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European leaders insist ‘shifting international order’ is inevitable while holding out hope instability will pass
Who benefits from this decision?

European leaders are beginning to believe their continent is the last advocate for a world that isn’t governed with a sense of might-makes-right.

Between the Russian invasion of Ukraine, U.S. demands for sovereignty over Greenland, and other geopolitical upheavals to global norms, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is lamenting it all as a “shift in the international order” that is both “seismic” and “permanent.” 

“In essence, the post-war international order … was based on the major powers’ respect, at least formally, for the rules of international law,” Nicolas Tenzer, a professor at the Paris School of International Affairs and senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, told the Washington Examiner. “Even if it covered up some rotten fruit, the idea that democracy had to be defended and spread throughout the world was a project shared by the allies on both sides of the Atlantic.”

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen talks during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Now, the Old Continent seems to be in agreement that its diplomatic posture will need to change drastically — learning to assert itself with confidence and solidarity in the face of a “world defined by raw power.”

“Adapting to the shifting world order should in no way mean forgoing our principles,” one European official told the Washington Examiner. “It means defending our sovereignty, our independence, and our values with greater assertiveness, strength, and determination than ever.”

This new attitude was on full display at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week — a summit that, for many attending leaders, felt more like a funeral for how geopolitics used to be.

Heading into the conference, President Donald Trump had intensified his demands that Denmark give up its sovereignty over Greenland — ostensibly for the purpose of upgrading security infrastructure on the island.

For many, this demand, following a year that brought weaponized tariffs, mercurial attitudes toward defending Ukraine, and the abduction of a sitting world leader, proved to be the breaking point.

“Until now, we tried to appease the new president in the White House,” Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever told the crowd in Davos. “We were very lenient, also with the tariffs, we were lenient, hoping to get his support for the Ukraine war. “We were in a very bad …

February Social Security direct payment worth $994 goes out in five days
This feels like a quiet policy shift.

February 2026 Supplemental Security Income payments, worth up to $994, will be issued to recipients in five days.

SSI payments are typically issued on the first day of a month. However, February’s payment will go out on Jan. 30. When the first of a month falls on a weekend or holiday, SSI payments are issued on the last business day of the previous month. This year, Feb. 1 falls on a Sunday. 

Beneficiaries are people with limited income who are either blind, aged 65 and older, or have a qualifying disability.

The amount beneficiaries receive varies based on several factors, including the number of people filing. For example, individual filers can receive up to $994, couples filing jointly can receive $1,491, and those providing essential care to SSI recipients can receive up to $498. 

In addition to the previous prerequisites for receiving SSI payments, recipients must also be U.S. citizens or noncitizens in one of the alien classifications granted by the Department of Homeland Security.

WES MOORE VOWS MARYLAND STATE BUDGET WILL ‘NOT RAISE TAXES OR FEES’

Additionally, recipients must live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, and must not be absent from the United States for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days.

A full calendar for the Social Security Administration payments can be viewed on the agency’s website.

Navy Commodore Relieved of Duties, First In Role To Lose Job in 2026
Every delay has consequences.

Nothing really clear as to why the navy lost confidence in his ability to command.
From the article
Capt. Douglas Whimpey, the commodore of First Naval Construction Regiment (1 NCR), was relieved of his duties on Friday, Jan. 23, becoming the first individual to lose such a position this year.
He lost his role as commodore due to what the service attributed to the “loss of confidence in his ability to command,” according to a press release issued Saturday by Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs and shared with .
Whimpey, a Navy reservist from Utah, was relieved by Capt. Angel Santiago, commander of Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1, headquartered in Port Hueneme, California. Capt. Steven Sherman, incoming commodore for 1 NCR, has assumed duties as 1 NCR’s commodore.
“The decision to relieve a leader is made with the utmost care and after a thorough review by higher command leadership,” Diener added.
Whimpey is the first commanding officer or commodore relieved in the 2026 calendar year. While no longer commodore, the Navy reservist has been reassigned to a staff role at NCG-1.
He attained the rank of captain on Sept. 1, 2018, according to his biography and military record shared with . The Reserve Civil Engineering Corps Officer was commissioned on Aug. 15, 1997.
Whimpey’s record includes numerous awards and decorations, including Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist Officer; Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist Officer; Expeditionary Warfare Specialist Officer; Meritorious Service Medal (2); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; and Navy Unit Commendation (2), among others.
“Navy leaders are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership personally and professionally, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards,” officials said in a statement.
Naval Construction Regiments provide command and control of Naval Construction Force units while operating in a specific geographic area or supporting a specific military operation.
Officials said “there has been no impact to operations” since Whimpey lost his role.

