News from January 4, 2025 at 2 AM

Earlier on Friday, Yonhap reported that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials sent its officers to the presidential residence to execute an arrest warrant for South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. However, South Korean soldiers from the Capital Defense Command and the presidential security service prevented investigators and police officers from entering and searching the residence. After more than five hours of standoff, South Korean investigators decided to temporarily halt the execution of the arrest warrant. A decision on further actions regarding Yoon's arrest will be made after reviewing today's events. No one has been arrested yet for obstructing law enforcement officers. The arrest warrant for Yoon remains valid until January 6.

South Korean anti-corruption investigators left the official residence of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after a nearly six-hour standoff during which he defied their attempt to detain him. This is the latest confrontation in a political crisis that has seen two heads of state impeached in less than a month. The anti-corruption agency expressed regret over Yoon's refusal to comply with legal procedures. Yoon, who last left his residence on Dec. 12 to make a televised statement, declared martial law on Dec. 3 and sent troops to surround the National Assembly, leading to his impeachment on Dec. 14. A Seoul court issued a warrant for his arrest on Tuesday, but enforcement is complicated due to his location. Yoon's lawyers argue that the residence is protected by law. Thousands of police officers gathered outside the residence on Friday, with no major clashes reported. Yoon's presidential powers have been suspended, and his fate now rests with the Constitutional Court.

On January 2, 2025, a truck attack during New Year's celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., resulted in at least 15 fatalities. According to a joint threat assessment by Louisiana and New Orleans police obtained by Reuters, no 'credible threat' to New Orleans' New Year's events was identified prior to the attack. The document, dated December 2024, states there was no credible threat from international terrorists, homegrown violent extremists, or domestic violent extremists. It specifically highlights concerns about 'unaffiliated lone offenders and homegrown violent extremists' due to their ability to 'remain undetected until operational.' The police departments also note that foreign terrorist organizations and their affiliates 'continue to call on individuals to conduct independent attacks in the U.S.' using improvised explosive devices and vehicles. The New Orleans Police Department and the Louisiana State Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A pickup truck rammed into a crowd of New Year's revelers in New Orleans, killing 14 people and injuring 30. The FBI identified the driver as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, labeling the attack an act of terrorism by a lone individual. The driver had posted videos inspired by ISIS before the rampage. Mayor Latoya Cantrell announced the reopening of Bourbon Street. The FBI found no link between this attack and a Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas. Families of the victims began sharing their stories, impacting New Orleans' carnival season and the Sugar Bowl game.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 26 people across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including three children and two high-ranking Hamas police officers. One strike hit a tent in the Israeli-declared humanitarian zone of Muwasi, killing 10 people. Another strike in central Gaza killed at least eight Palestinians who were members of local committees securing aid convoys. Local health officials report that over 45,500 Palestinians have died since the war began, with more than half being women and children. The conflict was ignited by Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and abducted around 250, with approximately 100 hostages still believed to be in Gaza.

Donald Trump criticized the UK government's decision to increase taxes on oil and gas firms in the North Sea on his platform, Truth Social, calling it a 'very big mistake.' Meanwhile, Elon Musk has been extensively attacking the UK government on his platform, X, over its handling of last summer's riots, economic management, and attitude towards child abuse scandals. Musk has also personally accused UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of not doing enough to prosecute child grooming gangs during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch stated that a full national inquiry into organized grooming gangs is 'long overdue.' However, the Conservatives have expressed discomfort with Musk's apparent support for the jailed far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson. The Labour Party is keen to avoid a confrontation with Musk. UK officials are closely monitoring these social media outbursts, hoping that the new British ambassador, Lord Mandelson, can help mitigate the transatlantic verbal spat.

US President Joe Biden officially decided on January 3 to block Nippon Steel's proposed $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel, ending a long-running and contentious merger plan. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States had referred the decision to approve or block the deal to Biden. Despite opposition from some senior advisers concerned about potential damage to US-Japan relations, Biden proceeded with the veto. Nippon Steel had paid a significant premium to acquire the second-largest US steel producer in a December 2023 auction, but faced resistance from the powerful United Steelworkers union and politicians. Biden has expressed his desire for US Steel to remain domestically owned and operated, while President-elect Donald Trump vowed to block the deal upon taking office on January 20. Despite this, US Steel shareholders overwhelmingly approved the acquisition in April last year. The two companies had attempted to address concerns, with Nippon Steel offering to relocate its US headquarters to Pittsburgh and promising to honor all agreements between US Steel and the USW. This week, a source revealed that Nippon Steel had also proposed giving the US government veto power over any potential cuts to US Steel's production capacity. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had urged Biden to approve the merger to avoid undermining recent efforts to strengthen ties between the two key allies. Japan's stock market was closed for a public holiday on January 3, while US Steel shares closed down 4.1% on January 2.

US President Biden announced on the 3rd that he will block Nippon Steel's acquisition of US Steel Company. In a statement, Biden emphasized the critical importance of the steel industry to national security and supply chain stability. Last September, Biden had planned to block the acquisition but postponed the decision due to the election. Recently, despite advisors' urging, Biden remained firm in blocking the deal. This decision was based on a report by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews potential national security risks of foreign investments. Additionally, President-elect Trump opposes the transaction and proposes measures to rescue US Steel Company, including tariffs and tax incentives.

