By Haley Lyons
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
Warner Bros. Board Rebuffs Paramount’s Latest Buyout Offer
Warner Bros. Discovery advised shareholders to reject a takeover bid from Paramount, concluding that the deal posed greater risk than its recently announced $83 billion agreement to sell much of the company to Netflix. The board said that Paramount’s proposal, backed in part by a personal equity guarantee from billionaire Larry Ellison, relied heavily on debt and outside financing and carried regulatory and execution risks. The company also warned that Paramount’s proposed restrictions could limit the company’s ability to operate and leave shareholders worse off if the deal collapsed. Paramount must now decide whether to raise its offer or continue urging shareholders to reject the Netflix deal.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/business/media/warner-bros-paramount-netflix.html
Universal Music signs a new AI deal with Nvidia
Universal Music Group (UMG) announced a partnership with Nvidia to use Nvidia’s music AI model, Music Flamingo, to improve how users discover and engage with music within UMG’s catalog. The companies said the model is designed to mimic human understanding of music by recognizing musical elements such as structure and emotion without generating new music and emphasized a “responsible AI” approach that includes protections for artists’ rights, attribution, and copyright. The agreement reflects the music industry’s evolving approach to artificial intelligence that supports discovery and human creativity rather than replacing artists.
https://www.theverge.com/news/856849/universal-music-nvidia-ai-deal
Paul Haggis Reaches $2 Million Settlement After 2022 Rape Verdict
Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis has agreed to pay nearly $2 million to settle a claim against him from former publicist Haleigh Breest, who won a rape trial against him in 2022. The civil lawsuit alleged that Haggis invited her to his loft in Manhattan in 2013 and forced her to perform sexual acts. A judge had previously ordered Haggis to pay at least $7.5 million, but the parties reached a post-trial settlement of $1.9 million. Haggis’ lawyer Imran Ansari said that he maintains his innocence and settled the claim because the parties mutually agreed to put the matter behind them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/movies/paul-haggis-rape-settlement.html
Judge Sets Date for Weinstein’s Third Trial for Same Rape Charge
Former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein will face a third trial in New York on March 3rd on a rape charge involving an aspiring actress, Jessica Mann, who accused him of assaulting her more than a decade ago. Weinstein was convicted of rape at the first trial in 2020, but the verdict was later overturned and followed by the conclusion of a second trial where the jury was deadlocked. The judge denied the defense’s motion to throw out the case and directed defense attorneys to notify prosecutors whether Weinstein will plead guilty within two weeks.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/nyregion/harvey-weinstein-rape-trial-manhattan.html
Sean Combs asked President Trump for a pardon
President Donald Trump said that music mogul Sean Combs requested a presidential pardon, but stated that he is not considering it.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/08/us/trump-nyt-interview#sean-combs-pardon
Arts
Dance Theatre of Harlem fights in court for control of its civil rights-era history
Dance Theatre of Harlem, a ballet company founded during the civil rights movement, is in a legal dispute with its former archivist, Judy Tyrus, and her nonprofit ChromaDiverse over ownership of historic photographs documenting the company’s early years. The company argued in Manhattan federal court that 16 boxes of photographs were illegally donated by the heirs of their one-time photographer to ChromaDiverse and said the photos belong to its archive. A judge has not yet ruled on who controls the collection.
https://gothamist.com/news/dance-theatre-of-harlem-fights-in-court-for-control-of-its-civil-rights-era-history
Washington National Opera Is Leaving the Kennedy Center
The Washington National Opera announced that it will move its performances out of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, abandoning the hall where it has played since 1971. The company said declining attendance, reduced donations, and artist cancellations during Trump’s second term after he named himself chairman of the center and installed political allies in leadership roles, impacted the board of trustees’ decision. The opera’s board approved a resolution to seek early termination of its affiliation agreement and resume operations as an independent nonprofit.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/arts/music/washington-national-opera-kennedy-center.html
Béla Fleck Withdraws from Kennedy Center Concerts
Banjo player and 18-time Grammy Award winner Béla Fleck announced his withdrawal from three concerts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, joining other musicians who have cut ties with the venue after its board voted to add Trump’s name to the institution. Fleck said the institution had become increasingly political and divisive, and less musically and artistically focused, which he said conflicted with his motivation for performing. The institution’s president Richard Grenell responded by criticizing Fleck’s decision and suggesting he had yielded to political pressure from the left.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/arts/music/bela-fleck-kennedy-center-orchestra.html
The Smithsonian Faces New Pressure to Submit to Trump’s Will and Removes Label Noting Trump Impeachments
The White House is pressuring The Smithsonian to comply with a comprehensive review of its content and to turn over records about its programming by this week, warning that failure to comply could risk federal funding. The Trump administration has argued that the Smithsonian has promoted “improper ideology” and has demanded documents from multiple museums, while the institution has maintained that it is autonomous and controls its own content. Turnover on the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents could allow Trump to reshape the governing board and weaken institutional resistance.
