Crooked Bough News Round-up

+ S Korean firefighters tackle huge blaze in last of Seoul’s ‘shanty towns’—No casualties reported as huge fire breaks out in makeshift homes on f...

+ Trump welcomes Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado in closed-door meeting—The Venezuelan opposition leader said she presented Trump with her Nob...

+ Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,422—These are the key developments from day 1,422 of Russia’s war on Ukrai...

+ Updates: Machado meets Trump, says Venezuela ‘counting’ on him for freedom—These are updates for Thursday, January 15, 2026, as Venezuelas opposi...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:28pm. Last new 1/15/26 10:28pm.

+ Australia’s new strategic reserve targets China’s rare earth grip—The federal government has unveiled new details of its plan to create ...

+ China’s J-35 could be the key to winning a Taiwan war—Chinas push to expand production of the J-35 stealth fighter reflects ...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:28pm. Last new 1/15/26 9:58pm.

+ Carney meets with China's Xi in Beijing—Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinpin...

+ B.C. and feds sign lumber understanding with China, as province looks beyond U.S.—The five-year agreement, which is not legally binding, also involves t...

+ Privacy commissioner expands probe into X after backlash over Grok's sexual deepfakes—Canada's privacy commissioner is expanding his investigation into Elon...

+ Canadian citizen has died 'at the hands of the Iranian authorities:' Anand—A Canadian citizen has died in Iran “at the hands of the Iranian autho...

+ Culture minister says hockey romance Heated Rivalry is a Cancon triumph—The Canadian TV show Heated Rivalry is winning fans all around the wor...

+ Manitoba's Leah Gazan endorses Avi Lewis to be next federal NDP leader—Manitoba NDP MP Leah Gazan is formally endorsing documentarian Avi Lew...

+ Carney's 1st day in China secures agreement on energy — but no tariff breakthrough yet—Prime Minister Mark Carney witnessed the signing of an agreement to co...

+ Denmark sets a military tripwire. It's a message to Trump more than Russia or China—On paper, this token force is being deployed to bolster the island's s...

+ Top court asked to allow challenge of decision clearing Trudeau of ethics breach in WE Charity controversy—Canada's top court heard final arguments on Thursday in a case resurfa...

+ Legault played identity politics. In the end, it wasn't enough—Quebecers' disillusionment with Legault may stem from the belief that ...

+ Quebec Premier François Legault resigns ahead of fall provincial elections

+ Quebec Premier François Legault announces resignation—Legault announced his resignation on Wednesday. The party he founded, ...

+ Carney lands in Beijing, kicking off China trade mission—Prime Minister Mark Carney has landed in Beijing, marking the first vi...

+ Saab wants Canada to buy 72 Gripens and 6 GlobalEyes to fulfil promise of 12,600 jobs—The Canadian Armed Forces would need to buy 72 Gripen fighter jets and...

+ Carney heads to Beijing to talk trade after years of diplomatic strain with China—Prime Minister Mark Carney is headed to China to try to move past year...

+ 1 arrested after anti-regime protest at Iran's empty embassy in Ottawa—Ottawa police say they arrested someone on trespassing-related charges...

+ As Carney heads to China to talk trade, Ontario premier still '100% dead against' rolling back EV tariffs—With Canada’s prime minister in China this week on a trade mission, On...

+ Scammers posing as politicians on WhatsApp offer false housing promises, MP warns—Scammers have been impersonating MPs on the messaging app WhatsApp in ...

+ NDP leadership candidate apologizes for using AI to respond to Reddit questions—Despite being concerned artificial intelligence is replacing workers, ...

+ Supreme Court Justice Sheilah Martin to retire, opening up vacancy on bench this spring—Justice Sheilah Martin is retiring from the country's highest court, o...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:28pm. Last new 1/15/26 10:28pm.

+ The Brief – Iran’s unspoken fatwa on Europe—By refusing to confront the IRGC, Europe has taught Tehran the one les...

+ EU floats fresh Iran sanctions amid protests crackdown—The EU targets around 20 individuals and 10 drone companies in Iran [C...

+ EU lawmakers urge ban on AI nudity apps after Grok scandal—Lawmakers warn the tools enable gender-based violence and child sexual...

