The ACTUAL NEWS: Tuesday, January 21st 2025 Recap
Today in History, Trump’s Orders, New Investment in 'Stargate' City, World Economic Forum Begins in Davos, and More National and Global News
TODAY IN HISTORY
1506: Swiss Guards first arrived at the Vatican as watchmen for the pope.
1793: Louis XVI, the last Bourbon king of France, was executed by guillotine in Paris during the French Revolution.
1924: Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Russian Revolution and the first head of the Soviet state, died. His body still lies in the Mausoleum on Red Square near the Kremlin.
1976: The Concorde, a supersonic commercial aircraft funded by the British and French governments, began regular service, generating a sonic boom as it traveled through the atmosphere at supersonic speed.
1996: Cleanup efforts began on 1.8 million gallons (6.8 million liters) of oil spilled near Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, Rhode Island, after the North Cape barge ran aground, creating a 12-mile (19-km) oil slick.
1997: Newt Gingrich became the first U.S. House Speaker in history to be formally reprimanded for ethics violations after the House voted 395–28 in favor of the measure.
2010: In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (5–4) that laws preventing corporations and unions from using general treasury funds for independent electioneering communications violated the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech.
2017: The Women’s March, a global series of demonstrations, took place to support gender equality, civil rights, and other issues expected to be challenged under the newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump. It was widely considered to be the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.
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NATIONAL
Immigrant and civil rights advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a lawsuit against a birthright citizenship executive order signed by President Donald Trump after taking office on Monday. The lawsuit against President Trump’s order, which seeks to deny citizenship to babies born to unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., is the opening salvo in a long-running legal battle.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is firing all members of its advisory committees, according to a letter seen by Reuters. The January 20 message, signed by Acting Secretary Benjamine C. Huffman, stated that the move is to "eliminate the misuse of resources and ensure that DHS activities prioritize national security."
A day after President Trump granted clemency to nearly 1,600 individuals charged in connection with the 2021 Capitol attack, America’s far-right celebrated, some calling for the death of judges overseeing the trials, per NYT.
The Trump administration reversed Biden-era policies restricting federal immigration arrests near sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and churches. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine C. Huffman rescinded the guidance on Monday and issued a new directive limiting the use of "parole," a provision previously used by President Biden for temporary legal entry.
The Trump administration is carrying out targeted immigration enforcement actions (aka raids), with a suspended refugee program under review, as stated by the White House border czar.
President Trump announced he will issue an executive order to "increase water availability in California", following recent wildfires that devastated parts of Los Angeles. He will travel to California on Friday upon Governor Newsom's invitation.
The White House instructed federal agencies to compile and submit a list of federal employees on probationary status by Friday, along with recommendations on whether they should remain employed.
Trump’s administration instructed federal health agencies to pause all external communications, including health advisories, scientific reports, and social media posts, according to the Washington Post.
An outbreak of bird flu in Georgia, the U.S.’s largest chicken producer, is expected to trigger trade restrictions from major meat importers, potentially harming farmers and processors.
Meta Platforms’ former COO Sheryl Sandberg was sanctioned by a judge for deleting emails related to the Facebook Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal, despite being instructed to preserve them.
President Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, who was serving a life sentence for running an underground online marketplace used by drug dealers and others for illicit sales.
Trump stripped Secret Service protection from former national security adviser John Bolton, who became the target of an Iranian murder plot after leaving the White House.
The Federal Reserve meets next week with concerns about new Trump administration policies and rising borrowing costs, despite inflation progress and continued economic growth.
Supporters of Donald Trump who participated in the Capitol riot four years ago began leaving prison on Tuesday, pardoned by the new president in a series of Inauguration Day executive orders.
President Trump’s executive order to restore access to TikTok has raised new legal questions for the platform, increasing tensions between the White House, Congress, and tech companies.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a new task force to develop a regulatory framework for crypto assets, marking a major move by the Trump administration to overhaul crypto policy.
Trump announced plans to remove over 1,000 appointees from President Joe Biden’s administration, including celebrity chef José Andrés and former top general Mark Milley.
Fox News host Sean Hannity will interview President Trump on Wednesday in his first TV network interview since taking office; it will air Wednesday night at 9 p.m.
Trump announced up to $500 billion in private sector investment to fund AI infrastructure, with OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle committing to a Texas-based joint venture called Stargate.
Trump expressed openness to Elon Musk buying TikTok if the Tesla CEO is interested.
GLOBAL
President Donald Trump on Tuesday vowed to impose tariffs on the European Union and discussed a 10% punitive duty on Chinese imports due to fentanyl being sent from China to the U.S. via Mexico and Canada.
German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, tipped to become chancellor in next month's election, said Trump could be an "interesting partner for Europe", provided Europe had a strong common negotiating position.
Germany's health minister said Berlin would try to convince Trump to reverse his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.N. agency expressed hope that the U.S. would reconsider.
Panama alerted the United Nations in a letter seen by Reuters regarding Trump's comments during his inauguration speech, in which he vowed that the U.S. would take back the Panama Canal.
Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of using the release of political prisoners as a strategy ahead of Sunday’s election, where Lukashenko is expected to extend his 31-year rule.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed Trump’s reversal of sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
More than 900 aid trucks entered Gaza on the second day of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, the highest on a single day since the war began. The UN reported widespread destruction in Gaza and urgent needs for shelter and essentials.
China brokered a ceasefire on Saturday between Myanmar's military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), with the MNDAA claiming to have taken over a military base near the Chinese border in July.
The mother of missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice met with Syria's new transitional leader about efforts to find him. Tice was abducted in 2012, and his mother said the search was complicated by recent rebel activity.
