Just five nights away from the Iowa caucuses, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley faced off in a CNN debate on Wednesday night and made their final pitch to voters in the state.

The two Republicans, vying to become the top alternative to former President Donald Trump in the party's presidential primaries, spent the debate slinging attacks and calling each other liars. DeSantis largely leaned into his record as Florida governor, arguing that he has built a record of achieving conservative priorities there. Haley, who left the governor's office in 2017 and then became Trump's US ambassador to the United Nations, took a forward-looking approach.

Trump, who maintains a massive lead in Iowa and in national GOP primary polls, skipped the debate, as he has for all of the debates so far this season.

The Iowa caucuses will mark the start of the primary calendar, as they have for the past half-century.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.

People wait in line to attend a campaign event held by former President Donald Trump in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Friday, January 5.
People wait in line to attend a campaign event held by former President Donald Trump in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Friday, January 5.
Cheney Orr/Reuters
New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe is sacked by New York Jets linebacker Bryce Huff in an NFL game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Sunday, January 7. It was the last game of the season for each team, as they both finished with losing records and missed the playoffs. It was also the last game in charge for Patriots head coach <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F11%2Fsport%2Fgallery%2Fbill-belichick%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Bill Belichick</a>, who confirmed Thursday that he would be leaving the team after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles.
New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe is sacked by New York Jets linebacker Bryce Huff in an NFL game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Sunday, January 7. It was the last game of the season for each team, as they both finished with losing records and missed the playoffs. It was also the last game in charge for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who confirmed Thursday that he would be leaving the team after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles.
David Butler II/USA Today Network/Reuters
Ethiopian Orthodox worshippers hold candles as they gather to pray ahead of Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas celebrations at the Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa on Saturday, January 6.
Ethiopian Orthodox worshippers hold candles as they gather to pray ahead of Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas celebrations at the Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa on Saturday, January 6.
Amanuel Sileshi/AFP/Getty Images
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board examine the fuselage "plug door" of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which had been jettisoned during flight, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F08%2Fus%2Fwhat-happened-alaska-airlines-flight-1282%2Findex.html" target="_blank">forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing</a> on Friday, January 5. The panel was recovered at a property in Portland, Oregon.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board examine the fuselage "plug door" of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which had been jettisoned during flight, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing on Friday, January 5. The panel was recovered at a property in Portland, Oregon.
NTSB/Handout/Reuters
Rafi Frasca, 10, speaks about gun violence on Tuesday, January 9, as he and other young students urged lawmakers in Nashville, Tennessee, to make changes ahead of the start of the 2024 legislative session. Last March, three children and three adults were killed in a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F03%2F27%2Fus%2Fcovenant-school-shooting-nashville-tennessee%2Findex.html" target="_blank">deadly shooting</a> at The Covenant School in Nashville. It was the deadliest US school shooting in nearly a year.
Rafi Frasca, 10, speaks about gun violence on Tuesday, January 9, as he and other young students urged lawmakers in Nashville, Tennessee, to make changes ahead of the start of the 2024 legislative session. Last March, three children and three adults were killed in a deadly shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. It was the deadliest US school shooting in nearly a year.
Seth Herald/Reuters
Former US President Donald Trump attends <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F11%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-civil-trial-closing-arguments-what-to-know%2Findex.html" target="_blank">closing arguments</a> in the civil fraud trial against him, his two adult sons, the Trump Organization and several company executives on Thursday, January 11. In September, Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump and his co-defendants liable for fraud for grossly inflating asset valuations on financial statements. The ruling was a significant victory for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought a lawsuit alleging that Trump and his co-defendants committed repeated fraud in inflating assets on financial statements to get better terms on commercial real estate loans and insurance policies. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F10%2F02%2Fpolitics%2Fgallery%2Ftrump-fraud-trial%2Findex.html" target="_blank">The trial</a> will determine the amount of disgorgement owed. Trump has railed against the trial, accusing the attorney general and the judge of participating in a political attack against him.
Former US President Donald Trump attends closing arguments in the civil fraud trial against him, his two adult sons, the Trump Organization and several company executives on Thursday, January 11. In September, Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump and his co-defendants liable for fraud for grossly inflating asset valuations on financial statements. The ruling was a significant victory for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought a lawsuit alleging that Trump and his co-defendants committed repeated fraud in inflating assets on financial statements to get better terms on commercial real estate loans and insurance policies. The trial will determine the amount of disgorgement owed. Trump has railed against the trial, accusing the attorney general and the judge of participating in a political attack against him.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
The Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen can be seen below from the Wengen ski resort in the Bernese Alps on Tuesday, January 9.
The Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen can be seen below from the Wengen ski resort in the Bernese Alps on Tuesday, January 9.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
Lily Gladstone holds the Golden Globe Award she won for her performance in the film "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Sunday, January 7. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F07%2Fentertainment%2Flily-gladstone-makes-historic-golden-globe-win-for-a-person-who-identifies-as-indigenous%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Gladstone is the first person who identifies as indigenous</a> to win best performance by a female actor in a dramatic motion picture.
Lily Gladstone holds the Golden Globe Award she won for her performance in the film "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Sunday, January 7. Gladstone is the first person who identifies as indigenous to win best performance by a female actor in a dramatic motion picture.
Christopher Polk/Golden Globes 2024/Getty Images
Red deer are seen in London's Bushy Park just after sunrise on Thursday, January 11. Bushy Park is home to more than 320 red and fallow deer.
Red deer are seen in London's Bushy Park just after sunrise on Thursday, January 11. Bushy Park is home to more than 320 red and fallow deer.
Alastair Grant/AP
A visitor at the Triennale di Milano, a museum in Milan, Italy, looks at Ron Mueck's "In Bed" on Tuesday, January 9.
A visitor at the Triennale di Milano, a museum in Milan, Italy, looks at Ron Mueck's "In Bed" on Tuesday, January 9.
Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh lifts the trophy as he and his team celebrate <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F08%2Fsport%2F2024-cfp-national-championship-michigan-wolverines-washington-huskies-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">winning the College Football Playoff</a> on Monday, January 8. Michigan defeated Washington 34-13 to win its first national title since 1997.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh lifts the trophy as he and his team celebrate winning the College Football Playoff on Monday, January 8. Michigan defeated Washington 34-13 to win its first national title since 1997.
David J. Phillip/AP
Soldiers patrol the historic center of Quito, Ecuador, on Tuesday, January 9, after President Daniel Noboa <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F09%2Famericas%2Farmed-men-interrupt-live-tv-ecuador-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">declared an "internal armed conflict" in the country</a>, ordering security forces to "neutralize" several criminal groups accused of spreading extreme violence there. Noboa's decree came shortly after hooded and armed men interrupted a live television broadcast — one of several violent incidents that played out across the country on Tuesday.
Soldiers patrol the historic center of Quito, Ecuador, on Tuesday, January 9, after President Daniel Noboa declared an "internal armed conflict" in the country, ordering security forces to "neutralize" several criminal groups accused of spreading extreme violence there. Noboa's decree came shortly after hooded and armed men interrupted a live television broadcast — one of several violent incidents that played out across the country on Tuesday.
Karen Toro/Reuters
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F10%2Fpolitics%2Fchris-christie-ends-presidential-campaign-2024%2Findex.html" target="_blank">announces he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race</a> during a town-hall event in Windham, New Hampshire, on Wednesday, January 10. "It is clear to me tonight that there isn't a path for me to win the nomination, which is why I'm suspending my campaign tonight for president of the United States," the Republican said. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F06%2F06%2Fpolitics%2Fgallery%2Fchris-christie%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Christie</a> had been the most outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announces he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race during a town-hall event in Windham, New Hampshire, on Wednesday, January 10. "It is clear to me tonight that there isn't a path for me to win the nomination, which is why I'm suspending my campaign tonight for president of the United States," the Republican said. Christie had been the most outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary.
Robert F. Bukaty/AP
Women in the West Bank city of Jenin attend a funeral Sunday, January 7, for Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike amid <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F10%2F07%2Fworld%2Fgallery%2Fisrael-gaza-attack-2023%2Findex.html" target="_blank">the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas</a>.
Women in the West Bank city of Jenin attend a funeral Sunday, January 7, for Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Raneen Sawafta/Reuters
Outgoing French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne delivers a speech next to newly appointed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal during the handover ceremony in Paris on Tuesday, January 9. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F09%2Feurope%2Fgabriel-attal-french-prime-minster-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Attal will be France's youngest-ever prime minister and the first openly gay man to serve in the post</a> — making him one of the world's most prominent and powerful LGBTQ politicians.
