Ayoola Atitebi

Top US diplomat Marco Rubio expressed low expectations for Ukraine-Russia peace talks scheduled in Turkey, stating a breakthrough would require direct interaction between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. "I don't think we're going to have a breakthrough here until President Trump and President Putin interact directly on this topic," Rubio said following a NATO foreign ministers meeting in southern Turkey. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukraine would participate in the Istanbul talks but criticized Russia's "low-level" delegation, calling it disrespectful to both Trump and Turkish President Erdogan. "No time of the meeting, no agenda, no high-level of delegation - this is personal disrespect to Erdogan, to Trump," Zelensky stated after meeting Erdogan in Ankara. The Russian delegation is headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who maintained his team had "all the necessary competencies" and viewed the talks as a "continuation" […]

A fourth round of discussions between the United States and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear program has concluded in Oman, with both parties agreeing to continue negotiations. US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff characterized the Muscat talks as encouraging, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described them as "difficult but useful." The United States maintains that Iran must abandon its uranium enrichment to prevent nuclear weapons development, though Tehran consistently denies having such intentions. On Sunday, Iran again emphasized it would not relinquish its enrichment program. Former President Donald Trump withdrew from a previous nuclear agreement between Iran and five world powers in 2018. He has recently warned of potential military action against Iranian nuclear facilities should the current negotiations, which began in April, fail to produce results. Prior to the Muscat meeting, two negotiation rounds were held in the Omani […]

Yemen's Houthi chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, has clarified that their ceasefire agreement with the United States excludes operations against Israel. Abdulsalam told Reuters on Wednesday that attacking Israel was not included "in any way, shape or form" in the Oman-mediated deal. This announcement came shortly after Israeli warplanes struck Yemen's Sanaa airport, causing approximately $500 million in damage according to airport director Khaled al-Shaief. The ceasefire was announced Tuesday by US President Donald Trump, who declared that attacks on Yemen would cease immediately after the Houthis agreed to stop targeting vessels in the Red Sea. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the agreement, stating that "following recent discussions and contacts... with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides." The deal specifies that "neither side will target the other... ensuring freedom of navigation […]

Yemen's Houthi rebels have announced a ceasefire agreement with the United States, pledging to uphold the truce if Washington reciprocates, according to the group's spokesperson. "The U.S. interfered to support the Israeli entity by attacking Yemen. So, if they stop their aggression, we will stop responding," Houthi spokesman Mohamed Abdel-Salam told al-Masirah TV on Tuesday evening. He added a stark warning: "If the U.S. does not abide by the agreement in any way, the response will be fatal." Abdel-Salam revealed that negotiations with Oman, acting as mediator, had been underway for weeks prior to the announcement. Oman confirmed that both parties had agreed to cease hostilities, including Houthi strikes on U.S. vessels traversing the Red Sea. Despite this agreement, the Houthi spokesman emphasized that their support for Gaza would continue uninterrupted, stating that any deal with the United States would […]

US and Chinese officials are preparing for talks this week aimed at reducing tensions in an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will participate in discussions in Switzerland from May 9-12, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will lead the US delegation. Since President Donald Trump's return to office, his administration has imposed tariffs up to 145% on Chinese imports. Beijing has responded with retaliatory duties of up to 125% on certain US goods. Global trade experts caution that negotiations could extend for several months. This meeting represents the first high-level engagement between the two nations since Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng attended Trump's January inauguration. Treasury Secretary Bessent expressed optimism about rebalancing the international economic system to better serve American interests. […]