The ACTUAL NEWS: Tuesday, January 14th 2025 Recap
Today in History; U.S. Economic Recovery Surpasses Expectations, China’s Export Boom, and More National and Global News
TODAY IN HISTORY
1526: The Treaty of Madrid was signed by the Habsburg emperor Charles V (Charles I of Spain) and his prisoner, Francis I, king of France. Francis had been captured during the Battle of Pavia in February 1525 and held prisoner until the conclusion of the treaty, when he was allowed to return to France.
1784: The Continental Congress ratified the Peace of Paris (1783) with Great Britain, which recognized the independence of the United States.
1954: Baseball player Joe DiMaggio and actress Marilyn Monroe married at City Hall in San Francisco.
1970: Diana Ross and the Supremes staged their final concert, as Ross subsequently embarked on a solo career.
1997: Greek archaeologists announced that they had discovered an ancient site in Athens that may have been Aristotle's Lyceum.
2005: The Huygens entry probe landed on Saturn's largest moon, Titan, marking the first time a spacecraft landed on a planetary surface in the outer solar system.
2011: Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali stepped down following mass protests against poverty, unemployment, and political repression. The uprising became known as the Jasmine Revolution.
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NATIONAL
On Thursday, January 16th, First Lady Jill Biden will host a Joining Forces event to celebrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to support military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors. The event will bring together military families, and Joining Forces partners and advocates.
On Sunday, January 19th, President Biden will travel to Charleston, South Carolina. More details to follow.
The U.S. government posted an $87 billion budget deficit in December, reduced partly by a shift of benefit payments into November but capping a record $711 billion deficit for the first three months of the 2025 fiscal year, the U.S. Treasury Department said on Tuesday.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday aimed at addressing the massive energy demands of rapidly growing advanced artificial intelligence data centers. The order directs the leasing of federal sites owned by the Defense and Energy departments to host gigawatt-scale AI data centers and new clean power facilities, addressing urgent power needs in a short time frame.
President Joe Biden's outgoing administration is set to finalize rules that will effectively ban nearly all Chinese cars and trucks from the U.S. market. This move is part of a broader crackdown on Chinese vehicle software and hardware as the U.S. seeks to curb potential national security risks.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that bans transgender girls and women from competing in school sports. Supported by President-elect Donald Trump, the bill proposes withholding federal funds from schools that do not comply with the restriction.
Special Counsel Jack Smith's report that was partially released earlier this morning, asserts that, had it not been for Donald Trump's election and potential return to the presidency, the evidence in the election interference case would have been sufficient to secure a conviction. The report emphasizes that the admissible evidence presented would have likely led to a successful trial outcome.
Elon Musk is expected to use office space in the White House complex, which will keep him close to Trump as "he builds his Department of Government Efficiency".
Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump adviser, is feuding with Musk: “He’s a truly evil person,” Bannon said. “Stopping him has become a personal issue for me.”
Donald Trump will participate in next week's World Economic Forum meeting in Davos virtually, according to organizers. World leaders are eager to hear more about the incoming U.S. President’s policies, particularly his pledge to end the war in Ukraine.
Since Donald Trump's election win, aluminum prices for U.S. consumers have risen, but the increase has been modest. This suggests that the industry does not expect the President-elect to follow through on his threat to impose heavy tariffs on Canadian aluminum imports.
By 2050, the Department of the Air Force is expected to expand the Space Force significantly, integrate large numbers of combat drones, shift toward standoff strike capabilities, and develop stealthy transport aircraft, according to Secretary Frank Kendall’s remarks on January 13.
"The U.S. and China are locked in a ‘race’ to field the next generation of airpower—and there’s no guarantee America will cross the finish line first," said Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s outgoing acquisition executive. "They could beat us to the punch," Hunter told Breaking Defense in an interview at the Pentagon.
The U.S. Justice Department announced on Tuesday that it has successfully removed malware from over 4,200 computers infected by a group of criminal hackers supported by the People's Republic of China.
Last summer, American intelligence officials learned of a Russian plot to detonate airline cargo in the U.S. So the White House sent a warning to the one man who could stop it: Vladimir Putin.
