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MIDDLE EAST | Update from regional conflicts:

• Israeli security forces launched a major counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank city of Tubas today and suggested that the operation could last for several days. Local Palestinian officials say troops have forced many people from their homes and told them they could not return until the operation ends. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,369 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• According to Kremlin official Yuri Ushakov, U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Russia next week in a continuation of talks aimed at reaching agreement on a cease-fire plan in Ukraine. [more]

U.S. IMMIGRATION | A federal judge ruled yesterday that immigration officers in Colorado can only arrest people without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe both that someone is in the country illegally and that they are likely to flee before an arrest warrant can be obtained. Department of Homeland Security officials have characterized the judge's decision as an "activist ruling" and have suggested that the government will appeal. [more]

U.S. NATIONAL PARKS | The Department of the Interior announced yesterday that international tourists will be charged $100 more than U.S. citizens to visit 11 popular U.S. national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. The department also said its annual fee-free days will apply only to U.S. citizens. [more]

U.S. POLLUTION | In a move environmental groups claim threatens public health and undermines federal obligations under the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a court filing this week that a Biden-era rule that set tough standards for soot pollution was imposed without proper authority and urged that the rule be vacated. Reports say the Trump administration EPA has suggested it will propose its own related rule early next year. [more]

U.S. POLITICS | Congressman Eric Swalwell filed a federal lawsuit yesterday accusing Trump administration Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte of misusing the private mortgage records of Swalwell and other critics of President Donald Trump with the aim of facilitating possible criminal prosecution on charges of mortgage fraud. [more]

U.S. SCOUTING | Reports say U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a draft memo to Congress, has suggested ending the century-old partnership between the U.S. military and Scouting, saying the group once known as the Boy Scouts is no longer a meritocracy and has become an organization designed to "attack boy-friendly spaces. The memo also states that the military will no longer allow Scout troops to meet at military installations in the U.S. and abroad, where many bases have active Scout programs. [more]

WISCONSIN | Amidst ongoing legal challenges, the Wisconsin Supreme Court yesterday ordered a pair of three-judge panels to hear two lawsuits that argue the state’s congressional maps must be redrawn because they unconstitutionally favor Republicans. [more]

HONG KONG | More than 100 fire trucks, 50 ambulances, and 700 emergency personnel are on the scene of a massive fire that has spread to seven residential buildings in Hong Kong today. Reports say there are 2,000 apartments and about 4,800 residents in the building complex. Officials say at least 13 people have died in the fire and that an unknown number of residents remain trapped in the buildings. [more]

TAIWAN | As part of his pledge to increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product amidst ongoing tensions with China, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te announced a special $40 billion budget for arms purchases yesterday. The funds will be allocated over a period of eight years, according to reports. [more]

IRELAND | Amidst high population growth and a sharp rise in immigration, the Irish government announced new measures to tighten the country's immigration rules today. The measures include income requirement for people seeking to join family in Ireland from outside the European Economic Area, a longer waiting period before refugees can apply for citizenship, and cost contributions from asylum seekers who are employed and living in state accommodations. [more]

ITALY | On the U.N.-designated "international day for the elimination of violence against women," Italy's parliament approved a law yesterday that introduces femicide – the killing of a woman or girl, specifically by males, because they are female – into the country's criminal law and makes it punishable with life in prison. [more]

INDONESIA | Local authorities say the death toll from flooding and landslides this week on Indonesia's Sumatra island has risen to at least 17 and that at least six people remain missing. [more]

U.K. | Finance Minister Rachel Reeves announced her new U.K. budget today, which includes more than 26 billion pounds ($34.4 billion) in tax hikes. [more]

BRAZIL | Former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of leading a coup attempt to overturn his loss in Brazil's 2022 presidential election, began serving his 27-year prison sentence yesterday. [more]

INDIA | A coalition of 10 major Indian trade unions launched nationwide protests today following the government rollout of new labor codes that workers say erode job security, weaken collective bargaining, and strengthen employer control, but that government officials say modernize outdated laws, improve efficiency, and expand social protections. [more]

OLYMPICS | The Olympic flame began its journey today from Olympia, Greece, to Italy – the site of the Milan Cortina Winter Games. More than 10,000 runners are expected to take part in the torch relay prior to the opening of the Games on February 6. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 2008, ten gunmen linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group launched attacks on patrons of several hotels, a restaurant, and a train station in Mumbai, India. Over a period of four days, 175 people were killed in the attacks, including nine of the terrorists. [more history]