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  • AFL 2026: A fit Jordan De Goey stood out at Collingwood main training

    AFL 2026: A fit Jordan De Goey stood out at Collingwood main training

    A revitalized Jordan De Goey has emerged as a pivotal figure in Collingwood’s pre-season preparations, demonstrating a dramatic return to form that could significantly alter the team’s dynamic for the upcoming AFL season. The premiership star, who endured a injury-plagued 2025 campaign limited to just 11 appearances, showcased his trademark explosiveness during Wednesday’s training session at Olympic Park.

    The 29-year-old midfielder dominated particularly in one-on-one combat drills, remaining undefeated in simulated ground ball scenarios while displaying visible confidence and cheerfulness throughout the session. This resurgence comes as welcome news for a squad that felt the substantial impact of his absence last season, particularly during their finals campaign.

    De Goey’s return to peak conditioning creates a cascading effect throughout the lineup, potentially reducing the immense pressure on both young sensation Nick Daicos and veteran champion Scott Pendlebury. Daicos, coming off a career-best season, had shouldered extraordinary responsibility in De Goey’s absence but now stands to benefit from shared midfield duties.

    Meanwhile, Pendlebury’s role appears to be evolving, with the veteran spending substantial time with the defensive unit during training. While speculation continues about a potential permanent move to the backline, the 37-year-old legend received treatment for hip and lower back areas but participated fully in the session.

    The Magpies implemented several innovative training exercises focused on skill development, including specialized drills emphasizing non-preferred foot kicking—a gradually disappearing art form in modern AFL. Additionally, forward Dan McStay engaged in specialized work with coaches, practicing safe landing techniques when brought to ground in tackles, particularly significant given his history of knee injuries.

    Among other observations, Ned Long appeared noticeably leaner and covered ground effectively, while Patrick Lipinski and draftee Tyan Prindable also impressed during the session. The strategic shift in player positioning and specialized skill work suggests coach Craig McRae is implementing nuanced adjustments aimed at optimizing the roster’s considerable talent.

  • Prince Harry targeted for standing up to UK newspaper, reveals lawyer

    Prince Harry targeted for standing up to UK newspaper, reveals lawyer

    In a landmark legal confrontation at London’s High Court, Prince Harry has become the target of a sustained retaliation campaign for his courageous stance against one of Britain’s most influential media entities. The Duke of Sussex, alongside six prominent figures including music icon Elton John, has initiated legal proceedings against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail, alleging systematic privacy violations spanning over two decades.

    During Tuesday’s proceedings, Harry’s legal representative David Sherborne presented a compelling narrative of orchestrated media attacks against the prince. The court heard how Harry’s personal relationships, particularly those preceding his marriage to Meghan Markle, became subjects of intense and damaging media scrutiny. The alleged privacy breaches encompassed sophisticated methods including voicemail interception, landline bugging, and deceptive information gathering techniques known as ‘blagging’.

    Sherborne emphasized the paradoxical relationship between Harry and the tabloid press, noting that while the prince generated substantial revenue for these publications, he simultaneously endured relentless invasions of privacy. Fourteen specific articles were cited as examples, including intrusive reports about Harry’s potential role as godfather to his former nanny’s child and sensitive details regarding his previous relationship with Chelsy Davy.

    The psychological impact on Harry was described as significant, with the lawyer detailing how the constant surveillance created profound distress and paranoia. ‘Given the evidence presented, is it surprising that His Royal Highness feels subjected to sustained attacks for demonstrating the courage to challenge Associated Newspapers?’ Sherborne questioned the court.

    This legal battle represents the latest chapter in Harry’s personal crusade for media accountability, a mission intensified by the tragic loss of his mother, Princess Diana, in a 1997 paparazzi-related incident. Associated Newspapers has vigorously denied all allegations, maintaining that their journalists operated within legal boundaries and obtained information through legitimate channels including contacts and press officers.

