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  • Jessie James Tumaliuan pleads guilty to murdering wife Czarina Gatbonton Tumaliuan

    Jessie James Tumaliuan pleads guilty to murdering wife Czarina Gatbonton Tumaliuan

    In a significant development to a tragic domestic violence case, Jessie James Tumaliuan, a 42-year-old Melbourne father, has formally entered a guilty plea for the murder of his wife, Czarina Gatbonton Tumaliuan. The admission occurred during a Supreme Court of Victoria hearing on Wednesday, just weeks before his trial was scheduled to commence on February 3.

    The horrific incident unfolded on the morning of March 27 last year, when emergency services discovered the body of the 42-year-old mother of four in the backyard of a residential property on Retford Close in Werribee. The victim, Czarina, was found with multiple fatal stab wounds. Tumaliuan was apprehended by Victoria Police at the scene shortly after the discovery.

    Legal proceedings saw a pivotal shift earlier this month when Tumaliuan sought a sentence indication from Justice Amanda Fox on January 16. Following this, his legal counsel informed the court that he had accepted the indication and intended to change his plea to guilty. The formal arraignment was subsequently delayed until an accredited Filipino interpreter could be present to assist, a measure Justice Fox deemed essential given the gravity of the charge, despite Tumaliuan’s demonstrated ability to communicate in English.

    With his guilty plea now officially recorded, Tumaliuan has been remanded in custody. The court has scheduled a pre-sentence hearing for March 13, during which a formal psychological assessment of the defendant will be presented to aid in determining his final sentence.

  • Albanese government’s housing target falls short by 81k homes as quarter-time called on housing accord policy

    Albanese government’s housing target falls short by 81k homes as quarter-time called on housing accord policy

    The Albanese government’s flagship National Housing Accord has reached its quarter-time mark with concerning performance gaps, as official data reveals Australia has fallen short of its housing targets by approximately 81,000 dwellings. Despite some progress in construction activity, the ambitious housing initiative continues to face significant challenges in meeting its objectives.

    According to the latest Building Activity report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, dwelling commencements experienced a 6.6% increase in September 2025, reaching 48,778 units. Private sector house commencements accounted for more than half of this growth, rising 6.9% to 28,845 units. However, the completion rates tell a different story, with finished private sector house dwellings declining by 5.1% compared to September 2024, totaling only 27,066 completions.

    Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest highlighted the concerning gap between targets and reality. “Under the National Housing Accord, the pro-rata new housing completions target for the first 15 months was 300,000,” Mr. Forrest stated. “Despite some improvement, the first 15 months saw only 218,974 new dwellings completed across Australia.”

    The state-level analysis reveals mixed results. New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, reported 47,198 commencements for the year ending September 2025—an increase of 4,186 from the previous year. However, the state completed only 55,557 new dwellings against an Accord target of 94,000 for the same period.

    Mr. Forrest identified critical systemic challenges hindering progress, including insufficient federal support for housing-enabling infrastructure and excessive state-level taxation on housing projects, particularly in NSW. “Today’s ABS data is a timely reminder to federal officials that more support is needed for housing-related infrastructure and taxation reform,” he emphasized.

    The Queensland government separately addressed construction productivity issues, with Home Ownership Minister David Janetzki attributing lagging housing construction to union deals under the previous administration. “The decade of declining construction productivity has reduced housing affordability and increased the cost of vital infrastructure projects,” Minister Janetzki stated.

    As the National Housing Accord moves beyond its initial phase, stakeholders emphasize that planning approvals alone are insufficient without the necessary infrastructure funding and tax reforms to convert approvals into actual housing completions.

  • Unions and students seek Columbia University board reforms after Trump deal

    Unions and students seek Columbia University board reforms after Trump deal

    A coalition of students and faculty at Columbia University has initiated a comprehensive campaign to fundamentally restructure the institution’s highest governing body, the Board of Trustees. This movement emerges from mounting concerns over what participants describe as systemic governance failures and the disenfranchisement of university stakeholders.

