Tag: USA

Business

US plans 12.5% tariffs on imports over forced labour concerns

The United States has proposed new tariffs of up to 12.5 per cent on imports from 60 economies over their alleged failure to ban goods produced with forced labour. The move, which would affect major trading partners including China, the European Union, and Japan, represents a broad escalation in trade enforcement. The determination, made under […]

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US to cut Africa visa processing centres to 20

The United States Department of State has announced plans to significantly reduce the number of diplomatic missions in Africa that process visa applications for foreign travellers, according to a report by the Associated Press. Quoting officials and an internal memorandum, it was reported on Monday that the number of US embassies and consulates across Africa […]

Business

Oil prices rise as US strikes in Iran heighten supply fears

Oil prices climbed on Thursday after renewed United States strikes in Iran heightened fears of disruption to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 2.48 per cent to $96.63 per barrel by 4:13 a.m. ET, easing slightly from earlier gains. West Texas Intermediate increased 2.41 per cent to $90.82 […]

Business

Oil prices mixed after US strikes against Iran clouds peace prospects

Oil prices traded unevenly on Tuesday as United States military operations in southern Iran and President Donald Trump’s conflicting signals on talks between Tehran and Washington unsettled market sentiment. Brent crude for July delivery rose 1.6 per cent to $97.72 per barrel during Asian trading, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for June fell 5.4 […]

Business

17 Americans, others evacuated from cruise ship after Hantavirus outbreak

Seventeen Americans are among 150 passengers being evacuated from the M/V Hondius cruise ship following an outbreak of a strain of Hantavirus, as the head of the World Health Organization stresses that the virus “is not another COVID-19.” The vessel is expected to anchor off Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday, after which WHO Director-General Dr. […]

Business

Maersk confirms safe passage of ship through Hormuz under US escort

Danish shipping company Maersk has confirmed that one of its commercial vessels has safely passed through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz under United States military protection. The vessel, Alliance Fairfax, a U.S.-flagged ship operated by Farrell Lines, a subsidiary of Maersk Line Limited—completed the passage on Monday without any incident, the company said. All […]

Business

US military to escort stranded ships through Hormuz

President Donald Trump said the United States will assist vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf in passing through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a “humanitarian gesture” and a test of efforts to restore maritime traffic through the strategic waterway for the first time since the war with Iran began. The initiative, called […]

US Embassy in Nigeria moves to new visa service provider
Business

US reverses visa policy, allows Nigerian doctors to resume applications

Nigerian doctors are set to benefit from a policy reversal in the United States that allows physicians to resume visa applications and processing. Earlier in the year, the US introduced a broad visa restriction affecting several countries, including Nigeria, citing national security concerns. The policy disrupted visa renewals for foreign doctors, many of whom are […]

Aviation

US–Venezuela direct flights resume after seven-year suspension

United States and Venezuela is set to land in Caracas on Thursday, marking the resumption of air travel between the two countries after a seven-year suspension ordered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over security concerns. The restoration of flights follows a series of major diplomatic developments, including the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro […]

Tech

US issues global warning over alleged Chinese AI thefts

The U.S. State Department has directed its embassies worldwide to highlight what it describes as extensive attempts by Chinese firms, including AI startup DeepSeek to appropriate intellectual property from American artificial intelligence laboratories, according to a diplomatic cable reviewed by Reuters. The cable stated that the initiative aims to “warn of the risks of using […]

Business

Brent nears $95 over fears of US-Iran ceasefire collapse

Oil prices surged and European stock markets retreated after the United States seized an Iranian vessel, undermining optimism over a potential peace agreement. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, climbed 4.8 per cent on Monday to $94.69 (£70.07) per barrel. Across Europe, equities came under pressure. The UK’s blue-chip FTSE 100 slipped 0.7 per cent, […]