Global Dynamics: Trump’s New Policies, Middle Eastern Tensions, and Africa’s Challenges

Good Morning,

The Trump administration has launched sweeping changes, including directing federal diversity, equity, and inclusion staff to go on leave and issuing controversial pardons. Meanwhile, the Middle East sees growing tensions with military operations in Jenin and debates in Iraq over child marriage laws. In Africa, the displacement crisis in the DRC continues as South African police intensify their hunt for gang leaders, underscoring the ongoing regional instability.

Top Stories

● Trump pardons 1,500 Jan. 6 prisoners, commutes other sentences (AJ)

● ADL faces backlash for defending Elon Musk’s raised arm gesture (AJ)

● Putin-Xi-Trump meeting highlights Russia-China strategic alliance amid Ukraine tensions (AP)

● Trump administration directs all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion staff be put on leave by 5 p.m. tomorrow (AP)

● Trump UN nominee backs Israeli claims of biblical rights to West Bank (The Guardian)

United States and Canada

● Trump rescinds guidance protecting sensitive areas from immigration raids (AJ)

● Trump administration removes four-star Coast Guard leader in firing spree (AJ)

● 18 states challenge Trump’s executive order cutting birthright citizenship (ABC News)

● Trump pardons Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road drug marketplace (The Guardian)

● Trump to announce up to $500 billion in private sector AI infrastructure investment (CBS News)

● Trump’s UN ambassador pick says Israel has ‘biblical right’ to West Bank (AJ)

Central America

● As Trump lifts sanctions on West Bank settlers, anti-Palestinian violence flares in the occupied area (NBC News)

● Haiti police struggle as gang violence worsens (AP)

● El Salvador President Bukele signs law banning metal mining (AP)

● Mexico’s president stresses defense of the country’s sovereignty after Trump’s initial policies (Reuters)

Africa

● M23 rebels seize key eastern DRC town of Minova (AJ)

● More than 230,000 displaced in DRC since start of the year, UN says (AJ)

● South African police launch manhunt for gang leader at illegal mine (Reuters)

● South Sudan says 16 Sudanese nationals killed in last week’s unrest (Reuters)

● Angola’s central bank holds key interest rate (Reuters)

● Portugal to import more U.S., Nigerian LNG, aims to end Russian supply (Reuters)

Middle East

● Putin-Xi-Trump meeting highlights Russia-China strategic alliance amid Ukraine tensions (AP)

● Turkey detains nine people over ski resort hotel fire that killed 76 (Reuters)

● Israeli military begins operation in West Bank city Jenin (Reuters)

● Israeli chief of staff to submit resignation, Israeli media says (Reuters)

● Syria’s HTS fighters tighten security amid Assad crackdown (AP)

● Iraq’s parliament debates controversial child marriage law (AP)

Indo-Pacific

● Landslides and flash floods kill at least 16 in Indonesia (AJ)

● Indonesia flash floods and landslide devastate Pekalongan, Central Java (AP)

● South Korea’s President Yoon considers martial law during impeachment trial (AJ)

● Taiwan earthquake causes widespread damage (AP)

Europe

● Prince Harry’s court battle against Murdoch UK newspapers delayed (AJ)

● Slovak leader Fico preparing EU exit, opposition says (Reuters)

● Spain’s Deputy PM Díaz withdraws from Elon Musk’s X platform (Reuters)

● Trump says he would sanction Russia if Putin does not negotiate on Ukraine (Reuters)

● EU approves Romania’s seven-year deficit reduction plan (Reuters)

● European leaders vow to stick to Paris climate agreement despite Trump withdrawal (ABC News)

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