News from February 4, 2025 at 2 AM

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the sweeping tariffs imposed on Mexico, Canada, and China could cause short-term pain for Americans. Global markets reacted negatively, with U.S. stock futures falling and oil prices rising. Trump plans to talk with leaders of Canada and Mexico but does not expect a change in his stance. Critics argue the tariffs will slow global growth and increase prices for Americans. Trump defends the tariffs as necessary to curb immigration and narcotics trafficking and boost domestic industries. The new tariffs are set to take effect on Tuesday, potentially sparking a trade war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on July 24 to discuss victory over Hamas, countering Iran, and expanding diplomatic relations with Arab countries. This meeting marks Trump's first with a foreign leader since returning to office. U.S. and Arab mediators are working on the next phase of a ceasefire agreement to end the 15-month war in Gaza. Hamas has stated it will not release hostages in the second phase without an end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu faces pressure from right-wing partners to resume the war. On July 24, an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza injured five people. Netanyahu aims to discuss comprehensive victory, hostage release, and addressing the Iranian terror axis with Trump. The war has killed over 47,000 Palestinians and displaced 90% of Gaza's population. The first phase of the ceasefire has released some hostages, with the second phase negotiations即将开始.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Panama on February 1 for his first overseas trip, aiming to follow up on President Donald Trump's threat to seize the Panama Canal. Trump's imposition of steep tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China reflects a more aggressive US foreign policy. Rubio will visit four other Latin American countries, focusing on migration issues. Trump has refused to rule out military force to retake the canal, alleging excessive Chinese control through port investments. Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino, an ally of the US, has rejected reopening negotiations and complained to the UN. Mulino's government has ordered an audit of CK Hutchison Holdings, a Hong Kong company operating ports near the canal. Rubio is scheduled to tour the canal and meet Mulino on February 2.

Northern Queensland, Australia, has experienced severe flooding due to torrential rainfall, resulting in the death of a woman and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Authorities warn that flood waters could rise to second-storey levels, posing a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Over 700mm of rain has fallen in the region in the past 24 hours, with concerns that 'record rainfalls' will continue into Monday, according to Queensland State Premier David Crisafulli. Meteorologists suggest these could be the worst floods in the area in over 60 years. Crisafulli noted that the conditions are unlike anything experienced in northern Queensland for a long time. Thousands in the city of Townsville were instructed to leave their homes by midday Sunday, as authorities deployed 100,000 sandbags to block floodwater. Parts of the road between Townsville and the tourist center of Cairns have been cut off, hampering efforts to transport rescue teams and sandbags to the area.

Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales is on trial for kissing player Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 World Cup, which she described as 'staining one of the happiest days of my life.' Rubiales, accused of sexual assault and coercion, denies the charges. Hermoso, the first witness, stated she never consented to the kiss and felt disrespected and abandoned by the federation. She received death threats, prompting her move to Mexico with her family. Prosecutors seek a one-year prison sentence for sexual assault and an additional year-and-a-half for coercion. Three former colleagues are also on trial for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to say the kiss was consensual.

Syrian Interim President Salwa visited Saudi Arabia on February 2 and met with Crown Prince Mohammed to discuss Syria's reconstruction. Salwa stated that Saudi Arabia genuinely wishes to assist in Syria's rebuilding efforts. This visit marked Salwa's first official trip since assuming office. Last month, Salwa noted that Saudi Arabia would play a significant role in Syria's future. Egyptian expert Alam believes that Saudi Arabia will facilitate Syria's reintegration into the Arab world. Salwa is scheduled to visit Turkey on February 4 to discuss the latest developments in Syria and potential joint measures for reconstruction and lasting stability with President Erdogan.

Since last Friday, multiple earthquakes, some with magnitudes above 4, have struck the Greek island of Santorini and nearby islands. On Monday, schools were closed, and residents and visitors were advised to avoid indoor spaces and small ports. Disaster response units have been deployed as a precaution. Experts predict the seismic activity will continue for weeks. Aegean Airlines has added flights to facilitate the evacuation of residents and visitors. Local residents are accustomed to quakes, but some workers are choosing to leave.

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, best known for her role in the 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has died of pneumonia at the age of 48. A major star in the Mandarin-speaking world, Hsu became popular across Asia after the show was dubbed in local languages. She fell ill while vacationing in Japan, and her sister Dee Hsu confirmed her death. Hsu had a history of epilepsy and heart disease and had previously been hospitalized for seizures. She is survived by her husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo, and two children from her previous marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. Hsu began her career at 17 with her sister as a pop duo and later became a famous TV host and actress.

On February 2, 2025, at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, Beyonce won the Album of the Year for her country record 'Cowboy Carter,' marking her first time receiving the top prize in her career. She triumphed over Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and others, securing three awards in total, bringing her career Grammy count to 35. Kendrick Lamar won Record and Song of the Year for 'Not Like Us.' Chappell Roan was named Best New Artist and called for record labels to provide musicians with a living wage and healthcare benefits. The ceremony, held in Los Angeles, also served as a fundraiser for wildfire victims, raising at least $7 million. Taylor Swift was shut out this time, and The Weeknd ended his Grammy boycott with a surprise performance.

A Swedish court in Stockholm convicted anti-Islam campaigner Salwan Najem of hate crimes on Monday for his role in public Koran burnings and derogatory remarks about Muslims in 2023, which sparked unrest and anger towards Sweden in Muslim countries. Najem received a suspended sentence and fines. His fellow campaigner, Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, was shot dead last week on the day he was scheduled to receive his verdict; no suspects have been charged yet. Sweden's prime minister suggested a foreign state might be involved. The 2023 Koran burnings highlighted the balance between free speech and protections for ethnic and religious groups in Sweden and neighboring countries. Najem's lawyer plans to appeal, arguing his client's statements fall under religious criticism protected by free speech.