Outgoing French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne delivers a speech next to newly appointed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal during the handover ceremony in Paris on Tuesday, January 9. Attal will be France's youngest-ever prime minister and the first openly gay man to serve in the post — making him one of the world's most prominent and powerful LGBTQ politicians.
Emmanuel Dunand/Pool/Reuters
Japanese macaques are seen in a hot spring at the base of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano, Japan, on Thursday, January 4.
Japanese macaques are seen in a hot spring at the base of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano, Japan, on Thursday, January 4.
Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, leaves a House Oversight Committee meeting in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, January 10. Hours after Hunter Biden made the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F10%2Fpolitics%2Fhunter-biden-contempt-vote-committees%2Findex.html" target="_blank">surprise visit</a> to Capitol Hill, a pair of Republican-led House committees voted to approve a report recommending a contempt of Congress resolution against him for his failure to comply with a subpoena. The allegations at the core of the Republican-led investigation stem from unproven claims that the president was involved in or financially benefited from his son's foreign business dealings, making Hunter Biden a crucial witness for their probe. His appearance Wednesday was reminiscent of how he approached the subpoena last month. Instead of sitting for his deposition, he held a news conference outside the Capitol and has said he will only testify in a public setting.
Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, leaves a House Oversight Committee meeting in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, January 10. Hours after Hunter Biden made the surprise visit to Capitol Hill, a pair of Republican-led House committees voted to approve a report recommending a contempt of Congress resolution against him for his failure to comply with a subpoena. The allegations at the core of the Republican-led investigation stem from unproven claims that the president was involved in or financially benefited from his son's foreign business dealings, making Hunter Biden a crucial witness for their probe. His appearance Wednesday was reminiscent of how he approached the subpoena last month. Instead of sitting for his deposition, he held a news conference outside the Capitol and has said he will only testify in a public setting.
Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
A Ukrainian soldier with a bullet wound to his leg receives treatment near the front lines of the war against Russia on Monday, January 8.
A Ukrainian soldier with a bullet wound to his leg receives treatment near the front lines of the war against Russia on Monday, January 8.
Finbarr O'Reilly/The New York Times/Redux
A competitor rides a motorbike Sunday, January 7, during the second stage of the Dakar Rally, which took place between Al Henakiyah and Al Duwadimi in Saudi Arabia.
A competitor rides a motorbike Sunday, January 7, during the second stage of the Dakar Rally, which took place between Al Henakiyah and Al Duwadimi in Saudi Arabia.
Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters
People in London wait for a train while participating in the No Pants Subway Ride on Sunday, January 7. The annual event, started in 2002 by Improv Everywhere in New York, has spread to other cities across the globe. People ride the subway dressed in normal winter clothes without pants — all while keeping a straight face.
People in London wait for a train while participating in the No Pants Subway Ride on Sunday, January 7. The annual event, started in 2002 by Improv Everywhere in New York, has spread to other cities across the globe. People ride the subway dressed in normal winter clothes without pants — all while keeping a straight face.
Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images
A swan paddles through a flooded parking lot in Wallingford, England, on Friday, January 5, after heavy rain and sewer system overflows caused the River Thames to break its banks.
A swan paddles through a flooded parking lot in Wallingford, England, on Friday, January 5, after heavy rain and sewer system overflows caused the River Thames to break its banks.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Julio Rivero holds a figure of folk saint Gauchito Gil at Gil's sanctuary in Mercedes, Argentina, on Saturday, January 7. Every year, people from across the country visit Gil's sanctuary to ask for miracles or give him thanks.
Julio Rivero holds a figure of folk saint Gauchito Gil at Gil's sanctuary in Mercedes, Argentina, on Saturday, January 7. Every year, people from across the country visit Gil's sanctuary to ask for miracles or give him thanks.
Mario De Fina/AP
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet people at a campaign event in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, on Friday, January 5. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fdesantis-haley-cnn-town-hall-01-04-24%2Fh_bd1990a9570f9bdb0623d709cff50634" target="_blank">The president delivered a speech</a> a day before the third anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. He said the upcoming presidential election is about preserving American democracy.
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet people at a campaign event in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, on Friday, January 5. The president delivered a speech a day before the third anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. He said the upcoming presidential election is about preserving American democracy.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
A person's portrait is reflected in water Thursday, January 11, at the site of a music festival in southern Israel <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F10%2F07%2Fmiddleeast%2Fisrael-gaza-fighting-hamas-attack-music-festival-intl-hnk%2Findex.html" target="_blank">that was overrun by Hamas militants in October</a>. The site today is filled with Israeli flags and pictures of those who have been killed or taken captive by Hamas.
