Iniaes

Champions Cup team news, Itoje starts for Saracens

Maro Itoje will start for Saracens against Toulouse in Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup. Confirmed team news and line-ups are also included for Harlequins and Northampton in their respective matches.

Campaigners tell residents to block “cut-price” Ffos-y-Fran mine restoration plan

Coal Action Network is urging residents to object to Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd’s proposal to downgrade the agreed restoration of the Ffos-y-Fran opencast coal mine near Merthyr Tydfil. The group claims the company, led by director David Lewis, illegally mined for over a year, can afford the £75 to £110 million restoration, and is trying to replace it with a cheaper plan that could leave a deep flooded void, large spoil tips, and long-term pollution and safety risks, while unlocking £15 million held in escrow. Objections are due to Merthyr Tydfil council by 17 January 2026.

Tottenham dumped out of FA Cup as pressure grows on Thomas Frank

Aston Villa knocked Tottenham Hotspur out of the FA Cup after goals from Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers. A wasteful Spurs performance increased pressure on manager Thomas Frank.

Jess Harding says “no bad blood” ahead of Love Island: All Stars return

Former Love Island winner Jess Harding says there is “no bad blood” with her ex as she prepares to return for Love Island: All Stars series three, starting January 12.

U.S. carries out new airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria amid diplomacy with new leadership

U.S. officials said the military conducted airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria, the second such operation since Dec. 19. The strikes come as U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said he met in Damascus with Syria’s new leadership, including President Ahmed al-Sharaa, to discuss developments in Aleppo and Syria’s political transition. The White House and the Defense Department did not immediately comment.

Minneapolis clears short-lived “autonomous” zone barricades to restore access

Minneapolis city officials dismantled barricades after activists briefly set up a multi-block “autonomous” area in the city’s southeast, blocking streets with bins, trees, and other materials and posting “guards” at intersections. The city cleared the blockade early Friday to restore access for residents and emergency services, while leaving a nearby memorial intact, citing concerns the roadblocks could delay fire and medical response.

Nationwide protests planned after officer-involved shootings in Minneapolis and Portland

More than 1,000 protests are planned nationwide following federal officer-involved shootings that killed a woman in Minneapolis and two other people in Portland.

Mother charged in killing of 9-year-old appears in court as prosecutors seek life without parole

Ashlee Buzzard, charged with murdering her 9-year-old daughter Melodee, appeared in Santa Barbara County court to set a preliminary hearing date. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without parole and allege firearm use and lying in wait. Melodee was reported missing after leaving California on a road trip with her mother, and her body was found Dec. 6 in rural Utah with gunshot wounds to the head. Authorities say forensic evidence, including ballistic and DNA analysis, links Buzzard to the death, believe she acted alone, and no motive has been publicly disclosed. Outside court, Melodee’s grandmother said she believes the killing was planned and questioned any insanity defense, citing allegations Buzzard changed license plates on a rental car.

Pubs, Labour, and business-rate relief confusion

A pub landlord criticised Labour on GB News as reports suggest Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering extending business-rate relief for hospitality to ease higher bills. Industry figures say uncertainty over eligibility and the scale of any changes is fuelling confusion as closures continue, and some pubs have reportedly barred Labour MPs in protest.

GB News guest slams X over AI sexualised images as Ofcom weighs action

GB News guest John Oxley condemned X for enabling AI-generated sexualised images, including non-consensual “digital undressing,” arguing that limiting the feature to paying subscribers does not reduce the harm. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she would support Ofcom if it decides to block access to X in the UK for online safety breaches, as the regulator considers urgent action over the platform’s Grok chatbot amid reports of women and girls being targeted.

Welsh-language children’s show “Gwen yr Arth Wen” to tour south Wales

A new Welsh-language production for children aged 6 and up will tour 10 venues across south Wales from 14 February to 31 March 2026. “Gwen yr Arth Wen” (Gwen the Polar Bear) is a 45-minute puppetry, movement, and original-music show about an anxious young polar bear searching for her family, exploring climate change, home, and confidence. It is designed to be accessible to Welsh learners and non-speakers, with BSL and audio-described dates to be announced in early 2026.

