united states news

Russian, Ukrainian, and US negotiators are meeting in Abu Dhabi for their first trilateral talks since Russia's invasion began nearly four years ago. The discussions follow a Moscow meeting between President Putin and US envoys, including Trump's representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which Russia described as constructive but emphasized that lasting peace requires resolving territorial disputes. The primary sticking point involves control of Ukraine's Donbas region, where Russia demands Ukraine cede the remaining 25% of Donetsk it controls, while Ukraine has proposed mutual troop withdrawals to create a demilitarized economic zone. President Zelensky stated that a US-proposed 20-point peace plan is 90% complete and requires territorial compromises from Russia, not just Ukraine.

President Trump has rescinded Canada's invitation to join his newly created Board of Peace, an international organization designed to resolve conflicts with Trump serving as lifetime chairman. The withdrawal came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the current global order at Davos and refused to pay the $1 billion membership fee, though Canada had agreed to join in principle. While approximately 35 of 60 invited nations have signed up, major powers including the UK, France, China, and Russia have declined or expressed concerns about the board's scope and compatibility with UN commitments. The EU has raised doubts about the board's charter but indicated willingness to cooperate specifically on Gaza-related matters. # Key Takeaways

A five-year-old boy named Liam Ramos was taken into custody by ICE agents in Minnesota during an operation targeting his father, who authorities say fled when approached on his driveway after the child returned from pre-school. While ICE claims they kept the child safe after his father abandoned him in cold weather and that family members refused custody, school officials and the family's attorney dispute this account, stating the father was complying with asylum protocols and that offers to take the child were rejected by agents. The incident has intensified controversy surrounding Operation Metro Surge, an enhanced immigration enforcement initiative in Minnesota that school officials say is traumatizing their community. Both the boy and his father are currently being held at a detention facility in Texas, with the father identified as an Ecuadorian asylum seeker who arrived in 2024.

Paris Hilton testified on Capitol Hill in support of the DEFIANCE Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow victims to sue creators and distributors of nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfake images. Drawing on her experience from 2003 when an intimate video was leaked without her consent, Hilton highlighted how technology has enabled new forms of abuse, with over 100,000 deepfake images of her currently circulating online. The legislation, which passed the Senate unanimously, would enable victims to recover financial damages and profits made from their likeness, addressing gaps in current law as AI-generated deepfakes proliferate. The bill has garnered support from lawmakers across the political spectrum, though the House has not yet scheduled a vote despite favorable comments from Speaker Mike Johnson. # Key Takeaways

Former special counsel Jack Smith testified publicly for the first time about his criminal investigations into Donald Trump, asserting he had proof beyond reasonable doubt to convict the former president in cases involving election interference and classified document retention. Smith maintained that Trump bore primary responsibility for the January 6th Capitol riot and stated he would prosecute the same cases again regardless of political party, emphasizing that no one should be above the law. The congressional hearing largely followed partisan lines, with Republicans accusing Smith of politically motivated prosecution while Democrats supported his investigations. Smith expressed concern about potential retaliatory prosecution against him by the Trump administration but vowed not to be intimidated, while Trump responded on social media calling for Smith's prosecution and attacking his credibility.

The Trump administration has presented an ambitious reconstruction plan for Gaza at the World Economic Forum in Davos, featuring detailed designs for Mediterranean coastal skyscrapers, new housing developments, and infrastructure including airports and seaports. The proposal, overseen by Trump's newly established Board of Peace, would rebuild Gaza in phases starting from Rafah and moving northward, requiring massive rubble clearance after extensive war damage. The plan's success hinges on Hamas agreeing to complete demilitarization, with Trump warning of severe consequences if they refuse to surrender their weapons. While Israeli and some Palestinian officials have expressed support for aspects of the ceasefire agreement, the humanitarian situation remains dire with nearly one million people lacking shelter, and the ceasefire itself remains fragile with continued casualties on both sides.

President Trump has filed a $5 billion lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and its CEO Jamie Dimon, claiming the bank illegally terminated his accounts in 2021 due to his political beliefs. The bank closed Trump's accounts following the January 6 Capitol riot, stating the decision was based on legal and regulatory risks rather than political considerations. Trump's complaint, filed in Florida where political discrimination by banks is prohibited, alleges the closure caused significant financial and reputational damage and was part of a broader "debanking" practice targeting conservatives. JPMorgan maintains the lawsuit lacks merit and asserts that account closures stem from regulatory compliance requirements, not political or religious motivations.

