Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Putin envoy visits Washington

 

at 4/3/25 3:28pm

Kirill Dmitriev said that the Trump administration “understands” Russia’s position on Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, visited Washington on Thursday. He is the highest Russian official who traveled to the US since diplomatic contacts were suspended in 2022.  Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, previously participated in the Russian-US talks in Riyadh on February 18, where both sides agreed to start gradually normalizing the ties severed by the Biden administration. Speaking to reporters on Thursday evening, Dmitriev noted that President Donald Trump and his team have a better understanding of Russia’s terms than his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. ”We are seeing absolutely clearly that, unlike President Biden, the Trump administration is determined to resolve the issues,” the diplomat said. “They are very respectful. They understand Russia’s position. They are asking a lot of questions and finding compromises,” he added. DETAILS TO FOLLOW

[Link to media]

— Russian MP sacked after skipping work for two years

 

at 4/3/25 3:06pm

The lawmaker has vowed to challenge the decision, insisting he has been sick and missed only about a week without a valid reason A Russian MP has been stripped of his mandate after an internal probe at the State Duma, the country’s lower chamber of parliament, established he has been skipping work for about two years, missing some 200 days without a valid excuse. The lawmaker with Russia’s right-wing Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), Yuri Napso, was booted from the legislature on Wednesday, with the decision backed by 345 MPs of the 450-strong body. The LDPR faction, as well as members of the Russian Communist Party (KPRF) largely abstained from voting. It was determined that the legislator was effectively absent from the Duma beginning in April 2023, and resided in the United Arab Emirates. Napso skipped about 200 workdays without having a valid reason. The mandate termination process can be launched after an MP has not attended a session for a total of 30 days. “The decision comes into force on the day of its adoption. The State Duma strengthens accountability for work and attendance of the lawmakers, continuing to increase discipline. Each MP has a special legal status, which imposes responsibility and obligations,” the legislature stressed. Read more Russian women should wear miniskirts to boost demographics – local politician Napso, however, has rejected the decision, condemning it as “rushed” and not properly investigated, and promising to challenge it in court. Speaking to Russian daily RBK, the now former lawmaker claimed the skipped work days must be consecutive to merit the revocation of his mandate. “They have added up the days that were between unpaid leave and between sick leaves during remission. They have added them up, and it turned out to be more than 200 days,” Napso asserted, claiming he has only skipped a mere six workdays without a valid reason. The impending dismissal of the lawmaker has been rumored since last October, when State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin reportedly tasked the legislature’s internal regulation and mandate commission to look into the affair. The situation has been also assessed by the legislature’s ethics commission, with head Vassily Piskarev strongly condemning the Napso’s behavior. “The status of an MP, as a people’s representative, implies both great powers and special responsibility – to his voters, to the state and to his fellow lawmakers. In accordance with the law, failure of an MP to fulfill his duties for 30 or more calendar days is a reason for termination of his tenure,” Piskarev said earlier this year.

[Link to media]

— US to skip Ukraine military aid meeting for first time – media

 

at 4/3/25 2:47pm

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth will reportedly not attend the Ramstein group either virtually or in person US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will skip the next meeting of countries coordinating military support for Ukraine – the first such absence by a Pentagon chief – Defense News has reported, citing US and European officials. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, or UDCG – also known as the Ramstein group – is set to convene in Brussels on April 11 for the 27th time since the escalation of the conflict in 2022. Founded by Hegseth’s predecessor, Lloyd Austin, the 50-nation coalition has provided more than $126 billion in military aid to Kiev, including F-16 fighter jets and large quantities of 155mm artillery shells. An unnamed US official told the outlet on Wednesday that Hegseth would not attend in person and is not expected to join virtually either. The Pentagon is unlikely to send any senior representatives, who typically accompany the secretary on such trips, the official said. Washington is still assessing how its officials will participate in various Ukraine-related forums, including those overseeing arms deliveries and training, according to the source. Read more Germany announces more military aid for Ukraine Reacting to reports of Hegseth’s likely absence, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote ironically on Telegram: “The crew bids you farewell and wishes you a pleasant flight.” Hegseth attended the Ramstein group’s meeting in February but unlike Austin, did not chair the session. According to the report, Austin missed only one in-person meeting during his tenure – in early 2024 due to health issues – but joined virtually while a senior Pentagon official led the group. The US, which often hosted the meetings at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base, became closely associated with the format. The US, Ukraine’s largest military donor, has since shifted its approach under President Donald Trump, who has called for Kiev to repay aid already delivered. The Trump administration has signaled a broader policy shift, urging European allies to take the lead in supporting Ukraine and boosting their own military spending. In Brussels in February, Hegseth told European officials they should take greater responsibility for their military posture instead of relying on Washington. He also ruled out the possibility of NATO membership for Ukraine – a position confirmed by President Donald Trump.

[Link to media]

— Shameless: How a ‘EU aspirant’ silences opponents and threatens them with jail

 

at 4/3/25 2:36pm

The detention of regional leader Evgenia Gutsul exposes deepening tensions between Moldova and autonomous Gagauzia On March 25, Evgenia Gutsul, the elected leader of Gagauzia, was detained at Chisinau International Airport while attempting to leave Moldova. A court later ordered her to remain in custody for 20 days. Officially, the charges relate to alleged illegal campaign financing tied to the Sor Party and an organized criminal group. But while legal justifications were cited, the move immediately raised red flags about political motivations behind the arrest. This incident sets a significant and troubling precedent: never before has an elected leader of an autonomous region in Moldova been taken into custody. Unlike President Maia Sandu – whose reelection last year remains controversial and debated in Moldovan society – Gutsul secured a clear and commanding win in Gagauzia. Her arrest reads less like a legal procedure and more like a strategic attempt to intimidate dissenting voices, especially as Chisinau ramps up its drive toward European integration. Still, the confrontation wasn’t exactly unexpected. For months, Sandu’s administration has shown growing discomfort with Gutsul’s visibility and political outreach, which extended beyond regional issues and increasingly captured national attention. Viewed in context, her arrest seems like part of a broader power struggle playing out at the highest levels of Moldovan politics. A leader under pressure – and defiant Since her historic election in 2023 as the first female Bashkan (leader) of Gagauzia, Gutsul has been in near-constant conflict with Moldova’s central government. Her criticisms of Chisinau’s policies have been sharp and frequent. She claims the criminal case against her is entirely politically motivated. Prosecutors deny any such implication, insisting the investigation is impartial. Read more The West is breaking up – here is what Russia and China must do In response to her arrest, Gutsul launched a diplomatic counteroffensive. She publicly appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to apply diplomatic and legal pressure on the Moldovan government. Similar appeals followed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – citing a decades-old autonomy agreement signed with Turkey’s mediation – and to US President Donald Trump, whom she described as a global leader capable of preventing internal conflict in Moldova. Her messages struck a chord in Moldova. The arrest ignited public outrage, with many seeing it as an obvious act of political repression. Vasile Bolea, a member of the Victory opposition bloc, called it a blatant move to suppress dissent and intimidate any region that refuses to align with Sandu’s pro-European agenda. Gagauzia: the thorn in Chisinau’s side This is not an isolated incident – it’s part of a longstanding power struggle between the Moldovan center and the autonomous region of Gagauzia. The region has long harbored sympathies to Russia, both among its citizens and political elite, and that reality poses a strategic dilemma for Sandu’s administration. Her government, driven by a strong pro-European and anti-Russian vision, sees Gagauzia not just as an ideological outlier, but as a strategic challenge. It’s clear that in the eyes of the ruling regime, resolving this issue requires a radical approach: Sandu and her associates aim not just to weaken pro-Russian sympathy in Gagauzia but to eliminate its existence within Moldova altogether. Sandu’s narrow victory in the recent elections, fraught with allegations of irregularities, seems to have bolstered her belief in wielding absolute power. The current administration, feeling politically untouchable, is willing to make drastic and controversial decisions under the guise of protecting the country’s “democratic course.” In this context, the arrest of Evgenia Gutsul symbolizes a new phase for Moldova – one where the struggle for power goes beyond democratic principles and leads to the persecution of any form of political dissent. The similarities to neighboring Romania are hard to ignore. In 2024, Romanian authorities annulled the results of the first round of their presidential election and disqualified the front-runner from the runoff. Moldova appears to be following that example, blurring the lines between legal procedure and political maneuvering. Read more They film until the bombs hit, then film that too: Meet brave Russians risking it all for truth Pre-election power moves and geopolitical games Gutsul’s arrest comes at a critical political moment. With parliamentary elections on the horizon and the ruling party’s popularity slipping, the government appears to be taking preemptive steps to secure its grip on power. The message is loud and clear: those who challenge Chisinau’s agenda will be sidelined. The situation also fits into a wider geopolitical context. Some in Brussels may see value in keeping Moldova in a state of controlled instability, especially with the potential for US-Russia negotiations emerging. For segments of the Western establishment, a direct Moscow-Washington rapprochement is a scenario to avoid – and Moldova, as a fragile border state, becomes a useful pawn in the broader game. Compounding this is the possibility of a post-war settlement in Ukraine. Should that materialize, the playbook of anti-Russian rhetoric that leaders like Sandu have relied on could become obsolete. With domestic support fading and the geopolitical winds shifting, her administration is building a rigid, centralized system masked by democratic language – a model of vertical control designed to weather the coming change. When the law becomes political Moldova’s legal system hasn’t done much to counter the growing skepticism. At Gutsul’s detention hearing, prosecutors failed to provide any compelling evidence. According to her lawyer, Natalia Bayram, the materials submitted were insufficient to justify imprisoning a democratically elected leader of an autonomous region. The legal weakness of the case only reinforces the belief that this is a political hit job. Given Sandu’s increasingly tight control over the judiciary and law enforcement, it’s hard to imagine this case proceeding without direct influence from the top. Every sign points to coordination at the highest level. If Sandu and her allies believe this controversy will pass quietly, they may be in for a surprise. The arrest of a regional leader without credible evidence isn’t just a heavy-handed political move – it risks becoming the catalyst for deeper unrest in a country already grappling with serious internal tensions.