+ Von der Leyen announces new EU security strategy for 2026—Aim is to “collect all the knowledge to acknowledge the geostrategic c...

+ German farmers slam farm subsidies payment cap—The start of the 100th Green Week exposed clashes over EU farm policy ...

+ Ever more EU electricity flowing east as Moscow targets Ukrainian power grid—Ukranians face rolling blackouts in the depths of a bitter winter [Cat...

+ Macron berates French defence industry for not delivering—For Macron, Europeans (read: the French), must now present a 'credible...

+ Commission waves through eight countries’ SAFE spending plans—A quick turnaround could allow the Commission to claim it 'set the rec...

+ EU Council unlikely to tackle Biotech Act before May—“We know that Cyprus will need to ration its resources", a lobbyist sa...

+ Luxembourg becomes first European country to issue defence bonds—Citizens and investors will now be able to contribute directly to Luxe...

+ EMA says new pharma rules will put EU back in the drug race—The drug regulator sees new opportunities to 'think out of the box' [C...

+ EXCLUSIVE: European Commission mulls tariffs on Chinese hybrid cars—The move would extend Brussels’ levies on Chinese electric vehicles [C...

+ EXCLUSIVE: EU mulls tariffs on Chinese hybrid cars—The move would extend Brussels’ levies on Chinese electric vehicles [C...

+ Plundering carbon pricing revenue could jeopardise EU’s energy transition, NGOs warn—Environmental groups warn ETS revenues are vital for national climate ...

+ EU’s wobble on carbon tax damages industry, warns Yara chief—'It is not a gift to European industries,' said the CEO of the fertili...

+ Europe’s chemical workers need decisive action—now [Promoted Content]—Europe’s chemical industry is in the middle of an industrial and socia...

+ Chinese takeover underscores crisis in Germany’s sausage sector—At the start of Green Week in Berlin, the sausage industry is taking a...

+ Greenland belongs to the EU, Macron says—European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Defence Commiss...

+ McNamara to lead AI simplification in civil liberties committee, S&D gets data—Coordinators formally decided which groups would get the lead on Thurs...

+ Paris election exposes deep divisions on the French left—The rift between the Socialists and the far left, sharpened by months ...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:38pm. Last new 1/15/26 12:09pm.

+ Kurdish opposition groups in Iran support protests, claim attacks on Tehran regime—Kurdish opposition groups in northwestern Iran have actively supported...

+ Generation Jihad | Mark Dubowitz: The regime clings to its ninth life—After military defeat abroad and at home, where the economy also has c...

+ Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: January 5–11, 2026—Israel continued military operations in Lebanon between January 5 and ...

+ US seizes more tankers, courts oil companies as post-Maduro Venezuela takes shape—In the week following Washington’s arrest of former Venezuelan leader ...

+ Tehran regime fears defections as Iran’s nationwide movement defies containment—Iran’s protest movement has now entered its third week, and the regime...

+ US military strikes Islamic State in Syria—US Central Command stated that the strikes were in “direct response to...

+ Gaza militia claims to have killed 2 members of Hamas—The Popular Forces militia claimed that it eliminated two members of H...

+ Russia uses new Oreshnik missile for second time in Ukraine—Russia reportedly used its new “Oreshnik” intermediate-range ballistic...

+ Hamas, Red Cross search for last Gaza hostage’s body, IDF reports 14 ceasefire violations from December 19 to January 8—The search resumed this week for the body of Ran Gvili, a police offic...

+ Syrian army besieges Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo following clashes—Syrian army units have surrounded the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods o...

+ Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: December 29, 2025–January 4, 2026—Israel continued military operations in Lebanon between December 29, 2...

+ Turkey’s extensive ties with Venezuela bolstered Maduro’s regime despite sanctions and criminal activity—Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan long served as a key external b...

+ Somali intelligence claims death of senior Shabaab leader—Somali authorities have announced the death of Abdullahi Osman, better...

+ United States strikes Venezuela, captures President Maduro (Updated)—On January 3, at around 2 am, the United States military began a wave ...

+ Jordan carries out airstrikes in Syria against drug smugglers—The Kingdom of Jordan conducted airstrikes targeting drug smuggling ne...

+ UAE forces to depart Yemen after Saudi demands, strikes—The United Arab Emirates announced the withdrawal of its forces from Y...

+ Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: December 22–28, 2025—Israel continued military operations in Lebanon between December 22 an...

+ Israel rotates military units in Gaza as new phase of ceasefire deal looms—In late December, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) replaced the 2nd Res...

+ US strikes Islamic State in Nigeria—President Donald Trump announced that US forces struck Islamic State t...

+ Iraqi militias divided on disarming and accepting government control—Iranian-backed militias in Iraq are reportedly considering an initiati...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:38pm. Last new 1/15/26 4:24pm.

+ A Black Teen Died Over a $12 Shoplifting Attempt. 13 Years Later, Two Men Plead Guilty in His Killing.—A judge in Milwaukee brought a 13-year quest for justice by a grieving...

+ Her Daughter Died After Taking a Generic Version of a Lifesaving Drug. This Is What She Wants You to Know.—When I first learned that a critical medication for transplant patient...

+ A Pregnant Woman at Risk of Heart Failure Couldn’t Get Urgent Treatment. She Died Waiting for an Abortion.—When Ciji Graham visited a cardiologist on Nov. 14, 2023, her heart wa...

+ After Sowing Distrust in Fluoridated Water, Kennedy and Skeptics Turn to Obstructing Other Fluoride Sources—Last year, when Utah lawmakers passed the nation’s first statewide ban...

+ A Father’s Quest for Justice Finds Resolution After 13 Years—The quest for justice dominated his life.  He gathered pol...

+ We Found More Than 40 Cases of Immigration Agents Using Banned Chokeholds and Other Moves That Can Cut Off Breathing—Immigration agents have put civilians’ lives at risk using more than t...

+ The Biggest Takeaways From Our Investigation Into Grazing on Public Lands—The federal government allows livestock grazing across an area of publ...

+ Vouchers, Patriotism and Prayer: The Trump Administration’s Plan to Remake Public Education—Linda McMahon, the nation’s secretary of education, says public school...

+ They Couldn’t Access Mental Health Care When They Needed It. Now They’re Suing Their Insurer.—In late 2024, Nimrod Shimrony, an emergency medical technician for the...

+ “We’re Too Close to the Debris”—This story works best on ProPublica’s website. Delta Airlin...

+ Our Year in Visual Journalism—Paul Windle for “Inside the AI Prompts DOGE Used to ‘Munch’ Contracts ...

+ “Step in the Right Direction”: Connecticut DMV Commissioner Calls for More Reforms to State Towing Law to Protect Drivers—Despite a slew of reforms enacted last year to rein in the practices o...

+ Trump’s EPA Could Limit Its Own Ability to Use New Science to Strengthen Air Pollution Rules—Ethylene oxide was once considered an unremarkable pollutant. The colo...

+ Her Parenting Time Was Restricted After a Positive Drug Test. By Federal Standards, It Would’ve Been Negative.—Kaitlin spent the first weeks of her newborn son’s life in a panic. Th...

+ Arizona Judges Launch Effort Seeking Quicker Resolutions to Death Penalty Cases—What happened: Judge Jennifer Green, who oversees the Maricopa Superio...

+ Trump Signs Defense Bill Prohibiting China-Based Engineers in Pentagon IT Work—President Donald Trump signed into law this month a measure that prohi...

+ Oregon Faced a Huge Obstacle in Adding Green Energy. Here’s What Changed This Year.—A few months ago, Oregon’s green energy outlook was bleak. The ...

+ 25 Investigations You May Have Missed This Year—Over the past year, ProPublica has published hundreds of investigation...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:28pm. Last new 1/15/26 8:21pm.

+ 'Significant problems': Expert warns Trump facing a 'mortal threat' that he can't outrun—A journalist who has written about Donald Trump for decades warned on ...

+ 'Is that what I said?!' CNN panel melts down over DHS art on social media—The panel on CNN's "NewsNight with Abby Phillip" melted down on Thursd...

+ 'Eye-opening': Lawyer warns key right 'sliding' away after Trump DOJ raids reporter's home—A law professor at Georgetown University Law Center warned in a new Su...

+ Infant needs CPR after feds unleash flash-bangs on family van with 6 kids inside—The father of three children who were hospitalized in Minneapolis on W...

+ 'Make 'em famous!' MAGA border czar wants 'database' of ICE protesters to ruin their lives—President Donald Trump's border security adviser Tom Homan told Fox Ne...

