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Storm Joseph triggers deaths, road closures, and landslides across Spain

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Storm Joseph triggers deaths, road closures, and landslides across Spain

Madrid, Spain — Storm Joseph has claimed at least one life and caused widespread disruption across Spain, triggering flooding, landslides, evacuations and major transport disruptions in several regions, according to Spanish media reports.

A woman was killed in Malaga after a palm tree collapsed during strong winds. The severe weather system has affected Galicia, Andalusia and Castile and Leon, with authorities warning that the storm is expected to intensify.

Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, warned of a high-impact weather phenomenon, including a powerful maritime storm in Galicia and the Cantabrian Sea, where waves of up to six metres and strong winds have been recorded. Heavy rain and snowfall have also hit other parts of the country.

In Galicia alone, emergency services responded to more than 800 incidents linked to rain and wind, including floods, landslides and fallen trees and rocks on roads, which caused multiple traffic accidents. One of the most serious incidents was a multi-vehicle collision involving between 12 and 14 vehicles on the AP-9 toll motorway, leaving several people injured and cutting off the main land route to Santiago de Compostela.

Heavy rainfall affected the interior of Pontevedra province, where some municipalities recorded more than 150 litres of rain per square metre. In Forcarei, a red alert was activated due to extreme rainfall. The Civil Guard also rescued a driver trapped in a partially submerged vehicle near the Chaín River in Portas.

The situation remains serious in Andalusia, where 366 storm-related incidents have been registered, mainly in Cadiz, Seville and Malaga. In Jimena de la Frontera, 11 people were evacuated as a precaution after a river overflowed, while all sea routes across the Strait of Gibraltar were temporarily closed.

Storm damage was also reported in Castile and Leon, where two buildings collapsed, one semi-abandoned and the other uninhabited, with no injuries reported.

Weather warnings remain in place across Spain. Most areas are under yellow alerts, while the southern part of Avila province has been placed under an orange alert, with up to 80 litres of rainfall per square metre expected within 12 hours. Heavy snowfall is forecast for the Cantabrian Mountains and the Sanabria region of Zamora, along with warnings of snowmelt and intense rainfall in parts of Ávila, Segovia and Salamanca.

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, limit travel and closely follow official weather updates as Storm Joseph continues to impact large areas of the country.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Conservative Nasry ‘Tito’ Asfura, sworn in as new president of Honduras

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Conservative Nasry ‘Tito’ Asfura, sworn in as new president of Honduras

Tegucigalpa, Honduras – Nasry ‘Tito’ Asfura, a conservative politician and businessman, was sworn in on Tuesday as the new President of Honduras for the 2026-2030 term, succeeding current President Xiomara Castro (2022-2025).

“I take the legal oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws as stated in the sacred commandments. Honduras, we are here to serve you,” Asfura said upon taking office in a ceremony at the Honduran Parliament. His left hand rested on a Bible held by one of his daughters.

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Asfura, the leader of the conservative National Party of Honduras, was elected president in the general elections held Nov. 30, 2025.

The new president was backed by the United States president Donald Trump three days before the elections, but he was not recognized as the winner by the outgoing head of state, Xiomara Castro, who alleged “tampering” in the elections.

“I want to wish ‘Tito’ Asfura luck. We hope that Honduras continues with this growth project for the country; all Hondurans want that, that it be the best for Honduras,” Castro nonetheless stated on Monday at an official event in the Honduran capital.

Asfura did not invite presidents and heads of state from other countries to the inauguration ceremony for reasons of “austerity,” and chose to take office at the Parliament headquarters, contrary to the traditional investitures held at the National Stadium José de la Paz Herrera in the Honduran capital.

With nearly 11 million inhabitants, over 60% of whom are poor, Honduras experienced two electoral processes in 2025: primary and general elections. Both were marred by controversy and instability, costing the impoverished nation 4 billion lempiras.

Both elections faced accusations of fraud, technical failures, and alleged “interference” by the Armed Forces, particularly the Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Roosevelt Hernández.

Despite over 3.5 million citizens peacefully voting, slow counting and technical issues fueled widespread suspicion and led to demands for a recount.

Tensions were exacerbated by internal divisions within the National Electoral Council (CNE) and foreign interference, notably a controversial public endorsement and pardon announcement by the US President just days before the vote.

The CNE ultimately proclaimed Asfura as president-elect on Dec. 24, a decision made amid deep institutional strain and lacking the endorsement of one of its counselors. The counting for other results continued until the legal deadline.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Winter storm leaves over a million homes without power in the US

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Winter storm leaves over a million homes without power in the US

Washington/New York — The major ice and snow storm that affected two-thirds of the United States left more than a million users without power on Sunday and claimed the lives of at least five people across the country due to hypothermia, according to local media reports.

