Diplomacy

US clears major arms package for Israel

The US State Department approved $6.67bn in arms sales to Israel, including 30 Apache attack helicopters and infantry assault vehicles.

South Africa expels Israel’s top diplomat

South Africa’s foreign ministry declared Israeli charge d’affaires Ariel Seidman persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 72 hours.

India and the EU finalize a free trade pact

India and the European Union signed a free trade agreement on January 27, 2026, creating a combined market billed at roughly two billion people.

EU designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group

The European Union added Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its terrorist list.

Pentagon to offer 'more limited' support to US allies in defence strategy shift

The Pentagon’s new National Defense Strategy says the US will provide more limited support to allies and will prioritize homeland and Western Hemisphere security over China.

US officially out of WHO, leaving hundreds of millions of dollars unpaid

The US has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization after a one-year notice period, and it is leaving unpaid WHO obligations totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, including $278 million in dues, according to Stat News.

China and Canada agree to lower tariffs and adjust EV tax rates

China and Canada announced tariff relief and other trade steps during Mark Carney’s Beijing visit, signalling a reset in bilateral relations.

US seizes Venezuela-linked oil tanker Veronica in Caribbean

US forces boarded and seized the crude oil tanker Veronica in the Caribbean in a predawn operation as part of efforts to control exports of Venezuelan oil.

US claims control over Venezuela’s interim government as Maduro is held in New York on drug charges

The Trump administration said it will dictate decisions to Venezuela’s interim authorities as Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores were abducted in a US military offensive and taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

US sanctions oil tankers moving Venezuelan oil

The new US sanctions target four companies and their tankers, aiming to cut financial support to Maduro's government.

Thailand frees 18 Cambodian soldiers after border ceasefire

The soldiers were captured in July and released following diplomatic pressure and a ceasefire agreement.

China sanctions 30 US firms, individuals over Taiwan weapons sales

China sanctioned 20 US defence firms and 10 individuals for supporting Taiwan's defence with a major $11.

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