US president accuses Norwegian leader of Nobel snub and says he will focus on what ‘is good and proper for America’ as he ramps up Greenland rhetoric
In a nod to Trump’s efforts on Ukraine, Starmer says he recognises the US president’s role in pushing for ceasefire there – as he says “we will work closely with the United States, Ukraine and our other allies to apply pressure where it belongs: on Putin.”
In his strongest criticism of Trump yet, Starmer goes on to say:
A trade war is in no one’s interest, and my job is always to act in the UK’s national interest.
Sen. Rand Paul said the U.S. is in an "ongoing war" with Venezuela in an effort to acquire its oil following the recent operation to attack the country.
Under Trump, the world-class centre for performing arts is one of many US cultural institutions changing beyond recognition. Will others buckle?
A year ago – just a year ago – the Kennedy Center in Washington DC was a world-class centre for the performing arts. It had a resident opera company, respected artistic teams, and a run of the acclaimed musical Hamilton to look forward to. It had a bipartisan board that upheld the dignity of an organisation that, since it was conceived of in the mid-20th century, had been treated with courtesy and supported by governments of both stripes.
How quickly things unravel. Donald Trump inserted himself as chair of the organisation soon after his 20 January inauguration, dispatched the hugely experienced executive director, and installed his unfortunate loyalist Richard Grenell to run it. This former ambassador to Germany might have wished for better things; at any rate, entirely inexperienced in the arts, he seems utterly out of his depth. Things have unravelled. Artists have departed the centre in droves. Hamilton pulled out. So have audiences. In November, Francesca Zambello, the artistic director of the Washington National Opera, told me that ticket sales had tanked for the opera. Analysis by the Washington Post showed it was the same pattern across the centre.
This shocking moment is the outcome of a political, institutional and media environment that is not far off Britain’s
There is not much that can still shock about Donald Trump’s second administration. But the killing of Renee Good earlier this month by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, as well as the regular, often violent confrontations that ICE stages on US streets, show so much that is unravelling in plain sight. The rule of law, the freedom to protest, and even the right to walk or drive in the streets safely without being assaulted by the state, seems to exist no longer in the towns and cities where ICE has made its presence felt. The most disturbing aspect of all this is how quickly it has happened. But for a government agency such as ICE to become the powerful paramilitary force that it is, several factors need to be in play first. Only one of them is Donald Trump.
ICE may look as if it came out of nowhere, but the sort of authoritarianism that results in these crackdowns never does. It takes shape slowly, in plain sight, in a way that is clearly traceable over time. First, there needs to be a merging of immigration and security concerns, both institutionally and in the political culture. Established in the wake of 9/11, ICE was part of a government restructuring under President George W Bush. It was granted a large budget, wide investigative powers and a partnership with the FBI’s joint terrorism taskforce. The work of enforcing immigration law became inextricably linked to the business of keeping Americans safe after the largest attack on US soil. That then extended into a wider emphasis, under Barack Obama, beyond those who posed national security threats, and on to immigrants apprehended at the border, gang members and non-citizens convicted of felonies or misdemeanours.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended President Donald Trump's latest efforts to acquire Greenland as a territory on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday.
US army issues prepare-to-deploy orders amid tension over ICE killing, though it is unclear if units will be sent
The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers in Alaska to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, the site of large protests against the government’s deportation drive, two US officials told Reuters on Sunday.
The US army placed the units on prepare-to-deploy orders in case violence in the midwestern state escalates, the officials said, though it is not clear whether any of them will be sent.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded to the Trump administration's decision to scrap free national park entry on MLK Day, offering free admission to 200-plus state parks.
Retired Gen. Jack Keane warns Iran's leaders to take Trump "at his word" on accountability threats as U.S. positions military assets amid deadly protests.
Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, said officers had not used pepper spray and similar measures limited by a judge’s order, then was confronted with a video that showed chemical agents deployed.
Heckle comes during rendition of Star-Spangled Banner
US president has threatened tariffs on European nations
Mounting tensions between Europe and the United States moved into the sporting arena on Sunday when a member of the crowd shouted “Leave Greenland alone” as the US national anthem was sung during an NBA game in London.
Actor Vanessa Williams was performing the Star-Spangled Banner before the Memphis Grizzlies faced the Orlando Magic at the O2 Arena when she was interrupted by the heckle. The intervention drew a round of applause and cheers from sections of the crowd.
European Union leaders will hold an emergency meeting in the coming days to discuss President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat as they explore possible retaliatory measures. Read More
Trump lawyer Robert Garson told the Telegraph he discussed refuge for those leaving UK over antisemitism
Discussions are reportedly under way within Donald Trump’s administration about the US possibly granting asylum to Jewish people from the UK, according to the Telegraph, citing the US president’s personal lawyer.
Trump lawyer Robert Garson told the newspaper that he has held conversations with the US state department about offering refuge to British Jews who are leaving the UK citing rising antisemitism.
The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 U.S. soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to a state roiled by unrest over an immigration crackdown, U.S. media reported Sunday. Read More
The Nobel Foundation firmly rejected Venezuela's Maria Corina Machado's symbolic transfer of her Peace Prize to Trump, stating prizes cannot be passed on.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was accused of making treasonous remarks when she referred to the "U.S. god---- states" at a Democratic field hearing on Friday.
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