Speaker Lindsay Hoyle pauses Prime Minister’s Questions to remove a Conservative MP from the Commons

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle halted Prime Minister’s Questions and ordered Conservative MP Richard Holden, the Shadow Transport Secretary, to leave the Commons after he heckled Sir Keir Starmer. The removal came during a heated exchange between Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and the Prime Minister, in which Badenoch repeatedly accused him of being “weak” on issues including China, Chagos, defence funding, and protections for veterans.

British Airways cabin crew member sues airline for £72,500 over turbulence injuries near Mumbai

A British Airways flight attendant, Laura Lanigan, is seeking £72,500 in damages after suffering a fractured knee and dislocated shoulder during severe turbulence on a Boeing 777 approaching Mumbai in June 2019. She alleges the pilot flew too close to a cumulonimbus storm cloud, putting the aircraft in a prohibited “danger zone,” and that she was thrown into the air in the galley. British Airways denies negligence, saying the pilots observed no cumulonimbus cloud and that weather briefings, radar checks, and seatbelt warnings were in place. The case is being heard at Central London County Court.

Australian Open breakout player may lose more than £100,000 in prize money after retiring injured

Columbia University senior Michael Zheng is set to forfeit over £100,000 in Australian Open prize money after a leg injury forced him to retire in the second round against 32nd seed Corentin Moutet. The 21-year-old American impressed on his Grand Slam main-draw debut by beating Sebastian Korda as a qualifier, but NCAA rules limiting annual earnings for college athletes to $10,000 mean he cannot keep most of his winnings. Zheng says he plans to return to school, while Columbia is working with the NCAA to clarify what he is allowed to accept.

Leavitt jokes that a Qatari-donated plane sounded better after Air Force One technical problem

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that a Qatari plane gifted to the United States was sounding “much better” after a technical issue forced Air Force One to turn back and return to Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday, as President Trump was traveling to Davos, Switzerland.

Trump to Speak at Davos as Greenland Bid Raises Tensions

President Trump is scheduled to deliver a Wednesday morning speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he will meet with European allies amid rising tensions over his push to acquire Greenland. He is expected to highlight his economic agenda and argue it has strengthened the U.S. economy, while the meetings in Davos could shape key diplomatic discussions.

Report: Gritty’s Salary Nearly Matches Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s

A report on top-earning sports mascots says Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot, is the fourth-highest paid in sports at about $250,000 a year—just below Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reported $253,870 salary. Another Philadelphia mascot, the Phillie Phanatic, is listed at $200,000. The report puts top mascot pay between $89,000 and $625,000, and compares it with common jobs such as nurses, teachers, and police, which are listed far lower.

Live updates: Trump to address the World Economic Forum amid renewed push to acquire Greenland

President Trump is set to speak Wednesday morning at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he is expected to face questions and criticism from European leaders as he continues pressing for the United States to acquire Greenland. The trip comes as some Republican allies on Capitol Hill urge him to ease off the effort.

Emma Raducanu steps back after Australian Open loss

Emma Raducanu said she will take a few days away from training, head home, and reassess after a 7-6, 6-2 second-round loss to Anastasia Potapova. She pointed to a mismatch between how she is playing and how she wants to play, after leading 5-3 in the first set but piling up 28 unforced errors. Raducanu also arrived in Melbourne managing a foot problem, and the defeat ended any chance of a third-round meeting with top seed Aryna Sabalenka.

Germany’s chancellor calls nuclear shutdown a strategic mistake

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany’s decision to shut down its nuclear reactors was a severe strategic mistake, arguing that without it, bringing energy prices back to acceptable levels would require long-term federal subsidies. He described Germany’s transition as the world’s most expensive energy shift, and said the government plans to tender 8 gigawatts of new gas-fired power plants this year for operation by 2031, with another 4 gigawatts envisioned for lower-carbon sources or gas plants designed to switch to hydrogen more quickly.

Police search for suspect accused of setting fire to Cristiano Ronaldo statue

Authorities in Madeira are looking for a young man accused of setting fire to a bronze statue of Cristiano Ronaldo outside the CR7 Museum in Funchal. Police say the suspect allegedly filmed himself pouring a flammable liquid on the sculpture, igniting it, and posting the video to Instagram with the caption, “This is God’s last warning.” The man has reportedly been identified but not yet located, and it remains unclear whether the statue suffered lasting damage.

