Virginia judge voids redistricting push, rules lawmakers overstepped authority
A Virginia circuit court judge has struck down a General Assembly-approved redistricting amendment, ruling lawmakers overstepped their authority during a 2024 special legislative session and violated constitutional requirements tied to elections and voter notice. In a sweeping ruling issued Tuesday, Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack S. Hurley Jr. invalidated actions taken to advance the proposed constitutional amendment, blocking it from moving forward and barring it from being submitted to voters. The lawsuit focused on whether lawmakers could take up a redistricting-related constitutional amendment during a special session initially convened to address budget matters and whether the General Assembly followed its own rules when expanding the scope of that session. “Certainly, both houses of the Commonwealth’s legislature are required to follow their own rules and resolutions,” Hurley wrote. TRUMP TURNS UP THE HEAT ON RED STATE REPUBLICANS BLOCKING NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAPS Hurley found lawmakers improperly added redistricting to the list of issues allowed during the special session without the required unanimous consent or supermajority vote. As a result, the court ruled the joint resolution proposing changes to how congressional and legislative districts are drawn fell outside the limits lawmakers themselves set when the special session was called. “The Court FINDS that adding… [a] joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia related to the reapportionment or redistricting violated… the General Assembly’s own call to the Governor for the 2024 Special Session, and the Court ORDERS that any such action is void, ab initio,” Hurley wrote. REPUBLICANS APPEAL JUDGE’S DECISION REJECTING NEW YORK CITY GOP DISTRICT LINES The decision also addressed when a constitutional amendment may be validly advanced under Virginia law, rejecting arguments that an election occurs only on Election Day rather than during early voting. Hurley noted that more than 1 million Virginians had already cast ballots in the 2025 House of Delegates elections before lawmakers voted on the amendment. “For this Court to find the election was only on November 4, 2025, those one million Virginia voters would be completely disenfranchised,” Hurley wrote. REDISTRICTING BATTLES BREWING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS PARTIES COMPETE FOR POWER AHEAD OF 2026 MIDTERMS The ruling further found lawmakers failed to comply with a state law requiring proposed constitutional amendments to be publicly posted and published ahead of the next election. Because those steps were not taken, the court ruled votes cast during the 2026 regular session could not count as the constitutionally required second approval. “Therefore, the Court FINDS that the provisions of… the Code of Virginia have not been complied with, and therefore all votes on the proposed Constitutional Amendment… are ineffective as being a ‘SECOND’ VOTE OF THE General Assembly,” Hurley wrote. Hurley issued both temporary and permanent injunctions blocking further action on the amendment. The ruling delivers a major setback to lawmakers seeking to alter Virginia’s redistricting process and underscores limits on legislative power during special sessions.
Ilhan Omar sprayed by unknown substance after man charges her at Minneapolis town hall
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was sprayed with an unknown substance by a man that charged her while she was speaking at a town hall in Minneapolis on Tuesday night. Omar was immediately pulled away by her security and the unidentified man was tackled and restrained. Omar appeared to be shaken, but largely unharmed. “We will continue. These f–king a–holes are not going to get away with this,” Omar shouted as the room reacted. “It smells terrible,” a member of her entourage said as she urged her to stop and get checked out. THOUSANDS MARCH THROUGH MINNEAPOLIS, SWARM TARGET CENTER DEMANDING ICE REMOVAL FROM MINNESOTA The incident happened as Omar was hosting her first in-person town hall meeting of the year in North Minneapolis. TRUMP DEPLOYS BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN TO MINNESOTA AS ICE OPERATIONS FACE VIOLENT CHAOS Omar was speaking about immigration policy when the incident happened, just as she called for a transparent investigation and legal action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, followed by the abolition of the agency. “We must abolish ICE for good,” Omar said, adding