Latest reporting from the World desk, in reverse chronological order.
Iran’s near-total internet shutdown, imposed amid ongoing unrest, has continued through late January, cutting off much of the country from outside communications and complicating reporting and organizing.
World Economic Forum organizers said the 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos drew unusually large participation from heads of state, CEOs and technology leaders. The forum promoted the gathering as a neutral platform for navigating geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change.
American envoys met with Israel’s prime minister to push the Gaza ceasefire toward a second phase, with negotiations focused on steps including reopening Rafah and arrangements for monitoring and troop withdrawals. The fragile deal is unfolding amid continued violence and mounting pressure to lock in a more durable framework.
The World Economic Forum’s January 2026 meeting in Davos ended with global leaders emphasizing cooperation in a more contested world, against a backdrop of heightened tension between the United States and several NATO allies. Speeches from top officials underscored disputes over trade pressure, security guarantees and the resilience of global institutions.
President Donald Trump’s confrontational posture toward European allies, including renewed threats tied to Greenland, is raising doubts about international support for a U.S.-backed plan centered on a Gaza ‘Board of Peace.’ The effort has drawn skepticism in Europe even as Washington seeks buy-in from dozens of invited governments.
U.S. envoys met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to press for movement into the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire, as negotiations focus on hostages, border access and monitoring arrangements amid continued deadly incidents on the ground.
A U.N. Security Council-backed ‘Board of Peace’ meant to oversee a Gaza ceasefire has struggled to gain broader buy-in as U.S. pressure on Greenland and tariff threats deepen tensions with Europe. Diplomats warn that the same tactics that produced short-term leverage may erode long-term cooperation.
Ukraine and Russia are preparing another round of U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi, after discussions described as constructive but overshadowed by continued Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
A near-total internet shutdown in Iran, in place since early January, has left many residents with limited connectivity and hampered access to information. Reports describe nationwide disruptions and efforts to restrict satellite internet use as protests persist.
A newly reported U.S. National Defense Strategy under President Donald Trump shifts focus toward defending the homeland and deterring China, while pressing allies—particularly in Europe—to shoulder more of the burden for regional security. The document also emphasizes modernization across cyber, AI, and nuclear capabilities.
At the World Economic Forum, President Donald Trump unveiled a new conflict-mediation body born from the Gaza ceasefire effort, but many traditional allies held back as details remained thin and membership uneven.
The Kremlin says Vladimir Putin has been invited to participate in a new U.S.-backed Gaza peace body, a move drawing scrutiny given Russia’s war in Ukraine and skepticism from some governments about the initiative’s structure.