August 5, 2025 10:20 AM

Oil producer pressure, Trump rollbacks threaten last-chance global plastics treaty

Hopes for a "last-chance" ambitious global treaty to curb plastic pollution have dimmed as delegates gather this week at the United Nations in Geneva for what was intended to be the final round of negotiations. Diplomats and climate advocates warn that efforts by the European Union and small island states to cap virgin plastic production - fuelled by petroleum, coal and gas - are threatened by opposition from petrochemical-producing countries and the U.S. administration of President Donald Trum...

August 3, 2025 10:51 AM

Trump reaffirms support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara

U.S. President Donald Trump has reaffirmed support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, saying a Moroccan autonomy plan for the territory was the sole solution to the disputed region, state news agency MAP said on Saturday. The long-frozen conflict pits Morocco, which considers the territory as its own, against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks an independent state there. Trump at the end of his first term in office recognised the Moroccan claims to Western Sahara, whic...

August 3, 2025 10:51 AM

Federal agency opens probe into former Trump prosecutor Jack Smith

A U.S. federal agency has opened a formal investigation into former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who oversaw two criminal probes into President Donald Trump following his first term in the White House. The Office of Special Counsel confirmed to Reuters that it was investigating whether Smith violated the Hatch Act, a law prohibiting federal employees from using their position for political activity. The decision follows a request for a probe by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican. T...

August 1, 2025 10:34 PM

India and Russia have steady, time-tested partnership: MEA

Lauding ties between India and Russia, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said that the two nations have a "steady and time-tested partnership." While addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal noted that India's ties with any nation stands on their own merit and should not be seen through the prism of a third nation. When asked if there is a change or a thinking to change India's relationship with Russia, Jaiswal responded, "Our ties with a...

August 1, 2025 10:24 PM

India buys oil based on global market offerings: MEA

India sources its oil purchases based on global market offerings to meet its energy needs, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. Commenting on media reports that some Indian oil companies have stopped taking oil from Russia, Jaiswal said: "You are aware of our broad approach to energy sourcing requirements, that we look at what is available in the market and the prevailing global situation. We are not aware of any specifics." He also indicated that Ind...

August 1, 2025 11:02 PM

Putin, facing Trump deadline, signals no change in Russia’s stance on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow hoped for more peace talks with Ukraine but that the momentum of the war was in its favour, signalling no shift in his stance despite a looming sanctions deadline from Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will impose new sanctions on Moscow and countries that buy its energy exports - of which the biggest are China and India - unless Russia moves by August 8 to end the 3-1/2 year war. He has expressed mounting frustratio...

July 31, 2025 11:52 PM

Trump wants deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine by August 8, US tells UN

U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear that he wants a deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine by August 8, the United States told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday. “Both Russia and Ukraine must negotiate a ceasefire and durable peace. It is time to make a deal. President Trump has made clear this must be done by August 8. The United States is prepared to implement additional measures to secure peace,” senior U.S. diplomat John Kelley told the 15-member council. Trump said...

July 31, 2025 11:44 PM

US appeals court scrutinizes Trump’s use of tariffs as trade deadline looms

U.S. appeals court judges sharply questioned on Thursday whether President Donald Trump's tariffs were justified by the president's emergency powers, as lawyers for states and businesses challenging the measures argued he exceeded his authority. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., is considering the legality of "reciprocal" tariffs that Trump imposed on a broad range of U.S. trading partners in April, as well as tariffs imposed in February against China, Canad...

July 31, 2025 10:05 PM

Trump’s envoy meets Netanyahu for Gaza aid, ceasefire push

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis in the enclave, where a global hunger monitor has warned that famine is unfolding. Shortly after Witkoff's arrival, President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social network: "The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!" Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Palestin...

July 31, 2025 8:39 PM

Trump tariffs face key test at US appeals court

A U.S. appeals court on Thursday will review President Donald Trump's power to impose tariffs, after a lower court said he exceeded his authority with sweeping levies on imported goods. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., will consider the legality of "reciprocal" tariffs that Trump imposed on a broad range of U.S. trading partners in April, as well as tariffs imposed in February against China, Canada and Mexico. A panel of all of the court's active judges, e...