A person's portrait is reflected in water Thursday, January 11, at the site of a music festival in southern Israel that was overrun by Hamas militants in October. The site today is filled with Israeli flags and pictures of those who have been killed or taken captive by Hamas.
Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images
Two boxers sit in a car as they wait for their owners to come back from a shopping center in Matulji, Croatia, on Sunday, January 7.
Two boxers sit in a car as they wait for their owners to come back from a shopping center in Matulji, Croatia, on Sunday, January 7.
Marko Djurica/Reuters
A barn in Nottingham, England, is surrounded by floodwater after heavy rain from Storm Henk on Friday, January 5.
A barn in Nottingham, England, is surrounded by floodwater after heavy rain from Storm Henk on Friday, January 5.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, appearing via video on a tablet, speaks to a potential voter at a campaign event in Pella, Iowa, on Tuesday, January 8. Ramaswamy was unable to attend the event in person because of snow-covered roads in the area.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, appearing via video on a tablet, speaks to a potential voter at a campaign event in Pella, Iowa, on Tuesday, January 8. Ramaswamy was unable to attend the event in person because of snow-covered roads in the area.
Maansi Srivastava/The New York Times/Redux
A man looks over a heavily damaged oak-barrel factory in Bamberg, South Carolina, on Wednesday, January 9, a day after a tornado struck the city. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F09%2Fweather%2Fgallery%2Fsevere-winter-storm-january%2Findex.html" target="_blank">See more photos from the winter storm that blasted much of the eastern half of the United States</a>.
A man looks over a heavily damaged oak-barrel factory in Bamberg, South Carolina, on Wednesday, January 9, a day after a tornado struck the city. See more photos from the winter storm that blasted much of the eastern half of the United States.
Sam Wolfe/Reuters
A firefighter looks through the window of a passenger train that was on fire in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Friday, January 5. According to the Reuters news agency, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Fworld%2Fasia-pacific%2Fleast-4-dead-suspected-train-arson-bangladesh-before-election-2024-01-06%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">four people were killed in a train fire</a> that the government said was arson. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F06%2Fasia%2Fbangladesh-2024-election-opposition-boycott-intl-hnk%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Bangladesh saw political unrest</a> leading to Sunday's general election. Polling booths were set ablaze on the eve of the vote.
A firefighter looks through the window of a passenger train that was on fire in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Friday, January 5. According to the Reuters news agency, four people were killed in a train fire that the government said was arson. Bangladesh saw political unrest leading to Sunday's general election. Polling booths were set ablaze on the eve of the vote.
Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters
Utah State players celebrate with fans after the team's college basketball win over Colorado State on Saturday, January 6.
Utah State players celebrate with fans after the team's college basketball win over Colorado State on Saturday, January 6.
Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal/AP
A man stands beside a food van Friday, January 5, at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, China.
A man stands beside a food van Friday, January 5, at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, China.
Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images
A person rests while waiting for the procession of the Black Nazarene, a religious festival, to begin in Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday, January 9.
A person rests while waiting for the procession of the Black Nazarene, a religious festival, to begin in Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday, January 9.
Lisa Marie David/Reuters
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken boards a military plane near Tel Aviv, Israel, as he departs for Bahrain on Wednesday, January 10. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fmiddleeast%2Flive-news%2Fisrael-hamas-war-gaza-news-01-10-24%2Fh_28542ab2d22b76f38ba73e285dfc59c7" target="_blank">Blinken was making a surprise visit to meet with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa</a> as part of his Middle East trip to ease regional tensions over Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken boards a military plane near Tel Aviv, Israel, as he departs for Bahrain on Wednesday, January 10. Blinken was making a surprise visit to meet with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa as part of his Middle East trip to ease regional tensions over Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
A light and steady snow falls on the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, January 8. The wintry weather affected campaign events across the state, which is preparing for the 2024 presidential caucuses. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F01%2F05%2Fworld%2Fgallery%2Fphotos-this-week-december-28-january-4-ctrp%2Findex.html" target="_blank">See last week in 34 photos</a>.
A light and steady snow falls on the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, January 8. The wintry weather affected campaign events across the state, which is preparing for the 2024 presidential caucuses. See last week in 34 photos.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images