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The article discusses the recent surge in demand for luxury watches, particularly vintage models, and how it has led to a boom in the secondary market. A vintage Omega watch sold for a record-breaking price at an auction, sparking rumors about its authenticity. The article explores the factors contributing to the growth of the luxury watch market, including the pandemic, low interest rates, and the rise of e-commerce. It also touches on the darker side of the market, including the presence of unscrupulous dealers and the risk of theft.

The article discusses how Donald Trump's adventurism is unsettling China, particularly under the leadership of Xi Jinping. Xi had reasons to be cheerful after staring down Trump in a trade war, presenting a new world order, and stalling efforts to oust a Hong Kong-based company from ports it runs on the Panama Canal. However, Trump's actions are causing China to be cautious, as pushing back could threaten a trade deal and progress on Taiwan.

The article discusses the ineffectiveness of education technology (ed-tech) in improving student learning outcomes despite its growing profitability. McPherson Middle School in Kansas is used as a case study, where the school's adoption of the digital program IXL failed to deliver the promised results. The article highlights the lack of independent research supporting the effectiveness of ed-tech and the need for a more critical approach to its adoption.

A military coup led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina has taken control of Madagascar, with the colonel declaring himself interim president. The coup follows weeks of protests against the previous president, Andry Rajoelina, who has fled the country and is now in Dubai. Randrianirina claims the takeover is not a coup, but rather a response to the 'incessant call of the Malagasy people.' The situation remains uncertain, with Rajoelina pledging to return to power, but his chances appear slim.

The article discusses how a Gen Z-led revolution in Madagascar, sparked by a popular musician and politician named Baba, turned into a military takeover. The protests, which began in September 2025, were driven by frustration with corruption, inequality, and lack of opportunities. The movement was characterized by its use of social media and encrypted messaging apps to organize. The protests turned violent, with security forces clashing with demonstrators, resulting in at least 22 deaths. The article explores the factors that contributed to the movement's failure to achieve its goals and the subsequent military takeover.

The article is not accessible due to a security verification page. However, based on the title and URL, it appears to be a story about individuals who were kidnapped or detained by Saddam Hussein's regime while on holiday. The actual content is not available due to the security check.

The Brazilian government plans to rebuild the BR-319 highway, a 900km road in the Amazon rainforest, which has been in disrepair since its inauguration in 1976. Locals are in favor of the plan as it will improve their connectivity and access to basic amenities like healthcare and education. However, environmentalists are concerned that rebuilding the highway will lead to further deforestation and push the Amazon closer to its 'tipping point'. The Amazon has already lost almost a fifth of its jungle since the 1970s, and scientists believe that continued deforestation will turn the region into a dry savannah. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has promised to rebuild the highway in consultation with environmentalists, but activists fear that it will pave the way for more deforestation and land grabbing.

The article discusses the unique experience of traveling on Hong Kong's trams, affectionately known as 'ding dings', as a way to see the city. At a low cost of HK$3.30 per trip, tourists and locals alike can observe the city's landscape and daily life. The trams are a popular mode of transportation, with tourists jostling with workers and schoolchildren on a typical Tuesday. A local resident, Nico, praises the trams as an attractive way to show people around the city. The article highlights the trams as an inexpensive and charming way to experience Hong Kong, contrasting with the city's otherwise expensive reputation.

The article discusses the 'Hermès heist', a case in which Nicolas Puech, an heir to the Hermès luxury dynasty, was allegedly swindled out of $15 billion worth of shares in the company. Puech held a 6% stake in Hermès through the Isocrates foundation, a philanthropic organization that was set to receive billions of euros upon the death of its benefactor. The article hints at a complex and potentially fraudulent series of events surrounding Puech's stake, though the details are not fully elaborated upon.

Three African presidents, Julius Maada Bio, Lazarus Chakwera, and Andry Rajoelina, emphasize the need for bold and stable funding from the International Development Association (IDA) to support Africa's economic transformation. The IDA is set to hold its triennial replenishment meeting in December, and the presidents urge an ambitious approach to aid the continent's development. They highlight the unprecedented opportunities available to Africa, despite its challenges, and stress that the IDA has become a crucial source of low-cost financing for many poor countries.

The article introduces the growing sport of skijoring in the Mountain West region of the United States, which has Olympic aspirations. The sport involves athletes being pulled by horses while skiing, and it is gaining popularity, with the first-ever pro skijoring tour taking place in Heber City, Utah. The event is attracting fans who are enthusiastic about the sport, with vendors selling merchandise and spectators cheering on the athletes.

The article discusses the severe hunger crisis in southern Madagascar, where over 1.1 million people are going hungry and more than 500,000 children under five are at risk of acute malnutrition. The crisis is attributed to a combination of factors including climate change, COVID-19, and poor governance. The situation is expected to worsen with the onset of the 'lean season', a period of scarcity before the next harvest. The article highlights the dire conditions, with many families resorting to eating cactus to supplement their meager diets.

