The Israeli military launched airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 22 Palestinians, including 10 people who died in a multi-storey house in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood. The strikes also killed five people in the Zeitoun suburb and three others in Deir al Balah city. Meanwhile, US officials visited the Lebanese army headquarters to oversee the destruction of seized weapons and ensure compliance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Additionally, the European Union has provided over $246 million to Israeli institutions for research and innovation, including funding for artificial intelligence projects that have raised concerns about complicity in genocide due to their potential use against civilians in Gaza.
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-palestinian-death-toll-hits-45936-amid-israels-war-on-gaza-18251411The current energy crisis in Moldova has been exacerbated by Russia's decision to cut off gas supplies to Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova. This move is seen as an attempt by Moscow to strong-arm the pro-Western government in Chisinau and sway public opinion ahead of parliamentary elections this year. The crisis has led to rolling blackouts in Transnistria, with almost all industries shut down due to lack of gas supply. The Moldovan government has offered subsidies to help offset the costs for citizens, but energy prices are already rising rapidly. The situation is further complicated by Ukraine's limited ability to provide assistance, as its own energy infrastructure has been severely damaged by Russian attacks since 2022. Transnistria's residents have expressed support for reintegration with Moldova in a recent poll, but efforts to reintegrate the region are made more complex by various factors, including the presence of Russian troops and linguistic, economic, and political realities. To address the energy crisis, Moldova needs to increase connections and electricity transport from Romania, which will help ease the current crisis. However, this will not provide enough electricity to support all of Moldova if the plant in Transnistria goes offline. Later this year, the Vulcanesti-Chisinau power line is expected to be online, providing enough electricity via Romania to support all of Moldova, excluding the Transnistrian region. In addition to increasing energy connections, there is a need for impartial oversight across the energy sector to ensure that industries are free from corruption and real or perceived corruption. Furthermore, Moldova must commit to an aggressive timeline to unbundle the gas sector, including removing Russia's state-owned Gazprom from a controlling interest in Moldova's gas company Moldovagaz. The plan should be publicly disclosed, including costs and timelines for implementation, to ensure that energy is secure. This will not only help Moldovans plan for their costs and supply but also counter disinformation around energy supplies. The plan would also help Moldova's many partners and allies, including the United States and the European Union, understand a timeline for aid in this sector.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/energy-crisis-provides-opportunity-moldovaThe European Union has warned that a decision by US President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change could have a "serious blow" on global efforts to combat the issue. This warning comes as several major financial institutions, including Citigroup and Bank of America, have exited a global climate-banking alliance. In contrast, Sembcorp has made its debut on the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index, highlighting the growing importance of sustainability in business practices.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/esg/eu-warns-serious-blow-trump-climate-changeUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken has rejected President-elect Trump's proposal to acquire Greenland, stating that it is "obviously" not going to happen. Blinken made this comment at a press conference in Paris, where he emphasized the importance of working closely with allies and avoiding actions that may alienate them. This stance was supported by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who also stated that the European Union would not allow other countries to attack their sovereign borders. Meanwhile, Denmark's foreign minister said that Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but is unlikely to become a US state.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/not-going-to-happen-blinken-dismisses-trumps-idea-of-us-owning-greenland-13851130.htmlThe European Union is facing pressure to increase its climate leadership following the potential withdrawal of the US from a key climate agreement. Despite this, the EU is expected to miss a February deadline for submitting new national climate plans to the UN. The US has already submitted its contribution under the outgoing Biden administration, but the EU's political cycle does not align with the UN deadline. However, the EU aims to have its 2035 climate plan ready by November at the UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/eu-warns-serious-blow-trump-climate-changeThe European Union (EU) is facing pressure to increase its climate leadership, particularly in light of the potential withdrawal of the US from a global climate agreement. Despite this, the EU is expected to miss a February deadline for submitting new national climate plans to the UN. The EU's climate plan for 2035 will be ready by November at the UN Climate Summit in Belem, Brazil.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341666/eu-warns-of-serious-blow-from-trump-on-climate-changeThe European Union has dismissed US President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion of taking control of Greenland by military force as "wild hypothetical stuff". The EU confirmed it would defend the island if invaded, but chose not to engage in a verbal sparring match with Trump. This comes after Trump refused to rule out military action at a news conference and threatened to impose high tariffs on Denmark if it refused to cede control of Greenland, which is rich in minerals.
https://www.voanews.com/a/european-union-rebuffs-trump-s-designs-on-greenland-takeover/7929685.htmlFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that the European Union will not tolerate attacks on its borders in response to comments made by US President-elect Donald Trump regarding his interest in acquiring Greenland. This statement was made during a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Fiuggi, Italy.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/eu-will-not-tolerate-attacks-its-borders-france-says-after-trump-greenland-commentsFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned the US against threatening sovereign borders after President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out military action to take Greenland, an autonomous territory associated with the European Union through Denmark. Barrot described Greenland as "European territory" and stated that the EU will not let other nations attack its borders. He also expressed concern about a shift towards a law of the strongest in international relations, but maintained that he did not believe the US is inherently imperialistic. French government spokeswoman Sophie Primas disagreed, calling Trump's comments a form of imperialism.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/europe/france-warns-trump-against-threatening-sovereign-borders-on-greenland