    The campaign, spearheaded by the Columbia chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), cites multiple catalysts for reform. Primary among these is the administration’s handling of pro-Palestine protests, particularly the decision to involve law enforcement which resulted in hundreds of student arrests, numerous suspensions, and several students facing deportation proceedings. Activists maintain these actions have created a chilling effect on free speech across campus.

    Additional grievances include the university’s settlement with the Trump administration, wherein Columbia agreed to pay $220 million to resolve allegations of violating federal anti-discrimination laws rather than contesting the charges. Professor Michael Thaddeus, AAUP vice-president, characterized this as a ‘deeply misguided decision’ that involved unprecedented concessions to government demands regarding hiring practices, curriculum development, and admissions policies.

    The campaign also highlights the case of Dr. Robert Hadden, a former gynecologist convicted of sexual assault, whose misconduct they allege was systematically concealed by university administration for decades.

    Critics identify structural deficiencies within the current governance model. The 20-member board, composed primarily of finance sector executives with minimal academic representation, operates through a self-perpetuating nomination process without stakeholder input. Professor Jean E Howard notes the board’s concerning lack of transparency, refusing to publish meeting minutes while simultaneously curtailing the powers of the University Senate.

    The proposed reforms envision transforming the board into a democratically elected body that better reflects the Columbia community’s diversity. Advocates argue this structural change would counter what they describe as oligarchic governance serving the interests of the wealthiest one percent rather than the broader university population.

    While organizers acknowledge the long-term nature of this initiative, they emphasize the urgency of establishing more representative governance to restore Columbia’s ethical and intellectual integrity amid what they characterize as the challenges of the Trump era.

  • Global markets on alert as Europe to suspend approval of US trade deal

    Global markets on alert as Europe to suspend approval of US trade deal

    The European Parliament is poised to formally suspend ratification of a major US-EU trade agreement originally negotiated in July, marking a significant deterioration in transatlantic relations. This decision, scheduled for announcement in Strasbourg on Wednesday, comes in direct response to President Donald Trump’s renewed efforts to acquire Greenland and his accompanying threats of punitive tariffs.

    The escalating tensions have triggered substantial financial market volatility across continents. European markets registered a second consecutive day of declines, while US indices experienced sharp drops—the Dow Jones fell 1.7%, the S&P 500 declined over 2%, and the Nasdaq closed approximately 2.4% lower. Asian markets showed mixed performance, though safe-haven assets surged with gold exceeding $4,800 per ounce for the first time.

    Key European legislators have condemned Washington’s approach. Manfred Weber, an influential German MEP, stated approval was ‘not possible at this stage,’ while Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange declared there was ‘no alternative’ to suspension given threats against EU territorial integrity. Lange emphasized that using tariffs as coercive instruments undermines the stability of EU-US trade relations.

    The suspended agreement, initially hailed as a breakthrough, would have reduced US levies on most European goods to 15% from previously threatened 30% rates. In return, Europe committed to investment pledges and regulatory changes benefiting US exports. However, the pact requires parliamentary approval to take effect.

    With a temporary truce on EU retaliatory measures set to expire February 6th, the bloc must now decide whether to implement previously prepared tariffs targeting $109 billion in American goods. French President Emmanuel Macron has advocated considering retaliatory options, including the EU’s ‘trade bazooka’ anti-coercion instrument, calling Washington’s tariff accumulation ‘fundamentally unacceptable.’

    US officials delivered contrasting messages at Davos. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged European leaders to refrain from retaliation and ‘have an open mind,’ while Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned that the US would respond to any retaliatory measures. The dispute occurs within a broader context of technological and metals tariff disagreements that have strained the world’s largest trade partnership, which exchanged over €1.6 trillion in goods and services in 2024.

    As middle powers like Canada advocate for coordinated responses to great power rivalry, the legal foundation of Trump’s tariff regime remains uncertain pending a Supreme Court decision on their constitutionality.

  • Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka dismantled her second round opponent in straight sets

    Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka dismantled her second round opponent in straight sets

    Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus demonstrated why she remains a formidable force at the Australian Open, securing a decisive second-round victory against China’s Zhuoxuan Bai. Despite conceding only four games throughout the match, the top-seeded player exhibited visible frustration with aspects of her performance that fell short of her exacting standards.

    The match began with characteristic dominance as Sabalenka powered to a 5-0 lead within just 14 minutes in the opening set. However, Bai’s resilient response disrupted Sabalenka’s rhythm, forcing unexpected errors from the reigning champion. The Belarusian’s annoyance became particularly evident when she required multiple set points to finally close out the first set against her determined opponent.

    This pattern continued into the second set where Sabalenka again established early control by taking the first four games. Yet throughout the contest, the world No.1 expressed dissatisfaction with her serving performance and acknowledged Bai’s effective touch game. The match ultimately revealed both Sabalenka’s explosive power and her relentless pursuit of perfection, signaling an ominous warning to competitors as she progresses in the tournament.

    The performance, while statistically dominant, provided insight into the champion’s mindset—where even comprehensive victories undergo intense scrutiny. Sabalenka’s reaction to minor imperfections underscores her championship mentality and the elevated standards she maintains while defending her Australian Open title.

  • Iranian chess champion opens up about trauma amid protests

    Iranian chess champion opens up about trauma amid protests

    In a poignant interview from Paris, Iranian-French chess grandmaster Mitra Hejazipour has revealed the profound emotional distress she continues to endure while monitoring anti-government protests and severe internet blackouts in her homeland. The 32-year-old athlete, who fled Iran five years ago following her symbolic removal of the mandatory hijab during an international tournament in Moscow, now finds herself grappling with sleepless nights and anxiety as she struggles to contact family members amid widespread communications shutdowns.

    Hejazipour, who obtained French citizenship and became national champion in 2023, described the current situation as ‘highly distressing,’ particularly after receiving harrowing accounts from medical contacts within Iran. ‘A friend working at a hospital shared devastating details about numerous gunshot wounds, especially eye injuries, and many fatalities,’ she disclosed while promoting her newly released autobiography, ‘The Chess Player.’

    The protests, initially triggered by economic hardships in late December, have evolved into the most significant challenge to Iran’s leadership in recent years. Independent monitoring organizations estimate the death toll ranges from several thousand to as many as 20,000 casualties resulting from the government’s brutal crackdown on dissent.

    Despite her successful chess career in exile—which includes leading the French team to a third-place finish at the world championships—Hejazipour remains emotionally connected to Iran’s struggle. She expresses cautious optimism that ‘the sacrifice of Iranians will not be in vain’ and predicts the eventual collapse of the current regime. The chess prodigy identifies Reza Pahlavi, son of the former shah living in American exile, as a potential unifying figure for establishing democratic governance.

    Her memoir recounts a childhood in Mashhad where chess became ‘a balm to soothe my sorrow, my shield against life’s uncertainties.’ The defining moment came in December 2019 when she dramatically removed her headscarf during the World Championship in Moscow, an act that precipitated her exile. Now settled in Paris, Hejazipour has established a charitable organization dedicated to promoting chess as an empowerment tool for women worldwide.

  • Actor Timothy Busfield to be released from jail in sex abuse case

    Actor Timothy Busfield to be released from jail in sex abuse case

    Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield has been granted pretrial release from a New Mexico detention facility while awaiting proceedings on serious child sexual abuse charges. The 68-year-old performer, known for his roles in ‘The West Wing’ and ‘Field of Dreams,’ faces allegations of sexually abusing two minor boys on the set of the television series ‘The Cleaning Lady,’ which he directed and produced.

    Judge David A. Murphy authorized Busfield’s release on his own recognizance without requiring bail, though he must appear at all future court dates. The decision prompted an emotional reaction from Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, who broke down in tears upon hearing the ruling in the Albuquerque courtroom.

    The prosecution had vigorously argued for continued detention, citing what they described as a ‘pattern’ of inappropriate behavior that culminated during the production of the New Mexico-filmed series. Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch challenged the defense’s psychological assessments, stating, ‘It doesn’t matter who he’s attracted to. We know that all different types of sex offenders prey on different demographics of people.’

