'Hit Them Hard': Calls for Retaliation Grow After US Troops Killed in Jordan Attack
- Iran-backed militants carried out a drone attack on a Jordanian base, killing three U.S. troops.
- President Biden blamed radical groups in Syria and Iraq, vowing to hold them accountable. Iran denies involvement.
- Republicans call for retaliation against Iran. The incident raises concerns of a broader regional conflict.
Widening Mideast Crisis U.S. Blames Iran-Backed Militia for Deaths of 3 Soldiers in Jordan
- Three U.S. service members were killed in a drone attack in Jordan, with the Biden administration attributing it to an Iran-backed militia.
- The attack occurred at Tower 22 near the borders of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan, increasing pressure on President Biden to respond.
- The Iran-backed militias claimed responsibility, while Iran denied involvement, blaming the U.S. and Israel for regional instability.
- The attack follows previous strikes on U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, with heightened calls for a stronger response from the Biden administration.
Nicaragua arrests second bishop as crackdown on Catholic church intensifies
- Nicaraguan authorities arrested Bishop Isidoro Mora amid a government crackdown on opposition figures and the Catholic Church. The arrest comes amidst wider human rights concerns in Nicaragua.
- The government views the church as opposition, part of a broader pattern of repression.
- Tensions have escalated since anti-regime protests in 2018. President Ortega's government has jailed priests, expelled nuns, and labelled protests as an "attempted coup."
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/22/americas/nicaragua-bishop-arrest-intl-hnk/index.html
Ecuador declares ‘internal armed conflict’ as gunmen take over live TV broadcast
- Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared an "internal armed conflict" as the country faces a wave of violence. The move comes after the escape of gang leader Adolfo "Fito" Macias and violent incidents.
- Authorities arrested all the armed men who interrupted a live TV broadcast, seizing firearms, grenades, and explosive material. The situation includes kidnappings, prison disturbances, and explosions, prompting a nationwide state of emergency with a 60-day curfew.
- The president called it a "state of war" against "terrorist groups." Neighboring countries express concern, and the U.S. offers assistance.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/09/americas/armed-men-interrupt-live-tv-ecuador-intl/index.html
Columbia declares a disaster due to wildfires as it calls for international help
- Colombia declared a disaster situation as wildfires intensified due to hot and dry conditions linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
- President Petro seeks international help as flights get canceled in Bogota due to smoke and fog.
Argentina pension, tax reforms scrapped from legislation to ease passage
- Argentina's new government, led by President Javier Milei, withdrew major spending reforms, including pension and tax reform, from a comprehensive bill in Congress.
- Economy Minister Luis Caputo emphasized Milei's commitment to eliminating the budget deficit.
Venezuela's Maduro says election deal with opposition could collapse
- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro warns that a deal with the political opposition for elections later this year is at risk of collapse. The deal, reached last year, led to a temporary easing of US oil sanctions.
- US officials emphasize that the relief is contingent on lifting bans on political opponents, releasing political prisoners, and addressing concerns about the arrests of opposition members.
- Maduro claims that "conspiracies" against him and government officials were dismantled, with nearly three dozen people detained.
- The government's arrest of opposition figures jeopardizes the agreements and could trigger the reinstatement of sanctions.
Argentina's President Milei to visit Israel in display of support
- President Javier Milei plans to visit Israel soon, signaling strong support.
- He pledges solidarity during a Holocaust remembrance event.
- Milei aims to strengthen ties between Argentina and Israel, emphasizing shared values.
https://www.reuters.com/world/argentinas-president-milei-visit-israel-display-support-2024-01-26/
India is now cooperating on probe into Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing: ex-Canadian NSA
- India is now cooperating with Canada in the probe into the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
- The cooperation comes after months of tensions and allegations of non-cooperation against India by Canada.
- Former Canadian National Security Advisor Jody Thomas highlights advancements and closer collaboration with India.
- The improved relationship is connected to the US indictment against Indian national Nikhil Gupta in a murder-for-hire plot related to a Khalistani separatist.
Donald Trump is preparing for a massive new trade war with China
- Donald Trump is considering a major economic attack on China if re-elected, with plans likely to spark a global trade war.
- Options include downgrading China's trade status, imposing a flat 60% tariff on all Chinese imports, or a 10% tariff on all $3 trillion in annual imports.
- Economists warn that these options would lead to enormous disruptions to the U.S. and global economies, surpassing the impact of the trade wars during Trump's first term.
- Trump's focus on intensifying trade policies reflects the emerging economic stakes of the 2024 election.
U.S. approves F-16 sale to Turkiye, F-35 to Greece after Turkiye ratifies Sweden's entry to NATO
- The Biden administration approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey after the Turkish government ratified Sweden's membership in NATO. The $23 billion F-16 sale to Turkey includes 40 new aircraft and equipment to modernize 79 existing F-16s.
- The approval came after Turkey deposited its "instrument of ratification" for Sweden's NATO membership and lawmakers lifted objections, overcoming human rights concerns.
- The sale to Greece includes $8.6 billion worth of advanced F-35 fighter jets and related equipment.
Mexico emerges as new hub for Indian IT companies operations
- Mexico is becoming a significant hotspot for Customer Experience Management (CXM) to enhance customer engagement across various touchpoints.
- Companies like TCS, Infosys, LTI Mindtree, and HCL Tech have had a presence in Mexico for over a decade.
- LTI Mindtree recently opened a 100-seater facility in Mexico City, while HCL Tech expanded its footprint in Guadalajara two years ago.
Brazil stops using ‘subnormal’ to denote its favelas
- Brazil announces a change in terminology for categorizing poor, urban neighborhoods, replacing "subnormal agglomerates" with "favelas and urban communities."
- The previous term was criticized for stigmatizing and being vague, with negative connotations.
- The new terminology aims to reflect a more nuanced and respectful approach to describing these areas.
Powerful Waves Slam U.S. Army Base in the Marshall Islands
- Unexpected waves hit Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands, causing evacuations from a U.S. military base and extensive damage.
- The U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll on Roi-Namur supports a missile range and testing facility.
- About 120 military personnel were on the island, and 80 were evacuated.
- Roi-Namur is vulnerable to sea-level rise, and the Marshall Islands, in general, are highly susceptible to climate-related challenges.
Donald Trump favoured to win against Joe Biden in the next presidential race
- A new Economist-YouGov poll suggests that more Americans believe Donald Trump would win against Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election.
- The poll asked participants to predict the outcome irrespective of their personal preferences.
- 44% of respondents anticipate a Trump win, while 35% foresee Biden as the victor.
News bits compiled by:
Ayushi Attri (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
Alithia Clemency Paul (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
Drafted by:
Aita Dey (B.A. I.R., 3rd Year)
Published by:
Alithia Clemency Paul (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
