POLITICS
Government Shutdown Enters Fourth Day as Congress Negotiates Spending Deal
The partial federal government shutdown continued into its fourth day as House Republicans moved closer to ending the impasse following intervention by President Trump. GOP holdouts who had demanded inclusion of a voter ID bill agreed to advance the spending package after Trump promised a separate path for citizenship verification legislation. The House was set to vote on a procedural motion to advance five appropriations bills and a 10-day continuing resolution, though Senate Democrats warned they would block any bill containing the SAVE Act voter registration measure.
How it's being covered:
Washington Examiner reports that conservative holdouts yielded on their opposition after Trump promised Republicans a path to passing voter ID legislation, with the House set to vote on advancing the appropriations package on Tuesday. (link)
Fox News reports the House is preparing for a crucial vote on a Senate compromise to end the shutdown after Trump extracted "yes" votes from GOP holdouts Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Tim Burchett at the White House. (link)
Axios states that Trump's intervention brought House Speaker Mike Johnson closer to ushering spending bills to the floor, with Luna and Burchett receiving promises of support for voter integrity legislation in exchange for their backing. (link)
Clintons Agree to Testify in House Epstein Investigation After Contempt Threat
Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify in a closed-door deposition before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein, reversing months of resistance. The decision came hours after the committee's chair indicated he would move forward with contempt of Congress votes against the former president and former secretary of state. Multiple sources report the Clintons' attorneys had initially offered conditional testimony, but the couple ultimately acquiesced to the panel's demands.
How it's being covered:
BBC reports the Clintons bowed to the House Oversight Committee's demands after arguing for months that its subpoenas were invalid. (link)
NPR states that former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify in the House investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, though the Republican leading the probe said an agreement had not yet been finalized. (link)
Fox News reports Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify in the House Oversight's Epstein investigation after facing potential criminal contempt of Congress charges. (link)
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Ending Haitian Protected Status
A federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration's plan to end Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350,000 Haitians, preventing the termination set to take effect on February 3. Judge Ana Reyes ruled that the Department of Homeland Security did not have sufficient facts or legal grounds to justify the removal of protections that allow Haitians to legally live and work in the United States. The decision represents another legal setback for the administration's immigration agenda following weeks of federal agent-involved shootings in Minneapolis.
How it's being covered:
NPR reports that a federal judge on Monday blocked the end of protections that have allowed roughly 350,000 Haitians to live in the U.S., dealing President Trump's immigration agenda another legal setback. (link)
BBC states the judge said the Department of Homeland Security Secretary did not have facts or law on her side in seeking to lift the deportation protections. (link)
Fox News reports Trump administration's plan to end Haitian Temporary Protected Status was halted by federal court, with Judge Ana Reyes pausing the February 3 termination affecting 350,000 people. (link)
WORLD
Russia Launches Major Assault on Ukraine Hours Before Scheduled Peace Talks
Russia fired approximately 450 long-range drones and 70 missiles at Ukraine on Tuesday, striking multiple cities and energy infrastructure, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack occurred a day before scheduled peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi between U.S. and Iranian representatives, signaling continued military pressure even as diplomatic channels remain open. Zelensky lamented the timing of the assault, which left thousands of homes without heat in freezing conditions across Kyiv and Kharkiv.
How it's being covered:
NY Post reports that Russia fired around 450 long-range drones and 70 missiles of various types at Ukraine in a major attack overnight, with Ukrainian President Zelensky announcing the assault. (link)
Washington Examiner reports that Ukrainian President Zelensky lamented the latest Russian attack on his country on Tuesday, a day before a scheduled peace meeting in Abu Dhabi, with Zelensky saying Russia launched 450 drones and 70 missiles striking multiple cities throughout the country. (link)
Al Jazeera reports that hundreds of drones and missiles struck Kyiv and Kharkiv overnight, leaving thousands of homes without heat. (link)
Peter Mandelson Faces Police Investigation Over Alleged Epstein Information Leak
UK police are reviewing misconduct claims against former British envoy Peter Mandelson after newly released Epstein files revealed he allegedly leaked market-sensitive government information to the convicted sex offender during the global financial crisis. The documents appear to show Mandelson sent confidential emails to Epstein containing information the government was receiving to address the economic crash. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated Mandelson should no longer hold his seat in the upper house of parliament.
How it's being covered:
The Guardian reports that Peter Mandelson is facing a possible police investigation into his alleged leak of market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein at the height of the financial crisis, with new disclosures showing Mandelson sent confidential emails containing government information. (link)
Al Jazeera reports that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says ex-envoy Peter Mandelson should no longer hold seat in upper house of parliament following UK police review of misconduct claims after Mandelson's leaks to Epstein. (link)
BBC reports on why no prosecutions have yet come from the release of millions of documents related to Epstein. (link)
Trump Announces $12 Billion Critical Minerals Stockpile to Counter China Dominance
President Trump unveiled Project Vault, a $12 billion critical mineral reserve designed to protect American businesses from supply shortages and reduce dependence on Chinese control of hard-to-process metals used in manufacturing and technology. Trump stated the stockpile would "ensure that American businesses and workers are never harmed by any shortage." The initiative is expected to attract participation from other countries and represents part of the administration's broader effort to counter Chinese economic leverage in trade negotiations.
