Month: January 2026

Call The Midwife viewers were left horrified by a disturbing storyline that aired in tonight’s episode.

Call The Midwife fans have been left with their “blood boiling” over a “harrowing” storyline.

The beloved BBC period drama returned tonight (Sunday 25 January) and followed a difficult case as one woman was saved from abuse.

Starring Bogi Bondor as Agata Balassa, the patient was a victim being held by a cruel couple who were trying to force her into having a baby that they could keep.

Rosalind (played by Natalie Quarry) noticed burns on her arm before Nurse Trixie (Helen George) rushed to her rescue, after discovering she was pregnant.

The domestic case escalated when the residents of Nonnatus House discovered that Agota had been imprisoned, tortured, starved and raped.

Viewers were left horrified, with one writing: “This is harrowing.”

Another said: “Sexual violence and modern day slavery how much more in our society now, compared to then. Yet it has always been here. The worst kind of abhorrent crime.”

“Oh this episode is making my blood boil. That couple are evil,” someone else wrote.

Another added: “Absolutely disgusting vile couple. Need locking up.”

Someone else wrote: “Agatha is so brave, the first step is one of the hardest, and to take it, takes real courage.”

Yet another fan said: “Call the Midwife never, ever shy away from telling difficult stories and complicated health conditions in the most sensitive way. It is so good that watching should be part of the curriculum.”

Someone else wrote: “This is very handmaid’s tale but the scary thing is that it happens, even now.”

“Oh this is horrifying already,” another echoed.

Other viewers were left in tears, with one writing: “Just a wonderful show, I bubble every week.”

Another added: “The best programme ever ever ever, what an episode.”

Actress Bogi previously took to social media to express how honoured she was to portray such a hard-hitting storyline.

She wrote: “So so grateful for the trust that was put in me to bring this vulnerable young woman to life. Echoing voices like hers is what I live for.

“@delytht your guidance, patience and joy made it so much easier to tackle the heaviness of our story.

“A huge-huge thank you to all cast and crew @callthemidwife.official (I really wish I could tag u one by one) – being on set with you was truly one of the best experiences of my life.

“No words to express my gratitude to @jks.management for seeing something in me, taking me on, and always being there with whatever silly question I come up with:)

“And thank you to all my family and friends who will be there in front of the TV watching me do my thing. For your encouraging words, for telling me you’re proud of me, for being excited and telling your people – you know who you are!!!

“I can’t even explain what this opportunity meant for me. My heart is in a little knot but also wanting to burst.”

Ahead of the new series, showrunner Heidi Thomas had shared: “This year, our team are involved with many tough and painful cases, including slavery, poverty, rabies, carbon monoxide poisoning, male breast cancer, child cruelty and lupus.

“But in Poplar, no-one is ever lost, or abandoned, or even allowed to be alone for very long. Love isn’t just the best medicine, it is medicine. And that’s the philosophy that’s kept us going all these years.

“Those legendary red cardigans enfold everyone. They wrap us up in something safe and warm, in a world where the winds can blow very cold indeed – whether it’s 1971, or 2025.”

Call The Midwife airs Sundays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Jan. 25 (Asia Today) — Former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan died Sunday while on a trip to Vietnam, a government advisory body said. He was 73.

The Secretariat of the National Unification Advisory Council said Lee died in Ho Chi Minh City at 2:48 p.m. local time.

The council said Lee was hospitalized Friday after his health deteriorated during the trip. He was diagnosed with a myocardial infarction and underwent a cardiac stent procedure but did not regain consciousness, it said.

Lee was born in 1952 in Cheongyang County, South Chungcheong Province. He served seven terms in the National Assembly and held senior roles in the Democratic Party, including leadership posts in 2012 and from 2019 to 2020.

He served as education minister under the Kim Dae-jung administration and later became prime minister under President Roh Moo-hyun, described as the first former activist to hold the post.

Lee also served as a standing adviser to President Lee Jae-myung’s election strategy committee during the 21st presidential election and was appointed senior vice chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council in October, the council said.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260126010011782

Here is where things stand on Monday, January 25:

Fighting

• More than 1,300 apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, were still without heating following Russia’s missile and drone attacks on Saturday, according to Mayor Vitalii Klitschko.
• Over the past week alone, Russia launched more than 1,700 attack drones, at least 1,380 guided aerial bombs, and 69 missiles on Ukraine, mainly targeting the energy sector, critical infrastructure, and residential buildings, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• The Ukrainian leader told reporters during a visit to Lithuania that the continuing Russian attacks make it necessary for Ukraine to acquire more air defences, even while the country negotiates a ceasefire deal with Moscow.
• In Russia, the governor of the border region of Belgorod said Ukrainian forces launched a “massive” attack on its main town, damaging energy infrastructure, but causing no casualties.

Diplomacy

• Zelenskyy told reporters in Lithuania that a US document on security guarantees for Ukraine is “100 percent ready”, and that Kyiv is waiting for a time and place for it to be signed.
• He also indicated that trilateral talks with Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi over the weekend made some progress, saying: “[In Abu Dhabi] the 20-point [US] plan and ‌problematic issues are being discussed. There were many problematic issues, but now, there are fewer.”
• Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, after meeting Zelenskyy, said that Russia is avoiding committing to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine and is not accepting a ceasefire in the war.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia will never discuss anything with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and so Moscow will simply wait for her to leave her post.
• Pope Leo said in his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican that ongoing Russian attacks against Ukraine were leaving civilians in the country exposed to the cold of winter, and called for an end to the conflict.
• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited an art studio to guide the creation of sculptures to be displayed at a memorial for the estimated 6,000 North Korean troops who died fighting overseas, according to state media KCNA. Pyongyang deployed some 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, according to Western sources.
• France has detained the Indian captain of an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia’s sanctions-busting “shadow fleet”, prosecutors said. Authorities said the vessel, named the Grinch, failed to fly a flag. It is now moored, under guard, near Marseille.

BBC The Night Manager finale details as series two prepares to come to an end

The Night Manager is building towards its highly anticipated second series finale, and if the concluding episode matches the first season’s dramatic ending, the BBC can anticipate substantial viewing figures.

The second series made its comeback on New Year’s Day with Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as MI6 agent Pine, operating under the cover identities of Alex Goodwin and Matthew Ellis, nearly a decade after its gripping finale drew over 10 million viewers across the UK.