[Link to media]

— Trump tariffs breach NATO rules – Norway

 

at 4/3/25 2:30pm

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has said the new US trade policy may violate the military bloc’s economic commitments Recently imposed US tariffs could breach NATO’s founding principles by undermining economic cooperation among allies, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has said. He raised the issue during the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Thursday, public broadcaster NRK has reported. The official reportedly pointed to Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which commits members to strengthen economic ties to foster peace and stability within the alliance. “If you want a strong NATO, you should ensure that there is as much economic growth as possible in the NATO countries,” NKR quoted him as saying. “That was the insight of those who established NATO, that economic cooperation would be good for the entire alliance,” the diplomat added. According to the outlet, Eide raised the matter directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the meeting, saying “We must be clear that protectionist measures between allies are a serious problem.” Read more US won’t leave NATO – Rubio On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariff increases on numerous trading partners, including NATO countries. Norway is among those affected, facing a 15% duty on selected exports to the United States. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told NKR on Thursday that Oslo would seek to negotiate with the US over the tariffs. “This is bad news, it is very serious,” Store said. “There is an opening for negotiations here, the Americans say, and we will use that in every possible way that we can,” he added. Trump’s announcement has sparked concern across the EU, with several NATO allies voicing fears that the tariffs could harm both trade and alliance unity. French President Emmanuel Macron has called the tariffs “brutal and unfounded,” and warned that retaliation could include a digital tax on American tech companies.

[Link to media]

— Russian home appliance market struggling – industry boss

 

at 4/3/25 12:50pm

With bank deposit rates up, consumers are choosing saving over spending, the head of retailer DNS has said Russia’s home appliance and electronics market is facing its sharpest downturn in decades as consumers opt to save rather than spend, the head of major retail chain DNS has said. Dmitry Alekseev made the comments on Thursday, writing on Telegram that current conditions are unprecedented in his 30 years in the industry. Preliminary estimates suggest first-quarter sales may have dropped by around 15%, he said. “We’ve seen the market dropping in units, we’ve seen it fall in dollars or in real rubles adjusted for inflation,” Alekseev wrote. “But I don’t recall a time when it was simply falling in rubles – not like this.” He wrote the sector is now losing out to banks, with high interest rates encouraging Russians to move cash into deposits rather than spend on big-ticket items. Traditionally, around 30% of purchases in the segment were made on credit, Alekseev noted. That share has now fallen below 5%, as access to loans has become increasingly limited. Statistics show consumer lending in Russia dropped by 21% in 2024 compared to the previous year, as banks tightened approval criteria. The central bank’s stricter regulations – including lending caps aimed at curbing household debt – were the main factor behind the decline in late 2024 and early 2025. Alekseev suggested the drop in demand was driven not only by rising prices or the shift to online marketplaces. “Consumers now have a clear alternative – they can either spend the money or put it in the bank and earn 2% a month,” he said. READ MORE: Russians spent record amount on cars in 2024 – data DNS is a Russian retail chain specializing in electronics and home appliances, founded in 1998. It also produces goods under several in-house brands. The company says it operates more than 2,000 stores across Russia, with a presence in several CIS countries.

[Link to media]

— US embassy staff in China banned from dating locals – AP

 

at 4/3/25 12:34pm

American officials working in China have been reportedly subjected to a blanket “non-fraternization” policy Washington has banned its diplomatic personnel in China, as well as their family members and contractors with security clearances, from engaging into any sort of “romantic and sexual relations” with Chinese citizens, AP reported on Thursday, citing four people with direct knowledge of the matter. The policy was reportedly enacted by departing US Ambassador Nicholas Burns in January, days before US President Donald Trump took office. It expanded on a policy introduced last summer that prohibited staff at the US embassy and five consulates from engaging in intimate relations with Chinese guards and other supporting personnel. The AP said it was not able to determine how exactly “romantic and sexual relations” were defined by the policy. The latest changes have effectively turned the policy into a blanket “non-fraternization” approach reminiscent of the Cold War era, the agency reported. The change has been communicated verbally and through electronic mail to the staffers, but was never publicly announced, the sources said. Read more American influencers would rather China spy on them than the CIA – and they’re right Only US personnel with pre-existing relations with Chinese nationals are subject to individually reviewed exemptions. Should an exemption be denied, they are obliged to end their relationship, the sources claimed. Anyone found in violation of the policy will be ordered to leave China and return home immediately. Western intelligence agencies, particularly those of the US and the UK, have long warned diplomatic workers and private individuals alike against engaging in relationships with Chinese nationals. The intelligence services have repeatedly accused Beijing of running a vast “honey trap” spy network, composed primarily of attractive females, who allegedly target foreign nationals, engaging in long-term relationships with them and ultimately pressuring them into cooperation with Beijing. While no solid evidence of such activities has ever been presented, China has repeatedly denied the allegations and accused Western intelligence services of merely projecting their own “disgraceful acts” onto the country.

