U.S. 🇺🇸 / Mexico 🇲🇽: The Financial Times published a report alleging that Hugo Chávez sent funds to Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s 2006 presidential campaign—claims denied by both men. The issue emerges amid U.S. investigations into alleged links between Venezuela and Mexican drug cartels.

Israel is expected to press the United States to ensure that any deal with Iran requires Tehran to surrender its enriched uranium stockpile and fully dismantle its ballistic missile program, an Israeli official told CNN.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the government has reasserted its authority over decisions of war and peace, stressing a major shift in control in southern Lebanon. “For the first time since 1969, the Lebanese state — through the army and the armed forces — has full operational control over the south of the country,” Salam said. Addressing comments by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem about supporting Iran, Salam was unequivocal: “That will not be allowed at all. We will not permit anyone to drag Lebanon into a new adventure. We have had enough.” He added that Lebanon had already paid a devastating price for past conflicts. “We entered what was called the ‘Gaza support war,’ and the cost to Lebanon was not just high — it was extremely, extremely high. No one is prepared to expose the country to that kind of adventure again.” View quoted note →

Lebanon’s prime minister issued a stark warning to Hezbollah leader Qassem, cautioning him against pulling the country into another conflict if the United States strikes Iran. “No one is allowed to drag Lebanon into a new adventure,” the prime minister said. “We have had enough of adventures. We entered one called the ‘war in support of Gaza,’ and the price Lebanon paid was extremely heavy. No one is willing to see the country dragged into that kind of adventure again.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Asharq Al-Awsat that Turkey is prepared to help advance peace in Gaza, including potential military involvement if conditions allow. “Turkey is ready to contribute to the peace process in Gaza, including military participation if necessary, once the appropriate conditions are in place,” Erdoğan said. “The solution lies in establishing a peace plan built on the right conditions, authority, and objectives.” He added that Turkey’s role would be to support a genuine resolution that secures a lasting ceasefire, ensures the full delivery of humanitarian aid, facilitates reconstruction, and leads to a fair political settlement. Erdoğan also warned that the main barrier to progressing to the next phase of the process is the “fragility of the ceasefire.”

Reminder — President Trump, Jan. 13: President Trump urged Iranians to continue protesting, encouraging them to take control of their institutions if possible and to document the identities of those responsible for abuse and violence. He said Iranians were being “very badly abused” and noted conflicting reports about the number of deaths, adding that even one death was too many. Trump stated that those responsible would “pay a very big price” and announced he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters stops. He also highlighted new tariffs on anyone doing business with Iran, saying they had gone into effect that day. He concluded by saying “help is on its way,” calling on Iranians to “make Iran great again,” describing the country as great before being taken over by what he called “monsters.” Trump added that similar instability could have happened in the United States if he had not won the election.

Hamas accused Israeli forces of committing what it described as serious abuses against Palestinians returning to Gaza via the Rafah Border Crossing, calling the actions “fascist crimes” intended to intimidate people and deter them from returning home. In a statement, Hamas alleged that Palestinians—particularly women and children—have faced mistreatment, abuse, and deliberate extortion by Israeli forces, characterizing the conduct as collective punishment and organized intimidation. The group cited what it called firsthand accounts describing degrading treatment, including the temporary detention of women, blindfolding, prolonged interrogations over unrelated matters, threats involving their children, and attempts to coerce cooperation. Hamas said these actions go beyond routine border procedures and amount to systematic violations aimed at spreading fear. The group called on international human rights organizations to document the alleged abuses and pursue legal action in international and national courts to hold Israeli officials accountable. Hamas also urged ceasefire mediators and guarantor states to intervene immediately, halt what it described as unlawful practices, and ensure the Rafah crossing is fully opened without restrictions, with safe and free passage for travelers in line with the ceasefire agreement’s provisions.

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet in Istanbul on Friday to discuss a potential nuclear deal aimed at averting an imminent U.S. military strike, according to two regional officials involved in the effort who spoke to The Washington Post. The talks are also expected to include the foreign ministers of Turkey, Qatar and Egypt, along with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Pakistan. Two regional officials said Washington’s Arab and Turkish partners are pushing to keep the negotiations narrowly focused on Iran’s nuclear program in an effort to secure Tehran’s agreement. “If the talks happen, they will remain centered on Iran’s nuclear program,” one official said. “After that, we’ll look for creative ways to address Washington’s non-nuclear demands.”