Paramedic and police officer seriously injured responding to crash

A paramedic and a police officer were seriously injured while responding to a crash. Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Russia’s Kilo-class submarines remain a stealthy threat

Russia’s Kilo-class submarines, nicknamed the “Black Hole” by the U.S. Navy for their stealth, continue to be a key capability despite Cold War-era origins. Newer Project 636.3 variants have been modernised into power-projection platforms, including the ability to launch Kalibr land-attack missiles.

Protester removes flag at Iranian embassy in London amid intensifying unrest

A protester climbed onto the balcony of the Iranian embassy in central London and removed a flag as a crowd gathered in Princes Gate, Kensington, prompting the Metropolitan Police to send additional officers. The incident comes as protests that began in Iran on 28 December intensify, with reports of dozens killed and thousands detained, alongside restrictions on internet access and international calls. UK political leaders across parties condemned violence against protesters and renewed calls for tougher measures against Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Greenland leaders reject Trump’s calls for U.S. control

Greenland’s party leaders and Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected President Trump’s repeated suggestions that the United States should take control of the island, insisting Greenland’s future must be decided by Greenlanders. Trump also warned the U.S. would pursue control “the hard way” if it could not do it “the easy way.”

Campbell Hatton goes public with new relationship

Campbell Hatton, 25, has gone public with a relationship with Brooke Heaton, 22, the daughter of Simon Heaton, described as one of Ricky Hatton’s close friends. The families have long been connected, and Brooke shared birthday photos and a message on Instagram as the couple posted more images from outings and a New Year trip. Campbell, who left boxing in 2025 and now fits solar panels, said he has been rebuilding his life after major personal losses and described Brooke as a key source of support.

How the United States Could Seek Control of Greenland and the Obstacles It Would Face

The idea of the U.S. taking over Greenland runs into strong political resistance: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says a U.S. takeover would effectively end NATO, while many Greenlanders say they do not want to become part of the United States.

Trump Believes Pressure Tactics Could Help the U.S. Acquire Greenland

Trump is said to have concluded from NATO defense-spending talks that threats and tough pressure can move allies, and he is reportedly applying the same approach to Greenland—starting with hostility in hopes of persuading Denmark to sell the territory to the United States.

Small deer confronts a 1.7-ton rhinoceros at a Polish zoo

A viral video from Wroclaw Zoo in Poland shows Tata, a 28-pound Reeves’s muntjac, charging and headbutting Maruśka, a 1.7-ton female rhinoceros, in a brief standoff that ends with the tiny deer seemingly coming out on top. The zoo and commenters treated it as a playful David-versus-Goliath moment, and a zookeeper said the clash was more hormonal posturing and “theatre” than real danger, with the rhino appearing to have some fun.

The Slowest U.S. Labor Market in Years Is Leaving Job Seekers Struggling

The slowest labor market in years is leaving job seekers stuck, with the U.S. entering the new year at a 4.4% unemployment rate but weak job growth after the slowest monthly pace of gains outside a recession since 2003. With hiring and firing both subdued, unemployed Americans are facing longer job searches, while millions piece together multiple gig jobs to make ends meet.

The United States and Venezuela Discuss Restoring Diplomatic Relations

U.S. and Venezuelan officials are exploring a possible restoration of diplomatic ties, with Venezuela considering sending a delegation to Washington to assess reopening its long-closed embassy, days after Venezuela said the United States took its president into custody in a nighttime operation.

NASA’s Moon Mission Rocket Could Launch Within Weeks

NASA’s mega-rocket for a lunar mission may launch within weeks, with the vehicle that will carry astronauts around the Moon for the first time since 1972 potentially rolling out to its launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida within days.