that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or “face impeachment.” After briefly stepping back amid the disruption, Omar returned to address the audience, telling the packed room she intended to continue. ANTI-ICE AGITATORS CLASH WITH FEDERAL AGENTS AT MINNEAPOLIS HOTEL, AS AGENTS DEPLOY TEAR GAS, FLASHBANGS “We’re going to keep talking,” she said, insisting that she be allowed to continue for at least 10 minutes before she is checked out. “We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us,” she added. Omar went on to reiterate her calls for accountability within the Department of Homeland Security in the wake of the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. ‘SORRY, TRUMP’: ILHAN OMAR FIRES BACK AFTER TRUMP TARGETS HER IN TRUTH SOCIAL POST “It is important for me to continue to lead my Democratic colleagues in demanding her resignation,” she said of Noem. “If she does not resign we are going to introduce articles of impeachment,” she added. “During her town hall, an agitator tried to attack the Congresswoman by spraying an unknown substance with a syringe,” Omar’s spokesperson said following the incident. “Security and the Minneapolis Police Department quickly apprehended the individual. He is now in custody. The Congresswoman is okay. She continued with her town hall because she doesn’t let bullies win,” the spokesperson added. “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win,” Omar later wrote on X. “Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.” A statement from United States Capitol Police (USCP) also confirmed that, “a man is in custody after he decided to assault a Member of Congress – an unacceptable decision that will be met with swift justice.” “We are grateful for the rapid response of onsite security and our local law enforcement partners. We are now working with our federal partners to see this man faces the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society,” the statement said. Fox News Digital’s Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
New details to Congress reveal guns used, bodycam footage in fatal Border Patrol shooting of Minnesota nurse
The Trump administration sent a notification to Congress Tuesday, providing a “preliminary review” of the fatal Border Patrol shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, including the timeline of events leading up to the incident and new details about the officers who opened fire. Pretti, a U.S. Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, was shot and killed Saturday by Border Patrol agents while recording federal immigration operations in Minneapolis. Video appeared to show him attempting to help a woman knocked down by agents, when he was sprayed with an irritant, pushed to the ground and beaten. Footage showed an agent pulling Pretti’s suspected gun, a 9 mm pistol, from his waistband before other agents fired nearly a dozen shots in his direction. BIDEN SPEAKS OUT AGAINST IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN IN MINNESOTA, SAYS IT GOES AGAINST AMERICAN VALUES The report, compiled by the Border Patrol’s Office of Professional Responsibility Investigative Operations Directorate, noted two federal agents fired at Pretti. One Border Patrol agent fired his CBP-issued Glock 19, and a second officer fired his CBP-issued Glock 47. The report also confirmed there was body-worn camera footage of the shooting, though it is unclear if it will be released to the public. Border Patrol agents (BPA) and Customs and Border Protection officers (CBPO) were conducting enforcement actions near the intersection of Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street in Minneapolis Saturday morning as part of Operation Metro Surge. The report noted several civilians in the area were “yelling and blowing whistles.” BPAs and CBPOs allegedly made several verbal requests for the civilians to stay on the sidewalks and out of the roadway, but tensions rose at about 9 a.m., when a CBPO was confronted by two women blowing whistles. The officer allegedly ordered the women to move out of the roadway, but they did not move. NATALIE PORTMAN BLASTS TRUMP IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN AS ‘WORST OF THE WORST OF HUMANITY’ As seen on witness video, the CBPO pushed the women, and one of them ran to Pretti. After attempting to move the woman and Pretti out of the road, the CBPO deployed his pepper spray toward the pair. Officials said Border Patrol agents tried to take Pretti into custody, but he “resisted,” and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, an unidentified