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- In what may have been either his final State of the Union address or possibly the last of his first term, US President Joe Biden boldly differentiated himself from Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Speaking to Congress and 32 million Americans watching from home on Wednesday, without once naming Donald Trump, Biden criticized the former administration's ties with Russia, the buildup to the January 6 Capitol attack, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted that his "predecessor failed the most basic duty. Any President owes the American people the duty to care." Biden also addressed critical issues like abortion rights, accusing Trump of contributing to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and hinting at a possible national abortion ban. His energized speech didn't just target Trump; he also engaged directly with Republican lawmakers, challenging them on their positions regarding social security, tax cuts, and border security - with Biden urging Republicans to collaborate rather than resist. Amidst these exchanges, Biden responded to heckling from conservative congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who demanded Biden mention the name of Laken Riley, acknowledging her a victim of a crime allegedly committed by an undocumented immigrant. Biden clumsily went off script, incorrectly pronounced the name said she was an “innocent, young woman who was killed by an illegal," drawing disappointed reactions from lawmakers who have long argued that this term is inaccurate and outdated. Marjorie Taylor Greene faced the possibility of being expelled from Congress for wearing a Make America Great Again hat and refusing to remove it, despite multiple official requests. Biden's stance on Russia and his commitment to Ukraine support underscored his foreign policy approach, contrasting with the perceived leniency of Republicans under Trump. Acknowledging concerns about his age, the 81-year-old president used humour and clarity to affirm his refined vision over the years and optimism for America's future.
- Sudan is on the brink of the world's largest hunger crisis due to a devastating conflict between rival generals, warned Cindy McCain, the head of the UN World Food Program (WFP). For nearly a year, clashes have torn apart Sudan, displacing millions. McCain's alert came from South Sudan, where she observed the influx of Sudanese refugees escaping the violence. The acute hunger challenge affects 18 million people, with 5 million at risk of starvation. The WFP is unable to access 90% of those facing “emergency levels of hunger” and says only 5% of Sudan's population “can afford a single meal a day”. The turmoil was ignited in Khartoum by fights between the military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, under Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. The violence has since spread, notably affecting Darfur, a region with a history of genocide and war crimes. The International Criminal Court has suggested that recent actions in Darfur might constitute war crimes or genocide. Sudan, once a focal point of international humanitarian response, has now been largely forgotten. With over 10 million people displaced by the conflict, the situation not only poses immediate humanitarian concerns but could have long-lasting implications for the region.
- The Netherlands faces a challenge as it tightens anti-migrant policies, risking the departure of ASML, Europe's most valuable tech firm. The Dutch government, in a bid named 'Operation Beethoven', aims to keep ASML—a semiconductor giant consisting of over 40% of its 23,000 workforce being non-Dutch —within its borders. ASML's CEO, Peter Wennick, has expressed the critical need for skilled workers to sustain growth, hinting at relocating operations to Eastern Europe, Asia, or the USA if necessary. ASML, which assembles its machines in Veldhoven is now considering France as a more attractive location. Incoming Dutch laws are set to further curb immigration, affecting tax incentives for skilled foreigners and limiting foreign student numbers, aligning with the country's leading anti-Islam Party for Freedom's (PVV) agenda. This scenario highlights the tension between national policy and economic needs, especially as ASML's expansion puts pressure on local infrastructure.
- A leaked 38-minute audio recording of German military officials discussing support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion sparked controversy when it was made public on Russian state propaganda television, Russia Today. Initially dismissed as disinformation, the German government later confirmed the recording captured Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz and senior Luftwaffe officials discussing the potential delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv, the training of Ukrainian soldiers, and the targeting of Russian military installations. The breach has drawn criticism for using an insecure platform like WebEx, with one participant even calling in on his cellphone from a hotel room in Singapore. The leak has not elicited a public rebuke from allies, though former British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace criticized Germany's security and lack of precaution. In return, Germany's ambassador to the UK criticized Wallace for inadvertently aiding Russian efforts to sow discord, arguing that criticising plays into Russia's hands by promoting division within Europe - and has said his country has "no need" to apologize for the leak. The discussion highlighted the political sensitivity around deploying Taurus missiles, capable of reaching Moscow. Moscow has responded by questioning if the talks reflect German government policy or a loss of control by Chancellor Scholz, demanding explanations from Germany about the West's involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
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