North America
Pete Hegseth is confirmed as the new Secretary of Defense after Vice President JD Vance casts tiebreaking vote as of last Friday (Jan 24) In a historically slim margin for a vote of confirmation for a defense secretary, the Senate voted 50 in favour of Hegseth, and 50 against, with Vance casting the tiebreaking vote that confirmed Trump’s controversial Defense Secretary nomination. Ever since President Trump named Hegseth as his selection for Secretary of Defense, the military veteran and former Fox News host has faced a slew of accusations, including a sexual assault claim, abusive behaviour, public drunkenness and fiscal mismanagement of two nonprofit veteran groups. Of the 54 Republicans in the Senate, three voted against Hegseth, including former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
[Source: The New York Times]
Trump issued an executive order, attempting to end birthright citizenship guaranteed to people born in the United States as part of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution last Monday (Jan 20). As part of his plans to crack down on immigration, Trump asserts that children born in the U.S. are not citizens if their mothers are undocumented or are in the country legally but temporarily, such as tourists, students or temporary workers. This also applies if their fathers are non-citizens. A federal judge in Washington temporarily blocked Trump’s executive order for 14 days, renewable upon expiration, sparking six other lawsuits filed by Attorney Generals across 22 other states, arguing that this move is unconstitutional and that neither the president nor Congress has the constitutional authority to revise it. AG Nick Brown of Washington said that the President’s order would deny citizenship to 150,000 newborns each year, further stating “It would render them undocumented at birth. It could even render them citizens to no country at all.” This move marks a beginning of what seems to be a long battle between the courts and the new Trump administration over President Trump’s plans to completely transform institutions, as part of his ambitious second-term agendas.
[Sources: The White House | The New York Times | The Associated Press]
Trump threatened universal tariffs on all imports, with plans to impose a 25% tariff on neighbours Canada and Mexico. As part of an executive order the President signed on Monday (Jan 20), federal agencies are to study a variety of trade issues with future tariffs in mind as a solution. Trump stated to reporters at the Oval Office on Monday evening, that he planned to impose more significant tariffs on Mexican and Canadian products as they were allowing a large amount of immigrants and drugs across the border. Economists fear that should the tariffs materialize, a trade war would send the economies of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. into recession.
[Sources: The New York Times | CNN]
Mexican border cities set up tent cities in preparation of deportees arriving from the United States. Construction workers and labourers of Mexican border city Ciudad Juarez began propping up big tents for deportees. Alongside protection and shelter, the deportees will also receive food, medical care and assistance in receiving Mexican identity documents, as part of a deportee support programme which President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration calls “Mexico Embraces You”. President Sheinbaum emphasises that her government will prioritise the humanitarian needs of the deportees, saying they will qualify for social programmes and pensions, and that they will immediately be eligible to work. However, she recognises the potential stress President Trump’s declaration of an emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border could place on Mexico. With an estimated five million undocumented Mexicans currently residing in the U.S, mass deportation could quickly overwhelm border cities like Juarez.
[Source: BBC News]
Haitian leader says the Trump administration to freeze foreign aid could be catastrophic for his country. Last Monday (Jan 20), President Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign assistance programmes for 90 days, pending reviews to determine if they align with his policy goals. On top of Trump’s decision to deport migrants and block refugees, the freezing of aid will be disastrous for Haiti, with the ongoing gang war running rampant and half of Haiti’s 11.4 million population already starving.
[Source: The Associated Press]
Europe
Ukraine launched one of its largest drone operations targeting Russian infrastructure, with a wave of at least 121 drones hitting multiple regions, including an oil refinery in Ryazan on Saturday (Jan 25). Footage verified by the BBC showed massive fires at the facility, though Russia claimed to have shot down all the drones and reported no significant damage. Meanwhile, a Russian drone strike in Kyiv killed three people and injured one, while Ukraine’s air defences downed 25 out of 58 drones launched by Russia. In Moscow, air defences intercepted several drones, and flight operations resumed after temporary suspensions at two airports. Russia also designated BBC journalist Olga Ivshina as a “foreign agent,” marking the latest in a series of press freedom crackdowns.
[Source: Europe | BBC News]
Tens of thousands of people protested across Slovakia on Saturday (Jan 25), against Prime Minister Robert Fico, with rallies in 25 towns and cities. Demonstrators expressed anger at Fico’s populist-nationalist government, accusing him of undermining the country’s institutions, culture, and its position in the EU and NATO, particularly due to his increasing attacks on Ukraine and efforts to build closer ties with Moscow. Despite Fico’s warnings of a potential coup and foreign provocateurs inciting violence, the protests remained peaceful, with significant crowds, including 40,000 in the capital, Bratislava. Fico has denied any intentions to leave the EU or NATO, maintaining that Slovakia’s membership in both institutions is secure.
[Source: Europe | BBC News]
Zaheer Mahmood, a 29-year-old man from Pakistan, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempting to murder two people with a meat cleaver outside the former Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo in 2020 on Friday (Jan 24). Mahmood attacked two employees of the Premieres Lignes news agency in response to Charlie Hebdo republishing controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The court found that he had been influenced by radical preacher Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who urged him to “avenge the Prophet.” Mahmood was convicted of attempted murder and terrorist conspiracy, while five other Pakistani men, including minors, were jailed for supporting his actions. Mahmood, who had arrived in France illegally in 2017, will be banned from the country upon serving his sentence.
[Source: Europe | BBC News]
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of a French woman, Ms. H.W., who had been blamed for her divorce after refusing sex with her husband on Thursday (Jan 23). The court stated that this should not be grounds for fault in divorce, as it violated her right to respect for private and family life. This decision, ending a decade-long legal battle, challenges outdated views on “marital duty” and promotes the importance of consent in marriage. Women’s rights groups praised the ruling, calling for French laws to align with modern concepts of consent and equality, especially following cases highlighting marital rape in France.
[Source: Europe | BBC News]
Donald Trump warned Vladimir Putin on Thursday (Jan 23), of high tariffs and sanctions if the war in Ukraine continues. He stated settling the war would benefit Russia. The Kremlin expressed readiness for dialogue but dismissed Trump’s threats. Trump previously claimed he could resolve the conflict in one day, though Ukraine refuses to cede any territory. Ukrainian President Zelensky stressed the need for U.S. troops in peacekeeping forces. Trump’s sanctions threat has drawn mixed reactions, with Ukrainians skeptical of its impact. Some in Moscow suggest a compromise might be on the horizon. Trump’s position remains contentious in both Russia and Ukraine.
[Source: Europe | BBC News]
Asia-Pacific
The LGBTQ+ community took to the streets to celebrate this momentous day as hundreds of couples across Thailand received marriage certificates after the long-awaited equal marriage law came into effect on Thursday. Thailand becomes the only country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and its tourism sector is expected to benefit from this new bill. While many LGBTQ+ groups hope that this sets a new precedent in Asia, it is unlikely that many countries will follow suit.
[Source: BBC News | Nation Thailand]
Karim Khan, the top prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) says that there are reasonable grounds to suspect Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani for committing crimes against humanity on gender grounds. The Taliban has condemned these accusations, calling them “baseless” and politically motivated, accusing the court of “double standards”. The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded in a statement that the ICC had turned a blind eye to “war crimes and crimes against humanity carried out by foreign forces and their allies”, referring to the U.S. involvement in the country before 2021. The ICC investigates and prosecutes individuals on crimes like genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, intervening when these individuals go unpunished by national authorities.
[Source: Reuters]
South Korean Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is indicted on insurrection charges, alongside his former defense minister and others who aided him in his short-lived imposition of martial law. The assembly voted the measure down just six hours after Yoon’s declaration, but its impact on South Korean politics remains as the nation plunged into political chaos. The opposition dominated parliament voted to impeach Yoon and the Constitutional Court began the impeachment trial last week to determine whether he should be permanently removed from office. Yoon also faces a separate criminal investigation into whether he led an insurrection. The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) suggests that Yoon should be charged with “leading an insurrection and abuse of power,” after a 51-day probe into his December 3rd declaration of martial law.
[Source: The New York Times]
India is ‘open’ to the return of undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S., foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said after meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. Trump issued a slew of executive orders, many of which aimed at clamping down on illegal immigration and expediting his plans to deport millions of immigrants. Jaishankar said New Delhi was welcome to take back undocumented Indians and was already in the process of verifying those residing in the U.S. who could be deported back to India.
[Source: CNA]
Bangladesh withdraws order demanding officers report institutions and students engaging in anti-government activities after criticisms of how it undermined last year’s student-led revolution. The massive uprising spearheaded by students toppled autocrat leader Sheikh Hasina’s regime in August 2024, with Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus taking charge over the interim government. The order, issued by the country’s education ministry on Jan 2, received massive backlash and was cancelled. Supreme Court lawyer Snehadri Chakravarty had called it a clear violation of constitutional rights, saying, “Student-led protests once toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina because people’s freedom of speech and expression was being curtailed.”
[Source: CNA]
Middle East
Syrians returning to their homes in Idlib face the deadly threat of landmines on Friday (Jan 24). Ayghad’s tragic loss of his father, killed by a landmine while returning to their olive farm, highlights the dangers displaced families face. At least 144 people, including 27 children, have been killed by landmines and unexploded ordnances since the fall of Assad’s regime. The White Helmets and Halo Trust are working to clear these remnants of war, but progress is slow. Landmines, mostly planted on farmland, pose a grave threat to returning farmers. Over 117 minefields have been identified, but local expertise is limited. International efforts are needed to scale up operations. Approximately a million devices remain to be cleared. Until then, many civilians, especially children, remain at risk.
[Source: Middle East | BBC News]
The UN has suspended movement in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen after several staff were detained in Sanaa on Saturday (Jan 25). This follows previous detentions of UN workers and Yemeni employees. The Houthis, engaged in a long-standing conflict with a Saudi-led coalition, have drawn international attention for their attacks on shipping and rockets fired at Israel. Despite a ceasefire in Gaza, the Houthis threaten to resume attacks. Yemen remains in a severe humanitarian crisis, with the UN struggling to deliver aid due to Houthi obstruction in remote areas.
[Source: Middle East | BBC News]
Hamas named four Israeli hostages—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—set to be released on Saturday (Jan 25) as part of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire agreement. In exchange, Israel will release 180 Palestinian prisoners, including individuals convicted of serious offenses. The ceasefire, brokered through indirect negotiations led by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, marks the second prisoner exchange since the truce began last Sunday. Footage revealed the women were captured during the 7 October attack at the Nahal Oz military base. This ceasefire, aiming for a permanent resolution, also includes plans for further prisoner swaps and the return of displaced Palestinians to Gaza. Meanwhile, three Israeli hostages, including British-Israeli Emily Damari, were released earlier this week.
[Source: Middle East | BBC News]
A BBC investigation into a deadly Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Ain El Delb, southern Lebanon, has revealed that while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the structure was a Hezbollah command centre on Friday (Jan 24), the majority of the 73 people killed were civilians, including 23 children. Verified evidence suggests only six individuals had ties to Hezbollah’s military wing, none holding senior ranks. Survivors recounted the harrowing aftermath of the attack, which leveled the six-story building and left families devastated. The IDF stated its strikes adhered to international law, but residents reported no evacuation warnings, and UN experts have questioned the proportionality of such strikes in densely populated areas.
[Source: Middle East | BBC News]
Israel intensified its focus on armed groups in the West Bank, particularly in Jenin, after the Gaza ceasefire on Thu (Jan 23). A major military operation has blocked access to Jenin’s refugee camp, with roads torn up by bulldozers and families fleeing amid drone and leaflet warnings, though Israeli officials denied issuing formal evacuation orders. The campaign has killed 12 Palestinians, including civilians like Ahmed al-Shayeb, who was shot in front of his son. Israel says the operation targets Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to prevent future attacks. However, residents compare the severity to the Gaza conflict, and critics fear escalating tensions. Defence Minister Israel Katz called the operation a “shift in strategy” aimed at dismantling armed groups and stopping their resurgence.
[Source: Middle East | BBC News]
Israeli forces conducted a major operation in Jenin, involving airstrikes, drones, and armoured bulldozers on Wednesday (Jan 22). At least 10 Palestinians were killed, including a 16-year-old boy, and nearly 40 others were injured, among them medical personnel. Roads to the refugee camp were bulldozed, and residents faced searches and arrests. Israeli authorities said the operation targeted “terrorist infrastructure,” while Palestinians condemned it as an act of aggression. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attacked villages near Qalqilya, torching homes and injuring over 20 Palestinians. This violence follows a Gaza ceasefire and highlights escalating tensions in the West Bank. Critics have linked the unrest to recent US policy changes lifting sanctions on extremist settlers, seen as emboldening further attacks. The situation reflects a deepening cycle of violence across the region.
[Source: Middle East | BBC News]
The aftermath of Gaza’s conflict left survivors grappling with immense loss on Monday (Jan 20). Civil defense worker Hatem Al-Atar recalled the horrors of war, including the death of his father and sister-in-law. Many, like Professor Jumaa Abu Shiha, returned to find their homes destroyed, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Aid convoys brought essential supplies, but the emotional toll was equally devastating. Children, such as Amr al Hindi, who lost his family in an airstrike, expressed hopes to fulfill their deceased relatives’ dreams. The challenges of rebuilding and healing remain monumental for Gaza’s future.
[Source: Middle East | BBC News]
Africa
Kenya declared visa-related changes to allow nationals of almost all African countries to access the country without prior authorisation or the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on Tuesday (Jan 21), except for Somalia and Libya due to security concerns. This change is intended to promote tourism and regional integration. Despite implementing visa-free policy last year, Kenya’s openness to visitors declined in the Africa Visa Openness Index. The new system would enable most African visitors to stay for up to two months without an ETA, while East African Community members could stay for six months. This move reflected broader efforts across the continent to facilitate travel.
[Source: BBC]
Tundu Lissu was elected chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party, ousting the party’s long-serving Freeman Mbowe in a close contested election on Wednesday (Jan 22). Lissu won with 513 votes (51.5%) against Mbowe of 482 votes (48.3%), thus marking a notable shift in party leadership dynamics. Lissu criticized Mbowe for his reconciliatory approach toward the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, claiming it amounted to loss of public trust. This election occurred amidst ongoing political tensions and a government crackdown on opposition, with presidential elections scheduled for October.
[Source: BBC]
The rebels from the Rwanda-backed M23 group killed North Kivu’s military governor, Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami, as he visited the frontline on Thursday (Jan 23). He later died while being airlifted for treatment. This incident highlighted the intensifying conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 400,000 people have fled their homes this year amid fierce fighting. The M23 has captured significant territory, threatening the city of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. International concerns grew, prompting warnings for nationals to evacuate Goma as the situation worsened.
[Source: BBC]
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg virus in the Kagera region on Monday (Jan 20), following a week of denial from health officials. The World Health Organization had previously reported nine suspected cases and eight deaths that were suspected of being due to the same virus. While one case was confirmed, 24 others tested negative. The Marburg virus poses a significant threat, especially in transit areas like Kagera, which connects several neighboring countries.
[Source: BBC]
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a controversial land expropriation bill, which allows the government to acquire land without compensation on Thursday (Jan 23). It was meant to address a historical imbalance in terms of land ownership where black South Africans own a small amount of farmland more than 30 years after apartheid. While the ruling ANC party hailed the law as a milestone, opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus, threatened legal action, expressing concerns over private ownership and the legislative process.
[Source: BBC]
South America
Colombia’s government announced a reward of a large sum of money, for information leading to the arrest of four leaders of the National Liberation Army (ELN) on Saturday (Jan 25). This decision followed President Gustavo Petro’s decree on Friday (Jan 24) which granted him emergency powers for up to 270 days to impose curfews and restrict civil rights allowing him to restore order in the Catatumbo region, where intense fighting between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissidents resulted in at least 80 deaths and the displacement of 40,000 people over ten days. The conflict over drug trafficking routes exacerbated violence, prompting the government to suspend peace talks with the ELN and reinforce military presence in the area.
[Source: Al Jazeera | AP News]
Presider de Panamá, Jose Raul Mulino, rejected Donald Trump’s claim on Tuesday (Jan 21) saying that the U.S. would “take back” the Panama Canal, stating that the crucial trade route “is and will remain” under Panamanian control. Trump accused Panama for breaching its neutrality, claiming that China was operating the canal, which he deemed as a “big mistake” for the U.S. Mulino stated that control over the canal was a result of a long struggle and confirmed Panama’s sovereignty over the vital waterway, through which about 5% of global trade passes.
[Source: BBC]
Chilean authorities arrested 23 members of the Tren de Aragua gang during raids in Santiago on Wednesday (Jan 22). Sixteen of them were directly linked to the assassination of Venezuelan dissident Ronald Ojeda. The Attorney General, Angel Valencia, stated that the gang was involved in various criminal activities such as extortion and murder, and stated that the murder of Ojeda might have been politically motivated and ordered by the Venezuelan government.
[Source: Reuters]
Brazil appointed veteran diplomat André Aranha Corrêa do Lago as president of the upcoming UN climate summit,COP30, set for November in Belém on Tuesday (Jan 21). This decision bypassed the Brazilian environment minister, Marina Silva, who retained her position. The summit is crucial as nations aim to establish new targets under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. Although the civil society hailed the appointment of Corrêa do Lago, concerns remained regarding the adequacy of facilities in Belém and Brazil’s commitment in prioritizing Indigenous voices in climate discussions.
[Source: The Guardian]
The government of President Javier Milei announced plans to strip the concept of “femicide” from Argentina’s Penal Code, which it described as a distortion in equality on Friday (Jan 24). According to Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona, this was part of a broader initiative to eradicate progressive legislation seen as “positive discrimination”, including non-binary IDs and quotas for disabled and trans individuals. The move has raised criticism at a time when the country is battling growing concerns over gender violence after statistics show that on average one woman is murdered every 30 hours for gender-related reasons.
[Source: Buenos Aires Times]
Pope Francis announced the dissolution of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a prominent Catholic group from Peru, following a Vatican investigation which revealed “sadistic” abuses within the organization confirmed by the group on Monday (Jan 20). The group, which once had 20,000 members, has been hounded by long-standing accusations against their founder, Luis Fernando Figari, who denied any wrongdoing. The investigation, led by Archbishop Charles Scicluna, uncovered sexual, physical, psychological abuses and financial mismanagement which prompted the Pope to expel Figari and other leading members.
[Source: CNN]
