Yeshiva World News

AFTER 18-HOUR DELAY: Hamas Says Emily Damari, Romi Gonen & Doron Steinbrecher To Be Freed Today

On Sunday morning at about 10 a.m., Hamas finally delivered the names of the three hostages scheduled to be released on Sunday at about 4 p.m., 18 hours after it was supposed to be transferred to Israel and 90 minutes after the ceasefire was supposed to go into effect. As expected, three female hostages are on the list: Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari, and Romi Gonen. Emily Damari, 28, a UK-Israeli citizen, and Doron Steinbrecher, 32, were both abducted from their homes on Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Damari was shot during the abduction and seriously wounded. Romi Gonen, 24, was abducted from the Nova music festival. She was shot and suffered a gunshot wound to her hand before the abduction. According to a hostage released in November, Romi was alive at that point but was in dire need of medical attention as she could not move her fingers and they were changing colors. According to the hostage deal agreement, Hamas is obligated to release the names of the hostages who will be released at least 24 hours beforehand. Hamas delayed transferring the list and instead of transferring it on Shabbos at 4 p.m., they delivered it on Sunday morning, an hour and a half after the ceasefire was supposed to begin. When the list did not arrive in Israel by 8:30, the IDF carried out airstrikes on Hamas terror targets in northern and central Gaza. Gazan reports said that five people were killed and about 20 wounded in the IDF strikes. Despite the delay, residents of northern Gaza have begun returning to where their homes used to be, along with residents of Rafah. In footage from the Gaza Strip, Hamas “police” are seen deployed in the area. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

IDF: Ceasefire Did Not Go Into Effect, We’re Striking Gaza

The IDF carried out airstrikes against Hamas terror targets in northern and central Gaza at about 9 a.m., a half-hour after the ceasefire was supposed to begin. Earlier on Sunday morning, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari spoke to the press, saying that the ceasefire has not gone into effect since Hamas failed to deliver the names of three hostages who are supposed to be released on Sunday at 4 p.m. “As of this morning, Hamas has not fulfilled its obligations, and contrary to the agreement, has not provided Israel with the names of the hostages,” Hagari said. “The ceasefire will not go into effect as long as Hamas does not fulfill its obligations.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

IDF Recovers Remains Of Oron Shaul Hy”d, IDF Soldier Killed And Abducted In Gaza During 2014 War

Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, an Israeli soldier killed and captured by Hamas during the 2014 Gaza War, the IDF announced. The mission was conducted jointly by the IDF and the Shin Bet security agency, with participation from elite units, including the Navy’s Shayetet 13 commando unit and a top-tier force from the Military Intelligence Directorate. The exact timing and location of the operation remain undisclosed. After retrieval, Shaul’s body was returned to Israel and transferred to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, where it was positively identified. Military officials promptly informed Shaul’s family of the recovery. Shaul lost his life on July 20, 2014, in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City during an intense phase of the 2014 Gaza War. As members of the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion navigated the area in an M-113 armored personnel carrier, the vehicle became trapped in a narrow street. During efforts to free the APC, Hamas operatives launched an attack with anti-tank missiles, resulting in the deaths of seven soldiers, including Shaul. His body was subsequently taken by Hamas. Shaul’s remains remained in Gaza until now, and was often seen as a bargaining chip for Hamas attempts to have terrorists arrested by Israel freed. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

