO Must Admit It Cannot Approach Russia's Borders Closely - Hungary's Orban

Sputnik News

20260124

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO must recognize that Russia will not allow the alliance to approach its borders and agree on how Ukraine can once again become a buffer state, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday.

"I see no other solution than to recognize that NATO and the European Union cannot directly deploy troops to Russia's borders, because the Russians will always respond with war. That is why there must always be something between Russia and their borders, some kind of buffer zone. And we must agree on how this land called Ukraine, which was a buffer zone and has now become a war zone, can once again become a buffer state," Orban said at an event in Hungary's Kaposvar, which was broadcast by the M1 television channel.

He said that the conflict was caused by NATO's desire to include Ukraine in the "Western security system," while Russia declared this impossible, as Moscow operates on the premise that it "has the right to prevent an enemy army from reaching its borders."

 Sputnik

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CENTCOM Chief Arrives in Israel Amid US Force Buildup in Region - Reports

Sputnik News

20260124

TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) commander, Adm. Brad Cooper, on Saturday arrived in Israel amid threats of escalation with Iran and the buildup of US forces in the region, Israeli Army Radio Galei Tzahal reported, citing a US military source.

It will be a brief visit, with meetings with Israeli top security leadership scheduled on Saturday, the report said.

Cooper arrived in the Middle East to address recent developments in Syria, in particular, the Syrian army takeover of territories previously held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, and the transfer of thousands Islamic State terror group (IS, banned in Russia for terrorism) prisoners from Syria to Iraq, the report said.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said that a large number of US military ships are moving toward Iran "just in case."

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported citing official sources and air tracking data that several F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bombers had landed in Jordan, on January 18. The report further added the Pentagon was sending the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the Middle Eastern region, and that additional Patriot and THAAD air defense system were being deployed.

Previously, Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported that the national security system was closely monitoring the buildup of the US military presence in the region.

Regardless of the rising tensions, there are currently no changes in the Israeli civil defense guidelines, about which the public is promptly notified in the event of any national emergencies.

 Sputnik

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Pentagon Publishes New Defense Strategy

Sputnik News

20260124

The newly released US defense strategy frames Russia's nuclear arsenal as the world's largest and insists the US must have "guaranteed access" to Greenlandeven as it claims the strategy "is not a strategy of isolation."

Key takeaways:

Ukraine conflict resolution is described as primarily Europe's responsibility.

NATO allies are said to surpass Russia in "latent military power."

Iran may seek nuclear weapons by "refusing to engage in meaningful negotiations."

North Korea's nuclear forces are a direct threat to Washington.

US nuclear modernization will focus on deterrence and escalation management.

 Sputnik

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MANILA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 19 airports across the Philippines will receive a combined 7.8 billion pesos (about 132.28 million U.S. dollars) in capital outlays this year to upgrade aviation facilities and improve the air travel experience, a member of the House of Representatives said Sunday.

House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan said the funding will help strengthen inter-island air connectivity, boost tourism, support small businesses, and generate employment in the regions.

"We are counting on these upgrades to enhance the overall air travel experience for passengers, attract more tourists, support the growth of small and medium enterprises, and create additional jobs," Libanan said.

The Department of Transportation said the funds will be used for the construction or improvement of runways, taxiways, ramps, control towers, and passenger terminals, as well as for the acquisition of navigation and safety equipment. 
California becomes 1st U.S. state to join WHO disease network

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:07, January 24, 2026

SACRAMENTO, United States, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- California became the first U.S. state to join the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) on Friday, one day after the United States officially withdrew from the WHO.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the decision following a meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said a statement from the governor's office.

The GOARN is a WHO-coordinated international network that brings together hundreds of public health institutions, governments, laboratories, academic centers and response organizations worldwide to rapidly detect and respond to emerging health threats, particularly those with cross-border or pandemic potential.

"The Trump administration's withdrawal from WHO is a reckless decision that will hurt all Californians and Americans," said Newsom. "California will not bear witness to the chaos this decision will bring. We will continue to foster partnerships across the globe and remain at the forefront of public health preparedness."

Newsom's office said the California Department of Public Health is currently the only state-led institution in GOARN, though several U.S.-based academic institutions and response organizations remain members of the network.

The move is part of broader public health initiatives launched by California in recent months. In December 2025, Newsom announced the Public Health Network Innovation Exchange, a California-led effort to modernize public health infrastructure.

California also partnered with Oregon, Washington and Hawaii in September 2025 to form the West Coast Health Alliance, which issues vaccine recommendations independent of federal guidance.

The United States completed its withdrawal from the WHO on Thursday, ending over 70 years of membership. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cited the organization's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and "failure to adopt urgently needed reforms" as reasons for the decision.

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UN human rights chief condemns abuse in U.S. immigration enforcement

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:37, January 24, 2026

GENEVA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The UN human rights chief condemned in a statement on Friday the repeated use of "unnecessary or disproportionate force" in U.S. immigration enforcement.

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed shock at "the now-routine abuse and denigration of migrants and refugees."

He said many people arrested and detained lack timely access to legal counsel and effective means to contest their detention and removal decisions.

Turk urged the United States to ensure that its migration policies and enforcement practices respect human dignity and due process rights.

He also called for an independent and transparent investigation into the rising number of deaths in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

According to the statement, at least 30 such deaths were reported last year, and a further six have been reported so far this year.

On Jan. 7, during a federal enforcement operation in Minneapolis, an ICE agent shot and killed a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, sparking widespread tensions. A week later, another ICE agent shot a Venezuelan immigrant in the same area, further escalating protests.

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FBI agent investigating Minneapolis deadly shooting resigns amid pressure

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 24 January 2026 10:24 AM

The FBI agent involved in the probe of the killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has resigned amid pressure.

Good was killed earlier this month by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Tracee Mergen resigned as supervisor in the FBI's Minneapolis field office after the law enforcement agency's leadership in Washington mounted pressure on her to discontinue a civil rights probe into the conduct of Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer who had shot Good in the face at point-blank range, killing the unarmed mother of three.

Cindy Burnham, a spokeswoman for the FBI office in Minneapolis, declined to comment on Mergen's resignation.

Mergen's resignation is the latest development to have emerged from the mishandling of Good's case by the US Justice Department.

After the January 7 shooting, US President Donald Trump defended the excessive brutality used by federal agents, saying they were just "doing their job."

Good was accused by the Trump administration of trying to run Ross over with her vehicle.

Several Trump administration officials have branded Good as a "domestic terrorist."

However, a video analysis by The New York Times showed Good had no intention of running Ross over, and she was just trying to flee from the armed agents approaching her.

Since the killing, protesters have held rallies against ICE on an almost daily basis.

Thousands of protesters braved the bitter cold on Friday, marching through the streets of Minneapolis, demanding that ICE agents leave the city.

Local leaders have slammed ICE's presence in the area, with Minneapolis' Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey telling the agency to "get the f out of Minneapolis."

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Third Meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Security Implementation Group

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

January 24, 2026

Representatives from six United States government agencies and their Mexican counterparts convened the third Security Implementation Group (SIG) meeting in Washington, DC on January 23 to drive immediate, impactful results on security cooperation.

The SIG underscored its priority focus of ending the fentanyl crisis by accelerating extraditions and transfers of high-value Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) targets, disrupting illicit finance networks that enable both organized crime and terrorism, and intensifying efforts to stem arms trafficking across the border. In advance of major sporting events, the United States and Mexico agreed on two key initiatives and how to move forward on their implementation to counter illicit Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

The United States thanked Mexico for its historic January 20 transfer of 37 criminals and narcoterrorists as well as the partnership between our authorities that led to the capture of FBI Top Ten Most Wanted fugitive Ryan Wedding. These concrete accomplishments highlight the results of our close bilateral cooperation.

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US withdrawal from WHO 'risks global safety', agency says in detailed rebuttal

24 January 2026 - The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a detailed statement regretting the United States decision to leave the UN agency, and declaring that it will leave both the US and the world less safe as a result.

The statement, released on Saturday, also includes a rebuttal of the US administration's reasoning for the measures. In response to government statements that the WHO has "trashed and tarnished" and insulted it, and compromised its independence, the agency notes that "the reverse true," and that the WHO has always sought to "engage with the United States in good faith, with full respect for its sovereignty."

The accusation by the US administration that the WHO has "pursued a politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests" is countered and described as untrue. The agency, the statement reads "has always been and remains impartial and exists to serve all countries, with respect for their sovereignty, and without fear or favour."

Defence of COVID-19 response

A significant portion of the statement is dedicated to defending the WHO against US accusations of "failures" during the COVID-19 pandemic: according to the administration, the WHO obstructed the "timely and accurate sharing of critical information" and "concealed those failures".

The agency counters this by noting that, throughout the pandemic, it acted quickly, shared all information it had rapidly and transparently with the world, and advised Member States on the basis of the best available evidence.

WHO recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns.

Immediately after receiving the first reports of a cluster of cases of "pneumonia of unknown cause" in Wuhan, China on 31 December 2019, WHO asked China for more information and activated its emergency incident management system.

By the time the first death was reported from China on 11 January 2020, WHO had already alerted the world through formal channels, public statements and social media, convened global experts, and published comprehensive guidance for countries on how to protect their populations and health systems.

When the WHO Director-General declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations on 30 January 2020 - the highest level of alarm under international health law - outside of China there were fewer than 100 reported cases, and no reported deaths.

In the first weeks and months of the pandemic, the Director-General urged all countries repeatedly to take immediate action to protect their populations, warning that "the window of opportunity is closing", "this is not a drill" and describing COVID-19 as "public enemy number one".

In response to the multiple reviews of the COVID-19 pandemic, including of WHO's performance, WHO has taken steps to strengthen its own work, and to support countries to bolster their own pandemic preparedness and response capacities. The systems WHO developed and managed before, during and after the emergency phase of the pandemic, have contributed to keeping all countries safe, including the United States.

Door open for US return

Despite the withdrawal notice, WHO remains committed to global cooperation and expresses hope that the United States will re-engage in the future. The agency highlights recent milestones, including the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, described as "a landmark instrument of international law" aimed at preventing and responding to future pandemics.

As a founding member of the WHO, the United States of America has contributed significantly to many of the agency's greatest achievements, including the eradication of smallpox, and progress against many other public health threats including polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and more.

"WHO remains steadfastly committed to working with all countries in pursuit of its core mission," the statement concludes, reaffirming its mandate to advance "the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people."



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Third fatal officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis within a month exposes enforcement flaws, may heighten federal-state tension: expert

Global Times

By Deng Xiaoci Published: Jan 25, 2026 09:48 AM

Authorities confirmed US local time Saturday that the man shot dead by US federal agents earlier in the morning in Minneapolis, Minnesota was a US citizen, marking a third shooting involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday morning.

According to the CNN, the man has been identified as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old who sources say worked as an ICU nurse. Police said he's believed to have been a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.

The third fatal shooting incident occurring in such short period exposes the serious enforcement flaws in this group of federal law enforcement officers, as they hastily took to the streets to perform their duties without adequate psychological evaluations, blindly pursuing arrest rates and wantonly venting subjective anti-immigrant hatred, Shen Yi, a professor at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

According to CNN, the DHS claimed earlier that Border Patrol officers attempted to disarm an armed man who had approached them, and an agent fired defensive shots when the man "violently resisted."

However, USA Today reported on local time Saturday that in videos, Alex Pretti does not appear to wield a gun prior to being shot and killed by federal officers.

New York Times also reported that but footage shows Pretti was clearly holding a phone, not a gun, before the agents took him to the ground and shot him.

Shen questioned the law-enforcement process, saying that the federal agents should not have killed the man first and then started to look for the gun. Their arrest and interception inspection procedures are filled with subjective assumptions and lack any semblance of standardization, Shen said.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has claimed the agent killed Pretti in so-called self-defense  a narrative Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called "nonsense" and "lies." During the Trump administration's sweeping immigration crackdown, DHS statements have at times been contradicted by bystander video and questioned in courts, the CNN reported.

Xinhua reported that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked at a news conference that "How many more lives need to be lost before this administration realizes that a political and partisan narrative is not as important as American values?"

Witnesses were quoted as saying by local media that the man was struck multiple times in the chest before being transported to a nearby hospital, Xinhua reported.

Walz said on X that he "just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning." "Minnesota has had it. This is sickening," said the governor. "The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now."

Following the fatal shooting, Walz authorized the activation of the Minnesota National Guard to assist local law enforcement at the request of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

"The state has the personnel to keep people safe - federal agents must not obstruct our ability to do so," said Walz.

President Trump in a post on Truth Social accused that the Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric!

According to the BBC, 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 ICE operation ordered by the Trump administration in Minnesota has been going on for more than six weeks, per the report.

Anti-ICE protesters were already marching in Minneapolis on Saturday local time despite frigid temperatures. Authorities used tear gas and flash bangs to disperse an angry crowd confronting agents after the shooting, the CNN updated.

A federal agent had his finger bitten off by a protester in Minneapolis during the aftermath of Saturday's deadly shooting, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed.

"About hundreds of protesters then showed up at the scene. They began to obstruct and to assault law enforcement officers," Noem said at a news conference while describing the scene after the shooting, CNN reported. "We saw objects being thrown at them, including ice and other objects and a rampant assault began, and even an HSI officer - agent's finger was bitten off."

This incident marks the third shooting involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month. The first occurred on January 7, when 37-year-old US citizen Renee Good was fatally shot by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. On January 14, an ICE agent shot a Venezuelan national in the leg during an attempted arrest, according to the DHS, Xinhua reported.

Shen from the Fudan University said that after the first deadly killing of Good, the state-federal tension on immigration law enforcements has been ignited and could have been resolved until the White House accused Good of an "act of domestic terrorism," leaving no wiggle room.

The renewed accusation against Governor and Mayor of inciting insurrection is bound to further intensify the sharp tension on immigration enforcement issues, plunging the contradictions between the two sides even further, said the professor.

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Canada Against Golden Dome Over Greenland - Trump

Sputnik News

20260124

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Canada is opposing the construction of the Golden Dome over Greenland, a project that would safeguard the country, while instead engaging in what he described as dangerous business with China.

"Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada. Instead, they voted in favor of doing business with China, who will "eat them up" within the first year!," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump previously said that his administration is launching the Golden Dome missile defense program worth $175 billion, aimed at delivering the highest level of protection for US airspace. Trump since then repeatedly advocated for Canada to join the US, arguing that the country does not earmark sufficient funds for defense, relying on Washington for protection.

 Sputnik

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MC-55A Peregrine: a first-of-type capability strengthening Australia's Defence

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

24 January 2026

The first of four MC-55A Peregrine - Australia's inaugural airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare (ISREW) aircraft - has arrived, marking a major milestone in strengthening the nation's sovereign defence capability.

