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Secret room to be built at Chinese embassy near cable lines, sparking widespread espionage fears

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Recently unredacted construction plans for China’s new super embassy in London have ignited a storm of national security concerns across the United Kingdom, as blueprints reveal a hidden underground room positioned alarmingly close to some of Britain’s most sensitive communication cables.

Major critics of the proposed site, which will run as close as three feet to the internet infrastructure, warned that the secret room could serve as a hub for Chinese espionage. While the British government reportedly assured its allies that the lines do not carry sensitive government data, the cables transmit financial transactions as well as communication traffic for millions of internet users.  

The blueprints were publicly unredacted Monday by The Telegraph, just one week before Prime Minister Keir Starmer is widely expected to approve the plans before his visit to see President Xi Jinping in China.  

A government spokesman told the outlet that despite the security concerns, ‘national security is our first duty and government security experts have been involved throughout the process so far.’

According to the blueprint, the facility will be located at the former Royal Mint and will become Europe’s largest Chinese embassy. 

Construction plans indicate that China intends to demolish and rebuild a basement wall, placing officials and equipment just over three feet from critical fiber-optic cables. Security experts have warned that such proximity could create opportunities for ‘cable-tapping,’ which involves inserting wiretaps or reading light signals leaking from the lines.

Professor Alan Woodward, a security expert at the University of Surrey, highlighted the technical feasibility of espionage given the physical layout, The Telegraph reported. He described the demolition as a ‘red flag’ and noted, ‘If I were in their shoes, having those cables on my doorstep would be an enormous temptation.’

Additionally, the concealed chamber appears to be equipped with at least two hot-air extraction systems designed to ventilate heat-generating equipment. Experts reportedly inferred that this infrastructure suggests that the room is designed to accommodate high-powered technology such as advanced computers typically used for espionage and data processing. 

Beyond the single chamber near the cables, the unredacted plans also revealed a network of 208 secret rooms beneath the diplomatic site. The basement appears to allow for emergency backup generators, sprinkler systems, communications cabling and showers, suggesting that officials could remain underground for extended periods, potentially to operate or monitor equipment.

The construction plans have generally raised fears that the London complex could serve as a Beijing intelligence hub. According to U.K. outlet The Times, Britain has been pressured to reassure the United States and other intelligence partners that the cables do not transmit any sensitive government data.

Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister and prominent critic of the project, described the approval of the embassy as handing Beijing a strategic advantage against British interests.  

‘Giving China the go-ahead for its embassy site would be to gift them a launchpad for economic warfare at the very heart of the central nervous system of our critical financial national infrastructure,’ she said in a post on X.  

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Andy Schectman: Silver Price Breaking Out, Room to Run by Every Metric

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Andy Schectman, president of Miles Franklin, breaks down recent silver market dynamics, including the massive rise in entities standing for delivery of physical metal, increased CME Group (NASDAQ:CME) margin requirements and China’s silver export controls.

‘We’re beginning to see at the highest level a change of mentality, a change of perception of what these metals truly are,’ he said in the interview.

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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China’s New Export Policies Boost Silver’s Strategic Metal Status

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The silver price has reached unprecedented levels as rising demand collides with a persistent supply deficit.

Nations around the world are taking note, with China increasing its restrictions on silver exports in an effort to secure domestic supply for key industries. The country launched an expansion of its silver export controls on January 1, 2026, and silver surged to what was then an all-time high of US$83.90 per ounce in the lead-up to the new policy.

With strong fundamentals for the metal already in place for the year ahead, could tighter export restrictions out of China make an even stronger case for triple-digit silver in 2026?

Under pressure: Silver supply deficit faces further stress

“Prior to the introduction of the new export requirements, supply of physical silver was already tight,” said Checkan in a January 6 email. ‘Last year was the fifth straight year of deficit production, bringing the physical silver deficit to just under a quarter of a billion ounces … 230 million to be exact.”

Silver’s entrenched supply-side challenges are the product of several factors, he explained.

One is increasing demand for silver in the energy sector, whether from artificial intelligence data centers or cleantech applications, such as solar panels and electric vehicles.

That reality has merged with declining mine supply — it takes around a decade to bring a new silver discovery through to production, making it difficult to meet rising demand.

“Couple that with the fact that export restrictions (80 ton minimum of production, increased capital requirements, etc.) will take a significant portion of Chinese silver producers out of the mix for potential silver exports, and you get an immediate and significant supply stressor,” added Checkan.

