The US has halted all development aid for 90 days following an executive order from former President Donald Trump. The freeze affects crucial projects worldwide, including maternal health programs in Nepal, refugee aid in Syria, and HIV treatment in Botswana. NGOs and governments are in limbo, uncertain whether funding will resume. While emergency food assistance and military aid to Israel and Egypt remain untouched, experts warn of geopolitical shifts, with China potentially stepping in. Trump’s administration claims the freeze ensures taxpayer dollars serve US interests, but critics argue it threatens lives and diminishes American global influence.
CHINA URGES JAPAN ON TRADE
China has criticized Japan’s proposed semiconductor export controls, warning they could disrupt bilateral trade and harm businesses in both nations. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce accused some countries of misusing national security concerns to suppress China’s tech sector. Urging Japan to reconsider, China emphasized the importance of maintaining stable industrial and supply chains. The ministry stated that China reserves the right to take countermeasures if necessary. Japan is currently seeking public feedback on its decision, as tensions rise over global semiconductor supply chain security and trade restrictions.
NORWAY SEIZES SUSPECTED RUSSIAN SABOTAGE SHIP
Norwegian authorities have seized the Silver Dania, a Norwegian-owned ship with a Russian crew, over suspicions of damaging an underwater telecoms cable in the Baltic Sea. The vessel, sailing between Russian ports, was detained in Tromsø following a Latvian request and a Norwegian court ruling. This comes amid growing concerns of Russian sabotage, with multiple undersea cables in the region recently damaged. NATO has launched a mission to protect critical infrastructure, deploying naval forces and drones. While another ship, the Malta-flagged Vezhen, was previously linked to the incident, tensions over Baltic security continue to rise.
ITALY BLOCKS MIGRANTS’ EXPULSION AGAIN
An Italian appeals court has blocked the expulsion of 43 asylum seekers detained in Albania under a migration deal signed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. The ruling is the third such setback, referring the case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for review. The controversial agreement, which aims to process migrants outside the EU, faces legal scrutiny as judges question whether Albania is a safe third country. The 43 migrants, from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Gambia, will be returned to Italy. Meanwhile, EU nations remain divided on migration policies amid rising arrivals in the Mediterranean.
VENEZUELA FREES 6 DETAINED AMERICANS
Venezuela has released six detained Americans following a meeting between US special envoy Richard Grenell and President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. The visit, ordered by former President Donald Trump, aimed to pressure Maduro into accepting the return of deported Venezuelans. Grenell announced that the freed Americans had spoken to Trump, thanking him. The release follows previous prisoner exchanges between the US and Venezuela, though the exact number of Americans still jailed there remains unclear. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration plans to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan migrants, putting hundreds of thousands at risk of deportation.