The Albanese Government is pleased to announce the first MC-55A arrived at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, late last week. Modelled on the Gulfstream G550 airframe and extensively enhanced by L3Harris Technologies, the MC-55A is a long-range, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft designed to deliver multiple sources of intelligence in support of Defence operations.

This advanced capability reinforces Australia's national defence posture and contributes to deterrence. Integrated within a focused and agile force, the MC-55A ensures the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is ready to detect, disrupt, deter, and if necessary defeat threats - underpinning the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) commitment to readiness and resilience.

The MC-55A will be a key component of Australia's broader ISR enterprise, complementing platforms such as the P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton, and forming a critical link in the nation's sovereign network of surveillance and electronic warfare assets.

Operated by Number 10 Squadron, the MC-55A Peregrine will be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles MP:

"The introduction of the MC-55A Peregrine represents a significant step forward in strengthening Australia's ability to monitor and protect its strategic interests, including key maritime approaches.

"This capability will integrate seamlessly with allied and partner systems, enabling the Air Force and ADF to share intelligence with security partners like the United Kingdom and United States - reinforcing our collective security and enhancing regional stability."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP:

"This investment strengthens Australia's sovereign intelligence, surveillance, and electronic warfare capability and ensures our Defence Force is prepared for the challenges of tomorrow."

Quotes attributable the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM:

"The introduction of the MC-55A to Air Force's fleet will ensure we have a critical enabler for advanced ADF capabilities and, as identified in the 2024 Integrated Investment Program, provide important intelligence information to support ADF missions.

"The MC-55A Peregrine is more than an aircraftit is a strategic capability that reinforces our ability to protect national interests in an increasingly complex security environment."

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Trump issues severe warning to Canada over potential China deal

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 24 January 2026 5:32 PM

US President Donald Trump has warned Canada that the country's imports into the US will face a harsh tariff regime if it makes a trade deal with China.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Saturday that all Canadian goods and products coming into the US will be slapped with a 100% tariff if a Canada-China trade deal goes through.

"China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life," he said in the post.

Trump added that if the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, "thinks he is going to make Canada a 'Drop Off Port' for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken."

Trump has repeatedly used tariff threats against various countries to force them to accept his demands, though many of those threats have later been withdrawn, with Trump being forced to change his policy or scale down the tariffs.

The US president had also previously threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on several European countries to pressure them into accepting his plans to acquire Greenland from Denmark.

These threats have drawn mounting criticism from European leaders, ultimately forcing Trump to soften his stance on the acquisition proposal.

Trump has consistently used tariffs to counter the rise of China as a global economic power. However, last year, he was forced to scale down planned tariffs on Chinese imports after the policy sparked public outrage due to its economic impact on US consumers.

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Xi congratulates Yoweri Museveni on re-election as president of Uganda

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source Xinhuanet

EditorLin Congyi

Time2026-01-24 17:36:03

BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a congratulatory message to Yoweri Museveni on his re-election as president of Uganda.

Xi said in the message that China and Uganda, bound by a long-standing traditional friendship, have in recent years firmly supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, delivered fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation across various fields, and maintained effective coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

President Museveni is an old friend of the Chinese people, Xi said, adding that Museveni has long been committed to promoting the development of China-Uganda relations, which the Chinese side highly appreciates.

Xi also noted that he attaches great importance to China-Uganda relations, and stands ready to work with Museveni to deepen political mutual trust, carry forward the traditional friendship, implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and promote the in-depth development of the China-Uganda comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

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Voters queue to cast their votes at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

YANGON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships.

Voting started at 6 a.m. local time. The general election is being conducted in three phases. The first phase took place on Dec. 28 last year in 102 townships, followed by the second phase on Jan. 11 in 100 townships.

Following the conclusion of the first two phases of voting, the lists of elected representatives for the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), the Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and the Region and State Hluttaws (Region and State Parliaments) have been released in succession.

About 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties were contesting seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw, and the Region and State Hluttaws.

The election will decide the elected members of the Union Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw) and State and Region Parliaments; the new Union Parliament will then elect a new president, who will form a new Union Government.

Myanmar's last general election was held in November 2020. 

A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

A voter has her finger marked with ink at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

Voters check their information at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

Voters queue to cast their votes at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

Myanmar's Acting President Min Aung Hlaing visits a polling station in Mandalay, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Photo by Ei Mon Kyaw/Xinhua)

A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)
Iran says 10 foreign intelligence services behind recent unrest

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:29, January 24, 2026

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.

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Iran says it has boosted its missile power since war with Israel

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 24 January 2026 2:56 PM

Iran's defense ministry spokesman says the country has better and stronger missiles compared to those used during a brief war with the Israeli regime last year.

Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik said on Saturday that Iran has also increased the number of its missiles since the end of the war with Israel in late June.

"The quantitative and qualitative capacities of Iran's missile power have increased compared to the imposed 12-day war, and the country's missile defense capability has been strengthened and become more effective thanks to the experiences gained in the war," Talaei-Nik was quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency.

The general added, however, that Iran has developed sophisticated missile capabilities to respond to emerging threats, while insisting that the country would keep such advances confidential in order to surprise the enemy at the proper time.

He dismissed recent threats of military attacks against Iran, saying that the enemy's hesitant rhetoric toward Iran proves it fears Iran's defense capacity and missile power.

Iranian missiles used in the war with Israel inflicted considerable damage on the regime, striking many military and economic targets across the occupied territories with a high degree of precision.

Military experts believe the growing impact of Iranian missiles fired against Israeli targets was a major factor in the United States' decision to force the regime to accept a ceasefire on June 24.

Iranian officials and military commanders have warned that the country will use its substantial missile power against US-linked targets in the region if Washington decides to attack Iran.

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IRGC deputy chief warns of 'regret-inducing response' to any aggression against Iran

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 24 January 2026 11:30 AM

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Deputy Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says Iran is fully prepared to respond decisively to any hostile action against the country, warning adversaries against further adventurous moves.

Addressing the National Congress of the 12,000 Western units in the northwestern city of Urmia on Saturday, Vahidi stated that Iran had already thwarted enemy plans during the 12-day US-Israeli aggression in June and the recent foreign-backed riots inside the country.

"Just as in the 12-day war and the recent sedition, all enemy schemes to defeat Islamic Iran failed, we are ready to deliver a regret-inducing response to any reckless action by the sworn enemies of the Iranian nation," Vahidi said.

He noted that Iran's adversaries, after suffering setbacks during the 12-day war, attempted to compensate through internal unrest, but were again defeated due to national unity and public solidarity.

Sporadic economic protests that had begun in late December in Iran were soon infiltrated by riotous, foreign-backed elements aiming to hijack them towards inciting unrest.

The elements were confirmed by Iranian intelligence to receive American and Israeli intelligence, arms, and logistical support, prompting Iranian forces to round up ringleaders and confiscate firearms, including weapons bound for the capital, Tehran.

US President Donald Trump claimed that the United States would resort to military aggression against Iran in the event of what the US president called the Islamic Republic's use of violence against protesters.

Vahidi slammed foreign powers for acting against the Iranian population while publicly claiming to support them. He pointed to sanctions imposed on Iran and acts of violence during recent unrest as examples of long-standing hostility toward the Iranian nation.

He further asserted that the ultimate objective of the United States and its allies was to weaken Iran, undermine national cohesion, and bring the country under foreign influence.

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Over 140 riot ringleaders captured in Iran's Hamedan

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 24 January 2026 10:04 AM

Iranian security forces have managed to identify and arrest 148 riot ringleaders involved in the recent foreign-backed unrest in the western province of Hamedan.

Those arrested are linked to the Israeli regime, the International terrorist network, and networks involved in the manufacturing and distribution of hand grenades and Molotov cocktails, according to the Hamedan province intelligence department.

One of these terrorists, one who had come to Hamadan from a neighboring province with premeditated intent to cause destruction, fled and hid in a county of Tehran Province after killing a security officer.

He was later arrested in a joint intelligence and operational mission by the police, with the assistance of public cooperation.

This individual has a criminal record, including convictions for kidnapping and intentional assault.

Furthermore, several individuals involved in the brutal attack on Basij members in Hamadan and the cowardly attack on an elderly passerby in Nahavand were identified and arrested.

Two teams producing and distributing Molotov cocktails among the field elements of the riots were also identified.

Five members have been arrested so far, and a large number of ready-to-use Molotov cocktails, along with production equipment, were discovered and seized.

The intelligence forces also captured three four-person teams acting as scene managers and leaders in destroying public and private property and vehicles, two foreign nationals, an element linked to Israel, and a team connected to the International terrorist network.

Late last month, economic hardships, caused and exacerbated by years of Western sanctions, triggered a wave of peaceful protests among merchants in Tehran and other cities.

Authorities recognized the protesters' demands as legitimate, but the demonstrations were hijacked by rioters backed by American and Israeli leaders, who publicly called for vandalism and disorder.

Officials said that some of the mercenaries were armed, trained, and recruited by US and Israeli spy agencies to incite violence, damage public property, and kill civilians and members of security forces.

In a statement on Wednesday, Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs said a total of 3,117 people had lost their lives during the riot.

It further noted that 2,427 of those killed were innocent civilians and security personnel.

Many of the martyrs were bystanders and protesters who were shot dead by organized terrorist elements, it said.

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Iran's Internet Blackout Continues Amid Reports Of Rising Death Toll

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda January 24, 2026

Iran's Internet blackout continues, despite a temporary resurgence, says a digital rights watchdog, as a state-aligned news agency claims the country's access to the Internet will be restored by tonight.

"Iran's Internet blackout continues into its third week, despite a brief momentary restoration," Netblocks, a digital rights watchdog and connectivity monitoring organization, said in a post on X on January 24.

"Online platforms are occasionally whitelisted, and some users have been able to tunnel out [using VPNs or other circumvention tools] over the last couple of days," it added.

The Fars news agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), on January 24 quoted the chief of Iran's telecoms company as saying Internet service would be restored in the coming hours -- an action, it added, that was approved by the Supreme National Security Council.

"God willing, this issue will be resolved today or tomorrow," Behzad Akbari, chief executive of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Company, was quoted by Fars as saying.

Yusef Pezeshkian, a government adviser and son of President Masud Pezeshkian, called for the Internet to be brought back online.

"Keeping the Internet shut will create dissatisfaction and widen the gap between the people and the government," he wrote on Telegram.

Iran's near-total nationwide digital blackout -- ongoing since January 8 -- is thought to be one of the longest in history. Only Sudan's complete shutdown following its October 2021 coup, which lasted about 25 days, is known to have lasted longer.

Human rights groups say Tehran's move to cut access to the Internet was intended to conceal human rights violations by Iran's security forces.

Others add that the blackout has limited protesters' ability to organize and resist, while severely restricting the flow of news and making independent verification of information difficult.

According to the US-based human rights organization HRANA, the number of fatalities in the recent protests has now risen to 5,137 confirmed deaths with more than 7,400 "severely injured."

As of January 24, HRANA said that the number of deaths still under investigation is 12,904.

On the same day, an umbrella body of independent teachers' unions in Iran published the names of at least 29 schoolchildren in a list of students it says were killed in the crackdown.

The council said it published the names and images of these children based on reports from trusted networks and reliable sources, and that the list will be updated gradually.

Previously, HRANA reported that they have managed to confirm the deaths of at least 54 minors.

Separately, Pramila Patten, UN special representative on sexual violence, expressed concernsabout "disturbing" reports of sexual abuse in the context of political unrest in Iran.

"Such acts, whether committed in detention facilities, during arrest, or in the context of the intimidation of protesters, constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights and may amount to crimes under international law," she said.

Because of the Internet shutdown reports of possible sexual violence related to the protests are impossible to verify. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) reported that a number of detained persons were subjected to sexual abuse in Kermanshah.

Amnesty International in 2023 reported that "security forces in Iran used rape and other forms of sexual violence...to intimidate and punish peaceful protesters" during the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising.

On January 24, the US State Department's Persian-language account on X shared a video of President Donald Trump talking to reporters.

When asked if he thought Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- whom Trump had previously called responsible for widespread violence -- should step down or go into exile, Trump said "I don't want to get into that."

"But they know what we're looking for," he added. "There's a lot of killing going on."

He also warned the Islamic republic against seeking to set up other advanced nuclear facilities like those targeted by US strikes in Operation Midnight Hammer in June.

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-internet-blackout- death-toll-crackdown-trump/33658516.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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South Korea's Prime Minister Proposes US Send Special Envoy to North Korea  Report

Sputnik News

20260124

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has proposed the idea of Washington sending a special envoy to North Korea, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported.

Kim Min-seok held a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance at the White House.

During his talks with Vance, the South Korean prime minister proposed the idea of the United States sending a special envoy to North Korea as a way to improve relations between Washington and Pyongyang, Yonhap said.



"First, (I told Vance) that in reality, only [US President Donald] Trump has the will and capability to improve relations (with North Korea)," Kim Min-seok said, as quoted by Yonhap, adding that he also said "that sending a special envoy to North Korea, whoever that may be, can be an approach to express an intent to enhance relations (with the North)."

Yonhap said that Vance had allegedly requested Kim Min-seok's advice on diplomacy with Pyongyang, amid speculation that Trump could seek a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when the US president visits China in April.

On Friday, Yonhap reported, citing sources, that US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby was going to visit South Korea and Japan next week to meet with key officials from their foreign affairs and defense ministries.

Colby's visit to South Korea is expected to take place from January 25-27, after which he will proceed to Japan. The upcoming trip follows a visit to South Korea by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in November.

 Sputnik

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"As Syria turns into an island of prosperity and stability in the region, we will all benefit from this"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

24.01.2026

Speaking at a key-delivery ceremony of new houses in Aydn, President Erdogan said: "When the separatist terrorist threat in northern Syria is brought to an end without escalation, not only the Syrian people but our entire region will find relief. As Syria turns into an island of prosperity and stability in the region, we will all benefit from this. The beneficiaries of a united, indivisible, and secure Syria will be Arabs, Turkmen, Kurds, Alawites, Druze, Christians, and all other Syrian citizens."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech at the Ceremony for the Drawing of 6,973 Houses, Key Delivery of 1,482 Houses and Opening of City Hospital and Other Newly-Completed Projects in Aydn.

"Debates in Davos show that the criticisms we level of the global system have started to be endorsed by the West as well. Western leaders that used to laud the global system until very recently are now speaking of distortions, injustice, and problems of the global system. Those who used to criticize us harshly now concede that we are right," President Erdogan said.

Stressing that Syria is recovering swiftly under the wise leadership of President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and with Turkiye's strong support, President Erdogan stated: "Security and stability are being restored after 13.5 years of conflicts. Terrorist organizations are gradually being expelled from the regions they occupied by the Syrian military. Our Kurdish brothers and sisters, not even regarded as citizens under the old regime, are now becoming an integral part of the new Syria, with their rights recognized at the highest level. Likewise, our Turkmen brothers and sisters are also assuming critical positions in the new administration. The fight waged against the terrorist organization called DAESH, waged against this scourge is now being conducted in a stronger and more determined manner. Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is being eradicated from our region. In other words, problems that are of concern to our country are being resolved one by one. We are reaping the fruits of our standing on the right side of history, our fulfilment of the requirements of being a Muslim, and our commitment to good-neighborliness."