[Link to media]

— They film until the bombs hit, then film that too: Meet brave Russians risking it all for truth

 

at 4/3/25 12:14pm

War reporters face artillery fire, drone strikes, and targeted attacks – yet keep returning to the front. They explain to RT why. On March 26, tragic news of the death of Anna Prokofieva, a war correspondent for Channel One, quickly spread through Russian and international media. The young journalist, known for her courageous reporting and exclusive frontline footage, died after stepping on a Ukrainian landmine in Russia's Belgorod region. Shortly before her death, Izvestia reporter Aleksandr Fedorchak, Zvezda channel cameraman Andrey Panov, and driver Aleksandr Sirkeli were killed by a Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) artillery strike in the Lugansk People’s Republic. Several other journalists were wounded. Every day, war correspondents knowingly put themselves in harm’s way to carry out their work. The risks are growing, but that hasn’t stopped them. In conversations with RT, military journalists spoke about what it’s like to work in the war zone – and why they continue taking these risks. “She truly lived for her work” The image of a smiling, striking young woman stands in stark contrast to the life of a war correspondent constantly reporting from Ukraine’s most dangerous hotspots. But Anna Prokofieva was someone who embodied that contradiction. Her death was widely reported across Russian and foreign outlets, and she will be remembered for her courage and her presence on some of the toughest frontlines. “We always admired how she would choose the most dangerous parts of the front line,” said Dmitry Kulko, a Channel One war correspondent. “She knew a lot of people there. The soldiers respected her and often brought her along. During the key phase of liberating Sudzha, she was with the troops on the western front in the occupied part of Kursk region. As our forces advanced, she was right there with them. She wasn’t afraid of anything, she always moved forward. She wanted to show what was really happening. That was important to her – she truly lived for her work.” Anna Prokofieva, war correspondent for Channel One, April 8, 1989 — March 26, 2025. ©  Social network According to Kulko, Anna didn’t originally plan to go to the war zone as a journalist. At first, she simply wanted to help. She brought humanitarian aid to Donetsk. But over time, she realized she wanted to show the world what was going on and tell those stories. Despite having no formal journalistic background, she was hired as a war correspondent at Channel One because of her deep desire to help the people living through the conflict – and the soldiers she respected. When she first arrived, some people said she was too vibrant, too beautiful – they called it ‘glamorous war reporting,’” Kulko said. “But very soon, her courage shut down those comments. She brought back exclusive footage from the thick of battle. To do that, you have to share the risks with the soldiers. And she was always ready to do that.” He added that as early as 2014, it had become clear that journalists were being targeted by Ukrainian forces in the same way as senior officers. Dmitry Kulko, Channel One war correspondent. “The world needs the truth. That’s why we’re there.” The loss of colleagues is something war correspondents carry with them constantly. “War brings both the sorrow of loss and the joy of victory. Every time I hear about the death of a friend, a colleague, or another journalist, I start replaying moments in my mind – where we met, the last time we saw each other,” says Stanislav Obishchenko, a journalist with the Reporters project. “Even if you only spoke with someone for a few minutes, at the front they become more than just a passing acquaintance. They’re real, strong people who consciously chose this path. And they stay with you – in your memory, in your heart. You might shake hands or exchange a few words with hundreds of people during your time in the war zone. You forget most of them. But when their photo suddenly appears in the news, it all comes back. You remember the warmth of their handshake. And it feels like you’ve lost a friend.” Stanislav Obishchenko, journalist with the Reporters project. ©  Social network Obishchenko says that when he finds out someone he knew has been killed, he isolates himself for a while, opens up old chats and photos – whatever is left behind – and tries to remember every detail of their time together. “At the end of last year, there were thirty names on that list. More have been added since then. Sure, we’re brave, we’re professionals. But we’re also mortal. As Mikhail Bulgakov wrote, we are ‘unexpectedly mortal.’” The first colleague Obishchenko lost on the front was Anatoly Klyan, killed when Ukrainian forces opened fire on a bus carrying soldiers’ mothers. Obishchenko is convinced it was a deliberate attack. Since then, he believes, Russian journalists have become regular targets. “They were shot at with anti-aircraft guns even when they were among refugees. That was the case with Andrey Stenin, Sergey Korentchenkov, and Andrey Vyachyalo. Igor Kornelyuk and Anton Voloshin were hit with mortar fire on a road near Lugansk. There were missile strikes. Artillery. Then came terrorist attacks – Vladlen Tatarsky, Darya Dugina,” he says. His friend, Semyon Yeryomin, was killed in a drone strike. Later, the Ukrainian military published the footage of his death – as if to send a message. Semyon Yeryomin, military reporter for Izvestia. February 25, 1982 – April 19, 2024. “Since 2014, the enemy has acted with extraordinary cynicism – more so than in other wars. For them, journalists were always targets. They see us as propagandists, as people who expose their crimes. After the start of the Special Military Operation, it got even worse. There are drones everywhere. Drone pilots can clearly see who’s on the move, but they still attack us. These are targeted strikes. It’s a hunt for journalists. And yet, we keep going. The world needs the truth. That’s why we’re there.” Obishchenko says the danger can’t really be reduced. You either report from the front or you don’t. Still, there are rules for staying alive: move only with the military, undergo emergency medical training, and know how to drive a stick shift. “All of this might save your life. And not just yours – it could save someone close to you, someone you care about.” “You climb on the tank and go” For seasoned war correspondents, fear isn’t the main concern anymore. Their focus is on getting the job done. In fall 2024, Denis Kulaga, a military reporter for Izvestia, was wounded near Chasov Yar in the Donetsk People’s Republic. He was supposed to move on foot with the troops, but the company commander suggested using a quad bike instead. Kulaga admits the idea shook him. Denis Kulaga, military reporter for Izvestia. ©  Social network “He saw I was scared,” Kulaga says. “And he said, ‘Give the camera to the guys, let them film everything, and you can just do the voiceover later.’ Maybe that would’ve been safer. But I think that if you’ve come as a journalist and you have a mission, you have to do your job. Even though I knew we might die, I said yes. That’s our job. You know it could mean death, but you climb onto the tank anyway. Even when it’s leaving from a hidden position, even when they’re using electronic warfare – it doesn’t mean you’re safe. Still, you go. You don’t back out.” Their quad bike was hit by an FPV drone. Kulaga suffered shrapnel wounds to both legs, along with burns and fractures. He’s still struggling to walk, but he says that as soon as he’s able, he’ll return to the front. “My only issue is that I can’t walk properly right now. But God willing, when I recover, I’ll go back. For me, like for most real war correspondents, losing a colleague is a huge tragedy and deep sorrow – but it’s not a reason to quit. Before my own injury, we buried many friends. That never stopped us. Our goal is to show that the Russian army really is advancing. This isn’t fake news. That’s why we go where we might be killed. That’s where propaganda and counter-propaganda clash. When we say we’re advancing, the other side denies it and brings their own arguments. But to prove otherwise, you have to be there. You have to bring back footage from the very place where the fighting is happening. That’s how it was in 2022, and that’s how it still is today.” Kulaga says the SMO is tougher than any other conflict he’s covered. He’s previously reported from the Tajik-Afghan border, during the second Karabakh war, and spent almost two years in Syria. “The SMO is something else entirely. What I’ve seen since mid-2023… The first time I encountered an FPV drone, I didn’t even know what it was. I just heard this terrifying noise. We had no idea what kind of horror those drones would bring. Before, even if you weren’t right on the front lines, you could still follow the troops into assaults and film things safely. Now, that’s unthinkable.” Izvestia reporter Aleksandr Fedorchak. July 29, 1996 — March 24, 2025. ©  Social network He says the Ukrainian forces don’t make any distinctions. “They don’t care if you’re a journalist or if someone’s wounded. If they see a target, they eliminate it. We were unarmed – just a camera in my hands – and they still hit us with a drone. It killed the wounded commander. I get the feeling they’re happy when a journalist dies. It brings them joy. It’s like they celebrate over our bodies. For them, a journalist’s death matters more than a successful counterattack. They don’t see us as the biggest threat, but Russian correspondents are often on the front lines. Ukrainian journalists rarely go there. Our reporting creates confusion in the ranks of the AFU. It makes it harder for Ukrainian journalists to raise morale. So, the less information we provide, the better it is for them.” “Those who work, die” The fact that Russian journalists are killed more frequently those on the Ukrainian side, war correspondent Alexey Larkin claims, is a reflection of how much more actively Russian reporters work near the front. “It’s not about being targeted specifically as journalists,” he explains. “That’s a myth. The enemy just hits anything within range. Through a drone’s camera, it’s almost impossible to distinguish a soldier from a journalist – unless you’re clearly not holding a weapon. That’s the only difference.” War correspondent Alexey Larkin. But the nature of this conflict, Larkin says, has made it far more dangerous for reporters than any previous war. “We’ve crossed a line with the rise of kamikaze drones. War without drones now feels like a walk in the park compared to this. Drones are not just a threat to your life – they create constant tension that makes it hard to concentrate, hard to work. You can’t pause to set up a thoughtful shot, or conduct an interview in peace. You have to move fast. Because of that, we mostly film indoors now or farther from the actual front line.” He adds that the Ukrainian army is the toughest opponent Russian forces have faced in decades. The war has little in common with conflicts in Africa or the Middle East. The weapons involved – FPV drones, Turkish Bayraktar drones, HIMARS rocket systems, magnetic and petal mines, and even drones allegedly laced with toxins to prevent capture – all make this battlefield something else entirely. That’s why I say Russian military journalists are the most experienced in the world today,” Larkin says. “We’ve had to become experts in tactical medicine. The equipment matters too – off-road vehicles that don’t break down, expensive EW systems, drone detection tools. Not every newsroom can afford that kind of gear, but it saves lives.” Today, he says, working on the front requires a much more strategic approach. Every trip feels like a military operation in itself and must be planned with precision. “The more thoroughly a journalist plans their day, the safer it is for everyone involved. But even that doesn’t guarantee survival.” On March 24, 2025, Andrei Panov (R), an operator for the TV channel "Zvezda", and Alexander Sirkeli (L), a driver for the film crew, were killed in a targeted strike by two HIMARS rockets on a civilian vehicle carrying journalists. ©  "Zvezda" TV channel According to Larkin, the biggest difference between a true war correspondent and someone just chasing a story is that the real ones will go to the front no matter what. “They’ll go, whether they’re protected or not. That’s what motivates them – it’s their purpose. Real war correspondents take risks every single day. They’ve accepted those risks. That’s why they die. Because unless you’re ready to risk your life, unless you’re willing to break the rules, you won’t survive in this profession. That’s just how it is.” And with that, Larkin sums up the mindset that unites all who work in war zones. “It’s inevitable. Those who really work, die. Sooner or later, one assignment will be your last. And everyone understands that – it’s part of the job. Every war correspondent I know, including myself, accepts this calmly and rationally.”

