700 officers to leave Minnesota; critical minerals; Gallup poll

Your afternoon news update

ADVERTISEMENT View in Browser | APNews DONATE View in Browser | APNews DONATE AP Afternoon Wire Advancing the Power of Facts Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate. By Amy Langfield February 04, 2026 By Amy Langfield February 04, 2026 Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, the Trump administration says it is pulling 700 immigration officers out of Minnesota immediately; the U.S. wants to create a critical minerals trading bloc; and a new Gallup poll ranks the top concerns of more than 100 countries. UP FIRST White House border czar Tom Homan holds a news conference at the Bishop Whipple Federal building on Wednesday in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy) Trump's border czar pulling 700 immigration officers out of Minnesota immediately The Trump administration is reducing the number of immigration officers in Minnesota but will continue its enforcement operation that has sparked weeks of tensions and deadly confrontations, border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Legal fight escalates over Georgia voting records as Trump says he wants to 'take over' elections Democrats demand 'dramatic changes' for ICE, including masks, cameras and judicial warrants Government lawyer yanked from immigration detail in Minnesota after telling judge 'this job sucks' New York attorney general to deploy legal observers to monitor federal immigration agents Federal immigration officials scout warehouses as they eye more detention space SBA says legal permanent residents will be ineligible for its loan program, effective March 1 Olympics: The hospitality stop known as 'Ice House' is now the 'Winter House' for US athletes Supreme Court refuses to block new California congressional districts that favor Democrats Trump signs bill to end partial government shutdown, setting stage for next fight Man who tried to shoot Trump at a Florida golf course gets life in prison US announces military team sent to Nigeria after recent attacks Trump calls Colombia's Petro 'terrific' after White House meeting while downplaying past insults US-Iran talks to take place Friday in Oman, Iranian media say Federal Reserve governor Miran steps down from White House post New York and New Jersey sue Trump administration over $16B funding freeze for Hudson River tunnels AP Decision Notes: What to expect in New Jersey's special congressional primary Business owner Rick Jackson launches Republican bid for Georgia governor TOP STORIES US wants to create a critical minerals trading bloc with its allies to counter China The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it wants to create a critical minerals trading bloc with its allies and partners, using tariffs to maintain minimum prices and defend against China's stranglehold on the key elements needed for everything from fighter jets to smartphones. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Trump and Xi discuss Iran in wide-ranging call as US presses China and others to break from Tehran China's Xi and Russia's Putin discuss their growing links, ties with US and global crises Why China is building so many coal plants despite its solar and wind boom Japan retrieves rare earth-rich mud from seabed to lower reliance on China China criticizes decision to award a Grammy to the Dalai Lama How Americans' top concerns compare to more than 100 other countries, according to Gallup Americans are exceptionally anxious about their political system, according to new international polling from Gallup, a situation that sets the country apart from other rich and powerful nations. About one-third of Americans rated politics and government as the top issue facing their nation, behind only Taiwan, and on par with Slovenia, Spain and South Korea. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ European Union citizens want more unified and bold leadership, survey suggests ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS Maja T., a German anti-fascist activist, accused of assaulting and injuring neo-Nazis in Budapest in 2023, sits handcuffed after the verdict was read in court in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday at the Budapest-Capital Regional Court. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Assaults at one of Europe's biggest neo-Nazi rallies: Hungarian court sentences German anti-fascist activist to 8 years Media layoffs: Washington Post cuts a third of its staff Nigeria: Islamic militants kill 162 people in attacks on 2 villages, lawmaker says 10th attack on a medical facility: South Sudan hospital hit by government airstrike, Doctors Without Borders says Former chief executive: Body found on Cyprus beach identified as missing Russian once detained in Belarus Copyright issue: Minions music leads to nightmare for Olympic skater while putting a spotlight on a yearslong problem Safety concerns: China to ban hidden door handles on cars Historic low: World gets closer to eradicating human Guinea worm cases, with just 10 last year: Carter Center WATCH: Bill Gates says Epstein email is 'false' and denies any wrongdoing TRENDING A serving of casunziei is seen at the end of a pasta-making tutorial led by local chef Gianluca Belli at a Michelin one-star restaurant in Cortina D'Ampezzo, in November. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Ravioli filled with red beets is the colorful pasta dish of Olympic host Cortina Every corner of Italy has its own culinary traditions, from carbonara in Rome to tortellini in Bologna. Winter Olympics co-host Cortina d'Ampezzo's signature dish is the colorful, stuffed pasta known as casunziei. Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Amy Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Amy SUPPORT THE AP. DONATE. Manage preferences | Privacy policy | Unsubscribe   *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT