U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday his intention to nominate Ambassador Michael George DeSombre as the next Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific. The announcement was made via Trump’s Truth Social platform.

DeSombre, who previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand during Trump’s presidency, is currently a Partner at Sullivan Cromwell, leading their Asia Mergers and Acquisitions, as well as the Korea and Southeast Asia practices.

His academic credentials include a magna cum laude degree from Harvard Law School and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Stanford University, where his thesis focused on Chinese nuclear weapon strategy.

Trump expressed confidence in DeSombre’s ability to serve the United States effectively in this new role.

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Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, announced on Tuesday that the company intends to double its vehicle production within the United States over the next two years. This assertion was made during an event where former President Donald Trump reportedly purchased a new Tesla vehicle.

Musk attributed this ambitious growth target to his confidence in both the United States and what he characterized as the “great policies” of the Trump administration. He explicitly stated that the expansion is being undertaken “as an act of faith in America.”

The announcement follows reports of Trump purchasing the vehicle as a show of support for Musk, amidst alleged boycotts driven by political opposition. Furthermore, Musk has been appointed by Trump to lead the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), tasked with reducing federal spending and personnel.

The proposed doubling of production marks a significant commitment by Tesla to its US operations and is intertwined with the evolving political landscape. It remains to be seen how these factors will ultimately influence Tesla’s ability to achieve this ambitious goal.

Following meetings with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the onus for de-escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict now rests squarely with Moscow. According to Rubio, Ukraine has signaled its readiness to cease fire and engage in peace negotiations to end the ongoing war.

“Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking,” Rubio remarked, emphasizing that the U.S. will present this offer to Russia. He expressed hope that Russia would respond favorably to the prospect of peace, adding, “The ball is now in their court.”

Rubio further clarified the implications of a potential rejection from Russia, suggesting that a negative response would unequivocally identify Russia as the primary obstacle to a peaceful resolution.

The statement comes amidst the protracted three-year conflict between the two nations, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The international community awaits Russia’s response to this offer with keen interest.