The United Kingdom (UK) would not be finalising the deal to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius until the United States of America’s (USA) President-elect, Donald Trump is inaugurated and consulted.

This delay, according to ITVx, stems from concerns within Trump’s inner circle, particularly regarding the strategic Diego Garcia military base, which is used by both the U.S. and the UK.

The UK government emphasised on Wednesday that it will only agree to a deal “that is in the UK’s best interests and protects our national security.”

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On Mauritius’ request for further discussions, the prime minister’s spokesman, Matthew Doyle, added, “It is obviously now right that the new U.S. administration has the chance to consider this and discuss this once they are in office.”

On her part, Mauritius has confirmed that further negotiations will take place, with Attorney General Gavin Glover returning to London for more talks.

It was gathered that the UK has made a decision to cede sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius, while leasing the Diego Garcia base back to the U.S. for an estimated £90 million annually.

Mauritian Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam did not sign off on the previous deal and is sending a delegation back to London for additional negotiations.

Pressed on if this meant the UK would not finalise the deal before Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the spokesman reiterated, “You can take from what I have just said about that, the new U.S. administration.”

While Sir Keir Starmer defended the plan in Parliament, asserting that it “delivers the continued effective operation of the base,”

On her part, conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, has frowned at the negotiations, describing it a “secret deal to surrender British territory.”

The Mauritian government remains steadfast in its pursuit of the islands, with a statement confirming that the Cabinet has been briefed on developments following last week’s talks in London.

“The commitment and resolve of Mauritius to reach an agreement and end this long battle for sovereignty remains unshaken,” the statement read.

There indications that the Chagos Islands, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, remain highly contentious, attracting diverse interests from different ccountries.

The forced removal of the indigenous Chagossian people in the 1960s and 1970s to accommodate the U.S. military base has sparked ongoing legal and human rights battles.

The International Court of Justice ruled in favour of Mauritius, though the UK has yet to implement the ruling.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court opened the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s political history following his controversial attempt to impose martial law.

The court’s first hearing was brief, adjourning shortly after it began at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT) due to Yoon’s absence.

A spokesperson confirmed the adjournment, stating the hearing lasted only minutes.

Yoon’s legal team cited “safety concerns” for his nonattendance, but the court plans to proceed with the remaining hearings as scheduled.

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Yoon’s impeachment follows his December 3 directive for soldiers to storm parliament in an effort to block lawmakers from voting on his suspension of civilian rule.

The failed bid to impose martial law, South Korea’s first in over four decades, lasted just six hours and plunged the nation into its worst political crisis in decades.

The president was swiftly impeached and suspended from office. Since then, Yoon has remained at his residence, refusing summonses from investigators and relying on his presidential security team to resist arrest.

The Constitutional Court’s eight judges will assess whether Yoon’s declaration of martial law was unconstitutional or illegal—either of which would justify his removal.

A decision to uphold the impeachment requires six votes in favor.

The trial, which comprises five scheduled hearings, will continue Thursday, with additional sessions planned for January 21, January 23, and February 4. The court has until mid-June to deliver its ruling.

“This impeachment case focuses solely on the martial law situation,” said Kim Nam-ju, one of Yoon’s lawyers. “Since most of the individuals involved have already been indicted and the facts have been somewhat established, it doesn’t seem like it will take a long time.”

The National Assembly’s legal team has argued for swift action. “There are overwhelming reasons for the immediate dismissal of Yoon,” a representative said before the trial began Tuesday.

While the impeachment trial proceeds, a parallel criminal investigation into Yoon’s actions continues.

A joint team of investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) and police is preparing another attempt to arrest the suspended president on insurrection charges.

A previous effort to detain Yoon was blocked by his security team, who have since fortified his residence with barbed wire, barricades, and increased patrols.

The defence ministry has clarified that nearby military units will not assist in any arrest attempts.

Yoon’s chief of staff, Chung Jin-suk, indicated a willingness to cooperate under specific conditions. “We are ready to consider all options for investigation or visits to the sitting leader at a third location,” he said.

If arrested, Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to face detention. A conviction on insurrection charges could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

The impeachment trial comes as South Korea grapples with heightened political instability. Lawmakers also impeached Yoon’s stand-in last month, leaving the country’s leadership in disarray.

The acting president has called for dialogue and urged all parties to resolve the crisis peacefully.

As Southern California battles relentless wildfires, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a “particularly dangerous” red flag warning for the Los Angeles area, cautioning residents of potentially explosive fire growth due to strong winds.

Forecasters predict wind gusts peaking at 70 mph (110 km/h) on Tuesday, creating conditions ripe for rapid fire spread. Chad Augustin, Pasadena’s fire chief, described the situation as a critical turning point. “Once we get past Wednesday night, I’ll say, ‘Wooh, we made it.’ But until then, this fire could take off with these increased wind conditions,” he told the BBC.

The region is grappling with three active wildfires, the largest being the Palisades fire, which has scorched over 23,000 acres and is only 13% contained. The Eaton fire follows, consuming 14,000 acres with 27% containment. While firefighters have almost fully contained the smaller Hurst fire, at 95%, challenges remain.

Authorities have placed 105,000 residents under evacuation orders, with at least 24 people confirmed dead and 16 others missing. Firefighters are focusing efforts on hotspots in populated areas, with drones and infrared technology aiding in identifying hidden fire threats.

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Meteorologist Rich Thompson emphasised the severity of the situation, noting that “one of the strongest Santa Ana wind events in several years” had already created “critical fire weather conditions.” The red flag warning is expected to remain in effect until Wednesday, with gusts between 35-55 mph anticipated.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed an additional 1,000 National Guard members to assist, bringing the total to 2,500 personnel. Meanwhile, emergency services continue working tirelessly to contain the blazes and ensure the safety of residents.

Despite some progress, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone warned that all of LA remains under threat due to the incoming winds. “We are fully committed to ensuring readiness for the next event,” he said.

The Palisades fire incident commander, Jim Hudson, acknowledged the dynamic nature of the battle. “Firefighters are planning two to three ridges away from where the fire is and speaking to communities that could be impacted,” he said.

As efforts continue, the focus remains on safeguarding lives and preventing further destruction. Residents are urged to remain vigilant, adhere to evacuation orders, and prepare for challenging days ahead.