U.S. consumer confidence collapses to lowest level since 2014

U.S. consumer confidence plunged in January to its lowest level in more than a decade, as U.S. people grew increasingly pessimistic about geopolitical tensions, high prices and the economic impact of trade policies, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.

According to preliminary results of a monthly survey issued by The Conference Board, the U.S. Consumer Confidence Index fell by 9.7 points from December to 84.5 in January, marking the lowest reading since May 2014 and surpassing the lows recorded during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Milan mayor opposes entry of U.S. ICE agents during Winter Olympics

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala on Tuesday said he does not want to see the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Italy during the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

"These agents should not come to Italy because they cannot guarantee alignment with our security policy," Sala said during an interview with local media on Tuesday.

China to firmly uphold existing int'l system, enhance UN authority: Chinese envoy

China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with international organizations in Vienna and their member states, firmly uphold the existing international system, and enhance the authority and status of the United Nations (UN), a Chinese envoy said on Monday in Vienna.

Li Song, China's permanent representative to the UN and other international organizations in Vienna, made the remarks while addressing the reception for the Chinese lunar new year and Spring Festival held at UN Vienna.

French gov't survives no-confidence votes over budget issue

The French government led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Tuesday survived two no-confidence votes over a budget issue after deputies in the National Assembly rejected the motions.

The motions, filed separately on Friday by left-wing parliamentary groups including La France Insoumise, the Democratic and Republican Left group (GDR) and the Ecologists, as well as by the far-right National Rally and its ally, the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), accused the government of abusing constitutional powers to force the state budget through parliament.

U.S. eyes permanent CIA foothold in Venezuela after Maduro's capture: report

The Trump administration is planning to establish a permanent CIA presence inside Venezuela following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, CNN reported on Tuesday.

While the State Department will serve as the primary diplomatic presence in the country, the Trump administration will likely lean heavily on the CIA to initiate the re-entry process due to the political and security situation in Venezuela, said the report, quoting sources familiar with the process.