World politics

Trump pays $5.6 million to E. Jean Carroll in damages

US President Donald Trump has now paid $5.6 million in damages to author E. Jean Carroll for defamation and the sexual assault he subjected her to in the 1990s, CNBC writes.

British police say murder of former minister Ann Widdecombe was a targeted attack

Former British minister Ann Widdecombe was killed in a "targeted attack," police say. But the motive remains unclear.

Trump drops tariff plan for Strait of Hormuz after talks with Gulf leaders

President Donald Trump is backing down from his controversial proposal to impose a 20 percent tariff on all shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, following “very productive conversations” with Middle Eastern leaders.

EU races to finalize new Russia sanctions as oil price cap deadline looms

Disagreement in the EU could give Russia large oil revenues if the price cap has to be raised.

Lindsey Graham’s sister Darline Graham Nordone to fill his Senate seat until January

Darline Graham Nordone will succeed the late Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate until January, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced on Monday.

US launches new strikes on Iran for third straight night as Trump says deal still possible

The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran late Monday, the US military said, but President Donald Trump insisted a peace agreement was still possible.

Hungarian parliament approves amendment allowing removal of President Tamás Sulyok

The Hungarian parliament approved a constitutional amendment on Monday that makes it possible to remove incumbent president Tamás Sulyok.

US escalates against ICC, threatens new sanctions over US sovereignty

The United States accuses the International Criminal Court (ICC) of posing an "unacceptable threat to US sovereignty" and threatens new sanctions.

Counter-terror police take over murder probe into death of former minister Ann Widdecombe

The police counter-terrorism unit has taken over the investigation into the suspected murder of former minister Ann Widdecombe, Sky News reports.

Trump warns of communist threat as Democratic left gains ground in US cities

In New York and Seattle they already rule. And there are many indications that Washington DC and Los Angeles will also have mayors this fall who call themselves democratic socialists. President Donald Trump sees red and warns of the dangers of "communism."

Trump says US will impose 20% tariff on shipping through Strait of Hormuz

The fighting between the US and Iran is now more intense than at any time since the ceasefire began in April, the AFP news agency reports. Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is closed and warns the US against interfering. At the same time, President Donald Trump says the US is now imposing 20 percent tariffs on all shipping through the waterway.

Israel sets October 27 election after full four-year term in power

In just over three months, Israel will hold parliamentary elections. It is the first time in 38 years that an election is being held in Israel after a governing coalition has served a full four-year term, writes The Jerusalem Post.

Lindsey Graham, Trump ally and longtime South Carolina senator, dies at 71

US Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong advocate for both the war against Iran and Ukraine's fight against Russia, has unexpectedly died. "One of the best people and senators I have ever known," President Donald Trump writes on Truth Social.

Albanians march against Trump family-backed resort plan in Tirana

Thousands of Albanians took to the streets of the capital, Tirana, on Saturday to protest plans to build a luxury resort with ties to the Trump family.

US government pays $3 million in compensation over Havana Syndrome cases

The US government has paid out $3 million, equivalent to around 29 million kronor, in compensation to American personnel affected by the mysterious "Havana Syndrome".

AfD vows to deport undocumented migrants if it wins Saxony-Anhalt election

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party promises to deport undocumented migrants "from the first minute" if it wins the upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt.

Hungary’s New Government Faces Race to Clean Up Orbán’s Legacy, Unlock EU Funds

Hungary must reckon with 16 years of abuse of power and corruption - over the course of a summer. It needs to happen quickly, but above all it needs to be done right, leading civil society voices stress. Otherwise, it could be a disaster, says human rights lawyer Márta Pardavi.

New York Times reporters sued after report on safety flaws in Trump’s Qatar jet

Several journalists at The New York Times are being sued by Donald Trump's administration after the newspaper reported safety issues with the president's new plane.

Mystery surrounds Mitch McConnell's health as absence slows Trump agenda

Nearly a month has passed since veteran Republican Senator Mitch McConnell was hospitalized for undisclosed reasons. His absence is slowing the passage of Trump initiatives in Congress. Conspiracy theories and demands for transparency are now rife.

Trump says U.S. would destroy Iran if he is assassinated

Iran will be "totally destroyed" if they assassinate or attempt to assassinate the sitting president of the United States, Donald Trump warns.

Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 4,000, government says

Russian politician Boris Nadezhdin branded a foreign agent, barred from lower-house election run

Russian authorities have labeled liberal politician Boris Nadezhdin a "foreign agent," preventing him from running in this fall's lower-house elections.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner rules out re-election bid after criticism over power outage response

Berlin's heavily criticized mayor Kai Wegner says he is not running for re-election, just over two months before the election.

Man arrested on suspicion of murdering former British minister Ann Widdecombe

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering former British minister Ann Widdecombe, the BBC reports.

Sources: Trump switched planes after security warning

When Donald Trump returned home from the NATO summit in Ankara, he flew on an older Air Force One plane and not the luxury plane - a gift from Qatar - that he had brought.

Trump and Netanyahu Relationship Turns Tense Ahead of White House Meeting

Are they friends or foes? US President Donald Trump is expected to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House shortly. And the world is watching with anticipation after the tone between the two leaders has hardened recently.

Sources: Israel told US Iran considered fresh plot to assassinate Trump

Israel has shared intelligence with the United States that allegedly shows Iran recently considered plans to assassinate President Donald Trump, multiple sources with knowledge of the matter told The Wall Street Journal.

Eight men indicted over alleged plot to attack White House UFC event

Eight men have been indicted in federal court in the United States, suspected of planning an attack on a UFC gala at the White House in June this year.

Santas and elves gather in Aalborg for annual Christmas congress

While Europe sweats in the heat of high summer, Santas and elves from around the world have gathered in Aalborg, Denmark, for the annual Santa Congress.

EU Parliament backs temporary extension of voluntary chat control, but talks may be needed

The European Parliament has agreed to a temporary extension of the ability of internet giants to voluntarily search for child abuse material. But negotiations with EU member states may be required first.

EU proposes new sanctions regime targeting migrant smugglers and drug gangs

Both drug gangs and migrant smugglers could become targets of EU sanctions in the future.

Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate campaign after rape accusation

Graham Platner - the Democrats' big hope for a majority in the US Senate - is throwing in the towel after being accused of rape.

South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk-Yeol gets seven more years in prison for martial law attempt

Former President Yoon Suk-Yeol will receive an additional seven years in prison for attempting to impose martial law in 2024. This was determined by South Korea's Supreme Court.

Judge orders Trump to pay millions to E. Jean Carroll after Supreme Court ruling