Eamonn Holmes says he would confront Donald Trump directly

GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes said he would confront Donald Trump directly and “take no nonsense” from him, arguing the former US president needs blunt pushback. The comments came as Trump prepared to address the World Economic Forum in Davos amid rising US-Europe tensions, including criticism of the UK’s Chagos deal, renewed talk of annexing Greenland, and pointed remarks about UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Journalist James Rampton said Trump responds only to forceful challenges, as European leaders weigh how to engage him.

Haaland apologises after Manchester City lose to Bodo/Glimt

Erling Haaland apologised publicly after Manchester City’s 3-1 Champions League loss to Bodo/Glimt, calling it embarrassing and taking responsibility for not scoring. Pep Guardiola said the team feels like everything is going wrong, citing absences and a poor run of results. City now need a win against Galatasaray to keep their top-eight qualification hopes alive, while Bodo/Glimt called it the biggest victory in the club’s history.

China says UK obliged to approve major new embassy complex in London

China said the UK had an obligation to approve a controversial new embassy complex in London. The planned 20,000 square-metre site would be the UK’s largest embassy by area, and among the biggest in the centre of a Western capital.

Spanish train crash survivor says country faces deep shock

Javier Garcia, a nurse who was on one of two trains that collided on Sunday, said the disaster will be hard for Spaniards to overcome. The crash killed at least 42 people and has left deep shock in a country where rail travel is closely tied to daily life.

One Killed in Barcelona Train Crash, Days After Deadly Adamuz Collision

A train crash in Catalonia in northeastern Spain has killed one person, just two days after a separate collision near Adamuz in southern Spain that killed at least 42 people and injured dozens more.

Trump warns Iran of severe retaliation if it attempts to assassinate him

Donald Trump said the United States would respond with overwhelming force if Iran were found to be behind any attempt on his life, repeating that he had instructed advisers to take “total action” in that scenario. Iranian armed forces spokesman General Abolfazl Shekarchi issued a counterwarning, as tensions rose amid reports of ongoing unrest in Iran and signs that US naval assets, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group, may be moving toward the region.

Labour spends £70 million on a new migrant detention centre currently holding 50 men

Labour has spent £70 million refurbishing Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre near Kidlington, which opened in December and is designed to hold up to 160 people awaiting deportation. Six weeks after opening, it is reportedly holding around 50 men, with just nine detainees in its first week. Reform UK criticised the low occupancy as evidence the government is not serious about removals, while the Home Office said capacity is being increased in phases as new staff are recruited and noted nearly 50,000 people have been removed.

As Trump’s Greenland threats intensify, will Europe deploy its trade countermeasures?

Trump has revived his push to acquire Greenland and is now tying it to tariff threats against several European allies, with proposed duties starting at 10% and rising to 25% unless Greenland is purchased. European leaders have rejected the pressure on sovereignty and are weighing responses ranging from retaliatory tariffs to the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, which could target US goods, services, investment, or intellectual property. Any move risks a widening trade war, market turmoil, and a major stress test for NATO and transatlantic relations.

Air Force One to Land at Joint Base Andrews After Minor Electrical Issue Detected

Air Force One, flying Tuesday to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, diverted to Joint Base Andrews after the crew identified a minor electrical issue shortly after takeoff. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the aircraft turned back as a precaution.

Air Force One carrying Trump returned safely to the D.C. area after minor electrical issue

Air Force One carrying Donald Trump returned to Joint Base Andrews after departing for Switzerland when the crew reported a minor electrical issue shortly after takeoff. A reporter aboard said the press-cabin lights briefly went out. Trump is expected to switch to another aircraft and continue to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Pennsylvania State Police Search for Missing, Endangered 10-Year-Old in Philadelphia

Pennsylvania State Police are asking for the public’s help to find 10-year-old Muhammad Sakho of Philadelphia, who went missing Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. He was last seen around 8:10 a.m. near Penrose Elementary School at 2515 S. 78th Street. Sakho is about 5 feet 2 inches tall, around 100 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black hoodie, a light green jacket, blue jeans, and a blue jacket. Police say he may be at special risk of harm or injury. Anyone with information should call 911 or the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-3183.

Trump Signs Executive Order to Block Wall Street Investors from Buying Single-Family Homes

President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday preventing Wall Street investors from buying or owning single-family homes, framing the move as part of an affordability push ahead of the November midterm elections and arguing that homeownership remains central to the American dream and family wealth-building.

