News from January 14, 2025 at 2 AM

The wildfires in Los Angeles, USA, have resulted in 16 deaths, with 11 fatalities attributed to the Eaton Fire and 5 to the Palisades Fire. Since January 7, the Eaton Fire has burned approximately 5,710 hectares, while the Palisades Fire has scorched around 9,500 hectares. Fueled by strong winds, the wildfires are spreading northeast, threatening communities such as Mandeville Canyon and the upscale Brentwood area. Wind speeds are expected to increase, potentially exacerbating the fire's spread. UCLA is on high alert, and Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed 1,680 National Guard personnel to assist in firefighting efforts, with support from multiple states. Los Angeles has imposed a curfew, and over 12,000 structures have been destroyed. Public criticism of officials' emergency response and water supply issues have sparked concern. The FBI and ATF are conducting a joint investigation into the cause of the wildfires.

US President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his final week in office, pushing for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Progress is being made between Israel and Hamas, but key aspects of the potential agreement remain uncertain. The White House noted Biden discussed regional changes, including Israel's ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and Iran's weakened regional influence. Netanyahu updated Biden on negotiations in Doha. During Sunday's call, Biden emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and hostage return. Previously, Netanyahu sent a top security delegation to indirect negotiations in Qatar. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met his Israeli counterpart in Jerusalem to discuss the deal's progress. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, also met Netanyahu to strive for a deal before the January 20 inauguration. Despite heightened activities, clarity on issues like a permanent ceasefire and Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza is lacking. Anshel Pfeffer of The Economist is skeptical about a quick deal but believes both sides are motivated to agree before Trump takes office. The war began with Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 and taking 251 hostages. Gaza's health ministry reports over 46,500 deaths in the war, while Israel says 94 hostages remain in Gaza, with 34 presumed dead.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he is willing to hand over two captured North Korean soldiers to Pyongyang in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the soldiers, captured on January 9th, are in Kyiv receiving medical care. One soldier claimed he thought he was going to Russia for training, not to fight. The SBU noted that the soldiers only speak Korean and are being questioned with the assistance of South Korea's National Intelligence Service. President Vladimir Putin previously said deploying North Korean troops was Russia's sovereign decision. Zelensky shared photos of the soldiers, highlighting Russia's attempts to conceal their North Korean identity. Reports indicate North Korea has sent at least 10,000 troops to Russia, with over 300 deaths and 2,700 injuries.

US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, stated that phone talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected soon. In an interview with ABC News, Waltz revealed that preparations are underway, though the exact framework has not been set. Trump mentioned on January 10 that preparations for a potential meeting with Putin are in progress to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, indicated that the Russian leader is ready to meet Trump without any preconditions.

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.

The United States announced new export rules for advanced computer chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) to boost sales to allies while further restricting access by competitors like China. Viewing China as a strategic rival in advanced semiconductors, the US had already limited certain AI chip exports to China in 2023. The new rules require authorization for chip exports, re-exports, and domestic transfers, with exceptions for friendly nations. AI data centers must adhere to enhanced security parameters to import chips. White House National Security Advisor Sullivan stated the rules aim to prevent rivals from evading export controls and encourage allies to use trusted suppliers. The new regulations will take effect in 120 days, allowing the incoming Trump administration time to modify them.

On November 11th, US President-elect Donald Trump posted a video on social media, reiterating his interest in Greenland. The Danish government has privately indicated its willingness to discuss US interests in Greenland but拒绝 selling the island. Five Greenlandic political parties oppose the idea of becoming part of the US. Previously, Trump's threats of using force to control Greenland have raised concerns in Denmark and other European countries. US experts suggest considering the purchase of Greenland in a manner similar to the acquisition of the US Virgin Islands, estimating its value between $12.5 billion and $77 billion. Greenland's Prime Minister Kim Kielsen expressed willingness to negotiate with Trump but emphasized Greenland's desire for independence.

According to Korean media reports on the 14th, a severe multi-vehicle collision involving over 40 vehicles occurred on a highway in Seoul, South Korea. The sudden accident caused significant traffic congestion. Currently, the specific cause of the incident is under investigation, and casualty figures are being compiled. Local police and emergency responders have swiftly arrived at the scene to conduct urgent operations. The incident has garnered widespread attention, and relevant authorities are actively addressing the situation.

The six-week-long Hindu festival Kumbh Mela commenced on January 13 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. A large number of Hindu pilgrims gathered early in the morning at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers to bathe in the sacred waters, seeking to wash away their sins. Kumbh Mela is the world's largest religious gathering, held every three years in four Indian cities, with the one occurring every 12 years considered especially auspicious. This year marks the 12-year Kumbh Mela, expected to attract up to 400 million people. Many pilgrims set out weeks ago, traveling thousands of kilometers to reach Prayagraj.

Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, in an interview with Reuters, stated he does not believe SpaceX CEO Elon Musk will leverage his close ties with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to undermine Blue Origin. Bezos expressed 'very optimistic' views about the incoming administration's space agenda. Bezos noted that Musk has been clear about acting in the public interest rather than for personal gain. Currently in Cape Canaveral, Florida, for the debut launch of Blue Origin's New Glenn, a 30-story-tall rocket, Bezos aims to challenge SpaceX's market dominance and initiate Blue Origin's entry into the satellite launch business. Musk, who spent over a quarter billion dollars to aid Trump's election, recently suggested the U.S. should send missions directly to Mars instead of the moon first, sparking industry concerns about major changes to NASA's space exploration program. Bezos advocated for simultaneous lunar and Martian exploration, emphasizing the importance of continuing the lunar program. Trump is expected to make significant changes to NASA's moon program in his second term, with a heavy focus on Mars missions.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed strong concerns to US President Joe Biden on January 13th regarding the US ban on Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel. Ishiba highlighted that both Japanese and American business communities are deeply worried and urged Biden to take measures to alleviate these concerns. He emphasized the importance of cooperation among allied nations for building a resilient supply chain. Biden had blocked the acquisition on January 3rd citing national security reasons and ordered the deal to be dissolved within 30 days. Nippon Steel and US Steel have sued the Biden administration, seeking to rescind the order. The US Committee on Foreign Investment has postponed the deadline to June 18th. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya also stated he would ask the US to address business concerns, stressing the importance of properly handling the issue to maintain the Japan-US alliance.

Recent reports have highlighted the dire situation of illegal miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa. These miners have been living underground for months, with over 100 reported deaths. Videos show the miners are starving and in desperate need of help. Following a court order last week, a rescue operation commenced on Monday. So far, 26 miners and nine bodies have been retrieved. The miners' union blames government policies for the tragedy and calls for more assistance. An update on the operation will be provided in a briefing on Tuesday.

A rare tram collision occurred in the main train station tunnel in Strasbourg, eastern France, injuring approximately 36 people. The incident took place before 4 PM on January 11th. Fire department statistics indicate nearly 50 injuries, including head trauma, collarbone fractures, and knee sprains. Strasbourg Mayor Jeanne Barseghian and several officials quickly arrived at the scene, confirming no fatalities or critical conditions. Witnesses suggested a brake failure led to the severe collision. French prosecutors have launched an investigation, with the cause still under confirmation. Experts note that such accidents are rare, and trams remain a safe mode of transport.

Spain is planning to impose a tax of up to 100% on properties bought by non-residents from countries outside the EU, announced Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, citing it as a necessary measure to address the country's housing emergency. He highlighted the challenge of avoiding a society divided into rich landlords and poor tenants. In 2023, non-EU residents purchased 27,000 properties in Spain for profit, not for living. The move aims to prioritize housing for residents. Sánchez did not provide details on the tax or a timeline for parliamentary approval, but the government plans to finalize the proposal after careful study. Other measures announced include tax exemptions for landlords offering affordable housing, transferring over 3,000 homes to a new public housing body, and stricter regulations on tourist flats.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Monday that he would sign a bilateral security deal and a strategic partnership accord with Britain during his official visit to London. Amid historic shifts in the Middle East, Iraq is striving to avoid becoming a conflict zone again. Sudani emphasized the significance of the timing, both for Iraq's relations with the UK and the evolving regional situation. The security deal aims to enhance bilateral military ties, while the strategic partnership marks a new era in UK-Iraq relations. The visit will also include major agreements with British companies. Previously, Iraq signed a strategic partnership with the U.S. to expand relations beyond the military ties established after the 2003 invasion. Despite recent stability, Iraq's economy remains heavily oil-dependent, and Sudani is focused on rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening ties with Western and Arab states.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during a visit to Bielefeld, distanced himself from US President-elect Donald Trump's call for NATO countries to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP. Scholz pointed out that 5% would mean over 200 billion euros annually, while Germany's budget is less than 500 billion euros. He argued that this would require significant tax hikes or major cuts in spending on many important areas. Scholz vowed that Germany would continue to meet the NATO target of spending 2% of its GDP on defense. He stated that anyone questioning this target should also suggest where the money would come from. Germany's GDP in 2023 was estimated to be around 4.2 trillion euros. Earlier, Trump had said at a press conference that he intended to push for an increase in military spending by NATO member-states to 5% of their GDP.