The latest season has welcomed back numerous familiar faces from the original cast, including Olivia Colman, Douglas Hodge, Michael Nardone, and Noah Jupe, whilst introducing new stars Diego Calva as Teddy, Camila Morrone playing Roxana, Indira Varma in the part of Mayra, Paul Chahidi as Basil, and Hayley Squires as Sally. A surprising development midway through the new series also witnessed the comeback of Pine’s adversary Richard Roper, portrayed by Hugh Laurie.

The Night Manager draws from the characters conceived by John le Carré, though unlike the inaugural series, the second season isn’t based on an existing novel as none exists, leaving writer David Farr’s conclusion shrouded in mystery, reports Wales Online.

Discussing the script, Tom Hiddleston remarked: “David Farr has achieved the impossible. The Night Manager was based on a novel by John le Carré, there was no second novel, no sequel. David has written it with all the sophistication and complexity that le Carré would approve of and admire. Teddy, Roxana, Colombia, Alex Goodwin and Matthew Ellis have all emerged from David’s imagination. This is where he chose to go, and we all followed him there. He’s forensic about detail, and brilliant at the plotting of a complex spy thriller. It feels like a roller-coaster. David’s scripts are exciting, dangerous, edgy, mythic and complex. It’s about shame, guilt, and redemption.”

When does The Night Manager season 2 final air?

Unlike numerous BBC dramas, The Night Manager isn’t accessible for binge-viewing on iPlayer, forcing viewers to await weekly broadcasts.

The debut episode of The Night Manager was transmitted on a Thursday, screening in the coveted primetime position on New Year’s Day. Subsequently, though, the hit drama has moved to the Sunday evening schedule, where it has remained.

The second series has been transmitted weekly throughout January, but the concluding chapter, episode six, will air on Sunday, February 1 at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The Night Manager season 2 release schedule

The Night Manager’s second run consists of six hour-long episodes altogether, with only the finale remaining to be shown.

• The Night Manager season 2 episode 1 – Thursday, January 1 at 9:05pm
• The Night Manager season 2 episode 2 – Sunday, January 4 at 9pm
• The Night Manager season 2 episode 3 – Sunday, January 11 at 9pm
• The Night Manager season 2 episode 4 – Sunday, January 18 at 9pm
• The Night Manager season 2 episode 5 – Sunday, January 25 at 9pm
• The Night Manager season 2 episode 6 – Sunday February 1 at 9pm

Episodes one to five are available to catch up on BBC iPlayer now, as is series one for those who didn’t watch the original.

DENVER — Drake Maye ran for 68 yards and threw for 86 in sloppy, snowy conditions and scored New England’s only touchdown on a six-yard keeper, propelling the Patriots to their 12th Super Bowl with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Christian Gonzalez intercepted Jarrett Stidham, starting in place of an injured Bo Nix, at New England’s 36 with 2:11 remaining, and the Patriots (17-3) iced their first playoff win in Denver when Maye ran for seven yards on third and five from his 41.

In Mike Vrabel’s first season as their coach, the Patriots became the third team in the Super Bowl era to win a conference championship with 10 points or fewer. Buffalo beat Denver 10-7 in the 1991 AFC title game, and the Rams beat Tampa Bay 9-0 in the 1979 NFC championship game.

“I’m just proud of this team,” Maye said. “Don’t have many words. Just thankful for this team. Love each and every one of them. It took everybody.”

The Broncos (15-4) finished one step shy of fulfilling Sean Payton’s preseason prediction of a trip to Super Bowl 60.

Both kickers missed two field goals in the frigid conditions with Denver’s Wil Lutz and New England’s Andy Borregales wide on long tries just before the snow came in at halftime.

The Patriots fell behind 7-0 but had a key fourth-down stop near their own end zone to spark the comeback. Their victory was their 40th in the playoffs, breaking a tie with the San Francisco 49ers for the most in NFL history.

It was sunny at kickoff with a temperature of 26 degrees, but by halftime the snowflakes began falling and grounds crews had to use snowblowers to mark the hash marks and yard lines by the fourth quarter, when it was 16 degrees.

“What an atmosphere out here,” Maye said. “Battle of the elements. Love this team. How about the defense? I love each and every one of them.”

After gaining just 72 yards in the first half, the Patriots opened the second half in swirling snow with a 16-play, 64-yard drive that ate up 9½ minutes and ended with a 23-yard field goal by Borregales that gave New England its first lead at 10-7.

The Patriots managed just four first downs in the first half, punting five times and missing a field goal. But they capitalized on a short field when New England’s defense set up Maye at the Denver 12 with a takeaway, and Maye took it in from six yards out to tie it at 7 at halftime.

As he stepped in for the injured Nix (ankle surgery), Stidham’s first completion since the 2023 regular-season finale was a 52-yard dart to Marvin Mims Jr. to New England’s seven-yard line that set up Courtland Sutton’s six-yard touchdown catch to start the scoring.

The Broncos reached New England’s 14 early in the second quarter, but Payton decided to go for it — and Stidham’s throw to R.J. Harvey was incomplete on fourth and one.

Instead of going up double digits, the Broncos were left clinging to a 7-0 lead, and Elijah Ponder recovered Stidham’s backward pass at the Denver 12, setting up the tying touchdown two plays later.

Stidham, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2019, made his first start since the 2023 regular-season finale. The Broncos were the only team in the league that didn’t give their backup quarterback any snaps or handoffs the last two seasons.

Nix, who had 11 game-winning drives in his first two seasons, got hurt on Denver’s final drive in overtime against Buffalo last week. But he didn’t come out of the game and the extent of his injury — a broken right ankle — wasn’t known until he went for X-rays after the 33-30 win.

Jan. 24 (Asia Today) — The Trump administration said South Korea is fully capable of taking primary responsibility for deterring North Korea, under what it described as critical but more limited U.S. support, according to a newly released U.S. defense strategy.

In the National Defense Strategy issued Thursday, the administration said South Korea has both the capability and willingness to assume a leading role in deterrence given what it called a direct and clear threat from North Korea.

The document said shifting the balance of responsibility for deterrence aligns with U.S. national interests as Washington updates the posture of U.S. forces on the Korean Peninsula.

The strategy stressed that deterrence against North Korea remains consistent with U.S. national security priorities, even as Washington recalibrates its role in the alliance.

Despite assessing that North Korea’s conventional forces are aging, the document warned that the risk of a North Korean invasion cannot be dismissed and said South Korea must remain vigilant.

