Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities continue to warn of serious ramifications in case of military strikes by the United States, as more people are being arrested in connection with deadly protests amid a lingering internet blackout.
Tehran’s municipality on Sunday unveiled a giant billboard at the Enghelab (Revolution) Square in the capital’s central area, in an apparent warning to the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln supercarrier and supporting warplanes near Iranian waters.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
The image showed a bird’s-eye view of an aircraft carrier with destroyed fighter jets on the deck and blood running in the water to form the US flag.
“If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind,” read an accompanying message in Farsi and English.
Top military figures on Monday reiterated Iran’s readiness to engage in another war with Israel and the US in the case of an attack similar to last year’s 12-day conflict, while the Foreign Ministry promised a “comprehensive and regret-inducing response”.
Speaking to reporters during a news conference, ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also warned “the resulting insecurity will undoubtedly affect everyone” amid reports regional actors have been directly appealing to US President Donald Trump, who on Thursday said a US “armada” is heading towards the Gulf.
As the European Union ponders listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist” organisation following a vote in the European Parliament, Baghaei said Tehran believes “more prudent European countries should be careful not to fall into the trap of the devilish temptations of non-European parties toward such an action”.
The Iranian establishment’s remaining allies in the so-called “axis of resistance”, who took no action during June’s war, have also signalled that they may this time attack US and Israeli interests if conflict breaks out.
Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, the chief of the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq, issued a fiery statement on Monday warning of “total war” in case of US aggression. Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem has repeatedly heaped praise on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including during a speech on Monday.
The Houthis in Yemen also released a video on Monday that showed US warships and previously attacked commercial vessels, indicating that they could once again become targets despite a Gaza ceasefire deal that stopped the attacks.
More protest-linked arrests reported
Meanwhile, judicial and intelligence authorities continue to report action against “rioters” as the Iranian establishment blames “terrorists” working in line with the interests of the US and Israel during the nationwide protests that started in late December.
Mohammadreza Rahmani, the head of the police authority in the northern province of Gilan, announced 99 new arrests in a statement on Sunday.
He alleged that those arrested were engaged in destroying public property or acted as “leaders” of unrest both on the streets and on social media.
State media said a person “who incited people, especially the youth”, in online posts to participate in protests was arrested in Bandar Anzali, also in the north.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which says it has confirmed 5,848 deaths during the protests, reported on Monday that at least 41,283 people have also been arrested across the country.
Iranian authorities have not announced any official arrest numbers, but said last week that at least 3,117 people were killed during the protests, including 2,427 described as “innocent” protesters or security forces.
Al Jazeera cannot independently verify these figures.
An ‘internet error’ message is displayed on an Iranian woman’s laptop as she tries to connect to the internet to check on her visa status, after a nationwide internet shutdown since January 8, 2026, following Iran’s protests, in Tehran, Iran, January 25, 2026 [Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters]
Speaking during a meeting with top judiciary officials on Monday, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei reiterated his promise that “no mercy” will be shown when prosecuting protest-related cases.
He also expressed dismay at any calls for negotiations with the US amid what he called “an all-out war and economic blockade” against Iran.
“Some people portray all avenues for confronting the enemy’s aggression and coercion as blocked and repeatedly prescribe negotiation with a treacherous enemy,” he said.
Monitored internet access for businesspeople
Iranians across the country remain afflicted by an unprecedented total internet shutdown that has now lasted nearly three weeks.
A limited number of users have been able to tunnel out using proxies and virtual private networks (VPNs), but the authorities continue to block any proxies offering access to the outside world.
As with previous protests, internet access can only be restored through permission by the Supreme National Security Council, but the council has provided no timeline for reconnecting Iran’s 90-million-strong population.
In the meantime, the state appears to be gearing up to implement its longtime plans to enforce a so-called “tiered internet” that would only allow access to a limited number of permitted individuals and entities.
This week in Tehran, the authorities set up a small office to allow businesspeople who have identification from the Iran Chamber of Commerce to gain limited access to the internet.
Before being allowed to use the internet for a few minutes, they had to sign a form that committed them to use the connection for “business purposes” only, and emphasised they would be legally prosecuted if they “misuse” the opportunity.
A similar small office has also been opened for journalists by the Culture Ministry.
The rest of the population only has access to a local intranet designed to offer some basic services during state-imposed internet blackouts, but even that connection is slow and patchy.
At least 80 people, including 19 members of an elite marine force, are missing and feared buried in a landslide in Indonesia’s West Bandung. The death toll has risen to 17. A massive search operation is underway including thousands of rescue workers.
When “The Great British Baking Show” returns for another season later this year, the tent will welcome a new judge alongside the freshest batch of competitors.
British cookbook author and TV personality Nigella Lawson will join the beloved baking competition as a judge, succeeding Prue Leith, who announced her departure from the series last week. “The Great British Baking Show” (alternatively titled “The Great British Bake-Off” in the United Kingdom) unveiled Lawson’s appointment Monday on Instagram. She will co-judge alongside longtime “Bake Show” fixture and bread expert Paul Hollywood.
“I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now!” Lawson said in a joint Instagram post. “Of course it’s daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement.”
“The Great British Baking Show” first aired on the BBC in 2010, with Hollywood judging competitors’ bakes alongside Mary Berry. Berry departed the series when it moved from the BBC to commercial broadcaster Channel 4 and Leith began her tenure in 2017.
During her “Baking Show” days, Leith became known among fans and competitors for her affinity for boozy bakes and colorful fashion and accessories. Notably, she and Hollywood co-judged the series in its 11th season, which was filmed and aired amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leith, announcing her exit, said “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years” and looked forward to a new chapter in her life.
“But now feels like the right time to step back (I’m 86 for goodness sake!), there’s so much I’d like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden,” she wrote, adding later in her caption that she believes her successor will “love [the show] as much as I have.”
Lawson, a former journalist and Margaret Thatcher cabinet member Nigel Lawson’s daughter, comes to “Baking Show” with some history with Channel 4. The broadcast aired her series “Nigella Bites” in the late 1990s and early aughts in tandem with the release of her book of the same name.
Her television credits also include hosting her series “Nigella Feasts,” “Nigella Express,” “Nigella Kitchen” and “Nigellissima” and judging on shows “Iron Chef America,” “The Taste” alongside Anthony Bourdain and “MasterChef Australia,” among others.
“The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it’s a National Treasure – and it’s a huge honour to be entrusted with it,” she said on Monday. “I’m just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come. I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!”