California lawmakers are introducing legislation to restrict federal immigration enforcement activities within the state following two fatal shootings by ICE agents—one involving Keith Porter, a Los Angeles father killed by an off-duty ICE officer on New Year's Eve, and another involving Renee Good in Minneapolis. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan's AB 1537 would prohibit state and local law enforcement from working secondary jobs with ICE or immigration enforcement entities, while Senator Scott Wiener's SB 747 aims to hold all levels of police accountable for constitutional violations. These legislative efforts come amid escalating violent confrontations between ICE agents and protesters in California cities, including an incident where a protester lost an eye after being shot with a less-lethal round. Porter's family, assisted by Black Lives Matter L.A., is demanding the arrest of the ICE agent who killed him and has been conducting their own investigation after feeling stonewalled by authorities.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted 2-to-1 to eliminate comprehensive workplace harassment guidance that was released in 2024, a move that will particularly impact LGBTQ+ workers seeking recourse for discrimination. While the underlying civil rights laws remain unchanged, the removal of this 200-page document containing over 75 harassment scenarios and explanations will make it more expensive and time-consuming for affected workers to pursue justice through the courts rather than through free EEOC investigations. The decision followed President Trump's unprecedented firing of two Democratic commissioners before their terms ended and the subsequent appointment of conservative leadership, including Chair Andrea Lucas who has openly opposed protections for gender-diverse individuals. The guidance had been developed largely in response to a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that extended Civil Rights Act protections to workers based on gender identity and sexuality, but was rescinded entirely without the standard public comment period. # Key Takeaways

The Trump administration's "Operation Metro Surge" immigration crackdown has severely impacted Minneapolis's Karmel Mall, a major commercial and community hub for America's largest Somali population. Business owners report that the mall, which typically houses over a hundred small businesses offering various goods and services, now sits largely empty as both immigrant and citizen customers avoid the area out of fear of federal immigration enforcement. Vendors describe losing the vast majority of their customers over a three-week period, with some businesses experiencing monthly revenue drops of $20,000 and struggling to pay rent. The economic devastation extends beyond typical business concerns, as the Somali community feels specifically targeted by President Trump's rhetoric calling them "garbage," creating widespread fear that affects citizens and noncitizens alike.

California's Assembly Bill 1157, known as the Affordable Rent Act, failed to advance through the Assembly Judiciary Committee for the second consecutive year, receiving only four yes votes when seven were needed. The proposed legislation, authored by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, would have expanded tenant protections and rent control measures beyond the existing 2019 California Tenant Protection Act. While tenant advocates and progressive lawmakers argued the bill was necessary to address California's housing affordability crisis and prevent excessive rent increases, real estate industry groups claimed it would discourage housing investment and reduce available rental supply. The bill's defeat was particularly significant given that five Democratic committee members abstained from voting, and California voters had recently rejected similar rent control measures through Proposition 33 in 2024. # Key Takeaways

The Coretta Scott King Classic women's basketball doubleheader takes place Monday at Newark's Prudential Center, featuring four ranked teams in games that will be nationally televised on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event holds particular significance for Ohio State senior Chance Gray, whose great-grandfather Benjamin Hooks was a civil rights leader who worked directly with Dr. King and served as NAACP executive director. Players participated in educational Zoom sessions with Bernice King, CEO of The King Center and daughter of Coretta Scott King, learning about her mother's often behind-the-scenes but transformative contributions to the civil rights movement. The classic honors Coretta Scott King's legacy of education and public engagement while celebrating Black excellence in basketball.

China, Russia, Iran, and South Africa have begun week-long naval exercises off Cape Town's coast, focusing on maritime safety and anti-piracy operations under the BRICS framework. The drills, originally scheduled for November but postponed due to South Africa's hosting of the G20 summit, have intensified diplomatic friction between South Africa and the United States, which recently criticized the African nation for supporting problematic international actors. The exercises feature significant naval vessels including China's destroyer Tangshan and Russia's warship Stoikiy at the strategically important Simon's Town naval base. While South Africa maintains it follows a nonaligned foreign policy, domestic opposition parties and the Trump administration have condemned the country's military cooperation with heavily sanctioned nations like Russia and Iran.

