Author: Grace Johnson

US President Donald Trump delivered his latest ultimatum to Iran on Thursday during a Board of Peace meeting. Trump formed this Middle East coalition to stabilise the region. He could soon draw that region into a new war. The mix of peace language and military threats exposed competing impulses in Trump’s second-term foreign policy. The standoff between Washington and Tehran shows this contradiction most clearly. The escalation could trigger the largest US air campaign in years. Trump said he prefers diplomacy and wants a deal that ends Iran’s nuclear weapons programme. A White House official said Iran would be “very…

Mark Zuckerberg appeared in court Wednesday to defend Meta against claims it targeted children and teenagers. Lawyers presented internal documents suggesting the company prioritized younger users. Zuckerberg said the communications were misrepresented. This was his first jury appearance amid years of criticism of Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. YouTube is also part of the trial, which could influence thousands of similar lawsuits. TikTok and Snapchat settled shortly before the trial, with terms undisclosed. Meta maintained it protects young users and blocks accounts under 13. Still, lead plaintiff lawyer Mark Lanier presented emails and research showing Meta employees discussed…

“Life is becoming more expensive,” says Alexander, an advertising specialist from Moscow who works for a large corporation. His monthly food budget jumped by more than 22% in one month, rising from 35,000 roubles to 43,000 roubles. Russia’s economy now sits between stagnation and decline, and many citizens feel the financial impact of the war in Ukraine as it approaches its fourth year. Alexander noticed price increases for almost all essential goods in supermarkets, including eggs, chicken fillets, and seasonal vegetables. Journalists changed all names in this report to protect sources. Even his daily Americano on the way to work…

US President Donald Trump said he will be indirectly involved in talks between Iran and the United States starting later Tuesday in Geneva. He spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One and said he believes Iran wants to reach a deal on its nuclear programme. The second round of talks in Switzerland follows repeated military threats against Iran over its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests and the ongoing dispute over its nuclear programme. On Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry said it believes the US position has shifted toward a more realistic line. Iran Seeks Sanctions Relief as US Pushes Wider Agenda…

Big Tech companies are accelerating artificial intelligence development with unprecedented capital expenditure. They plan spending above 700 billion dollars in 2026, equal to about 590 billion euros. This marks a roughly 75 percent increase compared with 2025. Several companies released earnings reports and outlined their spending plans. Analysts confirmed these projections and stressed their strategic importance. Wall Street focuses heavily on the combined capital expenditure figure. The market tracks more than 700 billion dollars flowing into AI infrastructure this year. That amount exceeds Sweden’s nominal GDP for 2025, according to IMF estimates. Global chip sales are expected to reach one…

Health agencies warn that measles remain a major challenge in Europe, despite a decline in cases in 2025 compared with the previous year’s record. Experts urge urgent action to reduce vaccine hesitancy and prevent fresh outbreaks across the continent. Measles often disappear from headlines, but they continue to spread in several European countries. Europe reported 127,350 measles cases in 2024, which marked the highest total since 1997. Cases declined in 2025, but infections still doubled compared with 2023, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Sabrina Bacci, head of the ECDC programme on vaccine-preventable diseases and immunisation,…

Aluminium prices dropped on Friday as zinc, nickel, and lead also declined. Investors responded to reports that US President Donald Trump may ease tariffs on imported metals. Markets priced in the possible policy shift ahead of November’s midterm elections. The three-month aluminium contract on the London Metal Exchange fell more than 2.5% to $2,965.75 per tonne by midday. On the Shanghai Futures Exchange, the most active aluminium contract declined 1.76% to 23,195 yuan per tonne. Industrial Metals Follow Aluminium Lower Zinc traded at $3,316.50 per tonne, down $51.95 or 1.54%. Nickel fell $257 to $16,993.38 per tonne, a drop of…

US President Donald Trump revoked a 2009 scientific finding that identified greenhouse gases as a threat to human health. The rule had provided the legal foundation for federal regulations targeting emissions from cars, power plants, and industry. The White House called the move the “largest deregulation in American history,” claiming it will reduce vehicle costs by $2,400 and ease burdens on automakers. Environmental groups warned it represents the most significant climate rollback so far and vowed to challenge it in court. Trump criticizes Obama-era climate policy Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump described the 2009 finding as “a disastrous policy…

Lawmakers Pass Resolution After Tight Vote The US House of Representatives voted to overturn President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods. Lawmakers approved the resolution with 219 votes in favor and 211 votes against. Six Republican lawmakers joined Democrats to support the measure. The vote remains symbolic because the US Senate must approve it and Trump must sign it. Trump is very unlikely to sign the resolution into law. Trump Intensified Trade Measures After Re-Election Trump imposed several tariffs on Canada after his re-election. He recently threatened a 100% import tax in response to Canada’s proposed trade deal with China.…

US Regulator Rejects Filing and Challenges Clinical Trial Framework The US Food and Drug Administration refused to accept Moderna’s application to review its first mRNA seasonal flu vaccine. The company disclosed the decision on Tuesday. The refusal delivers another setback for mRNA vaccine development in the United States. Several health officials in the Trump administration have recently criticized the technology. The FDA said the application lacked an adequate and well-controlled trial. The agency said the control group did not reflect the best available standard of care in the United States during the study. Moderna said regulators did not raise any…