Faced by an increasingly authoritarian regime, Venezuela’s opposition requested support from international organizations over the years, denouncing human rights violations and showing evidence of the 2024 electoral fraud orchestrated by Nicolás Maduro and the chavista overlords. The international community’s answer only gave the government breathing space. The lack of decisive responses from global institutions, such as the Organization of American States, the United Nations, and the European Union contributed to a state of irresolution and prolonged political violence in Venezuela, while political imprisonment and disappearances became commonplace.
Political change in Venezuela has ultimately come to depend on Trump’s geopolitical ambitions. Rather than returning to the now-exhausted democratic avenues offered by multilateral institutions, opposition leader María Corina Machado has made efforts to align her political agenda with Trump’s commercial interests and military might. Her dedication of the Nobel Peace Prize to him only highlights this strategic alignment, along with Machado’s willingness to publicly support US military deployment if this helps her cause against the dictatorship.
However, both Machado and Rodríguez have paid a high price for dancing at the tune of Trump’s desires. Machado has been criticized around the world for giving her Nobel Prize medal to Trump and mocked as a weak political actor. On the other hand, Rodríguez seems to be walking on an increasingly tight rope, as seemingly demonstrated by the powerful interior minister Diosdado Cabello’s threatening appearance next to her on national television wearing a hat that read ‘dudar es traición’ (to doubt is betrayal).
‘We’ve tried everything,’ many of our interviewees conclude in frustration.
The pivotal role that Venezuelan politicians like Rodríguez, Machado and even chavista hardliners like Cabello played in US plans for Venezuela demonstrates the inadequacy of considering US actions as a unilateral imposition of Trump’s agenda. As sociologist Rafael Uzcátegui argues, Venezuela’s current politics cannot be understood in the Cold War dualistic light of imperialism vs. self-determination that likens politics to a game of chess. Instead, it is more like a game of poker, where the best hand may not always be the one to win. Machado and Rodríguez are playing their best hand, which involves aligning themselves with US commercial interests and military might to survive politically in a context of weakening international law.
What Venezuelans think
In the process of writing this article, we spoke to Venezuelans in the US and back home. Most expressed their frustration in the face of the international community’s inability to support democracy in their country. ‘We’ve tried everything,’ many of our interviewees conclude in frustration.
The Venezuelans we spoke with perceive Trump’s military pressure as the first tangible movement against the dictatorship, leaving many feeling that they have little choice but to endorse US actions to end Maduro’s rule. Fully aware of US interests in the nation’s oil, Venezuelans’ calculation is shaped by a longer history in which the country’s most valuable asset has rarely served the interests of its people. As Venezuelans see it, Trump’s thirst for oil at least helps their democratic cause. So, rather than imperialism, Trump’s commercial ambitions are seen by Venezuelans as an avenue for change.
Pedro, a Venezuelan business owner in Doral, Florida, told us: ‘If the price for my country to be safe and have food is to give away our oil, so be it. Please, Mr Trump, come and take our oil.’ For Venezuelans like Pedro, who are aware of the regime’s political brutality, the image of a cuffed and blindfolded Maduro has a taste of justice.
Even Amanda, a Venezuelan student in New York who once supported Chávez and disagrees with how Maduro was arrested, admits to feeling satisfaction at finally seeing justice served. Following the capture, many Venezuelans across the world took to the streets to show their cautious hope for political change.
While the future in Venezuela is still uncertain, the fact that change could only be attained by violence, further erodes a global culture of democracy and trust in international law.
In Venezuela, however, the reality is more complex. The regime continues to operate with its mechanisms for social repression. Fear of expressing any form of celebration inside the country is strong, as it might lead to charges of treason. ‘We are happy, of course,’ one of our interviewees in Caracas told us. ‘But I don’t even dare to hang a flag outside my window.’
Alignment for political survival
Tragically, US (not-so-chirurgical) military action has achieved more in a few weeks than what democratic international institutions achieved in Venezuela over the last decade. Catering to Trump’s pressure, Maduro slowly started releasing political prisoners in December. Since January 8, Delcy Rodríguez has ramped up the number of releases, currently amounting to over 260, something unthinkable before the US military build-up in the Caribbean. Whether or not these releases are a regime’s farce, as some relatives of prisoners warn, they still reveal the fact that Rodríguez is willing to dance to Trump’s tune.
While the future in Venezuela is still uncertain, the fact that change could only be attained by violence, further erodes a global culture of democracy and trust in international law. The lesson that Maduro’s capture might teach the international community is that, in Trump’s new world order, international law is insufficient to secure political survival, and that military force and commercial expansion always prevail.
Machado and Rodríguez seem to have learned this gruesome lesson, although they have yet to disclose their full hand in this ruthless game of poker.
Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki, who will be returning to the starting rotation after missing most of last year’s regular season because of a shoulder injury, was not selected. Sasaki was on Team Japan in 2023, starting two games — including a dramatic semifinal win over Mexico.
In his earlier announcement, Ohtani did not indicate whether he would pitch in the WBC and on Monday Ibata told reporters that the team will get a better sense once Ohtani reports to spring training next month.
In the 2023 WBC, Ohtani won tournament MVP with a .435 batting average and 1.86 pitching ERA, helping Japan to the title. He punctuated the event with his memorable strikeout of Mike Trout for the final out in the championship game.
Eight major leaguers were named to Team Japan’s WBC roster, including the Angels left-hander Yusei Kukuchi, Padres left-hander Yuki Matsui, Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto, White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki and right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, currently a free agent who pitched for the Baltimore Orioles last year.
MLB players are expected to join Team Japan for exhibition games on March 2. Japan will open WBC play on March 6 against Taiwan.
The Mexican content creator Nicole Pardo Medina, known online as “La Nicholette,” reappeared publicly over the weekend at a church in Culiacán. File Photo by Ulises Ruiz Basurto/EPA
Jan. 26 (UPI) — The Mexican content creator Nicole Pardo Medina, known online as “La Nicholette,” reappeared publicly over the weekend at a church in Culiacán, one day after state authorities confirmed she had been found alive following four days in captivity.
Visibly emotional, Pardo Medina addressed a religious service held in a church in El Salado, a rural area of Culiacán, where she thanked attendees for their support during her disappearance. Videos shared on social media on Sunday show the influencer speaking through tears.
“Thank you to everyone for keeping me in your prayers, for every candle you lit, and for not losing faith,” she said, according to the recordings.
Pardo Medina was reported kidnapped on the afternoon of Jan. 20 in a residential area of Culiacán, the capital of the northwestern Mexican state of Sinaloa. The case quickly drew widespread attention after footage from the security camera of her vehicle circulated online, showing armed men forcing her into another car.
