OPED: Yunus Invites China To Build Airbase In Bangladesh’s...
India watch your back-Align with western powers or remain small. During his recent China trip, Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government in Bangladesh, sparked controversy by stating that Bangladesh remains the “only guardian” of the ocean [Indian Ocean] as the seven...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282987
India Orders 100 Additional ‘Thunder’ K9 Vajra To...
Hanwha Aerospace has signed a new USD 253 million contract with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to supply components for 100 additional K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers to the Indian Army. The contract signing ceremony took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Delhi, marking a...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282964
Korean Defense Giant Hanwha Enters Drone Market! To Partner GA-ASI...
South Korean defense major Hanwha Aerospace has entered into a partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) to develop and jointly produce Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for the global defense market. Hanwha will co-produce the MQ-1C Gray Eagle STOL (Short Take-Off and...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282931
It’s F-35 vs Eurofighter ‘Showdown’ In The UK As...
The UK is considering placing an additional order for the American F-35 Lightning II aircraft. However, workers’ unions in the country warn that purchasing the American jet could hurt the prospects of the Eurofighter Typhoon, the 6th-gen GCAP, and Britain’s autonomy. ...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282912
Fear Of Chinese Espionage Prompts U.S. To Impose “Blanket...
The U.S. has implemented a policy prohibiting its diplomats, their families, and security-cleared contractors in China from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese nationals. This directive, enacted in January 2025 by former U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns, applies to...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282755
After B-2 Bombers & Aircraft Carrier, U.S. To Reinforce Middle...
The US is moving its Patriot missile defense batteries from the Indo-Pacific theatre to the Middle East as a massive and unprecedented military mobilization is underway in the region. Citing sources, the South Korean Yonhap News Agency reported that last month, South Korea and the...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282750
‘Game Changer’ In Ukraine War, ATACMS Era Coming To An...
Lockheed Martin has secured a contract worth up to US$4.94 billion from the U.S. Army to produce Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), which are set to replace the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). The missiles, designed to be compatible with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS),...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282748
“Double Blow” To Rafale Fighters! Saab Gripens Again...
Putting months of speculations to rest, Colombia has announced that it will purchase the Saab Gripen fighter to replace its aging Israeli Kfir fighter jets. Interestingly, this makes Colombia the second South American country after Brazil to “shoot down” the French Rafale in...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282740
Trump’s Tariff To Boost India-Canada Strained Ties;...
Terming April 2 as America’s “Liberation Day,” U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 10% baseline tariff across the board and retaliatory reciprocal tariffs on some of the country’s closest allies and partners. Approximately 60 countries with significant trade...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282736
Iran’s “Futuristic Weapon” Rattles Pentagon! Has...
Amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the global defense community was rocked by a stunning claim from Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell about Iran’s dazzling progress in a dangerous weapon system, hitherto a domain of science fiction movies. During a...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282734
Stealth Vs Anti-Stealth! Can China’s Cutting-Edge Radar...
In March 2025, Boeing’s F-47, the U.S. Air Force’s highly secretive Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter concept, was unveiled. It showcased advanced stealth capabilities and the ability to collaborate with drones. Simultaneously, the U.S. Navy is on the verge of selecting...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282729
Another British-French ‘Nuclear’ Aircraft Crashes In...
The SEPECAT Jaguar, an archaic British-French supersonic fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), crashed on April 2. The tragedy comes as both France and Britain are zooming ahead with the development of their respective sixth-generation fighter jets, whereas India stares at a...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282723
Philippines Keen To Pull India Into Its “Squad” To...
The Philippines is working to expand the SQUAD, a strategic alliance currently composed of Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, by inviting India and South Korea to join. According to General Romeo S. Brawner, Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who spoke at the...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282713
Central Asia Emerges The New Frontier Of US-Europe Rivalry While...
An important element in the politics of big and industrialized powers is acquiring energy sources and rich but unexploited mineral wealth. The Central Asian region came into prominence with the beginning of Great Britain’s famous mid-19th-century geopolitical strategy, the...
https://afriprime.net/posts/282696
Local markets reacted positively to the highly anticipated announcement on Wednesday, with the Brazilian real strengthening past 5.60 per U.S. dollar and reaching its highest level since October 2024.
Meanwhile, the benchmark stock index edged up 0.23%, with many pointing out that Brazil's comparatively lighter tariff burden could shield it from major trade risks while also attracting capital flows shifting away from the United States.
XP's research team said Trump's tariff policy is "bad in the absolute, potentially net positive for Brazil," as a trade war could bring gains for the commodity powerhouse while also accelerating Chinese investments in infrastructure across the country and Latin America more broadly.
A deal to spin off the U.S. assets of TikTok was put on hold after China indicated it would not approve the deal following President Donald Trump's tariffs announcement this week, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
Trump on Friday extended by 75 days a deadline for ByteDance to sell U.S. assets of the popular short video app to a non-Chinese buyer, or face a ban that was supposed to have taken effect in January under a 2024 law.
The deal, the structure of which was largely finalized by Wednesday, according to one of the sources, would have spun off TikTok's U.S. operations into a new company based in the U.S. and majority-owned and operated by U.S. investors. ByteDance would hold a position of less than 20%.
At least for now.
Trump administration unveiled its much-anticipated “Liberation Day” tariff regimen, imposing import levies on scores of nations worldwide.
Washington has chipped away at the three-nation trade deal, but much of it remains intact — with the notable exceptions of 25% tariffs that the While House has imposed on automotive imports, as well as on steel and aluminum.
