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Saturday, January 24, 2026

THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 1-18-26 TO 1-24-26 PLUS TOP 10 TRUMP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK

THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK
1-18-26 TO 1-24-26  

GEMINI

This week, January 18–24, 2026, has been dominated by a massive winter storm in the U.S., a flurry of activity from the Trump administration at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and escalating tensions over immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Here are the top stories for the week across eight key areas:

U.S. News

  1. Massive Winter Storm: Over 200 million Americans are bracing for a "historic" ice and snow event stretching from Texas to Virginia; multiple states have declared emergencies.

  2. Minnesota ICE Protests: Thousands marched in Minneapolis and hundreds of businesses closed for a "Day of Truth and Freedom" to protest federal immigration raids.

  3. ICE Shooting Investigation: The Trump administration opened a criminal probe into Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey following the shooting of an ICE agent.

  4. Greenland Tensions: Tensions eased slightly as President Trump backed down on immediate threats to Greenland after fierce pushback from European leaders.

  5. DHS Funding: In a rare move, seven House Democrats joined the GOP to fund the Department of Homeland Security without demanding ICE reforms.

  6. Classified Leak Indictment: A federal contractor was indicted on six counts related to a major leak of classified government documents.

  7. Potomac Sewage Spill: Millions of gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Potomac River following a major infrastructure failure.

  8. Groundhog Day Debate: PETA has launched a campaign to replace Punxsutawney Phil with a 3D hologram for the upcoming Feb 2nd holiday.

  9. Indiana Shooting: Five people were arrested in connection with the shooting of an Indiana judge and his wife.

  10. Slavery Exhibit Removal: The National Park Service sparked controversy by removing a slavery exhibit at Independence Park in Philadelphia.

Politics

  1. "Board of Peace" Launch: President Trump unveiled his "Board of Peace" in Davos to manage Gaza governance, though critics say it excludes Palestinian voices.

  2. WHO Withdrawal: The U.S. formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, a move decried by public health advocates.

  3. Fed Reserve Standoff: The Supreme Court signaled it may oppose White House efforts to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board.

  4. Epstein Probe Contempt: A House Committee voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt regarding documents in the ongoing Epstein investigation.

  5. Davos "USA House": The U.S. presence at the World Economic Forum was marked by the "USA House," a converted church designed to project a "MAGA" image.

  6. Carney Invitation Revoked: The White House withdrew an invitation for Jay Carney to join the Board of Peace following internal disagreements.

  7. White House Photo Controversy: The White House X account faced backlash after allegedly posting a doctored photo of a protester to add fake tears.

  8. Trump-Macron Friction: European diplomats reported a "turbulent" series of meetings between President Macron and Trump regarding trade tariffs.

  9. VMI Funding Battle: The head of Virginia Military Institute (VMI) urged calm as state Democrats threatened to pull funding over policy disagreements.

  10. Somali Community Crackdown: A new federal immigration initiative specifically targeting Somali communities in Maine was launched this week.

World Affairs

  1. Syrian Ceasefire: The Syrian government announced a ceasefire with Kurdish-led SDF forces after seizing major oil fields in Deir ez-Zor.

  2. Spain Train Disaster: The final death toll reached 45 after two high-speed trains derailed in Adamuz, Spain.

  3. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks: Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine held rare trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi to discuss the latest U.S.-backed peace plan.

  4. Iran Economic Protests: Nationwide demonstrations erupted in Iran as the rial plummeted to record lows against the U.S. dollar.

  5. Portugal Elections: Portugal headed to a second-round runoff in its presidential election between António José Seguro and André Ventura.

  6. Guatemala State of Emergency: President Bernardo Arévalo declared a 30-day emergency after gangs killed eight police officers.

  7. Libya Port Deal: Libya announced a $3 billion deal to develop the Misrata port, aiming to become a Mediterranean trade hub.

  8. Nigeria Church Abductions: Gunmen abducted over 160 people from two churches in Kaduna State, sparking a massive search operation.