GB News guest sparks dispute after defending a potential UK ban on X

A GB News debate erupted after one guest defended restricting access to X in the UK, arguing the platform’s Grok tool has enabled illegal AI-generated sexual abuse imagery and that access limits may be necessary if fines fail. The discussion follows government threats of tougher action and an Ofcom expedited assessment, as other panellists warned a ban would be an overreach that could damage public debate and be easily bypassed via VPNs. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she would back Ofcom if X is found not to comply with UK law.

Proposed new London-area commuter town to include 40,000 homes

Plans are being developed for a large new commuter town in Bedfordshire with 40,000 homes. The proposal includes a new rail station, a hospital, a town centre, and around 30,000 jobs, with construction expected to begin by 2029.

Texas Instruments Explains Low-Dropout (LDO) Linear Voltage Regulators

Texas Instruments breaks down how low-dropout (LDO) linear regulators work and where they make sense. The video notes that LDOs are often inefficient and sometimes more expensive than switching regulators, so they’re typically best for low-current, low-power cases where the input voltage is close to the desired output. In exchange for poor efficiency at higher loads, LDOs offer simple designs, low dropout voltage, low noise, quick response to load changes with the right output capacitor, and minimal EMI.

Kevin Durant passes Wilt on scoring list

Kevin Durant moved ahead of Wilt Chamberlain into seventh place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list during the Houston Rockets’ loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Another night in the NBA where history happens, and the scoreboard still says “L.”

Iranian hospitals overwhelmed as protests enter second week

Iranian medics say hospitals are overwhelmed as protests move into a second week, amid signs authorities are intensifying their crackdown. When a system responds to public anger by escalating force, the casualties pile up first, and the accountability arrives never.

Trump says US will act on Greenland “whether they like it or not”

Trump said the United States will act on Greenland “whether they like it or not,” claiming it is necessary for national security and warning Russia or China would take over without US intervention. Nothing says “freedom” like announcing you’ll do something to other people, regardless of their opinions, for their own good.

Today in history, US established full diplomatic relations with the Vatican (1984)

On Jan. 10, 1984, the United States established full diplomatic relations with the Vatican for the first time in 116 years. A reminder that geopolitics is basically a long-running series of grudges, reconciliations, and paperwork.

Famous birthdays for Jan. 10

Include musician Rauw Alejandro turning 33 and musician and actor Reneé Rapp turning 26. The news cycle pauses briefly to honor the ancient human ritual of “celebrity exists, time passed.”

Backlash over English leads cast in Welsh-set TV dramas

Critics say upcoming Welsh-set TV dramas keep sidelining Welsh lead talent, pointing to Sky’s Under Salt Marsh and Channel 5’s Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards casting English actors in prominent Welsh roles. The Huw Edwards dramatization comes amid his 2024 conviction for making indecent images of children, and critics argue Welsh settings and funding are being used while linguistic and cultural authenticity is diluted.

AI expected to reshape office work in 2026, executive predicts

Mindstone CEO Joshua Wöhle says companies will shift from testing AI to relying on it across operations, with routine office tasks, including parts of software development, increasingly automated. He estimates 70 to 80 percent of execution-heavy work in areas like law, HR, marketing, finance, and sales could be automated by the end of 2026, though he warns many organizations still can’t integrate their scattered AI tools. Translation: the future of work is “supervise the robot,” brought to you by the same people who can’t get a printer to connect.

Sabalenka reaches Brisbane International final again

World number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the Brisbane International final for the third straight year after defeating Karolina Muchova. Consistency, power, and the quiet joy of ruining everyone else’s bracket.

London council expands affordable housing requirements to small developments

A London council introduced stricter planning rules so developments proposing fewer than 10 homes must also contribute toward affordable and social housing targets. Supporters call it fairer; critics wonder if it will discourage small builders or slow delivery, because nothing says “build more housing” like adding more rules to building housing.

