News from January 21, 2025 at 2 AM

A court in Seoul has extended the detention of South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law last month. On Sunday, a judge issued a warrant allowing investigators to keep the 64-year-old suspended president in custody for up to 20 days, citing concerns he might destroy evidence if released. Yoon was arrested on Wednesday after a weeks-long standoff with his presidential security team. His supporters reportedly smashed windows and doors after breaking into the court following the extension of his detention, an act condemned by Yoon and the acting president. The warrant and Yoon's refusal to comply with investigators mark the latest development in South Korea's political crisis. Yoon is being investigated by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) for insurrection over the failed martial law order on December 3, which led to his impeachment and suspension, pending a constitutional court ruling.

Houthi spokesman Nasreddin Amer stated that as long as the Gaza ceasefire remains in effect, the Houthis will suspend attacks on Israeli ships. Effective January 19, 2025, the Houthis have halted attacks on ships bound for Israeli ports but warned that restrictions will be reimposed if Israel aggresses against Yemen. The Houthis will continue targeting ships owned by Israel or Israeli companies. Since mid-November 2023, dozens of civilian ships have been attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In response, the US and UK have conducted multiple strikes on Houthi targets, while Israel has also launched attacks on Houthi-controlled areas, resulting in casualties.

At least 20 Colombian fighters from rival factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) were killed in weekend clashes in the southeastern Guaviare jungle. The violence follows an offensive by the National Liberation Army (ELN) in the northeastern Catatumbo region, which left at least 80 dead and 11,000 displaced. President Gustavo Petro declared a state of 'internal unrest and economic emergency' in Catatumbo, accusing the warring factions of losing their minds. The human rights ombudsman office and the army reported the latest jungle violence. The FARC factions split last April due to internal differences, with one engaging in peace talks with the government and the other vowing to fight on. Colombia's armed conflict, funded mainly by drug trafficking and illegal mining, has lasted over six decades, resulting in over 450,000 deaths and millions displaced.

On January 20, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) reported that 915 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip, marking the second day of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas. On January 19, approximately 630 aid trucks entered the Palestinian enclave, with at least 300 heading to the north, where experts have warned of an impending famine. The ceasefire agreement mandates the entry of 600 truckloads of aid into Gaza daily, including 50 carrying fuel, with half destined for Gaza's north. Data from the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA showed that 2,892 aid trucks entered Gaza in December 2024. However, gangs and looters have complicated aid distribution. Israel has devastated much of Gaza, displacing the pre-war population of 2.3 million multiple times. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the humanitarian situation as 'catastrophic' and called for coordination among parties to ensure smooth aid delivery.

Moldova and its separatist region Transdniestria moved closer to a gas supply deal on Monday to alleviate power and heating shortages that have plagued the enclave since the beginning of the year. Ukraine refused to renew an agreement allowing transit of Gazprom supplies through its territory to pro-Russian Transdniestria, as well as to customers in Slovakia and Austria. On Monday, Transdniestria residents faced five-hour rolling blackouts, with high-rise apartment dwellers without heating for nearly three weeks, and local authorities stated that gas reserves were sufficient for only 11 days at current reduced consumption levels. Transdniestria's leader, Vadim Krasnoselsky, indicated the region was ready to accept and pay for gas supplies from Moldovagaz, Moldova's national company. Moldova blames Moscow for the crisis and has urged Gazprom to use alternative routes via Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. Gazprom insists on no gas supply to Moldova until payment of $709 million in arrears, a figure disputed by Moldova's central government. Krasnoselsky called for depoliticizing the issue and focusing on the people suffering from the cold. He proposed an independent private gas company supply gas to Moldova's border, a proposal under consideration by Moldovan officials. Igor Ananskikh, a member of the Russian State Duma's Energy Committee, suggested that Russia would help finance the gas supplies if an agreement is reached.