[Link to media]

— Major global bank warns of potential dollar crisis

 

at 4/3/25 11:18am

Deutsche Bank has raised concerns over a possible erosion of trust in the US currency amid escalating trade tensions A deepening crisis of confidence in the US dollar may be unfolding, Deutsche Bank has warned. The caution follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping new tariffs, which have rattled financial markets and intensified fears of a global trade war. In a note to clients on Thursday cited by Reuters, George Saravelos, global head of foreign exchange research at the German financial giant, said that major changes in capital flows could destabilize currency markets. “Our overall message is that there is a risk that major shifts in capital flow allocations take over from currency fundamentals and that FX [foreign exchange market] moves become disorderly,” he wrote. The US dollar has dropped sharply this week, falling more than 1.5% against both the euro and the Japanese yen and over 1% against the British pound. The declines come in the wake of Trump’s decision to impose tariffs, ranging from 10% to 50%, on a broad range of imports from dozens of countries. Heightening fears of a global trade war have reportedly spurred investors to seek safe-haven assets. Read more A ‘blow’ to the global economy: World leaders react to Trump’s tariff onslaught Saravelos cautioned that a prolonged erosion of trust in the dollar could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the eurozone, posing challenges to the European Central Bank (ECB). “The last thing the ECB wants is an externally imposed disinflationary shock from a loss in dollar confidence and a sharp appreciation in the euro on top of tariffs,” he said. The ECB has reportedly voiced concerns that the US trade measures could disrupt global economic cooperation, destabilize inflation expectations, and force monetary policy recalibration. The fallout from the tariffs has been swift. Stock markets have tumbled worldwide, oil prices have dropped, and bond yields have retreated as investors brace for slower economic growth. Meanwhile, assets seen as safe havens—including gold, German bunds, and the Swiss franc—have all seen an increase in demand. Other financial institutions, including JPMorgan and Fitch, have issued similar warnings, the Financial Times and Reuters report, estimating that the tariffs could reduce US GDP growth by up to 1.5% and potentially tip other major economies into recession.

[Link to media]

— ICC ‘means absolutely nothing’ – expert

 

at 4/3/25 11:04am

The Hague-based institution has no support from “the great powers,” according to George Szamuely from the Global Policy Institute The International Criminal Court (ICC) has no legal standing whatsoever because it is not an agency of the United Nations and “the great powers” want nothing to do with it, a political expert has told RT. In an interview on Thursday, George Szamuely, senior research fellow at the Global Policy Institute in Budapest, commented on Hungary’s decision to pull out of the ICC. According to Szamuely, the court was created by Western powers at the peak of their hegemony in the 1990s “as a mechanism for them to order the rest of the world around.” However, since nations like Russia, China, and India “chose not to sign on to the Rome Statute” – the ICC’s founding treaty – and the US later revoked its support, the court in effect “means absolutely nothing.”

[Link to media]

— US won’t leave NATO – Rubio

 

at 4/3/25 10:22am

Washington is as active as ever in the military bloc, the secretary of state has said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reassured NATO member states that Washington remains committed to the military bloc, insisting however that the members must drastically increase their defense spending. Rubio made the remarks at NATO’s foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Thursday. President Donald Trump had previously threatened to withdraw the US from NATO if its member states failed to increase their military spending. He has pushed for a hike to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) from the current 2%. Read more EU ‘rearmament’ plan meets resistance over debt concerns – Politico “The United States is in NATO ... The United States is as active in NATO as it has ever been,” Rubio told reporters, dismissing doubts about that commitment as “hysteria.” The secretary of state went on to stress that Trump was “not against NATO” but rather against a bloc “that does not have the capabilities that it needs to fulfil the obligations” under its founding treaty. NATO data shows that last year, 23 out of 32 member nations fulfilled or surpassed the 2% benchmark. Rubio insisted that “every single one” of the NATO members must agree on a “realistic pathway” to eventually committing 5% of GDP to defense. He acknowledged that reaching the target would take years, but stressed that the commitment must be genuine. Eastern European members like Estonia and Poland have supported Washington’s push—with Estonia already committing 3.7% of GDP and Poland aiming for 4.7%. Its leading economies, however, such as Italy and Germany, have criticized the 5% goal as unrealistic, citing fiscal pressures. READ MORE: Von der Leyen criticized for skirting EU oversight Trump’s NATO rhetoric has prompted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to propose a ‘rearmament’ plan to ramp up military spending through loans. Southern European states, however, have reportedly been pushing back against the initiative, voicing “serious doubts” about taking on additional debt.

[Link to media]

— ‘Sit back and take it in’ – US treasury to tariff-hit nations

 

at 4/3/25 10:11am

Secretary Scott Bessent has urged American trading partners not to retaliate against Washington’s new import taxes US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged Washington’s trading partners not to retaliate against President Donald Trump’s latest set of tariffs. Trump on Wednesday announced reciprocal tariffs on exports from countries around the world, part of what he has branded his ‘Liberation Day’ plan, raising fears of a global trade war. Speaking to Fox News shortly after Trump’s announcement, Bessent said that the levies aimed to lay the groundwork for long-term economic growth. “My advice to every country right now is do not retaliate,” Bessent said. “Sit back, take it in, let’s see how it goes.”  He warned that retaliation would lead to escalation. Trump has framed his ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs as a way to restore balance to global trade. He has long accused foreign countries of abusing the openness of the US market and “ripping off” the American people. The US will impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports starting April 5. Individual, reciprocal tariffs will take effect on April 9. A separate 25% tariff on cars and trucks comes into force on April 3, with the same rate on auto parts to follow on May 3. Countries targeted with reciprocal tariffs include China (34%), India (26%), Japan (24%), South Korea (25%) and South Africa (30%). Trump also imposed 20% duties on EU goods, calling the bloc’s members “very tough traders.”  Read more Trump rolls out sweeping new tariffs World leaders have condemned the sweeping measures. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday called them a “major blow to the world economy.” “The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe,” she said, adding that while the EU is ready to negotiate, it is also prepared to respond with countermeasures. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed the criticism, calling Trump’s decision “fundamentally wrong” and “an attack on a trade system.” “We want cooperation, not confrontation, and will defend our interests,” Scholz said. The Chinese Commerce Ministry urged the US to “immediately” lift unilateral tariffs and properly resolve trade disputes “through dialogue on an equal footing.” “There are no winners in trade wars, and is no way out for protectionism,” the ministry said.

