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Protesters across the United States shut down schools, businesses and shopping on Friday as part of a nationwide “no work, no school, no shopping” strike to oppose the Trump administration’s stepped-up immigration enforcement. The coordinated actions came amid growing anger over the killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse who was shot multiple times after using his cellphone to record Border Patrol officers during an immigration operation in Minneapolis. The incident followed the Jan 7 death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer while sitting in her vehicle, further intensifying scrutiny of federal tactics. Promoters of the protests urged communities to disrupt daily life to draw attention to immigration enforcement. “The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country — to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” read messages circulated on protest websites and social media. Anticipating large absences, some schools in states including Arizona and Colorado cancelled classes in advance. Elsewhere, students and community members gathered at city centres, state capitols and churches. In the Minneapolis area, hundreds of demonstrators assembled early Friday in freezing temperatures outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, a frequent site of protests in recent weeks. After speeches by clergy members, the crowd marched toward restricted areas, shouting at Department of Homeland Security agents to “quit your jobs” and “get out of Minnesota.” Many later dispersed after police warned of arrests for blocking roads. Michelle Pasko, a retired communications worker, said she joined the protest after seeing federal agents stop immigrants near a bus stop in her Minnetonka neighbourhood. “They’re roaming our streets, they’re staying in hotels near our schools,” she said. “Everyone in this country has rights, and the federal government seems to have forgotten that. We’re here to remind them.” Student-led walkouts were reported in several states. In Michigan, dozens of students left classes at Groves High School in Birmingham, north of Detroit, and marched about a mile to a nearby business district despite sub-zero temperatures. Passing motorists honked in support. “We’re here to protest ICE and what they’re doing all over the country, especially in Minnesota,” said 17-year-old senior Logan Albritton. “It’s not right to treat our neighbours and our fellow Americans this way.” In Georgia, 16-year-old Abigail Daugherty organised a walkout at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee. “For years, I have felt powerless, and seeing other schools in the county being able to do this, I wanted to do something,” she said. Many businesses announced closures as part of the day-long “blackout,” while others said they would remain open but donate proceeds to immigrant support and legal aid organisations. In New York, Otway Restaurant and its sister bakery said the bakery would stay open and donate 50 percent of proceeds to the New York Immigration Coalition. In Maine, where Republican Senator Susan Collins said ICE was ending an enforcement surge, residents gathered outside a Portland church holding signs reading “No ICE for ME.” Grace Valenzuela, an administrator with Portland Public Schools, criticised what she called an enforcement system that brings “daily trauma” to schools. “Schools are meant to be places of learning, safety and belonging. ICE undermines that mission every time it destabilises a family,” she said. Portland Mayor Mark Dion also addressed the crowd, stressing the importance of protest. “Dissent is Democratic. Dissent is American. It’s the cornerstone of our democracy,” he said. In Los Angeles, where the immigration surge first intensified last June, thousands rallied outside city hall before marching to a federal detention centre. As evening fell, federal agents used chemical sprays to push back the crowd. Democratic Representative Maxine Waters joined the protest, chanting “ICE out of LA.” “What I see here at the detention center are people exercising their constitutional rights,” Waters said. “And of course, they’re now trying to tear gas everybody. It’s in the air, but people are not moving.” Meanwhile, authorities in Nebraska said a student was struck by an SUV displaying a Trump flag during a student-led protest on Thursday outside Fremont High School. The student was taken to hospital, though officials did not disclose the extent of the injuries. Video footage showed a red SUV with a Trump 2024 flag accelerating toward a student holding a sign, knocking the student onto the hood before driving away.

