标签： North America

In a rare display of bipartisan unity, former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama came together to honor American veterans on Veterans Day. The event, held in Washington D.C., saw Trump making a surprise appearance by landing on a special flight carrying nearly 80 veterans from the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The gathering served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel, transcending political divides to pay tribute to their service. Both leaders expressed their gratitude and commitment to supporting veterans, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their contributions to the nation. The ceremony highlighted the enduring significance of Veterans Day as a time for reflection and national unity.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has petitioned the Supreme Court to review a $5 million civil case in which he was found liable for defaming and sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump has consistently argued that Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the trial, improperly allowed evidence that biased the jury against him. A federal appeals court upheld the jury’s verdict last year, stating that Kaplan committed no errors warranting a retrial. The case stems from Carroll’s allegations that Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s and later dismissed the incident as a hoax on social media. Trump has denied all accusations. The Supreme Court represents Trump’s final opportunity to overturn the unanimous verdict, though it remains uncertain whether the court will take up the case. In June, a federal appeals court rejected Trump’s request to rehear his challenge. Additionally, Trump was ordered to pay Carroll $83 million in a separate defamation case after he publicly criticized the jury’s findings. His appeal of that decision was denied in September, prompting him to seek a review by the full bench of a federal appeals court. In his Supreme Court petition, Trump’s legal team contended that the 2005 Access Hollywood tape, in which Trump boasted about groping women, should not have been presented to jurors. They argued that Carroll’s allegations lacked eyewitnesses, video evidence, or police reports, and accused her of fabricating the claims for political and financial gain. Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, declined to comment on the Supreme Court appeal. While the jury found Trump guilty of defamation and sexual abuse, they rejected Carroll’s claim of rape under New York law. Carroll, now 81, sued Trump for the alleged assault in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. The defamation case arose from Trump’s 2022 denial of her claims on his Truth Social platform. Trump has repeatedly dismissed Carroll’s allegations, stating she was ‘not my type’ and accusing her of lying.

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met with Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, India, in Abu Dhabi on November 8, 2025. The meeting, attended by a high-level delegation, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across key sectors, aligning with the strategic visions of both the UAE and India to bolster economic and developmental partnerships. Pinarayi Vijayan’s visit to the UAE Capital was marked by a warm reception from the Malayalee diaspora, including prominent figures such as MA Yusuff Ali, Chairman and Managing Director of Lulu Group International. The discussions also touched upon the role of the Loka Kerala Sabha, a platform dedicated to the cultural, socio-political, and economic integration of non-resident Keralites. With Indian expats constituting the largest population group in the UAE, reaching 4.36 million as of August 2025, the meeting underscored the importance of fostering stronger ties between the UAE and Kerala, a state in southern India. Pinarayi Vijayan’s visit also included engagements with the Keralite community in the UAE, further solidifying the deep-rooted connections between the two regions.

In a landmark meeting at the White House on November 10, 2025, US President Donald Trump and Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa engaged in discussions aimed at resetting bilateral relations. This marked the first visit by a Syrian leader to the White House since Syria’s independence in 1946. Unlike traditional state visits, al-Sharaa entered through a side gate, signaling a low-profile yet significant encounter. The closed-door meeting in the Oval Office focused on two critical issues: the lifting of US sanctions on Syria and Syria’s potential entry into the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension of the Caesar Act sanctions, a set of stringent measures imposed during Syria’s civil war. Rubio emphasized that this move would support Syria’s economic recovery and foster peace. The Syrian side, however, seeks a permanent repeal of these sanctions, which would require congressional action. Additionally, al-Sharaa agreed to join the US-led coalition against IS, which remains active in Syria. The US also plans to allow Syria to resume operations at its embassy in Washington, focusing on counterterrorism and economic cooperation. This meeting follows a series of diplomatic efforts, including the removal of al-Sharaa from the UN Security Council’s sanctions list. Analysts caution that while these steps are promising, Syria’s path to stability remains fraught with challenges, including sectarian violence and a massive reconstruction bill estimated at over $200 billion.