Japan ruling party is set to seal a decisive win in snap election called by PM Sanae Takaichi exits polls suggest.
The country first female PM is seeking a public mandate
Author Archives: mehwishfayyaz2017@gmail.com
Market will test a Musk merger that promises space based internet
The combination of xAI and SpaceX before much anticipated IPO has analysts expecting big things but financial queries remain.
Elon Musk move past week to combine xAI and SpaceX has created one of world mega and most valuable private companies which analysts says offers a mix of potential growth and financial danger as it move towards public markets.
Space
The two companies are different SpaceX was founded in 2002 and has establish itself as premiere nongovernmental space exploration operation.
Musk XAI venture was started less than three years before to focus on AI and latest social media.
XAI acquired the social media platform x last March.
As spaceX prepares to go public later this year the merger could be Musk way of positioning SpaceX strategy to contest with expected IPO of two of his biggest contest.
OpenAI and Anthropic in AI race said Ali Javaheri a research analyst.
Analyst told media that both entities have something to gain from coming together.
SpaceX gets edge ahead of its IPO and xAI can expand its AI infrastructure while getting much needed injection of cash as one expert put it.
In Monday reveal Musk said the merger will create company with AI rockets space based internet direct to mobile device communication and world foremost real time information and free speech platform.
Space with its massive payload capacity and basically a near monopoly in space.’
I think it is going to help Musk other companies kind of catch up in AI data center race and AI training race said Rocco.
Musk added he desire to create AI data centers in space by launching a constellation of million satellites that operate as orbital data centers.
Space
Musk is pushing forward this concept.
SpaceX described the satellite plan to regulators according to fling submitted to Federal Communications Commission and reviewed by NBC News.
There is industrial logic behind combining SpaceX which would launch and design satellites that would host the compute with XAI which has experience operating these compute clusters and has Grok model that would run on it.
The concept of data centers in space is conceivable.
Del Deo said one Cynical view of the merger is that SpaceX need sexy narrative ahead of its IPO to get investors more excited in stock and drive sort of valuation that they are hoping for.
Bloomberg said that the merger would value the combined companies at $1.25 trillion with bulk of valuation $1 trillion coming from SpaceX.
A Tuesday note co authored by Dan Ives global head of technology research at Wedbush securities said this would mark largest tie up across Musk enterprises yet.
Forest analyst wrote in Tuesday report that aligning the merger as well as the FCC filing ahead of its Potential IPO as classic Musk valuation inflation.
SpaceX is packing a narrative of hype scalable lo lowest cost AI compute from space the kind of storyline that expands TAM lifts growth multiples and reframes starship as structure cost moat the analyst wrote.
These are classic ingredients for pre IPO narrative life and familiar pattern in Musk era market signaling its positions ambitions are inevitability inviting investors to price in future that emerging has to substantiate.
I can not think of another one that would be more hyped than this everyone is attempting to get a piece of SpaceX he said.
I think it is going to price higher than most people expect and most people expect it to be largest IPO in history.
SpaceX and xAI joining forces has driven gossips over what this means for Musks electric company Tesla.
Tesla announced it earning release that it is investing about $2 billion to acquire shares of XAI is proffered stock.
The two companies entered into framework agreement to evaluate potential AI collaborations Tesla added.
In the long Run, Rocco said he thinks it would be good synergy but that it would be very hard sell.
He said if he were private investor in SpaceX he would just want to come public on its own they have monopoly.
Gene Muster managing partner said in interview that he thinks Tesla shareholders would welcome combination.
NASA is sending Crew 12 astronauts to ISS on February 11
The Crew 12 astronauts will soon make their method to ISS joining three remaining Spacefarers on board after previous mission was cut short due to medical worries.
NASA was planning a February 15 launch date for mission but it has moved it up to February 11.
It is now targeting to liftoff no earlier than 6,01 AM Eastern that day from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
ISS
The crew members are in quarantine and if everything goes well on launch day the Dragon capsule they are on will dock with lab at almost 10: 30 am on February 12.
Spacex had to ground its Falcon 9 rocket after problem with its upper stage for few days leaving the Crew 12 flight shcedule in queries.
But on February 6 the Federal Aviation Administration cleared it for next flight.
NASA will livestream the mission prelaunch, launch and docking activities on NASA + Amazon Prime and YouTube Channel with launch coverage starting at 4 AM Eastern Time on February 11.
NASA decided to bring Crew 11 members back home on January 15 a month earlier than planned citing medical worries with one of members.
The affected astronaut was stable.
ISS
The ISS did not have necessary instrument be able to diagnose them properly.
All four members of Crew 11 flew home leaving whole space station in hands of three people namely NASA astronaut Chris William and two cosmonauts for Russian Side.
They will joined by Crew 12 NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway europe space agency Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaey.
Body believed to be Lil Jon missing son Nathan smith recovered from pond in Milton
A body has recovered by search teams in Milton on Friday and it is believed to be Lil Jon missing adult son Nathan Smith police told.
A search for LiL Jon 27 year old son who was famous as DJ Young Slade had been ongoing since earlier this week.
In latest news Friday afternoon the Milton Police Department told just before noon that divers with Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body in pond near intersection of near Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road where Smith was reported missing Tuesday.
