In a video statement, US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said an investigation by the Trump administration against him is a pretext to undermine the central bank’s independence. Federal investigators have opened a criminal investigation into Powell’s congressional testimony over the central bank’s renovation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned the United States that his country is ready for war if Washington wants to “test” it, after US President Donald Trump threatened to take military action in response to Iran’s crackdown on antigovernment protests.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on Monday, Araghchi said channels of communication with the US were open amid the ongoing unrest but stressed that his country was “prepared for all options”, claiming that Iran now has “large and extensive military preparedness” compared to last year’s 12-day war.
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His comments follow Trump’s remarks on Sunday, amid nationwide protests in Iran sparked by economic woes that have intensified into broader calls for systemic change. The US president had said he was considering “strong options” for Iran over its leadership’s crackdown on protests, including potential military action.
Trump, who recently ordered the abduction of leftist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a US Special Forces intervention, said that a meeting was being set up with Tehran to negotiate on its nuclear programme, “but we may have to act because of what is happening before the meeting”.
“If Washington wants to test the military option it has tested before, we are ready for it,” said Araghchi, adding that he hoped the US would choose “the wise option” of dialogue, while warning of “those trying to drag Washington into war in order to serve Israel’s interests”.
In the interview, Araghchi alluded to the growing death toll, repeating earlier assertions that “terrorist elements” had “infiltrated the crowds of protesters and targeted security forces and demonstrators”. Iran has blamed the US and Israel for provoking unrest in the country over the past two weeks.
More than 100 security personnel have been killed in recent days, state media has reported, while opposition activists say the death toll is higher and includes hundreds of protesters. Al Jazeera has been unable to independently verify the figures.
The flow of information from Iran has been hampered by an internet blackout since Thursday. The foreign minister had said on Monday that the service would be resumed in coordination with security services. Monitor NetBlocks said at 16:29 GMT on Monday that Iran had been offline for 96 hours.
Araghchi told Al Jazeera Arabic that his communications with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had “continued before and after the protests and are still ongoing”. He said that ideas that had been discussed with Washington were being studied in Tehran.
However, he added, “Washington’s proposed ideas and threats against our country are incompatible.”
“We are ready to sit at the nuclear negotiating table, provided that it is without threats or dictates,” said Araghchi, questioning whether Washington was “ready for fair and just negotiations”.
“When it is ready, we will seriously consider the matter,” he said.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if Washington intervened in the current unrest, warning Washington of a “miscalculation”.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt accused Iran of sending “quite different” messages to the US in private, compared to its public statements, in an interview with the Fox News programme America Reports on Monday.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the White House was weighing Iran’s offer to engage in further military talks, even as Trump mulled strikes on the country.
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka will make a PGA Tour comeback at the end of January under a new returning member programme, following his departure from LIV Golf.
The 35-year-old American controversially quit the PGA Tour to join the Saudi Arabian-backed series in 2022 and won five events over four seasons.
In December, Koepka announced that he was leaving the lucrative breakaway league despite reportedly having one year left on his contract and he recently reapplied for his PGA Tour membership.
“When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the PGA Tour, and I am just as excited today to announce that I am returning,” said Koepka, who has agreed to forego any payment from the FedExCup Bonus scheme during the 2026 season and will be ineligible for the Tour’s player equity programme between 2026-2030, which could amount to between $50-85m.
“I believe in where the PGA Tour is headed with new leadership, new investors and an equity program that gives players a meaningful ownership stake.”
Koepka’s desire to be reinstated appeared to have provided a huge dilemma for the PGA Tour, with rules dicatating that he would not be eligible to play on it again until August, a year after his last LIV appearance.
However, he will now line up at the Farmers Insurance Open, which is being played at Torrey Pines between 29 January – 1 February, after being offered an earlier route back on to the PGA Tour.
Only players who have been away from the PGA Tour for at least two years and have won The Players Championship or a major over the previous four seasons are eligible under the terms of the newly announced initiative.
In a letter to fans, PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp outlined that programme would be only open for the 2026 campaign and was in “response to a unique set of circumstances”.
“We will continue to aggressively pursue anything that enhances the fan experience and makes the PGA Tour stronger,” said Rolapp.
“This is part of our commitment to fans, who expect the world’s best players to compete on the PGA Tour week in and week out.”