Border Patrol agent yelled, “He’s got a gun!” multiple times, according to the report. BORDER PATROL INVOLVED IN ARIZONA SHOOTING, ONE PERSON INJURED, LOCAL AUTHORITIES SAY About five seconds later, the two federal agents opened fire. After the shooting, a Border Patrol agent confirmed he had Pretti’s gun and subsequently “cleared and secured” the gun in his vehicle, according to the report. At about 9:02 a.m., CBP personnel cut Pretti’s clothing and provided medical aid by placing chest seals on his wounds. Roughly three minutes later, Minneapolis Fire Department Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived and assumed primary medical care for Pretti. Officials said he was transferred to an ambulance at about 9:14 a.m., and he was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center. FRENCH NBA STAR VICTOR WEMBANYAMA SPEAKS OUT AFTER BORDER PATROL-INVOLVED SHOOTING: ‘HORRIFIED’ Pretti was pronounced dead at the medical center at about 9:32 a.m. An autopsy will be conducted by medical personnel from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to the report. Border Patrol’s investigative unit will request the official findings upon completion. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Senate GOP critics say Noem ‘needs to go’ amid fallout from Minneapolis shootings
A pair of Senate Republicans are demanding that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem lose her job in the wake of a pair of fatal shootings in the midst of the agency’s immigration operations in Minnesota. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., are no strangers to being critical of the Trump administration, and have again broken from their party in calling for Noem to either step aside or be fired by President Donald Trump. They join several Senate Democrats who have demanded accountability for the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in the midst of DHS’ immigration operations in Minneapolis, Minn. It also comes as Senate Democrats are threatening to shut the government down in their bid to sideline the DHS funding bill. SENATE REPUBLICANS TEE UP KEY SHUTDOWN TEST VOTE AS DEMOCRATS DIG IN ON DHS FUNDING When pressed on whether Noem should resign, Murkowski noted that she voted for her confirmation last year. “I think the President needs to look at who he has in place as the Secretary of Homeland Security. I would not support her again, and I think it probably is time for her to step down,” she said. Trump on Tuesday said that Noem was doing a “very good job.” “The border is totally secure,” Trump told reporters outside of the White House. “You forget, we had a border that I inherited where millions of people were coming through. Now, we have a border where no one is coming through.” When asked if she would be stepping down, he said “no.” THUNE STEAMROLLS DEMS’ DHS REVOLT AS FETTERMAN DEFECTS, SCHUMER UNDER PRESSURE Tillis, who has made a habit of going after Trump officials in the last several months and accusing them of giving the president bad policy advice, was more biting in his assessment of Noem’s performance, and extended that breakdown to White House Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who similarly accused Pretti of being a domestic terrorist. He charged that “people like Noem are squandering” Trump’s ability to codify policy and open the door to a discussion on immigration reform — something both sides of the aisle have desired for some time. “I don’t know if it’s lost yet, but if it is an opportunity lost, I put it squarely on the shoulders of people like Noem and Stephen Miller,” Tillis said. “Those two people told the president, before they even had any incident report whatsoever, that the person who died was a terrorist. I mean, that is amateur hour at its worst.” DEMS’ DHS SHUTDOWN THREAT WOULD HIT FEMA, TSA WHILE IMMIGRATION FUNDING REMAINS INTACT When asked about Noem’s choice to label Pretti as a domestic terrorist, Murkowski said that the DHS head has an “obligation to control these situations that are under her jurisdiction, and she has not done so.” Murkowski contended that accountability in the situation goes all the way to the top rung of leadership. “I think you have a secretary right now who needs to be accountable to to the chaos and some of the tragedy that we have seen,” Murkowski said. And Tillis, when asked if Noem should be removed from her position, said “100%,” but stopped short of supporting impeachment. “I’m not going to get into impeachment,” Tillis said. “I think it should be a management decision. She needs to go.” Fox News Digital reached out to DHS.