The Smithsonian also recently replaced a portrait of Trump and removed wall text from the National Portrait Gallery’s “America’s Presidents” exhibition. The removed wall text described some of his political accomplishments, including three Supreme Court justice appointments, his promotion of Covid-19 vaccine developments, and his historic comeback after losing the 2024 election. The wall text also mentioned Trump’s two impeachments, which upset the White House. The museum said the updated display is part of a planned exhibition refresh and that the history of presidential impeachments continues to be represented elsewhere in its museums.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/arts/design/smithsonian-trump-pressure.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/arts/smithsonian-trump-impeachment-portrait-gallery.html
Texas A&M, Under New Curriculum Limits, Warns Professor Not to Teach Plato
To comply with new policies restricting university instruction related to race and gender, Texas A&M University warned a philosophy professor that he must remove some lessons on Plato from his syllabus. The warning prompted concern among faculty that the policies threaten academic freedom and classroom rigor, since Plato is a foundational figure in philosophy. The university said it had not banned Plato, but acknowledged that approved sections of the course exclude modules touching on race and gender.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/us/tamu-plato-race-gender.html
The Next Phase of Trump’s Renovations: A New ‘Upper West Wing’
After tearing down the East Wing of the White House to create a new ballroom, Trump seeks to renovate more of the building by adding office space above the colonnade connecting the West Wing to the White House residence. He called this new project the “Upper West Wing,” and indicated he must approve all plans for the project to proceed. He also plans to tear up the brick walkways in Lafayette Park to replace them with granite, estimated to cost roughly $10 million, which he says that he will pay for himself.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-white-house-west-wing-renovation.html
Handing Out Free Tickets, Mamdani Says Theater Should Not Be ‘a Luxury’
Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has added the arts to his affordability agenda and handed out free vouchers to a theatre of experimental work stating that theatre culture should be more accessible. Mamdani worked with Under the Radat festival to make 1,500 free tickets available. Mamdani said the initiative was an early example of a broader approach he intends to pursue to make arts more accessible across the city.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/theater/mamdani-under-radar-theater.html
Sports
WNBA and Players’ Union Fail to Reach CBA Deal at Deadline
The WNBA and the players’ union failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement before the current deal expired after 15 months. The league will enter a status quo period in which normal operations continue while negotiations remain ongoing. The main dispute centers on salary structure and revenue sharing, with players seeking 30% of gross revenue. Additional disagreements include schedule length, retirement benefits, and core designation in free agency.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6959018/2026/01/09/wnba-labor-union-deadline-expire/
NWSL Players Association disputes High Impact Player rule over roster classification
The National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA) is preparing for arbitration with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for a new rule called the High Impact Player Rule, which takes effect in July and allows teams to exceed the salary cap by up to $1 million for certain players. The NWSLPA opposes the High Impact Player Rule, arguing that since it affects players’ compensation, it must be subject to collective bargaining, not a matter of unilateral discretion, while the NWSL maintains that the rule is a roster classification created under the CBA.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6948716/2026/01/07/nwsl-players-association-high-impact-player-not-roster-classification/
MLB teams cancel their contracts with FanDuel Sports Network
Nine Major League Baseball teams have terminated their contracts with FanDuel Sports Network due to concerns about missed payments and to safeguard themselves from a possible bankruptcy by FanDuel’s parent company Main Street Sports Group. Termination will not prevent the teams from returning on renegotiated agreements. Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the MLB is prepared to take over broadcasts if necessary and emphasized that clubs are evaluating alternatives to maximize revenue and ensure quality coverage.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6955733/2026/01/08/mlb-fanduel-sports-network-teams-cancel-contracts/
A Division III runner accepted $6K in donations for tuition. He was deemed ineligible because of it
Mohammed Bati, a Division III cross-country runner at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, was ruled ineligible after receiving nearly $9,000 in crowdfunded donations to help pay his tuition, in violation of NCAA rules that prohibit Division III athletes from receiving donor money designated for tuition. Bati is a college senior studying political science and nursing, runs 150 miles per week, and works overnight shifts at an assisted living facility to support himself throughout college. The Minneapolis running community organized a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his tuition after he learned he needed to pay $6,000 to remain enrolled at school. The NCAA allows Division III athletes to enter name, image, and likeness agreements but bars them from accepting financial assistance for tuition. Augsburg said it followed the NCAA, but acknowledged that the restrictions disadvantage low-income and first-generation students. The NCAA said that Bati could seek reinstatement, but he does not plan on doing so and intends to graduate this year after qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team trials in the marathon.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6939123/2026/01/04/mohammed-bati-diii-runner-augsburg-ineligible-donations/
‘Heated Rivalry’ star says closeted pro athletes have reached out because of TV show. Can it change hockey culture?
