News from March 9, 2025 at 2 AM

US President Donald Trump stated he is considering imposing large-scale sanctions on Russia until a peace agreement is reached between Russia and Ukraine. Simultaneously, the US is studying the relaxation of energy sanctions on Russia to encourage a ceasefire. On March 7, Russian forces launched massive attacks on eastern Ukraine and energy facilities, prompting Trump to issue a stern warning on social media. National Economic Council Director Hassett said the president wants all parties to negotiate. Reuters reported that the US government is exploring options to ease sanctions on Russia's energy sector. Recently, Russian forces have intensified their attacks, with the city of Dobropillia in eastern Ukraine suffering an attack that killed at least 11 and injured 30. Ukrainian energy facilities have been frequently targeted, and President Zelensky called for an end to airstrikes. Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region have been surrounded by Russian troops, leaving only a narrow corridor for potential retreat.

Since last Thursday, gunmen and security forces linked to Syria's new Islamist rulers have killed over 340 people, including women and children from the Alawite minority, in the coastal region. Rami Abdulrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the violence in Jableh, Baniyas, and surrounding areas as the worst in the 13-year civil conflict. The new ruling authority has cracked down on militants associated with former President Bashar al-Assad's government, resulting in heavy clashes that killed several dozen security personnel. Syrian officials acknowledged 'violations' during the operation but blamed them on unorganized civilians and fighters. Interim President Ahmed Sharaa, while supporting the crackdown, urged security forces not to overreact. Thousands of Alawite and Christian residents have fled their homes, with hundreds seeking refuge at a Russian military base in Latakia.

At approximately 5:48 PM local time on March 8, South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol was released from the Seoul Detention Center and returned to the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul. He had been detained for 52 days since his arrest on January 15. Large crowds of citizens gathered in downtown Seoul, calling for Yoon's impeachment. On March 7, the Seoul Central District Court annulled Yoon's detention, sparking public dissatisfaction. The court cited the prosecutors' late filing of charges as procedurally illegal and highlighted legal disputes over the investigative authority of the public prosecution office. The decision to release Yoon has caused significant controversy in South Korean society. The Constitutional Court has concluded the trial phase of Yoon's impeachment case and is now in internal deliberation. Analysts expect a final decision next week. Regardless of the outcome, the impact of the emergency measures and impeachment on South Korean society is expected to persist in the short term.

Australia's east coast is bracing for the rare tropical Cyclone Alfred, expected to make landfall on Saturday morning between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, impacting areas including Brisbane. Approximately 84,000 households are without power, and tens of thousands have been evacuated. The cyclone, forecasted as a category two with wind speeds up to 130km/h, has already caused flooding that may worsen over the weekend. A man is missing in New South Wales after his vehicle was swept into a river. Four million people in Queensland and northern New South Wales are at risk. Residents are preparing, schools are closed, and transportation is suspended. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urges the public to take warnings seriously and stay safe.

On March 8, Israel and Hamas indicated they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January. Hamas mentioned positive signs for the start of the second-phase talks but provided no details. Israel announced it would send a delegation to Doha, Qatar on March 10 to advance negotiations following an invitation from mediators. A Hamas delegation is engaged in ceasefire talks in Cairo with Egyptian mediators, aiming to move to the next stage of the deal, which could pave the way for ending the conflict.

On March 8, the Vatican reported that Pope Francis is gradually improving in his treatment for double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized for over three weeks due to a severe respiratory infection, has shown a stable clinical condition and a good response to treatment, with no fever and stable blood tests. Despite a slight improvement, doctors remain cautious. Francis uses a nasal oxygen tube during the day and non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night. Prone to lung infections due to past pleurisy and lung surgery, this hospital stay marks his longest absence since becoming pope nearly 12 years ago. On March 8, he appointed four bishops from the hospital and sent a message to an anti-abortion group in Italy.

