Morning Briefing, Jan. 21, 2025

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday with, including Donald Trump's inauguration as the new US president, UN chief calling on member states to support efforts for implementation of Gaza ceasefire, and Türkiye reopening its consulate general in Syria's Aleppo after several years.

TOP STORIES

• Trump sworn in for 2nd term in major realignment of US government

US President Donald Trump was sworn in for a returning second term in office Monday, heralding a major shift in the US government widely expected to send shockwaves through American society and the world at large.

"I, Donald John Trump do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States," Trump said as he recited the oath of office, repeating after Chief Justice John Roberts at the US Capitol.

Since taking office, Trump has signed a series of executive actions on immigration, environmental regulations, and racial and gender diversity initiatives.

• UN chief calls on member states to 'support all efforts to implement' Gaza ceasefire

The UN chief called on the Security Council and member states to "support all efforts to implement" the new ceasefire in Gaza.

Addressing a high-level session at the UN Security Council on the Mideast, Antonio Guterres said: "The Middle East is in a period of profound transformation – rife with uncertainty, but also possibility."

"It is clear the region is being reshaped. But it is far from clear what will emerge. We have a responsibility to help make sure the people of the Middle East come out of this turbulent period with peace, dignity, and a horizon of hope grounded in action," he added.

Calling the Gaza ceasefire "a ray of hope," the UN chief praised the “long-overdue relief."

• Türkiye reopens consulate general in Syria's Aleppo

Türkiye reopened its consulate general in Aleppo, which suspended operations in 2012 during the Syrian civil war.

The consulate general was inaugurated with the participation of Ambassador Burhan Koroglu, the interim charge d'affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Damascus, Hakan Cengiz, the consul general in Aleppo, and others.

The Turkish flag was hoisted at the consulate which resumed its operations after 12 years.

The opening was also greeted with great enthusiasm by Aleppo residents. Residents of the neighborhood where the consulate is located celebrated with chants.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 16 people were killed and 18 injured in artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Abu Shouk displacement camp in western Sudan, activists said.
• US President Trump said he is not confident that the Gaza ceasefire deal will be upheld, adding it is "not our war."
• Trump signed executive orders to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization, declaring a national emergency at the southern US border that paves the way to deploy American troops there, and pardon defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol, among others.
• All stages of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas should be fully implemented and uninterrupted humanitarian aid must be delivered to the enclave, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a news conference with visiting Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Ankara.
• Britain will launch the Grain Verification Scheme in a bid to track stolen grain from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.
• A teenager pleaded guilty to the murder of three young girls during a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last summer.
• Trump to rescind an executive order by the Biden administration that imposed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

SPORTS

• No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek cruises into Australian Open quarterfinals

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek moved to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open with a commanding 6–0, 6–1 win against Germany’s Eva Lys in the round of 16.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek easily eliminated Germany's Eva Lys in straight sets after 59 minutes.

Meanwhile, American player Emma Navarro defeated Russian Daria Kasatkina 2-1 with sets of 6-4, 5-7, and 7-5, earning a spot in the quarterfinals against Swiatek.

• Barcelona’s Dani Olmo sidelined after calf injury

Barcelona said attacking midfielder Dani Olmo will be sidelined for the team's next match as he has been diagnosed with a calf injury.

"First-team player Dani Olmo has a right calf strain. He will miss the next match and his evolution will determine when he returns to first-team activities," Barca said in a statement.

He suffered the injury during Barcelona's La Liga match against Getafe on Saturday, and had complained of muscular discomfort.

The 26-year-old will not play the match against Benfica on Tuesday at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Trump says he is planning to impose 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico

Trump said he is planning to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada in February.

"We’re thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada because they’re allowing vast numbers of people" into the country, the US president told reporters while signing executive orders after returning to the Oval Office.

Trump was sworn in for a second term, heralding a major shift in the US government that is widely expected to send shockwaves through American society and the world.

• China discovers 168 tons of gold reserves

The Geological Survey of the Ministry of Natural Resources said 102.4 tons of gold reserves were found in the Anbali North mining area in Gansu Province, 41.3 tons from the Hadamengou mining area in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and 24.3 tons from the Baoxinggou mining area in Heilongjiang Province.

In November last year, more than 1,000 tons of gold reserves were discovered in the Wangu Goldfield, a gold mine in Pingjiang County, Hunan Province.