News from February 7, 2025 at 2 PM

US President Donald Trump, during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 4, proposed that the US 'take over' and 'long-term possess' the Gaza Strip, sparking widespread criticism. Hamas officials called the idea 'absurd and ridiculous.' The Chinese Foreign Ministry opposed forced relocation of Gaza residents and supported the 'two-state solution.' Trump suggested demolishing unexploded bombs and developing Gaza, not ruling out deploying US troops. Multiple Middle Eastern countries and the international community condemned the proposal, deeming it a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.

The Greek island of Santorini has been struck by several earthquakes, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency. Since Sunday, thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in the region. On Thursday evening, a 4.6 magnitude quake occurred at 20:16 local time, followed by a 4.2 magnitude quake two hours later. Over 11,000 residents have evacuated, leaving the island largely deserted. Experts are uncertain when this period of 'seismic crisis' will end. No injuries or significant damage have been reported so far, but authorities are preparing for a potential larger quake. The state of emergency is set to last until March 3.

On February 5, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced the government's decision to dismantle Grenfell Tower during a meeting with bereaved relatives and survivors. The 24-storey tower in west London caught fire in June 2017, resulting in 72 deaths. The decision follows years of debate over the tower's future, with some wanting it preserved as a permanent reminder of the tragedy and others advocating for a new memorial. A formal announcement is expected on Friday. Kimia Zabihyan, representing Grenfell Next of Kin, said Rayner was clear that the decision was based on engineers' recommendations. While Zabihyan agreed with the decision, many expressed dissatisfaction. A spokesperson for Grenfell United criticized the decision, stating that the voices of the bereaved had been ignored. The fire, caused by a faulty fridge, spread rapidly due to flammable cladding. A public inquiry concluded that the disaster resulted from multiple government failures and the construction industry's neglect of flammable material risks.

Since 2024, egg prices in the US have surged by more than 50%. On February 5, Pennsylvania State Police were searching for thieves who stole about 100,000 organic eggs from a wholesaler's warehouse over the weekend, valued at over US$40,000 retail. State Trooper Megan Frazer, investigating the case, said it was her first encounter with egg theft in her 12 years on the force. The theft occurred in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, about 105 km southwest of the state capital, Harrisburg. The national egg shortage has caused prices to spike. Farmers are grappling with a bird flu outbreak, leading to the culling of millions of hens. More than 13 million hens have been slaughtered or lost since December. By late January, the average cost of eggs was US$5.29 a dozen, up from around US$3.50 in the same period in 2024. Some store shelves are empty, and the breakfast chain Waffle House has imposed a 50-cent surcharge per egg, as reported by multiple media outlets.