Latest reports, ordered by publication time.
U.S. politics in late January 2026 has been dominated by fallout from a Minneapolis town hall attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar and intensifying arguments over the conduct of federal authorities and the leadership of Homeland Security.
President Donald Trump renewed threats toward Cuba, arguing the island is losing financial and energy support it once received from Venezuela. The remarks came as reports said the administration was considering a sweeping move to block oil imports to Cuba, while Mexico’s president described her country’s decision to stop sending oil shipments as a sovereign choice.
South Carolina’s measles outbreak has grown to 789 confirmed cases, surpassing the size of Texas’ 2025 outbreak and becoming the largest U.S. outbreak since measles was declared eliminated nationally. Officials say the outbreak remains concentrated in Spartanburg County, with hospitalizations reported and ongoing risk for spread where vaccination rates are low.
The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on January 28, 2026, pausing after a series of cuts in 2025. Policymakers are weighing stubborn inflation against a softer labor market, while the broader economy continues to expand, leaving investors focused on the Fed’s next signal about the timing of future moves.
The NHL schedule for January 28, 2026 includes three games, highlighted by Colorado’s visit to Ottawa with Nathan MacKinnon close to 700 career assists. The slate also features Flyers-Blue Jackets and Rangers-Islanders, with several players and teams tracking toward key milestones and playoff positioning.
A man was tackled by security after spraying an unidentified liquid at Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall in Minneapolis. Omar was not injured, and authorities had not immediately said what the substance was or whether charges would be filed as the incident fueled renewed political tension around security and threats targeting lawmakers.
Amazon said it will cut 16,000 jobs, expanding a restructuring effort that began with earlier layoffs in October. Executives framed the move as an attempt to reduce management layers, speed decision-making, and streamline operations, while signaling that the company will continue hiring in strategic areas.
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Fulton County’s main elections office in Union City, Georgia, on Wednesday, with local officials saying they were scrambling for clarity on what the search targeted. The warrant’s purpose was not immediately disclosed, but the move landed in a politically charged landscape shaped by years of false claims about voter fraud in the Atlanta-area county.
The 2026 Senior Bowl week moved into high gear as practices began in Mobile, Alabama, bringing more than 100 draft-eligible prospects onto the field in front of scouts and staff from every NFL team. With multiple practice sessions televised and the all-star game set for Saturday, the week offers a rare chance for evaluators to compare players in a shared environment, especially at quarterback and along the lines. Early sessions focused on installing routines, testing technique under pro coaching, and identifying fast risers who can translate college production into NFL-ready traits.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection internal watchdog review has contradicted the administration’s public description of a fatal shooting in Minneapolis involving 37-year-old Alex Pretti. The report finds two federal officers fired their weapons during a struggle and says Pretti did not draw his gun, clashing with earlier claims from top officials. The revelations have intensified political fallout in Washington, with Democratic leaders threatening stronger action if the Department of Homeland Security does not respond decisively. The case has become a flashpoint in the broader national fight over immigration enforcement tactics, accountability, and transparency.
Iran has begun partially restoring connectivity after one of its most extensive internet shutdowns, imposed amid escalating anti-government protests. Access remains inconsistent, with some services available in certain provinces while social platforms and many global sites stay unreachable. Analysts describe traffic patterns that suggest throttling and tiered access, signaling that authorities may be testing new control methods rather than ending restrictions outright. The blackout has also carried a heavy economic price, disrupting businesses and communications across the country as regional and international concern grows.
U.S. stocks climbed with the S&P 500 breaking above 7,000 for the first time, powered by AI optimism and expectations of strong Big Tech earnings. But the rally arrived alongside uneasy signals: investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision, and major employers continued to announce layoffs tied to restructuring and efficiency drives. The mixed picture underscores a central theme of early 2026 markets—strong growth narratives coexisting with cost-cutting, shifting hiring plans, and heightened sensitivity to policy guidance.