Europe to Trump on Greenland: “New colonialism” is not a cute personality trait

European leaders pushed back against Donald Trump’s remarks about Greenland, with Davos chatter (and Wednesday’s front pages) framing it as “new colonialism.” Nothing says “serious global leadership” like treating a giant Arctic territory like an impulse buy at an airport duty-free.

Canada quietly sketches “in case the U.S. loses its mind” invasion plan

Canada has reportedly developed a contingency plan for the possibility of a U.S. invasion after Trump’s repeated annexation talk. It includes unconventional, guerrilla-style resistance and drone use, while also stressing an invasion is still highly unlikely. Prime Minister Mark Carney is warning about a broader rupture in the global order and trying to build stronger economic ties elsewhere, because “hope for the best” is not a national security strategy.

Barcelona train crash kills driver, dozens injured

A train crash in Barcelona killed the driver and injured at least 37 people, including five seriously. It follows a separate fatal high-speed rail collision in Andalusia just days earlier.

Tottenham fans divided on Thomas Frank, one win does not fix a season

Tottenham supporters are split on whether Thomas Frank should stay. A 2–0 win over Borussia Dortmund has sparked some optimism, but plenty of fans see it as a temporary reprieve rather than real progress.

Sophie Turner leans into rock bottom, calls it “liberating”

Sophie Turner says hitting your lowest point can be liberating, and she is channeling that mindset into her new drama, Steal, where she plays a disgruntled office worker.

Trump says he warned Iran, “If anything happens to me, extreme force”

President Trump said he has warned Iran that if anything happens to him, the United States would respond with extreme force. He cited what he described as ongoing assassination threats from Iranian leaders.

JD Vance and Usha Vance announce fourth child due in July

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance announced they are expecting their fourth child, due in July.

Trump calls for jail over Minnesota church disruption, urges DOJ to widen probe

Trump said people who disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota should be jailed, calling them trained “agitators” and “insurrectionists.” He urged the Justice Department to broaden its inquiry to include Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar. The protest, partly organized by Black Lives Matter Minnesota, interrupted worship with chants including “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” and alleged a church pastor leads a local ICE office. DOJ officials said they are investigating potential federal civil rights violations related to interference with religious worship, while Walz and Omar criticized the administration’s immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.

Australia polling: One Nation up, Coalition down, Australia Day stays popular

A Morgan poll (Jan 12 to 18) shows One Nation up six points to 21% as the Coalition drops 6.5 points to 24%, while Labor leads 53.5–46.5 on preference estimates. The poll suggests the One Nation rise may be volatility, not a seismic shift. Other questions show strong support for keeping Australia Day on January 26 and for post-Bondi measures including a royal commission and tougher gun laws. In the U.S., Trump’s net approval in Silver’s polling aggregate sits at -13 one year into his second term, with weak ratings on inflation and the economy.

Netflix tops expectations, $45.2B revenue, ads surge, subscribers climb

Netflix said its 2025 revenue reached $45.2 billion (€38.5 billion), up 16% year over year (17% currency-neutral) and above Wall Street expectations. Advertising revenue rose more than 2.5 times to over $1.5 billion, and it reported surpassing 325 million subscribers in Q4.

Setapp Mobile Will Shut Down in February 2026 as Alternative iOS App Store Economics Fall Short

MacPaw, the Ukraine-based developer, will close Setapp Mobile—its alternative iOS app store for EU users—on February 16, 2026. The service launched in open beta in September 2024, but MacPaw says the still-evolving and complex business terms for third-party marketplaces don’t fit its current business model. Alternative iOS stores became possible under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, yet developers cite hurdles such as Apple’s Core Technology Fee, which critics argue makes competing stores difficult to sustain.

Arkansas Man Wins $100,000 Lottery Prize After Following a Hunch

An Arkansas man followed a hunch and bought a scratch-off ticket at his favorite store, and it turned out to be a $100,000 top-prize winner.

Centre LGBT+ Invites Sponsors for State College Pride 2026

Centre LGBT+ is seeking sponsors for State College Pride 2026, scheduled for June 13, starting with a 10 a.m. parade followed by a festival. Now in its sixth year, the event is expected to draw more than 7,000 people and is promoted as an opportunity for businesses, organizations, vendors, and individuals to support LGBT+ inclusion and rights while gaining visibility and contributing to the region’s cultural and economic activity. Interested sponsors can contact executive director Cat Cook at [email protected].

