declares

China is unlikely to engage with the United States as long as the latter continues its "tariff numbers game," a sentiment echoed by China’s foreign ministry following the White House's announcement of potential tariffs reaching up to 245% due to China's retaliatory actions. In a recent factsheet, the White House outlined a breakdown of China's tariffs, which comprise a new reciprocal tariff of 125%, a 20% tariff aimed at tackling the fentanyl crisis, and tariffs varying from 7.5% to 100% on selected goods to counteract what…

In a striking turn of events, Gabon's military leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has claimed victory in the presidential election, reportedly securing an astonishing 90% of the votes cast, as indicated by provisional results. This remarkable outcome undeniably marks a significant moment in Gabonese history. The backdrop to this election is steeped in complexity. Just last year, Oligui Nguema led a coup that ousted the Bongo family, a dynasty that had held power for nearly six decades. The political landscape has…

“We are a primary target, whether we like it or not,” reflects 87-year-old Monsignor James Kelly as he discusses his mission of aiding immigrants amidst the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations. We met at District 3 Immigration Services, a modest office located along a bustling Brooklyn thoroughfare, with a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline in the backdrop. Originally from Adare, County Limerick, Fr. Kelly embarked on his journey in Rome to learn Italian. Upon arriving in New York in 1960, he found himself…

Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times International–Monitoring In the heart of Sudan's political whirlwind, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, more popularly known as Hemedti, stands resolute. As the deputy head of Sudan's sovereign council, he commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and on a brisk February day, Hemedti faced the inquisitive eyes of the press at their headquarters in Khartoum. Recalling the pressing nature of the challenges faced, a famous adage comes to mind: "It does not matter how slowly you go as…

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, has expressed grave concerns regarding the terminology used to describe the ongoing conflict in Gaza, stating that "normalized language" misrepresents the dire circumstances on the ground. Albanese emphasized that "no one is safe in Gaza," calling it unequivocally evident that Israel's intentions can only be described as "ethnic cleansing." During her appearance on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she remarked, "I think that people get very confused…

Netanyahu Indicates Ongoing Strikes in Gaza are 'Just the Beginning' In a significant escalation of violence, Israel has initiated extensive airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of hundreds. This marked operation underscores the complex and volatile situation currently unfolding in the Middle East. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "What we are witnessing is just the beginning." This statement resonates amid the tension rising in the region, emphasizing that further military actions may lie…

Diplomatic Storm: US Declares South African Ambassador 'Persona Non Grata' In a dramatic and unexpected move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that South Africa's ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, is "no longer welcome" on American soil. The language used was unambiguous. "Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and President Donald Trump," Rubio asserted in a social media post. It was a statement that caused ripples across international diplomatic circles. Such a…

In a bold move that has stirred diplomatic waters, the United States has expelled South Africa's ambassador to Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed this message with unusually candid language, describing the ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, as a "race-baiting politician" holding strong anti-Trump sentiments. "South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country," Rubio proclaimed on Friday in a statement posted on X, marking the rare occasion of…

Russia has firmly stated that it will consider the deployment of foreign troops or military bases in Ukraine as utterly unacceptable. According to Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, such actions would signify a direct involvement of foreign nations in the ongoing conflict with Russia. She emphasized, "Should any country attempt to deploy its troops, we will undertake appropriate measures to protect our interests." This situation intensifies as Steve Witkoff, special envoy from former US…

The Syrian defense ministry has announced the conclusion of a military operation targeting loyalists of ousted former president Bashar al-Assad. According to a war monitoring group, over 1,000 individuals, primarily civilians, have lost their lives amid conflicts between Assad loyalists and the country’s new Islamist leaders in the coastal stronghold of the former president. Hassan Abdul Ghany, the spokesperson for the defense ministry, shared an update on X, stating that public institutions are now poised to resume…