  9. South Africa Floods: A national disaster was declared in South Africa after devastating floods killed dozens and displaced thousands.

  10. Pakistan Mall Fire: The death toll in a Karachi shopping mall fire rose to 67, leading to a nationwide safety audit.

Economy

  1. US Dollar Volatility: The dollar surged this week as markets priced in stable interest rates at 4.25% through April 2026.

  2. Powell Inquiry: The U.S. dollar saw a brief dip following news of a criminal inquiry into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

  3. TikTok Spinoff Finalized: A White House official confirmed that the U.S.-China deal to spinoff TikTok’s U.S. operations is officially signed.

  4. Big Tech Debt: Alphabet, Meta, and Oracle are taking on record debt levels to fund massive new AI data centers.

  5. 10% APR Pressure: Major banks, including Bank of America, are reportedly considering 10% APR credit cards under pressure from the White House.

  6. Canadian Growth Slump: New data shows the Canadian economy grew by only 1.2% in late 2025, blamed on trade tensions with the U.S.

  7. Bitcoin Consolidation: Bitcoin struggled to maintain its position above the $90,000 mark amidst regulatory uncertainty.

  8. Oil Tanker Seizure: The U.S. seized another Venezuelan oil tanker in the Caribbean, citing sanctions violations.

  9. Treasury Yields: The 10-year Treasury yield climbed above 4.2%, signaling investor anxiety over long-term inflation.

  10. Delayed Economic Reports: Federal agencies are still working through a backlog of economic reports (Retail Sales, Housing) delayed by the late 2025 shutdown.

Education

  1. Dept. of Education RIFs: The administration initiated "Reduction in Force" (RIF) actions, hitting thousands of federal education employees.

  2. Pregnant Students’ Rights: House Republicans introduced H.R. 6359 to require colleges to better inform pregnant students of their Title IX rights.

  3. Immigration in Schools: A survey of principals reported a spike in student absenteeism as ICE operations began targeting areas near K-12 campuses.

  4. Free Speech Ruling: A federal judge limited government actions against students and scholars in a high-profile free speech case.

  5. AI Control Debate: A new report suggests the debate in schools has shifted from whether to use AI to how much control teachers should maintain over it.

  6. Winter Commencement: Lehman College and other institutions held inaugural winter ceremonies for the "Class of 2026."

  7. Math on the Hill: A delegation of mathematicians visited Capitol Hill to lobby for increased National Science Foundation (NSF) funding.

  8. Civil Service Fellowships: NYC launched a new fellowship program to funnel 2026 graduates directly into city government roles.

  9. Nursing Strike: Striking nurses in NYC were joined by local politicians, impacting clinical rotations for medical students.

  10. Low Reading Scores: New 2026 data shows that national reading scores have failed to recover to pre-2020 levels, sparking calls for curriculum reform.

Technology

  1. Artemis II Progress: NASA successfully rolled out the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad for the upcoming crewed lunar mission.

  2. Crew-11 Early Return: NASA’s Crew-11 returned from the ISS four weeks early due to an undisclosed medical issue with one crew member.

  3. Photonic Chip Whitepaper: European tech CEOs called for urgent investment to prevent the U.S. and China from dominating photonic chip technology.

  4. Blue Origin NS-38: Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin successfully launched its 38th New Shepard flight, carrying six passengers into suborbital space.

  5. Space Force 2040: The U.S. Space Force unveiled its "Future Fight" strategy, focusing on satellite defense against "inspector" drones.

  6. TikTok Spin-off Terms: Details of the TikTok deal reveal a new U.S.-based board with significant federal oversight of algorithms.

  7. Maxar Rebrand: Intelligence firm Maxar officially rebranded as "Vantor" as it pivots toward deeper integration with U.S. military space ops.

  8. AI Bias in Grading: A major study released this week highlighted significant racial and linguistic biases in AI tools used to grade student essays.

  9. Energy Initiatives: ASEAN leaders met to discuss new "smart-grid" technology to share renewable energy across Southeast Asian borders.

  10. NASA Day of Remembrance: NASA observed its annual day of mourning for fallen astronauts, including the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia.