[Link to media]

— US faces fiscal collapse – Michael Bloomberg

 

at 4/3/25 9:46am

Congress must focus on restoring fiscal control and deficit reduction in order to avoid “the grim reckoning,” the billionaire believes The US is heading for a “fiscal breakdown,” and Congress should take urgent measures to restore fiscal control instead of eyeing more borrowing, billionaire Michael Bloomberg believes. The former New York Mayor warned about the impending collapse on Tuesday in the media outlet he established. He reflected on the latest Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections, that indicated the US budget deficit and federal debt are bound to grow, albeit at slower speeds than projected a year ago. These dire forecasts send an “unambiguous message” that “there’ll be a reckoning, and it will be grim” unless Congress urgently changes course, Bloomberg warned. The US is heading towards a “fiscal breakdown” given that public borrowing is expected “to remain at this elevated level or higher for decades,” he pointed out. “The federal government is currently spending roughly $7 trillion and collecting only $5 trillion in taxes annually. The resulting deficit is a little over 6% of gross domestic product, a disturbingly high number for an economy around full employment,” he wrote. US deficits have reached record levels this decade. Assuming no recessions, public debt will rise to 100% of GDP this year and 118% by 2035 – and it just keeps rising from there. The founder of Bloomberg L. P. criticized the proposed tax cuts repeatedly promised by US President Donald Trump as well as the import duties he is pursuing in order to restore the balance of trade. “The [tariffs’] impact on overall revenue is likely to be negative, because tariffs depress commercial activity and job creation,” Bloomberg suggested. Read more Moody’s issues warning on US finances The ongoing cost-cutting efforts of the Trump administration are unlikely to have any long-term impact on the budget, while damaging public services and angering voters who see that “public parks are closed, health care is declining, and deaths from infectious disease are becoming more common,” Bloomberg suggested. “Savings from slashing the federal payroll won’t have any appreciable effect, either. For all the media attention generated by cuts to personnel and programs — and some of them are warranted — they are having almost no impact on restraining the budget deficit,” he wrote. Instead, the US government should cautiously raise taxes while further reducing spending and keep some pro-growth measures intact, such as a “bigger standard income-tax deduction and stronger investment incentives,” in order to “deliver a substantial net reduction in projected deficits,” Bloomberg suggested. “Restoring fiscal control should be job No. 1 for this Congress. The only sensible approach is to combine moderate tax increases and judicious cuts in spending. Spreading the burden would allow the changes to be more palatable and gradual, if they’re undertaken soon,” he wrote.

[Link to media]

— ICC responds to Netanyahu’s Hungary visit

 

at 4/3/25 8:54am

The Israeli PM is visiting Budapest despite an arrest warrant issued against him by The Hague-based court The International Criminal Court (ICC) has said Hungary is obligated to cooperate with an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the Israeli leader arrived for a visit to Budapest on Thursday.   The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November, over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza. Netanyahu traveled on Thursday to Hungary, which had earlier insisted it would not detain the Israeli leader.  Budapest also announced on Thursday that it was starting the official procedure of withdrawing from the ICC. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban explained the move by claiming that The Hague-based court had turned into a “political tool” in recent years. Speaking about Netanyahu’s visit to Budapest later in the day, ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah said “the court recalls that Hungary remains under a duty to cooperate with the ICC.” Read more EU state announces withdrawal from ICC Reuters earlier reported that it would likely take Hungary at least a year to fully withdraw from the ICC. Budapest signed the Rome Statute, which gives the ICC its powers, in 1999 and ratified it two years later. The ICC’s jurisdiction is currently recognized by 123 countries, but the court does not have its own police force and relies on member-states to detain and transfer suspects. Orban invited Netanyahu to visit Hungary a day after The Hague-based court issued an arrest warrant against him, saying that he would “guarantee him that if he comes, the ICC ruling will have no effect in Hungary, and we will not follow its contents.” During a joint press-conference with his Hungarian counterpart on Thursday, Netanyahu praised Budapest’s “bold and principled” decision to pull out from the court. Netanyahu insisted that it is “important to stand up to this corrupt organization,” expressing confidence that Budapest will not be the last capital to abandon the ICC. Last month, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resumed airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza as talks with Palestinian armed group Hamas over the release of the remaining hostages and implementation of a truce collapsed. READ MORE: Netanyahu defies ICC with Budapest visit (PHOTOS) According to the latest data from Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 50,523 Palestinians have been killed and 114,638 others wounded inside the enclave since the IDF began its attacks on Gaza in response to a deadly incursion by Hamas into Israel on October 7, 2023.

[Link to media]

— Interpol refuses request to arrest Bosnian Serb leader

 

at 4/3/25 8:34am

Milorad Dodik has thanked Serbia for challenging Bosnia and Herzegovina’s push for a Red Notice against him Interpol has rejected Bosnia and Herzegovina's request to issue wanted alerts for the president and parliament speaker of Republika Srpska – a Serb-majority region within the country. Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik made the announcement on X on Wednesday. Bosnia's state court also confirmed to Reuters that a Red Notice for Dodik and parliament speaker Nenad Stevandic had not come into effect. A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. Interpol’s decision followed an appeal from neighboring Serbia, which argued that Sarajevo’s request was politically motivated and violated Interpol's neutrality principles. ”I just received a call from [Serbian] President Aleksandar Vucic to inform me that… that Interpol rejected the request of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to issue a red notice for [Speaker Nenad] Stevandic and me,” Dodik wrote on X on Wednesday. Read more Western ‘interventionism’ has turned Bosnia and Herzegovina into a ‘failed state’ – Bosnian Serb leader The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina had sought the Interpol notice after Dodik defied an arrest warrant at home and traveled to Serbia, Israel, and Russia in March. Dodik and Stevandic have been accused of “attacking the constitutional order” by allegedly enacting laws that restrict the operations of Bosnia’s state-level judiciary and law enforcement agencies. Created under the 1995 US-brokered Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina is comprised of the Bosniak-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska, with a tripartite presidency and an international overseer – the Office of the High Representative (OHR). Dodik has long rejected the OHR’s authority, accusing it of overreach and undermining Republika Srpska’s autonomy. He was sentenced in February to a year in prison and a six-year political ban for defying the OHR. The Serbian leadership vowed to prevent the detention of Republika Srpska’s top officials and described Sarajevo’s moves as a “continuous attempt at revenge” against Dodik and the Serbian people. Russia denounced Dodik’s conviction as an “absolutely political” decision by the Bosnia and Herzegovina judiciary based on a “pseudo-law” pushed through by the OHR. READ MORE: Moscow comments on conviction of Bosnian Serb leader Earlier this week, Dodik visited Russia for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an interview with RT, he said the Dayton Agreement is no longer upheld and that he is seeking Putin's assistance in bringing the situation to the UN Security Council.

