Canada has dispatched various resources to help combat the wildfires in California, including 40 front-line firefighters from Alberta, a team of senior officials from British Columbia, Super Scoopers airplanes from Quebec, and more water bombers and personnel from Ontario. The Canadian government has also listed its resources that are standing by to assist the US in an emergency. This move is seen as a response to US President Trump's comments suggesting Canada is an economic freeloader and a national security vulnerability. Premier Doug Ford of Ontario stated that his province would "spare no expense" to help their closest friends and allies, while Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted the strong bond between Canada and the US, saying "We're friends — especially when times get tough."
https://thestar.com/news/analysis/justin-trudeau-s-neighbourly-response-to-help-battle-california-wildfires-sends-a-pointed-message-to/article_7d1b6c0e-d058-11ef-b3e3-1fff14837d7e.htmlChina is expanding its strategic influence by securing key trade routes, including the Panama Canal, which it aspires to economically control through its operations at both ends of the canal with the Landbridge Group and CK Hutchison Holdings. This move is part of a broader strategy that also involves securing sea routes in the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Additionally, China has declared itself a "Near Arctic State" and launched the "Polar Silk Road", an Arctic version of its Belt and Road Initiative, in partnership with Russia. The U.S. is concerned about this growing presence, particularly as it relates to Greenland's increasing importance in national security due to global warming opening up the Northern Sea Route.
https://nypost.com/2025/01/12/opinion/trumps-greenland-push-about-growing-china-threat/Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien has criticized Donald Trump's remarks about potentially expanding the US border to include Canada, calling them "totally unacceptable insults and unprecedented threats" to Canadian sovereignty. In an article published in The Globe and Mail newspaper on his 91st birthday, Chretien expressed his nation's love of independence and questioned why Trump would think Canadians would give up their country to join the US. He also noted that Canada is a significant trading partner with the US, importing approximately 60% of its crude oil from Canada and exchanging over $2.7 billion worth of goods and services across the border each day. Chretien's comments reflect the strong stance taken by Canadian officials in response to Trump's expansionist rhetoric, which has also targeted other US allies such as Denmark and Panama.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/give-your-head-a-shake-canadas-former-leader-chretien-tells-trump/article69091207.eceCroatian President Zoran Milanović has been increasingly outspoken on issues such as his country's relationship with NATO, particularly regarding a potential deployment of Croatian soldiers to Ukraine. Political analyst Viseslav Raos notes that despite the ceremonial nature of the presidency in Croatia, the elected president holds significant authority and is seen as crucial for maintaining political balance in the country, which has been largely governed by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) since its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Milanović's stance on NATO has raised concerns among some, including Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who denies any plans to send troops to Ukraine.
https://apnews.com/article/croatia-election-milanovic-plenkovic-58faa5040751b131edc4b34c03f18e18Ontario Premier Doug Ford has expressed concerns about US President Donald Trump's comments regarding Canada, calling them "a problem". Ford considers Trump a "shrewd operator" and "smart businessperson", but notes that he has not set his sights on other close allies such as the UK and France. The two leaders have met in the past, including when Trump opened the former Trump International Hotel and Tower in Toronto in 2012. Ford's government is taking steps to address Trump's concerns about border security, including launching "Operation Deterrence" to crack down on illegal crossings and collaborating with the US DEA to identify the source of fentanyl ingredients. Despite Justin Trudeau's resignation as prime minister, Canadian premiers will meet with him next week to discuss the Trump tariff issue.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/influential-leader-canadas-ontario-province-seeks-trump-musk-meeting-us-needs-us-like-we-need-themA delegation from DP World, led by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, visited Pakistan to finalize commercial aspects of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Project, which aims to improve railway infrastructure in Karachi and reduce freight traffic in the city. The project, launched through a multi-million-dollar investment, is part of Pakistan's Multi-Modal Logistics Framework, positioning the country as a regional hub for transshipment and transit trade. A term sheet was signed between DP World, Pakistan Railways, and National Logistics Cell (NLC) officials, with Mazhar Ali Shah representing Pakistan in the presence of the DG SIFC.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1271284-dp-world-of-uae-and-nlc-sign-agreementThe EU may lift certain sanctions imposed on a country in order to aid its economic recovery. According to Kaia Kallas, the EU's High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, this could include measures such as restrictions on access to banking services. The decision will be made at an upcoming meeting of European foreign ministers scheduled for January 27, contingent on concrete results being achieved.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941063-saudi-foreign-minister-calls-for-lifting-of-sanctions-on-syriaFinland has announced that it will contribute two warships to a NATO monitoring mission, while the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force plans to increase its surveillance efforts in the region. Sweden's government has also commissioned its military to provide up to three warships and an air and sea surveillance plane to support the effort. The move comes after several incidents of damaged cables linking Finland and Estonia, which are believed to have been caused by a Russian oil tanker called the Eagle S, part of Moscow's "shadow fleet" that operates under opaque ownership or without proper insurance.
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/world/sweden-send-three-ships-aircraft-natos-baltic-patrol-mission-pmThe Lebanese government is working with the World Bank to assess the damage from recent events and establish a multi-donor trust fund for reconstruction efforts. The World Bank is also considering an emergency project focused on targeted assistance, but no concrete plan has been announced. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has mobilized 145 teams, including engineers, data analysts, and auditors, to aid in the recovery process, with some volunteers contributing their time. So far, compensation payments have come from Iranian donors, although it is unclear if this support comes from the government or private individuals.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/lebanons-reconstruction-nightmare-slow-progress-and-uncertain-funding-13852044.html