Earlier this week, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, injuring seven people. The man who rented the vehicle, 37-year-old active-duty US special forces soldier Matthew Alan Livelsberger, was found inside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police discovered fuel cannisters and over a dozen firework mortars in the truck. The motive remains unclear, and authorities are investigating whether the incident was a political statement. Livelsberger drove over 800 miles from Colorado to Las Vegas, and his reasons are unknown. The explosion occurred just hours after a vehicle attack in New Orleans, but no direct link between the two incidents has been established.

On January 1, 2025, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. The renter of the truck, identified as Matthew Alan Livelsberger, an active-duty member of the U.S. Army's elite special forces unit, was killed in the blast, which also injured seven bystanders. Federal law enforcement agents searched a residence in Colorado Springs, Colorado, related to the case. The incident is being investigated as a potential terrorist attack, with no established motive. This follows a similar attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people. Authorities are probing any possible connection between the two events. Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the explosion was not caused by the vehicle itself. Eric Trump, son of President-elect Donald Trump, thanked local law enforcement for their swift response.

On January 3, US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson was re-elected in a lengthy vote. Initially, three right-wing Republicans opposed his re-election, but two switched their votes. Johnson secured the minimum required 218 votes, with Republicans holding a slim 219-215 majority in the chamber. The vote highlighted divisions within the Republican Party over Donald Trump's agenda. Johnson became speaker in October 2023 after the ouster of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. Trump endorsed Johnson on December 30. Johnson faces major challenges in advancing Trump's tax cuts and border enforcement, as well as addressing the nation's debt ceiling.

Republican lawmaker Mike Johnson was narrowly re-elected as Speaker of the US House of Representatives in a first-ballot vote. Johnson, who took over the speakership in 2023 after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, secured the support of 218 House members. Initially, three Republican members backed other candidates, but two switched their support to Johnson after a brief consultation. US media had speculated that issues with Johnson's re-election could negatively impact President-elect Donald Trump, who had strongly supported his candidacy. Following the November 5, 2024 elections, Republicans retained control of the House with 220 seats, while Democrats secured 215 seats, though Florida Republican Matt Gaetz vacated his seat in mid-November. Donald Trump defeated current Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election, and the Republican Party also took control of the Senate, with expectations of a majority in the House. Trump's inauguration is scheduled for January 20, 2025.

New York Judge Juan M. Merchan set President-elect Donald Trump's sentencing in his hush money case for January 10, just over a week before he is due to return to the White House, but indicated he would not be jailed. This development positions Trump to be the first president to take office convicted of felony crimes. Merchan signaled in a written decision that he would sentence Trump to an unconditional discharge, closing the case without jail time, fines, or probation. Trump can appear virtually for sentencing if he chooses. Merchan rejected Trump's bid to dismiss the verdict and the case on grounds of presidential immunity and his impending second term, stating that only bringing finality to the matter would serve justice. Trump communications director Steven Cheung reiterated that the case should be dismissed outright. Former Manhattan Judge Diane Kiesel said the ruling cannot be appealed under New York law, but Trump might still try. Trump, who takes office on January 20, was found guilty in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels. He decried the verdict as a 'witch hunt' by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The sentencing was initially set for July 11 and postponed twice at the defense's request.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy proposed on Friday that alcohol products consumed by Americans should clearly label alcohol as a leading cause of cancer. Murthy's advisory is based on mounting research and evidence of the negative health effects of alcohol. He notes that nearly one million preventable cancer cases in the U.S. over the last decade are linked to alcohol consumption, resulting in about 20,000 deaths annually. Current warning labels on alcohol products caution against drinking during pregnancy and impaired driving, but Murthy's proposed label would also highlight the cancer risk. Research has found that alcohol increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer, including liver, breast, and throat cancer. Murthy emphasizes that the risk of cancer increases with higher alcohol consumption. Despite new research and the Surgeon General's advisory, it is unlikely that Congress will act swiftly to implement a new warning label. It has been nearly four decades since Congress last updated alcohol warning labels. Previously, Congress approved a health warning on cigarettes, which significantly reduced smoking rates. Any effort to add a cancer warning label to alcohol would face strong opposition from the well-funded beverage industry, which spends nearly $30 million annually lobbying Congress. Just weeks ago, the federal government decided not to alter the existing dietary guidelines on alcohol, which recommend no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.

As the new year begins, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy calls for updating health warning labels on alcoholic beverages to include cancer risk. Previous beliefs about moderate drinking benefiting the heart have been questioned. Alcohol increases the risk of various cancers, including colon, liver, breast, and mouth and throat cancers. U.S. guidelines advise men to limit alcohol to two drinks or fewer per day and women to one drink or fewer. Murthy notes about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and 20,000 related deaths annually in the U.S. Studies suggesting benefits of moderate drinking were flawed, with benefits disappearing after adjusting for factors. Several countries have lowered alcohol consumption recommendations, and Ireland will require cancer warning labels on alcohol starting in 2026.

