News from January 10, 2025 at 2 PM

Los Angeles experienced one of its most devastating days on Tuesday as wildfires ravaged the city. The Pacific Palisades Fire began around 10:30 AM local time, rapidly spreading to over 3,000 acres due to fierce winds. Thick black smoke covered the horizon, with ash falling on cars 20 miles away. The fire remains out of control, joined by three other uncontained fires. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell described it as a 'tragic time' with unprecedented winds. Television footage showed multimillion-dollar homes engulfed in flames, with residents comparing the scene to a disaster movie. Fires are burning uncontrollably, overwhelming emergency services and leading to water shortages. Elderly residents were evacuated from a convalescent home in Altadena amid flying embers. This is the worst wildfire situation in 25 years, resulting in two deaths, at least 1,000 buildings destroyed, with forecasts suggesting worse to come.

The Lebanese Parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun as the new president, with 99 out of 128 votes. In his inaugural address, Aoun stated that his primary goals are to rebuild Lebanon after the war with Israel and to strengthen relations with Arab countries. He emphasized that Lebanese authorities aim to develop foreign policy relations with both Western and Eastern nations, establishing new alliances based on mutual respect. Aoun highlighted that the reconstruction efforts will address the damage caused by Israeli aggression.

US President-elect Donald Trump announced preparations for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump stated that Putin wants to meet and arrangements are being made, emphasizing the need to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. Additionally, Trump is also working to arrange a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Previously, Trump expressed his desire to hold talks with Putin within six months of taking office. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the US has not yet formally requested a meeting.

US President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion to annex Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal, with the possibility of using military force, has ignited a global debate. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that Greenland is not for sale, while King Frederik X updated the royal coat of arms to emphasize Greenland. Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede dismissed Trump's remarks, insisting on their independence. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the inviolability of borders, noting Trump's comments caused confusion among EU leaders. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot affirmed the EU's stance against border threats but doubted a US invasion of Greenland. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy dismissed Trump's comments as provocative but avoided condemning the US. Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha asserted Panamanian control over the canal. Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc rejected Trump's '51st state' idea as a source of chaos. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre declared Canada would never be the 51st state. Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's tweet rejecting the idea drew a sharp reply from Trump ally Elon Musk.

On January 9, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was freed after being detained during a protest in eastern Caracas. Machado's detention followed her first public appearance in months, prompting her ally, former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, to demand her immediate release, with several governments condemning the incident. Machado was forced to record videos during her detention, according to her Vente Venezuela movement. Government officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, claimed her arrest was a fabrication by the opposition. Both the opposition and the ruling party claim victory in the 2024 presidential election, though detailed vote tallies have not been published. The government, accusing the opposition of plotting, has detained several prominent opposition members. Gonzalez, who met with US President Joe Biden, has vowed to return to Venezuela. Machado urged peaceful protests and called on police and military to support Gonzalez. Around 7,000 protesters gathered in Caracas, with demonstrations occurring nationwide. President Nicolas Maduro, in power since 2013, retains the support of the armed forces.

In 2024, global average temperatures reached approximately 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels, marking the first time the symbolic 1.5°C threshold was crossed and making it the hottest year on record. Although the international 1.5°C target has not yet been breached, this data indicates we are nearing this critical point. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 2025. Copernicus data reveals that the last decade has been the warmest in history. The extreme heat in 2024 was primarily due to human-emitted greenhouse gases, with natural factors like El Niño playing a smaller role. Experts warn that even minor global warming can lead to more frequent extreme weather. In 2024, regions such as West Africa, South America, Central Europe, North America, and South Asia experienced severe weather events. Scientists express concern about future climate trends but emphasize that emissions reductions can still control warming.

Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual and close friend of US President-elect Donald Trump, has escalated his involvement in European politics by broadcasting a lengthy conversation with Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany's far-right party, on his X social media platform. The discussion between Musk and Weidel, who heads the Alternative for Germany (AfD), known for its racist and vehemently anti-immigrant stance, aired late on January 9 in Europe. This dialogue has garnered significant attention, highlighting Musk's sympathies towards far-right politics.

On January 10, 2025, the US Supreme Court rejected President-elect Donald Trump's last-minute bid to halt his sentencing in a criminal hush-money case by a 5-4 vote. Trump was convicted of falsifying records to disguise a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels as legal expenses in 2016. Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing the case, indicated he would not consider a jail term for Trump. Trump reacted by calling the case a 'disgrace' despite acknowledging the Supreme Court's decision as 'fair.' Three lower New York courts had previously denied Trump's delay attempts. The Supreme Court believed his concerns could be addressed during an appeal and deemed the burden of attending sentencing 'insubstantial.' Manhattan prosecutors argued there was a 'compelling public interest' in proceeding with the sentencing. Trump's sentencing was initially set for July 2024 but was delayed three times until January 10, just days before his inauguration.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia will impose tough measures against Ukraine if the gas transit issues are not resolved, including halting humanitarian aid, reducing support for refugees, and potentially stopping emergency power supplies to Ukraine. Fico also mentioned that Slovakia could use its veto power in the EU on Ukraine-related matters. On Monday, Fico noted that a new round of EU gas consultations scheduled for January 7 was disrupted due to the absence of the Ukrainian delegation. On January 1, transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine was completely halted following Kiev's refusal to extend a previous agreement that allowed for the annual pumping of 40 billion cubic meters. Earlier, Gazprom reported that Kiev's refusal deprived the Russian company of the technical and legal ability to supply fuel via this route. Data from European gas transportation operators confirm that supplies to Austria, Italy, Moldova, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic have been stopped.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump made a series of remarks on July 7, suggesting the use of military or economic means to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, advocating for Canada to become part of the U.S., and proposing to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of the United States'. The Panamanian government emphasized that the sovereignty of the canal is non-negotiable, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland is not for sale, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canada could never become part of the U.S. International media and experts strongly reacted, viewing Trump's comments as contrary to international norms and potentially causing turmoil in alliances. The EU and German government both expressed opposition to changing borders by force.

Just 10 days before the U.S. ban on TikTok takes effect, businessman Frank McCourt's internet advocacy group, Project Liberty, announced it has submitted a proposal to buy the social media site from Chinese technology company ByteDance. Project Liberty and its partners, known as 'The People's Bid for TikTok,' plan to restructure the app on an American-owned platform, prioritizing users' digital safety. McCourt stated the proposal aims to keep the platform alive for millions of Americans. The group did not disclose financial terms but confirmed ByteDance received the proposal. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the ban, signed by President Joe Biden last April, on Friday. ByteDance has refused to sell TikTok and appealed on First Amendment grounds. On Dec. 6, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the law, citing compelling national security justifications. TikTok claimed in a Dec. 9 court filing that the ban would cost U.S. small businesses and creators $1.3 billion in one month, affecting over 7 million U.S. users. The ban, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, prohibits the app's distribution under Chinese ownership. The People's Bid for TikTok aims to migrate TikTok to an open-source platform, giving users more data control.

Mozambique's opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has declared himself the country's president after losing the October 9 presidential election. Returning to the capital Maputo from self-imposed exile due to threats to his life, Mondlane took the presidential oath with a Bible at the airport in the presence of his supporters. He expressed readiness for dialogue with the authorities while urging continued protests against the election outcome. Legally elected President Daniel Chapo, also secretary general of the ruling Frelimo party, called for national unity and reconciliation. On December 23, the Constitutional Council confirmed Frelimo's victory and Chapo's election. Mondlane, refusing to recognize the results, called for protests that have reportedly led to over 270 deaths according to opposition sources. The authorities announced Chapo's inauguration for January 15.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) in protest of its issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over Israel's campaign in Gaza. The vote, with 243 in favor and 140 against, supported the 'Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,' which sanctions foreigners who investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute U.S. citizens or those of allied countries, including Israel. Forty-five Democrats joined 198 Republicans in backing the bill, with no Republican opposition. Representative Brian Mast, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated in a speech that the U.S. is passing this law due to a 'kangaroo court' attempting to arrest Israel's prime minister. The vote highlights strong Republican support for Israel's government, now controlling both chambers of Congress. President-elect Donald Trump, set to be sworn in for a second term on Jan. 20, will see the act swiftly considered in the Senate by Republican majority leader John Thune. The ICC, a permanent court prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression, justified the warrants based on prosecutorial evidence and the need to prevent ongoing crimes. Congressional Republicans have denounced the ICC since it issued warrants for Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 15-month Gaza conflict, allegations Israel denies. The Republican-led House passed a similar act in June, but it was not taken up by the then Democratic-controlled Senate.

The Chinese foreign ministry stated on Friday that it has maintained close communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding respiratory diseases, in response to rising cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized at a regular press conference that the Chinese government takes the health of its citizens and foreign nationals in China seriously, but noted that HMPV is not a new virus and has been circulating in humans for over 60 years. China's Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in its latest update that HMPV cases remain high, consistent with cases in other parts of the northern hemisphere. Guo highlighted that HMPV infections are self-limiting and cautioned against alarmist rhetoric that exaggerates common viruses as unknown ones, which contradicts scientific common sense. On Tuesday, the WHO confirmed it had been in contact with Chinese health officials and had not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns.

Recently, multiple European countries have been experiencing severe cold weather. The UK Met Office stated that the UK will continue to be covered in snow and ice in the coming days, with temperatures in Scotland's snowfields dropping to as low as -16 degrees Celsius. Sub-zero temperatures have also been observed in northern France and Germany, while Belgium and the Netherlands have issued orange alerts for snow and ice. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, experienced heavy snowfall on January 9th. Satellite service company Maxar reported that a cold front is sweeping through Northern Europe, with the average temperature in Oslo, the capital of Norway, expected to reach -11.3 degrees Celsius on January 12th.

Ukraine and Brussels announced on Friday that Ukraine has received the first tranche of 3 billion euros ($3.09 billion) from the European Union, part of a loan agreed by the Group of Seven members and backed by earnings from frozen Russian sovereign assets. In October, G7 leaders agreed to provide approximately $50 billion in loans to Ukraine through various channels. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on social media platform X that the funds would empower Ukraine to continue fighting for its freedom. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed the transfer of the funds on the Telegram app. The funding channels agreed by the G7 include a Macro-Financial Assistance Loan from the EU, the IMF's Multi-Donor Administered Account for Ukraine, and a newly established Financial Intermediary Fund for Ukraine at the World Bank. In December 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department transferred the $20 billion U.S. portion of the G7 loan to the World Bank fund.