EU holds first Brussels talks with Taliban since 2021
The European Union and Taliban officials held talks in Brussels on Tuesday on consular services and the situation of Afghans whose asylum applications...
A planned 10% U.S. tariff targeting BRICS nations will be triggered only if they adopt policies deemed "anti-American", a source close to the Trump administration said, amid trade talks and denials from bloc members.
The move, announced by President Donald Trump on Sunday via his Truth Social platform, marked a shift from the blanket tariff hike previously planned for 9 July. The date the tariffs will be effective has now been postponed to 1 August.
"A line is being drawn. If policy decisions are made that are anti-American, then the tariff will be charged," said a source familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
No formal executive order has yet been issued by The White House.
The BRICS group—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—has expanded in recent years to include countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia, though accepted as a member, currently participates as a partner.
In a 31-page communique released hours before Trump’s post, BRICS leaders condemned attacks by Israel on Gaza and Iran, advocated reforms to global institutions, and criticised unilateral tariff measures.
South Africa said its policy stance was not “anti-American” and confirmed that dialogue with U.S. officials remained constructive.
Indonesia, seeking to avert a separate 32% tariff, is expected to sign a $34 billion deal this week and has offered to cut duties on U.S. imports and purchase $500 million worth of American wheat.
Trump’s administration concluded a framework trade deal with Vietnam last week and is pursuing similar agreements with India and Thailand.
Trade experts said the tariff threat appeared intended to strengthen the U.S. negotiating position. Many BRICS and partner countries remain heavily reliant on access to the American market.
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
Authorities in France are reporting that about 20 people have died over the weekend while swimming in unsupervised areas of rivers, lakes and coastal waters as they tried to escape the heatwave.
The European Union and Taliban officials held talks in Brussels on Tuesday on consular services and the situation of Afghans whose asylum applications have been rejected in Europe.
China’s anti-corruption authorities have launched an investigation into Bian Zhigang, a senior defence and space official, over suspected serious violations of discipline and law, officials said on Wednesday.
Alibaba, one of the world's largest technology and e-commerce companies, has sued the U.S. Pentagon after being added to a blacklist of firms it claims support China's military, escalating a dispute with potentially significant consequences for the company.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said inspections in Iran will resume in the near future following an interim peace agreement between Tehran and Washington. However, Iranian officials insist access to key facilities remains contingent on a final deal and the lifting of sanctions.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, underlining growing alignment between the two countries on regional security.
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