Heated Rivalry, a television series on HBO Max and Crave, follows two male professional hockey players whose public rivalry conceals a secret romance and has become a pop culture phenomenon. The show has opened space for conversations about same-sex relationships and acceptance within the National Hockey League, which has historically struggled with welcoming the LGBTQ+ community. Hockey players have acknowledged the show and actors and advocates hope it will encourage important discussions about homophobia and inclusion in the sport. Actor Hudson Williams said he received anonymous messages from closeted professional athletes including hockey, football, and basketball players. He described the messages as affirming and emotionally impactful, given the lack of openly gay hockey players in the National Hockey League and raised questions about whether the show’s influence could change how professional sports leagues treat LGBTQ athletes.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6936576/2026/01/06/heated-rivalry-nhl-hockey-culture-change/
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6955905/2026/01/08/heated-rivalry-hockey-show-hudson-williams-athletes/
NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps resigning after fallout from trial and texts
After more than 20 years, NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps resigned following what the league described as a “personal decision,” one month after an antitrust lawsuit and trial raised public concerns about trust in his leadership. Discovery in the lawsuit brought by two race teams revealed text messages and emails in which Phelps disparaged Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress, prompting backlash from sponsors and fans. Although the lawsuit was ultimately settled and Phelps apologized for the remarks, the messages undermined his ability to continue as the league’s chief negotiator and leader, resulting in his departure from NASCAR.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6945158/2026/01/06/nascar-steve-phelps-resigns-commissioner-leadership-racing/
Three of Grand Slams and ATP, WTA hold secret London meetings over player lawsuit
Leaders of the ATP and WTA Tours and organizers of three Grand Slam tournaments held closed-door meetings in London to discuss potential paths out of antitrust lawsuits brought by the Professional Tennis Players Association that threaten their control of the sport. The discussions focused on giving tournaments financial security, which could increase player pay, benefits, and a stronger voice.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6957349/2026/01/09/tennis-grand-slams-tours-reform-prize-money-ptpa-lawsuit/
French Researcher and Russian Basketball Player Released in a Prisoner Swap
Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher, was released after being detained in Russia since 2024, in exchange for the release of Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian professional basketball player held in France on the suspicion of taking part in a ransomware ring that hacked roughly 900 companies and two U.S. government entities. Vinatier was arrested on spying charges in 2024 and sentenced to three years in prison. The exchange reflects rare diplomatic cooperation between France and Russia amid strained relations since the invasion of Ukraine.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/world/europe/france-russia-prisoner-swap.html
Media/Technology
Corporation for Public Broadcasting Votes to Shut Down
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supported NPR, PBS, and hundreds of local public media stations for over 50 years, voted to dissolve following a more than $500 million cut in annual federal funding from Congress. Executives discussed putting the corporation in hibernation so that it could stay alive in case Congress voted to restore funding, but ultimately decided that allowing the organization to lie dormant could result in “political manipulation or misuse.” The end of the corporation leaves local public radio and television stations across the United States struggling to survive.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/business/media/corporation-for-public-broadcasting.html
Hochul Will Back New Safeguards to Protect Children Online
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to back strict privacy safeguards during her State of the State address that automatically bar online users from messaging, viewing or tagging minors on gaming and social media platforms. The proposal follows reports of the exploitation of children on digital platforms like Discord and Roblox, where child predators have coerced minors online through conversations and financial gifts. The proposed restrictions also limit minors’ interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots, extend age-verification requirements to gaming platforms, require parental approval to override restrictions for children under the age of 13, and impose monthly spending caps for minors on digital platforms.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/nyregion/hocul-social-media-children-protections.html
New York Seeks Ban on A.I.-Generated Images of Candidates
Hochul also announced plans to ban political campaigns from distributing AI generated images of candidates without their consent within the 90 days before an election. In addition, her proposal would prohibit the deliberate spread of false information about elections, such as incorrect dates or times. The proposal follows incidents in recent New York races, including a Cuomo campaign AI video that falsely depicted Zohran Mamdani eating rice with his hands and suggested that his supporters were criminals.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/nyregion/ny-hochul-ai-candidates.html
University to Pay $500,000 to Professor It Fired Over Charlie Kirk Post
Austin Peay State University in Tennessee agreed to pay $500,000 and reinstate tenured professor Darren Michael after briefly firing him over social media posts about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Less than two weeks after the professor was fired, he was placed on a paid suspension after the university acknowledged that they had violated his due-process rights after receiving political backlash. The settlement ended a three-month dispute and avoids potential litigation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/us/austin-peay-professor-charlie-kirk-settlement-reinstated.html
Texas Is Sued Over Investigations Into Teachers’ Speech After Charlie Kirk’s Death
The Texas branch of the American Federation of Teachers sued the Texas Education Agency in federal court, challenging investigations of teachers who commented on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The lawsuit opposed efforts by conservatives and some Republican state leaders to punish educators who criticized Kirk after his death. The union argues that the agency violated public school teachers’ free speech rights by directing state officials and school districts to investigate their speech about Kirk, representing an “unconstitutional, viewpoint-based restriction on speech.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/us/american-federation-teachers-charlie-kirk-lawsuit.html
Google and Character.AI to Settle Lawsuit Over Teenager’s Death
