Author: potus

While the Trump administration in Washington was cutting environmental programs, delegates at U.N. biodiversity talks in Rome made modest progress Thursday on a series of measures to support nature.Governments gathered to tackle global biodiversity losses that are unprecedented in human history, driven by the ways people have transformed the world.The seismic geopolitical changes of recent weeks loomed over the talks as countries negotiated in a large conference room, fighting for small steps toward consensus. Delegates painstakingly negotiated the language of diplomatic texts even as Britain announced reductions to its overseas development aid and as the United States continued cutting its…

The Mexican government on Thursday sent to the United States 29 top cartel operatives wanted by the American authorities, including one notorious drug lord whom U.S. officials had been seeking to bring to justice for 40 years, according to statements by the American and Mexican governments.The handover included not only several powerful cartel leaders, but also some of the most prolific murderers in the annals of Mexican crime. The number and significance of the people sent to the United States at the same time made the event one of the most important efforts by Mexico in the modern history of…

OKLAHOMA CITY — A messy fight over President Donald Trump’s policies is exploding into public view here as members of the Republican Party argue among themselves over how far is too far in helping the federal government enforce immigration laws.Last month, the state Board of Education approved a proposal that would require public school districts in Oklahoma to ask parents for proof of citizenship before they enroll their kids. The proposal now heads to the Republican-led Legislature, but even if lawmakers sign off, the governor has said he’ll veto it.Ryan Walters, the state school superintendent, is a staunch supporter of…

United States President Donald Trump has hosted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the first time at the White House for talks about Ukraine’s security, trade relations and the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). But Thursday’s meeting hinted at simmering tensions between the US and its allies, as Starmer attempted to tip-toe around points of divergence with the notoriously prickly Trump. At various points in their public appearances, Starmer offered views that conflicted with Trump’s own – though he was careful never to contradict Trump directly. The US president seemed to acknowledge the pushback with a joke…

After World War I, Germany, which had invaded Belgium, had to fork over billions to cover the damages the war had caused.The end of World War II saw Japan, after invading the Philippines, forced to pay reparations.But as President Trump tries to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he has flipped traditional U.S. foreign policy upside down in demanding that the invaded, not the invader, pay up.On Friday, Mr. Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine are set to sign a deal enabling the United States to share in the country’s mineral wealth, a move Mr. Trump has portrayed as payback…

Workers for the U.S. Agency for International Development who had been fired or placed on leave returned to their offices on Thursday to retrieve personal belongings, many still dumbfounded by the Trump administration’s sudden dismantlement of the 63-year-old aid delivery agency.Hundreds of workers who just one month ago never imagined that they would soon lose their jobs en masse returned to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in downtown Washington.They were given just 15 minutes each to clear out their old desks.The somber return came a day after the Trump administration revealed in court documents that it had…

WASHINGTON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there is “value” in an agreement that President Donald Trump is pursuing on Ukrainian mineral rights to repay some of the $500 billion in military aid that the U.S. has sent in support of the country’s war against Russia.Starmer, who met with Trump at the White House on Thursday to discuss efforts at ending the Russia-Ukraine war and a possible trade deal with the U.S., said in an interview with NBC News that economic ties between Washington and Kyiv could be considered a form of security.“I can see the value in the…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” Friday in an extraordinary Oval Office meeting, then abruptly called off the signing of a minerals deal with the U.S. that Trump said would have moved Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia.The astonishing turn of events could scramble international affairs in Europe and around the globe. During his visit with Trump, Zelenskyy had planned to sign the deal allowing the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, then hold a joint news conference. President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy…

(The Center Square) – Almost 60,000 University of California health care and service workers continued to strike Thursday throughout the state.The UC employees are represented by two unions that began separate strikes Wednesday after the unions and the university failed to reach a new contract. Neither strike is scheduled to continue beyond this week.Both unions are accusing UC – which has 10 campuses stretching from San Diego to locations such as Irvine, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Berkeley – of unfair bargaining tactics and efforts to silence workers. The university has denied the allegations.The strikes are taking place at UC’s 10 campuses, hospitals,…

United States President Donald Trump set off alarm bells this month when, standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House, he said the US would “take control” of the Gaza Strip and resettle Palestinians in other countries. Trump framed the expulsion of the Palestinian population from the Strip – left unrecognisable by Israeli bombing – as an act of humanitarian necessity, citing the threat of unexploded ordnance and unstable structures. Palestinians should be able to live in “beautiful houses”, Trump added. Just not in Gaza itself. But Palestinians say the promise of new developments in foreign countries…