President Erdogan stressed: "When the separatist terrorist threat in northern Syria is brought to an end without escalation, not only the Syrian people but our entire region will find relief. As Syria turns into an island of prosperity and stability in the region, we will all benefit from this. The beneficiaries of a united, indivisible, and secure Syria will be Arabs, Turkmen, Kurds, Alawites, Druze, Christians, and all other Syrian citizens.

Noting that Turkiye engages in thorough and meticulous analysis and deliberations before taking action in foreign and domestic policy, including the terror-free Turkiye process, President Erdogan added: "Praise be to Allah, we have not allowed even the tiniest harm to our country. We have not allowed the fire engulfing the countries surrounding us to spill over into Turkiye. We have managed a very difficult process with great success."

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PM call with President Trump of the United States: 24 January 2026

Press release

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 24 January 2026

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon.

The Prime Minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home. We must never forget their sacrifice, he said.

As Ukraine approaches the fourth year of war since Russia's full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed on the need to see progress towards a sustainable ceasefire. Whilst diplomatic efforts continue, the Prime Minister reiterated that international partners must continue to support Ukraine in its defence against Putin's barbaric attacks.

The leaders also discussed the need for bolstered security in the Arctic, and the Prime Minister said it was an absolute priority for his government.

The leaders discussed the importance of the UK-US relationship, which continues to stand the test of time.

They agreed to speak soon.



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Futuristic helicopter drones programme advances as British based companies selected to develop prototypes

Press release

A programme to build futuristic 'wingman' drones to operate alongside Apache attack helicopters is advancing as British companies have been selected to develop prototypes.

From: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP

Published 24 January 2026

New drones will pair up with Apache attack helicopters, pivoting to a new way of war and delivering on the Strategic Defence Review.

Industry partnering with Defence to shape future of autonomous weapons systems.

Seven industry partners advance to the next stage of Project NYX.

Seven industry partners have been invited to bring forward their designs for the futuristic drones, which will accompany British Army helicopters in future battles.

Known as Project NYX, the programme is an innovative approach to work alongside industry to advance development of Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) to operate alongside Apache attack helicopters.

When completed the drones will be able to function as 'loyal wingmen,' working alongside crewed Apache attack helicopters to perform a variety of complex tasks such as reconnaissance and surveillance in contested areas, strike and target acquisition and electronic warfare.

Through the Strategic Defence Review, the UK is pivoting to a new way of war, by harnessing new technology our Armed Forces will increasingly utilise uncrewed and autonomous capabilities to generate mass and lethality. Project NYX is delivery of that work in action, capitalising on the power of drones, AI and autonomy to complement the 'heavy metal' of tanks and artillery to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer on the battlefield.

The drones will operate on a 'command rather than control' principle, utilising AI for independent decision-making - being able to adjust to complex battlefield situations within the bounds of mission parameters. They will enhance lethality, survivability, and mission effectiveness while reducing the risk and logistical burden for human-operated systems.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

These drones of the future will make the British Army more effective and lethal by enhancing our ability to strike, survive and win on the battlefield. Project NYX represents the cutting edge of the Defence Industrial Strategy, working with leading British industry partners to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of autonomous military technology.

The invitation to tender follows a rigorous pre-qualification phase that concluded late in 2025. Backing British companies and making defence an engine for growth, the seven shortlisted industry partners are as follows:

Anduril

BAE Systems

Leonardo

Lockheed Martin UK

Syos

Tekever

Thales

In March 2026 the shortlist will be further down selected to four suppliers, when they will be invited to and offered contracts to participate in research and development to produce a concept demonstrator, with initial operational capability targeted for 2030.

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Mykhailo Fedorov and the U.S. Charge d'Affaires discuss cooperation on air defense and drones

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

23 January, 2026, 7:17 PM EET

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov held a meeting with Julie S. Davis, the U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine.

He thanked the United States for its comprehensive military and diplomatic support for Ukraine and for its readiness to deepen cooperation, highlighting in particular the importance of the PURL initiative, which supplies the Defence Forces with critical weapons.

Mykhailo Fedorov spoke about ongoing work with partners to extend PURL and another U.S. mechanism, JUMPSTART, which ensures the long-term supply of critical U.S.-made weapons.

"To protect the sky, it is crucial to have, as soon as possible, a clear forecast of air defense missile deliveries for this year and to build reliable supplies for the years to come," he stated.

The sides discussed the organization of joint analytics on the use of key U.S. systems, including Patriot, HIMARS, and others, drawing on battlefield data to enable both countries to jointly advance these systems and improve their effectiveness.

Another priority discussed was laser-guided artillery munitions, which significantly enhance accuracy and depth of engagement. Ukraine is counting on U.S. support in this area.

"We also gave particular attention to implementing the large-scale Drone Deal. We are working to enable U.S. partners to directly test Ukrainian drones without unnecessary bureaucracy. I am grateful for the constructive dialogue and the consistent support for Ukraine," Mykhailo Fedorov said in conclusion.

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MANILA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Four minors were killed and three others injured in a collision between a trailer truck and a tricycle in Isabela province in the northern Philippines, police said Sunday.

Police said the crash occurred on Friday evening in Santiago City after a tricycle, driven by a 17-year-old and carrying six minors, allegedly made a sudden left turn and was struck by a truck traveling in the opposite lane.

The victims -- four siblings and their three cousins -- were rushed to a local hospital, where four were declared dead on arrival, police said. The three injured people have been undergoing treatment.

The initial police investigation showed that the tricycle was heading home from a grade school when the accident occurred.

Police have taken the truck driver into custody as investigators work to determine accountability for the incident.

A tricycle is a three-wheeled motorized vehicle in the Philippines, often used for short-distance public transport. 
Mykhailo Fedorov appoints Valeriya Ionan as adviser on international projects

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

23 January, 2026, 6:29 PM EET

Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, appointed Valeriya Ionan as an adviser on international projects.

Valeriya Ionan is a global partnerships strategist and innovator with more than six years of experience in the Ministry of Digital Transformation, where she led key national projects and initiatives in regional digitalization and European integration. She coordinated international communications with leading global technology companies, including Google, Cisco, Microsoft, Palantir, and IBM, along with international organizations and governments around the world. She also contributed to coordinating the Tallinn Mechanism, an international initiative that has already allocated 241.7 million to strengthen Ukraine's cyber resilience. Valeriya Ionan has been the driving force behind numerous global initiatives and facilitated the launch of the world's second GovTech Center in cooperation with the World Economic Forum in Kyiv.

"The President has personally undertaken historic efforts to mobilize international resources. Our responsibility is to ensure their most effective use. Accordingly, our current focus is on systematic international support for the nation's defense projects. We must reinforce existing partnerships and establish new ones to secure victory over the enemy. We place great value on cooperation with international partners and will continue to deepen it," Mykhailo Fedorov stated.

According to him, Valeriya Ionan continues to work at the international level with governments and companies on the design and scaling of technology-driven public-private partnerships. Her experience will reinforce our work.

"This year, we have set the goal of increasing the volume of international military assistance and building genuine win-win partnerships focused on results. Integrating partners  including their scientific and research potential  will make our defense system stronger while simultaneously enhancing their defense capabilities," the Minister of Defence noted.

He added that work has already commenced in several areas, including an audit of existing international projects and the development of new strategic partnerships, specifically long-term alliances with countries, funds, and technology leaders.

"We share a common vision for cooperation with partners. Our efforts are focused on strengthening our global standing and transforming international support into tangible results for the country," Mykhailo Fedorov concluded.

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Operation Interflex: how allies train Ukrainian service personnel in the United Kingdom

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

23 January, 2026, 3:37 PM EET

Operation Interflex is one of the key components of the United Kingdom's military support for Ukraine, serving as a multinational training programme delivered in cooperation with partner nations. Since 2022, over 62,000 service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have completed training under the programme.

Funding for Operation Interflex has been extended through the end of 2026.

The operation aims to provide rapid, systematic training to prepare Ukrainian service personnel for modern high-intensity warfare. Training is delivered in the United Kingdom with the participation of instructors from partner nations.

The programme succeeded Operation Orbital, a British military training mission that operated before the full-scale invasion and focused on long-term training. Operation Interflex, by contrast, is adapted to wartime realities and the immediate needs of the front line.

Operation Interflex is led by the British Armed Forces. The training also involves instructors from more than ten partner countries, including those from Europe, North America, and Oceania.

This format enables the integration of varied combat experience and the standards applied by NATO member states.

The basic Interflex course lasts several weeks and focuses on developing the key skills required on the battlefield:

Basic infantry training;

Small unit tactics;

Weapons handling and marksmanship;

Combat engineering and mine awareness;

Tactical medicine;

Operations in urban environments and trench warfare.

The programme is regularly updated based on the combat experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and evolving enemy tactics. By scale and scope of training, Operation Interflex ranks among the largest training missions for a foreign military delivered by the United Kingdom in recent decades.

Operation Interflex is not merely a training programme; it is also an investment in Ukraine's resilience, improving the combat effectiveness of service personnel and preserving their lives.

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Share of Ukrainian manufacturers in military procurement rises to 82%

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

23 January, 2026, 1:16 PM EET

In 2025, the Ministry of Defence placed greater emphasis on procuring domestically produced items for the Armed Forces. Compared to the previous year, the share of weapons, equipment, and ammunition contracted by the Defence Procurement Agency DOT from Ukrainian manufacturers increased from 46% to 82%.

At the same time, the share of imported military goods declined from 54% to 18% over the year, creating favorable conditions for the sustainable development of Ukraine's defense industry.

"The volume of procurement from domestic manufacturers amounted to nearly UAH 430 billion, while the share of Ukrainian manufacturers in the lethal capabilities category reached 82% in 2025. Focusing on the domestic market enables manufacturers to scale up, accelerate the introduction of innovations, and supply the military with solutions tailored to the real needs of the front line, while reducing dependence on external suppliers," said Arsen Zhumadilov, Director of the Defence Procurement Agency DOT.

In 2026, DOT plans to further refine its procurement approach. When contracting suppliers, additional criteria will be taken into account, including production localization and supply diversification.

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Mykhailo Fedorov signs order to launch Mission Control drone command and control system in DELTA

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

23 January, 2026, 11:27 AM EET

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov signed an order on the launch of Mission Control, a drone command and control system within the DELTA combat digital ecosystem.

"We are consolidating all drone operations into a unified digital system by launching the revolutionary Mission Control project. Modern warfare is technological. Through e-points, we fully understand what is happening with drones on the battlefieldwe see completed missions, their intensity, and the contribution of each crew. However, to strike the enemy even more effectively, this is not enough," Mykhailo Fedorov said.

He explained that, from now on, each crew will enter operational data into the system, including the UAV type, launch point, route, and mission.

"We are moving away from paper-based processes in the military that drain service members' time and attention. All data is generated automatically based on the crews' actual activity. For the first time, commanders have a full real-time picture of mission executionwithout manual summaries or bureaucratic burden," Mykhailo Fedorov emphasized.

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine added that the next step will be the launch of a similar command and control system for artillery.

"Soon, we will have comprehensive information on drone crews, commanders, monthly rankings, and statistics for the entire corps. This will accelerate command decision-makingwithout manual processes or reliance on intuition," Mykhailo Fedorov stressed.

The Minister of Defence noted that the Department of War Mathematics operates within Brave1 and that this experience is already being scaled across the defense system.

"We are transitioning from chaos and fragmented data to a controlled, technology-driven form of warfare in which decisions are based on accurate data rather than assumptions. This is the new logic of warfighting in a systematic, technological, and effective manner while preserving the lives of our service members," Mykhailo Fedorov said.

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Statement by the Nordic Baltic States on Russia's destruction of energy infrastructure in Ukraine

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 24/01/2026

The Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, the Nordic Baltic 8, deplore Russia's continued attacks on Ukrainian cities, residential areas and critical infrastructure.

Despite international efforts to put an end to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and to pave the way for just and lasting peace, Russia has intensified its attacks against Ukraine's capital Kyiv as well as Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Odesa and many other cities. As a result, last week Ukraine's authorities had to announce a country-wide state of emergency. Attacks against civilian infrastructure, including the use of nuclear capable strategic missiles, must stop.

We call on Russia to immediately cease all military operations targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Attacks clearly intended to cut off Ukrainian people from electricity, heating and water supplies in times of extremely harsh winter conditions constitute a clear breach of Russia's obligations under international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes. We pay tribute to the extraordinary resilience of the Ukrainian people. However, resilience alone is not enough. Russia and its leadership must be held accountable for its violations of international law. In this regard, we welcome the progress made towards the establishment of a compensation mechanism for the victims of Russia's war and a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression.

Moreover, we are extremely concerned with Russia targeting Ukraine's electrical sub-stations that are crucial for the secure functioning of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. We demand that Russia ceases actions putting into grave danger the nuclear safety and security of Ukraine and its civilian population as well as potentially affecting surrounding areas. We reiterate our support for the crucial role of the IAEA, commend the important work of its inspectors and underline the need to ensure their safe and unhindered access to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. We urge the IAEA Board of Governors to take up this urgent matter to condemn the Russian attacks and strongly urge Russia to end this reckless and absolutely unacceptable behaviour.

We stand in full solidarity with Ukraine and its people and remain committed to supporting Ukraine's ability to defend itself against further Russian aggression, including with financial and additional military support. We are also working with state institutions, private companies and civil society to urgently mobilize immediate funding and assistance to restore the functioning of Ukraine's critical infrastructure and with humanitarian organisations to provide lifesaving assistance to the civilians. We welcome similar steps by other international partners.

We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the universal principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We continue to support all efforts to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and achieve a just and lasting peace, in line with international law including the UN Charter.

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The European Union directs 447 generators to the capital and frontline communities

Ukraine Government

Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, posted 24 January 2026 14:40

The European Union is sending 447 generators to the capital and frontline communities. The delivery is being carried out through the European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) from rescEU reserves (Poland) and is being implemented in cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. In total, the aid includes 445 low-power generators and two high-power generators with a total value of EUR 3.7 million.

The equipment received will be distributed by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Red Cross Society, among Kyiv and frontline communities to support heating and water supply services, particularly in educational, social, and medical institutions, shelters, and warming centers. In general, it is intended for the capital, as well as Kyiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, Sumy, and Mykolaiv regions.

The aid is aimed at strengthening the resilience of communities, ensuring the continuous operation of critical and social infrastructure, and providing people with access to basic services amid ongoing russian attacks.

The equipment will help boiler rooms, water supply facilities, treatment plants, and artesian wells operate so that people have access to heat and water amid russian attacks.

