World News

Summary

A YouGov survey revealed 39% of Germans are concerned about the country’s political future ahead of the February 23 federal election, with frustrations centered on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD-led government.

The SPD is facing "trust and competence problems," with 50% opposing its return to government and 46% blaming it for economic challenges.

Support for the SPD has dropped to 16%, while the CDU/CSU leads with 29%, followed by the far-right AfD at 21%.

Summary

Donald Trump suggested using "economic force" to acquire Canada, citing trade deficits and national security benefits.

He also claimed the U.S. "subsidizes" Canada by up to $200 billion annually.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the idea, saying, "there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell" Canada would join the U.S.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden praised Trudeau’s leadership as he prepares to leave office amidst rising U.S.-Canada trade tensions and tariff threats under Trump.

Summary

France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, warned Donald Trump against threatening EU sovereign borders after Trump suggested potential military action to control Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.

Barrot dismissed such actions as unacceptable and noted the return of “the law of the strongest.”

Trump previously called Greenland essential to U.S. economic security, though Denmark and Greenland’s leaders firmly rejected any sale.

Trump Jr.’s brief visit to Nuuk further escalated tensions.

Summary

Donald Trump Jr. left Greenland Tuesday after less than a day, following failed efforts to promote his father's interest in purchasing the territory.

Greenlandic and Danish officials reiterated that Greenland is "not for sale," with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen citing strong local opposition to the idea.

Before departing, Trump Jr. accused Danish media of spreading "fake news" but claimed Greenlanders "love America and Trump."

Israel is obstructing a UN investigation into alleged sexual violence committed during the Hamas-led 7 October attacks, according to a report by Haaretz.

The request, which was rejected by Israel, would have allowed the UN access into Israeli prisons to conduct investigations into the treatment of Palestinians held there.

Torture, rape and murder have all been reported as rife at the facility, one of several prisons where Palestinians have been mistreated for decades.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir confirmed that conditions inside Israeli prisons "have indeed worsened" since the war on Gaza began, adding: "I am proud of that.”

Summary

Haiti saw over 5,600 killings in 2024, a 20% increase from 2023, amid escalating gang violence, according to the UN.

Gangs control 85% of Port-au-Prince, leaving 700,000 homeless and forcing many into overcrowded shelters.

The violence includes lynchings, summary police executions, and massacres, such as one in December that claimed over 200 lives.

Despite a Kenyan-led UN mission, only 550 of the 2,500 expected personnel have been deployed.

The UN called for more international support, an arms embargo, and an end to deportations, citing Haiti’s severe insecurity and humanitarian crisis.

Summary

Chinese EV maker BYD is under investigation in Brazil for allegedly bringing 500 Chinese workers on irregular visas to build a factory.

Authorities found 163 workers in "slavery-like conditions," including withheld passports, and have fined BYD.

BYD claims the workers came voluntarily, and the company pledged to comply with Brazilian labor laws for remaining workers.

The case highlights China's labor practices abroad and may strain Brazil-China relations, as Brazil prioritizes local job creation. The probe could impact BYD's $620M project and global expansion plans.

Summary

China’s military is intensifying its campaign to pressure Taiwan through record airspace incursions, joint military drills, cyber warfare, and blockades, as it aims to exhaust Taiwan’s resources and deter independence.

Analysts say Beijing employs an "anaconda strategy" to squeeze Taiwan without full-scale invasion, though U.S. intelligence suggests China may achieve invasion capability by 2027.

Despite escalating PLA activities, Taiwan resists capitulation, maintaining strong defense responses.

Experts predict continued PLA provocations in 2025 as Beijing practices for its long-term goal of reunification under Communist Party control.

Ireland has formally joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, according to a statement on Tuesday from the International Court of Justice.

The filing, made on Monday, comes months after Ireland announced plans to intervene in the case before the United Nations’ highest judicial body.

“Ireland, invoking Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, filed in the Registry of the Court a declaration of intervention in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip,” the court said in a statement on Tuesday.

Tahrir Husni al-Arian, nine-months pregnant, could see pieces of her flesh falling to the ground as an Israeli combat dog savaged her thigh.

The Palestinian mother of three was at home with her husband and children in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip when the Israeli military invaded al-Manara, their neighbourhood. It was 24 October 2024.

The dog attack, which lasted about 10 minutes, left Arian in unbearable pain and caused complications that would last for months, ultimately leading to the loss of her newborn.

Summary

Erik Jensen, leader of Greenland's Siumut party, denied reports of a meeting with Donald Trump Jr. during Trump Jr.'s visit to Greenland, reaffirming that "Greenland is not for sale."

Trump Jr. landed in Nuuk, reportedly to record podcast content, not to pursue President-elect Donald Trump's long-standing interest in acquiring the territory.

Greenland’s government confirmed no official meetings were planned.

Trump, who first proposed purchasing Greenland in 2019, reiterated his desire to acquire it, claiming Greenlanders would benefit under U.S. protection, a stance repeatedly rejected by Greenland and Denmark.

Summary

Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of France’s far-right National Rally (formerly National Front), has died.

A former paratrooper, he led the party from 1972 to 2011 and was known for inflammatory rhetoric, including Holocaust denial and praise for the Nazi-collaborating Vichy regime, which led to multiple convictions.

He ran for president five times, shocking France in 2002 by advancing to the runoff against Jacques Chirac.

A divisive figure, he was expelled from the party by his daughter, Marine Le Pen, in 2015 as she sought to moderate its image.