    Busfield’s defense team, led by attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Larry Stein, presented over 70 character references and disclosed that the actor had undergone and passed a polygraph test related to the allegations. Fayerberg argued that Busfield had effectively been ‘cancelled’ already—dropped by his talent agency and edited out of an upcoming romantic comedy—despite maintaining his innocence.

    The defense contends the allegations were ‘manufactured’ as an act of revenge after the children were terminated from the series. Fayerberg asserted, ‘There is a credible story here, and it’s a very sad story, and there are victims… But they weren’t victimized by Tim Busfield. They were victimized by their own parents.’

    According to court documents, the boys alleged Busfield engaged in inappropriate touching that began when one victim was just 7 years old. The actor faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. As conditions of his release, Busfield is prohibited from discussing the case with witnesses and may not have contact with any minor children involved in the case. No trial date has been set.

  • Trade leaders stay bullish on 2026 despite rising barriers

    Trade leaders stay bullish on 2026 despite rising barriers

    Despite mounting geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainties, global trade leaders are demonstrating remarkable optimism for 2026, with 94% of senior supply chain executives anticipating growth rates that will match or surpass 2025 levels. This confident outlook emerges from DP World’s comprehensive Global Trade Observatory Annual Outlook, presented during the World Economic Forum in Davos, which surveyed 3,500 executives across 19 countries and eight industries.

    The research reveals a striking divergence between corporate sentiment and institutional projections. While the International Monetary Fund forecasts a decline in global merchandise trade growth from 3.6% in 2025 to 2.3% in 2026, more than half (54%) of business leaders actually expect accelerated expansion. This optimism persists despite widespread recognition of challenges: 90% anticipate rising or sustained trade barriers, and 53% predict high policy uncertainty throughout 2026.

    Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, characterized the trading environment as structurally complex rather than cyclical. He emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining trade flow through strategic infrastructure investments and partnership development that enhance operational efficiency and reliability for customers.

    Regional analysis identifies Europe as the most promising growth area (22% of respondents), followed closely by China (17%), with Asia Pacific (14%) and North America (13%) also generating significant confidence. This regional optimism stems from anticipated European demand stabilization, China’s export resurgence in electric vehicles and renewable energy equipment, and expanding intra-Asian supply chains.

    The United Arab Emirates is emerging as a primary beneficiary of global trade realignment, with WTO projections indicating Middle Eastern outperformance in merchandise trade growth. UAE government data shows non-oil foreign trade exceeding Dh4.3 trillion in 2024, representing 14% year-on-year growth, fueled by comprehensive economic partnership agreements with over 20 nations and deepening integration with Asian and African markets.

    Corporate adaptation strategies are accelerating dramatically, with 51% of firms planning supplier diversification, 44% increasing inventory buffers, and 36% adopting friend-shoring approaches that prioritize politically aligned markets. UNCTAD estimates indicate more than $1.3 trillion in manufacturing investment announced globally since 2022 under supply chain reconfiguration programs.

    Route flexibility has become central to trade strategy, with 26% of executives planning new shipping routes in 2026 and another 23% actively evaluating alternatives. This shift is driven by cost reduction objectives, enhanced inland connectivity, and faster customs processing. The expansion of Asia-Europe overland corridors, Middle Eastern logistics hubs, and Africa-linked maritime routes reflects a strategic reduction in dependency on traditional maritime chokepoints.

    Border friction remains a critical constraint, with 60% of executives citing customs clearance as a primary cause of delays. Investments in warehousing, logistics hubs, road networks, and border processing infrastructure are prioritized as essential efficiency drivers. World Bank research indicates that reducing border processing time by just one day can increase trade volumes by up to 1%, strengthening the economic rationale for digital customs platforms and integrated clearance systems.

