News from January 16, 2025 at 2 PM

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal following 15 months of conflict, mediated by Qatar and the US. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani stated the agreement would take effect on Sunday, pending Israeli cabinet approval. US President Joe Biden highlighted the deal would halt fighting in Gaza, provide much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostages with their families. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Biden for promoting the deal, while Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya attributed it to Palestinian resilience. Despite ongoing ground conflicts in Gaza, both Palestinians and Israeli hostages' families celebrated the news. Since October 7, 2023, over 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza, with most of the population displaced. The first phase of the deal involves exchanging 33 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly, for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, with Israeli forces withdrawing from densely populated areas of Gaza.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was impeached and suspended after declaring martial law and facing insurrection charges, was arrested by about 1,000 police officers on January 15th after refusing summonses three times. Yoon claimed the investigation was unconstitutional and released a manuscript mentioning 'election fraud'. He refused to testify and was taken to Seoul Detention Center. The Public Prosecutor's Office plans to decide within 48 hours whether to apply for a detention warrant, with formal charges expected early next month. This unprecedented intertwining of judicial and political events has garnered widespread attention.

The South African Police announced on the evening of January 15th that the rescue operation for illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West Province, has been ongoing for three days, during which 78 miner bodies were found and 246 illegal miners were rescued and arrested. Police spokesperson Asrenda Matshe stated that the rescue operation has not yet been confirmed as concluded. Rescue agencies plan to further investigate the mine on the 16th. South African Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, noted that illegal mining caused an estimated loss of 60 billion rand to the South African economy in 2024. By the end of the year, the police intensified crackdowns, leading to many illegal miners, mostly from neighboring countries, remaining trapped in the mines.

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.

Blue Origin successfully launched its reusable heavy-lift rocket, New Glenn, for the first time on January 16th from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The second stage of the rocket and the Blue Ring Pathfinder spacecraft entered the intended medium Earth orbit, but the first stage failed to be recovered at sea. The mission aimed to test key technologies of the Blue Ring orbital spacecraft and was part of the National Security Space Launch program certification flights. The launch, originally scheduled for January 13th, was delayed due to technical and weather issues. Named after astronaut John Glenn, the 98-meter-tall New Glenn is designed to perform at least 25 flights.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's minority government faces long-term survival challenges as the Socialist Party threatens to support a no-confidence vote. Although Bayrou is likely to survive a no-confidence motion from far-left parties, losing Socialist support would be a significant blow. Bayrou had offered to renegotiate the 2023 pension reform law to gain their backing. Without Socialist support, he could rely on the far-right National Rally, which can withdraw its support at any time. National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet announced the no-confidence vote will be debated at 1400 GMT on Thursday. The Socialists demand concessions on the pension law as a condition for their support. Bayrou proposed renegotiating the pension plan on Tuesday, but Socialist leader Olivier Faure expressed dissatisfaction, demanding a clear response. Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin believes negotiations are the right approach. The pension reform, passed in spring 2023, gradually raises the full pension age from 62 to 64. Government spokesperson Sophie Primas said Bayrou plans to hold the first meeting between unions and employers on Friday, expecting successful negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized in an article for Sputnik that a key component of the new strategic deal between Iran and Russia is the enhancement of security and defense cooperation. Araghchi clarified that the agreement is not a military union but a comprehensive one covering all aspects of cooperation. The defense interaction between Russia and Iran aims to strengthen common security and does not threaten any country. The Kremlin stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will sign the agreement on January 17. The new agreement, which includes 47 articles covering all areas of bilateral relations, will replace the existing treaty signed in 2001. It also encompasses economic, technological, and humanitarian cooperation, aiming to simplify travel conditions for tourists and enhance cultural exchanges.

On January 15, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen held a 45-minute phone conversation with Trump, stating that Greenland's future should be decided by itself. Previously, Trump refused to rule out military or economic actions to control Greenland and threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark. Frederiksen emphasized Denmark's willingness to enhance Arctic security cooperation and highlighted Danish companies' contributions to jobs and growth in the US. On January 16, Frederiksen convened a meeting with business leaders, with Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen set to participate. Trade Minister Morten Bodskov stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation. The Foreign Ministry did not disclose meeting details. Also on January 16, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called a meeting of the foreign policy committee.

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 Bulgarian National Assembly announced the appointment of Rosen Zhelyazkov, a member representing the coalition of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party with the Union of Democratic Forces (GERB-SDS), as the Prime Minister. He secured 125 votes in favor, with 114 against and no abstentions. The new cabinet of 19 ministers received the same level of support. Following the vote, the entire cabinet was sworn in and is set to assume office within the coming hours.

Medical experts have proposed a radical overhaul of obesity diagnosis, moving away from reliance on body mass index (BMI) alone and incorporating broader measurements like heart health. This shift aims for a more personalized diagnosis, considering daily activity capabilities and organ health. On January 14, The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Commission, comprising global experts, introduced the new definition, endorsed by 76 organizations. The new guidelines require additional checks for excess fat and assessments of organ function and daily activity limitations for those with high BMI. Only with positive results on these metrics will a person be classified as clinically obese. The new framework could impact the prescription of weight-loss drugs.

On January 14th, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against entrepreneur Elon Musk in the federal court of Washington D.C., alleging securities violations. Musk responded on social media platform X, calling the SEC a 'completely broken organization.' Musk's attorney, Spiro, stated that his client 'did nothing wrong' and accused the SEC's lawsuit of being a 'sham.' The allegations are related to Musk's $44 billion acquisition of social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) in 2022, where he allegedly failed to timely disclose his significant purchase of the company's stock.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Wednesday that Iran has never attempted to assassinate US President-elect Donald Trump, dismissing it as a scheme by Israel and other countries to promote Iranophobia. Trump had previously accused Iran of taking specific steps against him, with the entire US military on watch. In September, the Trump campaign claimed Trump was briefed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence about potential Iranian assassination attempts. Pezeshkian expressed hope that Trump would contribute to peace rather than conflict in the region and emphasized Iran's readiness to respond to any US-Israeli attack without seeking war. He also reiterated Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, blaming the other party for failing to meet its obligations.