Google and Character.AI agreed to settle a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in October 2024, which accused the companies of providing harmful chatbots that contributed to the suicide of a teenage boy. The lawsuit was brought by the mother of Sewell Setzer III, the 14-year-old who died by suicide in February 2024 after developing a relationship with one of Character.AI’s chatbots. Character.AI previously addressed concerns about users forming unhealthy attachments to chatbots by announcing plans to bar children under 18 from using its chatbots and proposing new safety features. The settlement is part of growing public scrutiny of AI chatbots and concerns about the risks they pose to children.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/technology/google-characterai-teenager-lawsuit.html
New York Times Case Against Pentagon Will Move Quickly
The New York Times lawsuit against the Department of Defense, alleging that restrictions imposed by the Pentagon in October violate the constitutional rights of journalists, is on track for oral arguments in March. After both sides agreed to bypass discovery, the lawsuit is proceeding on an expedited schedule toward summary judgment, with oral arguments scheduled to be heard on March 6th before Judge Paul Friedman in federal court in Washington.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/business/media/new-york-times-pentagon-lawsuit.html
Trump’s Post About Slain Minnesota Lawmaker Dismays Her Children
The children of Melissa Hortman, the former Democratic speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives who was killed in a politically motivated assassination last year along with her husband, urged Trump to remove a social media post that promoted a false conspiracy theory about the killings. Trump reposted a video on his Truth Social account falsely suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was involved in the assassination because the man charged with the killings, Vance Boelter, had served on a state panel during Walz’s administration and because of claims related to Hortman’s vote on health care for undocumented immigrants. Hortman’s children said the repost spread misinformation and compounded their grief, and asked that it be removed, but the post remained online.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/trump-social-hortman-conspiracy-theory.html
Elon Musk’s A.I. Is Generating Sexualized Images of Real People Fueling Outrage
Grok, the AI chatbot created by Elon Musk, has been used on X to generate sexualized images of women and children, resulting in public outrage. After receiving backlash from victims and lawmakers, Grok began limiting image generation on X to paid subscribers, although X users can still generate similar images through the standalone Grok site. Unlike other AI platforms, Grok posts generated images publicly, allowing them to spread quickly to large audiences. The widespread circulation of these images has raised legal concerns, particularly because of laws banning nonconsensual sexual images and sexual images of minors.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/technology/grok-deepfakes-ai-x.html
Malaysia and Indonesia Block Access to Grok Because of Sexually Explicit Content
Indonesia and Malaysia announced that they were temporarily blocking access to Grok, after it generated sexually explicit images of real people. Officials said the images amounted to nonconsensual sexual deepfakes and raised serious concerns about human rights and online safety. The bans make the two countries the first to formally ban the application.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/world/asia/malaysia-indonesia-grok-ban.html
10 People Are Convicted of Cyberbullying France’s First Lady
Eight men and two women who made false claims that France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, was born male were convicted of online harassment and received a range of penalties ranging from fines and online harassment awareness training to jail time, suspended jail sentences, and temporary social media bans. The online messages wrongly claimed that Macron was born a boy named Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her older brother, and suggested that the Macrons’ relationship amounted to pedophilia. Prosecutors said the messages contributed to a toxic online culture fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories. President Emmanuel Macron has cited the case as part of a campaign to combat online misinformation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/world/europe/france-brigitte-macron-cyberbullying-trial-owens.html
AI Images of Maduro Spread Rapidly, Despite Safeguards
Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, AI-generated images falsely showing him in custody circulated widely on social media, overcoming safeguards intended to prevent deceptive images of public figures. Tests conducted by The New York Times showed that many mainstream AI tools could generate realistic fake images within seconds and free of charge, and the images reportedly amassed millions of views. Experts warned that generative AI can outpace existing safeguards and make it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish between real and fake images related to current events.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/technology/nicolas-maduro-ai-images-deepfakes.html
Google Guys Say Bye to California
Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the two men who created the Google search engine in 1998, are moving business out of California and cutting some ties with the state. The two moved dozens of limited liability companies out of state or made them inactive. The Google founders’ decision highlights the impact of a proposed ballot measure that would require Californians worth over $1 billion to pay a one-time tax equivalent to 5% of their assets. If this proposal appears on the ballot in November and wins approval, it will apply retroactively to anyone who lived in the state as of Jan. 1st and gives people five years to pay the tax.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/technology/google-founders-california-wealth-tax.html
No Amazon, No Gmail: Trump Sanctions Upend the Lives of I.C.C. Judges
Trump imposed sanctions on 11 top officials, eight judges and three prosecutors at the International Criminal Court, which cut them off from American services and disrupted their daily lives. The sanctions followed the court’s investigations involving United States personnel and arrest warrants for Israeli officials and have prompted the court to begin shifting away from U.S.-based systems to protect its operations.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/world/europe/icc-judges-us-sanctions-trump.html
General News
Supreme Court Consistently Favors the Rich, Economists Say
A recent study from economists at Yale and Columbia called “Ruling for the Rich” concludes that the Supreme Court has become increasingly polarized over the last century in cases pitting the rich against the poor, with Republican appointees far more likely than Democratic ones to favor the rich. The study found that votes by Republican-appointed justices favoring the wealthier party increased from about 45% in 1953 to roughly 70% in 2022. Economists in the study categorized parties as rich or poor and determined that a justice voted in favor of the rich party if the outcome directly shifted resources toward that party. The study also found that in 1953, Democratic and Republican appointees both decided in favor of the rich about 45% of the time and were statistically indistinguishable, but by 2022 the votes had changed to about 70% for the average Republican justice and 35% for the average Democratic justice. Legal scholars had mixed reactions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/politics/supreme-court-study-rich-poor.html