The US Justice Department on Friday made public its largest release yet of records linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, disclosing millions of pages and thousands of videos and images under a law aimed at revealing what authorities knew about his sexual abuse of underage girls and his ties to influential figures. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department was releasing more than 3 million pages of documents, along with over 2,000 videos and about 180,000 images. The material was posted on the department’s website and includes records that were withheld from an initial disclosure in December. The newly released files contain references to several high-profile individuals connected to Epstein, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, as well as email exchanges between Epstein and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and other prominent figures from across the political spectrum. The disclosures were made under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed after sustained public and political pressure to open government files related to Epstein and his longtime associate and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. Lawmakers criticised the Justice Department after a limited release last month, but officials said additional time was needed to review newly uncovered records and ensure sensitive information about victims was protected. Friday’s release marks the most extensive document dump so far in a case that has continued to shadow the Trump administration because of President Donald Trump’s past association with Epstein. Blanche acknowledged that the volume of material may still not satisfy those seeking a full accounting. “There’s a hunger, or a thirst, for information that I don’t think will be satisfied by the review of these documents,” he said. The Justice Department missed a congressional deadline of Dec 19 to release all files and later said hundreds of lawyers were assigned to review records for necessary redactions. Officials denied any attempt to shield Trump, who has said he severed ties with Epstein years ago, from embarrassment. The documents include thousands of references to Trump, such as emails sharing news articles about him, commenting on his policies or politics, or discussing his family. Also included is a spreadsheet compiled last August summarising calls to an FBI threat hotline from individuals making unverified claims of wrongdoing by Trump. Prince Andrew’s name appears hundreds of times in the records, including in news clippings, Epstein’s private emails and guest lists for dinners hosted by Epstein. Some documents show New York prosecutors attempted to secure an interview with the former prince during their sex trafficking investigation. The records also indicate that Musk contacted Epstein on at least two occasions to discuss potential visits to Epstein’s private Caribbean island, where many abuse allegations are said to have occurred. It remains unclear whether such visits took place. Musk has previously said he refused Epstein’s invitations. Other prominent names appearing in the files include New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch, conservative activist and former White House strategist Steve Bannon, and Howard Lutnick, now serving as Trump’s commerce secretary. Statements from those individuals or their representatives said any associations with Epstein were limited and involved no wrongdoing. The documents also reference former Obama White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler, who later expressed regret over having known Epstein in a professional capacity. The latest release builds on tens of thousands of pages made public last month, which included previously disclosed flight logs and photographs involving Epstein’s associates. None of Epstein’s publicly identified victims have accused Trump or former President Bill Clinton of wrongdoing. Both have said they were unaware of Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. Epstein died in a New York jail cell in August 2019, a month after he was charged federally with sex trafficking. Earlier, he had served jail time in Florida after pleading guilty to state charges involving a minor, under a deal that spared him from federal prosecution at the time. Documents released Friday also include a draft indictment from that period showing prosecutors considered charging not only Epstein but also three personal assistants suspected of helping recruit underage girls. In 2021, Maxwell was convicted in New York of sex trafficking for her role in recruiting underage victims and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. No other individuals have been criminally charged in connection with Epstein’s abuse. One of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, had alleged in lawsuits that Epstein arranged sexual encounters for her with powerful men when she was a teenager. Those accused denied the claims. Giuffre died last year at the age of 41.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order authorizing tariffs on goods from any nation that sells or provides oil to Cuba, a step that could further strain the island amid a worsening energy crisis. The measure mainly targets Mexico, which has been a critical oil supplier to Cuba and has maintained ties with the island despite efforts by President Claudia Sheinbaum to foster a strong relationship with Trump. When asked if he intended to “choke off” Cuba, which he called a “failing nation,” Trump replied, “I’m not trying to, but it looks like it’s something that’s just not going to be able to survive.” Trump and Sheinbaum spoke by phone Thursday morning, though Sheinbaum said Cuba was not discussed. She noted that Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary had told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that continuing humanitarian aid to Cuba was important, and Mexico was ready to act as an intermediary between the U.S. and Havana. Trump threatens 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft, escalating trade war Speculation has grown this week that Mexico might reduce oil shipments under U.S. pressure. Cuba, facing an economic and energy crisis partly fueled by U.S. sanctions, has relied heavily on oil from allies such as Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela. Following a U.S. operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Trump announced no Venezuelan oil would be sent to Cuba. Mexico’s state oil company, Pemex, reported shipping nearly 20,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba from January to September 2025, though experts tracking shipments via satellite say the amount has fallen to around 7,000 barrels. Sheinbaum has provided ambiguous