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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Key elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City are entering their final stretch, with the latest polls showing competitive contests that have attracted national attention.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has announced that Germany will provide Ghana with €65 million (approximately $69 million) in development assistance.
Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, is entering the U.S. dollar and euro debt markets with a multi-tranche senior unsecured notes issue.
The eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk has emerged as a critical point in Russia’s campaign to seize the remaining Ukrainian-held parts of Donetsk, and its fate could shape the course of the conflict in the region.
Russia said on Monday that its troops had advanced in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a transport and logistics hub that they have been trying to capture for over a year, but Ukraine said its forces were holding on.
Ukraine’s top military commander has confirmed that troops are facing “difficult conditions” defending the strategic eastern town of Pokrovsk against a multi-thousand Russian force.
Russia has launched its new nuclear-powered submarine, the Khabarovsk, at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, the Defence Ministry said Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not believe the United States is going to war with Venezuela despite growing tensions, though he suggested President Nicolás Maduro’s time in power may be nearing its end.
On October 21, 2025, an Azerbaijani Airlines (AZAL) Gulfstream G650, call sign 4K-ASG, touched down at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport. It was a historic event, commented many.
Pakistan’s military has dismissed claims that it holds an agreement with the United States permitting attacks on Afghanistan from its territory.
China has announced it will extend its visa-free policy for a further year, with Swedish citizens now included in the scheme.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has said that cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is deepening despite turbulence in global politics and the world economy.
Key elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City are entering their final stretch, with the latest polls showing competitive contests that have attracted national attention.
The eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk has emerged as a critical point in Russia’s campaign to seize the remaining Ukrainian-held parts of Donetsk, and its fate could shape the course of the conflict in the region.
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