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Staying on top of the news can feel like an impossible task. It's so overwhelming that we've made it easier for you by gathering the most impactful, bizarre, or downright jaw-dropping stories from the past week.
This week was especially remarkable due to the shockingly brutal cold temperatures. The US Midwest saw its mercury drop to levels typically seen in Siberia. While snowy and icy conditions dominated the headlines, there was no shortage of other major happenings—from political shifts in Washington to the usual blend of heartbreak and oddities worldwide.
10. The Midwest Was in a Deep Freeze
Now we know what it's like to live in Antarctica. After several days of harsh warnings and frantic preparations to brace for the cold, the polar vortex finally hit in the middle of the week. A massive blast of frigid air descended from the Arctic, swept through Canada, and settled over the US Midwest. It was cold with a capital 'C.'
In Chicago, where brutal winters are hardly a surprise, temperatures plummeted to –30 degrees Celsius (–22 °F). In Minnesota, some areas reported temperatures as low as –41 degrees Celsius (–42 °F). To put it in perspective, as of now, it's around –4 degrees Celsius (25 °F) in Moscow, –12 degrees Celsius (10 °F) at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, and about –18 degrees Celsius (0 °F) in Ottawa. So, when we say it’s cold in the Midwest, we mean REALLY cold.
The rapid plunge in temperature posed serious risks to health. In Iowa, officials urged people to avoid spending more than ten minutes outdoors and to refrain from breathing through their mouths to prevent health issues. Tragically, at least eight deaths have been linked to the freeze so far.
9. Greece Endorsed Macedonia’s Historic Name Change
Goodbye, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM); hello, the Republic of North Macedonia! As mentioned in last year’s columns, Macedonia’s government pushed through legislation to change the country’s name. However, this change was dependent on the Greek parliament approving its own bill to ratify it. Last Friday, they did just that. By an incredibly narrow vote, Athens passed their bill, clearing the way for FYROM’s groundbreaking name change.
The name “Macedonia” has always been a point of contention. The reasons include: a) a Greek province already shares the name, and b) many Greeks feel it’s a blatant attempt to claim their heritage (imagine if Texas were simply called “Mexico” or vice versa). This dispute led Athens to repeatedly block FYROM's bids to join NATO or the EU, essentially locking Skopje out of two of the region's most influential alliances.
Thanks to the joint efforts of Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, those days of impasse are behind us. Already, Zaev has been engaging with EU leaders to begin discussions on North Macedonia’s accession talks.
8. The US Government Has Reopened
Thirty-five days. That’s how long the partial US government shutdown lasted before coming to an end last Friday, following President Trump’s unexpected announcement to allow an emergency three-week funding measure. The president claimed he gave in to help those struggling with missed paychecks. The opposition, along with some staunch Republicans, argued that he was outplayed by Nancy Pelosi.
The 2018/19 shutdown has now set the record as the longest in US history. The previous record, set in 1995, lasted just 21 days. After the government reopened, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the 35-day deadlock cost the economy approximately $11 billion. While $8 billion will be recovered as operations resume, the remaining $3 billion is lost.
However, it’s far from over. The fundamental disagreement—Trump pushing for a wall and Democrats firmly opposing it—remains unresolved. The temporary funding measure will expire on February 15, meaning we may soon find ourselves reliving this crisis once again.
7. A Fatal Cathedral Bombing Shattered The Philippines
Jolo Island, located in the southern Philippines, has long been plagued by Islamist terrorism. The militant group Abu Sayyaf has operated with impunity, despite numerous efforts to suppress them. However, the group rarely displays such audacity as they did on Sunday, when they set off two bombs inside Jolo’s Catholic cathedral during Mass. The twin explosions resulted in at least 20 fatalities and left 81 others injured.
Recently, Abu Sayyaf has aligned itself with ISIS, essentially becoming their local branch in the Philippines. While it is believed that Abu Sayyaf carried out the attack, ISIS took overall responsibility. Despite the collapse of their caliphate and diminished influence over the past year, it is evident that they remain capable of orchestrating horrific acts of terror.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to eliminate Abu Sayyaf. However, this will likely prove to be a formidable challenge, as Abu Sayyaf has managed to survive since 1991.
6. A Dam Collapse in Brazil Claims Many Lives
In 2015, a mining company’s upstream dam in Brazil gave way, flooding the town of Mariana with a massive surge of sludge. The disaster claimed 19 lives and wiped out entire neighborhoods. Following the tragedy, Brazilian officials promised to take action by banning upstream dams and holding mining companies accountable. But nothing changed. Instead, mining lobbyists were allowed to shape the new laws.
This brings us to the tragedy at Brumadinho.
Last Friday, another upstream dam operated by a mining company failed. This time, the death toll far exceeded 19. The mudslide that swept through the town obliterated almost everything in its path. As of now, 99 people are confirmed dead, with nearly 260 more still missing. It's believed that all of them are likely dead.