    The trial, expected to extend over nine weeks, will feature testimony from all claimants including Elton John, who alleges the Mail obtained his son’s birth certificate through surrogacy before he and his husband received it. This case marks another historic moment as Harry prepares to potentially testify, having already made history as the first royal in 130 years to appear in court during his 2023 litigation against another media group.

  • Fleetwood chases Dubai Desert Classic glory as Lowry eyes redemption

    Fleetwood chases Dubai Desert Classic glory as Lowry eyes redemption

    Golfing attention shifts to the Emirates Golf Club as the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic commences, featuring two prominent European stars with distinct objectives. England’s Tommy Fleetwood arrives at the prestigious event riding an extraordinary wave of career-best form. Fresh from securing his maiden PGA TOUR victory and the FedExCup at last season’s TOUR Championship, followed by a triumph at the DP World India Championship, Fleetwood has ascended to a career-high third position in the Official World Golf Ranking. The 35-year-old now sets his sights on capturing the iconic Dallah Trophy and a third Rolex Series title. Despite this being his 15th consecutive appearance at the event, the Majlis Course has historically presented a challenge for him, with only two top-ten finishes to his name. Fleetwood acknowledges the need to synchronize all aspects of his game to conquer a layout he believes suits his style. Alongside him, Ireland’s Shane Lowry seeks immediate redemption following a devastating final-hole collapse at the recent Dubai Invitational, where a double-bogey cost him the title. The 2019 Open Champion and two-time Rolex Series winner, whose last individual victory was at the 2022 BMW PGA Championship, is channeling his frustration into motivation. Both players lauded the DP World Tour’s significance, with Fleetwood emphasizing its role as a dream-making platform for global talent and Lowry highlighting the historic prestige of the Dubai event, first held in 1989. Beyond the competition, the tournament offers an expanded fan experience with Tournament Town, featuring live music, a new Eat Street food hub, and a Kids Zone doubled in size for 2026.

  • IMF upgrades China’s growth forecast to 4.5%

    IMF upgrades China’s growth forecast to 4.5%

    The International Monetary Fund has significantly upgraded China’s economic growth forecast for 2026 to 4.5%, marking a 0.3 percentage point increase from its previous October projection. This optimistic revision, detailed in the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook update, stems from two primary factors: the substantial easing of US-China trade tensions and China’s sustained domestic policy stimulus measures.

    The improved outlook reflects the tangible impact of reduced effective US tariff rates on Chinese exports, following the yearlong trade truce agreement established between the two economic superpowers in November. Additionally, China’s consistent implementation of economic stimulus packages over a two-year period has contributed significantly to this upward revision. The IMF simultaneously raised China’s 2025 growth projection by 0.2 percentage points to 5%.

    This positive assessment aligns with recent data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, which reported the country’s GDP reached a historic $20.01 trillion in the previous year, achieving 5% growth. NBS Director Kang Yi emphasized China’s deployment of “more proactive and effective macro policies” to counter external environmental shifts and domestic challenges, noting that China remains “among the world’s most stable and reliable engines of global expansion” with an estimated 30% contribution to worldwide growth.

    The global economic landscape shows parallel resilience, with the IMF projecting worldwide growth at 3.3% for 2026, slightly above October’s forecast. This improvement is largely driven by stronger-than-expected performances in both the United States and China. The US received its own upgrade to 2.4% growth for 2026, attributed to fiscal policy support, lower interest rates, and diminishing effects of earlier trade barriers.

    IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas and colleague Tobias Adrian noted in an accompanying analysis that the global economy has “largely shaken off the immediate impact of the tariff shock,” crediting this resilience to easing trade tensions, substantial fiscal support, favorable financial conditions, and “the agility of the private sector” in adapting to disrupted trade flows.

    Looking forward, the IMF anticipates China’s growth will moderate to 4% in 2027 as structural challenges emerge. The report also highlighted artificial intelligence investment as a key growth driver, particularly in the United States where IT investment has reached its highest share of economic output since 2001. This technology boom is creating cross-border benefits through increased demand for components and equipment, particularly boosting Asia’s technology exports.

