News from January 5, 2025 at 2 AM

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is embroiled in a standoff with law enforcement over an arrest warrant, with opposition leaders demanding punishment for the presidential residence's security chiefs. On January 4, leaders of six opposition parties held a press conference, accusing security chief Park Jong-jun and others of complicity in rebellion, urging Acting President Choi Sang-moo to take responsibility. The police summoned Park and Kim Seong-hoon, but they did not appear, citing their critical protective duties. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office requested Choi's coordination to execute the warrant, facing resistance. The Defense Ministry deemed the security's obstruction inappropriate. The Seoul Western District Court's warrant expires on January 6, with experts seeing increased chances of Yoon's arrest, though Choi faces internal party backlash. The U.S. calls for political stability in South Korea, with Secretary Blinken set to visit Seoul to discuss the crisis.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday killed at least 21 people, including at least two children, as ceasefire talks continued in Qatar. Thousands in Israel rallied for a ceasefire deal, following a Hamas video showing a hostage still held in Gaza. Three airstrikes in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, hit a car, a house, and people on the street. Gaza's Health Ministry reported at least 59 deaths and over 270 injuries from strikes in the past 24 hours. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue operations against Hamas, which regroups in areas vacated by Israeli forces. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are mediating the talks, with the U.S. planning an $8 billion weapons sale to Israel. The war, sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and around 100 hostages still held in Gaza.

Austria's two main centrist parties' coalition talks collapsed on January 4, prompting conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer to announce his resignation. A day earlier, the liberal Neos party withdrew from the talks, blaming other parties for failing to take decisive action. Nehammer stated he would step down as chancellor and leader of the People's Party in the coming days to ensure an orderly transition. The collapse highlights the difficulty of forming stable governments in European countries like Germany and France, where the far right is rising. The eurosceptic, Russia-friendly Freedom Party (FPO) won 29% of the vote in September's election but failed to find a coalition partner due to Nehammer's refusal to govern with FPO leader Herbert Kickl. President Alexander Van der Bellen may now task Kickl with forming a government or call a snap election. Nehammer described Kickl as a conspiracy theorist but deemed parts of the FPO trustworthy. The People's Party leadership is set to meet on Sunday to discuss Nehammer's successor, who is likely to be more open to a coalition with the FPO. The two parties previously governed together from 2017 to 2019 before a scandal led to the coalition's collapse. Polls show the FPO leading the People's Party and the Social Democrats by over 10 points, posing a dilemma for President Van der Bellen. Social Democrats leader Andreas Babler blamed Nehammer's party for being stingy on pensions and salaries for teachers and police, while Nehammer criticized the Social Democrats for insisting on wealth and inheritance taxes.

The FBI has warned that while there is no evidence ISIS directed the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, the group may exploit the incident to incite further violence. An FBI joint terrorism task force report suggests ISIS could widely publicize the tactics used by the attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, and his military background to inspire similar acts by extremists in other countries. Jabbar drove a truck into a crowd in New Orleans' French Quarter, killing at least 15 and injuring over 30, before being shot dead by police. An ISIS flag and weapons were found in the truck. The FBI believes Jabbar acted alone but was influenced by ISIS. The FBI, Homeland Security, and the National Counterterrorism Center issued a bulletin expressing concerns about potential copycat or retaliatory attacks. ISIS has not claimed responsibility, but its supporters have celebrated the attack online. Experts warn that the threat of international terrorism remains significant, with ISIS activities shifting to Afghanistan and Africa.

Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka, recognized as the world's oldest person by Guinness World Records, passed away at the age of 116 on May 23, 2024. She died in a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Itooka became the world's oldest person following the death of Spain's Maria Branyas Morera in August 2024 at age 117. Ashiya's 27-year-old mayor, Ryosuke Takashima, stated that Ms. Itooka's long life gave people courage and hope. Born in May 1908, she lived through world wars and significant technological advancements. As a student, she played volleyball and climbed Mount Ontake twice. In her later years, she enjoyed bananas and Calpis, a popular milky soft drink in Japan. She married at 20 and had two daughters and two sons. During World War Two, she managed her husband's textile factory office. After her husband's death in 1979, she lived alone in Nara. She is survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. A funeral service was held with family and friends. As of September 2024, Japan had over 95,000 people aged 100 or older, 88% of whom were women. Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, born 16 days after Itooka and also 116, is now believed to be the world's oldest person.

