Iniaes

South Korea urges “proactive and creative” diplomacy on North Korea talks

Unification Minister Chung called for more proactive, creative diplomacy to revive stalled North Korea–U.S. negotiations, noting that any progress also hinges on the geopolitical juggling act with China and Japan.

Draft law would pull Korea Institute for National Unification under ministry control

South Korea’s Ministry of Unification unveiled draft legislation to place the Korea Institute for National Unification under the ministry’s jurisdiction, a move that has institute staff worried about autonomy, oversight, and whether independent research is about to get a chaperone.

South Korea posts early results for its independent AI foundation model project

First-stage evaluation results are out for South Korea’s independent AI foundation model push, with LG AI Research taking the top spot, and Naver Cloud no longer participating in the review process.

Venezuela’s Machado tells supporters “we can count on President Trump”

After meeting Donald Trump and visiting the White House to discuss Venezuela’s future, opposition figure María Corina Machado told supporters they can count on him, which is a sentence that comes with its own built-in suspense soundtrack.

Torq raises $140 million Series D at $1.2 billion valuation

Security automation company Torq raised $140 million to scale its generative AI-driven security operations platform, expand internationally, boost R&D, and pursue U.S. federal opportunities, including FedRAMP certification.

Breach Roundup

A software update flaw disrupted Verizon service as other incidents piled up, including a reported cyberattack in Venezuela, exposure of ICE identities and BreachForums user data, and a confirmed breach at Spain’s Endesa. The roundup also notes a Telegram-related IP privacy leak, activity linked to MuddyWater, sentencing of a Dutch hacker for attacking a maritime port, and fresh fixes, including a ServiceNow patch.

CISA and Five Eyes partners warn insecure OT connectivity is a national security risk

Cyber agencies across the U.S., UK, and Five Eyes issued joint guidance warning that insecure operational technology connectivity can turn cyber intrusions into real-world physical disruption, with remote access, third-party vendor connections, and tighter IT-to-OT integration called out as key drivers of exposure.

CIO Playbook for Post-Quantum Security

Forrester analyst Sandy Carielli’s guidance frames post-quantum migrations as multi-year, cross-functional efforts that can touch products, infrastructure, and supply chains, urging CIOs to take practical steps now to make the transition less painful later.

“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” heads to Hulu

The Golden Globe-nominated film explores the making of Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska,” stars Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen, and streams on Hulu on Jan. 23.

Actor Timothy Busfield charged with sexual abuse

Timothy Busfield, known for “The West Wing” and “Field of Dreams,” has been charged with sexually abusing boys on the set of a television series. This is an allegation that deserves careful, serious reporting, and a legal process that centers the victims, not celebrity mythology.

Cisco Reports Cyberattacks Targeting Secure Email Gateway and Secure Email and Web Manager

Cisco reports a cyberattack campaign discovered on December 10 targeting a limited number of internet-exposed appliances running Cisco AsyncOS for Cisco Secure Email Gateway and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager. Attackers can execute arbitrary commands with root privileges and have implanted a persistence mechanism to retain control on compromised devices. Cisco has remediated the exploited critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-20393) and released software updates. No workarounds are available, and customers are urged to assess exposure and apply mitigations promptly.

Stored Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability in Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager and Cisco Prime Infrastructure

Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM) and Cisco Prime Infrastructure contain a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in their web-based management interface. An authenticated remote attacker with valid administrative credentials could inject malicious script into certain interface fields due to insufficient input validation, potentially running arbitrary code in a user’s browser session or accessing sensitive browser-based information. Cisco has released software updates to fix the issue; no workarounds are available. Security Impact Rating: Medium. CVE-2026-20075.

Stored Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine Management Interface

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) contains a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in its web-based management interface that could let an authenticated remote attacker with valid administrative credentials inject malicious code into certain pages. If exploited, the attacker could run arbitrary script in the interface context or access sensitive browser-based information. Cisco has released software updates to fix the issue; no workarounds are available. Security impact is rated Medium (CVE-2026-20076).