​Data from the specialized website poweroutage.us showed 1,045,496 power outages.

The ice storm is wreaking havoc in the South of the US. In Tennessee, approximately 10% of the population, or over 338,000 users, are without power. In Texas, some 100,000 users were without power, while in Louisiana and Mississippi, 145,000 and 175,000 users, respectively, had no service, according to PowerOutage.us.

​The storm, the largest ever recorded in the US according to many experts, dumped significant amounts of ice and snow early Sunday in the Mid-Atlantic region after passing through the Midwest and South.

​The storm has left streets and roads difficult to navigate from Texas, through Oklahoma and Tennessee, to Pennsylvania and New York, due to the amount of snow and ice.

​According to The Washington Post, at least five people died, two in Louisiana and three in New York, all from hypothermia.

​Even lower temperatures are expected in the coming days, with lows on Tuesday on the East Coast reaching around -15°C (5°F), keeping authorities on alert due to the formation of thick layers of ice and the effects this will have on basic services and infrastructure.

​Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has asked the population of the more than 20 states that have activated emergency protocols to avoid leaving their homes and has assured that the federal government is cooperating with states and electric companies to expedite repairs to the power grid.

The stormprompted some 4,000 flight cancellations to and from the US on Saturday. It caused another 10,000 flight cancellations on Sunday, according to the specialized website Flightaware.

Over 2,000 flights scheduled for Monday have already been canceled.

​By Monday morning, the heaviest snowfall will happen in parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

​New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced in a statement that there will be no in-person classes on Monday.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Trade talks back in focus as India, US hold high-level meeting

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Trade talks back in focus as India, US hold high-level meeting

New Delhi, India — India and the United States held high-level talks in New Delhi on Sunday to review progress on their long-pending trade agreement, with the war in Ukraine also featuring prominently in discussions.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with the US ambassador to India and a delegation from the US Congress to review multiple aspects of the bilateral relationship, including trade, cooperation in critical technologies, and regional security.

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According to statements released by both sides after the meeting, the talks also covered the conflict in Ukraine and developments in the Indo-Pacific region.

The war in Ukraine has become a central element in the broader negotiating landscape, as geopolitical differences over the conflict have strained recent commercial ties.

These tensions have slowed momentum on a deal that, early in the new US administration, appeared close to completion.

“Discussed various aspects of India US ties, Indo Pacific and Ukraine conflict. Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship,” Jaishankar wrote on social media platform X on Sunday.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor later described the meeting as productive and highlighted both sides’ willingness to strengthen cooperation in key areas, including the supply of rare earths and other critical minerals.

The meeting comes as New Delhi and Washington seek to resolve the final obstacles to a long-negotiated bilateral trade agreement, particularly over sensitive tariff issues and the pact’s implementation timeline.

Gor acknowledged upon his arrival in India on January 12 that concluding an agreement of this scale would not be an “easy task,” a challenge that has shaped the bilateral agenda since Donald Trump’s return to the White House nearly a year ago.

While the agreement initially appeared imminent in the early months of the new US administration, trade relations cooled in August when Washington imposed 50 percent tariffs on certain Indian exports in response to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil.

Those tariffs have put pressure on key sectors such as textiles and pharmaceuticals, among the most sensitive areas in the bilateral trade relationship.

The meeting also coincides with the visit to New Delhi of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other senior EU officials, during a week in which India and the European Union are widely expected to conclude their own free trade agreement as early as Tuesday. 

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Türkiye Hosts Second Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Balkans Peace Platform in Istanbul

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Türkiye Hosts Second Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Balkans Peace Platform in Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey — Türkiye on Friday hosted the second foreign ministers’ meeting of the Balkans Peace Platform, reaffirming its diplomatic push to strengthen dialogue and cooperation across the region.

The meeting was convened in Istanbul by Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The platform brings together Balkan countries with the aim of enhancing regional ownership, trust, and practical cooperation.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Fidan held separate bilateral talks with his counterparts from Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Albania, the ministry said, highlighting Türkiye’s active engagement with all key regional actors.

In a post on X, the U.S.-based social media platform, Fidan said there was broad agreement among participants that the Balkans Peace Platform, launched under Türkiye’s leadership, offers an important framework for deepening dialogue and generating concrete areas of cooperation in the Balkans.

He underscored Türkiye’s role as a unifying actor in the region, stressing Ankara’s commitment to developing what he described as a results-oriented and inclusive mechanism that responds to shared regional challenges.