Proposal to add “logic-lang” tag for logic programming

A proposal suggests adding a “logic-lang” tag to cover logic programming and clause-based languages like Prolog, Datalog, miniKanren, Answer Set Programming, and constraint logic programming tools such as CLP(FD) and Picat. The pitch is that it would reduce mis-tagging and scatter across database and AI categories, which is a very nerdy way of saying, “please stop filing this under nonsense.”

Ten years after David Bowie’s death, fans still make pilgrimages

Ten years after David Bowie’s death, Euronews Culture highlights five European pilgrimage sites where fans can pay tribute. The man left Earth and somehow still manages better long-term engagement than most modern brands.

49ers Fan Is Warned Not to Interfere with the Rocky Statue in Philadelphia

A San Francisco 49ers fan arrived in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon and headed to the Rocky statue for a photo, with a warning issued in advance not to mess with the landmark.

Expectant mother says fathers should not have an equal say in naming their child

A woman trying to conceive argues that mothers should have more influence than fathers when choosing a baby’s name, saying dads shouldn’t have a 50/50 say.

Stolen U-Haul Leads Police Chase Through Philadelphia’s Mayfair Neighborhood

A stolen U-Haul truck led police on a dangerous chase through Philadelphia’s Mayfair neighborhood just before 6:00 p.m. Police attempted to stop the vehicle but called off the pursuit due to safety concerns. The driver continued driving erratically and struck several cars. The pursuit was briefly resumed, then ended again. The truck was later found abandoned at Enfield and Ditman. The suspect was located on foot and taken into custody, and one officer suffered minor injuries. Police have not released the suspect’s identity or any potential charges.

Minnesota woman, 56, dies after shark attack at St Croix beach in the US Virgin Islands

A 56-year-old Minnesota woman, Arlene Lillis, died after a shark attack at Dorcsh Beach on St Croix in the US Virgin Islands on Thursday afternoon. Emergency services responded to multiple 911 calls shortly before 4:30 p.m. Officials said she lost an arm and later died from her injuries. A search found no additional victims, and authorities have not said whether the shark has been located. The investigation is ongoing.

Suspect Arrested After Stolen U-Haul Crashes Into Cars During Philadelphia Chase

A suspect was taken into custody Friday night in Philadelphia after a pursuit involving a stolen U-Haul truck that crashed into several vehicles.

Witness Describes Swiss Ski Bar Fire as 'Apocalyptic' at Crans-Montana Memorial

At a memorial in Crans-Montana, a woman named Marie described the night of a Swiss ski bar fire as “apocalyptic,” recalling how she was in a bar opposite Le Constellation and helped injured people as they fled the flames.

Delaware County plans 250th anniversary events to support the local economy

Delaware County is launching a year-long slate of America 250 celebrations, with the Delaware County America 250 Commission and community partners planning more than 100 events to educate residents, highlight local history, and attract visitors to the area. Programs include activities such as the Battle for Independence: Amazing Race to Brandywine and the Irish America 250 Kick Off on Jan. 14. County leaders say the goal is to create a lasting legacy while boosting local businesses through increased tourism and spending.

AI models are beginning to learn by generating and answering their own questions

AI researchers from Tsinghua University, BIGAI, and Pennsylvania State University built a system called Absolute Zero Reasoner that trains a language model by having it create solvable Python coding challenges, attempt solutions, and then verify them by running the code. The system uses its successes and failures to refine the model, improving both problem generation and reasoning. Tests showed notable gains for 7B and 14B versions of the open-source Qwen model, in some cases beating models trained on human-curated data. The method currently works best on tasks with easy automated checking, like coding and math, and may later extend to broader agent-style tasks.

AOC Condemns Pro-Hamas Protest March in Predominantly Jewish Queens Neighborhood

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemned protesters who marched through a predominantly Jewish area of Queens chanting support for Hamas, calling the action antisemitic. The demonstration led some nearby institutions to close early after police warnings. Local officials urged city leaders to denounce the protest, while noting unacceptable rhetoric from both demonstrators and counterprotesters.