On Jan. 24, the Fiscalía General del Estado de Sinaloa confirmed that the influencer had been located alive. Authorities did not disclose details about the circumstances of her release, identify possible suspects, or provide information about her medical condition. They also did not indicate whether a specific line of investigation has been established.
Unconfirmed reports from local media suggested that Pardo Medina returned to her home in the El Salado area by taxi. That information has not been corroborated by officials.
During the days she remained missing, another video circulated on social media in which the influencer reads a statement accusing a criminal group known as “La Mayiza,” also referred to as “Los Mayos,” a faction linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, of pressuring individuals like her to participate in criminal activities tied to organized crime. In the same video, she alleges being forced to hand over money to state patrols on behalf of a figure identified as “El Mayito Flaco,” among other claims.
Culiacán is considered one of the cities most affected by violence linked to organized crime in Mexico, amid internal disputes between trafficking groups. In recent months, those conflicts have fueled a rise in homicides, kidnappings and disappearances, according to official figures and security analysts.
State authorities have said the investigation remains ongoing but have released no further details.
Sheraz Malik was convicted by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court
An asylum seeker has been found guilty of two counts of raping an 18-year-old woman in a park in Nottinghamshire.
A trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard the woman had been drinking at Sutton Lawn park in Sutton-in-Ashfield when she was attacked by Sheraz Malik, shortly after being raped by another man he was with, who has yet to be identified.
Malik, 28, had claimed the sex was consensual, but the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on two counts of rape and a not guilty verdict on a third.
It can be now reported that Malik is an asylum seeker who was born in Pakistan and lived in Italy, Germany and France before coming to the UK.
Judge Simon Ash KC adjourned the case for a mention hearing on 6 February so a date for sentencing Malik – who lived at an address in Bath Street in Sutton-in-Ashfield at the time – could be fixed.
A reporting restriction was put in place at Nottingham Crown Court in September last year, preventing any mention of the defendant’s immigration status until the trial had concluded.
Police said another suspect was still being “relentlessly” sought in relation to the case.
After highlighting the suspect’s background on his Facebook and X accounts, demonstrators gathered in the town to demand tighter rules on immigration.
Counter-protesters also turned out, but Nottinghamshire Live reported these were outnumbered.
Protests related to the case were held last summer
Warning: This article includes details that some readers may find distressing
Prosecution counsel Nicholas Corsellis KC previously told the court the woman had been drinking at the park with a male friend, and was drunk when she met Malik and a group of other men, who she had never seen before.
Her friend asked the group to “look after” her while he went to meet another friend and one of Malik’s associates took the woman to an isolated area of the park so she could go to the toilet, the court heard.
Corsellis said: “The first man forcibly raped her before bringing her back to the group.
“The defendant then decided he wished to have sex with her and took his turn to take her to a secluded spot, where he physically struck her while raping her.”
The jury were told Malik had grabbed her by the neck and hair as he raped her, and afterwards she sent a Snapchat message to a friend saying “please help me”.
“The one you told to look after me tried to rape me… and the one with the black T-shirt,” the message said.
“Please help, I can’t cope, I feel like killing myself.”
Corsellis told the jury that the complainant was “alone, drunk and was obviously a vulnerable person”.
Google
The woman told police she was attacked in Sutton Lawn park in Nottinghamshire
Malik, who gave evidence in English during the trial, said he had been playing cricket with a group of other men and smoking cannabis in the park before the attack.
He denied he had slapped her at any point and claimed the woman had told him “I really like you” and “I really enjoyed it”.
Later in his evidence, Malik was asked why a different name had been used to book him a coach ticket to leave the Nottinghamshire area after the attack.
He said a friend had booked the ticket for him, adding that the Home Office was “giving me £50 for every week”.
Addressing Malik in the dock, the judge said: “You have been convicted of very serious charges and I will need to sentence you in due course.
“The case will next be listed on 6 February to fix a sentence date.
“I have ordered a pre-sentence report to assess the level of dangerousness. You must engage with the probation service when they seek to engage with you.
“You will be remanded into custody at this stage.”
In a statement after the sentencing, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed Malik was a Pakistani national who followed proceedings through a Pashto interpreter.
The force said the investigation remained a priority.
Det Insp Nicole Milner said: “As is always the case for investigations of this nature, there are many people involved and they have all played a part to bring Malik to justice.
“I particularly want to acknowledge the work of Det Con Malgorzata Kacprzycka and Det Sgt Barry Haines, who have been crucial in bringing Malik to justice.
“Above all, I also want to acknowledge the bravery and resilience of the victim.
“She has shown great courage throughout and helped us to build a very strong case against Malik, whose version of events lacked credibility from the start.
“As a result of her evidence, the jury was able to see through his lies and to convict him on three counts of rape.”
Katie Price has mysteriously deleted her online tribute to new husband Lee Andrews onlineCredit: GettyKatie wed Lee in a surprise Dubai ceremony over the weekendCredit: instagram/@wesleeeandrewsThe former glamour model updated her Instagram bio after tying the knotCredit: InstagramBut 48 hours later, Katie has since removed any mention of her new husbandCredit: Instagram
Following the nuptials, the loved-up newlywed took to her social media to update her new relationship status, proudly writing in her Instagram bio: “married @wesleeeandrews”.
However, 48 hours on, Katie has now ditched the tribute to her new hubby, reverting back to her former bio and deleting any mention of Lee.
While Lee no longer features in her bio, Katie has continued to repost photos of her with her new groom online.
Katie reposted a selfie on her Instagram stories of her and Lee posing in front of a mirror during their stay at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai – the same place they married.
As federal immigration tactics face mounting legal and political scrutiny after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a Minneapolis man over the weekend, Donald Trump announced Monday he was dispatching his border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota.
Until now, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino has overseen the federal government’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota. But as the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security faces widespread criticism for its aggressive tactics since it launched Operation Metro Surge in December, Trump signaled Monday that he could be shifting strategy as he deploys Homan to the region.
“He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there,” Trump said of Homan on TruthSocial. “Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me.”
Trump’s deployment of Homan comes as a federal judge hears arguments Monday on whether to temporarily halt the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Meanwhile, Democratic senators plan to oppose a funding bill for DHS, raising the possibility of a partial government shutdown, and a small but growing number of Republicans have joined Democratic calls for a thorough investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti
The Department of Homeland Security said Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, approached federal officers on the street Saturday morning with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and “violently resisted” when officers tried to disarm him. But cellphone videos recorded by eye witnesses contradict that account.
According to videos taken on the scene, Pretti was holding a phone, not a handgun, when he stepped in front of a federal agent who was targeting a woman with pepper spray. Federal agents pulled him to the ground and shot him.
Pretti is the second U.S. citizen in Minneapolis to be killed by immigration officers this month. On Jan. 7, Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, was shot in the head by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem raised criticism this weekend when she said that her agency would lead the investigation into Pretti’s killing.
After federal officials denied Minnesota state investigators access to the shooting scene in South Minneapolis, local and state officials in Minnesota accused DHS of mishandling evidence. Late Saturday, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension asked a federal court to block Homeland Security and Justice Department officials from destroying or concealing evidence.
It is not immediately clear how Bovino’s role could change as Homan arrives in Minneapolis.
Noem, who has backed Bovino’s aggressive tactics, said Monday it was “good news” that Homan was going to Minneapolis.
“I have worked closely with Tom over the last year and he has been a major asset to our team,” Noem wrote on X. Homan’s “experience and insight,” she said, would “help us to remove even more public safety threats and violent criminal illegal aliens” off Minneapolis streets.
But some Democrats in Minnesota oppose sending Homan to Minnesota. Minneapolis City Council member Soren Stevenson said the move would only aggravate tension.
“They are losing the battle in people’s minds,” Stevenson told CNN, noting that people could see video evidence contradict federal accounts of border patrol agents’ actions.
“They’re losing this narrative battle, and so he’s sending in his top guard,” Stevenson added. “And really, it’s escalating, because we just want to be left alone. The chaos in our community is coming from ICE. It’s coming from this invasion that we’re under … and it’s got to stop.”
In a short interview with The Wall Street Journal Sunday, Trump criticized Pretti for carrying a gun during protest activity.
“I don’t like any shooting. I don’t like it,” Trump said. “But I don’t like it when somebody goes into a protest and he’s got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also. That doesn’t play good either.”
The President declined to comment on whether the agent who shot Pretti had done the right thing. “We’re looking,” Trump said when pressed. “We’re reviewing everything and will come out with a determination.”
Democratic officials, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have called on federal immigration officers to leave Minneapolis. On Sunday, Trump suggested they could withdraw, but he did not give a timeline.
“At some point we will leave,” the president said. “They’ve done a phenomenal job.”
A decision on whether Pakistan will boycott next month’s men’s T20 World Cup is set to be made by early next week.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chair Mohsin Naqvi held talks with the country’s prime minister, Shahbaz Sharif, on Monday to discuss their participation in light of Bangladesh’s withdrawal.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland on Saturday for the tournament which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka between 7 February and 8 March.
Naqvi said in a post on X, external he had “a productive meeting” with Sharif where he “briefed him on the ICC matter”.
“He [Sharif] directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table,” Naqvi said.
“It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday.”
BBC Sport understands that in addition to a full boycott of the tournament Pakistan officials are considering just boycotting their match against India.
Pakistan are due to play India at the T20 World Cup in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 15 February in accordance with an agreement signed last year saying the two countries will play at neutral venues whenever one of them hosts an ICC event.
Political tensions mean the two countries have not faced each other outside men’s major tournaments since 2013, while India have not played in Pakistan since 2008.
The ICC has been approached for comment.
Pakistan’s response comes after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had asked for their World Cup fixtures to be switched from India citing safety concerns.
There has been growing tensions between the countries and Bangladesh requested their games were played in Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament, instead.
The ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request, saying there was an “absence of any credible security threat” before the BCB reaffirmed its position.
BBC Sport understands Pakistan supported Bangladesh’s position in an emergency ICC board meeting held last Wednesday.
In a statement released last Saturday, in which they announced the decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland, the ICC said it had “engaged with the BCB through multiple rounds of dialogue conducted in a transparent and constructive manner”.
“In light of these findings, and after careful consideration of the broader implications, the ICC determined that it was not appropriate to amend the published event schedule,” the ICC statement added.
The ICC also said it was keen not to establish “precedents that could undermine the neutrality and fairness of ICC events”.
This month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India told Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman because of political tensions.
“The next phase is not reconstruction.” After the return of the last Israeli captive held in Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu said the next phase of the ceasefire will be “disarming Hamas and demilitarising the Gaza Strip.”
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Europe will not ‘tolerate unthinkable behaviour, such as digital undressing of women and children’.
Published On 26 Jan 202626 Jan 2026
Share
The European Commission has launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, regarding the creation of sexually explicit fake images of women and minors.
The commission announced on Monday that its investigation would examine whether the AI tool used on X has met its legal obligations under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires social media companies to address illegal and harmful online content.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
Brussels said the investigation would examine whether X had properly mitigated “risks related to the dissemination of illegal content in the EU, such as manipulated sexually explicit images, including content that may amount to child sexual abuse material”.
In a statement to the AFP news agency, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe will not “tolerate unthinkable behaviour, such as digital undressing of women and children”.
“It is simple – we will not hand over consent and child protection to tech companies to violate and monetise. The harm caused by illegal images is very real,” she added.
Grok has faced a recent outcry after it was uncovered that users could ask the chatbot to create deepfakes of women and children by simply using prompts such as “put her in a bikini” or “remove her clothes”.
EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen said the rights of women and children in the EU should not be “collateral damage” of X’s services.
“Non-consensual sexual deepfakes of women and children are a violent, unacceptable form of degradation,” Virkkunen said in a statement.
X has been under investigation by the EU over its digital content rules since December 2023.
This month, Grok said it would restrict image generation and editing to paying customers after criticism of the tool’s capabilities.
A nonprofit organisation, the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, published a report last week that found Grok had generated an estimated 3 million sexualised images of women and children in a matter of days.
In December, the EU ordered X to pay a 120-million-euro ($140m) fine for violating the DSA’s transparency obligations.
The EU is not the only body investigating Grok’s tool; the United Kingdom’s media regulator, Ofcom, announced it had launched an investigation into X to determine whether it had complied with requirements under the UK’s Online Safety Act.
Line of Duty stars recently reunited for a winter drink, sparking speculation that the show’s seventh series is already in production
16:36, 26 Jan 2026Updated 16:43, 26 Jan 2026
Line of Duty stars recently reunited (Image: BBC)
Fans of Line of Duty were delighted after the show’s main stars got together recently for an informal pint.
The hit BBC police drama wrapped up in May 2021, though reports emerged last year suggesting a seventh series was being developed.
Whilst production is due to kick off this spring in Belfast, the recent get-together of actors Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar has fuelled rumours that the programme could be back sooner than anticipated.
The trio, portraying central figures in the fictional AC-12 anti-corruption squad, enjoyed a cheerful winter beverage together. They captured a snap holding their drinks, with Martin writing: “AC12 in the house (pub).”
This led to fans swamping the comments with optimism that filming for Line of Duty series 7 might be underway. One enthusiastic viewer asked: “Does this mean there will be more seasons of line of duty?”, reports the Express.
Someone else responded: “This is absolutely excellent news!” whilst a third commented: “Can’t wait for you all to come back in line of duty please get started so we can have something to look forward to.”
The forthcoming series, written by Jed Mercurio, opens with Central Police’s anti-corruption division being dissolved and reformed as the Inspectorate of Police Standards.
A fresh villain, sexual predator DI Dominic Gough, is expected to appear, though the performer taking on this role remains unannounced.
Dunbar, 67, who plays Supt Ted Hastings, warmly received the announcement, stating: “As we count down the AC12 days of Christmas, what a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back on set together next year. Delighted with the news and looking forward to those mercurial twists and turns.”
Compston, 41, who plays DS Steven Arnott, said: “Line of Duty has been a job of a lifetime. Not only in terms of the show’s success but the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with I now call some of my closest friends. I can’t wait to pull the waistcoat on again and get the team back together.”
McClure, 42, famous for playing DC Kate Fleming, added: “It goes without saying I’m so excited Line of Duty is back! Can’t wait to work with Jed, Martin and Adrian again. Belfast, we’ll see you soon!”
Series six broadcast in 2021, with its concluding episode becoming the most-watched drama finale, excluding soaps, since contemporary records commenced in 2002. Including catch-up figures, it attracted more than 17 million viewers within 28 days, and the BBC is undoubtedly anticipating comparable viewing figures upon the show’s return.
Line of Duty is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**
A new wave of agentic AI systems is reshaping banking operations. Unlike typical large language model (LLM) applications that answer prompts, agentic systems execute sequences of actions: querying systems, retrieving documents, transforming data, and producing outputs. Quietly, these autonomous tools are beginning to redefine the banking technology landscape.
The potential impact is sufficiently profound that McKinsey is now framing agentic AI as a structural shift in banking rather than a side bet; the consultant estimates that AI adoption—including agentic AI systems—could reduce banks’ aggregate cost base by 15% to 20%. Bain, in its 2025 report, “State of the Art of Agentic AI Transformation Technology Report,” cites that in the first half of 2025, “tech-forward enterprises” turned their focus from automating tasks to redesigning entire workflows, as early adopters get to grips with how agents—or the AI systems that independently handle multi-step tasks by coordinating tools, data and actions to meet specified objectives—may coexist safely and collaborate productively. Yet progress is limited.
Although agentic AI may hold promise, definitional confusion and implementation hurdles mean very few true use cases exist, cautions Armand Angeli, AI and automation specialist and vice president, Digital Transformation and AI Group, at DFCG, the French network of CFOs.
“Financial institutions still struggle to understand and implement agentic AI properly,” he says, “and are jumping too fast into these new tools without addressing the fundamentals of data quality, clear processes, skillsets, and ROI [return-on-investment]. There’s a high degree of confusion about what agentic AI is, with people equating AI assistants or RPA [robotic process automation] with true agents. Only a very small number are actually building and scaling agentic effectively.”
Angeli also contends that people overuse the word “agentic.”
“GenAI is mistaken for agentic because it seems intelligent or retrieves data,” he says. “But GenAI is relatively simple and doesn’t self-correct, unlike agents with memory and feedback loops for auto-healing and learning. Building these agents requires mapping complex processes and understanding where the data is, which can take months and thousands of euros in costs. It’s a fine line between a simple agent or RPA and true agentic AI.”
Even though the tools themselves are complex, their appeal is straightforward and powerful.
Where Agentic AI Is Actually Being Deployed
Whether LLM-powered information retrieval agents, single-task agentic workflows, cross-system agentic workflow orchestration, or multi-agent constellations, true agentic AI can perform complex tasks independently within defined boundaries, all with limited human intervention.
BBVA Peru’s Blue Buddy agentic AI assistant is an example. The “lightning-fast knowledge synthesizer” autonomously navigates the commercial bank’s vast ecosystem of unstructured data—product manuals, regulations, and complex processes—to deliver precise, contextualized answers in real time and in a risk managed way.
“We’re not just exploring AI; we’re putting it to work on the front lines of our business,” says Benjamín Chávez, head of engineering at BBVA Peru.
UK-based consultant Capco recently deployed an agentic AI assistant at a global investment bank to support junior bankers in producing credit memos, company profiles, and peer benchmarks.
“Previously, analysts could spend five to ten hours a week on a single memo, largely on manual data gathering, formatting, and rewriting,” says Charlotte Byrne, Capco’s UK GenAI lead. “The new workflow allows a banker to request, for example, ‘Draft a credit memo for a corporate client with the latest financials and peers.’ The agent delivers a first draft within minutes.”
The client bank ultimately saw a 50% reduction “in time spent on the mechanical parts of the process.”
Wells Fargo recently announced a collaboration with Google Cloud that will deploy agentic AI at scale via 2,000 employees, with further plans for bank-wide rollout. The tools Google Cloud will supply synthesize information, automate workflows, and boost agility; key applications include triaging foreign exchange post-trade inquiries and navigating guidelines in corporate and investment banking. In Greece, Eurobank is working with EY to develop a scalable, automated system that embeds agentic AI into core banking operations.
In each case, the goal is to replace high-volume, repetitive workflows. But implementation is not without its challenges.
During Capco’s recent rollout, while AI algorithms themselves did not present an issue, the client bank’s internal requirements complicated the process. “We had to use guard-railed, bank-approved models,” says Byrne, “which meant investing heavily in prompt design, retrieval quality, and validation. Governance also added long lead times; simply getting proof-of-concept approvals took nearly two months, by which point the model landscape had already shifted again.”
Engagement was another challenge. Asking already stretched teams to dedicate extra hours to testing is often one of the practical challenges of implementing agentic AI, and adoption suffers if solutions are built too far from the day-to-day workflow. And while banks see the potential of autonomous agents, Byrne observes, few currently have the infrastructure to use them effectively and safely, with poor data and legacy systems the key obstacles.
“Most AI failures in banking have nothing to do with the models themselves,” she says; many banks still lack clean APIs into core systems or struggle with slow, fragmented approval cycles that are incompatible with iterative AI development.
Scaling The Challenge
Scaling GenAI from “lab to regulated banking environment” is no small feat, BBVA’s Chávez concedes. Operationally, BBVA’s major challenge was transforming vast amounts of unstructured data into a clean, corporate-grade knowledge base.
