News from March 23, 2025 at 2 AM

Heathrow Airport closed on Friday due to a power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, west London, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers. Nearby homes were evacuated and some schools shut down. The airport announced it would restart some flights later on Friday and aimed for full operation on Saturday, advising passengers not to travel to the airport without airline confirmation. Flights already in the air were diverted or returned to their departure points, causing chaos. British Airways, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic cancelled or adjusted flights, offering affected passengers options to rebook or receive full refunds. Some stranded passengers expressed concerns about extended return times, feeling tired, frustrated, and angry.

Pope Francis has been hospitalized in Rome's Gemelli Hospital since Feb 14 due to a severe respiratory infection. On March 22, the head of his medical team announced that Francis will be discharged on March 23 but will require two more months of rest at the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff's hospitalization marks the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy. Doctors have advised him to avoid large meetings or activities requiring special effort. On March 23, Francis plans to make his first public appearance in over five weeks, offering a blessing from the hospital window. He has not been able to conduct his usual weekly noon-time prayer in St Peter's Square since Feb 9.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum in a significant advance during their recent offensive, marking a major progress in the two-year civil war. The palace, which includes the historic Republican Palace, symbolizes power and sovereignty. The army has taken control of much of Khartoum's city center, pushing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) out of key sites. Although RSF fighters remain in parts of the city and airport, they have effectively lost control of the capital. Bloody fighting is expected to continue as the army tries to corner remaining RSF units. The UN describes Sudan's humanitarian crisis as the world's worst, with 12 million people displaced and parts of the country facing famine.

A mass shooting occurred at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Friday evening, resulting in three deaths and 15 injuries. The deceased include two 19-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy. Police Chief Jeremy Story stated that the shooting stemmed from an altercation between two groups that escalated into gunfire, with 50-60 handgun shell casings found at the scene. Approximately 200 people were present at the park, and seven injured individuals were transported to El Paso, Texas, for further medical treatment. Mayor Eric Enriquez vowed to work tirelessly to ensure community safety and urged witnesses to come forward with information.

On Saturday, severe wildfires in South Korea resulted in at least two deaths and the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Two firefighters were found dead in Sancheong County in the southeast, with two others reported missing. The Korea Forest Service reported multiple fires across the country. A state of national disaster was declared at 18:00 local time (09:00 GMT), encompassing Ulsan city and North and South Gyeongsang provinces. Over 200 residents in Sancheong County were ordered to evacuate. Acting President Choi Sang-mok urged all efforts to extinguish the blaze by sunset, but strong winds hindered operations 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Additionally, more than 400 residents were displaced due to a wildfire in Uiseong county, North Gyeongsang Province. The forest service issued a serious wildfire warning in 12 locations, including Busan and the central city of Daejeon.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has largely accepted that Ukraine will not become a NATO member. In an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff said that for any peace deal, Ukraine's non-membership in NATO is widely accepted. He added that the key issue in the conflict is the status of the new Russian regions. Witkoff emphasized that Russia has no plans to attack European countries and noted that Ukraine has agreed to hold elections.

Niger's defence ministry reported that at least 44 civilians were killed and 13 severely injured during an attack on a mosque in the village of Fombita, in the rural commune of Kokorou, southwest Niger, on Friday afternoon. The attack occurred during afternoon prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The attackers, identified as the EIGS group, an Islamic State affiliate, subsequently set fire to a market and houses before retreating. The government has declared three days of national mourning. The insurgency in West Africa's Sahel region, which began with Islamist militants seizing territory in northern Mali after the 2012 Tuareg rebellion, has spread to Niger and Burkina Faso, and recently to northern parts of coastal West African countries like Togo and Ghana. Millions have been displaced, and the failure of governments to restore security has led to coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2020 and 2023, with all three countries currently under military rule.

Boxing heavyweight legend George Foreman passed away on March 22, 2025, at the age of 76. Foreman won Olympic gold in 1968 in Mexico City and claimed the world heavyweight title twice, 21 years apart, becoming the oldest champion in history at age 45. He lost his first title to Muhammad Ali in the famous Rumble in the Jungle in 1974. Foreman boasts an astonishing 76 wins, including 68 knockouts. After retiring in 1997, he endorsed a best-selling grill, earning more from it than his boxing career. His family mourned him on Instagram as a devout preacher, devoted husband, and loving father. Tributes poured in from the boxing world, with former champion Mike Tyson highlighting his enduring contributions. The Ring magazine described him as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Born in Texas, Foreman overcame a troubled youth to find success in the ring.