The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith pending official confirmation by Fulton County Medical Examiner Office a Milton Police post on Facebook said.
Based on investigation to date there is no show of foul play.
lil john
He was surprisingly talented young man music producer an artist and engineer and graduate of NYU.
We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are proud of him.
He was loved and appreciated and in our last time together we were comforted in knowing that we showed very sentiment to him.
Thank you for all of prayers and help in trying to locate him over last several days.
In update Friday afternoon the Milton Police Department said before noon that divers with Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body in pond near the intersection of near Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road where Smith was first reported missing Tuesday.
The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith official confirmation by Fulton County Medical Examiner Office a Milton Police post on Facebook said.
Based on investigation to date there is no indication of foul play.
The department added its Criminal Investigations Division will nonetheless continues to treat this is open and active investigation.
lil john
Milton PD added no further details will be released until official cause and manner of death is decided by the medical examiner office and all investigate leads have been examined.
We extend our deepest condolences to Smith family during this difficult time.
The department asks the community and members of media to honor family request for privacy as they grieve and navigate this tragedy. Milton PD said.
Smith was said to have ran from his home around 6 am Feb 3 just few hundred feet from neighborhood pond where law enforcement concentrated search efforts.
Authorities released few details about circumstances surrounding Smith disappearance but said he may have disoriented and in need of help.
In statement rapper Lil Jon Says he and Smith mom Nicole Smith are heartbroken and devastated about the tragic death of their son and thanks public for prayers and support they received during this time.
I m extreme heartbroken for tragic loss of our son Nathan Smith.
His mother and I are devastated.
Nathan was kindest human being you would ever meet.
He was immensely caring, polite, passionate, warmhearted he loved his family and the friends in his life to fullest.
lil john
Kamala Harris gives campaign accounts latest life in fight against Trump
The former VP is partnering with People for American Way to repurpose her dormant X accounts and TikTok which retain millions of followers from 2024 race.
The brains behind Kamala Harris 2024 social media machine are staging second act.
Harris campaign pages on TikTok and X have remained inactive since her November defeat to Donald Trump are being changed into progressive advocacy tool through companion with people for The American Way.
quint
The rebranded accounts now called Headquarters retain million of followers accumulated during campaign.
Trump War Room campaign accounts on x has active since election continuing to shape political narratives online.
We often think that MAGA and Trump are ones who sort of are able to command attention online and i think that goal of this account is to turn that on its head Butler said.
He will operate as rapid reply account that will highlight progressive leaders and uplifting content as Harris noted in her video announcement of project.
Vice President Harris and People for The American Way announced the new venture Thursday detailing it as attempt to funnel young people into both offline and online action for progressive values.
The former vice president will serve as honorary chair emerita of headquarters but will not have editorial control over content according to announcement.
Her senior adviser Kirsten Allen will join organization a board of directors.
Arlie Shuggar who led Harris video rapid reply will join Headquarters as director.
Parker Butler who spearheaded Harris digital rapid reply in 2024 will be senior adviser as will Lauren Kapp who led the campaign TikTok attempt.
Kapp and Butler together run consulting company.
Luminary strategies which will assist run the accounts.
kamala harris tour
People for the American Way which has almost 1 million members plans to expand operation to YouTube and Substack developing long form video content alongside rapid reply social media posts.
The initiative represent Democrats attempt to contest in online ecosystem that Trump has permeated for a decade.
Democrats attempt to gain traction have flopped with audiences who have labeled certain attempts as cringe.
TikTokers who visited Epstein Island Feel They are Being Targeted as Black SUVs Stalk Their Homes
Two TikTokers attempted to unveil the mystery surrounding Little St James the popular island formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein amid million of documents released by Department of Justice related to late sex offender.
Epstein
Their adventure became unsetting as they felt tha someone was stalking them after coming back bome.
Two content creators visited Epstein Island to view what was going on there.
According to their testimonies the unwelcome visit led to targeted intimidation leaving them worried for their lives.
In December new images of Epstein island were released as part of probe into convicted sex offender case.
The island has been cornerstone in investigation because it was reportedly site of crimes committed against underage girls.
Virginia Giuffre claim that ex Prince Andrew abused her on island.
A 2020 lawsuit also claim that Epstein would transport young women and underage girls between St Thomas and Little St James.
The images taken at Epstein Island were released as part of probe into convicted sex offender case.
Virgina Giuffre claimed that ex Prince Andrew abused her on island.
The images taken at Epstein infamous property were a room what seemed to be dental chair and other with chalkboard chairs and desk.
Epstein
These latest photos are disturbing look into world of Jeffrey Epstein and his island
Oversight Committee ranking member Robert Garcia told Axios.
The island is monitored by private security and coastal patrols to prevent trespassing.
The online community will continue to follow Batista and Nico to ensure their safety amide the perceived stalking they have been experience since visit to Little St James.
Nico a TikToker and YouTuber famous for his pranks documented his attempt to sneak onto Epstein Island on his jet ski.
He was able to make landfall but had to retreat a coastal authorities chased them away.
Nico flew a drone and scooped the island and his footage captured no trespassing signs aside from coast guards.
Scouting the area they saw security personnel and woman filming them as they attempted to approach this island.
