AMERICA
UNITED STATES – First interview between Joe Biden and King Salman before the publication of the report on the death of Khashoggi
Biden had his first telephone interview on Thursday, February 25, 2021, with King Salman of Saudi Arabia. The US President “reiterated the importance the United States places on human rights.” He promised to make the relationship between Riyadh and Washington stronger and more transparent.
The President of the United States had, for the first time since his installation in the White House, a telephone interview with the King of Saudi Arabia. Relations between the two countries were on the agenda of discussions between the two men. However, no mention has been made of the CIA’s explosive report, which risks undermining the partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.Although no date has yet been set, the United States is preparing to release a report that establishes the responsibility of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul.
The release of the report “is an important step towards transparency, and as is often the case, transparency is an element for accountability,” said US diplomacy spokesman Ned Price on Thursday, adding: This is a crime, as I have already said, which has shocked consciences. We will soon be able to talk about accountability measures.”
The Trump administration had classified the report. The Republican president wanted to preserve the alliance with Ryad, a pillar of his anti-Iran strategy, the world’s leading exporter of crude oil and a major American arms buyer.Only a dozen subordinate Saudi officials were sanctioned. Mike Pompeo, then Donald Trump’s secretary of state, even claimed that the CIA report contained “no direct element linking the crown prince to the order to kill Jamal Khashoggi”.
Jamal Khasoggi is a Saudi journalist who was murdered on 2 October 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. He was general manager of Al-Arab News, then editor of the Saudi newspaper Al Watan, which he turned into a progressive platform. From 1980 to 2000, he regularly served Prince Turki bin Faisal, former director of the Saudi intelligence services. He was first close to the Saudi power before going on dissent in 2017, following the advent of Mohammed bin Salman to the status of crown prince and de facto ruler of the country. He left Saudi Arabia in September 2017 and declared that the Saudi government had “banned him from Twitter.” He then began writing critical press articles about the Saudi regime. Extremely critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Khashoggi strongly opposes intervention in Yemen.
AMERICA
BRAZIL – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on a state visit to France on June 5 and 6, 2025
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be on a state visit to France on 5 and 6 June. He will be welcomed in Paris by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, accompanied by his wife Rosângela Lula da Silva.
This official trip comes as a follow-up to the renewed action plan between France and Brazil, sealed during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Brazil in March 2024. Objective: to strengthen bilateral cooperation in strategic areas such as defense, economy, biodiversity, energy transition, culture and the fight against disinformation.
This high-level meeting is also part of a busy international agenda for both countries. It precedes by a few days the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which will be held in Nice from 9 to 13 June, as well as the COP30 of Belém next November. Two major events where France and Brazil plan to unite their voices to advance global environmental issues.
The visit will also be part of the 2025 Brazil-France Season, an exceptional cultural program that highlights the Brazilian artistic and intellectual scene throughout the country.
Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the White House, reaffirmed on Monday, June 2, 2025, the willingness of US President Donald Trump to see Russia and Ukraine begin peace negotiations. During a press conference, she insisted on the importance of direct dialogue between the two parties to end a conflict that has already cost too many human lives.
Speaking to reporters, Leavitt recalled that President Trump strongly supports a return to the negotiating table, drawing in particular on previous talks held in Istanbul. “The president wants the two leaders, along with their delegations, to sit at the negotiating table. Today, we saw that this was possible thanks to his insistence,” she said, while specifying that only Trump will express himself in detail on his position.
Asked about a recent drone attack attributed to Ukraine and targeting Russian territory, Leavitt preferred to insist on the need for a de-escalation. “This war must now end. It has been merciless for both sides, and far too many lives have been lost,” she said.
These remarks, relayed by the Anadolu agency and translated from Turkish by Ayse Betul Akcesme, reflect a new direction in the communication of the White House, emphasizing the role that Washington wishes to play to encourage a diplomatic solution.
Although President Trump has not yet spoken personally about these recent developments, his spokesperson suggests that an initiative in favor of peace could take shape in the coming weeks.
Photo credit: White House
Elon Musk announced the end of his role as a special government employee in President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday, 29 May 2025, marking the conclusion of his involvement with the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk, who had been appointed to lead efforts to reduce federal bureaucracy and public spending, expressed his gratitude to President Trump for this opportunity to serve.
In a post on his social media platform X, Musk wrote, “Grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve. It was a difficult but rewarding experience.”
Shortly after his message, a White House official confirmed his departure and indicated that his resignation process “will begin this evening.”
Musk’s departure comes after his public criticism of President Trump’s “great and beautiful bill”, a legislative package that includes tax cuts and immigration control measures but significantly increases the federal deficit.
Musk described the bill as counterproductive to the DOGE’s mission and expressed disappointment.
During his tenure, Musk has implemented drastic cost-cutting measures through the DOGE, including mass layoffs and termination of federal contracts. These actions have led to strong criticism, protests – including against Tesla – and dozens of lawsuits, as well as concerns about attempts to access private government data.
A federal judge recently allowed a complaint filed by 14 American states against Musk and the DOGE to proceed.
This complaint accuses Musk and the DOGE of unconstitutional actions, including unauthorized access to government data systems, cancellation of federal contracts and dismissal of federal employees.
Musk plans to refocus on his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, and reduce his political contributions. Despite initial optimism, Musk admitted his frustration with bureaucratic resistance in Washington.
The White House plans to implement some of the reductions recommended by the DOGE through budget cancellations. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that this bill will increase deficits by $3.8 trillion over a decade, while regulators remain skeptical of claims that it will be deficit-neutral.
Sources: AP
Photo credit: Elon Musk page