Health

  1. Measles Elimination Risk: The CDC warned that the U.S. is on the verge of losing its "measles-free" status following a surge of cases in South Carolina.

  2. Fetal Tissue Funding: The NIH announced it will officially stop all federal funding for research using human fetal tissue.

  3. Tylenol/Autism Study: A major review in The Lancet found no link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, countering recent claims.

  4. Powdered Milk Recall: France launched a criminal probe into the deaths of two infants linked to contaminated powdered milk.

  5. Kidney Disease Breakthrough: Scientists discovered a specific protein pathway that explains why chronic kidney disease often leads to heart failure.

  6. Cervical Cancer Screening: A major shift in screening guidelines was announced, prioritizing primary HPV testing over traditional Pap smears.

  7. Norovirus Spikes: Public health officials warned of "uncharacteristically high" norovirus outbreaks in the Northeast this winter.

  8. Gender-Affirming Care Pause: UW Health and several other major systems paused gender-affirming care for minors following new state-level legal threats.

  9. Blood Donor Month: The Red Cross issued an emergency appeal for type O blood as the winter storm caused the cancellation of hundreds of drives.

  10. Poison Center Value: A new RAND study found that U.S. poison centers save the healthcare system $3.1 billion annually.

Sports

  1. Africa Cup of Nations: Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 in extra time to secure their second AFCON title; Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament.

  2. Australian Open Longevity: Venus Williams, at 45, became the oldest player to ever compete in the women’s singles draw at the Australian Open.

  3. NBA Rookie Ladder: The "Class of 2025" draft picks (Queen, Fears, Coward) are dominating the Rookie of the Year conversation this January.

  4. Pelicans Injury Crisis: The New Orleans Pelicans are struggling with a depleted roster as Dejounte Murray (Achilles) and Zion Williamson (efficiency dip) face setbacks.

  5. NFL Playoffs: The road to Super Bowl LX heated up this week with "Divisional Round" matchups determining the final four teams.

  6. Greg Biffle Plane Crash: The racing community is mourning former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who was tragically killed in a plane crash.

  7. NCAA Men’s Basketball: #2 Daemen University maintained its dominance in Division II with a high-profile win over D'Youville.

  8. MLB Hall of Fame: The 2026 Hall of Fame election results were announced this week, with several first-time candidates making the cut.

  9. NHL Trade Deadline Rumors: As the mid-season point passes, major trade rumors are swirling around veteran goalies in the Eastern Conference.

  10. Tennis Upset: A top-5 men’s seed was knocked out in the second round of the Australian Open by a local qualifier, the biggest upset of the week.