Nico was down to repeating the adventure telling his followers.
One million like i shall attempt this again.
Content creator Matt Batista reported series of unsetting events following his expedition to Epstein Island two weeks before.
He thought it was just coincidence but it happened repeatedly. I started thinking i was being targeted he said Batista called the repair guy and had his tire replace.
Hours after parking his car at garage he went outside and saw that it had flat tire again.
Later that night he notice black SUV shining their lights on his windows.
He waited for multiple hours and attempted to leave but SUV were still there.
So he went outside and attempted to confront the drive but vehicle sped away.
The attack did not stop there.
In other clip Batista claim that YouTuber Nico who was with him during expedition observed the same vehicles on his property.
Epstein
Parasakthi Find its second wave on OTT after polarising cinema run
Sudha Kongara charged period drama arrives on Zee5 three weeks after its Pongal release hoping to fresh chat beyond the box office.
After cinema run that generate both heated debate and divided opinion.
Parasakthi is set to make its digital start.
The Sivakarthikevan led political thriller movie will start streaming on ZEE5 from february 7 three weeks after it hit cinema ahead of Pongal festival on January 10.
Parasakthi Sudha Kongara directed by places itself firm within charged socio political landscape of 1960 Tamil Nadu.
The movie follows Chezhivan played by Sivakarthikevan a young man whose personal travel becomes interwind with anti Hindi agitation that marked defining chapter in state history.
The OTT release offer Parasakthi a chance to be reassessed away from opening weekend pressures and box office expectations.
Parasakthi ott release date
Political drama find more audience on streaming platforms where viewers can relate with them and subtext at own pace.
For movie rooted in context and ideological debate this shift in viewing environment could prove important.
The movie cast consist of Kulappulli Leela Prakash Belawadi Dev Ramnath Prithvi Rajan, Gur Somansundaram and Chera with cameo from Rana Daggubati and Basil Joseph adding surprise valude behind scenes.
Sudha Kongara co wrote the movie with Arjun Nadesan with screenplay by Ganesshaa.
Dialogues by Madhan Karky and Shan Karuppusamy lend the movie political slogan with character moments.
Parasakthi heads to Zee5 the chat around it is far from over.
The movie finds appreciation or remains a polarising chapter in Sivakarthikevan a career.
Its digital release ensure the Chezhivan story continue to discuss debate rediscovered.
Parasakthi opened on a greater debut at box collecting over Rs 12 crore on first day.
Parasakthi ott release date
The momentum proved difficult to sustain.
By end of theater run the movie had cross Rs 100 crore mark worldwide.
Workers urge Target and US companies to speak up over ICE raids
Target and mega Minnesota businesses are facing rising discontent from staff as workers fear Trump admin immigration crackdown put them at risk on job.
Employees are pushing firms to provide clearer guidance about how to reply if Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrive at their worksites and asking them to do more limit agents access to stores and parking lots.
Minneapolis
The pressure have been acute at Target a national name and one of state flagship employers after detention of two workers inside one of its suburban Minneapolis stores last month.
In aftermath more than 300 staff signed internal letter seen by BBC urging executive to speak up and take steps to keep ICE officers of Trarget properties.
At one restaurant run by Minneapolis restaurant group frustration about how executives were handling the issue prompted staff to go on strike for three days in late january.
Donald Trump
She said The call from employers need to be stronger because they are impacted too economically.
The Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha A Twin cities worker center is campaigning for DR Horton America mega Home builder and other large housing developers to speak up.
The muted reply from Target which is headquartered in Minneapolis and has long been corporate leader in states had drawn particular scrutiny.
It has said challenges at firm which has struggled to navigate political controversies related to its diversity equity and inclusion DEI practices and LGBTQ merchandise.
chelsea handler
Target is Minnesota leading corporate citizen said Ulla nilsen.
As a corporate citizen are you going to stay silent and allow our democracy to be completely destroyed?
Five people who worked at Target past month most of whom spoke to BBC on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation described growing frustration among staff spared by ICE reply.
US must be prudent when supplying arms to Taiwan Xi tells Trump
China leader Xi Jinping has call Taiwan the most important issue in China US relations during cell call with US President Donald Trump.
Xi told Trump to be prudent when supplying weapons to the island state media said adding that he attach great importance to ties with Washington and hope that both side would find ways to resolve differences.
USA President Donald Trump and Iran Presiden Ayatollah Khameni
Trump cast Wednesday call as excellent and long and thorough.
The call followed a flurry of visit by Western leaders consisting of UK PM Sir Keir Starmer to China in latest months hoping to reset relation with world second largest economy.
Trump and Xi last spoke in November when the China president invited his counterpart to visit.
Relation between two countries improved steadily in last few months following last year tariff war and fight over chips and rare earths.
These remain key points tension appear to have ebbed since the two leaders met in person in South Korea in October and stuck deal which saw both sides de escalating on few tariffs and rare earth export controls.
Negotiators from countries agreed on framework for deal on soybeans where china would lift ban on import from US and deal on TikTok which was finalised past month.
Russian media said Putin accepted Xi invitation to visit China in first half of the year.
