United States President Donald Trump has faced sharp criticism from British politicians after claiming that NATO forces stayed away from the front lines during the war in Afghanistan. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the US had “never needed” NATO and suggested that allied forces were “a little off the front lines.” He also questioned whether NATO members would come to Washington’s aid if requested.

The comments triggered a backlash across the UK political spectrum, with critics citing the heavy losses suffered by NATO allies during the 20-year conflict. The United Kingdom lost 457 service personnel, while Canada, France, and Denmark also recorded significant casualties. Junior British minister Stephen Kinnock called Trump’s remarks “deeply disappointing,” emphasizing that European forces had paid a heavy price supporting US-led missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also reminded that NATO allies rallied behind the US after the September 11 attacks when Article 5 was invoked.

Other UK politicians, including Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, criticized Trump’s comments by pointing to his history of avoiding military service during the Vietnam War, calling his questioning of NATO sacrifices unacceptable.

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Canada for opposing the proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system in Greenland, warning that Beijing could 'devour' Canada within a year. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump said Canada was rejecting U.S. security in favor of closer business ties with China. He argued that the Golden Dome would protect Canada and accused Ottawa of benefiting from U.S. defense without gratitude.

Trump’s comments came amid rising tensions between Washington and Ottawa following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump reiterated that Canada survives because of U.S. protection, while Carney rejected the claim, asserting that Canada’s success stems from its own people.

The dispute highlights growing friction between the two neighbors over defense cooperation and trade alignment, as Canada continues to balance its economic relationships with both the United States and China.

U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn Canada’s invitation to join the Board of Peace, formed under the interim administration of Gaza. The decision came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized powerful nations during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, accusing them of using economic ties as weapons and tariffs as tools of pressure. Within hours, Trump announced on Truth Social that Canada’s invitation had been revoked, adding that Canada “survives because of the United States.”

The Peace Board, led by Trump, includes Argentina, Bahrain, Morocco, Pakistan, and Turkey, while the United Kingdom, France, and Italy have not yet joined. Initially created to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza, the board’s mission has since expanded to address conflicts in other regions. Permanent membership requires a contribution of one billion dollars.

The United Nations Security Council approved the board’s formation as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan. UN spokesperson Rolando Gomez stated that the organization’s engagement with the board will remain limited to the Gaza context.

The United States is considering a complete withdrawal of its troops from Syria following the collapse of the YPG and SDF forces and the takeover of northeastern Syria by President Ahmed al-Shara. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the Pentagon is reassessing the effectiveness of its ongoing mission in Syria amid rapidly changing developments. Citing three U.S. officials, the report said questions have arisen about the justification for maintaining American troops after the SDF’s defeat.

According to the report, senior U.S. officials see no reason to keep troops in Syria if the SDF fully disintegrates. The Pentagon had previously stated in July that around 1,500 U.S. troops were deployed in Syria. Earlier, after beginning his second term in January, President Donald Trump said he would make a decision regarding the troop deployment. When asked about the matter, a Pentagon official told Anadolu Agency that they had no comment and do not speculate on future operations or hypothetical situations.

The report indicates that the Pentagon’s reassessment could lead to a significant shift in U.S. military engagement in Syria if the withdrawal proceeds.

The United States has formally completed its withdrawal process from the World Health Organization (WHO), according to an announcement made on Thursday by President Donald Trump’s administration. The move comes one year after Trump signed an executive order initiating the withdrawal. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the State Department jointly confirmed the decision.

An HHS senior official stated that the WHO had deviated from its core mission and acted against U.S. interests in protecting American citizens. The Trump administration’s main criticism centered on the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing the organization of delaying the declaration of a global health emergency. The administration also claimed that the WHO unfairly criticized Trump’s early travel restrictions on certain countries.

HHS further argued that countries like China contribute less financially to the WHO than the United States, yet no American has ever held the position of Director-General. Public health experts criticized the withdrawal, warning that it could weaken the U.S. response to future health crises.

A United States delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss President Donald Trump’s draft plan aimed at ending the Ukraine war. According to a Kremlin statement released on Friday, the meeting lasted more than three hours. The delegation included Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House adviser Josh Gruenbaum.

Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described the talks as realistic and constructive, noting that discussions covered not only Ukraine but also the peace board, the Greenland issue, and bilateral relations. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the draft plan was nearly finalized and that he had reached an understanding with Trump on post-war security guarantees.

Russia currently controls about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and demands full control of the eastern Donbas region. Kyiv has warned that no peace deal can involve surrendering territory, arguing that such concessions would only encourage further Russian aggression.

US billionaire Elon Musk joked that President Donald Trump’s newly formed ‘Peace Board’ should have been named the ‘Piece Board’ instead. Speaking at a World Economic Forum panel in Davos, Switzerland, alongside BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Musk made the remark while discussing Trump’s initiative. His comment drew laughter from the audience, and he added that what he truly wanted was peace.

Musk, known as a Trump ally, had previously experienced a rift in their relationship before reconciling. His latest comment came after that reconciliation, suggesting a lighthearted jab rather than a serious criticism. Earlier, Musk had described the Davos conference as “boring” in a post on social media platform X.

The exchange highlighted Musk’s continued prominence at global economic events and his willingness to make provocative remarks about political figures, even those with whom he shares a generally friendly relationship.

Amazon, the U.S.-based e-commerce giant, is preparing for another major round of layoffs, with around 14,000 employees expected to lose their jobs next week. This move is part of a broader plan to cut approximately 30,000 corporate positions. According to the report, the company had already dismissed about 14,000 workers in October as part of the same restructuring effort. The new phase of layoffs could begin as early as Tuesday, though Amazon’s spokesperson has declined to comment on the matter.

