Denmark is planning to increase its military presence in Greenland, a self-governing Arctic island, by deploying F-35 fighter jets as part of its defense strategy. This move comes amid concerns raised by US President Donald Trump about the need for the US to control Greenland for security purposes. The Danish government's decision is reportedly aimed at strengthening its sovereignty over the island and countering potential threats from abroad.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/denmark-receives-three-more-f-35s-greenland/The families of victims of extrajudicial killings, led by human rights group Karapatan, have filed a petition with the Supreme Court to revoke former President Rodrigo Duterte's law license due to alleged gross violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability. The petition claims that Duterte's actions undermined human rights and eroded the rule of law during his presidency.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/18/news/national/petition-filed-to-disbar-duterte/2040800The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) have agreed on a trade deal under the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) protocol, which aims to liberalize trade between the two blocs. The agreement includes plans for Sacu to open up 66.7 percent of its market to EAC countries, while the EAC will liberalize 64.25 percent of tariff lines. The deal also sets a five-year phase-down period for products classified as "not sensitive" and aims to reduce importation of used vehicles from outside the region to develop the automotive industry in the EAC.
https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/east-africa-news/why-eac-rejects-duty-free-entry-of-south-african-made-vehicles-4892278Egypt is hosting delegations from Qatar, the US, and Israel in Cairo for "technical" talks to implement a Gaza truce deal set to take effect on Sunday. The negotiations involve Egyptian, Qatari, US, and Israeli teams, with an agreement reached to facilitate the entry of 600 aid trucks per day into the Gaza Strip. If approved by Israel's security cabinet, the deal would halt fighting in Gaza and initiate the release of hostages held since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, as well as the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/while-israel-debates-gaza-peace-deal-arab-nations-press-for-enforcing-ceasefire-without-any-delay-13853876.htmlThe European Union activated the Temporary Protection Directive in response to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, allowing Ukrainians fleeing the conflict to stay legally in the EU and access basic services such as healthcare, education, and employment. The directive was initially set to expire on March 4, 2023, but was later extended by the EU Council until March 4, 2026.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-society/3949427-more-than-42m-ukrainians-under-temporary-protection-in-eu-eurostat.htmlThe European Union and Mexico have agreed to modernize their trade agreement, which will expand opportunities for services, strengthen supply chains, and enhance investment protections. The update was announced after talks between EU Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič and Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-and-mexico-revamp-trade-deal-before-us-donald-trump-is-sworn-in/Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue with the incoming Trump administration regarding US demands for Greenland, despite concerns from industry leaders that tariffs could harm Denmark's economy. However, opposition MP Rasmus Jarlov has criticized Frederiksen's approach, arguing that she is ceding Danish sovereignty over Greenland to its self-government and the US President.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14295625/Greenland-Prime-Minister-Mute-Egede-blunt-6-word-message-Trump-amid-moves-country.htmlGreenland may seek independence from Denmark due to President-elect's potential interference, potentially leading it to pursue EU membership. Historically, neighboring countries such as Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Newfoundland have all held referendums on their independence, but Greenland has not.
https://www.trtworld.com/us-and-canada/trumps-greenland-bid-may-stir-nationalist-unrest-on-the-island-experts-18253773The US has a long-standing strategic presence in Greenland due to its location under the NATO umbrella with Denmark. Following Donald Trump's election win, Greenlandic finance minister Erik Jensen expressed interest in increased cooperation with the US to boost the economy and potentially gain independence from Denmark. However, not all Greenlandic officials agree, with some like politician Pipaluk Lynge-Rasmussen opposing closer ties due to concerns about the US' history of exploiting indigenous populations for natural resources. Despite this, Denmark has maintained that Greenland is not for sale and has increased military support to the island in response to Trump's interest.
https://www.rawstory.com/greenland-trump/