Greetings! Happy National Bubble Bath Day to those celebrating.

Let’s get into today’s top stories.

You could be wasting hundreds every year on overpriced insurance. The experts at FinanceBuzz believe they can help. If your rate went up in the last 12 months, check out this new tool from FinanceBuzz to see if you’re overpaying in just a few clicks! They match drivers with companies reporting savings of $600 or more per year when switching!* Plus, once you use it, you’ll always have access to the lowest rates; best yet, it’s free. Answer a few easy questions to see how much you could be saving.

See How Much You Can Save

🇺🇳 The United Nations says America still owes dues. The United Nations (UN) said America has a legal obligation to fund agencies tied to prior commitments. UN Secretary-General António Guterres framed it as duty, not preference. Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said withdrawals do not erase assessed payments already approved. The UN said the Trump administration is withdrawing support from 31 UN-linked bodies. Officials cited the UN Population Fund and the UN climate treaty secretariat among the affected entities. The bill will still arrive even if America leaves the room.

🇵🇸 Mladenov tapped to lead Trump’s Gaza peace board. Israel said Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov will direct the Board of Peace for Gaza. Mladenov is a former United Nations (UN) envoy. The announcement came as Israeli strikes killed at least 8 people in Gaza, further violating the October 2025 ceasefire. Israel says the board will oversee terms, as aid delivery and rebuilding lag. Editor’s Note: The polycrisis afflicting Gaza was officially considered a genocide by the United Nations (UN) and International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), with famine declared formally by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), confirmed by UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, World Food Program (WFP), and World Health Organization (WHO), along with Global Sumud Flotilla eyewitnesses.

🚔 Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid turns deadly. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot Renee Good, 37, during a Minneapolis immigration operation, officials said. Advocates say Good was an unarmed American citizen, a mother of 3, and a legal observer. Federal officials called it self-defense, while Minneapolis leaders demanded answers. Crowds gathered as grief blended with anger and fear of escalation. The incident puts use-of-force and oversight at the center of the crackdown. In 2026, paperwork can arrive wearing body armor.

🌐 Executive order withdraws US from 66 global agencies. President Donald Trump signed an order pausing American participation and funding after a review. It targets 66 organizations, 31 of whom are linked to the United Nations (UN). American Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz has defended the pivot at the Security Council. Critics warn withdrawals reduce influence while leaving obligations and crises unchanged. Supporters say exits cut waste and limit open-ended commitments. Multilateralism just lost a major shareholder, and the fine print matters.

🕊️ Renee Good remembered as a poet and mother after ICE killing. Renee Nicole Good, 37, moved to Minneapolis about 5 months ago, friends said. She was a mother of 3 whose poems often circled grief and grit. Good was killed when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fired on her vehicle. Her family called her new to the city and proud of her children. Vigils and calls for justice spread quickly online around the world, with supporters crowdfunding for her surviving loved ones in the aftermath.

🏦 Tax season starts January 26th, and early birds are ready. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will start accepting 2025 returns January 26th. Early filing can speed refunds and calm household cash flow. The IRS urged taxpayers to gather forms, verify bank info, and file electronically. Officials warned that missing documents can delay processing and payments. Officials warned that scams are surging, so protect Social Security numbers and passwords. Remember: taxes are dull, but refunds are loud.

Help better understand our audience. Take this 1-minute survey here so we can provide our community with the best content, news, and stories that matter to you most.

Feel free to reply with your feedback. PM reads and responds to every email. :)

That’s all for today!

Much obliged and many thanks for reading and sharing today’s newsletter.

See you tomorrow!