Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Muslim lawmaker from Minnesota, was attacked during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday night, January 27, while criticizing former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and the role of the Department of Homeland Security. According to eyewitnesses, an unidentified man approached the stage and sprayed a clear liquid toward Omar’s podium before being detained by security. Omar was shaken but unharmed and resumed her speech shortly afterward, declaring she would not be silenced.

Following the incident, Omar posted on social media platform X that she was safe and that such provocations would not deter her from fulfilling her duties. Minneapolis police later arrested a 55-year-old man identified as Anthony James Kazmierczak in connection with the attack.

Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemned the assault, saying such attacks have become disturbingly frequent, while the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) described it as a result of racist and Islamophobic incitement. Omar, of Somali descent, has long been a vocal critic of Trump, who has previously used inflammatory language against her and the Somali community.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Cuba will soon collapse, citing the loss of economic and energy assistance from Venezuela. Speaking to reporters in Iowa on Tuesday, Trump described Cuba as a nation on the brink of failure, noting that it no longer receives oil supplies from Venezuela. His remarks were reported by the Anadolu news agency.

The comments came shortly after a U.S. military operation removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power on January 3. Following the operation, interim leader Rodríguez took charge in Venezuela. Trump warned that if Rodríguez’s government fails to meet Washington’s conditions, it could face the same fate as Maduro’s administration. Among those conditions is granting the United States access to Venezuela’s vast oil resources.

Trump’s statement links Cuba’s potential collapse to the disruption of oil supplies from Caracas, highlighting the geopolitical consequences of recent U.S. actions in Venezuela.

The Australian government has cancelled the visa of Israeli influencer Sammi Yahud after he faced accusations of promoting anti-Islamic propaganda. Authorities acted following his social media post describing Islam as a 'hateful ideology'. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that individuals spreading hate and division are not welcome in Australia and that visitors should come with the right intentions.

The decision was made under Australia’s hate crime laws, which were strengthened after the December 14 massacre during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach. The conservative Australian Jewish Association condemned the move, saying it had invited Yahud to speak. The report also noted that far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman’s visa had been cancelled last year under similar circumstances.

The case highlights Australia’s stricter enforcement of hate speech laws following recent violent incidents and its stance on preventing divisive figures from entering the country.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has made multiple attempts to contact Washington to discuss possible negotiations, even as the United States strengthens its military presence in the Middle East. In an interview with Axios on Monday, Trump said a large US naval fleet is stationed near Iran and described the situation as uncertain and changing. He asserted that Tehran wants to make a deal and has called several times to initiate talks.

The United States has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the region, according to the US Central Command, which stated that the move aims to reinforce regional security and stability. The developments come amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran, following widespread anti-government protests in Iran last month triggered by economic hardship and the sharp fall of the Iranian rial.

Iranian officials have accused the United States and Israel of supporting armed rioters during the unrest and warned that any US attack would be met with a swift and comprehensive response.

The United States military confirmed on Monday that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying warships have arrived in the Middle East, strengthening the country’s military presence and capabilities in the region. The deployment was ordered amid Iran’s harsh crackdown on widespread protests that began in late December over economic grievances and later turned into a major anti-government movement.

President Donald Trump initially considered but later withdrew a decision for direct military action against Iran, while maintaining that all options remain open. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on X that the carrier strike group was deployed to reinforce regional security and stability. Trump told Axios that a powerful US naval fleet is positioned close to Iran and claimed Tehran has shown interest in dialogue. A senior US official also said Washington is ready to engage if Iran reaches out.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned against US interference, asserting confidence in Iran’s own capabilities and saying that such military displays cannot weaken the nation’s resolve.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an increase in tariffs on imports from South Korea, raising the rate from 15 percent to 25 percent. He stated that South Korea failed to properly implement the terms of a bilateral trade agreement, prompting this decision. The announcement was made Monday through a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, where he said the measure targets cars, wood, pharmaceuticals, and other goods.

It remains unclear whether the new tariff has taken immediate effect, as no confirmation was available. CNN reportedly contacted the White House for comment but received no response. South Korea is one of the largest exporters to the United States, with exports worth about 132 billion dollars in 2024, including cars, auto parts, semiconductors, and electronics. Analysts fear the new tariffs could raise prices of these products in the U.S. market.

Trump’s authority to impose broad tariffs on multiple countries is currently under legal scrutiny in the U.S. Supreme Court. A ruling against the administration could limit his ability to unilaterally alter import tariffs in the future.

A powerful snowstorm has caused widespread disruption across the United States, leaving at least 30 people dead and millions without electricity. The storm has led to the cancellation of thousands of flights and prompted weather-related emergency declarations in at least 25 states, according to the Associated Press. The extreme cold and heavy snowfall have affected areas from New York and Massachusetts in the northeast to Texas and North Carolina in the south.

Snowfall reached up to 18 inches in some regions, with temperatures dropping to minus 18 degrees Celsius. The storm directly impacted about 118 million people, while more than 150 million were advised to remain cautious. New York reported the highest number of fatalities, with five deaths. Governor Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard in New York City, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to assist those in need. Deaths were also reported in Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Massachusetts, and Kansas.

The U.S. National Weather Service said the storm’s main system was moving toward the Atlantic Ocean but warned that new Arctic air could bring more snow and rain to the northeast in the coming days.

A powerful snowstorm has paralyzed large parts of the United States, leaving at least 10 people dead and causing widespread disruption from Texas to New England. The storm forced the closure of schools and roads nationwide, canceled thousands of flights, and left millions without electricity. The U.S. National Weather Service said conditions were unlikely to improve before Monday morning and urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.

According to reports, two people in Louisiana died from hypothermia, while one person died in Texas. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said five deaths occurred over the weekend, though it was unclear if they were weather-related. Major U.S. media outlets, citing the National Weather Service, reported that heavy snow covered most of 15 states, including Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee. Freezing rain also hit the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic states, placing about 185 million people under winter weather alerts.

Airlines canceled around 11,000 flights scheduled for Sunday, and more than 900,000 customers lost power, including 250,000 in Tennessee.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the United States could impose 100 percent tariffs on all goods imported from Canada if Ottawa finalizes its new trade agreement with China. He issued the warning on Sunday, reinforcing a similar threat made a day earlier by President Donald Trump. Speaking on ABC’s ‘This Week,’ Bessent said Washington would not allow Canada to become a gateway for cheap Chinese products entering the US market.

The warning follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s January 16 announcement in Beijing of a “new strategic partnership” and preliminary trade deal with China. Under the agreement, China would reduce tariffs on Canadian canola oil from 84 percent to about 15 percent by March 1 and grant visa-free entry to Canadian citizens. In return, Canada would import 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at new tariff rates. The deal comes amid rising trade tensions between the US and Canada, as the Trump administration has imposed tariffs on various imports.

President Trump also commented on social media, claiming China was taking over Canada and expressing dismay at the development.

Former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have expressed deep concern over the killing of American citizen Alex Pretty by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis. They described the incident as a wake-up call to defend the nation’s core values and urged citizens to speak out. Pretty, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot during a scuffle on Saturday, just weeks after another local resident, Renny Good, was killed in a separate shooting.

The Trump administration claimed Pretty tried to harm federal agents and was armed, but verified social media footage showed he did not draw a weapon before being shot within seconds of being pinned down. President Donald Trump blamed Minnesota’s Democratic leadership for the unrest, while Pretty’s parents denounced the administration’s account as a “vile falsehood.” Protests erupted in Minneapolis on Sunday, with demonstrators chanting against ICE.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche called for a full investigation, and Republican senators urged cooperation with local authorities. The incident occurred amid “Operation Metro Surge,” which deployed thousands of ICE agents in the Democrat-led city, sparking growing voter dissatisfaction, according to recent polls.

