Donald Trump

Doha to Resume Its Role as Mediator in Israel-Hamas Talks

President-elect Donald Trump's new Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently visited Qatar and Israel to relaunch efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and an agreement on the release of hostages from Hamas, two Israeli media outlets, Haaretz and Times of Israel, reported on Thursday, citing sources close to the negotiators. This effort is being ...

Bitcoin Surges past $100,000 Valuation for First Time

Bitcoin burst past $100,000 for the first time Thursday, while Seoul stocks slipped as South Korea's president faced impeachment after his brief imposition of martial law this week. After hovering around the mid-$90,000 mark in recent weeks, the popular cryptocurrency finally shattered the historic level in Asia after incoming US president Donald ...

Trump Nominates Private Astronaut Jared Isaacman to Lead NASA

US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Jared Isaacman, the online payments billionaire and the first private astronaut to ever perform a spacewalk, as the next head of NASA. The nod could spark questions about potential conflicts of interest, given Isaacman's extensive financial ties to Elon Musk, who is set to co-chair a ...

Trump Names Adam Boehler Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs

President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Adam Boehler as his Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. In a post on Truth Social Wednesday. Trump expressed confidence in Boehler's abilities, stating that the newly appointed envoy will hold the personal rank of Ambassador. The announcement comes as Trump prepares for his ...

NATO Chief Says Russia Supporting North Korea in Exchange for Soldiers

NATO chief Mark Rutte said Wednesday that Russia was giving support to North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes in exchange for Pyongyang sending troops to fight in the war with Ukraine. He urged NATO members to send enough arms to Ukraine to change the course of the conflict as Russian forces make gains along the frontline. "In return for ...

UN Warns "World on Fire", As it Seeks $47bn for Aid

The UN appealed Wednesday for more than $47 billion to deliver vital aid next year, warning surging conflicts and the climate crisis will leave hundreds of millions of people in need. "The world is on fire," the United Nations' new humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told reporters in Geneva, acknowledging he was looking ahead to 2025 with ...

Netanyahu Asserts Ceasefire with Hezbollah Is Not the End of the War

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized on Tuesday that while a ceasefire with Hezbollah is currently in place along the Lebanese border, it does not mark the conclusion of hostilities. Speaking during a press briefing, Netanyahu stressed that Israel remains vigilant and prepared to act against any breach of the truce. “We are ...

Ukraine Pushes NATO for Invite as Trump Rule Looms

Ukraine insisted Tuesday that NATO membership was the only "real guarantee" for its security as foreign ministers from the alliance looked set to rebuff Kyiv's push for an invite ahead of Donald Trump's return to the US presidency. Trump has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russia's war, leaving Kyiv scrambling to position itself ahead of ...

Trump Names Lebanese-American Businessman Massad Boulos as Middle East Advisor

US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday named Lebanese-American businessman Massad Boulos as his senior advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, the latest family member to be appointed to a key position. "I am proud to announce that Massad Boulos will serve as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs," ...

Iran and Europeans Continue Discreet Talks on Nuclear

Iran, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom will "continue their diplomatic dialogue in the near future," a senior Iranian diplomat said on Friday following highly discreet talks in Geneva. "We are firmly committed to defending the interests of our people, and our preference is for dialogue and engagement," Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy to the ...

Japanese Yen Rises Ahead of Potential Interest Rate Cut

The yen rallied Friday after forecast-busting inflation data out of Tokyo boosted talk of another Japanese interest rate cut next month, while equity markets were mixed as traders weigh the economic outlook during a second Trump administration. With Wall Street closed for the Thanksgiving break, there were few catalysts to drive business heading ...

Le Drian Welcomes Election Date and Hopes for Tangible Outcomes

The announcement came as Le Drian was meeting with the Quintet ambassadors (United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar) at the Pine Residence, shortly before heading to Parliament. Berri invited Le Drian to observe part of the legislative session, during which Army Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Aoun’s term was extended. Aoun is ...