Trump imposes sanctions on ICC

Plus, US judge blocks federal worker buyout program.

Sign up for Reuters newsletters  Daily Briefing Daily Briefing By Kate Turton Hello, in news out of the US, Trump imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court, and the halt in aid cripples global efforts to relieve hunger. Plus, the president inherits a labor market at full employment. Can he keep it there? Meanwhile, in the UK, Shein is set to cut its valuation in a potential London listing, and tougher immigration policy risks trapping victims in modern slavery. Today's Top News   In the first Trump term, an ICC prosecutor and senior aide were sanctioned. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo US President Donald Trump authorized economic and travel sanctions targeting people who work on International Criminal Court investigations of US citizens or US allies such as Israel. Here's what you need to know about the ICC. A US judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's proposed buyout for federal workers until at least Monday, giving an initial win to labor unions that sued to stop it. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the US needed to formulate its policy on ending the conflict in Ukraine and that Moscow could then base its own position on specific US action. Sweden's right-wing government said it would seek to tighten gun laws in the wake of the country's deadliest mass shooting at an adult education centre where the attacker appeared to have used several of his own licensed rifles. Thousands of victims of modern slavery are being denied support because of Britain's crackdown on illegal migration, according to more than a dozen sources. Greece has declared a state of emergency on Santorini after a series of earthquakes shook the popular tourist island this week and prompted more than 10,000 residents and workers to evacuate. A small plane crashed into vehicles on the busy Marques de Sao Vicente Avenue in Sao Paulo, the local fire department said. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that his country "will not be bullied," as he spoke of growing geopolitical tensions in his annual state of the nation address. Business & Markets   The US job market has hit what US central bank officials are characterizing as a moment of stable full employment. President Trump now faces the challenge of improving a strong labor market. The Reserve Bank of India cut its key interest rate for the first time in nearly five years, as it seeks to boost the sluggish economy and sees inflation easing towards its 4% target. Russia is increasing the pace of domestic asset seizures after courts ruled last week that a leading grain trader, Moscow's sprawling Domodedovo airport and strategic warehouse assets be handed over to the state. Volkswagen's SEAT, the Spanish subsidiary of Europe's largest carmaker, will be forced to cut output and lay off around 1,500 workers if the EU does not lower its tariff on the brand's China-made electric car by the end of March, its CEO told Reuters. In Britain, months of high inflation and soaring energy bills are resulting in a drop in confidence and spending among lower-income shoppers shown in a succession of British surveys. Online fast-fashion retailer Shein is set to cut its valuation in a potential London listing to around $50 billion, said three people with knowledge of the matter, nearly a quarter less than the company's 2023 fundraising value amid growing headwinds. The Week Ahead Sunday's NFL Super Bowl will see the Kansas City Chiefs shoot for an unprecedented 'three-peat' against the Philadelphia Eagles at the New Orleans Superdome. Tune in to this episode of the Reuters World News podcast for everything you need to know about the match. Chinese consumer price data on Sunday is likely to underscore reasons to keep bearish bets on China for now. Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa is betting that his pledges to push crime-fighting initiatives begun under his truncated first administration and to tackle power cuts will secure him a full term in Sunday's presidential election. On Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks before the House Financial Services Committee to deliver the Fed's semi-annual monetary policy report. The monthly US consumer price index due on Wednesday offers the latest read on inflation trends, a key investor concern. And we take a look at the week ahead in the markets. Halt in US aid cripples global efforts to relieve hunger   Palestinian children carry pots as they queue to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Rafah, December 14, 2023. REUTERS/Saleh Salem The Trump administration's effort to slash and reshape American foreign aid is crippling the intricate global system that aims to prevent and respond to famine. About 500,000 metric tons of food worth $340 million is in limbo as humanitarian organizations wait for US State Department approval to distribute it. Read more And Finally... Giraffes groom at the Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wildlife Service in Nairobi, Kenya, January 31. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh Odd and unusual images from around the world this week. View the slideshow Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Advertise in this newsletter or on Reuters' website Reuters Daily Briefing is sent 5 days a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here. Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here. 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