Montenegro's Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic stated that a gunman killed at least 10 people, including two children, in the Montenegrin city of Cetinje. The gunman later committed suicide. Reports indicate the gunman had an argument with a victim before the attack and killed the children of a cafe owner. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic called for stricter gun control measures. Police noted the gunman had a history of illegal weapon possession.

On the afternoon of Dec 2, a single-engine plane crashed into a commercial building in Southern California, resulting in at least two deaths and 18 injuries. The incident occurred around 2pm near the Fullerton Municipal Airport, approximately 40km south-east of Los Angeles. The building housed a furniture manufacturing company, and its occupants were evacuated, according to police. Injuries ranged from minor to severe, with ten people hospitalized and eight treated on site, as stated by Ms Kristy Wells, a spokeswoman for the Fullerton Police Department. It remains unclear how many people were on the plane or whether the two deceased were on board or on the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Van’s RV-10 and is investigating the crash alongside the National Transportation Safety Board. Aerial footage from local TV showed smoke billowing from a hole in the building's roof, with fire engines parked outside and emergency workers in action.

Germany's police computer systems are experiencing technical issues at airports nationwide, affecting the monitoring of arrivals. According to the tabloid Bild, federal police stated that most checks are being conducted manually, but they are managing so far. WDR broadcaster reported that passengers at Dusseldorf Airport have been forced to wait for about two hours, and entry from non-Schengen countries is currently not possible due to the outages.

The German federal police reported a nationwide IT system outage at airports, affecting the processing of incoming passengers. Currently, passengers at Frankfurt Airport are being processed manually, but no significant congestion has been reported. The exact cause is still under investigation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on January 2 that US President-elect Donald Trump could be decisive in the outcome of the 34-month-old war with Russia and help stop Russian President Vladimir Putin. Facing Russian advances in eastern Ukraine, Zelensky, in a Ukrainian television interview, said Trump promised to be one of the first to visit Washington after his inauguration. Zelensky emphasized stabilizing the front line as a top priority and believed Putin feared negotiations as they would equate to a Russian defeat. He also stressed Ukraine's need for solid security guarantees, EU membership, and an invitation to join NATO. Zelensky hoped any US settlement plan would consider Ukraine's views and planned to restore diplomatic ties with Syria. He also expected Trump's administration to quickly engage with Russia, with Putin indicating Moscow's openness to talks conditional on recognizing Russia's war gains and annexation of four Ukrainian regions. Amid rapid Russian advances, Zelensky deemed stabilizing the front critical and reiterated that no new elections would be held during the wartime state of emergency, but he would consider running again when conditions allowed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on December 2 that US President-elect Donald Trump can have a decisive influence on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and help Ukraine 'stop' Russia. Zelensky revealed that Trump invited him to be one of the first leaders to visit Washington after the inauguration. Zelensky emphasized Trump's ability to stop Putin and hoped that any US-proposed solution would fully consider Ukraine's position. Trump had pledged to swiftly end the conflict. Recently, Zelensky has shown a greater willingness to negotiate, seen as a significant shift. In a press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that Russia is ready for negotiations and compromise, but Ukraine must also be prepared.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to cut financial support for over 130,000 Ukrainian refugees amid escalating disputes with Ukraine over Russian gas supplies. On January 1, Kyiv shut off a pipeline that had long supplied Central Europe with Russian natural gas, leaving Slovakia, the main entry point, poised to lose millions in transit fees. The UNHCR estimated last month that there were 130,530 Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia. Fico, who recently visited Moscow, labeled Kyiv's move as 'sabotage' and proposed halting electricity exports to Ukraine and significantly reducing financial aid for Ukrainians in Slovakia. He assured there was no risk of gas shortages in Slovakia due to alternative arrangements. However, Kyiv's decision would cost Slovakia 500 million euros in transit fees. Last month, President Zelensky accused Fico of aiding Putin in 'funding the war and weakening Ukraine.' Poland has offered support to Kyiv if Slovakia cuts electricity exports, crucial for Ukraine under regular Russian attacks. The European Commission stated the EU is prepared for the change, while Moldova faces shortages. Russia can still supply gas to Hungary, Turkey, and Serbia via the TurkStream pipeline across the Black Sea.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who ended military aid to Ukraine and sought improved relations with Moscow since his election, announced on January 2 that Slovakia's coalition government will discuss retaliatory measures against Ukraine for halting Russian gas transit through its territory. Fico stated his Smer party would consider cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine, reducing aid to Ukrainian refugees, and demanding compensation for losses due to the gas flow cessation. He cited the halt of Russian gas exports via Ukraine on New Year's Day, which ended decades of Moscow's energy dominance in Europe. Fico warned of rising European gas and power prices and vowed to address the issue in Brussels on January 7. Slovakia, with alternative gas sources, faces extra transit costs. Fico's plans include potential electricity supply cuts and reduced refugee support, emphasizing the need for compensation. Slovakia exported 2.4 million MWh of electricity to Ukraine in the first 11 months of 2024, despite Russian bombings causing energy shortages.