Texas Gov Greg Abbott halts H-1B visas through 2027 after ‘egregious schemes’ allegedly displaced workers
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday halted new H-1B visa petitions by state agencies and public universities as the state investigates potential program abuse. In the letter, the governor cited reports of cases in which U.S. workers were allegedly displaced by lower-paid foreign labor. “In the most egregious schemes, employers have even fired American workers and replaced them with H-1B employees, often at lower wages,” Abbott wrote. STATE DEPARTMENT REPORTEDLY ORDERS VISA DENIALS TIED TO SPEECH CENSORSHIP AS TRUMP TEAM SLAMS EUROPE “Rather than serving its intended purpose of attracting the best and brightest individuals from around the world to our nation to fill truly specialized and unmet labor needs, the program has too often been used to fill jobs that otherwise could—and should— have been filled by Texans,” he added. Abbott said the pause will give state and federal officials time to enact reforms while Texas continues investing heavily in education and workforce training to meet labor demands without relying on the visa program. LABOR UNIONS SUE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER SOCIAL MEDIA MONITORING OF VISA HOLDERS The move comes after President Donald Trump in September alleged that while the visa program was intended to supplement the U.S. workforce, it has since been used to replace American workers. “The large-scale replacement of American workers through systemic abuse of the program has undermined both our economic and national security,” Trump wrote in a Sept. 19 proclamation. Abbott’s order requires state agencies and public universities to submit a report to the Texas Workforce Commission by March 27, detailing their H-1B filings, current visa holders, countries of origin, job classifications, visa expiration dates, and efforts to recruit qualified Texas residents. The freeze will remain in effect until May 31, 2027, unless approved in writing by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Dems see opening in key Senate race as bitter GOP infighting continues: ‘Last remaining strategy’
A longtime Democratic strategist said the choice between the leading candidates in Texas’ critical U.S. Senate race is “very stark” as Republican infighting continues in the bitter primary contest. Longtime Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn is facing off against state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Houston-area Rep. Wesley Hunt in the state’s GOP primary race. Whichever candidate emerges victorious will then face either rising Democratic state Rep. James Talarico or progressive firebrand Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in November. Both Texas Senate seats have been red for over three decades. Democrats, however, believe they have a shot at flipping the seat this year, which would be devastating for the GOP’s chances of retaining a majority in the Senate. Eric Koch, the founder of Downfield Strategies, told Fox News Digital that despite Cornyn being the incumbent, he believes Paxton has the edge in the primary race. HOUSE CANDIDATE PREDICTS HISTORIC RISE OF ‘NEW GENERATION’ IN CONGRESS AS PARTIES TARGET KEY DEMOGRAPHIC “Ken Paxton clearly has the momentum in this primary because he’s the MAGA choice for Senate in Texas,” he said. Koch added that “the contrast in this race is going to be very stark if it’s Paxton v. Talarico.” “One is a fresh face who is working on reaching voters from across the political spectrum, while the other is a career politician with a long history of corruption,” he said. Paxton has served as Texas’ top attorney since 2015, with a brief suspension in 2023 during an impeachment process over alleged abuse of power. He was ultimately acquitted of all charges and reinstated. Paxton has called the process a political witch hunt by the GOP establishment. Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002 and holds several key committee seats, including the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence committees, has the endorsement of major bodies like the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Despite this, he is slightly behind Paxton in a recent hypothetical matchup by Emerson College Polling. The poll shows Paxton leading at 27%, with Cornyn in a close second at 26% and Hunt trailing at 16%, with 29% still undecided. Though behind in the polls, Hunt, an Army veteran serving his second term in Congress, believes he stands the best chance to replace Cornyn and keep the seat red. Hunt told Fox News Digital Cornyn’s “time has come to an end, and nearly everyone recognizes that reality, except for him.” ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RACK UP $1B-PLUS IN TEXAS HOSPITAL COSTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2025; TOTAL LIKELY HIGHER: REPORT Hunt knocked Cornyn for repeatedly turning down debate offers from him, saying, “If Sen. Cornyn is truly serious about pursuing a fifth term, which is absurd in its own right, then it is time for him to come out of hiding and defend his record on a debate stage.” In another jab, Hunt said Cornyn’s “last remaining strategy was to cling to a Trump endorsement,” which, he said, “is not coming.” “What I am offering is a new generation of leadership. Sen. Cornyn, now nearing 74, is offering the same thing Texans have endured for 24 years: establishment politics with very little to show for it,” he said. Matt Mackowiak, senior advisor for the Cornyn campaign, dismissed the jabs, calling the two-term congressman “Woke Wesley” and saying he “isn’t a serious candidate or person, as evidenced by the fact that he can’t even show up to vote this year despite House Republicans having a razor-thin majority.” According to a GovTrack analysis of Hunt’s voting record reviewed by Fox News Digital, he has missed 44 out of 48, over 90%, of the House’s votes this January. GovTrack said that over the course of Hunt’s tenure in Congress, he has missed just over 20% of roll call votes, significantly higher than the median of 2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving. GOP LAWMAKER’S ABSENCE NEARLY HANDS DEMOCRATS WIN ON TRUMP WAR POWERS Aiming his fire at Paxton, Mackowiak said, “We look forward to the head to head contest after March 3 with home-wrecking ethical disaster Ken Paxton, where he will finally be held accountable for his failures, poor judgment and self dealing.” Paxton, meanwhile, called Cornyn “an old man everyone sees shuffling around D.C. and knows is going to be fired soon.” Paxton told Fox News Digital “the only people happy he’s running yet again are the illegals he’s fought to give amnesty to, the Democrats trying to destroy the Second Amendment and the members of the Cornyn Crime Family making a fortune by leveraging John’s position in the Senate.” On the Democratic side of the aisle, JT Ennis, a spokesperson for the Talarico campaign, also weighed in, telling Fox News Digital Talarico “helped lead the fight to impeach Ken Paxton,” and he “just unveiled a comprehensive anti-corruption agenda outside Ken Paxton’s office.” Ennis vowed that “when James is the Democratic nominee, he’ll prosecute the case against Paxton’s corruption every single day until we defeat him this November.” Crockett’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. According to Emerson College Polling, Talarico is leading Crockett by a significant margin, 47% to 38%, with 15% undecided.
