Author: Leslie Stewart

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer shake hands before a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, January 29, 2026.Karl Cote | AFP | Getty ImagesChinese companies have pledged hundreds of millions of pounds worth of investment into the UK and formed new partnerships with British peers, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to China boosts business activity and investment flows between the two countries. During a four-day visit to China last week, Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and secured a deal that would see exports worth 2.2 billion pounds…

Jacob Aronoff is based in Portland and is interested in technology, security, and energy issues. Two years ago, I shared the opinion that the rise in data breaches in Maine was the result of lax oversight and outdated systems. In an increasingly digital world, our daily lives are becoming more vulnerable. Fast forward to 2026, and the energy grid now faces a similar crisis. While Maine’s power system faces stress from aging infrastructure, our leaders – the Maine Public Utilities Commission and Governor Janet Mills (who praised the PUC’s rejection of the plan as “outrageous” and “overreach”) – are isolated…

IE11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our site in a different browser.Currently playingSee highlights from the 2026 Grammy Awards01:32to the nextBillie Eilish calls for continued ICE protests00:20Bad Bunny calls for “ICE OUT” during Grammy Awards ceremony00:28Kendrick Lamar makes history with 26 Grammy Awards00:24At least 9 people killed, 26 injured in Turkish bus crash01:12Train collides with semi-truck during snowstorm00:19Home washed away by North Carolina storm surge00:35Father and 5-year-old son released from immigration detention center00:13’Sanford and Son’ star Damond Wilson dies at 7900:17Snow is falling in places in the Southeast00:30Pete Davidson plays U.S. border czar on ‘SNL’00:41Judge orders…

Employees work on a carbon fiber production line in Zhongfu Shenying, Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, eastern China, July 31, 2025. Stra | AFP | Getty ImagesChina’s factory activity accelerated in January as manufacturers accelerated production and brought forward cargo ahead of the extended Lunar New Year holiday, according to a private survey released Monday. The ratings dog China Comprehensive Manufacturing PMI (seasonally adjusted) surveyed by S&P Global rose to 50.3 in January from 50.1 the previous month, matching the 50.3 expected by analysts polled by Reuters. A value above the indicator 50 indicates expansion, and a value below it suggests contraction.…

IE11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our site in a different browser.Currently playingFather and 5-year-old son released from immigration detention center00:13to the next’Sanford and Son’ star Damond Wilson dies at 7900:17Snow is falling in places in the Southeast00:30Pete Davidson plays U.S. border czar on ‘SNL’00:41Judge orders release of 5-year-old child detained by ICE00:45Semi-truck hit by train in North Carolina00:18Wild turkeys terrorize Wisconsin town00:57Vonn: ‘Olympic dream isn’t over’ after skiing accident00:31Israeli airstrike hits buildings in Gaza City00:23Files include emails between Epstein and Giants co-owner00:58Mother of boy in ICE custody speaks out00:25The House will vote to reopen the…

IE11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our site in a different browser.Currently playingPete Davidson plays U.S. border czar on ‘SNL’00:41to the nextJudge orders release of 5-year-old child detained by ICE00:45Semi-truck hit by train in North Carolina00:18Wild turkeys terrorize Wisconsin town00:57Vonn: ‘Olympic dream isn’t over’ after skiing accident00:31Israeli airstrike hits buildings in Gaza City00:23Files include emails between Epstein and Giants co-owner00:58Mother of boy in ICE custody speaks out00:25The House will vote to reopen the government on Monday00:16Elon Musk’s emails included in Epstein files released01:58New York police find kangaroo and sloth in car00:21Thousands protest against ICE across the…

A federal judge on Saturday refused to immediately halt Operation Metro Surge, allowing widespread federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota to continue while broader legal challenges play out.U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez denied a request for a temporary restraining order from Minnesota authorities, despite acknowledging what she described as “serious and heartbreaking” consequences for the Minnesota community.But, she said, “that’s not the only harm to consider.”“The Eighth Circuit has recently reiterated that entry or injunctions that prohibit the federal government from enforcing federal law cause significant harm to the government,” the justices wrote.Minnesota officials argued that the operation violates the…

IE11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our site in a different browser.Currently playingElon Musk’s emails included in Epstein files released01:58to the nextNew York police find kangaroo and sloth in car00:21Thousands protest against ICE across the US00:49A look back at Catherine O’Hara’s Emmy Awards01:38Iranian protesters share what they want to see happen01:00Don Lemon released after arrest: “I won’t stop”00:532-year-old billiards player breaks world record for trick shots00:35Justice Department to launch civil rights investigation into Preti shooting00:20Luigi Mangione will not be sentenced to death.00:30Don Lemon arrested by federal authorities00:54Actress Catherine O’Hara dies at age 7100:20Lindsey Vonn crashes in…

IE11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our site in a different browser.Currently playingActress Catherine O’Hara dies at age 7100:20to the nextLindsey Vonn crashes in last ski race before Olympics00:53Justice Department releases millions of pages of Epstein records01:21Senate faces shutdown deadline after President Trump passes deal01:11Winter freeze hits parts of the country00:53Trump nominates Kevin Warsh as Fed Chairman00:41’Batman’ city council demands no support for ICE00:54Three dogs rescued from remote California canyon00:20China rolls out RoboCop to push robots into daily life01:02Firefighters adopt puppy rescued from house fire01:13Stores recall food due to possible rodent waste00:21Jordan Chiles accepts appeal against…

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, once considered the clear front-runner to be named the next Federal Reserve chairman, said Friday that he has no problem staying in his current job.Shortly after President Donald Trump announced that former Fed Director Kevin Warsh would be the new chairman, Hassett told CNBC that he was not disappointed and that he understood and supported the decision.”I got my dream job,” he said in an interview on “Squawk on the Street.” “I think President Trump made a great choice. I’m truly touched and humbled by all the kind words he’s said about me.”Trump said…