Cisco Identity Services Engine Web Interface XSS Vulnerability

Cisco disclosed a medium-severity cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC). An authenticated attacker with valid administrative credentials could exploit insufficient input validation to inject malicious code into certain interface pages, potentially running arbitrary scripts in a user’s browser context or accessing sensitive browser-based data. Cisco has released software updates to fix the issue; no workarounds are available. CVE-2026-20047.

Robert Jenrick joins Reform UK after being dismissed by the Conservatives

Former minister Robert Jenrick has joined Reform UK after being dismissed by the Conservatives, saying the party "broke Britain". Reform UK leader Nigel Farage welcomed him to the party.

Data analysis finds foreign nationals account for about 80% of arrests for train passenger property theft

Analysis by the Centre for Migration Control, based on Freedom of Information data, says foreign nationals made up 79.3% of British Transport Police arrests for theft of passenger property on Britain’s transport network in 2024–25. The same dataset is cited as showing 9,771 total arrests across the network during the period, with 3,688 involving foreign nationals (37.7%). It also cites foreign nationals as comprising 36.6% of sexual offence arrests, 35.7% of violent crime arrests, and 39.6% of drug-related arrests. The figures are being used by commentators to argue for tighter immigration controls, and the Home Office was contacted for comment.

Kent cannabis grow found

Police discovered a cannabis-growing operation with more than 300 plants in a building on a residential street in Kent, and the building has been secured. Somewhere, a landlord is suddenly very interested in “routine inspections.”

U.S. buses are slow because we keep treating every corner like a sacred shrine

A case for fewer bus stops argues that major-city buses crawl at roughly eight miles per hour, and one simple fix is spacing stops farther apart. Many U.S. cities put stops about 313 meters apart, or even closer in places like Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco, versus typical European spacing of 300 to 450 meters. All that stopping burns time on boarding, accessibility procedures, acceleration and braking, and missed signals, with buses spending about 20% of operating time in stop-and-go. Cities that consolidated stops saw faster service and savings, including San Francisco’s 4.4 to 14% speed gains and Vancouver’s pilot that removed a quarter of stops, cut trips by five minutes, and saved about $500,000 annually on one route, with research suggesting coverage loss can be minimal.

Trump floats invoking the Insurrection Act over Minnesota protests

President Donald Trump said he may invoke the Insurrection Act in response to protests in Minnesota following an incident in which an ICE agent shot a civilian. Nothing says “de-escalation” like reaching for the biggest, loudest legal hammer in the toolbox.

Blackpink announces new mini-album

Blackpink will release their third mini-album, “DEADLINE,” on Feb. 27, according to YG Entertainment. A title that also describes how fans feel waiting for release details.

Trump worries about midterms, suggests elections are optional when he’s doing “so much”

Trump told Reuters he’s concerned Republicans could lose control of the House or Senate in the midterms, citing the usual pattern where the party in power drops seats in a president’s second year. He called it a “deep psychological thing” and argued he’d achieved so much that the country “shouldn’t even have an election.” Democracy, now available in “trust me bro” mode.

Democratic lawmakers say they’re being investigated over video on unlawful orders

Five Democratic lawmakers say they are under investigation after appearing in a video urging U.S. service members to refuse unlawful orders. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire said the Justice Department sought to interview them after they appeared with four other Democrats reiterating principles of military law.

DIY motor surgery turns an AC induction motor into a BLDC bike drive

A project describes rebuilding an AC induction motor into a brushless DC motor by rewiring the stator and modifying the rotor. The original windings were removed and replaced with hand-wound coils in a new pole configuration, and the rotor was machined and fitted with permanent magnets secured with epoxy. With Hall sensors, a controller, and a battery, the converted motor tested at about 1.3 kW and is being adapted to drive a bicycle via a 3D-printed pulley mounted to the rear wheel.

Public health warned: individualism-first politics is eroding collective protections

A commentary argues public health is being put at risk by political approaches that prioritize personal interests over collective responsibility. It warns that as policies erode, the consequences will be concrete, widespread, and increasingly visible.

U.S. sanctions Iranian officials over protest repression

The United States imposed sanctions on Iranian officials accused of repressing anti-government protests, the Treasury Department announced. The measures came a day after Trump said he was told “on good authority” that Iran had halted plans for executions.

