Wildfires have killed at least 10 people and destroyed almost 10,000 buildings in Los Angeles. The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire in particular continue to rage and are considered the most destructive in the city's history. The damage is estimated at up to 150 billion dollars. President Joe Biden has pledged support while evacuations are underway throughout the region. Firefighters continue to battle the flames, fanned by strong winds. International aid, including from Canada, has arrived. The situation remains critical.
Mercedes-Benz sold 3% fewer cars in 2024 (1.98 million), with declines in China (-7%) and Europe (-3%). Sales of electric cars fell by 23%, creating additional pressure due to stricter EU CO2 regulations. Profit forecasts were lowered and further cost reductions planned. The annual figures will follow on February 20.
Choi Sang-mok, South Korea's new interim president, is facing political and economic challenges. While the impeachment of President Yoon is being considered, Choi must maintain stability and strengthen alliances, particularly with the USA. Choi has shown a willingness to compromise by appointing judges, but is under pressure due to criminal charges brought by the opposition. A verdict on the Yoon affair is expected in 180 days.
The number of people injured in the Tibet earthquake rose to 337, while the death toll remained at 126. Rescuers continue to search for survivors, despite difficult conditions including temperatures as low as -15°C and over 1,600 aftershocks. More than 47,000 people have been evacuated. Authorities are delivering relief supplies and planning long-term accommodation for those affected. Party Secretary Wang Junzheng visited the worst affected areas to coordinate support.
Two people have been killed and two injured in a Ukrainian attack in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, Russian news agencies report. According to TASS, the attack hit a supermarket. There has been no statement from Ukraine.
Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he would step down as leader of the Liberal Party, but would remain in office until a successor is elected. The party announced that the vote for the new leader would be completed on March 9. Candidates can register until January 27, and the fee is CAD 350,000. According to reports, Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney are considering running. Trudeau will remain Prime Minister until a new leader is elected and possibly beyond.
On Wednesday, 24 armed people attempted to storm the presidential palace in N'Djamena. Two security forces were killed and five injured. 18 attackers were killed and six injured. The authorities are investigating and do not suspect a terrorist background. The attack took place in a tense political situation.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States.
Donald Trump will stand trial on January 12 for his conviction in connection with payments to Stormy Daniels. He was convicted of falsifying business documents after paying 130,000 US dollars to the porn actress. He is not expected to receive a prison sentence, but the conviction will remain on his criminal record permanently. Trump announced that he would appeal against the sentence.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was released after a brief detention during a protest in Caracas on January 9. The government of Nicolás Maduro denied any involvement in the arrest, while the opposition spoke of a staging. Machado, who made her first public appearance in months, had called for peaceful demonstrations before the arrest and emphasized that the protests would mark the end of the regime. Meanwhile, further protests took place across the country to put pressure on Maduro ahead of his third term in office.
One year after the Correctiv revelations about a right-wing extremist meeting, local initiatives against right-wing extremism emerged, such as that of Caroline Fritsch in Luckenwalde. Despite large demonstrations, the political outcome remained disappointing: demands for a law to promote democracy or a ban on the AfD were not implemented. Nevertheless, the reaction showed that broad sections of the population reject right-wing extremist narratives.
Elon Musk and AfD leader Alice Weidel had a 75-minute conversation on X, which was largely unopposed. Musk repeated that only the AfD could save Germany, while Weidel portrayed the AfD as a target of the mainstream media and the antithesis of Hitler. Musk agreed with her without raising any objections, including Weidel's controversial statements about Hitler. Political scientist Jeanette Hofmann criticized the dialogue as superficial and unstructured. Musk, who has little detailed knowledge of the AfD, could use his statements to influence German politics, which is under legal scrutiny. The AfD benefits from the attention the conversation generates during the election campaign.
Roderich Kiesewetter could imagine becoming the next Minister of Defense in order to “do everything possible for peace and make Germany safer again”. Kiesewetter said.
British MPs vote 364 to 111 against national inquiry into grooming gangs. Labor MPs in the government have just voted against a national inquiry into the gang rape of CHILDREN.
Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, again called on Hamas to release the Israeli hostages. “Hamas and its accomplices in Iran have 11 days left, otherwise there will be a brutal retaliation against Iran, so it will be the end of Iran,” Trump said.
“The EU is prepared to take the lead in supporting Ukraine if the US steps back. However, it is not in America's interest for Russia to become the strongest country in the world”, - Kaja Kallas
Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei demanded that Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani strengthen the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a Shiite militia, while the US demanded that Iraq disband the PMF.
Joe Biden awards $10 compensation to each victim of the terrible fires in California.
Transport minister in Saxony refused to provide funds for the urgently needed renovation of the Carola Bridge in Dresden back in 2019
China is closing important oil ports in the east of the country to tankers on US sanctions lists, reports Reuters, citing traders familiar with the situation. China is thus joining the US sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet.
Nine out of ten Danes are against the handover of Greenland to the USA. This is the reaction of society to the statementof Trump, who has expressed a desire to maintain control over the island, - reports the agency, citing the results of a survey. “No” answered 89.2% of respondents, 4.5% were positive about the idea, and 6.3% could not give an answer.
The US state of Alaska has sued the administration of incumbent President Joe Biden for granting only limited rights to drill in the coastal plain in December, Reuters reports, citing a court document.
The last few days have been anything but boring for Nvidia shareholders. During CES, expectations rose that CEO Jensen Huang would unveil groundbreaking AI data processors. But when this news failed to materialize, Nvidia shares fell by 6%. Despite this volatility, there were exciting announcements such as the new RTX 50 series and Project Digits - a desktop computer with incredible AI performance.
Agenda 2030: CDU presents economic policy election campaign agenda. The CDU wants to significantly reduce taxes from 2026 and create incentives for investments in key industries - with the aim of returning to ~2% growth.
Court: Nord Stream 2 threatened with bankruptcy in May. With the war in Ukraine, the company operating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has run into difficulties. Now a court in Switzerland is deciding how the company should proceed.
- DAX: Waiting for US job numbers coming today (NTV)
- VW: Sold ~1.4% fewer cars in 2024 than in 2023 - in China: -8.3% (NTV)
- Manz: Engineering company to be sold (HB)
- Post: First warning strikes in collective bargaining round (NTV)
- KKR: Senior Advisory Partner Johannes Huth is the largest single donor to the CDU parliamentary election campaign (FT)
- UN: Raises global growth projection but warns of inflation (WSJ)
- Argentina: Pays lenders $4.3bn - highest payment since 2020 (FT)
- UK: Government bonds at highest level since 1998 (WSJ)
- Blackrock: Leaves climate alliance “Net-Zero Asset Managers” (BBG)
- Shein: Plans IPO probably still in the first half of 2025 (HB)
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