China is expanding its naval activities in the Pacific Ocean by moving four warships through a strategic area called the First Island Chain. This action is part of a pattern where China's navy conducts operations that show its growing naval capabilities. Japan's Defense Ministry is monitoring these developments as they affect regional security dynamics.
Key Facts
China sent four naval ships through the Miyako Strait near Japan, entering the Philippine Sea from the East China Sea.
The First Island Chain is a defense line that extends from Japan to the Philippines and is part of a U.S. strategy to manage China's military power.
China's navy is the largest in the world in terms of ship numbers and has been passing through this line to strengthen its military reach.
The Chinese ships identified include Type 052C and Type 052D destroyers, a Type 054A frigate, and a replenishment ship.
This was the second time in a week that China's navy moved through the Miyako Strait.
China conducts long-range naval exercises, possibly leading to interactions with foreign military forces.
Japan's Defense Minister mentioned China's frequent military activities in the region and highlighted regional security concerns involving China, North Korea, and Russia.
Award-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda announced that TikTok permanently banned her account. Owda, who has 1.4 million followers and is recognized for her work from Gaza, suspects that changes in TikTok management might be the reason. Al Jazeera has contacted TikTok for clarification on the ban.
Key Facts
Bisan Owda is a Palestinian journalist known for her coverage from Gaza.
Owda's TikTok account, with 1.4 million followers, was permanently banned.
She shared her banned account news through Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
TikTok recently changed management in the US, now involving American investors.
Owda suggested remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu might be tied to TikTok's actions.
The TikTok account, still visible, noted certain posts might be unavailable due to discomfort to some users.
TikTok's new CEO mentioned changes in policy regarding what is considered hate speech.
Al Jazeera is waiting for a formal response from TikTok regarding the account ban.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Beijing following the ousting of two top Chinese military officials. The visit aims to improve relations between China and the U.K., despite recent political changes in China's military leadership. The meetings are part of a wider effort by international leaders to engage with China amid global economic and political tensions.
Key Facts
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
This was Xi's second public appearance after the removal of two senior Chinese military officials.
General Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Chief Liu Zhenli were removed and are under investigation for corruption.
Keir Starmer is the first British Prime Minister to visit China in eight years.
Starmer's visit follows those of other international leaders, including Finnish and Canadian prime ministers.
Discussions focused on re-engaging diplomatically while addressing national security and economic cooperation.
Xi commented on global tensions, warning against unilateral actions and emphasizing international law.
Tesla has reported its first-ever drop in annual revenue as it shifts focus from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence and robotics. The company plans to stop producing certain car models to focus on these new areas and has invested heavily in a new AI venture. Despite financial challenges, Tesla's stock saw a slight increase in after-hours trading.
Key Facts
Tesla's revenue fell by 3% in 2025, marking its first annual revenue drop.
Profits dropped by 61% in the last three months of 2025.
Tesla is ending production of its Model S and Model X cars to make humanoid robots.
Tesla invested $2 billion in Elon Musk's AI project called xAI.
There were more votes against than in favor of Tesla's investment in xAI during a shareholder vote.
Tesla's spending is expected to increase by about $20 billion in the next year.
The company's shares rose by about 2% in extended trading.
Tesla's shift coincides with changes in U.S. government subsidies for non-fossil fuel vehicles under President Trump.
Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, known for their roles in Marvel films, star in a new thriller called "Crime 101" where Hemsworth plays a jewel thief and Ruffalo a detective. The film marks a shift from their usual comedic work to a more dramatic setting. Halle Berry also stars in the film, playing an insurance broker involved in the heist.
Key Facts
Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo have a long-standing friendship and history of working together in Marvel films.
"Crime 101" is a thriller where Hemsworth plays a jewel thief and Ruffalo plays a detective.
The film is a departure from their typical comedic roles.
Halle Berry plays an insurance broker in the film who becomes involved in the heist.
Hemsworth and Ruffalo have wanted to work together on a non-Marvel project for years.
Halle Berry aims to challenge stereotypical roles for women of a certain age.
The film includes classic crime thriller elements like car chases and stunts.
Hemsworth performed most of the stunts without doubles to add realism.
Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have been placed on administrative leave after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a nurse, in Minneapolis. The incident has led to protests, public outcry, and calls for the removal of the Secretary of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to de-escalate tensions in the city, while debates continue over immigration policies.
Key Facts
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, was fatally shot by border agents in Minneapolis.
The agents involved in the shooting are on administrative leave during the investigation.
Public protests and calls for changes in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security followed the shooting.
President Trump has discussed reducing tensions in Minneapolis but criticized local sanctuary policies.
Conflicts have arisen over immigration laws, with local leaders opposing federal enforcement efforts.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced arrests of protesters accused of assaulting federal officers.
Representative Ilhan Omar reported an increase in threats against her following statements from President Trump.
Operation Metro Surge resulted in the arrest of over 3,000 illegal immigrants in Minnesota.
Protesters and lawmakers gathered outside a Texas facility where a child and his father are being held after being detained by immigration officers in Minnesota. The Department of Homeland Security says they entered the US illegally, while the family's lawyer claims they followed the correct procedures for seeking asylum. Lawmakers are urging for their release and visited the facility to show support.
