US President Trump and Russian President Putin held a crucial 90-minute call to discuss ending the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed to an immediate ceasefire targeting energy infrastructure. They also emphasized rebuilding US-Russia relations for economic and geopolitical stability.
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Party City, the nearly 40-year-old party supplies retailer, is closing all its stores by February 28, 2025. CEO Barry Litwin announced the immediate wind-down of operations, leaving thousands of employees jobless. The company, emerging from bankruptcy earlier this year, struggled with substantial debt despite previous restructuring efforts and store closures.
A British couple, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, has been detained in Iran after ignoring travel warnings and entering the country on December 30. Their family expressed deep concern and is working with the British government to secure their safe return.
A federal judge has blocked Donald Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. Judge Deborah Boardman stated that the order conflicts with the 14th Amendment, and no court has endorsed the president's interpretation. The ruling halts the enforcement of Trump's directive indefinitely.
New Year horror in New Orleans: Contradictory claims came from government officials about the attack as the mayor called it a terror attack but the police chief and an FBI agent confirmed that it was not a terror attack. Social media users claimed the FBI was already covering it up.
US President Donald Trump, during his inaugural parade, greeted the families of recently released hostages from Hamas. He acknowledged Steve Witkoff's role in their return. Despite harsh weather, Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president, marking the beginning of a unified Republican control in Washington.
Bangladesh and China signed one economic and technical cooperation agreement and eight MoUs related to cultural heritage, media, sports, and health sectors during Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' visit to Beijing. Yunus met Chinese President Xi Jinping and discussed enhancing bilateral trade and investment, including cooperation on the Teesta River project and Mongla port modernization.
David Sacks and Elon Musk discuss the need for H-1B visa reforms, emphasizing exceptional talent and addressing misuse. Sacks defends venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan's appointment amid criticisms, highlighting a rift among Trump's allies over immigration policies for skilled workers.
Air France will resume flights to Beirut this Saturday after suspending services due to the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. Initially, the airline will operate five weekly flights, with Transavia, its low-cost subsidiary, restarting services on February 13 with three weekly flights. The airlines had halted operations in September amid escalating tensions. The resumption will be gradually increased, with regular assessments to ensure safety, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
A 28-year-old PhD student at University College London, Zhenhao Zou, has been convicted of drugging and raping 10 women between 2019 and 2023. He lured victims through dating apps, drugged them, and filmed the assaults. Zou's crimes were committed in both England and China.
Joint US-Somalia air strikes targeted Al-Shabaab militants in Adan Yabaal and near Baidoa, resulting in dozens of casualties and the destruction of a weapons shipment. These operations respond to increased Al-Shabaab attacks, including a raid on Adan Yabaal and an assault on an army base. The strikes highlight ongoing efforts to counter the resurgence of the Al-Qaeda-linked group.