Germany is shifting towards stricter migrant policies, with politicians advocating mass deportations, echoing Trump’s U.S. stance. Ahead of elections, migration is a key issue, with Friedrich Merz pushing for tougher measures like border controls and deportations, including to Syria. His CDU party, with support from the far-right AfD, passed a nonbinding motion, sparking backlash, including from Angela Merkel. A poll shows public support for entry bans, but a binding bill on family reunification was narrowly rejected. Critics question the legality of these measures. Ava Sinclair 01/02/2025 10:00 am
Russian forces launched a missile attack on Odesa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, damaging historic buildings and injuring seven people. President Zelenskiy called it a “deliberate strike” and emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses. Norwegian diplomats were reportedly in the area during the attack. The Hotel Bristol and Odesa Philharmonic concert hall were among the damaged sites. Governor Oleh Kiper noted the use of a missile capable of penetrating concrete, indicating a targeted attack on civilian structures. Zelenskiy stressed the urgency of enhancing air defense systems. Noah Prescott 01/02/2025 10:00 am
Three of President Trump’s controversial cabinet nominees faced Senate hearings: Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, and Kash Patel for FBI Director. Gabbard and Kennedy faced tough bipartisan questioning, while Patel received strong Republican support. This marked the first time Trump’s nominees faced significant Republican scrutiny, contrasting with previous nominees who faced little opposition. Pete Hegseth, confirmed as Defense Secretary, also faced minimal Republican questioning, despite needing a tie-breaking vote for confirmation. Ava Sinclair 01/02/2025 10:00 am
Following his inauguration, President Trump rapidly initiated numerous executive actions, setting a distinct tone for his presidency. Key actions included withdrawing from the WHO and halting federal diversity initiatives. Some policies, like reviewing foreign aid and deportations, initiated broader processes, while others faced legal challenges. His comments about relocating Gazan refugees to countries like Jordan and Egypt remain uncertain, raising questions about their seriousness or feasibility. Noah Prescott 01/02/2025 10:00 am
On the fifth anniversary of Brexit, the UK government highlighted benefits like freedom from EU regulations, enhancing London’s competitiveness as a financial hub. Despite this, both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats criticized the current Brexit deal, with the latter calling it a “disaster” and advocating for closer EU ties. Sir Keir Starmer aims to improve Brexit’s implementation without rejoining the EU or single market. The government marked the anniversary quietly, emphasizing a cooperative relationship with the EU, the UK’s largest trading partner. Penelope Kingsley 01/02/2025 10:00 am
Your smartphone likely contains tantalum, a rare metal sourced from eastern DR Congo, where conflict is ongoing. The M23 rebel group, involved in recent fighting, controls key mining areas. Tantalum is crucial for electronic devices due to its ability to hold a high charge. The M23 funds its operations through mining, having seized Rubaya, a coltan hub. Mining is informal, with individuals working in unsafe conditions. The M23 established a “state-like administration,” issuing permits and increasing wages to maintain mining operations. Penelope Kingsley 01/02/2025 10:00 am
Hamas released three Israeli hostages, including Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas, to Red Cross officials in Gaza, as part of a truce to end the 15-month war. Israeli-American Keith Siegel was released separately. Hamas claims Bibas’s children and wife were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Israel is set to release 182 Palestinian prisoners. The Rafah crossing reopened for Palestinian patients to enter Egypt. The handover was orderly, unlike a chaotic earlier transfer. Eighteen hostages have been exchanged for 400 Palestinian prisoners so far. Ava Sinclair 01/02/2025 10:00 am
Residents of Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, greeted the arrival of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels with mixed emotions. Some stayed indoors, while others cheered the fighters, fearing reprisals. The rebels entered Goma with little resistance from the Congolese army, despite gunfire in parts of the city. Videos showed residents applauding and fist-bumping the armed fighters. Many expressed that the warm welcome was out of self-preservation due to fear of the rebels’ unpredictable behavior. Hundreds of thousands have sought refuge in Goma amid ongoing conflict and accusations of abuses by all parties involved. Ava Sinclair 27/01/2025 5:30 pm
Survivors and dignitaries, including the German chancellor and president, marked the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation. Around 50 former inmates attended the ceremony in Poland, focusing on survivor testimonies rather than political speeches. Flowers were laid at the Death Wall, and the main commemoration took place at Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Survivor Tova Friedman emphasized honoring the memory of children who perished, recalling her vivid memories of the Holocaust, validated by her mother. Penelope Kingsley 27/01/2025 5:30 pm
President Trump proposed that Egypt and Jordan temporarily or permanently resettle Palestinians from Gaza, citing the destruction from Israel’s conflict with Hamas. The suggestion was rejected by both countries and the Palestinians, fearing it would prevent their return. Jordan’s foreign minister and Egypt’s foreign ministry emphasized the risk of escalating regional conflict. Israel’s government had no immediate comment, though some far-right members supported the idea. Human rights groups have accused Israel of ethnic cleansing, raising concerns about the proposal’s implications. Noah Prescott 27/01/2025 5:30 pm
