Trump says he's considering a 10% tariff on China beginning as soon as Feb. 1

A van crashed into the Junior Junction Child Care centre in Kumeū, West Auckland overnight, injuring one person. The incident occurred around 9 pm on Access Rd, with images showing the black van embedded in the building and debris scattered near children's swings. An ambulance and rapid response unit were dispatched to the scene, and the injured individual was taken to North Shore Hospital in moderate condition. Full Article

Washington — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's significant personnel cuts to the Pentagon's Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) have halted all operations and jeopardized funding for the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), which provides crucial support. The cuts, reducing the DOT&E staff from 118 to 30, were deemed necessary for saving over $300 million annually but raised concerns about the office's ability to fulfill its oversight obligations for over 230 weapon...

Botswana's main diamond company, Debswana, has paused production at some mines due to a prolonged downturn in global demand, with sales revenue dropping by nearly 50% last year. The company plans to reduce output to 15 million carats in 2024, a 40% decrease, while temporarily closing its Jwaneng and Orapa mines for three months to achieve cost savings. Despite the challenges, Debswana has stated there will be no involuntary job cuts, although voluntary redundancy options...

President Donald Trump has publicly distanced himself from Elon Musk, calling him a man who has "lost his mind" and expressing disinterest in speaking with him following a heated exchange. The feud escalated when Trump suggested Musk suffers from "Trump derangement syndrome" due to opposition to a bill affecting electric vehicle tax credits. While Trump appeared more bummed than angry over the fallout, Musk's father advised him to let the conflict die down, asserting that...

Emerging research indicates that wildfire smoke not only affects the heart and lungs but may also impair brain function, leading to cognitive decline and increased mental health issues. Fine particulate matter can travel over 1,000 kilometers, causing health risks even for those not near the fires, with symptoms ranging from respiratory problems to anxiety and PTSD, particularly among vulnerable populations. Experts warn that the toxic nature of wildfire smoke, combined with environmental factors, poses significant...

Hossein Shanbehzadeh, an Iranian arrested for allegedly being an Israeli spy, confessed under duress after threats against his 6-year-old niece during interrogation, which included torture. Despite his calm surrender, he was beaten and coerced to provide his mobile password, leading to a 12-year prison sentence on charges of espionage and propaganda against the regime, which his family disputes as fabricated. His case, dubbed "Prisoner of the Dot" due to social media interactions, has gained attention...