Wales prop signs for English club

An English club confirmed it has signed a Wales international tighthead prop, formerly with the Ospreys. The player, absent from Wales duty since the last Rugby World Cup, talked up his ambitions and his desire to get back into Test rugby.

Todd Bridges divorcing after three-year marriage

Actor Todd Bridges (Diff'rent Strokes, Everybody Hates Chris) said he and his wife, Bettijo B. Hirschi, are divorcing after three years of marriage.

Oklahoma death row case, appeals court again rejects Brenda Andrew claim

Brenda Evers Andrew, 62, Oklahoma’s only woman on death row, was convicted in 2004 of murdering her husband, Rob Andrew, in a plot with then-boyfriend James Pavatt to collect an $800,000 life insurance payout. She argues prosecutors poisoned the trial with gender stereotypes and sexualized testimony about her clothing and underwear. After the U.S. Supreme Court told the 10th Circuit in 2025 to reconsider whether prejudicial evidence can violate due process, the appeals court again denied relief, saying some testimony was irrelevant but the remaining evidence was overwhelming. Further review is unlikely; the next possible step would be another attempt at the Supreme Court, starting with Justice Neil Gorsuch for emergency and certiorari matters from the 10th Circuit.

RFK Jr. claims president lives on McDonald’s, candy, and Diet Coke

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Katie Miller’s podcast that the president regularly eats McDonald’s and candy and constantly drinks Diet Coke, adding he does not understand how the president is still alive and calling his health unusually resilient.

SpaceX Dragon splashes down after first ISS medical evacuation

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying four crew members from the United States, Russia, and Japan splashed down off San Diego less than 11 hours after undocking, completing the first medical evacuation from the International Space Station.

European allies begin military mission in Greenland amid Trump remarks

European allies began a military mission in Greenland, with France confirming a 15-member French contingent has arrived and more forces are expected soon, as Donald Trump reiterates the United States needs the island.

Germany returns to modest expansion as spending offsets export weakness

Germany, Europe’s largest economy, moved back into modest expansion in 2025, with stronger consumer and government spending outweighing weaker exports pressured by higher U.S. tariffs.

Armed robbery at NYC Pokémon card store during community event

Armed men robbed a Pokémon card store in New York City, pointing guns at shoppers. The store was hosting its first community event and had more than 40 customers when the robbers stormed in.

More Democratic lawmakers investigated over video urging troops to resist illegal orders

Three additional Democratic lawmakers said they are being investigated over participating in a video that urged military service members to resist illegal orders.

Verizon says outage resolved, promises account credits

Verizon said it resolved an outage that lasted for hours and affected thousands of customers, and it will provide account credits to impacted users.

Gallup, Congress and telemarketers tie for bottom in ethics

Gallup reported that Americans rate members of Congress and telemarketers at the bottom for ethical standards, underscoring broad distrust of both.

Twenty-two English councils request delays to local elections

Twenty-two councils in England have asked for delays to local elections. Most of the requests come from Labour-led councils, along with three Conservative-controlled councils and one Liberal Democrat council.

Uganda election faces widespread delays during an internet shutdown

Uganda’s election has been disrupted by widespread delays amid an internet shutdown, in a rematch between opposition candidate Bobi Wine and President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power for 40 years.

Liam Rosenior shares details of a private talk with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after the Carabao Cup loss to Arsenal

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior took responsibility for goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s mistakes in a 3-2 home defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, saying he asked Sanchez to follow unfamiliar instructions after only two days working together. Sanchez misjudged a corner that led to Ben White’s opener, then failed to gather a low cross, allowing Viktor Gyokeres to score, but Rosenior noted he also made key late saves to keep the tie alive. Rosenior praised Chelsea’s resilience amid absences and highlighted strong performances from Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos, while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta lauded Martin Zubimendi after his goal helped give Arsenal a narrow advantage.

Bruno Fernandes is not planning to leave Manchester United in January

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is not seeking a move away from the club during the January transfer window.

Russia Expels British Diplomat After Espionage Allegations

Russia says it has revoked a British diplomat’s accreditation over allegations of spying and ordered him to leave the country within two weeks, according to the foreign ministry.

