SYDNEY, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australia's BlueScope Steel says it is evaluating a Aus$13.2 billion (US$8.8 billion) joint takeover bid by a US rival and a diversified local firm. BlueScope Steel, which has more than 16,500 employees worldwide, said it was the fourth attempt by US-based Steel Dynamics to snap up its American steel-making operations. In the latest bid, Steel Dynamics has teamed up with Australian industry, energy and media company SGH to buy and split up the steelmaker, the companies said. Three previous takeover bids involving Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Steel Dynamics had "significantly undervalued BlueScope and its future prospects", BlueScope said. SGH and Steel Dynamics said their bid represented a total equity value of Aus$13.2 billion.

BANGKOK, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Thailand's army said Cambodian forces violated a 10-day-old truce on Tuesday, bombarding a border province with mortars that wounded one soldier. "Cambodia has violated the ceasefire" on Tuesday morning, the Thai army said in a statement, accusing Cambodian forces of firing mortar rounds into Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province. One soldier was wounded by shrapnel and being evacuated for medical treatment, it added. The two countries agreed a truce on December 27, ending three weeks of clashes. Cambodia has not immediately commented on the alleged strike.

PARIS, France, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Key Ukrainian allies were to huddle with top US envoys in Paris on Tuesday to discuss security guarantees, as they press ahead on US-brokered plans to end the war with Russia. Representatives of 35 countries, including 27 heads of state, will gather in Paris, with the French presidency saying the meeting aims to show the "alignment" between Washington, Kyiv and European allies on security guarantees for Ukraine. "We have succeeded in this exercise of realignment between Ukraine, Europe and America," the adviser told journalists on Monday. To lay the groundwork, security advisers from 15 countries, including Britain, France and Germany as well as representatives from NATO and the European Union, gathered in Kyiv over the weekend, with Witkoff joining virtually. Russia, which occupies around 20 percent of Ukraine, is pushing for full control of the country's eastern Donbas region as part of a deal.

Lee posted a selfie of himself, Xi and their wives on social media platform X on Monday during a visit to Beijing. "A selfie with President Xi Jinping and his wife, taken with the Xiaomi I received as a gift in Gyeongju," Lee wrote. Lee's office also posted a short YouTube video of the scene, with Xi complimenting the South Korean leader's photo skills. The banter was a rare display of humour from the Chinese leader, who is not often seen making jokes, let alone about espionage. The South Korean President has said Xi was "unexpectedly quite good at making jokes".

Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan "I'm innocent. "I'm president of the Republic of Venezuela and I'm here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday," Maduro told the court, speaking in Spanish through an interpreter. "I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela." Thousands of people marched through Caracas in support of Maduro as his former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as interim president. - 'Access to oil' -Maduro became president in 2013, taking over from his equally hardline socialist predecessor Hugo Chavez.

ZURICH, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Swiss food giant Nestle announced on Monday a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, as a precautionary measure. "Nestle has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of potentially impacted infant nutrition products," it said on its website. Nestle said it was in contact with authorities in the relevant countries "to ensure the necessary steps are taken". "Nestle assures parents and caregivers that it is implementing appropriate actions, including a product recall where necessary." Nestle provided instructions for returning the products and obtaining a refund, as well as a phone number to answer consumer questions.

Head powers to 162 as Australia reel in England at 5th Ashes TestSYDNEY, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Run-machine Travis Head slammed his third century of the Ashes series Tuesday to be 162 not out at lunch on day three as Australia rapidly ran down England's first innings 384 in the fifth and final Test at Sydney. Steve Smith, who was dropped on 12, was not out 16 alongside Head, who was also put down on 121. The hosts lead the series 3-1 and have already retained the Ashes, with England desperate for another win after victory at the previous Test in Melbourne. It was his 12th Test century and first in Sydney to cement his reputation as one of the game's most versatile batsmen. Steve Smith had a let-off on 12 when he was dropped at leg slip by Zak Crawley.

MOULTONBOROUGH — A report of a suspicious device closed a road in this town this week. That device turned out to be a geocache.

CountryUnited States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Ara

LOCALSee photos as Sandie Walker takes oath to become York's mayorJan. 5, 2026, 5:15 p.m. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordFormer mayor Michael Helfrich, left, looks on from the audience as the inauguration ceremony of Sandie Walker concludes. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordWilliam Penn sophomore Kimora 'Tooda' Hawkins reads a poem while Mayor Sandie Walker looks on. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordThe ceremonial courtroom fills with guests before the swearing in of Sandie Walker. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordNieces of Mayor-Elect Sandie Walker recite the Pledge of Allegiance with her before she is sworn in.

By Stephen BeechHeavy drinking students damage their pals' physical and mental health as well as their own, according to new research. Lead researcher Dr. Pamela Trangenstein said: “We often think of alcohol’s harms as physical or social, but this was the first study to assess academic harms from others’ drinking, like having to drop a class or take on extra work. The team asked about five harms the participants may have experienced from others’ drinking: being harassed, being physically harmed, experiencing unwanted sexual contact, experiencing academic harms, and “babysitting” the drinker. The researchers also asked students about their own academic satisfaction and performance and supplied questionnaires to ascertain the students’ mental health status. The findings showed that different harms were linked to different aspects of academic performance and mental health outcomes.

The elected officials who represent southwestern New Hampshire in Washington, D.C., on Saturday condemned the Trump administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in that country. Maduro was taken into U.S. custody during an attack on Caracas that took place around 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Trump described Maduro as a “narco-terrorist” and said the U.S. “isn’t afraid to have boots on the ground” in the country. In a Facebook statement, Goodlander called Maduro “a dictator and a thug” and praised the skill and bravery of American troops. “But President Trump needs to explain how taking large-scale military strikes without congressional authorization will make the American people safer and what the plan is now,” she wrote.

Other senior leaders, including the Nayeb-e-meer and the secretary general, attended the session, according to Dhaka Tribune. The party claimed that reports from various areas indicate government officials are allegedly working in favour of a specific political party. Jamaat-e-Islami called on the Election Commission, election officials, and law enforcement authorities to act with full neutrality. The party also urged the government to maintain law and order to ensure a genuinely free, fair, and impartial election, Dhaka Tribune reported. In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh stated, "Bangladesh notes with concern the recent developments in Venezuela."

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code