Weekly News Digest for February 7th, 2025
Compiled by Lydia Wong, Trinity De Lima, Tobyn Smith, Nila Karunakaran, Layla Jeeth, Mary Wahn
Edited by John Wilson, Lydia Wong, Joey Quinn, Ryan Simmons, Sara Anis Ali
Asia and the Pacific
Chained and Shackled: U.S. Deports 104 Indian Migrants in Unprecedented Crackdown
U.S. President Donald Trump’s reignited crackdown on undocumented migrants has reached new heights. On February 5th, an Air Force C-17 landed in the Indian city of Amritsar, carrying 104 deportees, aged 4 to 46. All passengers were Indian citizens from various towns who had illegally entered the United States over several years.
India, one of the biggest sources of unauthorized migration to the United States, has not objected to U.S. deportation efforts. The Indian government remains cooperative as India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal assured that the country will be ready to accept the deported Indians once verified. New Delhi stresses its commitment against illegal immigration due to its direct ties to several forms of organized crime.
As details emerge, multiple outlets report inhumane conditions during the deportation process. In a resultant uproar of resistance, India’s legislature was forced to adjourn proceedings in parliament Thursday as opposition lawmakers protested against the alleged mistreatment of the deportees. With the exception of women and children, all passengers were reportedly in handcuffs and shackled for the duration of the 40-hour flight back home.
The United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated it is standard practice for the agency to restrain adult deportees on international flights to protect inflight security and the migrants themselves, by preventing riots or other potential safety issues. India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has assured parliament that the government is working with the U.S. to ensure the safety of Indian immigrants. He also stressed the need for a “strong crackdown” on the human trafficking industry that fuels illegal immigration, promising swift action against people involved in the illicit trade.
This event is being perceived as an embarrassment for both India and its Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who consistently boasts of having a personal relationship with Trump. The deportations come days before Modi is set to visit Washington to discuss concerns over trade tariffs and visas for Indian skilled workers.
After Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi is only the second foreign leader to be invited by the White House since Trump started his second term in the Oval Office last month. They discussed immigration in what Trump described as a “productive” phone call last week where he emphasized the importance of India purchasing more American-made security equipment. Foreign policy experts believe immigration, arms sales, and China are set to be on the agenda of conversation as the U.S. looks to India to help counter Beijing's influence.
Central America and the Caribbean
El Salvador Makes a Deal with the U.S. to Place American Criminals in its Mega-Jail
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently visited El Salvador where he met with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. Bukele has a high approval rate due to his drastic reduction of crime rates in the years of his presidency. The President implemented regular use of a mega-jail for criminals throughout the state which helped El Salvador’s problem with rampant gangs and drug trafficking. The main imprisonment center, operational since 2023, goes by the name of the Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT). This prison is one that does not offer rehabilitation into society and is designed to house inmates for life. This is where most dangerous gang members are kept.
The deal struck between the Trump Administration and Bukele states that the U.S. would be allowed to ship detained migrants and imprisoned citizens to El Salvador’s mega-jail. This will be beneficial to the U.S. prison system but could further overcrowding issues in El Salvador’s jail.
Bukele seems to be combating this through forcing the U.S. to pay a fee in exchange for the hosting of its criminals. He stated, “the fee would be relatively low for the U.S. but significant for us, making our entire prison sustainable.” Rubio expressed the U.S.’s gratitude for the offer, telling Bukele that “no country’s made an offer of friendship such as this.” Although, there are a few constitutional legalities regarding the deal as American citizens cannot be deported. Ultimately, the current administration will have to decide how to move forward with these actions.
Europe
UK to Build More Nuclear Reactors
United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the UK will now make it easier for the country to build nuclear power plants, seeing as though the last one was built in 1995. This declaration follows the rest of Europe’s lead to produce more nuclear infrastructure to catch up with Northern America and Asia. The UK has stated that nuclear energy is “inevitable” as the region seeks to mitigate its energy dependency.
The move from the UK follows the PM’s ‘Plan for Change’ reforms which would include the creation of small modular reactors (SMR). These will support the production of clean energy and creation of the Nuclear Regulatory Task Force which will help improve regulations. The Prime Minister declared to the House of Commons that “our energy security has been hostage to Putin for too long, with British prices skyrocketing at his whims”. The volatile gas prices resulting from Russia- Ukraine have had a severe impact on the price of energy in the United Kingdom
However, environmental groups, such as Greenpeace, have suggested that these plans are “unrealistic”, saying they have not taken into account the security concerns of building nuclear power plants. Mike Childs of Friends for Earth criticised the plan saying it ‘creates a legacy of radioactive waste’.
Middle East and North Africa
Trump’s Gaza Plan Sparks Backlash in the Middle East
On February 5, United States President Donald Trump announced a prospective plan to "take over" Gaza and relocate its citizens to other nations. Released to the press just after a meeting in the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netnanyahu, the announcement sparked concerns throughout the Middle East. His proposal risks disrupting important U.S. regional ties and has worked in direct contradiction to long-standing U.S. policy that favors a two-state solution. Saudi Arabia, working to strengthen ties with Israel, now faces pressure to uphold its support for Palestinian statehood. The Al Saud family fears forced relocation of Gazans could spark backlash and destabilize diplomacy. Other Middle Eastern nations like Qatar and Turkey strongly oppose the plan. Across the region, leaders see the proposal as a threat to years of diplomatic progress.
