Republican Sen. Thom Tillis vows to block Trump’s Fed nominees following Powell probe

Published Mon, Jan 12 2026
Jeff Cox
Key Points

• Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he will block any Trump Fed nominees, including for chair, in light of revelations that the Justice Department is investigating Jerome Powell for potential perjury charges.
• That position substantially complicates the road to replacing Powell, whose term as chair expires in May.
• While Powell’s term as chair ends in May, he can stay on as governor until 2028. He has not indicated yet whether he will do so.
• Many congressional Republicans are unhappy with the DOJ criminal investigation into Fed Chair Powell

Trump speaks In riddles: He threatens Iran with strikes while considering negotiations

efsyn.gr 12.01.26 

Is Iran too hot to handle? Is freedom a bridge too far? Can Trump, for once, do the right thing?

The American president continues his Two-Face policy, as Tehran claims to have the situation under control. They accuse Trump and Israel of inciting terrorists and threaten retaliation. Meanwhile, the brutal murder of Roubina Aminian highlights the violent repression by the Islamic Republic against its own citizens, with hundreds of young bodies being discovered.

Germany Investigates Harassment, Far-Right Extremism, and Drugs in the Elite 26th Airborne Regiment

The Scandal Coincides With the Launch of Voluntary Service for 18-Year-Olds, a Key Pillar of Berlin’s Army Expansion Plans
AFP

The Bundeswehr has found itself at the center of a major scandal involving sexual harassment, far-right extremism, and drug use within one of its most privileged units. The affair threatens to undermine the authorities’ efforts to strengthen the armed forces and attract new recruits at a moment when Germany is seeking to expand its military capacity.

Germany pledges increased Arctic role as Trump says Greenland protected by 'two dog sleds'

Copyright AP Photo

By Aleksandar Brezar

Published on 12/01/2026 - 10:48 GMT+1 •Updated 15:25

ShareComments

Germany is increasing its Arctic commitments after the US president threatened to seize Greenland, sparking a diplomatic crisis with Europe.

Donald Trump Threatens To Veto Obamacare Subsidies Bill

Published Jan 12, 2026
By Jasmine Laws
US News Reporter
Newsweek is a Trust Project member

President Donald Trump has said he "might" veto a bill that passed through the House on Thursday that would extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.

Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals

By  TED SHAFFREY, JENNIFER PELTZ and DAVID R. MARTIN

January 12, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.

Newsom’s last budget as governor would give schools and community colleges an unexpected $22 billion

The increase comes from robust tax receipts 

and AI-driven revenue

John Fensterwald, Emma Gallegos, Zaidee Stavely, 

Diana Lambert, And Yuxuan Xie

Published January 9, 2026

Top Takeaways

• Budget proposal includes extending and increasing funding for the 2,500 existing community schools, teacher residencies, and multibillion-dollar post-COVID learning recovery funding through 2027-28.
• $40 million is earmarked to continue screening all students in kindergarten, first and second grades to identify students at risk of reading difficulties.
• One-time infusion of $100 million to increase access to college and career pathways for high school students.

Contrasting Chinese and US power plays in Venezuela and beyond

Let’s talk rare earths and Japan, but note first that the Orinoco ‘reserve’ of Trump’s fevered imagination is basically a giant tar pit

by Han Feizi
January 12, 2026

Oh, you’re a hard one
But I know you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin’ you
Can hurt you somehow
– The Eagles

The ghost of Winston Churchill is watching President Trump exhaust all of America’s possibilities. And it appears getting around to doing the right thing will have to be entrusted to the next administration – if we make it that far.

Trump Says Civil Rights Led to White People Being ‘Very Badly Treated’ During Interview with The New York Times

President Trump’s comments were a blunt distillation of his administration’s racial politics, which rest on the belief that white people have become the real victims of discrimination in America.

By Erica L. Green

White House correspondent

Jan. 11, 2026

President Trump said in an interview that he believed civil rights-era protections resulted in white people being “very badly treated,” his strongest indication that the concept of “reverse discrimination” is driving his aggressive crusade against diversity policies.

Hamas says it will dissolve its Gaza government when new Palestinian body takes over

BY SAMY MAGDY AND JULIA FRANKEL January 11, 2026

CAIRO (AP) — Hamas said Sunday it will dissolve its existing government in Gaza once a Palestinian technocratic leadership committee takes over the territory, as mandated under the U.S.-brokered peace plan. But the group gave no specifics on when the change will occur.

Federal prosecutors open criminal investigation into the Fed and Jerome Powell

By Bryan Mena

Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion renovation of its headquarters in Washington, DC.

Washington — In an extraordinary video posted by Powell on Sunday night, he called the investigation “pretext” resulting from his ongoing struggle with the administration over interest rates, saying it was a consequence of broader “threats and ongoing pressure” by the administration.

Sen. Chris Murphy says annexation of Greenland ‘would be the end of NATO’

The senator's comments come after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would "do something on Greenland, 

whether they like it or not."

Jan. 11, 2026

By Megan Lebowitz

WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy said in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that if the U.S. annexed Greenland, “it would be the end of NATO.”

Amidst Calls for Haste and Restraint, Trump's Approach to Iran Is Simply Unpredictable

Observers estimate that if the US reacts incorrectly, it may ultimately strengthen and solidify the regime's position in Iran

NEWSROOM / January 11, 2026 

Donald Trump is receiving warnings from Iranians that if he does not act immediately to fulfill his promise to help protesters under fire from security forces in Iran, it will be too late. At the same time, the US President is also receiving conflicting advice regarding the potential effectiveness of an American intervention.

Nationwide anti-ICE protests call for accountability after Renee Good's death (photos)

January 10, 2026
By Chandelis Duster, Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

People have been taking to the streets nationwide this weekend to protest the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics following the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis, a 37-year-old woman who was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer this week.

Cuba defiant after Trump says island to receive no more Venezuelan oil or money

By Dave Sherwood and Marianna Parraga

January 11, 2026

Summary

• Cuba has the right to import fuel from any suppliers, foreign minister says
• Venezuela was Cuba's largest supplier last year, with some 26,500 barrels per day of crude and fuel
• Mexico is emerging as an alternative oil supplier to the island
• Cuban president says Cuba prepared to "defend homeland to last drop of blood."

Scientists just revealed a surprising new use for espresso coffee

PsyPost

by Karina Petrova

January 9, 2026

in Caffeine

Researchers have identified a common household beverage as an effective, non-toxic substitute for the hazardous chemicals traditionally used in high-resolution microscopic imaging. A new study demonstrates that ordinary espresso coffee can stain biological samples for electron microscopy with clarity and detail comparable to industry-standard radioactive solutions. The findings were published in the journal Methods.

Companies scramble to secure ships, assemble operations to transfer Venezuelan oil

By Marianna Parraga and Arathy Somasekhar

January 10, 2026

Summary

• Shipping firms want to expand operations for Venezuelan oil transfers

• Challenges include old vessels, maintenance issues and loading slot competition

• Maersk plans to replicate logistics used in Amuay Bay for oil transfers

• AET approached by clients for Venezuelan crude transfers to smaller vessels

Scientists warn of a new biological risk and call for an international summit

01-10-2026
By Adrian Villellas
Earth.com staff writer

Thirty-eight researchers from around the world are urging caution over mirror life – a hypothetical form of biology built from mirror-image molecules that could behave unpredictably in natural systems.