Sweden: ten dead after school shooting
A mass shooting at an adult education centre in Örebro has left ten people dead, including the suspected gunman, in what prime minister Ulf Kristersson called ‘the worst mass shooting in Swedish history’. Police have stated that the suspect acted alone, and have ruled out ‘ideological motives’. A number of others were injured, and local hospitals cleared extra space so that they could treat victims. Witnesses described scenes of terror, with students attempting to aid the wounded as gunfire erupted. Authorities locked down nearby schools for safety, and emergency rooms were cleared for victims. Kristersson called the tragedy a ‘painful day’. He asked people to give police the freedom and the space they needed to do their investigations, and stressed that there was no further risk to attending school the next day.
Germany / Ukraine: Scholz criticises Trump’s demand for rare earth resources
Olaf Scholz has criticised Donald Trump’s proposal to make US military aid for Ukraine conditional on access to the country’s rare earth resources, calling it ‘selfish and self-centred’. A Ukrainian source has said that resource-sharing had already been included in Volodymyr Zelensky’s ‘victory plan’, which has been presented to foreign leaders, including Trump. The future of US aid to Ukraine remains uncertain, with military assistance continuing but non-military aid programs frozen under the new administration. Germany is Ukraine’s second-largest military donor; however, Scholz has blocked proposed additional security assistance worth €3 billion unless it is covered by new government borrowing. He has also resisted sending Taurus cruise missiles, citing escalation concerns. As Ukraine seeks continued support, Western nations face internal debates over military aid, economic interests, and the war’s broader implications.
Germany: huge protest against collaboration with far-right
Tens of thousands of Germans have protested in Berlin against perceived political collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The demonstrations followed votes in which the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, received AfD backing on immigration-related proposals. While Merz insists he did not seek AfD support, critics including former chancellor Angela Merkel view this as a violation of Germany’s post-war commitment to reject far-right alliances. The protests attracted around 160,000 participants. With national elections weeks away, CDU leads the polls, with AfD in second place. Merz has ruled out forming a coalition with AfD, but tensions remain high. Demonstrators, alarmed by potential shifts in Germany’s political landscape, have called on democratic parties to protect the nation’s values.
Gaza: huge criticism of Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinians
Donald Trump has proposed permanently resettling Palestinians out of Gaza, calling it a ‘demolition site’ and suggesting US involvement in rebuilding the territory. His remarks, made during a visit to Washington by Benjamin Netanyahu, seem to signal a major shift in US policy on Israel and the Palestinians. Arab nations have strongly rejected the plan, warning that it could destabilise the region and expand the conflict. Under international law, forced population transfers are prohibited. Trump’s vision, which includes an international takeover of Gaza, aligns with far-right Israeli groups advocating for indefinite war against Hamas and the expansion of Jewish settlements. They might welcome Trump’s position, but for millions of displaced Palestinians, it represents the threat of permanent exile and collective punishment. Meanwhile, sick and wounded Palestinians have left the Gaza strip as the fragile ceasefire continues: see
South Africa: Trump threatens funding cuts
Donald Trump has threatened to cut all US funding to South Africa over unproven claims that the government is seizing land from white landowners. Cyril Ramaphosa has moved swiftly to deny these claims categorically. The controversy stems from South Africa’s new Expropriation Act, which allows land redistribution in the public interest but does not permit arbitrary seizures. Legal experts argue the law is a constitutional mechanism to correct racial disparities from apartheid, not a tool for mass expropriation. Trump’s claims may have been fuelled by AfriForum, a right-wing South African lobby group which has long pushed the narrative of land grabs and a so-called ‘white genocide’, despite researchers debunking these assertions. Meanwhile, South African officials warn that retaliatory measures, including restricting mineral exports to the USA, could follow if Trump enforces funding cuts.
China / USA: exchange of tariffs on imports
China has retaliated against new US tariffs by imposing 15% duties on certain energy imports and 10% tariffs on crude oil, vehicles, and machinery. It also announced export controls on key minerals like tungsten and added two firms to its ‘unreliable entities’ list. Additionally, China launched an antitrust investigation into Google. On 2 February Donald Trump had imposed 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, part of broader trade measures also targeting Mexico and Canada. He has briefly paused tariffs on those two nations following talks. China denounced the tariffs at the World Trade Organisation, warning of economic disruption. The dispute extends beyond tariffs, touching on security and fentanyl production. While Beijing aims to avoid an escalating trade war, China’s slowing economy adds pressure. Meanwhile, Trump has indicated that he might impose tariffs on other nations.