White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet in Istanbul on Friday to discuss a potential nuclear deal aimed at averting an imminent U.S. military strike, according to two regional officials involved in the effort who spoke to The Washington Post. The talks are also expected to include the foreign ministers of Turkey, Qatar and Egypt, along with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Pakistan. Two regional officials said Washington’s Arab and Turkish partners are pushing to keep the negotiations narrowly focused on Iran’s nuclear program in an effort to secure Tehran’s agreement. “If the talks happen, they will remain centered on Iran’s nuclear program,” one official said. “After that, we’ll look for creative ways to address Washington’s non-nuclear demands.”

Overnight airlift activity has been observed departing Biggs Army Airfield at Fort Bliss, home to U.S. Army Patriot air and missile defense units, with additional flights continuing from Japan toward the Middle East. Tracked departures include 34 flights from Fort Hood, six from Kadena Air Base, and four from Fort Bliss. Destinations have included Muwaffaq Al Salti Air Base in Jordan (13 flights), Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia (8), Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait (8), and single flights to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Isa Air Base in Bahrain. This scale of air defense deployment strongly suggests preparations for significant Iranian retaliation. These transfer flights have been ongoing for two to three weeks, a timeline consistent with planning for sustained retaliatory strikes and the establishment of layered defensive coverage. If planners are preparing for retaliation on this level, it also implies expectations of a major strike against Iran. The United States is not merely posturing to defend Israel, but is moving to protect its own forces, bases, and Gulf partners across the region.

The energy ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald J. Trump between Russia and Ukraine collapsed overnight, as Russia launched a large-scale, hours-long drone and missile assault on Monday targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The attack struck energy infrastructure, including power plants and substations, as well as several high-rise residential buildings in Kyiv and elsewhere across the country, while Russia continued firing drones along with cruise and ballistic missiles. Trilateral talks between Russia and Ukraine had been scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi, but Monday night’s assault could now jeopardize the negotiations organized by the Trump administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to arrive in Israel tomorrow for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, according to two senior Israeli officials cited by The Times of Israel. The meetings are expected to take place ahead of possible talks later this week in Turkey between senior officials from Iran and the United States.

Someone has created a complete replica of Jeffrey Epstein’s Google account. It’s not just a file dump — it’s an actual replica of his Google email, photos, flights, and Drive. It even includes “Gemini,” an AI that helps you explore the files.

Iran International reports it has obtained video footage from the evening of Friday, January 9 (19 Dey), showing protests in Karaj. The video captures residents shouting from inside their homes as security forces fire repeated gunshots at demonstrators, with voices heard yelling: “Don’t shoot, you dishonorable bastard.”