Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula has experienced its heaviest snowfall in 130 years, leaving towns and cities buried under massive snowdrifts. Local authorities reported snow accumulation ranging from 10 to 40 feet, with some multi-story buildings covered up to the fourth floor. The severe blizzard has caused fatalities due to snow pressure and avalanches. On January 15, Mayor Yevgeny Belyayev declared a state of emergency in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the region’s administrative center.

The extreme weather has paralyzed transportation, forcing road closures and flight cancellations. Power outages have been reported across several areas, and schools, offices, and businesses remain shut, confining residents indoors. Shortages of essential goods such as bread, milk, and eggs have emerged as snow-blocked roads disrupt supply chains.

Meteorologists attributed the continuous heavy snowfall and strong winds to multiple low-pressure systems over the Sea of Okhotsk. They warned that the harsh conditions could persist for several more days, prolonging the region’s crisis.

One year after returning to the Oval Office as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump’s administration has enacted extensive economic, diplomatic, and social policy changes that have reshaped both the US and global landscape. On his first day back in office on January 20, 2025, Trump signed 26 executive orders, setting a record for the most issued on an inauguration day. Over the year, he signed a total of 228 executive orders, surpassing the 220 from his entire first term. His administration deported at least 605,000 people, saw 1.9 million voluntary departures, and revoked legal status for about 1.6 million residents. Trump also banned citizens of 75 countries from obtaining immigration visas.

Economically, Trump imposed tariffs averaging 10 percent on all trading partners, with India facing 50 percent levies. These tariffs generated $287 billion in 2025 but increased household costs by an estimated $1,500. He also created the Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk, which cut 317,000 federal jobs and eliminated diversity and education programs. Internationally, Trump visited 13 countries, launched attacks in at least seven, and opened 2.5 million square kilometres of ocean for offshore drilling while reversing 30 climate policies, including exiting the Paris Agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump has posted several controversial images on his social media platform Truth Social, appearing to intensify his rhetoric about taking control of Greenland. Among the images is one showing the U.S. flag flying over Greenland, which has triggered renewed international discussion. Another post includes a screenshot of a message from French President Emmanuel Macron alongside an altered presentation board. The edited image, believed to be from August 2025, originally depicted the Ukraine conflict frontline but now shows U.S. flags over North America, Canada, and Greenland.

Trump also shared an illustration portraying himself planting the U.S. flag in Greenland, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. A sign in the image reads “Greenland: U.S. Territory, Established 2026.” Analysts cited by the report say the posts have reignited debate over Greenland’s sovereignty and the United States’ intentions.

The images have drawn attention to Washington’s stance toward Greenland, with observers noting that the posts could further strain international discussions about territorial sovereignty.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he will fully implement tariffs on European countries opposing his plan to acquire Greenland. He announced that starting February 1, imports from the United Kingdom will face a 10 percent tariff, rising to 25 percent on June 1. The same tariffs will apply to seven NATO allies—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland—until Denmark agrees to a deal for selling Greenland to the United States.

European nations have taken a united stance to defend Greenland’s sovereignty. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said ownership cannot be claimed through threats, while the UK’s Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper stated that only Greenlanders and Denmark can decide Greenland’s future. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte affirmed that the alliance will continue working with Denmark and Greenland to ensure Arctic security.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the EU will not back down from its position and called an emergency meeting in Brussels on Thursday to coordinate responses. Denmark has warned that U.S. interference in Greenland could jeopardize NATO’s future.

A massive pileup involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 196 in Michigan on Monday morning, January 19, amid a severe snowstorm and whiteout conditions. The crash took place near Ottawa County, about 24 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, prompting authorities to close a 10-mile stretch of the highway between Hudsonville and Zeeland for several hours. According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, at least 10 people were injured, though none critically, and around two dozen semitrucks were involved. No deaths were reported.

Michigan officials said the region experienced heavy snowfall, strong winds, and poor road conditions throughout the day. The National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids had earlier warned residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to the Arctic cold front affecting the Great Lakes area. By 6 p.m., the sheriff’s office confirmed that the highway had been cleared and reopened to traffic.

Experts noted that subfreezing temperatures cause ice buildup on roads, significantly increasing accident risks, as even four-wheel-drive vehicles struggle to stop on slippery surfaces.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that his administration will fully implement tariffs on European countries opposing his stance on taking control of Greenland. In an interview with NBC News on January 19, Trump said that if NATO member states, including the United Kingdom, resist his position, all their exports to the United States will face tariffs. He announced that a 10 percent tariff on British imports will begin on February 1, rising to 25 percent on June 1, and will remain until an agreement is reached with Denmark over Greenland. The same policy will apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.

European leaders have responded with a unified stance defending Greenland’s sovereignty. Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said ownership cannot be claimed through threats, while the UK’s foreign minister Yvette Cooper affirmed that only Greenlanders and Denmark can decide Greenland’s future. Trump did not rule out military action, prompting Denmark to warn of serious NATO consequences. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance will coordinate with Denmark and Greenland on Arctic security.

The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that sovereignty is not a matter of trade and called an emergency meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday to decide next steps.

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre saying he no longer feels obligated to think only about peace after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. The message, published on Monday, stated that despite ending eight wars, Norway decided not to award him the prize. Trump wrote that this decision freed him from any duty to focus solely on peace.

Norwegian newspaper VG confirmed the authenticity of the message through the prime minister’s office, and a source also verified the information to AFP. On the same day, Trump issued another message making strong remarks about Greenland, saying the world would not be safe unless the United States gained full control over the Danish autonomous territory. Støre’s office also confirmed the authenticity of that message to AFP.

The messages, reported by Al Arabiya, drew attention for their tone and timing, linking Trump’s frustration over the Nobel decision with his renewed stance on global security and territorial control.

Large demonstrations took place across several US cities on Sunday as Iranian expatriates protested against Iran’s deadly suppression of anti-government movements and expressed solidarity with demonstrators inside the country. According to AFP, thousands marched in Los Angeles, home to the world’s largest Iranian diaspora, while hundreds gathered in New York. Protesters carried placards reading messages such as “New Holocaust,” “Ongoing Genocide,” and calls to end the Iranian government’s “terror.” One participant, Pery Faraj, said his cousin was killed during protests in Iran earlier in the week.

The protests followed unrest that began in late December over economic hardship and quickly turned into a broader anti-government movement. Iran’s communications blackout and security crackdown since January 8 have largely subdued the demonstrations. The human rights group Iran Human Rights reported verifying 3,428 protester deaths at the hands of security forces, though the actual number may be higher.

Many demonstrators voiced support for Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former Shah, though experts noted his influence remains limited inside Iran. The rallies aimed to draw international attention to the repression, while observers stressed that Iran’s future will ultimately depend on its people.

US President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking to establish an international organization called the 'Board of Peace' as an alternative to the United Nations, according to a Bloomberg report. The draft charter obtained by Bloomberg states that Trump would serve as the first chairman with full veto power over membership selection and removal. Countries would be required to pay one billion dollars to become permanent members, while general membership would last three years.

The draft charter argues that existing international structures have failed to maintain peace and calls for a more flexible and effective global peace body. Analysts believe this initiative signals Trump’s intent to create a parallel framework to the UN. The Board of Peace is described as an organization aimed at ensuring stability, lawful governance, and sustainable peace in conflict-prone regions.

According to the report, several countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada, have been invited to join the board to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and interim governance. Egypt is still considering the invitation, while Canada has expressed interest.

US President Donald Trump plans to charge countries one billion dollars each to become permanent members of his proposed 'Board of Peace', according to a Bloomberg report. The draft charter states that Trump would serve as the board’s first chairman and hold veto power over membership decisions. Countries paying the full amount within the first year would secure permanent membership, while others would have three-year terms.

The draft charter argues that existing international structures have failed to maintain peace and calls for a more flexible and effective global peace organization. The language has raised concern that Trump may be attempting to create an alternative to the United Nations. The board is described as an international body aimed at ensuring stability, lawful governance, and sustainable peace in conflict-prone regions.

