“As anti-ICE protests continue to erupt across the country, a new Maine law restricting cooperation between state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities is set to take effect after Democratic Gov. Janet Mills declined to veto or delay the measure, drawing renewed criticism over her progressive record as she runs for Senate. The law, passed by Maine’s Democrat-controlled legislature late last year, will soon take effect after the current legislative session ends and bars state and local law enforcement from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a wide range of civil immigration matters.” (01/26/26)
“North Korea has launched suspected ballistic missiles into the sea, Seoul and Tokyo say, in what appears to be a weapons test before a major political congress in the country. The launches on Tuesday were the second this month after a volley on January 4 as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung kicked off a state visit to China.” (01/27/26)
“The California city of San Clemente will officially allow Customs and Border Patrol to begin a controversial new surveillance project within its city limits. The plan, which involves installing cameras on a hill to overlook the Orange County city and its famous coastline, is moving ahead despite a torrent of pushback from locals, including many who attended a fiery, hours-long San Clemente City Council meeting on Jan. 20. Under the new agreement, which passed 3-1 in a city council vote (with one member abstaining), San Clemente will allow CBP to install a collection of cameras to monitor for incoming panga boats off the coast.” (01/26/26)
“In a massive boost to the European automobile market, India is mulling to reduce tariffs on [Indian buyers of] cars imported from the European Union to 40% from as high as 110%, sources told news agency Reuters. Narendra Modi-led BJP government has agreed to immediately slash taxes on a limited number of cars from the 27-nation bloc with an import price of more than 15,000 euros ($17,739), as per reports. The development comes as the two parties inch closer to seal free [sic] trade agreement that could come as early as Tuesday.” (01/26/26)
“The US Border Patrol’s chief Greg Bovino and some agents have been ordered out of Minneapolis in a stunning turnaround after a second US citizen was [murdered] by federal agents in the city this month, according to reports. The order does not extend to ICE and it does not include all Border Patrol agents. However, Bovino will be joining the agents ‘imminently’ marching out of the state, Fox reported. … Chaos has reigned in the Minnesota city since Jan. 7 when anti-ICE protestor and mother-of-three Renee Good, 37, was murdered] by an ICE agent …. A second American, armed ICU nurse Pretti, was [murdered] Saturday …” (01/26/26)
“Russian drones and missile strikes on Monday hit Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, knocking out power to 80% of the city and surrounding region and striking apartment buildings, a school and a kindergarten, local officials said. Two people were injured, Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app.” (01/27/26)
“Bitcoin slipped to about $88,400 in early-week trading, extending a roughly 4% decline over the past week as major cryptocurrencies softened. The token’s underperformance versus rising equities and surging gold underscores that crypto is trading more like a high-beta risk asset than a safe-haven hedge. Traders are cautious and volumes muted ahead of Wednesday’s Federal Reserve decision and a wave of Big Tech earnings, events seen as key catalysts for bitcoin’s next move.” (01/27/26)
“Judges at the International Criminal Court ruled on Monday that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial, after postponing an earlier hearing over concerns about the octogenarian’s health. Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity for his alleged involvement in dozens of killings as part of his so-called war on drugs when in office, first as the mayor of a southern city and later as president. Lawyers for the 80-year old had argued Duterte was in frail health and his condition was deteriorating in the court’s detention unit.” (01/26/26)
“Lebanon has filed a complaint with the United Nations about repeated Israeli violations of a November 2024 ceasefire, calling on the Security Council to push Israel to end its attacks and fully withdraw from the country. The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants said the complaint, sent on Monday, stressed that Israeli abuses are a ‘clear’ violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. … Despite the 2024 ceasefire, the Israeli military has been launching near-daily attacks in Lebanon, which have killed hundreds of people. In November last year, the UN put the number of civilians killed in Israeli attacks at at least 127.” (01/26/26)
“A measure is being advanced in the Florida legislature to officially recognise the term ‘Judea and Samaria’ and ban ‘West Bank’ in official state documents. The name change, which has strong support in both chambers of the Florida state legislature, would mean that all official documents, including press releases, school textbooks, and library materials, would refer to the area west of the Jordan River by its biblical names, Judea and Samaria. … Supporters of the bill say it seeks to recognise a historic location, while critics say it is a tactic to erase Palestinian identity—and possibly further Israeli control over the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967 (and expanding illegal settlements ever since).” (01/26/26)
