Americas

'Biden doomed himself to humiliation by embracing Trump's Middle East legacy'

The fifth anniversary of the US defeat in Afghanistan in August 2021 serves as a reminder that former US president Joe Biden trapped himself in the Middle East by following in the footsteps of his predecessor.

Bombing attacks mark first day of Colombia's new right-wing government

Two bombing attacks in different parts of Colombia on Saturday, August 8 – the first day in office for new President Abelardo de la Espriella – left at least one police officer dead and several wounded.

SpaceX, a dream put to the test of the numbers

The euphoria surrounding the space venture has not entirely subsided, despite a sharp drop in valuation since its mid-June stock market debut. However extraordinary the ambitions may be, they do not absolve the company founded by Elon Musk of the need to demonstrate its profitability.

Ahead of US midterms, Democrats face a test of unity

The recent primaries in Michigan, a key battleground state for the November elections, underscore the divisions within the Democratic Party and highlight the urgent need for Democrats to address their lack of a clear policy platform.

US Senate confirms Trump loyalist Todd Blanche as attorney general

The Republican-led Senate voted 50-49 to make Blanche the second confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to the White House, after Pam Bondi.

Colombia's new president vows to 'defeat narco-terrorists' in first speech as leader

The first thing on his to-do list, he said, was to join US President Donald Trump's regional anti-cartel alliance known as Shield of the Americas.

Africa on the front line of Trump's toughened US migration policy

By increasing, on August 3, the required bond amount for visa applicants from 50 countries – including 30 in Africa – the US is continuing to tighten its migration policy toward the continent.

As judge halts White House ballroom work, Trump vows to take case to Supreme Court

An appeals court upheld an order on Friday halting work on the US president's prized White House ballroom, setting up another battle in the Supreme Court over the limits of presidential authority. In a social media post, Trump added that 'much of the work has been done and paid for.'

The risks of Venezuela's transition, seven months after the capture of Nicolas Maduro

Talks between the government and the opposition have been underway since Thursday to get the country back on the path to democracy and revive the economy. However, the overwhelming control exerted by the US over Caracas raises many questions.

US economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July

The figures mark a sharp reversal for the American labor market and a political setback for President Donald Trump, less than three months before his Republican party seeks to keep full control of Congress in the midterm election.

Colombia's far-right president Abelardo de la Espriella takes office, promising break with tradition

An ally of Donald Trump, the new president, whose inauguration is scheduled for Friday, August 7, has pledged budget cuts, a 'moral reconstruction' grounded in Catholicism, and an 'iron fist' against guerrilla groups and drug trafficking.

Meta ordered to pay New Mexico $567 million to abate 'public nuisance' and child harm

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez sued Meta – which makes Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – in 2023, alleging the company failed to protect children from online dangers. During closing arguments, prosecutor Linda Singer told jurors that Meta's algorithms had directed adults toward content posted by teenage users.

Thousands protest private property legislation in Argentina as clashes erupt with police

As the protest drew to a close on Thursday, scuffles broke out on Congress Square with protesters targeting police with stones and other projectiles. Security forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and a water cannon.

Trump signs executive orders targeting birthright citizenship and 'birth tourism'

The US President said one of the orders will limit the number of people eligible for citizenship after being born in the United States. A second order seeks to curb what Trump called 'birth tourism' by increasing restrictions on visitors to the US who want to obtain visas to give birth while in the country.

US sanctions Cuban armed forces minister, military procurement network

The state-linked entities targeted by the new sanctions are alleged to aid in Cuban procurement of weapons from countries deemed to be US adversaries, including China and Russia. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on Cuba in recent months, cutting off vital fuel supplies and threatening to take over the island.

Houthi attack on Yemeni government troops reportedly kills at least 38

Yemeni medical sources said it marks the the deadliest violence in years between the two sides as the conflict becomes the latest front in the US-Iran war.

EasyJet confirms takeover by US private equity firm Apollo

The British low-cost airline confirmed the £5.7 billion sale. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of next year, it added.

US tech sector's record investments no longer excite markets

American tech giants' ability to turn their massive expenditures into profits has grown increasingly uncertain. The cost of debt and the price of memory chips – which increased sixfold in 2025 – make the problem even more complex.

Republican congressman drops reelection bid after ethics panel recommends censure

The panel highlighted examples of Chuck Edwards' actions it considered improper, including providing two young staffers with lavish gifts, making comments regarding their appearance, and inviting them to intimate dinners.

