Center of US executive power under President Donald Trump, involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran, military operations, trade policy, and diplomatic responses.
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August 2025
The Namibian
White Househas been actively courtingseveral African nations for deportation arrangements
Source
“The White House has also been actively courting several African nations, with Rwanda saying earlier this month it will take up to 250 migrants from the US.”
The UK is in talks with US authorities over a potential diesel export ban and preparing contingencies as prices rise amid supply pressures from the US-Israel conflict with Iran and Russia's war with Ukraine. UK Chancellor John Healey stated the government is discussing the matter with the Americans and has diesel stocks available, while noting that the UK depends on the US for around a third of its diesel imports.
The UK is in talks with US authorities over a potential diesel export ban and preparing contingencies as prices rise amid supply pressures from the US-Israel conflict with Iran and Russia's war with Ukraine. UK Chancellor John Healey stated the government is discussing the matter with the Americans and has diesel stocks available, while noting that the UK depends on the US for around a third of its diesel imports.
President Trump's administration has approved the sale of nearly 50 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a policy shift, but the $24 billion sale has raised concerns from some members of Congress who worry the advanced stealth technology could be shared with China.
The UK imposed sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, prompting Israel to shutter Britain's diplomatic mission to the Palestinians and ban British MPs from entering Israel. Eleven mostly European countries joined the trade ban, but the US response remained notably muted despite earlier suggestions from the US ambassador to Israel of potential American repercussions.
Iran says it has reached an agreement with Oman on a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, though details remain undisclosed. The Iranian foreign ministry cautioned that a deal would not guarantee safe passage, citing the US blockade of Iranian ports as a security threat.
The US military launched "heavy" strikes against Iran on Wednesday in retaliation for Iran's ballistic missile attacks on American forces in the region, hitting dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets. The latest hostilities follow previous joint US-Saudi strikes on Iranian proxies in Iraq and come amid reports of Saudi Arabia seeking de-escalation.
The US has imposed new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 trading partners, including the UK, China, the EU, Canada, Japan and India, citing claims they failed to properly stop forced labour. The duties came into effect on Friday and represent the latest escalation in the trade war under President Donald Trump.
US President Donald Trump has said the war in Iran will be "over quickly" and that he aims to end Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Iran said a US proposal to end the war is "still being considered"; Axios reported the White House is working toward a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran that could frame nuclear negotiations, with provisions including suspension of Iranian nuclear enrichment, lifting sanctions, and restoring free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been charged with attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington DC on Saturday, along with two firearms offences. He was carrying a semi-automatic handgun, pump-action shotgun and three knives when he charged past a security checkpoint; a Secret Service agent was shot but not seriously wounded.
US President Trump has suggested the possibility of seizing or blockading Iran's Kharg Island, which processes 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, as leverage to pressure Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. The US struck military targets on the island in March while deliberately preserving oil infrastructure, though Pentagon preparations for a potential ground operation remain under consideration.
President Trump's new 10% tariffs on imported goods took effect following a Supreme Court decision striking down many of his previous duties as exceeding his authority. The temporary tariffs, set to last 150 days unless extended by Congress, apply to $1.2 trillion worth of annual imports and are expected to increase household costs, though less severely than Trump's earlier tariff programme.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has told the BBC that Vladimir Putin has already started World War Three and must be stopped through intense military and economic pressure, rejecting Russian demands for territorial concessions as abandonment of Ukrainian people and positions. Zelensky argues that a ceasefire allowing Putin to recover would only delay further conflict, and insists that Ukraine's victory depends on restoring its independence and borders, though he acknowledges this requires time, weapons support from Western partners, and security guarantees.
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Geneva for fresh US-brokered talks aimed at ending the four-year war, with Ukraine accusing Russia of undermining peace efforts by launching attacks hours before negotiations began. The talks follow previous rounds held in Abu Dhabi this year and come as US President Donald Trump positions himself as a peacemaker in the conflict.
Donald Trump said he will be "indirectly" involved in talks between Iran and the United States over Iran's nuclear programme, which are due to begin in Geneva. The talks follow repeated military threats and a US military build-up in the Middle East, with Iran's Foreign Minister saying a deal must not involve "submission before threats."
US President Donald Trump has reversed the 2009 "endangerment finding" that classified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health, calling it an "Obama era policy" that damaged the auto industry. Environmental groups say the move is the most significant climate rollback yet and plan legal challenges, while Trump officials argue it will save over $1 trillion and reduce vehicle costs.
US President Donald Trump said he "didn't see" a racist clip depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes that was included in a social media video he shared about voter fraud claims. After initial defense by the White House, the video was removed from Trump's Truth Social account following backlash from both Democrats and Republican senators.
Kwara state governor says 75 local Muslims were killed in a Tuesday shooting attack on the villages of Woro and Nuku after residents refused to surrender to Islamist extremists, though death toll estimates range from 78 to over 170. The attack was blamed on Boko Haram, and President Tinubu deployed an army battalion to the area.
US President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with India that reduces tariffs to 18% from 25%, removes a 25% toll on Russian oil purchases, and commits to over US$500 billion in purchases of US energy, technology, agricultural, and other goods. Indian exporters welcomed the deal as relief from months of uncertainty, though analysts urged caution citing lack of clarity on implementation details.
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is departing Minneapolis after federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, an observer documenting immigration enforcement operations. Trump is replacing him with "border tsar" Tom Homan to lead on-ground efforts, signaling a possible shift in the administration's aggressive approach to immigration enforcement in the city.
President Trump claims Tehran has told the US it has "no plan" to execute protesters and will not carry out hangings, though the US has not ruled out military action in response to Iran's violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators that began in late December. The US and UK are reducing personnel at their military base in Qatar as a precautionary measure, and multiple countries have temporarily closed embassies or advised citizens to avoid Iran amid escalating tensions.
Doctors at hospitals in Tehran and Shiraz told the BBC their facilities were overwhelmed with injuries as anti-government protests entered their second week, with at least 50 protesters reported killed. Iranian authorities issued coordinated warnings to protesters, while international leaders and US President Trump called for protection of the right to peaceful protest.