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"Kremlin tells Trump envoys that a territory deal is needed in Ukraine peace deal."

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By Pavan Mahal January 23, 2026

In the news today: Putin meets Trump’s envoys as the Kremlin says Ukraine settlement hinges on territory; TikTok finalizes a deal to form a new American entity; and states in the east of the U.S. prepare for a huge, dayslong winter storm threatening catastrophic damage. Also, the last stand for hummingbirds facing extinction. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, greets U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff, center, and Jared Kushner at the Senate Palace of the Kremlin, in Moscow, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) WORLD NEWS Territorial issue is key obstacle to Ukraine peace, Kremlin tells Trump envoys Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the peace settlement in Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during marathon overnight talks in Moscow, and the Kremlin insisted that the territorial issue needs to be resolved to reach a deal. Read more.

Why this matters: The territorial issue is a reference to Moscow’s demand that Kyiv withdraw its troops from the areas in the east that Russia illegally annexed but never fully captured.   The meeting, which lasted past 3 a.m. Friday, came hours after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticized his European allies for what he cast as their slow and fragmented response to Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion. “Europe looks lost,” Zelenskyy said in his speech, urging the continent to become a global force.  The issue of land concessions is expected to be the focus as Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. officials hold talks on security matters related to a prospective peace deal in the United Arab Emirates on Friday.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ WATCH: Trump says he thinks Putin and Zelenskyy both ‘want to make a deal’ WATCH: Trump mulling a ‘tariff-free zone’ for Ukraine, says US envoy Witkoff  TECHNOLOGY TikTok finalizes a deal to form a new American entity The deal avoids the looming threat of a ban in the United States that has been in discussion for years on the platform now used by more than 200 million Americans. Read more.

Why this matters: The social video platform company signed agreements with major investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and the Emirati investment firm MGX to form the new U.S. joint venture. American TikTok users can continue using the same app.  Apart from an emphasis on data protection, the joint venture will also focus on TikTok’s algorithm. The content recommendation formula, which feeds users specific videos tailored to their preferences and interests, will be retrained, tested and updated on U.S. user data, the company said in its announcement. China had maintained the algorithm must remain under Chinese control by law. Under the terms of this deal, previous owner ByteDance would license the algorithm to the U.S. entity for retraining.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Canada’s Carney fires back at Trump after Davos speech In the case of the Federal Reserve, Supreme Court appears to carve out a murky exception Icebreakers, the key tech to unlock Greenland, are only made by either US allies or adversaries Takeaways from Jack Smith on his case against Trump, ‘so many witnesses’ and the threats ahead Venezuela opens debate on an oil sector overhaul as Trump seeks role for US firms House Republicans barely defeat Venezuela war powers resolution to check Trump’s military actions Kushner’s vision for rebuilding Gaza faces major obstacles  House approves final spending bills as Democrats denounce ICE funding Minnesota gears up for anti-immigration enforcement protest Friday despite dangerous cold Pentagon contractor indicted in leak case tied to search of Washington Post reporter’s home US completes withdrawal from World Health Organization  Brazilians affected by US visa suspension evoke frustration but try to remain hopeful As Trump talks tariffs, his Argentine ally welcomes a first shipload of Chinese EVs Trump administration scraps multimillion-dollar solar projects in Puerto Rico as grid crumbles Missouri lawmaker reprimanded for sexually vulgar text sent during redistricting protest U.S. NEWS Texas and Oklahoma prepare for snow and ice as huge winter storm barrels toward east of US The heavy snow and ice could make roadways treacherous Friday in what forecasters predict will be some of the initial effects of a massive, dayslong winter storm threatening catastrophic damage, extensive power outages and bitterly cold weather to the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. Read more.

Why this matters: Forecasters are warning the damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival a hurricane. About 160 million people were under winter storm or cold weather watches or warnings — and in many places both. Ice can add hundreds of pounds to power lines and branches and make them more susceptible to snapping, especially in windy weather.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Why freezing rain has millions at risk of losing power — and heat When big snow and ice blow in, most people reach for salt. There are ways to reduce its harms Animal advocates rush to save more than 200 dogs in Mississippi before winter storm ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ Protest deaths: Toll in Iran’s crackdown reaches at least 5,002 Justin Baldoni lawsuit: Blake Lively and Taylor Swift’s texts exposed in unsealed documents Olympics leverage: 2028 could bring big wins for Los Angeles labor unions Snap election: Japan's Takaichi dissolves parliament after only three months in office Valentino funeral: Stars and the public say final good goodbye to fashion icon Now streaming: ‘The Smashing Machine’ and Bruce Springsteen biopic Today in History: In 1973, President Richard Nixon announced an accord had been reached to end the Vietnam War WATCH BTS: What happens when you try to get BTS World Tour tickets? A long wait. Trader Joe's: What do people in the UK and US think of the famous bag? A CHANGE OF PACE A Black-breasted Puffleg hummingbird sips from a feeder at the Yanacocha Reserve in Nono, Ecuador, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa) An ancient forest in Ecuador is the last stand for a tiny hummingbird facing extinction Despite its beauty, the survival of the Black-breasted puffleg, a tiny hummingbird, is at risk as high-altitude forests are cleared for grazing and agriculture. On the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, conservationists are now racing to restore the cloud-shrouded Yanacocha Reserve for the “smallest fairies” of the Andes.

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