Tuesday morning news: January 13, 2026

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Iran wants talks / protests » President Trump says Iran wants to negotiate with the United States, even as activists report the death toll from nationwide protests has climbed to well over 600.

Protests erupted weeks ago over Iran’s collapsing economy. Activists say more than 10,000 people have been arrested since.

Trump has said the United States could step in if Iran violently targets protesters … but he said Iranian leaders called on Monday .

TRUMP:  Iran wants to negotiate, yes. We may meet with them, I mean, a meeting is being set up. But we may have to act because of what's happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they wanna negotiate.

Trump heard there aboard Air Force one.

Officials in Tehran say they remain open to diplomacy, while also blaming the unrest on outside forces, including the U.S. and Israel.

State media showed large pro-government rallies Monday, as authorities signaled they intend to crack down further on demonstrations challenging the country’s leadership.

DOJ Fed investigation » The Department of Justice is investigating Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

The DOJ is confirming it has issued subpoenas tied to Powell’s testimony last year… about the design and price of a costly renovation of Federal Reserve buildings in Washington. The renovation totals about $2.5 billion dollars. But Powell contends …

POWELL:  No one, certainly not the chair of the Federal Reserve, is above the law. But this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration's threats and ongoing pressure. This new threat is not about my testimony last June or about the renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings.

The Chairman says this is about President Trump’s displeasure with him for the Fed not more aggressively cutting interest rates to boost the economy.

The White House says President Trump did not direct the investigation, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the matter is being handled independently by the Justice Department.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro says her office sought information after repeated outreach to the Fed, adding that the legal process was used only after those efforts failed.

Sen. Kelly sues Pentagon » Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is suing the Pentagon, arguing it overstepped its authority by trying to discipline him over comments about military orders. WORLD’s Benjamin Eicher has more:

BENJAMIN EICHER: Sen. Kelly, a retired Navy captain, filed the lawsuit after Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth formally censured him.

The action followed Kelly’s appearance in a video with other Democratic lawmakers that warned service members not to follow unlawful orders.

But Pentagon leaders say that what Kelly and other Democrats in the video were clearly implying was that troops should disobey directives from the Trump administration.

Hegseth says the censure could lead to a review of Kelly’s retired rank and military pay.

Kelly argues that the move amounts to retaliation for political speech and violates the Constitution.

A federal judge has scheduled a hearing later this week.

For WORLD, I’m Benjamin Eicher.

Ukraine latest » The British government is pledging to develop new tactical ballistic missiles for Ukraine. Those new deep strike missiles will carry a warhead of up to 200 kilograms over a range of more than 300 miles.

The UK's Defense Ministry said the missile will provide Ukraine with a long-range option to counter Russian aggression. Meanwhile…

SOUND: [Drone strike in Kyiv]

...firefighters rushed to extinguish flames in Kyiv ...after a Russian drone attack on an industrial neighborhood in the capitol. No casualties were reported.

That comes as efforts to reach a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine continue.

ZELENSKYY: [Speaking Ukrainian]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his government is communicating with the U.S. practically every day … but Moscow has yet to show sincere interest in peace.

NYC nurses strike » Thousands of nurses went on strike Monday at major New York City hospital systems after contract talks broke down over staffing, pay, and benefits.

One nurse told reporters:

NURSE:  The strike is about getting a third contract per state for staffing, and also sticking to our health insurance, which is what Mount Sinai's trying to pull from us.

Picket lines formed outside of several hospitals. The nurses’ union says about 15,000 workers walked out. Hospitals stayed open and brought in temporary nurses to cover shifts.

Nurses say short staffing has made their jobs unsafe and pushed workloads too far. Hospital leaders however, say they have improved staffing in recent years and argue the union’s demands would drive costs sharply higher.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Iran’s government struggles to maintain control as pressure mounts in the streets. And later, an interview with the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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