“We had to implement rigorous data governance to ensure the agent’s ‘brain’ was fueled only with accurate, up-to-date information,” he notes.
Chang Li, chief manager, Nippon Life Insurance
And while agentic AI has generated significant enthusiasm, there are, as yet, only isolated examples of success, and tangible value across financial services remains limited. Ambiguous strategic objectives, organizational complexity, and the challenge of replicating interpersonal dynamics represent critical barriers, says Chang Li, chief manager, Nippon Life Insurance Company, director of the Fintech Association of Japan, and ambassador for FinCity.Tokyo.
“First, we must understand what we’re looking to achieve, whether that’s better customer communication or cost cutting,” she says. But defining strategy and purpose is difficult for any one division alone; it requires collaboration between departments, Li notes, since bureaucratic structures often prevent meaningful conversations between the correct stakeholders.
Are there concerns about agentic AI taking over from humans in some finance functions? That may no longer be the right question, Li says: “I think it’s more useful to think about the conditions under which the first human ‘channel’ might be taken over by AI and consider how companies should prepare for that.”
The necessary degree of trust is not yet in place for agentic AI to truly replace humans in banking, however. “Currently, agentic AI is only feasible for the information collection step,” says Li, with an agentic contract still “a few years” off.
For BBVA, building trust into agentic AI systems is foundational. “In the financial sector, trust is our most valuable currency,” says Chávez. The bank proactively aligns with demanding emerging standards, including frameworks from Europe and the US, in addition to Peruvian regulations.
“This ethical stance has directly shaped our strategic roadmap,” he notes. “We’ve prioritized decision support use cases over autonomous decision-making. We started where AI assists and humans validate. It’s the most responsible way to deliver immediate value while mitigating risks and building the trust needed for deeper automation.”
In an era of falling revenues, financial institutions may find the productivity gains they need from agentic AI, McKinsey suggests, predicting that early adopters will secure a lasting advantage over slow movers: but not overnight.
McKinsey anticipates a breakout agentic business model will emerge in the next three to five years and is urging bank executives to focus on a small number of high‑value workflows, such as frontline sales, account planning, and financial close processing; define clear guardrails for agent autonomy; and invest early in data quality and risk controls to ensure pilots can scale safely: all with “surgical precision” in identifying the potential earnings impact.
No thought has been spared in the bathrooms, which have double sinks, huge showers and deep baths.
Some of the suites even have multiple outdoor pools with bright blue waters underneath wooden walkways and swings – very much like what the Maldives is known for.
Others have secret cinema rooms, heart-shaped pools and romantic outdoor swing beds.
Each has different views; some look out to sea and the hillside or the gardens.
Most read in Beach holidays
Rooms vary from one to up to three bedrooms.
The resort looks out onto Paralia Papa, which is a very secluded bay – so apart from hotel guests, there is little to no footfall.
On the sand are large complimentary cabanas and shaded beach beds.
Calilo has its own restaurants and one fine dining spot called CHES.
The main restaurant overlooks the vast main pool area and is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There’s also a spa hotel with a gym that has over 40 machines for cardio and strength use.
Some rooms even have outdoor cinemas with cosy outdoor bedsCredit: UnknownEven the spa has over the water massage tablesThe hotel took 20 years to build and each room is completely privateCredit: TripAdvisor
It has one indoor and two outdoor pools, as well as a dedicated relaxation space – as if you couldn’t be more relaxed here.
Some treatment rooms have mini waterfalls and beds that are suspended above the water for a calming experience.
Unsurprisingly the resort is a hit with visitors, one traveller who stayed at Calilo said: “This place is stunning.
“From the moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by crystal-clear water, golden sand, and these incredible cliffs — it’s like a dream, the hotel is simply out of this world.”
Another wrote in their review: “I cannot even begin to explain how incredible my visit to Calilo was. I was absolutely blown away and I truly believe it was a once in a lifetime experience (unless I return, which I really hope to)!
“The most luxurious bathroom I think I’ve ever seen and the rest of the hotel was also gorgeous.”
Another holidaymaker who made a social media post about their stay captioned it “the most beautiful hotel on earth“.
It’s even had some celebrity guests including singer Jason Derulo, who showed off his stay at the hotel in June 2025 – a post that got 188k likes on TikTok.
The hotel is pretty pricey as you can imagine with the cost in June when the weather is pleasant starting from £340 per night (based on a seven night stay) on Trivago.
That price is for a suite double or twin bed garden view room with its own pool on a room basis only.
To get to Ios, guests can reach the island by high-speed ferry from neighbouring islands Santorini or Mykonos.
From Athens it’s three hours and from Crete it’s two and a half hours – plus another 40 minute transfer.
MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge will hear arguments Monday on whether she should at least temporarily halt the immigration crackdown in Minnesota that has led to the fatal shootings of two people by government officers.
The state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued the Department of Homeland Security earlier this month, five days after Renee Good was shot by an Immigration and Customs officer. The shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer on Saturday has only added urgency to the case.
On Monday, President Trump said he is sending border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota. The president’s statement comes after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who had become the public face of the administration’s crackdown, answered questions at news conferences over the weekend about Pretti’s shooting. Trump posted on social media that Homan will report directly to him.
Since the original court filing, the state and cities have substantially added to their original request in an effort to restore the order that existed before the Trump administration launched Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota on Dec. 1.
Democratic Minnesota Atty. Gen. Keith Ellison said he plans to attend.
The lawsuit asks U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez to order a reduction in the number of federal law enforcement officers and agents in Minnesota back to the level before the surge and to limit the scope of the enforcement operation.
Justice Department attorneys have called the lawsuit “legally frivolous” and said “Minnesota wants a veto over federal law enforcement.” They asked the judge to reject the request or to at least stay her order pending an anticipated appeal.
Ellison said during a news conference Sunday that the lawsuit is needed because of “the unprecedented nature of this surge. It is a novel abuse of the Constitution that we’re looking at right now. No one can remember a time when we’ve seen something like this.”
It is unclear when the judge might rule.
The case has implications for other states that have been or could become targets of ramped-up federal immigration enforcement operations. Attorneys general from 19 states plus the District of Columbia, led by California, filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Minnesota.
“If left unchecked, the federal government will no doubt be emboldened to continue its unlawful conduct in Minnesota and to repeat it elsewhere,” the attorneys general wrote.
Menendez ruled in a separate case on Jan. 16 that federal officers in Minnesota can’t detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who aren’t obstructing authorities, including people who follow and observe agents.