Key Facts
A 5-year-old child named Liam Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, were taken into custody by ICE officers in Minnesota on January 20.
They were relocated to a detention center in Dilley, Texas.
Protesters and some lawmakers gathered outside the facility, with protests leading to clashes with police.
Lawmakers, including Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett, visited the detainees and spoke out against their detention.
The Department of Homeland Security says they entered the US illegally, but a family lawyer insists they sought asylum correctly.
ICE stated that the father wanted the child to remain with him and claimed the child was abandoned.
School officials and community organizers have criticized the detention and are calling for the boy's release.
Two U.S. federal agents involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti during an immigration raid in Minneapolis are on leave. President Trump and others have reacted to the shooting with a mix of condemnation and policy changes in Minneapolis.
Key Facts
Two U.S. federal agents are on administrative leave after the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
The shooting happened during an immigration raid and was caught on video.
President Trump’s administration initially tried to justify the shooting, but it has been widely criticized.
President Trump replaced a Border Patrol official involved in Minnesota with another leader.
Trump promised to "de-escalate" the situation in Minnesota but warned the Minneapolis mayor about not enforcing federal immigration laws.
Tensions are high in Minneapolis due to ongoing immigration raids, and arrests have been made related to protests.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar stated that the presence of federal officers is making community members afraid.
The UK government suggests that pupils who are suspended from school in England should stay on school premises instead of being sent home. The goal is to limit the amount of learning they miss by using on-site suspensions, except for those involving violent behavior. Schools can use internal suspensions to ensure students continue to learn and have time to reflect on their actions.
Key Facts
The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, stated that suspensions at home could lead to students spending too much time on social media and games.
The Department for Education in England wants suspensions to be short interventions with meaningful learning.
Suspending students at home increased by 21% from 2022-23 to 2023-24, with suspension rates jumping from 9.33 to 11.31 per 100 pupils.
Head teachers will determine how suspensions are applied, and serious or violent behavior will still lead to removal from school.
The new suspension measures are part of broader changes in the school system, including plans to make schools phone-free.
Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and those eligible for free school meals face higher suspension rates.
The most common reason for suspensions was "persistent disruptive behavior," accounting for over half of the cases in 2023-24.
The Department for Education plans to consult on a new framework allowing non-violent pupils to learn separately under supervision.
Jessica Pegula will face Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open women's singles semifinals on Thursday. Rybakina defeated top players to reach this stage, while Pegula is in her first Australian Open semifinal. The match will be broadcast on ESPN and available to stream live on FuboTV.
Key Facts
Jessica Pegula is ranked number six and Elena Rybakina is ranked number five in women's tennis.
The match is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 3:30 AM ET.
ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ will broadcast the match.
Fans can watch the match live on FuboTV, which offers a free trial.
Pegula recently defeated Amanda Anisimova to reach this semifinal.
Rybakina has a strong serve and recently beat Iga Świątek, the second seed.
Both players have faced each other six times, each winning three matches.
Rybakina is a former Wimbledon champion and an Australian Open finalist in 2023.
Arijit Singh, a well-known Bollywood singer, announced his retirement from taking new playback singing projects at age 38. Fans across India are expressing their admiration and gratitude for his contribution to music. Although Singh will finish his current commitments, he plans to focus on independent music projects in the future.
Key Facts
Arijit Singh announced he will stop taking new playback singing projects.
Playback singing involves recording songs that actors lip-sync to in movies.
Singh has provided vocals for many popular Bollywood songs.
His announcement was made on Instagram.
Singh plans to complete existing commitments and pursue independent projects.
He recently performed at Wembley Arena to a sold-out crowd.
He rarely seeks public attention despite his fame.
Singh's early exposure to music included learning classical singing and playing the tabla.
The roof of the Saline County Fairgrounds rodeo arena in Benton, Arkansas, fell down due to heavy snow and sleet from a winter storm. No one was hurt, but the storm caused power outages and led to multiple deaths in parts of the US. The county plans to move events and work on building a new arena for agricultural and youth programs.
Key Facts
The roof collapse happened at the Saline County Fairgrounds rodeo arena in Benton, Arkansas.
Snow and sleet from a winter storm caused the roof to fall.
Nobody was injured in the roof collapse.
The winter storm affected large areas of the US, causing deaths and power outages.
Saline County will relocate events while planning a new arena.
The new arena will focus on supporting agricultural and rodeo youth programs.
China has sent police officers to Australia to help find a man accused of pouring hot coffee on a baby in a Brisbane park. The suspect fled to China, and Australia does not have an extradition agreement with China. Chinese and Australian officials are working together to investigate the incident.
Key Facts
A nine-month-old baby was burned with hot coffee in a park in Brisbane, Australia.
The suspect is a 33-year-old man who is now in China.
China has sent a team to Australia to assist in the investigation.
Australia and China do not have an extradition agreement, complicating the suspect's return.
Chinese authorities can prosecute their citizens for crimes committed abroad.