As businesses emerge from a turbulent 2025 marked by supply chain disruptions, geopolitical instability, and economic volatility, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking recommends three strategic approaches for companies to capitalize on opportunities in 2026. Organizations should conduct comprehensive stress tests using scenario modeling to understand their vulnerabilities and strengthen financial resilience, particularly through tools like asset-based lending. Companies must pursue innovation strategically, especially regarding AI and automation, while ensuring technology investments align with broader operational objectives and don't create imbalances. Finally, businesses need to prioritize employee engagement and talent development programs, which research shows directly correlates with reduced turnover, increased revenue per employee, and improved profit margins. # Key Takeaways

Sharlet Gabriel, born in 1946 in Oklahoma and raised in San Diego, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025, surrounded by family. Throughout her life, she demonstrated excellence as a student-athlete and leader, graduating with honors before pursuing business administration in college. Her professional career focused on equal employment opportunity work, serving at North Island Naval Air Station, Nevada Power Company, and the Nevada Department of Corrections until retirement. She is survived by her two children, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, her sister, and numerous other family members and friends who will cherish her memory.

A severe Arctic cold front is forecast to affect approximately 160 million Americans across nearly 30 states starting Friday, bringing dangerous temperatures and significant snowfall as it moves eastward from the Rocky Mountains. The National Weather Service warns that wind chills could drop below minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the Northern Plains, creating life-threatening conditions for frostbite and hypothermia. The storm system is predicted to dump over a foot of snow in some urban areas while bringing freezing rain to southern states, potentially causing widespread power outages and transportation disruptions. Several state governors have already declared emergencies and deployed National Guard troops, with Texas particularly concerned given the deadly 2021 winter storm that crippled its power grid.

President Trump announced a "framework of a future deal" regarding Greenland following discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, though no specific details were provided. Both Denmark and Greenland immediately emphasized that sovereignty over the territory is non-negotiable, rejecting any arrangement where Denmark would cede control over portions of the island for US military bases. The proposed framework appears to focus on enhanced Arctic security measures, potentially including expanded NATO presence and surveillance operations similar to the Baltic Sentry mission, with Rutte expressing hope for implementation by early 2026. Trump has justified his Greenland ambitions by citing security threats from Russia and China, the island's strategic location for missile defense systems, and its valuable rare earth mineral deposits.

President Trump announced that the US has established a framework for a potential agreement regarding Greenland and the Arctic region following meetings with NATO leadership, though no actual deal for American ownership or control has been confirmed. The proposed arrangement may involve US mineral rights and additional military bases on the island, potentially resembling the British sovereign base model in Cyprus, while Denmark maintains that sovereignty is not negotiable. In exchange for progress on these negotiations, Trump canceled planned tariffs against several European NATO allies that were scheduled to begin February 1st. The discussions involve Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff continuing negotiations, though Greenlandic representatives have objected to being excluded from talks about their territory.

Mexican authorities have extradited 37 alleged cartel members to the United States for trial, representing the third wave of such transfers in the past year under President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration. The move comes amid mounting pressure from President Trump, who has threatened military strikes against drug cartels operating within Mexican territory. This latest extradition brings the total number of prisoners transferred to the US during Trump's second term to 92, with inmates transported via armed aircraft to various American cities. While Mexico's government frames the action as part of bilateral cooperation respecting national sovereignty, critics view it as appeasing Trump's aggressive stance toward Latin American nations.

Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving 20 years for sex trafficking crimes related to Jeffrey Epstein, has agreed to provide sworn testimony to a congressional committee examining federal handling of the Epstein case, with her deposition scheduled virtually for February 9th. Her attorneys have indicated she will invoke Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination since the committee refused to grant immunity, arguing that testifying from prison without such protection poses security risks and potential additional criminal liability. The congressional investigation has expanded to include contempt proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton for refusing to comply with subpoenas, though Bill Clinton has never faced accusations from Epstein's victims. The Justice Department has also come under bipartisan criticism for excessive redactions in Epstein-related files that were supposed to be released publicly.

