More about this topic

USA

Soros' foundation pledges $300m to boost US democracy

George Soros’ foundation has pledged $300M to defend US democracy and economic security, defying political pressure from the Trump administration.

20/05/2026

Cinema

Pedro Almodóvar: EU must be a ‘shield’ against Trump, Netanyahu, Putin

Pedro Almodóvar is in Cannes today for his new film 'Bitter Christmas'. During a press conference, he stated that Europeans must become a "shield" against "monsters" Trump, Netanyahu and Putin.

20/05/2026

Business

New filing shields Trump and his family from IRS tax audits

The US Department of Justice has released an additional filing linked to the Trump-IRS settlement, preventing the federal agency from pursuing existing tax audits involving the US president, his family and affiliated businesses.

20/05/2026

Europe News

Surrounded by the EU: Why Switzerland is investing heavily in drones

Traditionally neutral Switzerland is ramping up defence spending in response to new threats such as drones, missiles and cyberattacks, focusing on air defence and closer cooperation with European partners.

20/05/2026

Europe Today

US planning to reduce commitment to NATO – including in wartime

The US is due to announce a reduction in the capabilities it makes available to NATO, part of the Trump administration's previously signalled pivot to priorities outside of Europe.

20/05/2026

Culture news

Everything you need to know about Stephen Colbert’s last The Late Show

This Thursday marks the end of an era for The Late Show – a beloved US cultural touchstone which is about to disappear. Here's everything you need to know about the final episode, the guests, the reasons behind CBS pulling the plug, and what could be next for Stephen Colbert...

20/05/2026

No Comment

China’s Xi holds welcome ceremony for Putin

Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin with a military ceremony in Beijing.

20/05/2026

China

Putin claims Russia-China ties at record high during Beijing visit

On Wednesday, Putin said he had held "substantive" talks with Beijing on bilateral cooperation.

20/05/2026

Europe News

EU approves implementation of US tariffs under Trump hammer

European negotiators agreed late on Tuesday to implement the controversial trade agreement concluded last summer with the US. However, the deal — signed in the Scottish city of Turnberry — remains fragile as long as US President Donald Trump continues to use tariffs as a tool of political pressure.

20/05/2026

Qatar

Gulf states talk Trump out of Iran strikes in a show of regional influence

Trump said he suspended imminent US military strikes on Iran “for two or three days” after the Gulf states intervened to gain more time due to ongoing negotiations and concerns over Iranian retaliation, with Qatar stating that Gulf leaders are united in trying to avoid a resumption of the war.

19/05/2026

Cinema

James Bond casting starts with new favourites (and Trump) auditioning

Official casting for the new James Bond has been announced, with Nina Gold at the helm. Who are the new favourites and why is the White House throwing Donald Trump's MAGA hat in the ring?

19/05/2026

Europe News

Washington or Moscow: China’s Xi Jinping hosts Putin after Trump visit

Less than a week after the US president’s visit to China, it is now Vladimir Putin who is heading to Beijing. The question is which leader will prove the more persuasive partner for China — Washington or Moscow?

19/05/2026

Europe Today

Energy shock, Russian oil sanctions dominate crunch G7 finance talks

G7 finance ministers are gathering in Paris for a second day of crunch talks on rising energy prices, sanctions, and how to contain the economic impact of disruptions in Hormuz. All this as Italian PM Giorgia Meloni urges the EU to treat the energy crisis with the same urgency as defence spending.

19/05/2026

Europe News

NATO military chiefs meet as Iran war depletes alliance's arsenal

NATO allies are increasingly concerned that the US's massive campaign in Iran is starting to constrain their supplies of top-grade weapons, including interceptors. A meeting of the alliance's military chiefs Tuesday will discuss the urgent need to ramp up weapons production at scale.

19/05/2026

USA

Trump: I called off attack on Iran planned for Tuesday

The US president said he had been asked to do so by the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as "serious negotiations are now taking place."

18/05/2026

Iran

Iran sets up Hormuz transit authority to charge ships for passage

Tehran has launched a formal body to manage and charge ships for transit through the Strait of Hormuz in a highly-contested move as tankers pile up in the waterway and peace talks remain deadlocked.

18/05/2026

No Comment

Thousands gather for Trump-backed prayer rally in Washington

Thousands gather on Washington’s National Mall for a ‘Rededicate 250’ prayer rally mixing faith, patriotism and support for Donald Trump.

18/05/2026

Europe Today

'We want to create bridges, not burn them,' says Finnish Minister

Finnish Foreign Trade Minister Ville Tavio expressed “cautious optimism” about the EU-US trade deal, ahead of meetings with fellow EU ministers in Brussels this week. Speaking on Europe Today, he said “our requirement is that the US also respects this deal”.

18/05/2026

Taiwan

Taiwan defends US arms purchases that Trump called 'bargaining chip'

Trump’s calling of arms sales to Taiwan a “bargaining chip” has raised concerns on the self-governing island of a potential change in US foreign policy towards the territory after the US president’s latest visit to China.

18/05/2026

Iran

Iran has responded to latest US peace proposal, Tehran official says

On Sunday, Iran's Fars news agency said Washington had presented a five-point list, which included a demand for Iran to keep only one nuclear site in operation and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US.

18/05/2026