Progressive Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan primary, confirming momentum of Democrats' left wing

The 41-year-old Muslim physician will represent the Democratic Party in the high-stakes November election for a Senate seat, as the party's left wing continues to challenge a leadership it considers too centrist.

Armed man arrested at Trump's golf course in Los Angeles two days before president's visit

Investigators searched the suspect's home, where they found an assault-style rifle, a pistol, a bulletproof vest, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, two radios as well as 'multiple notebooks containing concerning statements.'

SpaceX revenue jumps 92% in first earnings report

The company, led by billionaire founder and CEO Elon Musk, announced on Tuesday that it beat analyst expectations by $1 billion in its first earnings report since going public.

Senate panel advances Blanche nomination to be US attorney general

President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Todd Blanche took a key step on August 4 toward becoming the top US law enforcement officer after a Senate panel approved his nomination to head the Justice Department

US pressures African states to leave ICC

The Trump administration declared all-out war on the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, in mid-July, despite the fact that the US has never been a member.

Arson suspect arrested as US northwest battles wildfires near Spokane

Authorities have arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of arson in connection with the biggest of three fires burning around Spokane, in Washington state. A witness allegedly saw him kneeling near grass where the fire began, the county sheriff said.

Trump board reassures Israel after objections on Gaza pullout

Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza under the Board of Peace, met with Netanyahu on Monday for what he acknowledged was difficult work. But the board said it had reached a 'common understanding of the shared objectives' with Israel.

Zelensky sacks his ambassador to the US

The sacking, announced by decree, happened as Kyiv was lobbying Washington hard to obtain more Patriot air defense missiles to block Russian strikes.

In Michigan primary, centrists and progressives battle for Democrats' future

In this key swing state in the northern United States, Tuesday's Democratic Senate primary pits a centrist who supports Israel against a more radical candidate who has criticized Israeli policy. The race encapsulates the strategic debates currently animating the party.

Iran denies negotiating with US after Trump announces talks

The rebuttal by the Iranian foreign ministry follows Trump saying he had held off launching new strikes on the Islamic republic to allow for further diplomatic efforts.

Wildfires ravage neighborhoods in US northwest city of Spokane

Tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate their homes over the weekend as three separate fires broke out in and around the city in the east of Washington state.

Trump attorney general pick looks set to clear US Senate hurdle

Todd Blanche's Senate confirmation has been held up by concerns from senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis over a $1.8 billion fund for alleged victims of politically motivated prosecution and a tax audit immunity deal with the Republican president, but the senators have now dropped their opposition to his nomination.

Cuba's state energy firm reports new nationwide blackout

The country has been suffering rolling power cuts due to aging equipment and a US energy embargo that halted regular deliveries of fuel for power stations.

Brazil's Lula launches fourth term bid as Trump looms over campaign

In his bid for re-election, the leftist titan of Latin American politics is casting himself as a defender of Brazil's 'sovereignty.'

'Trump's first term already foreshadowed the current debacle in the Middle East'

As early as 2020, the US president had weakened his country by capitulating to the Taliban, while Iran and its supporters were already stepping up attacks on American bases.

Trump slams prosecutor for dismissing Reflecting Pool case

The US president's plans to renovate Washington's Reflecting Pool this summer created a national drama after a botched installation led to rapid algae growth. Although Trump repeatedly claimed that vandals were responsible, federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro rejected the accusation, leading the president to publicly lash out on Saturday.

Argentina's President Milei attempts to reclaim the political spotlight by issuing anti-foreigner decree

By announcing a decree targeting foreigners who have 'spread messages of hate' against the Argentine people, particularly during the World Cup, the president is tapping into the country's heightened patriotism in an effort to regain control of the political agenda after weeks away from the public eye.

Democrats seek to win back blue-collar workers ahead of Pennsylvania's midterm elections

In the 7th District of the battleground state of Pennsylvania, Democrats are trying to convince a working-class population that feels abandoned by the Trump administration to vote for them.

Mexican candidates forced to retake university entrance exam after suspicions of AI-driven cheating

Entrance exams for the various programs at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, which students took remotely for the first time, produced scores much higher than in previous years, raising suspicions about the use of artificial intelligence assistance.

US drops Reflecting Pool case, admits damage due to botched renovation

Trump's warmongering rhetoric toward Iran reflects America's stalemate

Since the United States and Israel launched the conflict against the Islamic Republic in February, the US president has multiplied threats and declarations of victory, often contradicting himself from one day to the next. Yet he has failed to sway Tehran's position.

