HOT POINT

British police said they are searching two properties linked toPeter Mandelsonas part of their investigation into misconduct in public office, following revelations about the former UK ambassador to the US' links to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Since the US Justice Department's latest release of materials related to Epstein,Mandelson has been accused of passing on market-sensitive government information that was of clear financial interest to Epstein in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

London's Metropolitan Police said Friday that its officers were carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the southern county of Wiltshire and one in Camden, a neighborhood in the north of the capital.

"The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offenses, involving a 72-year-old man," said Hayley Sewart, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Met.

Mandelson, 72, has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing, she said.

Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday and quit the House of Lords, the upper chamber of Britain's parliament, on Wednesday.

CNN has been unable to contact Mandelson this week.

The Mandelson scandal has plunged Keir Starmer's government into crisis and raised questions about the prime minister's political judgment. Starmer appointed Mandelson as ambassador last year, despite his well-known friendship with Epstein, which continued after the financier was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

Mandelson has offered scant comment to British media this week. Previously, he has said: "I want to say loudly and clearly that I was wrong to believe (Epstein) following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologize unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered."

Starmer fired Mandelson as ambassador in September, following a previous release of Epstein files which showed that Mandelson had penned a handwritten note for the financier's 50th birthday, describing him as "my best pal." A trove of emails reported by British media at the same time showed that Mandelson said he felt "hopeless and furious" after Epstein's conviction. Mandelson's sacking as ambassador marked the third time he had been removed from a senior role in government due to his ties to wealthy individuals.

The DOJ's latest release of Epstein files revealed that Mandelson – while serving as business secretary in the government of Prime Minister Gordon Brown – appeared to leak sensitive UK government information to Epstein as the country considered a raft of policy measures to aid its recovery from the 2008 financial crisis.

Newly released emails from June 2009 showed that Mandelson forwarded Epstein a memo written for Brown, which advocated £20 billion of asset sales to help relieve Britain's debt burden and revealed Labour's tax policy plans.

Bank statements from the DOJ's latest release also appeared to show that Epstein paid a total of $75,000 into bank accounts linked to Mandelson between 2003 and 2004. Email exchanges also suggested that the financier may have sent £10,000 to Reinaldo Avila da Silva, now Mandelson's husband, to help fund his osteopathy course.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, Starmer said the revelations about Mandelson were "beyond infuriating" and that the former ambassador had "lied repeatedly" about his relationship with Epstein. "Mandelson betrayed our country, our parliament, and our party," he said.

Starmer is under intense pressure to explain what the vetting process uncovered about Mandelson's ties to Epstein before his appointment as ambassador a year ago. Following a public outcry, the government has agreed to release documents surrounding Mandelson's appointment.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

There have been at least 733 confirmed measles cases reported across the nation, thelatest datafrom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed Friday.

In just a few weeks, the United States reported four times as many cases than typically seen throughout an entire calendar year, the CDC said.

Before last year, which had a record breaking 2,276 cases, the U.S. averaged 180 cases annually since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

The record numbers come asSouth Carolinais dealing with the largest outbreak recorded in recent memory.

Other states that have reported cases and are dealing with ongoing outbreaks include Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Most of the outbreaks occurring across the country are in pockets of under-vaccinated or unvaccinated communities.

"Because it's such an infectious virus, whenever you see measles outbreaks, it in effect, highlights areas of the country or communities in which vaccination rates are low," Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the former head of the CDC's branch that tracks diseases including measles, told ABC News.

1 year since measles cases found in Texas, US still seeing surge of infections with elimination status at risk

The rate of kindergartners vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has fallen from 95% in 2019 to below 93% in 2025, CDC data shows. Herd immunity, a threshold for vaccination rates that slow a virus' ability to spread, is typically achieved at 95% vaccination rates, public health experts say.

"I think that this highlights that our defenses are down, especially in some parts of the country and in some communities where vaccination rates aren't high enough to stop measles outbreaks in their tracks," Daskalakis said.

Declining vaccination rates have left approximately 300,000 kindergarteners unprotected from measles infection.

The MMR vaccine is given in two doses, the initial shot given after the first year of life and the second shot given after the fourth year of life.

Low vaccination rates in communities may lead to further outbreaks and spread of the virus, potentially even putting those who are vaccinated at risk.

"If you have someone vaccinated for an infection and expose them to enough of that pathogen, you can overwhelm that immunity," Daskalakis said.

"The lowest hanging fruit strategy to end the measles outbreak is to increase rates of vaccination," he added.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The U.S. government wants a judge to dismiss a lawsuit from survivors and relatives of the victims ofMaine's deadliest mass shooting, who say the Army failed them by not intervening before the killings.

The familiesallege the government was negligentin failing to act on warning signs displayed by the shooter, an Army reservist.

Eighteen people were killed when the 40-year-old reservist opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar and grill in Lewiston in October 2023. An independent commission appointed by Maine's governor later concluded that there were numerousopportunities for interventionby both Army officials and civilian law enforcement.

In a filing Thursday in Maine federal court, the government urged a judge to toss the lawsuit, saying the court lacks the authority to hear the case and that the families' claims don't meet the legal standard to move forward.

The lawsuit alleges that the Army was negligent when it failed to properly investigate the shooter's mental condition. But the government says the shooter was "solely responsible" for the attack and the government should not be held liable for his actions.

Attorneys for 100 survivors and victims' family members announced the filing of the lawsuit last year. They thenrefiled their lawsuitin September following a U.S. Department of Defense watchdog report that faulted the Army for a high rate of failure to report violent threats by service members.

"Unfortunately, the government's motion was predictable and expected. The government's motion is a lengthy denial of any legal responsibility for broken promises to protect the community it pledges to defend. We look forward to filing our response," said Travis Brennan and Ben Gideon, attorneys for the families, in a Friday statement.

The lawsuit faults the Army, U.S. Department of Defense and Keller Army Community Hospital for negligence, and names the U.S. government as the defendant. The lawsuit said the defendants failed to "respond to warning signs and an explicit threat to commit a mass shooting" by the shooter, Robert Card.

Card was found dead by suicide two days after the shootings.

The attorneys have said the Army did not act despite being aware of Card'smental health decline. Card's mental health spiral led to his hospitalization and left him paranoid, delusional and expressing homicidal ideations, plaintiffs said. He even produced a "hit list" of those he wanted to attack, they said.

The Lewiston shootings led to new guns laws in Maine, a state with a long tradition of hunting and gun ownership. The laws promptedlegal actionon the part of gun rights advocates in the state and remain a contentious topic more than two years later.

BEIRUT (AP) —Lebanonand Syria signed an agreement Friday to transfer more than 300 Syrians from Lebanese prisons to continue serving their sentences in their home country, a step that will likely help improve strained relations between the two neighbors.

Lebanon Syria

The signing came a week afterLebanon's Cabinet approveda treaty with Syria for the transfer of prisoners. The deal was signed at the government headquarters in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, by Lebanon's Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and Syria's Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais.

"This is a very important first step on the road of a comprehensive treatement regarding Syrian prisoners in Lebanese prisons," Mitri told reporters, adding that the implementation of the agreement would start on Saturday.

"Both countries want to move forward but there are some pending matters," al-Wais said. "This step will boost existing confidence and we hope that relations will progress more."

Mitri said that next, officials from the two neighboring countries, will discuss the transfer of Syrian detainees who are still waiting trial in Lebanon.

Lebanon and Syria have acomplicated history, with grievances on both sides. Many Lebanese resent nearly three decades of domination and military presence in their country by Syrian forces that ended in 2005.

Advertisement

Many Syrians resent the role played by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah when it entered Syria's civil war that broke out in 2011 in defense of then-President Bashar Assad and his government. Assad was overthrown in December 2024 and fled to Russia where he is now in exile.

After Assad's fall, relations with Syria's new Islamist-led authorities remained tense andskirmishes occurred along the unmarked borderbetween the two nations.

Mitri also said Saturday's signing was "an expression of a joint political will that states that the Lebanese-Syrian relations are based on confidence and mutual respect."

Asked whether the deal will include Lebanese citizens such as Sunni Muslim clericAhmed al-Assir, Mitri said that it only covers Syrian prisoners.

There are about 2,500 Syrian prisoners in Lebanese prisons and jails, some of whom are held on charges related to their involvement with armed opposition groups that sought to overthrow Assad — in some cases, the same groups that are now ruling Syria.

Earlier this week, Mitri told The Associated Press that most of thedetainees who will be transferred to Syria were not convictedof violent crimes. Some of those convicted of violent crimes may be transferred if they have already served seven and a half years of their sentence in Lebanon, he said.

CLINTON, N.Y. (AP) — A New York man accused of threatening to killHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffriespleaded guilty Thursday, a year after President Donald Trumppardoned him for storming the U.S. Capitolon Jan. 6, 2021.

Christopher P. Moynihan, 35, also agreed to serve three years of probation. During a hearing in the town court in Clinton, New York, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge, and sentencing was set for April 2.

