News from March 27, 2025 at 2 PM

South Korea is facing its largest wildfires in history in the southeastern region, which have burned through 35,810 hectares as of Thursday, killing 27 people and displacing tens of thousands. Experts attribute the rapid spread to strong winds, dry conditions, and dense pine forests, with pine resin intensifying the fires. Climate change and unusually high temperatures have also exacerbated the situation. A 73-year-old firefighting pilot died in a crash, and several firefighters have been killed. Most of the deceased are elderly, facing difficulties in evacuation. Historical relics, including ancient temples, have been destroyed.

The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of Istanbul from Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party, sparked widespread protests across the country. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that 123 police officers were injured and 1,133 suspects detained during the protests, with detainees including members of 12 different terrorist organizations. Authorities seized various dangerous items. President Erdogan labeled the protests as a 'violent movement' and held the Republican People's Party responsible. Imamoglu was detained on corruption and terrorism-related charges and later transferred to the prosecutor's office. Despite protest bans in cities like Istanbul and Izmir, demonstrations continued, with Ankara extending the ban until April 1.

According to local media reports, a tourist submarine was involved in an accident in the waters off Hurghada in Egypt's Red Sea. The incident has resulted in the deaths of six people. The specific cause of the accident is currently under investigation. This incident has raised concerns about local tourism safety. Relevant authorities have activated emergency response mechanisms. The identities and nationalities of the victims are being confirmed.

The party of South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar stated on Wednesday it is trying to locate him after his residence was forcefully entered by the defense minister and national security chief, who delivered an arrest warrant. Machar's SPLM-IO party condemned this as a violation of the Constitution and the Revitalized Peace Agreement. His bodyguards were disarmed, and the charges remain unclear. Escalating tensions from recent clashes between government troops and a militia allied with Machar have led to warnings of renewed civil war. The UN reported clashes outside the capital, Juba. The 2013-2018 civil war caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. Fighting in Upper Nile State has displaced 50,000 people since last month. Norway temporarily closed its embassy in Juba due to security concerns, while the US ordered non-emergency personnel to leave two weeks ago.

Hundreds of Palestinians held a rare anti-Hamas protest in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip, demanding an end to the war with Israel. Most protesters were male, chanting slogans like 'Hamas out' and 'Hamas are terrorists.' Protester Mohamad, who withheld his full name for fear of retaliation, told AFP he joined to voice the people's desire for peace, noting Hamas security forces in plain clothes dispersing the crowd. Another protester questioned why Hamas wouldn't relinquish power to protect civilians. Unverified messages on Telegram called for continued protests. Israel resumed large-scale airstrikes on Gaza on March 18 after Hamas rejected a US-proposed ceasefire extension. Hamas warned hostages might be killed if Israel continues its military actions. Egyptian President Sisi and Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez urged Israel to cease fire, while UAE President Mohammed discussed the ceasefire with US President Trump. Palestinian health officials reported nearly 700 deaths from Israeli attacks, mostly women and children.

On March 26, 2025, US Vice-President JD Vance and his wife Usha's planned visit to Greenland, including the capital Nuuk and cultural events, was shortened to just visiting the US Pituffik Space Base due to President Donald Trump's threats of acquiring Greenland. Greenland's acting head of government, Mute Egede, called the original plan a 'provocation'. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen welcomed the change, noting it reduced controversy and protest risks. Recently, hundreds protested in Greenland against the US, and major political parties condemned Trump's behavior. Vance stated the visit aimed to enhance Greenland's security.

A spokesperson for the US Armed Forces stated that the Pentagon cannot confirm reports of four US soldiers dying while returning from a military exercise at a training range in Lithuania. The search for the missing soldiers is ongoing. The M88 armored recovery vehicle they were operating has been found submerged in a body of water in the training area. Lithuanian Defense Ministry's Dovile Sakaliene said the search operation would continue through the night.

Yevgenia Gutsul, the head of Moldova's autonomous Gagauzia region, has appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for assistance following her detention in Chisinau. Gutsul requested that Putin use diplomatic, political, and legal mechanisms to pressure the Moldovan authorities for her immediate release, claiming her arrest on unfounded political charges is part of a broader campaign to undermine Gagauz autonomy. She accused Chisinau of disregarding democratic and international law principles, systematically provoking internal conflicts, and persecuting pro-Russian figures. Gutsul also sought Putin's firm support for Gagauzia's special status within the Republic of Moldova. Previously, Moldova's National Anti-Corruption Center announced plans to charge Gutsul and seek her detention. She was arrested at Chisinau airport on March 25, alleging the charges are fabricated and blaming Moldovan President Maia Sandu for orchestrating her arrest.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during a visit to Japan, stated that his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, clearly attempted a coup and was involved in an assassination plot. Lula expressed confidence in the thorough investigation conducted by the police and the general prosecutor’s office, noting that Bolsonaro will stand trial as an individual. On Wednesday, Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled to charge Bolsonaro and his seven allies with conspiring to overthrow the legitimate democratic regime, plotting a coup, and damaging cultural heritage. The investigation suggests that Bolsonaro was aware that military personnel involved in the plot aimed to prevent Lula from assuming the presidency and even planned to kill him in December 2022. Bolsonaro has denied the accusations, claiming he is being politically persecuted to keep him off the ballot until 2030.

Three weeks ago, Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal won an Oscar for best documentary in Hollywood. On Tuesday, he emerged from nearly 24 hours in Israeli detention with a bruised face and bloodstained clothes. He claimed that the previous night, settlers and soldiers attacked his home, beating him and threatening him with guns. His co-director, Basel Adra, noted an increase in settler violence in the area, with 45 attacks since the beginning of the year. American volunteer Josh Kimelman disputed the Israel Defense Forces' account, stating the violence was initiated by settlers. Hamdan was eventually released and hospitalized.

On March 27, Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada member Yaroslav Zheleznyak revealed that the minerals agreement between the United States and Ukraine will be open-ended and lacks any security guarantees. The agreement stipulates that any changes or termination require U.S. consent, with the U.S. holding the right of first refusal on new infrastructure projects and the authority to veto resource sales to other countries. The 58-page document, dated March 23, is not yet final. Zheleznyak expressed hope that Ukraine will advocate for changes, noting the deal is unfavorable. Previously, Vladimir Zelensky stated that the U.S. had provided the full text of the agreement, which Ukraine is currently reviewing and will later submit to the Rada for ratification.

Last month, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik was sentenced to jail for defying an international peace envoy's order, prompting Moscow's public condemnation. Dodik subsequently barred state authorities from the Serb region in Bosnia. On Thursday, a Bosnian court issued an international arrest warrant for Dodik, accusing him of attacking the constitutional order. Dodik had earlier crossed into neighboring Serbia and then traveled to Israel for an antisemitism conference. Having held top positions in Bosnia's Serb Republic for nearly three decades, Dodik has been criticized for deepening ethnic divides. On March 13, he dared state police to arrest him in a regional parliament speech, raising fears of clashes. The EU has reinforced its EUFOR peace force in Bosnia, highlighting Dodik's transformation from a Western-backed moderate to a pro-Russian separatist.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated on the 27th that he will soon announce the holding of a federal election, with multiple media outlets revealing that the election date is set for May 3. Albanese is expected to officially announce the start of the campaign on the 28th. On January 16, Albanese reshuffled the cabinet, with former Labor Party leader Bill Shorten resigning from his ministerial positions to pave the way for the 2025 election. Shorten had previously announced his intention to resign from the cabinet in early 2025. Major Australian political parties commenced their campaign activities in early January.