Politics

Torrential rains in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe have killed more than 100 people and displaced hundreds of thousands, officials reported; rescue and evacuation operations are continuing.

Photos circulated by a Minnesota school district show a five-year-old boy in the presence of immigration agents; the Department of Homeland Security says the child was held for protective purposes after his father left during an attempted arrest and that an officer remained with the child.

Reform councillors announced that several Lancashire care homes previously slated for closure would instead receive investment after months of public protest; officials have given differing accounts of the consultation status as officers prepare a report for cabinet in spring.

Syrian government forces entered the al-Hawl detention camp after Kurdish guards withdrew, and residents reported riots, fires and attempts to breach the camp perimeter; NGOs and many staff pulled out and basic services were disrupted. The International Coalition announced plans to move more than 7,000 people with IS links to Iraq.

The Home Office has moved 27 men seeking asylum into the former Crowborough military training site in East Sussex, which is planned to be scaled to more than 500 places. The government said the change is part of ending the use of expensive hotels.

John Swinney announced plans for a national housing agency called More Homes Scotland to speed up and lower the cost of building new homes; the Scottish government will give an update to Parliament in March.

President Donald Trump signed the charter for a new 'Board of Peace' at the World Economic Forum in Davos with several foreign leaders present, and he said the board would operate in conjunction with the United Nations.

Frenchie Cumpio was convicted of terror financing and sentenced to 12–18 years; her lawyers say they will file an appeal and have a pending bail application.

School officials say ICE detained a five-year-old Minnesota boy and his father as they arrived home and transferred them to a Texas detention center; the district says the family has an active asylum case and no deportation order.

Iranian authorities said 3,117 people were killed during protests that began in late December; activists and rights groups say the true toll may be much higher and an ongoing internet blackout has impeded independent counts.

At Davos, Mark Carney said the rules-based international order has ruptured and urged middle powers, including Canada, to build domestic strength and cooperate through new partnerships.

Hospitals and officials in Gaza reported that at least 11 Palestinians were killed, including two 13‑year‑old boys and three journalists; the Israeli military did not immediately comment.

Communities minister Gordon Lyons said Stormont should fund agreed priorities such as social housing before approving extra money for Casement Park; the GAA says work will begin next week but full Stormont funding has not been agreed.

Raymond Williams has appeared in court charged with the murder of his ex-partner, Tania Williams; he was remanded to appear at the crown court on Thursday.

Sami al-Saei says he was sexually abused while detained and later spoke publicly; the human rights group B'Tselem published a report describing a 'grave pattern' of sexual violence in Israeli prisons, while Israeli authorities deny the allegations.

The Senate passed laws to ban hate groups and establish a national gun buyback after the government reached deals with the Liberals and Greens; Prime Minister Albanese said the measures were weaker than first proposed but were "no doubt" a good thing.

The Government's Warm Homes Plan, backed by £15 billion, offers solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and insulation to households; some critics have raised concerns about reliance on China-sourced components and related supply-chain and security risks.

Mike Johnson said his mission in London was to "help calm the waters" and he met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to encourage dialogue; his remarks followed President Trump's public pressure over Greenland and criticism of the Chagos decision.

Israeli authorities formally recognized the Yatsiv outpost near Beit Sahour after decades of settler efforts, and the approval of Yatsiv and 18 other outposts was announced Dec. 21, according to the article.

A U.S.-based activist agency reported it has verified at least 3,766 deaths during recent protests in Iran, and streets have returned to an uneasy calm while internet access remains largely limited.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders joined nurses on the ninth day of a strike affecting about 15,000 nurses; talks with Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian have produced little progress and hospitals say they will follow contract mediators on when to meet again.

A decision on China's proposed 'mega embassy' at Royal Mint Court is expected this week and is widely expected to be approved on or before the 20 January deadline.

A three-month-old Palestinian infant died from hypothermia in Gaza, officials said, as world leaders gather in Davos where President Trump’s proposed Board of Peace is on the agenda.

An Israeli rights group says interviews with released detainees describe systemic torture, abuse and medical neglect in Israeli prisons; Israel's Prison Service rejects the allegations and says complaints are reviewed through official channels.

Unions, faith groups and local leaders in Minnesota have called for an economic blackout on Friday to protest a surge of federal immigration agents and to mourn Renee Good.

Mikie Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman and former Navy helicopter pilot, is set to be inaugurated in Newark as New Jersey's 57th governor, succeeding Phil Murphy.

Martin Luther King Jr Day was marked by parades, services and museum events across the US, but many observances carried a cautious tone because of concerns about racial and social equality and recent immigration enforcement actions.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has received an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join a new 'Board of Peace' linked to a 20-point plan for Gaza, and his office says the offer will be reviewed through proper processes.

About three dozen protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul during a Sunday service, disrupting worship and prompting church leaders to end the service early. The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the incident.

Labour has delayed the Hillsborough law after talks with families over how the duty of candour would apply to serving intelligence officers broke down; the bill will not return to the Commons until agreement is reached.