NYC Mayor Defends Private Meeting With Incoming President Trump

New York City’s Democratic mayor, who faces federal bribery charges, is defending his private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump as the Republican prepares to retake the White House on Monday. Mayor Eric Adams on Saturday brushed off questions that his criminal case — or the possibility of a presidential pardon if he is convicted — came up during the Friday sit-down near Trump’s Florida estate, saying the case is something his legal team is handling. “I made this clear a few days earlier that I was seeking to sit down and talk to the president about the issues concerning the city infrastructure, the migrant asylum-seeker issues, the settlement of the crisis in the Middle East,” he said. “I’m the mayor of the biggest city in America,” Adams added, following remarks about the city’s preparations for a weekend snowstorm. “I’m supposed to speak with the president, like I spoke with President Biden.” Adams issued a statement Friday night in which he stated the two “did not discuss my legal case” but instead focused on topics such as bringing manufacturing jobs back to the city and the Gaza ceasefire deal. Trump has criticized the case against Adams and said he is open to giving the mayor, who had been a registered Republican in the 1990s, a pardon. Adams is scheduled to go on trial in April on charges that he accepted luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors, including helping the Turkish officials resolve city approvals for a diplomatic building in Manhattan. Adams stressed Saturday that he does not intend to be “warring” with the Trump administration on immigration and other critical issues. “Donald Trump received the popular vote. Donald Trump received the electoral vote,” he said. “America has communicated in a very loud and clear voice that we need to do something about our borders. America has communicated about how we need to build our economy and make sure jobs stay here. They have communicated around affordability.” He also declined to say what role if any police and other city agencies would have as the Trump administration is expected to begin large-scale deportations, including immigration enforcement raids targeting the Chicago area as soon as Tuesday. “I’m not gonna keep doing the same questions over and over again about the cooperation of city agencies,” Adams said. “The law is the law. Next question.” The Brooklyn Democrat and former police captain also took jabs his own party and the outgoing Biden administration, which he has criticized over its response to the migrant surge in recent years. “The party that’s in office took $6.9 billion out of our city” he said, referring to the amount of money his administration says it has spent to care for the roughly 250,000 asylum seekers who have arrived in the city since the spring of 2022. “That went away from our children, our families, our streets, our security.” Adams said his face-to-face with Trump was about “ensuring that this city gets what it deserves,” an appeal he believes will be heard given the incoming president’s New York City roots. “I’m looking forward to the next four years of having a president that loves the city like I love this city,” he said. “We’re gonna do what’s needed to move the […]

Trump Arrives In Washington For Inaugural Celebrations To Mark His Return To Power

Donald Trump arrived in Washington Saturday evening to celebrate with family, supporters and political allies ahead of his second inauguration, a triumphant return for the Republican four years after he departed the city under the shadow of an attack by his supporters on the Capitol. Trump’s celebration of his return to power was set to get underway on Saturday evening with a fireworks showcase at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, about 30 miles outside Washington. He arrived in Washington as organizers of Monday’s Inauguration Day ceremony were scrambling to move inside most of the outdoor events, including the swearing-in of president and vice president that traditionally takes place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, due to forecasted frigid temperatures. It will be the first time since President Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in 1985 for his second term that the ceremony will be moved inside the U.S. Capitol. Trump made his way from West Palm, Florida, with his wife Melania Trump and their son Barron aboard a U.S. military C-32 aircraft on a flight dubbed Special Air Mission 47 — a nod to Trump becoming the 47th president on Monday. It’s a courtesy that’s traditionally been extended by the outgoing administration to the incoming one. Trump did not make a government plane available to President Joe Biden ahead of his inauguration in 2021, and instead the Democrat flew to Washington on a privately chartered aircraft. Trump’s celebration of his return to power was set to get underway later Saturday evening with a fireworks showcase at his golf course. As his motorcade neared the club, he was greeted by dozens of well-wishers who gathered along the roadside and chanted “Trump” and “USA, USA!” With a blast of Arctic air expected to leave the nation’s capital facing frigid temperatures on Inauguration Day, organizers are moving inside most of Monday’s outdoor events, including the swearing-in ceremony. “I think we made the right decision. We’ll be very comfortable now,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview Saturday. On Pennsylvania Avenue leading to the White House, crews were breaking down metal bleachers that would have been used for outdoor inauguration viewing stands. Even before Trump got to town, groups of protesters began taking to the street in the morning as a light sleet fell. Melody Hamoud, a Washington resident, wore a pink hat that she had on at a 2017 march to protest Trump’s first inauguration. “I just didn’t want to sit home and fret in front of the TV,” she said. “I wanted to feel like our movement still has energy and be around others who felt the same.” Timothy Wallis, 58, flew in for the inauguration from Pocatello, Idaho, with friends. The group had tickets to watch the ceremony outside but haven’t been able to get tickets to any of the indoor events. “We found out on the plane,” he said about the change of plans. Wallis said he was disappointed about the switch and a little bemused since he’s used to cold at home. “We left snow to come here,” he said. “I brought my gloves!” Meanwhile, Trump said Saturday he is preparing to roll out a series of executive orders and other actions in the first days of his new administration. He confirmed he’ll […]

