NBC host Savannah Guthrie’s mother taken from home as expert raises alarming new theories amid lack of leads

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February 4, 2026

Tyran Stokes headlines McDonald's All American boys' roster

Paul BiancardiFeb 2, 2026, 03:08 PM ET
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- National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com
- 18 years of coaching experience at Division I level
- Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State

Multiple Authors

Top-ranked senior Tyran Stokes headlines the boys’ roster for the 49th annual McDonald’s All American game, which features a deep mix of blue-chip talent and several uncommitted five-stars from the 2026 SC Next 100 class.

The rosters, announced Monday on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” include 17 of the top 20 prospects.

Five of the top seven players in the game remain uncommitted, led by Stokes, who is in the midst of a dominant senior season at Rainier Beach High School (WA). The group also includes Jordan Smith Jr. (No. 3), Caleb Holt (No. 5), Bruce Branch III (No. 6) and Christian Collins (No. 8).

Duke is one of three schools with multiple commits represented, led by No. 2 prospect Cameron Williams, a 6-foot-11 forward. The Blue Devils also landed five-star Deron Rippey Jr. (No. 16) and continue to pursue Smith, who will play alongside Rippey on the East roster. Stokes and Williams, the top two players in the class, are teammates on the West roster.

Missouri and USC each have a pair of commits represented in the game. Jason Crowe Jr. (No. 4) and Toni Bryant (No. 14) are pledged to the Tigers, while USC signed both Adonis and Darius Ratliff. Their father, Theo Ratliff, played parts of 16 seasons in the NBA. They are not the only NBA legacies set to take part in the game, either. Jason Richardson’s son, Jaxon, was named to the East roster. The Ratliff brothers are joined by high school teammate Jasiah Jervis, giving Archbishop Stepinac (NY) three McDonald’s All Americans — the most of any high school.

The 2026 game could again feature a future No. 1 NBA draft pick. The McDonald’s All American game has produced 33 top overall selections, including Cooper Flagg in 2025. The top three players in the 2025 class, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer, all played in last year’s game, with Peterson and Boozer sharing MVP honors.

The McDonald’s All American boys’ game will take place in Glendale, Arizona, on March 31, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN at the Desert Diamond Arena. ESPN 2 will also air the Sprite Jam Fest, a dunk contest featuring All Americans, on March 30, at 9:30 p.m. ET.

East roster

Latrell Allmond, F, 6-8, Oklahoma State (No. 42)

Darius Bivins, PG, 6-1, Undecided (No. 51)

Bruce Branch III, F, 6-8, Undecided (No. 6)

Toni Bryant, F, 6-10, Missouri (No. 14)

Jasiah Jervis, G, 6-5,Michigan State (No. 31)

Taylen Kinney, PG, 6-3, Kansas (No. 18)

Adonis Ratliff, C, 7-0, Southern California (No. 10)

Darius Ratliff, C, 7-0, Southern California (No. 26)

Jaxon Richardson, F, 6-6, Undecided (No. 15)

Deron Rippey Jr. PG, 6-2, Duke (No. 16)

Jordan Smith Jr., G, 6-2, Undecided (No. 3)

Anthony Thompson, F, 6-9, Ohio State (No. 12)

West roster

Maximo Adams, F, 6-8, North Carolina (No. 25)

JaShawn Andrews, G, 6-7, Arkansas (No. 11)

Christian Collins, F, 6-9, Undecided (No. 8)

Quinn Costello, C, 6-9, Michigan (No. 29)

Jason Crowe Jr., PG, 6-4, Missouri (No. 4)

Arafan Diane, C, 7-0, Houston (No. 20)

Caleb Gaskins, F, 6-9, Miami (FL) (No. 13)

Austin Goosby, G, 6-5, Texas (No. 23)

Caleb Holt, G, 6-5, Undecided (No. 5)

Brandon McCoy, G, 6-5, Undecided (No. 19)

Tyran Stokes, SF, 6-8, Undecided (No. 1)