House Passes Spending Package Before Another Shutdown Deadline
The House of Representatives passed legislation to fund parts of the government, including the Justice and Commerce Departments, before the Jan. 30th deadline. The roughly $180 billion bipartisan spending package rejected the steep cuts sought by Trump and instead proposed spending freezes across several agencies and slight increases in funding to others. The package appears to be on track for enactment, but must first pass the Senate before it can be sent to Trump.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/house-spending-package.html
Trump Says He Has No Issue With His Family’s Foreign Business Deals
During an interview with The New York Times, Trump stated that he has no issue with his family’s foreign business dealings and sees no reason to restrain them during his presidency. Trump said during his first term he limited his family’s international business dealings and received nothing but criticism, justifying his decision to not restrict business during his second term.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-family-foreign-business-deals.html
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
During an interview with The New York Times, Trump said that his authority as commander in chief is constrained only by his “own morality,” not by international law. He emphasized that he would decide when legal limits apply and defended his freedom to use military, economic, or political power. The interview showed that the core of Trump’s worldview is that national strength, not international laws, treaties, and conventions, should be the deciding factor for U.S. action.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-interview-power-morality.html
Trump Pulls Out of Global Climate Agreement
Trump announced plans for the United States to withdraw from the 34-year-old international agreement that acts as the foundation for climate change issues for countries. This is one of the 66 international organizations and treaties that Trump withdrew the United States from after saying they “no longer serve American interests.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the withdrawals by citing waste, mismanagement, and ideological bias within many of the organizations, including those focused on climate and human rights.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/07/us/trump-news#trump-un-climate-treaty
Justice Dept. Memo Approved Military Incursion Into Venezuela as Lawful
The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel produced a signed memo concluding that Trump’s order of the military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro was lawful. While the details of the memo are uncertain, Attorney General Pam Bondi ensured that it would be shared with lawmakers amid concerns about the administration keeping the memo private. Legal scholars say the operation likely violated the United Nations Charter, which prohibits a nation from using force inside the territory of another country without consent from the U.N. Security Council.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/us/politics/justice-dept-memo-venezuela.html
Prosecutors’ Vivid Accusations Against Maduro Belie a Complex Case
Federal prosecutors brought allegations against Maduro that are described as vivid and cinematic. Prosecutors allege that Maduro sold fake passports to narco-traffickers, ordered a hit on a drug boss, and scolded officials to place 1.3 metric tons of cocaine on a commercial flight to Paris. The case is legally complex because prosecutors must heavily rely on cooperating witnesses and incidents clouded by time, and Maduro pled not guilty to the charges.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/nyregion/maduro-new-york-legal-case.html
Maduro Says He Is a Prisoner of War, Not a Defendant. The Words Matter.
Maduro, the Venezuelan leader who pleaded not guilty to federal narco-terrorism and drug charges in a Manhattan courthouse, insists that he is not a criminal defendant, but a prisoner of war, directly challenging the Trump administration’s characterization of his capture as a law enforcement operation. Legal experts said Maduro’s claim is unlikely to affect the case, which will proceed as a criminal prosecution, but highlighted inconsistencies in the administration’s characterization of its actions in Venezuela.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/world/americas/maduro-court-appearance-pow.html
U.S. Sets Out Bare-Bones Plan to Control Venezuela’s Oil Sales
The Trump administration announced plans to assume control of selling oil from Venezuela indefinitely, a level of control no recent American government has attempted. According to the plan, the United States will maintain control over Venezuela’s oil industry by overseeing the sale of production and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. will seize and sell up to two months’ worth of the daily production. The administration’s announcement was met with push back from Venezuela’s state oil company who confirmed negotiations were underway but indicated no final deal had been reached at the time of Trump’s announcement.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/business/energy-environment/us-venezuela-oil-control.html
Trump Suggests U.S. Could Take Action Against More Countries
Following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, Trump suggested the possibility of future action against other countries, issuing threats toward Colombia and its president, describing Cuba as “ready to fall,” and reiterating his desire for the United States to take control of Greenland. Trump accused Colombia’s president of being involved with cocaine mills and factories and said the idea of a U.S. military operation targeting Colombia “sounds good.” While Rubio raised the possibility of U.S. military action in Cuba, Trump said it is unnecessary because of Cuba’s economic instability and its reliance on Venezuela. Trump also said the United States should take control of Greenland for national security reasons, remarks that were rejected by leaders in Greenland and Denmark.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/us/politics/trump-cuba-greenland-colombia.html
U.S. Attack to Seize Greenland Would End NATO, Danish Prime Minister Says
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, warned that a U.S. military attack to seize Greenland would end NATO, responding to Trump’s repeated threats to annex the territory and urging that those threats be taken seriously. Frederiksen also emphasized Article 5 of NATO, which provides that an attack against one member state is treated as an attack against all members, and warned that a NATO member attacking another would cause the alliance to collapse. A joint statement with leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Britain emphasized the importance of NATO and reaffirmed that Greenland belongs to its people, not the United States.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/world/europe/trump-greenland-denmark.html
Buy Greenland? Take it? Why? An Old Pact Already Gives Trump a Free Hand.
Although Trump has suggested buying or taking control of Greenland for national security reasons, analysts say that a 1951 Cold War defense agreement already gives the United States authority to expand its military presence on the island. The pact allows the U.S. to build bases and operate militarily across Greenland, and Trump could likely achieve most strategic goals without taking control of the territory. Greenlandic and Danish leaders have rejected the idea of a sale, emphasizing that Greenland’s future belongs to its people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/world/europe/trump-greenland-denmark-us-defense-pact.html
U.S. Launches Major Strikes on Islamic State Targets in Syria
The United States carried out major airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, deploying about 20 aircraft and firing more than 90 bombs and missiles at least 35 sites, including weapons caches and supply routes. The strikes followed larger December attacks that were launched in response to the killing of two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter in a terrorist attack blamed on ISIS. U.S. officials said the operations are part of ongoing efforts to prevent future attacks and to weaken the group’s remaining infrastructure.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/us/politics/us-strikes-islamic-state-syria.html
Kennedy Scales Back the Number of Vaccines Recommended for Children
Federal health officials announced a reduction in the number of vaccines recommended for children in the United States from 17 to 11, marking a significant change in public health practice under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. health secretary. The decision prompted outrage from public health experts, who said the federal officials did not have evidence to support the change in vaccine recommendations and warned that the new recommendations could increase public distrust in vaccines and heighten the risk of outbreaks of previously preventable diseases. The C.D.C.’s new recommendations will continue to include vaccines against measles, polio, and whooping cough for all children, but vaccines against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, rotavirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus will no longer be recommended universally.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/health/children-vaccines-cdc-kennedy.html
Kennedy Weakens U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Kennedy took measures that have weakened the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel whose recommendations determine which preventive services are covered by most insurance plans at no cost. The task force has not met regularly, its annual report to Congress was not published in 2025, and several members’ terms have ended without clear replacements. Health experts warned that the erosion of the panel could endanger access to preventive care and undermine public trust.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/well/rfk-jr-uspstf-task-force.html
Kennedy Flips Food Pyramid to Emphasize Red Meat and Whole Milk
Kennedy announced new guidelines that flipped the food pyramid and urges Americans to prioritize protein, like red meat and whole milk, and avoid processed foods, reversing previous nutrition guidance. The announcement reflects Kennedy’s push for Americans to “eat real food,” and received backlash from experts who say scientific evidence does not support some of his suggestions and that plant protein can be more effective at reducing some health risks than animal protein.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/well/rfk-jr-food-pyramid-nutrition-guidelines-protein.html
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
Congress wants to reverse Trump’s proposed cuts to federal science funding, with a bipartisan Senate Appropriations package largely rejecting the reductions and preserving roughly $188 billion for research. Lawmakers have even proposed modest increases for basic research, while significantly scaling back the administration’s proposed cuts to agencies such as the National Science Foundation. The House of Representatives has approved the Senate package, reflecting rare bipartisan cooperation and pushback against the White House’s budget approach to science funding.
Appeals Court Upholds Prohibition on Trump’s Medical Research Cuts
A federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration could not drastically cut medical research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), affirming a lower court decision that permanently barred the proposal. In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit held that the administration’s plan to cap reimbursement rates through proposed reductions to NIH grants was unlawful, concluding that lawmakers had established a “carefully circumscribed procedure” that prevents deviations from previously agreed-upon funding rates for federal grants.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/politics/trump-nih-grant-cuts-court.html
Hegseth Starts Proceedings Against Sen. Mark Kelly Over His Remarks
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the beginning of administrative proceedings against Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat of Arizona and a retired Navy captain, that could result in a reduction of his retirement rank and military pension. The proceedings stem from a November video in which Kelly told active-duty service members that they are obligated to refuse illegal orders, remarks Hegseth labeled “seditious” and damaging to the U.S. military. Since Kelly retired from the Navy, he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, permitting disciplinary measures from the military, including a formal letter of censure, with a final decision expected within 45 days.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/politics/hegseth-mark-kelly.html
Five Years On, Trump Keeps Pushing Jan. 6 Conspiracies and White House Posts False Jan. 6 Narrative on Riot’s 5th Anniversary
Five years after the Jan. 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, Trump continues to promote false claims about a stolen 2020 election and to characterize the violence as an assault on his supporters. On the anniversary of the attack, Trump repeatedly shared conspiracy theories on social media about American elections and warned of a potential third impeachment if Republicans lose control of Congress in the midterms. The White House also created a new webpage that criticized Democrats and former Vice President Mike Pence, attempting to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6th attack. Legal and democracy experts warned that Trump’s sustained campaign of election denial could undermine confidence in the upcoming midterm elections.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/us/politics/trump-white-house-jan-6-website.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/us/trump-impeachment-election-conspiracies.html
Judge Blocks Trump Officials from Freezing Billions in Social Services Funds