Fidan added that Türkiye would continue to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Balkans, and would lead initiatives focused on investing in the region’s common future, as part of its long-standing diplomatic and strategic engagement in Southeast Europe.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Trump vows tariffs on eight European nations over Greenland

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Trump vows tariffs on eight European nations over Greenland

Washington, USA – President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to implement a wave of increasing tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland, escalating a row over the future of Denmark’s vast Arctic island.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said additional 10% import tariffs would take effect on February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain — all already subject to tariffs imposed by Trump.

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Those tariffs would increase to 25% on June 1 and would continue until a deal was reached for the U.S. to purchase Greenland, Trump wrote.

TRUMP WANTS GREENLAND FOR SECURITY, MINERALS

The president has repeatedly said Greenland is vital to U.S. security because of its strategic location and large mineral deposits, and has not ruled out using force to take it. European nations this week sent military personnel to the island at Denmark’s request.
“These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,” Trump wrote.
“The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades,” he said.

Protesters in Denmark and Greenland demonstrated on Saturday against Trump’s demands and called for the territory to be left to determine its own future.

The countries named by Trump on Saturday have backed Denmark, warning that the U.S. military seizure of a territory in NATO could collapse the military alliance that Washington leads. After the U.S. president’s social media post, Norway’s top diplomat reiterated support for Denmark and said tariffs should not be part of Greenland discussions.

“There is broad agreement within NATO on the need to strengthen security in the Arctic, including in Greenland,” Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement. “We do not think the question of tariffs belongs in this context.”
Trump had floated the idea of tariffs over Greenland on Friday, without citing a legal basis for doing so.

TRADE DEALS UNDER THREAT?

Saturday’s threat could derail tentative deals Trump struck last year with the European Union and Great Britain. The deals included baseline levies of 15% on imports from Europe and 10% on most British goods.
Tariffs have become the U.S. president’s weapon of choice in seeking to compel American adversaries and allies alike to meet his strategic and economic demands.
Trump said this week he would put 25% tariffs on any country trading with Iran as that country suppressed anti-government protests, though there has been no official documentation from the White House of the policy on its website, nor information about the legal authority Trump would use.
The U.S. Supreme Court has heard arguments on the legality of Trump’s sweeping tariffs, and any decision by the top U.S. judicial body would have major implications on the global economy and U.S. presidential powers.

Citing threats from Russia and China, Trump has repeatedly insisted he will settle for nothing less than ownership of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have insisted the island is not for sale and does not want to be part of the United States.

Danish and other European officials have pointed out that as Greenland is part of NATO, it is already covered by the alliance’s Article 5 collective security pact.

The U.S. already has a military base, Pituffik Space Base, in Greenland, with around 200 troops, and can deploy as many more forces as it wants under a 1951 agreement.

That has led many European officials to conclude that Trump is motivated more by a desire to expand U.S. territory than security concerns.

SOURCE : REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

BJP–Shiv Sena Alliance Poised for Victory in BMC Polls, Leading in 119 Seats

Roshan Bilung
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BJP–Shiv Sena Alliance Poised for Victory in BMC Polls, Leading in 119 Seats

Mumbai, India – The alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena appears headed for a decisive victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, leading in a combined 119 seats. According to early trends, the BJP is ahead in 88 seats, while Shiv Sena is leading in 31.

In contrast, the Shiv Sena-UBT is leading in 64 seats, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is ahead in six seats.

In the Thane Municipal Corporation, Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party with 24 seats. It is followed by the BJP with five seats, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) with four, the NCP-Sharad Pawar with four, and the AIMIM with five seats. Ongoing trends show Shiv Sena leading in 19 seats, NCP-Sharad Pawar in six, NCP in six, BJP in two, and AIMIM in one.

In Navi Mumbai, the BJP is dominating the trends, leading in 72 seats, while Shiv Sena is ahead in 27 seats. Shiv Sena-UBT is leading in two seats.

The Vasai–Virar Municipal Corporation has witnessed a strong showing by the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, with 63 candidates emerging victorious. The BJP has secured 24 seats in the region.

In Panvel, the BJP has won 31 seats, while the Indian National Congress has secured four seats. Shiv Sena has won two seats, Shiv Sena-UBT six, while the NCP and NCP-Sharad Pawar have won one seat each.

In Bhiwandi, all four candidates of the Konark Vikas Aghadi have been declared elected.

In Ulhasnagar, the BJP has won 19 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 16 seats. The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has secured two seats, while Congress and the MNS have won one seat each.

In Kalyan–Dombivli, the BJP and Shiv Sena are locked in a close contest, each leading in 28 seats. Shiv Sena-UBT is ahead in two seats, while the MNS is leading in four seats, underscoring a competitive finish across Maharashtra’s key urban centres.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Putin, Netanyahu Discuss Iran and West Asia, Stress Diplomacy

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Putin, Netanyahu Discuss Iran and West Asia, Stress Diplomacy

Moscow/Jerusalem – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called for stepping up political and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and security in the Middle East, including around Iran, during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Kremlin said.