Toronto police report that 12 people were injured in a shooting at a pub near Scarborough city center on Friday evening. Three suspects entered the pub and opened fire indiscriminately, remaining at large. Six victims suffered gunshot wounds, while others were injured by flying glass, all non-life-threatening. Authorities are deploying all resources to apprehend the suspects. Mayor Olivia Chow expressed deep concern and offered condolences to the victims and their families. Last year, the area saw eight injuries and two deaths in shooting incidents.

Authorities revealed on Friday that actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease, showing severe signs of Alzheimer's disease a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa died of hantavirus in their home. Initial investigations on February 26 ruled out foul play, with negative tests for carbon monoxide poisoning. Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell stated Hackman, 95, likely unaware of his wife's death, was found in the home's entryway, his death attributed to heart disease with Alzheimer's as a contributing factor. Arakawa, 65, was found with an open prescription bottle and pills, her death linked to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease spread by rodent droppings, typically reported in spring and summer. The exact time of her death remains unknown. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza announced this alongside state fire and health officials. Investigators earlier retrieved personal items from the couple's home, including a monthly planner and two cellphones.

On March 7, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) formally adopted an Arab League counter-proposal to US President Donald Trump's plan to take over Gaza and displace its residents during an extraordinary session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The decision by the 57-member grouping came three days after the Arab League ratified the plan at a summit in Cairo. The Egyptian-crafted alternative proposes to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority. The OIC urged the international community and regional funding institutions to swiftly provide necessary support for the plan. Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and relocate its Palestinian inhabitants to Egypt or Jordan sparked global outrage. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed hope for broader international support, including from the US. However, the Egyptian proposal, which does not outline a role for Hamas, has already been rejected by both the US and Israel.

On March 8, German election winner Friedrich Merz's conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) completed preliminary coalition talks in Berlin. The parties agreed on an 11-page policy paper covering areas such as migration, welfare, energy, economy, and labor. The document proposes measures like expanding border controls, tightening welfare recipient conditions, reducing power prices, and fostering economic recovery. Additionally, they plan to establish a €500 billion infrastructure fund and amend state borrowing rules, but these require parliamentary approval and face opposition from other parties.

Heavy rains triggered floods in Bahia Blanca, a coastal city in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, on March 7th, resulting in 13 deaths by 6 PM on March 8th. Approximately 1,200 people have been evacuated, with an unknown number of missing individuals. The city is currently without power and shops are closed. National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich described the situation as 'very critical' and the city as 'destroyed'. Transportation Minister Franco Maggiotti announced the deployment of a medical train to the affected area. The sudden downpour began around 4 AM on March 7th, with over 300 millimeters of rain falling within five hours.

On March 8, 2025, fast-moving brush fires swept through a large area of New York's Long Island, fueled by high winds, causing thick smoke and prompting the evacuation of a military base and the closure of a major highway. Officials reported that three of the four fires were fully contained, while the one in Westhampton was 50% contained. Two commercial buildings were partially burned, but homes were not threatened. A firefighter was hospitalized for facial burns. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency, stating that state agencies were responding to the fires. Social media videos showed flames and black smoke. National Guard helicopters dropped water on the flames, and the Town of Southampton issued a warning against recreational fires.

On March 8th local time, US President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform 'Truth Social', denying reports of a conflict between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk over massive government spending cuts. Trump stated that Musk and Rubio have a 'good relationship', and any reports to the contrary are fake news. CCTV reporter Xu Tan covered the story.

US President Donald Trump's Turnberry golf resort in Scotland was vandalized on March 8 with pro-Palestinian graffiti, including slogans like 'Free Gaza' and 'Free Palestine', along with insults directed at Trump. The protest group Palestine Action claimed responsibility, stating on social media that Trump should know his property is within reach. This follows Trump's controversial announcement in February that the US would take over Gaza, angering the Arab world. Police Scotland is investigating the incident. Separately, a man waving a Palestinian flag climbed the Big Ben tower at London's Palace of Westminster on the same day.

