Peru’s deepening relationship with China sees US cry foul over ‘sovereign rights’
As Peru loses its seventh president in 10 years, Washington is getting anxious about Lima’s burgeoning relationship with Beijing
Global Briefing
The Global Briefing newsletter. Denis Staunton's guide to understanding world events - what’s happening, why it matters and how it affects you
Europe swaps an energy dependency on Russia for one on the US
Donald Trump could use gas-export controls or emergency powers to halt or reduce sales to Europe
Unloved African Union could yet play key role in protecting continent
Co-ordinated continental action may be needed to negotiate better international agreements
Bangladesh election could strengthen pivot toward China and away from India
Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina prioritised relations with India, but her party is excluded from today’s vote
Donald Trump’s deportations could devastate Haiti
Armed gangs control almost 90 per cent of Port-au-Prince and violence has spread to other parts of the country
Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul achieves remarkable victory
Election success due partly to wave of nationalist feeling following Thailand’s three-week conflict with Cambodia
Japanese prime minister’s gamble pays off with snap election victory
Win will help Sanae Takaichi to implement her controversial plans for tax cuts and increased defence spending
While Xi and Trump talk, US and EU explore ways to reduce dependence on China
Xi Jinping and Donald Trump had a friendly, two-hour phone call last night
Syrian forces’ routing of Kurdish-led SDF signals end of experiment in democracy
Northeast region’s system of grassroots democracy prioritised equality between men and women and direct participation of communities
North Korea’s party congress may signal strategic shifts on military, Korean unity by Kim
Five-yearly congress typically sets out Pyongyang’s military and political strategy
The world could be about to get even more dangerous
Expiration of US-Russia deal raises risk of new nuclear arms race in which Europe could find itself in particularly uncomfortable position
What’s the deal between Donald Trump and Cuba?
US is reportedly seeking to negotiate regime change in Cuba, but the country has no oil and exports little
Will the ‘mother of all deals’ paper over the cracks between Europe and India?
Jilted by the United States, the European Union and India have agreed a trade deal after two decades of on-off negotiations
Why Enda Kenny may have paved the way for Moldova to unite with Romania
The Global Briefing: President Maia Sandu said she would prefer Moldova to give up its independence to become part of Romania
Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has important work to do in Gaza
Israel’s move towards opening Rafah crossing is vital step in starting work of Gaza’s new technocratic government under board’s supervision
Will Vietnam’s leader To Lam consolidate state and party power?
The Vietnamese Communist Party is set to re-elect Lam as general secretary, but it remains to be seen if he also becomes president
Mark Carney says rules-based global order is over, offers blueprint for ‘third path’
Canada’s prime minister calls on middle powers to act as counterweight to US and China in remarkable Davos speech
Congolese football fan’s tribute to Patrice Lumumba captures public imagination at Afcon
Michel Kuka Mboladinga evoked the pan-African struggle by mimicking statue of Congo’s first prime minister after winning independence
Japan’s Takaichi gambles with snap election to pursue radical agenda at home and abroad
It will be a challenge for the prime minister to turn her personal appeal into votes for her party
EU’s tricky discussion about talks with Vladimir Putin
Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni say it’s time to engage directly with Russia about ending the war in Ukraine, but who should lead negotiations?
Outcome of Uganda’s election seems certain, but what happens next will be revealing
Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, seems likely to extend his rule in a country that has become a key strategic ally of the West
Any US intervention in Iran ‘would be risky and costly, with no obvious benefit’
Leadership of the Islamic Republic is under unprecedented pressure following massive protests
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy is right to be sceptical over security guarantees
President is not sure if pledge from partner countries means they would protect Ukraine if Russia attacks again
China charms South Korea, pressures Japan in contrasting foreign policy stances
Beijing uses economic rewards and punishments to discourage what it sees as foreign interference over Taiwan
The EU doesn’t look ready to stop Donald Trump taking over Greenland
Annexing the territory is now US policy, says White House deputy chief of staff
The US attack on Venezuela threatens Chinese interests in more ways than one
China is the biggest buyer of Venezuela’s oil and the country’s largest creditor
Spike in Saudi Arabia-UAE tensions is good news for Houthis, bad news for US and China
Saudi Arabian air strikes on a southern Yemeni port targeted weapons supplied by the United Arab Emirates to local separatist forces
Main party affiliated with Myanmar’s military claims victory in first elections since 2021
Almost nobody believes that Myanmar’s first elections since the 2021 coup are free or fair.
Ireland spends record €330m to tackle humanitarian crises as others cut aid budgets
US remains the biggest humanitarian donor, despite making cuts, with European governments reducing aid budgets to fund more defence spending
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland could leave both more isolated than before
Donald Trump says United States would not be following Israel’s move, which has drawn broad condemnation
Algeria passes law declaring French colonisation of country a crime
New legislation makes call for reparations and official apology which Macron has so far refused to do
South Korea’s new president opens the door to renewed dialogue with North Korea
President Lee Jae Myung seeks to improve cross-border relations amid unprecedented hostility, but Kim Jong-un is not biting
Trump appointment of US special envoy to Greenland is worrying new development
US strategy has shifted to seeking to exploit discontent in Greenland towards Denmark
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
The GlossOpens in new window
Read the digital edition of The Gloss magazine now
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices