Daily News Summary – 2026-01-11 – en

The owner confessed that the staff exit was locked and flammable acoustic panels were installed, contributing to a fire that killed 40 people in Crans-Montana, exposing regulatory failures.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee stated that Nobel Prizes cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred, following Venezuelan laureate María Corina Machado's suggestion to offer her prize to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Minneapolis police arrested 30 people during protests against ICE, triggered by the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an ICE agent, with demonstrations turning violent and sparking nationwide outrage.

NASA is preparing to launch the Artemis 2 mission in February 2026, marking the first crewed mission to lunar vicinity since 1972, with critical tests for future lunar landings and a diverse astronaut crew.

The U.S. conducted large-scale airstrikes against over 35 ISIS locations in Syria, in retaliation for a December ambush that killed three Americans, with coalition partners involved to degrade terrorist capabilities.

A global study finds that urban heat islands reduce cold-related mortality more than they increase heat-related deaths, suggesting targeted, seasonal cooling strategies are needed instead of one-size-fits-all approaches.

A comprehensive study reveals significant health risks for night shift workers, including increased cardiometabolic risks and cancer associations, calling for policy changes and better workplace interventions.

A coalition launched a toolkit for detecting AI-generated content watermarks, helping publishers verify authenticity and combat misinformation, with integration into existing systems and compliance with EU regulations.

The C2PA released version 2.2 of its technical standard for tracking AI-generated content, providing provenance metadata to verify authenticity and rebuild digital trust amid rising deepfake concerns.

Audits show AI hiring tools perpetuate discrimination against protected groups, raising legal risks and urging employers to implement bias audits, human oversight, and ethical procurement practices.

New guidelines emphasize transparency, vendor auditability, and accountability in public AI procurement, with updates from the UK and U.S. to ensure ethical deployment and protect citizen rights.

The EU unveiled a Just Transition Finance Facility with €19.32 billion to support regions affected by the shift from carbon-intensive industries, focusing on worker retraining and community development.

Major new funding for fusion demonstration plants accelerates commercialization, with projects like SPARC aiming for first plasma in 2027 and potential grid power by the mid-2030s.

Commercial hydrogen ferry services launched in San Francisco and Europe, representing a shift to zero-emissions maritime transport with economic and environmental benefits, despite challenges like infrastructure costs.

Wildfires in Australia's Victoria state claimed their first fatality, destroying over 350,000 hectares and hundreds of buildings, fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions linked to climate change.

A gas cylinder explosion at a wedding in Islamabad killed eight people, including the bride and groom, highlighting safety concerns with LPG usage in Pakistan and prompting investigations.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced $90 million in grants for school cooling upgrades to combat extreme heat, targeting vulnerable student populations and improving learning environments.

A pedestrianization pilot in a historic urban district shows economic revitalization and air quality improvements, with strong community support for making car-free zones permanent.

The U.S. Department of State announced a $741 million funding boost for cultural exchange programs for 2025-2026, aiming to strengthen global connections and counter geopolitical tensions through diplomacy.