Meet Hamza Al-Rubaie, one of Gaza’s 17,000 orphaned children
Toggle Play Meet Hamza Al-Rubaie, one of Gaza’s 17,000 orphaned children NewsFeed Hamza Al-Rubaie is one of at least 17,000 children to have lost both parents in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, but his tragedy doesn’t end there. His three siblings were also killed, leaving an aunt to raise the young boy. Al Jazeera’s Moath al-Kahlout has their story. Published On 27 Jan 202627 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Gauff blasts broadcasters over privacy after Australian Open racket smash
Coco Gauff, who lost to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, was filmed smashing her racket. Published On 27 Jan 202627 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Coco Gauff looked for a place without cameras to channel her frustration after a straight-sets loss to Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarterfinals, but was unhappy to find out that a video of her smashing her tennis racket on the floor was broadcast to viewers worldwide. Twice Grand Slam winner Gauff was visibly upset with her performance on Tuesday, as she committed 26 unforced errors and lost the match 6-1 6-2 in 59 minutes. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The American third seed went behind a wall near the match call area inside the venue, where a camera caught her hitting the racket repeatedly against the floor. “I tried to go somewhere where there were no cameras,” the 21-year-old told reporters. “I kind of have a thing with the broadcast. I feel like certain moments – the same thing happened to Aryna [Sabalenka] after I played her in the final of the US Open – I feel like they don’t need to broadcast.” World number one Sabalenka, who will take on Svitolina in the semifinals, had smashed her racket in a training area after losing to Gauff in the 2023 US Open final, and video of the incident was also made public. “I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did. Maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room,” Gauff added. “I think for me, I know myself, and I don’t want to lash out on my team. They’re good people. They don’t deserve that, and I know I’m emotional,” Gauff said. “I just took the minute to go and do that. I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Like I said, I don’t try to do it on court in front of kids and things like that, but I do know I need to let out that emotion. Advertisement “Otherwise, I’m just going to be snappy with the people around me, and I don’t want to do that, because like I said, they don’t deserve it. They did their best. I did mine. Just need to let the frustration out.” Adblock test (Why?)