How it's being covered:
The Guardian reports that Trump has announced the creation of a critical mineral reserve worth nearly $12 billion, stating the stockpile could counter China's ability to use its dominance of hard-to-process metals as leverage in trade talks. (link)
Al Jazeera reports on what the US critical minerals stockpile is, noting President Trump said the stockpile would "ensure that American businesses and workers are never harmed by any shortage." (link)
SPORTS
Carlos Alcaraz Becomes Youngest to Complete Career Grand Slam at Australian Open
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to claim his first Australian Open title and seventh major championship overall. The 22-year-old Spanish champion became the youngest man in tennis history to complete a career Grand Slam, having now won the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open. The victory demonstrated his stamina and skill against one of tennis's greatest players.
How it's being covered:
Daily Wire reports that Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to claim his first Australian Open title and seventh major overall, becoming the youngest man in history to complete a career Grand Slam. (link)
MARKET SIGNALS
SpaceX Acquires xAI in $1.25 Trillion Valuation Merger
Elon Musk announced that SpaceX has acquired xAI, combining his rocket-and-satellite business with his artificial intelligence startup to create what he called "the most ambitious, vertically-integrated innovation engine." The combined entity values SpaceX at $1 trillion and xAI at $250 billion, creating the world's most valuable private company. Musk indicated the merger will focus on developing space-based AI data centers powered by solar energy to meet the burgeoning computational demands of artificial intelligence.
How it's being covered:
BBC reports that Musk's SpaceX has acquired xAI in a deal that combines his powerful rocket-and-satellite business with his artificial-intelligence startup, with the combined firm valued at more than $1 trillion. (link)
Al Jazeera reports that Musk merges SpaceX and xAI firms with plans for space-based AI data centres, stating Musk says solar powered and space-based data centres are the only way to meet AI's burgeoning energy demands. (link)
Zero Hedge reports that SpaceX has acquired xAI in a deal that combines Musk's rocket-and-satellite business with his artificial-intelligence startup at a $1.25 trillion valuation. (link)
Gold and Silver Prices Seesaw After Record Rally Unravels
Gold and silver prices experienced dramatic volatility, with gold tumbling as much as 8% to $4,465 per ounce before recovering to $4,700 in afternoon trading, following a record-breaking run that had pushed prices to nearly $5,600 the previous week. The sharp unwinding of the precious metals rally rattled global markets and prompted dip-buyers to crowd in following the abrupt decline. Analysts attribute the price swings to various factors including Trump's unpredictability and broader distrust in economic systems.
How it's being covered:
Al Jazeera reports that analysts see various factors at play for price swings in gold and silver, from Trump's unpredictability to distrust in economic systems. (link)
Bloomberg reports that gold advanced along with silver, as dip-buyers crowded into precious metals following an abrupt unwinding of a record-breaking rally. (link)
The Guardian reports that gold and silver prices seesawed on Monday after a "meltdown" in the metals market, with Trump's pick of Kevin Warsh as Fed chair prompting investors to sell safe haven assets. (link)
US and India Reach Trade Deal Reducing Tariffs to 18%
President Trump announced a trade deal with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reducing tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%, while India agreed to cease purchasing Russian oil and shift energy imports to the United States and potentially Venezuela. Indian industry welcomed the tariff reduction following months of uncertainty, though experts cautioned against celebration until full details become clear. The agreement marks a significant economic shift in bilateral relations between the two countries.
How it's being covered:
BBC reports that the US and India reached a trade deal with tariffs dropping from 50% to 18% on Indian goods, while India has agreed to stop buying Russian oil. (link)
Bloomberg reports that Indian exporters are set for a boost after the US lowered tariffs on shipments from the country, easing months of uncertainty and triggering a sharp rally in local markets. (link)
BRIEFLY
- Federal Agents to Deploy Body Cameras in Minneapolis: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced all federal immigration officers in Minneapolis will immediately begin wearing body cameras following two fatal shootings, with nationwide expansion planned as funding allows. (link)
- Trump Seeks $1 Billion in Damages From Harvard Over Antisemitism Claims: President Trump announced his administration is seeking $1 billion in damages from Harvard University, accusing the Ivy League school of being "strongly antisemitic." (link)
- Norwegian Royal Family Faces Epstein Scandal: Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway's crown princess, is on trial facing 38 charges including four counts of rape, amid revelations of the royal family's connections to Jeffrey Epstein. (link)
- Record Snowfall Kills at Least 30 in Japan: Record-breaking snow blanketed Japan, killing at least 30 people as the country deployed troops to help residents and warned of avalanches and snow falling from roofs. (link)
- Savannah Guthrie's Mother Remains Missing After 48 Hours: Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for nearly 48 hours from her Arizona home, with authorities now investigating the residence as an active crime scene. (link)
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