Strategic Shifts: Israeli Operations in Jenin, EU Defense Talks, and North Korea’s Response to U.S.

Good Morning,

The Israeli military detonated and destroyed several buildings allegedly used by Palestinian militants in the Jenin refugee camp, EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss strengthening Europe's defense against Russia, addressing U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariffs, and debating funding strategies amid calls for increased military spending and greater autonomy from NATO, and North Korea criticized U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for calling it a "rogue state," signaling continued hostility toward the U.S. while prioritizing its military ties with Russia, though analysts suggest Kim Jong Un may reconsider diplomacy with Trump if his alliance with Moscow weakens after the Russia-Ukraine war.

Top Stories

● Large explosions in West Bank as Israeli army says it detonated buildings used by militants (AP)

● EU leaders to huddle on defence against Russia and handling Trump (Reuters)

● Preoccupied with its troops in Russia, North Korea unlikely to embrace Trump’s overture soon (AP)

● Auto stocks plunge as Trump tariffs spark trade war concerns (CNBC)

● Asian markets dive as Trump kicks off trade war (AJ)

United States and Canada

● Officials say remains of 55 of 67 victims of midair collision have been recovered and identified (AP)

● US strikes in Somalia killed ‘key’ ISIL figures, says regional government (AJ)

● FBI staff ordered to reveal their role in Jan. 6 probes by Monday (Reuters)

● Medical plane carrying child and mother crashes in Philadelphia (AJ)

● Sen. Bernie Sanders says he was "not particularly happy" with RFK Jr.'s performance at hearings, citing "deep concerns" (CBS News)

● Minneapolis Settles With Woman Who Says Derek Chauvin Knelt on Her Back (NYT)

Latin America

● Rubio tells Panama to end China's influence of canal or face US action (Reuters)

● Argentines protest President Milei’s diatribe against ‘wokeism’ at Davos (AP)

● Trump envoy arrives in Venezuela to meet Maduro about deportation flights (AJ)

● US will allow Mexican beef imports to resume, says Mexican minister (Reuters)

Africa

● DRC leader vows ‘vigorous’ response as Rwanda-backed fighters advance (AJ)

● Hospitals overwhelmed as death toll rises in Goma (AN)

● Trump plans to cut US funding to South Africa over contentious land law (AP)

● Taiwan says South Africa gives March deadline to move office from Pretoria (Reuters)

● Attack on South Sudan cattle camps kills 35, community leader says (Reuters)

● SADC leaders agree to maintain peacekeeping forces in eastern DRC (AN)

Middle East

● At least 19 killed mostly women in a car bomb explosion in northern Syria (AP)

● Exclusive: Saudi Arabia, UAE seen as possible venues for Trump-Putin summit, two Russian sources say (Reuters)

● Trump's tariffs to have limited impact on oil, gas prices, Goldman Sachs says (Reuters)

● Hezbollah’s Nasrallah to be buried in Lebanon on February 23 (AJ)

● US-backed commander says his Kurdish-led group wants a secular and civil state in post-Assad Syria (AP)

● Syria's president visits Saudi Arabia on Sunday, first trip abroad after Assad's fall (Reuters)

Indo-Pacific

● As Mexico and Canada hit back, China pulls punches on Trump’s tariffs (AJ)

● South Korean appeals court upholds acquittal of Samsung chief Lee (AP)

● Taiwan and China need peace given 'multifold changes' internationally, president says (Reuters)

● Japan launches a navigation satellite on a new flagship rocket for an improved positioning system (AP)

Europe

● Police crack down on resurgent protests in Georgia (AJ)

● Senior pro-Russian paramilitary leader wounded in Moscow blast dies in hospital, Kommersant reports (Reuters)

● Ukrainian troops lose ground with fewer fighters and exposed supply lines (AP)

● Belgium government installed, led by nationalist PM De Wever (Reuters)

● Russian air attack kills 15 in Ukraine, gas infrastructure targeted (Reuters)

● Serbian students blockade a Danube bridge overnight as anti-graft movement grows (AP)

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