Trump hails 'great and very brave' UK soldiers after slamming NATO allies' Afghanistan service
Is this competence or optics?

President Donald Trump praised the soldiers of the United Kingdom who served alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan on Saturday, clarifying his previous criticism of NATO allies.
Trump had earlier criticized NATO troops who served in Afghanistan, arguing they had stayed "a little bit back" from the frontlines during the conflict. His statement was met with outrage in the U.K., however, where Prime Minister Kier Starmer called it "insulting and frankly, appalling."
"The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will!" he continued.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S UK VISIT SHOULDN'T BE UNDERESTIMATED
The social media post partially walks back his previous criticism of NATO, made during an interview on Fox Business.
"We have never really asked anything of them," he said. "You know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan or this or that, and they did. They stayed a little back, little off the front lines."
Starmer's office says the prime minister raised the issue with Trump during a phone call this weekend.
UK READY TO SEND TROOPS, JETS, SHIPS IF TRUMP CLINCHES UKRAINE CEASEFIRE, DEFENSE CHIEF SAYS
"The Prime Minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home," a spokesperson said. "We must never forget their sacrifice."
Trump's initial remarks also drew a direct rebuke from Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan.
"I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there," Harry said.
"Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defense of diplomacy and peace," he added.

Judge blocks Trump admin from 'destroying or altering' evidence in deadly Minneapolis shooting
Who's accountable for the results?

A federal judge in Minnesota has blocked the Trump administration from "destroying or altering evidence" related to a deadly shooting involving a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis on Saturday.

(I guess they mean like the J6 committee did)

Rep Maxwell Frost allegedly assaulted at Sundance Film Festival in racially charged incident
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.

A member of Congress was allegedly assaulted Friday evening while attending the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., wrote on X on Saturday: "Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face."
Frost added that the suspect "was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off."
Frost said the man had been arrested and that he wasn’t hurt in the incident.
LAWMAKER TARGETED WITH DEATH THREAT AFTER CONDEMNING RACIST SIGN AIMED AT WINSOME SEARS
"Thank you to the venue security and Park City PD for assistance on this incident," he added.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded to the news on X: writing, "I am horrified by the attack on Congressman Maxwell Frost. Grateful that he is okay, but appalled that this terrifying assault took place. The perpetrator must be aggressively prosecuted."
MEMBER OF CONGRESS SAYS SHE WAS ASSAULTED BY GANG OF YOUTH BEFORE TRUMP DC TAKEOVER 
Jeffries continued: "Hate and political violence has no place in our country, and the entire House Democratic Caucus family stands with Maxwell."
The alleged assault took place at a party hosted by the CAA talent party at the High West Saloon, which the suspect crashed, according to Variety.
The suspect was allegedly bragging in the bathroom about being "White" before punching Frost in the face, the outlet reported.
He has yet to be identified.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Park City Police Department for comment.
The 29-year-old congressman was first elected to serve in Florida’s 10th district in 2022.

ACLU seeks reinstated constraints on federal officers in Minnesota after Alex Pretti shooting
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.

The American Civil Liberties Union requested a reinstatement of constraints on federal officers’ tactics against protesters in Minnesota after federal officers in Minneapolis fatally shot a 37-year-old man.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez agreed to impose constraints earlier this month, but the move was temporarily lifted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Wednesday. The ACLU is now arguing that the situation has escalated to an extent that the restraints are more urgently needed.

NOEM TELLS AMERICANS TO STAY ‘ALERT’ AHEAD OF MASSIVE WEEKEND SNOW STORM

People gather during a vigil for 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer earlier in the day, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

The plaintiffs argued that in light of heightened tensions, “it is more essential than ever to reinstate the district court’s narrow, considered injunction to prevent violent retaliation against individuals exercising their constitutional rights.”

“Intervening events that post-date the parties’ filings have created an urgent need for intervention to prevent irreparable injury to the named plaintiffs, protesters, and observers,” the filing read.

“In these circumstances, every hour that a stay remains in place presents new opportunities for irreparable injury to protesters and observers. To prevent that imminent, irreparable harm, Appellees respectfully request that the Court lift the administrative stay immediately, and in no event later than” Sunday at 5 p.m. Central Time, the filing read.

The restraints, previously briefly imposed by Menendez, include forbidding federal officers from arresting or pepper-spraying protesters if they weren’t directly engaging in violence. She also ruled that closely following ICE vehicles and agents couldn’t warrant a response, nor could crowds forming around officers during operations.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FATAL SHOOTING INVOLVING BORDER PATROL IN MINNESOTA

The Department of Justice argued that the ruling endangered public safety and the safety of immigration officers.

