Venezuela’s Maduro says phone call with Trump was ‘respectful’, even ‘cordial’

Donald Trump is expected to deliver remarks on affordability at a rally in Pennsylvania, coinciding with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's criticism of President Joe Biden's policies. This event follows a federal judge's decision to unseal grand jury documents related to the sex-trafficking case against Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein, after the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Trump signed last month.

Major Australian employers are scaling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, with some even discontinuing initiatives entirely, as a response to a growing US-led backlash against such efforts, often labeled as ‘anti-woke’. This trend has been highlighted in a recent report by Pride in Diversity, which indicates that the election of Donald Trump has significantly influenced these changes.

The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate the Biden student loan repayment program known as the Save plan, which has provided assistance to over 7 million borrowers. This decision follows a settlement with several Republican-led states that criticized the program as 'illegal.'

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his readiness for elections in Ukraine, responding to increasing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called for a national vote amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

UK gilt yields have seen a slight decrease compared to other major economies, indicating a potential shift in the bond markets as Chancellor Rachel Reeves navigates fiscal challenges. Despite this drop, the UK still faces a significant premium on borrowing costs, with 10-year government gilt yields rising compared to US Treasury bonds and eurozone counterparts since the last general election.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his readiness to hold elections within the next three months, contingent on support from Ukraine's parliament and foreign allies. This statement follows criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Zelenskyy was using the ongoing war as a pretext to avoid elections.

Honduras's President Xiomara Castro has accused the United States, particularly former President Donald Trump, of orchestrating an 'electoral coup' during the ongoing presidential election, which has seen two right-wing candidates closely contesting for power. Castro emphasized that the integrity of the electoral process is being compromised by foreign interference and manipulation.

The US and European nations have called on Rwanda and the M23 rebel group to cease their offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following the recent signing of a peace agreement in Washington. This appeal comes as M23 fighters have taken control of the strategic city of Uvira, prompting a mass exodus of civilians into Burundi.