  • Dollar tumbles as investors reignite ‘Sell America’ trade

    Dollar tumbles as investors reignite ‘Sell America’ trade

    A dramatic selloff in U.S. dollar assets swept through global markets on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as geopolitical tensions over Greenland sparked the most significant single-day dollar decline in over a month. The currency’s sharp downturn reverberated across multiple asset classes, highlighting renewed investor anxiety about American economic policy direction.

    The U.S. Dollar Index plummeted by 0.7%, representing its most substantial daily drop since mid-December. This decline was primarily triggered by the White House’s renewed threats toward European allies regarding Greenland’s future status, which simultaneously pressured U.S. stocks and government bonds while boosting the euro and British pound.

    Market analysts identified this movement as a resurgence of the ‘Sell America’ trade pattern that initially emerged following last April’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcements. Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG in Sydney, noted that investors are rapidly divesting from dollar-denominated assets due to ‘fears of prolonged uncertainty, strained alliances, and potential acceleration of de-dollarization trends.’

    The euro surged 0.8% to $1.1742, marking its strongest daily performance since September, while the pound gained 0.24% to trade at $1.346. Sterling received additional support from UK labor market data showing unemployment holding at a five-year high but with stabilizing vacancy numbers.

    Currency markets exhibited broad-based movements beyond major pairs. The Japanese yen recovered from overnight losses as European trading commenced, with the dollar declining 0.3% to 157.68 yen amid political uncertainty following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s call for snap elections on February 8. The Swiss franc, traditionally a safe-haven asset, strengthened for a third consecutive day, pushing the dollar down 1.1% to 0.7885 francs.

    In Asian markets, the offshore Chinese yuan held steady at 6.952 per dollar, its weakest level since May 2023, following the People’s Bank of China’s decision to maintain benchmark lending rates unchanged for an eighth consecutive month. The Australian dollar advanced 0.48% to $0.675, approaching its strongest position since October 2024, while the New Zealand dollar climbed 0.77% to $0.584, reaching its highest level this year.

    Cryptocurrencies mirrored the traditional market turbulence, with Bitcoin falling 2% to $91,090 and Ether declining 3.3% to $3,104.

    Despite the dramatic market movements, some analysts suggested the ‘Sell America’ effect might prove temporary. Barclays strategist Lefteris Farmakis observed that ‘tariff threats are a marginal negative for the dollar in the near-term given long positions and still-low hedge ratios from a historical perspective,’ while cautioning that major escalation with NATO implications would present more significant challenges for the euro.

  • What is Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?

    What is Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?

    In a controversial diplomatic initiative, the Trump administration has formally proposed the establishment of an international ‘Board of Peace’ with extraordinary provisions granting former President Donald Trump permanent leadership authority. According to a charter document obtained by AFP, the organization would require nations to contribute up to $1 billion for permanent membership privileges.

    The proposed board, initially conceptualized for Gaza reconstruction efforts, now envisions a broader mandate to ‘promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.’ The charter explicitly states all operations would comply with international law.

    Central to the controversy are the sweeping powers designated to the chairman position, which would be occupied indefinitely by Donald Trump. The charter grants the chairman ‘exclusive authority to create, modify or dissolve subsidiary entities’ and appoint members to an executive board composed of ‘leaders of global stature.’ Notably, the chairman can only be replaced through ‘voluntary resignation or as a result of incapacity,’ potentially allowing Trump to maintain influence regardless of future political positions.

    The executive board structure reveals a notable concentration of Trump allies and associates, including:
    – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
    – Special negotiator Steve Witkoff
    – Senior advisor Jared Kushner
    – Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
    – Billionaire financier Marc Rowan
    – World Bank President Ajay Banga
    – National Security Council aide Robert Gabriel

    Membership invitations have extended to both traditional allies and adversaries, including China, Russia, and Ukraine simultaneously—a particularly contentious arrangement given Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. While Hungary’s Viktor Orban and the United Arab Emirates have committed participation, Canada has explicitly rejected the $1 billion permanent membership fee. France has declined involvement, prompting retaliatory tariff threats from Trump against French wine exports.

    The board requires consent from three states to become operational, with annual decision-making conducted through majority voting where the chairman holds tie-breaking authority.