Current News Highlights
Explore the latest updates and noteworthy stories from around the globe, ranging from technological advancements to pressing social issues. Here’s a summary of significant happenings that are shaping our world right now.
A master chef transforms simple ingredients into an elaborate dessert https://t.co/xns2lKmoLu
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) January 10, 2026
A Disrupted Body Clock Is Linked to Higher Dementia Risk – SciTech Daily
I Met a Lot of Weird Robots at CES — Here Are the Most Memorable – TechCrunch
People Who Go Off GLP-1s Are Experiencing Sudden and Intense Hunger – Futurism
From Noriega to Maduro: A Long History of the U.S. Kidnapping Foreign Leaders – ScheerPost
🦌 🦏 A tiny 13kg deer takes on a 1.7-tonne rhino at Wroclaw Zoo
In a dramatic encounter at Wroclaw Zoo, a small 13kg deer confronts a nearly two-tonne rhinoceros and seems to come out on top. pic.twitter.com/aKFpwP8VJd
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 9, 2026
COVID-19/Pandemics
COVID Levels Are “Very High” in These 13 States – BestLife
Viruses Experts Are Monitoring in 2026 – Tickernews
Climate/Environment
Australia Declares State of Disaster as Bushfires Rage – Phys.org
‘Profound Impacts’: Record Ocean Heat Intensifying Climate Disasters, Data Shows – The Guardian
As the Arctic Warms, the Race to Control the Region Intensifies – The Conversation
South of the Border
Guerrillas and Gangsters on the Venezuelan Border – UnHerd
Cuba Braces for Aftershocks as U.S. Seizures of Oil Tankers Linked to Venezuela Surge – AP
Mexico’s President Downplays Trump’s Threats – Le Monde
Petro States Colombia is Cooperating with the U.S. ‘Despite Insults and Threats’ – Al Jazeera
China?
The Chinese robotics firm AgiBot shipped over 5,100 humanoid robots in 2025, achieving a 39 percent share of the global humanoid robot market. It ranked first worldwide in both shipment volume and market share, according to an industry report by Omdia. #ChinaTech #AgiBot pic.twitter.com/8eDWcQKX0c
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) January 10, 2026
China’s ‘Artificial Sun’ Surpasses Nuclear Fusion Limits Once Thought Unachievable – The Independent
I Came to CES to Explore Energy and Solar Power Innovations and Noticed China Leading the Way – PC Magazine
Reflecting on the End of China’s One-Child Policy, a Decade Later – Taipei Times
YJ-20: Introducing the Chinese Missile Designed to Counteract the U.S. Navy – The National Interest
India
Trapped in an Australian Visa Nightmare, Kiran is One of India’s ‘Abandoned Brides’ – The Guardian
Trump’s 500% Tariff Pressure and Global Crude Supply Shock Risks: Assessing India’s Oil Security – Times of India
India Advances Towards Major Rafale Fighter Procurement – Defence Blog
Africa
Strained U.S.-South Africa Relations Face New Tests Amid War Games with China, Iran, and Russia – BBC
Africa Decides Keeping Trump Happy Isn’t a Priority – Politico
Ethiopia Breaks Ground on a $12.5 Billion Mega-Airport to Reshape Africa’s Future – Sri Lanka Guardian
European Disunion
The EU-Mercosur Trade Deal: Is It the Win Some in Europe Anticipate? – Foreign Policy
Trump is Correct: Europe Is Facing a Crisis – Al Jazeera
How Can Europe Prevent a Greenland Land Grab? – Financial Times
Old Blighty
’Spineless Starmer is Turning the UK into a Military Pygmy’: Farage Critiques the PM – Daily Mail
Poll: Two-Thirds of UK Voters Incorrectly Believe Immigration is Rising – The Guardian
Israel vs. Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iran
Israel has dropped over 200,000 tons of explosives, which calculates to ~100 kilograms of explosives for every man, woman, and child in Gaza.