“To be clear, plaintiffs cannot establish any constitutional violations. But regardless, the district court’s injunction is legally untenable several times over,” the DOJ’s filing to overturn the motion read.

Good morning r/Conservative - be safe today in the storm!
This affects the entire country.

Big storm out there today for much of the US! If for some reason you have to venture out in this, be safe. There's a lot of ice on the roads.
Remember the safest way to avoid ice is to stay home and not interfere with the federal officers conducting the same lawful duties they've been conducting for decades.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!

The rift over generational change roils the Congressional Black Caucus
Trust is earned, not demanded.

A new generation of Black Democrats is running in the midterms, aiming to inject a younger vision into an aging Congressional Black Caucus. And in some cases, that means primarying incumbents.

The wave of new candidates comes amid an identity crisis for the Democratic Party, which has splintered along generational and ideological lines as the party searches for new leaders in the second Trump era, both for this November and the open presidential race in two years.

“This is a new moment that requires different ideas, requires new energy and new perspectives and you cannot be a part of the system for 40 years and also be the one who's going to change it for the next 40,” said Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson, 31, who launched his primary challenge to 76-year-old Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) last year. “You've done the best that you could, and it's time for other folks to be able to do the best that they can for the present and for the future.”

Young Black candidates say they’re motivated to run due to rising racial tensions, redistricting and the possibility of an end to the Voting Rights Act — and what they describe as an inadequate response from older generations that are fighting past battles.

“Our generation recognizes the fierce urgency of now,” Pearson said.

The CBC has grown exponentially since its establishment in 1971, currently boasting a historic 62 members — the largest of any of the affinity caucuses. But the average age of CBC members is 60 years old, and some of the oldest House Democrats are members.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, 85, has represented South Carolina for more than 30 years and plans on running again. At 88 years old, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton has not ruled out running for reelection, despite growing concerns about her age. And 87-year-old Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who was first elected in 1990, said she also plans on running for reelection this year.

These long tenures have started to worry some new candidates, they said in interviews.

“When I was born in 1992, this was the poorest district in the poorest state in the country,” said Evan Turnage, who is primarying 77-year-old Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). “Congressman Thompson was elected in ’93 and now today, I'm 33, and this is still the poorest district in the poorest state in the country.”

Turnage — a former senior staffer to Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts — said these long-serving members have “failed” younger generations for too long.

“Just because you've been around the block for 30 years doesn't mean you're delivering results for the district, doesn't mean you're delivering results for your constituents,” Turnage said.

In a statement, Thompson said he has spent his entire career encouraging young people “to make …

Trump privately frustrated that he risks losing control of immigration message amid Minnesota chaos
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.

This article was published on Friday, before the killing of Alex Pretti yesterday.
President Donald Trump has expressed frustration behind closed doors that the immigration messaging is getting lost, sources familiar with the discussions told CNN. Trump has sought to take control of the narrative, starting with an impromptu press conference on the anniversary of his first year in office.
The president, at times sounding exasperated, thumbed through mugshots of individuals arrested in his immigration crackdown, highlighting their alleged crimes. His message was clear that while there might be some issues, ICE is necessary to follow through on his agenda — to deport the most dangerous criminals back to their home country.
“He wanted to do that briefing in large part because he himself wanted to bring out the mugshots that we had printed for him,” a senior White House official told CNN. “He wanted to remind the world of why ICE is doing what they’re doing.”
As a result, top White House officials have been plotting how to move the narrative away from the unrest in Minneapolis and instead focus on what they view as ICE’s achievements.
“There’s an effort underway to come up with new ideas and new ways to amplify the good work they are doing,” a senior White House official told CNN, adding: “There have not been discussions about toning down the rhetoric. In fact there have been discussions on how to remind people more aggressively of why this happened in the first place.”
Some administration officials believe there is too much focus on the tensions between ICE agents — and therefore the administration — and protesters, and have discussed how to extricate themselves from that narrative, multiple officials tell CNN.
Trump appeared to channel that attitude while addressing reporters on Tuesday: “They’re going to make mistakes sometimes. ICE is going to be too rough with somebody or — you know, they’re dealing with rough people — or they’re going to make a mistake sometimes. It can happen. We feel terribly.”
When exactly did Trump lose control of the immigration narrative? Are there external factors at play, or is it his own policy that is leading to negative sentiment? Can Trump walk the line of placating immigration hardliners like Stephen Miller and the more moderate public sentiment? What are the odds he follows through on these changes?