Xi calls with two leaders have been characterized by China state media as clear sign to rest of world that China will remain a response and rational world power.
is dod funded for 2026
A Chinese daily editorial said the calls showed that China would continue to act as stabilising force at time when confrontation and unilateralism are on rise.
Beijing is shouldering its reply working together with mega stakeholders to contribute to world peace and growth through responsible major country diplomacy.
In doing so China is showing other mega players on world stage the importance of refocusing on dialogue and coordination the China daily editorial said.
Trump and Xi spoke in last November when China president invited his US counterpart to visit.
Relation between two countries improved in past few months following last year tariff war and battle over chips.
Trump himself is due to visit China in April a trip he said he very much looked forward to.
He said that Beijing was considering purchasing over 20 million tonnes of US soybeans up from current 12 million tonnes.
The relation between China and my personal relationship with President Xi is extremely good one and we both realize how important it is to keep that way he wrote in Truth Social post.
Taiwan and Soybeans Trump and Xi discuss Russia war in Ukraine with current situation in Iran and China purchase of oil and gas from US the US president wrote.
In December the Trump admin announced a huge arm sale worth around $11 bn to Taiwan which consist of advance rocket launchers self propelled howitzers and multiple missiles.
Beijing said the time that this attempt to support Taiwan independence would only accelerate the push toward a dangerous and violent situation across the Taiwan strait.
Just as the US has its concerns China for its part has concerns. Xi Told trump on Wednesday.
If two sides work in same direction in spirit of respect equality and mutual advantage we can find ways to address each other worries.
On Thursday Taiwan leader Lai Ching te told media relation with US remained rock solid and that all ongoing cooperation projects are continuing.
On Taiwan Xi said the self governed island was China territory and that Beijing must safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Us must handle issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence.
Middle East
Bill Gates Reply To Epsteins Claim He Caught STD From Russian Girls
Bill Gates has denied the absolutely absurd and completely false claims made by deceased serial abuser Jeffrey Epstein that he may have caught sexually transmitted disease from russian girls.
Media reached to The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation via email.
Democrats consisting of Representative Ro Khanna of California have question why only about 3.5 million of over six million identified pages would be released after review signaling possible scrutiny.
Xi Jin Ping
The DOJ said in statement
More than 2000 videos and 180000 images are consist in today additional publication.
Combined with prior releases this makes total production almost 3.5 million pages released in compliance with Act.
It added Through the process the Department provided clear instruction to reviewers that redactions were to limited to protection of victims and their families.
Some of documents consist of untrue and sensationalist claims against President Donald Trump that were submitted to FBI right before 2020 election.
To be clear the claims are unfounded and false and if they have shared credibility they certain would have been weaponized against President Trump already.
Some pornographic images whether commercial or not were redacted given the Department treated all women in those images as victims.
Notable individuals and politicians were not redacted in release of any files.
This production may consist of fake or falsely submitted photos documents or video as everything that was sent to FBI by public was consist in production that is responsive to Act.
A spokesperson for Gates added
The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein frustration that he did not have ongoing relationship with Gates and lengths he would go to entrap and defame.
The US Department of Justice has now posted over three million pages 180000 images and 2000 videos tied to Epstein investigation the mega government release since transparency law mandated disclosure last year placing unverified and sensitive materials into public domain.
The files consist of email and records consist of high profile figures making accurate characterization of their contents and clear distinction between allegation and verified facts crucial because just being mentioned in release is not indication of wrongdoing.
todd blanche
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said publication mark end of very comprehensive document identification and review process to ensure transparency to American people and compliance.
Spokesperson for Microsoft co founder Gates 70 dismiss the latest allegation emerging from new released Epstein files consisting of claims that he contracted a sexually transmitted disease a absolutely absurd and completely false.
The file consist of two drafts emails dated July 18 2013 written from Epstein own email address back to same account with not point they were ever sent or that Gates get them.
Neither message is signed and no email belong to Gates appears in material
One draft takes the form of resignation letter from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation alleging that medication had been purchase for Gates to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girls.
Gates spokesperson told BBC allegations come from proven disgruntled liar and reiterated that they are absolutely absurd and completely false.
The spokesperson added that files reflect Epstein frustration at not having ongoing relationship with Gates and lengths he would go to entrap and defame.
The broader release covers Epstein imprisonment and death investigative records on his long time link Ghislaine Maxwell and emails with prominent individuals dating back over a decade.
harvey weinstein
US government partially shuts down instead of last minute funding deal
The US federal government has partially shutdown instead of last ditch funding deal approved by senate.
The funding lapse start at midnight US eastern time on Saturday hours after senators agreed to fund most agencies until September.
The bill consist of two weeks funding for Department of Homeland Security which oversees immigration enforcement instead of shutting it down.
The bill has to approved by House of Representative which is out of session.
will the government shutdown
US President Donald Trump stuck deal with Democrats after they refuse to give more funding for immigration enforcement following fatal shooting two US citizens in Minneapolis by federal agency.
Both Democrats and Republican lawmakers have criticised tactics used by immigration agents in wake of fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last weekend.
Pretti and intensive care nurse was shot by US Border Patrol agent after altercation in which agent tried to restrain him’
The Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into shooting.