[Link to media]

— White House explains Russia’s absence from tariff list

 

at 4/3/25 8:28am

Existing sanctions have significantly reduced trade with Moscow, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Russia was excluded from President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs because existing US sanctions have already severely restricted trade between the two countries, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said. Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday following the announcement of broad import duties, Bessent explained that Russia, along with Belarus, Cuba, and North Korea, was not targeted under the new measures as the US “does not trade meaningfully with these countries.” In Russia’s case, he emphasized that “the sanctions are already doing the work that tariffs would.” Trump on Tuesday unveiled new tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on imported goods from dozens of countries. They include 34% for Chinese imports, 20% on EU products, and 24% on goods from Japan. According to the president, the move is part of a broader strategy to promote American industry and correct what Trump described as “grossly unfair trade imbalances.” Read more Trump rolls out sweeping new tariffs The exclusion of Russia from this list raised questions from the media, given the ongoing Ukraine conflict and Washington’s sanctions policy against Moscow. However, administration officials have argued that restrictions imposed since 2022 have already diminished trade to the point where tariffs would have little additional effect. American imports from Russia fell to approximately $3 billion in 2024, down 34.2% from the previous year, according to US government data. In contrast, the US imported $427 billion in goods from China during the same period, underscoring the limited scope of US–Russia trade. The Kremlin has denounced Western sanctions as illegal, repeatedly arguing that the restrictions have failed to destabilize the Russian economy or isolate it from the global financial system. With the escalation of Western sanctions since 2022, Russia has focused on shifting trade to Asia and the Global South, primarily China and India. Read more Russian GDP grew 4.1% in 2024 – Mishustin Russia’s GDP growth came in at 3.6% in 2023 and 4.1% last year, according to data published earlier this year by the state statistics agency, Rosstat. Nominal GDP hit a record high of 200 trillion rubles (over $2 trillion) by the end of 2024, the report indicated. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development expects a GDP growth rate of 2.5% this year, while the Bank of Russia is projecting a 0.5-1.5% expansion. At the same time, the Biden-Trump transition period has seen a modest thaw in US–Russia diplomatic contact. Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special economic envoy and head of the country’s sovereign wealth fund, visited Washington this week for closed-door meetings with administration officials and business leaders. It marked the highest-level Russian visit since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict.

[Link to media]

— India may turn to new partners due to US tariffs – ex-commerce secretary

 

at 4/3/25 8:22am

New Delhi could eye increased trade with China and Southeast Asian countries US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 26% tariff on imports from India could prompt New Delhi to explore alternative partnerships and potentially increase trade with other countries. Talking to RT, Ajay Dua, former secretary of the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said that Trump’s move had been “harsher” than expected. He noted that policymakers, exporters and others “had hoped to be exempt from the levies due to ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement between the US and India.”   Dua believes the tariffs will hurt India’s export sector, given the country’s $35-40 billion trade surplus with the US. He suggested that India may need to “reassess the situation” and consider “retaliatory tariffs” or “negotiate an early harvest agreement” to reduce tariffs on certain items. He emphasized that India is willing to unilaterally reduce duties on certain items, such as crude oil and almonds, but expects the US to reconsider its insistence on India removing protection for its agricultural sector. He noted that farming was a sensitive issue in the country, with 45% of the workforce dependent on it, and that the country needed to protect its farmers. Speaking on the impact on US-India diplomatic relations, Dua said New Delhi would like to resolve the trade issue amicably and avoid jeopardizing the overall relationship.  He added that India was also willing to look at lowering import duties on almonds, pistachios and apples, which the country imports in fairly large quantities. Dua acknowledged that trade-related issues should not affect cooperation in defense, science, and technology. Read more China invites India to a ‘Dragon-Elephant tango’ The present situation may lead to a re-evaluation of trade alliances, with India potentially strengthening ties with other Asian countries, including China. Dua mentioned that Beijing is boosting trade with India following Trump’s tariff plan, which could mark the beginning of an ‘Asian powerhouse’ partnership. Recently, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong told the Global Times that ties between the two countries are “at a crucial stage” and that Beijing is “willing to work with the Indian side to strengthen practical cooperation in trade and other areas, and to import more Indian products that are well-suited to the Chinese market.” He added, “We also welcome more Indian enterprises to cross the Himalayas and seek opportunities for cooperation in China, sharing the dividends of China’s development.” Dua also noted that India had a trade agreement with the Southeast Asian countries and might consider joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to lower tariffs and promote trade within the region.

[Link to media]

— Why is BRICS+ suddenly running everything?

 

at 4/3/25 8:20am

Nations of the alliance make a significant contribution to crucial sectors of the world economy, and this also increases the group’s political role BRICS+ collectively represents nearly half of the world’s population and is set to overtake the G7 in terms of global GDP share by 2028. The figures underscore the critical role of BRICS in the international arena, showcasing its influence over essential sectors like agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and the extraction of minerals. At the Kazan summit in October 2024, BRICS+ leaders invited 13 more countries to join as partners. The new BRICS partner states which accepted the invitation are Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Nigeria, Algeria, and Uzbekistan. On January 6, 2025, Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populus country, joined BRICS as a full member, making it the first Southeast Asian state to join the bloc, as well as the tenth member of BRICS. Read more A new world order in the making: Here’s why this BRICS summit will be special BRICS member states’ combined GDP accounts for more than 41% of global GDP. India is 8% of world GDP, Russia over 3.5%, Brazil over 2.4%, and Indonesia 2.4%, while China’s economy accounts for approximately 19.5% of the world’s GDP. Gross Domestic Product is a measurement of the value of all of the goods and services produced in a country in one year. However, if you look at the composition of the GDP in the US, the actual production of tangible products that people need for their lives is just around 10% of its GDP. Around 21% of the US GDP comes from the FIRE sector (finance, insurance, and real estate). Higher fees from banks and brokers boost GDP. Professional and business services, including white-collar jobs like lawyers and managers, also contribute. Healthcare represents 18% of GDP, but the US has poor public healthcare outcomes despite spending twice as much as other advanced economies (their healthcare spending ranges from 9.6% to 12.4%), including those among the BRICS+ nations. Additionally, 8% of US GDP comes from imputed rents for owner-occupied housing, which is a theoretical figure rather than actual income. BRICS+ countries account for nearly half of global GDP in areas like food production, energy manufacturing, and public health, when measured by Parity Purchasing Power (PPP). GDP reflects value of all the goods and services produced by countries in global terms, while GDP by PPP focuses on what money can actually buy in each country. Global food production BRICS+ has become a key player in global food production. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are major contributors to primary crops like sugar, corn, rice, wheat, palm oil, and potatoes. These countries produce nearly 90% of the world’s palm oil and substantial amounts of soybean and canola oil. In the meat sector, Brazil and China lead in the production of chicken, pork, and beef, with China also being the largest producer of hen eggs. Additionally, China, India, and Indonesia account for over 70% of global aquaculture production. This agricultural capacity positions BRICS+ as crucial players in the global food supply chain. BRICS+ not only addresses food production but also helps stabilize global food security challenges. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices, BRICS+ solidifies its role as the “Bread Basket of the World”. Energy BRICS+ nations are major players in energy production, with half of the top oil producers being BRICS+ members. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy demand is projected to increase by 30% between 2016 and 2040. This surge is comparable to adding the combined current energy consumption of another China and another India to the existing global demand. Read more Why does Africa need BRICS? With the addition of the UAE, Iran, and, potentially, Saudi Arabia the expanded BRICS+ group would include three of the world’s largest oil exporters and would constitute 42% of the global oil supply. Oil market management will remain the purview of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied producers (OPEC+). But over the long term, an expanded BRICS+ grouping could be significant for energy markets. For years, OPEC+ states have complained that Western energy sanctions on Iran and Venezuela have constrained investment and export flows. More recently, the EU embargoes on Russian seaborne crude oil and petroleum products and the EU-G7 price caps have created a new sanctions mechanism that is politically weaponized, and targets a country’s revenues rather than export volumes. An enlarged BRICS+ would include both oil and gas exporters and two of the largest importers, China and India. Producers and consumers in this group have a shared interest in creating mechanisms to trade commodities outside the reach of the G7 financial sector, and this is not a small task. In the atomic energy sector, Russia’s Rosatom is a leading player. For example, India’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under construction with Russian assistance, features six VVER-1000 reactors that have a total capacity of 6,000 MW. Units 1 and 2 were commissioned in 2013 and 2016, respectively, and Rosatom is currently exploring the addition of six more high-capacity units in India. In China, four VVER-1000 reactors are operational at the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant, with four more under construction that utilize advanced VVER-1200 reactor technology. These new units are expected to be completed by 2028. These developments underscore the ongoing collaboration between China and Russia in advancing nuclear energy infrastructure. Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is also expanding with two new VVER-1000 units expected to be commissioned in 2025 and 2027 under the agreement with Russia. Rosatom is Involved in constructing nuclear power plants globally, including, among others, Egypt’s El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, which will feature four VVER-1200 units, slated for completion by 2029. Read more How Egypt’s BRICS membership could help create a new world order Additionally, Rosatom is pursuing projects in Hungary, Brazil, Bangladesh, Türkiye, and Nigeria. Manufacturing The manufacturing capabilities of BRICS+ are strengthened by investments in technology and infrastructure, enhancing productivity across various sectors like automotive, electronics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Integrating digital technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into manufacturing processes within these countries is revolutionizing traditional production methods, enabling them to compete more effectively on a global scale. China’s revolutionary flash ironmaking process improves efficiency and reduces costs, disrupting global iron ore and steel markets. This technology challenges misconceptions about China’s innovative capabilities and aims to lessen reliance on imported iron ore, marking a significant shift in the industry. Chinese researchers have dedicated substantial resources to this development, which could alleviate pressure on electric grids. As the world’s largest steel producer and exporter, China’s advancements enhance its position in the global steel market, raising concerns for domestic industries in the US and Europe. Additionally, China’s lower labor and energy costs further establish its dominance in iron and steel production. Mineral extraction The BRICS+ countries also play a significant role in the global production of critical minerals. Their contributions to the iron ore, copper, and nickel markets are substantial. In particular, the BRICS+ countries are leading producers of iron ore, with Brazil and India taking the lead. Moreover, the BRICS+ nations collectively hold a strong position in global copper production (where Chile and Peru are key contributors). Read more Are white farmers really persecuted? What’s behind the US-South Africa spat Russia and Indonesia are prominent in nickel production, a metal that is crucial for battery manufacturing and stainless-steel production. This highlights the strategic importance of these countries within the BRICS+ framework, especially as global interest in renewable energy solutions and electric vehicles grows. China not only leads in the production of rare earth metals but also plays a crucial role in the global supply chain for microprocessors. This dominance allows China to wield considerable influence over various high-tech industries worldwide. The collaboration among BRICS+ nations in metallic ore production ensures a stable supply of critical materials and fosters advancements in technology and sustainable practices within the mining sector. Overall, the BRICS+ alliance emerges as a powerhouse in the production of metallic ores, driving innovation and shaping the future of global resource management while responding to the evolving demands of a rapidly changing world economy. The contribution of BRICS+ in the global economy is constantly growing, and furthermore, the sectors where the alliance holds strong positions are all crucial, from agriculture and food production to energy. This creates a solid foundation for a steady growth of the political role of the group while also deepening ties among its members and partner states.