+ Trump's big healthcare reveal could trigger a 'death spiral': experts—After nearly a year and a half of promising "concepts of a plan," Trum...

+ WSJ editorial warns Stephen Miller's 'fondest wish' will backfire spectacularly on GOP—The Wall Street Journal's conservative editorial board pushed back on ...

+ ICE detainee's death will likely be ruled a homicide: report—The medical examiner's office of El Paso County, Texas, will likely ru...

+ 'Insanity': Trump's niece tears into RFK Jr.'s 'disturbing fixation'—Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is 'endangering lives" with his...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:38pm. Last new 1/15/26 10:38pm.

+ Congress should walk Trump's talk on arms industry stock buybacks—The Trump administration’s new executive order to curb arms industry s...

+ If done right, Trump's oil plans could benefit Venezuelans—“We’re going to run the country,” President Trump said regarding Venez...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:38pm. Last new 1/15/26 10:38pm.

+ Trump Supports New Palestinian Technocratic Government in Gaza—MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump expressed support for the...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:38pm. Last new 1/15/26 10:38pm.

+ Two wounded in drone attack on Central Russia’s Ryazan region—Governor Pavel Malkov said that 22 unmanned aerial vehicles were taken...

+ Netflix extends Russian registration of three trademarks until 2036—The registration of the trademark red ‘N’ letter, initially carried ou...

+ Trump pledges support to Palestinian technocratic government in Gaza—US president confirmed that phase two of the Gaza peace plan has begun...

+ German defense minister thinks US unlikely to seize Greenland—In Boris Pistorius's words, a US military attack on a NATO territory w...

+ US keeps all options on table regarding Iran — envoy to UN—Mike Waltz also said that "Iran says it is ready for dialogue, but its...

+ Trump said Machado showed respect by giving him her Nobel Peace Prize—US president described Venezuelan opposition member's decision as "a w...

+ Yemeni government resigns, Zindani appointed new premier—The previous cabinet will continue to perform its duties until a new o...

+ Trump describes Florida Panthers goalkeeper Bobrovsky as ‘legendary'—US president said Sergey Bobrovsky "played phenomenal hockey" and shoo...

+ Houthis monitor Israel’s activities in Somaliland, ready to attack its sites — leader—The rebels are convinced that Israel has been trying to gain a foothol...

+ Machado gives Trump her Nobel Peace Prize, Trump takes it — Fox News—US President has repeatedly stated that he considers himself worthy of...

+ Diplomat sees US decision to quit 66 global bodes as refusal to team up to solve problems—Gennady Gatilov said that "this step can hardly be viewed as something...

+ Russia has no claims for Greenland — ambassador—Vladimir Barbin recalled Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen’...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:38pm. Last new 1/15/26 10:38pm.

+ China, Canada lay foundation for new strategic partnership as Carney visits Beijing—Ottawa is seeking to diversify its non-US exports amid growing uncerta...

+ Pakistan, KSA, Turkiye draft trilateral defense agreement: Report—Israel’s indiscriminate attacks across West Asia have pushed regional ...

+ Saudi Arabia sacks final UAE-backed authority in Yemen, consolidates control of south—Saudi Arabia is consolidating its influence in Yemen after a failed UA...

+ Iran–Afghanistan Railway Corridor: Kabul turns to Eurasia as Pakistan closes its doors—As Islamabad locks down borders and Washington enforces isolation, Kab...

+ Iranian defense minister accuses US, Israel of ‘directing’ violent riots—Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh also revealed a US-Israeli ‘balkaniza...

+ Jeffrey Epstein played key role fostering UAE–Israel ties: Report—The convicted sex offender's intimate relationship with the head of th...

+ Muslim-majority nations scramble to acquire Pakistans JF-17 fighter jet—Islamabad says talks are underway with six states across Africa and We...

+ Palestinian factions discuss ‘phase two’ of Gaza truce as Israel continues indiscriminate attacks—Washington announced the second phase of the truce on Wednesday despit...

+ Danish FM says US talks did little to dissuade White House from Greenland annexation plans—NATO states are considering expanded Arctic military measures as Washi...