Regulator investigates South East Water as thousands remain without water

A regulator has opened an investigation into South East Water while thousands of customers remain without supply. The company says some households in Kent and Sussex may not have water restored until Friday.

Arteta praises Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi after Carabao Cup win at Chelsea

Mikel Arteta singled out Martin Zubimendi for special praise after Arsenal’s 3-2 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win at Chelsea, saying the midfielder can “do whatever he wants” following a dominant display capped by a goal. Arsenal went 2-0 up through Ben White and Viktor Gyokeres, helped by errors from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, before Zubimendi made it 3-0. Chelsea rallied with two late Alejandro Garnacho goals, leaving Arteta warning the tie is still open ahead of the second leg at the Emirates, while Rosenior backed Sanchez and cited injury and illness issues in his squad.

Lobsters: Battlestations and Screenshots (2026)

The annual “Lobsters” thread for sharing desktop battlestations and screenshots is back for 2026 after the usual organizer missed it this year. Everyone is invited to post their current physical and virtual setups, and a list of previous years’ threads is provided, with a note that the 2016 thread is still missing.

South Korea Says 75% of Registered Families Separated From North Korea Have Died

South Korea reported that more than three-quarters of people registered as members of families separated by the 1950–53 Korean War have died without being reunited with relatives in North Korea, according to government data released Thursday.

British couple jailed in Tehran face rising danger

Concern is growing for a couple imprisoned in Tehran after the British embassy closed. Their son, Joe Bennett, warned they are in a “dangerous position” as Iran continues a deadly crackdown on anti-regime protests.

Arctic front to bring wind and a sharp temperature drop

AccuWeather says a new Arctic front will arrive Thursday with gusty winds and a steep plunge in temperatures. The cold pattern is expected to stick around into next week, because winter loves commitment when nobody asked for it.

East Lansdowne installs AI cameras, says they already helped make arrests

East Lansdowne police have rolled out AI-enabled cameras as part of a public safety effort. Officials say the system has already aided two investigations, including identifying and arresting a suspect accused of following two children.

Wawa closing its digital-only University City location

Wawa is shutting down its digital-only University City store this month. Customers had to order via the Wawa app or in-store screens before picking up items, which is a very modern way to buy a hoagie while feeling like you’re applying for a mortgage.

Philadelphia’s Rocky statue is being moved near the museum steps

The Rocky statue in Philadelphia is being relocated near the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. Visitors should expect to climb the steps to take photos with it, a rare case where the tourist trap also counts as cardio.

DOJ filings cite humanitarian harms as justification tied to action against Nicolás Maduro

In court filings, the Trump administration’s Department of Justice argued U.S. action against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was justified in part by humanitarian harms linked to illegal mining. The filings cite poverty, medicine shortages, hunger, displacement of indigenous communities, and child labor tied to criminal mining networks. Trump has said U.S. forces captured Maduro and removed him from the country during a strike targeting his government.

DHS says federal officer in Minneapolis shot a person during an arrest

The Department of Homeland Security said a federal officer in Minneapolis shot a person in the leg after the officer was attacked during an arrest.

Verizon says outage is resolved, credits planned

Verizon said a multi-hour outage affecting thousands of customers has been resolved. The company says it plans to provide account credits to affected users, a tiny corporate apology coupon for the inconvenience of existing in 2026.

NATO allies deploy to Greenland after Washington talks end without agreement

NATO allies began deploying personnel to Greenland after talks in Washington ended without agreement amid President Trump’s renewed push for U.S. control of the territory. The initial mission runs Wednesday through Saturday ahead of Operation Arctic Endurance and includes Danish troops, ships, and aircraft, plus smaller contributions from Germany, Norway, and Sweden, with possible support from France, Canada, and the Netherlands. The UK said it sent a single officer to join a reconnaissance group at Denmark’s request.

BRICS efforts to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar face big hurdles

A summary of arguments says sanctions, asset freezes, and Russia’s removal from SWIFT have accelerated efforts by BRICS and others to reduce dependence on the dollar and U.S.-controlled payment channels. Proposed alternatives include BRICS Pay, BRICS Bridge, a commodity- or basket-pegged settlement unit, and wider use of China’s yuan-based CIPS, alongside more gold buying and bilateral currency deals. The piece notes obstacles like interoperability, settlement mechanics, and reliance on Visa and Mastercard, and suggests any move away from the dollar would likely be incremental.