Each red dot represents a bombed location in Gaza. (UN Satellite Centre, July 6, 2024)
This is what genocide looks like. pic.twitter.com/WUIkgTFpNI
— Mohamad Safa (@mhdksafa) January 7, 2026
Israel and Hamas Prepare to Resume War in Gaza as Trump’s Peace Efforts Stall – NY Post
Israel Moves Forward with a Settlement Project East of Jerusalem – Anadolu Agency
Israel Scaling Back U.S. Military Aid within the Decade, Netanyahu Indicates – Jerusalem Post
New Not-So-Cold War
Ukraine Races to Repair Kyiv’s Power Grid After the Latest Russian Attack – CBC
The U.S. and Ukraine Plan to Sign an $800 Billion Agreement at Davos – The Kyiv Independent
Big Brother Is Watching You Watch
ACLU Challenges DOJ Overreach to Safeguard Voter Privacy – ACLU.org
States Concerned About Surveillance are Introducing Privacy Laws – Stateline
Imperial Collapse Watch
Are Americans Desensitized to Gun Violence? – Fair Observer
Mobile Homes Face Exorbitant Utility Bills; Congress May Exacerbate the Issue – Grist
Trump 2.0
Trump’s Call for Collins’ Ouster Complicates Maine Senate Race – The Hill
Greenland Officials Reject Trump’s Proposal for U.S. Control – Fox News
Calls for Transparency Grow as Trump Administration Removes Local Investigators from the Renee Good Case – Daily Mail
Trump Articulates a Vision of Power Governed by ‘My Own Morality’ – NY Times
Musk Matters
Musk’s SpaceX Approved to Launch 7,500 New Starlink Satellites – Cryptopolitan
Musk Claims Outcry Over X is a ‘Pretext for Censorship’ – BBC
Humanoid Robots vs. Human Connection: Insights from Elon Musk’s Optimus – The Conversation
Democrat Death Watch
Column: Beyond Opposition to Trump, What Do Democrats Represent? – Yakima Herald-Republic
Analyzing Why Democrats Continue to Lose Ground Despite Trump’s Difficulties – Boulder Daily Camera
Immigration
Minnesota to Investigate Fatal Shooting by U.S. Immigration Agent – Anadolu Agency
JD Vance Advocates Gratitude for the ICE Agent Involved in Renee Good’s Death – Truthout
Judge Indicates Intent to Block Trump’s Move to Eliminate Protections for Latin American Migrants – The Hill
Protests Against ICE Erupt Nationwide Following Shootings in Minneapolis and Portland – PBS
Our No Longer Free Speech
Texas A&M’s New Policy Sparks a Free-Speech Debate Over Censorship – Austin American-Statesman
Tribal News Agency Demonstrates Grassroots Defense of a Free Press – Truthout
Mr. Market Is Moody
Gold Becomes a Preferred Foreign Reserve Asset Over Treasuries – Barron’s
Economic Challenges Are Weighing Down the Job Market – PBS
From Housing to Groceries and Energy, Americans Perceive a Faltering Economy – Scripps News
AI
AI Users Express Outrage Over Plagiarized Prompts – Futurism
A Majority of Developers Distrust AI-Generated Code but Often Skip Checking It – The Register
AI-Generated Content Dominates YouTube Shorts Recommendations, Study Reveals – Mashable
The Bezzle
The Deregulation of Nursing Schools in Florida Led to Scams and Student Failures – Orlando Sentinel
Treasury and IRS Increase Investigations into Fraud in Minnesota – Michigan Now
California Discovers Billions in Healthcare Fraud, with Minnesota’s Issues Pale in Comparison – NY Post
Guillotine Watch
Rihanna’s $9,000 Dolce & Gabbana Crown Headphones pic.twitter.com/veSB3Kk1wo
— Rogue Fashion (@rogue) March 27, 2025
Chanel has finally unveiled its quilted Beats by Dre headphones, which will cost you a staggering $5,000. pic.twitter.com/DwG5lmkKSj
— IAMFASHION (@IAMFASHlON) September 26, 2014
Antidote of the Day (via)
For yesterday’s Links and Antidote of the Day, click here.