"Ukraine is experiencing its most difficult winter since the start of the full-scale war. The russian federation continues to deliberately destroy our energy infrastructure as well as housing and communal services. Support from our partners allows us to maintain the provision of basic services - heat and water. We are grateful to the European Commission and the ERCC for their important assistance, which strengthens the resilience of communities and the country as a whole," said Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine - Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, Oleksii Kuleba.

At the same time, the European Commission emphasized that supporting Ukraine in the face of targeted attacks on its energy infrastructure remains one of the European Union's priorities, especially during such a difficult winter.

"russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are deliberately depriving civilians of heat, light, and basic services in the middle of winter. Even during war, people should be able to live with dignity. By mobilising generators from the rescEU reserves, the European Union is once again showing solidarity with the Ukrainian people and helping to keep vital services running when they are most needed," said Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality Hadja Lahbib.

The equipment will arrive in Ukraine within a week.

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Ukraine Slams Massive Russian Air Attack On Kyiv And Kharkiv Amid Peace Talks In UAE

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Russian Service January 24, 2026

Ukraine has condemned a massive Russian attack overnight and into January 24 as an attempt to upend peace negotiations in the United Arab Emirates aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long full-scale war.

As negotiators from the United States, Russia, and Ukraine concluded their second day of talks in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi, on January 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the negotiations as "constructive," adding that further meetings could take place next week.

Earlier on the same day, at least one person was killed and scores more were injured in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and the frontline city of Kharkiv.

Both Ukrainian cities were hit with Russian missile and drone barrages in the early morning hours of January 24, according to local authorities.

"Cynically, Putin ordered a brutal, massive missile strike against Ukraine right while delegations are meeting in Abu Dhabi to advance the America-led peace process," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha wrote on X.

"His missiles hit not only our people, but also the negotiation table," he added.

Ukrainian authorities said Moscow fired over 370 attack drones and 21 missiles of various types.

In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said over 6,000 apartment buildings lost heating after the attack, and fire crews struggled to contain several blazes. He said that the houses that lost power had their central heating recently restored after large-scale air strikes on January 9 and January 20.

Temperatures in Kyiv hovered around -10 Celsius on January 24 as thousands of households were left without heating.

In Kharkiv, a nighttime drone attack injured 27 people, according regional head Oleh Syniehubov. City mayor Ihor Terekhov said the attack lasted nearly two and a half hours with one of the drones striking a refugee dormitory, and other strikes damaging a hospital and a maternity hospital.

The Russian strikes have also left more than 1.2 million properties across the country without power.

"Every such Russian strike on our energy infrastructure proves that there must be no delays in supplying air defenses," Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said after the attacks. "No blind eye can be turned to these strikes."

Meanwhile, in the first direct contact between Russia and Ukraine in months, negotiations in Abu Dhabi were expected to continue on January 24. Neither side has announced any concrete results so far.

Ahead of the negotiations, Kremlin aides said Russian President Vladimir Putin was satisfied with nearly four hours of talks held overnight with White House envoy Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and US officials.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's longstanding demand that Ukrainian forces leave the portion of the Donbas they still hold. The Donbas is a wide swath of territory in eastern Ukraine; Russia controls around 90 percent of it.

"Russia's well-known position is that [Ukraine's armed forces] must leave the territory of the Donbas, they must be withdrawn from there," Peskov told journalists. "This is a very important precondition."

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.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-ukraine- attacks-abu-dhabi-talks/33658391.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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Comment by Foreign Ministry Official Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova following the Kiev regime's recent terrorist attack in the Kherson Region

24 January 2026 18:26

75-24-01-2026

While representatives of Russia, the United States and Ukraine were participating in the talks on settling the conflict, held on January 23-24 in Abu Dhabi, the Kiev regime and its armed units committed yet another barbaric crime against our country's civilians.

In the early hours on January 24, an ambulance vehicle with a medical crew of the Aleshkovo Central District Hospital, en route to a severely ill patient, was attacked close to Golaya Pristan in the Kherson Region.

The vehicle was distinctly labelled as medical transport; however, it was directly targeted by a Ukrainian drone. The drone operator knew he was striking a civilian van; yet, they and their commanders made a conscious and inhumane decision to commit a terrorist act against civilians. The three medical workers in the ambulance vehicle were killed. It should be stressed that attacks on civilian medical transport are prohibited by international law.

With this act, the Kiev regime not only prompted conflict escalation but also demonstrated, once again, its true, or absolutely irresponsible, attitude to the resolution efforts being taken at this particular moment.

We strongly condemn the Ukrainian Armed Forces' direct attack on civilians. We sincerely sympathise with the victims' families and loved ones. Russian investigative and law enforcement bodies will do their best to hold the organisers and executors of this extremely grave crime accountable, with an inevitable and harsh punishment.

We demand that international competent bodies issue an objective and impartial assessment of this and other criminal acts by the Ukrainian neo-Nazis. Silence and connivance with the Kiev regime are unacceptable.

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Russia-US-Ukraine Trilateral Talks Took Place at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi

Sputnik News

20260124

ABU DHABI (Sputnik) - The first day of trilateral talks on Ukraine was held at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi, a residence where the UAE president frequently receives high-level foreign guests, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The delegations met at Al Shati Palace, located on the coast of a canal flowing into the Persian Gulf.

Chief of the Ukrainian armed forces' General Staff Andriy Hnatov attended the talks in military camouflage. Other members of the Ukrainian delegation wore civilian clothing, while National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov appeared, as usual, donning a black shirt.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan regularly hosts foreign leaders at this residence. In April, it was the venue for talks with Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, and in February 2025 the UAE leader received Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov there.

The first session of the Russia-US-Ukraine trilateral working group on security issues took place in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday. The UAE government described the meeting as positive and constructive, noting that Russian and Ukrainian delegations held direct contacts during the talks.

According to Axios journalist Barak Ravid, the negotiations could resume next Sunday.

"Trilateral negotiations between US, Russia and Ukraine will resume next Sunday (8 days from now) in Abu Dhabi, U.S. official says," Ravid wrote on X.

 Sputnik

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Russian Forces Liberate Settlement of Staritsa in Kharkov Region

Sputnik News

20260124

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian army has completed the liberation of the settlement of Staritsa in the Kharkov region, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday.

"As a result of the decisive actions of the Sever battlegroup, the liberation of the village of Staritsa in the Kharkov region has been completed," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Tsentr battlegroup has eliminated over 445 Ukrainian soldiers

has eliminated over 445 Ukrainian soldiers Russia's Zapad battlegroup has eliminated over 180 Ukrainian soldiers, four armored combat vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, an artillery piece, and five ammunition depots

has eliminated over 180 Ukrainian soldiers, four armored combat vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, an artillery piece, and five ammunition depots Russia's Vostok battlegroup has eliminated up to 355 Ukrainian servicepeople, an armored combat vehicle, 15 motor vehicles, and three artillery field pieces

has eliminated up to 355 Ukrainian servicepeople, an armored combat vehicle, 15 motor vehicles, and three artillery field pieces In battles with Russia's Sever battlegroup , Ukraine lost up to 145 troops, an armored combat vehicle, eight motor vehicles, and an electronic warfare station

, Ukraine lost up to 145 troops, an armored combat vehicle, eight motor vehicles, and an electronic warfare station Russia's Yug battlegroup has eliminated up to 140 Ukrainian troops, seven motor vehicles, five field artillery pieces, including two US-made 155-mm self-propelled artillery units Paladin, an electronic warfare station, and two ammunition depots

has eliminated up to 140 Ukrainian troops, seven motor vehicles, five field artillery pieces, including two US-made 155-mm self-propelled artillery units Paladin, an electronic warfare station, and two ammunition depots Russia's Dnepr battlegroup has eliminated up to 40 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, and an electronic warfare station

 Sputnik

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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A man was arrested Friday on federal wire fraud charges for allegedly stealing more than 23 million U.S. dollars in public funds intended to address homelessness in Los Angeles and using millions of dollars to finance a lavish personal lifestyle, authorities said.

Alexander Soofer, 42, executive director of the charity Abundant Blessings, is accused of diverting taxpayer money for luxury travel, designer shopping, private school tuition and real estate purchases, including a vacation property in Greece.

He was taken into custody Friday and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. If convicted, he will face up to 20 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors said Abundant Blessings received more than 23 million dollars in homelessness funding between 2018 and 2025. More than 5 million dollars came directly from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, while over 17 million dollars flowed through another nonprofit, Special Service for Groups Inc.

Abundant Blessings was contracted to provide housing and supportive services for more than 600 people experiencing homelessness across multiple sites in South Los Angeles. Investigators said conditions at some Soofer-operated sites fell far short of contractual obligations.

Investigators alleged Soofer systematically misrepresented how public funds were spent and diverted them for personal use. According to a press release by the U.S. Department of Justice, he fabricated bank statements, invoices and other financial documents to conceal transfers of public money into his personal accounts.

"He was living the high life while people he was meant to serve were suffering on the streets with no shelter and no food," Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, said at a Friday news conference. "Instead of providing three nutritious meals a day, what he was providing was ramen noodles and a microwave -- and pocketing the rest of the money."

Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, accused Soofer of placing personal greed above the needs of the city's most vulnerable residents. Tyler Hatcher, special agent in charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office, said the case underscored law enforcement's commitment to holding accountable those who misuse taxpayer dollars for self-enrichment. 
Russia Has Not Rejected Talks With Ukraine - Russian Foreign Ministry

Sputnik News

20260124

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has never rejected talks with Ukraine and is interested in resolving the crisis through political and diplomatic means, Alexey Polishchuk, director of the Second CIS Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik.

"We have never refused to negotiate with Ukraine and are sincerely interested in resolving the crisis through political and diplomatic means," he said.

Polishchuk said Russia's position on a comprehensive, fair, and long-term settlement is well known.

"It is based on the principles voiced by Russian President [Vladimir Putin] in June 2024, which remain relevant," he said.

The main issue is not the venue of talks on Ukraine, but the content and political will to reach agreements, Alexey Polishchuk added.

"Currently the issue is not posed in this way. The main thing is not so much the venue, but the content of the talks and the political will to reach agreements," Polischuk said.

US representatives came to Moscow this week to personally brief the Russian leadership on the results of their contacts with Ukraine and the European Union, Aleksey Polishchuk said.

Late on Thursday, the US delegation, headed by special envoy Steve Witkoff, arrived at the Kremlin for the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov and special presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries Kirill Dmitriev took part in the talks. Affinity Partners founder, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum also participated in the negotiations, which lasted about four hours.

"American representatives came to Moscow on January 22-23 to personally brief the Russian leadership on the results of their contacts with Ukrainians and Europeans and to jointly determine the parameters for further actions," Polishchuk told Sputnik, adding that "the meeting was useful in every sense for both sides."

Following the visit of the US delegation to Moscow earlier this week, Aleksey Polishchuk added that contacts on Ukraine were expected to continue.

"It was agreed that contacts on the Ukrainian issue would continue at various levels. Thus, the negotiating situation is in a fairly fluid state," Polishchuk said.

Russia aims to continue dialogue on the implementation of the results of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Aleksey Polishchuk said.

"During such contacts, the Russian side relies on the well-known positions outlined by the Russian President in June 2024 and the compromise understandings reached in Alaska in August 2025," Polishchuk told Sputnik, adding that Moscow is set to "continue the dialogue on the implementation of the results of Anchorage." On August 15, Putin and Trump met in Alaska to discuss ways to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Both leaders described the Anchorage meeting as positive. Following the summit, the Russian president said that it was possible to reach an end to the conflict in Ukraine and emphasized Russia's interest in a long-term settlement.

Russia appreciates the peace initiatives proposed by China, Brazil, the United States, African and Arab states on Ukraine and is grateful to everyone who provided a platform for a Ukrainian settlement, Polishchuk said.

"The last contacts, this time through the military, as is known, took place in Abu Dhabi. We are grateful to everyone who provides a platform and mediation on various aspects of the settlement, from military and political to humanitarian issues," Polishchuk said, specifying that Russia extends its gratitude towards Belarus, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Vatican and others countries.

"We appreciate the peace initiatives of China, Brazil, African and Arab states, the energetic efforts of the US leadership, and the sincere intentions of the 'Friends of Peace' group in New York," he added.

 Sputnik

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Andrii Sybiha condemns Russia's massive strike on Ukraine

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

24 January 2026 09:52

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "Peace efforts? Trilateral meeting in the UAE? Diplomacy? For Ukrainians, this was another night of Russian terror.

Cynically, Putin ordered a brutal massive missile strike against Ukraine right while delegations are meeting in Abu Dhabi to advance the America-led peace process. His missiles hit not only our people, but also the negotiation table.

Two of the largest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, shook from loud explosions. Dozens of ballistic and air ballistic missiles were used, as well as hundreds of drones.

Main targets remained the same: energy objects and residential areas. Russia continues to wage a genocidal war against civilian people, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

One person was killed and at least four injured in Kyiv. A maternity ward, an IDP dormitory, and a hospital were damaged in Kharkiv, causing civilian casualties. Northernmost regional center, Chernihiv, is left without power after strikes.

This barbaric attack once again proves that Putin's place is not at the board of peace, but at the dock of the special tribunal.

Grateful to our air defense, who demonstrated incredible effectiveness, to our hero energy workers restoring the damaged infrastructure, and to our partners strengthening Ukraine's resilience with additional interceptors and energy equipment.

I specifically thank every person who is now taking part in the #WarmthForUkraine volunteer initiatives across the world, raising funds for urgent energy support for our people. The warmth of your hearts helps us pass this most terrible winter in our history".

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The President Congratulated Intelligence Officers on the Day of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence and Presented Them with State Awards

President of Ukraine

24 January 2026 - 13:03

On the occasion of the Day of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated intelligence officers on their professional holiday, conferred senior military ranks, and presented the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, II and III class, and of Danylo Halytskyi, as well as the medals "For Military Service to Ukraine."

The Head of State thanked the intelligence officers for their daily service, thanks to which Ukraine receives vital information and in-depth analysis, as well as for their combat work and deep strikes. According to the President, the potential of the Foreign Intelligence Service is far greater.

"Ukraine needs a dedicated, strong intelligence unit capable of operating abroad at a level comparable to the world's best combat foreign intelligence agencies. Your perspective lies in external operations - not just influence, not just the collection of data or recruitment of agents, but real combat and other asymmetric operations that are essential to protecting Ukraine's interests," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The President separately highlighted the work of all components of the Defense Forces that are developing Ukraine's deep-strike capabilities, noting that there are good targets and very strong results.

"All our intelligence services, the National Guard, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Armed Forces - all are working to destroy the enemy. Thank you for the fact that such a component has emerged within the Foreign Intelligence Service and has undergone such a profound transformation precisely during the full-scale war," the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed his gratitude for the intelligence data provided by the Foreign Intelligence Service, which helps inform important decision-making.