A federal judge in New York temporarily blocked the Trump administration from freezing roughly $10 billion in federal funding for childcare and social services programs in five Democratic-led states, allowing the funds to continue while a lawsuit proceeds. The states filed a lawsuit after receiving notice of an immediate pause in funding for major programs serving low-income families and people with disabilities. The administration has suggested the freeze was tied to alleged fraud in Minnesota, but has not provided evidence of similar misconduct in the other states.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/us/politics/trump-child-care-funding-freeze.html
Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133 to 12 in His Favor
A New York Times analysis found that appellate judges appointed by Trump have voted overwhelmingly in favor of his administration when its actions were challenged in court. In 2025, Trump appointees sided with the administration 133 times and voted against it only 12 times, supporting his agenda 92% of the time. Changes to the judicial confirmation process, Trump’s selection of ideologically aligned judges, and the influence of his appointees on courts have contributed to the appeals courts often ruling in favor of his policies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/us/politics/trumps-appeals-court-judges.html
Judge Orders Trump Loyalist to Explain Why She Has Kept U.S. Attorney Title
Federal Judge David J. Novak ordered Lindsey Halligan, a Trump-appointed prosecutor, to explain why she has continued to identify herself as the U.S. attorney despite a prior ruling that determined her appointment by the Justice Department was unlawful. Judge Novak gave Halligan seven days to respond in writing and warned that her continued practice of signing court papers as the district’s top prosecutor could constitute false or misleading statements and result in disciplinary action.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/us/politics/lindsey-halligan-virginia-federal-judge.html
House Votes to Restore Health Subsidies, Raising Hopes of a Deal
The House of Representatives passed a bill to restore expanded Affordable Care Act health subsidies for three years, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats in a symbolic 230–196 vote. The measure will not become law because it has already been rejected by the Senate, but its passage in the House may increase pressure for bipartisan efforts to find a compromise on health care costs. Lawmakers are continuing negotiations on a narrower proposal, though divisions remain over the length of any extension and the inclusion of abortion-related restrictions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/house-bill-aca-subsidies.html
U.S. Appeals Court Won’t Take Up Case to Resurrect 9/11 Plea Deal
A federal appeals court declined to take up the case seeking to reinstate a plea deal in the Sept. 11th prosecution at Guantánamo Bay, leaving the Supreme Court as the only remaining option for review. Pretrial hearings will likely resume in the case against Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and two co-defendants, who had agreed to plead guilty in exchange for life sentences in place of a death penalty trial before the deal was later voided by the defense secretary. With no trial date set, the prosecution remains delayed by ongoing legal disputes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/us/politics/appeals-court-sept-11-plea-deal.html
Officials Dispute Federal Account of Fatal ICE Encounter in Minnesota
State and local officials in Minnesota disputed federal claims that a woman fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis had tried to kill officers with her car, and described the federal account as “propaganda” and “false.” Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, say the agents acted with self-defense, while Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey said the incident reflected reckless use of power and warned against the Trump administration’s dangerous immigration operations. Video shows that the agents attempted to remove the woman from her vehicle before the shots were fired.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/07/us/minnesota-shooting-ice
https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000010631041/minneapolis-ice-shooting-video.html
Amid Protests, ICE Told Agents to Take ‘Decisive Action’ if Threatened
On Dec. 12th, ICE officials warned agents of heightened protestors and told them to prepare to take “appropriate and decisive action” if faced with an imminent threat. The warning came weeks before the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, and mentioned the rising hostility toward agents, including blocked vehicles, thrown objects and verbal confrontations, as immigration enforcement intensified.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/homeland-security-ice-protests-warning.html
Federal Agents Shoot 2 During Traffic Stop in Portland, Ore.
Just one day after the fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, federal agents shot two people in Portland, Oregon while conducting a targeted vehicle stop. Homeland Security Department spokeswoman said the agent fired the shot after the driver tried to run over them over and characterized the agents’ target as an undocumented immigrant and member of a Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua, though she provided no evidence. Oregon and Portland leaders criticized the presence of federal agents and called for an end to the administration’s immigration operations, as protests erupted outside an ICE facility.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/federal-agents-shooting-portland.html
Judge Bars U.S. Attorney in Albany From Inquiry Into Letitia James
A federal judge barred top federal prosecutor John A. Sarcone III from leading the civil rights investigation into New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, after concluding that Sarcone was not lawfully serving as the U.S. attorney when subpoenas were issued. The judge blocked the subpoenas and will allow them to be reissued by a lawfully authorized prosecutor. Lawyers for James had challenged Sarcone’s legitimacy while seeking to quash the subpoenas, and the judge’s decision raises questions about the validity of actions taken by other improperly appointed U.S. attorneys.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/nyregion/albany-us-attorney-letitia-james.html
Prosecutors Said to Pursue New Investigation of Letitia James
Federal prosecutors have opened an investigation examining past financial transactions between New York Attorney General Letitia James and her longtime hairdresser, Iyesata Marsh. The investigation follows setbacks in prior prosecutions, including dismissed charges and failed grand jury attempts, and comes after a judge recently disqualified a U.S. attorney involved in a related civil rights investigation. James has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the hairdresser, and her lawyer said the investigation reflects continued political retaliation by the Trump administration.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/letitia-james-trump-justice-department.html
Former Uvalde Teacher’s Testimony Throws a Trial Into Chaos
A former third-grade teacher at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde testified in the criminal trial against ex-Uvalde police officer Adrian Gonzales, prompting legal issues after defense attorneys accused the prosecution of failing to disclose key details, raising concerns about a potential Brady violation. Her testimony indicated that she saw the gunman armed with a rifle outside the campus near Gonzales’ location, which did not match what she previously told a Texas Ranger investigator. Although the judge ruled the prosecution had acted negligently, he denied a mistrial and instructed the jury to disregard the testimony.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/uvalde-shooting-teacher-testimony-trial.html
