While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Jan 19, 2025
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Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attacked the court building after his detention was extended on Jan 19.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Anger as court extends impeached Yoon’s detention
A South Korean court extended the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Jan 19 over concerns he could destroy evidence linked to his martial law declaration, enraging his supporters who attacked the court building.
Hundreds of pro-Yoon protesters smashed windows and broke down doors to enter the court after the decision was announced, chanting the name of the president, who plunged South Korea into its worst political chaos in decades with his bid to suspend civilian rule.
AFP reporters saw hundreds of police entering the building, with one officer from Seoul’s Mapo district separately telling AFP that it was an “unfolding” situation.
The president’s Dec 3 martial law declaration lasted just six hours, with lawmakers voting it down despite him ordering soldiers to storm parliament to stop them. He was impeached soon after and suspended from duties.
Trump immigration raids to hit multiple cities next week
USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters Co
President-elect Donald Trump’s administration will launch immigration sweeps in multiple US cities almost as soon as he takes office on Jan 20 with Chicago considered a likely first location, officials and rights advocates said.
Incoming “border czar” Tom Homan told Fox News on Jan 18 that “targeted enforcement operations” would quickly pursue some of what he said were 700,000 migrants who are in the US illegally and under deportation orders. He indicated the efforts would occur in several cities.
“President Trump has been clear from day one... he’s going to secure the border and he’s going to have the deportation operation,” Mr Homan told Fox News, ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Jan 20.
Trump may give TikTok a 90-day reprieve after taking office
PHOTO: REUTERS
US President-elect Donald Trump said on Jan 18 he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban after he takes office on Jan 20, as the app with 170 million American users buzzed with nervous anticipation ahead of a shutdown set for Jan 19.
“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC in an interview.
“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”
US lawmakers sound alarm on firm founded by Huawei alumni
REUTERS
Baicells, a Chinese telecoms hardware maker founded by veterans of heavily sanctioned Huawei that has equipment operating in every American state, needs rigorous scrutiny by the US government, the top Republican on the House Select Committee on China said.
“The presence of this company - or any company with known cyber vulnerabilities in their products - anywhere in the US should raise significant national security alarms,” Mr John Moolenaar said, in a statement to Reuters.
Baicells has provided base stations and routers to over 700 US networks across the United States, including in sensitive locations close to military installations, Reuters reported on Jan 16.
Villa’s Ollie Watkins makes Arsenal suffer once again
EPA-EFE
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins proved a thorn in Arsenal’s side again as he completed his side’s comeback with the equaliser in a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Jan 18.
Arsenal looked on course to erase the memory of last season’s home defeat by Villa - the last time they lost in the league at The Emirates - when Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz scored from close range either side of halftime.
Victory would have put Arsenal back to four points behind leaders Liverpool but Villa burst into life when Youri Tielemans headed them a lifeline on the hour and Watkins met a Matty Cash cross with a volley to level eight minutes later.