According to Axios, the administration of US President Joe Biden plans to sell an $8 billion arms package to Israel. The US State Department has informally notified Congress of its intention to conclude a deal with Israel, under which the country will receive weapons and ammunition, including air-to-air missiles for fighter jets and attack helicopters, artillery shells, small-diameter bombs, additional JDAM ammunition kits, and 500-pound bombs. Some weapons are expected to be transferred directly from Pentagon warehouses, but most will take a year or more to deliver. The deal, aimed at ensuring long-term support for Israel's security, requires approval from the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

On January 1, 2025, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Police said Matthew Alan Livelsberger, an Army veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, acknowledged purposely causing the blast. Investigators found a journal on his phone documenting his movements and state of mind from December 21 to New Year's Eve. In letters, Livelsberger criticized U.S. government leadership as weak and called the explosion a wake-up call for Americans. FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans noted Livelsberger likely had PTSD and faced personal and family issues. The explosion was not linked to a prior terrorist attack in New Orleans. Livelsberger, identified as the suspect, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was an Army special operations soldier on approved leave at the time.

US Representative Mike Johnson was re-elected as House speaker on January 3, in a lengthy vote that highlighted ongoing divisions within Donald Trump's Republican party. Initially falling short of the majority in an hour-long roll-call vote, Mr. Johnson secured re-election with 218 votes after two Republican opponents switched their votes following over half an hour of negotiations. The Republicans control the chamber by a slim 219-215 majority. This vote served as an early test of the party's ability to unite in advancing Trump's agenda of tax cuts and border enforcement, as well as a measure of Trump's influence on Capitol Hill.

On January 4, police reported that a British national, who was the stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny, was among the victims of a deadly truck-ramming attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people. King Charles III was said to be deeply saddened and had contacted the family to offer personal condolences. Prince William and his wife Catherine expressed shock and sadness over the tragic death of Edward Pettifer. The Pettifer family issued a statement expressing their devastation. On New Year's Day, a US army veteran, who had pledged loyalty to the Islamic State, used a pickup truck to attack revellers in the crowded French Quarter, killing and wounding many before being shot by police. Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed extreme sadness and stated that the UK is supporting the victim's family and stands united with the US against terror threats.

The state funeral of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter began on December 29 in Georgia, following his death at the age of 100. Carter's flag-draped casket journeyed from his hometown of Plains, passing by the farm where he once toiled, to the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. His son and grandson spoke at the memorial, praising his life and contributions. The casket will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center for public viewing until January 2. National rites will continue in Washington, culminating in a funeral at Washington National Cathedral, after which Carter will be buried in Plains. His life spanned from a poor Southern farm to the White House and impactful global humanitarian work.

The New York State Supreme Court upheld the conviction of President-elect Donald Trump in a hush money case and set January 10 for sentencing. Judge Merchan indicated that Trump would not be imprisoned, though he could become the first U.S. president to hold office as a felon. Merchan rejected Trump's lawyers' motions to dismiss but signaled no intention to impose jail time, considering presidential immunity and other factors, suggesting unconditional release. Trump, originally facing four years in prison, was expected by legal experts to avoid jail. Trump must appear in court on January 10 for sentencing and is expected to appeal. If the appeal fails, he would enter the White House with a criminal conviction. Trump criticized the ruling as a political attack on social media. His team argued that sentencing would violate presidential immunity. The case involves Trump paying $130,000 in hush money during the 2016 election, violating New York law, with 34 criminal counts upheld.

President Joe Biden officially blocked Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, citing national security concerns. U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel jointly criticized the decision as 'unlawful' and vowed to take action. The United Steelworkers union, which opposed the takeover, praised Biden's move. This decision reflects a broader trend towards protectionism in the U.S., as key industries are safeguarded against foreign control.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Democratic philanthropist George Soros, and actor-director Denzel Washington will be awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, at a White House ceremony on Saturday. President Joe Biden will bestow the medal on 19 prominent figures in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and science. The White House stated that the recipients have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavors. Four medals will be awarded posthumously to Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act; former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy; George W. Romney, who served as both a Michigan governor and secretary of housing and urban development; and Ash Carter, the former secretary of defense. Other awardees include Spanish American chef José Andrés, rock band U2 frontman and social justice activist Bono, professional soccer player Lionel Messi, retired basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Parkinson’s disease research advocate Michael J. Fox, science educator William Sanford Nye, conservationist Jane Goodall, Vogue Magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, American fashion designer Ralph Lauren, American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr., entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill, and David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group global investment firm. Last year, Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals, including the late Medgar Evers, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, and actor Michelle Yeoh.

On January 4, the armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, released a video of Israeli hostage Liri Albag. In the undated video, the 19-year-old soldier appealed in Hebrew for the Israeli government to secure her release. Albag's family has not authorized the publication of the video. She was captured at the age of 18 along with six other female conscripts at the Nahal Oz base on the Gaza border, with five still in captivity. Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad have released several videos of Israeli hostages during nearly 15 months of fighting in Gaza. The militants seized 251 hostages during the 2023 attack, of whom 96 remain in Gaza, with the Israeli military confirming 34 deaths. Hamas announced on Friday that indirect negotiations with Israel for a truce and hostage release would resume in Qatar, but no updates have been provided. Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been involved in months of efforts that have failed to end the conflict. Weekly demonstrations organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, with the latest scheduled in Tel Aviv on January 4, have kept pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a hostage release deal. Critics in Israel accuse Netanyahu of stalling on the negotiations. The forum stated that the latest video is 'firm and incontestable proof of the urgency of bringing the hostages home.' On Thursday, Netanyahu's office confirmed he had authorized Israeli negotiators to participate in the latest round of truce and hostage release talks in Qatar.

US billionaire Elon Musk and Alice Weidel, leader of Germany's far-right AfD party, are set for a live broadcast conversation. Musk has openly endorsed AfD as Germany's 'last hope.' German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remains unfazed, stating Musk's comments don't impact German policies. Previously, Musk criticized the German government, including calling for Scholz's resignation.

Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigned after her satirical cartoon depicting billionaires, including one resembling Post owner Jeff Bezos, kneeling before President-elect Donald Trump was rejected. Telnaes stated in a blog post that this was the first time her work was 'killed' at the Post. Editorial page editor David Shipley explained the rejection was due to similarity with published columns, not the targets. The incident comes amid controversies over media and corporate executives' treatment of Trump. Reports reveal Bezos and Zuckerberg's interactions with Trump and donations to his inaugural fund. Senator Elizabeth Warren commented on Telnaes' resignation, highlighting billionaires' deference to Trump. Telnaes' departure is part of recent internal shakeups at the Post.

A major winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, significant ice, and frigid temperatures began in the central U.S. on Saturday and is set to move east over the next several days, according to the National Weather Service. A large system made landfall on the West Coast on Friday, bringing rain and expected snow in the Cascade Mountains. By Saturday evening, widespread heavy snow is likely between central Kansas and Indiana, with some areas potentially seeing over 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) of snow. The storm will move into the Ohio Valley, causing severe travel disruptions, and reach the Mid-Atlantic states by Sunday into Monday. Blizzard conditions are possible in Kansas and nearby areas, making driving dangerous. Freezing rain is anticipated from eastern Kansas to the Ozarks, likely leading to power outages. Starting Monday, extremely cold air will affect the eastern two-thirds of the country, with temperatures 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 14 degrees Celsius) below normal, potentially making it the coldest January since 2011. Even Florida may experience a hard freeze. Scientists suggest that the rapid warming of the Arctic may be partially responsible for the extreme weather.

On December 21, 2024, Russia declared a regional state of emergency in Crimea following an oil spill in the Black Sea last month. Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol, announced the emergency status due to new traces of minor pollution, granting authorities greater decision-making powers. The Kerch Strait, separating Crimea's Kerch Peninsula from Russia's Krasnodar region, was affected. Over 86,000 metric tons of contaminated sand and soil have been cleared by rescue workers after two aging tankers were damaged in a storm on December 15, with one sinking and the other running aground. More than 10,000 people have been involved in cleaning viscous fuel oil from beaches around Anapa, a summer resort, with environmental groups reporting deaths of marine life. The emergencies ministry stated that contaminated soil was collected in the broader Kuban region and Crimea, whose annexation by Russia remains unrecognized. Initial estimates indicate about 2,400 metric tons of oil products spilled, less than initially feared, involving heavy M100-grade fuel oil that does not float on water.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to fly to Florida for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, as reported by Italian media. This meeting comes amid a foreign policy challenge for Meloni following the arrest of Italian reporter Cecilia Sala in Iran on Dec. 19 under a regular journalistic visa. Sala's detention occurred shortly after Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was arrested in Milan on a U.S. warrant for allegedly supplying drone parts used in a 2023 attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members. Iran denies involvement in the attack. Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, stated that world leaders are reaching out to Trump to improve relations with the U.S. Meloni's office has not commented on the reported meeting. On Friday, Iran's foreign ministry summoned Italy's ambassador over Abedini's detention, urging Italy to reject America's 'hostage policy' and release Abedini to prevent damage to bilateral ties. Abedini remains in prison, with a court decision on house arrest pending. Italian media report that Sala is in solitary confinement in harsh conditions.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on January 4 that it had thwarted a large-scale attack in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg and detained four teenagers who were allegedly planning to detonate a homemade bomb in a crowded area. The FSB stated that it had seized components for a homemade explosive device and that investigators in the Sverdlovsk region had opened a criminal case. The four teenagers, born in 2007 and 2008 and holding Russian citizenship, were not named by the FSB. The FSB said that the detainees “shared the ideas of a terrorist organization banned in Russia and planned to carry out a terrorist act using a homemade explosive device” in locations frequented by Yekaterinburg residents. Additionally, two of the detainees were also implicated in an arson attack on an Interior Ministry vehicle that occurred on December 22, 2024.

A quarry in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, has revealed the country's largest dinosaur footprint site to date. The site contains approximately 200 dinosaur footprints, formed during the Middle Jurassic period around 166 million years ago. This discovery evokes images of ancient dinosaurs walking across this terrain. The site provides valuable insights into the ancient ecosystem and dinosaur behavior. Experts note that the scale and preservation of this site are exceptionally rare, making it of significant scientific importance.

On December 27, 2024, Chilean President Gabriel Boric became the first leader in the Americas to visit the South Pole, arriving at the US-operated Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. His visit reaffirmed Chile's sovereignty claim over part of Antarctica. Boric highlighted this trip as a significant milestone for Chile, emphasizing the country's pivotal role in scientific projects, particularly those related to climate change. The Chilean government stated that research centers, universities, diplomats, and the armed forces have collaborated to position Chile as the world's gateway to Antarctica. Elected in 2021 at the age of 35, Boric is Chile's youngest-ever president. Only the prime ministers of New Zealand and Norway had previously visited the South Pole. Several countries, including Chile, have laid claims to parts of Antarctica, which is designated as a scientific preserve under the Antarctic Treaty that came into force in 1961.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Donald Trump's unpredictability could influence Russia and help end the Russia-Ukraine war. He hopes the Trump administration will soon engage with Russia but emphasizes that any peace plan must fully consider Ukraine's position. In an interview, Zelensky said Trump could play a decisive role in stopping Vladimir Putin. Trump vowed to quickly end the war, but Kyiv fears it might mean territorial concessions. Zelensky has been trying to establish contact with Trump's team, worried about reduced U.S. aid. He stressed the need for security guarantees for Ukraine, including EU membership and NATO invitation, which Moscow strongly opposes. Currently, Russian forces are advancing in the eastern front, while Ukrainian troops conducted precision strikes and still control parts of the territory.

French police seized over two tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated 130 million euros ($134 million) at the port of Le Havre, leading to the arrest of two men. France and other European governments are intensifying efforts to combat drug trafficking gangs and the fatal shootings that often result from inter-gang conflicts. Last year, the European Union initiated a campaign with European port authorities to tackle drug smuggling in major port cities. New French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau have pledged tougher action against drug gangs and crime. Retailleau, on social media X, lauded the police operation at Le Havre as part of their escalating war against drug trafficking.

Filmmaker Jeff Baena, aged 47, has passed away. His body was found by an assistant at his Los Angeles home on Friday morning and he was later pronounced dead. Known for films like The Little Hours, Life After Beth, and Joshy, Baena married actress Aubrey Plaza in 2021. The family expressed their devastation and requested privacy. Plaza, 40, known for TV series The White Lotus and Parks and Recreation, has not publicly commented on her husband's death. The circumstances of his death are still unclear. Baena graduated from New York University with a film degree and worked under filmmakers Robert Zemeckis and David O'Russell before directing his debut film, Life After Beth, in 2014, which featured Plaza. The couple collaborated on several projects.

On January 4, UBS announced that it is collaborating with an independent ombudsman to investigate Nazi-linked accounts. This follows a report by The Wall Street Journal revealing that some accounts at the collapsed Credit Suisse, which UBS acquired in 2023, had not been disclosed in previous inquiries. The ombudsman's December 2024 letter to the US Senate indicated that his investigation uncovered a batch of client files labeled 'American blacklist,' associated with entities trading with the Nazis. UBS stated it is committed to a thorough examination of these legacy accounts, ensuring transparency and accountability. The bank is working with former US prosecutor Neil Barofsky to lead the review, which is expected to conclude with a final report by early 2026.

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.

On November 12, 2024, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith spoke at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. Microsoft plans to invest $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to build data centers capable of handling artificial intelligence workloads, with over half of the spending allocated to the United States. Smith noted that the U.S. currently leads the global AI race due to private capital investment and innovations from American companies of all sizes. Microsoft has witnessed this through partnerships with OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, and its own AI-enabled software platforms and applications. Several top-tier tech companies are rapidly investing billions in Nvidia GPUs for training and running AI models. Microsoft reported $20 billion in capital expenditures and assets acquired under finance leases in Q1 of fiscal 2025, with $14.9 billion spent on property and equipment. CFO Amy Hood stated that capital expenditures will increase sequentially in Q2. Analysts expect $63.2 billion in property and equipment additions in fiscal 2025, indicating 42% year-over-year growth. Revenue from Azure and other cloud services grew 33%, with 12 percentage points from AI services. Smith called on the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump to safeguard U.S. leadership in AI through education and promoting U.S. AI technologies globally.