- UN Faces Imminent Financial Collapse: Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the United Nations could run out of money by July due to unpaid member fees, calling for an overhaul of the body’s financial rules.
- Trump Requests Pause in Russia-Ukraine Strikes: Russia has agreed to a temporary halt in strikes on Kyiv until February 1st following a request from Donald Trump, who cited cold weather as a factor.
- Kevin Warsh Nominated for Federal Reserve Chair: Donald Trump has nominated 55-year-old economist Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as the head of the U.S. Federal Reserve.
- Luigi Mangione Spared Death Penalty: A judge has ruled that 27-year-old Luigi Mangione will not face capital punishment if convicted of the killing of a healthcare CEO, though he still faces state murder charges.
- U.S. and Argentina Discuss Deportation Deal: Washington and Buenos Aires are in advanced talks to establish Argentina as a destination for the U.S. to deport immigrants from other nations.
- South Africa and Israel Expel Envoys: In a sharp diplomatic row, South Africa ordered the expulsion of the Israeli envoy for “gross abuse of diplomatic privilege,” prompting a reciprocal move from Israel.
- Syrian Government and Kurdish Forces Reach Merger Deal: A new agreement will see the gradual integration of Kurdish-led forces and their administration into the Syrian state following the seizure of power by new leadership in late 2024.
- Former Google Engineer Convicted of Economic Espionage: Linwei Ding was convicted by a federal jury for stealing over 2,000 confidential AI trade secrets from Google to benefit a startup in China.
- Journalist Don Lemon Arrested at ICE Protest: The former CNN host faces charges after being arrested during an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church, an action press freedom groups have decried.
- Zelenskyy Invites Putin to Kyiv for Talks: Following U.S.-mediated discussions in Abu Dhabi, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has extended an invitation to Vladimir Putin for direct talks in Kyiv.