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Trudeau Rejects Trump’s Suggestion of Canada Becoming a U.S. State

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday firmly rejected a suggestion by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state through economic coercion. 

“There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,” Trudeau said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.” 

Trump, speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, was asked whether he might consider using military force to acquire Canada. 

“No, economic force,” Trump replied. “Because Canada and the United States, that would really be something.” 

Trump, who has frequently criticized Canada’s trade surplus with the United States, called the border between the two countries an “artificially drawn line.” He also reiterated his intention to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, a significant move considering Canada sends 75% of its goods and services exports to the U.S. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly responded to Trump’s comments, stating, “President-elect Trump’s remarks show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country. We will never back down in the face of threats.” 

The dispute comes at a politically sensitive time for Canada. Trudeau announced Monday that he plans to step down in the coming months, bowing to pressure from his Liberal Party amid declining approval ratings. The next federal election, scheduled for October 2025, is widely expected to see a resounding victory for the opposition Conservatives. 

“Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country,” Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said in a post on X. 

Trump Refuses to Rule Out Force to Acquire Panama Canal, Greenland

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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday declined to rule out using military or economic force to acquire the Panama Canal and Greenland, underscoring a bold expansionist agenda that has sparked global backlash just weeks before his Jan. 20 inauguration. 

During a press conference at his Florida resort, Trump dismissed concerns about possible coercion, saying both territories are critical for U.S. economic security. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security,” Trump said. 

Trump has previously floated an offer to purchase Greenland, a self-governing part of Denmark, and has criticized the U.S. handover of the Panama Canal to Panama in 1999. His rhetoric has fueled concerns among allies over his unorthodox approach to foreign policy. 

Denmark and Panama quickly pushed back on Trump’s comments. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed Greenland’s status as not for sale, adding, “I don’t think it’s a good way forward to fight each other with financial means when we are close allies and partners.” 

Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha called Trump’s remarks unacceptable, stating, “The only hands that control the canal are Panamanian, and that’s how it will continue to be.” 

Trump also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and criticized American spending on Canadian goods and military aid. He described the U.S.-Canada border as an “artificially drawn line” and suggested Canada could become a U.S. state, provoking a strong response from Canadian officials. 

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said Trump’s remarks displayed a “complete lack of understanding” about Canada’s sovereignty. “We will never back down in the face of threats,” Joly wrote on social media. 

Trump also proposed that NATO members increase their defense spending to 5% of their GDP, up from the current 2% target. “They can all afford it, but they should be at 5%, not 2%,” he said, criticizing allies for what he views as insufficient contributions to the alliance. 

On the Middle East, Trump warned Hamas militants holding hostages abducted from Israel during the Oct. 7 attack to release them before his inauguration, threatening severe consequences. “It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” he said. 

The press conference, held in the ornate living room of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, echoed the defiance and grievances that defined his presidential campaign. Trump criticized ongoing legal proceedings against him, including an upcoming sentencing for falsifying business records in New York and a separate investigation into his handling of classified documents. 

As Trump outlined his vision, critics compared his foreign policy approach to “19th-century imperialism.” Ambassador Daniel Fried, a retired U.S. diplomat, said any attempt to seize Greenland would “destroy NATO” and undermine the United States’ standing on the global stage. 

Despite the backlash, Trump doubled down on his rhetoric, emphasizing his belief that U.S. power must be expanded. His controversial proposals, including the renaming of geographic features like the Gulf of Mexico, have raised alarm among allies and drawn sharp rebukes from foreign governments. 

Trump Proposes Renaming Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’

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President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” calling it a name with a “beautiful ring to it.” 

The proposal marks Trump’s latest bid to reshape geopolitical boundaries, following past remarks about Canada as the “51st State,” Denmark ceding Greenland, and Panama returning the Panama Canal. 

Since launching his first presidential campaign in 2016, Trump has frequently clashed with Mexico over border security, tariffs, and trade policies. During his tenure, his administration constructed or refurbished approximately 450 miles of wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

The Gulf of Mexico, often called the United States’ “Third Coast,” stretches across five southeastern states. Mexicans refer to the body of water as “El Golfo de México.” 

Renaming international bodies of water isn’t straightforward. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which oversees the uniform naming of global seas, oceans, and waterways, requires broad consensus for changes. 

While countries may use different names in domestic contexts, a unilateral change by the U.S. would not necessarily impact global usage. A similar precedent exists with the U.S. renaming Mount McKinley to Denali in 2015, which applied solely within national borders. 

The Gulf of Mexico’s name has been documented for over four centuries, likely deriving from the Native American city of “Mexico.” Attempts to rename portions of the Gulf have arisen before. In 2012, a Mississippi legislator proposed renaming state waters as the “Gulf of America” but later called the suggestion a joke. 