Overnight airlift activity has been observed departing Biggs Army Airfield at Fort Bliss, home to U.S. Army Patriot air and missile defense units, with additional flights continuing from Japan toward the Middle East. Tracked departures include 34 flights from Fort Hood, six from Kadena Air Base, and four from Fort Bliss. Destinations have included Muwaffaq Al Salti Air Base in Jordan (13 flights), Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia (8), Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait (8), and single flights to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Isa Air Base in Bahrain. This scale of air defense deployment strongly suggests preparations for significant Iranian retaliation. These transfer flights have been ongoing for two to three weeks, a timeline consistent with planning for sustained retaliatory strikes and the establishment of layered defensive coverage. If planners are preparing for retaliation on this level, it also implies expectations of a major strike against Iran. The United States is not merely posturing to defend Israel, but is moving to protect its own forces, bases, and Gulf partners across the region.

The energy ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald J. Trump between Russia and Ukraine collapsed overnight, as Russia launched a large-scale, hours-long drone and missile assault on Monday targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The attack struck energy infrastructure, including power plants and substations, as well as several high-rise residential buildings in Kyiv and elsewhere across the country, while Russia continued firing drones along with cruise and ballistic missiles. Trilateral talks between Russia and Ukraine had been scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi, but Monday night’s assault could now jeopardize the negotiations organized by the Trump administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to arrive in Israel tomorrow for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, according to two senior Israeli officials cited by The Times of Israel. The meetings are expected to take place ahead of possible talks later this week in Turkey between senior officials from Iran and the United States.

Someone has created a complete replica of Jeffrey Epstein’s Google account. It’s not just a file dump — it’s an actual replica of his Google email, photos, flights, and Drive. It even includes “Gemini,” an AI that helps you explore the files.

Iran International reports it has obtained video footage from the evening of Friday, January 9 (19 Dey), showing protests in Karaj. The video captures residents shouting from inside their homes as security forces fire repeated gunshots at demonstrators, with voices heard yelling: “Don’t shoot, you dishonorable bastard.”

During his acceptance speech for Best Música Urbana Album at the #GRAMMYs, Bad Bunny said: “Before I thank God, I want to say this first: ICE out.”

Lt. Gen. Jason Armagost, deputy commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, said the U.S. operation known as “Midnight Hammer” was deliberately limited in scope. Speaking at the Mitchell Institute Airpower Forum, he described it as a single, precise action rather than part of a broader campaign. Following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last June, Iran responded with a restrained ballistic missile attack on one regional base — a move seen as an effort to project strength at home while avoiding escalation with Washington. According to the Wall Street Journal, analysts warn that a far larger U.S. air campaign would likely prompt a much stronger Iranian response. Tehran could unleash its stockpile of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles against U.S. and Israeli targets across the Middle East and activate its network of proxy forces. While Israel has significantly weakened Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, Iran could still encourage Yemen’s Houthi movement to strike shipping and regional infrastructure, and direct allied militias in Iraq and extremist groups in Syria to attack U.S. forces.

ISIS–Sahel has officially claimed responsibility for last week’s unexplained attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger.

Reporter asked about Iran’s Supreme Leader warning that a U.S. strike could ignite a regional war. President Trump responded that such a statement was expected, saying Khamenei would naturally make that claim. Trump added that the United States has the largest and most powerful naval forces in the region, expressed hope for a negotiated deal, and said that if no deal is reached, it will become clear whether Khamenei’s warning was accurate.

Trump on Canada tariffs: “If Canada strikes a deal with China, we’ll respond with something very substantial. We don’t want China taking over Canada. If they go through with the deal they’re considering, China will take control—and the first thing they’ll do is get rid of ice hockey.”

Trump on the Epstein files: “I was told by some very important people that it doesn’t just absolve me — it actually shows the opposite of what the radical left was hoping for.”

After nearly two years, Israel has reopened the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt for pedestrian travel. Beginning Sunday, several thousand Palestinians are expected to cross into Egypt for medical care, employment, and other essential activities that had been largely inaccessible since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.