Author: Amanda Martinez

A trade war has erupted between the US and Colombia after Colombian President Gustavo Petro denied entry to two US military planes carrying deported migrants. In response, US President Donald Trump announced he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods coming into the US from Colombia. Petro responded quickly, announcing retaliatory tariffs of 25% on the US. He also offered his presidential plan to facilitate the “decent return” of deportees from the US. Petro emphasized that migrants are not criminals and should be treated with dignity and respect. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has vowed to carry out “mass deportations.” The president…

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has promised ambitious reforms to curb Hezbollah’s power and address corruption. The Aoun Reforms Hezbollah initiative aims to rebuild state institutions, revive the economy, and limit the group’s influence. Hezbollah launched its campaign in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, following Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel’s goal in its war against Hezbollah was to allow the return of 60,000 displaced residents and remove the group from border areas. However, it’s unclear whether the army is able and willing to curb Hezbollah’s military power. Any action against the group could spark internal violence.…

President Trump visited California on Friday to assess wildfire damage and address recovery challenges in areas devastated by recent blazes. Touring Pacific Palisades with First Lady Melania Trump, he surveyed neighborhoods leveled by fires that scorched over 37,000 acres, killed 28 people, and displaced thousands.  Trump pledged federal support but reiterated criticism of the state’s emergency management. Governor Gavin Newsom greeted Trump on the tarmac in a show of unity despite political tensions. During discussions with Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Trump expressed concerns about slow cleanup processes. Bass emphasized the need for time to clear hazardous materials,…

The US has implemented a significant freeze on foreign aid following President Trump’s executive order issued earlier this week. According to an internal memo leaked from the US State Department, the move halts nearly all international assistance, both existing and new. The order, which mandates a 90-day review of foreign development assistance, is part of Trump’s initiative to reassess aid effectiveness and align it with his administration’s foreign policy. Under the freeze, new funds, including new awards or extensions, will now be obligated for assistance. The memo directs US officials to issue stop-work orders on active contracts while reviews proceed.…

The M23 rebels’ killing of Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami, North Kivu’s Governor, has escalated the DR Congo Conflict. It has displaced over 400,000 people and killed more than 200 civilians. The M23 has seized control of key towns, including Masisi and Minova, sparking concerns about food supplies and overwhelming hospitals. The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions forced to flee their homes. The situation is dire, with the territory of Goma and neighboring Nyiragongo territory hosting over 700,000 displaced people. Humanitarian partners are concerned about the increasing numbers of wounded people arriving in already-overwhelmed health facilities. The…

The Ministry of Defense and Rolls-Royce have finalized a £9 billion agreement to enhance the production of nuclear submarines. Defense Secretary John Healey announced the historic Rolls-Royce nuclear submarine deal on Friday. This marks the largest-ever collaboration between the two entities.  The eight-year Unity contract aims to modernize the design, manufacture, and support services for submarine reactors. Officials anticipate it will create over 1,000 new jobs in the UK and secure 4,000 existing positions. During his visit to Rolls-Royce’s reactor production facility in Derby, Healey emphasized the deal’s significance. “This investment in Britain’s defence will deliver a long-term boost to…

On Thursday, California wildfire crisis escalated as five new wildfires erupted, complicating ongoing firefighting efforts. According to updates from Cal Fire, the blazes, named Laguna, Sepulveda, Gibbel, Gilman, and Border 2, spread across Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, and Riverside counties.  In San Diego, the Border 2 fire has scorched 800 acres, prompting an active evacuation order for nearby communities. Meanwhile, Ventura’s Laguna fire, which spans 94 acres, is 70% contained, allowing crews to focus on hotspots. Firefighters in Los Angeles have made significant progress, containing 60% of the 45-acre Sepulveda fire and lifting prior evacuation orders. Riverside County witnessed…

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is taking action against Taliban leaders. Karim Khan, the ICC’s top prosecutor, will seek arrest warrants against Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani. They are suspected of committing crimes against humanity, specifically targeting women and girls. Taliban leaders face justice against human rights. The Taliban’s persecution of women and girls has been brutal. Since regaining power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has imposed strict “morality laws”. Women and girls are banned from education, with over 1.5 million being deliberately deprived of schooling. The ICC’s investigation found reasonable grounds to suspect…

A knife attack in Schöntal Park, Aschaffenburg, left a two-year-old boy and a 42-year-old man dead on Friday. Police arrested a 28-year-old Afghan Asylum seeker at the scene while two other victims, including a child, remain hospitalized with severe injuries. Officials revealed the suspect, known for past violent behaviour, faced deportation after his asylum claim was rejected. Bavaria’s interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, confirmed authorities had detained him three times for violence but released him after psychiatric treatment. Bavarian state premier Markus Söder called the incident despicable and noted the deceased man acted courageously to help the victims. Authorities ruled out…

Netflix will raise prices in several countries after adding 19 million new subscribers in the final quarter of 2024. Netflix’s subscription price hike was confirmed by the company for the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Portugal, starting immediately. In the US, most plans will see price increases, including the standard ad-free subscription rising to $17.99 from $15.49. The ad-supported plan will increase by $1, bringing the cost to $7.99. Netflix justified the changes by stating, “We will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can reinvest to further improve Netflix.” While Netflix’s spokesperson declined to…

Western officials have revealed alarming numbers of North Korean troop casualties in the conflict in Russia’s western Kursk region. Nearly 40% of the troops have been lost in just three months. Out of the estimated 11,000 troops sent from North Korea, 4,000 have been reported as battle casualties. This includes those killed, wounded, missing, or captured. The North Korean troops, reportedly from an elite unit called the Storm Corps, are led by Russian officers. This has created communication barriers and further complicated their situation. According to Col Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British Army tank commander, “These troops are barely…

The US refugee admissions process has come to a grinding halt. The US Refugee Program is facing a significant setback as a new order aims to suspend refugee admissions. According to the order, the suspension was set to take effect on January 27. However, a memo suggests that the suspension is effective immediately. This sudden move has left many refugees and advocates in limbo. The US refugee program has existed for decades, providing a haven for refugees from around the world. The program has a rigorous vetting process to ensure that only eligible refugees are resettled in the US. Under…