An appeals court temporarily suspended that ruling three days before Saturday’s shooting. But the plaintiffs in that case, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, asked the appeals court late Saturday for an emergency order lifting the stay in light of Pretti’s killing. The Justice Department argued in a reply filed Sunday that the stay should remain in place, calling the injunction unworkable and overly broad.
In yet another case, a different federal judge, Eric Tostrud, issued an order late Saturday blocking the Trump administration from “destroying or altering evidence” related to Saturday’s shooting. Ellison and Hennepin County Atty. Mary Moriarty asked for the order to try to preserve evidence collected by federal officials that state authorities have not yet been able to inspect. A hearing in that case is scheduled for Monday afternoon in federal court in St. Paul.
“The fact that anyone would ever think that an agent of the federal government might even think about doing such a thing was completely unforeseeable only a few weeks ago,” Ellison told reporters. “But now, this is what we have to do.”
The Dodgers’ $240-million signing of Kyle Tucker revived anguished cries that the team is ruining baseball. It also revived a strange chapter in team history, with frenzied online commentary that the signing of Tucker was made possible in large part because Major League Baseball long ago rewarded the Dodgers’ owners with preferential financial treatment that continues to this day.
Is that true?
Yes and no.
Uh, thanks. Go on.
Remember Frank McCourt, the Dodgers’ former owner?
With the Dodgers’ local TV rights soon to expire, McCourt realized bidders for the team might offer more — and he might make more — if the bidders knew in advance how much the league would take from the sale of those rights.
In a settlement with McCourt — and to avoid the risk of the judge imposing a deal less favorable to the league — MLB agreed the fair-market value of a Dodgers TV deal would be based on the very Fox deal that Selig had rejected.
Why did that matter?
That value was $84 million for the first year and would increase thereafter, with the league taking its standard 34% cut and sharing that among all its teams.
However, with a bidding war looming between Fox Sports and Time Warner Cable, Selig knew the rights would be worth more than Fox had offered in its extension with McCourt, who needed immediate cash.
In bankruptcy court, an attorney for Guggenheim, the winning bidder and still the Dodgers’ owner, said the settlement represented a “substantial component of the value proposition of the transaction” — that is, a primary justification for the then-record $2.15-billion purchase price.
In 2013, one year after buying the team, Guggenheim sold those local TV rights. Were they indeed worth more?
You might as well ask if Shohei Ohtani is good. The rights that McCourt wanted to sell for $3 billion were bought by Time Warner Cable for a record $8.35 billion.
Because of the settlement, the league would take its cut based on a deal worth $3 billion rather than based on a deal worth $8.35 billion.
And the league was fine with this, because it wanted to help a marquee franchise return to glory?
LOL, no. In 2012, an MLB attorney had warned the court that the settlement could result in a league of “the Dodgers and the other 29 teams.” Under its terms, the Dodgers could keep tens of millions of dollars each year that otherwise would be shared with the league.
In the wake of the massive Time Warner deal, Selig’s office told other owners it planned to treat television revenue for the Dodgers like television revenue from any other team.
However, thanks to McCourt, the bankruptcy court was in charge, not the league. MLB did not have the power to redo the court-approved settlement, because Guggenheim could have asked the court to uphold the deal and order the league to abide by it.
After negotiations, MLB and Guggenheim made a modest adjustment, setting the “fair-market value” of the Time Warner deal at about $130 million for the first year rather than $84 million. That figure is used to determine the league’s cut, which for all local TV deals has since increased from 34% to 48%.
Just about every report on the Dodgers’ TV deal says the team is guaranteed $334 million each year. Is that accurate?
That $334 million is the annual average. The deal started at a lower value and increases every year.
By the time the deal ends in 2038, the Dodgers will be getting more than $500 million per year.
How is that possible? Aren’t local sports channels dying?
The parent company of the FanDuel Sports channels — including the one that carries the Angels — emerged from bankruptcy last year but now is fighting to remain in business. If your company spends millions upon millions on sports rights, and if your financial success depends on cable and satellite customers paying for a programming bundle that includes sports channels most viewers do not watch, you’re doomed.
The Angels’ local television revenue took a big hit last year and probably will do so again this year. The Milwaukee Brewers, the team that plays in the smallest market in the majors, reportedly got $35 million in its FanDuel deal last year.
The Dodgers own SportsNet LA through a related entity, American Media Productions (AMP), and the television revenue comes via a marketing and distribution agreement with Charter Communications, which inherited the deal when it acquired Time Warner Cable in 2016.
Charter’s revenue in 2024: $55 billion. The giant television, telephone and broadband company is not going out of business anytime soon, even as it is stuck with a money-losing Dodgers deal.
What did Dodgers chairman Mark Walter say upon the establishment of SportsNet LA?
“The creation of AMP will provide substantial financial resources over the coming years for the Dodgers to build on their storied legacy and bring a world championship home to Los Angeles.”
Nailed it. So why would Walter consider forsaking some of those substantial financial resources?
That would require teams to turn over their local broadcast rights to the league. The Dodgers’ local television revenues provide a massive competitive advantage. It’s hard to imagine Walter (and owners of other big-city teams with similar TV riches) surrendering those riches without the league offering him something significant in return.
Like what?
Perhaps a chance to exempt the Dodgers from sharing ticket revenue, or to secure the Japanese television rights now controlled by MLB. Maybe the league would buy SportsNet LA. Could be anything. But that is a 2028 issue. First up is collective bargaining, and the possibility of owners shutting down the sport next winter in pursuit of a salary cap.
Relatives of victims of alleged extra-judicial killings during the war on drugs campaign of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hold signs after watching a broadcast of an International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber hearing, in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines, in November. The ICC ruled Monday that Duterte is fit for pre-trial hearings. File Photo by Rolex Dela Pena/EPA
Jan. 26 (UPI) — The International Criminal Court ruled Monday that former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is fit to take part in pre-trial court proceedings and scheduled a hearing for Feb. 23.
Duterte’s defense team asked for an indefinite adjournment of the case because of his health, alleging that he wouldn’t be able to participate in his defense. The court had a panel of three medical experts to examine him. The panel sent a report on Dec. 5 with its observations, and the court said it was satisfied that Duterte was fit for pre-trial proceedings.
The Feb. 23 hearings will decide if there is enough evidence to charge Duterte. If the court decides the charges are valid, it will transfer the case to the trial phase.
Duterte, 80, is facing charges of crimes against humanity for alleged extra-judicial killings of suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines.
