News from January 6, 2025 at 2 PM

South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol remains defiant in his newly-fortified residence as an arrest warrant over his short-lived martial law order nears expiration on Monday. Yoon's security team blocked investigators from arresting him on Friday and fortified the compound with barbed wire and buses over the weekend. Ignoring multiple summonses for questioning on insurrection and abuse of power, a six-hour standoff ensued before investigators withdrew. They may seek to extend the warrant, but police refuse to execute it, citing legal controversies. Public anger has escalated, with thousands protesting in heavy snow. South Korea has been in crisis since Yoon's martial law attempt, citing North Korean threats. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul aims to stabilize ties ahead of a Trump presidency. Yoon's lawyers claim the warrant is illegal, and the presidential security team cites this in blocking his arrest. Acting President Choi Sang-mok resists calls to sack obstructive security officials. Investigators could apply for a new detention warrant, but without changes, another arrest attempt seems unlikely.

On January 6, 2025, a senior Hamas official shared a list of 34 hostages with the BBC, indicating the group's willingness to release them as part of the first stage of a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel. The list includes 10 women, 11 male hostages aged between 50 and 85, and young children previously reported by Hamas as killed in Israeli airstrikes. Some hostages Hamas claims are sick are also on the list. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes killed over 100 people last weekend. The Israeli prime minister's office denied receiving a hostage list from Hamas, stating the list was originally passed from Israel to intermediaries in July 2024. Hamas's release of the hostage names is seen as an attempt to pressure the Israeli government. Ceasefire negotiations resumed in Doha, Qatar, but have not made significant progress. A Hamas official told Reuters that any deal to return Israeli hostages depends on Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence that a deal would eventually be reached. Hamas posted a video of 19-year-old Israeli captive Liri Albag, urging her government to make a deal. The unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.

On January 4, a winter storm hit the central United States, affecting over 60 million people. The National Weather Service warned of severe weather including heavy snow, freezing conditions, and strong thunderstorms in the eastern regions. The storm, originating from the Gulf of Mexico and moving north, is expected to last until January 6, causing significant snowfall and accumulations, severely delaying transportation. Missouri and neighboring states are expected to see the deepest snow, with potential power outages. Southern regions face threats of rain and thunderstorms. Eastern temperatures are predicted to be 30 degrees Fahrenheit below normal, with several states declaring states of emergency. Meanwhile, the UK and Germany also experienced severe snowstorms, impacting airport operations.

On January 5, Russia stated that Ukraine launched a new attack in the Kursk region, an area where Ukrainian forces have held territory since a surprise incursion on August 6, 2024, potentially providing Kyiv with a key bargaining chip in peace talks. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed it was repelling Ukrainian forces, but Russian military bloggers reported heavy pressure on the Russian side. Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, shared 'good news' from Kursk, while Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Centre Against Disinformation, noted multiple attacks on Russian troops. Russia said Ukraine attacked near Berdin village at 0600 GMT with tanks and armored vehicles. Despite initial defensive struggles, Russian forces reportedly regained control. Acting Kursk Governor Alexander Khinshtein urged trust in official sources. Ukrainian and Western assessments indicate around 11,000 North Korean troops are in Kursk supporting Russia, though Russia has not confirmed this. Zelensky claimed significant Russian and North Korean losses in the region. Putin vowed to expel Ukrainian forces but did not set a timeline. Ukraine's success could bolster its negotiating position, though it has weakened its eastern defenses.

Last month, Musk posed for a photo with Farage, seemingly backing him. On Jan 5, Musk abruptly called for Farage to resign as leader of the UK's right-wing Reform UK party, stating Farage lacks the necessary qualities. Farage responded that he disagrees with Musk. Reform UK won 4.1 million votes and five parliamentary seats in last July's national election. Farage had discussed potential donations from Musk but opposed Musk's support for anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Musk also endorsed Germany's anti-immigration party and has repeatedly criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Last week, Musk backed calls for an inquiry into the government's handling of rape cases by men of Pakistani heritage. Starmer is expected to address the criticism on Jan 6. UK Health Minister Wes Streeting defended Starmer.

The ongoing acquisition of US Steel by Nippon Steel, valued at approximately $12.7 billion, has been officially blocked by the Biden administration. Both companies expressed disappointment, stating that Biden's decision violates due process and is politically motivated, and they will take appropriate actions to protect their rights. The Japanese government called the US decision incomprehensible and regrettable. Despite multiple concessions by Nippon Steel, the US rejected the deal on national security grounds. This case is seen as a new example of US protectionism, potentially weakening economic ties between Japan and the US. Nippon Steel faces a substantial breach of contract penalty and has decided to sue the US government. The US has a history of intervening in Japanese economic affairs, such as forcing Japan to limit car exports and signing the Plaza Accord.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated on Sunday that the allegations made by opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter about his supposed upcoming trip to Moscow are false, describing such rumors as 'deeply indecent.' On Saturday, Kiesewetter claimed on X that Scholz might visit Moscow and meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before February 23, while US President-elect Donald Trump's meeting with Putin was scheduled for March. He did not provide any sources for his claim. Scholz, quoted at his party's meeting by the RND media group, called the statement 'false' and emphasized that such rumors were 'deeply indecent.'

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy went on trial in Paris on Monday over allegations of illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the government of then-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. This case, the most significant and potentially shocking among several scandals involving Sarkozy, is scheduled to run until April 10, with a verdict expected later. Sarkozy, 69, faces charges including passive corruption, illegal campaign financing, concealment of embezzlement of public funds, and criminal association, which could result in up to 10 years in prison. He has denied any wrongdoing. The trial involves 11 other defendants, including three former ministers. Franco-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine, accused of being an intermediary, has fled to Lebanon and is not expected to appear in court. Sarkozy's lawyer, Christophe Ingrain, stated that Sarkozy is facing the hearings with determination and denies any Libyan financing of his campaign. The case emerged in 2011 following reports by a Libyan news agency and an interview with Gadhafi, with French investigative magistrates later deeming a related document authentic, though no definitive evidence of the transaction exists. The official cost of Sarkozy's 2007 campaign was 20 million euros. Additionally, there are allegations of witness tampering, leading to preliminary charges against Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Sarkozy has been convicted in two other scandals, but the Libyan case is likely to significantly impact his legacy.

A truck attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day resulted in 14 deaths, with the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, having previously visited the city twice and recorded videos of the French Quarter using Meta smart glasses. The FBI stated that Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and former U.S. Army soldier, had traveled to Cairo and Canada, though it is unclear if these trips were related to the attack. Jabbar was fatally shot by police at the scene. The FBI believes Jabbar acted alone but is investigating his contacts. Jabbar had visited New Orleans twice before the attack, recording videos with smart glasses. The FBI released videos from his planning trips. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell vowed to enhance security measures. President Joe Biden plans to visit New Orleans to comfort the victims' families.

On January 6, 2025, US President Joe Biden announced a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling along most of America's coastline. The ban covers the entire Atlantic coast, eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coast off California, Oregon, and Washington, and a section of the Bering Sea off Alaska. This is the latest in a series of last-minute climate policy actions by the Biden administration ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump, who pledged to increase domestic fossil fuel production to lower gas costs despite record high extraction rates, vowed to reverse Biden's conservation and climate change policies upon taking office. Biden's decision, made under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, reflects the long-held concerns of coastal communities and businesses about irreversible damage from drilling. The ban has no end date and could be challenging for Trump to overturn. It covers over 625 million acres (253 million hectares) of waters. Environmental groups welcomed the move, while the oil and gas industry criticized it as harmful to American energy security.

The U.S. Congress convened on January 6 to confirm Donald Trump's victory in the November presidential election, marking his return to the presidency after eight years. Outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden pledged to ensure a smooth transition of power and emphasized that the violent riot by Trump supporters four years ago, which aimed to stop the certification of the election results, should not be forgotten or rewritten. The Senate and House of Representatives are scheduled to hold a joint session at 1 p.m. Washington time to count the electoral votes, with Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the presidential race to Trump, presiding as the Senate's president. The certification process is typically routine, but on January 6, 2021, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, leading to deaths and over 100 police injuries. Biden, in a Washington Post op-ed, urged Americans not to forget the riot. The U.S. Secret Service is leading security efforts, designating the certification as a 'national special security event' to prevent a recurrence. Approximately 1,572 people have been charged over the riot, with nearly 1,000 pleading guilty and over 200 convicted. Trump plans to pardon some non-violent offenders upon taking office, raising concerns among Democrats about the deterrent effect of criminal prosecutions and the potential damage to democracy.

US President-elect Donald Trump met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 4. On January 5, Ms. Meloni expressed her readiness to work with Mr. Trump following the surprise visit, which had not been announced in advance. Leading a right-wing coalition in Italy since October 2022, Ms. Meloni posted a photo with Trump on social media, thanking him for the welcome. The meeting aimed to strengthen ties between Italy and the US.

Former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who led Greece into the European Union's single currency in 2001, passed away on Sunday at the age of 88 at his summer house in the Peloponnese. Simitis, a law professor and reformist, assumed leadership of the PASOK socialist party in 1996 and served as prime minister until 2004. Current conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid tribute to him as a worthy and noble political opponent. The government declared four days of mourning and announced that his funeral would be state-funded. While credited for reducing government spending, critics argue he did not sufficiently tackle corruption. Simitis had been vacationing near Athens in the Peloponnese and was rushed to the hospital unconscious early in the morning, where his death was confirmed. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Under his leadership, Greece reduced its budget deficit and public debt, qualifying Athens for euro zone membership. In 2012, he published a book titled 'Derailment,' criticizing the handling of the Greek debt crisis by Greek politicians and the EU, and accusing the European Commission of ignoring overspending by his conservative successor.

According to Japanese media reports, a fishing boat carrying 20 people capsized in the waters near Ibaraki Prefecture in eastern Japan early on the 6th. The incident resulted in 2 deaths and 3 people missing. Rescue personnel are currently conducting intensive search operations for the missing individuals. The cause of the accident is under investigation. This event has raised concerns about maritime safety.

The US Department of State has notified Congress of a planned $8 billion arms sale to Israel, confirmed by an American official to the BBC. The weapons consignment, requiring approval from House and Senate committees, includes missiles, shells, and other munitions. This move comes just over two weeks before President Joe Biden leaves office. Washington has rejected calls to suspend military support for Israel due to civilian casualties in the Gaza war. In August, the US approved a $20 billion sale of fighter jets and military equipment to Israel. The latest shipment includes air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles, artillery shells, and bombs. A source familiar with the sale stated that President Biden has affirmed Israel's right to defend its citizens under international law and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxies. The US is Israel's largest arms supplier, accounting for 69% of its major conventional arms imports from 2019 to 2023, according to SIPRI. In May 2024, the US paused a bomb shipment but later partially lifted the suspension. This planned sale is one of several steps by the Biden administration to shore up his legacy and likely the last before he leaves office on January 20, 2025, when Donald Trump is inaugurated.

New York City became the first in the United States to impose a congestion fee for vehicles entering the busiest areas of Manhattan south of 60th Street starting January 5th. The fee varies based on time, vehicle type, and payment method, with regular cars paying $9 during peak hours and $2.25 otherwise. Small commercial trucks and some buses pay $14.40 and $3.60 respectively, while large trucks and tour buses pay $21.60 and $5.40. Taxis and ride-hailing services pass the fee to passengers. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority estimates the plan will reduce congestion by at least 13% and raise $15 billion for transportation improvements, including subway modernization. Critics argue it's a money-making scheme with limited congestion relief. Republican lawmakers have urged President-elect Trump to abolish the fee, as he pledged during his campaign.

President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law on Sunday, boosting Social Security payments for nearly 3 million public employees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers. The bill repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which limited Social Security benefits for recipients with other retirement income. The Congressional Research Service estimated that in December 2023, 745,679 people were affected by the Government Pension Offset, and 2.1 million by the Windfall Elimination Provision. The Congressional Budget Office projected that eliminating these provisions would increase monthly benefits by an average of $360 to $1,190 by December 2025. The changes take effect from January 2024, requiring the Social Security Administration to issue back-dated payments. The bill received bipartisan support but faces concerns over the Social Security Trust Fund's solvency.

On January 5, Syria's Finance Minister announced that the government will increase salaries for many public sector employees by 400% next month after completing an administrative restructuring of ministries. The hike, estimated to cost 1.65 trillion Syrian pounds (about US$127 million), will be funded by existing state resources, regional aid, new investments, and efforts to unfreeze Syrian assets abroad. This is the first step by Syria's caretaker government to stabilize the economy. Currently, public sector salaries are around US$25 a month, below the poverty line. The increase follows an evaluation of up to 1.3 million registered employees to remove fictitious ones. Despite liquidity challenges due to war, the government expects regional and Arab country assistance. A new tax system draft is expected within four months, aiming for tax justice by year-end.

A group of Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines on Monday to process special immigrant visas for resettlement in the United States, as part of an agreement between Manila and Washington. Last July, the Philippines agreed to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals aspiring to resettle in America. Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said the Afghan nationals, who had completed extensive security vetting and full medical screenings, were provided entry visas. The U.S. government will cover their expenses in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical, and transportation. Daza did not specify the number of Afghans or the duration of the visa processing, but Philippine rules allow applicants to stay for no more than 59 days. A senior Philippine official, speaking anonymously, said only 150 to 300 applicants would be accommodated under the 'one-time' deal. These Afghan nationals primarily worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan or were eligible for U.S. special immigrant visas but were left behind during the chaotic period in 2021 when Washington withdrew and the Taliban took power. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken first relayed the request to his Philippines counterpart in 2022, and President Joe Biden discussed it with Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit to the U.S. last year. Marcos, who won the presidency by a landslide two years ago, has rekindled relations with the U.S., including allowing an expansion of the American military presence under a 2014 defense agreement, a decision that upset China.

Current US President Joe Biden stated that he considers the actions of then-President-elect Donald Trump during the attack on the United States Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021, as a genuine threat to democracy. Biden made this comment as Congress was about to approve the results of the 2024 presidential election. He expressed hope that the nation has moved beyond this incident and emphasized the need to return to a normal transfer of power. Biden pointed out that the issue lies internally within the Republican Party and mentioned that the Democrats have made themselves available, without providing specific details.

Foxconn reported a record fourth-quarter revenue of 2.1 trillion New TaiwanTaiwan dollars, up 15% year-over-year, driven by growth in cloud and networking products. This news boosted semiconductor stocks globally, with TSMC hitting a record high and SK Hynix and Samsung seeing significant gains. Microsoft's plan to invest $80 billion in AI-capable data centers by 2025 further lifted chip stocks prices, including Nvidia and AMD.