EU foreign ministers Annalena Baerbock, Jean-Noël Barrot and Radosław Sikorski may be joined by EU Commission President Kaja Kallas in discussions with US officials, including the Trump administration. The EU is open to cooperation but cautious about potential trade restrictions or actions like the annexation of Greenland, a Danish territory within NATO.
https://www.politico.eu/article/france-germany-poland-plan-show-unity-trip-us-after-donald-trumps-inauguration-foreign-ministers/The United States has played a significant role in the Paris Agreement, including working with China to lay the groundwork for global climate deals. However, under President Trump, the US withdrew from the agreement and instead warned the EU that it must buy more U.S. oil and gas or face tariffs. Despite this, the European Commission is seeking to "constructively engage" with the new administration on issues including climate change. The EU is set to miss a deadline for submitting its national climate plan to the UN, but plans to have an updated plan ready by November's UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1961549/eu-warns-of-serious-blow-from-u-s-trump-on-climate-changeJordanian Foreign Minister Fayez met with Kuwaiti officials, including Sheikh Sabah and former Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmad Al Sabah, to discuss regional issues such as the Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. They emphasized the importance of sustained coordination on matters of mutual concern and unified efforts to address regional challenges, including the crises in Gaza and Syria. Fayez commended Kuwait's commitment to bolstering cooperation with Jordan, particularly in economic and trade sectors, and expressed gratitude for Kuwait's support for Jordan's efforts to end Israeli aggression and establish an independent Palestinian state.
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/fayez-conveys-kings-greetings-kuwaits-emirGerman Defense Minister Müller stated that Germany is working with partners to strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities over the medium and long term to protect its territory and ensure security. This effort includes the "coalitions of capabilities" established through the Ramstein format, a framework for cooperation between countries. The 25th meeting of the Ramstein format will take place at the U.S. Air Force base in western Germany on January 9, marking the last meeting involving outgoing US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Müller emphasized that German soldiers do not participate in combat operations in Ukraine but may visit the country for official purposes.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/3946352-germany-to-keep-arms-flowing-into-ukraine-under-existing-commitments-mod.htmlThe US, UK and South Korea have accused North Korea of stealing military secrets through cyber attacks. This has led to a strong rebuke from China, which is an ally of North Korea. Meanwhile, Google has launched a cybersecurity center in Tokyo to combat threats in the Asia region. Experts note that while AI offers solutions to these issues, it needs to be more transparent in its methods and operations.
https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkiye-launches-cybersecurity-agency-to-tackle-growing-digital-threats-18251639Indonesia's accession to the BRICS bloc is a strategic move that strengthens its position in global politics, particularly with major powers such as the United States and Western European countries. According to Deputy Chairperson of the People's Consultative Assembly Eddy Soeparno, this decision aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's mandate to adopt a free and active foreign policy while prioritizing national interests. By joining BRICS, Indonesia aims to expand its export market, increase economic growth to 7-8 percent, and tap into the bloc's significant economic influence, which has grown from 17 percent in 1995 to over 30 percent in 2022. This membership is expected to generate investment opportunities for infrastructure and renewable energy projects, as well as provide access to knowledge transfer from BRICS countries' specializations such as digitalization in India and technology in China.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/340694/brics-membership-to-boost-indonesias-influence-mpr?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=popular_rightThe Religious Affairs Ministry of Indonesia has partnered with the United States Embassy in Indonesia through the Fulbright scholarship program managed by the American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF). The agreement was signed by Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar and US Ambassador Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, aiming to improve education quality, promote cultural exchanges, and share insights on society and culture between the two countries. Under the partnership, Islamic female students in Indonesia can apply for the Fulbright scholarship, while native English-speaking teachers from the US will be placed at Islamic schools in Indonesia to teach the language. The agreement also includes opportunities for Indonesian lecturers to conduct joint research with their US counterparts and for leaders of Islamic boarding schools to visit the US for comparative studies on Muslim civilization development.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/340670/religious-ministry-us-embassy-ink-agreement-for-education-cooperationThe Ukrainian Ministry emphasized that Iran's actions pose a significant threat to regional security, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. The country is accused of violating international aviation laws after the downing of PS752, an incident for which Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, and the UK have submitted evidence to the International Court of Justice. The Ministry also highlighted Iran's ongoing support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine, further solidifying its status as a perpetrator in the eyes of the international community.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3946206-ukrainian-mfa-on-fifth-anniversary-of-uia-ps752-tragedy-impunity-encourages-irans-continued-violations-of-international-law.htmlThe 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-18251411