Under China’s silver export restrictions, only 44 companies are licensed to send their silver to the global market.

Silver gains strategic metal status

China’s silver export restrictions are considered part of a broader trend of governments around the world tightening control over natural resources considered critical to industry and national security.

“The energy transition, the expansion of the solar industry, the development of electric vehicles and advances in high-precision electronics have steadily increased domestic demand for the metal.”

By placing silver under a strict state-controlled licensing system with designating approved exporters, the Chinese government is treating the metal in much the same vein as rare earths. Controlling supply of both commodities not only addresses its national economic goals, but also helps to control global markets as well.

The US also elevated silver to strategic metal status in November with its inclusion on its US Geological Survey’s critical minerals list due to its important role in building out advanced energy and defense technologies.

Silver’s inclusion on the list makes it a potential subject for a future Section 232 investigation — a formal process conducted by the Department of Commerce to determine if imports of certain products or materials are harming national security. The result of such proceedings could result in tariffs on silver.

What China’s silver restrictions mean for the market

It’s too early to determine the full impact of China’s new silver export restrictions, but there is potential for much tighter global supply, which could translate to increased price volatility for the white metal.

“The new regulatory framework limits exports exclusively to a small group of companies previously authorized by Chinese authorities. In practice, this scheme directly reduces the volume of silver available to international markets, as not all refining companies can obtain export permits,” wrote Di Giacomo.

“The importance of this measure is amplified by China’s dominant role in silver refining and processing, which gives it structural influence over global supply,’ he added.

That’s because China holds a very prominent position in the global silver market. The Asian nation is the world’s second largest silver producer, producing 3,300 metric tons of the metal in 2024.

It also hosts the third largest silver reserves at 70,000 metric tons.

China’s largest primary silver-producing operation is Silvercorp Metals’ (TSX:SVM,NYSEAMERICAN:SVM) Ying mine in Henan province, which yielded approximately 6.43 million ounces of silver in the company’s 2025 fiscal year. The asset has a mine life that is expected to last through 2037.

Although China follows Mexico in global silver production, it leads the world in globally traded refined silver, accounting for roughly 70 percent of the market. Silver exports out of China in 2024 reached a whopping US$3.8 billion.

China’s export curbs are sparking concerns about supply chain disruptions and higher costs for solar panels, electric vehicles and electronics makers worldwide. Commodities analyst Anton Kharitonov sees the potential for the silver price to rise as much as 30 percent over the next 12 months “if China applies these export rules strictly.’

“Looking ahead to the coming quarters, the silver market may operate under conditions of greater structural rigidity. If industrial demand maintains its growth pace and restrictions remain in place, any additional disruption to global supply could amplify price movements,” said XS.com’s Di Giacomo.

China’s silver export restrictions also have the potential to further widen the growing disconnect between silver prices in the physical and paper markets. Premiums are especially high in Asia and the Middle East.

For example, analyst Stjepan Kalinic wrote on January 5 that the heaviest‑traded Comex March 2026 contract closed on January 2 at US$72.265, while in Dubai the lowest price for a 1 ounce silver coin was US$99.93.

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, currently hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Canada Nickel’s Crawford Nickel Project Named Under Ontario’s One Project, One Process Framework

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(TheNewswire)

Noble Mineral Exploration Inc.

 

TORONTO, January 13, 2026 TheNewswire – Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. (‘Noble’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: NOB,OTC:NLPXF) (OTCQB: NLPXF) is pleased to provide the announcement by Canada Nickel that its Crawford Nickel Project has been name for Ontario’s One Project, One Process framework.

 

Noble CEO Vance White said ‘We congratulate Canada Nickel in their announcement today as to its Crawford Nickel Project being formally named for the Province of Ontario’s One Project, One Process. We believe this is a huge step forward in the potential development of the Crawford deposit.’

‘Crawford Nickel Project Named Under Ontario’s One Project, One Process Framework’

 