In 2010, comedian Stephen Colbert quipped that the Gulf should be renamed after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, saying, “We broke it, we bought it.” 

Trump’s announcement follows a history of global disputes over place names. For instance, South Korea contests Japan’s naming of the Sea of Japan, while Iran defends the “Persian Gulf” against alternative labels like the “Arabian Gulf.” 

While Trump’s proposal may reignite debate over the Gulf of Mexico’s name, significant international consensus would be required for formal adoption on a global scale.

Bangladesh Revokes Sheikh Hasina’s Passport Amid Allegations of Protest Crackdown

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Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, revoked the passport of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 96 others on Tuesday. The decision comes amid ongoing criminal proceedings linked to the violent crackdown on student protests in July and August 2024. 

Among the 97 individuals whose passports were revoked, 22 face charges of involvement in enforced disappearances, while 75 are accused of participating in killings during the protests. The move follows arrest warrants issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against Sheikh Hasina and 11 other officials on charges of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her tenure. 

The tribunal has set a deadline of February 12, 2024, for Hasina and the other accused to be arrested and presented before the court. Key accused figures include Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddique, Hasina’s former defense advisor; ex-Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed; and Ziaul Ahsan, former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center. 

The crackdown on protests, which began over a controversial quota system in government jobs, resulted in widespread violence. Over 230 people were killed following the fall of the Hasina government, raising the death toll to more than 600 since the protests erupted in mid-July 2024. 

Hasina, the leader of the Awami League, left Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, and has since sought refuge in India. The revocation of her passport is expected to complicate her stay in India and limit her ability to travel internationally. 

The interim government has intensified its investigations into alleged human rights violations under Hasina’s administration, aiming to hold those responsible accountable for the unrest and violence.

Nigerian Police Kill Masterminds of Anambra Attack, Arrest 300+ Suspects, Seize Explosive Devices and Weapons

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Nigerian police in Anambra state reported on Monday that they had killed the masterminds behind a 2024 gunmen attack on officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in the Uruagu Nnewi area. The police also arrested over 300 suspects, rescued 14 kidnapping victims, and recovered over 43 unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during operations since January.

Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that in addition to the IEDs, officers seized more than 100 different brands of firearms, including AK-47s, pump-action guns, and locally made pistols. The operation also resulted in the recovery of 2,937 rounds of ammunition, 40 stolen vehicles, and motorcycles.

A notorious kidnapper, identified as Ablo, was arrested. Ablo had been terrorizing areas in Anambra, Enugu, and Delta states. His arrest was one of several key successes in Anambra’s ongoing crime-fighting efforts.

“Over 300 suspects have been arrested for various crimes, and we have secured more than 30 convictions with ongoing trials,” Ikenga said, emphasizing the effectiveness of the police operations in reducing crime. “We have also rescued 14 kidnapping victims unharmed.”

In addition to major drug and weapons busts, police operations led to the elimination of key criminal elements. One of the significant breakthroughs was the elimination of the masterminds behind the attack on the police RRS operatives in Uruagu Nnewi.

Other operations included the arrest of an 18-year-old boy in Nibo over a planned cult killing, the destruction of multiple criminal camps, and the recovery of 19 unexploded devices from a notorious camp in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area.

Two female victims of sexual abuse were also rescued, and two cultists were arrested in Awka, leading to the recovery of weapons and suspected hard drugs.

The police also made strides in community engagement by visiting local government headquarters and establishing a Community Policing Committee to enhance collaboration and improve public security.

In a separate case, police operatives rescued three children who were stolen from their parents in Bauchi state and sold to a new family in Anambra. Four suspects, including an illegal foster mother, were arrested in connection with the crime.

Ikenga further highlighted a tragic incident where two suspects were arrested for the murder of their brother, Chibuzor Okeke, who was killed after being accused of burglary. The suspects buried his body in a shallow grave to cover up the crime.

The Anambra Police Command continues its efforts to maintain public safety and combat criminal activities throughout the region.

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UN Reports 901 Executions in Iran in 2024, Including 31 Women

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The United Nations reported on Tuesday that Iran executed 901 people in 2024, including 31 women. The executions primarily involved drug-related offenses, though political dissidents and individuals connected to the 2022 mass protests were also among the victims.

The U.N. Human Rights Office revealed that some of the women executed were convicted of murder, often related to domestic abuse or forced marriages. Many of these women were victims of violence, including domestic abuse and child or forced marriages, according to the U.N.

Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned the rising number of executions, calling it “deeply disturbing.” He urged Iran to halt the increasing number of death sentences, stating that it was “high time” the country addressed the ongoing surge in executions.

In total, at least 901 people were executed by hanging in Iran last year, an increase from 853 executions in 2023. This marked the highest execution rate since 2015, when 972 executions were recorded.