South Korea’s president heads to Japan for summit

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will visit Japan on Jan. 13 for a two-day, one-night trip, with a summit planned in the Japanese prime minister’s hometown.

Philadelphia Eagles flashback, the 1989 London preseason trip

An “Action News Flashback” revisits a 1989 report on the Philadelphia Eagles traveling to London for a historic preseason game, capturing the transatlantic journey and why the matchup mattered.

Microsoft tests policy to let IT uninstall Copilot

Microsoft is testing a Windows policy called RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp that lets IT admins uninstall the Microsoft Copilot app from managed devices via Group Policy, Intune, or SCCM. It applies when both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot are installed, Copilot was not user-installed, and it has not been launched in the last 28 days. If enabled, Copilot is removed once, and users can reinstall it. The option is in Windows Insider builds for Enterprise, Pro, and EDU.

U.S. and UK seize Russian-flagged tanker after North Atlantic pursuit

On Jan. 7, 2026, U.S. forces, supported by the UK, seized the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic after a pursuit that began near Venezuela. Russia, which reportedly deployed a submarine to monitor the vessel, condemned the seizure as piracy and a violation of maritime law as enforcement actions against sanctioned shipping intensified.

Video shows moments before fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis

Newly obtained cellphone video shows events leading up to the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, with Good seen reversing her car and turning the steering wheel right as someone off-camera yells, “Drive!”

Pentagon moves up delivery of USS John F. Kennedy carrier

The Department of Defense advanced the planned delivery of the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), the second Ford-class aircraft carrier, to March 2027 after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Newport News Shipbuilding that more delays and cost overruns would not be accepted. The decision follows the USS Gerald R. Ford’s entry into combat operations.

Weekend forecast, showers, heavier rain, then gusty winds

AccuWeather forecasts scattered showers Friday evening, heavier rain Saturday, and gusty winds Sunday.

X-44 MANTA, NASA and Lockheed’s tailless stealth fighter concept

The X-44 MANTA was a 1990s NASA-to-Lockheed Martin stealth fighter concept designed without vertical tails, relying on multi-axis thrust vectoring and advanced flight-control software for stability. The tailless design aimed to reduce radar signature and drag while improving maneuverability.

Venezuelan border gripped by armed groups after reported Maduro capture

“Guerrillas and gangsters on the Venezuelan border” describes tensions after Nicolás Maduro’s reported capture by U.S. special forces, with Venezuela’s ruling party and pro-government militias still active in San Antonio del Táchira. Along the Colombia border near Cúcuta, migrants fleeing economic collapse face checkpoints, repression, and alleged extortion tied to colectivos, ELN guerrillas, gangs, and elements of security forces, with smuggling routes linked to contraband and cocaine transit. Colombia has reinforced the frontier, regional leaders are trading accusations, and residents fear any transition in Caracas could spark wider violence and cross-border spillover.

Debt advice charities report post-Christmas surge in requests for help

Charities say more people are contacting debt advice services after Christmas than last year, and they urge anyone struggling with repayments to seek help early.

NBER study, School board priorities can causally move student outcomes

A new NBER paper argues that school boards quietly have a lot more K–12 policy power than the usual loudmouths on cable news, and that researchers have missed it partly because they lacked good data on what board members actually want. Using new measures of members’ stated priorities and policy actions, plus a regression discontinuity design that creates quasi-random shifts in board composition, the study finds members’ priorities have large causal effects across domains. Example, electing an equity-focused member boosts low-income students’ test scores by an amount comparable to giving every such student a teacher about 0.3 to 0.4 standard deviations higher in value-added. It also finds demographic and professional identity are weak proxies for ideology, identity-linked effects are limited and mostly operate through differences in policy priorities.

