Photos: Celebrations commence the Year of the Snake For many, the Lunar New Year is a time to reflect on people they have lost. But it’s also a time to set intentions and welcome the new energy of the future. Read more on NPR

Trump ends extension of temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants The move to revoke the extension of temporary protected status would make hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans eligible for deportation. Read more on NPR

Trump’s Mideast envoy visits Gaza before meeting with Netanyahu Steve Witkoff helped negotiate the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. His visit to Gaza pn Wednesday was the first by a senior U.S. official in more than a decade. Read more on NPR

Hegseth strips Milley of his security detail, orders investigation into his conduct Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered an investigation into retired general Mark Milley — who often clashed with President Trump — and determine whether he should be reduced in rank. Read more on NPR

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who toppled Assad, is named Syria’s interim president Sharaa was already de facto head of Syria’s government ever since a coalition of rebel fighters swept through most of Syria and ousted Assad’s regime. Read more on NPR

New York becomes the first state to close schools for Lunar New Year It’s the first time New York students will have the day off for the Lunar New Year since a new state law was signed in 2023. In 2024, the holiday fell on a Saturday. Read more on NPR

Trump signs first bill of his second presidency, the Laken Riley Act, into law The bill is named for a Georgia nursing student who was killed last year by a Venezuelan man without legal status who had a criminal record. Read more on NPR

Effective immediately: CDC can’t talk to WHO. What will that mean for world health? Staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been told to halt all communication with the World Health Organization. Read more on NPR

‘Not a buyout’: Attorneys and unions urge federal workers not to resign Unions and attorneys who represent federal employees are telling workers not to take the offer from the Trump administration to resign from their jobs by Feb. 6 and still be paid through September. Read more on NPR

The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady as inflation remains stubborn The Fed held interest rates steady as it continues to combat inflation. President Trump wants to see lower rates, but some of his policies could fuel more price hikes. Read more on NPR