The rise and fall of accused Cambodian scam kingpin Chen Zhi
Prince Group has received investment from and formed partnerships with several multinational firms to develop and operate hotels at the site. What scams is Prince Group accused of? They also effectively cut Prince Group off from the global financial system, since most international banks avoid transactions involving US-sanctioned parties. Officials said the arrests were made at the request of Chinese authorities “within the scope of cooperation in combating transnational crime”. Despite prosecuting lower-level Prince associates, Chinese authorities had not, until January, directly addressed the US and UK allegations against Chen.
Source:The Times
January 09, 2026 11:21 UTC
Bay Area Faces First-Ever Extreme Cold Warning as Temperatures Plunge Overnight
“While some people may see this and say 32 degrees is not extreme cold. For us in the Bay Area, it can be dangerous, especially for people experiencing homelessness,” Behringer said. The life-threatening drop in temperature has prompted Santa Clara County’s Office of Emergency Management to activate its cold weather response. The sites serve as temporary shelters during the cold weather, providing access to warm food and restrooms overnight before returning to normal public use during the day. HomeFirst operates overnight warming locations at sites such as the Roosevelt Community Center and the Evergreen Library.
Source:The Guardian
January 09, 2026 11:20 UTC
Oldham teen's tram vaping uncovered drugs and nunchucks
Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court was told that Hayden Turner committed a range of offences between 2022 and 2025 while a teenager. In the first incident, the court heard Turner was asked to leave a Metrolink tram, which he had boarded at Oldham tram stop with 11 other boys, by a travel safety officer for vaping. They reported the incident to the same travel safety officer who had dealt with the boys earlier, and the police were called. The police also seized class A drugs, cannabis, three phones and a snap bag with remnants of white powder. These were being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, possession of an offensive weapon in public, theft, escape from lawful custody, two counts of possession of class A drugs and two counts of possession of class B drugs.
Source:The Times
January 09, 2026 11:04 UTC
For Marin County, Last Weekend’s Floods Were a Wake-Up Call
Last weekend’s storms, coupled with king tides, caught Marin County cities like Corte Madera, Sausalito and San Rafael off guard. Floodwaters spilled over levees, covered bike trails, and surrounded homes and businesses. Nobody was seriously injured and the level of damage is still being assessed. But it’s a wake-up call for residents, both in Marin County and across the Bay Area, about the risk of more flooding in our future. Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
Source:The Guardian
January 09, 2026 11:04 UTC
Emilio Lawrence: Manchester City winger joins Luton Town on loan
Luton Town have signed Manchester City winger Emilio Lawrence on loan for the rest of the season. The 20-year-old has yet to play for City's first team but has made three appearances for their Under-21s in the EFL Trophy in the current campaign. Lawrence began his career in Everton's academy before joining City in 2022 and has won age-group caps for Scotland up to Under-21 level. "Of course, he still has to develop and that is part of the reason why we brought him here, to help him with that. But he has also come to help us win some games.
Source:Express
January 09, 2026 10:50 UTC
UK, France troops will be targets in Ukraine: Russia
Russia Claims Bratskoye, Zelensky Hit By Massive Losses As War Takes Dark TurnMOSCOW: Russia said on Thursday that any troops sent to Ukraine by Western govts would be “legitimate combat targets”, after Britain and France announced plans to deploy a multinational force there in the event of a ceasefire.A Russian foreign ministry statement said “militaristic declarations” by a coalition of pro-Ukraine Western govts were becoming increasingly dangerous. Russia was responding for the first time to a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” in Paris on Tuesday at which Britain and France signed a declaration of intent on the future deployment. French President Emmanuel Macron said it could involve sending thousands of French troops. “All such units and facilities will be considered legitimate combat targets of Russian Armed Forces.” It added: “The fresh militaristic declarations of the so-called coalition of the willing and the Kyiv regime constitute a veritable ‘axis of war’. .. Plans of these participants are becoming increasingly destructive for the future of European continent and its inhabitants...”REUTERS
Source:The Times
January 09, 2026 10:36 UTC
UAE restricts scholarships for students to study in UK amid concerns over Islamist radicalisation
While institutions in the United States, Australia, France, and Israel were included, British universities were notably absent.Officials told UK representatives that the exclusion was intentional, not an oversight. Sources familiar with the discussions explained that Abu Dhabi’s primary concern was preventing Emirati students from exposure to what it views as potential Islamist radicalisation on UK campuses. This diminishes the value of UK degrees for Emirati students seeking employment or further study in the UAE.The UAE’s move is closely tied to its long-standing concerns about Islamist movements, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood. Several British universities, including the University of Manchester and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, operate campuses in Dubai. Nevertheless, the exclusion of UK institutions from government scholarships highlights the challenges faced by Emirati students seeking to study in the UK.
