As part of his election pledge, President Donald Trump said he would launch the “largest deportation program in American history”. This move strained relations with Latin American countries. Tensions further escalated when Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, deepening the rift between the US and Latin America. So, are US-Latin America relations at an all-time low? And how does Washington’s history of meddling in the Americas inform the present moment?

In reaction to years of influencer culture fueling mass consumerism, Gen Z is pushing back by drastically cutting their shopping habits. The "Underconsumption core" trend is gaining momentum on social media, with young people embracing minimalism and intentional spending. Many are increasingly aware of the environmental damage caused by excessive consumption, all while navigating a cost-of-living crisis that leaves many households struggling to make ends meet.

Roy Casagrande, a professor of government at Austin Community College, said the future of the Gaza ceasefire remains deeply uncertain and that Israel’s escalating military operations in the occupied West Bank could further dim prospects for peace. “Many suggested that we should have phase one extended instead of moving on to phase two,” he said.

After closed-door discussions, the US president and the UK prime minister have stepped up to the podium to share the results of their negotiations. While Trump has repeatedly lashed the UK and its European allies for lopsided trade partnerships, the US president struck a more conciliatory note at the podium next to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He also teased about backroom discussions to ease economic tensions.

The jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan has called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms and dissolve itself, a move that could end its 40-year conflict with Turkiye and have far-reaching political and security consequences for the region. A delegation of Turkiye’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party visited Ocalan on Thursday in his island prison and later delivered his statement in nearby Istanbul. “I am making a call for the laying down of arms, and I take on the historical responsibility of this call,” Ocalan said in a letter made public by DEM party members. Ocalan wants his party to hold a congress and to formally agree to dissolve itself, they quoted him as saying. “Convene your congress and make a decision. All groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself,” Ocalan said, according to the statement. The PKK is deemed a terrorist organisation by Turkiye and its Western allies.

Recent elections in Europe have seen wins for parties with harsh stances on migration. That mirrors Donald Trump's success in the US. Inflamatory claims shape political debate, while statistics deny a link between rising crime and migration. So why is this happening?

AI-powered border enforcement, funded by the European Union, could become Europe’s new normal. From the “smart” Greece-Turkey border at Evros to Samos’s high-tech refugee camp, critics warn it’s a crackdown on migration that puts asylum rights at risk.

Critical minerals are crucial for the production of high-tech products, including electric vehicles, mobile phones, AI infrastructure and weapons. It is estimated that Ukraine holds nearly 5 percent of the world's reserves of rare earth elements. Kyiv has agreed to jointly develop its riches, including oil and gas, with the United States. Ukraine wants guarantees on security and money for weapons. The US wants to break China's grip on the world's mineral supply chains. But is it a win-win deal?

Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, stated that Israel has not engaged in negotiations for phase two of the ceasefire deal, violating its terms. He accused Israel of obstructing aid to Gaza and threatening escalation. Despite these violations, Hamas remains committed to the agreement and is ready for phase two. Naim warned that failure to advance the deal risks renewed conflict. He rejected calls for Hamas to leave Gaza, asserting it represents Palestinians. He also criticised Israeli policies in Gaza and the West Bank, accusing them of aiming to displace Palestinians.

China is experiencing a prolonged economic slowdown, which has led to a youth unemployment crisis. In 2023, the rate of 16 to 24-year-olds unable to find jobs reached a record high of 21.3 percent. Following the release of those figures, the government suspended reporting before revising its methodology to exclude university students.