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Signals shifted across markets, politics, and public health, revealing how quickly familiar systems can move from steady to strained. Investors scanned for clues about what comes next as policy patience wore thin. A moment meant for civic exchange exposed new risks around public life.

Elsewhere, health officials acted early as uncertainty traveled faster than confirmed answers. Together, today’s stories show how timing, trust, and preparedness increasingly determine whether pressure eases or escalates.

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The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, extending a pause after a late-2025 easing streak. Markets moved quickly as traders debated whether the next cut arrives in the spring or slips further into 2026.

Officials framed the decision as a wait-and-see stance, shaped by stubborn inflation and signs of cooling in the labor market. Fresh earnings results and an AI-driven rally heightened the market’s sensitivity, leaving stocks and the dollar reacting sharply to every new signal from policymakers.

For households and businesses, elevated borrowing costs remain most visible in mortgages, credit cards, and short-term loans. Holding steady offers breathing room, but if cuts are delayed, refinancing opportunities may stay limited for longer.

Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked during a Minneapolis town hall when a man sprayed her with a liquid. Police arrested a suspect at the scene, and Omar continued the event afterward.

Security at public events has tightened for years, but town halls are still designed for close contact and unscripted exchanges. Growing threats and harassment against elected officials have made even routine constituent meetings harder to hold safely.

Political violence can reach beyond the immediate target by discouraging participation from voters who rely on face-to-face civic forums. It also undermines trust when public spaces no longer feel safe for disagreement, debate, and community problem-solving.

India confirmed two Nipah virus cases and said the situation remains contained, while several nearby countries expanded arrival screening. The response reflects the virus’s history of serious outbreaks and the speed of the regional public-health reaction.

Nipah infections are rare, but health officials track them closely because outbreaks can be severe and difficult to anticipate. When early details are still emerging, cross-border screening often ramps up quickly even if transmission appears limited.

Airports and hospitals are typically the first to tighten protocols, a move that can slow travel and add strain to local health systems. Rapid containment is critical, as delays can trigger wider alerts, disrupt economic activity, and increase the risk of avoidable exposure.

EU foreign ministers signaled momentum toward designating Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist group, citing concerns over repression and regional destabilization. The move would expand sanctions across member states.

A Russian drone attack killed three civilians in southern Ukraine as Kyiv warned Moscow may be preparing fresh assaults ahead of upcoming negotiations. Rising battlefield pressure is further complicating diplomatic efforts.

Ukraine’s foreign minister said talks with Russia in the UAE showed some “progress,” even as attacks on civilians continued, including a deadly strike on a passenger train. Any diplomatic momentum remains fragile as territorial disputes persist.

A federal appeals court blocked the rollback of TPS protections for Venezuelans and Haitians, ruling the move violated legal limits. The decision extends uncertainty for migrants and employers as immigration battles continue.

Investigators said deep snow and severe winter weather slowed recovery efforts after a jet crash near Bangor. Harsh conditions can delay evidence collection and extend timelines for families and regulators.

A powerful storm pushed Anchorage to a new January snowfall record, disrupting schools and snarling roads. Heavy snow also strains city budgets, staffing, and emergency response capacity.

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A strategy shift at Tesla, including ending Model S and Model X production, signaled an intensified push toward AI and Optimus ambitions. Investor enthusiasm hinges on timelines, regulation, and whether robotics revenue can scale beyond prototypes.

Deutsche Bank reported record quarterly profits alongside a new shareholder return plan. A separate investigation mention added risk headlines, a reminder that compliance issues can still move big banks fast.

First-wave reports from major firms drove sharp after-hours moves in earnings coverage. Guidance matters more than beats when valuations depend on continued AI spending and strong consumer demand.

A study of 3,100+ long COVID patients found Americans report much higher rates of brain fog, depression, and anxiety than patients in India, Nigeria, or Colombia. Researchers pointed to differences in healthcare access and symptom reporting.

New research found that some cancer cells may evade immune-checkpoint drugs by releasing PD-L1 proteins in tiny circulating particles, helping them suppress immune attacks. Researchers say statins may block this process, potentially improving immunotherapy results and guiding new combination treatments.

A big third quarter powered a Cavaliers win over the Lakers, 129-99, on Wednesday night. Cleveland’s latest surge keeps postseason positioning fluid as the schedule tightens into February.

Golden State drilled 23 3-pointers in a wire-to-wire Warriors victory over Utah, 140-124, on Wednesday night. Shooting spikes like this can reshape rotation decisions heading into the next stretch of road games.

Columbus extended its run behind a late go-ahead strike as Sean Monahan’s winner finished a 5-3 victory on Wednesday. Philly’s night swung on timing, with Travis Konecny’s hat trick not enough once the game tightened late.

The 55th edition of IFFR 2026 opens Thursday in Rotterdam and runs through Feb. 8 with premieres and competition titles across the city. Festival momentum can influence which international films land distribution deals in the months ahead.

A limited selection of festival titles becomes available starting today through the Sundance watch-online portal as the event continues in Utah. Wider access can broaden early buzz for smaller films that rely on word-of-mouth to reach theaters and streamers.

Vietnam’s decision to elevate ties with Europe marks a bet that trade stability will come from broader networks rather than dependence on a single market. Thursday’s move arrives as tariff pressure and export controls push companies to split production across multiple countries.

Vietnam already sits deep in supply chains for electronics, garments, and consumer goods, and Europe remains a high-value destination with strict standards and large purchasing power. A clearer political framework can make it easier to align on investment screening, customs cooperation, and long-term industrial projects.

Business impact shows up in three practical ways: capital, compliance, and contingency. New investment decisions often hinge on whether rules feel predictable, and a higher diplomatic tier can reduce friction for permits, financing, and high-level dispute resolution when supply chains get hit by a sudden shock.

Watch for follow-through in specific sectors rather than broad announcements. Semiconductor-adjacent manufacturing, clean-energy components, and critical-material sourcing tend to move first when governments prioritize resilience, and the next set of project signings will show whether this upgrade becomes a real economic moat or a symbolic hedge.

A first-anniversary gathering for families of crash victims renewed calls for aviation reforms.

Milan’s airport got an unexpected jolt after a cargo arrival struck a light tower.

Animal control located a young mountain lion spotted in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights.

Thanks for reading — new stories move fast, and tomorrow’s update will keep the throughline clear. Share this and subscribe so someone else can start the day informed in five minutes.

—The Five Minute Daily Team