Today's Headlines: They Said They Weren’t Close to Epstein. New Documents Show Otherwise.
Facing Immigration Backlash, Trump Called Schumer to Cut a Deal
View in browser
The New York Times
Today's Headlines

February 1, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

They Said They Weren’t Close to Epstein. New Documents Show Otherwise.

Materials released by the Justice Department revealed that leading business and political figures had enduring relationships with the disgraced financier.

Facing Immigration Backlash, Trump Called Schumer to Cut a Deal

The president and the top Senate Democrat, who are often at each other’s throats, agreed to try to keep the government open and to start talks on new limits on federal immigration agents.

Why Is Taking the Rest of the Donetsk Region So Important to Putin?

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the question “the one remaining item” in Abu Dhabi peace talks. Russia disputed that.

World

Explosions in Iran Spread Jitters Amid Anticipation of Foreign Attacks

Deadly blasts, including one that may have been caused by a gas leak, raised anxiety in the country. “Society is waiting for war,” one Iranian said.

Years After Coup, Myanmar’s Government in Exile Teeters on Irrelevance

The National Unity Government was formed as a pro-democracy alternative to the junta. But, critics say, it has failed to achieve most of its goals.

‘We’ve Fought Side by Side’: Danish Veterans March Against Trump’s Comments

In the latest anti-American gathering in Denmark, veterans who went to war alongside U.S. troops took to the streets of Copenhagen.

See more world news

U.S.

Federal Judge Denies Request to Temporarily Block ICE Surge in Minnesota

Minnesota officials had sought a temporary end to the deployment of 3,000 federal agents, claiming state sovereignty had been violated.

Judge Orders Release of 5-Year-Old, Whose Detention Drew Outrage

The image of Liam Conejo Ramos, wearing a blue winter hat and Spider-Man backpack while in the custody of immigration agents, fueled outrage across the country.

Winter Storm Hits the Carolinas, Bringing Dangerous Ice and Snow

Hundreds of crashes were reported on highways throughout the region, as freezing temperatures were predicted in the overnight hours.

See more U.S. news

Politics

Democratic Upset in Deep Red Texas District Rattles Republicans

A Democrat won a state legislative special election in a district that President Trump carried by 17 percentage points, unnerving Republicans in Texas and beyond.

R.N.C. Enters 2026 With Nearly $100 Million Edge on D.N.C.

Democrats have struggled to raise money, as is often the case for the party out of power, but the depth of their financial hole against the Republican National Committee is noteworthy.

The Richest 2026 Players: A.I., Crypto, Pro-Israel Groups and Trump

All have amassed enormous war chests, new filings show, making them the financial wild cards of this year’s midterm elections and feared political spenders.

See more political news

Business

Sell America Is the New Trade on Wall Street

Investors are increasingly souring on the United States, as illustrated by the declining dollar, the stalled stock market and rising government borrowing costs.

Kevin Warsh Has a Tough Job Ahead. It’s Not the First Time.

Mr. Warsh is known as a consensus builder, skills he will need if he is to head the Federal Reserve when President Trump is demanding rock-bottom rates.

‘Melania’ Arrives With Strong Box Office Showing for a Documentary

Amazon backed up the Brink’s trucks to promote the vanity film, resulting in opening-weekend ticket sales of roughly $8 million, or 60 percent more than expected.

See more business news

New York

Mamdani Names Nonprofit Leader and Ex-Rikers Inmate to Run N.Y.C. Jails

Stanley Richards is taking over as correction commissioner at an inflection point for the city’s jails. Mayor Zohran Mamdani also named Dr. Alister Martin to lead the health department.

Sherrill Urges New Jersey Residents to Record ICE Action on Their Phones

Governor Mikie Sherrill said the state would begin collecting images of federal immigration agents interacting with the public.

What to Know About the Alexander Brothers Sex Trafficking Trial

The men used their wealth and fame to lure women and then assault them, prosecutors say. The brothers have denied all allegations.

See more New York news

Arts

The Devastating Monologue That Is Leaving Audiences Spellbound

Personal history emerges by painful degrees in “Oedipus,” whose language and story, the actress Lesley Manville says, “wreck me every time.”

Art for All: A Smithsonian Museum Spreads Its Bounty for America’s 250th

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will loan scores of modern and contemporary masterworks in storage to museums in 50 states.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Starts His Days With This Podcast

“It’s basically professional barbershop talk with an unfiltered delivery,” said the star of the new Marvel series “Wonder Man.”

See more arts news

Food

Peanut Butter Protein Granola Time

Egg whites, peanuts and hemp seeds add an extra protein boost to these crunchy, snacky clusters.

My Favor