US fentanyl deaths plunge from 2023 peak, with debate over why

Fentanyl overdose deaths have dropped sharply in the US since peaking around 76,000 in 2023, falling by more than a third by late 2024, with provisional CDC data pointing to further declines in 2025. Researchers say the downturn started before Trump’s second term and may reflect disruption in the illicit fentanyl supply chain, possibly linked to Chinese action restricting precursor chemicals reaching Mexican criminal groups, which they argue could outperform endless street-level whack-a-mole. Others warn it might not last, citing a reported uptick between January 2024 and January 2025, and noting safer behaviors or reduced use could also be part of the story.

Video shows ICE officer approaching driver, with calm exchange captured

Video obtained by Alpha News shows an ICE officer exiting his vehicle and approaching Renee Nicole Macklin Good’s car from the right, then moving toward the driver’s side while her window is down. In the footage, Macklin Good is heard saying, “That’s alright dude, I’m not mad at you. I’m not mad at you.”

Columbus bodycam shows welfare check went to wrong home before couple found dead

Newly released bodycam footage shows a Columbus officer conducting an initial welfare check at the wrong home before dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique, 39, were found shot to death in their Weinland Park residence on Dec. 30. Police Chief Elaine Bryant said the officer believed he was at the correct address and followed protocol, but the couple was discovered about 40 minutes later after co-workers reported Tepe missing and a friend went to the home. Investigators have ruled out a murder-suicide, report no obvious forced entry, have recovered no weapon, and have made no arrests. The couple’s young children were found safe inside the house.

Alabama daycare workers sentenced after surveillance showed child abuse

Two daycare employees, Kailey Gilley and Magan Koker, were sentenced to five years in prison each under 20-year split sentences, followed by three years of probation, for abusing children at Happy Hearts Christian Academy Daycare in Daleville, Alabama. The investigation began after a child was picked up with bruising and swelling, and parents later viewed surveillance footage that reportedly showed the workers taking turns hitting children. Many alleged victims were too young to report the abuse, and the daycare reportedly closed after the arrests.

Rumor claims Foo Fighters’ post-Hawkins drummer could be dismissed

A claim circulating alleges that the Foo Fighters’ replacement drummer after Taylor Hawkins’ death, identified as Ilan Rubin, is difficult to work with, and that the band will eventually decide to let him go. As always with music-world whisper campaigns, file under “possible,” right next to “my band totally has a record deal any day now.”

Minnesota schools shift classes amid unrest after fatal ICE shooting

Several Minnesota school districts, including Minneapolis and Fridley, canceled in-person classes or moved to flexible learning as unrest continued following the fatal shooting of Nicole Good by an ICE agent. The Minneapolis Federation of Educators’ support professionals chapter called for ICE to leave the city and stay away from schools, citing incidents near school grounds, including chemical irritants used outside Roosevelt High School and a staff member taken into custody. Homeland Security said agents do not enter schools unless there is a public safety threat, describing a chase that ended on school property. Gov. Tim Walz announced a “Day of Unity” and a moment of silence amid ongoing tensions.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may raise nutrient deficiency risks without careful diet

GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro curb appetite and slow stomach emptying, leading many users to eat 16% to 40% fewer calories. Smaller portions can make it easier to fall short on protein, vitamins, and minerals, and early evidence links GLP-1 use to deficiencies including iron-deficiency anaemia and protein deficiency, with rare but serious cases tied to extremely low intake. Guidance includes prioritizing nutrient-dense foods, ensuring adequate protein, considering fortified or well-designed prepared meals when needed, supporting muscle with resistance exercise, and using clinical monitoring and blood tests, since symptoms can be vague.

Shared reading tips to help children love books as UK pleasure reading declines

Advice on sharing books with children aims to counter a decline in UK children reading for pleasure ahead of a 2026 “year of reading” campaign. Shared reading is presented as a tool for language development, school readiness, and reducing the effects of social inequality, while strengthening attachment, wellbeing, and the adult-child bond. Tips include creating a calm, device-free reading space, following the child’s lead—such as discussing pictures rather than reading every word—offering more choices as children get older, using any material that matches interests like comics, magazines, or newspapers, and building reading into routines beyond bedtime.

