January 13, 2025

MIDDLE EAST | Updates from regional conflicts:

• Reports cite U.S. and Arab mediators as saying that significant progress was made in Israel-Hamas peace talks over the weekend and that representatives of each side will be taking a draft proposed cease-fire deal back to their leaders for consideration. [more]
• European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said yesterday that, following the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, the E.U. will consider easing sanctions on Syria, but that such a move would depend on Syria’s new leaders carrying out an inclusive political transition. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1054 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• South Korean officials said today that as many as 3,000 North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine have been killed or wounded in the weeks since their deployment. [more]

CALIFORNIA | Multiple wildfires continue to burn in the Los Angeles, California, region, and authorities say the death toll from a week of fires has risen to at least 24. Meteorologists have warned of renewed high winds in the area through Wednesday, increasing concern over the possibility of new and spreading fires. [more]

U.S. ECONOMY | Labor Department data released Friday shows that U.S. employers added 256,000 jobs in December – significantly higher than the approximately 160,000 predicted in pre-data surveys. Analysts say the unexpectedly strong employment market could reduce the chance that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates early in 2025. [Labor Department report] [more]

DISTRICT OF COLOMBIA | In a lawsuit filed Friday, the District of Columbia accused the federal government of inflicting “catastrophic harm” on mostly poor and minority communities along the Anacostia River by using the federally controlled, 9-mile river as a dumping ground for industrial waste, heavy metals, and chemicals since the 1800s. [more]

TRUMP INVESTIGATIONS | Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led the federal cases against former President Donald Trump on charges of mishandling classified documents and attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election, resigned from the Justice Department on Friday, according to a court filing that said Smith had completed his work, submitted his final confidential reports, and “separated” from the Justice Department. [more]

SOUTH KOREA | Amidst continuing efforts to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s anti-corruption agency warned today that Defense Ministry troops guarding the presidential residence could face criminal charges if they obstruct efforts to detain Yoon. [more]

NATO | Sweden announced yesterday that it will contribute three warships to NATO efforts to increase the alliance's presence in the Baltic Sea as part of moves aimed at preventing the sabotage of underwater data and communications infrastructure. [more]

INDIA | Today marks the beginning of the Maha Kumbh religious festival in the northern India city of Prayagra. Among the largest religious gatherings in the world, Maha Kumbh takes place at the confluence of three rivers sacred to Hindus — the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati — over a period of about six weeks. [more]

NIGERIA | Nigerian authorities acknowledged today that several civilians – reports say as many as 20 – were killed in a military airstrike in the African country’s northwest Zamfara state yesterday in strikes targeting extremist and rebel groups. [more]

CHINESE ECONOMY | According to government data released today, China’s exports increased 10.7% in December, compared to the previous year. Analysts say the increase, which was larger than expected, reflects efforts to fill orders ahead of potential higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods that President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose upon taking office next week. [more]

SERBIA | Reports say thousands of students took part in protests outside Serbia's top court yesterday in a continuation of demonstrations against what they say are civil rights violations by President Aleksandar Vucic’s autocratic rule. [more]

BELGIUM | Air and rail travel have been disrupted, and many schools are closed today, across Belgium amidst a nationwide strike by transportation workers and teachers against potential pension reforms being discussed by political parties involved in talks on forming a coalition government. [more]

FOOTBALL | In a weekend of NFL Wild Card games, Washington beat Tampa Bay, 23-20; Philadelphia beat Green Bay, 22-10; Buffalo beat Denver, 31-7; Baltimore beat Pittsburgh, 28-14; and Houston beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 32-12. The final Wild Card game takes place tonight between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams. [more]

R.I.P. | Sam Moore, half of the 1960s musical duo Sam & Dave that was known for hits including “Soul Man” and “Hold On I’m Comin,” died Friday at the age of 89. Moore was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. [more]

WEEKEND MOVIES | "Den of Thieves 2: Pantera" topped the North American box office over the weekend with an estimated $15.5 million in receipts, followed by "Mufasa: The Lion King" and "Sonic the Hedgehog 3." [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 2021, the U.S. House Of Representatives voted, 232-197, to impeach President Donald Trump on a charge of “incitement of insurrection” following the violent January 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol, making Trump the only president to have been impeached twice. Trump was acquitted in a Senate vote after his term in office ended. [more history]