UN Chief Guterres says the U.S. has a "legal obligation" to fund UN agencies, despite Trump's withdrawal from 30+ initiatives. The move impacts climate, population, & other global programs. More: [URL] #UnitedNations #News

Sen. Graham says Trump "greenlit" a sanctions bill targeting Russia for its war in Ukraine. The bill aims to cripple Moscow economically. Vote possible next week. #RussiaUkraine #News

New report: 2025 tariffs linked to slower job growth & increased unemployment (4.4%), despite minimal price hikes for consumers. Businesses cite uncertainty. #Economics #News

North Korea accuses South Korea of flying drones across the border, vowing a response. Seoul denies the allegations. Tensions rise. #NorthKorea #Diplomacy #News

GM faces $6B in charges for Q4 2023 due to slowed EV sales after US tax incentive cuts & eased emission standards. Shares dipped almost 3%. #ElectricVehicles #News

Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors received Guinean citizenship after tracing their ancestry through DNA tests. The actors were welcomed in Guinea with a cultural ceremony. #Africa #News

Mali, Burkina Faso, & Niger have banned US travelers in response to US travel restrictions. These countries share a border in West Africa. State Dept. already advises against travel there. #travelban #News

Contaminated fuel was sold at some Denver metro gas stations, including King Soopers, Costco & Murphy Express, on Thursday. Officials say unleaded gas may have been mixed with diesel. Contact impacted stores if affected. #Denver #News

Following the raid in Venezuela & push for Greenland, observers note a shift in US foreign policy reminiscent of historical "gunboat diplomacy" and imperialistic actions. #geopolitics #News

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, founded in 1786, will cease operations May 3, 2026, after a labor dispute and financial losses. The closure highlights the decline of local journalism. #LocalNews #News

Trump seeks $100B for Venezuela oil after Maduro ouster. Exxon CEO calls Venezuela "uninvestable," citing prior asset seizures. Other firms express cautious interest. #OilandGas #News

OKLAHOMA: Mother & stepfather of missing 12-year-old Ryan Davis arrested for alleged child abuse as the search continues. Ryan was last seen 1/2 in Chickasha. $5K reward for info leading to his safe return. Call 800-522-8017. #MissingPerson #News

Protests are escalating across Iran due to economic & political frustrations. Demonstrations began in late December, spreading from Tehran to smaller cities. Restrictions on media hinder reporting. #IranProtests #News

US Treasury Sec. Bessent calls Argentina peso bet a "homerun deal," citing repaid financial support & profit. The US purchased the currency to stabilize it before Argentine elections. #Argentina #Economy #News

Trump urges credit card companies to cap interest rates at 10% for one year, starting Jan 20, 2026. Idea has bipartisan support but faces industry opposition. #CreditCards #News

Meta will power its data centers with 6+ GW of nuclear energy via deals with Vistra (existing plants) & startups Oklo & TerraPower (small modular reactors). Power to the PJM grid by early 2030s. #NuclearEnergy #News

Pope Leo XIV, in his first "state of the world" address, told global envoys "war is back in vogue," citing undermined international law and escalating tensions. He spoke January 9th at the Vatican. #InternationalAffairs #News

Macy's will close 14 stores in 12 states in early 2026, including one in Amherst, NY. Closures are part of a plan to focus on stronger locations. #Retail #News

Trump suggests the US-Russia New START nuclear treaty may expire. The treaty limits deployed nuclear warheads. Expiration could end limits on world's largest nuclear arsenals. #NuclearTreaty #News

Following controversy over its image generation, Elon Musk's Grok now limits image generation on X to paid subscribers. Image editing on X & full features on Grok's site/app remain available to all. #AI #News

House passed a bipartisan spending package to fund agencies through September, averting a potential shutdown. Senate vote pending. #Politics #News

A 1-year-old boy died after falling from a 4th-floor window of an Edgewater building in Chicago around 11:30 AM Friday. Investigation ongoing. #Chicago #News

Columbus police investigate the "disturbing" murders of dentist Spencer Tepe & his wife Monique, found dead in their home Dec. 30th. Their children were unharmed. Police seek person of interest. #Ohio #News

China signals moderation on dual-use export restrictions affecting Japan, following an initial trade threat earlier this week. Commerce Ministry claims civilian trade unaffected. #Trade #News

Stocks surged Friday, ending 2026's first week strong. Dow, S&P 500 hit records, Nasdaq jumped. December jobs report & potential tariffs ruling were key factors. #StockMarket #News

