Former US President Jimmy Carter has been criticized for his views on Israel and anti-Semitism, with some accusing him of being too friendly with dictators. However, he is also credited with averting a war between the United States and North Korea in 1994 through diplomatic efforts. Carter made a secret trip to meet with North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, which he described as a "miracle" that ended the crisis. The move was seen as a breach of protocol by the Clinton administration, but both Bill and Hillary Clinton attended Carter's funeral, along with former President George W. Bush, who praised him in their statements.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/media/article-14267599/scott-jennings-joe-biden-jimmy-carter-funeral.htmlItalian journalist Cecilia Sala has been released from an Iranian prison after being held since December. She returned to Rome on Wednesday, where she was reunited with her parents and met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at Ciampino Airport. The release comes as a diplomatic spat between Italy and Iran continues over an Iranian national being held in Milan.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1270217-italian-reporter-jailed-in-tehran-returns-to-italyChina's businesspeople and tourists are reassessing their involvement in South Korea due to the country's prolonged political turmoil. Analysts predict that Chinese traders, investors, and travelers will pause or potentially halt their activities until more stable circumstances arise. The uncertainty stems from President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024, which has led to ongoing investigations and a lack of clarity about the country's next leader. As a result, international investors, including those from China, are viewing South Korea as a high-risk destination due to concerns over potential street protests and policy paralysis in the coming months.
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3293936/chinas-investors-tourists-hit-pause-size-risks-turmoil-seoul?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionChina is attempting to expand its influence in the Arctic region despite not having any territorial claims over Arctic waters or continental shelves. The country has been described as a "near-Arctic state" and has been granted observer status to the Arctic Council, a group of eight Arctic states including Russia, the US, Canada, and others. This move is seen as unjust by many due to China's lack of sovereignty in the region.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14266411/Global-war-control-ARCTIC-Russia-China-fears-Trump-Greenland.htmlThe Chinese commerce ministry has stated that investigations under the EU's Foreign Subsidy Regulation (FSR) have led to losses of over 15 billion yuan ($2.05 billion) for Chinese companies, as they were forced to abandon or curtail projects in the European market. The measures have been criticized by the ministry for damaging the competitiveness of Chinese enterprises and hindering the development of European national economies. The EU has imposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars and solar panels, prompting Beijing to retaliate with provisional tariffs on brandy imported from the EU. This has led to a heightening of trade tensions, causing many multinationals to re-evaluate their operations in China due to increased regulatory requirements and national security concerns.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/national_news/beijing-says-eu-imposed-unfair-trade-barriers-on-chinese-firms/article_c4e4ad92-1ed5-5128-9e44-90ecf8e98083.htmlThe Chinese commerce ministry has accused the EU's Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) of discriminating against Chinese firms and creating trade barriers. The ministry claims that the FSR's "selective enforcement" results in Chinese products being treated more unfavorably than those from third countries, with vague criteria for investigating foreign subsidies and opaque procedures that create uncertainty. This has led to Chinese companies abandoning or curtailing projects worth over 15 billion yuan ($2.05 billion), damaging their competitiveness in the EU market and hindering European national economies. The dispute is part of a wider trade standoff between Beijing and Brussels, with the EU seeking to reduce its reliance on Chinese technology due to national security concerns.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1270468-beijing-says-eu-imposed-unfair-trade-barriers-on-chinese-firmsUK Foreign Office Minister David Lammy expressed concerns over US President-elect Donald Trump's comments about acquiring Greenland for national security purposes. He described the remarks as "classic Donald Trump" and noted that any decision on Greenland's status would ultimately be up to its people. Lammy stated that while Trump's rhetoric can be destabilising, his emphasis on increased defence spending by NATO members could benefit Western allies. The UK is keen not to damage relations with the US under the new Labour government, despite some Labour ministers having previously made disparaging comments about Trump.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/national_news/uk-fm-lammy-refuses-to-condemn-trump-comments-on-greenland/article_4eea19f3-61c4-5972-8636-54be7e2e2d9f.htmlThe Danish government has downplayed concerns about the potential for a US military base in Greenland, following criticism from the European Union over President Donald Trump's plans to build one. The EU had expressed concern that such a base could undermine NATO and create a new Cold War-era rivalry between the US and Russia.
https://www.euobserver.com/green-economy/ar258d652bPolish President Andrzej Duda has urged the government not to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he attends the Auschwitz liberation anniversary event later this month. The International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November over his alleged role in the Gaza war, prompting outrage from Israel and its allies. In a letter to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Duda expressed his desire to allow Netanyahu to participate in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, which is scheduled for January 27. The ICC had found "reasonable grounds" to believe that Netanyahu bore criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.
https://www.rawstory.com/polish-president-says-don-t-arrest-netanyahu-at-auschwitz-ceremony/