Latest reporting from the Latest desk, in reverse chronological order.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at its first meeting of 2026. The decision comes amid stubborn inflation, a cooling labor market, and intensifying political pressure as Chair Jerome Powell confronts a Justice Department probe related to Fed building renovations and approaches the end of his term in May.
A partial U.S. government shutdown is increasingly likely by the end of the week after Senate Democrats said they will not advance a six-bill spending package if it includes Department of Homeland Security money, citing outrage over recent immigration-enforcement killings in Minnesota and demanding new guardrails for ICE operations.
CMS released its 2027 advance notice for Medicare Advantage and Part D, projecting a net average payment increase of 0.09% and detailing methodological updates affecting risk adjustment and quality bonus calculations. The proposal is expected to spark intense insurer feedback as plans prepare 2027 benefits and premiums.
Micron said it has begun building a new advanced wafer fabrication facility in Singapore as part of a roughly $24 billion, 10-year investment plan. The company expects wafer output to start in the second half of 2028, positioning the expansion to serve surging data-centric and AI-related demand for NAND flash memory.
Shares of major U.S. health insurers fell after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services projected a net average payment increase of just 0.09% for Medicare Advantage in 2027. The proposal surprised analysts and amplified investor anxiety already heightened by scrutiny of Medicare Advantage practices.
Senate Democrats say they won’t provide votes to advance a government funding package if it keeps Homeland Security money attached, escalating a standoff after the killing of Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti during a federal immigration operation. With the shutdown deadline set for Friday, Jan. 30, Republicans are under pressure to either split the bills or find a compromise fast.
House Democratic leaders issued a blunt warning: President Trump should remove Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem or face a push to impeach her, after two fatal encounters involving federal immigration agents in Minnesota. The confrontation adds new strain to an already volatile national debate over immigration enforcement and federal accountability.
A busy Tuesday sports schedule spans NBA matchups, NHL games, and a deep college basketball card, with the Australian Open continuing in Melbourne. The night’s menu reflects the midwinter crossover: pro leagues in full swing, college conference play intensifying, and international events filling the gaps.
Israel said it recovered the remains of police officer Ran Gvili, described as the last hostage still held in Gaza, bringing a symbolic end to a long chapter of national grief. The recovery is tied to a ceasefire framework that has returned living hostages and bodies, but the next phase is expected to test negotiations over border crossings, security arrangements, and Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
India and the European Union finalized a sweeping free trade agreement described by leaders as a landmark deal, with both sides planning major tariff reductions across most goods. Supporters say it will deepen economic ties and diversify trade at a time of global uncertainty, while sensitive sectors were left out to ease domestic political concerns.
Texas filed a lawsuit against a Delaware-based nurse practitioner accused of mailing abortion pills into Texas, escalating an ongoing clash between states with strict abortion bans and states with shield laws meant to protect providers. The case raises new questions about cross-state enforcement and how far a state can reach beyond its borders.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed a net average 0.09% year-over-year Medicare Advantage payment increase for 2027, far below what many analysts expected. The proposal sparked sharp moves in health insurer shares as companies warned of tighter margins and potential benefit changes.