News Wrap: Trump sues JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon for $5 billion

Geoff Bennett:

In the day's other headlines: President Trump is suing J.P. Morgan Chase and its CEO, Jamie Dimon, for $5 billion saying the company closed his accounts for political reasons after he left office in 2021.

The lawsuit alleges the decision, known as debanking, abruptly cut the Trump Organization off from access to millions of dollars and disrupted its operations. In a statement, J.P. Morgan said the suit lacks merit, adding that the company does not close accounts for political or religious reasons. Trump and other conservatives have accused banks of improperly cutting off their accounts following the January 6 attack.

In Davos, Switzerland, earlier today, President Trump met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Question:

How was your meeting with President Trump? Mr. Zelenskyy, how was the meeting?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President:

The meeting was very...

Geoff Bennett:

Their meeting happened away from the cameras, but afterwards both leaders used the word good when describing the talks. And in his address to the forum, Zelenskyy cited progress on peace efforts and called on Russia to come to the table to end the war.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

The documents aimed at ending this war are nearly, nearly ready. Ukraine is working with full honesty and determination. And that brings results. And Russia must become ready too to finish this war, to stop this aggression.

Geoff Bennett:

Zelenskyy was also critical of Europe's slow and disjointed response to the war in Ukraine, comparing his repeated warnings of the threat Russia poses to the film "Groundhog Day."

It comes as President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Moscow, where they met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meantime, on the ground in Ukraine, the latest Russian strikes hit the Eastern city of Dnipro, where at least seven people were injured.

Today marks America's official withdrawal from the World Health Organization one year after President Trump signed an executive order setting the nation's exit in motion. The pullout threatens to plunge the WHO into an even deeper budget crisis, with Washington long being the health agency's biggest financial backer.

The U.S. is also leaving behind a $260 million bill in unpaid fees, even as it's required by law to pay all outstanding debts. The State Department today argued that: "The American people have paid more than enough to this organization, and this economic hit is beyond any financial obligations to the organization."

In Australia, a gunman who shot and killed three people and injured one more remains at large. The suspect shot two couples in two separate locations in the small town of Cargelligo in New South Wales. Police say the shooting will have a lasting impact on the town of only about 1,500 people.

Andrew Holland, Assistant Commissioner, New South Wales Police:

What I will say is that, again, it's a tragedy that's taken place in a very small country, and it will have a big effect on the community.

Geoff Bennett:

The latest shooting took place as that country observed a national day of mourning for the 15 victims of last month's massacre during a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration.

At a service in Sydney's iconic Opera House, attendees lit candles and heard from the country's prime minister, who apologized for failing to prevent the attack.

Here in the U.S., a closely watched reading on inflation ticked higher. The Commerce Department said today that the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index rose 2.8 percent in November from a year earlier. That's a bit more than the month before, and above the Fed's preferred target of 2 percent. Today's report was delayed by last year's government shutdown.

Meantime, on Wall Street today, stocks continued their rebound as tariff concerns ease. The Dow Jones industrial average added around 275 points on the day. The Nasdaq rose nearly 200 points. The S&P 500 has now recovered much of its losses from earlier in the week.

And a blues-infused vampire epic has made Oscar history.

Man:

"Sinners."

(Cheering)

Woman:

Michael B. Jordan in "Sinners."

(Cheering)

Woman:

And Ryan Coogler, "Sinners."

Geoff Bennett:

The film "Sinners" is nominated for a record 16 Academy Awards, including best picture. That breaks the previous record of 14 nominations set by "All About Eve," "Titanic" and "La La Land."

The action-packed "One Battle After Another," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, trails just behind with 13 nods. Both films made the cut in a brand-new category, best casting, alongside "Hamnet," "Marty Supreme, and "The Secret Agent." The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will air on Sunday, March 15.

And longtime Vatican reporter, author and friend of this program John Allen Jr. has died. The Kansas native covered multiple popes starting in 1997 first for The National Catholic Reporter and later The Boston Globe. Allen was also a frequent "News Hour" contributor, sharing his insights as recently as last year for a report about the conclave that elected Pope Leo.

John Allen Jr. passed away today after a long battle with cancer. He was 61 years old.