Executive summary
- US faces dual crises: Protests intensify in Minneapolis over federal agent shootings, threatening a government shutdown; a severe winter storm causes deaths and widespread power outages across the nation.
- Russia accused of Interpol abuse: Leaks reveal Russia is systematically using Interpol’s wanted lists to target political opponents and critics globally.
- Philippines ferry disaster: At least 15 people have died and dozens are missing after a passenger ferry sank off the southern coast.
- Gold prices hit record highs: Investors seek safe haven amid mounting global geopolitical tensions and fiscal uncertainties, pushing gold above $5,100 per ounce.
- Venezuela releases political prisoners: At least 80 political prisoners were freed, reportedly under pressure from the United States.
- Myanmar’s “sham” elections conclude: The military-backed party is set for a landslide victory in polls widely condemned as undemocratic.
- Australia grapples with extreme heat: Heatwave warnings span most of the country during national day celebrations, leading to cancellations and fire dangers.
International Relations & Diplomacy
- US-Europe Relations Strained Amid “America First” Policy:
- Russia’s Alleged Abuse of Interpol:
- Thousands of leaked files indicate Russia is systematically misusing Interpol’s “red notice” system to target political opponents, businessmen, and journalists who have fled the country.
- Interpol’s independent complaints unit has reportedly received more complaints about Russia than any other country over the past decade, leading to over 400 overturned requests.
- Despite enhanced checks post-Ukraine invasion, some restrictive measures against Russia were reportedly eased in 2025.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20gg729y1yo)
- Trump Launches “Board of Peace” for Gaza; Allied Skepticism:
- President Trump established a “Board of Peace” for Gaza reconstruction, signaling a broader mandate for global stability and conflict resolution.
- The UAE, Hungary, and Pakistan were among the signatories.
- Major US allies, including the UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, either rejected or were absent from the signing, citing concerns over Russia’s invitation to the board and its expanded scope.
- Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/22/who-is-on-trumps-gaza-board-of-peace.html)
- Japan-China Relations Deteriorate Amid Panda Return:
- Japan is returning its last two giant pandas to China, a move coinciding with a tense period in diplomatic relations.
- Tensions have escalated following remarks by Japan’s Prime Minister on potential military involvement if China attacked Taiwan.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d0l778dero)
- India Signals Stronger EU Ties on Republic Day:
- India invited European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa as chief guests for its Republic Day parade.
- This gesture underscores India’s strategic foreign policy priority of strengthening engagement with the European Union.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wxx29yknpo)
- Ukraine-Russia-US Trilateral Talks Held in Abu Dhabi:
- The first trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US since Russia’s 2022 invasion took place in Abu Dhabi.
- Significant hurdles remain in reaching any potential peace deal.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c20dlr9kn37o)
Major regional Events
- Minneapolis rocked by Federal Agent Shooting and Political Fallout:
- Protests are ongoing in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and US citizen, by federal immigration agents. This marks the second fatal shooting by ICE in the city this month.
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has urged President Trump to remove federal agents, and the Minneapolis Police Chief reported federal agents blocked state access to the shooting scene.
- Bystander videos reportedly contradict federal claims that Pretti brandished a weapon, showing him holding a phone and shielding a woman before being pepper-sprayed and tackled.
- The incident has heightened the risk of a partial US government shutdown, as Senate Democrats threaten to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless changes are made.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr571qg4m61o), (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg50vv1ezko), (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62r4g590wqo), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/25/shutdown-odds-grow-as-senate-republicans-wont-remove-dhs-funding-after-pretti-killing.html), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/25/videos-of-alex-pretti-shooting-by-federal-agents-in-minneapolis-contradict-trump-official-claims.html), (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20zjyxep99o), (https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cg4e0r1el5yo), (https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c6206p2zyyqo)
- Deadly Winter Storm Grips United States:
- Philippines Ferry Sinks, 15 Dead:
- The MV Trisha Kerstin 3, carrying over 350 passengers and crew, sank off the southern Philippines, resulting in 15 confirmed deaths and 28 missing.
- Investigators are examining the cause, with initial reports suggesting rough waters; poor maintenance and overloading are historical factors in the region’s maritime disasters.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy1vpqpy23o)
- Venezuela Releases Political Prisoners:
- A leading human rights group, Foro Penal, reports that at least 80 political prisoners have been released in Venezuela, attributing the action to pressure from the US.
- The releases follow the US seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, though many freed individuals have not had their charges dropped.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clymr3pz2kxo)
- Kenya’s Ex-Deputy President Alleges Assassination Attempt:
- Rigathi Gachagua, Kenya’s former deputy president, claims he was the target of an assassination attempt during a church service in Nyeri, accusing President William Ruto.
- Police are investigating a tear gas incident that disrupted the service, but no injuries were reported.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqyxew338po)
- Myanmar’s Military Junta Consolidates Power in “Sham” Election:
- The final stage of Myanmar’s widely criticized “sham” elections concluded, with the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) expected to achieve a landslide victory.
- Many popular parties were banned, and voting was impossible in areas affected by the ongoing civil war, which began after the 2021 coup.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2l6wg0p8eo)
- Russia Targets Ukraine’s Heating Infrastructure:
- Russia is employing a new tactic by targeting Ukraine’s centralized heating infrastructure, leaving millions without heat amid severe winter temperatures.
- The reliance on Soviet-era large heating plants makes Ukrainian cities highly vulnerable to these attacks.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c338jpk8r1vo)
- Spain’s Rail System Faces Crisis After Deadly Collision:
- Spain’s high-speed rail network reputation is under scrutiny following a collision that killed 45 people in Andalusia, alongside other recent incidents.
- A preliminary report indicates a track fracture occurred before the crash, raising concerns about maintenance and investment in the country’s extensive rail infrastructure.
- Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0keelnyrvro)
- Australia Endures Widespread Heatwave:
Global Economic & Market Movers
- Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs Amid Global Risks:
- US-Canada-China Trade Tensions Escalating:
- Adani Group Stocks Plunge on US SEC Fraud Investigation:
- Mixed Outlook for Global Markets:
- Defense Industry Sees IPO Boom Amid Geopolitical Climate:
- Czech defense firm Czechoslovak Group (CSG) saw its shares surge 31% on its Amsterdam debut, raising €3.8 billion in the world’s largest defense IPO.
- This reflects sustained investor interest and increased defense spending driven by Europe’s push for military sovereignty and heightened geopolitical tensions.
- Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/23/csg-stock-debut-ipo-defense-amsterdam-czech.html)
- Iran’s Geopolitical Role Impacts Oil Prices:
- China’s Influence at Davos and Beyond:
Science, Tech, & Health (Major Developments)
- US-China Tech Rivalry Continues for AI Chips:
- Greenland Proposed for Massive Data Center:
- A former Trump administration official is spearheading a multi-billion-dollar project to build a 1.5 GW data center in Greenland by 2028.
- The initiative aligns with growing geopolitical interest in Greenland, despite significant logistical and permitting challenges for such large-scale infrastructure in the Arctic.
- Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/23/greenland-data-center-trump-greenmet.html)
- TikTok Thrives in US Despite Regulatory Pressure: