International Headlines: Greenland Concerns, Gaza Border, Holocaust Remembrance, and More
Several significant international developments unfolded on Friday, January 30, 2026, ranging from political reactions to potential U.S. territorial ambitions to progress in Gaza and ongoing efforts in Holocaust remembrance.
Concerns arose in Europe following comments interpreted as the U.S. expressing interest in Greenland. Rob Jetten, a Dutch political leader poised to become the Netherlands' next prime minister, described these ambitions as a "wake-up call" for Europe, according to Euronews. Jetten, a centrist D66 leader, emphasized the need for stronger European cooperation to ensure security and prosperity, rather than relying on the United States. "We can continue talking and complaining about the US, but what we should do instead is make sure," Jetten stated, advocating for a more self-reliant European approach.
In the Middle East, Israel announced the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Sunday. COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating aid to Gaza, stated that "a limited movement of people only" would be permitted. According to COGAT, both Israel and Egypt will vet individuals entering and exiting through the Rafah crossing. While Gaza has multiple border crossings, Rafah is the only one connecting the territory to a country other than Israel. This development was described as an important step forward for U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan, according to Euronews.
Meanwhile, Holocaust remembrance remained a central focus. Dani Dayan, the chairman of Yad Vashem, emphasized the importance of continuous remembrance, stating that it is not a "one day job." Speaking during a visit to Brussels to meet European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Dayan said, "Holocaust remembrance and the lessons from the Holocaust should be remembered and implemented 365 days a year." This statement comes after Yad Vashem announced in November that it had identified five of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
In other news, Joshua Michals, a 26-year-old American student, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years for the murder of Zhe Wang, a 31-year-old Chinese student, in London. Michals stabbed and killed Wang, his casual girlfriend, in March 2024. The sentencing took place at London's Old Bailey criminal court. Both were master's degree students at Goldsmiths, University of London, and had met in 2023, beginning a casual relationship.
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