In March 2025, Duterte was arrested in Manila on the ICC’s warrant after the ICC began a formal investigation in September 2021. In October, the court denied his release because he was deemed a flight risk and said he must remain jailed in the Netherlands. The national police in the Philippines say Duterte killed about 6,000 people in his war on drugs, but human rights groups say he killed 30,000.
An overnight explosion at a biscuit factory in Trikala, Greece, has killed at least four workers. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blast, which authorities believe may have originated near the factory’s ovens.
A flight attendant has shared the tell-tale signs that a passenger is a nightmare aboard the aircraft
Shania King-Soyza and shania king-soyza
15:53, 26 Jan 2026
Cabin crew frequently deal with entitled and discourteous passengers.(Image: Getty)
The role of a flight attendant appears simple and glamorous – jetting off to exotic locations, while their main duty involves upholding health and safety standards and providing top-notch service. However, cabin crew frequently deal with entitled and discourteous passengers.
In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, an anonymous British flight attendant revealed how certain passengers’ disruptive behaviour would disrupt operations and cause problems for staff. This specific type of traveller would be identified using a simple code word.
The cabin crew member explained: “There are a lot of things and icks from passengers that we can overlook, but if we say the word ‘precious’ it generally means that they’re acting like a ****.”
The “precious” passenger will be identified among the entire crew, which may affect the level of service that the individual receives.
However, the anonymous employee stressed that alternative codes might exist across different airlines that she’s never used with her colleagues.
For instance, speaking to The Sun, one flight attendant disclosed: “If you’re labelled a ‘Philip’ then you’ve done something wrong and should probably expect to get bad service for the rest of the flight.
“That name originated from the term PILP – Passenger I’d Like to Punch – but has changed over time to become slightly more subtle.”
Another discreet signal concerns crew members noticing an attractive passenger. The flight attendant, who boasts two years’ experience, disclosed: “This is an old one I’ve heard, but if we find you attractive, we would say ‘cheerio’ when you’re leaving instead of goodbye.
“Obviously, we have to be discreet and can not outwardly be like ‘hey, you’re hot’, but that’s a fun way to secretly flirt.”
The cabin crew member explains that countless codes exist chiefly for operational efficiency. While there are different ways to identify passengers for various reasons, staff will never refer to you by your real name.
She clarified: “If we are referring to passengers, we do not use your name; we use your seat number. So if someone wanted something, we wouldn’t say ‘Mary, sat in row 50, wants a coffee’. We would say, ’50 Delta, 50 Kilo or 50 Charlie’. We use seat numbers and the phonetic alphabet; it’s just easier.”
This shouldn’t spark any concern or intrigue, as cabin crew are simply working out how best to assist you without causing any commotion or gossip. However, do pay attention if you’re being branded a “precious Philip” – you might want to apologise for your behaviour.
Ralph Fiennes may have revealed his successor for the iconic role of Voldemort on the Harry Potter TV series as he named a huge name as being a ‘very good choice’
15:19, 26 Jan 2026Updated 15:19, 26 Jan 2026
The next Voldemort actor may have been revealed(Image: WARNER BROS)
An accidental leak appears to have named a legendary actor as Voldemort in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series. The HBO production is set to showcase JK Rowling’s book on the small screen after it had huge success in cinemas.
It will depict a new iteration of Harry’s story at Hogwarts and beyond, with fans of the franchise eager to find out more. And now, it appears as though one star from the movies has revealed who will be taking on his character’s role even though confirmation has largely been kept under wraps.
Ralph Fiennes‘ iconic performances as Voldemort are written in the history books and he opened up on a potential successor for the TV adaptation while on the red carpet for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
The Sun reports that the Hollywood star was asked: “Who do you think should fill your shoes for Voldemort in the upcoming HBO show?” Responding, he said: “I’m told they are already filled, aren’t they? I think Cillian Murphy is very good. A very good choice.”
In a video that was shared on TikTok, Ralph appeared slightly panicked. He added: “I’ve already said, I think Cillian Murphy is very good. I think they’ve cast it, haven’t they? You don’t know?”
Fans were buzzing with the apparent reveal. One user said on social media: “This is amazing news.” And another said: “Oh man this is a good casting actually.”
It’s unclear whether Ralph had just been commenting on speculation. It had previously been reported that the Tommy Shelby star was in line for the role, but the actor himself seemed to distance himself from the role.
He previously told Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast. “I don’t know anything about that,” he said when questioned about his apparent links.
“Also, it’s just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does,” he added. “The man is an absolute acting legend, so good luck to whoever’s gonna fill those shoes.”
The series is set to feature Dominic McLaughlin as Harry. Arabella Stanton has been cast for the part of Hermoine Grainger, while Alastair Stout will star as Ron Weasley.
Elsewhere, Paul Whitehouse has been revealed for a role in the reboot too, alongside the likes of Bertie Carvel, Johnny Flynn, Bel Powley, Daniel Rigby and Katherine Parkinson.
Only one star will return from the film franchise. Warwick Davis is set to reprise his role as Professor Filius Flitwick.
Crypto firm Ripple has been granted conditional approval in its bid to secure a national trust bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)—the US federal regulator that supervises national banks and federal savings associations.
Ripple, together with four other crypto-related businesses, Circle, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos, won provisional agreement from the OCC despite opposition from Main Street banks.
The OCC tentatively approved Ripple, creator of the RLUSD dollar-backed stablecoin and XRP payment token, and Circle, issuer of the USDC stablecoin, to establish national trust banks. Elsewhere, the OCC also gave preliminary approval to BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos, to convert from state-regulated trust companies to nationally regulated trust banks.
Analysts say the pushback from banking industry groups might be an overreaction. The American Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, and Bank Policy Institute argue that granting charters is a backdoor into the banking sector that poses a systemic risk.
“[The] decision by the OCC to grant conditionally five national trust charters leaves substantial unanswered questions,” said Greg Baer, president and CEO of the Bank Policy Institute, in a prepared statement. “Chiefly, whether the requirements the OCC has outlined for the applicants are appropriately tailored to the activities and risks in which the trust will engage.”
But national bank trust charters do not allow regulated entities to solicit deposits, offer checking or savings accounts, or access insurance from the FDIC [Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation], which underwrites most banking deposits in the US.
Despite the OCC’s provisional approval, crypto firms must still satisfy the OCC’s capital, risk, and governance standards before full approval is granted.
Meanwhile, Ripple has secured approval from Abu Dhabi’s financial regulator, permitting Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin for use inside the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)—a financial center—as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token. Approval from the Financial Services Authority will place RLUSD alongside a small group of tokens approved for ADGM use. Earlier this year, RLUSD received approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority and has recently expanded its Middle East footprint into neighboring Bahrain.