    The IMF outlined both potential upside scenarios, where AI could boost global activity by approximately 0.3% if productivity gains materialize, and downside risks where valuation corrections coupled with tighter financial conditions could reduce global growth by about 0.4%.

  • The Indian couple who won a $200,000 settlement over ‘food racism’ at US university

    The Indian couple who won a $200,000 settlement over ‘food racism’ at US university

    A contentious dispute originating from a microwave incident has culminated in a substantial legal settlement for two Indian doctoral students. Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya have been awarded $200,000 by the University of Colorado, Boulder, following allegations of systematic racial discrimination and institutional retaliation.

    The case originated in September 2023 when Mr. Prakash, an anthropology PhD candidate, heated his traditional palak paneer lunch in a campus microwave. A university staff member reportedly confronted him about the dish’s aroma, asserting an unwritten policy against heating foods with strong odors. When Mr. Prakash inquired which foods were considered problematic, he was allegedly informed that sandwiches were acceptable while curry-based dishes were not.

    According to court documents, this initial encounter triggered escalating retaliation that ultimately cost both students their research funding, teaching positions, and academic advisors. The couple filed a civil rights lawsuit in May 2025 alleging a pattern of discriminatory treatment and microaggressions targeting their Indian heritage.

    The university settled the case in September 2025 while denying all liability. Beyond the financial compensation, the institution agreed to confer the students’ degrees but prohibited them from future study or employment there. In an official statement, university representatives emphasized their commitment to inclusive environments but cited privacy laws preventing detailed commentary.

    This case has ignited international discourse about ‘food racism’ – prejudice against ethnic culinary traditions. Social media platforms have witnessed extensive sharing of similar experiences by Indians and other ethnic minorities facing criticism abroad. The conversation has also turned inward, with many noting comparable discrimination within India itself against non-vegetarian foods and regional culinary practices.

    Mr. Prakash reflected that this incident echoed childhood lunchtime segregation he experienced in Italian schools. ‘These acts of isolating people because of how their food smells represent how whiteness controls your Indianness and shrinks the spaces you can exist in,’ he stated. Both students have since returned to India, expressing uncertainty about returning to the US despite the settlement.

  • Ajman Police announce 3-month closure of street in Al Rashidiya 2 area

    Ajman Police announce 3-month closure of street in Al Rashidiya 2 area

    Ajman Police Department has officially declared a comprehensive three-month closure of Rashid bin Abdulaziz Street, a key thoroughfare located in the Al Rashidiya 2 district. This significant infrastructure initiative commenced on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and is projected to conclude on April 20, 2026.

    The temporary shutdown forms an integral component of a broader municipal strategy aimed at road expansion and substantial development works designed to enhance urban mobility and transportation efficiency. Law enforcement authorities have proactively issued detailed guidance to motorists and commuters, strongly advising them to utilize designated alternative routes throughout the construction period to ensure minimal disruption to daily transit patterns.

    Through strategic communications across their official social media platforms, Ajman Police have disseminated crucial informational resources including digital mapping illustrations that precisely delineate the affected closure zone while simultaneously highlighting recommended detour paths. This transparent public communication approach reflects the department’s commitment to maintaining seamless traffic flow and ensuring public safety during essential urban development operations.

    The extended duration of this project underscores the scale and importance of the infrastructure enhancements underway, representing Ajman’s continued investment in modernizing its transportation network to accommodate growing urban demands and future development requirements.

  • Locked exits, panic and desperate calls for help: Survivors tell of mall fire horror

    Locked exits, panic and desperate calls for help: Survivors tell of mall fire horror

    A catastrophic fire that engulfed Karachi’s bustling Gul Plaza shopping center on Saturday evening has left a trail of devastation, with over 70 individuals still unaccounted for and 27 confirmed fatalities. The densely-packed wholesale market, which housed approximately 1,200 shops across multiple floors, became a death trap when flames rapidly consumed the structure despite its impending closure time.

