Latest stories from this desk, published newest first.
Day 9 at the Australian Open featured Ben Shelton’s four-set win over Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek’s dominant straight-set victory over Maddison Inglis. The results shaped the quarterfinal field, setting up marquee matchups as top seeds continued to hold their ground.
Markets finished Friday with the Dow lower and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slightly higher, while all three benchmarks logged weekly declines. Investors digested a stream of fourth-quarter results, including notable moves in Capital One and Alaska Air, as volatility remained contained but elevated.
Demonstrations in Minneapolis expanded after the shooting death of ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti during anti-ICE protests. Conflicting official accounts, calls for investigations, and signals of possible operational changes have turned the incident into a national flashpoint over immigration enforcement and federal tactics.
First Nations organizers said January 26 should remain centered on Indigenous mourning and sovereignty, warning against outside groups overshadowing the message. Police confirmed rallies would proceed in Sydney while authorities issued public safety orders aimed at preventing extremist disruptions.
SpaceX planned a Falcon 9 mission to deliver the GPS III-9 satellite to medium-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral, with a late-evening launch window and a backup opportunity the following night. The first stage was expected to attempt a droneship landing in the Atlantic.
U.S. health officials said the country has finalized its withdrawal from the WHO after a one-year process, citing disagreements over COVID-era performance, reforms, and political independence. Public health experts warned the decision could affect disease surveillance, vaccine coordination, and global outbreak response.
Markets began the week watching the Fed and big-tech earnings while gold extended a record run above $5,000 an ounce and fresh tariff threats on Canada added to uncertainty, alongside widespread travel disruptions from a winter storm.
Enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits ended on January 1, 2026, driving major premium increases for many people who buy their own coverage and raising concerns about coverage losses and market instability without congressional action.
Ukraine’s president says a U.S. security guarantees document is fully prepared following talks involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia, though major disputes—especially over territory—remain unresolved as the parties prepare to meet again in early February.
CES 2026 opened with a wave of AI and chip announcements led by Nvidia, AMD and Intel, while robot demonstrations and autonomous-vehicle concepts underscored the industry’s push to move AI from screens into machines and services.
After the killing of Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti by a federal immigration officer, the White House sought to separate President Trump from inflammatory descriptions used by senior officials, as investigations and bipartisan scrutiny intensify.
Minnesota’s return to the court against Golden State came under a heavy mood following the killing of Alex Pretti by a federal officer, with coaches and players describing a somber arena and broader community pain.