answers regarding the shipments. She said some deliveries had temporarily paused due to normal supply fluctuations, calling the decision “sovereign” and not influenced by the U.S., while maintaining that Mexico would continue supporting Cuba. She emphasized that contracts with Pemex largely determine shipment schedules. Trump orders reopening of Venezuela commercial airspace, signals travel resumption The uncertainty highlights the intense pressure on Mexico and other Latin American nations as Trump escalates his confrontational stance following the Venezuela operation. It remains unclear how the executive order will affect Cuba, where long gasoline lines and growing anxiety underscore the island’s ongoing crisis. Cuban authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on any aircraft sold in the United States by Canada, marking a sharp escalation in his trade dispute with Washington’s northern neighbor as tensions with Prime Minister Mark Carney intensify. Trump made the threat in a social media post, saying the move would come in response to Canada’s refusal to certify aircraft produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, which is based in Savannah, Georgia. He said the United States would retaliate by decertifying all Canadian aircraft, including jets made by Bombardier, the country’s largest aircraft manufacturer. “If this situation is not immediately corrected, I am going to charge Canada a 50 percent tariff on any and all aircraft sold into the United States of America,” Trump wrote. He added that he was “hereby decertifying” Bombardier’s Global Express business jets. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, about 150 Global Express aircraft are currently registered in the United States and operated by 115 different owners. Bombardier’s Global series directly competes with Gulfstream’s latest business jet models in the high end market. Trump orders reopening of Venezuela commercial airspace, signals travel resumption Trump’s latest warning follows an earlier threat over the weekend to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on Canadian imports if Ottawa proceeded with a planned trade deal with China. However, he did not specify when the proposed aircraft tariffs would take effect. Bombardier and the Canadian transport minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Aviation expert John Gradek of McGill University said certification decisions are based on safety considerations and using them as a trade weapon would be unprecedented. He noted that many Gulfstream aircraft have long been certified for use in Canada. “This is taking the dispute to an extreme,” Gradek said, calling the move a new escalation in the growing trade conflict between the two countries. The United States has previously targeted Bombardier. During Trump’s first term in 2017, US authorities imposed duties on a Bombardier commercial jet, alleging it was sold below cost with the help of unfair government subsidies. The US International Trade Commission later ruled that the sales did not harm American industry. Bombardier has since shifted its focus to business and private jets, particularly its Global and Challenger families, which are widely used by individuals, corporations and fractional jet operators. Analysts say losing access to the US market would deal a major blow to the Quebec based company. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Carney this week that his recent criticism of US trade policy could have consequences ahead of the formal review of the US Mexico Canada Agreement. Carney rejected suggestions that he had softened his stance, saying Canada plans to reduce its dependence on the United States by pursuing new trade deals. At the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Carney drew international attention by condemning economic pressure by major powers on smaller countries, remarks widely seen as aimed at Washington. Iran dismisses Trump’s threats, vows swift response to any US attack Canada is also home to other major aircraft manufacturers, including De Havilland Aircraft of Canada and Airbus, which produces A220 jets and helicopters in the country. Under a long standing World Trade Organization agreement, signatories are required to eliminate tariffs on civil aircraft and related components, highlighting the deep integration of the US and Canadian aerospace industries.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said the United States has no plans to take additional military action in Venezuela, while defending the Trump administration’s recent operation that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the US is not positioned, nor does it intend, to carry out any military action in Venezuela, adding that the only American military presence in the country would be marine guards at the US Embassy in Caracas. Starmer and Xi seek closer UK-China relations as global order faces strain He noted that President Donald Trump, as commander‑in‑chief, never rules out any options to protect US national interests. However, the use of force would only be considered in response to a direct threat, such as the presence of an Iranian drone facility targeting US forces. Rubio said the January 3 operation to capture Maduro was aimed at removing what the US considered a major national security threat in the Western Hemisphere. Responding to concerns that Maduro’s capture could amount to an act of war, Rubio emphasised that Washington retains the right to act in its national interest and to ensure its security. He expressed optimism that the situation in Venezuela is improving, noting that progress has been made over the past month. Rubio reiterated that Washington’s ultimate goal is a democratic transition in Venezuela, with free, fair, and prosperous elections, and a future that is friendly to the US. He added that Venezuela had once been a strong US ally before the era of former President Hugo Chavez, and Washington hopes to restore that relationship, though the process is still in its early stages. #With inputs from Agencies

A passenger aircraft crashed in northern Colombia on Wednesday, killing all 15 people aboard, according to confirmation from state-owned airline Satena. The airline said the Beechcraft 1900 plane was involved in a “fatal accident,” without providing further details, reports BBC. The wreckage was later found in a mountainous area. Read More: Machado vows to lead Venezuela when time is right The official passenger manifest included congressman Diógenes Quintero Amaya as well as Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Satena earlier reported that communication with the aircraft was lost 11 minutes before its scheduled arrival in the city of Ocaña, near the Venezuelan border, at 12:05 pm local time.  

The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) has announced the formation of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Governance Studies, USA (CGS USA), marking an important step in expanding its engagement with global policy discourse and research collaboration. The Centre for Governance Studies, USA (CGS USA) is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organisation incorporated in the United States, said a press release issued on Thursday. CGS USA has been established to advance research, dialogue, and policy engagement on governance, democracy, security, and global affairs, with a focus on cross-regional perspectives and emerging global challenges. Although CGS USA is legally and institutionally independent, it draws on long-standing experience in policy research and dialogue-building, and seeks to contribute to informed debates by producing research, convening policy dialogues and fostering networks among scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in the United States and internationally. Board of Directors – CGS USA includes--Zillur Rahman – Founding Board Chair, CGS USA; President, Centre for Governance Studies (Bangladesh) Dr. Clay Goodloe Wescott – President, International Public Management Network, USA, Dr. Ali Riaz – distinguished Professor, Illinois State University, USA, Aarya Nijat – Co-Founder, Innovation Ticker (iTicker), USA, Dr. Mohammed Parvez Imdad – Former Lead Economist, Asian Development Bank, Selcuk Kyle Inan – Economist, USA, Parvez Karim Abbasi – Executive Director, Centre for Governance Studies. CGS USA will focus on producing policy-relevant research, curating inclusive platforms for dialogue, and supporting cooperation among institutions and individuals working on governance and public policy issues across regions. The organisation aims to serve as a bridge between academic research and policy practice in an increasingly complex and interconnected global environment.

US President Donald Trump has hinted at easing tensions in Minnesota following a second fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents, but there were few visible changes on the ground as enforcement operations and protests continued across Minneapolis and St. Paul. Trump sought to strike a more conciliatory tone by praising Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey after separate phone calls, saying he shared “a similar wavelength” with the governor and that “progress” was being made with city leaders. He also sent his top border adviser to Minnesota to oversee immigration enforcement. Despite the rhetoric, activists continued to track and confront federal agents on city streets. Journalists reported aggressive behavior by officers toward the media, including threats of arrest, as protests led to pepper spray use, broken car windows and detentions. Attorney General Pam Bondi said 16 people were arrested Wednesday for interfering with law enforcement. Fear remains widespread among immigrant communities. Latino business owners said many families are still afraid to leave their homes, and several immigrant-run shops have remained closed for weeks. Community members questioned the credibility of federal agents and their tactics. Legal scrutiny has intensified as a federal judge warned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over repeated failures to comply with court orders, citing dozens of violations this month alone. Meanwhile, residents continued to mourn victims of recent violence, with a growing memorial honoring nurse Alex Pretti. Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar accused the administration of using immigration enforcement to intimidate minority communities, saying the approach is rooted in fear rather than public safety.

