January 8, 2026

MIDDLE EAST | Updates from regional conflicts:

• Syrian security forces warned residents of a contested area in the northern city of Aleppo today to evacuate ahead of expected operations against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in selected neighborhoods of the city. [more]
• The Lebanese military said today that it has achieved its goal of fully deploying across southern Lebanon as part of efforts to disarm non-state militant groups. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,412 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• After European nations said this week that a multinational force could be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a cease-fire in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement today that any troops sent into Ukraine by Western governments would be "legitimate combat targets." [more]

MINNESOTA | A 37-year-old U.S. citizen, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, yesterday during what the Trump administration has characterized as the largest-ever immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. City and state officials have condemned the shooting and urged calm amidst protests and vigils for Good, while Trump administration officials have described the shooting as self-defense and said Good's actions impeded and threatened ICE officers and were an act of "domestic terrorism." [more]

U.S. GUN VIOLENCE | At least two people were killed, and six others were injured, last night when a yet-unidentified gunman opened fire outside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Investigations into the shooting are ongoing. [more]

U.S. INTERNATIONAL WITHDRAWAL | In an executive order signed yesterday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. will withdraw from more than 60 international organizations and agreements, saying that "it is contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support to the organizations." Among the organizations from which the U.S. will withdraw are: the U.N.'s population agency, the U.N. treaty that establishes international climate negotiations, the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the Global Counterterrorism Forum. [full executive order and organization list] [more]

U.S. MILITARY BUDGET | Citing "troubled and dangerous times," President Donald Trump said yesterday that he is proposing an increase in U.S. military spending in 2027 to $1.5 trillion – up from the $901 billion approved for 2026. [more]

U.S. HEALTHCARE | The House of Representatives is expected to vote today on a measure that would re-instate enhanced pandemic-era subsidies for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans that expired last month. The House vote comes after nine GOP lawmakers joined Democrats yesterday in voting to bring the measure to a final vote. [more]

U.S., DENMARK, AND GREENLAND | U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will reportedly meet with Danish officials next week amidst growing U.S. efforts to take control of Greenland – a self-governing territory of Denmark. Reports cite Rubio as telling U.S. lawmakers that the Trump administration's hope is to purchase Greenland rather than use military force to seize it. [more]

U.S. AND VENEZUELA | Following the seizure of two oil tankers linked to Venezuela yesterday, U.S. State Department officials said that the Trump administration will move to "indefinitely" oversee the sale of Venezuelan oil worldwide and only approve such sales in manners consistent with U.S. law and national security interests. [more]

U.S. AND SOMALIA | The U.S. State Department said yesterday that all U.S. assistance to the government of Somalia has been suspended amidst allegations that officials of the African country destroyed a U.S.-funded World Food Program warehouse and seized tons of food aid intended for the civilian population. [more]

AUSTRALIA | Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today that Australia will open a royal commission investigation – the most powerful form of government inquiry – into antisemitism following the December 14 ISIS-inspired mass shooting at Bondi Beach in which 15 people were killed. [more]

CANADA AND CHINA | Analysts say a newly announced plan for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week appears to be an indicator of Canada's efforts to reduce its reliance on the United States amidst trade and sovereignty tensions with the U.S.' Trump administration. [more]

IRAN | Activist groups in Iran say ongoing economy-centered protests in the Islamic Republic have spread to become nationwide, with demonstrations occurring in every province of the country. Reports cite the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency as saying at least 38 people have been killed, and more than 2,200 have been arrested, in the demonstrations. [more]

FRANCE | Officials at the French Interior Ministry say farmers drove about 100 tractors into Paris today as part of protests against European Union plans to move forward with a free trade deal with five South American countries. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1815, the last major engagement of the War of 1812 came to an end as U.S. forces led by General Andrew Jackson, not having received word of the signing of a peace treaty, defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans. [more history]