Displaying items by tag: Donald Trump

The USA has presented Ukraine with a controversial one-page peace framework, described as Donald Trump’s ‘final offer’, which would grant significant concessions to Russia, including recognition of its occupation of Crimea and of territories which it has captured since the war began. In exchange, Ukraine would receive vague security guarantees, economic aid, and partial territorial returns. The plan also proposes that the USA would operate Ukraine’s Zaporizhzha nuclear plant and distribute its electricity output between the two countries. Sources say Kyiv views the proposal as heavily skewed in Moscow’s favour. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, drafted the deal after a lengthy meeting with Putin, who has shown interest in freezing current battle lines. However, European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s sincerity, and critics argue that the deal sacrifices core Ukrainian interests for political expediency. Volodymyr Zelensky has drawn further harsh criticism from Trump for refusing to countenance the loss of Crimea: see The war continues, with the worst Russian attack on Kyiv in months: see

As tributes flood in for Pope Francis, attention turns to his legacy of engaging controversial issues such as migration, climate change, and global conflict – and therefore clashing with world leaders. Notably, Francis clashed with Donald Trump over immigration, denouncing his border wall and mass deportation policies. Tensions also emerged with Argentina’s Mauricio Macri and Javier Milei; Milei even called Francis ‘evil’, but softened his tone after taking office. The Pope also criticised Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro over Amazon deforestation and championed Indigenous rights. On Gaza, Francis condemned Israel’s military actions, suggesting possible genocide - a statement that drew harsh rebukes from Israeli officials. He also condemned the Ukraine war without naming Vladimir Putin directly, while urging dialogue. His ‘white flag’ comment upset Ukrainian leaders. Yet many world leaders - including Trump, Milei, and Zelensky - plan to attend the funeral, honouring a pontiff who never shied from challenge.

According to an anonymous official, the White House is searching for a new Pentagon chief to replace Pete Hegseth, after claims that he shared classified military details via the Signal app with his wife, brother, and lawyer, potentially jeopardising operations in Yemen. This follows his error in March when he mistakenly included a journalist in a similar chat. Donald Trump and press secretary Karoline Leavitt have publicly defended Hegseth, calling the uproar a media smear, and Hegseth has denied wrongdoing, blaming disgruntled ex-employees. Four senior Pentagon advisers have recently departed; three of them were forcibly removed for leaking information to the press, a charge they have denied. Senators have criticised both Hegseth’s conduct and Trump’s judgment in appointing someone lacking high-level leadership experience. Meanwhile, in another controversy, Trump has stated that he has no intention of firing Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, even after calling him a ’major loser’ for his refusal to cut interest rates. See

Keir Starmer has cautioned that even if the UK secures a US trade deal or lower tariffs, it will not be enough to safeguard Britain’s economic future. In response to Donald Trump’s imposition of a 10% import tax on British goods, Starmer urged the UK to adapt to a changing global landscape by strengthening cooperation with Europe and diversifying trade partnerships. Trump later announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries, though uncertainty remains. Global markets reacted with volatility, and the Bank of England warned of rising global financial risks. Despite the turmoil, Starmer reaffirmed the government's fiscal discipline. Rachel Reeves is also working to establish trade agreements, including a recent £400 million deal with India, and has planned high-level meetings in Washington and Brussels. The Government aims to boost UK growth by fostering new trade alliances while safeguarding vital interests like the NHS and digital taxation.

Donald Trump is intensifying his efforts to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions. After withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), he reimposed sanctions, citing Iran's support for militias like Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has subsequently ignored some of the deal's restrictions and enriched more and more uranium nuclear fuel: analysts fear it could soon be capable of making a nuclear warhead. Trump has reinstated his ‘maximum pressure’ strategy, imposing additional sanctions, but he has now agreed to direct discussions between US and Iranian officials in Oman. However, the USA is demanding full dismantlement of Iran's nuclear programme, a request Tehran will find difficult to accept. Iran’s hardliners view nuclear deterrence as essential, and past negotiations show how challenging these discussions can be. Israel insists on the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capacity, while military action remains a possibility if talks fail.

China has announced an 84% tariff on all US imports, up from 34%, in retaliation to Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on Chinese imports (now 104%). This move escalates tensions in the ongoing trade war and sent global stock markets into further decline. Global oil prices also fell, adding to fears of a recession. However, US markets later showed some recovery after treasury secretary Scott Bessent hinted at potential trade agreements with allies. Trump is encouraging businesses to move to the USA, claiming zero tariffs and favourable conditions for companies. While China has expressed reluctance to engage in a full-scale trade war, it said it needed to protect its economy. Despite concerns over higher inflation, Trump remains optimistic about revitalising US manufacturing. He has now announced a pause in imposing the harsher tariffs, which has encouraged the stock markets. For a view about what this pause will mean, see

Donald Trump’s announcement of a universal 10% tariff on all imports into the USA, beginning on 5 April, has sparked global alarm. An additional wave of steepened tariffs on approximately sixty nations, including China and EU countries, begins on 9 April. Trump claims the move will revive American manufacturing, calling it overdue payback for unfair trade practices. However, international leaders warn the tariffs will spark economic turmoil and a potential global trade war. Ursula von der Leyen called it a ‘major blow’, while China, facing a 54% total tariff on some goods, promised ‘resolute countermeasures’. Allies like the UK and Australia have urged restraint, while others, such as Brazil and Canada, plan reciprocal actions. Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea also condemned the move. Trump’s tariffs have rattled long-standing allies, confused diplomatic partners, and raised fears of escalating economic isolation. Critics argue that US consumers may bear the burden, with higher prices and increased global instability looming. For an opinion about what a huge gamble Trump is taking, see

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 600,000 Venezuelans living in the USA. The administration planned to end protections for 350,000 Venezuelans by 7 April and expedite expiration for another 250,000, potentially deporting them to a nation in crisis. However, district judge Edward Chen ruled that the Biden-era extensions must remain in place, citing racism and legal flaws in the decision made by homeland security secretary Kristi Noem. Chen condemned the use of negative stereotypes and found no evidence linking TPS holders to the criminal threats cited by the administration. He said that data showed Venezuelans under TPS as generally law-abiding, employed, and contributing positively to US society. Chen also criticised the administration’s rationale as lacking evidence and potentially legitimising Venezuela’s authoritarian regime through backchannel negotiations.

The UN AIDS agency has warned of a potential global health crisis, with projections of 2,000 new HIV infections daily and up to 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths over the next four years, if US foreign aid remains frozen. The halt, ordered by Donald Trump under his ‘America First’ policy, has disrupted critical healthcare services. Although the State Department has said that life-saving programmes will continue, UNAIDS reports that many clinics have already closed and thousands of health workers have been laid off. There are fears that this sudden collapse in funding will reverse decades of progress in combating HIV/AIDS, especially in vulnerable regions. In 2023 alone, there were 600,000 AIDS-related deaths globally. UNAIDS, which relies on the US for 35% of its core funding, says unless aid resumes or is replaced by another source, the world could face a devastating resurgence of the epidemic, echoing the crises seen in the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump’s team members say they have saved US taxpayers tens of billions of dollars by cancelling contracts, firing workers and rooting out fraud and waste, but they have offered little evidence to support that assertion.

Donald Trump’s administration is facing huge criticism after a newspaper editor was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat discussing sensitive military plans, including potential US strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Despite official claims that no classified material was shared, Democrats and some Republicans expressed deep concern. Defence secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly disclosed target locations, weapon specifics, and timing - details typically considered classified. National security adviser Michael Waltz took full responsibility, calling the incident ‘embarrassing’; Trump defended his team and suggested they would stop using Signal. The Senate intelligence committee plans to audit the chat, and lawmakers from both parties demanded further investigation and potential resignations. Signal’s auto-deletion feature may have violated federal record-keeping laws, intensifying scrutiny. Senators criticised CIA director John Ratcliffe for dodging questions, and legal experts warned that such platforms are not appropriate for sensitive communications.