January 23, 2025

US and Israel discuss Gaza amid Jenin abductions US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held his first call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under Trump’s administration. They discussed Iran, Israeli captives in Palestine's Gaza, and reaffirmed US support for Israel. Rubio emphasised Washington's unwavering backing for its ally, calling it a top priority for Trump. Trump sends troops to border, halts refugee arrivals President Trump has deployed 1,500 additional troops to the US-Mexico border and has frozen refugee arrivals. Refugees cleared to enter the US are now in limbo, with travel and processing suspended. Trump’s administration says the moves aim to “secure America’s borders,” but critics argue they could destabilise humanitarian efforts. The orders signal the administration’s firm stance on immigration from day one. Panama challenges Trump over canal threat Panama has taken its dispute with Trump to the UN, denouncing his veiled threat to seize the Panama Canal. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Guterres, Panama cited the UN Charter’s ban on force against member states. The US president accused China of increasing influence over the waterway, sparking tensions. Wildfire forces mass evacuations near Los Angeles A new wildfire is raging north of Los Angeles, tearing over 9,000 acres near Castaic Lake. Fanned by fierce Santa Ana winds, the fire has forced the evacuation of 50,000 people as flames and smoke consume the hillsides. The region, still recovering from earlier wildfires, now faces another round of devastation. 2,200-year-old mosaic unearthed in Türkiye's Assos In Türkiye’s ancient city of Assos, archaeologists have uncovered a stunning 2,200-year-old mosaic and an 1,800-year-old tomb. The mosaic, a rare Hellenistic treasure, features intricate geometric and floral designs and likely adorned a gymnasium later repurposed in Byzantine times. Head archaeologist Nurettin Arslan hailed the discovery as one of Anatolia’s earliest examples of Hellenistic art.