Category: International Conflict

Trump call with Denmark’s PM over Greenland described as confrontational, serious, dangerous

Trump has apparently not ruled out the use of military force to annex Greenland. During a press conference on January 8, 2025, Trump stated that “all options were on the table,” refusing to exclude the possibility of military force (The Guardian). The confrontational stance has raised concerns among European leaders, with Germany and France warning against any use of force over Greenland (The Guardian). German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said “the principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country……

Families returning to parts of Gaza face danger of unexploded bombs underground

While fighting in the air may have stopped in Gaza, danger remains for Palestinians returning to parts of the war-torn territory due to unexploded bombs on the ground. They blend in with the mounds of rubble and destruction. Efforts are underway in Gaza to locate and remove these bombs, starting in the southern Gaza city of Rafah — which saw some of the heaviest combat in the 15-month-long long war between Israel and Hamas. But mines advisory groups say in order…

Tennessee Republican Introduces Amendment To Allow A Third Trump Term

A Republican congressman has introduced an amendment to the Constitution that would allow President Donald Trump to seek a third term in office, arguing that it will ensure “we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs.” Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee revealed his long-shot measure Thursday that would amend the 22nd Amendment, which sets the current two-term limit for presidents. “He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s…

U.S.: Migrants in handcuffs and chains boarding military aircraft

As reported by RAI News, Italy: About eighty people are seen lined up, handcuffs on their wrists, boarding military planes and being repatriated to Guatemala. “The expulsions have started,” says the White House spokesman. In El Paso, a city in Texas on the border with Mexico, Bishop Mark Joseph Seitz summons the press before the diocese to denounce the social repercussions of this crackdown: “When the government tramples on human dignity we must react.” In one RAI TG1 report, the…

Denmark, US and Greenland to discuss Arctic security

OSLO – Denmark agreed on Jan 24 to discuss the Arctic region with Washington, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, after his first phone call with the secretary of state from the administration of President Donald Trump, who wants control of Greenland. Mr Rasmussen and Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a 20-minute conversation in a “good and constructive tone”, discussing Ukraine, European security and the situation in the Middle East, the Danish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Mr…

US lawmakers find UAE provides weapons to Sudan RSF; UAE denies this

WASHINGTON – Two U.S. lawmakers will keep trying to block arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, having determined that the UAE is providing weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s civil war, they said on Friday. A UAE official denied this. The Sudanese army and the RSF together led a coup in 2021 removing Sudan’s civilian leadership, but fell out less than two years later over plans to integrate their forces. The war that broke out…

Chris Hedges: MIT’s Work for the Israel, AI used for tasks like targeting

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Documents show Google aided Israel with advanced AI tools amid war

The Washington Post says it has seen documents according to which Google employees actively assisted Israel in gaining access to certain advanced AI technology quickly after the war in Gaza began. The report says Israel’s Defense Ministry sought to expand its use of Vertex AI, a Google service applying AI algorithms to data. One worker warned internally that a delay in granting access to the tech could push Israel to switch to competitor Amazon. The paper notes that while the documents confirm…

The latest on Putin and Trump: January 22, 2025

As of January 22, 2025, here are some developments concerning President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s Ultimatum to Putin on Ukraine War: President Trump has demanded that President Putin end the war in Ukraine, describing the conflict as “ridiculous.” He warned that Russia would face economic sanctions, including taxes and tariffs, if it does not cooperate. Trump emphasized his preference for an easy resolution but is prepared to implement other measures if necessary. The Sun Putin’s Response to…

US military preparing to send additional 1,500 troops to border, official says

The U.S. military is set to deploy an additional 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. This includes 500 Marines, Army helicopter crews, and intelligence analysts, augmenting the 2,200 active-duty troops and National Guard members already present. The decision follows President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring illegal immigration a national emergency and directing the Pentagon to achieve “complete operational control of the southern border.” The troops will provide logistical support, such as assisting in deportation efforts by transporting detained immigrants…

Canadian National Sentenced to 40 Months for Multimillion-Dollar Export Control Scheme

Nikolay Goltsev, a Canadian national, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar export scheme that provided advanced U.S. electronic components to sanctioned Russian military companies. Goltsev used two Brooklyn-based companies to source and ship dual-use technology through intermediary front companies in countries like Turkey, Hong Kong, and the UAE, ultimately rerouting the products to Russia. The electronics, including components for precision-guided weapons, were found in Russian weapons systems used in Ukraine. Goltsev demonstrated awareness of U.S….

Israel strikes Yemeni airport. The head of the World Health Organization was there. “Slight deviation could have resulted in a direct hit.”

The head of the World Health Organization said on Friday he was not sure he was going to survive an air strike carried out by Israel a day earlier during a series of attacks on the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Speaking after his ordeal at the Sanaa International Airport on Thursday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the explosions that rocked the building were so deafening that his ears were still ringing more than a day later. Tedros said it quickly…

WATCH | Airstrikes and cold claim lives in Gaza as Israel marks Hanukkah

As Israel marks Hanukkah, ceasefire talks with militants in Gaza remain stalled as Israel continues to pound targets in the territory. Among the latest reported victims of the war, a displaced child who froze to death overnight while sheltering in a tent.

NATO calls for full investigation of Azerbaijan Airlines crash

NATO calls for full investigation of Azerbaijan Airlines crash BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO on Thursday called for a full investigation into the cause of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash that killed 38 people. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and victims of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243,” NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah said in a post on the platform X. “We wish those injured in the crash a speedy recovery and call for a full investigation.” Kazakhstan’s senate chairman said…

Coast Guard leaders kept sexual assault investigation secret: Report

HARTFORD, Conn. — Former top Coast Guard officials hid a yearslong investigation into sexual assault and harassment at the service’s academy from both Congress and the public after leaders debated the fallout from a potential disclosure, according to a U.S. Senate committee report released Friday. Coast Guard officials also took steps to remove references to the investigation, named Operation Fouled Anchor, from records submitted to Congress, according to the report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The report followed…

China says US ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid for Taiwan

The Chinese government protested Sunday the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is “playing with fire.” U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday authorized the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and in military education and training for Taiwan. Separately, the Defense Department said Friday that $295 million in military sales had been approved. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged the U.S. to stop arming Taiwan…