Leadership Changes: Trudeau Resigns, Trump Certified, and Sarkozy on Trial

Good Morning,

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation after nearly a decade in power, Congress formally certified Donald Trump's 2024 presidential victory, and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy went on trial for allegedly receiving millions in illegal campaign financing from Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi for his 2007 presidential bid

Top Stories

• Canada’s Trudeau announces resignation after nearly a decade as prime minister (AP)

• US Congress certifies Trump election victory with Harris presiding (RT)

• US transfers 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay prison to Oman (AJ)

• Nvidia, chip stocks pop after Foxconn reports record revenue (CNBC)

• Departing US ambassador to Mexico sees ‘major changes’ under Trump in diplomatic relationship (AP)

• Massacre Upon Massacre: Haiti’s Bleak Spiral Into a Failed State (NYT)

• Venezuela’s Dissidents Plot Comeback After Months in Hiding, Exile or Jail (WSJ)

• Ex-New York Mayor and Trump ally Rudy Giuliani found in contempt of court (AJ)

• France’s Sarkozy goes on trial over alleged Libyan campaign financing (CNN)

• Trump loses bid to delay sentencing in hush money case as he appeals (RT)

• Donald Trump Jr. to visit Greenland as his father muses anew about the US taking control of it (AP)

• Yen Weakens Amid Risk-on Sentiment (WSJ)

• Pentagon to consider honorable discharges for gay veterans barred under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' (RT)

• Minneapolis agrees to overhaul police training and force policies after George Floyd’s murder (AP)

United States and Canada

• Two Indian companies indicted in US for importing ingredients used in opioid fentanyl (RT)

• Pope Francis Appoints Trump Critic as Washington, D.C., Archbishop (WSJ)

• Shooter at Honduran Consulate in Georgia Kills One and Injures Another (NYT)

• Court proceedings for man charged in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing are delayed several weeks (AP)

• Trump Says He’ll Replace Leader of National Archives (NYT)

• ‘Politics and bickering’ hindered New Orleans’ French Quarter security, consulting firm found in 2019 report (CNN)

• US Steel, Nippon sue Biden administration over decision to block merger (AJ)

• Americans sue Venezuela’s Maduro for anguish caused by imprisonment, alleged torture (AP)

• Outgoing US transport chief says Boeing has more to do after 737 MAX incident (RT)

Africa

• Exiled Mozambique opposition leader to return on January 9th (AN)

• How Kenya police hid killings of anti-government protesters (RT)

• China-Ethiopia partnership brings free eye care to Addis Ababa (AN)

• Nigeria’s military launch offensive on new rebel group (AJ)

• Kémi Séba announces candidacy for Benin's 2026 presidential election (AN)

• Ghana’s Mahama returns as president, facing old problems (RT)

• Suspected bomb explosion kills two at Nigerian school (RT)

Middle East

• Exclusive: US shifts some military aid to Lebanon from Egypt, letter says (RT)

• US eases restrictions on Syria while keeping sanctions in place (AP)

• US envoy says Israeli army will withdraw completely from south Lebanon (AJ)

• Netanyahu vows to ‘settle accounts’ after three Israelis killed in West Bank shooting (CNN)

• Al-Assad Is Out, but So Is a Revered Queen: Textbook Changes Unsettle Syrians (NYT)

• Blinken calls for push to get Gaza truce deal over 'finish line' (RT)

• Turkiye says Kurdish-led armed groups in Syria will be ‘eliminated’ (AJ)

Indo-Pacific

• South Korea authorities seek extension of warrant to arrest impeached Yoon (AJ)

• Malaysia court grants jailed ex-PM Najib access to house arrest decree (AJ)

• Chinese Vessel Cuts Taiwan Internet Cable in Apparent Sabotage (WSJ)

• North Korea's Kim oversees successful test of new hypersonic missile (RT)

• Indonesia is admitted to the BRICS bloc of developing nations (AP)

• Why Trump’s blow-hot, blow-cold on China worries India (AJ)

• Blinken expresses confidence in South Korea democratic process (RT)

Europe

• Battle rages in western Russia as Moscow reports gains in Ukraine (RT)

• Iran nuclear programme nearing ‘point of no return’, France’s Macron says (AJ)

• Pope Names Nun to Head a Vatican Department, a First for a Woman (NYT)

• Blinken warns Russia is close to sharing advanced satellite technology with North Korea (CNN)

• UK’s anti-corruption minister refers herself to ethics watchdog over links to ousted Bangladeshi PM (AP)

• The child rape scandal dominating UK politics after Musk criticism (RT)

• Ukraine needs 'realistic' stance on territorial issues, Macron says (RT)

Latin America

• Venezuela, Paraguay break relations over Pena's support for opposition (RT)

• What to know about Venezuela’s upcoming presidential inauguration (AP)

• Emilio José Archila advierte sobre incumplimientos en el Acuerdo de Paz, en medio de amenazas de movilización de los firmantes (SM)

• Ecuador's ex-VP Glas back in prison after evacuation amid inmate chaos (RT)

• Venezuela announces the release of 146 election protesters from prison (AJ)

• Nicolás Maduro ahora acusa al gendarme argentino detenido en Venezuela de querer matar a su vice (CA)

• La respuesta de Vladimir Padrino López al video de Edmundo González para la FANB (LN)