January 16, 2024

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR | Updates from day 102 of the conflict:

• Reports say Israeli forces intensified tank operations and airstrikes in northern Gaza today, two weeks after Israel said it would scale back operations in the area. [more]
• According to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Health Authority, at least 158 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in the past day, bringing to 24,285 the total number of Palestinian deaths since October 7. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 691 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, today, where he is scheduled to meet with international leaders and to host multiple sessions focused on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, potential paths to peace, and the rebuilding of his country. [more]
• Speaking today at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen urged continued support for Ukraine, saying, “Ukrainians need predictable financing throughout 2024 and beyond. They need a sufficient and sustained supply of weapons to defend Ukraine and regain its rightful territory.” [more]
• Reports say a state of emergency was declared today in the southern Russian city of Voronezh following a Ukrainian drone attack on the city that wounded at least two children. [more]

RED SEA | Responding to U.S. and British airstrikes on its sites, Houthi militant forces in Yemen said today that the group will continue to attack vessels in the Red Sea and will expand its targets to include U.S. and British ships. [more]

U.S. POLITICS | Former President Donald Trump won last night’s Iowa Republican caucuses with an estimated 51% of delegates, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with 21% and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley with 19%. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, who finished in fourth place, suspended his campaign following the Iowa contest and endorsed Trump’s candidacy. [more]

DAVOS | The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is underway in Davos, Switzerland, with major topics of discussion including the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict, European innovation, artificial intelligence, clean technologies, and the global economic environment. The theme of this year’s summit is “rebuilding trust.” [more]

IRAN | Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it conducted a missile strike last night on what it called an Israeli spy headquarters near the U.S. Consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil. Reports say at least four civilians were killed in the attack, which was condemned by the U.S. as “reckless” [more]

NORTH KOREA | North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said today that his country will no longer pursue reconciliation with South Korea and called for legislators to define South Korea as the North’s “primary foe and invariable principal enemy” in the North Korean constitution. [more]

GLOBAL ECONOMY | The World Bank yesterday forecast that the global economy will grow by just 2.4% this year – down from 2.6% growth in 2023 and 3% in 2022. [press release] [more]

ROMANIA | Truck drivers and farmers in Romania are taking part in a sixth straight day of protests across the country today after negotiations with the country’s government on taxes, subsidies, and other issues failed to result in an agreement. [more]

CHINA | Officials in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region say as many as 1,000 tourists remain stranded in the village of Hemu after days of heavy snow caused dozens of avalanches and blocked roads. [more]

AIRLINE INDUSTRY | Boeing said yesterday that it plans to increase quality inspections of its 737 Max 9 aircraft following last week’s failure of an emergency exit door panel on an Alaska Airlines flight. [more]

EGOT | With his Emmy Award last night for the “Farewell from Dodger Stadium” documentary, Elton John joined the elite group of EGOT winners – those who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. [more]

EMMY AWARDS | Among the big winners at last night’s 75th Emmy Awards were “The Bear” with ten awards, “BEEF” and “The Last of Us” with eight each, and “Succession” with six awards. [press release and full list of winners] [more]

SOCCER | Lionel Messi was named the best men’s player at yesterday’s FIFA Football Awards 2023 ceremony in London, narrowly beating out Erling Haaland for the award. Aitana Bonmatí was named the best women’s player. [full list of awardees] [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1547, Ivan the Terrible was crowned “tsar and grand prince of all Russia.” [more history]