The strategy also said North Korea retains the capability to strike targets in South Korea and Japan with nuclear weapons and poses a clear nuclear attack threat to the U.S. mainland.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260124010011427

DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY,

Coastguard says at least 215 people have been rescued, while a search for 144 missing people is ongoing.

A ferry carrying more than 350 people has capsized off the southern Philippine province of Basilan, killing at least seven people, according to officials.

The ⁠accident occurred after midnight on Monday ​as the passenger vessel, MV Trisha Kerstin ‍3, was en route to Jolo Island in southern Sulu province, having departed the port city of Zamboanga.

The Philippine coastguard said the vessel ‍had 332 ⁠passengers on record and 27 crew.

Coastguard Commander Romel Dua of Southern Mindanao District told DZBB radio that 215 people had been rescued and seven bodies recovered, while search and ​rescue operations continued for 144 ‌others who remained missing.

Dua said an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the accident.

Arsina Laja Kahing-Nanoh, the town mayor in Basilan province, said in a post on Facebook that there were at least “eight confirmed casualties” from the sinking of the ferry. She posted a video of coastguard personnel rescuing several people and hauling bodies from the water into a boat.

In a separate video statement, Kahing-Nanoh added that rough seas and the darkness were hampering the search and rescue operation.

Basilan emergency responder Ronalyn Perez told the AFP news agency that “at least 138 people” had so far been rescued.

“The challenge here really is the number of patients that are coming in. We are short-staffed at the moment,” Perez said, adding that 18 people had been brought to one local hospital.

The PCG said rescue efforts were still ongoing.

Dua, the coastguard commander in Mindanao, said the cause of the ferry sinking was not immediately clear and that there would be an investigation. He added that the coastguard cleared the ferry before it left the Zamboanga port, and there was no sign of overloading.

Sea accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of frequent storms, badly maintained vessels, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces.

On Friday, at least two Filipino sailors were reported killed, and 15 others were rescued after a Singapore-flagged general cargo vessel en route to China from the southern island of Mindanao sank. Four other sailors remain missing.

In December 1987, the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker in the central Philippines, killing more than 4,300 people in the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.

KATIE Price’s new husband proposed to another woman four months ago — in exactly the same way.

Lee Andrews gave Katie a ring in an extravagant gesture featuring rose petals and private tub at Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hotel.

But he did the same with fitness fan Alana Percival in September after they met in May on a Dubai beach.

Brit Alana is understood to have invested in one of Lee’s companies.

But the real estate worker called off the engagement when she grew suspicious of his intentions.

A source said of Katie: “Her friends hope she’s smart enough to question his motives.”

RAPID ROMANCE

Inside Katie Price’s whirlwind wedding as she reveals she met Lee a WEEK ago

HITTING BACK

Katie Price’s ex JJ Slater puts two fingers up to new bride

Our revelation comes after Katie married Lee days after meeting him — leaving her family shocked.

The mother of five got hitched for a fourth time in a quiet ceremony in Dubai with no loved ones present.

It comes hours after Katie, 47, revealed they had got engaged, calling it a “wedding at first sight”.

Tonight she confirmed they had married having recently connected online.

The former glamour model also said they got matching tattoos and bought rings before even meeting.

We connected by checking each other’s socials and quickly realised, ‘Wow this is for me’

Katie Price

She beamed: “How I met Lee was esoteric. We connected by checking each other’s socials and quickly realised, ‘Wow this is for me’,

“In the old-fashioned way, first by words, which captured us both, that evolved deeper as we connected further.

“Within days, matching tattoos, and then both deciding to buy rings for the other — all this without even meeting.

“We let fate, or you could say destiny, decide.”

The Sun understands the couple met in person for the first time just over a week ago.

Katie was invited to Dubai by twice-married Lee, CEO of Aura Group Future Urban Travel 2027.

Family ‘dumbstruck’

They are then believed to have got engaged on Friday, although Katie’s family is thought to have had no idea she was going through with the wedding so soon.

A family friend said: “Kate’s family are dumbstruck.

“To see she had got engaged after flying to Dubai — literally just after she had arrived was crazy.

“The fact she has now married him is even more shocking.

“No one knows who Lee is, they know nothing about him. Kate’s mum, her children, no one knew about the wedding.

“She has a lot of questions to answer when she comes home.”

At the intimate ceremony, an officiator was seen reading from a script as Katie and Lee stood together in the sunshine saying their vows.

The bride chose a white dress with a cut-out in the middle while the groom wore an off-white linen shirt with white trousers.

An onlooker said Katie could not stop smiling throughout.

‘Sweet to watch’

They added: “She seemed so taken with Lee.

“They said their vows and then kissed — it was sweet to watch.”

Speaking afterwards, Katie said: “I’m just so happy with my person, that is just as happy as me.

“What we have they haven’t even invented the words for.

“He has the best version of me which can only grow more knowing we are each other’s.

“On the wedding, all I can say is fate, and this was a wedding at first sight.”

Last night, Lee posted a picture with Katie on Instagram captioned: “Happiest Mr and Mrs.”

It comes after Lee had laid on an extravagant proposal.

She posted a picture of rose petals arranged to read “will you marry me?”, before showing off a huge diamond engagement ring.

Katie — mum to Harvey, 23, Junior, 20, Princess, 18, Jett, 12, and 11-year-old Bunny — wrote: “My Richard Gear [sic] swept off my feet. Manifesting does work.”

It comes just weeks after Katie revealed her relationship with JJ Slater was over.

She said on her podcast: “I don’t wanna waste my time. You know, if I’m not loved-up and it’s not going, these are mistakes I’ve made in the past.”

Katie, previously married to Peter Andre, Alex Reid and Kieran Hayler, added: “You stay, just go along, and then it ends up getting nasty.”

Katie Price’s relationship history

We take a look back at the highs and lows of Katie Price’s relationship history.

1996-1998: Katie got engaged to Gladiators star Warren Furman – aka Ace – with a £3,000 ring. But their relationship didn’t make it as far as ‘I do’.

1998-2000: Katie described Dane Bowers as ‘the love of her life’ but she broke up with the singer after he allegedly cheated on her.

2001: Footballer Dwight Yorke is the father of Katie’s eldest child Harvey. He has had very little to do with his son throughout his life.

2002: Rebounding from Dwight, Katie famously had one night of passion with Pop Idol star Gareth Gates, allegedly taking his virginity.

2002-2004: Katie was dating Scott Sullivan when she entered the jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. He threatened to “punch Peter’s lights out” when chemistry blossomed between her and Peter Andre.

