Economy Warning: IMF’s Christine Lagarde and CEOs Warn of Slowing World Economy on Eve of Davos Summit (Bloomberg)

Hot on the Bloomberg:
-UBS Warns of Headwinds After Clients Pull $13 Billion in Quarter (Bloomberg)
-Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Buzz Hits Davos as Ray Dalio Says 70% Tax Ideas Taking Root (Bloomberg)
-Labour Backs Vote That Could Trigger Brexit Referendum Rerun (Bloomberg)

How Mike Bloomberg Plans to Create His Own Lane in 2020 (Politico)
Unlike any of the other presidential hopefuls, Bloomberg plays a dominant leadership role on two of the top issues on the minds of progressives heading into the 2020 cycle: climate change and gun control. He’s spent a decade as the nation’s preeminent financier on those issues, buying considerable goodwill in progressive circles. If he runs, those familiar with his thinking say, they’ll be the pillars of his campaign.

No successful presidential campaign has ever been anchored to those issues. But the politics surrounding climate change and gun control have changed dramatically in recent years, and nowhere more than in the Democratic Party. In a splintered field where the former New York mayor’s message would be reinforced by a theme of governing competence and private sector success, those close to him believe Bloomberg could find traction.

“He describes himself as fiscally moderate, fiscally conservative, but he’s clearly socially liberal and he’s a key driver of social policies,” said a top Bloomberg insider.

“For Mike, it’s not ideologically driven, It’s pragmatic. People die from an excess of guns in America. People are dying and suffering and will continue to from the effects of climate change.”

The Real Trump Bombshell Floated by Rudy Giuliani (Axios)
It’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters in this Russia investigation. But the real bombshell was floated by Trump’s own lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. In remarks that he yesterday tried to walk back as “hypothetical,” Giuliani admitted Trump’s team may have been working on — and updating him on — a potential Trump Tower in Moscow all the way up to Election Day.

Fact Checker: President Trump made 8,158 False or Misleading Claims in his First Two Years; More Misleading Claims on Immigration Than Any Other Topic (Washington Post)
The president averaged nearly 5.9 false or misleading claims a day in his first year in office. But he hit nearly 16.5 a day in his second year, almost triple the pace.

Shutdown Watch: The Side Hustles of the Shutdown: From Highly Paid Federal Worker to Uber Driver (New York Times)

Gun Industry Today: Political Shifts, Sales Slump Cast Shadow over Gun Industry (Associated Press)

MLK Day: Martin Luther King Events Draw Potential Democratic Presidential Hopefuls (Associated Press)
Speaking at the same event as former Vice President Joe Biden, Michael Bloomberg said many politicians care more about “getting re-elected than saving lives.” He spoke of his own efforts to reduce gun violence, including spending millions of his own fortune to support gun control initiatives. His speech focused on policies he championed while New York City’s mayor, such as his efforts to improve schools and reduce neighborhood pollution. And he highlighted how he apologized to the fiancee of Sean Bell, a black man who was shot to death by New York police in 2006. At the time Bloomberg was critical of officers who he said used excessive force.

In thanking Washington, DC Mayor Murial Bowser for hosting the event, he said: “I think she’s doing an outstanding job, and isn’t it nice that Washington has at least one executive who knows how to keep a government open and running?”

Read his remarks here or watch here.

Women’s March: Thousands Rally for Third Annual Women’s March Across U.S. Despite Controversy (CBS News)

Arts Section: ‘Roma,’ ‘The Favourite’ Lead Oscar Nominations with 10 Nods (Associated Press)
The nominees for best picture are: A Star Is Born, Roma, Green Book, The Favourite, Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody and Vice. Up for best actress are Yalitza Aparicio (Roma), Glenn Close (The Wife), Olivia Colman (The Favourite), Lady Gaga and Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?).

Inspiring Profile: ‘Roma’ Star and Best Actress Nominee, Yalitza Aparicio, Uses Her Moment to Raise Issues of Indigenous People (New York Times)

Best of late night.

On the winter storm that hit New York City over the weekend:
“You gotta be careful out there. If you start feeling symptoms of confusion or memory loss, you’re either suffering from hypothermia or you’re Rudy Giuliani.”
— Jimmy Fallon

“Today Lady Gaga apologized for making a song with R. Kelly back in 2013. Gaga said she hopes her fans can move on from this embarrassing moment and enjoy her new duet with Kevin Spacey.”
— Jimmy Fallon

On the U.S. government shutdown:
“The CEO of Delta said the shutdown has already caused the airline $25 million. He’s not that worried because he’ll make it all back if two people check their bags.”
— Jimmy Fallon

For more best of late night from the New York Times, click here.