Most Lawyers in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office Are on Epstein Duty
125 out of 200 assistant U.S. attorneys from the Southern District of New York have been directed to review the roughly two million documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. More than 400 Justice Department lawyers nationwide have been assigned to the review. Over the next several weeks, the lawyers will review and redact victims’ names and personal information mentioned in various materials including documents, photographs, videos, and handwritten notes before the materials are made public.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/nyregion/epstein-files-redactions.html
Julie Menin Is Elected New York City Council Speaker
The New York City Council unanimously elected Julie Menin as Council speaker, who will use her power to investigate bad actors in the city’s business community, including debt collectors and the insurance industry, in contrast to her predecessor Adrienna Adams. Menin is less ideologically aligned with the city’s new mayor Zohran Mamdani than many past speakers, but she downplayed differences and emphasized her desire to work collaboratively. Her early priorities include expanding affordable housing opportunities and launching a citywide college savings program for kindergartners.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/nyregion/julie-menin-nyc-council-speaker.html
27 Million Fewer Car Trips: Life After a Year of Congestion Pricing
One year after Manhattan implemented congestion pricing during peak travel times for vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street, the city has reported improvements in street safety, commute times, and the severity of traffic jams. Reviewing city and state data, outside research, and community feedback, The New York Times found that the program resulted in approximately 27 million fewer vehicles entering the central business district within the first year, alongside faster traffic patterns, and increased public transit ridership.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/01/05/upshot/congestion-pricing-one-year.html
For Many Jan. 6 Rioters, a Pardon From Trump Wasn’t Enough
Almost one year after Trump pardoned roughly 1,600 people charged in connection with the Jan. 6th attack, many recipients remain angry and dissatisfied, with some demanding revenge, financial compensation or further investigations. Some pardoned rioters have returned to financial hardship and mental health challenges while remaining consumed by conspiracy theories. Many pardoned individuals call for reparations and accountability, intensifying pressure on the Justice Department, despite the lack of evidence to support claims that the attack was a government setup.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/politics/trump-jan-6-pardons-rioters.html
A Financier’s Twist on Buying Influence: Bankrolling Ballot Measures
Seattle-area hedge fund founder Brian Heywood has spent about $11 million since 2022 trying to make Washington more conservative through his political action committee, Let’s Go Washington. He is now pushing two measures that could force legislative action or a public vote this year: one to restore a parents’ rights law that lawmakers later weakened, and another to require student athletes to prove they were born biologically female to compete in girls’ sports. Supporters of Heywood say his efforts give voters a direct voice, while opponents argue he is a political opportunist.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/us/politics/ballot-measures-washington-state-wealthy.html
Machado Offered Trump Her Nobel, but Prize Institute Says It’s Not Allowed
Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado offered to give her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, but the Norwegian Nobel Institute said the prize cannot be transferred or shared once awarded.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/world/americas/trump-nobel-peace-prize-maria-machado.html
At U.N. Emergency Meeting, U.S. Allies Criticize Military Actions in Venezuela
The operation sparked international criticism and prompted an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, where U.S. allies and other member states objected to it. U.N. Secretary General, Antonion Guterres, claimed the nighttime raid in Caracas violated the U.N charter and members of the Security Council, described the raid as a violation of international law, while U.S. ambassadors to the U.N defended the capture of Maduro and claimed it was a law enforcement operation.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/05/world/venezuela-maduro-trump
Venezuela Braces for Economic Collapse From U.S. Blockade
Venezuela faces the risk of a severe economic collapse following the partial U.S. blockade on oil exports that threatens to shut down more than 70% of national oil production, eliminating its primary source of public revenue. The Trump administration’s previous decision to target tankers carrying Venezuelan crude has largely paralyzed exports by the state oil company and projections indicate oil production could fall from roughly 1.2 million barrels per day to less than 300,000 later this year. Economists warned that a collapse in oil revenue could trigger a massive recession accompanied by famine or mass migration.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/world/americas/venezuela-us-blockade-economy-oil.html
Rubio Helped Oust Maduro. Running Venezuela May Prove Trickier.
Rubio played a central role in pushing Trump toward the military operation that led to the capture of Maduro, but now faces the difficult task of overseeing United States policy in Venezuela. Trump said the United States is in charge of Venezuela, and Rubio is expected to manage relations with remaining officials while pressuring them to grant U.S. companies access to the country’s oil.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/us/politics/rubio-venezuela-future.html
Europe Rallies for Greenland as Trump’s Threats Continue
European leaders supported Greenland after Trump repeatedly threatened to seize the semiautonomous Danish territory, urging the United States to respect Greenland’s sovereignty and NATO principles. In a joint statement with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, leaders from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other countries emphasized that Greenland is a part of NATO and that Arctic security depends on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity under the United Nations Charter. Trump said the United States “needs Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” following his administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Danish, European, and Canadian officials rejected the threats, while Greenland’s leaders called for respectful engagement through diplomatic and political channels.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/world/americas/greenland-europe-trump-threats.html