France France blocks US ambassador's government access after summons no-show France's Foreign Ministry had summoned US Ambassador Charles Kushner to explain comments made by the Trump administration about the killed far-right activist Quentin Deranque. 24/02/2026
USA Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to killing parents in Los Angeles court Nick Reiner has entered a not guilty plea to two counts of first-degree murder on Monday. The 32-year-old is accused of stabbing his parents, Hollywood actor and director Rob Reiner and photographer Michelle Singer Reiner, to death in their Los Angeles home on 14 December. 23/02/2026
Tech News US Peace Corps launches new Tech Corps to bring AI expertise abroad The Peace Corps is launching an AI division, which will send US tech experts to the developing world 23/02/2026
Iran Larijani takes over Iran's preparations for war, says report There has been key changes to Iran's management and defence structure in the wake of a possible war with the United States, according to an article by the New York Times. 22/02/2026
Cuba Cuba says US oil blockades are pushing healthcare system to the brink Cuba’s Health Minister says the country is headed to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, saying the US blockade of oil on his country is rendering hospitals helpless and puts thousands of lives at risk. 21/02/2026
Business US deepens Central Asia ties, signing new investment deals The US has pursued further Central Asia investment deals as Kazakhstan signed agreements worth hundreds of millions during the president's Washington visit. 21/02/2026
USA US military strikes another alleged drug boat killing three people The US military said it targeted a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean late on Friday which its intelligence identified as a drug-trafficking vessel, killing three people on board. The US Southern Command said the boat was using known narco-trafficking maritime routes. 21/02/2026
Tech News Trump says he's declassifying data on aliens after Obama's statements Donald Trump said that he will give the green light to the release of classified information on extraterrestrials and alien life forms. The move comes after comments by Barack Obama, who did not rule out the presence of UFOs in the universe, triggering a media uproar. 20/02/2026
Iran Trump warns of ‘bad things’ if Iran does not reach a deal with US Trump has warned Tehran it has days to reach a deal on its nuclear programme as the US continues massing forces, Iran drills with Russia, and Europe fears an imminent regional war. 20/02/2026
USA Trump launches his 'Board of Peace' as US-Iran tensions escalate The first meeting of Trump’s new "Board of Peace" took place on Thursday, bringing together some two dozen allies from across the world in Washington. 19/02/2026
Europe News US energy leader slams IEA's net zero agenda US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the International Energy Agency should focus on energy security and abandon net zero ideas, but EU leaders have backed the Paris-based agency as a "trusted pillar" of the global energy community. 19/02/2026
Economy Uzbekistan and US formalise investment platform Ahead of the first meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev travelled to Washington to launch a joint investment mechanism and new sectoral agreements in energy, critical minerals, irrigation and agro-industry. 19/02/2026
Culture news White House hits back at ‘loser’ Bruce Springsteen ahead of US tour Springsteen's tour is billed as a “celebration” and “defense” of “America, American democracy, American freedom - all of which are under attack by our wannabe king and his rogue government in Washington, D.C.". Naturally, the White House aren't too thrilled about the upcoming US leg of the tour. 19/02/2026
No Comment Dance troupe stages artistic protest in Washington over Minneapolis shootings A professional dance group held interpretive performances in Washington, honouring protesters killed in Minneapolis and drawing attention to fatal shootings by federal agents. 19/02/2026
Culture news Survey: 'Who better represents America?' - Bad Bunny or Donald Trump? A recent survey has revealed that a majority of Americans think Bad Bunny better represents America compared to Donald Trump, who lashed out at the Puerto Rican singer's Super Bowl halftime show - the first sung exclusively in Spanish. 18/02/2026
Europe Today Newsletter: Time for Europe to 'stop hitting the snooze button' Also in this newsletter: the latest on the push for a 20th package of sanctions against Russia; tensions escalate amid anti-semitism row between US and Belgium; and how US sanctions are making life impossible for an ICC judge. 18/02/2026
World News Eleven killed in narcoboat strikes amid Trump’s Latin America drug war US strikes on three alleged drug boats kill 11, escalating Trump’s campaign against narcotraffickers in South American coastal waters. 18/02/2026
Europe News Belgium reprimands US ambassador over circumcision accusations The Belgian government has clashed with the US after Donald Trump's ambassador accused Brussels of antisemitism over its laws regulating circumcision. 17/02/2026
Belgium Belgium summons US ambassador in dispute over antisemitism accusations In a lengthy post on X, US ambassador to Belgium Bill White accused the country of antisemitic prosecution of Jewish Belgians. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot called the accusation "dangerous disinformation". 17/02/2026
Culture news American civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson dies aged 84 Reverend Jesse Jackson was a prominent civil rights campaigner who ran twice for the US Democratic Party's nomination for president in 1984 and 1988. 17/02/2026