Real Madrid visit Benfica: UEFA Champions League – all to know
Who: Benfica vs Real MadridWhat: UEFA Champions LeagueWhere: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, PortugalWhen: Wednesday, January 27 at 8pm (20:00 GMT)How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream. The league phase of this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) reaches its finale on Wednesday with some of Europe’s biggest names facing crunch ties – no bigger perhaps than Jose Mourinho leading Benfica against his former club Real Madrid. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Both sides are in need of a win if they are achieve their contrasting aims at this stage, with Benfica facing elimination from competing on the continent this season. Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at a tie that has so much riding on it, including some small personal pride for one of Real’s most successful coaches. What are Real Madrid’s Champions League chances? Real have endured a turbulent season, with their coach Xabi Alonso sacked after only seven months in charge, but a serious challenge can still be mounted for a Spanish and European double. Los Blancos find themselves hot on the heels of Barcelona in La Liga, having briefly claimed top spot when they beat Villarreal on Saturday, only for their rivals to reclaim the summit on Sunday. In the Champions League, a draw may be enough to secure their automatic passage to the last 16, but only a win will guarantee it. What are Benfica’s Champions League chances? A win is an absolute must for Benfica, but it may not be enough to secure a place in the playoffs given the Portuguese giant’s rough run this season. Advertisement The Lisbon-based club currently sit in 29th position, out of the 36 competing teams, two points from claiming one of the 16 playoff spots. A minus four goal difference will also hamper Benfica as they seek to climb above five teams to avoid elimination from the competition. The domestic league season has seen them go unbeaten to date, but they have drawn six more games than leaders Porto, who are 10 points clear and similarly unbeaten. How does Champions League qualification work from the league phase? The top eight teams automatically qualify for the round of 16; the following 16 teams enter two-legged playoffs. The bottom 12 teams, of which Benfica are currently one, drop out of all continental competition this season. Real are currently third with 15 points, but the 10 teams immediately below them all have the chance to reach 16 points – which could see Los Blancos slide dramatically if they lose, while a draw will leave them sweating on other results. When was Jose Mourinho manager of Real Madrid? The former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester United manager was in charge at Real for three seasons following his appointment in May 2010. It followed huge success at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, where he won the Champions League with the former and the latter, while also securing a first top-flight title in 40 years for Chelsea. Mourinho only took over at Benfica in September, replacing Bruno Lage as manager after a slow start to the season. What was Jose Mourinho’s record at Real Madrid and what did he win? Mourinho finished second to Barcelona in his first season in charge, despite Cristiano Ronaldo leading the La Liga scoring charts with 40 goals that season. Lionel Messi smashed in 50 goals the following season, but it was Real’s Portuguese pair that emerged smiling with Real’s first league title in three years – Barca claimed the crown in each of those seasons. Mourinho’s stint at Bernabeu came to an end the following season when Barcelona won the title by 15 points – it remains the biggest winning margin in the competition’s history. How many times have Real Madrid and Benfica won the Champions League? Real are the record winners of Europe’s premier club competition with 15 titles to their name. The last coming in 2024. Benfica have lifted the trophy on two occasions, and both of those came in consecutive years. In what was regarded as Benfica’s golden era, Portuguese legend Eusebio helped the team to wins against Barcelona in 1961, and Real Madrid in 1962. A hat-trick from Hungary’s finest export, Ferenc Puskas, could not save Real, with Benfica running out 5-3 winners – which included a double from Eusebio. Advertisement When did Real Madrid last face Benfica in the Champions League? The two European giants have not met since March 17, 1965, when Real won 2-1 in Madrid. It was not enough to overturn their knockout tie after Benfica claimed the first leg 5-1 in Lisbon three weeks earlier. Head-to-head This is staggeringly only the fourth meeting between two of the biggest clubs from Spain and Portugal. Benfica edge the matches 2-1, with the first meeting between the clubs coming in the final in May 1962. Benfica team news Alexander Bah, Samuel Soares, Dodi Lukebakio and Henrique Araujo all remain absent through injury. Richard Rios is close to a return, but this match may come too soon. Sidny Lopes Cabral and Rafa Silva, who both arrived in the January transfer window, are ineligible to feature. Benfica predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1) Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Barreiro, Sudakov; Pavlidis Real Madrid team news Real Madrid welcome back Aurelien Tchouameni, who sat out Saturday’s win against Villarreal due to suspension. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s thigh, Antonio Rudiger’s knee, and Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy’s hamstrings mean the Spaniards are light across the backline. Real Madrid predicted starting lineup (4-3-3) Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni, Bellingham, Guler; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius Adblock test (Why?)
India-EU Trade Deal: PM Modi hails ‘mother of all deals’, will it help India become manufacturing hub or will Europe flood market here?
PM Modi made the remarks while virtually addressing the Opening Ceremony of India Energy Week 2026.He said, “Yesterday, a major agreement was signed between India and the European Union, widely regarded as the “mother of all deals.”