2: Life just got a bit harder for US House Speaker Mike Johnson, as Republican Representative Bill Johnson of Ohio (no relation) will step down on January 21 to become president of Youngstown State University. His move leaves House Republicans with a majority of just two representatives.
478: Despite a recent surge in aerial attacks by Russia and Ukraine, the two countries exchanged 478 prisoners of war in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates. Ukraine handed back 248 Russians in exchange for 230 Ukrainians.
4 billion: Meanwhile, in a further bid to squeeze Vladimir Putin’s war machine, the EU imposed sanctions on Kremlin-controlled Alrosa, the world’s largest diamond miner. In 2022, Russia was responsible for about 30 percent of global diamond production by weight, and Alrosa’s exports alone totaled about $4 billion.
35: On Wednesday, junior doctors seeking a 35% pay raise in England launched a six-day strike that will disrupt medical care for tens of thousands of patients. This is the UK’s 10th work stoppage by junior doctors in under a year.
It's been a busy year for SCOTUS, and some major Court rulings are still looming. Yale legal scholar Emily Bazelon previews the cases that could reshape presidential power.
South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party is poised to win 11 of 16 municipal races, a reversal from four years ago when the now-disgraced PPP dominated. But Lee’s surging popularity has foreign policy ramifications.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Bank of America is investing in the legacy of leadership — committing $5M to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and conserving 110 presidential portraits at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, so the history of leaders who defined our nation is preserved for generations to come. Learn more here.
Chris, an Army veteran, started his Walmart journey over 25 years ago as an hourly associate. Today, he manages a Distribution Center and serves as a mentor, helping others navigate their own paths to success. At Walmart, associates have the opportunity to take advantage of the pathways, perks, and pay that come with the job — with or without a college degree. In fact, more than 75% of Walmart management started as hourly associates. Learn more about how over 130,000 associates were promoted into roles of greater responsibility and higher pay in FY25.