[Link to media]

— Senior Ukrainian MP blasts Trump tariffs

 

at 4/3/25 8:01am

Slapping a tax on his country represents “peak cynicism,” the national parliament’s financial committee chairman has claimed Ukrainian MP Daniil Getmantsev has condemned recently imposed US tariffs as “peak economic cynicism” toward his country. Starting Saturday, Ukraine and scores of other nations and territories are facing increased import taxes from the US, a decision that US President Donald Trump has termed “liberation day.” Ukraine falls into the baseline 10% category, while other countries face much steeper duties – up to 49% for Cambodia. Getmantsev, who leads the Financial Affairs Committee of the Verkhovna Rada, characterized the move as mildly “negative” for Ukraine, noting that its exports to the US constitute a relatively small portion of its overall international trade. According to the Economy Ministry, the European Union ranks as the primary market for Ukrainian products, followed by China, Türkiye, Egypt, India, and Moldova. Nonetheless, he remarked on his Telegram channel, “In light of our $2.6 billion deficit in foreign trade with the US, the implementation of a 10% levy is peak economic cynicism.” Getmantsev urged fellow Ukrainians to treat the change seriously, cautioning against mocking the inclusion of the uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands – Australian territories in Antarctica known for their wildlife – in the tariff list. Read more ‘Reciprocal’ duties, action against ‘pathetic’ EU: Key points from Trump’s global tariff announcement “This was done to prevent tariff circumvention by Australian firms. It’s not particularly amusing,” the lawmaker wrote. “We must stop viewing the world’s descent into chaos as a joke and start seeking mature responses to the challenges we face.” The Trump administration has framed new tariffs as a necessary response to alleged unfair practices by other nations exerted through taxes and currency manipulation. While the US president did not specifically label Ukraine as an offender, he has separately pushed its government to finalize a minerals agreement, which he asserts would allow Washington to recoup aid provided to Kiev during its conflict with Russia. Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky is reportedly hesitant to approve the draft prepared by American officials. Media reports based on leaks of the document suggest that it would give the US broad control over large portions of the Ukrainian economy. Trump has warned that if Zelensky tries to renegotiate the proposal, he would face “big, big problems.”

[Link to media]

— A ‘blow’ to the global economy: World leaders react to Trump’s tariff onslaught

 