GROK

Here are the top news stories for the week of January 18-24, 2026, based on major headlines and events reported across sources. Note that some stories overlapped categories (e.g., politics influencing world affairs or economy).U.S. News
  1. Protests and clashes in Minneapolis over ICE operations — Anti-ICE demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, leading to ongoing unrest; the Pentagon placed hundreds of active-duty troops on standby amid escalating tensions.
  2. Trump administration's aggressive foreign policy moves — Reports highlighted emboldened actions, including threats and interventions related to international issues.
  3. Soldiers on standby amid domestic protests — Broader coverage of military readiness in response to civil unrest in Minnesota.
  4. Jack Smith facing House Judiciary hearing — Ongoing legal/political proceedings tied to prior investigations.
  5. General domestic unrest and policy enforcement — ICE-related demonstrations dominated early-week U.S. broadcasts.
Politics
  1. Trump's tariff threat over Greenland — European leaders denounced President Trump's warnings of tariffs tied to Greenland, straining transatlantic relations.
  2. Minneapolis ICE protests and political fallout — Interviews with figures like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Rep. Michael McCaul on clashes and policy.
  3. Trump's push for congressional control in midterms — Efforts to maintain Republican majorities ahead of 2026 elections.
  4. Announcement of a Board of Peace — Trump proposed chairing a new international Board of Peace, with initial acceptances from countries like Egypt.
  5. White House activity frenzy — Dizzying early-2026 actions from the administration dominating political discourse.
World Affairs
  1. Trump's tariff threat over Greenland denounced by Europe — Raised concerns about transatlantic ties and potential trade disruptions.
  2. Protests in Iran over economic crackdown — Nationwide unrest after the rial's sharp plunge to 1.48 million per USD.
  3. Syrian conflict developments — Continued clashes involving SDF and Syrian transitional government forces.
  4. Trump's maximal intervention approach — Bets on interventions from Caracas (Venezuela) to Tehran (Iran).
  5. European and global reactions to U.S. policies — Broader denouncements and NATO-related shockwaves from tariff/war threats.
Education
  1. K-12 trends and post-pandemic recovery — Sputtering academic progress, with declining reading/math scores highlighted in assessments.
  2. AI's impact on teaching — Discussions on how artificial intelligence is changing education methods.
  3. Reaching boys in education — Focus on strategies for better engaging male students.
  4. Legal/policy trends — Civic education advocacy, religious public schools, and other K-12 shifts.
  5. Higher ed pressures — Potential student loan caps, endowment taxes, and budget strains from statutory changes.
Economy
  1. Trump tariff threats impacting global relations — Shockwaves through Europe/NATO, with warnings that tariffs could undermine transatlantic ties.
  2. Iranian rial crisis — Extreme devaluation triggering nationwide economic protests.
  3. Global economic outlook — IMF discussions on resilience, with growth slowdowns expected in some regions.
  4. U.S. consumer spending trends — Rises in areas like health care, gasoline, and vehicles.
  5. Upcoming pivotal week — Earnings, monetary decisions, and data releases poised to influence markets.
Technology
  1. Geopolitical risks priced into digital infrastructure — Quiet but decisive shifts in returns due to global tensions.
  2. Crypto developments in Asia — Thailand legalizing crypto ETFs/futures; Vietnam advancing exchanges; CZ advising on tokenizing state assets.
  3. Space policy events — Ongoing discussions and calendars for the week.
  4. AI industry shifts — Questions on whether 2026 would mark the end of overhyped AGI claims.
  5. Broader tech-geopolitics intersection — Focus on how risks affect infrastructure and innovation.
Health
  1. U.S. completes withdrawal from WHO — Citing COVID-19 failures and politicization, shifting to bilateral efforts.
  2. Heart disease and stroke as top U.S. killers — Confirmed in major reports.
  3. Medication abortion targeted — By anti-abortion groups as a key focus.
  4. Measles elimination risk — U.S. poised to lose status amid vaccination concerns.
  5. GLP-1 drugs and innovations — Ongoing prominence of weight-loss medications and public health policy changes.
Sports
  1. X Games Aspen — Major winter action sports event coverage.
  2. NBA games and rivalries — Knicks previews with key matchups (e.g., MLK Day clashes, crosstown/inter-state games).
  3. College Football Playoff echoes — Recent quarterfinals influencing early-year buzz.
  4. Ski Jumping FIS Women's World Cup — Events like Two-Nights-Tour in Oberstdorf.
  5. General weekly schedules — TV/radio coverage of various leagues and events.
This week featured heavy focus on U.S. domestic unrest, Trump's foreign policy escalations, and economic/trade tensions. For deeper details on any story, let me know!


TOP 10 TRUMP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 1-18-26 TO 1-24-26 


As of January 23, 2026, President Trump is marking the one-year anniversary of his second term with a series of high-stakes domestic crackdowns and aggressive "America First" foreign policy maneuvers.

Here are the top 10 news stories from the week of January 18 to January 24, 2026:

1. The "Marathon" Anniversary Press Briefing

On January 20, Trump held a surprise, 60-minute-plus press conference at the White House to celebrate his first year back in office. Using props like a massive binder clip of "accomplishments" and photos of arrested individuals, he touched on topics ranging from the "hottest" U.S. economy to his personal childhood memories of Little League in Queens.