Cameron Williams, F, 6-11, Duke (No. 2)

World Cancer Day 2026: Why non-smokers, women and young Indians are increasingly being diagnosed with Lung Cancer

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February 4, 2026

World Cancer Day 2026: Why non-smokers, women and young Indians are increasingly being diagnosed with Lung Cancer

World Cancer Day 2026, observed on February 4, serves as a powerful reminder of one of the biggest health challenges facing India and the world. Cancer is no longer a disease limited to old age, and doctors across India are raising red flags over its alarming rise among younger adults. OPDs are increasingly seeing patients in their 30s and early 40s with cancers once considered age-related.

Dr Dewesh Kishan, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Yatharth Hospital 110 Unit, says, “In recent years, the most common cancers that people have gone to OPDs for are lung cancer, oral cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and other solid tumors. There is a clear increase among younger patients, notably those aged 30 to 45. Before, most cases were seen in those over 50, but now about 15 to 18 percent of people with cancer are under 40. More and more women are getting breast cancer in their early 30s. In fact, men are getting oral and colorectal cancers even when they are 35 to 45 years old. This change is worrying and shows how important it is to get screened early.”

Some less spoken elements, outside lifestyle are:

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1. A lot of stress and long hours at work

2. Pollution of the environment and bad air quality

3. Hormonal imbalance and delayed pregnancies

4. Family history and genetic risk, which many people still don’t know about; not getting regular health check-ups is also a big problem.

Dr Rajat Bajaj, Director, Medical Oncology, Fortis, Noida, says, “Cancer is now occurring in younger age groups as well. 30% of breast cancer is now found in people under 40 years of age. This is more aggressive and likely worse outcome. Prostate cancer in males is also found in the sixth decade in Indian males, 10 years earlier than their Western counterparts.” Talking about causes, he said, “Genetic causes have always played a role in 10 to 20% cancer cases. Addiction to tobacco, pollution in urban cities, and unawareness about screening are very important contributing causes of rising cancer cases.”

Talking about Cancer myths, he said, Cancer is still considered a communicable disease in society, which is an absolute myth. Some people believe doing a biopsy will lead to the spread of cancer cells in the body, but it’s far from true. Also, sugar and wheat don’t lead to the growth of cancer cells, instead they provide essential nutrition to the patient.

Dr Abhishek Raj, HOD & Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Yatharth Hospital, Noida Extension, says, “The incidence of cancer in India has been towards more younger patients getting afflicted with various cancer subtypes for the last 2-3 decades. This situation is even more alarming in the last 10 years, where we have seen a lot of younger cases being diagnosed with cancer. It is partly related to changing lifestyle, like early onset of smoking and alcohol intake among youths, prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, sedentary lifestyle, and pollution.”

Dr Abhishek Raj highlighted a case study. He said, “A lady visited me just 2 months after delivering her baby. She felt a lump in her breast. She discussed this with her family members, who suggested that breast lump formation is common in the postpartum period and that it is probably due to lactation. She was not convinced and decided to come for a checkup. An ultrasonography of her breast revealed a suspicious lump, which was biopsied, and it was diagnosed to be triple-negative breast cancer, which is often a very aggressive variant of cancer.”

“Due to the lady’s early readiness to seek medical help, thankfully, the lump was located only in her breast and not spread elsewhere. After a few rounds of chemotherapy, she underwent surgery and radiation, and she was cured of her cancer. If she had delayed seeking medical help, the results and outcomes would have been different.”

(This article is based on information available in the public domain and on input provided by experts consulted. Views expressed by experts in the articles are their own; Zee News does not confirm or endorse the same. This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by qualified medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about cancer, diabetes, weight loss, or other medical conditions.)

India thump Afghanistan to reach U19 World Cup final

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February 4, 2026

India thump Afghanistan to reach U19 World Cup final

India captain Ayush Mhatre plays a shot during their second semi-final of the ICC U19 World Cup against Afghanistan at the Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, February 4, 2026. — ICC

India will take on England in Friday’s ICC U19 World Cup final after a dominant seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the second semi-final at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan registered a formidable total of 310-4 in 50 overs, courtesy of centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai, who shared a 148-run partnership for the third wicket.

Shinozada remained the top-scorer with a 93-ball 110, laced with 15 fours, while Niazai made an unbeaten 101 off 86 deliveries, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.

The duo was provided a decent platform by openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai, who made 39 and 31, respectively.

For India, Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chohan bagged two wickets each.

Set to chase a daunting 311-run target, the former champions comfortably amassed the total for the loss of just three wickets and 53 balls to spare.

Leading the way for India was opener Aaron George, who top-scored with a blazing century, making 115 off 104 deliveries, studded with 15 fours and two sixes.

His opening partner, Vaibhav Sooriyavanshi, however, gave India a flamboyant start with a swashbuckling 68 off 33 deliveries, smashing nine fours and four sixes.

Captain Ayush Mhatre played an anchoring role after Sooriyvanshi’s dismissal with a 59-ball 62, featuring five fours and four sixes, until falling victim to Nooristani Omarzai in the 27th over.

Omarzai was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, taking two wickets for 64 runs in his 10 overs, while Wahidullah Zadran could claim one.

Could humans live to be 150 years old? Geneticist shares why it may be possible

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February 4, 2026

SCIENTISTS REVEAL THE ONE PRACTICE THAT COULD PREVENT DEMENTIA AS YOU AGE

Could humans live to be 150 years old? Geneticist shares why it may be possible

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Humans are already living longer than in past generations, according to global statistics.

In the U.S., life expectancy rose to 79 years in 2024, marking an all-time high, according to CDC data, with 2025 lifespan numbers expected to improve further.

This is likely the result of a decline in deaths from COVID, unintentional injuries like drug overdoses, heart disease and cancer, the data suggests.

If this trend continues, one geneticist predicts that humans could someday live as long as 150 years, based on growing research in biological aging and rejuvenation.

Dr. Steve Horvath, a principal investigator at the Altos Labs Cambridge Institute of Science in the U.K., made the prediction in a feature with Time, although he did not offer a timeline on when it might occur.

“150 is a very fashionable number now,” the doctor said. “I have no doubt it will happen. No question.”

One geneticist said he has “no doubt” that humans will live to be 150 years old in the future. (iStock)

Measuring aging

As a longevity expert and former professor of human genetics and biostatistics at the University of California, Los Angeles, Horvath has devoted his research to understanding age-related biological markers in the body.

DICK VAN DYKE SAYS LIVING LONGER LINKED TO HIS LACK OF HATE AND ANGER

In the early 2010s, he created the first widely used “aging clock,” a method for estimating biological age by measuring molecular changes in cells, according to Time. While the clock incorporated saliva data, it proved reliable across multiple tissues, including blood, skin and other organs.

The aging expert later developed other biological aging clocks, including models shown in studies to be strong predictors of mortality risk.

“I felt we needed exact measurements of aging before we could really study it.” (iStock)

“I felt that it was important to develop [an aging] clock to advance scientific inquiry in the field of longevity,” he told Time. “I felt we needed exact measurements of aging before we could really study it, and then hopefully one day find interventions that can reverse aging.”

Pushing limits

While Horvath said he doesn’t think humans will ever live for 1,000 years, as he once hoped as a child, he shared his optimism for “drastic extensions of lifespan” in the future.

“Imagine we have 100 more years of biomedical innovations — what will that do for health?” he asked. “Of course, we would expect major breakthroughs.”

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“So, in an abstract sense … if we can avoid wars and pandemics, I think our species at some point will find ways to extend lifespan drastically.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Horvath and Altos Labs for comment.

grandma and granddaughter 100th birthday cake with candles

“I think our species at some point will find ways to extend lifespan drastically,” the longevity expert predicted. (iStock)

Quality matters

Dr. Eve Henry, chief medical officer at the personalized health platform Hundred Health, told Fox News Digital that Horvath’s prediction is “not an impossible take,” adding that the research is “very optimistic.”

“The research is correct. The first step in this process is to accurately measure biological age and the speed of aging in real time,” said the California-based doctor.

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“This will allow us to test interventions for improved longevity quickly, rather than set up aging experiments that would take decades to complete,” she went on. “In science, once you can truly measure something, it gives you new power to study it.”

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However, achieving longevity to the degree that Horvath suggests would require “game-changing intervention that resets a lot of our physiology,” according to Henry.

“While I haven’t seen that intervention yet, I’m excited to be alive in an era when this kind of research is possible.”

Humans living 50 to 70 years longer would involve risks dependent on quality of life, one doctor noted. (iStock)

‘Only time can tell’

Henry noted that if humans do eventually live 50 to 70 years longer, the risks would largely depend on the quality of life made possible by available interventions.

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“There’s a key difference in living 50 to 70 years longer if independence can be sustained with the longevity tools and care available, compared to the idea of even living 10 years beyond the average life span today, which requires extensive health and community assistance,” she said.

“This research is certainly promising, but the reality is that only time can tell what the future of human lifespan could really look like.”

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.

US weapons left in Afghanistan are being used by terrorists in Pakistan, CNN – SUCH TV

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February 4, 2026

US weapons left in Afghanistan are being used by terrorists in Pakistan, CNN - SUCH TV

The American broadcasting company CNN has said that US weapons left in Afghanistan are being used for terrorism in Pakistan. According to a CNN report, US weapons have become a major obstacle in counter-terrorism operations. TTP and BLA terrorists are using US-made rifles, machine guns and sniper weapons. The report says that the availability of US weapons has significantly increased the nature and intensity of terrorist attacks. According to SIGAR chief John Sopko, 300,000 US weapons were left in Afghanistan at the time of withdrawal, and modern weapons left by the US in Afghanistan were used during terrorist attacks in South Waziristan and Balochistan.

It should be noted that the Pakistani government has repeatedly provided clear evidence to the Afghan government and the international community that Afghan soil is being used against Pakistan and that TTP militants are using modern weapons left by the US in Afghanistan.

Share the joy of food and drink with these brands, restaurants and bottles

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February 4, 2026

Share the joy of food and drink with these brands, restaurants and bottles

Whether marking a celebration or elevating everyday meals, these food and drink picks focus on flavour, connection and enjoying great food together.

Slow down and savour chocolatey indulgence

(Mallow & Marsh)

Crafted in Yorkshire since 2013, Mallow & Marsh creates chocolatey mallows designed for moments worth lingering over. Made with Belgian Fairtrade chocolate and classic flavours, each bite delivers a soft, satisfying texture that encourages slower enjoyment. The range suits every occasion, from sharing pouches for relaxed evenings accompanying movie marathons to mallow bars for indulgence on the move.

The ultimate s’mores bars offer a richer take inspired by campfire treats, while mini mallows provide lighter snacking in bite-size form. Flavours focus on familiar favourites including milk chocolate over vanilla, coconut and chocolate, plus dark chocolate over raspberry. With no artificial colours or flavours and responsibly sourced cocoa, these treats appeal to those who value quality as well as indulgence.

This March, the latest Milk Chocolate over Dulce de Leche mallows will be available in Tesco stores nationwide and online.

The range is available at major UK retailers. Enjoy 20 per cent off your first online purchase with code ‘MALLOW20’ until 30 April 2026 at Mallowandmarsh.com

Celebrate Chinese New Year with award-winning dumplings

Dumplings are a Chinese New Year essential, symbolising reunion and good fortune. Freshasia brings this long-standing tradition into modern kitchens with a range of premium frozen dumplings designed for easy sharing at home. Loved by Chinese communities across the UK and Europe, the collection focuses on classic flavours and straightforward cooking, whether you choose to steam, boil or pan-fry.

Ready in minutes, they suit both festive gatherings and everyday meals when comfort is called for. Freshasia’s dumplings have been recognised by leading UK food awards, including the Great Taste Awards over multiple years, and featured by major media titles. Serve a generous bowl as part of your Chinese New Year celebrations or keep a pack in the freezer for a quick, satisfying dish any time of year.

Discover the range and stockists at Freshasia.co.uk

Discover how simplicity is shaping the way we eat

As dining habits evolve in 2026, one of the strongest shifts is away from novelty and towards focus. Diners appear increasingly willing to trade variety for certainty, favouring restaurants that commit to doing one thing well rather than many things adequately. Swiss Butter reflects this change. Built around a single dish – steak frites served with a proprietary butter-based sauce – the restaurant has resisted menu expansion and seasonal reinvention.

The experience is intentionally narrow, prioritising consistency and repeatability over surprise. That clarity has translated into demand. From the Middle East to Europe and the UK, Swiss Butter has drawn crowds since day one, driven by word of mouth rather than hype. If you want to understand why simplicity is trending again, there is only one way to do it.

Find out what the hype is all about at Swissbutter.com and visit the London restaurant at 114-118 Southampton Row, London WC1B 5AA.

Book now

Step into the moment with an iconic gin

Based on a recipe that dates from 1761, Bombay Sapphire is crafted with a perfectly balanced blend of 10 hand-selected botanicals, sourced from sustainably certified suppliers around the world. Produced at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, the gin is distilled using a signature 100 per cent Vapour Infusion process that gently unlocks and captures the botanicals’ natural flavours, creating the vibrant and bright taste that defines Bombay Sapphire. The result is a delicious gin suited to both classic serves and contemporary cocktails.

For 2026, the brand joins forces with a world-renowned partner, the Royal Albert Hall, to unveil a brand-new destination bar space at the venue. Designed by Bombay Sapphire and featuring a signature cocktail menu, the newly launched space, located on the Grand Tier Level, invites guests to enjoy breathtaking moments and lasting memories, surrounded by the beauty of one of the world’s most iconic venues, with a Bombay Sapphire signature cocktail in hand.

Learn more at Bombaysapphire.com/stepintotheblue

Find out more now

Open a bottle of standout sauvignon blanc

Blind River Sauvignon Blanc is a distinctive expression of Marlborough, New Zealand, shaped by its coastal Awatere Valley setting between the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alps. The wine is grown on a small vineyard where cool sea breezes and stony soils contribute to its freshness and clarity. In the glass, it showcases vibrant passionfruit and zesty citrus flavours, balanced by a clean mineral character that reflects its place of origin.

Sustainably certified and vegan friendly, Blind River is grown, made and bottled by a small, hands-on team who oversee every stage of production. Blind River Sauvignon Blanc is certified by Appellation Marlborough Wine, offering an assurance of authenticity and regional character. The result is a wine with purity, focus and a strong sense of provenance, ideal for those seeking a refined yet approachable New Zealand classic.

Available exclusively at Waitrose.com

Indulge in a classic Baileys chocolate treat

Created for moments of indulgence, the Baileys chocolate range combines the iconic, creamy flavour of Baileys Original Irish Cream with velvety, smooth chocolate. For those looking to elevate their gifting in 2026, the Baileys Chocolate Original Truffles represent the perfect choice, featuring a rich milk chocolate shell filled with the signature Baileys truffle filling. Whether shared after dinner or savoured with a coffee, they transform any moment into something a little more special. Baileys chocolates are wrapped with fully recyclable paper twist wraps across the truffle range.

Available online and at selected retailers, the truffles are currently offered with a limited-time £1.25 saving at Sainsbury’s from 9 February to 5 April. Explore the range on the Baileys Amazon storefront at Amazon.co.uk

Celebrate moments made to share

Food is a powerful tool to bring people together, and Chinese New Year, starting on 17 February 2026, presents the perfect opportunity to embrace moments of connection. Lee Kum Kee’s Moments Made to Share campaign invites families, friends and communities to celebrate together.