It is second such government shutdown in past year and comes just 11 weeks after end of past funding impasse that lasted 43 days the longest in USA history.
That shutdown in 2025 which spanned 1 October 14 November had widespread impact on essential government services inlcuidng air travel hundred of thousand of federal workers without pay for weeks.
Lawmakers plan to use fortnight in which DHS will continue to be funded to negotiate a deal Democrats desire that deal to consist of new policies for immigration enforcement agents.
is dod funded for 2026
We need to rein in ICE end the violence Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The White House though has directed several agencies the department of education defence and transportation to execute shutdown plans.
Employees shout report to work for their next regular schedule tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activites.
Trump nominates Federal Reserve critic Kevin Warsh to run US central bank
Trump outline Warsh credentials for Fed role
We can bring you more of what US President Donald Trump has said about Kevin Warsh who he has nominated as new chair of the Federal Reserve.
In his post on Truth Social announcing Warsh nomination Trump outline the reash why warsh past experience will equip him to be a great chairman.
He has conducted extensive research in field of Economic and Finance.
Trump says as he credits Warsh for issuing an independent report to Bank of England proposing reforms in conduct of Monetary Policy in UK.
He outlines Warsh previous tenure in Federal reserve last time as member of the Fed board of governors between 2006 and 2011
What is the Federal Reserve?
The Federal Reserve Fed is the US central bank.
It operates independently from government and one of its role to support strong economy through its monetary policy.
This policy has two main goals often linked as Fed dual mandate they are
to support stable prices.
support maximum employment
The Fed uses interest rate as tool for achieving these goals.
Putting interest rates up or keeping them high can help control inflation.
It can have negative impact on economy over time making it more expensive for household and businesses to repay the interest on debts.
A long period of high interest rates can put brakes on economic growth and slow jobs market.
The Fed seems to think economy is showing signs of resillience.
Interest rate is 3.5% to 3.75 % this week.
What we know about Kevin Warsh?
Kevin Warsh, who served as a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011, has been an outspoken Fed critic, lambasting everything from the central bank’s heavy reliance on data to its use of assets on its balance sheet.
The 55-year-old economist, a fellow at the right-leaning Hoover Institution who serves on the board of UPS, had also been considered for Fed chair during Trump’s first term.
He briefly overtook Trump loyalist Kevin Hassett in prediction markets last month before falling back to second place.
Warsh had a relatively “hawkish” reputation in his first stint as Fed governor, meaning that he tended to favour higher interest rates and focused on concerns about inflation.
Trump added very threatful for UK to do business with China as Starmer lands in Shanghai
Donald Trump said it was very dangerous for the UK to do business with China as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai on third day of his visit to country.
The US president was reacting to agreements aimed at increasing business and investment between UK and China announced after Sir Keir met Chinese President Xi Jinping.
UK business minister Sir Chris Byrant said Trump was wrong and it would be bonkers frankly for UK to ignore the presence of China on world Stage
USA President Donald Trump and Iran Presiden Ayatollah Khameni
Trump refer to Xi as friend of his and said he knew the Chinese president very well.
The US was UK mega single country trading partner in 2025.
China was fourth largest according to Department for Business and Trade.
The chair of British Chamber of Commerce in China Chris Torren praised Sir Keir visit to Beijing as successful.
Torrens told media it made sense for UK to be looking to China it is one mega trading partners.
He said other Western leaders had been to Beijing recently or would do so soon.
the USA are maybe sanctioning and reprimanding other economies and slapping tariffs on countries that are doing deals with China but the US itself may well do deal with China.
We expect this year Torrens told media.
Sir Keir arrived in Shanghai on Friday morning.
His last stop in china before leaving for Tokyo to meet Japanese counterpart.
Opposition MPs have criticized the PM over his trip to China the first by UK leader since 2018.
China has been accused of serious human rights violations by UN against the Uyghur population and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups.
Donald Trump and Starmer
Security Minister Dan Jarvis told Intelligence agencise had been integral to that decision making process and he was content any risks are being managed.
It has been criticised over treatment of Hong Kong Pro democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai who is facing life in prison.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Sir Keir had gone to Beijing to Kowtow to President Xi and accused the government of trading national security for economic crumbs off chinese table.
Business Minister of UK said of course we enter into our relationship with China with our eyes wide open.
He refer that Trump is due to visit China himself in April.
In response to Trump remarks Downing Street refer that Washington had been aware of this trip and objectives in advance.
Arriving at the Premiere of the Melania movie on Thursday the US president was asked by reporter.
What do you think about the UK going into business with China.
Trump did not say anything further about UK engagement with China pivoting instead to Canada and delivering a similar threat.
He said it was even more dangerous I think for Canada.
Canada is not doing well They are doing very poorly and you can not look at China as answer.
The US president threatened to impose tariffs on Canada if it went through with economic deals struck with China on recent visit to Beijing by its PM Mark Carney.
The comments come after Sir Keir said UK relationship with China was in good strong place following his talks with Xi at Great Hall of People on Thursday.
Sir Keir said on Friday that very good meetings with Xi had provided just the level of engagement that we hoped for.
We warmly engaged and made some real progress actually because the UK has got mega amount to offer.
He told meeting of UK.
China Business Forum at Bank of China is Beijing.