The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on five Costa Ricans and five Costa Rican entities, including a beauty salon, for allegedly helping to transport tons of cocaine from Colombia to the U.S. and Europe. The sanctions target a network led by Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba and his brother Jordie Kevin Picado Grijalba, who are accused of being prolific international drug dealers. The network allegedly stored cocaine in warehouses throughout Costa Rica before shipping it to its destinations. The sanctions deny the individuals and entities access to U.S.-held assets and prevent U.S. companies and citizens from doing business with them. The action is part of the Trump administration's efforts to combat the drug trade in the Caribbean.

Barron Trump, the 19-year-old son of President Trump, inadvertently became a witness in a U.K. rape case after answering a video call from the alleged victim during an altercation with the suspect, Matvei Rumiantsev. Rumiantsev is accused of raping the woman and is currently on trial at the Snaresbrook Crown Court in northeast London. Barron Trump's phone call with British emergency services was played in court, revealing that he had met the victim on social media and had been told by her that Rumiantsev was giving her trouble. The trial is ongoing, with Rumiantsev denying all charges against him.

A Belgian rower, Benoit Bourguet, participating in the 3,000-mile World's Toughest Row Race across the Atlantic Ocean, was rescued after his single-man rowing vessel capsized due to two rogue waves. The Coast Guard received distress signals and coordinated with a nearby tanker, the Horten, which diverted its course to rescue Bourguet. He was found in a life raft, dehydrated but otherwise in good health, and was taken aboard the tanker. The incident highlights the importance of having a functional personal distress beacon and proper registration with nautical authorities.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has left thousands of children in Kyiv without access to heat and power, forcing schools to remain closed until February. Parents are struggling to cope with the situation, with many having to leave their children alone or take them to work. The Ukrainian Red Cross has set up 'invincibility points' to provide shelter, heaters, and WiFi for affected families. Officials are working to resume in-person classes, but the city's power infrastructure remains vulnerable to Russian strikes. Mayor Vitali Klitschko has stated that schools are prepared with generators, but the current blackouts have been particularly long and challenging.

A 49-year-old British man, Philip Young, is set to appear in court accused of drugging and raping his ex-wife, Joanne Young, over a period of 13 years. He faces 56 charges of sexual offenses, including rape and administering substances to stupefy or overpower his victim. Five other men, aged between 31 and 61, are also accused of various sexual offenses against Joanne Young and will appear in court alongside Philip Young. The alleged crimes took place between 2010 and 2023, and Philip Young was remanded in custody after a hearing in December. Joanne Young has waived her right to anonymity, drawing parallels to a similar case in France involving Gisele Pelicot.

The United States carried out its 35th strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people and leaving one survivor. This strike is the first since the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is facing narco-terrorism charges in the US. The US has accused Maduro of drug trafficking and working with terrorist organizations, which he denies. The strike is part of a larger military operation in the region, with Democrats pressing the issue of war powers resolution in response to the military operation in Venezuela.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has commented on the separatist movement in Alberta, Canada, suggesting that the province is a 'natural partner for the US' due to its wealth of natural resources. The comments come amid strained ties between the US and Canada, with trade talks currently on ice. Alberta is collecting signatures for a potential independence referendum, but polls indicate that most Albertans want to remain in Canada. Canadian officials have responded to Bessent's comments, with Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne stating that Canada will develop its natural resources independently. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's spokesman said that while the province supports building more pipeline capacity to US markets, the majority of Albertans are not interested in becoming a US state.

The article discusses how the world is shifting back to a pre-WW2 order where great powers exert their influence, posing a challenge to 'middle powers'. The author reflects on their 2002 speech at Columbia University's Journalism School, where they highlighted the US role in shaping the post-WW2 world order. The article argues that the US, under Donald Trump, is abandoning the rules-based international order it once championed, instead pursuing a 'America First' strategy that prioritizes strength and spheres of influence. This shift threatens the interests of middle powers, who risk being marginalized or exploited. The author cites examples of US unilateralism and interventionism, including in Latin America, and notes that the rules-based order was never universally beneficial, with many countries in the Global South experiencing US power as oppressive.

German authorities have arrested a Lebanese national, 'Mohammad S', on suspicion of being a member of Hamas and planning attacks on Jewish and Israeli institutions in Europe. Mohammad S was arrested at Berlin's Brandenburg Airport after arriving from Beirut and is accused of procuring 300 rounds of ammunition in August 2025 and collaborating with another alleged Hamas member, 'Abed Al G', who was arrested in October 2025. Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by many countries, including the US, UK, and Israel, and has been involved in recent conflicts with Israel, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Mohammad S is due to be brought before a federal judge to decide on pretrial detention.

