The United States has formally completed its withdrawal process from the World Health Organization (WHO), according to an announcement made on Thursday by President Donald Trump’s administration. The move comes one year after Trump signed an executive order initiating the withdrawal. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the State Department jointly confirmed the decision.

An HHS senior official stated that the WHO had deviated from its core mission and acted against U.S. interests in protecting American citizens. The Trump administration’s main criticism centered on the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing the organization of delaying the declaration of a global health emergency. The administration also claimed that the WHO unfairly criticized Trump’s early travel restrictions on certain countries.

HHS further argued that countries like China contribute less financially to the WHO than the United States, yet no American has ever held the position of Director-General. Public health experts criticized the withdrawal, warning that it could weaken the U.S. response to future health crises.

A United States delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss President Donald Trump’s draft plan aimed at ending the Ukraine war. According to a Kremlin statement released on Friday, the meeting lasted more than three hours. The delegation included Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House adviser Josh Gruenbaum.

Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described the talks as realistic and constructive, noting that discussions covered not only Ukraine but also the peace board, the Greenland issue, and bilateral relations. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the draft plan was nearly finalized and that he had reached an understanding with Trump on post-war security guarantees.

Russia currently controls about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and demands full control of the eastern Donbas region. Kyiv has warned that no peace deal can involve surrendering territory, arguing that such concessions would only encourage further Russian aggression.

US billionaire Elon Musk joked that President Donald Trump’s newly formed ‘Peace Board’ should have been named the ‘Piece Board’ instead. Speaking at a World Economic Forum panel in Davos, Switzerland, alongside BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Musk made the remark while discussing Trump’s initiative. His comment drew laughter from the audience, and he added that what he truly wanted was peace.

Musk, known as a Trump ally, had previously experienced a rift in their relationship before reconciling. His latest comment came after that reconciliation, suggesting a lighthearted jab rather than a serious criticism. Earlier, Musk had described the Davos conference as “boring” in a post on social media platform X.

The exchange highlighted Musk’s continued prominence at global economic events and his willingness to make provocative remarks about political figures, even those with whom he shares a generally friendly relationship.

Amazon, the U.S.-based e-commerce giant, is preparing for another major round of layoffs, with around 14,000 employees expected to lose their jobs next week. This move is part of a broader plan to cut approximately 30,000 corporate positions. According to the report, the company had already dismissed about 14,000 workers in October as part of the same restructuring effort. The new phase of layoffs could begin as early as Tuesday, though Amazon’s spokesperson has declined to comment on the matter.

Sources indicated that employees in Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and human resources—collectively known as the People Experience and Technology division—may be among the most affected. The full scope of the layoffs remains unclear, and insiders cautioned that the company’s plans could still change.

Media reports suggested that the widespread job cuts may be linked to the growing use of artificial intelligence within Amazon’s operations, and that similar reductions could also occur in India.

US President Donald Trump announced that a large American naval fleet is moving toward the Gulf region to monitor Iran. He made the remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump said the deployment is intended to keep a close watch on Iran, adding that the fleet might not necessarily be used but will remain ready if needed.

According to senior Trump administration officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the fleet includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham and several guided missile destroyers. These warships are reportedly heading toward Iran and are expected to position themselves near the Iranian coast within the next few days.

The move underscores Washington’s continued military vigilance in the Gulf amid tensions with Tehran, though Trump emphasized that no immediate confrontation is planned.

Novak Djokovic continued his dominant form at the Australian Open, defeating Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli in straight sets to secure a place in the third round. The Serbian superstar won 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, marking his 399th career singles victory in Grand Slam tournaments. With this result, Djokovic stands just one win away from becoming the first player in tennis history to reach 400 Grand Slam singles wins.

In other second-round matches, Italy’s Jannik Sinner advanced after beating Australia’s James Duckworth 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Croatia’s Marin Cilic also progressed, defeating Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka reached the third round after a five-set battle against France’s Arthur Gea, winning 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10-3).

In the women’s singles, Poland’s Iga Swiatek cruised past Czech player Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-3, while Japan’s Naomi Osaka overcame Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to move forward.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday formally launched his proposed 'Peace Board' in Washington, aimed at sustaining the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Although initially focused on Gaza, Trump suggested the board could expand its mandate to address broader global conflicts. He will chair the board himself, which includes figures such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The initiative has drawn mixed reactions in the international arena. Regional powers like Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Indonesia have joined, while major global powers and traditional Western allies remain cautious. Russia is reviewing the proposal, France has declined to join, Britain is holding off, and China has not stated its position. Each permanent member is expected to contribute $1 billion, though no major power or representatives from Israel or the Palestinian Authority attended the launch.

The board was approved under a UN Security Council resolution tied to Trump’s Gaza peace plan. A UN spokesperson clarified that the organization’s involvement will remain limited to that resolution’s scope.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the ownership dispute between the United States and Denmark over Greenland is not a matter of concern for Russia. Speaking at a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, he stated that the issue should be resolved bilaterally between the two nations. Referring to historical land transfers, Putin estimated Greenland’s potential sale value at around $1 billion.

Putin criticized Denmark’s historical governance of Greenland, describing it as colonial and harsh toward local residents. He also noted that Russia would not object to US pressure regarding Greenland, citing past examples of territorial sales such as Russia’s sale of Alaska to the US in 1867 and Denmark’s sale of the Virgin Islands in 1917. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland has strained transatlantic relations, though he ruled out tariffs or military action during a speech in Davos.