A Texas jury acquitted police officer Adrian Gonzales of 29 child endangerment charges related to his response during the 2022 Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde that killed 21 people. Prosecutors alleged that Gonzales, the first officer at the scene, failed to immediately confront the gunman, while defense attorneys argued he was being made a scapegoat for systemic failures. The case was exceptional in American law enforcement as officers are rarely prosecuted for failing to protect people from harm. Nearly 400 officers responded to the incident, but federal investigators found they took 77 minutes to neutralize the shooter due to widespread failures in leadership, decision-making, and training.

A Republican-controlled House committee has voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The contempt measure, which received some Democratic support, will proceed to a full House vote and could be referred to the Justice Department if approved. The Clintons' legal team argued the subpoenas were politically motivated and unenforceable, claiming they had already shared all relevant information about Epstein. While photographs show Bill Clinton with Epstein from decades ago, he has denied knowledge of Epstein's crimes and has not been accused of wrongdoing by survivors.

Following a two-week period of escalating threats from President Trump regarding Greenland, including claims of ownership and warnings of military action against European allies, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte appears to have de-escalated the crisis through diplomatic negotiations. The resolution involves establishing a working group to discuss Greenland's future and potentially increasing NATO's military presence on the island, addressing Trump's concerns about strategic control of the territory. While specific details remain unconfirmed, potential arrangements may include Denmark ceding sovereignty over small areas for US military bases and providing access to Greenland's mineral resources. Despite the apparent resolution, the dramatic crisis has left lasting damage to transatlantic relations, with leaders describing the events as a fundamental rupture in the traditional alliance structure.

The organization Never Leave One Behind, led by CEO and Founder Larry Price, is conducting fundraising for its third annual Johnnie Lee Gibson Scholarship program. The initiative has previously provided financial assistance to eight students through donor contributions. A significant boost to the current campaign comes from an unidentified benefactor who has pledged to match donations up to $10,000. The organization accepts tax-deductible contributions of any amount by mail and provides contact information for those seeking additional details about the scholarship program. # Key Takeaways

California Governor Gavin Newsom accused the Trump administration of preventing him from speaking at a scheduled World Economic Forum event at USA House in Davos, Switzerland. Despite receiving an invitation from media partner Fortune, Newsom was denied entry shortly before his appearance, with his office claiming the White House and State Department pressured organizers to cancel. The White House criticized Newsom for attending the summit rather than addressing California's domestic issues, though officials did not confirm involvement in blocking his speech. The incident highlights escalating tensions between the Democratic governor, who is considering a 2028 presidential bid, and the Trump administration.

A 33-year-old Canadian man from Toronto is accused of impersonating airline personnel to obtain hundreds of complimentary flights over a four-year period. Dallas Pokornik allegedly fabricated employee credentials to deceive three American airlines into providing free travel benefits typically reserved for legitimate airline staff. After being apprehended in Panama, he was transferred to United States custody and now confronts federal wire fraud charges. Though he previously worked authentically as a flight attendant for a Canadian carrier until 2019, prosecutors claim he continued exploiting airline industry privileges long after his employment ended, even attempting to access cockpit seating designated for off-duty pilots. # Key Takeaways

A national survey by the American Research Group reveals that President Trump faces persistent public disapproval, with 63% of Americans expressing dissatisfaction with his overall job performance and 64% disapproving of his economic management. The poll indicates widespread economic anxiety, as 68% of respondents believe the national economy is deteriorating and 69% expect further decline within a year, with many Americans reporting worsening household finances. Trump's approval ratings have remained relatively static since January 2018, though economic confidence has eroded over time, particularly among independents and Black Americans who show especially low approval levels. The survey, conducted between January 16-20 with 1,100 participants, also notes that 61% of Americans now believe the country is in a recession, representing a significant increase from the previous year.

District of Columbia health officials are conducting contact tracing after an infected person traveled through the Philadelphia-Washington rail corridor and local medical facilities, potentially exposing residents to measles. This investigation occurs amid a dramatic nationwide resurgence of the disease, with over 2,200 cases confirmed across 45 states last year and South Carolina alone reporting more than 600 cases since fall. The outbreak has primarily affected unvaccinated children and teens, with Texas experiencing the first U.S. measles deaths in years and numerous pediatric hospitalizations. Public health experts attribute the crisis to declining vaccination rates and point to federal leadership, particularly HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s promotion of vaccine skepticism, as a contributing factor. The situation has become severe enough that international authorities are considering revoking the United States' measles elimination status, which it has held since 2000. # Key Takeaways