An arrest warrant was issued for the man, who could face life imprisonment if convicted in Australia.
The baby's injuries required multiple surgeries, including skin grafts.
Over $230,000 was raised online to help with the baby's medical expenses.
The FBI searched a Georgia election office to investigate claims of voter fraud in the 2020 US election. This action involved examining records from the Fulton County Election Hub. The investigation aligns with ongoing controversies and legal cases around the 2020 election results in Georgia.
Key Facts
The FBI raided a Georgia election office on Wednesday.
The raid was for investigating allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 US election.
Agents were seen collecting materials from the Fulton County Election Hub.
Officials in Fulton County, Georgia, stated the search warrant was related to 2020 election records.
President Trump claimed he lost Georgia due to fraud, a claim not proven by evidence.
The DOJ sued Fulton County in December for election-related materials from 2020.
Georgia was a significant focus in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
President Trump asked Georgia officials to "find" votes to alter the 2020 election outcome.
The news article focuses on tensions between the United States and Iran, with President Donald Trump warning Iran to make a nuclear deal or face military action. The article also mentions that a U.S. naval armada is headed towards Iran, increasing concerns of potential conflict.
Key Facts
President Trump issued a warning to Iran about making a nuclear deal or facing military action.
Iran has stated that any attack will be considered an act of war.
A U.S. naval armada is reportedly on its way to Iran, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Reports suggest people are fleeing Tehran due to fears of an imminent attack.
Iran's foreign minister stated that the country's armed forces are prepared to respond to aggression.
Benfica's goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin scored a crucial goal in the last moments of a Champions League match against Real Madrid. His goal secured Benfica's spot in the play-offs, a victory seen as a major achievement for the team and their coach, Jose Mourinho.
Key Facts
Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoly Trubin, scored a goal during the final moments of their match against Real Madrid.
This goal was necessary for Benfica to advance in the Champions League, as they were about to be eliminated on goal difference.
Benfica's win knocked Marseille out of the play-off positions.
Jose Mourinho, coach of Benfica, recently returned to the club after a long career elsewhere.
Despite challenges, Benfica remains unbeaten in their league but is in third place, 10 points behind the leaders.
Mourinho had faced skepticism upon rejoining Benfica, partially due to his age and past successes.
Trubin's goal marked him as only the fifth goalkeeper to score in the Champions League.
Newcastle United drew 1-1 with Paris St-Germain (PSG) in a Champions League match. Newcastle came from behind to equalize and maintain their chance to advance to the next round. The match featured strong performances from several players and a controversial penalty situation.
Key Facts
Newcastle United and PSG played a Champions League match that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Newcastle came from behind to equalize after PSG initially took the lead.
The match included a controversial penalty awarded to PSG after a video review.
Newcastle goalkeeper Pope saved a penalty taken by Ousmane Dembele.
Joe Willock scored Newcastle's goal to level the match.
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe made five team changes, which paid off with a resilient team performance.
Dan Burn returned from injury and captained the team, earning man of the match.
The result kept Newcastle's hopes alive for advancing in the Champions League, pending further matches.
House Democratic leaders have told their members not to travel to Minnesota to support protests against ICE. This advice was shared in an email from a senior staffer for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Key Facts
House Democrats were advised against visiting Minnesota.
The advice relates to protests against ICE in Minnesota.
Some Democratic politicians have already traveled to Minnesota.
The email suggested members support local "Days of Action" in their home districts instead.
The reason given was to avoid burdening local resources in Minnesota.
Two staffers confirmed the email's authenticity to Axios.
Minnesota officials warned that visits could overwhelm local law enforcement.
On January 29, multiple regions in Ukraine experienced attacks from Russian forces, resulting in casualties and injuries. Ukraine also launched attacks on a Russian village and a Russian-occupied area within Ukraine. Additionally, there are discussions about military aid and negotiations related to the ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
A Russian attack on a passenger train in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region killed six people.
Six people were injured by a Russian missile attack in Ukraine’s Zaporizhia region.
Russian attacks in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region killed one man and injured two others.
A Ukrainian attack killed one person in Russia’s Belgorod region.
A Ukrainian drone strike in Enerhodar, a Russian-occupied area, resulted in one death.
French President Macron promised more military aid to Ukraine, including planes and missiles.
Switzerland plans to increase military spending from 2028 by raising sales taxes.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed ongoing negotiation issues over the Donetsk region.
Bill Belichick, known for his success as a professional football coach with the New England Patriots, stepped down from the NFL in 2024 to coach college football at the University of North Carolina. His first year as head coach ended with a disappointing season, and he faced further challenges when he was not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Key Facts
Bill Belichick left professional NFL coaching in 2024 and became the head coach at the University of North Carolina.
The New England Patriots are preparing for their 12th Super Bowl appearance.
Belichick missed being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.
He holds the record for most Super Bowl victories in NFL history with six wins.
His first season with the Tar Heels resulted in only four wins, marking a disappointing season.
Belichick has a five-year, $50 million contract with the University of North Carolina.
The college football league is generating over $1.3 billion in revenue annually.
Many speculate that Belichick's decision to coach in college is driven more by passion than money.