2. Escalation of Greenland Annexation Threats

Trump dominated the World Economic Forum in Davos this week by reasserting his intent to acquire Greenland. While he briefly walked back a threat of 10% tariffs on eight European nations (including Denmark and Norway), he insisted that a "future deal" is in the works involving U.S. mineral rights and a "Golden Dome" missile defense system.

3. The Launch of the "Board of Peace"

Trump officially unveiled his "Board of Peace," a body he originally proposed for Gaza reconstruction but now suggests could eventually replace the United Nations. On January 22, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to join the board, which has already received a $1 billion private contribution for a permanent seat.

4. Operation "Catch of the Day" in Maine

The administration launched a new, targeted immigration crackdown in Maine. Dubbed Operation Catch of the Day, the surge of federal personnel is focusing on Somali communities in the fishing state, sparking immediate backlash from local leaders and human rights advocates.

5. Controversy Over Mass Deportation Funding

A major report this week revealed that the administration’s "largest mass deportation operation in history" is being fueled by $170 billion in funding secured through previous tax and spending cuts. ICE has reportedly grown to 22,000 officers—a force larger than most major city police departments.

6. Tensions with Iran Over Executions

Trump claimed this week that his intervention halted the executions of 800 protesters in Iran. However, on January 23, Iran’s top prosecutor called the claim "completely false," as death toll estimates from the crackdowns there surpassed 5,000. Trump has since moved an aircraft carrier "armada" toward the region.

7. Executive Order: "Stopping Wall Street" Homebuying

On January 20, Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing large Wall Street investors from purchasing single-family starter homes. He argued that these firms "crowd out" young American families, a move that has seen mixed reactions from economists and the housing industry.

8. Military Deployment Readiness in Minnesota

Following a fatal shooting by an ICE agent and subsequent large-scale protests in Minneapolis, the Pentagon placed 1,500 active-duty soldiers on "prepare-to-deploy" orders. Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act if Democratic state officials do not "stop protesters from impeding" federal agents.

9. A Wave of New Presidential Pardons

Continuing a recent trend, Trump issued several new pardons this week, including one for Adriana Camberos (convicted of mail/wire fraud). California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the move, adding Camberos to a state-run "Trump Criminals" tracker that alleges the President is prioritizing wealthy donors and loyalists.

10. DOGE Data Privacy Scandal

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, admitted in a federal court filing this week that its employees improperly accessed and shared sensitive Social Security data during their efforts to identify government waste. This has triggered calls for investigations into the agency's lack of traditional oversight.



THIS WEEK'S DAILY TOP NEWS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2026



SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 18, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/morning-news-update-january-18-2026.html 

MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 19, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/morning-news-update-january-19-2026.html 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 20, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/morning-news-update-january-20-2026.html 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 21, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/morning-news-update-january-21-2026.html 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 22, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/morning-news-update-january-22-2026.html 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 23, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/morning-news-update-january-23-2026.html 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2026



HISTORY


Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 1-11-26 TO 1-17-26 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-top-news-stories-this-week-1-11-26.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 1-4-26 TO 1-10-26 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-top-news-stories-this-week-1-4-26.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 12-28-25 TO 1-3-26 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-top-news-stories-this-week-12-28-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 12-21-25 TO 12-27-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-news-stories-this-week-12-21-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 12-14-25 TO 12-20-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-news-stories-this-week-12-14-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 12-7-25 TO 12-13-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-news-stories-this-week-12-7-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-30-25 TO 12-6-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-30-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-23 -25 TO 11-29-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-23-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-16 -25 TO 11-22-25 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-16-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-9 25 TO 11-15-25 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-9-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-1 25 TO 11-7-25 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-1-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 10-26-25 TO 11-1 25 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-10-26-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 10-18-25 TO 10-25-25
 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-top-news-stories-this-week-10-18-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 10-12-25 TO 10-18-25  #NoKings #Resist #WeAreThePeople 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-top-news-stories-this-week-10-12-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 10-4-25 TO 10-11-25

Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: WHO NAILED IT AND WHO FLOPPED? SEPTEMBER 27–OCTOBER 4, 2025


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