Source:The Times
January 09, 2026 10:36 UTC
Man Utd put on alert as Ronaldo's choice for new manager hints at move
Cristiano Ronaldo may get his wish at Manchester United. This news puts him in the managerial market just as Manchester United are on the hunt for a new boss. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTPSG had expected Enrique would extend his stay with a long-term contract, but the 55-year-old has left them shocked by declining to renew his deal. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT This development aligns with Manchester United's search for their next permanent manager. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Enrique was linked with the Old Trafford job back in 2021 during the search for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's replacement.
Source:Express
January 09, 2026 08:51 UTC
January 8, 2026
Good was a white, suburban mother, whose ex-husband told reporters she was a Christian stay-at-home mom, and Bump is a white man. Today Trump appeared to settle into his new role as an American dictator. White House director of management and administration Josh Fisher also said that administration officials plan to renovate Lafayette Square, north of the White House. Senators voted to advance a bill that would stop the Trump administration from additional attacks on Venezuela without congressional approval. On this year’s fifth anniversary of the January 6 attack, the Trump administration blamed the police officers themselves for starting the insurrection, making the Senate’s vote appear to be a pointed rebuke of the president.
Source:The Guardian
January 09, 2026 08:36 UTC
Public Arts Commission approves relocation for Bogert statue with a required educational component ⋆ The Palm Springs Post
The statue was removed from City Hall in 2022 and its move will be funded by the Palm Springs Historical Society. The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission voted Thursday to relocate the statue of former Mayor Frank Bogert to the Village Green, accepting a proposal from the Palm Springs Historical Society with an amendment requiring an educational component addressing the controversy surrounding the memorial. Councilmembers were considering bringing forward the Palm Springs Historical Society’s plan as an agenda item. Former Mayor Frank Bogert (far right) watches as a statue of him is unveiled outside Palm Springs City Hall. Tracy Conrad, president of the Palm Springs Historical Society, said their idea to move the statue is an effort to preserve the city’s “Western cowboy town” roots.
Source:The Guardian
January 09, 2026 06:52 UTC
Fresno Looks To Shed Poverty Label
In 2005, a report by the nonprofit think-tank Brookings Institution broke this out in the open, revealing that Fresno had the highest concentration of poverty of any U.S. city. The non-profit Central Valley Community Foundation aims to create jobs and economic opportunities in the Fresno region. The organization found that the rate of concentrated poverty in Fresno has dropped by 68% since 2014. Reiner, 32, was expected to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Los Angeles County Superior Court in connection with the deaths of his parents, Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, last month. “We know the legal process will reveal the true facts of the circumstances surrounding this case,” Jackson continued.
Source:The Guardian
January 09, 2026 06:00 UTC
Experience: I’m Britain’s best gravedigger
From the beginning, I treated every grave as though it were for a member of my own family. I eventually set up my own business and was asked to take on gravedigging for a natural burial ground called Leedam. I like to think of them when I’m digging their final resting place. I’ve buried a friend, and one day I’ll bury my wonderful mum, too, although hopefully not any time soon. The way I see it, we’re only here on this beautiful planet for a short visit, so I’m determined to make the most of it.
Source:The Guardian
January 09, 2026 05:23 UTC
In Final Year, Gov. Gavin Newsom Looks to Finish What He Started
Advocates for education and child care, affordable housing, health care, and the business community all cited major policy accomplishments that they are hoping to protect in the face of growing costs and shrinking revenues. “Unquestionably, he is the early childhood champion governor,” said Moore, who advised both Newsom and former Gov. “Back then, we had about 50,000 or so children that got public-funded pre-K in the state of California. And most of that growth happened under Governor Newsom,” he said. Health care expansion limited, holding the line on taxesHealth care advocates also give Newsom high marks for his aggressive expansion of coverage, including to immigrant communities.
Source:The Guardian
January 09, 2026 05:01 UTC