 TORONTO, January 13, 2026 – Canada Nickel Company Inc. (‘Canada Nickel’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX-V: CNC) (OTCQB: CNIKF) today announced the Province of Ontario has formally named the Crawford Nickel Project (‘Crawford’ or ‘the Project’) as the second project to be advanced under the Province’s new One Project, One Process (‘1P1P’) framework. The 1P1P framework is designed to better coordinate Ontario’s permitting and review processes for major mining developments by aligning timelines, responsibilities, and information sharing across provincial ministries. For Canada Nickel, this designation reflects the advanced state, scale, and strategic importance of the Crawford Nickel Project within Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy. ‘Ontario is moving at lightning speed to open this 100% Canadian owned mine to create 4,000 jobs for Canadian workers,’ said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. ‘In 2026, our government is going full-tilt to unlock one of the world’s largest nickel deposits that will supercharge our economy and help end China’s critical mineral dominance. ‘Made-in -Canada’ from start to finish, as we build a domestic supply chain that includes the Western world’s largest nickel sulphide mine, a new nickel processing plant and downstream alloy production facility.’ ‘Today’s announcement underscores the strategic significance of the Crawford Nickel Project for Ontario and the province’s ambition to establish a world-leading, Made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain,’ said Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel Company. ‘Crawford is purpose-built to anchor a new low-carbon mining and clean metals manufacturing corridor in Northeastern Ontario – driving long-term economic growth, creating high-quality jobs, and ensuring that value generation remains within the province. As the only mining project in Canada to secure this type of endorsement from both federal and provincial governments, today’s announcement strengthens our commitment to commencing construction by yearend. We look forward to working with the province through its newly announced Critical Minerals Processing Fund to help realize these ambitions.’ Importantly, Canada Nickel has engaged in comprehensive consultations with the Province of Ontario and re-affirmed that the 1P1P framework will complement – not replace our longstanding commitments to Indigenous Nations, environmental stewardship, or regulatory rigour. The framework is intended to enhance government coordination and efficiency, while maintaining the highest standards for project development and community engagement. Crawford is already advancing at the forefront of Canada’s modernized regulatory framework, having become the first mining project in the country to submit an Impact Statement under the amended Impact Assessment Act, 2019, in November 2024. Together with its designation under the 1P1P framework and its referral to the federal Major Projects Office in November 2025, these milestones establish a clear path to responsibly accelerate development. 2 Crawford is expected to be the largest nickel sulphide project in the western world and among the most economically significant mining developments in Canada. Independent analysis estimates the Project will generate more than $70 billion in GDP over its initial 40+ year mine life, including approximately $67 billion for Ontario alone, while supporting 1,000 direct and 3,000 indirect and induced jobs. Through its patented In-Process Tailings (IPT) Carbonation technology, Crawford is also expected to permanently store up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, positioning it to become one of Canada’s largest carbon storage facilities, and the world’s first net-zero carbon nickel mines. All technical information derived in this news release is from the Company’s Crawford Feasibility Study, published in November 2023.

Qualified Person and Data Verification

Stephen J. Balch (P.Geo. – Ontario), VP Exploration of Canada Nickel and a ‘Qualified Person’ within the meaning of NI 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of Canada Nickel Company Inc.

The magnetic images shown in this news release were created from Canada Nickel’s interpretation of datasets provided by the Ontario Geological Survey.

About Canada Nickel Company

Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Nickel District. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com.

 

About Noble Mineral Exploration Inc.

Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company, which has holdings of securities in Canada Nickel Company Inc., Homeland Nickel Inc., East Timmins Nickel Inc.(20%), and its interest in the Holdsworth gold exploration property in the area of Wawa, Ontario.

Noble holds mineral and/or exploration rights in ~70,000ha in Northern Ontario, ~14,000ha elsewhere in Quebec and Newfoundland, upon which it plans to generate option/joint venture exploration programs.

Noble holds mineral rights and/or exploration rights in ~18,000 hectares in the Timmins-Cochrane areas of Northern Ontario known as Project 81, ~2,215 hectares in Thomas Twp/Timmins, as well as an additional 20% interest in ~38,700 hectares in the Timmins area and ~175 hectares of mining claims in Central Newfoundland. Project 81 hosts diversified drill-ready gold, nickel-cobalt and base metal exploration targets at various stages of exploration. Noble also holds ~4,600 hectares in the Nagagami Carbonatite Complex and its ~3,200 hectares in the Boulder Project both near Hearst, Ontario, as well as ~3,700 hectares in the Buckingham Graphite Property, ~10,152 hectares in the Havre St Pierre  Nickel, Copper, PGM property, and ~1,573 hectares in the Cere-Villebon Nickel, Copper, PGM property, ~569 hectare Uranium/Rare Earth property (Chateau) and a ~461 hectare Uranium/Molybdenum property (Taser North),  all of which are in the province of Quebec. 

Noble’s common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ‘NOB.’

More detailed information on Noble is available on the website at www.noblemineralexploration.com.