    Eyewitness accounts reveal a horrifying sequence of events where locked emergency exits and extreme overcrowding created impossible escape conditions. Rehan Faisal, a bedsheet merchant who narrowly escaped, described how the inferno transformed the entire building into an inferno within mere minutes. ‘No-one knew it would spread so much,’ he recounted, noting that everything burned ‘before our eyes’ in under seven minutes.

    Nineteen-year-old shop employee Shoiab provided a harrowing testimony of the chaos: ‘Suddenly everything was covered with smoke – we couldn’t see anything and there was panic everywhere. The first exit I tried was locked and the crowds were too dense.’ His survival came only through the intervention of an unknown rescuer who dragged him to safety after he lost consciousness from smoke inhalation.

    The tragedy has exposed critical failures in emergency preparedness and building safety compliance. Senior police official Syed Asad Raza confirmed that only three of the center’s sixteen exits remained accessible, while most gates had been secured ahead of the scheduled closing. Rescue operations face extreme challenges due to the structurally compromised building that risks complete collapse at any moment, according to Dr. Abid Jalaluddin Sheikh, a senior rescue official.

    Anguished families maintain vigil at the disaster site, clutching onto fading hope for their missing loved ones. Muhammad Amin voices the collective despair: ‘What should I tell my mother? My nieces are crying for their father – they ask why he is late to come home.’ The emotional toll compounds as relatives like Muhammad Qaiser search for multiple missing family members without receiving coherent information from authorities.

    Public outrage has escalated into protests demanding accountability for delayed emergency response and systemic safety negligence. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab faced public scorn when arriving nearly 24 hours post-incident, while survivors noted the fire brigade’s delayed arrival despite urgent need. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has pledged a comprehensive investigation, with national lawmakers calling for sweeping reforms in building safety protocols and urban emergency management systems.

  • Dubai gold prices up Dh50 per gram so far this year, hit a record high

    Dubai gold prices up Dh50 per gram so far this year, hit a record high

    Dubai’s gold market has entered unprecedented territory as prices surged dramatically in the opening weeks of 2026, with the precious metal reaching record-breaking valuations. On Tuesday evening, 24-karat gold achieved a remarkable Dh571.25 per gram, representing an extraordinary increase of over Dh50 per gram since the beginning of the year when it closed at approximately Dh520 per gram.

    The market witnessed a significant milestone as 21-karat gold surpassed the Dh500 per gram threshold, joining 24-karat and 22-karat variants that had previously breached this psychological barrier. Current market valuations show 22-karat trading at Dh529.0, 21-karat at Dh507.25, 18-karat at Dh434.75, and 14-karat at Dh339.25 per gram.

    This remarkable rally extends beyond regional markets, with global gold prices reaching $4,727.51 per ounce, marking a 1.05 percent increase at 7:30 PM UAE time. Financial experts attribute this surge to multiple converging factors creating perfect conditions for gold’s ascent.

    According to Vijay Valecha, Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial, the price escalation stems from three primary drivers: “The Greenland crisis has triggered substantial safe-haven demand following Trump’s threats of EU tariffs. Concurrently, criminal investigations into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell have undermined confidence in the US dollar, traditionally supporting commodity prices. Finally, persistent accumulation by central banks continues providing institutional support for precious metals.”

    Market analysts suggest further appreciation appears inevitable. Ahmad Assiri, Research Strategist at Pepperstone, indicated that $5,000 per ounce represents a logical medium-term target rather than optimistic speculation, representing approximately 7 percent growth from current levels. He emphasized that precious metals currently represent the clearest expression of defensive market sentiment until negotiation pathways become more transparent.

    The broader market perspective suggests this trend may continue through an extended phase of political volatility, with gold positioned as the primary beneficiary of escalating global uncertainties.