After the Venezuela raid, a more coercive US posture could reshape Latin America

Analysis suggests the Venezuela raid signals a sharper, more coercive US approach in the region. The Trump administration framed Nicolás Maduro’s capture as a counter-narcotics operation aimed at dismantling a “narco-state,” while also seeking to weaken Venezuela’s ties to China, Russia, and Iran and bring major oil assets under US-friendly control. The same posture could increase pressure on Cuba as Venezuelan oil flows are redirected, extend to Mexico via expanded legal and security justifications for action against cartels, and apply to Colombia and Nicaragua through diplomatic, economic, and potentially military pressure tied to drugs, migration, and rival-power influence.

UK updates childhood immunisation schedule, adds routine chickenpox protection

The UK revised its childhood immunisation schedule by adding routine chickenpox protection via the combined MMRV vaccine, removing the Hib/MenC jab from the one-year visit, and introducing a new appointment at 18 months. The update follows regular reviews by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which adjusts programmes based on safety, effectiveness, disease trends, and cost-effectiveness. The 18-month visit responds to the planned discontinuation of the Hib/MenC vaccine, maintains Hib protection through an extra six-in-one dose, and brings the second MMRV dose forward to boost earlier protection amid recent measles outbreaks.

Florida man shot in the back of the head while gardening in what police call a random attack

Police in Ocala, Florida, say 64-year-old Harold Whitt Harper was shot in the back of the head while working in his yard and later pronounced dead. Isaac Toye, 29, was arrested nearby and charged with second-degree murder after a caller reported a suspicious man loading a gun and a separate 911 call reported the shooting. Investigators say they have found no connection between the two men and believe the killing was a random act of violence.

Doctors in Scotland cancel strike after union supports new pay deal

A planned national walkout by NHS doctors in Scotland, scheduled for Tuesday as part of a pay dispute, has been cancelled after the union backed the latest pay agreement.

Downing Street says restricting Grok AI image editing to paying users is offensive to victims

Downing Street has criticised X for limiting Grok’s AI image-editing features to paid users, calling the move insulting to victims. The comments follow the government urging Ofcom to use its full enforcement powers against X, including measures that could amount to an effective ban.

Tyson Fury Responds to Online Criticism About His Weight After Comeback Announcement

Tyson Fury has responded to online critics who called him “fat” and “chubby” after training footage surfaced following his announcement that he will return to boxing this year. The former heavyweight champion, who retired in January 2025 after two defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, is training in Thailand and says his weight has never stopped him from winning. Weighing around 20 stone, he aims to drop below 19 stone for his next fight and has challenged newly crowned WBO champion Fabio Wardley, who has said he is open to the matchup.

Gabby Logan honors her father, Terry Yorath

Gabby Logan paid tribute to her father, Terry Yorath, calling him a generous man and crediting him with instilling in her a lifelong love of sport.

Trump Says He Has Cancelled a Planned Second Wave of Attacks on Venezuela

President Trump said he has cancelled a previously expected second wave of attacks on Venezuela, citing improved cooperation with the United States.

Downing Street criticises Grok changes that restrict deepfake tools to paid users

Downing Street said changes to Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok that limit its image-editing feature to paying subscribers effectively turn deepfake creation into a “premium service” and are “insulting” to victims of misogyny and sexual violence. The criticism follows Ofcom’s urgent contact with X after reports that Grok was used to generate sexualised images, including of children. The government said X must act immediately and backed Ofcom to consider enforcement, while the Internet Watch Foundation said restricting access is not enough and called for tools to be made “safe by design.”

