Venezuela / USA: Trump’s increasing pressure on Maduro
On 21 November, weeks of escalating threats, military posturing, and diplomatic tension culminated not in conflict but in a stark phone call in which Donald Trump reportedly issued Nicolás Maduro an ultimatum: leave…
Honduras: manual recount necessary for presidential election result
The Honduran presidential election has become increasingly tense after the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced a full manual recount of the 30 November vote. Currently there is a wafer-thin margin between the two…
Ukraine: differing signals about peace proposals
Hopes of a swift peace agreement to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been tempered after the Kremlin cautioned against assuming a deal is close. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was ‘premature’ to…
Nigeria: danger of mass starvation in 2026
Northern Nigeria is facing a rapidly escalating hunger emergency as militant attacks make it too dangerous for farmers to work their land. According to a new World Food Programme (WFP) report, Nigeria is…
Trump says he has 'obligation' to sue BBC because 'it defrauded the public'
Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of the BBC, threatening a billion-dollar lawsuit over what he claims was a dishonest editing of a speech he delivered before the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot.…
Hungary / USA: Trump gives one-year exemption from sanctions
Donald Trump has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas purchases, marking a diplomatic win for Viktor Orbán. The move followed Orbán’s visit to Washington, where Trump…
Syria: why al Sharaa’s visit to Washington is so important
In a stunning U-turn of diplomacy, Syrian president Ahmed al Sharaa - once known as Abu Mohammed al Jolani, former leader of the al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front - has arrived in Washington for…
South Africa: prominent Afrikaners condemn Trump’s allegations ahead of G20
Donald Trump has declared that no US officials will attend the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, citing ‘human rights’ concerns related to alleged persecution of white Afrikaners. The decision has drawn sharp criticism…
USA: longest-ever government shutdown finally ends, both sides bruised
The longest US government shutdown in history has ended after 43 tense days, restoring pay for federal workers and reopening critical services. Yet its conclusion has left both political parties bruised. Senate Democrats…
Russia / USA: resumption of nuclear testing in tit-for-tat decisions
Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Russia may resume nuclear testing marks one of the most dangerous escalations in global security since the Cold War. He has instructed senior military and intelligence officials to prepare…