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Three-Way Peace Talks Set To Resume In UAE, As Russia, Ukraine Fight On

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Russian Service January 25, 2026

Summary

Ukraine, Russia, and the US held peace talks in Abu Dhabi and plan to meet again next week amid ongoing fighting.

Russia captured the village of Starytsya in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine struck energy facilities in Russia's Belgorod region.

Massive Russian missile and drone attacks hit Kyiv and Kharkiv, killing at least one person and leaving hundreds of thousands without power and heat.

Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, after two days of "constructive" peace talks in Abu Dhabi, are set to resume peace negotiations in the United Arab Emirates capital next week, even as the war itself showed no signs of letup.

On January 23-24, "the United States coordinated a trilateral meeting alongside Ukraine and Russia, graciously hosted by the United Arab Emirates," White House envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on X.

"Talks were very constructive, and plans were made to continue conversations next week in Abu Dhabi. President [Donald]Trump and his entire team are dedicated to bringing peace to this war," he added.

Witkoff did not specify an exact schedule for resumption of the talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was briefed by his team on the talks and also labeled the negotiations as constructive, although no details of the sessions were disclosed.

The "military personnel involved in the negotiations have created a list of topics for a possible new meeting," Zelenskyy said.

Ahead of the negotiations, Kremlin aides said Russian President Vladimir Putin was satisfied with nearly four hours of talks held overnight with Witkoff, Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, and other US officials.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's longstanding demand that Ukrainian forces leave the portion of the Donbas they still hold. The Donbas is a wide swath of territory in eastern Ukraine; Russia controls around 90 percent of it.

Zelenskyy, who met with Trump in Switzerland on January 22, has long rejected the suggestion of ceding territory to Russia but told reporters the UAE talks would include the issue of territory in the Donbas.

Warring Parties Continue To Strike

As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of February 2022 nears, violence on the ground continued even amid the peace talks.

Russia, following its massive air strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv, on January 24 claimed to have captured another key village, while Ukraine reportedly struck back in Russia's Belgorod border region.

Russia's military said its troops had completed the capture of the village of Starytsya in the Kharkiv region, where Ukraine has been struggling to fend off a ground offensive amid heavy losses on both sides.

Starytsya, a settlement of some 486 people near the border, is close to the town of Vovchansk,which has been bloodied and battered for months amid desperate defenses since an offensive launched by Russia in May 2024.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on Russia's claim, but its General Staff said the Kremlin's forces had launched six attacks on an area including Starytsya. The reports could not be independently verified.

Russia's Westward Push

Russia has been attempting to push westward through eastern Ukraine to gain as much ground as possible amid peace negotiations. Much of its gains have been in the Donetsk region, although it has kept the pressure on in the Kharkiv region as well.

As Russia continues its nightly air strikes against Ukrainian cities, often hitting residential areas and infrastructure sites, Kyiv has struck back at energy-related facilities inside Russia that it says are used to fuel the Kremlin's war effort.

Russia's Belgorod region has often been the target of Ukrainian strikes and was the target of a Ukrainian ground offensive in May 2023. It was reportedly hit again late on January 24.

"According to our information, a massive shelling of the city of Belgorod [has been carried out]," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on Telegram, adding that there were no immediate reports of injuries.

"There is damage to energy facilities. We are collecting information, and emergency services are at the scene."

Telegram channels from the region reported that the shelling had lasted for a long period of time and that explosions were heard in Belgorod, a town of some 320,000 people.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the reports of air strikes against the Belgorod region.

Kyiv, Kharkiv Hit by Russian Strikes

Earlier on January 24, Ukraine condemned a massive Russian attack overnight and into January 24 on the capital, Kyiv, and on Kharkiv, with at least one person being killed.

According to local officials, both cities were hit with Russian missile and drone barrages through the early morning hours and later in the day on January 24.

"Cynically, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin ordered a brutal, massive missile strike against Ukraine right while delegations are meeting in Abu Dhabi to advance the America-led peace process," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha wrote on X.

"Main targets remained the same: energy objects and residential areas. Russia continues to wage a genocidal war against civilian people, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity."

By late evening, more than 3,200 buildings in Kyiv remained without heating, down from 6,000 in the morning, as night-time temperatures fell to minus-10 degrees Celsius.

Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said more than 800,000 Kyiv homes and a further 400,000 in Chernihiv region, north of the capital, were still without power late on January 24.

"As for power, constant enemy attacks unfortunately keep the situation from being stabilized," he wrote on telegram.

In Kharkiv, a nighttime drone attack injured 27 people, according regional head Oleh Syniehubov. City mayor Ihor Terekhov said the attack lasted nearly 2-1/2 hours, with one of the drones striking a dormitory for disabled people, and other strikes damaging a hospital and a maternity hospital.

"Unfortunately, a 68-year-old woman died in the hospital, who was wounded as a result of an enemy [drone] strike near the village of Prudianka," Syniehubov wrote on Telegram.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war- peace-uae-kharkiv-kyiv/33658854.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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RAMALLAH, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army on Sunday in the central West Bank, according to Palestinian sources.

The Palestinian General Authority for Civil Affairs said in a brief press statement that 34-year-old Ammar Hijazi was killed by Israeli army fire north of Ramallah city.

The statement did not provide further details on the circumstances of the killing but confirmed that the authority's teams are working to retrieve Hijazi's body, which is being held by Israeli forces. Hijazi was from the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israeli soldiers opened fire on Hijazi while he was driving his vehicle in the area.

The Israeli army has not yet commented on the incident.

Meanwhile, local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli settlers set fire to two vehicles and spray-painted racist slogans on early Sunday morning during an attack on the town of Atara, northwest of Ramallah.

The West Bank has seen increased violence since the Gaza war began in October 2023. According to a UN report, 240 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank in 2025, including 55 children, whereas Palestinians killed 17 Israelis in the territory during the same period. 
Next article: NPHC West Africa, The Divine Nine and Black Greek Life: Heritage Tourism Impact in Ghana

Featured

Embrace Ragga Rap to succeed Yaw Dhope to Ghanaians

Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jan - 25 - 2026 , 17:01 3 minutes read

MUSICIAN Yaw Dhope isnt just dropping a new single; hes trying to start a movement. With his latest release, Ramputu Freestyle, featuring Bogo Blay, the artiste is making a strong case for homegrown music styles.

Speaking with the Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, January 20, Dhope expressed his desire to see Ghanaians embrace and actively promote Ragga Rapa high-energy hybrid of Ragga and Rap hes been honing since 2018.

He noted that while the debate about Ghana championing Highlife isnt a bad call, the competition on the global stage requires Ghana to go beyond being recognised for Highlife and embrace other music styles that elevate the country's image globally.

Yaw Dhope said Ghanaian music had lots of potential and that locals should take ownership of the various styles and genres.

It's difficult for people to accept change or when you want to bring in something new, but I think Ragga Rap should be supported since it is something that we can push.

Today, we are all enjoying Highlife, Afrobeats, Ragga, Hip-Hop, Hiplife, among other genres because someone tested their creativity and musicians tapped into it.

Reggie Rockstone is honoured for pioneering Hiplife. But Im very sure he had some opposition at the time, but we all saw the results.

It became the most popular music style in Ghana in the late 90s and early 2000s and discovered great talents such as Obrafour, Lord Kenya and TicTac, who ruled the airwaves at the time.

And this is why Im charging Ghanaians to support this genre not only to grow but also to showcase Ghana's rich musical diversity, he added.

This is not the first time a Ghanaian musician has invented a new music style. In the early 2000s, Hiplife act Sony Achiba introduced Hip-Dia, a blend of Hip-Hop, Hiplife and an Indian style of music, and in 2014, rapper D Cryme also brought Twi-Pop. Both genres didn't see the light of day.

Although he didn't speak particularly to the misfortune of those genres, Yaw Dhope is confident Ragga-Rap isn't going to suffer the same fate. This is because the genre has gained momentum since its inception in 2018.

According to the old student of the Abuakwa State College (ABUSCO), the response to his new sound has been encouraging, with many people already embracing the style.

I just want Ghanaians and the whole world to know this style. I started experimenting with Ragga Rap in 2018 but started getting attention in 2025. This means the support is there and with a little push, Ghana can boast of a new genre, he said.

He told Graphic Showbiz he is not limited to Ragga Rap but has chosen to focus on it because it is relatively new and fresh.

I can do other music styles, but I decided to be creative and merge Ragga and Rap, and the response has been great.

People are giving me a listening ear. Its a journey Ive started. I just want Ghanaians and the whole world to know this style. Already, Ive seen people hopping on the style and its a joy to watch. I think it is something we all can push to succeed, he added.
Next article: Ghana Armed Forces to receive new salary scales from March - President Mahama

Featured

Adenta court remands TikTok user over alleged fake plot against Mahama

GNA Jan - 25 - 2026 , 12:15 1 minute read

The Adenta Circuit Court has remanded a 30-year-old laundry attendant into police custody for allegedly publishing false information likely to cause fear and panic.

The accused, Ahmed Hassan Abdul Razzaq, is said to have uploaded a video on his TikTok account, @breakingnewsghana, in which he claimed that two military officers were plotting to assassinate President John Dramani Mahama.

The court did not take Razzaqs plea and ordered that he be held in custody until his next appearance on February 9, 2026.

The prosecution is being led by Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo.

According to the prosecution, the complainant in the case is the Ghana Police Service.

The court was told that on January 20, 2026, Razzaq published the video and named Sergeant Amoh and Sergeant Joseph as the officers allegedly involved in the supposed assassination plot.

He was arrested the following day at Adjiringanor in the Greater Accra Region.

In his caution statement, Razzaq admitted to making the video but stated that he had never met the officers and did not know them personally.

He further claimed that he had chanced upon a post on social media alleging the plot, which he said prompted him to publish the video.

However, investigators said he failed to lead them to the source of the alleged social media post.
Featured

Ghana Armed Forces to receive new salary scales from March - President Mahama

GNA Jan - 25 - 2026 , 12:00 3 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has announced an upward adjustment in salaries for personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces, with the new pay structure set to take effect in March 2026.

He further disclosed that salary arrears for January and February 2026 would also be paid in March.

The announcement was made during the Presidents address at the 2025 West African Soldiers Social Activity (WASA), held at the Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces at Burma Camp in Accra.

WASA is an annual social gathering for members of the security services, designed to give them respite from their demanding schedules while promoting camaraderie and mutual appreciation.

President Mahamas declaration was greeted with thunderous applause from military personnel present at the event.

I bring thee tidings of great joy, and it pleases me to announce that your new salary scales will start in March. I said tidings of great joy. You now understand what I mean. Your new salary scales will start in March, and the arrears for January and February will also be paid in March, he said.

Thank you very much. I knew you would receive that with great joy.

Touching on retirement benefits, President Mahama recalled that in 2020, the previous administration, shortly before the general elections, introduced Constitutional Instrument 129, which extended the length of service and resulted in significant increases in retirement and gratuity payments for retiring officers.

It will interest you to know that over the four years following the year 2020, the previous administration made no budgetary allocation to operationalize the new gratuity levels, he said.

The President noted that this omission had led to the accumulation of arrears exceeding one billion Ghana cedis, owed to about 3,000 military personnel across different ranks.

He disclosed that he had directed the Minister of Finance to release funds to settle the outstanding arrears of the 1995 and 1996 year groups at existing rates, while steps were taken to fully clear their entitlements under C.I. 129.

President Mahama also announced plans to strengthen the internally generated funds of the Ghana Armed Forces through greater involvement in national infrastructure projects.

According to him, discussions were ongoing with the Ministry of Roads and the Ministry of Finance to enable the 48th Engineer Regiment and the Ghana Army to participate in the governments Big Push Infrastructure Projects across the country.

We shall allocate some of the drip equipment that was imported under the last administration to the 48th Engineer Regiment so that you can also participate in road construction and earn money for the Armed Forces, he said.

He commended the winners of the Chief of Defence Staff Prize essay competition and expressed appreciation to the organisers, sponsors and partners whose efforts contributed to the successful staging of WASA 2025.
Featured

Volta Health Directorate driver arrested after GHS vehicle intercepted with suspected narcotics

Mohammed Ali Jan - 25 - 2026 , 15:13 2 minutes read

A driver with the Volta Regional Health Directorate has been arrested and detained by the police in Ho after a Ghana Health Service vehicle was intercepted with items suspected to be narcotic substances, triggering both a police investigation and an internal inquiry by health authorities.

The suspect, identified as Godsway Kwaku Dogbey, was arrested following what police sources described as an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Volta Regional Police Command.

The incident occurred when the driver allegedly failed to stop at a police checkpoint at OLA Top in Ho and drove through a barrier, prompting officers to give chase. Police said the vehicle was later intercepted near Tarso Hotel, where it was impounded and searched.

The vehicle, with registration number GV 246014, is registered to the Ghana Health Service. During the search, police said items suspected to be narcotic substances were found inside, leading to the arrest of the driver.

Mr Dogbey remains in police custody and is assisting with investigations as officers work to establish the nature and source of the substances.

In a press release dated January 25, 2026, the Volta Regional Health Directorate said it was formally informed of the arrest on Friday, January 23, 2026, through its Transport Unit. The Directorate said management immediately dispatched a team to the Volta Regional Police Headquarters in Ho, where the arrest and detention were confirmed.

While police investigations continue, the Directorate said it has taken steps to set up a Committee of Enquiry to independently examine the incident and determine whether there were any administrative or supervisory lapses.

It added that measures were being put in place to strengthen the monitoring and tracking of official vehicles to minimise the risk of similar incidents in the future.

The Directorate stressed that the incident does not reflect its institutional values, noting that it operates under strict standards of integrity, accountability and professionalism in public health service delivery.

The statement was signed by the Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Emmanuel Atsu Dodor.
Ghana deal with Afreximbank gets official creditor backing, source says

Next article: Ghana deal with Afreximbank gets official creditor backing, source says

Featured

Police investigate violent attack on patrol team in Ashanti Region

Jemima Okang Addae Jan - 24 - 2026 , 18:19 1 minute read

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has launched investigations into an attack on a Jacobu District patrol team by a group of civilians at Bepotenten Sukuum on Friday, January 23.

According to a police report, the incident followed the recovery of a pump-action gun from a 15-year-old boy by officers on patrol.

The officers subsequently instructed the boy to inform the owner of the firearm to report to the police station with the necessary documentation.

While returning from the patrol, the police team was confronted by a crowd of about 100 people who had blocked the road.

Some members of the group were reportedly armed with cutlasses and firearms. The crowd allegedly attacked the officers and seized one service rifle during the confrontation.

In the course of the ensuing struggle, police fired shots, injuring the individual who had taken the rifle as well as another person. The service weapon was later retrieved by the officers.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has strongly cautioned the public against attacking police personnel, stressing that such actions undermine law enforcement efforts.

