News from January 8, 2025 at 2 AM

On January 7, 2025, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, declined to rule out using the U.S. military to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, citing their importance to U.S. economic security. Trump criticized China's activities in both regions and announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America.' Since winning the November election, Trump has repeatedly discussed annexing territories, particularly the Panama Canal. He also considered using economic pressure, not military force, to make Canada the 51st U.S. state. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford opposed the idea, while Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede stated that Greenland is not for sale.

A strong earthquake struck a high-altitude region of western China and parts of Nepal on Tuesday, killing at least 95 people in Tibet and damaging hundreds of houses. Many were trapped as dozens of aftershocks hit the remote area. Rescue workers searched for survivors in heavily damaged villages. CCTV reported at least 130 injuries in the earthquake-hit area in Tibet. Over 1,000 homes were damaged. Northeastern Nepal felt the quake strongly, but no initial injuries were reported. The epicenter was in Tibet's Tingri county, a seismically active area. Xi Jinping called for all-out rescue efforts, and over 3,000 rescuers were deployed. The government allocated 100 million yuan for disaster relief.

French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen passed away on January 7, 2025, at the age of 96. Le Pen founded the National Front in 1972 and ran for president multiple times, notably reaching the second round in 2002, sparking nationwide protests. His daughter, Marine Le Pen, took over as party leader in 2011 and expelled him in 2015. His political career was marked by controversy and multiple convictions for extremist remarks. He was a seminal figure in French far-right politics, leaving a lasting impact on the nation's political landscape.

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.

Russia claims that its forces have captured the front-line town of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. The town, which has been a focal point of Russian advances in recent months, serves as a crucial stepping-stone to the key logistical hub of Pokrovsk. Ukraine has not acknowledged the fall of Kurakhove, located 35km south of Pokrovsk. Intense fighting has also been ongoing in Russia's Kursk region following a Ukrainian counter-attack on Sunday. An unverified image from social media, provided by Reuters, appears to show a soldier holding a Russian flag in Kurakhove. Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces, told Reuters that Ukrainian forces were still engaging Russian troops inside Kurakhove as of Monday morning. Kurakhove is connected to Pokrovsk by roads that are vital for moving troops and supplies along the front line. Analyst Roman Pohorily noted that capturing Kurakhove would allow Russian forces to attack Pokrovsk from a new northern direction. Russia's defense ministry also claimed on Monday that it had captured the village of Dachenske, about 8km south of Pokrovsk. Kyiv's forces have reportedly been suffering from manpower shortages and have been losing ground in eastern Ukraine as Russian troops advance.

After aiding Donald Trump's re-election campaign, Elon Musk has turned his focus to Europe, endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), demanding the release of UK anti-Islam extremist Tommy Robinson, and calling British Prime Minister Keir Starmer an 'evil tyrant.' Musk's social network X is rife with abusive language and retweets from far-right and anti-immigrant accounts. Experts say he is using the platform to propagate his political views. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concern over Musk's involvement, emphasizing that Germany's future will be decided by its voters. French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis also voiced concerns about Musk's actions. Musk has accused Starmer of failing to prosecute child sexual abuse cases during his tenure as a prosecutor. The EU is investigating whether Musk's live chat with AfD leader Alice Weidel gives undue preference to the party during an election period. Musk's outspokenness has raised concerns among Tesla investors, with the company's European sales declining.

Austrian Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl met with the country's president on Monday amid expectations that he might be tasked with forming a new government, which would be the first led by the far right since World War II. The Freedom Party won 28.8% of the vote in September's parliamentary election, defeating outgoing Chancellor Karl Nehammer's conservative Austrian People's Party. However, in October, President Alexander Van der Bellen asked Nehammer to try forming a new government after his party refused to work with the Freedom Party, and other parties also refused to cooperate, leading to the collapse of coalition efforts. Nehammer announced his resignation in the first days of the new year. The People's Party then indicated a willingness to work under Kickl. Negotiations are not guaranteed to succeed, but there are no other realistic coalition options in the current parliament, and polls suggest a new election could further strengthen the Freedom Party. The far right and conservatives have governed together before, with the Freedom Party as the junior partner, most recently from 2017 to 2019, when Kickl served as interior minister in a government that collapsed due to a scandal involving the Freedom Party's leader at the time. The Freedom Party's election program calls for the 'remigration of uninvited foreigners' to achieve a more 'homogeneous' nation through strict border control and suspending the right to asylum via emergency law. The party also advocates ending sanctions against Russia, criticizes Western military aid to Ukraine, and wants to withdraw from the European Sky Shield Initiative, a missile defense project launched by Germany. Kickl has criticized 'elites' in Brussels and called for some powers to be returned from the European Union to Austria.