Trump discusses tense moments with Keir Starmer amid dispute over the Chagos Islands

Donald Trump commented on his relationship with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as controversy grows over Britain’s decision to hand the Chagos Islands, including the Diego Garcia military base, to Mauritius. Trump said he has not spoken directly to Starmer recently but described relations as cordial, while criticizing leaders in London and Paris over immigration and energy policy and urging the UK to expand North Sea oil and gas production.

Dalio Warns Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Are a Major Vulnerability

Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio said the roughly $9 trillion in U.S. debt held by foreign countries is an “enormous vulnerability,” arguing that political tensions and policy unpredictability could make it unpopular to buy or hold U.S. bonds. His comments came as investors reacted nervously to Trump’s foreign-policy moves, with some institutions signaling reduced exposure to U.S. assets. Others, including former Treasury official Michael Froman, said rising U.S. debt is an underappreciated risk but noted foreign holders have limited alternatives to the depth and liquidity of dollar markets.

Former Top Actor Declines Convention Appearances

Blind Items Revealed #7 claims former A-list actor Mickey Rourke has been offered many paid appearances at fan conventions but has turned them down, saying the opportunities are beneath him.

Philadelphia Housing Authority and Building Trades Unions Reach Deal to Rebuild the Closed Brith Sholom House

The Philadelphia Housing Authority has reached an agreement with building trades unions to redevelop the shuttered Brith Sholom House, a 340-unit senior rental building in Wynnefield Heights that was closed in November 2024 after severe disrepair. PHA bought the property for $5 million following state charges against the previous owners. The roughly $100 million project is expected to take two years and will include amenities such as outdoor space, dining, and medical facilities. The Philadelphia Building Construction and Trades Council will provide $50 million, to be repaid over 15 years at 4.5% interest, and the project is expected to create 545 jobs and deliver 336 deeply affordable units.

Ontario kindergarten hosts an unexpected feathered transfer student

An escaped pet parakeet flew into a classroom, landed on a young girl’s head (bold entrance, frankly), and was later reunited with its owner.

Carney at Davos, the rules-based order is cracking

At the World Economic Forum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that the rules-based international order is weakening amid intensifying great-power rivalry. He described a sudden “rupture,” with stronger nations acting with growing impunity while weaker ones absorb the fallout.

Congress edges toward a bipartisan health deal, ACA subsidy fix left behind

Congressional leaders reached a bipartisan, bicameral health care agreement intended to move this week as part of a four-bill spending package. The deal does not restore enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that expired last year, a gap helping drive higher premiums for Obamacare enrollees.

Greenland pushes back on Trump annexation push, calls it “devastating”

Greenland’s business minister said many Greenlanders are “bewildered” by President Trump’s attempt to annex the island, calling it “devastating,” as the dispute grows into a wider geopolitical flashpoint.

EU warns tariffs over Greenland would be a bad idea, allies should cooperate

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized Trump’s proposal for additional tariffs on EU countries tied to their support for Greenland’s sovereignty, arguing Arctic security requires cooperation and that tariffs between long-standing allies would be a mistake.

Macron says Trump wants Europe weakened and subordinated

At Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump aims to “weaken and subordinate” Europe, amid backlash over the Greenland push and threats of tariffs on imports connected to Denmark.

Indiana quarterback Alberto Mendoza enters NCAA transfer portal

Indiana quarterback Alberto Mendoza, younger brother of starter Fernando Mendoza, announced on Instagram that he has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Elon Musk floats a Ryanair joke purchase, EU ownership rules say “cute”

Elon Musk joked about buying Ryanair and putting someone named “Ryan” in charge, but European Union airline ownership rules make a takeover highly unlikely.

“Manchesterism” pitch, devolve power to revive Britain beyond London

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham argues the UK’s centralisation, privatisation, austerity, and Brexit have entrenched low growth and deep regional inequality. He’s calling for stronger devolution so northern and Midlands cities can drive productivity, reduce dependence on US-based corporations and energy exporters, ease political resentment, and strengthen the UK’s capacity to work with partners on trade and security.

Review estimates Trump has made at least $1.4B by leveraging the presidency

A review based on multiple news analyses estimates President Trump has made at least $1.4 billion by leveraging the presidency, with money linked to individuals, corporations, and foreign interests seeking influence. The estimate is described as conservative due to limited disclosure, and the total is said to be rising.

