Author: Andrew Rogers

Countries will need to pay $1 billion for a permanent seat on U.S. President Donald Trump’s new “Board of Peace,” documents reveal. The international body, chaired by Trump, was designed to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, with U.S. officials announcing the start of phase two of the territory’s peace plan. However, the Board’s charter suggests it could have a broader global role, potentially creating overlap or conflict with the United Nations, which Trump has frequently criticized. The proposal has already sparked concern from Israel, which questioned the committee’s composition. The Gaza-focused committee includes a Turkish minister but no Israeli officials, raising potential…

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, acknowledged on Saturday that thousands of people were killed during more than two weeks of nationwide protests, blaming the unrest on U.S. influence. In a televised address, Khamenei accused President Donald Trump of “openly encouraging” demonstrators by promising military support, calling him a criminal responsible for both casualties and damage. The unrest began in late December over economic hardships, quickly spreading across cities in Iran. Witnesses and human rights groups reported that government forces fired on protesters from rooftops and military drones, though Khamenei did not mention these actions in his speech. According to…

At least 21 people have died, and dozens more were injured after two high-speed trains derailed and collided near Adamuz in southern Spain on Sunday evening, authorities said. The crash happened around 6:40 p.m. local time in Córdoba province, when an Iryo train traveling from Málaga to Madrid left its track and crossed onto a parallel line. That train then struck a Renfe service heading from Madrid to Huelva, causing the second train to derail. Police and emergency officials confirmed at least 21 fatalities. Health authorities said at least 73 people were wounded and transported to six hospitals for treatment. Some…

Hawaii state officials have released $8 million in Capital Improvement Funds to rebuild a key section of the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. The funding will go toward reconstructing the outer marginal wharf, which was destroyed in the devastating wildfires of August 2023. State Senator Angus McKelvey, who represents West Maui, Maalaea, and Waikapu, described the funding release as a positive step for Lahaina’s recovery. At the same time, he acknowledged local concerns about moving too quickly. “There’s a concern that as things rush forward, with so many entities that are gone and lost, outside entities, many who are very well…

A rare winter storm brought snow to parts of the southern United States on Sunday, creating short-lived excitement before warmer air and sunshine caused it to melt away. Snowflakes fell as far south as Florida and Georgia, areas where snowfall is uncommon and often fleeting. In the Florida Panhandle, snow fell early Sunday, including near Pensacola. Vehicles, grass, and rooftops briefly turned white. By the afternoon, most of the snow had melted. Weather officials lifted winter storm warnings as road conditions improved and temperatures rose. Georgia also saw unusual snowfall. Parts of north and central Georgia recorded light to moderate…

The Brightline West high-speed rail project has announced a new target date for completion. The company now expects the train line linking Las Vegas and Southern California to be finished by late 2029. This timeline means the long-awaited rail service will not be ready for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The update ends years of hope that visitors could travel between Las Vegas and Southern California by train during the global sporting event. Project leaders said the revised schedule reflects realistic construction planning after years of delays. Brightline West first began development work in 2018. The project aims…

The US military has placed about 1,500 active-duty soldiers on standby for possible deployment to Minnesota. The move comes as protests continue in Minneapolis and state leaders prepare National Guard forces to support public safety. Defense officials say the order does not mean troops will be sent right away. The soldiers are being told to prepare in case the president decides to act. Such planning is standard practice, officials say, whenever unrest raises security concerns. The troops come from two battalions of the 11th Airborne Division based in Alaska. They are under prepared-to-deploy orders and could be sent if federal…

China is signaling a possible change that could make travel easier for Canadians, but the rule is not active yet. Beijing has hinted that Canadian passport holders may soon be allowed to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa. The idea is under discussion, but no formal decision has been announced. The topic came up during talks in Beijing on January 16. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. After the meeting, both sides told reporters that China is actively considering a unilateral visa-free policy for Canadians. The proposal would apply to holders…

Hailee Steinfeld opened up about how she handled her husband Josh Allen’s playoff game while preparing for the Golden Globes. In her Beau Society newsletter on January 16, the actress admitted she was more than a little distracted. “The day of the [Golden] Globes, something exciting was on TV that I’m sure you were all watching,” Steinfeld wrote. “Kickoff just happened to be at the same time as glam, so I was a little (lot) distracted.” Though she could not attend the Buffalo Bills’ playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in person, Steinfeld was fully invested in watching from home.…

Tensions escalated in Minneapolis as protests over ICE enforcement actions continued, prompting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to mobilize the state National Guard to support local law enforcement. Protesters gathered in subfreezing temperatures Saturday in downtown Minneapolis and near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, chanting and holding signs. Federal officers in riot gear faced demonstrators, with some arrests reported, though the protests largely remained peaceful. A smaller, far-right group supporting ICE also staged a protest near City Hall but was outnumbered and eventually dispersed. Authorities urged demonstrators to remain calm and peaceful. The National Guard is staged and ready to…