Xi Jin Ping
The government says the inflatable dinghies used in small boat crossing often contain parts source in China.
Sir Keir trip consist of agreement on visa fee travel and lower whisky tariffs as well as 10.9 bn euro investment by AstraZeneca to build manufacturing facilities in China.
Easy Jet warned over misleading 5.99 Euro Cabin Bag Fee
Easy Jet has been told to stop claiming that carry on baggage fees are availabe from 5.99 Euro after failed to provide evidence to advertising watchdog that passengers can bring a suitcase on board for that price.
The Advertising Standards Authority ASA and customers would assume from Easy Jet wording they could buy a carry on bag for 5.99 Euro.
The claim on Easy Jet website was flagged to ASA by consumer group which said airlines often advertise low fares but have extra fees.
Easy Jet said We always aim to provide clear information to our customers on pricing and purpose of this page was to display information on fees and charges to customers.
Rory Boland editor of which Travel said there is culture of airlines using low headline fees then charging exorbitant prices on top to take standard cabin bag.
What Could happen if the USA attacks Iran? Here are seven scenarios
The US appears poised to strike Iran within days
The potential targets are mega predictable the outcome is not.
if not last minute deal can be reached with Tehran and President Donald Trump decides to order US forces to attack then what are possible results.
Middle East
Regime collapses replace by Chaos
This real danger and one of mega worries of neighbors like Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The possible of civil war like experience by Syria Yemen and Libya there is danger that in chaos and confusion ethnic tensions could spill over into armed conflict as Kurds, Baluci and other minorities look safeguard their own people and nationwide power vacuum.
The greatest danger is President Trump having amassed this powerful close to Iran borders decide he must act or lose face and war starts with no clear end state and with unpredictable and potential damaging repercussions.
Much of the Middle East would certainly be glad to see the back of the Islamic Republic, none more so than Israel which has already dealt heavy blows to Iran’s proxies across the region and which fears an existential threat from Iran’s suspected nuclear programme.
But nobody wants to see the largest Middle East nation by population – around 93 million – descend into chaos, sparking a humanitarian and refugee crisis.
USA President Donald Trump and Iran Presiden Ayatollah Khameni
Iran retaliates sinking a US warship
A US Navy Captain onboard a warship in Gold once told me that one of threats from Iran he worries about is swarm attack.
This is where Iran launches so many high explosive drones and fast torpedo boats at single or multiple targets that even US Navy formidable close in defense are unable to eliminate all of them in time,
Iran naval crews have focused much of their training on unconventional or asymmetric warfare looking ways to overcome or bypass the technical advantage enjoyed
by primary adversary the US Navy fifth fleet.
The IRGC ?navy has long replace by conventional Iranian Navy in Gulf some of commander were even trained at Dartmouth during time of Shah,
The sinking of US warship accompanied by possible capture of survivors among crew would be massive humiliation for US.
This scenario thought the billion dollar destroyer the USS Cole was crippled by AL Qaeda suicide attack in Aden harbour in 2000 killing 17 US sailors.
Iran response by laying mines in the Gulf
This has long loomed as danger to world shipping and oil supplies ever since the Iran Iraq war of 1980-88 when Iran did need mine the shipping lanes and Royal Navy minesweepers helped clear them.
The narrow strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran is critical checkpoint.
Almost 20% of global liquified Natural Gas LNG exports and between 20-25% of oil and oil byproducts pass through this strait each year.
Iran has conducted exercises in deploying sea mines.
Middle East
Iran retaliates by attacking US forces and neighbours
Iran has vowed to retaliate against any US attack adding that it is finger is on trigger.
It is clear no match for might of USA navy and Air Force but it could still lash out with arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones many concealed in caves underground to remote mountainsides.
The devastating missile and drone attack on Saudi Aramco petrochemical facilities in 2019 attributed to Iranian backed army in Iraq showed the Saudia just how they were to Iranian missiles.
Iran Gulf Arab neighbours all US allies are understandably extreme jitter right now that US army action is going to end up rebounding on them.
Regime collapses, replaced by military rule
Many view this is most like possible result.
The regime is clear infamous with many and each successive wave of protest over year weakens if further there remains huge security deep state with interest in status quo.
The principal reason why protest have so far failed to overthrow the regime is there have been no defection to their side.
Those in control are prepared to use unlimited force to remain in power.
Amazon Confirms 16000 Jobs reduction after accidental email
USA tech giant Amazon has said it will reduce 16000 jobs hours after it told staff about latest round of worldwide redundancies in email sent in error.
The email which seen by media was sent late on Tuesday and refers to swathe of employees in US Canada and Costa Rica having been laid off part of attempt to strengthen the company.
The message was apparent shared by mistake as it was quick cancelled.
Amazon announced job reduction as part of plan to remove bureaucracy at firm.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos stood down as it chief executive four years before his successor Andy Jassy has led company through several round of cuts jassy has attempted to bring strict work culture of firm.
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In office work is now mandatory five days week making Amazon one of major tech companies to require its employees to be in office full time.
Amazon is stressed on reducing costs even monitoring corporate mobile phone use by AWS employee according to report in Business Insider attempt limit long standing $50 per month reimbursement.