The spike in executions coincided with the aftermath of the 2022 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory dress code. The protests were among the most significant unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Among the executed were political activists and protesters involved in the demonstrations following Amini’s death. At least 31 women were executed in 2024, marking the highest number of female executions in at least 15 years, according to U.N. spokesperson Liz Throssell.

Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s newly elected president as of July 2024, made commitments during his campaign to improve the rights of women and minorities in the country.

Three Palestinians Killed in Intensified Israeli Operations in the West Bank

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Israeli forces killed three Palestinian militants on Tuesday as military operations intensified across the occupied West Bank, following the killing of three Israelis near a Jewish settlement. 

The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the deaths of an 18-year-old in an Israeli airstrike in Tamun, a town northeast of Nablus, and a 40-year-old who was shot in the nearby village of Taluza. According to the Israeli military, an airstrike killed two fighters in the Tamun area after clashes with militants. WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, also reported a second casualty in Tamun from the strike. 

In Taluza, a third militant was killed in a firefight with Israeli forces. Hamas’ armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, identified the deceased as one of its members. The Israeli military stated that several individuals were arrested during various incidents throughout the region. 

WAFA reported retaliatory attacks by Jewish settlers, including the burning of a Palestinian vehicle and attacks on a village overnight. Violence in the West Bank has escalated alongside the 15-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. This surge includes killings by Palestinian militants, intensified Israeli military raids and airstrikes, and increased attacks by Jewish settlers. 

Casualties have mounted on both sides, with hundreds of Palestinians and dozens of Israelis killed during the unrest. The situation is further complicated by infighting among rival Palestinian factions. 

The escalating violence creates additional challenges for international mediators attempting to broker a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal in Gaza. These efforts are pressing as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior military and security officials after Monday’s killing of three Israelis. He authorized a series of “offensive and defensive actions” in the West Bank, alongside measures to apprehend those responsible for the killings. 

According to WAFA, the Israeli military has increased checkpoints, road closures, and incursions across the West Bank. 

The West Bank has remained under Israeli occupation since its capture during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Palestinians seek to include the territory as part of a future independent state. However, expanding Jewish settlements and ongoing violence, including the war in Gaza, have deepened fears that Israel may seek to formally annex the territory, further complicating any path to peace. 

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Saudi Arabia Pressures Florida Man to Renounce U.S. Citizenship Over Critical Tweets, Family Says

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A 74-year-old Florida retiree, Saad Almadi, claims Saudi authorities are coercing him to renounce his U.S. citizenship after jailing him for tweets critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to his son, Ibrahim Almadi, Saudi Arabia’s government has pressured at least four dual Saudi-American nationals to give up their U.S. citizenship as part of a broader crackdown on dissent. 

74-year-old Florida retiree, Saad Almadi

Almadi, a retired project manager who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s, was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2021 during a family visit. He was sentenced to over 19 years in prison on terrorism-related charges tied to his tweets, which included commentary on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the crown prince’s rise to power. Though released after a year, Almadi remains barred from leaving Saudi Arabia under an exit ban. 

According to Ibrahim Almadi, Saudi intelligence agents summoned his father in November 2022, promising to lift the exit ban if he relinquished his U.S. citizenship. Feeling pressured, Saad Almadi signed a document and attempted to return his U.S. passport to the U.S. Embassy, though American law requires a formal, voluntary process to renounce citizenship. The U.S. State Department confirmed Almadi remains a citizen and continues to receive consular support. 

A human rights group, the Middle East Democracy Center, reported that three other dual U.S.-Saudi nationals have faced similar pressure. These individuals, like Almadi, are not known activists but appear to have drawn scrutiny for mild criticism or personal connections. 

The case highlights ongoing tensions in U.S.-Saudi relations, complicated by the legacy of the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence linked to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. President Joe Biden initially promised to hold Saudi leaders accountable but softened his stance amid rising gas prices. 

Former President Donald Trump, whose family maintains extensive business ties with Saudi Arabia, is expected to further strengthen ties with the kingdom during his upcoming presidency. His real estate organization recently announced plans for a luxury high-rise in Jeddah, while his son-in-law Jared Kushner secured a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. 

Almadi’s case underscores the challenges the U.S. faces in addressing rights violations by allies like Saudi Arabia. Mickey Bergman, CEO of Global Reach, a group advocating for detained Americans abroad, noted that actions by allies complicate U.S. foreign policy, particularly when contrasted with arbitrary arrests by adversaries such as Iran, Russia, and Venezuela. 

Despite diplomatic complexities, Ibrahim Almadi continues to push for his father’s release. “Words can’t describe it,” he said, reflecting on his years-long effort to secure his father’s freedom. Having paused his own career to focus on advocacy, he remains determined to reunite with his father and bring him home to the U.S. 