In London, Wishing Tree installations at Waitrose Canary Wharf (15-21 February) and King’s Cross railway station (18 February) invite you to enter the Win a Wish competition, allowing people across the UK to submit a wish online via QR code. Five selected wishes will be turned into reality by Lee Kum Kee, from reuniting families to hosting meaningful shared meals. A free recipe booklet will also be available. Pick one up on site and share the flavours with your friends and family, made even better with Lee Kum Kee.

Discover more at Uk.lkk.com/CNY2026

Find out more now

Elevate spring celebrations with characterful wines

Certified sustainable and entirely estate grown, Mt Beautiful’s wines showcase restrained aromatics and pure regional character. Distinct from Marlborough yet unmistakably New Zealand, the estate reflects the wild beauty and spirit of North Canterbury. While best known for its sauvignon blanc, Mt Beautiful’s pinot noir and riesling are equally assured.

The 2020 Riesling shows citrus freshness, minerality and a gentle floral lift, finishing with lingering acidity. The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate evokes sweet cherry, dried herbs, fennel and toasted nut aromas, with a silky texture and fine-grained tannins. Ideal for sunnier days, the 2023 Chardonnay offers golden peach, mango, vanilla and roasted hazelnut, framed by a creamy texture and bright acidity. Completing the range, the 2025 Rosé brings fragrant summer red berries with an intriguing savoury edge.

Buy yours at Condorwines.co.uk

Try the burgers taking the UK by storm

Amigos Burgers & Shakes is built on a simple idea: serve a proper British burger and don’t cut corners. Founded by best friends Kaz and Wax, the brand started as a neighbourhood favourite rooted in friendship, community and a shared love of great food. While smash burgers dominate menus across London, Amigos prides itself on a unique approach, using high-quality beef, full seasoning and generous portions that deliver real flavour.

Burgers are freshly prepared, responsibly sourced and made to order, paired with classic shakes and sides that keep things comforting and familiar. The result is a menu that feels considered rather than trendy, and burgers that seriously satisfy. Amigos proves that when you focus on quality and consistency, a great burger speaks for itself – ideal for anyone craving substance over hype.

Find out more at Amigosburgersandshakes.com or if you’re interested in becoming part of the brand, enquire now on the franchising section of the website.

Find out more now

Discover Italy’s most iconic bitter liqueur

Created in Milan in 1845, Fernet-Branca is Italy’s most famous amaro. Crafted using 27 botanicals sourced across four continents, the liqueur is aged in oak barrels for over a year. Still made to the original secret recipe, the liqueur’s intense bitterness and spice soften over time into a bold but balanced character that’s earned the drink a devoted global following.

Long favoured by bartenders, Fernet-Branca can be enjoyed neat as a ritual serve, a post-dinner digestif or mixed into classic cocktails such as the Hanky Panky. For a lighter, more contemporary option, try it long with bitter lemon in a Fernet Collins, which brings out its herbal depth in a refreshing way. Known as the ‘bartender’s handshake’, Fernet-Branca remains a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and hospitality culture.

Find it at Fernetbranca.com and Waitrose.

Pick up a bottle of Indian gin infused with Darjeeling tea

If you’ve been looking for a gin with a difference, Jin Jiji could be the answer. Infused with First Flush Darjeeling tea, the craft gin is one of India’s first. Distilled and bottled in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, it uses a blend of European and wild-foraged Himalayan juniper for depth and freshness.

The Darjeeling Gin adds fragrant tea leaves alongside ginger, cardamom and cloves, creating a layered, aromatic spirit with gentle spice and warmth. It’s distinctive without being overpowering, equally at home in a gin and tonic or as a base in a cocktail. Available via specialist retailer Maharaja Drinks, it’s a compelling discovery for curious gin-lovers looking to venture beyond the familiar.

Find yours at Maharajadrinks.com

This content is brought to you by Living360, a digital lifestyle destination keeping you up to date with health and fitness, food and drink, homes and gardens, beauty, travel, finance trends and more.

NatWest pledges to lend £10bn to social housing over three years

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February 4, 2026

NatWest pledges to lend £10bn to social housing over three years

NatWest has pledged to lend £10 billion to the UK’s social housing sector by the end of 2028, after reaching a previous funding target a year early.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said loans from the bank will help build thousands of affordable homes for “families priced out of homeownership”.

The bank said its funding will be channelled towards housing associations for the building of new homes, upgrading existing properties and improving living conditions.

Some of the lending will also help fund energy efficiency and environmental improvements, including retrofit projects.

Social housing is offered through housing associations or the local council, typically to low-income households or people needing additional support.

The new funding goal comes after NatWest said it had met a previous £7.5 billion target a year ahead of schedule, having been earmarked for 2024 to 2026.

NatWest said its total funding into the social housing sector, through commercial loans and capital market support, has topped £25 billion since 2018.

Paul Thwaite, chief executive of NatWest Group, said reaching its prior goal ahead of schedule “shows the demand in the market” for social homes.

Ms Reeves said: “This Government is backing a step change in affordable housing to end the housing crisis, with £39 billion for a new social and affordable homes programme and 10-year rent certainty for the sector.

“NatWest’s investment will be vital in helping housing associations deliver thousands of affordable homes for families priced out of home ownership, building an economy that works for and rewards working people.”

China ramps up threats over Panama Canal ruling that handed Trump a major victory

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February 4, 2026

China ramps up threats over Panama Canal ruling that handed Trump a major victory

A cargo ship transits through Panama Canal Cocoli locks in Panama City on February 21, 2025.

Martin Bernetti | Afp | Getty Images

The Chinese government has condemned a ruling from Panama’s top court, warning the Central American country “will inevitably pay a heavy price” unless it changes course.

The rebuke comes shortly after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled to void Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison‘s licence to operate ports at either end of the Panama Canal.

The ruling was seen as a major victory for the Trump administration’s security ambitions in the Western Hemisphere, given that the White House has made blocking China’s influence over the critically important waterway one of its top priorities.

In a commentary posted on Tuesday on its WeChat account, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said the “logically flawed” and “utterly ridiculous” ruling was opposed by the Chinese government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

“The Panamanian authorities should recognize the situation and correct their course,” the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said, according to a Google translation.

“If they persist in their own way and remain obstinate, they will inevitably pay a heavy price in terms of politics and economics!”

In a brief statement on Jan. 29, Panama’s top court said the terms under which Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, runs the port of Balboa on the Pacific Coast and Cristóbal on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal violated its constitution.

The ruling came around a year after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to seize control of the Panama Canal, saying the waterway was “vital to our country” and claiming, “it’s being operated by China.”

‘Extensive damages’

The comments from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office reflect an escalation in tone from China’s initial response to the ruling.

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that the decision was “contrary to the laws governing Panama’s approval of the relevant franchises, and that the companies will reserve all rights, including legal proceedings.”

Beijing said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

PPC, which has held the contract to operate the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal since the 1990s, also said that the decision was inconsistent with the relevant legal framework.

Aerial view of the Bridge of the Americas at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, located next to the port of Balboa in Panama City, on January 30, 2026.

Martin Bernetti | Afp | Getty Images

CK Hutchison, for its part, said on Wednesday that it had launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama after the country annulled its licenses to operate two Panama Canal ports.

In a statement, the company said PPC would seek “extensive damages” over the ruling, without specifying the damages sought.

Shares of CK Hutchison were up over 2% on Wednesday. The stock has climbed more than 23% so far this year.

Pakistan took ‘very considered’ stance on T20 World Cup, should fully stand by Bangladesh: PM Shehbaz | The Express Tribune

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February 4, 2026