According to a Kremlin statement, Putin outlined his fundamental position in favour of intensifying political and diplomatic measures aimed at maintaining regional stability. The two leaders discussed the broader situation in the Middle East as well as developments surrounding Iran, with Moscow reaffirming its readiness to continue mediation efforts and promote constructive dialogue among all concerned parties. Both sides agreed to maintain contacts at various levels.

In a separate call, Putin also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who briefed him on Tehran’s active efforts to normalise the situation within the country. The Kremlin said both leaders underscored their shared support for a swift de-escalation of tensions around Iran and across the region, stressing that all emerging issues should be resolved exclusively through political and diplomatic means.

The statement added that Russia and Iran reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their strategic partnership and advancing the practical implementation of joint economic projects across various sectors.

The phone calls took place amid heightened regional tensions, fuelled by concerns over a possible US strike against Iran. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for protesters in Iran, where anti-government demonstrations have continued for weeks, though his rhetoric has recently softened.

Iranian authorities, meanwhile, have accused the United States and Israel of backing unrest and violence linked to the protests. Official figures on casualties and detentions have not been released, while independent rights groups report significant loss of life amid the ongoing turmoil.

SOURCE : TASS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

South Korea’s Ex-President Yoon Sentenced to Five Years in Jail Over Martial Law Bid

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South Korea’s Ex-President Yoon Sentenced to Five Years in Jail Over Martial Law Bid

Seoul, South Korea — South Korea’s impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to five years in prison for abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and falsifying documents in connection with his failed bid to impose martial law in 2024.

The ruling, delivered on Friday, marks the first verdict among four separate trials stemming from Yoon’s shock declaration of emergency martial law. Although the decree was short-lived and overturned within hours, it plunged the country into political turmoil, triggering mass protests as lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly to block the move.

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In his judgment, the presiding judge said Yoon’s actions “plunged the country into political crisis” and noted that the former president had “consistently shown no remorse.”

Friday’s decision is seen as an indicator of how Yoon’s remaining trials may unfold. He faces multiple charges, ranging from abuse of power to violations of election law. The most serious allegation is insurrection, for which prosecutors have sought the death penalty. A verdict in that case is expected in February.

Around 100 of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse during the proceedings, watching the livestreamed sentencing on a large screen. Some held red banners reading, “Yoon, again! Make Korea great again,” while others shouted at the judge as the guilty verdicts were read. Several appeared subdued as the sentence was announced.

The court found Yoon guilty of using presidential bodyguards to block his arrest, failing to consult the full cabinet before declaring martial law, and drafting—then destroying—a falsified document claiming the move had been approved by the prime minister and defence minister.

“The accused had a duty to safeguard the constitution and the law, but instead turned his back on them,” the judge said.

Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison sentence in this case. Both the defence and prosecution have seven days to appeal. The sentencing, broadcast live, represents the first judicial ruling related to Yoon’s aborted martial law attempt.

The initial hearing in Yoon’s insurrection trial is scheduled for February 19, with special prosecutors pressing for capital punishment. Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of December 3, 2024, but it was revoked within hours after lawmakers voted it down.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld Yoon’s impeachment last April, formally removing him from office. He was indicted under detention in January as an alleged ringleader of the insurrection, becoming the first sitting president in the country’s history to be arrested and indicted.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Georgia Signs Agreement With French Firm to Expand Tbilisi Airport

Shasi Kumar
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Georgia Signs Agreement With French Firm to Expand Tbilisi Airport

Tbilisi, Georgia — Georgia has signed a $150 million agreement with France’s Groupe ADP to expand Tbilisi International Airport, local media reported on Thursday.

The project aims to significantly boost passenger capacity and reinforce Georgia’s position as a regional aviation hub, according to the Georgia Public Broadcaster.

Describing the agreement as a milestone for the country’s transport infrastructure, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the investment will increase the airport’s throughput, improve service quality, and provide a safer and more comfortable environment for travelers. He added that the upgrade would streamline operations and deliver a modern passenger experience in line with international standards.

Under the agreement, TAV Airports, a subsidiary of Groupe ADP, will continue managing Tbilisi International Airport until the end of 2031. This timeline coincides with plans to complete a new airport in Vaziani, east of the capital.

As part of the expansion, the airport’s terminal area will increase by around 50 percent, with both arrival and departure zones enlarged. Aircraft parking stands will rise from 58 to 65, and the apron will be expanded to accommodate higher traffic volumes and more efficient operations.

Once completed, the project is expected to double the airport’s annual capacity from 5 million to 10 million passengers.

SOURCE : GOV |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

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