Displaying items by tag: Donald Trump

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.

Mark Carney has called a snap federal election for 28 April, aiming to secure a strong mandate amid rising tensions with Donald Trump. A political newcomer and former banker, Carney was sworn in just weeks ago after succeeding Justin Trudeau, who stepped down following internal party strife. The election sets the stage for a fierce contest with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, a populist who once led comfortably in the polls. The central issue is who can best defend Canada against Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and trade threats, including proposed tariffs and talk of annexation. Carney accused Trump of seeking to undermine Canadian sovereignty and vowed to build a more secure, self-reliant nation. Poilievre, meanwhile, blamed Liberal policies for Canada’s current vulnerability and called for a nationalist shift in governance. The 37-day campaign is poised to reshape the nation’s future at a critical crossroads. Trump’s actions have infuriated Canadians - and upended their politics.

Vladimir Putin has agreed to a thirty-day pause in strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure following a phone call with Donald Trump. The two leaders spoke for 90 minutes as the Trump administration works toward ending the conflict that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, Putin refused the broader ceasefire which the USA has proposed. Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the energy-targeting pause but insisted that Ukraine should be involved in future negotiations. Putin also demanded a halt to Western military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine before agreeing to any long-term deal. Zelensky rejected this, calling it an attempt to weaken Ukraine. The White House announced that peace negotiations would begin in the Middle East, with talks including a potential Black Sea ceasefire; Putin has agreed to further discussions on these terms. One immediate result of the phone call has been a major exchange of prisoners: see

After an unexpected nine-month extension aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore safely returned to Earth on Tuesday. They splashed down off Florida’s coast in a SpaceX Dragon capsule alongside Crew-9 members Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Their re-entry, a critical phase of space travel, was successfully completed, and recovery crews swiftly assisted them upon landing. Their return was delayed due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which forced them to remain on the ISS beyond their planned stay. The astronauts rejected claims that they were ‘stranded’ or ‘abandoned’; they knew things could go wrong on a test mission. Donald Trump has blamed the Biden administration for mishandling the situation, but both astronauts assured they were never in danger. Their safe return marks another milestone in space exploration and international collaboration aboard the ISS.

Keir Starmer has declared that 'all options are on the table' as Britain weighs its response to Donald Trump’s global tariffs on steel and aluminium. The EU has already imposed countermeasures, but the UK has taken a cautious approach, seeking an economic agreement rather than immediate retaliation. Trump administration insiders warn that a quick trade deal with the UK may hinge on abandoning online safety legislation - a demand Starmer is unlikely to meet. Additionally, US vice president JD Vance has prioritised free speech concerns in trade talks, challenging the UK’s regulations on tech companies. With the UK now outside both the EU and US trading blocs, businesses fear further economic strain. Steel industry leaders have urged the Government to take strong action, while some politicians argue that failing to respond will weaken the UK’s position. As tensions mount, prayers are needed for wisdom in leadership, economic stability, and fair trade agreements.  

US officials have arrived in Moscow to discuss a proposed thirty-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Special envoy Steve Witkoff hopes to persuade Russia to agree to the deal, which Ukraine accepted earlier this week after talks in Jeddah. The Kremlin confirmed discussions were planned but gave no details. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said that the ceasefire decision now rests with Russia, while Donald Trump warned of financial consequences if Russia rejects peace. Meanwhile, Russia claims to have recaptured 86% of the Kursk region, which Ukraine invaded last year. Vladimir Putin, visiting the area, has reportedly ordered a full military push to reclaim all lost territory. Events this week show a remarkably swift turnaround from a week ago: see

Mark Carney, prime minister-designate, has expressed willingness to renegotiate a trade deal with Donald Trump, provided Canadian sovereignty is respected. His remarks came as Canada imposed C$29.8 billion (£16 billion) in retaliatory tariffs on US imports after Trump enacted 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium. Trump has justified the move as a national security measure, aiming to bolster domestic industries. However, Carney condemned the tariffs as ‘unjustified’, warning of economic instability. Canada, the largest foreign supplier of these metals to the USA, is heavily impacted. Ottawa’s retaliatory tariffs include steel, aluminium, and other goods, with more measures set to take effect. The Bank of Canada has cut interest rates to 2.75% to cushion the economic fallout. Meanwhile, the EU has taken strong retaliatory measures against Trump’s tariffs coming into effect: see

Donald Trump’s administration has reportedly halted, at least partially, intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a move that could severely impact Kyiv’s defence against Russia. National security adviser Mike Waltz and CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed a pause is in place, suggesting it might be lifted if Ukraine takes steps toward negotiations. The intelligence freeze follows a suspension of US weapons deliveries, aimed at pressuring Ukraine into a peace deal. Volodymyr Zelensky has signaled a willingness to negotiate, and renewed talks between US and Ukrainian officials are expected soon. However, critics warn that cutting intelligence and military aid ‘pretty much guarantees a Russian victory without there needing to be a peace deal’. Meanwhile, concerns remain over whether the administration or Elon Musk will continue allowing Starlink, a vital communication tool for Ukraine. Some US military and intelligence officers feel that ‘we are abandoning our allies on the battlefield’.

Donald Trump has imposed a 25% duty on imports from Canada and Mexico and doubled tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%. He says that all three countries have failed to do enough to stem the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl. These measures could disrupt over $2.2 trillion in trade. China immediately retaliated, announcing new tariffs on US agricultural products and export restrictions on 25 American firms, including those linked to arms sales to Taiwan. Canada and Mexico also pledged countermeasures, with Canada targeting US goods such as beer, wine, and home appliances. Ontario premier Doug Ford even suggested halting nickel shipments and electricity exports to the USA. China, already facing heightened tariffs on semiconductors and electric vehicles, expressed frustration, accusing the US of violating trade agreements. With trade tensions escalating, global markets remain uncertain as major economies brace for economic fallout.