Vice President Vance on Friday announced plans to blockforeign aid for groups supporting gender identity and diversity programs, expanding an existing ban on organizations providing abortion-related services.
Why it matters: The broadened "Mexico City" policy — referred to as a global gag rule — affects more than $30 billion in foreign assistance to both foreign and domestic organizations.
President Trump on Thursday rescinded Canada's invitation to his "Board of Peace" for Gaza, deepening a feud with Prime Minister Mark Carney that reignited at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.
Why it matters: It's the latest sign of a splintering partnership between the U.S. and one of its longest-standing allies.
The Oscars' recent support of foreign-language cinema marks one of the most rapid taste turnarounds for the awards body in recent history.
By the numbers: Before "Parasite" broke the foreign-language barrier and took home Best Picture in 2020, only 11 non-English films were nominated for the top award. In the six years since, 10 have been in contention for Best Picture.
President Trump's envoys met Russian President Vladimir Putin for four hours at the Kremlin on Thursday night to discuss the U.S. plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Why it matters: The meeting with Putin took place ahead of a new phase in the U.S. mediation efforts — trilateral talks with Ukrainian and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said he doesn't know what's "concrete" in the deal President Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed yesterday, stressing that nothing could move forward without Greenlandic support.
Why it matters: Trump has called the proposal the "ultimate long-term deal" that gives America "everything we needed," but Nielsen being left in the dark about the details risks undermining any solution.
DAVOS, Switzerland — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky began his address at Davos on Thursday with a stinging rebuke for European leaders over their reluctance to use hard power to punish Russia or defend the continent.
Why it matters: European countries often see themselves as keeping Ukraine afloat while President Trump pulls back. But Zelensky made clear he thinks the Europeans are too risk-averse and slow to react — and that the wake-up call Trump has given the continent was long overdue.
Silicon Valley investment firms Greenoaks and Altimeter on Thursday filed arbitration claims against South Korea's government, arguing that it has acted unlawfully toward e-commerce giant Coupang.
They also asked the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate.
Why it matters: It's highly unusual for U.S. venture capitalists to sue foreign governments, and their move could drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul.
In just one year, President Trump has blocked millions of immigrants from entry, tightened rules that penalize people who might need government assistance, and revoked protections for immigrants already here.
Why it matters: Trump won his first term by promising to stop illegal immigration. Now his second term is reshaping legal immigration.
