World Bank President Ajay Banga works at his desk at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC, on January 3, 2024. The World Bank is working to slash how long it takes to get projects off the ground as part of a push to both speed up and scale up the 79-year-old development lender, its president told AFP on January 3. It currently takes 27 months, on average, before “the first dollar goes out the door”, Ajay Banga said in an interview from his light-filled office in Bank's headquarters close to the White House in Washington. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





People pose for a photo with certificates after swimming in the ocean for the 121st annual Coney Island Polar Bear Club's New Year's Day plunge at Coney Island beach in the Brooklyn borough of New York, New York, USA, 01 January 2024. (Photo by Sarah Yenesel/EPA)





Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) scores a touchdown as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) tries to stop him during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 20-19. (Photo by Sam Hodde/AP Photo)





A clown lies on the beach as revelers enter the cold water during the annual Polar Bear Plunge, Monday, January 1, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Andres Kudacki/AP Photo)





Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis holds up his daughter Madison to see the food at a Citrus Bowl watch party at a private residence in Ankeny, Iowa on January 1, 2024. (Photo by Cheney Orr/Reuters)





Local residents pray during a candlelight vigil following a shooting at Perry High School, Thursday, January 4, 2024, in Perry, Iowa. (Photo by Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo)





Quadrantids meteor shower over Pigeon Point Light Station in Pescadero, California, United States on January 4, 2024. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)





Police respond to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa., Thursday, January 4, 2024. Police say there has been a shooting at the city's high school. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/AP Photo)





Actors Robert Downey Jr. holds a message in front of Cillian Murphy while he poses with the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor for “Oppenheimer” at the 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards in Palm Springs, California, U.S., January 4, 2024. (Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)





Casper Rhodes, 6, struggles to hold up the family's Bible as his father state Sen. Brian Rhodes, R-Pelahatchie, places his hand on the book and recites the oath of office during the swearing in ceremony in the Senate Chamber at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Both chambers of lawmakers were sworn into the new four-year term that began at noon Tuesday. (Photo by Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo)





Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) hangs from the rim after dunking against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, January 2, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (Photo by Brandon Dill/AP Photo)





A woman holding a a Palestinian flag walks in the Atlantic Ocean during the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year's Day plunge in Brooklyn, New York on January 1, 2024. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)





Revelers react as they enter the cold water during the annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day, Monday, January 1, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Andres Kudacki/AP Photo)





A couple kiss after the clock strikes midnight during New Year celebrations at Times Square, in New York City, New York, U.S., January 1, 2024. (Photo by Jeenah Moon/Reuters)





Marc Korver, 39, prays at the start of a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy in Bettendorf, Iowa, U.S., January 2, 2024. (Photo by Cheney Orr/Reuters)





Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis listens to a question from an audience member during a campaign event in Waukee, Iowa on January 3, 2024. (Photo by Cheney Orr/Reuters)





An Amish buggy passes on the road at sunset in Strasburg, Pennsylvania on January 3, 2023. (Photo by Charly Triballeau/AFP Photo)





Swimmers take the plunge during the Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year's day plunge in Coney Island, New York, on January 1, 2024. The event raises money for the local community and non-profits. Air temperature in the area was forecast at 22F (–5C), while water temperature was 46.5F (8C). (Photo by Charly Triballeau/AFP Photo)





Dan and Kathy Pratt embrace each other at a vigil, after a shooting at Perry High School, in Perry, Iowa, U.S., January 4, 2024. (Photo by Sergio Flores/Reuters)





Revelers enter the cold water during the annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day, Monday, January 1, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Andres Kudacki/AP Photo)