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Description: US President Donald Trump has effectively announced the beginning of a global trade war with the imposition of universal and reciprocal tariffs on all US trade and economic partners and adversaries. Trump announced universal 10% tariffs on all imported goods which would take effect on 05 Apr and specially designated reciprocal tariffs which mostly would impact China, Europe and Asian US trade partners such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. In the hour – long theatrical speech Trump announced the imposition of 34% levy on Chinese goods, 20% on European goods and 32% levy on Taiwanese goods. Canada and Mexico as Trump’s primary targets remained impacted by the 25%
Description: Former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and Kenyan Judge Effie Owuor, arrived in Juba and joined former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga in an attempt to negotiate peace amid rising concerns of conflict reigniting. The security situation in the country exacerbated after armed fighting between the White Army Militia and South Sudanese military which resulted in the arrest of the Vice – President Riek Machar. Conflict tensions between President Salva Kiir and Machar started to escalate in the past two months as Machar was accused of organizing a coup in order to power grab the presidency from Kiir. The mediators would aim to defuse the situation which has
Description: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that his Civic Platform party was targeted by a cyberattack which most likely originated from Russia or Belarus. He accused the two countries of meddling within the Polish political system ahead of the presidential elections in the country scheduled for 18 May. The pro – European centrist also a member of Civic Platform Rafal Trzaskowski is the frontrunner polling 35% of the projected votes. He is followed by the far – right Slawomir Mentzen from the Confederation party who polls around 20% of the projected votes, and Conservative party candidate Karol Nawrocki who also polls around 20% of the votes. Impact:
Description: The Foreign Minister of France, Jean – Noel Barrot, stated that if no continuance of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran is secured, a direct military confrontation with the US is almost inevitable. Barrot gave his statement after French President Emmanuel Macron convened with European heads of diplomacy in a confidential meeting. Europe would aim at conveying a diplomatic solution between both Iran and the US, as the latter has started a military buildup in the Diego Garcia naval and bomber base located on the Chagos Islands. Satellite imagery confirmed that 6 B – 2 Spirit bombers were dispatched to the base as a Pentagon announcement confirmed the buildup. Te
Description: Two close associates to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been arrested under suspicion of promoting Qatari interests and receiving bribes. The individuals in question are Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein present and former advisors to the Prime Minister who have allegedly received large sums of money to promote Qatar’s interests throughout the highest levels of the Israeli government. Qatar, a known Hamas financier has been one of the mediators between Hamas and Israel in formulating a potential peace agreement as a resolution for the war in Gaza and the West Bank. Qatargate arrives at a sensitive time in the war and just one more scandal on the Isr
Description: Social media accounts connected to the China Central Television posted indications on a trilateral cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea in response to US upcoming tariffs. South Korea’s trade ministry was the first to denounce such coordinated approach labeling the posts as exaggerated. Japan responded in a similar fashion stating that trade cooperation has been discussed over the weekend from official representatives but no coordinated approach to US tariffs was determined. The three countries have substantially developed trade and economic ties but are in constant territorial and geopolitical disputes. Impact: Chinese social media
Description: The US State Department has announced that Vladimir Putin’s proposal for Ukraine to fall under an interim administration until presidential elections are held is categorically rejected. The Russian’s President proposal came as both sides agreed on temporary peace in the Black Sea, however, the Russian side had continuously questioned Volodymir Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as Ukrainian President. The US – led initiative for peace has been drawn out and entered stagnant phase upon several rejections regarding peacekeeping details by Russia. US President Donald Trump criticized Russia’s current position and blamed Putin for prolonging the peace initiative. Impact
Description: Beijing’s Easter Theater Command has announced the dispatch of air force and naval military assets near the eastern, southern and northern parts of Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry deemed the drills legitimate as China was apparently testing battle readiness and reasserting its regional presence. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense heavily criticized China for instigating further tensions in the region and threatening peace and prosperity. The live drills followed after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth left Asia where he visited Japan and criticized China for escalating tensions in the region. More than 71 Chinese military aircraft and 13 navy ships were involved in t
Description: Sources from both M23 rebel forces and the Congolese government stated that initial peace negotiations were scheduled to begin on 09 Apr. Further details regarding the meeting indicated the talks would be held in Doha, as Qatar has played a crucial mediating role in defusing tensions between the two sides and bringing them to the negotiating table. The negotiations come on the precipice of the meet between presidents Felix Tshisekedi of Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda in Doha on 18 Mar. Both presidents lobbied for the peace initiative after several attempts for negotiations faltered and the M23 rebels have backed down of the talks since the EU reimposed sanction
Description: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hosted the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow. The parties discussed decades of long strategic partnership ties and undeniable support in future endeavors. The highlight of the meeting were Wang’s comments on the rekindled relationship between Russia and the US, as the Chinese Foreign Minister stated that China completely supported the conciliatory state of relations. He also denounced the speculated deterioration of relations between China and Russia since the US reestablishment of relations with the latter. Wang also confirmed China’s willingness to be involved in the resolution for th