It warned that all individuals involved in the assault would be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Featured

Police swoop nets 100 after mob assault on patient at Akoti Health Centre

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Jan - 24 - 2026 , 20:25 3 minutes read

The Central North Regional Police Command has arrested 100 residents of Assin Wurakese in the Assin Fosu Municipality in a dawn operation linked to the recent violent attack on a patient at the Akoti Health Centre.

The swoop, carried out on Friday, involved the deployment of about 85 security personnel and followed weeks of intelligence-led investigations into the incident, which was widely circulated on social media.

A video shared on social media showed a group of young men storming the health facility and attacking Yaw Buabeng, who had gone there to seek treatment for machete wounds.

Briefing the media, the Central North Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Abraham Acquaye, said the mass arrests were based on intelligence indicating that the assault was a coordinated mob action involving several individuals within the community.

He said all the suspects would be screened, after which those found culpable would be arraigned before court.

According to DCOP Acquaye, preliminary investigations showed varying levels of involvement among those arrested. He said while some directly participated in the attack, others aided and abetted the perpetrators, failed to prevent the crime, or harboured suspects without reporting them to the police.

The regional commander said the latest operation followed three earlier arrests connected to the case.

He explained that two suspects, a community police assistant, Bismark Yeboah, and Yaw Buabeng, who was both a victim of the mob attack at the health facility and a suspect in a related assault, had already been arraigned before court and remanded into police custody. The two are expected to reappear before the court on February 5, 2026.

DCOP Acquaye further confirmed that a third suspect, Daniel Ababio, who was also captured in the viral footage allegedly inflicting injuries on Yaw Buabeng with a pair of scissors at the Akoti Health Centre, had been arrested. He said Ababio had earlier been attacked by Buabeng, an incident that reportedly triggered the subsequent mob action.

Providing background to the case, the police commander said the incident occurred on Sunday, January 11, 2026, forcing health personnel at the facility to abandon their posts temporarily.

He explained that the violence followed an earlier altercation between Yaw Buabeng and a couple, during which the parties allegedly inflicted cutlass wounds on each other. Buabeng later rushed to the Akoti Health Centre for treatment, where a mob from the Assin Wurakese community reportedly followed him and assaulted him with sticks and clubs.

DCOP Acquaye cautioned the public against filming incidents in which people are being attacked or killed instead of intervening or alerting the police, stressing that such conduct was unlawful.

He also warned against mob justice and violent attacks, emphasising that the police would not tolerate such acts.

The regional commander assured the public that the Police Command would not bow to pressure from politicians, traditional authorities or any influential persons, stressing that the law would be applied without fear or favour.
Artists and local creatives attend the Cultural Bazaar Namibia in Windhoek, Namibia on Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- At the Franco-Namibian Cultural Center in Windhoek, Namibia's capital, aspiring dancers moved in unison, following the choreographer's cues.

"Step to the right, swing the arm halfway, and glide down," said Shanwell Brinkman, a choreographer with the Fresh Gang Dance Crew, as hip-hop rhythms filled the space.

For Brinkman, whose passion lies in hip-hop dance, opportunities to share his skills in organized public settings have long been scarce. That changed on Saturday, when he joined dozens of creatives at the day-long event, Cultural Bazaar Namibia.

"We are hosting a dance workshop today. It is a fusion of hip-hop and Afro genres to create a welcoming energy and start offering classes in the future, which this bazaar enabled. It is thrilling," he said.

The event was organized by Cultural Agenda Namibia, a social platform for artists, and marked the group's first large-scale initiative to support local creatives and advance Namibia's arts, culture, and creative industries.

The volunteer-driven bazaar brought together about 30 artists, writers, creatives, and art-focused social movements, delivering around 50 activities. The program ranged from dance, live music, and visual arts to drama, theatre sports, yoga, wellness sessions, fashion showcases, public workshops, and exhibitions.

Beyond testing new dance lessons, Brinkman said the event allowed him to network with fellow artists and organizations, opening doors to potential collaborations and business opportunities.

"These kinds of events are very rare in our community, but they are necessary to grow the creative industry and the community as a whole," he said.

Alicia Dipierri, founder of Cultural Agenda Namibia, said the initiative was designed to strengthen the country's creative sector and improve artists' chances of securing bookings from companies and event managers throughout the year.

According to Dipierri, the arts and creative sector face several challenges, including limited access to funding and social and business obstacles.

To address one of the biggest hurdles -- the difficulty artists face in meeting decision-makers -- the organizers invited event managers and events management companies to attend, network, and explore collaboration opportunities.

"Our aim is to broaden the scope of the creative sector, promote the value of the arts beyond social talent, and highlight its economic potential in Namibia," she said.

The initiative also seeks to generate economic benefits for creatives, make art more accessible, and inspire social change.

For Jackson Karipo, founder of Art by Jackson, working in visual and digital arts allows him to bring creativity directly into public spaces, helping people connect with the stories embedded in art.

"My artwork also tells a story of economic activities in Windhoek and other social issues. After all, Windhoek is where people come to live out their dreams, and my art illustrates the bustle and hustle that make up this city," he said while sharing his creative process at the event.

For visitors, the cultural bazaar offered a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of art, culture, business, and innovation -- and to engage directly in the creative process.

"Most often, we only see the final product and do not value the work that goes into it," said Selma David, a Windhoek resident, adding that events like this help people understand what goes into creating art. 

Artists and local creatives attend the Cultural Bazaar Namibia in Windhoek, Namibia on Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)

People dance during a workshop at the Cultural Bazaar Namibia in Windhoek, Namibia, on Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)
Since all its maintenance and cleaning contracts expired in September 2025, the Department of Parks and Recreation has been paying Guam Cleaning Masters and JJ Global Services month-to-month for maintenance of public restrooms and the Dededo Pool, respectively, DPR Director Angel Sablan said.

Monthly payments are between $14,000 and $17,000 to Guam Cleaning Masters for restroom maintenance, and $33,000 to JJ Global for pool maintenance, Sablan said.

It varies, because some months, we tell them you dont have to take care of it because our people will come or its not being used, Sablan said of public restroom maintenance. We have over 60 parks on the island. Not all of them have restrooms, but all of them have to be maintained at least.

New yearly contracts are sitting with the General Services Agency for solicitation, he said.

Once the bid is written, Sablan said it is submitted to GSA for the agency to oversee solicitation and selection.

DPR does not control solicitation for bids, he added.

The one for the [Dededo] pool is at GSA, and the one for the islandwide restrooms has been sent down there. How far the process is on that, I dont know, Sablan told the Pacific Daily News. GSA does the whole procedure of looking at the scope of work, doing the market research on it, and then looking at the vendors that may provide this kind of service. Then they put an announcement out that DPR looking for these contracts.

Tiguac Cemetery

Additionally, DPR has continued grounds maintenance for Tiguac Cemetery themselves, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Department of Corrections since ending its contract with Comfort Cuts and Grounds Maintenance LLC in August 2025.

Sablan said a contract bid will not be made until DPR has decided appropriate terms.

We havent put that out yet, because we want to make sure the scope of work that we put together is going to encompass what we want done at the cemetery, Sablan said. We have a $25,000 threshold on issuing purchase orders. Its not going to cost us $25,000 to get somebody to cut the grass at Tiguac, based on previous contracts that we had.

Parks Administrator John Taitague said he has met with a couple of interested vendors but only to visit the site and take a look at what they would be getting themselves into, under direction from Sablan.

I wont accept a quote [otherwise] because you cant blindly say yes [to] cut 30 acres for $3,000, and you dont even know what youre getting yourself into. They have to be there to see what theyre cutting, what the obstacles are, where the trees are at, whatever it is going to take, Sablan said.

Taitague and Sablan said DPR would issue a three-month quote solicitation to see if theres any other smaller vendors out there interested in taking the job at Tiguac.

Cant be at all places at all times

Sablan said it is very difficult to maintain the property themselves, because Tiguac is not the only property DPR maintains.

We dont have a grasscutting contract for any of our properties. We do it ourselves [and] we cant be at all places at all times. Thats why were trying to really get these contracts, Sablan said.

Sablan wants to have contracts for Tiguac, public restrooms, and Dededo Pool secured before renovations for the Hagatna Pool are completed so the department can focus on finding a contract before it opens.

Right now, were not funding it at all because its not online, [but] when this place goes online, be prepared, because were going to ask for money to have it maintained. Otherwise, were not going to open it, because we dont have any maintenance contract to keep it going, he said.

Based on the current monthly fees, Sablan said the new contracts are not going to be a small amount.

Monthly maintenance for the Dededo Pool costs DPR $33,000 to keep it flowing, keep the chlorine, keep it clean, and oxygen and pH levels all maintained.

Sablan said the department has not put a full scope of work together yet because the funding it has for fiscal year 2026 is not enough to get us through the entire year, so he is meeting with Vice Speaker Tony Ada in February to impress upon him the need to give DPR a supplement, or else the department has to go on its own funding.

He said DPRs fiscal 2026 budget is a little more than $1 million. Before the Guam Legislature convened to discuss the 2026 budget bill, Sablan said DPR was vocal about its need for additional funding and personnel.

We did that before this budget was even entertained. We need additional personnel, Sablan said. Some people [ask] why we have to contract out the restroom or the pool. Why dont you guys do it yourselves? [If] you want us to do it ourselves, give us the people so that we can do it ourselves.

People need to respect the place

Sablan said it is a vicious cycle to keep the parks maintained and could remember many incidents where something can be fixed or replaced and then broken again the same or following day.

This is why were trying to impress on people to respect the place. Its not just our park, its your park. When you come in and take the showerhead off or shove toilet tissue down the toilet bowl because you want it to overflow, youre hurting the [other] people that are coming here to use it, Sablan said.

Taitague and Sablan said they have discussed putting up 4-by-8 signs saying respect the park to compensate for park patrols and attendants.

Sablan said park police are limited in the hours that they work, and the people who do damage and vandalism come in after hours, when its dark, when nobodys there.

Any damages or issues reported or found are immediately addressed on the day, Sablan said.

He added that most of the pictures that circulate on social media are either old from around 2019 or simply from that point in time before the park officials can address the issue.

Its just that moment in time. Its not something that exists the entire week, or even that full day, Sablan said.

Sablan added that some parks are not part of DPRs jurisdiction, such as Tagachang Beach being under the Yona mayors office.

Forced to close

He also said DPR has been forced to close certain facilities due to constant damages and vandalism, such as the restrooms at Surfside Beach in Talofofo. He said water pipes and electrical wires have been found cut.

People will come wash their cars, cut the water pipe and attach a hose, or cut the electrical, so we had to do something. We terminated the water, because its not people that are surfing that are using it. Its people from someplace else that are coming to do other things, Sablan said.

The biggest challenge to keeping the parks maintained, Sablan added, is the islands homeless population.

He said homeless individuals have cut apart water pipes and removed faucets and showerheads at Latte Stone Park, Ypao, and Matapang.

We have a heart. If you want to lay down and go to sleep, well let you, but dont come and bring all your belongings and your trash and then just leave it there expecting us to clean after you the next day, Sablan said. Then they cut the pipe and get themselves wet, but they just leave the water running for hours until we find it, and then we try to patch it up again.

Historic structures

A similar situation makes it difficult to maintain Guams historic structures, such as Fort Soledad in Humatak, which was vandalized at the beginning of January.

It doesnt happen when people are there, and theres no way to close the gate. People can come anytime at any hour, Sablan said. We repainted the cannons, but as far as the fort itself, the bunker, Guam Preservation Trust told us dont touch it, dont water blast it, because youre going to destroy more of the natural state of the facility or the structure.
Port Authority of Guam General Manager Rory Respicio and board chair Dorothy Harris are not supportive of advancing the ports proposed 17% tariff adjustment, at least not until January 2027.

During Fridays board meeting, Respicio updated the board on the port tariff adjustment petition with the Guam Public Utilities Commission.

After three public hearings, the Port awaits the PUCs decision when it convenes on Jan. 29

Respicio, however, told the Pacific Daily News that he is trying to create consensus within the industry to support an abeyance of implementation, should the petition advance.

Were [going] to see if they can support a January 1, 2027 implementation, Respicio said. Weve all been sensitive to how this impacts the consumer, and well see how everything pans out.

The petition is to allow the Port to raise its labor and equipment fees related to vessel operations by 17% and for a subsequent annual increase of 4% or according to the consumer price index, whichever is higher.

The PUC is not meeting until Jan. 29 to deliberate on the tariff adjustment.

Given the open government law, Respicio added, it is impossible to get this matter before the board to make any board action.

No amendments to the petition were on the agenda Friday, and the board will not have another meeting before the PUC does.

I cant predict what the PUC members are going to do, but if the environment is such that we can all admit the affordability issue, were of the same mind as the governor and lieutenant governor that holding this in abeyance might be the prudent thing to do, Respicio told the PDN.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, in a letter to the PUC, asked for a deferment or delayed implementation of the port tariff because of cost-of-living pressures on families and small businesses.

Because Guam relies heavily on imported goods, changes to costs at the port can be felt quickly in the price of essentials, they wrote.

Respicio said the PUC would decide the implementation date, but an abeyance is not dissimilar to the Ports original proposal, suggesting for half of the tariff adjustment, 8.5%, to be implemented in the first four months and then full implementation in the fifth month.

The Port also had a meeting with the Port Users Group the day before its board meeting.

Respicio said port users echoed testimony from the first public hearing on Jan. 20 to change the annual increase from whichever is higher between 4% or CPI to whichever is lower.

Those are the discussions we should be having instead of throwing everything out. I told them that we would be amenable to those amendments, Respicio said.

Respicio added that there was a pause in the room while discussing escalation costs, how the Port has none when other ports negotiate them into their labor contracts.

The way their counterparts negotiate their labor rates with the other ports, they get to have a five-year contract with annual escalation costs. For the Port of Guam, because were a public entity, we go to the PUC, but that engenders all this pushback, Respicio said.

Respicio said correcting this structural imbalance was the main reason for the petition, and he is the first general manager of the Port to ever attempt so.

An abeyance could be more likely than not, if the tariff adjustment is approved at all, since industry members have voiced opposition.

Respicio said the Guam Chamber of Commerce testified against the Ports petition at the second public hearing, but there were no testimonies given at the third public hearing.

I think the process has been enlightening, he said. Theres been a lot of misinformation saying the labor is going up by 17% when the reality confirmed by the PUCs consultant is the impact to the cash register is not the same.

In the first public hearing, American President Lines general manager Michelle Quidachay testified against the 17% tariff adjustment, saying this proposed increase is excessive and comes at the wrong time.

In that same hearing, John Selleck, from Para Hagu Logistics, testified in support of a tariff increase from an economic standpoint but he was against the language of the Ports requested annual automatic increase of 4% or based on the consumer price index, or whichever is greater.

Selleck believes the allowed increase should be the lower of the two between 4% and the CPI, or even less.
It is commendable that our islands are united against the proposed ocean mining. We should be taking the same aggressive united approach to the visible militarization of all of Guam.

