WORLD
No Country Safe From Tariffs, Says Trump
President Donald Trump of the United States issued a warning on Sunday that no nation would be "getting off the hook" on tariffs, as his administration indicated that any exemptions viewed as favoring China would only last temporarily. The world’s two largest economies have been locked in a fast-moving, high-stakes game of brinkmanship since Trump launched a global tariff assault...
US Court Demands Release Of Tinubu’s Records From FBI, DEA
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been ordered to make public documents pertaining to President Bola Tinubu's criminal investigation into drug trafficking allegations. In a ruling dated April 8, Judge Beryl Howell of the United States District Court of Columbia ordered both agencies to search for and process non-exempt records tied to Freedom...
US Embassy Introduces New Visa Interview Requirements For Nigerians
The US Embassy's new visa interview criteria for Nigerian applicants will take effect on April 22. According to a statement issued on Friday by the US mission, all applicants attending interviews in Abuja and Lagos must present a DS-160 visa application form featuring a confirmation barcode beginning with “AA” followed by two zeroes. The barcode must correspond with the one used...
Experts Canvass Dialogue During 90-Day Trump Tariff Pause
A temporary halt in the escalating trade war, initiated by the US president and offering a 90-day pause, has provided a brief respite from growing global economic concerns. Experts who spoke to The PUNCH said that it would offer room for reason to prevail as dialogue takes place. While the Federal Government had hinted that the tariffs would have an impact,...
Niger Ditches French, Embraces Hausa As Official Language
Niger’s junta has replaced French with Hausa as the national language, deepening its break from Paris, the country’s former colonial ruler. Since overthrowing civilian president Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, Niger’s military rulers have severed relations with France, kicking out French soldiers and renaming streets and monuments that bore French names. “The national language is Hausa,” and “the working languages are...
Trump Signs Order To ‘Make America’s Showers Great Again’
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order lifting water-pressure restrictions on showerheads, a move the White House said would “make America’s showers great again.” Trump has long complained about inadequate water pressure in American bathrooms which he blames on federal water-conservation regulations. “In my case I like to take a nice shower, to take care of my beautiful hair,”...
Pope Francis Meets King Charles, Queen Camilla Despite Illness
Pope Francis met King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, the day before, during the British monarch's state visit to Italy. Wednesday’s meeting was a surprise, as Buckingham palace had cancelled the planned audience due to the 88-year-old pope’s poor health. Francis, the head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, is recovering from five weeks in hospital with life-threatening pneumonia. It...
EU Sets Tariffs On U.S. Imports In First Retaliatory Move
The European Commission says the first round of retaliatory tariffs, which range from 10% to 25% on U.S. imports, will be imposed next week after EU member states approved them on Wednesday. This includes special levies on items such as jeans and motorcycles from the United States, while U.S.-made whisky and other alcoholic beverages were removed from the commission’s proposed...
China Imposes 84% Tariffs On US Imports Starting Thursday
Hours after the United States implemented similar tariffs, China's finance ministry announced Wednesday that it would increase its tariffs on US imports from 34 percent to 84 percent. US President Donald Trump’s latest salvo of tariffs came into effect on dozens of trading partners Wednesday, including punishing 104 percent duties on imports of Chinese products. Beijing has consistently opposed tariff rises...
Estonia Bans Non-EU Citizens, Mostly Russians, From Local Elections
A constitutional amendment that prohibits non-EU citizens from participating in local elections was signed into law by Estonia's president on Wednesday. The amendment is aimed at the country's sizable Russian minority. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of the change on March 26 as fears grow about security in the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. President Alar Karis’s...
