Truth Live Int'l

Category: World News

  • China Calls for Dialogue as US Trade War Escalates

    China Calls for Dialogue as US Trade War Escalates

    China has urged the United States to engage in dialogue to ease growing trade tensions, as both countries continue to impose tariffs on each other’s imports, according to AFP.

    Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, China’s commerce ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian reiterated Beijing’s commitment to a cooperative resolution.

    “China has always advocated that China and the United States should adopt a positive and cooperative attitude towards differences and controversies in economic and trade fields,” she said.

    “But it must be stressed that any form of communication and consultation must be based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit,” she continued.

    “Threats and intimidation can only be counterproductive. It is hoped that the United States and China will work together… to return to the correct track of resolving issues through dialogue and consultation.”

    The trade dispute has intensified since US President Donald Trump returned to office in January. Citing concerns over China’s failure to curb the flow of fentanyl and related chemicals, Washington has imposed a series of tariffs on Chinese goods.

    Earlier this month, Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20%. In response, Beijing introduced tariffs of up to 15% on US agricultural products, including soybeans, pork, and chicken.

    On Wednesday, Trump escalated the dispute further by imposing a 25% duty on all steel and aluminum imports into the US. China, the world’s largest steel producer, vowed to take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests.

    The trade conflict has also widened beyond China, with the European Union announcing retaliatory tariffs on $28 billion worth of American exports, including bourbon, motorcycles, and boats. EU President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the US tariffs as “unjustified” and warned of further actions if Washington does not reverse course.

    Canada has also responded with tariffs on nearly C$30 billion worth of US imports, targeting products such as steel, computers, and sports equipment. The Canadian government said it is adopting a “dollar-by-dollar” approach to counter the US measures.

  • Israeli Government Cuts Electricity supply To Gaza

     

    Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen has ordered an immediate halt to electricity supply to Gaza, threatening the functioning of the enclave’s desalination plants amid an ongoing aid shortage in the holy month of Ramadan.

    In a post on X, Cohen said he has signed an order to “cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip immediately”. “Enough with the talk, it’s time for action!” he added.

    Sunday’s announcement comes more than a week after Israel cut off all supplies of goods to the territory to over two million people after reneging on the ceasefire deal that ended the 15-month-long Gaza war. Nearly 50,000 Palestinians have been killed and vast swathes of Gaza have been turned into rubble after non-stop Israeli bombardment.

    Israel wants to extend the first phase of the three-phase deal, while the Hamas group wants the deal to move to phase two, as initially agreed by both sides. Analysts say Israel’s refusal to enter phase two shows its unwillingness to withdraw its troops from the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land that separates Gaza from Egypt.

    Hamas has accused Israel of “cheap and unacceptable blackmail” over its decision to halt the electricity supply to war-ravaged Gaza in an effort to pressure the group into releasing the captives.

    “We strongly condemn the occupation’s decision to cut off electricity to Gaza, after depriving it of food, medicine, and water,” Ezzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau said in a statement, adding that it was “a desperate attempt to pressure our people and their resistance through cheap and unacceptable blackmail tactics”.

    Aid groups and rights campaigners have accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity and violating international humanitarian laws for cutting off aid.

    People in Gaza are struggling to get bread and basic supplies as Israel’s total blockade has forced the closure of several bakeries and shops.

  • EU Proposes €800 Billion Defense Plan Amid Growing Security Concerns

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a five-part plan to mobilize €800 billion to strengthen Europe’s defense and provide immediate military support to Ukraine following the suspension of U.S. aid.

    In a letter to EU leaders, she highlighted the urgent need for increased defense spending, emphasizing that Europe faces an unprecedented security threat.

    The plan includes €150 billion in joint EU borrowing for military investments in air and missile defense, artillery, drones, cybersecurity, and mobility.

    Von der Leyen stressed that Europe must take greater responsibility for its security while continuing to work closely with NATO.