Nomination of France's new Washington ambassador jeopardized by Trump's mood swings

Originally scheduled for September, Aurélien Lechevallier's departure for the US could be postponed or blocked by the US after a diplomatic dispute over the non-renewal of Volker Türk as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Trump claims Hamas disarmament plan reached by Board of Peace

US President Donald Trump says his Board of Peace has reached an agreement for the 'complete disarmament' of Hamas, which the militant group has confirmed, with Israel yet to comment.

Bolivia prosecutor orders arrest of ex-leader Morales over protests

The probe stemmed from an 'armed uprising' and 'terrorism' complaint filed by a right-wing conglomerate of civic leaders and businesses against Morales, trade unionist Mario Argollo and Indigenous figure Vicente Salazar. A section of the government later joined the complaint.

Salman Rushdie assailant convicted of terrorism charges

Hadi Matar, a 28-year-old Lebanese American, was convicted of 'engaging in an act of terrorism' after repeatedly stabbing the novelist in August 2022, nearly killing Rushdie and leaving him blind in one eye.

Fed keeps rates steady despite high inflation

The central bank's committee is showing an unprecedented level of dissent as calls grow in the United States for a tighter monetary policy to tackle inflation head-on.

Elon Musk's xAI sues Minnesota over its first-in-the-nation law banning 'nudification' technology

Minnesota's law, which is set to take effect on Saturday, is distinct from other state and federal laws that outlaw deepfakes, or non-consensual, AI-generated sexually explicit images of people. Rather than only penalizing the people who use the tools to create these images, Minnesota will now hold the makers of the tools responsible as well.

Cuba, hit by crisis, opens pharmacies, gas stations to private firms

In a lengthy decree, the authorities lifted restrictions on a swath of sectors including petrol distribution, electricity generation, trash collection and the manufacture and sale of medicines.

War in Iran: Trump and Netanyahu's meeting reveals US president's growing frustration

The US president hosted the Israeli prime minister on Tuesday, despite appearing increasingly irritated about the conflict in the Middle East.

Trump's obsession with tariffs

The US president's new tariff structure may withstand legal scrutiny, but that won't turn a flawed policy into economic miracle.

Zelensky cultivates new relationship with Trump on Washington visit

As Trump takes a more considerate approach toward his Ukrainian counterpart, a new package of sanctions against Russia has cleared a key hurdle in the Senate.

China's timely celebration of the American Flying Tigers

This squadron, which supported the Chinese army in the air against Japanese advances during World War II, has been used diplomatically by Beijing in an attempt to influence Washington's stance toward China.

Senate confirms Clayton as Trump intelligence chief

Jay Clayton's appointment comes amid concern that Trump is drawing national security agencies into his effort to relitigate the 2020 election. He takes over for acting director of national intelligence Bill Pulte, a Trump loyalist with no relevant experience, whose brief tenure alarmed lawmakers in both parties.

Life in prison for US teenager who shot dead four people at school

Colt Gray, 16, pleaded guilty to carrying out the September 2024 attack at Apalachee High School in the town of Winder, Georgia. He was 14 when he shot dead two 14-year-old students and two teachers, while also wounding nine other people. He was charged as an adult.

Keiko Fujimori becomes Peru's ninth president in a decade

The conservative 51-year-old, who was sworn in as Peru's ninth president in 10 years, has proposed fighting crime by expelling undocumented people, setting up courts with anonymous judges and making prisoners work for their food.

Zelensky hails 'good meeting' in Washington with Trump on Patriot air defenses

Relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump have warmed since the start of the US president's second term, with Trump suggesting earlier this month that Ukrainian strikes inside Russia could help end the war.

Netanyahu says he had 'best conversation' with Trump, discussing Iran and nuclear weapons

The 'positive and productive' talks, as described by the White House, lasted for about an hour and a half as the Israeli and US leaders sought to patch over public disagreements on the war in Iran. Netanyahu, in a video statement, said the meeting touched on 'our common goal: Ensuring that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons.'

US walks out on France at UN meeting

France's UN Mission in Geneva had criticized US opposition to a second term for UN human rights chief Volker Türk.

US singer D4vd to stand trial in killing of teenage girl

David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, allegedly began a sexual relationship with Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18. The 21-year-old has denied one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Musk's X adds banking in 'everything app' push

The billionaire has said for years that he wants X to resemble China's WeChat, the single app for messaging, shopping and payments, which is a pillar of consumer spending in China.

In the US, opposition to data centers is growing and becomes political

As the 'decentralized and ideologically heterogeneous' movement against data centers grows, US President Donald Trump wants AI companies to foot the bill.