MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 28, 2026
- Intensified federal immigration enforcement operations are causing widespread fear, leading some immigrants to avoid medical care and prompting discussions on public health risks and civil rights in states like Minnesota.
- Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked with an unknown substance during a town hall in Minneapolis; the suspect was apprehended, and the event continued.
- Major tech earnings reports are due today from companies like Microsoft (Q2 2026), Meta Platforms (Q4 2025), Tesla (Q4 2025), and IBM (Q4 2025), with markets watching closely for AI and economic signals.
- Winter storms and power outages continue to affect thousands, alongside local incidents like rescues from snowbanks in regions such as Montana.
Minneapolis Unrest: Demonstrations are spreading following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old nurse, Alex Pretti, by federal law enforcement.
Organizers have announced a massive "No Kings" protest scheduled for March 28. DHS Under Fire: Calls for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are intensifying from both sides of the aisle following the Minneapolis shootings.
ICE Legal Battle: A Minnesota judge has ordered the head of ICE to appear in court to explain the agency’s handling of bond hearings for detained immigrants.
- Heightened tensions around immigration enforcement, with border czar Tom Homan meeting state and local officials in Minnesota amid debates on federal power and rule of law.
- Ongoing fallout from recent unrest and international responses, including U.S. involvement in regional stability concerns (e.g., statements on Iraqi politics and aid conditions).
- Broader discussions on federal policies, including potential impacts from the current administration's actions on aid, tariffs, and public health agencies.
Ilhan Omar Attacked: During a town hall in Minneapolis, Representative Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance by a man with a syringe.
She was not injured and continued the event, calling the attacker a "bully." Trump on Gun Rights: In a phone interview, President Trump sparked debate by stating that shooting victim Alex Pretti "shouldn't have been carrying a gun," despite Pretti being legally armed.
International Exit: The administration officially confirmed the termination of U.S. membership in the World Health Organization (WHO), a move finalized earlier this week.
- India and the European Union have reached a massive free trade agreement, covering a significant portion of global trade (roughly a third) and potentially countering U.S. tariff pressures.
- Continued unrest in Iran, with reports of high death tolls from nationwide protests over inflation and currency issues; Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected related U.S. reports and accused Israeli media of disinformation campaigns.
- International Holocaust Remembrance Day observances, including Jewish prayers and global recognition.
- Ongoing geopolitical developments, such as U.S. concerns over Iranian influence in Iraq and aid implications.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Day 1,434 of the war sees heavy Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv and Odesa.
Russia claims to have seized the settlement of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, though Ukraine has officially denied the capture. Canadian Diplomatic Cuts: Thousands of employees at Global Affairs Canada have received layoff warnings as the government prepares a massive foreign policy overhaul.
Syrian Relations: President Trump praised Syrian leader al-Sharaa following an offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), signaling a shift in regional alliances.
- Immigration enforcement fears are leading to emergency virtual learning in some districts, with students staying home due to concerns about raids, raising absenteeism and public health issues.
- JEE Main 2026 exams (engineering entrance in India) concluded today, with analyses describing the paper as moderate to difficult, particularly in Mathematics.
- Top universities like Yale joining others (e.g., Harvard, MIT) in eliminating tuition for modest-income households, expanding access.
- UGC equity rules in India sparking protests and assurances from the Centre against misuse.
Accreditation Overhaul: The Department of Education is convening a rulemaking panel to significantly rewrite federal accreditation regulations for colleges and universities.
Campus Disruptions: Twin Cities universities are shifting to remote classes and providing security escorts as ongoing protests and DHS operations continue to affect campus life in Minneapolis.
Columbia’s New Leader: Columbia University has officially selected Jennifer Mnookin, current chancellor of UW-Madison, as its next president.
- Major corporate earnings releases today from Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, IBM, and others, expected to influence market sentiment amid AI growth and economic adaptation to policies like tariffs.
- The IMF projects steady global growth in 2026, with AI boom potentially offsetting trade headwinds and boosting productivity.
- Discussions on U.S. economic policies under the current administration, including tax impacts, potential Medicaid changes, and Federal Reserve rate decisions amid inflation credibility concerns.
- Oil prices rising due to supply concerns from winter storms.
Credit Card Interest Caps: President Trump is pushing for a temporary 10% cap on credit card interest rates to combat what he calls "ripping off" the American public.
UPS Layoffs: UPS announced it will shed 30,000 jobs as part of a major cost-cutting drive aimed at automation and efficiency.
Market Records: The S&P 500 reached a fresh record high today, even as health insurance stocks like UnitedHealth saw a selloff following proposed flat Medicare Advantage rates.
- Big Tech earnings reports (Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, IBM) in focus, highlighting AI investments, cloud growth, and sector performance.
- Ongoing AI trends, including generative AI integration into daily tools and potential productivity gains.
- CES 2026 wrap-up discussions on emerging gadgets like smartwatches, Bluetooth advancements (e.g., Auracast support), and phone cradles/controllers.
Anthropic's Massive Raise: AI company Anthropic is reportedly seeking a $20 billion funding round at a $350 billion valuation, fueled by the massive growth of its "Claude" assistant.
MWC Barcelona 2026: Tech giants like NTT and DOCOMO announced they will showcase "AI-Resilient Infrastructure" and photonics-based data centers at the upcoming world connectivity event.
Digital Age Legacy: The State Department released a report titled "How America Launched the Digital Age," celebrating a year of domestic tech growth and the signing of the Artemis Accords by Oman.
- Fear of immigration operations deterring people from seeking medical care, prompting provider responses and public health concerns in affected communities.
- Growing use of GLP-1 medications (e.g., for weight management) as a top health trend, alongside food-as-medicine approaches for chronic diseases.
- Potential risks like measles outbreaks threatening U.S. elimination status if trends continue.
- Emerging research on statins for diabetes patients and other longevity/immune therapies.
Medicare Price Negotiations: The administration announced a new list of 15 drugs for price negotiations, including Botox, Trulicity, and Biktarvy, aimed at reducing costs for seniors.
988 Crisis Line Gaps: A new report highlights significant gaps in the 988 suicide hotline system, particularly in Georgia, where many calls are disconnected or transferred out-of-state due to staffing shortages.
GLP-1 Trends: New data shows that older adults are significantly more likely than younger patients to discontinue weight-loss drugs like Ozempic within the first year.
- UEFA Champions League focus, with matches and previews for top-eight finishes (e.g., teams like Barcelona, PSG, Newcastle aiming for direct qualification).
- Preparations and announcements related to upcoming major events, including Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics security (U.S. ICE involvement) and World Cup 2026 host plans (e.g., Los Angeles).
- Ongoing league awards and performances, such as in LaLiga and college basketball.
- Broader coverage of qualifiers and prospect rankings (e.g., MLB 2026 top prospects).
Belichick Hall of Fame Snub: In a move that has stunned the NFL world, eight-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick was reportedly not selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Olympic Security Concerns: Reports that the U.S. is sending a dedicated ICE unit to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy for security have sparked diplomatic "confusion" and pushback from Italian officials.
NCAA Basketball Upsets: Nebraska's unbeaten streak reached 20 games as they prepare for a historic top-10 matchup against Michigan later this week.