Sources indicated that employees in Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and human resources—collectively known as the People Experience and Technology division—may be among the most affected. The full scope of the layoffs remains unclear, and insiders cautioned that the company’s plans could still change.

Media reports suggested that the widespread job cuts may be linked to the growing use of artificial intelligence within Amazon’s operations, and that similar reductions could also occur in India.

US President Donald Trump announced that a large American naval fleet is moving toward the Gulf region to monitor Iran. He made the remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump said the deployment is intended to keep a close watch on Iran, adding that the fleet might not necessarily be used but will remain ready if needed.

According to senior Trump administration officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the fleet includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham and several guided missile destroyers. These warships are reportedly heading toward Iran and are expected to position themselves near the Iranian coast within the next few days.

The move underscores Washington’s continued military vigilance in the Gulf amid tensions with Tehran, though Trump emphasized that no immediate confrontation is planned.

Novak Djokovic continued his dominant form at the Australian Open, defeating Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli in straight sets to secure a place in the third round. The Serbian superstar won 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, marking his 399th career singles victory in Grand Slam tournaments. With this result, Djokovic stands just one win away from becoming the first player in tennis history to reach 400 Grand Slam singles wins.

In other second-round matches, Italy’s Jannik Sinner advanced after beating Australia’s James Duckworth 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Croatia’s Marin Cilic also progressed, defeating Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka reached the third round after a five-set battle against France’s Arthur Gea, winning 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10-3).

In the women’s singles, Poland’s Iga Swiatek cruised past Czech player Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-3, while Japan’s Naomi Osaka overcame Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to move forward.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday formally launched his proposed 'Peace Board' in Washington, aimed at sustaining the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Although initially focused on Gaza, Trump suggested the board could expand its mandate to address broader global conflicts. He will chair the board himself, which includes figures such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The initiative has drawn mixed reactions in the international arena. Regional powers like Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Indonesia have joined, while major global powers and traditional Western allies remain cautious. Russia is reviewing the proposal, France has declined to join, Britain is holding off, and China has not stated its position. Each permanent member is expected to contribute $1 billion, though no major power or representatives from Israel or the Palestinian Authority attended the launch.

The board was approved under a UN Security Council resolution tied to Trump’s Gaza peace plan. A UN spokesperson clarified that the organization’s involvement will remain limited to that resolution’s scope.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the ownership dispute between the United States and Denmark over Greenland is not a matter of concern for Russia. Speaking at a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, he stated that the issue should be resolved bilaterally between the two nations. Referring to historical land transfers, Putin estimated Greenland’s potential sale value at around $1 billion.

Putin criticized Denmark’s historical governance of Greenland, describing it as colonial and harsh toward local residents. He also noted that Russia would not object to US pressure regarding Greenland, citing past examples of territorial sales such as Russia’s sale of Alaska to the US in 1867 and Denmark’s sale of the Virgin Islands in 1917. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland has strained transatlantic relations, though he ruled out tariffs or military action during a speech in Davos.

Residents of Greenland reportedly welcomed Trump’s assurance against military use, while Russia remains displeased with Denmark’s military and financial support for Ukraine since 2022. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added that Greenland is not naturally or historically an inseparable part of Denmark.

A massive winter storm named 'Winter Storm Fern' is forecast to strike large parts of the United States this week, potentially affecting around 170 million people with heavy snowfall, power outages, and travel disruptions. The storm is expected to stretch from Texas through the Mid-Atlantic to the northeastern states, bringing freezing air that could push temperatures far below zero in several regions.

Cities including Memphis, Nashville, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York may be blanketed in snow, with some areas possibly experiencing temperatures as low as 40 degrees Celsius below freezing. The Rocky Mountain states are expected to see significant snowfall by Friday, with meteorologists predicting accumulations exceeding 12 inches in some locations. Virginia and Maryland are projected to be among the hardest-hit states.

Emergency declarations have already been issued in several states, including Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as authorities prepare for the storm’s severe impact.

Three people were killed in a shooting in the western region of New South Wales, Australia, on Thursday afternoon. Police said the incident occurred in the town of Lake Cargelligo, where emergency services responded to reports of gunfire around 4:40 p.m. on Walker Street near Yelkin Street. Officers from the Central West Police District arrived at the scene and confirmed the deaths of two women and one man. Another man was seriously injured and taken to hospital, where his condition was reported as stable.

Following the incident, police cordoned off the area and declared it a crime scene. Authorities have begun an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the shooting. For safety reasons, police urged the public to avoid the area and advised local residents to remain indoors.

Police stated that further information would be released as the investigation progresses.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed donating $1 billion to U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly formed ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza reconstruction. The proposal suggests using Russian assets frozen in U.S. banks during the previous Biden administration. Putin made the remarks during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, where he also confirmed receiving Trump’s invitation to join the Gaza Peace Board but said Moscow has not yet made a decision.

Putin expressed gratitude to Trump for the invitation and emphasized that Russia’s relationship with the Palestinian people has always been special. He stated that Moscow would decide on joining the board only after reviewing the invitation and consulting with strategic allies. Putin added that the donation proposal should proceed even before Russia finalizes its decision on participation.

The proposal links humanitarian assistance for Gaza with the issue of frozen Russian funds in the United States, highlighting Moscow’s interest in leveraging seized assets for international cooperation under Trump’s peace initiative.