Actor Timothy Busfield declines to enter a plea as a third accuser alleges child sexual assault

Actor Timothy Busfield did not enter a plea during a Wednesday court hearing in New Mexico, as a third former child actor has come forward alleging sexual assault.

Bucks County Sheriff Ends Partnership With ICE, Following Campaign Promise

The Bucks County sheriff has ended the department’s partnership with ICE, fulfilling a campaign promise and immediately stopping the practice of deputizing county deputies to assist with federal immigration operations.

Florida’s Longest-Running Tourist Attraction Isn’t Walt Disney World

Florida’s longest-running tourist attraction is billed as the Jungle Queen River Cruise in Fort Lauderdale, offering a nighttime outing with scenic waterfront views and entertainment including Polynesian fire dancing.

X to Block Grok AI From Creating Nude Versions of Real People After Backlash

X says Grok will no longer let users digitally remove clothing from images of real people, according to a statement posted on the platform.

Iranian shopkeeper's execution postponed after Donald Trump warns of a strong U.S. response

Iranian shopkeeper Erfan Soltani, 26, had his scheduled execution postponed after President Donald Trump warned the United States would take “very strong action” if Iran began hanging protesters. Soltani, sentenced to death for alleged involvement in a recent demonstration, remains in solitary confinement at Ghezel Hesar prison, and Iranian authorities have indicated the delay may be temporary. Iranian officials deny plans to hang protesters, while human-rights groups say executions are common and opposition figures warn deaths could continue out of public view.

Hearts are seen as long-shot underdogs but continue to set the pace in the Premiership

Hearts are being written off as outsiders, yet they keep backing it up on the pitch, maintaining the Premiership’s early pace. After making a point by winning with 10 men at Dundee on Sunday, they raised the bar again four days later with another strong result against St Mirren.

X will block Grok AI from generating nude versions of photos of real people

X says its Grok AI tool will no longer be able to generate “undressed” versions of images of real people.

Senate Narrowly Blocks Measure to Limit Trump’s Authority to Use Force in Venezuela After Hawley and Young Switch Votes

The Senate voted 51–50 to table a war powers resolution that would have restricted President Donald Trump from using future military force in Venezuela, effectively ending consideration of the measure. Republican Sens. Josh Hawley and Todd Young reversed earlier votes after lobbying from the administration, and Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. Democrats opposed tabling the resolution, while Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul supported advancing oversight, citing the need for congressional authorization before any future deployment.

Trump Administration Rejects Danish and Greenlandic Requests to Stop Discussing Taking Greenland

At a high-profile White House meeting on Wednesday, Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined requests from Denmark and Greenland for the Trump administration to stop raising the idea of taking over Greenland. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the talks revealed a “fundamental disagreement” between the countries.

Verizon outage leaves phones in “SOS mode”

Verizon Wireless suffered a widespread outage Wednesday, leaving some customers unable to connect and seeing “SOS mode” on their phones. Emergency management officials in New York City and Washington, D.C., acknowledged the disruption and responded to reports of service problems.

Kentucky man charged with murdering his son after backyard fight

Phillip Hadley, 56, is charged with murder in the death of his 33-year-old son, Jordan Hadley, after Kentucky State Police say an altercation escalated at the older man’s mother’s home on Kentucky Route 55. Police allege the son pushed his father twice and approached again, and the father then fired a .40-caliber handgun. The son later died at a hospital. Hadley told investigators he did not see a gun but believed his son was reaching for one, and police said the defendant’s mother witnessed the shooting.

Missouri man charged with first-degree murder in wife’s stabbing

Malang Akbari, 46, is charged with first-degree murder after police say he stabbed his wife, Manhaz Akbari, during a confrontation at their Jefferson City home. Investigators allege he put a pillow under her head and stayed with her as she bled, then called their adult son to say he had killed her. The son came to the home and found his mother unresponsive. Police later arrested Akbari after stopping the family vehicle, and authorities said the children were found safe. Akbari allegedly cited suspected infidelity and claimed his wife was tampering with his food. He is scheduled for arraignment in Cole County.

