January 16, 2025

ISRAEL-HAMAS PEACE DEAL | Mediators announced an agreement yesterday between Israel and Hamas to move forward with a cease-fire and hostage-exchange deal seen as key to ending the Gaza conflict. The three-phase deal would see hostages exchanged for prisoners beginning this weekend, along with a cessation of fighting in Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave. [more]

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that final approval of the deal by the Israeli cabinet has been delayed due to a “last minute crisis” caused by Hamas demanding further concessions. [more]
• Israeli strikes on Gaza continued overnight, killing at least 48 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1057 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• In his first visit to Ukraine since taking office, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to sign what the British government has called a “100-Year Partnership” with Ukraine that covers areas such as defense, science, energy, and trade. [more]

BIDEN ADDRESS | Prior to leaving office next week, President Joe Biden delivered a televised farewell address last night in which he expounded on his vision of the United States. Biden also warned of an “oligarchy taking shape” in America and emphasized the need to address issues surrounding climate change and artificial intelligence. [more]

U.S. SMOKING | The Food and Drug Administration announced a proposed rule yesterday that would seek to make cigarettes and certain other tobacco products less addictive by capping nicotine content levels. Reports say it is unclear whether the proposal will be supported by the incoming Trump administration. [press release] [more]

U.S. POPULATION | Citing declining birth rates and lower immigration levels, the Congressional Budget Office has lowered its projection of U.S. population by 2055 to 372 million – an overall yearly growth rate of 0.2% from this year’s estimated 341 million population. [more]

U.S. ECONOMY | U.S. markets rose sharply yesterday following the Labor Department’s release of data showing a slight increase in overall consumer inflation in December, but a slight decrease for the month in so-called core inflation, which excludes volatile categories such as food and energy. [more]

U.S. POLITICS | House Speaker Mike Johnson yesterday removed Republican Mike Turner from his position as chairman of the powerful House Intelligence Committee. Critics of the action say Turner was removed due to policy clashes with the incoming Trump administration, while Speaker Johnson said the decision was taken because the “intelligence community and everything related to (the committee) needs a fresh start.” [more]

U.S. FOOD SAFETY | The Food and Drug Administration announced a ban yesterday on the use of erythrosine – better known as Red Dye No. 3 – in foods, dietary supplements, and oral medicines. The new ban, which will be phased in over the next three years, comes more than 30 years after use of the dye in cosmetics was banned due to a potential link to increased cancer risk. [press release] [more]

GLOBAL UNEMPLOYMENT | In a report released today, the International Labor Organization says global unemployment remained at a historical low of 5% last year. The organization predicted the same 5% rate for 2025 despite projections for a slight global economic slowdown for the year. [more]

CUBA | Cuba began a series of political prisoner releases today, just one day after the U.S. announced that it would remove the Caribbean island nation from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as part of an arrangement with the Catholic Church. [more]

SOUTH KOREA | Reports say impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has refused to take part in questioning following his arrest yesterday amidst ongoing investigations and court proceedings related to his short-lived imposition of martial law last month. [more]

COLLEGE FOOTBALL | Coaches Nick Saban and Urban Meyer and players Michael Vick and Michael Strahan are among 18 players and four coaches announced as this year’s inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame. [full inductee list] [more]

MUSIC STREAMING | Entertainment data firm Luminate reports that a record-high 4.8 trillion songs were streamed globally in 2025 – up 14% from the level seen in 2023. The company says 79.5% of the year’s streamed songs were released in 2010 or later and that the most-streamed artist for the year was Taylor Swift. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1991, the Persian Gulf War, triggered by Iraq's occupation of Kuwait in August 1990, began with a U.S.-led air offensive against Iraq. A cease-fire ending the conflict was declared on February 28. [more history]