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Heavy rain and melting snow cause widespread flooding in Scotland, with nineteen flood warnings and twelve alerts in place. Roads and communities are disrupted, with the A92 and A9 at Blair Atholl shut due to flooding. The Scottish Government is coordinating responses, and schools and health services are set to reopen. Flood risks are highest in Dumfries and Galloway and the west and north of Scotland. Agencies urge everyone to check local forecasts and travel advice for safety.

Jessie Buckley wins Golden Globe for Hamnet, stirring buzz about her emotional speech and celebrity activism. Gardaí seize drugs, weapon, and knife; Irelands Minister urges Iran to communicate with protesters. Manchester Uniteds FA Cup hopes dashed as Brighton wins.

Malaysia and Indonesia block Grok AI chatbot due to misuse in creating non-consensual, explicit images, including those involving children. Authorities warn of psychological harm, social damage, and reputational ruin from these deepfakes. X and xAI companies criticized for insufficient controls, with blocks remaining until real fixes are implemented.

Irans Foreign Minister Accuses Protesters of Staging Violence to Provoke U.S. Intervention; Over 500 Killed in Crackdown; Trump Mulls Strikes; Iran Warns of Retaliation; Internet Blackout Hampers Verification; Protests Continue; Israeli Leaders Back Protesters; Pope Calls for Dialogue; Tensions Rise as Talks Loom.

New figures reveal a significant surge in Irelands hospital waiting lists, with over eighty-six thousand additional patients in the past year. By December, nearly nine hundred thousand people were awaiting outpatient clinics or operations, a stark increase from eight hundred eight thousand in 2024. Inpatients and day cases account for over one hundred seven thousand of these waits, with more than eight thousand patients enduring eighteen months or longer. Outpatient lists alone reached six hundred twelve thousand, with rises across all categories. Patient groups express concern, warning of worsening health, increased emergencies, and unequal access due to extended waits. While childrens services saw some progress, adult inpatient delays significantly increased, particularly for those waiting over a year. Hospitals like Galway University lead the lists with over twelve thousand six hundred waiting patients. The Department of Health defends its efforts, highlighting a fifty-eight percent reduction in patients waiting over twelve months since September 2021 and improved average wait times. However, volumes continued to climb throughout most of last year before stabilizing. The real challenge lies in transforming Sláintecares goals into expedited relief for all patients in need.

Trumps Greenland Ambitions Spark Fear and Uncertainty The USs long-standing presence in Greenland, once seen as a protector, has turned into a source of dread due to President Trumps threats to buy or seize the Arctic island. Reports of potential invasion plans have shattered trust, causing locals like Tillie Martinussen, a former Greenland parliament member, to consider fleeing to Denmark. Greenlands Inuit culture, which values peace and community, is now grappling with the prospect of losing its defense reliance on Denmark and the potential for solo deals with the US, ignoring Denmarks role in foreign policy. Greenlanders are pleading for the world to intervene, simply wanting to be left alone in their peaceful ways.

Amanda Cameron, a seasoned cosmetic nurse, warns of the dangers of unregulated non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Northern Ireland. She highlights the lack of regulation as a risk to children and calls for stricter rules, emphasizing the need for safeguards to protect the vulnerable from the unregulated beauty industry.

Victims Campaigner Demands Answers from Irish Government Over Secret IRA File A victims campaigner is calling for transparency from the Irish government after a confidential file naming Sinn Fein politician Gerry Kelly as the top figure in the IRA during the mid-1990s was released and then quickly pulled. The file, which was part of a batch of state papers, was requested to be withdrawn by the Department of Foreign Affairs after urgent talks with the Justice Department. The campaigner, Kenny Donaldson, is demanding to know who ordered the withdrawal, why it was done, and if other files have been removed recently. The incident has shattered trust between victims and the government, and comes as pressure builds for full transparency on Troubles-era secrets.

Alan Lundy, a New IRA commander, faces new charges of possessing extreme porn and child indecent images, which he dismisses as a smear campaign. The timing of these charges, amidst his ongoing trial for attempted murder of a police officer, raises suspicions. This development highlights the persistent conflict between security forces and dissident groups in Northern Ireland.