+ Washington deploys aircraft carrier to West Asia as Iran tensions simmer—The US has withdrawn some personnel from the region, after Iran vowed ...

+ Washington suspends visa processing for 75 nations—The sweeping ban targets adversaries and allies alike, including natio...

+ Armed Kurdish groups dispatched from Iraq to join Iran riots: Report—Kurdish separatist militias played a key role in the anti-Iran riots o...

+ The UAEs exit from Yemen and its strategic push into Africa—With its Yemen venture faltering under Saudi pressure and local resist...

+ Founders of deadly GHF ‘shaping’ new US-backed administration for Gaza: Report—Netanyahu’s top military advisor is among those central to the new exe...

+ Electronic Intifada founder files criminal complaint against Switzerlands former police chief—Abunimah was arbitrarily arrested and deported from Zurich last year w...

+ China orders domestic firms to stop using US, Israeli cybersecurity software citing national security concerns: Report—The step aligns with a broader strategic push by Beijing to insulate c...

+ Israel–Syria security pact stumbles as Tel Aviv rejects withdrawal: Report—Hebrew media says Tel Aviv has rejected a Russian military presence in...

+ Israeli, Arab officials urge Trump to ‘hold back’ on striking Iran: Report—Tel Aviv is said to have suggested that the US carry out cyberattacks,...

+ Knesset advances bill mandating death by hanging for Palestinian prisoners—The legislation would allow limited public transparency while granting...

+ Iranian intelligence seizes US-made weapons, explosives smuggled by western-backed rioters—Tehran has been cracking down on US-backed efforts to employ Starlink ...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:38pm. Last new 1/15/26 12:09pm.

+ Seoul lawmaker Seo Young-kyo enters mayoral race in ruling party—Seo Young-kyo, a lawmaker from S. Korea's Democratic Party, announced ...

+ Korea deficit seen topping 111T won as spending outpaces tax—S. Korea's managed fiscal balance posted a deficit of about $61.0 bn t...

+ Chung urges diplomacy to spur North Korea-U.S. talks—Unification Minister called for "proactive and creative" diplomacy to ...

+ Unification Ministry seeks control of research institute, staff wary—S. Korea's Ministry of Unification announced draft legislation to brin...

+ LG AI Research leads Korea AI model review; Naver Cloud out—South Korea released first-stage evaluation results for its "independe...

+ U.S. Treasury warns won volatility out of line with Korea fundamentals—The U.S. Treasury Department said this week that the sharp depreciatio...

+ U.S. billionaire backs first binational park between Uruguay, Argentina—U.S. philanthropist Gilbert Butler has financed purchase and donation ...

+ Argentina lists Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist entities—Argentina's president said the government has designated branches of t...

+ Iran says it won't execute protester Efran Soltani—Iran's judiciary has denied reports that it planned to execute protest...

+ Chile stock market posts region’s best performance in 2025—Chile's stock market delivered its strongest performance in 32 years i...

+ Venezuela claims drug trafficking logistics routes dismantled—The Venezuelan government said it dismantled the country's main drug t...

+ European countries begin sending troops to Greenland—Several European countries have sent troops to Greenland after Wednesd...

+ Two people killed in Thailand in second crane collapse in as many days—A crane collapsed on an expressway in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday killi...

+ Russia ejects diplomat it says was spying for British intelligence—Russia's Foreign Ministry expelled a British diplomat from the country...

+ U.K. Palestine Action protesters end hunger strike over government contract—An MOD decision not to use a Israeli defense contractor was cited as o...

+ Asia’s foreign press clubs recalibrate amid regional political changes—Media correspondent clubs in Asia, storied institutions once synonymou...

+ BOK again holds key rate steady amid weak won, hints at prolonged pause—South Korea's central bank again left its benchmark interest rate unch...

+ 75% of registered S. Koreans separated from family in North have died, gov't says—More than three-quarters of South Koreans registered as members of fam...

+ South Korea adds 193,000 jobs in 2025 as youth, key sectors slump—S. Korea added 193,000 employed in 2025, but jobs in construction and ...

+ DPK lawmaker calls Han expulsion a late-night move to limit backlash—Lee Eon-joo, a senior member of Democratic Party of Korea's supreme co...

show more ...

see all...

As of 1/15/26 10:38pm. Last new 1/15/26 6:51pm.