Unveiled Deployments, Spending Setbacks, and Legal Shakeups

Good Morning,

The Pentagon revealed that 2,000 US troops are currently deployed in Syria despite previous reports, a Trump-backed spending bill failed in the House leading some to fear a government shutdown, and a Georgia appeals court removed DA Fani Willis from Trump’s election interference case.

Top Stories

• Prosecutor Fani Willis is removed from the Georgia election case against Trump and others (AP)

• Trump-backed spending deal fails in House, shutdown approaches (RT)

• Trump may try to privatize the Postal Service. His foes should welcome the fight. (MSNBC)

• Flawed predictions shaped recent market losses, Jim Cramer says (CNBC)

• Gisèle Pelicot thanks backers after her ex-husband and his co-defendants are convicted in rape trial (AP)

• More Than Twice as Many U.S. Troops Are in Syria Than Previously Disclosed (NYT)

• The Next Big Fed Debate: Has the Era of Very Low Rates Ended? (WSJ)

• Pakistan slams US sanctions on ballistic missile program (AJ)

• A whirlwind day for Luigi Mangione ends with new charges, revelations from a notebook and transfer to a federal prison (CNN)

• Ex-aide to New York Mayor Adams indicted on bribery charges (RT)

• Immigration agency deports highest numbers since 2014, aided by more flights (AP)

• Andrew Cuomo Plans to Sue Former Aide Who Accused Him of Sexual Harassment (WSJ)

• Putin says Russia is ready to compromise with Trump on Ukraine war (RT)

• Global central banks urge caution before Trump arrival (RT)

United States and Canada

• Canada's retaliation for Trump tariffs is biggest concern, says Japan's Komatsu (RT)

• Arizona secretary of state overstepped his authority on elections manual, judge rules (AP)

• Chinese National Charged in California After Aiding Local Candidate, Prosecutors Say (NYT)

• Democrats urge end to trade deal investor protections as USTR denies secret talks (RT)

• Immigrants Dominate U.S. Population Growth (WSJ)

• Federal judge allows January 6 defendant to attend Trump’s inauguration (CNN)

• US imposes more sanctions on Yemen’s Houthis amid escalation with Israel (AJ)

• Ex-Police Chief Who Sexually Assaulted 17-Year-Old Gets 25 Years in Prison (NYT)

• Alaska governor asks Trump to roll back restrictions on oil and gas drilling (AP)

Africa

• Crowd crush kills 35 children at funfair in Nigeria, police say (CNN)

• At UN, Blinken tells states backing Sudan's warring parties: Enough (RT)

• Chagos Islands: Mauritius questions agreement with UK (AN)

• Congolese president sacks military top brass in major reshuffle (RT)

• Campaign in DRC to say 'no' to planned constitutional amendment (AN)

• Why is Apple being sued by the Democratic Republic of the Congo? (AJ)

• Exclusive: Biden to report to US Congress on UAE assurance it is not supplying weapons to Sudan RSF (RT)

Middle East

• Middle East latest: Israeli strike on a Gaza school kills 17 people sheltering there (AP)

• Israel keeps up Gaza bombardment as ceasefire talks intensify (RT)

• Palestinian Authority refuses to back down in fight with Jenin fighters (AJ)

• Israeli strike kills Al Jazeera photojournalist on one year anniversary of colleague’s death (CNN)

• Its Syrian Bases in Doubt, Russia Sends Cargo Flights to Libya (NYT)

• Israel’s Expanded Perch on Syrian Border Puts Damascus in Its Sights (WSJ)

• US imposes sanctions on Iran and Houthi-related targets (RT)

Indo-Pacific

• South Korean investigators seek to question reluctant president over martial law (AP)

• Taiwan Is Getting Its U.S. Weaponry—but Years Behind Schedule (WSJ)

• Here Are 4 Reasons China Meddles in Local U.S. Politics (NYT)

• China's Xi urges bigger international role for gambling hub Macau (RT)

• Corruption in China’s Military Threatens Its Readiness, U.S. Says (WSJ)

• Australia announces $118 million deal to enhance policing in Solomon Islands (AP)

• Pakistan's missile program is 'emerging threat', top US official says (RT)

Europe

• EU leaders insist no decisions can be taken about Ukraine without Ukraine, or behind their backs (AP)

• China lets Sweden, Finland, Germany and Denmark board ship in cable breach case (RT)

• Gisèle Pelicot’s Ex-Husband Jailed for 20 Years in Mass Rape Trial (WSJ)

• Putin promises to ask Assad about whereabouts of American journalist Austin Tice (CNN)

• Putin boasts of gains in Ukraine at annual news conference meant to reinforce his authority (AP)

• Suspect in killing of top Russian general sent to pre-trial detention for two months, court says (RT)

• At least 20 migrants die after boat sinks off Tunisian coast, marking second tragedy in a week (CNN)

Latin America

• El Salvador says it will keep buying bitcoin despite IMF warning (RT)

• Venezuelan opposition member leaves Argentine diplomatic compound after sheltering for 9 months (AP)

• IMF board completes Ecuador review, allowing for release of $500 million (RT)

• Un capturado, un abatido y un soldado muerto deja operación militar contra el Clan del Golfo en Antioquia (SM)

• Shamans refuse to evacuate precarious cliff-top shacks in Bolivia despite government order (AP)

• El canciller Werthein intimó a una periodista de Clarín a que no informe sobre el caso del gendarme detenido en Venezuela (CA)

• Nicolás Maduro rechazó la existencia de presos políticos en Venezuela (LN)