Trump cancels a second planned strike on Venezuela as the Senate moves to limit his war powers

Trump said he called off a previously expected second wave of attacks on Venezuela, citing cooperation from Caracas on releasing political prisoners and working with the U.S. on oil and gas infrastructure, while keeping U.S. ships in place. His announcement came after the Senate advanced a War Powers resolution led by Sens. Tim Kaine and Rand Paul, with five Republicans joining Democrats to signal potential majority support for a full vote next week. The GOP defectors said they supported the operation that captured Nicolás Maduro but want Congress to approve any escalation, especially the prospect of “boots on the ground” or a prolonged U.S. role.

Venezuela Says 100 People Died in U.S. Attack That Ousted Maduro

Venezuela’s interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, said Wednesday that 100 people were killed in a U.S. attack that removed President Nicolas Maduro from power on Saturday.

One person killed and dozens trapped after a large landfill collapse in the Philippines

One person has died and dozens are feared trapped after a large private landfill collapsed in Cebu City, Philippines. Rescuers have pulled 12 injured sanitation workers from the debris as search and rescue efforts continue.

Russia uses the rarely deployed Oreshnik missile in new strikes on Ukraine

Russia carried out new strikes on Ukraine using the rarely deployed Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, marking only the second known use of the weapon since it was first used against Dnipro in November.

Ukraine reports intermediate-range ballistic missile strike near NATO border

Ukraine says Russia fired an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile late on January 8, striking an area near Lviv close to the European Union and NATO border. The Ukrainian Air Force said a nationwide alert began at 11:30 p.m. after it detected ballistic launches from Russia’s Kapustin Yar range.

Wales apprenticeship programmes unchanged despite Growth and Skills Levy discussion

Coleg Cambria has reassured employers, learners and apprentices that apprenticeship delivery in Wales is continuing as normal despite widespread debate about the UK Government’s proposed Growth and Skills Levy. The college said skills policy and the use of funding are devolved in Wales, so changes being discussed for England do not automatically apply. It added there is no change to processes, funding access, or programme structures. It encouraged organisations with questions about levy payments or training plans to contact its Cambria for Business team for support.

Italy fines Cloudflare for failing to comply with anti-piracy blocking orders

Italy’s communications regulator, AgCom, has fined US internet services firm Cloudflare €14 million—set at 1% of its global turnover—for not disabling access to pirated content as ordered on February 18, 2025, under the country’s anti-piracy rules.

Help desk followed an irrelevant script, so engineers identified and fixed the issue themselves

The latest installment of The Register’s reader-submitted “On Call” column recounts a support incident where a help desk relied on an unhelpful generic script, offering a drastic “delete everything and start over” remedy. The technical team investigated the root cause and resolved the problem on their own.

Three Welsh destinations named in the UK’s top 10 for dopamine-boosting getaways

Three Welsh locations—Portmeirion, Aberaeron, and Tenby—have been included in a top 10 list of the UK’s most “dopamine-boosting” breaks, ranked by factors such as colourful scenery, culture, food and drink, events, and architecture. Portmeirion placed fourth for its Italian Riviera-style village setting and year-round events, including a December Christmas fair and a May Steampunk Weekend. Aberaeron ranked sixth for its brightly painted harbourfront Georgian houses, festive lights, and an August carnival. Tenby came ninth, praised for its coastline, colourful harbour cottages, food scene, and events such as the Boxing Day Swim, Tenby Arts Festival, and summer fireworks.

Storm Goretti knocks out power to tens of thousands of homes

Storm Goretti is causing widespread disruption across the UK, with tens of thousands of homes left without electricity as severe weather continues to wreak havoc.

Businesses urge government to extend any pub business rates reversal to other sectors

Shops, pharmacies, and music venues say that if business rates relief for pubs is reinstated or expanded, similar support should apply to them as well, arguing they face comparable cost pressures.

Euronews Culture Film of the Week: ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’, Jim Jarmusch’s Golden Lion winner

Euronews Culture’s Film of the Week is Jim Jarmusch’s Golden Lion-winning ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’, which marks his return to the anthology format to examine strained family relationships and the limits of how well we can truly know those closest to us.