Today's Headlines: TikTok Strikes Deal for New U.S. Entity, Ending Long Legal Saga
In Testimony, Jack Smith Defends Decision to Prosecute Trump
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines

January 23, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

TikTok Strikes Deal for New U.S. Entity, Ending Long Legal Saga

The Chinese parent company of the popular video app said a group of non-Chinese investors would create an American TikTok to avoid a federal ban.

In Testimony, Jack Smith Defends Decision to Prosecute Trump

The former special prosecutor argued a case he was never allowed to in court: that President Trump “engaged in criminal activity” that undermined democracy.

D.H.S. Cited Foreign Students’ Writings and Protests Before Their Arrests

Documents unsealed by a federal judge on Thursday include dossiers that investigators prepared on pro-Palestinian student activists before they were targeted for deportation.

World

Zelensky Laces Into Europe, Saying It Must Step Up or Be Left Behind

The Ukrainian leader’s speech in Davos, Switzerland, was one of his most scathing critiques of his closest allies.

Nazis, Soviets and Trump: America’s Fixation With Greenland

The idea that Greenland is essential to the United States has returned with a vengeance in the Trump era.

No Beer for You: How British Pubs Fought a Tax Increase

More than 1,400 pubs declared a ban on Labour lawmakers in response to a plan to raise business rates significantly. The move got attention, and results.

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U.S.

Chicago Jury Acquits Immigrant Accused in Bovino Murder-for-Hire Trial

Prosecutors said a Chicago carpenter had offered a bounty for killing Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official. Defense lawyers said he was just sharing a social media post.

Detention of 5-Year-Old by Federal Agents Incenses Minneapolis

A photo showed a boy with an oversized hat and Spider-Man backpack being held next to a vehicle as his father was detained. A Homeland Security spokeswoman said the man had fled and left the child.

This Is Not an Average Winter Storm, Weather Experts Warn

Half the U.S. population will likely see some effect from the sprawling storm that will move across the country this weekend, meteorologists said.

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Politics

Trump Rescinds Canada’s Invitation to Join His ‘Board of Peace’

The president appeared to be lashing out in response to stark, high-profile remarks by Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada that rejected Mr. Trump’s efforts to dismantle the international order.

House Rejects Measure to Bar Military Force in Venezuela

In a tie vote, the House defeated an effort to prohibit the president from using the U.S. military in Venezuela weeks after the raid he ordered that captured the country’s leader.

U.S. Formally Withdraws From World Health Organization

Global health experts worry that a lack of international coordination will lead to death and disaster.

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Business

There’s a New American TikTok. What Does That Mean for You?

The popular short form video app has a new corporate structure in the United States, which could result in some changes for the 200 million Americans who use TikTok.

Trump Sues JPMorgan, Saying the Bank Closed His Accounts for Political Reasons

The lawsuit, citing “political discrimination,” said the banking giant told President Trump shortly after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol that it would close his accounts.

Betting on Prediction Markets Is Their Job. They Make Millions.

Welcome to the era of the Polymarket sharp.

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Technology

The A.I. Start-Up Soap Opera Riveting Silicon Valley

Defections, secret conversations, deal talks that fizzled and a battle for control: The turmoil at Thinking Machines Lab is the artificial intelligence industry’s latest drama.

Musk’s Chatbot Flooded X With Millions of Sexualized Images in Days, New Estimates Show

Over nine days, Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot generated and posted 4.4 million images, of which at least 41 percent were sexualized images of women.

How to Deal With That Drawer Full of Old Gadgets

This month, resolve to revive or relinquish those old music players and point-and-shoot cameras — and retrieve any files trapped on the devices.

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New York

Nurses in New York City Say They Deserve $200,000 a Year. Here’s Why.

As a strike by health workers stretches into its second week, pay is a major issue in negotiations, even if it’s not discussed much on the picket line.

In a Harlem Church, a Free Three-Course Dinner, No Questions Asked

Two nights a week at Refettorio Harlem, chefs turn donated food that would otherwise go to waste into a multicourse dinner that is served to anyone who is hungry.

New York Could See Its Biggest Snowfall in Years

The National Weather Service warned of “considerable disruption to transportation and daily life” from Sunday into Monday.

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Arts

Oscar Snubs and Surprises: ‘Sinners’ Makes History, ‘Wicked’ Withers

Ariana Grande, Chase Infiniti and Paul Mescal were shut out, but voters made room for Delroy Lindo, Kate Hudson and “F1.”

2026 Oscar Nominations: See the Full List

The movies competing for the 98th Academy Awards. The ceremony will air on March 15.