“Donald Trump has again proposed annexing Greenland, after Denmark’s leader urged him to ‘stop the threats’ over the island. Speaking to reporters, the US president said ‘we need Greenland from the standpoint of national security.’ Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect of the semi-autonomous Danish territory becoming an annexed part of the US, citing its strategic location for defence purposes and mineral wealth. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen responded by saying ‘that’s enough now’ and described the notion of US control over the island as ‘a fantasy.’ ‘No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation. We are open to dialogue. We are open to discussions. But this must happen through the proper channels and with respect for international law.'” (01/05/25)
“The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose nearly 5% over the past three days, lifting the total value of the market by about $100 billion, as traders digested the implications of Washington’s dramatic intervention in Venezuela and its potential impact on oil prices. While some analysts described Bitcoin’s rally as an early signal of broader market stress, certain bullish commentators revived long-standing calls for prices as high as $1 million.” (01/05/26)
“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced the head of Ukraine’s security service Monday, continuing a top-level reshuffle ahead of a trip to Paris where he hoped to finalize agreements with allies on how to ensure that Russia doesn’t repeat its invasion if a peace agreement is signed. Zelenskyy is trying to revamp his administration as the grinding war of attrition with Russia marks its fourth anniversary next month. He is keen to keep up the momentum of U.S.-led peace talks as well as sharpen Ukraine’s focus on defense if those efforts collapse. The Paris talks are expected to include the leaders of about 30 countries, dubbed the ‘coalition of the willing,’ which are ready to provide security guarantees to keep Ukraine safe in the future.” (01/05/25)
“Uganda’s government said on Monday it was banning live broadcasts of riots, ‘unlawful processions’ and other violent incidents ahead of an election in which President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his 40-year rule. The authorities have detained hundreds of opposition supporters ahead of the January 15 election, which will again pit the 81-year-old Museveni against the 43-year-old pop-star-turned politician Bobi Wine. … More than 50 people were killed before the last election in 2021 in crackdowns by security forces against Wine supporters, who accused Museveni of stealing the election, which he denied.” (01/05/26)
“President Donald Trump stated late Sunday that ‘we’re in charge’ of Venezuela, while warning its interim leader Delcy Rodríguez that she will fare ‘probably worse’ than [abducted] President Nicolas Maduro if she does not cooperate. …. Trump threatened military action against Colombia, drawing backlash from its president, but said there were no plans for immediate intervention in Cuba, predicting its government was ‘just going to fall.’ He again outlined his desire to take over Greenland, drawing widespread pushback including from NATO ally Denmark, which governs the Arctic island nation.” (01/05/26)
“The Israeli army has launched more attacks into parts of Gaza outside its direct military control, despite the ceasefire deal mediated by the United States in October. At least three Palestinians were killed on Sunday in separate Israeli attacks in Khan Younis, medical sources told Al Jazeera. They included a 15-year-old boy, a fisherman, and a third man shot dead east of Khan Younis. In the central part of the besieged enclave, Israeli fire injured several people east of the Bureij refugee camp. In Gaza City to the north, Israeli forces continued to demolish homes and civilian infrastructure within the mostly destroyed Tuffah neighbourhood.” (01/04/26)
“The national debt is moving into unseen territory, with annual interest owed shattering the $1 trillion mark. That’s nearly triple the charge run up just six years ago—$345 billion in 2020—according to estimates from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Quartz reports. The federal government now owes about $38.4 trillion to its lenders, though economists aren’t sounding the alarm just yet about a default or a rapid loss of confidence.” (01/03/26)
“At least 30 villagers have been killed while several others were abducted by gunmen who raided a village in northern Nigeria’s Niger state, police said Sunday, the latest in a cycle of deadly violence in the conflict-hit region. The gunmen stormed the Kasuwan-Daji village in Niger state’s Borgu local government area on Saturday evening and opened fire on residents. They also razed down the local market and several houses, Niger state police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said in a statement. At least two residents put the death toll at 37 and said it could be much higher, as some people remained missing as of Sunday.” (01/04/26)
“President Trump signed an executive order Friday blocking a semiconductor deal between HieFo Corp. and Emcore Corp., citing national security concerns related to China. ‘There is credible evidence that leads me to believe that HieFo Corporation, a company organized under the laws of Delaware (HieFo) and controlled by a citizen of the People’s Republic of China … might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States,’ Trump said in the order. HieFo is based in Delaware, while Emcore is based in New Jersey. Genzao Zhang is HieFo’s CEO and co-founder. Trump’s executive order blocks HieFo from acquiring ‘the assets comprising the digital chips and related wafer design, fabrication, and processing businesses of EMCORE.'” (01/02/26)
“The Myanmar junta will release more than 6,000 prisoners to mark Independence Day, the state media reported on Sunday. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has granted amnesty to 6,134 imprisoned Myanmar nationals, the National Defence and Security Council said in a statement. The amnesty also includes 52 foreigners who will be released and deported from Myanmar. … The amnesty comes during a monthlong, three-stage election process that critics say is designed to create the impression of legitimacy for the junta’s rule.” (01/04/26)