Koepka, who won the third of his US PGA Championship titles in 2023, has also agreed to make a $5m charitable contribution and has already committed to play in the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale held on 5-8 February.
Brian Rolapp has wasted no time seeking to capitalise on Koepka’s LIV departure.
It is a bold move and he has been crystal clear in his desire to bring back LIV’s biggest talents by offering this return with no suspension time.
This is a potentially huge development and LIV will be desperate to hang on to Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith. The breakaway tour’s future could depend on them staying.
It would be hard to see LIV remaining viable if their marquee stars no longer have faith in the project. Rolapp knows this, hence this alpha play by the PGA Tour boss.
All three would face financial penalties for leaving early and like Koepka they would not benefit from equity shares in PGA Tour enterprises for five years.
But they have already banked big money and returning to a deeper competitive pool and routinely bigger tournaments may be a tempting prospect. Rahm has not been the major force of old since his move to LIV and Smith’s form has nosedived.
The PGA Tour has opened the door to the return of major winners Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith from LIV Golf after accepting Brooks Koepka back on to the American circuit.
Five-time major champion Koepka will make his comeback at the end of January under a new returning member programme, following his departure from the Saudi Arabian-backed series.
The 35-year-old, who has agreed to make a $5m (£3.7m) charitable donation as part of his return, will also forego any payment from the FedExCup Bonus scheme during the 2026 season and will be ineligible for the Tour’s player equity programme between 2026-2030, which could amount to between $50-85m.
That estimate, which the PGA Tour believes to be one of the “largest financial repercussions in professional sports history”, is based on “potential earnings depending on his competitive performance and the growth of the Tour”.
The player equity programme sees 213 PGA Tour players sharing various amounts from $1.3bn in equity grants.
American Koepka controversially quit the PGA Tour to join LIV in 2022 and won five events over four seasons.
In December, he announced that he was leaving the lucrative breakaway league despite reportedly having one year left on his contract and he recently reapplied for his PGA Tour membership.
“When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the PGA Tour, and I am just as excited to announce that I am returning,” said Koepka.
“I believe in where the PGA Tour is headed with new leadership, new investors and an equity program that gives players a meaningful ownership stake.
“I also understand that there are financial penalties associated with this decision, and I accept those.”
Koepka’s desire to be reinstated appeared to have provided a huge dilemma for the PGA Tour, with rules dictating that he would not be eligible to play on it again until August, a year after his last LIV appearance.
However, he will now line up at the Farmers Insurance Open, which is being played at Torrey Pines in California between 29 January – 1 February, after being offered an earlier route back on to the PGA Tour.
Only players who have been away from the PGA Tour for at least two years and have won The Players Championship or a major between 2022-25 are eligible under the terms of the newly announced initiative.
That opens the door for Rahm (2023 Masters), DeChambeau (2024 US Open) and Smith (2022 Open Championship), to return from LIV – however, the PGA Tour statement said that avenue would close on 2 February.
Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson would be ineligible to return under those parameters given he won the US PGA Championship in 2021.
In a letter to fans, PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp outlined that programme would be only open for the 2026 campaign and was in “response to a unique set of circumstances”.
“This is a one-time, defined window and does not set a precedent for future situations,” said Rolapp.
“Once the door closes, there is no promise that this path will be available again.”
Following Rolapp’s comments, LIV Golf released a statement in which it said it “championed an open ecosystem and freedom, for all”.
“LIV Golf’s vision remains unchanged – to grow the game of golf globally,” it continued.
“And as that vision gains momentum across the broader golf landscape, the capacity to deliver on it continues to strengthen by expanding pathways and opportunity beyond any single institution or interest.
“As the world’s golf league, LIV Golf continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging, and lucrative environments in which to pursue greatness on a global scale.”
Koepka has already committed to play in the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale held on 5-8 February.
Brian Rolapp has wasted no time seeking to capitalise on Koepka’s LIV departure.
It is a bold move and he has been crystal clear in his desire to bring back LIV’s biggest talents by offering this return with no suspension time.
This is a potentially huge development and LIV will be desperate to hang on to Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith. The breakaway tour’s future could depend on them staying.
It would be hard to see LIV remaining viable if their marquee stars no longer have faith in the project. Rolapp knows this, hence this alpha play by the PGA Tour boss.
All three would face financial penalties for leaving early and like Koepka they would not benefit from equity shares in PGA Tour enterprises for five years.
