Russia is thought to be preparing for a major offensive in the war with Ukraine. Ukraine’s top general, Valery Zaluzhny, wants 300 Western tanks and 600 vehicles to help fend it off.

China’s GDP grew only 3% last year, well below government targets and the country’s slowest growth rate since 1976 (aside from 2020, because of you know what). And somehow, that’s not even the worst news China got yesterday.

Fuel up the PJ (that’s a private jet, for those of you who missed Succession) and pack your best Patagonia vest because the World Economic Form’s (WEF) annual hobnob in Davos kicks off this week.

Catch up: For decades, Davos has been one of the premier settings for casual chit-chat among the global political and business elite.

The Chinese government has been trying to take some of the air out of an inflated real estate market, but it’s not going to be a soft landing.

The leaders of Canada, the US, and Mexico will meet in Mexico City for the North American Leaders’ Summit this week—and for a trio dubbed the “Three Amigos,” they’ll have plenty to bicker about. 

On New Year’s Day, Ukraine carried out a hugely successful strike on a Russian military site, and reportedly pulled it off by locating soldiers using their cell phones—a sign of Ukraine’s ongoing technological prowess in the warzone.

Some Western countries are looking to play Robin Hood by taking Russia’s money and giving it to Ukraine, but it’s not as simple as swooping in with a crossbow and green tights.  

If you’ve been avoiding the news for the past ten days, don’t stress—that’s what the holidays are for. We’re here to get you caught up on the big stories you might have missed while spending your time on more festive matters. 

If it didn’t feel quite right cracking a beer at 10 am to enjoy with your World Cup viewing this year, here’s some good news: The 2026 tournament will be in a more familiar timezone, with Canada, Mexico, and the US splitting hosting duties—and it’s going to look a lot different than what we just saw in Qatar.

Driving the news: The next World Cup will expand to include a record 48 teams, up from the 32 that competed in Qatar. 

In the week since China drastically rolled back its draconian Covid restrictions in response to nationwide protests, the virus has torn through the nation with reckless abandon.