 

Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information that may constitute ‘forward-looking information’ under applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, the potential of the Mann West Nickel Sulphide Project, timing for filing a technical report in support of the Mineral Resource Estimate, the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, timing and completion (if at all) of additional mineral resource estimates, the potential of the Timmins Nickel District, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, and corporate and technical objectives.  Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.  Factors that could affect the outcome include, among  others:  future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise  the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities  (known  and  unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of  exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain  regulatory or shareholder approvals.  There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information.  Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.  All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof.  Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

 

Contacts:

H. Vance White, President

Phone:        416-214-2250

Fax:        416-367-1954

Email:        info@noblemineralexploration.com

 

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

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Altech Batteries LtdSilumina Anodes R&D Lab Repositoned to Germany

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Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) – Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC,OTC:ALTHF) (FRA:A3Y) (OTCMKTS:ALTHF) announced that in order to maximise support for its Silumina AnodesTM pilot plant in Saxony, Germany, the R&D laboratory will be transferred from Perth to Germany and repositioned. This is anticipated to provide operational, R&D and cost benefits to the Company.

Highlights

– The Silumina AnodesTM pilot plant is constructed and operated at Altech’s premises in Saxony, Germany

– Strategic decision to transfer the R&D laboratory from Perth to Germany

– Location of laboratory and pilot plant in close proximity anticipated to benefit R&D testwork, the operation of pilot plant as well as provide cost benefits

– Appointment of new German based Chief Technology Officer (previous employee of Fraunhofer Institute)

The Silumina AnodesTM battery materials project involves game changing technology incorporating highcapacity silicon into lithium-ion batteries. Through in house R&D, the Company has cracked the ‘silicon code’ and successfully achieved a 30% higher energy battery with improved cyclability or battery life. Higher density batteries result in smaller, lighter batteries and substantially less greenhouse gases, and is the future for the EV market.

Altech has signed non-disclosure agreements with world leading automobile companies in Germany and the USA to supply commercial samples of the Silumina AnodesTM material for the prospective customers for in-house testing.

In conjunction with the repositioning of the R&D laboratory, Altech is pleased to announce that it has appointed German based Dr Luise Bloi as its new Chief Technology Officer. Dr Bloi has a Master of Science (M. Sc.) in Chemistry and has completed her PhD studies in Chemistry on ‘Carbon-based Anodes for Lithium All Solid-State Battery Concepts’. Dr Bloi has collected broad experience in the battery field working with Skeleton Technologies, ACC Automotive Cells Company and as a previous employee of the Fraunhofer Institute, Altech’s joint venture partner in the CERENERGY(R) Sodium-Chloride Solid-State (SCSS) battery project.

About Altech Batteries Ltd:

Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC,OTC:ALTHF) (FRA:A3Y) is a specialty battery technology company that has a joint venture agreement with world leading German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS (‘Fraunhofer’) to commercialise the revolutionary CERENERGY(R) Sodium Alumina Solid State (SAS) Battery. CERENERGY(R) batteries are the game-changing alternative to lithium-ion batteries. CERENERGY(R) batteries are fire and explosion-proof; have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates. The battery technology uses table salt and is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.

The joint venture is commercialising its CERENERGY(R) battery, with plans to construct a 100MWh production facility on Altech’s land in Saxony, Germany. The facility intends to produce CERENERGY(R) battery modules to provide grid storage solutions to the market.

Source:
Altech Batteries Ltd

Contact:
Daniel Raihani
Managing Director
Altech Batteries Limited
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechgroup.com

Martin Stein
Chief Financial Officer
Altech Batteries Limited
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechgroup.com

News Provided by ABN Newswire via QuoteMedia

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Silver Price Surges Past US$89 to Hit New All-time High

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The silver price hit a new all-time high on Tuesday (January 13), rising as high as US$89.19 per ounce.

The white metal’s most recent rise continues a breakout that began on January 9 on a mixed bag of economic uncertainty, rising geopolitical tensions in Venezuela and Iran and underlying industrial demand strength.

Adding fuel to the fire this week are increased expectations for a lower interest environment.

On January 9, the US Department of Justice served the US Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas, threatening a criminal indictment over Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony to the Senate Banking Committee this past June.

The event has sparked concerns that US President Donald Trump’s feud with the Fed over interest rates has taken a darker turn, although Trump has denied knowledge of the department’s move.

Powell’s term as Fed chair ends in May, but two years still remain on his term as a governor of the board.

The Fed’s next rate announcement is set for January 28, and CME Group’s (NASDAQ:CME) FedWatch tool shows strong expectations for a hold. That’s despite core consumer price index (CPI) data showing that inflation rose by a lower-than-expected 0.2 percent for December. On an annual basis, core CPI was up 2.6 percent.

