January 27th marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and death camp, by Soviet troops in 1945.
1. Palestinians Return to Leveled Homeland
Thousands of Palestinians began returning to their homes in northern Gaza on Monday, following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that included the release of Israeli hostages, Palestinian prisoners and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from a devastated Gaza. Displaced residents, many of whom had been living in makeshift shelters for over a year, walked for miles to reach their devastated neighborhoods. The return marked a significant step in the fragile peace process, though the situation remains tense.
Despite the return, significant challenges remain, including a massive humanitarian crisis, the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure and the long-term resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. President Trump, in recent days, suggested that he would like to “clean the whole thing out”, referring to Gaza while also suggesting that Egypt and Jordan should take Palestinians in. Both Egypt and Jordan met Trump’s request with a swift and definitive “no”.
2. ICE Arrests Confirmed in Dallas
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 84 individuals across North Texas on Sunday as part of targeted immigration enforcement operations. Arrests occurred in several cities within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth, Irving, Garland, and Collin County.
According to an ICE spokesperson, the individuals arrested were taken into custody for various reasons, including criminal charges and overstaying visas. All detainees will undergo processing at the Dallas ICE Field Office before facing potential deportation.
These operations follow President Trump’s renewed focus on enforcing immigration laws, including increased deportations of individuals residing in the United States without legal status.
3. Columbia Backs Down on Receiving Deportees after Trump Threatens Tariffs
In a move to avert threatened tariffs, the Colombian government has agreed to accept the return of Colombian citizens who have been deported from the United States. The agreement follows months of negotiations between the two countries and comes after the Trump administration threatened to impose tariffs on Colombian goods.
Under the terms of the agreement, Colombia will increase its capacity to receive deported citizens and provide them with reintegration services. The U.S. will continue to prioritize the deportation of individuals with criminal convictions, while also focusing on those who have overstayed their visas.
4. The New Freeze On U.S. Foreign Aid
The U.S. State Department has ordered a freeze on new funding for nearly all foreign assistance programs. This directive, issued by newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to review all foreign aid programs to ensure they align with President Trump’s foreign policy objectives.
The freeze, which includes a 90-day review period, will impact a wide range of programs, including those focused on health, education, development, and humanitarian assistance. Exceptions will be made for emergency food programs and military aid to certain allies.
Critics argue this freeze will have severe consequences for vulnerable populations worldwide, while supporters contend it is necessary to ensure U.S. foreign aid is used effectively and strategically.
5. Trump Still Talking About Buying Greenland & Making Canada A U.S. State
Recent comments from Trump about his desire to buy Greenland are stirring up critics on the international stage, again. The President made new comments about the island and added that he’s been mulling over the possibility of turning Canada into a U.S. state. Both Danish and Canadian leaders have pushed back against the suggestions, driving home their sovereignty while taking digs at Trump’s willingness to ignore such.
Trump’s comments about ownership of the Arctic island that contains critical natural resources go back as far as 2019, when he floated the idea, to which the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen replied that Greenland was “not for sale.”