New Zealand authorities have called off rescue efforts for six people missing after a landslide at a popular campsite in Mount Maunganui, with efforts now shifting to recovering bodies. The landslide occurred after days of heavy rain on the North Island, with two other people killed in a separate landslide at Welcome Bay. Police confirmed the names of the six missing individuals, including two 15-year-old teenagers. The identification process is underway, but is expected to be complex and painstaking. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the site, praising the community's response to the disaster.

India's Republic Day parade is a grand event that showcases the country's culture, achievements, and military might. The event is significant not only for its display of military hardware but also for the chief guest it invites each year, which is seen as a reflection of India's foreign policy priorities. This year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa have been invited as chief guests, highlighting India's engagement with the European Union. The selection process for the chief guest is typically led by the foreign ministry and involves considerations of strategic objectives, regional balance, and past invitations. The choice of chief guest has varied over the years, reflecting India's shifting global relations and strategic priorities, with leaders from neighboring countries, major powers, and regional groupings being invited in the past.

Cathay Pacific Airways has cancelled at least four US-bound flights from Hong Kong due to a severe winter storm in the US, which has grounded over 9,500 flights. The affected flights include those to New York, Boston, and Dallas. Cathay Pacific is offering flexibility and fee waivers to customers who need to rebook their flights.

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), launched a year ago, has attracted significant investment despite global uncertainty. The zone, spanning 3,571 sq km, focuses on 11 industries including food security, aerospace, and electronics. Companies like Archisen, a Singaporean urban farming firm, have benefited from the zone's available land, affordable production costs, and access to both Singapore and Malaysian markets. However, experts suggest that better coordination between the two countries' systems is needed for seamless operations.

The article discusses how Chinese game makers, such as miHoYo and 37 Interactive Entertainment, are quietly investing in and supporting the development of generative AI in China. This includes backing companies like MiniMax and Zhipu AI, which have become the first publicly listed large language model (LLM) start-ups globally. These investments highlight the growing connection between China's gaming industry and its AI ambitions, with significant implications for the future of AI development and application in various sectors.

The article discusses the growing rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), two former close allies in the Middle East. The rivalry is intensifying as both countries pursue competing visions of regional leadership, causing instability and multiplying conflict hotspots across the region. Analysts warn that the situation is precarious, with the potential for further violence and the need for global powers to pick a side. The emerging order in the Middle East is characterized by flexible alignments, with one bloc forming around Saudi Arabia and another around the UAE.

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has refused to attend impeachment hearings initiated by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP), deepening partisan strife ahead of year-end local government elections. The impeachment motion, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass, is considered unlikely to succeed due to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) 51 seats in the 113-seat parliament. The opposition's push is seen as 'political theatre' designed to generate publicity.

The French navy intercepted a Russian oil tanker, the Grinch, in the Mediterranean suspected of operating as part of Moscow's shadow fleet, a network of vessels used to export oil and evade Western sanctions. The tanker was sailing from Murmansk under the Comoros flag and was diverted for further checks. The interception is part of a growing effort by Western powers to disrupt Russia's oil exports, with the European Union having imposed 19 rounds of sanctions on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized European countries for not doing enough to stop the transport of Russian oil using sanctioned vessels.

ISIS fighters remain at large after a prison break in northeastern Syria, with some still unaccounted for due to the ensuing chaos. The US is transferring thousands of male ISIS detainees to Iraq, but the wives and children of ISIS fighters remain in fragile detention camps in Syria. The situation highlights the ongoing detention crisis and the need for a long-term solution.

An Arizona-based OnlyFans star, Nicole Pardo Molina, has been kidnapped at gunpoint in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. The 20-year-old Mexican-American was abducted by multiple armed men outside a shopping center where she was selling merchandise bearing the image of cartel leader Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. Authorities believe the kidnapping may be linked to a cartel rivalry, as the area is controlled by a rival faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. Molina is known for her distinctive lilac Cybertruck and has over 180,000 Instagram followers. Her disappearance has been confirmed, and a missing persons case has been opened.

Sudan has risen to No. 4 on the global Christian persecution watch list, with Christians facing daily hunger, misery, and terror. The country's civil war has raged for over 1,000 days, killing 150,000 people and displacing 13 million. Christians in the Nuba Mountains are under siege and bombing, with their church, hospital, and school recently bombed. The situation is dire, with Christians eating grass to survive and facing ideological hostility from both sides of the conflict. The US State Department has expressed concern over the backsliding of fundamental freedoms, including religious freedom, and is working to facilitate a humanitarian truce.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing a landmark case against Myanmar, accused of committing genocide against the Rohingya people. The Gambia filed the case, alleging that Myanmar's military engaged in a 'clearance operation' that violated the 1948 Genocide Convention. The Rohingya people have endured decades of persecution and violence, with over 700,000 fleeing to Bangladesh in 2017. The ICJ hearings will examine the role of Facebook in spreading hate speech and will hear from alleged victims in closed sessions. The case is expected to set precedents on how genocide is defined and proven.

