Foreign

Washington, June 5, 2025 – President Donald Trump on Wednesday resurrected a hallmark policy of his first term, announcing that citizens of 12 countries would be banned from visiting the United States and those from seven others would face restrictions. The ban takes effect Monday at 12:01 a.m., a cushion that may avoid the chaos that unfolded at airports nationwide when a similar measure took effect with virtually no notice in 2017. Trump, who signaled plans for a new ban upon taking office in January, appears to be on firmer …

Dohar, May 27, 2025 – On Tuesday, during a virtual interview with the Qatar Economic Forum, Elon Musk said that he plans to scale back his political giving. “I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I think I’ve done enough,” said Musk, who was the largest individual donor in the 2024 election cycle, shelling out $290 million in support of Donald Trump. “If I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I do not currently see a reason.” No wonder: in …

Riyadh, May 14, 2025 – US President Donald Trump signed a host of economic and bilateral cooperation agreements in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday at the start of his four-day Middle East tour. The aim of his trip to the oil-rich kingdom was dealmaking, and Trump has already secured a $142 billion (€127 billion) defence agreement with the country’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. That agreement will see Washington provide Riyadh with “state-of-the-art warfighting equipment” in return for a Saudi investment of $20 billion (€17 billion) in the US’ …

Jerusalem, May 13, 2025 – The risk of famine in Gaza is increasing with the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid, including food, in the ongoing blockade. The entire 2.1 million population of Gaza is facing prolonged food shortages, with nearly half a million people in a catastrophic situation of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death. This is one of the world’s worst hunger crises, unfolding in real time. The latest food security analysis was released today by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) partnership, of which WHO is a member. …

Jerusalem, May 5, 2025 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday an expanded offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas would be “intensive” after his security cabinet approved plans that may include seizing the Gaza Strip and controlling aid. However, an Israeli defence official said the operation would not be launched before U.S. President Donald Trump concludes his visit next week to the Middle East. The decision, after weeks of faltering efforts to agree a ceasefire with Hamas, underlines the threat that a war heaping international pressure on Israel …

Washington, May 4, 2025 – Donald Trump has proposed eliminating funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, as his administration also has taken steps to pull back grants that have already been awarded. The NEA received an appropriation of $207 million in the most recent fiscal year. Meanwhile, some arts groups have reported getting notice that grants that have already been awarded are being withdrawn. Portland Playhouse said that the NEA informed them on Friday evening that a $25,000 grant to support a production of “Joe Turner’s Come and …