Senate to vote on Venezuela war powers resolution, Trump makes Iran claim

The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on a war powers resolution that would block President Trump from taking further military action in Venezuela, after five Republicans helped advance it last week. Trump also claimed Iran has stopped killing protesters amid ongoing unrest.

ACLU of Pennsylvania seeks to join EEOC v. University of Pennsylvania

The ACLU of Pennsylvania filed a motion to join EEOC v. The University of Pennsylvania, saying it aims to help defend Jewish students and faculty and oppose efforts seeking lists identifying them.

US launches second phase of Gaza peace plan

The United States has launched the second phase of its Gaza peace plan, according to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The phase includes forming a technocratic Palestinian government and pursuing reconstruction and demilitarisation of Gaza.

Prime Video casts Ryan Hurst as Kratos in “God of War” series

Prime Video announced Wednesday that Ryan Hurst has been cast as Kratos in its upcoming “God of War” series, based on the Sony PlayStation video game franchise.

Bukele visit to Costa Rica sparks controversy during election stretch

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele visited Costa Rica late in the country’s presidential campaign, prompting political controversy and a dispute among local figures over the timing and implications of the trip.

Bodycam video shows children found in Milwaukee storage unit, father on trial

New bodycam footage shown to jurors depicts Milwaukee police and firefighters cutting a padlock and entering a dark storage unit where six children, ages 2 months to 9 years, were found amid piles of belongings and a bucket used as a toilet. Their father, 33-year-old Charles Dupriest, is on trial facing five felony child neglect counts and a felon-in-possession firearm charge. The children’s mother, Azyia Zielinski, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor neglect counts and awaits sentencing. Police said the unit smelled strongly of urine, and investigators reported the parents were found asleep in a nearby SUV while the children were left inside.

Young drivers still face insurance bills of up to £2,500 despite falling premiums

Car insurance premiums for UK drivers aged 17 to 24 have dropped by nearly £1,000 over the past year, bringing the average to £1,121, down from a February 2024 peak of £3,055. Despite the wider market easing, with an overall average premium of £607 in late 2025, many young drivers still pay more than £2,500 depending on where they live and their lack of driving history—especially in London, where 17-year-olds average £2,798, compared with about £1,705 in the southwest. Insurers cite higher crash risk among young motorists and limited no-claims records, while experts recommend choosing lower-powered cars and considering telematics policies to reduce costs.

Bezos’s Vision of Renting Cloud PCs Seems More Plausible

Jeff Bezos has long argued that owning powerful local PCs will eventually look like owning an old on-site power generator—an obsolete relic replaced by centralized “utility” computing rented from cloud platforms like AWS and Microsoft Azure. That idea is gaining credibility as consumer hardware gets pricier: DRAM costs are rising, PC makers like Dell and ASUS are signaling price hikes, Micron has exited consumer DRAM to focus on AI datacenters, and SSDs may face similar pressure. Meanwhile, cloud services such as Amazon Luna, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and Xbox cloud gaming continue to grow, and Microsoft’s shelved consumer Windows 365 could look more viable if the cost gap between cloud subscriptions and local hardware keeps narrowing.

Remains Found on Washington Beach Identified as Former Oregon Mayor

Forensic analysis has confirmed that skeletal remains that washed ashore in Grays Harbor County, Washington, have been identified as a former Oregon mayor.

Live updates: Vance and Rubio meet with Greenland and Denmark officials; Senate considers vote on Venezuela war powers

The White House is increasing pressure on multiple fronts, including Iran and relations with Denmark and Greenland. President Trump said the United States should have full control of Greenland, as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland. Meanwhile, the Senate is weighing a bipartisan move toward a war powers vote related to Venezuela.

Noodles & Company Expected to Close More Than Two Dozen Locations in 2026

Noodles & Company is expected to shut down more than two dozen locations in 2026, following the closure of more than 40 locations in 2025.

Claudette Colvin, early civil rights activist who refused to give up her bus seat, dies at 86

Claudette Colvin, whose 1955 arrest for refusing to surrender her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus helped spark the modern civil rights movement, has died at 86.

