Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a series of trilateral discussions involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia, following his meeting with former President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The talks are set to commence on Friday in the United Arab Emirates and aim to establish a framework for peace amid the ongoing conflict that has persisted for nearly four years.
During his time in Davos, Trump also launched his Board of Peace, intended to facilitate a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, the initiative has faced significant challenges, as many key U.S. allies have chosen not to participate. Trump’s vision for Gaza and broader Middle Eastern stability appears to be overshadowed by his controversial stance regarding Greenland.
In a separate development, President Joe Biden had previously assured European leaders that “America is back” at the outset of his administration, a pledge aimed at repairing transatlantic relations strained during Trump’s presidency. Nevertheless, Trump’s influence appears to have resurfaced, particularly following his recent demand for Denmark to cede Greenland to the United States. This demand has sparked unrest within NATO and prompted European leaders to consider forming alliances that exclude U.S. participation.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has characterized the current international order as an “illusion,” reflecting a growing sentiment among European officials that Trump’s approach could lead to lasting damage to U.S. credibility on the global stage. While some Republicans support Trump’s tactics, Democrats have criticized them, calling for a fundamental shift in U.S. politics to restore trust with allies.
In Minnesota, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, who led an anti-immigration protest that disrupted a church service. The protest occurred at Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer serves as pastor. Demonstrators interrupted the service with chants demanding justice for Renee Good, a mother of three who was shot and killed by an ICE officer earlier this month. Levy Armstrong’s arrest is part of ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the state.
Vice President JD Vance is expected to visit Minnesota, where he will meet with ICE agents. He has publicly blamed the “far left” for the unrest surrounding immigration policies, defending the actions of the agent involved in Good’s death, which he described as a “tragedy of her own making.” Vance has also praised the arrests made during the church protest.
As the political landscape shifts, a massive winter storm is set to impact the eastern United States, bringing severe weather from Texas to Boston. Forecasters warn that the storm could cause extensive damage to infrastructure, comparable to hurricane conditions, especially in areas expecting heavy ice.
On the financial front, U.S. stocks are beginning to recover following Trump’s decision to cancel tariffs related to his Greenland negotiations. The S&P 500 increased by 0.7%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 408 points. Despite this positive movement, market analysts remain cautious, observing fluctuations in gold prices and the U.S. dollar against other currencies.
In the realm of entertainment, Ryan Coogler’s film “Sinners” has made history, garnering 16 nominations for the upcoming Academy Awards, surpassing the previous record of 14 nominations held by several iconic films. This achievement marks a significant moment for the film industry and sets a high bar for future productions.