Moynihan's public defender did not immediately return an email seeking comment Thursday night. A message also was left at an email address in public records for Moynihan. A phone number for Moynihan in public records was not in service.

Moynihan, of Pleasant Valley, New York, was accused of sending a text message to another person in October about Jeffries' appearance in New York City that week.

"I cannot allow this terrorist to live," Moynihan wrote, according to a report by a state police investigator. Moynihan also wrote that Jeffries "must be eliminated" and texted, "I will kill him for the future," the police report says.

Moynihan was originally charged with a felony, making a terrorist threat, but pleaded to a lesser crime.

"Threats against elected officials are not political speech, they are criminal acts that strike at the heart of public safety and our democratic system," Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said in a statement.

Moynihan was sentenced to nearly 2 years in prison for joininga mob's Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. In January 2025, he was among hundreds of convicted Capitol rioters who were pardoned on the Republican president's first day back in the White House.

A spokesperson for Jeffries, a New York Democrat, did not immediately return an email message Thursday night.

Mays Chemical Company of Cataño, Puerto Rico has issued a major recall of approximately 46,315 pounds of its frozen, raw boneless pork loins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced this week.

Instituted Tuesday, the recall is due to inspection concerns. The pork loins were apparently not presented for import reinspection into the United States,the FSIS saidin a press release.

What products were recalled?

According to USDA release, Mays Chemical has flagged carboard boxes bearing a Canadian mark of inspection that also have an export mark indicating "Cert. No. Cert 336662" and contain the words "FROZEN PORK LOIN,BONELESS, CENTER 520MM" in plastic liners.

"The products subject to recall bear Canada establishment "Canada 12" printed inside the Canadian mark of inspection on the label," says the USDA. "The affected products were shipped to distributors, institutions, restaurants, and federal establishments for further processing in Puerto Rico."

The inspection problem was uncovered during routine FSIS activities. As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury due to consumption of these products.

Advertisement

For images of the recalled products,click here.

What to do if you have these products

The FSIS is worried some of these pork loins may currently be available in restaurants and other establishments.

"Any individual or entities who have purchased these products are urged not to consume or serve them," the agency added. "These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase."

Customers with concerns can reach out to Mr. Julio Westerband of Mays Ochoa at (787) 340-1327 orJulio.Westerband@maysochoa.com.

This story was originally published byMen's Journalon Feb 5, 2026, where it first appeared in theFoodsection. Add Men's Journal as aPreferred Source by clicking here.

MILAN ― The2026 Winter Olympicsopening ceremony is Friday, Feb. 6, at Milan's San Siro Stadium.

The star-studded entertainment includesperformances planned by Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini and Andrea Bocelli. The pageantry concludes with the traditional lighting of the Olympic flame and the parade of nations with participating athletes from around the globe.

You won't want to miss any of it, so be sure you're watching from the beginning. And if you can't catch the ceremony as it happens live, there also will be a prime-time replay.

MEET THE TEAM:Meet all 232 athletes Team USA is sending to Milano Cortina Olympics

What time is the Winter Olympics opening ceremony for Milano Cortina?

The opening ceremony begins at 2 p.m. ET and last around three hours.

Watch it here:Stream your favorite shows, the biggest blockbusters and more.

Advertisement

How to watch 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony: TV, streaming

NBC will broadcast the opening ceremony live onPeacockandNBCOlympics.com. An encore presentation of the opening ceremony will air on NBC at 8 p.m. ET for the American primetime viewing audience.

Two Olympic cauldrons

Two Olympic cauldrons will be lit for the first time in Olympic history, one in Milan and one in mountain town Cortina d'Ampezzo, where alpine skiing and other snow events are being held. The cauldrons will be lit at the same time and were designed to emulate Leonardo da Vinci's knot engravings, according to Olympic officials. da Vinci lived in Milan for 17 years of his renowned life.

Multiple Olympic athlete parades

With events held across northern Italy, there will also be four athlete parades across Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Predazzo and Livigno.

2026 Winter Olympics live coverage

Also Friday isfigure skating's first day of action andLindsey Vonn's first day of downhill training. The U.S. mixed doublescurlingteam faces Canada, there's a slate of preliminary round women's hockey games, andluge,ski jumpingand men's Alpine downhill all hold training sessions.

USA TODAY Sports is bringing you the latest updates, news and Olympics results from here in Italy. Follow along fordaily Olympics live updatesandfigure skating live updatesfor Friday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony today: How to watch, TV channel, time