Politics

Two Chinese warships and one Iranian vessel were seen off Cape Town ahead of a January 9–16 naval exercise hosted by South Africa, which officials said would involve BRICS navies and expected Russian participation.

HHS announced the administration is withholding federal funding for social safety net programs in five Democratic-led states over alleged fraud; by Tuesday those states had not received formal notices and New York said it is prepared to challenge the move in court.

Former MLB star Mark Teixeira publicly supported an ICE agent after a woman, Renee Nicole Good, was shot and killed during an ICE operation in Minneapolis; officials and local leaders dispute details of the incident and the next procedural steps are undetermined.

Ten PCSO roles will be retained while about 50 jobs may still be lost as Cheshire Police deals with a funding shortfall; a public consultation on the precept runs until 23 January.

A nationwide internet blackout was reported as economic protests spread across Iran, and Iran Human Rights said at least 45 people have been killed; the president urged restraint.

Nigel Farage said he would vote against any UK plan to deploy troops to Ukraine, and cabinet minister Pat McFadden accused him of “parroting Kremlin lines.” Keir Starmer has said MPs will have a debate and a vote before any UK troops are sent.

Swedish officials said asylum requests fell 30% from 2024 to 2025 and are down 60% since the current government took office; the government plans further measures ahead of parliamentary elections on 13 September.

Within 25 days of the Bondi beach shooting, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a 12‑month royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion; commentators and some MPs say his delayed decision has harmed his political standing.

Gun lobby groups, with support from the Nationals and One Nation, have begun a coordinated campaign of advertising, petitions and legal discussion opposing proposed tighter gun laws after the Bondi beach attack; the federal government seeks state commitments by March and legislation by 1 July.

The U.N. Human Rights Office said the Jan. 15 presidential election in Uganda would take place amid widespread repression and intimidation; the report notes arrests including Kizza Besigye and Sarah Bireete, and that Bireete was remanded until Jan. 21.

Five Democratic-led states have sued the Trump administration after it announced a freeze on funds for several public benefit programs; the suit asks a federal court to order those funds released.

Owners at Mudeford say they are exploring legal options after Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council proposed reclassifying 344 beach huts as second homes for council tax; the council’s cabinet will consider the proposal on 14 January.

Officials say legislation expected next month could align UK rules with the EU on areas such as food and electricity and may require financial contributions for closer single market access.

Minnesota officials say the FBI blocked state access to the federal probe into the fatal shooting of Renee Good; the incident has prompted protests and federal authorities describe the matter as a federal investigation.

Federal immigration agents shot and wounded two people outside a Portland hospital, and the FBI is leading an investigation.

Welsh Labour pledges to cap single bus fares at £2 from April 2027 for people aged 22–59 and to introduce 100 new bus routes between 2027 and 2030.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said Nigel Farage opposed lifting the two‑child benefit cap and favoured limiting the change to British‑born families, a position she described as unacceptable and angering. Legislation to lift the cap is scheduled to be introduced on Thursday.

Pope Leo XIV said nations' use of force is undermining peace and the post-World War II international legal order, and he called for peaceful political solutions in Venezuela while urging ceasefires and negotiated outcomes for Ukraine and Gaza.

The White House will present plans for a $400 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom to the National Capital Planning Commission, chaired by Will Scharf; the process includes public informational meetings and final presentations scheduled through March.

Ministers and Labour officials say they are discussing whether to stop using X after reports its AI image tool produced inappropriate images; X has limited that tool to paid users and the government has pointed to Ofcom as a possible route for regulatory action.

Witnesses say federal officers blocked medical personnel after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis; Hennepin County officials say the response is under investigation.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said US president Donald Trump would be 'overthrown' and defended the government as nationwide protests continued under a reported internet blackout.

Kent County Council's draft 2026-27 budget proposes a 3.99% council tax rise, estimated to add about £67.47 a year for a Band D household; the final budget will be set at a full council meeting on 12 February.

Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian former U.N. envoy, was named director-general of the Gaza Board of Peace; the appointment was announced by Israel's prime minister and confirmed by a U.S. official.

A Southampton restaurateur has closed his 20-year restaurant, saying an adjoining hotel used to house asylum seekers led to a sharp fall in customers; local organisations and police gave contrasting accounts.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa visited Syria and met interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, saying the EU will support recovery and reconstruction. Syria’s Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire in recent clashes in Aleppo, and the EU delegation planned to continue to Lebanon.

An ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on 7 January 2026, within about a mile of where George Floyd was killed in 2020; bystander video of the incident has circulated and the article reports that some sources say ICE's use-of-force guidelines were not followed.

Administration figures publicly described the woman as having weaponized her car, while local officials and available video footage have disputed those accounts; investigators had been reported as pending.

Hundreds gathered in Mogadishu to protest Israel's Dec. 26 recognition of Somaliland, and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud publicly rejected the move and urged dialogue; how events will unfold is undetermined at this time.

Donald Trump announced he had cancelled a previously expected second wave of attacks on Venezuela after Venezuelan authorities began releasing people described as political prisoners.