News from January 15, 2025 at 2 AM

South Korea's Constitutional Court held its first hearing on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment on Tuesday, but it ended in just four minutes as Yoon refused to appear. Eight days after the second arrest warrant was issued, the arrest is expected to begin at 5 a.m. on January 15. The Senior Public Official Crime Investigation Department (SPOCID) sent a document to the Capital Defense Command's 55th Security Regiment on Tuesday afternoon, obtaining permission to enter the presidential residence. Police will deploy mobile units around the residence from 4 a.m. on Wednesday. Approximately 1,000 senior police officers will participate in the arrest. Yoon has declared his right to remain silent, making substantial investigation difficult even if arrested. The Constitutional Court rejected multiple objections from Yoon's side, with the next hearing scheduled for Thursday.

The wildfires in Los Angeles, United States, have resulted in 24 deaths, with the total burned area exceeding 160 square kilometers, surpassing the size of San Francisco's urban area. Vice President Harris's property is reportedly under threat. Meteorologists warn that the seasonal Santa Ana winds will return on Monday (January 13), posing a significant risk of escalating the fires. Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Daryl Osby stated that the fire emergency is far from over, and evacuated residents are not allowed to return home before Thursday. Many residents are frustrated and angry after being denied entry to restricted areas. The extended curfew in the disaster zone prevents residents from returning home. The fires have destroyed several upscale residential areas, leaving tens of thousands homeless. Hollywood stars affected by the fires are staying in expensive hotels, while ordinary victims face challenges in finding affordable housing.

On January 15, after marathon talks in Qatar, the final details of a ceasefire in Gaza were nearing completion. US and Egyptian leaders pledged to stay in close contact over the coming hours. Officials from Qatar, Egypt, the US, Israel, and Hamas indicated that an agreement on a truce and the release of hostages was closer than ever. A senior Hamas official said the group was still awaiting Israeli maps showing troop withdrawal. US President Biden and Egyptian President El-Sisi discussed progress on January 14, emphasizing the urgent need for a deal. Despite new Israeli strikes in Gaza killing at least 15 on January 14, the UN prepared to expand humanitarian aid under a potential ceasefire. An Israeli official stated the first phase would release 33 hostages, with gradual partial troop withdrawal.

The Biden administration announced on January 14 that it would remove Cuba from its terrorism blacklist, while Cuba separately said it would release over 500 prisoners. These dual announcements are poised to reshape US-Cuba relations just days before Donald Trump takes office. Biden's announcements effectively roll back many of the sanctions imposed by Trump during his previous term ending in 2021. If sustained, these measures would represent the most significant advance in US-Cuba relations since the Obama-era detente. Trump, a harsh critic of Cuba who designated the island a state sponsor of terrorism, has not yet commented on the measures. Biden's plans, subject to Congressional and incoming Trump administration review, would lift Trump's 2021 designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism and ease sanctions on the economically struggling island. They would also revoke a 2017 Trump order restricting financial transactions with some Cuban entities. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced plans to gradually release 553 prisoners following talks with Pope Francis. Cuba faced criticism from rights groups and Western nations after imprisoning hundreds of protesters post-2021 riots. The Cuban government called the breakthrough a step in the right direction but accused the US of ongoing economic warfare, warning that the measures could be quickly reversed and that the Cold War-era US trade embargo remained. Trump may seek to reinstate the overturned sanctions once in office.

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.

UK Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq has resigned amid growing pressure from an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh. Siddiq had referred herself to the prime minister's standards adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, following questions about her links to her aunt, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted last year. Sir Laurie stated he found no evidence of improprieties but regretted Siddiq's lack of awareness of potential reputational risks. Siddiq insisted she had done nothing wrong but felt her continued role would be a distraction for the government. She was named in an investigation last month alleging her family embezzled up to £3.9bn from Bangladesh's infrastructure spending. Her London properties also came under scrutiny. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accepted her resignation, noting the door remained open for her. Emma Reynolds was appointed as the new Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

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.

Princess Catherine of Wales announced on social media that she is in remission from cancer, expressing her relief and focus on recovery. She previously received treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in west London, where she thanked staff and encouraged patients during a visit. This is the first confirmation of her remission. Last March, she disclosed her cancer diagnosis and completed chemotherapy in September. Despite finishing treatment, Catherine noted the challenges of returning to normal life. Her visit marked her first significant public engagement since treatment ended, and she has become a joint royal patron of the hospital.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk on Tuesday, alleging he committed securities fraud in 2022 by failing to disclose his ownership in Twitter and buying shares at 'artificially low prices.' Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion and renamed it X. Prior to the acquisition, he held over 5% of the company but did not publicly disclose it. The SEC's complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., claims Musk withheld this material information, allowing him to underpay by at least $150 million for shares purchased after his financial beneficial ownership report was due. The SEC had been investigating Musk's actions in 2022 as he sold Tesla shares and increased his stake in Twitter. Musk posted on X last month that the SEC demanded a settlement within 48 hours or face multiple charges. His lawyer, Alex Spiro, called the suit a 'sham' and claimed Musk 'has done nothing wrong.' Musk is set to play a key advisory role in the upcoming Trump administration. In July, Trump vowed to fire SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, who later announced his resignation. In a separate civil lawsuit, the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System sued Musk for deliberately concealing his Twitter investments. The SEC alleges Musk crossed the 5% ownership threshold in March 2022 and disclosed it only on April 4, causing Twitter's stock price to surge by over 27%. During this period, Musk spent over $500 million on more Twitter shares, underpaying shareholders by over $150 million. The SEC seeks a jury trial and demands Musk pay disgorgement of his unjust enrichment and a civil penalty.

Russia has noted a shift from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his team towards recognizing the 'realities' on the ground in Ukraine, seeing it as a positive sign. The Kremlin is open to a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Trump. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Moscow is ready to study Trump's plan to end the conflict in Ukraine once he takes office. Lavrov highlighted that both Trump and incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz have mentioned the ground realities. Waltz emphasized the need to end the war through diplomatic means. Trump recently acknowledged Russia's opposition to Ukraine's NATO ambitions. Russia, which controls about a fifth of Ukraine, insists any peace deal must consider this. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed that security guarantees would only be effective if provided by the United States.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced at the US-Armenia Strategic Partnership Commission Charter Signing Ceremony that Armenia and the United States are initiating talks on a nuclear energy cooperation agreement, known as the 123 Agreement. This agreement will establish a framework for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and signify Armenia's commitment to peaceful nuclear development under the highest standards of safety, security, and non-proliferation. Mirzoyan also noted Yerevan's appreciation for the United States' involvement in promoting lasting peace in the South Caucasus region, stating that a stable and prosperous South Caucasus benefits all regional actors and the broader international community. He emphasized that establishing a strategic partnership between Yerevan and Washington is both appropriate and essential for navigating the complex geopolitical landscape, and expressed eagerness to continue working with the new US administration to achieve the ambitious goals outlined in their Strategic Partnership Charter.

A group of Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives drafted a bill authorizing President-elect Donald Trump to negotiate the purchase of Greenland from Denmark. Last month, Trump called owning Greenland an 'absolute necessity,' but Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede stated the island is not for sale. The bill, dubbed the 'Make Greenland Great Again Act,' would take effect on January 20 if passed. Greenland, a former Danish colony until 1953, gained autonomy in 2009.

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.

Months after mysterious black balls forced the closure of some of Sydney's famous beaches, grey and white marble-like debris has reappeared on the city's shores, prompting the closure of nine beaches, including Manly and Dee Why. In October, eight beaches, including Bondi, were closed for several days due to black balls, which were likely from a sewage spill. Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins expressed concern over the unknown composition of the new balls. The New South Wales EPA and Northern Beaches Council plan to collect and test the debris, inspecting other beaches as well. Despite initial reports of 'tar balls' in October, the debris contained various substances like cooking oil and medications. Sydney Water reported no issues with the city's waste systems, but the unknown source of the material has raised safety concerns for the beaches.

The UK government announced on Tuesday a ban on livestock imports from Germany following a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease. The move aims to prevent the disease's spread to the UK, where no cases have been reported. The UK experienced major outbreaks in 2001 and 2007, leading to massive livestock culls. Agriculture Minister Daniel Zeichner stated the government will take all necessary measures to protect farmers. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Christine Middlemiss urged livestock keepers to be vigilant and follow biosecurity protocols. The government has also invested £200 million in enhancing disease prevention research.

Kyoto, Japan, announced on January 14 plans to increase its accommodation tax in response to local residents' dissatisfaction with the excessive number of tourists. Complaints include tourists harassing geishas, causing traffic congestion, and littering. The proposed tax is tiered based on room rates, with taxes for rooms priced between 20,000 to 50,000 yen doubling to 1,000 yen per person per night, and those over 100,000 yen seeing a tenfold increase to 10,000 yen. The new tax requires city council approval and is expected to take effect in March next year.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Tuesday that the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement to be signed by the Russian and Iranian presidents in Moscow is not directed against any country. On Monday, the Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will sign the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement following negotiations on January 17. Lavrov, speaking at a press conference on the overview of Russian diplomacy in 2024, emphasized that the agreement aims to enhance the capabilities of Russia and Iran globally, promote economic development, address social issues, and ensure reliable defense capabilities.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, her office announced on January 14. The statement did not provide a reason, but Mrs. Obama has publicly expressed disdain for Trump. She also skipped the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter on January 9, citing a scheduling conflict. The Obamas, who supported Vice President Kamala Harris during the campaign, issued a statement after the election congratulating Trump, emphasizing the importance of peaceful power transfer in a democracy. Trump and his wife Melania did not attend President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021.