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Storms dump chip bags on Sussex shores as Philly turns wintry; Portugal sets far-right runoff, NI veterans face lawsuit wave; China hits growth target while rehearsing Taiwan blockade, and Rand Paul declares a “war” with Venezuela
Sussex beachgoers surprised as thousands of packaged chips wash ashore after storm
Locals were left stunned after thousands of packaged chips washed up at Falling Sands near Eastbourne, apparently spilled from shipping containers lost during Storm Goretti. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said multiple containers went overboard from two vessels off the Isle of Wight, with containers later turning up along the south coast. Volunteers and council crews are clearing the debris, with concerns that plastic packaging could harm nearby seals and other marine wildlife.
Portugal presidential election: Far-right candidate André Ventura advances to a runoff against centre-left António José Seguro
Portugal’s presidential election produced one of the closest first-round results in decades, with centre-left António José Seguro winning the most votes and far-right contender André Ventura advancing to a runoff scheduled for 8 February.
Northern Ireland veterans could face hundreds of lawsuits under Labour amendment to Troubles bill
‘Madness!’ NI veterans ‘to face hundreds of lawsuits under Labour's Troubles Bill’ as campaigners warn Labour’s proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Troubles legislation could lead to roughly 800 civil claims and significant public cost by removing immunity-style protections introduced under the Legacy Act. The government argues the existing provisions breach the European Convention on Human Rights and could block proper investigations, and says claims would largely be against the Ministry of Defence, not individuals. Critics say veterans could still be compelled to give evidence and face renewed legal jeopardy, with senior figures warning the uncertainty is harming morale and prompting departures from elite units, while a Supreme Court challenge over the immunity framework remains unresolved.
AccuWeather reports a sharp temperature drop early this week in the Philadelphia area
AccuWeather says temperatures in the Philadelphia region will plunge at the start of the week, dropping into the teens for most areas overnight and creating a risk of slick spots.
Snowfall Creates Wintry Conditions Across South Jersey and Philadelphia
Snow fell across South Jersey and the Philadelphia area, and residents in places like Woodbury, New Jersey were dealing with slippery, wintry conditions.
China Stages Drill Using Large Fishing Fleet Formations to Simulate a Blockade of Taiwan
China assembled large groups of fishing vessels into tightly coordinated formations in the East China Sea, including a rectangle stretching more than 200 miles, according to ship-tracking analysis. About 1,400 boats reportedly left fishing activity or port to form the January 11 pattern, following a similar Christmas Day operation involving roughly 2,000 vessels arranged in long parallel lines. Maritime and military analysts say the manoeuvres likely reflect state-directed testing and expansion of China’s maritime militia—civilian boats trained to support operations such as quarantine or blockade tactics against Taiwan and to complicate naval movements by obstructing sea lanes or acting as decoys.
China meets its growth target as exports rise 5% despite U.S. tariffs
China met its growth target after official figures showed the economy expanded by 5% in 2025, supported by a 5% increase in exports despite U.S. tariffs. Growth eased late in the year, slowing to 4.5% in the final three months.
Rand Paul says the United States is in an ongoing war with Venezuela
Sen. Rand Paul said the United States is engaged in an “ongoing war” with Venezuela, arguing that actions related to taking and distributing Venezuela’s oil amount to an act of war. He made the remarks during a Sunday interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” adding that he still hopes the situation works out.
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This podcast is a fully automated experiment in AI-generated content. Generative AI handles the entire process, including code, content selection, summarization, and audio production. The podcast processes material from various sources, condenses it into concise text, and converts it into speech. No human intervention is involved in the production process.
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