News from January 12, 2025 at 2 PM

Firefighters in Los Angeles are making a concerted effort to prevent a deadly wildfire from spreading into one of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods. Aerial crews have been dropping water and fire retardant on the flaming hills to contain the Palisades fire, which has expanded to threaten Brentwood and scorched nearly 23,000 acres, leaving at least 11 people dead. Large areas of Brentwood, including celebrity homes and the Getty Center museum, have been issued evacuation orders. The second-largest fire, the Eaton fire, has burned over 14,000 acres. Gusty Santa Ana winds are expected to exacerbate the fires. Approximately 153,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation, with another 166,000 warned they may need to flee. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Fire Chief Kristin Crowley face criticism over their response, and Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into water supply issues.

On January 11, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced during a press conference that evacuation orders in the Los Angeles area due to severe wildfires cover approximately 153,000 people, with an additional 166,000 under potential evacuation notice. The fires threaten 57,000 buildings, and the cause is under investigation with FBI involvement. At least 11 people have been confirmed dead, with 13 missing. The wildfires began on January 7, exacerbated by dry and windy conditions. The California Fire Department reports the fire has engulfed nearly 15,500 hectares. The two largest fires, in Eaton and Palisades, are 15% and 11% contained, respectively. Over 12,300 buildings have been destroyed, including properties of celebrities. US President Joe Biden described the wildfires as the largest and most destructive in California's history.

On December 19, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during the European Council Meeting in Brussels that Ukraine has captured two injured North Korean soldiers from the battlefield in Russia's Kursk region and transferred them to Kyiv. These soldiers are currently communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine. This marks the first time Ukraine has publicly stated it has detained North Korean troops, following reports from the U.S. and its allies that Pyongyang deployed approximately 11,000 soldiers to support Russia. Zelenskyy stated that the captured soldiers are receiving necessary medical assistance and noted the difficulty of their capture, claiming that Russian and North Korean soldiers usually execute their wounded to erase evidence of North Korea's involvement in the war against Ukraine. Ukraine's military had previously warned in December that Russia was trying to conceal the presence of North Korean military personnel by issuing false documents. Zelenskyy also said he instructed Ukraine's security service to allow journalists access to the prisoners to reveal the truth.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian troops captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk Oblast. The soldiers are receiving necessary medical assistance and are in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Kyiv. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ukrainian paratroopers and Special Operation Forces for the capture. He noted the difficulty of the task, as Russian and North Korean soldiers typically execute wounded North Koreans to hide their involvement in the war against Ukraine. The Ukrainian intelligence service stated that the prisoners were captured on January 9th and immediately provided with medical care in accordance with the Geneva Convention. The prisoners do not speak Ukrainian, English, or Russian, so communication is conducted through Korean interpreters. Zelensky stated that the soldiers are being interrogated by the SBU and journalists have been granted access to them. The SBU is investigating all circumstances of North Korean military involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine.

On January 12, Syria's new Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani met with foreign ministers and top diplomats from Western and Middle Eastern countries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy were expected to join the talks. Participants included foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, as well as envoys from the European Union and the United States. This meeting was the first of its kind since President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024. Led by Saudi Arabia, discussions focused on how the international community can support the interim Syrian authorities and hold the Assad regime accountable for war crimes. The meeting followed a Syria-focused diplomatic gathering in Rome on January 9 and a landmark meeting in Jordan in December 2024. Syria's new administration urged the West to lift sanctions to facilitate international funding to Damascus. Germany, Italy, and France recently pushed for easing EU sanctions on Syria, but a final decision requires the entire bloc's consensus. The US issued a six-month sanctions exemption for transactions with Syrian governing institutions on January 6 to ease the flow of humanitarian aid.

On January 12th, Saudi Arabia hosted a multilateral conference in Riyadh on the Syrian issue. Attendees included German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and other foreign ministers and senior diplomats from Western and Middle Eastern countries. The conference aimed to discuss the lifting of sanctions on Syria. On the same day, a large-scale rally was held in Latakia, Syria, calling for the lifting of foreign sanctions.

On January 10, Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede stated his readiness to speak with US President-elect Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of respecting Greenland's independence aspirations. At a press conference in Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also addressed the issue, having requested a meeting with Trump. Greenland, a former Danish colony and now a semi-autonomous territory, hosts a US military base. Egede highlighted Greenland's desire for independence but clarified that it does not mean severing all ties with Denmark.

Recently, US President-elect Donald Trump has shown renewed interest in taking control of Greenland, a largely autonomous territory of Denmark. In 2019, Trump first proposed buying Greenland, and this week he went further, refusing to rule out economic or military force to gain control. Danish and European officials have responded negatively, insisting Greenland is not for sale. Greenland, 80% covered in ice, holds significant untapped mineral wealth. Trump's move may aim to push Denmark to enhance Greenland's security against Russian and Chinese influence. Denmark recently announced a $1.5bn Arctic military package. Experts believe Trump is positioning himself before taking office, while Greenland uses the occasion to boost its international standing towards independence. Even if Trump loses interest, he has brought the issue to the forefront.

