Page 27 - Latest Updates on Donald Trump

US returns to WTO reform debate, but on terms that unsettle the system

The US' memorandum is revealing of the various ways in which Washington now believes - to an extent across parties - that the WTO is not working properly

Newsmakers@2025: People behind the year's firsts, farewells, flashpoints

From historic breakthroughs and leadership changes to legacy battles and cultural reckonings, people who shaped the year

US pledges $2 bn for UN humanitarian aid as Trump slashes funding

The United States on Monday announced a $2 billion pledge for UN humanitarian aid as President Donald Trump's administration continues to slash US foreign assistance and warns United Nations agencies to adapt, shrink or die in a time of new financial realities. The money is a small fraction of what the US has contributed in the past but reflects what the administration believes is a generous amount that will maintain the United States' status as the world's largest humanitarian donor. The pledge creates an umbrella fund from which money will be doled out to individual agencies and priorities, a key part of US demands for drastic changes across the world body that have alarmed many humanitarian workers and led to severe reductions in programs and services. The $2 billion is only a sliver of traditional US humanitarian funding for UN-backed programs, which has run as high as $17 billion annually in recent years, according to UN data. US officials say only $8-$10 billion of that has be

Zohran Mamdani has bold promises. Can he deliver as New York City mayor?

Zohran Mamdani has promised to transform New York City government when he becomes mayor. Can he do it? Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, already faces intense scrutiny, even before taking office in one of the country's most scrutinized political jobs. Republicans have cast him as a liberal boogeyman. Some of his fellow Democrats have deemed him too far left. Progressives are closely watching for any signs of him shifting toward the center. On Jan. 1, he will assume control of America's biggest city under that harsh spotlight, with the country watching to see if he can pull off the big promises that vaulted him to office and handle the everyday duties of the job. All while skeptics call out his every stumble. For Mamdani, starting off strong is key, said George Arzt, a veteran Democratic political consultant in New York who worked for former Mayor Ed Koch. He's got to use the first 100 days of the administration to show people he can govern, he said. You've got to set a .

China takes swipe at Trump's mediation bid in Thailand-Cambodia conflict

China promotes peace without imposing on others, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during talks with Thai counterpart in Yunnan, holding separate discussions the same day with Cambodia's Sokhonn

Trump Class battleships may not be a big hit: Why experts are doubtful

Donald Trump says the new Trump Class battleships will be the deadliest ever built, but experts warn they may not be as he has planned

Trump meets Zelenskyy amid renewed US push to end Ukraine conflict

Security guarantees and economic proposals for Ukraine have seen progress, though the future of eastern Donbas remains unresolved and key territorial issues are still under negotiation

From AI to chips, big tech secures policy wins under Trump at White House

The president has backed policies that allow the industry to grow unfettered. The mutually beneficial alliance is causing concern among some conservatives

A year of tectonic shocks: How 2025 broke the old global economic order

The long-term effects of the tectonic shifts visible in 2025 are hard to parse

2025: When multilateralism weakened, but global trade remained resilient

In 2025, multilateral trade rules weakened as the US raised tariffs, yet global trade stayed resilient, led by strong supply chains, China's leverage and India's adaptive policy response

Zelenskyy to meet Trump in Florida for talks on Ukraine peace plan

Zelenskyy has told journalists that he plans to discuss the fate of eastern Ukraine's contested Donbas region during the meeting at Trump's Florida residence

Zelenskyy holds talks with Nato, EU allies ahead of Trump meeting

Zelenskyy stressed that strong military and diplomatic positions are essential to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from manipulating and evading a real and just end to the war

King Charles, Prince William to lead Trump trade outreach in 2026: Report

Britain's senior royals are to be deployed as part of a charm offensive with President Donald Trump to get a coveted trade deal with the US over the line in the New Year, according to a report on Saturday. King Charles III is expected to make a trip to Washington in the first half of next year, making it a historic visit by a reigning British monarch in almost 20 years, The Times' referenced sources close to the talks as saying. William, the Prince of Wales, is expected to travel to North America when the US hosts the football World Cup with Canada and Mexico in July. Plans for both visits are still in very early stages, with formal invitations from the US yet to be received. According to the newspaper, both tours are being timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of American independence and as discussions continue between Britain and the United States over formalising a trade deal. This month, the American administration paused a proposed multi-billion-pound investment in th

California drops lawsuit against Trump's high-speed rail funding revocation

Originally planned for completion by 2020 at a cost of $33 billion, the project is now forecast to cost between $89 billion and $128 billion, with service now expected to start by 2033

Zelenskyy to discuss land, security guarantees with Trump on December 28

A security guarantee agreement between Ukraine and the US is "almost ready" and the 20-point plan draft was 90% complete, Zelenskyy told reporters in a WhatsApp chat

Thailand, Cambodia sign truce to halt clashes after weeks of fighting

The agreement, signed by Thai Defence Minister Natthaphon Nakrphanit and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Seiha, ended 20 days of fighting that has killed at least 101 people

Nigeria open to more US strikes after Christmas attack on terrorists

Nigeria is coordinating the effort with the US and more American attacks are expected, according to senior Nigerian officials who asked not to be identified to discuss matters that aren't public

Key issues unresolved in US-Ukraine talks on ending Russia war: Zelenskyy

Several key issues remain unresolved in ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and the United States over a potential framework to end Russia's war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week. Speaking about a 20-point plan under discussion, Zelenskyy outlined the most difficult points, noting that Ukraine has already conveyed its position to Washington, which is expected to communicate it to Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that the Kremlin had already been in contact with US representatives since Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev recently met with US envoys in Florida. However, he did not reveal any details, saying only: It was agreed upon to continue the dialogue. The unresolved issues include: Security guarantees ----------------------- Zelenskyy said talks continue over the nature and scope of security guarantees that would be provided to Ukraine under any agreement. He said several technical issues remain, including how ..

When the US and China turn rogue, the global economy pays the price

With US protectionism and China's mercantilist push reinforcing each other, developing nations are caught in a global trade squeeze that threatens growth, jobs, and convergence

“Merry Christmas to dead terrorists”: Why did Trump order deadly strikes in Nigeria? | ISIS

The United States has carried out coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants in northwest Nigeria.