Trump has already invited several world leaders to join the board, including those from Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada. Egypt’s foreign minister said the proposal is under consideration, while a senior aide to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed interest in accepting the invitation.

US President Donald Trump has appointed former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to a newly formed 'Peace Board' tasked with overseeing Gaza’s governance and reconstruction. The seven-member board, chaired by Trump, also includes US envoy Steve Witkoff, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The announcement was made as part of the second phase of a broader peace plan.

According to Middle East Eye, Blair’s inclusion has sparked significant controversy across the region, as many in the Middle East view him as a war criminal due to his role in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. Blair’s consultancy, the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), has also faced criticism for advising authoritarian governments in Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, and for alleged financial links to controversial entities. TBI has denied these allegations.

The appointment comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where Israeli restrictions on aid and harsh winter conditions have led to rising Palestinian casualties. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports over 71,400 deaths and 171,000 injuries since October 7, 2023.

NASA has moved its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, marking a major step toward sending humans to the Moon for the first time in over five decades. The transfer, lasting about 12 hours, positions the Artemis-2 mission for final testing before a possible launch on February 6. The mission will carry three American astronauts and one Canadian on a roughly 10-day journey around the Moon without landing.

The Artemis-2 mission, announced during former President Donald Trump’s first term, is viewed as a key milestone in the United States’ renewed lunar ambitions. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen attended the rollout, expressing excitement about the upcoming flight. Engineers will now conduct a series of safety tests, including a full simulation, before liftoff. NASA previously completed the uncrewed Artemis-1 mission in November 2022.

The report notes that China is also advancing its lunar program, aiming to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. Analysts suggest U.S. urgency stems partly from China’s progress, while uncertainty remains over the 2027 Artemis-3 mission due to delays in SpaceX’s Starship rocket development.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 10 percent tariff on imports from eight European countries, citing their opposition to his position on Greenland. The affected nations are the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland. The tariffs will take effect on February 1, with plans to raise the rate to 25 percent on June 1. Trump made the announcement on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday.

In his post, Trump claimed that it is time for Denmark to “return” Greenland and argued that the current situation poses a threat to world peace. He alleged that China seeks to take over Greenland and that Denmark is incapable of responding effectively. Trump also accused the European countries of playing a “very dangerous game” in Greenland and said strong measures are needed to end the situation quickly.

During a White House meeting on Friday, Trump reiterated that any country disagreeing with his stance on Greenland could face tariffs, emphasizing the island’s strategic importance to U.S. national security.

Senior officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump have criticized Canada’s decision to permit imports of up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) under a new trade deal with Beijing. Speaking at a Ford factory event in Ohio, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Canada would regret the move, while Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the vehicles would not be allowed into the United States. The Canadian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.

The decision follows Canada’s earlier 2024 imposition of 100 percent tariffs on Chinese EVs, mirroring US duties. However, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new agreement reduces tariffs to 6.1 percent on most-favoured-nation terms. The deal also includes China lowering tariffs on Canadian canola seed to about 15 percent by March 1. US officials expressed concern that the policy could give China a stronger foothold in North America despite Washington’s tougher stance on Canadian vehicles and parts.

Greer noted that new US cybersecurity rules for internet-connected vehicles, effective January 2025, would make it difficult for Chinese cars to enter the American market. Lawmakers from both parties, including Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, voiced strong opposition to Chinese vehicles being sold in the US.

A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deployed in the state to limit certain tactics used against protesters and observers. The injunction, issued by U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez, prohibits federal agents from arresting or detaining peaceful demonstrators or observers without reasonable suspicion of a crime or interference with law enforcement. It also bans the use of pepper spray, tear gas, or other crowd-control weapons against peaceful participants. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been given 72 hours to bring its Minneapolis operations into compliance.

The ruling follows heightened tensions after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, during a neighborhood patrol organized by activists monitoring ICE activities. The decision marks a legal victory for local activists in Minneapolis, two weeks after the Trump administration deployed 2,000 immigration agents to the area, a number that has since grown to nearly 3,000. DHS has described the operation as the largest of its kind in U.S. history.

As protests continue, President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy the military to manage unrest, though he stated there was no immediate need to do so.