On January 7, a wildfire burned approximately 200 acres in an upscale area of Los Angeles, threatening homes and forcing evacuations. The fire occurred in the Pacific Palisades region between Santa Monica and Malibu, prompting the Los Angeles Fire Department to issue a mandatory evacuation order. Huge plumes of smoke were visible as flames approached nearby residences, fueled by Santa Ana winds. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection issued an urgent evacuation notice. Some evacuees walked away, while others were stuck in traffic. The National Weather Service had previously issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions, predicting wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordered emergency measures to prepare for potential power outages. Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Erik Scott warned against complacency due to cool winter weather, citing 'explosive wildfire behavior'.

Nearly 44 years after leaving office, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter returned to Washington for a three-day state funeral starting Tuesday. His remains, previously lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, were flown to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland accompanied by his family. A motorcade then transported the casket to the Capitol, where members of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris, cabinet members, and three Supreme Court justices paid their respects. Harris and others delivered eulogies highlighting Carter's faith, military service, and dedication to public service. Carter's body will lie in state at the Capitol on Tuesday night and Wednesday, with a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, where President Joe Biden will speak. The ceremonies included military honors and patriotic hymns, reflecting Carter's life and legacy.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejected a suggestion by US President-elect Donald Trump on January 7 that he could use 'economic force' to make Canada merge with the US. Trudeau stated there is 'not a snowball's chance in hell' that Canada would become part of the United States. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly also emphasized that Canada will 'never back down' in the face of threats. Trump made this proposal during a news conference on January 7 and threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. Canadian officials are preparing to retaliate in what could become a trade war.

On January 7th, the inauguration of the President of Ghana took place at Independence Square in the capital city of Accra. Elected President John Dramani Mahama was sworn into office. Heads of state from Kenya, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and over 40 diplomatic delegations, as well as representatives from various international and regional organizations, attended the ceremony. On December 7, 2024, Ghana held presidential and parliamentary elections, with over 18 million voters casting their ballots to elect the president and 276 members of parliament. On December 9, the Ghana Electoral Commission announced Mahama's victory. Born in 1958, Mahama previously served as President from July 2012 to January 2017.

On June 10, 2024, the U.S. reported its first human death from bird flu. The deceased, over 65 with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized in Louisiana in December, marking the country's first severe H5N1 infection. The patient had been exposed to a backyard flock and wild birds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that all but one of the confirmed cases occurred in the last 10 months, with most being mild. Most patients fell ill after contact with infected cattle or poultry, with the Louisiana case being the first linked to a backyard flock. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission, but virus samples indicate potential increased human transmissibility. The CDC maintains a low immediate public health risk and advises against contact with sick or dead animals. The U.S. government has escalated its response, but some experts criticize it for being too slow.

New York appeals court Judge Ellen Gesmer swiftly rejected President-elect Donald Trump's second attempt to delay sentencing in his hush money case on Tuesday. Gesmer's ruling keeps Trump's sentencing scheduled for Friday, though he can still seek intervention from other courts. Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, argued that as president-elect, Trump enjoys the same immunity from criminal proceedings as a sitting president. Trial Judge Juan M. Merchan had already denied Trump's first attempt to delay sentencing on Monday. Prosecutor Steven Wu noted that Trump can appear virtually for sentencing and that Merchan plans to impose no jail time, fine, or probation for Trump's 34 felony counts. Trump was convicted last May for allegedly hiding a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, with the sentencing initially set for July 11 but postponed multiple times.

On the afternoon of January 7th, a shooting incident occurred in Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, resulting in two deaths and one serious injury. Around 5:45 PM local time, a masked gunman entered a local company and opened fire, killing two men and seriously injuring another. The police have launched a manhunt, and the gunman is currently at large. The incident poses no danger to other civilians.

