AP
AP
Page 34 - Ap/pti Reuters
Olympic chief declines to pressure LA Games chair over Epstein files link
Wasserman has faced calls from lawmakers and those in political circles in LA to step down as chair of the city's Olympic project he has led since it was first a hosting candidate 11 years ago
 "Olympic chief declines to pressure LA Games chair over Epstein files link")
Judge blocks ICE from warrantless arrests in Oregon unless risk of escape
Similar actions, including ICE agents entering private property without a warrant issued by court, have drawn concern from civil rights groups across the country amid Trump's mass deportation efforts
 "Judge blocks ICE from warrantless arrests in Oregon unless risk of escape")
Washington Post cuts one-third of staff, shuts sports desk, foreign bureaus
Eliminating the sports section puts an end to a department that has hosted many well-known bylines through the years, among them John Feinstein, Michael Wilbon, Shirley Povich, and Sally Jenkins
 "Washington Post cuts one-third of staff, shuts sports desk, foreign bureaus")
Musk plans solar-powered AI data centres in space but doubts remain
To finance that effort, Musk combined SpaceX with his AI business on Monday and plans a big initial public offering of the combined company
 "Musk plans solar-powered AI data centres in space but doubts remain")
Iran, US to hold nuclear talks on Friday in Oman as Trump warns Khamenei
The announcement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday came after hours of indications that the anticipated talks were faltering over changes in the format and content of the talks
 "Iran, US to hold nuclear talks on Friday in Oman as Trump warns Khamenei")
Google's quarterly results show internet giant getting stronger in AI age
Alphabet's fourth-quarter profit rose 30 per cent from the prior year to $34.5 billion, or $2.82 per share, while revenue climbed 18 per cent to $113.8 billion
 "Google's quarterly results show internet giant getting stronger in AI age")
Israeli strikes kill 24 in Gaza as ceasefire comes under fresh strain
Deadly Israeli strikes have repeatedly disrupted the truce since it took effect on October 10. The escalating Palestinian toll has prompted many in Gaza to say it feels like the war is continuing
 "Israeli strikes kill 24 in Gaza as ceasefire comes under fresh strain")
Russia, Ukraine envoys meet in Abu Dhabi for 2 days of US-brokered talks
The delegations from Moscow and Kyiv were joined in the capital of the United Arab Emirates by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner
 "Russia, Ukraine envoys meet in Abu Dhabi for 2 days of US-brokered talks")
Washington Post to cut one-third of staff as company begins major layoffs
The newspaper's books department will be closed, and its Washington-area news department and editing staff will be restructured, Murray told staff members
 "Washington Post to cut one-third of staff as company begins major layoffs")
US seeks critical minerals trading bloc with allies to counter China: Vance
Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that the trade war over the past year exposed how dependent most countries are on the critical minerals that China has a stranglehold on
 "US seeks critical minerals trading bloc with allies to counter China: Vance")
US to withdraw 700 immigration enforcement officers from Minnesota
Homan said last week that federal officials could reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota, but only if state and local officials cooperate
 "US to withdraw 700 immigration enforcement officers from Minnesota")
Russia, Ukraine envoys meet in Abu Dhabi as US pushes peace efforts
The current talks also coincide with the expiry of the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the United States on Thursday
China's Xi and Russia's Putin hold video talks on bilateral ties
The virtual meeting came in the middle of a series of meetings between Xi and Western leaders who have sought to boost ties with China despite differences over Russia's war in Ukraine
 "China's Xi and Russia's Putin hold video talks on bilateral ties")
Trump pushes efforts to secure critical minerals supply beyond China
The US is expected to sign deals on supply chain logistics, though details have not yet been revealed
 "Trump pushes efforts to secure critical minerals supply beyond China")
UNSC condemns latest militant attacks in Pakistan that killed dozens
UN Security Council President James Kariuki said council members condemned in the "strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks across multiple locations" in Balochistan
 "UNSC condemns latest militant attacks in Pakistan that killed dozens")
Trump pushes plan for arch near Lincoln Memorial, citing disputed history
Trump first unveiled the idea at an October dinner for top donors to his ballroom
 "Trump pushes plan for arch near Lincoln Memorial, citing disputed history")
Seif al-Islam, son of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, shot dead
According to Libyan officials, an initial investigation found that Seif al-Islam was shot to death, but they did not provide further details about the circumstances of his killing
 "Seif al-Islam, son of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, shot dead")
Federal Reserve governor Stephen Miran steps down from White House post
President Donald Trump appointed Miran in September to a seat on the Fed's seven-member board of governors after Adriana Kugler, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, abruptly resigned
 "Federal Reserve governor Stephen Miran steps down from White House post")
Trump admin sued over $16 bn funding freeze for Hudson River tunnels
The White House budget director, Russ Vought, said on the social platform X at the time that officials believed the spending was based on unconstitutional diversity, equity and inclusion principles