World

Ukraine is currently undergoing a particularly cold spell with temperatures in the capital Kyiv reaching lows of minus 17 degrees Celsius. Because of Russia's ongoing destruction of the country's energy infrastructure, the situation is critical. Authorities have imposed strict timetables for when electricity can be used. About 400 high-rise buildings in the capital have no heating at all. Some do not have access to water. In city districts located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, there is electricity for three to four hours, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and then none for nine to 10 hours. "On the right bank, there is electricity for five hours, then none for five hours,” she told the Ukrainian parliament, promising improvements within a few days, provided ...

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado visited the White House on Thursday for a closed-door lunch with US President Donald Trump. Machado told reporters after the meeting she had  "presented" Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal "as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom." In brief remarks, she added the meeting had gone well and that her supporters could "count on" the US president.  A White House official confirmed that Trump intends to keep the medal, Reuters news agency and CNN reported.Trump has openly coveted the Nobel Peace Prize, and reacted to Machado's being named Nobel laureate in December 2025 with derision.  Machado had been careful in recent weeks to avoid offending Trump and even previously offered to share her peace prize with him, which ...

Washington and Taipei reached a trade deal late on Thursday that involves lower tariffs on Taiwanese exports and direct new investments in the US technology sector. The agreement will "drive a massive reshoring of America's semiconductor sector," the US Commerce Department said. In an interview to news channel CNBC, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the objective was to bring 40% of Taiwan's entire chip supply chain and production to the United States. Had Taipei not agreed to manufacture in the US, the tariffs would likely be 100%, Lutnick added.  The deal between Taiwan and the US is likely to draw ire from China which counts the island as part of its own territory and has often criticized Washington for undue influence there. Taiwan significantly counts on Washington as an al...

Energy and resources experts agree — if the situation in Iran gets out of control it will have a massive impact on global oil and financial markets. That was not the case after the removal of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. Then again, Iran produces four times as much oil. "Iran is the third-largest producer in OPEC. Its output covers roughly 4% of global demand. Venezuela only produces about 1%," says Andreas Goldthau, director of the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at Germany's University of Erfurt. "Iran is estimated to export about 2 million barrels a day, in Venezuela it's only 350,000," the energy expert continues. "Global markets would feel it far more intensely if Iranian production stopped." Moreover, fear of regional conflict in the Gulf weighs heavy in Iran's case. "Roughly ...

Energy and resources experts agree — if the situation in Iran gets out of control it will have a massive impact on global oil and financial markets. That was not the case after the removal of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. Then again, Iran produces four times as much oil. "Iran is the third-largest producer in OPEC. Its output covers roughly 4% of global demand. Venezuela only produces about 1%," says Andreas Goldthau, director of the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at Germany's University of Erfurt. "Iran is estimated to export about 2 million barrels a day, in Venezuela it's only 350,000," the energy expert continues. "Global markets would feel it far more intensely if Iranian production stopped." Moreover, fear of regional conflict in the Gulf weighs heavy in Iran's case. "Roughly ...

The Washington Post newspaper reported on Wednesday that FBI agents had searched the Virginia home of one of its reporters, Hannah Natanson.  Attorney General Pam Bondi subsequently also commented on the search, saying it had been conducted at the request of the recently-rebranded Department of War, probably still better known as the Department of Defense.  Bondi described Natanson as a "journalist who was obtaining and reporting classified and illegally leaked information from a Pentagon contractor." The suspected leaker was "currently behind bars," she said, alleging that the leaks of this kind "pose a grave risk to our Nation's national security and the brave men and women who are serving our country."  Who is Hannah Natanson? Natanson has been covering US President Donald Trump'...

US President Donald Trump held a "very good call" with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday, the first known contact between them since the ouster of Nicolas Maduro. Both leaders spoke highly of the phone call, which came as Rodriguez declared on the same day her country was entering into a new era, in her first press conference since taking control of Venezuela. Rodriguez was Maduro's vice president since 2018 and was sharply critical of his capture by US forces on January 3, when he was kidnapped amid US strikes on the country, then brought to the US to face trial. However, she has since expressed a willingness to work alongside the Trump administration. What did Trump and Rodriguez say about the phone call? Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he had a "grea...

US President Donald Trump held a "very good call" with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday, the first known contact between them since the ouster of Nicolas Maduro. Both leaders spoke highly of the phone call, which came as Rodriguez declared on the same day her country was entering into a new era, in her first press conference since taking control of Venezuela. Rodriguez was Maduro's vice president since 2018 and was sharply critical of his capture by US forces on January 3, when he was kidnapped amid US strikes on the country, then brought to the US to face trial. However, she has since expressed a willingness to work alongside the Trump administration. What did Trump and Rodriguez say about the phone call? Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he had a "grea...

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in Nara, Takaichi's hometown, on Tuesday and agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation at a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty around the world.     "I believe cooperation between Korea and Japan is now more important than ever and anything else, as we have to continue moving forward to a new, better future amid this complex, unstable international order," Lee said at the outset of the summit. Takaichi said she wanted to further improve Japan's relations with South Korea "as I believe the two countries should cooperate and contribute for the stability in the region." Both sides agreed on "shuttle diplomacy" three years ago, with regular meetings at the highest level. Lee's national securi...

In a recent joint interview with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot media, Johannes Hahn, the European Union's Special Envoy for Cyprus, made reference to the Turkish Cypriot community and its complex relationship with the EU.  Hahn emphasized the EU's financial commitment to the community and pointed out that the bloc has provided it with €760 million ($888 million) in support over the past 20 years.  He also said that the EU remains ready to cooperate with the Turkish Cypriot side for the implementation in the northern part of the island of the EU acquis, the body of legislation, rights and obligations in place in all EU member states. An extremely complex relationship  Hahn's remarks hint at the extremely complex relationship between the EU and the approximately 200,000 members of th...