“The US immigration agency whose officers have been involved in two [murders] in Minneapolis has said it is sending agents to help support American security operations during the Winter Olympics, which start in Italy on 6 February. Confirmation of the agency’s role came from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), after reports prompted alarm and anger in Italy. ‘This is a militia that kills … of course they’re not welcome in Milan,” the city’s mayor, Beppe Sala, told Italian radio on Tuesday. An ICE spokesperson stressed that ‘all security operations remain under Italian authority.’ US embassy sources in Rome had already explained to Italian media that various federal agencies had worked at previous Games in the past, although it was not clear if the customs and enforcement agency had itself taken part.” [editor’s note: It was actually a related gang (“Border Patrol”), not ICE, responsible for the second recent Minneapolis murder – TLK] (01/27/26)
“Amazon announced Tuesday it is closing its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go physical stores and shifting resources toward Whole Foods Market expansion and faster grocery delivery. The move underscores Amazon’s ongoing effort to refine its grocery strategy — even as the business now generates more than $150 billion in annual sales. Amazon confirmed to Axios that 57 Amazon Fresh stores and 15 Amazon Go stores are closing, with most locations set to shutter Feb. 1. California stores will remain open longer due to state requirements. Amazon said it plans to convert some locations into Whole Foods Market stores, while also opening new stores and testing smaller formats.” (01/27/26)
“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)