Large protests broke out in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Alex Pretty during a federal immigration enforcement operation. Governor Tim Walz renewed his call for President Donald Trump to withdraw federal agents from the state, describing the moment as a turning point. Demonstrators gathered in the city center, chanting against federal immigration officers and vowing to continue until the agents leave. Vehicles passing by honked in support of the protesters.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections rejected claims by federal officials that the operation targeted a man with a criminal record, saying the individual had no connection to state custody or convictions. Border Patrol Commander Graig Bovino stated that all agents involved remain on duty but have been relocated for safety. President Trump, in a social media post and later in an interview, praised the agents’ work and hinted they would eventually leave Minneapolis, though he gave no timeline.

The University of Minnesota expressed sorrow over Pretty’s death, calling it a painful time for the community and offering condolences to his family and loved ones.

A man named Alex Pretty was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Saturday. The Trump administration claimed Pretty, a nurse, was armed and had threatened to kill federal officers. However, videos recorded by witnesses show a different account. In the footage, Pretty appears to be holding a mobile phone, not a gun, when agents tackled him to the ground. The Department of Homeland Security later released a photo of a gun, which President Donald Trump identified online as belonging to Pretty.

The Guardian reviewed several videos of the incident and found inconsistencies between the footage and official statements. While Pretty had a legal permit to own a firearm, it remains unclear whether he had one during the confrontation. Witnesses said he was filming the agents when they surrounded and assaulted him before one agent shot him at close range. The videos show agents killing a man who was recording their actions.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz urged President Trump to withdraw federal agents from the state, criticizing their conduct and warning against further violence.

A powerful snowstorm has struck across the United States, leaving at least three people dead and causing widespread disruption. As of Sunday afternoon local time, around 900,000 customers were without electricity, and more than 10,000 flights had been canceled nationwide, according to a BBC report. The National Weather Service said adverse conditions extended from Texas to New England, forcing the closure of schools and roads across multiple states.

Two people in Louisiana reportedly died from hypothermia, while another fatality occurred in Texas. The storm brought heavy snowfall, sleet, and freezing rain that could persist for several days, potentially affecting more than half of the country’s population. Meteorologist Allison Santorelli from the National Weather Service told CBS News that melting would be slow, hindering snow removal efforts.

Authorities warned that the hazardous weather could continue to disrupt transportation and power services in the coming days as cleanup operations face delays due to persistent cold and ice.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump for comments that appeared to downplay the role of NATO troops in Afghanistan. In a television interview on Sunday, Albanese said Trump’s remarks were unacceptable, adding that even though Trump later acknowledged allied contributions, the damage from his earlier statement remained.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Australian forces joined NATO operations in Afghanistan, where 47 Australian soldiers were killed and more than 260 injured. Last week, Trump claimed that U.S. allies sent some troops but were not on the front lines. Albanese said such comments deeply hurt the families of fallen soldiers and emphasized that the bravery and sacrifice of 40,000 Australians who served in Afghanistan deserved the highest respect.

Trump’s earlier interview with Fox News also drew anger from several NATO allies, including Poland, Norway, Denmark, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Under pressure, Trump later praised British troops on his social media platform. Australia withdrew its troops from Afghanistan in 2021.

Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta has dismissed Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of senior Iranian official Ali Larijani. The student-run newspaper Emory Wheel reported on Saturday that Dean Sandra Wong confirmed the decision in an email to faculty on January 24, stating that the physician, known as the daughter of a high-ranking Iranian government figure, is no longer employed by the university.

The report said the decision followed protests by Iranian-American demonstrators outside Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute opposing her appointment, amid ongoing unrest in Iran. Before her departure, Ardeshir-Larijani served as an assistant professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology. Her faculty and healthcare web pages have since been removed.

Andrea Clement, associate director of public relations at the Winship Cancer Institute, described the matter as personnel-related and emphasized that Emory remains committed to patient care, research, and education in compliance with state and federal laws. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was sanctioned by the United States on January 15 for his alleged role in suppressing peaceful protests in Iran.