The Polish government pledged to ensure the safe participation of Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s liberation. Despite an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Poland aims to honor Holocaust victims. President Andrzej Duda requested assurances for Netanyahu’s attendance without arrest risk. While ICC member states must detain suspects, enforcement is limited. Poland emphasized its safety and dismissed arrest concerns as “fake news.” Netanyahu’s attendance remains uncertain. Ava Sinclair 09/01/2025 6:30 pm
Slovakia is considering retaliatory measures against Ukraine, including withholding aid, after Ukraine halted Russian gas transit, impacting Slovakia financially. Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia faces increased costs of 1 billion euros annually for gas and 500 million euros in transit fees. Potential responses include cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine or reducing aid for Ukrainian refugees. Slovakia and the EU plan to form a working group to address the issue. Fico has shifted Slovakia’s foreign policy towards Russia since taking office in 2023. Noah Prescott 09/01/2025 6:30 pm
Following Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, Germany’s Deutsche Welle labeled it a “nightmare,” and Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition collapsed, partly due to the U.S. election outcome. Scholz lost a confidence vote, prompting February 2025 elections. Trump’s presidency challenges multilateralism, potentially straining U.S.-Germany relations, a concern echoed by former Chancellor Angela Merkel and experts in German-American relations. Penelope Kingsley 09/01/2025 6:30 pm
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, 29, returned to Rome after weeks in Iran’s Evin prison, arrested following an Iranian engineer’s detention in Italy. Her release, reportedly due to diplomatic efforts led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was celebrated in Italy. Sala’s arrest, seen as political leverage, sparked outrage. Iran initially cited legal violations, but US officials linked it to the engineer’s arrest. Sala was greeted by her partner and welcomed by Meloni. The head of Italy’s foreign intelligence service reportedly traveled to Tehran to secure her release. Noah Prescott 09/01/2025 3:00 pm
A baby girl was born on a migrant dinghy en route to Spain from Africa, rescued near Lanzarote by Spanish maritime services. The Canary Islands, experiencing a 17% rise in irregular migration in 2024, are a key entry point for migrants from Mali, Senegal, and Morocco. The Atlantic route is deemed the deadliest, with over 10,000 migrant deaths reported last year. Despite risks, migrants continue seeking safer lives in Europe, causing political tensions in Spain. The opposition Partido Popular criticized the government’s handling of the migration crisis. Noah Prescott 09/01/2025 3:00 pm
The uncertainty surrounding impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, including a failed arrest attempt, has bolstered his supporters and revived his party’s fortunes. Yoon, under investigation for possible insurrection, remains in his residence, guarded by security. A poll shows 59% want him arrested, while 37% view it as excessive. The Constitutional Court is reviewing his impeachment. Analysts note that the arrest attempts have energized conservatives, boosting support for Yoon’s People Power Party, which has seen a rise in approval ratings amid potential upcoming elections. Penelope Kingsley 09/01/2025 3:00 pm
Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun, elected president, is a political newcomer expected to leverage his respected military position. Favored by the US and Saudi Arabia, he’s seen as crucial for maintaining a ceasefire and addressing Lebanon’s financial crisis. Aoun, known for his integrity, replaces Michel Aoun after failed presidential attempts due to Hezbollah tensions. Since 2017, he navigated the army through financial turmoil and played a key role in a US-France brokered ceasefire. Aoun is respected for his dedication and national interest focus, enhancing his political prospects. Penelope Kingsley 09/01/2025 3:00 pm
In China’s west, the government is placing Tibetan children in boarding schools to assimilate them into the national mainstream, promoting loyalty to the Communist Party. Critics argue this erases Tibetan identity, with around three-quarters of Tibetan children in schools teaching primarily in Mandarin. Despite international criticism, Xi Jinping endorses the program, emphasizing national unity. Officials claim the schools offer language and cultural education, but reports suggest Tibetan children are often compelled to attend, causing psychological harm. Research and videos reveal the schools’ role in advancing party objectives. Penelope Kingsley 09/01/2025 3:00 pm
President-elect Donald Trump criticized NATO members for underpaying for their defense, suggesting they should contribute 5% of their GDP instead of the current 2%. Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, Trump reiterated a controversial stance from February, where he suggested the U.S. might not protect countries that don’t meet their financial obligations, even mentioning a conversation with a NATO leader. He acknowledged facing backlash for these comments but maintained that protection should be contingent on payment, stating, “That’s not the way life works.” Penelope Kingsley 09/01/2025 3:00 pm
Slovakia plans political and economic sanctions against Ukraine to pressure it into facilitating Russian gas transit to the EU, as announced by Prime Minister Robert Fico. This follows Ukraine’s refusal to extend a gas transit deal with Russia, affecting Slovakia’s transit fee revenue. Fico threatens to cut electricity exports to Ukraine and withdraw support for Ukrainian refugees. Slovakia and Hungary may also block Ukraine’s EU accession. Despite no major gas shortages, Slovakia claims financial losses. The EU and Slovakia will form a High Level Working Group to address the issue. Penelope Kingsley 09/01/2025 3:00 pm
