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"What's News:  Trump threatens Russia with sanctions and tariffs over Ukraine War."

Views expressed in this World and U.S. News update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 22 January 2025, 2358 UTC.

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Russ Roberts (https://trendsingeopolitics.blogspot.com).

 

Good afternoon. Here’s what you should know today, Jan. 22: Trump’s war on DEI freezes diversity work across the federal government New English country houses are less Jane Eyre, more open-air kitchen India’s system for taxing popcorn isn’t as smooth as butter By Zlati Meyer Thanks for reading What’s News! Look for the  to enjoy a free article on us—and share the link with a friend (or forward the whole newsletter!). Russia exported about $2.9 billion worth of goods to the U.S. in 2024. PHOTO: SERGEI SAVOSTYANOV/ZUMA PRESS 1. Trump threatened sanctions and tariffs on Russia if it doesn’t reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. It’s his most forceful and public effort to stop the fighting ( read for free), though the president stressed that he doesn’t want to hurt Russia. The Kremlin didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Closer to home, Trump faces another tightrope-walk: His friend Elon Musk wrote on X that OpenAI and Softbank don’t have enough money to follow through on their pledged role in a Trump-backed $500 billion AI project unveiled yesterday. The White House and the companies didn’t respond to requests for comment. 2. Trump’s plan to unravel DEI efforts has begun taking shape. Agencies were told to close programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion and place all staff on paid leave by 5 p.m. ET. Webpages started coming down this morning. The Biden administration had required agencies to recruit a more diverse workforce. Conservatives have been pressuring agencies, schools and companies to pull back on diversity programs. Federal employees are also saying goodbye to job stability and remote work on Trump’s orders. 3. Spain’s prime minister wants the EU to rein in social media. At the next EU Council meeting, Pedro Sánchez plans to put forward measures that would end user anonymity and hold CEOs personally accountable if they failed to comply. He proposed an “EU digital identity wallet” that would allow people to use nicknames but let police know their real identities if they commit crimes. It would also protect minors from accessing inappropriate content, Sánchez said. 4. Ohio State is college football’s national champion on the field—and the spreadsheet. The Buckeyes would be worth $1.96 billion, the most valuable of all, if the team could be sold on the open market, according to an analysis by an Indiana University Columbus associate professor of finance. Top-line revenues, growth, cash flow drivers and sustainability projections are part of the calculation. Check out how 131 major college football programs rank. Spotlight Clinton Dall’s house was built partly sunken into the ground to minimize its impact on the protected local landscape. PHOTO: VANESSA BERBERIAN FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Brits are using a loophole to build cutting-edge homes in protected areas. These country houses are anything but Downton Abbey. The U.K. government allows new construction in these rural areas so long as the homes are “of exceptional quality,” “truly outstanding,” and represent “the highest standards of architecture” that “significantly enhance its immediate setting.” Read More ‏‏‎Quoted “Trump’s victory is a legitimization. You don’t have to hide politically anymore.” —Artem Talibov, a University of Massachusetts Lowell senior and state committeeman for the College Republicans of America. Membership at long-moribund college GOP clubs around the country is up, according to interviews with students at a dozen schools. Pro-Trump students are more vocal than they’ve been in years. Catch Up Prince Harry Settles Yearslong Privacy Invasion Case Against Murdoch’s U.K. Tabloids (Read) How Javier Milei’s Tough Remake of Argentina Made Him a MAGA Hero (Read)  Bankers’ Glee Is Tempered With Uncertainty (Listen) The Best and Worst Airlines of 2024 (Read) What Do You Think? How politically active were you in college? Let us know at whatsnewsletter@wsj.com or reply to this newsletter. Include your full name and location, and we may publish your response in an upcoming issue. Take a Break PHOTO: TRIPTI LAHIRI/THE WALL STREET JOURNAL A seemingly routine ruling by India’s top tax officials went off like metal in a microwave. People aren’t happy about the three-tiered system for taxing popcorn, with different rates whether it’s packaged or sold loose, carries a brand name or is generic, and is salted or sweet. Read More Beyond the Newsroom Buy Side from WSJ: Feb. 14 is right around the corner—shop curated gifts your valentine will love. Today's newsletter was curated by Zlati Meyer in collaboration with Leigh Kamping-Carder in New York. Follow Zlati on X at @Zlatimeyer and Leigh at @Leigh_KC. Sign up for WSJ newsletters on markets, tech, careers and more.  Enjoying this newsletter? Get more from WSJ and support our journalism by subscribing today with this special offer.   Access WSJ‌.com and our mobile apps. Subscribe

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