Russian Attack Kills at Least 3 in Kyiv as Ukrainian Drone Strikes Set Russian Fuel Stores Alight

Russia attacked Ukraine’s capital with a barrage of drones and missiles Saturday, leaving at least three people dead, while industrial sites in Russia were set ablaze by Ukrainian strikes. Russia launched 39 Shahed drones, other simulator drones and four ballistic missiles in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. Ukrainian air defense forces shot down two missiles and 24 drones. A further 14 drone simulators were lost in location, the statement said. The Kyiv City Military Administration said three people were killed and three more injured in the attack. A fourth victim had been assumed dead but the administration said later the case has yet to be confirmed. The known victims are two men aged 43 and 25, and a 41-year-old woman, officials said. The office of Ukraine’s general prosecutor said in a statement that the casualties included a security guard at a food establishment and people who were in a minibus on the street. AP journalists at the scene saw a man lying dead amid the debris in a pool of blood. Water flooded the streets as firefighters put out the blaze from the attack. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said windows were broken in the city’s Shevchenkivskyi district, and there was smoke at the entrance of a residential building. A water supply pipeline was also damaged, he added. The Lukyanivska metro station was closed after the attacks damaged its glass entrance, but was later reopened. Drones and missiles were also shot down across numerous regions in Ukraine, including Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Donetsk. Ten people were injured when a Russian missile struck the regional center of Zaporizhzhia, damaging residential buildings and private vehicles, local governor Ivan Fedorov said. Eight people aged between 28 to 69 were hospitalised, including a 48-year-old woman in a serious condition, he wrote in a statement. Elsewhere, industrial sites in Russia’s Kaluga and Tula regions were set ablaze by Ukrainian drone attacks, local officials said Saturday. Russia’s Defense Ministry said that 46 Ukrainian drones had been destroyed across the country overnight. In the Kaluga region, a drone strike sparked a fire in the town of Lyudinovo, Gov. Vladislav Shapsha wrote on Telegram. Residents said on social media that the attack had targeted a local oil depot. A fire was also reported in Tula region, where Gov. Dmitry Milyaev said a fuel storage tank had been set alight. He warned residents to stay away from fallen drone debris. No casualties were reported in either case. (AP)

At a Time of Uncertainty Grab Onto Eternity

 Shovavim begins, the Jewish world enters a time of profound spiritual potential—a season marked by unparalleled opportunities for self-refinement, Tikkun, and connection to the divine. This period, rooted in centuries of Kabbalistic tradition, invites us to take bold steps in elevating our souls and mending the spiritual fabric of our lives. A Legacy of Torah and Mysticism: Yeshiva Shaar Hashamayim In the heart of Jerusalem, Yeshiva Shaar Hashamayim stands as a beacon of Torah study, prayer, and Kabbalistic wisdom. Founded in 1906 by Rav Shalom Elyashiv zt”l and Rav Raphael Shapiro zt”l, the yeshiva has been a wellspring of spiritual guidance for over a century. The yeshiva’s commitment to preserving and spreading the teachings of Jewish mysticism has earned it a place among the most revered institutions in the Torah world. Today, under the leadership of the esteemed Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Gamliel Rabinowitz shlit”a, Shaar Hashamayim continues to uphold its founders’ vision, blending rigorous Torah study with heartfelt avodah (divine service) and deep kavanot (intentions) in prayer. The Power of Pidyon Nefesh One of the most profound practices during Shovavim is the act of Pidyon Nefesh, a Kabbalistic tradition known for its extraordinary ability to bring spiritual healing and protection. This sacred act involves channeling resources toward Torah institutions and acts of kindness, thereby creating a powerful vessel for heavenly blessings. Through partnering with Yeshiva Shaar Hashamayim, you gain the incomparable zchus (merit) of supporting a legacy of Torah, Tefillah, and Tikkun. In doing so, you become an integral part of the yeshiva’s holy mission, amplifying your own spiritual growth during this auspicious time. Why Shovavim Matters Shovavim—an acronym formed from the Torah portions of Shemot, Va’era, Bo, Beshalach, Yitro, and Mishpatim—is a period associated with Teshuva (repentance) and spiritual purification. According to Kabbalistic teachings, this time is uniquely suited for rectifying past mistakes and ascending to greater spiritual heights. By engaging in mitzvot, Torah study, and acts of kindness, we unlock the divine potential embedded within these weeks. Your Eternal Opportunity This is your chance to stand alongside Rav Gamliel Rabinowitz shlit”a and the holy Yeshiva Shaar Hashamayim in this sacred endeavor. Through your partnership, you not only secure blessings for yourself and your loved ones but also become part of a mission that transcends time. Take this moment to invest in eternity. Participate in Pidyon Nefesh and Tikkun Shovavim through Yeshiva Shaar Hashamayim. Let this Shovavim be the most transformative season of your life. Click here to join this powerful initiative Secure Your Zchus Today This is your opportunity. This is your moment. Don’t miss the chance to be part of something eternal.

BD”E: Tragic Petirah Of Hayeled Alter Shulem Eliezer Dym A”H

YWN regrets to inform you of the Tragic Perira of Hayeled Alter Shulem Eliezer Dym A”H, who was niftar over Shabbos at Westchester Medical Center. As previously reported by Monsey Scoop on January 8th, the niftar was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle on New County Road near Route 59 last Wednesday afternoon. Rockland Hatzoloh paramedics responded swiftly, transporting the young boy to Good Samaritan Hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was subsequently airlifted to Westchester Medical Center for specialized care. Despite the tireless efforts of medical teams and heartfelt tefillos from Klal Yisroel, the child returned his pure neshamah to the Ribbono Shel Olam over Shabbos. The Levaya will take place at 11 PM on Motzei Shabbos at the Temishvar Beis HaMedrish, 41 Laura Drive in Airmont. Besuros Tovos. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Extreme Cold Forecast for Much of US in Coming Days

