A fire at a ski resort hotel in northwestern Turkey killed at least 76 people and injured 51 others, with some individuals attempting to escape by jumping from the building. Turkish authorities have detained four people, including the hotel owner, as part of an investigation into the incident, which took place at the 12-story Grand Kartal hotel during a peak tourism period. (CBS News)
Attorneys general from 23 states are suing to block President Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, a practice that grants U.S. citizenship to all children born in the country regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The Democratic attorneys general arguing that birthright citizenship is settled law and not subject to executive action. (AP)
Republican senators struggled to defend Donald Trump’s decision to commute and pardon hundreds of January 6 protesters, including those convicted of crimes against police officers, just hours after Biden took office. Some senators, such as Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, expressed disagreement with Trump’s decision, raising concerns about safety on Capitol Hill. (CNN)
Multiple wildfires broke out in San Diego County, prompting evacuations, school closures, and power shutoffs, with the Lilac Fire displacing residents, damaging structures, and reaching 80 acres with 10% containment. In Los Angeles, firefighters battled ongoing blazes, while officials remained on high alert due to strong winds and dry conditions. (USA Today)
A winter storm swept through the U.S. South, bringing snowfall at levels unseen by millions of residents, with significant amounts accumulating in Louisiana and Texas, including 10.5 inches near Lafayette and record-breaking snow in New Orleans. The Gulf Coast region experienced rare snowfall as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico combined with a low-pressure system. (AP)
