U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not to intervene in protests taking place in Democrat-controlled cities unless those cities formally request federal assistance. The order followed nationwide demonstrations that erupted after two Americans were killed in Minneapolis during an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Trump issued the directive on Saturday and announced it through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

According to the statement, Trump instructed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure that federal agencies refrain from intervening in local protests unless asked for help. However, he clarified that ICE and Border Patrol officers would continue protecting federal buildings. Trump also warned that any attacks on federal officers, vehicles, or property would face serious consequences, emphasizing that federal courts and facilities must not be harmed.

The directive highlights Trump’s stance on limiting federal involvement in local unrest while maintaining strict protection of federal assets and personnel.

In early January, the United States conducted a special operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, who is now facing trial in a US court. During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the operation, describing it as lawful and strategically necessary. Rubio argued that the mission did not constitute an act of war under the US Constitution and that Maduro’s continued rule posed a major strategic risk to the United States.

Several senators, including Republican Rand Paul, opposed the operation. Paul questioned what the US response would be if a similar action were taken against an American president, such as Donald Trump, and whether such an act would be considered a declaration of war. He asserted that if a foreign power abducted a US president, he would support war despite being anti-war.

The exchange between Rubio and Paul highlighted growing divisions within Congress over the use of military force and regime-change strategies abroad, reflecting deepening debate on the limits of executive power in foreign interventions.

US President Donald Trump said Washington has not shared its plans on the Iran issue with Gulf allies. Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, he stated that the United States cannot disclose its strategy. Trump added that Iran is in communication with the US, and the outcome of those talks remains uncertain.

His remarks were later posted on the social media platform X, where he revealed that Washington is sending a “massive naval fleet” toward the region. According to Trump, this deployment is larger than the force sent before a previous US military operation in Venezuela, during which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained.

Trump acknowledged that discussions with Tehran are ongoing but said it is unclear what results they will yield. He recalled that during earlier talks, Iran’s nuclear program had to be halted by the US, but that effort was unsuccessful, prompting alternative measures.

The United States federal government has entered a shutdown for the second time in three months due to complications in passing a funding bill. According to AFP, the proposed spending package for various government sectors failed to receive final approval before the deadline. The bill passed the Senate but did not reach the House of Representatives by midnight Saturday, triggering the shutdown.

The political standoff comes amid heightened tensions following the death of a U.S. citizen, Alex Pretty, during an anti-immigration operation in Minnesota. President Donald Trump, in his second term since January 2025, had signed executive orders intensifying immigration crackdowns and increasing the Homeland Security budget, moves strongly opposed by Democrats. Republicans hold a majority in the Senate, while Democrats control the House, where opposition leader Chuck Schumer warned against approving the bill without budget revisions.

Political analysts cited in the report suggest that a bipartisan compromise could be reached within the week, potentially ending the shutdown by next week.

The US Department of Justice has released millions of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking the largest public disclosure by the government on the case. The release includes about three million pages, 180,000 photos, and 2,000 videos, coming six weeks after the expiration of a law signed by President Donald Trump. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the publication completed a long verification process to ensure transparency and compliance with the law.

The documents mention Donald Trump hundreds of times, including unverified allegations collected by the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center. The Justice Department stated that some of these claims were false and politically motivated, submitted before the 2020 election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, and no victims have accused him of offenses. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was also named in the files, with his spokesperson dismissing related claims as “completely false.”

The release also includes emails between Epstein and British figures, including one believed to be Prince Andrew, though no criminal conduct was indicated. Democrats have alleged that around 250,000 documents remain withheld without justification, despite the Justice Department’s claim that its review process is complete.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran is likely to pursue a negotiated agreement rather than face potential American military action. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that he believes Iran wants a deal and confirmed he has set a timeline for talks, though he declined to share details. He also mentioned the presence of a large U.S. naval flotilla moving toward Iranian waters and expressed hope that an agreement could be reached.

According to AFP, Tehran has warned that its nuclear and missile programs will never be subjects of negotiation. Trump further noted that he had learned Iran recently decided not to execute protesters, a move human rights groups suggested could indicate Tehran’s willingness to engage in dialogue after reports of thousands of deaths during unrest.

The remarks come as both nations maintain a tense standoff, with U.S. military deployments signaling pressure and Iran signaling limits on what it is willing to discuss.

The United States has approved major arms sales worth several billion dollars to both Israel and Saudi Arabia, citing heightened tensions surrounding Iran in the Middle East. Washington announced the decision on Friday. According to the US State Department, the deal with Israel includes 30 Apache attack helicopters valued at $3.8 billion, along with $1.8 billion in joint light tactical vehicles. The approval came shortly after a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The State Department reaffirmed that ensuring Israel’s security remains closely tied to US national interests.

In a separate agreement, the US also authorized the sale of about $9 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia, including 730 Patriot missiles designed to intercept aerial attacks. The move follows last year’s Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and widespread protests in Iran that led to heavy casualties. While Saudi Arabia is not a close ally of Iran, it has maintained a cautious stance to avoid direct conflict. Gulf nations fear that escalating instability could harm their business-friendly image.

Efforts by Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel have stalled amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Palestinian territories.

Hundreds of US military members, civilians, and their families have filed a civil lawsuit in a federal court in eastern Virginia against British American Tobacco (BAT) and one of its subsidiaries. The plaintiffs allege that BAT secretly supported North Korea for years, indirectly financing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah in developing weapons of mass destruction that caused harm to American citizens.

According to the complaint, BAT began producing cigarettes in North Korea in 2001 through a joint venture with a state-owned company. Although the firm announced its withdrawal in 2007 under international pressure, the US Department of Justice later said operations continued covertly through a subsidiary. A 2005 Guardian investigation first exposed the activity, and in 2023 a US Senate hearing revealed that about $418 million in transactions linked to BAT’s North Korea venture supported the country’s weapons program.