“Until now, we have preferential treatment,” President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s economic minister, said Mexico’s actions helped address complaints and concerns aired by Trump, aiding Mexico's standing in talks with Washington. Mexico deployed troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to control immigration and beefed up efforts to counter the production and smuggling of fentanyl, the synthetic opioid, while turning over dozens of wanted drug traffickers to the United States.
On "Liberation Day," Trump imposed a minimum 10% tariff on numerous countries to “make America wealthy again.” Trump also revealed a sweeping 20% tariff on all imports from the EU. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has previously said she is confident in the bloc’s ability to stand up for itself, and hopes to strike a deal.
“Europe has not started this confrontation,” von der Leyen said in the European Parliament. “We do not necessarily want to retaliate, but if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to retaliate and we will use it.”
That plan could involve the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), allowing the bloc to place market limitations on service companies that could hit American tech or Wall Street.
China produces around 90% of the world's rare earths, a group of 17 elements used across the defense, electric vehicle, energy and electronics industries. The United States has only one rare earths mine and most of its supply comes from China.
The export curbs include not only mined minerals but permanent magnets and other finished products that will be difficult to replace, analysts said.
The move, which affects exports to all countries, not just the U.S., is the latest demonstration of China's ability to weaponize its dominance over the mining and processing of the critical minerals.
Seven categories of medium and heavy rare earths, including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium-related items
The US president said China had “panicked” and “played it wrong” by announcing 34pc levies against all American goods from next Thursday.
His comments came as Wall Street stocks plunged sharply again, with the benchmark S&P 500 on track for its worst week since the first Covid lockdown in March 2020.
The Nasdaq Composite was down more than 20pc from its record highs set in December, entering what investors call a “bear market”.
Leah Fahy of Capital Economics said China had made “an aggressive, escalatory response that makes a near-term deal to end the trade war between the two superpowers highly unlikely”.
The FTSE 100 in London fell 5pc in its biggest decline since the onset of the pandemic five years ago.
The bombardment signals the risks of a deepening rift between two powerful regional militaries over Syria, where Islamist rebels have installed a new government.
The Israeli strikes on the three sites Turkey was assessing, including a heavy barrage came despite Ankara's efforts to reassure Washington that a deeper military presence in Syria was not intended to threaten Israel.
The Islamists replacing Assad have alarmed Israel, which is wary of an Islamist presence on its border and has lobbied the United States to curb Turkey's growing influence in the country.
Ankara, a longtime backer of opposition to Assad, is positioning to play a major role in the remade Syria, including with a possible joint defence pact that could see new Turkish bases in central Syria and use of Syria's airspace.
India's commerce minister said his country's startups needed to emulate China by focusing on high-end tech and not quick grocery deliveries or fancy ice cream - harsh criticism that had entrepreneurs quickly pointing out the government's shortcomings.
Piyush Goyal told a startup event in New Delhi late on Thursday that too many were offering food delivery so that "the rich can get their meals without moving out of their house" and were "turning unemployed youth into cheap labour."
"Are we going to be happy being delivery boys and girls? (Making) fancy ice cream and cookies ... is that the destiny of India?" he said, showing a slide titled "India vs. China. The Startup Reality Check".
"What do the Chinese startups do? Work on developing electric mobility, battery technology ... look at what the other side is doing - robotics, automation, machine learning, preparing themselves for 3D manufacturing," Goyal said.
Matthew 6:14-15
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."
🔹 Simple Life Explanation:
Forgiveness is a two-way street—when we forgive others, God forgives us.
Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
🔹 Simple Life Explanation:
Holding a grudge is like carrying a heavy bag—you feel lighter when you let it go. God forgave us, so we should forgive others too.
Colossians 3:13
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
🔹 Simple Life Explanation:
Everyone makes mistakes—when we show grace to others, we reflect God’s love.
Matthew 6:14-15
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."
🔹 Simple Life Explanation:
Forgiveness is a two-way street—when we forgive others, God forgives us.
Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
🔹 Simple Life Explanation:
Holding a grudge is like carrying a heavy bag—you feel lighter when you let it go. God forgave us, so we should forgive others too.
China Showoff--Chinese barges and Taiwan Strait drills are about...
Is China intent on a D-Day style invasion of Taiwan? Maybe but Taiwan-Taiwanese are busy drinking bubble milk tea with most of their young ones lacking strong mind to join any armed forces of their country. Certainly that has been the tone of some of the reporting following...
https://afriprime.net/posts/278525
A manufacturing powerhouse that counted the United States as its biggest market last year, the Southeast Asian nation was hammered with a thumping 46 percent tariff in President Donald Trump's global trade blitz.
Despite widespread fears it could be a key target over its huge trade surplus with Washington -- the third-largest after China and Mexico -- the size of the levies came as a bombshell for businesses and factory workers on Thursday.
"It's truly shocking," said Tran Nhu Tung, board chair at Thanh Cong, a factory in Ho Chi Minh City that makes clothes for DKNY and Walmart, among others.
Rubio on Thursday decried “hysteria and hyperbole” in the media about U.S. President Donald Trump’s intentions, despite persistent signals from Washington that NATO as it has existed for 75 years may no longer be relevant.
Rubio and newly confirmed U.S. ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker are in Brussels for a meeting of alliance foreign ministers at which many are hoping Rubio will shed light on U.S. security plans in Europe.
“The United States is as active in NATO as it has ever been,” Rubio told reporters as he greeted NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte before the meeting began. “And some of this hysteria and hyperbole that I see in the global media and some domestic media in the United States about NATO is unwarranted.”