British-American influencers Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan announced on Friday their return to Romania from the US, where they face charges including human trafficking. Andrew Tate, posting to his 10.8 million followers, claimed spending $185,000 on a private jet to sign a document in Romania, asserting his innocence. The brothers, who deny all allegations, are expected to register at a police station on Monday. They arrived in the US in late February after a two-year travel ban was lifted by Romanian prosecutors. Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36, are accused of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Romania, with Andrew also facing rape charges. In the UK, they are under investigation for rape and human trafficking, and in the US, they face a civil case alleging coercion into sex work and defamation. Romanian prosecutors emphasize the case is ongoing, with the brothers under judicial control. Their departure raised concerns about US political pressure, which President Trump denied knowledge of. Andrew Tate was placed under house arrest in Romania in August 2024 amid a new criminal investigation. They also face tax evasion charges in the UK, with a court ruling to seize over $2.6 million from them.

According to the New York Times, billionaire Elon Musk is scheduled to be briefed by the Pentagon on Friday about the U.S. military's plan for any potential war with China. This move would significantly expand Musk's role as an advisor to President Donald Trump, who has led efforts to cut U.S. government spending. Musk's involvement raises concerns about conflicts of interest, given his business interests in China and with the Pentagon as the head of Tesla and SpaceX. The Pentagon confirmed Musk's visit but provided no further details. An anonymous U.S. official stated that the briefing, attended by senior U.S. military officials, will cover various topics, including China. Relations between Washington and Beijing have been tense over issues ranging from technology access, trade tariffs, cybersecurity, TikTok, Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights, and the origins of COVID-19.

Peruvian lawmakers voted on Friday to remove Interior Minister Juan Jose Santivanez from his position due to his failure to address a surge in crime. The Peruvian Congress's official X account stated that Santivanez was ousted for 'his political responsibility and inability to tackle the wave of citizen insecurity.' On Monday, the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency in the capital Lima and deployed soldiers to combat a recent spike in violence, including the murder of a popular singer. The crime wave, marked by a rise in extortion cases, prompted President Dina Boluarte to advocate for the death penalty for murderers, despite Peru only allowing execution for treason. According to national death statistics, homicides in Peru increased by over 35% in 2024, rising from 1,508 in 2023 to 2,059 last year.

On the morning of the 22nd local time, a driver in central Paris refused to comply with a police check and fled, colliding with several police vehicles, resulting in 11 injuries. At around 5:45 AM, when the police intercepted the vehicle, the driver refused to stop and escaped. Multiple police cars were deployed to intercept the vehicle, which was eventually stopped after crashing into three police cars. Eight police officers sustained minor injuries, and the fleeing driver and two passengers were hospitalized with no life-threatening conditions. The Paris judiciary has launched an investigation into the incident.

The German foreign ministry announced on Saturday that Germany has temporarily closed its embassy in South Sudan's capital, Juba, due to escalating tensions that have brought the East African country to the brink of civil war. This week, South Sudan President Salva Kiir sacked the governor of Upper Nile state, where clashes between government troops and an ethnic militia accused of allying with his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, have intensified. The standoff has heightened concerns that the world's newest nation could slide back into conflict, seven years after emerging from a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands. The German foreign ministry stated on social media that President Kiir and Vice President Machar are plunging the country into a spiral of violence and bear the responsibility to end this senseless violence and finally implement the peace agreement. Nicholas Haysom, the United Nations peacekeeping chief in South Sudan, has also expressed concern that the country is on the brink of relapse into civil war.

According to CNN, US military officials are racing to develop a 'Golden Dome' defense system aimed at protecting the country from long-range missile strikes. The White House has stated it will spare no expense to fulfill one of President Donald Trump's top Pentagon priorities. Currently, the project remains in the conceptual discussion phase, with estimated costs running into billions of dollars. The Trump administration has already directed military officials to ensure funding for the 'Golden Dome' is included in budget estimates for 2026 to 2030. However, experts have questioned the strategic feasibility of the project, noting the vast size of the US makes it challenging to provide comprehensive coverage similar to Israel's Iron Dome system.

According to the Al Masirah TV channel controlled by the Houthi rebels, the US conducted three strikes on the airport in the city of Hodeidah in western Yemen. The Al Hadath broadcaster reported that the attack targeted weapons depots belonging to the rebels, as well as missile and drone launchers. Houthi Naval Forces Chief of Staff Mansur al-Sa'adi sustained injuries in the attack. This incident underscores the US's efforts to target Houthi military installations.