at 4/3/25 7:56am

The US president has levied duties ranging from 10% to 49% on virtually all of the country’s trading partners  US President Donald Trump on Wednesday rolled out a sweeping new wave of “reciprocal tariffs” as part of his so-called “Liberation Day” plan, sparking concerns over a potential global trade war. Trump announced that Washington would impose tariffs ranging from 10% to 49% on all countries based on the principle of reciprocity, declaring it a day of economic independence for the United States. Trump said the tariffs would be used to boost US manufacturing and that the measure would “make America wealthy again.” Many countries have reacted with dismay and have pledged retaliation. While a 10% base tariff was applied to all imports, many of the top US trading partners were hit with much steeper duties. China China – branded one of the “worst offenders” by Trump – was hit with a new 34% tariff on its goods, in addition to an existing 20% levy, raising total duties to at least 54%. The US decision ignores the balance of interests established through years of multilateral trade negotiations and overlooks the fact that it has long reaped significant benefits from global trade, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. “China firmly opposes this and will take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests,” the ministry said. “There are no winners in trade wars, and there is no way out for protectionism. China urges the US to immediately lift unilateral tariffs and properly resolve differences with its trading partners through dialogue on an equal footing,” the ministry added. Read more Trump’s ‘sledgehammer’ approach may cause trade wars – financial analyst Canada Canada, already subject to US tariffs, was spared the additional 10% baseline tariffs applied to many other countries due to its membership in the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It’s unclear how much last week’s “extremely productive” call between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney influenced the decision to grant Canada a reprieve. Last month, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and 10% on energy products, citing concerns over drugs and migrants crossing the border. Exceptions were made for importers who can prove their products comply with USMCA. Carney stated that while Trump had preserved key aspects of the commercial relationship between Canada and the US, the tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles were still coming into effect. “We are going to fight these tariffs with countermeasures, we are going to protect our workers, and we are going to build the strongest economy in the G7,” Carney said. pic.twitter.com/1qG6xw5ISO— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 2, 2025 Mexico Another major US trade partner, Mexico, also avoided Trump’s global tariff. The US president had earlier slapped 25% tariffs on its southern neighbor, citing failures to address migration and fentanyl trafficking, but later carved out exemptions for USMCA-compliant goods. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country has no plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on the US and will “announce a comprehensive program, not a tit-for-tat on tariffs.” “Let’s see what announcement they make, but we have a plan to strengthen the economy under any circumstance,” Sheinbaum added. Read more Trump tariffs impact ‘mixed bag’ – New Delhi EU European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the universal duties as a “major blow to the global economy.” She claimed that a new 20% US tariff on the EU would see “uncertainty spiral,” causing “dire” consequences “for millions of people around the globe.” The move will “trigger the rise of further protectionism,” von der Leyen argued, warning that the bloc is prepared to respond. “If you take on one of us, you take on all of us,” she stated. Echoing her remarks, European Council President Antonio Costa said a trade war between the EU and the US would “affect everyone,” and called Trump’s decision a “major economic mistake.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a close ally of Trump, criticized the decision as “wrong” but expressed her commitment to negotiating a deal with the US to “prevent a trade war.” pic.twitter.com/0LcmunmuQv— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 2, 2025 In Germany, the EU’s major economic powerhouse, which has been grappling with a downturn over the past two years, Economy Minister Robert Habeck slammed the US “obsession” with tariffs, warning that it “could put a spiral in motion that can tear countries into recession.” In France, President Emmanuel Macron is set to convene representatives from all business sectors affected by the import tariffs as producers are already counting future losses. Sales of French wine and spirits are expected to drop by at least 20% in the US, spirits exporters group FEVS told Reuters. “We are indeed going to see an adverse effect on production,” French government spokeswoman Sophie Primas told broadcaster RTL. Trump “thinks he is the master of the world” but the EU is “ready for this trade war” and has a “whole range of tools,” she insisted. pic.twitter.com/jk92kSJyYd— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 2, 2025 The sweeping tariffs will put jobs at risk on both sides of the Atlantic, according to Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin, who believes there is “no justification for this.” Goods from Ireland will be hit with a 20% tariff as part of measures Trump has imposed on the EU. “More than €4.2 billion worth of goods and services are traded between the EU and the US daily. Tariffs drive inflation, hurt people on both sides of the Atlantic, and put jobs at risk,” Martin said. UK Britain was hit less hard than most other countries with a 10% duty imposed on its exports. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “nobody wins in a trade war” and vowed to “fight for the best deal for Britain.” He argued that there’s a “range of levers at our disposal” stressing, however, that the UK’s “intention remains to secure a deal” with the US.  Read more ‘Reciprocal’ duties, action against ‘pathetic’ EU: Key points from Trump’s global tariff announcement Japan Japan has “serious concerns” about the consistency of Trump’s tariffs with the WTO agreement and the Japan-US trade deal, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a statement. Japanese Trade Minister Yoji Muto described the measures as “extremely regrettable” and stated that all options were under consideration. When asked whether Japan would retaliate against the 24% tariff imposed by the US, he said: “We need to decide what is best for Japan, and most effective, in a careful but bold and speedy manner.” Israel Economic officials in Israel, a key US ally, were reportedly in “complete shock” over the 17% tariff imposed by Trump, according to local media. The country had eliminated all tariffs on American imports ahead of the announcement to ensure that Israel was exempt from new levies. “We are working to understand the motivation behind this move,” Ron Tomer, president of the Manufacturers Association of Israel, said on Wednesday. READ MORE: Trump rolls out sweeping new tariffs Ukraine The new 10% tariff announced by Trump on Ukrainian imports is “economic cynicism,” said Daniil Getmantsev, head of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Finance Committee. According to Getmantsev, the levy is unlikely to have a major negative impact on Ukraine, given the relatively small exports to the US. “But imposing such tariffs when our trade balance with the US shows a $2.6 billion deficit is, frankly, economic cynicism of the highest order,” he added.

[Link to media]

— South Africa will seek clarity on new US tariffs – trade minister

 

at 4/3/25 7:52am

The official says Pretoria is looking into how Trump arrived at the 30% “reciprocal” tariffs he imposed on goods from the country Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Parks Tau, has pledged to engage with the United States government for clarity regarding the 30% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump. This decision follows an announcement by Trump of reciprocal tariffs affecting various countries, including South Africa, which will come into effect on April 9. Speaking with the media at the Gauteng Investment Conference held on Thursday in Johannesburg, Tau expressed confusion over the method used by the US to calculate the tariff adjustments. He stated, “We are all trying to work out how the US arrived at 60% discounted to 30%, as the tariffs that we are having, and therefore the discount.” The South African government currently imposes much lower tariffs on US goods, averaging around 7.6%, in stark contrast to the 30% tariffs affecting their exports to the US. READ MORE: Trump imposes highest tariff on African nation The sudden announcement of these tariffs has been attributed to Trump’s broader strategy of reinstating tariffs on countries like China, the United Kingdom, and others. Trump indicated that “a lot of bad things” are happening in South Africa, which has prompted concerns about trade relations moving forward. Questions surrounding the rationale behind the US’ high tariff rates are emerging, with speculation that the calculations may involve various factors, including the trade balance. ”At this point, we are going to need clarity from the US as to how they arrived at the number and how they would want to engage,” Tau added. Read more Africa first? Trump might just force it Earlier on Thursday, IOL News reported that the implications of these tariffs could prove to be damaging, particularly for key sectors in South Africa such as agriculture, manufacturing, and automotive. Dr Ernst van Biljon, head lecturer and programme coordinator in Supply Chain Management at the IMM Graduate School, warned of the potential for severe economic disruption. ”The sheer scale of disparities, with some countries facing near-50% tariffs, signals a potential for major trade disruption,” he said. Meanwhile, chairperson of the federal council of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Helen Zille, expressed particular concern for South Africa’s automotive industry. “It is going to be disastrous for our automotive industry in particular if they have 30% tariffs slapped on our motor vehicles that are made in the facilities of Pretoria and Nelson Mandela Bay.  Obviously, it is going to be terrible for us,” she stated. First published by IOL

[Link to media]

— Ukraine a ‘sponsor of terrorism’ – Malian FM

 

at 4/3/25 7:04am

Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop has met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow to discuss regional security threats Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop has accused Ukraine of suppoerting terrorist groups in the Sahel region. He made the remark during a press conference in Moscow on Thursday after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as the foreign ministers of Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali’s fellow Alliance of Sahel States (AES) members. “These terrorists are supported by external actors, regional actors present in our region who assist them and provide them with logistical support — for example, Ukraine,” the minister said. “Ukraine is a sponsor of terrorism, and this must be stopped,” Diop emphasized. Lavrov echoed these concerns, asserting that Kiev has become a destabilizing force in Africa.  “Some extra-regional players are still attempting to destabilize the region. Among them, in addition to the former colonizers, there has recently been a Kiev regime that, with the full connivance of its Western sponsors, openly supports terrorist groups in this part of Africa,” Lavrov stated.  Read more Ukraine linked to Africa terror attack: What we know so far The military rulers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have all accused Ukraine of arming and training Tuareg rebels and jihadist insurgents in the Sahel region after officials in Kiev allegedly provided intelligence to rebels for an ambush last July that killed scores of Malian soldiers, as well as Russian Wagner Group contractors. These claims have been echoed by French media outlets but are denied by Kiev, despite the Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) spokesman claiming responsibility for the insurgent attack. In early August, Mali severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine after Andrey Yusov, the spokesman for Ukraine’s HUR, made remarks about fighting in northern Mali. Days later, Niger’s military government followed suit, in solidarity with its neighbor. Burkina Faso’s Ambassador to Russia Aristide Tapsoba told TASS that “currently, there are almost no diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and Ukraine. Since we have created the AES, there is only one path - what one country decides, the other countries follow.”  READ MORE: Terrorists of the world, unite! Why Ukraine’s attempts to hurt Russia will fail Speaking to RT in November, Haruna Warkani, a retired diplomat of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, also made the allegations. “Ukraine ... has never been transparent enough to tell the subregion or other parts of Africa its nefarious activities on the continent, and now we can see that Ukraine actually had been the enemy,” he said.

[Link to media]

As of 4/3/25 3:48pm. Last new 4/3/25 3:48pm.