Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
The European Union and the United Kingdom are undergoing talks to resolve a dispute over the post-Brexit trade deal concerning Northern Ireland. EU Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said that there had been some progress, but there are still difficulties in the negotiations.
Speaking at a news conference following a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels, Sefcovic, who oversees the bloc’s relations with the UK, also referred to the reports of the talks making progress. Sefcovic said his team wanted a breakthrough every week, stressed the importance of re-establishing trust with London, and noted that after closer communications that it was “getting there.”
“Progress is being made, but difficulties remain,” said Sefcovic. “What we are focusing on is gradual, incremental work. We are looking for the possible landing zone for the possible joint solution and this work continues.”
The post-Brexit agreement, also known as the Northern Ireland Protocol, was established to prevent a hard border with EU member Ireland and preserve peace. However, the arrangement meant there would be checks on goods arriving in Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, drawing the ire of pro-British unionists in the region.
The UK has proposed the creation of green customs lanes for goods that are bound only for Northern Ireland and red lanes for products that are bound for Ireland and everywhere else in the EU. The EU Commission said it was open to the idea of creating “express lanes” as long as there are safeguards in place.
Sefcovic also said that the agreement on access to British data on goods that are shipped to Northern Ireland would “dramatically” improve the flow of information required to preserve the single market.
Last week, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said there has yet to be a breakthrough in the ongoing talks to resolve the trade agreement. Varadkar was responding to a question referring to a report by The Times that the UK and the EU reached a customs deal that may help end the post-Brexit dispute over the region.
“I can confirm that, notwithstanding newspaper reports, no deal has yet been done between the EU and the UK,” said Varadkar.