    The proposal follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s pause on military aid to Ukraine and his call for NATO members to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense, a target no member currently meets.

    NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged nations to exceed 3% as quickly as possible, as EU states, long reliant on U.S. military support, must now significantly increase their defense budgets.

  • Trump Proclaims ‘Wokeness is Dead,’ Calls to Permanently Ban Sex Changes for Minor

    Speaking to a bipartisan crowd in the U.S. Capitol building, Trump touted his administration’s early efforts to roll back “wokeness” in the U.S., taking aim at “gender-affirming” procedures for minors.

    “I want Congress to pass a bill permanently banning and criminalizing sex changes on children, and forever,” Trump said during his speech. “Ending the lie that any child is trapped in the wrong body. This is a big lie. And now a message to every child in America is that you are perfect, exactly the way God made you.”

    “Because we’re getting wokeness out of our schools and out of our military, and it’s already out and it’s out of our society,” he continued. “We don’t want it. Wokeness is trouble. Wokeness is bad. It’s gone.”

    Trump’s comments come over a month after he signed an executive order to restrict “chemical and surgical” sex-change procedures for minors.

    “Across the country today, medical professionals are maiming and sterilizing a growing number of impressionable children under the radical and false claim that adults can change a child’s sex through a series of irreversible medical interventions,” the order, entitled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” he stated.

    “This dangerous trend will be a stain on our Nation’s history, and it must end.”

  • Nigeria Ranks Alongside Egypt, Morocco, Others In External Debt, Says Afreximbank

     

    Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

    A financial institute, Afreximbank has raised the concern over the debt profile of Nigeria as the research it carried out has shown that Nigeria is among the 10 African nations that collectively account for 69 percent of the continent’s total external debt.

    The report, titled “African Debt Outlook: A Ray of Optimism,” which was released in late February and highlights both the challenges and opportunities in Africa’s debt landscape, noted that in the first half of 2024, 10 countries held the majority of the continent’s external debt stock, up from 67 per cent in 2023.

    Nigeria alone accounts for eight per cent of Africa’s total external debt, ranking among the highest borrowers alongside South Africa (14 per cent), Egypt (13 per cent), Morocco (six per cent), Mozambique (six per cent), Angola (five per cent), Kenya (four per cent), Ghana (four per cent), Côte d’Ivoire (three per cent), and Senegal (three per cent).

    The report attributes Africa’s high external debt levels to factors such as underdeveloped domestic financial markets, high global interest rates, and increased demand for foreign exchange to finance imports. It also highlights the reliance on aid, concessional loans, and competitive credit offers from private lenders as key contributors to rising debt.

    “Africa’s external debt levels remain elevated, primarily due to the limited development of domestic financial markets and high interest rates. The growing demand for foreign exchange to finance imports has further exacerbated external indebtedness, fuelled by reliance on aid, concessional loans from multilateral institutions, and competitive rates offered by private creditors,” the report said.

    Beyond highlighting the debt burden, the Afreximbank report also listed the broader factors contributing to Africa’s rising debt, including the need for infrastructure investment, healthcare expansion, and education funding, stating that these developmental needs have led governments to seek extensive financing through loans.

    The report also noted that Africa’s aggregated debt-to-GDP ratio increased by 39.3 percentage points after the 2008 global financial crisis, reaching 71.7 per cent in 2023.

    With elevated global interest rates, debt servicing has become more complex, especially as many African nations borrow from non-traditional lenders, including private sector creditors and emerging bilateral partners.

    To mitigate the risks, the report offers strategic recommendations for Nigeria and other African nations. “Africa is navigating a complex debt environment, but the tide can be turned through targeted, actionable policies. Policymakers must prioritise robust fiscal measures, engage strategically with debt relief initiatives, promote long-term growth, and advocate reforms to the global financial architecture,” the report advised.

