Donald Trump’s tariffs will be ‘surgical’, president-elect’s former adviser warns

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Mark Burnett, the British producer of The Apprentice, as his special envoy to the UK, citing his diplomatic skills and international recognition. Burnett, known for his work on popular TV shows like Survivor and The Voice, played a key role in raising Trump's profile in the US. In his new role, Burnett will focus on enhancing diplomatic relations between the US and the UK, with a focus on trade, investment...

Cyprus welcomes EU Council's Conclusions on enlargement, linking Turkey's progress to Cyprus issue resolution and condemning illegal actions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights key points, emphasizing Turkey's adherence to Cyprus-related commitments and the need for a comprehensive solution based on UN resolutions. EU criticizes Turkey's illegal activities in Varosha, urging reversal and de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, prompting strong Turkish response and reflecting EU's clear stance. Full Article

Sir Keir Starmer is considering introducing a new law to prevent Elon Musk from donating to Reform UK, the party led by Nigel Farage, in an effort to protect the electoral system from potential interference. Since Musk, as a US citizen, cannot personally donate to a UK political party, he may do so through his company's UK subsidiaries. While the government has no immediate plans to introduce new legislation, Commons leader Lucy Powell has stated...

Qatar has emerged as a crucial LNG supplier to Europe amid decreasing reliance on Russian energy post-Ukraine invasion, with QatarEnergy having long-term agreements with major European countries. The EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, criticized by QatarEnergy CEO Al-Kaabi, requires transposition into national law by 2026, gradual enforcement starting in 2027, aligning with the EU's net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The European Commission has not yet commented on the directive when contacted by POLITICO, reflecting...

Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen is working with all stakeholders towards a peaceful and Syrian-led transition, with signs of hope for the future, according to UN chief António Guterres. Pedersen emphasized the need for support for families of missing and detained individuals, prioritizing their humanitarian needs and securing evidence of crimes committed in detention centers. The OPCW is preparing to send experts to Syria to address the country's chemical weapons program, while the WFP...

The UK is facing heavy rain and disruptive winds of up to 80mph this weekend, with yellow wind warnings issued by the Met Office for Christmas holiday drivers. Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and parts of England are expected to be impacted on Saturday, with coastal areas in northern Scotland potentially experiencing winds of 85mph. Road, rail, air, and ferry services in Scotland are likely to be affected, as an area of low pressure crosses the...