European Union lawmakers voted on Jan. 21, 2026, to pause the ratification track for the EU’s newly signed trade agreement with Mercosur, opting instead for a judicial opinion on whether the pact’s legal basis aligns with the bloc’s treaties. The decision was taken in Strasbourg, France, where the European Parliament narrowly backed a motion to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice. The ballot passed 334 to 324, with 11 abstentions, reflecting how sharply divided lawmakers remain over the agreement’s risks and benefits. Because the court’s opinion is now required, the Parliament cannot proceed to a final ratification…
Author: Emily Harper
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UK supermarket group Morrisons said underlying earnings were unchanged in its 2024/25 financial year, citing a jump in costs even as revenue increased. The grocer reported underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of £835 million for the year ended October 26, matching the prior year on its preferred measure. Revenue rose 3.2% to £15.8 billion, the company said. Morrisons attributed the flat earnings performance to a £200 million increase in costs, which it linked to measures in the UK government’s 2024 budget, the impact of a cyber incident in the first quarter, and inflation that proved higher…
A New Look Inside a Solar Explosion A major breakthrough in solar science has emerged from detailed observations made by the European Space Agency–led Solar Orbiter mission. Scientists have uncovered how a solar flare begins not as a single explosive event, but as a chain reaction driven by small, initially weak magnetic disturbances that rapidly intensify. This process resembles an avalanche, where a minor shift triggers a cascading release of energy that grows in scale and power. Solar flares are among the most violent phenomena in the solar system. They occur when energy stored in twisted magnetic fields is suddenly…
Business executives and political leaders are converging on Davos, Switzerland, for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), a gathering that brands itself as a platform for dialogue and economic progress even as geopolitical friction and economic anxiety intensify. Organizers say the four-day event is framed this year around “A Spirit of Dialogue,” with debates expected to range from technology and trade to the widening gap between wealth and living standards. The forum says close to 3,000 participants from business, government and civil society are expected, including roughly 850 corporate chiefs. Alongside scheduled speeches and panels, the Davos…
Party Leaders Draw a Clear Line House Democratic leaders have privately signaled strong opposition to a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, citing deep concerns over immigration enforcement and the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In a closed-door meeting, the party’s top leaders told colleagues they intend to vote against the measure, reflecting widespread frustration within the caucus after a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer in Minneapolis that has intensified scrutiny of the agency’s actions. Their stance indicates that most House Democrats are likely to oppose the legislation. The anger goes beyond a single incident and taps…
A Rare Cluster of Attacks in a Short Time Span Australia’s New South Wales coastline has been shaken by an unusual series of shark attacks, with four incidents reported in less than two days. The most recent occurred along the Mid North Coast, where a 39-year-old surfer was bitten after a shark struck his board, leaving him with a chest wound. He was treated in hospital and later released, narrowly avoiding more serious injuries. This latest incident followed three attacks near Sydney within the previous two days. The concentration of attacks in such a short time has prompted authorities to…
A new Fannie Mae video advertisement features what sounds like President Donald Trump delivering a message about housing access, but a disclaimer in the spot says the narration is an AI-cloned voice reading scripted text. The audio was produced with permission from the Trump administration, according to the report. The roughly one-minute ad presents an “all-new Fannie Mae” and describes the institution as a “protector of the American Dream,” framing housing affordability as a system-level problem rather than a failure of individual effort. The campaign arrives as the administration seeks to show voters it is responding to broader cost pressures,…
The U.S. Department of State has revised its guidance for Jamaica, lowering the country’s travel advisory to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution in an update dated January 17, 2026. The notice says the overall advisory level was decreased, while the underlying risk indicators, focused on crime, health, and natural disasters, remain in place, with the advisory summary updated. The State Department’s guidance is designed to frame risk rather than ban travel outright. Under Level 2, officials urge travelers to take added precautions and to read the full advisory, particularly because certain locations are treated differently from the countrywide rating. In…
A Leadership Reset for a Franchise Seeking Direction The Miami Dolphins have officially turned the page by appointing Jeff Hafley as their new head coach, signaling a full organizational reset after years of unmet expectations. The decision comes as part of a broader restructuring that also includes the arrival of a new general manager, marking a coordinated effort to realign leadership, culture, and long term vision. Hafley arrives in Miami after serving as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, where his defenses consistently ranked among the league’s most efficient units. His reputation has been built on discipline, adaptability, and…
A Masterpiece Under Pressure Diego Velázquez continues to stare confidently from Las Meninas, brush in hand, as visitors gather each day before one of the world’s most studied paintings. Inside Madrid’s Prado Museum, the atmosphere remains calm and contemplative on the surface, yet behind the scenes the institution is confronting a challenge shared by the world’s most famous museums: success that risks overwhelming the experience it is meant to protect. After welcoming roughly three and a half million visitors over the last year, the Prado’s leadership has signaled that the museum has reached its natural capacity. Rather than pursuing further…