On February 3, a specialized North Korean travel agency announced the opening of tour bookings to North Korea, including a special trip to commemorate the birthday of the late leader Kim Jong-il. This marks the first time Chinese tourists are allowed to enter North Korea since the pandemic, though official responses from both countries are pending. Beijing-based Koryo Tours has started accepting bookings for trips to the North Korean border city of Rason, where travelers can celebrate Kim Jong-il's birthday on February 16 and participate in official commemorative events like parades. The trip, costing from 705 euros, includes visits to various attractions in Rason, the Golden Triangle Bank, and coastal parks, with a four-night stay in Rason and two nights in Yanji, pending final confirmation from Chinese authorities. Another Chinese-based North Korean travel company, Young Pioneer Tours, is also selling Rason tour packages from March 2 to 6, indicating a potential full recovery of the North Korean tourism market for Chinese visitors. North Korea views tourism as a core economic policy, but experts suggest that more open policies are needed to support the industry's growth.

As of January 31, the conflict in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has resulted in 900 deaths and over 2,880 injuries, according to data collected with the assistance of the DRC Red Cross and the World Health Organization, as reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Previous reports had put the death toll at 733. The city was seized by the March 23 (M23) rebel movement on January 26, and they are now in complete control, with normal life gradually being restored, as reported by the Okapi radio station.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi announced late on Monday that he was en route to Kyiv, Ukraine, to inspect a critical substation essential for the safety of Ukraine's nuclear power. This marks his 11th visit to Ukraine since the war initiated by Russia in February 2022. Last week, the IAEA stated that Grossi would visit Kyiv for high-level meetings to ensure nuclear safety. In September, Ukraine and the IAEA agreed that the agency's experts would monitor key Ukrainian substations in addition to nuclear plants. Over half of Ukraine's electricity is generated by three nuclear power plants, but Russian missile and drone attacks on substations threaten their stable operation, according to Ukraine's nuclear inspector's office. The Kyivska substation facilitates the transfer of excess capacity from western to central Ukraine via the hundreds of kilometers long Rivne-Kyiv transmission line, supporting power supply to Kyiv and the surrounding region. Grossi noted that an increasingly fragile grid poses a growing risk to all nuclear power plants.

On January 28, people rallied in Washington to support federal funding and oppose US President Donald Trump's order to pause all federal grants and loans. On February 3, US District Judge Loren AliKhan extended a pause on the Trump administration's plan to freeze federal loans, grants, and other financial assistance following a legal challenge from a group of advocacy organizations. During a federal court hearing in Washington DC, Judge AliKhan stated that a funding freeze would be 'catastrophic' to organizations designed to further the public interest. Last week, a memo from the White House budget office directing agencies to pause funding to comply with Trump's executive orders on various issues sparked widespread confusion, leading to a short pause ordered by AliKhan. This pause was set to expire on February 3 unless extended by a temporary restraining order. The extended pause means the Trump administration's policy is now subject to two temporary restraining orders nationally, after a similar order was issued by a federal judge in Rhode Island at the request of Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia. The litigation was prompted by a memo from the acting head of the Office of Management and Budget, which was later withdrawn, but some federal grant recipients still struggle to access funding despite the withdrawal and the Rhode Island judge's order.

According to Reuters, the United States briefly suspended weapons shipments to Ukraine before restarting them over the weekend. US President Donald Trump's administration initially considered the option to halt all aid to Ukraine. The report, citing four sources, noted an internal debate within the administration over the extent to which the US should provide weapons to Ukraine from its own inventories. The specific timing and reasons for the suspension and resumption of aid have not been clarified.

Israeli police have opened a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara Netanyahu, on allegations of witness intimidation and interference in the office abuse cases against her husband. According to The Times of Israel, opposition Knesset member Naama Lazimi stated that the attorney general's office informed her that the police launched a probe following her inquiry on December 26, 2024. Israel's TV Channel 12 earlier reported that Sara Netanyahu ordered her husband's aide to organize protests to pressure a witness in one of the three cases against him. On January 27, a Tel Aviv court resumed hearings on three cases of bribery, fraud, and public trust abuse against Netanyahu, making him Israel's first sitting head of government to testify in court. On November 21, 2019, Israel's attorney general decided to charge Netanyahu with bribery, fraud, and public trust abuse in three cases, which were referred to the District Court of Jerusalem on January 28, 2020. Currently, hearings are held at the District Court of Tel Aviv, which has an underground shelter for potential missile attacks. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied all charges against him.

Ukraine launched a drone attack on energy facilities in southern Russia on Monday, causing fires at a major oil refinery and a gas processing plant, and disrupting flights from the Volga to the Caucasus Mountains. On February 3, Ukraine targeted a refinery operated by Lukoil in Volgograd, the largest in southern Russia with a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day. The same day, Ukraine attacked a gas processing plant near Astrakhan, controlled by Gazprom, capable of processing 8,340 metric tons of gas condensate daily. On January 29, a Ukrainian drone strike suspended shipments from Sibur's Kstovo petrochemical plant. On January 24, a drone attack set ablaze the Rosneft-operated Ryazan oil refinery, halting operations. Another attack on January 29 hit the Andreapol oil pumping station, causing a fire and oil product leaks.