Another blast of winter weather is expected in parts of the U.S. in the coming days, including bone-chilling wind in the Northern Plains and unusual snow and ice in the Gulf Coast area. Cold weather forecasted for Monday for Washington, D.C., prompted President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ceremony to be moved inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Much of the U.S. from the Rockies into the Northern Plains will see colder than normal temperatures starting Sunday into the coming week, including forecasted wind chills down to minus 40 degrees F (minus 40 degrees C) or colder in the Dakotas and northern Minnesota, National Weather Service Meteorologist Marc Chenard said. In such cold conditions, frostbite can develop on exposed skin in 10 minutes or less, so people should don coats, hats and gloves and minimize time outdoors, said Connor Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Bismarck. The cold air will moderate as it moves southward and eastward, but the central and eastern U.S. will still be cold with highs in the teens and 20s on Monday into Tuesday, Chenard said. The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast also will have highs in the teens and 20s, lows in the single digits and below zero degrees F (minus 18 C) and wind chills below zero. “Cold weather will impact a lot of the country, especially the Rockies and points east,” Chenard said. Unusual wintry weather of snow, sleet and freezing rain threaten Texas into northern Florida and the Carolinas, he said. Impacts are expected to start in Texas on Monday night and spread across the Gulf Coast and Southeast on Tuesday into Wednesday. “Will be another relatively fast-moving storm but likely to produce some impactful winter weather in areas that don’t see it as often,” Chenard said. Impacts along the coast might include sleet, freezing rain and ice accumulation on roadways, and primarily snow and maybe sleet away from the coast, he said. The potential for several inches of snow could likely cause travel disruptions for areas not used to snow, he said. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry on Saturday issued a state of emergency in advance of the wintry weather. He encouraged Louisianans to be prepared and to monitor the weather forecast. As happened earlier this month, this latest cold snap comes from a disruption in the polar vortex, the ring of cold air usually trapped about the North Pole. Meanwhile, snow will move across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, starting in the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday and spreading toward New York City and into New England later that day, said Chenard. The short burst of heavier snow could bring 2 inches (5 centimeters) to 8 inches (20 centimeters), Chenard said. The wintry weather is typical for the area and will bring accumulating, plowable snowfall, Chenard said. Motorists could encounter treacherous conditions out East, and some airports could see issues, he said. The forecast for snow and frigid temperatures prompted Baltimore officials to cancel the city’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade scheduled for Monday. Mayor Brandon Scott said on X that it was a “difficult decision” made out of “an abundance of caution for the safety of our participants and spectators.” The cancellation marks the second year in a row that the parade was halted due to concerns about winter weather. In Connecticut, […]

1985 Was the Last Time an Inauguration Was Indoors. Ronald and Nancy Reagan Felt They Had No Choice

Ronald and Nancy Reagan were disappointed. That’s what White House press secretary Larry Speakes told reporters on Jan. 18, 1985, after the Republican president and first lady decided to hold his second inauguration indoors because of an unusually cold weather forecast. “They really felt they had no choice,” Speakes said two days before the ceremony, according to archived transcripts of press briefings housed at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in California. President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to take the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, when below-freezing temperatures are again expected, recalls the last time cold weather prompted a similar decision. The transcripts from 1985 shed light on the Reagans’ considerations. “There was high-level medical and military consultation and it was just a very serious problem for health and safety,” Speakes said, according to transcripts provided Friday by the Reagan library. “We would have had probably some very serious problems for some of the participants.” Like what, reporters asked. For a day when the temperature reached 7 degrees Fahrenheit (-14 Celsius) in Washington, “the medical people told them that exposed areas would freeze in less than five minutes, with wind-chill factors like this,” Speakes said. Speakes waved off concerns for Reagan’s own health as a man taking office a second time at nearly 74 years old. (Trump turned 78 in June and will become the oldest person to start a presidential term. President Joe Biden, who will be in the audience while Trump takes the oath of office, is 82.) Reagan’s box on the west steps of the Capitol would have been heated, so “no, I don’t think that was ever voiced to the president,” Speakes said. It was the thousands of people participating in the parade, standing along the parade route and huddled on the National Mall who, Speakes said, concerned the president and first lady more. “The Reagans looked at it … knowing parade participants might be out there for four hours, if not longer,” he said. “So, it was just obvious, knowing that — what the medical people told them — that they would have had severe frostbite, if not some conditions that could have been worse.” (AP)

WHO WAS IN CHARGE? Speaker Johnson’s SHOCKING Biden Revelation Sparks Questions Anew [MUST WATCH VIDEO]