    It further recommended: strengthening value-added tax (VAT) collection and leveraging digital tax systems to increase revenue; redirecting public expenditure towards high-impact sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure; adopting performance-based budgeting to ensure efficient resource allocation; and establishing well-resourced debt management offices (DMOs) to monitor debt sustainability and enhance risk assessment.

    Despite the growing debt concerns, Afreximbank noted that Africa’s debt outlook shows signs of stabilisation in the medium term. Factors such as macroeconomic improvements, declining global interest rates, and better access to capital markets are expected to ease fiscal pressures.

    While risks remain, the report suggests that the region is making strides towards fiscal sustainability as it navigates post-crisis economic recovery.

  • Trump Pulls In 250,000 Gold Card Applicants in Days

     

    Toba Owojaiye reporting
    Abuja, Nigeria

    President Donald Trump has unveiled a new “gold card” visa initiative, offering wealthy foreign investors a direct path to U.S. citizenship for a $5 million investment. This program is set to replace the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which requires a lower investment and mandates job creation.

    The EB-5 program, established in 1990, allowed foreign nationals to obtain green cards by investing $1.05 million, or $800,000 in targeted employment areas, in a U.S. business that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers. While it has been a significant source of capital, the program has faced criticism for susceptibility to fraud and misuse.

    Truth Live News gathered that the newly proposed gold card visa aims to address these concerns by increasing the investment threshold and simplifying the process. President Trump emphasized that this initiative would attract affluent and successful individuals who would contribute substantially to the U.S. economy through spending, tax payments, and job creation. He also suggested that the funds generated could be utilized to reduce the federal deficit.

    Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick highlighted the potential financial impact, stating that if 250,000 individuals are willing to pay the $5 million fee, it could generate over $1.25 trillion. He noted that these investors would be “deeply vetted” and are expected to bring entrepreneurial spirit, capacity, and growth to America.

    However, analysts express skepticism regarding the projected demand for the gold card visa. Historical data from similar programs in countries like the United Kingdom and Australia indicate that interest might only peak at a few hundred applications per year. Additionally, gold card holders would be required to pay U.S. taxes on global income, potentially reducing the program’s attractiveness.

    The gold card visa is expected to be introduced in two weeks. President Trump emphasized that this program would not require congressional approval, positioning it as a swift and strategic move to bolster the U.S. economy by attracting high-net-worth individuals.

  • UK Prime Minister Taunts Badenoch as Self-Appointed Saviour of Western Civilisation

    By Toba Owojaiye

    Abuja, Nigeria

    UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a sharp rebuke to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, dismissing her as a “self-appointed saviour of Western civilisation” in a scathing exchange that drew laughter from MPs.

    The heated debate unfolded as Badenoch took credit for influencing Starmer’s recent decision to cut the aid budget while also challenging the government’s defence spending figures.

    “Over the weekend, I suggested to the prime minister that he cut the aid budget, and I am pleased that he accepted my advice. It’s the fastest response I’ve ever had from the prime minister,” she said. She then pointed out inconsistencies in defence spending figures, noting that while Starmer had announced a £13.4 billion increase, Defence Secretary John Healey later stated the uplift was only £6 billion.

    Starmer swiftly dismissed her claim, making it clear that her input had no bearing on his policy decisions.

    “I’m going to have to let the leader of the opposition down gently. She didn’t feature in my thinking at all. I was so busy over the weekend I didn’t even see her proposal,” he retorted. He then took a direct swipe at Badenoch’s political positioning, adding, “She’s appointed herself, I think, the saviour of Western civilisation. It’s a desperate search for relevance.”

    Defending his government’s figures, Starmer explained, “If you take the numbers for this financial year, and then the numbers for financial year 27/28, that’s a £13.4 billion increase—the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.”

    His pointed remarks triggered laughter across the House, with even Badenoch seen smiling at the exchange.

    The clash unearths the growing friction between the ruling Labour government and the newly elected Conservative leadership, as Badenoch seeks to position herself as a formidable opponent ahead of the next general election. While Starmer’s dismissal of her influence played well within Parliament, Badenoch’s supporters argue she is successfully forcing Labour to respond to key policy issues, particularly on aid and defence.

    With both leaders sharpening their attacks, this latest exchange sets the stage for an increasingly combative political landscape in Westminster.

  • Why Elon Musk Will Attend Trump’s Cabinet Meeting — White House 

    Elon Musk, heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is set to attend US President Donald Trump’s first official cabinet meeting.

    White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Musk’s attendance, stating he will discuss DOGE’s efforts to identify waste, fraud, and abuse within agencies.

    Musk’s involvement with DOGE aims to modernize federal technology and software, boosting governmental efficiency and productivity across US agencies.

    Trump established DOGE via Executive Order in January, tasking Musk with leading this initiative.

    It’s worth noting that Trump’s cabinet meeting has been a subject of interest, with various discussions on key issues, including deportation policies and agricultural labor force concerns.

  • Senator Ndume Urges Probe into US Aid Allegedly Funding Boko Haram

     

    Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has called on the Federal Government to investigate claims by US Congressman Scott Perry that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) might have funded Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.

    During the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency last Thursday, titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” Congressman Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, alleged that $697 million in US aid was being funneled to terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. He further claimed that USAID’s funding of $136 million to build 120 schools in Pakistan showed no evidence of the schools’ construction.

    In response to these accusations, Senator Ndume, appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “You can’t say it’s just an allegation; it’s more than that. That’s why the Nigerian government and the National Assembly, especially, need to look into it to investigate and verify the veracity of such a very weighty allegation,” Ndume stated.

    He further highlighted the impact of Boko Haram, noting, “This development is very worrisome, especially because one of the terrorist organizations mentioned by Scott Perry is Boko Haram, and Boko Haram has ravaged not only the North-East but even other parts of Nigeria. You can remember Boko Haram bombed the police headquarters and the UN office in Abuja, and the casualties were enormous. So, the Nigerian government must be interested.”

    Ndume also referenced past suspicions and actions, mentioning, “I’m worried, but the Nigerian security agencies have raised this indirectly several times. Even the Borno State government was wary of the operations of the NGOs.” He recalled intelligence-led raids on USAID and UN offices in Maiduguri during Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai’s tenure, and another raid on an NGO suspected of training staff in firearm use, concluding with, “We have been wondering for all these years where these people are getting money.”

  • Six Arrested in UK for Human Trafficking

     

    “…Coordinated International Effort Targets Migrant Smuggling Network…”

     

     

    The United Kingdom (UK) law enforcement officers have arrested six Afghan nationals suspected of involvement in a people-trafficking ring, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA). The arrests took place on Wednesday across Leicester, Birmingham, Coventry, and Essex, following a coordinated operation involving Belgian and Italian authorities.

    The operation was initiated after Belgian courts issued arrest warrants for the suspects. Belgian prosecutors claim the group has been active since 2022, allegedly orchestrating the transportation of migrants from Afghanistan through several countries including Iran, Turkey, and the Balkans into Western Europe, specifically France and Belgium.

    Additionally, this gang is accused of aiding migrants, whose asylum claims were rejected in Belgium, to travel to the UK via small boats.

    Three of the detained men appeared in London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, marking the beginning of their extradition proceedings. The other three are scheduled to appear in court later on Thursday.

    “These men were allegedly part of a dangerous and harmful criminal network which moved migrants across the world, through Europe and eventually into northern Europe and the UK,” said NCA Deputy Director Craig Turner. He further noted, “The threat posed by organised immigration crime is chronic and enduring, and we currently have 70 live investigations into the gangs involved in it.”

    This recent action follows another NCA operation in December, where three men were arrested in the UK for similar crimes. These individuals are now awaiting extradition to Belgium, where 20 members of their criminal network have already been sentenced to a collective 170 years in prison.

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