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U.S. President Donald Trump, who has actively worked to reduce government spending since taking office, has decided to overhaul the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which focuses on overseas humanitarian aid. The plan involves reducing the agency's workforce from over 10,000 employees to fewer than 300.

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), USAID currently employs more than 11,000 people worldwide, with about 67% working outside the U.S. As part of the reduction plan, the remaining personnel will be kept only in regional offices, while the rest will be laid off. For instance, the Africa office will retain 12 employees, the Asia, Latin America, and Caribbean offices will keep 8 each, and the Middle East office will keep 21. In addition, 800 grants and contracts managed by USAID will be canceled. Some employees have already received layoff notices, and starting February 7, employees globally will enter administrative leave.

Furthermore, media reports suggest that the White House is drafting an executive order to lay off thousands of employees from the Department of Health and Human Services, including staff from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its affiliated agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, may also be affected.

The reports indicate that after the USAID restructuring, it will merge with the State Department. President Trump has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the acting USAID Administrator. Since USAID was established by law and its funding is governed by regulations, the potential merger cannot be finalized until Congress approves it. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) argue that this plan will lead to a global humanitarian crisis, calling it unconstitutional and illegal, and they will seek legal means to prevent its implementation.

On February 6, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited the United States to meet with President Donald Trump. This marks the second meeting Trump has had with a foreign leader since taking office. As America’s closest ally in Asia, Japan shares concerns over Trump’s "America First" approach and whether Japan might face similar treatment as Canada, Mexico, and Europe. According to Nikkei News, during this visit, Japan is expected to propose purchasing more U.S. natural gas to align with Trump’s "drill, baby, drill" plan. The two nations are set to release a joint statement, aiming to usher in a "golden era" and elevate the U.S.-Japan alliance to a new level.

Sheila Smith, a senior fellow at the U.S. think tank Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), told AFP that unlike Trump's meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, which sparked global debate over the "takeover of the Gaza Strip," the meeting with Ishiba is expected to be calm and composed. Japan has reduced its imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia and will use this opportunity to purchase more U.S. gas, strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance. However, with Trump’s meticulous approach to finances, the issue of how the U.S. and Japan share defense costs will be another headache for Ishiba, especially considering the 54,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Japan.

Greece, located at the junction of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, is one of the most earthquake-prone areas in Europe. Over the past three days, about 550 earthquakes with a magnitude of 3 or higher have been recorded between the Aegean Sea's Santorini Island and the nearby Amorgos and Ios Islands, with one reaching a magnitude of 4.9. The atmosphere has been highly tense.

Santorini Island has a population of about 15,000 people, and the series of earthquakes have already led 9,000 people, including tourists and locals, to leave the island. Large crowds have gathered at the port waiting to board ships to leave. Flights to Athens are also fully booked, and schools on the island will be closed for a week. Greek authorities have sent emergency rescue teams to the area and are urging residents to move to safer zones. Additionally, coastal area monitoring has been intensified, with warnings to avoid areas at risk of landslides.

Seismologists estimate that the earthquake activity could continue for several more days or even weeks. In response, authorities have ordered the temporary closure of schools on nearby islands and have advised coastal residents to evacuate. Plans for emergency accommodation and food distribution are also being prepared. The last major earthquake in Santorini occurred in 1956, with a magnitude of over 7, resulting in at least 53 deaths and over 100 injuries.

On the 3rd, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that after speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. would suspend tariffs on Canada for 30 days. Trudeau stated on social media platform X that during this period of U.S.-Canada cooperation, Canada would deploy nearly 10,000 personnel to assist in law enforcement and protect the Canada-U.S. border, while designating drug trafficking organizations as terrorists. He also mentioned the appointment of an official to oversee the opioid fentanyl crisis and combat money laundering activities.

Trump later confirmed the news on his social media platform, Truth Social, posting that Canada had agreed to enhance law enforcement at the northern U.S. border to stop fentanyl and other drugs from entering the U.S. He expressed satisfaction with the preliminary results and announced that tariffs on Canada would be suspended for 30 days to allow time to assess whether a broader agreement could be reached.

Trump described illegal immigration and drug flows into the U.S. as a "major threat." Tariffs were initially set to be imposed starting on the 4th, with a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on China. Trudeau quickly stated that Canada would impose a 25% tariff on U.S. goods if the tariffs were implemented.

After negotiations with Mexico, Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also announced a one-month delay on tariffs on Mexican goods.

