Shots in Europe and Trump’s legal retreat
President Trump criticized Europe for what he called “unfair” trade practices and regulations yesterday during a video appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He vowed to impose tariffs on companies that choose to produce outside the United States
In the United States, Trump was handed a setback in efforts to rewrite immigration law when he temporarily blocked Trump’s order to end automatic citizenship for babies born in the United States.
“Frankly, it is difficult to see how members of the bar could articulate that this is a constitutional mandate,” the judge told Trump administration lawyers. “It just blows my mind.”
At the start of his second term, Trump positioned himself as the face of global hardline conservative populism. Trump falls on the far end of the right-wing spectrum, promising changes like deporting millions of undocumented immigrants.
Ukraine is losing fewer soldiers than Russia
The nearly three-year war between Russia and Ukraine has killed far more Russian soldiers, but Russia is still winning.
Russia suffered twice as many men and serious injuries as Ukraine, according to some independent estimates, but with a larger population and more aggressive recruitment tactics, Moscow suffered losses at a higher rate. I was able to replace it.
Russian forces are also reinforced by North Korean troops fighting on the front lines. More than 400,000 Russians are facing about 250,000 Ukrainians, and the gap between the forces is growing.
“Fat guys get thinner,” said one military analyst. “But the skinny man dies.”
Related: Support for President Volodymyr Zelensky was badly soaked. With Trump in the White House, he may face a tough re-election.
Hamas takes charge in Gaza
Since the ceasefire began on Sunday, Hamas has worked to show it still controls Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to eliminate Hamas, but he has never considered a realistic alternative plan to control Gaza. For many residents of Gaza, the quick reappearance of Hamas fighters came as a surprise.
related: Two Palestinian militants were killed during an Israeli military operation around Jenin in the West Bank.
A big wedding in Thailand yesterday ushered in a new era for same-sex couples. Hundreds of people gathered for the ceremony. This took place in one of Bangkok’s biggest shopping malls.
Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia and third in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal to allow people of the same gender to marry each other.
Lived: Jose Jimenez, who expanded Chicago gangs in the 1960s and turned them into an extremist voice for social services, fair housing and education for Puerto Ricans, has died at age 76.
Critics’ picks dominated Oscar nominations
The Oscars handed out a number of nominations to films that aren’t widely seen but are rooted in progressive politics. Carla Sofia Gascón, who won best actress for Emilia Perez, a musical that explores trans identity and Mexico’s drug war, became the first openly trans actress to be nominated. The film led the pack with 13 nominations overall.
“The Brutalist,” a three-and-a-half-hour study of immigrant trauma, racked up 10 nominations. Demi Moore capped off her career comeback with a nod for best actress in “The Substance.” “It’s an eclectic bunch,” our awards season columnist Kyle Buchanan told us. “It also makes a lot of Oscar history.”