Chagossian critic urges Starmer to scrap Chagos Islands sovereignty transfer deal

Avraham Ono, a British Chagossian, called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reverse the agreement transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, arguing Chagossians were not properly consulted. The UK government said the treaty is signed, the Diego Garcia base is secured long-term, and there will be no changes.

What’s behind Trump’s delay on Iran, strategy before action

An analysis suggests the key factor behind Trump’s delay on attacking Iran is the need to clarify the strategic purpose of any action—military or otherwise—before moving forward.

Aikido Security bags $60 million to scale its AI security pitch

Aikido Security raised a $60 million Series B led by DST Global to expand globally and beef up its AI-driven security platform. The company claims 5x revenue growth and a $1 billion valuation, and says its autonomous penetration testing and code remediation can cut costs, improve resilience, and even outperform human testers—which is a sentence guaranteed to make every security engineer sit up straighter.

HHS tells healthcare orgs (and their vendors) to stop being so hackable

HHS is advising HIPAA-regulated healthcare organizations and third-party vendors to strengthen security risk management by hardening systems, software, and medical devices. The goal is to better protect protected health information, support privacy and security, and reduce patient safety risks, because ransomware in a hospital is not an exciting new way to do triage.

Trump revives Greenland takeover talk at Davos, Europe weighs response

US President Donald Trump plans to host talks on Greenland at Davos while repeating that taking the Danish territory is “imperative,” raising tensions with European allies. European leaders are set to meet in Brussels to coordinate a response, with some pushing escalation and others urging restraint to avoid a bigger rupture with Washington. The dispute is also stoking trade-war fears, with retaliatory tariffs a real possibility given Europe’s status as the United States’ largest trading partner.

Standard Chartered says US stocks and gold can keep running, but please do not YOLO it

Standard Chartered regional chief investment officer Manpreet Singh Gill says US equities and gold, both already on a historic run, still have room to rise into 2026. He cites strong tech earnings, lower interest rates, and a weaker dollar supporting stocks despite AI-bubble worries, and says gold’s surge was driven by central banks shifting reserves away from the dollar, a trend he expects to continue. He also stresses the bank is not recommending an all-in bet and points to diversification opportunities including India, which he says trades at a discount to other emerging markets.

Abu Dhabi digital Islamic bank Mal raises $230 million before it has a license

Mal, an Abu Dhabi-based Islamic digital bank, raised $230 million in what it calls the Gulf’s largest seed funding round, led by BlueFive Capital. Led by Abdallah Abu-Sheikh, founder of the Botim calling app, Mal plans to use AI to build mobile-first products launching later this year. It does not yet hold banking licenses and may begin with unregulated fintech offerings while pursuing approvals in the UAE, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Pakistan—a costly, compliance-heavy process.

ALTÉRRA and BBVA set up $250 million climate co-investment vehicle

Abu Dhabi climate finance fund ALTÉRRA secured $250 million from Spain’s BBVA to establish a UAE-registered climate co-investment vehicle targeting climate-aligned infrastructure, private credit, and private equity. BBVA joins as a strategic limited partner as ALTÉRRA pursues a COP28-backed plan to invest $30 billion and mobilize $250 billion by 2030, a goal it says is about 20% met so far.

NBA courts Gulf sovereign wealth funds for a European league

The NBA is seeking investment from Gulf sovereign wealth funds to help launch a new European basketball league, leaning on investors already active across global sports. Ownership limits in the US cap Gulf funds at no more than 20% of an NBA franchise, while Europe has fewer restrictions, making a new league more appealing. Gulf investors already have NBA-adjacent stakes and partnerships, including Qatar Investment Authority’s minority stake in the ownership group tied to the Washington Wizards and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala backing LA Lakers owner TWG Global, alongside NBA events and sponsorships in the UAE. Commissioner Adam Silver said European moves could eventually influence practices in the US.

Nintendo Switch 2 sells 3.78 million units in Japan in 2025, making up over half of home console sales

Nintendo Switch 2 remained Japan’s fastest-selling console, reaching 3.78 million units sold in 2025 and accounting for more than half of all home console sales in the country.

Spain Begins Three Days of National Mourning After Train Crash; Death Toll Reaches 40

Spain has begun three days of national mourning after a train crash that killed 40 people. Officials are investigating the cause, with Transport Minister Óscar Puente calling the incident unusual because it happened on a straight section of track and neither train was speeding.