Nearly 2,000 California National Guardsmen have been activated to help battle deadly wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people in the Los Angeles area, Pentagon officials said Jan. 13.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to create a new department called the "External Revenue Service." According to Trump, this department will be responsible for collecting tariffs, duties, and all revenue from foreign sources. He stated that the department would be established on January 20, 2025, the day of his second-term inauguration.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Tuesday that the idea is to vote on a budget bill on the floor of the House of Representatives by Easter and send it to the President's desk by Memorial Day.
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg will attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, according to a source familiar with planning for the event. The chief executives of Tesla, Amazon and Meta will be featured prominently at Trump's swearing in, sitting with the Republican's Cabinet nominees and other elected officials, according to NBC News.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama, reportedly, will not attend Trump inauguration.
GLOBAL
President Biden spoke with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El Sisi to discuss efforts toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal, building on an arrangement from last year endorsed by the UN Security Council. Biden thanked Sisi for Egypt's key mediation role in the process and emphasized the deal’s potential to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza and reunite hostages with their families. Both leaders committed to continued coordination in the coming hours to ensure the deal's implementation.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday laid out plans for the post-war management of Gaza, saying the outgoing Biden administration would hand over the roadmap to President-elect Donald Trump's team to pick up if a ceasefire deal is reached.
Lebanon’s Parliament named Nawaf Salam, the head of the International Court of Justice, as prime minister. His selection is seen as a blow to Hezbollah.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. is “so close to a ceasefire and hostage deal” in Gaza, as President Biden races to secure an agreement on a major foreign policy objective before leaving office in a week.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing disagreements over how Canada should respond to threatened U.S. tariffs, will hold a cabinet retreat next week focused on defending Canadian interests, his office said on Tuesday.
The Kremlin stated on Tuesday that Russia values its close relationship with Armenia, adding that the United States, which has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Armenia, has never played a stabilizing role in the region.
Russia has noted a “shift in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his team toward recognizing the "realities" on the ground in Ukraine”, seeing it as a “positive sign” as it prepares to review his plans for ending the war. Also, about Trump’s ambitions to acquire Greenland, Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov said that “people of Greenland should be listened to first", same as Russia listened to Ukrainians in the now occupied Crimea and other regions of Ukraine.
Russians have reportedly damaged the wrong submarine cable in the Baltic Sea, leading to a massive internet outage in Russia. Even the country's error monitoring service is down, according to RosZMI. Many internet providers and most websites are experiencing disruptions.
"Ukraine is not in a strong enough position for peace talks with Russia", NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said. “At this moment, clearly Ukraine is not there, because they cannot at this moment negotiate from a position of strength,” Rutte told EU lawmakers. “We have to do more to make sure by changing the trajectory of the conflict that they can get to that position of strength.”
At the meeting in Helsinki, Rutte announced the launch of a new military activity by NATO to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure. “Baltic Sentry” will enhance NATO’s military presence in the Baltic Sea and improve Allies’ ability to respond to destabilizing acts.
From January 15 to 17, 2025, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska will be in Lithuania for the Snow Meeting 2025 in Trakai. During her visit, she will meet with key Lithuanian officials, including President Gitanas Nausėda, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, and Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Šekerinska will also visit the NATO Multinational Battlegroup and the Iron Wolf Brigade in Rukla. Media access to these meetings is restricted.
In late December, Argentina received its first F-16 Block 10 aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the nation's defense capabilities. Minister of Defense Luis Petri called it the “most important” acquisition since Argentina's return to democracy in 1982. After nearly a decade without a primary combat aircraft, Argentina has finally secured 25 former Danish Air Force F-16s, following years of negotiations and delays.
India’s army chief characterized the situation along the border with China as “stable but sensitive” following a troop pullback in October 2024, which helped de-escalate tensions after the 2020 clashes. He noted that New Delhi will assess the need for summer troop deployments based on the outcome of ongoing talks with Beijing.
In the second round of talks within two months, three European countries and Iran described discussions on Iran's nuclear program as "frank and constructive." The European nations reiterated their commitment to pursuing a "diplomatic solution" and emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue in the ongoing negotiations.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico will introduce new government benefits for local industries and offer incentives to factories that relocate from China, particularly those targeting the U.S. market. The move comes after her government recently imposed tariffs on clothing and textiles from China, aiming to strengthen domestic production and trade ties with the U.S.