Las Vegas police said Tuesday that a decorated soldier, Matthew Livelsberger, who exploded a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel, used generative AI including ChatGPT to plan the attack. The 37-year-old Livelsberger fatally shot himself, and officials said he did not intend to harm others. Investigations revealed he searched for information on explosive targets via ChatGPT. Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department called the use of AI a “game-changer.” The vehicle contained 60 pounds of pyrotechnic material and 70 pounds of birdshot, but the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear. Livelsberger had considered targeting the Grand Canyon's glass skywalk in Arizona but changed his plans. The explosion injured seven people lightly and caused minimal damage to the Trump International Hotel. His notes mentioned political and societal grievances, calling the explosion a “wake-up call” for the nation's troubles.

On January 6, the US Congress formally certified Republican President-elect Donald Trump's November election victory over Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris during a joint session, clearing the way for his inauguration on January 20. Harris, acting as the president of the Senate, presided over the ceremony. This certification starkly contrasted with the events four years ago when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to block the certification of President Joe Biden's win. Trump continues to falsely claim widespread fraud in his 2020 defeat. The final tally showed Trump securing 312 Electoral College votes to Harris's 226. Republicans also gained a majority in the Senate and a narrow edge in the House, supporting Trump's agenda of tax cuts and a crackdown on illegal immigrants. Democrats did not attempt to block the certification. Security at the Capitol was heightened and expected to remain so through Trump's swearing-in. Trump plans to pardon over 1,500 individuals charged in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden reduced the prisoner population at Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba by nearly half on Monday, transferring 11 detainees to Oman. The U.S. military stated that only 15 detainees remained after the transfer, marking a significant step towards closing the facility in the administration's final days. The detention center, opened on Jan. 11, 2002, by President George W. Bush, was intended for holding terrorism suspects and 'illegal enemy combatants' during the U.S. 'War on Terror' following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. At its peak in 2003, the center housed about 680 prisoners, according to Pentagon data. The latest transfer of 11 Yemeni men leaves the U.S. naval base with fewer detainees than when it first opened with prisoners from Afghanistan. The U.S. military expressed appreciation for Oman's government and other partners' support in reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility. The Pentagon named the 11 transferred detainees. Of the remaining 15 detainees, three are eligible for transfer, and an equal number are eligible for periodic review board assessments, while the rest have been charged or convicted of war crimes. The facility has long been criticized by human rights groups and legal advocates for potential breaches of international human rights laws and camp conditions.

The United States faced a severe cold wave on Tuesday, following the first significant winter storm of the year that brought ice, snow, and strong winds across a vast area. The storm system caused disruptions in typically mild southern regions, downing trees, threatening a freeze in Florida, and prompting residents in Dallas to wear heavy winter gear. Wind chill temperatures were expected to drop as low as minus 10.5°C from Texas to the Gulf Coast. A low-pressure system could bring snow to parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana starting Wednesday. The polar vortex kept much of the country east of the Rockies in frigid conditions, leading to treacherous roads, school closures, widespread power outages, and flight cancellations. The National Guard in Indiana assisted stranded motorists, and a truck stop in Kentucky was crowded with trucks forced off icy roads. Numerous traffic accidents and flight disruptions were reported nationwide, with widespread school closures and over 218,000 customers without power across several states. A temporary water system malfunction occurred in Virginia’s capital due to power outages.

The White House announced that US Vice-President Kamala Harris will travel to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia from January 13 to 17. This trip is likely to be her last as vice-president before leaving office on January 20, with stops in Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany. On January 15, Harris will meet with leaders and visit Changi Naval Base in Singapore. The following day, she will meet with leaders in Manama, Bahrain, and visit Naval Support Activity–Bahrain, the headquarters of US Naval Forces Central Command and the US 5th Fleet. On January 16, Harris will be in Spangdahlem, Germany, to visit the US Air Force 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base. Throughout her trip, she will discuss the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration over the past four years, US partnerships with respective nations, the contributions of US military forces to regional and global security, and enduring US national security interests, and will engage with US servicemembers.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the test launch of the country's newest intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile on January 6. The missile, fired from a launching ground in a suburb of Pyongyang, traveled 1,500 kilometers, reaching a peak altitude of 99.8 kilometers and a second peak of 42.5 kilometers, at a speed of twelve times the speed of sound, accurately hitting a simulated target in the open sea. Kim Jong Un stated that the test demonstrated North Korea's active development of new-type weapon systems to counter current security threats from hostile forces. He emphasized that this is a self-defense plan, not an offensive action, aimed at enhancing the country's nuclear deterrent. The new missile can penetrate any global air defense system and poses a reliable deterrent to potential rivals in the Pacific region. The missile's engine body uses a new carbon fiber composite, and the flight and guidance control system incorporates comprehensive and effective technologies.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, has postponed a fact-finding trip to Kyiv and other European capitals originally planned for early January. The trip, which was to take place before Trump's inauguration on January 20, has been delayed. Kellogg's team had also arranged meetings with officials in cities including Rome and Paris. This would have been the first visit to Kyiv by Trump administration officials since the November 5 election. The reason for the delay is not immediately clear. Trump has previously claimed he could resolve the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, but has made little progress. Ending the conflict swiftly remains a key priority for his incoming administration. Neither Kellogg nor a representative for the Ukrainian embassy in Washington immediately responded to requests for comment.

A 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a double-decker bus in Woolwich, south-east London. The incident occurred around 14:30 GMT on the 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street. Despite the rapid response from the London Ambulance Service and the air ambulance, the teenager died at the scene. No arrests have been made, and a police cordon and road closures remain in place. This is the second fatal stabbing of a teenager in Woolwich in three months. Last year, 11 teenage boys were killed in London, the lowest number since 2012, but many are calling for more action. Local MP Matthew Pennycook and the CEO of Project Lifeline expressed grief and urged for solutions. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan vowed to work closely with police and increase patrols in the area.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily blocked the public release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on investigations into Donald Trump as an appeals court considers a challenge to the disclosure of the highly anticipated document. Cannon's ruling may offer a short-lived victory for Trump, marking another instance of the Trump-appointed judge taking action in favor of the Republican. The halt followed an emergency request on Monday by Trump's defense lawyers, who argued the report would be one-sided and prejudicial. Trump responded by calling the investigation and report 'fake' at a news conference. The two-volume report is expected to detail charging decisions in Smith's investigations into Trump's hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Cannon's order barred the release of any report information for three days after the dispute is resolved by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Smith's team plans to file a response to the appeals court. Trump's lawyers, including Todd Blanche, urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to block the report's release and remove Smith from his position.

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a $20 billion foreign investment to build new data centers across the United States. Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, a Trump associate and founder of DAMAC Properties, pledged at least that amount, with Trump suggesting the investment could double or more. The first phase of the plan will be implemented in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Sajwani attributed his commitment to Trump's election victory. This follows Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son's announcement of a $100 billion investment in the U.S. to create 100,000 jobs over Trump's term. Trump, set to take office on January 20, has been offering incentives like expedited permits to attract foreign investments of $1 billion or more.

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.

New York City's Manhattan 'Congestion Reduction Zone' officially began imposing a congestion fee on the 5th, making it the first city in the United States to do so. Vehicles entering the zone during peak hours on weekdays must pay at least $9, with taxis and ride-hailing services charging passengers a lower fee, and low-income vehicles eligible for discounts. The new regulation aims to alleviate traffic congestion, improve public transportation, and enhance air quality. An average of 500,000 vehicles enter the zone daily, with an expected 13% reduction in traffic after the fee is imposed. The congestion fee is projected to raise $15 billion, which will be used for the maintenance and upgrade of the transportation system. The plan has faced opposition from some politicians and the public, but has been implemented following court rulings.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued six major landlords on Tuesday for alleged anticompetitive practices in housing rental markets, expanding its first case alleging algorithmic collusion. In August, the DOJ and a coalition of states sued in North Carolina, accusing property management software company RealPage of enabling landlords to collude by sharing pricing information through its software, which then recommends rent prices. RealPage has denied the allegations and is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit. The amended lawsuit also accuses Cushman & Wakefield, Greystar Real Estate Partners, Blackstone's LivCor, Camden Property Trust, Cushman's Pinnacle Property Management Services, and Willow Bridge Property Co. of using RealPage to unlawfully share non-public rental pricing information. The landlords also shared pricing strategies with competitors via calls and user groups hosted by RealPage, according to the DOJ. A spokesperson for Cushman stated that Pinnacle is solely a property manager and does not own properties or set pricing. Greystar denied engaging in anti-competitive practices and vowed to defend against the claims. Cortland Management has agreed to settle the claims. The lawsuit alleges that the coordination likely harmed renters in local housing markets in Illinois, Massachusetts, and several other states.