United States

Iran sees progress in U.S. talks under shadow of Trump threat

Iranian officials describe ongoing talks with the United States as “more constructive” while both sides continue to trade public threats and warnings. Negotiators focus on steps to avert war and address security concerns, sanctions, and regional tensions. The legacy of former U.S. president Donald Trump’s Iran policy and his continued influence on American political debate shape the environment surrounding the discussions. Iranian authorities say they now see “a clearer path ahead” and portray the talks as a serious effort to prevent open conflict under difficult economic and political conditions.

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Moore takes aim at Biden’s immigration record, criticizes Trump crackdown

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told CBS News that no U.S. administration has created an effective immigration system and said only Congress can fix it. Moore said President Joe Biden “needed to do more” on immigration and criticized former President Donald Trump’s crackdown, arguing that executive actions alone cannot resolve long-standing border and migration challenges. He said partisan gridlock in Congress has blocked lasting reforms and left states managing the local impact of federal policy gaps.

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Rubio urges U.S. and Europe to “revitalize an old friendship”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges the United States and Europe to “revitalize an old friendship,” calling for renewed transatlantic cooperation while affirming the Trump administration’s existing policy positions. Rubio emphasizes NATO, shared security challenges and economic ties, uses a more reassuring tone toward European allies, and highlights ongoing diplomatic, military and intelligence collaboration. He addresses concerns over defense spending, trade disputes and alliance reliability without signaling major policy shifts.

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Epstein files fallout: Olympics chair Casey Wasserman moves to sell agency

Casey Wasserman, chair of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee, plans to sell his Wasserman talent agency after the public release of court records showing email exchanges between himself and Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents, tied to the Jeffrey Epstein cases, list Wasserman among many public figures mentioned, though no criminal charges against him have been announced. The sale details, including potential buyers and timeline, remain undisclosed. Wasserman continues to lead the LA28 organizing committee as preparations for the 2028 Games proceed.

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Epstein files dump reveals 3 million records, images

The U.S. Department of Justice has released a major new batch of Jeffrey Epstein case records, totaling about three million documents and photos. The January 30 disclosure, arriving more than a month after an initial deadline, expands public access to investigative files, court-related material, and visual evidence. Many documents are expected to be redacted to protect victims, minors, and third parties. Lawyers, journalists, and lawmakers are preparing to review the records for new details on how authorities handled past investigations, plea agreements, and Epstein’s network of associates.

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CIA unveils recruitment video targeting Chinese military officers

The CIA has released a new Mandarin-language recruitment video targeting Chinese military officers who feel disillusioned with corruption and internal conditions. The video portrays a fictional Chinese official struggling with moral concerns and invites viewers to share information with U.S. intelligence through secure channels. The initiative fits into Washington’s broader focus on China as a key strategic priority and highlights growing competition in the intelligence field. Chinese authorities routinely warn citizens and military personnel against foreign espionage, though there has been no detailed official response to this specific video.

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Missing minute from Epstein jail footage mystery resolved

Newly released Epstein case documents explain a one-minute gap in jail surveillance video from the night of Jeffrey Epstein’s death. The records describe how the Metropolitan Correctional Center’s digital recording system created a brief time-code break during routine file indexing near midnight. Technical logs, internal emails and investigator requests show that the interruption stemmed from automated system processes, not manual deletion. The files also detail comparisons of multiple camera angles and system behavior at other times.

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