Strong Earthquake Near Mount Everest Kills at Least 95 in Western China

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A powerful earthquake struck western China near the Tibet-Nepal border on Tuesday, leaving at least 95 people dead, over 130 injured, and hundreds trapped beneath rubble as dozens of aftershocks shook the region. The magnitude 7.1 quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), caused extensive damage in Tibet’s high-altitude Tingri County, near Mount Everest. 

Rescue workers sifted through piles of debris in heavily damaged villages, using ladders and makeshift tools to search for survivors. Videos released by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management showed rescuers pulling people from the wreckage, with some carried out on stretchers amid collapsed buildings. 

More than 1,000 homes were damaged in the sparsely populated region, China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported. Streets were strewn with fallen debris and crushed vehicles. The vice mayor of Shigatse city confirmed the injuries, while relief teams deployed over 3,000 rescuers and 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) in disaster relief funding. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged authorities to make all-out efforts to rescue survivors, reduce casualties, and provide shelter for displaced residents. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing visited the quake-hit region to oversee recovery efforts. 

The quake struck in a seismically active zone where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, an area prone to earthquakes powerful enough to reshape the towering Himalayan mountains. 

Residents of Nepal, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the epicenter, also felt the tremors. In Kathmandu, the capital city, people rushed into the streets in panic. However, Nepal’s National Emergency Operation Center reported no immediate injuries or significant damage. 

The quake’s epicenter was about 75 kilometers (50 miles) from Mount Everest. The scenic area on the Chinese side of the mountain was closed after the disaster. The region, largely deserted in winter, sees many residents migrate south to escape the harsh cold. 

This region has experienced 10 earthquakes of at least magnitude 6 over the past century, according to USGS data. The shallow depth of this quake—just 10 kilometers (6 miles)—increased its potential for destruction. 

Tibet, where the epicenter lies, remains a politically sensitive area. Although part of China, many Tibetans remain loyal to their exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who fled following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. Human rights groups and Western governments frequently criticize Beijing for its treatment of Tibetans, citing crackdowns on dissent despite significant economic investments in the region. 

The earthquake triggered about 50 aftershocks within three hours, further complicating rescue efforts. Thousands of residents have been displaced, struggling to cope with freezing temperatures at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). 

Videos from Kathmandu and surrounding areas showed water spilling from ponds and frightened residents describing the magnitude of the tremors. “It is a big earthquake,” one woman exclaimed in a video, with visible shaking in the background. 

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed as rescue operations continue in one of the most remote and challenging terrains in the world. 

Mexico Relocates Migrants to Acapulco Amid Border Dispersal Policy

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Hundreds of migrants, including about 100 who found themselves stranded in Acapulco, continue to face hardships as Mexico implements its policy of dispersing migrant caravans far from the U.S. border. 

Migrants from countries like Venezuela and Cuba, lured by promises of transit permits to continue their journey north, found themselves stuck in the Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco on Monday. Struggling to navigate their next steps, many were left sleeping on streets or seeking shelter in a Catholic church near the local immigration agency offices. 

“Immigration [officials] told us they were going to give us a permit to transit the country freely for 10, 15 days, and it wasn’t like that,” said 28-year-old Venezuelan migrant Ender Antonio Castañeda. “They left us dumped here without any way to get out. They won’t sell us [bus] tickets; they won’t sell us anything.” 

Acapulco, a city still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Otis in 2023 and grappling with high levels of organized crime, is an unusual destination for migrants. Despite federal efforts to restore the city, including deploying soldiers and the National Guard for reconstruction and security, violence and economic difficulties persist. 

The policy of “dispersion and exhaustion,” employed by Mexican authorities, aims to break up high-profile migrant caravans and prevent a buildup of migrants near the U.S. border. Officials allow migrants to walk for days before offering transportation to various cities where their immigration status will be processed. 

While some migrants receive permits allowing transit across Mexico, others are restricted to specific states, including Guerrero, where Acapulco is located. Meanwhile, the dangers of traveling through Mexico remain prevalent. Migrants frequently face risks of extortion and kidnapping by drug cartels, as well as corruption and bribes demanded by authorities. 

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has described her government’s approach as “humanitarian,” citing efforts to ease congestion in the southern city of Tapachula, a key waypoint near the Guatemalan border. However, migration advocates have criticized the relocation of migrants to areas like Acapulco, which lack the resources and infrastructure to support them. 

Rev. Leopoldo Morales, a priest assisting migrants in Acapulco, expressed concern over their dire circumstances. “We know they’re going through a very difficult time, with a lot of needs. They arrive without money,” he said, adding that local churches have provided food, water, and clothing. 

Acapulco’s high unemployment, compounded by storm damage and ongoing violence, makes it difficult for migrants to find work or safe passage north. For many, the journey to the U.S. border remains fraught with uncertainty and danger. 

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