World Briefing: January 25, 2025
Four female Israeli hostages are expected to be released on Saturday. This will be the second group of hostages freed by Hamas since a ceasefire was agreed. All four hostages are female Israeli soldiers. An Israeli civilian who was expected to be released was not on the list of names released by Hamas. In exchange as many as 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel are set to be freed. Hamas is expected to provide more information about the remaining 26 hostages due to be released in the weeks to come. Israeli soldiers are also expected to withdraw from key positions in Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to start returning north - BBC
Donald Trump insisted he was serious in his determination to take over Greenland in a fiery telephone call with Denmark’s prime minister, according to senior European officials. The US president spoke to Mette Frederiksen, the Danish premier, for 45 minutes last week. The White House has not commented on the call but Frederiksen said she had emphasised that the vast Arctic island — an autonomous part of the kingdom of Denmark — was not for sale, while noting America’s “big interest” in it. Five current and former senior European officials briefed on the call said the conversation had gone very badly. They added that Trump had been aggressive and confrontational following the Danish prime minister’s comments that the island was not for sale, despite her offer of more co-operation on military bases and mineral exploitation. “It was horrendous,” said one of the people. Another added: “He was very firm. It was a cold shower. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous.” The details of the call are likely to deepen European concerns that Trump’s return to power will strain transatlantic ties more than ever, as the US president heaps pressure on allies to give up territory. Trump has started his second term musing about potentially taking over Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada - FT
Mexico has refused a request from President Donald Trump's administration to allow a U.S. military aircraft deporting migrants to land in the country, a U.S. official and a Mexican official told Reuters. U.S. military aircraft carried out two similar flights, each with about 80 migrants, to Guatemala on Friday. The government was not able to move ahead with a plan to have a C-17 transport aircraft land in Mexico, however, after the country denied permission. A U.S. official and a Mexican official confirmed the decision, which was first reported by NBC News - Reuters
The Senate on Friday confirmed Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary, a triumphant moment for the former Fox News host who overcame allegations of sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and inexperience to attain one of the country’s most crucial positions. Republicans largely rebuffed those accusations and approved Hegseth with the help of Vice President JD Vance, who broke a rare 50-50 tie, in the first big nomination fight for President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. Hegseth’s confirmation could smooth the way for other controversial Trump administration picks - Politico
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies will step in to help fund the United Nations climate change work after President Donald Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement—for the second time. “More and more Americans have had their lives torn apart by climate-fueled disasters, like the destructive fires raging in California,” Bloomberg said in the statement announcing the contribution. “Now, philanthropy’s role in driving local, state, and private sector action is more crucial than ever - and we’re committed to leading the way.” - Forbes
The World Health Organization is already cutting back on hiring and travel as Donald Trump withdrawal pledge is set to hit funding. "This announcement has made our financial situation more acute, and we know it has created significant concern and uncertainty for the WHO workforce," the organization's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a letter sent to WHO staff Thursday and seen by AFP on Friday.
Southeast Asian cities were among five most polluted in the world on Friday according to air-monitoring organisation IQAir, with Ho Chi Minh City ranked second-most polluted, followed by Phnom Penh and Bangkok fourth and fifth, respectively. In Thailand (as in many other countries) air pollution is caused by a combination of crop-related burning, industrial pollution and heavy traffic. In a bid to curb pollution, the government is allowing free public transportation for a week, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said. In Vietnam's largest city, IQAir said the level of fine inhalable particles in Ho Chi Minh City was 11 times higher than the recommended level by the World Health Organization. Weeks earlier, the capital Hanoi was ranked the world's most polluted, prompting authorities to issue a warning about the health risks from air pollution and urging the public to wear masks and eye protection. Governments in Southeast Asia were pushing for longer-term solutions to bring pollution down including a carbon tax and promoting the use of electric vehicles - Reuters
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio halted spending Friday on most existing foreign aid grants for 90 days. The order, which shocked State Department officials, appears to apply to funding for military assistance to Ukraine. Rubio’s guidance, issued to all diplomatic and consular posts, requires department staffers to issue “stop-work orders” on nearly all “existing foreign assistance awards,” according to the document, which was obtained by POLITICO. It is effective immediately. It appears to go further than President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, which instructed the department to pause foreign aid grants for 90 days pending review by the secretary. It had not been clear from the president’s order if it would affect already appropriated funds or Ukraine aid. The new guidance means no further actions will be taken to disperse aid funding to programs already approved by the U.S. government, according to three current and two former officials familiar with the new guidance. The order shocked some department officials for its sweeping mandate. “State just totally went nuclear on foreign assistance,” said another State Department official. One current State Department official, plus two former Biden administration officials, said the pause appears to stop aid to key allies such as Ukraine, Jordan and Taiwan. They, and others, were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal government documents - Politico
Analysis: Since the start of Russia’s full scale invasion, USAID has sent +$37bn to Ukraine. Considering Kyiv has a monthly budget deficit of $5bn/month, the cessation of US aid - even for just three months - could be devastating.