Kenya sent 217 more police officers to Haiti as part of a UN-backed mission to combat gang violence. About 400 Kenyan officers are already on the ground, with several countries pledging personnel for the mission.
Under a new deal announced Friday, Mexico will remove tariffs as high as 100% on EU goods such as poultry, pasta, and wine, while the EU can export duty-free electric vehicles with 60% Mexican or EU-made parts.
Panama’s comptroller's office announced an audit of a subsidiary of a Hong Kong firm that controls ports near the Panama Canal. Trump had claimed without proof that China is operating the waterway and threatened to "take back" the canal, but Panama’s president affirmed that the canal will remain under Panama’s control.
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced plans to declare a state of emergency following clashes between rebel groups near the Venezuela border that resulted in more than 80 deaths.
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister on Tuesday downplayed the risk of an Israel-Iran conflict under Trump’s new administration, addressing concerns in the region about escalating tensions since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza.
VIDEO OF THE DAY
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde to Trump: "The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors...may I ask you to have mercy Mr. President on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away."
Of course, Donald Trump did not enjoy the encounter, later complaining to reporters about the service being 'boring.'
Perhaps that was the reason behind his attempts to fall asleep.
PHOTO(S) OF THE DAY
Former President Biden and Dr. Biden arrived in California on Monday after the inauguration ceremony


VIDEO QUICK NEWS
Trudeau: “President Trump wants a golden age for the United States. That can be powered by Canadian resources — or by China, Venezuela, or Russia.”
Trump thinks Spain is part of BRICS.
BRICS is an intergovernmental organization consisting of ten countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. It is considered to be a counterpart and alternative to the G7. Spain is not a part of the organization.
Former Vice President Harris visits firefighters in Altadena, CA upon inauguration ceremony
Trump appears to dance with a sword at the cake cutting ceremony at the Inaugural Ball
(At that point) Second Gentleman Emhoff directs VP-elect Vance to wait for his wife upon arrival at The White House
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "In foreign policy, often the choice is between two bad options."
Prime Minister Trudeau: "If the President [Trump] does choose to proceed with tariffs on Canada, Canada will respond”
President Trump announces the “largest AI infrastructure project in history” alongside 3 tech billionaires
Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos: “Europe needs to know how to defend itself.”
Putin and Xi Discuss Strategic Ties, Ukraine, and Taiwan Ahead of Trump’s Presidency
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a 95-minute video call to deepen their strategic partnership, focusing on potential relations with Donald Trump, the war in Ukraine, and Beijing's stance on Taiwan. The two leaders, who described each other as "dear friends," emphasized the growing geopolitical alliance between Russia and China, especially after their "no limits" partnership declared in February 2022. Putin reiterated Russia's desire for a long-term peace settlement in Ukraine, which respects its interests. Xi shared insights into his recent conversation with Trump, highlighting issues like TikTok, trade, and Taiwan. The call underscored both nations' shared world view, opposing Western influence and advocating for a multipolar global order. Putin also reaffirmed Russia's unwavering support for China's stance on Taiwan, while emphasizing Russia's energy ties with China.
Slovak Psychiatrists Urge Prime Minister Fico to Resign Amid Growing Tensions
Over 100 psychiatrists and psychologists have called for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to resign, citing concerns over his increasingly authoritarian behavior, manipulations, and attacks on political opponents. Fico, in turn, has accused the opposition of attempting to destabilize the country, claiming they are plotting a "Slovak Maidan" with foreign assistance. The controversy intensified after opposition leaders met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, further fueling tensions with Fico, particularly over Ukraine’s gas transit decision. Meanwhile, opposition leader Michal Šimečka has warned that Fico's actions threaten Slovakia’s pro-European stance, prompting a no-confidence vote against the government. Fico has dismissed these moves as provocations and an attempt to overthrow his administration.
Cuba's Political Prisoner Releases in Limbo After Trump's Terrorism Blacklist Decision
Karen Vasquez, a Cuban political prisoner released under a Vatican-brokered deal, expressed uncertainty about her future after President Donald Trump reversed former President Biden's decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. terrorism blacklist. The deal, intended to ease U.S. sanctions in exchange for Cuba freeing over 500 political prisoners, is now in limbo following Trump's executive order. Although Cuba has released some prisoners, including those involved in the July 2021 protests, the broader process remains uncertain, with both Cuba and the U.S. withholding details of any agreements. Cuban authorities criticized Trump's move, but local church leaders insist the prisoner releases will continue.
Trump Orders End to DEI Initiatives in Transportation and Aviation
In a memorandum, President Trump directed the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administrator to immediately end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and adopt merit-based hiring practices, in line with “legal requirements”. The order mandates that hiring, promotions, and treatment of employees should focus on “individual capability, competence, and dedication”. Additionally, it requires a review of performance in critical safety roles to replace underperforming individuals with those demonstrating the necessary skills for air safety and efficiency.
Secretary Marco Rubio Meets with Indian Minister Jaishankar to Strengthen U.S.-India Partnership
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Washington, D.C., to reaffirm the shared commitment to strengthening U.S.-India relations. They discussed key areas for collaboration, including regional issues, defense cooperation, emerging technologies, and energy. Secretary Rubio highlighted the Trump Administration's focus on advancing economic ties with India and addressing concerns around irregular migration, while both leaders emphasized the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
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IN NEED OF SOME CHEERING UP? I FEEL YOU.
Here's a heartwarming first encounter between kittens and puppies, caught on camera.
That’s it from me for now. Thank you so much for reading.
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