On the 3rd, Trump mentioned that Washington and Beijing might hold final talks on the tariff issue within the next 24 hours.

Eastern Australia has been hit by extreme weather in recent days, with continuous heavy rainfall causing severe flooding. Many areas are submerged, roads have been closed, and authorities have issued emergency evacuation orders. According to local meteorological agencies, some regions have recorded over 1,000 millimeters of rainfall in just two days, setting a historic record as the disaster continues to escalate.

The heavy rainfall has primarily impacted Queensland and New South Wales, where several rivers have overflowed, leading to severe flooding in low-lying areas. Authorities have issued flood warnings for multiple towns and have urgently evacuated affected residents. Some areas have experienced road closures, power outages, and communication disruptions, while rescue teams are working tirelessly to help evacuate people to safety.

In parts of Queensland, rainfall has exceeded 1,000 millimeters within 48 hours, turning town streets into vast floodwaters. Vehicles and houses have been submerged, and some residents have been stranded on rooftops awaiting rescue. The local government has deployed helicopters and rescue teams to conduct emergency operations.

Experts believe that this extreme rainfall is closely linked to climate change. Eastern Australia has experienced increasingly frequent extreme weather events in recent years, including floods, heatwaves, and wildfires, raising concerns about future climate challenges. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that rainfall may continue in the coming days, potentially worsening the flooding situation. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow evacuation instructions.

Currently, authorities are intensifying rescue and disaster recovery efforts while advising affected residents to avoid dangerous areas for their safety. The local government has also announced emergency relief funds to help affected families rebuild their lives as soon as possible.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced on the 1st that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington on the 3rd (Eastern Time) to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and launch the second phase of Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations.

According to Reuters, Netanyahu is expected to depart from Israel on the 2nd and meet with Trump at the White House on the 4th (Eastern Time) to discuss the situation in Gaza and the issue of Israeli hostages still held in the region.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that Netanyahu will also meet with Witkoff to discuss Israel’s stance in the ceasefire agreement. Over the past 15 months, Egypt and Qatar, with U.S. support, have acted as mediators to facilitate dialogue between Israel and Hamas. As a result, Witkoff also plans to hold talks with officials from Egypt and Qatar.

Last month, Israel and Hamas reached a complex ceasefire agreement to be implemented in three phases, temporarily halting fighting in Gaza. So far, Hamas has released 18 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. However, more than 70 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the official negotiation date between representatives from Egypt, Qatar, Hamas, and Israel has yet to be determined. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, lasting 42 days, is set to end in March. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that Witkoff will first negotiate with Qatari and Egyptian representatives before meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ways to accelerate the negotiation process, including setting a concrete date for the delegation to begin talks.

The second phase of the ceasefire agreement is expected to involve the release of the remaining hostages and discussions on permanently ending the war.

White House Announces: Trump Signs Executive Order Imposing Tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, On the 1st, the White House spokesperson announced that President Trump had signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, effective immediately. According to CNBC, the energy tariff on Canada will be reduced to 10% to mitigate the impact on gasoline and other energy prices. Additionally, under the new order, if these countries retaliate against the U.S. in any way, the tariffs will escalate, sending shockwaves across the globe.

President Trump previously posted on the X platform, citing the powers granted to the president under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify tariff retaliation against the three countries. He stated that the tariffs were implemented “because illegal immigration and deadly drugs like fentanyl pose a major threat to the lives of our citizens.” He added, “We need to protect Americans. As president, I have a responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety.” Furthermore, Trump announced on X: “On February 18, we will finally impose tariffs on chips, oil, and natural gas, as well as steel, aluminum, and copper.”

Following Trump’s announcement, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared that Canada would take strong countermeasures immediately and announced a 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed strong opposition and ordered her Minister of Economy to implement both tariff and non-tariff measures to defend Mexico’s interests. However, she also stated on X that her government does not seek confrontation with the U.S. but instead aims for cooperation and dialogue.

The move has sparked mixed reactions. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a statement saying: “The president is right to focus on critical issues such as border security and fentanyl, but imposing tariffs under IEEPA is unprecedented. Tariffs will not solve these problems—they will only raise costs for American families and disrupt supply chains.” Experts are now evaluating the economic impact of these tariffs. Economists warn that full implementation could lead to rising prices, but the Trump administration argues that tariffs will bring manufacturing back to the U.S., boost employment and wages, and counter inflation by easing energy regulations to lower oil prices.

