3 d. ago Trump envoy says Gaza entering second phase of ceasefire plan, including disarming Hamas

The US said on Wednesday that it is moving into the next phase of a Gaza ceasefire plan that involves disarming Hamas, rebuilding the war-ravaged territory and establishing the group of Palestinian experts that will administer daily affairs in Gaza under American supervision. US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said in a social media post that the ceasefire deal that the Republican president helped broker was entering its second phase following two years of war between Israel and...

Politics

3 d. ago Gaza entering next ceasefire phase as US pushes to disarm Hamas

The United States said on Wednesday that it was moving into the next phase of a Gaza ceasefire plan that involves disarming Hamas, rebuilding the war-ravaged territory and establishing the group of Palestinian experts that will administer daily affairs in Gaza under American supervision. US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said in a post on X that the deal that the Republican president helped broker was entering its second phase following two years of war between Israel and Hamas,...

Events

4 d. ago As Vietnam’s US trade surplus overtakes China, Trump replaces envoy to fix ‘imbalance’

The Trump administration plans to replace the US ambassador to Vietnam with a nominee set on addressing “imbalanced” trade relations, as Hanoi’s goods trade surplus with Washington surpassed China’s in recent quarters while it was locked in unresolved tariff negotiations with Washington. On Sunday, current ambassador Marc Knapper will end his tenure after being abruptly recalled before Christmas alongside several other career diplomats. His designated successor, career diplomat Jennifer Wicks...

Politics

8 d. ago Israel says Bulgarian diplomat to direct Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza

A former UN Middle East envoy has been chosen to direct US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel’s prime minister said on Thursday, as at least eight more deaths from Israeli strikes were reported there. The appointment of Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov marks an important step forward for Trump’s Middle East peace plan, which has moved slowly since delivering an October ceasefire ending more than two years of fighting between Israel and...

Politics

1 week ago Greenland PM calls for ‘contact’ with US after latest Trump comments on annexing territory

Greenland’s prime minister on Monday called for renewed talks with the United States and urged against panic after President Donald Trump repeated that he wanted to annex the mineral-rich Arctic territory. “The situation is not such that the United States can conquer Greenland. That is not the case. Therefore, we must not panic. We must restore the good cooperation we once had,” Jens-Frederick Nielsen said, adding “we must try to re-establish contact”. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen,...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump to meet US’ China envoy after call with Japan PM Takaichi as Taiwan drills conclude

US President Donald Trump is meeting US Ambassador to China David Perdue at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Friday, rounding off a day of diplomacy that began with a call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The engagements come at a delicate moment for the administration as it seeks to align its “America first” regional approach amid a deepening diplomatic rift between Tokyo and Beijing over Taiwan, and following Washington’s recent approval of its largest-ever arms sale to the...

Politics

2 w. ago Denmark to buy US$1.8 billion in US patrol planes despite rift over Greenland

The United States said on Monday it had approved a US$1.8 billion sale of patrol aircraft to Denmark, despite renewed tension after an envoy of US President Donald Trump called again for seizing Greenland. The State Department said it approved a request from Denmark to buy the P-8A patrol and reconnaissance system from Boeing, which will include up to three aircraft. The sale will “support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of...

Economics

3 w. ago Does the US want to conquer Greenland? Trump’s new envoy weighs in

US President Donald Trump’s newly appointed envoy to Greenland said on Tuesday that the Republican administration is looking to begin a conversation with residents of the semi-autonomous Danish territory about the best way forward for the strategically important island. In his first extended comments since being appointed to the role this week, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said the Trump administration isn’t going to “go in there trying to conquer anybody” or try to “to take over anybody’s...

Politics

3 w. ago Denmark angered over Trump naming envoy to Greenland, summons US ambassador

The Danish foreign minister said on Monday he will summon the US ambassador, insisting that everyone – including the United States – must respect “the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark” after US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana’s governor as the US special envoy to Greenland. During his presidential transition and early second term, Trump repeatedly pushed for US control over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, and has not ruled out using...

Politics

3 w. ago No Ukraine ceasefire breakthrough despite ‘productive and constructive’ talks

US and Ukrainian envoys issued a joint statement on Sunday that hailed “productive and constructive” talks in Miami but did not announce any apparent breakthrough in efforts to end the war with Russia. Top representatives from both Ukraine and Russia, as well as Kyiv’s European allies, have been in southern Florida over the past several days for a series of separate talks hosted by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. The meetings were the latest in a weeks-long diplomatic...

Events