In email Jassy sent to employees before Thanksgiving holiday viewed by BBC the CEO said he was thankful for challenges at opportunities at work as the word is changing at very rapid rate.
Jasey called this era at Amazon is a time to rethink everything we have ever done
The company announced it would close its roughly no remaining Amazon branded grocery stores.
Beth Galetti senior vice president of people experience and technology at Amazon said on Wednesday it was not planning to make broad reductions every few months referring to Amazon announcement of 14000 corporate job cuts in October.
Cheekatilo
While many teams finalized their organizational changes in October other teams did not complete that work until now
Amazon employs 15 lacs people worldwide with 350000 in corporate roles.
Amazon has not said where the latest job losses will fall or which countries will be affected.
On Tuesday a draft email written by Colleen Aubrey a senior Vice President at Amazon Web Services was consist in calendar institution sent by executive assitant to number of Amazon workers.
Baftas 2026: The nominations lit in full
The stars and movies in running for next month Bafta Movie Awards which celebrate the best on mega screen from past 12 months have been revealed.
Stunning One Battle After Other leads the pack followed by vampire horror Sinners and Hamnet which dramatise Shakespeare family life along with table tennis drama Marty Supreme.
Here are full list of nomination before ceremony which will take place at London Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 22 February.
BAFTA
The Top nominees
14 nominations One Battle After Another
13 sinners
11 hamnet
11 Marty Supreme
8 Frankenstein
8 Sentimental Value.
British Short Animation
Cardboard
Solsctice
Two Black Boys in Paradise
British Short Film
Magid/ Zafar
Nostagie
Terence
This is Endometriosis
Welcome Home Freckles
Special Visual Effects
F1
Frankenstein
Avatar Fire and Ash
How to Train Your Dragon
The Lost Bus
Sound
F1
Frankenstein
One Battle After Another
Warfare
Sinners
Make up and hair
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
Sinners
Wicked For Good
Production Design
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreem
Sinners
One Battle After Another.
Best Film
Hamnet
Sinners
Sentimental Value
One Battle After Another
Marty Supreme
Outstanding British Film
Steve
Pillion
Mr Burton
I Swear
Hamnet
H is For Hawk
Die My Love
Bridget Jones Mad about the Boy
The Ballad of Walls Island
28 years later
Editing
F1
A House of Dynamite
Marty Supreme
One Batter After Another
Sinners
Costume Design
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
Sinners
Wicked for Good
BAFTA
Cinematography
Frankenstein
Sinners
Train Dreams
One Battle After Another
Marty Supreme
Leading actress
Emma Stone Bugonia
Renative Reinsve Sentimental Value
Chase Infiniti One Battle After Another
Kate Hudson Song Sung Blue
Rose Byrne If I had legs I would kick you
Jessie Buckley Hamnet
Leading actor
Robert Aramayo I Swear
Jese Plemons Bugonia
Michael B jordan Sinners
Ethan Hawke Blue Moon
Leonardo Di Caprio One Battle After Another
Supporting actor
Sean Penn One Battle After Another
Peter Mullan I Swear
Benicio de Toro One Battle After Another
Jacob Elordi Frankenstein
Paul Mescal Hamnet
Stellan Skarsgard Sentimental Value
Supporting Actress
Emily Watson Hamnet
Teyana Taylor One Battle After Another
Carey Mulligan The Ballad of Wallis Island
Wummi Mosaku Sinners
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas Snetimental Value
Odessa Azion Marty Supreme
Director
Bugonia Yorgos Lanthimos
Hamnet Chloe Zhao
Sinner Ryan Coogle
Snetimental Value Joachim Trier
USA to send ICE agents to Winter Olympics, prompting Italian anger
The USA immigration agency whose officers have been involve in two fatal shootings in Minneapolis has said it is sending agents to assist American security operations during the Winter Olympics which start in Italy on 6 February.
An ICE media person stress that all security operations remain under Italian authority.
Confirmation of agency role came from Immigration and Custom Enforcement ICE after reports prompted alarm and danger in Italy.
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This is militia that kills of course they are not welcome in Milan the city mayor.
US embassy sources in Rome had explained to media that federal agencies had worked at past Games in past it was not clear if the customs and enforcement agency had itself taken part.
The agency statement on Tuesday added that ICE Homeland Security Investigation HSI is helping the US Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to vet and mitigate risks from international criminal organizations.
It would obviously not conduct immigration enforcement operations outside the USA it said.
The statement was given to news media AFP and corroborated by embassy source to Press.
The BBC has approach the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Italy interior minister Matteo Pantedosi had appeared unaware that USA immigration officials would be coming to Milan Cortina Olympics and added even if they were foreign delegations could choose their own safety.
I do not see what the problem is and it is very normal.
In aftermath of Alex Pretti being shot on streets of Minneapolis by federal agents on morning two journalist for Italian broadcaster Rai were threatened by ICE officials as media dove around the city covering the agency actions.
United States
The governor of Lombardy areas Attilio Fontana sought to calm the situation suggesting the ICE agents would be deployed in Italy to protect USA Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Political opponents of right wing PM Glorgia Meloni five star Senator Barbara Floridia warped that continue government silence on issue would provide yet more evidence of cowardice towards Donald Trump.
