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In the last 24 hours - President Donald Trump criticised Canada’s trade relationship with the United States and later said he would not impose tariffs on European countries or use force to seize Greenland following talks on a future framework.

The United States also warned Haiti’s transitional council against actions it said could destabilise the country, approved a $2.3bn arms sale to Singapore, and began transferring Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq amid conflicting accounts and rights concerns.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇺🇸🇨🇦 Trump says Canada should be ‘grateful’: President Trump said Canada benefits from what he described as US “freebies” and criticised Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Davos speech warning of a global geopolitical rupture and erosion of the existing order.

2️⃣🇺🇸🇭🇹 US warns Haiti’s transitional council: The United States warned Haiti’s transitional council it would take unspecified action against anyone supporting changes it said would destabilise the country and benefit gangs, arguing such moves would undermine security and stability efforts. The warning came amid tensions between council members and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, uncertainty over the council’s February deadline, and UN Security Council discussions.

3️⃣🇷🇺🇺🇸 Putin floats $1B for Gaza ‘Board of Peace’: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow could pay $1bn from Russian assets frozen under the previous US administration to obtain permanent membership in a proposed Gaza “Board of Peace,” adding that he instructed the foreign ministry to study the proposal. The White House has said permanent membership would cost $1bn after an initial three-year free period, though no decision has been announced.

4️⃣🇺🇸🇵🇸 Nine countries join Gaza ‘board of peace’: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia and Turkiye said they would join the US-led “board of peace” for Gaza, saying it aims to secure a permanent ceasefire, support reconstruction and advance a just and lasting peace based on Palestinian self-determination. Kuwait later confirmed it had also accepted an invitation, as questions and criticism persist over the board’s composition.

5️⃣🇰🇷 South Korea jails former PM over martial law case: A South Korean court sentenced former prime minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison on charges including insurrection, finding he helped facilitate former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s December 2024 martial law declaration. Han denied most charges and the ruling is subject to appeal, with further related trials ongoing.

Major Story

🇺🇸🇬🇱 Trump drops tariff threat, rules out force

US President Donald Trump said he will not impose tariffs on European countries opposing his bid to take control of Greenland and stated he will not use force to seize the territory. He said the decision followed an agreement with Mark Rutte on a “framework” for a future deal covering Greenland and the wider Arctic region, though no details of the framework were provided. Trump said the discussions addressed security, minerals, and other issues, while Rutte said the talks focused on implementing Trump’s vision for protecting Greenland and the Arctic, declining to comment on sovereignty questions. 

A NATO spokesperson said the framework would centre on collective Arctic security efforts, with negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States aimed at preventing Russian or Chinese influence. Danish and other European leaders welcomed Trump’s decision to pause tariffs and rule out force, while reiterating that sovereignty over Greenland remains unchanged.

Other News

1️⃣🇺🇸🇸🇬 US approves $2.3bn arms sale to Singapore: The United States approved a $2.3bn weapons sale to Singapore including P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, lightweight torpedoes and air defence systems, with Congress formally notified. Singapore said the aircraft will replace its ageing Fokker 50 maritime patrol fleet under long-term defence modernisation plans.

2️⃣🇺🇸🇸🇾🇮🇶 US begins transfer of IS detainees from Syria to Iraq: The US military began transferring up to 7,000 Islamic State detainees from north-eastern Syria to Iraq, saying the move aims to prevent prison breaks after detention sites came under Syrian government control following a ceasefire. Rights groups warned detainees could face torture or execution, as clashes, disputed escapes and conflicting accounts persist despite the ceasefire.

3️⃣🇮🇱🇵🇸 Israeli strike kills three journalists in Gaza: Three Palestinian journalists were killed when a car was struck in central Gaza, according to first responders, while the Israeli military said it targeted suspects operating a Hamas-affiliated drone and is reviewing the incident. Gaza authorities reported additional civilian deaths the same day, with Israel and Palestinian groups issuing conflicting accounts of ceasefire violations.

4️⃣🇺🇸🇺🇦 Trump to meet Zelenskyy as Ukraine faces power crisis: President Trump said he will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Kyiv endures widespread power and heating outages following Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid during one of the coldest winters in years. US envoys are also set to hold talks in Moscow, while fighting continues and no breakthrough has emerged in peace efforts.

5️⃣🇰🇵 Kim fires vice premier over factory project: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung Ho, citing mismanagement and economic losses linked to the Ryongsong Machine Complex modernisation project, according to state media. The dismissal comes ahead of a major Workers’ Party congress, with Kim saying Yang lacked responsibility despite earlier warnings.

6️⃣🇪🇺🇫🇮 EU opens excessive deficit procedure against Finland: EU finance ministers launched disciplinary steps against Finland over budget deficits of 4.4% of GDP in 2024 and 4.3% in 2025, giving Helsinki until 2028 to bring the shortfall below the bloc’s 3% limit. Finland was instructed to present corrective measures by April 2026, including limits on government spending growth, or face possible escalation and sanctions.

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