President Joe Biden’s apparent confusion over a key executive order left Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson questioning the president’s mental fitness and fearing for the nation’s future. The incident occurred during an Oval Office meeting in early 2024, where Biden seemed unaware he had signed an order freezing new liquid natural gas (LNG) export permits—a decision that had far-reaching economic and geopolitical consequences. The troubling exchange, described by Johnson in an interview with Bari Weiss for the Free Press, paints a chilling picture of a president who, at 81, appeared incapable of recalling critical actions taken under his own leadership. “I walked out of that meeting with fear and loathing because I thought, ‘We are in serious trouble—who is running the country?’” Johnson said. During the meeting, Johnson pressed Biden on the order, which paused LNG export permits to European allies—a move he argued bolstered Vladimir Putin’s war machine by forcing Europe to rely on Russian energy. For Louisiana, a state responsible for 61% of U.S. LNG exports in 2023, the decision had devastating economic implications. “Why would you do that? You understand we just talked about Ukraine, you understand you are fueling Vladimir Putin’s war machine,” Johnson told the president. To Johnson’s astonishment, Biden denied issuing the order. “I didn’t do that,” Biden reportedly said. Johnson reiterated that the decision was having catastrophic effects on both national security and his state’s economy. Only after prolonged prodding did Biden seem to recall signing the order, justifying it as necessary to “study the effects of the fuel.” Johnson, however, remained unconvinced. “I don’t think he was lying. I genuinely believe he didn’t know what he had signed,” he said. The episode is just one of many alarming signs of Biden’s cognitive decline that have come to light. A bombshell December report revealed that White House staff had been concealing Biden’s mental struggles since the start of his presidency. As early as January 2021, aides had restructured his schedule to minimize public gaffes and limit in-person interactions. Despite these efforts, Biden’s mental lapses became increasingly evident over time. The president’s decline came to a head during a disastrous 2024 debate performance against President-elect Donald Trump. Biden froze mid-sentence, gave incoherent answers, and frequently lost his train of thought, leaving even his staunchest defenders shaken. Days later, he announced he would not seek re-election, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris instead. Harris went on to suffer a crushing defeat to Trump in November. The implications of Biden’s mental decline extend far beyond one troubling meeting with Speaker Johnson. The question of who truly ran the country during Biden’s term looms large, as aides and advisors appear to have wielded unprecedented influence over key decisions. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

IDF Shows Borders Complexes Built For Soon-Returning Hostages

The IDF has prepared three border complexes for hostages released by Hamas, where they’ll receive medical and psychological support before being taken to Israeli hospitals for family reunions, with the process taking about two hours.

FRIEND OF ISRAEL? Trump Threatened Netanyahu To Make Ceasefire Deal

Donald Trump issued a sharp ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, threatening serious consequences if the widely-criticized deal with Hamas was not finalized. According to a new report by The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s nominee for Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, delivered the message during a meeting with Netanyahu in Israel. “The president has been a great friend of Israel, and now it’s time to be a friend back,” Witkoff said. He added that Trump was “exasperated” by delays and warned there would be “all hell to pay” if an agreement failed to materialize. Sources familiar with the meeting revealed that Witkoff told Netanyahu his negotiating team must be empowered to make decisions, warning, “If Netanyahu didn’t want to work that way, everyone should just pack their bags and go home.” Following the meeting, Netanyahu ordered his team—comprising representatives from Mossad, Shin Bet, the IDF, and political advisors—to travel to Qatar for urgent talks aimed at finalizing the agreement. The deal, reached in Doha on Wednesday and approved by the Israeli government on Shabbos, closely resembles a proposal put forth by U.S. President Joe Biden in May. However, Netanyahu had resisted that earlier plan, citing pressure from his far-right coalition partners and concerns about maintaining Israel’s military position. In July, he reportedly told hostage families, “If we give up on victory over Hamas, we are all in danger,” according to a recording obtained by the WSJ. After Witkoff’s meeting with Netanyahu, Trump claimed on Truth Social that Arab officials observed he had more influence on Netanyahu in one meeting than Biden had over the past year. Witkoff reportedly alleviated concerns from Hamas that the IDF would resume fighting after the release of hostages in the agreement’s first phase. “If everyone abides by the agreement, then Trump would encourage meaningful negotiations in Phase 2,” a source said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Trump Says He ‘Most Likely’ Will Give TikTok a 90-day Extension to Avoid US Ban