The company responsible for this mine is Vale SA, the same company that was behind the 2015 dam collapse. Three employees and two contractors from the company have been arrested. If the Brazilian authorities had taken action sooner, it’s estimated that around 350 lives could have been saved.
5. Toronto’s LGBT Killer Confessed to Eight Murders
Between 2010 and 2017, eight men went missing from Toronto’s gay village. Many were from immigrant communities and had not yet come out. While it quickly became apparent to the city’s LGBT population that a serial killer was at large, the police refused to consider that possibility.
Then, in 2018, a 66-year-old landscape gardener and part-time mall Santa named Bruce McArthur was arrested. A grandfather who came out later in life, McArthur was a familiar face on the Toronto gay scene. This week, he finally admitted to all eight murders. He dismembered his victims and concealed their remains in plant pots beneath the guise of his landscaping business.
McArthur’s actions would be horrifying in any community, but they were especially disturbing in Toronto—a typically peaceful city in a country where murders are rare. What makes it worse is that McArthur had been arrested in 2013 in connection with the killings but was released. Due to the police's refusal to consider a serial killer, five more men lost their lives.
4. A Russian Lawmaker Was Arrested For Murder Inside Parliament
Until Wednesday, Rauf Arashukov was a prominent member of Russia’s ruling party, a lawmaker, and a powerful figure in his native Karachai-Cherkessia region in the North Caucasus. He was also known for his violent tendencies. Police had already linked him to two 2010 political homicides in his home region.
However, it wasn’t until Wednesday’s parliamentary session that Arashukov’s dark past was finally revealed. According to some present, the Federation Council in Moscow was suddenly closed to the media, with armed guards surrounding the building. The charges against Arashukov were read out, and lawmakers immediately voted to remove his parliamentary immunity. He allegedly tried to escape but was arrested and swiftly taken away.
The former lawmaker now faces life imprisonment for the double murder. In a country where accountability is often lacking, it’s reassuring to see a powerful figure finally held accountable for his actions in Russia.
3. One of President Trump’s Closest Allies Was Indicted
Well, here we are again, another indictment in the Russia investigation.
Last Friday, just as the US government was slowly returning to normal, Roger Stone, a lifelong Republican operative, was arrested by the FBI. He faces charges of obstruction, witness tampering, and lying to Congress. He is one of President Trump’s closest allies to be arrested in the ongoing investigation.
Stone is a veteran of the GOP, having worked for Ronald Reagan, the Bush family, and several other notable Republican figures. However, his longtime friendship with Donald Trump is now at the center of a new indictment. The charges suggest that Stone was the one who reached out to Wikileaks about releasing Democratic party emails during the 2016 campaign and subsequently informed the Trump campaign about the leaks. This would place him at the heart of any potential coordinated effort to influence the election, making this indictment perhaps the most significant in Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation.
That said, it’s important to note that none of these charges so far connect directly to collusion with Russia or implicate the president himself. It’s possible that more details will come to light in this complex story, or perhaps the responsibility will fall on figures like Jared Kushner (as many outlets are speculating). Word on the street is that Mueller’s investigation is nearing its conclusion, so we’ll likely know more soon.
2. The EU Launched A Scheme For Evading Iran Sanctions
It has now been almost a year since President Trump made the bold decision to withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear agreement, leaving the other signatories to try and salvage what they could. Since then, the US has taken an increasingly tough stance, targeting any company doing business with Tehran. Finally, the European Union has formulated a response. Known as the special purpose vehicle (SPV), this initiative is designed to help EU companies conduct legitimate business while avoiding US sanctions.
The SPV circumvents financial restrictions on transactions with Iran by creating a barter system, enabling companies to exchange goods directly. It’s a plan spearheaded by Germany, France, and the UK, with the EU providing its full support. If it proves successful, the SPV could shield European businesses from potential US penalties. The US, however, has dismissed the initiative, claiming it will not undermine its sanctions on Iran.
This development highlights the growing rift between the US and its allies on key issues of global security. In the past, the EU attempting to bypass US sanctions would have been seen as highly unusual. Today, it’s become a more routine part of international diplomacy.
1. US-Taliban Talks Reached A Breakthrough
Just last week, we reported on a devastating Taliban truck bomb that claimed the lives of between 40 and 100 people in a remote Afghan town. This week, however, the insurgent group made headlines once again, but for a very different reason. On Monday, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad announced that a major breakthrough had been achieved, paving the way for peace talks between the Taliban and Washington. This marks the most significant development since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
This news probably raises an obvious question: “Why is the US negotiating with the Taliban?” Sadly, it appears that engaging with the group may be the only viable option for ending the US’s longest-ever war. With American forces withdrawing, the Taliban have made a strong comeback. The US faces a grim choice: either negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban or commit an enormous amount of resources to reoccupy Afghanistan. Neither of these options is ideal.
The framework currently on the table involves an agreement in which the Taliban would expel all other terrorist groups from Afghanistan in return for the complete withdrawal of US forces. However, there are significant concerns regarding the Taliban’s reluctance to engage with the Kabul government and the potential consequences for Afghanistan after the US exits.
