While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Jan 21, 2025
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Newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump said the US had been “treated very badly” by Panama.
PHOTO: AFP
Trump vows to ‘take back’ Panama Canal from China at inauguration
US President Donald Trump on Jan 20 cast himself as a peacemaker in his second inaugural address, but immediately vowed that the United States would be “taking back” the Panama Canal.
Mr Trump issued the threat, without explaining details, after weeks of refusing to rule out military action against Panama over the waterway, which the United States handed over at the end of 1999.
“Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back,” Mr Trump said after being sworn in inside the US Capitol.
Panama maintains control of the canal but Chinese companies have been steadily increasing their presence around the vital shipping link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Trump outlines sweeping US border crackdown, mass deportation push
REUTERS
Newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump said on Jan 20 he will declare illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border a national emergency, send troops there and ramp up deportations of criminal offenders, outlining the crackdown in his inaugural address.
Trump said be would invoke a 1798 law known as the Alien Enemies Act to target foreign gang members in the US, a legal authority last used to detain noncitizens of Japanese, German, and Italian descent in internment camps during World War Two.
Shortly after the inauguration, US border authorities said they had shut down outgoing president Joe Biden’s legal entry programme known as CBP One that had allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the US legally by scheduling an appointment on an app. Existing appointments were cancelled, according to US Customs and Border Protection.
Trump announces ‘Doge’ advisory group, attracting instant lawsuits
PHOTO: AFP
US President Donald Trump has officially announced the creation of an advisory group aimed at carrying out dramatic cuts to the US government, attracting immediate lawsuits challenging its operations.
The group – dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency, or “Doge” – is being co-run by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and has grandiose goals of eliminating entire federal agencies and cutting three quarters of federal government jobs. Failed Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is a co-chair but will announce his departure from Doge next week as he gears up for a governor’s race in Ohio, a person familiar with Mr Ramaswamy’s plans said.
“To restore competence and effectiveness to our federal government, my administration will establish the brand new Department of Government Efficiency,” Mr Trump said in his inaugural speech Jan 20.
‘We’re back. I’m excited’: Portraits of the crowd at Trump’s inauguration
REUTERS
They came from New York and Washington, North Carolina and Southern California, New Jersey and Newcastle, and even Europe and China.
Many were long-time supporters of incoming US President Donald Trump, rally veterans in MAGA hats who believe fervently in his refrain that he will "Make America Great Again." Some had never heard Mr Trump speak before and were curious.
They were there to witness - albeit via a screen - the swearing-in for a second term on Jan 20 of Mr Trump, who has pledged to push the limits of executive power, deport millions of immigrants, secure retribution against his political enemies and transform the role of the US on the world stage.
Hamas says next hostages will be released on Saturday as scheduled
PHOTO: REUTERS
Hamas on Jan 20 said it would next release hostages held in Gaza on Jan 25, after an official with the Palestinian militant group had said they would be released a day later than expected.
Hamas is set to release the more than 90 hostages over the coming weeks as part of a complex ceasefire deal reached with Israel this month that could end the 15-month war in Gaza.
The militant group said in a statement that the next group of hostages would next be released on Jan 25 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees who are held by Israel.