Novak Djokovic apologized after a forehand shot nearly hit a ball girl during his third-round match at the 2026 Australian Open. He won the match 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) against Botic van de Zandschulp, becoming the first player to reach 400 singles wins at Grand Slams. Djokovic attributed the incident to 'the heat of the moment' and expressed relief that the ball girl was not hurt. He also discussed his match strategy and reflected on his career, advising his younger self to be more patient.

The article showcases the most striking photos of the week, chosen by Sky News picture editors, featuring a diverse range of images from around the world, including natural wonders, protests, and cultural events. The images capture significant moments such as the Northern Lights, protests in Iran, forest fires in Chile, and cultural celebrations in India. The article highlights the diversity of global events and the power of photography to capture and convey the essence of these moments.

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine claims that hundreds of soldiers raided his home, held his wife at gunpoint, and took documents and electronic items. The incident occurred days after President Yoweri Museveni extended his decades-long rule in an election marred by claims of ballot stuffing. Bobi Wine's wife was allegedly assaulted and is now in the hospital dealing with physical and psychological trauma. Bobi Wine made the claims on social media, stating that his wife was held at gunpoint and forced to remove her phone's password, but she refused. The Ugandan government has not commented on the incident.

Craig Kimbrel, a 37-year-old relief pitcher with 440 career saves, has signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets. The deal includes an invitation to big league spring training, where Kimbrel will compete for a role in the Mets' bullpen. Kimbrel spent last season with the Rangers, Braves, and Astros, and has previously played for the Orioles and Phillies. The Mets have been active in the offseason, signing several other players, including Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, to bolster their bullpen. Kimbrel will face competition from other non-roster invitees, including Carl Edwards Jr. and Nick Burdi.

Florida Representative Maxwell Frost, a 29-year-old Democrat and the first Gen. Z member of Congress, was allegedly punched in the face by a drunk man, Christian Joel Young, at a private party during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The attacker reportedly made racist remarks and threatened to deport Frost and his friend. Young was arrested and charged with assault, aggravated burglary, and assaulting an elected official. The incident was condemned by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Sundance Film Festival officials, who denounced the violence and hate speech.

The House GOP, led by Rep. James Comer, is preparing for a court fight to investigate how Rep. Ilhan Omar and her husband Tim Mynett accumulated wealth of up to $30 million in a few years. The investigation focuses on two companies, Rose Lake Capital and eStCru, which contributed to the sudden surge in Omar's wealth. Comer aims to determine if Mynett's businesses are jointly owned with Omar and to uncover the source of their wealth. The probe is complicated by jurisdictional issues and potential blowback from Democrats and Trump, who has publicly criticized Omar.

A massive winter storm has caused nearly 13,000 flight cancellations in the US from January 24 to 26, according to FlightAware. The storm is considered one of the most expansive in years, affecting multiple regions across the country. Airlines have announced contingency plans, waived change fees, and added extra flights to help passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration is monitoring the situation to maintain airspace safety.

The article discusses how Trump's trade war and tariffs imposed on Chinese imports have affected the toy industry in the United States, particularly small businesses. The tariffs have led to increased costs for toy retailers, forcing some to close their doors. The article highlights the story of Jennifer Bergman, owner of West Side Kids, a Manhattan toy store that was forced to shut down due to the tariffs. The article also notes that big-box retailers like Walmart and Target have been less affected by the tariffs due to their ability to stockpile inventory and spread costs across multiple product lines, resulting in a split Christmas economy.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has vowed to take necessary steps against speculative market moves following a yen spike that heightened traders' alert over the chance of currency intervention. The yen and Japanese government bonds have sold off in recent weeks due to concerns over Takaichi's expansionary fiscal policy and the slow pace of interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. Takaichi has compiled a big spending package to cushion the blow from rising living costs and vowed to suspend the 8% sales tax on food for two years, triggering a spike in bond yields. The opposition has proposed using the BOJ's holdings of exchange-traded funds and government reserves to fund a consumption tax cut, but Takaichi's ruling coalition appears cautious of this idea.

A winter storm is expected to hit New York City and the surrounding region on Sunday, bringing heavy snow followed by sleet, disrupting transportation and daily life through Monday. Meteorologists predict snowfall totals of 8-12 inches in coastal areas and 12-16 inches in areas away from the coast. The storm is expected to bring near white-out conditions, power outages, and major travel impacts. Temperatures will remain below freezing through the week, with a low of 9 degrees recorded in Central Park on Saturday.