This is further evident with the Navys proposal to acquire 2,400 housing units outside the fence within the next few years that could include the broad range of modular buildings, apartments, condominiums, and entire hotels. This will certainly increase the current housing crisis for island residents.

The militarys impact outside the fence is easily evident by the creation of numerous coral pits, barracks, and industries that principally serve the military. Then there is the recent proposal to acquire a training area in Malesso. One reasonable sustainable, preferable alternative for our lands should be agriculture.

Previously, the military demolished or declared as excess the lands which military housing occupied. For instance, the on-base housing at the previous Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Finegayan and at South Finegayan have been demolished. The former Nimitz Hill and Naval Air Station Agana housing still exists, but not for military use, or has been demolished along Route 10A.

Then suddenly, the military discovered they had a housing crisis and abruptly produced a proposal that would place a burden on our civilian community.

The military housing proposal was simply announced late last year, in a public forum that was really designed to promote the military, as a done deal without any public input and no mandated environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Steps already taken as reported in the media of soliciting proposals from the private sector should not take place without completing the environmental reviews. Previously, the military was always careful to portray compliance with the federal environmental laws, but apparently not now.

Does the military think they can segment this program to the numerous applicants and therefore be below a perceived threshold of review?

Court decisions have held that segmentation of a proposal is illegal as that is considered proceeding in any form without completion of environmental reviews.

We should be united and assertive like Sen. Sabina Flores is with her recent questioning regarding the Navys off-base housing program.

Guam already has an acknowledged housing crisis as a result of several factors that will be compounded by the latest military proposal. These consist of the military housing allowance, increase in military personnel on the island, construction workers attracted to federal projects, influx of alien labor for military projects, speculative rezoning, increasing housing costs beyond the ability of Guam families to afford, off-base land now being used for military-related purposes, and even politicians who fully support the military buildup.

We need all our political leaders to unite for affordable housing on our island, even those who have previously given blind support to the military buildup.

We are the ones to suffer and not the Department of Defense decision makers who moved on to not return to Guam.

If Washington, D.C. was truly concerned about Guams role in the national defense, our housing crisis would not have happened and merits a prompt remedy, but that has just not happened.
When I was invited to serve as a judge for the very first Guam International Dance Festival, I was genuinely stunned and deeply honored.

Me? I looked at the panel and saw names that were established, respected, and widely known. Then there was mesomeone who hadnt danced professionally in over 15 years, and someone many on island didnt even know had once been a dancer.

In hindsight, I now understand why that invitation mattered. Dance shaped my life. It gave me direction, purpose, and a voice long before I understood any of those things.

More than a career or a passport to travel the world, dance allowed me to represent Guam beyond our shoresand that is something I will always carry with pride.

I grew up in the 1990s raised by my grandparents, supported by food stamps and the welfare system. In those circumstances, pursuing danceespecially as a young malewas seen as impractical, even taimamahlao.

I wasnt encouraged, rarely supported, and often discouraged from taking classes. Financially, it simply wasnt feasible. Yet somehow, dance found me anyway.

Once that passion took hold, I refused to let it go. I found rides, showed up whenever I could, and pushed forward despite the odds. That determination led me to a professional career, where I was able to earn a living doing what I loved, meet people from countless cultures, and see parts of the world I never imagined I would.

Still, after every contract, my heart always wanted to come home.

When I returned to Guam in 2010 after nearly a decade away, I was amazed. Dance schools and companies had flourished. The island had grown creatively, and dance had become more visible and embraced. But like any living thing, dance needs care. It needs to be nurtured, protected, and continually invested in to truly thrive.

That is why Guam International Dance Festival and Allied Dance Force matter. They remind us that we are incredibly fortunate to share our stories through movement. They affirm that even on a small island, we are rich in creativity, culture, and talent.

We must continue to remove the stigma that dance is just a hobby and begin to recognize it as a valid, meaningful career path.

To the dancers, families, and supporters who filled those seats  thank you. And to the Guam Visitors Bureau and the sponsors, thank you for giving me the space to share this perspective: that even without perfect circumstances, financial security, or transportation, passion and perseverance can still carry you forward.

Dangkulu na si Yuos Maase!




Haiti - Berquin : Laying of the foundation stone for the Departmental Directorate of the Police





On Thursday, January 22, 2026, in the locality of Berquin (Nippes Department), the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Departmental Directorate of the Haitian National Police (PNH) took place. Construction of the building, which began approximately four months ago, has already seen significant progress.



The construction of this modern building will strengthen the PNH's institutional presence in the Nippes Department and better meet the public's expectations regarding public safety.



The ceremony was held in the presence of numerous civil, judicial, and religious authorities, as well as national and international partners. Among those who participated in the ceremony were: Anne Myriam Loiseau Luima, Mayor of Miragoane; Gerard Nertilus, Dean of the City's Court of First Instance; Jean-Philippe Richerlson, Deputy Departmental Delegate; Reverend Father Macley Antoine Elie, Parish Priest of Sainte-Therese de Berquin; and Kazuhiko Nishiuchi, Ambassador of Japan to Haiti.



Also present were, among others : Xavier Michon, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Haiti; Inspector General Mario Aubergiste, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police (PNH); Inspector General Jackson Hilaire, Representative of Chief Inspector General Divisional Commissioner Erna Royal, Basket Fund Focal Point; and Divisional Commissioner Louis-Jeune Pierre Michelet, Departmental Director of the PNH in Nippes.



In his remarks, Xavier Michon reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to supporting the Haitian government in strengthening public security institutions. He emphasized that this infrastructure will contribute to strengthening security governance, fostering closer ties between the police and the population, and improving the working conditions of Haitian National Police (PNH) officers.



The Mayor welcomed the completion of this crucial project, which she considers a symbol of hope for the people of Nippes. She stressed the importance of a better-equipped police force with adequate infrastructure to guarantee security, social peace, and local development.



For his part, Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Nishiuchi reiterated the support of the Japanese people and government for stabilization and institutional strengthening efforts in Haiti. He highlighted Japanese cooperation as a key driver for promoting security, community resilience, and sustainable development.



Finally, Inspector General Mario Aubergiste, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police (PNH), emphasized that the construction of this Departmental Directorate aligns with the High Command's strategic vision for modernizing, decentralizing, and strengthening the operational capacities of the Haitian National Police. He expressed his deep gratitude to national and international partners for their support of the police force.



Following the ceremony, the delegation conducted an assessment visit to the Miragoane Police Station, which was severely damaged by the January 12, 2010 earthquake, and observed the current operating conditions of this strategic PNH facility.



It was noted that, since the 2010 earthquake, the various departments of the Miragoane Police Station, as well as the PNH Departmental Directorate, have been operating "temporarily" in prefabricated structures, a situation that impacts the working conditions of police personnel and the quality of services provided to the public.



IH/ S/ iciHaiti


















A draft law submitted to Parliament in December would compel social and healthcare professionals to disclose a person's presence in a healthcare facility when requested by police, customs, or border authorities.

The Finnish government is advancing legislation that would expand police access to patient information held by healthcare providers. The move has raised concerns among doctors' associations, privacy regulators, and legal scholars about the future of medical confidentiality in Finland.

The obligation would apply in cases where a person is suspected of a crime punishable by at least two years in prison. It would also apply to lesser offences, such as endangering traffic safety.

Under the proposed law, authorities could also request such information on national security grounds. The legislation does not specify which threats to national security would justify access.

The Ministry of the Interior has stated the goal is to remove obstacles to information-sharing between public bodies. A related proposal now under review would expand access to information not only for police but also for customs and border guard services. The draft also allows for the transfer of certain data to private actors under defined conditions, including in cases involving missing children or threats to life and health.

According to the government, the reform is intended to improve law enforcements ability to prevent, detect, and investigate crime. A government statement argues the current limitations on police access have at times hindered basic investigations, such as when a suspect injures someone inside a hospital and cannot be identified by the victim.

The proposal has triggered strong opposition from professional bodies and civil society groups.

The Finnish Medical Association (Laakariliitto), together with nine other organisations including Tehy and Talentia, has warned that the reform undermines patient privacy and could discourage individuals from seeking care. In a joint statement (in Finnish), the groups said the proposal would force medical professionals to act against their code of ethics.

Trust is the basis of all care. If a patient cannot be sure that their presence in a clinic or hospital will remain confidential, they may not seek help at all, said the Finnish Medical Association in its position paper.

They noted that the proposed changes affect not only criminal suspects but the entire population. The law would give authorities access to information that is currently considered highly sensitive under privacy laws.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has made changes to the original draft following public feedback. In the initial version, even shoplifting outside healthcare premises could have triggered mandatory reporting. The revised version limits such disclosures to incidents occurring within healthcare facilities.

In a related reform, the Ministry of the Interior is preparing broader changes to the Police Act and other laws governing access to personal data. These proposals are currently in consultation and would further facilitate data-sharing across agencies and, under specific conditions, with private entities.

According to the draft, police would be able to share data despite confidentiality provisions if doing so serves the public interest or prevents serious crime. They would also be authorised to alert private entities managing critical infrastructure in cases of relevant threats.

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) would also gain expanded rights to access information on wanted persons and share presence data with police without needing a formal request.

The government has framed the changes as a necessary response to the countrys evolving security environment. But privacy advocates argue that a pattern has emerged in recent years: expanded data access for authorities, with limited checks on how this information is used.

Data protection is not just a technical requirement. It is a cornerstone of individual rights, the Medical Association wrote.

The government says it aims to pass the law as soon as possible. Parliamentary committees are expected to review the matter in the coming weeks.

HT
The latest incident occurred on Saturday when 37-year-old Alex Pretti , a US citizen and ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent on Nicollet Avenue. The street, known for its multicultural restaurants and high pedestrian traffic, was the scene of what authorities described as a chaotic encounter between federal agents and protesters.

Federal immigration agents have shot three civilians in Minneapolis this month, killing two and injuring one, amid an ongoing federal operation that has triggered mass protests, legal battles, and political confrontation between Minnesota and the Trump administration.

Video footage reviewed by multiple news outlets, including CNN and the New York Times, shows agents confronting demonstrators. One video appears to capture agents tackling Pretti, who had been filming the arrest of another protester. An agent is seen retrieving what appears to be a handgun from Prettis waistband. Moments later, another agent fires multiple shots at him while he is pinned to the ground.

At no point in the footage is Pretti seen holding a weapon. He is visibly holding a phone in one hand and raising the other, according to witness accounts and video analysis.

The Department of Homeland Security claimed Pretti approached agents with a firearm and violently resisted efforts to disarm him. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino stated that Pretti had intended to massacre law enforcement.

Multiple eyewitnesses and medical professionals have disputed this version. A Minneapolis-based paediatrician who witnessed the shooting stated in a court filing that agents did not perform CPR or check for a pulse after the shooting. The doctor, who later tried to assist Pretti, found no pulse and initiated resuscitation efforts before emergency services arrived.

State officials have taken legal action to block federal agencies from destroying or removing evidence from the shooting scene. On Saturday evening, US District Judge Eric Tostrud granted a temporary restraining order barring the Department of Homeland Security and other federal bodies from altering or withholding evidence.

Governor Tim Walz has criticised the federal operation, calling the events nonsense and vowing that Minnesota will lead the investigation. Walz accused the Trump administration of lies and likened the presence of federal agents to an occupation.

Pretti's death is the third shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis within a month. On January 7, ICE agents shot and killed Renee Good, a mother of three, during a vehicle stop. Last week, ICE officers shot a Venezuelan man in the leg during another enforcement action. Officials claimed he had attacked agents with a snow shovel and broom handle. Protesters and local leaders have questioned those accounts as well.

In response to Saturdays shooting, large demonstrations erupted in several US cities including New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Minneapolis. Protesters called for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and demanded justice for Pretti.

In Minneapolis, tensions escalated at the scene of the shooting. According to CNN, authorities used tear gas and flashbang grenades to disperse crowds, while the Minnesota National Guard was deployed to assist with security.

The city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota have jointly filed a lawsuit to stop the Trump administrations immigration crackdown, describing the federal operation as a violation of constitutional rights.

Mayor Jacob Frey said in a press conference that he watched footage showing six masked agents pummelling one of our constituents and shooting him to death. He asked how many more people would be harmed before the operation ends.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a social media graphic on how to avoid conflict with ICE, stating, Dont be here illegally. Dont attack ICE officers. Obey the law. He called Minnesota leadership lunatics in the street.

HT
MOSCOW, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Moscow on Saturday condemned Kiev for attacking an ambulance and killing three medics in the early hours of Saturday.

An ambulance with its medical crew en route to a critically ill patient came under attack in the Kherson region on early Saturday.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a statement that the vehicle was clearly marked as medical transport. However, it was targeted by a Ukrainian drone.

"Three medical workers on board the ambulance were killed. It must be stressed that attacks on civilian medical transport are prohibited under international law," she said.

"We firmly condemn the direct attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on civilians," Zakharova added. "We demand that international relevant bodies issue an objective and impartial assessment." 
Speaking at a joint press conference in Vilnius alongside Lithuanian and Polish leaders, Zelensky said Kyiv is waiting for confirmation of the date and location for the signing ceremony.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that a document outlining United States security guarantees for Ukraine is complete and awaiting formal signing, as diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia continue.

The document is 100 percent ready. We are waiting for our partners to confirm the date and place when we will sign it, Zelensky said. For us, security guarantees mean first and foremost guarantees from the United States.

Zelensky said that once signed, the document will be submitted for ratification to the US Congress and Ukraines parliament.

Ukrainian, Russian, and American officials met in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday for the first formal trilateral negotiations since the start of the war.

No agreement to end the conflict emerged from the talks. Still, all three sides signalled readiness to continue discussions. A US official told Reuters that another round of talks is expected in Abu Dhabi next Sunday.

Zelensky described the discussions as constructive and said they focused on a 20-point peace framework proposed by Washington.

There were many problematic issues, but now there are fewer, he said.

He said the most difficult issue remains territory. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine cede eastern regions, some of which remain under Ukrainian control nearly four years into the war.

Russia is doing everything to force Ukraine to give up its eastern regions, Zelensky said. Ukraine has not changed its position. Territorial integrity must be respected.

HT
Democratic candidates for the 11th Congressional District ask for support from primary voters

Mark Warwick from local radio station WTZQ introduces Democratic candidates for the 11th Congressional District during a forum Saturday. The candidates from left to right are: Zelda Briarwood, Jamie Ager, Lee Whipple, Paul Maddox and Richard Hudspeth.

Of the five candidates who attended a forum Saturday morning, one Democratic contender for the 11th Congressional District responded to a medical emergency and another left the event early as a winter storm began moving into the region.

View the Slideshow



A Democratic nominee will be chosen during the March 3 primary to face the winner of the Republican primary  either incumbent Chuck Edwards of Flat Rock or challenger Adam Smith of Fairview in Buncombe County.