Residents of Greenland reportedly welcomed Trump’s assurance against military use, while Russia remains displeased with Denmark’s military and financial support for Ukraine since 2022. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added that Greenland is not naturally or historically an inseparable part of Denmark.

A massive winter storm named 'Winter Storm Fern' is forecast to strike large parts of the United States this week, potentially affecting around 170 million people with heavy snowfall, power outages, and travel disruptions. The storm is expected to stretch from Texas through the Mid-Atlantic to the northeastern states, bringing freezing air that could push temperatures far below zero in several regions.

Cities including Memphis, Nashville, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York may be blanketed in snow, with some areas possibly experiencing temperatures as low as 40 degrees Celsius below freezing. The Rocky Mountain states are expected to see significant snowfall by Friday, with meteorologists predicting accumulations exceeding 12 inches in some locations. Virginia and Maryland are projected to be among the hardest-hit states.

Emergency declarations have already been issued in several states, including Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as authorities prepare for the storm’s severe impact.

Three people were killed in a shooting in the western region of New South Wales, Australia, on Thursday afternoon. Police said the incident occurred in the town of Lake Cargelligo, where emergency services responded to reports of gunfire around 4:40 p.m. on Walker Street near Yelkin Street. Officers from the Central West Police District arrived at the scene and confirmed the deaths of two women and one man. Another man was seriously injured and taken to hospital, where his condition was reported as stable.

Following the incident, police cordoned off the area and declared it a crime scene. Authorities have begun an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the shooting. For safety reasons, police urged the public to avoid the area and advised local residents to remain indoors.

Police stated that further information would be released as the investigation progresses.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed donating $1 billion to U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly formed ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza reconstruction. The proposal suggests using Russian assets frozen in U.S. banks during the previous Biden administration. Putin made the remarks during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, where he also confirmed receiving Trump’s invitation to join the Gaza Peace Board but said Moscow has not yet made a decision.

Putin expressed gratitude to Trump for the invitation and emphasized that Russia’s relationship with the Palestinian people has always been special. He stated that Moscow would decide on joining the board only after reviewing the invitation and consulting with strategic allies. Putin added that the donation proposal should proceed even before Russia finalizes its decision on participation.

The proposal links humanitarian assistance for Gaza with the issue of frozen Russian funds in the United States, highlighting Moscow’s interest in leveraging seized assets for international cooperation under Trump’s peace initiative.

U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn his plan to impose a 10 percent tariff on eight European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, which was set to take effect on February 1. The decision followed his meeting with the NATO Secretary-General during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump announced on Truth Social that they had developed a framework for a future agreement concerning Greenland and that, based on this understanding, he would not proceed with the tariffs.

Trump described the meeting as highly productive and said the potential agreement would benefit both the United States and all NATO members. He added that discussions regarding an initiative called “The Golden Dome” related to Greenland are ongoing, with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff involved in the talks.

Despite the announcement, questions remain about the future U.S. role in Greenland. Trump had previously expressed interest in Greenland’s ownership due to increasing Russian and Chinese presence, a stance opposed by several European nations.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Hamas would be wiped out if it did not disarm within the next few weeks. He made the statement on Wednesday during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, according to the Times of Israel. Trump claimed that Hamas had agreed to lay down its weapons, though the Palestinian group has not publicly confirmed any such decision.

Trump said disarming would be difficult for Hamas but insisted the group was willing to do so, adding that the situation would become clear within two to three days or at most three weeks. He also stated that 59 countries had expressed interest in joining an international stabilization force in Gaza aimed at eliminating Hamas. However, many nations were reportedly reluctant to send troops, and Azerbaijan had already declined participation.

According to Trump’s Gaza peace plan, the second phase involves gradual disarmament, technology-based governance, and reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed anger over U.S. plans to include Turkey and Qatar in Gaza’s administration, declaring that no forces from those countries would be allowed to enter Gaza.

Recent statements and actions by U.S. President Donald Trump, including moves toward Venezuela, Colombia, and Greenland, have drawn global attention. Analysts describe these as part of a broader strategic revival of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, now termed the 'Donroe Doctrine.' Trump declared that American dominance in the Western Hemisphere would never again be questioned, signaling a more assertive geopolitical stance.

The article links this renewed aggression to control over future energy and technology resources. Rare earth minerals such as lithium, copper, graphite, and gallium—vital for batteries, semiconductors, drones, and AI data centers—are concentrated in Latin America, where China has invested about $303 billion between 2000 and 2023. U.S. policymakers view this Chinese influence as a threat to their traditional dominance and seek to reclaim strategic leverage.

Beyond Latin America, Washington’s focus extends to Greenland, rich in oil, gas, and minerals. With Arctic ice expected to recede by 2050, the region’s trade routes and security value are rising. The 'Donroe Doctrine' thus reflects a long-term U.S. bid to preserve global hegemony against growing China-Russia influence.

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in Greenland during a speech at the World Economic Forum, calling for “immediate discussions” over control of the world’s largest island. He emphasized that he does not intend to use force, saying he neither wants nor needs to do so. Trump also remarked that Europe is “not going in the right direction” and expressed his wish to see it improve.

Trump stated that he holds “immense respect” for the people of Greenland and Denmark but described Greenland as vast, sparsely populated, and underdeveloped. He claimed the United States has been attempting to purchase Greenland for nearly two centuries and argued that Denmark has “no trace” there. According to him, only the United States can ensure the island’s security and development.

Referring indirectly to NATO, Trump said that while the U.S. could be unstoppable if it chose to use excessive force, it would not take that path. He concluded that what America seeks is simply “a place called Greenland.”