But they have already banked big money and returning to a deeper competitive pool and routinely bigger tournaments may be a tempting prospect. Rahm has not been the major force of old since his move to LIV and Smith’s form has nosedived.
Nicola Peltz continued the social love-in between herself and husband Brooklyn Beckham amid their fallout with the Beckham clan. The duo have cut ties with Brooklyn’s parents, David and Victoria, as well as his siblings.
And they continue to show off a united front when it comes to their own connection. In her latest post, Nicola, 32, gushed over “some beautiful moments,” with her husband. Brooklyn was quick to repay the loving comments, writing underneath the Instagram upload: “I love you baby girl xx.” The snaps started with a huge bouquet of pink roses.
He was then seen beaming in front of a bucket of white roses before enjoying a glass of wine. More flowers were on display as the reel continued, with yellow and pink offerings on show.
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The final images showed the couple’s pooch in front of the camera and the images divided fans’ opinion. One asked Brooklyn if he really calls his wife “baby girl” while others hit out at the couple. However, the also received a lot of support from a number of their followers.
It comes as Brooklyn sent a ‘legal letter’ to his parents David and Victoria. It’s alleged the entrepreneur issued them a desist letter, urging them not to contact him personally and to go through lawyers instead.
It is claimed that Brooklyn made it clear he did not want his parents to contact him directly or make public statements about him on social media. Instead, it’s thought he has told them to correspond between their respective legal teams at Schillings and Harbottle & Lewis.
Sources have suggested that Brooklyn’s “talk to my lawyers” stance may explain why the 26-year-old seemingly blocked his famous parents and his siblings on social media. The moment came shortly before Christmas, leaving the clan unable to view or comment on his posts.
It’s thought Victoria and David received the desist letter at the end of last summer following months of speculation around their relationship with their son and his wife. Brooklyn and Nicola have largely remained silent throughout the speculation.
Instead, they continue to share support of each other on their public channels. They have also offered their followers glimpses of his cooking projects, and their married life and professional ventures together.
Speculation of a rift first came about last year after Brooklyn and Nicole appeared to snub a number of special family occasions. The pair missed major family events, including his father David Beckham’s 50th birthday and Christmas with the family. Instead, he remained in Los Angeles with Nicola Peltz’s family over the festive period.
And he also failed to show up in support of the former footballer after he was finally awarded a knighthood.
Katie Price has revealed her latest surgery as she unleashed her “new kissable lips”. The former glamour model, 47, shared a video to social media on Monday showing off her freshly-filled lips – and she revealed she has no intention of stopping there.
Loving life with her “new kissable lips”, the mum-of-five said she is looking forward to getting a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) next week. She also revealed she while have an unnamed intimate surgery, leaving fans guessing as to what she was having done.
She said: “How much am I loving my new, kissable lips and next week these aren’t the only lips that I’m going to make kissable. And then I’m going to have a nice juicy bum. New year, new me, new start and new start to life.”
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Her words had fans wondering if they were taking a dig at JJ Slater, who she is rumoured to have split from. It’s thought Katie broke off their two-year relationship because she couldn’t see a future.
Sources claimed the problems in their romance had become ‘too obvious to ignore’ recently. The speculation comes just weeks after Katie shot down reports of a break up.
However, Katie made a number of telling comments on her podcast recently which hinted at her newfound single life. She explained how years ago she was “afraid of being on my own”.
But she says that is no longer the case. And without mentioning JJ, she went on: “Years ago, I was always afraid of being on my own.
“I always felt I needed someone. How I am now, I always say, I don’t need a man. If I want a man, it’s because I want them. I don’t need a man, whereas years before, I needed a man.”
Part of the new life she hinted at in her latest comment could see her heading to Las Vegas with her eldest son, Harvey. She told 23-year-old Harvey he’s now old enough to live it up in America and enjoy a beer during a YouTube clip as they spoke about what’s ahead for the pair this year.
As Katie outlined plans for the year she told Harvey, who has complex medical conditions which include Prader-Willi syndrome, that a trip to the US could be on the cards.
Speaking to her son about his weight and plans to get him ‘fit and healthy’ in the months ahead, she asked him about heading to Sin City.
“You’ll be 24. You are such a man,” she said. “I think we need to take you to nightclubs this year.
“Do you know I could take you to Vegas? You’re old enough. I could take you anywhere now. You’re 24, you’ll be 24. Do you want to try your first beer?”