On January 12, 2025, the Sudanese army announced the recapture of the key eastern city of Wad Madani, marking its biggest gain in nearly two years of fighting against rebel forces. Social media footage showed people celebrating as army soldiers entered the city. The leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, acknowledged the defeat in an audio message, attributing it to the army's air superiority and use of Iranian-made drones, but vowed to continue fighting. Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazira state and 140km south of the capital Khartoum, is a strategic crossroads. Since the outbreak of fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese army in April 2023, the war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced about nine million people to flee their homes. Sudan is also facing a severe famine, with nearly half the population in urgent need of food aid. Earlier this month, the US sanctioned Hemedti for the RSF's alleged role in genocide during the 20-month conflict.

South Korea's transport ministry stated that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the Jeju Air passenger plane that crashed last month stopped recording four minutes before the disaster. The crash resulted in 179 fatalities, marking it as the deadliest air accident in Korean history, with only two cabin crew members surviving. Investigators had hoped the recorder data would shed light on the crucial moments preceding the tragedy. Initially examined in South Korea, the recorders were sent to the US for analysis by American safety regulators after data was found missing. The flight, originating from Bangkok on December 29, crash-landed at Muan International Airport and slid into a wall off the runway, bursting into flames. Former transport ministry accident investigator Sim Jai-dong told Reuters that the loss of crucial data was surprising and suggested a complete power failure, including backup systems. Many questions remain unanswered, with investigators examining potential factors such as bird strikes and weather conditions, as well as why the Boeing 737-800's landing gear was not deployed upon impact.

A tram collision occurred in Strasbourg, France on the afternoon of November 11th, injuring over 30 people. Around 3:30 PM local time, a tram reversing at an underground station near Strasbourg Central Station collided with another stationary tram, causing severe damage to both ends. The platform was filled with smoke, and injured people were lying on the ground. Police set up a cordon and ambulances arrived at the scene. Officials from the Lower Rhine Provincial Government reported no severe injuries, while firefighters estimated around 50 casualties. The exact cause of the accident is unclear, and local prosecutors have launched an investigation, ruling out intentional human action.

On Saturday, at least 30 people were injured after two trams collided at Strasbourg's central station. Videos and photos on social media depicted chaotic scenes with smoke rising. Reports suggest the accident occurred when one tram switched tracks and collided with a stationary tram. Strasbourg Mayor Jeanne Barseghian, at the scene, stated the cause was unknown and urged people to await investigation results. Rene Cellier, director of the Bas-Rhin Fire and Rescue Service, reported mostly trauma injuries, including scalp wounds, clavicle fractures, and knee sprains, with around 100 people seen by doctors despite no significant injuries. Approximately 50 vehicles and 130 firefighters responded, with the situation potentially being more severe. Emmanuel Auneau, director of CTS responsible for public transport in Strasbourg, noted the tram drivers were physically unharmed but severely shocked.

On January 12, Croatia will hold the second round of its presidential election on Sunday. Incumbent President Zoran Milanovic and independent candidate Dragan Primorac, a physician, geneticist, and forensic scientist, are vying for the position. The first round, conducted on December 29, 2024, saw none of the eight candidates secure more than 50% of the vote, with Milanovic receiving 49.09% and Primorac 19.35%. The winner in the second round must secure a relative majority. According to a survey by the IPSOS agency commissioned by Croatian Nova TV, 67.4% of respondents intend to vote for Milanovic, while just under 27% plan to vote for Primorac, with 5.8% undecided, resulting in a gap of over 40%.

US President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's planned acquisition of US Steel on national security grounds on January 3. On January 11, the companies announced that the Biden administration would delay enforcing a January executive order requiring Nippon Steel to abandon its $14.9 billion bid. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that the proposed deal had undergone a thorough analysis by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The delay allows courts to review a legal challenge filed by the parties in early January against Biden's order, which previously gave them 30 days to unwind the transaction. The companies jointly stated that CFIUS extended the deadline to June 18, 2025, for abandoning the transaction. In a lawsuit on January 6, US Steel and Nippon Steel alleged that the CFIUS review was biased by Biden's longstanding opposition, seeking a federal appeals court to overturn his decision for a fresh review. Both Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, had opposed the Japanese company's acquisition of the American steelmaker.

U.S. President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel on national security grounds on January 3. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated this week that the proposed deal underwent a thorough analysis by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Originally, the parties had 30 days to unwind the transaction, but CFIUS extended this requirement to June 18, 2025, allowing courts to review the steelmakers' legal challenge against Biden's order. Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel expressed their hope to complete the transaction for the benefit of the U.S. steel industry and all stakeholders. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya regretted Biden's decision, urging the U.S. to handle the transaction appropriately to avoid disrupting the Japan-U.S. alliance.

The US Supreme Court is set to rule on a law that bans TikTok in the US over national security concerns unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform before a January 19 deadline. The court's nine justices heard arguments from TikTok and content creators' lawyers, who argued the ban would violate free speech protections for over 170 million US users. The US government contends that without a sale, TikTok could be used by China for spying and political manipulation. President-elect Donald Trump opposes the ban. The law requires ByteDance to sell TikTok in the US or cease operations by January 19, but the company refuses to sell. Congress passed the law with bipartisan support, addressing years of concerns about the popular platform. The legislation does not ban app use but requires tech giants like Apple and Google to stop offering it and inhibit updates, which analysts say would eventually kill TikTok. TikTok denies any Chinese Communist Party influence and claims the law violates users' First Amendment rights. Former US Solicitor General Noel Francisco stressed the ban could lead to dangerous censorship. Stanford law professor Jeffrey L. Fisher, representing creators who sued, noted historical foreign adversary campaigns but argued ideas are not national security threats under the First Amendment. Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth B. Prelogar highlighted ByteDance's ties to the Chinese government as a national security risk. During nearly three hours of debate, justices repeatedly addressed national security and free speech concerns. Trump urged the court to delay its decision for a political solution. Legal observers predict the Supreme Court may side with the government.

Jack Smith, the special counsel who led two federal criminal cases against Donald Trump, has resigned from the Justice Department before the president-elect takes office later this month. A court filing on Saturday indicated Smith 'separated from the Department' on Friday. CBS News reported in November that Smith would resign after completing his work. His departure comes amid a dispute over the release of his report on Trump's classified documents case. Appointed in 2022, Smith oversaw cases involving alleged improper hoarding of classified documents and an alleged attempt to interfere in the 2020 election outcome, both resulting in criminal charges against Trump, who pleaded not guilty. The cases were closed last year following Trump's presidential election win, as Justice Department regulations prohibit prosecuting a sitting president. This week, US District Judge Aileen Cannon, who oversaw the classified documents case, temporarily barred Smith and Attorney General Merrick Garland from releasing the report. Trump's legal team received a draft copy last weekend, expected to be released on Friday. Judge Cannon's move followed requests from attorneys for Trump's former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveir, both of whom pleaded not guilty. The release is on hold pending an emergency appeal to the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta. On Friday, Trump was sentenced to an 'unconditional discharge' in a hush-money case, sparing him jail and a fine, but he will still become the first US president with a felony conviction.

On October 29, 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden met with Pope Francis at the Vatican and awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, marking the first time this honor has been bestowed during his presidency. The White House stated that Pope Francis, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, is known as the 'People's Pope,' embodying faith, hope, and love globally. Biden also discussed with the Pope efforts to advance world peace, particularly the Pope's work in aiding vulnerable communities. This award followed Biden's cancellation of a planned trip to the Vatican to monitor devastating wildfires in California. Their last meeting was in June during the G-7 Leaders' Summit in Apulia, Italy, where they discussed ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The Vatican emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and a hostage deal. This is the first Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction awarded by Biden and the first since President Obama awarded one to then-Vice President Biden. Biden is the second Roman Catholic to be elected president, following President John F. Kennedy.

On January 10, 2025, Judge Juan Merchan in New York sentenced US President-elect Donald Trump to an 'unconditional discharge,' concluding the first criminal trial of a former US president. The hush-money payment case spared Trump any penalty, including jail time or a fine, making him the first US president to take office with a felony conviction. Trump, appearing via video call, declared himself 'totally innocent' and accused the judicial system of being 'weaponized.' The case stemmed from a $130,000 payment by Trump's then-attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016 to keep silent about an alleged sexual encounter. Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records but ultimately avoided punishment. He will be sworn in 10 days later as the first US president with a felony conviction.

On January 10, 2025, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump remotely attended a sentencing hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City. Judge Juan Merchan sentenced Trump to 'unconditional discharge,' meaning no jail time, probation, or fine. Nonetheless, Trump will become the first U.S. president with a criminal record while in office. In May, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts related to a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Merchan stated that unconditional discharge was the only lawful sentence to avoid encroaching on presidential powers. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass noted that Trump's actions caused enduring damage to the public perception of the justice system. Trump's attorney, ToddTodd Blanche, disagreed with the prosecutor about the validity of the case and Trump's conduct. After the hearing, Trump claimed victory on social media, despite the judge's clear reasoning for the unconditional discharge based on his impending presidency.