A court has suspended the money laundering trial of former Peru presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori due to errors in the indictment. Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori and leader of a major right-wing party, had been facing a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years.
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Melania Trump re-defines her role as an incoming First Lady.
Sen Kaine (D-VA) questions Pete Hegseth’s judgement.
U.S. Economic Recovery Surpasses Expectations, Driven by Biden-Harris Policies
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Economic Policy released an analysis showing the nation’s remarkable recovery from the pandemic recession, attributed to President Biden’s policy response. The U.S. experienced the strongest growth and job creation among advanced economies, reduced inflation, and achieved a “soft landing,” defying predictions. Key sectors, including rural communities and households of color, saw notable gains.
The analysis highlighted that the economy outperformed early pandemic forecasts, with the unemployment rate dropping to 3.9% by December 2021 and real GDP rebounding quickly. It also found that achieving low inflation early in the recovery would have resulted in a significant tradeoff, including much higher unemployment and slower growth. The Treasury stressed that future macroeconomic policy should prioritize productivity growth, innovation, and investments in infrastructure, workforce, and technology to sustain long-term economic strength.
Vice President Kamala Harris Holds Talks with Singapore Leaders Amid Travel Change
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke today with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, expressing regret for not being able to visit Singapore due to the historic wildfires in Los Angeles. During the conversations, Harris thanked the leaders for their ongoing partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration in strengthening U.S.-Singapore relations. The discussions also reviewed Harris’s continued engagement in the Indo-Pacific and efforts to deepen ties, which began with her August 2021 visit.
U.S. Announces $210 Million in Grants for Tech Hubs to Boost Innovation and National Security
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced $210 million in implementation grants for six newly selected Tech Hub Designees. These grants, ranging from $22 million to $48 million, are part of a broader initiative to support U.S. technological innovation, economic competitiveness, and national security. The funding, which builds on a previous $504 million commitment in July 2024, aims to strengthen critical industries and create high-paying jobs in emerging sectors. The effort is part of President Biden’s strategy to foster the growth of industries of the future and strengthen regional economies. These grants, funded by the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, may also see an additional $280 million in the future.
China’s Export Boom Masks Domestic Economic Struggles
China's trade surplus surged to a record nearly $1 trillion in 2024, driven by a 5% growth in exports, with Chinese-made goods dominating global markets. Government subsidies and low prices have enabled Chinese factories to flood the world with advanced products. However, this export success contrasts with domestic economic troubles, including sluggish imports, low consumer confidence, and falling corporate profits. The future looks uncertain as the possibility of President-elect Trump imposing 60% tariffs on Chinese goods looms.
Intense Battles Rage as Ukrainian and Russian Forces Clash Over Key Territory
Five months after Ukraine launched its ground invasion into Russia, the two forces are locked in some of the most brutal clashes of the war, fighting fiercely for land and strategic advantage. The intensity mirrors the devastating sieges of eastern Ukraine, particularly in towns like Bakhmut and Avdiivka, which have become symbols of mass casualties and destruction for both sides.
NATO Intercepts Russian Aircraft at Steady Rate in 2024 Amid Rising Concerns
Despite heightened fears over Russian aggression and hybrid warfare targeting European NATO members, the number of times NATO fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft in 2024 has remained largely unchanged from 2023. According to NATO’s Allied Air Command, there has been “no sensitive uptick” in Russian air activity, with over 300 intercepts recorded, mostly over the Baltic Sea. This follows a surge in 2022 due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which saw the number of intercepts nearly double. NATO maintains 24/7 air-policing missions to monitor suspicious flights, with jets scrambled when aircraft approach European airspace without proper identification or communication. Despite the ongoing conflict, aerial encounters between NATO and Russian jets remain mostly safe and professional.
Certification of Rescission of Cuba's Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism
The White House issued a certification of the rescission of Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, following the legal requirements set forth in U.S. laws. President Biden confirmed that Cuba has not supported international terrorism in the past six months and has assured it will not engage in such activities in the future. This action fulfills requirements of multiple U.S. laws related to foreign assistance, arms exports, and export control regulations.
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