Egyptian and Jordanian leaders promptly rejected Trump’s statements, citing national security concerns. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has spoked against the plan, claiming that a large-scale absorption of Palestinians will strengthen extremist groups and increase domestic instability. In Jordan, there is already a sizable Palestinian refugee community, and a sudden flood of people from Gaza would put a burden on the nation's resources and could potentially lead to internal political unrest. While a relationship with the United States is important to both nations, national security is a much greater concern.
Trump's proposal also threatens to reverse progress in the recent reconciliation between Israel and the Arab world. In particular, Saudi Arabia has stressed that major progress toward Palestinian statehood is a must for any possible accord with Israel. The announcement could agitate the delicate diplomatic progress and fuel anti-American sentiment, particularly among Iran and its Axis of Resistance. Trump’s plan, widely seen as forced displacement, raises concerns about ethnic cleansing, threatens regional stability, and risks straining U.S.-Israel relations while alienating key allies.
North America
Canada to Host U.S.-Canada Economic Summit
On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations would host an economic summit. The summit will take place in Toronto and feature Canada’s leading professionals in trade, business, public policy, and organized labor. The summit is set to focus on how the country can grow its economy through investments and address trade barriers within the nation. It is currently unknown whether U.S. President Donald Trump will attend. Many are speculating that possible U.S. tariffs on Canada were the root cause for Trudeau’s push for the summit, along with his push to start the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations.
The Trump administration’s recent tariff proposals on Canada have soured the relationship between the two countries. A 25% tariff on Canadian goods, had the potential to send the nation into a recession, harming the livelihoods of many Canadians and their businesses.
Before the tariffs went into effect, Prime Minister Trudeau negotiated with President Trump by offering assistance in reducing the flow of illegal drugs, namely fentanyl, through the U.S.’s borders. In December 2024, Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc outlined a federal proposal that aimed at preventing illegal drugs and immigration through the U.S.-Canada border.. Following Trudeau’s promise to boost border security, Trump agreed to temporarily pause tariffs on the country.
U.S.-Canada relations are sure to affect Canada’s next parliamentary election, which is currently suspended until March 24. Trudeau’s Liberal Party has had long-standing leadership positions in the nation, including his own father Pierre Trudeau who served four terms as prime minister, which has allowed for a push in the party’s progressive policy stances. However, in recent months, opposition parties, such as the Bloc Québécois, have expressed interest in toppling Trudeau’s party during the upcoming Parliamentary elections. This, combined with the looming threat of tariffs, even after the temporary pause, may make way for a shift in power in Canada’s Parliament.
South America
Controversial Presidential Election Commences in Ecuador
President Daniel Noboa has been in office for the past 18 months but on Sunday there will be another referendum to decide his continuation. Noboa won in a snap election in which the condition was that he would serve out the remainder of his predecessor’s term. His predecessor Guillermo Lasso faced impeachment and enacted the constitutional mechanism “muerte cruzada” which dissolved the Ecuadorian legislature and resulted in the snap election.
If Naboa wins the new election poll then he will be granted a full four year term. The first round commences this Sunday February 9th and to win the candidate must have more than 50 percent of the vote or at least 40 percent with a 10 point lead over the secondary candidate. If the threshold is not passed on Sunday then there will be a second round of voting on April 13 between the top two candidates.
Noboa’s biggest competitor will most likely be Luisa Gonzalaz as she was the secondary candidate in 2023. Gonzalez is a part of the left leaning Citizen Revolution Party which a past President Rafael Correa started. On the contrary, Noboa represents the National Democratic Action or the (ADN). Currently the National Assembly favors the Citizen Revolution party because they hold 48 of 137 seats but the National Democratic Actions stands to gain seats due to an expansion of 151 seats after Sunday’s election. The most challenging part of this election is that it takes place during a time where Ecuador is full of rampant crime and drug trafficking. The candidate that wins will be strongly encouraged to end these issues and reform the justice system.
Sub-Saharan Africa
M23 Rebels Break Ceasefire
The Rwandan-backed March 23 (M23) rebels continued their advance into the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following last week’s capture of Goma, the capital city of the North Kivu Province. The seizure of Goma left 900 dead, thousands displaced, and civilians vulnerable to disease and unrest. The conflict's impact is beyond getting caught in the crossfire, though. Recently, DRC authorities reported that amid the chaos of the conflict, male inmates launched a mass prison break and raped over 150 women after escaping.
The conflict also has a large impact on the regional community. M23 killed at least 20 peacekeepers from South Africa and Malawi assisting Congolese troops during the capture of Goma. The peacekeepers were part of a mission from the southern African regional bloc’s military, seeking to provide support in the conflict. After M23 announced a ceasefire, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera ordered Malawian peacekeeping troops to withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Neighboring country Rwanda fuels the ongoing crisis. The U.S., UN, and other international entities confirmed that M23 received funds, supplies, and soldiers from Rwanda. Through the support, Rwanda seeks to access critical mineral resources in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Although Rwandan officials deny these claims, they emphasize Rwanda’s right to defend itself. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi warned that he would mount a larger-scale military defense due to the presence of Rwandan forces in the country. Authorities sparked concern over a potential regional conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and allies in Eastern Europe, Burundi, and Uganda.
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