Trump administration will begin a large-scale deportation campaign on Tuesday, the day after Trump’s inauguration, starting in Chicago.

The operation, involving 100-200 ICE officers, targets undocumented immigrants with criminal records but may detain others encountered.

Future raids are planned for cities like New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Miami.

Source: WSJ

President Joe Biden’s inner circle managed his physical and cognitive decline by shielding him from scrutiny and criticism while ensuring his public appearances ran smoothly.

Key measures included:

• Using shorter Air Force One steps to prevent stumbles.
• Adjusting his schedule to align with his energy levels.
• Shielding him from negative media and polling.
• Using teleprompters even at private events.

Despite these efforts, incidents like confusing world leaders and a high-profile fall at the Air Force Academy drew public criticism and raised concerns about potential political fallout.

Source: NYT

GRAPHIC: A civilian was burned alive in a car after Russian bombings in Kyiv.

John Bolton, former US National Security Advisor:

Donald Trump doesn't really care about the form of the settlement in Ukraine, he just wants to end the conflict as quickly as possible.

This morning, an armed man infiltrated the Supreme Court in Iran and attempted to assassinate two judges hearing cases of "offences against national security, espionage and counter-terrorism".

The targets were Hojjat-ul-Islam Wal-Muslimin Razini, head of the 39th branch of the Supreme Court, and Hojjjat-ul-Islam Wal-Muslimin Muqiseh, head of the 53rd branch.

An investigation has been launched to identify those responsible for the assassinations.

Libyan Commander Khalifa Haftar granted Russian forces control of the Maaten al-Sarra air base near the Chad-Sudan border.

This move aims to strengthen Russia’s military presence in Africa and establish a logistics hub for operations across the Sahel.

The base, previously used in the 1980s Libyan-Chadian war, is being rebuilt by Russian forces with support from Syrian soldiers fleeing the Assad regime.

Infrastructure upgrades include restoring runways and warehouses to supply regions like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sudan, signaling Russia’s growing influence in Africa following setbacks in Syria.

Russia now operates four major air bases in Libya: Al-Khadim (east), Al-Jufra (central), Brak al-Shati (southwest), and Al-Qardabiya (Sirte region).

Source: Libya Observer

At least 120 people, mostly civilians, were killed in an attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a civilian convoy in North Darfur on Wednesday, according to military sources.

The convoy, escorted by a recently formed neutral force made up of members of the Sudan Liberation Army and the Gathering of Liberation Forces, was travelling near Kabkabiya when it was attacked.

4 people were killed and 3 others injured as a result of Russian missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Turkish President Erdogan:

Despite 467 days of genocide and massacres, Israel has failed to break the will of resistance of our brothers and sisters in Gaza.

Erdogan:

Israel's project to divide Syria into 3 parts, turning it into pieces that are easy to swallow, has collapsed.

Turkish origin Turkmens return to Latakia, Syria after Assad regime’s fall, celebrating with the song ‘Ölürüm Türkiyem’ (I would die for my Türkiye).

Qatar’s PM reveals Israel’s Gaza deal was proposed 13 months ago, calling the delay “a waste”.

“13 months of a waste, of negotiating details that have no meaning and aren't worth any single life that we lost in Gaza, or any single life of those hostages.”

Katrin Ebner-Steiner, Leader of the far-right AfD party in Bavaria’s Parliament, proposed the immediate expulsion of all Ukrainian refugees from Germany.

"Ukraine is large enough with sufficient territories for their return."

Egyptian FM says 50 fuel trucks will enter the Gaza Strip once the ceasefire starts on Sunday.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry:

Israel will release 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 33 hostages held by Hamas.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel:

Without the US and NATO, Ukraine is unlikely to be able to maintain its independence.

Netanyahu:

We will not proceed with the implementation of the agreement unless we receive a list of hostages who will be released as agreed upon.

Netenyahu:

Biden and Trump granted Israel the right to resume fighting if necessary.

Trump pledged to release all weapons withheld during Biden’s term.

Netanyahu:

The battle isn’t over; we have a long road ahead.