Author: Elizabeth Jenrola Oso

Donald Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on most United States imports from India, escalating a trade dispute over New Delhi’s purchases of discounted Russian crude. The duties, which came into force just after midnight on Wednesday in Washington, are expected to deliver a heavy blow to the Indian economy and heap further strain on global supply chains. Earlier this month, the White House raised tariffs on Indian goods to 25 per cent, but the US president announced plans to double the rate, accusing India of indirectly financing Russia’s war in Ukraine through its crude imports. Since returning to…

SpaceX was forced to call off the planned launch of its Starship rocket in Texas on Monday because of poor weather, marking the latest setback for the company. The 71-metre Super Heavy booster and its 52-metre Starship upper stage, together taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty, had been scheduled to lift off from SpaceX’s Starbase site at 7.30pm local time. The attempt was abandoned at the last moment. “Standing down from today’s flight test attempt due to weather,” the company said on X, the social media platform also owned by Elon Musk. The cancelled launch came a day after…

France will take legal action against the Australian streaming service Kick for alleged negligence following the death of a man during a livestream, the country’s digital affairs minister has confirmed. The platform has come under scrutiny after 46-year-old Raphael Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove or JP, died earlier this month while attempting a 12-day livestreaming marathon. His broadcasts were centred on enduring abuse and humiliation from participants. Kick, launched in 2022, is registered in Australia and operates a revenue-sharing model with its content creators. “Kick did not do everything possible to stop the broadcast of dangerous content,” said Clara…

Poland’s president has vetoed legislation to prolong welfare payments for Ukrainian refugees, honouring a campaign pledge to tighten support at a time of rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the country. Karol Nawrocki, who took office earlier this month after his spring election victory, said only Ukrainians in work should be entitled to child benefit. “We remain open to providing assistance to Ukrainian citizens that hasn’t changed,” Nawrocki said in a statement. “But after three and a half years, our law should be amended.” Read Also:Ukrainians arrested over attempt to smuggle migrants into UK by yacht The bill, which Nawrocki rejected on…

India’s supreme court has ordered an investigation into Vantara, a vast private zoo and animal rescue facility run by Anant Ambani, the son of Asia’s richest man, following allegations of illegal wildlife imports and financial misconduct. Located in Gujarat state and spread across 3,000 acres next to a Reliance Industries oil refinery, Vantara claims to be the world’s largest wild animal rescue centre. It is home to an estimated 200 lions, 250 leopards, 900 crocodiles and tens of thousands of other animals. The court announced on Monday that a panel led by retired judges will examine the alleged unlawful acquisition…

Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs and export restrictions on countries that levy digital taxes or introduce regulations targeting major American technology firms, including Google, Meta, Amazon and Apple. Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, the US president claimed that “digital taxes, legislation, rules or regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American technology”. READ ALSO: Trump signs order to prosecute flag burners He singled out the UK’s digital services tax (DST), introduced in 2020, which raises around £800m annually through a 2% levy on revenues of global tech firms. Trump said such measures “outrageously give…

Angela Mortimer-Barrett, the former Wimbledon champion and three-time grand slam winner, has died at the age of 93. Mortimer-Barrett captured the Wimbledon ladies’ singles title in 1961, defeating fellow Briton Christine Truman, three years after losing her first final to Althea Gibson. She also won the French Championships in 1955 and the Australian Championships in 1958. In doubles, she triumphed at Wimbledon in 1955 alongside Anne Shilcock, beating Shirley Bloomer and Pat Ward in an all-British final. Her career was marked by resilience, overcoming hearing loss and frequent illness to establish herself among the game’s elite. She was appointed MBE…

Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal prosecutors to seek criminal charges against people who burn the American flag during protests, in a move that challenges a long-standing supreme court ruling protecting the act as free speech. The order instructs the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, to examine incidents of flag burning and determine whether individuals can be prosecuted under existing laws, such as disturbing the peace or environmental violations. It marks an attempt to sidestep the 1989 supreme court decision in Texas v Johnson, which struck down flag-burning bans in 48 states. READ ALSO: Trump reveals venue, date…

Cambodia’s parliament has passed legislation enabling authorities to revoke the citizenship of citizens deemed to be “colluding” with foreign countries, a move rights groups say will be used to silence dissent. All 120 members of the National Assembly, including Prime Minister Hun Manet, voted in favour of the bill on Monday. The law allows nationality to be stripped for acts of collusion with foreign powers or actions considered to undermine “sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security”. READ ALSO: Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating border ceasefire A committee established at the request of the interior minister, Sar Sokha, will oversee cases. Before…

Postal services across Europe have suspended most parcel shipments to the United States, citing confusion and a lack of clarity over new import tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump.