𧧠CCP-Linked Network Provided Key Support to Zohran Mamdaniâs Mayoral Campaign
Reports indicate that elements aligned with the Chinese Communist Party, including networks funded by billionaire Neville Roy Singham and associated activist groups such as The Peopleâs Forum, played roles in supporting Zohran Mamdaniâs successful bid for New York City mayor through organizational mobilization, propaganda alignment, and indirect influence via affiliated entities. Singhamâs network, described in investigations as advancing CCP interests through far-left activism, contributed to efforts that included volunteer video production by pro-CCP individuals who relocated to China and downplayed Uyghur issues, while family members of Singham participated in campaign-related initiatives like âJews for Zohranâ to counter criticism. Additional connections appear through DSA activities involving trips to China and outreach encouraged by CCP officials, though no evidence shows direct CCP funding to Mamdaniâs campaign itself; these ties have raised concerns about foreign influence in U.S. elections amid broader scrutiny of aligned groups coordinating protests and advocacy.
Sources: Newsweek, The New York Post
đĽ DHS Reports Agent Fires Defensive Shots After Suspect Rams Vehicles in California Arrest Attempt
A Department of Homeland Security operation in Compton, California, targeted the arrest of William Eduardo Moran Carballo, identified as a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador with a history of human smuggling involvement and prior arrests for domestic violence-related offenses, along with a 2019 final order of removal. During the Wednesday morning enforcement action, the suspect allegedly used his vehicle to ram law enforcement in an effort to evade capture, prompting an agent to fire defensive shots out of concern for his life and safety; the suspect was not struck, fled on foot, and was subsequently apprehended without injury, while a Customs and Border Protection officer sustained injuries in the encounter. DHS officials attributed such incidents to a broader surge in vehicle attacks on officers, linking it to encouragement from sanctuary policies and politicians providing guidance on resisting federal immigration enforcement.
Sources: FOX News, The Hindustan Times
âď¸ Justice Department Issues Grand Jury Subpoenas to Minnesota Officials in Probe of Alleged ICE Obstruction
The U.S. Justice Department has served grand jury subpoenas on offices of key Minnesota Democratic officials, including Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, as part of a federal investigation into an alleged conspiracy to obstruct or impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations during the Trump administrationâs large-scale immigration enforcement effort known as Operation Metro Surge in the state. The subpoenas seek records and communications related to these officialsâ policies, statements, and actions amid heightened tensions following anti-ICE protests, including incidents of unrest in the Twin Cities and a fatal shooting involving an ICE agent. Minnesota leaders have strongly criticized the federal surge as unlawful and excessive, with some filing lawsuits to halt it, while federal authorities describe the probe as examining potential interference with law enforcement duties; the officialsâ offices have confirmed receipt of the subpoenas, often characterizing the action as politically motivated rather than evidence-based.
Sources: The Washington Times, The New York Post
đď¸ California GOP Files Emergency Petition with Supreme Court to Block Voter-Approved Congressional Maps
The California Republican Party, along with other plaintiffs including Assemblyman David Tangipa and joined by the U.S. Department of Justice, has filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to prevent the state from using newly enacted congressional district maps approved by voters through Proposition 50 in November 2025. These maps, which replace the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission lines drawn after the 2020 census, were created in response to Texasâ mid-decade redistricting and are designed to favor Democrats by potentially shifting up to five House seats. The GOP argues that the new districts unconstitutionally use race as a predominant factor, particularly to benefit Latino voters, violating the 14th and 15th Amendments and the Voting Rights Act. A three-judge federal panel rejected this claim in a 2-1 ruling on January 14, 2026, allowing the maps to proceed for the 2026 midterms, prompting the immediate appeal for an injunction to restore the prior map pending further litigation, with a requested decision by February 9 due to upcoming candidate filing deadlines.
Sources: The Los Angeles Times, The Sacramento Bee
â ď¸ FDA Announces Recall of Various Over-the-Counter Medications Over Potential Contamination Risks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversaw a recall initiated by Gold Star Distribution Inc., a Minneapolis-based wholesaler, affecting certain lots of popular over-the-counter drugs, including Advil, Bayer aspirin, Claritin, DayQuil, NyQuil (various forms), Pepto-Bismol, Pepcid Complete, Tylenol, Halls Cough Drops, and Tums, among others. The action stems from the FDAâs determination that the companyâs distribution facility operated under insanitary conditions, with evidence of rodent excreta, rodent urine, bird droppings, and related contamination present in storage areas for drugs and other products. This creates a risk that the items may have been exposed to filth or harmful microorganisms, potentially including Salmonella, which could lead to illness upon consumption or handling, though no illnesses have been reported as of the recall announcement on December 26, 2025. The recall applies to products distributed in Minnesota, Indiana, and North Dakota, and consumers are advised to discard affected items.
Sources: US Food & Drug Administration, CBS News
đˇ Fauci and Collins Privately Acknowledged Strong Natural Immunity Data While Advancing Vaccine Policies
Newly released emails from 2021, obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, indicate that Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Francis Collins privately recognized compelling evidence from a large Israeli study showing that prior COVID-19 infection provided robust protection against reinfection, often described as more durable and effective than vaccination alone in certain metrics. Fauci referred to the data as ârather impressiveâ and suggested that severe infections might confer immunity surpassing full vaccination, while Collins described the findings as âsomewhat puzzlingâ and questioned the lack of a comprehensive meta-analysis comparing natural and vaccine-induced immunity, even as public messaging emphasized vaccinationâs superiority and supported broad mandates. Officials weighed this against smaller studies, like a CDC analysis of Kentucky cases, but expressed concerns over complicating uniform policy enforcement and public communication, leading to decisions that sidelined natural immunity recognition despite the evidenceâs strength.
Sources: ZeroHedge, Just The News
đ˘ Leftist Activists and Figures Urge Purge of MAGA Supporters and Conservatives Upon Regaining Power
Some leftist activists, social media users, and former media personalities have escalated rhetoric calling for a political purge of MAGA supporters, conservatives, and Trump associates if Democrats regain control of government institutions in coming years. This includes suggestions of Stasi-style actions, imprisonment of ICE agents for enforcing immigration laws, fabricating charges against opponents, and placing Trump and allies in gulags or tribunals, framed as retaliation for current enforcement actions and past political efforts against Democrats. Such calls reportedly build on prior Democratic tactics like investigations of Trump allies and imprisonment of January 6 participants, with warnings that unchecked escalation could risk civil conflict, while the article portrays these as unhinged responses to lawful federal operations reflecting voter priorities on immigration.
⪠Minnesota AG Keith Ellison Dismisses Concerns Over Anti-ICE Protesters Disrupting Church Service
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison defended a group of anti-ICE activists who entered and disrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul over the weekend, characterizing the action as protected First Amendment expression and stating that citizens must accept such public voices in society. Appearing on Don Lemonâs podcast following the incidentâwhich involved protesters accusing the pastor of ties to ICE and interrupting the serviceâEllison emphasized that protest is a foundational American right, that no one is immune from public scrutiny, and that people have to live with freedom of expression alongside freedom of religion. He rejected suggestions of federal violations under the FACE Act, arguing it applies primarily to protecting access to reproductive health services rather than religious gatherings, even as Department of Justice officials indicated potential charges related to interference with religious exercise and other statutes. The event has drawn criticism for intimidating congregants, including families with children, while Ellison focused frustration on federal immigration enforcement actions in the state as the underlying cause.
Sources: The Daily Wire, The Washington Free Beacon
𧧠Democratic Socialist Rae Huang Announces Challenge to Incumbent Karen Bass in 2026 L.A. Mayoral Race
A democratic socialist and community organizer named Rae Huang has entered the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election as a challenger to incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, positioning her campaign as an alternative to the left of Bass with a focus on housing affordability, an economy oriented toward working people rather than billionaires, fast and free public transit, climate resiliency, and public safety through care-first approaches rather than increased policing. Huang, who is a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and deputy director of Housing Now! California, announced her candidacy in November 2025, describing herself as running against the establishment and rejecting corporate donations; she is considered a long-shot candidate with limited name recognition but could potentially draw votes from Bassâs progressive base in the June 2, 2026 primary, where no candidate securing over 50% would advance to a November runoff.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit, The Center Square
đš Native American Group Plans Supreme Court Appeal Over New York School Mascot Restriction
The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) has announced its intention to pursue an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court following the November dismissal of its federal lawsuit challenging New Yorkâs 2023 Board of Regents rule that prohibits public schools from using Native American names, imagery, or mascots. NAGA contends that the regulation discriminates by singling out Native American representations while permitting other ethnic or cultural references, such as Vikings, Patriots, or Yankees, thereby violating the 14th Amendmentâs equal protection clause; the group views the policy as a race-based classification that warrants strict scrutiny and describes it as an effort to remove Native images from schools rather than merely addressing mascots. After the district courtâs ruling for lack of standing, NAGA plans to appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals as an intermediate step toward Supreme Court review, with the broader aim of overturning similar restrictions nationwide and restoring certain team names.
Sources: FOX News, The New York Post
đ¨ Guatemala Declares 30-Day State of Siege Following Gang-Led Prison Riots and Police Killings
Guatemalan President Bernardo ArĂŠvalo declared a 30-day nationwide state of siege after gang-affiliated inmates, primarily from the Barrio 18 group, staged coordinated riots in three prisons on Saturday, taking 46 guards and staff hostage in a bid to restore privileges and demand transfers for leaders to less restrictive facilities; authorities regained control of the prisons on Sunday, freeing all hostages, but the action prompted retaliatory attacks in and around Guatemala City that killed at least nine to ten police officers and injured others, with the government attributing the violence to an effort by criminal organizations to intimidate security forces and resist ongoing crackdowns on gang influence in the prison system, including the recent recapture of Barrio 18 leader Aldo Duppie, known as âEl Lobo.â
Sources: The Independent Journal Review, BizPac Review
đŻ Japanâs Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Calls Snap Election for February 8, Proposes Temporary Sales Tax Cut on Food
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who assumed office in October as the countryâs first female leader, announced on January 19, 2026, that she will dissolve the lower house of parliament on Friday and call a snap general election for February 8 to seek a fresh mandate from voters. She aims to secure a stronger majority for her Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition amid high personal approval ratings, while proposing a two-year suspension of the 8% consumption tax on food and beverages to alleviate rising living costs for low- and middle-income households; this move, combined with plans for increased public spending and defense enhancements, has contributed to a sharp rise in Japanese government bond yields, with the 10-year yield reaching a 27-year high and longer maturities hitting records, reflecting market concerns over fiscal expansion and revenue shortfalls estimated at around 5 trillion yen annually from the tax measure.
âď¸ Pakistan Seals Major Arms Deal to Supply JF-17 Fighter Jets to Libyan National Army
Pakistan has finalized a significant arms agreement valued at over $4 billion with the Libyan National Army (LNA), the eastern faction commanded by General Khalifa Haftar, to provide military equipment including 16 JF-17 multirole fighter jetsâco-developed by Pakistan and Chinaâand 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with other land, sea, and air systems to be delivered over approximately two and a half years. The deal was confirmed following a meeting in Benghazi between Pakistanâs military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Saddam Haftar, son of the LNA leader, marking one of Pakistanâs largest-ever defense exports amid efforts to bolster its economy through arms sales. This transaction occurs despite the ongoing United Nations arms embargo on Libya since 2011, which has been widely violated by various actors in the countryâs protracted divisions between the eastern LNA and the UN-recognized government in Tripoli; the agreement could shift the airpower balance in a region where neither side currently maintains a robust air force, while raising questions about enforcement of international restrictions and potential implications for regional alliances involving Turkey, which backs the western government.
Sources: The Middle East Eye, Reuters
đ Argentina Designates Iranâs Quds Force as Terrorist Organization
Argentine President Javier Milei signed a decree on January 17, 2026, adding the Quds Forceâthe external operations branch of Iranâs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpsâto the countryâs Public Registry of Persons and Entities Linked to Acts of Terrorism and Their Financing, along with thirteen associated individuals. This measure subjects the group to financial sanctions and operational restrictions to curb its activities and prevent use of Argentinaâs financial system for support. The decision cites the Quds Forceâs role in training for terrorist attacks abroad and holds it responsible for the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires and the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center attack, which killed dozens and injured hundreds, marking Argentina as a victim of these operations. The United States welcomed the step, noting the Quds Forceâs history of fueling violence in the Middle East and repressing its own people, while Israel praised it as strengthening efforts against Iranian terrorism and honoring victims of the past attacks. Iran condemned the designation as unacceptable and unlawful, warning of an appropriate response and criticizing it as politically motivated.
Sources: The Gateway Hispanic, Breitbart
â ď¸ Iranian Regime Deploys Foreign-Backed Militias with Heavy Machine Guns in Tehran Amid Ongoing Protests
Security forces in Tehran, including elements reportedly linked to Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces under IRGC command, have been observed using vehicles mounted with heavy machine guns such as Russian-made DShK models to patrol streets and guard key sites like government buildings and state media facilities during nighttime hours. This escalation coincides with ongoing nationwide unrest that began in late December 2025 over economic conditions and opposition to clerical rule, now in its fourth week with reports of fierce clashes, a communications blackout, and high casualty figures from human rights monitors. Witnesses and opposition sources describe armed patrols firing into the darkness in urban areas, contributing to an atmosphere of intense suppression as the regime relies on both domestic Basij and IRGC units as well as foreign proxies to maintain control.
Sources: Iran International, UnderstandingWar.org