Trump threatens 200% tariff on French wine to pressure France to join proposed “Board of Peace”

President Donald Trump said he may impose a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne, describing it as leverage to push France to participate in his proposed intergovernmental “Board of Peace” organization.

Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes respond to Lisandro Martinez after Manchester United’s win over Manchester City

Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes criticised Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez after he pushed back at their pre-match comments following United’s 2-0 win over Manchester City. Butt told Martinez to “grow up,” arguing players at elite clubs must handle media scrutiny, and said his remarks about Haaland were meant as a joke rather than serious analysis. Martinez said critics rarely speak face to face and insisted he focuses on his performances, while Scholes added he remains unsure United can win the league with Martinez.

Activists report Iranian protest crackdown death toll exceeds 4,000

Activists say more than 4,000 people have been killed in Iran amid a security crackdown on protesters. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency warns the toll may rise as more information emerges from a country where the government has shut down the internet.

Famous birthdays for Jan. 20 include Rainn Wilson and Ian Hill

Famous birthdays for Jan. 20 include actor Rainn Wilson turning 60 and musician Ian Hill turning 75.

On January 20, 2001, George W. Bush was sworn in as U.S. president

On January 20, 2001, George W. Bush took the oath of office and became the 43rd president of the United States.

Jack Grealish in planning dispute with council over changes to £5.6m mansion grounds

Everton midfielder Jack Grealish is in a planning row with local authorities over his £5.6 million Cheshire estate near Knutsford after applying to have part of its woodland reclassified as garden land. He is seeking a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development, saying the grounds are used for family recreation and growing vegetables, backed by the previous owner and a former head gardener. The parish council has objected, arguing the land does not meet the definition of a garden and warning the change could weaken Green Belt protections and make future development easier, noting a similar bid was rejected in 2020.

Ministers to decide today on proposed new Chinese embassy in London after Labour says security is a priority

Ministers are expected to decide on Tuesday whether to approve China’s proposed large new embassy at the Royal Mint Court site in London, amid warnings it could be used for intelligence-gathering and intimidation of dissidents. Campaigners and local residents say they will pursue legal action if it is approved, while critics cite reported plans for numerous secure rooms and the site’s proximity to major data cables. The Government says national security has been central to the process, with input from security agencies and measures in place to mitigate risks, as opposition figures accuse ministers of being too accommodating to Beijing.

Indiana defeats Miami to win its first college football championship

Indiana beat Miami on Monday to claim the program’s first college football title. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza played through a bloody, physical game and overcame early inaccuracies to help secure the win.

Two shark attacks near Sydney leave two people critically injured

A surfer was bitten by a shark off Sydney on Monday evening, becoming the second person in just over 24 hours to suffer critical injuries in shark attacks near Australia’s largest city. Both victims were hospitalized in critical condition.

Indiana wins its first national championship, defeating Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff final

Indiana capped an undefeated season by beating Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff final, securing the program’s first national title. Fernando Mendoza powered in for a key touchdown as Indiana’s physical play sealed the win and a historic championship run.

Japan’s Takaichi plans to dissolve the lower house as poll shows voter unease

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve Japan’s lower house, even as a new poll shows nearly half of voters oppose holding an early election. The move comes despite her approval ratings rising.

KOSPI Rally Driven by Manufacturing and Large Caps as Small Caps Lag

South Korea’s KOSPI has continued its strong rise since the start of the year, but most of the gains have been concentrated in manufacturing stocks and large-cap companies, while small-cap shares have trailed behind.

IMF Raises South Korea’s 2026 Growth Forecast to 1.9%

The IMF increased its 2026 growth forecast for South Korea to 1.9% in its January World Economic Outlook, a 0.1 percentage point rise from its October estimate.

Lee Hye-hoon’s confirmation hearing delayed amid opposition boycott and procedural dispute

The confirmation hearing for Lee Hye-hoon, President Lee Jae-myung’s nominee for finance minister, was disrupted on Monday after the People Power Party boycotted the session, triggering a procedural clash that stalled proceedings.

Technology Leak Cases Rise 40% in South Korea, With Most Overseas Cases Linked to China

South Korean police said technology leak cases rose 40% last year, leading to 378 arrests. They added that more than half of the incidents involving overseas leaks were linked to China.