US President Donald Trump said his administration would “de-escalate a little bit” its operations in Minnesota following the second fatal shooting of a US citizen by federal immigration officers in the state this month. Speaking in a Fox News interview on Tuesday, Trump described the incidents as tragic. “Bottom line, it was terrible. Both of them were terrible,” he said. In early January, Renee Good was fatally shot by an immigration officer. That was followed by the death of Alex Pretti, who was killed after being stopped by border agents over the weekend. Pretti’s death sparked protests in Minnesota and renewed criticism from lawmakers across party lines, increasing pressure on the administration to scale back its presence in the state. North Korea fires suspected ballistic missiles into sea, regional officials say On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security removed the leader of its Minnesota mission, Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino. DHS said White House border adviser Tom Homan would take charge of operations and meet local officials. Homan later said he had met Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and local law enforcement leaders. Addressing reporters ahead of a rally in Iowa on Tuesday night, Trump described Pretti’s killing as “a very unfortunate incident”. Asked whether he agreed with claims that Pretti was a “domestic terrorist”, Trump said he had not heard that characterization, adding: “He shouldn't have been carrying a gun.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti was shot after “brandishing” a gun during a confrontation. Local authorities, however, said the firearm was legally registered and that Pretti was shot after it had been removed. DHS said agents fired in self-defence after Pretti resisted efforts to disarm him, but eyewitnesses and local officials disputed that account, saying he was holding a phone, not a weapon. In comments following the shooting, Noem accused Pretti of “domestic terrorism”, saying he was not there to protest peacefully but to incite violence. Pretti’s death, coming just weeks after the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, angered residents and prompted renewed calls from state and city leaders for the withdrawal of around 3,000 immigration agents from Minnesota. Despite signalling a de-escalation, Trump defended the operation, saying it had removed “thousands of hardened criminals” from the state and contributed to improved crime figures. “That's all working out, we have Tom Homan there now,” he said. White House aide Stephen Miller told CNN that DHS had been instructed to use additional personnel for fugitive operations and to separate arrest teams from protesters. He said the administration was reviewing whether those guidelines were followed. Several Republican leaders have also called for an investigation into Pretti’s death, including Vermont Governor Phil Scott and US Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska. Ricketts said the country had witnessed a “horrifying situation” and urged a transparent investigation, while reaffirming his support for funding immigration enforcement. Trump hikes US tariffs on South Korean goods to 25 percent A federal judge has ordered DHS not to destroy or alter any evidence related to the case. Trump did not address the Minnesota situation in detail during his Iowa rally, instead highlighting his broader immigration crackdown and citing a December Harvard Harris poll that suggested strong public support for deporting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.  #With inputs from BBC

A heavy winter storm sweeping across the United States has killed at least seven people and left more than 800,000 homes and businesses without electricity, triggering widespread disruptions to daily life. The storm brought heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain, forcing authorities to close schools and roads and cancel thousands of flights. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that “life-threatening” conditions stretched from Texas to New England. Officials said two people died of hypothermia in Louisiana, while storm-related deaths were also reported in Texas, Tennessee and Kansas. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people died on Saturday, although the exact causes were still being investigated. He noted that extreme cold remains a serious seasonal threat for residents. More than 800,000 customers were without power by Sunday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us. Meanwhile, FlightAware reported that over 11,000 flights were cancelled nationwide. Meteorologists said the storm could last several days and affect about 180 million people  more than half of the US population. Freezing rain, which instantly turns into ice on contact with surfaces, was described as one of the most dangerous elements of the storm due to its ability to damage trees, down power lines and make roads extremely slippery. National Weather Service meteorologist Allison Santorelli said,“The snow and ice will melt very slowly and won’t go away anytime soon, which will hinder recovery efforts.” Read More: Winter storm leaves millions without power across US New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to stay indoors, calling it the coldest and most severe winter storm the state has experienced in years. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said ,the state was seeing more ice than initially forecast, increasing the risk of accidents. Nearly half of US states have declared emergencies, while many schools cancelled classes through Monday. The US Senate also postponed a scheduled vote due to the severe weather. Massive US winter storm cancels thousands of flights The storm has also affected Canada, where heavy snowfall has led to hundreds of flight cancellations. Ontario is expected to receive between 15 and 30 centimetres of snow. Weather experts said the storm was caused by a weakened polar vortex, allowing Arctic air to move southward. The extreme cold is forecast to persist into early February.   With inputs from BBC