UNITED STATES

China anger as US amends wording on Taiwan independence

China accused the United States on Monday of a "serious regression" in its position on Taiwan, after the State Department updated the Taiwan section of its website to remove a reference to the independence of the Beijing-claimed island. The move has been welcomed by Taiwan, with its Foreign Minister thanking the US for what he called "positive, Taiwan-friendly wordings". Laura Westbrook has more.

18 February, 2025

Business / Economics

Solidarity Warns SA Could Lose AGOA Trade Benefits

Trade union Solidarity says South Africa risks losing its African Growth and Opportunities Act trade benefits with the United States due to poor diplomatic relations. The union blames the government’s ties with China, Russia, and Iran, along with policies like the Expropriation Act, for straining US relations. Solidarity’s Jaco Kleynhans vows to continue lobbying for AGOA’s renewal this year to safeguard over 500-thousand jobs:

5 February, 2025

South Africa

Cosatu Urges South African Government to Clarify U.S. Executive Order on Foreign Aid

Cosatu is calling on the South African government to engage its counterpart in the United State of America and clarify the status of the executive order on the Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid. Cosatu in KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary, Edwin Mkhize says the haphazard implementation of this executive order is inflicting pain on the poor and has disregarded workers’ livelihood. He says workers have been left stranded:

3 February, 2025

World

Trump acknowledges tariffs may bring “pain” to Americans

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to impose sweeping tariffs on the United States' top three trading partners, even as he acknowledged there may be "some pain" for Americans. Posting on his Truth Social platform he hit back at criticism arguing the action was warranted against China, Canada and Mexico. Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

3 February, 2025

Africa

Protesters Target Embassies Amid DRC Crisis

Demonstrators in Kinshasa attacked the embassies of Rwanda, France, Belgium, and the United States, condemning international inaction over the escalating crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Meanwhile, gunfire echoed through parts of Goma as Congolese troops clashed with militia fighters backed by Rwandan forces. The eastern city has turned into a battleground since fighters from the Tutsi-led M23 armed group and Rwandan troops entered central Goma on Sunday night.

29 January, 2025

World

Colombia allows military planes with US deportees to land

The United States and Colombia have avoided a 'trade-war', after the South American nation agreed to allow its citizens deported from the US, to arrive in military planes. It follows a dramatic back and forth between Colombia's President and Donald Trump who threatened to impose significant trade sanctions and visa restrictions. Mitch McCann reports:

28 January, 2025

World

Trump pardons 1500 participants in Jan 6th riots

US President Donald Trump has pardoned around 1,500 people accused of criminal activity in the riots on Capitol Hill on January 6th 2021. They include figures convicted of seditious conspiracy and acts of violence as they attempted to halt the certification of Joe Biden's election victory. The President also signed an executive order pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Change accords. From Washington, Simon Marks reports. […]

21 January, 2025

World

China, US need to tackle ‘growing pains’ together

A Chinese state-run media outlet says China and the United States should seek more common ground and avoid strategic misjudgment. It comes just ahead of US president-elect Donald Trump, and just ahead of his inauguration today.

20 January, 2025

World

TikTok has begun restoring access to users in the United States

TikTok has begun restoring access to users in the United States after a brief voluntary shutdown. And according to CBS News, the move followed President-elect Donald Trump's promise to pause a potential ban through an executive order. TikTok expressed gratitude to Trump for providing clarity and assurance to its service providers. The company highlighted its role in supporting free speech and small businesses in the U.S. TikTok also committed […]

20 January, 2025