South Korea’s Democratic Party Begins Processing Rep. Kim Byung-ki’s Resignation After Expulsion Vote

South Korea’s Democratic Party has started processing Rep. Kim Byung-ki’s resignation letter after the party’s ethics body voted to expel him.

Northern Lights Visible as Far South as Cornwall in Rare UK Display

The Northern Lights were spotted across the UK, reaching as far south as Cornwall, after an extreme geomagnetic storm sent green and pink aurora flares from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The Met Office said a fast-moving coronal mass ejection drove the event, with peak activity around 2 a.m. and possible further viewing on Tuesday night. Many shared sightings online, though in some areas the aurora was easier to capture with long-exposure photos or smartphone night modes. Observers were advised to find dark skies and dress for cold temperatures.

Rights Group Says Iran Protest Death Toll Has Surpassed 4,000

A human rights group monitoring Iran’s nationwide protests reports that the death toll has exceeded 4,000. Activist News Agency said Monday it has confirmed 4,029 fatalities, with more than 9,000 additional deaths under review, marking a rise of several hundred since Saturday.

Microsoft pledges investment and support for Canada’s digital sovereignty, raising questions about delivery

Microsoft says it will invest more than $7.5 billion over the next two years to build new digital and AI infrastructure in Canada, pairing the plan with a promise to “stand up to defend” Canadian digital sovereignty—an increasingly contested term in the country’s tech and AI policy debates.

Micron buys Powerchip fab campus for $1.8B to boost DRAM capacity

Micron is buying a chipmaking campus from Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) for $1.8 billion, aiming to ramp up DRAM manufacturing fast. The site is a legacy fab that Powerchip opened about 19 months ago after investing $9.5 billion—a painfully modern reminder that in semiconductors, you can spend a fortune building the “future,” then sell it like a barely used treadmill.

Sydney shark incidents linked to warm water, storm runoff, and possible sewage

Experts say warmer summer waters, storm-driven murkiness and runoff, including untreated sewage, may have helped set the table for three shark incidents around Sydney’s northern beaches within 24 hours. One man was left in critical condition after an attack at Manly, while an 11-year-old at Dee Why got away when a shark bit his surfboard. Specialists urged people to stay out of the water after storms, warning runoff can draw bait fish and attract bull sharks, prompting calls for stronger public warnings and renewed debate over shark-control measures.

Noem claims 10,000 migrants arrested in Minneapolis amid crackdown

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said 10,000 migrants were arrested in Minneapolis as part of the administration’s immigration enforcement push. If that number is accurate, it’s a staggering operation. If it’s not, it’s an even more familiar political sport: treating human lives like tally marks in a campaign spreadsheet.

Brooklyn Beckham alleges parents are undermining his relationship

Brooklyn Beckham claimed his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, are trying to undermine his relationship, and alleged Victoria was meant to make Nicola Peltz’s wedding dress but later canceled. In today’s edition of “Important People Having Very Serious Problems,” the world is once again asked to care deeply about couture logistics and dynastic vibes.

Prince Harry and Elton John among claimants in privacy case against Daily Mail publisher

Prince Harry is in London for a court case where he, Elton John, and five other claimants allege the Daily Mail’s publisher unlawfully gathered private information to generate stories, breaching their privacy. Nothing says “healthy media ecosystem” quite like celebrities suing tabloids for allegedly doing tabloid things, and tabloids acting shocked that anyone noticed.

Man shoved onto Brooklyn subway tracks, suspect still at large

A 35-year-old man was shoved onto the tracks at the 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, just before 5 a.m. Sunday, police said. The victim was helped back onto the platform and taken to NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn in stable condition, and no train was approaching at the time. The suspect fled and remains at large. The NYPD has released photos and a description, and the incident is reported as the city’s second random subway shove of 2026.

Europe’s trust in U.S. shaken after reported Trump Greenland pressure

Europe is seeing a sharp decline in trust in the U.S. after reports that President Trump demanded Denmark give Greenland to the United States, with warnings of a trade war and even possible military action. The episode is pushing European leaders and the public to rethink reliance on the U.S. for security and trade, which is what happens when diplomacy starts sounding like a hostage note written by an overconfident real estate guy.

Miami Dolphins expected to hire Jeff Hafley as head coach

The Miami Dolphins are expected to hire Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their next head coach, according to a league source. Another day in the NFL’s coaching carousel, where “fresh start” is code for “now you get blamed for everything in a new zip code.”