Target rate probabilities for January Fed meeting.

Target rate probabilities for January Fed meeting.

Chart via CME Group.

Trump has frequently criticized Powell for not lowering rates quickly enough, and Powell’s replacement, who has not yet been announced, is widely expected to be more in line with Trump’s views.

“We see increased interference with the Fed as a key bullish wildcard for the precious metals in 2026,” Carsten Menke, head of next-generation research at Julius Baer Group, told Bloomberg. He noted that because silver is a smaller market than gold, it typically reacts “more strongly to such concerns.”

Silver price chart, January 5 to 13, 2026

Silver price chart, January 5 to 13, 2026.

Silver and its sister metal gold tend to fare better when rates are lower, meaning rate cut expectations coupled with the investigation of Powell and the Fed have helped to stoke prices for the precious metals.

While silver is known for lagging behind gold before outperforming, it’s now ahead in terms of percentage gains — silver is up about nearly 200 percent year-over-year, while gold has risen around 72 percent.

The yellow metal also hit a new all-time high on Tuesday, peaking at US$4,633.99 per ounce.

In addition to rate-related factors, silver’s breakout this year has been driven by various other elements.

As a precious metal, it’s influenced by many of the same factors as gold, but its October price jump, which took it past the US$50 level, was also driven by a lack of liquidity in the London market.

While that issue appears to have resolved, silver remains in a multi-year supply deficit. Tariff concerns and silver’s new status as a critical mineral in the US have also provided support.

In addition to its appeal as a precious metal, silver’s industrial side shouldn’t be forgotten — according to the Silver Institute, the white metal’s ‘global silver industrial demand is poised to grow further as demand from vital technology sectors accelerates over the next five years. Sectors such as solar energy, automotive electric vehicles and their infrastructure, and data centers and artificial intelligence will drive industrial demand higher through 2030.’

What’s next for the silver price?

Time will tell what’s next for silver, but some experts see it continuing to outperform gold in 2026.

‘So is it going to US$100 or US$200? It’s possible. I don’t really care, because … I don’t use either my silver or my gold as speculative vehicles. That’s not what they’re about to me.’

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Deepfake porn crackdown passes in Senate to allow people to sue

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The Senate quietly passed legislation on Tuesday that would create stiffer penalties for explicit AI-manipulated images, known as deepfakes. 

The bill from Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is designed to beef up federal penalties against the creation, distribution or solicitation of ‘non-consensual digital forgeries,’ or deepfakes. It’s geared to act as a companion to a previously passed bill targeting revenge porn.

Durbin’s Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits, or DEFIANCE Act, passed unanimously through the Senate on a fast-track vote. But it will still require the House to weigh in before it heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. 

His bill, which was co-sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and introduced in the House by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., would allow victims of deepfake images to sue people who create, possess with intent to share, solicit, or share non-consensual items, and levy a fine of up to $250,000 per violation. 

‘Give to the victims their day in court to hold those responsible who continue to publish these images at their expense,’ Durbin said on the Senate floor. ‘Today, we are one step closer to making this a reality.’

It also allows courts to order takedowns, deletions and injunctions to stop further spread of the images, provide privacy protections for victims during litigation, and sets up a statute of limitations of up to 10 years. 

Durbin said the backlash of deepfake images can be long-lasting, and people may go through depression, anxiety and fear, ‘and in the worst cases, victims have been driven to suicide.’ 

‘Imagine losing control over your own likeness and identity. Imagine how powerless victims feel when they cannot remove illicit content, cannot prevent it from being reproduced repeatedly, and cannot prevent new images from being created,’ Durbin said. 

The DEFIANCE Act comes as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have pushed for stiffer regulations and penalties for AI, particularly chatbots and potentially harmful interactions they have with children online. Notably, Durbin and Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., teamed up last year for legislation that defines AI as a product, allowing people to sue for liabilities that stem from using AI systems. 

Durbin’s successful effort in the upper chamber comes after lawmakers passed a separate bill, the Take It Down Act, last year geared to creating penalties for revenge porn. First Lady Melania Trump heavily lobbied for that bill, which was ultimately signed into law by Trump and is set to take effect in May. 

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Trump rips into GOP defectors as ‘real losers’ as Senate readies for final vote

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President Donald Trump unloaded on a cohort of Senate Republicans who voted to rein in his policing powers in Venezuela, arguing that they couldn’t give a good reason to vote against him.