Gov. Polis calls Tina Peters' 9-year prison sentence "harsh," sparking clemency speculation. Peters was convicted for unauthorized access to voting equipment in Mesa County in 2021. #ColoradoPolitics #News

Facing primary care doctor shortages, some health networks are turning to AI tools for diagnosis and treatment. Patients may interact with AI before seeing a doctor via telehealth. #Healthcare #News

California is now completely drought-free for the first time in 25 years, according to the US Drought Monitor. Recent winter storms have filled reservoirs, but snowpack levels are still below average. #California #News

India denies US trade deal stalled because Modi didn't call Trump, refuting US Commerce Secretary's claim. Negotiations continue amid disagreements over agriculture and tariffs. #Trade #News

David Hart, 22, of NY, jailed for a year in the US for making 95 hoax bomb calls to UK venues, including London hospitals, in late 2023. #Crime #News

Snow drought grips the western US, threatening summer water supplies and businesses. Record-hot temps are contributing to low snowpack in areas like the Colorado River Basin. #Climate #News

Recent reports of widespread child care fraud in Minnesota, fueled by a viral video, are misleading. While past fraud exists, the extent is overstated. New oversight measures are in place. More: [Article URL] #Minnesota #News

US trade deficit plunges to lowest since 2009! October's deficit dropped 39% from September to $29.4 billion, surprising economists. GDP also grew at 4.3% in Q3 2025. #economics #News

Family near Lewes, UK, unearths a hoard of 3,000-year-old Bronze Age copper ingots while metal detecting. The "treasure" was donated to the Barbican House Museum. #Archaeology #News

Reports claim the UK Ministry of Defence faces a £28bn funding gap over the next 4 years to meet planned military upgrades. Gov't declines to deny the shortfall.#Defencee#Newss

Trump threatens to cut Raytheon's government contracts if they don't increase weapons production & reduce stock buybacks. RTX stock initially fell but rebounded after Trump proposed a military budget increase. #Defense #News

Mortgage rates may remain in a narrow range into 2026, averaging between 6.15% to 7.04% for a 30-year fixed rate. Fed policy & Trump proposal are wild cards. #Mortgages #News

Le Mans winner Hans Herrmann has died at the age of 97, Porsche Motorsport announced. Herrmann won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970. #Motorsport #News

Nicola Cristiano found guilty of attempting to rape a woman on an Easyjet flight from Naples to Edinburgh on May 13th. Sentencing set for February 6th. #Crime #News

KC Restaurant Week is Jan 9-18 with 250+ restaurants offering multi-course menus at fixed prices. Benefits local charities. Make reservations & be patient! More info: [Article URL] #KansasCity #News

EU-Mercosur trade deal reached! EU will gain access to LatAm consumers, especially for autos. Farmers receive €45B in subsidies. Details: [Article URL#Traded#Newsws

Kenyan pilots reveal to the BBC their secret 1995 mission to fly the body of former Somali President Siad Barre from Nigeria back to Somalia for burial. #Somalia #News

CBP agent shot & injured 2 in Portland, OR, Jan 8, 2026, during a "targeted" stop. DHS alleges the driver "weaponized" the vehicle. OR Attorney General opens probe. #Portland #News

House fails to override Trump's veto of the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act (1/8/25). The bill aimed to extend repayment for a CO water project, impacting 50K residents. #Colorado #News

Uganda heads to the polls on Jan 15. President Museveni, in power since 1986, faces Bobi Wine for the 2nd time. Key issues: youth unemployment & governance. #UgandaElections #News

Trump warns of potential future airstrikes in Nigeria if attacks against Christians continue. Nigeria's government has previously rejected claims it doesn't protect Christians. #Nigeria #News

Woman killed in a fire at Westover Village Apartments in West Norriton Township, PA, Wednesday around 9:15 a.m. Victim not yet identified. #WestNorriton #News

5 states (CA, CO, MN, IL, NY) are suing the Trump admin for withholding billions in social safety net funds, citing concerns about fraud. The states call the move an abuse of power. #Politics #News

Eli Lilly reports Zepbound, combined with Taltz, reduced psoriatic arthritis symptoms in obese patients more than Taltz alone. Data suggests Zepbound may help with PsA. #PsoriaticArthritis #News

US VP Vance warns Europe to take Trump's interest in Greenland "seriously," citing US security concerns. Danish & Greenland envoys met with US officials. #Geopolitics #Geopolitics #News