  • Trump greenlit tiny Kei cars but will Americans actually buy them?

    Trump greenlit tiny Kei cars but will Americans actually buy them?

    In a surprising policy shift, former President Donald Trump has championed the introduction of Japanese-style micro-vehicles to American roads, challenging the nation’s longstanding preference for large trucks and SUVs. The initiative aims to bring Kei cars (kei-jidōsha or “light vehicles”)—ultra-compact vehicles measuring approximately half the size of a standard Ford F-150—to U.S. markets as affordable, fuel-efficient transportation solutions.

    These miniature vehicles originated in post-World War II Japan as economical transportation for crowded urban areas and have since gained popularity across Asia. While Trump enthusiastically announced on social media in December that he had “approved TINY CARS to be built in America,” calling them “inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!!”, automotive experts and industry stakeholders remain skeptical about their viability in the American market.

    Significant barriers include safety concerns on highways dominated by large vehicles, manufacturing cost challenges, and cultural resistance from consumers accustomed to spacious automobiles. Current U.S. regulations only permit Kei cars that are at least 25 years old, making them rare collector’s items rather than practical daily transportation.

    Enthusiasts like Nevi Bergeron, who owns a 1997 Suzuki Cappuccino inspired by Japanese manga, appreciate these vehicles for their novelty but acknowledge their limitations. “It’s tiny and a bit silly… definitely a conversation-starter,” Bergeron noted, while adding that driving beside large trucks makes her “feel vulnerable” on highways.

    Industry analysts question whether manufacturers can produce these micro-cars at sufficiently low prices to compete with conventional sedans, especially amid ongoing post-pandemic supply chain issues and rising production costs. Auto industry investor Steve Greenfield warned that redesigning Kei cars to meet U.S. safety standards would “defeat their cost and efficiency advantages.”

    While some manufacturers like Stellantis plan to introduce small models like the Topolino (with a top speed under 30mph), major Japanese Kei car producers including Toyota, Honda, and Suzuki have not announced concrete plans for U.S. market entry. The experience of Smart cars, which withdrew from the U.S. market in 2019 due to poor sales, suggests limited mainstream demand for miniature vehicles.

    Despite these challenges, importers like Mo Sulai of Tokyo Motors DC report growing interest in Kei vehicles as novelty items and specialty vehicles for golf courses or farms, with prices ranging from $6,500 for vintage mini-vans to over $10,000 for specialized vehicles like micro fire engines. While Trump’s endorsement has raised awareness, Sulai acknowledges that micro-cars will likely remain “a niche market” in a nation accustomed to automotive supersizing.

  • Maggots discovered inside airconditioning vent at Newcastle hospital

    Maggots discovered inside airconditioning vent at Newcastle hospital

    A disturbing discovery of maggots emerging from air conditioning vents has triggered an emergency evacuation at Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle, New South Wales. The infestation occurred in the facility’s hematology ward, specializing in blood-related disorders and treatments.

    On Tuesday, hospital staff made the alarming finding when maggots reportedly fell from ventilation systems onto patient room floors. Hospital administration immediately sealed off the affected four-bed room and initiated patient relocations. Some hematology patients were transferred to alternative medical facilities while others were moved to different floors within the hospital complex.

    A hospital spokesperson emphasized that patient safety remained the highest priority, confirming that specialist pest controllers had been engaged to address the infestation. The incident marks the second recent environmental contamination issue at the facility, following previous discoveries of mold in cancer ward air conditioning systems between January 2024 and April 2025.

    The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association expressed serious concerns regarding the infestation. General Secretary Michael Whaites highlighted the need for urgent clarification regarding the source of the pest problem and whether it resulted from inadequate integrated pest management protocols within the hospital.

    Health Minister Ryan Park acknowledged the situation as unsatisfactory, noting that while short-term resolutions were implemented, a comprehensive long-term solution would be necessary. The minister has requested a full incident report and directed hospital leadership to expedite permanent corrective measures.