President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he “most likely” would give TikTok 90 more days to work out a deal that would allow the popular video-sharing platform to avoid a U.S. ban. Trump said in an NBC News interview that he had not decided what to do but was considering granting TikTok a reprieve after he is sworn into office on Monday. A law that prohibits mobile app stores and internet hosting services from distributing TikTok to U.S. users takes effect on Sunday. Under the law passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last year, TikTok’s China-based parent company had nine months to sell the platform’s U.S. operation to an approved buyer. The law allows the sitting president to grant an extension if a sale is in progress. “I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate,” Trump told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker in a phone interview. “We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” he said. Both White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco made clear Friday that the Biden administration would leave the law’s implementation to Trump given that his inauguration falls the day after the ban takes effect. In a statement later Friday, TikTok asked for “a definitive statement” saying the Biden administration would not enforce the law or try to fine app store operators like Apple and Google and other U.S. companies if they don’t stop making TikTok available Sunday. Without those assurances, TikTok said it “will be forced to go dark.” But the company did not provide details, including whether it would voluntarily shut down its U.S. platform at midnight or suspend its operations after losing access to service providers it relies on. The White House on Saturday called TikTok’s statement “a stunt.” “We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” Jean-Pierre said. “We have laid out our position clearly and straightforwardly: actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration. So TikTok and other companies should take up any concerns with them.” Neither Apple, Google or Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s data on its servers, have responded to questions about what they plan to do on Sunday. (AP)

South Korean Court Orders Formal Arrest of Impeached President Yoon Over Martial Law Decree

South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was formally arrested early Sunday, days after being apprehended at his presidential compound in Seoul. He faces possible imprisonment over his ill-fated declaration of martial law last month. Yoon’s arrest could mark the beginning of an extended period in custody for him, lasting months or more. The decision to arrest Yoon triggered unrest at the Seoul Western District Court, where dozens of his supporters destroyed the court’s main door and windows. They used plastic chairs and police shields that they managed to wrestle away from officers. Some got inside a hallway and were seen throwing objects and using fire extinguishers. Hundreds of police officers were deployed to suppress the riot at the court. Dozens of people were arrested on-site, while some injured police officers were seen being treated at ambulance vans. It wasn’t immediately clear whether any court staff were injured. Following an hourlong deliberation, the court granted law enforcement’s request for an arrest warrant on Yoon, seeing him as a threat to destroy evidence. Yoon and his lawyers on Saturday appeared before the court’s judge during a hearing and argued for his release. Yoon, who has been in detention since he was apprehended Wednesday in a massive law enforcement operation at his residential compound, faces potential rebellion charges linked to his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, which set off the country’s most serious political crisis since its democratization in the late 1980s. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and the military, can now extend Yoon’s detention to 20 days, during which they will transfer the case to public prosecutors for indictment. Yoon’s lawyers could also file a petition to challenge the court’s arrest warrant. Yoon’s appearance in court triggered chaotic scenes in nearby streets, where thousands of his fervent supporters rallied for hours calling for his release. Even before the court issued a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, protesters repeatedly clashed with police who detained dozens of them, including about 20 who climbed over a fence in an attempt to approach the court. At least two vehicles carrying anti-corruption investigators were damaged as they left the court after arguing for Yoon’s arrest. Yoon’s lawyers said he spoke for about 40 minutes to the judge during the nearly five-hour closed-door hearing on Saturday. His legal team and anti-corruption agencies presented opposing arguments about whether he should be held in custody. The lawyers did not share his specific comments. Following the hearing, Yoon was transported back to the detention center, where he awaited the decision. Neither Yoon nor his lawyers immediately commented on the arrest warrant. Chaotic scenes outside the court Yoon was transported to the court from a detention center in Uiwang, near Seoul, in a blue Justice Ministry van escorted by police and the presidential security service, to attend the hearing at the court ahead of its warrant decision. The motorcade entered the court’s basement parking space as thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathered in nearby streets despite a heavy police presence. Some protesters broke through the police lines and tapped on the windows of his van approaching the court. Yoon did not speak to reporters. After its investigators were attacked by protesters later on Saturday, the anti-corruption agency asked media companies to […]

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