During her briefing on January 31, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed several major topics. Here are the six key points she highlighted:
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Washington Visit
Leavitt confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington on Tuesday, February 4, for a working meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. “I can confirm that Prime Minister Netanyahu will be here on Tuesday of February 4th for a working meeting and visit with the president,” she stated, noting that media coverage of the visit is expected to be extensive.
Tariff and Trade Measures
When questioned about tariffs on the European Union, Leavitt explained that President Trump has not yet established a timeline for such measures nor decided whether any future tariffs will be uniformly applied or differentiated among EU members. However, she did confirm that new tariffs are set to be implemented soon:
25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico
10% tariffs on China
These measures reflect ongoing efforts to adjust U.S. trade policy with key global partners.
Transgender Policies and Gender Identity Directives
Leavitt detailed the administration’s recent actions on transgender issues, noting that President Trump has signed several executive orders. These orders:
Establish the federal government’s policy to recognize only two biological sexes—male and female—and direct all federal agencies to adhere to this definition.
Include measures affecting military policy by removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) directives from the armed forces, reinstating troops dismissed over COVID-19 vaccine refusals, and redefining military standards regarding gender identity.
Signal support for congressional efforts to end practices that the administration characterizes as harmful, such as “the mutilation” or “chemical castration” of young children.
Hostage Releases and Regional Security Initiatives
In a significant update on international security, Leavitt announced the release of eight hostages—three Israeli and five Thai nationals—from Hamas captivity. “The White House applauds the release of eight additional hostages from Hamas captivity,” she said, adding that President Trump remains committed to securing the return of all remaining hostages. She also underscored the importance of the upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu in reinforcing U.S. support for Israel and holding terror groups accountable.
Reaffirming the President’s Stance on COVID-19 Origins
Leavitt revisited a contentious topic from earlier briefings. Recalling that President Trump had suggested COVID-19 might have originated from a lab in Wuhan, China, she emphasized that early warnings—though initially dismissed as conspiracy theories—are now seen as validated by new evidence. “It took many years for it to come out, but the president was right in this instance again,” Leavitt remarked.
Ric Grenell’s Mission in Venezuela
In another international development, Leavitt confirmed that special U.S. envoy Ric Grenell is currently in Venezuela with two primary directives from the President:
Repatriation of Venezuelan Nationals: Grenell has been tasked with identifying a location to ensure that repatriation flights carrying members of the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua—alleged to have broken U.S. laws—land safely in Venezuela.
Return of U.S. Detainees: He is also charged with overseeing the return of all U.S. detainees held in Venezuela.
“Ric Grenell is in Venezuela to ensure that repatriation flights of Tren de Aragua members will land in Venezuela, and to ensure that all U.S. detainees in Venezuela are returned home,” Leavitt explained. She noted that a full readout would be provided following Grenell’s trip.
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Counting is underway in Armenia’s parliamentary elections, with the results of the vote set to determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone.
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S. visa approvals continues to cast a shadow over the country's tournament preparations.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who bear much of the responsibility for securing water for their families.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S. visa approvals continues to cast a shadow over the country's tournament preparations.
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
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