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How South Africa could harness Donald Trump's wrath

How South Africa could harness Donald Trump's wrath

Economist6 hours ago
NO SAILOR LIKES a hurricane. But if the alternative is drifting in the doldrums without hope, even vicious gales have their uses. As South Africa is buffeted by criticism from President Donald Trump and other American conservatives—some of it unfair and pushed by bad-faith actors—centrist business and political leaders dream of riding that storm to hasten reforms.
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Trump claims Israel ready for Gaza peace deal in bid to boost Hamas ceasefire talks
Trump claims Israel ready for Gaza peace deal in bid to boost Hamas ceasefire talks

The Guardian

timean hour ago

  • The Guardian

Trump claims Israel ready for Gaza peace deal in bid to boost Hamas ceasefire talks

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Trump says Israel has agreed on terms for 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, and has warning for Hamas
Trump says Israel has agreed on terms for 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, and has warning for Hamas

Sky News

time2 hours ago

  • Sky News

Trump says Israel has agreed on terms for 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, and has warning for Hamas

Donald Trump has said Israel has agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, and is urging Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The US president announced the development ahead of hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House next week. He has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to work out a ceasefire and hostage agreement to end the war. "My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalise the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War," Mr Trump wrote on social media - adding that Qatari and Egyptian officials would deliver the final proposal. "I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE." It comes as Israel's minister for strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, was in Washington for talks with senior administration officials to discuss a potential ceasefire in Gaza, as well as Iran and other matters. Mr Dermer was expected to meet Vice President JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Analysis: Trump wants to be seen as a peacemaker US correspondent @skydavidblevins This development is significant, but it's not entirely surprising. Behind the scenes, the Israelis have been indicating for a while that they were prepared to sign up to a 60-day ceasefire. The extremists in Benjamin Netanyahu's government are not prepared to accept a permanent truce - so if he were to sign up to that, he risks collapsing his entire government. Sixty days takes them to the point where the Israeli parliament is in recess, so it is much safer for him, politically speaking. But Hamas has always been adamant that it wants a permanent end to the violence in Gaza, and there's no indication at this stage that the organisation is prepared to compromise. So this is Donald Trump piling the pressure on Hamas ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington next Monday. He's hoping he may be in a position at that stage to announce a ceasefire in Gaza - hard on the heels of having brokered an agreement between Israel and Iran. Mr Trump ultimately wants to continue to proclaim himself as the peacemaker in this region. Earlier in the day, Mr Trump told reporters he is hopeful a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement can be achieved between Israel and Hamas next week. Hamas has said it is willing to free the remaining hostages in Gaza under a deal to end the war, while Israel has said the conflict can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled.

US slams ‘smear campaign' as pro-Iran hackers threaten to release Trump material
US slams ‘smear campaign' as pro-Iran hackers threaten to release Trump material

Rhyl Journal

time2 hours ago

  • Rhyl Journal

US slams ‘smear campaign' as pro-Iran hackers threaten to release Trump material

The US warned of continued Iranian cyberattacks after American strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities and the threats they could pose to services, economic systems and companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the threat to expose emails about the president is 'nothing more than digital propaganda' meant to damage Mr Trump and other federal officials. 'A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit and divide,' CISA spokeswoman Marci McCarthy wrote in a social media post. 'These criminals will be found, and they will be brought to justice.' Reuters reported that it contacted the alleged hackers online, and they told the news organisation that they had a large cache of emails from Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, other senior advisers and porn actress Stormy Daniels, to whom a hush money payment led to Mr Trump's criminal conviction. Federal prosecutors charged three Iranians last year on allegations of hacking into Mr Trump's presidential campaign. Hackers also targeted the campaign of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and unsuccessfully tried to leak material supposedly taken from Mr Trump to Democrats and members of the media. The threat to release more hacked emails was reported on the day that CISA, the FBI and the National Security Agency issued a public bulletin warning that hacking groups supportive of Tehran may attack US interests despite a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The hackers, authorities warned, could seek to disrupt or disable critical infrastructure systems such as utilities, transportation and economic hubs. They also could target defence contractors or other American companies with ties to Israel, the agencies said. The bulletin outlined recommendations, including the use of regular software updates and strong password management systems to shore up digital defences. Hackers backing Tehran have targeted US banks, defence contractors and energy companies after American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, but so far have not caused widespread disruptions.

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