News from January 23, 2025 at 2 AM

US President Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders in the White House, rescinding 78 executive orders and memorandums by former President Joe Biden. Trump issued orders to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement, and pardoned 1,500 individuals involved in the January 2021 Capitol riot. He also signed an executive order limiting US citizenship based on birth and reinstated Cuba on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. Additionally, Trump established a government efficiency agency led by billionaire ally Elon Musk. Trump indicated he may soon speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and plans to meet him. He also announced tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico starting February 1, warned of 100% customs duties on goods from BRICS member states, and threatened EU countries with tariffs if they do not increase purchases of American oil and gas.

Only two days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Defense Forces raided the West Bank city of Jenin on October 21, killing at least nine Palestinians and injuring 35. Hamas and Islamic Jihad called for public resistance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a 'large-scale and significant military action' aimed at combating the 'Iranian axis'. Since the Gaza conflict in October, the security situation in the West Bank has deteriorated, with hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests. Palestine is divided between Hamas-controlled Gaza and Fatah-governed West Bank. Hamas urged a general mobilization against Israeli forces, while Fatah has not publicly commented. Despite the ceasefire agreement taking effect, there are doubts about its implementation. President Donald Trump revoked sanctions on Israeli extremist settlers, a move welcomed by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

A fire at a popular ski resort hotel in north-west Turkey has killed 76 people. The blaze broke out at the 12-storey wooden-clad Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) when 234 people were staying there, and took 12 hours to extinguish. An investigation is underway, with conflicting reports on the hotel's safety standards; nine people, including the hotel's owner, have been arrested. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed accountability for negligence. Flags are at half-mast nationwide as funerals begin. Rescue teams are searching for any remaining bodies. The cause of the fire is unknown, but initial reports suggest it started in the hotel's fourth-floor restaurant.

On March 30, 2023, in London, United Kingdom, Prince Harry settled his privacy lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper group, which admitted unlawful actions at its Sun tabloid for the first time, concluding the intense legal battle. Harry's lawyer, David Sherborne, stated that the group agreed to pay substantial damages, reportedly an eight-figure sum. Harry had accused the group of unlawfully obtaining his private information from 1996 to 2011. The trial, scheduled to start on Tuesday, was canceled after a last-minute settlement. NGN issued a full apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's and his late mother, Princess Diana's, private lives. NGN has previously paid hundreds of millions in settlements for phone-hacking and other unlawful information gathering but had always denied wrongdoing at The Sun.

Since January 7, multiple wildfires have erupted in Los Angeles, California, USA, continuing to spread. On January 22, a new wildfire destroyed hundreds of acres of vegetation, prompting evacuation orders in northern mountain communities. The National Weather Service warned of critical fire conditions in Southern California. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordered accelerated fire cleanup, while County Supervisor Kathryn Barger approved an emergency motion to address mudflow threats. On January 21, wildfires also broke out in San Diego County and Riverside, forcing thousands to evacuate. The fires exposed governance issues in California, with experts calling for a unified command system. The extreme drought has exacerbated the fires, resulting in at least 27 deaths and leaving many residents in dire straits.

US President Donald Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Far-right groups celebrated, with some threatening judges. Experts warn this could embolden extremism. The riot resulted in injuries and deaths, including police officers. Trump described the riot as a 'day of love,' denying election fraud. Among the pardoned were several Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members. Critics argue the pardons undermine the rule of law.

On January 21, 2025, Thailand legalized same-sex marriage, with over a hundred couples tying the knot in a major shopping mall in Bangkok. Ann 'Waaddao' Chumaporn reflects on the arduous journey to achieve the equal marriage law. The first Pride march in Thailand took place 25 years ago, facing numerous challenges. In 2009, a planned march in Chiang Mai was canceled due to violence threats. Despite general tolerance, securing equal rights required significant effort. Chakkrit 'Ink' Vadhanavira and his partner left the entertainment industry due to societal pressure. Positive portrayals of LGBT characters in Thai dramas have shifted public perceptions. The 2019 and 2023 elections saw strong performances by parties supporting equal marriage, facilitating the law's passage. Thailand, now one of the few Asian countries to legalize same-sex marriage, aims to attract more LGBT tourists.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on January 22 to reaffirm Washington's support for its ally, discussing Iran and Israeli hostages in Gaza. This was Rubio's first call with Israel since Republican President Donald Trump took office on January 20. Rubio emphasized that maintaining the United States' steadfast support for Israel is a top priority for Trump. He assured Netanyahu that Washington will continue to work tirelessly to free the remaining hostages in Gaza. The latest escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages. Israel's subsequent military assault on Gaza has resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza health ministry, and has led to accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies. The assault displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza and caused a hunger crisis. A ceasefire that took effect on January 19 has led to the release of some Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Rights groups have criticized the escalating humanitarian crisis resulting from Israel's military actions. Washington has maintained its support, stating it is aiding its ally in defense against Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

A regional court in Murcia, Spain, ruled in January that solo parents can request the same total amount of paid parental leave as couples, following a November decision by Spain's constitutional court that prohibited discrimination against children in single-parent families. This allows solo parents to take 32 weeks of paid leave. Barcelona-based lawyer Carla Vall noted that new parents in other regions can cite this ruling when applying for benefits. The case was initiated by Silvia Pardo Moreno, a 44-year-old single mother who was denied her request for 32 weeks of leave and had to return to work earlier.

In a span of five days, three provinces in Colombia experienced severe armed conflicts, resulting in at least 100 deaths and nearly 20,000 people displaced. The clashes were between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident militias of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) over territorial control. President Petro declared a state of emergency in some regions and deployed 5,000 soldiers. Although FARC signed a peace agreement with the government, some members remain unreconciled. ELN primarily engages in criminal activities along the Pacific coast and borders. Over 19,000 people have taken refuge in areas like Tibú, with thousands fleeing to the Venezuelan border.

According to CNBC, CNN, a unit of Warner Bros Discovery, plans to lay off hundreds of employees on January 23 as it refocuses on a global digital audience. The move aims to rearrange its linear TV lineup and develop digital subscription products, reducing production costs and consolidating teams. Some shows produced in New York or Washington may move to Atlanta, where production is cheaper. Additionally, NBC News, owned by Comcast, is also planning layoffs this week, with fewer than 50 employees affected. Earlier in January, The Washington Post and the Associated Press announced layoffs to address operational challenges.