News from January 11, 2025 at 2 PM

Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun was elected as the 14th President, ending over two years of power vacuum. Supported by over two-thirds of lawmakers, his U.S.-backed candidacy marks a decline in Iranian influence. At 61, Aoun vowed to reform, protect citizens' rights, and foster national development. President Biden welcomed his election, while the UN and Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated him, urging swift government formation to ensure stability and reforms.

Following last year's visit to China by UK Foreign Secretary Rami, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak embarked on a visit to China this week. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Shuqing announced that the 11th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue will be held in Beijing on January 11, co-chaired by He Lifeng and Sunak. The dialogue will cover topics such as macroeconomic policies and trade investment. Sunak's visit aims to restore closer ties with China and boost the UK economy. Accompanying him are top financial officials, including the central bank governor. Sunak will also visit Shanghai to meet with UK companies operating in China. The resumption of the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, after a nearly six-year hiatus, marks a significant step in bilateral relations. Experts believe that the UK Labour government prioritizes economic and financial cooperation, but vulnerabilities remain in China-UK relations.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Israel has struck multiple Houthi targets in Yemen in retaliation for Houthi attacks on Israel. The targets included military infrastructure sites on Yemen's western coast and inland, particularly at the Hizaz power station, which serves as a central energy source for the Houthi terrorist regime's military activities. Additionally, the IDF targeted military infrastructure in the Al Hudaydah and Ras Isa ports on the western coast. The IDF emphasized that the Houthi terrorist regime has repeatedly attacked the State of Israel, its citizens, and civilian infrastructure, including with UAVs and surface-to-surface missiles. The IDF stressed that Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself. The Houthi regime, a key part of the Iranian axis of terror, continues to destabilize the region and the wider world through attacks on international shipping vessels and routes. The IDF vowed to continue operating against any threat to the State of Israel and its citizens at any distance.

On January 10, 2025, U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the media in the Oval Office regarding the federal response to wildfires in Los Angeles. The Biden administration on Friday renewed deportation relief for 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan, delaying any attempts by President-elect Donald Trump to end these protections. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended enrollment in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for these nations, providing an additional 18 months of deportation reprieve and work permits. Since taking office in 2021, Biden has significantly increased the number of immigrants eligible for TPS, which now covers over 1 million people from 17 countries. Trump, who is set to return to the White House on January 20, previously sought to end most TPS enrollments during his 2017-2021 term but was blocked by U.S. courts. Trump is expected to try again to terminate most TPS protections. The Biden administration's actions fell short of broader demands by activists and some Democrats to grant TPS to more recent immigrants and those from other nations. Todd Schulte, president of the advocacy group FWD.us, said the extensions would allow hundreds of thousands to continue contributing to their communities and the economy, but also urged Biden to expand TPS to Nicaragua and other nations. Approximately 600,000 Venezuelans are eligible for TPS, the largest group in the program. The Biden administration, which first granted Venezuelans TPS in 2021, cited high crime rates in Venezuela linked to political and economic instability under President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn in for a third term on Friday.

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.

A study published in The Lancet suggests that the actual Palestinian death toll in the Gaza war could be significantly higher than the official figures reported by the Hamas-run health ministry. The UK-led research covered the first nine months of the war, which began with Hamas gunmen attacking Israel on October 7, 2023. Using data from the ministry, an online survey of relatives reporting fatalities, and obituaries, the study estimated that up to June 30, 2024, 64,260 Palestinians died from traumatic injuries, indicating an under-reporting of deaths by 41%. The Israeli embassy in the UK质疑 the reliability of any information from Gaza, while the UN considers the health ministry's figures reliable. The ministry's figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but a recent UN report stated that the majority of verified victims over a six-month period were women and children. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have eliminated over 17,000 terrorists in August, though the methodology behind this figure is unclear. Israel is not allowing international journalists, including those from the BBC, independent access to Gaza, making it difficult to verify facts on the ground. The research team used a statistical method called 'capture-recapture' to evaluate deaths, suggesting that the number of deaths directly caused by traumatic injury could be significantly higher than hospital figures published by the Ministry of Health. The Lancet report estimated a death toll between 55,298 and 78,525 people, compared to 37,877 reported by the health ministry. The study also noted that 59% of those killed, for whom data on sex and age was available, were women, children, and the elderly. The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas's attack, resulting in about 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken back to Gaza. In response, Israel launched a massive military offensive, with the health ministry reporting 46,006 people, mostly civilians, killed by the Israeli campaign.

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.

On the afternoon of January 10, a hammer attack occurred at the Tama Campus of Hosei University in Tokyo, Japan, injuring eight people. A 22-year-old South Korean female student was arrested for wielding a hammer in class and assaulting her classmates. All the injured were conscious and sustained minor injuries. The police received the report at around 3:45 PM and quickly cordoned off the scene for investigation. The suspect claimed she felt oppressed and frustrated due to being ostracized by her peers, leading her to commit the attack. This incident is a rare case of violence on a Japanese campus.

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 November 11, 2024, the Japanese government decided to send Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. Traditionally, Japan has been represented by its ambassador at US presidential inaugurations, but this time, Japan hopes Iwaya will have the opportunity to meet with former Senator Marco Rubio, who has been nominated as the head of the State Department. This move may facilitate the first meeting between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Trump won the US presidential election on November 5, 2024, and will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, becoming the 47th President of the United States.

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.

Brazil's government announced on Friday that neighboring Venezuela has ordered a temporary closure of their shared border, hours after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a new term following a months-long election dispute. The announcement was made in a statement from Brazil's foreign ministry, noting the border closure will remain in place until next Monday. Venezuela's information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has not officially recognized Maduro as the winner of last July's contested election and did not comment on Maduro on Friday. However, the Brazilian government sent its envoy to Caracas, Ambassador Glivania Maria de Oliveira, to the inauguration. Brazil's foreign ministry added that its consular officials in Venezuela will assist Brazilian citizens in case of emergency during the border closure.

On January 10, US President Biden held a phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky, discussing recent US aid to Ukraine. Biden briefed Zelensky on efforts made by the US in the past few months to increase support for Ukraine and announced a comprehensive sanctions package targeting Russia's energy sector. Zelensky expressed gratitude for US support and outlined Ukraine's strategic planning in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Biden emphasized the importance of continued support for Ukraine.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated on Friday that he is prepared to block financial aid to Ukraine if the gas transit issue remains unresolved. On January 1, Russian gas transit through Ukraine ceased following the expiration of a 2019 contract between Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz, affecting Moldova and four EU countries, including Slovakia. Fico warned that if informed within three weeks that Ukraine is obstructing transit, he will block aid without hesitation and veto the EU's decision to send an additional 50 billion euros to Ukraine. European Commission Spokesperson for Climate Action and Energy Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said the Commission will form a technical group with Slovakia to discuss energy issues, excluding Ukraine.

Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin stated that the United States is constructing airfield infrastructure in Greenland for planes capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The US Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base), part of the US system for warning against nuclear strikes from the Arctic, is undergoing comprehensive modernization, including radar systems worth billions of dollars. The base has already been used for training F-35 fighter jets, which can carry nuclear weapons. Barbin emphasized Russia's support for enhancing stability in the Arctic, based on an equitable international security system. Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and its future should be determined by the Greenlanders themselves. President-elect Donald Trump previously called US ownership of Greenland an 'absolute necessity,' but the Pentagon denied any plans to take control of Greenland by force.