At least 100 people attended the forum hosted by the Henderson County Democratic Party at the Historic Courthouse. The standing-room-only crowd filled the community room on the second floor where Mark Warwick, of radio station WTZQ, moderated the event.

Just as candidate Richard Hudspeth, a physician and former CEO of the non-profit community health center Blue Ridge Health, began to answer a question from Warwick about womens reproductive health care, calls for a doctor came from the back of the room.

Hudspeth then rushed to where a man was lying on top of table surrounded by other members of the forums audience. The doctor attended to the man for a few minutes before the man sat up and moved to a nearby chair.

Hudspeth returned to the front of the room and resumed his answer after caring for the man.

He said women should have the right to control their bodies.

As a doctor, he said he treated women with different kinds of issues during their pregnancies.

Ive been trained to help and not to judge, he said.

Paul Maddox, a cancer researcher and professor from Burnsville, also answered questions for most of the forum along with Hudspeth and candidates Zelda Briarwood, a mental health professional from Canton; Jamie Ager, a fourth-generation farmer, entrepreneur and grandson of former U.S. Congressman James M. "Jamie" Clarke, and civil engineer Lee Whipple of Asheville.

Maddox, who described himself as half-hillbilly and half-scientist, left the event early saying he drove through snow to reach the forum and needed to leave early to gather firewood.

The candidates took aim at Edwardss record in Congress, particularly his response to Hurricane Helene.

In response to a question about how the federal government should assist in the ongoing recovery from the hurricane and the next disaster, Ager said that the area continues to struggle to recover from the September 2024 storm.

Western North Carolina is not receiving the disaster assistance money from the federal government that it should, he said.

Ager said if elected he would be a leader who would show up for the community.

We never saw Chuck Edwards after that storm, he said.

Whipple said his experience as a civil engineer would help him respond to emergencies as a member of Congress.

He said FEMA and the Trump administration have failed to adequately respond to the hurricane or get money moving to the mountains.

We have to hold these men accountable, he said.

Briarwood said WNC has only received 8 percent of the money it should have received to recover from Helene.

She blamed Edwards for failing to secure the money for hurricane recovery.

We have historically received the least amount related to any other hurricane, she said.

If elected, she said vowed to work at the state and national level to get the funds the area needs to recover.

Briarwood said she also wanted to work toward having climate change resistant infrastructure and lead an audit of FEMA to improve the federal governments response to disasters.

Hudspeth said defeating Edwards and holding federal officials to account, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is the first step in getting hurricane recovery on track.

We need her at her desk signing checks for Western North Carolina, he said. She should be impeached.



Maddox described a sagging powerline in one community that has been held up by a tree branch someone placed under it shortly after the storm.

Its working, but thats not the way its supposed to be, he said to laughter from the audience.

In response to a question about improving access to healthcare in the region, the candidates said the federal government should do more.

Hudspeth said he was the only candidate to put out a proposal to fix healthcare in the United States by providing universal healthcare coverage.

Dont let people tell you we cant do this, he said, noting that the United States spends more than the rest of the world on healthcare yet sees terrible outcomes.

The healthcare problem can be fixed with a national health care plan, he said.

He said he thought healthcare subsidies through the Affordable Care Act are not enough.

They are a Band-Aid on a hemorrhaging patient, he said.

Maddox said cuts to his cancer research in the spring propelled him to run for office.

Cancer doesnt care about politics. Funding research is a central factor in our lives, he said. We need to get to the bottom of why these cuts were made.

Whipple said he supported a Medicare-for-all policy and would support mobile clinics as a temporary solution to the healthcare problem.

Ager said in his travels around WNC healthcare is on the front of many peoples minds because Affordable Care Act subsidies expired on Jan. 1. If elected, he said he would work to reinstate the subsidies, address the need for rural hospitals and find a way to provide affordable prescription drugs.

Briarwood also described healthcare in the United States as a broken system.

Many peoples lack of insurance causes them to be priced out of healthcare, she said.

Healthcare is a human right. Insurance companies purpose is profit. Certain industries should not be for profit, Briarwood said.

Warwick also asked the candidates how the federal government can support local farms.

As a family farmer, Ager said he was very familiar with the issue. The federal government, he said, subsidizes row crops grown in areas where land is flat.

We dont have enough flat land, he said of the apple orchards grown in Henderson County and other crops grown in the mountains.

He said he believed encouraging people to buy products from local farms would help keep farmers on their land and keep the land away from developers.

Briarwood said she thought farms should be subsidized to prevent them from being sold for either large corporate farms or data centers.

Whipple said he thought farms need tax breaks and credits to thrive.

Maddox described small farms as an important local industry. He said people who farm smaller pieces of land should get tax rebates.

Hudspeth said tax policies, conservancy and land-use tax breaks could help farmers.

Ending tariffs and a tax credit for people who grow their own food could also help, he said.

Farmers dont want a government handout, he said.

The forum lasted more than two hours on Saturday with candidates answering other questions addressed to all candidates and participating in a lightning round that included questions specifically for each candidate.

The candidates offered closing comments before heading for home and the remainder of a weekend dominated by the winter storm.

Hudspeth encouraged those who attended to consider the seriousness of the problems in the world today and his plans to address healthcare.

We are in a time like no other. This truly does feel different, he said. Think about having a physician on the ballot to offer a healthcare plan.

Ager said he wasnt sure about enjoying this process of running for Congress when he began his campaign. But he said he has enjoyed the time he has spent hearing peoples stories, meeting new people and talking about issues with voters who live in the mountains he has always called home.

Home is one of the best words," he said. "Western North Carolina is home to me."

Whipple led the audience in a chant of Beat Chuck before saying he was the best candidate to lead the recovery from Helene because of his background as a civil engineer.

Briarwood said younger generations are looking to current leaders to determine if those leaders care about their future and their ability to have a middle-class life.

They want to know they have the same opportunities as someone in 1965, she said.

Her experience working with people dealing with addiction and recovery issues also makes her the best candidate to have conversations with people about what is most important, Briarwood said, noting that she has been clean and sober for seven years.

Maddox gave his closing comments before he left the forum early.

He thanked the people who attended the forum and said he believed Democrats are going to win in November.

We are going to beat Chuck Edwards, he said.
ANKARA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's National Intelligence Organization Director Ibrahim Kalin met with Hamas Political Bureau member and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to work together on increasing humanitarian aid, opening the Rafah Border Crossing in both directions, and supporting the newly-formed Palestinian technocratic committee, Anadolu reported, citing anonymous Turkish sources.

The Hamas delegation expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Turkiye's mediation and efforts to secure peace in Gaza, according to Anadolu.

The Trump administration last year unveiled a 20-point, three-phase peace plan aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict that broke out in October 2023. A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October 2025. However, during the first phase of the deal, both sides repeatedly accused each other of violations.

Earlier this month, Trump's administration announced the launch of the second phase of the peace plan, shifting the focus from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction. 
The inaugural flight, operated by Air China between Beijing and Abu Dhabi, lands at Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, Jan. 24, 2026. A direct air route between the Chinese capital of Beijing and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been launched, marking the first direct connection between the two capitals operated by a Chinese airline. (Xinhua)

ABU DHABI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A direct air route between the Chinese capital of Beijing and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been launched, marking the first direct connection between the two capitals operated by a Chinese airline.

The inaugural flight, operated by Air China and carrying 278 passengers, landed at Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport late Saturday night. The route, operated by a Boeing 787 aircraft with four round trips scheduled each week, marked Air China's first newly launched international service in 2026.

The launch of the route further enhances the aviation network between China and the UAE, providing a more efficient and convenient air corridor for people-to-people exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural interactions between the two countries.

An Air China official said that the airline had made thorough preparations to provide a safe, comfortable and pleasant travel experience for passengers.

Industry sources noted that the launch of the route will inject fresh momentum into practical cooperation between the two countries under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. 

Passengers prepare to board a flight to Beijing at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, Jan. 24, 2026. A direct air route between the Chinese capital of Beijing and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been launched, marking the first direct connection between the two capitals operated by a Chinese airline. (Xinhua)
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has played an important role in supporting the establishment of internationally comparable sustainability disclosure standards, the head of the relevant standard-setting body has said.

Emmanuel Faber, chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), applauded China's recent release of a trial standard for climate-related sustainability disclosure for corporates.

"Given the size of China's economy, I think this will inject new momentum into the promotion of the international sustainability standards," he told Xinhua on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Faber noted that institutions, such as the United Nations, the G20, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, have all underscored the pressing need to establish a unified, comparable and reliable disclosure standards system to help investors assess sustainability-related risks and opportunities in companies' business models.

Faber said countries and regions that are implementing ISSB Standards account for nearly 60 percent of global GDP.

Capital market regulators and policymakers believe that the ISSB Standards help enhance their countries' economic competitiveness, mainly because they enable foreign investors to better understand the opportunities and risks embedded in the business models of relevant companies, he said.

Therefore, those companies that want to be prepared for the future and actively transition to more resilient business models will, from a cost-of-capital perspective, benefit from having sufficient funding to support innovation investment, drive future development, and effectively respond to potential risks, he added.

Faber said the ISSB Standards not only attract foreign investment but also promote trade development. By establishing a transparent disclosure system and accountability mechanisms, the standards enhance transparency in value chains, thereby facilitating trade exchanges.

The creation of the ISSB was announced at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, following strong market demand for establishing standards that will result in a high-quality, comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures. 
BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China on Sunday handed over 17 Filipino sailors it rescued from a shipwreck near Huangyan Dao to the Philippines.

On Friday, a Singapore-registered cargo ship en route from the Philippines to China capsized in the waters near Huangyan Dao. Two of the 17 rescued sailors were confirmed dead. Four others remain missing.

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 the request of the Philippine side, the CCG at 2:43 p.m. Sunday successfully handed over the rescued personnel to the Philippine Coast Guard in the waters where the incident occurred.

Following the shipwreck, the CCG immediately dispatched vessels to carry out humanitarian rescue operations for the distressed crew and will continue to mobilize relevant forces for search and rescue efforts, according to the CCG. 
Officials of the Union Election Commission (UEC) prepare to printed records of votes during the third phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

YANGON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Voting for all three phases of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon, with the final phase held in about 60 townships on that day.

Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election was held in three phases. The first phase was held in 102 townships on Dec. 28 last year, and the second phase took place in 100 townships on Jan. 11 this year.

About 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties contested seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), the Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and the Region and State Hluttaws (Region and State Parliaments), according to the Union Election Commission (UEC).

The three-phase general election covered 263 constituencies of the Pyithu Hluttaw; 73 constituencies under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system and 26 constituencies under the proportional representation (PR) system for the Amyotha Hluttaw; 255 constituencies under the FPTP system and 42 constituencies under the PR system for the Region or State Hluttaws; and 29 ethnic constituencies of the Region or State Hluttaws.

Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council, has said the country will convene parliament in March, and the new government will take office in April.

Myanmar's last general election was held in November 2020. 

Officials of the Union Election Commission (UEC) count printed records of votes during the third phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 25, 2026. The final phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election began on Sunday morning, with polling stations opening in about 60 townships. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)
Afghan children are seen at a makeshift camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2026. A total of 2,981 Afghan families with 16,928 members returned to their homeland from Iran and Pakistan over the past week, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems announced on Jan. 25. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 2,981 Afghan families with 16,928 members returned to their homeland from Iran and Pakistan over the past week, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems announced Sunday.

All returning families have received immediate assistance, including food, drinking water, healthcare services, and free transportation to their destinations, the commission said.

An estimated 6 million Afghan refugees currently live abroad, primarily in Iran and Pakistan. 

An Afghan child is seen at a makeshift camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2026. A total of 2,981 Afghan families with 16,928 members returned to their homeland from Iran and Pakistan over the past week, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems announced on Jan. 25. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan refugees are seen at a temporary camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2026. A total of 2,981 Afghan families with 16,928 members returned to their homeland from Iran and Pakistan over the past week, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems announced on Jan. 25. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

An Afghan child is seen at a makeshift camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2026. A total of 2,981 Afghan families with 16,928 members returned to their homeland from Iran and Pakistan over the past week, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems announced on Jan. 25. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan children are seen at a makeshift camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2026. A total of 2,981 Afghan families with 16,928 members returned to their homeland from Iran and Pakistan over the past week, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems announced on Jan. 25. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan children walk at a makeshift camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2026. A total of 2,981 Afghan families with 16,928 members returned to their homeland from Iran and Pakistan over the past week, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems announced on Jan. 25. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the rescue operations at the site of the collapse of a five-story residential building in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon. At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said.

Local authorities reported the victims as 66-year-old Ahmad Abdul Hamid Al-Mir and his daughter, Alissar Al-Mir, a nurse at the government hospital.

The building, located on Al-Jadeed Street, collapsed in the early morning, trapping a family under the rubble and prompting an immediate rescue response from the Civil Defense, the Lebanese Red Cross, emergency associations, and volunteers, according to the National News Agency.

Rescue teams had earlier pulled one woman alive from under the debris and transferred her to the local hospital for treatment, while a 14-year-old boy from the same family was reported to be in safe condition.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in a statement that he has been closely following the situation, stressing the need to provide all necessary support to the affected family and enhance coordination among relevant government bodies. He reiterated that addressing unsafe buildings in Tripoli is a top government priority and pledged to secure necessary funding as soon as possible.

The incident has renewed concerns over the deteriorating condition of residential buildings in Tripoli. The city's mayor warned that authorities are "racing against time," noting that 105 buildings require immediate evacuation and around 700 others need urgent intervention.

Rescue and debris-removal operations remain underway. 

This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the rescue operations at the site of the collapse of a five-story residential building in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon. At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the rescue operations at the site of the collapse of a five-story residential building in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon. At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the rescue operations at the site of the collapse of a five-story residential building in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon. At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)
CAIRO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has warned on Saturday that the displacement of over 2 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip would trigger severe security, economic, and social repercussions for Europe and the Western world.

Speaking during a celebration marking the 74th anniversary of Egyptian Police Day, Sisi said that the exit of these residents from Gaza would liquidate the Palestinian cause and push hundreds of thousands toward Europe and Western countries.

He cautioned that this would have grave consequences that no one has the capacity to bear.

Sisi stressed the need to halt systematic practices against the Palestinians in the occupied territories, reaffirming Egypt's rejection of any attempt to displace them from their homeland.

He also urged unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza, the full implementation of the second phase of the current ceasefire agreement, and immediate reconstruction in the strip to ensure a dignified life for its residents.

Egypt is making every effort to ensure the ceasefire is fully implemented and is committed to thwarting any attempts to evade it, Sisi said.

The Trump administration last year unveiled a 20-point, three-phase peace plan aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict that broke out in October 2023. A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October 2025. However, during the first phase of the deal, both sides repeatedly accused each other of violations.

Earlier this month, Trump's administration announced the launch of the second phase of the peace plan, shifting the focus from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction.