News from January 26, 2025 at 2 PM

On January 26, 2025, tens of thousands of Palestinians, displaced from northern Gaza to the south by Israeli orders during the war, awaited return amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israel accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire and refused to open crossing points, causing mass delays. Witnesses reported people camping on main roads, eager to return north. An agreement backed by the U.S. was supposed to allow their return, but Israel cited Hamas' failure to provide a hostage list as a violation. U.S. President Donald Trump urged Egypt and Jordan to take in more Palestinians, drawing suspicion from Hamas official Basem Naim. Four Palestinians were wounded by Israeli fire during the standoff.

On January 26, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated after casting his vote in the presidential election that he believes the United States will not be able to force Russia to act in line with US interests regarding the situation in Ukraine. Lukashenko emphasized the necessity of considering Russia's stance, as no solution is possible without it. He also assessed the chances of peace in Ukraine as 50/50, noting that while peace is possible, the odds are evenly split. Additionally, Lukashenko awaits decisions from US President Donald Trump on the Ukraine conflict, suggesting that these decisions might deviate from Washington's traditional policy.

From January 25 to 26, 2025, intense clashes between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) occurred in the eastern city of Goma, leading to a mass exodus of civilians. Members of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) were involved in evacuating non-essential staff amid the fighting. Malawi and Uruguay reported the deaths of four of their troops each, bringing the total death toll among UN and southern African peacekeepers to at least 13. The three-year insurgency by the M23 has escalated significantly in January, with the rebels seizing more territory than ever before, prompting the UN to warn of a potential broader regional conflict. The UN Security Council is set to meet on Sunday to discuss the crisis. Congo accuses neighboring Rwanda of fueling the conflict, a claim Rwanda denies.

Since Trump's election, North Korea had not sent any special messages to the United States. On January 26, North Korea publicly tested strategic cruise missiles and issued a statement condemning the U.S. through its Foreign Ministry. Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction with the test results, stating that North Korea's means to deter war are increasingly sophisticated. The missiles tested are likely an improved version of the 'Pukguksong-3-31' type, with the launch site located inland. Trump had previously stated his intention to re-engage with Kim Jong-un, but North Korea responded with missile tests, drawing international attention. The North Korean Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, criticizing the U.S. without naming Trump. Experts believe that North Korea's choice to test cruise missiles is a strategic move aimed at demonstrating military capability while leaving room for dialogue.

Ukraine's military reported on Sunday that they downed 50 out of 72 drones launched by Russia overnight and attacked one of Russia's largest oil refineries. No immediate reports of casualties or damages were made by military and civilian authorities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Russia used 1,250 aerial bombs, over 750 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles to attack Ukraine in the past week. He emphasized that only determination can stop such terrorists and called for strengthening defense capabilities and reducing oil prices. Kyiv's general staff said their forces again attacked Russia's Ryazan oil refinery, with explosions and fire reported in the target area. Russia's Defence Ministry reported that its air defense systems destroyed 15 Ukrainian drones over Russia and two sea drones in the Black Sea. Ryazan governor Pavel Malkov said there were no casualties in the latest drone attacks, but authorities were still assessing the damage.

New CIA Director John Ratcliffe has long favored the lab leak hypothesis regarding the origins of Covid-19. The CIA previously stated it lacked sufficient information to determine whether the pandemic emerged naturally from a wet market in Wuhan, China, or from an accidental lab leak. However, a new assessment this week indicates analysts now favor the lab leak theory, based on available reporting, though natural origins remain plausible. Ratcliffe believes the virus likely originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Officials assert the new assessment was not influenced by the new director and had been in development. In the final weeks of the Biden administration, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan ordered a classified review of the pandemic's origin. Former Director William Burns told analysts to take a stance on the origins, without favoring either theory. The analysis relies on existing evidence, including a closer examination of conditions in high-security labs in Wuhan. Both theories have logical support, but no decisive intelligence has been found.

On January 25, US tech billionaire Elon Musk delivered a video address to a campaign rally of Germany's anti-immigration far-right AfD party in Halle, Germany. Musk told thousands of AfD supporters that their party was 'the best hope for the future of Germany.' His actions have raised concerns from some mainstream leaders, accusing him of interfering in European politics through comments on his social platform X about politicians in countries including Germany and Britain. This week, Musk also faced criticism for making a public hand gesture seen by some as resembling a Nazi salute. In his address, he described the German people as 'an ancient nation' and urged supporters to 'fight, fight, fight' for their country's future. The AfD advocates for 'more self-determination for Germany and for the countries in Europe and less from Brussels,' referring to European Union authorities. Musk is a close associate of US President Donald Trump, who has appointed him to head a new department of 'government efficiency' in his administration. Like Trump, the AfD opposes immigration, denies climate change, rails against gender politics, and has declared war on a political establishment and mainstream media it condemns as censorious. Ahead of Germany's February 23 elections, the AfD is polling at around 20%, a new record for a party that has already shattered a decades-old taboo against the far right in post-war Germany.

On the evening of January 25, 2025, the Trump administration fired at least a dozen federal watchdogs, a move that may be illegal and could face court challenges. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the firings as a 'chilling purge'. The White House has not confirmed the firings and did not respond to the BBC's request for comment. The dismissed watchdogs include those from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Small Business Administration. Reports suggest that watchdogs from the departments of agriculture, commerce, defense, education, housing and urban development, interior, labor, transportation, and veterans affairs, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, were also considered. Congress established inspectors general after the Watergate scandal to curb corruption, waste, and fraud. The firings may breach a law requiring the White House to give Congress 30-day notice and specific information before dismissing a federal inspector general. Hannibal Ware, the inspector general of the Small Business Administration, stated that the dismissals were inconsistent with the law and posed a grave threat to the independence of inspectors general.

On January 25, dozens of Brazilian migrants deported from the United States arrived in Brazil in handcuffs, sparking outrage from the Brazilian government, which labeled it a 'flagrant disregard' for their rights. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry stated it would seek an explanation from Washington regarding the 'degrading treatment of passengers' on the flight. Upon landing in the northern city of Manaus, Brazilian authorities demanded US officials 'immediately remove the handcuffs,' according to the justice ministry. Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski reported to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about the 'flagrant disregard for the fundamental rights of Brazilian citizens.' A 31-year-old computer technician and a 21-year-old freelancer described the harsh conditions on the flight. The flight, originally destined for the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte, was diverted to Manaus due to technical issues. President Lula ordered a Brazilian Air Force aircraft to transport the migrants to their final destination, ensuring their dignity and safety. The deportation was not directly linked to any immigration orders issued by President Trump upon taking office on January 20 but stemmed from a 2017 bilateral agreement.

Pete Hegseth, 44, a former Fox News personality and decorated veteran, was confirmed as the US Secretary of Defense by the Senate on Friday. Hegseth plans to strengthen the American defense industry and deterrence capabilities, aiming to rebuild the military by matching threats to capabilities. This includes reviving the defense industrial base, reforming the acquisition process, passing a financial audit, and rapidly fielding emerging technologies. He emphasized reestablishing deterrence by defending the homeland and working with allies to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by Communist China. Vice President JD Vance cast the decisive vote to break a tie during the confirmation process.

On January 26, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that Israel had ordered it to vacate its premises and cease all operations in occupied East Jerusalem by January 30. In October, Israeli lawmakers passed a law banning UNRWA from the country and prohibiting Israeli authorities from having contact with the agency, with exceptions possible. The international community, including the UN, generally considers East Jerusalem to be occupied territory, but the Israeli government views all of Jerusalem as part of the country. UNRWA stated that the order to cease operations contradicts Israel's international obligations as a UN member state. In East Jerusalem, over 1,100 students and 70,000 patients rely on UNRWA for education and primary healthcare. Israeli lawmakers who drafted the law banning UNRWA cited the alleged involvement of some agency staff in the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.

Storm Éowyn has been described by the Met Office as the strongest storm to hit the UK in at least 10 years, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. At its peak, nearly a million properties were without power across the British Isles, with many roads and rail links blocked. A man in Ireland was killed by a falling tree as winds reached a record 114 mph. Widespread property damage was reported in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with Network Rail Scotland logging nearly 400 damage incidents. Strong winds are expected to continue, with parts of England and Wales forecasted to receive up to 80mm of rainfall over the weekend. In Ireland, 625,000 homes and businesses were without power, and 138,000 people without water. Restoration efforts are ongoing, but some areas may face extended outages.

According to the Afghan interim government's Foreign Ministry, on the local date of the 26th, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Kabul to meet with Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi, discussing bilateral cooperation. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields, further enhancing bilateral relations. Both sides discussed multiple issues, including security, economy, and culture. This visit is part of recent high-level interactions between Iran and Afghanistan, indicating a positive development in bilateral relations.

The British Museum partially closed to visitors after a former employee allegedly shut down parts of its IT network. The contractor, dismissed last week, trespassed into the museum and disabled several systems before being arrested by police. This led to the closure of some galleries and temporary exhibitions on Friday, with limited capacity this weekend, prioritizing members and ticket holders. The museum, which saw 5,820,860 visitors in 2023 and was named the top UK visitor attraction, is working to restore full operations. Temporary exhibitions, including Silk Roads and Picasso: Printmaker, remain closed over the weekend, with ticket holders notified and refunds offered.

According to the Financial Times, President Donald Trump's call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen last week over Greenland was described as a 'cold shower' by European officials, highlighting the US's serious intention to take over the Arctic island. On January 15, Frederiksen stated she had a 45-minute call with Trump, reiterating that Greenland's independence is its own decision but expressing openness to increased US military presence in Greenland. The call dashed Europe's hopes that Trump's claims were merely a negotiating tactic. Sources said Trump was very firm, leaving the Danes in 'crisis mode' and 'utterly freaked out.' The Danish prime minister's office declined to comment on the interpretation of the conversation by anonymous sources.

The Yemeni movement Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis, is considering banning US ships from passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and resuming full-scale military operations in Yemen in retaliation for the US designation of the group as a foreign terrorist organization. US President Donald Trump signed an order on Wednesday to initiate this designation. On Thursday, the Houthis stated that this decision targets the entire Yemeni population and is revenge for Yemen's support of the Palestinians. The movement is also contemplating barring ships from any country that follows the US in listing them as a terrorist organization. Possible measures include countering any US military escalation in response to the ship ban and ending the truce in Yemen to resume hostilities on all fronts.

A poll published on January 26 revealed that French President Emmanuel Macron's popularity has dropped to its lowest point since his first election in 2017, with only 21% of respondents expressing satisfaction. This figure is even lower than during the 2019 stand-off with the 'yellow vests' movement. 35% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction, and 44% expressed great dissatisfaction, totaling 79%. Most concerning is the 10% drop in support among the elderly and pensioners since a December poll. Macron's popularity has plummeted again since he dissolved Parliament in the summer, leading to inconclusive parliamentary elections and a ongoing political crisis in France. The poll was conducted online among 2,001 people aged over 18 from January 15 to January 23.