White House says Trump withdrawing Musk ally as nominee to head NASA
'It's essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump's America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon,' the White House said, confirming a report by The New York Times that Isaacman's nomination was being withdrawn.
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Arab News
9 hours ago
- Arab News
Xi tells Putin China glad to see improved US-Russia relations
BEIJING: President Xi Jinping told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Friday that China was pleased to see Moscow and Washington improving their relations, state media said. Putin and US President Donald Trump are set to hold talks in a bid to end the war in Ukraine. Both sides have confirmed preparations for a summit are underway and have suggested that a meeting could take place next week, although no firm date or venue has been set. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that Xi had talked to Putin on Friday at the Russian leader's request. Putin briefed Xi on the 'situation of recent contact and communications' between the US and Russia, as well as the situation in Ukraine, it said. 'China is glad to see Russia and the US maintain contact, improve their relations, and promote a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis,' state news agency Xinhua's English service quoted Xi as telling Putin. Putin and US President Donald Trump are set to hold talks in a bid to end the war in Ukraine. Moscow and Beijing have deepened their ties since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. China has never denounced Russia's war nor called for it to withdraw its troops, and many of Ukraine's allies believe that Beijing has provided support to Moscow. It insists it is a neutral party, regularly calling for an end to the fighting while also accusing Western countries of prolonging the conflict by arming Ukraine. In the call on Friday, Xi 'pointed out that complex issues have no simple solutions' and said 'China will always... support making peace and promoting talks,' CCTV reported. Putin is set to visit China on a trip beginning in late August. He will attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as well as celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. He will also hold talks with Xi. China has been mentioned in media reports as a possible venue for the Putin-Trump summit, with speculation that Trump could join Putin there in early September. The Kremlin has not ruled out such a meeting.
Al Arabiya
20 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
US Vice President Vance to begin UK visit amid transatlantic tensions
US Vice President JD Vance will begin his visit to the United Kingdom on Friday with a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, as the two allies navigate growing friction over foreign policy, including the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Vance, who is traveling with his wife and three children, is expected to stay with Lammy at Chevening, the country residence of the foreign secretary, before heading to the Cotswolds for part of the trip. The visit comes at a time of heightened transatlantic tensions and increased scrutiny of Vance's foreign policy stance as he emerges as a key figure in President Donald Trump's administration. A source familiar with the itinerary described the visit as a working trip that will include official engagements, cultural site visits, and a meeting with US troops. The bilateral meeting with Lammy has no formal agenda, but officials expect discussions to include the Ukraine and Gaza crises as well as trade. Vance, a vocal proponent of Trump's America First foreign policy, has previously criticized Britain's political direction. Following Labour's election win last year, he suggested the UK had 'maybe' become the first 'truly extremist' country with nuclear weapons. He has also accused Britain of threatening free speech and the liberties of religious citizens. Lammy, who once called Trump a 'far-right extremist' and 'neo-Nazi,' has since downplayed the remarks, calling them 'old news.' Despite their ideological differences, Lammy and Vance have built a rapport, reportedly bonding over shared Christian faith and their challenging upbringings. The pair met in Washington earlier this year and again in May during Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass in Rome. Analysts say Lammy is unlikely to challenge Vance aggressively on Ukraine or Gaza, given Britain's desire to maintain productive ties with the Trump administration. 'It's a chance to get the UK perspective in there, but they're not looking for conflict,' said Bronwen Maddox of Chatham House. 'The UK is glad of relationships where it can get them.' Vance's visit follows Trump's recent private trip to Scotland, which included meetings with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Trump is expected to return to the UK in September for a full state visit—his second—making him the first elected political leader in modern times to receive that honor twice. Vance previously faced protests during a winter vacation in Vermont, and similar backlash is expected in Britain. A coalition of trade unions, pro-Palestinian groups, and climate activists has announced plans to demonstrate during his visit.
Al Arabiya
20 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Trump demands CEO of US chipmaker Intel resign ‘immediately'
President Donald Trump on Thursday demanded the resignation of the new chief executive of US chipmaker Intel, after a Republican senator raised national security concerns over his links to firms in China. 'The CEO of Intel is highly conflicted and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem,' Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, a day after Senator Tom Cotton said he had written to Intel questioning Lip-Bu Tan's connections to Chinese firms. In a statement issued Thursday, Tan said the company was 'engaged with the Trump administration to address the concerns raised' and ensure officials 'have the facts.' Intel is one of Silicon Valley's most iconic companies, but its fortunes have been eclipsed by Asian giants TSMC and Samsung, which dominate the made-to-order semiconductor business. In Cotton's letter, posted on his website, the senator alleged that Tan controls dozens of Chinese companies and holds stakes in hundreds of advanced manufacturing and chip firms in China. 'At least eight of these companies reportedly have ties to the Chinese People's Liberation Army,' Cotton wrote. The Republican senator also cited Tan's previous leadership of Cadence Design Systems, which he said recently 'pleaded guilty to illegally selling its products to a Chinese military university.' Cotton further claimed that while serving in that role, Tan transferred 'its technology to an associated Chinese semiconductor company without obtaining licenses.' In response, Tan said there has been 'a lot of misinformation circulating' about his past roles at Walden International and Cadence Design Systems. 'I want to be absolutely clear: Over 40+ years in the industry, I've built relationships around the world and across our diverse ecosystem,' he said. 'And I have always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards.' Tan added that the United States has been his home for over four decades and said he is 'profoundly grateful for the opportunities it has given me.' He also expressed full alignment with Trump's commitment to 'advancing US national and economic security' and said he is proud to lead a company 'so central to these goals.' The Malaysia-born tech industry veteran took the helm at Intel in March, announcing layoffs as White House tariffs and export restrictions complicated market conditions. He has acknowledged it 'won't be easy' to overcome the challenges facing the company. Intel has also struggled to keep pace with Nvidia, which has surged ahead as the world's dominant AI chipmaker. While Intel's core business has long centered on traditional computing chips, that market has steadily been eclipsed by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
