Date: 17 October 2026 Tags: World Politics, US Politics, Russia-Ukraine War, International Sanctions Summary: - US President Donald Trump suspended numerous sanctions against Russia just two days before they were scheduled to take effect. - The sanctions were approved by Congress and signed into law by Trump in September. - Trump justified the suspension through an executive order, arguing that it served US national interests. - The legislation included tariffs of up to 100%

Date: 12 October 2026 Tags: Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Regulation, US Politics Summary: - Microsoft President Brad Smith warned that artificial intelligence currently faces fewer safety regulations than everyday products such as washing machines. - Smith called for international AI safety standards to address risks posed by increasingly powerful artificial intelligence systems. - He proposed mandatory reporting when AI systems malfunction or cause harm, including no

Date: 12 October 2026 Tags: World Politics, Russia-Ukraine War, US Politics, Energy Summary: - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia attacked a power plant shortly after Donald Trump announced an immediate energy ceasefire. - Trump claimed on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure. - Zelensky said Ukraine had not agreed to the arrangement beforehand but remained willing to participate if Russia complied. - T

Date: 11 October 2026 Tags: World Politics, Russia-Ukraine War, US Politics, Energy Summary: - US President Donald Trump announced an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming both countries had agreed. - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the announcement was unexpected and that Ukraine had not received confirmation of an agreement. - Zelensky confirmed Ukraine would accept an energy ceasefire if Russia formally agreed to the same conditions. -

Date: 10 October 2026 Tags: World Politics, US Politics, Russia-Ukraine War, Energy Summary: - US President Donald Trump said Ukraine should replace President Volodymyr Zelensky following criticism of Washington's Russian diesel agreement. - Trump accused Zelensky of obstructing peace negotiations and warned Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. - Zelensky condemned the agreement, arguing that Russian -the agreement could provide Moscow with additional revenue to

Date: 10 October 2026 Tags: World Politics, US Politics, Russia-Ukraine War, Energy Summary: - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Donald Trump's agreement to import Russian diesel, warning it could help finance Russia's war. - Trump announced Russia would supply 300,000 tonnes immediately, 500,000 tonnes in November and further shipments afterwards. - The US Treasury temporarily suspended sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April, while other Russian as

Date: 24 September 2026 Tags: US Politics, Media, Press Freedom, Donald Trump Summary: A federal judge ordered the White House to restore access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico for 14 days. Judge Timothy Kelly said the ban likely violated the organisations’ constitutional due process rights. The three outlets sued after their reporters’ White House passes were confiscated last week. Trump initially accused the organisations of publishing “fake news” and false reporting about his

Date: 22 September 2026 Tags: US Politics, Media, Donald Trump, Press Freedom Summary: Major US television networks suspended pooled coverage of President Donald Trump following White House restrictions on three media organisations. CNN, Politico and MS NOW were barred after Trump accused them of publishing “fiction or lies” about his administration. The three organisations filed a federal lawsuit challenging the removal of their journalists’ White House credentials. They arg

Date: 22 September 2026 Tags: World Politics, United Nations, UK Politics, US Politics Summary: Nearly 130 heads of state and government are gathering in New York for the UN General Assembly. This year’s theme focuses on restoring trust, managing global transformation and improving the UN’s effectiveness. Donald Trump is scheduled to address the assembly, discussing US foreign policy and international challenges. Emmanuel Macron, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Andy Burnham are also

Date: 12 September 2026 Tags: US Politics, Ireland, Northern Ireland, UK Politics Summary: Donald Trump said during a visit to Dublin that he would “love to see” Ireland become unified. Trump said he believed Irish reunification would eventually happen and described it as a “great thing”. He acknowledged that the UK would have a say in any change to Northern Ireland’s constitutional status. Downing Street responded by reaffirming Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to th

Date: 10 September 2026 Tags: US Politics, Midterm Elections, Economy, Donald Trump Summary: Donald Trump promised every US adult citizen $5,000 if Republicans win both chambers of Congress in November. The proposal, described as a “Trump Dividend”, would potentially cost around $1.3 trillion. Trump provided no detailed funding mechanism but said recipients would have to spend the money inside the United States. Vice-President JD Vance suggested revenue generated by Trump’s t

Date: 5 September 2026 Tags: Ukraine, Russia, US Politics, Diplomacy Summary: Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are meeting Vladimir Putin in Moscow over proposals to end the Ukraine war. Trump said the envoys were carrying a US proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Putin described the situation as difficult but said direct diplomatic contacts remained useful. Russia and Ukraine agreed to temporarily halt strikes on each other’s capitals for three days. W

Date: 3 September 2026 Tags: US Politics, UK Politics, Falkland Islands, Defence Summary: Donald Trump suggested the US might not support Britain during a potential future conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands. Trump linked his comments to Britain’s decision not to provide military support during the US conflict with Iran. He said Washington did not require British assistance but had previously requested ships from the UK and NATO. Trump recently suggested the US

Date: 1 September 2026 Tags: US Politics, UK Politics, Defence, Falkland Islands Summary: Donald Trump said the US position regarding the Falkland Islands is among several policies currently under review. His comments came as he pressed the UK to increase defence spending. Reports suggest US officials considered changing their Falklands position to pressure NATO allies over defence commitments. The UK government reiterated its commitment to the Falkland Islanders' right to de

Date: 30 August 2026 Tags: US Politics, Economy, Congress, Federal Reserve Summary: 31 August – House returns: The House of Representatives returns to Washington following its summer recess. 1 September – Congressional hearings: House committees hold hearings covering Red Sea security, immigration enforcement and childcare policy. 1 September – US jobs: July JOLTS data will provide the latest figures on job openings and labour-market conditions. 1 September – Manufacturing: A

Why this matters: The refunds highlight the economic impact of tariffs and raise questions about whether consumers will recover higher costs. Date: 20 April 2026 Tags: US Politics, Business, Trade Summary: Refund process begins for tariffs imposed by Donald Trump after court rulings struck them down. US Supreme Court and trade court ordered repayment of over $160bn in collected tariffs. Around 330,000 importers eligible to claim refunds plus interest. Online portal launched t

Why this matters: Escalation risks further disruption to global energy supplies and could drive fuel prices higher worldwide. Date: 30 March 2026 Tags: World News, US Politics, Conflict, Energy Summary: Donald Trump threatens to “obliterate” Iran’s energy infrastructure if no deal is reached. Potential targets include power plants, oil facilities, and desalination plants. Trump says US has avoided hitting certain sites so far but may act soon. Claims “serious” talks with Iran