In 2019, then-President Trump declared at the U.N. General Assembly that “the future does not belong to the globalists,” emphasizing his America-first stance and criticizing global elites and multilateral institutions. As he seeks a second term, Trump’s rhetoric has shifted towards a 21st-century imperialism, advocating for U.S. hemispheric expansion, surprising U.S. allies. Noah Prescott 10/01/2025 7:00 pm
Hezbollah’s dominance in Lebanon has weakened after decades of control. The group, once more powerful than the national military, is now on shaky ground due to 14 months of conflict with Israel, the fall of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and Iran’s weakened state. Despite retaining significant power and support among Shiite Muslims, Hezbollah’s unchallenged influence is waning. This shift was highlighted when Lebanon’s Parliament elected a new president, ending years of political gridlock attributed to Hezbollah. Analysts suggest a new political reality is emerging in Lebanon. Penelope Kingsley 10/01/2025 3:30 pm
Venezuela’s opposition leader MarÃa Corina Machado was briefly detained after a protest rally before President Nicolás Maduro’s disputed inauguration. Machado was reportedly intercepted and forced to record videos. Venezuela’s information minister dismissed her detention as a distraction. The opposition and several countries reject Maduro’s election win as fraudulent, recognizing exiled candidate Edmundo González as president-elect. The UN expressed concern over arbitrary detentions in Venezuela. Protests continue, with police deploying tear gas and heavy security in Caracas. Noah Prescott 10/01/2025 3:30 pm
UK officials are monitoring Elon Musk’s social media posts as a potential security risk. The Home Office’s Homeland Security group is assessing the reach and engagement of these posts, focusing on non-state actors. This scrutiny began after Musk’s controversial comments about Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, which led to increased threats against her. Musk has also criticized the UK government over its handling of grooming gang inquiries. The monitoring aims to address national security challenges, though specific operational details remain undisclosed. Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has questioned the cost and extent of this investigation. Ava Sinclair 10/01/2025 3:30 pm
NATO is unlikely to adopt Donald Trump’s proposal for a 5% GDP defense spending target but may agree to increase the current 2% goal. Officials and analysts suggest a new target could be set at a NATO summit in June, possibly around 3% of GDP, driven by concerns over Russia and Trump’s pressure. However, achieving even this revised target would be challenging for many NATO members. Ava Sinclair 10/01/2025 3:30 pm
On January 7-8, Russian forces launched 64 drones against Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces downing 41. Debris caused minor damage in Kyiv Oblast. A Russian glide bomb strike in Zaporizhzhia killed 13 and injured 63. Ukrainian forces hit Russia’s Kombinat Kristal oil storage, causing a large fire and potential logistical issues for Russia’s Engels-2 Air Base. Ukrainian forces also targeted a Russian command post in Donetsk. Russian forces advanced in Kursk, Toretsk, and near Kurakhove, and are increasingly using drones with fiber optic cables. Ava Sinclair 10/01/2025 12:00 pm
Elon Musk hosted Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right AfD, for a discussion on energy policy and immigration, monitored by the European Commission. Musk called Weidel a leading candidate for Germany, though polls show mixed results. Weidel criticized Angela Merkel’s nuclear plant closures, while Musk supported a mix of energy sources. They discussed bureaucratic challenges, despite AfD’s past opposition to Musk’s Tesla factory. Weidel reiterated strict immigration controls, claiming high tax spending on foreigners, without citing sources. Other parties refuse to work with AfD, limiting Weidel’s chancellorship chances. Penelope Kingsley 10/01/2025 12:00 pm
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni successfully secured the release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala from an Iranian prison. Sala was detained in Tehran, possibly as a bargaining chip after Italy arrested an Iranian engineer. Meloni’s office credited diplomatic and intelligence efforts for Sala’s release. The timing of Meloni’s meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump raises questions about its influence on the situation, highlighting Meloni’s unique position as a right-wing European leader with strong ties to both the US and support for Ukraine. Ava Sinclair 10/01/2025 12:00 pm
In 2024, global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first full year, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. This marks a significant milestone, with every month in 2024 being the warmest or second-warmest on record. The average temperature was 1.6°C higher than in 1850-1900. The past decade includes the ten warmest years recorded. The 2015 Paris Agreement aimed to prevent such temperature rises to avoid severe climate impacts. Ava Sinclair 10/01/2025 8:30 am
Angela Merkel’s memoir, “Freedom,” released in 30 languages, arrives amid European uncertainty, including Germany’s coalition collapse, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Trump’s trade tariffs. Merkel, who led Germany for 16 years, is missed for her political stability and economic growth. Her memoir sparks debate on her legacy. Born in West Germany but raised in East Germany, Merkel opposed the Stasi regime and supported reunification. She was active in a pro-market, pro-NATO party, emphasizing democracy as essential for freedom. Her memoir is less eloquent than Obama’s. Penelope Kingsley 10/01/2025 8:30 am