2004-2009: The jungle romance resulted in Katie marrying Aussie pop star Peter. They had two kids, Junior and Princess, before their bitter split in 2009.

2010-2011: Fresh from her break-up with Peter, Katie enjoyed a whirlwind relationship and marriage with cage fighter Alex Reid. They split 20 months after their Las Vegas wedding.

2011: Katie briefly dated model Danny Cipriani… but it ended as quickly as it begun.

2011-2012: They didn’t speak the same language, but Katie got engaged to Argentinian model Leandro Penna in 2011. He later fled home to South America.

2012-2018: Wedding bells rang once more after Katie met Kieran Hayler in 2013. They had two kids together, Jett and Bunny, before their break-up and divorce.

2018-2019: Katie moved on quickly with Kris Boyson. They had an on-off romance for one year and even got engaged. They split for good in 2019.

2019: Katie was linked to Charles Drury during her on-off relationship with Kris. Charles, who also dated Lauren Goodger, has always denied being in “official relationship” with her.

2020-2023: Car salesman Carl Woods took a shine to Katie in 2020. Their relationship was up and down for three years. They broke up for a final time last year.

2024-2026: After weeks of rumours, Katie confirmed her relationship with Married At First Sight star JJ Slater in February 2024. The pair split in January 2026 after two years together.

2026: Katie shocked fans when she revealed she is engaged to businessman Lee Andrews.

MINNEAPOLIS — Saturday morning started frigid and quiet on Minneapolis’ “Eat Street,” a stretch of road south of downtown famous for its small coffee shops and restaurants ranging from New American to Vietnamese.

Within five hours, seemingly everything had changed. A protester was dead. Videos were circulating showing multiple federal agents on top of the man and gunshots fired. Federal and local officials again were angrily divided over who was to blame.

And Eat Street was the scene of a series of clashes, before federal officers and local and state police pulled back and protesters took over the area.

It all started around 9 a.m. when federal immigration agents shot and killed Alex Pretti there, about a mile and a half from the scene where Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot Jan. 7 by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, sparking outrage and daily protests.

And in just over an hour, anger exploded again in the city already on edge. Even before the current immigration enforcement surge, networks of thousands of residents had organized to monitor and denounce it while national, state and local leaders traded blame over the rising tensions.

Two Associated Press journalists reached the scene minutes after Saturday’s shooting. They saw dozens of protesters quickly converging and confronting the federal agents, many blowing the whistles activists use to alert to the presence of federal officers.

They had been covering protests for days, including a massive one Friday afternoon in downtown Minneapolis, but the anger and sorrow among Saturday’s crowd felt more urgent and intense.

The crowd, rapidly swelling into the hundreds, screamed insults and obscenities at the agents, some of whom shouted back mockingly. Then for several hours, the two groups clashed as tear gas billowed in the subzero air.

Over and over, officers pushed back the protesters from improvised barricades with the aid of flash-bang grenades and pepper balls, only for the protesters to regroup and regain their ground. Some five hours after the shooting, after one more big push down the street, enforcement officers left in a convoy.

By midafternoon, protesters had taken over the intersection next to the shooting scene and cordoned it off with discarded yellow tape from the police. Some stood on large metal dumpsters that blocked all traffic, banging on them, while others gave speeches at the growing impromptu memorial for Pretti, who was a 37-year-old ICU nurse at a VA hospital.

People brought tree branches to form a circle around the area, while others put flowers and candles at the memorial by a snow bank.

Many carried handwritten signs demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents leave Minnesota immediately, using expletives against ICE that have been plastered all over the Twin Cities for weeks.

The mood in the crowd was widespread anger and sadness — recalling the same outpouring of wrath and grief that shook the city after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in 2020, although without the widespread violent protests then.

Law enforcement was not visibly present in the blocks immediately around the shooting scene, although multiple agencies had mobilized and the National Guard announced it would also help provide security there.

At an afternoon news conference, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said his officers and members of the Minnesota National Guard in yellow safety traffic vests were working to keep the area around the shooting safe and avoid traffic interfering with “lawful, peaceful demonstrations.” No traffic except for residents was allowed in a 6-by-7-block area around the scene.

Stores, sports and cultural institutions closed Saturday afternoon, citing safety. Some stayed open to give a break to the protesters from the dangerous cold, providing water, coffee, snacks and hand warmer packets.

After evening fell, a somber, sorrowful crowd in the hundreds kept a vigil by the memorial.

“It feels like every day something crazier happens,” said Caleb Spike. “What comes next? I don’t know what the solution is.”

Brook and Vancleave write for the Associated Press.

New England may have won six Super Bowls, sharing the NFL record with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they had to rebuild after Brady joined Tampa Bay in 2020 and legendary coach Bill Belichick left after a 4-13 record during the 2023 season.

Less than two hours after another 4-13 season ended last January, owner Robert Kraft made the bold decision to fire Jerod Mayo before letting Mike Vrabel bring in his own coaching staff.

That decision has paid off immediately. Little was expected of the Patriots as they headed into the season but they improved to 14-3, with that 10-win swing tied for the biggest turnaround in NFL history.

Maye established himself as a leading contender for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award and again showed maturity beyond his years on Sunday.

Denver’s defence led the league for sacks this season and although they sacked Maye five times, he made some key plays with his legs.

The 23-year-old scrambled out of the pocket to earn some crucial first downs and scored the Patriots’ only touchdown after Stidham fumbled right in front of the Broncos’ end zone.

The game then became a defensive battle, with both teams missing field goals before half-time, before Maye kept a New England drive going for more than nine minutes, resulting in what proved to be the game’s decisive score from kicker Andy Borregales.

In just half a quarter, the entire field was covered in snow, making it virtually impossible for either side to get their offence going in the final period, and Denver’s Wil Lutz missed a 45-yard field goal before Stidham’s desperate pass was picked off by Gonzalez.

The resurgent Patriots have become the first team to reach the Super Bowl after 13 losses in the previous season while Maye will be the second-youngest quarterback to start the NFL’s championship game after Dan Marino with the Miami Dolphins in 1985.

And having won three Super Bowls as a linebacker with New England, 50-year-old Vrabel could now become the first man to become an NFL champion as a player and a head coach with the same team.

As protests erupt in Minnesota following the killing of US citizens by federal agents, President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act. Former US Associate Deputy Attorney General Bruce Fein argues that would be a terrible idea.

JESSIE J has cancelled her performance tonight in Toronto over the extreme weather.

The singer – who is currently touring the world – was due to play the 1500 capacity Danforth Music Hall in the city on Sunday night.

However the extreme weather conditions that recently saw neighbouring province Quebec hit almost minus 40c temperates – the coldest on earth.

The major snow storm is set to be dump 50cm of snow on Toronto today alone – and it has forced Jessie to rethink her show.

Writing on Instagram, she announced: “I am personally making the decision to cancel tonight’s show in TORONTO.

“I don’t feel comfortable having people risk their safety for the show.

JESSIE’S ADVICE

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SPARK COMING BACK

Jessie J shows off curves in swimwear after cancer battle and mastectomy

“I understand some people will be upset and some I’m sure will be relieved, however I feel this is the right decision.

“You will get a full refund for your tickets.”

She added: “I am truly sorry.

“I am currently standing in the venue and getting here wasn’t safe and the snow is only getting worse.

“I just can’t imagine how people would get home in the dark with the weather like this.

“I hope you can respect my decision even if you may disagree. 

“But for me safety always has to come first. Lots of love, J.”

Fans were disappointed but understood and were grateful – though many begged for her to reschedule the gig.

One wrote: “We get it, I live downtown and even I was wondering how I was going to get to the show.”

A second said: “Queen we love and respect this decision, but can it please be rescheduled instead ?? Pls don’t just cancel.”

Another added: “Yes, girl, safety comes first. You did the right thing!”

MADISON, Wis. — Chad Baker-Mazara made five three-pointers and scored 29 points, Ezra Ausar added 17 points, and USC beat Wisconsin 73-71 on Sunday to snap the Badgers’ five-game win streak.

Jacob Cofie had 11 rebounds to go with nine points and five assists for USC (15-5, 4-5 Big Ten).

Nick Boyd hit a three-pointer, made two free throws and added a layup to spark a 17-2 run that gave the Badgers a 58-46 lead with 12 minutes to play, but the Badgers made just four of 16 from the field the rest of the way. Baker-Mazara scored nine points — which included the final seven — in a 16-2 run over the next seven-plus minutes to take a two-point lead with 4:54 remaining.

John Blackwell made two free throws that tied it 65-all with 3:13 left, but Ausar made back-to-back baskets, Baker-Mazara scored in the lane, and Jerry Easter II hit two free throws with two seconds left that made it a four-point game.

Boyd made 10 of 17 from the field, hit eight of nine from the free-throw line, and led Wisconsin (14-6, 6-3) with 29 points. Nolan Winter added 12 points and Blackwell 11.

The Badgers (14-6, 6-3) shot 34% (23 of 67) overall and made nine of 37 (24%) from behind the arc.

Jan. 25 (UPI) — Gen. Zhang Youxia, who helmed China’s military under President Xi Jinping, faces allegations of sharing nuclear secrets with the United States, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.

The Central Military Commission vice chairman was previously ousted alongside the Gen. Liu Zhenli, who served as the Central Military Commission’s Joint Staff chief of staff.

In addition to claims that Youxia, 75, shared important information about the country’s nuclear weapons, he stands accused of creating groups that would erode Communist Party unity, and accepting bribes, the outlet said.

Youxia, who promoted Li Shangfu to his former post as Defense Minister, allegedly accepted a bribe to do so.

“Xi sought to avoid a wholesale cashiering of the top brass in the early years of the anticorruption campaign. He later realized that was impossible, and this move is the denouement of that process,” Christopher Johnson, a former CIA analyst and the head of China Strategies Group, said.

Youxia, who had been a childhood friend of Xi’s, and Zhenli were the fourth and fifth military officials to be ousted since 2024.

A United States aircraft carrier strike group is heading towards the Gulf as tensions build with Iran.

The US military last staged a major build-up in the Middle East in June – days before striking three Iranian nuclear sites during Israel’s 12-day war with Tehran.

This month, US President Donald Trump backed antigovernment protesters in Iran. “Help is on its way,” he told them as the government cracked down. But last week, he dialled down the military rhetoric. The protests have since been quashed.

So what are the US military assets moving to the Gulf? And is the US preparing to strike Iran again?

Why is the US moving warships?

Trump said on Thursday that a US “armada” is heading towards the Gulf region with Iran being its focus.

US officials said an aircraft carrier strike group and other assets are to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days.

“We’re watching Iran. We have a big force going towards Iran,” Trump said.

“And maybe we won’t have to use it. … We have a lot of ships going that direction. Just in case, we have a big flotilla going in that direction, and we’ll see what happens,” he added.

The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln changed its path from the South China Sea more than a week ago towards the Middle East. Its carrier strike group includes Arleigh Burke-class destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of striking targets deep inside Iran.

The US military vessels en route to the Middle East are also equipped with the Aegis combat system, which provides air and missile defence against ballistic and cruise missiles and other aerial threats.

When Washington hit Iran’s nuclear sites, US forces reportedly launched 30 Tomahawk missiles from submarines and carried out strikes with B-2 bombers.

When asked on Thursday if he wanted Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to step down, Trump replied: “I don’t want to get into that, but they know what we want. There is a lot of killing.”

He also reiterated claims that his threats to use force stopped authorities in Iran from executing more than 800 people who had taken part in the protests, a claim denied by Iranian officials.

An unnamed US official told the Reuters news agency that additional air defence systems were being considered for the Middle East, which could be critical to guard against an Iranian strike on US bases in the region.

Iranian state media said the protests killed 3,117 people, including 2,427 civilians and members of the security forces.

How widespread is the US military presence in the Middle East?

The US has operated military bases in the Middle East for decades and has 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers stationed there.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the US operates a broad network of military sites, both permanent and temporary, at at least 19 locations in the region.

Of these, eight are permanent bases, located in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The first US deployment of soldiers in the Middle East was in July 1958 when combat troops were sent to Beirut. At its height, almost 15,000 Marines and Army soldiers were in Lebanon.

The US naval movement towards Iran was ordered despite a new National Defense Strategy being released on Friday. The document is drawn up every four years by the Department of Defense, and the latest security blueprint outlines a pullback of US forces in other parts of the world to prioritise security in the Western Hemisphere.

How has Iran responded?

Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, who heads coordination between Iran’s army and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned on Thursday that any military strike on Iran would turn all US bases in the region into “legitimate targets”.

General Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, said two days later that Iran is “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger”.

He warned Washington and Israel “to avoid any miscalculation”.

This month, Washington had withdrawn some personnel from its bases in the Middle East after Tehran threatened to hit them if Washington launched strikes on its territory.

In a piece in The Wall Street Journal newspaper on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said Tehran would be “firing back with everything we have” if attacked.

“An all-out confrontation will certainly be ferocious and drag on far, far longer than the fantasy timelines that Israel and its proxies are trying to peddle to the White House,” he said.

Has air traffic stopped?

Not completely, but the build-up of tensions between the US and Iran has led to the suspension of some flights.

Over the weekend, Air France cancelled two flights from Paris to Dubai. It said it “continuously monitors the geopolitical situation in the territories served and overflown by its aircraft in order to ensure the highest level of flight safety and security”. It has since resumed its flights.

Luxair postponed its flight on Saturday from Luxembourg to Dubai by 24 hours “in light of ongoing tensions and insecurity affecting the region’s airspace, and in line with measures taken by several other airlines”, the carrier said in a statement to The Associated Press news agency.

Arrivals at Dubai International Airport showed the cancellation of Saturday’s flights from Amsterdam by the Dutch carriers KLM and Transavia. Some KLM flights to Tel Aviv, Israel, were also cancelled on Friday and Saturday.

Did the US impose new sanctions on Iran?

In line with its continuing effort to ramp up pressure on Tehran, the US imposed sanctions on Friday on a fleet of nine ships and their owners whom Washington accused of transporting hundreds of millions of dollars in Iranian oil to foreign markets in violation of sanctions.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were imposed because of Iran’s “shutdown of internet access to conceal its abuses” against its citizens during its crackdown on the nationwide protests.

The sanctions “target a critical component of how Iran generates the funds used to repress its own people”, Bessent said.

US officials said the nine targeted vessels – sailing under the flags of Palau, Panama and other jurisdictions – are part of a shadow fleet that smuggles sanctioned goods, notably from Russia and Iran.

Protests began in Iran on December 28, triggered by the collapse of Iran’s currency, the rial, and intensified over the next two weeks

On Friday, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution that condemned Iran for the deadly protest crackdown.

Ali Bahreini, Iran’s envoy at the meeting in Geneva, reiterated his government’s claim that 3,117 people died during the unrest, 2,427 of whom were killed by “terrorists” armed and funded by the US, Israel and their allies.

“It was ironic that states whose history was stained with genocide and war crimes now attempted to lecture Iran on social governance and human rights,” he said.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it has confirmed at least 5,137 deaths during the protests and is investigating 12,904 others.

PARK CITY, Utah — Welcome to a special Sundance Daily edition of the Wide Shot, a newsletter about the business of entertainment. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

Good afternoon — Sundance’s third day is behind us and it’s turning out to be a gray Sunday, cooler, with a high of 24 degrees.

As it always has been, year after year, Sundance is proving to be a combustible place where bracing new work collides with real-world anxieties. The violence in Minneapolis isn’t far from mind for most attendees and we’re taking the opportunity to gather as many reactions as we can.

“These are not normal times,” actor Edward Norton told us in an interview Sunday morning. “It’s like we have extrajudicial assaults on Americans and humans going on on a daily basis now. And it’s not OK. Even though all people kind of have to put one foot in front of the other and deal with the demands of the day, we cannot act like this is not happening.”

Meanwhile, Amy Nicholson is live with her first critical dispatch, one that takes in movies as disparate as the killer-unicorn dark comedy “Buddy,” Charli XCX’s “The Moment,” Gregg Araki’s “I Want Your Sex” and her own sense of nostalgia, saying goodbye to Park City like Charli saying goodbye to her brat summer: “I’m not ready to end my own Park City winter era just yet,” Amy writes.

Recapturing a lost summer from the Malibu fires

Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Kathleen Hanna, Tobi Vail, Tamra Davis and Alfredo Ortiz in the documentary “The Best Summer.”

(Mike Diamond / Sundance Institute)

Director Tamra Davis debuted her new documentary “The Best Summer,” a charming excavation of raw video interviews she did while on a mid-’90s tour with her then-recently married husband Mike D of Beastie Boys. Mark Olsen spoke to Davis at her house in Malibu, which thankfully survived last year’s fires, though in her rush to flee the scene, she found this box of old videos. It’s a great example of something good coming out of something bad.

Meanwhile, our Vanessa Franko attended last night’s premiere and has this report:

Time-traveling and rocking out at a midnight debut

I expected the live performances of artists like the Beastie Boys, Bikini Kill and Pavement to transport me back to the mid-‘90s in Tamra Davis’ “The Best Summer,” but perhaps the biggest nostalgia hit was watching the audience on the screen react to the performers in those halcyon days of concert going before smartphones.

In the film, we see a young Dave Grohl tell Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna about his fear of speaking to the crowd from the stage; the Beastie Boys mimicking a water aerobics class happening at a tropical resort pool on a day off; and Beck reveal that he bought his underwear at Sears — all on a whirlwind tour of Australia and Southeast Asia in the final days of 1995 and into 1996.

The tidbits of regular life for these artists are just as engaging as the performances, which Davis captured on a Sony camcorder that had amazingly great sound. (She said she had to buy a camera just to be able to watch the tapes after moving them while evacuating the fires.)

The reveals continued after the screening: At the Q&A, Hanna said the bands would use hotel stationery to communicate who was throwing the party that night. And while watching the film, she realized Foo Fighters guitarist Pat Smear stole her skirt.

On a sweeter note, in the film you see Hanna and Beastie Boys’ Adam Horovitz, who recently celebrated their 30th anniversary, flirting with each other.

“It’s funny to remember that feeling of falling in love,” Hanna said.

At the moderator’s prompting, Sonic Youth bassist Kim Gordon imparted a final thought to the audience.

“Sorry you weren’t able to enjoy the ‘90s,” she said as the crowd laughed. — Vanessa Franko

What are we watching today?

“All About the Money” (Library Center Theatre, 3 p.m.)

Fergie Chambers in the documentary “All About the Money.”

(Sundance Institute)

If Communist revolutionary Fergie Chambers had a dollar for every time he said something outrageous, he’d have roughly $250 million dollars — which he does. The heavily-tattooed scion of one of America’s old money families can trace his lineage to a presidential candidate, an ambassador and a NASA scientist.

His current path, however, changes several times over the course of Sinéad O’Shea’s documentary, which unspools like you’re being taken down a maze covered in Lenin stickers. “All About the Money” starts idyllically with Chambers funding an activist commune in Massachusetts.

But when the group vigorously protests the war in Gaza, only the poor residents get charged with criminal mischief. The rich rabble-rouser simply shifts to his next crusade. Isn’t he in moral debt to his disciples?

O’Shea listens more than she prods. Yet, as you might expect from a guy who once tweeted “Hamas >>>> Gandhi,” Chambers doesn’t mince words. He can afford to be disliked. — Amy Nicholson

“Union County” (Eccles Theatre, 3 p.m.)

Will Poulter, left, and Noah Centineo in the movie “Union County.”

(Stefan Weinberger / Sundance Institute)

Premiering as part of the U.S. Dramatic Competition is the feature debut from writer-director Adam Meeks. Set in rural Ohio, the film explores the human-scale cost of the opioid crisis by combining elements of fiction and documentary for a film that feels lived-in and authentic.

Working with an actual court-mandated rehab program that seems startlingly empathetic toward those who join it, people attempting to rebuild their lives with a sense of soul-deep struggle, the film’s cast is made up largely of nonprofessional actors.

Add to that Will Poulter and Noah Centino as foster brothers who both find themselves before the court and trying to rebuild their lives. As Poulter’s Cody makes a more genuine effort to get straight, Centino’s Jack struggles to give up his old ways, building to shattering revelations. — Mark Olsen

Will popular movies find deals?

In recent years, the biggest film deals have happened toward the end of Sundance, if not in the days and weeks afterward. So far, this year seems to be following a similar trajectory.

There’s buzz around several films, including the Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan-led drama “Josephine,” as well as the romantic fantasy “Wicker” starring Olivia Colman, but no big announcements yet.

There’s still time. After all, last year’s first big deal — Neon’s acquisition of the Alison Brie and Dave Franco body-horror rom-com “Together” — was announced during the festival’s final days. Same with Netflix’s purchase of the Oscar-nominated Joel Edgerton drama “Train Dreams.”

Filmmakers are also hopeful about the emergence of new buyers in the industry.

I mentioned Warner Bros.’ new specialty label in the first Sundance edition of The Wide Shot, but there’s also West Hollywood-based Row K Entertainment and indie studio Black Bear, which launched a U.S. distribution arm last year. There’s also curiosity about Paramount’s existing acquisition-only label Republic Pictures, which is now led by producer Lia Buman.

The fact that more buyers have entered the market has given some filmmakers sense of optimism — after all, the thinking goes, why would they push into this space unless they saw an opportunity?

Newer labels in particular might want to get a buzzy title to make a splash and establish their brand, industry insiders say. It’s still early, so it remains to be seen how the deals will shape up this year. — Samantha Masunaga

UCLA senior Jordan Chiles delivered a perfect 10 on the floor exercise and a balanced team effort helped the No. 5 Bruins defeat No. 21 Michigan State on Sunday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich.

The nationally televised meet featured the past two Big Ten gymnastics champions, with the Bruins winning in 2025 and the Spartans in 2024.

UCLA (6-2, 2-0 Big Ten) led the team scoring wire to wire. Chiles’ perfect floor routine helped the Bruins combine for a season high 49.450 on the event, their third rotation, and extend a lead that Michigan State (1-4, 0-2) could not erase.

“Incredibly proud of this one,” UCLA coach Janelle McDonald posted on X. “TEAM is what it is about & the Bruins showed up for each other today!!!”

UCLA posted a team score of 197.425, finishing ahead of Michigan State’s season-high score of 196.900.

Chiles won the individual all-around title with a score of 9.975. Michigan State’s Sage Kellerman placed second (9.925) and Spartan Cady Duplissis placed third (9.900).

UCLA opened the meet on the bars, with Jordan Chiles scoring a 9.950, Sydney Barros a 9.900, Ciena Alipio and Tiana Sumanasekera a 9.875, Ashlee Sullivan a 9.750 and Katelyn Rosen a 9.525.

The Bruins led 49.350-49.300 after the rotation.

UCLAOs Jordan Chiles performs during her floor routine, which received a perfect 10 score.

(Jesus Ramirez / UCLA Athletics)

Chiles stuck her double twisting Yurchenko vault and scored 9.975 on UCLA’s second rotation. Rosen scored a 9.875, Sullivan scored a 9.850, Riley Jenkins scored a 9.825, Sumanasekera scored a 9.775 and Jordis Eichman scored a 9.750.

The Bruins extended their lead to 98.650-98.275.

Chiles then delivered her perfect 10 on the floor. Barros posted a 9.900; Rosen, Alipio and Sumanasekera each posted a 9.850 and Sullivan added a 9.825.

The Bruins led 148.100-147.550 entering the final rotation.

Chiles and Alipio both scored 9.950 on the beam. Sumanasekera and Eichman posted 9.825 scores, while Rosen and Sullivan delivered 9.775 marks to close out UCLA’s team victory.

Michigan State set an attendance record with 9,887 fans, surpassing the previous high of 6,250.

“I’m extremely proud of what the team did today,” Michigan State coach Mike Rowe said. “… The attendance record is really exciting. The Breslin is great because as soon as they hear the competition, who’s coming here, the tickets will sell like crazy. The energy is electric. The more amped they are, the better they score.”

Clashes have erupted between police and opposition protesters in Albania’s capital over alleged corruption in the Socialist Party government, with the demonstrators demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation.

The protest, led by opposition leader and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, drew thousands of people to a rally on Saturday evening in front of Tirana’s main government building.

Berisha, who heads the right-wing Democratic Party, urged the crowd to “unite to overthrow this government and to put in place a technical government to prepare early, free and fair elections”.

Tensions escalated when groups of protesters marched towards parliament and tried to break through police cordons, throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. At least 10 officers sustained minor injuries, police said. According to Berisha, 25 protesters were arrested.

In November, a special corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, a close Rama ally, over her alleged role in a public procurement corruption case. Balluku, who also serves as infrastructure and energy minister, has denied the allegations, while Rama condemned her suspension as a “brutal act of interference in the independence of the executive”.

Following a request from the government, the Constitutional Court in December temporarily reinstated Balluku pending its final ruling. A parliamentary committee is due to review on Wednesday a request from anticorruption and organised crime prosecutors to lift her immunity, which would allow her arrest.

Organised crime and corruption remain key obstacles to Albania’s ambition of joining the European Union.

Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj was arrested in February last year on suspicion of corruption and money laundering. Two other former ministers who served under Rama have also been accused of embezzlement and abuse of power. Ilir Meta, who has served as president and prime minister, was arrested in October 2024 on accusations of corruption and money laundering.

Minnesota’s Democratic governor, Tim Walz, has demanded that US President Donald Trump pull “untrained” federal immigration agents out of the state after Border Patrol agents shot and killed a demonstrator in Minneapolis, the second such death in the city amid the ongoing crackdown.

As calls for an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, grow, Walz posed a question directly to Trump during a news briefing on Sunday.

“What’s the plan, Donald Trump?” he asked, adding, “What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state?”

The questions came after senior Trump administration officials defended Pretti’s killing, despite graphic video evidence appearing to contradict their accounts.

Federal agents shot and killed Pretti on Saturday while scuffling with him on an icy roadway in Minneapolis, less than three weeks after an immigration officer fired on Renee Good, also 37, killing her in her car.

Trump’s administration claimed that Pretti had intended to harm the agents, as it did after Good’s death, pointing to a pistol it said was discovered on him.

However, videos shared widely on social media and verified by US media showed Pretti never drawing a weapon, with agents firing about 10 shots at him seconds after he was sprayed in the face with a chemical irritant and thrown to the ground.

The videos further inflamed the ongoing protests in Minneapolis against the presence of federal immigration agents, with about 1,000 people participating in a demonstration on Sunday.

“The victims are border patrol agents,” Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol commander-at-large, told CNN’s State of the Union programme.

This official line, echoed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other members of the Trump administration on Sunday, ⁠led to outrage among local law enforcement, many Minneapolis residents and Democrats on Capitol Hill.

Democratic strategist Arshad Hasan said Pretti’s killing and its aftermath were “deeply unsettling” and accused federal agents of turning a low‑crime city into an “occupation”.

“I don’t know why a government agency should get particular exemptions from due process when somebody is murdered… Homicide is a crime for which the state and local law enforcement have jurisdiction,” he told Al Jazeera, adding that the community was “grieving” and feeling “under siege”.

Holding a phone, not a gun

Videos from the scene show ​Pretti holding a phone in his hand, not a gun, as he tries to help other protesters who had been pushed to the ground by agents.

As one video begins, Pretti ‍can be seen filming while a federal agent pushes away one woman and shoves another woman to the ground. Pretti moves between the agent and the women, then raises his left arm to shield himself as the agent pepper-sprays him.

Several agents then take hold of Pretti – who struggles with them – and force him onto his hands and knees. As the agents pin Pretti down, someone shouts what sounds like a warning about the presence of a gun.

Video footage then appears to show one of the agents removing a gun from Pretti and stepping ‍away from the group with it.

Moments ⁠later, an officer with a handgun points at Pretti’s back and fires four shots in quick succession. Several more shots can then be heard as another agent appears to fire at Pretti.

Darius Reeves, the former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) field office in Baltimore, told the Reuters news agency that federal agents’ apparent lack of communication was troubling. “It’s clear no one is communicating… based on my observation of how that team responded,” Reeves said.

He drew attention to signs that an officer appeared to have taken possession of Pretti’s weapon before he was killed. “The proof to me is how everyone scatters,” he said. “They are looking around, trying to figure out where the shots came from.”

After top federal officials described Pretti as an “assassin” who had assaulted the agents, Pretti’s parents issued a statement on Saturday, condemning the Trump administration’s “sickening lies” about their son.

US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, speaking to NBC’s Meet the Press programme, said that an investigation was necessary to get a full understanding of the killing.

Asked if agents had already removed the pistol from Pretti when they fired on him, Blanche said, “I do not know. And nobody else knows, either. That’s why we’re doing an investigation.”

Multiple senators from Trump’s Republican Party called for a thorough probe into the killing and for cooperation with local authorities. “There must be a full joint federal and state investigation,” Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said.

Thousands of federal immigration agents have been deployed to heavily Democratic Minneapolis for weeks, after conservative media reported on alleged fraud by Somali immigrants.

Trump has repeatedly amplified the racially tinged accusations, including on Sunday, when he posted on his Truth Social platform: “Minnesota is a Criminal COVER UP of the massive Financial Fraud that has gone on!”

The city, known for its bitterly cold winters, has one of the country’s highest concentrations of Somali immigrants.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison pushed back against Trump’s claim. “It’s not about fraud, because if he sent people who understand forensic accounting, we’d be having a different conversation. But he’s sending armed masked men,” he said.

Meghan Markle has shared an insight into Princess Lilibet hobbies ahead of the Duchess of Sussex’s new documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend

Meghan Markle has opened up about her new documentary about the Girl Scouts, revealing that she’s open to Princess Lilibet joining the group when she’s older. The Princess of Sussex and Prince Harry executive produced the documentary Cookie Queens.

The film follows four Girl Scouts as they compete to sell the most cookies, with the royal couple’s Archewell production company backing the documentary. Appearing at Sundance Film Festival in Utah, Meghan spoke about her experience as a Girl Scout.

“It really embeds such great values from the get-go,” she said about the organisation.

She continued, speaking to Deadline: “I was a Girl Scout, my mom was a troupe leader, and I think the value of friendship, of being dedicated to a goal as you can see that in Cookie Queens, it’s so reflective of how these girls stick with something that’s important to them and don’t give up.”

The Duchess went on to reveal that Prince Harry’s favourite cookies are the “shortbread” ones. When asked whether Princess Lilibet will become a Girl Scout herself, Meghan said “I think we’ll continue to explore whatever feels right.”

She added that working on the project was “incredibly special” for her and director Alysa Nahmias as parents. “As mothers to be able to see something our girls will be able to enjoy and watch as well,” she said.

It comes just days after the Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix show failed to break into the streamer’s top 1,000 most-watched programmes. With Love, Meghan came in 1,124th place between July and December last year, with two million accounts watching the show

She was beaten in the ranking by Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir: Season 2: Part 2 as well as Downton Abbey, Superstore and Franklin & Bash.

The lifestyle show is unlikely to return for a third series, with a source telling Page Six that it won’t be back.

“There have been conversations about holiday specials, but there’s nothing in the works yet,” they said, adding that Meghan will continue to focus on her As Ever brand instead.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Netflix won’t be renewing its £100million contract with the Duchess. Speaking to The Mirror, chef Rosemary Shrager said that she didn’t think that Meghan was likely to “get her hands dirty” in the kitchen.

“She would probably give me the impression she’s too attractive to be doing it,” she said. “I don’t know anybody else who’s seen it, but I think it’s because we’re in the industry.

“She’s a lady – she’s not exactly going to get her hands dirty if she has to get into the kitchen with a brigade of chefs. I can’t imagine her doing that, but I might be wrong.”

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