During remarks at the Detroit Economic Club following a tour of a Ford plant in Dearborn, Mich., Trump harangued Republicans for not staying unified, while declaring that, though congressional Democrats have bad policy, they ‘stick together like glue.’

‘We got some real losers, mostly great,’ Trump said of Republicans before tearing into Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Todd Young, R-Ind.

That foursome joined all Senate Democrats to vote in favor of Sen. Tim Kaine’s, D-Va., war powers resolution, which, if passed, would require Trump to receive congressional approval before further military force is used in Venezuela.

Lawmakers are expected to take a final vote on the resolution on Wednesday.

When Kaine’s effort initially advanced, Trump blasted the defectors and declared that they should ‘never be elected to office again.’ With the vote fast approaching, Trump didn’t hesitate to make clear that their votes were still fresh on his mind.

He panned Paul for routinely voting against GOP policies, and then turned his sights to Murkowski, Collins and Young.

‘Then you have Lisa Murkowski and you have Susan Collins, disasters,’ Trump said. ‘And you had a gentleman from Indiana that, I don’t believe it, Todd Young, he voted against.’

‘And you say, ‘Why are you voting against?’ They can’t give you an answer. They’re unable to give you an answer. It’s like, why are they against the attack on Venezuela? They’re against the attack,’ he continued. ‘After they found out who was the most successful attack. Probably the most talented, most brilliant tactical attack that we’ve had maybe in 100 years. And they’re against it. Why?’

Paul has routinely voiced opposition to military action with congressional oversight; he’s a co-sponsor of Kaine’s resolution. Murkowski, Collins and Young had no issue with the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but they argued that their vote for the resolution last week was to ensure Congress’ authority to weigh in before future action.

The White House and Senate Republican leadership have been working to flip the lawmakers in order to prevent the resolution from passing, but it may not be the successful pressure campaign that they had hoped for.

Collins, when asked if she would still vote in favor of the resolution after leaving the Senate GOP’s weekly closed-door policy lunch, said, ‘Wes.’

There was also a fifth Republican, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who voted to advance the resolution. Trump notably did not mention him during his speech.

That comes after Hawley spoke with several administration officials on what the next steps in Venezuela would be. Hawley said that he was told by officials that the administration would ‘abide by the statutory notification requirements, and also, if they took action that resulted in major ground operations would come back to Congress.’

Hawley didn’t say if that would flip his vote and noted that he was in ‘listening and receive mode at this time.’ Still, it did go a long way to address his biggest issue of boots on the ground in Venezuela.

‘The administration’s view is that the resolution is way broader than ground troops, and I said, ‘Well, you know, and I didn’t draft the resolution, but my concern is about ground troops in Venezuela without congressional authorization,’’ Hawley said.

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Trump to cut federal payments to sanctuary cities starting Feb 1 over immigration policies

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President Donald Trump said his administration will cease federal payments to sanctuary cities and states with sanctuary policies starting Feb. 1, while citing jurisdictions that protect criminals and fuel fraud and crime.

Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump said the move was aimed at cities and states that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and in the administration’s bid to stamp out fraud.

‘Starting Feb. 1, we’re not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens,’ Trump said.

‘And it breeds fraud and crime and all the other problems that come. So we’re not making any payment to anybody that supports sanctuary,’ he added.

Trump also criticized Minnesota officials while discussing what he described as widespread fraud in the state.

‘We have also suspended payments tied to suspected scammers in Minnesota, of which there are many,’ Trump said. ‘It’s a great state. It was a great state. Now it’s getting destroyed by that stupid governor.’

Trump went on to accuse Gov. Tim Walz of corruption and said the level of fraud could not have gone unnoticed by state leadership.

The administration’s actions come as a federal judge on Jan. 9 temporarily blocked the Trump administration from stopping subsidies tied to childcare programs in five states, including Minnesota, amid allegations of widespread fraud.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian did not rule on the legality of the funding freeze but said the states met the legal threshold to preserve the ‘status quo’ on funding for at least two weeks while legal arguments continue.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also announced it would withhold funds for programs in five Democratic-led states, citing concerns over fraud and misuse of federal dollars.

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, those programs include the Child Care and Development Fund, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the Social Services Block Grant.

‘Families who rely on childcare and family assistance programs deserve confidence that these resources are used lawfully and for their intended purpose,’ HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill had said in a statement.

The states that challenged the action include California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, which argued in court filings that the federal government does not have the legal authority to end the funding.

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