13 January 2026 General Brief
In domestic news, read about the end to Tim Walz’s re-election bid for governor, the ICE shooting of American citizen Renee Nicole Good in a recent protest, Trump’s support of Iranian protestors, and the escalating spat between Fed Chair Jerome Powell and President Trump. In international news, read about Iran’s deadliest protests in decades, the 1000-day mark of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the US military operation in Venezuela, and escalating tensions over Greenland.
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Trump-Greenland Tensions
On Sunday, President Trump told reporters on Air Force One, “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security.” Leaders of the EU and NATO remain extremely cautious of a potential US takeover of Greenland.
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The Fallout of Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela
The US’ arrest of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro has drawn various reactions, from hope for a democratic transition to criticism over violations of international law.
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Sudan’s Never-Ending War: 1,000 Days of Despair
Since April 2023, Sudan’s civil war has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with roughly 34 million Sudanese people in need of health or humanitarian assistance this year. Unfortunately, the fighting is far from over.
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Protesters Push Iran to the Edge
The situation continues to escalate as some protesters have begun chanting “death to Islamic Republic” and internet blackouts prevent information from leaking internationally. At least 10,000 protestors have been arrested and hundreds killed by the IRGC.
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The Federal Reserve’s Independence is in Danger
Amidst continued disagreements over the Fed’s independent economic policymaking and President Trump’s wishes for further interest rate cuts, Trump’s criminal subpoena of Powell over Fed building renovations has earned criticism from both sides of the aisle.
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Trump Backs Protestors in Iran
Since December 2025, huge anti-government demonstrations have swept across Iran, which were triggered by skyrocketing inflation attributed to Iran’s currency’s collapse. President Trump has said American military “rescue” is not off the table.
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Ice Shoots and Kills US Citizen in Minneapolis
Protests over ICE operations in Minnesota turned violent on Wednesday, when a confrontation between citizen Renee Good and an ICE agent resulted in her death. Conflicting accounts of the shooting have inflamed further controversy over ICE’s tactics.
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Tim Walz Ends Re-Election Bid for Governor
The two-term governor of Minnesota announced his decision to drop out following massive backlash over his administration’s handling of a million-dollar welfare scandal surrounding COVID lunch programs and Somali daycares.