Skeletal Remains of Former Oregon Mayor Identified After Washing Ashore

Forensic analysts have identified skeletal remains as those of Edwin Asher, a former Oregon mayor who disappeared about 20 years ago, after the remains washed up on a beach.

Experts warn that voice analysis can reveal sensitive personal information

Speech and language technology researcher Tom Bäckström warns that as computers get better at analyzing voices, they may be able to infer far more than mood or fatigue. He says this could expose sensitive personal information, potentially affecting insurance pricing, enabling emotionally targeted advertising, and increasing risks of harassment, stalking, or extortion.

Former Hostage Says Cutting Diplomatic Ties With Iran Would Increase Pressure on the Regime

Olivier Vandercaesteele, a humanitarian worker and former hostage in Iran, says severing diplomatic ties with Tehran would increase pressure on the Islamic Republic and limit its ability to influence foreign policymakers.

New Framework Helps AI Systems Recover from Errors and Find Optimal Solutions

A new framework aims to reduce the “brain fog” users often see in consumer AI chats, where the system loses track of earlier ideas and how they connect, by helping AI recover from mistakes and steer back toward better solutions.

DOGE Cancels or Reduces Scope of $1.5 Billion in Contracts Over Five Days

DOGE said federal agencies terminated or scaled back 42 contracts it labeled wasteful, with reported savings of $269 million. The department cited examples such as a $1.2 million Millennium Challenge Corporation DEI services contract, and noted it had recently reported another round of 55 contract terminations or reductions totaling $1.6 billion in ceiling value and $542 million in savings. DOGE also said its broader cancellations across contracts, grants, and leases have totaled about $215 billion, with most savings attributed to agencies including HHS, GSA, SSA, OPM, and SBA.

Judges Side With Democrats in Challenges to Trump Administration Funding Freezes

Judges have repeatedly ruled in favor of Democrats challenging Trump administration funding freezes, as the White House cuts off money and Democrats sue to restore it. The back-and-forth is expected to continue, with no clear end to the cycle.

France bans 10 British far-right activists from entering over anti-migrant actions

France has barred 10 British far-right activists from entering the country following anti-migrant activities. The group was linked to a social media account, "Raise the Colours Operation France," which posted videos last year showing activists on France’s northern coastline.

Meghan Markle could visit the UK for the first time in four years

Meghan Markle may return to the UK after a four-year absence, though Prince Harry has said he will not bring his family back without what he considers adequate security arrangements.

Buying Greenland Could Cost Up to $700 Billion

NBC News reports that acquiring Greenland could cost the United States as much as $700 billion, as President Trump pushes the idea of purchasing the territory. Trump said he would prefer to reach a deal but insisted the U.S. would get Greenland “one way or the other.” Reports also note that JD Vance and Marco Rubio are expected to meet with Danish officials as interest in Greenland continues.

Scientists say another near-record hot year is a warning sign

Scientists warn that another near-record hot year signals escalating climate risks, noting that the last 11 years have been the hottest 11 years on record.

European Commission President says Greenland can rely on EU support ahead of White House talks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Greenland can rely on EU backing as U.S. officials prepare to host Denmark’s and Greenland’s foreign ministers at the White House for high-stakes talks later Wednesday.

"Go back" rhetoric is returning to American politics, and it’s getting uglier

"Go back" language is resurfacing in American politics, reflecting a broader anxiety about social and demographic change that pushes some people to tighten the definition of who qualifies as a full member of the nation.

Michigan U.S. Senate Race Tied

Michigan’s open U.S. Senate race is a dead heat, with a Detroit News poll showing Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Haley Stevens tied at 44% to 44%. In hypothetical matchups against Rogers, Stevens performs best among the Democratic contenders, partly because she is the only Democrat matching his support among independent voters.

U.S. Military Establishes New Air Defense Coordination Center in Qatar

U.S. Central Command announced on Jan. 13 that it has launched a new air and missile defense coordination cell at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The unit, called the Middle Eastern Air Defense—Combined Defense Operations Cell, will operate within the existing Combined Air Operations Center and be staffed by U.S. personnel and regional partners to improve coordination and shared air defense responsibilities amid ongoing missile and drone threats in the region.