The U.S. trades approximately $1.6 trillion annually with these three nations. CNBC believes that Trump is using tariffs as a diplomatic tool, particularly regarding immigration and drug trafficking issues. Previously, Colombia had refused to accept deported migrants, but after Trump threatened tariffs, the Colombian government reversed its stance, demonstrating the political power of tariffs. Tariffs have long been a key component of Trump’s economic policy. During his campaign, he famously declared that "tariffs are the fourth most beautiful word in the dictionary, after ‘God,’ ‘love,’ and ‘religion.’” In his first term, Trump imposed heavy tariffs on China, leading to a major shift in the global economic landscape. In 2023, Mexico surpassed China as the United States' largest source of imports. This new trade war is expected to further reshape the global economy.

On January 28, 2025, a major plane crash occurred in Washington D.C., resulting in the deaths of 67 people. According to the preliminary investigation report, there were some unusual factors surrounding the cause of the accident, attracting widespread attention.

According to the preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the aircraft may have experienced a cabin depressurization during flight, which led to oxygen deprivation for both the crew and passengers, causing a loss of control of the plane. Investigators at the crash site found that the aircraft crashed at a high speed and almost vertical angle, with wreckage scattered over an area of 137 meters, suggesting that the plane may have lost control prior to the crash.

NTSB investigators stated that they would remain at the crash site for at least three to four days to conduct a detailed investigation. They emphasized that this is a highly challenging crash site and requires careful analysis of various possible causes, including mechanical failure, human error, and other potential factors.

The investigation is still ongoing, and the NTSB has not yet released a final report. Relevant authorities have urged the public to be patient and avoid jumping to conclusions in order to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the investigation’s results.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas took effect on the 20th of last month. The war has resulted in 46,000 Palestinian deaths in the Gaza Strip, with 93% of the local housing damaged. Following his recent visit to Gaza, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, spoke with the media and stated that the area has nearly been completely destroyed, and reconstruction is estimated to take 10 to 15 years.

Witkoff pointed out that people in Gaza are currently moving north to check on the condition of their homes, but due to the lack of water and electricity, the area is uninhabitable, and they are forced to leave again. The extent of the damage to buildings is shocking.

According to British media reports, Hamas estimates that out of every 15 houses in Gaza, 14 have been damaged, with 5 of them completely destroyed, resulting in an estimated 42 million tons of rubble. Satellite images from Gaza's northern region show that nearly all residential areas less than 1 km west of one of Gaza's major hospitals, the Indonesian Hospital, have been destroyed.

In addition, the water supply and sanitation infrastructure have been severely damaged. Before the conflict, 80% of Gaza's water came from underground wells, but currently only 8% of the northern region's water sources are usable. The northern desalination plant, once a crucial source of drinking water, was also destroyed in the fighting. Aid organizations report that 70% of the water transported through damaged pipelines is leaking, and the water supply facilities have been severely impacted.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that out of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip, 50% have ceased operations due to a lack of medical supplies, fuel, and staff, and the remaining hospitals can only provide partial services. According to Palestinian authorities, at least 46,788 people have been killed due to airstrikes and ground assaults, with over 110,000 others injured. While houses and infrastructure can be rebuilt, the loss of life caused by the conflict will have long-lasting and severe consequences.

Media reports indicate that a stabbing attack by an Afghan migrant occurred in Aschaffenburg, Germany, on the 22nd of this month, resulting in two deaths and three injuries. The suspect had already lost asylum status in Germany as of December last year but remained in the country, sparking widespread debate. On the 29th, the Bundestag passed a proposal from the Union parties, calling for stricter asylum policies. With support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the proposal was approved.

The proposal, titled "The German Bundestag Calls on the Federal Government to Immediately Implement the Following Measures," includes provisions such as permanent border controls, stricter restrictions on family immigration, and indefinite detention of criminals and dangerous individuals who have been ordered to leave Germany until they voluntarily depart or are deported. The vote tally was 348 in favor, 345 against, and 10 abstentions. Among the 348 votes in favor were 187 from Union party lawmakers, 75 from AfD members, and 80 from Free Democratic Party (FDP) members.

Although the proposal is not legally binding, it marks the first time the German parliament has passed a measure by majority vote with AfD support. With Germany's national elections just weeks away, immigration policy has once again become a focal point in the political debate.