In 2023, BAT and its subsidiary reached a plea agreement with US authorities, admitting to sanctions violations and bank fraud, and agreed to pay $629 million in fines. The lawsuit claims funds from cigarette production and smuggling were used to aid attacks in Iraq and Kurdistan that killed and injured US personnel.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order initiating the process of imposing additional tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. The order, reported by TRT World, does not specify the tariff rates or identify the targeted countries, leaving those decisions to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. According to U.S. authorities, the move aims to pressure Cuba and protect American national security and foreign policy interests.

The executive order grants Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio the authority to take all necessary steps to implement the tariffs. It also allows Trump to refrain from imposing measures if Cuba or oil-supplying nations take actions consistent with U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.

Cuba, under U.S. sanctions since 1962, has relied heavily on oil imports from Venezuela. The report notes that the United States has effectively taken control of Venezuela’s oil exports after removing Havana’s key ally, Nicolás Maduro.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that military action against Iran might not be necessary, indicating a preference for renewed diplomatic engagement. Speaking on Thursday at the launch of a documentary, he stated that he plans further discussions with Tehran over a potential nuclear agreement. Trump noted that U.S. military forces are currently moving toward Iran but expressed hope that they would not need to be used.

In his remarks, Trump emphasized that he had strengthened U.S. military power during his first term and reiterated his willingness to negotiate with Iran again. He urged Tehran to reach a nuclear deal quickly and warned that any future attack would be far more severe. The comments come amid heightened tensions following a 12-day war between Israel and Tehran, during which the United States reportedly bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Trump’s statements suggest a dual approach of military readiness and diplomatic outreach, leaving open the possibility of de-escalation if talks progress toward a new nuclear accord.

Israeli and Saudi defense and intelligence officials are visiting the United States this week to discuss issues related to Iran, amid growing concern over recent U.S. attacks on Iranian targets. According to Axios, citing two U.S. officials, Israel’s military intelligence chief, General Shlomi Binder, held several high-level meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday with senior leaders at the Pentagon, CIA, and White House. The main purpose of his visit was to provide information on potential Iranian attack targets at the request of the Trump administration.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is also in Washington for meetings on Thursday and Friday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Pentagon officials. The Saudi Defense Ministry said the delegation aims to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and resolving regional issues through diplomatic means. Saudi Arabia, which has been mediating messages between Washington and Tehran, reiterated that it would not allow the U.S. to use its airspace for attacks on Iran.

The visits come as tensions remain high following U.S. bombings of three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Tehran in June.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that the US military is prepared to implement any decision by President Donald Trump to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting on Thursday, Hegseth emphasized that it would be wrong for Iran to pursue nuclear power and that the Defense Department stands ready to fulfill the president’s expectations.

According to the report, the United States has already deployed significant military strength in the Middle East. US officials said Trump is reviewing his options but has not decided to launch an attack on Iran. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following Iran’s recent crackdown on anti-government protests, which resulted in numerous casualties.

The developments underscore growing regional instability as both nations maintain a cautious stance. The Pentagon’s readiness signals that the situation could escalate further if diplomatic efforts fail to ease tensions.

The United States cricket team suffered a major setback ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup as star player Aaron Jones was temporarily suspended from all forms of cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on January 28, 2026, that Jones faces five charges related to corruption and improper conduct. Most of the allegations stem from the 2023–24 Bim10 tournament held in Barbados under Cricket West Indies (CWI), while two charges involve international matches under ICC jurisdiction.

According to CWI, Jones allegedly attempted to influence match outcomes during specific moments of the tournament and failed to report suspicious approaches to authorities. The ICC stated that the American batter faces serious accusations, including concealing information about corrupt proposals and obstructing investigations by hiding or altering evidence. The case is part of a broader inquiry that may implicate additional individuals.

Jones has until February 11, 2026, to present his defense. Until the case is resolved, he remains barred from participating in any cricket activities. The 31-year-old has played 100 international matches for the United States and is a familiar face in T20 leagues.

The United States has decided to return a recently seized oil tanker to Venezuela, according to two unnamed U.S. officials who confirmed the decision on Wednesday, as reported by Reuters. The vessel, identified as MT Sophia, is a Panama-flagged supertanker. No official explanation has yet been provided for why the U.S. is returning the ship.

Over the past several months, the United States has conducted operations targeting oil tankers linked to Venezuela. Since late last year, at least seven such vessels have been seized. MT Sophia was captured on January 7 this year during a joint operation by the U.S. Coast Guard and military while it was carrying oil. At that time, U.S. authorities described it as a “stateless and sanctioned dark fleet tanker.” It remains unclear whether the tanker currently contains oil.

Neither the U.S. Coast Guard nor Venezuela’s communications ministry has issued any immediate comment regarding the decision or the vessel’s current status.

France has advised its citizens to avoid downtown Minneapolis, citing risks of major protests against the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies. The French Foreign Ministry said local authorities have urged residents to stay away from central areas and avoid gatherings. The advisory, first issued on January 24, remains in effect, according to Newsweek.

Germany and Ireland have issued similar warnings. Germany’s advisory noted that enforcement of Trump’s immigration policies has created public order risks in Minneapolis and other cities, sometimes leading to violent clashes between protesters and security forces. Ireland’s Foreign Ministry, in an update on January 15, urged caution for Irish citizens traveling to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.

The alerts follow an incident on January 27, when U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was attacked during a speech in Minneapolis after criticizing Trump’s immigration policies. Omar was unharmed and continued her address, later describing herself as a survivor. The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attack as a result of racist and Islamophobic incitement.