Early on March 8, a man carrying a Palestinian flag climbed London's Big Ben clock tower and remained perched barefoot on a ledge of the historic structure. Police were alerted shortly after 7am GMT and the man spent the entire day on the ledge. Crowds behind a police cordon chanted “Free Palestine” and “You are a hero” in support. Negotiators used a fire truck lift to speak with him, but he insisted he would come down on his own terms. The surrounding area, including Westminster Bridge, was closed off, and Parliament tours were cancelled. AFP journalists reported the man appeared to be bleeding from his foot. The London Metropolitan Police, assisted by the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service, are working to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

On March 7, an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered at Gare du Nord in Paris, affecting approximately 500 trains and 600,000 people, paralyzing the northern part of France. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot stated that the bomb weighed 500kg with 200kg of explosives. Defusing operations were completed by the afternoon, allowing rail services to resume progressively from 5pm GMT on March 7 and return to normal on March 8. Around 300 police officers were mobilized to secure the site, with nearby residents evacuated and part of the Paris ring road temporarily closed. Experts speculate the bomb was dropped during Allied bombings of railway infrastructure during the German occupation of France in WWII.

Officials from Russia's ruling United Russia party in the Murmansk region sparked controversy by presenting mothers of soldiers killed in Ukraine with gifts of meat grinders and flowers for International Women's Day. Social media photos showed officials smiling as they handed over the gifts, accompanied by a thank-you message. Critics called the gesture 'shameful' and 'inappropriate,' as the meat grinder symbolizes Russia's brutal tactics. The local party branch defended the move, claiming it was requested by one mother. Independent media report tens of thousands of Russian casualties in Ukraine, but exact figures remain unknown.

Yemen's Houthi leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, stated on Friday that the group will resume naval operations against Israel if the blockade on aid to Gaza is not lifted within four days. Since November 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have conducted over 100 attacks on shipping, sinking two vessels, seizing another, and killing at least four seafarers, disrupting global shipping. The attacks diminished in January following a ceasefire. On March 2, Israel blocked aid trucks from entering Gaza, escalating tensions. The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, also threatened military action if the U.S. and Israel forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.

A UK opinion poll indicates that public approval for Prime Minister Keir Starmer has increased as he intensifies his diplomatic role in the Ukraine war. Starmer met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on February 27 and hosted talks with Ukraine's president and European leaders in London on March 2. He has been acting as a mediator while also trying to shield Britain from U.S. tariffs. An Ipsos UK poll for The Times revealed that 30% of Britons now view Starmer's performance as prime minister favorably, up from 23% last month, though 45% still disapprove. The polling was conducted online from March 4 to 5. Starmer's meeting with Trump preceded a clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the U.S. president in the Oval Office. Last Sunday, European leaders agreed in London to draft a peace plan for Washington, and EU leaders backed increased defense spending on Thursday. The Ipsos poll showed 44% of Britons support higher defense spending, even if it involves more borrowing, higher taxes, or reduced funding for other public services, up from 42% in February. Ipsos surveyed 981 adults aged 18-75 across Britain.

A group of labor unions are seeking an emergency court order to prevent Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans. The motion was filed by Democracy Forward in a federal court in Maryland against the Social Security Administration and its acting commissioner, Leland Dudek. Former agency official Tiffany Flick stated in an affidavit that career civil servants are trying to protect the data. Lawyer Karianne Jones highlighted the unclear scope and purpose of DOGE's data access, citing a huge potential impact. The Social Security Administration has not yet commented on the lawsuit. DOGE's actions during the early Trump administration have led to nearly two dozen lawsuits, with judges questioning its sweeping cost-cutting efforts. The agency's across-the-board cuts raise concerns about the effects on benefits for tens of millions of recipients, including layoffs of over 10% of the workforce and the closure of dozens of offices.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, stated that resolving the Ukrainian crisis requires addressing the legitimate concerns of both Moscow and Kiev. He believes the current steps are correct and the final solution should address both countries' concerns. He emphasized the need for direct talks between Ukraine and Russia, supported by their partners. Commenting on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's statement about sending troops to Ukraine, he noted it is an issue between Russia and Ukraine that they need to resolve themselves. Qatar has been mediating between Russia and Ukraine, helping reunite children with their families.