Trump abandons attack mode as Minneapolis shooting backlash rises
The Trump administration has rapidly abandoned its familiar deny and attack playbook after starting using it when federal agents shot
dead Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday morning.
Within 24 hours as multiple videos of shooting circulated online it became visible that White House was out of step with public choice and what Americans could see with their own eyes.
The administration and president himself have changed tack blaming Democrats for what happened and stressing less on actions of American nurse who was murdered.
Democrats have rised their criticism of president mass deportation policy and aggressive tactics of immigration and custom enforcement leaning into political flight that could result in latest government shutdown on Friday.
On Monday morning Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche detailed the situation as powder keg.
He blamed the Democrats many on both side of America political divide will agree that current situation is fraught with peril.
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The initial administration reply to Pretti death was open.
The 37 year old was showed as domestic terrorist bent on bloodshed.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem added that Pretti wished to inflict harm and was brandishing a weapon.
US Border Patrol Commander Gregory said that it looks like situation where individual desired to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.
President Adviser Stephen Miller called Pretti would be assassin.
The White House has been rapid to push back when criticized.
Deny and attack has long been bedrock Trump strategy for handling adversity.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refuse to echo Miller comments herself on Monday when pressed on whether the president agreed with his senior adviser.
She said full investigation would be carry out.
Minnesota attorney General Keith Ellison when asked the media about Homan involvement said that he may provide a new avenue 16 work with administration.
“I do not want to foreclose the possibility that reasonable minds can prevail” he added but we are here because the federal government had unreasonable positions.
Other Potential thaw came when Trump revealed on Monday that he had spoken with Minnesota Democratic governor Tim Walz.
It was very good call Trump wrote.
United States
We actually seemed to be on similar wavelength.
Senate Democrats have revealed they will now block that funding measure in their chamber which would trigger a partial government shutdown on Friday night.
I am voting against any funding for DHS until and unless more controls are put in place to hold ICE accountable said Senator Brian Schaltz of Hawaiil
These repeated incident of violence across the country unlawful escalatory and making all of us less safe.
Move is not without its own political danger Democrats triggered a record setting shutdown last autumn over health care subsidies finally relented with little of show for it.
They will be wary of pushing too far on immigration and law and order two issues where they poll poorly.
Republicans and Democrats are graphing with how to handle what has become explosive.
At stake is public perception of Trump immigration policy a core political problem for president and one that helped him win back White House.
The initial reply had echoed the path the administration took three weeks before when federal law enforcement shot and killed one another.
Minneapolis resident Renee Good. They said Good was terrorist who had weaponised her vehicle in attempt to injure ICE agents.
As with Good’s case, the federal government’s version of events has been challenged by local officials, eyewitnesses and the victim’s family.
In statement on Sunday Pretti Parent asked for truth to come out adding.
The sickening lies told about our son by administration are reprehensible and disgusting
United States
Multiple videos of Saturday deadly encounter contradict many of admin initial claims.
The images shows Pretti filming ICE agents with his cell phone and assisting a lady who is pushed over before both are pepper sprayed.
Pretti is visible not holding gun when he is wrestled to ground.
DHS says Pretti had 9mm semi automatic handgun and two magazines ammunition.
Local police have said Pretti was legal gun owner.
Under Minnesota law citizens can legally carry concealed handgun in public if they have permit.
France debates under 15s social media ban endorsed by Macron
France is on course to follow Australia in banning social media to younger teenagers as debate on new law opens in National Assembly.
The law would block reach for under 15 year old to networks like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat.
President Emmanuel Macron has said he desire the ban in place by start of school year in September.
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The French move is part of global trend towards restricting social media for kids triggered by growing evidence of damage they can cause to mental situation.
“We can not leave the mental health of our kids in hands of people whose sole aim is to make money out of them. Macron said past month.
Under the new text the state media regulator would draw up list of social networks that are looked harmful.
These would be simply banned for under 15 years olds.
A separate list of supposedly less harmful sites would be reachable but only with parental approval.
The bill is believed to have good chance of passing with pro Macron parties like to be joined by the centre right Republican as well as famous Right Wing National Rally RN.
Other clause would ban the use of mobile telecom in senior school.
The ban is in effect in junior and middle schools.
IF law is passed France will need to agree on mechanism for for age verification.
A system is in place that requires over ill year old to prove their age when accessing online phonography
In Europe Denmark, Greece, Spain and Ireland are considering following Australian example.
The UK government launched a consultation on banning social media for under 16.
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The basis of proposed French law is text drawn up late last year by deputy Laure Miller who chaired a parliamentary committee enquiry into psychological effects of TikTok.
The president has been sidelined from domestic politics since the Assembly elections which he called in 2024 resulted in hung parliament and social media ban has been rare opportunity to court public favour.
The bill has to redrafted to take account of queries raised by Council of State the body which previews draft legislation to ensure it conform with French and European law.
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A 2023 law which proposed a similar ban on social media for young teenagers proved inoperable after courts decided it broke Europe law.
For a time the cause risked falling victim to bickering between Macron and his one pm Gabriel Attal.
The government appears to have rallied behind Miller bill.
If the text is approved Monday it will pass before upper house the Senate. in next month.
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